European history: medieval period, middle ages Books

Book SynopsisBased on new archival information, this book upends two hundred years of scholarship on England’s Glorious Revolution to claim that it—not the French Revolution—was the first truly modern revolutionTrade Review"Mr. Pincus’s cogently argued account of what really happened during England’s revolution destroys many comforting notions that have prevailed for more than 200 years. . . . It leaves the reader with something much more exciting: a new understanding of the origins of the modern, liberal state."—Economist"Pincus’s marvellously learned book is the product of years of industrious archival labour."—Jonathan Clark, Times Literary Supplement "A masterful reassessment of the received wisdom of what we understand of modern British history and the concept of revolution. This is a well-researched, well-written and important book."—British Heritage"This is an important book and deserves to be widely read . . . What stands out in Pincus’s work is his comprehensive use of manuscript sources and his determination to view events of 1688 afresh, these are the hallmarks of a true scholar . . . No historian of the Glorious Revolution – or the regime it established – will be able to overlook this remarkable work."—William Gibson, Archives"An engaging read . . . this book will unquestionably become a major talking-point among all interested in Britain’s last revolution."— Ted Vallance, BBC History Magazine"In this brilliant and provocative book, Steve Pincus creates a welcome stir that will enliven the study of the later 17th century . . . The result is a bracing, combative, highly stimulating argument, written in vivid and lively prose . . . A book that will be difficult for any student of the 17th century or of the revolutions to ignore."—Mark Knights, Reviews in History"The result is a major contribution to our understanding of the Revolution of 1688…It is the great strength of this book that it addresses large and intractable issues with boldness, verve, and argumentative charity."—Philip Connell, Notes and Queries"Pincus’s argument is a fascinating one, his study packed full of detail but never confusing or inaccessible."—Lesley McDowell, The Herald (Glasgow)"The sheer size of this impressively holistic study makes it hard to digest at one sitting. 1688 is a book to revisit and reflect upon, for there is so much to ponder here."—John Gibney, Journal of Ecclesiastical HistoryBronze Medal winner for the 2010 Independent Publishers Book Awards in the History CategoryWinner of the 2010 Gustav Ranis International Book Prize, given by the MacMillan CenterHonorable Mention in the Non-Fiction category of the 2009 New England Book Festival sponsored by the Larimar St. Croix Writers Colony, The Hollywood Creative Directory; eDivvy, Shopanista and Westside WebsitesA finalist in the category of Nonfiction for the 2010 Connecticut Book Award, given by the Connecticut Center for the BookWinner of the 2010 Morris D. Forkosch Prize given by the American Historical Association"Utterly extraordinary."—Don Herzog, University of Michigan"We all know that the year 1688 is a milestone in England's history; now, thanks to Steve Pincus, the book 1688 will be a milestone in its historiography. Pincus transforms what once seemed a peaceful compromise among agreeable aristocrats into a fractious and all-encompassing crisis, the ‘first modern revolution.’ Provocative, erudite, and accessible, 1688 is a must read for anyone interested in seventeenth-century Europe and its possessions."—Cynthia Herrup, University of Southern California"In this remarkable work of scholarship, vast in scope and profound in its implications, Pincus challenges Macaulay and the orthodox view that the Glorious Revolution was moderate, peaceful, and conservative, and reveals a violent transformational event that revolutionized England's state, church, and political economy, and introduced political modernity."—Bernard Bailyn, Harvard University"A radical interpretation of a radical revolution. Steve Pincus's brilliantly researched account of the extraordinary events of the 1680s and 1690s mounts an insuperable challenge to the comfortable view that the Glorious Revolution was another instance of British consensus politics, pragmatism, and common sense. 1688 recaptures the revolutionary nature of the Glorious Revolution and its far-reaching and interconnected conflicts over foreign policy, political economy, religion, and the nature of the modern state."—John Brewer, California Institute of Technology"A magnificent, fully documented, very well written study of how the first thorough-going modern revolution was achieved with effort and against substantial obstacles over several years. It was bloody and popular, not merely a palace coup achieved with little loss of life, as is commonly held. Taking a broader chronological view and considering more aspects of society than previous historians, Pincus convincingly shows how England had become a commercial society by the 1680s, and the race was on to harness new wealth—a race between the absolutist modernizing vision of James II and the more tolerant and liberty-minded vision of his opponents. What emerged was the first modern state, with independent financial institutions and a strong sense of national and civil, as opposed to confessional, interest. The triumph of William III and his supporters was a conscious re-ordering of the place of the three kingdoms on the European and world stage. Pincus's commitment to vigorous argument (in which he overturns many received views; his definition of revolution itself is bracingly refreshing) makes this book exciting reading, and will raise fascinated interest in the late 17th-century for many years to come. For anyone interested in modern liberal society, its origins, and why it is worth defending, this book is indispensable."—Nigel Smith, Princeton University

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Book SynopsisRelics affected everyone in medieval society. In this book, the author illustrates that the pervasiveness and variety of relics answered very specific needs of ordinary people across a darkened Europe under threat of political upheavals, disease, and hellfire. It examines an array of relics in the broad social and cultural context of their age.Trade Review"Freeman is an excellent narrator. . . . He loves to tell a good tale, and the history of relics overflows with countless bizarre and fascinating deeds."—Andrew Butterfield, The New Republic -- Andrew Butterfield * The New Republic *“As Freeman delves into practices across Europe, he demonstrates great ease in synthesizing — and keeping accessible — many various strains of religious thought. . . . The same is true of his treatment of the histories of the Crusades, the rise of the Byzantine Empire, the Italian city-states, the challenge of Protestantism. . . . It’s no easy feat to encapsulate these subjects, and yet Freeman . . . pulls it off with great authority and insight.”—Nick Owchar, Los Angeles Times -- Nick Owchar * Los Angeles Times *“Despite their prominence in the Middle Ages and even up to today, there is no other comprehensive history of relics available. As always, Freeman writes well and will stir up controversy. Recommended to scholars who will appreciate this comprehensive history, as well as to buffs of medieval history."—David Keymer, Library Journal -- David Keymer * Library Journal *“[A] fascinating book. . . .”—Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph (Seven) -- Noel Malcolm * Sunday Telegraph (Seven) *'In Holy Bones, Holy Dust, Charles Freeman presents the massive history of relic veneration in a way that is at the same time comprehensive, compulsive and accessible. This is no mean achievement.'—Paul Fouracre, Frankland: The Franks and the World of Medieval Europe -- Paul Fouracre'Charles Freeman's new book is absorbing, wide-ranging and rigorous, while remaining constantly accessible. There is much original material here and many fresh insights; Freeman's eye for intriguing stories never wavers.'—John Cornwell, author of Newman's Unquiet Grave: the Reluctant Saint -- John Cornwell“This superbly put together and elegantly written book is the first proper history of the cult of relics from the early days to Counter-Reformation. Ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, this is a marvellous study.”—Catholic Herald * Catholic Herald *“. . . a nuanced, scholarly and richly entertaining introduction to the subject of medieval Christian relics. It is a treat. The geographical and chronological range of the book is impressive (from ancient Constantinople to the post-Reformation West) and the author focuses on all the important issues. . . . Freeman’s achievement is all the more impressive because too few serious historians have bothered to study this topic in the round. . . . As a result, this is easily the best book that Freeman has written and also the best short introduction to the story of relics that I have read.”—Jonathan Wright, The Tablet -- Jonathan Wright * The Tablet *“In this work he examines the medieval enthusiasm for miracles. Few serious historians have tackled this subject yet it is of crucial importance in trying to understand the medieval mind.”—Church of England Newspaper * Church of England Newspaper *“. . . . this remarkable, in many ways shocking, study places them at the very heart of medieval life.”—Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman -- Michael Kerrigan * The Scotsman *“Wonderfully written and inviting. . . . Freeman, right down to the notes for his illustrations, fascinates....[Holy Bones, Holy Dust is] a model for how history is to be written.”—Thomas McGonigle, ABC of Reading -- Thomas McGonigle * ABC of Reading *“Charles Freeman covers a huge sweep of history con brio in this book on the significance of Catholic relics.”—Simon Scott Plummer, Standpoint -- Simon Scott Plummer * Standpoint *“Freeman’s book is a timely reminder of the extent to which relics were once central to mankind’s sense of identity.”—Nick Vincent, BBC History Magazine -- Nick Vincent * BBC History Magazine *“As Charles Freeman point out in his new book Holy Bones, Holy Dust: How Relics shaped the History of Medieval Europe, relics were a crucial part of the medieval economy.”—Bess Twiston Davies, The Times -- Bess Twiston Davies * The Times *“Holy Bones, Holy Dust offers a readable and ambitious panoramic history of medieval society, politics and religion, defined by the impetus of relics, saints cults and miraculous interventions occurring between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Reformation.”—E.L Devlin, History Today -- E.L Devlin * History Today *“It is rare that a book about medieval history can keep the attention of any apart from scholars or, perhaps, live-role-play gamers. But this is just such a book. Holy Bones, Holy Dust, the latest offering from award-winning author Charles Freeman, benefits from being both exceptionally well written and having a strangely attractive subject matter.”—Tim Perry, ChristianWeek.org -- Tim Perry * ChristianWeek.org *“Charles Freeman’s Holy Bones, Holy Dust is a shrewd and readable account of one of the more significant aspects of the spiritual life of the Middle Ages.”—Jonathan Sumpton, Literary Review -- Jonathan Sumpton * Literary Review *“This book provides an engagingly written historical narrative supported by many detailed stories of how relics were relevant to theological, cultural, political and economic changes across medieval Europe.”—Harold Mytum, British Archaeology -- Harold Mytum * British Archaeology *“Excellent. . . . Meticulously expert, engagingly readable both as history and as writing.”—Craig Smith, Santa Fe New Mexican -- Craig Smith * Santa Fe New Mexican *“An absorbing and insightful journey, . . . with Freeman's fast-paced, well-researched account as our guide. . . . Today relics still have a role. . . . For anyone curious about their long history, Holy Bones, Holy Dust is essential reading.”— Catholic News Service * Catholic News Service *“When it comes to the ancient and medieval worlds, Freeman is one of the most accessible academic writers around, and he does not disappoint in this book.”—Nigel Nelson, The Tribune -- Nigel Nelson * The Tribune *“Scholars and students who wish to understand the popular religiosity of common people in medieval Western Europe will greatly benefit from reading this book.”—Daniel Jeyaraj, Theological Book Review -- Daniel Jeyaraj * Theological Book Review *“[A] fascinating book. . . . It is obvious that the cult of relics was the motive force of the great medieval passion for pilgrimages. Less obvious, perhaps, is the fact that the economic development of the many towns depended on the revenues from those pilgrims; the marble edifices of Renaissance Rome were constructed, so to speak, out of the passion for holy relics.”—Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph (Seven) -- Noel Malcolm * Sunday Telegraph (Seven) *“…The book is a splendid read.”—Blue Guides * Blue Guides *"This is a history not just of relics and holy objects but of the place they had, not just in the religious but in the whole life of medieval Europe; in war, in peace, in trade, in politics and in the small details of daily living. Fascinating in itself, this book offers a perspective not only on questions about the past but also on questions about the sacred and the profane, both explicit and the implicit." —Christine E. King, Implicit Religion -- Christine E. King * Implicit Religion *Freeman's Holy Bones, Holy Dust is a thoughtful, engaging introduction into the uses and abuses of medieval relics. As a book intended to introduce modern audiences to the varieties and oddities of relic devotion, it does its job very well. The short chapters with their often-fascinating stories of miracles and political intrigue make the book a quick and absorbing read. That Freeman's work will introduce recent academic work on relics to a non-specialist audience is surely to be commended. Holy Bones, Holy Dust deserves to attract a large readership. Combing its fascinating topic with its sure prose, it is certain to do so. — Donna Trembinski, St. Francis Xavier University -- Donna Trembinski * Canadian Journal of History *“The strength of this book is its compelling sense of storytelling. . . . In chapters where the scholarship is particularly rich and focused, . . . Freeman's ability to write exciting narrative sweeps one along. Generally there are big themes—politics, religion, conflict, and resolution—but there also are many telling anecdotes and a sense of the personal and the touchingly human.”—Cynthia Hahn, Catholic Historical Review -- Cynthia Hahn * Catholic Historical Review *"Impressively informed and enlightening, it’s a scholarly work that makes allowances for the general reader and helps us to understand the intricacies of the medieval mind, restoring a more balanced and complete picture of the Middle Ages."—Alastair Mabbott, The Herald -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald (Glasgow) *"This fascinating book provides the necessary background for an understanding of what is today seen as something a little bizarre" — Good Book Guide * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisThe people and publications at the root of a national obsession In the century between the accession of Elizabeth I and the restoration of Charles II, a horticultural revolution took place in England, making it a leading player in the European horticultural game. Ideas were exchanged across networks of gardeners, botanists, scholars, and courtiers, and the burgeoning vernacular book trade spread this new knowledge still furtherreaching even the growing number of gardeners furnishing their more modest plots across the verdant nation and its young colonies in the Americas. Margaret Willes introduces a plethora of garden enthusiasts, from the renowned to the legions of anonymous workers who created and tended the great estates. Packed with illustrations from the herbals, design treatises, and practical manuals that inspired these menand occasionally womenWilles's bookenthrallingly charts how England's garden grew.Trade Review“Willes, who was a publisher for the National Trust, is a true bibliophile who has undertaken an ambitious piece of research that will be invaluable to students of gardens and their history.”—Rosie Atkins, History Today -- Rosie Atkins * History Today *“…..all can enjoy the illuminating way Willes puts gardens into context.”—Gardens Illustrated * Gardens Illustrated *“Avoid the glut of picture books that blossom at this time of year for this serious study of the social life of the English garden. It will fascinate serious horticulturalists with its explanation of the how the country had already undergone a radical revolution in gardening before the 18th century, which so many thought was its heyday.”—Country and Town House Magazine * Country and Town House Magazine *

