Global History

Goliath’s Curse by Luke Kemp offers a radical retelling of human history through the lens of collapse, delving into what this means for our uncertain future. This narrative spans from the dawn of our species to the urgent existential threats of the twenty-first century and beyond. It's grounded in the latest research and a comprehensive database of more than 440...

The debut book from the YouTube sensation and all-round cartographical nerds, The Map Men! In their long-awaited debut, YouTube’s Map Men bring their highly infectious enthusiasm for everything map-related to the printed page for the very first time, in a brilliantly entertaining and eye-catching tome. Packed with humour and fascinating facts, This Way Up takes a deep dive into the...

Fully updated edition of the biggest-selling popular science book of the 21st century explaining the Earth, the universe, everything in-between. The 21st century's bestselling popular science book has now been fully revised and updated in Bill Bryson's inimitable style to reflect the many advances in science since this book was first published in 2003. This journey through time and space...

Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah and Israeli Maoz Inon are unlikely peacemakers, dedicated to finding a solution to the bitter war that has decimated historical, ancient land and ended family lines. Despite the losses they have suffered, the resolve of their friendship has taught them that strength and unity are more powerful than the violence of separation. Throughout their travels, they...

The Sunday Times Bestseller ‘A lasting work of social history’ — The Times ‘A genuinely new history of our nation’ — Dan Jones ‘This celebration of women is a triumph of popular history’ — Spectator From the multi-million bestselling historical novelist comes the culmination of her life’s work. Did you know that there are more penises than women in the...

NOW WITH A FUN PUB QUIZ 'An idiosyncratic ride through history' Independent 'Holland and Sandbrook have pretty much reinvented popular history for the modern age' The Times The nation’s favourite historians, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, take on the most curious moments in history, answering the questions we didn’t even think to ask... - What was the most disastrous party...

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is an extraordinary exploration of humanity's history from the dawn of our species to the present day. Harari delves into our evolution, offering insights into the cognitive revolutions that allowed Homo sapiens to rise above other animal species. Traversing through various stages of human development, he examines the Agricultural Revolution, the unification of humankind through...

Spanning centuries and continents, The Silk Roads by Professor Peter Frankopan offers a compelling and comprehensive retelling of history through the lens of the ancient trade routes that linked the East and the West. This fascinating book takes readers on an epic journey across time and space, exploring the key role that these pathways played in shaping the world's continents,...

Dominion by Tom Holland is an enlightening exploration of the profound influence of Christianity on the Western world. With meticulous research and engaging narratives, Tom Holland journeys through history to reveal how Christianity has shaped our thoughts, values, and institutions, often in ways we have long forgotten. At its core, Dominion tells the story of how an obscure cult following...

As Russian forces closed in on Berlin, and Hitler's premiership drew to a close, many Nazi officials fled Germany. In this startling, meticulously researched account, acclaimed journalist Uki Goñi unravels the complex network that led them to Argentina. Relying on international support—in Scandinavia, Switzerland, and Italy—and the enthusiasm of the Vatican and President Juan Perón, Goñi shows how this 'ratline'...

A brilliant reappraisal of the medieval women whose lives have been misrepresented and co-opted over centuries for political, nation-building ends. By Professor Janina Ramirez, bestselling historian and author of FEMINA. From the bestselling author of FEMINA, a brilliant reappraisal of the medieval women whose lives have been exploited over centuries for political, nation-building ends. In Legenda, bestselling historian Professor Janina...

The period between the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and US annexation (1893–98) is often framed as an inevitable step of American expansion—but it was never a foregone conclusion. By pairing the intimate and epic together in critical juxtaposition, Christen T. Sasaki reveals the unstable nature not just of the coup state but of the US empire itself. The...

Goliath’s Curse offers a radical retelling of human history through the lens of collapse, challenging us to consider what it means for our uncertain future. Why do civilisations collapse? Is human progress truly possible? Are we approaching our endgame? For the first 200,000 years of human history, Homo sapiens lived as hunter-gatherers in fluid, egalitarian societies that prevented any individual...

