The Age of Napoleon  •  Alistair Horne HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 218 PAGES A trenchant observer of the French and a popular historian, Horne offers the drama, ego, victory and times of Napoleon in this brief, lively biography in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series. (FRN629, $13.95)
The Age of Shakespeare  •  Frank Kermode BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2005 •  PAPER  • 214 PAGES A remarkably concise, elegant overview of the world of Shakespeare in the Modern Library Chronicles series by the eminent British critic and scholar. Kermode, who also wrote Shakespeare's Language, has a particular interest in Shakespeare's "wild and whirling words" and sets them against the history and culture of Elizabethan England. (GBR522, $14.00)
The Americas, A Hemispheric History  •  Felipe Fernandez-Armesto HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 235 PAGES Erudite, engaging and remarkably succinct, Fernandez-Armesto focuses on the commonalties of North, Central And South America in this history of the Americas from early human settlement through European discovery and exploitation to independence and present-day concerns, all in seven concise chapters. A volume in the excellent Modern Library chronicles series. (NAM37, $11.95)
The Balkans, A Short History  •  Mark Mazower HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 188 PAGES A brief, provocative survey of the complex and often contentious history of the Balkans. With eloquence and insight, Mazower addresses the issues of geography, nationalism and modern nation-building in the region. (BLK28, $13.95)
Communism, A History  •  Richard Pipes HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES A short, fiercely critical history of communism from the ideas of Karl Marx to the end of the 20th century by the Harvard historian and critic of the Soviet Union (which is the focus of much of the book). A volume in the excellent Modern Library chronicles series. (GEN367, $13.95)
Evolution, The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory  •  Edward Larson NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 368 PAGES Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and historian Edward Larson examines the multifaceted history of the scientific theory which has had such an impact on twentieth century thought. Larson begins his study before Darwin, with the scientific breakthroughs of the French Revolution, and then examines Darwin's work and its effects, from the age of Social Darwinism up to present day genetics and evolutionary studies. He focuses on the social and political controversies that have surrounded evolutionary theory, particularly in the United States. (NAT64, $14.95)
The German Empire, A Short History  •  Michael Sturmer HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES A lively short history in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series, matching writers and subjects. (GER189, $12.95)
The Hellenistic Age, A Short History  •  Peter Green HISTORY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES Green adroitly sketches the power, politics and glories of Greece from 336 (Alexander and his Legacy) to 30 BC (Roman encroachment and the death of Cleopatra) in this brief chronology. (GRE305, $14.00)
Hitler and the Holocaust  •  Robert S. Wistrich HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 295 PAGES A short history of the cultural and political circumstances surrounding the genocide of the Jews. Wistrich looks closely at Anti-Semitism in Germany, Europe and abroad in an attempt to understand the evil unleashed during World War II, cautioning that we must be always vigilant about intolerance. (EUR114, $13.95)
Inventing Japan, 1853-1964  •  Ian Buruma HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 194 PAGES Buruma, a favorite writer who has written widely on Japan, here offers an admirably succinct, tightly constructed history of Japan's transformation from feudal state to host of the 1964 Olympics, with special focus on World War II. (JPN139, $12.95)
Islam, A Short History  •  Karen Armstrong RELIGION •  2002 •  PAPER  • 230 PAGES A clear-headed, vivid survey of the history and impact of Islam from the birth of Muhammad to present day challenges. With timeline, glossary, biographies of major figures and bibliography. Armstrong brings authority and experience to the challenge. A member of the Association of Muslim Social Services in Jerusalem, she's a former Roman Catholic nun who teaches Judaism. (ISL15, $14.95)
London, A History  •  A.N. Wilson HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES A brief, evocative meditation on the rich and varied history of England's capital city by the prolific British writer, critic and historian. Wilson examines London through several lenses, using humor and insight to discuss art, architecture, politics and culture. (GBR480, $14.00)
The Reformation, A History  •  Patrick Collinson HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER A lively short history in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series, matching writers and subjects. (EUR236, $21.95)
The Renaissance, A Short History  •  Paul Johnson HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 196 PAGES The history, background, literature, sculpture, paintings and architecture of the Renaissance in under 200 lively, thought-provoking pages. A volume in the excellent Modern Library chronicles series. (ITL774, $12.95)
Storm from the East, The Struggle Between the Arab World and the Christian West  •  Milton Viorst HISTORY •  2007 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES A brief history of contemporary Arabia and the uneasy relationship with the West in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series by a journalist and senior scholar at the Middle East Institute. (ARB75, $13.95)