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History & Society

History books allow you to travel back in time. They let you discover a whole different era than our own with different lifestyles, morale compases and crises. To understand history is to understand, who you are, and what you come from. It is the foundation of today’s society and culture. In Tales’ selection of history and society books you can investigate both religion, mythologies, and wars with competent authors and scholars giving their interpretation of how events happened as they did and how we ended up with today’s society. Are you ready to get wiser of both past and present?
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  • Save 27%
    - Captures the Full Meaning Behind the Original Greek and Hebrew
    by Zondervan Publishing
    £21.99

    This newly revised edition of the Amplified Bible is better than ever to study and understand, and is also offered in a convenient Thinline size with 12-point large-print font---a Bible that is perfect for your customers who desire maximum readability and maximum comprehension in softcover format.

  • Save 20%
    - Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart
    by Tara Brach
    £11.99

    How do you cope when facing life-threatening illness, family conflict, faltering relationships, old trauma, obsessive thinking, overwhelming emotion or inevitable loss? This book offers a practical guide to finding our inner sanctuary of peace and wisdom in the midst of difficulty.

  • Save 15%
    by Jeffrey Brown
    £10.99

    The hilarious sequel to the international bestseller Darth Vader and Son, following the parenting adventures of Darth Vader as he raises his teenage daughter, Princess Leia.

  • Save 15%
    - How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World
    by Lewis Hyde
    £10.99

    Introduced by Margaret Atwood

  • Save 15%
    - The original SAS story
    by Andy McNab
    £10.99

    In January 1991, eight members of SAS regiment embarked upon a top secret mission that was to infiltrate them deep behind enemy lines. Under the command of Sergeant Andy McNab, they were to sever the underground communication link between Baghdad and north-west Iraq, and to seek and destroy mobile Scud launchers. Their call sign: Bravo Two Zero.

  • Save 15%
    - The Revolutionary New Approach to Reading the Monuments
    by Bill Manley
    £10.99

    Presents a fresh approach to reading ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, this introduction assumes no previous knowledge of grammar or ancient languages, but guides readers through the inscriptions, from simple to more complex, supported by full explanations and translations. It explains the mysteries of hieroglyphs without jargon or technical terms.

  • Save 32%
    by Christian Louboutin
    £77.99

    An extraordinary monograph created by Christian Louboutin, renowned for his beautifully crafted handmade shoes, in particular his elegantly sexy stilettos. This stunning volume, with a fanciful and intricate pop-up, an elaborate foldout cover, and dramatic still-life photography, evokes the artistry and theatricality of Louboutin's shoe designs.Celebrated for his vertiginously high stilettos with their signature lacquer-red soles, Louboutin has achieved cult status with celebrities as well as fashionistas. His eclectic and exotic designs, often incorporating feathers, beads, and sequins, are a constant and dramatic presence on the red carpet and in nightclubs and restaurants the world over.Louboutin's first book, this monograph highlights the extraordinary range of his couture, from his iconic and glamorous creations to his fetishistic pieces, including his collaborations with David Lynch, meant more for the bedroom than the street. New photography captures Louboutin's artistic sensibilities, while an in-depth interview reveals Louboutin's life, travels, and inspirations, presenting a very personal look at the man behind the shoes. A work of art in itself, with a five-piece foldout binding and a pop-up, Christian Louboutin is an enticing and revelatory look at the most important luxury shoe designer of our day.The book is divided into six chapters. The first chapter covers Louboutin's biography, his start as a designer from his work for Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent to his first boutique in 1992, and his early creations and influences illustrated with many never-seen-before photos from his personal archives; chapter two features the Louboutin boutiques around the world showcasing the varied and extravagant interior designs and displays; chapter three is "20 years of design" and highlights his shoe designs from over the years with all-new still-life photography, as well as editorial art; chapter four features the spectacular interiors of Louboutin's homes in Paris and Luxor, Egypt, and behind-the-scenes shots from his studios and workshops; chapter five focuses on his creative collaborations with David Lynch, of a series called "Fetish," of limited-edition shoes by Louboutin and limited-edition photos by Lynch; chapter six is a complete catalogue raisonne of his work, with photos of all 120 shoe designs.

  • Save 21%
    by Toby Wilkinson
    £13.49

    The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt is an absorbing masterpiece penned by renowned author Toby Wilkinson. Published in 2011 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, this book is a fascinating journey into the world of Ancient Egypt. The book offers a deep exploration into the rise and fall of one of the most enduring and intriguing civilizations in history. Wilkinson, with his profound knowledge of the subject, takes readers on an enthralling ride through the sands of time, revealing the captivating stories of pharaohs, pyramids, and the Nile. The narrative is filled with intriguing details about the culture, politics, and daily life of Ancient Egypt. Wilkinson's vivid storytelling and meticulous research make this book a must-read for history enthusiasts. If you're keen on immersing yourself in the mesmerizing world of Ancient Egypt, this book is your perfect companion. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt, a publication of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, is a testament to Toby Wilkinson's prowess as a historian and an author.

