Early modern warfare Books

464 products


  • Napoleon the Great

    Penguin Books Ltd Napoleon the Great

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis''A Napoleonic triumph of a book, irresistibly galloping with the momentum of a cavalry charge'' Simon Sebag Montefiore''Simply dynamite'' Bernard CornwellFrom Andrew Roberts, author of the bestsellers The Storm of War and Churchill: Walking with Destiny, this is the definitive modern biography of Napoleon.Napoleon Bonaparte lived one of the most extraordinary of all human lives. In the space of just twenty years, from October 1795 when as a young artillery captain he cleared the streets of Paris of insurrectionists, to his final defeat at the (horribly mismanaged) battle of Waterloo in June 1815, Napoleon transformed France and Europe. After seizing power in a coup d''état he ended the corruption and incompetence into which the Revolution had descended. In a series of dazzling battles he reinvented the art of warfare; in peace, he completely remade the laws of France, modernised her systems of education and administration, and presided over a flourishing of the beautiful ''Empire style'' in the arts. The impossibility of defeating his most persistent enemy, Great Britain, led him to make draining and ultimately fatal expeditions into Spain and Russia, where half a million Frenchmen died and his Empire began to unravel.More than any other modern biographer, Andrew Roberts conveys Napoleon''s tremendous energy, both physical and intellectual, and the attractiveness of his personality, even to his enemies. He has walked 53 of Napoleon''s 60 battlefields, and has absorbed the gigantic new French edition of Napoleon''s letters, which allows a complete re-evaluation of this exceptional man. He overturns many received opinions, including the myth of a great romance with Josephine: she took a lover immediately after their marriage, and, as Roberts shows, he had three times as many mistresses as he acknowledged.Of the climactic Battle of Leipzig in 1813, as the fighting closed around them, a French sergeant-major wrote, ''No-one who has not experienced it can have any idea of the enthusiasm that burst forth among the half-starved, exhausted soldiers when the Emperor was there in person. If all were demoralised and he appeared, his presence was like an electric shock. All shouted Vive l''Empereur! and everyone charged blindly into the fire.''The reader of this biography will understand why this was so.Trade ReviewSimply dynamite ... Roberts's fine book encompasses all the evidence to give a brilliant portrait of the man -- Bernard Cornwell * Mail on Sunday *Masterly ... a huge, rich, deep, witty, humane and unapologetically admiring biography ... gloriously enjoyable -- Dan Jones * Daily Telegraph *

    7 in stock

    £17.09

  • Britain Against Napoleon

    Penguin Books Ltd Britain Against Napoleon

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom Roger Knight, established by the multi-award winning The Pursuit of Victory as ''an authority ... none of his rivals can match'' (N.A.M. Rodger), Britain Against Napoleon is the first book to explain how the British state successfully organised itself to overcome Napoleon - and how very close it came to defeatFor more than twenty years after 1793, the French army was supreme in continental Europe. How was it that despite multiple changes of government and the assassination of a Prime Minister, Britain survived and eventually won a generation-long war against a regime which at its peak in 1807 commanded many times the resources and manpower?This book looks beyond the familiar exploits (and bravery) of the army and navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It shows the degree to which, because of the magnitude and intensity of hostilities, the capacities of the whole British population were involved: industrialists, farmers, shipbuilders, gunsmiths and gunpowder manufacturers. The intelligence war was also central; but no participants were more important, Knight argues, than the bankers and international traders of the City of London, without whom the armies of Britain''s allies could not have taken the field.ROGER KNIGHT was Deputy Director of the National Maritime Museum until 2000, and now teaches at the Greenwich Maritime Institute at the University of Greenwich. In 2005 he published, with Allen Lane/Penguin, The Pursuit of Victory: the life and achievement of Horatio Nelson, which won the Duke of Westminster''s Medal for Military History, the Mountbatten Award and the Anderson Medal of the Society for Nautical Research. The present book is a culmination of his life-long interest in the workings of the late eighteenth-century British state.''Superb'' - SpectatorTrade ReviewA wonderfully disorienting read ... for [Knight] the real heroes of the struggle against Napoleon are not Wellington or Nelson or Collingwood or Cochrane but the clerks and administrators and 'silent men of business' who put Britain's armies in the field and kept her ships at sea and her allies in funds and ultimately won the war ... there is scarcely a wasted sentence here, not a duff page, not a chapter ... that does not bring you very close to the realities of a total war -- David Crane * Spectator *

    1 in stock

    £17.99

  • Hamilton

    Oxford University Press Inc Hamilton

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn Hamilton: The Energetic Founder, R. B. Bernstein provides a thorough history that reveals Hamilton''s status as one of the key founding fathers of the United States.Hamilton: The Energetic Founder is a brief introduction to the life, thought, work, and legacy of Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), but it is not a traditional biography. Public curiosity about Hamilton, his life, and his work has swelled, particularly among those intrigued by popular-culture portrayals in the Broadway musical Hamilton: An American Musical. This book presents a summary of Hamilton''s life and explores his role in revolution, constitutionalism, economics, diplomacy, and war, as well as his relationship to honor culture and duelling. The epilogue considers Hamilton''s legacies.The book considers Hamilton as a key founding father, focusing on his work as a politician, a constitutional thinker, and the nation''s first secretary of the treasury. In that role, Hamilton was perhaps the leading American domestic pTrade ReviewThis concise, elegant, and erudite presentation of the life of Alexander Hamilton is just what we need. As Americans look to the past to answer questions about our present and future, Bernstein has given us an excellent history of the life and times of a man who did so much to set the course of the early United States. * Annette Gordon-Reed, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family *Yet again, R. B. Bernstein demonstrates his mastery of the lives and legacies of the men who made America. His concise and illuminating pen portrait of Alexander Hamilton: The Energetic Founder is a welcome addition to the founders' bookshelf, an appropriate pendant to the author's excellent brief biography of Thomas Jefferson, Hamilton's nemesis. * Peter S. Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor, University of Virginia *Alexander Hamilton was the most consistent and insistent nationalist among the founding fathers. R. B. Bernstein's admirably concise and clear book presents an excellent guide to Hamilton's constitutional and political thought and activities. Bernstein introduces us to Hamilton's lifetime of energetic advocacy, and he shows us why Hamilton mattered then and still matters now. * William E. Nelson, Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law, New York University School of Law *...offers a fine, concise case for seeing Alexander Hamilton as the father of the US government. * The Guardian *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Life 2. Revolution 3. Politics 4. Law and Constitutionalism 5. Economy 6. Diplomacy and War 7. Honor and Dueling Epilogue: Legacies Notes Further Reading Index

    2 in stock

    £14.99

  • The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution

    OUP USA The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution introduces scholars, students and generally interested readers to the formative event in American history. In thirty-three individual essays, the Handbook provides readers with in-depth analysis of the Revolution's many sides.Table of ContentsList of Maps ; Contributors ; Introduction: American Revolutions,Edward G. Gray and Jane Kamensky ; Part I. Cultures and Crises ; 1. Britain's American Problem: The International Perspective, P. J. Marshall ; 2. The Unsettled Periphery: The Backcountry on the Eve of the American Revolution, William B. Hart ; 3. The Polite and the Plebian, Michael Zuckerman ; 4. Political Protest and the World of Goods, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich ; 5. The Imperial Crisis, Craig B. Yirush ; 6. The Struggle Within: Colonial Politics on the Eve of Independence, Michael A. McDonnell ; 7. The Democratic Moment: The Revolution and Popular Politics, Ray Raphael ; 8. Independence before and during the Revolution, Benjamin H. Irvin ; Part II. War ; 9. The Continental Army, Caroline Cox ; 10. The British Army and the War of Independence, Stephen Conway ; 11. The War in the Cities, Mark A. Peterson ; 12. The War in the Countryside, Allan Kulikoff ; 13. Native Peoples in the Revolutionary War, Jane T. Merritt ; 14. The African Americans' Revolution, Gary B. Nash ; 15. Women in the American Revolutionary War, Sarah M. S. Pearsall ; 16. Loyalism, Edward Larkin ; 17. The Revolutionary War and Europe's Great Powers, Paul W. Mapp ; 18. Funding the Revolution: Monetary and Fiscal Policy in Eighteenth-Century America, Stephen Mihm ; Part III. A Revolutionary Settlement ; 19. The Impact of the War on British Politics, Harry T. Dickinson ; 20. The Trials of the Confederation, Terry Bouton ; 21. A More Perfect Union: The Framing and Ratification of the Constitution, Max M. Edling ; 22. The Evangelical Ascendancy in Revolutionary America, Susan Juster ; 23. The Problems of Slavery, Christopher Leslie Brown ; 24. Rights, Eric Slauter ; 25. The Empire That Britain Kept, Eliga H. Gould ; Part IV. New Orders ; 26. The American Revolution and a New National Politics, Rosemarie Zagarri ; 27. Republican Art and Architecture, Martha J. McNamara ; 28. Print Culture after the Revolution, Catherine O'Donnell ; 29. Republican Law, Christopher L. Tomlins ; 30. Discipline, Sex, and the Republican Self, Clare A. Lyons ; 31. The Laboring Republic, Graham Russell Gao Hodges ; 32. The Republic in the World, 1783-1803, J. M. Opal ; 33. America's Cultural Revolution in Transnational Perspective, Leora Auslander ; Index

    15 in stock

    £44.64

  • The Founding Fathers A Very Short Introduction

    Oxford University Press Inc The Founding Fathers A Very Short Introduction

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Founding Fathers is a concise, accessible overview of the brilliant, flawed, and quarrelsome group of lawyers, politicians, merchants, military men, and clergy known as the Founding Fathers--who got as close to the ideal of the Platonic philosopher-kings as American or world history has ever seen. R. B. Bernstein reveals Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and the other founders not as shining demigods but as imperfect human beings--people much like us--who nevertheless achieved political greatness. They emerge here as men who sought to transcend their intellectual world even as they were bound by its limits, men who strove to lead the new nation even as they had to defer to the great body of the people and learn with them the possibilities and limitations of politics. Bernstein deftly traces the dynamic forces that molded these men and their contemporaries as British colonists in North America and as intellectual citizens of the Atlantic civilization''s Age of Enlightenment. He analyzes the American Revolution, the framing and adoption of state and federal constitutions, and the key concepts and problems that both shaped and circumscribed the founders'' achievements as the United States sought its place in the world. Finally, he charts the shifting reputations of the founders and examines the specific ways that interpreters of the Constitution have used the Founding Fathers. A masterly blend of old and new scholarship, brimming with apt description and insightful analysis, this book offers a digestible account of how the Founding Fathers were formed, what they did, and how generations of Americans have viewed them.Table of ContentsPreface ; 1 Words, Images, Meanings ; 2 Contexts: The History That Made the Founding Fathers ; 3 Achievements and Challenges: The History the Founding Fathers Made ; 4 Legacies: What History Has Made of the Founding Fathers ; Epilogue: The Founding Fathers, History, and Us ; Chronology ; Appendix ; References ; Further Reading ; Index

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Who Owned Waterloo Battle Memory and Myth in

