European history Books

Book SynopsisA German soldier's graphic first-hand account of his escape from Soviet captivity during the Red Army's offensive on the Eastern Front in 1944.

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Book SynopsisThis book focuses for the first time on the lives and loves of those English courtiers responsible for guarding the most dangerous woman in the kingdom.

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Book SynopsisWritten by celebrated author and script writer (Silent Witness/All the Kings Men, Under the Guns of the Red Baron).

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Book SynopsisContent should appeal to both military aviation enthusiasts as well as those with an interest in recent British military history.

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Book SynopsisFamously bloody and anarchic period of Roman historyAuthors clear narrative untangles the twists and turns of shifting alliances and analyses the military events. Very well-established author with a strong following

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Book SynopsisThis book explains the social and economic factors which enabled the UK to fund the coalitions that Napoleon faced.

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Book SynopsisThis is one of the great adventure stories of the Great War and Col. Strutt deserves to be better known.

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Book SynopsisLife in Post-War Britain: Toils and Efforts Ahead tells what it was like to live in Britain as the nation battled to recover while still facing many hardships, including food rationing that, ironically, was to become more severe than that in wartime.

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Book SynopsisFind out more about Edward VIII, the first celebrity monarch.

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Book SynopsisIn the introduction the authors explore just why Winston Churchill authorised a super-raid' upon German-held territory. Examines why the French port of Dieppe was selected as the target.

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Book SynopsisThroughout the tenth century, England, as it would be recognised today, formed. No longer many Saxon kingdoms, but rather, just England. Yet, this development masks much in the century in which the Viking raiders were seemingly driven from England's shores by Alfred, his children and grandchildren, only to return during the reign of his great, great-grandson, the much-maligned Æthelred II.Not one but two kings would be murdered, others would die at a young age, and a child would be named king on four occasions. Two kings would never marry, and a third would be forcefully divorced from his wife. Yet, the development towards England' did not stop. At no point did it truly fracture back into its constituent parts. Who then ensured this stability? To whom did the witan turn when kings died, and children were raised to the kingship?The royal woman of the House of Wessex came into prominence during the century, perhaps the most well-known being Æthelflæd, daughter of King Alfred. Perhaps the

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Book SynopsisField Marshal Lord Wolseley was aneminent Victorian, one of a handful of latenineteenth-century military men whosereputation transcends his age. He servedthe British empire in Burma, India, China,the Crimea, Canada, Asante, Egypt, SouthAfrica and the Sudan. He excelled as aregimental soldier, staff officer, armycommander and reformer and eventuallycommander-in-chief. Yet there has beenno substantial work on Wolseley for ageneration and a reassessment based upon afresh look at the man and his achievementsis long overdue. That is why StephenManning's perceptive military biography,which sets Wolseley firmly in the context ofhis period and seeks to strip away the legendthat developed during his lifetime, is sotimely and important.Each of Wolseley's campaigns is examinedin vivid detail and there are graphicdescriptions of the major battles in which hetook part, either as an officer or a general.His performance as a commander, from hisgreat success during the expedition againstthe Asante to

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Book SynopsisFirst full-length popular biography of Hubert de Burgh.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing contemporary letters, newspapers and memoirs, The Real Bridgerton opens the bedcurtains on a century where nothing was out of bounds.

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Book SynopsisUsing fresh research and new information, Phil Roberts brings a new perspective on the life of Thomas Wolsey.

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Book SynopsisInside the Tudor Home sheds light on how people lived in the sixteenth century from plush royal palaces to wattle-and-daub cottages and everything in between.

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Book SynopsisIdentifies and narrates 40 sieges of the city that was Byzantion, then Constantinople and now Istanbul.

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Book SynopsisRobert Dudley, the son Elizabeth never had, is the story of a scholar, an adventurer and Elizabethan seadog that deserves to be better known.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating and, until now, unknown story of a ship and her captain. The recent discovery of her wreck and salvage of her guns has propelled the ship into the public limelight. A highly significant story within the wider naval history of the 18th-century

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Thomas Cromwell was King Henry VIII's most faithful servant, the only man the king ever openly regretted executing. But Thomas Cromwell came to royal prominence late in life, and had 45 years of family, friends and experiences behind him before catching Henry's eye. Born a common boy at a time of significant change in England in 1485, Cromwell grew up in a happy, close-knit family, before heading to Europe for dramatic adventures. Returning to England a decade later, Cromwell emerged with the skills of a lawyer and merchant, with the European language skills and connections to match. Marriage, children, friends, family and manor homes all furnished Cromwell's life, a man happy and settled in London. But more beckoned for the Italian-Englishman, when a special friendship with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey grew, along with the attention of the king. Tragic personal loss affected Cromwell, hidden behind the more-recorded professional accolades. But friendships remained throughout time, changes in allegiance and even religion. Men who had met the young Cromwell stuck close to him through the years, and Cromwell never forgot a single loyal friend. Cromwell's desire to support his son saw Gregory become brother-in-law to the king himself, only for more tragedy to harm the ever-growing Cromwell family. Far from the seemingly dour, black-clad, serious man, Cromwell lavished those around him with gifts, parties, extravagant games, entertainments, animals and outfits. But the glamour and beauty of Cromwell's life would come to a sudden end, leaving a trail of devastated men and women, and an extraordinary manor home, Austin Friars, scattered to the wind. Using a wide variety of primary material, this exciting biography weaves a new narrative on the indefatigable Thomas Cromwell, illustrating him more vividly than we've known him before.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review‘A masterful account of the five classics that should become a classic itself … a triumph of readability: fine tales very well told’ * Road.cc *‘Peter Cossins has skilfully combined history, analysis and anecdote to bring these classic contests vividly to life’ * Independent on Sunday *‘The Monuments is a book that should be on every cyclist’s bookshelf’ * Podium Café *‘A treasure trove for the committed cycling fan’ * thewashingmachinepost *Table of ContentsPart 1: Liège­-Bastogne-Liège – La Doyenne Part 2: Paris-Roubaix – The Hell of the North Part 3: The Tour of Lombardy – The Race of the Falling Leaves Part 4: Milan-Sanremo – La Classicissima Part 5: The Tour of Flanders – Vlaanderens Mooiste Endpiece Appendix Bibliography Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisA biography of the second Duke of Lennox, the most consequential person in the Jacobean court in Scotland and EnglandTrade Review"Ludovic Stuart, Duke of Lennox, has long been known as a ubiquitous Jacobean courtier and cousin of the king, but our knowledge of him has been limited by the absence of any scholarly biography. This thoroughly-researched book at last brings him out of the shadows." -Julian Goodare, Professor of History, University of Edinburgh

