History Books

Book SynopsisLonglisted for the HWA Non-Fiction Crown'A remarkable achievement' SpectatorIn the summer of 1705, a masked woman knocked on the door of a London printer's workshop. She did not leave her name, only a package and the promise of protection. Soon after, an anonymous pamphlet was quietly distributed in the backstreets of the city. Entitled The Memorial of the Church of England, the argument it proposed threatened to topple the government. Fearing insurrection, parliament was in turmoil and government minister Robert Harley launched a hunt for all of those involved. The printer was eventually named, but could not be found... In this breakneck political adventure, Joseph Hone shows us a nation in crisis through the story of a single incendiary document.'An elegant blend of scholarship and detection' Peter Moore, author of Endeavour'Enthralling' London Review of Books'An exciting story told with vigour' Adrian Tinniswood, Literary ReviewTrade ReviewA remarkable achievement...a fast-paced, captivating narrative... Hone demonstrates how uncovering 18th-century working lives can be every bit as enthralling as tracing the machinations of the greatest politicians of the age -- Marcus Nevitt * Spectator *An exciting story told with vigour... A fascinating insight into the world of late Stuart printing... [Hone] manages to combine a lively, almost novelistic narrative style with a confident and scholarly knowledge of his subject -- Adrian Tinniswood * Literary Review *An elegant blend of scholarship and detection that reanimates the dangerous, exciting, clandestine world of Fleet Street at the start of the modern age -- Peter Moore, author of EndeavourA brilliantly original, immersive and thrilling tale told by a fine scholar and storyteller * Jessie Childs, author of God’s Traitors *Enthralling microhistory...provides in Hone's skilled hands the clearest view to date of the murky world of underground printing in late Stuart London -- Tom Keymer * London Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisA thrilling investigation of a true Victorian crime at Dublin railway station, shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction 2022.'All the shocks and surprises of the best crime fiction' The Times Crime ClubDublin, November 1856: George Little, the chief cashier of the Broadstone railway terminus, is found dead, lying in a pool of blood beneath his desk.Yet there is no sign of a murder weapon and the office door is locked, apparently from the inside. Thousands of pounds in gold and silver are left untouched at the scene of the crime.Augustus Guy, Ireland's most experienced detective, teams up with Dublin's leading lawyer to investigate the murder - but the case defies all explanation. Then a local woman comes forward, claiming to know the killer...'An intriguing and compelling true-crime whodunnit' Irish Times'A true-crime masterclass... As compelling as any thriller' Philip Gray, author of Two Storm WoodTrade ReviewThis meticulous non-fiction account of a once-famous murder mystery has all the shocks and surprises of the best crime fiction * The Times Crime Club *The plot of this real-life murder mystery had as many twists and turns as an Agatha Christie whodunit * Daily Mail *In The Dublin Railway Murder, Thomas Morris unpacks this baffling case with the taut, just-the-facts spareness of the best police procedurals...[He] deftly peppers the narrative with historical context...An intriguing and compelling true crime whodunit as well. * Irish Times *As compelling a read as any fiction thriller * i *Written like a whodunit and wearing its vast research into Victorian Dublin ever so lightly, Thomas Morris's wholly factual murder mystery is easily one of the most entertaining page-turners I've read this year. It's a compelling, evocative, thrilling must-read, and proof, if further proof is ever required, that fact is often so much stranger - not to mention more entertaining - than fiction * Sunday Independent *

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Book SynopsisThis breakthrough scientific masterwork - and INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER - reveals the underlying forces that have shaped human history and will secure our future...'Masterful. Galor answers the ultimate mystery' Lewis Dartnell The stunning advances that have transformed human experience in recent centuries are no accident of history - they are the result of universal and timeless forces, operating since the dawn of our species. Drawing on a lifetime's scientific investigation, Oded Galor's ground-breaking new vision overturns a host of long-held assumptions to reveal the deeper causes that have shaped the journey of humanity:Education rather than industrialisationFamily size and gender equality as much as inventions and technologyGeography and diversity rather than wars, disease and famine'Unparalleled in its scope and ambition . . . All readers will learn something' Washington Post'An inspiring, readable, jargon-free and almost impossibly erudite masterwork' New Statesman'His optimism about humanity shines through' Observer'If you need an evidence-based antidote to doomscrolling, here it is' GuardianTrade ReviewA wildly ambitious attempt to do for economics what Newton, Darwin or Einstein did for their fields: develop a theory that explains almost everything ... an inspiring, readable, jargon-free and almost impossibly erudite masterwork, the boldest possible attempt to write the economic history of humanity * New Statesman *There will be inevitable comparisons with Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens ... If you need an evidence-based antidote to doomscrolling, here it is * Guardian *Journey of Humanity... is only 300 pages long, which considering it covers thousands of years of global history... is surprisingly concise. Its breadth and ambition are reminiscent of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel...and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens * Financial Times *A large-scale survey of human history... The heart of the matter is why some countries grow and some don't... Perhaps growth-mad Liz Truss should have read it. You certainly should. * The Times, Best philosophy and ideas books of 2022 *Unparalleled in its scope and ambition ... All readers will learn something, and many will find the book fascinating * Washington Post *Deeply rewarding and fascinating * Spectator *A completely brilliant and utterly original account of humanity's transit from crude beginnings to a deeply divided planet. A vastly readable insight into why our world is as it is. A book for our epoch -- Jon Snow, former presenter of Channel 4 NewsA masterful sweep through the human odyssey, from the origin of our species to the making of the modern world, that answers the ultimate mystery: what accounts for the staggering inequality in the wealth of nations today? Exquisite, eloquent and effortlessly erudite - if you liked Sapiens, you'll love this -- Lewis Dartnell, author of OriginsAstounding in scope and insight, The Journey of Humanity provides a captivating and revelatory account of the deepest currents that have shaped human history, and the keys to the betterment of our species -- Nouriel Roubini, author of Crisis EconomicsI am in awe of Oded Galor's attempts to explain inequality today as a consequence of such profound forces. A remarkable contribution to our understanding of this mammoth dilemma -- Jim O'Neill, author of The Growth MapA wonderfully clear-sighted perspective on progress, past and future, which is essential to tackling today's big challenges - potentially catastrophic climate change and inequality -- Diane Coyle, former Vice Chair of the BBC Trust, author of Cogs and MonstersBig Science at its best ... Galor's erudition and creativity are remarkable -- Prof. Steven N. Durlauf, University of Chicago, on Unified Growth TheoryAn engaging and optimistic answer to anyone who thinks that poverty and inequality will always be with us -- Ian Morris, author of Why the West Rules – For NowGalor's project is breathtakingly ambitious -- Robert Solow, Nobel Laureate in EconomicsA magisterial account of the evolution of human civilization from its prehistoric origins into the present day. It's a page-turner, a suspense-filled thriller full of surprises, mind-bending puzzles and profound insights -- Glenn C. Loury, author of The Anatomy of Racial InequalityIn lucid, accessible prose, Galor ingeniously traces obscure influences over centuries ... This engrossing history reveals that subtle causes can have astounding effects * Publishers Weekly *A tour de force. This deeply argued book brilliantly weaves the threads of global economic history to deconstruct the rich tapestry that is the modern world -- Dani Rodrik, author of Straight Talk on TradeOne of the hottest books of the year ahead * Irish Independent *Reading Oded Galor's upbeat book I...[was] taken aback by his imagination and verve... great sections of Galor's book are to be applauded... his optimism about humanity shines through * Observer *The Journey of Humanity is a good summary of growth theories and is an elegantly written and accessible book * Irish Times *Galor argues that climate policy should not be restricted to cutting carbon but should also involve "pushing hard for gender equality, access to education and the availability of contraceptives, to drive forward the decline in fertility". India will do well to heed that advice * New Indian Express *The Journey of Humanity stretches from the emergence of Homo sapiens to the present day, and has a lot to say about the future, too. In just over 240 pages it covers our migration out of Africa, the development of agriculture, the Industrial Revolution and the phenomenal growth of the past two centuries. It takes in population change, the climate crisis and global inequality ... There will be inevitable comparisons with Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens ... If you need an evidence-based antidote to doomscrolling, here it is ... Galor builds his case meticulously, always testing his assumptions against the evidence, and without the sense of agenda-pushing that accompanies other boosterish thinkers - the Steven Pinkers or Francis Fukuyamas of this world * Guardian *Incredibly wide-ranging and detailed historical and even anthropological examination of the myriad factors that have brought success and failure to nations ... Lively and learned -- Tim Hazledine, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Auckland * Inerest.co.nz *An optimist's guide to the future ... Oded Galor's 'Sapiens'-like history of civilisation predicts a happy ending for humanity * Guardian *Enjoyable and intriguing -- Steven Poole * Guardian *An antidote to doomscrolling * Guardian, *Summer Reads of 2022* *A great historical fresco * Le Monde *Breathtaking. A new Sapiens * L'Express *Ambitious and deep ... the product of genuine scholarship -- Jason Furman, economics professor at Harvard, former advisor to Barack Obama * #1 Best Economics Book of 2022, FiveBooks.com *

