Geschiedenis

Over de raadselachtige getijdenstroom aan de rand van Nederland en Duitsland.

'Glorious' EMMA THOMPSON'Delightful' PHILIP PULLMAN'Brilliant' JACQUELINE WILSONFrom a reed cut on the banks of the Nile to the Sharpie, the pen has been with us for millennia. And all of humanity - from our faintest notions to our wildest inventions, our gossip and legends, our grandest proclamations and most intimate confessions - has flowed from a quill, ink chamber or ballpoint tip. The pen is the enduring link between a writer and anyone, anywhere, who can read their words. But the pen's own story is just as eventful as anything it has described. In this expansive and engaging history, Simon Garfield traces the pen's remarkable journey across time and place. He examines the inks and instruments used by Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, meets innovators and obsessives, travels to the workshops of pen makers and into wartime trenches, discovers why fountain pens make such good gadgets for spies and assassins, and learns about the bestselling pen that wouldn't stop leaking. Written with Garfield's trademark wit and drawing on his own research and interviews, The Pen examines how this everyday object has been the indelible marker of our shared culture - and why it continues to shape the way we communicate in the digital age.

Another charming and romantic cosy YA fantasy from the author of A Witch's Guide to Love and Poison and The Baby Dragon Cafe, Aamna Qureshi.

Unlike her brothers, Sonya was not made for the crown. Born without magic and often disregarded, she decides to run away from the castle and leave her old life behind.

Having never left the castle grounds, it isn't long before she finds herself in trouble and a handsome stranger comes to her rescue. Azam, a 'stitch-witch', offers her a place to stay in his cosy cottage where he lives with his grandmother and little sister.

Sonya falls in love with her new life and the little cottage where she is free to be herself.

But news of the missing princess soon spreads, and when Sonya's new life is threatened, she must decide who she can trust...

Perfect for fans of:
- will-they-wont-they romance
- cottagecore with a Pakistani twist
- found family
- gorgeous outfits!

Ontdek tientallen bizarre en hilarische beroepen uit de geschiedenis die je vandaag de dag niet meer voor mogelijk houdt.

‘Rigorously researched, endlessly illuminating. The People’s Emperor is a real page-turner’
ED CONWAY

‘This is a book written to be enjoyed: it’s a gripping, fascinating biography’
SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE

‘Bold, brilliant and often bonkers, The People’s Emperor is a thunderously good read’
JUSTIN MAROZZI

Born into imperial splendour, Louis-Napoléon – the nephew of Napoléon Bonaparte - grew up far from power after the defeat at Waterloo. In exile, he repeatedly plotted, unsuccessfully, to restore his uncle’s empire. Few took him seriously.

But what followed is one of the most astonishing, impossible stories in history. Aged 40, Louis-Napoléon would be elected president of France. Three years later, he seized power to become emperor.

Napoleon III’s story is one of self-belief, political skill and radical innovation – the first person to master mass democratic politics and populism. Yet, despite being one of the most important trailblazers of the nineteenth century, he is largely misunderstood today, if not totally forgotten.

His strange rise and catastrophic fall is a story of both tragedy and farce, set during some of France’s most tumultuous decades.

Betrayal charts the dramatic collapse of the post-1945 international system. Ours is now a world in which Trump's America has effectively endorsed Putin's land-grab in Ukraine and painted Europe as an enemy. Meanwhile, an anti-western alliance has taken shape featuring China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Countries find themselves in an uncertain and dangerous era. It is a return to nineteenth century imperialism and spheres of influence - but with withering modern firepower. Written in thrilling style, this vital and clear-eyed book reports from the frontlines of a new age of conquest. Luke Harding visits villages in eastern Ukraine under Russian bombardment, talks to Greenlanders about a US takeover, tours the divided Korean peninsula and sits down with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Betrayal tells the story of presidents and ordinary people, caught up in conflict and war. Harding offers an essential guide to brutal Great Power politics and how it came back.

'illuminating' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
'fascinating' THE SPECTATOR
'compelling' THE INDEPENDENT

Women have been fighting for control over their bodies for thousands of years. From Neolithic hunter-gatherers to the reversal of Roe v. Wade, this is their story.

Acclaimed cultural historian Lucy Inglis takes the reader on an epic journey through the stories of women over hundreds of thousands of years. From ancient Mesopotamian birthing practices to the lost contraceptives of Ancient Rome and the strange story of the feminists who fought for the right to forget childbirth, this is a truly sweeping history that explores the competing ideologies and lived realities that have shaped so many lives.

