History Books

Book SynopsisThis book will be of interest to anyone-in any discipline-who takes the past as a serious object of study.Trade Review. . . seminal . . .—Dublin Review of BooksTable of ContentsForeword, "All You've Got Is History," by Michael S. RothPreface to the Fortieth-Anniversary EditionPrefaceIntroduction. The Poetics of HistoryPart One: The Received Tradition1. The Historical Imagination between Metaphor and Irony2. HegelPart Two: Four Kinds of "Realism" in Nineteenth-Century Historical Writing3. Michelet4. Ranke5. Tocqueville6. BurckhardtPart Three: The Repudiation of "Realism" in Late Nineteenth-Century Philosophy of History7. Historical Consciousness and the Rebirth of Philosophy of History8. Marx9. Nietzsche10. CroceConclusionBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisIn this book, scientist-historian Gordon Goldsborough hits the road in search of adventure and little-known stories from Manitoba's past. Among the places he visits are underground radiation monitoring posts from the Cold War, a remote hydroelectric generating station, cruise ships on the Red River, and the original route of the Trans-Canada Highway.Trade Review"WINNER, BOOK OF THE YEAR, MORE ABANDONED MANITOBA. MCNALLY ROBINSON #1 BESTSELLER, ABANDONED MANITOBA"Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION- On the Road (the old, abandoned highways of Manitoba)- Updates from the previous books (Steamboat Alpha, Atkinson house, Elva grain elevator, Port Nelson, Mallard Lodge, etc.)SITES1. Buller Monument2. Carnegie Library3. Lemiez Sculpture Garden4. Kanuchuan Hydroelectric Generating Station5. Radiation Fallout Reporting Posts6. Sargenia Stone Terraces7. Brandon House8. Duck Factory No. 19. Red River West Channel10. Red River Cruise Ships11. Winnipeg Canoe Club12. Palace Theatre13. Manitoba Hydro Office Building14. Good Harbour Fishing Station15. North Transcona Railway Yard and Transfer Elevator16. Neighbourhood Chain Stores17. CKX Radio Building18. Summerville Curling Rink19. Dene Village and Akudlik20. Salvation Army Citadel21. Winnipeg Garbage Incinerator22. Victoria Court23. Tilston Coal Shed24. Pineland Forest Nursery25. Haynes Chicken Shack26. Brandon Hills Fire Tower27. West Hawk Gold Mine28. Winnipeg Old Exhibition Grounds29. Roseisle Hutterite Cemetery30. Emerson Telephone Exchange Building31. Manitoba Refinery Building32. RCAF BirdCONCLUSION- The neglect of history in Manitoba- The state of archives in Manitoba (archivist survey)- Geographic coordinates for featured sites

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Book SynopsisAntoinette Burton argues that gender history is hiding in plain sight, at work everywhere we look.This volume introduces the field of gender history--its origins, development, reception, recalibrations, and frictions. It offers a set of working definitions of gender as a descriptive category and as a category of historical analysis, tracing the emergence, usage, and applicability of these entwined subjects across a range of times and places since the 1970s.Inevitably political, gender history has taken aim at the broader field of historical narrative by asking who counts as a historical subject, what difference gender makes, and how attention to it subverts reigning assumptions of what power, culture, economics, and identity have been in the past--and what they are today. The book explores how gender analysis has changed interpretations of the histories of slavery, capitalism, migration, and empire. As a field, gender history has been extraordinarily influential in shaping several generations of scholars and students. The fact that its early emphasis on the relationship between masculinity and femininity was part of a larger set of challenges to universal history by poststructuralism, postmodernism, and postcolonialism positions it at the heart of some of the most fractious intellectual debates of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. And, as part of the movement toward gender equality that is key to modern western progress, gender history has been caught up in the culture wars that continue to shape post-global society. What is intriguing and ultimately defining about gender history is the way that the centrality of gender, so important for revealing how identity is structured in and through regimes of power, has been unable to hold its own over the half century of the field''s own history. The practice of gender history has always run up against the forces of race, class, and sexuality that challenge the singularity of gender itself as an explanatory category of historical analysis. That powerful, unruly tension is at the heart of this Very Short Introduction.

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Book SynopsisAn alphabet developed by Germanic and Nordic peoples during ancient times, runes were used to represent both simple things and more complex concepts, providing a written form of communication before the latin alphabet was adopted. Today, reading runes are a popular tool for understanding the present and divining the future. Divided into two broad chapters, showing how to use runes, and outlining the full runic alphabet as well as a section on standing runestones, Runes Illustrated provides a compact, accessible guide to this ancient reading system. Discover the basic three rune layout, and how it can help bring clarity when seeking guidance; learn how to arrange the runes in a five rune cast, which offers a more complex reading; discover Uruz, U, which means a wild ox in Elder Futhark, the oldest runic alphabet; and see how runic inscriptions were combined on standing stones to mark burial sites and the deeds of great warriors. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with 120 illustrations and photographs of runes, rune readings and runestones, this book will fascinate anyone interested in this ancient writing form and its uses today.Table of ContentsContents to include:Introduction The exact development of the early runic alphabet remains unclear but the script ultimately stems from the Phoenician alphabet. Early runes may have developed from the Raetic, Venetic, Etruscan, or Old Latin as candidates. At the time, all of these scripts had the same angular letter shapes suited for epigraphy, which would become characteristic of the runes and related scripts in the region.1: How to Use Runes Runes are an ancient form of oracle used by those seeking advice. The runes can be used to help guide someone through problems or issues and indicate what is likely to happen. They’re not a form of fortune-telling and don’t offer exact answers or give you advice - rather they offer different variables and suggest how you could behave if the event does occur. Runes are known for hinting towards answers, but leaving you to work out the details using your intuition. Casting the Runes: When you cast the runes, it’s not fortune-telling. The idea behind the way that runes work is that, as you ask a question or think about an issue, your conscious and unconscious minds are focused. When the runes are cast in front of you, they’re not totally random, but are choices that have been made by your subconscious. The Three Rune Layout: With this cast, you should randomly select three runes from your rune bag and place them on the table in front of you. The Five Rune Layout: With the five rune cast, or five rune layout, the aim is to select five runes, one at a time, and lay them down on the cloth in specific places. The Nine Rune Cast: In Norse mythology, nine is a magical number. This cast is best used if you’re trying to determine where you are in your spiritual path and what the next stages or opportunities could be and it’s a cast where you can really put your intuition to good use.2: The Runic Alphabet There are various different types of runic alphabets used on runes, with one of the oldest ones being the old Germanic runic alphabet known as ‘Elder Futhark’. The Elder Futhark contains 24 runes, the first six of which spell out the word ‘futhark’. The Elder Futhark (named after the initial phoneme of the first six rune names: F, U, Þ, A, R and K) has 24 runes, often arranged in three groups of eight runes. Over time this was adapted and in order to use it to write in Anglo-Saxon or Old English, a number of other runes were added to the alphabet, bringing it up to 33. This is known as the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc.Another adaptation is the Younger, or Scandinavian, Futhark, which is believed to have been used in Scandinavia until the 17th century. All of these variations highlight changes that were made as people moved and emigrated to different countries.3: Ancient Runestones There are about 3,000 runestones among the about 6,000 runic inscriptions. The tradition began in the 4th century and lasted into the 12th century, but most of the runestones date from the late Viking Age. Most runestones are located in Scandinavia, but there are also scattered runestones in locations that were visited by Norsemen during the Viking Age. Runestones were often memorials to great men. Includes the Lingsberg Runestone, Möjbro Runestone, Kylver Stone, Stenkvista runestoneAppendices: Materials Runes can be made of various materials, but are most commonly made of stone, and feature a symbol from the runic alphabet on them. Drawstring pouch: Runes are often stored in a little drawstring pouch, to keep them clean and together. Fabric: A rune cloth is a piece of fabric that is used to put the runes on when reading them. Ideally, it should be a small white cloth.

