Showing results by publisher "Hodder Headline Limited" in History

Longlisted for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2007.
How much should you pay for a return trip to the moon? How are Winnie the Pooh and the artificial heart related? Did teenagers exist before 1950? If not, who invented them? James May's 20th Century answers all these questions and more.

In 1616, an English adventurer, Nathaniel Courthope, stepped ashore on a remote island in the East Indies on a secret mission: to persuade the islanders of Run to grant a monopoly to England over their nutmeg, a fabulously valuable spice in Europe. This infuriated the Dutch, who were determined to control the world's nutmeg supply.

In the summer of 1716, a Cornish cabin boy named Thomas Pellow and 52 of his comrades were captured at sea by the Barbary corsairs. Their captors, fanatical Islamic slave traders, had declared war on the whole of Christendom. Thousands of Europeans had been snatched from their homes and taken in chains to the great slave markets of Algiers, Tunis and Sale in Morocco to be sold to the highest bidder.

Sixty years ago, four men parachuted onto a Norwegian glacier, equipped with only the most basic equipment. Their mission was to prevent the Nazi regime from building an atomic bomb.

When we think of great events in the history of the world, we tend to think of war, revolution, political upheaval, or natural catastrophe. But throughout history there have been moments of vital importance that have taken place not on the battlefield, or in the palaces of power, or even in the violence of nature, but between the pages of a book.

Samuel Pepys' classic diaries, brought to life by Kenneth Branagh.

Pepys' Diary is one of the most celebrated journals of all time. Such is the wit and style of Pepys' writing that listeners to this selection from the early years of the diary will gain not only a unique view of 17th century London life but also a vivid picture of Pepys the man as he strives to establish himself in his career and in society.

In this second part of the famous diary specially adapted for audio, Pepys gives us vivid eye-witness accounts of two famous events: the Plague and the Great Fire of London. Not only do we learn how these two events affected the people of London but also how Pepys and his family were affected, along with his usual minute observations of seventeenth century London life.

Discover Sir Ranulph Twistelton-Wykham-Fiennes's personal expedition to trace his extraordinary family through the twists and turns of history. From Charlemagne - himself a direct ancestor of the author - to the count who very nearly persuaded William the Conqueror to retreat at Hastings, many members of this unique clan have lived close to the nerve centre of the ruler of their day.

It was a moment of mad impulse when John Humphrys decided to buy a semi-derelict cottage and a building site on a plot of land overlooking the Aegean. A few minutes gazing out over the most glorious bay he had ever seen was all it took to persuade him. After all, his son Christopher was already raising his family there so he would help build the beautiful villa that would soon take shape. What could possibly go wrong? Everything....

Published to tie-in with the new series of In Our Time on BBC Radio 4, Melvyn Bragg guides us through the most dramatic moments in our history. Melvyn Bragg's In Our Time series regularly entertains and fascinates substantial audiences on Radio 4. He orchestrates the ideas of leading academics in each field, and leads a dynamic and lively discussion.

From the bestselling author of McCarthy's Bar, this is a hilarious and thought-provoking journey into his Irish heritage around the world. As a veteran traveller, Pete McCarthy has long been intrigued that the emigrant Irish can be found in all corners of the globe. Determined to pin down mythical tales of his own clan history, Pete is thrust into a world-wide adventure that reveals an unsettled and poignant history, while unearthing a good pint in the most unexpected locations.

An anthology and miscellany of everything an Englishman should know: from Austen to Wordsworth, Jerusalem to the Scout's Honour, Kings and Queens of England to Land of Hope and Glory, Savile Row tailors to Jermyn St shirt makers, tying a Windsor knot to making a pot of tea, Victoria sponge to fish pie and the rules of cricket to Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

From the team that brought you the best-selling Have You Heard the One About audios, this is another rib-tickling collection of stories. Anyone who loves a good chuckle is once again in for a treat with this treasury of anecdotes from some of the best raconteurs in the business. So sit back, put your feet up, and hang on to your sides as you enjoy this hilarious gigglefest.

60 years ago, as the German army continued its relentless advance across Europe; Britain, a country ill-prepared for war, faced its darkest hour...