History Books

Book SynopsisIn the late 16th century the greatest philosophers, alchemists, astronomers, painters, and mathematicians of the day flocked to Prague to work under the patronage of the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, an emperor more interested in the great minds of his times than in the exercise of his immense power. Rarely leaving Prague Castle, he gathered around him a galaxy of famous figures: among them the painter Arcimboldo, the astronomer Tycho Brahe, the mathematician Johannes Kepler, the philosopher Giordano Bruno and the magus John Dee. Fascinated by the new Renaissance learning, Rudolf found it nearly impossible to make decisions of state. Like Faust, he was prepared to risk all in the pursuit of magical knowledge and the Philosopher's Stone which would turn base metals into gold and prolong life indefinitely. But he also faced threats: religious discord, the Ottoman Empire, his own deepening melancholy and an ambitious younger brother. As a result he lost his empire and nearly his sanity. But he enabled Prague to enjoy a golden age of peace and creativity before Europe was engulfed in the Thirty Years' War.Filled with angels and devils, high art and low cunning, talismans and stars, The Mercurial Emperor offers a captivating perspective on a pivotal moment in the history of Western civilisation.Trade ReviewThe story of Rudolf's life is a compelling one... Marshall, an accomplished elucidator of the occult, would appear to be the ideal guide to this golden age of intellectual exchange...an admirable and fascinating book -- Alex Butterworth * Observer *A sympathetic biography of this strange, intelligent aesthete-philosopher... a tragic as well as a fascinating figure -- Alan Massie * Literary Review *In this sparkling history, Peter Marshall assembles a cast of characters from the medieval world, their wit and wisdom an arresting case for the significance of their time...[a] generous and attentive recollection of voices too often silenced -- Rowland Manthorpe * Observer *Peter Marshall's excellent biography portrays the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II as a pivotal figure in the transition from the medieval worldview to our modern scientific outlook... Marshall succeeds brilliantly in capturing both the spirit of the age in which Rudolf lived and the complex character of the man he describes as "one of the last magi" -- P.D. Smith * Guardian *You could do a lot worse than to pack this book in your suitcase when you're visiting the city. His lucid prose and clear exposition will help you to decipher a good bit of Prague's labyrinth, and to explain in part why the capital of one of the less important European countries is one of the great cities of the world -- Justin Quinn * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisWhen British troops entered Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945, they uncovered scenes of horror and depravity that shocked the world. But they also confronted a terrible challenge - inside the camp were some 60,000 people, suffering from typhus, starvation and dysentery, who would die unless they received immediate medical attention.After Daybreak is the story of the army stretcher-bearers and ambulance drivers, medical students and relief workers who attempted to save the inmates of Belsen - with the war still raging and only the most primitive drugs and facilities available.Drawing on their diaries and letters, Ben Shephard reconstructs events at Belsen in the spring of 1945 - from the first horror of its discovery, through the agonising process of trying to save the survivors. In doing so he addresses the question of whether we should regard the relief of the camp as an epic of medical heroism - as the British believed - or see the failure to plan for Belsen and the undoubted mistakes that were made there as further evidence of Allied indifference to the fate of Europe's Jews - as some historians now argue. The result is a powerful and dramatic narrative, full of extraordinary incidents and characters, and an important contribution to medical history.Trade ReviewIn his excellent and lucid account, Shephard fully makes his case that the aftermath of the liberation of Belsen was an episode in which the British can take pride...a powerful and dramatic narrative -- Frank McLynn * Independent *A solidly researched, scrupulously balanced and sensitive account of the liberation that will serve as a fitting tribute and a guide to future generations about how best to remember Belsen -- David Cesarini * Guardian *A moving story * Times Literary Supplement *Contributors to the ever-growing opus of Holocaust historiography have been accused by some of creating an industry. However, Shephard's contribution is not superfluous and he negotiates his harrowing material surefootedly -- Katrina Goldstone * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK''Delivered with flamboyance, it features a sparkling cast of chancers'' KATJA HOYER, Daily Telegraph 5* review''Page-turning . . . a sizzling high-stakes tale'' JAMES HOLLAND''This book might read like the screenplay of a gripping movie, yet every word is accurate and verified'' ANDREW ROBERTS ''Giles Milton is a phenomenon'' DAN SNOW''Another rollercoaster ride from Giles Milton. Endlessly surprising'' ANTHONY HOROWITZFrom internationally bestselling historian Giles Milton comes the remarkable true story of the Allies'' secret mission to wartime Moscow. In the summer of 1941, as Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, Stalin''s forces faced a catastrophic defeat which would make the Allies'' liberation of Europe virtually impossible. To avert this disaster, Britain and America mobilized an elite tea

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Book SynopsisHow well do you know the life of one of Britain’s great maritime heroes? Discover the truth behind a man who remains a legendary figure of history more than four hundred years after his death.Sir Francis Drake’s career is one of the most colourful on record. The most daring of the corsairs who raided the West Indies and Spanish Main, he led the English into the Pacific, and cirumnavigated the world to bring home the Golden Hind laden with Spanish treasure. His attacks on Spanish cities and ships transformed his private war into a struggle for surivival between Protestant England and Catholic Spain, in which he became Elizabeth I's most prominent admiral and marked the emergence of England as major maritime nation.‘Excellent...It deserves to become the standard Drake life. His scholarship is impeccable’ Frank McLynn, Sunday TelegraphTrade ReviewExcellent...It deserves to become the standard Drake life. His scholarship is impeccable -- Frank McLynn * Sunday Telegraph *Excellent...he gives us throughout a highly sympathetic though not unbalanced portrait of a remarkable man -- Linda ColleyThe scope of his book, and the skill with which he handles generally unreliable sources, is impressive...The accounts of the circumnavigation, the attack on Cadiz and the defeat of the Armada are a comprehensive, and as readable, as any that have yet appeared -- Brendan King * Literary Review *

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Book Synopsis"Eleanor Roosevelt never wanted her husband to run for president. When he won, she . . . went on a national tour to crusade on behalf of women. She wrote a regular newspaper column. She became a champion of women''s rights and of civil rights. And she decided to write a book." -- Jill Lepore, from the Introduction "Women, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world," Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in It''s Up to the Women, her book of advice to women of all ages on every aspect of life. Written at the height of the Great Depression, she called on women particularly to do their part -- cutting costs where needed, spending reasonably, and taking personal responsibility for keeping the economy going. Whether it''s the recommendation that working women take time for themselves in order to fully enjoy time spent with their families, recipes for cheap but wholesome home-cooked meals, or America''s obligation to women as they take a leading role in the new social order, many of the opinions expressed here are as fresh as if they were written today.

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Book SynopsisThe seizure of Pegasus Bridge by six glider borne platoons of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry under Major John Howard very early 6th June 1944, is one of the better-known stories of D-Day. Landing just yards from vital bridges over the River Orne and the Caen Canal near Benouville, Howard's men took and held the bridges in a remarkable coup de main operation with minimal casualties. The 7th Parachute Battalion dropped in soon afterwards to relieve Howard's men and the action remains, by any standards, a remarkable feat of arms. But it was only one act in a much grander production put on by 6th Airborne Division that night to secure and protect the eastern flank of the Allied landings inland from Sword, the British landing beach. Key bridges over the Dives had to be blown to foil possible German counter attacks and to north east, at Merville, a battery of guns which the allied planners thought could wreak havoc on the beaches and ships at sea, had to be eliminated. The task fell to the men of the 9th Parachute Battalion, whose actions in assaulting the Merville Battery became another D-Day epic - but for very different reasons.

