In 1703, Peter the Great founded his eponymous capital on a Baltic marsh. Modelled on Amsterdam, he believed it would usher in a modernised, Westernised future. In the nineteenth-century Age of Imperialism, the British rebuilt Bombay as a tropical London, while three Western powers made Shanghai look just like home. In our time, the sheikh of Dubai has transformed his desert city into a skyscraper-studded global hub. The cultural & historical threads that connect these cities & their conflicted embrace of modernity are brought into relief in Daniel Brook`s captivating mix of history & reportage
- a story of architects & authoritarians, artists & revolutionaries who take these facsimiles of the West & turn them into crucibles of non-Western modernism. A History of Future Cities is both a crucial reminder of globalisation`s long march & an inspiring look into the possibilities of our Asian Century.
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Even a brief glance at the maps of what has, or might have, been called Germany through the ages reveals a kaleidoscope of alterations in shape & composition. Though there are elements of continuity, the history of Germany has been the history of nearly constant change. In this concise introduction to Germany`s fascinating past, Peter Wende provides an approachable historical interpretation of the key periods & turning points from Roman times to the present. Wende shows that, throughout the course of 2000 years, German history is actually the history of many Germanies, & that it can be written neither just as the history of a region nor of a political, ethnic or cultural formation. Focussing on key points in Germany`s political, social & economic development, this guide is ideal for all those with an interest in the complex & compelling history of one of Europe`s main nation-states. ...

Greek-speaking people have occupied the Aegean region continuously since the Bronze Age, while Greek culture has been a feature of the Eastern Mediterranean dating back to the Age of Alexander. But what do Greeks today have in common with Homer, Plato & Aristotle? What are the links between the people who built the Parthenon & those who currently conserve it? Drawing on the latest research into ancient, medieval & modern history, Nicholas Doumanis provides fresh & challenging insights into Greek history since early antiquity. Taking a transnational approach, Doumanis argues that the resilience of Greek culture has a great deal to do with its continual interaction with other cultures throughout the centuries. Ideal for the undergraduate student, or anyone keen to find out more about Greek history, A History of Greece provides a unique & fascinating account of the fortunes & many transformations of Greek culture & society, from the earliest times to the present. ...

This is the first comprehensive history of the culturally diverse city, & the first to be co-authored by a Cuban & an American. Beginning with the founding of Havana in 1519, Cluster & Hernandez explore the making of the city & its people through revolutions, art, economic development & the interplay of diverse societies. The authors bring together conflicting images of a city that melds cultures & influences to create an identity that is distinctly Cuban. ...

This fresh & up-to-date interpretation of India`s rich & extraordinary history, written by a leading authority in the field, explores themes in ancient, medieval & especially modern India. Peter Robb`s accessible study analyses India`s civilizations, empires & regions through the ages, & now also evaluates present-day developments & opportunities. A History of India, Second Edition * examines the relationships between politics, religious belief, social order, environment & economic change * assesses, from c. 1860, British colonialism, Indian nationalism & nation-building, popular protest movements, religious revivals, & re-inventions of caste, community & gender * discusses long-term economic development, the impact of global trade, & the origins of rural poverty * has been revised in the light of the latest scholarship, & now features a Chronology as well as a fully reworked final chapter which brings the story up to the present day & carefully considers India`s prospects & new roles in the world. Centred around clearly expressed & well argued topics, issues & explanations, A History of India remains the ideal introduction for all those who wish to understand the drama & vitality of India`s past, its present situation & its future challenges. ...

Until the beginning of the eighteenth century, to be ` Italian` meant to identify with a number of collective memories, rather than a national memory. Yet there are elements of continuity that have shaped Italian identity over the past 1, 500 years. Religion, food, art & architecture, a literary language, as well as a particular relationship between cities & countryside, between family & civil society have all contributed to present day Italian culture & politics. Baldoli explores the history of Italy as a country, rather than as a nation, in order to trace its fascinating cultural & political development. Offering a way into each period of Italian history, the book brings Italy`s past to life with extracts from poetry, novels & music. Drawing on the latest research published in English & Italian, this is the ideal introduction for all those interested in Italy`s cultural & social past & its significance for the country`s present. ...

Presenting the richness of Korean civilization from early state formation to the jarring transformations resulting in two distinctive trajectories of modern development, this book introduces the country's major historical events, patterns, & debates. Organised both chronologically & thematically, the 27 concise chapters explore recurring themes such as Korean identity, external influence, & family & gender. This lively narrative assumes no prior knowledge, inviting readers to appreciate both the distinctiveness & universality of Korean history. ...

John Wright's absorbing history of Libya begins with early hunter-gatherers & the activities of the mid-desert Garamantian civilization. He then recounts successive invaders: the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Muslim Arabs, Genoans, Normans, Spaniards, Knights of Malta, Ottoman Turks, & Karamanlis. Wright's modern history addresses the harshness of Italy's long conquest yet gives credit to the material achievements of Air Marshal Italo Balbo. Three chapters recast Libya's largely passive role in the Second World War; 1951's fairly smooth transition to an internationally brokered independence; the Sanussi monarchy, which reigned for eighteen years; the discovery & exploitation of oil in the 1950s & 1960s; &, the post-1969 Gadafi phenomenon. ...

A humorous & fascinating history of the city, from Roman garrison to vibrant international metropolis; this book is a must-have for anyone with any interest in London, its inhabitants & past. Written in an engaging & easy-to-follow style, the story of London & its characters is as enthralling & captivating as any tale, old or new. Writer actor & renowned London tour guide Sean Boru knows this city & its people. This book is full of stories & facts that will shed new light on London`s ever-changing global role. ...

Shaped by invasion, occupation & immigration, & upheavals as diverse as the Great Fire, the Blitz & the Big Bang, London`s history is unmatched for variety & drama. Sharing his passion & expert knowledge, David Long selects 100 places that best tell this incredible story. Discover Roman temples, Saxon burial mounds, frost fairs on the frozen Thames, Georgian windmills, & one old brown shoe, each with its own unique insight into a critical period of London`s evolution. Whether you prefer to explore history on your feet or from an armchair, this little book will captivate & surprise, revealing oft-overlooked gems among the famous landmarks & the hidden stories locked within. ...