BOOKS

Gold has been coinage, treasure and adornment. But it has been much more, as the hidden driver of wars and revolutions, the rise and fall of empires and the transformation of societies. Here is a new way of understanding the history of civilization. It reveals gold as the hidden actor that shapes our story and looks at what may come next.

The story of a remarkable man, and of a covert journey which gave birth to the modern world. "A fascinating book", The Times. "An astonishing life-story" The Financial Times (Duckworth)

The story of my first encounter with the hidden world of the Kogi and their warning of what will happen if we do not stop plundering the world. (Tairona Heritage Trust)

In September 1931 the Royal Navy experienced its biggest modern mutiny. This is the first detailed account. Based on the testimony of the lower deck (as well as secret agents) it reveals the Government's plans to sink its own fleet. (Routledge)

Tracing the reality of "working class" experience through the lives and opinions of labourers, servants, soldiers, factory workers, seamen, immigrants, shopkeepers and miners, exploring the relationship between work and identity. (Routledge Kegan Paul)

The best-selling book of the TV series, which reveals the Crusades through Arab as well as European eyes. (Penguin, BBC Books)

The book of the TV series. A completely fresh approach to Roman history, it uncovers the impressive cultural and technological achievements of the Celts, Goths, Persians and Vandals. Doing away with the propaganda, it reveals the Romans from a non-Roman perspective (BBC Books)

Gold has been coinage, treasure and adornment. But it has been much more, as the hidden driver of wars and revolutions, the rise and fall of empires and the transformation of societies. Here is a new way of understanding the history of civilization. It reveals gold as the hidden actor that shapes our story and looks at what may come next.