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Book SynopsisDream of living on a remote Scottish island? ISLAND WIFE tells one woman''s true life story from 19-year-old bride to mother of five, running a family hotel a recording studio and a whale watching business. By turns unflinching, moving and very funny, this is a memoir of a 40 year marriage and a woman''s extraordinary life.''A hugely entertaining story of family travails and triumphs'' KIRSTY WARK''A sensitive, brave and honest look at a life lived in the wake of others'' needs'' DAILY MAILJudy, at 19, met her future husband, who whisked her off into an adventure, a marriage of over forty years, and a life on a remote Hebridean island. Along the way she bears five children, learns how to run a rocky hill farm, a hotel, a recording studio and the first whale watching business in the UK - all the while inventively making fraying ends meet. When her children start to leave home, things fall apart andTrade ReviewThe day-to-day details of a family who has followed the man's ambitions to a remote island are hilarious and very touching. A beautifully told story. * Mike Rutherford, founding member of Genesis *Judy has written a wonderful collection of tales full of humour, hardship, humanity and wisdom set in a rich seasonal landscape of a remote Scottish island. A vivid portrait is painted of the land and characters and her affinity to nature is most endearing. It is a heart warming and honest story of love and companionship. Good for the soul. * Julie Mitchell-Galloway, Artistic Director, Edinburgh Dance Academy *Island Wife is a breezy (in every sense), frequently funny and often dreadfully sad tale of a madcap adventure with an intrepid farmer husband and five children on a romantic Hebridean island, which often turns out to be not quite as romantic as the wide-eyed author had imagined. * Christopher Matthew, author and journalist *Warm but never sentimental, Judy Fairbairns' writing treads a deft path through difficult times. It balances wry humour and lyrical delight, practical toughness and vulnerability in equal measure. Quite apart from the human lives contained and celebrated, the light sure touch of the writing is a joy to read. * Philip Gross, novelist and poet *This book brings back such memories of neighbouring island years which were long ago the inspiration for the creation of Katie Morag. Judy Fairbairns captures the familiar pioneering passion of that time in the '60s and then takes us on the very personal subsequent journey ... Humour and honesty prevail throughout and always there is the poetic backdrop of the wild landscape of the island and the wild emotions that come and go with its tides. * Mairi Hedderwick, author of the Katie Morag series *Brave, funny, poignant, beautifully written - in Island Wife, Judy Fairbairns tells a tale of cosseted girl who abandons all for love of a man who offers a life in which nothing is certain and everything changes. A story of triumph and disaster, joy and despair, the loneliness of motherhood and the companionship of children. But above all it's a story of the struggle to make the dream come true in a crazy tumbledown mansion in a wild corner of the most beautiful of the silvery sisters of the Hebrides, with a husband who was not, in spite of it all, a mistake. * Elisabeth Luard, food-writer, journalist, and broadcaster *A moving account of a most unique life. * Image *In this delightfully warm, frank memoir, Judy Fairbairns describes the ups and downs of life on a Scottish island estate. Full of humour and wisdom, this is also Judy's own story, and a touching and uplifting one at that. Her vibrancy - obvious at even the most testing of times - is evident on every page. * Good Book Guide *A book to warm the cockles of your heart - you'll not find a better tribute to mothers the world over. * Candis Magazine *Extraordinary. * Woman & Home *This is a frequently beautiful autobiography that may well become a lifebelt for the thousands of women who find themselves drowning in the confusing storms that so often attend being a mother, wife and hard-working professional. * Herald Scotland *This true story is one of stoicism, adventure and family in the face of adversities that threaten to wreck her dreams. * The Daily Express *First there was the romance: moving to a tiny Hebridean island with wild orchids, wilder seas and the man she loves. Judy Fairbairns dutifully looks after livestock in bleak winters, raises five children and behaves just how the world and her husband thinks she should. But then her own storm kicks in and blasts open a door to a whole new life. * Sainsbury's Magazine *This is exceptional. It is beautifully written with important things to say about how we value life, our relationships and our surroundings. * BBC Countrylife Magazine *A sensitive, brave and honest look at a life lived in the wake of others' needs. * The Daily Mail *An unflinching and hugely entertaining story of family travails and triumphs. * Kirsty Wark *

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Book SynopsisA lively and illuminating biography of England's founding mother'.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the true Regency history behind the TV phenomenon.In Inside the World of Bridgerton, author and Regency period expert Catherine Curzon explores the historical inspirations behind the hit series, and illuminates the fascinating details of real life in Regency high society.Examining a range of key topics, this revealing guide covers everything from the class structure of the era and the crucial role played by marriage to the stunning fashion, culture and social events of the time that have enchanted audiences and history fanatics for centuries. With further chapters dedicated to sex, race, the media and more, this is a window into the real history that has helped make Bridgerton into such a global phenomenon.Offering insightful advice on what to - and what not to – wear, how to see and be seen, the reality of ‘coming out’ into the public arena, and decoding the real-life scandal sheets on which the beloved TV show is largely based, Inside the World of Bridgerton highlights how the real ladies and gentlemen of Regency England lived and loved.Trade ReviewCurzon provides a fascinating insight into the stories behind the silver screen, covering everything from fashion and royal balls to the "complex class structure and rigid etiquette" that controlled life from day one. * The Sunday Post *

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Book SynopsisBandits in Print examines the world of print in early modern China, focusing on the classic novel The Water Margin (Shuihu zhuan). Depending on which edition a reader happened upon, The Water Margin could offer vastly different experiences, a characteristic of the early modern Chinese novel genre and the shifting print culture of the era.Scott W. Gregory argues that the traditional novel is best understood as a phenomenon of print. He traces the ways in which this particularly influential novel was adapted and altered in the early modern era as it crossed the boundaries of elite and popular, private and commercial, and civil and martial. Moving away from ultimately unanswerable questions about authorship and urtext, Gregory turns instead to the editor-publishers who shaped the novel by crafting their own print editions. By examining the novel in its various incarnations, Bandits in Print shows that print is not only a stabilizi

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Book SynopsisEffervescent' New Yorker Best Books Of 2022 So FarBursts with colour and incident' FT Best Books of SummerRead this prize-winning historian's immersive ( New York Times) account of the famous writers who, in the run-up to World War II, took on dictators and rewrote the rules of modern journalismThey were an astonishing group: glamorous, gutsy, and irreverent to the bone. As cub reporters in the 1920s, they roamed across a war-ravaged world, sometimes perched atop mules on wooden saddles, sometimes gliding through countries in the splendour of a first-class sleeper car. While empires collapsed and fledgling democracies faltered, they chased deposed empresses, international financiers and Balkan gunrunners, then knocked back doubles late into the night.Last Call at the Hotel Imperial is the extraordinary story of John Gunther, H.R. Knickerbocker, Vincent Sheean, and Dorothy Thompson: a close-knit band of wildly famous American reporters who, in the run-up to World War II, took on dictatoTrade Review‘High-speed, four-lane storytelling … Cohen’s all-action narrative bursts with colour and incident’Financial Times ‘A rivetingly raw account’Spectator ‘As effervescent, for more than four hundred pages, as its winsome and hyperactive characters’New Yorker ‘Ambitious … a distressing, immersive recounting of how denial, passivity and pacification aided the rise of authoritarian regimes’New York Times ‘Today the war news is available around the clock on TV screens, in print, and on the internet. Back then the best source of news was an intrepid band of young American newspaper correspondents … prodigious research and sparkling prose. The book is a model of its kind’Wall Street Journal ‘Giddy with the tumultuous drama of the era… the rollicking group biography of a colourful cabal of American war reporters in the 1920s and 30s who landed seminal interviews with dictators and revolutionaries alike’ Marina Hyde, Favourite Reads of 2022 ‘Sheer brilliance of writing and storytelling . . . entwining collective biography with the urgency of journalism’s interwar critiques to produce a riveting and deeply thought-provoking read’ Charlotte Elkins ‘A fresh, fast-paced history of the twentieth-century’s most defining events through the eyes of the foreign correspondents who dashed off to cover them … A riveting narrative that unites public and private affairs with rare fluency and power’Maya Jasanoff, author of The Dawn Watch ‘Beautifully written … A fascinating reminder of the days when first rate correspondents had not just access, time and money but real influence over world affairs’Caroline Moorehead, author of Martha Gellhorn: A Life ‘Brilliantly conceived, beautifully written, this is a daring new history of the world between the wars …Unforgettable’Adam Tooze, author of Shutdown