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Book SynopsisThis history of Spain in the period between the end of Roman rule and the time of the Arab conquest challenges many traditional assumptions about the history of this period. Presents original theories about how the Visigothic kingdom was governed, about law in the kingdom, about the Arab conquest, and about the rise of Spain as an intellectual force. Takes account of new documentary evidence, the latest archaeological findings, and the controversies that these have generated. Combines chronological and thematic approaches to the period. A historiographical introduction looks at the current state of research on the history and archaeology of the Visigothic kingdom. Trade Review"Readers interested in more detailed accounts of Spanish history will ... find this book very accessible." British Bulletin of Publications "There is much to admire and enjoy in this volume … highly readable and impressively researched work." HistoryTable of ContentsList of Maps. Introduction: Visigothic Spain in the Twenty-First Century. Part I: A Political History:. 1. From Empire to Kingdom, 409-507:. A Turning Point. The Visigoths. The Gothic Conquests of Hispania, 456-507. 2. The Imposition of Unity, 507-586:. A Fractured Kingdom. The Reign of Leovigild, 569-586. 3. The Catholic Kingdom, 586-672:. Conversion and Reaction, 586-590. Changing Dynasties, 590-642. Kings and the Political Elite, 642-672. 4. Visigothic Twilight, 672-710:. Court Conspiracies, 672-681. The Uneasy Throne, 681-710. 5. The End of the Kingdom:. The Coming of the Arabs. The Last Kings, 710-713. Part II: Society and Culture:. 6. Books and Readers:. The Legacy of Africa. The Golden Age. 7. Archaeology: Cemeteries and Churches:. Goths in the Ground. A Visigothic Architecture?. 8. Archaeology: Rural and Urban Settlements:. Country Dwellers. Towns in Transition. 9. Law and Ethnic Identity:. The Fog of the Law. Gothia and Hispania. Bibliographical Essay. Index

