Secondhand History & Military Bargain Book Box (15 Books) DSH1079

Secondhand History & Military Bargain Book Box (15 Books)

For the serious history buff, this collection offers a deep dive into the forces that shaped our world. Heavily weighted towards British and Australian history, this box covers centuries of warfare, politics, and culture—from the muddy trenches of the Civil War to the humidity of the Kokoda Track and the shadows of modern espionage.

1. A History of Europe by J.M. Roberts This is narrative history at its grandest. Roberts delivers a sweeping masterpiece that traces the development of European civilization from the earliest Stone Age settlements to the complexities of the modern era. It’s an essential volume for understanding the political, social, and cultural DNA of the continent.
2. The Voyages of Captain Cook by Rex and Thea Rienits Step aboard for one of history's greatest adventures. This beautifully illustrated account chronicles the three legendary voyages of James Cook, detailing the high-seas drama, the encounters with indigenous cultures, and the scientific discoveries that mapped the Pacific and changed the world forever.
3. The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain edited by Kenneth O. Morgan Consider this the definitive single-volume guide to the British Isles. Written by a team of leading historians, it weaves together two thousand years of history—from the Roman occupation to the late 20th century—accompanied by maps and artwork that bring the past to life.
4. A New History of England 410-1975 by L.C.B. Seaman Prepare to have your assumptions challenged. Seaman offers a sharp, often revisionist look at English history, dismantling popular myths and offering fresh, critical perspectives on the events and figures that truly defined the nation.
5. Wellington: A Personal History by Christopher Hibbert Beyond the uniform and the triumph of Waterloo lies a complex, fascinating man. Hibbert’s biography delves into the Iron Duke’s private life, exploring his difficult marriage, his personal passions, and his second act as a politician to reveal the human being behind the military legend.
6. Number 10: The Private Lives of Six Prime Ministers by Terence Feely What happens when the cabinet doors close? Based on the acclaimed television series, this book offers intimate portraits of six British Prime Ministers, exposing the secrets, the power struggles, and the private burdens of living at the world’s most famous address.
7. A Bastard of a Place: The Australians in Papua by Peter Brune Gritty, harrowing, and deeply moving, this is the story of the Australian soldiers who fought in the "green hell" of Papua. Brune vividly captures the desperation of the Kokoda Track and the battles of Milne Bay and Gona, honoring the resilience of the men who held the line in WWII.
8. World Conflicts by Patrick Brogan A crucial guide for understanding the modern world, this book analyzes the wars, insurgencies, and flashpoints that have plagued the globe since 1945. It provides vital context for the bloodshed in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa that continues to shape geopolitics today.
9. The Golden Age: A History of the Colony of Victoria 1851-1861 by Geoffrey Serle Travel back to the explosive decade of the gold rushes, when wealth and immigrants flooded into Australia. Serle’s classic work captures the manic energy that transformed Victoria from a quiet pastoral settlement into a vibrant, modern colony almost overnight.
10. An Illustrated Cultural History of England by F.E. Halliday This volume looks beyond the battles to the soul of a nation. It explores England’s artistic and intellectual heritage, celebrating the literature, architecture, painting, and music that flourished throughout the centuries.
11. Warrior Race: A History of the British at War by Lawrence James Is warfare the defining trait of the British? Lawrence James argues that it might be. This provocative history examines how centuries of conflict—from defending the island to expanding an empire—forged the British national identity.
12. Roden Cutler, V.C. by Colleen McCullough Written by one of Australia’s most beloved novelists, this is the biography of a true national hero. McCullough tells the story of Sir Roden Cutler, from his incredible bravery in World War II that earned him the Victoria Cross to his distinguished service as the longest-serving Governor of New South Wales.
13. History of the Great Civil War: Volume Three (1647-49) by S.R. Gardiner A classic work of scholarship for the dedicated historian. This volume zooms in on the chaotic final years of the English Civil War, detailing the political maneuvering that led to the unthinkable: the trial and execution of King Charles I.
14. Ghost Plane: The Untold Story of the CIA's Torture Programme by Stephen Grey A chilling piece of investigative journalism that exposes the dark side of the War on Terror. Grey tracks the secret flights and "black sites" of the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program, shining a light on a world of shadow justice and state-sanctioned kidnapping.
15. The Crucible of War: Wavell's Command by Barrie Pitt For fans of military strategy, this is a detailed account of the early years of WWII in the Middle East. Focusing on General Wavell, it dissects the initial British campaigns against Italian and German forces in the unforgiving deserts of North Africa.