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Book SynopsisSince ancient times, the pundits have lamented young people's lack of historical knowledge and warned that ignorance of the past surely condemns humanity to repeating its mistakes. In the contemporary United States, this dire outlook drives a contentious debate about what key events, nations, and people are essential for history students. Sam Wineburg says that we are asking the wrong questions. This book demolishes the conventional notion that there is one true history and one best way to teach it. Although most of us think of history -- and learn it -- as a conglomeration of facts, dates, and key figures, for professional historians it is a way of knowing, a method for developing and understanding about the relationships of peoples and events in the past. A cognitive psychologist, Wineburg has been engaged in studying what is intrinsic to historical thinking, how it might be taught, and why most students still adhere to the \u0022one damned thing after another\u0022 concept of history. Whether he is comparing how students and historians interpret documentary evidence or analyzing children's drawings, Wineburg's essays offer \u0022rough maps of how ordinary people think about the past and use it to understand the present.\u0022 Arguing that we all absorb lessons about history in many settings -- in kitchen table conversations, at the movies, or on the world-wide web, for instance -- these essays acknowledge the role of collective memory in filtering what we learn in school and shaping our historical thinking.Trade Review"Sam Wineburg has not merely contributed to our understanding of how history is created, taught and learned; he has nearly singlehandedly forged a distinctive field of research and a new educational literature. This volume brings together a decade-long record of conceptual invention and methodological creativity." -Lee S. Shulman, President, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Emeritus, Stanford University "With this volume, Sam Wineburg firmly established his place as the pre-eminent North American researcher in history education. His chapters range from insightful scholarly mediations to innovative empirical studies. He examines the knowledge and practices of historians, history teachers, and young people, as well as the vibrant field of research that has recently developed around these issues. Historical Thinking makes a vitally important contribution to our understanding of how we think and learn about the past." -Peter Seixas, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Education, University of Brutish Columbia "Historical Thinking is intellectually substantive, integrative, and timely. In the midst of all the talk about new technologies, distance learning, and standardized testing, his fine-grained inquiries into learning and knowledge are a sobering reminder that educators have a lot to learn about learning." -Randy Bass, Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, Georgetown University "This is a wide-ranging and at times inspirational work." -History of Education "Arguing that we all absorb lessons about history in many settings-in kitchen table conversations, at the movies, or on the world-wide-web, for instance-these essays acknowledge the role of collective memory in filtering what we learn in school and shaping our historical thinking." -New York Review of Books "Historians, especially academic historians, who normally avoid the literature on history education for its banality, thin research base, or ideological cant will overlook this book at their peril. Sam Wineburg brings both a burning concern for the state of history instruction and a wide knowledge of history to his research agenda." -The Journal of American History "The author of this collection is passionate about the teaching of history. ...students are encouraged to put themselves into the shoes of the people whose actions they are studying in order to arrive at their own understanding of what they had done." -The Historian "For Wineburg the study of history commends itself as a unique and complex way of knowing the world that must, if it is to realize its full potential as a humanistic discipline, embrace a paradox: that of seeing the past as at one and the same time familiar and strange. -The Community College EnterpriseTable of ContentsIntroduction: Understanding Historical Understanding Part I: Why Study History? 1. Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts 2. The Psychology of Teaching and Learning History Part II: Challenges for the Student 3. On the Reading of Historical Texts: Notes on the Breach Between School and Academy 4. Reading Abraham Lincoln: A Case Study in Contextualized Thinking 5. Picturing the Past Part III: Challenges for the Teacher 6. Peering at History Through Different Lenses: The Role of Disciplinary Perspectives in Teaching History 7. Models of Wisdom in the Teaching of History 8. Wrinkles in Time and Place: Using Performance Assessments to Understand the Knowledge of History Teachers Part IV: History as National Memory 9. Lost in Words: Moral Ambiguity in the History Classroom 10. Making (Historical) Sense in the New Millennium

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Book SynopsisA passionate and moving tribute to the captivating power of dance, not just as an art form but as a language that transcends barriersTrade Review“[A] smart, bracing book of reflection, analysis, memoir and history. . . . Even people with some experience of dance and lifetimes of attending performances will be impressed by the author’s range and expertise. Obscure anecdotes and facts are scattered throughout, little gifts to the reader.”—Willard Spiegelman, Wall Street Journal“Mindy Aloff mines her decades of expertise as a dance critic, writer, and teacher to answer the question of why—and how—dance functions in our world. Why Dance Matters is a compelling, multi-faceted guide that elucidates dance’s integral connection to human experience.”—Marjorie Folkman, associate professor of professional practice, Barnard College“If dance is a language, then Aloff has decoded its nuances in a book for the ages. She could not be more on pointe. I loved it.”—Allegra Kent, author of Once a Dancer . . .“Animated by her acute intelligence, Mindy Aloff’s way of looking at the dance reminds me of that of Edwin Denby, our greatest dance critic, whose ‘imagination was huge.’”—David Lehman, author of The Mysterious Romance of Murder: Crime, Detection, and the Spirit of Noir“When it comes to blending the poetry and history of dance, there’s no better writer than Mindy Aloff. With Why Dance Matters, Aloff’s writing pours forth with a finesse comparable to that of a Fred Astaire dance variation.”—Justin Peck, resident choreographer, New York City Ballet“Mindy Aloff has written a marvelously wide-ranging yet warmly personal book, rich with experience and insight. Her knowledge is deep; her enthusiasm is irresistible. The effect is of a tour of the dance world with a wise and witty friend.”—Claudia Roth Pierpont, staff writer, New Yorker

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A gem of a book. . . . Powell, who wears his learning as lightly as seersucker . . . is always sensitive to the Greek, and brings it across into clear, natural English, at the pitch-perfect register for the solemn or the ludic hymn." * Spectator *"An impressive volume that we think lovers of poetry and of classical antiquity will appreciate." * Coffee with the Poets *"This is a useful volume for the study of ancient Greek culture and, with its wealth of mythological and geographical lore, could be an illuminating companion to a tour of Greek sites and museums." * Religious Studies Review *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations List of Maps Introduction Meter and Performance Annotation; the Spelling of Ancient Names and Places; Greek Texts The Homeric Hymns The Hymns of Callimachus The Orphic Hymns The Hymns of Proclus 1. Zeus Homeric Hymn 23: To Zeus Callimachus Hymn 1: To Zeus Orphic Hymn 15: To Zeus Orphic Hymn 19: To Zeus the Thunderbolt Orphic Hymn 20: To Astrapaios Zeus 2. Hera Homeric Hymn 12: To Hera Orphic Hymn 16: To Hera 3. Poseidon Homeric Hymn 22: To Poseidon Orphic Hymn 17: To Poseidon 4. Athena Homeric Hymn 11: To Athena Homeric Hymn 28: To Athena Callimachus Hymn 5: To Athena; On the Baths of Pallas Orphic Hymn 32: To Athena Proclus Hymn 7: To Wise Athena 5. Demeter, Persephone, and Hades Homeric Hymn 2: To Demeter Homeric Hymn 13: To Demeter Callimachus Hymn 6: To Demeter Orphic Hymn 40: To Eleusinian Demeter Orphic Hymn 41: To Mother Antaia Orphic Hymn 29: To Persephone Orphic Hymn 18: To Plouton 6. Aphrodite Homeric Hymn 5: To Aphrodite Homeric Hymn 6: To Aphrodite Homeric Hymn 10: To Aphrodite Orphic Hymn 55: To Aphrodite Proclus Hymn 2: To Aphrodite Proclus Hymn 5: To the Lycian Aphrodite 7. Hephaistos Homeric Hymn 20: To Hephaistos Orphic Hymn 66: To Hephaistos 8. Apollo and the Muses Homeric Hymn 3: To Apollo Homeric Hymn 21: To Apollo Homeric Hymn 25: To The Muses and Apollo Callimachus Hymn 2: To Apollo Callimachus Hymn 4: To Delos Orphic Hymn 34: To Apollo Orphic Hymn 35: To Leto Orphic Hymn 76: To the Muses Proclus Hymn 3: To the Muses 9. Artemis Homeric Hymn 9: To Artemis Homeric Hymn 27: To Artemis Callimachus Hymn 3: To Artemis Orphic Hymn 36: To Artemis 10. Hermes and Pan Homeric Hymn 4: To Hermes Homeric Hymn 18: To Hermes Orphic Hymn 28: To Hermes Orphic Hymn 57: To Chthonic Hermes Homeric Hymn 19: To Pan Orphic Hymn 11: To Pan 11. Dionysos Homeric Hymn 1: To Dionysos Homeric Hymn 7: To Dionysos Homeric Hymn 26: To Dionysos Orphic Hymn 30: To Dionysos Orphic Hymn 45: To Dionysos Bassareus and Triennial Orphic Hymn 46: To Dionysos Liknites Orphic Hymn 47: To Dionysos Perikonios Orphic Hymn 50: To Dionysos Lysios Lenaios Orphic Hymn 52: To Dionysos, God of the Triennial Feasts Orphic Hymn 53: To Dionysos, God of Annual Feasts Orphic Hymn 44: To Semelê 12. Ares Homeric Hymn 8: To Ares Orphic Hymn 65: To Ares 13. Hestia Homeric Hymn 24: To Hestia Homeric Hymn 29: To Hestia Orphic Hymn 84: To Hestia 14. Sun, Moon, Earth, Hekatê, and All the Gods Homeric Hymns 31 and 32: To the Sun and the Moon Orphic Hymn 8: To the Sun Orphic Hymn 9: To the Moon Proclus Hymn 1: To Helios Homeric Hymn 30: To Earth Mother of All Orphic Hymn 26: To Earth Orphic Hymn 1: To Hekatê Proclus Hymn 6: To the Mother of the Gods, Hekatê, and Janus/Zeus Proclus Hymn 4: To All the Gods Bibliography Glossary/Index

