David Mitchell: The Waterstones Interview

No matter how you feel about them, there’s no doubt that the Royal Family still play a crucial role in our national identity - but how did we get to where we are? And how much do we really know about the Kings and Queens of our past. We sat down with comedian and writer David Mitchell to discover why the early Kings were just successful bullies, why royal succession is a bit like losing your mobile phone, and why Magna Carta is important for many reasons, but doesn’t get you off wearing a face mask or paying your council tax.
Unruly (SIGNED): bit.ly/3RtXG5I
F O L L O W U S
TWITTER --} / waterstones
INSTAGRAM --} / waterstones
FACEBOOK --} / waterstones
TIKTOK --} / waterstones
PODCAST --} www.waterstones.com/podcast

[@debrasawarin8869]

David has such a lovely mind. Smart plus a great communicator with a sense of humour. I admire him very much.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

You’re spot on! I hope that comes out in his book. If so it’ll be a winner.

[@rayneweber5904]

I loved Upstart Crow

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

@@rayneweber5904 Thanks. I’ll look it out.

[@masterlangtau]

He and Victoria both have amazing minds; a perfect match.

[@globalwarmhugs7741]

You forgot sexy. (Seriously, I'm that much of a nerd.)

[@barryh.5409]

I loved his first book, business secrets of the pharaohs. Great read.

[@rohitchakraborty5592]

That was not a book. That was just a print out.

[@andrasszabo1570]

That was not his, that was written by Mark Crorigan!

[@barryh.5409]

@@andrasszabo1570 David Mitchell needs to be made aware of this imposter at once!

[@nyclplaywrite]

Excellent book. All in CAPS there for a while. "Make UK company law your omnibus." Great stuff. Generous portion of nuts.

[@misterpricklefingers]

Quite hard to read as a lot of the words disappear into centre of the book

[@Amadeus2054]

David Mitchell is a national, if not international, treasure.

[@apetass123]

Big fan from Sweden here, so yes please.

[@dianne7922]

Big fan from Canada so yes admired, respected in many countries.

[@BeatlemaccaAR]

International indeed ❤

[@murrumbidgeekid]

Yep. From Australia.

[@jake751]

Wouldn't go that far

[@robot_spider]

It's the longest I've seen David Mitchell genuinely smiling and enthusiastic. I know his grumpy, ranty-man thing is kind of a character. But it's nice to see him enthusiastically engaged in something he enjoys talking about. Don't get me wrong, I also love grumpy, ranty David Mitchell, but this is a nice side to see.

[@lilymarinovic1644]

He looks like he has caught some sun - maybe holiday afterglow?

[@saucyl3477]

I think he's just happy to be away from the screaming kiddos.

[@francesT5877]

I can’t wait to read the book. One of the really nice things about growing older is watching people you admire expand and deepen their scope. David Mitchell is very much an example of this, a very funny person, who can enjoy very silly humor, but also has become a thoughtful commentator on our society and now dipping into history. Glad to see as well that he’s looking well. I want him to be around for a long time.

[@daniellamcgee4251]

David Mitchell studied history at Cambridge University, and started writing about history as a boy. So, that aspect isn't exactly new. But yes, David has broad scope as a person. 😊

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

Yes, I feel the same way. Haven’t read anything of his but it’s evident from his comedy, I think, that he’s a smart guy, akin to the Pythons in level of academic background. His performances in WILTY have me almost in tears of laughter 😂.

[@brownsey1]

​@daniellamcgee4251 Those jokes written into Peep Show concerning Mark's love of history were just David Mitchell in real life 😅

[@alexryan2521]

Beautifully said

[@surge208]

The world is better because of David Mitchell. I mean it.

[@electricfootballhero1349]

Agreed.

[@Yawnyaman]

No

[@Chris-wq3pe]

well, OK then

[@buggyboogle9]

I’ve always found David Mitchell absolutely delightful. There’s a sincerity to his humour. And I’m not one bit surprised he loves old things and history. He is very old school. I’m sure he’s also the most wonderful father to his young daughter.

[@theothertonydutch]

He loves history but is also critical of it, which is a good thing. Far too many people want to go back to how things were, looking at it through rose tinted glasses, without being able to look and progress to the future.

