General and world history Books

Book SynopsisTable of ContentsAn Introduction by David Fiske ix About David Fiske xxxiii About Tom Butler-Bowdon xxxv

Read more less

Book SynopsisLeon Marc gives the reader the big picture of Eastern Europe - its political, economic, social and cultural history, the nature of changes there and of the issues at stake in the political and economic transition - while putting the fall of the Berlin Wall, EU enlargement and the war in Ukraine into a broader perspective of European...Trade ReviewIn our time, the political scene and the moral and cultural climate of the post-communist world are changing dramatically. These changes will have long-term global political and economic consequences. Leon Marc's deep and well-researched analysis of these countries' ancient and recent history offers a reliable key to understanding these processes -- Tomas Halík, Professor of Sociology at Charles University, Prague, and winner of the Templeton PrizeMarc's analysis is particularly valuable on the growing mutual incomprehension of 'West' and 'East' over what constitute European values. For the most radical voices in Western - or perhaps Northern - Europe, to be a European is chiefly a matter of defending and enhancing certain 'liberties', notably but not exclusively in the spheres of sexuality, gender, and control over reproduction. The roots of these now dominant ideas, he suggests, are not to be found in the humanist heritage, let alone the Greek, Roman, Judaic or Christian traditions. Rather they derive from a form of hyper-individualism, which can be largely indifferent to other important, more social, imperatives, for example the welfare of the poorest classes in society or the need for national cohesion. As a result of this hypertrophy of individualist liberalism and the sidelining of social and spiritual values, the 'illiberal democrats' of Central Europe, the likes of Orbán and Kaczy?ski, have been able to present to their electorates a simplistic picture of a decadent West which poses a threat to national values while at the same time working to entrench their own and their parties' dominance in the long term * Enda O'Doherty, Dublin Review of Books *There is a rich tradition of diplomats being great historians and writers as well: people who combine their rich experience of political reality with a profound historical and philosophical knowledge. Among the many famous names: Machiavelli, Chateaubriand, Talleyrand, Metternich, Thomas Jefferson, Pablo Neruda, Octavio Paz, Isaiah Berlin, Henry Kissinger... With his book Illberal Europe Leon Marc makes himself part of this tradition. His book is a profound reflection of the contemporary history of Eastern Europe and the urgent lessons of that history to be learned for the whole of Europe * Rob Riemen, Nexus Instituut *This is a very timely book, adding an additional, well-informed and persuasively argued integral perspective on the contemporary "tragedy of the Central Europe" * Prof Matej Avbelj, Nova University Ljubljana, author of 'The Impact of European Institutions on the Rule of Law and Democracy in Slovenia and Beyond' *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWomen's emancipation was a central but contested pillar of socialist and communist internationalism during the twentieth century. The collapse of state socialism has led to renewed interest in the history and legacies of women's movements across the former socialist world during the era of decolonisation, and their significance for global feminisms in the present day. Responding to these debates, this collection of essays explores the history of transnational socialist feminisms during the global Cold War from the perspective of mid-ranking activists, officials and functionaries in international communist and left-revolutionary movements in Eastern Europe and the postcolonial world. Drawing on new sources, including private correspondence, interviews, memoirs and institutional archives, the essays ask how these activists defined women's rights from the era of the Popular Fronts in the 1930s until the United Nations Decade of Women (1976â1985).Table of Contents1. Introduction – Women's Rights and Global Socialism: Gendering Socialist Internationalism during the Cold War Celia Donert; 2. “Warphans” and “Quiet” Heroines: Depictions of Chinese Women and Children in the Comité mondial des femmes contre la guerre et le fascisme's Campaigns during the Second Sino-Japanese War Jasmine Calver; 3. Between National and International: Women's Transnational Activism in Twentieth-Century Chile María Fernanda Lanfranco González; 4. Radicalizing Feminism: The Mexican and Cuban Associations within the Women's International Democratic Federation in the Early Cold War Manuel Ramírez Chicharro; 5. International Solidarity as the Cornerstone of the Hungarian Post-War Socialist Women's Rights Agenda in the Magazine Asszonyok Zsófia Lóránd; 6. Women Labour Models and Socialist Transformation in early 1950s China Nicola Spakowski; 7. The WIDF's Work for Women's Rights in the (Post)colonial Countries and the “Soviet Agenda” Yulia Gradskova; 8. A Gendered Approach to the Yu Chi Chan Club and National Liberation Front during South Africa's Transition to Armed Struggle Allison Drew; 9. Women's Transnational Activism against Portugal's Colonial Wars Giulia Strippoli; 10. “The Call of the World”: Women's Memories of Global Socialist Feminism in India Mallarika Sinha Roy.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisStephen takes the reader from his earliest school days when it became clear he was academically bright, especially in maths, attending prep school, winning a scholarship to major public school Uppingham where he won maths prizes and, aged 16, passed 3 S (scholarship) levels. By then he had decided to be a bookie. He attended an interview for Cambridge University only because it was on his bicycle route to Newmarket races!Unable to work in any gambling job until 18, he set about visiting racecourses by bicycle, staying in youth hotels (17p per night), eventually cycling to all racecourses in the UK, including several now-defunct courses. At 18 he found employment with Beresford & Smith in London; aged 24 he got his first bookie's licence in 1971 and by the age of 40 in 1986 was betting big on the rails at major meetings such as the Grand National, Cheltenham, Derby, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, often laying bets to lose 100,000 or more - when money was worth nearly twice today's value - one of the few bookies who happily stood toe to toe and traded blow for blow with big hitters like JP McManus, Barney Curley, Michael Tabor and Harry Findlay. In 1998 changes in pitch administration prompted early retirement, and he sold his pitches, worked for a few unsatisfactory years for Corals and then departed the big time - with a Bentley as well as a bicycle, a house in Georgian Bath and a satisfactory bank balance.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Georgian era was unique, so unlike what preceded it and never since repeated. What would it have been like to live there? With no welfare and little charity, people lived on their wits alone, and the sweat of their brow. There was a huckster on every street corner, a pickpocket in every crowd, and cheap gin was readily available to drown every conceivable sorrow. What was it like to live in a smuggling community where the criminals made the rules and enforced them arbitrarily, brutally, and without hindrance? How would you survive the highwayman intent on taking your riches, your dignity, and your life too, if required?But Georgian Britain also underwent a great flourishing in the arts, commerce, industry and innovation. It was a time of great opportunity should you have the means to seize it. For all its harsh realities, the Georgian era is also famous for its gentility and refinement, for the pottery of Josiah Wedgwood, the furniture of Thomas Chippendale, the sculpted landscapes of Capability Brown, the elegance of the Georgian Ball, the romantic and evocative novels of Jane Austen, but also the tawdry excesses of the Prince Regent and the cutting edge of the satirist's pen. Let this book be your guide to the past, and learn from their own lips the conversation, what drove the narrative, what was whispered in the taverns and shouted in the streets. It was a time of excess, but of great achievement too, a transformative time that changed Britain forever. So be prepared, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlmost no one knew what a potato was in 1500. Today everyone eats them. This book traces the global journey of this popular foodstuff from the Andes to everywhere. En route it helps explain why we feel so ambivalent about governmental dietary guidelines and celebrates the contributions of ordinary people to shaping how we eat.Trade Review'In following the global travels of the peripatetic potato, Earle brilliantly illuminates both the origins of dietary advice that promised the key to happiness and the everyday ingenuity of farmers and cooks who really do feed the people.' Jeffrey M. Pilcher, author of Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food'If they're delicious when you choose to eat them, but penitentially bland when you're told you have to, you may be eating potatoes, which, as Rebecca Earle argues in her brilliant study of the shape-shifting tubers, provided the first taste of the tension between personal freedom and public well-being within the modern state.' Joyce E. Chaplin, author of The First Scientific American: Benjamin Franklin and the Pursuit of Genius'Potatoes have inspired great books and great recipes. Rebecca Earle describes some unalluring dishes, but her history - cultural, culinary, social, political, and environmental - is the cream of the crop: for coverage, scholarship, breadth and depth of erudition, vividness in exemplification, and fluency in writing no previous work can touch it.' Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, author of Out of Our Minds: What We Think and How We Came to Think It'Feeding the People should be on the menu for anyone interested in the story behind their food.' Orlando Bird, Daily Telegraph'A fascinating book … (Earle) writes with clarity and grace.' Gerard DeGroot, The Times'Earle's surprisingly rich history of the potato is about a carbohydrate whose spread around the world didn't just power the people, but was the source of considerable people power.' Oliver Wiseman, The Critic'This passionately written book … is a rich, creative, and brilliant analysis of an absolutely not-banal foodstuff, proving once more the relevance of food for l'histoire totale.' Peter Scholliers, Agricultural History'… excellent … the book is engaging and well organized … an excellent addition to any food related history text.' Mike Timonin, Global Maritime History'This is a rich, creative, and brilliant analysis of an absolutely not-banal foodstuff, proving once more the relevance of food for l'histoire totale.' Peter Scholliers, Agricultural History'Feeding the People is a joy to read. It is clearly written in engaging prose, but more importantly, it significantly challenges long-held historiographies about the potato in European history. … I recommend this book for a variety of audiences, both scholarly and general. For casual readers, Earle provides a short and interesting history of the potato's romp through the modern world. Scholars will be intrigued by her upending of established theories about potatoes and her focus on bottom-up social history as well as high-level philosophical and political debates. It is impossible for any reader to come away from the book without having gained a new appreciation of how the lowly potato transformed the world.' Tammy M. Proctor, Food & HistoryTable of ContentsList of figures; List of recipes; List of abbreviations; Introduction. Pouring ourselves a large gin; 1. Immigrant potatoes; 2. Enlightened potatoes; 3. Free-market potatoes; 4. Global potatoes; 5. Capitalist potatoes; 6. Security potatoes; Conclusions. Parmentier, peasants and personal responsibility; Acknowledgements; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDetermines the impact of 'peace communication' on fostering structural change. By focusing on Israeli and Palestinian versions of Sesame Street aiming to foster friendships among children, Yael Warshel explores whether such interventions affect audiences, offering recommendations to improve future interventions into political conflict worldwide.Trade Review'A serious achievement and on its way to becoming one of the most important books in this area, both methodologically and theoretically. Yael Warshel commands the literature pertaining to children and media, conflict, and peace communication; her call for evidence-based practices applied to the recommendations she poses will reset the direction of the field.' Don Ellis, University of Hartford'Yael Warshel outlines with clarity and rigor a new research agenda for evaluating peace communication interventions based on an interdisciplinary understanding of the political context of conflict. Her book is at the same time a rich and fascinating up-close account of the audience reception of Israeli-Palestinian Sesame Street.' Daniel Hallin, University of California, San Diego'Experiencing the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is a serious achievement, and I suspect it is on its way to becoming one of the most methodologically and theoretically important books in this area. Warshel commands the literature pertaining to children and media, conflict, and peace communication; her call for evidence-based practices applied to the recommendations she poses will reset the direction of the field.' Donald Ellis, International Journal of Communication'[T]he book itself is an excellent model of research design and execution. The mixed methodology and transdisciplinary approach combines peace communication with a semiotic, ethnographic, Cultural Studies approach to the process of communication and textual analysis.' Jon Simons, The Communication Review'Sesame Street serves as one of the most well-studied and prominent children's television programs we have witnessed in the United States (US). While the global aspirations of this production may reflect noble intentions, the implementation of this communication intervention illustrates the serious fissures in its reception. Learning from failed attempts will lead not only to improving strategic communication, but also will strengthen our ability to engage in meaningful and impactful social change. Warshel's (Pennsylvania State University) impressive book, Experiencing the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Children, Peace Communication and Socialization (2021), offers important reflections on the failure of this project to achieve its goals.' Karin Gwinn Wilkins, Critical Studies in Media Communication'This remarkable study poignantly contrasts the high hopes of the Oslo era, the supposed innocence of young children, and the idealized world of Sesame Street with the 'mundane, everyday violence'-physical and structural-of the Second Intifada, all vividly illustrated in a model of Geertzian 'thick description'. […] The book is first and foremost a formidable piece of research. Warshel combines a thorough, methodologically rigorous, and critical evaluation of an ambitious attempt at 'peace communication' with what she calls 'multi-sited ethnographies of violence' (6)-a portrait of everyday life and intergroup relations in the quotidian towns of Alfei Menashe, Umm El-Fahem, and East Barta'a-all narrated through the drawings, photographs, and reflections of Jewish-Israeli, Arab/Palestinian-Israeli, and Palestinian children aged 5-8.' Ned Lazarus, Israel Studies Review'Yael Warshel's scholarly contribution cannot be mistaken.' 'This book provides a model for researchers who want to tackle important issues through applied methods. The author provides a guide for future PeaceComm studies by carefully describing the actions taken by herself, the choices made by producers and viewers, and lessons learned.' 'Studying conflict interventions provides valuable lessons for current/future conflicts …' 'The application spans several years, borders, and methods.' 'This book deserves recognition as among the best the National Communication Association's Applied Communication Division has produced.' 'This is a fascinating book.' 'This unflinching, carefully detailed study shows great intentions and expense yielding none of three intended effects because the viewers … were grounded in the reality of the Palestinian/Israeli separation. The 'two street solution' meant to bring characters on [Palestinian and Israeli] Sesame Street together were unconvincing.' 'I can't think of a more well researched book that details a spectacular failure.' Judging Panel, Sue DeWine Distinguished Scholarly Book AwardTable of ContentsIntroduction: Peace communication and why study Israeli and Palestinian Sesame Street's media intervention model?; Part I. The Production and Encoding of Israeli and Palestinian Sesame Street: Introduction to Part I: Production and encoding methodologies; 1. The Israeli-Palestinian ethno-political nationalist conflict, the Arab-Israeli multi-state conflict and Israeli and Palestinian Sesame Street's disengagement with these conflicts; 2. The modern world, or interstate, system; 3. The encoding process for seasons one and two of Israeli and Palestinian Sesame Street; Part II. Audience Reception of Israeli and Palestinian Sesame Street: Introduction to Part II: Audience reception methodologies; 4. Decodings by Palestinians-in-the-Making; 5. Decodings by Jewish Israelis-in-the-Making; 6. Decodings by Arab/Palestinian Israelis-in-the-Making; Conclusion to Part II: The utility of the series for all three partners to the conflict?; Part III. Situating the Reception of Israeli and Palestinian Sesame Street in Mundane Intractable Conflict Zone Practices: Introduction to Part III: Context analyses and conflict zones methodologies; 7. Pursuing justice: Palestinian children's schematic interpretations of the Israeli army; 8. Pursuing security: Jewish Israeli children's schematic interpretations of Palestinian day laborers; 9. Pursuing equality: Arab/Palestinian Israeli Children's schematic interpretations of constructs of opposing national and civic identities; Part IV. Conclusions and Recommendations to Improve Peace Communication research, (Evidence-based) Practice, and Conflict Intractability Interpretation: Introduction: The best case; 10. Lessons learned and their application to peace communication research, (evidenced-based) practice, and conflict intractability interpretation; 11. How to improve potential media effects and impacts–recommendations for peace communication practitioners; 12. Follow-up study of tween-age former audience members.

