In the July issue of History Today

The July edition of History Today is a Summer Reading Special in which leading historians choose the books they will be taking with them on holiday. As well as an expanded Reviews section, the July issue also sees the introduction of the History Today Book Club. Each month we will recommend a work of first-class scholarship, newly published in paperback, that deserves the widest possible readership, interviewing the author, running podcasts on our website and asking readers to offer their thoughts on the book as they read it.

This month, History Today carries a fascinating array of articles. Alexander Lee looks at why it was often better to ruled by a despot during the Italian Renaissance than be a citizen of a divided republic. Robert Hornsby reveals the underground dissident groups that emerged in the Soviet Union following the death of Stalin. Matthew Parker tells the story of Barbados during the 17th century, when Cavaliers and Roundheads fought for control of the island’s hugely profitable sugar industry. While Allan Mallinson explains why the regimental system has helped the British army survive centuries of neglect and maladministration.

Plus, in the July edition of History Today: the trial of Adolf Eichmann 50 years on; the tragic fate of Katherine Parr’s daughter; the nation that produced Pol Pot; and revolutionary attempts to change the way we measure time.

All this plus the quiz, the crossword, competitions, comment and the chance to explore History Today’s archive of over 11,000 articles dating back 60 years. Because What Happened Then Matters Now.