Thermopylae

This is an addition to Great Battles from The Folio Society and tackles the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against the Persians. Following on from Waterloo, this is the second in the Battles series and looks at one of the earliest examples of a last stand against overwhelming odds. It comes in a slipcase and features 16 glossy pages of colour images featuring landscapes, sculpture, ceramics and monuments. There are also 14 integrated mono photos and seven maps.

The story itself veers on the side of the historical analysis rather than blood and thunder, constantly referring to what we do or don’t know from the various historical sources. For such a dramatic battle that has resounded down the years it’s a particularly low-key approach. Still, it’s a detailed and marvellously produced book that would enhance any bookshelf.

• The Folio Society
• www.thefoliosociety.com
• 220 pages. Hardback. £39.95

**************************************************************

Can't get to the newsagents for your copy of The Armourer? Order it online (now with free postage!) or take out a subscription and avoid the general public for the next 12 months entirely. And if you're confined to quarters, stock up on some bookazines to keep you entertained.

Buy the latest copy or any back issues, either in print or digital editions by clicking on The Armourer.

Celebrate the heroes of the Battle of Britain with a commemorative bookazine, with colour images throughout, for £8.99. Get your 164 page copy here.

Buy a copy of Aircraft of the RAF, featuring 595 flying machines, for £7.99 by clicking here.

Or how about a copy of the Collecting German Militaria bookazine for £7.99? Click here to buy this.