History Books
HarperCollins Publishers Architects of Terror
Book SynopsisA TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEARFrom the preeminent historian of 20th century Spain Paul Preston, Architects of Terror is a new history of how paranoia, conspiracy and anti-Semitism was used to justify the military coup of 1936 and enabled the construction of a dictatorship built on violence and persecution.It is the previously untold story of how antisemitic beliefs were weaponised to justify and propagate the Franco overthrow of liberal Spain.The Spanish military coup of 1936 was launched to overturn the social and economic reforms of the democratic Second Republic, and its educational and cultural challenges to the established order. The consequent civil war was fought in the interests of the landowners, industrialists, bankers, clerics and army officers whose privileges were threatened. However, a central justification for a war that took the lives of around 500,000 Spaniards was that it was being fought to combat an alleged scheme for world domination by a non-existent Jewish- Masonic-Bolshevik Conspiracy'. Despite the fact that Spain had only a tiny minority of Jews and Freemasons, Franco and his inner circle were ardent believers in this fabricated conspiracy and spread the notion that the survival of Catholic Spain, as well, of course, of the establishment ' s economic interests, required the total annihilation of Jews and Freemasons.Architects of Terror is the story of how fake news, mendacity, corruption and nostalgia for lost empire generated violence and hatred. The book presents vivid portraits of the key ideologues who propagated the myth of the Jewish-Masonic-Bolshevik Conspiracy and of the military figures who implemented the atrocities that it justified. Among the convictions shared by these individuals was their belief in the idea that Freemasonry was responsible for Spain ' s loss of empire and in the factual veracity of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the notorious fiction about the global domination of the Jews.This is a history that reverberates in our own political momentTrade Review A TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘Deeply researched and revealing . . . Preston’s study is based on both profound knowledge and shrewd human understanding’ Daily Telegraph, five-star review ‘Preston’s great skill lies in carefully dissecting these vile characters…This book reveals Preston at the peak of his powers; he’s an enormous intellect and a great storyteller’ The Times, Gerald DeGroot Praise for A People Betrayed (2020) A Financial Times Best History Book of 2020 ‘For decades, Paul Preston has been one of the English-speaking world’s premier historians of modern Spain. His latest book, dealing with the controversial topic of corruption in Spanish politic, public administration and business, is particularly good on the Franco dictatorship and post-Franco democratic era’ Financial Times ‘Fascinating … The depth of the book’s research cannot be faulted and the examples of grand malfeasance and political corruption are extraordinary … Buried in the narrative lies ample treasure … I applauded Preston’s heroic feat.’ Times ‘Tremendously rich and learned … Preston is one of Britain’s finest historians … This book, massively researched … Powerful, persuasive and utterly fascinating – makes for harrowing reading’ Sunday Times ‘A magisterial study of [Spain’s] turbulent past, seen through the optic of those apparently ineradicable twins: corruption and political incompetence … Races along in a riveting fashion, replete with eye-catching and often blackly humorous anecdotes …Preston’s narrative combines his gift for cogent, summarising clarity and for telling details …Preston has written an admirable book – a lively, comprehensive history of modern Spain.’ Guardian
£24.00
HarperCollins Publishers The Toxic Travel Guide
Book SynopsisIreland's Instagram sensation Meditations for the Anxious Mind takes us on a trip around Ireland of the likes you've never seen before, from the trolley-filled Liffey to the glamour of Navan.Ever been curious about Limerick's ancient mysteries or wondered what secrets Drogheda might hold? Well now you can visit the trolleys in the Liffey from the comfort of your armchair and learn the lesser-known facts about Ireland's greatest dumps.Did you know that there's no crime in Stoneybatter, because every time a fixie gets stolen they just say it happened in Cabra?Did you know people from Galway have a genetic defect that makes them think they built Supermacs themselves?Did you know that no one in Cork City can remember anyone's name, which is why Corkonians are either called bai', kid' or girl'?Why not go off the beaten track with Meditations for the Anxious Mind's Toxic Travel Guide and laugh your way around Ireland. We did the research so you don't have to smell the bin juice.
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers We All Go into the Dark
Book SynopsisA captivating, eloquent and nuanced book, We All Go into the Dark is an absolute must-read for true-crime fans across the board.Three women were brutally murdered between early 1968 and late 1969, each after a night dancing at Glasgow's infamous Barrowland Ballroom. Their murders were linked and ascribed to the spectre of the well-dressed, scripture-quoting killer who had apparently stalked the city's dancehalls. The figure was never caught or identified.But the intervening years spawned a legend that never quite lost its grip on the popular imagination of Glasgow. The killings provoked the country's largest ever manhunt, as well as countless suspects, books, documentaries, earnest speculation, pub theorising and bouts of urban mythmaking.In We All Go into the Dark, Francisco Garcia delves into how Bible John has morphed across generations, interrogates our collective obsession with solving' historic crimes and questions why some killings are forgotten with indecent haste and why otherTrade Review‘Both profound and hypnotic, this is a deep dive into the mysteriously compelling nature of all true true crime stories. I could not put it down. – Denise Mina ‘Fantastic…a book about our obsession with true crime, what it says about us and the dark corners in our heads.’ – David Whitehouse, author of About a Son We All Go Into the Dark is a highly original book – a work of true crime that is as interested in the myths surrounding the Bible John murders as it is in the person who committed them. With moral sensitivity, sophistication and scrupulous honesty, Francisco Garcia takes us deep into the realm of endless ambiguity which is the true subject of this fascinating book. – Mark O’Connell author of To Be a Machine We All Go Into The Dark is a tremendous feat of compassion, integrity and incisive consideration. Its sophisticated moral analysis and humanity mark it as something far beyond the usual confines of the true crime genre, most fascinatingly on the competing mythologies which emerge around crimes which grip the press and the culture. Garcia asks not only who we remember and why, but also who we forget and why, and in this subtle expansion of terms has created a powerful, original and beautifully written account of a haunting killer and the stories which surround him. – Megan Nolan author of Acts of Desperation
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Endgame
Book SynopsisThe explosive new book from longtime royal journalist Omid Scobie and author of the international blockbuster Finding Freedom, Endgame a penetrating investigation into the current state of the British monarchy.An unpopular king, a power-hungry heir to the throne, a queen willing to go to great lengths to preserve her image, and a prince forced to start a new life after being betrayed by his own family.Queen Elizabeth II's death ruptured the already-fractured foundations of the House of Windsor and dismantled the protective shield around it. With an institution long plagued by incidents involving antiquated ideas around race, class and money, the monarchy and those who prop it up are now exposed and at odds with a rapidly modernizing world.Relying on his vast experience as a royal reporter and over a decade of conversations and interviews with current and former Palace staff, trusted friends of the royals and even the family members themselves, Scobie pulls back the curtain on an insti
£18.70
HarperCollins Publishers Little Women
Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers SAS The Illustrated History of the SAS
