History Books

Book SynopsisOne of the bestselling books of the 21st century, now a major Sky TV series starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie LynskeyFEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FOR THIS EDITIONI tattooed a number on her arm. She tattooed her name on my heart...In 1942, Lale Sokolov arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale - a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer - it was love at first sight. And he was determined not only to survive himself, but to ensure this woman, Gita, did, too.So begins one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust: the love story of the tattooist of Auschwitz.Discover the in

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Book SynopsisThe third volume of Steven Runciman''s classic, hugely influential trilogy on the history of the Crusades''The whole tale is one of faith and folly, courage and greed, hope and disillusion''Steven Runciman''s triumphant three-volume A History of the Crusades remains an unsurpassed account of the events that changed the world and continue to resonate today. This final volume of the trilogy begins with the glamorous Third Crusade and ends with the ruinous collapse of the crusader states and the degeneration of their ideals, which reached its nadir in the tragic destruction of Byzantium. ''When historical events are written about with this sort of command, they take on not only the universality of a fairy tale but also a certain moral weight. Runciman writes both seductively and instructively about the dignity and beauty of different religious beliefs and about the difficulties of their co-existence'' Independent

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2013'Funny, erudite, frequently irritating . . . and never boring' Sarah Bakewell, Financial Times 'An excellent, rich and amusing read' The Times, Book of the WeekFor centuries much of Europe was in the hands of the very peculiar Habsburg family. An unstable mixture of wizards, obsessives, melancholics, bores, musicians and warriors, they saw off – through luck, guile and sheer mulishness – any number of rivals, until finally packing up in 1918. From their principal lairs along the Danube they ruled most of Central Europe and Germany and interfered everywhere – indeed the history of Europe hardly makes sense without them.Danubia plunges the reader into a maelstrom of alchemy, skeletons, jewels, bear-moats, unfortunate marriages and a guinea-pig village. Full of music, piracy, religion and fighting, it is the history of a dynasty, but it is at least as much about the people they ruled, who spoke many different languages, lived in a vast range of landscapes, believed in many rival gods and often showed a marked ingratitude towards their oddball ruler in Vienna. Joining Germania and Lotharingia in Simon Winder's endlessly fascinating retelling of European history, Danubia is a hilarious, eccentric and witty saga.Trade Review'It combines history, travelogue and digressive personal essay. Winder is a puppyishly enthusiastic companion: funny, erudite, frequently irritating, always more in control of his material than he pretends to be, and never for a moment boring . . . Danubia is a moving book, and also a sensuous one . . . Miniaturist in its eye for detail, grand in its scope, it skips beats and keeps our attention all the way' -- Sarah Bakewell * Financial Times *'A fresh look at a region and a dynasty of which most of us in the English-speaking world are quite ignorant' Guardian‘Memorably funny . . . wonderfully readable and entertaining’ Sunday Times‘Danubia is 500 years of Habsburg imperial history told in the style of a bumbling English detective, the kind of sleuth who appears to skirt around a knotty case and then disarmingly poses a penetrating question . . . As with his previous work Germania, Winder describes this account as a “personal history”, allowing him space for whimsy, for a great deal of Haydn, for careful analysis of paintings and the freedom to favour certain emperors because they were interesting people rather than political heavyweights. It all makes for an excellent, rich and amusing read’ The Times, Book of the WeekThe high plateau of my year was my catching up with Simon Winder. Danubia and Germania are an idiosyncratic, often funny fusion of history writing, travel writing and disrespect -- Sir Tom Stoppard * TLS *‘Danubia is a logical sequel to Simon Winder’s quirky and delightful Germaina . . . Political and military history supplies Danubia with its narrative line, but Simon Winder loves to explore the byways and odd corners of this rambling empire. He is excellent on architecture, painting and music. Never averse to putting himself at the centre of what he discovers on his travels, he has written a book that is every bit as entertaining and enlightening as Germania . . . Anyone with an interest in a part of Europe and a section of history largely ignored in our schools and universities will find this book richly rewarding’ Allan Massie, Literary Review‘Winder is an engaging host . . . The Habsburgs were, latterly, authoritarian liberals. They survived by guile and luck, by sheer chance and cold expediency. With the exceptions of figures like Rudolf II, that melancholy devotee of the occult, there are few of them one can imagine a novelist wanting to explore. Yet Winder rightly enthuses over the contribution this odd political amalgam made to culture . . . Danubia is astoundingly smart and negotiates the Scylla of elegy and the Charybdis of denunciation with expert skill. It’s also damn funny, and includes dodos, the banning of cribs, cockatrices and the entire history of Europe’ Stuart Kelly, Scotland of Sunday‘There is travelogue here, with vivid descriptions of Ukrainian towns, and Transylvanian villages. There are snatches of autobiography too, often anecdotal and whimsical, but sometimes filled with passion about his discoveries of art or music. The main quality of this book, however, is its humour, which sets it aside from the standard histories. To say that Winder is a jokey writer would not begin to do him justice . . . And yet, and yet . . . As the chapters roll past in their gales of hilarity, Winder manages at the same time to do something remarkably skilful, handling complex issues of geopolitics, national identity and cultural change with a deep and surprising thoughtfulness’ Sunday Telegraph, Book of the WeekFunny and yet also fantastically informative -- Books of the Year * Observer *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES AND ECONOMIST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2016''A definitive study of the amorphous state that lasted a thousand years ... The Holy Roman Empire deserves to be hailed as a magnum opus'' Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph''Engrossing ... staggering ... a book that is relevant to our own times'' The Times''Masterly ... If, like most people, you know little more about the Holy Roman Empire other than Voltaire''s bon mot - neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire - then this is the book for you'' Daniel Johnson, Sunday Times''A history that helps us understand Europe''s problems today ... interesting and provocative, makes the complex understandable'' Christopher Kissane, GuardianA great, sprawling, ancient and unique entity, the Holy Roman Empire, from its founding by Charlemagne to its destruction by Napoleon a millennium later, formed the heart of Europe. It was a great Trade ReviewMasterly...Peter H Wilson condenses a great deal of modern scholarship while wearing his learning lightly. -- Daniel Johnson * The Sunday Times *Wilson's history represents the culmination of a lifetime of research and thought, and in its scope and depth of detail is an astonishing scholarly achievement. The author moves from the grand themes to detail with felicity. -- Jonathan Steinberg * The Spectator *As vast and capacious as the empire it describes, his book is as definitive a study of its subject as one could hope to read...The Holy Roman Empire deserves to be hailed as a magnum opus. -- Tom Holland * The Telegraph *Wilson makes the complex understandable. -- Christopher