HistoryWow’s Golden List of Great History Books
There are many great history books. These are some of the ones we think are especially good.
The Three Emperors by Miranda Carter
Fascinating account of the three European sovereigns, Tsar Nicholas of Russia, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and King George V of Great Britain, all cousins, whose countries were on a collision course that transformed the 20th century world. Of the three, ‘Nicky’ and ‘Willy’, as they were known to each other, lost their thrones and almost all their staggering wealth.
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The Annals of Imperial Rome by Tacitus
One of the ancient world’s greatest surviving historical annals; as iconic as Sun Tzu’s ‘Art of War’ or Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’. Tacitus’ writings have been studied for centuries as a fantastic source for the ‘beginning of the end’ of Imperial Rome.
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Henry VIII by Alison Weir
Henry VIII’s life and times in all its magnificence, splendor, geopolitics, intrigue and brutality. We learn ,for example, that Henry owned no fewer than 70 castles and palaces, so he was never short of a place to hang his hat. Also, that he gave the lady who made his cakes and other confections a house, so pleased was he with her concoctions to sate his sweet tooth.
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Taking Charge – The Johnson White House Tapes 1963-64 by Michael R Beschloss
Fascinating insight into the first two years of the administration of President Lyndon Johnson highlighting LBJ’s political skills and interpersonal foibles. Although, sadly, no mention of LBJ giving a press conference on board of AirForce One in 1964, with just a towel wrapped around him. Which he subsequently removed, allowing the assembled journalists to view what the commander in chief had nicknamed ‘jumbo’.
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Nemesis by Max Hastings
The fascinating and richly detailed story of allied command decisions, rivalries and follies during World War Two on the bloody road to defeating Japan. Much to the chagrin of many Australians, Hastings delivers unflattering commentary on the role of Australian soldiers.
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Dreadnought by Robert K Massie
Magnificent account of the complex factors that brought about World War One. Meticulously researched, rich in detail and larger than life personalities.
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History’s Great Untold Stories – Obscure Events of Lasting Importance by Joseph Cummins
As the name suggests, a wealth of enthralling and esoteric historical events and episodes that underscore why the study of history is so fascinating and inspirational.
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History – The Ultimate Guide to Events that Shaped the World Year by Year published by Dorling Kindersley
A compendium of dates and events, key people and places, stretching back to the dawn of recorded history, richly illustrated. Deeply detailed and scholarly, yet eminently readable.
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The War Business by George Thayer
An eye opening account of the private and government arms trade in the first half of the 20th century. Including unscrupulous weapon dealers, business barons and acts of sabotage and espionage, Thayer’s meticulously researched book at times reads like a political thriller.
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A Time for War by Robert D Sculzinger
Descriptive and evocative narrative of the lead up to the Vietnam War from France’s involvement to America’s participation.
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The Proud Tower by Barbara Tuchman
A monumental saga of Europe and America in the last decades of the 19th Century. Replete with larger than life characters on the cusp of the calamitous 20th Century.
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A History of Modern France by Alfred Cobban
One of the great seminal texts on the history of modern France, detailing events that impact on what France is today.
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1918 by Gregor Dallas
Brilliant account of the aftermath of World War One – the greatest conflagration the world had seen – in Paris, Berlin and beyond.
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London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd
From Londonium at the time of the Romans to today’s pre eminent international city, this book sparkles with scholarship and fascinating detail.
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England: A Portrait by John Bowie
A scholarly and evocative history of England, intimate and rich in detail and insight.
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Dixie Betrayed by David J Eicher
The South’s efforts during the civil war from great hope to disaster and loss.
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Japan – The Blighted Blossom by Roy Thomas
A history of Japan highlighting the culture, brutality and majesty of that unique mystric and ancient country.
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Agincourt by Juliet Barker
Henry V’s famous campaign in France is recounted in magnificent detail. We learn of the horrific facial, arrow wound that Henry received in battle aged just 16. and the lengthy and painful removal of the barbed shaft, pre-anesthetic of course.
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How War Came by Donald Cameron Watt
The reasons behind the outbreak of World War Two highlighting the national figures and geopolitical issues involved.
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The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough
Epic and fascinating sweeping human drama of the building of the Panama Canal, the greatest engineering feat of its time. The book deals with its problems ranging from a failed attempt by the French, an ensuing financial scandal, to the final triumph under US stewardship.
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The Tyranny of Distance by Geoffrey Blainey
Award winning history of Australia, by the country’s greatest historian, and the role that distance played in the development of the land down under.
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The Fall of Paris by Alistair Horne
The campaign that saw the fall of France in 1940, which brought defeat for that country, but avoided a repeat of the carnage of World War One.
