History Books

Book SynopsisJoin a cold-case detective as he uncovers the truth about Jesus using the same approach he employs to solve real murder cases.Detective J. Warner Wallace was skeptical of the Bible''s claims about Jesus. But he''d investigated several no-body homicide cases in which there was no crime scene, no physical evidence, and no victim''s body. He wondered if the truth about the historical Jesus could be investigated in the same way.In Person of Interest, cold-case detective and bestselling author J. Warner Wallace describes his own personal investigative journey from atheism to Christianity as he carefully sifts through the evidence from history alone, without relying on the New Testament.In this book, you''ll: Understand like never before how Jesus—the most significant person in history—changed the world and why he still matters today. Learn how to think like a cold-case detective by using an innovative Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Events Preceding Jesus 1. The prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah 2. The first century expectations of a Messiah 3. The pre-existing mythologies that resemble Jesus Part 2: Facts Surrounding the Life and Ministry of Jesus 4. The historical reliability of his existence 5. The reliability of the gospel eyewitness accounts describing him 6. The nature of Jesus based on his statements 7. The nature of Jesus based on his actions 8. The nature of Jesus based on the response he received Part 3: Events Following the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus 9. The response of non-Christian authors in the first and second century 10. The response of the eyewitnesses and their students 11. The response of non-canonical authors 12. The rapid growth of the early Church 13. The continuing impact of Jesus in the lives of believers

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Book SynopsisBread, cash, dosh, dough, loot. Call if what you like, it matters now more than ever. In The Ascent of Money, Niall Ferguson shows that financial history is the back-story to all history.From the banking dynasty who funded the Italian Renaissance to the stock market bubble that caused the French Revolution, this is the story of booms and busts as it''s never been told before.With the world in the grip of the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, there''s never been a better time to understand the ascent - and descent - of money.''Beautifully written ... Breathtakingly clever'' Sunday Telegraph''A lucid and racy account of financial history'' New Statesman ''A fine, readable and entertaining history'' Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year ''The tales he tells of boom and bust, of triumph and disaster, of bubbles that inflate ... are the very essence of financial history'' Bill Emmott, Financial Times''An often enlightening and enjoyable tour through the underside of great events, a lesson in how the most successful great powers have always been underpinned by smart money'' Robert Skidelsky, New York Review of Books

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of Foreign Affairs' Picks for Best of Books 2018""One of Isthmus' Most Important Books of 2018 (Dave Cieslewicz)"

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Book SynopsisThe Highland Clearances Trail answers the where, why, what and whens of the Highland Clearances. Taking you around the significant sites of the Highland Clearances this vivid guide gives a scholarly introduction to a tragic moment in Scotland's history. Perthshire, Ross-Shire, Arran, Sutherland and Caithness are among the many areas covered. With full background information supplied, along with maps and illustrations, The Highland Clearances Trail provides an alternative route around the Highlands that will leave the reader with a deeper understanding of this sublime landscape.Trade ReviewGibson won’t lack supporters. Financial Times MagazineIt is important to get the whole movement into perspective and examine the truth of the matter and I hope that this well-written book will address the balance. Highland News

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Book SynopsisAfter witnessing first-hand the death throes of this rich and captivating tradition, Richard Hamilton has tracked down the last few remaining storytellers of Morocco, recording stories that are replete with the mysteries and beauty of the Maghreb. Marrakech is the heart and lifeblood of Morocco's ancient storytelling tradition. For nearly a thousand years, storytellers have gathered in the Jemaa el Fna, the legendary square of the city, to recount ancient folktales and fables to rapt audiences. But this unique chain of oral tradition that has passed seamlessly from generation to generation is teetering on the brink of extinction. The competing distractions of television, movies and the internet have drawn the crowds away from the storytellers and few have the desire to learn the stories and continue their legacy. Moroccan tales have a huge educational, religious and moral impact on their audience, offering timeless values and guidance to all who listen. With their passing we risk losing something of Morocco's national psyche and also part of the world's tangible heritage. Those who have listened to the storytellers at Marrakech first-hand have witnessed something that is no longer part of this world, a treasure as precious as the planet's most endangered species and of immeasurable importance to humanity.Trade ReviewInspiring . . . brilliantly illustrates an ancient oral tradition in my country. I cannot but commend your untiring, meticulous work. Building on stories gathered directly from some of our most renowned storytellers, you have introduced readers to a time-honoured Moroccan tradition. -- Mohammed VI, King of MoroccoCharming, fantastical and lively collection. Like a genie emerging from a flask, The Last Storytellers produces a startling amount of pleasure from some very small packages.... Both men [author and interpreter] deserve much praise for the successful outcome of this endeavour. * Times Literary Supplement *Hamilton presents readers with a precious gift: a collection of content not quite like anything we have ever heard or seen before. Readers who might never reach Marrakech can find their own oasis by making a cup of mint tea and giving thanks for these enchanting stories rescued from oblivion. * New York Journal of Books *Think of this as a collection of Grimm’s fairy tales with plenty of added North African charm. * Lonely Planet *Hamilton does not only offer his readers a valuable, enchanting, interesting and entertaining read but also launches a cri de coeur to rescue this vanishing and traditional form of storytelling as it slowly falls into the abyss of forgetfulness. * North South Magazine *This is addictive material. * The National *A truly remarkable piece of literature. * Essential Travel Blog *Table of ContentsForeword: Circles in the Jemaa el Fna xiii Author’s Note Acknowledgements Introduction The Red Lantern The King and His Prime Minister The Gazelle with the Golden Horns The Imam and the Wager The Girl Who Fell in Love with the Hermit The Birth of the Sahara The Trials of Noureddine The Sultan and His Vizier’s Wife The Queen and the King, the Son of Amelkani Nour and the Sultan The Laundryman and the Fountain The Man Who Went Against His Father’s Wishes The Vizier and the Chicken The Fakir and the Frog The Two Hunchbacks El-Ghaliya Bent Mansour The Land and the Treasure The Statue and the Robber The Tailor, the Princess and the Eagle The Sultan and the Thief The Eyes of Ben’Adi The Shoemaker and the Bird The Vizier and the Barber Seven Coins and a Donkey The Sultan’s Daughter and the Leper The Nobleman and His Three Sons The Vengeance of Allah The Woman and the Black Cat Aicha Rmada The Traveller and the Pasha’s Daughter The Girl from Fes One Hundred and One Beheadings The Three Figs Suleiman, the Stork and the City of Gold The Woman and the Devil The Bird from the Land of Gabour The Pomegranate and the Talking Drum The Date Gatherers The Rich Woman and the Sacks of Corn Postscript

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating story of Republican Rome''s gruelling six-year campaign against the insurgent Numidian warlord, Jugurtha.Jugurtha, the adoptive son of Micipsa, king of the Numidians, was initially a much-respected ally of Rome, fighting gallantly alongside the Romans during the Numantine War in Iberia. Over the course of the campaign, however, the ambitious and hot-headed Jugurtha fell in with more unsavoury company, who urged him to stage a coup d'etat and wrest control of Numidia from the legitimate heirs to the throne. Although he was warned not to consort with some of Rome's more crooked governing elites, this advice fell on deaf ears, beginning a civil war. Rome's response was to decide on war to punish Jugurtha for his acts of aggression. Among the commanders proving their worth against this formidable opponent would be Quintus Metellus and Caius Marius.Here, classical historian Dr Nic Fields narrates the events of a bruising six-year campaign against the wily, elusive Jugurtha. He explores how Roman military performance was hampered by petty rivalries, knee-jerk partisanship, and grubby jostling between commanders. With photographs and artwork bringing the clashes in North Africa to life, the maps and diagrams provide context for this lengthy campaign. The war constituted an important stage in the Roman subjugation of North Africa, and the rise of the empire.

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the International Affairs Book of the Year at the Political Book Awards 2014Longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize 2013 The First World War followed a period of sustained peace in Europe during which people talked with confidence of prosperity, progress and hope. But in 1914, Europe walked into a catastrophic conflict which killed millions of its men, bled its economies dry, shook empires and societies to pieces, and fatally undermined Europe's dominance of the world. It was a war which could have been avoided up to the last moment-so why did it happen? Beginning in the early nineteenth century, and ending with the assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, award-winning historian Margaret MacMillan uncovers the huge political and technological changes, national decisions and -- just as important-the small moments of human muddle and weakness that led Europe from peace to disaster. This masterful exploration of how Europe chose its path towards war will change and enrich how we see this defining moment in our history.Trade ReviewThe story of how intelligent, well-meaning leaders guided their nations into catastrophe. Immersed in intrigue, enlivened by fascinating stories, and made compelling by the author's own insights, this is one of the finest books I have read on the causes of World War I -- Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of StateOnce again, Margaret MacMillan proves herself not just a masterly historian but a brilliant storyteller -- Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings InstitutionA masterful explanation of the complex forces that brought the Edwardian world crashing down. Utterly riveting, deeply moving, and impeccably researched, MacMillan's latest opus will become the definitive account of old Europe's final years -- Amanda Foreman

