History

The Black Sea: A Place of Endless Colour and Complexity This book is a fascinating exploration of the region surrounding the Black Sea, from ancient times to the present day. Neal Ascherson delves into the history, culture, and politics of the area,...

Europe's most significant conflict since World War II is being tested by modern warfare. The war between Russia and Ukraine has been a proving ground for modern weapons and operational concepts. In this analysis, Sir Lawrence Freedman examines the...

The seventeenth century was a time of profound transformation in Britain, marked by significant political and religious upheaval. This period, spanning from the accession of James I to the death of Queen Anne, was a time of great change, with events...

During the Great War, soldiers found comfort and interest in the natural world around them. Birds, in particular, brought joy to the trenches, where officers would often engage in bird-watching as a popular hobby. The soldiers also turned to nature for...

China's Republic: A History of the Chinese Republic from 1912 to the Present Day Diana Lary explores the complex and often tumultuous history of the Chinese Republic, which was established in 1912 after centuries of imperial rule. The book delves into...

Nathaniel's Nutmeg: The True Story of How One Man's Courage Changed the Course of History In the early 17th century, a small island in the Indonesian archipelago held the key to a lucrative spice trade. The Dutch East India Company and the British Crown...

Auschwitz: A Mother's Story - How I Fought to Survive and See My Daughter Again by Rosa de Winter-Levy In the midst of World War II, Rosa de Winter-Levy and her family were forced into hiding, only to be betrayed and sent to Auschwitz. The camp was a...

The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 by Alistair Horne The battle of Verdun, fought between France and Germany in 1916, was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the First World War. Lasting ten months, it saw over 700,000 men killed along a 15-mile front. The...

Discover the fascinating story of Britain's working men's clubs, a cultural phenomenon that shaped the country's social life.From their humble beginnings as teetotaler social reformer Reverend Henry Solly's movement to the mid-century heyday when over 7...

An Almost Impossible Thing explores the lives of six pioneering women gardeners in Britain before the First World War, whose struggles against patriarchy changed the course of women's rights in the horticultural world.Through their stories, Fiona Davison...

The Diaries of Victor Klemperer 1942-45 A personal and powerful account of life in Nazi Germany, this diary chronicles the experiences of a German Jew from 1942 to 1945. The author's observations of the suffering of those around him, as well as his own...

This detailed account of the struggle between Athens and Sparta, written over 2,400 years ago, remains a testament to the author's ambition to create a work that would endure forever. The conflict, sparked by disputes over shipping, trade, and colonial...

The Chinese Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Legends Discover the rich and fascinating world of Chinese mythology, where ancient stories and legends come alive. This concise and entertaining guide explores the significance of Chinese mythology in Chinese...

The Shortest History of England by J. M. Hawes offers a fresh perspective on the English past, challenging the traditional view of a stable and independent nation. Instead, Hawes reveals a complex history shaped by conquest, empire, and war, with...

Africa is a geographical term, not a fixed entity. Ryszard Kapuscinski's writing about the people of Africa offers a nuanced perspective on the continent. This book presents a personal account of post-colonial Africa, one that resists generalised...

A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor is a unique and engaging exploration of human history through the objects that defined it. Spanning a vast sweep of time, from the earliest surviving human-made tool to objects that characterize the...

Ruth Goodman's "How To Be a Tudor" is a fascinating guide to everyday life in the Tudor era. Using a vast range of sources, Goodman explores how our ancestors coped with daily life, from soot used as toothpaste to the latest fashion trends. With a focus...

The History of England: Tudors by Peter Ackroyd This second volume in Peter Ackroyd's series, The History of England, explores the transformation of England from a settled Catholic country to a Protestant superpower. The story unfolds through the...

The Lancaster: A Very British Legend The Avro Lancaster is an iconic aircraft that played a pivotal role in the Second World War. Its bravery and sacrifice are a testament to the courage of those who flew her. This book tells the inspiring story of the...

The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes is a comprehensive and detailed account of the development of the atomic bomb. From the early 20th-century discovery of the energy locked inside the atom to the dropping of the first bombs on Japan, this...