Lucy Inglis charts the battle for control throughout history over reproduction, birth and women’s bodies - a fight still raging in many places across the world. With birth rates falling and infant mortality in many societies on the rise once more, this bold and timely book raises vital questions about how we think about motherhood and pregnancy today. Lucy Inglis has spent over a decade researching the history of childbirth, drawing on new and unseen sources from a wide-ranging array of disciplines.

Charting the powerful interests and dedicated scientists that have shaped women’s maternal experiences, this is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand how we all came to be here.

Als weeskind overleefde zij de Holocaust tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Deze autobiografie in de vorm van een dagboek beschrijft haar spannende zoektocht naar haar familie.

In zijn nieuwe boekessay De Verenigde Steden van Europa benadrukt prof. dr. Eric Corijn (VUB) het belang van de steden voor het verzet tegen dit autoritarisme.

WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY GILES MILTON'Peter Hopkirk is truly the Laureate of the Great Game' Jan Morris'One of the paciest and most exciting works of narrative history I have ever read' William Dalrymple'There can be few more fascinating subjects, or few authors better qualified to write about it' IndependentFor nearly a century the two most powerful nations on earth, Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia, fought a secret war in the lonely passes and deserts of Central Asia. Those engaged in this shadowy struggle called it 'The Great Game', a phrase immortalized by Rudyard Kipling. When play first began the two rival empires lay nearly 2,000 miles apart. By the end, some Russian outposts were within 20 miles of India. This classic book tells the story of the Great Game through the exploits of the young officers, both British and Russian, who risked their lives playing it. Disguised as holy men or native horse-traders, they mapped secret passes, gathered intelligence and sought the allegiance of powerful khans. Some never returned. The violent repercussions of the Great Game are still convulsing Central Asia today.

'You will love Harry Sidebottom’s magnificent, blood-drenched study of the life of a gladiator … Was I not entertained? I absolutely was.' Dominic Sandbrook, The Times'Grippingly original' Tom HollandA TIMES AND ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEARLONGLISTED FOR THE HWA NON-FICTION CROWN AWARD------In ancient Rome, a single day could decide a gladiator’s fate. Follow in their footsteps with bestselling author Harry Sidebottom. Take a seat at the feast on the eve of the games and watch as the men marked for combat enjoy their final meal. At dawn, Roman citizens rush to the Colosseum to see the spectacles: wild-beast hunts, public executions and carefully choreographed violence – all part of a good day’s entertainment. Watch as the gladiators enter the arena – armour gleaming, shields locked, they step into the light, fighting not just for survival but for the favour of the crowd. Gripping, immersive and grounded in ancient sources, A Day in the Life of a Gladiator illuminates the reality of Roman life and death in all its glory. This is history as it happened – not in the marble halls of emperors, but on the blood-darkened sand of the arena. Previously published in hardback as Those Who Are About to Die.

Ontdek de ongeziene wereld binnen Vaticaanstad, van geheime archieven tot wereldwijde invloed. Dit boek onthult tweeduizend jaar geschiedenis, machtsspelen en intriges van het kleinste land op aarde.

'Clever . . . Full of memorable details.' DOMINIC SANDBROOK, THE TIMES (HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR)
'An engaging story of political odysseys.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
'A salve for our current reactionary times.' ANDREW HARTMAN

The gripping, untold story of how six epic journeys launched the three communist revolutions that changed world history forever.

From the streets of Petrograd during the heady autumn of 1917, to Mao’s stunning victory in October 1949, and Fidel’s triumphant arrival in Havana, in January 1959, the history of the twentieth century was transformed in dramatic and profound ways by the Russian, Chinese, and Cuban revolutions.

In Three Revolutions, the stories of these epoch-defining events are told together for the first time. At the heart of each revolution was an epic journey: Lenin's 1917 return to Russia from exile in Switzerland; Mao's 'Long March' of 1934–35, covering some 6,000 miles across China; and Fidel Castro's return to Cuba in 1956 following his exile in Mexico. Told in tandem with these are the corresponding journeys of three extraordinary journalists – John Reed, Edgar Snow and Herbert L. Matthews – whose electric testimony from the frontlines of each revolution would make a decisive contribution to how these revolutions were understood in the wider world.

