Political

Franco's traditional image has been as a canny neutral in the struggle between the Allied and Axis powers. But in 1940 his aspirations for an African empire drew him to within an ace of war with Britain.

A ballot-box 'revolution' made Hitler Chancellor of Germany. But political violence was the stock-in-trade consolidating Nazi power piecemeal throughout 1933 against disorganised opponents.

Not all young Germans were enthusiasts for Hitler Youth ideas - and some actively opposed them.

Simon Adams explores works on the two dominant European political ministers.

It was not only the Jews who fled from Tsarist persecution in the late 19th century. Immigrants from Lithuania came to Scotland en route for the United States and many stayed.

Douglas Johnson recounts the life of the infamous French army captain.

What made for a good medieval king? Understanding Richard I – better known as Richard the Lionheart – is a good place to start.

At the Boston Tea Party the Americans not only flouted the unpopular tax laws on tea imposed on the colony, they also retrieved the image of the Mohawk from the hands of British cartoonists and reinstated him as the symbol of American liberty.

A.J.G.Cummings explores Scotland's links with Europe from 1600-1800.

David Starkey visits the Lincoln Center for a night at the opera.