The Penguin Historical Atlas of the British Empire is a comprehensive one-volume introduction to the rise and fall of the world's greatest empire. From its earliest beginnings in the British Isles to its ultimate collapse in the mid-20th century, this...

Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages is a gripping narrative that takes readers on a journey through the medieval world, from the fall of Rome to the emergence of Europe. Dan Jones masterfully weaves together the big forces that still...

Beef, Bible and Bullets Brazil in the Age of Bolsonaro by Richard Lapper In 2019, Jair Bolsonaro took office in Brazil, backed by powerful agribusiness groups, a growing evangelical movement, and an emboldened military and police force. Bolsonaro's...

The Damascus Events: The 1860 Massacre and the Destruction of the Old Ottoman World by Eugene Rogan In 1860, the Middle East was plunged into chaos as the Ottoman Empire faced internal strife and external pressure. Eugene Rogan's meticulously researched...

Dark Continent Europe's Twentieth Century by Mark Mazower is a comprehensive history of the continent's tumultuous 20th century. The book explores the struggles of three rival ideologies - liberal democracy, communism, and fascism - as they vied to...

A full colour map of Canterbury in 1907 provides a unique insight into the city's rich history, from its Roman roots to its medieval past. The map shows the city as it appeared in the early 20th century, with its cathedral, walls, and castle, as well as...

Eject! Eject! is a gripping account of the ejection seat, from its early development to its modern-day applications.The story begins with the pioneers who risked everything to bring this technology to life, and the designers who pushed against the...

Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies The turning point of the Second World War was a victory of arms, but also a triumph of deception. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the Allies launched a massive invasion force, but the Nazis were convinced that...

Narrow Boat is a memoir by L.T.C. Rolt, first published in 1944, which has become a seminal work on the subject of English waterways. The book recounts the author's journey of 400 miles along the Midlands' network of waterways, as he and his wife adapted...

White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth-century IndiaA remarkable tale of love and deception set against the backdrop of colonial India. In the early eighteenth century, a British Resident at the court of Hyderabad fell deeply in love with a woman...

Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-element in Culture by Johan Huizinga explores the concept of play as a fundamental aspect of human culture. Huizinga identifies five key characteristics of play, including its freedom from ordinary life and its ability to...

Skye The Island and Its Legends by Otta F. Swire This book is a fascinating collection of legends and tales from the island of Skye, which have been passed down through generations of its inhabitants. The stories, which date back to the Iron Age, feature...

A History of the Crusades: The Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Franks East 1100-1187 by Steven Runciman Steven Runciman's A History of the Crusades is a masterful work of historical narrative that challenges traditional views of the Crusades. In this first...

From the ruins of 1945 to the reunified nation of 2022, Frank Trentmann explores the complex and often contradictory journey of the German people.Through a diverse range of voices, Trentmann reveals the extraordinary moral struggles that have shaped...

Astonishing new history of the disastrous years leading up to the Second World War. On a wet afternoon in September 1938, Neville Chamberlain stepped off an aeroplane and announced that his visit to Hitler had averted the greatest crisis in recent memory...

A History of Britain - Volume 2 The British Wars 1603-1776 by Simon Schama This second volume of Simon Schama's epic three-volume journey into Britain's past is a compelling chronicle of the changes that transformed every strand and stratum of British...

Operation Pedestal: The Fleet That Battled to Malta 1942 In the summer of 1942, Malta teetered on the brink of surrender, its people struggling to survive as the Axis powers closed in. It was a moment of great crisis, one that would test the resolve of...

The Secrets of Saffron Hall is a historical novel that weaves together two women, separated by centuries, and a life-changing secret that threatens to upend their lives.In 1538, Eleanor's efforts to grow saffron impress her husband and secure his place...

Wake Up Why the World Has Gone Nuts by Piers MorganThe world is in a state of turmoil, and it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate our values. In this book, Piers Morgan argues that we've lost sight of what's truly important and that it's time to...

The Complete Pompeii is the most authoritative and comprehensive account of this ancient Roman town's rise, splendour and fall. The book presents a vivid picture of life, disaster and death in a Roman town, based on the latest archaeological discoveries...

