Books with author Charles Freeman

A radical and powerful reappraisal of the impact of Constantine’s adoption of Christianity on the later Roman world, and on the subsequent development both of Christianity and of Western civilization.When the Emperor Contstantine converted to Christianity in 368 AD, he changed the course of European history in ways that continue to have repercussions to the present day. Adopting those aspects of the religion that suited his purposes, he turned Rome on a course from the relatively open, tolerant and pluralistic civilization of the Hellenistic world, towards a culture that was based on the rule of fixed authority, whether that of the Bible, or the writings of Ptolemy in astronomy and of Galen and Hippocrates in medicine. Only a thousand years later, with the advent of the Renaissance and the emergence of modern science, did Europe begin to free itself from the effects of Constantine's decision, yet the effects of his establishment of Christianity as a state religion remain with us, in many respects, today. Brilliantly wide-ranging and ambitious, this is a major work of history.

Following their defeat during World War I, the Germans were looking for new leadership. Nazi Germany, also called the Third Reich, began when Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany under the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) whose followers were called Nazis. Why the Germans embraced the Nazis rise to power is examined in this thoughtful book, which includes panels featuring subject-matter expert opinions to encourage critical thinking.

A radical and powerful reappraisal of the impact of Constantine’s adoption of Christianity on the later Roman world, and on the subsequent development both of Christianity and of Western civilization.When the Emperor Contstantine converted to Christianity in 368 AD, he changed the course of European history in ways that continue to have repercussions to the present day. Adopting those aspects of the religion that suited his purposes, he turned Rome on a course from the relatively open, tolerant and pluralistic civilization of the Hellenistic world, towards a culture that was based on the rule of fixed authority, whether that of the Bible, or the writings of Ptolemy in astronomy and of Galen and Hippocrates in medicine. Only a thousand years later, with the advent of the Renaissance and the emergence of modern science, did Europe begin to free itself from the effects of Constantine's decision, yet the effects of his establishment of Christianity as a state religion remain with us, in many respects, today. Brilliantly wide-ranging and ambitious, this is a major work of history.

Read about how following their defeat during World War I, the Germans were looking for new leadership. Find out how Nazi Germany, also called the Third Reich, began when Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany under the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). This book examines why the Germans embraced the Nazis' rise to power and includes panels featuring expert opinions to encourage critical thinking.Moments in History is an insightful series that presents some of the most important events in modern history. From World War I to the Cold War, readers are encouraged to think critically about the effects these watershed moments have had on the world. Written in a straightforward, engaging style, the books include first-hand speeches, letters, diary entries and other primary source materials that give dramatic clues to the reasons these unforgettable events unfolded as they did. Photographs from the time period show the world as it was at that moment, and the views of professional historians are included in each chapter.Encourages readers at KS3 and KS4 to think critically about the effect Hiroshima has had on the world.

From Homer's Iliad to a farmer's hard life in the hilly farmlands near Athens, here's an introduction to daily life in Greece 2,500 years ago. Young readers will learn about early democracy, city-states, warfare, religion, and the history of the region. But they will also read about a chariot race, see a cutaway of a typical home, join the bride and groom at a wedding feast, and attend a play at a theater built into a hillside. With color illustrations on every page, this concise and fact-filled introduction to ancient Greece will please even the most reluctant of readers.