Book SynopsisThe authorised illustrated history of the SAS by the number one bestselling author of Dunkirk, Joshua Levine. With never-before-seen photographs and unheard stories, this is the SAS's wartime history in vivid and astonishing detail.The SAS began as a lie, a story of a British parachute unit in the North African desert, to convince the Axis they were under imminent threat. The lie was so effective that soon a small band of men were brought together to make it real. These recruits were the toughest and brightest of their cohort, the most resilient, most dynamic and most self-sufficient. Their first commanders, David Stirling and Paddy Mayne, would go down in history as unorthodox visionaries. Yet this book tells much more than the usual origin story of the unit and seeks out less well-known leaders like Bill Fraser, who was essential in helping the SAS achieve fame for their devastating raids. By looking beyond the myth, this book brings back to life a group of men who showed immense braTrade Review PRAISE FOR SAS: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 'Incredible photos from a never-before-seen archive show the SAS in all its remarkable dash and splendour; With incisive commentary, this is a fine wartime history and a must for any special forces library’ Damien Lewis PRAISE FOR JOSHUA LEVINE’S PREVIOUS BOOKS “A first-class portrait of that traumatic and tragic time, conveyed largely through the worlds of those who experienced it. Spiced with sexual and criminal statistics, Levine reveals a Britain of loose morals, opportunistic pilfering and cheating, and hedonistic pleasure, alongside the more familiar virtues of courage and community.”Sunday Telegraph ‘Interviews with soldiers and civilians, including a German pilot, reflect a world previously masked and glorified by official propaganda’Observer ‘Anyone who wants to learn about human courage and human endurance should read this account. It is more powerful than any drama, more convincing than any fiction’Peter Ackroyd ‘A vivid, moving story of the men who fought the Great War in the Air. Quite superb.’Max Arthur ‘Those magnificent men in their flying machines recount in their own words just how mad and magnificent it was to be an air-ace in World War One. Joshua Levine's compilation is enthralling and breathtaking’.Chris Powling, Classic FM Guestlist ‘This is a superior example of the genre from a writer at the top of his game.’Air Marshal Stuart Peach
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers SAS
Book SynopsisThe authorised illustrated history of the SAS by the number one bestselling author of Dunkirk, Joshua Levine. With never-before-seen photographs and unheard stories, this is the SAS's wartime history in vivid and astonishing detail.The SAS began as a lie, a story of a British parachute unit in the North African desert, to convince the Axis they were under imminent threat. The lie was so effective that soon a small band of men were brought together to make it real. These recruits were the toughest and brightest of their cohort, the most resilient, most dynamic and most self-sufficient. Their first commanders, David Stirling and Paddy Mayne, would go down in history as unorthodox visionaries. Yet this book tells much more than the usual origin story of the unit and seeks out less well-known leaders like Bill Fraser, who was essential in helping the SAS achieve fame for their devastating raids. By looking beyond the myth, this book brings back to life a group of men who showed immense bra
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Coronation
Book SynopsisThe definitive history of coronations and the Royal Family, from acclaimed writer Roy Strong.'What is the finest sight in the world? A Coronation.What do people talk most about? A Coronation.What is delightful to have passed? A Coronation.'Horace Walpole, 1761As a boy of sixteen, Roy Strong watched the grand procession carrying Queen Elizabeth II to her coronation. The spectacle was considered the greatest public event of the century. But now, so many years later, many people have little notion of what a coronation is and are unaware of the rich resonances of the ritual, or its deep significance in terms of the committal of monarch to people.This book is the first of its kind a comprehensive history that sets each coronation into its political, social, religious and cultural context. The story is one of constant re-invention as the service has had to respond to all the changes in fortune of the monarchy or the country: everything from legitimising usurpers to reconciling a Catholic riTrade Review‘Lavishly illustrated throughout, this is, however, much more than a coffee-table book…a beautiful and informative book.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Strong points out in his survey of the 1,000 year history of the event…the changing significance of monarchy.’ Financial Times ‘A well organised, sympathetic and fascinating account of the central ritual of the English people. This is a serious book with a full scholarly apparatus of notes, bibliography, charts, chronologies and index…this new book fulfils a need…a model of the illustrated history genre…the design and layout are exceptionally clear and elegant…Sir Roy has been admirably served by his publishers.’ Spectator 'A fascinating and compellingly readable study… all the themes are dealt with eloquently and with wit' TLS ‘A magnificent book, meticulously researched, never dull, and beautifully illustrated.’ Country Life
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers How to Be a Patriot
Book SynopsisHow do we define patriotism in a diverse society?What divides us and what brings us together?Why do we feel uncomfortable celebrating our country's history?How to be a Patriot offers a new way of understanding our collective identity in a country wracked by division and brimming with markers of selfhood faith, race, gender, age, sexuality.Sunder Katwala himself grew up with some questions to work through. As a half-Indian, Irish Catholic child of the NHS, the chequered history of post-imperial Britain seemed very personal to him, but he realised that with that background he could hardly be anything but British, and proud of it too.His timely and clear-eyed analysis seeks to navigate the many crises of this increasingly disunited kingdom: extremism and integration after 7/7; fear of immigration and the deep divides of Brexit; the resurgence of online racism; and the debate over our cultural heritage. Equipped with a nuanced understanding of the subject and a wealth of supporting data,
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Overreach The Inside Story of Putin and Russias
Book SynopsisWinner of the Pushkin House Book Prize 2023*A Telegraph Book of the Year* A Times Best Book of Summer 2023*Shortlisted for the Parliamentary Book Awards*An astonishing investigation into the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war from the corridors of the Kremlin to the trenches of Mariupol.The Russo-Ukrainian War is the most serious geopolitical crisis since the Second World War and yet at the heart of the conflict is a mystery. Vladimir Putin apparently lurched from a calculating, subtle master of opportunity to a reckless gambler, putting his regime and Russia itself at risk of destruction. Why?Drawing on over 25 years' experience as a correspondent in Moscow, as well as his own family ties to Russia and Ukraine, journalist Owen Matthews takes us through the poisoned historical roots of the conflict, into the Covid bubble where Putin conceived his invasion plans in a fog of paranoia about Western threats, and finally into the inner circle around Ukrainian president and unexpected war Trade Review‘Not merely the first full account of the war in Ukraine, but may set the standard for some time to come … a remarkable achievement, with Matthews’s expert eye like an all-seeing drone, buzzing from one side of the conflict to the other’ 5* Telegraph ‘A vivid and revealing first draft of history … The strength of his account lies in his ability to tell the story from many angles, weaving them into a single, fast-paced narrative … fascinating’ Financial Times ‘The best current analysis of the countdown to war’ Serhii Plokhy, TLS ‘There will be many more books on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but Owen Matthews’ extraordinary perspective has produced an interim account of special value.’ Daily Mail ‘A wave of hurriedly written books about the Russo-Ukrainian war is about to crash over our bookshops and overburdened shelves, but it is hard not to feel sorry for most of their authors. Owen Matthews has already come out with what is not only one of the fastest, but also likely to be the best, setting a painfully high benchmark for those who follow.’ Times ‘The best new book on Russia … a classic as enduring as Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia’ Literary Review ‘Superb … a true page-turner’ Andrew Roberts, BBC History
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers A Z Cambridge Hidden Walks
Book SynopsisDiscover hidden gems around Cambridge with 20 walking routes.Featuring 20 walks in and around the city, including lesser-known circuits and details on popular walks. Accompanied by guided walking instructions and written by a local expert, A-Z Cambridge Hidden Walks is the perfect way to explore the city in a new light.Small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, this handy guidebook is ideal for tourists or locals looking to discover more about the city. Each route varies in length from 1 to 6 miles (1.6 to 9.6 km), and is clearly outlined on detailed A-Z street mapping.20 walking routes with instructions and mapsFull-colour photographs of hidden gems and city attractionsKey sights and locations clearly marked on mapInformation such as start/finish points, nearest postcodes, distance and terrain includedMore from the A-Z Hidden Walks series:A-Z Birmingham Hidden WalksA-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden WalksA-Z Edinburgh Hidden WalksA-Z London Hidden WalksA-Z Oxford Hidden WalksA-Z York Hidden Walks
£6.99
HarperCollins Publishers Britains Steam Locomotives
Book SynopsisIt is more than 200 years since the world's first steam railway locomotive hauled its initial load of iron ore and passengers on a short, slow journey. From that time onwards, the evolution of the steam locomotive continued unabated through the 19th century and on into the 20th.Steam haulage on Britain's nationalised railways ended in 1968, yet the British public's love affair with these magnificent machines endures. In this volume you'll find:Features on 100 of the most impressive British steam locomotivesStories of the fascinating engineers who designed themBeautiful imagery from the country's leading railway photographersWritten by best-selling railway author Julian Holland, Britain's Steam Locomotives is the perfect addition to any railway enthusiast's collection.