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Book SynopsisAn imaginative retelling of London's history, framed through the experiences of Indigenous travelers who came to the city over the course of more than five centuriesTrade Review“This book confirms Coll Thrush’s position as the best historian of place working in Native American and Indigenous studies today. Indigenous London is a major contribution to the growing scholarship of the Red Atlantic.”—Jace Weaver, author of The Red Atlantic: American Indigenes and the Making of the Modern World, 1000-1927 -- Jace Weaver“In this elegantly written and wide-ranging book Coll Thrush successfully challenges the widely assumed binary between urban civilization and indigenous people. In his exciting and always illuminating tour of the indigenous presence in the metropolis of the British Empire from the 16th to the 21st century, Thrush recovers the ways in which North American, New Zealand, and Australian native peoples sought to challenge settler colonialism. This book is a must read for those interested in indigenous peoples, London and the British Empire.”—Steve Pincus, author of 1688: The First Modern Revolution -- Steve Pincus“This is a truly innovative and engaging book. It demonstrates splendidly how the presence of these visitors stimulated a great deal of curiosity and speculation, as we would expect, but also forced Londoners to see the city through their eyes.”—Karen Kupperman, New York University -- Karen Kupperman“In this extraordinarily rich and compelling book, Coll Thrush has succeeded admirably in bringing to life the half-millennium-long phenomenon of Indigenous engagement with London. A terrific work of scholarship and a stunning act of authorial invention.”—Eric Hinderaker, author of The Two Hendricks: Unraveling a Mohawk Mystery -- Eric Hinderaker

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Book SynopsisThe definitive history of the Spanish Armada, lavishly illustrated and fully revisedTrade Review“Will surely become the definitive account. . . . Distinguished by incisive analysis, Armada fuses the complementary skills of the historian and the underwater archaeologist, exploiting the latest discoveries from the archives and seabed alike.”—Stephen Brumwell, Wall Street Journal“Its extensive updates, drawing on international archive research and marine archaeology, mean it should remain the definitive English study of the Armada for at least another generation.”—Dan Jones, Times (UK)“Martin and Parker have been working together on the Armada since its quatercentenary in 1988. This is their most comprehensive work, the profit of decades of tricky deep-sea archaeology and archive-trawling. It is this archaeological focus that makes their writing stand out among many competent histories. The remains of musical instruments and medical tools tell a human tale, balancing out detailed analysis of the innovations that provided the English with a military edge.”—Daniel Brooks, Sunday TelegraphOn Wall Street Journal’s list of “10 Books to Read: The Best Reviews of January 2023”“The most authoritative account of the Armada yet published. . . . A window onto the early modern world and a complete analysis of an event that continues to intrigue and enlighten.”—Margarette Lincoln, Times Literary Supplement“Martin and Parker relish all the technical detail and their enthusiasm is infectious.”—Jessie Childs, London Review of Books“The most comprehensive and authoritative book on the subject to date. It is also lucidly written and beautifully illustrated—altogether a superb work of historical narrative and analysis.”—Sean McGlynn, The Spectator“This work of scholarship, percipient judgement and lively style, illustrated beautifully and in astounding forensic and archaeological detail, is a pearl of great price.”—Allan Mallinson, Country Life“This is a magisterial study bringing together 40 years of archival and archaeological research. It has no rivals as a comprehensive and authoritative account of the Spanish Armada.”—David Childs, Naval Review“Those who claim you cannot improve on perfection need to explain this book. Parker and Martin’s original account of the Armada campaign was the work from which all subsequent scholars took their lead; this one, with 30 years’ worth of extra research and thought, sets a new benchmark. Magisterial.”—Dan Snow, author of On This Day in History“An elegant marriage between archival research and marine archaeology yields new light on the Armada and its benighted crews in a compelling account of the 1588 campaign. After reading this absorbing book, who can now still believe that history is static, carved in stone?”—Robert Hutchinson, author of The Spanish Armada“A gripping, scholarly and masterful appraisal of the events of 1588. Piecing together a wealth of original sources, from letters and papers in the archives of England, Spain and the USA to evidence from the shipwrecks, Parker and Martin have constructed a narrative that is as vivid as it is dramatic. This brilliant book will rapidly take its place as the definitive work on the Armada.”—Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors“Martin and Parker’s Armada is the best explanation of the defeat of the attempted Spanish Invasion of England in 1588. Skilfully combining archaeological and historical research, these great scholars provide here the authoritative edition of their lifetimes’ work on the subject.”—Hiram Morgan, University College Cork “This is a magisterial study of some 50 years in the making. Bringing together for the first time the latest insights from archaeological research with important new manuscript discoveries, Martin and Parker have written the authoritative book on the Spanish Armada of 1588, which is as comprehensive as it is compelling.”—James Daybell, University of Plymouth