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Book SynopsisA Field Guide to Whisky is a one-stop guide for all the information a whisky enthusiast needs. With the whisky market booming all over the world, now is a perfect time for a comprehensive guide to this popular brown spirit. What are the basic ingredients in all whiskies? How does it get its flavour? Which big-name brands truly deserve their reputation? What are the current whisky trends around the world? And who was Jack Daniel, anyway? This abundance of information is distilled(!) into 324 short entries covering basic whisky literacy, production methods, consumption tips, trends, trivia, geographical maps and lists of distilleries, whisky trails, bars, hotels, and festivals by an industry insider. Boasting 230 colour photographs and a beautiful package to boot, A Field Guide to Whisky will make a whisky expert out of anyone.Trade Review“Hans Offringa has managed to present his deep knowledge in a new, entertaining, and highly visual way . . . [and] proves that there are still new ways of preaching the whisky gospel.”—Malt Whisky Yearbook “A one-stop guide for anyone with whisky questions. . . . The answers to anything you’ve ever wondered about your favorite spirit in a straightforward QA format.”—Unfiltered Magazine “A significant guidebook.”—Charleston Mercury “Presented in a handsome hardcover edition. . . . Offringa offers dram-sized bits of information that are easily digestible and that combine to provide a highly readable collection.”—Winnipeg Free Press “This book is a must for all lovers of whisky.”—Charles MacLean, author and founding editor of Whisky Magazine “Deserves a place in the home of every whisky fan.”—Ewan Gunn, global whisky master at Diageo “Hans Offringa is one of the best whisky writers.”—Ingvar Ronde, publisher and editor of Malt Whisky Yearbook “A perfect guide for someone making their first (or maybe their second or third) journey into the world of whisky.”—Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo

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Book SynopsisA study of one hundred United Kingdom war memorials, which commemorate 20th century conflicts from the Boer War to the Falklands and Gulf wars. The memorials chosen are listed as near as possible in chronological order and represent different wars, different artists, different areas of the country, and a variety of types of memorial.

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Book SynopsisDiane Arnson Svarlien's translation of Euripides' Andromache, Hecuba, and Trojan Women exhibits the same scholarly and poetic standards that have won praise for her Alcestis, Medea, Hippolytus. Ruth Scodel's Introduction examines the cultural and political context in which Euripides wrote, and provides analysis of the themes, structure, and characters of the plays included. Her notes offer expert guidance to readers encountering these works for the first time.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Translator's Preface; Map; Andromache; Hecuba; Trojan Women; Endnotes & Comments on the Text; Suggestions for Further Reading.

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Book SynopsisThe two-engined Mosquito was one of the classic aircraft of the Second World War. Famously wooden-built, its graceful lines and powerful performance have made it into an airborne icon. Its operational versatility as a fighter, low level bomber and reconnaissance aircraft was unsurpassed.In this book we get the first-hand crew accounts of a selection of the actions and missions that the 'Mossie' undertook. These include audacious raids on Nazi HQs and Gestapo jails - real precision attacks carried out by ace fliers.

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Book SynopsisThis volume vividly recounts, for general readers, the Roman town of Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE and uniquely preserved for nearly two thousand years. Initial chapters offer an engaging historical overview of the town during antiquity, including the riveting story of its rediscovery in the eighteenth century, excavation in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and broad cultural significance in modern times. Subsequent chapters offer an interpretive tour of the ancient town, then focus on one of Herculaneum’s grandest and most beautifully decorated private residences, known as the House of the Bicentenary. Located on the town’s main street, it has a range of features—original rooms, magnificent wall paintings and mosaics, and remarkable documents—that illuminate daily life in the ancient world. Final chapters bring the story up to date, including recent discoveries about the site and its famous papyrus manuscripts, as well as ongoing conservation initiatives.

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Book SynopsisAs a veteran war correspondent, Chris Hedges has survived ambushes in Central America, imprisonment in Sudan, and a beating by Saudi military police. He has seen children murdered for sport in Gaza and petty thugs elevated into war heroes in the Balkans. Hedges, who is also a former divinity student, has seen war at its worst and knows too well that to those who pass through it, war can be exhilarating and even addictive: It gives us purpose, meaning, a reason for living."Drawing on his own experience and on the literature of combat from Homer to Michael Herr, Hedges shows how war seduces not just those on the front lines but entire societies,corrupting politics, destroying culture, and perverting basic human desires. Mixing hard-nosed realism with profound moral and philosophical insight, War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning is a work of terrible power and redemptive clarity whose truths have never been more necessary.

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Book SynopsisThe lives and legacy of the people who discovered the world's most famous archaeological sites, with 200 stunning colour photographs

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Book SynopsisThe period covered by the Old Testament - beginning in approximately 3000 BC - was one of great technological development and innovation in warfare, as competing cultures clashed in the ancient Middle East. The Sumerians were the first to introduce the use of bronze into warfare, and were centuries ahead of the Egyptians in the use of the wheel. The Assyrians developed chariot warfare and set the standard for a new equine-based military culture. The Babylonians had an army whose people were granted land in return for army service. This authoritative history gives an overview of warfare and fighting in the age of the Old Testament, from the Akkadians, Early and Middle Kingdom Egypt and their enemies, Mycenean and Minoan Greece and Crete, Assyrians and New Kingdom Egyptians, the Hittites, the Sea Peoples who gave rise to the Philistines, the Hebrew kingdom, the Babylonian kingdom, the Medes and later Persian Empires, through to early Classical Greece. Author Simon Elliott explores how archaeology can shed light on events in the Bible including the famous tumbling walls of Jericho, the career of David the boy warrior who faced the Philistines, and Gideon, who was able to defeat an army that vastly outnumbered his own.Trade Review...this is an eye-opening, absorbing book written by an author who knows and loves his subject and who has the means and skill to communicate his knowledge crisply, clearly and with great verve. * Love Reading 26/07/2021 *...a solid survey of this period. […] Elliott’s writing is clear, as we have come to expect, and his text is supported by photographs of wargames figures, some general landscapes, and archaeological artefacts. * Wargames Illustrated *Table of ContentsSumerians and Akkadians; Early and Middle Kingdom Egypt and their enemies; Mycenean and Minoan Greece and Crete; Assyrians and New Kingdom Egyptians; the Hittites; the Sea Peoples who gave rise to the Philistines; the Hebrew kingdom; the Babylonian kingdom; the Medes and later Persian Empires; Dark Age and early Classical Greece.

