European History

The bestselling author of The Parasitic Mind shows why empathy in politics leads to civilizational collapse. What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad unleashes a blistering critique...

‘Tom Bower is the Inspector Morse of investigative biographers, a fluent, phlegmatic storyteller and a master of intricacies.’ Sunday Times The British Crown is in crisis, with constitutional threats at home and abroad. At a landmark moment in royal history, can King Charles overcome the scandals that blight the Royal family? Can the broken bonds between the Houses of Sussex...

A brilliant memoir of adolescence in New Zealand and of the migration of European manuscripts to the far side of the world. Christopher de Hamel is one of the world's best-known scholars and writers on illuminated manuscripts. He was mostly brought up in the south of New Zealand, where his family moved when he was four. This book magically evokes...

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder is a compelling and insightful guidebook on how to resist and challenge the forces of authoritarianism and preserve democratic values. Bringing together lessons from history, Snyder provides concrete strategies and principles that individuals can employ to protect freedom and stave off the threat of tyranny. This essential read is not only a reflection on the...

From the bestselling author of Emperor of Rome and SPQR "The rock star scholar of Ancient Rome" – Financial Times "The reigning Queen of Classics" – Spectator What's exciting about a piece of bread 4,000 years old? Or some pots of paint abandoned in the eruption at Pompeii? Why should we be bothered with the distant past anyway? What's the...

'Vivid storytellers.' THE TIMES 'As well as highly entertaining read, How To Kill A Witch is a tour de force of research, understanding and compassion.' PROFESSOR SUE BLACK, author of All That Remains 'Fascinating, angering' THE MAIL ON SUNDAY 'A work of real historical investigation and a fierce warning for our times.' MALCOLM GASKILL, author of The Ruin Of All...

This jigsaw brings together Odysseus' famed journey in one epic scene. Each reference from the tale is highlighted and explained in an accompanying fold-out poster with text by an expert author. 1000-PIECE PUZZLE that measures 48.5 x 68 cm (19 x 27 in.) when completed. INCLUDES A FOLD-OUT POSTER with an introduction to the Odyssey and descriptions of all the...

The first joint biography of William and Catherine to be written in over a decade, by acclaimed royal journalist and broadcaster Russell Myers. From the relentless media scrutiny and controversies of their 2022 Caribbean Tour to the shock cancer diagnoses of both the Princess of Wales and the King, this captivating biography by acclaimed royal journalist Russell Myers intimately traces...

The real story of Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, endorsed by the Mayne family Summer 1944: the SAS were charged with the most crucial D-Day missions, taking on the might of the Nazi Reich deep behind enemy lines. Facing Hitler's fearsome Panzer divisions with little more than raw courage and their nimble Willys jeeps, it would take maverick thinking and unconventional warfare...

NOW WITH A FUN PUB QUIZ 'An idiosyncratic ride through history' Independent 'Holland and Sandbrook have pretty much reinvented popular history for the modern age' The Times The nation’s favourite historians, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, take on the most curious moments in history, answering the questions we didn’t even think to ask... - What was the most disastrous party...

The definitive account of D-Day from the author of international bestsellers Stalingrad and Berlin: D-Day by Antony Beevor is a landmark historical narrative that captures the epic scale and human cost of the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Drawing from first-hand accounts, archival research, and a keen historian's eye, Beevor immerses readers in the gripping details of...

The Sunday Times Bestseller ‘A lasting work of social history’ — The Times ‘A genuinely new history of our nation’ — Dan Jones ‘This celebration of women is a triumph of popular history’ — Spectator From the multi-million bestselling historical novelist comes the culmination of her life’s work. Did you know that there are more penises than women in the...

The most pivotal, brutal, and shattering campaign the Allies faced in World War II by bestselling historian James Holland. Holland knows his stuff when it comes to military matters - Daily Mail James Holland is the best of the new generation of WW2 historians - Sebastian Faulks With the invasion of France the following year taking shape, and hot on...

