Secondhand History Bargain Book Box DSH1122
Secondhand History Bargain Book Box
his carefully curated collection ranges from the philosophical inquiries of John Locke and the economic analysis of Adam Smith to intimate social histories of Victorian London and powerful reportage on 20th-century American dissent. Explore the far reaches of the Pacific, the heart of colonial Trinidad, and the development of modern thought with these comprehensive and intellectually stimulating works. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.
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The Legend of the Nineties by Vance Palmer
This classic of Australian literary and social history captures the spirit and defining characteristics of the 1890s, a crucial decade that shaped the nation’s identity and cultural landscape. Palmer explores the emergence of unique Australian values, the rise of nationalism, and the vibrant literary movements that flowered at the turn of the century. It provides a foundational understanding of the period often seen as the cradle of modern Australian consciousness. -
The Armies of the Night by Norman Mailer
A landmark work of New Journalism, Mailer reports on the 1967 March on the Pentagon protesting the Vietnam War, blending memoir, history, and sharp political analysis. The narrative oscillates between the chaos of the demonstration and Mailer’s own shifting consciousness as a participant and observer. It captures the explosive atmosphere of American radicalism and the clash between generations during the turbulent Sixties. -
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
This foundational text in classical economics explores the principles that govern the accumulation of wealth, famously introducing concepts like the division of labor and the "invisible hand." Smith argues for free markets and limited government intervention, laying the groundwork for modern capitalism. It remains an essential philosophical and economic treatise on prosperity and trade. -
Ancient Voyagers in the Pacific by Andrew Sharp
Sharp challenges conventional theories regarding the prehistoric settlement of Polynesia, arguing that long-distance voyages were often accidental drift rather than deliberate, planned navigation. This scholarly work scrutinizes the limitations of primitive seafaring technology and offers a critical perspective on the skills and knowledge of early Pacific islanders. It is a controversial and detailed study of anthropological maritime history. -
The Loss of El Dorado by V. S. Naipaul
Naipaul delves into the brutal and complex history of Trinidad, focusing on the Spanish search for the mythical city of El Dorado and the subsequent colonial conflicts. He traces the stories of Sir Walter Raleigh and a notorious slave revolt leader, linking these figures to the island's persistent themes of exploitation and failed utopian dreams. This narrative history explores how colonial legacies and persistent myths shape modern societies. -
Medieval Thought: St Augustine to Ockham by Gordon Leff
This intellectual history surveys the development of European philosophy and theology across the Middle Ages, tracing the transition from early Christian doctrine to scholasticism. Leff analyzes the major thinkers, from Augustine's synthesis of Christianity and Platonism to the nominalism of William of Ockham. It provides an essential guide to the ideas that underpinned medieval society and eventually paved the way for the Renaissance. -
Livingstone by Tim Jeal
A comprehensive and critical biography of David Livingstone, the famed missionary and explorer whose ventures opened up Central Africa to European knowledge and subsequent imperial designs. Jeal meticulously examines Livingstone’s complex motivations, separating the man from the myth and providing a balanced look at his personal failings and professional triumphs. This book illuminates the intertwined histories of exploration, religion, and colonial ambition in the 19th century. -
Tudor England by S. T. Bindoff
Part of the esteemed Pelican History of England series, this volume offers a succinct yet comprehensive overview of the transformative period ruled by the Tudor dynasty (1485–1603). Bindoff covers the religious upheavals of the Reformation, the political machinations of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and the profound cultural and social changes that solidified England's position as a major European power. It is a crucial text for understanding the foundations of the modern English state. -
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke (Edited by A. D. Woozley)
A cornerstone of Western philosophy and empiricism, Locke’s work systematically explores the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge, famously rejecting the notion of innate ideas. He posits that the mind is a tabula rasa (blank slate) at birth, shaped entirely by experience through sensation and reflection. This influential text redefined epistemology and laid the foundation for subsequent enlightenment thought. -
England in the Seventeenth Century by Maurice Ashley
This volume explores the tumultuous era of the Stuart monarchs, encompassing the Civil War, the Interregnum under Cromwell, and the Glorious Revolution. Ashley analyzes the deep religious, social, and political divisions that repeatedly led to conflict between the crown and Parliament. It provides a clear examination of how England transitioned from an absolute monarchy toward a constitutional system. -
Industry and Empire by E. J. Hobsbawm
A masterful work of economic and social history, Hobsbawm analyzes Britain's trajectory from the Industrial Revolution through to the mid-20th century, exploring its rise as the world's first industrial power and its subsequent relative decline. He examines the massive societal shifts driven by technological change, the emergence of the working class, and the role of empire in sustaining economic growth. This is a critical perspective on the forces that shaped modern Britain. -
