After reading "The Evil Empire: 101 Ways That England Ruined the World," you get the sense that author Steven A. Grasse isn't totally smitten with the Brits. Grasse's book is an angry and amusing assault on everyone from "inbred royals" like Queen Elizabeth II ("the direct descendant of cannibalistic Druids") to the "pug-faced louts" of Scotland Yard. He also skewers cricket-playing, "pudding-bellied barons," Big Ben, the band Oasis, vainglorious Shakespearean actors and Sir Isaac Newton. Even poor Harry Potter doesn't escape Grasse's vitriolic wrath.

In addition to the tongue-in-cheek rants, the well-designed book features scores of clever illustrations. Find out more about "The Evil Empire" (Quick Books, $15.95) by visiting www.evilempirebook.com.