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Book Synopsis''This riveting behind-the-scenes story of the clothes on our backs is a must-read for clotheshorses everywhere'' Harper''s Bazaar ''Extraordinary . . . fascinating . . . a wonderful way into history, quite often through the voices of people who don''t have a say in history'' Cerys MatthewsLinen, Cotton, Silk, Synthetics, Wool: through the stories of these five fabrics, Sofi Thanhauser illuminates the world we inhabit in a startling new way, travelling from China to Cumbria to reveal the craft, labour and industry that create the clothes we wear. From the women who transformed stalks of flax into linen to clothe their families in nineteenth century New England to those who earn their dowries in the cotton-spinning factories of South India today, this book traces the origins of garment-making through time and around the world. Exploring the social, economic and environmental impact of our most personal possessions, Worn looks beyond care labels to show how clothes reveal the truth about what we really care about.''A must-read . . . combines remarkable research with heartfelt care'' Clare HunterTrade ReviewFascinating . . . a good yarn . . . the joy of this history of clothing, which is eminently readable and meticulously researched, is its focus on people -- Paula Byrne * The Times *This riveting behind-the-scenes story of the clothes on our backs is a must-read for clotheshorses everywhere * Harper's Bazaar *A terrific book especially for those who want to be informed about sustainable clothing. Knowing the history is fascinating. -- Alexandra SchulmanRichly evocative . . . One of the great pleasures of this panoramic history of getting dressed is Sofi Thanhauser's ability to spot moments like these where human desire and material culture collide -- Kathryn Hughes * Guardian *Knowledgeable, fascinating . . . explores the complex systems woven between the producers of cloth and its consumers . . . bulges at the seams with finely spun descriptions of the places and people she encounters -- Kassia St Clair * Economist *The story of what we wear is the story of who we are, and Worn offers a riveting, provocative, and eye-opening account. One cannot make sense of our modern world without this book -- Brian Christian * Author of The Most Human Human *Expansive . . . elegantly chronicling how textile production came to be defined by worker exploitation, misogyny, environmental devastation, and colonialism . . . Yet she also finds space to appreciate sartorial marvels and to celebrate the loom aficionados, "denimheads," and "wool enthusiasts" who aim for a more ethical, analog future * New Yorker *Extraordinary . . . fascinating . . . a wonderful way into history, quite often through the voices of people who don't have a say in history -- Cerys MatthewsA masterpiece of investigative reporting and a riveting adventure story, Worn is both panoramic and richly particular. Thanhauser is the best of guides: humane, engaging, generous with historical anecdote and always able to reveal the telling detail. She shows how the cost of fashion far exceeds any retail price tag, and how the revival of venerable traditions might yet lead us to a sustainable future -- Geraldine Brooks * author of The Secret Chord *An incredibly well-reported account of how fashion, far from being trivial, has shaped human history -- Pippa Bailey * New Statesman *This is a must-read book for anyone interested in textiles. In it Sofi Thanhauser tracks the ingenuity, creativity and human cost of textile production across centuries and cultures in a book which combines remarkable research with heartfelt care -- Clare Hunter * author of Threads of Life *Captivating and deeply researched . . . Thanhauser unearths the secret life of fabrics with skill and precision. Readers won't look at their wardrobes the same way again * Publishers Weekly *A fascinating read, laying out how our increasingly careless use and discarding of clothing has come to damage our planet. Thanhauser has carried out a remarkable mass of research on clothes and the fibers they are made from. She has stitched it all together in a clear and engaging style that invites one to keep reading and to start mending our ways -- Elizabeth Wayland Barber * author of Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years *Original, insightful and thought provoking . . . a delight to read such rich insights into the weaving and knitting together of industries, societies, political initiatives and economies of cloth that truly demonstrates humans activities -- Dilys Williams * Director of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion *Sofi Thanhauser's history of cloth is not just about clothing: it is about ethics, workers' rights, women's progress, climate justice. It is the about the fabric of who we are. And as told in Worn, it also makes an absolutely gripping read! -- Peggy Orenstein * author of Girls & Sex and Boys & Sex *Admirable concision and formidable scholarship . . . Now and then in the life of a book reviewer, a book comes along that makes you glad to be one . . . Worn falls plumb into this category -- Nicola Schulman * Oldie *Thanhauser's geographical reach is impressive . . . as is the rigour of her examinations of the cultural, economic, political and environmental impacts -- Lucy Scholes * Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * “Do we need still another Watergate book? The answer turns out to be yes—this one.” —The Washington Post * “Dazzling.” —The New York Times Book Review From the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Plane in the Sky, comes the first definitive narrative history of Watergate—“the best and fullest account of the crisis, one unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)—exploring the full scope of the scandal through the politicians, investigators, journalists, and informants who made it the most influential political event of the modern era.In the early hours of June 17, 1972, a security guard named Frank Wills enters six words into the log book of the Watergate office complex that will change the course of history: 1:47 AM Found tape on doors; call police. The subsequent arrests of five men seeking to bug and burgle the Democratic National Committee offices—three of them Cuban exiles, two of them former intelligence operatives—quickly unravels a web of scandal that ultimately ends a presidency and forever alters views of moral authority and leadership. Watergate, as the event is called, becomes a shorthand for corruption, deceit, and unanswered questions. Now, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Garrett M. Graff explores the full scope of this unprecedented moment from start to finish, in the first comprehensive, single-volume account in decades. The story begins in 1971, with the publication of thousands of military and government documents known as the Pentagon Papers, which reveal dishonesty about the decades-long American presence in Vietnam and spark public outrage. Furious that the leak might expose his administration’s own duplicity during a crucial reelection season, President Richard M. Nixon gathers his closest advisors and gives them implicit instructions: Win by any means necessary. Within a few months, an unsteady line of political dominoes are positioned, from the creation of a series of covert operations code-named GEMSTONE to campaign-trail dirty tricks, possible hostage situations, and questionable fundraising efforts—much of it caught on the White House’s own taping system. One by one they fall, until the thwarted June burglary attracts the attention of intrepid journalists, congressional investigators, and embattled intelligence officers, one of whom will spend decades concealing his identity behind the alias “Deep Throat.” As each faction slowly begins to uncover the truth, a conspiracy deeper and more corrupt than anyone thought possible emerges, and the nation is thrown into a state of crisis as its government—and its leader—unravels. Using newly public documents, transcripts, and revelations, Graff recounts every twist with remarkable detail and page-turning drama, bringing readers into the backrooms of Washington, chaotic daily newsrooms, crowded Senate hearings, and even the Oval Office itself during one of the darkest chapters in American history. Grippingly told and meticulously researched, Watergate is the defining account of the moment that has haunted our nation’s past—and still holds the power to shape its present and future.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR WATERGATE: A NEW HISTORY “Do we need still another Watergate book? The answer turns out to be yes — this one: Garrett M. Graff’s Watergate: A New History. It is a remarkably rich narrative with compelling characters, who range from criminal and flawed to tragic and heroic. As someone who played a small role in the drama while I was editing many of The Washington Post’s Watergate stories, I found that Graff convincingly populates and re-creates an extraordinary time in the history of the country and this city. ... fast-paced ... filled with apt sketches of its many characters, major and minor, from all the president’s men, and some of their spouses, to journalists, investigators, lawyers and members of Congress. It vividly re-creates all the key events, from Nixon’s overreaction to the revelation of the Pentagon Papers about the Vietnam War in June 1971 to his resignation in August 1974.... engaging, informative and thought-provoking, more than earning its place on bookshelves alongside the old histories.” —Len Downie, Jr., The Washington Post “Dazzling. . . A lively writer, Graff explores the dramatic scope of the Watergate saga through its participants — politicians, investigators, journalists, whistle-blowers and, at center stage, Nixon himself.” —Douglas Brinkley, The New York Times Book Review “Award-winning author Graff aims to give readers the full scope of Watergate — a much bigger, more bizarre story than even remembered — telling the full story from start to finish in this ambitious book.” —New York Post “A definitive, exhaustive account of the scandal. . . a fascinating, horrifying examination of the Nixon presidency up close—enough to scare the record straight.” —AirMail “A meticulously researched, expansive history of the Watergate scandal from start to finish, from the release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971 to the reverberations that echo through present day.” —Barbara VanDenburgh, USA TODAY “A brisk, riveting, compulsively readable, comprehensive, up-to-date narrative of the entire tangled affair, and it's hard to imagine it better told. . . . Now the best and fullest account of the Watergate crisis, one unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Monumental. . . effortlessly clarifies the strands of one of the most complex episodes in modern history. . . A masterful, epic look at a story that is still barely believable.” —The Daily Mail “This meticulously researched and documented book should now become the definitive source for those who wish to dive into the cesspool of deceit, intrigue and criminal behavior that were associated with the seemingly innocuous break-in and the cover-up. ... [Graff] makes a valiant attempt to connect all the disparate threads from the confusing tapestry of multiple investigations, muffled tapes and self-serving memoirs available. His organization of the book makes the 700-plus pages flow seamlessly as the investigators reach their inevitable conclusions. In summary, this book should be required reading for any citizen with the faintest interest in how the sausage-factory of Washington politics functions and how our country has managed to arrive at today’s dysfunctional impasse.” —J. Kemper Campbell, Lincoln Journal-Star “Lively, wide-ranging, detailed.” —Erica J. Smith, The Virginian Pilot “Garrett Graff aptly calls Watergate a 'Gordian knot of scandal.' This comprehensive, searching, yet elegant book untangles it more completely than any attempt so far. I learned a lot!” —Rick Perlstein, bestselling author of Nixonland and Reaganland “Watergate is one of the great tragic double-edged swords of modern American history: its crimes were swiftly exposed, the criminals punished, the rule of law restored––and it profoundly, permanently undermined American citizens' trust in their government. Garrett Graff's fresh chronicle of that inflection point is lucid, enlightening and indispensable.” —Kurt Andersen, author of Evil Geniuses and writer-host of Nixon at War “I thought I knew all the Watergate stories. I was wrong. Graff did a herculean job going through so much existing Watergate material to pull together a compelling new story and make it all fresh again. Think you know the entire story from beginning to end? Not until you’ve read this.” —Howard Mortman, C-SPAN communications director and author of When Rabbis Bless Congress “Expertly researched and assembled, this is a valuable introduction to one of history’s greatest political scandals. . . . Graff skillfully interweaves the perspectives of journalists and law enforcement officials investigating the Watergate break-in with the Nixon team’s attempts to “use the organs of government to cover up their own rogue operation,” and incisively analyzes how the congressional inquiry into the scandal resulted in Democrats and Republicans coming together to uphold the Constitution and limit the powers of the president.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisWinston S. Churchill won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his mastery of historical and biographical description. Nowhere is that mastery more evident than in Great Contemporaries, first published in 1937.Written in the decade before Churchill became prime minister, these portraits of notable figures of his age offer wisdom for our own. With keen observations and telling anecdotes, Churchill points out what he learned from them about greatness and also their limitations. His subjects range from Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Lawrence of Arabia, and Leon Trotsky to Charlie Chaplin, H. G. Wells, Rudyard Kipling, and George Bernard Shaw.Published in the Bloomsbury Revelations series to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Churchill''s birth, this is the most complete edition, including five additional essays, more than thirty photographs, with a new foreword and annotations by Churchill scholar James W. Muller. This volume revives Churchill's unmatched insig

