Andrew Marr: I've always been a really serious history addict

When the BBC proposed that Andrew Marr do an eight-hour history of the world series he initially thought the idea was "completely bonkers", before deciding the challenge was "irresistable."

But, he says, "I could never do a project like this without doing my own research... and that really means writing a book."

And so he did. The book, which goes on sale later this month, "includes lots of the stories that have made it into the series and a lot of stories and a lot of ideas, proposals and anecdotes that never made it into the series."

While Marr says he has been "working ridiculously hard" on both his book and the BBC1 series, he admits the project has been "an enormous high."

"Since I was a young teenager I have been an avid, hungry consumer of history. Not a professional historian, but a really serious history addict," says Marr

Watch this exclusive video interview in which the broadcaster shares his passion for history and the stories and writers who have inspired him.

For a chance to win one of five copies of Andrew's new book, click here

Andrew Marr's History of the World starts on Sunday 23 September at 9:00pm on BBC1

A History of the World by Andrew Marr is published on 27 September