text: Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, biographer and broadcaster.
  47 books on the list
  Latest Recommendations First
  A revolutionary new history that reveals how climate change has dramatically shaped the development—and demise—of civilizations across time...
  2023-03-05T10:21:02.000ZPax is the third in a trilogy of books narrating the history of the Roman Empire. The series that began with Rubicon, and continued with Dynasty, now arrives at the period which marks the apogée of the pax Romana. It provides a portrait of the ancient world's ultimate superpower at war and at peace; from the gilded capital to the barbarous realms b...
  ‘The execution of the king took place on a bleak, bitterly cold afternoon in January. As the executioner landed the single blow that severed Charles I’s head, the crowd let out a deep collective moan. Within weeks both the monarchy and the House of Lords were abolished. The future was in the hands of the people.’...
  2023-02-23T17:01:12.000ZThe great war on heresy obsessed medieval Europe in the centuries after the first millennium. R. I. Moore's vivid narrative focuses on the motives and anxieties of those who declared and conducted the war: what were the beliefs and practices they saw as heretical? How might such beliefs have arisen? And why were they such a threat?...
  2023-02-07T08:22:03.000ZDiscover the wonders and mysteries of the natural world in this enchanting book that will leave you in awe. The Golden Mole is a beautifully illustrated collection of the most remarkable creatures on Earth. From the quickness of a swift's flight to the longevity of a Greenland shark's life, Katherine Rundell captivates readers with her witty and persuasive writing style, inviting us to appreciate the breathtaking beauty and fragility of our planet. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to fall in love with nature all over again.
  2023-01-15T10:54:37.000ZAn engaging and full-bodied history of Britain and the Empire told through the fascinating and improbable stories of how the world's favorite alcoholic drinks were born. From champagne to whisky, this book follows the rise of Britain to global power and the drinks that symbolized its imperial history. Filled with fascinating trivia and recommendations for how to enjoy these drinks today, Empire of Booze reminds us that Britain's alcoholic innovations are some of its greatest gifts to the world.
  2022-12-26T08:57:12.000ZDiscover the fascinating history behind the connection between British identity, meat, and power in this engaging and illuminating book. From the ancient beliefs about the power of blood-rich meat to the modern-day controversies over British beef, author Ben Rogers explores how beef became a symbol of freedom and masculinity. Rogers takes readers on a journey through time, uncovering the stories behind iconic British images like John Bull, bull dogs, and butchers. Through vivid historical detail and humorous anecdotes, Rogers paints a picture of food nationalism that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Illustrated with prints and drawings by famous artists, Beef and Liberty is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of British identity and nationalism.
  2022-12-19T22:43:53.000ZExplore the rich history of Japan through the fascinating stories of 20 exceptional individuals in this captivating book. Delve into the lives of shamans, warlords, poets, revolutionaries, scientists, artists, and adventurers- each offering a unique perspective on this extraordinary place. From the earliest written accounts of Japan to the current empress, Masako, this book provides an entertaining and informative introduction to Japan. Whether you are new to Japan or deeply involved with it, this book is full of surprises and pleasures.
  2022-12-09T07:56:32.000ZThis philosophical reading of the four gospels explores the life of Jesus and why he was put to death for a political crime despite saying "I judge no one." Author David Lloyd Dusenbury examines the clash over the significance of Jesus's sayings and death between pagan and Christian philosophers in the first centuries AD, as well as the opinions of modern philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche. With original perspectives on this enigmatic figure, Dusenbury suggests that Jesus's double claim against pervasive human judgements and the human experience of love led to his political death and revealed that our highest desires are beyond the political realm.
  Discover the epic thousand-year history of Burgundy, a fabulously wealthy and turbulent region situated between France and Germany, with Bart Van Loo's fascinating narrative. Follow the decline of knightly ideals and the rise of individualism and cities, and witness the struggle for dominance in northern Europe through bloodshed and bad marriages. Learn about the evolution of art, architecture, and music amidst the chaos and tension of rival dynasties. This popular and scholarly masterpiece is comparable to great narrative historians like Barbara Tuchman, and has sold 230,000 copies in Europe.
  2022-12-03T08:23:48.000ZMagnificent Rebels by Andrea Wulf
  The Last Emperor of Mexico by Edward Shawcross
  The Enlightenment by Ritchie Robertson
  This Sporting Life by Robert Colls
  History Has Begun by Bruno Maçães
  The Northumbrians by Dan Jackson
  Dress in the Age of Jane Austen by Hilary Davidson
  Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend
  Ghostland by Edward Parnell
  Escape from Rome by Walter Scheidel
  Digging Up Britain by Mike Pitts
  The Missing Lynx by Ross Barnett
  The Moon by Oliver Morton
  The Emergence of the English by Susan Oosthuizen
  The Greek Experience of India by Richard Stoneman
  Our Place by Mark Cocker
  On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
  Angels with Dirty Faces by Jonathan Wilson
  Fashion Victims by Alison Matthews David
  The Fortunes of Francis Barber by Michael Bundock
  Nothing is True and Everything is Possible by Peter Pomerantsev
  The Secret History of the Roman Roads of Britain by M. C. Bishop
  George Orwell by Robert Colls
  Gabriele d'Annunzio by Lucy Hughes-Hallett
  Winter King by Thomas Penn
  Grave Concerns by Kai Roberts
  The Last Wolf by Jim Crumley
  The Hindus by Wendy Doniger
  The Command of the Ocean by N. A. M. Rodger
  The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe by Sarah Churchwell
  The Histories by Herodotus
  Moses the Egyptian by Jan Assmann
  The Beginnings of Rome by T. J. Cornell
  Remus by T. P. Wiseman
  The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell
  The Hot-Blooded Dinosaurs by Adrian J Desmond
  Green Smoke by Rosemary Manning