Global History

"In its comprehensive sweep, deep probing and acute critical analysis, Finkelstein's study stands alone." —Noam Chomsky "No one who ventures an opinion on Gaza ... is entitled to do so without taking into account the evidence in this book." —The Intercept The Gaza Strip is among the most densely populated places in the world. More than two-thirds of its inhabitants...

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, a searing, landmark study of the British Empire that lays bare its pervasive use of violence throughout the twentieth century. A NEW YORK TIMES, NEW STATESMAN, HISTORY TODAY AND BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE BOOK OF THE YEAR Masterly... This book is dynamite - ROBERT GILDEA, author of Empires of the Mind Winner of the NYU/Axinn Foundation...

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...

The acclaimed author of Free returns with an imaginative investigation into dignity and historical injustice through the story of a family. When Lea Ypi discovers a photo of her grandmother, Leman, honeymooning in the Alps in 1941 posted by a stranger on social media, she is faced with unsettling questions. Growing up, she was told records of her grandmother's youth...

At the age of nine, Janina David was leading a sheltered life with her prosperous Jewish family in Poland. One year later, they were all facing starvation in the Warsaw ghetto. In her memoirs of a wartime childhood, A Square of Sky, Janina David describes the family's struggle against insurmountable odds. When it became clear that none of them was...

A Sunday Times Bestseller In Utopia for Realists, acclaimed Dutch historian Rutger Bregman takes readers on an eye-opening journey through history and modern society, revealing how visionary ideas can become practical solutions for our most pressing challenges. With engaging storytelling and robust research, Bregman argues that many of the milestones of civilisation – from the abolition of slavery to the...

A unique map-led history of the world's most important civilizations Witness the rise and fall of ancient empires and forgotten cultures, and their epic stories with this unique map-led history. From Mesopotamia's thriving trade hubs to the spectacular cities of the Inca, such as Machu Picchu, Civilizations Map by Map charts the rise and fall of more than 90 pioneering...

An extraordinary account of how the Christian Revolution forged the Western imagination, from the author of Rubicon. "A galloping tour of Christianity's influence across the last 2,000 years." — New York Times Crucifixion, the Romans believed, was the worst fate imaginable, a punishment reserved for slaves. How astonishing it was, then, that people should have come to believe that one...

How to account for decades of worldwide war, revolution, and human suffering in the seventeenth century? A master historian uncovers the disturbing answer. Revolutions, droughts, famines, invasions, wars, regicides – the calamities of the mid-seventeenth century were not only unprecedented, they were agonisingly widespread. A global crisis extended from England to Japan, and from the Russian Empire to sub-Saharan Africa....

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...

Central Otago History in Bite-Sized Chunks offers an easy-to-digest history of Central Otago, New Zealand, presented in bite-sized chunks. Through the pages of this book, you'll be guided through many of the key events that have shaped our nation.

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...

The shocking number of Soviet citizens who lost their lives between 1941 and 1945—26 million, more than any other country—is widely known. However, the faces and voices of these victims of Nazism are conspicuously absent. In this pathbreaking new work of history, Jochen Hellbeck restores the USSR to its proper place in the history of the Second World War, arguing...

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...

An extensively researched, comprehensive biography of Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek, one of the twentieth century’s most powerful and controversial figures. Victorious in Defeat explores the life of Chiang Kai-shek (1887–1975), who led the Republic of China for almost fifty years, starting in 1926. He was the architect of a new, republican China, a hero of the Second World War,...

SHORTLISTED for ACT Book of the Year RUNNER-UP in the Frank Broeze Memorial Maritime History Book Prize 2019 'An apparition of an adult wandering albatross comes into view. A small flutter and powerful wings arch upward in a slow, poised descent to feed the waiting mouth. Fluffy chicks, half-grown, huddle close to the grass. One strides over to a neighbouring...

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...

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...

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 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....

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...

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...

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 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 'Philippa Gregory uses all her bestseller skills to weave a narrative with pace' Antonia Fraser From the multi-million bestselling historical novelist comes the culmination of her life’s work...