Read more less

Book SynopsisViewed by some as the saviour of his nation, and by others as a racist imperialist, who was Winston Churchill really, and how has he become such a controversial figure? Combining the best of established scholarship with important new perspectives, this Companion places Churchill's life and legacy in a broader context.Table of ContentsList of Figure; List of Contributors; Foreword Lord Boateng; Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; Introduction: Who Was Winston Churchill? Allen Packwood; 1. Churchill's Contested History Warren Dockter and Allen Packwood; 2. The Inheritance of Winston Churchill David Lough; 3. Learning Lessons: Lieutenant Churchill and Military Intelligence Warren Dockter; 4. Churchill as a Writer and Orator Peter Clarke; 5. Churchill and Social Policy Peter Sloman; 6. Churchill, the 'Irish Question', and the Irish Niamh Gallagher; 7. Churchill's First World War Sean Lang; 8. Churchill, Art and Politics Barry Phipps; 9. Churchill's Economics Martin Daunton; 10. Churchill, The Roosevelts and Empire Piers Brendon; 11. Churchill, India and Race Kishan Rana; 12. Churchill's Campaign against Appeasement Gaynor Johnson; 13. Churchill as War Leader Allen Packwood; 14. Churchill and 'The Special Relationship' David Woolner; 15. Churchill as International Statesman David Reynolds; 16. Churchill and the Bombing Campaign Victoria Taylor; 17. The Influence of Clementine Churchill Sonia Purnell; 18. Churchill and 'The United States of Europe' Richard Toye; 19. Churchill's Indian Summer or Conservative Winter? H. Kumarasingham; Conclusion: Where next for Winston Churchill? Allen Packwood; Appendix 1; Appendix 2; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBureaucratic Archaeology is a multi-faceted ethnography of quotidian practices of archaeology, bureaucracy and science in postcolonial India, concentrating on the workings of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This book uncovers an endemic link between micro-practice of archaeology in the trenches of the ASI to the manufacture of archaeological knowledge, wielded in the making of political and religious identity and summoned as indelible evidence in the juridical adjudication in the highest courts of India. This book is a rare ethnography of the daily practice of a postcolonial bureaucracy from within rather than from the outside. It meticulously uncovers the social, cultural, political and epistemological ecology of ASI archaeologists to show how postcolonial state assembles and produces knowledge. This is the first book length monograph on the workings of archaeology in a non-western world, which meticulously shows how theory of archaeological practice deviates, transforms and genTrade Review'This book breaks completely new grounds in shifting attention from the history of archaeology in colonial India to the bureaucratic infrastructure and the epistemological landscape of the field in post-colonial India. It undertakes a rigorous ethnography of the inner workings of the gargantuan, state-sponsored edifice of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), to uncover the deep entanglements of the ideology of Hindu nationalism in determining its policies of excavations and the nature of the evidences it has produced on the nation's ancient pasts. Avikunthak's focus on this single institution, its controversial Saraswati Heritage Project, and its excavations of Harappan sites in western India allows for a thick description of materiality and practice - of sites and trenches, of digging and documentation protocols, of the transformation of artifacts into facts, of the hierarchy of personnel, and (not least of all) of the absence of reports. All of this comes together in a gripping narrative that acts as an expose' on the compromised state-sponsored discipline in contemporary India. Unsparing in its criticism of the institution and the archaeology it performs at the commands of the state, this book offers a hitherto-untold ground-level account of the workings of the ASI and its modes of excavating pasts for the present. This is a powerful study whose implications go beyond the domain of archaeology to a larger critique of the institutional apparatus of the nation-state and the politics of knowledge-production.' Tapati Guha-Thakurta, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta'In this meticulously researched and elegantly written, hard-hitting ethnography of archaeology, Ashish Avikunthak examines what he calls the 'largest archaeological bureaucracy in the world,' the Archaeological Survey of India, in the seemingly 'postcolonial' period. He demonstrates that through the protocols and habitual practices of bureaucracy, this apparatus produces 'facts on the ground' while the regime of coloniality remains intact and maintains oppression and corruption. At the same time, it becomes the vehicle for advocating and enforcing extreme nationalist discourses and practices, with deadly consequences. This is a rare book and an important contribution to the field of archaeological ethnography, the politics of archaeology, and the ethnography of the state, and it deserves to be read widely. I expect that it will be an inspiration for many other researchers around the world.' Yannis Hamilakis, Brown University'A curious feature of postcolonial studies in archaeology is how scholars from the very countries involved in colonial enterprises dominate its discourse. Avikunthak's brilliant book not only counters that dominance but also provides an extraordinary analysis of the micro-politics of archaeological practice unmatched by his western peers. Through meticulous study of the bureaucratic intricacies and tentacles of the ASI we are presented with an account of a postcolonial scholarly reality rarely acknowledged. By following the entire assembly line of meaning production from the artefacts uncovered in ASI excavation trenches to their transformation into published facts and court evidence, he painstakingly uncovers the convoluted and mediating networks between archaeology as a scientific discipline and nationalistic fundamentalism. He argues that the epistemology of archaeology in India is a symptom of a postcolonial bureaucratic rationality where science, state, and religion are contrived to manufacture a nation with a seemingly empirical past.' Bjørnar Julius Olsen, The University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of NorwayTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Anthropology of archaeology; 2. Making of the Indus-Saraswati civilization; 3. Bureaucratic hierarchy in the ASI; 4. Spatial formation of the archaeological field; 5. Epistemological formation of the archaeological site; 6. Theory of archaeological excavation; 7. Making of the archaeological artifact; 8. Performance of archaeological representations; 9. The absent excavation reports; Conclusion; Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA definitive history of the race to unravel DNA’s structure by one of our most prominent medical historiansTrade Review"A cinematic account of toxic masculinity among 1950s DNA researchers… [Rosalind Franklin] probably would have hated being the heroine of a movie, but we’re fortunate to have books such as this to put her back in the picture." -- Katy Guest - The Guardian"Howard Markel’s wonderfully-written book, The Secret of Life, explores the story of genetics up to the revolutionary mid-20th century decoding of the structure of DNA. And it does so in such brilliant detail that the result is—even for those who might think they know this story—a tale that proves fresh, provocative, startlingly insightful, and addictively fun to read." -- Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Poison Squad: One Chemist’s Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth Century"The discovery of DNA is one of history’s light switch moments, when the world of science—indeed, humanity—changed forever. Though much has been written on the subject, nothing remotely compares to Howard Markel’s magisterial account. Elegantly written, packed with fresh insights gleaned from a wealth of original sources, The Secret of Life takes us into the minds and laboratories of the leading players, highlighting their brilliance, their ambitions, and their sometimes questionable ethical behavior. This book is the merging of a seminal subject and superb author—one of the leading medical historians of our era. The result is truly remarkable." -- David Oshinsky, Professor of History and Medicine, NYU, and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Polio: An American Story"Howard Markel’s brilliant book examining the discovery of DNA is a ‘must read’ for biologists and historians. But this is also a book for every reader; it brings to life the discovery of life itself. From Watson, Crick, and Franklin, to the dozens of char" -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies and The Gene

