History
Essential books illuminating key periods of history, from the Romans to the Tudors to World War 1. Delve into the history of England with Peter Ackroyd, explore Britain’s forgotten multicultural past with David Olusoga, or uncover the violent rise of early Christianity with Catherine Nixey.
More to explore
Margaret George’s favourite stories of the Roman Empire.

A Turn in the South
V.S. Naipaul

The Middle Passage
V.S. Naipaul

The Lie of the Land
Ian Vince

Zulu Rising
Ian Knight

Parisians
Graham Robb

The Richest of the Rich
Philip Beresford

Unreliable Sources
John Simpson

The Bridge
David Remnick

The Loss of El Dorado
V.S. Naipaul

India: A Million Mutinies Now
V.S. Naipaul

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
William Shawcross

Edinburgh
Michael Fry

The Revolt of the Pendulum
Clive James

Man Walks Into A Pub
Pete Brown

The Making of Modern Britain
Andrew Marr

Lenin
Robert Service

Trotsky
Robert Service

Stalin
Robert Service

The Longest Siege
Robert Lyman

Love Letters of Great Men and Women
Ursula Doyle (Ed.)

Absolute War
Chris Bellamy

Defeat Into Victory
William Slim

The Circuit
Bob Shepherd

Faberge's Eggs
Toby Faber

The Himmler Brothers
Katrin Himmler

Comrades
Robert Service

Historic London
Stephen Inwood

Irish Freedom
Richard English

Europe at War 1939-1945
Norman Davies

An Unexpected Light
Jason Elliot

Last Waltz in Vienna
George Clare

The Fall of the Roman Empire
Peter Heather

Stephen Fry's Incomplete and Utter History of Classical Music
Tim Lihoreau
Stephen Fry

Roosevelt
Roy Jenkins

The Wonder that was India
A Basham

Strangers
Graham Robb

The Wars Against Saddam
John Simpson

Twelve Cities
Roy Jenkins

The Last Seven Months of Anne Frank
Willy Lindwer

Lady Gregory's Toothbrush
Colm Tóibín