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Book SynopsisDid Richard III Murder His Nephews, Edward V & Richard of York? Huge interest in Richard III at the moment with the discovery of his skeleton and also with his historical rehabilitationTrade Review‘Wilkinson investigates the prime suspects, asks whether they might have survived & presents her own theory about what really happened’ * All About History *

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Book SynopsisWife, widow, mother, survivor, the story of the last queen of Henry VIII.Trade ReviewScintillating' * THE FINANCIAL TIMES *Cuts an admirably clear path through tangled Tudor intrigues' -- JENNY UGLOWWonderful - a joy to read' * HERSTORIA *Table of Contents1. The Parrs of Kendal: 1512 - 1523 2. Mistress Burgh of Gainsborough Old Hall: 1523 - Spring 1533 3. Lady Latimer of Snape Castle: Spring 1533 - September 1536 4. A Pilgrimage of Grace: 1 October 1536 - June 1537 5. Not Much Favour: June 1537 - March 1543 6. Better Your Mistress Than Your Wife: March 1543 - 12 July 1543 7. Catherine the Queen: July 1543 - Spring 1544 8. Beloved Mother: Spring 1544 - Summer 1544 9. Regent General of England: July 1544 - Autumn 1545 10. The Lamentation of a Sinner: Autumn 1545 - Spring 1546 11. Danger for the Gospel: Spring 1546 - July 1546 12. Yielded His Spirit to Almighty God: Summer 1546 - 28 January 1547 13. Weeks be Shorter at Chelsea: January - May 1547 14. Much Offended by the Marriage: June - December 1547 15. Lady Seymour of Sudeley: Winter 1547 16. The Queen was Jealous: Winter 1547 - May 1548 17. Not Well Handled: May 1548 - March 1549 18. How Many Husbands Will She Have? Notes Bibliography List of Illustrations Index

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Book SynopsisKnown as one of the most complex and unusual texts in Arabic literature (Banipal Magazine), The Epistle of Forgiveness is the lengthy reply by the prolific Syrian poet and prose writer, Abu l-''Ala'' al-Ma''arri (d. 449/1057), to a letter by an obscure grammarian, Ibn al-Qari. With biting irony, The Epistle of Forgiveness mocks Ibn al-Qari's hypocrisy and sycophancy by imagining he has died and arrived with some difficulty in Heaven, where he meets famous poets and philologists from the past. In al-Ma''arri's imaginative telling, Ibn al-Qari also glimpses Hell and converses with the Devil and various heretics.Al-Ma''arria maverick, a vegan, and often branded a heretic himselfseems to mock popular ideas about the Hereafter. Among other things, he introduces us to hypocrites, poets, princes, rebels, mystics, and apostates, with asides on piety, superstition, wine-drinking, old age, and other topics. This remarkable book is the first complete translation of this masTrade ReviewApart from its fine quality, an enormous advantage of this new edition and translation lies in its completeness. * Journal of Islamic Studies *Van Gelder and Schoeler present one of the most complex and unusual texts in Arabic literature, by al-Ma'arri (d. 1057 AD), maverick, poet and vegetarian * Banipal Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction at its most sumptuous' Rory Clements'S. J. Parris fans will be pleased' Publishers WeeklyFrom the bestselling, CWA Historical Dagger Award-nominated author of The Angel's Mark comes a gripping and atmospheric new mystery . . . ______________The Elizabethan world is in flux. Radical new ideas are challenging the old. But the quest for knowledge can lead down dangerous paths...London, 1594. The Queen's physician has been executed for treason, and conspiracy theories flood the streets. When Nicholas Shelby, unorthodox physician and unwilling associate of spymaster Robert Cecil, is accused of being part of the plot, he and his new wife Bianca must flee for their lives. With agents of the Crown on their tail, they make for Padua, following the ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena. But the pursuing English aren't the only threat Nicholas and Bianca face. Hella, a strange and fervently religious young woman, has joined them on their journey. When the trio finally reach relative safety, they become embroiled in a radical and dangerous scheme to shatter the old world's limits of knowledge. But Hella's dire predictions of an impending apocalypse, and the brutal murder of a friend of Bianca's forces them to wonder: who is this troublingly pious woman? And what does she want?More praise for S. W. Perry's Jackdaw Mysteries: 'Engaging' Sunday Times'Beautiful writing' Giles Kristian'Brilliantly evokes the colours, sights and sounds of the Elizabethan era' Goodreads review'Gripping, packed with twists and turns!' Goodreads review'Spellbinding . . . I fell in love with every character' Goodreads reviewTrade ReviewA real page-turner. Hell, threat and madness abound in this desperate flight from the dangerous, dark streets of Elizabeth's Protestant London to the vivid heart of Galileo's menacing Catholic Italy. * Minette Walters *The Heretic's Mark really is the most thrilling, stimulating and fabulously readable tale. * Liz Robinson, LoveReading, Picks of the month *Vivid characters and spot-on period details complement the intricate whodunit plot... S.J. Parris fans will be pleased. * Publishers Weekly, starred reviews *The writing is of such a quality, the characters so engaging and the setting so persuasive that S.W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series. * S. G. MacLean on The Serpent's Mark *The third in Perry's series is as dramatic and colourful as the previous two. * Sunday Times, praise for The Saracen's Mark *An absolute belter of a read and another fabulous addition to the Jackdaw Mysteries series... I just gobbled up the pages as the story fairly roars along battling spies and pirates on route... S. W. Perry ensures the sights, smells and sounds of London and Morocco entered my very being. I love this series. * Liz Robinson, LoveReading, Picks of the month, praise for The Saracen's Mark *No-one is better than S. W. Perry at leading us through the squalid streets of London in the sixteenth century. * Andrew Swanston on The Serpent's Mark *The Serpent's Mark is an excellent evocation of Elizabethan England, with espionage, intricate conspiracies, strange medical practises and a gripping story. A rattling good read. * William Ryan on The Serpent's Mark *A gorgeous book - rich, intelligent and dark in equal measure. It immerses you in the late 16th century and leaves you wrung out with terror. This is historical fiction at its most sumptuous. * Rory Clements on The Angel's Mark *Wonderful! Beautiful writing, and Perry's Elizabethan London is so skilfully evoked, so real that one can almost smell it. * Giles Kristian on The Angel's Mark *The book is both educational, and entertaining. There is both a detailed description of times, practices and people that seem strange to our modern sensibilities, but also a very well-drawn plot that follows seamlessly from the other three books. * NB Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe Dream Frontier is that rare book that makes available the cumulative wisdom of a century''s worth of clinical examination of dreams and then reconfigured that wisdom on the basis of research in cognitive neuroscience.  Drawing on psychodynamic theorists and neuroscientific researchers with equal fluency and grace, Mark Blechner introduces the reader to a conversation of the finest minds, from Freud to Jung, from Sullivan to Erikson, from Aserinksy and Kleitman to Hobson, as the work toward an understanding of dreams and dreaming that is both scientifically credible and personally meaningful. The dream, in Blechner''s elegantly conceived overview, offers itself to the dreamer as an answer to a question yet to be asked.  Approached in thi open-ended manner, dreams come to reveal the meaning-making systems of the unconscious in the total absence of waking considerations of reality testing and communicability.  Systems of dream interpretation arise Trade Review"Anyone who thinks, writes, or teaches about dreams, and anyone who works with them clinically, needs to be familiar with this remarkable and engaging book. Mark Blechner's clinically based ideas about dream theory and the use of dreams in treatment are thoughtful, lucid, illuminating, and often startlingly original as well. The Dream Frontier will be taught and read all the way from undergraduate classes to psychoanalytic institutes. It is a contribution that will endure."- Donnel Stern, Ph.D., Training and Supervising Analyst, William Alanson White Institute"The Dream Frontier offers an exciting excursion into the synthesis of various disciplines: cognitive neuroscience, neurology, clinical psychology and psychiatry, and philosophy in the context of their history during the past 100 years. Blechner addresses his concern with the isolation between scientists studying dreams and clinicians interpreting dreams by challenging both to consider the many frontiers of knowledge currentl involved with dream investigations...Blechner brings a broad intellectual scope to his various topics, using diverse, extensive sources and authors to compare and contrast approaches in developing evidence to support his themes."- Paula Anne Franklin, Ph.D., Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases"With psychoanalytic virtuosity and a good deal of originality, Mark Blechner has reformulated dream theory in its relation to the evolving framework of neurocognitive research, neurophysiology, linguistics, and evolutionary theory. In doing so he has provided the clinician with a wide-ranging and detailed approach to interpretive techniques. In 1953 Robert Fleiss wrote The Revival of Interest in Dreams to stimulate the flagging interest of psychoanalysts on dreams. Blechner's The Dream Frontier promises a second revival that now embeds the dream in the rich interdisciplinary matrix it deserves." - Montague Ullman, M.D., Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiarty, Albert Einstein College of MedicineTable of ContentsPart I: Introduction and Overview. The Dream Frontier. Part II: New Ways of Thinking About Dreams. The Analysis and Creation of Dream Meaning. Secondary Revision, Tertiary Revision, and Beyond. Who Creates, Has, Remembers, Tells, and Interprets the Dream? We Never Lie in Our Dreams. Condensation and Interobjects. Oneiric Darwinism. Dreams and the Language of Thought. Part III: Clinical Work With Dreams. Vectors of Dream Interpretation. How to Analyze Dreams: Fundamental Principles. How to Analyze Dreams: Special Topics. Homonyms and Other Wordplay in Dreams. Dream Acts: Dreams in Analysis as Actions. Dream Symbols. Kleinian Positions and Dreams. The Patient's Dreams and the Countertransference. Dreams as Supervision, Dreams in Supervision. The Clinical Use of Countertransference Dreams. The Reallocation of Madness. Part IV: Sleep, Dreams, and the Brain. Knowing What We Know in Waking and Dreaming . What Dreams Can Tell Us About the Brain. Endoneuropsychic Perception.

