From the origins of urbanization in Mesopotamia to the global metropolises of today, great cities have marked the development of human civilization. This book tells their stories, from Uruk and Memphis to Tokyo and Sao Paulo.

The Mediterranean has nurtured three of the most dazzling civilisations of antiquity, witnessed the birth or growth of three of our greatest religions and links three of the world's six continents. This work tells the story of the Middle Sea itself - a story that begins with the Phoenicians and the Pharaohs and ends with the Treaty of Versailles.

The first scholarly study in the English language of Croatia's extraordinary artistic heritage, with contributions by leading British, American and Croatian writers and scholars, fully illustrated.

Presents the history of Venice from its origins to its eighteenth century fall.

Chronicles events up to the coronation of the heroic Alexius Comnenus in 1081.

The sixth century was not a peaceful time for the Roman empire. Invaders threatened on all fronties, but they grew to respect and fear the name of Belisarius, the Emperor Justinian's greatest general. This book demonstrates the author's command of an historical subject, creating a picture of a decadent era.

A narrative story of Byzantium. From the accession of Alexius in 1081, through the Fourth Crusade - when an army destined for the Holy Land was diverted to Constantinople by the blind, octogenarian but crafty Doge of Venice - to the protracted struggle against the Ottomans. This book forms the climax to the story of Byzantium.

Reveals the beginning of Byzantium. This book describes the five formative centuries of an empire.

The perfect collection of jokes, anecdotes, quotes and much more, performed live in front of an appreciative audience - a brilliant stocking filler to suit all tastes.

Brings together some of the events from the author's trilogy about the rise and fall of the Byzantine empire.

A spoof of the old carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas", which records the daily thank-you letters from one bemused young lady to her unseen admirer: from initial gracious gratitude for the delightful partridge in the sweet little pear tree through to dismay and distress and a final threatening solicitor's letter as a bacchanalia of pipers.

John Julius Norwich has been sending out his Christmas Crackers, a collection of quirky quotes and literary odds and ends to his friends instead of a Christmas card. This selection of pieces from the first two of these collections includes dictionary definitions, palindromes, C18th accounts of drunken pigs.

The long awaited and highly revealing diaries of the politician, diplomat, and socialite (married to Lady Diana Cooper)

Four great houses from four centuries star among other National Trust properties on this CD-ROM: Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire; Ham House, Surrey; Saltram, Devon; and Lanhydrock, Cornwall. Viewers are guided authoritatively through the history and treasures, and there are also links to the NT website.

St Petersburg is a city with an incredibly rich history and cultural heritage. This guide to St Petersburg's 'other' museums, palaces, collections and gardens, includes information on opening times, directions, what to expect, a brief history and more.