    Oxford University Press Who Owned Waterloo Battle Memory and Myth in

    Book SynopsisAfter the Battle of Waterloo, Britain actively incorporated the victory into their national identity. Who Owned Waterloo? demonstrates that Waterloo's significance to Britain's national psyche resulted in a different battle: one in which civilian and military groups fought to establish claims on different aspects of the battle and its remembrance.Trade ReviewWho owned Waterloo? covers a great deal of ground in a relatively short space and without ever feeling too compressed. Reynolds writes very well: his prose is lively and free of jargon, so that this is a monograph which can be read for pleasure as well as information. He shows great skill in selecting examples to explore in detail, while never losing sight of the wider picture, and his judgment is confident and convincing. This is an important book which explains a great deal about the way that memories of Waterloo contributed to Britain's understanding of her place in the world in the decades following the battle, and, by implication, how other countries in other times shape their own self-image. * Rory Muir, Napoleonica® the journal *In this compelling account of cultural appropriation, Luke Reynolds examines the many ways - from public commemorations to battlefield tourism and theatrical productions - by which nineteenth-century Britain claimed the memory of Waterloo as its own as it sought to turn Wellington's victory in the battle into a central plank of British identity. * Alan Forrest, Emeritus Professor of History, University of York *Narrated in a lively, engaging style, with a sure-handed mastery of its sources, Who Owned Waterloo? marks the debut of an historian of exceptional promise. Luke Reynolds documents an astonishing array of Waterloo tributes and mementoes, making us comprehend how deeply the battlefield victory shaped the British psyche and polity for more than a generation. Not just an important work of history, but a vastly entertaining one. * Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Alexander Hamilton and Washington: A Life *This fascinating, thoroughly documented colourful cultural history reveals how, through an army of entrepreneurs and impresarios, civilian Britain embraced and reinvented the military victory at Waterloo. From veterans' memoirs, battlefield tourism and relic exhibitions to spectacular re-enactments, the art of celebration, monuments and merchandise, Waterloo mania and the cult of Wellington forged popular legends that bolstered the self-image of imperial Britain. Beyond a name for rebranded pubs, hotels, squares and terraces, the battle of Waterloo still rages on, in myths that underpin a proud nation's collective identity today. * Julius Bryant, Keeper Emeritus of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Former Director of Museums and Collections at English Heritage, and Director of Apsley House *Engagingly written, convincingly argued, and laden with valuable insights on Waterloo's legacy, Who Owned Waterloo is an emphatic indication that Reynolds is one to watch in the world of Napoleonic history * Dr Zack White, Host of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast *Reynolds' enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, and his analysis of the variant ways in which Waterloo was commemorated is intelligent. Although no one man or group could truly claim ownership over Waterloo, during Wellington's lifetime cultural ownership of the battle shifted and spread, and by the time of his death, Reynolds shows us, it had become a truly national phenomenon. * Máire Macneill, British Journal for Military History *In conclusion, Luke Reynolds has written a notable work...that delves into the historical memory of the symbol that was Waterloo. This author has made a far-ranging contribution to studies of the history of public memory, a less-developed field in 19th century history. * Alberto Cañas de Pablos, Historia y Política *Who Owned Waterloo? is highly recommended to those with an interest in Waterloo, British history, and identity, but also for anyone interested in the fascinating process of how collective cultural memories are constructed. * George Satterfield, Journal of Military History *Table of ContentsIntroduction: 'The Ever-Memorable Battle of Waterloo' 1: 'The most uncomfortable heap of glory that I ever had a hand in': Histories and Memoirs 2: 'The great English pilgrimage': Battlefield Tourism, Relics, and Ownership of the Field 3: 'Demonstrations of true British feeling and exultation': Annual Commemorations 4: 'The fullest instruction on a subject so illustrious': Exhibitions 5: 'Grand Military and National Spectacle': Waterloo on Stage and Canvas 6: 'To commemorate the English character': Monuments and Material Culture Epilogue: 'The last great Englishman is low': The Funeral of the Duke of Wellington Appendix: Military Plays and Hippodramas before and after Waterloo

    £89.77

  • Who Owned Waterloo

    Oxford University Press Who Owned Waterloo

    Book SynopsisBetween 1815 and the Duke of Wellington''s death in 1852, the Battle of Waterloo became much more than simply a military victory. While other countries marked the battle and its anniversary, only Britain actively incorporated the victory into their national identity, guaranteeing that it would become a ubiquitous and multi-layered presence in British culture. By examining various forms of commemoration, celebration, and recreation, Who Owned Waterloo? demonstrates that Waterloo''s significance to Britain''s national psyche resulted in a different kind of war altogether: one in which civilian and military groups fought over and established their own claims on different aspects of the battle and its remembrance. By weaponizing everything from memoirs, monuments, rituals, and relics to hippodramas, panoramas, and even shades of blue, veterans pushed back against civilian claims of ownership; English, Scottish, and Irish interests staked their claims; and conservatives and radicals duelledTrade ReviewWho owned Waterloo? covers a great deal of ground in a relatively short space and without ever feeling too compressed. Reynolds writes very well: his prose is lively and free of jargon, so that this is a monograph which can be read for pleasure as well as information. He shows great skill in selecting examples to explore in detail, while never losing sight of the wider picture, and his judgment is confident and convincing. This is an important book which explains a great deal about the way that memories of Waterloo contributed to Britain's understanding of her place in the world in the decades following the battle, and, by implication, how other countries in other times shape their own self-image. * Rory Muir, Napoleonica® the journal *In this compelling account of cultural appropriation, Luke Reynolds examines the many ways - from public commemorations to battlefield tourism and theatrical productions - by which nineteenth-century Britain claimed the memory of Waterloo as its own as it sought to turn Wellington's victory in the battle into a central plank of British identity. * Alan Forrest, Emeritus Professor of History, University of York *Narrated in a lively, engaging style, with a sure-handed mastery of its sources, Who Owned Waterloo? marks the debut of an historian of exceptional promise. Luke Reynolds documents an astonishing array of Waterloo tributes and mementoes, making us comprehend how deeply the battlefield victory shaped the British psyche and polity for more than a generation. Not just an important work of history, but a vastly entertaining one. * Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Alexander Hamilton and Washington: A Life *This fascinating, thoroughly documented colourful cultural history reveals how, through an army of entrepreneurs and impresarios, civilian Britain embraced and reinvented the military victory at Waterloo. From veterans' memoirs, battlefield tourism and relic exhibitions to spectacular re-enactments, the art of celebration, monuments and merchandise, Waterloo mania and the cult of Wellington forged popular legends that bolstered the self-image of imperial Britain. Beyond a name for rebranded pubs, hotels, squares and terraces, the battle of Waterloo still rages on, in myths that underpin a proud nation's collective identity today. * Julius Bryant, Keeper Emeritus of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Former Director of Museums and Collections at English Heritage, and Director of Apsley House *Engagingly written, convincingly argued, and laden with valuable insights on Waterloo's legacy, Who Owned Waterloo is an emphatic indication that Reynolds is one to watch in the world of Napoleonic history * Dr Zack White, Host of the Napoleonic Wars Podcast *Reynolds' enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, and his analysis of the variant ways in which Waterloo was commemorated is intelligent. Although no one man or group could truly claim ownership over Waterloo, during Wellington's lifetime cultural ownership of the battle shifted and spread, and by the time of his death, Reynolds shows us, it had become a truly national phenomenon. * Máire Macneill, British Journal for Military History *In conclusion, Luke Reynolds has written a notable work...that delves into the historical memory of the symbol that was Waterloo. This author has made a far-ranging contribution to studies of the history of public memory, a less-developed field in 19th century history. * Alberto Cañas de Pablos, Historia y Política *Who Owned Waterloo? is highly recommended to those with an interest in Waterloo, British history, and identity, but also for anyone interested in the fascinating process of how collective cultural memories are constructed. * George Satterfield, Journal of Military History *Table of ContentsIntroduction: 'The Ever-Memorable Battle of Waterloo' 1: 'The most uncomfortable heap of glory that I ever had a hand in': Histories and Memoirs 2: 'The great English pilgrimage': Battlefield Tourism, Relics, and Ownership of the Field 3: 'Demonstrations of true British feeling and exultation': Annual Commemorations 4: 'The fullest instruction on a subject so illustrious': Exhibitions 5: 'Grand Military and National Spectacle': Waterloo on Stage and Canvas 6: 'To commemorate the English character': Monuments and Material Culture Epilogue: 'The last great Englishman is low': The Funeral of the Duke of Wellington Appendix: Military Plays and Hippodramas before and after Waterloo

    £24.99

  • Taming Democracy

    Oxford University Press Taming Democracy

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisAmericans are fond of reflecting upon the Founding Fathers as selfless patriots who came together to force out the tyranny of the British and bring democracy to the land. Unfortunately, as Terry Bouton shows in this highly provocative first book, the Revolutionary elite often seemed as determined to squash democracy after the War of Independence as they were to support it before the conflict. Centering on Pennsylvania, the symbolic center of the story of democracy''s rise during the Revolution, Bouton shows how this radical shift in ideology spelled tragedy for thousands of common people. Leading up to the Revolution, most Pennsylvanians were united in their opinion that the people (i.e. white men) should be given access to the political system, and that some degree of wealth equality was required to ensure that political freedom prevailed. As the war ended, Pennsylvania''s elites began abandoning these ideas and instead embraced a new vision of the Revolution where government worked tTrade ReviewThis is a rare book - scholarly yet written with verve, readable for pleasure as well as for knowledge. * Publishers Weekly *In thoughtful, readable prose Terry Bouton shows us what the American Revolution meant for one group who counted: the small-scale farmers of Pennsylvania. They struggled; they thought; they fought. Ultimately they lost what they believed what they had won, a world that would be good for them and their families. The Revolution belonged to Bouton's kind of people, ordinary Americans living through an extraordinary time, as much as it did to the Founding Fathers. * Edward Countryman, author of The American Revolution *For many ordinary Americans living in Pennsylvania, the Revolution did not turn out as they had hoped. Committed to the creation of a more egalitarian society, they resisted British rule, only to discover that the rich and well-born had no interest in supporting serious democratic reform. In this compelling study, Bouton brings passion and insight to the bittersweet story of the betrayal of a truly revolutionary society. * T.H. Breen, Director, Center for Historical Studies, Northwestern University *The whiskey rebellion clearly has been misnamed: Bouton argues convincingly that it grew out of two decades of struggles by Pennsylvania's farmers with moneyed men for the fruits of the Revolution. He tells their story in gripping scenes of the sheriff's wagon carting off the belongings of debtors and of farmers defiantly closing down roads. This is a book about the Revolution that breaks new ground. * Alfred Young, author of Liberty Tree: Ordinary People and the American Revolution *Prominent citizens like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton considered the American Revolution an unruly steed, and they devoted considerable energy to reining it in. Terry Boutons superbly-written account of how they achieved that feat leaves us wishing they had failed. The focus of Boutons startlingly-original book is nothing less than the struggle for the soul of America. * Woody Holton, University of Richmond *Taming Democracy will have a major impact on early American historians and further the re-evaluation of the entire Revolutionary period. Boutons book will revitalize the economic interpretation of the era. * Allan Kulikoff, University of Georgia *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION ; PART ONE: THE RISE OF DEMOCRACY (1763-1776) ; PART TWO: CONFRONTING THE COUNTER-REVOLUTION (1776-1787) ; PART THREE: TAMING DEMOCRACY (1787-1799) ; CONCLUSION