Here, in Simon Hall's masterful retelling, these six remarkable journeys are brought vividly to life. Featuring a stellar cast, extraordinary drama and an epic sweep, Three Revolutions raises fundamental questions about the nature of political power, the limits of idealism and the role of the journalist - questions that remain of utmost urgency today.

The connoisseur has been an influential, if somewhat mysterious, figure in the history of art, responsible for making or breaking high-profile collections and reputations and influencing taste, the art market and the field of art history with their pronouncements. But what did it take to become a connoisseur, and how reliable were the great connoisseurs of previous centuries? With the advent of scientific techniques and artificial intelligence, what future is there for expertise based on the trained eye?
This book offers the first history of the art connoisseur, from the Renaissance to the professionalization of the role in the nineteenth century and on to the present day. Featuring portrayals of some of the leading connoisseurs, such as Bernard Berenson, Roberto Longhi and Giovanni Morelli, this is a highly readable history of the extraordinary characters and intellects that shaped the art world through a mixture of intuition, learning and chutzpah.

Ontdek de ware oorzaken en de blijvende erfenis van de bloedige conflicten die twee eeuwen lang het Heilige Land teisterden.

Ontdek Oostenrijk, een land met een rijke geschiedenis en levendige cultuur dat de Europese geschiedenis heeft gevormd.

Ontdek de verrassende mix van cultuur, natuur en geschiedenis van Suriname, een diverse republiek in Zuid-Amerika.

Ontdek het veelzijdige Tsjechië voorbij de toeristische paden met een rijke geschiedenis van koninkrijken tot de Fluwelen Revolutie.

Ontdek hoe deze hoogontwikkelde beschaving leefde, regeerde en waarom het Maya-rijk plotseling verdween.

Verraad en verzet in één familie. In ‘De hooiberg van Mussert’ verhaalt Anton Kos de onderduik van NSB-leider Mussert en de Huizer familie die hem daarbij hielp.

Ontdek de rijke geschiedenis en veelzijdige cultuur van Nepal, een land tussen hoge bergtoppen en eeuwenoude beschavingen.

Ontdek vijfduizend jaar Chinese geschiedenis, van dynastieën en filosofie tot baanbrekende uitvindingen die de wereld veranderden.

'Glamour, scholarship and superlative storytelling [...] an enthralling read.'
LUCY WORSLEY

Adrian Tinniswood opens the doors on the excess, intrigue and absurdities of life in the late Victorian and Edwardian country house

In the decades before the First World War, the owners of the nation’s stately homes revelled in a golden age of glory and glamour. Nothing lay beyond their reach in a world where privilege and hedonism went hand-in-hand with duty and honour.

This was a time when the ancestral seats of ancient nobility stood side-by-side with the fabulous palaces of Jewish bankers and Indian princes, when dukes and duchesses mixed with aristocratic society hostesses who had learned to dance in the chorus line and self-made millionaires who had been raised in the slums of Manchester and Birmingham.

The Power and the Glory explores the country house during this golden age, when Britain ruled over a quarter of the world’s population, when its stately homes were at their most opulent and when, for the privileged few, life in the country house was the best life of all.

'A wonderful book.'
JUDITH FLANDERS

'Scintillating and brilliant, from a master of the subject.'
GARETH RUSSELL

The multiple Sunday Times bestselling brand and creators of the #1 podcast sensation return with a hilarious deep dive into history's biggest heroes and most infamous villains

‘[An] authoritative, fascinating account . . . Crucible of Light underlines the complexity of relations, both individual and collective, between the Islamic world and Europe’ The Spectator

Focusing on major turning points, individual stories, and key places, from Mecca to Cordoba, from Damascus to Venice, and from Vienna to Istanbul, Drayson tracks the themes that unite us – classical learning preserved in Islamic libraries, the enduring influence of Moorish architecture and design, the food we share, the goods we have traded, and the continuing dialogue between individuals and cultures that has permeated Europe’s history and shaped its borders.

It is a history that sweeps across cities and continents, from Spanish patios and palaces to Ottoman-inspired coffee houses in seventeenth-century London to the Mezquita in Cordoba, once a mosque, now a cathedral, the physical embodiment of the ongoing discourse that continues to shape European identity.