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Book SynopsisSpanning over 1,300 years, this popular history of Rome combines an overview of political events with a balanced analysis of social and economic change, and of religious and cultural life. This new edition includes increased coverage of the late republic, and more attention is devoted to the impact of material culture.Trade Review“The fourth edition of this highly successful text retains the virtues of its predecessors while judiciously revising, expanding, and updating the presentation of material. In its new form A History of Rome will continue to provide excellent support for courses in Roman history, culture, and society.” Richard Tarrant, Harvard University “The new edition of this comprehensive and widely-used history of ancient Rome improves an already valuable and authoritative textbook, augmenting the range of maps and illustrations, expanding the historical horizons with additional literary material and discussion of inscriptional evidence, and updating the notes on further reading. The combination of visual material and detailed narrative offers a vivid and multidimensional perspective on the most powerful and enduringly influential of ancient empires.” Alan Bowman, University of Oxford Praise for the third edition: "Edition 3 maintains a good balance betweena general survey and a deeper analysis of Roman history, combining a traditional biographical and factual approach with thematic discussions of socio-political developments and institutions. I highly recommend all the new materials for both personal research and classroom use." Bryn Mawr Classical Review "A History of Rome is a solid textbook. With a strong and topical vision of the city's political, military and cultural history, the empire is brought firmly into the picture." AntiquityTable of ContentsList of Plates ix List of Figures and Maps xii List of Chronologies, Genealogies, and Boxes xiv Preface to the Fourth Edition xvi Preface to the Third Edition xvii Preface to the Second Edition xviii Preface to the First Edition xix List of Abbreviations xxi Introduction xxii The Sources for Roman History xxii Rome and the Mediterranean xxv The Origins of the “Roman Miracle” xxvii Part I: From the Origins to the Empire 1 1 Italy before Rome 3 1.1 The Peoples of Prehistoric Italy 5 1.2 The Cultures of Prehistoric Italy 7 1.3 The East’s Influence on the West 14 2 The Formation of Rome: From Romulus to the Tarquins 19 2.1 Latin and Sabine Kings 21 2.2 Etruscan Rome 26 2.3 The Religion of Archaic Rome 33 3 The Young Republic: The Fifth and Fourth Centuries BCE 41 3.1 The Birth of the Republic and the Struggle of the Orders 43 3.2 The Decemvirs and their Task 46 3.3 In Search of Equilibrium: 449–312 bce 49 3.4 The Republic’s Institutions at the End of the Fourth Century 56 vi Contents 4 The Growth of the Republic: War and Conquest in the Third Century BCE 61 4.1 Economy, Society, Army 63 4.2 The Conquest of Central and Southern Italy 66 4.3 The Hellenization of Art and Religion 68 4.4 The Punic Wars 73 4.5 Gladiatorial Combat: Rise and Early Development 82 5 Consequences of Conquest: The Second Century BCE 89 5.1 What Was Roman Imperialism? 91 5.2 Conquests from 200 to 148 bce: Defensive Imperialism 93 5.3 Conquests from 148 to 133 bce: Conscious Imperialism 95 5.4 War and Conquest: 133–96 bce 100 5.5 Roman Triumphs: Spectacles of Military Victory 103 5.6 The Economic, Social, and Political Consequences of the Conquests 107 5.7 Cultural Consequences 115 6 The Late Republic: The First Century BCE 121 6.1 Personal Ambitions and the Civil Wars 123 6.2 Toward a New Order 159 6.3 Social and Cultural Transformations 169 Part II: Rome, Master of the World 185 7 The Roman World in 31–28 BCE 187 7.1 Actium and its Aftermath 189 7.2 Rome and Italy 194 7.3 The Provinces 197 7.4 Boundaries and Frontiers 203 8 Augustus: The Birth of the Imperial Regime: 29 BCE–14 CE 207 8.1 The Formation of the Principate 209 8.2 The Emperor and his Entourage 218 8.3 A Hierarchy of Offices 224 8.4 The Army and its Conquests 230 8.5 The Administration of the Empire 237 8.6 Augustus: Showman and Gamesmaster of Rome 243 8.7 Religious Policy 249 8.8 The Succession 254 9 The Julio-Claudians: The System Under Stress: 14–68 CE 257 9.1 Four Personalities: Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula), Claudius, Nero 259 9.2 The Institutions and Innovations of the Julio-Claudians 271 9.3 Development of the Administration 285 10 The Flavians: Consolidating the Imperial Order: 68–96 CE 289 10.1 Events and Contenders 291 10.2 Interpretations 293 10.3 The Flavian Dynasty 294 10.4 Domitian and Tyranny: 81–96 ce 305 10.5 A Developing Municipal Life and a Changing Society 311 10.6 Social Changes 315 11 The Antonine Empire: 96–192 CE 319 11.1 Italo-Provincial Emperors 321 11.2 Italy in Decline, the Provinces Expanding 350 11.3 Romanization 364 11.4 A Mediterranean Economy 366 11.5 The Army 373 11.6 Spectacles and the Roman Empire 382 11.7 Religious Life 394 12 The African and Syrian Emperors: 193–235 CE 405 12.1 The Crisis of 193–197 ce 407 12.2 Septimius Severus and his Sons 408 12.3 Macrinus, Elagabalus, Severus Alexander 426 12.4 Provincial Upsurge and the Orientalization of the Empire? 431 Part III: Another Roman World: Third to Fifth Century CE 437 Introduction to Part III: The Nature of the Times 438 13 Equilibrium: 235 CE 439 13.1 A Fragile Balance 441 13.2 Rome and Italy 443 13.3 The Western Provinces 446 13.4 The Eastern Provinces 449 13.5 Beyond the Limes 452 13.6 Balance and Instability 454 14 A Disintegrating Order: 235–284 CE 457 14.1 Sinking into Crisis: 235–260 ce 459 14.2 The Nature and Limits of the Crisis 462 14.3 The Reaction of the Imperial Government: 260–284 ce 467 15 A Different Order: 284–361 CE 471 15.1 Diocletian and the Tetrarchy: 284–305 ce 473 15.2 Constantine: 306–337 ce 477 15.3 Constantine’s Sons: 337–361 ce 481 15.4 Three Emperors and their Achievements 484 16 Different Institutions: Reorganization 485 16.1 Central Government 487 16.2 The Army 491 16.3 Territorial Authorities 496 16.4 Cities and Municipal Life 498 16.5 An Absolute Monarchy 502 17 A Different Socio-Economic World: Recovery and State Control 503 17.1 The Economic Recovery 505 17.2 Society and the State 509 17.3 Towns and Villas 517 17.4 Expansion and Lifestyles 521 18 Between Paganism and Christianity 523 18.1 The Fourth-Century ce Renaissance 525 18.2 Paganism on the Defensive 526 18.3 Judaism between the Empire and the Church 533 18.4 Christianity Takes the Offensive 535 18.5 Boom and Decline 543 19 The End of the Roman World? 545 19.1 Julian: 361–363 ce 547 19.2 A New Crisis: 364–395 ce 550 19.3 The End of Rome? 554 Chronological Table 559 Glossary 578 Guide to Greek and Roman Writers 584 Guide to Further Reading 595 Index 617

