Paul Chrystal

The Rowntree family, especially Henry and the younger Joseph Rowntree are, along with the Fry’s, Cadbury’s, Mars and Terry’s, synonymous with the birth and growth of the chocolate industry in Britain. Between them, they were the chocolate industry in Britain. This book charts the fascinating story behind the birth and development of the chocolate empire that was Rowntrees. Background information to this astonishing business comes by way of chapters on the early history of the Rowntrees, contemporary York, the relationship between Quakers and chocolate, and the Tuke family – without whom there would have been no Rowntrees, and no Kit Kats. Henry, it is usually forgotten, was the founder of Rowntree’s – he made the momentous decision to sign the deal with the Tukes and we join him in those very early days of the fledgling company and watch how he helped it through some very dark, and sometimes humorous, times in what was then a very shambolic set up – cash strapped and making it up as the company lurched from crisis to crisis. Joseph, his elder brother, it was, who became the driving force to eventual global success, mixing his hectic business life with acts of compassion and a benevolent management model, all of which paved the way for decent wages, pensions, insurance and mutual respect in the workplace. Charity work extended beyond the factories to lift workers and others out of the slums of York to a life in a healthy model village, to provide a good social life, an extensive park, swimming pool and education for children and adults. More context is given with chapters on Joseph’s relentless industrial espionage, the advancements in chocolate production and 20th century rivals in the domestic and export markets, and mergers and acquisitions. Rowntree’s role in the two world wars is also covered along with the struggle Joseph Rowntree had accepting the importance of advertising. Altogether this book gives two fascinating biographies of two exceptional and driven brothers who came together to form one of our greatest companies - producing some of our best loved confectionery products.

Bridgerton Revisited is the first book to place the hugely successful Netflix production Bridgerton in its historical context, the Regency Period of English history which ran from around 17295 until 1837. This eagerly anticipated book is in three parts: Part One examines in detail the social history of the Regency, and is obviously the most recognizable to viewers of the series released so far by Netflix. As such it takes in all aspects of Regency society as enjoyed by the landowning and titled aristocracy in their opulent houses, with their lavish fashions and impeccably prescribed conduct and manners. We learn of the affairs, adultery, sport, leisure and the ardent pursuit of illicit sex in brothels, gambling houses and taverns, of Regency LGBTQ and the endless scramble for the best marriage match as played out in the extravagant balls and at the endless visits and soirées. Part Two takes a close look at the production itself and discusses its historical accuracy in relation to what we discovered in Part One, and the divergences from that history. Using first-hand evidence from the creators and writers of the production we explore the ‘alternate history’ underscoring the series, not least the controversial issue of racial diversity in the casting. Part Three looks at the other side of the coin: the plight of the vast majority living and just surviving in Regency England, amidst the routine squalor, poverty, vagrancy, prostitution and occupational disease, workhouses and domestic and sexual abuse navigated daily, particularly by the women of the day.

Much has been written about the great extent encompassed by the Roman Empire''s borders, their armies’ attempts to expand and defend them, and about the extent to which ‘Romanization’ imposed a uniform culture within them. But far less attention has been lavished on Rome''s relations with the wider world that lay beyond these porous borders. A citizen shopping in the jostling market of a Roman city could buy amber or fur from Scandinavia, ivory from sub-Saharan Africa, spice from India or Chinese silk, among a host of other exotic foods and luxuries. These goods did not just show up at the nearest port; they were the result of centuries of trade missions, trade deals and a general compulsion to explore the outside and largely unknown world.Paul Chrystal examines Rome’s relations with the world it never conquered, describing what the Romans knew of it, how trade relations were established and commerce conducted. He explores the major trade routes such as the fabled Silk Road to China and the sea routes to India, as well as many more. He details embassies and exploratory missions conducted across thousands of miles to open trade and diplomatic links, such as that of Chinese general Bao Chao sent to contact the Romans. Importantly he discusses trade in both directions and emphasizes that along with goods went a two-way exchange of people, ideas, knowledge, and culture. Along the way, topical themes such as immigration, inclusion and xenophobia are raised.From Finland to Lake Chad, and from Ireland to India and China, the Romans left their mark upon the wider world, a world that in turn left its indelible mark upon their Empire.

Both humorous and shocking, Miracula is filled with astonishing facts and stories drawn from ancient Greece and Rome that have rarely been retold in English. It explores ‘the incredible’ as presented by little-known classical writers like Callimachus and Phlegon of Tralles. However, it offers much more: familiar authors such as Herodotus and Cicero often couldn’t resist relating sensational, tabloid-worthy tales. The book also tackles ancient examples of topics still relevant today, such as racism, slavery and misogyny. The pieces are by turns absorbing, enchanting, curious, unbelievable, comical, astonishing, disturbing, and occasionally just plain daft. An entertaining and sometimes lurid collection, this book is perfect for all those fascinated by the stranger aspects of the classical world, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in classical history, society and culture.

Formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of two line infantry regiments, 72nd Regiment and 78th (Highland) Regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders fought in various late colonial wars in Africa (invasion of Egypt, Mahdist War, 2nd Boer War) and India (Hazara Campaigns and Chitral Expedition, Northwest Frontier) as well as serving in the Far East.In the First World War its battalions saw service in the Middle East (Mesopotamia, Kut, Baghdad, Palestine) as well as most of the major battles of the Western Front, from Le Cateau in 1914 to the breaking of the Hindenberg Line in 1918 (and including Aubers Ridge, Messines, 2nd Ypres, The Somme and Passchendaele in between). Between the wars they were involved in ‘colonial policing’ again on the Northwest Frontier, Palestine and elsewhere.During the Second World War, 1st Battalion fought in the East throughout (Malaya, Burma, India) while 2nd Battalionsaw action in the Battle of France and was forced to surrender to Rommel’s troops at St. Valery-en-Caux.A particular strength of this book is the personal story of one of the regiment’s soldiers - his time on the North West Frontier and coverage of his four years of captivity and forced labour in PoW camps as suffered by many 2nd Battalion veterans during World War 2. This comes courtesy of exclusive access to this PoW’s correspondence home. Meanwhile, the reconstituted 2nd Battalion redeemed itself through its participation in the Second Battle of El Alamein, the invasions of Tunisia, Sicily and Italy, D-Day and the Normandy Battles, and the invasion of Germany (operations Veritable and Plunder). Overall, this is an excellent and overdue account of the loyal service and many campaigns and battles of the Seaforth Highlanders Regiment across eighty years, from its raising to its amalgamation into the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1961.