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The Jungle is Neutral by F Spencer Chapman
Thrilling true story of guerilla warfare in the jungles of Malaya after the fall of Singapore in 1942.
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A Leap Year 366 of Great Stories from History by W B Marsh and Bruce Carrick
Fascinating tales from history of what happened on each day of the year. Rich in color and diversity and intriguing insights.
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Queen Victoria’s Private Life by E E P Tisdall
A unique and intimate insight into the life of the, up until recently, longest reigning British sovereign, by one of her courtiers.
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Abraham Lincoln by Carl Sanders
Wonderfully evocative, award winning and beautifully written life of Lincoln in three volumes.
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The Faber Book of Reportage edited by John Carey
Eyewitness accounts of historical events both great and prosaic, providing a vivid window on the various periods and eras from the past. Being first hand accounts, no historian’s interpretation colors the narrative.
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Wine and War by Don & Petie Kladstrup
Entertaining and informative story of how France’s vintners protected and rescued the great national asset during the Second World War.
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Gentlemen’s Blood: A History of Dueling by Barbara Holland
Richly detailed and thrilling history of dueling across the ages, when honor and the need for satisfaction were at a premium. Seventh US president Andrew Jackson fought over 100 duels, most of them to defend his wife’s honour.
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The Fall of Paris by Alistair Horne
All encompassing account of the siege of Paris in the Franco Prussian War of 1870 including the sad and culinary fate of the elephants Castor and Pollux.
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Dictionary of Modern History 1789-1945 by Duncan Townson
A concise but thorough compendium of key events in modern history, and excellent reference source.
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Edward VII: a Portrait by Christopher Hibbert
Intimate portrait of the pleasure seeking and under employed Prince who became a well loved and respected King. The fate of the aristocrat who called the portly prince ‘Tum Tum’ to his face, is revealed.
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Day of Infamy by Walter Lord
Moment by moment description of the devastating and undeclared attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
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The Zimmerman Telegram by Barbara Tuchman
Reads like a fast moving thriller of efforts by Germany to stop America entering World War One by fomenting hostilities with Mexico.
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Titan: The Life of John D Rockefeller by Ron Chernow
Fascinating story of the Baptist accountant who became three times richer than Gates or Buffett, and who gave much of it away.Sadly, his great wealth could not stop all his hair falling out.
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On the Psychology of Military Incompetence by Norman Dixon
An analysis of the factors behind military decision making, and the problems that exist when humans are put in charge.
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Chariot: The Astounding Rise and fall of the world’s first war machines by Arthur Cotterell
Ancient technology comes alive with this captivating history of the fast but often dangerous, for both user and foe, chariot.
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American Shogun: MacArthur, Hirohito and the American Duel with Japan by Robert Harvey
Colorful and enthralling account of the lives of America’s ‘Caesar’ and Japan’s all powerful emperor in the lead up to World War Two.
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Alfred the Great: the man who made England by Justin Pollard
The story of the only English King to be named ‘Great’ and the man who forged the country as one.
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Castles of Steel by Robert K Massie
At the outbreak of World War One Britain’s navy was the greatest on earth threatened only by the might of an ambitious Germany. Fascinating and enthralling. Read why pin-up boy Admiral David Beatty visited Mrs Robinson and other idiosyncratic ladies.
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The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman
Magnificent volume detailing how throughout history governments have pursued policies contrary to their own interests.
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Hong Kong: Epilogue to an Empire by Jan Morris
Rich in detail and romantic perspective on Britain’s exotic colony in the East.
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Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World by Niall Ferguson
Engrossing and richly detailed account of Britain and its magnificent empire.
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War of the Roses: Peace and Conflict in the 15th Century by John Gillingham
Incisively written and highly readable account of a fascinating period of English history.
A Genius for War: A Life of George S Patton by Carlo D’Este
The life of the flamboyant four star General and tank commander Patton, who was one of the wealthiest officers in the US army. From his ivory handled six guns, worn on each hip, to the tragic irony of his death, this is a brilliant read.
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Edison & The Electric Chair: A Story of Light and Death by Mark Essig
Fascinating insight into the rivalry between General Electric and Westinghouse and the development of the electric chair.
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Cousin Randolph: The Life of Randolph Churchill by Anita Leslie
Highly readable and personal account of Randolph Churchill, Winston’s talented but multi faceted only son.
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Knights of the Air by Ezra Bowen
The Chivalry, bravery and magnificence of aerial warfare in the First World War when cavalry lept to the skies with bravado and elan.
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The Civil War by Shelby Foote
Epic, majestic and masterly three volume, definitive account of the war between the states, where some 620,000 Americans died.