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Book SynopsisThe Great British Dig brings history and archaeology closer to home than ever before. Each week a team of archaeologists (led by presenter Hugh Dennis) descend on streets and gardens the length and breadth of the country to discover the treasures we have been living right on top of without realising. In this official tie-in book, on-screen expert Dr Chloë Duckworth digs deeper into the sites the show visited, as well as giving practical tips and advice for anyone who wants to have a go themselves. Uncovering a lost world of human stories just a few shovelfuls beneath our feet, Chloë explores the team’s techniques in fascinating detail, offering new insights and explanations about the discoveries made. As well as revealing the actual frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain, the Tudor palace of an Elizabethan spymaster, a revolutionary Victorian prison, a Second World War military base, and a prehistoric village under a school playing field, Chloë includes lots of information for anyone wanting to give it a go themselves. The book is packed with features, tip boxes and practical advice about digging in your own back garden, researching your local area for clues about what might have been there centuries ago, and dating things you may find. Highly illustrated, the book includes images never seen on screen, as well as archive photos and illustrations that bring history to life, and identification guides to bones, pottery, tools, coins and other things you might come across yourself. Foreword by Hugh Dennis, presenter of The Great British Dig.Trade ReviewA beautiful book, bursting with accounts of archaeological digs, practical information and rich historical context. It will be treasured by fans of history and archaeology. * Dan Snow, historian and TV presenter *My first brush with the wonderful world of archaeology was, as a child, discovering tiny pieces of pottery in my own back garden. With excavations in gardens all over the UK, this book reveals the astonishing breadth of British archaeology – in a brilliantly accessible way. * Professor Alice Roberts, anthropologist, author and TV presenter *This book gives a brilliant blow-by blow account of how archaeologists approach excavations. By using a combination of science, interpretation and research it clearly shows how the process of archaeological digging actually happens – and doubles up as a ‘how-to’ guide. * Raksha Dave, President of the Council for British Archaeology *BOOK OF THE MONTH - With fascinating explorations of sites from the show and advice on your own findings, The Great British Dig will help you to explore the fascinating history that can be found close to home. * Countryside magazine *A joy to read. Beautifully presented and crammed with colour photos. Duckworth’s brightly conversational prose zips along, offering behind-the-scenes insights and dashes of humour. * Current Archaeology *An accessible and engaging introductory handbook - a no-nonsense guide that is bound to get you thinking like an archaeologist and make you want to dive into some muddy detective work in no time. * Minerva *An engaging, accessible introduction to practical archaeology, and arms the home enthusiast with the knowledge to start their own dig. * Who Do You Think You Are? magazine *A good archaeological primer. * British Archaeology *Visually splendid. Enthusiastically written. Easy to follow. Lots of practical advice. Ground-breaking stuff. * Best of British *Practical advice… a must-read for fans of the series. * This England *This book acts as a great reminder of why many of us fall for archaeology in the first place…an accessible and engaging introductory handbook * Minerva *Table of ContentsForeword by Hugh Dennis Introduction DIG 1: Cosmopolitan Romans (Benwell, Newcastle Upon Tyne) Identification guide: Roman and prehistoric ceramics Practical guide 1: Gathering your tools DIG 2: Medieval Life and Death (Masham, Yorkshire) Practical guide 2: Researching your local area DIG 3: Rebellious Monks (Lenton, Nottingham) DIG 4: War and Peace (Trow Point, South Shields) Identification guide: Coins Practical guide 3: Digging legally and safely DIG 5: From Mill to POW Camp (Oldham, Greater Manchester) Identification guide: Porcelain and its imitations DIG 6: The Final Frontier (Falkirk, Stirlingshire) Identification guide: Glass bottles Practical guide 4: Laying out your trench DIG 7: The Conquerors’ Castle (West Derby, Liverpool) Identification guide: Medieval ceramics Practical guide 5: All about soil DIG 8: Gardens of Power (Beningbrough, York) Identification guide: Metal small finds Practical guide 6: Excavating finds and features DIG 9: Poverty and Redemption (Oswestry, Shropshire) Identification guide: Clay pipes DIG 10: Out on the Grange (Biggin Hall, Coventry) DIG 11: Crime and Punishment (Devizes, Wiltshire) Practical guide 7: Recording your findings DIG 12: Royalists and Parliamentarians (King’s Lynn, Norfolk) Identification guide: Animal bones DIG 13: The Spymaster’s House (Odiham, Hampshire) Practical guide 8: Caring for finds DIG 14: Prehistoric Mysteries (Stretton, East Staffordshire) Practical guide 9: Carry on digging!

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Book SynopsisPour a stiff drink and crack open this comprehensive guide to everything there is to know about the world’s greatest whiskeys. Exploring the traditions behind bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and even Japanese whiskey, you’ll discover how unique flavors are created through variations of ingredients and different distilling techniques. With advice on how to collect, age, and serve whiskey, as well as suggestions for proven food pairings, you’ll be inspired to share your knowledge and invite your friends over for a delicious whiskey tasting party.

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Book SynopsisThe Vistula-Oder offensive was a massive Soviet Army operation on the Eastern Front which was launched on 12 January 1945 and paved the way for the Battle of Berlin. Its main objective was a major advance from the River Vistula to the River Oder, bringing Soviet forces within fifty miles of the gates of Berlin. The offensive faced a German defensive line east of Warsaw. These 450,000 German troops were outmatched three to one by the Soviet forces. The Red Army assault began what would be a devastating three weeks for the German forces of Army Group A.German attempts to hold their lines and avoid being sucked into a maelstrom of destruction were unsuccessful. Army Group A would collapse almost all the way back to Berlin, ending the Third Reich’s desperate efforts to cling onto land captured in Poland five years earlier, and stem enemy forces spilling over into Germany and threatening Berlin. The battle saw some 295,000 soldiers killed and 147,000 captured, as well as thousands of tanks, artillery, and machine guns destroyed. Within two months of the offensive the battle of Berlin was launched.This fully illustrated book relates this story of defeat and survival, offering a detailed visual record of Nazi Germany’s demise between two main rivers in Poland and Germany.Table of ContentsIntroduction Forces and commanders involved. Offensive Krakow and Breslau Encirclement of Upper Silesia Advance of 1st Belorussian Front Advance to the Oder Army Group Vistula Aftermath