A new classic of extreme endurance - Into Thin Air meets The Perfect Storm in 19th century Antarctica **A Times Best Book of 2021** The harrowing, survival story of an early polar expedition that went terribly wrong, with the ship frozen in ice and the crew trapped inside for the entire sunless, Antarctic winter August 1897: The Belgica set sail,...

Rubicon by Tom Holland is a masterfully written account that takes readers on a journey through the final century of the Roman Republic, capturing the grandeur and eventual demise of one of the most remarkable states in history. From a modest community of peasants living among marshes and hills, Rome grew to dominate the known world, creating a legacy that...

A revelatory account of the racist conspiracy theory that pervades global politics - from the National Book Award winner and number-one-bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi A revelatory account of the racist conspiracy theory that now pervades global politics - from the prize-winning author of the million-copy bestseller How To Be an Antiracist Throughout the world, authoritarian movements are radically reshaping...

THE PULSE-POUNDING TRUE STORY BEHIND THE ASSASSINATION THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY 'Breathtaking . . . This is lucid, kaleidoscopic history' - RORY CARROLL 'As good as any thriller' - HELEN RAPPAPORT 'Hugely compelling' - ROGER MOORHOUSE In August 1940, a man walked into Leon Trotsky's study in Mexico City and drove an ice pick into his skull. The...

Money by David McWilliams delves deep into the fascinating and complex world of currency, offering readers an insightful and enthralling journey through the history and impact of money on human civilisation. Whether you are a seasoned economist or simply curious about the financial world, McWilliams' exploration provides a captivating narrative that is both enlightening and entertaining. Our relationship with money...

1421: The Year China Discovered the World by Gavin Menzies presents a revolutionary argument that challenges the traditional history of global exploration. On 8 March 1421, an immense fleet, the largest the world had ever witnessed, set sail from China. These mighty ships, some stretching nearly five hundred feet in length, were under the command of Emperor Zhu Di's loyal...

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky is a fascinating deep dive into the history of a fish that has had an outsized impact on world events. This seemingly simple fish has been at the heart of wars, driven economic booms, and shaped the very diets of nations. Kurlansky’s narrative spans over a thousand...

Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham is the definitive, dramatic untold story of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, based on original reporting and new archival research. This masterful non-fiction thriller brings the 1986 disaster to life through the eyes of the men and women who witnessed it first-hand, offering a gripping narrative that reads with all the immediacy of...

The most famous trial of the twentieth century - told through the eyes of the women history forgot. In November 1945, the world turned its gaze to Nuremberg. Inside a courtroom built by and for men, justice was being sought for crimes almost beyond comprehension. The spotlight fell on Nazi leaders, Allied prosecutors and military judges - but in the...

Hawaii, 7th December 1941, shortly before 8 in the morning: Japanese torpedo bombers launch a surprise attack on the US Pacific fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor. The devastating attack claims the lives of over 2,400 American soldiers, sinks or damages 18 ships, and destroys nearly 350 aircraft. The US Congress declares war on Japan the following day. In this vivid...

From the internationally bestselling author of The Silk Roads: everything you need to know about the present and future of the world ‘Masterly mapping out of a new world order’ Evening Standard 'Frankopan is a brilliant guide to terra incognita' The Times Peter Frankopan's highly anticipated follow-up to the 'Book of the Decade', The New Silk Roads, takes a fresh...

Prove you are the smartest person in the room with 500 true trivia facts about world history. These facts are so absurd some might even say that they sound like bull$#*t! Explore the wild and the wacky side of history in this fun addition to the True Facts series that shares all things from all over the globe. Give the...

The Widow Clicquot is the New York Times bestselling business biography of the visionary young widow who built a champagne empire, became a legend in her tumultuous times, and showed the world how to live with style. Tilar J. Mazzeo brings to life the woman behind the label, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, in this utterly intoxicating book that is as much...

The Devil’s Chessboard by David Talbot is a riveting exposé that unveils a chilling narrative of power, deception, and intrigue at the highest levels of the United States government. Delving into the intricately woven saga of America’s ascent to international supremacy, Talbot turns the spotlight on Allen Welsh Dulles, the enigmatic and influential figure who served as the CIA’s longest-tenured...

