History

The SAS's Secret Mission The story of the SAS's most secret chapter in history is one of bravery, sacrifice, and the pursuit of justice. In the aftermath of World War II, the world's most elite special forces unit was tasked with hunting down those...

King Alfred's English, a History of the Language We Speak and Why We Should Be Glad We Do by Laurie J. White is a unique and engaging exploration of the development of the English language. This book delves into the history of our language, weaving...

Bristol's Lost City Built to Inspire Transformed for War by Clive Burlton This book explores the history of Bristol's iconic city hall, a building that was designed to inspire and uplift the city's citizens. Originally constructed in the late 19th...

The Edge Of The World: How the North Sea Made Us Who We Are The North Sea has played a pivotal role in shaping the history of northern Europe, from its early days as a barbarian outpost to its current status as a hub of global empires and innovation...

Parish churches played a central role in English religious and social life from the Anglo-Saxons to the mid-sixteenth century. This comprehensive study explores how they came into existence, who staffed them, and how their buildings were used.Nicholas...

Military Aircraft: A Comprehensive Guide to the World's Greatest Fighters, Bombers and Transport Aircraft Since the dawn of aviation, combat aircraft have driven innovation in aircraft design, resulting in some of the most complex and impressive machines...

The Battle of Verdun by Alan Axelrod In December 1915, a plan was devised to demoralize Britain and knock France out of the war. The German army chief of staff, Erich von Falkenhayn, believed that by targeting a single point, the French would be...

Wargaming: An Introduction by Neil Thomas Wargaming is a hobby that simulates historical conflicts using miniature figures and three-dimensional terrain. Since the 1950s, it has grown in popularity and now has a global following. The traditional...

Surviving the Sword: The Prisoners of the Japanese 1942-45 The experiences of prisoners held by the Japanese during WWII were so traumatic that many were unable to discuss them with their families, fearing that their stories were too horrific to be...

Dictators: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century by Frank Dikötter The cult of personality is a paradoxical phenomenon that has enabled many dictators to maintain power for extended periods. By creating an illusion of popular support, these...

The Secret War: Spies, Codes and Guerrillas 1939-45 Max Hastings presents a gripping narrative of the secret war, weaving together tales of high courage, codebreaking geniuses, and espionage networks. This comprehensive history links the stories of those...

The Colosseum is a monument to the brutal spectacle of warfare in Imperial Rome. This iconic arena, which once hosted 50,000 spectators, has a complex and fascinating history that spans centuries. From its construction to its use as a venue for...

The Bravo Two Zero Mission is one of the most famous stories of courage and survival in modern warfare. This is the story of the SAS man who was left behind enemy lines, and his incredible fight for survival.On January 24, 1991, a patrol of eight SAS men...

A Bridge Too Far is a detailed account of the tragic events surrounding the Allied invasion of Arnhem in September 1944. The book examines the miscalculations and mistakes made by the Allied forces, resulting in significant losses.Cornelius Ryan's...

The Demon of Unrest: Abraham Lincoln and America's Road to Civil War In the pivotal five months between Abraham Lincoln's election and the start of the Civil War, the United States teetered on the brink of collapse. Slavery fueled the conflict, but the...

Life on the home front during World War II was marked by significant changes and challenges for the British population.As the war began, plans were put in place to prepare civilians for the potential threat of air raids, including training in first aid...

The Dictionary of RAF Slang is a fascinating insight into the lives of those who served in the Royal Air Force during the first two World Wars. Eric Partridge's work, first published in 1945, has preserved the hilarious slang of the RAF for generations...

The Mammoth Book of Native Americans by Jon E. Lewis offers a comprehensive and chronological history of America's indigenous peoples. Spanning from the early entry of Native Americans into North America to the struggles of the Cheyenne and Comanche,...

The Kent Downs is a unique and enchanting landscape, nestled within the heart of Kent. This book explores the history of its settlement and colonization, revealing the inspiration it has given to poets, artists, and authors. Richly illustrated with over...

HMS Coventry's story is one of war, loss, and survival. In the spring of 1982, the guided-missile destroyer was part of a small squadron on exercise off Gibraltar, before being deployed to the Falklands in the vanguard of the Task Force. As tensions...