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Book SynopsisA History of Greece: 1300?30 BC, offers a comprehensive introduction to the foundational political history of Greece, from the late Mycenaean Age through to the death of Cleopatra VII, the last Hellenistic monarch of Egypt. Introduces textual and archaeological evidence used by historians to reconstruct historical events during Greece's Bronze, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods Reveals the political and social structure of the Greek world in the late Mycenaean period (thirteenth century BC) through analysis of the Linear B tablets, the oldest surviving records in Greek Features numerous references to original source materials, including various fragmentary papyri, inscriptions, coins, and other literary sources Provides extensive coverage of the Hellenistic period, and covers areas excluded from most Greek history texts, including the Greek West Features judicious use of illustrations throughout, and considers Table of ContentsList of Figures ix List of Tables xii List of Boxes xiii Abbreviations and Reference Conventions xvi Preface xxii Introduction xxvii 1 The Geography of Greece 1 Part I: Bronze and “Dark Age”: circa 1300–800 BC 21 2 The Mycenaean Age 23 3 The End of the Bronze Age and the Great Migrations 46 4 Greece in the Later “Dark Age” (circa 900–750 BC) 58 Part II: The Archaic Period: circa 800–479 BC 73 5 Colonization 75 6 Sparta from the Messenian Wars to the Creation of the Peloponnesian League 93 7 Tyranny 106 8 Athens from Cylon to Cleisthenes 121 9 Persia and the Ionian Revolt 138 10 The Persian Wars 151 Part III: The Classical Period: 479–323 BC 169 11 The Athenian Empire 171 12 Sparta and Athens during the Pentecontaetia 182 13 From the Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War to the Peace of Nicias 196 14 From the Peace of Nicias to the Surrender of Athens 210 15 The Lacedaemonian Ascendancy in Greece 227 16 The Boeotian Ascendancy in Greece and the Second Athenian League 243 17 The West from the Sicilian Expedition to the Campaigns of Timoleon 257 18 Philip of Macedon and the Conquest of Greece 272 19 Alexander the Great and the Conquest of Persia 293 Part IV: The Hellenistic Period: 323–30 BC 317 20 The Wars of the Diadochi 319 21 The Creation of the Hellenistic States 336 22 Sicily and the West from Agathocles to the First Punic War 351 23 The Hellenistic World in Equilibrium 364 24 The Coming of Rome 387 25 Twilight of the Hellenistic World 409 Tables of Rulers 429 Glossary 434 Index 458

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Book SynopsisThoroughly updated and revised, the second edition of this successful and widely praised textbook offers an account of the classical' period of Greek history, from the aftermath of the Persian Wars in 478 BC to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. Two important new chapters have been added, covering life and culture in the classical Greek world Features new pedagogical tools, including textboxes, and a comprehensive chronological table of the West, mainland Greece, and the Aegean Enlarged and additional maps and illustrative material Covers the history of an important period, including: the flourishing of democracy in Athens; the Peloponnesian war, and the conquests of Alexander the Great Focuses on the evidence for the period, and how the evidence is to be interpreted Table of ContentsList of Illustrations vii List of Figures ix List of Maps x Preface xi Note on References xiii Chronological Table xv 1 Introduction 1 2 The Formation of the Delian League 14 3 The Peloponnese in the Early Fifth Century 24 4 Athens After the Persian Wars 34 5 The Athenian Empire in the Mid Fifth Century 47 6 Periclean Athens 59 7 The Greeks in the West: The Rise of Syracuse 77 8 The Peloponnesian War: Origins 87 9 The Peloponnesian War: Resources and Strategies 96 10 The Peloponnesian War: 431–421 107 11 The Athens of Cleon 122 12 The Peloponnesian War: 421–413 131 13 The Peloponnesian War: 413–404 149 14 Athens in the Late Fifth Century 163 15 The Athenian Empire: Retrospect 183 16 Life in the Classical Greek World 200 17 Culture in the Classical Greek World 209 18 Introduction to the Fourth Century: The Common Peace 224 19 Sparta’s Imperialism and Collapse 239 Appendix: Persia and its Rebels 256 20 The Second Athenian League 261 21 Thebes and Northern Greece 279 22 Athens After the Peloponnesian War 293 23 The Western Greeks from Dionysius I to Timoleon 311 24 Philip II of Macedon 332 Appendix: Persia and the Greeks in the Reign of Artaxerxes III 361 25 Demosthenic Athens 367 Appendix: Sparta 384 26 Alexander the Great: Sources and Outline 388 27 Alexander the Great: Topics 401 28 Epilogue 427 Glossary 431 Bibliography 435 Index 445

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Book SynopsisThe full story of human endeavour - complete with its dramas, wars, schemes, discoveries, and personalities - is laid out before you in this illustrated guide to the history of our world.Who were the Mongols, the Maya, or Isis? How far did the Roman or the British empire stretch? Why did apartheid or Communism begin, and what were the issues in the Vietnam War?World History is your convenient reference, answering all your questions. But it also tells you why events happen and explains key issues. Its timelines trace events as they happen, from the appearance of the first humans in Africa to first civilisations and then on to recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the space race. It succinctly explains how one event led to another, and sums up topics that include ancient Egypt, the Romans, the Renaissance, World Wars I and II, slavery and empire, and Communist China.Dotted throughout this comprehensive volume are sumptous images that reveal hist