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Book SynopsisIn this vivid first-person narrative, a Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and his commanding general give fascinating and detailed accounts of America’s fight against one of the most barbaric insurgencies the world has ever seen. In the summer of 2014, three years after America’s full troop withdrawal from the Iraq War, President Barack Obama authorized a small task force to push back into Baghdad. Their mission: Protect the Iraqi capital and U.S. embassy from a rapidly emerging terrorist threat. A plague of brutality, that would come to be known as ISIS, had created a foothold in northwest Iraq and northeast Syria. It had declared itself a Caliphate—an independent nation-state administered by an extreme and cruel form of Islamic law—and was spreading like a newly evolved virus. Soon, a massive and devastating U.S. military response had unfolded. Hear the ground truth on the senior military and political interactions that shaped America’s war against ISIS, a war unprecedented in both its methodology and its application of modern military technology. Enter the world of the Strike Cell, secretive operations centers where America’s greatest enemies are hunted and killed day and night. Plunge into the realm of the Special Operations JTAC, American warfighters with the highest enemy kill counts on the battlefield. And gain the wisdom of a cumulative half-century of military experience as Dana Pittard and Wes Bryant lay out the path to a sustained victory over ISIS. For more information about the book, visit www.huntingthecaliphate.com.Trade Review"With the complementary insights of a general and his senior enlisted man, along with an insider's eye for detail and an unshakeable belief in their mission, Pittard and Bryant expertly pull back the curtain on the front line fight against ISIS. From Iraq to Afghanistan and Syria, Pittard and Bryant describe the development of a devastating air campaign waged from a distance, where rapid life or death decisions must be made with limited information and murky rules of engagement, and where ultimate success hinges on coordination between a state-of-the-art operations center with a small group of highly-trained Americans led by Pittard and Bryant, and their indigenous allies battling ISIS on the ground. Eye-opening, candid, and at times deeply human, Hunting the Caliphate is a must read for understanding a new kind of war told by two men who not only fought that war, but helped define it." -- David Broyles, former USAF Pararescueman (PJ) and co-creator of History Channel's combat drama, SIX"From mass executions to pinpoint air strikes, political and military frustrations, and the politics of coalition warfare, Hunting the Caliphate is a compelling blend of military history and first-person memories of the war against terror—the complex battlefield, the joys of victory, the tragedy of loss and the sacrifice of the men and women who carried out the mission. An insider account from a senior Army ground commander and a front line battlefield airman, the book is a gritty, compelling read for all who hope to understand America’s longest war." -- Deborah Lee James, 23rd Secretary of the Air Force, author of Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success“Simply excellent. Hunting the Caliphate is the first account to give sustained insights into the events and personalities shaping the war on ISIS that academics and journalists have been unable to capture except in snapshots. Effectively written, and with editing nothing short of first-rate, it is a descriptive and gripping narrative from two contrasting yet intersecting perspectives that offers readers a broader view of the US military campaign against ISIS. As a historian of modern combat operations, I applaud the insightful observations appearing throughout that serve to accurately convey an important history—and dispel its myths.” -- Mark J. Reardon, Senior Historian, US Army Center of Military History"Providing an in-depth view into the worlds of military commands and strike forces on the ground, the book reveals insider details such as how the use of drones and airstrikes—representing a significant change in American warfare—came about. Though primarily a memoir, the text straddles several genres, all of which keep Pittard and Bryant at the fore. They provide both a historical account of the fight and psychological insights into the mentalities of professional soldiers... Pittard and Bryant take turns telling the story, but the narrative is cohesive and engaging, revealing stories that most of the general public will not know... Hunting the Caliphate is a raw and honest account of how ISIS was beaten, told from the inside by those who brought the caliphate down.” -- Foreword Clarion Reviews

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the geology of Egypt and its influence on ancient Egyptian cultureWhile much is known about Egypt’s towering pyramids, mighty obelisks, and extraordinary works of art, less is known about the role played by Egypt’s geological history in the formation of pharaonic culture’s artistic and architectural legacy. The fertile soils that lined the Nile Valley meant that the people of Egypt were able to live well off the land. Yet what allowed ancient Egypt to stand apart from other early civilizations was its access to the vast range of natural resources that lay beyond the Nile floodplain.In this engagingly written book, Colin Reader invites readers to explore the influence of geology and landscape on the development of the cultures of ancient Egypt. After describing today’s Egyptian landscape and introducing key elements of the ancient Egyptian worldview, he provides a basic geological toolkit to address issues such as geological time and major earth-forming processes. The developments that gave the geology of Egypt its distinct character are explored, including the uplifting of mountains along the Red Sea coast, the evolution of the Nile river, and the formation of the vast desert areas beyond the Nile Valley. As the story unfolds, elements of Egypt’s archaeology are introduced, together with discussions of mining and quarrying, construction in stone, and the ways in which the country’s rich geological heritage allowed the culture of ancient Egypt to evolve. Ideal for non-specialists and specialists alike, and supported with over one hundred illustrations, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a fascinating journey into Egypt’s geological landscape and its relationship to the marvels of pharaonic culture.Trade Review"Fascinating . . . hugely ambitious . . . .This is a book that should be on every Egyptologist’s bookshelf."—Ancient Egypt Magazine"[A] travel-sized masterclass. . . . The breadth of this volume makes it perfect for anyone wanting to ground their knowledge of ancient Egypt into a geographic reality, and it should be essential reading for undergraduates in the field."—Egyptian Archeology "A fascinating overview of the Egyptian landscape and the long geological processes that gave rise to one of the world's most unique civilizations."—The Explorers Journal“[A] congenial . . . easy read. . . . a delight.”—Litro Magazine"An authoritative, valuable, accessible introduction to Egypt's geology and its influence on understanding ancient Pharaonic Egyptian culture. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. General readers."—CHOICE"Colin Reader is an established authority in Egyptology, and one of only a handful to have specialist knowledge of both geology and ancient Egypt, expertise now distilled into this very readable volume."—Chris Naunton, author of Egyptologists' Notebooks“Colin Reader’s guide to all things geological in Egypt is the perfect handbook for the interested lay reader. Colin takes us from the vast swaths of geological time, across the full range of Egyptian landscapes, to the archaeological context for the building of the pyramids and the quarrying of the unfinished obelisk. His illustrated book is a comprehensive geological companion and, with its suggested further reading, a starting point for deeper investigation.”—Judith Bunbury, University of Cambridge"In this book, Colin Reader skillfully combines his long-standing and scholarly interest in Egyptology with his professional career as a geologist. The result is an accessible, engaging, and up-to-date account of Egypt’s natural landscape and how it came to support the ancient Egyptians’ civilization. This work also successfully demonstrates how events taking place over millions of years are connected to the modern, built environment with which we are familiar today. In this way, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a deeper exploration of ancient Egypt, encouraging us to think not only in dynasties and periods, but also in eras and eons."—Glenn Godenho, University of LiverpoolTable of ContentsList of FiguresIntroductionChapter 1 The Egyptian LandscapeChapter 2 An Introduction to GeologyChapter 3 The Geology of Egypt Part 1- The Pre-CambrianChapter 4 The Geology of Egypt Part 2 – The Palaeozoic and MesozoicChapter 5 The Geology of Egypt Part 3 – The Cenozoic: a land of riversChapter 6 The Evolution of the River NileChapter 7 The Eastern DesertChapter 8 The Western Desert Part 1Chapter 9 The Western Desert Part 2Chapter 10 Mining and Quarrying.Chapter 11 Building in Stone in Ancient EgyptChapter 12 The Interaction of Monuments and LandscapeChapter 13 A Gift of GeologyFurther Reading

