History

From 9/11 to the launch of the iPod, from the creation of "Gmail: to the 2004 tsunami, from the Enron Bankruptcy to the killing of Osama bin Laden, 10 Years That Shook the World is the story of an extraordinary decade. For each year, Loretta Napoleoni presents events not as a chronology bus as dispatches from the world's collective memory. Topics like politics, economics, celebrities, and the environment intersect and converge to reveal the accelerating pace of globalization and the changes that have affected us all.

Winner of the National Jewish Book Awards' 2024 Jewish Book of the Year and The Natan Fund's Winter 2025 Notable Book Award!

The definitive account of the 10/7 attacks through the stories of its victims and the communities they called home.

On October 7, 2023--the Sabbath and the final day of the holiday of Sukkot--the Gaza-based terror group Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on the people of Israel. Crashing through the border, attacking from the sea and air, militants indiscriminately massacred civilians in what became one of the worst terror attacks in modern history, and the most lethal day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

A radically passionate work of investigative journalism and political critique by acclaimed Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron, 10/7 chronicles the massacre that ignited a war through the stories of more than 100 civilians. These stories are the products of extensive interviews with survivors, the bereaved, and first responders in Israel and beyond. The victims run the gamut from left-wing kibbutzniks and Burning Man-esque partiers to radical right-wingers, from Bedouins and Israeli Arabs to Thai and Nepalese guest workers, peace activists, elderly Holocaust survivors, refugees from Ukraine and Russia, pregnant women, and babies.

At a time when people are seeking a deeper understanding of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how internal political turmoil in Israel has affected it, they predominantly encounter perspectives from the powerful--from politicians and military officers. 10/7 takes a fresh approach, offering answers through the stories of everyday people, those who lived tenuously on the border with Gaza.

Yaron profiles victims from a wide range of communities--depicting the fullness of their lives, not just their final moments--to honor their memories and reveal the way the attack ripped open Israeli society and put the entire Middle East on the precipice of disaster. Each chapter begins with a portrait of a community, interweaving history with broader political analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to provide context for the narratives that follow. Ultimately, 10/7 shows that the tragedy is much greater than the violence of the attacks, and in fact extends back through the entire Netanyahu era, which propagated a false image of Israel as a technologically advanced, militarily formidable powerhouse so essential to the region that it could continue to ignore and undermine Palestinian statehood indefinitely.

From the ancient Egyptian battle at Megiddo in 1469 BC to the recent military actions in Iraq, great battles have had an enormous impact on the shaping of history. Now, in this fully illustrated book, one hundred of the world's most important military confrontations are described in detail. 100 Decisive Battles gives us the facts about the battle and also explains where it fits in to the scope of world history.

In each entry we are given the name and date of the battle, the commanders, the size of the opposing forces, and casualties. An account of the battle plan and the military action are strategically discussed, and each description closes with a valuable consideration of how history was affected by the outcome of the conflict. Among the battles presented are the Battle of Thymbra (546 BC), the Battle of Chalons (451 AD), the Battle of Cajamarca (1532), the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954), and the Tet Offensive (1968). Accompanying maps and sidebars help further orient us with each military action.

Global in scope, with excellent coverage of American, Central American, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern battles, and with its stirring accounts of familiar battles and many lesser known military conflicts, 100 Decisive Battles is essential reading for military buffs and anyone interested in how the modern world came to be.

Our knowledge of Mexican history is primarily through the political and social events in recent centuries that have defined the country as we know it today. The Conquest, Independence, Reform, Revolution, and other fundamental events and periods frame modern Mexico and hold the keys to its future. History typically places the emphasis on feats of arms, political agendas, prominent business and civic leaders, social conflicts, and conceptual principles, but a closer examination of Mexico's history shows that there is much more to the story, especially with regard to daily life, invention and creation, art and culture, entertainment, cuisine, and public works, monuments, and buildings.

100 Moments of the History of Mexico traces the expansive history of the country through key events ranging from the pre-Columbian era to the present. The earliest times of the Olmec settlers in Mesoamerica and the evolution of the cities of the gods spanning Zapotec, Aztec, Mayan, and many other peoples are marked by cultural and engineering inventions that reflected expansive spiritual and linguistic systems. The arrival of Spanish forces beginning in the sixteenth century and, later, other European and North American exploitation and profiteering at the hands of native peoples gave way to a resilience that led to difficult but successful fights for independence. Modern Mexico reflects a remarkable story of invention, creativity, and national pride. Lavishly illustrated, 100 Moments of the History of Mexico is a story that begins prior to 2500 BC and is still unfolding today, ripe for broader understanding, appreciation, and celebration. Viva Mexico!

The history of the world as witnessed through the most inspiring, rousing, and memorable speeches ever given.