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Book SynopsisQueen. Mother. Servant. Friend. This is the most intimate portrait of our longest serving monarch, an inspiration to her country: Queen Elizabeth II.Get to know the real Elizabeth in the definitive biography from the bestselling British Royal Family writer ''To have any understanding of the Queen you must first read this book'' Amanda Foreman''Emotional, personal, human, insightful and moving. You will be a better person for reading and learning from this book'' 5***** Reader Review ''Extensively researched, fluently written and containing a lot of intriguing information. Much to recommend'' Daily Telegraph ________We knew her as the Queen. But she was so much more.Playing with her children at the Palace, crawling on her stomach to stalk deer, donning yellow Marigolds to wash up after Balmoral cookouts; this was Queen Elizabeth going about her daily life. Performing a dTrade ReviewSally Bedell Smith offers her readers the illusion of knowing the queen as a friend * The Economist *The book has much to recommend it, being extensively researched, fluently written and containing quite a lot of intriguing "new" information * The Telegraph *A worthy addition to the shelves of royal watchers everywhere * Sunday Independent *Incisive... well researched * Choice Magazine *A thoroughly good read * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisHeir. Prince. King. Discover the real Charles - our King - in the definitive biography from the bestselling author of Elizabeth the Queen ''Brilliant, startling. The royal biography everyone''s talking about'' Daily Mail_________His destiny was to become King. But for 70 years, he was a Prince.From his declared heirdom aged three to his years spent fulfilling royal duty in support of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has spent his entire life serving the nation. But there is still so much we don''t know.In this fascinating exploration of his public and private lives, Sally Bedell Smith - the acclaimed, bestselling biographer of Elizabeth the Queen - has drawn extensively on her access to the Royal Family''s inner circle to reveal a portrait of a misunderstood prince.Beginning with his lonely childhood, Smith details his intellectual quests, his entrepreneurial pursuits, and his Trade ReviewBrilliant, startling. The royal biography everyone's talking about * Daily Mail *What a story. To read this book is to feel... immense pity and sympathy for the man * The Times *Prince Charles: The passions and paradoxes of an impossible life is the first major biography of Prince Charles in more than two decades, with new insights into his family and his two marriages, from the bestselling author of Elizabeth the Queen. * From the publisher's description *Prince Charles is an eighteenth-century gentleman with a twenty-first-century mission. His love of tradition combines with an outlook that can be bracingly avant garde. Sally Bedell Smith captures his contradictions and his convictions in this fascinating book that is not just about a man who would be king, but also about the duties that come with privilege. -- Walter IsaacsonFor all we know about Prince Charles, there is so much we didn't know until now. Sally Bedell Smith has given us a complete and compelling portrait of the man in the shadow of the throne. It's all here, from the back stairs of the palaces to the front pages of the tabs. Read all about it! -- Tom BrokawNo one writes about life at the top with more panache than Sally Bedell Smith. Her Prince Charles is a delicious blend of glamour and grandeur, jealousy and rivalry, greatness and human foible. Smith writes with wisdom and sympathy and a sharp and knowing eye about the struggles and maturation of the man who would be King. -- Evan ThomasThis great biography is an indispensable guide for anyone eager to understand Prince Charles and the British monarchy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. What an achievement, what work went into it, and all of it presented with such ease. It is so fair, while suggesting so much. -- Peggy Noonan

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Book Synopsis''DESERVES TO JOIN REACH FOR THE SKY AND THE LAST ENEMY AS ONE OF THE GREAT RAF BOOKS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR'' - ANDREW ROBERTSAs I write, I can clearly recall the stinging heat of aburning Blenheim, smells, tastes, expressions, sounds of voices and, most ofall, fear gripping deep in me.Flying Officer Alastair Panton was just twenty-three when his squadron deployed across the Channel in the defence of France. They were desparate days.Pushed back to the beaches as the German blitzkrieg rolled through the Low Countries and into France, by June 4th 1940 the evacuation ofthe Allies from Dunkirk was complete. A little over two weeks later France surrendered.Flying vital, dangerous, low-level missions throughout the campaign in support of the troops on the ground, Panton''s beloved but unarmed Bristol Blenheim was easy meat for the marauding Messerschmitts. At the height of fighting he was losing two of his small squadron''s crewTrade ReviewThis totally gripping account of the air war of May and June 1940 was written by one of the bravest of "The Few". Its short pages encompass all the timeless themes of war: comradeship, sacrifice, patriotism, fear, and sheer, raw courage. Panton's engaging and immediate prose style recalls the Battle of France in all its pity and tragedy, with his Mark IV Blenheim bomber as much a character in the story as any of his comrades. This deserves to join Reach for the Sky and The Last Enemy as one the great RAF books of the Second World War. -- ANDREW ROBERTSThis is a wonderfully vivid account of those forgotten heroes of 1940. It deserves to become one of the great aerial memoirs of the Second World War. It's an absolutely brilliant book -- JAMES HOLLANDThis is a gem of a memoir. An RAF pilot of rare tenacity and courage, Alistair Panton writes vividly but artlessly and with no hint of bravado about the grimly chaotic weeks of Dunkirk when he and his crew brushed with death in the sky most every day. His front-line story - humane, modest, and compassionate - inspires admiration to the point of awe -- JONATHAN DIMBLEBYA hidden gem of a diary on a little known episode of the Second World War. It speaks to everyone with its drama, pathos, humour and above all, compassion. It should be read by every history student -- PAUL BEAVER, author of SPITFIRE PEOPLESimply wonderful. One of the best accounts of WWII that I have ever read -- JOHN NICHOLThe soldiers on the Dunkirk beaches who jeered the RAF for not making their presence felt in the skies above them would have cheered if they had read this stirring vivid account of the torment suffered by one of Britain's most heroic pilots during the battle for France in May to June 1940. -- HUGH SEBAG-MONTEFIOREIt is the best account of the chaos and confusion of war outside the pages of Evelyn Waugh -- BORIS JOHNSONOne can't help feeling awe and reverence. There are enough adventures here for a lifetime, let alone six weeks -- LOUIS DE BERNIERESAn amazing story of bravery and courage in the air and on the ground -- GENERAL THE LORD DANNATTThis story grips you by the lapels and sometimes by the throat, and all who love tales of war will devour every page -- MATTHEW PARRISExtraordinary ... The clarity of this book is as surprising as its humanity ... both great drama and poignant social commentary ... His story deserves to be told * THE TIMES *What comes over is the extraordinary life of these airmen, who were living in care-free comfort one moment and dying horrible deaths only a few minutes later * SHROPSHIRE STAR *