£24.00
HarperCollins Publishers King Charles III
Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERStunning, photographic King Charles III memorabilia gift for royal fansAs the nation celebrates the coronation of a new monarch, The Sun looks back on 100 moments in the life of the man who would be king.The longest heir apparent in British history, King Charles has lived a remarkable life during his 70-year wait to be king. From his childhood to his later years, each day of Charles's life has led up to the moment he ascended to the throne. With exclusive articles from The Sun's archives, rarely seen photographs and a foreword written by celebrated royal photographer Arthur Edwards MBE, this book paints a unique portrait of the man behind the monarch.Featuring the ups and downs, highs and lows, and the key moments that have shaped the life of a son, father, grandfather and king, including:The birth of a prince, 1948From Balmoral to boarding school, 1958Investiture of the Prince of Wales, 1969Blazing a trail for the environment, 1970Charles meets Camilla, 1972We
£14.99
HarperCollins Publishers Operation Biting
Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES #1 BESTSELLERA Times Best History Book of the Year; A Waterstones Best Book of the Year''Reads like a thriller I couldn''t put Max Hastings''s new book down'' DAILY MAIL''Hastings is a master of drama, a writer intimately familiar with the mind of the soldier'' THE TIMESOperation Biting was one of the most thrilling British commando raids of World War II, and probably the most successful. In February 1942 RAF intelligence was baffled by a newly-identified radar network on the coast of Nazi-occupied Europe, codenamed Würzburg. The brilliant scientist Dr RV Jones proposed an assault to capture key components. The nearest accessible enemy set stood upon a steep cliff at Bruneval in Normandy. Winston Churchill enthused, as did Lord Louis Mountbatten, chief of Combined Operations. A company of the newly-formed Airborne Forces was committed to the operation, which took place on the night of 27/28 February. Amid heavy snow 120 men landed, some of whom were misdropped almost two miles from their objective. They nonetheless launched the assault, dismantled the German radar, and after three nail-biting hours in France and a fierce battle with Wehrmacht defenders, escaped in the nick of time by landing-craft across stormy seas to Portsmouth.Max Hastings recounts this cliffhanging tale in a wealth of previously unchronicled detail. He portrays its remarkable personalities: the boffin' RV Jones; the peacock Mountbatten; the troubled husband of Daphne Du Maurier, Gen. 'Boy' Browning, who commanded the Airborne Division; Colonel Remy', the French secret agent whose men reconnoitered Bruneval at mortal risk; Major John Frost, who led the paras into action; Charlie Cox, the little RAF technician who stripped the Würzburg and became an unexpected hero; Wing-Commander Charles Pickard, a legendary bomber pilot who led the drop squadron. Seldom have so many fascinating personalities been brought together to fulfil a mission that became a front-page triumph in a season of British defeats.Recounted in Hastings' familiar best-selling blend of top-down and bottom-up action detail, Operation Biting tells a story that has become almost forgotten yet deserves to rank among the epic tales of courage and daring that took place in the greatest conflict in history.
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers The Great Wave
Book SynopsisAn urgent examination of the great wave of change breaking over today's world from the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and New York Times bestselling author of The Death of TruthA profoundly inspiring and prophetic perspective on the contemporary world' Ai WeiweiIn the twenty-first century, a wave of political, cultural and technological change has capsized our old certainties and assumptions, creating both opportunity and danger.As people lose their faith in old institutions and elites, radical voices at the margins and the grassroots are disrupting the status quo. This is the time of the outsider the protester, the populist, the hacker. Some of these outsiders have sown chaos, like Donald Trump, and others have provided inspirational leadership, like Volodymyr Zelensky. But all have grasped this precarious moment to make something new.Writing with a critic's incisive understanding of cultural trends, Michiko Kakutani outlines the consequences of these new asymmetries of power, and lo
£15.29
HarperCollins Publishers Brooklyn Then and Now
Book Synopsis
£17.00
HarperCollins Publishers Den of Spies
Book SynopsisArgo meets Spotlight, as New York Times bestselling author Craig Unger reveals his thirty-year investigation into the secret collusion between Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and Iran, raising urgent questions about what happens when foreign meddling in elections goes unpunishedIn April 1991, the New York Times ran an op-ed alleging that Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign had conspired with the Iranian government to delay the release of 52 American hostages until after the 1980 election. The Iranian hostage crisis was President Jimmy Carter's largest political vulnerability, and his lack of success freeing them ultimately sealed his fate at the ballot box. In return for keeping Americans in captivity until Reagan assumed the oath of office, the Republicans had secretly funneled arms to Iran. Treasonous and illegal, the operationplanned and executed by Reagan's campaign manager Bill Caseyamounted to a shadow foreign policy run by private citizens that ensured Reagan's victory.Investigative journalist Craig Unger was one of the first reporters covering the October Surpriseinitially for Esquire and then Newsweekand while attempting to unravel the mystery, he was fired, sued, and ostracized by the Washington press corps, as a counter narrative took hold: The October Surprise was a hoax. Now Unger finally reveals the definitive story and sharing startling truths about what really happened in 1980. The result is a real-life political thriller filled with double agents, CIA operatives, slippery politicians, KGB documents, wealthy Republicans, and dogged journalists. Timely and provocative, with powerful echoes of Trump-era political scandals, Den of Spies demonstrates the stakes of allowing the politics of the moment to obscure the writing of our history.
£21.25
Taylor & Francis German Foreign Policy from Bismarck to Adenauer
Book SynopsisFirst Published in 1989. Tackling the problem of Germany's role in the history of world politics in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries is one of the most interesting tasks of historiography. Furthermore, the relationship between Britain and Germany is of central significance in understanding this role.Table of ContentsPart 1 The European Order between German Unification and the First World War; Chapter 1 Great Britain and the foundation of the German Reich; Chapter 2 Lord Clarendon, Bismarck and the problem of European disarmament, 1870.; Chapter 3 Between alliance and antagonism.; Chapter 4 The crisis of July 1914; Part 2 The Revolution in the International Order in the Twentieth Century; Chapter 5 Hitler’s policy towards France until 1936; Chapter 6 War in peace and peace in war.; Chapter 7 The German Resistance and its proposals for the political future of Eastern Europe; Part 3 The Federal Republic and its Policies towards East and West; Chapter 8 The provisional state and ‘eternal France’.; Chapter 9 Adenauer and Soviet Russia, 1963–7.; Chapter 10 The German Eigenweg;
£128.25
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Manhunt
Book Synopsis
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Wisdom of the Myths
Book SynopsisNo mere legends or clichés ("Herculean task," "Pandora's box," "Achilles heel," etc.), these classic stories offer profound and manifold lessons, providing the first sustained attempt to answer fundamental human questions concerning "the good life," the burden of mortality, and how to find one's place in the world.Trade Review"In this marvelously wise and expansive book, Luc Ferry argues for the primacy of Greek myth. ... Ferry writes with warmth, wit, and energy; one could call his prose conversational, but it's rare to have a conversation quite this wonderful." -- Boston Globe "With Luc Ferry as a guide, our passage through the storied landscape of Greek mythology becomes a captivating lesson in philosophy." -- Le Monde (France) "Ferry's charm as a teacher bursts through on every page." -- Wall Street Journal "A marvelously wise and expansive book. ... Ferry writes with warmth, wit, and energy; one could call his prose conversational, but it's rare to have a conversation quite this wonderful." -- Boston Globe
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc American Sniper
Book SynopsisThe #1 New York Times bestselling memoir of U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle, and the source for Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster movie which was nominated for six academy awards, including best picture.From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history.Trade Review"Chris Kyle tells his story with the same courage and grit he displayed in life and on the battlefield. American Sniper is a compelling read." -- CLINT EASTWOOD "An amazingly detailed account of fighting in Iraq--a humanizing, brave story that's extremely readable." -- PATRICIA CORNWELL, New York Times Book Review "In the elite community of warriors, one man has risen above our ranks and distinguished himself as unique. Chris Kyle is that man. A master sniper, Chris has done and seen things that will be talked about for generations to come." -- MARCUS LUTTRELL, author of Lone Survivor "Chris Kyle was incredible, the most celebrated war hero of our time, a true American hero in every sense of the word." -- D Magazine "The raw and unforgettable narrative of the making of our country's record-holding sniper, Chris Kyle's memoir is a powerful book, both in terms of combat action and human drama. Chief Kyle is a true American warrior down to the bone, the Carlos Hathcock of a new generation." -- CHARLES W. SASSER, Green Beret (US Army Ret.) and author of One Shot, One Kill "Reads like a first-person thriller narrated by a sniper. The bare-bones facts are stunning. ... A first-rate military memoir." -- BOOKLIST #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER -- No Source "American Sniper is the inside story of what it's like to be in war. A brave warrior and patriot, Chris Kyle writes frankly about the missions, personal challenges, and hard choices that are part of daily life of an elite SEAL Sniper. It's a classic!" -- RICHARD MARCINKO (USN, Ret.), First Commanding Officer of SEAL Team Six and #1 bestselling author of Rogue Warrior