A vivid portrait of women's lives during the golden age of transatlantic travel, Maiden Voyages explores the extraordinary journeys of women who sailed between the old and new worlds on magnificent ocean liners. From leisure to work, and from finding a...

Born Survivors by Wendy Holden In the midst of World War II, three young women, pregnant and alone, were sent to Auschwitz II-Birkenau with a secret that would determine their fate. As they navigated the treacherous landscape of the concentration camps,...

The Dawn of Day: Thoughts on the Prejudices of MoralityThis 1881 book represents a pivotal moment in the development of Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy, marking a departure from the influences of Schopenhauer, Wagner, and Comte that had shaped his...

The Orkney Islands are a treasure trove of historic and prehistoric sites, with a rich history spanning from the Early Neolithic period to the present day. At the heart of this heritage lies a cluster of spectacular Neolithic monuments, including...

Civilization: The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson explores the six key factors that contributed to the West's dominance over the Rest for centuries. Ferguson reveals how competition, science, property rights, medicine, consumerism, and the work ethic...

The R Patrol Long Range Desert Group is a unique and fascinating account of New Zealand's contribution to the war effort in North Africa. This book tells the story of the unit's formation, its early missions, and its work behind enemy lines, using...

The Making of the Atomic Bomb 25th Anniversary Edition by Richard Rhodes This comprehensive history of nuclear weapons spans over a century, from the discovery of nuclear energy to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Rhodes's...

Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth A landmark new biography that presents the man behind the many myths, Adam Zamoyski's portrait of Napoleon is historical biography at its finest. By examining the original European sources, Zamoyski strips away the...

The Last Stand: George Bird Grinnell, the Battle to Save the Buffalo, and the Birth of the New West In the late 19th century, the American buffalo was on the brink of extinction. Once numbering 30 million, the herd had dwindled to just twelve. The US...

Alexander the Great: The Anabasis and the Indica Alexander the Great's twelve-year reign transformed the world, spanning from the Danube to the Punjab and from Egypt to Uzbekistan. Arrian, a Greek man of letters and military commander, wrote the...

Spitfire! The Experiences of a Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot by Brian Lane is a vivid and honest account of life as a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Brian Lane, a decorated fighter pilot, recounts his dramatic experiences with...

This study assesses the Soviet and Waffen-SS troops who clashed in the cities of Kharkov and Rostov-on-Don on the Eastern Front during 1942-43. The cities of Kharkov and Rostov-on-Don suffered exceptionally severe fighting as the Axis invasion of the...

Old Langholm and the Esk Valley is a collection of 52 period photographs showcasing the history and daily life of the border town and surrounding villages. The book accompanies these images with a detailed history of the area, revealing the region's rich...

Rhodesia: A Complete History 1890-1980 by Peter Baxter The story of Rhodesia, a British colony founded by Cecil John Rhodes, is a complex and intriguing one. This book tells the tale of a gifted land, marked by both war and peace, as it transitioned from...

The year 1776 was a pivotal moment in American history, when the fate of the colonies hung in the balance. David G. McCullough's account of this period tells the story of the ordinary men who played a crucial role in the war, from farmers and...

Pillboxes and Tank Traps is a fascinating exploration of the military landscape left behind by World War II. In 1940, the threat of invasion led to a massive construction program, with thousands of pillboxes, anti-tank barriers, and other obstacles built...

Cornwall's rich history and folklore are deeply intertwined with its unique landscape. In "Illustrated Tales of Cornwall", author John Husband explores a diverse range of mysterious stories, from ancient legends to modern-day tales. The book delves into...

In the Heart of the Sea: The Epic True Story that Inspired Moby Dick In November 1820, a catastrophic event occurred on the high seas, setting in motion one of the most dramatic sea stories of all time. The whaleship Essex was attacked and sunk by a...

Eject! Eject! Escaping disaster in the skies and surviving what comes nextJohn Nichol's incredible story of the ejection seat in war and in peace is one of survival, rescue, and redemption. From the heart-pumping action of ejection and escape to the...

Global Connections: Volume 2 explores the complex relationships between politics, exchange, and social life across the world from the early modern period to the present day. This comprehensive textbook uses social science methods and research to present...