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1940 a handful of volunteer pilots defied their country to fight when we needed them most. This is the story of their Battle of Britain.In the early days of World War Two when Britain stood alone against the terror of Hitler''s all-conquering Third Reich, her future hung in the balance; her defence in the hands of the Spitfires and Hurricanes of the Royal Air Force''s Fighter Command. They were Churchill''s Few. This is their story - and a fresh perspective on the greatest air battle the world has ever seen.''Fine, deeply movingm scintillating...in the battle scenes this book soars heavenward like one of the Spitfires.'' - Andrew Roberts, Sunday Telegraph Trade ReviewFine, deeply moving, scintillating...in the battle scenes this book soars heavenward like one of the Spitfires -- Andrew Roberts * Sunday Telegraph *Praise for Alex Kershaw * - *Kershaw digs deep into the folk memories of young men who survived virtually impossible odds...harrowing, intimate, excellent. * Herald *Outstanding heroism...compelling. Kershaw's writing gives you a sense of "being there" * Daily Express *Fascinating, remarkable, riveting, terrifying. Kershaw does justice to the veterans and makes accessible their amazing story * Big Issue *

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Book Synopsis''Hugely enjoyable'' - Kathryn Hughes, GuardianGlorious ... Full of eyebrow-raising and laughter-inducing vignettes'' - Daily TelegraphServants is the social history of the last century through the eyes of those who served. From the butler, the footman, the maid and the cook of 1900 to the au pairs, cleaners and childminders who took their place seventy years later, a previously unheard class offers a fresh perspective on a dramatic century. Here, the voices of servants and domestic staff are at last brought to life: their daily household routines, attitudes towards their employers, and to each other, throw into sharp and intimate relief the period of feverish social change through which they lived. Sweeping in its scope, extensively researched and brilliantly observed, Servants is an original and fascinating portrait of twentieth-century Britain; an authoritative history that will change and challenge the way we look at society.Trade ReviewHugely enjoyable ... a richly textured account of what it felt like to spend the decades of high modernity on your knees with a dustpan and brush ... an excellent addition to the history of domestic service in the 20th century ... Where Servants excels is in describing those placed where the older paradigms of domestic service, inherited from the late 19th century, began to break down -- Kathryn Hughes * Guardian *Delightfully well-written ... scrupulously even-handed ... Hats off to Lethbridge for so touchingly and comprehensively chronicling those lives that history, like the snootiest of employers, has neglected for so long -- Craig Brown * The Mail on Sunday *Glorious ... Full of eyebrow-raising and laughter-inducing vignettes. But what is most fascinating is Lethbridge’s account of the dark side of the master-servant relationship * Daily Telegraph *Beautifully written, sparkling with insight, and a pleasure to read, Servants is social history at its most humane and perceptive. In broad terms, the world Lethbridge describes is a familiar one, but she nails it all down with the kind of detail that still has the power to astonish, outrage or amuse * Times Literary Supplement *Scholarly, thorough and vastly entertaining ... Lethbridge's style is elegant, detached and slyly witty, and her canvas sprawling and immense * Financial Times *Enthusiasts of bonnets and waistcoats will find Upstairs Downstairs or Downton Abbey all the more enjoyable after reading this nuanced and elegantly written account of the wider context. And in tracing the history of servants throughout the whole of the 20th century, Lethbridge offers a new vantage point from which to reassess British social history -- Lara Feigel * Observer *Humane, perceptive and dispassionate, Servants takes us more deeply and comprehensively than any previous account into the real world of Upstairs Downstairs -- David KynastonAbsorbing ... Lethbridge enables us to hear the voices of her subjects; she skilfully interweaves written and oral testimony ... Empathetic, wide-ranging and well-written * Spectator *Engrossing * Sunday Telegraph *Enlightening and elegantly written social history -- Joy Lo Dico * Independent on Sunday *Enthralling ... Lethbridge shows that the history of life below stairs is just as interesting as the story of life above them * Tatler *Excellent social history ... Anyone who longs to believe Downton Abbey’s comforting portrayal of life below stairs will emerge from its pages disabused of such sentimental notions * Daily Mail *Thoroughly researched and tremendously entertaining ... Illustrated with a host of terrific anecdotes * Sunday Times *Meticulously researched ... It makes a grand sweep, covering a rich swathe of social history which Lethbridge unpicks with delicacy, humanity and humour ... Lethbridge shows how complex and varied the relationship between servant and master could be * The Tablet *Comprehensively reached and charmingly engaging, Servants is a sensitive, humane and penetrating insight into British society * Western Morning News *Absorbing history ... Telling their story so fully and humanely * Economist *Fascinating * Independent *The stories are reminiscent of below-stairs life as depicted in TV’s Downton Abbey * Jewish Chronicle *Neither snobbish nor socialist, Lethbridge has produced a sympathetic and affectionate study, laced with invigorating anecdotes * Intelligent Life *By no means the standard Downton Abbey cash-in. Instead, a brilliantly researched and often eye-opening account of twentieth-century life below stairs * Reader's Digest *Excellent, thoroughly researched -- Paul Bailey * The Oldie *Comprehensive * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding portrait of the Hampstead Modernists, threading together the lives, loves, rivalries and ambitions of a group of artists at the heart of an international avant-garde.Hampstead in the 1930s. In this peaceful, verdant London suburb, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson have embarked on a love affair a passion that will launch an era-defining art movement. In her chronicle of the exhilarating rise and fall of British Modernism, Caroline Maclean captures the dazzling circle drawn into Hepworth and Nicholson's wake: among them Henry Moore, Paul Nash, Herbert Read, and famed émigrés Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus, and Piet Mondrian, blown in on the winds of change sweeping across Europe. Living and working within a few streets of their Parkhill Road studios, the artists form Unit One, a cornerstone of the Modernist movement which would bring them international renown. Drawing on previously unpublished archive material, Caroline Maclean's electrifying CirclesTrade ReviewCaroline Maclean has given us a finely researched, superlatively written and always enthralling account of the private lives and entangled love affairs of a group of artists who changed the face of British art – and whose ideas about architecture speak to us as urgently as ever. A wonderful book -- Miranda SeymourFrom Bauhaus to bohemian love … the intricate lives and art of interwar modernists are captured in this hugely enjoyable and well-plotted book … Circles and Squares is a skilful work of synthesis * Guardian *A fascinating, extremely moving account of an attempt at communal living right in the heart of London. So many of the major artists of the twentieth century are here. Questions of how to live and how to make art jostle together and there's much to inspire and challenge us now -- Lara FeigelIn this engrossing, superbly written biography, Caroline Maclean explores the vanished world of the Hampstead Modernists of the 1930s. Her cast list reads like a “who’s who” of the pre-war British art world -- Huston Gilmore * Daily Mirror *Bloomsbury’s dead. Long live Hampstead ... Maclean brings this charged decade, in which a slice of London bohemia debated endlessly how best to live and love, and shook British art from its stupor in the process, to glowing life … She recreates beautifully the strange mix of buoyancy and instability that characterised the decade * Daily Telegraph *Full of entertaining snapshots … Maclean does much to recreate the atmosphere of Hampstead. One wants very much to be there -- Laura Freeman * The Times *As a tale of journeys both geographical and emotional, and relationships that withstood conflicting ideals and frequent rearrangements, the book is captivating and wide-reaching … Caroline Maclean’s enthusiastic, even breathless, canter through British art in the 1930s shows us where this country was once almost at the vanguard -- Marina Vaizey * The Arts Desk *Caroline Maclean’s breezy account of Hampstead in the 1930s offers abundant evidence that the area really was a hotbed of new ideas, new forms and new ways of living ... [The book evokes] a sense of an era in which it was bliss to be alive, and in love, and bursting with creativity and the possibilities of making life and art in new ways * Literary Review *[A] riveting group biography of artists, architects and writers flourishing in England during the 1930s … [The book] fizzes with the creative energy of the times — and is refreshingly short on sentiment … Maclean is the perfect biographer — self-effacing, non-judgmental, unobtrusive -- Catherine Taylor * Financial Times *As an introduction to 1930s modernism, Circles and Squares is terrific * Sunday Times *[An] impeccably researched social history -- Hettie Judah * The i Paper *This is a story of brave and sometimes brilliant souls defying convention to live and work as they wish -- Rowan Moore * Observer *Maclean’s group biography brings this charged decade, which shook British art from its stupor, to glowing life * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisOriginal and critical essays by leading scholars on the question of the human in the philosophy of Martin Heidegger.The human being stands at the center of the humanities and social sciences. In an age that some have dubbed the Anthropocene, this book addresses Heidegger''s conception of the human being and its role in the world. Contributors discuss how Heidegger envisages and interprets the human being and what we can learn from his thought. Pluralistic in outlook, this volume covers a broad range of divergent views on Heidegger and his complex conception of the human. A short introductory chapter orients the reader to the significance of the question of the human in Heidegger''s works, its topicality, and its relevance for interpreting Heidegger''s oeuvre. Chapters are divided into three thematic groups: anthropology and philosophy; human being, otherness, and world; and life, identity, and finitude. This organization facilitates discussions of the systematic interconnection between Heidegger''s philosophy and his critical thoughts on anthropology and humanism, as well as his relation to contemporary philosophers and their views on the subject. Various problems in Heidegger''s concept of the human are addressed, and moral dimensions and practical imperatives implicit in Heidegger explored in discussions about intersectionality and oppression, the frailty of the human, and the embeddedness of the human being in nature, society, and history.

