Historical

Leonardo da Vinci created the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. But in his own mind, he was just as much a man of science and engineering....

The New York Times bestselling author returns with a biography examining the dramatic life and unparalleled leadership of England's greatest medieval king.

A Mystery of Mysteries is a brilliant biography of Edgar Allan Poe that examines the renowned author’s life through the prism of his mysterious death and its many possible causes....

Robert Caro's monumental book makes public what few outsiders knew: that Robert Moses was the single most powerful man of his time in the City and in the State of New York....

Erik Larson has been widely acclaimed as a master of narrative non-fiction, and in his new book, turns his hand to a remarkable story set during Hitler’s rise to power....

From National Book Award winner Ron Chernow, a landmark biography of George Washington....

Benjamin Franklin is the founding father who winks at us - an ambitious urban entrepreneur who rose up the social ladder, from leather-aproned shopkeeper to dining with kings....

Historians have long told the story of America’s birth as the triumph of Jefferson’s democratic ideals over the aristocratic intentions of Hamilton....

On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention....

Titan is the first full-length biography based on unrestricted access to Rockefeller’s exceptionally rich trove of papers. A landmark publication full of startling revelations, the book indelibly alters our image of this most enigmatic capitalist....

In this landmark biography of Winston Churchill based on extensive new material, the true genius of the man, statesman, and leader can finally be fully understood - by the best-selling, award-winning author of Napoleon and The Storm of War....

At one time, Corrie ten Boom would have laughed at the idea that she had a story to tell.....

The first Plantagenet king inherited a blood-soaked kingdom from the Normans and transformed it into an empire stretched at its peak from Scotland to Jerusalem. In this epic history, Dan Jones vividly resurrects this fierce and seductive royal dynasty and its mythic world....

The River of Doubt brings alive extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived....

This instant New York Times bestselling “dynamic detective story” (The New York Times) reveals the hidden history Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s greatest inventors, and his mysterious disappearance on the eve of World War I.

In this magnificent biography, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of American Lion and Franklin and Winston brings vividly to life an extraordinary man and his remarkable times....

From age 15 to 40, David Hackworth devoted himself to the US Army and fast became a living legend. In 1971, however, he appeared on television to decry the doomed war effort in Vietnam....

J. Robert Oppenheimer, an iconic figure of the 20th century, was a brilliant physicist who led efforts to build an atomic bomb but later confronted the moral consequences of scientific progress....

This is the story of the rise to national power of a desperately poor young man from the Texas Hill Country....

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time. Described by the Chicago Tribune as "a classic", The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest biographies of our time....

In this powerful, epic biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life-journey of John Adams....

Examining the 14 key traits of genius, from curiosity to creative maladjustment to obsession, Professor Craig Wright, creator of Yale University's popular "Genius Course", explores what we can learn from brilliant minds that have changed the world....

The must-have companion to Bill O'Reilly's historical docudrama Legends and Lies: The Patriots, an exciting and eye-opening look at the Revolutionary War through the lives of its leaders....

Andrew Jackson, his intimate circle of friends, and his tumultuous times are at the heart of this remarkable book about the man who rose from nothing to create the modern presidency....

In 1848, a year of international democratic revolt, a young, enslaved couple, Ellen and William Craft, achieved one of the boldest feats of self-emancipation in American history.

George Frideric Handel’s Messiah is arguably the greatest piece of participatory art ever created. Adored by millions, it is performed each year by renowned choirs and orchestras, as well as by audiences singing along with the words on their cell phones. But this work of triumphant joy was born in a worried age. Britain in the early Enlightenment was a place of astonishing creativity but also the seat of an empire mired in war, enslavement, and conflicts over everything from the legitimacy of government to the meaning of truth.

Anne Boleyn has mesmerized the general public for centuries. Her tragic execution at the Tower of London on the 19th of May, 1536—orchestrated by her own husband—never ceases to intrigue. While many stories of Anne’s downfall have been told, few have truly traced the origins of her grim fate. In Thorns, Lust, and Glory, Estelle Paranque takes us back to where it all started: to France, where Anne learned the lessons that would set her on the path to becoming one of England's most infamous queens.

In this masterful account, renowned true-crime historian Harold Schechter takes you into the life and crimes of convicted murderer John Caldwell Colt, drawing parallels between John's rise to notoriety and his brother Samuel Colt's rise to fame as the inventor of the legendary revolver. With a killing that made headlines around the nation, John Colt became a cultural touchstone whose shocking villainy inspired and provoked such writers as Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, and Herman Melville.

