Global History

A sweeping, dramatic history of capitalism as seen through the eyes of its fiercest critics. At a time when we are faced with fundamental questions about the sustainability and morality of the economic system, Capitalism and Its Critics provides a kaleidoscopic history of global capitalism, from colonialism and the Industrial Revolution to the ecological crisis and artificial intelligence. John Cassidy...

The true history of humanity's greatest moments, as told by comedian and TikTok sensation, Adrian Bliss. History belongs to the heroes. But to get the full story, sometimes you have to ask the side characters. The lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Henry VIII and Queen Victoria fill bookshelves and fascinate scholars all over the world. But little attention is given...

A new understanding of history - Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1% This is a wise book - Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature Progress is power. But our modern story of progress is a very dangerous fiction. In the pursuit of progress, of growth and expansion, we have levelled cities, flattened mountains, charted the globe...

Civilization: How the West's six 'killer apps' transformed the history of the world Winner of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize 2013 If in the year 1411 you had been able to circumnavigate the globe and compare the dazzling civilizations of the Orient with Europe and North America, the idea that the West would dominate the Rest for most...

Of all the civilisations existing in the year 1000, that of Western Europe seemed the unlikeliest candidate for future greatness. Compared to the glittering empires of Byzantium or Islam, the splintered kingdoms on the edge of the Atlantic appeared impoverished, fearful, and backward. But the anarchy of these years proved to be, not the portents of the end of the...

Explore the failures, mistakes and missed opportunities that shaped history in this new entry in the bestselling series. From the botched attempt to create a life-extending elixir that produced gunpowder, to the unsuccessful stint in medical school which led to a career in naturalism for Charles Darwin, to the missile detection system malfunction that almost sparked a nuclear war, the...

From actor, comedian, writer, and host of the hit history podcast SNAFU, Ed Helms brings you an absurdly entertaining look at history's greatest screwups, complete with lively illustrations. History contains a plethora of insane screwups—otherwise known as SNAFUs. Coined during World War I, SNAFU is an acronym that stands for Situation Normal: All F*cked Up. In other words, "things are...

A beautifully produced account of the signing, impact, and legacy of Magna Carta, a document that became one of the most influential statements in the history of democracy, as part of the stunning landmark library series. On a summer's day in 1215, a beleaguered English monarch met a group of disgruntled barons in a meadow by the river Thames named...

Why did Rome fall - and what can it teach us about the decline of the West today? A historian and a political economist investigate. Over the last three centuries, the West rose to dominate the planet. Then, suddenly, around the turn of the millennium, history reversed. Faced with economic stagnation and internal political division, the West has found itself...

'Charming, hilarious, and guaranteed to make you the most interesting person at any party. Or the most annoying' - Adam Rutherford ‘Weird and wonderful facts you didn’t know you needed. Full of quirky nuggets of information and trivia’ - Sun ‘Joyously bizarre facts in a new book from a QI brainbox’ - Daily Mail Drawn from a former BBC QI...

'A delightful storybook . . . a portrait of our whole world created from the contents of the ground' Literary Review 'A real cabinet of curiosities' Sunday Times From the hematite used in cave paintings to the moldavite that became a TikTok sensation; from the stolen sandstone of Scone to the unexpected acoustics of Stonehenge; from crystal balls to compasses,...

Fresh, exciting and vividly readable, this is popular history at its very best. Our understanding of world history is changing, as new discoveries are made on all the continents and old prejudices are being challenged. In this truly global journey, political journalist Andrew Marr revisits some of the traditional epic stories, from classical Greece and Rome to the rise of...

Twenty thousand years ago, women were making and wearing clothing created from spun fibres. In Women's Work, archaeologist-linguist Elizabeth Wayland Barber "weaves the strands of mythology and literature, ethnology and documented history into a rich tapestry" (John Noble Wilford, New York Times Book Review), illuminating the vital role women held in preindustrial societies. With a distinctive and innovative approach to...