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Book SynopsisQueen Victoria fell in love with the Riviera when she discovered it on her first visit to Menton in 1882 and her enchantment with this 'paradise of nature' endured for almost twenty years. Victoria's visits helped to transform the French Riviera by paving the way for other European royalty, the aristocracy and the very rich, who were to turn it into their pleasure garden. Michael Nelson paints a fascinating portrait of Victoria and her dealings with local people of all classes, statesmen and the constant stream of visiting crown heads. In the process, we see an unexpected side to Victoria: not the imperious, petulant, mourning widow but rather an exuberant girlish old lady thrilled by her surroundings. "Queen Victoria and the Discovery of the Riviera" is an absorbing and revealing account that makes an important contribution to both our understanding of Victoria's character and personality and our view of the late Victorian period.Trade Review"Michael Nelson fully appreciates the subtle relationships between the private and the public, even in the life of imperial sovereigns, and his highly readable book will interest different kinds of readers. For me it is rich in texture as, I believe, it will be for them." Asa Briggs "A distinctly original contribution to the studies of Queen Victoria. Those sections covering the extraordinary people the Queen met on the Riviera are most moving and human." Elizabeth Longford"Table of ContentsList of illustrations Foreword Acknowledgements Note on text Map of the French Riviera Introduction 1 Prologue: The Queen's delight with France 2 1882: Menton. The first visit to the paradise of nature 3 1887: Cannes. A pilgrimage to mourn the death of son Leopold 4 1891: Grasse. The Rothschild gardens and Duleep Singh's confession 5 1892: Hyeres: The Royal Resort 6 1895: Nice. The young officers and the Battle of Flowers 7 1896: Nice. Royal visitors, including King Leopold of the Belgians 8 1897: Nice. The courtiers revolt over the Munshi 9 1898: Nice. The agonies of King Leopold's daughters 10 1899: Nice. The Fashoda Incident threatens the visit 11 Epilogue: The cancelled visit Note on the Queen's journal Notes Chronology Selected Dramatis Personae Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis is a new edition of the bestselling guide to this increasingly popular pursuit. Scotland has the best-maintained records and facilities of any country in the world for undertaking family research, and now that the National Records of Scotland are available online they can be consulted by anyone from whatever country. Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors is the National Records' official guide and is written in an accessible style from the unique perspective of a custodian of the records. It details all the latest internet developments, including a chapter on family history on the web. It also points to more traditional resources, explaining step by step how to research records of births, marriages and wills.Trade Review'Includes the sort of online sources that have transformed the field since its first publication in 1990, this guide is indispensable for the serious investigator' * The Scotsman *'Excellent help with every phase of genealogical research ... This book will be a valuable finding aid for many people using the Scottish Record Office, and by no means only for the family historian' * Books in Scotland *

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Book SynopsisAny national flag carries a high emotional charge and comes with both myth and historical fact attached; but this book is more wide-ranging in its approach. The mix of ancient and modern concerns and events is refreshing.

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Book Synopsis'A delicious trip through the geography, history and culture of the region' – Sunday Telegraph Ever since the days of the Grand Tour, Tuscany has cast its magic spell on foreign vistiors. Attracted by the perfect combination of history, art, architecture, superb natural beauty and weather – not to mention magnificent traditions of food and drink – British visitors and residents have been at times so numerous that the local word for foreigners was simply 'gli inglesi' – 'the English'. What is it that makes this exquisite part of Italy so seductive? Alistair Moffat embarks on a journey into Tuscany’s past. From the flowering of the Etruscan civilization in the seventh century bc through the rise of the powerful medieval communes of Arezzo, Luca, Pisa and Florence, and the role the area played as the birthplace of the Renaissance, he underlines both the area’s regional uniqueness as well as the vital role it has played in the history of the whole of Italy. Insightful, readable and imbued with the author’s own enthusiasm for Tuscany, this book includes a wealth of information not found in tourist guides. 'A sun-drenched meditation on the character of the place and its people' – The ScotsmanTrade Review'A delicious trip through the geography, history and culture of the region' * Sunday Telegraph *'A sun-drenched meditation on the character of the place and its people' * The Scotsman *'A cavalcade across some of the most fascinating, intriguing and, yes, brutal episodes of the region’s past written in the fast-paced, involving style of an adventure novel' * Italy magazine Book of the Week *'If you read the book, you’ll want to travel to the region' * The Herald *'Moffat's book is never dull . . . like one of the region's fine wines, it doesn't disappoint' * Scottish Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisThe volume is the result of thorough research and includes many previously unseen photographs and documents.

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Book SynopsisThe Romans left a long-lasting legacy and their influence can still be seen all around us - from our calendar and coins, to our language and laws - but how much do we really know about them? Help is at hand in the form of Veni, Vidi, Vici, which tells the remarkable, and often surprising, story of the Romans and the most enduring empire in history.Fusing a lively and entertaining narrative with rigorous research, Veni, Vidi, Vici breaks down each major period into a series of concise nuggets that provide a fascinating commentary on every aspect of the Roman world - from plebs to personalities, sauces to sexuality, games to gladiators, poets to punishments, mosaics to medicine and Catullus to Christianity.Through the twists and turns of his 1250-year itinerary, Jones is a friendly and clear-thinking guide. In this book he has produced a beguiling and entertaining introduction to the Romans, one that vividly brings to life the people who helped create the world we live in today.Trade ReviewIt takes a man profoundly soaked in a subject to treat it lightly and still be not only witty but wise. Jones has an eagle's high eye for the history of Rome from Aeneas to Augustine and a pigeon's ground-level eye for the graffiti scratcher of Pompeii. * The Times *A rollicking guide to the Romans and their influence on us * Mail on Sunday *Jones spans all 1,200 years of Roman history with seemingly unstoppable enthusiasm... Informative, casually erudite but engagingly unstuffy, he makes the classical world feel both beguiling and fresh... The book is full of fascination -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times *Delightful and instructive... There is something to relish on every page -- Allan Massie * Spectator *Jones's brisk demotic style makes fresh the well-covered run of despots, gladiators, volcanic explosions and filthy satirists. Those who know little about the subject and want a no-frills, entertaining introduction to its rise & fall need look no further. * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisCan music make the world a better place? Can it really 'belong' to anyone? Can the magic, mystery and incertitude of music - of the human brain meeting or making sound - can it stop wars, rehabilitate the broken, unite, educate or inspire? From Jimi Hendrix playing 'Machine Gun' at The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 to the Bataclan under siege in 2015, Ed Vulliamy has lived the music, met the legends, and asked, when words fail, might we turn to music? There's only one way to find out, and that is to listen...

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Book SynopsisIn 1915, the Turkish government systematically organised the wholesale slaughter of a complete race, the Armenians. Under the cover of World War I, through the secret organisation of unofficial gangs of Kurds, released prisoners, German officers and Turks who had lost their lands in the war against the Balkans, over 1 million Armenians were murdered, starved, raped and left to die. Following the War, as the Nationalist movement began to rise up from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire, the allies tried to persecute the perpetrators of the genocide, in a series of trials where the term 'crimes against humanity' was first used, Turkey was allowed to hide its recent history. It has remained hidden ever since. As the nation attempts to enter the European Union, the question of 1915 has become ever more important with the arrest of writers such as Orhan Pamuk, and the introduction of Turkey into the EU.Trade ReviewThe first lucid and comprehensive study of a historical fact - the Armenian Genocide of 1915. * Morning Star *