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the anthropogenic landscapes of Lucca, Italy, and how its people understand social and environmental change through cultivationTrade Review“Andrew Mathews tells an important story, tracing the trajectory of a human-managed landscape across recent centuries into our Anthropocene era of climate change. But he also shows us the role of story-telling and of other ways of learning, knowing, and communicating, offering new directions for action at this time of pressing challenges.”—Ben Orlove, author of Lines in the Water: Nature and Culture at Lake Titicaca“Trees Are Shape Shifters is original and rich, a fertile blending of local, place-based research with considerations of the global issue of climate change: the planet through the Tuscan landscape.”—Marco Armiero, president, European Society for Environmental History“A beautiful story of how peasants’ care and practices held Italian hillsides together, how abandonment makes them literally fall apart, and how history can be traced through a tree stump.”—Marianne Elisabeth Lien, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Oslo

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Admirably thorough. . . . Anyone curious about the impact of migration on the history and culture of London could do worse than read the chapter on food in this exhaustive history.”—Andrew Holgate, Sunday Times“Panayi’s wonderfully detailed study is a glorious celebration of how migrants have contributed to London’s rich and many-stranded cultural identity: ‘cosmopolitanism has characterized the evolution of London since the arrival of the Romans who founded this city of immigrants.’”—PD Smith, The Guardian, “This Month’s Best Paperbacks”“This book convincingly argues that, more than in any other city in Europe, let alone the world, migrants have shaped the destiny of London.”—Francis Ghiles, Esglobal“Panayi’s superb study demonstrates how migrants have been crucial in the flourishing of skills, labour, and knowledge that have made London a cosmopolitan city.”—Charlotte Faucher, Journal of Contemporary History“An interesting and rewarding book. . . . You can be familiar with the facts of everyday life in a cosmopolitan, multicultural city but still be surprised and enriched by Panayi’s scholarly analysis.”—James Evans, Spectator“Said to be the first history of London to show how immigrants have built, shaped and made a great success of the capital city, Migrant City by Panikos Panayi is a fascinating and revealing book.”—John Singleton, Methodist Recorder“Migrant City, an invaluable and scholarly resource, chronicles multi-shaded, multi-ethnic London in all its glory.”—Ian Thomson, Evening Standard“[A] compendious and illuminating survey of London.”—Boyd Tonkin, Arts Desk“A love letter to the UK’s capital and its history of immigration.”—Maya Goodfellow, Prospect“Detailed and well-referenced. . . . A valuable resource.”—Jad Adams, Who Do You Think You Are?“This worthwhile and sensitive survey looks at the history of virtually every immigrant community to have settled in London since the eighteenth century, and in turn assesses almost every facet of that experience.”—Mike Berlin, Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society“This book celebrates London, its uniqueness, and its influence. It also acknowledges the drive, struggle and fortitude of the myriad migrants who call London their home. They and London have made a dynamic accommodation delivering a vibrant, if at times, fractious multicultural mega city.”—Barry Coidan, London Society“Whilst Migrant City will undoubtedly become a key text for students of migration, it will be of great use to anyone interested in urban history generally or the interplay between economic, political, and cultural change in Britain.”—Daniel Renshaw, Cultural and Social History“This is a brave and powerful book. . . . Migration is always present and is always at the heart of local histories. . . . We thus need more work such as the astonishing achievement of Migrant City to test out its wider claims. In the meantime, we should recognise the book as simply one of the finest contributions to the historical study of migration to Britain in recent decades.”—Tony Kushner, Immigrants & Minorities“Migrant City is a substantial achievement and is relevant to those interested not only in the history of migration, but also urban, economic, and social history. It makes clear in glorious and often surprising detail the myriad ways that migrants have contributed to the making of London.”—Jean P. Smith, Reviews in History“Immigrants from near and far are the lifeblood of any great city, none more than London. This is a masterly and invaluable history of a neglected topic.”—Simon Jenkins, author of A Short History of London“An eclectic integration of interviews, personal stories, case-studies and historical analyses, Migrant City: A New History of London tells a powerful story about London’s reliance on immigration. Its potency comes from its incontrovertibility; without immigration, London would not exist as we know it. Panayi bravely confronts the lazy and often arbitrary distinction between immigrant and native to boldly showcase what it really means to be a Londoner in the modern world.”—David Lammy, MP for Tottenham and campaigner for the Windrush generation“The history of London book I’ve been waiting a London lifetime for—Panayi delivers modern and ancient truths about this city through a personal, heartfelt style that beats from the page. In these divisive times, this is an urgent and necessary history of our capital city.”—Sabrina Mahfouz, contributor to The Good Immigrant

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Book SynopsisA moving, deeply researched account of survivors’ experiences of liberation from Nazi death camps and the long, difficult years that followedTrade Review“[An] engrossing and illuminating book—the first full and comparative study of the subject.”—Richard J. Evans, New York Review of Books“[Stone] has produced a body of thoughtful, occasionally provocative work that has genuinely enhanced our understanding of these subjects. He writes with clarity, straightforwardness and a willingness to allow his personal commitment to show. . . . [A] typically engaging and rewarding read.”—Ben Barkow, Jewish Chronicle“The real power of Stone’s history lies in a sense in of indomitable vigour and self-belief. . . . Stone does a good job of showing how even as nations declared peace, individuals and families still had to fight on desperately.”—Sinclair McKay, Daily Telegraph“The real power of Stone’s history lies in a sense in of indomitable vigour and self-belief. . . . Stone does a good job of showing how even as nations declared peace, individuals and families still had to fight on desperately.”—Sinclair McKay, Daily Telegraph“[A] thoughtful, sensitive and well-researched treatment of an important and rarely covered subject.”—Roger Moorhouse, BBC History Magazine“Is freedom really a thing that can be brought by one person to another, for example by a soldier to an inmate of a concentration camp? It is appealing to think so, and thus to imagine a precise and satisfying ending to the war. Stone’s pioneering study of the process of liberation demands, instead, that we consider seriously the meaning of freedom.”—Timothy Snyder, Association for Jewish Studies“In recent years, Dan Stone’s name has been a guarantee of quality. . . . A clear step in the right direction, it focuses on the centre-piece of western Holocaust memory—the moment when the American and British armies, in April 1945, made the shocking discovery of the concentration camps in Germany.”—Jan Lanicek, History“Dan Stone’s history of the liberation of the camps is remarkable for the vast array of its sources, its extremely detailed inquiry and, nonetheless, for its highly readable narrative. It will remain a reference for years to come.”—Saul Friedländer, author of Nazi Germany and the Jews“The liberation of the camps in 1944–45 can be seen as a merciful release by Allied armies dedicated to eliminating the cruelties of Hitler’s Reich. Dan Stone in this searingly honest account of the liberation and its aftermath shows how many paradoxes and ambiguities there were in the whole process. This is the story of an awful human tragedy told with sympathy and understanding. There are lessons here for our own age.”—Richard Overy, author of Why the Allies Won“The Liberation of the Camps should become the most important and widely read book on its subject.”—Geoff Eley, author of Nazism as Fascism: Violence, Ideology, and the Ground of Consent in Germany, 1930–1945“Thoroughly researched, carefully conceived, wisely guided, and beautifully executed, The Liberation of the Camps should become the most important and widely read book on its subject.”—Geoff Eley, author of Nazism as Fascism: Violence, Ideology, and the Ground of Consent in Germany 1930–1945“This is the best book on the liberation of Jews from the Nazi camps—important and insightful. Drawing on many deeply moving testimonies, Dan Stone expertly charts the long and painful path from prisoner to survivor.”—Nikolaus Wachsmann, author of KL: A History of the Nazi Concentration Camps

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Book SynopsisThe first of two volumes in John Erickson''s monumental history of the Soviet-German war.In THE ROAD TO STALINGRAD Professor Erickson takes us in detail from the inept command structures and strategic delusions of the pre-invasion Soviet Union, through the humiliations as her armies fell back on all fronts before the Barbarossa onslaught, until the tide turned at last at Stalingrad. Unsparingly he assesses the generals and political leaders, and analyses the confusions and wranglings within both Allied and Axis commands. The climax, the grinding battle for Stalingrad, leaves the Red Army poised for its majestic counter-offensive, Operation ''Uranus'', discovering it had ''caught a tiger by the tail''.

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Book SynopsisIn The Making of Modern Britain, Andrew Marr paints a fascinating portrait of life in Britain during the first half of the twentieth century as the country recovered from the grand wreckage of the British Empire. Between the death of Queen Victoria and the end of the Second World War, the nation was shaken by war and peace. The two wars were the worst we had ever known and the episodes of peace among the most turbulent and surprising. As the political forum moved from Edwardian smoking rooms to an increasingly democratic Westminster, the people of Britain experimented with extreme ideas as they struggled to answer the question ‘How should we live?’ Socialism? Fascism? Feminism? Meanwhile, fads such as eugenics, vegetarianism and nudism were gripping the nation, while the popularity of the music hall soared. It was also a time that witnessed the birth of the media as we know it today and the beginnings of the welfare state. Beyond trenches, fTable of ContentsSection - i: Preface Chapter - 1: Living in the Future 1900-1914 Chapter - 2: The Meaning of Hell 1914-1918 Chapter - 3: Keeping Our Balance 1919-1939 Chapter - 4: Through Fire, A New Country 1939-1945 Section - ii: Notes Section - iii: Acknowledgements Index - iv: Index