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Book SynopsisThis Companion provides an authoritative and up-to-date overview of Roman Republican history as it is currently practiced. Highlights recent developments, including archaeological discoveries, fresh approaches to textual sources, and the opening up of new areas of historical study. Retains the drama of the Republic's rise and fall.Table of Contents List of Maps x List of Illustrations xi Notes on Contributors xiv Maps xix Abbreviations xxvii Preface xxviii Robert Morstein-Marx and Nathan Rosenstein Part I Introductory 1 1 Methods, Models, and Historiography 3 Martin Jehne Translated by Robert Morstein-Marx and Benjamin Wolkow 2 Literary Sources 29 Edward Bispham 3 Epigraphy and Numismatics 51 Mark Pobjoy 4 The Topography and Archaeology of Republican Rome 81 Mario Torelli Translated by Helena Fracchia 5 The Physical Geography and Environment of Republican Italy 102 Simon Stoddart Part II Narrative 123 6 Between Myth and History: Rome’s Rise from Village to Empire (the Eighth Century to 264) 125 Kurt A. Raaflaub 7 Mediterranean Empire (264–134) 147 Daniel J. Gargola 8 From the Gracchi to the First Civil War (133–70) 167 C. F. Konrad 9 The Final Crisis (69–44) 190 W. Jeffrey Tatum Part III Civic Structures 213 10 Communicating with the Gods 215 Jörg Rüpke 11 Law in the Roman Republic 236 Michael C. Alexander 12 The Constitution of the Roman Republic 256 John A. North 13 Army and Society 278 Paul Erdkamp Part IV Society 297 14 Social Structure and Demography 299 Neville Morley 15 Finding Roman Women 324 Beryl Rawson Part V Political Culture 343 16 The City of Rome 345 John R. Patterson 17 Aristocratic Values 365 Nathan Rosenstein 18 Popular Power in the Roman Republic 383 Alexander Yakobson 19 Patronage 401 Elizabeth Deniaux Translated by Robert Morstein-Marx and Robert Martz 20 Rhetoric and Public Life 421 Jean-Michel David Translated by Robert Morstein-Marx and Robert Martz 21 The Republican Body 439 Anthony Corbeill Part VI The Creation of a Roman Identity 457 22 Romans and Others 459 Erich S. Gruen 23 History and Collective Memory in the Middle Republic 478 Karl-J. Hölkeskamp 24 Art and Architecture in the Roman Republic 496 Katherine E. Welch 25 Literature 543 William W. Batstone Part VII Controversies 565 26 Conceptualizing Roman Imperial Expansion under the Republic: An Introduction 567 Arthur M. Eckstein 27 The Economy: Agrarian Change During the Second Century 590 Luuk de Ligt 28 Rome and Italy 606 John R. Patterson 29 The Transformation of the Republic 625 Robert Morstein-Marx and Nathan Rosenstein Bibliography 638 Index 695

