Yale University Press

The story of the medieval world’s most extraordinary organisations, the Assassins and the Templars The Assassins and the Templars are two of history’s most legendary groups. One was a Shi’ite religious sect, the other a Christian military order created to defend the Holy Land. Violently opposed, they had vastly different reputations, followings, and ambitions. Yet they developed strikingly similar strategies—and their intertwined stories have, oddly enough, uncanny parallels. In this engaging account, Steve Tibble traces the history of these two groups from their origins to their ultimate destruction. He shows how, outnumbered and surrounded, they survived only by perfecting “the promise of death,” either in the form of a Templar charge or an Assassin’s dagger. Death, for themselves or their enemies, was at the core of these extraordinary organisations. Their fanaticism changed the medieval world—and, even up to the present day, in video games and countless conspiracy theories, they have become endlessly conjoined in myth and memory.

A revelatory history of sex, gender, and science from Linnaeus to Darwin What did Darwin and Linnaeus really think about sex? In print, their descriptions of animal courtship painted a comfortingly traditional picture: males were belligerent show-offs, females were choosy and skittish, and the two came together in unions curiously akin to human marriage. But in truth, the forefathers of evolutionary science were acutely aware that this was not the whole story. The reality was far more messy and ambiguous. In this iconoclastic history, Ross Brooks shows how queerness was at the heart of evolutionists’ thinking about the natural world. From hermaphroditic slugs and sex-changing birds to male pigeon lactation, pregnant male seahorses, and bisexual pigs, Darwin and his fellow naturalists were privately in awe of nature’s sexual diversity. These encounters fundamentally shaped their understanding of plants, animals, and humans, even if they were never fully acknowledged in their published writings. Brooks radically exposes us to the hidden queerness of Georgian and Victorian science?and shows how nature has always been more sexually diverse than we’ve been told.

A new look at the crusaders, which shows how they pursued long-term plans and clear strategic goals Medieval states, and particularly crusader societies, often have been considered brutish and culturally isolated. It seems unlikely that they could develop “strategy” in any meaningful sense. However, the crusaders were actually highly organized in their thinking and their decision making was rarely random. In this lively account, Steve Tibble draws on a rich array of primary sources to reassess events on the ground and patterns of behavior over time. He shows how, from aggressive castle building to implementing a series of invasions of Egypt, crusader leaders tenaciously pursued long-term plans and devoted single-minded attention to clear strategic goals. Crusader states were permanently on the brink of destruction; resources were scarce and the penalties for failure severe. Intuitive strategic thinking, Tibble argues, was a necessity, not a luxury.

A fascinating guide to the history of drugs and medicines, the science of how they work, and the way they’ve shaped healthcare and society Today, drugs are a ubiquitous tool in all our lives, from the highly specialised gene therapies used to treat hitherto incurable disease, to the common painkillers we take to relieve fevers and headaches. But healing plants and herbs have been revered since time immemorial, and have been used for as long as people have experienced illness. Over the last century our understanding of these therapeutic wonders has developed at astonishing speed, and so the science of pharmacology was born. Esteemed scientist Rod Flower guides us through the fascinating history of the discipline, and shows us how drugs really work. How are new medicines developed, and what gives scientists the confidence their therapies will function as intended? What happens inside our bodies when we ingest these mysterious chemicals, and how have they shaped the progress of societies across the world? This accessible introduction to the science of drugs reveals their intriguing inner workings, and celebrates their remarkable healing power.

A fascinating and highly original history of medieval magic told through twenty key illuminated manuscripts Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account, Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne’s son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so.

A human history of one of the planet's most iconic lakes, and the civilizations that surrounded its shores The Dead Sea is a place of many contradictions. Hot springs around the lake are famed for their healing properties, though its own waters are deadly to most lifeforms-even so, civilizations have built ancient cities and hilltop fortresses around its shores for centuries. The protagonists in its story are not only Jews and Arabs, but also Greeks, Nabataeans, Romans, Crusaders and Mamluks. Today it has become a tourist hotspot, but its drying basin is increasingly under threat. In this panoramic account, Nir Arielli explores the history of the Dead Sea from the first Neolithic settlements to the present day. Moving through the ages, Arielli reveals the religious, economic, military, and scientific importance of the lake, which has been both a source of great wealth and a site of war. The Dead Sea weaves together a tapestry of the lake's human stories-and amidst environmental degradation and renewed conflict, makes a powerful case for why it should be saved.

