In the August issue of History Today

In the August edition of History Today, Richard Rhodes looks at the history of energy transition – from wood to coal, to oil, nuclear power and beyond – and examines the extraordinary impact such transformations have on civilisation.

Also in the August issue:

• As London 2012 opens, David Gribble tells the story of an Olympian clash between the Greek city states of Athens and Sparta;
• Taylor Downing looks at the close relationship between the Olympics and the moving image;
• The troubled history of King Arthur and the Church is scrutinized by Simon Andre Stirling;
• Elizabeth Boyle challenges the rise of nationalism in the field of Celtic studies;
• Stella Tillyard considers the difficulties of adapting history for the cinema;
• Tim Stanley debates the legacy of Chairman Mao and his role in modern China;
• and Robert Colls attempts to define Britishness.

The August issue of History Today is out on July 19th; subscribe today and ensure you never miss a copy.

You can also get History Today for your iPad, Android device or Kindle Fire via our new tablet edition. This month we have a tablet-exclusive article by Mihir Bose on the origins of the modern Olympic Games, and how they were influenced by a 19th-century English novel. The tablet edition is out Tuesday July 17th.