    15 in stock

    £25.92

  • The Rise and Fall of the American Century The

    Oxford University Press The Rise and Fall of the American Century The

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom William H. Chafe, the best-selling author of The Unfinished Journey, comes a new text that offers in-depth and enlightening coverage of the history of the United States in the twentieth century. The Rise and Fall of the American Century: The United States from 1890-2010 describes the rise--and potential fall--of the U.S., a nation more powerful, more wealthy, and more dominant than any in human history. It also acknowledges the persistent challenges the U.S. has faced and continues to face--inequalities of race, gender, and income that contradict its vision of itself as a land of opportunity. Examining the evolution of the United States since 1890, The Rise and Fall of the American Century chronicles the varying mood of the country through its changing presidencies, from the rise of the metropolis and Teddy Roosevelt in the 1890s to the turbulent era of the Bush administration at the beginning of the twenty-first century. By analyzing the shifting moods and social and political upheavals (both at home and abroad) and the United States''s reactions to these events, the book seeks to understand how the country both achieved its vision for itself in some ways but failed to realize it in others. Working in a political framework, Chafe also provides a strong balance of social and cultural history, touching on the African-American, Latino, and Asian communities, the West, and the changing status of women. The book''s epilogue discusses important economic and political events through 2008, including the financial crisis and the 2008 Presidential Election.Trade ReviewWithout question Chafe is a master narrative historian able to weave together multiple histories into one compelling drama of struggle * of competing ideas, values, and visions of what made the American century 'American.' Chafe knows how to write history as drama in the best sense of that word. I couldn't put it down. Students will not find this kind of writing on Wikipedia."-Neil Foley, University of Texas, and author of The White Scourge *The Rise and Fall of the American Century is an excellent work that touches upon practically all of the major themes and issues of twentieth-century American history with authorial conviction. Perhaps its greatest strength is the author's ability to humanize presidents, the presidency, and presidential politics. The writing is beyond impressive and will capture and hold the attention of college students. * Hasan Kwame Jeffries, The Ohio State University *In this unflinching examination of the United States over the last century, one of the nation's foremost historians traces the nation's rise to power and its disastrous recent decline. William H. Chafe illuminates the national story with keen insight, elegant prose, and powerful analysis. * Elaine Tyler May, author of Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era *One of this country's most distinguished historians, Bill Chafe is at the top of his game as he examines the complexities and paradoxes of American life in this remarkable book. * John Dittmer, author of Local People: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi *Table of Contents1. Introduction: The 1890s, a Preview of the Next Century ; 2. The Dawn of Progressivism ; 3. America and the World ; 4. The Roaring (?) Twenties ; 5. FDR and the New Deal ; 6. World War II: 1941-1945 ; 7. The Cold War and the Politics of Anti-Communism: 1945-52 ; 8. Ike and the Affluent Society: An Age of Contradictions ; 9. From Camelot to Fragmentation: The 1960s ; 10. Polarization, Paranoia, and a New Conservatism: America in the 1970s ; 11. Morning in America: Ronald Regan ; 12. The End of One War, the Start of Another: Politics, Culture, and the Specter of Terrorism in the 1990s ; 13. The End of the American Century? The First Decade of the New Millennium

    1 in stock

    £103.54

  • Heir through Hope

    Oxford University Press Inc Heir through Hope

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe relationship between Thomas Jefferson and William Short, the eldest son of an established Virginia family and relative of Martha Jefferson, began as a patron-protégé arrangement conventional for the era. Jefferson encouraged Short''s legal career and gave him his first legal work. Thus began a bond of forty years that that both men characterized in paternal and filial terms and that sheds considerable light on the enigmatic Founding Father.In the aftermath of Jefferson''s precipitous flight from Monticello, Short underwrote substantial short-term loans to him. Jefferson took the younger man to France as his private secretary in 1784 but, quickly concluding that his moral well-being and political judgment were at risk, he urged Short to return to America and settle down. Short, however, wished to pursue a foreign service career and a long affair with a French aristocrat. Jefferson wanted Short to embrace a Virginia way of looking at the world, even buying him a farm near Monticello.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments A Note on Translation and Nomenclature Introduction: An Unfulfilled Patriarch Chapter 1: Springs Set in Motion: Establishing Separate Lives in France Chapter 2: Living in a Woman's Country: Jefferson and Short's Reflections on French Culture Chapter 3: "A Poor Dry Business": William Short's Diplomatic Career Chapter 4: The Earth Half Desolated: Reckoning with Terror Chapter 5: "You are my husband": Rosalie de La Rochefoucauld and William Short Chapter 6: Money, Slaves, and Land: Jefferson's Ties to William Short Chapter 7: A Serpent's Tooth: William Short's Later Life Relationship with Jefferson Epilogue: Jefferson's Hopes, and Short's Fears Notes Index

    1 in stock

    £22.99

  • Madisons Militia The Hidden History of the Second

    Oxford University Press Inc Madisons Militia The Hidden History of the Second

    Book SynopsisIn Madison's Militia, Carl Bogus illuminates precisely why James Madison and the First Congress included the right to bear arms in the Bill of Rights--and the reason will surprise readers. This gripping and wide-ranging history overturns the conventional wisdom about the Second Amendment--showing that the right to bear arms was not about protecting liberty but about preserving slavery.Trade ReviewA vital reconsideration of a contentious constitutional amendment. * Publishers Weekly *Readers interested in the Second Amendment's origins or in assessing arguments about its meaning will likely and deeply appreciate this comprehensive history. * Library Journal *At a time when the Supreme Court is increasingly looking at the original meaning in interpreting the Constitution, Professor Carl Bogus has written a riveting account of how the Second Amendment actually came to be added to the Constitution. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, Professor Bogus shows that the Second Amendment was meant to protect the slave system and keep Congress from disarming slave patrols. This is an essential history for all lawyers, judges, students, and individuals who are researching the original understanding of the Second Amendment and gun rights. * Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law *A surprisingly fast-paced account of the events leading up to the Second Amendment. Bogus persuasively suggests that, while Madison and other Founders paid lip-service to the dedication of militias and the threat of standing armies, their primary concern was to suppress insurrections by the people they enslaved. Madison's Militia undermines any claim by the Roberts Court/the Supreme Court to locate the individual right to bear arms in an originalist reading of the Constitution. * Jeannine DeLombard, author of In the Shadow of the Gallows: Race, Crime, and American Civic Identity *Bogus offers a fresh and fearless investigation into why Madison and his contemporaries added the right to keep and bear arms to the Constitution. Uncluttered by myth or hagiography, this book will likely become the definitive account of the darker side of the Second Amendment's drafting and ratification. * Darrell A.H. Miller, Duke Law School *Carl Bogus makes an important contribution to efforts to discern the meaning of the 27 words that make up the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Bogus' work provides a rich context to understand what those who drafted and debated the amendment faced, as well as what they hoped to accomplish. Bogus invites readers to reconsider the racially neutral right to bear arms that the amendment protects in light of the immediate racialized threat of uprisings and rebellions by enslaved people against their enslavers. His book offers a radically different way to read and understand the amendment which aligns with, rather than revises, the history surrounding its ratification. * Lisa A. Crooms-Robinson, Professor, Howard University School of Law *Slavery was the main event—not a sideshow—as the U.S. was founded. In this insightful, crisply written book Carl Bogus tells us that what impelled the now infamous Second Amendment was precisely the rampant fear of slave insurrections, necessitating the formation of a well-armed militia. * Gerald Horne, author, The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States of America *Madison's Militia offers an illuminating overview of the tangled history of the Second Amendment and its 'right to bear arms.' Whatever the limitations of citizen militias in actually fighting wars, they were indispensable in Virginia and other states worried about suppressing any slave rebellions and about the possibility that the new national government would prove insufficiently protective of slavery. American historians are increasingly studying the intersections of slavery and a desire to maintain white supremacy, and Bogus provides a valuable, extremely well-written, demonstration of those intersections. * Sanford Levinson, University of Texas Law School and author of Framed: America's 51 Constitutions and the Crisis of Governance *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Showdown in Richmond Chapter Two: Debate in Richmond Chapter Three: Decision in Richmond Chapter Four: Southern Terror Chapter Five: The Militia--War in the North Chapter Six: The Militia--War in the South Chapter Seven: Mr. Madison Goes to Congress Chapter Eight: The Ghost of Patrick Henry Chapter Nine: The English Declaration of Rights of 1689 Chapter Ten: Chimeras of Liberty Conclusion Author's Note Notes Index

    £23.27

  • Thomas Hobbes

    Oxford University Press Thomas Hobbes

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisBehemoth is Thomas Hobbes''s narrative of the English Civil Wars from the beginning of the Scottish revolution in 1637 to the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, and is his only composition to address directly the history of the events which formed the context of his writings in Leviathan and elsewhere on sovereignty and the government of the Church. Although presented as an account of past events, it conceals a vigorous attack on the values of the religious and political establishment of Restoration England. This is the first fully scholarly edition of the work, and the first new edition of the text since 1889. Based on Hobbes''s own presentation manuscript, it includes for the first time an accurate transcription of the passages which Hobbes had deleted in the text, and notes made by early readers.Trade Review[Seaward's] edition compares to the standard Töennies edition rather as a colour television compares to black and white ... Seaward's Behemoth fulfils the promise of the Clarendon series - under Noel Malcolm's leadership - to give readers the scholarly editions which the texts deserve. * Deborah Baumgold, English Historical Review *Paul Seaward has produced a major piece of scholarship ... to those who have been captivated by this multi-faceted book for a long time, it comes as a blessing. * Luc Borot, Hobbes Studies *Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations ; List of Illustrations ; General Introduction ; Textual Introduction ; 1. To the Right Honourable Sr. Henry Bennet Baron of Arlington ; 2. First Dialogue ; 3. Second Dialogue ; 4. Third Dialogue ; 5. Fourth Dialogue ; Register of variants ; Appendix: Readers' notes in early copies of Behemoth

    15 in stock

    £132.75

  • Turncoats and Renegadoes Changing Sides during the English Civil Wars

    Oxford University Press Turncoats and Renegadoes Changing Sides during the English Civil Wars

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisTurncoats and Renegadoes is the first dedicated study of the practice of changing sides during the English Civil Wars. It examines the extent and significance of side-changing in England and Wales but also includes comparative material from Scotland and Ireland. The first half identifies side-changers among peers, MPs, army officers, and common soldiers, before reconstructing the chronological and regional patterns to their defections. The second half delivers a cultural history of treachery, by adopting a thematic approach to explore the social and cultural implications of defections, and demonstrating how notions of what constituted a turncoat were culturally constructed. Side-changing came to dominate strategy on both sides at the highest levels. Both sides reviled, yet sought to take advantage of the practice, whilst allegations of treachery came to dominate the internal politics of royalists and parliamentarians alike. The language applied to ''turncoats and renegadoes'' in contemTrade ReviewBased on impressive and wide-ranging research in national and local archives in the United Kingdom and in the Folger and Yale University Libraries in the United States, this is the first full-length study of its subject and its significance for the course, and ultimate outcome, of the English Revolution. * R.C. Richardson, Clio *a thoroughly researched study of changing sides during the Civil Wars. ... a very original and stimulating study. * Northern History *Hoppers thoughtful book is a useful addition to those crowded student reading lists, but it needs to be read beside other studies. * Anthony Fletcher, The Journal of the Historical Association, *Hopper's book provides a very useful examination of the choosing of sides in the first place. ... We owe Hopper a great deal for bringing their justifications before us in so well analysed a manner. * Martyn Bennet, War in History *a significant and lively contribution * Ronald Hutton, English Historical Review *Table of ContentsPART I: A PROFILE OF SIDE-CHANGING IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1642-1646 ; PART II: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF SIDE-CHANGING