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisIlluminates the core beliefs of twentieth-century Arab philosophers in response to Western ideas of modernisation

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplores how the story about al-usayn's death at Karbala developed into a paradigmatic myth in formative Shiism.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A brilliant new take'' Janina Ramirez, author of Femina''A masterpiece of the historian''s art'' Peter Brown, author of Augustine of HippoThe powerful and surprising story of the four remarkable women who changed Augustine''s life - and history - forever.While many know of St Augustine and the Confessions, few know of the women whose hopes and dreams shaped his early life: his mother, Monnica of Thagaste; his lover; his fiancée; and Justina, the troubled empress of ancient Rome. Drawing upon their depictions in the Confessions, historian Kate Cooper skilfully reconstructs their lives against the backdrop of the late Roman Empire to paint a vivid portrait of the turbulent society they and Augustine moved through. She shows how despite their often precarious position, these women tried in their different ways to influence the world around them and argues that Augustine did not end his engagement because he was Trade ReviewFascinating and well-written, Queens of a Fallen World raises vital questions about the role of women in the founding centuries of Christianity, piecing together a rich backdrop to Augustine's life that has rarely emerged before. Cooper convinces us that these women can be recovered, and that through his words and thoughts, their lives shaped the future of a fledgling religion. A brilliant new take -- Janina Ramirez, author of FEMINA: A NEW HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE AGES, THROUGH THE WOMEN WRITTEN OUT OF ITA masterpiece of the historian's art. With a rare balance of state-of-the-art erudition and felicitous hypotheses, Kate Cooper has brought the hidden women in Augustine's early life into the light. Governed throughout by a humane sense of the texture of a distant late Roman society, she captures women's voices which we would not otherwise have heard -- Peter Brown, author of AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO: A BIOGRAPHYWhat an invigorating book! Cooper asks a haunting question: how different would our world be had this man married either his concubine - who was the loyal mother of his child - or the young heiress he was betrothed to, instead of withdrawing from sexual relationships altogether? -- Sarah Ruden, translator of Augustine’s CONFESSIONSA marvelous achievement . . . Cooper sketches an evocative landscape of the late Roman world in Milan and North Africa . . . Above all, her's is a world of human beings suffering heartache and loneliness while trying to reconcile the pull of the heart with the lure of ambition -- Susanna Elm, Sidney H. Ehrman Professor of European History, University of California, BerkeleyAn enchanting tour de force of sensitive and probing historical writing . . . Cooper's enquiry into the influence of women on Augustine - whether empress, mother, lover, saint, or slave - enriches his legacy -- Adrienne Mayor, author of THE AMAZONS: LIVES AND LEGENDS OF WARRIOR WOMEN ACROSS THE ANCIENT WORLDA bold and imaginative venture into challenging territory. Cooper casts new light onto the women of the ancient world - and one of the founders of Western thought -- Sarah Gristwood, author of THE TUDORS IN LOVE: PASSION AND POLITICS IN THE AGE OF ENGLAND'S MOST FAMOUS DYNASTY

Read more less

Book SynopsisTurkeys used to be worshipped as gods? Bull$#*t! Prove you are the smartest schmuck in the room with 500 world history facts that sound too absurd to be true.Knowledge is power! Crush the competition at trivia night or start the most interesting conversation ever with real facts that are hard to believe. This book is loaded with mind-blowing facts that are sure to keep you wondering, How are these even true? while equipping you to outsmart everyone in the room. Including: Turkeys were once worshipped as gods by the Mayans. Forks were seen as sacrilegious in 11th century Italy. Pope Gregory IV once declared a war on cats. President Abraham Lincoln is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. The longest war in history lasted from 1651 to 1986, between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly. There were no casualties. Put your game face on and prove once and for all that you are the real hi