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Book SynopsisFrom 1563 to 1736 Scotland put thousands of women to death for witchcraft. Their supposed crimes have much to tell us about attitudes to women in the past, and in the present day. This book introduces sixteen women who lost their lives or lived in the long shadow of the persecutions.'Witches' who, like MARGARET AITKEN, confessed, implicated others, even aided the hunters before they were burned.Nonconforming women like MARY MACLEOD, who saw their reputations tarnished when they did not bend to society's expectations.Creatures of the imagination, like Robert Burns's NANNY, who embody deep-seated associations between womanhood and the occult.Weaving fiction with the facts where these are known, We Are All Witches invites the reader to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland's history and consider their echoes in the present day.Trade ReviewSpringing directly from the pioneering Witches of Scotland campaign, Kidd has imagined lively and convincing voices from the past to commemorate the lost lives of Scotland's witches, reminiscent of Jenni Fagan's Hex. * Sara Sheridan, author of The Fair Botanists *We Are All Witches is a compelling, moving book that invites the reader to consider not only the background to the Scottish witch trials and the mythology surrounding witches, but also the lives of those affected. * Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women *

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Book SynopsisExplores how runes relate to the cycles of time. Detailing the significance of natural time cycles in the Northern Tradition, Nigel Pennick explores how the stars, planets, seasons, months, and the precessional year relate to the runes. The author explains how the runes are more than just an ancient European alphabet—they encapsulate particular spiritual and symbolic meanings to individually and collectively express deep eternal truths. Discussing the pagan wheel of the year, whose eightfold path later served the Church as the basis for the eight holy celebrations of its religious calendar, he looks at the meanings and temporal qualities of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark and their rapport with ancient timekeeping and star-reading methods. He offers charts and calculations to discern which rune is the primary influence on a particular day, week, month, season, or year. He also examines runic elemental and color associations and their esoteric spatial roles, where they represent the four directions, the eight airts, and other cycles critical to understanding the sacred nature of the material world. Exploring runic astrology, Pennick looks at the runes as they relate to the planets and their cycles. He then presents ways to use this knowledge for calculating runic birth charts and runic horoscopes. Revealing the importance of the patterns and cycles of time operating in our world, the author provides a means for reconnecting with these primal principles—which underlie our existence as beings in time—through the ancient wisdom of runes.Trade Review“Nigel Pennick’s Runes and Astrology presents the runes in perhaps the most relatable and accessible way—through an intimate relationship with time and place. His gift of making the personal transform into mythic through the power of the runes shines.” * S. Kelley Harrell, author of Runic Book of Days *“A few thousand years ago, ancient cultures lived in the context of a traditional worldview that was framed by the cycles of Sun, Moon, and planets and was expressed by multivalent symbols systematically organized. Examples of these include ancient Mesopotamia, India, China, and Mesoamerica. In Runes and Astrology, Nigel Pennick has worked a kind of reconstruction and updating of the Northern Tradition, the northern European culture north of the Alps that later served as the template on which the Roman Church built its own version of reality. We learn about the coherent sequence and multiple uses of the runes, ideas about fate and destiny, the power of the 8 directions that frame the seasonal cycle, and the astounding breakdown of time applied to the cycle of the day. While the Northern Tradition did not produce a horoscopic astrology, it did produce a complex map of time that the author argues is a lot more real than the conventions we live in today. In this sense, Runes and Astrology offers another path to a more holistic vision of nature and human life.” * Bruce Scofield, author of The Nature of Astrology *"It’s difficult to assess the target audience for Runes and Astrology. Astrologers will find quite a few of the entries and historical overviews highly useful. People involved in Northern Tradition spirit work will find the annual time-keeping and naming ideas attractive. There’s a detailed discussion of the origin and messy implementation of the modern Gregorian calendar during the 16th-17th centuries. It’s one of the best and most complete descriptions of this monumental global calendrical shift I’ve ever read. Rune readers will discover much useful material in the first few chapters and descriptions of rune meanings, but divination methods are absent. It’s a lengthy and detailed text with a great deal of valuable information that’s rarely found in any kind of book in the esoteric genre. Eccentric polymaths will revel in this book if they’re not thrown off by the title. This is a book that cannot be judged by its cover! There’s far more to it than meets the eye." * FacingNorth.net *"Runes and Astrology is a must for anyone interested in the Runes or in the Northern Tradition and I also highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in history, spirituality … or who just loves a good book!" * June Kent, Indie Shaman Magazine *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments A Note on Terminology and Dating Introduction 1 The Basic Concepts 2 The Runes and Their Meaning 3 Cycles of Space and Time 4 Solar Runepower 5 The Eightfold Way—The Year Cycle6 The Runes, the Planets, and Their Cycles7 The Runes in the Circling Heavens 8 Interpretaion of Runic Cycles Postscript APPENDIX 1 The Runes and Their Correspondences APPENDIX 2Runic Half-Months APPENDIX 3 The Northern Tradition Planetary Hours APPENDIX 4 Correspondences of the Days of the Week APPENDIX 5 Zodiacal Correspondences APPENDIX 6The Eight Tides of the Day APPENDIX 7 The Twelve Palaces APPENDIX 8 The Solar System: Astronomical Data Glossary BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated exploration of shipwrecks over 4,000 years.

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Book Synopsis'Every so often, a new work emerges of such immense scholarship and weight that it really does add a significant difference to our understanding of the Second World War and its consequences. Judgement in Tokyo is one such, a monumental work in both scale and detail, beautifully constructed and written, leaving the reader not only moved but disturbed as well.' – James Holland, The Sunday Telegraph'A work of singular importance . . . balanced, original, human, accessible, and riveting' – Philippe Sands, author of East-West Street'Always engrossing . . . a breathtakingly ambitious and well-executed piece of history, unlikely to be bettered as a portrait of the trials and their place in postwar global history' – History TodayA landmark, magisterial history of the postwar trial of Japan’s leaders as war criminals, and their impact on the modern history of Asia and the world.In the weeks after Japan finally surrendered to the Allies to end World War II, the victorious powers turned to the question of how to move on from years of carnage and destruction. For the Allied powers, the trials were an opportunity both to render judgment on their vanquished foes and to create a legal framework to prosecute war crimes and prohibit the use of aggressive war. For the Japanese leaders on trial, it was their chance to argue that their war had been waged to liberate Asia from Western imperialism and that the court was no more than victors’ justice.Gary J. Bass' Judgement at Tokyo is a magnificent, riveting story of wartime action, dramatic courtroom battles, and the epic formative years that set the stage for the postwar era in the Asia–Pacific.'A comprehensive, landmark and riveting book' – The Washington Post, 'The 10 Best Books of 2023'Trade ReviewThis important book . . . Magisterial' -- Max Hastings, The Sunday TimesEvery so often, a new work emerges of such immense scholarship and weight that it really does add a significant difference to our understanding of the Second World War and its consequences. Judgement in Tokyo is one such, a monumental work in both scale and detail, beautifully constructed and written, leaving the reader not only moved but disturbed as well. -- James Holland, The Sunday TelegraphA work of singular importance – balanced, original, human, accessible, and riveting. It is of huge relevance to our times. -- Philippe Sands, author of East-West StreetMagisterial . . . A well-crafted, warts-and-all account from which almost no one emerges unscathed. * Financial Times *A meticulously researched and authoritative account -- The Economist, 'The Best Books of 2023'Bass has written a massively long and detailed book, always lively and judgmental. He brings out not only the legal arguments, but the colour of the great tribunal itself. * The Observer *This magisterial account – long but never sprawling; thick with detail yet always engrossing . . . This is a breathtakingly ambitious and well-executed piece of history, unlikely to be bettered as a portrait of the trials and their place in postwar global history. -- Christopher Harding, History TodayFascinating -- The New Yorker, 'Best Books of 2023'Comprehensive, landmark and riveting. . . . Bass employs the complexities of the trial as a fulcrum to sketch a wide canvas. . . . Fascinating * The Washington Post, 'The 10 Best Books of 2023' *Immersive -- The New York Times, 'Notable Books of 2023'Magnificent . . . Vivid . . . Profound * Foreign Affairs *Magisterial . . . Bass is a marvelous writer. * Air Mail *In this superb work of transnational history, Gary Bass uses the Tokyo trial to illuminate the making of the modern world. -- Ramachandra Guha, author of India After GandhiTo understand the dynamics of post-World War II Asia, Gary Bass’s Judgement at Tokyo is fascinating, essential reading. -- Barbara Demick, Baillie Gifford prize-winning author of Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North KoreaGary Bass has written nothing less than a masterpiece. With epic research and mesmerizing narrative power, Judgement at Tokyo has the makings of an instant classic. -- Evan Osnos, US National Book Award-winning author of Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New ChinaA vivid and meticulously crafted account, rich in detail, fair-minded, superbly nuanced. -- Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of America’s VietnamDestined to become a classic, Judgement at Tokyo is meticulously researched and elegantly written: it is also a necessary book. -- Anna Sherman, author of The Bells of Old Tokyo