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Douglas Haig: The Educated Soldier by John Terraine
The life of commander in chief of the British Army on the Western Front during World War One, Field Marshall Douglas Haig, held accountable by many for the needless slaughter of hundreds of thousands.
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The Last Kaiser: William the Impetuous
The Life of Prussia’s last King and Germany’s last Kaiser. A portrait of a war monger and naval aficionado who, in the words of Bismarck, ‘always wanted it to be Sunday’.
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The Washing of the Spears by Donald R Morris
Europe’s fight for Africa in all its rich pageantry, valor, greed and bloodshed.
A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14thth Century by Barbara Tuchman
Twice Pulitzer Prize winning historian Tuchman writes in her rich and evocative style on this crucial epoch in human history.
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The Germans by Gordon A Craig
A remarkable analysis of the Germans by Professor Craig, where he dissects their history, culture, and national outlook.
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Churchill by Alison Weir
Weir provides a wide ranging and detailed look at the man who many say was the greatest Englishmen of all.
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Sand Against the Wind by Barbara Tuchman
The story of General ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stillwell and America’s role in China during World War Two.
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Intellectuals by Paul Johnson
Prolific historian Paul Johnson profiles leading intellectuals and examines and appraises their credential as he sees them.
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An Intimate History of Humanity by Theodore Zeldin
Renowned historian Zeldin takes a humanist look at history in a fascinating, big canvas dissertation.
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Frederick the Great by David Fraser
The character and personality of the great Frederick is laid bare here in all its complexity, talents and regal magnificence.
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The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy
A fascinating overview of the great powers, from Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to America’s softening eminence today, and their impact on world history.
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Despite the French Revolution, The Persistence of the Old Regime: Europe to the Great War by Arno J. Mayer
A fresh interpretation of how, contrary to established thinking, the entrenched elites in Europe were able to defend their feudal and aristocratic privileges up until the outbreak of World War One.
Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century 1914 1991 by Eric J. Hobsbawm
A unique insight into world history, encompassing wars, revolutions, economic crisis and all the major transformations of the twentieth century.
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William The Conqueror by David C Douglas
Meticulous and rigorously detailed academic account of the man who brought about the most decisive event in English history.
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A History of the Modern World from 1917 to the 1980s by Paul Johnson
An eminently readable look at a range of countries in Europe and the US, as World War One comes to a close and future tumultuous decades wait.
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Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
‘Big History’ at its best. An ambitious and detailed account that asks one of modern history’s most contentious and compelling questions; why do some civilisations succeed and others fail? Challenges the reader to look at history as a continual rise and fall.
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Ideas by Peter Watson
A complex but compelling dissertation about the decline of competing ideas and concepts, from fire to Freud.
The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius
A personal aide to Emperor Hadrian, Suetonius delivers a contemporary’s insight into imperial Rome, with all its intrigue, scandal, and score settling that would not be out of place in a modern political memoir.
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Japan at War (An Oral History) by Haruko Taya Cook & Theodore F. Cook
A poignant, insightful and at times disturbing collection of fascinating and confronting interviews given by Japanese soldiers and civilians after the Pacific War.
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The Fall of Berlin 1945 by Antony Beevor
A superb account of the strategic events leading to the fall of Berlin and the siege itself. It also describes the smaller more intimate battle endured by millions of Germans and Russians under the control of two of history’s most brutal regimes.
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The Mask of Command by John Keegan
A well written and structured military history. Keegan’s book explores the characteristics needed by a brilliant commander to inspire battle effectiveness and loyalty in his troops.
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City of Heavenly Tranquility – Beijing in the History of China by Jasper Becker
Fascinating history of Beijing against the backdrop of changes by recent Governments to destroy its magnificent architectural heritage.
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The Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder, Madness and the Love of Words by Simon Winchester
An enthralling account of the story of the making of the Oxford English Dictionary.
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The Tyrannicide Brief by Geoffrey Robertson
A passionate and bloody account of the trial and execution of Charles I, and of the extraordinary prosecutor, John Cooke, who took on the case at the instruction of Cromwell, and for his trouble was executed when the monarchy was restored.
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The Duchess by Amanda Foreman
Political intrigue abounds in this biography of the larger than life 18th century English aristocrat, Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, who in the 1780s was a prominent socialite and energetic political campaigner.
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Pax Britannica, Heaven’s Command, Farewell the Trumpets by James Morris
Epic and glorious three volume account of the British Empire, where the sun never set, superb in detail and richly textured; witty, poignant and stylish.
Shakespeare, the World as Stage by Bill Bryson
A comparatively brief, but very entertaining book that stands out among the thousands written on the topic.
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Masters and Commanders: How Roosevelt, Churchill, Marshall and Alanbrooke won the war in the west 1941-45 by Andrew Roberts
Examines the American British relationship in and the strategic rows that raged about how best to tackle Hitler and win the war.
