History Books

Book SynopsisA sweeping narrative of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.The Fall of the Roman Empire has been a best-selling subject since the 18th century. Since then, over 200 very diverse reasons have been advocated for the collapse of the western half of the Roman Empire. Until very recently, the academic view embarrassedly downplayed the violence and destruction, in an attempt to provide a more urbane account of late antiquity: barbarian invasions were mistakenly described as the movement of peoples. It was all painfully tame and civilised.But now Adrian Goldsworthy comes forward with his trademark combination of clear narrative, common sense, and a thorough mastery of the sources. In telling the story from start to finish, he rescues the era from the diffident and mealy-mouthed: this is a red-blooded account of aggressive barbarian attacks, palace coups, scheming courtiers and corrupt emperors who set the bar for excess. It is ''old fashioned history'' in the bTrade ReviewGoldsworthy describes this collapse with a strong, clear narrative, not forgetting that history is about stories, individual stories of horror and tragedy, while also describing the wider story. * CATHOLIC HERALD *

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Book SynopsisCharlie Colenutt studied history at the University of Oxford, where he won the Gibbs Prize. After his undergraduate studies, he stayed in Oxford as the Amelia Jackson scholar, completing a postgraduate degree on the history of the United States. He lives on a hill near High Wycombe. Is This Working? is his debut book.

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Book SynopsisThis textbook is endorsed by OCR and supports the specification for A-Level Classical Civilisation (first teaching September 2017). It covers Components 32 and 33 from the ''Beliefs and Ideas'' Component Group:Love and Relationships by Matthew Barr and Alastair ThorleyPolitics of the Late Republic by Lucy CresswellHow was love interpreted and explained by the poets and philosophers of the ancient world? Why was Julius Caesar assassinated? How can we get to the intention behind the rhetoric of ancient sources?This book raises these and other key questions. A-Level students and their teachers will encounter ancient answers to issues ranging from sexuality and the impact of desire to the power of personality in politics. Such important and controversial themes can be examined through the prism of the ancient world.The ideal preparation for the final examinations, all content is presented by experts and experienced teachers in a clear and accessible narrative. Ancient literarTable of ContentsIntroduction How to Use This Book Love and Relationships Politics of the Late Republic Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated guide to the wildlife, landscape and nature reserves of Anglesey. Will appeal to all those interested in the wildlife and natural history of the island.

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Book SynopsisFully illustrated description of Truroâs well known, and lesser known, places that have been lost over the years.

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Book SynopsisUsing untapped archival material, Heather R. Darsie reveals the real Katherine, a woman in her own right and not a figure defined by the machinations of her husband.

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Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - A tale of scheming, power struggles, conflict and the birth of England as we know it today. W. B. Bartlett, author of Vikings, tells the story of Alfred the Great and his descendants, and reasserts their right to be regarded as one of history's great Royal dynasties.

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Book SynopsisFifty artefacts, buildings and places that together provide a fascinating insight into the life and legacy of Jane Austen to coincide with the 250th anniversary of her birth in December 2025.

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Book Synopsis''A wonderful debut by a talented and exciting young historian'' Peter Frankopan''Simultaneously capacious and personal...a masterful achievement'' Tom Holland''Elegant and powerful, Pepera''s magnificent book elevates our understanding of Africa''s overlooked histories'' Olivette Otele, author of African EuropeansMotherland is a ground-breaking exploration of African culture and identity, told via Luke Pepera''s journey through 500,000 years of history to connect with his extraordinary heritage. Pepera tackles the questions many people of African descent ask - Who are we? Where do we come from? What defines us? And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity?With illuminating examples, Pepera explores aspects of African identity from nomadic culture to matriarchal society. We meet an array of intriguing characters including Mansa Musa, the wealthiest man who ever lived, and the Kandake Queen Amanirenas, who defeated the Romans in Nubia. We learn how the response to the actor Chadwick Boseman''s death demonstrated Yoruba beliefs about ancestral veneration, and how the rap battle evolved from earlier forms of African oral literature.Interwoven with Luke''s own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.