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Book SynopsisOne man with an insatiable hunger: a novel of desire and destruction in Revolutionary France, based on a true story, from the Desmond Elliott Prize-winning author of The Manningtree Witches. Sister Perpetue is not to move. She is not to fall asleep. She is to sit, keeping guard over the patient's room. She has heard the stories of his hunger, which defy belief: that he has eaten all manner of creatures and objects. A child even, if the rumours are to be believed. But it is hard to believe that this slender, frail man is the one they once called The Great Tarare, The Glutton of Lyon. Before, he was just Tarare. Well-meaning and hopelessly curious, born into a world of brawling and sweet cider, to a bereaved mother and a life of slender means. The 18th Century is drawing to a close, unrest grips the heart of France and life in the village is soon shaken. When a sudden act of violence sees Tarare cast out and left for dead, his ferocious appetite is ignited, and it's not long before his extraordinary abilities to eat make him a marvel throughout the land.Trade ReviewA darkly exuberant novel about one man's insatiable hunger... -- What to read this autumn: 2023’s biggest new books * The Guardian *An embarrassment of riches. A sensory assault fit to slap any reader awake with its gorgeous glut of baroque prose and wise, poised lessons on life, pleasure, class, desire, and love -- Kiran Millwood HargraveThe Glutton contains some of the most striking writing I have read in a very long time. An audacious and humane study of desire, pain and tenderness; a remarkable book about a remarkable subject by a remarkable writer -- Keiran Goddard, author of HourglassAn extraordinary accomplishment, a truly horrible and truly glorious novel. I devoured it. AK Blakemore's intelligence is tempered by a profound and merciful human compassion, and the tragic making and breaking of Tarare is going to be with me for quite some time. Heartbreaking -- Annie GarthwaiteRelentless and shocking, bursting with life in all its thrilling vulgarity, The Glutton will dog your days. Blakemore's history is not to be tiptoed around. Her prose is unstoppable, full of bawdy viscera, singing of the cruelty and seduction of the past... It will have you squirming between sympathy and revulsion, pleasure and pain -- Alex HydeSet in revolutionary France, The Glutton...explores poverty, desire and social chaos in thrilling prose * Guardian *Excellent... Blakemore's writing is exceptional, saturated with the viscera of this life... The Glutton also offers beauty with practically every other sentence: not even a roadside thistle escapes a simile. Tarare doesn't know his letters, but Blakemore gives him the yearning inner life of a poet... In Tarare's final moments, both we and the Sister are invited to see not some othered creature of myth, but something of ourselves * Telegraph - 5/5 stars *Even in the midst of unpleasantness, The Glutton provides mischievous fun... A rich, human story - a raucous mess where excess is not sinful but defiant, a retaliation against the inequality of a country on the cusp of revolution * Literary Review *Through Tarare's thrilling travels we witness all the upheaval in a fierce and lyrical tale of desire * Monocle *Blakemore takes Tarare's life, recorded only in a medical paper, and puts the meat on the bones. But what meat it is. Blood drips from every page as she creates a banquet of gorgeously crafted, unexpected images. You'll find yourself turning them over in your mind for days... * Evening Standard *A full-throttle picaresque... Blakemore puts flesh on the bones of this quasi-mythical figure by showing his escape from a violent, impoverished childhood * Daily Mail *The Glutton is remarkable for its beautiful language, for its hallucinatory imagery, and for its ability to mingle these things with the world of 18th-century poor folk... The Glutton is certain to be one of the most remarkable novels of the year * Guardian *Tarare's story is a breathless picaresque, each new situation quickly revealed as frying pan or fire. His tragedy is to be too trusting, seeing his exploiters as friends. The entire society Blakemore presents is a cruel and grasping one, its resources too scarce to nourish kindness... The Glutton brings Tarare's world to life in all its stink and splendour * The Sunday Times *Blakemore's second novel is a tour de force of sustained, visceral brilliance. Although not for the squeamish, it ultimately rescues a real human being from the caricature that history made of him * Mail on Sunday *A. K. Blakemore is one such author who refuses to slim down her rich use of language and invites us, much like her gluttonous muse, to gorge... Blakemore's revolting bodies are an antidote to modernity's sanitisation. With absurdist humour she invites readers to revel in the muck * Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisThe Victorian era has dominated the popular imagination like no other period, but these myths and stories also give a very distorted view of the 19th century. The early Victorians were much stranger that we usually imagine, and their world would have felt very different from our own and it was only during the long reign of the Queen that a modern society emerged in unexpected ways. Using character portraits, events, and key moments Paterson brings the real life of Victorian Britain alive - from the lifestyles of the aristocrats to the lowest ranks of the London slums. This includes the right way to use a fan, why morning visits were conducted in the afternoon, what the Victorian family ate and how they enjoyed their free time, as well as the Victorian legacy today - convenience food, coffee bars, window shopping, mass media, and celebrity culture.Praise for Dicken's London:Out of the babble of voices, Michael Paterson has been able to extract the essence of London itself. Read this book and re-enter the labyrinth of a now-ancient city.' Peter Ackroyd

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Book SynopsisAt a time when the world is searching for answers to extremism and polarization, The Centre Must Hold shows a more effective brand of politics.

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Book SynopsisA poignant testament to the city shattered by Syria's civil war. Aleppo lies in ruins, a casualty of Syria's brutal civil war. Its streets are cloaked in darkness, its population scattered, its memories ravaged. But this was once a vibrant world city, where Muslims, Christians and Jews lived and traded together in peace. Few places are as ancient and diverse. At the crossroads of global trade, Aleppo drew merchants from Venice, Isfahan and Agra to the largest souq in the Middle East and it was from here that some of the world's most enduring food, music and culture sprang.Trade Review`Philip Mansel, our greatest authority on the civilisation of the Levant, has written a characteristically concise and elegant elegy to one of the oldest, grandest, and most cosmopolitan cities of the region. As tragic as it is timely, this book succeeds magnificently in showing why we should mourn the fall of Aleppo, a city "which challenged categories and generalisations," and which was in many ways the last great Ottoman city to survive the twin ravages of modern nationalism and fundamentalism.’ -William Dalrymple, “A compelling portrait of one of the Middle East’s greatest cities, by one of the finest modern historians of the Levant. Mansel’s Aleppo reminds modern readers of the loss to world heritage inflicted by Syria’s tragic civil war. An important and outstanding book.’ - Eugene Rogan, author of The Arabs and The Fall of the Ottomans, Director of the Middle East Centre at St Antony's College, University of Oxford, "Mansel is a profoundly civilised and civilising historian who has spent many years in the Levant. Elegant and elegaic, 'Aleppo' is a precious monument to a once-splendid city that has been reduced to abject ruin and misery. How did this once-celebrated city come to plumb such depths? It is a question Philip Mansel's remarkable new history implcity seeks to answer" - Justin Marozzi, Spectator, 'Mansel gives us his ownThis book will stand as a eulogy for the city.' - Anthony Sattin, Literary Review, 'A tragic lament... Let us hope that Aleppo will benefit from this labour of love and fluent scholarship... This book helps to keep alive the colour of the souks, the clamour of the Khans and the songs of the cafes.' - Barnaby Rogerson, Country Life, "Shows the enormous weight and wonder of the city and stands in humbling contrast to the easy destruction that marks the city today… lets the reader visit Aleppo through the eyes of visiting travellers." - Banipal Magazine, "Fascinating… Mansel's breadth of knowledge enhances the book." - Andrew Cunningham, Arab Banker Magazine

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Book SynopsisA general introduction to the classical world from its origins to the fall of the Roman Empire. The book focuses on questions of how we know about Classical civilization from archaeology and history; deals with the Mycenaean era and the world of Myth and Epic in Homer's Iliad & Odyssey; gives an outline of Greek history in the 5th & 4th Centuries BC; looks at Greek social life and the alternative model of Sparta, and considers the achievements of the Greeks in their art and architecture, tragedy and comedy. Turning to Rome, it engages with Roman history, the Roman Epic tradition, the fascinating features of Roman social life, analyses Roman satire, explores the urban environment in Pompeii and Herculaneum, and concludes with the End of Rome.

