A horological history of human civilisation, told through twelve world-changing clocks The measurement of time has always been essential to human civilization, from early Roman sundials to the advent of GPS. But while we have one eye on the time every day, are we aware of the power clocks have given governments, military leaders and business owners, and how they have shaped our lives and our world? In this spectacularly far-reaching book, David Rooney narrates a history of timekeeping and civilization in twelve concise chapters. Over their course, we meet the most epochal inventions in horological history, from medieval water clocks to Renaissance hourglasses, and from stock-exchange timestamps to satellites in Earth's orbit. We discover how clocks have helped people navigate the globe and build empires, but also, on occasion, taken us to the brink of destruction. This is the story of time, and the story of time is the story of us.

A typist uncovers a man's body from behind the sofa… As instructed, stenographer Sheila Webb let herself into the house at 19 Wilbraham Crescent. It was then that she made a grisly discovery: the body of a dead man sprawled across the living room floor. What intrigued Poirot about the case was the time factor. Although in a state of shock, Sheila clearly remembered having heard a cuckoo clock strike three o'clock. Yet, the four other clocks in the living room all showed the time as 4.13. Even more strangely, only one of these clocks belonged to the owner of the house

For generations, our remote ancestors have been cast as primitive and childlike - either free and equal, or thuggish and warlike. Civilization, we are told, could be achieved only by sacrificing those original freedoms or, alternatively, by taming our baser instincts. David Graeber and David Wengrow show how such theories first emerged in the eighteenth century as a reaction to indigenous critiques of European society, and why they are wrong. In doing so, they overturn our view of human history, including the origins of farming, property, cities, democracy, slavery and civilization itself. Drawing on path-breaking research in archaeology and anthropology, the authors show how history becomes a far more interesting place once we begin to see what's really there. If humans did not spend 95 per cent of their evolutionary past in tiny bands of hunter-gatherers, what were they doing all that time? If agriculture, and cities, did not mean a plunge into hierarchy and domination, then what kinds of social and economic organization did they lead to? The answers are often unexpected, and suggest that the course of history may be less set in stone, and more full of playful possibilities than we tend to assume. The Dawn of Everything fundamentally transforms our understanding of the human past and offers a path toward imagining new forms of freedom, new ways of organizing society. This is a monumental book of formidable intellectual range, animated by curiosity, moral vision and faith in the power of direct action.

Learn about the origins of our species and all things revolution in The History Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about History in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The History Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of History, with: - Easy to navigate step-by-step summaries that explain each historical theme - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The History Book is a captivating introduction to the key events that have shaped society, from the dawn of civilization to the modern culture of today. Here you'll discover the stories of important historical events and turning points, and the leaders, thinkers, and heroes involved, through exciting text and bold graphics. Your History Questions, Simply Explained This book will outline big ideas, themes and events of world history, from the founding of Baghdad and the colonisation of the Americas, to the inception of Buddhism. If you thought it was difficult to learn about the milestones that have shaped civilization, The History Book presents key information in a clear layout. Here you'll learn about early humans, the empires of ancient history, the voyages of discovery to the tumultuous birth of nationalism, and the violence of two world wars. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The History Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

This one-of-a-kind history book for children shows where, when, why, and how history happened through stunning 3D graphics and maps, perfect for visual learners. Learn history in a new and captivating way! This atlas for children gives a completely unique view to history. Children can visualise the history of the world with a brand-new geographical perspective not easily learnt in school. Sail the seas with the first Vikings and live among the first farmers, learning about how they worked and evolved from the earliest recorded times on Earth to present day. Beautiful illustrations, 3D graphics, clear annotations, and fun facts bring history to life and display in glorious detail how it fits in to the world at large. Each of these specially commissioned 3D maps charts a key global event. Follow the migration of the earliest humans, the spread of the Black Death, or lose yourself in the European, African, and Pacific theatres of World War II. Whether your child is a visual learner or history buff, this educational book is perfect for any student of history, serving as an epic quest through our shared past and a birds-eye view of the history of life on Earth. Travel Through Time - Discover Our Shared History! This incredible book is filled to the brim with fun facts about the world, greatly complimented by more than 60 highly detailed maps exploring how our world has changed throughout time. It is easy to spend hours poring over every detail, with beautiful illustrations and informative content making history fun and easy (well, easier) to understand in the context of different events, different places and different dates. It dives into the history of continents across the globe in impressive detail and can be read for short or longer bursts. While it follows a logical order of civilization, you can easily skip around with no loss of interest or comprehension. Dive into this kid's atlas to learn about the medieval and modern world, the 20th and 21st centuries including: -The Vikings, China's golden age and castles -The age of exploration, the French Revolution and slavery -World War I and II, Moon landings, and the Internet It is the perfect kid's educational book for school projects or simply getting to know why the world is the way it is and how it got to be that way.

