Basic Books Great Loves

For centuries, human history has been shaped by politics, power, and war - but what about love? Mark Antony's love for Cleopatra led to war between Rome and Egypt; Emperor Xuanzang of Tang relinquished the Mandate of Heaven for Yang Guifei; and the English Reformation was borne out of Henry VIII's passion for Anne Boleyn. Over the centuries since, these great loves - and many others - have been celebrated, recorded, and memorialized to stand alongside the annals of war, peace, and politics that have moulded today's world. Great Loves celebrates history's most famous romances - the joyful, the tragic, and the epic - in one stunning visual guide, showing that, regardless of age, race, gender, or orientation, love has always been a force to be reckoned with. This boldly illustrated title presents a diverse range of stories from around the world, including many relationships that defied the conventions of their day, and features romantic quotes from personal correspondence, poetry, and fiction.