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

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Book SynopsisA stunning collection of images showcasing the county of Yorkshire in all its glory.Trade Review‘Yorkshire’s countryside has everything: from the awesome limestone Dales to the rugged cliffs of Flamborough, there’s no county quite like it. Dave’s photography captures the incredible scenery, beauty and vivid colour like no other.’ * Paul Hudson, BBC Yorkshire’s weather presenter *

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Book SynopsisA profusely illustrated guide to the world of Ghostbusters collectables.

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Book SynopsisA first-hand perspective on Henry VIIIâs court and relationshipsTrade Review‘A superb, sound, engagingly written and much-needed study of a controversial player at the Tudor court. Highly recommended.’ -- Alison Weir‘A wonderfully useful book that brings to life the colourful world of the Henrician court. There has long been a need for a biography of this brilliant and complex figure and Lauren Mackay has certainly delivered it.’ -- Gareth Russell

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Book SynopsisFor four centuries Britain was an integral part of the Roman Empire, a political system stretching from Turkey to Portugal and from the Red Sea to the Tyne and beyond. Its involvement with Rome started long before the Conquest launched by the Emperor Claudius in 43 AD, and it continued to be a part of the Roman world for some time after the final break with Roman rule. Bringing together archaeological investigation and historical scholarship, Peter Salway explores some of the key issues arising from this period in Britain''s history, discussing the question of identity at this time and analysing the importance of widespread literacy in Roman Britain. Covering the period from Julius Caesar''s first forays into Britain and Claudius'' subsequent conquest, as well as Britain under the later Roman Empire, Salway outlines the key events of this time period, providing a focus on society in Roman Britain, and offering a thoughtful consideration of the aftermath of Roman rule.In the new edition of this Very Short Introduction, Peter Salway makes a number of essential updates in light of recent research in the area. He looks at issues of ethnicity, ''Britishness'', and post-colonialism, provides alternative theories to the end of the Roman period in Britain, and draws parallels between the history of Roman Britain and a wide range of other periods, territories, and themes, including the modern experience of empires and national stereotypes. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewYou can't beat this fact-packed guide. * Kate Whiting, Northern Echo *This book is a concise, clear and readable history of Roman Britain across four centuries ... it has much to offer both the general reader and the expert. * Rupert Jackson, Classics for All *Table of ContentsList of illustrations ; List of maps ; 1. The beginnings of British history ; 2. The Roman conquest ; 3. Britain under the late empire ; 4. The end of Roman rule ; Further Reading ; Chronology ; Index

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Book SynopsisA carefully chosen selection from the correspondence of Hugh Trevor-Roper, one of the most gifted and famous historians of his generation and one of the finest letter-writers of the twentieth centuryTrade ReviewHugh Trevor-Roper was probably the greatest letter writer of what Noel Annan called 'our age', corresponding with almost anybody who was anybody, and in a style that was both inimitable and incomparable. This latest anthology is by turns memorable, fascinating, wicked and malicious, and impossible to put down. * Sir David Cannadine *A superb selection ... The book makes a hugely entertaining volume ... it should be treated as a salient part of [Trevor-Ropers'] oeuvre. * Paul Johnson, Standpoint *100 letters that show this brilliant, difficult man in a new light ... The many Trevor-Ropers of this collection ... together make a complex but fascinating creature ... ' * John Gallagher, Sunday Telegraph *A splendid introduction to this delightful, funny, ebullient and relentless person ... The present volume is beautifully produced and the selection from the voluminous correspondence is particularly well judged. * John Banville, The Guardian *Beguiling ... This volume isn't peripheral, but central to a career of fluctuating accomplishment ... Tom Sharpe's Porterhouse Blue couldn't have blended sugar and acid more silkily. * Peter Preston, The Observer *The quality of the prose is so sparkling, the wit is so sharp, and the Enlightenment standpoint so carefully nourished, that the book serves not only as entertainment, but as a manifesto for the intellectual values that were Hugh Trevor-Roper's lodestar. * A.N Wilson, Times Literary Supplement *What better way to celebrate the centenary of Trevor-Roper's birth than to treat the reading public to a hundred of his letters? ... Collected by two editors who really know the territory and who really understand the ethos of the period, Hugh Trevor-Roper's letters are a marvellous evocation of a world now completely vanished. * Leslie Mitchell, Literary Review *Trevor-Roper was ... one of the great prose stylists of our times ... and in this magnificent collection of letters dating from the war years until shortly before his death in 2003, he lays into "impertinent adversaries" with wit and gusto ... He would have been delighted to know that his letters ... have been impeccably edited. * Jeremy Lewis, The Oldie *A masterly editorial touch ... [the editors have] succeeded both in choosing letters of the highest standard and in creating what amounts to a supplementary biography, enhanced by vital, Gibbonian footnotes ... [Trevor-Roper] would surely be delighted that the last ten years have already produced a fruitful harvest of posthumous books, to which these Hundred Letters are both a stylish addition and an admirable tribute to his hundredth birthday. * John Saumarez Smith, Country Life *This is a significant reference work without many, if any, serious competitors for both scope and content. Any libraries supporting a literature collection need to update their reference holdings by including this Companion. * Reference Reviews *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction Prefatory Note The Letters Index