Winner of the Jewish Book of the Year Award Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn is an illuminating voyage into the heart of one of the world's most intriguing countries. Authored by Daniel Gordis, a prominent intellectual and insightful analyst of Israeli society as noted by The Forward, this remarkable narrative takes readers on an enthralling journey from...

Agent Sonya by Ben Macintyre is an enthralling and meticulously researched narrative that uncovers the astonishing life of the greatest female spy in history. This gripping biography sheds light on the life of Ursula Kuczynski Burton, a woman whose espionage endeavours were pivotal during the tumultuous times of the twentieth century. Ursula Kuczynski Burton, known by her codename "Agent Sonya",...

Eusebius is regarded as the historian of Christian antiquity. Eusebius's account is the only surviving historical record of the Church during its crucial first 300 years. Bishop Eusebius, a learned scholar who lived most of his life in Caesarea in Palestine, broke new ground in writing the The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine and provided a model...

An epic history of how the so-called 'barbarians of the steppes' shaped the modern world. ‘A rollercoaster of historical narration’ History Today 'This is a history of epic scope that brings together the empires of the steppe land with the caravan cities of the Silk Road and imperial China' – Martyn Rady, author of The Middle Kingdoms 'A sweeping account...

The story of the year that rock music exploded, featuring almost every star who defined the decade. THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER As seen on Apple TV - 1971- The Year That Music Changed Everything The Sixties ended a year late - on New Year's Eve 1970, when Paul McCartney initiated proceedings to wind up The Beatles. Music would...

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond unveils the staggering epic of human societies across continents and millennia. The book provides a compelling narrative that explores the forces shaping the complex tapestry of global history without falling into the trap of Eurocentrism. Diamond embarks on a journey to answer a simple yet profound puzzle: Why did Eurasian societies wield guns,...

In Dreams of El Dorado, H. W. Brands tells the thrilling, panoramic story of the settling of the American West, from Lewis and Clark's expedition in the early 19th century to the closing of the frontier by the early 20th. He introduces us to explorers, mountain men, cowboys, missionaries and soldiers, taking us from John Jacob Astor's fur trading campaign...

"Lost Worlds convinces us of the value of slowing down to recognize the tremendous diversity of the human past. But he presses hard against the conclusion that there was any direction or pattern behind its complexity." —The Wall Street Journal“A spellbinding tour de force!” —Walter Scheidel, author of What Is Ancient History“This is non-fiction storytelling at its finest.” —Eric H....

How could a barely literate peasant from Siberia determine the fate of the world? Undoubtedly, the so-called 'mad monk' Rasputin bewitched Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Alexandra. Yet their strange and scandalous relationship conceals a riddle, one that casts an intriguing light on the controversial 'great man' theory of history. Rasputin was a devoted monarchist, not a revolutionary. He...

The story of the sixteenth-century's epic contest for the spice trade, which propelled European maritime exploration and conquest across Asia and the Pacific. Spices drove the early modern world economy, and for Europeans, they represented riches on an unprecedented scale. Cloves and nutmeg could reach Europe only via a complex web of trade routes, and for decades Spanish and Portuguese...

New York Times bestselling author Jeff Pearlman turns his sharp eye and meticulous storytelling to one of pop culture’s most enduring and enigmatic figures—Tupac Shakur—presenting the definitive retelling of his life, complete with explosive new details. Scrutinized in life, mythologized in death, Tupac Shakur remains a subject of immense cultural significance and speculation nearly thirty years after his murder. Despite...

From convict colony to great democracy Australia is one of the world's great success stories: a land long hidden from outsiders, chosen as a convict dumping ground, where—since 1788—people from many backgrounds have built one of the most free, fair, and prosperous countries on earth. By the standards of a harsher time, the early governors tried to respect the original...