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Book Synopsis**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**'A riveting, compelling, mesmerizing journey. Josef Lewkowicz is a hero in every sense of the word. The Survivor both terrifies us and inspires us. It's a must read.'Tova Friedman, author of The Daughter of Auschwitz.One of the last great untold stories of the Holocaust, The Survivor is an astonishing account of one man's unbreakable spirit, unshakeable faith, and extraordinary courage in the face of evil.At only sixteen years old, Josef Lewkowicz became a number, prisoner 85314. Following the Nazi invasion of Poland, he and his father were separated from their family and herded to the Kraków-Plaszów concentration camp. Forced to carry out hard labour in brutal conditions, and to live under the constant threat of extreme violence and sudden death, before the war was over Josef would witness the unique horrors of six of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, Mauthausen and Ebensee.From salt mines to forced marches, summary executions to Amstetten, where prisoners were used as human shields in Allied bombing, Josef lived under the spectre of death for many years. When he was liberated from Ebensee at the end of the war, conditions were amongst the worst witnessed by allied forces.With his freedom, Josef returned home to find that he was the only one left alive in an extended family of 150. Compelled by the need to do something to avenge that loss, he joined the Jewish police while still in a displaced persons' camp, and was recruited as an intelligence officer for the US Army who gave him a team to search for Nazis in hiding.Whilst rounding up SS leaders, he played a critical role in identifying and bringing to justice his greatest tormentor, the Butcher of Plaszow, Amon Göth, played by Ralph Fiennes in Schindler's List. He then committed his life to helping the orphaned children of the Holocaust rebuild their lives.The Survivor is Josef's extraordinary testimony.Trade ReviewA remarkable story of fortitude and hope. Extraordinary.The Times * . *An incredibly powerful book.Good Morning Britain * . *A riveting, compelling, mesmerizing journey. Josef Lewkowicz is a hero in every sense of the word. The Survivor both terrifies us and inspires us. It's a must read.Tova Friedman,author of The Daughter of Auschwitz * . *A sickening personal tale of the depths of Nazi brutality. HarrowingAnne de Courcy, The Telegraph * . *Josef Lewkowicz's account of his journey through six concentration camps as a teenager makes for horrific reading. But what grips the mind is his Nazi hunting and capture of the despicable Amon Goeth, followed by his determination only to do, and see, good in people. His spiritual voice emerges from a history of pain and loss with a rare and admirable clarity.Baroness Julia Neuberger * . *One of the most miraculous and uplifting stories of the Holocaust.The Daily Express * . *A truly harrowing account, humanely told in fast-paced, affecting prose. You won't be able to put it down - even in those moments where the truth feels too hard to read.Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia * . *Heartbreaking and inspiring. Josef Lewkowicz's journey to freedom did not end with his liberation from the Nazi death camps. He witnessed the inhumanity of men who, when given the power, can be so evil as to choose who shall live and who shall die. With captivating realism, Lewkowicz recounts reuniting hundreds of displaced and abandoned Jewish children with their families, an enormous task. If that wasn't enough, he became a Nazi hunter and helped bring some of the worst men in Jewish history to justice. This is a profound and courageous book.Maxwell Smart, author of The Boy in the Woods -- Maxwell Smart * author of The Boy in the Woods *Josef's story is an account of his unbreakable spirit, unshakable faith and courage in the face of evil.The Jewish Telegraph * . *[A] story of survival and pursuit of justice. Remarkable.Jewish Tribune * . *'No wonder this book is attracting global acclaim. Every sentence is unforgettable.'Paul Hayward * . *'A record of remarkable endurance.' * TLS *A book that you simply have to read. * Inside History *

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Book SynopsisStalin gets Roosevelt and Churchill to meet at Yalta. Roosevelt wants the United Nations to be established, Churchill and Stalin want sovereign nations within their empires to be recognised at the United Nations. Germany is defeated but war continues in the east until the atom bomb is delivered.

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Book SynopsisEngland, 1154. As Henry II seizes the throne after years of turmoil, a new dynasty is poised to haul this hitherto turbulent nation out from the Dark Ages and transform it into the nation state we recognize today. Featuring some of England's greatest but also most notorious kings, the house of Plantagenet would reign for over 300 blood-soaked, yet foundational, years. The dynasty provides some of the most evocative names in our history: from the brave yet rash Richard the Lionheart, his treacherous brother John, the hapless Richard II, and the hero of Agincourt Henry V, through to the controversial Richard III. And in this authoritative, intelligent and grippingly written book, acclaimed historian Derek Wilson brings this thrilling era to life.Table of ContentsThe Plantagenet Succession. Introduction. Henry II. Richard I and John. Henry III. Edward I. Edward II. Edward III. Richard II. Henry IV. Henry V. The Wars of the Roses. Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III. Postscript. References. Picture credits. Index.

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Book Synopsis"Nuclear Bunkers" tells the previously undisclosed story of the secret defence structures built by the West during the Cold War years. The book describes in fascinating detail a vast umbrella of radar stations that spanned the North American continent and the north Atlantic from the Aleutian islands through Canada to the North Yorkshire moors, all centred upon an enormous secret control centre buried hundreds of feet below Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado. This is complemented in the United Kingdom with a chain of secret radars codenamed 'Rotor' built in the early 1950's, and eight huge, inland sector control centres, built over 100' underground at enormous cost. The book reveals the various bunkers built for the U.S Administration, including the Raven Rock alternate war headquarters (the Pentagon's wartime hideout), the Greenbrier bunker for the Senate and House of Representatives, and the Mount Weather central government headquarters amongst others. Developments in Canada, including the Ottawa 'Diefenbunker' and the regional government bunkers are also studied. In the UK there were the London bunkers and the Regional War rooms built in the 1950's to protect against the Soviet threat, and their replacement in 1958 by much more hardened, underground Regional Seats of Government in the provinces, and the unique Central Government War Headquarters at Corsham. Also included in the UK coverage is the UK Warning and Monitoring Organisation with its underground bunkers and observation posts, as well as the little known bunkers built by the various local authorities and by the public utilities. Finally the book examines the provision, (or more accurately, lack of provision), of shelter space for the general population, comparing the situation in the USA and the UK with some other European countries and with the Soviet Union.

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Book SynopsisI.B.Tauris in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire has been acclaimed as one of the most intellectually exciting books about late antique Persia to have been published for years. It proposes a convincing contemporary answer to an age-old mystery and conundrum: why, in the seventh century ce, did the seemingly powerful and secure Sasanian empire of Persia succumb so quickly and disastrously to the all-conquering armies of Islam? In her bold solution to this enigma, Parvaneh Pourshariati explains that the decentralized dynastic system of the Sasanian ruling hierarchy in fact contained the seeds of its own destruction. This confederacy, whose powerbase relied on patronage and preferment, eventually became unstable, and its degeneration sealed the fate of a doomed dynasty.Trade Review'This is a monumental work of first-class scholarship. Its publication represents a landmark, and it immediately becomes the point of departure for further work on the many subjects it deals with. I can think of few other books I have read over the years that can match this work's astounding combination of originality, bold vision, clarity of presentation, meticulous examination of the sources, and practical puzzle-solving. I learned immensely from reading it. Dr Pourshariati's book is in my view one of the most important individual contributions to our understanding of the history of Iran since Christensen's L'Iran sous les Sassanades, published seventy years ago. Especially remarkable is the breadth of the author's agenda, and the way in which she has convincingly woven together different strands. These include: the political rivalry of the great families, the Sasanians' collapse before Byzantine and Muslim attacks, the religious diversity of medieval Iran, questions of historiography, the substance of the Iranian popular epic, and the important details to be gleaned from seals and other documents. Any one of these would be (and for many scholars has been) a subject for full immersion for many years, but Pourshariati has integrated each into a complex and meaningful whole, even as she has made signal contributions to the more detailed study of each one.' - Fred M Donner, Professor of Near Eastern History, University of Chicago, 'Both impressive and intellectually exciting, Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire is a major, even pathbreaking, work in the field - a field which this book should revolutionize.' - Stephen Dale, Professor of History, Ohio State University

