Book Reviews
Winters in the World, Eleanor Parker
Eleanor Parker’s Winters in the World is a lyrical journey through the Anglo-Saxon year, witnessing the major festivals and the turning of the seasons through the eyes of the poets.
Polling Unpacked, Mark Pack
'Polling Unpacked' explains everything a general reader needs to know about the workings of political opinion polls on both sides of the Atlantic, describing how polls are designed, how they work, and how they are analysed, before unravelling some of the biggest myths and pitfalls.
The Worst Military Leaders in History, John M. Jennings and Chuck Steele (eds)
'The Worst Military Leaders in History' takes the reader on a whistle-stop tour of 15 of the world’s most disastrous commanders, from Crassus to Custer, in an original, inverted take on an old topic.
Duel Without End, Stig S. Frøland
In Duel Without End, Stig Frøland explores the never-ending battle between humans and microbes in a fascinating voyage of discovery, breakthroughs, and setbacks. From Homo sapiens’ arrival in the world to the latest battles with Covid, Frøland charts the history of disease, covering all the 'big-hitters' of past and present as well as those mysterious illnesses with no known microbial cause.
The Barn, Sally Coulthard
The Barn, in its simplest form, is the tale of an unassuming agricultural building – now owned by the author, Sally Coulthard – during its life from construction to artist’s studio.
Powers and Thrones, Dan Jones
In his new book, Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages, Dan Jones presents a truly epic history of Europe and beyond, spanning everything from the heights of the Late Roman Republic to the depths of religious division during the Reformation, neatly sandwiching the text between two sacks of Rome.
Scenes from Prehistoric Life, Francis Pryor
'Scenes from Prehistoric Life' invites the reader on a gentle stroll through prehistoric Britain, and describes the landscapes by painting a complete picture of that place, in that time, in something more akin to hopping into a time machine than to reading a book.
The Pathfinders, Will Iredale
Will Iredale’s 'The Pathfinders: The Elite RAF Force that Turned the Tide of WWII' tells the thrilling story of the secret air force that turned Bomber Command from a damp squib into a deadly weapon that could strike fear into the heart of the enemy. Following the experiences of just a few of these 20,000 remarkable men, and the people who supported them, Iredale brings to vivid life the awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping story of the strategic air campaign from an eagle’s eye view.
The Anglo-Saxons, Marc Morris
For his latest book, Marc Morris has gone grander and earlier than anything he's done before. 'The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England' covers the history of England from just before the fall of the Roman Empire through to the coming of the Normans 700 years later.
Floriography: The Myths, Magic and Language of Flowers, Sally Coulthard
In a little under 150 beautifully illustrated pages, Sally Coulthard takes the reader on a whistle-stop tour of 50 of the most common, and important, flowers from around the world. Combining ancient medicinal uses with Victorian flower symbolism and Shakespeare's sonnets with charms against witchcraft, 'Floriography' is a veritable treasure trove of information.
