Books From University Presses

The Magna Carta is arguably the greatest constitutional document in recorded history, yet few people today understand either its contents or its context. This Very Short Introduction , which includes a full English translation of the 1215 Magna Carta, introduces the document to a modern audience, explaining its origins in the troubled reign of King John, and tracing the significant role that it played thereafter as a symbol of the subject's right to protection against the absolute authority of the sovereign. Drawing upon the great advances that have been made in our understanding of thirteenth-century English history, Nicholas Vincent demonstrates why the Magna Carta remains hugely significant today.

If you're intrigued by China's evolution from a rural society to a modern powerhouse, Helen Siu's "Tracing China" will give you an enlightening perspective. Her work uniquely integrates decades of fieldwork with anthropological analysis, offering a deep dive into how historical currents shape everyday lives. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in the nuances of socio-political change and the human stories within it.

"Weimar Germany: Promise and Tragedy" offers more than just a history lesson; it’s a ticket back to the 1920s Berlin, where every corner buzzed with avant-garde art, revolutionary ideas, and a stirring hope for democracy. Eric Weitz doesn't merely narrate; he transports you to the cobblestones of a modernizing city, introducing you to the era's visionaries while soberly revealing the societal cracks that would lead to a darker chapter. If you're intrigued by history that reads like a well-paced novel, and the idea of exploring a pivotal time that echoed through the century, then this book will satisfy that craving while providing poignant context for today’s world.

If you're fascinated by untold angles of history, A. T. Olmstead's "History of the Persian Empire" offers a fresh take on an ancient civilization, narrating the story from the Persians' perspective. This book is like a time machine that not only educates but also immerses you in the depths of Persian life and culture, revealing intricate details that are often overshadowed by Greek accounts. It's a thorough and uniquely insightful dive into a magnificent empire that has shaped much of today's world.

The whole destiny of America is contained in the first Puritans who landed on these shores, wrote de Tocqueville. These newcomers, and the range of their intellectual achievements and failures, are vividly depicted in The Puritans in America . Exiled from England, the Puritans settled in what Cromwell called “a poor, cold, and useless” place―where they created a body of ideas and aspirations that were essential in the shaping of American religion, politics, and culture.In a felicitous blend of documents and narrative Alan Heimert and Andrew Delbanco recapture the sweep and restless change of Puritan thought from its incipient Americanism through its dominance in New England society to its fragmentation in the face of dissent from within and without. A general introduction sketches the Puritan environment, and shorter introductions open each of the six sections of the collection. Thirty-eight writers are included―among these Cotton, Bradford, Bradstreet, Winthrop, Rowlandson, Taylor, and the Mathers―as well as the testimony of Anne Hutchinson and documents illustrating the witchcraft crisis. The works, several of which are published here for the first time since the seventeenth century, are presented in modern spelling and punctuation.Despite numerous scholarly probings, Puritanism remains resistant to categories, whether those of Perry Miller, Max Weber, or Christopher Hill. This new anthology―the first major interpretive collection in nearly fifty years―reveals the beauty and power of Puritan literature as it emerged from the pursuit of self-knowledge in the New World.

More populous than any other country on earth, China also occupies a unique place in our modern world for the continuity of its history and culture. In this sumptuously illustrated single-volume history, noted historian Patricia Ebrey traces the origins of Chinese culture from prehistoric times to the present. She follows its development from the rise of Confucianism, Buddhism, and the great imperial dynasties to the Mongol, Manchu, and Western intrusions and the modern communist state. Her scope is phenomenal--embracing Chinese arts, culture, economics, society and its treatment of women, foreign policy, emigration, and politics, including the key uprisings of 1919 and 1989 in Tiananmen Square. Both a comprehensive introduction to an extraordinary civilization, and an expert exploration of the continuities and disjunctures of Chinese history, Professor Ebrey's book has become an indispensable guide to China past and present. Patricia Ebrey is Professor of East Asian Studies and History and the author of Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook (1993).

Queen Victoria was one of the most complex cultural productions of her age. In Royal Representations , Margaret Homans investigates the meanings Victoria held for her times, Victoria's own contributions to Victorian writing and art, and the cultural mechanisms through which her influence was felt.Arguing that being, seeming, and appearing were crucial to Victoria's "rule," Homans explores the variability of Victoria's agency and of its representations using a wide array of literary, historical, and visual sources. Along the way she shows how Victoria provided a deeply equivocal model for women's powers in and out of marriage, how Victoria's dramatic public withdrawal after Albert's death helped to ease the monarchy's transition to an entirely symbolic role, and how Victoria's literary self-representations influenced debates over political self-representation.Homans considers versions of Victoria in the work of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Eliot, John Ruskin, Margaret Oliphant, Lewis Carroll, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Julia Margaret Cameron.