    1 in stock

    £45.49

  • The Common Freedom of the People

    Oxford University Press The Common Freedom of the People

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe second son of a modest gentry family, John Lilburne was accused of treason four times, and put on trial for his life under both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. He fought bravely in the Civil War, seeing action at a number of key battles and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, was shot through the arm, and nearly lost an eye in a pike accident. In the course of all this, he fought important legal battles for the rights to remain silent, to open trial, and to trial by his peers. He was twice acquitted by juries in very public trials, but nonetheless spent the bulk of his adult life in prison or exile. He is best known, however, as the most prominent of the Levellers, who campaigned for a government based on popular sovereignty two centuries before the advent of mass representative democracies in Europe.Michael Braddick explores the extraordinary and dramatic life of ''Freeborn John'': how his experience of political activism sharpened and clarified his ideas, leading him to artiTrade ReviewThis is a first rate historical work that transcends its biographical framework and successfully draws readers into the larger political, religious, and intellectual issues of the English Revolution. * Gary S. De Krey, Journal of Modern History *Braddick's "political life" of Lilburne is...well worth reading. * Jon Fitzgibbons, The Seventeenth Century *Braddick presents Lilburne as an activist rather than a political thinker, as primarily concerned with tactics and political mobilization. Lilburne's ideas are interesting but, his real significance and legacy - Braddick suggests - are in the realm of political practice * Rachel Hammersley, The Times Literary Supplement *[The Common Freedom of the People] is a triumph of sympathetic biographical writing, without succumbing to the biographer's trap of sticking up for everything his subject did or stood for. * David Horspool, The Spectator *[An] excellent new biography ... Braddick is able to introduce the reader very succinctly and clearly to the wider context in which Lilburne's ideas were formed. This is no mean feat given the complexity and rapidity of the political changes of the period. * Edward Vallance, Literary Review *Clear and accessible, wise and measured ... The Common Freedom of the People is an important book. * Kwasi Kwarteng, The Sunday Times *[A] commanding and enlivening new biography. * Blair Worden, London Review of Books *Braddick provides a richly analysed context for Lilburne's public battles against the misuse of power. Yet, while admiring Lilburne's personal conviction and courage, Braddick rightly warns against seeing him as a modern reformer ... he depicts Lilburne as a man of principle, willing to sacrifice family life to battle justice for the greater good of England. * Jackie Eales, History Today *This political life [provides] a vivid portrait of both the man and his age. * Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education *Braddick tells the story of Lilburnes struggles expertly, fluently and well. Lilburnes life was truly action-packed but Braddick resists the temptation to sensationalise. * Russell Harris QC, Counsel *John Lilburme was a polemicist and martyr unafraid to speak truth to power. Michael Braddick's masterly political biography offers an exciting new reading of the significance of his career as a political activist, and of his lasting legacy on both sides of the Atlantic. * John Walter, Emeritus Professor, University of Essex *A comprehensive political life [of Lilburne] by one of this generations most distinguished and productive historians of the English Revolution... meticulously researched and unlikely to be exceeded in its recovery of many aspects of Lilburne's life... * J.C. Davis, Journal of the Northern Renaissance *Table of ContentsPreface1: Apprentice, 1632-16402: Soldier, 1640-16453: Partisan, 1645-16464: Leveller, 1647-16495: Traitor, 16496: Citizen, 1649-16527: Exile, 1653-16578: John Lilburne and the English RevolutionNotesIndex

    1 in stock

    £26.77

  • Charles Is Killers in America

    Oxford University Press Charles Is Killers in America

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhen the British monarchy was restored in 1660, King Charles II was faced with the conundrum of what to with those who had been involved in the execution of his father eleven years earlier. Facing a grisly fate at the gallows, some of the men who had signed Charles I''s death warrant fled to America. Charles I''s Killers in America traces the gripping story of two of these men-Edward Whalley and William Goffe-and their lives in America, from their welcome in New England until their deaths there. With fascinating insights into the governance of the American colonies in the seventeenth century, and how a network of colonists protected the regicides, Matthew Jenkinson overturns the enduring theory that Charles II unrelentingly sought revenge for the murder of his father. Charles I''s Killers in America also illuminates the regicides'' afterlives, with conclusions that have far-reaching implications for our understanding of Anglo-American political and cultural relations. Novels, historiesTrade Review...well researched and well crafted * John Coffey, University of Leicester, Milton Quarterly *A delightful read * Colin Kidd, The Guardian *The book's forte is its careful analysis of the available material and the patient exposure of its frustrating inadequacies. * Andrew Taylor, The Times *Intriguing account. * Philip Terzian, The Wall Street Journal *Jenkinson's work ... offers a refreshing corrective to recent popular accounts, which have tended to rehearse the now familiar story of the dramatic pursuit of these 'king killers' across the wilds of New England by Royalist bounty hunters ... The picture presented by Jenkinson of the increasingly cloistered existence endured by two ageing revolutionaries wracked with spiritual doubt may make for poorer fiction but is certainly the stuff of excellent history. * Edward Vallance, Literary Review *Exhaustive research and penetrating analysis. * James Baresel, HistoryNet *A lively and engaging account of two of the regicides who fled to New England and how they subsequently came to be remembered and mythologized in eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth-century America. Drawing on a wide range of both historical and fictional sources (including novels, plays, and visual art), this fascinating study reveals the crucial role that the subsequent refashioning of the story of the regicides played in forging a nascent American national identity. * Tim Harris, Munro-Goodwin-Wilkinson Professor in European History, Brown University *Table of ContentsPART I: Lives 1: Introduction 2: Regicides on the Run I: Gravesend to Milford 3: Regicides on the Run II: Milford to Hartford PART II. Afterlives 4: Thomas Hutchinson and the Regicides' Rediscovery 5: Ezra Stiles, the Regicides, and the American Revolution 6: The Spirit of the Regicides, Liberty, and American National Identity 7: The Regicides' Revival, Rise, and Decline 8: Conclusion Appendix I - Dramatis Personaw Appendix II - Timeline of the Movements of Whalley and Goffe Appendix III - The Diary of William Goffe Appendix IV - The (Dis)appearance of John Dixwell Bibliography Notes Index

    1 in stock

    £19.00

  • The History of the Rebellion A new selection

    Oxford University Press The History of the Rebellion A new selection

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis''I am doing your Majesty some service here, whilst I am preparing the story of your sufferings; that posterity may know by whose default the nation was even overwhelmed with calamities, and by whose virtue it was redeemed.''Clarendon''s massive History has since its first publication in 1702-4 dominated our images of the English Civil War. Written by a man who for over a quarter of a century was one of the closest advisers to Charles I and Charles II, it contains a remarkably frank account of the inadequacies of royalist policy-making as well as an astute analysis of the principles and practice of government. Clarendon chronicles in absorbing detail the factions and intrigues, the rise of Cromwell and the death of Charles I, the bloody battles and the eventual Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 after the Interregnum. He brings to life the key players in a series of brilliant character portraits, and his account is admired as much for its literary quality as its historical value. This

    3 in stock

    £13.29

  • The Letters Writings and Speeches of Oliver

    Oxford University Press The Letters Writings and Speeches of Oliver

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe most complete scholarly edition of the letters, writings and recorded speeches of Oliver Cromwell - MP, soldier, statesman, family man, passionate opponent of tyranny and supporter of religious liberty and equality, and also from his own time to now one of the most controversial figures in British history.Table of ContentsEditorial Conventions Abbreviations General Introduction to volumes 1-3 Introduction to Volume 3 Edited Texts List of omissions

    1 in stock

    £220.00

  • The Letters Writings and Speeches of Oliver

    Oxford University Press The Letters Writings and Speeches of Oliver

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe most complete scholarly edition of the letters, writings and recorded speeches of Oliver Cromwell - MP, soldier, statesman, family man, passionate opponent of tyranny and supporter of religious liberty and equality, and also from his own time to now one of the most controversial figures in British history.Table of ContentsEditorial Conventions Abbreviations General Introduction to volumes 1-3 Introduction to Volume 1 Edited Texts List of omissions

    2 in stock

    £220.00

  • The Letters Writings and Speeches of Oliver

    Oxford University Press The Letters Writings and Speeches of Oliver

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe most complete scholarly edition of the letters, writings and recorded speeches of Oliver Cromwell - MP, soldier, statesman, family man, passionate opponent of tyranny and supporter of religious liberty and equality, and also from his own time to now one of the most controversial figures in British history.Table of ContentsEditorial Conventions Abbreviations General Introduction to volumes 1-3 Introduction to Volume 2 Edited Texts List of omissions

    1 in stock

    £220.00

  • Waterloo Great Battles

    Oxford University Press Waterloo Great Battles

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe story of Waterloo, the battle that finally ended Napoleon's imperial dreams: how it was fought, how it has been remembered, and what it has come to mean.Trade ReviewAn essential book for understanding the complex national attitudes to the commemoration of Waterloo. * Chris May, Battlefield *A brilliant, even-handed short study * David Horspool, Books of the Year 2015, Guardian *A strikingly original analysis of responses to Waterloo and the memory of it. * History Today, Gary Sheffield *A fascinating read * The Good Book Guide *Lucid, measured and fascinating. * BBC History magazine, Tim Clayton *Alan Forrest offers a good discussion of the events leading up to the battle, and its subsequent ripples. * Victor Davis Hanson, Times Literary Supplement *Original, interesting and elegant To fail to read Waterloo would be quite unthinkable. * British Journal of Military History, Charles Esdaile *An excellent book * Literary Review, Saul David *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: The Genesis of the Waterloo Campaign 3: The Battle 4: The Return of Peace: First Responses to Waterloo 5: Eye-witness Accounts 6: Wellington, Waterloo, and British Identity 7: Waterloo and the Napoleonic Legend 8: Waterloo in German, Dutch and Belgian Memory Further Reading Notes Index