A witty whistle-stop tour through organised crime across the centuries, by acclaimed historian and journalist Mark Galeotti, exploring how the underworld shapes our overworld, perfect for fans of Otto English. When does a bandit become a monarch? When does a gang become a government? And is organised crime at the heart of every modern state? On a thrilling whistle-stop tour...

The Secret Museum is a unique treasure trove of the most intriguing artefacts hidden away in museum archives from all over the world—curated, brought to light, and brought to life by Molly Oldfield in a beautifully illustrated collection. Who knows what’s hidden from view? Locked away in cabinets, secure storage, and aircraft hangars. Most of a museum’s collection never gets...

A groundbreaking new perspective on catastrophes throughout human history, with vital lessons for our future. 'This book upended my understanding of the ancient world' — Zoë Schlanger, author of The Light Eaters 'Lizzie Wade is an exceptional journalist and a master storyteller' — Ed Yong, author of An Immense World The history of humanity is one of devastating, once-in-a-thousand-year events:...

The new bestseller that shows why everything we thought we knew about history was wrong. 'The most brilliant historian of his generation' – The Times Most history is hierarchical — it's about popes, presidents, and prime ministers. But what if that's simply because they create the historical archives? What if we are missing equally powerful but less visible networks —...

A series of special editions of the best popular science books to explore the patterns of our planet. Designed by Patternity, the award-winning creative studio and pattern consultancy. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, a bestselling phenomenon, is now available in a beautifully packaged new special edition. Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time,...

Upheaval by Jared Diamond is a transformative exploration into how nations face and overcome extreme crises. This gripping narrative draws from seven modern nations that have faced significant upheavals, revealing the processes by which they adapted and survived. From the dramatic forced opening of Japan to the Soviet invasion of Finland and the harrowing experiences under the Pinochet regime in...

The History of Philosophy by A. C. Grayling is an ambitious and comprehensive exploration of the evolution of philosophical thought across different cultures and epochs. The book invites readers on an intellectual journey beginning with the early worldviews and moral teachings that emerged before the age of the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates. Grayling meticulously guides us through the transformative periods...

Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy delves into the riveting narrative of one of history's most influential figures, Gaius Julius Caesar. From the outset, Caesar's life is coloured with episodes of near-death experiences, tremendous achievements, and a relentless ambition that shaped the future of Rome. As a teenager, Caesar narrowly escaped execution under the repressive rule of the dictator Sulla, an early...

A uniquely illustrated guide to the history of our world. Witness our incredible human story unfold—from the very first people in Africa to the collapse of Communism and beyond—exquisitely charted map by map. Come on a journey through global history, told in more than 130 specially made maps that each offer a window on a key event. Step into the...

A Sunday Times Bestseller In Utopia for Realists, acclaimed Dutch historian Rutger Bregman takes readers on an eye-opening journey through history and modern society, revealing how visionary ideas can become practical solutions for our most pressing challenges. With engaging storytelling and robust research, Bregman argues that many of the milestones of civilisation – from the abolition of slavery to the...

'Charming, hilarious, and guaranteed to make you the most interesting person at any party. Or the most annoying' - Adam Rutherford ‘Weird and wonderful facts you didn’t know you needed. Full of quirky nuggets of information and trivia’ - Sun ‘Joyously bizarre facts in a new book from a QI brainbox’ - Daily Mail Drawn from a former BBC QI...

A concise and detailed chronological survey of world events from early human ancestors to the present day. Discover the world's most significant events through a detailed, dynamic, book-long timeline of over 7 million years. When did Hannibal cross the Alps? What caused the war of Jenkins' Ear? Who was Rosa Parks? How did the Arab Spring unfold? Discover history's most...

In The Boundless Sea, David Abulafia presents a sweeping history of the world's three great oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian. This monumental work delves into the profound relationship between humanity and the seas from the earliest voyagers to modern times. Abulafia masterfully weaves together stories of merchants, explorers, pirates, cartographers, and travellers, creating a rich tapestry that...

Twenty thousand years ago, women were making and wearing clothing created from spun fibres. In Women's Work, archaeologist-linguist Elizabeth Wayland Barber "weaves the strands of mythology and literature, ethnology and documented history into a rich tapestry" (John Noble Wilford, New York Times Book Review), illuminating the vital role women held in preindustrial societies. With a distinctive and innovative approach to...