  • Save 10%
    by Simone Weil
    £17.99

    Simone Weil, the French philosopher, political activist, and religious mystic, was little known when she died in 1943. The aphorisms in this book reflect the religious philosophy of Weil's last years. This book shows why critics have called Weil "a great soul who might have become a saint" and "the outsider as saint, in an age of alienation".

  • Save 21%
    by Niccolo Machiavelli
    £9.49

    With simple prose and straightforward logic, this book offers lessons for managers and business leaders. It is suitable reading for anyone in the realm of business or politics.

  • - For Artists, Designers, Poets and Designers
    by Leonard Koren
    £21.49

    An updated version of the classic volume on the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.

  • Save 21%
    - The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-95
    by Joe Sacco
    £14.99

    In late 1995 and early 1996, cartoonist/reporter Joe Sacco travelled four times to Gorazde, a UN-designated safe area during the Bosnian War, which had teetered on the brink of obliteration for three and a half years.

  • by Karl Marx
    £5.99

    Critically and textually up-to-date, this new edition of the classic translation (Samuel Moore, 1888) features an introduction and notes by the eminent Marx scholar David McLellan, prefaces written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels subsequent to the original 1848 publication, and corrections of errors made in earlier versions. Regarded as one of the most influential political tracts ever written, The Communist Manifesto serves as the foundation document of the Marxist movement. This summary of the Marxist vision is an incisive account of the world-view Marx and Engels had evolved during their hectic intellectual and political collaboration of the previous few years.

  • Save 15%
    by Dr Susan Forward
    £10.99

    Millions of lives are damaged by the legacy of parental abuse. This title confronts this painful legacy and shows why it is so difficult to put the past behind you. The author offers alternatives for freeing yourself from the patterns of your relationships with your parents.

  • by Satyananda Saraswati
    £23.49

    Almost certainly the most detailed and practical work available dealing with two of the most fundamental concepts of Tantra, namely Kundalini and the Chakras. Section 1 outlines all aspects of the theory of Kundalini and its awakening. Section 2 is an in-depth study of the Chakra system. Section 3 systematically outlines the practices involved for working with the Chakras as well as fully detailing the previously unpublished practices of Kriya Yoga. Section 4 concerns itself with scientific and medical research into the subject. An essential work for students of Yoga and Tantra.

  • Save 10%
    - Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason
    by Sam Harris
    £8.99

    Beautifully written, accessible and provocative, THE END OF FAITH is an impassioned plea for reason in a world divided by faith.

  • Save 23%
    - The Shamanic Journey to Nature and Your Soul's True Purpose
    by Bill Plotkin
    £15.49

  • - Dogs, People, and Significant Otherness
    by Donna J. Haraway
    £11.49

    "The Companion Species Manifesto" is about the implosion of nature and culture in the joint lives of dogs and people, who are bonded in "significant otherness". In all their historical complexity, Donna Haraway tells us, dogs matter. They are not surrogates for theory, she says; they are not here just to think with.

  • Save 19%
    - Original Edition
    by John Rawls
    £27.49

    Though the revised edition of A Theory of Justice, published in 1999, is the definitive statement of John Rawls's view, much of the extensive literature on his theory refers to the first edition. This reissue makes it once again available for scholars and serious students of Rawls's work.

  • by Karl Marx
    £3.49

  • Save 24%
    - With Over 150 Photographs by Jane English
    by Lao Tzu
    £15.99

    For nearly two generations, this bestselling translation of the Tao Te Ching has been the standard for those seeking access to the wisdom of Taoist thought. Now Jane English and her long-time editor, Toinette Lippe, have refreshed and revised the translation, so that it more faithfully reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was first written, while taking into account changes in our own language and eliminating any lingering infelicities. This beautiful oversized edition features over a hundred new photographs by Jane English that help express the vast spirit of the Tao. Also included is an introduction by the well-known writer and scholar of philosophy and comparative religion, Jacob Needleman. Lao Tsu's philosophy is simple: Accept what is in front of you without wanting the situation to be other than it is. Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try to change what is only sets up resistance. Nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks. It does so without discrimination. So let us present the same face to everyone and treat them all as equals, however they may behave. If we watch carefully, we will see that work proceeds more quickly and easily if we stop "trying," if we stop putting in so much extra effort, if we stop looking for results. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. Te-which may be translated as "virtue" or "strength"-lies always in Tao meaning "the way" or "natural law." In other words: Simply be.