    1 in stock

    £12.99

  • The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution

    OUP USA The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution introduces scholars, students and generally interested readers to the formative event in American history. In thirty-three individual essays, by thirty-three authorities on the Revolution, the Handbook provides readers with in-depth analysis of the Revolution''s many sides, ranging from the military and diplomatic to the social and political; from the economic and financial, to the cultural and legal. Its cast of characters ranges far, including ordinary farmers and artisans, men and women, free and enslaved African Americans, Indians, and British and American statesmen and military leaders. Its geographic scope is equally broad. The Handbook offers readers an American Revolution whose geo-political and military impact ranged from the West Indies to the Mississippi Valley; from the British Isles to New England and from Nova Scotia to Florida. The American Revolution of the Handbook is, simply put, an event that far transcended the boundariTrade ReviewThis is a well-conceived and edited volume, and an excellent resource. * Andy Hamilton, British Journal for the History of Philosophy *Table of ContentsList of Maps ; Contributors ; Introduction: American Revolutions ; Edward G. Gray and Jane Kamensky ; Part I. Cultures and Crises ; Chapter 1. Britain's American Problem: The International Perspective ; P. J. Marshall ; Chapter 2. The Unsettled Periphery: The Backcountry on the Eve of the American Revolution ; William B. Hart ; Chapter 3. The Polite and the Plebian ; Michael Zuckerman ; Chapter 4. Political Protest and the World of Goods ; Laurel Thatcher Ulrich ; Chapter 5. The Imperial Crisis ; Craig B. Yirush ; Chapter 6. The Struggle Within: Colonial Politics on the Eve of Independence ; Michael A. McDonnell ; Chapter 7. The Democratic Moment: The Revolution and Popular Politics ; Ray Raphael ; Chapter 8. Independence before and during the Revolution ; Benjamin H. Irvin ; Part II. War ; Chapter 9. The Continental Army ; Caroline Cox ; Chapter 10. The British Army and the War of Independence ; Stephen Conway ; Chapter 11. The War in the Cities ; Mark A. Peterson ; Chapter 12. The War in the Countryside ; Allan Kulikoff ; Chapter 13. Native Peoples in the Revolutionary War ; Jane T. Merritt ; Chapter 14. The African Americans' Revolution ; Gary B. Nash ; Chapter 15. Women in the American Revolutionary War ; Sarah M. S. Pearsall ; Chapter 16. Loyalism ; Edward Larkin ; Chapter 17. The Revolutionary War and Europe's Great Powers ; Paul W. Mapp ; Chapter 18. Funding the Revolution: Monetary and Fiscal Policy in Eighteenth-Century America ; Stephen Mihm ; Part III. A Revolutionary Settlement ; Chapter 19. The Impact of the War on British Politics ; Harry T. Dickinson ; Chapter 20. The Trials of the Confederation ; Terry Bouton ; Chapter 21. A More Perfect Union: The Framing and Ratification of the Constitution ; Max M. Edling ; Chapter 22. The Evangelical Ascendancy in Revolutionary America ; Susan Juster ; Chapter 23. The Problems of Slavery ; Christopher Leslie Brown ; Chapter 24. Rights ; Eric Slauter ; Chapter 25. The Empire That Britain Kept ; Eliga H. Gould ; Part IV. New Orders ; Chapter 26. The American Revolution and a New National Politics ; Rosemarie Zagarri ; Chapter 27. Republican Art and Architecture ; Martha J. McNamara ; Chapter 28. Print Culture after the Revolution ; Catherine O'Donnell ; Chapter 29. Republican Law ; Christopher L. Tomlins ; Chapter 30. Discipline, Sex, and the Republican Self ; Clare A. Lyons ; Chapter 31. The Laboring Republic ; Graham Russell Gao Hodges ; Chapter 32. The Republic in the World, 1783-1803 ; J. M. Opal ; Chapter 33. America's Cultural Revolution in Transnational Perspective ; Leora Auslander ; Index

    15 in stock

    £147.25

  • On the Spirit of Rights

    The University of Chicago Press On the Spirit of Rights

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisBy the end of the eighteenth century, politicians in America and France were invoking the natural rights of man to wrest sovereignty away from kings and lay down universal basic entitlements. Exactly how and when did rights come to justify such measures? InOn the Spirit of Rights, Dan Edelstein answers this question by examining the complex genealogy of the rights that regimes enshrined in the American and French Revolutions. With a lively attention to detail, he surveys a sprawling series of debates among rulers, jurists, philosophers, political reformers, writers, and others who were all engaged in laying the groundwork for our contemporary systems of constitutional governance. Every seemingly new claim about rights turns out to be a variation on a theme, as late medieval notions were subtly repeated and refined to yield the talk of rights we recognize today. From the Wars of Religion to the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen to the 1948 Universal DeclarationTrade Review"A superb, erudite piece of intellectual excavation. . . . Edelstein’s skill as an intellectual historian lies especially in his ability to situate ideas in their broadest cultural and political setting." * New York Review of Books *"Provocative and timely." * Times Higher Education *"Edelstein explores how natural rights translated into human rights in his sweeping survey, which canvasses the archaeology of human rights from the Wars of Religion through the Age of Revolution to 1948. [He] provides a helpful new framework for understanding the evolution of human rights in Western society. Highly recommended." * CHOICE *“Rarely has an existing debate been as authoritatively and breathtakingly taken to a new plane as in Edelstein’s sophisticated new story of how ‘rights’ entered European and transatlantic politics in the age of revolution. Clear, erudite, and urbane, Edelstein has shown once again why he is so highly regarded a historian of the eighteenth century’s place in Western intellectual history.” * Samuel Moyn, Yale University *“The Spirit of Rights is an erudite, wide-ranging, and powerful reevaluation of the history of human rights in the West. Rather than viewing either (or both) the U.S. Declaration of Independence or the French Declaration of the Rights of Man as constituting a foundational moment of political modernity, Edelstein sees them as marking a moment in a lively and contentious conversation over rights that can be traced back to the sixteenth century and then through to our own day. The consequent expansion of the historical canvas on which rights have been inscribed explodes conventional teleologies. Written with verve and conviction, The Spirit of Rights is a tour de force: compelling, brilliant, and excitingly thought-provoking.” * Colin Jones, Queen Mary University of London *"The author shows tremendous erudition both in relation to the sources and to the relevant literature. The argumentation is impressively clear and the presentation is extremely legible." * Historische Zeitschrift (translated from German) *Table of ContentsI How to Think about Rights in Early Modern Europe 1. Introduction 2. Tectonic Shifts and Tectonic Plates: Two Models for the Transformation of Culture 3. A Revolution in Natural Law? From Objective to Subjective Right (and Back Again) 4. Rights and Sovereignty: Beyond the State 5. Inalienability vs. the Alienation of Rights 6. Roman Law, the Lex Regia, and the Genealogy of Rights Regimes 7. Writing Intellectual History in a Digital Age Part I: Early Modern Rights Regimes II When Did Rights Become “Rights”? From the Wars of Religion to the Dawn of Enlightenment 1. Monarchomachs and Tyrannicides: Natural Rights in the French Wars of Religion 2. English Liberties and Natural Rights: Leveller Arguments in the English Civil War 3. Abridging Natural Rights: Hobbes and the High Church Divines 4. Entrust, but Verify? The Transfer Regime from Spinoza to Locke5. Into the Enlightenment: “Cato” and Hutcheson III From Liberalism to Liberty: Natural Rights in the French Enlightenment 1. Sources for Natural Law Theory in France, 1700–1750 2. Physiocracy and the Dangerous Ignorance of Natural Rights 3. Natural Rights Talk in the Late Enlightenment: The Philosophes Carry the Torch 4. The (Meek) Conservative Reaction 5. Resisting Despotism: National Rights and Constitutionalism Part II: Social Naturalism in Early Modern France IV The Laws of Nature in Neo-Stoicism and Science 1. The Many Receptions of Stoicism 2. Laws of the Natural World: The New Science V Roman Law and Order: From Free-Market Ideology to Abolitionism 1. The Jansenist Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism: Jean Domat, the Natural Order, and the Origins of Free-Market Ideology 2. “All Men Are Originally Born Free”: Slavery, Empathy, and the Extension of Human Rights 3. Conclusion Part III: Rights and Revolutions VI Natural Constitutionalism and American Rights 1. Boston, Locke, and Natural Rights (1715–64) 2. Blackstone and English Common Law 3. Natural Rights and Revolution 4. Declaring Rights: From Natural Law Back to English Common Law VII From Nature to Nation: French Revolutionary Rights 1. Whose Rights Are They, Anyway? Rights Talk in the Cahiers de Doléances 2. Debating Rights at the National Assembly 3. The Legal Spirit of the French Declaration of Rights 4. The Revenge of National Rights 5. Conclusion VIII Conclusion: A Stand-in for the Universal Declaration: 1789–1948 1. The Catholic Church, Natural Law, and Human Rights 2. From National Constitutions to an International Declaration 3. The Archaeology of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights Acknowledgments Notes Selected Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £24.70

  • Ordinary People Extraordinary Times

    McGill-Queen's University Press Ordinary People Extraordinary Times

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisA collection of around 350 letters bound for London from Jamaica reveals much about colonial life in 1756. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times paints a picture of the daily life of poor and middling whites, free people of colour, and enslaved people against the backdrop of transatlantic slavery in Jamaica and the eighteenth-century British Empire.Trade Review“Sheryllynne Haggerty introduces us to a terrific archive of letters, making brand new insights into colonial Jamaican history and wrangling an incredibly disparate set of sources into a lively examination of the desires, political interests, consumption patterns, family organizations, and restricted options of both free and enslaved people in the Caribbean. While previous scholarship tends to focus on the elite classes, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times extends our understanding of colonial Jamaican society through an exploration of the everyday.” Daniel Livesay, Claremont McKenna College and author of Children of Uncertain Fortune: Mixed-Race Jamaicans in Britain and the Atlantic Family, 1733–1833

    7 in stock

    £91.80

  • Wallenstein The Enigma of the Thirty Years War

    Palgrave Macmillan Wallenstein The Enigma of the Thirty Years War

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisList of Illustrations Conventions andReferences A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery inside an Enigma No Great Expectations Early Manhood A Scandal in Bohemia Richer Than All his Tribe The Fault Is Not in our Stars Some Achieve Greatness Go, Captain, Greet the Danish King At the Parting of the Ways The Wheel Is Come Full Circle Once More unto the Breach From the Fury of the Norsemen Deliver Us Of Peace and Other Demons Decline and Fall Assassination Is the Quickest Way But Brutus Says He Was Ambitious References Bibliography IndexTrade Review'...thanks to his profound knowledge of the Thirty Years War and his wide reading of both the older and most recent historiography, he is able to offer a very informative, trustworthy and readable account of Wallenstein's life.' The Journal of Military HistoryTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Conventions and References A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery inside an Enigma No Great Expectations Early Manhood A Scandal in Bohemia Richer Than All his Tribe The Fault Is Not in our Stars Some Achieve Greatness Go, Captain, Greet the Danish King At the Parting of the Ways The Wheel Is Come Full Circle Once More unto the Breach From the Fury of the Norsemen Deliver Us Of Peace and Other Demons Decline and Fall Assassination Is the Quickest Way But Brutus Says He Was Ambitious References Bibliography Index

    15 in stock

    £94.99

  • A Womans Civil War  A Diary with Reminiscences of

    MP-WIS Uni of Wisconsin A Womans Civil War A Diary with Reminiscences of

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisCornelia Peake McDonald's story records a personal battle of her own - a southern woman's struggle in the midst of chaos to provide safety and shelter for herself and her nine children. Her diary shows that history is as much a domestic subject as an account of the public affairs of men.

    1 in stock

    £16.16

  • Warrior Generals Winning the British Civil Wars

    Yale University Press Warrior Generals Winning the British Civil Wars

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisPresenting the history of the men who directed and determined the outcome of the mid-seventeenth-century British wars such as Cromwell, Fairfax, and Essex, this title examines how the generals prepared for, fought in, and followed up a battle, and provides an appraisal of the performance of individual commanders set against their peers.