Nemesis by Max Hastings is a masterful narrative that delves into the climactic battles of the Second World War, focusing specifically on the monumental and harrowing campaign in the Far East. This critically acclaimed volume serves as a poignant companion to Hastings' bestselling work, Armageddon. With his unparalleled expertise and gripping storytelling, Hastings brings clarity and depth to the complex...

From SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING author Bettany Hughes 'A wondrous wonderful achievement' Stephen Fry   'Fascinating' Observer   'Thrilling' Guardian Their names still echo down the ages: The Great Pyramid at Giza. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Temple of Artemis. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia. The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos. The Colossus at Rhodes. The Lighthouse of Alexandria. The Seven...

An Economist Best Book of 2024 'Masterful and entrancing - this is big history at its best.' Professor Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors 'A real-life Indiana Jones takes readers on a dive through these underwater museums, revealing the sunken secrets of the past' The Times 'Fascinating... wonderful material, well researched and placed in its wider context' Spectator From a Bronze...

A GUARDIAN, ECONOMIST AND PROSPECT BOOK OF THE YEAR 'A superb book' Simon Sebag Montefiore 'An empowering story of human ingenuity' Economist 'Full of curious facts' The Times Causes of death have changed irrevocably across time. In the course of a few centuries, we have gone from a world where disease or violence was likely to strike anyone at any...

Optimism Over Despair by Noam Chomsky and C.J. Polychroniou is a compelling collection that delves into the myriad socio-political and economic problems plaguing the modern world. This enlightening book offers insightful commentary on pressing issues such as the rise of neoliberalism, the European refugee crisis, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the widely criticised US electoral system. Through a series...

Leadership by Henry Kissinger is a profound exploration of the art and science of leadership, as illustrated through the nuanced portraits of six remarkable leaders who have left indelible marks on their nations and the world. With an unparalleled depth of historical analysis and personal experience, Kissinger delves into the strategies of statecraft that defined their legacies. In this compelling...

Origins by Lewis Dartnell is a riveting exploration that uncovers how Earth's geological and environmental forces have profoundly shaped the course of human history and civilisation. Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this Sunday Times bestseller delves into the deep past to tell the grand story of humanity's development through the lens of our planet's dynamic history. Professor Lewis Dartnell takes...

In Numbers Don't Lie, renowned scientist and polymath Vaclav Smil embarks on an enlightening journey to uncover the hidden truths behind everyday questions and global phenomena. From the perceived dangers of air travel to the collective weight of the world's cattle, Smil delves into the facts and figures that shape our understanding of reality. Through meticulous data analysis, he illuminates...

Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre is an enthralling and meticulously researched narrative that uncovers the astonishing life of the greatest female spy in history. This gripping biography sheds light on the life of Ursula Kuczynski Burton, a woman whose espionage endeavours were pivotal during the tumultuous times of the twentieth century. Ursula Kuczynski Burton, known by her codename "Agent Sonya",...

The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy is an authoritative historical analysis that encompasses half a millennium of global geopolitical dynamics. Spanning from the post-medieval era to the late 20th century, the book meticulously charts the evolution and decline of powerful nations. Kennedy's thesis posits that the fortunes of world powers are intricately linked to their...

The Landmark Thucydides offers a masterful chronicle of the epic conflict between Athens and Sparta, known as the Peloponnesian War. The narrative intricately details the strategic battles, political manoeuvres, and the profound consequences that shaped ancient Greece over two decades. Thucydides captures the brutality and complexity of war in a way that reveals the timeless nature of human conflict, leaving...

In The Boundless Sea, David Abulafia presents a sweeping history of the world's three great oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian. This monumental work delves into the profound relationship between humanity and the seas from the earliest voyagers to modern times. Abulafia masterfully weaves together stories of merchants, explorers, pirates, cartographers, and travellers, creating a rich tapestry that...

Prisoners of Geography meets Bill Bryson: a funny, fascinating, beautifully illustrated – and timely – history of countries that, for myriad and often ludicrous reasons, no longer exist. ‘Countries are just daft stories we tell each other. They’re all equally implausible once you get up close’ Countries die. Sometimes it’s murder, sometimes it’s by accident, and sometimes it’s because they...

