WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIn the first volume of his monumental trilogy about the liberation of Europe in World War II, Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Atkinson tells the riveting story of the war in North Africa.The liberation of Europe and the destruction of the Third Reich is a story of courage and enduring triumph, of calamity and miscalculation. In this first volume of the Liberation Trilogy, Rick Atkinson shows why no modern reader can understand the ultimate victory of the Allied powers without a grasp of the great drama that unfolded in North Africa in 1942 and 1943. That first year of the Allied war was a pivotal point in American history, the moment when the United States began to act like a great power.Beginning with the daring amphibious invasion in November 1942, An Army at Dawn follows the American and British armies as they fight the French in Morocco and Algeria, and then take on the Germans and Italians in Tunisia. Battle by battle, an inexperienced and sometimes poorly led army gradually becomes a superb fighting force. Central to the tale are the extraordinary but fallible commanders who come to dominate the battlefield: Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Montgomery, and Rommel.Brilliantly researched, rich with new material and vivid insights, Atkinson's narrative provides the definitive history of the war in North Africa. Read more

The Best of The Economist’s Middle East coverage in 2024A searing exploration of authoritarianism in the Middle East through the legacy of Gamal Abdel Nasser’s years in power in Cold War–era Egypt.Gamal Abdel Nasser, the larger-than-life Egyptian president who ruled for eighteen years between the coup d’état he led in 1952 and his death in 1970, is best known for wresting the Suez Canal from the British and French empires and befriending such iconic revolutionaries as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Yet there is a darker side to Nasser’s regime. He was a brutal authoritarian, whose legacy, Alex Rowell argues, lies at the heart of the violent and repressive order that still prevails throughout the Arab world today.We Are Your Soldiers examines seven countries—Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, and Libya—weaving the epic tale of Nasser’s dramatic encounters with each to reassess his impact in the Arab sphere. These engagements were often drenched in blood and destruction, leaving deep scars that endure to the present. Rowell shows how the Nasser years were crucial to the formation of regimes as varied as Bashar al-Assad’s Syria, Muammar al-Gaddafi’s Libya, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi’s Egypt. Crushing democracy at home while launching wars and slaying opponents abroad, Nasser ushered in the long political winter from which the region is still yet to emerge.Drawing on a deep reading of Arabic sources, extensive interviews, and material never before published in English, Rowell offers a necessary reexamination of Nasser’s rule and a new understanding of the politics of the Middle East. Read more

Ancient Egypt * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Ancient Egypt was a highly developed civilization that lasted for thousands of years and left behind fascinating clues in the form of impressive structures and monuments. It was a culture balanced between the lush fertility of the Nile Valley and the barrenness of the surrounding vast deserts. The same balance holds true for our knowledge of the history of Egypt. In spite of the evidence we have, so much remains hidden and yet to be fully understood. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Nile ✓ The Gods and Goddesses ✓ The Book and the Dead ✓ The Pyramids ✓ Magic, Plagues and Curses ✓ Famous Pharaohs ✓ Immortality New methods of scientific investigation reveal new ways of interpreting the ancient evidence. As the shifting desert sands overflowed and then disclosed the Great Sphinx, after thousands of years of study ancient Egypt still holds much that has yet to be revealed. Read more

A Captivating Voyage Down the Nile: The History of EgyptEgypt’s story is one of the most fascinating in history. From the rise of its ancient civilization along the Nile River to its changes under Alexander the Great, the Ottomans, and modern leaders, Egypt has shaped the world in many ways.This book takes you on a journey through thousands of years, from the time of pyramids and powerful pharaohs to Egypt’s struggles for independence and its place in today’s world. You’ll learn about myths, monuments, and the events that shaped Egypt’s rich culture and history.What You’ll Learn Inside:How the Nile River helped Egypt grow into a great civilizationThe powerful pharaohs who built pyramids and ruled EgyptHow Egypt was influenced by Greek, Roman, and Islamic empiresThe rise of Christianity and later, Islam, in EgyptHow Egypt fought for freedom from British ruleImportant moments in Egypt’s modern historyAnd so much more!Why This Book:This book is written in a captivating way that’s easy to understand but full of fascinating facts. It’s perfect for anyone who loves history or wants to learn more about one of the world’s most important places.Discover the amazing story of Egypt and its place in history. Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” to start exploring today! Read more

