Историческая литература

Различные книги в жанре Историческая литература

The Communist Manifesto

Karl Marx

"The Communist Manifesto" is the classic work of economics that initiated one of the greatest movements of political change that the world has ever seen. The writings of Karl Marx brilliantly expose the vast divide between the elite ruling class and the working class that has existed throughout history. At the time «The Communist Manifesto» was first published it was intended to serve as a publication to help unite the working class and to form a communist party based on the philosophies of communism. To that aim it was very successful and helped to unleash a wave of sweeping political change.

Sevastopol Sketches (Sebastopol Sketches)

Leo Tolstoy

"Sevastopol Sketches (Sebastopol Sketches)" is a collection of three works of historical fiction in which Tolstoy draws upon his real life experiences during the Siege of Sevastopol. The titular location draws its name from that of a city in Crimea and takes place during the Crimean war. The three tales in this collection are respectively titled «Sevastopol in December», «Sevastopol in May», and «Sevastopol in August». In the December tale Tolstoy introduces us to Sevastopol by giving the reader a tour and introducing us to the settings, mannerisms, and background that would relevant in the following tales. In the May tale Tolstoy examines the senselessness of war, musings that would lay the foundation for his much larger work and magnum opus «War and Peace.» In the third and final tale the fall of the town is detailed. Published in 1855 «Sevastopol» was written near the beginning of the author's literary career. It is a book in which we begin to see the writer exhibit a quality of prose that would one day establish him as the greatest of all writers in the Russian and any other language.

The Man-Eaters of Tsavo and Other East African Adventures

John Henry Patterson

Considered to be one of the most famous stories of man-eating lions in modern times, «The Man-Eaters of Tsavo» is the first-hand account of Lieutanant-Colonel John Henry Patterson's encounter with several man-eating lions during the building of the Uganda railway through British East Africa in 1898. Contained within this volume is the original 1907 book with over a hundred photographs and illustrations.

The History of Rome (Books XXVII-XXXVI)

Livius (Livy) Titus

An epic endeavor by a man genuinely enamored of his native Rome, Livy's «The History of Rome» was originally written in 142 books spanning the entire history of the Roman people up to Livy's day in the time of Augustus in the first century BC. While this Roman historian's monumental undertaking took most of his life, only 35 books still survive today. Livy begins with Aeneas' landing on Italy and the myth of Romulus and Remus' founding of Rome. He also thoroughly covers numerous wars, such as the Samnite Wars, the Punic Wars, and the Social War, as well as all of the rulers of Rome, including Julius Caesar, Nero, and Augustus. Though the work is a bit biased, its countless references to other sources are a testament of Livy's attempt to create an accurate, understandable history of the Roman Kingdom, and, later, the Republic. Simultaneously a glorification of Rome and a passionate warning to future Romans, «Ab Urbe Condita» reflects the magnificence and ignominy, the opinions and interests, and the myths and political realities of one of history's most remarkable civilizations. In this volume you will find books XXVII-XXXVI of Livy's «Histories».

A Child's History of England

Charles Dickens

"A Child's History of England", which first appeared serially in «Household Words» between January 25, 1851 and December 10, 1853, is a history of England written for school-aged children. The works originally consisted of three volumes that covered the history of England from between 50 BC to 1689, beginning with ancient history and ending with a summarization of the events of the accession of Queen Victoria. The three volumes of the original edition [Volume I.—England from the Ancient Times, to the Death of King John (1852), Volume II.—England from the Reign of Henry the Third, to the Reign of Richard the Third (1853), and Volume III.—England from the Reign of Henry the Seventh to the Revolution of 1688 (1854)] have been combined into one volume for this edition.

The Soul of the Indian

Charles Alexander Eastman

Charles Alexander Eastman (Born Ohiyesa 1858-1939) wrote «The Soul of the Indian» to examine the spiritual history of Native American's before European settlement in America. Born of Minnesota Sioux parents in South Dakota, Charles Eastman spent his life working with Natives and Europeans to bridge cultural divides. Born into and raised by a traditional Sioux family, Eastman developed a deep connection to the life of American Indians. Yet at the age of 15 Eastman's father persuaded him to adopt a European lifestyle. Consequently he graduated from Dartmouth in 1887 and continued medical studies at Boston University. Becoming one of the most traditionally educated Native Americans in the country, Eastman began writing works exploring the changing identities of Native Americans in the early 20th century. In 1902 he published «Indian Boyhood.» He followed with several books including «Old Indian Days», and «Indian Stories Retold.» His 1911 work «The Soul of the Indian» vividly depicts Native spiritual and religious practices and beliefs, bringing their rich cultural origins to life. His career as a novelist led him into the sphere of political and cultural activism, making him an effective champion of Native American's rights. Eastman's lifelong work of mediation between two seemingly disparate cultures made him one of the most influential American Indians of his day. «The Soul of the Indian» is not to be missed by anyone interested in the diverse fabric of the American identity.

The Buccaneers of America

Alexander O. Exquemelin

Alexander Exquemelin, whose probable French origins remain unclear, was most certainly on board the ship of the infamous pirate captain, Henry Morgan, during his raid on Panama City in 1671. His association with the buccaneers began around 1669, when he was sold from his indentured servitude with the French West India Company to a barber-surgeon, who taught him the trade. His subsequent years as a surgeon on board various pirate ships led to the publication of «The Buccaneers of America» in 1678. This shocking portrait of the Seventeenth century sea-rovers, since revealed to contain several errors and exaggerations, includes Exquemelin's sensationalized accounts of international criminals who performed inhuman acts of cruelty. The story, originally published in Dutch, was quickly translated into several languages. The original text has attained historical notoriety as an extraordinary source of information about the legendary pirates, despite Henry Morgan's claims of slander and libel against the publishers of the novel. They were later court ordered to revise future editions of the book.

The Oregon Trail

Francis Parkman

Originally serialized in “Knickerbocker's Magazine” between 1847 and 1849, “The Oregon Trail” is a fascinating chronicle of Francis Parkman's travels on the Oregon Trail during the summer of 1846 through the western states of Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. Living and hunting with a tribe of Native Americans for a period of time, Francis Parkman captures the spirit of the old west in this gripping 19th century narrative. Fans of the old west and Oregon Trail history buffs will enjoy Parkman's historical biographical travel narrative.

The History of England, From the Accession of James II (Volume 3 of 5)

Томас Бабингтон Маколей

Thomas Babington Macaulay was a child prodigy who, by the age of 8, had written a history of the world and a poem in three cantos modeled after the poetry of Sir Walter Scott. He studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge, but drew great attention for several literary essays he contributed to the Edinburgh Review. In 1849, he published the first two volumes of «The History of England, From the Accession of James II», which were immediately well-received. As a Whig, with little tolerance for Tories or understanding of James II, Macaulay disregarded many authoritative texts in his research; as a result, his work is often prejudiced and mistaken in the facts, with little room for philosophy or theorizing. However, it cannot be denied that this work is a lively and beautifully written masterpiece of English literature. This is the third in a series of five volumes.

Ten Days That Shook the World

John Reed

"Ten Days That Shook the World" is American journalist and socialist John Reed's first-hand account of the Russian October Revolution of 1917. While it is intended as an impartial and unbiased historical account, by Reed's own admission, «in the struggle [his] sympathies were not neutral». An important historical document of an event that would shape the political landscape for most of the 20th century, «Ten Days That Shook the World» is a must read for those interested in the socialistic movement and how it shaped Russian history.