Illustrated Introduction to …

One of the most profound events in human history, the First World War, marks its hundredth anniversary in 2014. People across the world commemorate the fighting and mourn the countless losses every year, eager to ensure that no such tragedy befalls humanity again. This introduction is presented chronologically, breaking the war down into its catalyst and each year of its development, its aftermath and legacy. Through fascinating contemporary images and concise, riveting narrative, it explores elements that vary from the poetry and correspondence of those serving to the technological developments that helped make the First World War the first 'modern' war.

This guide to the Georgian era examines the key events of the period from 1714 to 1837. Starting with the culture and style of the period, it moves on to the 'movers and shakers' of the political scene and looks at the growth of empire and the abolition movement. As well as exploring the politics of the period, we see how the Georgians dined, how they relaxed and how they socialised. We learn what it was to be fashionable in the time of Beau Brummell, and explore the world of Georgian entertainment, from the birth of the modern circus to the origins of sports such as cricket, billiards and squash. This book is intended for anyone interested in a century that still resonates with us today – much of our world was shaped by the Georgians.

The Second World War is so far the only truly global war that has ever taken place. It involved the vast majority of the world's nations, with the great powers eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people from over thirty different countries serving in military units. In this state of 'total war', the major participants threw their entire economic, industrial and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Marked by mass deaths of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it resulted in an estimated 80 million fatalities. All of this made the Second World War the deadliest conflict in human history. This introduction to the Second World War follows the major events that led up to the war and occurred during it, year by year.

In 1811, the Prince of Wales was officially appointed Prince Regent to act in place of his ailing father, King George III. The Regency marked a period of high fashion and low morals, famous today for the flourishing of the arts and the scandalous personal life of the prince – a generous but flawed individual who lived life to excess. This book explores the whirlwind of expression and ideas that accompanied the Regency era. It was a time when Jane Austen was publishing her famous novels, when the Romantic poets were in their prime and when war with France finally ended at the Battle of Waterloo. The Regency itself lasted a mere nine years before the prince acceded to the throne in his own right as King George IV, but it was more than just a political period – it was a style, a fashion and a new state of mind. This introduction to the Regency covers the major events, ideas and personalities of the period.

Fascinated by history? Wish you knew more? The Illustrated Introductions are here to help. In this lavishly illustrated, accessible guide, find out everything you need to know about the Stuarts. The Stuart era represents a century characterised by unprecedented change and turmoil, beginning with the Union of the Crowns and marked by wars of religion between Protestants and Catholics in Europe and by Parliamentary conflict. It witnessed the flourishing of art, literature and science, the overthrow of two monarchs and saw England emerge as a major world and European power. This wonderfully illustrated introduction to the Stuarts follows the major events and personalities of the age.

The history of ancient Rome is the history of a city, of its people, and of its empire which at its height encompassed all the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and which stretched from Britain in the west to Syria in the east. Roman civilisation relied on the wealth won in war and conquest and was dependent on slavery. While much of Rome's history can be understood through the lives of its emperors, even more can be learned from the lives of its ordinary citizens and from the archaeological remains of the city, its monuments, streets, temples, bars and houses. This wonderfully illustrated, accessible introduction to ancient Rome examines the myths about the founding of Rome and explores the city's bloody transition from republic to empire. It looks at the lives of Rome's most famous rulers and the tumultuous events which led to the end of Roman civilisation. This book also explores the daily lives and beliefs of the ordinary people of Rome, its citizens and slaves, and the different peoples of the empire.

The six monarchs of the Tudor dynasty are phenomenally well known. Henry VII succeeded in ending the Wars of the Roses, Henry VIII formed the Church of England and famously married six times: Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr. His three children, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, would all ascend to the throne, as would his great-niece Lady Jane Grey. Between them they ruled for an eventful 118 years. This easy-to-follow introduction to the Tudors follows the major events and personalities of the age.

The ancient Egyptians were not that different from people today and were driven by love, romance, good health and family. They got drunk and had hangovers and 'called in sick' to work, with elaborate excuses. They suffered with familiar illnesses and were treated with not-so-familiar remedies. The environment the Egyptians lived in formed their religious beliefs, their diet, and the way they lived and died. This introduction to ancient Egypt covers all the major aspects of religion, daily life, childhood, politics and finally death rites, through the words and possessions of the people who lived there.