A sweeping new assessment of Frida Kahlo’s place in modern art, from her self-made image to her lasting influence for contemporary artists Few artists have shaped popular culture as profoundly as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907–1954), whose striking self-portraits and deeply personal symbolism have captivated audiences for decades. Remembered, too, for her tumultuous marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera and her passionate political activism, Kahlo’s legacy transcends her artistic oeuvre. To this day, contemporary artists draw on Kahlo’s life and work for creative inspiration. Showcasing Kahlo’s paintings alongside the work of other artists from around the world and from midcentury to today, Frida: The Making of an Icon investigates the profound and lasting nature of Kahlo’s impact. With essays by leading researchers, scholars, and curators, Frida: The Making of an Icon is the first major examination of how Kahlo became a global icon and an important artistic influence, especially beginning in the 1970s. In seven sections, addressing themes from Kahlo’s role as a gender-fluid intellectual to her political activism, and including conversations with contemporary artists Magali Lara and Mónica Mayer, this important book celebrates and bridges the complexities of her iconic status and cultural, political, commercial, and artistic legacy. Published in association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Exhibition Schedule: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (January–May 2026) Tate Modern, London (June 2026–January 2027)

A lively, accessible history of mathematics throughout the ages and across the globe Mathematics is fundamental to our daily lives. Science, computing, economics-all aspects of modern life rely on some kind of maths. But how did our ancestors think about numbers? How did they use mathematics to explain and understand the world around them? Where do numbers even come from? In this Little History, Snezana Lawrence traces the fascinating history of mathematics, from the Egyptians and Babylonians to Renaissance masters and enigma codebreakers. Like literature, music, or philosophy, mathematics has a rich history of breakthroughs, creativity and experimentation. And its story is a global one. We see Chinese Mathematical Art from 200 BCE, the invention of algebra in Baghdad's House of Wisdom, and sangaku geometrical theorems at Japanese shrines. Lawrence goes beyond the familiar names of Newton and Pascal, exploring the prominent role women have played in the history of maths, including Emmy Noether and Maryam Mirzakhani.

“The central argument of Our Dollar, Your Problem—that the greenback’s pre-eminence was never guaranteed and might plausibly be overturned—could hardly be more timely.”—The Economist A leading economist explores the global rise of the U.S. dollar and shows why its future stability is far from assured Our Dollar, Your Problem argues that America’s currency might not have reached today’s lofty pinnacle without a certain amount of good luck. Drawing in part on his own experiences, including with policymakers and world leaders, Kenneth Rogoff animates the remarkable postwar run of the dollar—how it beat out the Japanese yen, the Soviet ruble, and the euro—and the challenges it faces today from crypto and the Chinese yuan, the end of reliably low inflation and interest rates, political instability, and the fracturing of the dollar bloc. Americans cannot take for granted that the Pax Dollar era will last indefinitely, not only because many countries are deeply frustrated with the system, but also because overconfidence and arrogance can lead to unforced errors. Rogoff shows how America’s outsized power and exorbitant privilege can spur financial instability—not just abroad but also at home.

The story of Pausanias, the general who defeated the Persians invading Greece and changed the course of history Weaving together ancient sources, Daniel Ogden tells the gripping story of the enigmatic and controversial Spartan regent to an underage king. Pausanias (ca. 505-ca. 467 BCE) would never have come to power had the Persians not annihilated the Greek forces at Thermopylae in 480 BCE, killing his uncle Leonidas. The next year, Greek forces under the new regent's command crushed the Persians at the decisive Battle of Plataea. It was a brilliant victory for Pausanias, but his heroic reputation swiftly declined. He was accused of tyrannical ambition, treachery, rape, and murder and came to a grisly and ghostly end, starved to death in Sparta's Temple of Athena. In this meticulously researched book-the first full-length biography of Pausanias in English-Ogden searches for the truth behind the ancient stories. Was Pausanias merely misunderstood and misrepresented, or was he an egotist in thrall to his own success? Despite Pausanias's dark demise, Ogden hails his greatest achievement: by defeating the Persians he ensured the future of Classical Greek culture and the development of Western civilization as we know it.

A richly illustrated exploration of Calder's deep ties to France and the evolution of his work This book brings together more than three hundred works, testament to Alexander Calder's profound connection to France and the way he developed a radically modern body of work. It focuses on the evolution of Calder's work over his career, at times in harmony with the masterpieces of his contemporaries, such as Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky, as well as his close circle, including Hans Arp, Joan Miró, and Fernand Léger. This dialogue between Calder and the international scene contextualizes his work's significance. This richly illustrated book is edited by the exhibition's curators, Anna Karina Hofbauer and Dieter Buchhart. It features contributions from Elisabeth Hutton Turner, Chuz Martinez, Olivier Michelon, and Arnauld Pierre, as well as an interview between Sandy Rower and Jordana Mendelson. Published in conjunction with the Alexander Calder retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris, France

An engaging, beautifully illustrated history of London told through twenty-five lost buildingsLondon has been rebuilt and reshaped perhaps more than any other city over its two-millennia history. From the construction of the Underground to slum clearance and the Blitz, buildings have long been damaged or demolished to pave way for the new. Today, demolition is big business, and around 3500 buildings are destroyed each year, most of which are social housing. Paul Knox traces the history of London from the Great Fire to the present day through twenty-five lost buildings. Knox explores surprising and unusual locations in the city’s history, like the Necropolis Station in Waterloo used by funeral parties traveling to a burial ground in Surrey. We see historic landmarks, like Christ Church Greyfriars and the Crystal Palace, as well as everyday places like the White Horse pub in Poplar and a housing estate in Hackney. This is a fascinating study of London’s restless landscape, showing how conservation has changed over 400 years.

