1661 is a year of destiny for France and its young King, Louis XIV. Cardinal Mazarin, the prime minister who has reigned throughout the king's early years, lies dying. As a fierce power struggle develops to succeed him, a religious brotherhood, guardian of a centuries old secret, al... read more

Roman emperors, Arab scholars, and early travellers were already drawn to and enchanted by the fascination of the land along the Nile. The pyramids of Giza, the temple-city of Karnak, or the Valley of the Kings with the grave of Tutankhamen even today maintain their extraordinar... read more

Why is Nelson Mandela a pocket GIANT? Because he personified the struggle against apartheid Because, after twenty-seven years in prison, he sought reconciliation not vengeance Because he bridged the divide between black and white Because he was loved and admired across the globe

With intricate cut-paper collages that reveal the insides of some of the world's most fascinating structures, this book shows how the purpose of these buildings greatly influenced their designs, locations, and materials used in construction. Full color.

Kith is Jay Griffiths's passionate polemic in defence of childhood. In Kith, Jay Griffiths seeks to discover why we deny our children the freedoms of space, time and the natural world. Visiting communities as far apart as West Papua and the Arctic, as well ... read more

The Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most famous - and bestselling - books of all time. Yet the girl who wrote it remains an enigma. The real Anne Frank has been lost, hidden behind the phenomenon that her posthumously published Diary produced. This concise biograp... read more

Edward Jenner is a giant of modern medicine. Throughout history, smallpox had plagued humanity with disfigurement, blindness, and death. It was an incurable blight, the suffering of which Jenner helped bring to an end. Surmising from the immunity of milkmaids tha... read more

What is the inner life? And is it vanishing in the digital age?
Throughout history, artists and philosophers have cultivated the deep self, and seen value in solitude and reflection. But today, through social media, wall-t... read more

Why is Nelson a pocket GIANT? Because he was a brilliant and charismatic war-leader. Because he was a superb naval tactician. Because he saved Britain from Napoleonic invasion. Because he was a 'hero'.

A military biography of Mithridates VI 'the Great' of Pontus, Rome's most persistent enemy. The Mithridiatic wars stretched over half a century and two continents, and have a fascinating cast of pirates, rebels, turncoats and poisoners (though ... read more

Why is Napoleon Bonaparte a pocket GIANT? Because he was one of the greatest generals in history. Because he ended the French Revolution. Because he tore up the map of Europe, and reshaped much of the world beyond. Because his legacy echoes to this day.

Ernest Shackleton led two Antarctic expeditions, and died shortly after the beginning of a third. His first expedition was not a total success (they did not reach the South Pole), and the second was, in some senses, a total failure (they never reached the An... read more