Table of contents for No. 51 in All About History

The city of Bristol has many claims to fame and it’s amazing to think the place that gave us the SS Great Britain and Banksy is also the birthplace of Blackbeard. The world’s most notorious pirate has gone down in legend, but aside from likely having a thick West Country accent, everything else we think we know about him is probably wrong. Take the movie Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides for example, where Blackbeard, played by Ian McShane, murders and maims for his own amusement. “If I don’t kill a man every now and then, they forget who I am,” he reasons. In reality, however, there are no records of the captain killing anyone. Blackbeard much preferred to intimidate and manipulate, as you’ll discover on page 30. You…

AT A GLANCE The ‘White Australia policy’ is the name given to the various immigration laws initiated by the Australian government that favoured European applicants. Fuelled by racist ideas, they were designed to exclude nonwhite applicants, particularly Asians, from entering the country for fear that they would steal the jobs of skilled, white labourers. 01 It started with a gold rush During the gold rushes of the late 1800s, many nonwhite migrants arrived in Australia, and soon began competing with white business owners. This caused tensions, particularly as they were willing to work for lower wages, which led to each colony establishing its own migration policies, sometimes excluding anyone of non-British descent. 02 Entry tests were made to be impossible The 1901 Immigration Restriction Act gave immigration officers the power…

are of the booty. Every man will be given his fair sh However, if they steal from the company they will be marooned. If they steal from another pirate their ears and nose will be cut, then they will be set ashore in a place where he is sure to encounter h ardships. No gambling on board, this includes playing cards or dice for money. All lights out by 8pm, if anyone wants to drink after en deck without a light. this time, they must do so on the op No child or woman allowed on board. If any man smuggles a woman on board he will be put to death. ls will be ended on No fighting on board. Quarre shore. The men will face back to back, pace…

Joan was the Dauphin’s half-sister In 1819, French writer Pierre Caze claims that Joan was the illegitimate daughter of the Queen Isabeau of Bavaria (Charles VI’s wife) and Duke Louis of Orléans. His basis for the accusation? A sword in the coat of arms the Dauphin grants her, which Caze calls the baton of bastardy. Reality: It’s an intriguing theory but highly improbable. Duke Louis died five years before Joan’s supposed birth. Relics of Joan survived A charred bone fragment is displayed at the Joan of Arc museum in Chinon, which is claimed to have been rescued from Joan’s execution pyre. A helmet, said to have been Joan’s, can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Reality: There’s no evidence to link the helmet to…

13 FEBRUARY 1689 William of Orange and his wife, Mary, who is the eldest daughter of James II/VII, are jointly crowned, after arriving with an invasion force from Holland. 13 FEBRUARY 1692 The chief of Clan MacDonald is slow to pledge allegiance to King William. 38 MacDonalds are massacred at Glencoe by the loyalist Campbell clan. 27 AUGUST 1715 After George I takes the British throne in 1714, the Jacobite Earl of Mar forms an alliance of clans, and then captures the Highlands. 22 DECEMBER 1715 James Stuart, son of the deposed James II/VII, arrives from France, but his timid leadership doesn’t inspire the Highlanders, so the uprising collapses. 23 JULY 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie, grandson of James II/VII, sails from France to Scotland and persuades an army of 5000…

Trader Vic, the godfather of tiki, created the fruity extravaganza that is the Mai Tai during World War II. In recent years orange, grapefruit and pineapple juices have been added to make it an even sweeter, longer drink. Originally Victor Jules Bergeron, or Trader Vic as he is better known, used 17-year-old Jamaican rum to make it at his bar in San Francisco, which would have given the 1940s Mai Tai more body and aroma, and a richer flavour. Ingredients: Rum, lime juice, Curacao, orgeat syrup, agave syrup Directions: Shake 50ml rum, 25ml lime juice, 12.5ml Curacao, 12.5ml orgeat almond syrup and 6ml agave syrup together, and pour into an ice-filled glass.…

‘I like to have a Martini, two at the very most. After three I’m under the table, after four I’m under my host.’ Commonly attributed to Dorothy Parker ‘This frozen Daiquiri, so well beaten as it is, looks like the sea where the wave falls away from the bow of a ship when she is doing 30 knots.’ Ernest Hemingway I don’t know what reception I’m at, but for God’s sake give me a gin and tonic. Denis Tatcer ‘Listening to new jazz records for an hour with a pint of gin and tonic is the best remedy for a day’s work I know.’ Philip Larkin “A real Gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats Martinis hollow.” Raymond Chandler, Te Long Goodbye…

