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The African Emperor - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · 6d

On October 1st, 2021, the first iteration of the Unseen Histories website launched to little fanfare. Exactly four years later on our 200th post, we've build a small audience and a solid foundation for the next 4 years beginning with a complete site upgrade and migration to @ghost.org – more soon!

A screenshot from the new Unseen Histories website, featuring a new layout. Shown is a medieval manuscript, an author interview and a feature on the Roman emperor, Septimus.

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · 12d

@simonelliott20.bsky.social has spent the last years reconstructing the life of the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus.

Here he makes the case for him as an astonishing and consequential figure in ancient history and, perhaps, 'the most powerful person ever born in Africa'.👇

Simon Elliott, the author of The African Emperor, tells us all about Septimus Severus.

Escaping Auschwitz - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · 15d

When the first railways were introduced in the early 19th century they were regarded as objects of wonder, but the 1940s western Europe's developed rail network played a significant role in the Holocaust.

@monisharajesh.bsky.social recounts the story of one young boy who survived this persecution👇

From 'Untold Railway Stories', comes the story of a boy's escape from Auschwitz.

The Maginot Line - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · 27d

The Maginot Line is remembered as an expensive failure.

Built in the 1930s to safeguard France from German expansion, it was rendered useless in just a few weeks as Hitler's forces blitzed their way to the north of it.

@passmorek.bsky.social explores the invasion of the Maginot line in May 1940👇

Author of The Maginot Line, Kevin Passmore, on its singular history.

New History Books for September 2025 - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · 28d

From herrings to Queen Elizabeth II, the Caribbean to Christopher Marlowe, here are a selection of history books that will be released over the month ahead.

Featuring new books from
@tracyborman.bsky.social
@drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social
@cathamclarke.bsky.social

And many more 👇

Our picks of a range of vibrant new history books that will be released over the month ahead.

The Symbol of the Open Road Was Born at Sea - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Sep 8

There are between one and two billion cars on the world's roads today; central to the control of all of them is the steering wheel. But as @timqueeney.bsky.social explains, the steering wheel evolved well away from any highway. It first appeared in the Enlightenment as a way to steer vessels at sea👇

Tim Queeney, author of the book Rope, explains the history behind the steering wheel.

Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Sep 5

In the desperate days of the Second World War, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle emerged as sources of strength and hope to their respective people. But they were very different personalities.

Now, Richard Vinen has written a joint biography of the two men he calls, 'the last titans'👇

We speak to the author of The Last Titans, about a two of the twentieth-century's leading political figures.

How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One - Unseen Histories

Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Sep 2

As the 19th century opened, Britain faced an existential crisis. Just a short distance away Napoleon's army gathered on the Channel coast. The terror of that historical moment was very real – Andrew Lambert investigates how British politicians spent the next century ensuring it was never felt again👇

We speak to Andrew Lambert, the author of No More Napoleons, about the British foreign policy between Waterloo and World War One..

The Kingdom of Fife - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Sep 1

This summer, author Louis D. Hall set out to explore the history of his homeland of Fife, north of Edinburgh; an enchanting place of hills, estuaries and coasts. Setting out on foot he discovered stories of adventurers and witches, saints and scholars👇

Louis D. Hall, the author of In Green, explores the history of the Kingdom of Fife.

August 1945 - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Aug 19

It is 80 years since the fighting stopped in August 1945 and WW2 reached its dramatic conclusion. While one era of history ended, another conflict had begun. As Churchill memorably put it, 'An iron curtain has descended across the continent.'

Barrett Tillman analyses the events of that month.👇

FBarrett Tillman, author of When the Shooting Stopped, revisits the events of August 1945.

John Barleycorn Must Die - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Aug 14

As the summer wanes, in the countryside the fields grow busy. Directly ahead lies the harvest, an event that has always been of critical importance to human societies. Daniel Stables, author of the book Fiesta, looks back at some of the vivid traditions that have long animated this time of the year👇

Daniel Stables evaluates the festivals that are celebrated around the world at harvest time.

The Leprosarium at Robben Island

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Aug 4

Long before Nelson Mandela began his 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island off Cape Town, it held many other people captive. From 1845 onwards, in particular, leprosy patients were taken to the island.