[@user-py9kg6xh8c]

Amazing to see David come so far. Clawed his way up from the mean streets of Oxford, fought his way through Cambridge University, underdogged his way through Channel 4 and BBC careers, briefly a movie star… and now we here. We in Waterstones, baby.

[@nevbarnes1034]

He's an inspiration to us all.

[@moodyonroody5313]

So Oxford isn;t all bad?

[@youngtrader4541]

He has such bright and youthful eyes. I think he’ll be one of those who lives to 100, putting out great work into his 90s.

[@m444ss]

As an American, I greatly appreciated Davis Mitchell's explanation of the value in having a weak monarch who nevertheless has power over the otherwise most powerful person in government. First time I'd heard that particular reasoning, and it makes good sense, with that understanding, that England would do well to keep that political arrangement.

[@andrewclayton4181]

Yes . I'm not in favour of the royals, inclined to republicanism rather than having a privileged family at the top. But the big question is What do you replace them with? A lot of elected heads of state on display, don't appeal!

[@joelhenderson4450]

Love the last points David makes about the separation of Head of State and Head of Government, and about prioritizing important stuff like electoral reform.

[@allenwilliams1306]

I think having a nominal head of state that cannot actually do anything is pointless. Far better to have an elected “Lord Protector” with power of veto if legislation contravenes human rights, unreasonably restricts personal liberty, or unreasonably impinges on the freedom or minorities, let us say. Of course, we would need a new Bill of Rights that would define the legitimate boundaries of such legislation. While we are at it, it would be a good idea to replace the House of Lords and introduce proportional representation, too.

[@JamesHanks]

love the way comedians talk and just intuitively interject humour into almost every sentence, vrey entertaining to listen to

[@carolefreeman2544]

As a huge history buff and especially British history as well as a fan of David Mitchell’s humour, I must buy this book immediately ❤🇨🇦

[@sammyb1651]

I must say, you have truly EXCELLENT taste!

[@craven5328]

Me as well! I can't wait to read a whole book of his possibly angry - yet very logical - rants!

[@denisesf5]

Fellow Canadian here...that completely agrees!!

[@HeeBeeGeeBee392]

@@craven5328 I'm listening to the audiobook version, which is a real hoot. It's not dry at all.

[@wizard-pirate]

I had never heard of David's writing before, but it does not surprise me AT ALL that he's a huge history buff. He exudes big history nerd energy.

[@andrewclayton4181]

I have read some of his other stuff, it's always good.

[@andrasszabo1570]

He did graduate from Cambridge with a degree in history, probably that's why...

[@JuliaHopewell]

If you happen to have missed "Upstart Crow", thoroughly recommend it.😄

[@beth-eileenwalker8579]

Always brilliant Mr. Mitchell, can't wait for him to write the next one. Miss seeing him on QI and hearing him rant and say what the rest of us are thinking.

[@bibliopolist]

If he were on QI now, he wouldn't get a word between Sandi's long, read out ramblings anyway. The show has lost almost all the fun.

[@annastracke8585]

Ahh, I love David Mitchell- brains and humour, what a stimulating combination.

[@jimb9063]

I like to think of him and his ilk as honorary Pythons.

[@buggyboogle9]

Excellent interviewer. Well-researched and interesting questions.

[@jackbassett9365]

As a Canadians we have the same Head of State as Britain and I find myself agreeing with David about the idea of us becoming a Republic. There are no Canadian Politicians that I would trust to craft a new system. One plus in being a constitutional monarchy is that it is a very marked difference between us and the USA. It is one more difference to help keep us from falling into the dumpster fire that is American politics in the 21st century.

[@BeatlemaccaAR]

Mark FINALLY made it!!! Yaaay! Sitting pretty waiting for my copy to arrive 😊 David is certainly a wonderful chap all round ❤

[@jcortese3300]

He's a comedian, then a public intellectual, and I'm delighted that his work is being taken seriously enough to warrant this kind of interview. The older I get, the more interesting British history is becoming to me, and thanks to his book and a little extra work on my part on getting the Stuarts straight in my head, I can now get all the way from Aethelred to Charles III. "Unruly" may not be an academic work, but it presents all the monarchs in a way that makes them extremely easy to get a grip on and remember in order. It's fantastic. Anyone who wants to get started on that topic should consider this book a must-read.