Alfred the Great: A comprehensive collection of primary sources, including Asser's Life of Alfred, extracts from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and Alfred's own writings, laws, and will.Published by National Geographic Books, this collection offers a unique...

Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright is a personal and urgent examination of Fascism in the twentieth century and its enduring legacy. The book draws on Albright's own experiences as a child in war-torn Europe and her distinguished career as a...

The Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It by Arthur Herman. Scotland's impact on the modern world is a story of remarkable innovation and influence. From the 18th and...

The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick-Maker: A 200-Year Portrait of Britain Through the Census Over the past 200 years, the British Isles have undergone profound changes, shaped by the census, a national survey that has provided a unique snapshot of...

Uproar! Satire, Scandal and Printmakers in Georgian London by Alice Loxton In the late Georgian era, a group of talented artists transformed satire into an art form, taking on the British establishment and forever changing the way we view power. James...

The German Empire, born of blood and iron, was a nation forged in the fire of unification. From its violent beginnings to its calamitous defeat, Katja Hoyer tells the story of a nation's rise and fall over five decades. This narrative is a dramatic tale...

Britain in the Middle Ages: An Archaeological History by Francis Pryor The Middle Ages are often seen as a period of stagnation, but archaeology reveals a more dynamic and transformative time. Francis Pryor challenges traditional views of this era,...

Burned: The Inside Story of the 'Cash-for-Ash' Scandal and Northern Ireland's Secretive New EliteRevealing the shocking incompetence and abuse of power that led to the collapse of a government, this book is a gripping account of the Renewal Heat...

The Hard Road Will Take You Home is a personal development and business memoir by Anthony Stazicker, a highly decorated member of the British Military Elite. Stazicker shares his experiences and lessons learned from his 13-year career in the Special...

The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction by Jamie Woodward The study of the Quaternary ice age has revolutionized our understanding of Earth system change and the pace of landscape and ecosystem dynamics. This book explores the environmental shifts that...

The War in the West - A New History Germany Ascendant, 1939-1941 by James Holland A fresh perspective on one of the most pivotal periods in modern history, The War in the West - A New History Germany Ascendant, 1939-1941, offers a comprehensive and...

The Ancient Paths: Discovering the Lost Map of Celtic EuropeGraham Robb's groundbreaking book uncovers a forgotten map that reveals a sophisticated ancient civilization. Inspired by a serendipitous discovery, Robb explores the world of the Celts,...

Scoff: A History of Food and Class in Britain by Pen Vogler explores how our eating habits reflect centuries of social prejudice. Through a fascinating examination of food, literature, artworks, and social records, Vogler reveals how Britain's cuisine...

Britain's forgotten history is revealed in the haunting and romantic remains of its lost cities, ghost towns and vanished villages, known as its shadowlands. From the Orkney settlement buried in sand five thousand years ago to the medieval city of...

Fake History: Ten Great Lies and how They Shaped the World by Otto English This book exposes some of the biggest lies ever told and how they've been used over time to shape our understanding of the world. English takes ten great lies from history and...

The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World by John Dickie This book offers a fresh perspective on the history of Freemasonry, revealing the surprising ways in which its ideals and practices have shaped the modern world. With meticulous research...

The Book of Human Emotions is a thought-provoking collection of 156 feelings, each with its own story and unique characteristics. From the familiar to the rare, this book explores the complex forces that shape our internal worlds, revealing the intricate...

Bicycle: a toy, a tool, a liberator, or complete nuisance - the bicycle has been many things to many people over the decades, yet it endures as the most popular form of transport in the world. How has such a simple machine achieved so much?Combining...

Ancient Greece: A Very Short Introduction by Paul Cartledge The influence of Ancient Greece on modern Western culture is profound, shaping art, architecture, myth, literature, and philosophy in lasting ways. The concept of the city, or polis, is central...

January 1943, Norway. A team of Norwegian commandos sailed from Britain to support the resistance, but their mission was betrayed. Only one man survived the ambush. Crippled by frostbite, snow-blind and hunted by the Nazis, Jan Baalstrud's chances of...