In Thomas Cromwell, Diarmaid MacCulloch offers an unrivalled exploration of one of Tudor England’s most enigmatic and influential figures. From his humble beginnings in Putney to his meteoric rise within the court of Henry VIII, Cromwell's life is a testament to the power and peril of ambition. Firmly rooted in historical context, this biography delves into the intricate and often...

The blockbuster biography of the greatest Briton, by one of Britain's bestselling historians. Winston Churchill towers over every other figure in twentieth-century British history. By the time of his death at the age of 90 in 1965, many thought him to be the greatest man in the world. There have been over a thousand previous biographies of Churchill. Andrew Roberts...

A wonderful, epic story that tells the history of the greatest city in the world, from Roman times to the present day. London has perhaps the most remarkable history of any city in the world. Now its story has a unique voice. In this epic novel, Edward Rutherfurd takes the reader on a magnificent journey across sixteen centuries from the...

The Coming of the Third Reich by Richard J. Evans is a masterful exploration into the origins and rise of Nazi Germany, vividly recounting the transformation of a modern and culturally rich nation into the epicentre of one of history’s darkest periods. This meticulously researched work takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous years that saw Germany descend from...

The Notebook was named a 'Best Book of the Year 2023' by the New Statesman, Spectator, and Waterstones. "From plans for flying machines to philosophy - the remarkable joy of jotting things down" - Guardian "Surprisingly revealing" - The Sunday Times We see notebooks everywhere we go. But where did this simple invention come from? How did they revolutionise our...

Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts offers an unparalleled insight into the life and times of one of history's most remarkable figures. Spanning the crucial twenty years from 1795 to 1815, this definitive modern biography chronicles how Napoleon Bonaparte rose from relative obscurity to become the master of Europe. As he catapulted from a Corsican military officer to the Emperor...

This defining period in world history is explored and explained as never before. World War II- The Definitive Visual Guide is captured in hundreds of compelling images, presenting the people, places, and politics involved in the epic conflict. Inside this complete visual guide is chronological coverage of the lead up to war, major military battles around the globe, and the...

Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer provides a compelling and comprehensive chronicle of the darkest chapter in modern history, delving into the twelve years when Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime seized and held power in Germany. Shirer, a renowned journalist and historian, offers an unparalleled eyewitness account, charting the meteoric ascent and devastating collapse...

A stunning new story of Queen Victoria's secret love for her servant John Brown, by the acclaimed historian Fern Riddell. 'So often I told him no one loved him more than I did ... and he answered, "Nor you than me. No-one loves you more" ...' From the moment John Brown arrived as a servant to Queen Victoria's household, he...

From the international bestselling author and notable journalist Aldo Cazzullo comes a brilliantly researched and extremely accessible journey through the history and legacy of the Roman Empire. “The only way to narrate over a thousand years of history is to understand what it has left us. To tell the reasons, the things and the stories, thanks to which Roman civilization...

The most celebrated historical work in the English language Spanning thirteen centuries from the age of Trajan to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is one of the greatest narratives in European Literature. David Womersley's masterly selection and bridging commentary enables the reader to acquire a general sense...

A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum delves into the dark and intriguing world of Ancient Rome, where the best stories are tainted with bloodshed. Romulus, driven by ambition, kills his brother Remus to lay the foundation of Rome. Julius Caesar's assassination is orchestrated in a desperate bid to save the Republic. The theatre becomes a bloody...

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is one of the most poignant and powerful autobiographical works of the 20th century. This definitive edition, presented by Penguin Black Classics, offers readers an unfiltered look into the life of a young Jewish girl during the harrowing years of World War II. As Anne and her family go into hiding...

Britain's best-selling historian writes the first definitive account of the famous televised SAS storming of the Iranian embassy in London in 1980. On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. A tense six-day siege...

One of the greatest and most controversial feats of twentieth-century journalism. Hannah Arendt's authoritative and stunning report on the trial of German Nazi SS leader Adolf Eichmann first appeared as a series of articles in the New Yorker in 1963. A major journalistic triumph by an intellectual of singular influence, Eichmann in Jerusalem is as shocking as it is informative...

