Books published by Bodleian Library

The twentieth century has seen perhaps more political upheaval and change than any other period. This book draws together a unique collection of images of the individuals who influenced and shaped the course of the century in the political arena. The result is a fascinating and unique insight into the iconography of political power.

For nearly two hundred years, Mary Shelley's original text has lain dormant in the pages of her draft manuscript. This exciting new edition makes it possible to hear Mary's genuine voice for the very first time and shows the fascinating process whereby wife and husband collaborated on the first and most important work of science fiction.

In the totalitarian states of the twentieth century, state-sanctioned art performed a key function, giving visual dimension to abstract political ideology. This book presents fifty postcards from the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, Spain, and China, between 1920s and the 1970s, providing a fascinating look at the art of power and its expression.

The Bolshevik revolution of 1917 was one of the most important events of the 20th century. It has been studied from many angles, but never before from the visual perspective of postcards. This is a unique visual record capturing the fading splendour of monarchy and the mood of revolution which swept through the country.

The First World War was unique in being fought largely in trenches. Men ate, slept, fought, sang, prayed, and died there. This book brings together a collection of postcards which portray this strange subterranean world and provides a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of the men who fought one of the most gruesome wars in history.

Taking its title from Howard Carter's famous description of his first glimpse of the treasures of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, this book offers a timeless portrait of highlights representing the range of the Bodleian Library's unique collections.

Beautifully illustrated, this work brings to life a highly treasured personal book and the story behind its creation, use, loss, and rediscovery. It also explores St Margaret's life, her learning, piety, and place in Scottish history.

Hugh Crow was the captain of a slave-trading vessel which made one of the last legal journeys across the Atlantic with its 'human cargo'. This is a highly engaging, rare, first-hand account written by a staunch defender of the slave trade. Crow depicts himself as an enlightened practitioner of the trade, concerned with the welfare of his 'negroes'.

This book investigates the origins of the game of rugby and reproduces for the first time in a single book both the first rules of the game, drawn up at Rugby School in 1845 and the first rules of the Rugby Football Union, published in 1871.

1 million American soldiers passed through Australia between 1942 and 1945 as part of America's strategy to defeat Japan. In the pithy prose of the soldier's pocketbook series, this guide captures the essence of Australians, their vocabulary; their attitude to the Yanks, the British, the War and the world with remarkable humour.

From the tenant of 221b Baker Street to the Golden Age of detective writing between the wars, P.D. James shares her personal thoughts about a genre which has fascinated her for nearly fifty years as a novelist. Widely regarded as the queen of the detective novel, this book by P.D. James is sure to appeal to all aficionados of crime fiction.

Ralph Ayres was head cook at New College in the 1770s. This book is a fascinating insight into the eighteenth-century kitchen, a period of great interest to social and culinary historians, and includes recipes for famous dishes such as Quaking Pudding, and Oxford Sausages.

Who has fallen into the rain puddle? Is it plump hen, turkey gobbler, curly sheep or beautiful fat pig? When all the animals peer into the puddle at the same time, they see the entire farmyard underwater. This charming tale - ideal for reading out loud - captures perfectly the wonder of discovering the outside world for the first time.

This collection of essays offers an intimate history of Austen's art and life told through objects associated with her personally and with the era in which she lived. Her teenage notebooks, music albums, pelisse-coat, letters and the portraits made of her during her life all feature in this lavishly illustrated collection.

Vladimir Bobri's timeless illustrations bring to life a magical childhood world in a captivating story about make-believe and the transformative power of the elements.

In 1944 the British War Office distributed a handbook to British soldiers informing them what to expect and how to behave in a newly-liberated France. This book is an irresistible insight into British attitudes towards the French and an interesting, timeless commentary on Anglo-French relations.

This very special picture book, first printed in 1894, is an unusual and utterly enchanting ABC entirely devoted to the theme of Christmas. Each of the twenty-six images opens a window onto festive celebration, from the lighting of the candles on the tree, to bell-ringing, ice skating and making jam tarts.

This series of books draws on Tom Phillips' collection of over 50,000 photographic postcards. 'Bicycles' documents the great age of the safety bicycle which was the instrument of emancipation for women and freedom for men. Also we see competitive racers and pedalling toddlers.

Of all the rules governing sport, the laws of cricket are among the oldest. Those of 1744 survive uniquely on a piece of linen at the MCC Museum of Cricket, drawn up when gambling on cricket matches was rife. The story of the evolution of these laws and how they affected the game is a fascinating and seldom told chapter in the history of cricket.