War and austerity, unrest and revolution: the institution of monarchy has remained stalwart through every challenge levelled at it, but just what is its role and how secure is its future in our modern society? At the beginning of the twentieth century, monarchy was by far the most common form of government: emperors sat on the thrones of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Persia, Japan, China, Russia and the Ottoman Empire, while there were kings of Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Romania, Greece, Korea and Cambodia. After he lost his throne in 1952, King Farouk of Egypt predicted that by the end of the century there would be only five kings: the kings of hearts, aces, clubs and spades, and the King of England. That prediction has not come true, for there remain monarchs across the globe. The number of monarchies has appreciably diminished, yet the idea continues to have allure. In Unsteady Crowns, historian A.W. Purdue explores the important role played by monarchies as agents of continuity, guarding and representing the national ethos, and brings the story up to date in a fully revised second edition, exploring the roles of celebrity, rivalry, and much more in monarchies worldwide.

A rich, detailed and well-illustrated overview of the landscape of the North East of England. How distinctive is the landscape of the North East of England? How far does its distinctive nature contribute to the region's regional identity? These are key questions addressed by this book. Covering a wide range of subjects including country house landscapes, village landscapes and "townscapes", including coverage of how the region's landscape has been perceived and represented in literature and art, and approaching the subject from a wide range of perspectives including historical, literary, archaeological, art-historical and geographical, the book provides a rich, detailed and well-illustrated overview of the landscape of the North East of England. It demonstrates that this landscape is more subtle, layered and varied than is often supposed, and that stereotypes that the region is grimly industrial and dominated by coal-mining are wrong. Overall, besides much interesting detail and many new research findings, the book vividly evokes the landscapes and the spirit of place of the North East. Dr THOMAS FAULKNER is Visiting Fellow, School of Historical Studies, University of Newcastle; Dr HELEN BERRY is Reader in Early Modern History, School of Historical Studies, University of Newcastle; Dr JEREMY GREGORY is Senior Lecturer, Dept. Religions and Theology, University of Manchester. Contributors: S. M. COUSINS, A. W. PURDUE, S. A. CAUNCE, STEVEN DESMOND, JUDITH BETNEY, VERONICA GOULTY, FIONA GREEN, ADRIAN GREEN, WINIFRED STOKES, HILARY J. GRAINGER, MARTIN ROBERTS, GILLIAN COOKSON, THOMAS FAULKNER, LINDA POLLEY, HELEN BERRY, HUGH DIXON, JAN HEWITT, LAURA NEWTON.

This is a timely new study of the Great War, a hundred years on. The First World War not only provides an invaluable introduction to the topic but also deals with the changing perspectives of, and attitudes towards, the war and its place in national and international memories. This clear and concise volume demonstrates the strategies of the combatants, the changing nature of warfare, the failures and achievements of military commanders and the impact of new weaponry. It leads you through the debates surrounding the war, from its causes through to its consequences, looking at the subject from a 21st century perspective. Rather than simply focusing on military history, Purdue pulls in strands of the diplomatic, political and economic dimensions of conflict, making this an ideal introduction to the First World War for both students and general readers.

This is a timely new study of the Great War, a hundred years on. The First World War not only provides an invaluable introduction to the topic but also deals with the changing perspectives of, and attitudes towards, the war and its place in national and international memories. This clear and concise volume demonstrates the strategies of the combatants, the changing nature of warfare, the failures and achievements of military commanders and the impact of new weaponry. It leads you through the debates surrounding the war, from its causes through to its consequences, looking at the subject from a 21st century perspective. Rather than simply focusing on military history, Purdue pulls in strands of the diplomatic, political and economic dimensions of conflict, making this an ideal introduction to the First World War for both students and general readers.