A stunning new edition of the classic Stoic text. Contained in the timeless volume Meditations, the personal writings of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled from 161 to 180 CE, are more relevant today than ever. Reflecting the core tenets of Stoicism, this collection of wisdom is a must-have for anyone interested in classical literature, philosophy, self-improvement, and mindfulness....

Revealed for the first time: the true story of the entrapment and deception of Princess Diana The death of Princess Diana in August 1997 was one of the most shocking events in recent history. Many events surrounding the tragedy have been shrouded in mystery, particularly the BBC Panorama interview Diana gave to journalist Martin Bashir less than two years before...

A harrowing true story about a young girl's struggle to survive Nazi persecution, and a man's attempt to unveil his family's secrets. The last time Lien saw her parents was in the Hague, where she was collected at the door by a stranger and taken away to be hidden from the Nazis. She was raised by her foster family as...

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley is an intimate and groundbreaking biography that delves into the personal and domestic life of one of literature's most beloved novelists, Jane Austen. Through meticulous research and a vivid narrative, Worsley brings to light a new perspective on how Austen's surroundings and daily experiences influenced her writing, creativity, and...

The Anglo-Saxons by Marc Morris meticulously charts the turbulent history of Britain from the end of Roman rule to the Norman Conquest. As the Roman Empire withdrew from Britain in the early fifth century, the island swiftly descended into chaos and decay. This vacuum of power attracted waves of foreign invaders, primarily the Anglo-Saxons, who emerged from across the sea...

Elie Wiesel's Night is a harrowing autobiographical account that follows his experiences as a young Jewish boy during one of history's most brutal chapters. Transported from a Jewish ghetto in Hungary to the unforgiving confines of Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald, Wiesel's narrative is filled with the escalating horrors he faced. The book captures his profound loss of...

From a little-known chapter of Holocaust history, Rebecca Frankel's Into the Forest is one family's inspiring true story of love, escape, and survival. In the summer of 1942, the Rabinowitz family narrowly escaped the Nazi ghetto in their Polish town by fleeing to the forbidding Bialowieza Forest. They miraculously survived two years in the woods—through brutal winters, Typhus outbreaks, and...

The story of the sixteenth-century's epic contest for the spice trade, which propelled European maritime exploration and conquest across Asia and the Pacific. Spices drove the early modern world economy, and for Europeans, they represented riches on an unprecedented scale. Cloves and nutmeg could reach Europe only via a complex web of trade routes, and for decades Spanish and Portuguese...

Ardennes 1944 by Antony Beevor is a masterful narrative that captures the dramatic and harrowing final offensive of Nazi Germany during World War II. Renowned for its rich and detailed historical accounts, this book delves deeply into the pivotal Battle of the Bulge, where Hitler made his desperate bid to turn the tide of the war. On 16 December 1944,...

The Templars by Dan Jones masterfully chronicles the extraordinary history of the Knights Templar, from their humble beginnings to their dramatic downfall. This captivating narrative delves into the enigmatic and illustrious lives of the Templars, who were the wealthiest and most influential military order in the crusading era. Dan Jones takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the medieval world,...

Dark Renaissance is the thrilling story of the writer who transformed culture in Elizabethan England, bringing it out of the darkness and into the light. Poor boy. Dark star. Spy. Transgressor. Genius. From one of the greatest writers on the Elizabethan era, Dark Renaissance is the thrilling and subversive life story of Christopher Marlowe—Shakespeare's inspiration and rival, who helped to...

A brilliant reappraisal of the medieval women whose lives have been misrepresented and co-opted over centuries for political, nation-building ends. By Professor Janina Ramirez, bestselling historian and author of FEMINA. From the bestselling author of FEMINA, a brilliant reappraisal of the medieval women whose lives have been exploited over centuries for political, nation-building ends. In Legenda, bestselling historian Professor Janina...