Drawing from a vast array of creation myths—Babylonian, Greek, Aztec, Maya, Inca, Chinese, Hindu, Navajo, Polynesian, African, Norse, Inuit, and more—this short, illustrated book uncovers both the similarities and differences in our attempts to explain the universe. Creation Stories by Anthony Aveni, an award-winning author and professor of astronomy and anthropology, examines the ways various cultures around the world have...

Central Otago History in Bite-Sized Chunks offers an easy-to-digest history of Central Otago, New Zealand, presented in bite-sized chunks. Through the pages of this book, you'll be guided through many of the key events that have shaped our nation.

Few flowers have quite the same allure or as significant a place in history as the rose. A symbol of love, power, royalty, beauty, and joy, the rose has played many roles, both literal and symbolic, in poetry, art, literature, music, fashion, medicine, perfume, decoration, cuisine, and more. In this beautifully illustrated guide, award-winning horticulturist Peter E. Kukielski and his...

A wide-ranging new history of the Baltic Crusades and their legacy Between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, crusading armies unleashed a relentless holy war against the last pagan societies in northern Europe, particularly in the Baltic Sea region. Led by Catholic rulers, churchmen, and, most importantly of all, the warrior monks of the Teutonic Order, they sought to expand Christendom...

The true history of humanity's greatest moments, as told by comedian and TikTok sensation, Adrian Bliss. History belongs to the heroes. But to get the full story, sometimes you have to ask the side characters. The lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Henry VIII and Queen Victoria fill bookshelves and fascinate scholars all over the world. But little attention is given...

The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy is an authoritative historical analysis that encompasses half a millennium of global geopolitical dynamics. Spanning from the post-medieval era to the late 20th century, the book meticulously charts the evolution and decline of powerful nations. Kennedy's thesis posits that the fortunes of world powers are intricately linked to their...

'A delightful storybook . . . a portrait of our whole world created from the contents of the ground' Literary Review 'A real cabinet of curiosities' Sunday Times From the hematite used in cave paintings to the moldavite that became a TikTok sensation; from the stolen sandstone of Scone to the unexpected acoustics of Stonehenge; from crystal balls to compasses,...

Fresh, exciting and vividly readable, this is popular history at its very best. Our understanding of world history is changing, as new discoveries are made on all the continents and old prejudices are being challenged. In this truly global journey, political journalist Andrew Marr revisits some of the traditional epic stories, from classical Greece and Rome to the rise of...

The West and Islam—the sword and the scimitar—have clashed since the mid-seventh century, when, according to Muslim tradition, the Byzantine emperor rejected Prophet Muhammad's order to abandon Christianity and convert to Islam, unleashing a centuries-long jihad on Christendom. Sword and Scimitar chronicles the significant battles that arose from this ages-old Islamic jihad, beginning with the first major Islamic attack on...

DK's best-selling guide to the "big ideas" of history - now fully revised and updated. Why did democracy emerge in ancient Greece? How did Spain conquer South and Central America? What caused the fall of the Berlin Wall? Explaining the key events in world history in a clear and simple way, The History Book answers these questions and more besides,...

We have always looked up at the sky and wondered. Ever since the ancient Babylonians began to track celestial objects on clay tablets, scientific inquiry has been driven by the innately human desire to understand what is out there, and where we fit in among it all. In this spellbinding book, Dr Sarah Alam Malik takes us on a journey...

The shocking number of Soviet citizens who lost their lives between 1941 and 1945—26 million, more than any other country—is widely known. However, the faces and voices of these victims of Nazism are conspicuously absent. In this pathbreaking new work of history, Jochen Hellbeck restores the USSR to its proper place in the history of the Second World War, arguing...

Award-winning author Stephen Dando-Collins brings his renowned expertise to Constantine at the Bridge, where he unveils how the Battle of the Milvian Bridge marked the point of no return for Rome and shaped the Western world as we know it. The AD 312 Battle of the Milvian Bridge, just outside Rome, marked the start of a monumental change for Rome...