Are you ready to embark on a journey that will transform the way you see travel? Imagine drifting along the legendary Nile, where every ripple and whisper unveils secrets of ancient Egypt. In A Thousand Miles Up the Nile, you’re not just reading a book—you’re stepping into a world of adventure, mystery, and timeless wonder.Feel the pulse of history as you explore the land of pharaohs, lost temples, and sun-drenched deserts. Every page invites you to experience the thrill of discovery, the magic of ancient civilizations, and the irresistible allure of travel. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a dreamer seeking your next great adventure, this captivating journey will transport you to the heart of Egypt's enchanting past.NOTE: This edition contains the original illustrations and is annotated with updated information.Victorian traveler Amelia Edwards was already a successful writer when she traveled a thousand miles up the Nile with an Egyptian crew and a few friends. The trip changed her life. A best seller of Victorian travel when published in 1877, A Thousand Miles Up the Nile has enthralled readers for more than a century and a quarter.Edwards' prodigious knowledge and research of ancient Egypt, Egyptian gods, pharaohs, and classical history places her travels in context for you. But it is her sensitive, romantic descriptions of Egyptian people and places that makes the book a delight to read over and over. Her understanding of music, poetry, and art all combine in A Thousand Miles.The book is a symphony of love for time and place. It begins quietly, swells to heights, then is relieved by minute details and humor. She educates the reader and then loses herself in rapturous descriptions of life on the Nile.On her return, she spent two years writing this book and was the driving force in the founding of the Egypt Exploration Fund. This superb account of Egypt in the 19th century will remain a classic for years to come. Read more

The story of Napoleon’s invasion of the Nile Valley, the scholars and scientists who tagged along, and the birth of Egyptology: “A fascinating read.” —San Francisco ChronicleTwo hundred years ago, only the most reckless or eccentric Europeans had dared to traverse the unmapped territory of the modern-day Middle East. But in 1798, more than 150 French engineers, artists, doctors, and scientists—even a poet and a musicologist—traveled to the Nile Valley under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte and his invading army. Hazarding hunger, hardship, uncertainty, and disease, Napoleon’s “savants” risked their lives in pursuit of discovery. The first large-scale interaction between Europeans and Muslims in the modern era, the audacious expedition was both a triumph and a disaster, resulting in finds of immense historical and scientific importance (including the ruins of the colossal pyramids and the Rosetta Stone) and in countless tragic deaths through plague, privation, madness, or violence.In this account, journalist and New York Times–bestselling author Nina Burleigh brings readers back to the landmark adventure at the dawn of the modern era that ultimately revealed the deepest secrets of ancient Egypt to a curious continent.“An absorbing glimpse of Napoleon’s thwarted bid for a grand French empire and its intellectual fruits.” —Publishers Weekly“Pepper[ed] with multitudes of facts, digressions and anecdotes.” —The New York Times Book Review (Editor’s Choice) “Illuminates an unfamiliar moment in the history of science . . . Burleigh’s storytelling ability is mesmerizing.” —Library Journal Read more

