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The words held within these pages, written over two and a half thousand years ago, ring just as true today as they did in fifth century BC China. Bestselling author and master storyteller James Clavell (Shōgun) brought The Art of War to greater prominence in the West in the 1980s and showed how...

In The Roman Way, Edith Hamilton shows us Rome through the eyes of the Romans. Plautus and Terence, Cicero and Caesar, Catullus, Horace, Virgil, and Augustus come to life in their ambitions, their work, their loves and hates. In them we see reflected a picture of Roman life very different form...

“Fourth-century Athens has a special claim on our attention apart from the great men it produced,” writes Hamilton, “for it is the prelude to the end of Greece...The kind of events that took place in the great free government of the ancient world may, by reason of unchanging human nature...

The aim of this work is not a history of events but an account of the achievement and spirit of Greece. “What the Greeks discovered, how they brought a new world to birth out of the dark confusions of an old world that had crumbled away, is full of meaning for us today who have seen an old...

Despite the turmoil of Arab nationalism and fundamentalism, Middle Eastern wars, and oil crises, the history of the Arab world has been little known and poorly understood in the West. One reason may be that, for more than half a century, there has been no up-to-date single volume work that chronicles the story of Arab civilization - until now.

This riveting narrative explores the lives of six remarkable female pharaohs, from Hatshepsut to Cleopatra - women who ruled with real power - and shines a piercing light on our own perceptions of women in power today. Female rulers are a rare phenomenon - but thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt, women reigned supreme. But throughout human history, women in positions of power were more often used as political pawns in a male-dominated society. What was so special about ancient Egypt that provided women this kind of access to the highest political office?

The ancient biographer and essayist Plutarch thought deeply about the leadership qualities of the eminent Greeks and Romans he profiled in his famous - and massive - Lives, including politicians and generals such as Pericles, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. Luckily for us, Plutarch distilled what he learned about wise leadership in a handful of essays, which are filled with essential lessons for experienced and aspiring leaders in any field today. 

Here Durant tells the whole story of Greece from the days of Crete's vast Aegean empire to the final extirpation of the last remnants of Greek liberty, crushed under the heel of an implacably forward-marching Rome. The dry minutiae of battles and sieges, of tortuous statecraft of tyrant and king, get minor emphasis in what is preeminently a vivid recreation of Greek culture, brought to the listener through the medium of supple, vigorous prose.

The rivalry between two of the dominant city states of Ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, erupted into a war lasting nearly 30 years and was to have a dramatic effect on the balance of power in the area. Between 431 and 404 BCE, the two cities battled it out on land and sea, aided by their...

The ancient world has cast a long shadow, influencing our customs and religious beliefs, our laws, and the form of our governments. It has taught us when and how we make war or pursue peace. It has shaped the buildings we live and work in and the art we hang on our walls. It has given us the calendar that organizes our year and has left its mark on the games we play.

Brought to you by Penguin. What aspects of your life do you really control? What do you do when you cannot guarantee that things will turn out in your favour? And what can Stoicism teach us about how to live together? In the past few years, Stoicism has been making a comeback. But what exactly...

Explore ancient history and human evolution to discover why nomadic hunter-gatherers risked everything to invent farming. This immersive, thought-provoking journey is the perfect companion for your daily commute or deep focus sessions. Experience the dramatic climate shifts of the late Ice Age...

Experience the epic history of the eastern Roman Empire, where Christian power and imperial resilience defied collapse. Perfect for your daily commute, this vivid audiobook resurrects a fallen Mediterranean world of glittering churches and fierce religious wars. Listen as powerful emperors...

Unearth the secrets of the Seven Wonders with this immersive ancient history of a monument built for eternity. Transform your daily commute or deep-focus learning sessions into an engaging archaeological expedition to fourth-century Caria. Experience the ambitious reign of King Mausolus and the...

Discover how an underdog alliance of steppe warriors forged a medieval empire to rival Byzantium. Perfect for your daily commute, this epic historical narrative transports you to the late antique Balkans where crumbling Roman authority birthed a new superpower. Immerse yourself in the dramatic...

Step into ancient Rome to uncover the monumental engineering and brutal frontier politics that forged a divided Britain. Whether you are seeking a gripping historical narrative for your daily commute or preparing for an adventurous trip across the rugged northern landscape, this immersive...

Experience the perilous dawn of Christian history in the Roman Empire as early believers fought for survival and faith. Perfect for an immersive commute or a quiet evening of historical reflection, this evocative narrative transports you into the crowded streets and dimly lit workshops of the...

Dive into the epic ancient history of a struggling city that fought to become an unstoppable military superpower. Whether you need a gripping narrative for your daily commute or a focused learning experience before sleep, this immersive timeline brings the fierce Mediterranean world back to...

Experience the epic medieval history of steppe warriors forging a dominant Balkan empire to rival Byzantine power. From the crossing of the Danube to the fierce clash of civilizations, this immersive military history transforms your daily commute into an atmospheric journey through Europe's...

Uncover the gripping ancient history of a dazzling architectural wonder, burned to the ground by a madman. Perfect for your morning commute, this immersive narrative transports you to the bustling ancient port of Ephesus. Watch a humble marsh sanctuary transform into a pan-Mediterranean marvel...