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Aidan Doyle traces the history of the Irish language from the time of the Norman invasion at the end of the 12th century to independence in 1922, combining political, cultural, and linguistic history. The book is divided into seven main chapters that focus on a specific period in the history of the language; they each begin with a discussion of the external history and position of the Irish language in the period, before moving on to investigate the important internal changes that took place at that time. A History of the Irish Language makes available for the first time material that has previously been inaccessible to students and scholars who cannot read Irish, and will be a valuable resource not only for undergraduate students of the language, but for all those interested in Irish history and culture.Trade Reviewthe historiography of the Irish language is vibrant at the moment, and Aidan Doyle has made a very constructive contribution to it. * Niall Ó Ciosáin, Historical Sociolinguistics *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. The Anglo-Normans and their heritage (1200-1500) ; 3. The Tudors (1500-1600) ; 4. The Stuarts (1600-1700) ; 5. Two Irelands, two languages (1700-1800) ; 6. A new language for a new nation (1800-1870) ; 7. Revival (1870-1922) ; 8. The modernization of Irish (1870-1922) ; 9. Conclusion ; Glossary ; References ; Index

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary tale of the remarkable bond between one man and his dog during the Second World War.Trade ReviewNo Better Friend personifies the relationship we all aspire to have with our dogs, and takes us on a harrowing journey to a place and time lost in the history books. A must read * Robin Hutton, author of Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse *Robert Weintraub captures the beauty and power of friendship and loyalty between man and animal in this captivating narrative. We'd all be lucky to have a dog like Judy by our sides in our darkest times * Cate Lineberry, author of The Secret Rescue: An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines *Both a testament to animal intelligence and a much overdue account of canine sacrifice and service, No Better Friend is also masterfully told. Soaring and graceful, Weintraub's narrative reclaims the history of two unlikely heroes - in a tale that is the stuff of which Hollywood blockbusters are built * Mim Eichler Rivas, author Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World and co-author of The Pursuit of Happyness with Chris Gardner *A thought-provoking story about human suffering in conflict * Soldier *

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the George Inn near London Bridge; a cosy, wood-pannelled, galleried coaching house a few minutes' walk from the Thames. Grab yourself a pint, listen to the chatter of the locals and lean back, resting your head against the wall. And then consider this: who else has rested their head against that wall, over the last 600 years? Chaucer and his fellow pilgrims almost certainly drank in the George on their way out of London to Canterbury. It's fair to say that Shakespeare will have popped in from the nearby Globe for a pint, and we know that Dickens certainly did. Mail carriers changed their horses here, before heading to all four corners of Britain -- while sailors drank here before visiting all four corners of the world... The pub, as Pete Brown points out, is the 'primordial cell of British life' and in the George he has found the perfect case study. All life is here, from murderers, highwaymen and ladies of the night to gossiping pedlars a

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Book SynopsisAlexander the Great became king of Macedon in 336 BC, when he was only 20 years old, and died at the age of 32, twelve years later. During his reign he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire that had ever existed, leading his army from Greece to Pakistan, and from the Libyan desert to the steppes of Central Asia. His meteoric career, as leader of an alliance of Greek cities, Pharaoh of Egypt, and King of Persia, had a profound effect on the world he moved through. Even in his lifetime his achievements became legendary and in the centuries that following his story was told and retold throughout Europe and the East. Greek became the language of power in the Eastern Mediterranean and much of the Near East, as powerful Macedonian dynasts carved up Alexander''s empire into kingdoms of their own, underlaying the flourishing Hellenistic civilization that emerged after his death. But what do we really know about Alexander? In this Very Short Introduction, Hugh Bowden goes behind the usual historical accounts of Alexander''s life and career. Instead, he focuses on the evidence from Alexander''s own time -- letters from officials in Afghanistan, Babylonian diaries, records from Egyptian temples -- to try and understand how Alexander appeared to those who encountered him. In doing so he also demonstrates the profound influence the legends of his life have had on our historical understanding and the controversy they continue to generate worldwide.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewBowden covers all the highlights of Alexander's career * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo *It's an interesting read for those who do know something of Alexander, as well as for initiates * Adrian Spooner, Classics for All *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Before Alexander ; 2. Prince: Alexander in the Macedonian Court ; 3. Warrior: Alexander's army ; 4. Commander Alexander and the Greeks ; 5. Pharaoh: Alexander and Egypt ; 6. King of the world: Alexander and Persia ; 7. Traveller: Alexander in Afghanistan and Pakistan ; 8. Doomed to die: Alexander in Babylon ; 9. After Alexander ; References ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisIan Knight's Warriors in Scarlet is a comprehensive and stirring history of the Victorian army between 1837 to 1860, from the Battle of Bossendon Wood to the Crimean War, a period of seismic change as the rapid expansion of the empire saw the British army fighting in small wars across the world.An acclaimed military historian, Knight reveals the brutal reality of colonial conflict from both sides. Drawing on first-hand accounts he shows us the reality of life for the British soldier in this era – the drudgery of peacetime service for the ordinary soldier, the excitement and privations of posting overseas, the floggings and desertions, the regimental pride and comradeship.Knight vividly recreates the action on the ground, from bloody skirmishes in Southern Africa and siege warfare in New Zealand to disasters like the 1842 retreat from Kabul and Chillianwalla in the Punjab. British soldiers trained in tactics that had beaten Napoleon were forced

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Book SynopsisNathaniel Philbrick is an historian and broadcaster whose books include In the Heart of the Sea, which was a Sunday Times bestseller and won America's National Book Award (and is director Ron Howard's major new film), Sea of Glory (winner of the Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Naval History Prize), Mayflower, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and the Sunday Times bestselling The Last Stand. He lives on Nantucket Island and is the founding director of the Egan Institute of Maritime Studies and a research fellow at the Nantucket Historical Association.Trade ReviewA mesmerising portrait of two extraordinary individuals and a thrilling blow-by-blow account of a landmark battle, it is a terrific achievement -- Dominic Sandbrook * The Sunday Times *Philbrick recounts this story with the clarity, colour and pace of a first-rate movie, and Jeffrey Ward's superb maps make the twists and turns easy to follow. Custer's Last Stand was America's Isandhlwana, where the shock of defeat was redeemed by the thrill of the tale -- Raymond Seitz * Literary Review *Fine new history...Philbrick has made excellent use of archival resources... and the resulting narrative is unlikely to be bettered. There is much more to savour... it is as brilliant an example of combat reconstruction as one is likely to find in any history of this scope and ambition -- Trevor Royle * Sunday Herald *An absorbing retelling of the greatest Western of all. Philbrick is a stunningly evocative historian. It is a captivating story * The Times *Philbrick writes a lively narrative that brushes away the cobwebs of mythology to reveal the context and realities of Custer's unexpected 1876 defeat at the hands of his Indian enemies under Sitting Bull... compelling * Publishers' Weekly *