Explore Captivating Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Monsters, and Mortals while Learning Fascinating Facts about Five Mythologies This book includes five captivating manuscripts: Greek Mythology: Captivating Stories of the Ancient Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and MonstersEgyptian Mythology: Captivating Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Monsters and MortalsNorse Mythology: Captivating Stories of the Gods, Sagas, and HeroesCeltic Mythology: A Captivating Guide to the Gods, Sagas and BeliefsRoman Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Roman Gods, Goddesses, and Mythological CreaturesThe broad arc of the first manuscript takes us from the dim beginnings of creation as seen in the Greek mythology. We move through the birth of Titans, their overthrow by the Olympian gods, the gods’ dealings with mortals like Paris of Troy, Jason and the Golden Fleece, the Trojan War, and into historical times. Here are just some of the topics that the first part of this book will cover: Uranus: Betrayal by CronusCronus: Fear of His ChildrenTitans vs. Olympian GodsOlympian RuleZeus and His LadiesPrometheus and HeraklesAn Unhappy Tale of the UnderworldThe Beauty Contest that Led to the Fall of TroyPoseidon, Metis, Athena and AtlantisKraken and Other MonstersJason, the Argonauts, and Medea's DragonMenelaus, Agamemnon, and the Trojan WarSolon, the Athenian Law Giver300 SpartansSocrates, Plato, and AristotleAlexander the GreatThe second part is full of fascinating facts and stories. For instance, it covers perhaps the most popular of all the Egyptian stories - the myth of Osiris. Here are just some of the topics that the second part of this book will cover: Egypt in ContextCreationFall of HumanityOsiris MythChief Gods of the Egyptian PantheonLesser Known PantheonAncient Egyptian HistoryHere are just some of the topics that the third part of this book will cover: Norse Creation StoryThe Nine RealmsGods and the “Giants” of JötunheimMidgard and the HumansElves, Dwarves, Trolls and ValkyriesOdin, Frigg, Thor, and LokiThe Death of BaldrConflict Between the RealmsEnglish Days of the WeekHere are just some of the topics that the fourth part of this book will cover: Celtic AnimismUniversal Celtic GodsLocal Irish Celt GodsLocal Gallic Celt GodsCeltic Sagas: The CyclesCeltic Beliefs: Animal and Human SacrificeThe Wicker ManCeltic Beliefs: ReincarnationCeltic Beliefs: MatriarchyHere are just some of the topics that the fifth part of this book will cover: The Trojan ConnectionWhat History and an Analysis of Myth Tell UsFounding of RomePurely Roman GodsThe Creatures of Roman MythologyBorrowings from EtruriaInfluence of the Greek PantheonGreek Creatures Adopted by the RomansCeltic PotpourriRoman Conquests of the CeltsTruth Behind the Roman GodsDownload the book now to learn more about these five mythologies! Read more

Harrowing stories of Auschwitz, Pearl Harbor, and D-Day continue to live on, but this unbridled look at The Greatest Battles of World War II explores the lesser-known monstrosities unlike other World War II books.WWII did more than just change the fate of world history—in just six years, every corner of the globe became involved in some of the most violent crimes against humanity to ever occur.From the Battle of Stalingrad to the Battle of Midway, each of the World War 2 battles directly influenced the trajectory of the war and the world as we know it.The strength of every country’s military, intelligence, and political powers were put to the test in a war that gruesomely claimed an estimated 60 million lives, including casualties.Whether you have a great fascination for history, or you’re just looking to uncover new facts, The Greatest Battles of World War II paints a picture of the key battles of World War 2 and the impact of each on the course of the war and future of global affairs.Despite the relatively short war, there are mountains of heinous yet hugely impactful events that took place—battles to war crimes alike.You may already know about the evils of concentration camps and terrible murders of innocent people. Now, it’s time to take a look at what the history books may not have taught you.Inside The Greatest Battles of World War II, you will discover:every major event and battle from the invasion of Poland and Dunkirk to Operation Overlord and the fateful day of June 6, 1944, when Nazi efforts all came crashing down.the intricately planned military and intelligence efforts on the part of the US and its allies, which were key to the victory and end of the war.what the fate of the war might have been if these battles had gone differently, and how even the minutest details enabled the takedown of Hitler and the Nazi Party.how each and every event contributed to the drawn-out war, the eventual victory of the Allied Powers, and their far-reaching impact on the world, politics, and modern history. …plus key facts of every battle and military move for a well-rounded WWII education without the distracting and unnecessary details.The impact that World War II had on global military affairs, international politics, and national security is everlasting, and the battles of World War II played a crucial role in its influence.If you’re ready to discover World War II with clear detail and unfiltered historical accuracy, then this book is written specifically for you.Uncover the raw truth of The Greatest Battles of World War II and learn the full story! Read more

