Best Selling Books by Michael Grant

"The author looks at the gospels with an historian''s eye, in search of the authentic Jesus. He seeks to separate those portions of the gospels that refer to the true career and teachings of Jesus, from the subsequent additions or inventions by the evangelists. The gospels are studied in the same way as other ancient historical sources, endeavouring to reconstruct what really happened and to uncover the truth of the historical Jesus. The picture of Jesus that emerges is in some respects unfamiliar."--Amazon.com prod. desc.

Michael Grant''s huge following Popular subject with the general reader Short, illustrated book with lavish jacket

"Gladiators, an exciting account of the ancient Roman institution of arena combat, traces the bloody 800-year history of the bustuarii from their rise during the third century B.C. to their eventual abolition at the end of the fifth century A.D. The popularity of gladiatorial combat dramatizes the paradox of Roman civilization: poets, philosophers, and politicians glorifying this brutal and savage institution in a culture remarkable for its contributions to government, law, literature, philosophy, and art--a culture that was a cornerstone of Western civilization. Although no amount of explanation can mitigate the savagery, in some ways good things came out of this almost-supreme evil. It brought forth countless acts if individual courage, it created one of the world''s greatest architectural forms, and it inspired a number of thoughtful men to write down violent protests that stood firm against this overwhelming tide of brutality. Illustrations of mosaics, statuettes, reliefs, and the remains of arenas and amphitheaters illuminate the text."--Provided by publisher

In this 1968 study, Michael Grant examines the varied ways in which Rome used currency to inform direct or deceive public opinion and also considers results of this exploitation. Cunning historians can read in the coins matters of art politics, religion, economics - even personalities not to be found in surviving books: or if found, can set what the books say against what the coins say. Professor Grant astutely masters his difficult and complex subject matter, producing a brief exposition of it in words which the general reader and specialist alike can understand and profit from. Complemented by a series of half-tone plates, Professor Grant''s book is an excellent introduction for students of history to the value of coins as evidence for their subject.

''an outstanding piece of work . . . utterly compelling'' - Scotland on Sunday Why has Scotland produced so many of the best football managers in the world? Based on exclusive interviews with the men themselves, their players or close friends and family, Michael Grant and Rob Robertson delve into the very heart of Scottish life, society and football to reveal the huge contribution that managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Jock Stein, Jim McLean, Kenny Dalglish, Walter Smith and a host of others have made to the world game. This original, brilliantly-realised and critically acclaimed study profiles the character and methods of each of the great Scottish managers, analysing their strengths and weaknesses, and examines their impact on both club and international football. It is a deeply-researched and compelling story which presents new material on many of the greats, particularly Busby and Stein, and highlights the enormous Old Firm contributions of, among others, Willie Maley, Bill Struth and Graeme Souness.

The Herod of popular tradition is the tyrannical King of Judaea who ordered the Massacre of the Innocents and died a terrible death in 4 BC as the judgment of God. But this biography paints a much more complex picture of this contemporary of Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and the Emperor Augustus. Herod devoted his life to the task of keeping the Jews prosperous and racially intact. To judge by the two disastrous Jewish rebellions that occurred within a hundred and fifty years of his death -- those the Jews called the First and Second Roman Wars -- he was not, in the long run, completely successful. For forty years Herod walked the most precarious of political tightropes. For he had to be enough of a Jew to retain control of his Jewish subjects, and enough of a pro-Roman to preserve the confidence of Rome, within whose territory his kingdom fell. For more than a quarter of a century he was one of the chief bulwarks of Augustus'' empire in the east. He made Judaea a large and prosperous country. He founded cities and built public works on a scale never seen before: of these, recently excavated Masada is a spectacular example. And he did all this in spite of a continuous undercurrent of protest and underground resistance. The numerous illustrations presents portraits and coins, buildings and articles of everyday use, landscapes and fortresses, and subsequent generations'' interpretations of the more famous events, actual and mythical, of Herod''s career.

Written by eminent classical scholar Michael Grant. The Ancient Mediterranean is a wonderfully revealing, unusually comprehensive history of all the peoples who lived around the Mediterranean from about 15,000 B.C. to the time of Constantine (306-337 A.D.). Many volumes, including Professor Grant''s own previous works, trace the histories of the great civilizations of Greece and Rome. But this unique work looks at the influences and cultures of the entire region, including Egypt, Israel, Crete, Carthage, Ionia and the Eastern colonies. Syria, and the Etruscans, as well as the Greek and Roman states. Drawing on archaeology, geography, anthropology, and economics. Professor Grant shows how the great Oriental civilizations—Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia—originated attitudes and institutions ultimately passed on to the West. He describes the effect on the people and their achievements of the long, irregular coastline, the mountainous terrain surrounding small fertile plains, the typical plant life of olive and grape, and the rapidly changing weather. Further, he investigates how the demographic factors around this deep and stormy sea caused or influenced the great periods of ancient history, such as that of fifth-century Athens and of Rome in the first century A.D. Appealing and fascinating reading, this impeccably researched history brings a fresh perspective to understanding our ancient heritage.