    5 in stock

    £26.12

  • In Nelsons Wake

    Yale University Press In Nelsons Wake

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    7 in stock

    £14.24

  • The War of American Independence 17631783

    Taylor & Francis Ltd The War of American Independence 17631783

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe War of American Independence, 17631783: Falling Dominoes addresses the military, maritime and naval, economic, key personalities, key societal groups, political, imperial rivalry, and diplomatic dynamics and events from the post-Seven Years' War era in Great Britain's North American colonies through the end of the War of American Independence.Beginning in 1763 and moving through the war chronologically, the authors argue that British political and strategic leaders failed to develop an effective strategy to quell the discontent and subsequent revolt in the North American colonies and thus failed to restore allegiance to the Crown. This book describes and analyzes events and the outcomes of central players' decisionsthe British North American colonies, Great Britain, France, Spain, and the Dutch Republicand the resultant actions. It examines events through the thematic lens of strategy, political and military leadership, public attitudes, economics, international Table of ContentsPart 1: Blowing the Matches 1. "In A Fit of Absence of Mind" 2. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World 3. High Water Mark Part 2: Stalemate in the Middle 4. Divide and Conquer 5. Shift to the Middle 6. A Harsh Winter Part 3: Southern Gambit 7. "A Want of Discrimination" 8. Campaign in the Backcountry 9. The North Carolina and Virginia Invasions Part 4: "A Measure of Utmost Importance" 10. Sea Power and the American War 11. A Global War 12. War Termination

    1 in stock

    £34.19

  • REVOLUTION MAPPING THE ROAD TO

    WW Norton & Co REVOLUTION MAPPING THE ROAD TO

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe American Revolution's progress shown in 60 spectacular contemporary maps.Trade Review"This glorious collection-ravishingly beautiful, exquisitely curated, brilliantly annotated-is one of the most graphic and illuminating treatments of the American Revolution ever brought to press. Here is the road to revolution and the war itself, from the opening of the French and Indian War in 1755 to the surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the Treaty of Paris two years later. Combining the virtues of an historical atlas, a luscious exhibition, and a detailed but concise history of the wars, it is a GPS to the American Revolution." -- Ric Burns, documentary filmmaker, Steeplechase Films "Revolution is a dazzling achievement that casts new light on the imperial wars of the late eighteenth century. These maps-many of them rare manuscripts, reproduced here for the first time-remind us that the battle for (and against) American independence unfolded in space as well as in time. Here the long road to revolution becomes visible as a hard-fought contest over territory as well as clash of ideals. A feast for the eye, Revolution also invites fresh thinking about the founding of the United States and Britain's American War." -- Jane Kamensky, Mary Ann Lippitt Professor of American History, Brown University "This beautiful book, with its superbly reproduced images, brings to life the decades leading to the birth of the U.S.A. The authors have given a highly skilled analysis of the background, contents and significance of the images. The readable style and brilliant use of little-known cartographical works has created a book that anyone with an interest in the interplay between maps and history should buy-and read." -- Peter Barber, head of Map Collections, the British Library

    7 in stock

    £53.99

  • The Struggle for Sea Power

    WW Norton & Co The Struggle for Sea Power

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fascinating naval perspective on one of the greatest of all historical conundrums: How did thirteen isolated colonies, which in 1775 began a war with Britain without a navy or an army, win their independence from the greatest naval and military power on earth?

    10 in stock

    £26.59

  • Revolution on the Hudson New York City and the

    WW Norton & Co Revolution on the Hudson New York City and the

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe untold story of the fight for the Hudson River Valley, control of which, both the Americans and the British firmly believed, would determine the outcome of the Revolutionary War.Trade Review"In this fresh, vivid, and often surprising telling of the Revolutionary War, George Daughan explores the timeless theme of hubris and the critical role of geography in the making of American independence. A commanding, compelling performance by an inspired historian." -- Evan Thomas, author of John Paul Jones and Being Nixon"George C. Daughan’s narrative is by turns suspenseful, elegant, and moving. He entwines lucid analysis of politics and diplomacy with expertly rendered accounts of the military and naval campaigns." -- Ian W. Toll, best-selling author of Six Frigates"[A]n exacting account of the personal and national cost of the rebellion on both sides." -- Paula Uruburu - New York Times Book Review"[Daughan] deftly highlights how naval power shaped even war on land." -- William Anthony Hay - Wall Street Journal"In this sharply drawn narrative, Daughan offers something truly valuable: a focus on the grand scale." -- Noah Benjamin-Pollack - National Book Review"[An] enlightening combination of military and regional history." -- Mark Levine - Booklist

    10 in stock

    £18.99

  • Lexington and Concord The Battle Heard Round the

    WW Norton & Co Lexington and Concord The Battle Heard Round the

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn award-winning historian reinterprets the battle that launched the American Revolution.Trade Review"This is hardly a new story, but Daughan imbues it with added nuances of character and motivation…A wonderful addition to the literature on the American Revolution, full of enlightening facts and figures." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

    10 in stock

    £20.89

  • Revolution on the Hudson New York City and the

    WW Norton & Co Revolution on the Hudson New York City and the

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe riveting untold story of the fight for the Hudson River Valley, the decisive campaign of the Revolutionary War.Trade Review"[A]n exacting account of the personal and national cost of the rebellion on both sides." -- Paula Uruburu - New York Times Book Review"Daughan’s narrative is by turns suspenseful, elegant, and moving." -- Ian W. Toll, best-selling author of Six Frigates"[Daughan] deftly highlights how naval power shaped even war on land." -- Wall Street Journal"In this fresh, vivid, and often surprising telling of the Revolutionary War, George Daughan explores the timeless theme of hubris and the critical role of geography in the making of American independence. A commanding, compelling performance by an inspired historian." -- Evan Thomas, author of John Paul Jones and Being Nixon"Fascinating…Daughan brings all his subjects to vivid life." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"An enlightening combination of military and regional history." -- Booklist

    10 in stock

    £16.23

  • Warfare State and Society on the Black Sea Steppe

    Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales) Warfare State and Society on the Black Sea Steppe

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis crucial period in Russia's history has, up until now, been neglected by historians, but here Brian L. Davies' study provides an essential insight into the emergence of Russia as a great power.For nearly three centuries, Russia vied with the Crimean Khanate, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire for mastery of the Ukraine and the fertile steppes above the Black Sea, a region of great strategic and economic importance â arguably the pivot of Eurasia at the time.The long campaign took a great toll upon Russia's population, economy and institutions, and repeatedly frustrated or redefined Russian military and diplomatic projects in the West. The struggle was every bit as important as Russia's wars in northern and central Europe for driving the Russian state-building process, forcing military reform and shaping Russia's visions of Empire. Trade Review"Thought-provoking insights will doubtless spark debate in many a graduate seminar. ... Hightly recommended." - CHOICE April 2008 Vol. 45 (W.L. Urban, Monmouth College, IL) 'Davies has written a complex history of a complex and significant borderland.' – The Russian ReviewTable of Contents1. Colonization, War, and Slaveraiding on the Black Sea Steppe in the Sixteenth Century 2. Muscovy’s Southern Borderland Defense Strategy, 1500–1635 3. The Belgorod Line 4. The Ukrainian Quagmire 5. The Chyhyryn Campaigns and the Wars of the Holy League 6. The Balance of Power at Century’s End

    1 in stock

    £43.99

  • The American Revolution Reader

    Taylor & Francis The American Revolution Reader

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe American Revolution Reader is a collection of leading essays on the American revolutionary era from the eve of the imperial crisis through George Washingtonâs presidency. Articles have been chosen to represent classic themes, such as the British-colonial relationship during the eighteenth century, the political and ideological issues underlying colonial protests, the military conflict, the debates over the Constitution, and the rise of political parties. The volume also captures how the field has been reshaped in recent years, including essays that cover class strife and street politics, the international context of the Revolution, and the roles of women, African Americans and Native Americans, as well as the reshaping of the British Empire after the war. With essays by Gordon S. Wood, Mary Beth Norton, T.H. Breen, John M. Murrin, Gary B. Nash, Woody Holton, Rosemarie Zagarri, John Shy, Alan Taylor, Maya Jasanoff, and many other prominent historians, the collectiTable of ContentsPart I: Imperial Context 1. Liberty, Province, and Empire Ned C. Landsman 2. The Nation Abroad: The Atlantic Debate over Colonial Taxation Eliga H. Gould Part II: Imperial Crisis 3. “Baubles of Britain”: The American and Consumer Revolutions of the Eighteenth Century T.H. Breen 4. 1776: The Countercyclical Revolution John M. Murrin 5. “Rebel against Rebel”: Enslaved Virginians and the Coming of the American Revolution Woody Holton6. Twenty-seven Reasons for Independence Robert G. Parkinson Part III: War and the Home Front 7. The Military Conflict Considered as a Revolutionary War John Shy 8. Class War? Class Struggles during the American Revolution in Virginia Michael A. McDonnell 9. Eighteenth-Century American Women in Peace and War: The Case of the Loyalists Mary Beth Norton 10. Restraint and Retaliation: The North Carolina Militias and the Backcountry War of 1780-1782 Wayne E. Lee Part IV: American Constitutionalism and Nation-Building 11. Writing on a Clean Slate: The Struggle to Craft State Constitutions, 1776-1780 Gary B. Nash 12. Interests and Disinterestedness in the Making of the Constitution Gordon S. Wood 13. Constitutional Recognition of a Free Religious Market Frank Lambert 14. Aristocracy Assailed: The Ideology of Backcountry Anti-Federalism Saul Cornell 15. “To Man Their Rights”: The Frontier Revolution Alan Taylor Part V: A Social Revolution? 16. The Revolution in Black Life Ira Berlin 17. The Continuing Revolution in Indian Country Colin G. Calloway 18. The Rights of Woman Rosemarie Zagarri 19. From Slaves, Convicts, and Servants to Free Passengers: The Transformation of Immigration in the Era of the American Revolution Aaron S. Fogleman Part VI: Legacies 20. The Other Side of Revolution: Loyalists in the British Empire Maya Jasanoff 21. The Greatness of George Washington Gordon S. Wood

    1 in stock

    £68.39

  • Forgotten Patriots The Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War

    Basic Books Forgotten Patriots The Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisBetween 1775 and 1783, some 200,000 Americans took up arms against the British Crown. Just over 6,800 of those men died in battle. About 25,000 became prisoners of war, most of them confined in New York City under conditions so atrocious that they perished by the thousands. Evidence suggests that at least 17,500 Americans may have died in these prisons,more than twice the number to die on the battlefield. It was in New York, not Boston or Philadelphia, where most Americans gave their lives for the cause of independence. New York City became the jailhouse of the American Revolution because it was the principal base of the Crown''s military operations. Beginning with the bumper crop of American captives taken during the 1776 invasion of New York, captured Americans were stuffed into a hastily assembled collection of public buildings, sugar houses, and prison ships. The prisoners were shockingly overcrowded and chronically underfed,those who escaped alive told of comrades so hungry they a

    15 in stock

    £23.84

  • The Putney Debates of 1647

    Cambridge University Press The Putney Debates of 1647

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn the autumn of 1647, soldiers and officers of Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army held discussions near London on the constitution and future of England. This volume examines the debates (preserved in shorthand), their contexts, and their legacy more broadly and closely than ever before.Trade Review"Reassessing the Putney debates, like the trial of Charles I, is much needed, and Mendle has drawn together an impressive collection of scholars, whose articles are generally of the highest quality... The volume provides stimulating analyses of the text and history of the debates, and the historiography which surrounds both Putney and the protagonists of 1647, and extremely valuable contributions on the context(s) of Putney, and the ramifications of these famous events." Canadian Journal of History"The tantalizing insights that these [debates] offer historians and students of political theory certainly justify the present collection. ...there is a rich array of material for specialists from such diverse fields as political theory, military history, law, crowd behavior, and women's studies." The Journal of Interdisciplinary History"With his own fine sense of historical openness, Pocock put his finger on the point: Putney is not merely a fact. It is also a possibnlity." AlbionTable of Contents1. Introduction Michael Mendle; Part I. The Putney Debates: The Artefact: 2. The survival of the manuscript Lesley Le Claire; 3. Reading and writing the text of the Putney debates Frances Henderson; Part II. The Putney Debates and Their Contexts: 4. The debates from the perspective of the army Austin Woolrych; 5. The army, the state and the soldier in the English civil war Barbara Donagan; 6. The case of the armie truly re-stated John Morrill and Philip Baker; 7. Putney's pronouns: identity and indemnity in the great debate Michael Mendle; 8. The agreements of the people and their political context, 1647–1649 Ian Gentles; 9. From Reading to Whitehall: Henry Ireton's journey Barbara Taft; Part III. Levellers and 'Levellerism' in History and Historiography: 10. 'The poorest she': women and citizenship in early modern England Patricia Crawford; 11. The Leveller legacy: from the Restoration to the Exclusion crisis Tim Harris; 12. Puritanism, liberty and the Putney debates William Lamont; 13. The Levellers in history and memory, c. 1660–1960 Blair Worden; 14. The true Levellers' standard revisited: an afterword J. G. A. Pocock.