A riveting, beautifully crafted account of Libya after Qadhafi.The death of Colonel Muammar Qadhafi freed Libya from forty-two years of despotic rule, raising hopes for a new era. But in the aftermath, the country descended into bitter rivalries and civil war, paving the way for the Islamic State and a catastrophic migrant crisis.In a fast-paced narrative that blends frontline reporting, analysis, and history, Frederic Wehrey tells the story of what went wrong. An Arabic-speaking Middle East scholar, Wehrey interviewed the key actors in Libya and paints vivid portraits of lives upended by a country in turmoil: the once-hopeful activists murdered or exiled, revolutionaries transformed into militia bosses or jihadist recruits, an aging general who promises salvation from the chaos in exchange for a return to the old authoritarianism. He traveled where few Westerners have gone, from the shattered city of Benghazi, birthplace of the revolution, to the lawless Sahara, to the coastal stronghold of the Islamic State in Qadhafi’s hometown of Sirt. He chronicles the American and international missteps after the dictator’s death that hastened the country’s unraveling. Written with bravura, based on daring reportage, and informed by deep knowledge, TheBurning Shores is the definitive account of Libya’s fall. Read more

First published in 1961, Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth is a masterful and timeless interrogation of race, colonialism, psychological trauma, and revolutionary struggle. In 2020, it found a new readership in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests and the centering of narratives interrogating race by Black writers. Bearing singular insight into the rage and frustration of colonized peoples, and the role of violence in spurring historical change, the book incisively attacks the twin perils of post-independence colonial politics: the disenfranchisement of the masses by the elites on the one hand, and intertribal and interfaith animosities on the other. A landmark text for revolutionaries and activists, The Wretched of the Earth is an eternal touchstone for civil rights, anti-colonialism, psychiatric studies, and Black consciousness movements around the world. Translated by Richard Philcox, and featuring now-classic critical essays by Jean-Paul Sartre and Homi K. Bhabha, as well as a new essay, this sixtieth anniversary edition of Fanon’s most famous text stands proudly alongside such pillars of anti-colonialism and anti-racism as Edward Said’s Orientalism and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Read more

Pharaohs of the Solar Dynasty: Tutankhamun, Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and Amenhotep IIIThe 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt: An Era of Intrigue, Murder, and the Rise of Aten in a Time of Revolutionary Religious ChangeIf you’re captivated by the stories of pharaohs, ancient gods, and majestic pyramids—if they stir your curiosity or fire your imagination—this book is for you.Step into the Enigmatic World of Ancient EgyptEmbark on a fascinating journey with Pharaohs of the Solar Dynasty, an enthralling exploration of one of history’s most mysterious periods. Featuring legendary figures like Tutankhamun, Nefertiti, and Akhenaten, this book unveils the captivating stories of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt.A Legendary CivilizationDiscover a realm where pharaohs were seen as living gods. Dive into sacred rituals like mummification, uncovering profound spiritual beliefs, and explore temples and tombs that are treasure troves of ancient secrets.A Unique Insight into the 18th DynastyThis book takes you through the intertwined lives of Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Tutankhamun. Witness their political, religious, and cultural transformations amidst intrigue, murder, and power struggles that defined their era.What You’ll Uncover:The enthralling stories of the most influential pharaohs of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.A deep dive into sacred rites and religious practices, including the revolutionary worship of Aten, the Sun Disc god.The political machinations and rivalries within the royal court.Fresh insights into the divine connections of the pharaohs.A groundbreaking theory that could reshape our understanding of ancient Egypt.A Journey Through TimePharaohs of the Solar Dynasty is more than just a historical account. It’s an immersive experience that will transport you back to the splendour and mysteries of ancient Egypt.Ready to Embark on an Epic Adventure? Order Now Read more