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Book SynopsisWorld War II was the greatest conflict in the history of mankind. It penetrated into every corner of the globe, from the Arctic to the Pacific Oceans. Immense armed forces engaged one another in battle in every type of environment, from the desert sands of North Africa to the jungles of Burma and New Guinea. The Allied and Axis forces met in brutal encounters ranging from small commando raids to gigantic armoured battles. World War II Illustrated Atlas is a comprehensive visual guide to this complex conflict. It plots the exact course of the land, sea and air campaigns in fine detail, enabling the reader to trace the ebb and flow of the fortunes of both sides. With the aid of over 160 full-colour maps, every theatre of war is covered. Contents include the land campaigns in North-west Europe, Italy, North Africa, Russia, South-East Asia and the Pacific; the naval war in the Atlantic and Mediterranean; the great carrier battles of the Pacific war; and the strategic bombing campaigns of Europe and the Pacific, culminating in the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This new edition provides another 25 maps showing the key raids and battles of the war, ranging from the St Nazaire raid in 1942 to the battle for Corregidor in February 1945. The isometric map views give a new perspective on the war, and are accompanied by detailed descriptions of the battles and raids along with photographs from the event. This complete atlas provides an invaluable work of reference for both the general reader and the serious student of World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction The Build Up To War 1. Europe 1914–18 2. Europe after the Peace Treaties 1920-21 3. The Depression in Europe 4. Fascist States in Europe 5. European Political Agreements 1934–35 I 6. European Political Agreements 1936–37 II 7. European Political Agreements 1938–39 III 8. Revolution and Invasion in China to 1912-35 9. Expansion of Japan 1920–41 10. Hitler’s Annexations 1936–39 September 1939: The Blitzkrieg 11. Invasion of Poland 1-28 September 1939 12. The Winter War November 1939-March 1940 The Phoney War: German and Allied Plans - September 1939 to April 1940 13. Battle of Suomussalmi - 11 December 1939 to 8 January 1940 14. Denmark and Norway - April to June 1940 15. Invasion of the West – May to June 1940 16. Panzer strike through the Ardennes – 12 to 14 May 1940 17. Dunkirk Operation ‘Dynamo’ – 27 May to 4 June 1940 18. Fall of France and Vichy – June 1940 19. The Battle of Britain – July to September 1940 20. The Blitz – September 1940 to May 1941 The Air War 21. The Bombing of Europe 1939–41 22. The Thousand Bomber Raid 30/31 May 1943 23. Strategic Bombing 1943 24. Dambusters Raid 16/17 May 1943 25. Schweinfurt Bombing Results The Sea War 26. Battle of the Atlantic I – September 1939 to May 1940 27. Battle of the Atlantic II – June 1940 to March 1941 28. Battle of the Atlantic III – April to December 1941 29. Battle of the Atlantic IV – January 1942 to February 1943 30. Battle of the Atlantic V – May to September 1943 North Africa and Italy 31. Campaign in East Africa - June 1940 to November 1941 32. Iraq, Syria and Persia – April to September 1941 33. North Africa: Operation Compass – 9 December 1940 to February 1941 34. North Africa: Operation Sonnenblume – April 1941 35. North Africa: Operation Crusader – November to December 1941 36. Operation Crusader: Battle of Sidi Rezegh - 18 November to 7 December 1941 37. Rommel Returns 38. Gazala and the Fall of Tobruk – May to June 1942 39. The Eve of Battle (El Alamein) – 23 October 1942 40. El Alamein Operation Lightfoot – 24 to 29 October 1942 41. El Alamein, Operation Supercharge – 2 to 4 November 1942 42. The Mediterranean Naval Operations – Late 1942 43. Battle of Matapan – 28 to 29 March 1941 44. Taranto Attack – 11 November 1940 45. Operation Pedestal – 11 to 13 August 1942 46. Operation Torch – 8 November 1942 47. British Advance to Tunisia – November 1942 to February 1943 48. Kasserine Pass – 14 to 22 February 1943 49. Axis Defeat in Tunisia – 20 to 29 March 1943 50. Capture of Tunis – April to May 1943 51. Invasion of Sicily - 10 July to 17 August 1943 52. Southern Italy – 3 September to 15 December 1943 53. Landings at Salerno – 9 to 16 September 1943 54. Southern Italy Operational Plans – 1942 to 43 55. Monte Cassino 56. Landings at Anzio – 17 January to 26 May 1944 The Liberation of Rome and Advance North – June to December 1944 57. The End in Italy – April to May 1945 The Eastern Front 58. The Balkan Campaign – 6 to 20 April 1941 59. The Conquest of Greece and Crete – 6 to 28 April 1941 60. Operation Barbarossa I – 22 June to early October 1941 61. Operation Typhoon – September to December 1941 62. Battle for Moscow – January to June 1942 63. The Caucasus – June to November 1942 64. The Siege of Sevastopol 65. The Siege of Leningrad – September 1941 to January 1944 66. Dispersion of Soviet Industry 67. The Battle for Stalingrad – September 1942 to February 1943 68. Battle of Kharkov - 29 January to 20 February 1943 69. Eastern Front - March 1943 70. Battle of Kharkov – 2 to 23 March 1943 71. Eastern Front – July 1943 72. Kursk ‘Operation Zitadelle’ – 5 to 13 July 1943 73. Battle of Prokhovovka – 12 July 1943 74. Soviet Advance to Dnieper – 5 July to 1 December 1943 75. Liberating the Ukraine and the Crimea – January to May 1944 76. Leningrad and the Kerelian Front – January to October 1944 77. Karelian Front – September to October 1944 78. Yugoslavia – 1941 and 1942 79. Yugoslavia 1943 80. Operation Bagration – June to July 1944 81. The Warsaw Rising – 1 August to 2 October 1944 82. Soviet Advance into Poland – July 1944 83. Soviet Advance into Romania and Hungary – 8 August to 15 December 1944 84. The Balkans – November to December 1944 85. The Liberation of Greece – October to November 1944 86. The Advance to Koenigsberg – October 1944 to April 1945 87. Battle for Koenigsberg 88. Battle of Budapest and Vienna – December 1944 to May 1945 89. The Advance to the Oder – January to February 1945 90. The Battle for Berlin – 15 April to 6 May 1945 91. The Battle for Berlin - 26 April to 2 May 1945 The Western Front 92. Global Strategy – 1941 to 1945 93. COSSAC Plan – August 1943 94. Allied D-Day Landing Plan and Objectives – 6 June 1944 95. Breakout Plan – 22 July to 6 August 96. Falaise Pocket – 6 to 19 August 1944 97. The Liberation of Paris – 14 to 25 August 1944 98. Invasion of Southern France – August 1944 99. Allied Advance to September 1944 100. The Air Lift – 17 September 1944 101. Airborne Drop Zones – September 1944 102. First Airborne Division landing zones – September 1944 103. Battle of the Bulge – 16 to 24 December 1944 104. Battle of the Bulge counterattack – 26 December 1944 to 7 February 1945 105. Advance to the Rhine – 8 February to 21 March 1945 106. Crossing the Rhine – March 1945 The War in the Pacific 107. Hawaii Operation, track of Japanese attack force - 26 November to 7 December 108. Pearl Harbor: The Japanese Attack - 7 December 1941 109. Japanese Expansion - December 1941 to July 1942 110. Invasion of Malaya - 8 December1941 to 31 January 1942 111. Capture of Singapore – 8 to 15 February 1942 112. Indian Ocean March – March to April 1942 113. Japanese Invasion of Burma – January to May 1942 114. Japanese Invasion of Philippines – 8 December 1941 to June 1942 115. Bataan and Corregidor 116. Manila and Bataan 117. Japanese Invasion of the Dutch East Indies – January to March 1942 118. Battle of Midway – 4 to 5 June 1942 119. Admiral Yamamoto’s plans to seize Midway – May to June 1942 120. Battle of the Coral Sea – 28 April to 11 May 1942 121. Battle of Midway I – 4 June 1942 04:00 to 10:30 122. Battle of Midway II – 4 June 1942 10:30 to 6 June 00:00 123. US Landings and the Battle of Savo Island – August 1942 124. US Landings 125. Guadalcanal 126. The Solomon Islands – 12 to 13 November 1942 127. Guadalcanal – 13 November 1942 128. Guadalcanal – 14 to 15 November 1942 129. Operation Cartwheel – March 1942 to November 1943 130. New Guinea – August to September 1943 131. The Aleutians – June 1942 to May 1943 132. Chindits in Burma – February to March 1943 133. Pacific situation to October 1944 134. Carrier Raids in the Central Pacific to October 1944 135. Tarawa Atoll – 20 to 23 November 1943 136. Makin Atoll – 20 to 23 November 1943 137. Japanese merchant shipping routes - 1941 to 1945 138. Japanese merchant shipping losses – 7 Dec 1941 to 31 Dec 1942 139. Japanese merchant shipping losses 1943 140. Japanese merchant shipping losses 1944 141. Japanese merchant shipping losses 1945 142. Battle of the Philippine Sea I – 19 June 1944 143. Battle of the Philippine Sea II – 20 to 21 June 1944 144. War in China – July 1937 to December 1944 145. Second Arakan Campaign – December 1943 to April 1944 146. Japanese Invasion of India – March to June 1944 147. Allied Recapture of Burma – December 1944 to February 1945 148. The Saipan Landings – 15 June to 9 July 1944 149. Guam – 21 July to 10 August 1944 150. Tinian – 24 July to 1 August 1944 151. Pacific situation up to August 1945 152. The Battle of the Philippines – 20 to 27 October 1944 153. Liberation of the Philippines – January to August 1945 154. Allied Recapture of Burma – December 1944 to 5 May 1945 155. Landings on Iwo Jima – 19 February to 26 March 1945 156. The Fall of Okinawa – 1 April to 21 June 1945 157. The Japanese Empire – August 1945 158. Bombing of Japan – June 1944 to August 1945 159. Soviet Invasion of Manchuria – September 1945 160. Operations Against Japan – February to August 1945 161. Allied Invasion Plan – August 1945 version 162. Nagasaki – 9 August 1945 The Aftermath 163. Mobilization for War – 1939 to 1945 164. Original Members of the United Nations 1945 165. The Casualties of War – 1939 to 1945