Read more less

Book SynopsisThink more deeply and work more independently at A level History through a carefully thought-out enquiry approach from SHP.Enquiring History: It makes you think! The OFSTED report on school history suggests that the current generation of A Level students have been poorly served by exam-based textbooks which spoon-feed students while failing to enthuse them or develop deeper understandings of studying HistoryThe Schools History Project has risen to this challenge with a new series for the next generation. Enquiring History is SHP''s fresh approach to Advanced Level History that aims: - To motivate and engage readers - To help readers think and gain independence as learners- To encourage enquiry, and deeper understanding of periods and the people of the past- To engage with current scholarship - To prepare A Level students for universityKey features of each Student book- Clear compelling narrative - books are designed to bTrade ReviewHaving just taken the history crusades exam I can confidently say this is the most helpful book you will find to aid you through the crusades....[P]ictures and maps the whole way through...[make] everything easier to understand, particularly if, like me, you're not great at geography. This book is pretty much a necessity if you will be taking the crusades course for history A-level. * Amazon reviewer *Table of Contents : 1 The Crusades: The essentials : 2 Why did the First Crusade erupt in 1095? : 3 Should we be surprised by the success of the First Crusade? : 4 What can particular sources reveal about the crusader states? : 5 High hopes: Why did the Second Crusade end in failure for the Christians? : 6 What led to the Muslim recapture of Jerusalem in 1187? : 7 The Third Crusade : 8 Who wrecked the Fourth Crusade? : 9 Does it matter what we think about the Crusades?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Times Book of the YearBBC History Magazine Book of the YearDaily Telegraph Book of the Year BOOK OF THE WEEK - The Times ‘The strength of this book lies in the cold realities it delivers. “The thirteen months of 1947-48,” writes Fenby, “provide trenchant examples of how realpolitik can serve a wider purpose if those in power know how to use it.” Crucible captures perfectly the urgency of the time…Read this book for the light it shines on a turbulent time; cherish it for the lessons it provides’ - Gerard DeGroot 'Looking back 70 years Jonathan Fenby argues convincingly that the period from 1947 to 1948 “really did change the world”.  His book is an assured gallop across the terrain of contemporary history in this fateful year. The global devastation of the second world war had smashed longstanding institutions and banTrade Review‘This is a work of history, but it is also a beguiling symphony performed in discordant rhythm. Too often historians impose order on the past, making mess into method. There’s little order here. That’s a good thing’ * The Times Books of the Year *'A truly global account of a crucial time that has rarely been examined in detail by historians...Fenby retells well-known episodes such as the 1948-49 Berlin airlift with a combination of stylish prose and immense command of the historical detail. But the real eye-openers are the deft analyses of less familiar crises' -- Rana Mitter * BBC History Magazine *‘The strength of this book lies in the cold realities it delivers. “The thirteen months of 1947-48,” writes Fenby, “provide trenchant examples of how realpolitik can serve a wider purpose if those in power know how to use it.” Crucible captures perfectly the urgency of the time…Read this book for the light it shines on a turbulent time; cherish it for the lessons it provides’ -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *‘Looking back 70 years Jonathan Fenby argues convincingly that the period from 1947 to 1948 “really did change the world”. His book is an assured gallop across the terrain of contemporary history in this fateful year. The global devastation of the second world war had smashed longstanding institutions and bankrupted empires, leaving behind the kind of power vacuums that were major openings for change and chaos. Crucible swings from one region to the next in a fast-moving account of how local actors filled those vacuums, often with violence.’ -- Mary Sarote * Financial Times *‘The months in question are June 1947 to June 1948, which also saw the foundation of Israel and the independence and partition of India, and the assertion of ever more brutal power in Eastern Europe by Stalin. He reminds us how, so soon after the horrors of Nazi occupation, hard-left workers in Czechoslovakia entered into “a state of battle” against those trying to secure democracy and liberty’ -- Simon Heffer * Daily Telegraph *'The 13 months from June 1947 to June 1948 are when the modern world as we know it was forged ... Fenby plots these changes month by month as, across the globe, a brand new world emerged.' * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of the bestselling ATLANTIS comes a thrilling novel of buried secrets, age-old mysteries and a conspiracy surrounding the fabled Ark of the Covenant. ''What do you get if you cross Indiana Jones with Dan Brown? Answer: David Gibbins'' Mirror586 BC The ancient world is in meltdown. The Babylonians have ravaged the Holy Land, and Jerusalem has fallen. In desperation, the temple priests look to the greatest navigators ever known to save their holiest of treasures.1943 A group of Allied codebreakers, under Churchill''s direct command, work to stop a top-secret exchange between the Nazis and the Japanese. Yet even they know nothing of the ancient artefact hidden on board a ship whose fate they have just sealed.Present-day Marine archaeologist Jack Howard and his friend Costas undertake a dangerous dive hunting for Nazi gold in a wreck perched on the edge of the continental shelf. What they glimpse there leads JackTrade ReviewA brilliantly written thriller that remains in the believable and yet rides the edge of the fantastical, the boundaries of exploration ... and expectation * Parmenion Books *The diving sequences are marvellous ... there isn't another thriller hero like Jack Howard and I treasure him * For Winter Nights *

Read more less

Book SynopsisRecreate the action and drama of 17th Century warfare on your tabletop with The Pikeman''s Lament. Start by creating your Officer is he a natural leader raised from the ranks, the youngest son of a noble family, or an old veteran who has seen too many battles? As you campaign, your Officer will win honor and gain promotion, acquiring traits that may help lead his men to victory. Before each skirmish, your Officer must raise his Company from a wide range of unit options should he lean towards hard-hitting heavy cavalry or favor solid, defensively minded infantry? Companies are typically formed from 68 units, each made up of either 6 or 12 figures, and quick, decisive, and dramatic games are the order of the day. With core mechanics based on Daniel Mersey''s popular Lion Rampant rules, The Pikeman''s Lament captures the military flavor of the 17th Century, and allows you to recreate skirmishes and raids from conflicts such as the Thirty Years'' WTable of ContentsOverview/ Understanding the basics/ Playing the game/ Army lists/ Strategies and tactics/ Sample armies/ Scenarios/ Campaigns

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Giles Milton is a man who can take an event from history and make it come alive . . . an inspiration for those of us who believe that history can be exciting and entertaining'' Matthew Redhead, The TimesDid you know that Hitler took cocaine? That Stalin robbed a bank? That Charlie Chaplin''s corpse was filched and held to ransom? Giles Milton is a master of historical narrative: in his characteristically engaging prose, Fascinating Footnotes From History details one hundred of the quirkiest historical nuggets; eye-stretching stories that read like fiction but are one hundred per cent fact.There is Hiroo Onoda, the lone Japanese soldier still fighting the Second World War in 1974; Agatha Christie, who mysteriously disappeared for eleven days in 1926; and Werner Franz, a cabin boy on the Hindenburg who lived to tell the tale when it was engulfed in flames in 1937. Fascinating Footnotes From History also answers who ate the lTrade ReviewOccasionally, a book comes along that needs remarkably little explanation. Fascinating Footnotes From History is, quite literally, a collection of fascinating footnotes from history. Giles Milton hit the bullseye the day he came up with that title. Milton is a popular historian, in the best sense of those words. He writes incredibly readable narrative histories that tell you stories you didn't know before with a quiet, dry wit that is never allowed to overwhelm the material . . . Milton's delicious book is full of such tasty morsels * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Brilliantly funny'' SHAPARAK KHORSANDI''Immensely enjoyable'' BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE''Every page contains delights'' LINDSEY FITZHARRISWhy is Italy called Italy? How old is curry? How fast was the medieval Chinese post system? How do we know how people sounded in the past? Who invented maths?Responding to fifty genuine questions from the public, Greg Jenner takes you on an entertaining tour through history from the Stone Age to the Swinging Sixties, revealing the best and most surprising stories, facts and historical characters from the past. From ancient joke books, African empires and the invention of meringues, to mummies, mirrors and menstrual pads - Ask A Historian is a deliciously amusing and informative smorgasbord of historical curiosities.Trade ReviewA rewarding romp through the highways and byways of the past . . . an immensely enjoyable book, written in a lively, engaging style accessible to a broad audience of all ages. One of Jenner's real achievements is the creation of a genre of public history that fuses scholarly research with humour, and it is intended to entertain as much as it is to educate. For this he is to be congratulated * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *Jenner uses all the questions you never dared to ask about history as an excellent excuse to rummage around in some funny, fascinating and downright peculiar corners of the past. Every page contains delights, and you will be illuminated and entertained in equal measure -- LINDSEY FITZHARRIS, author of THE BUTCHERING ARTIf history informs our future, Greg Jenner is one of the best informants out there. He is a natural storyteller, conveying complex ideas and events with pep, verve and wit. For anyone who regularly asks the question 'Why?', this book is for you -- SUSIE DENT, author of WORD PERFECTIn this brilliantly funny book, Greg proves yet again that history is for absolutely everybody -- SHAPARAK KHORSANDIA lively selection, spanning a diverse array of subjects and periods . . . a great way into some of history's biggest themes and concepts * HISTORY REVEALED, Book of the Month *In juggling both the role of ancient Greek scholar and medieval court jester in Ask a Historian, Jenner has delivered an ideal stocking filler that is as enlightening as it is entertaining * REACTION *Endlessly entertaining and utterly addictive, this book provides a cornucopia of historical delights. The eclectic, sometimes bizarre range of questions showcase the author's encyclopaedic knowledge and engaging, humorous style to perfection. The result is everything you need to know about history - and much more besides -- TRACY BORMAN, author of THOMAS CROMWELLHuge fun -- Teddy Jamieson * THE HERALD *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn The Cold War from the Margins, Theodora K. Dragostinova reappraises the global 1970s from the perspective of a small socialist stateBulgariaand its cultural engagements with the Balkans, the West, and the Third World. During this anxious decade, Bulgaria''s communist leadership invested heavily in cultural diplomacy to bolster its legitimacy at home and promote its agendas abroad. Bulgarians traveled the world to open museum exhibitions, show films, perform music, and showcase the cultural heritage and future aspirations of their ancient yet modern country. As Dragostinova shows, these encounters transcended the Cold War''s bloc mentality: Bulgaria''s relations with Greece and Austria warmed, émigrés once considered enemies were embraced, and new cultural ties were forged with India, Mexico, and Nigeria. Pursuing contact with the West and solidarity with the Global South boosted Bulgaria''s authoritarian regime by securing new allies and unifyinTrade ReviewIt is not possible to do justice to such a rich book in a review of this length. Theodosia K. Dragostinova has written an excellent book, full of concrete examples and pertinent comments, which is a valuable contribution to the comparative history of the Cultural Cold War. It is sophisticated, theoretically aware, and scholarly. * Eurasian Geography and Economics *There are major contributions that this study brings to the history of the Cold War, Eastern Europe, and even world history. * H-Net Reviews *In six detailed chapters, the author presents a wealth of information meant to reveal the ability of that small Balkan state to chart an active international agenda at a time when small states dominated discussions of the new world order. * Choice *In a remarkable new book, Theodora Dragostinova offers a thought-provoking account of the efforts of a small state to attain global cultural stature during the final decades of the Cold War.This provocative argument forces us to rethink our standard conceptualizations of power hierarchies during the Cold War. * The Middle Ground Journal *Theodora K. Dragostinova account indicates that Bulgaria's case is critical for understanding simultaneously the actorness and the historical experience of small states on the margins in playing on the world stage. * Ab Imperio *Dragostinova's vibrant account of Bulgarian cultural initiatives in the long 1970s is driven by a method-as-argument she calls a "pericentric approach." * Ab Imperio *This fine book meets all its stated goals and offers more. At its simplest, it narrates the story of national branding through culture (aptly defined as cultural extravaganza), when tiny Bulgaria organized 38,854 cultural events across the world between 1977 and 1981 to highlight its history and achievements, coinciding with the 1,300th anniversary of the state's creation. * Austrian History Yearbook *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Bulgaria on the Global Cultural Scene of the 1970s 1. The Contradictions of Developed Socialism 2. Goodwill between Neighbors 3. Culture as a Way of Life 4. Forging a Diaspora 5. Like a Grand World Civilization 6. Culture under Special Conditions Epilogue: The Socialist Past Today