‘Absolutely fascinating. At a time when a historical Christian Nationalism and chauvinism are gaining ground, this book arrives as an essential corrective’ Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK and author of Secularism: a Very Short Introduction

‘A treasure of a book, exploring the frequently misunderstood, often unsung, yet extraordinarily rich intertwining of Islamic and European culture over nearly one and a half millennia’ Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred

A WATERSTONES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2026'A horrific tale of the slave trade, destined to become a classic' New York Times* History Writers Association Non-Fiction Crown Longlist 2026* PEN Literary Award Finalist 2026* New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2025* Time’s 100 Must Read Books of 2025* The New Yorker 12 Essential Non-Fiction Reads 2025From the author of New York Times bestselling and Pulitzer Prize Finalist Cobalt Red, discover the shocking true story and riveting account of the 18th century slave ship whose journey from the high seas to the High Court sparked the human rights campaign to end the slave trade. Perfect for fans of David Grann's The Wager and The Wide, Wide Sea by Hampton Sides. In 1781, the Zorg set off from the Netherlands to buy slaves in West Africa to sell in the Caribbean. By the time its journey ended, the Zorg became the first undeniable argument against slavery. When a series of unpredictable weather events and navigational errors led to the Zorg sailing off course and running low on supplies, the crew's solution was to throw more than a hundred slaves overboard in order to save themselves and the most valuable slaves. The ship's owners then claimed their loss on insurance. The insurers refused to pay the claim due to the unusually high mortality rate of the slaves on board, leading to a trial which initially found in favour of the ship's owners, with the slaves equated to horses with a compensation value of £30 per slave. Due to the outrage of one man present in court that day who wrote an anonymous letter to the press objecting to the result, a retrial was held. For the first time, concepts such as human rights and morality entered the discourse on slavery in a courtroom case that boiled down to a simple yet profound question: Were the Africans on board people or cargo?In this riveting book, bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Siddharth Kara brings the true horror of the Atlantic slave trade to life. The case catapulted the emerging anti-slavery movement to one of the most consequential moral campaigns that changed the course of history.

Ontdek de rijke geschiedenis, levendige cultuur en bijzondere natuur van de zes unieke Antilliaanse eilanden.

Reis langs de Zijderoute waar kooplieden en monniken beschavingen verbonden tussen Rome en China. Ontdek de uitwisseling van goederen, religies en wetenschap die de wereld vormde.

A Spectator Book of the Year.

Taking you on a time-travelling adventure around the 'spindly, sea-wracked islands' we call home, The Discovery of Britain is history that's panoramic and intimate, poignant and shocking, seriously funny, and enlightening in the most surprising way.

'Robb has found a new format for writing history just as Craig Brown found a fresh way to write biography' – Alan Johnson

'Rarely does history feel so beguiling' – The Observer

In the hands of the prize-winning author of The Discovery of France, and often from the unique vantage point of his bicycle, we encounter an entertaining cast of characters foreign and homegrown, drop in on places and events, and dwell on the successes and catastrophes across British history.

From ancient settlements swallowed up by the sea and the creation of Stonehenge to the advent of multiculturalism and recent political earthquakes, all is seen as it’s never been seen before.

With intriguing maps and illustrations throughout, The Discovery of Britain can be devoured whole or each chapter read in the time it takes to change a bicycle tyre or drink a cup of coffee. The wonderful choice of how to enjoy this original and sweeping history of Britain is yours.

'A treasure house of a book' – The Spectator

'Entertaining . . . offers a fresh way of seeing the nation’s past' – The i

From a leading scholar of Palestine-Israel, a brief, essential history of the besieged strip of land, revealing the roots of the current crisis.

Toegankelijk en leesbaar boek over bitcoin van autoriteiten Bert en Peter Slagter

Bestsellerauteur Andrea Wulf neemt de lezer mee in het avontuurlijke leven van wereldreiziger George Forster, een man die zijn tijd mijlenver vooruit was maar die vergeten werd door de geschiedenis.

Fully revised and updated, this is the ultimate guide to the “beautiful game” for any football fan who wants to discover everything there is to know about the biggest clubs of all time and World Cup winners, or brush up on their football skills and techniques.

Whether you are a keen player, a lifelong supporter, or an armchair football manager, this book illustrates every aspect of the most popular sport in the world.