Kissane * The Guardian *Peter Wilson is to be congratulated on writing the only English-language work that deals with the empire from start to finish and on the basis of staggering erudition. He will not thank anyone for saying so, but it is also a book that is relevant to our own times. -- Brendan Simms * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK IS ''A MONUMENT TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT''One of the most famous accounts of living under the Nazi regime comes from the diary of a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl, Anne Frank. Edited by her father Otto H. Frank and German novelist Mirjam Pressler, this is a true story to be rediscovered by each new generation._________________________________12th July 1944: ''It''s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It''s a wonder I haven''t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.''In the summer of 1942, fleeing the horrors of the Nazi occupation, Anne Frank and her family were forced into hiding in the back of an Amsterdam warehouse. Aged thirteen, Anne kept a diary of her time in the secret annexe. She movingly revealed how the eight people living under these extraordinary conditions coped with hunger, the daily threat of discovery and death and isolation from the outside world. A thought-provoking record of tension and struggle, adolescence and confinement, anger and heartbreak, the diary of Anne Frank is a testament to the atrocities of the past and a promise they will never be forgotten. _________________________________ ''One of the greatest books of the century'' Guardian''Rings down the decades as the most moving testament to the persecution of innocence'' Daily Mail ''Astonishing and excruciating. Its gnaws at us still'' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewA modern classic . . . Anne's diary tells a story that is true, memorable, important and strongly personalized . . . compelling reading * The Times *Rings down the decades as the most moving testament to the persecution of innocence * Daily Mail *Anne Frank's diary is one of the greatest books of the century . . . As she brings herself and her circumstances into such buzzing, engaged life on the page, she triumphs over her history. We return to her again and again, unable to believe that this hymn to life was written on the way to Belsen * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisTRAVEL BACK IN TIME WITH THE BBC''S RUTH GOODMANWe know all about the dramas that played out in the Tudor court - most notably those of Henry VIII - but what was life really like for a commoner like you or me?To answer this question, the renowned method historian Ruth Goodman has slept, washed and cooked as the Tudors did - so you don''t have to!She is your expert guide to this fascinating era, drawing on years of practical historical study to show how our ancestors coped with everyday life. Using a vast range of sources, she takes you back to when soot was used as toothpaste and the upper crust was served to the wealthier members of the house.Exploring how the Tudors learnt, danced and even stood according to the latest fashion, she reveals what it all felt, smelt and tasted like, from morning until night.If you enjoyed the writing of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory, you will love discovering the true stories.*****''Ruth is the queen of living history, long may she reign!'' Lucy Worsley''A deeply researched and endlessly fascinating account of what it was like to live as a Tudor'' Tracy Borman, author of Thomas Cromwell''Always entertaining, and her narrative is often lifted by the fact that she has taken the trouble to experience many of the alien aspects of Tudor life'' Observer''Goodman''s latest foray into immersive history is a revelation . . . It''s the next best thing to being there'' Sarah Ferguson, New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewMost historians simply research the past; she lives it ... she's experienced almost every activity she describes. This book is packed with delicious kernels of knowledge ... all served up by the most delightfully eccentric author I've ever encountered. Seldom have I had so much fun reading history. Seldom have I learnt so much. -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *Always entertaining, and her narrative is often lifted by the fact that she has taken the trouble to experience many of the alien aspects of Tudor life ... This imbues the book with a palpable sense of the texture of our ancestors' day-to-day lives * Observer *Riveting. This is a real "people's history" that takes us straight into the sensate feelings of ordinary life -- the feel, touch, smells, and labour of people living five centuries ago, giving an earthy reality to our enduring fascination with the Tudors -- Juliet GardinerA deeply researched and endlessly fascinating account of what it was like to live as a Tudor. The narrative is rich in period detail and based upon a thorough review of the contemporary sources, but what makes it unique is the fact that Goodman has put it all into practice - sleeping, eating, washing and dressing like a Tudor. As a result, How To Be a Tudor is one of very few books which can justifiably claim to bring every aspect of this enduringly popular period dazzlingly to life. -- Tracy Borman, author of 'Thomas Cromwell: The untold story of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant'Ruth is the queen of living history, long may she reign! -- Lucy WorsleyFascinating immersive history * New York Times *Leisure activities like dancing, gambling, and trips to the bear-baiting arena are brought to life by imaginative readings of primary sources... Common wisdom on everything from the healthiest sleeping position (on the right) to how to conceive a male child (by tying a ribbon around the left testicle) rounds out this engaging, erudite guide * New Yorker *Goodman's latest foray into immersive history is a revelation ... It's the next best thing to being there -- Sarah Ferguson * New York Times Book Review *Her enthusiasm is exhilarating and contagious; her writing is clear and clean, sharply observant of tactile details and what they reveal about 16th-century life * Boston Globe *Engagingly written and awash in the practicalities of life in the age, it presents a vivid, fascinating era of British history and reminds us that we're never as far from the past as we like to think -- Genevieve Valentine * NPR *Immersive, engrossing -- Laura Miller * Slate *Written with such passion . . . will fascinate and inform anyone who is interested in Victorian ways of life -- Dr Ian Mortimer, author of 'The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England' on 'How to Be a Victorian'If we ever have a female Doctor Who, I shall forward Ruth Goodman's name for consideration, not least because the historian has already done so much time travelling * The Times *Wonderful, informative, startling . . . Goodman's unique selling proposition as a historian is that she walks the walk of her time period, even when that walk involves hard labor in a corset and a hoop skirt * New York Times (on 'How to be a Victorian') *Must-read! * Daily Mail *Goodman's passion for her subject... comes across loud and clear * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisWritten by an authentic Irish practitioner, this is your definitive guide for connecting with the power and wisdom of the Morrigan. The cultural significance and spiritual importance of the Morrigan cannot be fully appreciated without a deep understanding of her roots in Irish mythology and folklore. An esteemed Irish author and Morrigan devotee, Reverend Lora O''Brien delves into the captivating mythology and spiritual significance of this enigmatic goddess. Offering readers an authentic and culturally grounded perspective, O''Brien dispels common misconceptions about the Morrigan and helps you build a relationship with her. Explore her history, discover how she is connected to the land, and learn why she is known as a goddess of sovereignty. With more than fifty exercises and journal prompts, you will gain a richer appreciation for the roles and shapes this goddess embodies.