World History: The Basics introduces the fast-growing field of world history and addresses key questions such as: What is world history? How do we study a subject with such a broad geographic and chronological range? Why has world history been controversial? World History has rapidly grown to become one of the most popular and talked about approaches to the study...

A collection of intimate and revelatory first-hand accounts of pandemics through the ages. Humanity has always been struck by pestilence and pandemics, from the plagues of ancient Egypt to the pox that ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages, to Covid-19. People living through the crises have always recorded what they saw, what they felt, and what they did. Some presented...

A fascinating life of Sir Joseph Banks which restores him to his proper place in history as a leading scientific figure of the English Enlightenment. An extensive, admiring account of his subject’s circuitous route to fame and power.—Wall Street Journal Readers interested in the British Enlightenment, the history of science, or the lives of great figures who played leading roles...

'A book of ideas [...] Strathern ably guides us through these moments of glory.' -- The Times * Great cities are complex, chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born and history is made. Through ten unique cities, from the founding of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities,...

AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF 2024 'Masterful and entrancing - this is big history at its best.' Professor Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors 'A real-life Indiana Jones takes readers on a dive through these underwater museums, revealing the sunken secrets of the past' The Times From a Bronze Age ship built during the age of Queen Nefertiti and filled with...

Origin Story by David Christian takes readers on a compelling journey through the vast history of the universe, examining the events and circumstances that have shaped our existence. Starting from the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago, Christian intricately weaves together the threads of cosmic, biological, and human history to paint a cohesive picture of where we come from and...

A major history of the conflict that shaped every aspect of our world. As Germany and then Japan surrendered in 1945, there was tremendous hope that a new and much better world could be created from the moral and physical ruins of the conflict. Instead, the combination of the huge power of the USA and USSR, and the near-total collapse...

An entertaining and engrossing collection of British customs, superstitions and legends from past and present. Did you know, in Cumbria it was believed a person lying on a pillow stuffed with pigeon's feathers could not die? Or that green is an unlucky colour for wedding dresses? In Scotland, it was thought you could ward off fairies by hanging your trousers...

The internationally bestselling guide to the extraordinary human story, for the curious of all ages. The world has existed for over 4 billion years, but humanity arrived much more recently. Here, E. H. Gombrich brings to life the full story of human experience on Earth. He paints a colourful picture of remarkable people and events, from Confucius to Catherine the...

A lucid guide to humankind's greatest thinkers, from Aristotle to Peter Singer "A primer in human existence: philosophy has rarely seemed so lucid, so important, so worth doing and so easy to enter into. . . . A wonderful introduction for anyone who's ever felt curious about almost anything." —Sarah Bakewell, author of How To Live: A Life of Montaigne...

A three-thousand year history of the world that examines the causes of war and the search for peace. In three thousand years of history, China has spent at least eleven centuries at war. The Roman Empire was in conflict during at least 50 per cent of its lifetime. Since 1776, the United States has spent over one hundred years at...

In The Ascent of Money, renowned historian Niall Ferguson weaves a rich narrative that chronicles the remarkable evolution of finance, tracing its origins and exploring its profound impact on human civilisation. Delving into the intricate tapestry of economic history, Ferguson provides a comprehensive account of how money has been the driving force behind pivotal events and societal transformations throughout the...

‘A delightful compendium of the kind of facts you immediately want to share with anyone you encounter’ New York Times ‘An ebullient, irrepressible spirit invests this book. It is erudite and sprightly’ Sunday Times From the creation of the first encyclopedia to Wikipedia, from ancient museums to modern kindergarten classes—here is award-winning writer Simon Winchester’s brilliant and all-encompassing look at...

In August 1914, polar explorer Ernest Shackleton boarded the Endurance and set sail for Antarctica, where he planned to cross the last uncharted continent on foot. In January 1915, after battling its way through a thousand miles of pack ice and only a day's sail short of its destination, the Endurance became locked in an island of ice. Thus began...