[@fidelogos7098]

Being an avid English history buff and a big fan of David Mitchell, I preordered this book from Amazon months ago. I'm pleased to be reminded that the US will get the book on October 3. Yay! I just wish we could get the latest season of Would I Lie To You here.

[@mr_misfire]

Looks like this book will be a worthy successor to his previous work, Business Secrets of the Pharaohs

[@helenswan705]

I am so glad that books are still a thing. But also so pleased to hear a bit on youtube, thanks

[@WaterstonesTV]

We got you on both counts ;)

[@TCO-Peace-harmony-man]

Books will never die because they are physically real online will always fail because it doesn’t exist

[@bobfranklin2121]

​@@WaterstonesTVI feel like David would correct your grammar here

[@ziggypop8106]

Mr M is looking well. I like his voice, quick wit, humour, idiolect and most of all his mind. Anybody who hasn't watched 'Back' with Mitchell and Webb should. It's fantastic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@WillHarrell]

I can listen to David for days. And looking very healthy sir.

[@user-hl6yh6bl4u]

David Mitchell is so interesting because of his love of history and sense of humor.

[@luminair11]

Interesting interview and never the saw the monarchy as a plus until hearing David talk about it in the way he does. As an Australian, I'm a republican in mind, but can now see the other side a bit more clearly.....so thanks David for that!

[@robbikebob]

I absolutely love David Mitchell. A man with immense common sense and knowledge. If only people like him could be part of government, the problem with politicians is that you need a screw loose to want to be in politics, so that doesn't filter through the best for the job!

[@jinz0]

They try to stay serious on these interviews with Mitchell but he's on another level

[@jadhamizan]

17:45 That lighthearted rib toward Josh Widdicombe is hilarious! 😁

[@paulineson4876]

Nice interview. Mitchell seems a good bloke. I like his obvious enthusiasm for history. Some wise words at the end of the interview too. I’ll certainly buy his book.

[@jandmlewis4294]

Excellent. Such a pleasure to listen to him - and to have him interviewed by an intelligent person.

[@AndyRossism]

Oh hes aging like a fine wine great chat, very interesting, though I realy wish there was an intro to the book at the start , we were straight in and I didn't know anything about it or that he had written it 😀

[@roshangomez]

Good to see one of my favorite comedian here. As for the bully story, it can safely be said this was the way it started for all the rulers around the world.

[@rebeccamoore8536]

I know that William the Conqueror was also William the Norman because my high school English teacher once shared an anecdote about her husband (also an English teacher) playing a trivia game and misnaming William "Norman the Conqueror". I will forever remember this misnomer.

[@andrewclayton4181]

Fantastic. Dan Snow interviewed him about his new book too. It's on YT, and well worth seeking out. I'm going to get his book.

[@Krnflakgrl71]

I love David so so much. I can’t wait to read this. His love of history, and excitement about passing it on to us with his unique insight and humor woven in it- I’m sure it’s going to be an extraordinary read!

[@EntityAzirius]

What a wonderful human being. He's one of my favourites.

[@stableschippenham]

I would binge watch David telling the story of Britain from stone throwing caveman onwards.

[@Mine4062]

And ideally, it would last just as long.

[@Adam-pt3cb]

David Mitchell taking on some bill Bryson type novels could work really well

[@allenwilliams1306]

That is precisely what happened at the school I went to in History lessons from when I was 10 to when I was 12. It took those three years to get to James I (VI of Scotland) and the Gunpowder Plot. Then it stopped. I had to choose between History and Geography, and the latter won hands down. I would dearly have loved to give up a foreign language instead, but they made us do two of those, French, and one of Latin, German, or Russian. Completely useless, and utterly boring. I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind teaching foreign languages in school. Even if you are any good, the odds are you'll never have any use for the ones you learn. Welsh would have been a better choice.

[@fillipo1972]

David has a Brian Cox level of understanding our history. He also has amazing humour (see peep show or anything by Mitchell and Webb). He speaks so frankly in his autobiography it actually makes you feel what he's feeling especially when he talks of his beautiful wife Victoria.

[@tokyobear]

Fun and very interesting and I appreciated the summing up by David. Thanks for posting this!

[@andrewchase9307]

Bill Bryson is now retired, so I'm hoping Unruly is the first step in David Mitchell being his successor.

