Gordon Kerr

A Short History of the Vietnam War explains how the United States became involved in its longest war, a conflict that, from the outset, many claimed it could never win. It details the escalation of American involvement from the provision of military advisors and equipment to the threatened South Vietnamese, to an all-out shooting war involving American soldiers, airmen, and...

Capital punishment for murder was suspended in Great Britain in 1965, an Act finally made permanent in 1969, but remained as the punishment for treason until as recently as 1998, demonstrating how seriously we take the crime of betraying your country. But even with the threat of the noose hanging over them, many still chose the path of treachery during...

Which countries were under a dictatorship? Where did the Beatles perform live outside the UK? Where were atomic bombs tested? Which nations boycotted the 1966 World Cup? What was the route of the Hippy Trail? The 1960s was a momentous decade whose legacy is colourful and enduring. Here is a book that maps those years—through their culture, their politics, their...

Situated at the crossroads of three continents, the Middle East has confounded the ambition of conquerors and peacemakers alike. Christianity, Judaism and Islam all had their genesis in the region but with them came not just civilisation and religion, but also some of the great struggles of history.Shifting Sands: A Pocket Essential History of the Middle East makes sense of...

More than eighty-five years after it ended in defeat for the Republicans and victory for the Nationalists headed by General Francisco Franco, the Spanish Civil War remains a subject of debate and contention. We live in a time of political polarisation, with opposing sides holding entrenched and unalterable positions, and War Without Mercy sheds light on the consequences of such...

The world's largest democracy and second most populous country, 21st century India is a dynamic nation with a thriving economy, made up of a variety of beliefs and peoples united under one flag. Its history is a unique story of ancient empires and civilisations, some dating back to humankind's earliest times. A Short History of India traces this fascinating path...

Situated at the crossroads of three continents, the Middle East has confounded the ambition of conquerors and peacemakers alike. Christianity, Judaism and Islam all had their genesis in the region but with them came not just civilization and religion, but also some of the great struggles of history. A Short History of the Middle East makes sense of the shifting...

During this time of conflict and suspicion, it is perhaps more important than ever to understand the beliefs and philosophies of other cultures. A Pocket Essential Short Introduction to Religion provides a useful guide to the world's most popular religions—Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism. It describes their origins and history, beliefs, worship, and sacred writings. The book also investigates...