Filip Müller came to Auschwitz with one of the earliest transports from Slovakia in April 1942 and began working in the gassing installations and crematoria in May. He was still alive when the gassings ceased in November 1944. He saw millions come and disappear; by sheer luck, he survived. Müller is neither a historian nor a psychologist; he is a...

Silk Silver Opium not only tells the fascinating stories of silk and tea, porcelain, silver and opium, missionaries, mercenaries, and trade, but also what became inevitable – war and humiliation. Much about China's modern relationship with the West is the product of its past inter-reactions, conflicts, victories, and humiliations. The South China Sea was the place from where the ultimately...

A brilliant global narrative that unravels the defining story of the past thousand years. A Financial Times Book of the Year No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organise our politics. Sven Beckert situates the story of capitalism within the...

A history of wars through the ages and across the world, and the irrational calculations that so often lie behind them Benjamin Franklin once said, "There never was a good war or a bad peace." But what determines whether war or peace is chosen? Award-winning sociologist Michael Mann concludes that it is a handful of political leaders—people with emotions and...

Few forces have shaped our world as powerfully – or as secretly – as mafias. Groups such as La Cosa Nostra, the Medellín Cartel, New York’s Five Families, the Japanese yakuza and Russian vory are notorious, endlessly covered in news stories and popular media. Yet when official histories are written, their role in shaping nations, economies and societies is rarely...

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER The Secret History of the World offers a complete history of the world, from the beginning of time to the present day, based on the beliefs and writings of the secret societies. Jonathan Black examines the end of the world and the coming of the Antichrist - or is he already here? How will he make himself...

Rise and Fall opens with the Akkadian Empire, which ruled over a vast expanse of the region of ancient Mesopotamia, then turns to the immense Roman Empire, where we trace back our western and eastern roots. Next, Strathern describes how a great deal of Western classical culture was developed in the Abbasid and Umayyid Caliphates. Then, while Europe was beginning...

At Histories of the Unexpected, we believe that everything has a history - even the most unexpected of subjects - and that everything links together in unexpected ways. We believe that the history of the itch, the history of crawling, the history of clouds, or of lightning or of zombies or zebras or holes or perfume or rubbish or mustard...

Did you know that the history of the beard is connected to the Crimean War; that the history of paperclips is all about the Stasi; and that the history of bubbles is all about the French Revolution? And who knew that Heinrich Himmler, Tutankhamun, and the history of needlework are linked to napalm and Victorian orphans? In Histories of the...

Entertaining The Times Utterly fascinating and illuminating Sinclair McKay Fascinating... An astonishing read, with remarkably vivid protagonists Harald Jähner Ohler weaves a masterful tapestry of history in this revealing and fresh account David de Jong Berlin, 1945. Following the fall of the Third Reich, drug use - long kept under control by the Nazis' strict anti-drug laws - is rampant...

A groundbreaking history of how the Black Death unleashed revolutionary change across the medieval world and ushered in the modern age. In 1346, a catastrophic plague beset Europe and its neighbours. The Black Death was a human tragedy that abruptly halved entire populations and caused untold suffering, but it also brought about a cultural and economic renewal on a scale...

Shard engineer Roma Agrawal deconstructs our most complex inventions into seven fundamental objects: the nail, spring, wheel, lens, magnet, string and pump. _____________ 'Delightful' – TIM HARFORD, FINANCIAL TIMES 'Appeals to the nerdy side of just about all of us... a great book to give' – JANE GARVEY 'Splendid. Clearly written, elegantly structured full of facts you are unlikely to...

"Scott Jennings is a Patriot from the Great State of Kentucky... A Revolution of Common Sense was directly inspired by my Inaugural Address and the many Common Sense actions we have taken in our effort to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.... Scott totally gets it and, unlike the many Fake News books that are being written about my Administration, Scott's book...

A special edition of the international bestseller that is “sumptuously illustrated. . . . Perfect for reading to alert and curious children, but it’s even better as a secret pleasure, read alone, with no children in sight.” (Philip Kennicott, Washington Post) E. H. Gombrich’s A Little History of the World, an engaging and lively book written for readers both young...