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The Story of American Freedom by Eric Foner
America, and its relationship with the ideals of freedom. A captivating account of a nation’s key social and political narrative of the past 250 years.
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The Teutonic Knights by William Urban
Fascinating account of the little known ‘other’ holy crusades in the Baltic regions from the 12th to 15th centuries. The Teutonic Knights Order are shown to be just as charitable, fearsome and powerful as the more well known Orders of the times such as the Hospitallers and Templars.
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The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli
The Prussians found it in Napoleon’s possessions after his defeat at Waterloo. Stalin and Mussolini kept copies close by. A handbook for succeeding in a political world, and an insight into the political intrigues of papal and city states in Renaissance Italy.
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Cities in Civilization by Peter Hall
A comprehensive and compelling argued account as to why great cities over the centuries have derived their progress by the necessity to nurture their innovators and creative classes.
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Atlantic by Simon Winchester
Beginning with the Atlantic sea’s geological birth, Winchester then describes humanity’s first nautical endeavors, from Viking longships to English Man o Wars and beyond. A book of wondrous scope, weaving personal anecdotes into a broad and colorful historical tableau.
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A World at Arms by Gerhard L. Weinberg
A Herculean, meticulously researched book on history’s biggest war, the Second World War. Contrary to the common emphasis on ‘larger than life’ characters and decisive battles, Gerhard reminds the reader that the war was won and lost on a grand geo strategic level.
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The Rothschilds by Frederic Morton
A scrupulous and engaging account of the rise and rise one of the modern world’s wealthiest, powerful and influential families. Peppered with dry wit and stylish prose.
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D-Day by Antony Beevor
A polished and detailed account of arguably the most iconic and epic campaign of the Second World War. Highlights not only the Germans and Allies side of the conflict, but the Resistance and also the unfortunate French civilians caught in between.
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Monash: The Outsider who won a War by Roland Perry
The story of Sir John Monash, Australia’s greatest soldier, who, it was said, should have been put in charge of Allied efforts in the First World War.
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La Belle France – A Short History by Alistair Horne
A sweeping, grand narrative with all the style, intellectual vigor and vividness that historian Sir Alistair Horne is renowned for. A hugely absorbing account of the long history of the country that has contributed so much to the world.
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Ten Days that Shook the World by John Reed
Definitive eyewitness account of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia by journalist John Reed. A classic and glowing insight into the upheaval that shook the world.
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Citizens by Simon Schama
A beautifully written account of the French Revolution. The work examines not only the political unrest prior and during the collapse of the ancien regime, but also provides an in depth social history.
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The History of the Wars by Procopius of Caesarea
A primary source that chronicles the great European and African campaigns of the last Roman emperor Justinian and his gallant General Belisarius in the sixth century AD.
A Short History of the World by Geoffrey Blainey
A broad brushed and ambitious narrative of the achievements of humankind on planet Earth. Fascinating, intellectual and readable, time and again.
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Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town by Mary Beard
Through a painstaking uncovering of ancient relics and even graffiti, Beard weaves a compelling social narrative that brings nuance to the normal and pathos to the pedestrian.
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Gallipoli by Les Carlyon
Exhaustive and meticulously researched account of the ill fated Gallipoli campaign of the First World War, which aimed to secure an alternative strategy to the stalemate on the Western Front.
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Warrior Race: A History of the British at War by Lawrence James
A history of Britain at war and the strong martial thread through its long history.
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Stalingrad by Anthony Beevor
Engrossing narrative of the epic struggle of the Soviets repelling the Nazi invaders during World War Two. The focus weaves in and out of the grander military history, delving into the lives of soldiers as much as it does the generals’.
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Charlemagne by Derek Wilson
Chronicles one of the most famous kings and keenest political minds of medieval Europe who brought widespread peace and stability to those under his reign.
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The Civil War: An Illustrated History by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
The print companion to the award winning The Civil War documentary series. The past comes alive with primary sourced pictures in a confronting yet riveting book.
Augustus: The Life of Rome’s First Emperor by Anthony Everitt
A colorful and lively narrative of the story of Augustus, and his transforming of a crumbling republic into a glorious empire.
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August 1914 by Barbara Tuchman
The definitive account of the all important month which determined if World War One would be over quickly or drag on for years.
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Life and Leisure in Ancient Rome by J P V D Balsdon
Everything you wanted to know about daily life in ancient Rome from sunrise to sundown. Rich in details, as one reviewer has said ‘By far the best single volume on its subject.’
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The Hangman’s Diary by R Stockman
A history of hanging through the ages with all its barbarism, macabre details and human tragedy.
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