GENERAL IGNACIO ZARAGOZA LEADER During the civil war that preceded the French invasion, Zaragoza defeated the great Mexican general, Santa Anna, in battle. Strengths: Tactically astute, he also understood the land and its people. Weaknesses: Lack of men and supplies to follow up his victory. MEXICAN CAVALRY KEY UNIT Led by Lieutenant Felix Diaz, these troops would have been expert horsemen and, as veterans of the War of Reform, seasoned soldiers. Strengths: Agile, fast moving, motivated and experienced. Weaknesses: They lacked modern weaponry to match the French. KENTUCKY RIFLE KEY WEAPON Although many cavalrymen would have lances or swords, weapons like the ubiquitous Kentucky rifle was used by many Mexican troops. Strengths: Accurate to between 100 and 200 metres. Weaknesses: Slow to reload and susceptible to jamming.…

“I SUPPOSE THAT ALL HISTORICAL NOVELS HAVE A BIG STORY AND A LITTLE STORY” The year is 878, and England is a patchwork land of kingdoms and lordships where power is won or lost on the edge of a sword. The Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex stands alone, with King Alfred and his Anglo-Saxon warriors ready to meet the might of the Great Heathen Army. This is the epic backdrop for The Last Kingdom, which follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He’s a man of two worlds, both Viking and Anglo-Saxon, who seeks vengeance against those who have wronged him. A story of love, treachery and friendship, Uhtred travels the length of the British Isles to recapture his ancestral lands of Bebbanburg. The TV show is an adaptation of the bestselling series The…

“Ingenious writings of Hamilton himself are included throughout, supporting the story with extracts from letters and journals” Author Teri Kanefield Publisher Abrams Books Price £11.99 Released Out now Without a doubt, Alexander Hamilton is one of the most influential men in American history. A skilled writer and orator, Founding Father and fierce defender of the Constitution, he left his signature on the very foundations of the United States. As the creator of the central Bank of America, the Coast Guard and the New York Post, much of Hamilton’s work still exists, and thrives, to this day. Hamilton endured many struggles – he fought to pursue a college education, rose through the ranks of the Continental Army, worked to unite the colonies into a united nation and transform it into a…

Author Andrew Cook Publisher Amberley Publishing Price £8.99 Released Out now Few people are unaware of the tragic fates of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his young family, who were murdered by Bolsheviks on 17 July 1918. In this work, Andrew Cook revisits the events that led up to this fateful day, as well as the confusion, rumours and scientific investigations that followed. Drawing on new records discovered in British and Russian archives, as well as detailed forensic investigations, Cook attempts to unravel what really happened, investigate failed rescue attempts, and lay to rest the many myths surrounding their execution. Unsurprisingly, Cook opts to open The Murder Of The Romanovs with perhaps the most famous member of the family, Anastasia. It is a shrewd move and, with Anna Anderson’s…

Author Yasutsune “Tony” Hirashiki Publisher Casemate Price £25 Released Out now Wartime cameraman Yasutsune “Tony” Hirashiki cut his teeth in the pyrrhic battlefields of Vietnam. Whether he was truly fearless or supremely focused on the task at hand, it’s hard to tell. In the decade spent sweating his way through booby-trap infested jungle or dodging artillery and bullets on the frontline, where many of his contemporaries were killed or seriously injured, Hirashiki suffered no more than a cut on his chin caused by a toppling camera. Nonetheless his work consistently helped to pull in the ratings for his employer, the ABC network, and there was never any question of his dedication to his job “I like to tell people about the bravest man I ever met,” comes a ringing endorsement…

630 Shahrbaraz crowned King With the help of the Byzantine emperor, Heraclius, the Persian noble, Shahrbaraz, usurps the throne of the Sassanid Empire, which spans the Middle East. He is assassinated after 40 days. 1296 Battle of Dunbar In a short cavalry battle, English knights defeat Scots loyal to John Balliol, who has the strongest claim to the empty Scottish throne. Balliol is sent into captivity and forced to relinquish his kingdom. 1570 Elizabeth declared heretic Pope Pius V issues a papal bull denouncing Elizabeth I as a heretic, and excommunicating those who follow her commands. Elizabeth had restored the Church of England as state religion, after Queen Mary’s Catholic reign. 1667 Paradise Lost, sold Having spent five years dictating his 10,000-line poem, Paradise Lost, while completely blind, John Milton…