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Book SynopsisWinter takes us on an intimate tour of the artists, poets, composers, writers, explorers, scientists and thinkers who helped shape a new and modern idea of winter. We learn how literature heralds the arrival of the middle class; how snow science leads to existential questions of God and our place in the world; how the race to the poles marks the human drive to imprint meaning on a blank space. Offering a kaleidoscopic take on the season, Winter is a homage to an idea of a season and a journey through the modern imagination.Trade Review'Gopnik's mind darts about like mercury as he tells his tale' The Times. * The Times *'Often startlingly good ... The perfect fireside companion' Observer. * Observer *'Brilliantly insightful ... Any writer who can take subjects as diverse as Wilson Bentley's snow crystal photographs, Dickens's Christmas stories and the myth that the Inuit have dozens of different words for snow, and find something original and interesting to say about each of them, has to be worth reading' Sunday Times. * Sunday Times *'Makes chilliness worth every minute' The Economist. * Economist *Table of ContentsAuthor's Note. Romantic Winter. Radical Winter. Recuperative Winter. Recreational Winter. Remembering Winter. Bibliography. Permissions. Index.

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Book SynopsisRevealing the central yet intentionally obliterated role of Africa in the creation of modernity, Born in Blackness vitally reframes our understanding of world historyTrade Review"[A] magnificent, powerful and absorbing book... This is not a comfortable or comforting read, but it is beautifully done; a masterpiece even..." -- Peter Frankopan - The Observer"Born in Blackness is laced with arresting nuggets... Filled with pain, but also with pride: pride at the endurance of oppressed millions, at the many slave uprisings and rebellions culminating in the Haitian revolution, which defeated ‘the idea of Black slavery itself,’ and in the cultural riches of the African diaspora... Searing, humbling and essential reading." -- Nigel Cliff - New York Times Book Review"This book is filled with countless eyeopeners… All history is, by definition, revisionist. In connecting the various dots, French is inviting us to reconsider what we understand about how we got here.... Painful and necessary… [an] infuriating and hugely enlightening book." -- Dele Olojede - Financial Times"French writes not only to correct the historical record but to urge readers to understand how their world has been made by Africa’s contributions. Born in Blackness is therefore an entry into a larger debate about how to reckon with the past...For French, transforming the way we perceive ourselves as citizens of the most powerful country in the world, and transforming how we understand the part Africans played in building it, are necessary steps toward justice and quality." -- Adom Getachew - The New York Review of Books

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Book SynopsisPalaeolithic hunters who learnt how to kill two mammoths instead of one had made progress. Those who learnt how to kill 200 by driving a whole herd over a cliff had made too much. Many of the great ruins that grace the deserts and jungles of the earth are monuments to progress traps, the headstones of civilisations which fell victim to their own success. The twentieth-century´s runaway growth has placed a murderous burden on the planet. A Short History of Progress argues that this modern predicament is as old as civilisation. Only by understanding the patterns of progress and disaster that humanity has repeated since the Stone Age can we recognise the inherent dangers, and, with luck, and wisdom, shape its outcome.Trade ReviewThe author sifts the findings of archaeology and anthropology with thoughtful grace to build a potent argument. * * Guardian * *A compelling work of distilled wisdom. * * The Times * *Rarely have I read a book that is so gripping, so immediate and so important to our times. Jared Diamond will be jealous. -- Robyn WilliamsRonald Wright is both trained academic and an acclaimed novelist and he has used these skills to page-turning effect in this work of non-fiction. * * Morning Star * *

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Book SynopsisTakes us around the world in search of one of the most colorful characters in history - the court jester. This work includes anecdotes, jokes, quotations, epigraphs, and illustrations that shed light on little-known jesters, highlighting their humanizing influence on the head honchos of history.Trade Review"Through anecdotes, historical details, analyses, and commentary, Otto brilliantly delineates the court jester, and quotations and illustrations do much to enhance this eminently readable text." - Library Journal"

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Book SynopsisInitially designed as a fast medium bomber, the Junkers Ju 88 was also used as a Zerstörer heavy fighter by the Luftwaffe. It saw its combat debut over Poland in 1939, and heavy fighter variants saw action on every front up to VE Day. The ultimate Ju 88 fighter variant was the G-model of 1944, which boasted a FuG 220 or 227 radar, an astounding array of cannon and machine gun armament and advanced Junkers Jumo or BMW engines. A dedicated nightfighter, the first Ju 88G-1s entered service with the Nachtjagd in the summer of 1944, replacing Ju 88C/Rs as well as some Bf 110Gs. Despite suffering heavy losses in the final months of the war, Ju 88Gs also inflicted serious casualties on Bomber Command throughout the war.From patrolling over the Bay of Biscay, to the Arctic circle opposing Allied convoys and, most successfully, as radar-equipped nightfighters engaging RAF heavy bombers during defence of the Reich operations from late 1941, this is the story of tTable of ContentsChapter One: Early Beginnings Chapter Two: Radarless Nightfighters Chapter Three: Bloody Bay of Biscay Chapter Four: Arctic Operations Chapter Five: Ju 88G – Ultimate Nightfighter Appendices Index

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Book SynopsisFeaturing 60 beautiful and detailed maps, Atlas of Empires tells the story of how and why the great empires of history came into being, operated, and ultimately declined, and discusses the future of the empire in today's globalized world. Atlas of Empires tells the story of how and why the great empires of history came into being, operated and ultimately declined, and discusses the future of the empire in today's globalized world. Featuring 60 beautiful and detailed maps of the empires' territories at different stages of their existence and organized thematically to reflect the different driving forces behind empires throughout history (such as faith, nomadic culture, nationhood and capitalism), each section discusses the rise and fall of the empires that existed in a region: their government and society, wealth and technology, war and military force, and religious beliefs. From the earliest empires of the Sumerians and the Pharaohs to the modern empires of the USSR and the European Union, this is a story that reveals how empires are created and organized, how later empires resolve the problems of governance faced by earlier empires, and how the political and cultural legacies of ancient empires are still felt today.Trade ReviewFrom Broken Teepee History Blog: My degree is in history - European History - but that doesn't mean I don't have a deep and abiding love of that which came before. Researching the rise, and fall of the Great Empires through time has a lot to teach us if we would only bother to learn. This book is not the type of book you just sit down and read as you would a novel or biography. At least I didn't. I just kept it on my reading table and I'd pick it up, choose an era and get myself lost in the history. It is richly illustrated and just deep enough to stir the interest for deeper reading if an empire should intrigue. As it is a book that covers so much you can't expect a deep dive on each period in history but the book offers the most import aspects of the Empire's timeline. It provides what you need to know so that if you want to learn more you now have a grounding and an excellent starting point for moving forward. I truly found it to be very well written and I'm glad to have it. RATING: 5 Booklist: Essentially covering 4,000 years of world history, this new work by History Channel writer Davidson takes a textbook-like approach, using gorgeous and detailed maps and clearly written text to tell the story of the great empires of world history. Thematically, rather than chronologically, organized, each chapter focuses on the rise and fall of a particular empire by examining the motives for expansion (economic, martial, or evangelical), the resistance or collaboration of the colonized, and the overall international situation at the time. Also discussed are the ways in which the legacy of collapsed empires affects the establishment and governance of subsequent empires, resonating up to the present day. Recommended for all types of libraries. --Michael Tosko Roman Times: Davidson does a good job of defining and describing key cultural characteristics of each empire and the inherent challenges their leaders faced. He also astutely defines the strengths and weaknesses of each and how these either helped it to achieve greatness or resulted in its ultimate decline and destruction. I have recently tucked into my travel-slash-history book library the 240-page "Atlas of Empires: The World's Civilizations from Ancient Times to Today" and have already referred to it regarding upcoming trips. Author Peter Davidson has credentials that include directing documentaries for the History Channel and teaching history at the University of London. He also is a restorer of antiquities from around the world. "Atlas of Empires" (Fox Chapel Publishing, Mount Joy, Lancaster County) addresses the rise and fall of empires from the Pharaohs and Sumerians to the USSR and the European Union. The text is compelling, but the more than 60 colorful and detailed maps clearly depict the geographic, political, economic and religious impacts on civilizations and communities. --Charles J. Adams, III, Reading Eagle Newspaper

