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Peter Frankopan

British historian, Professor of Global History at Oxford and author of The Silk Roads and The Earth Transformed.

4 things

The Cherry OrchardBook Anton Chekhov

loved

So, as a kind of period piece that captures Russia in the late 19th, early 20th century, it's the most poignant text I've ever read.

Five Books interview on history books

2017-09-18·fivebooks.com ↗

The AlexiadBook Anna Komnene

loved

There are several jewels of medieval Greek literature but Anna Komnene's is probably the brightest. She was the daughter of one of the emperors—she was porphyrogenita—and it is the first narrative history written by a woman in any European language. It's a text that is incredibly florid, very beautiful, and extremely interesting.

Five Books interview on history books

2017-09-18·fivebooks.com ↗

De Administrando ImperioBook Constantine Porphyrogenitus

recommended

It's the introductory text for anybody studying the Byzantine Empire and yet no one has ever heard of it.

Five Books interview on history books

2017-09-18·fivebooks.com ↗

Ibn Fadlan and the Land of Darkness: Arab Travellers in the Far NorthBook Ibn Fadlan

recommended

It's a text that's filled with humour, of a man describing a world that is unknown. And I suppose that's a theme for me, looking at different parts of the world that have important significance and value and yet get overlooked because we're always staring at our own reflection in the mirror.

Five Books interview on history books

2017-09-18·fivebooks.com ↗

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