DK

The Rise of the Railways by DK — the extraordinary story of how the steam locomotive transformed the world in fifty years, reshaping economies, altering landscapes, creating cities, and changing the social fabric of every country it reached. From George Stephenson and the Rocket through the great Victorian railway builders to the golden age of steam and the transition to modern traction — comprehensive visual detail throughout. Published by DK.

A History of Astrology by DK — astrology’s full cultural and historical richness, from the celestial omens of ancient Mesopotamia through the mathematical astrology of the Hellenistic world, the medieval integration with natural philosophy, the challenge of the Copernican revolution, and contemporary astrological practice. Exceptional reproductions of original manuscripts, celestial charts, and astrological instruments throughout. An essential reference. Published by DK.

Exploration: Map by Map by DK — the complete history of the age of exploration told through the maps that explorers made as they went: original maps from the world’s great cartographic collections, some beautiful, some wildly inaccurate, all historically fascinating. Expert commentary draws out what each map shows, what the mapmaker understood, and how geographical knowledge developed through the cumulative work of centuries. Published by DK.

Philosophers Who Changed the World by DK — eighty of the most consequential thinkers in the history of philosophy, Eastern and Western, ancient and contemporary, profiled with biographical depth, clear exposition of key ideas, and a genuine account of why each philosopher’s contribution mattered. Non-Western traditions — Buddhist, Confucian, Indian — receive the same seriousness as the European canon. The ideal companion for a serious philosophical reading list. Published by DK.

Machines: A Visual History by DK — the complete story of human mechanical ingenuity from the earliest simple machines of antiquity through the complex systems that define contemporary life. Over three hundred machines profiled with technical drawings, photographs, and the engineering principles that make each one work — from classic mechanical devices through electrical and electronic machines to robotics and programmable systems. Published by DK.

The World War I Book by DK — the complete history of the First World War, from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand through the battles of Verdun and the Somme to the armistice of November 1918. Every phase covered with maps, photographs, profiles of key commanders, and analysis of the tactical and strategic decisions that determined the course of a conflict that killed seventeen million people. Published by DK.

Writers Who Changed the World by DK — eighty of the most consequential writers in world literature, from Homer and Murasaki Shikibu through Shakespeare, Cervantes, Goethe, Tolstoy, Woolf, and García Márquez. Genuinely global coverage — Eastern, Western, and African literary traditions receive equal attention. The ideal introduction to world literature organised by impact, and the perfect companion for building a serious reading list. Published by DK.

The Military History Book by DK — every major conflict, every significant tactical innovation, and every landmark in the development of weapons and strategy, from ancient warfare through the twenty-first century. DK’s combination of expert text, maps, battle diagrams, and photography makes even the most complex campaigns comprehensible. An essential reference for students of military history. Published by DK.

Ancient Egypt by DK — the definitive visual guide to pharaonic civilisation, drawing on the latest archaeological scholarship to present the monuments, art, religion, and daily life of ancient Egypt with exceptional visual richness. From the earliest dynasties to the Roman absorption — three thousand years of one of the world’s most extraordinary civilisations. Published by DK.

Imperial China by DK — a comprehensive visual history of Chinese imperial civilisation from the earliest dynasties through the final Qing dynasty, rendered with exceptional photography and drawing on the latest archaeological scholarship. Covers art, philosophy, politics, and daily life across three thousand years of one of the world’s great civilisations. Published by DK.

Books That Changed History by DK — an immersive visual exploration of fifty world-transforming books, from Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Marx’s Capital to Wollstonecraft’s Rights of Woman and Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams. Original manuscripts, first editions, and historical photographs bring each book and its impact to vivid life. A beautiful celebration of the power of ideas. Published by DK.