In a work of meticulous scholarship and research, Paul Preston, the world's foremost historian of 20th-century Spain, charts how and why Franco and his supporters set out to eliminate all 'those who do not think as we do' – some 200,000 innocent men, women and children across Spain.As the country slowly reclaims its historical memory after a long period of wilful amnesia, for the first time a full picture can be given of the escalation and aftermath of the Spanish Holocaust in all its dimensions – ranging from systematic killings and judicial murders to the abuse of women and children, imprisonment, torture and the grisly fate of Spaniards in the hands of the Gestapo.
Reflecting more than a decade of research, and telling many stories of individuals from both sides, The Spanish Holocaust seeks to reflect the intense horrors visited upon Spain by the arrogance and brutality of the officers who rose up on 17 July 1936, provoking a civil war that was unnecessary and whose consequences still reverberate bitterly in Spain today.
Samuel Johnson prize shortlisted
Few observers are unimpressed by the economic ambition of China or by the nation's remarkable rate of growth. But what does the future hold? This meticulously researched book closely examines the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese economic system to discover where the nation may be headed and what the Chinese experience reveals about emerging market economies. The authors find that contrary to popular belief, cutting edge innovation is not a prerequisite for sustained economic vitality—and that China is a perfect case in point. 
Spanning the years of 1940-1965, THE LAST LION picks up shortly after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister-when his tiny island nation stood alone against the overwhelming might of Nazi Germany. The Churchill conjured up by William Manchester and Paul Reid is a man of indomitable courage, lightning fast intellect, and an irresistible will to action. THE LAST LION brilliantly recounts how Churchill organized his nation's military response and defense; compelled FDR into supporting America's beleaguered cousins, and personified the "never surrender" ethos that helped the Allies win the war, while at the same time adapting himself and his country to the inevitable shift of world power from the British Empire to the United States.
Подход английского историка Д.Ливена разительным образом отличается от оценок, принятых в западной историографии. В большей части трудов западных историков, посвященных борьбе России с Наполеоном, внимание авторов практически всецело сосредоточено на кампании 1812 г., на личности Наполеона, его огромной армии и русской зиме, при этом упускаются из виду действия российского руководства и проводимые им военные операции. 
Конек молодого британского историка («Рубикон», «Персидский огонь») — плохо изученный период между 400 и 800 годами н. э. В новой книге он пытается ответить на вопрос — как на руинах двух империй, Римской и Персидской, возникла оригинальная цивилизация — арабо-мусульманская? Каким образом связано падение Римской империи и возникновение ислама? Почему персы и римляне не смогли удержать Ближний Восток, — а у арабов это получилось, причем для завоевания потребовались не века, как у римлян, а десятилетия? Помимо чисто исторического, у книги есть и злободневный аспект — аналогия с современностью: закат Америки и набирающий силу Китай. 
A man-made wonder, a connective network, an economic force, a bringer of blight and sprawl and the possibility of escape—the U.S. interstate system changed the face of our country. The Big Roads charts the creation of these essential American highways. From the turn-of-the-century car racing entrepreneur who spurred the citizen-led “Good Roads” movement, to the handful of driven engineers who conceived of the interstates and how they would work—years before President Eisenhower knew the plans existed—to the protests that erupted across the nation when highways reached the cities and found people unwilling to be uprooted in the name of progress, Swift follows a winding, fascinating route through twentieth-century American life. 
One of the world's foremost urban designers shares his passion and methods for rejuvenating neglected cities and argues passionately for the importance and possibilities of their renewal.
"Демократия перед теми, кто к ней относится серьезно, ставит почти неразрешимые проблемы, а тем, кто ее ненавидит, открывает почти неограниченные возможности", - отмечал Вацлав Гавел. Почему столь многие из нас готовы поступиться "громкими правами" в обмен на процветание и безопасность, часто иллюзорные? И возможен ли свободный рынок без демократии, а демократия без свободы? Над этими и другими трудными вопросами предлагает задуматься известный английский журналист Джон Кампфнер, изучивший политический опыт Сингапура, Китая, России, Объединенных Арабских Эмиратов, Италии, Великобритании и США.
Американский литературовед Ричард Эллман двадцать лет работал над биографией Оскара Уайльда, отмеченной National Book Critics Circle Award и Пулитцеровской премией. По книге Эллмана снят знаменитый фильм «Уайльд» (1997) со Стивеном Фраем, Ванессой Редгрейв и Джудом Лоу в главных ролях.
In a dark underworld of dirty deeds, vile slime and deadly pollution, scientists are exposing an animal that could help save our challenged planet – the humble earthworm. So what can it tell us about earth’s geographic evolution? Can it reverse the earth’s infertile hot spots? Can it really cure cancer? Is it the answer to toxic waste? In 2009/2010 The Worm Hunters go underground to find answers. Armed with spades, GPS worm locators, secret ‘worm ousting’ fluids, back-hoes and worm evacuators our somewhat oddball, but dedicated, scientists literally search ‘high and low’ for the world’s first Super Worm.
On the volcanic island of New Britain, a handful of animals have learned to live with the sporadic anger of the Earth. When ash from an eruption invades their habitat, the choice seems simple: stay and adapt, or leave. 
Explores the strange history of Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha who became Bulgaria's tsar at age 6, then was exiled during years of communism and returned to be elected Prime Minister. 
Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.
Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic, Franco Fagioli, Valer Barna-Sabadus, Daniel Behle, Concerto Köln, Diego Fasolis
Christian Gerhaher (baritone) & Gerold Huber (piano)
Drawing on the varied styles of Caribbean music, and identifying them with historical events, figures and places, Pine has created a marvellous patchwork of melodies and rhythms. From the solemn opening threnody for Stephen Lawrence to a fizzing Tico-Tico at the end, it's thoroughly absorbing. This album makes a fascinating companion piece to last year's Europa, which treated European musical traditions in a similar way. For that, Pine confined himself to playing bass clarinet. This time he sticks to soprano saxophone, supported by an impressive cast of musicians, representing several generations. Guardian
Hespèrion XXI - Jordi Savall