Roy Adkins Books

A unique and thrilling narrative which uncovers the lives of the heroes of Nelson's navy

A fully updated and revised edition of this bestselling guide to British Archaeology.

This is the true story of the Battle of Trafalgar, Britain's most significant sea battle. Trafalgar set the seal on British naval supremacy, and in the short term not only prevented Napoleon from invading Britain, but also enabled Britain and its continental allies to mount a campaign to defeat him. Originally published: London: Little, Brown, 2004.

As France emerged from revolution, a young general named Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt, hoping next to march overland to India. It would not happen. Britain swung her forces into action to battle for control of the world's sea-lanes and thus all international trade. The Battle of the Nile and then at Acre were the first sallies in what would be fifteen years of bitter fighting. It was a war won at sea, and by the time of Waterloo Britain had gained control and possessed the foundations of her vast empire. Brought vividly to life through the words and stories of the ordinary people caught up in the conflict, this is a sweeping history of the years of naval warfare that set the balance of power in Europe for the following century. Taking in gallant duels, bloody battles between huge fleets, amphibious assaults, daring coastal raids, and the subtleties of espionage and naval intelligence, this global conflict truly was THE WAR FOR ALL THE OCEANS.

A simple introduction to Egyptian hieroglyphs designed for the complete beginner. This book aims to make the basics of hieroglyphs easy to understand. Explaining briefly the history and development of the language, it then gives the Egyptian alphabet and shows how simple it is to spell your own name using hieroglyphs.

A cultural portrait of everyday life in Regency England and the world of Jane Austen draws on contemporary sources to depict how everyday people shared experiences ranging from marriage and sexuality to health care and religion

Exploring the intricacies of daily life during Regency England, this book provides an authoritative insight into the social customs, fashion, and culture that influenced Jane Austen's novels. The authors, known for their expertise, delve into the era's unique characteristics, offering readers a rich understanding of the historical context that shaped Austen's beloved characters and stories. This engaging narrative serves as both a historical reference and a companion to Austen's work.

A landmark book that charts humanity's changing relationship with birds - from the ancient Egyptians to the 21st century.

For over three and a half years, from 1779 to 1783, the tiny territory of Gibraltar was besieged and blockaded, on land and at sea, by the overwhelming forces of Spain and France. It became the longest siege in British history, and the obsession with saving Gibraltar was blamed for the loss of the American colonies in the War of Independence. Located between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, on the very edge of Europe, Gibraltar was a place of varied nationalities, languages, religions and social classes. During the siege, thousands of soldiers, civilians and their families withstood terrifying bombardments, starvation and diseases. Very ordinary people lived through extraordinary events, from shipwrecks and naval battles to an attempted invasion of England and a daring sortie out of Gibraltar into Spain. Deadly innovations included red-hot shot, shrapnel shells and a barrage from immense floating batteries. This is military and social history at its best, a story of soldiers, sailors and civilians, with royalty and rank-and-file, workmen and engineers, priests, prisoners-of-war, spies and surgeons, all caught up in a struggle for a fortress located on little more than two square miles of awe-inspiring rock. Gibraltar: The Greatest Siege in British History is an epic page-turner, rich in dramatic human detail - a tale of courage, endurance, intrigue, desperation, greed and humanity. The everyday experiences of all those involved are brought vividly to life with eyewitness accounts and expert research.

Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic War, this gripping narrative details the intense and violent sea battles that defined the era. The author, known for his bestselling works, brings to life the strategic maneuvers and fierce confrontations on the high seas, offering readers a vivid portrayal of naval warfare. With a focus on historical accuracy and dramatic storytelling, this account immerses readers in the chaos and heroism of maritime conflict during one of history's most tumultuous periods.