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize 2013In 1412, Europe was a miserable backwater ravaged by plague, bad sanitation and incessant war, while the Orient was home to dazzling civilizations. Yet, somehow, the West came to dominate the Rest for most of the next half millennium.In this vital, brilliant book, Niall Ferguson reveals the six ''killer applications'' that the Rest lacked: competition, science, property rights, medicine, consumerism and the work ethic. And he asks: do we still have these winning tools? Or is this the end of Western ascendancy?''Brilliantly written, full of wit and virtuosity, stuffed with memorable lines and gorgeous bits of information. A great read'' The Times''A dazzling history of Western ideas ... epic'' Economist''Vivid and fascinating'' Daily Telegraph''Superb ... brings history alive ... dazzling'' Independent''This is sharp. It feels urgent. Ferguson ... twists his knife with great literary brio'' Andrew Marr, Financial TimesTrade ReviewFerguson is the most brilliant British historian of his generation ... he writes with splendid panache * The Times *One of the world's leading historians -- Hamish McRae * Independent *Civilization is another masterpiece ... a pulsing energy suffuses his account [and] fascinating facts burst like fireworks on every page -- Dominic Lawson * Sunday Times *This is sharp. It feels urgent. Ferguson, with a properly financially literate mind, twists his knife with great literary brio -- Andrew Marr * Financial Times *A dazzling history of Western ideas * Economist *

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Book SynopsisA life of Matilda—empress, skilled military leader, and one of the greatest figures of the English Middle AgesTrade Review“Impressive study.”—Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian“A fine example of the genre.”—Tony Barber, Financial Times“A lively and authoritative account.”—Katherine Harvey, Times Literary Supplement“This volume is designed for a wide readership and deserves to find one.”—Sean McGlynn, The Spectator“A lively and illuminating biography.”—Peter Marshall, Literary Review“[A]n excellent and provocative study that straddles the line between the scholarly and the popular.”—Lois Huneycutt, Royal Studies Journal“An accessible and engaging history.”—Rod McLary, Queensland Reviewers Collective“The biography of Matilda I’ve been waiting for: as clear-sighted, forthright and formidable as the Empress herself. Catherine Hanley combines lucid scholarship with page-turning narrative; military expertise with a fine-grained understanding of the challenges facing a twelfth-century woman who sought to rule. The result—authoritative, human, and utterly compelling—is a triumph.”—Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves“Ambitious and compelling. Matilda brings the female ruler alive for a new generation of readers, capturing her early experiences as the young bride of the Holy Roman Emperor, her difficult marriage to Geoffrey of Anjou, her bitter rivalry with her cousin King Stephen for the English throne, and her vitally important role in supporting the accession of her son King Henry II.”—Louise J. Wilkinson, author of Eleanor de Montfort“A lucid and long-needed study of Matilda, the mother of the Plantagenets, England’s longest ruling dynasty, and a pivotal figure in the power struggle that followed the death of her father, Henry I. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand this remarkable woman and the tangled politics of those years when ‘Christ and his saints slept.’”—Derek Wilson, author of The Queen and the Heretic

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Book Synopsis''The English Civil War is a joy to behold, a thing of beauty this will be the civil war atlas against which all others will judged and the battle maps in particular will quickly become the benchmark for all future civil war maps.'' - Professor Martyn Bennett, Department of History, Languages and Global Studies, Nottingham Trent UniversityThe English Civil Wars (163851) comprised the deadliest conflict ever fought on British soil, in which brother took up arms against brother, father fought against son, and towns, cities and villages fortified themselves in the cause of Royalists or Parliamentarians. Although much historical attention has focused on the events in England and the key battles of Edgehill, Marston Moor and Naseby, this was a conflict that engulfed the entirety of the Three Kingdoms and led to a trial and execution that profoundly shaped the British monarchy and Parliament. This beautifully presented atlas tells the whole story of Britain's revolutionary civiTrade ReviewThis superb work provides a visually stunning guide to Britain’s civil wars from the opening Bishops’ War to the rule of Cromwell’s major generals. Based on the latest historical and archaeological research, the 156 detailed maps show not only the better known large battles and sieges, but also numerous smaller engagements and key political events. Essential for comprehending the full extent of the war and for understanding it conduct and outcome. * Professor Peter Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War, University of Oxford *There has long been a need for a good atlas of the English Civil War, and Nick Lipscombe, who has already fully met the need for one for the Peninsular War, now does so again. Effective and clear maps are ably combined with a text that reflects Lipscombe’s understanding of weapons characteristics, the complexity of battle, and the nuances of command. An important work that deserves wide attention. * Professor Jeremy Black, author of World War Two in 100 Maps *Nick Lipscombe’s The English Civil War is a joy to behold a thing of beauty, but much more than that book is clearly of no small importance. I am convinced that this will be the first port of call for all enthusiasts and scholars looking for a cartographic interpretation of the civil wars. This will be the civil war atlas against which all others will judged and the battle maps in particular will quickly become the benchmark for all future civil war maps. * Professor Martyn Bennett, Department of History, Languages and Global Studies, Nottingham Trent University *Without doubt one of the most foremost reference sources on the Civil Wars available today. * Tim Williamson, History of War *An absolutely essential volume for anyone interested in the period. -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer *The Atlas is an excellent work, which is a must for anyone who has any interest in the War of the Tree Kingdoms. -- Chris May * Battlefield *...An expert commentary and analysis, by a good historian linked into the Battlefields Trust. Highly recommended. * Miniature Wargames *This is a wonderful volume, hugely impressive in its breadth and depth, very attractive in its cartography and presentation, which makes a weighty contribution to the history of the civil war in every sense. -- Professor Peter Gaunt * University of Chester for The Protector's Pen *Table of ContentsForeword Preface Chronology – The Wars of The Three Kingdoms, 1639–52 Legend to Maps Introduction – Origins of Conflict Civil War Armies, Fighting Components and their Tactics 1 – The Early Stuarts and the Divine Right of Kings, 1603–37 2 – The Bishops’ Wars, 1639–40 3 – Rebellion in Ireland, 1640–42 4 – The Road to Civil War, 1641–42 5 – The Campaign and Battle of Edgehill, June to October 1642 6 – Advance to London, October to November 1642 7 – Nationwide Struggle, December 1642 to March 1643 8 – The Nation Divides, Mid-March to end of May 1643 9 – Events in The South-West, March to June 1643 10 – The Struggle for the North and Centre, June to August 1643 11 – The Struggle for Bristol and the South-West, June to August 1643 12 – Operations in the North, September to December 1643 13 – Events in Devon, September to the end of 1643 14 – The First Battle of Newbury, September 1643 15 – Irish Cessation and the Scottish Covenant, 1643 16 – The Scottish Invasion, Early 1644 17 – Nantwich And Newark: The Battles for Central England, January to March 1644 18 – Wales: The Conquest of Pembrokeshire, January to March 1644 19 – Waller’s Operations in the South, January to April 1644 20 – The Great Siege and Battle in Yorkshire,April to August 1644 21 – The Oxford Campaign, May to August 1644 22 – Events in the South-West, April to August 1644 23 – War in the Centre: the Second Battle of Newbury, August to November 1644 24 – Wales, Scotland and the North of England, August to the end of 1644 25 – A Time to Reflect: the end of 1644 26 – Nationwide Developments, Early 1645 27 – The Great and Decisive Battle at Naseby, 14 June 1645 28 – Taunton and Langport: Events in The South-West, January to July 1645 29 – Scotland in 1645: Montrose’s Royalist Campaign 30 – Post-Naseby, Part 1: Wales and the South, to the end of 1645 31 – Post-Naseby, Part 2: the North, to the end of 1645 32 – Sweeping up the South-West, January to April 1646 33 – The end of the First Civil War, 1646 34 – Wales, Scotland and Ireland in 1646 35 – Ireland 1647: Beyond Redemption 36 – The King’s Intransigence, 1647 37 – War Reignites in Wales, 1648 38 – War Reignites in England, 1648 39 – The Battle of Preston: the Death Blow to Royalism, 1648 40 – The ‘Endgame’: Regicide, 1649 41 – Cromwell and Parliament’s Army in Ireland, 1649–52 42 – The Invasion of Scotland, July 1650 to September 1651 43 – Worcester, 1651: The Final Battle 44 – The Interregnum, 1649–60 Notes to Maps Appendices Glossary Bibliography