Read more less

Book SynopsisIran's prison system is a foundational institution of Iranian political modernity. The Incarcerated Modern traces the transformation of Iran from a decentralized empire with few imprisoned persons at the turn of the twentieth century into a modern nation-state with over a quarter million prisoners today. In policing the line between "bad criminal" and "good citizen," the carceral system has shaped and reshaped Iranian understandings of citizenship, freedom, and political belonging. Golnar Nikpour explores the interplay between the concrete space of the Iranian prison and the role of prisons in producing new public cultures and political languages in Iran. From prison writings of 1920s leftist prisoners and communiqués of 1950s militant Islamists, to paintings of 1970s revolutionary guerrillas and mapping projects organized by contemporary dissident prisoners, carceral confinement has shaped modern Iranian political movements. Today, mass incarceration is a global phenomenon. The Incarcerated Modern connects Iranian history to transnational carceral histories to illuminate the shared architectures, economies, and techniques of modern punishment. Trade Review"Prisons that purport to isolate from public view nevertheless have a public life, Golnar Nikpour contends in this revelatory study. The Incarcerated Modern's depiction of transnational solidarity and human rights movements attempting to confront carcerality worldwide is acute and indispensable."—Samuel Moyn, Yale University"The Incarcerated Modern tells the story of Iran's transformation from a fading empire into a modern nation-state. Steeped in rich archival research, the book brilliantly unpacks the foundational significance of the carceral system and reveals the paradox of this massive system of surveillance—stabilizing the state while creating the space in which modern political movements came into being. A must read!"—Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, Princeton University"The Incarcerated Modern is one of those exceptionally rare, original books that transcends academic disciplines and opens up myriad terrains of inquiry. Golnar Nikpour powerfully and convincingly illustrates how the modern prison is global in scope—linked to colonial histories, nation-states, and global politics."—Shahla Talebi, Arizona State UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: On the Significance of the Iranian Prison 1. Lawlessness and Order: The Qajar Roots of Modern Prisons in Iran 2. The Criminal Is the Patient, the Prison Will Be the Cure: Building the Carceral Imagination in Pahlavi Iran 3. Like a Fertile Storm: Prisons and Revolutionary Worldmaking in the Iranian Guerrilla Era 4. The Iranian Prison Goes Global: Iranian Revolutionaries and the International Human Rights Movement 5. Making an Example: Carceral Utopianism and Prison Expansion in Revolutionary Iran 6. Carcerality beyond Prisons?: The Politics of Punishment in the Contemporary Islamic Republic Conclusion: Politics and Prisons beyond Reform Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe live in a world of seemingly limitless consumer choice. Yet, as every shopper knows without thinking about it, many everyday goods from beds to batteries to printer paper are available in a finite number of standard sizes. What makes these sizes standard is an agreement among competing firms to make or sell products with the same limited dimensions. But how did firms often hotly competing firms reach such collective agreements?In exploring this question, Colleen Dunlavy puts the history of mass production and distribution in an entirely new light. She reveals that, despite the widely publicized model offered by Henry Ford, mass production techniques did not naturally diffuse throughout the U.S. economy. On the contrary, formidable market forces blocked their diffusion. It was only under the cover of collectively agreed-upon, industrywide standard sizes orchestrated by the federal government that competing firms were able to break free of market forces and transition to mass pr

