Author:John Darwin
Tamerlane, the Ottomans, the Mughals, the Manchus, the British, the Soviets, the Japanese and the Nazis.
All built empires they hoped would last forever: all were destined to fail. But, as John Darwin shows in his magnificent book, their empire building created the world we know today.
From the death of Tamerlane in 1405, last of the ‘world conquerors’, to the rise and fall of European empires, and from America’s growing colonial presence to the resurgence of India and China as global economic powers, After Tamerlane provides a wonderfully intriguing perspective on the past, present and future of empires.
No one is better fitted to present the words of the participants than Hugh McManners. His book represetns a worthy tribute both to those who died, and to those who survived this freak of history and played their parts in creating a national legend
—— Sir Max Hastings, in the IntroductionA unique and essential chronicle of the conflict
—— Military IllustratedEngaging ... has a long and satisfying future
—— GuardianA poignant insight
—— Glasgow HeraldCowell narrates his gripping story in painstaking detail, and with the common sense and professionalism of the distinguished journalist
—— Simon Sebag Montefiore , ScotsmanDeGroot goes far beyond his precise academic remit in bringing us this caustic, absorbing and suttee exploration of how and why the dream died
—— Euan Ferguson , ObserverDeGroot has a good ear for anecdotes and his narrative is highly amusing.
—— John Michell , SpectatorAn enjoyably written argument
—— Sinclair McKay , Daily TelegraphA gripping account
—— Adam Forrest , The HeraldDeGroot tells the story of the American lunar mission with verve and elegance
—— Richard Aldous , Irish TimesFascinating, gossipy and occasionally hilarious
—— Jeffrey Taylor , Express