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Book SynopsisStep below the pavements of Soho’s Beak Street, and discover the untold tale of the exotic – and scandalous – Murray’s Cabaret Club

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

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

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

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Book SynopsisIn the first cultural and political history of the Russian nuclear age, Paul Josephson describes the rise of nuclear physics in the USSR, the enthusiastic pursuit of military and peaceful nuclear programs through the Chernobyl disaster and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the ongoing, self-proclaimed renaissance' of nuclear power in Russia in the 21st century. At the height of their power, the Soviets commanded 39,000 nuclear warheads, yet claimed to be servants of the peaceful atom' which they also pursued avidly. This book examines both military and peaceful Soviet and post-Soviet nuclear programs for the long durée before the war, during the Cold War, and in Russia to the present whilst also grappling with the political and ideological importance of nuclear technologies, the associated economic goals, the social and environmental costs, and the cultural embrace of nuclear power. Nuclear Russia probes the juncture of history of science and technology, political and cTrade ReviewThe nuclear complex of Russia has not come to an end, to the contrary: its military and civilian arms continue to expand threating both the global political order and the environment. Nuclear Russia unfolds the entangled history of this socio-technical complex from the February Revolution of 1917 to the present, its knowledge and engineering orders, nuclear warheads and military facilities, actors and reactors, and above all its political, economic, environmental and cultural ramifications. This most timely book is a great pleasure to read. * Helmuth Trischler, Prof. Dr., Rachel Carson Center and Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany *One can hardly imagine a better guide to Russian nuclear power than Paul R. Josephson. Attention to Ukraine is particularly welcome in the wake of Russia’s devastating invasion and attendant risk of nuclear disaster. * Matthew Evangelista, President White Professor of History and Political Science, Cornell University, USA *Nuclear Russia: The Atom in Russian Politics and Culture more than succeeds in its goal of stimulating readers to think deeply about the cultural and political roles of nuclear physics, weapons, and energy in the Russian empire of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries (p. ii)… Provides an excellent overview of a complex subject that remains all too timely and relevant. * H-Net Reviews *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations 1. Nuclear Bolshevism 2. Nuclear Defense 3. Nuclear Peace 4. Nuclear Hubris 5. Nuclear Disintegration 6. Nuclear Renaissance Index

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Book SynopsisExam Board: OCRLevel: A-LevelSubject: HistoryFirst Teaching: September 2015First Exam: Summer 2016Target success in OCR A-level History with this proven formula for effective, structured revision; key content coverage is combined with exam preparation activities and exam-style questions to create a revision guide that students can rely on to review, strengthen and test their knowledge.- Enables students to plan and manage a successful revision programme using the topic-by-topic planner- Consolidates knowledge with clear and focused content coverage, organised into easy-to-revise chunks- Encourages active revision by closely combining historical content with related activities- Helps students build, practise and enhance their exam skills as they progress through activities set at three different levels- Improves exam technique through exam-style questions with sample answers and

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Book SynopsisA RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Full of delightful nuggets' Guardian online 'Entertaining, informative and philosphical ... An essential read' All About History 'Extraordinary range ... All the world and more is here' Evening Standard 165 million years ago saw the birth of rhythm. 66 million years ago came the first melody. 40 thousand years ago Homo sapiens created the first musical instrument. Today music fills our lives. How we have created, performed and listened to music throughout history has defined what our species is and how we understand who we are. Yet it is an overlooked part of our origin story. The Musical Human takes us on an exhilarating journey across the ages – from Bach to BTS and back – to explore the vibrant relationship between music and the human species. With insights from a wealth of disciplines, world-leading musicologist Michael Spitzer renders a global history of music on the widest possible canvas, from global history to our everyday lives, from insects to apes, humans to artificial intelligence. 'Michael Spitzer has pulled off the impossible: a Guns, Germs and Steel for music' Daniel Levitin 'A thrilling exploration of what music has meant and means to humankind' Ian Bostridge Trade ReviewEntertaining, informative and philosophical ... An essential read * All About History Magazine *Extraordinary range ... All the world and more is here -- Evening Standard * Julian Glover *An ambitious and total history of music -- Charlotte Runcie * Daily Telegraph *Full of delightful nuggets ... sends the reader back to a world of musical examples time and time again * Guardian *Extraordinary ... Ranging from the Geissenklösterle caves to K-Pop, from the lost music of the Aztecs to the role of song in hunter-gatherer societies, and drawing on a vast array of specialisations, from archaeoacoustics to ornithology, Spitzer utilises a breath-taking variety of sources ... The Musical Human will make you think differently about music, about its place in your life and about its importance to human life tout court -- Mathew Lyons * Literary Review *Bold, compelling and ear-opening -- Michael Prodger * New Statesman *A hugely ambitions work, but never daunting, and there's something thought-provoking on every page ... With scholarship, wit and passion, this book demonstrates that there is truly a soundtrack to human lives -- Catherine Bott, Classic FMA thrilling exploration of what music has meant and means to humankind -- Ian BostridgeMusic changed my life. It changes my mood, my thoughts, my feelings and changes the way I move. Now I know why. This book has connected me to not only the language of love but the language of life. If you can just hum, whistle out of tune or shake a leg at a wedding then open the pages of this book and know why! A revelation -- Michael CashmanBlurring the lines between musical theory, anthropology, biology and history, Spitzer posits that music is one of our most defining achievements, fundamental to the human experience -- Rhiannon Thomas * Radio Times *An amazing book, tying together research in archaeology, anthropology, music history, and human origins to form a compelling and exciting account of the many ways music has developed across the world and across time. Michael Spitzer has pulled off the impossible: a Guns, Germs and Steel for music -- Daniel Levitin

