Twelve Books That Changed The World

Throughout history there have been moments of vital importance that have taken place not on the battlefield, or in the palaces of power, or even in the violence of nature, but between the pages of a book. In his fascinating new book accompanying the ITV series, Melvyn Bragg presents a vivid reminder of the book as agent of social, political and personal revolution. 'Twelve Books That Changed The World' presents a rich variety of human endeavour and a great diversity of characters.

Here are famous books by Darwin, Newton and Shakespeare—but we also discover the stories behind some less well-known works, such as Marie Stopes’ 'Married Love', the original radical feminist Mary Wollstonecraft’s 'A Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman'—and even the rules to an obscure ball game that became the most popular sport in the world.