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Book SynopsisOn 11 June 323 BC in Babylon, Alexander the Great breathed his last. He left one of the largest empires the world had seen, stretching from Greece to the Punjab. Alexander the Great's death in Babylon that fateful day in June 323 BC triggered an unprecedented crisis. Within a couple of days, Macedonian blood had stained the walls of the chamber in which he died. Within a couple of weeks, Babylon had witnessed the first siege of the post Alexander age. Within a couple of months, a major revolt had erupted on mainland Greece. Within a couple of years, theatres of conflict had arisen across the length and breadth of what was once Alexander's empire. From a Spartan adventurer attempting to forge his own empire in North Africa, to a vast horde of veteran Greek mercenaries heading home from ancient Afghanistan. From a merciless, punitive campaign against some of the most infamous brigands of the time to a warrior princess raising an army and pressing ahead with her own power play during

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding look at the history of the world through the stories of twelve carpets

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Book SynopsisThe authoritative and fascinating history of the rise and fall of the state-owned British Rail''Wolmar''s book is impeccably organised and makes a fast, enjoyable read'' THE TIMES Literary Supplement________British Rail wasn''t how we''re asked to remember it . . .From ancient rolling stock to patchy service, stale sandwiches to the wrong kind of snow, British Rail - our last great state-owned organisation to be privatised - has received a terrible press.But after its controversial 1948 creation, British Rail was actually an innovative powerhouse that over five decades transformed the UK, creating one of the fastest regular rail services in the world.Award-winning journalist Christian Wolmar takes us from promise to punchline, exploring British Rail''s birth into post-war austerity, the many battles and struggles to evolve what many considered to be a dinosaur, and how, at the height of its success, the service was misunderstood and unfairly maligned, ruthlessly broken up and privatised._______Praise for Christian Wolmar''Wolmar is the high priest of railway studies'' Literary Review''The greatest expert on British trains'' Guardian''Our most eminent transport journalist'' Spectator''If the world''s railways have a laureate, it is surely Christian Wolmar'' Boston Globe ''Christian Wolmar is in love with the railways. He writes constantly and passionately about them. He is their wisest, most detailed historian and a constant prophet of their rebirth . . . if you love the hum of the wheels and of history, then Christian Wolmar is your man'' ObserverTrade ReviewWolmar's book is impeccably organized and makes a fast, enjoyable read * The Times Literary Supplement *Wolmar is the high priest of railway studies * Literary Review *Praise for Christian Wolmar * - *The greatest expert on British trains * The Guardian *Our most eminent transport journalist * The Spectator *

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Book SynopsisFrom Herodotus's day to the present political upheavals, the steady flow of the Nile has been Egypt's heartbeat. It has shaped its geography, controlled its economy and moulded its civilisation. The same stretch of water which conveyed Pharaonic battleships, Ptolemaic grain ships, Roman troop-carriers and Victorian steamers today carries modern-day tourists past bankside settlements in which rural life fishing, farming, flooding continues much as it has for millennia. At this most critical juncture in the country's history, foremost Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson takes us on a journey up the Nile, north from Lake Victoria, from Cataract to Cataract, past the Aswan Dam, to the delta. The country is a palimpsest, every age has left its trace: as we pass the Nilometer on the island of Elephantine which since the days of the Pharaohs has measured the height of Nile floodwaters to predict the following season's agricultural yield and set the parameters for the entire Egyptian economy, the woTrade ReviewToby Wilkinson is an acclaimed Cambridge-based Egyptologist and the author of seminal books on life in ancient Egypt. His take on ancient and colonial history is impeccable ... His ancient sources are as thorough and as fascinating as any I have ever read ... Wilkinson’s eye for significant detail, his great curiosity about and affection for his subject, justify the retelling ... The most compelling parts are the ones where Wilkinson draws on his extensive knowledge of Egypt’s ancient past * Anthony Sattin, Observer *Colourful … Without the River Nile there would be no Egypt. That might seem like entry-level geography, but Toby Wilkinson’s achievement in his enjoyable survey of the Egyptian Nile’s key stretch from Aswan to Cairo is to illustrate the point so compellingly ... Dexterously done and rich in detail ... Brilliant * Sunday Telegraph *Thorough, erudite and enthusiastic … Wilkinson does his best to bring the ancient Egyptians to life, and he is a great authority on the subject * Sunday Times *I had always presumed, before I read Wilkinson's book, that it was impossible to write a history of Egypt which combined scholarship, accessibility, and a genuine sense of revelation. I was wrong * Tom Holland, Observer *The foremost Egyptologist of his time ... shares his erudition with us in easy prose which never talks down to us, bringing those times and places splendidly to life * Nicholas Bagnall, Sunday Telegraph *The eminent Egyptologist from Cambridge University blends contemporary description with digestible doses of history and anecdote from the time of the Pharaohs to the present day. The book is made timely by a reference to recent events * Independent *