£17.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc By the Light of Burning Dreams The Triumphs and
Book SynopsisTrade Review“In these linked portraits of activists and radicals at a watershed moment in history, David and Margaret Talbot tell a profound story about idealism in action and the rousing, inspiring, often messy ways in which popular movements and charismatic individuals fight injustice and bring about revolutionary transformation. By turns sweeping and intimate, and built on fresh interviews and original reporting, By the Light of Burning Dreams feels like necessary reading in our own tumultuous moment: an urgent reminder that change can happen and a vivid illustration of how it does.” — Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Say Nothing “An intelligent and sympathetic reappraisal of the political upheavals of the ’60s and’ 70s. . . . An abundance of fresh material gives this book an intergenerational appeal. . . . Through sharp reporting and good storytelling, the authors enliven a journalistic genre that in less skilled hands might have gone flat.” — Kirkus “If you’ve read either of the Talbot siblings, you know they don’t write anything dry. Simple saviors and canned profiles in courage are not for them. These essays bristle with energy and contention. . . . Whether covering the labor organizing of Cesar Chavez, the gay pride of Craig Rodwell or the celebrity activism of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the Talbots are guided by dogged reporting and an instinct for finding and telling a story. Even if you know these revolutionaries, you’ll find details here to surprise you. They might even make you want to go out and make a difference yourself.” — San Francisco Chronicle “The timing is perfect for By the Light of Burning Dreams: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the Second American Revolution, a fresh, deeply-reported examination of some of the most effective movement organizers to emerge in the 1960s….After a global pandemic dramatically increased already untenable inequity overlapped with the radical reassertion ― in the streets and online ― that America is built on fundamentally false pretenses when it comes to equality, the Talbots provide a memorable blueprint for how individuals can continue the work even when the TV crews move on.” — Scheer Post “[The Talbots] survey the seismic sociocultural changes that transpired in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s—what they call the Second American Revolution—by identifying seven discrete yet often intertwining movements or events of consequence…. The authors clearly admire the courage, political savvy, and sheer physical effort required to create and then sustain such critical movements, but they’re also unsparing in saying that mistakes were made…. As a result, the Talbots have created a coherent narrative of mid-century political activism, from which readers can see the through lines of modern-day success or failure, and proceed from there.” — Booklist, starred review “By the Light of Burning Dreams crackles with the radical energy of the 1960s and 70s. It’s a shot in the arm of bold idealism, an indispensable companion for today’s revolutionaries that reminds us what can happen if we dare to believe in – and fight for – a better world." — Jessica Bruder, author of Nomadland “Charismatic but flawed figures dominate this vibrant portrait of 1960s radical movements. . . . An exhilarating, inspiring outing.” — Publishers Weekly “Wide-ranging yet accessible…. A loving but critical portrait of a generation whose effects are still felt today.” — Library Journal "A moving chronology of the activism that burned bright in the decades of the ’60s and ’70s. Each movement is written about with a compassionate, yet practical view of their attributes and their shortcomings. The successes elicit joy, the setbacks provoking consternation, but the history provided in this treasure is illuminating and concludes with optimism. A+ History." — Seattle Book Review "Inspiring.... No hagiographers here; the Talbots point to the failures and imperfections in their characters, making their legacies human and real." — The National Book Review "David Talbot and Margaret Talbot take us back to that tumultuous time fifty years ago... [and] successively spotlight some of the most compelling personalities of the 1960s and 70s.... It’s a painful story to read because it highlights how sadly incomplete that revolution proved to be. And it brings to mind the ferocity of the Right-Wing reaction that followed later in the 1970s and beyond, setting the stage for the sad state of the American scene today." — Berkleyside "Did the actions of radicals transform the nation in any fundamental way? Or did they blaze too quickly across the landscape?. ... David Talbot and Margaret Talbot, siblings and veteran journalists, have crafted a book of personal narratives rich with the kinds of details that might help answer such queries.... The book brims with vivid descriptions of how all these characters looked, dressed, got along with one another (or didn’t), and how they came across in public. The Talbots sprinkle in factual nuggets that might surprise even former activists from those years or the historians who write about them (this reviewer belongs to both clusters)." — The New Republic
£18.75
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Wandering in Strange Lands
Book SynopsisTrade Review“Wandering in Strange Lands is in many ways a quintessentially American story. . . Jerkins makes plain that denying space for Black identities in history is itself a legacy as American as its original sins of racism and enslavement. By exploring the truth of that past with such integrity, this memoir enriches our future." — New York Times Book Review "Jerkins weaves a vivid and painful backstory of Black people forced into enslavement in the American South. . .The book is filled with poignant examples from across multiple centuries, including those retold in classrooms and those relegated to forgotten parts of our country's consciousness. . .It's when Jerkins sews her familial threads with those poignant historical facts from deep in the archives of America that the book is most impactful. Equally heartbreaking and reaffirming are the trials and tribulations too many Black people in the United States have faced and somehow conquered, coming out more resilient on the other side." — USA Today "Wandering in Strange Lands intertwines segments of past and present travel, as a reminder that the past is present in the U.S." — O, the Oprah Magazine "The mass migration of 6 million Black Americans from the rural South to the North, West, and Midwest is given a deeply personal framing by writer Morgan Jerkins as she attempts to better understand her ancestors’ treacherous journey across America." — Vogue "Traveling throughout the country, [Jerkins] explores the path her family took as well as her cultural identity as a black woman. Her desire to understand both her personal and cultural origins will inspire you to do the same." — Elle "Morgan Jerkins has always been curious about her family tree and the roots of Black Americans. In 'Wandering in Strange Lands,' she traces her ancestry back 300 years and shares what she learned about the Great Migration, displacement, and disenfranchisement. The result is an eye-opening, well-researched portrait of Black life in America after slavery." — Hello Giggles "Wandering in Strange Lands is a timely and riveting story about the Black American experience as told by a writer seeking to reclaim her roots by retracing her family's journey." — PopSugar "Morgan Jerkins, author of the best-selling and acclaimed This Will Be My Undoing, sets out to discover her family’s roots in Wandering in Strange Lands. In doing so she paints a larger portrait of African American displacement and disenfranchisement during the Great Migration and its impact on her own life. . . Jerkins is a wonderfully articulate memoirist and critic as she shares her own quest to understand the hard truths and actions of her ancestors. . .Wandering in Strange Lands is revelatory, shocking, and affirming." — Al Woodworth, Amazon Book Review "In Wandering in Strange Lands, Jerkins mixes reportage with personal reflection, taking readers through Southern spaces not often given visibility by those inhabiting or those who built the towns because they’ve since seen another type of colonization. Connecting her present with her past and investigating the ways DNA for Black people is not secular but spans many regions in the United States, Jerkins delves into a family history she didn’t understand but brings herself, and us, closer to." — Electric Literature "Jerkins evades [the sophomore] slump with the release of her second book, [Wandering in Strange Lands] penning beautiful prose that is engaging, thought-provoking, and authentic. Following the release of her 2018 New York Times bestseller, This Will Be My Undoing, Jerkins hits another home run and leaves her readers asking new questions about the world in which we live." — Ms. Magazine "For fans of “The 1619 Project,” The New York Times Magazine’s series that recently reexamined the legacy of slavery in the United States, this book is an interesting companion piece. For a long time, Jerkins’ family chose to look forward, not back. But what she found when she finally did retrace their steps was her true self. It had not been forgotten; it was just waiting to be discovered." — Bust Magazine “[A] forthright and informative account. . . . Jerkins’s careful research and revelatory conversations with historians, activists, and genealogists result in a disturbing yet ultimately empowering chronicle of the African-American experience. Readers will be moved by this brave and inquisitive book.” — Publishers Weekly “A thrilling, emotional, and engaging ride that almost commands the reader to turn the page, Wandering in Strange Lands is required reading, accurately widening the lens of American history.” — Booklist (starred review) "A blend of reportage and memoir, this is just one story of many of this time—and one not to miss when it comes out." — Book Riot “Driven by a need to understand her own identity, cultural critic Jerkins mounted an investigation into her family's tangled history, recounting in this candid memoir the surprising discoveries that emerged from her emotional journey. . . A revelatory exploration of the meaning of blackness.” — Kirkus Reviews
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Team America