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Book SynopsisThe Great Recession brought rising inequality and changing family economies. New technologies continued to move jobs overseas, including those held by middle-class information workers. The first new edition to capture these historic changes, this book is the leading text in the sociology of work and related research fields. Wharton s readings retain the classics but offer a new spectrum of articles accessible to undergraduate students that focus on the changes that will most affect their lives.New to the fourth edition

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Book SynopsisIn Pear-Shaped, the uterusmisunderstood and often misdiagnosedfinally gets a long overdue biography. A fascinating and fantastically human look at an organ that is so much more than our shared entryway to life.' Abby Norman, author of Ask Me About My UterusFans of Dr. Jen Gunter and Emily Nagoski will love this science-based, practical, and empowering guide to your uterus. It gives life to humankind, billions of people have one, and yet the uterus is still mysterious to many. And talking about it can feel taboo. But when you don't talk about it, you don't discover what's normal and what's notor what questions to ask at the doctor's office. The reality? This versatile, pear-shaped organ is worthy of everyone's attention. In Pear-Shaped, a gynaecologist and a science communicator join forces to tell the life story of your uterus. Did you know that the uterus is a muscle? Or that it can stretch to the size of a watermelon? In Pear-Shaped, the authors reveal surprising facts about the uterus, alongside practical, helpful information including:A detailed anatomy of the uterus with illustrations. An overview of its many functions. Complications that can impact fertility, childbearing, birth, and menstruation. Tips for advocating for yourself at the doctor's office. Descriptions and images of what the uterus looks like (including the fact that it doesn't always look the same for everyone). Real case studies from the author's gynaecological practice. Information about menstruation, contraception, abortion, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.As Pear-Shaped shows, the uterus is truly fascinating. But it also can be a source of serious concern for many. Pear-Shaped also discusses various problems and diseases that arise in the uterusincluding endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, and unwanted pregnancyand how everyday people work with their doctors to find a solution that works for them.

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Book SynopsisTwenty years ago, in a series of mysterious, incandescent writings, David Seabrook told of the places he knew best: the declining resort towns of the Kent coast. The pieces were no advert for the local tourist board. Here, the ghosts of murderers and mad artists crawl the streets. Septuagenarian rent boys recall the good old days and Carry On stars go to seed. Clandestine fascist networks emerge. And all the time, there is Seabrook himself - desperate perhaps, and in danger. Dark, strange and immediate, this is a classic work of sui generis British literature. There are devils here, and the reader will remember them.Trade ReviewDavid Seabrook, it is a pleasure to report, is the real thing * Sunday Times *His book, the first to do justice to the transcendent weirdness of this boot of land that is not London, should be treasured. By living so long in the past, by digging and listening and making the phone-calls, Seabrook has hallucinated an alternate English history -- Iain Sinclair[Psychogeography] doesn't begin to capture its intense interest, its uncanny spookiness, the way it ensnares you, turning your stomach, messing with your head... All the Devils Are Here demands to be reread, picked over, endlessly discussed... And yet to know it is somehow not to know anything at all -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *The book's rediscovery will hopefully install it as an urtext for the hordes of drifters following in its slipstream... All the Devils are Here outshines most work of a similar ilk by being completely committed to its subject [...] it is an archaeological dig, an exorcism, an occultist reading of wrong-doings in Rochester, Chatham, Ramsgate, Deal and Margate -- Ben Myers * New Statesman *[A] decidedly creepy and unsettling corpse-strewn journey through the seaside towns of Kent. A sort of literary beachcomber -- Lucy Scholes * BBC Culture *

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Book SynopsisRevealing a world of secret messages contained within a single petal.Floriography – the language of flowers – is the ancient art of encoding hidden messages in the type, colour and arrangement of plants, allowing individuals to express emotions and sentiments that they may not be able to articulate through words.Featuring 100 of the most popular and available blooms from around the world, this beautifully illustrated gift book gives the botanical name for each plant, a description of its significance and place in folklore, and the story behind its meaning. It also reveals how floral symbolism has been used over the centuries in literature and art, from Hamlet's Ophelia handing out rosemary 'for remembrance' and pansies 'for thoughts', to Oscar Wilde urging his friends to wear green carnations as a subtle code for homosexuality. The idea that flowers have secret meanings would have been well understood by contemporary audiences – and we are seeing a revival of the practice today.From mimosa – which signifies chastity because its leaves close when touched – to the varied messages encoded within different colours of geraniums, Floriography offers a creative way to convey feelings and can add an extra layer of beauty and significance to a gift of flowers.The flowers in Kate Middleton's wedding bouquet signified love, happiness, gallantry and fidelity.If someone sends you a bouquet of hydrangea and lobelia, beware: they stand for heartlessness and malevolence.Table of ContentsThe Story of Floriography - The fascinating history of the language of flora • Friendship, Love and Romance - Flowers to make your relationships blossom • Health, Wealth and Happiness - Plants for positive energy • Daily Blooms - Flowers for different days of the year • Poison Ivy - A playful guide to the malignant meanings of plants • Botanicals in Art and Literature - From Shakespeare to the pre-Raphaelites, how poets, artist and novelists have said it with flowers.