The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt is the only book available providing detailed historical coverage of Egypt from the early Stone Age to its incorporation into the Roman Empire. The lively essays and beautiful illustrations portray the emergence and development of the distinctive civilization of the ancient Egyptians covering the period from 700,000 BC to ad 311. The authors - each working at the cutting edge of their particular fields - outline the principal sequence of political events, including detailed examinations of the three so-called Intermediate Periods previously regarded as 'dark ages'.Against the backdrop of the rise and fall of ruling dynasties, this Oxford History also examines cultural and social patterns, including stylistic developments in art and literature. The pace of change in such aspects of Egyptian culture as monumental architecture, funerary beliefs, and ethnicity was not necessarily tied to the rate of political change. Each of the authors has therefore set out to elucidate, in both words and pictures, the underlying patterns of social and political change, and to describe the changing face of ancient Egypt, from the biographical details of individuals to the social and economic factors that shaped the lives of the population as a whole. Read more

Named as the 2020 Book of the Year at the IAN Awards. Named as the 2020 Outstanding Historical Fiction book at the IAN Awards A Gold Medal Winner at the 2020 Readers' Favourite AwardsJana Petken’s extraordinary Multi-Award-Winning historical epic, The German Half-Bloods Trilogy, reaches its sweeping, heart-wrenching conclusion. In The German Half-Bloods and The Vogels, Jana Petken followed the turbulent lives of an Anglo-German family as they forged their paths through the Second World War. Now, the conflict intensifies in the Soviet States, North Africa, France, and the growing resistance movement in Poland. Will Max, Paul, and Wilmot Vogel survive the most ruthless phase of the war to date? Max takes a path to momentous events in North Africa where he balances undercover games of espionage in decadent Cairo with dangerous missions behind the German Afrika Korps’ lines. Paul’s loyalty to the Third Reich continues to wane as Germany’s extermination programmes in Poland expand, and he is stalked by the new Kriminalinspektor, Manfred Krüger. Can he stay one step ahead of a man who has been ordered to destroy him? Wilmot faces new challenges in the Afrika Korps, but is he mentally and physically prepared to lead his men into Libya’s fiery desert and against the British 8th Army? Before the Brightest Dawn, the long-awaited Book 3 of the Half-Bloods Trilogy, concludes the story of the inextricably entangled fates of three brothers … through a war that becomes increasingly brutal and cruel.Editorial Review: for Readers' FavoriteIn Jana Petken’s Before The Brightest Dawn, Book 3 of The Half-Bloods Trilogy, we are enfolded in a time in history that bears witness to the clichéd saying 'war is hell.' This is a story that reaffirms this wretched truth in a deeply moving way. Told from the perspective of the Vogel family, this epic work of fiction, framed within actual events of World War Two, immerses the reader in foreign worlds torn apart by the ravages and brutality of a global battle for survival. German-born Dieter Vogel and his English wife Laura are proud parents to three sons and a daughter, and when the war erupts in earnest, each member of their family becomes engulfed in fighting in their own particular way, subjected to horrors that confront them and challenge all they hold dear. Thomas Jefferson once said the most successful war seldom pays for its losses. After reading The Brightest Dawn, I know this should read 'never pays for its losses.' In the words of Jana Petken, war holds a ubiquitous disregard for life, and I know life can never be repaid. Before The Brightest Dawn, Book 3 of The Half-Bloods Trilogy by Jana Petken is absolutely compelling reading, which is almost impossible to put down. What is particularly impressive about this book is that in spite of the complexity and detail of the subplots running through the story, the consistency, accuracy, and preciseness of content is maintained to a flawless level throughout. This story has been meticulously laid out to form a coherent and wonderfully gripping tale. The characters and relationships are as real and diverse as any I know, and the empathy I developed for the main players was impressively genuine. I challenge anyone to read this engrossing masterpiece without shedding tears. In summary, this has been one of the best books I have ever read. Read more