Leading archaeologist Francis Pryor retells the story of King Arthur, tracing it back to its Bronze Age origins. He argues that the key elements of the Arthurian legends are deeply rooted in the Bronze and Iron Ages, and that their survival mirrors a...

The HMS Ark Royal was the most powerful warship the Royal Navy had ever put to sea, boasting 50,000 tons of British Sovereign Territory. By the early 1970s, however, the Ark Royal's career was in decline, with its role largely limited to countering the...

The NHS is at a critical juncture, its principles eroded by successive political leaders over the past 75 years. The result is an underfunded, understaffed, and exhausted workforce, with decimated patient services and the infiltration of privatisation...

The Cold War is a gripping account of the world's most perilous period, when the threat of nuclear war hung over the globe. In the aftermath of 1945, a new era of tension and espionage emerged, pitting the United States and the Soviet Union against each...

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 key to achieving success in OCR AS/A-level History, and this...

The Roman Empire was built on a complex web of power, corruption, and deception. In "Emperor of Rome", Mary Beard explores the fact and fiction of the rulers who shaped this ancient world, examining the day-to-day realities of their lives and the ways in...

The Pursuit of Power: A Turbulent Era of Revolutionary Change Richard J Evans presents a comprehensive and engaging history of Europe from 1815 to 1914, a period marked by significant cultural, political, and technological transformations. This book...

Ian Black's comprehensive history of the conflict between Arabs and Jews in Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017, offers a nuanced and balanced perspective on one of the most polarising conflicts of the modern age. Drawing on a wide range of sources,...

Brigid, a complex and multifaceted figure, has been revered worldwide for centuries in her various guises as both goddess and saint. This book explores the development of this unique mythical and historical figure, drawing on early Celtic history,...

Britain One Million Years of the Human Story by Rob Dinnis and Chris Stringer is a groundbreaking journey through the history of human life in Britain. Spanning nearly one million years, the book reveals the story of early human occupation, from the...

Help you achieve success in OCR A-level History with this comprehensive revision guide, covering the period of Russia and its rulers from 1855-1964.This book provides a proven formula for effective revision, combining key content coverage with exam...

The Roman Empire by Colin Michael Wells This comprehensive history of the Roman Empire explores two distinct worlds: the central administration and the daily life of ordinary people in Italy and the provinces. Wells delves into the inner workings of the...

A History of Ancient Britain by Neil Oliver explores the earliest inhabitants of Britain, their struggle for survival, and the cultures that developed on the islands. The story begins 500,000 years ago, with the last Ice Age retreating and bringing a new...

The story of the USAAF's airborne signals intelligence aircraft during World War Two is one of rapid innovation and collaboration. In just three years, the USAAF transformed from hand-built prototypes to mass-produced aircraft, leveraging partnerships...

The United States' overseas possessions, from Puerto Rico to the Philippines and beyond, offer a unique perspective on American history. In "How to Hide an Empire", Daniel Immerwahr reveals the fascinating story of the US outside its borders, uncovering...

Discover the hidden history of Britain's secret tunnels, chambers, and passageways. This fascinating book explores the mysterious and often forgotten architecture of the past, revealing a treasure trove of intriguing stories, legends, and curiosities...

Field-Marshal Bernard Montgomery's memoirs offer a unique insight into his remarkable career, from his early days as a regimental officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment to his later years as a leading commander in World War II.Montgomery's...

Congo: The Epic History of a People is a gripping and deeply moving account of one of the world's most devastated countries. David van Reybrouck's rich and epic history traces the fate of the Democratic Republic of Congo over several hundred years,...

The London Cage: A Secret History of Britain's World War II Interrogation Centre Behind the locked doors of three mansions in London's Kensington Palace Gardens, the British Secret Service operated a highly secret prison from 1940 to 1948. Known as the...

Discover the stories of Britain's iconic rulers, from 600 CE to the present day. This visual guide brings to life the public and private lives of the royal dynasties, tracing the royal lineage and claim to the throne of each royal house. With crisp...

