Most Popular Books by Tom STEVENSON

Julius Caesar and the Transformation of the Roman Republic provides an accessible introduction to Caesar’s life and public career. It outlines the main phases of his career with reference to prominent social and political concepts of the time. This approach helps to explain his aims, ideals, and motives as rooted in tradition, and demonstrates that Caesar’s rise to power owed much to broad historical processes of the late Republican period, a view that contrasts with the long-held idea that he sought to become Rome’s king from an early age. This is an essential undergraduate introduction to this fascinating figure, and to his role in the transformation of Rome from republic to empire.

This essential reference for oenophiles -- long used as the go-to text for the prestigious Master Sommelier examination -- is the most comprehensive guide to the world of wine, featuring authoritative information on the history, culture, geography, and taste of vintages around the globe. Fully updated and revised for the first time since 2011, this new 800-page edition of Sotheby''s Wine Encyclopedia reflects the most recent trends in the dynamic world of wine, written by experts around the globe. Beautifully illustrated with more than 400 images and 100 brand new National Geographic maps, this definitive guide is arranged geographically to highlight the regions and climates that produce the best vintages. From the countries of Southeast Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean, each page is packed with information on flavor notes, vineyard profiles, tasting room guides, grape know-how, and special information on unique varietals. The book also features top wines organized by maker and year; a troubleshooter''s guide to potential wine faults; a taste chart to help identify flavors; up-and-coming producers; unusual wines, food pairings, and more. You''ll also find time lines depicting the chronology of wine from 500 million B.C., expert sommelier tips, and thousands of recommendations for the latest and greatest reds, whites, and roses. The most up-to-date and comprehensive wine refence in the world, this stunning book is an oenophile''s dream -- and a must-have for anyone looking to become an expert in wine.

Someone’s Else’s Empire coolly reassesses Britain’s relationship with the United States. Elite descriptions of Britain’s position in the world (‘punching above our weight’) are untenable, Tom Stevenson argues. Yet there is a refusal, in most parts of society, to examine the assumptions behind them. Half a century after British withdrawal from “east of Suez,” why has the Indo-Pacific tilt become a Whitehall priority? Why are newly opened Persian Gulf bases working side by side with Saudi and Emirati forces engaged in the catastrophic war on Yemen? The impetus for so many decisions about British foreign policy comes from a desire to maintain lieutenant rank with Washington. But British leaders and defence specialists tend to dislike seeing Britain framed by American power. A great effort is required to clear away the build-up of irrelevant, nostalgic detritus around “Global Britain.” Stevenson looks at the infrastructure of a US world order re-energised by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and fits the UK into the picture without the usual euphemisms. It is one thing to station military forces around the world to maintain your empire, he observes, but quite another to do so for someone else’s.

From the Old World to the New, this comprehensive guide covers every wine-producing country, including all the latest, emerging regions. Featuring practical advice on tasting, storing and serving, this reference source will be interest to both novice and expert wine lovers.

Shortlisted for the André Simon Food and Drink Book Awards 2019 Originally written by multi-award winning wine writer Tom Stevenson, this luxurious fourth edition has been fully updated and once again significantly extended by Essi Avellan, Master of Wine, one of the world''s most talented young wine writers. A country-by-country guide, from the finest Champagnes of France to the lesser-known sparkling wine producers of China, this extraordinary work takes you to five continents and to all the countries where serious sparkling wine is produced. More than 2,000 producers from around the world are rated on a 100-point global scale with an in-depth analysis of their history, method of production and style of wine. New photography and maps vividly enrich this beautiful edition of Christie''s World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine.

The essential insiders guide to every major wine-growing region in the world, this book offers dozens of helpful Top 10 lists covering a broad range of topics, including Best-Value Producers, Greatest-Quality Wines, and Most Exciting or Unusual Finds.

The classic, award-winning book on Champagne and sparkling wine is now fully revised, updated, and expanded Created for Christie''s, the world''s largest wine auctioneer, this edition features all-new photography, nearly 175 additional pages--including expanded sections on up-and-coming sparkling wine territories and Champagne itself--and freshened-up tasting notes. Throughout, Tom and Essi have fascinating and illuminating exchanges about their personal preferences and opinions. With wine auctions at an all-time high, this definitive guide is a must-have for anyone in the market to buy a fine bottle of Champagne.

From the author of the Good Wine Guide, this book not only provides profiles of 300 producers and every style of Alsace wine, it also analyzes all 118 wine villages, 51 grand crus, 84 lieux-dits, 28 clos and four wine-producing chateaux.