Tom Holland Collection 3 Books Set - Persian Fire, Shadow of the Sword, Dynasty - Non Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
Persian Fire
In the Shadow of the Sword
Dynasty

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780743480789
Publisher: Abacus

Overview
This three-book paperback collection gathers Tom Holland's acclaimed narrative histories of the ancient and late-antique world into one absorbing set. Persian Fire recounts the Greco-Persian Wars and the invasion led by Xerxes. In the Shadow of the Sword traces the collapse of the old Roman and Persian orders and the rise of a new faith across the Near East. Dynasty follows Rome's turbulent shift from Republic to empire under Augustus and his successors. Together, the trio offers a sweeping, richly detailed journey through the empires and ideas that shaped the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, in one accessible paperback bundle.

About the Books
Tom Holland has built a reputation for turning dense historical scholarship into gripping, page-turning narrative, and this collection showcases that skill across three distinct eras. Persian Fire opens in 480 BC, when Xerxes, King of Persia, marched on Greece with a vast invasion force, only to be checked by a coalition of Greek city-states whose resistance helped define Western civilization. Holland moves deftly between grand strategy, court intrigue, and the experience of ordinary soldiers caught in the conflict. In the Shadow of the Sword shifts the timeline forward several centuries, examining how the seemingly unshakeable Roman and Persian empires unraveled and how a new religious and political order emerged from the Arabian peninsula to reshape the ancient world. Dynasty completes the arc, returning to Rome to explore how the idealism of the Republic gave way to autocratic rule, tracing the reigns of Augustus and his successors as they wrestled with succession and the machinery of absolute power. Read individually or as a set, these books reward readers with vivid characters and a clear sense of how ancient events echo through modern politics and culture.

Key Benefits

• Three complete Tom Holland histories in one convenient paperback set
• Covers three pivotal eras: classical Greece and Persia, late antiquity, and imperial Rome
• Written in an accessible, narrative style that suits both new and experienced history readers
• Brand new copies in paperback format, ready for the shelf or as a gift
• Ideal for fans of ancient history, classics, and popular history podcasts
• A thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or any history enthusiast on your list

Book-by-Book Guide
Persian Fire — Chronicles the Greco-Persian Wars, culminating in Xerxes' 480 BC invasion of mainland Greece.
In the Shadow of the Sword — Explores the fall of the Roman and Persian empires and the rise of a new order across the Near East.
Dynasty — Traces Rome's transformation from Republic to empire under Augustus and his successors.

About the Author
Tom Holland is a British historian, broadcaster, and translator known for his narrative histories of the ancient and medieval worlds. He has written extensively on classical Greece, Rome, and the early Islamic world, turning complex source material into compelling, character-driven storytelling. Alongside his books, Holland co-hosts The Rest Is History, a popular podcast exploring events and figures from across the past. His work is prized for combining careful research with a novelist's eye for pace and drama, making ancient history feel immediate to readers encountering these events for the first time.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Perfect for history lovers, students, or anyone who enjoys a well-told story, this set delivers three sweeping sagas of empire, faith, and power in one paperback bundle. A great gift for birthdays, holidays, or building a home library, it rewards both quick dips and cover-to-cover reading.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.