David Mitchell: The Waterstones Interview

[@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

[@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.)

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@surge208]

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

[@electricfootballhero1349]

Agreed.

[@Yawnyaman]

No

[@Chris-wq3pe]

well, OK then

[@JamesHanks]

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

[@juliedray-k9t]

I know what David means about history. Ever since I was about 10 or 11 I have been fascinated in history. It’s a lead to where we are today it’s a way of understanding our customs, our language and relationships within ourselves and with other nations. The social history and why we are proud to be who we are. As David said, we can’t see the future but we can the past and some things of the past we don’t want repeating. David makes history come alive and makes it an interesting subject. The younger generation can learn a lot from it.

[@JasonSmith0]

Bought Unruly. Thanks for this. David’s shirt is the same as his History Hit appearance. That is noteworthy.

[@BeatlemaccaAR]

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

[@susanfehr4073]

The more I hear David speaking the more I like him. He seems to be a very intelligent, kind, and funny man, who thinks carefully before he voices a serious opinion.

[@buggyboogle9]

Excellent interviewer. Well-researched and interesting questions.

[@JanetPentecost]

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

[@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.

[@NEONMOTORFAIRY]

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.

[@Sally-id9xj]

That’s such a lovely thing to say I do hope you’re right

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@WillHarrell]

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

[@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.

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

12:11 "If you've believed in divine providence, and then divine providence stops working, that incredibly destabilizing, like losing your mobile phone." Classic golden Mitchell-ism

[@jandmlewis4294]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@RickyChambers-p3e]

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?

[@sckiwidevil7822]

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

[@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.😄

[@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!

[@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!

[@utubesigninsux]

Yep. I always wanted David Mitchell as UK PM & Ronnie Dio as US President

[@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.

[@EntityAzirius]

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

[@jinz0]

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

[@knn6215]

Reading this book now. It might well end up being an all time favourite of mine.

[@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.

[@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!

[@GrahamCStrouse]

@@andrewclayton4181Just the head?

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@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 😀

[@janvriend7948]

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

[@tokyobear]

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

[@ljragsandfeathers]

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.

[@jadhamizan]

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

[@stuartwarner6719]

Fascinating. That's my Christmas book sorted.

[@fairsaa7975]

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

[@BalrogsHaveWings]

Just finished reading "Unruly" and felt a strange compulsion to read it again. Only three other books have ever made me feel that way ❤

[@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 ;)

[@bobfranklin2121]

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

[@drizer4real]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@vonvard]

I can't wait to read this book now.

[@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”

[@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!!

[@janboyes4259]

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

[@johnglenn30csardas]

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

[@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.

[@anna-mariaglover9259]

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

[@greeneyeddevil1]

Very nice interview

[@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)

[@ianbryan7976]

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

[@robertdean7950]

Thank you . great interview.

[@tonyblack3401]

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

[@geo24793]

Looking forward to Business Secrets of the Pharohs from David!

[@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. ☺

[@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.

[@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.

[@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"

[@MaryofAz]

David has an amazing mind.

[@richardjones8673]

Recommend the audiobook which is read by David Mitchell.

[@nicolegarrett8407]

Lovely interview and loved the book as well. (He must have been ill for the promo tour--all of these interview sound like he can barely breathe, poor guy. But he does look happy.)

[@malenurse51]

A complex mind, an entertaining writer.

[@Celticcross688]

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

[@jglasshalfpool4640]

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

[@neuvocastezero1838]

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

[@Messy6610]

Made me chuckle.

[@Chris-hx3om]

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

[@someguy1293]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@jinchoi2493]

What a great interview

[@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’.

[@annapajmel5843]

The interviewer is great ❤

[@anneog]

Are they blank books on lovely David's right? Wonderful interview, but I couldn't stop looking at those books!

[@WaterstonesTV]

On his right, yes, just notebooks for aesthetic purposes!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Mootown211]

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

[@nihonbunka]

The book concludes with an entertainer and genius, Shakespeare, summing up the regal tradition in a better way than any monarch is able before or since, and now another entertainer is doing the same thing?

[@raehughes126]

Just ordered this book 😊

[@taffbanjo]

Excellent interview!

[@pangaeuspress]

So interesting. A story sadly neglected, and I look forward to reading the book. But! I've never seen David Mitchell nervous during an interview before.

[@MafuHardy]

I felt this too. I can be incredibly confident, but occasionally I get this type of stage fright or anxiety. I heard my own anxiety in David's voice throughout. I don't know the trigger of my own anxiety, perhaps David just had a bad day.

[@mibber121]

what are those books above David on the left? Such stylish covers. I want them

[@JohnHazenhousen]

They are Penguin clothbound classics.

[@1972tommyc]

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

[@grahamstrouse1165]

That would be brilliant!

[@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?)

[@0x2A_]

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

[@GeorginaDeane]

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.