INSPECTION CARD CLEARED TO ENTER Each immigrant was given a Certificate of Inspection Card, which indicated what medical and legal inspections they had passed during their voyage and at the Ellis Island Immigration Station. They were given strict instructions to keep the document on them at all times to avoid being quarantined. CHALK MARKINGS X MARKS INSANITY If a passenger was considered to be a risk to public health, their clothing would be marked with a letter indicating their condition, with an ‘X’ signifying insanity and a ‘P’ indicating pulmonary problems. They were then sent for further examination and either treated or sent back home. BLANKETS LEFT IN THE COLD First and second class passengers were often processed onboard the ship, and so could leave as soon as it docked,…

RIVET SPECTACLES 1352 The first painting to depict someone wearing spectacles is a fresco by Tommaso da Modena in the Chapter House attached to the Basilica San Nicolo in Treviso, Italy. This dates from about 70 years after spectacles are believed to have been invented by crystal workers in nearby Venice. Cardinal Hugo of Provence is shown at his writing desk wearing a pair of spectacles that appear to stay in place on his nose without any additional support. The Cardinal died in the 1260s, and so definitely never actually wore glasses! WIG SPECTACLES 1720S Spectacle users made various attempts to keep their glasses in place, using rods and cords, or by suspending them from the brim of a hat. The first spectacle sides appear to have been advertised for…

Artemisia of Caria The queen of Halicarnassus (modern-day Turkey) in the 5th century BCE commanded five ships at the Battle of Artemisium, fighting as an ally of Persian King Xerxes. Greek historian Herodotus wrote of her heroics, ruthlessness and strategic brilliance. Queen Boudicca Around 60 CE Boudicca, queen of the Iceni tribe in Britain, led a revolt against the Romans after legionaries had raped her daughters. Leading a huge army, she reportedly slaughtered 80,000 people in vengeance. Zenobia The warrior queen of the Palmyrene Empire ruled in Syria from 250-275. She led armies against the Roman Empire under Claudius II and was so successful in battle that she effectively chased Roman legions right out of Asia Minor. Nakano Takeko As a female Samurai warrior, Nakano fought gallantly in the Boshin…

How common was it for people in the Medieval period to claim they were in communication with God? Joan of Arc came from a long line of allegedly holy women (they were usually women!) who claimed to have personally experienced divine revelation. The number of lay people making such claims had been on the increase since the middle of the 14th century and they had to be taken seriously because they challenged the church’s authority as the sole interpreter of God’s word on Earth and stirred up popular unrest. Joan was one of at least three female visionaries who had recently been brought before the king of France to deliver their divine messages to him; three of her own contemporaries would also be tried for heresy on the same grounds,…

“Her continuing meteoric rise meant that by 1934, Riefenstahl had established almost unprecedented access to Hitler” As a young actress and dancer, Leni Riefenstahl enjoyed success and fame in German movies. By both starring in and directing The Blue Light in 1932, she took her skills to a new level. Adolf Hitler was so impressed with the movie that he expressed a strong desire to meet the rising star. Riefenstahl had already heard him speak at a rally earlier that year and, like many others, had been impressed with the charisma and passion of his speech. She was delighted, and more than a little flattered, to accept. The invitation changed her life. Riefenstahl had started down a road from which there was no return, personally or professionally. Her decision would…

In July 1553, Mary Tudor claimed the throne of England, despite her brother’s efforts to disinherit her and replace her with Lady Jane Grey. Queen Mary was welcomed and beloved by her people, until she insisted upon marrying Prince Philip of Spain. As the rebellion against a Spanish king and protests of the counter-reformation became fused into one, Mary saw her hopes of restoration with Rome evaporate. Failing to produce an heir, Mary’s crown was left to her Protestant sister, Elizabeth, in 1558. But what if Mary had decided to marry her cousin, Cardinal Reginald Pole, instead? Mary is declared Queen of England. The people rejoice, but there remains one question: who will she marry? A woman surely cannot rule alone and Mary’s greatest duty is to bear an heir,…

This Edwardian classic was created by Ada Coleman, head bartender at the Savoy Hotel, at the turn of the century. She was one of the most famous female bartenders in history. With the gin base of a Martini and the sweet vermouth of the Manhattan, it’s a sturdy, bracing drink. She invented it for the actor Charles Hawtrey, who was a regular at the American Bar, when he came in asking her to rustle up something with ‘a bit of punch.’ Ingredients: Gin, sweet vermouth, Fernet Branca Directions: With just three ingredients the Hanky Panky is really simple to make at home. Combine 45ml gin, 45ml sweet vermouth and two dashes Fernet Branca in an ice-filled shaker, and shake or stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with…

