Well the whole Jack Aubrey and Stephan Maturin series really – I know that’s 20 books in all but I’m sure we can stretch a point. O’Brien writes beautifully and with a depth of technical knowledge that is immensely satisfying. These were recommended to me years ago and at the time I thought ‘the war at sea in the days of Napoleon… not really my thing’. I picked the first one up at an airport intending to kill some time on the flight – read the rest one after the other – highly recommended

This one follows from the Patrick O’Brien books really – a carefully researched and enthusiastic book about the Royal Navy of the eighteenth century. Considering the wealth of statistical detail this is a very readable portrayal of the Navy and its institutions

This series combines modern photographs of genuine WW2 uniforms and equipment with contemporary photographs, organisational details, pictures and descriptions of weaponry and other gear. A fantastic clearly presented resource for putting together armies, modelling and painting

I think it’s fair to say this is the definitive book on the development and production of British tanks from a strategic and industrial point of view. Unfortunately these are hard to get hold of now – but real ‘must haves’ if you can find them. It’s fascinating to read about tanks from the perspective of the decision makers in government and the men who actually had to build them and make them work – makes you realise that there is much more to tank design than armour thickness and muzzle velocity

I’d recommend all of Len Deighton’s books on the history of the Second World War, but this is my pick for the list because I think it succeeds wonderfully in combining a strategic overview with fascinating operational detail. It’s a colourful and engaging history of the early war that describes a conflict far removed the industry-fed grinding machine of 44-45

Memoirs of Albert Speer – Hitler’s architect and later Armaments Minister – famously the Nazi who ‘said sorry’. This is as close as it gets to an eyewitness account of the Nazis in government and an incredible insight into the characters of Hitler and the Nazi elite. It’s also a book in which Speer attempts to come to terms with his own role in the war and, ultimately, with himself

This is a fictional account of the final days of Constantinople by a Finnish author better known for ‘The Egyptian’. Mika Waltari tells a cracking story of adventure and intrigue and also manages to conjure a sense of time and place that is entirely convincing!

John Julius Norwich writes clear well-paced prose that steers his readers carefully through the countless plots and sub-ploys of Byzantine history. Perhaps not academic enough for a real enthusiast – and certainly lengthy enough to discourage a casual reader – but probably the most useful and readable overview you’ll find of a complex subject

(note: There is an abridged version for the faint hearted! Click here for the UK version A Short History of Byzantiumand here for the US/International one A Short History of Byzantium )

Historical novel – all about china – as in porcelain… but honestly this is one of my all time favourite books and very, very funny indeed. Kyril Bonfiglioni only wrote a handful of books and most of those are what are usually called his Mordecai trilogy. All the Tea in China is by far the best in my view. A genuine joy.