Book SynopsisTrade Review“A sweeping overview of four men whose careers largely defined the American experience in the 20th century. . . . O’Connell narrates with a lively style, with plenty of lighter moments balancing the rigors of the subjects’ military careers. . . . the book is serious and worthy of the subjects.” — Kirkus Reviews "A delicious blend of insight, wit and history, “Team America” is a punch-packed introduction to four great military minds and the zeitgeist that produced them." — Wall Street Journal "Call it destiny or luck, America was fortunate to have extraordinary military leaders and “soldier-statesmen” during World War II and the Cold War that followed. They were not perfect human beings, by any means, but they possessed a genius for war and, most of the time, for keeping the peace. Robert O'Connell has written a rollicking, insightful story of some particularly American heroes." — Evan Thomas, author of Ike’s Bluff “O’Connell delivers an entertaining group biography. . . . he incisively analyzes these commanders’ strengths and weaknesses and their essential roles in transforming the U.S. Army. Military history buffs will be enthralled.” — Publishers Weekly “Insightful and informative. . . . ‘Team America’ combines compelling biographies of our heroes as they reach the heights of military, then civilian, leadership during five pivotal decades. O’Connell also explains why industrial warfare grew into a juggernaut, and how they managed to control it to achieve an uncertain peace that still holds.” — Associated Press "Team America profiles the lives of four extraordinary military leaders on and off the battlefield. Author Robert L. O’Connell has constructed a wonderful quadrilateral perspective of Patton, Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Marshall along with their long-lasting impact in the world of combat and leadership. All four men walked divergent paths off the field but shared common ground in their loyalty to the country. Brilliant work." — Seattle Book Review “[O’Connell] writes clearly and concisely. . . . He has a feel for the important detail and for how the personal, political, and strategic work together. . . . [He] has provided a service in laying out in full these men’s great contributions.” — American Spectator “Melding rock-solid research with lively analysis of their larger-than-life personas, O’Connell makes a convincing case for why the foursome —whom he dubs “Team America” — is, and continues to be, history’s most influential cabal of military leaders.” — HistoryNet “An outstanding group biography… Well written and well organized. O’Connell’s study of these four American military giants should take its place among the best works on the role of the U.S. Army in World War II.” — New Criterion
£11.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Of Greed and Glory
Book SynopsisTrade Review“This is an emotional and passionate book, raw in its grief and anger, but also imbued with hope for redemption. Based on objective historical fact and subjective experience, Of Greed and Glory has the power of a sermon and the urgency of a manifesto.” — Deborah Mason, BookPage "As indispensable to understanding the Americas as Edward E. Baptist’s The Half Has Never Been Told. Of Greed and Glory powerfully demonstrates that though we as Black Americans are far from faultless in some of our most egregious behavior on the mean plantations and streets of antebellum and modern America, we nonetheless have had to grow our dignity beneath the pitiless boot of those who looked into the tiny faces of our infants and saw only dollar signs. Powerful and necessary." — Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and National Book Award winning author of The Color Purple and Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart “If you want to understand the current issues surrounding race, social justice, and inequality, you have to read Deborah Plant’s book, Of Greed and Glory. Deborah understands that the issues surrounding race, unfolding before us now in America, are deeply rooted in the legacy of the African American past. She writes eloquently and beautifully about that past. Of Greed and Glory is a must-read book for socially conscious citizens.” — Clyde W. Ford, Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award in African American fiction—winning author of Of Blood and Sweat and Think Black "Of Greed and Glory is impossible to put down. It’s a searing, provocative analysis of how the roots of slavery in the US still infiltrate so many of our social institutions. Plant’s vivid prose will leave you affected, challenged, and thinking about this book long after you’re done reading." — Adia Wingfield, author of Gray Areas, Flatlining, and No More Invisible Man "Deborah G. Plant courageously and painstakingly provides insight into the devastation and trauma experienced generations of African Americans, persons of color, and the poor … This is a must read that challenges us to become active in the movement to abolish slavery, patriarchy, and other forms of oppression that exist in our nation." — Diane D. Turner, author of Feeding the Soul and curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University Libraries
£18.70
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Rock Me on the Water
Book Synopsis"An electric story filled with gripping personalities, compelling backstage histories, and a clear message for the divided America of today: the forces that fear change can win for a time, but in America the future always gets the last word.Trade Review"Rock Me On The Water documents the high-octane storybook world of Los Angeles in 1974 with masterful intimacy and fearless cultural analysis. His well-rendered portraits of Jackson Browne, Linda Rondstadt, Joni Mitchell, David Geffen and other luminaries of the time are sublime. This is an extremely kinetic historical document, and a testament to Brownstein's lasting importance as both a fact-driven journalist and elegant prose-stylist. A must read!" — Douglas Brinkley, author of American Moonshot “Brownstein’s kaleidoscopic account of a historic generational transformation that took place in American culture, American politics, and American life in the crucible of modern Los Angeles during the magical year of 1974. It encapsulates in compelling detail the moment when young people and young ideas were moving in on an older generation, based on the strength of new-found creativity and idealism. It documents the triumphs and failures of that new generation with vividness, humor, and, most of all, deep understanding. Running through every page is the author’s deep love for his adopted home. A beautiful ride through an unforgettable time." — Jon Landau “One of the sharpest analysts of American politics, Ron Brownstein in Rock Me on the Water offers a fresh, vivid and insightful look at how politics and popular culture intertwined to reshape American life at a moment of profound generational transition — LA in the early 1970s. It's an electric story filled with gripping personalities, compelling backstage histories, and a clear message for the divided America of today: the forces that fear change can win for a time, but in America the future always gets the last word. A lyrical recreation of a magical moment.” — Jake Tapper “Engrossing. . . . What Brownstein has done is expertly knit the scenes together, giving the reader a plus-one invite to the heady world of Hollywood parties, jam sessions and pitch meetings, as well as a pointed demonstration of how culture can be made and unmade.” — New York Times “Ron Brownstein has written a truly terrific book! I moved to LA in Jan. 1974 when this story opens but it is about so much more than a city. It is insider scoops of pop culture leading us out of Nixon, as it will lead us out of Trump. I should be working but can’t stop reading.” — John W. Dean, CNN contributor and former Nixon White House Counsel “My friend and CNN colleague Ron Brownstein has written a terrific book. Rock Me on The Water tells the amazing story of 1974 and how it changed the U.S. If you’re old enough to have lived through 1974, it will bring back memories. If you’re too young, you will learn a lot.” — Wolf Blitzer, anchor of The Situation Room, CNN "Sweeping cultural history. . . . Enriched by interviews with the period’s luminaries, including Warren Beatty and Linda Ronstadt, this astute and wide-ranging account shows how L.A. led the U.S. into an era when the 1960s counterculture became mainstream." — Publishers Weekly "An endlessly engaging cultural history that will resonate with anyone alive in 1974." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Brownstein knits together the threads of history to show that, for the first time in 1974, politics and entertainment were not separate things, that the line between the two was blurred almost to the point of irrelevance. An insightful, expertly written book." — Booklist “Excellent.” — Politico “More than just summarizing or reviewing what such films and shows were about, the author dives deep into how they were created, financed, promoted and received. His many interviews with actors, writers, directors and executives of that era lend such renderings veracity and energy.” — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “I’m absolutely loving Rock Me on the Water, Ron Brownstein’s riveting new book about L.A., circa ‘74, when the City of Angels was the hub of an extraordinary revolution in film, music, culture and politics. Really a fun read. Highly recommended!!” — David Axelrod, Senior Political Commentator, CNN “This is a terrific book about a pivot-point in US cultural history, which led to reshaping our political landscape. Ron Brownstein is a dadgum genius. Highly recommend this book.” — Paul Begala, CNN contributor and former counselor to President Clinton “One of the very best on 1974 — a hinge of cultural history for American TV, movies & music. All in his new book Rock Me on The Water.” — Major Garrett, Chief Washington Correspondent, CBS News “In his brilliant cultural history, Rock Me on the Water, Brownstein drops enough names to fill the once-massive Los Angeles phone book (remember those?), elicits memorable moments from several entertainment industries, and recalls political machinations across decades.” — Los Angeles Review of Books “Brownstein paints Los Angeles in 1974 as a kind of patchouli-scented version of Florence during the Renaissance, bursting with creative energy in television, movies and music. From Joni Mitchell to Archie Bunker, a year of cultural ferment is presented here in all its richness.” — New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Choice “Brownstein, a veteran reporter and now a senior editor at the Atlantic, makes all this cultural history memorable by telling much of his story through profiles of figures like Jack Nicholson, Norman Lear, George Lucas, Ms. Ronstadt and Mr. Browne, and the Eagles’ Don Henley and Glenn Frey.” — Wall Street Journal “Timely and relevant.” — She Reads “Convincing. . . . The book truly sparks to life.” — PopMatters “Brownstein’s chronological retelling of the intersections of art, politics and pop culture in a stormy year in American history is both nostalgic and entertaining.” — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Need to Know