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....

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...

The acclaimed history of the Mediterranean, from the ancient world to the present. For over three thousand years, the Mediterranean Sea has been one of the great centres of civilization. David Abulafia's The Great Sea is the first complete history of the Mediterranean, from the erection of temples on Malta around 3500 BC to modern tourism. Ranging across time 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....

'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...

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...

Oil, Power, and War by Matthieu Auzanneau is a gripping and meticulous exploration of the intricate relationship between oil and global history. Spanning over 150 years, this compelling narrative delves into how oil has shaped historical events, fuelled economic growth, spurred political decisions, and incited military conflicts. The story is one of hubris, fortune, betrayal, and destruction, tracing the rise...

'Ingenious. Caputo picks out a fascinating path and leads readers along it with the confidence of a practised pilot' – Felipe Fernández-Armesto, author of 1492 'Accessible and entertaining, as well as deeply erudite and constantly mind-expanding' – Philip Ball, author of How Life Works From their first appearance on Renaissance maps, linear tracks representing maritime voyages have shaped the way...

The Devil and Sherlock Holmes by David Grann immerses readers in a series of twelve real-life stories, each filled with as much suspense and wonder as any fictional tale. Grann takes us on an investigative journey that delves deep into the human psyche and illuminates the contrasting forces of good and evil that shape our world. The collection opens a...

In Dreams of El Dorado, H. W. Brands tells the thrilling, panoramic story of the settling of the American West, from Lewis and Clark's expedition in the early 19th century to the closing of the frontier by the early 20th. He introduces us to explorers, mountain men, cowboys, missionaries and soldiers, taking us from John Jacob Astor's fur trading campaign...

Batavia's Graveyard by Mike Dash is a harrowing account of survival, treachery, and bravery that transports readers back to the 17th century and the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Dutch East Indiaman Batavia. In 1629, the Batavia struck an uncharted reef off the coast of what is now Australia, leading to a catastrophic shipwreck. Onboard were 332 men, women, and...

In the middle of the eighteenth century, British entrepreneurs harnessed the transformative energies of steam and coal, catalysing an era of profound change. This industrial revolution marked the beginning of a new epoch, with factories, railways, and gunboats driving the West's ascendancy to global power. The twentieth century saw the West consolidate its dominance with the advent of computers and...

Superbly entertaining. - Financial Times Jaw-dropping. - Sunday Times Fascinating. - Guardian Gripping. - The Times Terrific . . . A page-turning history of imperial hubris and nemesis, deceit and delusion, love and betrayal on a grand scale. - Sunday Times In 1864, a young Austrian archduke by the name of Maximilian crossed the Atlantic to assume a faraway throne....

The Borgias by Paul Strathern is a riveting exploration into the lives and legacies of one of history's most infamous dynasties. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Strathern brings to life the turbulent era characterized by ruthless ambition, political intrigue, and extraordinary cultural achievements. The story unfolds with the ascension of Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy as Pope Alexander VI....

Dictators by Frank Dikötter is a compelling exploration into the lives and regimes of some of the world's most infamous totalitarian leaders. In this meticulously researched work, Dikötter delves into the intricate mechanics of how these dictators maintained their iron grip on power through a blend of fear, propaganda, and the creation of personality cults. The narrative uncovers the techniques...

Not all lost cities are real, but this one was. The extraordinary story of Alexander the Great's lost city, and a quest to unravel one of the most captivating mysteries in ancient history. ‘Superb … impeccably researched, but with the pace and deftly woven plot complexity of a John le Carré novel... utterly brilliant’ William Dalrymple, Guardian ‘[An] exceptional biography...

The Story of the Jews by Simon Schama, CBE, is an extraordinary narrative that spans more than 3,000 years of Jewish history. Through meticulous research and lively storytelling, Schama brings to life the epic journey of the Jewish people, a tale of resilience, creativity, and survival. This landmark work explores the manifold experiences of Jews across the centuries and across...

