History

English Food: a People's History by Diane Purkiss Discover the rich history behind Britain's food traditions, from the development of recipes and rituals for mealtimes to the impact of social change on our culinary heritage. This engaging history...

The Falklands Commando is a gripping account of the author's experiences during the Falklands War. In 1982, Captain Hugh McManners led a five-man forward observation team on a perilous mission to prevent an Argentine heavy weapons company from attacking...

Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege 1940-1943This book tells the story of Malta's remarkable experience during World War II, as the tiny Mediterranean island was subjected to a relentless bombing campaign. Through the eyes of those who lived through...

Little Englanders: A Colourful Social History of the Edwardian Era The Edwardian era, spanning from the late 1890s to the outbreak of World War I, was a time of profound social change in Britain. Alwyn Turner explores this period in 'Little Englanders',...

Egyptology is a unique and fascinating scrapbook journal from 1926. The book is filled with a range of novelties and recreations, including a piece of mummy cloth, a booklet on hieroglyphs, and a working board game. Beautiful art and interesting facts...

The Plantagenets: The Kings who Made England The Plantagenet dynasty, which ruled England from the 12th to the 15th century, was a complex and often tumultuous period in British history. From the blood-soaked realm inherited from the Normans to the...

Al Murray's Command is a compelling narrative analysis of the key allied military leaders in the Second World War. This book delves into the careers of both prominent and lesser-known officers who led armies, divisions, regiments, and battalions for the...

The Reaper Force Inside Britain's Drone Wars This book offers a unique insight into the operations of the RAF Reaper squadrons, based on unprecedented research access and extensive interviews with the personnel involved. The author has observed lethal...

The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of EnglandBy Marc Morris, Penguin Random HouseDiscover the extraordinary story of how the foundations of England were laid, 1,600 years ago, when Britain left the Roman Empire and foreign invaders established...

Colditz Prisoners of the Castle by Ben Macintyre In the heart of Nazi Germany, a formidable fortress stands as a testament to the ingenuity and desperation of those who sought to escape. Colditz Castle, a Gothic tower on a hill, is the setting for a...

Step back in time to Britain in the 1940s with this captivating collection of photographs.These images evoke a bygone era of resilience and camaraderie, as the nation came together to face the challenges of war and rebuild in the aftermath.With its...

Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of ItOxford and BBC historian Janina Ramirez reveals the hidden stories of influential women whose lives were erased from history. Through a careful examination of artefacts,...

This beautifully designed book explores the development of cities through more than 70 captivating maps, spanning over 9,000 years of human history. Each map provides a unique visual representation of its city, offering a fascinating glimpse into the...

The Shipping Forecast has been a beloved part of British life for a century, and its 100th anniversary is a celebration to be cherished. This book takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of our British maritime past, exploring the weather,...

Stakeknife's Dirty War: The Inside Story of Scappaticci, the IRA's Nutting Squad and the British Spooks who Ran the WarRichard O'Rawe's explosive exposé reveals the shocking truth about Freddie Scappaticci, the IRA's most notorious informer, codenamed...

A Line in the Sand by James Barr tells the story of a pivotal era in the Middle East, when two world powers, Britain and France, secretly agreed to divide the region between them. The deal, struck in 1916, had far-reaching consequences, shaping the fate...

Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern BritainSathnam Sanghera's groundbreaking book reveals how the legacy of the British Empire continues to shape contemporary British society, from our attitudes to racism and exceptionalism to the foundation of...

T.E. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a vivid and epic account of his service in the Arab Revolt during the First World War. Despite his own feelings of shame and betrayal, Lawrence led the Arabs to a triumphant campaign that revolutionized the art...

The Tudors: England 1485-1603 Revision Guide provides a clear revision approach to help students succeed in their exams. With step-by-step exam practice strategies and Examiner Tip features for all AQA question types, this guide offers a structured way...

Kim Ghattas' Black Wave is a timely and unprecedented examination of how the modern Middle East unravelled, and why it started with the pivotal year of 1979. The book explores the toxic confluence of three major events in 1979: the Iranian revolution,...

