"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
~ Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English writer |
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New and Recently Released!
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| An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight America by Nick BunkerIn this balanced and well documented account, historian Nick Bunker lays out the economic, social, and political issues that led to the American Revolution. Emphasizing the factors that contributed to Parliament's failure to understand the politics and economic growth in the North American colonies, and explaining the impact of Britain's monetary crisis of 1772, Bunker demonstrates the historic complexities of the Revolution. Engaging and accessible, An Empire on the Edge includes informative portraits of key leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. Especially for those not already familiar with movements in England at the time, this book offers an eye-opening perspective on the events leading to the Boston Tea Party. |
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| Rickey & Robinson: The True, Untold Story of the Integration of Baseball by Roger KahnIn Rickey & Robinson, award-winning sports reporter Roger Kahn draws on his detailed notes from the 1940s and '50s to create a vivid portrait of Brooklyn Dodgers' General Manager Branch Rickey and black baseball player Jackie Robinson, who brought about the integration of Major League Baseball. Though the story of baseball's integration is well known, Kahn, who was a close friend of both men, adds a personal touch to this account, in addition to details drawn from his records and his extensive research in Rickey's archives. Anyone interested in the history of integration, sports history, or the lives of Robinson and Rickey will find this a compelling and informative dual biography. |
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| The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan by Jenny NordbergIn traditional Afghan culture, families rejoice when a boy is born, while the arrival of a baby girl may provoke mourning -- especially if the family has no male children. In order to raise a family's status, as well as for practical reasons, a girl may be dressed and live as a boy according to a custom called bacha posh. Investigative journalist Jenny Nordberg details this practice -- and its effects on the girls -- in this account, which focuses on the experiences of several different bacha posh women. The Underground Girls of Kabul provides a gripping narrative that highlights the importance of women's rights for promoting peace. For a well-researched novel featuring this subject, read Nadia Hashimi's The Pearl That Broke Its Shell. |
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| Thirteen Days in September: Carter, Begin, and Sadat at Camp David by Lawrence WrightIn September 1978, President Jimmy Carter brought representatives of Israel and Egypt together at Camp David (the U.S. president's retreat in Maryland) and persuaded them to sign a peace treaty. In this detailed, authoritative account, author Lawrence Wright provides a compelling day-by-day chronicle of the two weeks in which President Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat negotiated the historic agreement, which prepared the ground for subsequent progress in Middle Eastern peace. Providing character profiles of the participants and commentary on how Judaism, Islam, and Christianity influenced the negotiations, Wright vividly dramatizes and humanizes the momentous conference in Thirteen Days in September, offering a "quite moving testament" (Booklist) to the achievement. |
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| She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen CastorBefore Elizabeth I succeeded to the throne of England, four kings' wives had wielded influence and power over the realm -- without becoming monarchs -- and two women had worn the crown. In She-Wolves, historian Helen Castor portrays their struggles against the tradition that women should not rule, as well as their political achievements in the face of opposition. This "fine royal history" (Publishers Weekly) vividly recounts the events of each woman's historical period and illuminates their significant roles on the stage of history as far back as the early 12th century. She-Wolves offers irresistible reading for those interested in British royalty and women's history. |
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| With Wings Like Eagles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain by Michael KordaThis in-depth history of World War II's Battle of Britain draws on the firsthand perspectives of pilots, ground crews, and commanders, but although author Michael Korda details the fighting from both British and German viewpoints, he emphasizes the period leading up to the 1940 battle. Central to the RAF's readiness to defend Britain was the work of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, who spent years building an integrated air defense system for England, training his pilots, and preventing the politicians from diverting his resources to France. If you're interested in the preparations that assured British success, as well as a thrilling account of the air battle, try With Wings Like Eagles. |
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| The Royal Stuarts: A History of the Family That Shaped Britain by Allan MassieIn The Royal Stuarts, "well-grounded and nimble" (Booklist) author Allan Massie dishes up an enthralling slice of history from 14th-century Scotland, when Robert II became the first Stewart (later spelled Stuart) king of Scotland, to the 18th century, when Queen Anne united England, Scotland, and Ireland. Novelist, journalist, and newspaper columnist Massie knows his history and how to keep readers hooked, combining vivid individual portraits of key figures and universal themes of dramatic interest (loyalty, lechery, power, and piety). Fans of Alison Weir's Tudor-centric histories may enjoy visiting the Stuart clan for a change of pace in this comprehensive and engaging account (complete with family trees) of their dynasty. |
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| Shooting Victoria: Madness, Mayhem, and the Rebirth of the British Monarchy by Paul Thomas MurphyQueen Victoria inherited a crown that had been thoroughly tarnished by her predecessors' incompetence and immorality, but by the time of her death 64 years later, the monarchy was almost universally adored. Author Paul Murphy believes that seven attempts to assassinate Victoria boosted the queen's popularity with her subjects and helped her to strengthen the monarchy. Shooting Victoria focuses on the men who tried to kill her, their motives, and their convictions and punishments. It also details changes in criminal law and police administration while describing Victoria's relationships with her prime ministers. This intriguing approach to Victoria's life and times (a New York Times Notable Book for 2012) will please readers who enjoyed Helen Rappaport's A Magnificent Obsession. |
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