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Book SynopsisTHE ARK BEFORE NOAH: Decoding the Story of the Flood by Dr Irving Finkel is a compelling investigation of one of the most famous myths in the world - and how the re-discovery of an ancient tablet challenges our view of ancient history in a new and exciting way.Trade ReviewA serious book, but rarely a heavy one: in a sprightly, good-humoured way, Finkel communicates the thrill of true scholarship...it feels fresh and exciting here. * The Sunday Times *The charged thrill of Finkel's chase permeates the book - the pages don't just join dots, they supply new pieces for a beautiful, Bronze-Age jigsaw-puzzle... Scholarly and droll, Finkel's writing is also eccentrically vivid... it is a joy. * The Times *One of the most important human documents ever discovered... his conclusions will send ripples into the world of creationism and among ark hunters. * The Guardian *A painstaking and lively investigation ... there are remarkable scholarly insights to admire ... brilliant. * Literary Review *Finkel is a master at deciphering these ancient cuneiform clay tablets, but this book is far more than a fine piece of detective work: it is a humane work of scholarship that enlarges the soul. -- Richard Holloway * The Observer *Delightful...a digressive, amusing personal book for the general reader, a book that is willing to ask big questions. -- Stephen Moss * The Guardian *Finkel's account is wryly and entertainingly told. -- Tom Holland * The Guardian *Exudes the enthusiasm of an expert deeply absorbed in his subject. * Times Literary Supplement *A gem of a book. * The New Yorker *Engaging and informative . . . Finkel is an enthusiast and shows evident delight in bringing this find to the wider public. * The Wall Street Journal *Immensely erudite (I assume) and very funny. Anyone with the odd 45 years to spare should seriously think of retraining in Assyriology. * The Spectator *

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book devoted to the tiles of the British Arts and Crafts, including tiles designed by some of the greatest names associated with the movement.

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Book SynopsisEarly Modern Britain's most dramatic story, the Gunpowder Plot, brought to life with unique original sources.

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Crowds of visitors flock to Whitby to explore the ancient abbey, walk the narrow streets, pass Captain Cook’s home and see the replica of his ship Endeavour, but the history of Whitby is much richer, as revealed in this tour of its significant, interesting and unusual buildings. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the Cholmley family took over much of the abbey’s lands, building a grand home and developing the port and local industries. Whitby became one of the busiest ports in the land and magnificent Georgian buildings testify to the wealth brought into the town, not least through whale hunting. Other grand buildings of this time were constructed on wealth from the elsewhere, including slave plantations in the Caribbean. The town has also preserved the more modest homes of sailors and fishermen, including charitable housing, and the continuing connection with the sea is also represented by lighthouses, the foghorn station and lifeboat stations. More recently Whitby has become a holiday destination, with Victorian and more recent hotels, cinemas and a lido built for the use of visitors and local inhabitants. Whitby in 50 Buildings explores the history of this fascinating Yorkshire coastal resort through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live in Whitby or who know it well.

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Book Synopsis'Julie Summers has an amazing instinct for unearthing good stories and telling quotes.' Craig Brown, The Mail On Sunday 'This is an enjoyable book, peppered with examples of under-reported wartime heroism.' Robert Leigh-Pemberton, The Daily Telegraph 'It’s hard to believe that there are still untold stories about Britain and World War II, but Julie Summers has unearthed a fascinating one that she tells with great verve and style. All in all, Uninvited Guests is a sheer delight.' Lynne Olson, author of Citizens of London and Last Hope IslandA remarkable narrative set against the dark days of World War Two, from one of the country’s foremost social historians.Our Uninvited Guests perfectly captures the spirit of upheaval at the beginning of the Second World War when thousandsTrade Review‘A celebration of the ability of the British to pull together, improvise and transform our most beautiful ancestral homes’ * The Times *‘An intimate picture …engagingly written and covering a good selection of country houses…wonderfully evocative…a warm-hearted and fascinating treatment of a very good story.’ * Country Life *‘Thanks to extremely detailed research Ms Summers has unearthed fascinating stories about how life in country houses changed radically during the war years.’ * Oxford Times *‘Homes of every shape and size played their part… Summers examines in detail the rich cast of characters that occupied these houses.’ * Daily Mail *‘A great panorama of extraordinary tales...Julie Summers has an amazing instinct for unearthing good stories and telling quotes.’ * Mail on Sunday *'This is an enjoyable book, peppered with examples of under-reported wartime heroism.' * The Daily Telegraph *'It’s hard to believe that there are still untold stories about Britain and World War II, but Julie Summers has unearthed a fascinating one that she tells with great verve and style. All in all, Uninvited Guests is a sheer delight.' -- Lynne Olson, author of Citizens of London and Last Hope Island‘By focusing on the human side of the story, Julie has created a book [that] readers who have no previous knowledge of the war and country homes will be able to pick up and enjoy.’ * Aberdeen Press & Journal *