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Book SynopsisFull of passion and betrayal, murder and war, the first volume of an epic new series from bestselling historian Alison Weir, bringing five of England's medieval queens to life.A Daily Telegraph Book of the YearLove, murder, war, betrayalThis is the story of the five extraordinary queens who helped the Norman kings of England rule their dominions. Recognised as equal sharers in the royal authority, their story is packed with tragedy, high drama, even comedy. Heroines, villains, stateswomen, loversBeginning with Matilda of Flanders, who supported William the Conqueror in his invasion of England in 1066, and culminating in the turbulent life of the Empress Maud, whoc claimed to be queen of England in her own right and fought a bitter war to the end, the five Norman queens are revealed as hugely influential figures and fascinating characters. In Alison Weir's hands, these pioneering women reclaim their rightful roles at the centre of English history.Trade ReviewBrings England's Norman queens out of the shadows and dazzlingly to life. Drawing on a wealth of fascinating contemporary sources, Alison Weir presents the drama, passion and intrigue of these extraordinary women's lives and restores them to their rightful place in history. A masterpiece. -- Tracy BormanAnother polished, fascinating gem from Weir herself, the queen of history writing. -- John Lewis-Stempel * Sunday Express *Alison Weir's hugely popular history books are as gripping as novels * The Times *Weir provides immense satisfaction. She writes in a pacy, vivid style, engaging the heart as well as the mind -- Amanda Foreman[A] riveting history of the century following the Norman Conquest -- Simon Shaw * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisFormer Prime Minister and the country’s longest-serving Chancellor, Gordon Brown has been a guiding force for Britain and the world over three decades. This is his candid, poignant and deeply relevant story.In describing his upbringing in Scotland as the son of a minister, the near loss of his eyesight as a student and the death of his daughter within days of her birth, he shares the passionately-held principles that have shaped and driven him, reminding us that politics can and should be a calling to serve. Reflecting on the personal and ideological tensions within Labour and its successes and failures in power, he describes how to meet the challenge of pursuing a radical agenda within a credible party of government. He explains how as Chancellor he equipped Britain for a globalised economy while swimming against the neoliberal tide and shows what more must be done to halt rising inequality. In his behind-the-scenes account of the financial crisis and his leading role in saving the world economy from collapse, he addresses the question of who was to blame for the crash and why its causes and consequences still beset us. From the invasion of Iraq to the tragedy of Afghanistan, from the coalition negotiations of 2010 to the referendums on Scottish independence and Europe, Gordon Brown draws on his unique experiences to explain Britain’s current fractured condition. And by showing us what progressive politics has achieved in recent decades, he inspires us with a vision of what it might yet achieve today.Riveting, expert and highly personal, this historic memoir is an invaluable insight into our times.Trade ReviewMiles ahead of anyone you can name currently in office at Westminster. Brown thinks, and thinks profoundly. And by and large, over the last 30 years, what he has thought has turned out to be correct … thrilling … unexpectedly moving -- David Hare * Guardian *A protagonist of Shakespearian stature … The chapters on the crash are fast, tense and riveting … Like our times, Brown’s life is complicated, contradictory, full of irritations, frustrations and even rage. But as this absorbing memoir makes clear, he is also a man who, in both his willingness and ability to tackle the most pressing questions of our age, towers over those who currently fill the political stage … He is one of the giants of our recent political history – and this book explains why -- Jonathan Freedland * Prospect *A compelling story, well told … This is an important book that goes far to explain what made this enigmatic, solitary and intensely private man tick … an example of that rare species in Britain: the intellectual in politics … this book reminds us what a moderate politics of the left looks like and how much it can achieve -- Daniel Johnson * Sunday Times *Very good at describing the process by which an idea for reform is germinated, then shaped into a policy before being executed … He writes very movingly about the death of baby Jennifer Jane … You feel great sympathy and admiration for his tenacity … one of the most formidable chancellors that Britain has ever seen -- Andrew Rawnsley * Observer *In this fascinating book, Gordon Brown shares the experience and perspective of a lifetime spent in public service. Readers will come away with not just a deeper understanding of British and international politics but also the intellect and integrity of one of today’s great statesmen -- Kofi Annan

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Book Synopsis*Winner of the PEN Ackerley Prize 2022*'This is family history at its best... the words fizz off the page and flutter in the mind' Sunday TimesIf you open that suitcase you'll never close it again.Ten years ago, Frances Stonor Saunders was handed an old suitcase filled with her father's papers. Her father's life had been a study in borders - exiled from Romania during the war, to Turkey then Egypt and eventually Britain, and ultimately to the borderless territory of Alzheimer's. The unopened suitcase seems to represent everything that had made her father unknowable to her in life.So begins a captivating exploration of history, memory and geography, as Frances Stoner Saunders decides to unpick her family's past.Trade ReviewAbsolutely compelling... It's an extraordinary achievement. -- Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with Amber EyesIntimate, affecting, elegiac - a remarkable exploration in the hands of a special writer. -- Philippe Sands, author of East West StreetFrances Stonor Saunders is one of those writers you read no matter what she writes. She is that good... this is family history at its best... the words fizz off the page and flutter in the mind... [The Suitcase] will haunt you. -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *[An] intimate and enquiring family history... Sympathetic, erudite, mournful -- Matthew Janney * Financial Times *Stonor Saunders...has a magpie-eye for the telling detail... [and] a vivid turn of phrase. -- Robbie Millen * The Times *

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Book Synopsis'A fabulous piece of writing . . . I recommend it unreservedly' WILLIAM DALRYMPLE'A brilliant book' CHRISTINA LAMB, author of Farewell KabulOne of the first things I was told when I arrived in Kabul was never to walk...When journalist Taran Khan arrives in Kabul, she uncovers a place that defies her expectations. Her wanderings with other Kabulis reveal a fragile city in a state of flux: stricken by near-constant war, but flickering with the promise of peace; governed by age-old codes but experimenting with new modes of living.Her walks take her to the unvisited tombs of the dead, and to the land of the living - like the booksellers, archaeologists, film-makers and entrepreneurs who are remaking this 3,000-year-old city. And as NATO troops begin to withdraw from the country, Khan watches the cycle of transformation begin again.**Winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award 2021****Winner of the Tata Literature Live First Book Award for Non-Fiction 2020**'Powerfully evocative' Kapka Kassabova'A wonderful journey' Atiq Rahimi'Khan illuminates Kabul's life-affirming humanity' TLSTrade ReviewShadow City is no conventional travel book. For Khan gives us a Kabul of the imagination: it is the city that was, less the city that is, that fascinates her. Her perambulations represent a form of "bipedal archaeology", an exercise in exhuming the past and probing the lost... It is easy to cast Kabul as a tragic mess of a metropolis, but Khan illuminates its life-affirming humanity -- Oliver Balch * Times Literary Supplement *Offers a unique on-the-ground view of the city...a refreshing counterpoint to the macho foreign correspondent genre... Khan’s interviews during her walks powerfully evoke the fluctuating mood in a city that is trying to heal itself -- Amelia Gentleman * Guardian *These stories conjure a magic in the labyrinthine streets and reveal a fragile city in a state of flux, shape-shifting and flickering with the promise of peace -- Sophie Lam * i *Any reader of this book is sure to discover a Kabul so unlike what the media portrays. Taran’s love of her city comes across in her enchanting evocation of a city where so many tragedies echo from across Kabul’s decades of war. On her last walk, she writes: “to leave Kabul was to take it with you.” This is what happened when I finished reading this book, I took Kabul with me -- Raja Shehadeh, author of Palestinian WalksOn the surface, Kabul is a city caught "between the hope of peace and the habit of violence." The deeper reality, though, is even more complex and layered: like Kabul's actual lanes, those that map its character "twist and vanish . . . like well-kept secrets." It is an elusive, illusive place - bood, nabood, now you see it, now you don't. Taran Khan's achievement is to have caught it in an affecting and beautifully observed portrait, a word-map that will endure -- Tim Mackintosh-SmithBy excavating Afghanistan's forgotten past, Khan rescues its future, too. Her lyrical prose brings to life the most daring truth a writer can offer: that these tragedies were not preordained, and another Afghanistan is possible -- Anand Gopal, author of No Good Men Among the LivingA lyrical discovery... As a Muslim woman from India, Khan is able to present a unique social and historical perspective -- Edward Girardet * Global Geneva *Taran Khan invites and leads us into a wonderful journey through the streets of Kabul, its history and culture. Step by step with her, we breathe in the city’s air of mysticism and mystery, walk through gardens full of myths and secrets, and we caress the wounds and scars of war on the skin of the city and cross the bridge that is built over the river between Indo-Greek civilization -- Atiq RahimiShadow City moved me to tears... In the service of Kabul and Afghanistan, a region of the world about which we imagine we know much more than we actually do, no book has done a more honest and heart-warming job in recent years... Thrilling -- Supriya Nair * Mumbai Mirror *Traces the lost glory of the city and narrates contemporary miseries. A moving memoir...and a subtle dive into history -- Ashutosh Bhardwaj * Financial Express *Sparkling...a city and a part of the world that is particularly suited to the elegy... The Kabul stories Khan collects are like that: silent screams for a city that was and the city it could be -- Vikram Shah * Mint Lounge *An intricate, intimate portrait of a heartbreaking city, its people and its past, written with nuance, love and attention. In her multi-dimensional memoir Taran Khan explores Kabul as she wanders – through its streets but also its literature, its politics but also its passions – revealing as she does her own exacting, compassionate sense of what the city was and can still be -- Alice Albinia, author of Empires of the IndusThrough these deep and compassionate portraits of ordinary people who call Kabul home, Taran Khan tells the story of the city through war and peace as never told before. At a time when deep uncertainly hangs over Afghanistan’s future once again, Shadow City provides an invaluable perspective on life in its capital -- Snigdha PoonamKhan asks important questions of cities that have witnessed trauma in the palimpsests of what remains. The book carries valuable insights into the effects of war -- the fragility of books, films, ways of life; addiction as a war wound; the instability of 'home'. Mostly, it reminds us of the power of words to represent ways of seeing * India Today *A profound, beautifully written meditation -- Lucy Popescu * Tablet *