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Book SynopsisPaying for a peerage - an illegal practice - feels like a very modern form of corruption, one that both the Labour and Conservative parties have been happy to indulge in at times during the early twenty-first century. Except, of course, it was happening almost a century ago. Meet Maundy Gregory, actor, journalist, publishing proprietor, conman, embezzler, MI5 spy - and the man you went to see if you had the money to pay for a peerage in the post-First World War years. Cutting a dash across high society of the 1920s - he was in attendance at the wedding of the future George VI - the immaculately oiled and overdressed Gregory would happily pockets thousands for playing Mr Fixit for wannabe knights and lords, and swell the coffers of Lloyd George's Liberal Party to millions of pounds. Business was brisk, and business was brazen. Visitors to his lavish office on Parliament Street, with a direct line to 'Number 10', would be wined and dined and, after paying up, leave satisfied that they would be next on the list for a knighthood or barony. Nothing could be guaranteed, of course, and it was a strictly no refunds business. But Gregory was also suspected of being something else, to add to his impressive list of accomplishments: a murderer. As the political winds changed, the debts mounted up and the walls closed in around him, he somehow managed to inherit his mistress's not inconsiderable savings when she scribbled a new will on the back of a menu and was suddenly taken ill ... In The Man Who Sold Honours, Stephen Bates lifts the lid on the truth about this long-forgotten character who remains the only person ever to be successfully prosecuted under the sale of honours act of 1925. A powerful preview of the scandals to come in Britain in recent years, this is the story of the original honours tout - a riches-to-rags tale of greed, corruption and murder in the interwar years.

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Book SynopsisThe grocer, the teacher, the soldier, the Quaker...Mike Levy shines a light on the courageous deeds of twenty-two women and men who transformed the lives of the Kindertransport and other refugees.In 1938, when the Government refused to act and those around them turned a blind eye, these heroic individuals took it upon themselves to orchestrate one of the greatest lifesaving missions the world has ever seen.Until now the compelling accounts of these extraordinary rescue missions have remained untold.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WOLFSON HISTORY PRIZEPaul Kennedy's international bestseller is a sweeping account of five hundred years of fluctuating economic muscle and military might.Kennedy's masterwork begins in the year 1500, at a time of various great centres of power including Minh China, the Ottomans, the rising Mughal state, the nations of Europe. But it was the latter which, through competition, economic growth and better military organisation, came to dominate the globe until challenged later by Japan, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Now China, boosted by its own economic prowess, rises to the fore. Throughout this brilliant work, Kennedy persuasively demonstrates the interdependence of economic and military power, showing how an imbalance between the two has historically led to spectacular political disaster.Erudite and brilliantly original, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the politics of power.Trade Review‘A brilliantly original book…It is intended for the intelligent layman as well as the academic historian, combining in Toynbee-esque manner the sweeping conception with careful attention to historical detail’ Financial Times ‘This book is falling out of briefcases all over Washington DC, both because it looks and sounds erudite and because it purports to answer an increasingly common question: Has the United States already embarked on its journey into the sunset of empire? It is administering a lot of frissons to trend-watchers’ Christopher Hitchens ‘Outstanding…He ranges across five centuries and around the whole world. He seems to have read every relevant book in every possible language. And he has produced a general argument so deceptively simple that no politician, however busy, should ignore or misunderstand it’ Observer ‘One of the masterpieces of modern historical writing’ Daily Telegraph ‘A masterpiece of exposition. It is erudite and elegantly written’ New Society ‘A remarkable book…long, clever, often funny, and crammed with remarkable insights; it is tinged with the genius that unravels complexity’ Evening Standard ‘Shows a master historian’s ability to use evidence like a boxing champion’s uppercut’ TES ‘One of those rare (and irresistible) books which successfully combine the scope and sweep of ‘popular’ history with the discriminating rigour of professional historiography, making it both a bloody good read and a thought-provoking one’ Listener

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Book SynopsisUpdated for the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War, this is the bestselling, highly-acclaimed and most famous account of the conflict, written by the commander of the British Task Force.On 5 April 1982, three days after the invasion of the Falkland Islands, British armed forces were ordered to sail 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic unaware of what lay ahead of them or whether they would be committed to war with Argentina.In these engrossing memoirs, Admiral Sandy Woodward, Task Force commander from the aircraft carrier Hermes, takes us from day one to day one hundred of the conflict; from sailing through the waters of the Atlantic with hopes of a political settlement fading, and war becoming increasingly likely, to the repulse of the Argentinian navy and the daring amphibious landing at San Carlos Water.The war, which cost the lives of over 1,000 men, has left a legacy of many historical debates and controversies, from the sinking of ships such as HMS Coventry, HMS Sheffield and SirTrade Review‘One of the most gripping, convincing and realistic accounts of a naval battle ever published.’ John Keegan, Daily Telegraph ‘Perceptive, vivid, engaging.’ Guardian ‘One of the clearest and frankest accounts ever written of modern naval warfare.’ Field Marshal Lord Carver, Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisBefore reaching the tender age of 30, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) had already sculpted Pietà and David, two of the most famous sculptures in the entire history of art. As a sculptor, painter, draftsman, and architect, the achievements of this Italian master are unique—no artist before or after him has ever produced such a vast, multifaceted, and wide-ranging œuvre. This fresh TASCHEN edition traces Michelangelo’s ascent to the cultural elite of the Renaissance. Ten richly illustrated chapters cover the artist’s paintings, sculptures, and architecture, including a close analysis of the artist’s tour de force frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Full-page reproductions and enlarged details allow readers to appreciate the finest details in the artist’s repertoire, while the book’s biographical essay considers Michelangelo’s more personal traits and circumstances, such as his solitary nature, his thirst for money and commissions, his immense wealth, and his skill as a property investor.Trade Review“If a visit to the Sistine Chapel is not on the cards, this magnificent book is the next best thing…” * The Sunday Express Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFormidable adversaries are arrayed against you. Your people stand ready. History beckons.In your hands lies the destiny of one of history''s great civilizations. Under constant threat of attack, you must conquer new lands, oversee dramatic scientific and cultural advances, and lead your people into the era of empire. Expand too rapidly, and unrest will bring your civilization to its knees; build up too slowly, however, and you might find yourself a mere footnote of history. As one of eight radically asymmetric civilizations, you will compete to become the most dominant empire the world has ever seen.Imperium: Classics is a standalone game that contains the Carthaginian, Celt, Greek, Macedonian, Persian, Roman, Scythian, and Viking civilizations, each of which can be played against solo. It is fully compatible with Imperium: Legends for players wanting to expand their pool of civilizations even further.Players: 1-4Ages: 14+Playing Time: 40 mins

