History & Politics

A brilliantly readable, beautifully illustrated general history of ancient Egypt, from the builders of the first pyramids to Cleopatra

From the targeting of schools and hospitals, to the indiscriminate use of white phosphorus, Israel's conduct in 'Operation Cast Lead' has rattled even some of its most strident supporters. This title surveys the fallout from that devastation, and places the massacre in Gaza in the context of Israel's long-standing war against the Palestinians.

* An extraordinary and moving tale by an ex-POW and last surviving member of the Gordon Highlanders regiment that was captured by the Japanese in Singapore, out now in paperback

From the crops that have fed billions of people over the centuries to the plants highly regarded for their medicinal qualities, this fascinating offering from garden expert Bill Laws unearths the stories behind some of the world's best-known plants.

The transformation of schooling from a twelve-year jail sentence to freedom to learn.

Why do so many of us love or hate our work? How has it come to dominate our lives? And what should we do about it? What should I do with my life? What will I have achieved when I retire? This book explains why it is we do what we do all day, but its sympathy, humour and insight seeks to help us make the most of it.

Iran often appears in the media as a hostile and difficult country. From the time of the prophet Zoroaster, to the powerful ancient Persian Empires, to the revolution of 1979, the hostage crisis and president Mahmud Ahmadinejad - a controversial figure within as well as outside the country - this guide traces an account of Iran's past.

The international bestseller available in English for the first time: E. H. Gombrich's world history for the curious of all ages