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Book SynopsisThroughout history, Scottish women have broken the rules with attitude. WILLIAMINA FLEMING reached for the stars and took Harvard by storm. MARY SOMERVILLE challenged prejudice to claim the title 'scientist' for women. EFFIE GRAY knew the power of language to name and shame bullies and belittlers. AGNES RANDOLPH stood up to a siege and owned every minute of it like a boss. Inspirational and fierce in every sense, these sisters will fire you up to face your own modern-day dilemmas with serious style. 'I loved these powerful, moving and inspiring stories about women and sisterhood. I know so many activists and change-makers who will connect with this brilliant book and I can't wait to share it with the women in my life.' DAISY BUCHANAN

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Book SynopsisCastlebar derived its name from Barry's Castle (Castle Barry), which was located in the open square of the present Army Barracks, up until the time of "The Races of Castlebar" in 1798. Later on, the Bingham family, also known as Lord Lucan, became the dominant landlord. This bustling town is the capital of County Mayo, and was provided with its own courthouse, prison, famine workhouse, asylum, hospital, four different churches, convent, monastery, schools, airport, hat factory, bacon factory, healthcare factory, hotels, shops, and numerous businesses, and the author captures life in the area with a fascinating collection of images.

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Book SynopsisA captivating journey along the iconic River Po and through Italian history, society and culture. 'Delightful... A wonderful cornucopia of history' TLS 'Uncovers the Po's fascinating history' Guardian The Po is the longest river in Italy, travelling for 652 kilometres from one end of the country to the other. It rises by the French border in the Alps and meanders the width of the entire peninsula to the Adriatic Sea in the east. Flowing next to many of Italy's most exquisite cities – Ferrara, Mantova, Parma, Cremona, Pavia and Torino – the river is a part of the national psyche, as iconic to Italy as the Thames is to England or the Mississippi to the USA. For millennia, the Po was a vital trading route and a valuable source of tax revenue, fiercely fought over by rival powers. It was also a moat protecting Italy from invaders from the north, from Hannibal to Holy Roman Emperors. But as humans radically altered the river's hydrology, those floodplains became important places of major industries and agricultures, the source of bricks, timber, silk, hemp, cement, flour and risotto rice. Tobias Jones travels the length of the river against the current, gathering stories of battles, writers, cuisines, entertainers, religious minorities and music. Both an ecological lament and a celebration of the resourcefulness and resilience of the people of the Po, the book opens a window onto a stunning, but now neglected, part of Italy.Trade ReviewA delightful book that is part history, part travel, part a picture of contemporary Italy... The Po is a wonderful cornucopia of history... Modern history at its most enjoyable * TLS *Travelling its length, Tobias Jones uncovers [the Po's] fascinating history * Guardian *Tobias Jones is the perfect guide to the sweet Po as it runs its course * Spectator *A meditative and evocative account... Like the Po, which has shifted course countless times and is notoriously prone to flooding, the book veers off on enjoyable tangents * Geographical Magazine *This is a bleak tale at times, but compelling reading * Italia *Jones has an eye for the quirky, and a talent for storytelling that keeps the reader engaged, amused, and enlightened. Recommended for all Italophiles, travellers, and lovers of the past * Archaeology Worldwide *

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Book SynopsisThe Northumbrians have been overlooked by British and global history, but they’ve made astonishing contributions to both. Dan Jackson sets out to recover this lost history, exploring the deep roots of Northumbrian culture—hard work and heavy drinking, sociability and sentimentality, militarism and masculinity—through centuries of border warfare and dangerous industry. He explains what we can learn about Northumbria’s people from its landscape and architecture, and revisits the Northumbrian Enlightenment that gave the world the locomotive and the lightbulb. This story reaches right to the present day, as this extraordinary region finds itself caught between an indifferent south and an increasingly confident Scotland. From the Venerable Bede and the prince-bishops of Durham to Viz and Geordie Shore, this vital new history reveals a part of England with an uncertain future, but whose people remain as remarkable as ever.Trade Review‘Superbly researched and written with immense affection, Jackson’s history of northeastern England has a fascinating nugget of information on every page … [this is a] hugely impressive book.’ -- The Sunday Times‘['The Northumbrians'] is both an education and an entertainment.' -- The Telegraph'Dan Jackson was born and bred here, and his roots go deep, back generations. This book is a celebration of his land and ancestors … I heartily recommend The Northumbrians.' -- Mail on Sunday‘[The Northumbrians] is the most enjoyable book on a region of Britain that I have ever read. Often very moving, often very funny, it is written with a deep and learned love for Newcastle and its environs.’ -- New Statesman‘Dan Jackson sets out [Northumbrian history] in great detail and with real affection.’ -- Church Times‘['The Northumbrians' is a] learned but accessible trawl through all things Geordie, from the Venerable Bede and the Vikings to Viz and Geordie Shaw.’ -- The Lady‘[Dan Jackson] remains a full-blown, big-hearted Northumbrian Romantic, bursting with love for and knowledge of his native ground. … You won’t put this book down without having become something of a Northumbrian Romantic yourself.’ -- Catholic Herald'Thought-provoking, challenging and very revealing ... A superb book.' -- Who Do You Think You Are Magazine'A wonderful book: full of amazing detail, wise, humane & balanced. Often hilarious, often upsetting; in love with its subject, but never blind to its problems. I can’t recommend it enough.’ -- Tom Holland, historian, author and broadcaster‘This is a book for both historians and the general public … There is a sense of a lost world in these pages, of a once great time now forgotten, even though so much of the past still arguably hangs over the current scene … "The Northumbrians" [is] a work of deep research and lifelong fascination.’ -- LSE Review of Books'With deep research and an engaging style Dan Jackson brings the history and culture of the region to life, in ways that will delight his fellow Northumbrians.' -- Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College London, and author, inter alia, of 'The Future of War''Dan Jackson's history of the people of Northumbria is peppered with striking insights and fresh perspectives on England's most distinctive region. His engaging style combined with considerable, up to the minute research will ensure that "The Northumbrians" will be essential reading for anyone interested in the history of North-East England.' -- Bill Lancaster, co-author, 'The Geordies: Roots of Regionalism''A dense eclectic dissection of a remote, foreign, strange land shaped, as no other part of England is, by belligerence and fear.' -- Jonathan Meades, writer and film-maker'Long overdue ... a wonderfully unstuffy account of Northumbria's history and the Northumbrian character.' -- Kathryn Tickell, renowned Northumbrian piper'The kingdom of Northumbria existed before England. It gave us the first historian of the English people, one of the great Christian legacies of Europe, and was the engine of the Industrial Revolution. This is a great history in any language but I really took to Dan Jackson's. If you are interested in the rich and alternative history of our northern regions, this is the book for you.' -- Robert Colls, Professor of Cultural History, De Montfort University'This is a part of the world that has got a big global history, it's not a "province" or a "provincial" city. Newcastle is a city with a global reach. I think [in The Northumbrians] you get a real sense of that, going back many centuries.'