This book is a must-read for history enthusiasts who wish to gain insights into one of the most significant events in modern European history. William Doyle carefully examines the causes, course, and consequences of the French Revolution in a concise and accessible manner. The book sheds light on the genesis of modern political ideologies like democracy, liberalism, and nationalism and their relationship with the revolution. It provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges that the revolutionaries faced and the compromises they had to make to effect change. Doyle's erudition and mastery of the subject make this book an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the French Revolution and its impact on the world.

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Recommendation: This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical writing as it challenges the conventional understanding of the discipline. The author argues that historical representation is essentially aesthetic and proposes a rationalist aesthetics of historical writing in order to find a balance between the literary approach and empiricism. By drawing on the ideas of influential contemporary historical theorists like Erich Auerbach and Hayden White, the book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the discipline of history.

Spider Eaters is at once a moving personal story, a fascinating family history, and a unique chronicle of political upheaval told by a Chinese woman who came of age during the turbulent years of the Cultural Revolution. With stunning honesty and a lively, sly humor, Rae Yang records her life from her early years as the daughter of Chinese diplomats in Switzerland, to her girlhood at an elite middle school in Beijing, to her adolescent experience as a Red Guard and later as a laborer on a pig farm in the remote northern wilderness. She tells of her eventual disillusionment with the Maoist revolution, how remorse and despair nearly drove her to suicide, and how she struggled to make sense of conflicting events that often blurred the line between victim and victimizer, aristocrat and peasant, communist and counter-revolutionary. Moving gracefully between past and present, dream and reality, the author artfully conveys the vast complexity of life in China as well as the richness, confusion, and magic of her own inner life and struggle.Much of the power of the narrative derives from Yang's multi-generational, cross-class perspective. She invokes the myths, legends, folklore, and local customs that surrounded her and brings to life the many people who were instrumental in her her nanny, a poor woman who raised her from a baby and whose character is conveyed through the bedtime tales she spins; her father; and her beloved grandmother, who died as a result of the political persecution she suffered.Spanning the years from 1950 to 1980, Rae Yang's story is evocative, complex, and told with striking candor. It is one of the most immediate and engaging narratives of life in post-1949 China.

If fashion is your narrative, you'll find "100 Dresses" a sartorial treasure trove. It's like traveling through time via the art of couture, each page turning back the clock with a rustle of taffeta, a whisper of silk. For the dreamers who picture themselves in the sweep of a gown, this book isn't just a history lesson—it's an invitation to the grand ball of fashion's past, accessible from your own cozy corner.

This book could be a good read for someone interested in the cultural and historical transformations of reading, and its impact on societies. It provides insights on reading practices and experiences in different parts of the world, from ancient Israel to contemporary Indonesia and Kashaya Pomo Indian reservation. The book erases the line between orality and textuality, making it an insightful read for those interested in anthropology, literature, history, philosophy, religious and cultural studies.

If you're interested in Spanish history, religion, or just want a riveting read, this book is for you! Kamen provides a meticulously researched, nuanced view on the Spanish Inquisition that goes beyond popular myths. His analysis of how the Inquisition impacted Spanish intellectual life and the broader social context is insightful and thought-provoking.

Recommendations: - If you have always been fascinated by the ancient Byzantine Empire and want to delve deep into its history, culture, and influence, then The Oxford History of Byzantium is a must-read for you. It offers a comprehensive exploration of this vibrant and influential civilization, covering everything from its Roman beginnings to its assimilation into the Turkish Empire. The lively essays and beautiful illustrations bring to life the emergence and development of Byzantium, while also uncovering the hidden mechanisms that shaped its history. Get ready to immerse yourself in a captivating journey through centuries of intriguing stories, battles, and cultural exchange. - Are you a history buff who loves exploring lesser-known civilizations? Look no further than The Oxford History of Byzantium. This remarkable book offers a concise yet comprehensive coverage of one of history's most influential empires. From the Roman beginnings to the fall of Constantinople, you'll uncover the political history, cultural evolution, and everyday life in Byzantium. The authors, experts in their fields, skillfully bring together economic, social, and demographic insights to provide a fascinating glimpse into this often overlooked civilization. Prepare to be captivated by the hidden stories, powerful rulers, and the fusion of ancient and modern worlds. - For those seeking to understand the fascinating Eastern Roman Empire, The Oxford History of Byzantium is the book to read. This captivating exploration takes you on a journey through the streets of Byzantine cities, revealing the intricate machinery of government, the role of the church, and the interplay of different cultures. The authors combine their expertise to deliver a vivid portrait of everyday life, from trade and education to beliefs and superstitions. Through its engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, this book offers a vibrant legacy of Byzantium's influence on both Eastern and Western civilizations. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world that shaped our modern understanding of history.