Western Europe

The Age of Voltaire, the ninth volume of The Story of Civilization, is an in-depth examination of France and England in the first half of the 18th century.

The Moment of Liberation in Western Europe: Power Struggles & Rebellions, 1943-1948, regards the final two years of World War II and the immediate post-liberation period as a moment in 20th century history when the shape and contours of postwar Western Europe appeared highly uncertain and various alternatives and conflicting visions were up for grabs. After close to six years of total war, Nazi terror, and brutal occupation policies, a growing number of Europeans were no longer content solely to fight for national liberation from fascist control.

This engrossing and meticulously researched volume reexamines the decisions made by Dwight D. Eisenhower and his staff in the crucial months leading up to the Battle of the Bulge. In late August 1944, defeat of the Wehrmacht seemed assured. On December 16, however, the Germans counterattacked. Received wisdom says that Eisenhower's Broad Front strategy caused his armies to stall in early September, and his subsequent failure to concentrate his forces brought about deadlock.

In large parts of France where they don't speak English, the reception you get in the restaurant if you say "Bonsoir, avez vous une table pour quatre s'il vous plait?" instead of mumbling in English, is night and day.

A New York Times Bestseller The definitive history of Ukraine from antiquity to today. “An admirable new history.... In his elegant and careful exposition of Ukraine’s past, Mr. Plokhy has also provided some signposts to the future.” ―Economist As Ukraine is embroiled in an ongoing...

The mysticism and fairy folklore of Celtic England, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Wales is explored in this production, which focuses on interviews conducted with everyday citizens about their beliefs, sightings, and encounters in the early 20th century, followed by an anthropological examination of evidence. It is an exploration of the spirit world, of the Sidhe, the "good people", who are claimed to interact mischievously with the populace - sometimes even abducting them and leaving only the victims' clothes behind, transporting them far distances, and killing livestock.

Art looting is commonly recognized as a central feature of Nazi expropriation. After the war, the famed Monuments Men (and women) recovered several hundred thousand pieces from the Germans' makeshift repositories. Well-publicized restitution cases, such as that of Gustav Klimt's luminous painting featured in the film Woman in Gold, illustrate the legacy of Nazi looting in the art world today. But what happened to looted art that was never returned to its rightful owners?

"Sag mir, wo du trinkst, und ich sag dir, wer du bist!" So könnte das Motto zu diesem Oktoberfest-Buch lauten. Liebevoll geschildert und gespickt mit zahlreichen Anekdoten nimmt München-Insider Christian Rupprecht-Essig seine Leser mit auf das größte Volksfest der Welt. Wer kommt ins Käfer-Zelt und wer sitzt im Bräurosl? Wo findet man Australier und wo den Geldadel?

When Sean Dietrich—known to millions as "Sean of the South"—and his wife, Jamie, set out to walk the Camino de Santiago, they weren't just looking for a hike. They were looking for a way to carry their lives across five hundred miles of Spanish mud, ancient stone, and the kind of exhaustion that strips a soul down to its genuine marrow. Combining grit, humor, ancient wisdom, and quiet wonder into an inspiring tale of endurance, I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles is a modern chronicle of the human spirit.

Bloomsbury presents The Abolition of Britain written and read by Peter Hitchens How do you tell that a country has died? In this devastating, pessimistic, though critically-timed revised edition of his classic book, Peter Hitchens describes and regrets the abolition of Britain. In the years...

"Living in Italy" - A true story about life in Italy by Stef Smulders is an engaging and insightful memoir that takes readers on a journey through the author's experiences of relocating to Italy with his partner, Nico. From navigating the intricacies of Italian bureaucracy to adapting to the country's vibrant culture, Smulders shares his candid observations and amusing anecdotes about life as an expat in Italy. Through his vivid storytelling, Smulders paints a vivid picture of the joys and challenges of living in a foreign country.

Once valued at close to seven trillion dollars by today’s standards, the Dutch East India Company, formed in 1602, became the world’s first multinational corporation. In the nearly 200-year reign of their empire at sea, the Dutch East India Company amassed unfathomable fortunes, laid the foundation of the modern globalized world, and built monopolies that controlled the economy of the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe and the East Indies.

This is a great package of several titles in one book. The topics are all related to the history of the Netherlands.

What compels a retired couple to hike 500 miles across Spain? Narrated by the author with warmth, humor, and heartfelt reflection, The Long Walk to Compostela invites you to join a married couple in their mid sixties as they set out to walk all 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago, the legendary pilgrimage route across northern Spain. What begins as a long walk soon becomes something much deeper, a test of endurance, partnership, and perseverance.

The story of the Roman Republic is the greatest epic in human history. Seen in the long perspective of time, it seems too fantastic to be real. From its modest beginnings as a convenient fording place on the Tiber to its eventual destiny as the mistress of the Mediterranean, Rome offers a strange tale of fate, sacrifice, and indomitable willpower. The stern realities of war shaped its policies from the very beginning.

In the wake of taking Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire would spend the next few centuries expanding its size, power, and influence, bumping up against Eastern Europe and becoming one of the world’s most important geopolitical players. It would take repeated efforts by various European coalitions to prevent a complete Ottoman takeover of the continent, and one of the most important battles among those efforts took place at Vienna in 1529.

Switzerland is a remarkable country, half of whose territory lies in the Alps. This is the history of one Swiss alpine village. Raising cattle and making cheese brought modest wealth to its struggling peasants until a destructive Napoleonic invasion brought revolution and poverty. Well-being was slowly restored by a democratic unification of Switzerland. The Alps took on a romantic tourist glow in the Edwardian age and after the disruptions of two world wars the highland farmers and guest house keeps began to prosper.

What would the perfect Iceland road trip look like for you? If you’re a couple seeking adventure packed with cultural experience, exploring the land of fire and ice by road is perfect for you. Drive along winding roads, surrounded by towering volcanoes, cascading waterfalls, and sparkling glaciers. Taste traditional Icelandic cuisines, explore charming villages, and absorb the rich culture and traditions of the locals along the way. Perhaps even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights….

Bloomsbury presents Byzantium and the Crusades by Jonathan Harris, read by John Sackville. Jonathan Harris’s classic text chronologically surveys Byzantine history in the time of the Crusades. The book reveals the attitudes of the Byzantine ruling elites towards the Crusades and their ultimate...

Ga mee op een epische voettocht naar Rome, de eeuwige stad, vol avonturen en onvergetelijke ervaringen. Ontdek kloosters, proef nieuwe gerechten, trotseer natuurgeweld en ontmoet bijzondere mensen.