Colin Wells Books

During the American Revolution, poetry served as a powerful tool in the cultural and political landscape, rivaling the influence of firearms. This book explores how poets engaged in a literary battle against politicians and journalists, utilizing their craft to comment on and influence political events. By analyzing hundreds of poems, it highlights the significant public role of poetry in shaping discourse and illustrates the dynamic interplay between political conflict and poetic expression in the early republic.

Set against a backdrop of historical upheaval, this intellectual adventure traverses diverse landscapes, including the deserts of Arabia and the forests of northern Russia. It explores the vibrant towns of Renaissance Italy while capturing the tension of a city facing its last moments under siege. The narrative weaves together themes of knowledge, culture, and survival, offering a captivating journey through time and geography.

Exploring the evolution of history as a discipline, this book presents a vibrant biography of historical thought, highlighting key historians and their influential works. It traces history's transformation from a minor genre in ancient Greece to a cornerstone of Western civilization, examining its dual roots in epic poetry and science. Wells emphasizes the ongoing debate over history's legitimacy and the shift from scientific to narrative approaches in historical writing. This engaging exploration is essential for anyone curious about our understanding of the past.

This history of the Roman Empire has three purposes: to describe what was happening in the central administration of the Empire; to indicate how life went on in Italy and the provinces, in the towns, countryside and army camps; and to show how these two different worlds impinged on each other.