A celebration of Renoir’s imagery of love in all its guises, from seduction and courtship to friendship, camaraderie and parenthood. More than any of his contemporaries, Renoir was committed to chronicling love and friendship. Whether painting Parisian streetcorners or sun-dappled woodlands, he understood that emotion could be as fleeting and blinding as his other great and transitory subject, sunlight itself. Focusing on the crucial period of the artist’s career from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s, this catalogue traces the evolution of Renoir’s imagery of love, from affection, flirtation and seduction to camaraderie and parenthood. Such themes are explored in tender and personal works as well as ambitious multi-figure compositions, including Dance at the Moulin de la Galette and The Umbrellas. Accompanying the most significant exhibition of the French Impressionist’s work in the UK for 20 years, this publication addresses the broad theme of Renoir and love through a series of thematic essays, interspersed with focused entries on key artworks. Exhibition Schedule Musée d’Orsay, Paris (17 March – 19 July 2026) The National Gallery, London (3 October 2026 – 31 January 2027) The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (20 February – 13 June 2027) Published by National Gallery Global Ltd/Distributed by Yale University Press

The definitive survey of one of the masters of Italian Renaissance art, featuring groundbreaking new research by a leading expert on Raphael's life and work Raphael (Raffaello di Giovanni Santi; 1483-1520) is unquestionably one of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance. Despite living only thirty-seven years, he quickly emerged as a peer to both Leonardo and his avowed rival, Michelangelo. Raphael: Sublime Poetry spans his short but spectacular life and career, from his early training amid the culture of his native Urbino, through his prolific years in Florence, to his final, magnificent decade at the papal court in Rome. Though Raphael is best known for his meteoric success as a painter, draftsman, designer, and architect, this catalogue highlights his equal accomplishments as a humanist, antiquarian, and poet. Carmen C. Bambach offers fresh perspectives on the beloved artist, reconsidering his well-known masterpieces and uncovering the importance of rarely seen treasures. The publication also sheds new light on Raphael's relationship with women by identifying previously unrecognized models for his portraits and discussing the agency of his female patrons. Bringing together more than two hundred of Raphael's drawings, paintings, tapestries, and decorative arts from public and private collections around the world, this catalogue is rich in archival discoveries and firsthand technical analyses. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, it is the definitive text on the artist's life, art, and enduring legacy. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press Exhibition Schedule: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (March 29-June 28, 2026)

A groundbreaking history of nuclear weapons across the world, from their invention to the end of the Cold War How should we deal with nuclear weapons? The discovery of nuclear fission fundamentally changed the world order. Its power was harnessed, nuclear bombs invented, and the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed. In recurring international crises and calls for arms control, the threat of nuclear war has hung over humanity ever since. David Holloway traces how these weapons shaped the last century, from the US-Soviet arms race to the rivalry between India and Pakistan. Deterrence and intimidation, alliances and war plans, international treaties and organizations have all played their role. At the centre were political leaders-among them Truman, Kennedy, and Reagan, as well as Stalin, Khrushchev, and Gorbachev-who all had their fingers on the nuclear button. This is a global history of these fearsome weapons and our attempts to deal with the consequences of their existence-a story at once fascinating and repellent, of a very dangerous period in our history.

A portrait of the Athenian politician and general Themistocles, tracing his political development, his victory at the Battle of Salamis, and his exile in Persia "Excellent. . . . A superb introduction to the life of Themistocles and the foundations of democracy."-David Gibbins, Wall Street Journal Themistocles (524-459 BC) came of age just as a newly democratic and empowered Athens was emerging. He would become an instrumental political and military figure, fighting in the Battle of Marathon; persuading Athenians to expand their fleet; and engineering the Athenians' defeat of the Persians at the Battle of Salamis. However, as Michael Scott demonstrates in this biography, Themistocles failed as much as he succeeded. Scott offers a fully human picture of Themistocles, a man who could be both decisive and heroic as well as uncertain and unprepared. He was loved and hated in Athens, his plans and ideas ignored as often as they were respected. Eventually he was exiled as a traitor, ultimately settling in Persia as an adviser to Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes, his foe at Salamis. And yet, in the aftermath of his death, he emerged as one of Greece's historical heroes. In this portrait of a man Thucydides deemed one of the most illustrious Greeks of his time, Scott reveals one man's struggle to navigate the turbulent world of Athenian politics, and the crucial role of historians and biographers in shaping, and distorting, the image of Themistocles that has come down to us through the centuries.