History & Archaeology Books

Young nations do the bidding of empire and send their youth to a faraway war. Their soldiers arrive with a reputation for rebelling against authority and ill-discipline. They fight in an ill-fated campaign, under foreign command, against a well dug in...

An unlikely hero has a master storyteller to tell his tale. The King and the Christmas Tree is a poignant Christmas treat.' Lucy Worsley, historian, broadcaster and author Every December, a huge Christmas tree arrives in Trafalgar Square. Bedecked in...

The globe is littered with forgotten monuments, their beauty matched only by the secrets of their past. A glorious palace lies abandoned by a fallen dictator. A grand monument to communism sits forgotten atop a mountain. Two never-launched space...

Former Tornado Navigator John Nichol tells the incredible story of the RAF Tornado force during the First Gulf War in 1991; the excitement and the danger, the fear and the losses. It is an extraordinary account of courage and fortitude. ‘We were doing...

The Golden Atlas is a spectacular visual history of exploration and cartography, a treasure chest of adventures from the chronicles of global discovery, illustrated with a selection of the most beautiful maps ever created.  The book reveals how the...

A lost imperial city, full of wonder and marvels. An empire that was the largest the world had ever seen, established with astonishing speed. A people obsessed with travel, knowledge and adventure. When Richard Fidler came across the account of Ibn...

The Ship That Never Was

A landmark publication celebrating the rich history and culture of Central Asia’s 1,500-year-old trade routes.  As world powers realign their cultural, economic and political outlooks, there is no better time to consider how Afro-Eurasia’s complex...

Explore the social and cultural history of 100 of the world's most important cities. From the first towns in Mesopotamia to today's global metropolises, cities have marked the progress of civilisation. Written in the form of illustrated "biographies",...

An essential gift for every history buff, this boldly illustrated book maps out the events that have shaped our world - from the dawn of human civilization to the present day. A comprehensive and accessible guide to the history of human civilisation,...

Discover the fascinating details of life under the pharaohs - and their extraordinary legacy - in this comprehensive guide to Egypt's ancient civilization. Encompassing 3,000 years and 31 Egyptian dynasties, from the time of Narmer to that of Cleopatra,...

Explore the world's most famous battles by their geography. This book maps out ancient, medieval, and modern battles from where they happened and progressed. If you're interested in finding out more about the wars fought through the ages, this book is...

From the clans and legends of prehistory to the last Qing emperor, this book brings China's imperial history to life through its pivotal events, political forces, and powerful people, in a stunning collaboration between British and Chinese publishing...

A uniquely illustrated guide to the Second World War with more than 100 detailed maps The deadliest war in history brought to life through bold, easy-to-grasp maps.  Follow the key developments of World War II in unprecedented visual detail, with more...

An accessible guide to the key events and turning points of the Second World War, and the people and groups behind them Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the Second World War - the epic conflict that shaped the...

Travel back in time with the latest instalment in the bestselling Big Ideas series. The History Book charts world history from the dawn of civilisation to the modern culture we live in today. From the origins of homo-sapiens to the release of Nelson...

What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us Sapiens? This bestselling history of our species challenges everything we know about being human. **THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLER** 'Interesting and provocative... It gives you a sense of...

Rogue Forces is the explosive first insiders’ story of how some of Australia’s revered SAS soldiers crossed the line in Afghanistan, descending from elite warriors to unlawful killers.  Mark Willacy, who won a Gold Walkley for exposing SAS war crimes,...

Winner of the Tasmanian Book Prize,  The Age Book of the Year 'James Boyce tells the true history of this country with rare clarity and an eye for the essential that never fails.' -David Marr With the founding of Melbourne in 1835, a flood of settlers...

A gripping reckoning with the bloody history of Australia's frontier wars David Marr was shocked to discover forebears who served with the brutal Native Police in the bloodiest years on the frontier. Killing for Country is the result - a soul-searching...

Volkswagen Beetles and their variants are some of the most iconic and easily recognizable cars on the road! Meet the Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens, The: Beetles, Microbuses, Things, Karmann Ghias, and More. The classic air-cooled Volkswagen...

The civil war that tore Spain apart between 1936 and 1939 and attracted liberals and socialists from across the world to support the cause against Franco was one of the most hard-fought and bitterest conflicts of the 20th century: a war of atrocities and...

From the bestselling author of Kokoda and Gallipoli comes the epic story of Australia's deadliest Vietnam War battle. 4.31 pm: Enemy [on] left flank. Could be serious. 5.01 pm: Enemy ... penetrating both flanks and to north and south. 5.02: Running...

Offers a unique insight into the evolution of map-making and the science behind it, from the stone age to the digital age. This lavishly illustrated book provides a unique insight into the evolution of mapmaking and the science behind it, from the stone...

This beatutiful book is a lavishly illustrated look at the most important atlases in history and the cartographers who made them. Atlases are books that changed the course of history. Pored over by rulers, explorers, and adventures these books were used...

A thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit...

Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the First World War - the epic conflict that was supposed to be "the war to end all wars".  Combining authoritative, exciting text and bold explanatory graphics The World War I...

Discover the world's most significant events through a detailed, dynamic, book-long timeline of over 7 million years. When did Hannibal cross the Alps? What caused the war of Jenkins' Ear? Who was Rosa Parks? How did the Arab Spring unfold? Discover...

A uniquely illustrated guide to the history of our world Witness our incredible human story unfold - from the very first people in Africa to the collapse of Communism - exquisitely charted map by map. Come on a journey through global history, told in...

Immerse yourself in the history of ancient Rome - from its origins as a small settlement on the Palatine Hill to its peak as an empire reigning over 90 million people, and its tumultuous decline. Covering more than 1,000 years of history, and an empire...

World War II The Definitive Visual Guide

Embark on an unforgettable time-travelling journey along one of the world's greatest landmarks: the Great Wall of China. Spanning 2,700 years and over 21,000km (13,000 miles), this beautifully illustrated children's book reveals the fascinating story of...

A stunning collection of the world's most celebrated and culturally significant objects Take a guided tour through history and discover the most precious, iconic, and celebrated objects ever created. Revered, admired, and protected - every country and...