Conceptually Confused: Justin Marozzi’s Islamic Empires

Anatomy of Battle: Helm’s Deep

Old Systems, New Beginnings: Empires and Exchanges in Eurasian Late Antiquity

A Light in the Dark Ages: Chris Wickham’s The Inheritance of Rome

Political Commentary from the Ancients, or, Musings During Election Week

Civilization: Withstanding the Test of Time (With A Few Dark Ages)

Failure of Analysis: Philip Bobbitt’s The Shield of Achilles

Episodic History: Bryan’s Picks

Crucible of the World: Peter Frankopan’s The Silk Roads