History Today

In Church Going: A Stonemason’s Guide to the Churches of the British Isles, Andrew Ziminski deconstructs the humble parish church.

Imperialism and India, spies and seafarers, paganism and the polis: the first 12 of 25 historians choose their favourite new history books of 2024.

A viking mercenary who fought on three sides, who was Thorkell the Tall?

What explains the Iranian state’s remarkable soft power in the West? The answer lies in Iran’s rich – and often romanticised – history.

In The Tafts, George W. Liebmann celebrates an American political dynasty dedicated to public service. Why are they often overlooked?

On 23 November 1929 Nigeria’s women rose against the colonial authorities, demanding a return to traditional values and the ejection of the British. 

National security during the Second World War was threatened by the ‘enemy within’ – working-class women, suspected of betraying their country by taking in deserters and escapees.

The spiritual marketplace is crowded – is there something Darwinian about it?

Indulgent symbol of papist excess or mouthpiece for God’s second greatest gift? What place was there for the organ in the Reformation church?

Pilgrimage is not meant to be easy, but it remains a popular pursuit – even for non-believers.