The Wisdom of Amenemope (also called the Wisdom of Amenemopet, Instruction of Amenemope, or Instructions of Amenemopet) is an ancient Egyptian text that has mostly survived to the present, dating to sometime between 1550 and 1350 BC. Egyptian wisdom literature served as an inspiration for several ancient Israelite books, including the Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, and the Wisdom of Joshua ben Sira. The most significant influence of Amenemope on the Israelite texts is found in the book of Proverbs, which appears to be directly influenced by Amenemope. The Wisdom of Amenemope was lost for over 2000 years, however, in the late 1800s, several copies were found by Egyptologists both on papyrus and tablets. The various copies all dated to the 21st through 27th dynasties of Egypt, circa 1170 to 500 BC, meaning the Wisdom of Amenemope was in circulation for over 600 years before being lost. It is not clear when exactly it was lost, but it was no longer in circulation by the time the Septuagint was translated at the Library of Alexandria circa 250 BC, and there is no evidence the Library ever acquired a copy of it.If the biblical story of Solomon is essentially accurate, then his Egyptian wife would have almost certainly given him a copy of the Wisdom of Amenemope, as it carried the name of her father. This was not the Amenemope that wrote the Wisdom of Amenemope, however, it still would have made a good present to a barbarian king she would no doubt want to Egyptianize. The influence of Solomon's wives over his beliefs is a central aspect of his story within the biblical narrative, with the Levites that wrote the surviving versions of the books of Kingdoms (Samuel and Kings) ultimately describing the downfall of the unified kingdom of Israel (Judea and Samaria) as being because of his actions. Yet, he was described as building the first temple in Jerusalem, and so continued to be revered by the Levites.Whether Solomon existed or not, the Book of Proverbs was compiled by someone who ascribed it to him. This person drew on many ancient sources but clearly had a copy of the Wisdom of Amenemope in his possession. The fact that the author of Proverbs translated texts directly from Amenemope is not in doubt, and almost all major Christian denominations have recognized the preeminence of the Wisdom of Amenemope in the compilation of Proverbs. Read more

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Egyptian Mythology * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. In this brief introduction to the subject of Egyptian Mythology the author has given a lot of thought to the context of the subject. This makes it an easy read. There is a useful Historical Timeline which allows the reader to follow the complexities of Egyptian history and locate the mythology within the development of the country. Inside you will read about... ✓ A Timeline for Ancient Egypt ✓ Historical Egypt ✓ The Myth Of Creation ✓ The Pantheon Of Gods ✓ Mythology In Day To Day Ancient Egypt ✓ The Central Role Of The Temple And Some Temple Rituals ✓ Sources Of The History Of Egyptian Mythology ✓ The Underworld And Life After Death ✓ Pyramids And Their Locations The book includes the myths of the creation in some detail and introduces the top Deities in a Pantheon of over two thousand God and Goddesses. The presence and importance of the Nile is discussed and details of daily life, including the rituals followed in the temples, essentially the backbone of the economy, are well covered. Read more

A hypnotic journey in the company of one of the world's most acclaimed Egyptologists over the fabled river telling how the Nile continually brought life to an ancient civilization now dead and how it sustained its successors, now in tumult.Renowned Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson leads us through space as much as time: from the river's mystical sources (the Blue Nile which rises in Ethiopia, and the White Nile coursing from majestic Lake Victoria); to Thebes, with its Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and Luxor Temple; the fertile Delta; Giza, home of the Great Pyramid, the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; and finally, to the pulsating capital city of Cairo, where the Arab Spring erupted on the bridges over the Nile. Along the way, he introduces us to mysterious and fabled characters-the gods, godlike pharaohs, emperors and empresses, who joined their fate to the Nile and gained immortality; the adventurers, archaeologists, and historians who have all fallen under its spell. With matchless erudition and storytelling skill, through a lens equal to both panoramas and close-ups, Wilkinson brings millennia of history into view. Read more