AS HEARD ON RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEKTHE INTERNATIONAL #1 BESTSELLERSHORTLISTED FOR THE AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARDS 2024 NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARA WATERSTONES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024A 2024 BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE OBSERVER, ECONOMIST, FINANCIAL TIMES AND PROSPECT ‘A breathtaking, expansive and imaginative ride through the history and future of money from an...

'A book of ideas [...] Strathern ably guides us through these moments of glory.' -- The Times * Great cities are complex, chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born and history is made. Through ten unique cities, from the founding of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities,...

Few filmmakers, if any, make the kind of impact that Martin Scorsese has made on American cinema. The winner of every prestigious film award, including the Oscar, Scorsese is a living legend. Bestselling author and award-winning filmmaker Mary Pat Kelly's groundbreaking biography reveals how this working-class boy from Manhattan's Little Italy became one of our most acclaimed, celebrated, and influential...

WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY MERLIN SHELDRAKE WINNER OF THE 2015 COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2016 'A thrilling adventure story' Bill Bryson 'Dazzling' Literary Review 'Brilliant' Sunday Express 'Extraordinary and gripping' New Scientist 'A superb biography' The Economist 'An exhilarating armchair voyage' GILES MILTON, Mail on Sunday Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) is the...

Vital reading STYLIST ...hooting with laughter - what a swashbuckler that Hannah Jewell is MARINA HYDE Because 100 Nasty Women is so easy to read and witty, I didn't expect it to be the life changing, important book that I'm discovering it to be PHILIPPA PERRY A fantastic addition to your feminist library and historical knowledge. ANN SHEN, author of...

The first book to be published from the BBC's archive of forgotten voices and untold stories from the six years of World War Two. There was a German bomber flying right towards us - a Dornier, one of their biggest. It was so low we could see the pilot flying it and the gunner in the nose of the bomber...

The acclaimed author of Free returns with an imaginative investigation into dignity and historical injustice through the story of a family. When Lea Ypi discovers a photo of her grandmother, Leman, honeymooning in the Alps in 1941 posted by a stranger on social media, she is faced with unsettling questions. Growing up, she was told records of her grandmother's youth...

A sweeping, dramatic history of capitalism as seen through the eyes of its fiercest critics. At a time when we are faced with fundamental questions about the sustainability and morality of the economic system, Capitalism and Its Critics provides a kaleidoscopic history of global capitalism, from colonialism and the Industrial Revolution to the ecological crisis and artificial intelligence. John Cassidy...

A new understanding of history - Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1% This is a wise book - Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature Progress is power. But our modern story of progress is a very dangerous fiction. In the pursuit of progress, of growth and expansion, we have levelled cities, flattened mountains, charted the globe...

Civilization: How the West's six 'killer apps' transformed the history of the world Winner of the Estoril Global Issues Distinguished Book Prize 2013 If in the year 1411 you had been able to circumnavigate the globe and compare the dazzling civilizations of the Orient with Europe and North America, the idea that the West would dominate the Rest for most...

Explore the failures, mistakes and missed opportunities that shaped history in this new entry in the bestselling series. From the botched attempt to create a life-extending elixir that produced gunpowder, to the unsuccessful stint in medical school which led to a career in naturalism for Charles Darwin, to the missile detection system malfunction that almost sparked a nuclear war, the...

From actor, comedian, writer, and host of the hit history podcast SNAFU, Ed Helms brings you an absurdly entertaining look at history's greatest screwups, complete with lively illustrations. History contains a plethora of insane screwups—otherwise known as SNAFUs. Coined during World War I, SNAFU is an acronym that stands for Situation Normal: All F*cked Up. In other words, "things are...

A beautifully produced account of the signing, impact, and legacy of Magna Carta, a document that became one of the most influential statements in the history of democracy, as part of the stunning landmark library series. On a summer's day in 1215, a beleaguered English monarch met a group of disgruntled barons in a meadow by the river Thames named...