A superbly engaging guide to music around the world, from prehistory to the present Music excites and moves us perhaps more than any other art form. From a Neanderthal's bone flute to the festivals of Glastonbury and Coachella, human beings have always made and enjoyed music. Covering a remarkable range, including Indian raga, Javanese gamelan, medieval chant, jazz and K-pop,...

A major new political history of the French Revolution In 1786, France’s ancien régime was functioning as usual. Its alliance with the victorious American colonies had restored its diplomatic prestige, the economy seemed to be flourishing, and internal politics seemed quiet. But just a few short years later, the dynasty which had ruled France for over 800 years was swept...

Multi-million copy bestselling author Terry Deary shows you the history of the world through the eyes of Mr and Mrs Peasant (and their good friend Monsieur Guillotine...). A globetrotting, laugh-out-loud popular history for fans of David Mitchell. It is a truth universally acknowledged that the rich and powerful always look after their own and the working people are always revolting....

The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller The second bestselling book from 'the most joyous and brain-enhancing podcast out there' (The Times) - also including puzzles and a quiz! Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook bring you an alphabetical miscellany, taking on some of history’s best and most bizarre moments. Charge forth against the traitors of the American Revolution, journey through Baghdad to...

Warriors, Witches, Women is a guide to awe-inspiring mythic female creatures worldwide; from feminist fairies to bloodsucking, seductive succubae, half-human half-bird harpies created from the wind, or protective and seductive voodoo goddesses who still impact on African-American cultural feminism. With 50 entries, it profiles global examples of fierce females from mythology and folklore, retelling these wonderful stories by placing women...

North, south, east and west: almost all societies use the four cardinal directions to orientate themselves, to understand who they are by projecting where they are. In Four Points of the Compass, Jerry Brotton takes the reader on a journey of directional discovery. He reveals why Hebrew culture privileges east; why Renaissance Europeans began drawing north at the top of...

Inspiring urban explorers and armchair travellers alike to consider a new way of understanding the world we live in, this unique atlas shows you the modern world from surprising new vantage points. Hidden lairs beneath layers of rock, forgotten cities rising out of deserted lands, and even mankind's own feats of engineering eccentricity lie in the most unusual of destinations....

The acclaimed book Oliver Stone called “the best account I have read of this tragedy and its significance,” JFK and the Unspeakable details not just how the conspiracy to assassinate President John F. Kennedy was carried out, but WHY it was done…and why it still matters today. At the height of the Cold War, JFK risked committing the greatest crime...

National bestseller A thrilling odyssey through an unforgiving landscape, from "Canada's greatest living explorer." In the spring of 2017, Adam Shoalts, bestselling author and adventurer, set off on an unprecedented solo journey across North America's greatest wilderness. A place where, in our increasingly interconnected, digital world, it's still possible to wander for months without crossing a single road, or even...

Explore the failures, mistakes and missed opportunities that shaped history in this new entry in the bestselling series. From the botched attempt to create a life-extending elixir that produced gunpowder, to the unsuccessful stint in medical school which led to a career in naturalism for Charles Darwin, to the missile detection system malfunction that almost sparked a nuclear war, the...

'Convincingly researched and thoroughly entertaining' - Wall Street Journal THE TIMES BEST BOOKS OF 2020 'This book shows that, despite rumours of demon dwarfs, piano-playing crocodiles and world domination, the real story of the Freemasons is one of male eccentricity.' The Craft is a superb book that often reads like an adventure novel. It's informative, fascinating and often very funny....

An authoritative and original history of global feminism from an award-winning historian. How has feminism developed? What have feminists achieved? What can we learn from the global history of feminism? Feminism is the ongoing story of a profound historical transformation. Despite being repeatedly written off as a political movement that has achieved its aim of female liberation, it has been...