In this excerpt from his book, Outcast, @olibasciano.bsky.social evaluates this history.👇

Oliver Basciano recounts a lesser known part of Robben Island's complex history

Penthesilea the Amazonian Queen - Unseen Histories

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jul 17

Over the past few years scholars have uncovered stirring new evidence about the existence of fierce warrior women who lived in Scythia bearing a resemblance to Penthesilea, the Amazonian queen in Greek mythology.

It might be there’s a link, and the myth may well be grounded in factural accounts👇

Everyone remembers Helen of Troy, but no one has heard of Penthesilea. Christine Lehnen asks why.

New History Books for Summer 2025 - Unseen Histories

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Reposted by Unseen Histories

Shafik Meghji @shafikmeghji.bsky.social · Jul 14

‘A thrilling, illuminating perspective on a continent that is closer than we think.’

Chuffed to see #SmallEarthquakes included in the @unseenhistories.com summer books preview alongside some fascinating looking titles.

@hurstpublishers.bsky.social

www.unseenhistories.com/history-book...

Our picks of a range of vibrant new history books that will be released over the months ahead.

New History Books for Summer 2025 - Unseen Histories

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Reposted by Unseen Histories

Tim Queeney @timqueeney.bsky.social · Jul 10

“Rope” makes this excellent list of history books being published in August! @iconbooks.bsky.social

Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jul 10

📚 From Mary Queen of Scots to Fidel Castro, the Monsoon to earthquakes, here’s our selection of anticipated new history books that will be released over this summer. With new books by @marinawarner.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social,
@timqueeney.bsky.social and many more👇

Our picks of a range of vibrant new history books that will be released over the months ahead.

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jul 10

Very welcome Shafik!

New History Books for Summer 2025 - Unseen Histories

Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jul 10

📚 From Mary Queen of Scots to Fidel Castro, the Monsoon to earthquakes, here’s our selection of anticipated new history books that will be released over this summer. With new books by @marinawarner.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social,
@timqueeney.bsky.social and many more👇

Our picks of a range of vibrant new history books that will be released over the months ahead.

In Search of Gertrude Stein

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 30

Gertrude Stein was a writer, art collector, avant-gardist and a free-thinker. Her significance as a twentieth-century cultural figure is acknowledged by all, but there remains something mercurial about her. In her new book, Francesca Wade reflects on her creative output and considers her intensions👇

Francesca Wade tells us all about her new book, Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife

open.substack.com

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 20

In her new book, author @lallymacbeth.bsky.social examines the role folk culture has played in our history.

In this excerpt from The Lost Folk, she recounts the stories of Barbara Jones and Florence White, gifted collectors who found deep meaning in everyday English food👇

Folk Cookery from the English Countryside - Unseen Histories

Author of The Lost Folk, Lally Macbeth, on the significance of English food.

Opening the Gates of Hell: Operation Barbarossa with Richard Hargreaves

Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 20

The launch of Operation Barbarossa on this day in June 1941 was one of the critical moments of the Second World War. Having conquered in the north, south and west, Hitler's Nazi forces turned towards the east.

Richard Hargreaves examines the opening of Barbarossa in great and illuminating detail 👇

Richard Hargreaves examines two of the most bloody and significant weeks in all military history

The First Non-Stop Flight Across the Atlantic with David Rooney

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 19

Long before Earhart came Jack Alcock and Ted Brown. In 1919 they achieved an aviation first when they flew non-stop across the Atlantic.

They raced alongside three other teams, in simple planes, with no support through unpredictable skies.

@rooneyvision.bsky.social tells us about 'The Big Hop'👇

Long before Earhart and Lindbergh came Jack Alcock and Ted Brown. David Rooney tells us about 'The Big Hop'

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 17

Many thanks for this brilliant interview, David — always a pleasure to learn about overlooked figures in history. - J

The Late Bronze Age Collapse

Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 16

Before 1200BC the eastern Mediterranean was home to a number of young but thriving civilizations. In a mystery that has perplexed historians, these empires collapsed. Most of them vanished so completely, writes @paulmmcooper.bsky.social, 'that they disappeared from the historical record altogether'👇

Paul Cooper confronts one of the great puzzles of ancient history

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Unseen Histories @unseenhistories.com · Jun 12

Many thanks for sharing Oliver!