Drawing on recent techniques practiced in archaeology and anthropology, Michael Grant reveals the ancient Greece and Rome of the common people--men and women citizens as well as slaves and freedmen and women--and adds a human dimension to more standard accounts of political and military events. "Grant blows the dust off our timeworn images. . . ".--Publishers Weekly.

Fans of the 39 Clues books will love The Key, the third entry in Michael Grant’s middle-grade Magnificent 12 series. Full of adventure and wackiness, the Magnificent 12 books are also perfect for readers of funny, action-filled series like Dan Gutman’s Genius Files. With 21 phobias, Mack MacAvoy is more of a wimpy kid than a hero, but he is on a quest to defeat the wicked—and crazy, and mean, and dangerous—Pale Queen before her three-thousand-year banishment ends. In The Key, Mack must find more of the Magnificent 12, the twelve twelve-year-olds fated to stop the queen from destroying the world, and assemble a key—a cheat sheet, really—to a magical language. Along the way, he’ll transform the Loch Ness monster into a gigantic duck, and transport the Eiffel Tower across the River Seine. The Key is another fast-paced episode in Michael Grant’s bestselling and hysterical fantasy adventure series.

A richly detailed portrait of Rome at the height of its glory.

Sometimes One Hero Isn’t Enough Mack MacAvoy suffers from a serious case of mediumness. Medium looks. Medium grades. And with a list of phobias that could make anyone crazy, Mack never would have guessed that he is destined for a more-than-medium life. And then one day a three-thousand-year-old man named Grimluk appears and delivers some startling news: Mack is one of the Magnificent 12. An evil force is on its way and it’s up to Mack to track down eleven other twelve-year-olds to stop it. He will battle the wicked Ereskigal, also known as Risky. But Risky sounds a little scary and Mack doesn’t want to be a hero. Will he answer the call?

From a small Iron Age settlement on the banks of the Tiber, Rome grew to become the centre of an Empire that dominated the Western world. Powerful in war, Rome was magnificent in peace, so that even today her poets, artists, philosophers and historians exert their influence over Western thought and civilisation. Michael Grant, the renowned classical historian, recreates the evolution of this astonishing city and community. He describes the individuals and events that made Rome a political and cultural conqueror, and defines the dramatic circumstances of her eventual decline and fall.

In the thrilling second book of the Magnificent 12 series, Mack MacAvoy is challenged by his spectral mentor, Grimluk—who only appears in the shiny chrome pipes of bathrooms. Mack must find the ancient ones, the great forgotten forces. Some will help; some not so much. But above all— Learn the ways of Vargran! Assemble the twelve! Go to the nine dragons of Daidu. Go to the Egge rocks. Beware of . . . the trap. Time is short! The wicked Pale Queen’s three-thousand-year banishment ends in thirty-five days, and she will be free to destroy the world. It’s up to Mack to stop her return. But what do all of Grimluk’s clues mean? Can Mack achieve everything he must do without getting killed by the evil Risky—and escape the trap? The Magnificent 12: The Trap is another fast-paced episode in bestselling author Michael Grant’s hilarious fantasy-adventure series.

This useful companion to classical history reveals the ancient world, from Scotland to India and from Spain to the Black Sea, through the numerous sites of its history and legends. Covering nations, provinces, cities, towns, rivers, seas, straits, mountains, plains, and battle sites, the author describes about 900 historically significant places in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Grant offers a study of the primary historians of Greece and Rome, discussing the works and methods of the founders of the historical discipline. These philosophers studied history as a moral discipline that bears meaningfully not only on the past but on future human conduct.

Byzantium was dismissed by Gibbon, in the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,and his Victorian successors as a decadent, dark, oriental culture, given up to intrigue, forbidden pleasure and refined cruelty. This great empire, founded by Constantine as the seat of power in the East began to flourish in the fifth century AD, after the fall of Rome, yet its culture and history have been neglected by scholars in comparison to the privileging of interest in the Western and Roman Empire. Michael Grant''s latest book aims to compensate for that neglect and to provide an insight into the nature of the Byzantine Empire in the fifth century; the prevalence of Christianity, the enormity and strangeness of the landscape of Asia Minor; and the history of invasion prior to the genesis of the empire. Michael Grant''s narrative is lucid and colourful as always, lavishly illustrated with photographs and maps. He successfully provides an examination of a comparatively unexplored area and constructs the history of an empire which rivals the former richness and diversity of a now fallen Rome.

Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire presents a study of third century Rome, which is lavishly illustrated and a lucid read, typical of Michael Grant''s inimitable style. In Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire, Michael Grant asserts that the fact that the Roman empire of the third century AD did not collapse is one of the miracles of history. He argues that at that time the empire seemed ripe for disintegration and expresses amazement that it continued, in the west, for another two hundred years, and in the east, for far longer. Michael Grant examines the reasons for collapse, including analyses of the succession of emperors, the Germans and the Persians and also, the reasons for its remarkable recovery, including discussions of strong emperors, a reconstituted army, finance and coinage and state religion.

"The Emperor Constantine was one of the great, charismatic figures of the ancient world. He was directly responsible for two momentous transformations that greatly affected our history and civilization: the founding of Constantinople as the Roman capital and the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity. With knowledge gained from modern research in all relevant fields, including archaeology, papyrology, and art history, Michael Grant traces the controversies that surround this intriguing ruler back to their very beginnings. He draws a compelling portrait of Constantine, assessing the emperor''s achievements as a general in command of his armies and as a resourceful politician and reformer." "In art, politics, economics, social developments, and particularly in religion, the life of Constantine acts as a bridge between past and present. Michael Grant goes beyond the bias of literary sources and reveals the private man behind the public persona: the superstitious beliefs underpinning Constantine''s hallucinatory visions and dreams that heralded his conversion to Christianity; his persecution of paganism in the name of Christianity that set precedents for centuries to come; and the relationship between church and state that gave way to the totalitarianism of the Late Roman Empire. Was he the last notable Roman emperor, or the first medieval monarch? Was the great convert a saint and hero, or should we regard him as a murderer who killed his wife, his eldest son, and many of his friends to further his own ambitions? These are just some of the issues raised in this revelatory biography."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Love The Hunger Games? Action-adventure thrillers with a dystopian twist? BZRK (Berserk) by Michael Grant, New York Times best-selling author of the GONE series, ramps up the action and suspense to a whole new level of excitement. Charles and Benjamin Armstrong, conjoined twins and owners of the Armstrong Fancy Gifts Corporation, have a goal: to turn the world into their vision of utopia. No wars, no conflict, no hunger. And no free will. Opposing them is a guerrilla group of teens, code name BZRK, who are fighting to protect the right to be messed up, to be human. This is no ordinary war, though. Weapons are deployed on the nano-level. The battleground is the human brain. And there are no stalemates here: It''s victory . . . or madness. BZRK unfolds with hurricane force around core themes of conspiracy and mystery, insanity and changing realities, engagement and empowerment, and the larger impact of personal choice. Which side would you choose? How far would you go to win?

A brilliant historian of the ancient world, Michael Grant turns his attention to the decisive centuries of turmoil and rebirth that followed the final collapse of the Roman Empire in the West. The years from 476 to 816 constitute a relatively neglected period, sometimes dismissed by historians as a "Dark Age." But this impressively illustrated volume puts the dawn of the Middle Ages in a new perspective. Far from a time of "barbarian" darkness, this emerges as a remarkably rich period, in both east and west, a crucial time of innovation and development that went very far toward shaping our modern world. It was an age of great leaders. So many dominant personalities of the period have cast long shadows across the centuries and into our own time. From the pages of Michael Grant''s readable, moving text there emerge fresh portraits of such giants as Justinian the Great in the heyday of Byzantium; Mohammed, the prophet of Arabia; St. Benedict of Italy; St. Patrick of Ireland; and, in the heart of western Europe, the larger-than-life figure of Charlemagne. It was, too, an age of great religions. Here we witness the birth of Islam both as a church and as a political force--and the fateful split, almost from the beginning, between the Arabic and the Iranian branches. These centuries witnessed the rise of such great Christian institutions as the papacy and the monastic orders, which were to change the Catholic Church forever. Judaism, too, underwent crucial changes, in the further refinement of Talmudic studies and the establishment of the longlasting patterns of ghetto community life. Above all, this was an age of great art. From Spain to China, from Sweden and the British Isles to north Africa, this book captures the glories of that past age in a remarkable series of fine color illustrations. Highlights include the gleaming tile surfaces of the Moslem palaces and mosques, the cavernous splendor of the church of Haghia Sophia in Istanbul, the dazzling illuminated manuscripts of Ireland and England, the jewelry of the Merovingians, exotic T''ang and Sui ceramics of China, Hebrew murals, and the glittering, other-worldly mosaics of Ravenna. And throughout it all, there is Michael Grant''s text as a guide. Whether he is tracing a clear path for us through the tangle of Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties, probing the mysteries of Islamic theology or medieval cannon law, or providing flesh-and-blood portraits where before we only had names, Michael Grant provides the utmost in information, perspective, balance, color, and readability. -- Inside jacket flaps.

