From humble beginnings as a hospital brotherhood in Jerusalem to centuries of power in the Mediterranean, the Knights Hospitaller forged a legacy of faith, courage, and intellect that shaped history. This definitive account explores the Order's rise as warriors of Christendom, their fortress stronghold on Malta, and their role in defending Europe against Ottoman expansion and piracy. Matthew Taylor delves deep into their military campaigns, diplomatic maneuvers, scientific innovations, and...

The story of British football's journey from public school diversion to mass media entertainment is a remarkable one. The Association Game traces British football from the establishment of the earliest clubs in the nineteenth century to its place as one of the prominent and commercialised leisure industries at the beginning of the twenty first century. It covers supporters and fandom, status and culture, big business, the press and electronic media and development in playing style...

In the years before the Civil War, many Americans saw the sea as a world apart, an often violent and insular culture governed by its own definitions of honor and ruled by its own authorities. The truth, however, is that legal cases that originated at sea had a tendency to come ashore and force the national government to address questions about personal honor, dignity, the rights of labor, and the meaning and privileges of citizenship, often for the first time. By examining how and why merc...

From Bestselling Author Matthew Taylor. Snakes - they silently slink on the ground, slither from trees, and swim in the deep. To many of us, they are scary creatures and symbols of evil, like the Slytherin house in Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort's pet snake Nagini. However, most snakes pose no harm to humans and are beneficial to our planet.This book lets kids see snakes as they really are. Not scary or bad, just a different type of creature sharing our planet. With 25 large color...

Step into the world of the most legendary and mysterious military order in history. From their origins in the Holy Land to their rise as the defenders of Christendom, the Knights Templar forged a legacy of courage, discipline, and devotion. This twenty-chapter book delves deep into their battles, fortresses, secret networks, and unyielding faith. Explore their intelligence operations, financial mastery, and rigorous training that made them an unrivaled force, and follow their dramatic down...

Blackbeard the Pirate is the definitive, meticulously researched account of Edward Teach, the man whose name has become synonymous with the Golden Age of Piracy. From his rise along the Caribbean and American coasts to his audacious blockades, alliances, and legendary battle at Ocracoke Inlet, this book explores every aspect of his life. Beyond the myths and dramatized tales, Matthew Taylor delves into little-known facts about Blackbeard's strategies, intelligence networks, crew management...

World of Sport examines the development of modern sport from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1960s in the light of transnational approaches to history.Critically probing existing studies and offering new insights, this volume demonstrates that while sport was a national and international phenomenon, it was invariably constructed transnationally. Taking in topics ranging from the dissemination of football codes to transpacific surfing cultures, and the touring lives of ba...

Spanning nearly two centuries of conflict, The Crusades: Knights, Kingdoms, and the Holy War delivers a vivid, immersive account of one of history's most dramatic eras.From the fervent call to arms of the First Crusade to the fall of Acre and the decline of the Crusader states, Matthew Taylor explores not just battles and sieges, but the human experiences behind them. Discover the lives of knights, nobles, women, pilgrims, and civilians as they navigated war, faith, and survival in...

Huns: Riders of the Horizon by Matthew Taylor is an epic journey into the rise, reign, and enduring legacy of one of history's most feared nomadic peoples. From the vast steppes of Central Asia to the heart of Europe, the Huns reshaped civilizations, toppled empires, and left an indelible mark on the psyche of generations. This book goes far beyond battles and conquests, delving into the political, cultural, and psychological impact of the Huns on Europe, exploring how their swift mobility...

Arcade Chaos: 30 Games That Defined an Era by Matthew Taylor is a vibrant and immersive exploration of the golden age of arcade gaming. Spanning thirty classic titles from the 1980s and early 1990s, this book dives deep into the history, gameplay mechanics, consoles, cheats, and cultural impact of each iconic game. From the gritty streets of Streets of Rage to the prehistoric mayhem of Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, readers are transported into the chaotic, pixelated worlds that defined a genera...

From the tribal warriors of the early Rhine to the towering figure of Charlemagne, The Franks: Builders of an Empire tells the epic story of a people who shaped the course of European history. This comprehensive account spans centuries, exploring their origins, military conquests, political innovations, religious integration, and cultural achievements.Delve into the rise of the Merovingian kings, the strategic genius of the mayors of the palace, and the breathtaking expansion of th...

Before England was a kingdom, before its laws, its villages, or even its name, the land was shaped by a remarkable people: the Saxons. From fierce warriors and skilled craftsmen to devoted farmers and visionary leaders, the Saxons forged a culture of resilience, faith, and endurance that would lay the foundations of a nation.This immersive history explores every facet of Saxon life—daily labour, family, art, religion, and the struggles that defined an era. Follow their encounters w...