Trade History

From the award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of Material World, a story that will take you from ancient civilizations, empire and globalisation through to the most influential geopolitical issue of our times. The story of trade is the story of humanity. From the copper in...

Uncover the fascinating microhistory of an everyday mineral that silently engineered the rise and fall of global empires. Perfect for your daily commute or a deep-focus learning session, this immersive historical journey reveals how a biological craving drove human evolution. Discover the hidden...

From the bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl. .Bristol in 1787 is booming, from its stinking docks to its elegant new houses. Josiah Cole, a small dockside trader, is prepared to gamble everything to join the big players of the city. But he needs ready cash and a well-connected wife. An...

Journey through a gripping world history of human resilience and systemic exploitation that reshaped continents forever. Perfect for focused learning during a quiet commute, this thought-provoking narrative restores the vibrant lives of West African societies before European intrusion...

Step aboard a wind-powered voyage through history—into the heart of one of the most influential, complex, and far-reaching colonial empires ever built. In The History of the Dutch Empire, discover how a small republic forged a global legacy through trade, naval dominance, and strategic colonial control. From the bustling canals of Amsterdam to the shores of Java, the plantations of Suriname, and the brief Dutch foothold in the Americas, this audiobook unpacks the intricate web of commerce, conquest, and governance that defined Dutch expansion.

"The deck, that is the floor of their rooms, was so covered with the blood and mucus which had proceeded from them in consequence of the flux, that it resembled a slaughter-house. It is not in the power of the human imagination to picture a situation more dreadful or disgusting. Numbers of the slaves having fainted, they were carried upon deck where several of them died and the rest with great difficulty were restored. It had nearly proved fatal to me also." - Dr. Alexander Falconbridge, an 18th century British surgeon

Uncover a sweeping African history of powerful ancient empires, colonial conflict, and the fight for independence. Perfect for your morning commute or an immersive learning session, this thought-provoking narrative transports you to the vibrant savannas and bustling coastal ports of West Africa...

Brought to you by Penguin. **SHORTLISTED FOR 2025 THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION** A startling exploration of slavery in the Islamic world from the 7th century to the present Slavery in the Islamic world has a long, diverse and controversial history. Captives and Companions is a...

Trace the global history of open commerce and discover how supply chains shape our modern economic reality. Whether you are commuting to the office or seeking thought-provoking insights into international relations, this engaging narrative transforms complex policies into a high-stakes story of...

Journey into pre-colonial African history to explore the ancient kingdoms and trade empires that built our modern world. Make your daily commute an educational deep dive into a fascinating saga of cosmopolitan cities, brilliant scholars, and powerful rulers. Discover a rich landscape of bustling...

This guide will take you on a journey across time, from the late 1400s to the very end of the 19th century, as well as across the globe, from Europe, across Africa, to the American continents. It will tell you the story of human greed and heartlessness toward fellow human beings, and it will lead you through the painful and often macabre voyage of the transatlantic slave trade. You’ll learn why and how the slave trade began, where most of the enslaved people came from and where most of them were shipped to, the European nations that participated in the slave trade, and more.

Trace the sweeping world history of commerce to see how ancient barters built today's complex global economics. Perfect for an enlightening daily commute, this thought-provoking journey swaps dry equations for the thrill of high-seas expeditions and desert caravans. Satisfy your intellectual...

Trace the epic history of global economics and discover how human ingenuity conquered scarcity to build modern wealth. Perfect for a productive commute, this engaging narrative sweeps you from ancient Silk Road deserts to the bustling factories of the Industrial Revolution. Immerse yourself in a...

Silk Silver Opium not only tells the fascinating stories of silk and tea, porcelain, silver and opium, missionaries, mercenaries and trade, but also what became inevitable – war and humiliation. Much about China's modern relationship with the West is the product of its past interactions, conflicts, victories and humiliations.

The Revolution Trade by Charles Stross includes The Revolution Business and The Trade of Queens - the final two instalments of the spellbinding The Merchant Princes series combined in one volume. For one ex-journalist, the nightmare has just begun . . . Miriam Beckstein has said goodbye to her...

Grasp the harrowing history of forced migration that built global empires and forged transatlantic cultural resilience. Perfect for an educational commute, this thought-provoking narrative confronts the traumatic origins of an exploitative system. You will encounter the profound human toll...

Trace the dramatic rise of a muddy medieval hamlet into an unstoppable epicenter of global commerce and urban history. Perfect for an immersive daily commute, this sweeping narrative transports you directly to the waterlogged origins of a metropolis defined by relentless ambition. Step onto the...

How do you decide what is a 'story' and what isn't? What does a newspaper editor actually do all day? How do hacks get their scoops? How do the TV stations choose their news bulletins? How do you persuade people to say those awful, embarrassing things? Who earns what? How do journalists manage...

Uncover the harrowing history of the Atlantic slave trade through the visceral experiences of capture and resistance. This deeply human narrative moves beyond statistics to center the lived realities of those forced into captivity. Experience a defining era of world history that forged enduring...

Dive into a gripping global history of how microscopic pathogens and revolutionary crops forged our interconnected world. Perfect for an educational commute, this ecological deep dive reveals how 15th-century transatlantic voyages collapsed ancient civilizations and ignited global trade...