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Classicism and Other Phobias - review
Posted on: 16 November 2025
Classics is an odd subject with a long history. (I will define Classics as the study of the Roman and Ancient Greek world, with an emphasis on the written-down remains) To give you an idea of how long...
β ββββ (2025)
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New history books in October 2025
Posted on: 3 November 2025
I didn't manage to grub up so many new history books from last month, but as ever there is more than enough to keep you reading! The three books I particularly liked the look of are: Rhyme and...
new books
What to Expect When You're Dead - review
Posted on: 12 October 2025
The Greek Historian Herodotus reports that the Egyptians carried a painted corpse made of wood inside a coffin into their drinking parties. The host then displayed the corpse to each of the guests in...
β β β β β (2025)
review
The Greek Historian Herodotus reports that the Egyptians carried a painted corpse made of wood inside a coffin into their drinking parties. The host then displayed the corpse to each of the guests in turn, saying. βLook at this as you drink and enjoy yourself. Youβll be like that when you die.β
New history books in September 2025
Posted on: 3 October 2025
A focus on the history of Britain this month with half of the books peering back at the history of this island, and more precisely the English bit of it. The rest of the world is not totally neglected...
new books
Scandal in Konigsberg - review
Posted on: 26 September 2025
How best to attract your attention? Tales of sexual debauchery: a priest encouraging his flock to disrobe and cavort about in the nude? Or perverse initiation rites involving brain-washed aristocratic...
β β β β β (2025)
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New history books in August 2025
Posted on: 11 September 2025
This seems to be a month of big ideas, judging by the new history books (in the UK, hardback). Many are spanning the whole of human history, and the entirelty of the world. There are a few different...
new books
Captives and Companions - review
Posted on: 5 September 2025
I said to myself βThis king would be worth 30 dinars in Oman in the [slave] marketplace, and the seven [companions] 160 dinars, and they have clothes worth 20 dinars, so that would bring us at least...
β β β β β (2025)
review
I said to myself βThis king would be worth 30 dinars in Oman in the [slave] marketplace, and the seven [companions] 160 dinars, and they have clothes worth 20 dinars, so that would bring us at least 3,000 dirhams without any risk attached.β
Review of Justin Marozzi, Captives and Companions
New history books in July 2025
Posted on: 25 August 2025
After my self awarded summer break I am a little late this month, but better late than never. An unusually high proportion dealing with the subject of slavery, coming at it from a few different...
new books
Counting - review
Posted on: 24 August 2025
Do you really understand the number 13? Or the number 24? I would argue - and Benjamin Wardhaugh, author of Counting: Humans, History and the Infinite Lives of Numbers might cautiously back me up here...
β β β β β (2024)
review
New history books in June 2025
Posted on: 1 July 2025
The latest monthly roundup: new history books published in June in the UK (hardback). A bit less politics and a bit more in the way of ideas this month... A couple that I have my eye on...
new books
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