The Deluge by Adam Tooze provides a sweeping, meticulously researched history that brings to life the transformative period following the First World War. Spanning from the brutal battles of the Western Front in 1916 to the devastating economic collapse of the Great Depression in the 1930s, Tooze's narrative masterfully navigates the seismic shifts in power and society that reshaped the...

Living with the Gods by Dr Neil MacGregor offers an extraordinary exploration of humanity's enduring search for meaning and our connections to the divine. This panoramic study investigates how beliefs shape us, tracing the rich tapestry of narratives that societies have developed to understand their place in the cosmos. Far from a simplistic historical recount, MacGregor's examination delves into the...

Hiroshima by John Hersey is a monumental work of journalism that captures the profound and harrowing experiences of six survivors in the aftermath of the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945. As the bomb decimated the city and claimed over 100,000 lives, Hersey artfully recounts the personal stories of these individuals, unveiling not only their survival but...

Global Discontents is an enlightening exploration of the simmering discontents that pose a threat to the future of humankind. Authored by world-leading public intellectual Noam Chomsky and skillfully facilitated by David Barsamian, this book offers a profound and urgent examination of global issues through the lens of ten in-depth conversations conducted between 2013 and 2016. Set against the backdrop of...

Niall Ferguson's Empire takes readers on a riveting journey through the highs and lows of the British Empire, offering a bold reinterpretation of its impact on the modern world. This enthralling narrative captures the essence of the excitement, brutality, and adventure that characterised the British Empire's expansion from the late 16th century to its zenith in the 19th century, and...

The Greatest Nobodies of History is the 'true' history of humanity's greatest moments, as told by comedian and TikTok sensation, Adrian Bliss. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'All at once funny, touching, dazzlingly informative and fascinating, brilliantly imaginative and altogether wonderful. Capable of switching between divine silliness and genuinely tender sweetness, tragedy and wonder.' — Stephen Fry History belongs to the...

When our ancestors came down from the trees, they brought the trees with them and remade the world. ‘A stunning book on the incalculable debt humanity owes wood…’ John Carey, The Sunday Times How did the descendants of small arboreal primates manage to stand on our own two feet, become top predators and take over the world? In The Wood...

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...

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Scotland's history with Scotland by Magnus Magnusson. This compelling narrative takes you on a journey through the nation's long and arduous path to nationhood, re-examining cherished myths and uncovering a wealth of fascinating new details. The book offers a fresh perspective on the history of Scotland, beginning with the earliest Mesolithic settlers on...

From the bestselling philosopher, a gripping history of science, thought, life on earth and the human mind - and what we might know in the future. In very recent times, humanity has learnt a vast amount about the universe, the past, and itself. But through our remarkable successes in acquiring knowledge, we have learned how much we have yet to...

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...

In Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker, one of the world's foremost thinkers and cognitive scientists embarks on a compelling exploration of human progress, arguing that despite the seemingly chaotic headlines dominating today’s media landscape, humanity has experienced dramatic advancements. Pinker confronts the widespread belief that the modern world is heading towards disaster by presenting a fact-driven narrative that showcases the...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | THE BOOK BEHIND THE VIRAL TIKTOK One tiny rock. One epic history. "A must-have for any serious cook or foodie." — Anthony Bourdain "This is a 'wow!' book: roving, startling, engaging." — Washington Post "Kurlansky finds the world in a grain of salt." — New York Times Book Review An unlikely world history from the...

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...

A prescient, thoughtful and chilling examination of the current state of the world If there are lessons from history, now is the time when we need to heed them, so that we do not end up in another Great Power war because of the fatal combinations of jingoism, fear, fatalism, and sheer stupidity that set off the first major war...

Humans just want to be happy, yes? After all, that’s what life’s all about. Well ... no. It turns out that, for a huge chunk of history, feeling good was the furthest thing from our minds. Expecting life to be fun and fulfilling (or, if all else fails, fine) is actually a very recent phenomenon. And there’s every reason to...