Discover an exhilarating novel about power and corruption set in a nation trapped in a cycle as old as time. This is the story of a country on the brink of revolution. It's the story of Destiny, who returns home to witness the uprising. It's a story for all of us, and a reminder that history can be changed in the blink of an eye.

Complete integrated indices of History of Middle-earth volumes to complement new series. For the first time every index from each of the twelve volumes of The History Of Middle-earth has been published together in a single volume – to create a supreme index charting the writing of Tolkien’s masterpieces The Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion. This stunning work of reference complements the fascinating History of Middle-earth series, now repackaged to complement the distinctive and classic style of the ‘black cover’ A-format paperbacks of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

From Cnut to D-Day, the history and science of the unceasing tide is explored for the first time. Half of the world's population lives in coastal regions lapped by tidal waters. Yet how little most of us know about the tide - a key force on our planet that has altered the course of history and will transform our future. Our ability to predict and understand the tide depends on centuries of science, from the observations of Aristotle and the theories of Newton to today's supercomputer calculations. This story is punctuated here by notable tidal episodes in history, from Caesar's thwarted invasion of Britain to the catastrophic flooding of Venice, and interwoven with a rich folklore that continues to inspire art and literature today. With Aldersey-Williams as our guide to the most feared and celebrated tidal features on the planet, from the original maelstrom in Scandinavia to the world's highest tides in Nova Scotia to the crumbling coast of East Anglia, the importance of the tide, and the way it has shaped - and will continue to shape - our civilization, becomes startlingly clear.

The extraordinary history of Ancient Egyptian civilization - from its earliest origins to the creation of its greatest monument This extraordinary book draws on a lifetime of research and thought to recreate the previously untold story of how a civilization which began with handfuls of semi-itinerant fishermen settled, spread and created a rich, vivid, strange civilization that had its first culmination in the pharaoh Khufu building the Great Pyramid. The book immerses the reader in the fascinating world of archaeological evidence, the process by which this long vanished world has gradually re-emerged and the rapidly changing interpretations which these breathtaking but entirely enigmatic remains have been subjected to. Whether he is writing about the smallest necklace bead or the most elaborate royal tomb, John Romer conveys to the reader a remarkable sense of how to understand a people so like ourselves and yet in so many ways eerily different.

Written in the author’s exile from Nazi Germany, Doctor Faustus explores the history which brought about the evil of that time through the story of Adrian Leverkuhn, a composer who sells his soul to the devil in return for the genius he craves. The portrait of an individual and an age, this novel possesses both the pertinence of history and the universality of myth.

Journey through a mammoth timeline, richly illustrated with over 1500 photos, maps and illustrations. Written in association with the esteemed Smithsonian Museum. A beautiful visual reference book with key events of world history, written in an elementary language for budding historians. Take chronological steps through human history, starting long before we even began to write. Learn about significant global events like the rise of different societies, revolutions, invasions, and new discoveries. Meet the most memorable people from history books including charismatic leaders, brutal dictators, influential thinkers, and innovative scientists. Written with kids ages 9 to 12 in mind, this book uses unpretentious language and gives straightforward fun facts. The "Child Of The Time" feature encourages young people to imagine themselves in the past and lets them know that children had a place in history. Older readers will love this engaging educational book too! Dive in and explore the parts of the past you haven't yet discovered. The multitude of photos, maps and graphics make reading about history simple and enjoyable. This visual reference guide provides the reader with an overview of the most fascinating events in history, with concise and bite-sized information. Follow the timeline from our most distant past, all the way through to recent events that you may still remember happening! The History of the World, From the Stone Age to the Digital Age Go beyond British history and explore the world in this modern twist on an old-fashioned history book. It is easier to follow, organised along a timeline with photos of archaeological artefacts, old maps and exciting pictures. You won't just read about world history, you'll see it too. Take a step back in time! This history book covers the following eras: - 6.5 MYA - 3000 BCE Before History Began - 3000 BCE - 700 BCE Really Ancient History - 700 BCE - 500 CE Much More Civilisation - 500 - 1450 The Marvellous Middle Ages - 1450 - 1750 Exploring and Reforming - 1750 - 1850 Time for Change - 1850 - 1945 Empires and World Wars - 1945 - Present Fast Forward

