If Rome Hadn't Fallen - How the Survival of Rome Might Have Changed World History

Timothy Venning

Sinossi

This is a fascinating exploration of how the history of Europe, and indeed the world, might have been different if the Western Roman Empire had survived the crises that pulled it apart in the 4th and 5th centuries. Dr. Timothy Venning starts by showing how that survival and recovery might plausibly have happened if several relatively minor things had been different. He then moves on to discuss a series of scenarios which might have altered the course of subsequent history dramatically. Would the survival of a strong Western Empire have assisted the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire in halting the expansion of Islam in the Middle East and North Africa? How would the Western Roman Empire have handled the Viking threat? Could they even have exploited the Viking discovery of America and established successful colonies there? While necessarily speculative, all the scenarios are discussed within the framework of a deep understanding of the major driving forces, tensions and trends that shaped European history and help to shed light upon them. In so doing they help the reader to understand why things panned out as they did, as well as what might have been.

Disponibile da: 05/10/2011.

Lunghezza di stampa: 224 pagine.

Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

Verity Creek

Brian Byrne

Ian Sullivan, a studious and dutiful thirteen-year-old, finds solace and escape from the baking heat of the Australian outback by immersing himself in classic works of fiction. At first, he thinks he has found a kindred spirit when Anthony Messina, the son of the new town butcher, joins St. Kieran’s for the start of the 1963 school year. And as a bonus, Anthony’s sister Sophia seems to like him as well. 
While the little Queensland town of Verity Creek embraces the new butcher, Ian gradually realizes that something is very wrong in the Messina home. Normally Ian would turn to his parents for guidance, but he feels directly responsible for two tragedies that may tear his family apart. He is certain his parents want to deal with him as little as possible.  
Ian is closest to his older sister Mary, but she is over four hundred miles away. Mary sings the praises of the nuns at her boarding school in Townsville so when Ian realizes that Sophia is in real danger, he convinces her that they need to escape and find sanctuary at St. Brigid’s.  
In the year when his life turns upside down, Ian learns that figuring out what’s true and then doing what’s right are the hardest things about growing up.

Mostra libro

When Johnny Came Marching Home

William Heffernan

Trapped in what appears to be an endless bloodbath - vividly presented with Heffernan's meticulous historical research - three boys gradually begin to change until their close-knit childhood ties are little more than a fractured memory. By war's end, one boy is dead, one returns a physically crippled and emotionally compromised man, and the third comes home as an unfeeling psychopath. The novel turns on the subsequent murder of the psychopath, and the offer of redemption for the wounded young man who must investigate the crime. When Johnny Came Marching Home is a story about war, and how it affects the lives of all who become a part of it, both directly and peripherally.

Mostra libro

Legacy of Mercy ( Book #2)

Lynn Austin

Having returned to Chicago, young socialite Anna Nicholson can't seem to focus on her upcoming marriage. The new information she's learned about her birth mother continues to pull at her, and she hires Pinkerton detectives to help her find the truth. But as she meets people who once knew her mother and hears stories about the past, Anna soon discovers that some secrets are better left hidden.At the same time, unflattering stories about Anna are leaked by someone who would love to see her disgraced and her engagement broken. And as Anna tries to share her faith with her society friends, she understands that her choice to seek God's purpose for her life isn't as simple as she had hoped.When things are at their darkest, Anna knows she can turn to her grandmother, Geesje de Jonge, back in Holland, Michigan. Geesje's been helping new Dutch immigrants, including a teen with a haunted past, adjust to America. She only hopes that her wisdom can help all these young people through the turmoil they face.

Mostra libro

Waverley Volume 1

Sir Walter Scott

Waverley is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, which sought to restore the Stuart dynasty in the person of Charles Edward Stuart (or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'). It relates the story of a young dreamer and English soldier, Edward Waverley, who was sent to Scotland in 1745. He journeys North from his aristocratic family home, Waverley-Honour, in the south of England first to the Scottish Lowlands and the home of family friend Baron Bradwardine, then into the Highlands and the heart of the 1745 Jacobite uprising and aftermath. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Mostra libro

Burning Daylight

Jack London

Burning Daylight, Jack London's fictional novel published in 1910, was one of the best selling books of that year and it was his best selling book in his lifetime.The novel takes place in the Yukon Territory in 1893. The main character, nicknamed Burning Daylight was the most successful entrepreneur of the Alaskan Gold Rush. The story of the main character was partially based upon the life of Oakland entrepreneur "Borax" Smith.

Mostra libro

Moriarty Brings Down the House

Anna Castle

An old friend brings a strange problem to Professor and Mrs. Moriarty: either his theater is being haunted by an angry ghost or someone is trying to drive him into bankruptcy. That would shut down his Christmas pantomime before it opens, throwing two hundred people out of work. The Moriartys can’t let that happen! Besides, Angelina is longing to play the lead in a West End show and James needs a bigger challenge than yet another high-stakes game of whist. 
But the day they move into the theater, the stage manager dies. It wasn’t an accident; it also was most definitely not a ghost. While Angelina works backstage turning up secrets and old grudges, James follows the money in search of a motive. The pranks grow deadlier and more frequent. Then someone sets Sherlock Holmes on the trail, trying to catch our sleuths crossing the line into crime. 
How far will Moriarty have to go to keep the show afloat? And will they all make it to opening night in one piece?

Mostra libro