This magisterial history, written by Edward Gibbon, covers the peak of the Roman Empire, the history of early Christianity, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the rise and fall of various other empires and civilizations up to the fall of Byzantium in 1453. Gibbon's work is renowned for its thorough scholarship, diverse sources, and engaging prose. He argues that the Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasions partly due to the gradual loss of civic virtue among its citizens and critiques the role of Christianity in the empire's decline. The work was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1789 and has remained a seminal work in historical literature despite some criticisms from modern scholars[2][4][5].
Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.
Published in 1818, 'Ozymandias' is one of Shelley's most famous short works. The poem describes a ruined statue of Ozymandias (Ramses II of Egypt) with the inscription 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!' and contrasts the grandeur of the past with the desolation of the present. The illustrated version by John Ott Jr. includes unique illustrations that breathe new life into the poem.
In this landmark biography, Andrew Roberts provides a deeply personal and historically rich portrait of Winston Churchill. With exclusive access to new material such as transcripts of War Cabinet meetings, diaries, letters, and unpublished memoirs from Churchill's contemporaries, Roberts reveals the hidden forces behind Churchill's legendary drive. The book explores Churchill's life in detail, from his early years to his leadership during World War II, highlighting his courage, tenacity, leadership, and moral conviction. It also discusses his complex relationships, including his interactions with King George VI and Franklin Roosevelt, and evaluates his legacy in the context of modern leadership challenges.
Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom[2][4][5].
Robert Goddard's novels frequently involve historical settings and elements, with plots that twist and turn as the lead characters unravel long-hidden secrets. His works include several series such as the Harry Barnett series, the James 'Max' Maxted series, and the Umiko Wada series, as well as numerous standalone novels. Goddard's writing is known for its suspenseful storytelling and literate style, often blending elements of mystery, thriller, and historical fiction.
This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics[2][4][5].
This book, co-authored by General David Petraeus and historian Andrew Roberts, provides a comprehensive examination of modern warfare from 1945 to the present. It covers significant conflicts, including the Korean War, the Gulf War, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The authors draw lessons from these conflicts to offer insights into the future of warfare, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in military strategy. The book also delves into the impact of technological advancements and the changing nature of warfare in the modern era.
Andrew Roberts’s 'Napoleon: A Life' is the first one-volume biography to fully utilize Napoleon’s 33,000 recently published letters, offering a radical transformation in our understanding of his character and motivation. The book portrays Napoleon as a protean multitasker, decisive, and surprisingly willing to forgive his enemies and his wife Josephine. Roberts, an award-winning historian, traveled to fifty-three of Napoleon’s sixty battle sites and discovered crucial new documents in archives, including a trip to St. Helena. The biography is praised for its magisterial, insightful, and beautifully written narrative, providing a deep and nuanced look at Napoleon’s life, successes, and failures.
The novel follows Jed Martin, a French artist who gains fame by photographing Michelin maps and later painting scenes of professional activities. The story spans several decades, including his relationship with a Russian executive from Michelin and his encounter with Michel Houellebecq, who appears as a character in the novel. Houellebecq's character is eventually brutally murdered, drawing Jed into the investigation. The book explores themes such as aging, the relationship between father and son, and the representation of reality through art, while also satirizing contemporary art and society[3][4][5].
This five-volume work by Thomas Babington Macaulay explores England's political evolution following the accession of King James II. It details the intricate relationship between the monarchy and parliament, the struggle for political power, and the emergence of parties like the Whigs and Tories. Macaulay's narrative emphasizes the progressive model of British history, highlighting the transition from superstition and autocracy to a balanced constitution and a forward-looking culture. The work is known for its elegant prose and novelistic style, although it has been criticized for its one-sidedness and complacency[3][4][5].
In 'Colossus,' Niall Ferguson argues that the United States is the most powerful empire the world has ever seen, both militarily and economically. He compares the U.S. to the British Empire, noting that both aspire to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government. However, Ferguson contends that Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money necessary to effectively manage and transform rogue regimes and failed states. He describes the U.S. as an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions and refusing to acknowledge its global responsibilities. The book warns of the negative consequences of this chronic myopia, both domestically and internationally, and suggests that the eventual collapse of this empire may come from within due to its internal weaknesses.
This book is a detailed account of the events leading up to World War II, written from Churchill's personal perspective. It includes the aftermath of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, and the British response to these developments. Churchill incorporates primary source materials such as memos, letters, orders, speeches, and telegrams to provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative. The book ends with Germany's invasion of Norway and the beginning of its invasion of France, marking the transition of Churchill from the opposition to becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom[2][4][5].