This book provides insights into the hidden role of intuitive expertise in financial decision-making. The authors show and discuss how expertise combined with intuitive judgments positively affect decision-making outcomes. The book builds on the latest academic studies in this emergent field. In combination with the academic perspective, the authors provide a field study that they conducted in the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&As), a common and critical strategic investment for companies. The interviews were carried out with experts and decision-makers in large and successful international companies (i.e., M&A experts, CEOs, CFOs, and board members). The book provides a solid theoretical and empirically based grounding of the topic. In addition, it offers suggestions to practitioners on how they can develop and nurture intuitive expertise in strategic investment decision-making. The report of the field study provides examples and quotes from interviews to visualize findings, thus helping practitioners gain understanding and insights from the text. The authors also discuss the downsides of intuitive expertise, such as biases and flawed decision-making. For scholars, students, and professionals, the book offers a concise and up-to-date summary of an emergent stream of research, exploring how cognition and judgment affect financial decision-making.

"The Roman Forum (Latin: Forum Romanum, Italian: Foro Romano) is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum. It was for centuries the center of Roman public life: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city''s great men. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archeological excavations attracting numerous sightseers."--Wikipedia.

An epic, genre-bending, and transformative new series that reimagines World War II with female soldiers fighting on the front lines. World War II, 1942. A court decision makes women subject to the draft and eligible for service. The unproven American army is going up against the greatest fighting force ever assembled, the armed forces of Nazi Germany. Three girls sign up to fight. Rio Richlin, Frangie Marr, and Rainy Schulterman are average girls, girls with dreams and aspirations, at the start of their lives, at the start of their loves. Each has her own reasons for volunteering: Rio fights to honor her sister; Frangie needs money for her family; Rainy wants to kill Germans. For the first time they leave behind their homes and families—to go to war. These three daring young women will play their parts in the war to defeat evil and save the human race. As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, they will discover the roles that define them on the front lines. They will fight the greatest war the world has ever known. Perfect for fans of Girl in the Blue Coat, Salt to the Sea, The Book Thief, and Code Name Verity, from New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant.

The Severans analyses the colourful decline of the Roman Empire during the reign of the Severans, the first non-Roman dynasty. With its beautifully selected plate section, maps and bibliography, this will appeal to student and general reader.

Biographical sketches of 376 Greek and Latin authors covering the years 800 B.C. to 1000 A.D. Includes a list of works of doubtful attribution and a chronological list of authors by century.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Surveys the historical panorama of European art and culture from the Minoans of Crete to the twentieth century.

This book sets forth an urgent plea for individual involvement in making the Bible available worldwide to mankind in the language they understand best. Drawing together three rare, out-of-print nineteenth-century works from his own personal collection, the editor, Michael Grant, has revised these items so they are more easily read and understood by our generation. These revised rarities form the three main sections of this book. The first encompasses all the spoken material of the service held in 1812 commissioning Americas first foreign missionaries, of which Adoniram Judson is the most well known of the group. Original source material from this event enhances the value and interest of this first section. The second is a sermon preached in Salem, Massachusetts by Benjamin Wadsworth in 1815 to the Salem Bible Society. (Yes, it is that Salem, the witch trials Salem!) In addition to this sermon, the Salem Bible Society Trustees Report is included for its research value and, primarily, for the enthusiastic desire it conveys for Bible translation, printing, and distribution. The third is a sermon delivered by Baron Stow in 1846 to the American and Foreign Bible Society on the occasion of its ninth anniversary. Many truths are pinpointed in each sections content in preparation for specific options of how individuals can be personally involved as willing, skillful workers in the Bible Society world and the work of Bible translation so that people worldwide might have the Scriptures for the first time in their languages.

Demonstrates the vital role played by archaeology in understanding ancient Greeks and romans.

A biography of the apostle and leader of the early Christians, based on scholarship in anthropology, archaeology, literature, philosophy, and religion. Includes sections on his relationship with Jesus, his role as a leader, and his death and burial-place.

Michael Grant''s Messenger of Fear is a haunting narrative that examines the nature of good and evil in every human. Fans of Michelle Hodkin''s Mara Dyer trilogy and Stephen King will love this satisfyingly twisted series. Mara Todd wakes in a field of dead grass, a heavy mist pressing down on her. She is terrified, afraid that she is dead. She can''t remember who she is or anything about her past. Is it because of the boy who appears? He calls himself the Messenger of Fear. If the world does not bring justice to those who do evil, the Messenger will. He offers the wicked a game. If they win, they go free. If they lose, they will live their greatest fear. Either way, their sanity will be challenged. It is a world of fair but harsh justice. Of retribution and redemption. And mystery. Why was Mara chosen to be the Messenger''s apprentice? What has she done to deserve this terrible fate? She won''t find out until three of the wicked receive justice. And when she does, she will be shattered.

This book discusses not only the fictional myths,fairy-tales & folk-tales but also the sagas and legends which have some historical basis.These myths are as important as their history for us to understand their beliefs.