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.

Douglas Smith

Clare Mulley

Helen Edwards
Jenny Lee Smith

Peter Maass

Peter Hore

Marc Wortman

Michael Coulson

Clive James

Niccolò Machiavelli

Hugh Trevor Roper

Henry Hobhouse

Robert Service

Richard English

Max Egremont

Peter Ackroyd

Adam Hochschild

Adam Hochschild

Kevin Cook

Joe Queenan

V.S. Naipaul

Simon Winder

V.S. Naipaul

V.S. Naipaul

Ian Vince

Ian Knight

Graham Robb

Philip Beresford

John Simpson

David Remnick

V.S. Naipaul

V.S. Naipaul

William Shawcross

Michael Fry

Clive James

Pete Brown

Andrew Marr

Robert Service

Robert Service

Robert Service

Robert Lyman