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Book SynopsisExam Board: AQALevel: AS/A-levelSubject: HistoryFirst Teaching: September 2015First Exam: June 2016AQA approvedEnhance and expand your students'' knowledge and understanding of their AQA breadth study through expert narrative, progressive skills development and bespoke essays from leading historians on key debates.- Builds students'' understanding of the events and issues of the period with authoritative, well-researched narrative that covers the specification content- Introduces the key concepts of change, continuity, cause and consequence, encouraging students to make comparisons across time as they advance through the course- Improves students'' skills in tackling interpretation questions and essay writing by providing clear guidance and practice activities- Boosts students'' interpretative skills and interest in history through extended reading opportunities consistin

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Book Synopsis'A different level of insight to anything I've read for a long time about Russia.' - Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia'Exquisitely observed.. Full of empathy, Amos refuses easy stereotypes.' - Tom Parfitt, author of High Caucasus'Truly kaleidoscopic and unique in its reach, this is a superbly written and unusual book' - Caroline Eden, author of Cold KitchenReturning to an overlooked region on the edge of Russia, Howard Amos sets out on a quest to understand the country he once called home. On Russia's European borderlands, people live their lives among the ruins of successive empires. Pskov, an old Slavic land of forgotten stories and faded waysides, has weathered the tides of history. Once a thriving nexus of trade and cultural exchange, today it is one of the poorest and most rapidly depopulating places of this vast nation. To understand the darkness that has captured Russia, Howard Amos journeys through a landscape of small towns, re-wilding fields and dilapidate

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Book SynopsisThrough her mother's memories, accounts from her Indian family and her own research in both India and Pakistan, constitutional and human rights lawyer, Marina Wheeler, explores how the peoples of these new nations struggled to recover and rebuild their lives.Trade Review'A personal, sometimes harrowing history of partition... a writer well worth reading.' * The Times *A deeply personal story of identity and a highly relatable journey for many in the diaspora... Wheeler taps a rich vein of personal history... Evocative... Gripping. * Financial Times *In spare, occasionally lyrical prose, The Lost Homestead meticulously tells the story of her much-loved Sikh-born mother. -- Sonia Purnell * Evening Standard *Her poignant memoir reminds us that our past shares no borders with our present. -- F.S. Aijazuddin * Dawn *

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Book SynopsisIs modern racism a product of secularisation and the decline of Christian universalism? The debate has raged for decades, but up to now, the actual racial views of historical atheists and freethinkers have never been subjected to a systematic analysis. Race in a Godless World sets out to correct the oversight. It centres on Britain and the United States in the second half of the nineteenth century, a time when popular atheist movements were emerging and scepticism about the truth of Christianity was becoming widespread. Covering racial and evolutionary science, imperialism, slavery and racial prejudice in theory and practice, it provides a much-needed account of the complex and sometimes contradictory ideas espoused by the transatlantic community of atheists and freethinkers. It also reflects on the social dimension of irreligiousness, exploring how working-class atheists’ experiences of exclusion could make them sympathetic to other marginalised groups.Trade Review'Presents not only a fascinating glimpse into complex racial discussions in the late 19th century but also a wonderful, updated overview of the movement and the intellectual history of free-thought in general.'Anton Jansson, History of Intellectual Culture 2/2023'Race in a Godless World is a great contribution to the study of historical atheism, but also intellectual and religious history. It is timely, balanced, well-researched, laying bare the wide range of racial views atheists held.'Global Intellectual History'The book will be of interest to both scholars and general readers, who are likely to find this alternative narrative of the origins of racism in Britain and the United States as compelling as it is convincing.'The Journal of American History'Race in a Godless World is a timely and important contribution to a growing field.'The American Historical Review‘Race in a Godless World is an excellent study. This is intellectual history at its best, demonstrating how the discriminated against minority of unbelievers, at the foot of the religious pecking order, challenged racial hierarchies and championed racial minorities. The book shows that a commitment to science and reason underpinned racial views amongst both atheist and religionist intellectuals of the nineteenth century. But scepticism and contrariness drew atheists to apply the same reason in shifting towards a more inclusive and progressive social agenda. With a strong structure and vivid clarity, this is the best contribution so far to scholarly study of how racist thinking came to be linked with, but also rejected by, atheists in the USA and Britain.’Callum G. Brown, University of Glasgow‘An exhaustively researched and gracefully written book that makes a signal contribution to our understanding of the intersection of atheism and racial thought. The first book to fully flesh out the ties between racial thought and atheism, it is a masterful achievement that will be required reading for students and scholars of race, freethought, and British and American history more broadly.’Christopher Cameron, University of North Carolina at Charlotte‘Situating the history of freethought in a fully transatlantic framework, Alexander carefully unpacks the ambivalences and contradictions of white atheist views on race and civilisation. Certain about the superiority of science over Christianity, freethinkers were far less clear about the racial and cross-cultural implications of their irreligion. Many embraced scientific racism and white supremacy, while others resisted xenophobia and race prejudice. Alexander captures these secularist complexities with admirable nuance and insight.’ Leigh E. Schmidt, Washington University in St. Louis -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction: the tangled histories of Christianity, secularization, and race1 Were Adam and Eve our first parents? Atheism and polygenesis2 Brute men: race and society in evolution3 A London Zulu: savagery and civilisation4 The wise men of the east: India, China, and Japan5 The best friends the negro ever had: African Americans and white atheists6 The curse of race prejudice: rethinking race at the turn of the centuryEpilogue: what next for racism in a godless world?NotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisBased on newly discovered sources, this is the first book to tell the story of the oppression of LGBTQ people in the USSR. -- .