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Book Synopsis'A remarkable collection of wonders...Lavishly produced, cleverly curated and elegantly scripted, it takes us to some of the strangest places on Earth, and offers us a peep through the keyhole.' The Spectator The globe is littered with forgotten monuments, their beauty matched only by the secrets of their past.A glorious palace lies abandoned by a fallen dictator. A grand monument to communism sits forgotten atop a mountain. Two never-launched space shuttles slowly crumble, left to rot in the middle of the desert. Explore these and many more of the world's lost wonders in this atlas like no other.With remarkable stories, bespoke maps and stunning photography of fifty forsaken sites, The Atlas of Abandoned Places travels the world beneath the surface; the sites with stories to tell, the ones you won't find in any guidebook.Award-winning travel writer Oliver Smith is your guide on a long-lost path, shining a light on the places that the world forgot.Locations featured in the book include:Europe: Maunsell Forts, Aldwych Station, Paris Catacombs, La Petite Ceinture, Craco, Teufelsberg, Beelitz-Heilstätten, Red Star Train Graveyard, Pyramiden, Salpa Line, Buzludzha Monument, Pripyat, Wolf's Lair, Project Riese, Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track, Albanian Bunkers, Rummu QuarryThe Americas & the Carribean: New Bedford Orpheum Theatre, City Hall Station, Bodie, The Boneyards of Western USA, Bannerman Castle, Palace of Sans Souci, Montserrat Exclusion Zone, Ciudad Perdida, Humberstone and Santa Laura, Uyuni Train Cemetery, FordlândiaThe Middle East & the Caucasus: Kayaköy, Burj Al Babas, Varosha, Tskaltubo, Palaces of SaddamAsia: Ryugyong Hotel, Buran at Baikonur, Mo'ynoq Ship Graveyard, Aniva Lighthouse, Hô' Thuy Tiên Waterpark, Fukushima Red Zone, HashimaOceania: Wittenoom, Wrecks of Homebush Bay, Port Arthur, MS World Discoverer, Second World Remains of Papua New GuineaAfrica: Shipwrecks of the Skeleton Coast, Kolmanskop, Mobutu's Gbadolite, Mos Espa, São Martinho dos Tigres

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Book Synopsis_____________________________________________The 20th Anniversary Edition of Tina Brown's definitive behind-the-scenes insight into the life of Diana Princess of Wales, as depicted in the hit Netflix series The Crown, with a brand new introduction by Andrew Marr._____________________________________________More than twenty years after her death, Princess Diana remains a mystery. Was she "the people's princess," who electrified the world with her beauty and humanitarian missions? Or was she a manipulative, media-savvy neurotic who nearly brought down the monarchy?In this commemorative edition, which includes a new introduction by Andrew Marr, The Diana Chronicles parts the curtains on Diana's troubled time in the mysterious world of the Windsors, as she breaks out of her royal cage into celebrity culture, where she found her own power and used it to devastating effect.Knowing Diana personally, Tina Brown understands her world, understands its players and has-reaching insight into the royals and the Queen herself. Meet the formidable female cast and get to know the society they inhabit, as you never have before.Trade ReviewFilled with insider anecdotes and gleeful accounts of the Royal family’s dysfunction (spending every August in the freezing outpost of Balmoral for a start), it’s also the desperately sad tale of a young woman who wanted family love and support only to be left disillusioned and isolated but (thankfully) found great solace in her children. * Stylist *Intensely well researched and an un-put-down-able read, Tina Brown's extraordinary book parts the brocaded velvet, lifts the expensive net curtains and allows us an unprecedented look at the world and mind of the most famous person on the planet. It is a tragi-comedy, a soap opera, a social commentary, a historical document and a psychological examination, written by a superb investigative journalist.The Diana Chronicles is an enjoyable romp. There are funny moments and Brown in an astute observer of people. Tina Brown is the biographer the princess deserves. * Sunday Telegraph *One of the most well-researched insider books on Diana's life . . . Essential reading for anyone interested in how she became the people's princess, and the battles she endured to ensure her legacy. * Independent *Nothing comes close to Tina Brown's book for its tight grip on the dark human comedy that was Diana's life and death. Brown knows the ritual dances, the shouts and whispers of the tribes of Britain - the Sloanes, the paparazzi, the aristos, and the cocktail lounge lizards - better than anyone who has ever written this story, but she also has a perfect ear for the way ordinary people responded to the doomed Princess. The result is compulsively page-turning. * Simon Schama *

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Book SynopsisThey think it’s all over…it is now, with this comprehensive guide to football shirts through the years. From the obscure to the ubiquitous, The Football Shirts Book is packed with over 150 original and super rare shirts from the greatest game on earth. Covering everything from the iconic to the unusual, even the most hard-core fans will find out something new about the kit of their favourite team.Including full-colour photography, as well as interviews with football shirt design teams, musicians, and fashion designers, this guide offers a full exploration of the brands, design, and sponsorship history behind the world’s best-loved football shirts. It is a must-have for those crazy about football shirts, as well as those whose interest is piqued by history, design, and pop-culture.

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Book SynopsisWe all love to be beside the seaside! Be it the crunch of the sand beneath your feet, or the promise of an unexplored rock pool that draws you to the sea, prepare to be whisked away by bestselling author Christopher Winn as you delve into the charming tales of England's coastline. Divided into eighteen chapters – one for each of the coastal counties in the UK – this book will entertain and illuminate, by casting new light on the many points of intrigue to be explored along 3000 miles of spectacularly diverse and historically rich English coast. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white line drawings, by Mai Osawa, this book makes the perfect companion for any seaside outing. You’ll find yourself exclaiming again and again – I never knew that!

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Book SynopsisAmid pervasive and toxic language, and equally ugly ideas, suggesting that migrants are invaders and human mobility is an aberration, one might imagine that human beings are naturally sedentary: that the desire to move from one's birthplace is abnormal. As the contributors to this volume attest, however, migration and human mobility are part and parcel of the world we live in, and the continuous flow of people and exchange of cultures are as old as the societies we have built together. Together, the chapters in this volume emphasise the diversity of the origins, consequences and experiences of human mobility in the Middle East. From multidisciplinary perspectives and through case studies, the contributors offer the reader a deeper understanding of current as well as historical incidences of displacement and forced migration. In addition to offering insights on multiple root causes of displacement, the book also addresses the complex challenges of host-refugee relations, migrants' integration and marginalisation, humanitarian agencies, and the role and responsibility of states. Cross-cutting themes bind several chapters together: the challenges of categories; the dynamics of control and contestation between migrants and states at borders; and the persistence of identity issues influencing regional patterns of migration.Trade Review'This collection is both a timely and significant contribution to our understanding of what makes movement and mobility a defining feature of contemporary life in the Middle East.' -- Dawn Chatty, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and Forced Migration, University of Oxford'Babar has skillfully assembled an impressive collection of case studies on voluntary and involuntary mobility in the Middle East. A valuable contribution to the debate on how states and non-state actors instrumentalise migration, displacement and statelessness.' -- Abdulhadi Khalaf, Professor of Sociology, Lund University'This volume is timely and essential as more borders harden, economies and societies struggle with refugees, and war continues to cause human suffering in the Middle East. An excellent read and a must-have resource for scholars in the field.' -- Jane Bristol-Rhys, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Zayed University Abu Dhabi, and author of 'Emirati Women'