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Book SynopsisAS READ ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK. The fascinating story of how we have gone out to eat, from the ancient Romans in Pompeii to the luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants of today. Tracing its earliest incarnations in the city of Pompeii, where Sitwell is stunned by the sophistication of the dining scene, this is a romp through history as we meet the characters and discover the events that shape the way we eat today. Sitwell, restaurant critic for the Daily Telegraph and famous for his acerbic criticisms on the hit BBC show MasterChef, tackles this enormous subject with his typical wit and precision. He spies influences from an ancient traveller of the Muslim world, revels in the unintended consequences for nascent fine dining of the French Revolution, reveals in full hideous glory the post-Second World War dining scene in the UK and fathoms the birth of sensitive gastronomy in the US counterculture of the 1960s.Trade Review'Fascinating and often counterintuitive' -- Michael Hodges * Radio Times *'William Sitwell has the palate of a great chef, the honesty of a high court judge and he holds the pen of P.G.Wodehouse' -- Marco Pierre White'A warm-hearted romp through the history of eating out... This wide-ranging literary feast is particularly apposite at a time when many of us are noticing how much money we’re saving by not eating out.' -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham * The Times *'As tales of saucepan-throwing, cocaine-snorting chefs attest, restaurants revel in drama and excitement... Always well-informed, never dull.' -- Andrew Lycett * Mail on Sunday *‘An immensely engaging guide ... Sitwell never takes himself too seriously. As Dr Johnson declared, “There is nothing… by which so much happiness is produced, as by a good tavern or inn,” and it is bittersweet to enjoy it here vicariously.' -- Robert Eustace * Daily Telegraph *'Beautifully timed to keep your favourite dishes fresh in your mind and get you planning for how and where you’re going to indulge when the lockdown finally ends... About as close as you can get to the fun of eating out right now. Sitwell is a witty writer who understands the need to entertain... I found this book more entertaining than many a restaurant meal and it’s something to keep us going until everything reopens.' -- Richard Vines * Bloomberg *'The Restaurant: A History of Eating Out is a story of life. A must read for anyone interested in food or history.’ * SLMAG *'Supremely readable' -- Annie Gray * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisA history of Japan, from the turbulent times of its medieval age to the emergence of modern day Japan as a leading economic power. The authors present analyses of the religion, culture and arts of the Japanese people from the sixth century BC to the present day.Trade Review"The best one-volume introduction to the history of Japan in English" --Canberra Times"Very engaging history book. It draws you in through the experiences of prominent persons in Japanese history. A definite book on Japan's history." --Goodreads

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Book SynopsisOne of the great names in British industrial history, the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Glasgow, was always associated with innovation particularly the development of the compound steam engine which brought great fuel efficiency to deep sea transportation and led to the ubiquitous triple expansion steam engine. Through the design and construction of record-breaking Atlantic liners and their machinery for the Guion and Cunard companies, by the late nineteenth century Fairfield had become the most important shipyard and marine engine works in the world. Admiralty contracts for all classes of warship followed, notably during the world wars and as a lifeline during the depression of the 1920s and early 1930s. However, the Fairfield yard was probably best known for building magnificently appointed intermediate liners, among them a series of Empress liners for Canadian Pacific. From the late 1950s onwards as shipbuilding in Britain began a steady decline, Fairfield, one of the most modern yards in Europe with a large order book, hit the headlines this time not for the launch or completion of a ship but by declaring insolvency in 1965. The next 35 years, much of it under state ownership, were characterised by various name changes and campaigns to keep the yard open. With its traditional market for 'high class' tonnage gone and no longer designated a warship yard, new commercial markets had to be found. When this struggle for survival seemed to be all but over and the virtual elimination of the commercial shipbuilding industry in Britain now complete, BAE Systems acquired the yard in 2000 bringing with it stability and continuity. A major warship-builder once more, the former Fairfield yard has been heavily involved in the Type 45 destroyer programme, the production of major blocks for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, the five River class Offshore Patrol Vessels and currently with the Type 26 frigate programme. With the skyline of Glasgow soon to be transformed once BAE Systems completes its next-generation ship construction hall, capable of building two Type 26 frigates side by side under cover, the future looks bright for the last of the great Clyde shipyards.

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Book SynopsisCharts the changing fortunes of Wessex and its rise to become the most powerful of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

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Book SynopsisAVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOWFrom the multi-million copy bestselling author Demon Copperhead: a true story of female-led resilience during the Great Arizona Mine Strike of 1983 - now available for the first time in the UK.[Kingsolver] means to save us by telling us stories . . . She comes closer than anyone else I know.' ANNE PATCHETTClear and emotional . . . This is a report from the trenches of where the political meets the personal.' JOHN SAYLESIt was the summer of 1983. Barbara Kingsolver had a day job as a scientific writer spends her weekends cutting her teeth as a freelance journalist when she landed an assignment. Her mission: was to cover the Phelps Dodge mine strike.Over the year that followed Kingsolver stood with those miners and their families, increasingly engaged and heartbroken. She recorded stories of striking miners and their stunningly courageous wives, sisters and daughters. She saw rights

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Book SynopsisDoes history matter? This book argues not that history matters, but that Islamic history does. This Very Short Introduction introduces the story of Islamic history; the controversies surrounding its study; and the significance that it holds - for Muslims and for non-Muslims alike.Opening with a lucid overview of the rise and spread of Islam, from the seventh to twenty first century, the book charts the evolution of what was originally a small, localised community of believers into an international religion with over a billion adherents. Chapters are also dedicated to the peoples - Arabs, Persians, and Turks - who shaped Islamic history, and to three representative institutions - the mosque, jihad, and the caliphate - that highlight Islam''s diversity over time.Finally, the roles that Islamic history has played in both religious and political contexts are analysed, while stressing the unique status that history enjoys amongst Muslims, especially compared to its lowly place in Western societies where history is often seen as little more than something that is not to be repeated.Some of the questions that will be answered are: How did Islam arise from the obscurity of seventh century Arabia to the headlines of twenty first century media? How do we know what we claim to know about Islam''s rise and development? Why does any of this matter, either to Muslims or to non-Muslims?ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThe book is extremely lucid, readable, sensibly organised, and wears its considerable learning, as they say, 'lightly'. * BBC History Magazine *I cannot imagine any reader not profiting from this tight-packed and intelligently presented text. * BBC History Magazine *Brilliant little book...This highly approachable text is evidently backed by a deep scholarship and is full of eye-catching perspectives. * Steven Poole, The Guardian *Silverstein, who teaches the subject at Oxford University, is up-to-date, shrewd and often witty...the book's lucidity, intelligence and indeed its brevity make it an ideal introduction to the field of study...The book is a gem, and it deserves a wide readership well beyond the academic community. * David Morgan, TLS *Table of Contents1. The story of Islamic history ; 2. Peoples and cultures ; 3. Institutions ; 4. The sources ; 5. Competing approaches ; 6. Religious significance ; 7. Political significance ; Conclusions ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisOctober 27, 1962, a day dubbed Black Saturday in the Kennedy White House. The Cuban missile crisis is at its height, and the world is drawing ever closer to nuclear apocalypse.As the opposing Cold War leaders, John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev, mobilize their forces to fight a nuclear war on land, sea and air, the world watches in terror. In Bobby Kennedy''s words, ''There was a feeling that the noose was tightening on all of us, on Americans, on mankind, and that the bridges to escape were crumbling.''In One Minute to Midnight Michael Dobbs brings a fresh perspective to this crucial moment in twentieth-century history. Using a wealth of untapped archival material, he tells both the human and the political story of Black Saturday, taking the reader into the White House, the Kremlin and along the entire Cold War battlefront. Dobbs''s thrilling narrative features a cast of characters - including Soviet veterans never before interviewed by a western writer - with unique stories to tell, witnesses to one of the greatest mobilizations of men and equipment since the Second World War.Trade ReviewMesmerising stuff ... a riveting hour-by-hour account of one day that could have changed the history of humanity -- Joanna Bourke * The Times *[Dobbs] has made extensive use of untapped archive material to reveal the secrets of the cloak-and-dagger operations behind the nuclear stand-off in the Caribbean... Excellent -- John Crossland * Daily Mail *A book with sobering new information . . . as well as contemporary relevance . . . filled with insights that will change the views of experts -- Richard Holbrooke, former US ambassador to the UN * New York Times Book Review *Dobb's hour-by-hour overview is a worthy study of this much mythologised fortnight . . . Dobb's chronological approach not only provides a natural sense of pace, but also allows him to illustrate the near-fatal time lag in communication between the two sides * Time Out *In this compelling - and thrilling - new study by Michael Dobbs, there is much new material that forces us to revise our assumptions about the crisis... This is the first book about the crisis to tell the story of the tactical cruise missiles and the first to contain interviews with Soviet veterans. Dobbs adopts a cinematic style, cross-cutting between locations and time zones, and perfectly judges the acceleration of pace in the second half of the book which concentrates on Black Sunday. Unlike previous writers, Dobbs gives due prominence to the subplots, any one of which might have sparked mass destruction -- Christopher Silvester * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisA necessity if we want to understand now as well as then.' Hanif KureishiThe seventies are frequently misunderstood, oversimplified and misrepresented. When the Lights Went Out goes in search of what really happened, what it felt like at the time and where it was all leading through vivid interviews with leading participants, from Edward Heath to Jack Jones to Arthur Scargill and brings the decade back to life in all its drama and complexity.

