In 1914, Europe was not the only continent coming to terms with a new form of conflict. Through a mix of complex alliances and global ambition, the war had spread to northern China, where the German-held port of Tsingtao became a key battleground. To strike a blow at Kaiser Wilhelm's naval forces, Britain and its ally Japan lay siege to the port during October and November. In The Siege of Tsingtao, the first of the Penguin China Specials on the First World War, celebrated histori...

The magnificent wonders of China, ancient and modern, revealed by an international team of leading scholars.China is the oldest continuous civilization on earth and holds a unique global place in the twenty-first century. The Great Wonders of China’s wide focus shows what makes China such a special country, with topics stretching from the natural wonders, including mountains and rivers, to the Silk Road; the technological innovations of printing and the co...

They were the most powerful rulers on earth.The mighty Qin Shi Huangdu (r. 221-210 BC), who began the construction of the Great Wall.The long-lived Han emperor Wudi (r. 141-87 BC), who developed China as a centralized Confucian state.The soldier-scholar Yongle (r. 1402-24 AD), who raised the Ming dynasty to its military peak.The dowager empress Cixi (r. 1861-1908 AD), who rose from humble Manchu origins to rule over all China.In The Dragon Throne...

China is the oldest continuous civilization on earth and holds a unique global place in the 21st century, this books uniquely wide focus shows what makes it such a special country, with topics stretching from the natural wonders including mountains and rivers to the Silk Road, the technological innovations of printing and the compass and the modern vibrant cities of today as well as famous monuments such as the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Great Wall.In this new and updated ed...

"Quelle histoire! . . . This book is a feast of tidbits about French history . . . the presentation [is] jazzed up with sidebars and timelines." — The New York Times Book ReviewWith the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the next two centuries for France would be tumultuous. Critically acclaimed historian and political commentator Jonathan Fenby provides an expert and riveting journey through this period a...

"A welcome reassessment of one of the most important and controversial leaders of the 20th century." — Christian Science MonitorWith a narrative as briskly paced and vividly detailed as an international thriller, this indispensable biography of Chiang Kai-shek masterfully maps the tumultuous political career of Nationalist China's generalissimo as it reevaluates his brave but unfulfilled life.Chiang Kai-shek was one of the most inf...

Asian empires led the world economically, scientifically and culturally for hundreds of years, and posed a constant challenge to the countries of Europe. How and why did those empires gain such power, and lose it? What legacies did they leave?This major book brings together a team of distinguished historians and 200 illustrations to survey seven great Asian empires that rose and fell between 800 CE and the mid-20th century: the Mongol Empire, Ming Dynasty of China, Khmer Empire, Ot...

This revised and updated edition of The American Revolution offers an accessible and authoritative account of the war that forged a nation.From the first sparks of rebellion to the final treaty, this comprehensive visual history charts the key battles, political tensions, and personal stories that shaped the United States. Discover how events like the Boston Massacre, the Declaration of Independence, and the surrender at Yorktown unfolded with vivid artwor...

The true story of Hitler’s plot to turn Hollywood’s Dream Factory into a Nazi propaganda machine—and the Jewish moguls’ clandestine operation to sabotage the Reich’s insidious reach.World War II began at Hollywood and Vine.From the moment Hitler took power in Germany in 1933, there was no American city he wanted to rule more than Los Angeles. Control the moviemaking capital of the world and Hitler could control the message that came out of it: As clear as b...

An irresistible and enchanting journey through human history—from mankind’s earliest fires to the latest smart phones—that tells the surprising and untold story of storytelling.Joan Didion told us, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” And yet, the story of stories has never been told until now. MIT technology pioneer Kevin Ashton was at the forefront of the digital revolution that led to the invention of the smartphone, the ultimate storytelling device. Th...

Meet the Gods of Sun and SacrificeStep into the dazzling world of ancient Mesoamerica with this engaging and accessible guide to Aztec mythology.#1 New Release in History of New Age & MythologyExplore the legends, gods, and cosmic cycles that defined one of the most powerful civilizations in the Americas. Far from a dry academic text, Myths, Gods, and Rituals of Aztec Mythology brings these...

New York Times Best Cookbook of 2025 • 2026 James Beard Award Nominee for Baking and Desserts"In Dobre Dobre**, Laurel Kratochvila leads us down the gloriously buttery, poppy-seed-strewn path of modern and classic Polish baking. Ms. Kratochvila, who runs a bakery in Berlin, writes meticulous recipes that deliver impressive results."** —New York TimesDiscov...