Latest Reviews
Tony Spawforth, What the Greeks Did for Us
'What the Greeks Did for Us' is a personal, subjective, and selective look at ancient Greece through the lens of modern culture. And it's wonderful.
Peter Stothard, Crassus
Since the days of Plutarch, if not before, Marcus Licinius Crassus has been viewed as the ultimate exemplar of folly and dishonesty in the super-rich.
Sally Coulthard, Fowl Play
Coulthard's book is the rarest of volumes: it is both entertaining and serious. Its message is delivered through marvellous little morsels of information, wrapped in wonder and seasoned with a healthy sprinkling of fun.
Maria Golia, A Short History of Tomb-Raiding
Maria Golia’s 'A Short History of Tomb-Raiding' provides just that: a history of tomb-raiding in Egypt, from the time of the ancients through to the present day. This is a grown-up, holistic account of tomb-raiding, with a relevance and immediacy that is as unusual as finding that fabled cache of gold.
Mission France, Kate Vigurs
In 'Mission France', Kate Vigurs tells the story of ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances, whose courage contributed in real and significant ways to the liberation of France.
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.
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.