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Book SynopsisFor the devotee of Irish heritage, mythology or folklore, County Sligo has everything. From the Curlew mountains in the south, where Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill defeated an English army under Sir Conyers Clifford, to Benbulben’s slopes in the north, where St Colmcille battled the High King of Ireland, every hill and valley is linked by the gossamer threads of myth, folklore and legend. These stories, some age-old legends and fantastical myths, some amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales, are a heady mix of the bloodthirsty, funny and passionate and a selection of the best are retold here by writer and local historian Joe McGowan. In these pages you will find little-known anecdotes of the traditional ways of Sligo’s residents, their customs and superstitions; you will find stories of epic battles and heroic deeds; and you will also hear the fantastical accounts of mythical creatures, faeries, witches and the ghosts of Connacht itself.

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Book SynopsisThe cathedral church of Christ in Oxford - better known as Christ Church Cathedral - was established in 1546. It forms one half of Christ Church, the unique joint foundation of cathedral and university college created by King Henry VIII. Today's cathedral occupies the site of a monastery founded in the late seventh century by Frideswide, patron saint of Oxford and its university. In the early twelfth century it was re-founded as an Augustinian priory, and 400 years later it met its nemesis in Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, whose plan for an Oxford college grander than any other caused its dissolution. But when the cardinal fell from royal favour, the priory church was saved. The King's Cathedral is the first account of the convent, priory and cathedral for nearly a century. Judith Curthoys - author of two previous volumes on Christ Church - has drawn widely on scholarly research into the cathedral's archaeology, architecture and history for her fascinating and accessible new study of this historic building.

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Book SynopsisGertrude Bell's fascinating account of a lifetime of travel and a lifelong enchantment of Persia. 'Are we the same, I wonder, when all our surroundings, association, acquaintances are changed? I conclude that it is not the person who danced with you at Mansfield St who writes to you today from Persia. Yet there are dregs, English sediment at the bottom of my sherbet, and perhaps they flavour it more than I think. I write to you of Persia: I am not me, that is my only excuse. I am merely pouring out for you some of what I have received in the last two months.' When Gertrude Bell's uncle was appointed Minister in Tehran in 1891, she declared that the great ambition of her life was to visit Persia. Several months later, she did. And so began a lifetime of travel and a lifelong enchantment with what she saw as the romance of the East, which evolved into a deep understanding of its cultures and people. This vivid and impressionistic series of sketches, her first foray into writing, is an evocative meditation that moves between Persia's heroic past and its long decline; the public face of Tehran and the otherworldly 'secret, mysterious life of the East', the lives of its women, its lush, enclosed gardens; from the bustling cities to the lonely wastelands of Khorasan.Trade ReviewIn British diplomatic group photographs of the early twentiethcentury Middle East, amid the plumes and uniforms and the calm paraphernalia of an empire going to hell in a bucket, there is often a solitary female. The woman is slim, with a head of luxuriant hair, and neatly dressed in billowing muslins or in the pencil silhouette and cloche hats of jazz-age Baghdad. The woman is Gertrude Bell. -- James Buchan * The Guardian *Her remarkable intellectual abilities and masculine demeanour make Persian Pictures, her first publication on an Eastern subject, all the more interesting. -- Geoffrey NashTable of ContentsPreface 1. An Eastern City 2. The Tower of Silence 3. In Praise of Gardens 4. The King of Merchants 5. The Imam Hussein 6. The Shadow of Death 7. Dwellers in Tents 8. Three Noble Ladies 9. The Treasure of the King 10. Sheikh Hassan 11. A Persian Host 12. A Stage and a Half 13. A Bridle- Path 14. Two Palaces 15. The Month of Fasting 16. Requiescant in Pace 17. The City of King Prusias 18. Shops and Shopkeepers 19. A Murray of the First Century 20. Travelling Companions

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2023 European Association of Archaeology Book of the Year AwardIn prehistoric societies children comprised 40-65% of the population, yet by default, our ancestral landscapes are peopled by adults who hunt, gather, fish, knap tools and make art. But these adults were also parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who had to make space physically, emotionally, intellectually and cognitively for the infants, children and adolescents around them. Growing Up in the Ice Age is a timely and evidence-based look at the lived lives of Paleolithic children and the communities of which they were a part. By rendering these 'invisible' children visible, readers will gain a new understanding of the Paleolithic period as a whole, and in doing so will learn how children have contributed to the biological and cultural entities we are today.Trade ReviewApril Nowell’s illuminating and engaging book … is important for students and professionals in physical and behavioral an­thropology because it fills a gap in helping us understand the fundamental role children played, literally and figura­tively, in our hominin past. * Journal of Paleoanthropology *A timely summary of the state-of-the art regarding Pleistocene youngsters, their lives, deaths and material worlds … This perspective on children as agents of change and innovation is valid and important beyond the Pleistocene. * Childhood in the Past *This is a must-read for those interested in childhood in the past, and for those seeking a rare humanistic volume on human evolution and Palaeolithic archaeology. * Current World Archaeology *This is data-driven, intellectually weighty, wide-ranging and erudite, lively, and packed full of ideas …. it goes much further than most books on human origins to humanise the Palaeolithic world, and the result is one of the best evocations of the Palaeolithic world I have read ... It should certainly be required reading for Palaeolithic and prehistoric specialists; and academics in the life sciences and social sciences and interested lay readers will find it of great value. * Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology, Durham University *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword by Jane Baxter 1. Toward an archaeology of Paleolithic children 2. Birth and the Paleolithic ‘family’ 3. Toys, burials and secret spaces 4. Stone tools, skill acquisition and learning a craft 5. Children, oral storytelling and the Paleolithic ‘arts’ 6. Adolescence in the Ice Age 7. Paleolithic children as drivers of human evolution Appendix 1. Chronology of the Paleolithic and timeline of fossil hominins Appendix 2. Table of subadult fossils in the Plio-Pleistocene (perinatal–ca. 10 years) Appendix 3. Table of subadult fossils from the Plio-Pleistocene (ca. 10 years–20 years). Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTextile imagery is pervasive in classical literature. An awareness of the craft and technology of weaving and spinning, of the production and consumption of clothing items, and of the social and religious significance of garments is key to the appreciation of how textile and cloth metaphors work as literary devices, their suitability to conceptualize human activities and represent cosmic realities, and their potential to evoke symbolic associations and generic expectations.Spanning mainly Greek and Latin poetic genres, yet encompassing comparative evidence from other Indo-European languages and literature, these 18 chapters draw a various yet consistent picture of the literary exploitation of the imagery, concepts and symbolism of ancient textiles and clothing. Topics include refreshing readings of tragic instances of deadly peploi and fatal fabrics situate them within a Near Eastern tradition of curse as garment, explore female agency in the narrative of their production, and argue for broader symbolic implications of textile-making within the sphere of natural wealth The concepts and technological principles of ancient weaving emerge as cognitive patterns that, by means of analogy rather than metaphor, are reflected in early Greek mathematic and logical thinking, and in archaic poetics. The significance of weaving technology in early philosophical conceptions of cosmic order is revived by Lucretius’ account of atomic compound structure, where he makes extensive use of textile imagery, whilst clothing imagery is at the center of the sustained intertextual strategy built by Statius in his epic poem, where recurrent cloaks activate a multilayered poetic memory.

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