Book SynopsisOne of The New Yorker''s Best Books of the Year * A Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize FinalistAuthoritative. . . . [Reynolds''s] contribution to our understanding of the rise of American intelligence is unparalleled. —Journal of Intelligence History“The most thorough and detailed history available on the origins of U.S. intelligence.” —Michael Morell, former Deputy Director and Acting Director, CIAHistorian and former CIA officer Nicholas Reynolds, the New York Times bestselling author of Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy, uncovers the definitive history of American intelligence during World War II, illuminating its key role in securing victory and its astonishing growth from practically nothing at the start of the war. The entire vast, modern American intelligence system—the amalgaTrade Review"Authoritative. ... Reynolds's contribution to our understanding of the rise of American intelligence is unparalleled." — Journal of Intelligence History “Need to Know is the most thorough and detailed history available on the origins of U.S. intelligence. I expect it to become part of the required reading for university classes on intelligence for some time to come. Kudos to Nick Reynolds for giving us Need to Know.” — Michael Morell, Former Deputy Director and Acting Director, CIA “An excellent, wide-ranging introduction to the creation of American Intelligence in World War II.” — The Journal of Military History "Need to Know is a detailed history of the origins of American intelligence capability....Reynolds traces how the intelligence establishment we know today was built from scratch starting during the run-up to the Second World War. The storyline is supported by extensive research." — Foreign Service Journal "Reynolds examines the genesis of the Central Intelligence Agency in the inter war years and particularly in the Second World War. He has used his academic research and practical expertise in the intelligence services to examine the complex set of personalities, rivalries and political manoeuvring which led to the development of the CIA and its global reach and influence." — British Modern Military History Society “Of several recent books that coincide with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the [CIA’s] founding. … Reynolds’s book is the best of the recent batch, and the most readable.” — The New Yorker, Best Books of 2022 “A readable, thoughtful book on an important subject….This is an exceptionally well cited book….Need to Know belongs in the required or at least highly recommended readings portions of syllabi in intelligence studies programs.” — William Nolte, The Cipher Brief (rated 4 out of 4 “trench coats”) “[A] vast, complex, character-rich history. … A comprehensive, authoritative examination of the genesis of America’s national security apparatus.” — Kirkus Reviews "An exhaustively researched critical history of American military intelligence from 1940 to the beginning of the Cold War. ... Reynolds’s scrupulous and well-rounded approach reveals the good, the bad, and the reckless in the early days of U.S. intelligence. Espionage buffs will be fascinated." — Publishers Weekly "Reynolds masterfully synthesizes the contributions of a number of consequential figures to the burgeoning intelligence industry that WWII bequeathed to modern America." — Booklist "Based on extensive primary research, this striking and compelling account should be read by anybody interested in the development of U.S. intelligence agencies and special operations during World War II." — Library Journal “Need to Know is imaginative, bold in framework, and extremely well-executed.” — Richard B. Frank, author of Tower of Skulls: A History of the Asia-Pacific War, July 1937- May 1942 "A revelatory account of the covert efforts of the Allied forces to turn the tide of World War II. ... A thrilling account." — Seattle Book Review "Nicholas Reynolds does a great service to the field of intelligence history by producing a narrative on this essential topic that is as accessible to general readers as it is insightful for scholars. The book offers the rare combination of illuminating scholarship and great readability. ... Reynolds’s novel big-picture approach offers a subtle, fresh perspective. ... A notable strength of Need to Know is the book’s ability to capture the humanity and complexity behind the wartime evolution of what the world now knows as the US national security regime." — Sara B. Castro, US Air Force Academy "Reynolds intended to write an overview for specialists and generalists, and he succeeds. In my own library, I have placed it next to Christopher Andrew’s For the President’s Eyes Only and the books and published primary sources I gather on the emergence of the intelligence community. ... Certainly, the reading public would enjoy and benefit from reading it, too, as it is well informed, perceptive, and a pleasure to read." — James Lockhart, Rabdan Academy/Zayed Military University, Abu Dhabi
£15.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Let Me Be Frank
Book SynopsisIn this entertaining and eye-opening collection, writer, actor, and feminist Tracy Dawson showcases trailblazers throughout history who disguised themselves as men and continuously broke the rules to gain access and opportunities denied them because they were women.“This book will surprise, astonish, and hopefully anger you on the lengths women have had to go to pursue their dreams. Tracy has such a gift for storytelling and making history leap off the page. Her book has a wit that suggests it was written by a man since everyone knows women aren''t this funny.”—Kay Cannon, writer, producer, director (the Pitch Perfect films, Cinderella)“A smart, funny journey through history that introduces us to the rule breakers who made history worth traveling through.”—Patton Oswalt, comedian, actor and author“I came up with Tracy as a fellow sketch comedian on the vomit-soaked stages of the Toronto comedy scene. And like the brilliant, resourceful, rule-breaking, damn-well-stubborn sisters in Let Me Be Frank, Tracy is someone who gets the job done, and gets it done well.”—Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Let Me Be Frank illuminates with a wry warmth the incredible stories of a diverse group of women from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds who have defied the patriarchy, refusing to allow men or the status quo to define their lives or break their spirit. An often sardonic and thoroughly impassioned homage to female ingenuity and tenacity, the women profiled in this inspiring anthology broke the rules to reach their goals and refused to take “no” for an answer. These women took matters into their own hands, dressing—sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively—as men to do what they wanted to do. This includes competing in marathons, publishing books, escaping enslavement, practicing medicine, tunneling deep in the earth as miners, taking to the seas as pirates and serving on the frontlines in the military, among many other pursuits. Not only did these women persist, many unknowingly made history and ultimately inspired later generations in doing so. This compendium is an informative and enthralling celebration of these revolutionary badasses who have changed the world and our lives.Let Me Be Frank is filled with more than two dozen specially commissioned, full-color illustrations and hand-lettering by artist Tina Berning, whose multi-award-winning work has been published in numerous publications and anthologies worldwide, and is designed by Alex Kalman.WOMEN PROFILED INCLUDE: Jeanne Baret * Anne Bonny and Mary Read * Christian Caddell * Ellen Craft * Catalina De Erauso * Louise Augustine Gleizes * Hatshepsut * Annie Hindle and Florence Hines* Pili Hussein * Joan of Arc * Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi * Margaret King * Dorothy Lawrence * Tarpé Mills * Hannah Snell * Kathrine Switzer * Maria Toorpakai * Dr. Mary Edwards Walker * Cathay WilliamsTrade Review“Stylish ink and watercolor drawings complement Dawson's amusing yet pointed biographical sketches. This spirited feminist history entertains and enlightens.” — Publishers Weekly “[A]n easy-to-read, eye-opening look at female bravery amid the sexism and misogyny throughout history; it is funny and rousing and proud.” — Shelf Awareness “Whether describing how women escaped enslavement, defined literary movements, ensured women can compete in judo on an Olympic level, or take to the high seas as pirates, Dawson’s biographies are as informative as they are entertaining. Full-color illustrations by artist Tina Berning beautifully round out the collection.” — Booklist "An entertaining, astonishing collection celebrating the diverse trailblazers who disguised themselves as men... Let Me Be Frank is a witty, sometimes infuriating, wholly inspiring look at the lengths that women had to go to." — Buzzfeed “A smart, funny journey through history that introduces us to the rule breakers who made history worth traveling through.” — Patton Oswalt, comedian, actor and author "If you love history and you love women in history you're going to love this book. Tracy is so funny and sassy!" — Angela Kinsey, actress (The Office) “This book will surprise, astonish, and hopefully anger you on the lengths women have had to go to pursue their dreams. Tracy has such a gift for storytelling and making history leap off the page. Her book has a wit that suggests it was written by a man since everyone knows women aren't this funny.” — Kay Cannon, writer, producer, director (the Pitch Perfect films, Cinderella) “[L]ike the brilliant, resourceful, rule-breaking, damn-well-stubborn sisters in Let Me Be Frank, Tracy is someone who gets the job done, and gets it done well.” — Samantha Bee, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee “A quirky volume that brings together stories of many interesting women for readers looking for a laugh and an education.” — Library Journal “Dawson’s book is a loving tribute to those who did whatever they could to show that women unbound by gender roles can survive and thrive.” — Boston Globe “Armed with her passionate, ultra-feminist irony, a mountain of research, and an appropriately witty title, Tracy Dawson takes aim at ancient patriarchal traditions by giving fierce, rule-breaking women, both known and little-known, a voice for their defiance.” — Historical Novel Society