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Book Synopsis25 October 2015 was the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt - a hugely resonant event in English (and French) history. Sir Ranulph Fiennes casts new light on this epic event, revealing that three of his own ancestors fought in the battle for Henry V, and at least one for the French. This is a unique perspective on Agincourt from a trained and decorated soldier. Ran reveals the truth behind the myths and legends of the battle. He tells how after the battle Henry V entertained his senior commanders to dinner, where they were waited on by captured French knights. There is the story of Sir Piers Legge of Lyme Hall, who lay wounded in the mud while his mastiff dog fought off the French men-at-arms. Then there is the legend that the French intended to cut off the first and second right hand fingers of every captured archer, to prevent him from using his bow. The archers raised those two fingers to the advancing French as a gesture of defiance. In this gripTrade ReviewFiennes, arguably our greatest explorer...has delved deep into history to tell the story of his family's epic journey. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTie-in to the landmark 25-part BBC Radio 4 series with Kew Gardens.Trade ReviewAn aesthetic, historical and scientific journey through the flowering of botany as a science. This beautifully illustrated book, replete with botanical plates, scientific engravings and fine photographs, is nearly as much of a treat as a visit to the gardens * NEW SCIENTIST *A whistle-stop tour of the wonderful world of botany * DAILY TELEGRAPH *A must for anyone interested in living things and classification * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Vivid, immersive and fascinating * ENGLISH GARDEN *An accessible introduction, enriched by archive images * INDEPENDENT *Lavished with beautiful, never-before seen photographs and illustrations, this book offers something for everyone - drama, adventure, history, science and innovation. A must-read * BBC Country File *The fascinating history of some of the plants we take for granted * BBC Wildlife *Vivid, immersive and fascinating, this book takes the reader on a global voyage of discovery, travelling through time and tide to ?chart the incredible stories behind myriad plants * English Garden *A fascinating portrait * Sunday Times *Lively, thought-provoking and scholarly * Garden Design *This book will stimulate all who love plants, both amateurs and professionals * Historic Garden's Review *Well illustrated and timely, this Kew-centric account places the scientific work of the institution firmly within its historical context * BBC History Magazine *

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Book SynopsisComfort, cake and courting: the tea ceremony in the golden age of tea

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Book SynopsisDid you ever wonder what the Tudors ate and drank? A fascinating history of Tudor food and drink, from swan-neck soup to roasted-alive goose.Trade ReviewA comprehensive look at dining in the Tudor era -- Hallie Rubenhold * BBC History Magazine Books of the Year 2015 *Fascinating … perfect for history lovers * The Lady *'Fun, informative ... a comprehensive look at dining in the Tudor era' -- BBC History Magazine

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Book SynopsisThis book tells the story of the Jewish community, of its individuals and its groups, who contributed to the First World War.

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Book SynopsisThe story of the wonderful brass eagle lecterns of England

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Book SynopsisAnthony Dawson looks at some of the iconic, trailblazing locomotives that helped shape British railway history.

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Book SynopsisWhen did celebrity culture begin? In the Regency period, when people hungered for news of the illegitimate actress who became a duchess and the richest woman in England; and the hard-drinking Regency buck who horse-whipped anyone who criticised his terrible novels.Trade Review'Here, Peter James Bowman thrusts us into the world of five A-listers of another period, indeed, from the very cradle of celebrity culture: Regency London. He gives us highly readable pen portraits of five ‘celebs’ who sprang from a heady cocktail of a capitalist economy, democratic ideas, an increase in literacy and a rumbustious free press.' -- Jeremy Musson, Country Life Magazine'The five chapters are fascinating and provide a novel window into the political and cultural climate of Austen’s period.' -- JASNA News, Winter 2023-2024

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Book SynopsisNapoleon III is brought out of the shadows of Napoleon Bonaparte by a prize-winning historian: âAn excellent biography... In these pages, he emerges as the underwriter of modern Franceâ This workâs perceptive synthesis of recent research... and fast-paced narrative will attract general readers.â Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisMarking the 100th anniversary of the scuttling of the German fleet at Scapa Flow, David Meara draws on archive material - including a previously unpublished first-hand account - to bring the story to life.

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Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - Lover of George, the Prince of Wales and mother of Queen Victoria's favourite prime minister, Viscountess Melbourne was the most important hostess of the Regency period. It was entirely in character that on her deathbed Elizabeth urged her daughter Emily to be faithful, not to her husband - but to her lover!Trade Review‘The biography Lady M richly deserves’ -- Professor Leslie Mitchell, Emeritus Fellow of University College, Oxford and author of Charles James Fox

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