[@collectivesartori]

Perhaps travels further in time than in space, but still a cracking read/listen

[@jglasshalfpool4640]

David is who Mark on Peep Show was desperate to be. x

[@sckiwidevil7822]

Love David Mitchell, especially in Upstart Crow, and all he does is also brilliant.

[@drizer4real]

Haven't read it yet, but already hoping he will write part 2 :)

[@lesleyjohnson8488]

I am obsessed with David Mitchell. Thank you for this excellent interview! Ever since I read ‘The Pageant of England’ series by Thomas B. Costain as a child, I fell in love with the story, and felt a deep love for poor Harold. So excited to read your book when it arrives.

[@under0ath109]

I'm doing it, Dad. I'm studying Ancient History and there's not a thing you can do!

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Great to be studying ancient history. The only thing is - ancient history is a misnomer. Ancient history is really modern history. The Romans and Greeks were just like us, sophisticated thinkers, artists, writers, architects, inventors, administrators and socialisers. History is history . . .

[@Chris-fd7yt]

That’s all ancient history now.

[@robertdean7950]

Thank you . great interview.

[@michelleikoma2953]

Nothing would please me more than having dinner with a historian who has a sense of humour. I think it would be so much fun!

[@stuartwarner6719]

Fascinating. That's my Christmas book sorted.

[@alskjflah]

According to Audible Unruly will be released on October 3rd and David is the narrator. I have my preorder in.

[@CmdrEsteban]

Brilliant! I’ve just pre-ordered David’s book.

[@whophd]

I read the words “pre-ordained”

[@fairsaa7975]

Will definitely give it a read; I love history and I love David Mitchell, so this book should be right up my alley!

[@0x2A_]

Seems very strange to listen David talk so calmly and eloquently after watching a few episodes of Peep Show 😂

[@Chris-hx3om]

David 'In a sense all names are made up' Mitchell.... Love him to bits!

[@vonvard9765]

I can't wait to read this book now.

[@malenurse51]

A complex mind, an entertaining writer.

[@johnglenn30csardas]

The mobile phone line is hysterical. Reason enough to buy the book.

[@carolmcabee4056]

From Canada and enjoyed this very much

[@nbell63]

Lovely. It's always nice to hear a notable person agrees with your own particular conceits (well, some at least). Cheers, David, and many thanks to Mr Waterstones. - from, An Antipodean Republican. ☺

[@jinchoi2493]

What a great interview

[@ahr355]

Love David Mitchell! Victoria is amazing too. Wish they had both been on taskmasters in the same series/season. Glad I saw this in my YT feed. Can't wait too receive my book. 🇺🇲❤️🇺🇦

[@buggyboogle9]

Apparently he has chosen not to appear on Taskmaster.

[@neuvocastezero1838]

"And he wasn't called that then, so they didn't know that they needed to worry."

[@tRicky198181]

Made me chuckle.

[@Mootown211]

thanks for the reminder that I pre-ordered this on audible a while ago 🙂. great interview!

[@dorothyhansen4374]

I love this. It is okay and even desirable for people to love their tradition, but understand and accept where it came from. Not getting the latter is and has been the grounds for much social injustice and violence.

[@taffbanjo]

Excellent interview!

[@rootkite]

Fascinating stuff! Thank you :) It would, I think, behoove any historian to guide their gaze even further back than the era of kingdoms -- there were ancient peoples who were "indigenous" to the areas into which others arrived, inasmuch as they themselves had arrived there through thousands of years of subsisting and carrying culture with them. There are many memories that are often literally eroded away, and listening to the past is an issue of attitude as well as science; the spiritual aspects of comprehending our history are what will help open doors into ever more far-reaching epiphanies (I believe). Let's learn peace as well!

[@janboyes4259]

An interesting interview, and I'm enjoying (and learning a lot) reading the book...

[@andrewbradley1700]

To be honest I wasn't a massive fan of David Mitchell, he's growing on me , but I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of the monarchy.

[@livb6945]

I have clearly watched too much WILTY because when David said he likes old things, in my head I heard Lee's voice going "don't talk about your wife like that"

[@paulkinzer7661]

I really appreciate David's last points about the advantages of a constitutional monarchy. As an American, it's not something I'd considered, but it be wonderful if our head of state had no power, and our head of government didn't need such a huge ego just to consider running for the position!

