Making History

By: K. J. Parker

Narrated by: Ian Bedford

In K. J. Parker's whip-smart dark fantasy, a group of scholars must do the impossible for a ruthless king. The cost of refusal, of course, is death.

History isn't truth; it's propaganda.

Seeking war with his neighbor, the tyrannical ruler of Aelia convenes several of his kingdom's professors for a chat. First Citizen Gyges only just invaded Aelia a few years back, and naturally, his public image can't take the hit of another unjustified assault.

His totally sane solution? Simple, really. These scholars must construct a fake ancient city from scratch to verify Gyges's apocryphal claims.

Now these academics must put their heads together to make history. Because if they don't, they'll lose their heads altogether.

©2025 K. J. Parker (P)2025 Podium Audio

History Lessons (BrettD review)

This is a fun short novella packed with lessons. Although this is a fictional world, it rings all to true with modern politics. What is truth? Does the truth matter? If we say lies confidently enough times.........isn't that as good as truth? Definitely worth a listen.

Tip: If you don't want to spend a credit on a 4 hour audiobook, put this in your wish list and monitor it for sale prices.

The anti-hero

I love Mr Parker’s take on the anti-hero’s. He never fails to impress me with his witty and solemnly sarcastic commentary by heroes that are really anything but. His books are now all favorites of mine. They start out making me wonder if I’ll hate it, or the main character, but then I realize I couldn’t hate them more than they hate themselves. Great story telling. I’m always grudgingly satisfied.