Throughout history, passionate orators have rallied nations, challenged accepted beliefs, and changed the course of history. Colin Salter has identified one-hundred of history's most inspirational, momentous, and thought-provoking speeches from ancient Rome and Athens to the 21st century and puts them into context, telling the stories behind the words that made history.
A celebration of the power of spoken rhetoric at its finest, this book profiles the words of the world's greatest public speakers. The speeches covered span the spectrum from stirring calls to arms to impassioned pleas for peace, along with speeches that marked major historical events such as the abolition of slavery, women achieving the right to vote, and the expansion of civil rights. Each speech features a concise introduction along with detailed analysis accompanied by key illustrations and photographs.
Highlighted speeches include: Elizabeth I's speech in preparation of the Spanish Armada (1588), Sojourner Truth's Ain't I a Woman (1851), Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (1863), Franklin D. Roosevelt, Only thing we have to fear is fear itself (1933), Winston Churchill, Blood, Sweat and Tears (1940), Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream (1963), Harvey Milk's Hope Speech (1978), Margaret Thatcher's The Lady's not for Turning (1980), Nelson Mandela on his release from prison (1990), among many more.

A worthy addition to any history buff's shelf, this visually arresting volume has a commanding grasp of more than 4,500 years of military history. On the eve of the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War comes this latest addition to the 1001 series. It includes the seminal details about key battles that changed the course of history and shaped the political and cultural landscapes of our world--from the Battle of Troy and the Siege of Antioch to Gettysburg, Iwo Jima, and up to the present with battles of the Iraq War. 1001 Battles That Changed the Course of World History traces 4,500 years of armed conflict, from the small-scale battles of the ancient world (involving only a few hundred foot soldiers) to the epic military engagements of the American Civil War, the devastating world wars, and the smaller military actions of today. Military history from throughout the world is included, from the Mongols' exploits in the Far East to the dramatic Spanish conquest of the Incas, and from the Boer War in South Africa to America's engagements in Vietnam and Korea. Each entry describes the battle in full detail, including tactical moves, strategy, and military or technological breakthroughs, and reveals the part it played in the larger war or campaign as well as its wider political and social impact on society and history. The book is illustrated throughout with battle plans and maps, detail-rich medieval tapestries, dramatic commemorative paintings, and evocative photographs.

An elegant addition to the successful "1001" series--a comprehensive, chronological guide to the most important thoughts from the finest minds of the past 3,000 years.

1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think is a comprehensive guide to the most interesting and imaginative thoughts from the finest minds in history. Ranging from the ancient wisdom of Confucius and Plato to today's cutting-edge thinkers, it offers a wealth of stimulation and amusement for everyone with a curious mind.

Within the pages of this book you will find a wide variety of answers to the great, eternal questions: How was the universe created and what is the place of humans within it? How should a person live? And how can we build a just society? 1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think also includes a host of hypotheses that are remarkable for their sheer weirdness--from the concept of the transmigration of souls to parallel universes and the theoretical paradoxes of time travel (what happens if you travel back in time and kill your own grandfather?).

Discover how the Greek philosopher Zeno "proved" a flying arrow never moves; how modern science has shown that a butterfly's wing can stir up an Atlantic storm; and the mathematical proof of the existence of life in other galaxies. The inspirational ideas explored here range from Gandhi's theory of civil disobedience to Henry David Thoreau's praise of the simple life and Mary Wollstonecraft's groundbreaking advocacy of women's rights. The book also covers a wide variety of lifestyle concepts, such as "rational dress" and naturism, and cultural movements including Neoclassicism, Surrealism, and Postmodernism.

Supported by a wealth of striking illustrations and illuminating quotations, 1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think is both an in-depth history of ideas and a delightfully browsable source of entertainment.

Who are the pivotal figures in American history, the men and women who have helped shape us as a people and have influenced how we perceive ourselves as Americans? In this companion to his popular 1001 Events That Made America, Alan Axelrod looks into all areas of our collective past and highlights the famous as well as the infamous, the virtuous as well as the notorious, from the nation's earliest days to the present.

Serving up history in lively, accessible bites, the book presents a Who's Who in American politics, arts, science, business, religion, and pop culture, along with concise explanations of each figure's historical significance. Featured personalities range from Jesse James to Al Capone, Harriet Beecher Stowe to Betty Friedan, George Washington to George W. Bush, Harriet Tubman to Martin Luther King, Jr., Stephen Foster to Elvis, John L. Sullivan to Muhammad Ali, Edwin Booth to Marlon Brando, Washington Irving to Thomas Pynchon, and John Jacob Astor to Bill Gates.

Packed with information and insight, 1001 People Who Made America gives readers a deeper understanding of what it means to be an American. The appealing design and easy-to-read format invite browsing and sharing.