An engrossing portrait of #1 bestseller Yanis Varoufakis's political awakening, told through the extraordinary history of his family and the tumultuous twentieth century in Europe. Eleni put an arm around him and said, "Come, come, life is ahead of us. Raise your soul now. We have much to do." This is a book about how the great forces of history...

Sparta - its legendary warriors and steadfast resilience are famous throughout the world as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity. The Spartans' reputation as fighters is matched only by their mythic code of honour. Their torch has been carried by footballers and politicians, video games and philosophers alike.But who really were the Spartans? And what was the driving force...

BY THE AUTHOR OF CHERNOBYL: HISTORY OF A TRAGEDY, WINNER OF THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2018 WINNER OF THE PUSHKIN HOUSE RUSSIAN BOOK PRIZE 2015 On Christmas Day 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union. By the next day, the USSR was officially no more, and the USA had emerged as the world’s sole superpower. Award-winning historian...

A panoramic history of the arrival of the Stuarts, and how the reign of King James I saw England reach new corners of the globe. 'A majestic, brilliant account of the birth of an empire. Spectacularly good.' — PETER FRANKOPAN 'With its gripping storytelling combined with historical rigour, The Sun Rising is just the right kind of zesty treatment a...

Ed Moloney's A Secret History of the IRA is the best-informed account yet written of the IRA's evolution from ruthless guerrilla army into governmental party, ruling Northern Ireland alongside its most intransigent former enemies. But reconciliation between political figures who until very recently wished each other dead or in jail has not been accompanied by very much truth-telling about the...

The Widow Clicquot is the New York Times bestselling business biography of the visionary young widow who built a champagne empire, became a legend in her tumultuous times, and showed the world how to live with style. Tilar J. Mazzeo brings to life the woman behind the label, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, in this utterly intoxicating book that is as much...

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...

The major rediscovery of a forgotten masterpiece in the mould of Alone in Berlin and Stoner - the literary memoir of a youth in Nazi Germany. Exquisitely written... haunting... Few books, I think, capture so well the sense of a life broken for ever by trauma and guilt Sunday Times An unsparing, honest and insightful memoir, that shows how private...

In this account of the origins of World War II, Taylor provides a narrative of the years and events preceding Hitler's invasion of Poland on 1st of September 1939. The historian debunks previously accepted truths about World War II, arguing that Hitler did not set out to cause the war as part of an evil master plan, but blundered into...

The fascinating story of how Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana and the SAS changed the world. The early 1980s were the most dramatic, colourful and controversial years in our modern history. Margaret Thatcher had come to power in 1979 with a daring plan to reverse Britain's decline. But as factories closed their doors, dole queues lengthened and the inner cities exploded...

One of the great books in Western history and the very first work of non-fiction, in Tom Holland's compelling new translation. The Histories of Herodotus, completed in the second half of the 5th century BC, is generally regarded as the first work of history and the first great masterpiece of non-fiction writing. Joined here are the sheer drama of Herodotus'...

First time in Modern Classics Born into a Jewish ghetto in Hungary, as a child, Elie Wiesel was sent to the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald. This is his account of that atrocity—the ever-increasing horrors he endured, the loss of his family, and his struggle to survive in a world that stripped him of humanity, dignity, and faith....

Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare uncovers one of the most riveting yet lesser-known stories of the Second World War. Set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of chaos, this book delves into the inception and operations of a unique top-secret organisation established in London during the spring of 1939. Its singular mission: to orchestrate the systematic destruction...

The Weimar Years by Frank McDonough offers a meticulous and enthralling exploration of one of the most consequential periods in German and world history. Set in the aftermath of Germany's crushing defeat in the First World War, the book delves into the era of the Weimar Republic, an epoch marked by immense social reform, profound cultural renaissance, and hitherto unprecedented...

The sky above war-torn Europe was ablaze during the third week of February 1944, as the combined Allied air forces launched an unprecedented round-the-clock bomber offensive against Germany. Big Week by bestselling author James Holland delves into this pivotal moment in World War II history with unmatched depth and intensity. This battle sought to cripple the main factories and production...