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Book SynopsisEnsure your students have access to the authoritative and in-depth content of this popular and trusted A Level History series. For over twenty years Access to History has been providing students with reliable, engaging and accessible content on a wide range of topics. Each title in the series provides comprehensive coverage of different history topics on current AS and A2 level history specifications, alongside exam-style practice questions and tips to help students achieve their best. The series:- Ensures students gain a good understanding of the AS and A2 level history topics through an engaging, in-depth and up-to-date narrative, presented in an accessible way. - Aids revision of the key A level history topics and themes through frequent summary diagrams- Gives support with assessment, both through the books providing exam-style questions and tips for AQA, Edexcel and OCR A level history specifications and through FREE model answers Table of Contents : Dedication : Chapter 1 -Meeting the Challenge: The Legacy of a Mid-Tudor Crisis? : 1 The Mid-Tudor Crisis: Definitions : 2 Making the Traditional Case for a Mid-Tudor Crisis : 3 Making the Case Against a Mid-Tudor Crisis : 4 The Reign of Edward VI 1547-53: The Revisionist View : 5 The Reign of Mary I 1553-8: The Revisionist View : 6 Conclusion : Study Guide : Chapter 2 -Meeting the Challenge of Religion: The Elizabethan Religious Settlement : 1 The Relgigious Beliefs of Elizabeth I : 2 Supremacy and Uniformity: The First Moves : 3 Supremacy and Uniformity: The Parliament of 1559 : 4 Historical Interpretations of the Factors Shaping the Settlement : 5 The Settlement in Action : 6 Archbishop Parker and the Vestiarian Controversy : 7 Elizabeth as Supreme Governor of the Church of England : 8 Conclusion: The Elizabethan Religious Settlement : Study Guide : Chapter 3 -Meeting the Challenge of Relgion: Elizabeth and the Puritans : 1 Introduction : 2 Puritanism and Presbyteriansim in the 1570's : 3 The Tragedy of Grindal : 4 Presbyteriansim in the 1580's : 5 The Puritans Under Attack 1589-1603 : 6 Conclusion: Elizabeth and the Puritans : Study Guide : Chapter 4 -Meeting the Challenge of Religion: Elizabeth and the Catholics : 1 1559-68: The Government Treads with Caution? : 2 The Attitude of the Pope : 3 The Revolt of the Northern Ears (or 'Northern Rebellion') 1569 : 4 Papal Excommunication 1570 : 5 The Arrival of the Missionary Priests : 6 The Missionary Priests and the Threat of Invasion from Spain : 7 Key Debate: The Strength of Catholicism : 8 Conclusion: Elizabeth and the Catholics : Study Guide : Chapter 5 -Meeting the Challenge of Foreign Affairs: Elizabeth, France and Spain : 1 Aims and Objectives in Foreign Policy : 2 Assumptions on Foreign Policy : 3 Foreign Affairs: France : 4 Foreign Affairs: Spain : 5 Conclusion: Elizabeht, France and Spain : Study Guide : Chapter 6 -Meeting the Challenge of Foreign Affairs: Elizabeth, Ireland and Scotland : 1 Irish Society and England in the Sixteenth Century : 2 Elizabeth and Ireland: Problems and Possible Solutions : 3 Elizabeth and Scotland : Study Guide : Chapter 7 -Meeting the Challenge of Government 1558-88 : 1 The Role of Nobility, Court, Privy Council and Ministers : 2 The Role of Parliament : 3 The Financial Policies of the Crown : 4 Conclusion: Meeting the Challenge of Government : Study Guide : Chapter 8 - Meeting the Challenge: The Final Years 1589-1603 : 1 Factions and Court: The Essex Rebellion : 2 Social and Economic Distress in the 1590's : 3 England, Scotland and the Succession : 4 Summary: The Final Years. The Tarnished Image of Gloriana? : 5 Conclusion : Study Guide : Further Reading : Glossary : Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the evacuation of France in 1940 to the final dash to Hamburg in 1945, the 5th Royal Tank Regiment were on the front line throughout the Second World War. Theirs was a war that saw them serve in Africa as part of the Desert Rats, before returning to Europe for the Normandy landings. Wherever they went, the notoriety of the ''Filthy Fifth'' grew - they revelled in their reputation for fighting by their own rules.The Tank War explains how Britain, having lost its advantage in tank warfare by 1939, regained ground through shifts in tactics and leadership methods, as well as the daring and bravery of the crews themselves. Overturning the received wisdom of much Second World War history, Mark Urban shows how the tank regiments'' advances were the equal of the feats of the German Panzer divisions.Drawing on a wealth of new material, from interviews with surviving soldiers to rarely seen archive material, this is an unflinchingly honest, unsentimental and often Trade ReviewA genuinely fresh perspective . . . shocking in its rawness . . . achieves the almost impossible feat of capturing something of the excess of emotion conjured up by the heat of battle * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ''Original and compelling, an untold story of rare and captivating power'' Philippe Sands''A fascinating history about a little-known group who took on the Nazis . . . The individual tales of these courageous young women are remarkable'' Independent''Rescues a long-neglected aspect of history from oblivion, and puts paid to the idea of Jewish, and especially female, passivity during the Holocaust. It is uncompromising, written with passion - and it preserves truly significant knowledge. ... Judy Batalion has uncovered a trove of unknown or forgotten information about the Holocaust of genuine import and impact.'' Eva Hoffman, TLSOne of the most important untold stories of World War II, The Light of Days is a soaring landmark history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who inspired Poland''s Jewish youth groups to resist the NTrade ReviewOriginal and compelling, an untold story of rare and captivating powerResounding . . . a vigorous narrative that draws on interviews, diaries and other sources . . . a story much in need of telling * Kirkus Review *Judy Batalion has written a fascinating history about a little-known group who took on the Nazis. In The Light of Days: Women Fighters of the Jewish Resistance (Virago), Batalion tells the untold story of the 'ghetto girls' who carried out espionage missions, bombed German train lines and assassinated Gestapo chiefs. The individual tales of these courageous young women are remarkable * Independent *Groundbreaking . . . poignant . . . Batalion's collective biography provides a significant contribution to Holocaust history . . . Her welcome research and fluid storytelling fit a larger, still emerging historiography, which reveals the breadth of women's agency during armed conflicts and, as she writes: "A different version of the women-in-war story" -- Julie Wheelwright * History Today *Throughout the Second World War groups of Jewish women acted as couriers, smugglers, spies and partisans in the armed resistance to Nazi rule in Poland, but their stories have disappeared from that history. Judy Batalion's The Light of Days is a conscious attempt to restore that missing page . . . Batalion's book is passionately researched and written with the quick-cutting thrust of an action film -- John Phipps * Irish Times *Judy Batalion brings to light half-forgotten tales of astounding courage -- Economist[A] powerful book . . . encapsulates the overwhelming problems faced by young Jews in Poland during wartime . . . The Light of Days conjures up a world we barely know about: of Batalion's heroines, Renia and Zivia, Tosia and Frumka, Bela and Chajke. The actions of these young women, carefully brought back to life by Batalion, turn much of what we believe we know about the Holocaust on its head. -- Jenni Frazer * Jewish Chronicle *Remarkable and inspiring . . . thanks to Judy's meticulous research, these near century old stories of resistance in the face of overwhelming odds are about to be read once again * Daily Express *Rescues a long-neglected aspect of history from oblivion, and puts paid to the idea of Jewish, and especially female, passivity during the Holocaust. It is uncompromising, written with passion - and it preserves truly significant knowledge. ... Judy Batalion has uncovered a trove of unknown or forgotten information about the Holocaust of genuine import and impact. -- Eva Hoffman * TLS *

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Book SynopsisOne of the most important untold stories of World War II, The Light of Days is a soaring landmark history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who inspired Poland''s Jewish youth groups to resist the Nazis. Witnesses to the brutal murder of their families and the violent destruction of their communities, a cadre of Jewish women in Poland - some still in their teens - became the heart of a wide-ranging resistance network that fought the Nazis. With courage, guile and nerves of steel, these ''ghetto girls'' smuggled guns in loaves of bread and coded intelligence messages in their plaited hair. They helped build life-saving systems of underground bunkers and sustained thousands of Jews in safe hiding places. They bribed Gestapo guards with liquor, assassinated Nazis and sabotaged German supply lines. The Light of Days at last reveals the real history of these incredible women whose courageous yet little-knownTrade ReviewOriginal and compelling, an untold story of rare and captivating powerResounding . . . a vigorous narrative that draws on interviews, diaries and other sources . . . a story much in need of telling * Kirkus Review *Judy Batalion has written a fascinating history about a little-known group who took on the Nazis. In The Light of Days: Women Fighters of the Jewish Resistance (Virago), Batalion tells the untold story of the 'ghetto girls' who carried out espionage missions, bombed German train lines and assassinated Gestapo chiefs. The individual tales of these courageous young women are remarkable * Independent *Groundbreaking . . . poignant . . . Batalion's collective biography provides a significant contribution to Holocaust history . . . Her welcome research and fluid storytelling fit a larger, still emerging historiography, which reveals the breadth of women's agency during armed conflicts and, as she writes: "A different version of the women-in-war story" -- Julie Wheelwright * History Today *Throughout the Second World War groups of Jewish women acted as couriers, smugglers, spies and partisans in the armed resistance to Nazi rule in Poland, but their stories have disappeared from that history. Judy Batalion's The Light of Days is a conscious attempt to restore that missing page . . . Batalion's book is passionately researched and written with the quick-cutting thrust of an action film -- John Phipps * Irish Times *Judy Batalion brings to light half-forgotten tales of astounding courage -- Economist[A] powerful book . . . encapsulates the overwhelming problems faced by young Jews in Poland during wartime . . . The Light of Days conjures up a world we barely know about: of Batalion's heroines, Renia and Zivia, Tosia and Frumka, Bela and Chajke. The actions of these young women, carefully brought back to life by Batalion, turn much of what we believe we know about the Holocaust on its head. -- Jenni Frazer * Jewish Chronicle *Remarkable and inspiring . . . thanks to Judy's meticulous research, these near century old stories of resistance in the face of overwhelming odds are about to be read once again * Daily Express *Rescues a long-neglected aspect of history from oblivion, and puts paid to the idea of Jewish, and especially female, passivity during the Holocaust. It is uncompromising, written with passion - and it preserves truly significant knowledge. ... Judy Batalion has uncovered a trove of unknown or forgotten information about the Holocaust of genuine import and impact. -- Eva Hoffman * TLS *