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Book SynopsisOur prehistoric ancestors used flint tools every day; they were of vital importance for cutting and scraping, used for hunting, preparing food, making clothing and building shelters, and their remnants are scattered around the countryside.Unearthing such a find is a magical moment a direct link to events thousands of years before but how do you identify the piece of flint you find out in the field? Is it only a lump of flint, or did it really have an important function as a tool prized by our ancestors? And how old is it, exactly?In Flint Tools Field Guide, archaeologist and flint knapper Robert Turner opens a window into prehistoric archaeology, using hand-drawn illustrations and photographs to explain how to identify tools and their uses, as well as approximate their age. This is an important insight into how people lived and worked so many years ago.

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Book SynopsisBY THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHORThe perfect gift for anyone who has ever wondered about the unpredictable origins and etymologies of our Christmas customs! For something that happens every year of our lives, we really don''t know much about Christmas. We don''t know that the date we celebrate was chosen by a madman, or that Christmas, etymologically speaking, means Go away, Christ. We''re oblivious to the fact that the advent calendar was actually invented by a Munich housewife to stop her children pestering her for a Christmas countdown. And we would never have guessed that the invention of crackers was merely a way of popularising sweet wrappers. Luckily, like a gift from Santa himself, Mark Forsyth is here to unwrap this fundamentally funny gallimaufry of traditions and oddities, making it all finally make sense - in his wonderfully entertaining wordy way.''Witty and revelatory. Blooming brilliant'' Raymond Briggs ''Everything we ever thought about Christmas is wrong! Great stuff'' Matthew ParrisTrade ReviewWitty and revelatory. Blooming brilliant -- Raymond BriggsEverything we ever thought about Christmas is wrong! Great stuff -- Matthew ParrisMark imparts knowledge about Christmas traditions from the essential to the (very) abstruse in wry and sardonic style. An effortless and enjoyable way to learn more about this fulcrum of our calendar -- Paul Smiddy, Former Head of pan-European retail research, HSBCMark Forsyth wears his considerable knowledge lightly. He also writes beautifully -- David Marsh, on 'The Elements of Eloquence' * Guardian *This year's must-have stocking filler ... the essential addition to the library in the smallest room is Mark Forsyth's The Etymologicon. -- Ian Samson * Guardian *With his casual elegance and melodious voice, Mark Forsyth has an anachronistic charm totally at odds with the 21st century (The Horologicon) * Sunday Times South Africa *[The Etymologicon is] a perfect bit of stocking filler for the bookish member of the family, or just a cracking all-year-round-read. Highly recommended. * The Spectator *As good as promised - could have been thrice as long -- Ben Schott, on 'The Elements of Eloquence'

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Book SynopsisBorn almost a hundred years ago in Vienna - the cultural heart of a bourgeois Mitteleurope - Eric Hobsbawm, who was to become one of the most brilliant and original historians of our age, was uniquely placed to observe an era of titanic social and artistic change. As the century progressed, the forces of Communism and Dadaism, Ibiza and cyberspace, would do battle with the bourgeois high culture fin-de-siècle Vienna represented - the opera, the Burgtheater, the museums of art and science, City Hall. In Fractured Times Hobsbawm unpicks a century of cultural fragmentation and dissolution with characteristic verve and vigour.Hobsbawm examines the conditions that created the great cultural flowering of the belle époque and held the seeds of its disintegration, from paternalistic capitalism to globalisation and the arrival of a mass consumer society. Passionate but never sentimental, Hobsbawm ranges freely across his subject: he records the passing of the golden age of tTrade ReviewEric Hobsbawm wrote with extraordinary wit, grace and power, qualities evident in this posthumously published collection -- Richard J Evans * Guardian *Reveals on every page [Hobsbawm's] characteristic boldness of interpretation, astonishing range and versatility * Fractured Times *

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Book SynopsisWinner of Randy Shilts AwardIn the half century before the Nazis rose to power, Berlin became the undisputed gay capital of the world. Activists and medical professionals made it a city of firsts—the first gay journal, the first homosexual rights organization, the first Institute for Sexual Science, the first sex reassignment surgeries—exploring and educating themselves and the rest of the world about new ways of understanding the human condition. In this fascinating examination of how the uninhibited urban culture of Berlin helped create our categories of sexual orientation and gender identity, Robert Beachy guides readers through the past events and developments that continue to shape and influence our thinking about sex and gender to this day.

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Book SynopsisThis new historical atlas - richly illustrated with photographs, artwork recreations and full-colour maps - explores the world's earliest civilisations from the first farming settlements of Mesopotamia, via Egypt, Greece and Rome, to the civilisations of the Far East, Europe and America. Informatively written, and ideal for both students and the general reader, it plots the rise and fall of empires, the nature of different societies and the evolution of technology.

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Book SynopsisAn unsettling journey through the calamitous consequences of settler colonialism in Patagonia--and the story of the world-renowned scientist who witnessed it.

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Book SynopsisA riveting biography of the Nobel Prizewinning experimental physicist hailed as the greatest scientific detective of the twentieth century

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Book SynopsisTracy Borman studied and taught history at the University of Hull and was awarded a PhD in 1997. She went on to a successful career in heritage and has worked for a range of historic properties and national heritage organisations, including the National Archives and English Heritage. She is now Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust and also works part-time for Historic Royal Palaces.Tracy has regularly appeared on television and radio, and has featured in a range of magazine and newspaper articles. She is a regular contributor to history magazines, including articles in BBC History Magazine on the history of beauty and eighteenth-century 'It' Girls'. In addition, she also gives public talks and lectures on a wide range of subjects.Trade ReviewTracy Borman tells this story with a steady eye and a steady hand, tracing what can be known of Matilda's part in the events that were to change the course of English history -- Helen Castor * Literary Review *Borman shows that Matilda was a capable regent and political operator... Matilda remains relevant: one legacy is her bloodline, which still rules in Britain today * Sunday Times *A richly layered treatment of a stormy reign * Kirkus *Borman moves deftly between the difficult written sources... The often scanty details of Matilda's life are given more rounded form by viewing them in context * History Today *Borman has expertly forged an absorbing biography from fragments of her personal history * Independent *

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Book Synopsis A beautifully packaged gift using classic Chinese binding Includes 100 illustrations and photographs Offers a concise, entertaining guide to Norse mythology

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Book SynopsisAbsolute War tells the story of the greatest and most terrible land-air conflict of all time: the war between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. There have been many individual accounts of particular moments in the vicious war between the Nazi regime and the Sovet behemoth, but none which sets out to tell the full and dreadful story of that absolute war: absolute because both sides aimed to 'exterminate the opponent, to destroy his political existence' and total because it was fought by all elements of society, not simply the armed forces, but civilians - men, women, children - too. Chris Bellamy, Profesor of Military Science at Cranfield University, is one of the wolrd's leading experts on this subject and has been working on this book for almost a decade. It benefits from his remarkable insight into strategic issues as well as exhaustive research in hitherto unopened Russian archives. It is the definitive study of what the Soviets called - and what their fifteen succe

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Book SynopsisA magisterial, one-volume history of political thought from Herodotus to the present, Ancient Athens to modern democracy - from author and professor Alan RyanThis is a book about the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practising politicians and would-be revolutionaries have given to one question: how should human beings best govern themselves? Almost every modern government claims to be democratic; but is democracy really the best way of organising our political life? Can we manage our own affairs at all? Should we even try? In the west, do we actually live in democracies? In this extraordinary book Alan Ryan engages with the great thinkers of the past to show us how vividly their ideas speak to us in today''s uncertain world.ALAN RYAN was born in London in 1940 and taught for many years at Oxford, where he was a Fellow of New College and Reader in Politics. He was Professor of Politics at Princeton from 1988 to 1996, when he reTrade Review[A] magnificent piece of work, clear (even when the ideas he's exploring are obscure) and engaging (even when the theory is forbidding) ... It's a remarkable experience -- Jeremy Waldron * New York Review of Books *A brave and clever book ... crammed with smart observations and wise advice -- John Keane * Financial Times *Concise, lucid ... despite covering huge intellectual terrain, On Politics is a delight both when it explores detail and also when it draws conclusions of a broader perspective -- Justin Champion * BBC History Magazine *

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Book SynopsisComprehensive in its scope and brilliantly readable, this is a superb follow-up to the author's bestselling Penguin History of the World. Beginning with prehistory and the early civilizations of the Aegean, The Penguin History of Europe traces the development of European identity in its many guises, through the age of Christendom, the Middle Ages, early Modern history and the old European order.Table of ContentsBook 1 Heritages; Bedrock; Ancient Greece; the making of the Roman world; Imperial Rome and world history. Part 2 Christendom: re-definition; the reshaping of the West; Medieval societies; frontiers and neighbours; the civilization of the Middle Ages; new prospects in the East. Book 3 The launching of modern history 1500-1800: a new age; society and belief; the political organizations of Western Europe; the Ancient regime; the world's new shape. Book 4 The European age: new politics; the world's new rich; a new sort of civilization; a new European order; world hegemony; international order and disorder. Book 5 Europe's 20th century - the era of the European civil war: pressures and strains; the breakdowns of international order; European revolution; crumbling foundations; the last years of the European illusion. Book 6 Europe in the Cold War and after: Europe in the aftermath of war; Europe and global Cold War; the end of the European post-war order; the end of the European post-war order; a new order in the making?

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Book SynopsisIn her first book, popular TikTok historian J Draper uses her characteristic wit and intellect to introduce us to extraordinary figures marginalized by history, and the lessons we can learn from them.

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