Medieval City

Life in a Medieval City is the classic account of the year 1250 in the city of Troyes, in modern-day France. Acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph Gies focus on a high point of medieval civilization - before war and the Black Death ravaged Europe - providing a fascinating window into the sophistication of a period we too often dismiss as backward. Urban life in the Middle Ages revolved around the home, often a mixed-use dwelling for burghers with a store or workshop on the ground floor and living quarters upstairs.

Gritty medieval history reveals the shocking reality of everyday survival in a filthy, bustling city. Ditch the shining armor and romantic myths to plunge into a darkly humorous, immersive journey through mud, waste, and deafening noise. Perfect for a gripping daily commute, this rich narrative...

Explore the gritty urban history of the Middle Ages to see how crowded towns battled a rising tide of human waste. Perfect for an educational commute, this eye-opening journey dispels the myth of the unwashed European cesspit. Experience the sights, smells, and chaotic streets of early coastal...

From the schism between Rome and Constantinople to the rise of the T'ang Dynasty, from the birth of Muhammad to the crowning of Charlemagne, this erudite book tells the fascinating, often violent story of kings, generals, and the peoples they ruled.

The millennium between the breakup of the western Roman Empire and the Reformation was a long and hugely transformative period - one not easily chronicled within a single book. Yet distinguished historian Chris Wickham has taken up the challenge in this landmark book, and he succeeds in producing the most riveting account of medieval Europe in a generation.

The days of peace are over. Empire in Black and Gold is the first instalment in the critically-acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It is a world populated by kinden – species of human that have taken on the characteristics of animals, from spiders and ants...

Just like us, medieval men and women worried about growing old, got blisters and indigestion, fell in love, and had children. And yet their lives were full of miraculous and richly metaphorical experiences radically different from our own, unfolding in a world where deadly wounds might be healed overnight by divine intervention, or where the heart of a king, plucked from his corpse, could be held aloft as a powerful symbol of political rule.

Journey to the heart of an empire: a jaw-dropping historical adventure from master storyteller S.J.A. Turney. Arnau de Vallbona and his fellow Templar Brother Ramon are bound for the Holy Land to take part in the great Crusade when fate intervenes. Delayed in Cyprus, they learn of a growing rift...

Ancient powers are waking . . . The Scarab Path is the fifth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in a bitter stalemate, and Collegium has nothing to show for it but wounded veterans. Cheerwell Maker...

Discover a forgotten pre-Columbian metropolis that eclipsed European capitals in this immersive archaeological history. The perfect companion for your morning commute, this awe-inspiring historical exploration shatters the persistent myth of an empty North American wilderness. Step directly into...

Witness the spectacular rise and fall of medieval Europe's greatest Islamic empire in this immersive history. Perfect for your daily commute or next travel adventure, this engaging narrative transports you to the bustling markets and golden palaces of al-Andalus. Experience the vibrant...

In this classic of social history, the author describes the lives of six obscure men and women of the Middle Ages. She draws on account books, records, letters, diaries, and wills to make the life of those times as concrete and comprehensible as our own.

Located in the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City served as the palace for the emperor of China from 1420 to 1912 CE, a period encompassing the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was home to the celestial leaders of China, men that possessed the Mandate of Heaven. A total of 24 emperors lived and ruled from the vast and magnificent complex for almost 500 years, until the last Chinese dynasty was overthrown in 1912 with the abdication of Emperor Xuantong, more commonly known as Puyi.

Trace the dramatic evolution of a medieval fortress into the beating heart of European history and imperial power. Perfect for an immersive commute or armchair travel, this evocative journey transports you to the banks of the Danube. Experience the epic rise and fall of the Habsburg dynasty...

The Scarab Path is the fifth book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Ancient powers are waking . . . The war with the Wasp Empire has ended in a bitter stalemate, and Collegium has nothing to show for it but wounded veterans. Cheerwell Maker...

Rome 998 AD. Galen and his friends have taken shelter in an abbey where there is much to learn from the local scribes and illustrators. Galen is grateful for the order and tranquillity of their temporary new home, but is it a false peace?

The Republic of Genoa: The History of the Italian City that Became Influential across the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages examines the highs and lows of Genoa La Superba (“The Proud”), including its humble origins in the first century CE, its felicitous rise after the fall of the Roman Empire, its golden age as a mercantile power during the “Genoese Century,” and its demise at the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797.

Step into a vibrant ancient metropolis where Islamic faith and artisanal craft forged a legacy of resilience. Wander through the labyrinthine streets of a sacred Moroccan city that survived devastating wars, plagues, and shifting empires. This immersive historical journey transforms raw events...

Experience the awe-inspiring clash of faith, power, and Gothic architecture in a 600-year quest to build a masterpiece. Perfect for your daily commute or travel prep, this atmospheric journey transports you directly to the bustling banks of the medieval Rhine. Stand alongside the visionary...

Discover how a tiny, rocky Mediterranean port forged an invincible maritime empire and revolutionized global finance. Perfect for your morning commute or deep focus sessions, this immersive historical narrative transports you to the treacherous, high-stakes world of medieval naval warfare and...