I'm Just a Supply Sgt. is a compelling narrative of the Vietnam War with a very personal, psychological perspective that is difficult to find in most histories. Don Stout's ability to comprehend and record his feelings during the war, and his struggles after the war, provide not only a window into the suffering of many veterans but also a tool for catharsis for those afflicted with PTSD. Without a doubt, Don's story provides one of the most unique perspectives on the war and is not only a history of his service but a psychological epic.

Our heroes can come from the most ordinary of places. As a shy young lad growing up in country Victoria, no one in the district had any idea the man Albert Jacka would become. THE LEGEND OF ALBERT JACKA is an unforgettable story of the bravery and sacrifice of one extraordinary soldier that takes us from the shores of Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, all brought to vivid life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons.

We think we know the story of the Titanic—the once majestic and supposedly unsinkable ship that struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Britain to America—but very little has been written about the vessel’s 705 survivors. How did the events of that horrific night in the icy waters of the North Atlantic affect the lives of those who lived to tell the tale? Drawing on a wealth of previously unpublished letters, memoirs, diaries, and interviews with their family members, award-winning journalist Andrew Wilson brings to life the survivors’ colorful voices.

From the author of The Sisters, a chronicle of the most brutal, turbulent, and exuberant period of England's history. Bess Hardwick, the fifth daughter of an impoverished Derbyshire nobleman, did not have an auspicious start in life. Widowed at sixteen, she nonetheless outlived four monarchs, married three more times, built the great house at Chatsworth, and died one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in English history.

Henry Avery of Devon pillaged a fortune from a Mughal ship off the coast of India and then vanished into thin air—and into legend. More ballads, plays, biographies and books were written about Avery’s adventures than any other pirate. His contemporaries crowned him "the pirate king" for pulling off the richest heist in pirate history and escaping with his head intact (unlike Blackbeard and his infamous Flying Gang). Avery was now the most wanted criminal on earth. To the authorities, Avery was the enemy of all mankind. To the people he was a hero.

Charles de Gaulle stands among the greatest statesmen in history. Even after the official French government collapsed under the weight of Nazi Germany, de Gaulle refused to accept defeat. He and his followers were pushed into exile, but still they fought on, never losing sight of an eventual victory over their oppressors. This book delves into Charles de Gaulle’s extraordinary journey—from leading the Free French forces during World War II to playing a key role in the rebuilding of postwar France.

The KGB is one of the most famous abbreviations of the 20th century, and it has become synonymous with the shadowy and often violent actions of the Soviet Union’s secret police and internal security agencies. In fact, it is often used to refer to the Soviet state security agencies throughout its history, from the inception of the inception of the Cheka (Extraordinary Commission) in 1917 to the official elimination of the KGB in 1992.

Patrick Swayze was more than just a beloved Hollywood star—he was a force of nature. Known for his magnetic presence and irresistible charm, Swayze captivated audiences worldwide with roles that showcased his unique blend of ruggedness and grace. But behind the scenes, few knew the true extent of the challenges he faced on his journey to stardom.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the preeminent scientists of his time. Driven by curiosity, he conducted cutting-edge research on electricity, heat, ocean currents, weather patterns, chemical bonds, and plants. But today, Franklin is remembered more for his political prowess and diplomatic achievements than his scientific creativity. In this incisive and rich account of Benjamin Franklin's life and career, Richard Munson recovers this vital part of Franklin's story.

Step into the heart of a turbulent era with a gripping historical memoir that chronicles one woman’s extraordinary journey in Africa. In this vivid recounting—which one Pulitzer nominee says, “reads like a political thriller, women’s history, and African adventure rolled into one,”—Bee Bloeser unveils the raw reality of her family’s part in the mission to eradicate smallpox, revealing triumphs and trials faced along the way.

There are many intellectual biographies of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, but until now none has sought to reveal the personality of the man. They will tell you what he thought or what he wrote, but remain silent about who he actually was, his inner struggles, how he felt. They give information about Ambedkar, but do not talk about his interior life, his personal growth or how he came to be the man who left such an indelible mark on modern India's constitutional, political, social and religious landscapes. The first of an ambitious two-volume biography, Becoming Babasaheb traces Ambedkar's life journey.

Londres, 1938. Zweig présente Dalí à Freud. Londres, 19 juillet 1938. Stefan Zweig et Salvador Dalí rendent visite à Sigmund Freud, tout juste exfiltré de l'Autriche nazie. Proche de l'analyste, et lui aussi réfugié, Zweig a organisé ce rendez-vous sur l'insistance de son ami peintre, qui idolâtre Freud et trépigne de lui montrer une de ses toiles. Accompagnés de Gala, l'épouse de Dalí, et de son agent, ils sont accueillis par Anna Freud.