The Football Book reveals the story behind the sport – from its history around the globe to the results of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Take a trip to “Planet Football” with this fantastic guide, including:

• The very latest facts and stats from all over the world
• Bold graphics that explore everything from team formations and attacking strategies to football shirts and the most iconic haircuts from soccer history
• The history of the sport, the rules of the game, key skills, the clubs, competitions, and records
• Special profiles that profile famous matches, celebrated stadiums, and much more

Step-by-step artworks and jargon-free text profile the roles of players, football kit and equipment, team formations, strategies, and individual skills, while maps, quotes, and statistics give you all of the key facts on national teams, famous club sides, and iconic players, as well as the greatest competitions around the world.

Packed with everything there is to know about the sport, this is the ultimate book for footie fans everywhere – whether young or old.

'A wonderful debut by a talented and exciting young historian' Peter Frankopan
'Simultaneously capacious and personal . . . a masterful achievement' Tom Holland
'Elegant and powerful, Pepera's magnificent book elevates our understanding of Africa's overlooked histories' Olivette Otele, author of African Europeans

Motherland is a ground-breaking exploration of African culture and identity, told via Luke Pepera's journey through 500,000 years of history to connect with his extraordinary heritage. Pepera tackles the questions many people of African descent ask - Who are we? Where do we come from? What defines us? And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity?

Interwoven with Luke's own experiences of exploring his Ghanaian family history, this is a comprehensive, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.

Onthullende biografie van Anton Mussert door meesterverteller Auke Kok

The country house dining room was an elaborate theatre for Georgian elites to entertain their guests and, more importantly, show-off their wealth, power and social status. Every detail was carefully orchestrated, usually by the lady of the house, from the decor and tableware to the food and drink served. Decorated with fine art, antique sculptures, and lavish furnishings, the dining room was governed by strict dining etiquette and social rituals. It was expected for guests to eat and drink to excess, so it is perhaps unsurprising that in the Georgian era we see the development of supposed miracle cures for obesity, alcoholism and related illnesses. Drawing on previously unpublished contemporary accounts of feasts at Holkham Hall, Hardwick Hall and Blenheim Palace, among others, Amy Boyington brings the Georgian dining experience to life and charts how the dining room encapsulated the intricate cultural and political dynamics of the 18th century.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'EastEnders for the 1st century AD... Beard's enthusiastic sense of wonder remains undimmed' THE TIMES 'The rock star scholar of Ancient Rome' FINANCIAL TIMES 'The reigning Queen of Classics' SPECTATORWhat's exciting about a piece of bread 4,000 years old? Or some pots of paint abandoned in the eruption at Pompeii? Why should we be bothered with the distant past anyway? What's the point?The life, art and literature of ancient Greece and Rome have something to offer everyone. They are not the property of wealthy white men only. They make us wonder how to make sense of people who lived long ago (from angry landlords to giggling senators) - and to think harder about our own world, to look at it differently.In Talking Classics, Mary Beard points to the surprising connections between antiquity and the present. From revolutionaries to dictators, Bob Dylan to Beyoncé, she joins forces with the varied modern characters who have been transfixed by the ancient world. It's not compulsory, she argues, to be excited by antiquity, but it's a shame not to be.After half a century teaching and studying classics, she fills the book with lively stories, curious facts and some good gossip. Talking Classics explains why the deep past does really affect us all.

An extraordinary historical journey through England. From Alice Loxton, author of the acclaimed bestseller Eighteen
A Waterstones Best History Book of 2025

‘Joyous. The perfect walk through history‘ – Sir Tony Robinson, actor, presenter and author

'Whimsical, charming and cosy. Will make you want to take a long walk, look at some churchyards, and drink a lovely cup of tea' – Alice Winn, bestselling author of In Memoriam

In 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I, the warrior king. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone. To mark the places where it stopped overnight, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses.

More than seven centuries later, bestselling historian Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history’s footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates.

As Alice journeys in search of England’s forgotten Queen, over ancient paths and modern motorways, history comes alive in surprising ways. Lively and entertaining, Eleanor uncovers the extraordinary life and formidable character of this lesser-known royal, revealing her inspiring legacy and the hidden history of Britain.