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Book SynopsisShakespeare's Henry IV lamented Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown'. It was true of that king's reign and of many others before and after. From Hereward the Wake's guerilla war, resisting the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror, through the Anarchy, the murder of Thomas Becket, the rebellions of Henry II's sons, the deposition of Edward II, the Peasants' Revolt and the rise of the over-mighty noble subject that led to the Wars of the Roses, kings throughout the medieval period came under threat from rebellions and resistance that sprang from the nobility, the Church and even the general population. Serious rebellions arrived on a regular cycle throughout the period, fracturing and transforming England into a nation to be reckoned with. Matthew Lewis seeks to examine the causes behind the insurrections and how they influenced the development of England from the Norman Conquest until the Tudor period. Each rebellion's importance and impact is assessed both individually and as part of a larger movement to examine how rebellions helped to build England.

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Book SynopsisBased on the powerful true story of Auschwitz prisoner number 3444 Wilhelm Brasse, whose photographs helped to expose the atrocities of the Holocaust.'Horror in sharp focus... important, because the world must know.' John Lewis-Stempel, Daily Express__________When Germany invaded Wilhelm Brasse's native Poland in 1939, he was asked to swear allegiance to Hitler and join the Wehrmacht. He refused. He was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp as political prisoner number 3444. A trained portrait photographer, he was ordered by the SS to record the inner workings of the camp. He began by taking identification photographs of prisoners as they entered the camp, went on to capture the criminal medical experiments of Josef Mengele, and also recorded executions. Between 1940 and 1945, Brasse took around 50,000 photographs of the horror around him. He took them because he had no choice.Eventually, Brasse's conscience wouldn't allow him to hide behind his camera. First he risked his life by joining the camp's Resistance movement, faking documents for prisoners, trying to smuggle images to the outside world to reveal what was happening. Then, when Soviet troops finally advanced on the camp to liberate it, Brasse refused SS orders to destroy his photographs. 'Because the world must know,' he said.For readers of The Librarian of Auschwitz and The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz, this powerful true story of hope and courage lies at the very centre of Holocaust history.__________'A remarkable tale of survival against the odds... an enthralling book.' The Sydney Morning Herald'Brasse has left us with a powerful legacy in images. Because of them we can see the victims of the Holocaust as human and not statistics.' Fergal KeaneTrade ReviewThe authors have woven a remarkable tale of survival against all the odds... They have done their research and created an enthralling book that, while telling an almost incredible tale, shows profound respect to the victims of one of history's darkest episodes.—The Sydney Morning Herald