Expert Guidance for Edexcel A Level History Students This comprehensive guide helps students develop high-level skills in their Edexcel A level History breadth and depth studies. Written by leading academics, it provides authoritative and accessible...

The Hundred Years War Vol 5 Triumph and Illusion by Jonathan Sumption This final volume of Jonathan Sumption's epic history of the Hundred Years War tells the story of the collapse of the English dream of conquest, from the opening years of the reign of...

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII's Most Dangerous Spy by Sonia Purnell is a meticulously researched and gripping history that reads like a thriller. In September 1941, a young American woman, posing as a journalist,...

Guns, Germs and Steel: A Short History of Everybody for the Last 13,000 Years by Jared Diamond A groundbreaking synthesis of history, biology, ecology, and linguistics, Guns, Germs and Steel explores how geography and biogeography have shaped the...

A Very Short History of the Israel-Palestine Conflict by Ilan Pappe The Israel-Palestine conflict has its roots in the late 19th century, when the first Zionist settlers arrived in Ottoman Palestine. This book provides a concise and insightful history of...

Daniel Finkelstein's powerful memoir explores the devastating experiences of his mother and father during the Second World War. Born in Germany and Poland, they were both victims of the Holocaust, with his mother Mirjam Wiener surviving the brutal...

The Art of War by Sun Tzu A timeless guide to outwitting your opponent, this ancient military manual has stood the test of time, influencing leaders and strategists for centuries. Its principles of skill, cunning, tactics, and discipline remain as...

The Celts are one of the world's most mysterious ancient people, and their story is a fascinating account of a highly sophisticated tribal culture that influenced the ancient world - and even Rome. This book takes us on a journey across Europe,...

Ancient Rome was a city of immense complexity, where luxury and filth coexisted alongside liberty and exploitation. This sprawling metropolis, home to over a million inhabitants, was the epicentre of an empire that stretched from Spain to Syria. Mary...

Britain: Migration, Empires and the People c790-Present Day Revision Guide is a comprehensive revision guide for AQA GCSE History students. This part of the Oxford AQA 9-1 GCSE History series provides a clear revision approach, combining Recap, Apply,...

The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan is a groundbreaking exploration of the world's past and its enduring impact on the present. This book challenges conventional notions of the world's history, revealing a complex web of trade,...

The American West has long been a subject of national pride, but what of the indigenous peoples who called it home? Dee Alexander Brown's meticulously documented account sheds light on the systematic plunder of Native American communities during the 19th...

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the RipperA groundbreaking narrative of five lives, historian Hallie Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, giving these women back their stories. The victims of the infamous 1888 murders were...

Operation Biting: the 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitler's Radar In February 1942, a daring British commando raid took place on the coast of Nazi-occupied Europe, codenamed Würzburg. The mission, led by a company of the newly-formed Airborne...

At eighteen, the course of a life is often marked by uncertainty and possibility. For those living through the tumultuous centuries of British history, this pivotal age was marked by both opportunity and hardship. Eighteen, a history of Britain in 18...

The British Library's major Autumn 2024 exhibition Through is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated, large format volume that reveals a rich and complex picture of medieval women's lives. This book showcases expert essays and spotlight studies that...

The Traitor of Colditz: An Epic Tale of Survival and Deception In the depths of World War II, the notorious Colditz Castle was a fortress where the elite British officers were imprisoned by the Germans. Determined to prove the Nazis wrong and escape, the...

Fall of Civilizations: Stories of Greatness and DeclineHow did some of the most advanced societies in history rise to power, only to collapse into decline? Paul M. M. Cooper explores this fascinating topic in this thought-provoking book.From the rise and...

Discover the remarkable true story behind one of Britain's most beloved novelists. Lucy Worsley's biography takes you on a journey through the rooms and houses where Jane Austen lived, revealing a life that was often a painful struggle. With new research...

A 1930s Childhood From Conker Fights to Coal Fires The 1930s was a time of great change, marked by the introduction of new technologies and innovations that transformed everyday life. For ordinary families, this meant owning their own semi-detached house...