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Not all lost cities are real, but this one was.' The extraordinary story of Alexander the Great's lost city, and a quest to unravel one of the most captivating mysteries in ancient history. ‘Superb … impeccably researched, but with the pace and deftly woven plot complexity of a John le Carré novel ... utterly brilliant’ William Dalrymple, Guardian ‘[An] exceptional biography ... This is a jewel of a book’ Sunday Times ‘A brilliant and evocative biography, written with consummate scholarship, great style and wit’ Daily Telegraph ______ For centuries the city of Alexandria Beneath the Mountains was a meeting point of East and West. Then it vanished. In 1833 it was discovered in Afghanistan by the unlikeliest person imaginable: Charles Masson, an ordinary working-class boy from London turned deserter, pilgrim, doctor, archaeologist and highly respected scholar. On the way into one of history’s most extraordinary stories, Masson would take tea with kings, travel with holy men and become the master of a hundred disguises; he would see things no westerner had glimpsed before and few have glimpsed since. He would spy for the East India Company and be suspected of spying for Russia at the same time, for this was the era of the Great Game, when imperial powers confronted each other in these staggeringly beautiful lands. Masson discovered tens of thousands of pieces of Afghan history, including the 2,000-year-old Bimaran golden casket, which has upon it the earliest known face of the Buddha. He would be offered his own kingdom; he would change the world, and the world would destroy him. This is a wild journey through nineteenth-century India and Afghanistan, with impeccably researched storytelling that shows us a world of espionage and dreamers, ne’er-do-wells and opportunists, extreme violence both personal and military, and boundless hope. At the edge of empire, amid the deserts and the mountains, it is the story of an obsession passed down the centuries. **Chosen as a Book of the Year by the Spectator, Listener and Sydney Morning Herald**Trade ReviewCharles Masson is the quixotic and wildly colourful subject of this exceptional biography ... This is a jewel of a book. It rescues Masson from history's cutting-room floor and brings him richly, ripely to life ... Brave, dedicated, endlessly curious, Masson deserves his rediscovery -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Only now, with this superb biography, is Masson’s tale told in full for the first time. The result, evocatively written, impeccably researched and minutely footnoted, but with the pace and deftly woven plot complexity of a John le Carré novel, is a small masterpiece. It solves most of the mysteries of Masson’s story and deserves all the acclaim it will undoubtedly win ... utterly brilliant -- William Dalrymple * Guardian *Enthralling … A remarkable story, full of grandeur and violence … [and] a powerful commentary on the horrors inflicted by the East India Company … Richardson’s colourful and compelling account gives this forgotten figure his due. -- Joshua Hammer * New York Times *Masson was one of the most extraordinary of many extraordinary Europeans roaming between Persia and India in the 19th century ... A brilliant and evocative biography, written with consummate scholarship, great style and wit. Through the study of one man, Richardson illuminates an entire world -- Harry Sidebottom * Daily Telegraph *Masson’s story is brilliantly retold by Edmund Richardson … A lucid, thrilling and poetic narrative that does justice to the subject. -- Bijan Omrani * Literary Review *History in the best sense of the word – a well-told story that shines a clear and penetrating light on the past. While thoroughly researched and extensively documented, it reads like a thriller by John Grisham. But this is not only a story about Masson and his life. The book helps us understand the mystery of Central Asia and why the struggle to control it is such a central feature of our time … Marvellously readable. -- Terry W. Hartle * Christian Science Monitor *Rarely has a work of non-fiction so brilliantly wrong-footed its readers as Edmund Richardson’s Alexandria: The Quest for the Lost City, which expertly subverts expectations, interweaving narrative, history and biography throughout ... A remarkable achievement, and that rare thing, a book guaranteed to change your perspective on the world -- Sebastian Milbank * Tablet *Immensely enjoyable … a highly entertaining representation of the world of 19th-century India and Afghanistan, and of the daredevil antics of an adventurer hooked on the past, looking to survive, prosper and make his mark in a world of shifting sands and shadows * BBC History Magazine *Richardson is a natural teller of such exuberant stories and the book is full of colourful characters -- A. S. H. Smyth * Spectator *Richardson skillfully weaves the tale of Alexander’s empire with Masson’s adventures, using a novelistic approach rather than dry academic one that focuses on the action without sacrificing key details about the history. -- Andrew DeMillo * AP News *Impressive. In a string of spirited encounters classicist Edmund Richardson tails the vagabond antiquarian who called himself Charles Masson to 1830s Afghanistan ... Masson has at last found the intrepid biographer he has so long deserved. -- John Keay

Read more less

Book SynopsisA GUARDIAN, ECONOMIST AND PROSPECT BOOK OF THE YEAR 'A superb book' Simon Sebag Montefiore 'An empowering story of human ingenuity' Economist 'Full of curious facts' The Times Causes of death have changed irrevocably across time. In the course of a few centuries we have gone from a world where disease or violence were likely to strike anyone at any age, and where famine could be just one bad harvest away, to one where in many countries excess food is more of a problem than a lack of it. Why have the reasons we die changed so much? How is it that a century ago people died mainly from infectious disease, while today the leading causes of death in industrialised nations are heart disease and stroke? And what do changing causes of death reveal about how previous generations have lived? University of Manchester Professor Andrew Doig provides an eye-opening portrait of death throughout history, looking at particular causes – from infectious disease to genetic disease, violence to diet – who they affected, and the people who made it possible to overcome them. Along the way we hear about the long and torturous story of the discovery of vitamin C and its role in preventing scurvy; the Irish immigrant who opened the first washhouse for the poor of Liverpool, and in so doing educated the public on the importance of cleanliness in combating disease; and the Church of England curate who, finding his new church equipped with a telephone, started the Samaritans to assist those in emotional distress. This Mortal Coil is a thrilling story of growing medical knowledge and social organisation, of achievement and, looking to the future, of promise.Trade ReviewYou might expect a book on this morbid theme to be forbidding or sombre. This one is neither. Instead Mr Doig, a biochemist at the University of Manchester, tells an empowering story of human ingenuity * Economist *Surprisingly upbeat . . . The chapters on plague are the most interesting in the book, perhaps because they are so resonant and show how lucky we are to live in the age of the vaccine . . . Each chapter looks at a cause of death, ranging from scurvy to car safety, alcoholism to yellow fever . . . Full of curious facts . . . Although the book is about death, Doig is optimistic. Look at how life expectancy has soared across the world and infant mortality rates have plummeted * The Times *An absorbing read . . . A gripping and fascinating book; informative and seasoned with dry humour * Mail on Sunday *Told in five acts like a Shakespearean tragedy, Andrew Doig’s book considers our vulnerabilities and vices, from typhoid to tobacco . . . A compelling story that is made admirably accessible * Financial Times *Fascinating, clear-eyed . . . Woven through are a series of brilliant anecdotes of individual experiments, inventions and lethal misfortunes . . . Doig’s attention to detail, personable style and clear explanations make the book easily accessible . . . The obvious beauty of This Mortal Coil is that in being a history of death, it is also a history of life, and a brilliant, fascinating one at that * Scotsman *An utterly fascinating history of death, this masterful volume traces changes in the causes of mortality over the centuries -- WaterstonesRather than being a depressing read, the book actually gives a wonderful long-term perspective on our current situation, discussing plagues and famines of the past, living conditions and social organisation, and even looking at how causes of death might change in the future . . . This intriguing and detailed discussion of death and its causes provides a bedrock of context to look at how we might tackle mortality going forward . . . Oddly life-affirming * Big Issue *From the black death to small pox, Andrew Doig’s This Mortal Coil reminds us that some of humankind’s most miraculous innovations – including vaccines, statistics and gene sequencing – arose from society’s attempts to thwart death . . . It’s hard to imagine a book with more relevant insights into how societies fail and succeed when navigating threats to life * City AM *This is a book that deserves a wide and appreciative audience * Oldie *The way we humans have died has changed profoundly over history: from famine and pestilence, to modern lifestyle diseases like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In this gripping book, Andrew Doig explores the fascinating biology of our own mortality and, crucially, what death can teach us about life -- Prof. Lewis Dartnell, author of ORIGINS: HOW THE EARTH SHAPED HUMAN HISTORYWry, insightful and optimistic, This Mortal Coil brings a compassionate yet amused eye to one of the last great taboos. Essential reading for us all -- Matthew Cobb, Baillie Gifford Prize-shortlisted author of THE IDEA OF THE BRAINAndrew Doig tackles the complex and unsettling history of mortality with matter of fact and clarity but also with tenderness and humanity. This is a remarkable debut interspersing history with science to create a mille feuille of what it means to be human -- Helen Carr, author of THE RED PRINCE and WHAT IS HISTORY, NOW?This is a wonderful book: a history of life expectancy, of disease, of death, and of medicine all rolled up into one. An exceptional instance of a book with lots of statistics which is throughout an enthralling read. For anyone who wants to understand how we have come to live so long, and what we are likely to die of, this is a must read – and, since birth and death are the only things we all have in common, no subject could be more important to understand who we are and what will become of us -- David WoottonThe story of how we die is deeply entwined with all of science, technology, economics, global health, sociology and human behaviour – in other words, pretty much everything. Which amounts to a book that is profound and original -- Daniel M. Davis, author of THE BEAUTIFUL CURE and THE SECRET BODYBig history meets biology in this meticulous chronicle of how death has shaped us, and how we have shaped it. Doig illuminates the historical and scientific idiosyncrasies behind our most universal experience explaining how, by trading plants and plagues, discovering continents and life-saving drugs, our collective past has determined our individual futures. If you're expecting a fascinating insight into why we die, This Mortal Coil delivers – but you'll also get an eye-opening account of how we've lived -- Andrew Steele, author of AGELESSThe most fascinating book I’ve read in a long time. As much about how we live as how we die -- Anna Mazzola, author of THE CLOCKWORK GIRLIn this detailed exploration of the many different ways in which human life can end, Andrew Doig takes us on a killer ride from the earliest systematic records of death, through the tremendous toll infection has had over history, to the ways in which we kill ourselves and others through drugs, pollution and motor vehicles. If you are dying to know how we die, this is the book for you -- John Tregoning, author of INFECTIOUS