Relations between Peru and Chile have been decidedly frosty since the War of the Pacific (1879-83). Pisco is one of many diplomatic thorns between the neighbours – both claim the brandy as their own, and are battling for its exclusive designation of origin. But it isn’t just the brandy they are squabbling over – both also claim the Pisco Sour as their national cocktail. The most popular story about its heritage is that the frothy, tangy drink was invented in the Hotel Maury in Lima at the start of the last century by an American bartender named Morris, as an adaptation of the Whisky Sour. The Pisco Sour’s fame grew during the 1940s and 1950s, thanks to Hollywood stars such as Orson Welles, Ava Gardner and John Wayne, who sipped…

Northumbria Allegiance: Viking/Anglo-Saxon Like Mercia, Northumbria’s power and influence had been in steady decline in the 8th and 9th century. The sub kingdom of Deira was captured by the Vikings, and became the powerful Kingdom of York. Battle of Brunanburh 937 Often seen as the battle that united England, the clash at Brunanburh saw Alfred’s grandson, King AEthelstan, successfully face off against an alliance of Vikings, Britons and Scots. Even though it is such an important battle, no one can agree on where exactly it was fought. Alba Allegiance: N/A Scotland as we know it today did not exist in the 9th century. The land was divided into kingdoms belonging to the native Britons, Scots, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Danelaw Allegiance: Viking The area of England settled by the Northmen and…

Author Tracy Borman Publisher Hodder & Stoughton Price £9.99 Released Out now In this latest publication, Tracy Borman presents a fresh perspective of a familiar period, to provide readers with a view of the Tudors they may not have previously considered. Instead of comprehensively retelling the famous events of the day, Borman takes us inside the intimate parts of the palaces and provides a peek at daily life, complete with all its not-so-glorious moments. You won’t learn about how each monarch ruled, but you will discover how they dressed, ate, and behaved behind closed doors. Those who have romantically envisioned an idyllic Tudor England, with its resplendent court attended by lavishly dressed women and chivalrous men, will find much to enjoy in this book. However, the author doesn’t conceal the…

Special Forces Berlin Author: James Stejskal Price: £16.58 Publisher: Casemate Berlin during The Cold War was deep in enemy territory, linked to the West by a narrow land corridor bristling with armed guards. The city’s west side was seen as an island of Liberal Democracy in an ocean of Soviet Communism. It was here that the US military stationed a highly classified clandestine special forces unit for almost 50 years. Having served twice with this secret unit, it’s perhaps no surprise that author James Stejskal tells its hitherto unknown story with authority. He takes us through the formation and evolution of the group, describing various training exercises, and revealing some of the actual reconnaissance missions they carried out behind the Iron Curtain.…

Editor Vicki Mackenzie Publisher Shambhala Publications Price £13.58 Released Out now When Freda Houlston, a Western woman born in patriarchal post-war Britain, married her Indian-born husband Baba Pyare Lal Bedi, it was the first of many pioneering and revolutionary acts she would embark on in her lifetime. After graduating from Oxford in the 1930s the newlyweds moved across the ocean to the groom’s homeland and fought to free India from British imperialism at all costs. Following the guidance of Ghandi, Freda became his 57th satyagrahi (one who follows and pursues truth) and was thrown into prison for speaking out against the government in what was deemed a lengthy and harsh sentence for a woman. Incarceration did little to silence Freda and upon her release she became something of a national…

C.75,000 BCE OUT OF AFRICA Possibly due to volcanic fallout that was caused by a super eruption at Toba in modern Indonesia, anatomically modern humans migrate out of Africa, and permanently colonise Eurasia and Australasia. 800 BCE FIRST GREEK COLONIES Ancient Greeks from Euboea establish trading colonies at Al Mina on the coast of Syria and Pithekoussai in the Bay of Naples in the hope of stimulating commerce with locals. 200 BCE SETTLEMENT OF MADAGASCAR Austronesians sail to Madagascar on outrigger canoes. It makes Madagascar one of the last landmasses to be settled by humans. 49 CE COLONIA CAMULODUNUM Founded to settle retired legionaries, it is the FIRST colonia in Britannia Camulodunum is designated a colonia; one of 500 across the Roman Empire The city may have reached a population…

