Jonathan Fenby Books

A revelatory history of World War II, told entirely through visually stunning state-of-the-art infographics. World War II: Infographics tells the story of the great conflict through graphic design. The mass of data available about World War II has never been as large as it is now, yet it has become extraordinarily complicated to interpret it in a meaningful way, and to share that analysis with the public. Infographics allow data to be comprehensible to the general reader while still satisfying demands for the rigorous approach of a historian. The result is breathtaking. For the first time, it is possible to easily connect the dots between various interrelated aspects of World War II that were previously examined separately. Encompassing the conflict from its roots to aftermath, this book covers more than sixty themes, including arms production, Operation Barbarossa, how America took back the Pacific, and the Nazi concentration-camp system. The result is an extraordinary new approach to World War II, which is sure to appeal to those looking for an overview of the war and to history buffs alike.

In 1850, China was the 'sick man of Asia'. Now it is set to become the most powerful nation on earth. For 150 years China has endured as victim of oppression, war and famine. This title shows how turbulent that journey has been.

A magisterial, sweeping biography of one of the great leaders of the 20thcentury -- General Charles De Gaulle

In 1850, China was the 'sick man of Asia'. Now it is set to become the most powerful nation on earth. The Penguin History of Modern China shows how turbulent that journey has been. For 150 years China has endured as victim of oppression, war and famine. This makes its current position as arguably the most important global superpower all the more extraordinary. Jonathan Fenby's comprehensive account is the definitive guide to this remarkable transformation.

In 1850, China was the 'sick man of Asia'. Now it is set to become the most powerful nation on earth.The Penguin History of Modern China shows how turbulent that journey has been. For 150 years China has endured as victim to brutality on an unmatched scale, to oppression, to war and to famine. This makes its current position as the newest and, arguably, most important global superpower all the more extraordinary. Jonathan Fenby's clear and comprehensive account of China's recent past is the definitive guide to this remarkable transformation.

A detailed overview of China's contributions to the natural, artistic, and technological worlds features writings by a range of academic experts and pays tribute to such innovations as the compass, gunpowder, and printing, in a visual guide that documents both famous and lesser-known attributes. 12,000 first printing.

The first important English-language chronicle of the Chinese warlord who lost mainland China to Mao during the Communist Revolution reconstructs his fascinating rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s, his struggles for power during World War II, and his subsequent drubbing at the hands of the Communists. Reprint.

Acomplete and coherent picture of China by a world expert on the subject

With the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the next two centuries for France would be tumultuous. Bestselling historian and political commentator Jonathan Fenby provides an expert and riveting journey through this period as he recounts and analyses the extraordinary sequence of events of this period from the end of the First Revolution through two others, a return of Empire, three catastrophic wars with Germany, periods of stability and hope interspersed with years of uncertainty and high tensions. As her cross-Channel neighbour Great Britain would equally suffer, France was to undergo the wrenching loss of colonies in the post-Second World War as the new modern world we know today took shape. Her attempts to become the leader of the European union is a constant struggle, as was her lack of support for America in the two Gulf Wars of the past twenty years. Alongside this came huge social changes and cultural landmarks but also fundamental questioning of what this nation, which considers itself exceptional, really stood - and stands - for. That saga and those questions permeate the France of today, now with an implacable enemy to face in the form of Islamic extremism which so bloodily announced itself this year in Paris. Fenby will detail every event, every struggle and every outcome across this expanse of 200 years. It will prove to be the definitive guide to understanding France.

China?s spectacular growth and expanding global role have led to visions of the 21st century being dominated by the last major state on earth ruled by a Communist Party. In this new edition of his widely acclaimed book, renowned China expert Jonathan Fenby shows why such assumptions are wrong. He presents an analysis of China under Xi Jinping which shows the highly significant challenges it faces which stand in the way of global domination. For all its spectacular growth, it has to deal with major political, economic, social and international tests, each involving structural difficulties that will put the system under strain. Based on the author's extensive knowledge of contemporary China and his close analysis of Xi's leadership, this incisive analysis offers a pragmatic view of where the country is heading at a time when its future is too important an issue for wishful theorizing.