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Book SynopsisLike their modern counterparts, the ''first ladies'' of Rome were moulded to meet the political requirements of their emperors, be they fathers, husbands, brothers or lovers. But the women proved to be liabilities as well as assets - Augustus'' daughter Julia was accused of affairs with at least five men, Claudius'' wife Messalina was a murderous tease who cuckolded and humiliated her elderly husband, while Fausta tried to seduce her own stepson and engineered his execution before boiled to death as a punishment. In The First Ladies of Rome Annelise Freisenbruch unveils the characters whose identities were to reverberate through the ages, from the virtuous consort, the sexually voracious schemer and the savvy political operator, to the flighty bluestocking, the religious icon and the romantic heroine. Using a rich spectrum of literary, artistic, archaeological and epigraphic evidence, this book uncovers for the first time the kaleidoscopic story of some of theTrade ReviewWhat a great idea for a book this is - what a record of filial loathing, sexual scheming, parental neglect, suicide, fratricide, matricide, patricide, infanticide, incest and abuse... The result is a book both scholarly and racy... She has produced a book to be commended: one that restores to life some of the toughest, most colourful and most bizarre women who ever existed -- Robert Harris * Sunday Times *[An] extraordinary story...a colourful, pacy survey of dominant Roman women -- Tom Payne * Daily Telegraph *A beautifully observed, gripping chronicle and a triumphant achievement -- Alison WeirAt last. A book that does not sell us the powerful, intriguing women of Rome simply as poisoners, schemers, femmes fatales, but that brings a wonderfully rich, varied and original range of evidence to bear on the reality of their extraordinary lives -- Bettany Hughes, author of 'Helen of Troy' and 'The Hemlock Cup'A tour de force of research... an illuminating story * Dailiy Mail *

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Book SynopsisAlison Weir is one of Britain's top-selling historians. She is the author of numerous works of history and historical fiction, specialising in the medieval and Tudor periods. Her bestselling history books include The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Elizabeth of York and The Lost Tudor Princess. Her novels include Innocent Traitor, Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen and Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession. She is an Honorary Life Patron of Historic Royal Palaces and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She lives and works in Surrey.Trade ReviewA glittering evocation of the Tudor Court, its splendour as well as its vulgarity...a responsive, rounded portrait * Daily Telegraph *A compelling, readable account of the life and times of the king who put England firmly on the map of power politics... Good history books ought to change the way we look at ourselves and our nation's past. Henry VIII: King and Court is one such book * Literary Review *Weir provides immense satisfaction. She writes in a pacy, vivid style, engaging the heart as well as the mind * Independent *

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Book SynopsisEggs or Anarchy is one of the great, British stories of the Second World War yet to be told in full. It reveals the heroic tale of how Lord Woolton, Minister for Food, really fed Britain. As a nation at war, with supply routes under attack from the Axis powers and resources scarce, it was Woolton's job to fulfil his promise to the British people, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill in particular, that there would be food on the shelves each week. Persuading the public to not resort to the black market and to manage on the very limited ration was one thing, but Woolton had to fulfil his side of the bargain and maintain supplies in time of crisis. A grammar school-educated genius, he was a fish out of water in Churchill's cabinet and the PM himself doubted Woolton would survive due to the unstinting criticism he faced from colleagues, the press and public.   This is the story of how he battled to save his own career while using every trick in his entrepreneuriaTrade Review‘William writes with irresistible wit and energy . . . A compelling portrait of one of the unsung, enigmatic heroes of the Second World War’ -- Michel Roux OBE‘The battles of the Second World War have been pored over in minute detail; not so the battles waged on the Kitchen Front. The food writer William Sitwell’s account of Lord Woolton, the man in charge of the Ministry of Food during the war, is an entertaining corrective to this.’ * The Times *‘Eggs or Anarchy is as much a beguiling study of social mobility as it is a hard war memoir … there is much to enjoy – with barely a powdered egg in sight – in this biography of the man who was responsible for arguably the healthiest national diet of all time’ -- Sinclair McKay * Sunday Telegraph *‘Eggs or Anarchy meticulously completes the backstory of the war. In this absorbing book Sitwell proves Woolton’s genuine intentions, absolves him for his tough line and also presents a portrait of a man whose style and approach to problems is still highly instructive. It is often said that generally the British were never healthier than in the war years. How we need a Woolton now’ -- Rose Prince * The Spectator *‘Fascinating biography’ -- Andrew Marr * Radio 4 Start the Week *‘A wonderful account of how Lord Woolton, Minster for Food, managed to keep Britain fed during World War Two… a riveting read full of delicious historical details about how one unassuming man battled against all odds to keep bellies full and morale high despite the dreaded food rationing. Excuse the pun, but I could have eaten this book up with a spoon’ * Red Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Riveting stuff. Through the prism of his experience of the military elite, Fiennes presents a dazzling history of the world's best fighting units to amaze and enthral the reader.' Damien Lewis, Bestselling author of Zero Six Bravo Inspired by the heroic war time escapades of his father, as well as drawing on his own experiences in the special forces, acclaimed adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes thrillingly explores the history of elite military units, from ancient Sparta to the War on Terror.   The best of the best, these elite units have frequently been immortalised on the big screen, and in computer games, for their daring deeds. Whether it be fighting on the battlefield, storming forts and castles, rescuing hostages, high stakes reconnaissance missions or the dramatic assassination of enemy leaders, these are the men who are relied upon to undertake dangerous mTrade Review"Riveting stuff. Through the prism of his experience of the military elite, Fiennes presents a dazzling history of the world's best fighting units to amaze and enthral the reader." -- Damien Lewis

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Book SynopsisFerdinand Mount has been fascinated by the great thinkers and politicians who have shaped human history over the past two millennia In this fascinating, and provocative book, he examines the proposals for a political theory from a number of widely different historical figures. Twelve key people, from the great orator and statesman of Ancient Greece (Pericles) to the inspiration of the founding of the state of Pakistan (Muhammad Iqbal) we take a colourful and rip-roaring journey through the historical figures who have both inspired and provoked Mount in equal measure. The lives of men such as Jesus Christ, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, and Thomas Jefferson are discussed and comparisons are drawn between the various approaches each figure promoted in their works – whether philosophical, or political theories.   For those wishing to be guided by Mount’s choices and be swept along by Trade Review‘Like many of his books, this one works because he writes so beautifully and with such an appealing personality … In our polarized times there is something to be said for his temperate open-mindedness, and certainly for his sense of humour.’ -- Jeffrey Collins * Times Literary Supplement *‘Mount’s idea is to map the stars in the firmament of political thought … Thought is the point here, rather than biography, but Prime Movers shines best when the dense intellectual filleting takes a back seat to quirky life story … a beautifully efficient writer.’ -- Hugo Rifkind * The Times *‘One of the finest essayists in the English language. Mount assesses 12 great political thinkers from Pericles and Jesus to Marx and Gandhi. His book encourages us to go back and read the originals again.’ -- Chris Patten * The Tablet *‘An engaging collection of extended essays on a disparate bunch of thinkers. Ferdinand Mount is an accomplished writer, he has the knack of summarising complex ideas without giving the reader indigestion, and he contrives to be opinionated without being overly obtrusive.’ * The Oldie *‘The book surveys in extraordinary detail, and with exceptional insight, the ideas of 12 “Prime Movers”… conservative-minded readers should expect the unexpected.’ * Spectator *‘Mount has an ability not to be over-impressed by greatness, but at the same time to delight in it – an unusual combination of qualities… These 12 essays need not be read together; are so rich that they are best read separately, each serving as an introduction, or reintroduction, to the thinker under discussion.’ * Conservative Home *

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Book SynopsisInternationally renowned samurai expert Dr. Stephen Turnbull delves into a pivotal era of Japanese history in this highly illustrated account of the Gempei War, a conflict that defined the age and the ethos of the samurai. Never before had there been a large-scale clash between two rival samurai families, the Taira and the Minamoto, and never again would the result of a war in Japan be quite so dramatic. Fought to gain control over the emperor, it would end with imperial power being totally eclipsed in favor of the military might of the samurai class and the establishment of the position of shogun--Japan''s military dictator. Turnbull examines the events of the five-year-long conflict, revealing the changes that the war inflicted on Japanese culture and how it establishmened many samurai traditions.Table of ContentsIntroduction/Chronology/Opposing commanders/Opposing armies/Opposing plans/The campaign/Aftermath/The battlefield today/Further reading/Index