‘Beautiful, elegiac, honest and compelling . . . a modern-day pilgrimage walking in the footsteps of one of the great forgotten queens’ – Kate Mosse, bestselling author of The Map of Bones

‘Loxton has the novelist’s skill of seeing the world through her characters’ eyes, and the historian’s accuracy of vision’ – Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of Normal Women

‘Eleanor is dazzling, alive with wit, elegance and insight. A book that makes history feel urgent, intimate and unforgettable’ – Rob Rinder, bestselling author of The Trial

‘Extensive and intelligent . . . a guide to the nature of British intellectual curiosity’ SpectatorThe reign of Queen Elizabeth I ushered in an unprecedented age of exploration and discovery. Over 500 years that saw ‘the greatest expansion of ideas and knowledge the world has ever seen’, a small island nation, for centuries a cultural backwater, asserted itself as a world power. Breathtaking in scope, embracing literature, science, art, religion, philosophy and politics, The British Imagination brings to life those centuries between Elizabeth I and II, and asks the provocative question – are we still living in a British 'metaphysical empire'?From the acclaimed author of The German Genius and The French Mind, this is a lively and deeply researched history of the most influential personalities and ideas that made modern Britain. ‘Intriguing insights about the contemporary Anglosphere . . . nuanced and appreciative’ Financial Times‘Peter Watson has form when it comes to probing a nation’s psyche . . . Ambitious and stimulating’ Country Life

A reclamation of rock’n’roll for the Black artists who tore up and re-wrote its rules, by musician, arts and culture journalist and die-hard alternative music superfan, Stephanie Phillips.

We Were Here promises to rip up our received history of rock ’n’ roll and alternative music and repopulate it with the extraordinary Black artists and influential figures who truly steered its course from the 1930s to the present day, including vital figures Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, Betty Davis, Poly Styrene, Bad Brains and beyond. As well as reflecting on why Black people have continued to be drawn to alternative music despite their ongoing ostracization from it by the white mainstream industry, Phillips argues that there would be no alternative music without Black artists, and that its future lies in the hands of Gen Z Black musicians experimenting with the boundaries of what punk, metal, hardcore and indie could be.

Historicus Peter Jones toont aan dat de zeven hoofdzonden nog hoogst actueel zijn: de remedies die we zoeken tegen onze eenentwintigsteeeuwse problemen zijn al beschikbaar, met middeleeuwse kennis.

WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2026The Number 1 Sunday Times BestsellerThe Times, Financial Times, Guardian, Observer and Economist Book of the YearLonglisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-FictionA sweeping and immersive history of modern Afghanistan – the first book from one of the world’s leading war correspondents. 'Simply unforgettable' ELIF SHAFAK'Terrific' THE TIMES'Incredible' PETER FRANKOPAN'Powerful and charming' FINANCIAL TIMES'Utterly compelling' PHILIPPE SANDS'Masterly' TELEGRAPH'Ingenious' KAMILA SHAMSIE'A must-read' SUNDAY TIMES'Beautiful' RORY STEWARTIn 1969, the Hotel Inter-Continental Kabul opened for the first time: a glistening white box, high on a hill, that symbolised Afghans’ hopes for a more prosperous future. In the decades since, its staff have kept working through multiple coups, a Soviet occupation, the US-led invasion, and the rise, fall and rise of the Taliban. The Inter-Con has never closed its doors. Here, Lyse Doucet offers a vividly human history of modern Afghanistan through the lives of the people who have kept the Inter-Con running. It is the story of a hotel, and the story of a people. _Shortlisted for the Nero Book AwardsShortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje PrizeShortlisted for the RSL Christopher Bland Prize‘Haunting, hopeful and occasionally harrowing . . . much more than a history. It is a love letter to Afghanistan and its people.’ Sunday Times‘Full of warmth, wit, and a lovely eye for the human stories that make the hotel not just a monument to tragedy, but also love and resilience.’ Financial Times‘Beautifully written and observed . . . One of the finest journalists of her generation.’ Observer‘Wonderfully human . . . A masterly evocation of a supremely complex decade in Afghanistan’s history.’ Daily Telegraph‘A monument to Afghan resilience and to the bravery and persistence of its staff . . . Witty, observant and sometimes heartbreaking.’ Guardian

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Op basis van de nooit eerder gepubliceerde archieven van C.P.C. Fabius, praeses van het Leidsche Studenten Corps 1940–1945, onthult Breekpunt het verborgen verhaal van het studentenverzet.

'POETIC AND FIERCE' - Olivette Otele, author of AFRICAN EUROPEANS

'A RICH, SUMPTUOUS AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN TAPESTRY' - Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIE

'A SEARING, NOURISHING JOURNEY THROUGH A HISTORY THE WORLD NEEDS'- Bettany Hughes, author of THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

'PLEASE READ IT!' - Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of NORMAL WOMEN

Discover the reigns of twelve African queens and warriors from across the continent, from pioneering historian and writer, Paula Akpan.

