This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Babylon

   Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization

   

   Set against the backdrop of one of history's most iconic ancient cities, this narrative delves into the rich tapestry of Babylonian civilization, exploring its rise and fall through the lens of its cultural, political, and social achievements. The book paints a vivid picture of the city's grandeur, from its architectural marvels like the Hanging Gardens to its influential role in the development of writing, law, and astronomy. It also examines the everyday lives of its inhabitants, offering insights into the complexities of their society and the enduring legacy of their innovations on subsequent civilizations.

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2. 2. An Incomplete History Of The Art Of The Funerary Violin

   A History of a Lost Art

   

   This intriguing work delves into the mysterious and often overlooked world of funerary violin music, exploring its origins, evolution, and eventual decline. It paints a vivid picture of a once-thriving art form that played a significant role in mourning rituals across Europe, blending historical narrative with imaginative storytelling. The book invites readers to reflect on the cultural significance of music in the context of death and remembrance, while also questioning the boundaries between historical fact and creative fiction.

3. 3. In Search Of Zarathustra

   Across Iran and Central Asia to Find the World's First Prophet

   

   A blend of travelogue and intellectual history, this narrative follows a quest across Iran, Central Asia, and Europe to uncover the origins and enduring legacy of the ancient Iranian prophet, examining Zoroastrian ideas of truth versus the lie, fire veneration, and cosmic dualism. Through visits to ruins, fire temples, and diaspora communities, it traces how these beliefs shaped Persian empires and influenced later religions and philosophies—from Mithraism and apocalyptic traditions to modern reinterpretations—revealing the deep roots of familiar concepts of good and evil.

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4. 4. Yiddish Civilisation

   The Rise and Fall of a People's Culture

   

   A lively cultural history that traces the rise, flowering and near-eradication of a distinct Yiddish-speaking civilization in Europe and the diaspora, explaining how a language and its literature, theater, press, religious movements and political currents shaped communal identity from medieval Ashkenazic roots through the vibrant shtetl cultures, the modernizing pressures of Haskalah and socialism, mass migration and the ravages of the twentieth century; the narrative balances linguistic and social history with portraits of key figures and institutions to show how Yiddishness created a rich, plural civilizational world whose legacy survives despite catastrophic loss.

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