  • Save 27%
    by Marie-Louise Von Franz
    £23.49

    A renowned psychologist examines fairy tales through a Jungian lens, revealing what they can teach us about the darkest parts of human behavior and thinkingFairy tales seem to be innocent stories, yet they contain profound lessons for those who would dive deep into their waters of meaning. In this book, Marie-Louise von Franz uncovers some of the important lessons concealed in tales from around the world, drawing on the wealth of her knowledge of folklore, her experience as a psychoanalyst and a collaborator with Jung, and her great personal wisdom. Among the many topics discussed in relation to the dark side of life and human psychology, both individual and collective, are:• How different aspects of the "shadow"-all the affects and attitudes that are unconscious to the ego personality-are personified in the giants and monsters, ghosts, and demons, evil kings, and wicked witches of fairy tales• How problems of the shadow manifest differently in men and women• What fairy tales say about the kinds of behavior and attitudes that invite evil• How Jung's technique of Active imagination can be used to overcome overwhelming negative emotions• How ghost stories and superstitions reflect the psychology of grieving• What fairy tales advise us about whether to struggle against evil or turn the other cheekDr. von Franz concludes that every rule of behavior that we can learn from the unconscious through fairy tales and dreams is usually a paradox: sometimes there must be a physical struggle against evil and sometimes a contest of wits, sometimes a display of strength or magic and sometimes a retreat. Above all, she shows the importance of relying on the central, authentic core of our being-the innermost Self, which is beyond the struggle between the opposites of good and evil.

  • Save 23%
    - The War Memoirs of Hilter's Most Brilliant General
    by Erich Manstein
    £16.99

    Field Marshal Erich von Manstein described his book as a personal narrative of a soldier, discussing only those matters that had direct bearing on events in the military field. The essential thing, as he wrote, is to "know how the main personalities thought and reacted to events." This is what he tells us in this book.

  • Save 24%
    - The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga
    by Arthur Avalon
    £15.99

  • Save 15%
    by Mark Kurlansky
    £10.99

    'Who would ever think that a book on cod would make a compulsive read? In a story that brings world history and human passions into captivating focus, he shows how the most profitable fish in history is today faced with extinction.

  • by Neil Postman
    £9.99

  • Save 21%
    by Anne Carson
    £13.49

    In her first collection in five years, Anne Carson contemplates 'decreation' - an activity described by Simone Weil as 'undoing the creature in us' - an undoing of self. Where else can we start?Anne Carson's Decreation starts with form - the undoing of form.

  • Save 15%
    by Karen Armstrong
    £10.99

    The idea of a single devine being - God, Yahweh, Allah - has existed for over 4,000 years. A controversial, extraordinary story of worship and war, A History of God confronts the most fundamental fact - or fiction - of our lives.

  • Save 21%
    - Ancient Chinese wisdom to inspire and enlighten
    by Richard Wilhelm
    £14.99

    Covers "I Ching" - a book of oracles containing the whole of human experience.

  • - The Reinvention of Nature
    by Donna Haraway
    £22.49

    Donna Haraway analyses accounts, narratives, and stories of the creation of nature, living organisms, and cyborgs (cybernetic components); showing how deeply cultural assumptions penetrate into allegedly value-neutral medical research.

History
The concept history covers a large range of topics all with its different focus. On top of Tales’ history books list, you find history books giving their in-depth view of some of World History’s most tragic events in modern time - World War 1 and World War 2. The two world wars affected most of the world and so many people lost their lives to them - both soldiers and civilians. The wars changed the world forever, and to understand how and why you need to dive into one of our many brilliant history books about the historic wars, giving you all the analysis and nuances you need - because we all know history books best, when they are thorough and give us new perspectives on historical events. 
If you instead are interested in politics during different historical periods, our selection of history books also contains that. The political system of a nation is a defining factor for how the citizens are treated and what conditions of life they have. The political factors can also lead to crises and wars, and in that way politics can make its mark on a whole historical era, but it can also lead to better times, giving the citizens better conditions and possibilities of social mobility. If you are interested, you will find all the history books in english right here. 
If you want to travel back to the fascinating Antiquity you should try reading the classics The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer. However they can be hard to understand in their original form. That is why we recommend you to dive into Stephen Fry’s fascinating interpretations of the antic classics. The works of the Antic Greeks, especially Homer, have that special kind of universality that all the classics refer to, even though the lyrics are about ancient mythological heroes such as Achilleus and Heracles (better known as Hercules) and their challenging adventures. The historical tales leave the reader with universal morales of life. In Stephen Fry’s version called Heroes the tales are giving a modern language and new relevans - especially for young people. 
It is also important to teach your kids about our common history and that is why you also find history books for kids in Tales’ wide selection. 

Society
A society is formed by a community of individuals and has gone through many changes throughout history. The history of our society has gone through many different stages, and in order to contain this diversity Tales’ collection has a rich amount of societal books from different time periods. You can find society books concerning and analyzing all from the traditional society, the modern society, and the post-modern society to the humanistic society. 

Educational textbooks
If you study history or social science Tales’ collection of History and Society is the perfect place to find your next educational textbook. History is one of the most important humanistic disciplines educating the future historians and museum inspectors. Without historians there will be nobody to investigate the historical data and texts and no one to evaluate them critically, and most importantly there would be no one to arrange history and the historical sources. Without them we would in fact lack a lot of vital information about who we are and what we come from, and we would not have the same ability to learn from history, which would be a great loss. That is why you need to start your journey as a history student in Tales’ selection of history books. 
Social science is also a cornerstone in understanding who we are and why we act as we act. As a social science student you should dive into our selection of societal books in order to get inspired for your next case study. 

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