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Book SynopsisThe rebellion that set Ireland free, told as a graphic novel. The 1916 Easter Rising was an attempt by a small group of militant Irish republicans to win independence from Britain. It was the most significant rebellion in Ireland. Though a military failure, it set Ireland on the road to freedom from Britain. The book covers the story from the early planning to the final executions and includes the tragic romance between Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford. Following on from the success of political graphic novels such as Maus and Persepolis, this is accessible, informative and insightful history at its best.Trade Reviewfantastic … it’s a great sign of what can be done through that medium and I hope we’ll see more like it … We featured this and asked some children to review it and they raved about it, they loved it -- TV3’s Ireland AMreally smart … tricks you into learning stuff -- Ireland AM, TV3a history that brings the Rising to life. Too many accounts of the rebellion are austere and gloomy, and portray the key personalities as distant, ascetic figures. Blood Upon the Rose restores to the story its spirit of adventure, and a rounded humanity -- Irish IndependentI've no idea why I haven't blogged about Gerry Hunts historical graphic novels before. We've had Blood Upon The Rose, the story of Easter 1916, since it was published in 2009. That was such a success that when At War With The Empire, the follow up came out, I ordered it straightaway. It was a no-brainer - my eldest son loved graphic novels and flew through them. And these books explained (in colourful detail) Irish history that he needed to know about, for school and for life. This latest one, 1913 Larkin's Labour War which I found in the library last week is his favourite of the lot -- onthestripeycouchonasaturdaymorning.blogspot.iethe comic would be particularly useful for Irish Junior Cert and Leaving Cert students studying history, or general history buffs of early 20th century Irish and British relations -- Girlslikecomics.com'a landmark Irish graphic novel' -- Irish Times'pulls the story together brilliantly … a lovely thing to have' -- Tom Dunne, Newstalk 106'Few other publications have brought the Rising to life as viscerally as Gerry Hunt's Blood Upon the Rose … an interesting and fresh take on a tale that most people would assume they knew by rote' -- Sunday Tribune'the Easter Rising as you’ve never seen it before … a colourful comic story about the famous revolt' -- Evening Herald'will appeal to youngsters and will familiarise with them with the heroes and heroines of the Easter Rebellion' -- Irish Examiner'shows the rising in all its multicoloured glory' -- Irish Examiner'compelling' -- Belfast Telegraph'a ground-breaking work' -- Primary Times Magazine'an excellent introduction to politics' -- Primary Times Magazine'an enjoyable read' -- CBI Bookfest Guide 2009'illustrations are bright and appealing' -- CBI Bookfest Guide 2009'I would certainly recommend this book' -- Michael Doorley, Inis Magazine'[a] new and exciting departure in Irish publishing' -- Inis Magazine'for 12 years and over' -- Primary Times Magazine'A colourful comic book is bringing the 1916 Rising to life for a new generation of young Irish people' -- Irish Daily Star'has already been snapped up by teachers and students alike' -- Irish Daily Star'Exciting' -- The Irish Daily Star'brings the story to life through illustration and lively text and could be a great resource to engage history students’ interest in that period in Irish history' -- Astir'rings the story to life through illustration and lively text and could be a great resource to engage history students’ interest in that period in Irish history' -- Astir'excellent illustrations and artwork ... an impressive work' -- Evening Echo'the artwork is second to none, handled with a light touch and there is none of the overwrought pomposity sometimes present in American graphic novels' -- Evening Echoan unexpected publishing hit -- Irish Independent'a fantastic way of digesting a bit of history in a fun and vivid format ... Hunt’s graphics bring the story of their struggle for Irish freedom to life in a way that sterile prose in a school history book never could' -- Books Ireland'graphics ... convey the tension and the atmosphere of fear that must have surrounded Dublin in those days' -- Books Ireland'the Easter Rising as you’ve never seen it before … a colourful comic story about the famous revolt' -- Evening Herald'Gerry Hunt gave a brief, excellent and very modest talk on the work ... It was more than fitting that Honor O Brolchain, grand-niece of Joseph Plunkett, was also present to deliver a fine talk on Joseph Plunkett, Grace Gifford and the importance of the j -- Come Here Me'Few other publications have brought the Rising to life as viscerally as Gerry Hunt's Blood Upon the Rose … an interesting and fresh take on a tale that most people would assume they knew by rote' -- Sunday Tribune'Following on from the success of political graphic novels such as Maus and Persepolis, this is accessible, informative and insightful history at its best ... help give a sense of realism to the story, Hunt presents an art style deeply influenced by his a -- Comic Related'pulls the story together brilliantly … a lovely thing to have' -- Tom Dunne, Newstalk 106'brings you back to your youth when comics were all the rage, but now you can enjoy all that again by reading a graphic novel about our great and proud history' -- An Cosantóir’s'a landmark Irish graphic novel' -- Irish Times'everyone has heard of the Easter Rising, but never has it been told in such a colourful and exciting way as this graphic novel' -- An Cosantóir’s'an enjoyable read' -- CBI Bookfest Guide 2009'illustrations are bright and appealing' -- CBI Bookfest Guide 2009'I would certainly recommend this book' -- Michael Doorley, Inis Magazine'[a] new and exciting departure in Irish publishing' -- Inis Magazine'a ground-breaking work' -- Primary Times Magazine'for 12 years and over' -- Primary Times Magazine'an excellent introduction to politics' -- Primary Times Magazine'shows the rising in all its multicoloured glory' -- Irish Examiner'will appeal to youngsters and will familiarise with them with the heroes and heroines of the Easter Rebellion' -- Irish Examiner'compelling' -- Belfast Telegraph'brings the story to life through illustration and lively text and could be a great resource to engage history students’ interest in that period in Irish history' -- Astir'A colourful comic book is bringing the 1916 Rising to life for a new generation of young Irish people' -- Irish Daily Star'has already been snapped up by teachers and students alike' -- Irish Daily Star'Exciting' -- Irish Daily Star'excellent illustrations and artwork ... an impressive work' -- Evening Echothe artwork is second to none, handled with a light touch and there is none of the overwrought pomposity sometimes present in American graphic novels -- Evening Echo

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Book SynopsisThe English Actor charts the uniquely English approach to stagecraft. In thirty chapters, Peter Ackroyd describes, with superb narrative skill, the genesis of acting – deriving from the Church tradition of Mystery Plays – through the flourishing of the craft in the Renaissance to modern methods that followed the advent of film and television. The biographies of the most notable and celebrated actors are also explored, right up to the present day. In this book, Ackroyd gives us an original and superbly entertaining appraisal of how actors have acted – and how audiences have responded – since the medieval period, and what we mean by the ‘magic of the stage’.

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Book SynopsisThe first book to look specifically at the movement of Cornish men and women to and from the Caribbean from the early days of colonialism. A fascinating subject for those with an interest in all things Cornish, be they in Cornwall, in the Caribbean, or in the wider Cornish diaspora. The Cornish in the Caribbean is the first study to tell the stories of some of the many Cornish men and women who went to the Caribbean. Some became wealthy plantation owners, while others came as indentured servants and labourers. Cornish men were active in the armed services, taking part in the numerous sea and land battles fought by the competing European powers throughout the region. Cornish officers and crew sailed on the ships of the Falmouth Packet Service which took the mail to and from the Caribbean. Methodism was strong in Cornwall and Methodist missionaries and their wives came to the Caribbean to evangelise both the enslaved and the newly free. The most striking transfer of Cornish skills to the Caribbean was to be found in mining. As Cornish mining declined, and the Great Emigration of miners and their families got underway, Cornish mining engineers, captains and miners went out to mines throughout the Caribbean. “Meticulously researched and highly readable” Bridget Brereton, Professor Emerita, University of the West Indies. Shortlisted for the 2020 Cornish Publishers Awards - the Holyer an Gof

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Book SynopsisDidn’t Cleopatra look like Elizabeth Taylor? Didn’t Shakespeare look like Shakespeare? Doesn’t Mazzini deserve to have a biscuit named after him? Did Napoleon pass his French exam? Did Nelson really see no ships? Van Gogh…or Van Gogh? And can you spot Hitch’s cameo appearance this time? Potted Portraits is an enjoyable saunter through a portrait gallery of varied personalities from History; revered or reviled, loved or loathed, each led a remarkable life that continues to be of interest today. In a series of light verse biographies which delight in testing the limits of tolerance with their rhymes, puns and general linguistic convolutions, discover a few new things about some familiar characters; or reacquaint yourself with some familiar stories in a new way. Included are some perhaps rather less well-known figures, though no less deserving of attention and rewarding to read about. If you want a little light didacticism, with the reasonable chance of a smile – even a laugh – this is the book for you!

