A new edition of one of the bestselling and best-loved books of recent years, with a new introduction by the author.

A dramatic reinterpretation of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. John Guy returns to the archives to explode the myths and correct the inaccuracies that surround this most fascinating monarch. He also explains a central mystery: why Mary would have consented to marry her first husband's killer.

In this fascinating look at the unique conjuncture of factors surrounding Il Duce's seizure of power, eminent historian Donald Sassoon traces the political circumstances that sent Italy on a collision course with the most destructive war of the century.