The internationally bestselling and prize-winning history of German life in the fallout of the Third Reich, filled with eye-opening, shocking, and vitally human stories of ruin, repression, and revival. The Times Top 10 Bestseller Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction Shortlisted for the British Academy Book Prize Shortlisted for the Cundill History Prize A Book of the Year...

Through compelling eye-witness testimony and renowned historian James Holland's expert analysis, Brothers in Arms brings to vivid life the final bloody scramble across Europe from the powerful perspective of one of the greatest tank regiments - the Sherwood Rangers. It took a certain type of courage to serve in a tank in World War Two. Encased in steel, surrounded by...

'An outstanding work of historical artistry, a brilliantly woven and pacy story of the men who surrounded, influenced and sometimes plagued Henry VIII.' Alison Weir Henry VIII is well known for his tumultuous relationships with women, and he is often defined by his many marriages. But what do we see if we take a different look? When we see Henry...

The Last Viking is a masterful and pulse-pounding narrative that transports the reader into the middle of the action.’ Carl Gnam, Military Heritage Harald Sigurdsson burst into history as a teenaged youth in a Viking battle from which he escaped with little more than his life and a thirst for vengeance. But from these humble origins, he became one of...

A seriously FUNNY, seriously CLEVER history of our early kings and queens by one of our favourite comedians and cultural commentators. This will be the most refreshing, entertaining history of England you'll have ever read. Certainly, the funniest. Because David Mitchell will explain how it is not all names, dates or ungraspable historical headwinds, but instead show how it's really...

The Trouble With Being Born by E. M. Cioran is a deeply introspective and profoundly philosophical exploration of the human condition. The book navigates the bleak and often darkly comic territories of existence, examining fundamental questions such as birth, death, the concept of God, the relentless passage of time, the complexity of human relationships, and the daily struggle to find...

Between 58 and 50 BC, Caesar conquered most of the area now covered by France, Belgium, and Switzerland, and twice invaded Britain. This is the record of his campaigns. Caesar's narrative offers insights into his military strength and paints a picture of his encounters with the inhabitants of Gaul and Britain. It also offers lively portraits of key characters, such...

Vivid biographies of famous characters from the Ancient Greek world, in a revised edition of Ian Scott-Kilvert's seminal translation. The Parallel Lives of Plutarch are cornerstones of Western literature, and have exerted a profound influence on writers and statesmen since the Renaissance, most notably Shakespeare. This selection of ten biographies spans the period from the start of the fourth century...

Step into the mythical, magical realm of King Arthur... Uncover the legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table in intricate detail as you piece together his fabled kingdom and read all about the epic tales that have fascinated storytellers for centuries. Spot the sword in the stone, Guinevere and Lancelot, the Lady of the Lake, Merlin,...

Heaven's Command by Jan Morris offers a sweeping narrative that charts the remarkable saga of the British Empire, from the early days of Queen Victoria's reign in 1837 to the zenith of her power at her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. This first volume of the critically acclaimed "Pax Britannica" trilogy expertly captures the essence of Britain's imperial ambitions and the...

An unforgettable coming-of-age story, Free by Lea Ypi explores the profound meanings of freedom—personal, collective, and political—through the eyes of a young girl growing up in one of the most isolated countries on earth. Albania, where communist ideals replaced religion, stood as the last Stalinist stronghold in Europe, virtually impossible to visit or leave. It was a land of scarcity...

Richard J. Evans's The Third Reich at War meticulously charts the history of Germany during the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945. As Hitler led the nation into a total war, the impact reverberated through all levels of German society. Evans brings to life the experiences of generals and front-line soldiers, Hitler Youth activists, and ordinary citizens, documenting their...

A history of the world’s first democracy from its beginnings in Athens circa fifth century B.C. to its downfall 200 years later The first democracy, established in ancient Greece more than 2,500 years ago, has served as the foundation for every democratic system of government instituted down the centuries. In this lively history, author Thomas N. Mitchell tells the full...