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Book SynopsisA series of closely interrelated essays on game theory, this book deals with an area in which progress has been least satisfactory—the situations where there is a common interest as well as conflict between adversaries: negotiations, war and threats of war, criminal deterrence, extortion, tacit bargaining.Trade ReviewAgainst the backdrop of the nuclear arms race in the late 1950s, Thomas Schelling’s book The Strategy of Conflict set forth his vision of game theory as a unifying framework for the social sciences. Schelling showed that a party can strengthen its position by overtly worsening its own options, that the capability to retaliate can be more useful than the ability to resist an attack, and that uncertain retaliation is more credible and more efficient than certain retaliation. These insights have proven to be of great relevance for conflict resolution and efforts to avoid war. Schelling’s work prompted new developments in game theory and accelerated its use and application throughout the social sciences. Notably, his analysis of strategic commitments has explained a wide range of phenomena, from the competitive strategies of firms to the delegation of political decision power. -- The Royal Swedish Academy of SciencesIn eminently lucid and often charming language, Professor Schelling’s work opens to rational analysis a crucial field of politics, the international politics of threat, or as the current term goes, of deterrence. In this field, the author’s analysis goes beyond what has been done by earlier writers. It is the best, most incisive, and most stimulating book on the subject. * Annals of the American Academy *An important contribution to understanding the conduct of the ambiguous conflict between the communist bloc on the one hand and the United States and its Free World Allies on the other. * Journal of Politics *Table of ContentsI. Elements of a Theory of Strategy 1. The Retarded Science of International Strategy 2. An Essay on Bargaining 3. Bargaining, Communication, and Limited War II. A Reorientation of Game Theory 4. Toward a Theory of Interdependent Decision 5. Enforcement, Communication, and Strategic Moves 6. Game Theory and Experimental Research III. Strategy with a Random Ingredient 7. Randomization of Promises and Threats 8. The Threat That Leaves Something to Chance IV. Surprise Attack: A Study in Mutual Distrust 9. The Reciprocal Fear of Surprise Attack 10. Surprise Attack and Disarmament Appendices A. Nuclear Weapons and Limited War B. For the Abandonment of Symmetry in Game Theory C. Re-interpretation of a Solution Concept for "Noncooperative" Games Index

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Book SynopsisA formidable, brave and important book' Robert MacfarlaneAbsolutely brilliantYou cannot read this book and defend the establishment' Alastair Campbell, The Rest is PoliticsWho owns England?Behind this simple question lies this country's oldest and best-kept secret. This is the history of how England's elite came to own our land, and an inspiring manifesto for how to open up our countryside once more. This book has been a long time coming. Since 1086, in fact. For centuries, England's elite have covered up how they got their hands on millions of acres of our land, by constructing walls, burying surveys and more recently, sheltering behind offshore shell companies. But with the dawn of digital mapping and the Freedom of Information Act, it's becoming increasingly difficult for them to hide.Trespassing through tightly-guarded country estates, ecologically ravaged grouse moors and empty Mayfair mansions, writer and activist Guy Shrubsole has used these 21st century tools to uncover a wealth of never-before-seen information about the people who own our land, to create the most comprehensive map of land ownership in England that has ever been made public.From secret military islands to tunnels deep beneath London, Shrubsole unearths truths concealed since the Domesday Book about who is really in charge of this country at a time when Brexit is meant to be returning sovereignty to the people. Melding history, politics and polemic, he vividly demonstrates how taking control of land ownership is key to tackling everything from the housing crisis to climate change and even halting the erosion of our very democracy.It's time to expose the truth about who owns England and finally take back our green and pleasant land.*Guy''s next book The Lie of the Land is out now*Trade Review‘A formidable, brave and important book’ Robert Macfarlane ‘Potentially one of the most important books of the year’ Chris Packham ‘This is going to be a great book, crucial for anyone who seeks to understand this country’ George Monbiot ‘An irrefutable and long overdue call for the enfranchisement of the landless’ Marion Shoard, author of This Land is Our Land ‘The question posed by the title of this crucial book has, for nearly a thousand years, been one that as a nation we have mostly been too cowed or too polite to ask. There has, as a result, been some serious journalistic legwork in Shrubsole’s endeavour. Shrubsole ends his fine inquiry into these issues with a 10-point prospectus as to how this millennium-long problem might be brought up to date, and how our land could be made to work productively and healthily for us all’ Observer, Book of the Week ‘Both detective story and historical investigation, Shrubsole’s book is a passionately argued polemic which offers radical, innovative but also practical proposals for transforming how the people of England use and protect the land that they depend on – land which should be “a common treasury for all”’ Guardian ‘Painstakingly researched … having come to the end of this illuminating and well-argued book it’s hard not to feel that it’s time for a revolution in the way we manage this green and pleasant land’ Melissa Harrison, New Statesman ‘There is an enormous amount to admire’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Shrubsole is an entertaining guide to the history of landownership’ Literary Review

