Jonathan Keates original biography of Handel was hailed as a masterpiece on its publication in 1985. This fully revised and updated new edition - published to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the composers death - charts in detail Handel's life, from his youth in Germany, through his brilliantly successful Italian sojourn, to the opulence and squalor of Georgian London where he made his permanent home.For over two decades Handel was absorbed in London's heady but precarious ope...

In the chaos of the English Civil War and Puritan Commonwealth, churches were defaced and organs broken, but the tradition of fine music survived. When Charles II returned from exile in 1660, one of the first things he demanded was music, sacred and profane, anthems and motets, pavannes and gavottes. In 1659 Henry Purcell was born, and his genius would give the period and nation an unforgettable voice.Jonathan Keates traces Purcell's development against the turbulent movements of h...

William III (1689-1702) & Mary II (1689-94) (Britain's only ever 'joint monarchs') changed the course of the entire country's history, coming to power through a coup (which involved Mary betraying her own father), reestablishing parliament on a new footing and, through commiting Britain to fighting France, initiating an immensely long period of warfare and colonial expansion. Jonathan Keates' wonderful book makes both monarchs vivid, the cold, shrewd 'Dutch' William and the shortlived Mary...

A stunningly illustrated history of Venice, from its beginnings as 'La Serenissima' – 'the Most Serene Republic' – to the Italian city that continues to enchant visitors today.'Everything about Venice,' observed Lord Byron, 'is, or was, extraordinary – her aspect is like a dream, and her history is like a romance.' Dream and romance have conditioned myriad encounters with Venice across the centuries, but the city's story embodies another kind of experience altogeth...

The siege of Venice in 1848 is one of history's most thrilling and tragic episodes. After half a century of Habsburg imperial rule, the Venetians drove out the occupying army and established their own republic. Led by the Jewish lawyer Daniele Manin, a man of immense courage and personal integrity, they embraced the lofty values of the Risorgimento, Italy's struggle for national unity, freedom and justice. When the Austrians returned with a massive army, intent on recapturing Venice, Manin...

From Handel's renowned biographer, the story of one of the most celebrated compositions of Western classical music, Handel's famous oratorio, MessiahIn the late summer of 1741, George Friderick Handel, composed an oratorio set to words from the King James Bible, rich in tuneful arias and magnificent choruses. Jonathan Keates recounts the history and afterlife of Messiah, one of the best-loved works in the classical repertoire. He relates the compo...

In 1741, in just 24 days, the German-born, British-naturalized composer George Frideric Handel wrote an oratorio rich in tuneful arias and choruses of robust grandeur. Coolly received in London at first, after Handel's death Messiah enjoyed an extraordinary surge in popularity: it was performed at festivals across England; other composers rushed to rearrange it; it would be commercially recorded on more than 100 occasions.Jonathan Keates tells the story of the composition and music...

Plunge into an atmospheric marine archaeology mystery where ancient geology clashes with lost civilization myths. Perfect for a captivating commute or a weekend of armchair exploration, this immersive journey takes you deep into the seafloor of Japan’s Ryukyu island arc. Discover a colossal, stepped pyramid rising from the ocean depths that defies mainstream scientific consensus.Navigate the treacherous currents separating rigorous tectonic science from tantalizing pseudoarchaeolog...

This gripping microhistory reveals how an unassuming ancient wild grass became the ultimate architect of global history. Perfect for an eye-opening daily commute, this story-driven journey tracks an everyday plant that built ancient cities, fueled international trade routes, and engineered the modern industrial economy.With a witty, accessible tone, this engaging deep dive proves that agricultural science is anything but boring. You will follow brilliant Indigenous experimenters wh...

Unlock the fascinating science of energy and entropy through an accessible, math-free journey into everyday physics. Perfect for a morning commute or a relaxing afternoon of learning, this friendly educational guide translates complex scientific concepts into familiar experiences. Watch a hot cup of tea cool or a car engine roar to life, and suddenly, the invisible forces shaping our universe make perfect sense.Leave intimidating equations and abstract jargon behind as you build a ...

Step into the dramatic history of technological innovation that abruptly reshaped society from farms to factory floors. Perfect for a thought-provoking daily commute, this immersive narrative transports you to an era where muscle and wind gave way to the relentless roar of steam and steel. Witness the profound friction between ancient human tradition and rapid mechanization.As you engage in focused learning, you will experience the gritty reality of bustling railways, looming smoke...

Experience the brutal technological revolution that shattered the Bronze Age and forged ancient military empires in fire. Perfect for a gripping morning commute, this immersive historical journey transports you straight into the smoky forges and blood-soaked battlefields of our ancestors. Hear the thunder of massed infantry as a demanding new craft upends global power dynamics forever.Fuel your thirst for deep learning with an atmospheric global tour stretching from the Mediterrane...