From 221 BC - when Shi Huangdi, First Emperor and founding father of Chinese imperial history, unified a large part of the Han Chinese homeland - until 1911, when imperial China collapsed in revolutionary chaos, China was ruled by a succession of powerful imperial dynasties. The Dragon Throne tells their rich, complex and often turbulent story, from the inception of the Qin dynasty to the fall of the Manchu in the early 20th century. China's imperial dynasties display a recurring pattern of birth, growth, prosperity and collapse due to external pressures. A number of powerful emperors left a particularly strong imprint on this troubled history, whether as conquerors, consolidators, tyrants, reformers or reactionaries. At the heart of The Dragon Throne are vivid profiles of such emperors as Shi Huangdi, who began the construction of the Great Wall; Han Wudi, the Han emperor who developed China as a centralized Confucian state; Kublai Khan, the first emperor of the Mongol Yuan dynasty, and Hongwu, the founder of the Ming dynasty

An exploration of China's rich heritage and contemporary advancements is presented through the insights of an international team of esteemed scholars. This work delves into the magnificent wonders that define China's cultural and historical landscape, highlighting both ancient traditions and modern achievements. The blend of scholarly perspectives offers a comprehensive understanding of China's significance on the world stage.

The gripping, behind-the-scenes, true account of a critical time in modern history, brought to new life through the accounts of three remarkable men at its core. The history of the Second World War is typically told through its decisive battles and campaigns. But behind the front lines, behind even the command centers of Allied generals and military planners, a different level of strategic thinking was taking place. Throughout the war, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin--the "Big Three"--met in various permutations and locations to hash out ways to defeat Nazi Germany. And, just as important, to determine the shape of the postwar world. Focusing on the riveting interplay between these three larger-than-life personalities, Jonathan Fenby's vivid narrative ranges from the great conferences at Tehran and Yalta to a secret shipboard meeting in a deserted Newfoundland cove, from late-night vodka-fueled sessions in the Kremlin to summer picnics at the presidential estate. Through a rich assortment of original documents, telling anecdotes, and detailed character portraits, we learn how this remarkable alliance was constructed and maintained, and how it finally crumbled, introducing the world to a new kind of "cold" warfare.

Ďalšia publikácia z obľúbenej edície poskytuje jedinečný obraz Číny. Jednotlivé kapitoly sa zaoberajú prírodnými krásami i umeleckými výdobytkami ako sú kaligrafia, hodváb, porcelán, výrobky z laku a nefritu, maľby, bronzy, nábytok či záhrady. Priestor je poskytnutý nielen slávnym pamiatkam ale aj menej známym pozoruhodným sochám, palácom, hrobkám a kláštorom. Kniha predstavuje zatiaľ najrôznorodejšiu mozaiku tém o Číne.

Podnázev: Největší britská námořní katastrofa všech dob Velmi smutný příběh zániku transportní lodi, někdejšího zaoceánského parníku společnosti Cunard na počátku 2. světové války. Plně obsazená loď byla potopena při náletu 17. června r. 1940, když převážela z francouzského přístavu St. Nazaire zpět do Anglie vojáky Britského expedičního sboru. Autor nám přiblíží okolnosti i průběh jedné z největších námořních katastrof za 2. světové války srovnatelnou snad jedině s potopením německé transportní lodi Wilhelm Gustloff v lednu roku 1945 (přes 9000 mrtvých).

Zákulisní informace o tom, jak Roosevelt, Stalin a Churchill zvítězili v jedné válce a položili základy další. Jako by čtenář přímo seděl v těch zakouřených jednacích sálech a sledoval jednání očima přímého účastníka konference v Teheránu či Jaltě. Tři velmi odlišní muži z velmi odlišných zemí zachránili v průběhu druhé světové války svět před nacismem. Zatímco jejich armády stále ještě bojovaly, Franklin Roosevelt, Josef Stalin a Winston Churchill mapovali obrysy poválečného světa.