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Book SynopsisIn the late Iron Age, Rome was a small collection of huts arranged over a few hills. By the third century BC, it had become a large and powerful city, with monumental temples, public buildings and grand houses. It had conquered the whole of Italy and was poised to establish an empire. But how did it accomplish this historic transformation? This book explores the development of Rome during this period, and the nature of its control over Italy, considering why and how the Romans achieved this spectacular dominance. For Rome was only one of a number of emerging centres of power during this period. From its complex forms of government, to its innovative connections with other states, Kathryn Lomas shows what set Rome apart. Examining the context and impact of the city's dominance, as well as the key political, social and economic changes it engendered, this is crucial reading for anyone interested in Ancient Rome.Trade ReviewLomas' clear narrative and up-to-date archaeological knowledge is just the right combination to illuminate the fascinating story of the emergence of Rome as a world power. -- Christopher Smith, Director of the British School at Rome and Professor of Ancient History at St AndrewsKathryn Lomas has excavated the complexities of myth, written sources and archaeological stratigraphy to produce her clear historical synthesis of the political foundations of early Europe. -- Simon Stoddart, Fellow in Archaeology, Magdalene College, CambridgeLomas shows great skill in uncovering reliable and fascinating information about an obscure and poorly documented period of history, and presenting it in an engaging and straightforward way. Her book is original for its extensive use of new archaeological evidence, and for telling the remarkable story of the Italian background to the rise of Rome. -- Timothy Cornell, Emeritus Professor of Ancient History, The University of ManchesterThis is an admirably clear and engagingly written book. It offers an impressively wide-ranging and up-to-date synthesis, and does an excellent job of situating the city-state of Rome and its rise to hegemony in their wider Italian context. -- J.H. Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies, Massey UniversityThe remarkable story of how a great empire sprang from such innocuous beginnings is chronicled in this compelling work, which couples a sweeping narrative with a wealth of historical detail including maps, plans and illustrations. * History Revealed *Lomas's fully reference and detailed, authoritative book admirably fulfils its remit to understand Rome in its wider Italian setting. -- Peter Jones * BBC History Magazine *The strengths of this book are many. ... she writes in a lucid and engaging way. ... If one asks whether Lomas has achieved the goal that she set herself, the answer must be a resounding yes. -- Mark Grahame * Rivista *

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Book Synopsis''Do not act as if you had ten thousand years to live ... while you have life in you, while you still can, make yourself good.''The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) is a private notebook of philosophical reflections, written by a Roman emperor probably on military campaign in Germany. In short, highly charged comments, Marcus draws on Stoic philosophy to confront challenges that he felt acutely, but which are also shared by all human beings - the looming presence of death, making sense of one''s social role and projects, the moral significance of the universe. They bring us closer to the personality of the emperor, who is often disillusioned with his own status and with human activities in general; they are both an historical document and a remarkable spiritual diary.This translation by Robin Hard brings out the eloquence and universality of Marcus'' thoughts. The introduction and notes by Christopher Gill place the Meditations firmly in the ancient philosophical context. A

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Book SynopsisJohn Man is a historian with a special interest in Mongolia. He has travelled widely across the lands that formed the Mongol Empire, becoming one of the few Western writers to explore the hidden valley where Genghis may have died, climb the sacred mountain on which he is supposedly buried and explore the ruins of Xanadu, the first capital of Genghis's grandson, Kublai Khan. His books, published in over twenty languages, include the bestselling Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection and Kublai Khan.Trade ReviewWonderful... what sets it apart is the way the tale is told. Quirky digressions and fascinating anecdotes pepper a narrative of wonderful dramatic energy. -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *Excellent and profoundly committed ... Man provides a vivid, lucid and economical picture. A worthy addition to the burgeoning popular literature on the centaurs of the steppes. -- Frank McLynn * Literary Review *[Man] does a splendid job of conveying the sheer opulence and grandeur... [and tells] a rollicking good story, his historical narrative interspersed with high-spirited travel-writerly digressions. Lively and engaging. -- Justin Marozzi * The Spectator *A very lively and enjoyable book. -- Peter Lewis * Daily Mail *One could not wish for a better storyteller or analyst than John Man. * Simon Sebag Montefiore *

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Book SynopsisExploring History Student Book 3: Trenches, Treaties and Terror

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAn entrancing biography. * Elle *A subtly distilled life. Fargeon’s impressions of Marie Antoinette are particularly compelling. -- Judith Thurman * New Yorker *Rhapsodic and piquant… full of information. * New York Review of Books *The book’s heroes are Marie Antoinette, perfume and Fargeon in that order, but what emerges is a powerful evocation of a lost world. -- Erica Wagner * The Times *Learning about Fargeon’s relationship with the Queen and about the fragrances that he compounded is particularly relevant for me. It is also fascinating to read about the ingredients, many of which are used to this day. -- Evelyn Lauder * Vanity Fair *De Feydeau’s descriptions of Versailles Palace’s obsessions with coiffure, fashion, perfume and cosmetics are alluring. -- Sam Leith * Daily Telegraph *De Feydeau’s lively account gives the reader an additional twist on the life and times of Marie Antoinette and her influence on two of France’s continuing major industries – fashion and scent. * Washington Post *Interesting and well-written. -- Rebecca Chappell * French Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction by Catherine Wright Prologue 1. The Main Theme 1748-1774 2. The Touches from the Heart 1774-1782 3. The Basic Tenor 1782-1794 Epilogue Appendix 1: The Palette of Jean-Louis Fargeon Appendix 2: Procedures for the Manufacture of Perfumes Notes

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Book SynopsisJourney through magical fairy tales, chivalric adventures, mystical events and celebrated foundation myths.