This new edition of The Penguin History of the World is an opportunity to celebrate a book that is both a richly rewarding narrative and a permanent work of reference. The Penguin History of the World tells the entire story of human endeavour in all its grandeur and folly, drama and pain in a single book; beautifully written, authoritative and...

Moving from the Modern Classics into the successful Wells series in the Penguin Classics. Spanning the origins of the Earth to the outcome of the First World War, this is a brilliantly compelling account of the evolution of life and the development of the human race. Along the way, Wells considers such diverse subjects as the Neolithic era, the rise...

The First Day on the Somme was the blackest day of slaughter in the history of the British Army. This is a powerful account of the experiences of soldiers who faced it. On 1 July 1916, a continuous line of British soldiers climbed out from the trenches of the Somme into No Man's Land and began to walk slowly towards...

Solzhenitsyn's polemical speeches serve as a primer for understanding the moral and political vision of the Nobel Prize winner. 'Can one part of humanity learn from the bitter experience of another or can it not? Is it possible or impossible to warn someone of danger... to assess soberly the worldwide menace that threatens to swallow the whole world? I was...

'A wondrous wonderful achievement' STEPHEN FRY Longlisted for The Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2025 The Seven Wonders of the World were staggeringly audacious impositions on our planet. They were also brilliant adventures of the mind, test cases for the reaches of human imagination. Now only the great pyramid remains fully standing, yet the scale and majesty of these seven wonders...

An enthralling tale that ties together themes that are urgently relevant today: freedom of the press, the role of journalism, and the price of speaking truth to power. — Sunny Singh Hicky's Bengal Gazette is the story of India's first newspaper and its pivotal role in exposing the corruption of the British imperialist project. The story opens in late-eighteenth century...

“Nothing I’ve read has cut to the heart of the ’00s like Y2K.” — Bustle Perfect for fans of Jia Tolentino and Chuck Klosterman, Y2K is a delightfully nostalgic and bitingly told exploration about how the early 2000s forever changed us and the world we live in. THE EARLY 2000s conjures images of inflatable furniture, flip phones, and low-rise jeans....

A monumental history of the nineteenth century, The Transformation of the World offers a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of a world in transition. Jürgen Osterhammel, an eminent scholar who has been called the Braudel of the nineteenth century, moves beyond conventional Eurocentric and chronological accounts of the era, presenting instead a truly global history of breathtaking scope and towering erudition....

Strategy: A History by Sir Lawrence Freedman is a comprehensive exploration of the art and science of strategy, examining its evolution across a wide array of contexts, from military and political arenas to corporate and global spheres. Freedman invites readers on a historical journey, showcasing how strategic thought has been a fundamental aspect of human endeavours, influencing actions and decisions...

Delve into the profound exploration of human thought in the twentieth century with The Modern Mind by Peter Watson. This meticulously researched work presents an expansive narrative that captures the essence of the century's intellectual evolution. Watson guides readers through a labyrinth of ideas and innovations that have shaped modern civilisation, from groundbreaking scientific theories to powerful philosophical doctrines and...

The final volume in one of the most acclaimed works of military history of this generation. Here is Peter Caddick-Adams' third volume in his trilogy about the final year of the Western front in World War Two. Fire & Steel covers the war's final 100 days, beginning in late January 1945 and continuing until May 8th, 1945, when the German...

A New York Times Notable Book A deeply textured dual biography and fascinating intellectual history that examines two of the greatest minds of European history—Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther—whose heated rivalry gave rise to two enduring, fundamental, and often colliding traditions of philosophical and religious thought. "A masterly work. Massing manages to juggle the complicated biographies and life work of...

Enemies and Neighbors by Ian Black presents a comprehensive exploration of the complex and enduring Arab-Zionist conflict, a subject steeped in historical significance and current relevance. Through meticulous research and an intimate understanding of the region, Black delivers a narrative that offers insight into one of the most polarising conflicts of modern times. This sweeping history begins at the end...

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie is an enthralling and meticulously researched biography that captures the life and legacy of one of the most powerful women in history. Massie transports readers back to the 18th century, where an obscure German princess, born Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst, ascended to the Russian throne to become the...