{"title":"Mike Duncan","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the captivating works of \u003cem\u003eMike Duncan\u003c\/em\u003e, a celebrated historian, podcaster, and author renowned for his gripping storytelling and meticulous research. Known for transforming complex historical events into engaging narratives, Duncan invites readers on a journey through pivotal moments in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of his remarkable works, \u003cem\u003eHero of Two Worlds\u003c\/em\u003e, vividly chronicles the life of the Marquis de Lafayette, a key figure in both the American and French revolutions. This biography unfolds the remarkable story of a hero striving for liberty across two continents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Storm Before the Storm\u003c\/em\u003e, Duncan takes readers back to the turbulent years before the fall of the Roman Republic. Through this detailed exploration, he sheds light on the socio-political upheavals that set the stage for the eventual collapse of an empire, providing valuable insights into the enduring lessons of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive deep into these compelling stories that sit at the intersection of \u003cem\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/em\u003e, as well as \u003cem\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/em\u003e. Mike Duncan's books are not just educational; they are an invitation to relive the past, with all its drama and significance, through the eyes of an expert storyteller.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hero-of-two-worlds","title":"Hero of Two Worlds","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA #1 ABA INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE BESTSELLER\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFew in history can match the revolutionary career of the Marquis de Lafayette. Over fifty incredible years at the heart of the Age of Revolution, he fought courageously on both sides of the Atlantic. He was a soldier, statesman, idealist, philanthropist, and abolitionist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a teenager, Lafayette ran away from France to join the American Revolution. Returning home a national hero, he helped launch the French Revolution, eventually spending five years locked in dungeon prisons. After his release, Lafayette sparred with Napoleon, joined an underground conspiracy to overthrow King Louis XVIII, and became an international symbol of liberty. Finally, as a revered elder statesman, he was instrumental in the overthrow of the Bourbon Dynasty in the Revolution of 1830.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom enthusiastic youth to world-weary old age, from the pinnacle of glory to the depths of despair, Lafayette never stopped fighting for the rights of all mankind. His remarkable life is the story of where we come from, and an inspiration to defend the ideals he held dear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45712093905132,"sku":"9781541730342","price":52.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781541730342.jpg?v=1725980942"},{"product_id":"the-storm-before-the-storm","title":"The Storm Before the Storm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Storm Before the Storm\u003c\/em\u003e by Mike Duncan delves into the tumultuous yet transformative era of the Roman Republic, chronicling the pivotal years from 146 to 78 BC. This gripping historical narrative reveals the complexities and conflicts that unfolded as Rome transitioned from a resilient city-state to a dominant Mediterranean power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book begins with Rome at its zenith, having established its supremacy over the adversarial Mediterranean world. However, this very success planted the seeds of destruction. Rome's political institutions, initially designed for a small, cohesive community, began to crumble under the weight of a sprawling empire. As economic inequality surged, traditional Roman customs were gradually eroded. Social and ethnic prejudices flared, igniting fierce debates over citizenship and voting rights. These issues, compounded by corruption and unbridled political ambition, precipitated a series of violent upheavals that threatened to unravel the Republic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuncan masterfully narrates the stories of notable figures such as Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers—men whose legacies would fundamentally alter the course of Roman history. By discarding the ancient values and practices that had once stabilised the Republic, these leaders set startlingly dangerous precedents. Their actions not only paved the way for the eventual rise of imperial autocracy but also serve as a cautionary tale on the perils faced by any civilisation when foundational principles are abandoned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith insightful analysis and engaging storytelling, \u003cem\u003eThe Storm Before the Storm\u003c\/em\u003e captures the fraught and dynamic period leading up to Rome’s ultimate transformation. Duncan's meticulous research brings to life the treacherous political environment and the momentous decisions that set Rome on its path to both glory and downfall. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in the intricate dynamics of power, governance, and societal change in one of history's greatest civilisations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45714375672044,"sku":"9781541724037","price":52.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781541724037.jpg?v=1726006001"},{"product_id":"the-storm-before-the-storm-by-mike-duncan-9781610397216","title":"The Storm Before the Storm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe creator of the award-winning podcast series The History of Rome and Revolutions\u003c\/em\u003e brings to life the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilisation. Beginning as a small city-state in central Italy, Rome gradually expanded into a wider world filled with petty tyrants, barbarian chieftains, and despotic kings. Through the centuries, Rome's model of cooperative and participatory government remained remarkably durable and unmatched in the history of the ancient world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 146 BC, Rome finally emerged as the strongest power in the Mediterranean. But the very success of the Republic proved to be its undoing. The republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled: rising economic inequality disrupted traditional ways of life, endemic social and ethnic prejudice led to clashes over citizenship and voting rights, and rampant corruption and ruthless ambition sparked violent political clashes that cracked the once indestructible foundations of the Republic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChronicling the years 146-78 BC, \u003cem\u003eThe Storm Before the Storm\u003c\/em\u003e dives headlong into the first generation to face this treacherous new political environment. Abandoning the ancient principles of their forbearers, men like Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers set dangerous new precedents that would start the Republic on the road to destruction and provide a stark warning about what can happen to a civilisation that has lost its way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45901901562092,"sku":"9781610397216","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781610397216.jpg?v=1731545162"},{"product_id":"hero-of-two-worlds-by-mike-duncan-9781541730335","title":"Hero of Two Worlds","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew in history can match the revolutionary career of the Marquis de Lafayette. Over fifty incredible years at the heart of the Age of Revolution, he fought courageously on both sides of the Atlantic. He was a soldier, statesman, idealist, philanthropist, and abolitionist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a teenager, Lafayette ran away from France to join the American Revolution. Returning home a national hero, he helped launch the French Revolution, eventually spending five years locked in dungeon prisons. After his release, Lafayette sparred with Napoleon, joined an underground conspiracy to overthrow King Louis XVIII, and became an international symbol of liberty. Finally, as a revered elder statesman, he was instrumental in the overthrow of the Bourbon Dynasty in the Revolution of 1830.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom enthusiastic youth to world-weary old age, from the pinnacle of glory to the depths of despair, Lafayette never stopped fighting for the rights of all mankind. His remarkable life is the story of where we come from, and an inspiration to defend the ideals he held dear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHero of Two Worlds\u003c\/em\u003e by Mike Duncan captures this extraordinary journey, offering a vivid portrayal of one of history's most compelling figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46843923562732,"sku":"9781541730335","price":78.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/25381913482736.jpg?v=1758820275"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/mike-duncan.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}