Magic, Science and Religion and Other Essays by Bronislaw Malinowski
This collection features some of the most important essays by one of the 20th century's most influential anthropologists, focusing on the functionalist perspective of culture. Malinowski dissects the ways that different belief systems—magic, religious ritual, and empirical science—fulfill necessary psychological and social needs within society. The essays are key texts for understanding the structure and function of non-Western societal practices. -
The Fatal Impact by Alan Moorehead
Moorehead chronicles the profound and often tragic consequences of European contact on the isolated indigenous societies of the South Pacific, specifically focusing on the period 1767–1840. He vividly describes the initial encounters, led primarily by figures like Captain Cook, and meticulously documents the subsequent rapid decline of native populations and cultures due to disease and exploitation. This powerful history is a stark account of colonialism's destructive ecological and human toll. -
Social Inequality edited by André Béteille
An edited collection of sociological writings that explores the theoretical and empirical dimensions of social stratification across various cultures and historical periods. The essays examine different forms of inequality—class, caste, status, and power—and analyze how these structures are maintained and challenged within societies. This volume provides a comprehensive framework for understanding persistent differences in social standing and access to resources. -
A London Girl of the 1880s by M. V. Hughes
This memoir offers a rare and charming firsthand account of growing up female in middle-class London during the late Victorian era. Hughes recounts her daily life, education, and observations of the rigid social customs and domestic expectations of the time. It provides invaluable insight into the details of 19th-century urban life and the evolving roles of women before the turn of the century. -
Victorian People: A Reassessment of Persons and Themes 1851–67 by Asa Briggs
Asa Briggs provides a masterful exploration of the mid-Victorian period, focusing on the individuals and movements that defined the era of the Great Exhibition. He uses portraits of key figures—from industrialists to reformers—to examine the social structure, intellectual debates, and political currents shaping Britain. This social history captures the dynamism and contradictions inherent in the age of Victorian progress and anxiety. -
The Unbound Prometheus by David S. Landes
This influential work analyzes the technological changes and industrial development that swept Western Europe from 1750 to the present, focusing on the mechanics and implications of long-term economic growth. Landes meticulously examines the successive waves of innovation and institutional changes that transformed production and standards of living across the continent. It provides a comprehensive economic history of the modern world, explaining how industrial mastery became concentrated in the West.
Genre: Fiction
Secondhand History Bargain Book Box
his carefully curated collection ranges from the philosophical inquiries of John Locke and the economic analysis of Adam Smith to intimate social histories of Victorian London and powerful reportage on 20th-century American dissent. Explore the far reaches of the Pacific, the heart of colonial Trinidad, and the development of modern thought with these comprehensive and intellectually stimulating works. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.
-
The Legend of the Nineties by Vance Palmer
This classic of Australian literary and social history captures the spirit and defining characteristics of the 1890s, a crucial decade that shaped the nation’s identity and cultural landscape. Palmer explores the emergence of unique Australian values, the rise of nationalism, and the vibrant literary movements that flowered at the turn of the century. It provides a foundational understanding of the period often seen as the cradle of modern Australian consciousness. -
The Armies of the Night by Norman Mailer
A landmark work of New Journalism, Mailer reports on the 1967 March on the Pentagon protesting the Vietnam War, blending memoir, history, and sharp political analysis. The narrative oscillates between the chaos of the demonstration and Mailer’s own shifting consciousness as a participant and observer. It captures the explosive atmosphere of American radicalism and the clash between generations during the turbulent Sixties. -
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
This foundational text in classical economics explores the principles that govern the accumulation of wealth, famously introducing concepts like the division of labor and the "invisible hand." Smith argues for free markets and limited government intervention, laying the groundwork for modern capitalism. It remains an essential philosophical and economic treatise on prosperity and trade. -
Ancient Voyagers in the Pacific by Andrew Sharp
Sharp challenges conventional theories regarding the prehistoric settlement of Polynesia, arguing that long-distance voyages were often accidental drift rather than deliberate, planned navigation. This scholarly work scrutinizes the limitations of primitive seafaring technology and offers a critical perspective on the skills and knowledge of early Pacific islanders. It is a controversial and detailed study of anthropological maritime history. -
The Loss of El Dorado by V. S. Naipaul
Naipaul delves into the brutal and complex history of Trinidad, focusing on the Spanish search for the mythical city of El Dorado and the subsequent colonial conflicts. He traces the stories of Sir Walter Raleigh and a notorious slave revolt leader, linking these figures to the island's persistent themes of exploitation and failed utopian dreams. This narrative history explores how colonial legacies and persistent myths shape modern societies. -
Medieval Thought: St Augustine to Ockham by Gordon Leff