Cassino '44: The Bloodiest Battle of the Italian CampaignJames Holland's gripping narrative of the brutal Allied fight to take Rome is a testament to the harsh realities of war. The Allies had seemed poised for victory after the sweeping success of the...

A comprehensive history of Africa, from the dawn of humanity to independence, is offered by Zeinab Badawi. For too long, Africa's history has been overshadowed by Western narratives of slavery and colonialism. Badawi sets the record straight, guiding...

What was it really like to rule and be ruled in the Ancient Roman world? Mary Beard's latest book, Emperor of Rome, offers a fresh perspective on the Roman emperors who shaped the empire from Julius Caesar to Alexander Severus.Beard's account goes beyond...

Al Murray's Arnhem: Black Tuesday offers a fresh perspective on one of the most infamous battles in British military history. On September 19, 1944, the British forces launched a daring attempt to secure a vital bridgehead across the Rhine, but it ended...

The Ministry of Ungentmanly Warfare: The Desperadoes Who Plotted Hitler's Downfall In the darkest moments of World War II, Winston Churchill knew Britain had to strike back hard. He called for a new kind of warfare, recruiting a group of eccentric...

The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000 by Paul Kennedy This study explores the 500-year history of great powers, revealing how nations that rose to prominence inevitably declined as their growth...

The protocols for responding to a nuclear attack are a matter of life and death. In the event of a rogue state launching a nuclear missile at the Pentagon, the clock starts ticking with seconds to spare. As the situation unfolds, frantic calls are made...

Normal Women 900 Years of Making History by Philippa Gregory For the first time, the story of England's history is told from the perspective of women, who have been invisible in this narrative for far too long. Philippa Gregory's groundbreaking book...

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah HarariThis groundbreaking narrative explores the creation and evolution of humanity, tracing the development of modern cognition and its impact on the global ecosystem. From the emergence of modern...

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or SurviveJared Diamond's groundbreaking book explores the mysterious collapse of past civilizations and what this means for our future. By examining the influences that led to the downfall of societies, such as...

KS3 History Complete Revision and Practice by Richard(Ed) Parsons is a comprehensive study guide for students preparing for their Key Stage 3 history exams. This book provides a thorough review of the key topics and periods covered in the KS3 history...

The Spy and the Traitor is a gripping tale of espionage, betrayal, and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever. On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in Moscow, holding a plastic...

Killing Thatcher is a gripping account of the IRA's attempt to assassinate Margaret Thatcher and the British Cabinet in 1984. The book, by veteran journalist Rory Carroll, explores the events leading up to the Brighton bombing, including the execution of...

Discover the enduring legacy of ancient Stoic philosophy in Seneca's Letters, a timeless collection of writings that continue to inspire and guide new generations of readers.Written in a highly accessible and insightful way, Seneca's Letters reveal the...

Unruly: A funny book about a serious subject, this history of England's kings and queens offers a fresh perspective on the country's founding story. From the founding of post-Roman England to the reign of Elizabeth I, David Mitchell tells stories that...

The SAS: Rogue Heroes is a gripping history of the SAS, the most celebrated and mysterious military organisation in the world. In the summer of 1941, a young officer named David Stirling had a vision for a new kind of war, one that would attack the enemy...

The War of 1812: A Study of US and British Regular Infantry Tactics and Combat Performance. This fully illustrated study examines the role and combat performance of the US and British regular infantry during the War of 1812, a conflict fought on three...

The English Cartridge Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket Ammunition The development of the Enfield rifle-musket's ammunition was a pivotal moment in its history, with the Minié bullet's introduction in France marking a significant turning point. This book...

A Photographic History Of Lye and Wollescote During The Redevelopment 1950s - 1972 This unique photographic history captures the transformation of Lye and Wollescote from the 1950s to the 1970s. The book features photographs by Harry Cartwright,...

The history of Egypt spans over 5,000 years, with the first Pharaohs leaving behind a legacy of monumental works in stone. The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are among the most famous achievements, but what if evidence suggests that some of these...