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding the Victorians paints a vivid portrait of an era of dramatic change, combining broad survey with close analysis and introducing students to the critical debates on the nineteenth century taking place among historians today. The volume encompasses all of Great Britain and Ireland over the whole of the Victorian period and gives prominence to social and cultural topics alongside politics and economics and emphasizes class, gender, and racial and imperial positioning as constitutive of human relations. This third edition is fully updated with new chapters on emotion and on Britain's relationship with Europe as well as added discussions of architecture, technology, and the visual arts. Attention to the current concerns and priorities of professional historians also enables readers to engage with today's historical debates. Starting with the Queen Caroline Affair in 1820 and coming up to the start of World War I in 1914, thematic chapters explore the topics Table of ContentsList of figures Timeline Preface to the third edition Acknowledgments Introduction: ‘Playing on the Piano-forte’ 1. A ‘green and pleasant land’ of cities and slums: Space 2. ‘Discussions on the subject of reform’: Politics 3. 'Fog in channel—Continent isolated’: Britain and Europe 4. Ruling the world: Imperialism 5. Wealth, poverty, growth, and slumps: The economy 6. ‘Bristling with shops’: Consumption 7. ‘Born into the lower-upper-middle’: Class 8. ‘Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside’: Leisure 9. ‘A common cause with all the females in this kingdom’: Gender 10. A ‘dignified part’: Monarchy 11. ‘The court was crowded all day’: The law and the police 12. ‘Good, murderous melodramas’: Arts, entertainment, and print culture 13. Marriage, free love, and ‘unnatural crimes’: Sexuality 14. 'For all its gathered tears': Emotion 15. ‘Begin and end with the Church whatever you do between-whiles’: Religion 16. Vestiges and origins: Science, technology, and medicine

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Book SynopsisA renowned historian and Resistance fighter—later executed by the Nazis—gives his firsthand perspective on why France fell in 1940.Trade Review"Much has been, and will be, written in explanation of the defeat of France in 1940, but it seems unlikely that the truth of the matter will ever be more accurately and more vividly presented than in this statement of evidence." -- P. J. Philip - New York Times Book Review"The most wisdom-packed commentary on the problem set [before] all intelligent and patriotic Frenchmen by the events of 1940." -- D. W. Brogan - Spectator

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Book SynopsisEdith Hamilton buoyantly captures the spirit and achievements of the Greek civilization for our modern world.Trade Review"... her [Edith Hamilton's] works still have the power to enlighten, particularly as artefacts of a time when what “Europe” meant was in crisis." -- Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisThe leading text, beloved for authoritative coverage and narrative flair

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Book SynopsisA vibrant and illuminating exploration of medieval thinking on women’s beauty, sexuality and behaviourTrade Review"[An] eye-opening and provocative account of the lives of women in the Middle Ages…[Janega] builds a convincing picture of the positive and resourceful part that women played in medieval society, not only as adjuncts to their husbands and fathers, but in their own right." -- Christina Hardyment - The Times"Both the subject matter and the author’s engaging conversational style make this a book of many delights… very entertaining" -- Gillian Kenny - The Spectator"A robust and well-sourced academic book. The primary sources Janega draws on are remarkable in their variety… There are colourful anecdotes on almost every page" -- Rachel Cunliffe - The New Statesman"Provocative, colloquial and entertaining.. As The Once and Future Sex makes clear, misogyny, oppression and conflicted ideas about sexuality and desire have not vanished, they just now take different forms." -- Carolyne Larrington - The Times Literary Supplement"Entertaining and revealing... Janega skilfully weaves a modern cultural commentary through her research into the medieval world, highlighting similarities and differences to today's world for women and focussing our attention on the importance of analysing history as a way to understand the present. " -- Emily Staniforth - All About History"[A] lively exploration of medieval women’s social roles" -- Laura Kalas - The Conversation"A hugely entertaining and informative account of medieval thinking about women…this is a highly rewarding read, which reminds us that we can only tackle present injustices if we remember that there is nothing universal about the ways in which people treat one another." -- Hannah Skoda - BBC History Magazine"The Once and Future Sex is a bracing and witty exploration of how gender is constructed. Eleanor Janega shows it is high time we stop using 'medieval' as a pejorative and we stop patting ourselves on the back for our supposed progress. Combining incisive cultural criticism, meticulous research, and juicy historical tidbits, The Once and Future Sex proves that the path towards a more equitable future can be found by way of the medieval past." -- Shelley Puhak, author of The Dark Queens"A startling rethinking of why the medieval past still matters. Eleanor Janega tells how women’s roles are fundamentally constructed and the ways they have both changed over time and unfortunately stayed the same. With erudition and humour, this book offers the reader a perfect case study of how a fuller accounting of the past opens up new, better possible worlds." -- Matthew Gabriele, co-author of The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe"In this witty, entertaining, and highly learned book, packed full of colourful characters and the texture of a long-past time, Eleanor Janega never loses sight of the bigger picture: how these old ideas underpin our own conceptions of gender and how modern conceits of progress are no less deeply flawed than those of the past." -- Patrick Wyman, author of The Verge and host of The History of Tides podcast"Reading this book is like hanging out with your brilliant, hilarious historian friend, raging together at misogyny’s extraordinary adaptability over time and plotting how to change the world once and for all." -- Carissa Harris, author of Obscene Pedagogies

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Book SynopsisOne of A.J.P. Taylor''s best-known books, The Course of German History is a notoriously idiosyncratic work. Composed in his famously witty style, yet succinct to the point of sharpness, this is one of the great historian''s finest, if more controversial, accomplishments. As Taylor himself noted, ''the history of the Germans is a history of extremes. It contains everything except moderation.'' He could, of course, simply be referring to his own book.Trade Review'Mr Taylor, by cutting down to a minimum the ballast of dates and names that so often encumbers historical writing, and concentrating on the fundamental trends and events, has achieved both brevity and lucidity.' -The Observer'Mr Taylor, by cutting down to a minimum the ballast of dates and names that so often encumbers historical writing, and concentrating on the fundamental trends and events, has achieved both brevity and lucidity.''He is not only a brilliant but a profound historian.''The profound is mixed with the wisecrack. It has the shortcomings of its virtues. It will shock the scholarly reader but it must challenge him too.''The Course of German History is vivid, exciting, openly partisan.''His first best-seller, - The Course of German History was written in a "journalistic" rather than academic style and remains extremely readable.''Taylor's work is a model of stylish, scintillating compression.' - The Atlantic Monthly'A lively, if polemical, short history written by one of the twentieth century's greatest historians.''Too much brilliancy is hurtful in intercourse with ideas, as too much wit is in intercourse with men; a dazzling formulation is apt to interfere with the precise presentation of a subject or thesis. Still, in spite of such shortcomings, the book should prove of high value in the study of the German problem.'Table of Contents1. Divided Germany: The Legacy of the Holy Roman Empire 2. The Ascendancy of France, 1792-1814 3. The German Confederation: The Years of Austro-Prussian Partnership, 1815-48 4. 1848: The Year of German Liberalism 5. The Ascendancy of Austria, 1849-60 6. The Conquest of Germany by Prussia, 1862-71 7. Bismarckian Germany: The Ascendancy of Prussia, 1871-90 8. The Germany of William II: The Conquest of Prussia by Germany, 1890-1906 9. The Crisis of Hohenzollern Germany, 1906-1916 10. The Rule of the German Army, 1916-19 11. Republican Interregnum, 1919-30 12. Demagogic Dictatorship and the Completion of German Unity After 1930

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Book SynopsisA study of Germany between 1848 and 1890 for AS and A Level History students. It is designed to fulfil the AS and A Level specifications in place from September 2000. The two AS sections deal with narrative and explanation of the topic. There are extra notes, biography boxes and definitions in the margin, and summary boxes to help students assimilate the information. The A2 section reflects the different demands of the higher level examination by concentrating on analysis and historians'' interpretations of the material covered in the AS sections. There are practice questions and hints and tips on what makes a good answer.Table of ContentsAS SECTION: NARRATIVE AND EXPLANATION Germany 1848-1914 - 1 Germany in 1848 2 The 1848 revolutions 3 Germany after the 1848 revolutions 4 The unification of Germany 1862-70 5 Politics in the German Reich, 1871-9 6 Economic and social change, 1871-90 7 Bismarck's anti-socialist campaign, 1878-90 8 Bismarck's foreign policy, 1871-90 9 The fall of Bismarck 10 Germay under Wilhelm II, 1890-1914 AS Assessment: Germany 1848-1914 A2 SECTION: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Germany 1848-90 - 1 Why did the German revolutions of 1848 fail? 2 Why was German unification achieved through Prussian victory? 3 How united was the German Reich? 4 How successful was German foreign policy, 1871-90 5 What was Bismarck's legacy A2 Assessment: Germany 1848-90