“Europe is a molehill….”Everything here is worn out…tiny Europe has not enough to offer.We must set off for the Orient; that is where all the greatest glory is to be achieved.” —NapoleonNapoleon’s invasion of Egypt was the first Western attack in modern times on a Middle Eastern country. In this remarkably rich and eminently readable historical account, acclaimed author Paul Strathern reconstructs a mission of conquest inspired by glory, executed in haste, and bound for disaster.In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte, only twenty-eight, mounted the most audacious military campaign of his already spectacular career. With 335 ships, 40,000 soldiers, and a collection of scholars, artists, scientists, and inventors, he set sail for Egypt to establish an Eastern empire in emulation of Alexander the Great. Like everything Napoleon ever attempted, it was a plan marked by unquenchable ambition, heroic romanticism, and not a little madness. Napoleon saw himself as a liberator, freeing the Egyptians from the oppression of their Mameluke overlords. But while Napoleon thought his army would be welcomed as heroes, he tragically misunderstood Muslim culture and grossly overestimated the “gratitude” he could expect from those he’d come to save. Instead Napoleon and his men would face a grim war of attrition against an ad hoc army of Muslims led by the feared Murad Bey. Marching across seemingly endless deserts in the shadow of the pyramids, suffering extremes of heat and thirst, and pushed to the limits of human endurance, they would be plagued by mirages, suicides, and the constant threat of ambush. A crusade begun in honor and intended for glory would degenerate toward chaos and atrocity.But Napoleon’s grand failure in Egypt also yielded vast treasures of knowledge about a culture largely lost to the West, and through the recovery of artifacts like the Rosetta Stone, it prepared the way for the translation of hieroglyphics and modern Egyptology. And it tempered the complex leader who believed it his destiny to conquer the world. A story of war, adventure, politics, and a clash of cultures, Paul Strathern’s Napoleon in Egypt is history at once relevant and impossible to put down. Read more

The definitive account of one of history’s greatest campaigns, as remembered by the participants on land, sea, and air.Perfect for readers of Max Hastings, James Holland, and Anthony Beevor.By mid-1942, Rommel and his Afrika Korps were driving the Allies ever further into retreat. Yet, by the end of the year, Montgomery and the Eighth Army had not only halted the lightning attacks of Rommel’s Panzer army but had also turned the tide, achieving a resounding victory at El Alamein.How were Montgomery and his men able to defeat Rommel’s seemingly invincible army?El Alamein is a fascinating study of one of the major turning points of the Second World War. Alexander McKee gives insight into the directives coming from the British War Cabinet in the tumultuous months when Allied resistance seemed to be wavering, as well as emphasising the importance of Ultra, the British code-breaking and deciphering operation, in providing advance information about Rommel’s supply ships and troop movements.Yet McKee not only provides an overview of the battle and the orders of those in command but also utilises accounts from British and Commonwealth ex-servicemen — the bomber pilots, submarine commanders, army officers, and soldiers — to offer insights into the crucial roles they played. This new assessment finally gives full credit to the carefully coordinated, three-pronged attack, where each element contributed to the final success.There has never been a more complete account of the Desert War; El Alamein should be essential reading for all interested in the Second World War and one of its most important battles. Read more

"A marvellous collection of original wartime colour photos…For both historians and modellers, the variations in uniforms and their colours will be a great reference..." — Military Model SceneTake a visual journey through North Africa during the Second World War with Anthony Tucker-Jones and Ian Spring as they chart the path of Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps through a series of stunning, rare color photographs. Taken from Ian Spring’s incredible digital archive of over 32,000 original color photographs dated between 1936 and 1946, more than 250 images in Rommel’s Afrika Korps In Color offer readers a vivid, detailed insight into this German expeditionary force and their long North African Campaign. Fascinating color photographs of German soldiers, weaponry, tanks and aircraft fill these pages, and are balanced by the equally captivating and rare photographs of the people and the landscapes of North Africa.Renowned author and military historian Anthony Tucker-Jones’ remarkable text accompanies Ian Spring’s collection of rare photographs, together making for a highly informative and utterly engrossing read. Rommel’s Afrika Korps In Color affords readers a new way of reading and learning about one of the most unique campaigns in the Second World War, and will stay with them long after they turn the final page. Read more