Every mother of good blood will be sacred to us, wrote Heinrich Himmler, as he founded his Lebensborn ('Fount of Life') programme in 1935. The Lebensborn programme was founded in Nazi Germany to breed racially pure Aryans, from mothers who believed it was their national duty to provide 'A Child for Hitler', and fathers who served in the SS, selected...

In little more than fifty years, the regard with which the Royal Family are held has changed out of all recognition. Their private lives are now the stuff of soap opera, and it seems anyone who comes into contact with them sells their story to magazines or newspapers. Marion Crawford, 'Crawfie', as she was known to the Queen and Princess...

WINSTON CHURCHILL called it ‘the worst journey in the world’. But was even this telling quote, describing the nightmarish torment experienced while transporting military aid to northern Russia during World War Two, an understatement? As this book’s title implies, Battle of the Arctic tells a unique story. For much of the conflict was complicated by terrific storms, snow, ice, fog,...

'A wonderful book.' - Peter Frankopan 'A masterpiece' - Gregory Nagy, Harvard University 'Remarkable' - Ian Morris, author of Why the West Rules-For Now The way we think. The way we learn. The entertainment we seek. The way we are governed. It all began on the mountains and islands of Europe's southeastern edge, more than 3,000 years ago. The Greeks...

"There never was a Churchill from John of Marlborough down who had either morals or principles," so said Gladstone. From the First Duke of Marlborough—soldier of genius, restless empire-builder, and cuckolder of Charles II—onwards, the Churchills have been politicians, gamblers, and profligates, heroes and womanisers. The Churchills is a richly layered portrait of an extraordinary set of men and women—grandly...

The astonishing story of one of the most brutal and hard-fought battles of the Second World War in Italy, told by one of the most acclaimed and insightful historians in the UK. 'It should become a standard work on this campaign' - Telegraph 'James Holland is now our foremost authority on the Italian campaign' - John C. McManus 'A heart-pounding...

'Certain to become the definitive work' DOUGLAS SMITH 'Elegantly written and magisterially researched' ROBERT SERVICE 'Masterful . . . a chilling lesson' VLADISLAV ZUBOK The definitive story behind the self-destruction of the autocratic Romanov dynasty, by the world's foremost expert. When Tsar Nicholas II fell from power in 1917, Imperial Russia faced a series of overlapping crises, from war to...

'A humbling, inspiring account of some of the real founders of modern day Special Forces soldiering' - Bear Grylls SAS Nazi Hunters is the incredible, hitherto untold story of the most secret chapter in the SAS's history. Officially, the world's most elite special forces unit was dissolved at the end of the Second World War, and not reactivated until the...

The 2024 Elizabeth Longford prizewinning biography of the founder of Impressionism Based on thousands of never-before-translated letters and unpublished sources, Jackie Wullschläger's enthralling biography is the first account of Monet's turbulent private life and how it determined his expressive, sensuous, sensational painting. Deeply moving, it immerses us in that passionate experience, transforming our understanding of the man, his art, and...

Full of passion and betrayal, murder and war, the first volume of an epic new series from bestselling historian Alison Weir, bringing five of England's medieval queens to life. Queens of the Conquest is a Daily Telegraph Book of the Year. Love, murder, war, betrayal — this is the story of the five extraordinary queens who helped the Norman kings...

Homage to Catalonia is George Orwell's memoir of his experiences during the Spanish Civil War, a groundbreaking work of dissident literature drawn from vivid personal experience. There are occasions where it pays better to fight and be beaten than not to fight at all... Orwell volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War, was near-fatally wounded, and survived to write...

The classic, bestselling, official biography of Winston Churchill, back in print for the first time in two decades. By far the most lucid, comprehensive and authoritative account of Churchill that has been offered in a single volume – Daily Telegraph Drawing on decades of unprecedented access to Winston Churchill's family and estate, this classic bestseller remains the definitive biography of...