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Book SynopsisIn Rome the echoes of the past resound clearly in its palaces and monuments, and in the remains of the ancient imperial city. But another presence has dominated Rome for 2,000 years -the pope, whose actions and influence echo down the ages. In this epic tale, historian Jessica Wärnberg tells, for the first time, the story of Rome through the lens of its popes, illuminating how these remarkable (and unremarkable) men have transformed lives and played a crucial role in deciding the fate of the city. Emerging as the anonymous leader of a marginal cult in the humblest quarters of the city, less than 300 years later the pope sat enthroned in a gilt basilica, endorsed by the emperor himself. Eventually, the Roman pontiff would supplant even the emperors, becoming the de facto ruler of Rome and pre-eminent leader of the Christian world. Shifting elegantly between the panoramic and the personal, the spiritual and the profane, this is a fresh and often surprising take on a city, a people and an institution that is at once familiar and elusive.Trade ReviewShe is brilliant! -- Dan SnowA tremendous, engrossing, and illuminating history of papal Rome. City of Echoes is a must-read for everyone with an interest in the Eternal City. -- Angus Robertson, author of Crossroads of Civilization: A History of ViennaSerious, exactingly-researched history, with all the gripping intensity of a rattling good yarn. Filled with intriguing and unexpected facts, City of Echoes conjures up some superb images. Jessica Wärnberg shows us how the truth can be be even more exciting than any Dan Brown yarn. -- Paul Strathern, author of The Borgias, The Medici, and The Other RenaissanceCity of Echoes is a sweeping journey through the intertwined history of the city of Rome and the popes from the earliest Christian times till today. It's wonderfully readable and thoroughly enjoyable. -- Philip Freeman, author of Hannibal, Alexander the Great, and Julius CaesarJessica Wärnberg's pleasurably informative account allows us to hear some gloriously clear historical and religious resonances of Rome from St. Peter to the present day. It leads us on a sparkling journey through the intertwined evolution of the Eternal City and the papacy that is a joy on the architectural, human, and divine levels. -- Stephen P. Kershaw, author of The Harvest of War and The Enemies of RomeThis marvellous and original study offers us Rome in all its beauty, depravity and resilience. The history of papal power is never better explained ... An excellent read that will reshape our perceptions of how the modern Vatican state came to be. -- Andrew Pettegree, author of The Library: A Fragile History and Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned His Small Town into a Center of Publishing, Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe and Started the Protestant ReformationTerrific! Jessica Wärnberg is an assured guide through the panorama of Rome's Christian history, evoking a turbulent world of warfare, witchcraft and inquisitors. Not only that, she achieves the considerable feat of making church history fun. Highly recommended. -- Catherine Fletcher, author of The Beauty and the Terror: An Alternative History of the Italian RenaissanceJessica Wärnberg's book tells not only the story of these popes but that of Rome, its people and the events that affected them ... as a history of the Catholic church it is well worthwhile. Just about everything is here, from the conversion of the Emperor Constantine in 312 to the declaration of the pope's infallibility when speaking ex cathedra in 1870. * The Spectator *The book's strength is its range, from St Peter in the first century all the way to Pope Francis today...Wärnberg is especially good on the early years, when Christianity and the papacy emerged under the shadow of a hostile imperial Rome...the story of how popes became leading actors is well told. * The Economist *Telling the history of Rome over nearly 2,000 years through the deeds (and misdeeds) of the Popes of the Roman Catholic Church is more than just a beautiful conceit. Jessica Wärnberg has written a deeply informative book that never fails to entertain * Air Mail *A brilliantly researched and all-encompassing history of papal Rome. I very much enjoyed reading this. * Anna Mazzola, author of the Clockwork Girl *Historian Wärnberg debuts with an insightful study of the papacy and its influence over the city of Rome. Throughout this accessible and scrupulous account, Wärnberg demonstrates how the legacy of the papacy has become inextricably linked with the city of Rome. The result is a valuable contribution to the history of both Rome and Catholicism. * Publishers Weekly *City of Echoes will fill in the gaps of your knowledge and understanding of the history of Rome and the papacy. It will give you a fresh and better informed view of how religion can impact a city and, thereby, the world. * Premier Christianity *

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Book SynopsisHumboldt (1769–1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. His life was packed with adventure and discovery, whether climbing volcanoes in the Andes, swimming with crocodiles, racing through anthrax-infected Siberia, or publishing groundbreaking bestsellers. Ahead of his time, he recognized nature as an interdependent whole and he saw before anyone else that humankind was on a path to destroy it. He was one of the first European to study the Inca, Aztec and Mayan cultures and his epic five-year expedition to Latin America (1799–1804) prompted him to denounce slavery as 'the greatest evil ever to have afflicted humanity'. To Humboldt, the melody of his prose was as important as its content, and this selection from his most famous works - the Personal Narrative of his travels to Latin America, Cosmos, Views of Nature, Views of the Cordilleras and Monuments of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, The Geography of Plants and his anti-slavery essay in Political Essay of the Island of Cuba - allows us the pleasure of reading his own accounts of his daring explorations and new concept of nature. Humboldt’s writings profoundly influenced naturalists and poets including Darwin, Thoreau, Muir, Goethe, Wordsworth, and Whitman. The Selected Writings is not only a tribute to Humboldt’s important role in environmental history and science, but also to his ability to fashion powerfully poetic narratives out of scientific observations.

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Book SynopsisA dual biography of the greatest opposing generals of their age who ultimately became fixated on one another, by a bestselling historian.'Thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully written and meticulously researched' ObserverOn the morning of the battle of Waterloo, the Emperor Napoleon declared that the Duke of Wellington was a bad general, the British were bad soldiers and that France could not fail to win an easy victory. Forever afterwards historians have accused him of gross overconfidence, and massively underestimating the calibre of the British commander opposed to him. Andrew Roberts presents an original, highly revisionist view of the relationship between the two greatest captains of their age. Napoleon, who was born in the same year as Wellington - 1769 - fought Wellington by proxy years earlier in the Peninsula War, praising his ruthlessness in private while publicly deriding him as a mere 'sepoy general'. In contrast, Wellington publicly lauded Napoleon, saying that his presence on a battlefield was worth forty thousand men, but privately wrote long memoranda lambasting Napoleon's campaigning techniques. Although Wellington saved Napoleon from execution after Waterloo, Napoleon left money in his will to the man who had tried to assassinate Wellington. Wellington in turn amassed a series of Napoleonic trophies of his great victory, even sleeping with two of the Emperor's mistresses.Trade ReviewThe book is thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully written and meticulously researched -- Jason Bourke * OBSERVER *It is one of Andrew Roberts's merits that, as well as being intelligent, hard-working and opinionated, he gets great fun out of his writing. His books are consequently not only genuinely important but also a pleasure to read -- Philip Ziegler * DAILY TELEGRAPH *This is narrative history, readable, well-researched and lively as dry champagne -- Jane Ridley * SPECTATOR *Andrew Roberts, the political biographer whose life of Lord Salisbury won him the Wolfson Prize for 1999, now brings the same qualities of insight and judgment to the field of military history -- Correlli Barnett * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *He writes so well that his new book will find a ready audience among admirers of both his protagonists -- Max Hastings * EVENING STANDARD *Andrew Roberts' excellent book strips away the clichéd public statements and looks at the real relationship between the two greatest commanders of their age. It is a fascinating tale. The core of this splendid and thoughtful book is ultimately his judgement on the two men and their record -- David Chandler * RUSI JOURNAL *Andrew Roberts has entered the lists of Napoleonic historians, tilted at champions and sent many away with bruised and broken bones. Some of them may never recover -- Allan Mallinson * THE TIMES *A must-have for anyone interested in Napoleonic history, Napoleon and Wellington is an easy read, containing a wealth of information. Highly recommended, this work is destined to become a classic * NAPOLEONIC ALLIANCE GAZETTE *Roberts sets out to explore each man's contrasting qualities and their opinion of each other. In the process he has uncovered a number of corporeal connections: some enchanting, some mysterious, and others unsavoury -- Roger Hutchinson * THE SCOTSMAN *Roberts does his best throughout this thoughtful and absorbing book to hold the balance between his protagonists both as soldiers and men * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Roberts has assembled a rare wealth of material, and his love for his venture is evident -- George Lucas * FINANCIAL TIMES *[A] brilliant double portrait -- Philip Mansel * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Roberts offers a master class in how to write a historical magnum opus; filled with anecdotes and observations to inform and entertain the general reader, yet with the structure and academic rigour to satisfy the most demanding Napoleonic scholar ... intellectual tour de force -- Frank Harris * WATERSTONE'S QUARTERLY *What Mr Roberts has done so admirably is uncover the human responses between two men who might otherwise be just dry political or military figures, and he has added a new and valuable dimension to our understanding of the Napoleonic age in doing so -- Simon Heffer * COUNTRY LIFE *History has just replaced cooking and gardening as the sexiest and most bankable contemporary subject in publishing. If that is so, the prolific and consistently brilliant historian Andrew Roberts must take much of the credit -- Robert Beaumont * YORKSHIRE POST *Andrew Roberts's Napoleon and Wellington draws us right into the minds of two of the world's greatest generals. Roberts is an excellent non-academic historian -- Melvyn Bragg * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE BOOKS OF THE YEAR *Truly a brilliant work, sparkling with the reflected fascination of the subject interspersed with the judicious comments of the author -- Jeremy Black * HISTORY TODAY *In Roberts' sensitive hands the two men come fully alive, along with their campaigns and their battles. He understands military matters as he does human - a rare accomplishment -- Eric Jacobs Broadway * HAM AND HIGH *Roberts gives his reader a wonderful account of a relationship that occurred in two men's heads -- Timothy Wilson-Smith * THE TABLET *Andrew Roberts has given us a double biography, written with tremendous pace and verve -- Desmond Seward * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *Roberts has done the study of the Napoleonic era a tremendous amount of good by opening up the minds of the rivals to public gaze. It is true to say that having read Napoleon and Wellington, you will look at the great struggle in a very different light -- Richard Moore * THE NAPOLEONIC GUIDE *What Roberts has delivered is a thoughtful, witty and authoritative study that focuses on the relationship between the two great soldiers and how they regarded each other, as soldiers and as men -- Richard Pearson * WASHINGTON POST *

