Taking readers from Stendhal's childhood in Grenoble through his varied careers to his death at fifty-nine, this book examines the author's personal life, his many friendships and his work.  Meer

The siege of Venice, in 1848, is one of history's most thrilling and tragic episodes. Focusing on it, this book presents a story that embraces the wider world of the revolutionary Italy of Garibaldi, Mazzini, and Pope Pius IX, its battles, its dreams, and its wild zigzags between hope and despair.  Meer

In 1659 Henry Purcell was born, and his genius would give the period and nation an unforgettable voice. Jonathan Keates traces Purcell's development against the turbulent movements of his time - political, religious, theatrical and social.  Meer

A young Englishman, Edward Rivers, arrives in the small town of Villafranca and an intriguing tale of passion, jealousy and betrayal unfolds.  Meer

A collection of four stories set in 19th-century Italy, a war-torn, emerging nation of secrets and enigmas, of sudden violence and muted anguish, a land where the sought-after beauties of art clash with the unavoidable truth of life as it is lived.  Meer

Though unquestionably one of the greatest and best-loved of all composers, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) had received little attention from biographers.  Meer

The story of the composition, first performances and cultural afterlife of one of the best-loved and most widely performed works in the entire history of music.  Meer

An illustrated history of Venice, from its beginnings as 'La Serenissima' – 'the Most Serene Republic' – to the Italian city that continues to enchant visitors today.  Meer