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Book SynopsisA study of Lenin and the Russian Revolution. It is designed to fulfil the AS and A Level specifications in place from September 2000. The AS section deals with narrative and explanation of the topic. The A2 section reflects the different demands of the higher level examination.Table of ContentsAS SECTION: NARRATIVE AND EXPLANATION Russia in revolution, 1905-17 - 1 Tsarist Russia 1905-14 2 The impact of the First World War and teh collapse of Tsarism, 1914-17 3 The problems of the Provisional Government 4 The Bolshevik Revolution, October 1917 The consolidation of Bolshevik power: Russia, 1918 -29 - 5 The consolidation of Bolshevik rule, 1918-24 6 Economic policy - War Communism and the NEP 7 Soviet society and culture under Lenin 8 Safeguarding the Revolution: the struggle for power after Lenin's death, 1924-9 9 Soviet foreign policy, 1917-28 AS Assessment A2 SECTION: ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION The Russian Revolutin and the establishment of Bolshevik power - 1 Why did the Tsarist regime collapse in 1917? 2 How and why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power in 1917? 3 What direction did Bolshevik ideology and tactics take between 1903 and 1917? 4 To what extent did pratical difficulties stop Lenin from implementing communist ideology? 5 What was the nature of the Bolshevik state? 6 How important was the role of Lenin? 7 How and why did Stalin manage to secure power by 1929? A2 Assessment

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Book SynopsisThis resource is written for for students studying the economic and social development of Russia and the Soviet Union, as well as the nature of Russian government and its impact on the Russian people in this period.Table of ContentsHow to use this book AS Section: Narrative and Explanation 1 Tsarist Russia, 1856-1914 2 War and revolution, 1914-21 3 Stalin's USSR, 1921-53 4 Reform and stagnation, 1953-85 A2 Section: Analysis and Interpretation Part 1: Tsarist and revolutionary Russia, 1856-1924 1 How significant were the reforms of Alexander II? 2 To what extent were movements for reform and revolution a threat to the tsarist regimes before 1905? 3 How significant was economic and social change in Russia before 1914? 4 How stable was the tsarist regime in 1914? 5 Why was Russia's performance in the First World War so disastrous? 6 Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917? 7 How and why did Lenin succeed in staying in power between 1917 and 1924? Part 2: Stalinist Russia, 1924-53 1 How did Stalin become leader of the USSR by 1929? 2 How fundamentally was the USSR changed by the Stalinist revolution of 1928-41? 3 Why did a totalitarian regime develop in the USSR by 1941? 4 What impact did the war of 1941-5 have on the USSR? 5 What was the overall impact of Stalin on the development of the USSR? Part 3: Post-Stalinist Russia, 1953-85 1 How successful a reformer was Khrushchev? 2 What was the extent of destalinisation? 3 Why was the period after Khrushchev a time of stagnation? 4 Why did the USSR eventually break up? 5 To what extent had Russia modernised btween 1856 and 1985? A2 Assessment Select bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe heart-pounding history of how Pope Pius XII -- often labeled Hitler''s Pope -- was in fact an anti-Nazi spymaster, plotting against the Third Reich during World War II. The Vatican''s silence in the face of Nazi atrocities remains one of the great controversies of our time. History has accused wartime pontiff Pius the Twelfth of complicity in the Holocaust and dubbed him Hitler''s Pope. But a key part of the story has remained untold. Pope Pius in fact ran the world''s largest church, smallest state, and oldest spy service. Saintly but secretive, he sent birthday cards to Hitler -- while secretly plotting to kill him. He skimmed from church charities to pay covert couriers, and surreptitiously tape-recorded his meetings with top Nazis. Under his leadership the Vatican spy ring actively plotted against the Third Reich. Told with heart-pounding suspense and drawing on secret transcripts and unsealed files by an acclaimed author, Church of Spies tTrade ReviewWall Street Journal "A page-turning book... Fascinating." Washington Times "[A] remarkable book... Highly readable... [Riebling] has written what is one of the more important books on intelligence of the year. His painstaking research and vivid writing make it a five-cloak/five-dagger read." War on the Rocks "After years of painstaking research in the Vatican's archives, Riebling has a different and heart-pounding story to tell of the Pope's network of spies that fought to bring about Hitler's downfall... [An] amazing book that combines the rigor of history with the storytelling of a novel." National Review "A groundbreaking new history of the Vatican-German Resistance... Writing with the craft of a novelist and the conscience of a meticulous scholar, Riebling has produced a masterly account of these events." Crisis Magazine "In compelling detail, Riebling looks not only at the strategies that various anti-Nazi officers and other co-conspirators pursued to kill Hitler, but the kind of government structures that would need to be imposed on shattered Germany if the conspiratorial plots succeeded... Riebling's compelling new evidence should put to rest the propaganda charging that Pius XII was at best a weak reed and at worst a Nazi sympathizer." H-Net "Church of Spies sheds light on the secret actions and covert war waged by Pius, the Vatican, the German Catholic Church, and various German Catholic citizens against Hitler and the Nazis... By weaving together numerous storylines in a chronological fashion from 1939 to 1945, the history of this period reads more like an exciting popular fiction spy novel than an academic work... [A]n extremely readable and interesting work." Joseph Bottum, Washington Free Beacon "Riebling recounts in a fast, readable style the fumblings, betrayals, and bad luck that plagued attempts to remove Hitler. Through it all, he shows the Vatican looming in the background -- the only support on which the conspirators could count, the only consistent contact they had with the Allies, and one of the few moral centers to which they could look." George Weigel, First Things "[Church of Spies] adds a mass of new evidence to what we know, now, about what the Pope and the Church did to deal with the mortal threat to civilization posed by Hitler and German National Socialism." George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center "This gripping book, the product of extensive and fine-grained historical research, should change the course of the 'Pius Wars,' if both critics and defenders of Pius XII take its evidence seriously." Michael Burleigh, author of The Third Reich: A New History "In this exciting and original work, Mark Riebling has unearthed vital new sources, and he writes elegantly and persuasively on a fascinating subject that has remained hidden in history's shadows." Rabbi David Dalin, author of The Myth of Hitler's Pope "In Church of Spies, Mark Riebling provides a groundbreaking and riveting account of Pope Pius XII's secret war against Hitler. This richly documented book makes an important contribution to contemporary scholarship about Pius XII and to our understanding of the historical legacy of his pontificate." Gerald Posner, author of God's Bankers: A History of Money and Power at the Vatican "Mark Riebling takes readers into the seldom-explored mysterious world of Vatican espionage with a deeply researched and fresh account that reads like a spy thriller. The crackling narrative of Church of Spies delivers an important and compelling addition to the debate over the legacy of Pius XII, the most powerful and complex Pope of modern times." Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith "A fascinating contribution to the literature on the Holocaust, the history of the papacy, and the life of Pius XII." Sir Martin Gilbert, official biographer of Winston Churchill "While the Pope hesitated to publicly provoke Hitler in foolhardy way, he had no hesitation in secretly opposing the Third Reich and its crimes. The record of the assistance Pius XII provided, through his representatives, to the German resistance, and the actions they took, under his guidance, is extraordinary. Without minimizing the complicity of individual Christians, or the role of Christian anti-Semitism, Mark Riebling shows that the Vatican took a very powerful stance against the Nazis. It is especially important for Jewish people--and I am Jewish myself--that this information is now being gathered for all to see." Catholic World Report "[A] blockbuster of a book which not only defends Pius XII...but utterly demolishes the Black Legend by showing in intricate and meticulously documented detail...that from the very start of the war the Pope cooperated secretly with anti-Nazi forces in Hitler's thousand year Reich who sought, first, to remove the Fuhrer from power; and when that failed, to kill him... Riebling's book is beautifully written, and reads like a novel... [R]iveting." The American Catholic "[T]he wealth of detail the author has unearthed by his meticulous research...is impressive and absolutely damning against those who mendaciously have attacked Pius XII as either the silent Pope or even a sub rosa ally of Hitler. This book is highly recommended." Breitbart News "[F]ascinating...offers a compelling narrative of the actions taken by Pope Pius to stop Hitler from carrying out his campaign of world domination and ethnic cleansing. Backed by a mass of carefully compiled documentation, Riebling shows that Pius cooperated in a variety of plots, initiated by patriotic, anti-Nazi Germans, to assassinate Hitler and replace the National Socialist regime with a government that would make peace with the west." Australian Financial Review "Moves as swiftly as a novel." Library Journal "Clandestine organizations are hard to reconstruct and Riebling has mined an impressive array of archival sources to tell this fascinating story." George Weigel, First Things blog "[A] deeply researched study of Pius XII's involvement in plots to depose Adolf Hitler... It's a great read, so give it on those grounds; but it's morally permissible if you give it to annoy the New York Times." Eric Metaxas, New York Times #1 bestselling author, nationally syndicated radio host "Church of Spies shows, with significant research to back it up, that Pope Pius the Twelfth was not, in fact, Hitler's Pope, as he has wrongly been called, but quite the contrary, an enemy of Hitler's who worked behind the scenes against him. Mark Riebling documents how people of faith linked arms against evil that was Nazism and did not turn a blind eye against it. This is a fascinating, riveting, and a deeply important corrective to the false narrative about the Catholic church during World War II." Military History "[A] revealing history of Pius' wartime dealings with the German resistance to Nazi rule... Readers will be surprised at the steady stream of anti-Hitler conspiracies, several of which reached the point where dates were set and bombs assembled." Newcastle Herald "Meticulously researched... A fascinating account of the many Catholics, including priests, who were part of the intelligence network that actively fought the Nazi regime." Aletia "Church of Spies is well worth reading for the fascinating story." Kirkus "Riebling, an expert on secret intelligence, compellingly explores the papacy's involvement in espionage during World War II... This book has much to surprise, especially the many German officers, separately and together, involved in attempts on Hitler's life... Pius, vilified by critics who believed he ignored Germany's atrocities, comes off as a politically savvy man who realized his interference would precipitate Hitler's mortal overreaction against German Catholics. Not only a dramatic disclosure of the Vatican's covert actions, but also an absorbing, polished story for all readers of World War II history."

