Francis Beckett is enthralled by a study of the Profumo Affair – and what it says about England of the 1960
Tim Blanning considers a sweeping narrative that puts Germany at the heart of centuries of European history
Kate Williams on a look at the effects of attempts to assassinate Victoria
David Priestland commends an impressive journey through the aftermath of communism in eastern Europe
Ryan Lavelle praises a lively deconstruction of Arthurian legend and the myths surrounding post-Roman Britain
Helen Nicholson explores an unusual, but contentious, account of the effect that the crusades had on the Middle East
Simon Middleton on an exploration of the ways in which 'witchcraft' has influenced US culture since the 18th century
David Musgrove on a bid to use archaeology to see the past in new ways
Jerry Brotton is disappointed by a study of powerful women in the Italian Renaissance
Aleks Pluskowski praises a comprehensive exploration of domestic and captive animals in Britain in the Middle Ages