This book delves into the complex and often contentious relationships between four key leaders of the Western Allies during World War II: Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, General Sir Alan Brooke, and General George C. Marshall. Andrew Roberts uses private papers, diaries, and verbatim accounts of meetings to reconstruct the debates and strategies that defined the war effort. The book highlights the mutual suspicion, admiration, and explosive disagreements among these leaders as they navigated the monumental task of defeating Nazism. It also explores why certain strategic decisions were made, such as the Allied assaults on North Africa, Sicily, and Rome, and the delayed landing in southern France. Roberts's narrative provides a vivid and informed analysis of how these personalities and relationships influenced the course of the war.
The Storm of War is a meticulously researched and masterfully written history of World War II. Andrew Roberts examines the grand strategy and individual experiences of the war, highlighting the critical decisions and mistakes made by the Axis powers, particularly under Adolf Hitler's leadership. The book covers the war's global scope, from the western front to North Africa, the Baltic, and the Far East, and includes tales of lesser-known individuals who exemplified courage, self-sacrifice, and the brutal realities of the war. Roberts argues that the Axis powers' defeat was largely due to their own strategic blunders and ideological rigidity, contrasting this with the moral triumph of democratic forces.
Andrew Roberts's 'The Storm of War' is hailed as one of the finest single-volume accounts of the Second World War. The book meticulously covers the war from the western front to North Africa, the Baltic, and the Far East. It delves into the grand strategy and individual experiences, revealing the decisions of key actors and the courage, self-sacrifice, and brutality of the war. Roberts's work is praised for its clear, accessible, and vivid prose, making it a standout in military history writing.
This autobiography by Winston Churchill spans the first thirty years of his life, from his childhood to his early years in Parliament. It includes his time as a war correspondent and cavalry officer in various theatres such as Cuba, India, and South Africa. The book details his development as an author, his first lecture tour of North America, and his dramatic capture and escape during the Boer War, which helped launch his political career. Churchill's narrative is characterized by its wit, humor, and self-deprecating style, making it a charming and engaging read[1][2][5].
This biography by Andrew Roberts offers a fresh and nuanced view of George III, Britain's longest-reigning king. Roberts argues against the traditional depiction of George III as a cruel and incompetent monarch, instead presenting him as a model patriot king, defender of the constitution, and a devoted family man. The book is based on extensive research, including hundreds of thousands of pages of previously unpublished correspondence. It details George III's accomplishments, his struggles with mental illness, and his significant contributions to Britain's politics, arts, and sciences during his reign. Roberts also provides a detailed account of the American Revolutionary War and George III's role in it, as well as his support for William Pitt in the battle against Napoleon.
Andrew Roberts has written twenty books, which have been translated into twenty-eight languages and have won thirteen literary prizes. These include Napoleon: A Life, Churchill: Walking with Destiny, and most recently, Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza, which he co-authored with General David Petraeus.
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Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Start
[00:06:14] Expelled from Cranleigh school.
[00:07:14] Why MI6 considered Andrew for recruitment.
[00:09:56] The teacher who made history exciting to 10-year-old Andrew.
[00:13:05] Words Andrew avoids when writing about history.
[00:14:20] Are steady-nerved leaders naturally born or nurtured?
[00:16:05] The thinkers who influenced Winston Churchill and his sense of noblesse oblige.
[00:18:26] What made Napoleon Bonaparte the prime exemplar of war leadership?
[00:24:37] Lessons from Winston Churchill's autobiography, My Early Life.
[00:26:22] Napoleon's relationship with risk.
[00:29:26] Andrew's signed letter from Aldous Huxley.
[00:30:49] When historical figures carry a sense of personal destiny.
[00:33:07] The meeting Andrew wishes he could've witnessed as a fly on the wall.
[00:34:30] When historical villains carry a sense of personal destiny.
[00:37:14] What Churchill and Napoleon learned from their mistakes.
[00:39:38] "Dear Diary..."
[00:44:00] Maintaining creative flow during the writing process.
[00:47:18] On working with brilliant publisher Stuart Proffitt (aka Professor Perfect).
[00:52:53] Why are some significant figures immortalized while others go the way of Ozymandias?
[00:57:59] Thoughts on personal legacy.
[00:59:18] Fiction favorites.
[01:02:05] Being objective about the history of imperialism.
[01:03:31] The challenges of teaching and learning history today.
[01:06:40] Why "Study history" is Andrew's coat of arms motto.
[01:10:22] What Andrew, as a history expert, sees for the future.
[01:14:01] Counteracting natural pessimism.
[01:15:34] What to expect from Andrew's latest book Conflict (co-authored with David Petraeus).
[01:19:21] Upcoming book projects.
[01:20:26] Parting thoughts.
*
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