£17.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Race and Reckoning
Book SynopsisRanging from chattel slavery, through the New Deal to the Covid pandemic, a groundbreaking work that investigates how pivotal decisions have established and perpetuated discriminatory practices, even as the rise of disinformation and other modern advertising techniques have plunged democracy into an ever-deepening crisis. Throughout our nation’s history, numerous racialized decisions have solidified the fates of generations of citizens of color. Some of the earliest involved race-based slavery, the removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands, and the exclusion of most Asians. More have proliferated over time. While America grew into a superpower in the twentieth century, it continued to discriminate against people of color—both soldiers who served overseas and civilians on the home front, herding Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II and denying Black citizens their right to vote. American Politicians have waxed eloquently and endlessly about bettering the nation. But bettering it for whom? journalist and cultural commentator Ellis Cose asks. From Reconstruction to the New Deal to the unceasing fight for civil rights, Cose reveals how the hopes of many Americans for a true multicultural democracy have been repeatedly frustrated by white nationalists skilled at weaponizing racial anxieties of other whites. In Race and Reckoning Cose dissects chapter-by-chapter how America’s overall narrative breeds racial resentment rooted in conjecture over fact. Through rigorous research and with astute detail, Cose uncovers how, at countless points in history, America’s leaders have upheld a narrative of American greatness rooted in racism, as he offers a hopeful yet clear-eyed vision of American possibility.It is a story grounded in history, and it demolishes the myths that ultimately allowed one of the most ill-prepared, unethical, vindictive, and truth-challenged politicians in history to position himself as America’s savior by tapping into the nation’s darkest tendencies. A pointed rebuke of American exceptionalism,” was Publishers Weekly''s description of Race and Reckoning. Whereas many politicians argue for ignoring or rewriting unflattering history, this is a passionate and incisive argument for accepting—and learning from—historical truth and rejecting ignorance disguised as patriotism. An important work “that merits a place on ethnic studies—and American history—curricula,” observed Kirkus. Trade Review“A book that merits a place on ethnic studies—and American history—curricula.” — Kirkus Reviews “Blistering. . . . Cose draws incisive parallels between past and present. This is a pointed rebuke of American exceptionalism.” — Publishers Weekly
£15.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc How to Survive America
Book SynopsisDispels the myth that people of color are somehow predisposed to poor health, blaming systemic injustice in the health care system. —New York Times Book ReviewLegendary comedian D.L. Hughley uses his hilarious yet soul-shaking (Black Enterprise) humor to confront racism''s unjust impact on the health and wellbeing of Blacks and minorities White people love survival guides. But have you noticed they’re always about ridiculous activities in locations far from home, with chapters like “How to Survive an Avalanche or How to Live on Bugs in the Jungle.” Huh?!You know who really needs a survival guide? Black and brown Americans. For surviving their own damn country! Minority populations wake up every day in a battle for their health and safety. Thankfully, legendary activist-comedian D.L. Hughley offers How to Survive America, a fearless satire that exposes racism’s unjust toll on our bodies and minds.Even before COVID-19 disproportionately impacted minority communities, life expectancy for Blacks was a full three years less than for white Americans. The very air we breathe is more polluted, our water is more contaminated, our local food options are toxic, and our jobs are underpaid. Despite the obvious need, the quality of our health care is tragically inadequate. Our communities are statistically less safe than the average, and yet we’re terrorized by the law-enforcement and criminal-justice systems that are supposed to protect us, sending Blacks to prison at five times the rate of whites. Not least, our means of addressing these injustices—voting—is perennially under assault.It’s enough to drive you crazy. Well, guess what? According to Cigna, Blacks are 20 percent more likely to report “psychological distress” yet “50 percent less likely to receive counseling or mental health treatment.” It’s almost like the entire country has been structured with no regard for our welfare. Hmmm.Whether you’re Black, white, brown, or Asian, don’t leave home without arming yourself with How to Survive America!
£14.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Make Good the Promises
Book SynopsisTrade Review“Firmly planted in both the past and the present, this is an excellent introduction to an oft-misunderstood chapter in American history.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “The Reconstruction era is perceived within the racist imagination to be a failure. In fact, popular memory has been a failure. Make Good the Promises is a powerful and illuminating exploration that shows the Black struggle during the Reconstruction era for a multiracial democracy. We are fighting the same struggle today.” — Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-Winning Author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist “The truly impressive essays and gorgeous illustrations collected here offer a powerful and unflinching look at a critical period of our history. Engaging directly with a history of what W.E.B. Du Bois called 'propaganda' about this period, Make Good the Promises helps us see that we cannot understand the present without grappling with this violent, transformative time. This beautiful collection reveals why Reconstruction belongs at the center of Black history and, indeed, all of American history.” — Kate Masur, Author of Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement, from the Revolution to Reconstruction
£15.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc I Have a Dream
Book Synopsis
£11.69
HarperCollins They Came for the Schools
Book Synopsis
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Lincolns Lady Spymaster
Book Synopsis
£21.25
HarperCollins Oathbreakers
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Ive Been to the Mountaintop
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Ebury Publishing Forgotten Voices Of The Great War
Book SynopsisAcclaimed author Max Arthur specialises in first hand recollections of historical events. Previous titles include The Manchester United Air Crash; Above All Courage; Northern Ireland Soldiers Talking; Men of the Red Beret;, There Shall Be Wings: The RAF 1918 to the Present; The True Glory: The Royal Navy 1914 to Present.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary and immensely moving book -- Stephen FryThis extraordinary book is crammed with details, conjuring up the atmosphere of war as vividly as the frequent descriptions of appalling violence * Daily Telegraph *The words of the soldiers are as fresh as if they were written yesterday ... extraordinary * Mail on Sunday *These stories are so harrowing, and their witness so precise and devastating * The Times *The stories of these now long-dead vets simply jump off the page * FHM *
£14.39
Ebury Publishing Forgotten Voices Of The Second World War
Book SynopsisThe Imperial War Museum holds a vast archive of interviews with soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians of most nationalities who saw action during WW2.Trade ReviewThese stories are so harrowing, their witness so precise and devastating * The Times *With the rawness and immediacy that only this kind of oral history can provide * Sunday Times *An extraordinary and immensely moving book -- Stephen FryA unique collection of personal testimonies ... a timely reminder of the sacrifices and horrors of war * Sunday Express *The sound of real human voices: bewildered, sad, often angry, sometimes bitter, but for the most part remarkable ... a shattered relay-race of narrative gives the book a ghostly, choric poetry * Telegraph *
£14.24
Ebury Publishing Forgotten Voices of The Holocaust
Book SynopsisFollowing the success of Forgotten Voices of the Great War, Lyn Smith visits the oral accounts preserved in the Imperial War Museum Sound Archive, to reveal the sheer complexity and horror of one of human history''s darkest hours. The great majority of Holocaust survivors suffered considerable physical and psychological wounds, yet even in this dark time of human history, tales of faith, love and courage can be found. As well as revealing the story of the Holocaust as directly experienced by victims, these testimonies also illustrate how, even enduring the most harsh conditions, degrading treatment and suffering massive family losses, hope, the will to survive, and the human spirit still shine through.Trade ReviewA powerfully moving chronicle * Daily Express *Powerful cries of pain...All of them capture some element of the torment, and of hope....What might seem a monotonous roll of horror stories becomes, under her keen ear, a mosaic of infinite variety...can be read with an assurance that there will be many aspects of Holocaust in them that will be new, remarkable and thought-provoking -- Martin Gilbert * Financial Times *Full of rich insights...There are no greater stories of courage than those of old relatives who sacrificed themselves so that others could survive * The Jewish Chronicle *Deserves maximum space everywhere this autumn... poignant and sometimes horrific reading... it is a timely reminder to appreciate our lives and those we share it with * The Bookseller *probably the most harrowing book I'll ever read...gripping....its subject matter is something that should never be forgotten * Bookseller *
£13.49
Ebury Publishing We Are at War
