THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'AN UNFLINCHING ACCOUNT' BRYONY GORDON 'ENCHANTING' PETER JAMESWhen he was a child, James Middleton wanted nothing more than a dog of his own.Struggling to connect in the classroom, James would often take off in pursuit of nature and animals - adventuring in the Berkshire countryside, tinkering with rusty farm machinery, performing locum care to injured creatures, ...

*A Sunday Times Bestseller * 'Astonishingly raw' DAILY MAIL 'A love letter' THE TIMES'An unflinching account of how anyone can find themselves in the darkest times, and the healing power of love and friendship.' - Bryony Gordon, Journalist, Podcaster, bestselling author and award-winning mental health campaigner'It's been a long time since a book has touched me this much. Beautifully ...

This book provides an in-depth exploration of the Phoenician civilization, tracing its origins, achievements, and lasting legacy throughout the ancient and modern worlds. The Phoenicians, a seafaring and commercial people from the eastern Mediterranean, revolutionized trade, navigation, and communication, shaping the course of Mediterranean history and influencing subsequent civilizations. Through a detailed examination of their cities, such as Tyre, Sidon, and Carthage, and their contribu...

The story of Darius I the Great, one of history's most formidable rulers, is inextricably linked to the rise and transformation of the Achaemenid Empire into the largest political entity the world had yet seen. The narrative of his ascent to power unfolds against the backdrop of a fractured empire struggling to maintain its cohesion after the death of Cyrus the Great and the short, troubled reign of Cambyses II. Darius' emergence as king is steeped in controversy, rebellion, and a complex ...

This work examines the evolution of historiography in the ancient Near East, from the Sumerian and Akkadian periods through to the Hellenistic and Roman eras. It explores how various ancient civilizations—Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Israelites, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans—used history not just as a record of past events but as a means of understanding the present, legitimizing rulers, and reinforcing ideological narratives. Through primary sources like roya...

The history of the Ancient Near East, spanning from the emergence of urban civilizations to the eventual rise and fall of great empires, offers a profound window into the social structures that shaped humanity's earliest complex societies. This region—encompassing Mesopotamia, the Levant, Anatolia, and Persia—is often regarded as the cradle of civilization, where writing, law, and monumental governance first took form. However, the social history of these ancient societies is far more intr...

The world of the pharaohs was a complex tapestry woven from spiritual beliefs, political aspirations, and societal structures that shaped the cradle of civilization along the fertile banks of the Nile River. Ancient Egypt, spanning over three millennia, was characterized by a unique amalgamation of religious devotion and political centrality, epitomized by the institution of the pharaoh. To understand the pharaohs and their world, one must delve deeply into the historical context, the intr...

By the time Cyrus the Great began his conquests in the mid-6th century BCE, the Persian identity had crystallized into a formidable blend of warrior ethos, spiritual purpose, and political ambition. This identity would not only define their place in history but also resonate across millennia, influencing subsequent empires and civilizations. By the end of the 6th century BCE, the foundations of the Achaemenid Empire had been laid through a combination of military brilliance, political prag...

This book explores the history, significance, and legacy of the Persian Wars, a series of military conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire that took place from 499 BCE to 479 BCE. These wars, which culminated in the decisive Greek victories at Salamis and Plataea, had far-reaching implications for both Greek and Persian history, influencing the development of Greek identity, democracy, and cultural achievements. Through an in-depth analysis of the causes, key battles...

Lean production, which has radically benefited traditional manufacturing, can greatly improve the software industry with similar methods and results. This transformation is possible because the same overarching principles that apply in other industries work equally well in software development. The software industry follows the same industrial concepts of production as those applied in manufacturing; however, the software industry perceives itself as being fundamentally different and has l...

Brought to you by Penguin.This Penguin Classic is performed by Tuppence Middleton**, star of Sense8****, also known for her role in Downton Abbey****.** This definitive recording is edited by, and includes an Introduction by David Bromwich.In what Henry James called a 'trap for the unwary', The Turn of the Screw tells of a nameless young governess sent to a country house to take charge of...

Critically-acclaimed audiobook reader BARNABY EDWARDS (Doctor Who, The Voyage Of The Beagle, Space Danger) performs 11 tales of ghostly gothic spookiness. From tales of Vampyres and spirits, to devil’s deals and ethereal coachmen. Short but oh so sweet, these 11 stories from some of the most lauded authors of the Gothic period, prove that you only need a few pages to tell a truly terrifying tale.The Vampyre by John PolidoriHow It Happened by Arthur Conan DoyleThere ...