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Book SynopsisThe story of how Elizabeth II became queen.'Rich with princess anecdotes... Williams's book weaves the Second World War, vast social change and the royal upheaval of abdication and celebration of coronation into energised, nostalgic storytelling' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Fascinating insights into Elizabeth's relationship with her sister also make this a worthwhile, enjoyable read' DAILY TELEGRAPHWe can hardly imagine a Britain without Elizabeth II on the throne. It seems to be the job she was born for. And yet for much of her early life the young princess did not know the role that her future would hold. She was our accidental Queen.As a young girl, Elizabeth was among the guests in Westminster Abbey watching her father being crowned, making her the only monarch to have attended a parent's coronation. Kate Williams explores the sheltered upbringing of the young princess with a gentle father and domineering mother, her complicated relationship with her sister, Princess Margaret, and her dependence on her nanny, Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford. She details the profound and devastating impact of the abdication crisis when, at the impressionable age of 11, Elizabeth found her position changed overnight: no longer a minor princess she was now heiress to the throne.Elizabeth's determination to share in the struggles of her people marked her out from a young age. Her father initially refused to let her volunteer as a nurse during the Blitz, but relented when she was 18 and allowed her to work as a mechanic and truck driver for the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. It was her forward-thinking approach that ensured that her coronation was televised, against the advice of politicians at the time.Kate Williams reveals how the 25-year-old young queen carved out a lasting role for herself amid the changes of the 20th century. Her monarchy would be a very different one to that of her parents and grandparents, and its continuing popularity in the 21st century owes much to the intelligence and elusive personality of this remarkable woman.Trade ReviewRich with princess anecdotes... Williams's book weaves the Second World War, vast social change and the royal upheaval of abdication and celebration of coronation into energised, nostalgic storytelling * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Fascinating insights into Elizabeth's relationship with her sister also make this a worthwhile, enjoyable read * DAILY TELEGRAPH *A well-written account of the Queen's early life * THE LADY *This is an accomplished history, told with literary grace and intellectual confidence * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *It is a fascinating story * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *An airy, affectionate and anecdotal account of Princess Lilibet's upbringing and ascension to the throne * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *It was deft of Williams to concentrate upon little Lilibet as her subject, and this was my favourite of the many royal books which have been published in the last six months * SPECTATOR *A well-written account of the Queen's early life. * THE LADY *An airy, affectionate and anecdotal account of Princess Lilibet's upbringing and ascension to the throne. * THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Fascinating insights into Elizabeth's relationship with her sister also make this a worthwhile, enjoyable read. * THE DAILY TELEGRAPH *This is an accomplished history, told with literary grace and intellectual confidence. * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *It is a fascinating story * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book Synopsis'Restless, poetic, strange ... and the territory it describes deserves nothing less' Observer'Glittering and energetic' Country LifeYorkshire is 'a continent unto itself', a region where mountain, plain, coast, downs, fen and heath lie close. By weaving history, family stories, travelogue and ecology, Richard Morris reveals how Yorkshire took shape as a landscape and in literature, legend and popular regard. The result is a fascinating and wide-ranging meditation on Yorkshire and Yorkshireness, told through the prism of the region's most extraordinary people and places.Trade Review[A] restless, poetic, strange book, and the territory it describes deserves nothing less -- Andrew Martin * Observer *[A] quirky, personal history of the Ridings ... Making an idiosyncratic selection of events from prehistory to the present day, and using some charming passages of personal memoir, Morris subtly draws out patterns and recurring themes that may explain the county's distinctive history ... Morris writes insightfully not just about one county, but about how places become what they are -- Richard Benson * Mail on Sunday *Reading the book is like watching the author sift through layers of time: whatever will he turn up next? ... There is a wealth of fascinating information - I'd not known, for example, that the fashion for naming houses 'Windyridge' (as both my father and grandfather called theirs) derived from the popularity of a 1912 novel of that title by Willie Riley -- Blake Morrison * Guardian *In this meticulously researched book, Richard Morris reveals Yorkshire and Yorkshireness through a series of extraordinary journeys and stories ... Particularly interesting is the juxtaposition of nature, culture, religion and politics and the way in which places are defined and shaped by geography and terrain ... Morris's description of the River Swale as glittering and energetic could be a metaphor for his own writing, which is itself relentlessly energetic ... Fascinating -- Adrian Dangar * Country Life *Although it is one of the most diverse counties geographically, Yorkshire has always inspired a fierce loyalty among those born there, and it is this sense of place that is the subject of the fascinating Yorkshire * Choice *Engrossing ... Aims to look beyond the Eee By Gum stereotypes to explore the intersections between Yorkshire's landscape, language and identity, and reflect too on how outsiders perceive the county * The Bookseller *County histories have been around considerably longer than many of our present counties, but in that heavily populated landscape this is no ordinary book, and its author no ordinary writer ... With footnotes to do an academic paper proud, Morris constantly comes across stories that he can't leave alone, that he burrows into, finding new connections and insights and behind which, you imagine, often lie sufficient materials for books of their own -- Mike Pitts * British Archaeology *One of the most unusual and thought-provoking guides to the county's distant and recent past * Craven Herald *[L]earned and gripping -- Alan Crosby * Who Do You Think You Are? magazine *

