Showing titles in History

In the summer of 1993, Thomas Harding travelled to Germany with his grandmother to visit a house by a lake. It had been a holiday home for her family, that she had been forced to leave as the Nazis swept to power. As he began to piece together the lives of the five families who had lived, he...

Belonging is a magnificent cultural history abundantly alive with energy, character and colour. It spans centuries and continents; from the Jews' expulsion from Spain in 1492, it navigates miracles and massacres, wandering, discrimination, harmony and tolerance, to the brink of the 20th century and, it seems, a point of profound hope. It tells the stories not just of rabbis and philosophers but of a poetess in the ghetto of Venice; a boxer in Georgian England; a general in Ming China; and an opera composer in 19th-century Germany.

A bestselling author and rabbi’s profoundly affecting exploration of the meaning and purpose of the soul, inspired by the famous correspondence between Albert Einstein and a grieving rabbi. “A human being is part of the whole, called by us ‘Universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He...

Remember Us is a look back at the lost world of the shtetl: a wise Zayde offering prophetic and profound words to his grandson, the rich experience of Shabbos, and the treasure of a loving family. All this is torn apart with the arrival of the Holocaust, beginning a crucible fraught with twists and turns so unpredictable and surprising that they defy any attempt to find reason within them. Through the eyes of 91-year-old Holocaust survivor Martin Small, we learn that these priceless memories that are too painful to remember are also too painful to forget.

This is the story of No. 22483, who had been shipped from Belgium to Buchenwald. It records what he saw and felt during his calvary from Antwerp to the Malin distribution camp in France and from there to the extermination camp of Buchenwald. He was one of the few people who both entered a Nazi concentration camp and left again. This is his remarkable personal story that records his experiences of one of the most harrowing events in human history.

Lucy Dawidowicz's groundbreaking The War Against the Jews inspired waves of both acclaim and controversy upon its release in 1975. Dawidowicz argues that genocide was, to the Nazis, as central a war goal as conquering Europe, and was made possible by a combination of political, social, and technological factors. She explores the full history of Hitler's "Final Solution", from the rise of anti-Semitism to the creation of Jewish ghettos to the brutal tactics of mass murder employed by the Nazis.

Zionism is the nationalist movement affirming Jewish people's right to self-determination through the establishment of a Jewish national state in its ancient homeland. It is one of the most controversial ideologies in the world. Its supporters laud its success at liberating the Jewish people...

How a Quartet of American Musicians Outwitted the KGB – The Untold History of a Daring Cold War Spy Mission In 1985, while the United States engaged in a battle of nuclear brinkmanship, four Americans landed in Moscow on a mission to smuggle secret information in and out using music as their...

Normon Solomon's succinct book is an ideal introduction to Judaism as a religion and way of life. Demonstrating the diverse nature and ethnic origin of Jewish people, Solomon explores how the religion has developed in the 2,000 years since the days of the Bible.

A major new work on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest sacred documents of Judaism, which reveals their surprising connections to early Christianity. “A luminous treatment of a fascinating subject! Highly recommended!”—Scott Hahn, author of The Fourth Cup From award-winning scholar John...

They immigrated to America from Germany in the nineteenth century with names like Loeb, Sachs, Seligman, Lehman, Guggenheim, and Goldman. From tenements on the Lower East Side to Park Avenue mansions, this handful of Jewish families turned small businesses into imposing enterprises and amassed spectacular fortunes. But despite possessing breathtaking wealth that rivaled the Astors and Rockefellers, they were barred by the gentile establishment from the lofty realm of "the 400," a register of New York's most elite, because of their religion and humble backgrounds.  

Explore three millennia of religious history and human resilience, tracing an ancient community’s survival through exile. Perfect for an educational daily commute, this gripping narrative transforms complex theology into an accessible, deeply human journey. Witness the evolution of a sacred...

Dive into an unsolved historical mystery driven by a cryptic ancient artifact that lists unimaginable lost treasure. Perfect for your daily commute, this suspenseful archaeological adventure transports you directly to the desert caves of Qumran. Experience the thrill of discovery and immersive...

Unearth millennia of Middle Eastern history and spiritual devotion anchored to one surviving sacred stone structure. Whether seeking a contemplative listen on your daily commute or expanding your grasp of biblical archaeology, this narrative transports you to the limestone heart of Jerusalem...

Uncover the dramatic history of the Middle East through three millennia of conquest, exile, and geopolitical rebirth. Perfect for an educational commute, this gripping narrative traces the evolution of ancient tribal confederations into a modern, fiercely contested nation. Whether you are...

Uncover two millennia of European history and cultural migration in this Mediterranean crossroads of fallen empires. Whether preparing for a trip to Greece or turning your daily commute into an educational adventure, this evocative historical narrative transports you to the northern Aegean...

Explore the epic medieval history of a nomadic steppe empire that stood as a shield between two clashing civilizations. Rising from shifting Eurasian alliances, this formidable Khaganate mastered trade, diplomacy, and cavalry warfare to dominate the seventh to tenth centuries. Perfect for your...

Plunge into a suspenseful historical investigation of a real-life ancient treasure map hammered into solid metal. Perfect for deep-focus listening or an adventurous commute, this true story explores a cryptic artifact discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Feel the thrill of the hunt as rival...

Uncover the ancient mystery of humanity's most coveted lost relic as biblical history meets archaeological evidence. Perfect for an enthralling morning commute or a focused afternoon walk, this narrative transports you to the dusty wilderness sanctuaries and grand courts of ancient Jerusalem...

Trace the epic history and global conflict of an exiled society forging a contested Middle Eastern nation. Whether you are commuting or engaging in deep-focus learning, this balanced narrative offers profound insights into the intertwining forces of religion, geography, and enduring faith. It...