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Book SynopsisThis history will endure; not only because Sir Winston has written it, but also because of its own inherent virtues its narrative power, its fine judgment of war and politics, of soldiers and statesmen, and even more because it reflects a tradition of what Englishmen in the hey-day of their empire thought and felt about their country''s past. The Daily Telegraph Spanning four volumes and many centuries of history, from Caesar's invasion of Britain to the start of World War I, A History of the English-Speaking Peoples stands as one of Winston Churchill's most magnificent literary works. Begun during Churchill's wilderness years' when he was out of government, first published in 1956 after his leadership through the darkest days of World War II had cemented his place in history and completed when Churchill was in his 80s, it remains to this day a compelling and vivid history. The Great Democracies is the fourth and final volume of Table of ContentsPreface Maps Book X: Recovery and Reform 1. The Victory Peace 2. Canning and the Duke 3. Reform and Free Trade 4. The Crimean War 5. Palmerston 6. The Migration of the Peoples I: Canada and South Africa 7. The Migration of the Peoples II: Australia and New Zealand Book XI: The Great Republic 1. American Epic 2. Slavery and Secession 3. The Union in Danger 4. The Campaign Against Richmond 5. Lee and McClellan 6. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg 7. The Victory of the Union Book XII: The Victorian Age 1. The Rise of Germany 2. Gladstone and Disraeli 3. American "Reconstruction" 4. America as a World Power 5. Home Rule for Ireland 6. Lord Salisbury's Governments 7. The South African War index

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Book SynopsisWhen the shadowy, notorious Spetsnaz were first formed, they drew on a long Soviet tradition of elite, behind-the-lines commando forces from World War II and even earlier. Throughout the 1960s-70s they were instrumental both in projecting Soviet power in the Third World and in suppressing resistance within the Warsaw pact. As a powerful, but mysterious tool of a world superpower, the Spetsnaz have inevitably become the focus of many ''tall tales'' in the West. In this book, a peerless authority on Russia''s military Special Forces debunks several of these myths, uncovering truths that are often even more remarkable. Now, since the chaotic dissolution of the USSR and the two Chechen Wars, Russian forces have seen increasing modernization, involving them ever more in power-projection, counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism and the Spetsnaz have been deployed as a spearhead in virtually all of these operations. This book offers a unique, absorbing guide to the secrets of the Spetsnaz, theiTable of ContentsIntroduction: overview; background in Russian history and culture The Spetsnaz Tradition: special units of the Bolshevik Red Guard, and behind-the-lines NKVD operations in World War II /Cold Warriors: foundation by GRU, 1950 Operations 1960s–70s: Angola, Czechoslovakia, etc, and order-of-battle 1980 Operations in Afghanistan, and order-of-battle Spetsnaz after the USSR: the turmoil of the 1990s Tajikistan and Moldova, imitation units in post-Soviet states Operations in Chechnya, the Chechen Spetsnaz Modern Spetsnaz: increasing strength and importance Naval Spetsnaz, and order-of-battle 2013 Special Weapons Index

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Book SynopsisTraces the dynamic history of Iraq in the 20th century and reinserts the modern remnants of these peoples into its day-to-day concerns.

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Book SynopsisThe topics covered in this book can be divided into four broad groups: studies of labour conditions up to the middle of the nineteenth century; studies in the ''new trade unionism'' of 1889 to 1914; studies in the late nineteenth-century revival of Socialism in Britain; and more general topics covering a wider chronological span. The common factor in this wide-ranging work is that, unlike much other work of labour history, it concentrates on the working classes as such, and on the economic and technical conditions which allowed labour movements to be effective or which prevented their effectiveness.This work is notable not only for its clarity and incisiveness, but also for the richness and variety of the material, which ranges from Marx to Methodism and from labour traditions to the machine breakers.

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Book SynopsisThe offensive on the Somme took place between July and November 1916 and is perhaps the most iconic battle of the Great War. It was there that Kitchener s famous Pals Battalions were first sent into action en masse and it was a battlefield where many of the dreams and aspirations of a nation, hopeful of victory, were agonizingly dashed. Because of its legendary status, the Somme has been the subject of many books, and many more will come out next year. However, nothing has ever been published on the Battle in which the soldiers own photographs have been used to illustrate both the campaign s extraordinary comradeship and its carnage.

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Book SynopsisFor more than 30 years, the Nile river gunboat was an indispensable tool of empire, policing the great river, and acting as floating symbols of British imperial power. They participated in every significant colonial campaign in the region, from the British invasion of Egypt in 1882, to the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, when Britain finally won control of the Sudan. After that, the gunboats helped maintain British control over both Egypt and the Sudan, and played a key role in safeguarding British interests around the headwaters of the Nile--a region hotly contested by several European powers. Featuring specially commissioned artwork, this comprehensive volume offers a detailed analysis of the Nile river gunboats'' entire career, from monitoring British colonial interests to defending Egypt against the Ottoman Turks in World War I.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design and Development /Gunboat Histories /Firepower /Protection /Propulsion /Conditions on Board /Gunboats in Action /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisThe Men Who Would Be Kings is a set of rules designed for fighting historical or Hollywood colonial battles in the mid- to late-Nineteenth Century, from the Indian Mutiny to the Boxer Rebellion. Large scale colonial clashes tended to be one-sided affairs, but there are countless reports of brief, frantic skirmishes in every colonial war--where either side could be victorious--and these are the battles that The Men Who Would Be Kings seeks to recreate. Although focusing on the British colonial wars against the Zulus, Maoris, and others, these rules will also permit players to explore the empires of France, Germany, and other nations, as well as allowing for battles between rival native factions. Gameplay is very simple, and is driven by the quality of the officers leading your units, in the true spirit of Victorian derring-do and adventure, where larger than life characters such as the (real) Fred Burnaby and the (fictional) Harry Flashman led their troops to glory and medTable of ContentsOverview/ Understanding the basics/ Playing the game/ Army lists/ Strategies and tactics/ Sample armies/ Scenarios/ Campaigns

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Book SynopsisWilliam Cecil, Lord Burghley (1520-1598) was Elizabeth I's closest adviser. This revealing biography shows, the driving force behind the Queen's reign for four decades. It helps us redefine our understanding of the Elizabethan period.Trade Review"'An excellent biography... Alford writes with clarity and pace... and offers a wonderfully rich description of Lord Burghley's material world: the maps and plans decorating his walls, the mutton and quails and calves' feet that streamed out of his kitchens, and the busts of the Emperor Charles V and Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent that watched over the courtyard of Burghley House.' (J. P. D. Cooper, Times Literary Supplement) 'Alford has the biographer's natural sympathy for his subject and so does the reader of this engaging book.' (Robert C. Braddock, Renaissance Quarterly) 'Written by a master of the source material who has a feel for the nature of the Tudor Court and writes with balance and sympathy.' (Diarmaid MacCulloch, University of Oxford)"

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Book SynopsisA vivid portrait of one of the most powerful leaders in Israel's first decades of statehoodTrade Review"This well-written and absorbing book offers an authoritative account of the life of Moshe Dayan and places him in the context of larger events. Doing justice to the complex and intriguing persona of Dayan, Bar-On writes for a wide audience, both general readers and students of Israel and the Middle East. I read it with great interest and profit."—Itamar Rabinovich, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and author of Waging Peace: Israel and the Arabs, 1948–2003 -- Itamar Rabinovich"[A] revealing and engrossing account of the life of an often admirable but frustratingly enigmatic man."—Jay Freeman, Booklist -- Jay Freeman * Booklist *"Mordechai Bar-On, Dayan’s bureau chief during the mid-1950s as the latter was Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, brings a welcome addition to the canon of Dayan, weaving first-person observations as he amends the historical record."—Neil Rubin, Baltimore Jewish Times -- Neil Rubin * Baltimore Jewish Times *"This brief, incisive, elegantly written book is full of up-close and personal glimpses of and insights into the many pivotal roles Dayan played in his nation’s military and political affairs."—Martin Rubin, Washington Times * Washington Times *"Refreshing. . . Bridging the gaps of a complex personality is the great achievement of this brief but highly thoughtful book."—Jason Warshof, Jerusalem Report * Jerusalem Report *"Briefly and elegantly conveys the life of a man who played an important role in Israeli history."—The Historian * The Historian *

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