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Book SynopsisThis is the extraordinary story of how salt fish from Shetland became one of the staple foods of Europe, powered an economic boom and inspired artists, writers and musicians. It ranges from the wild waters of the North Atlantic, the ice-filled fjords of Greenland and the remote islands of Faroe to the dining tables of London’s middle classes, the bacalao restaurants of Spain and the Jewish shtetls of Eastern Europe. As well as following the historical thread and exploring how very different cultures were drawn together by the salt fish trade, John Goodlad meets those whose lives revolve around the industry in the twenty-first century and addresses today’s pressing themes of sustainability, climate change and food choices.Trade Review'As bright and illuminating as the fish that are the subject of his writing, John Goodlad casts a sweeping eye over the North Atlantic fishing industry in the pages of this richly informative book' -- Donald S. Murray, author of The Guga Hunters'In his fascinating account of the part played by [The Shetland Islands and the Faroes] in the harvesting of cod and herring from the North Atlantic, John Goodlad raises vital questions about the world's food supplies' -- David Abulafia * The Spectator *'Tells the extraordinary story of how salt fish from the isles became one of the staple foods on the Continent' -- Hans J Marter * Shetland News *'John Goodlad's approach to the story of salt fish and Shetland feels rather like a masterclass in how to make history approachable, accessible, readable and entertaining' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'The Salt Roads is a valuable reminder of a forgotten time... it should be required reading for anyone who still thinks of Shetland as a remote, marginal outpost' * The Herald *'The book takes the reader to the wild waters of the North Atlantic and tells the story of how over the centuries the Shetland fishing industry not only inspired and affected the islands’ culture, but also shaped people far beyond its shores' * Dundee Courier *'This intriguing non-fiction title examines the economic boom of Shetland's salt fish trade' * Scots Magazine *'The Salt Roads is history, action on the high seas, personal memoir, folk tales and philology. It is an articulate expression of Shetland, which helps to explain how much the western islands can still learn from our can-do friends in the north' -- Roger Hutchinson * West Highland Free Press *'a gripping insight into life on the edge' * The Tablet, Summer Reading Roundup *'an extremely readable account of the Shetland cod fishery. Here you feel the wind, taste the salt: a quiet triumph' -- Alexander McCall Smith * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisIt's an embarrassing truth for many football fans that it was only when professional football was eventually forced to close down that we recognised Covid-19 as a genuine threat to our way of life. Maybe just as shameful was the fact that once lockdown became normalised, it didn't take long for chatter to start about when the game might begin again. This book begins by charting what happened in the weeks leading up to that point, placing football in the context of furloughs, some new-found community awareness and dithering politicians. At the heart of the book are seven case studies of teams. From Burnley in the Premier League, down through the divisions to grassroots football, Project Restart looks at the hopes and fears of supporters and the actions of those charged with keeping their beloved clubs afloat. It looks at how we almost adjusted to the eerie echo of games on TV with no crowds and finishes by trying to address the biggest question in town: what will football look like in a post-Covid future?

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Book Synopsis'An unlikely hero has a master storyteller to tell his tale. The King and the Christmas Tree is a poignant Christmas treat.' Lucy Worsley, historian, broadcaster and authorEvery December, a huge Christmas tree arrives in Trafalgar Square. Bedecked in lights, it is a shimmering, festive beacon in the heart of London. But even more enchanting than the twinkling decorations and scented pine is the story behind the tree; a story of loyalty, friendship and resistance.On a cold evening in 1940, German warships made their way towards Oslo. It seemed inevitable that Norway, like so many other European nations, would soon submit to the Nazi regime. But the country's indomitable King Haakon VII refused to surrender. Making his escape through his country towards the safe haven of Britain, King Haakon became an icon of hope for his people. And so, over seventy years later, the tree in Trafalgar Square remains as an enduring gift of thanks from Norway to the people of Britain.In The King and the Christmas Tree historian A. N. Wilson artfully weaves together this tale of courage and friendship between nations. Richly illustrated and beautifully told, it is a delightful Christmas cracker for everyone, young and old alike.Trade Review'An unlikely hero has a master storyteller to tell his tale. The King and the Christmas Tree is a poignant Christmas treat.' -- Lucy Worsley'Reads like a thriller; a tale of human courage and resistance' -- Lady Antonia FraserI loved this book, not read without shedding a tear, reminding us that true democracy goes hand-in-hand with true kingship. -- Roy Strong