The Road by Christopher Hadley For two thousand years, the roads built by the Romans have shaped the flow of ideas and folktales in Britain. From Watling Street, the first road constructed on Kentish soil in 43 CE, to the network of campaign roads that...

Helping you achieve success in Edexcel AS/A-level History, this revision guide provides a structured approach to revision, combining key content coverage with exam preparation activities and exam-style questions. The topic-by-topic planner enables you to...

The Antonine Wall is a fascinating and complex chapter in Scotland's history, marking the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire from AD 140 to 160. Constructed by the Roman army, the wall was a formidable barrier, featuring a turf rampart and a wide,...

Red Star Over China First published in 1936, this influential book provides a unique perspective on the early years of the Chinese Communist Party and its relationship with the Western world. Edgar Snow's account of his experiences in China offers a...

Aircraft, Tanks and Artillery of the Ukraine War is a comprehensive guide to the weaponry currently being deployed in the War in Ukraine. The conflict is being fought using a mix of older and newer systems, including tanks, aircraft, and artillery,...

The Vikings' fascination with heroic death is a complex and intriguing aspect of their culture. Their literature is dominated by scenes of brave last stands, defiant gestures, and grim humor, which may seem alien to modern sentiment. However, these same...

The Tower of London: A Biography The Tower of London is a place of enduring fascination, its history woven from threads of power, intrigue and tragedy. From its origins as a symbol of William the Conqueror's dominance over London, the Tower has evolved...

The Northmen's Fury: A History of the Viking World The Viking story begins with a single, devastating raid in 793, when death arrived from the sea at the island monastery of Lindisfarne. This marked the start of two centuries of terror and the rise of...

Higher History Preparation and Support for SQA Exams is a comprehensive two-in-one resource to help students revise for the new 2020 exam.This book combines a revision guide with a full set of practice test papers, covering all the topics in the new CfE...

The Book Forger: The True Story of a Literary Crime that Fooled the World A true detective story from the age of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, this book reveals the literary crime that fooled the world and the daring young booksellers who...

The story of the 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry's tank regiment during World War II is a harrowing and visceral account of life in the front lines. Through personal recollections, letters, diaries, and eyewitness accounts, the experiences of these men come...

Nefertiti's Face: The Creation of an Icon by Joyce Tyldesley The discovery of a limestone bust of an Egyptian queen in 1912 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for Nefertiti's image. Plastered and painted, the bust depicted a woman of...

The Falklands War, as told by its commander, is a gripping account of a modern naval conflict. On 5 April 1982, British forces were ordered to sail 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic, unaware of the challenges ahead. In these memoirs, Admiral Sandy...

Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Mediterranean Civilization by Richard Miles is a gripping narrative that explores the epic struggle between two mighty empires: Carthage and Rome. The book chronicles the devastating battles...

The Irish Came to America in a State of Oppression. In the 18th century, they fled a homeland under foreign occupation and a caste system that viewed them as the lowest form of humanity. In the new country, they found a different form of social...

The Prince is a timeless exploration of power and its exercise. Written in 1513 and published in 1532, this influential work offers a remarkably uncompromising picture of the true nature of power, drawing on examples from ancient Greece and Rome, as well...

David Kynaston's Family Britain, 1951-1957 offers a unique perspective on everyday life in post-war Britain. Through a rich tapestry of voices, Kynaston brings to life the experiences of ordinary people, from housewives to civil servants, as they...

The McGonigal brothers, Eoin and Ambrose, were two brothers who enlisted at the outbreak of World War II, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism. Their leadership potential was quickly recognised, and they went on to have distinguished careers in the...

The story of Hawker's early jet designs is one of innovation and perseverance. In the aftermath of World War II, Hawker Aircraft Ltd embarked on a journey to explore the potential of jet technology, driven by the need for a new generation of aircraft...

The AH-1 Cobra Gunship Vs NVA Armor Vietnam 1967-73 The Vietnam War was marked by the dominant role of helicopters, earning it the nickname "the helicopter war". Among the US forces, one aircraft stood out for its unique role: the Bell AH-1 Cobra, the...