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Book SynopsisIn 1895 twenty-six-year-old Bridget Cleary disappeared from her house in rural Tipperary. At first, some said that the fairies had taken her into their stronghold in a nearby hill, from where she would emerge, riding a white horse. But then her badly burned body was found in a shallow grave. Her husband, father, aunt and four cousins were arrested and charged, while newspapers in nearby Clonmel, and then in Dublin, Cork, London and further afield attempted to make sense of what had happened.In this lurid and fascinating episode, set in the last decade of the nineteenth century, we witness the collision of town and country, of storytelling and science, of old and new. The torture and burning of Bridget Cleary caused a sensation in 1895 which continues to reverberate more than a hundred years later.Winner of the Irish Times Prize for Non-FictionTrade ReviewFascinating... passionate and thought-provoking... a creative, stimulating book that deserves to win many readers -- Patrick French * Sunday Times *One of those rare books that becomes an instantaneous classic * Independent *Scrupulous, clear micro-history at its best -- Marina Warner, Books of the Year * Times Literary Supplement *Angela Bourke's fascinating, disturbing and powerful book tells a compelling and tragic story * Financial Times *The story of Bridget Cleary's death is a parable for a changing world, a well-researched and horrifying account of what could happen in the region where myth and modernity collide...As dramatic a murder mystery as any devotee of the genre could long for...And it is the rich abundance of ideas that makes this a uniquely important historical work * Irish News *

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Book SynopsisWaterloo is one of the most famous battles in history and it has given rise to a vast and varied literature. The strategy and tactics of the battle and the entire Waterloo campaign have been analysed at length. The commanders, manoeuvres and critical episodes, and the intense experiences of the men who took part, have all been recorded in minute detail. But the organization, structure and fighting strength of the armies that fought in the battle have received less attention, and this is the subject of Philip Haythornthwaite's detailed, authoritative and engaging study. Through a close description of the structure and personnel of each of the armies he builds up a fascinating picture of their makeup, their methods and their capabilities. The insight he offers into the contrasting styles and national characteristics of the forces that came together on the Waterloo battlefield gives a fresh perspective on the extraordinary clash of arms that ended the Napoleonic era.

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Book SynopsisThe Number One BestsellerShortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2021'A great achievement . . . Brilliant, engaging and essential' Colm Tóibín'At once intimate and epic, this is a landmark book' Fintan O'TooleWhen Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology - East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.He travels the length and breadth of Ireland and across Europe, going to Masses, novenas, shrines and seminaries, talking to those who have abandoned the Church and those who have held on, to survivors and campaigners, to writers, historians, psychologists and many more. And he has probing and revealing encounters with Vatican officials, priests and religious along the way.The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom and compassion Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.'Reflective, textured, insightful and original ... rich with history, interrogation and emotional intelligence' Diarmaid Ferriter, Irish Times'An unblinking look at the collapse of the Church and Catholic deference in Ireland. Excellent and timely' John Banville, The Sunday Times'Engaging and incisive' Caelainn Hogan, author of Republic of Shame'Remarkable ... Essential reading for anyone concerned about history and forgetting' Michael Harding'Fair-minded ... thoughtful' Melanie McDonagh, The Times'Very pacey and entertaining ... and it changed how I regard Ireland and our history for good. Fantastic' Oliver Callan'Original, thought-provoking and very engaging' Marie Collins'A provocative insight into a time that many would rather forget' John Boyne'Challenging' Mary McAleese'Explores this subject in a way that I've never seen before' Hugh Linehan, Irish TimesTrade ReviewAn extraordinary story ... At once intimate and epic, this is a landmark book -- Fintan O'TooleA great achievement ... brilliant, engaging and essential -- Colm TóibínAn engaging and incisive book that asks what keeping the faith cost us, how it shaped us and what it means now -- Caelainn Hogan * author of Republic of Shame *Remarkable ... [Scally] examines the past with disarming honesty and a sense of compassion. His book is essential reading for anyone concerned about history and forgetting -- Michael HardingOffers some challenging end-of-an-era reflections on being Catholic in the scandal-ridden church of contemporary Ireland -- Mary McAleeseAbsolutely thrilling. A wonderful blend of personal story, journalism and history - it goes to unexpected places and asks questions we don't usually consider -- Oliver CallanAccessible, original, thought-provoking and very engaging -- Marie CollinsA wonderful book -- Catriona CroweReflective, textured, insightful and original ... rich with history, interrogation and emotional intelligence -- Diarmaid Ferriter * Irish Times *A highly intelligent, patriotic work * Business Post *Compelling * Irish Examiner *Excellent and timely * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisIn 1980, at the age of ten, Loung Ung escaped a devastated Cambodia and flew to the US as a refugee. She and her eldest brother, with whom she escaped, left behind their three surviving siblings, and her book is alternately heart-wrenching and heart-warming, as it follows the parallel lives of Loung and her closest sister, Chou, during the 15 years it took for them to be reunited. Their two worlds were very different, and Loung's depiction of the contrast between her life in the affluent West and that of her sister, who navigated her way through landmine-strewn fields and survived raids by the Khmer Rouge, is laced with the guilt she feels about being the lucky one. This powerful story helps us to understand what happens when a family is torn apart by politics, adversity and war. It is also the compelling and inspirational tale of a remarkable woman.Trade ReviewI encourage everyone to read this deeply moving and very important book -- Angelina JolieWhat could easily be a tale of despair and defeat becomes, through simple and poweful prose, a celebration of courage and humanity * The Times *A rich narrative that explores the ravages of war and strength of family bonds . . . far too relevant to our own time -- Amnesty InternationalHeart-rending and eloquent . . . A moving reminder of human resiliency and the power of family bonds * Newsweek *Change the names of the characters, give them another country of origin, and this story of dislocation becomes a tragedy millions of immigrants have lived through but seldom talk about * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisThis is a guide to the style of houses built in the 1930s. Tradition continued to dominate the outside while inside art deco was all the rage. It contains many photographs and detailed drawings.

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Book SynopsisThe date was Good Friday, April 23rd in the Year of Our Lord 1014. The most ferocious battle ever fought in Ireland was about to begin... Read about the life of Brian Boru and the battle that changed the course of Irish history in this exciting and accessible account.

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Book Synopsis‘We walk in the footprints of great women, women who lived through hard times on farms, in villages, towns and cities. The lives of these women are an untold story. This book is a celebration of the often forgotten “ordinary” women who gave so much to our society.’ Alice Taylor Alice salutes the women whose energy and generosity made such a valuable contribution to all our lives. '[It] warmed my heart and reminded me of the value of family, friendship and community... I was enthralled... wonderful.' Irish Independent on And Time Stood StillTrade ReviewI highly recommend it … I thoroughly enjoyed it -- The Arts House, Cork’s C103 and Cork’s 96FMhighly enjoyable read -- Ireland’s Own Christmas Annualhighly enjoyable read -- Ireland’s Ownin these pages, we see Taylor’s remarkable gift of elevating the ordinary to something special, something poetic, even … Taylor avoids the mantel of social commentator in this book, and this is surely part of her charm. She is a teller of stories, simply that. She writes from personal experience and records the experience of others, without the gravitas and authority of an historian, but with empathy, wit and considerable poetic elegance. In The Women, she records fifteen remarkable lives that would otherwise have been forgotten. She is to be commended for that. And the fact that, like all of her books, it’s a thing of gentle beauty -- Irish Independentone of Ireland’s favourites … an absolutely beautiful read … beautifully finished … amazing stories that wouldn’t be known without you … the photographs in the book are special in themselves -- In Conversation with Weeshie Fogarty on Radio Kerrya really special reading experience … it’s an amazing book with some wonderful stories -- Shannonside FM and Northern Sound’s Joe Finnegan Showa book that will grip you by the heart -- U Magazinewonderful … put The Women on your Christmas gift list -- Bandon OpinionI reckon it’s going to be another winner -- Tommy Marren Show

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Book SynopsisDublin has taken many forms over the last millennium: first a Scandinavian settlement, linked by kinship to Norway; then a medieval town that formed part of a Norman sphere of influence across Western Europe. By the eighteenth century, it was a ‘polite’ city of the British Empire, before gaining independence and developing into a bustling, modern European capital. Merging archaeology with art, Stephen Conlin’s beautifully crafted views recreate Dublin’s most famous areas and buildings at key times in their development, such as Wood Quay in 1254, Parliament House circa 1760, O’Connell Street in 1945, and the Grand Canal Basin today. This wonderful imagery is complemented and enhanced by the vivid text of Peter Harbison, which moves through time to provide an entertaining history of Dublin, its people and its landmarks. Also available as a signed, limited edition with slipcase and special cover design. ISBN 9781847179227.Trade Reviewthe reader can visualise the development of Dublin from its Viking origins to an imperial city … thanks to Conlin’s artwork -- Archaeology Irelandillustrations and text complement each another in a harmonious whole which is a delight to the reader … sumptuous … a treasure of a book, a feast for the eye and the mind … a book for all who love Dublin -- Dublin Historical Record, journal of the Old Dublin Societybeautifully produced … an extremely talented artist and an assiduous and talented scholar -- Irish Catholic Magazinevery attractive, beautifully illustrated book that brings a fresh approach to the well-known story of Ireland’s capital, from its Viking origins, through the medieval city to the modern metropolis -- Books Irelandexciting … the people of Dublin and their cityscape evolving through the ages are magically conjured within the pages of this book … this is a splendid achievement which should have a place in every school in the capital, if not in every house, packed as it is with information presented in a thoughtfully designed and well-produced volume of the highest quality -- Irish Arts Review