    15 in stock

    £39.99

  • European Warfare 13501750

    Cambridge University Press European Warfare 13501750

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe period 1350â1750 saw major developments in European warfare, which not only had a huge impact on the way wars were fought, but also are critical to long-standing controversies about state development, the global ascendancy of the West, and the nature of 'military revolutions' past and present. However, the military history of this period is usually written from either medieval or early-modern, and either Western or Eastern European, perspectives. These chronological and geographical limits have produced substantial confusion about how the conduct of war changed. The essays in this book provide a comprehensive overview of land and sea warfare across Europe throughout this period of momentous political, religious, technological, intellectual and military change. Written by leading experts in their fields, they not only summarise existing scholarship, but also present new findings and new ideas, casting new light on the art of war, the rise of the state, and European expansion.Trade Review'This is an excellent collection of essays about military change across some 400 years.' John France, History'One particular strength of this anthology is the degree of connectedness between many of the chapters … [It] is unusually coherent and comprehensive, and is a valuable addition to the literature on the topic.' Renaissance Quarterly'Essay collections are difficult to edit, in particular when a number of different authors are involved; thus one should take one's hat off to the editors of the present volume for producing the nearest one can get to a homogeneous whole, given the nature of the beast. The essays themselves are, without exception, robust, and in more than one case commendable … as a whole the volume is of great value, not least for what can only be described as its daring overall approach.' Journal of Military History'The contributors [are] uniformly among the leading scholars in their respective fields … Many of these essays are among the most lucid summaries of their sub-fields currently available … this is an extremely good volume of essays, one that benefits both from the high production quality and the inclusion of ten excellent maps. Accessible and yet of a rigorous intellectual standard, it is one that will undoubtedly fulfil its editors' wish to encourage conversation between the diverse students of military history.' Journal of the Society for Army Historical ResearchTable of Contents1. 'Then was then and now is now': an overview of change and continuity in late-medieval and early-modern warfare F. Tallett and D. J. B. Trim; 2. Warfare and the international state system Kelly DeVries; 3. War and the emergence of the State: Western Europe 1350–1600 Steven Gunn; 4. From military enterprise to standing armies: war, state and society in Western Europe, 1600–1700 David Parrott; 5. The State and military affairs in east-central Europe, 1380–c.1520s László Veszprémy; 6. Empires and warfare in east-central Europe, 1550–1750: the Ottoman-Habsburg rivalry and military transformation Gábor Àgoston; 7. Ottoman military organisation in south-eastern Europe, c.1420–1720 Rhoads Murphey; 8. The transformation of army organisation in early-modern Western Europe, c.1500–1789 Olaf van Nimwegen; 9. Aspects of operational art: communications, cannon and small war Simon Pepper; 10. Tactics and the face of battle Clifford J. Rogers; 11. Short-lived triumphs and long-term successes: naval warfare in Europe, c.1330–c.1680 Louis Sicking; 12. Legality and legitimacy in war and its conduct, 1350–1650 Matthew Bennett; 13. Conflict, religion and ideology D. J. B. Trim; 14. Warfare, entrepreneurship and the fiscal-military State Jan Glete; 15. War and State-building Ronald G. Asch.

    15 in stock

    £29.99

  • The First Way of War

    Cambridge University Press The First Way of War

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis 2005 book explores the evolution of Americans' first way of war, to show how war waged against Indian noncombatant population and agricultural resources became the method early Americans employed and, ultimately, defined their military heritage.Trade Review"Read it as a clear, informed survey of the lesser-known wars of early American history, or as a strongly argued reinterpretation of the pattern and relevance of early American military experience, John Grenier's excellent book earns a place on the short shelf of essential books in U.S. military history." -John Shy, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor"John Grenier demonstrates convincingly that there was an American way of war in the colonial and revolutionary eras, which was before the time when previous historians have acknowledged the beginnings of an American pattern of conflict. This earlier form of warfare was in some respects far more brutal and devastating than what came later; but the tendency to blur the differences between civilians and combatants has remained a troubling part of our martial heritage. Grenier's impressive volume will require us to rethink the contours of American military history." -Don Higginbotham, Dowd Professor of History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill"The First Way of War offers an important reminder that early Americans fought their wars in a variety of ways. One way was largely designed for Indians, depended on unconventional methods, and could be terrifyingly violent. Based on wide and deep research, Grenier surveys a variety of wars between American colonists and Indians, covering both familiar and rarely-tread ground, and details the different techniques tried, adopted, and sometimes discarded as the colonists struggled to find a way to defeat a resilient and resourceful enemy. This is a significant contribution to the increasingly complex and subtle field of early American military history." -Professor Wayne E. Lee, Department of History, The University of Louisville"Grenier makes a strong case that a distinctive method of American warfare emerged during the colonial era. The author has the rare facility of combining an exciting narrative with thought-provoking analysis. A well-researched and well-written book that deserves serious consideration." -Brian McAllister Linn, Texas A&M University"The First Way of War is a well-crafted and exhaustively documented piece of scholarship, with each footnote an authoritative mini-bibliographical essay." -Thomas W. Cutrer, Arizona State University, Military History"...Grenier's study reveals North America's four-hundred-year continuum of irregular warfare and challenges Americans to confront the stark realities of their 'martial culture'." -Kevin T. Barksdale, Marshall University, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography"The book works well as an overview of warfare in eastern North America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Grenier's long perspective usefully conflates a multitude of little wars into a long-term struggle between Europeans and native peoples for survival and dominance in North America, a struggle that climaxed in the British triumph in the French and Indian War." -Andrew Cayton, Miami University, The International History Review"well-written monograph...thanks in part to Grenier's lucid prose, we have an excellent analysis of how Americans waged unlimited war from the early colonial period to the beginning of the Republic." -John Richard Mass, Ohio State University, The North Carolina Historical Review"The book's strength lies in its recognition and treatment of the asymmetrical dimension of war as it relates to societies and cultures in general...Grenier's book is lucid and well-written" -MAJ Joseph P. Alessi, USA, Military Review"[Grenier] has addressed the arguments of would-be critics like myself with a sound analytical framework and a well-researched and well-presented narrative. Scholars of American history and of military history will find this book thoughtful and highly provocative." -Guy Chet, University of North Texas, American Historical Review"...a richly insightful contribution to the literature on American ways of war." -Adam Jones, Journal of Genocide Research"The First Way of Ware is a well-researched and thought-provoking work overall. In addition, the historiographical magnitude of Grenier's arguments alone should make it required reading for serious students of early American military history." The Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Wesley T. Joyner, University of Southern MississippiTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. The First Way of War's origins in Colonial America; 2. The First Way of War in the North American wars of King George II, 1739–55; 3. Continental and British Petite Guerre, circa 1750; 4. The First Way of War in the Seven Years' War, 1754–63; 5. The First Way of War in the era of the American Revolution; 6. The First Way of War in the 1790s; 7. The First Way of War and the final conquest of the transappalachian West.

    15 in stock

    £22.99

  • Redcoats

    Cambridge University Press Redcoats

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA 2001 examination of the experiences of the British soldiers, or 'redcoats', who fought in the Americas from 1755–63. It explores the Army's distinctive society, using new evidence to provide a voice for ordinary soldiers, previously ignored by historians. Includes the experience of combat, Indian captivity, women, and veterans.Trade Review'Stephen Brumwell's account of the British army in North America during the Seven Years' War offers the most complete, vivid, and sophisticated account we have of the experiences and views of eighteenth-century common soldiers. With wide research, lucid prose, and (above all) compassion, he counts the human costs of empire, and brings to life the terrible war that built it.' Fred Anderson, author of The Crucible of War'A fascinating, judiciously researched, and well-written study … This important book will enjoy a wide readership among specialists, students, and the general public. Its readability will make it a valuable addition in undergraduate survey courses and seminars.' Ben Vinson III, The Historian'This is an excellent, challenging book, convincingly argued through many vivid stories and original research.' Hugh Cecil, The Spectator'… perhaps Brumwell's main achievement is to bring to life the personnel of the army - an achievement made possible not simply by his meticulous research but also by his vivid and engaging prose.' History'Redcoats is an engrossing and readable work that adds greatly to our understanding of the British army in the eighteenth century. For American historians, it provides a much needed addition to the many studies on provincial armies … the work also has a much wider importance for eighteenth-century British cultural and imperial historians … Redcoats is a significant and innovative work which makes an important addition to the literature not only of the British army, but also of eighteenth-century Britain and North America.' War in History'The appearance of Redcoats … announces the arrival of a major military historian … an outstanding combination of historical scholarship and robust prose … the story is so well written as to make it an epic tale …' The Times Literary Supplement'Redcoats has much to offer, and makes an important contribution to the slowly-growing corpus of work on the eighteenth-century Army. It will be enjoyed by specialist and non-specialist alike' The Society for Army Historical Research'The appearance of Redcoats … announces the arrival of a major military historian … an outstanding combination of historical scholarship and robust prose … the story is so well written as to make it an epic tale …' The Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsIntroduction: approaching the 'American Army'; 1. Britain's war effort in the Americas; 2. Gone for a soldier; 3. Following the drum; 4. The environmental parameters of American campaigning; 5. The 'American Army' and Native Americans; 6. Irregular warfare in the Americas; 7. The tactical evolution of the Redcoats; 8. The Highland Battalions in the Americas; 9. The legacies of the 'American Army'.