The Dutch first established a colony at Africa’s Cape of Good Hope in 1652, but when the British took control in 1814, their way of life began to change. In rebellion, many decided to leave the Cape and travel inland to establish a new settlement independent of British rule. Thousands of these Voortrekkers, most of whom were pastoral farmers called trekboers, packed up their belongings and ventured north on what is now known as the Great Trek. However, it was far from an easy journey, and resulted in many violent conflicts with the indigenous people of Africa they encountered along the way. GET DRESSED The traditional dress of the Voortrekker included a short dopper coat buttoned from top to bottom, a bonnet called a kappie, and handmade leather thong shoes…

DUBLIN IRELAND, 841 Founded as a Viking camp in 841, Dublin grew to become a major Irish settlement, with a reputation for a large slave market. YORK ENGLAND, 9TH CENTURY One of the most famous Viking settlements, it is thought York may have been settled since the Mesolithic era. HEDEBY GERMANY, 8TH CENTURY A town built at a vital trade nexus; Hedeby became the centre of commerce in the region until it was abandoned after 1066. REYKJAVIK ICELAND, C.870 Originally founded by Norwegians, Reykjavik was a small farming town that became the centre for Icelandic nationalism.…

“ HE IS A FIGURE OBSCURED BY MYTH ” Blackbeard was outnumbered, and massively so. His reckless nature had taken over, and it had sent him leaping into the jaws of death. He had boarded a rival sloop with a handful of his loyal men, but now he could see none of them past the surrounding enemies. The deck on which he stood was slick with blood, some of it his rivals’, and some of it his own. He had already been hacked, slashed and shot, but still, somehow, he was standing. He was a terrifying vision on the deck, his wounds bleeding out and the smoke of gunpowder all about him as he heaved and gasped for breath. The men were hesitant, but confident in their numbers. They finally…

“BLACKBEARD WORE THREE SETS OF PISTOLS” The smoking man Blackbeard inserted slow burning canon fuses under his hat and lit them as he approached enemies. This would encircle him in smoke, and create a terrifying image. Weaponry To strike fear into his enemies, Blackbeard wore three pairs of cocked and primed pistols strapped to his chest over a sling. He also carried at least two cutlasses, and sometimes a further four pistols under his belt. A gruesome flag The flag was the first thing that approaching ships would look for, and Blackbeard’s incorporated all the morbid symbols it could fit. It showed a skeleton with horns, a spear and bleeding heart. A well-equipped ship Although he rarely needed to use the weaponry on his flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Blackbeard ensured…

Fritz Lang The director of classics such as Metropolis (1927) and M (1931) was identified as a Jew even though he was brought up as Roman Catholic. He fled Germany after a meeting with Goebbels. After staying in France he then emigrated to the US. Billy Wilder The co-writer of the classic film Sunset Boulevard, left Nazi Germany for Paris, and then Hollywood, where he would go on to win six Oscars. His mother, grandmother and stepfather all died in the Holocaust. Robert Siodmak Criticised openly in the press by Goebbels, Siodmak made his way to Paris and eventually to the US. Famous for films such as The Killers (1946), Criss Cross (1948), and The Crimson Pirate (1952), he returned to Europe after the war. Kurt Gerron The actor and…

Praise the emperor Despite him wielding little power, the emperor stands as an important symbol of Japanese culture and the Shinto religion. Learn ‘standard language’ This new nationwide dialect has replaced local and regional dialect and will become the norm in all aspects of Japanese life. Be prepared to be conscripted Nationwide conscription was introduced in this era, meaning every male has to serve four years when they turn 21. Take advantage of public education This is the first time this has been introduced in Japan in an effort to catch up with the West. Be too Western Although there is wide influence by the West, there is still a very key appreciation of traditional values. Expect to vote in elections Despite having an ‘elected’ parliament, only the wealthy one…

Mary welcomed to London Abandoning Lady Jane Grey, the people of London rejoice as Mary arrives to claim her crown. They fondly remember the daughter of Henry VIII and see her as Edward VI’s rightful heir. 3 August 1553 A wedding and coronation In an unprecedented grand event, Mary and Reginald Pole are wed and anointed co-monarchs. Their union creates a bond between Tudor and York bloodlines and calms people’s fears of foreign rule. 1 October 1553 Elizabeth is arrested for conspiring with the rebels Following Queen Mary’s tragic false pregnancy, Elizabeth incites rebellion, hoping to place herself on the throne and return England to Protestant worship. The uprising falls flat, and Elizabeth is imprisoned. 10 February 1554 A wedding and a burning The Protestant remnant is silenced when Thomas…

