Introduction

Conceptualised in 2001 at a time of considerable critical research by its founder, World Heritage Books (WHB) was developed in 2012 to commission pioneering studies of world heritage subjects concerning subject matter, paradigm, approach and presentation to a diverse and global readership. Subsequently, World Heritage Books Ltd was established in England in 2024. A foundational aim of World Heritage Books (Ltd) is to disseminate some of the unique work of its founder and director, Farhat A. Hussain, a well-qualified and experienced archaeologist and historian of civilization, sociologist and educationalist, and, in due course, the work of other authors and unique projects of various scales. Concerning both subject matter and methodology, the work of the director contributes to knowledge and understanding of various topics, issues and phenomena of the past and present and the relationship of the former to the latter. A notable focus of this work concerns the positive interaction of people of different cultures and civilizations in history, whether via art, architecture, finance, trade, economy, medicine, science, technology, landscape, language, textiles, ceramics and other themes and subject matter. These interactions and their impact on lives, phenomena, societies and lands are a key concern. Generating and analysing vital context and nuance that is well connected to the wider story, our publications shed additional insight into subjects, issues and methods examined and contribute to enthusing harmony in society and across the world. Rather than addressing places, persons, periods and phenomena in isolation, broader and positive historical links between people in the same land and with those in other lands in history are examined and celebrated. Our work contributes to the local, national and human story of the past, present and future. Wars and negative experiences in human history are also acknowledged, though even in such experiences, where supported by evidence, the canvas is broadened to assess other dimensions of human experience, whether intended or otherwise. A similar point may be made of the study of given phenomena such as medicine, language, textiles or art. As these are often linked to other phenomena and integrate as well as contribute to those of those from other lands, a holistic and interactive approach and focus are key to the story. These are issues that have been engaged by the director since the early 1990s concerning formal university studies of a substantive scope and scale, and the development of thought and well before this concerning background reading and ontogenesis of thought. Reflective of the scope, depth and scale of this work and its vast potential in the twenty-first century, a specialist publisher has been established with a significant remit and global footprint of research and dissemination.

Our publications range in size from an essay series comprised of c. 5-40,000 words, monographs comprised of c. 100,000 words, substantive studies of over 400,000 words and large multivolume series comprising over a million words. Well-conceptualised and well-designed, publications range in physical size and design concept and are printed on high-quality paper that reflects care for the environment, using proficient and complex printing processes. A specialist publisher for the discerning public readership and academic publisher, our projects extend to pioneering books, journals, a magazine and a newspaper in addition to a groundbreaking Atlas series. The aspirations of the corporate sector are also addressed in a nuanced and robust manner, as is applied history, a field in which the director of World Heritage Books has acquired considerable expertise over many years. Whether in diplomacy, education, sports, the media and film or other sectors and fields, the applied history work of World Heritage Books also expands human knowledge and understanding and its application. A pioneering publisher, World Heritage Books covers new ground dynamically and excitingly, adding value to its global readership, whether academics, students or members of wider society of differing backgrounds. Celebrating and contributing to the human story. Our microhistorical work brings out those who are often absent in historical studies and links this scale to a broader national and global context. Often excluded from a vast scope of history, the presence of women is celebrated in our publications, as are children, who are often more absent than most in primary and secondary sources, except for the most famous or a token mention. In some of his work, the director demonstrates the relevance of childhood in its own right and in understanding persons and phenomena during adulthood. Many titles are supported with photographs, maps and other illustrations in addition to, in some cases, tables and other forms of visual aid. Readers are a central focus of publications and projects. Acknowledged by experts and laypersons alike across Britain, Europe and the world, World Heritage Books takes the reader on a journey of exploration and education and contributes to society, places of learning and industry, various sectors of work and the wider world. Highlighted in ‘The Philosophy of History’ and other titles in this series and stand-alone works, we contribute to identifying and addressing the complexities of the twenty-first century’s challenges, thereby underscoring the relevance of history in our time in a nuanced and substantive manner.

 

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Farhat A. Hussain

Born and raised in Birmingham in the English Midlands during the 1970s, Farhat A. Hussain is an archaeologist, historian and educationalist. Following studies at Ashbourne College, Kensington High Street, London, he was educated at the Universities of London, Exeter, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester, Durham, Warwick, Bath and Uppsala, among others. He also received three unconditional offers from Oxford University for graduate study. Degrees include various themes in history and archaeology such as the history of medicine, history of art, history of states and diplomacy, archaeology of the ancient world, of identity and field archaeology, international models of knowledge, academic professionalism, values in Higher Education, research methodology (MSc and in doctoral training) and much else. Following considerable effort and endeavour, Farhat was awarded his tenth Master’s degree (all by study) in 2012. Undertaking research for examination for the Doctor of Philosophy and a Higher Doctorate, this substantive education and training, including at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London, has been supplemented with field visits to many heritage sites and relevant institutions across the world and much discussion with experts, in addition to formal research interviews, over more than thirty years. In reflection of his disposition concerning cultural heritage, yet also as a result of identifying gaps in knowledge and understanding during his studies, readings and field visits, he is especially interested in the interactions of cultures and civilizations in history, including cosmopolitan history and the translation of culture. Farhat is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, Linnean Society of London and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a member of various learned bodies, including the University of Cambridge. Alluded to in some of his forthcoming publications, Farhat is also engaged in cultural heritage projects concerning the British Isles, Europe and other parts of the world, including the study of archaeological sites, museums and film projects. Farhat possesses more than twenty-five years of experience in knowledge engagement and publishing for university-based, corporate, institutional and public readership of diverse backgrounds in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe and the world. Comprising and generating valuable synthesis of knowledge and understanding of the past and present, his work is of benefit to individuals, families, educational and other organisations, bodies, including the corporate world, society and the human family at all scales, from local to global.