History Today

Ian Bradley cavils at the growing trend for teaching 'world history'.

N.E.R. Fisher surveys the historiographical treatments of these ancient democratic states, in this month's Reading History.

What caused former Englishmen to declare their separate identity as Americans? Ian R. Christie explores the issues underlying British recognition of United States' independence.

Geoffrey Warner continues our series on Post-War Reconstruction.

In 1945, Europe was devastated by the effects of the Second World War. The determination to reconstruct Europe was forged both from the disaster of war and from dreams of the creation of a stabilised and more equitable peace.

Kenneth Walthew explains how, on a visit to Malta for medicinal purposes, Thomas Bowdler the purifyer of English literature, found himself involved in a farce which was worthy of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.

William Laud recorded in his diary, for August 4th, 1633: 'Sunday, News came to Court: of The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury's death and the King resolved presently to give it me. Which he did, Aug 6.' This month, 350 years later, Kevin Sharpe, urges the need for a re-evaluation of Laud's career

Kuwait has enjoyed wealth far longer than the other oil producing states of the Middle East and is proud to spend its riches on its heritage, as Philip Mansel explores here.