The Belgica's Journey Into the Dark Antarctic Night In August 1897, the Belgica set sail on an expedition to reach the white wilderness of the South Pole, but the ship soon became stuck fast in the ice of the Bellinghausen sea. The crew was trapped...

Alexander the Great by Robin Lane Fox Alexander the Great is a man of his own time, a born warrior and ruler of passionate ambition. This biography searches through the mass of conflicting evidence and legend to focus on Alexander as a person, revealing...

Britain After Rome: The Fall and Rise, 400-1070 by Robin Fleming The discovery of a vast hoard of gold military objects in Staffordshire has shed new light on the mysterious world of 7th and 8th century Britain. These objects, the product of a...

Robert Service's The Penguin History of Modern Russia: From Tsarism to the Twenty-first Century provides a comprehensive overview of Russia's modern era, spanning revolution, civil war, mass terror, and two world wars. The country continues to undergo...

Discover the fascinating stories and facts about Ireland in this comprehensive trivia book. From the origins of the country's name to its rich history and culture, this book is packed with surprising and intriguing information. You'll learn about the...

The CIA and the Neocolonisation of Africa by A. Susan Williams In 1958, a conference in Accra brought together Africa's liberation leaders, including Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah and Congo's Patrice Lumumba, to discuss a shared vision of African autonomy...

The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium by Anthony Kaldellis This comprehensive history of the eastern Roman empire, from its founding in 324 AD to its fall in the 15th century, offers a fresh and engaging narrative of its politics, military, and...

Jonathan Riley-Smith's updated fourth edition of What Were the Crusades? provides a concise and authoritative introduction to the complex and multifaceted history of the Crusades.Featuring a new Preface that surveys recent developments in crusading...

Bletchley Park, a country house in Buckinghamshire, was the site of a pivotal moment in World War II: the cracking of Germany's Enigma code. This achievement was instrumental in turning the tide of the war, particularly in the Battle of the Atlantic and...

A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by David Gibbins is a rich and exciting narrative that reveals the secrets of the past through the stories of some of the greatest underwater discoveries of all time. From ancient treasures to the exploration...

Coal is the commodity that made Britain, driving industry, religion, politics, empire and trade. This black rock has acted as a midwife to genius, powering the industrial revolution and turning Britain into the first urban nation.Jeremy Paxman tells the...

Iceland's unique history began 1,200 years ago, when a Viking captain and his navigator ran aground in the North Atlantic. This unexpected landing transformed the island into a nation with a profound impact on world events. From the French Revolution to...

Black Diamonds: The Rise and Fall of a Great English Dynasty tells the extraordinary story of the Wentworth family, one of Britain's most influential aristocratic dynasties. Their magnificent Georgian house, once the finest and largest in Britain, was...

Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian War is a seminal work of ancient Greek literature, offering a profound analysis of the nature of power and its impact on states and individuals. Written by a participant in the war, Thucydides brings a unique...

A 19th-century guide to gentlemanly behavior, offering practical advice on etiquette, deportment, and conversation. First published in 1860, this book provides a wealth of information on how to behave in polite society, from treating ladies to navigating...

Jonathan Dimbleby's Barbarossa is a compelling account of Hitler's failed invasion of the Soviet Union, shedding new light on one of the most pivotal moments of World War II.Operation Barbarossa, launched in June 1941, was a catastrophic mistake that led...

An extraordinary exploration of the ancestry of Britain through seven burial sites, Professor Alice Roberts delves into the fascinating truth of the prehistoric past and its connection to our present-day lives. By using new advances in genetics and...

Ancient Greece in a compact and captivating way. Archaeologist Theodore Papakostas takes us on a journey through 300 years of Greek history, from its beginnings to its end. A conversation with a stranger in an elevator sparks a fascinating tale that...

The Premonitions Bureau by Sam Knight In 1966, a pioneering psychiatrist established a secret agency to investigate a phenomenon that had been dismissed as mere fantasy: premonitions. These unexplained visions of the future, though often harmless,...

The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth by Day is a stunning papyrus manuscript that has been preserved for over 3,300 years. Written and illustrated in cursive hieroglyphs and color, it is the most beautiful and complete example of...