Some Like It Hot (1959) Manhattan Drunk by Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (Marilyn Monroe) Casablanca (1942) French 75 Drunk by Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) Casino Royale (2006) Vesper Drunk by James Bond (Daniel Craig) Funny Girl (1968) Creme de Menthe Frappe Drunk by Fanny Brice (Barbara Streisand) Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998) Singapore Sling Drunk by Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961) Mississippi Punch Drunk by Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn)…

A twist on the Gin Sour, this shaken and then strained mix of gin, honey, and lemon juice is thought to have been concocted during Prohibition in the United States, when questionable bootlegged spirits needed masking with something sweet. It embodies the paradox that the 1920s was also the Jazz Age, an era of Great Gatsby-style sophisticated fun – and therefore a golden age for drink innovations. Cocktails from this period often also have the advantage of being easy to throw together, as they would have been in the makeshift speakeasies. Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, honey syrup Directions: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel or lemon wheel.…

GENERAL CHARLES DE LORENCEZ LEADER Mistakenly believed he couldn’t lose. ”We’ve such a superiority,” he wrote before the battle, “that I’m already the master of Mexico.” Strengths: Graduate of the St Cyr Military Academy and Crimean War veteran. Weaknesses: Overconfident to the point of arrogance. ZOUAVE LIGHT INFANTRY KEY UNIT Though it later opened its ranks to all, this elite unit was originally made up of Bedouin fighters from Algeria. Strengths: Battle hardened, well equipped, loyal and disciplined. Weakness: Poorly informed, they underestimated the opposition. MINIé RIFLE KEY WEAPON The Minié ball, invented by Frenchman Captain Claude-Étienne Minié in 1847, allowed the rapid muzzle loading of rifled muskets. Strengths: Accurate and effective up to 550 metres. Weaknesses: Muzzle loading limited it to two to three shots per minute.…

“Chapuys is known for his many years of service as ambassador to the Tudor court… his prominence and reputation is inextricably linked to Henry’s queens” Despite the passing of over 500 years, the story of Henry VIII and his six wives continues to make for an absorbing drama. It has been retold in countless films, operas, plays and television shows; there are heroes and villains, but which individual fits which role can sharply divide opinion. Take, for example, Imperial Ambassador Eustace Chapuys, who spent 16 years at the Tudor court as the ambassador for Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. He had an incredible flair for description, an acerbic wit and a sharp eye, counting great scholars Erasmus and Cornelius Agrippa as his friends. He also accomplished far more than we…

The Chinese word ‘yum cha’ is the name given to the meal of dim sum, the delicious dumplings that are still popular across the world today. ‘Dim sum’ means to touch the heart, and ‘yum cha’ literally translates as ‘to drink tea,’ which has been drunk recreationally in China since the Sung Dynasty (960-1280). The small and delectable delicacies were once created for emperors and enjoyed by China’s elite, however the tradition of enjoying tea and dumplings together originates along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route connecting China and Asia to the Mediterranean. Teahouses along the well-trodden routes would entice hungry travellers in to sample their wares with tasty small snacks to accompany their tea. Ingredients For the filling For the…

Author Philip Parker Publisher Andre Deutsch Price £30 Released Out now It’s hard to recall a time in the last few centuries – or millennia, for that matter – in which society hasn’t been in a state of constant upheaval. There are multiple contributory factors for this state of being, but one of the primary catalysts for this is the revolution, and the consequences that inevitably follow. It is here in which Philip Parker presents an overview of some of the major instances of this phenomenon to have taken place during the 20th century, from the 1911 Xinhai Revolution and the rise of Lenin and Stalin in Russia, all the way through to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the Iranian Revolution. It’s interspersed with images and removable…

Author Margaret Visser Publisher Random Penguin House Price £9.99 Released Out now How has society come to place so much importance on what we do at dinner? Margaret Visser first published her book The Rituals Of Dinner in 1991. The book, which has sold more than 44,000 copies since its release is now back, having been reissued for its 25th anniversary. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of reading Visser’s culinary works, the book is an interesting study on the world’s eating habits, from where we eat, to whom we should invite to feast at our table. Every event that has broken new ground at the dining table is unearthed, and Visser turns a seemingly mundane day-to-day activity into a scholarly discussion – from Ancient Greece to modern Europe,…