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Book SynopsisThe civilisation of the Ancient Greeks has been immensely influential on the language, politics, educational systems, philosophy, science and arts of Western culture.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part I: Travelling Back in Time 7 Chapter 1: When, Where, What, Who? Meeting the Ancient Greeks 9 Chapter 2: Encountering Prehistoric Civilisations: The Minoans and Mycenaeans 21 Chapter 3: Shedding Light on Ancient Greece’s Dark Ages 33 Chapter 4: Governing by Kings, Tyrants, and (Eventually) Democrats 41 Chapter 5: Fighting and Warring: Greece Gets Heavy 55 Chapter 6: East versus West: The Persian Wars 67 Part II: Athens to Alexander: The Rise and Fall of Empires 81 Chapter 7: Athens and Empire Building 83 Chapter 8: Dealing with the Neighbours from Hell: The Peloponnesian War 97 Chapter 9: Losing Their Way: The End of Classical Greece 113 Chapter 10: Rising Quickly to the Top: Macedonia 127 Chapter 11: Crowning the Undefeated Champion of the World: Alexander the Great 139 Chapter 12: What Happened Next? 153 Part III: Living a Greek Life 163 Chapter 13: Out in the Fields: Farming, Herding, and Travelling 165 Chapter 14: Home and Family 177 Chapter 15: Going About Daily Life in Ancient Greece 191 Chapter 16: Plays and Pugilism: Enjoying Ancient Greek Entertainment 205 Chapter 17: Depicting Men, Women, and Gods in Art 221 Chapter 18: Building Beautiful Greek Architecture 237 Part IV: Mythology, Religion, and Belief 247 Chapter 19: Going Back to the Beginning: Myths and Gods 249 Chapter 20: Blending Myth and History: Troy, Homer, and Heroes 267 Chapter 21: Practising Everyday Religion: ‘A God Put It in My Heart to Say’ 281 Chapter 22: Trying to Figure Everything Out: Greek Philosophy 293 Part V: The Part of Tens 307 Chapter 23: Ten Great Greek Inventions 309 Chapter 24: Ten Things to Read Next 315 Chapter 25: Ten Dodgy Ancient Greek Characters 321 Chapter 26: Ten Great Places to Visit 327 Index 333

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive and engaging history of Switzerland traces the uncommon development of its society and state from its medieval origins to the present. The authors provide a fresh view that places Swiss history within a European context, adding a new perspective to the history of Europe as a whole.Trade Review'These two specialists of pre-modern and modern Switzerland offer a cohesive narrative that not only highlights the particularities of Swiss history, but also its deep interrelations with European and global developments. Regardless of their excellent knowledge of even the most recent Swiss historiography, Head and Church take up a stance of their own in appraising achievements and shortcomings of a small but economically important country.' Thomas Maissen, Chair of Early Modern History, University of Heidelberg and author of Geschichte der Schweiz'With this concisely written and convincingly argued book, [Church and Head] have masterfully pulled off the task of bringing Switzerland back within the frame of European history. The book draws on the latest research to argue that despite some of the country's specificities and peculiarities, Switzerland has been located, since its early days, at the crossroads of European history, and has absorbed most of the continent's intellectual, cultural and political drifts and dynamics. With a flair for the details that illuminate larger trends and developments, and for the events that disclose the fundamental continuities and changes, the book is a must - not only for all who are fascinated by the history of this country that lies at the very heart of Europe, but also for all those who are interested in the big issues that have been churning up Europe for centuries …' Damir Skenderovic, University of Fribourg'The authors' complementary specialties in early modern and contemporary European history make the book unusually well balanced between the remote and recent past … A clear, engaging synthesis appropriate for a wide variety of readers … Highly recommended.' Choice'… deserves a wide national [Swiss] and international audience.' Philippe Rogger, translated from H-Soz-u-Kult'Before visiting Switzerland, read A Concise History of Switzerland, by Clive H Church and Randolph Conrad Head.' H. E. Jacques Pitteloud, Condé Nast TravelerTable of ContentsList of illustrations; List of figures; List of maps; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction: making the Swiss: time, myth and history; 1. Before Switzerland: lordship, communities and crises, c.1000–1386; 2. Creating the Swiss Confederacy, 1386–1520; 3. A divided Switzerland in Reformation Europe, 1515–1713; 4. The Ancien Regime, 1713–1798; 5. Revolution and contention, 1798–1848; 6. Forging the new nation, 1848–1914; 7. The shocks of war, 1914–1950; 8. The Sonderfall years, 1950–1990; 9. Since 1989: a return to normality?; Chronology; Glossary; Further reading; Index.

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Book SynopsisDuring the nineteenth century a powerful and unified Germany emerged from a collection of over 350 independent states and cities. Gorman uses a wide range of primary sources to look at the role of Bismarck in this transformation. This successful volume in the Cambridge Topics in History series is reprinted with a full colour cover.Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Forces of change and stability 1815–48; 2. 1848: ‘The Crazy Year’; 3. The changing balance 1849–62; 4. Bismarck, Austria and the North German Confederation; 5. The war with France; 6. Unification; Glossary; Index.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisFollowing his hugely popular account of the previous 2000 years, John O''Farrell now comes bang up to date with a hilarious modern history asking ''How the hell did we end up here?'' An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain informs, elucidates and laughs at all the bizarre events, ridiculous characters and stupid decisions that have shaped Britain''s story since 1945; leaving the Twenty-First Century reader feeling fantastically smug for having the benefit of hindsight.

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Book SynopsisThe history of Parliament is the history of the United Kingdom itself. It has a cast of thousands. Some were ambitious, visionary and altruistic. Others were hot-headed, violent and self-serving. Few were unambiguously noble. Yet their rowdy confrontations, their campaigning zeal and their unstable alliances framed our nation.This first of two volumes takes us on a 500-year journey from Parliament''s earliest days in the thirteenth century through the turbulent years of the Wars of the Roses and the upheavals of the Civil Wars, and up to 1801, when Parliament and the United Kingdom, embracing Scotland and Ireland emerged in a modern form.Chris Bryant tells this epic tale through the lives of the myriad MPs, lords and bishops who passed through Parliament. It is the vivid, colourful biography of a cast of characters whose passions and obsessions, strengths and weaknesses laid the foundations of modern democracy.Trade ReviewThis magnificent book... Bryant is a fine historian. His understanding of political processes shines through. After this epic the next volume will be eagerly awaited -- Leo McKinstry * Express *A bravura ‘biography’ of Parliament… both charming and important… A carefully constructed and lucidly written adventure story about the institution that – like it or not – still shapes our lives -- Roy Hattersley * Telegraph *Admirably comprehensive… and written in the kind of lucid, elegant prose now rarely associated with our elected representatives * New Statesman *a fascinating study into the lives and reputations of those who, honourable or not, have sat as parliamentarians... compelling reading -- Chris Skidmore * Times Literary Supplement *This book tells the story of our greatest national institution. It is well-written, contains much truth, and a great deal of important information. It is a wonderful idea. -- Peter OborneLively... a warts-and-all account of how MPs have first survived and subsequently shaped and initiated policy * The Lady *This is a wonderful, wry view of the history of parliament "from the inside". Chris Bryant is a great myth-buster. If you ever thought that modern MPs were more corrupt or worse behaved than their predecessors, then read on. You'll find it's not quite so simple. -- Mary BeardA remarkably readable and scholarly account of the emergence of the British Parliament over its first five hundred years or so -- Ken ClarkeA wonderfully iconoclastic yet affectionate history ... Bryant tells the story with clarity and verve. -- Diarmaid MacCulloch, Professor of the History of the Church, Oxford UniversityWorthy of its venerable subject * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisParis, the City of Light, the city of fine dining, seductive couture and intellectual hauteur, was until fairly recently always accompanied by its shadow: the city of the poor, the outcast, the criminal, the eccentric, the wilfully nonconforming. In The Other Paris, Luc Sante gives us a panoramic view of that second metropolis, whose traces are in the bricks and stones of the contemporary city, and in the culture of France itself. Richly illustrated with over three hundred images, The Other Paris reclaims the city from the modern bon vivants and speculators; scuttling through the knotted streets, through the whorehouses and dance halls, the knock-out shops and hobo shelters of the old city.