    15 in stock

    £76.00

  • Oliver Cromwell

    Taylor & Francis Oliver Cromwell

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisOliver Cromwell is one of the most puzzling and controversial figures in English history. In this excellent introduction, Barry Coward uses Cromwell's own words and actions to analyse the life of Oliver Cromwell as a political figure and look at the historical problems associated with his exercise of power.Table of ContentsAbbreviations and Acknowledgements Introduction 1. The Unknown Cromwell 2. Cromwell and the Civil War, 1642-46 3. The Search for Settlement, 1646-49 4. Cromwell and the Rump, 1649-53 5. Cromwell and the Godly Reformation, 1653-54 6. Parliament and Personal Rule, September 1654- September 1656 7. The Continuing Quest for Settlement and Reformation, September 1656 – September 1658 8. Conclusion List of Dates Bibliographical Essay Index

    1 in stock

    £39.99

  • Silent Cavalry

    Random House USA Inc Silent Cavalry

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist reveals the little-known story of the Union soldiers from Alabama who played a decisive role in the Civil War, and how they were scrubbed from the history books.We all know how the Civil War was won: Courageous Yankees triumphed over the South. But is there more to the story?As Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Howell Raines shows, it was not only soldiers from northern states who helped General William Tecumseh Sherman burn Atlanta to the ground but also an unsung regiment of 2,066 Alabamian yeoman farmers—including at least one member of Raines’s own family.Called the First Alabama Cavalry, U.S.A., this regiment of mountain Unionists, which included sixteen formerly enslaved Black men, was the point of the spear that Sherman drove through the heart of the Confederacy. The famed general hailed their skills and courage. So why don’t we know anything about them?Silent Cavalry

    1 in stock

    £22.50

  • The English Civil War

    John Wiley and Sons Ltd The English Civil War

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis* Provides students with an affordable collection of key articles on the English Civil War. * Includes a substantial introduction which contextualises the articles and the issues they raise> * Examines and provides a guide to major recent and current areas of debate on the causes, course and consequences of the Civil War.Trade Review"Peter Gaunt's The English Civil War: The Essential Readings is indeed essential reading for any clear understanding of the causes and consequences of the violent birth of modernity in England. The essays he presents are carefully chosen and represent a generation of the best historical work in an area which has sparked controversy for over 300 years." Professor Victor Stater, Louisiana State University "Gaunt's volume, devoted to the civil war, brings out the complexities, cross-currents and different interpretations of that crisis ... a helpful and reliable guide to the shifting centres of interest in this field." Times Higher Education Supplement "A diverse and thought-provoking read, introduced clearly and effectively by Peter Gaunt." History "A good, structured introduction to the topic ... Gaunt's introductory essays to the book's four sections helpfully guide the unfamiliar reader through the minefield of Civil War historiography." History "An expert selection of articles dating from 1972 to 1994, with a running commentary, the whole intended to convey a clear living picture of the problems of the period and the diversity of the historiography ... a formidable task, triumphantly accomplished." Cromwelliana "Gaunt's introductions are impressively clear and concise. His grasp on the subject is never less than firm, and he successfully locates contributions within their historical and historiographical contexts, providing a valuable guide to a vast body of literature." Jason Peacey, History of Parliament Trust - Canadian Journal of History "The editor of this commendable work is Peter Gaunt, who has judiciously chosen what he considers to be the most revealing and insightful articles that have been published over the last 30 years. Both his selection of articles and authors are keenly rewarding for anyone who wishes to understand in some depth what unfolded in the British Isles during this era. Above all, Gaunt possesses the talent to summarize divergent opinions deftly." Journal of Church and StateTable of ContentsEditor's Introduction. 1. What Was The English Revolution: John Morrill, Brian Manning and David Underdown. 2. The English Revolution and Revisionist Revolt: Mary Fulbrook. 3. The British Problem and The English Civil War: Conrad Russell. 4. Opposition to the Personal Rule of Charles I: The Diary of Robert Woodford, 1637-1641: John Fielding. 5. Why Did Charles I Call The Long Parliament?: Conrad Russell. 6. Why Did Charles I Fight The Civil War?: Conrad Russell. 7. The Defection of Sir Edward Dering, 1640-41: Derek Hirst. 8. Sir William Brereton and England's Wars of Religion: John Morrill. 9. Between Scylla and Charybdis: The Creation of Rival Administrations at the Beginning of the English Civil War: Martyn Bennett. 10. The War, the People and the Absence of the Clubmen in the Midlands, 1642-46: Simon Osborne. 11. England Turned Germany? The Aftermath of the Civil War in its European Context: Ian Roy. 12. The Levellers and Christianity: J. Colin Davis. 13. Charles Stuart, That Man of Blood: Patricia Crawford. 14. A Bougeois Revolution?: Christopher Hill. Index.

    15 in stock

    £39.56

  • The Iron Princess

    Harvard University Press The Iron Princess

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn the bloodiest conflict Europe had ever experienced, Amalia Elisabeth fought to save her tiny German state, her Calvinist church, and her children’s inheritance. Tryntje Helfferich reveals how this embattled ruler used diplomacy to play the European powers against one another, while raising one of the continent’s most effective fighting forces.Trade ReviewImpressive...Helfferich tracks Amalia Elisabeth's bold, often duplicitous, but ultimately successful diplomatic manoeuvrings in meticulous, indeed exhaustive, detail...In an age when so much of what passes for 'history' in the bookshops is merely the competent journalistic synthesis of earlier (and often better) books, it is refreshing to come across a work that is grounded in original, multilingual archival scholarship and has something genuinely new to say...The Iron Princess is far more than merely the biography of a singularly forceful, if despotic, woman. Its narrative provides an exceptionally sure-footed guide through the mazes of European princely politics at their most labyrinthine, and offers an entirely new insight into the role of the smaller states in shaping the great Westphalian treaties that settled the European state system for the best part of the next two centuries. If the Iron Princess was more fortunate in life than she deserved, she has undoubtedly continued her lucky run in this fine biography. -- John Adamson * Literary Review *Like Elizabeth I of England, Amalia Elisabeth was a mistress of delay, and The Iron Princess shows how she successfully navigated the maze of legal, military, and diplomatic obstacles that awaited her when she assumed power. Helfferich deftly reconstructs the dynamics of power, religious division, and social opposition that Amalia Elisabeth confronted. A superb book. -- Orest Ranum, The Johns Hopkins UniversityThis deeply researched book will make a major contribution to what we know about the Thirty Years War. Helfferich's work will place Amalia Elisabeth of Hesse-Cassel squarely onto the mental map of anyone who takes a serious interest in the most protracted and important European conflict of the seventeenth century. -- Christopher R. Friedrichs, University of British ColumbiaIn this detailed and impressively researched study of Amalia Elisabeth, Helfferich offers a shrewd and sophisticated analysis of the problems of female rule in an age of crisis, combined with an equally penetrating interpretation of princely politics within the Holy Roman Empire during the closing stages of the Thirty Years War. It is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary ruler, deftly told. -- Mary Lindemann, University of MiamiHelfferich's exploration of the intricate political maneuverings of Amalia Elisabeth offers not only a fascinating vignette of the Thirty Years' War, but also a most valuable scholarly contribution and corrective to the political and religious history of the first European war. It was largely due to the landgravine's tenacity and shrewd insight into politics that Calvinism was legalized in the Peace of Westphalia. -- Sigrun Haude, University of Cincinnati

    2 in stock

    £35.66

  • Citizen Sailors

    Harvard University Press Citizen Sailors

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisAfter 1776, Americans struggled to gain recognition of their new republic and their rights as citizens. None had to fight harder than the nation’s seamen, whose labor took them deep into the Atlantic world. Nathan Perl-Rosenthal tells the story of how their efforts created the first national, racially inclusive model of U.S. citizenship.Trade ReviewCitizen Sailors is a useful reminder that Revolutionary America was more inclusive than the republic would become in the 19th century and than some might wish to make it today. By skillfully coaxing narratives out of previously unorganized troves of documents, Perl-Rosenthal lets us see that the Custom House certificates ‘offered a glimmer of a far more inclusive model of the American nation than existed in any other official quarter.’ He also ably describes the complicated national identities of sailors and the human suffering of Americans wrongfully impressed. -- Mark Spencer * Wall Street Journal *Citizen Sailors is the first book to explore how sailors were crucial to definitions of U.S. citizenship during and after the War for Independence because of their central role in national politics and because of the peculiar problems in ascertaining their nationality. Engagingly written and marshaling terrific new evidence, this important book will alter our understanding of the American Revolution, the Atlantic world, and the dynamics of national identity. -- Joyce E. Chaplin, author of Round about the Earth: Circumnavigation from Magellan to OrbitWith erudition and eloquence, Citizen Sailors tells the remarkable story of the federal government’s efforts to protect the welfare of seafaring Americans, doing so without regard to region, class or, surprisingly, race. Showcasing maritime history at its best, the result is a tour de force that will appeal to general readers and specialists alike. -- Eliga Gould, author of Among the Powers of the Earth: The American Revolution and the Making of a New World Empire

    10 in stock

    £30.56

  • Citizen Sherman  Life of William Tecumseh Sherman

    MP-KAN Uni Press of Kansas Citizen Sherman Life of William Tecumseh Sherman

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisIt was Willaim Tecumseh Sherman who both articulated and practiced the relentless scorched-earth policy that broke the heart of the Confederacy. This work illuminates the emotional as well as the intellectual, ideological and occupational lives of this Victorian American.

    15 in stock

    £29.27

  • Stonewall of the West  Patrick Cleburne and the

    MP-KAN Uni Press of Kansas Stonewall of the West Patrick Cleburne and the

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA biography of one of the Confederacy's fighting generals, Patrick Cleburne. Symonds seeks to provide insights into the dialogue between society, culture, and personality, on one side, and Civil War military leadership on the other.Trade ReviewA highly readable work that provides insights into the dialogue between society, culture, and personality, on one side, and Civil War military leadership, on the other." — Journal of American History"Symonds has produced what may truly be the lasting biography of the so-called Stonewall of the West." — Atlanta History"A superb biography and the definitive book on Patrick Cleburne." — North & South"Every student of the Civil War needs to read this insightful account." — Blue & Gray Magazine"Should be in every Civil War collection." — Library Journal"A fascinating story." — Washington Times"This is the biography that Patrick Cleburne has long deserved. Scrupulously fair in his judgments, Symonds accords Cleburne full credit for his accomplishments even as he sweeps away the romantic gloss that has clung to the general for many generations." — Gary W. Gallagher, author of The Confederate War"Fresh and thought provoking. An inspiration to all who appreciate the highest virtue and character under extreme hardship and disadvantage." — Wiley Sword, author of The Confederacy's Last Hurrah"The finest biography of one of the Confederacy's finest fighting generals." — Albert Castel, author of Decision in the West"Outstanding biography, fine battle history, and fascinating reading." — Steven E. Woodworth, author of Davis and Lee at War

    1 in stock

    £28.01

  • Shiloh  Conquer or Perish

    University Press of Kansas Shiloh Conquer or Perish

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA critical moment in the Civil War, the Battle of Shiloh has been the subject of many books. However, none has told the story of Shiloh as Timothy Smith does in this volume, the first comprehensive history of the two-day battle in April 1862 - a battle so fluid and confusing that its true nature has eluded a clear narrative telling until now.

    3 in stock

    £28.46

© 2025 Book Curl

    • American Express
    • Apple Pay
    • Diners Club
    • Discover
    • Google Pay
    • Maestro
    • Mastercard
    • PayPal
    • Shop Pay
    • Union Pay
    • Visa

    Login

    Forgot your password?

    Don't have an account yet?
    Create account