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Book Synopsis‘The greatest biography of our era … Essential reading for those who want to comprehend power and politics’ The TimesRobert A. Caro’s legendary, multi-award-winning biography of US President Lyndon Johnson is a uniquely riveting and revelatory account of power, political genius and the shaping of twentieth-century America.Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, Master of the Senate takes Johnson’s story through one of its most remarkable periods: his twelve years, from 1949 to 1960, in the United States Senate. Once the most august and revered body in politics, by the time Johnson arrived the Senate had become a parody of itself and an obstacle that for decades had blocked desperately needed liberal legislation. Caro shows how Johnson’s brilliance, charm and ruthlessness enabled him to become the youngest and most powerful Majority Leader in history and how he used his incomparable legislative genius – seducing both Northern liberals and Southern conservatives – to pass the first Civil Rights legislation since Reconstruction.Trade ReviewThe greatest biography of our era … Essential reading for those who want to comprehend power and politics * The Times *As if it were possible, Master of the Senate takes what was already an outstanding multi-volume series on to a still higher plane. It is, quite simply, the finest biography I have ever read, or ever could imagine reading. It is more than that: it is one of the finest works of literature I have ever encountered, or ever hope to * New Statesman *The breathtaking detail makes it impossible to put down * The Times *Dazzling ... awesome ... Rarely will you come across a more compelling account of the nature of great power and its entanglement with massive personality. Rarely will you find another biography which is such a fascinating study of how a bad man became a power for the good * Observer *A wonderful, a glorious tale … It will be hard to equal this amazing book … Caro’s description of how [Johnson passed the civil rights legislation] is masterly; I was there and followed the course of the legislation closely, but I did not know the half of it * New York Times Book Review *Quite breathtaking ... one of the great political biographies -- Gordon Brown

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Book SynopsisWednesday 22 January 1879 was one of the most dramatic days in the annals of military history. In the morning, a modern British army was swept aside by the onset of a seemingly unstoppable host at Isandlwana. Nearby, at a remote border outpost on the Buffalo River, a single company of the 24th Regiment and a few dozen recuperating hospital patients were passing another hot, monotonous day. News of the disaster across the river came like a bolt from the blue. Retreat was not an option. It seemed certain that the Rorke's Drift detachment would share the terrible fate of their comrades. Colonel Snook brings the insights of a military professional to bear in this strikingly original account. It is an extraordinary tale - a victory largely achieved by the sheer bloody-mindedness in adversity of the British infantryman, fighting at the remarkable odds of over thirty to one. The heroics of all eleven VC winners are recounted in detail, and we are offered new insights into how the Zulu attack unfolded and how 150 men achieved their improbable victory. The author describes the remainder of the war, from the recovery of the lost Queen's Colour of the 24th to the climactic charge of the 17th Lancers at Ulundi. We return to Isandlwana to consider culpability, and learn of the often tragic fates of many of the war's participants.

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Book SynopsisEngraved shell-cases, bullet-crucifixes, letter openers and cigarette lighters made of shrapnel and cartridges, miniature aeroplanes and tanks, talismanic jewellery, embroidery, objects carved from stone, bone and wood - all of these things are trench art, the misleading name given to the dazzling array of objects made from the waste of war, in particular the Great War of 1914-1918 and the inter-war years. And they are the subject of Nicholas Saunders's pioneering study which is now republished in a revised edition in paperback. He reveals the lost world of trench art, for every piece relates to the story of the momentous experience of its maker - whether front-line soldier, prisoner of war, or civilian refugee. The objects resonate with the alternating terror and boredom of war, and those created by the prisoners symbolize their struggle for survival in the camps. Many of these items were poignant souvenirs bought by battlefield pilgrims between 1919 and 1939 and kept brightly polished on mantelpieces, often for a lifetime. Nicholas Saunders investigates their origins and how they were made, exploring their personal meaning and cultural significance. He also offers an important categorization of types which will be a useful guide for collectors.

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Book SynopsisCarve Her Name With Pride is the inspiring story of the half-French Violette Szabo who was born in Paris Iin 1921 to an English motor-car dealer, and a French Mother. She met and married Etienne Szabo, a Captain in the French Foreign Legion in 1940. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Tania, her husband died at El Alamein. She became a FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry) and was recruited into the SOE and underwent secret agent training. Her first trip to France was completed successfully even though she was arrested and then released by the French Police. On June 7th, 1944, Szabo was parachuted into Limoges. Her task was to co-ordinate the work of the French Resistance in the area in the first days after D-Day. She was captured by the SS 'Das Reich' Panzer Division and handed over to the Gestapo in Paris for interrogation. From Paris, Violette Szabo was sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp where she was executed in January 1945. She was only 23 and for her courage was posthumously awarded The George Cross and the Croix de Guerre.

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Book SynopsisFollowing the spirit of the world’s longest coastal driving route, Paul Clements sets out to discover the real west of Ireland. Along the way he encounters memorable characters living on the Atlantic edge and presents a unique portrait of their lives. We meet the last man standing on a remote Galway island, listen to the banter at Puck Fair, and hear from a descendant of the original sixteenth-century wild Atlantic woman. Tagging along on his meandering journey is the swashbuckling presence of the Celtic sea god, Manannán Mac Lir. For his first travel book in 1991, Paul hitchhiked the same route. Now retracing his steps along the Wild Atlantic Way – this time by car and bike, on horseback and on foot – he looks at how Ireland has changed and realises everyone still has a story to tell. Laced with wry humour and endless curiosity, this is a distinctive mix of travel writing, social history and nature. Also by this author: `The Height of Nonsense: The Ultimate Irish Road Trip’ Praise for this author: “Stacks of free copies should be sent to all our tourist desks abroad.” – The Irish Times. “For sheer pleasure, nothing I read beat Paul Clements’ `The Height of Nonsense’.” – The Observer. “A compulsive, educational, laugh-out-loud read.” – Sunday Independent. "A fascinating journey around the hidden corners of Ireland." – BBC RadioTrade Review'A very enjoyable book, filled with educational, uplifting and side-splitting stories, an engaging mix of travel, nature and social commentary.' -- Damien Enright * Irish Examiner *'Clements is an affable, thoughtful guide, always alert to the small, telling detail.' * Irish Independent *'Utterly entertaining from beginning to end.' * Irish Examiner *'Engrossing portrait of western Ireland.' * Irish Mountain Log *'A good production, well designed in which the author discovers the west of Ireland, this book will appeal to a general readership.' * Books Ireland *'The author has discovered that the Wild Atlantic Way has revitalised the west and led to a newfound energy.' * Connacht Tribune *'Clements is an authority on the popular tourist route that has become the Wild Atlantic Way.' * Fermanagh Herald *'A wonderful book with inspiring insights.' * IrelandWays.Com *'The Wild Atlantic Way is far more than a tourist trail and this book charts Clements' return journey along it.' * Pol O Conghaile, Irish Independent *'A must-read book in which Clements experiences both the mythic and the human.' * Culture Northern Ireland *'An epic journey full of thoughtful observations and showing a zest for people.' * Tyrone Herald *'A distinctive mix of travel writing, social history and nature.' * Clare Champion *'Very visual writing that delves into the facts and fantasies of the west of Ireland.' * Irish News *'Nature's sights and aromas are all around him while the thundering wild Atlantic plays its own soundtrack.' * Leitrim Observer *'A well paced and illuminating book full of quirky stories.' * Sligo Weekender *'An insight into a changing world where wit, humour and small-town Ireland anecdotes are as warm and as endearing as ever.' * The Kerryman *'With his seamless word-tapestry, Clements has written a vibrant and honest word-picture of the rolling, rocky, craggy and compelling Wild Atlantic Way.' * Mayo News *'A delightfully varied book on the changing face of Ireland.' * Niall Delaney, Ocean FM *'An informative, colourful and engaging book.' * Shaun Doherty, Highland Radio *'Laced with wry humour and endless curiosity.' * Donegal News *'A brilliant read.' * Stephen McCauley, Radio Ulster book club *'Three hundred and forty fascinating pages and a beautiful storied book that touches the hearts and souls of the communities.' * Weeshie Fogarty, Radio Kerry *'A fascinating coastal journey that starts and continues in an unhurried way. Clements discovers the marvellous in the ordinary.' * BBC Radio *'Superb idea.' -- Sean Moncrieff * Newstalk *

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Book SynopsisThe Story of Wales is a vibrant portrait of 30,000 years of power, identity and politics. Revisiting major turning points in Welsh history, from its earliest settlements to the present day, Jon Gower re-examines the myths and misconceptions about this glorious country, revealing a people who have reacted with energy and invention to changing times and opportunities. It's a story of political and industrial power, economic and cultural renewal- and a nation of seemingly limitless potential. The Story of Wales is an epic account of Welsh history for a new generation.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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