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Book SynopsisA TLS AND GQ BOOK OF THE YEARWINNER OF A SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARDFINALIST FOR THE ORWELL PRIZESAnnouncing the arrival of a major new talent, an astonishing work of social history which captures Black gay Britain as never before.''A fascinating, lively and illuminating social history . . . remarkable.'' BERNARDINE EVARISTO, TLS (Books of the Year)''Extraordinary.'' SHON FAYE''Groundbreaking.'' GUARDIAN''Beautifully woven.'' i NEWS''Gorgeous, gossipy.'' EVENING STANDARD''A rich, vital story.'' FRIEZE''A triumph.'' GAY TIMES***In this landmark work, Jason Okundaye meets an elder generation of Black gay men and finds a spirited community full of courage, charisma and good humour, hungry to tell its past of nightlife, resistance, political fights, loss, gossip, sex, romance and vulgarity. Through their conversations he seeks to reconcile the Black and gay narratives of Britain, narratives frequently cleaved as distinct and unrelated.Tracing these men's journeys and arrivals to South London through the seventies, eighties and nineties from the present day, Okundaye relays their stories with rare compassion, listening as they share intimate memories and reflect upon their lives. They endured and fought against the peak of the AIDS epidemic, built social groups and threw underground parties; they went to war with institutions (and with each other) and created meaning within a society which was often indifferent to their existence.Revolutionary Acts renders a singular portrait of Britain from the perspective of those buffeted by the winds of marginalisation and discrimination. It is a portrait marked by resilience and self-determination, inspired by the love and beauty Black men have found in each other.***A sparkling book that is all the more remarkable for being the author''s first. Okundaye is an outstanding guide to what it means to be black and gay in Britain, providing a perspective to the last four decades that is as revelatory as it is important.'PETER FRANKOPAN''In this seminal book Okundaye gives us juicy dialogue, tears and laughter, and vivid landscapes of memory.'MENDEZ, author of Rainbow MilkThis groundbreaking debut tells the stories of seven radicals who were among the first out Black gay men in Britain . . . Okundaye's research and interviews completely recast key moments in Black British history . . . We should be grateful that he has managed to capture a vital moment that at so many points could have been lost for ever.'LANRE BAKARE, GUARDIAN

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Book SynopsisThis is the first study in English of the political history of Muslim Spain and Portugal, based on Arab sources. It provides comprehensive coverage of events across the whole of the region from 711 to the fall of Granada in 1492. Up till now the history of this region has been badly neglected in comparison with studies of other states in medieval Europe. When considered at all, it has been largely written from Christian sources and seen in terms of the Christian Reconquest. Hugh Kennedy raises the profile of this important area, bringing the subject alive with vivid translations from Arab sources. This will be fascinating reading for historians of medieval Europe and for historians of the middle east drawing out the similarities and contrasts with other areas of the Muslim world.

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Book SynopsisTwo women in Nazi-occupied Paris created a daring escape line that rescued dozens of Allied servicemen. With one still in a German prison camp, the other wrote a book about it—a memoir built on fabrications. Now the bestselling author of Eighty Days shares their incredible, never-before-told full story.“A heart-pounding tale of betrayal that is impossible to put down.”—Lynne Olson, author of Madame Fourcade's Secret WarEtta Shiber and Kate Bonnefous are the unlikeliest of heroines: two seemingly ordinary women, an American widow and an English divorcée, living quietly together in Paris. Yet during the Nazi occupation, these two friends find themselves unexpectedly plunged into the whirlwind of history. With the help of a French country priest and others, they set out to rescue British and French soldiers trapped behind enemy lines—some of whom they daringly smuggle through Nazi checkpoints hidden insi

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe Second World War was, for Britain, a ''total war''; no section of society remained untouched by military conscription, air raids, the shipping crisis and the war economy. In this comprehensive and engrossing narrative Angus Calder presents not only the great events and leading figures but also the oddities and banalities of daily life on the Home Front, and in particular the parts played by ordinary people: air raid wardens and Home Guards, factory workers and farmers, housewives and pacifists. Above all this revisionist and important work reveals how, in those six years, the British people came closer to discarding their social conventions than at any time since Cromwell''s republic.Winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys prize in 1970, The People's War draws on oral testimony and a mass of neglected social documentation to question the popularised image of national unity in the fight for victory.Trade ReviewFull of vivid anecdote … and of epigrammatic flair … it is a dense, detailed, moving chronicle. -- Richard Eyre * Independent on Sunday *A tour de force of historical reconstruction * Sunday Times *The People's War is more than a salutary iconoclastic analysis of its period and more than an immensely fastidious social history. It is full of vivid anecdote...and of epigrammatic flair... I've read Angus Calder's book several times and passed it on to friends. I've commissioned and directed several plays and films which have been inspired by it. It is a dense, detailed, moving chronicle that I am still unable to read without feeling both nostalgia and pain for the unfulfilled promise of the world I was born into -- Richard Eyre * Independent on Sunday *No verdict can I pronounce on The People's War other than, read it -- Elizabeth Bowen * Spectator *He has provided an engrossing, beautifully organized book that could provide a valuable education for the post-war generation and a salutary re-education for his elders -- Phillip French * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisG.E.M. de Ste. Croix was Fellow of New College, University of Oxford, and best known as the author of The Origins of the Peloponnesian War and The Class Struggle in the Ancient Greek World.

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Book SynopsisThis book is totally unique. It is based on the original and wholly authentic testimonies of survivors of the old Dublin tenements. For nearly 150 years, the wretched, squalid tenements of Dublin were widely judged to be the worst slums in all of Europe. By the 1930''s, 6400 tenements were occupied by almost 112,000 tenants. Some districts had up to 800 people to the acre, up to 100 occupants in one building and twenty family members crammed into a single tiny room. It was a hard world of hunger, disease, high mortality, unemployment, heavy drinking, prostitution and gang warfare. But despite their hardship, the tenement poor enjoyed an incredibly close knit community life in which they found great security and indeed, happiness. As one policeman recalls from over half a century ago, they were ''extraordinarily happy for people who were so savagely poor''.

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Book SynopsisThe Easter Rising was arguably the most important event in Irish history. It was an armed insurrection that occurred mainly in Dublin during Easter Week, 1916, mounted by Irish republicans intent on ending British rule in Ireland and establishing an independent Irish Republic. While not immediately successful, its consequences changed the course of Irish history forever.This book explains what happened in the years before and after the Rising, as well as providing an exciting day-by-day account of the events themselves, and biographies of the leading figures.

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Book SynopsisA fully illustrated history of Ireland's most famous sporting institution, published in association with the GAA museum in Croke Park. This is a fascinating and colourful introduction to Gaelic games, covering football, hurling, camogie and handball. This pocket sized book features all the key events in the GAA's illustrious history, as well as biographies of famous players, rolls of honour, county information and the stories behind some of the GAA's cups and trophies.

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Book SynopsisOlder than Stonehenge, older than the Pyramids, Newgrange in Co Meath was built over 6,000 years ago. This remarkable Neolithic structure by the legendary River Boyne has fascinated visitors for millennia, but became a significant tourist site after its excavation and partial reconstruction by archaeologist Michael O'Kelly in the 1960s and 70s. Regarded as Ireland's greatest national monument, Newgrange has entered Irish mythology through its associations with ancient deities, and today it continues to fascinate archaeologists and visitors alike.A Pocket Guide to Newgrange and the Boyne Valley contains everything you need to know about one of Ireland's most significant historical landmarks.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first scholarly edited collection devoted to the work of the Anglo-Irish writer and cartographer Tim Robinson -- .Trade Review‘Robinson comes across not only as a brilliant storyteller and interpreter of the landscape but also as intensely human. Thus, the contributors to Unfolding Irish Landscapes mirror Robinson’s own practice: just as he unfolds the Irish landscape, revealing its history to his readers, so, too, do these scholars reveal Robinson to us.’Leila Crawford, University of Otago, Irish Studies Review, Issue 24.4, November 2016‘The volume is an impressive, ambitious and timely endeavor to chart the depth and range of the career of one of the most influential and original figures in the field of Irish Studies and the philosophy of landscape.’Anne Karhio, National University of Ireland, Nordic Irish Studies -- .Table of ContentsForeword – Robert MacfarlaneIntroduction: Ireland’s ‘ABC of earth wonders’ – Christine Cusick and Derek GladwinPart 1: Explorations in cartography and geography1. Genius loci: the geographical imagination of Tim Robinson – Patrick Duffy2. Catchments – John Elder3. ‘The fineness of things’: the deep mapping projects of Tim Robinson’s art and writings, 1969-1972 – Nessa Cronin4. Documentary map-making and film-making in Pat Collins’ Tim Robinson: Connemara – Derek GladwinPart 2: Topographic writing and narrative5. ‘And now intellect, discovering its own effects’: Tim Robinson as narrative scholar – Christine Cusick6. Not-knowing as aesthetic imperative in Tim Robinson’s Stones of Aran – Kelly Sullivan7. Thirteen ways of looking at a landscape: the poetic in the work of Tim Robinson – Moya Cannon8. Tim Robinson and Chris Arthur: in defence of the Irish essay – Karen BabinePart 3: Place and the Irish cultural imagination9. ‘But his study is out of doors’: Tim Robinson’s place in Irish studies – Eamonn Wall10. Maps, movements, and migrants: reading Tim Robinson though Gluaiseacht Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta – Jerry White11. ‘About nothing, about everything’: listening in / to Tim Robinson – Gerry Smyth12. ‘another half-humanized boulder lying on unprofitable ground’: the visual art of Tim Robinson/Timothy Drever – Catherine Marshall13. ‘An ear to the earth’: matrixial gazing in Tim Robinson’s walk-art-text practice – Moynagh Sullivan14. Essayist of place: postcolonialism and ecology in the work of Tim Robinson – Eóin FlanneryEpilogue: On the rocks road – Andrew McNeillieBibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn 1941 Hitler's armies blocked the last roads leading into Leningrad. What followed was one of the most horrific sieges in history.Trade Review'A tribute to the resilience of the human spirit' * Herald *'Where the book stands out is in the portrait of ordinary life in extraordinary circumstances... Fluently written... the uniquely terrible experience of suffering, especially of 1941-2, is effectively described' * BBC History *'Jones's book is set apart from other histories by his careful and judicious use of witness accounts' * Sunday Business Post *'Detailed account of the 872-day siege of the Soviet Union's iconic city' * Morning Star *

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