Charles I, the monarch at the helm of a disintegrating kingdom, left an indelible mark on the face of the monarchy. His reign was one of the most dramatic in history, marked by glamour, strong women, and populist politicians, as well as religious terror...

A comprehensive history of the Sikh community, spanning over 500 years, is presented in this authoritative book. First published in 1963, it remains the most detailed and scholarly work on the subject. The new edition updates the narrative to reflect the...

The Russian Revolution is a gripping account of a pivotal event in modern history. Sheila Fitzpatrick's comprehensive narrative explores the complex and often brutal process of revolution, from the February and October Revolutions of 1917 to the Great...

The Life and Work of Sir Joseph Noël Paton: Her Majesty's Limner for ScotlandThis book is a significant cultural work, selected by scholars for its importance and is part of the knowledge base of civilization. It is now in the public domain in the United...

Forty years on from the Falklands War, the battle of Goose Green remains one of the most significant in modern British military history. In this book, the men who fought it share their personal accounts of the conflict, offering a unique and authentic...

The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000 A new perspective on European history, challenging the traditional view of a 'dark age' following the decline of the Roman Empire. This book offers a fresh and comprehensive account of the...

A 4000-year-old history of the written word, A History of Reading is a fascinating exploration of the power of reading and the written word. From ancient clay tablets to modern digital formats, the story of reading is one of passion, creativity and human...

William R. Leach's monumental work of cultural history explores America's transformation into a nation of consumers, devoted to a cult of comfort, bodily well-being, and endless acquisition, beginning in 1880.Through a richly illustrated narrative, Leach...

Cuneiform is the oldest known form of writing in the world, and its use in ancient Mesopotamia has left a lasting legacy. The choice of clay as a writing medium allowed records to survive for millennia, providing a unique window into the history,...

A remarkable true story of a lost princess and a vanished world, spanning from the Punjab of the Raj to 1930s Paris and the Second World War. In 2007, a photograph in a Mumbai museum sparked a search for the truth about Amrit Kaur, a Punjabi princess who...

Lichfield Then & Now is a fascinating visual chronicle of the city's progress, comparing 45 carefully chosen photographs from public and private collections with 45 contemporary colour versions of the same views.By pairing old and new, this book provides...

The Celtic Texts of the Coelbook: The Last Five Books of the Kolbrin Bible This ancient wisdom text, written by Celtic priests, offers a unique blend of mysticism, Judaism, and Egyptian anthropology. The work is rooted in a 3600-year-old Egyptian text,...

The Politics of Gender in Victorian Britain: Masculinity, Political Culture and the Struggle for Women's Rights This groundbreaking history of Victorian politics and feminism challenges traditional assumptions about the development of British democracy...

The English landscape is often perceived as serene and idyllic, but beneath its tranquil surface lies a darker history. Cloven Country explores the medieval folklore of giants, spirits, and the Devil's role in shaping the country's landscape. According...

Dipesh Chakrabarty's Provincializing Europe challenges the notion of Europe as the original site of modernity, arguing that this idea is built into the social sciences. The book proposes that every case of capitalist transition is a case of translation,...

A sweeping social history of modern Britain during the reign of Elizabeth II, spanning from 1952 to 1979. This book tells the story of the British people, not the monarch, as they navigated a period of profound transformation. Through original research,...

Dartmoor 365: An exploration of every one of the 365 square miles in the Dartmoor National Park by John Hayward. Spanning the vast expanse of the Dartmoor National Park, this book takes readers on a journey through every inch of its 365 square miles...

Dear Palestine: A Social History of the 1948 War This book offers a fresh perspective on the 1948 war in Palestine, exploring the experiences of ordinary people who lived through this pivotal moment in history. Drawing on personal letters and other...

The War that Ended Peace: How Europe Abandoned Peace for the First World War by Margaret MacMillan In 1914, Europe embarked on a catastrophic journey that would lead to one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. This book provides a comprehensive...

Post-liberation Paris is a complex and charged era, marked by both joy and recrimination. The city's liberation in August 1944 was met with jubilation, but also with recriminations and the trauma of purges. As the country struggled to come to terms with...

Columbine is a groundbreaking work of journalism that delves into the devastating events of April 20th, 1999, and the aftermath that has shaped the American psyche. Dave Cullen's ten-year investigation uncovers the truth behind the tragedy, challenging...