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Book SynopsisFor more than a hundred years, Central Asia was the heartland of the mightiest military power on the planet. But after the fragmentation of the all-conquering Mongol polity, the region began a steep decline which rendered this former domain of horse lords peripheral to world affairs. The process of deterioration reached its nadir in the second half of the nineteenth century, when the former territories and sweeping steppes of the great khans were overrun by Tsarist Russia. In the concluding volume of his acclaimed Central Asia quartet, Christoph Baumer shows how China in the east, and Russia in the northwest, succeeded in throwing off the Mongol yoke to become the masters of their own previous rulers. He suggests that, as traditional transcontinental trade routes declined in importance, it was the `Great Game' - or cold war between Imperial Russia and Great Britain - which finally brought Central Asia back into play as a region of strategic importance. This epic history concludes with an assessment of the transition to modern independence of the Central Asian states and their struggle to contain radical Islamism.Trade Review`Christoph Baumer’s highly anticipated “The Age of Decline and Revival” completes his four-volume The History of Central Asia and takes the story of this important region up to the present-day. The text is beautifully produced and illustrated, featuring excellent maps, and is informed by a high level of scholarship that comprehensively and uniquely integrates history and archaeology with artistic, cultural and economic developments. Another remarkable aspect of Baumer’s work is its inclusiveness, drawing on an extensive range of materials from the Caucasus to China. The series is a must-have for anyone interested in this vast area lying at the very centre of world history.’ – John E Woods, Professor of Iranian and Central Asian History, University of Chicago

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Book SynopsisThese essays from the 1970s mark the inception of the distinctive project that Jacques Rancière has pursued across forty years, with four interwoven themes: the study of working-class identity, of its philosophical interpretation, of "heretical" knowledge and of the relationship between work and leisure.Trade ReviewOne of our most stimulating thinkers. * Paris Match *"The essays in Staging the People provide both empirical-historical instantiations and the intellectual road map to the later explicit theoretical formulation in Disagreement for which he is more renowned in the anglophone world. What is evident in this collection of articles is that his more recent political theory must be understood as coming intentionally out of the earlier post '68 empirical and historical works undertaken in an attempt to return 'speech' to the mere 'voice' of the oppressed, exploited, and marginalised, in whose name the intellectuals of the left have repeatedly spoken, with disastrous consequences" -- Capital & Class

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Book Synopsis'A groundbreaking and important book that will surely reframe our understanding of the Great War' David Lammy 'A genuinely groundbreaking piece of research' BBC History 'Meticulously researched and beautifully written' Military History Monthly In a sweeping narrative, David Olusoga describes how Europe's Great War became the World's War – a multi-racial, multi-national struggle, fought in Africa and Asia as well as in Europe, which pulled in men and resources from across the globe. Throughout, he exposes the complex, shocking paraphernalia of the era's racial obsessions, which dictated which men would serve, how they would serve, and to what degree they would suffer. As vivid and moving as it is revelatory and authoritative, The World's War explores the experiences and sacrifices of four million non-European, non-white people whose stories have remained too long in the shadows.Trade ReviewA groundbreaking and important book that will surely reframe our understanding of the Great War -- David LammyIn a remarkable and eye-opening book Olusoga has restored the conflict's global perspectives... The magnificent, eloquently written The World's War is a genuinely groundbreaking piece of research' * BBC History Magazine *Meticulously researched and beautifully written * Military History Monthly *The wartime experience of African, Chinese and Indian participants, for too long neglected, is detailed here * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisWhat's odd, scary, incredible and wonderful all at the same time? Our planet!Dive into the facts all about our planet's most deadly diseases and their curious cures! You won't believe your eyes... or will you?

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Book SynopsisDo you know who is our greatest king or queen? Measuring Monarchy challenges you to think again

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Book SynopsisThe book provides an overview and analysis of the witch trials in the Scottish Borders in the 17th century. The 17th century was a time of upheaval in Scottish and British history, with a civil war, the abolition of the monarchy, the plague and the reformation all influencing the social context at the time. This book explores the social, political, geographical, religious and legal structures that led to the increased amount of witch trials and executions in the Scottish Borders. As well as looking at specific trials the book also explores the role of women, both as accuser and as accused.Trade Review‘She takes an interesting and holistic view of this turbulent time in Scottish history. A fascinating read.’ – KENNY SMITH‘It’s a particularly juicy bite of Scottish social history.’ – SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

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

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Book SynopsisWith Orwell claimed by all sides of the culture wars, returning to his own world and words offers sharp and surprising lessons for today's crises.

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

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

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Book Synopsis

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