The French Revolution: A Captivating Guide to the Ten-Year Revolution in France and the Impact Made by Napoleon Bonaparte Discover the complexities of the French Revolution, a pivotal event in modern history that has been both revered and misunderstood...

A comprehensive introduction to historical biography, this textbook explores the complex relationship between history and the writing of lives. Barbara Caine examines key works that have shaped the discipline, revealing how biographical narrative and...

The Record of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards in the Great War, 1914-1918 This book provides a concise account of the experiences of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards during World War I. The regiment saw action on the Western Front, with its first...

The Legacy of FAME: A Story of Music and Innovation In 1959, FAME Publishing opened its doors, launching the careers of legendary musicians such as Etta James, Clarence Carter, and Aretha Franklin. The city of Muscle Shoals soon became synonymous with...

African Europeans: An Untold History by Olivette Otele challenges the conventional view that Africans and African Europeans are a recent presence in Europe. Instead, Otele uncovers a rich and diverse history of Europeans of African descent, tracing their...

A true story of greed, serial murder and racial injustice unfolds in this riveting account of the Osage Indian nation's tragic fate. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage nation in Oklahoma, but after oil was...

The world's most elite operatives are the Army's Special Forces Groups. This book takes you inside the training, tools, and mindset of these elite operatives, revealing the recruitment and training process, the equipment they use, and the missions they...

The 1948 Palestine War: A Concise Guide The 1948 Palestine War was a pivotal conflict in the Middle East, sparked by the establishment of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948. The Arab nations responded by invading Palestine, leading to a decisive Israeli...

The history of farming families in the Llyfnant Valley is a fascinating story of success and achievement during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. This book explores the lives of five families - the Jenkins, Jones, Pugh, Owen, and Davies - who made a name...

The East Africa Campaign 1914-18: A Masterful War Effort The East African Campaign, fought during World War I, was a complex and intriguing conflict that pitted German colonial forces against a diverse array of Allied Powers. German forces, led by...

First published in 1910, this book provides a comprehensive guide to stock analysis and trading strategies, offering insights into the world of investments and securities.Richard Demille Wyckoff and Rollo Tape share their expertise on the stock market,...

Maps of the Yukon River, drawn in a historical style reminiscent of the paddlewheelers that once navigated its waters, provide a unique glimpse into the region's rich history. This book features 64 "strip maps" that illustrate the route from Whitehorse...

The Sacred Beetle: A Popular Treatise on Egyptian Scarabs in Art and History by John Ward This book is a significant work in the history of civilization, and its contents are now in the public domain. Scholars have recognized its cultural importance, and...

Inanna/Ishtar: Goddess of Love and WarThis book presents a chronicle of fact-based incidents and highly probable fictional stepping stones, exploring the life and mythology of Inanna/Ishtar, a fierce and beautiful goddess from antiquity.Through a...

Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916In the summer of 1916, a rogue Great White shark left its usual habitat and headed towards the New Jersey shore, triggering a series of deadly attacks that would become the most extensive shark hunt in...

The Shortest History of the Soviet Union by Sheila Fitzpatrick Sheila Fitzpatrick's latest book offers a lively and authoritative account of the Soviet Union's complex history, from its rise to its unexpected fall. Spanning over seven decades, this book...

Operation Condor: The History of the Notorious Intelligence Operations Supported by the United States to Combat Communists Across South America The history of South America's military junta governments is marked by a complex web of cultural, social, and...

The Everyday Life of the Clans of the Scottish Highlands by Michael Steven Newton offers a unique insight into the daily lives of the people of the Scottish Highlands during the era of the clan system. This book provides a wealth of information on the...

Tom Sayers, Sometime Champion of England, His Life and Pugilistic Career by Thomas Sayers This book presents a unique glimpse into the life of Tom Sayers, a notable figure in the history of English boxing. Drawing from contemporary reports, personal...

The Secret Jewish Commandos Who Helped Defeat the Nazis The shadow of the Third Reich fell across Europe, prompting Winston Churchill and his chief of staff to form a top-secret unit of Jewish refugees. Trained in counterintelligence and advanced combat,...