The Varangian Guard 988-1453 by Raffaele D'Amato is a fascinating look at one of the medieval world's most legendary guard units. Formed after a group of Viking mercenaries made a major contribution to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II's victory in 988 AD,...

Help you achieve success in AQA GCSE (9-1) History with this proven revision guide.This book provides a structured approach to revision, covering the period study 'Russia, 1894-1945: Tsardom and communism' (Paper 1, option AC). You'll find key content...

Discover the 100 moments that defined humanity and shaped our world forever. From Genghis Khan's domination on earth to Armstrong's first steps on the moon, Neil Oliver takes us on a whistle-stop tour around the world and through a million years,...

Endeavour, the ship that changed the course of history, has a story that has never been told before. Recently discovered off the coast of America, this humble vessel was bought by the Royal Navy in 1768 for an expedition to the South Seas. Its journey...

Help students achieve success in Edexcel AS/A-level History with this comprehensive revision guide. Key content coverage is combined with exam preparation activities and exam-style questions to create a structured revision programme. The guide features a...

The Guns of August: The Account of the Outbreak of the First World War The outbreak of the First World War was a sudden and devastating event that caught governments off guard. As the war spread across Europe, the brutal and bloody battles of August 1914...

The English Electric Canberra: A Story from the Men Who Flew It The English Electric Canberra has played a significant role in world events since its introduction in the late 1940s. This book tells the story of its history, as told by those who operated...

Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How They Altered the Course of HistoryBy examining the lives of ten influential figures, journalist Otto English reveals the shocking truth behind their reputations. From the world of art to politics and business, English...

The Eyes of Malta: The Crucial Role of Aerial Reconnaissance and ULTRA Intelligence, 1940-1943 Aerial reconnaissance played a pivotal role in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II, with all major belligerents employing this means of observation...

The Last Empire: The Final Days of the Soviet Union by Serhii Plokhy On Christmas Day 1991, a dramatic event marked the end of an era. Mikhail Gorbachev's resignation as president of the Soviet Union led to the USSR's official dissolution, and the USA...

The Boy from Block 66: The Children Saved from the Death March by the Buchenwald Camp ResistanceJanuary 1945, Buchenwald concentration camp. Moshe Kessler, just 14 years old, steps off the train with a grim determination. Having survived the horrors of...

The epic story of the Boer War and Harry 'Breaker' Morant is a complex and intriguing tale of adventure, loyalty, and betrayal. Born in England, Morant immigrated to Queensland in 1883, establishing a reputation as a rider, polo player, and poet. He...

Defying Hitler: A Memoir by Sebastian Haffner This memoir offers a unique perspective on the rise of Nazism in Germany, as experienced by the author, a non-Jewish German who emigrated to England in 1938. The book spans from 1914 to 1933, tracing the...

The Roman world was a complex tapestry of connections, with local lives remaining fragmented despite a web of intricate relationships that stretched far and wide. This volume explores the ways in which the Roman Empire fostered religious competition in a...

The tank battles in the Soviet Union during the summer of 1941 were the largest in World War II, with over 4,000 tanks engaged in combat. This book examines the German Panzer 38(t) and the Soviet BT-7, two evenly matched competitors that played a...

Edward III, Father of the English Nation, is a comprehensive study of the life and reign of one of England's most influential monarchs. Ian Mortimer's in-depth analysis reveals the complexities of Edward's fifty-year rule, from his early struggles for...

Armchair General brings British history to life by focusing on a single battle each day of the year. From the 793 Sack of Lindisfarne to the 2007 battle of Musa Qala, this calendar year explores 393 battles fought on all five continents. Each day's entry...

Help you succeed in OCR AS/A-level History with this comprehensive revision guide, packed with key content coverage, exam preparation activities, and exam-style questions.Structured revision is at the heart of this proven formula, designed to help you...

Chrome Dome 1960-68: The B-52s' High-Stakes Cold War Nuclear Operation In 1960, the Strategic Air Command's B-52s embarked on an unprecedented eight-year nuclear-armed patrol, known as Operation Chrome Dome. This book tells the story of how this complex...