This intellectual history surveys the development of European philosophy and theology across the Middle Ages, tracing the transition from early Christian doctrine to scholasticism. Leff analyzes the major thinkers, from Augustine's synthesis of Christianity and Platonism to the nominalism of William of Ockham. It provides an essential guide to the ideas that underpinned medieval society and eventually paved the way for the Renaissance. -
Livingstone by Tim Jeal
A comprehensive and critical biography of David Livingstone, the famed missionary and explorer whose ventures opened up Central Africa to European knowledge and subsequent imperial designs. Jeal meticulously examines Livingstone’s complex motivations, separating the man from the myth and providing a balanced look at his personal failings and professional triumphs. This book illuminates the intertwined histories of exploration, religion, and colonial ambition in the 19th century. -
Tudor England by S. T. Bindoff
Part of the esteemed Pelican History of England series, this volume offers a succinct yet comprehensive overview of the transformative period ruled by the Tudor dynasty (1485–1603). Bindoff covers the religious upheavals of the Reformation, the political machinations of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and the profound cultural and social changes that solidified England's position as a major European power. It is a crucial text for understanding the foundations of the modern English state. -
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke (Edited by A. D. Woozley)
A cornerstone of Western philosophy and empiricism, Locke’s work systematically explores the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge, famously rejecting the notion of innate ideas. He posits that the mind is a tabula rasa (blank slate) at birth, shaped entirely by experience through sensation and reflection. This influential text redefined epistemology and laid the foundation for subsequent enlightenment thought. -
England in the Seventeenth Century by Maurice Ashley
This volume explores the tumultuous era of the Stuart monarchs, encompassing the Civil War, the Interregnum under Cromwell, and the Glorious Revolution. Ashley analyzes the deep religious, social, and political divisions that repeatedly led to conflict between the crown and Parliament. It provides a clear examination of how England transitioned from an absolute monarchy toward a constitutional system. -
Industry and Empire by E. J. Hobsbawm
A masterful work of economic and social history, Hobsbawm analyzes Britain's trajectory from the Industrial Revolution through to the mid-20th century, exploring its rise as the world's first industrial power and its subsequent relative decline. He examines the massive societal shifts driven by technological change, the emergence of the working class, and the role of empire in sustaining economic growth. This is a critical perspective on the forces that shaped modern Britain. -
Magic, Science and Religion and Other Essays by Bronislaw Malinowski
This collection features some of the most important essays by one of the 20th century's most influential anthropologists, focusing on the functionalist perspective of culture. Malinowski dissects the ways that different belief systems—magic, religious ritual, and empirical science—fulfill necessary psychological and social needs within society. The essays are key texts for understanding the structure and function of non-Western societal practices. -
The Fatal Impact by Alan Moorehead
Moorehead chronicles the profound and often tragic consequences of European contact on the isolated indigenous societies of the South Pacific, specifically focusing on the period 1767–1840. He vividly describes the initial encounters, led primarily by figures like Captain Cook, and meticulously documents the subsequent rapid decline of native populations and cultures due to disease and exploitation. This powerful history is a stark account of colonialism's destructive ecological and human toll. -
Social Inequality edited by André Béteille
An edited collection of sociological writings that explores the theoretical and empirical dimensions of social stratification across various cultures and historical periods. The essays examine different forms of inequality—class, caste, status, and power—and analyze how these structures are maintained and challenged within societies. This volume provides a comprehensive framework for understanding persistent differences in social standing and access to resources. -
A London Girl of the 1880s by M. V. Hughes
This memoir offers a rare and charming firsthand account of growing up female in middle-class London during the late Victorian era. Hughes recounts her daily life, education, and observations of the rigid social customs and domestic expectations of the time. It provides invaluable insight into the details of 19th-century urban life and the evolving roles of women before the turn of the century. -
Victorian People: A Reassessment of Persons and Themes 1851–67 by Asa Briggs
Asa Briggs provides a masterful exploration of the mid-Victorian period, focusing on the individuals and movements that defined the era of the Great Exhibition. He uses portraits of key figures—from industrialists to reformers—to examine the social structure, intellectual debates, and political currents shaping Britain. This social history captures the dynamism and contradictions inherent in the age of Victorian progress and anxiety. -
The Unbound Prometheus by David S. Landes
This influential work analyzes the technological changes and industrial development that swept Western Europe from 1750 to the present, focusing on the mechanics and implications of long-term economic growth. Landes meticulously examines the successive waves of innovation and institutional changes that transformed production and standards of living across the continent. It provides a comprehensive economic history of the modern world, explaining how industrial mastery became concentrated in the West.