Geography and Politics Among Nations: An Introduction to Geopolitics by Martin Sicker provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between geography and politics in international relations. The book explores the evolution of geopolitical thought...

The 12th SS: The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division is a detailed and gripping account of one of the most infamous divisions to fight in World War II. Part two of Hubert Meyer's defining work continues the story of the survivors of the bloody...

The Bhagavata Purana, one of the classical scriptures of Hinduism, presents a sophisticated system of ancient cosmology. A closer examination reveals unexpected depths of knowledge, with multiple levels of meaning that encode various astronomical,...

Japanese Armies 1868-1877: The Boshin War and Satsuma Rebellion The late 19th century saw a significant transformation in Japan's military, as the country transitioned from traditional Samurai equipment and tactics to those of the Western world. The...

A comprehensive guide to physical training for the Royal Marines, published in 1945, provides clear guidance on exercise and combat techniques. The book includes detailed line drawings and covers essential skills such as bayonet fighting and close combat...

A comprehensive guide to the badges, buttons, blanks and supplies used in the husbandry of livestock, this book is a valuable resource for those interested in the history and practice of animal husbandry. Originally published in the public domain, it has...

Lancashire Folk-Lore Illustrative of the Superstitious Beliefs and Practices, Local Customs and Usages of the People of the County Palatine This collection of folk-lore explores the traditional beliefs and practices of the people of Lancashire, shedding...

Practical Cheddar Cheese-Making is a guide to creating your own cheddar cheese at home. Published on behalf of the BMIFCR by Naval and Military Press, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the cheese-making process, from milk preparation to...

The Strategy of Indirect Approach by Liddell Hart is a work of enduring importance, selected by scholars for its cultural significance. As a public domain publication, it can be freely copied and distributed, and its preservation is crucial to keeping...

The Handbook for Spies is a unique and fascinating account of the author's experiences working for the Soviet intelligence service. Alexander Foote, the first Westerner to work for 9 years in the Soviet intelligence service, shares his remarkable story...

Weird Ireland: A History of Ancient Mysteries, Fantastic Folklore, and Urban Legends Across the Emerald Isle Ireland's rich folklore is well-known, with tales of fairy folk, leprechauns, and the fearsome banshee. However, the country's mysterious past...

The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru: Britain's Forgotten Wartime Tragedy In 1942, the Lisbon Maru, a British transport ship, was mistakenly sunk by American forces, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 lives. This incident, known as 'Friendly Fire', was one of...

Israel's story has never been told in such depth and nuance. Ari Shavit's groundbreaking examination of the country's past and present sheds new light on the complexities of a nation living on the edge. Through revealing stories of significant events and...

The Obsolete Paradigm of a Historical Jesus by Richard Carrier A decade of peer-reviewed studies has challenged the traditional understanding of Jesus' existence, and this book explores the implications of those findings. Carrier surveys the latest...

Fear City: New York's Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics In 1975, New York City teetered on the brink of disaster, with billions of dollars in debt and no clear way to pay back its bills. The city's financial woes sparked a heated debate...

Morocco From Empire to Independence by C.R. Pennell This book explores the complex history of Morocco, from its incorporation into the Roman Empire to its struggle for independence. The narrative spans a diverse range of landscapes and cities, including...

The Chariot Period 3000 BC to 500 BC is the first volume in a series of detailed guides on ancient armies for use with the De Bellis Magistrorum Militum (DBMM) wargame rules. This publication provides in-depth guidance on the structure and organisation...

Stories of giants playing a role in the construction of ancient monuments have been a part of British folklore for centuries. Legends and creation stories describe elemental beings, high magic, and giant kings who shaped the land. Many religious...

Hitler's National Socialism by Rainer Zitelmann is a groundbreaking study that reconstructs the thought processes and objectives of one of history's most infamous leaders. Using a vast array of sources, Zitelmann reveals a more complex and nuanced...

Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World by Lionel Casson is a comprehensive study of early ships and their crews, tracing the history from pre-dynastic Egypt to the Roman empire. Using underwater archaeological data, Casson refines the area of...