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Book SynopsisIn the middle of the eighteenth century, British entrepreneurs unleashed the astounding energies of steam and coal and the world changed forever. Factories, railways and gunboats then propelled the West's rise to power, and computers and nuclear weapons in the twentieth century secured its global supremacy. Today, however, many worry that the emergence of China and India spell the end of the West as a superpower. How long will the power of the West last? In order to find out we need to know: why has the West been so dominant for the past two hundred years? With flair and authority, historian and achaeologist Ian Morris draws uniquely on 15,000 years of history to offer fresh insights on what the future will bring. Deeply researched and brilliantly argued, Why The West Rules - For Now is a gripping and truly original history of the world.Trade ReviewA provocative and extraordinary contribution to wide-screen comparative history... a true banquet of ideas -- Boyd Tonkin * Independent *An important book - one that challenges, stimulates and entertains. Anyone who does not believe there are lessons to be learned from history should start here * Economist *Perhaps the smartest and sanest guide to the twenty-first century so far * South China Morning Post *One doffs one's hat to Morris's breadth, ambition and erudition -- Paul Kennedy * Sunday Times *Morris is the world's most talented ancient historian, a man as much at home with state of-the-art archaeology as with the classics as they used to be studied. Here, he has brilliantly pulled off what few modern academics would dare to attempt -- Niall Ferguson * Foreign Affairs *Morris handles huge ideas and transglobal theories with a breathtaking ease and humour -- Artemis Cooper * Evening Standard, Books of the Year *[an] enjoyable and thought-provoking book -- Nicholas Shakespeare * Telegraph *A lucid thinker and a fine writer * New York Times *The nearest thing to a unified field theory of history we are ever likely to get. With wit and wisdom, Ian Morris deploys the techniques and insights of the new ancient history to address the biggest of all historical questions: Why on earth did the West beat the Rest? I loved it. -- Niall FergusonAt last - a brilliant historian with a light touch. We should all rejoice. -- John Julius NorwichA formidable, richly engrossing effort to determine why Western institutions dominate the world . . . Readers will enjoy [Morris's] lively prose and impressive combination of scholarship . . . with economics and science. A superior contribution to the grand-theory-of-human-history genre * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisThis stunning and highly informative poster helps pupils to understand the sequence of events that have shaped Britain.

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Book SynopsisIt's been said that, after 9/11, the 2008 financial crash and the Covid-19 pandemic, we're a more fearful society than ever before. Yet fear, and the panic it produces, have long been driving forces - perhaps the driving force - of world history: fear of God, of famine, war, disease, poverty, and other people. In Fear: An Alternative History of the World, Robert Peckham considers the impact of fear in history, as both a coercive tool of power and as a catalyst for social change. Beginning with the Black Death in the fourteenth century, Peckham traces a shadow history of fear. He takes us through the French Revolution and the social movements of the nineteenth century to modern market crashes, Cold War paranoia and the AIDS pandemic, into a digital culture increasingly marked by uniquely twenty-first-century fears. What did fear mean to us in the past, and how can a better understanding of it equip us to face the future? As Peckham demonstrates, fear can challenge as well as cement authority. Some crises have destroyed societies; others have been the making of them. Through the stories of the people and the moments that changed history, Fear: An Alternative History of the World reveals how fear and panic made us who we are.Trade ReviewCompelling * Economist *An ambitious deep dive into history * Irish Independent *[An] elegant synthesis of centuries of intellectual history ... Peckham's mapping of fear across centuries of thought offers an opportunity to reflect on a persistent political geography of anxiety * Lancet *Clear and engaging ... readers keen to grasp a better understanding of the history of the world will be entranced by Peckham's ability to communicate complex political, religious, economic, artistic, medical, military, technological and cultural trends * BBC History Magazine *Brilliant and breathtakingly wide-ranging ... As Peckham shows in gripping and beautifully written detail, fear isn't just the stock in trade of wicked despots; in some circumstances it can be turned to positive effect. Could it, now, be that fear is our friend? Read Peckham and judge for yourself. -- Simon SchamaExtraordinary. This exceptional and thought-provoking book sheds light on the intricate position fear occupies in the unavoidable realities of politics and our spiritual existence. -- Ai WeiweiWe all know what fear is, but who amongst us have considered its history? Peckham is fear's astute historian-translator in this big, brave, honest, and learned book. He moves us back and forth across time and place, from fourteenth-century century plague to bombs in Afghanistan, in a profoundly human history of the politics of one emotion. It's gripping as well as uncomfortable reading, that shows us the stakes when fear and freedom are twinned -- Alison Bashford, author * The Huxleys: An Intimate History of Evolution *Robert Peckham's deeply informed and lucidly staged anatomy of fear is a remarkable achievement. Peckham shapes a fundamentally transformative account of the sociology of fear - and of fear as a constitutive element of modern sociality itself. A groundbreaking study. -- Mark Seltzer, author * The Official World *Fascinating, compelling and erudite. I have written quite a lot about fear and the brain, but learned so much about fear itself from this book. -- Joseph LeDoux, author * The Deep History of Ourselves *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review‘Entertaining and informative. … Avoids sentimentality and stereotypes. … Groom keeps his history admirably down to earth.’ The Times, Book of the Week ‘A definitive new chronicle of the region, the first to appear this century.’ The Mirror ‘Groom’s chronicling of northern setbacks is urbane rather than indignant. … Comprehensive and highly readable.’ Financial Times ‘This is a huge book, in which the author slips seamlessly and triumphantly from one subject to another.’ Literary Review ‘Hugely impressive.’ Big Issue ‘A rich and kaleidoscopic history of a region, its landscape, industries, culture and people. Northerners is rigorous, digressive, discursive, always entertaining and enlightening, as full of good things as the North itself.’ Stuart Maconie, author of Pies and Prejudice ‘A wonderful compendium of the North’s proud, deep, ancient otherness.’ James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of England ‘An essential writer on politics and business and a tireless champion of the north.’ George Parker, political editor, Financial Times ‘A measured and essential voice in these compromised times.’ Adam Boulton, editor-at-large at Sky News and presenter of All Out Politics ‘Few people are better placed to write the story of northerners. One of journalism’s most astute observers of the state of Britain.’ Helen Pidd, North of England editor, The Guardian ‘Brian Groom is one of the leading experts on Britain’s regions and nations and a perceptive analyst.’ Duncan Weldon, The Economist, author of Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through ‘Panoramic, authoritative and a beautiful read. Brian has written the book everyone who wishes to understand the north of England must read.’ Sebastian Payne, author of Broken Heartlands

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