Book SynopsisOf all the accounts written about the Second World War, none are more compelling than the personal diaries of those who lived through it. We Are At War is the story of five everyday folk, who, living on the brink of chaos, recorded privately on paper their most intimate hopes and fears.Pam Ashford, a woman who keeps her head when all around are losing theirs, writes with comic genius about life in her Glasgow shipping office. Christopher Tomlin, a writing-paper salesman for whom business is booming, longs to be called up like his brother. Eileen Potter organises evacuations for flea-ridden children, while mother-of-three Tilly Rice is frustrated to be sent to Cornwall. And Maggie Joy Blunt tries day-by-day to keep a semblance of her ordinary life.Entering their world as they lived it, each diary entry is poignantly engrossing. Amid the tumultuous start to the war, these ordinary British people are by turns apprehensive and despairing, spirited and cheerful - aTrade ReviewWonderful stuff * Sunday Times *Fascinating, delightful, illuminating. The diarists soon become like old friends ... and make our wartime past seem no more distant than yesterday * Mail on Sunday *It's always easy to imagine people in this period becalmed in a sepia-toned limbo. This book tells the messy, but far more interesting, truth * Time Out *Few books have so successfully stepped inside the minds of the British people during wartime * Metro *A fascinating account of everyday life in Britain * Good Housekeeping *
£14.24
Ebury Publishing Punk Rock
Book Synopsis''To see The Clash on the White Riot tour was like discovering how to be a rock star: you just did it yourself. You didn''t wait for someone to come and discover you. That was the most important thing that came out of punk... We came home and we cut our hair and bought skinny trousers. It was year zero. That was the moment for me'' Billy BraggPunk Rock is a book like no other. It is an oral history of a radical movement which exploded in Seventies Britain. With its own clothes, hair, artwork, fanzines and radical politics, Punk boasted a DIY ethos that meant anyone could take part. The scene was uniquely vibrant and energetic, leaving an extraordinary legacy of notorious events, charismatic characters and inspirational music. John Robb has spent over a year interviewing more than 100 contributors including Glen Matlock, Mick Jones, Don Letts, Slash, Billy Bragg, Hugh Cornwell and Captain Sensible. Now, for the first time, they give the inside view on evTrade ReviewJohn Robb is a great writer... and he is supremely qualified in my opinion to talk about punk rock -- Mick Jones, The ClashJohn Robb is as punk rock as The Clash -- Alan McGee
£18.70
Ebury Publishing Their Darkest Hour
Book SynopsisHow could Nazi killers shoot Jewish women and children at close range? Why did Japanese soldiers rape and murder on such a horrendous scale? How was it possible to endure the torment of a Nazi death camp?Award-winning documentary maker and historian Laurence Rees has spent decades wrestling with such questions in the course of filming hundreds of interviews with people tested to the extreme during World War II. He has come face-to-face with rapists, mass murderers, even cannibals, but he has also met courageous individuals who are an inspiration to us all.In Their Darkest Hour he presents 35 of his most electrifying encounters.''A remarkably powerful collection'' Antony Beevor, Daily Telegraph''An incredible, well-written, must-read book'' Glasgow Evening Times''A lasting contribution to our understanding of the Second World War and a powerful insight into the behaviour of human beings in crisis''Trade ReviewA remarkably powerful collection * Daily Telegraph *Powerful and unsettling * Sunday Times *A lasting contribution to our understanding of the Second World War and a powerful insight into the behaviour of human beings in crisis * Independent *Fascinating but disturbing * Daily Mail *Chilling collection of eye-witness testimonies ... bringing nuance to our understanding of the horrific experience of war * Financial Times *
£10.44
Ebury Publishing Levine J Forgotten Voices of the Somme
Book SynopsisDrawing on a wealth of material from the vast Imperial War Museum Sound Archive, this book offers insight into life on the front line: from the day-to-day struggle of circumstances to the white heat of battle and the constant threat of injury or death. It features contributions from soldiers of both sides and of differing backgrounds.Trade ReviewJoshua Levine is an experienced oral historian and author of Forgotten Voices of the Blitz and the Battle for Britain and On a Wing and a Prayer. He has also had plays performed on the London stage and on Radio 4, as well as scripting a television documentary about 18th century London for BBC2.
£12.59
Ebury Publishing Hope and Glory
Book SynopsisStuart Maconie is a writer, broadcaster and journalist familiar to millions from his work in print, on radio and on TV. His previous bestsellers have included Cider with Roadies, Pies and Prejudice and Adventures on the High Teas, and he currently hosts the afternoon show on BBC 6music with Mark Radcliffe as well as weekly show The Freak Zone. Based in the cities of Birmingham and Manchester, he can also often be spotted on top of a mountain in the Lake District with a Thermos flask and individual pork pie.Trade ReviewA very engaging writer with a remarkably broad frame of reference * Mail on Sunday *...compelling and often witty insight into the customs and mindsets of overlooked corners of Britain ... Maconie is an engaging and illuminating guide throughout * Independent *As funny as Bryson and as wise as Orwell * Observer *More serious than you might expect, copies should be available in every school * Guardian *
£14.24
Ebury Publishing Forgotten Voices of Burma
Book SynopsisFrom the end of 1941 to 1945 a pivotal but often overlooked conflict was being fought in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War 2 - the Burma Campaign.In 1941 the Allies fought in a disastrous retreat across Burma against the Japanese - an enemy more prepared, better organised and more powerful than anyone had imagined. Yet in 1944, following key battles at Kohima and Imphal, and daring operations behind enemy lines by the Chindits, the Commonwealth army were back, retaking lost ground one bloody battle at a time.Fighting in dense jungle and open paddy field, this brutal campaign was the longest fought by the British Commonwealth in the Second World War. But the troops taking part were a forgotten army, and the story of their remarkable feats and their courage remains largely untold to this day.The Fourteenth Army in Burma became one of the largest and most diverse armies of the Second World War. British, West African, Ghurkha and Indian regiments fought aTrade ReviewGripping reading and a valuable history ... Excellent * Pennant *
£15.29
Ebury Publishing The Peoples Songs
Book SynopsisThese are the songs that we have listened to, laughed to, loved to and laboured to, as well as downed tools and danced to. Covering the last seven decades, Stuart Maconie looks at the songs that have sound tracked our changing times, and just sometimes changed the way we feel. Beginning with Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again', a song that reassured a nation parted from their loved ones by the turmoil of war, and culminating with the manic energy of Bonkers', Dizzee Rascal's anthem for the push and rush of the 21st century inner city, The People's Songs takes a tour of our island's pop music, and asks what it means to us. This is not a rock critique about the 50 greatest tracks ever recorded. Rather, it is a celebration of songs that tell us something about a changing Britain during the dramatic and kaleidoscopic period from the Second World War to the present day. Here are songs about work, war, class, leisure, race, family, drugs, sex, patriotism and moreTrade ReviewOne of the most insightful and purely readable books on pop music I think I have ever encountered -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *An unequivocal pleasure and highly recommended -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *The blend of research and conjecture is impressive -- Will Hodgkinson * The Times *Maconie succeeds in being at once elegant and approachable, definititive but also self-deprecating * Guardian *A fine writer: sharp, funny, tender and thoughtful * Spectator *
£15.29
Ebury Publishing The Pie At Night
Book SynopsisFactory, mine and mill. Industry, toil and grime. Its manufacturing roots mean we still see the North of England as a hardworking place. But, more than possibly anywhere else, the North has always known how to get dressed up, take itself out on the town and have a good time. After all, working and playing hard is its specialty, and Stuart Maconie is in search of what, exactly, this entails what it tells us about the North today. Following tip offs and rumour, Stuart takes trip to forgotten corners and locals' haunts. From the tapas bars of Halifax to the caravan parks of Berwick Upon Tweed, from a Westhoughton bowling green to Manchester's curry mile, via dog tracks and art galleries, dance floors and high fells, Stuart compares the new and old North, with some surprising results. The Pie at Night could be seen as a companion to the bestselling Pies and Prejudice, but it is not a sequel. After all, this is a new decade and the North is changing faster than ever. This is a revealing and digressive journey and a State of the North address, delivered from barstool, terrace, dress circle and hillside.Trade ReviewMaconie's enjoyment ... is obvious, and he makes it just as enjoyable for his readers * Daily Mail *Maconie's engaging, conversational prose is full of telling detail, jokes and deft quotation ... [he has a] rare ability to convey the sense of people having a really good time' * Telegraph *His engaging, conversational prose is full of telling detail, terrific jokes and unfailingly deft quotation * Daily Telegraph *History and politics are lightly woven through this account of a changing society, told with Maconie's typical gusto * New Statesman *Maconie's latest love letter to the North of England...is infectious, enlivened by terrific jokes * Radar Magazine, Sunday Telegraph *
£14.24
Ebury Publishing The War on our Doorstep
Book SynopsisHarriet Salisbury has been a writer and editor for twenty years and has a special interest in the history of East London. She lives in Hackney. The War on Our Doorstep is her first book.The Museum of London oral history collection contains more than 5,000 hours of recorded life story interviews with a wide variety of people who have lived and worked in London and who talk about their lives and everyday experiences.Trade ReviewReveals in heart-rending detail what it truly means to be an East Ender * Daily Express *An excellent collection of recollections of Eastenders. ... What a place, what indomitable pride. Read all about it * Country Life *
£15.29
