HISTORY
HISTORY
SPARTA Andrew Bayliss
PB $ 39.99
Sparta is famous throughout the world as a model for toughness, justice and masculinity. From warrior queens and the 300 to the Peloponnesian war, a major new history of the world’ s first superpower, Sparta traces the story of Ancient Greece’ s most iconic city-state, from its humble beginnings as a hamlet in the Peloponnese to its meteoric rise as the foremost military superpower of the Classical world. Andrew Bayliss uncovers the eclectic quirks that set Sparta above its rivals: its famous double monarchy, the harsh methods for raising children as soldiers, and the unique role of women in Spartan life. This is the story of Sparta’ s rise and fall.
A HISTORY OF ENGLAND IN 25 POEMS
Catherine Clarke
HB $ 55.00
due nov 25
This is the history of England told in a new way – glimpsed through 25 remarkable poems written down between the eighth century and today, which connect us directly with the nation’ s past, and the experiences, emotions and imaginations of those who lived it. A History of England in 25 Poems is a portal to the past; a constant companion, filled with vivid voices and surprising stories. Catherine Clarke’ s knowledge and passion take us inside the words and the moments they capture, with thoughtful insights on how the nation has dreamed itself into existence.
THE BREATH OF THE GODS
Simon Winchester
PB $ 37.99
due nov 11
What is going on with our atmosphere? The headlines are filled with news of devastating hurricanes, murderous tornadoes, and cataclysmic fires. The Breath of the Gods is an urgently-needed portrait across time of that unseen force – unseen but not unfelt – that respects no national borders and no vessel or structure in its path. Wind is seen by so many as a heavenly creation and generally a thing of essential goodness. But when it flexes its invisible muscles, all should take care and be very afraid.
A SCANDAL IN KÖNIGS- BERG
Christopher Clark
HB $ 49.99
due nov 25
A Scandal in Königsberg beautifully brings to life a time and a place that we would now situate in the tranquil‘ Biedermeier’ years between the seismic upheavals of the 1810s and 1840s. But there is a timeless quality to this small vortex of turbulence, in which spiritual hunger, vanity, professional rivalry, sexual incontinence, naivety and sheer human waywardness threatened to tear a city apart. Christopher Clark’ s brilliant new book is the result of many years of fascination with this strange case.
due nov 18
THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Don Watson
PB $ 39.99
When Britain’ s 13 American colonies declared their independence on 4 July 1776, the United States of America was born. But it was hardly united. In this superbly written book, Don Watson traces how the central conflicts of the United States – those over freedom, race, frontiers, enterprise, religion and violence – play out through its history. This is a story full of character and humour, told with great learning and insight – a perfect introduction to America, past and present.
A SHORT HISTORY OF JAPAN
Christopher Harding
HB $ 45.00
due dec 2
A brief and thrilling introduction to Japan from one of the country’ s leading British historians. Drawing on the latest scholarship, A Short History of Japan considers Japan’ s own view of its past, values and culture. The result is a sensory, tactile history conveying to the reader much about Japan’ s special nature. Christopher Harding skilfully shows how these everyday details are intimately bound up with the bigger historical picture, as an expression of the values that have been extraordinarily successful in helping the country to cope with centuries of radical change.
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