In this book, the author, deadliest sniper in U.S. history tracks down and shoots the ten most important American firearms, from a flintlock rifle to a Colt revolver to the latest high-tech weapon he used as a Navy SEAL. He uses these guns as a window on United States history, making the sweeping argument that the American story has been tied to and shaped by the gun. He revisits turning points in American history, including the single sniper shot...

"This magnificent love letter to Rome" (Stephen Greenblatt) tells the story of the Eternal City through pivotal moments that defined its history-from the early Roman Republic through the Renaissance and the Reformation to the German occupation in World War Two-"an erudite history that reads like a page-turner" (Maria Semple). Rome, the Eternal City. It is a hugely popular tourist destination with a rich history, famed for such sites as the Colosseum,...

"Winner of the Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize" "Winner of the PROSE Award in European History, Association of American Publishers" "Shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize, Wolfson Foundation" "Shortlisted for the London Hellenic Prize, The Hellenic Centre" "Longlisted for the Cundill History Prize, McGill University" Judith Herrin is professor emeritus in the Department of Classics at King's College London. Her books include Byzantium: The Surprising...

This history of the world for young readers, published in 1921, won the first Newbery Medal for outstanding contribution to children's literature in 1922. Beginning with primitive man, Van Loon sets out to trace the various strands of civilization, from art to agriculture to religion, focusing on the importance of singular events and individuals.

Blends together history and nature writing to provide a new perspective on Yellowstone and what it has come to represent, explaining the park's relationship to America throughout history.

Best-selling author and renowned religious scholar Karen Armstrong presents a concise and articulate history of Islam, the world's fastest-growing faith. Beginning with the Prophet Muhammad's flight from Medina and concluding with an examination of modern Islamic practices and concerns, Armstrong delivers an unbiased overview. She contends that no religion is more feared and misunderstood by the Western world as Islam, and firmly challenges the notion...

Discusses topics ranging from prehistoric instruments to modern-day pop to explain how respective musical innovations were inspired by original forces that reflected common human themes.

"A magisterial account of how a tiny city-state in ancient Greece became history's most influential civilization, from the bestselling author of acclaimed biographies of Cicero, Augustus, and Hadrian"-- The achievements of Athens have left a profound impact on Western culture. The Athenians invented the first real democracy (albeit one that included only adult males) and, in doing so, transformed the very notion of government. They established the...