Pictorials/assorted - History

Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History is a beautifully illustrated book that uncovers the fascinating stories of creatures great and small. These are the animals that have played a central role in the evolution of humankind and modern society, but remain at the periphery of our undertsanding of history. Take, for example, the horse, which has been used in warfare since the fourth millenium BC and helped the Mongols to conquer nearly all of continental Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe; or the silkworm, vital to ... read more

Captain Scott perished with four of his fellow explorers on their return from the South Pole in March 1912. Almost immediately the myth was founded, based on Scott's diaries, turning him into an icon of courage in the face of impossible circumstances. But during the final months of that journey Scott also took a series of breathtaking photographs: panoramas of the continent, superb depictions of mountains and formations of ice and snow, and photographs of the explorers on the polar trail. But these photos have never been seen - ini... read more

In "101 World Heroes", bestselling historian Simon Sebag Montefiore presents his personal selection of the 100 most heroic figures from the pages of world history. Emperors and queens, soldiers and statesmen, religious leaders and philosophers rub shoulders with composers and poets, scientists and explorers, artists and storytellers from three millennia. All are united not just by what they did in their own lifetimes, but also by the enduring legacy they have bequeathed to the sum of human experience and achievement.

"The RGS Exploration Experience" begins in the Golden Age of exploration with some of the earliest explorers from the Vikings to the early Chinese travellers, the discovery of the Americas by French and Spanish explorers and the eventual circumnavigation of the globe.

The Normandy Landings that took place on D-Day involved by far the largest invasion fleet ever known. The scale of the undertaking was simply awesome. What followed them was some of the most cunning and ferocious fighting of the war, at times as savage as anything seen on the Eastern Front. As casualties mounted, so too did the tensions between the principal commanders on both sides. Meanwhile, French civilians caught in the middle of these battlefields or under Allied bombing endured terrible suffering. Even the joys of Liberation... read more

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Voyages that Changed the World tells, chronologically, the stories of the most momentous sea voyages in history and, in doing so, provides an intriguing look at the unveiling of our world. Each chapter describes the background to a remarkable voyage or series of voyages, the events and personalities of the journey, and the historical consequences.

Full of stories true and fantastical about where foods and their legends come from.What spice was more valuable than gold?Which vegetable started a social revolution, where did tomatoes come from?. Chocolate and sex- who started the rumour?Highly entertaining and full of fascinating facts. Where did the first tomato come from? What spice was once more valuable than gold? Chocolate and sex - who started the rumour? Which vegetable began a social revolution? Develop a taste for history with this fascinating illustrated book on trave... read more

A dramatic illustrated account of the first global conflict"We were all of us cogs in a great machine which sometimes rolled forward, nobody know where, sometimes backwards, nobody knew why." Ernst TollerThis vivid study of the Great War offers a challenging analysis of the causes and the forces that made WWI the most destructive and costly war ever witnessed. The battles fought so ferociously on land, sea and in the air, form the narrative core of this study, with some challenging new interpretations of the military events. Howeve... read more

"Reformation England" provides a clear and critical account of recent scholarly approaches, while at the same time retaining a narrative drive. This volume combines reassessment of familiar debates and topics with introductions to newer historiographical concerns: religious life before the Reformation; the early evangelical movement; meanings of 'puritanism' and 'catholicism' in the later sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; the nature of religious 'conformity'; and, religious conflict and the advent of civil war. The book addresse... read more

The island of Atlantis is an enigma around which ancient legends, myths, speculation and controversy gather. In "An A to Z of Atlantis", Simon Cox and Mark Foster outline all the latest facts and theories concerning this perennially intriguing subject in a concise and easy-to-navigate format. Many fascinating questions are answered, including: Where was the fabled island of Atlantis? Is there really evidence of a lost civilisation? Did a cataclysmic event cause the island to sink beneath the waves? Were the advanced civilisations o... read more

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The exploration of new worlds has always gripped the human imagination. The Times Archive Collection Explorers celebrates the achievements of the men and women who pushed forwards the boundaries of our knowledge of the world

This book embraces the highest mountains in the world - the three peaks of Lavaredo, the Matterhorn, Annapurna, the Cerro Torre and more.

The Falklands War was a turning point in modern British history. On the one hand, it was what some considered to be the 'last of the great Elizabethan adventures', with the Royal Navy pulling off an incredible feat of maritime warfare, under the most appallingly risky circumstances. On the other hand, it was the first war of the modern age, using satellite surveillance, computer-driven missiles, night observation devices, and all the technologically developed power of modern weaponry. It was also a conflict that could so easily hav... read more

Lt Cdr Julian Stockwin shares his love and knowledge of the sea in this entertaining collection of maritime stories and little-known trivia. Featuring nautical facts and feats, including superstitions at sea, the history of animals on the waves - until 1975 when all animals were banned from Royal Navy ships - and how the inventor of the umbrella helped man the British Navy, it is packed with informative tales. Focusing on the glory days of tall ships he explores marine myths and unearths the truth behind commonly held beliefs about... read more

This reference traces the history of the science of archaeology from its inception in 18th-century Pompeii to the present day. The book describes the scientific advances made by key figures; renowned personalities of archaeology; and important events in archaeological history.

Looks at the different places associated with Shakespeare, landscapes as well as buildings.

In this seminal and controversial debut, Julia Lovell tackles the history of China – and its relationship with the wider world – through the dramatic story of its most famous landmark. Fabled to be 2200 years old and 4300 miles long, the Great Wall seems to make an overwhelmingly confident physical statement about China's age-old sense of itself as an advanced civilisation anxious to draw a line, keeping the "barbarians" at its borders. But behind the Wall's intimidating exterior ÃÂ... read more

The true flavour of the glory days of steam trains, brought to life in this richly illustrated collection of first-hand accounts from railway passengers and locomotive drivers across Britain. From the glamorous drivers on the great mainline locomotives to everyday commuters and trainspotting schoolboys, the engaging stories give a real glimpse into the lives of those who lived and worked in the steam era. Hundreds of glorious photographs featuring trains, stations, staff and passengers truly transport the reader back to this loving... read more