À travers le succès constant des Pensées pour moi-même, ouvrage qui a aidé des millions de lecteurs à vivre, la figure de l’empereur romain Marc Aurèle (121-180), popularisée par Gladiator, le film culte de Ridley Scott, nous interpelle : comment le dirigeant de l’un des plus grands empires du monde a-t-il pu conserver la sérénité au milieu du tumulte des guerres, des trahisons, des épidémies ou des catastrophes naturelles qui secouèrent son règne pendant près de deux décennies ?

John and Elizabeth Gould sailed into Australia on a cold spring day in 1838 prepared for the most astonishing adventure of their lives. They had crossed three oceans from their London home to find the treasures of Australia's birdlife and showcase them to the outside world. Elizabeth had fallen pregnant for the seventh time at just 34, and there would be little rest for her in illustrating her husband's exquisite books that had made him England's celebrated 'Bird Man', and a force of nature in both science and publishing.

Around the world sailor, Kaci Cronkhite knew better than to buy a wooden boat. But, smitten by the curves of a rare Danish spidsgatter named Pax—she did. Days after the boat’s arrival from Vancouver Island, Canada, to Port Townsend, Washington, startling questions emerged with no answers. Where was proof of the boat’s WWII-era origin and history in Denmark? Had she, as rumors suggested, caught fire and been stolen boat in 1980s Sausalito? How, where, and when had she left Europe to sail in America?

Dans les années 1980, au moment où certains nient l’extermination des Juifs dans les chambres à gaz, Primo Levi rencontre Vittorio, 11 ans. Le jeune garçon en veut terriblement à son grand-père de refuser de raconter son passé. Primo Levi décide de l’aider à exhumer le secret ainsi enfoui. Quarante ans après avoir témoigné de son expérience concentrationnaire, il comprend qu’il n’en a pas encore fini avec le récit de la Shoah.

“Don’t cry darling. We need this baby. You will see.” With these words from her husband, Zoltán, Ibolya Rechnitzer’s fear of being pregnant during the uncertainty of wartime is somewhat eased. But in November 1942, four months after their baby, Andy, is born, Zoltán is drafted into the forced labour service of the Hungarian army and Ibolya must cope, alone, as a single mother and a Jew facing persecution in Budapest. Her son gives her a reason to fight, and Ibolya protects him fiercely during the war and after, when she must make a crucial decision that will forever alter their lives.

He worked to bring to the world the freedom of flight, freedom from the limitation of Bondage. Her work and her assistance was monumental and her love made all the difference—for 37 years. He made the first flight and both brothers were in love with her. The definitive story of how they fought the government for decades—and won. A brief history of aviation for the first part of the 19th century.

In The Rebel’s Guide to Life, journey through the lives of some of history’s most influential nonconformists, from Galileo Galilei and Rosa Parks to Frida Kahlo and Steve Jobs. Each chapter explores the courage, resilience, and creativity that drove these extraordinary individuals to defy societal norms and ignite change. Through detailed biographies, insightful reflections, and practical exercises, this book distills the timeless lessons of these rebels into actionable guidance for modern readers.

Una historia conmovedora de coraje y supervivencia "La primera vez que sentí que algo andaba mal, que estaba siendo señalado y perseguido, fue en mi primer día de clases. Tenía 6 años". Henry Oster fue un niño al que muy pronto le arrebataron todo. De los 2011 judíos deportados de Colonia, Alemania, él estuvo entre los 23 que lograron salir con vida de AuschwitzBirkenau. Sobrevivió no solo por múltiples coincidencias, sino también gracias a su empeño en el cuidado de los caballos en el campo de concentración y a Ivar, un adolescente que se volvió su amigo y dormía junto a él en las barracas.

Diventare cieco è un’esperienza drammatica. Significa il consumarsi dei rapporti con il mondo, con le sue misure e i suoi colori, con le sue promesse e le sue sorprese. E significa l’affaticarsi delle relazioni con gli altri e con le cose: le carezze che non giungono a segno e i bicchieri che cadono, l’impossibilità di scrivere una dedica o quella di decifrare un volto. Nel corso di oltre quindici anni, Luigi Manconi – sociologo e militante politico – è passato da una forte miopia all’ipovisione, alla cecità parziale e infine a quella totale.

P. Alois Grimm SJ war Lehrer und Erzieher an der Stella Matutina in Feldkirch/Vorarlberg und am Kolleg St. Blasien im Schwarzwald. Im Unterricht und in seinen Predigten verteidigte er das chistliche Weltbild gegen die völkische Ideologie des Nationalsozialismus und geriet so bald in Konflikt mit der Geheimen Staatspolizei. Da diese keine Handhabe gegen ihn hatte, setzte sie einen Spitzel auf ihn an, der unter dem Vorwand, zum Katholizismus konvertieren zu wollen, ihn aushorchte und in Gespräche über die politische Lage verwickelte.