{"title":"Books by Michael Arnheim","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781394154418","title":"Five Thousand Years of Monarchy","description":"Offers a sweeping, entertaining journey through the real power structures of world history Five Thousand Years of Monarchy challenges everything you thought you knew about political history. With wit, clarity, and a deep command of historical detail, Michael Arnheim reframes five millennia of global governance through a strikingly original lens: the idea that every government, from ancient Sumer to modern China, is either a monarchy or an oligarchy—regardless of its name or apparent ideology. This provocative framework reveals insights into some of history's greatest puzzles and personalities, from the Roman emperors to Castro's Cuba, Augustus to Queen Victoria, and from Louis XVI's missed opportunity to the untold powers of King Philip II. Drawing on lively anecdotes, surprising facts, and colorful historical vignettes, Arnheim brings the power struggles of the past vividly to life. Why was Imperial China more stable than any modern democracy? Could World War I have been avoided by more autocracy? And why are aristocracies more hostile to monarchs than revolutions ever were? Engaging, opinionated, and highly readable, Five Thousand Years of Monarchy offers a powerful reminder that what really matters in politics isn't titles or constitutions—it's who holds the power, and how. Presenting a bold and original reinterpretation of world history through the lens of power structure, Five Thousand Years of Monarchy: Distills all governments—ancient and modern—into just two essential types: monarchy or oligarchyProvides a global scope, covering rulers and regimes from every major civilization Reveals little-known historical facts, such as King Philip II of Spain's reign as King of EnglandOffers original, counterintuitive takes on major events such as the French Revolution and World War IExplores the surprising longevity and success of the Roman and Chinese empires Challenges conventional narratives and political assumptions with evidence-based analysis Written in an engaging, accessible, and often humorous style, Five Thousand Years of Monarchy is ideal for general readers with an interest in history, politics, or leadership, as well as students and instructors in History, Classics, and Political Science.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56297867444597,"sku":"9781394154418","price":23.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781394154418_6da2e93a-b75d-48d5-854d-b64253c5500c.jpg?v=1786018406"},{"product_id":"9781847166739","title":"A Practical Guide to Your Human Rights and Civil Liberties","description":"This timely and comprehensive book, post-Brexit, is written by an experienced human rights barrister and covers all aspects of human rights and civil liberties in the United Kingdom. The much talked about UK Bill of Rights, supposedly replacing the Human Rights Act, is also covered. The book is wide ranging and certainly topical as we enter a new phase of our relationship with Europe. It will be invaluable to the layperson, student and professional alike.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308343931253,"sku":"9781847166739","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781847166739_78f975d2-68cc-43da-8201-c3fb9baedd57.jpg?v=1786029812"},{"product_id":"why-rome-fell-decline-and-fall-or-drift-and-change","title":"Why Rome Fell: Decline and Fall, or Drift and Change?","description":"Explore an insightful and original discussion of the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire In Why Rome Fell: Decline and Fall, or Drift and Change?, celebrated scholar of Roman history Dr. Michael Arnheim delivers a fascinating and robust exploration of the causes of and reasons for Rome’s fall in the West. Steeped in applications of elite theory to the later Roman Empire, the author discusses several interconnected issues that influenced the decline of Rome, including monarchy, power structure, social mobility, religion, and the aristocratic ethos. Incisive comparisons of the situation in Rome to those in the Principate and the Byzantine Empire shed light on the relative lack of “indissoluble union and easy obedience” (in Gibbon’s phrase) in the later Roman Empire. Instead, the book reveals the divided loyalties of a fractured society that characterized Rome in its later years. Why Rome Fell also includes: A thorough introduction to the transition from the ancient to the medieval world, including discussions of monarchy, Diocletian and his relationship to the aristocracy, and Constantine’s reformsComprehensive explorations of the rise of the Roman Christian empire and Constantine’s rolePractical discussions of conflicting theories of what caused the fall of the Roman empire, including the Pirenne thesis, the malaria hypothesis, Gibbon’s ‘decline and fall’ theory, and the role played by religion An indispensable resource for students, scholars and the general reader with an inquiring mind about history, Why Rome Fell deserves a place on the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in a sophisticated and original take on historical continuity and change.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57680124510581,"sku":"9781119691372","price":30.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781119691372.jpg?v=1792423206"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-michael-arnheim.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}