Read more less

Book Synopsis_Cambrai Campaign 1917_ is an account of the British Expeditionary Force s battles in November and December of 1917\. It starts with the plan to carry out a tank raid on the Hindenburg Line at Cambrai. The raid grew into a full scale attack and Third Army would rely on a different style of attack. The preliminary bombardment would be done away with and the troops would assemble in secret. Predicted fire had reached such a level of accuracy that 1,000 guns could hit targets without registration. Meanwhile, over 375 tanks would lead the infantry through the Hindenburg Line, ripping holes in the wire and suppressing the enemy. The study of the German counter-attack ten days later, illustrates the different tactics they used and the British experience on the defensive. Each stage of the battle is given equal treatment, with detailed insights into the most talked about side of the campaign, the British side. It explains how far the Tank Corps had come in changing the face of trench warfare. Over forty new maps chart the day by day progress of each corps on each day. Together the narrative and the maps provide an insight into the British Army s experience during this important campaign. The men who made a difference are mentioned; those who led the advances, those who stopped the counter-attacks and those who were awarded the Victoria Cross. Discover the Cambrai campaign and learn how the British Army s brave soldiers fought and died fighting to achieve their objectives.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerhaps not in casualties but as far as prestige and standing in the world were concerned, the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961 was the worst disaster to befall the USA since the War of 1812 when British forces burned the White House. Badly planned, badly organized, the affair was littered with mistakes from start to finish-not least with an inept performance by John F. Kennedy and his new administration. Supposedly an attempt by Cuban exiles to regain their homeland, the whole operation was funded and equipped by the USA. When things began to go wrong with the landings at Playa Larga and Playa Giron on the southern coast of Cuba President Kennedy and his advisers began overruling military decisions with the result that the invading Brigade 2506-made up of Cuban exiles-was left with little or no air cover, limited ammunition and no easy escape. Fidel Castro made great play of his success and American failure at the Bay of Pigs. He, like Nikita Khrushchev, thought Kennedy was weak: the Cuban Missile Crisis of the following year was almost an inevitable consequence of the disaster.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCompared to the RAFs Fighter and Bomber Commands, the Desert Air Force (DAF) is far less well known, yet its achievements were spectacular. DAF led the way in North Africa and Italy in pioneering new tactics in close Army-Air Force co-operation on the battlefield, DAF and Allied air forces gave Allied armies in North Africa and Italy a decisive cutting edge. While the Axis forces used the many rivers and mountains of Tunisia and Italy to slow the Allies advance, DAF was there to provide that extra mobile firepower the artillery from the sky. They were the first multi-national air force, and the first to introduce air controllers in the front lines of the battlefield. With first-hand accounts by veteran airmen form Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA, this book reveals the decisive victories with which DAF won the war over North Africa, the Mediterranean and Italy in 1942-45.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book lists all the important tanks used in the Second World War, both by the Allied (England, France, Russia and the USA) and Axis Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan). Thomas Anderson, an expert on the history of the Second World War, offers an in-depth volume detailling the vehicles, their use in battle and relevant technical specifications. This comprehensive survey is full of authentic eyewitness accounts as well as being profusely illustrated with many photographs having never been published before.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow are borders built in the modern world? What does Brexit mean for Ireland's border? And what would happen if Elon Musk declared himself president of the Moon?In Border Wars, Professor Klaus Dodds takes us on a journey into the geopolitical conflict of tomorrow in an eye-opening tour of the world's best-known, most dangerous and most unexpected border conflicts from the Gaza Strip to the space race.Along the way, we'll discover just what border truly mean in the modern world: how are they built; what do they mean for citizens and governments; how do they help understand our political past and, most importantly, our diplomatic future?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Mormons were deliberately excluded from one of the main attractions, the Parliament of Religions. Organizers believed that Mormonism, with its connections to polygamy, did not merit a place alongside other world religions being showcased for the similar ways in which they inspired people to follow God. At the same time, however, Americans who had long shown hatred or distrust toward their Mormon neighbors had begun to look at Mormonism in a different light. Underlying this new look at Mormonism was a rapidly developing belief in America's fading western frontier as a place linked to core American values such as self-reliance, personal freedom, and democratic rule. With a unique history intimately tied to the frontier, Mormonism began to be seen less as something outside America, and more as a faith closely associated with the country's most important principles. In Frontier Religion Konden Smith Hansen examines the dramatic influence these perceptions of the frontier had on Mormonism and other religions in America. Endeavoring to better understand the sway of the frontier on religion in the United States, this book follows several Mormon-American conflicts, from the Utah War and the antipolygamy crusades to the Reed Smoot hearings. The story of Mormonism's move toward American acceptability represents a larger story of the nation's transition toward modernity and religious pluralism. This book challenges old assumptions and provokes further study of the ever changing dialectic between society and faith.

Read more less