[@Michael75579]

Your head of state has some power, but the system is set up so that the other branches of the government/state can block them. It seemed to me, looking in from the outside, that this was one of the things that really annoyed Trump: he'd grown up with no one ever telling him "No" and once he was President he discovered that it's not a dictatorship and there were plenty of people/organisations that could and would stop him from taking certain actions. Being lazy, non-too-bright, intolerant, impulsive and ill-informed didn't help.

[@lobstermash]

And crucially, if your head of state had no party affiliation.

[@someguy1293]

nice to see british london followed through with helping mr crorigan with his new book

[@DanielVerberne]

I wish I was real-life friends with David Mitchell. He's clearly a considerable intellect and it permeates everything he does, enriching it (in my view)

[@readytext]

Great example of how a good history teacher can transform a child's development. And why we should help students become more articulate maybe through teaching debate rather than just composition (take a lead from Law courses?)

[@Celticcross688]

Will purchase your book David love listening to your knowledge🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪

[@ianbryan7976]

If I had David as my teacher I might have learnt some history at school. he is great

[@HKSAR55]

just preordered Thanks Mitchell

[@mayanchild]

Is it just me or is David Mitchell the new James Bond? I just want to snuggle up with him & read a good book.

[@oldhedders]

Nice to see someone actually articulate the sensible view of monarchy that I think most of us Brits have; namely, that if we were setting out to design our constitution from scratch we would not end up with a constitutional monarchy, but the fact that we have one is nowhere near the top of our list of problems as a country.

[@DidYaServe]

They should've had Jez in character, holding a bag of cans, interrupting right at the end.

[@greeneyeddevil1]

Very nice interview

[@raehughes126]

Just ordered this book 😊

[@anna-mariaglover9259]

Almost finished this book and it's absolutely hilarious. Will miss it when it's over.

[@MaryofAz]

David has an amazing mind.

[@denisesf5]

LOVE LOVE the answer to the royalty question. David spoke the exact opinion I have on the matter in words I am not clever enough to articulate. Thank you Sir!! Bravo!!

[@gracechildrensministryinte57]

David Mitchell: the glow up era

[@annapajmel5843]

The interviewer is great ❤

[@1972tommyc]

I would dearly love to see a debate between David and Philomena Cunk. History worth watching!😁

[@grahamstrouse1165]

That would be brilliant!

[@geo24793]

Looking forward to Business Secrets of the Pharohs from David!

[@user-bf8ud9vt5b]

Attributed to the 9th Century Welsh monk, Nennius: “Tunc Arthur pugnabat contra illos in illis diebus cum regibus Brittonum, sed ipse erat dux bellorum.” My quick translation: “Arthur was then fighting against them [i.e., the Saxons] in those days with the kings of the Britons, but he himself was the commander of the battles”. Arthur of myth is of course a very different figure than the much more likely Romano-British ‘general’ commanding the battles on behalf of the various ‘kings of the Britons’.

[@pd1323]

Amazing book

[@ShredCo]

I preordered the book, mate

[@prakharjain9801]

What a gem david is! ❤

[@sketcharmslong6289]

I dont want to burst your bubble David, but my mate used to live next door to King Arthur in Farnborough.

[@Parawingdelta2]

It was an interesting comment that David made at the end regarding the monarchy which resonates with my own opinion. I wouldn’t argue against the opinion that the monarchy is a backward looking, outdated concept, but as David pointed out, I wouldn't consider our politicians to come up with anything that works to better our everyday lives.

[@marknewbold2583]

Oh the cowardice! Perhaps we should do something

[@user-mk1xm1kl2i]

This book on English kings upto 1603 is brilliant. It is only on English monarchs - no English Arthur existed, a welsh one may well have done. The Audible version narrated by David himself is a very entertaining listen.

[@scarpergirl]

I want to see David Mitchell meet Tom Scott

[@tonyblack3401]

I picked up King Arthur on the A303 about 24 years ago. Gave him a lift into town to pickup his gyro.

[@NeuroDeviant421]

Rob Brydon: "But you're an historian!" David Mitchell: "No, I'm a comedian!"

[@janvriend7948]

David proves the importance of a "sense of humour' and how the lack of it prevents politicians to think creatively.