Ooh la la! Twelve best-loved Fancy Nancy stories retold to fill five minutes. This collection is perfect for bedtimes and on the go. Ooh la la! — a collection of twelve Fancy Nancy stories! Join Fancy Nancy as she takes a school trip to the aquarium, discovers her family history, throws a fashion show, makes a new friend from Paris, and more! With five minutes of fun in each story — perfect for reading aloud — there's always time to make an ordinary day fancy!

Complete integrated indices of History of Middle-earth volumes to complement new series.For the first time every index from each of the twelve volumes of The History Of Middle-earth has been published together in a single volume – to create a supreme index charting the writing of Tolkien’s masterpieces The Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion.This stunning work of reference complements the fascinating History of Middle-earth series, now repackaged to complement the distinctive and classic style of the ‘black cover’ A-format paperbacks of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

Complete integrated indices of History of Middle-earth volumes to complement new series.For the first time every index from each of the twelve volumes of The History Of Middle-earth has been published together in a single volume – to create a supreme index charting the writing of Tolkien’s masterpieces The Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion.This stunning work of reference complements the fascinating History of Middle-earth series, now repackaged to complement the distinctive and classic style of the ‘black cover’ A-format paperbacks of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

An extraordinary exploration of the medieval world - the most beguiling history book of the year This is a book about why medieval manuscripts matter. Coming face to face with an important illuminated manuscript in the original is like meeting a very famous person. We may all pretend that a well-known celebrity is no different from anyone else, and yet there is an undeniable thrill in actually meeting and talking to a person of world stature. The idea for the book, which is entirely new, is to invite the reader into intimate conversations with twelve of the most famous manuscripts in existence and to explore with the author what they tell us about nearly a thousand years of medieval history - and sometimes about the modern world too. Christopher de Hamel introduces us to kings, queens, saints, scribes, artists, librarians, thieves, dealers, collectors and the international community of manuscript scholars, showing us how he and his fellows piece together evidence to reach unexpected conclusions. He traces the elaborate journeys which these exceptionally precious artefacts have made through time and space, shows us how they have been copied, who has owned them or lusted after them (and how we can tell), how they have been embroiled in politics and scholarly disputes, how they have been regarded as objects of supreme beauty and luxury and as symbols of national identity. The book touches on religion, art, literature, music, science and the history of taste. Part travel book, part detective story, part conversation with the reader, Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts conveys the fascination and excitement of encountering some of the greatest works of art in our culture which, in the originals, are to most people completely inaccessible. At the end, we have a slightly different perspective on history and how we come by knowledge. It is a most unusual book.

Drawn from a series of conversations between David Bowie and Dylan Jones across three decades, together with over 180 interviews with friends, rivals, lovers, and collaborators - some of whom have never before spoken about their relationship with Bowie - this oral history is an intimate portrait of a remarkable rise to stardom and one of the most fascinating lives of our time. Profoundly shaped by his relationship with his schizophrenic half-brother Terry, Bowie was a man of intense relationships that often came to abrupt ends. He was a social creature, equally comfortable partying with John Lennon and dining with Frank Sinatra, and in Dylan Jones's telling - by turns insightful and salacious - we see as intimate a portrait as could possibly be drawn. Including illuminating, never-before-seen material from Bowie himself, drawn from a series of Jones's interviews with him across three decades, David Bowie is an epic, unforgettable cocktail-party conversation about a man whose enigmatic shapeshifting and irrepressible creativity produced one of the most sprawling, fascinating lives of our time.