There are women who ruled vast swathes of the African continent. They led, loved and fought for their kingdoms and people and their impact can still be felt today. However, beyond the lands they called home, so few of us have heard their names.

From pre-colonial Nigeria to the rich plains of Rwanda, from Ancient Egypt to apartheid South Africa, historian Akpan writes the stories of these powerful queens and takes you on a spellbinding, enrapturing and immersive journey that is nothing short of revelatory.

An arresting visual tour of the great sites of ancient Greece, told through its city states and the monuments they built to endure through the ages. ‘We have raised ... monuments that those alive today look on with wonder, as those in generations still to come will wonder, too.’ More than 2,000 years later, the words uttered by the Athenian politician Pericles have been proven correct many times over. Ancient Greece continues to captivate, and its monuments still inspire awe. But what is it that makes something ‘Greek’? Exploring ancient Greece through its monuments – from the Parthenon in Athens to the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and the Temple of Zeus at Olympia – classicist David Stuttard reveals the values that united the disparate Greek world and made their mark on history. New digital reconstructions bring ancient Greece to life via buildings and monuments that still survive and can be visited today.

Amerikaanse en Engelse steracteurs verbleven maandenlang in Deventer voor de opnames van destijds de duurste film ooit

<b>‘Tweehonderd jaar oorlog’ van historicus Michael Livingston geeft een nieuwe kijk op het langste Europese militaire conflict.</b>

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A TIMES BESTSELLER 'If you’re going to buy one book about the Tapestry, make it this one!' Matthew Lyons, writer and historian 'Essential reading for the serious visitor' TLS 'A superb book that emphasises the importance of the Tapestry as both a historical and artistic treasure' Dan Snow 'Full of many fresh insights and unexpected discoveries, providing convincing explanations of many of the most notorious riddles left to us by the makers. A must for anyone interested in the history of Britain' Michael Wood Published on the occasion of its exhibition at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027, here is a guide to the Bayeux Tapestry and its legacy, exploring the rich narrative behind its stitches and the turbulent times in which it was created. Political intrigue and treachery, heroism and brutal violence, victory and defeat – all this is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, an epic account of a pivotal moment in English history. However, there is much more to this remarkable historical and artistic treasure, which tells its tale with an intensity and immediacy that speak to our modern world, almost 1,000 years after its creation. Many mysteries and questions still surround this unique embroidery - and not all is as it might appear at first glance. Who made it, and when, why, where and what for? David Musgrove and Michael Lewis set the events depicted in the context of the machinations on either side of the English Channel in the years leading up to the Norman Conquest and tease out what the Tapestry tells us of the deeds of kings as well as aspects of everyday life in medieval Europe.

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR NONFICTION**A FOYLES TOP TEN READ FOR FEBRUARY | A 2026 HIGHLIGHT IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES, EVENING STANDARD AND THE BOOKSELLER A meeting place for Europe’s bohemian artists. A headquarters of the Nazi occupation. A shelter for camp survivors. This is the true story of how one Paris hotel came to hold the weight of a century. The Hotel Lutetia is a Paris institution, the only ‘grand’ hotel on the city’s bohemian Left Bank. Ever since it opened, it has served as a meeting place for artists, musicians and politicians. André Gide took his lunch here, James Joyce lived in one of its rooms, Picasso and Matisse were regular guests. It has a darker history, too. During one short period, it became a focus for some of the most dramatic and terrible events in recent history. In the 1930s the Hotel Lutetia attracted intellectuals and political activists, forced to flee their homes when Hitler came to power, who met here with the hope of forming an alternative government. But when war came, Paris was occupied, and the hotel became the headquarters of the German military intelligence service – and the centre of their operation to root out enemies of the Reich. In 1945, the Lutetia was requisitioned once more, this time transformed into a reception centre for deportees returning from concentration camps. Hotel Exile is about what happens on the edges of a war. At its heart are three groups of people connected to a place, to one another, and to the dark ideology which dictates the course of their lives. A masterpiece of empathy and concision, Jane Rogoyska’s extraordinary new book offers us a vision of individual human beings desperately trying to find a path through some of the twentieth century’s most devastating events.

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