Anne Davison

Biography

Canon Doctor Anne Davison has had a lifelong interest in history and the religions of the world. Her journey into understanding other cultures began in her early 20s when she lived in Lagos, Nigeria. Later, a job with British Airways gave her the chance to travel the world more widely.

When she became aware of a global increase in religious intolerance she felt the need to better understand our world, past and present. She was particularly interested in how ‘religion’ interacts with politics. This led her to study for a Degree in History and Comparative religion, followed by a PhD in inter religious relations.

Whilst living in Switzerland in the 1990s Anne took on the role of Vice Moderator of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, before moving back to London to work with the Church of England as an Adviser in Inter Religious Relations.

In addition to organising pilgrim groups to Israel and Lebanon, Anne co-ordinated a Youth Exchange Programme for 16 to 18 year- old Jews, Christians and Muslims between Jerusalem and East London. In recognition of her work in inter-religious relations Anne was made a Lay Canon of the Church of England.

Since retiring from the Church of England she has lectured on many cruise ships and in the UK for the Arts Society

It was in response to people asking for her lecture notes, that in 2013 Anne decided to write her first book: From the Medes to the Mullah: A History of Iran. She has just published her ninth book on A History of China.

She remains convinced that many of the problems facing the world today are the result of an ignorance that can lead to intolerance at best and hatred at worst.

She firmly believes that one way to combat this ignorance is to promote a better understanding of our diverse world. Anne likes to think that by offering lectures and writing short, accessible books, she is playing her part in a small way.

Smashwords Interview

Why did you decide to write a book?
I have been giving lectures on history for many years on cruise ships. Frequently, following a lecture, passengers will ask me if I have written on the topic. I have always had to say no because I haven't had time. Now that it is possible to self-publish an ebook I have been able to write my first publication.
Why did you decide to start with a history of Iran?
I had already given several lectures about the history of Iran and then recently conducted a full study day on the topic. Since I therefore had plenty of material, it seemed sensible to put it onto book form.
Read more of this interview.

Where to buy in print

Books

A History of Central Asia
Series: In Brief. Price: $6.75 USD. Words: 59,620. Language: English. Published: July 13, 2020 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Asian » Asia / Central Asia, Nonfiction » History » World
Conquest, invasion, empire building and colonialism; the Achaemenids, Sassanids and Safavids, and exploits of Alexander the Great. Chapters on Turkic migrations, arrival of Islam, the Mongols and the conflict between imperial Russia and Britain, known as the Great Game. Soviet rule in Central Asia marks the final chapter, concluding with an Epilogue bringing the reader up to current events.
A History of China
Series: In Brief. Price: $6.75 USD. Words: 47,260. Language: English. Published: March 16, 2019 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Asian » China
A history of China from 2,000 BC to the present. Written in a clear and accessible style, with maps and timelines, this book covers the main events in China’s long and turbulent history.
A History of Russia
Series: In Brief. Price: $6.75 USD. Words: 53,990. Language: British English. Published: March 16, 2018 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Russian, Nonfiction » History » Russian
Starting with the Kievan Rus' in the 8th Century, this book traces Russian history to the present day. Chapters include the Mongol and Muscovy periods, the Romanov Dynasty, the Russian Revolution and the Soviet period. For most of its history, Russia has been ruled by autocrats, whether Imperial or Soviet. Is Present Vladimir Putin following in the tradition of autocracy, a Tsar in all but name?
The Mughal Empire
Series: In Brief. Price: $6.75 USD. Words: 31,750. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2017 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Asian » Asia / Central Asia
The Turkic-Mongol warlord Babur invaded Hindustan in 1526 and founded the great Mughal Empire. This book tells the history of the Empire from its beginnings to its dissolution by the British following the Indian Uprising in 1857. Written in a clear and accessible style and complete with maps and charts, it should appeal to the general reader.
The Ottoman Empire
Series: In Brief. Price: $6.75 USD. Words: 28,430. Language: English. Published: June 29, 2016 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Middle East / Turkey & Ottoman Empire
This book begins with the arrival of the Turkic tribes into Anatolia in the 13th century and covers the main events up to the dissolution of the Empire in 1923. The final part of the book explores the link between today’s conflicts in the Middle East and the peace process following the First World War, in particular the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the Balfour Declaration and the Treaty of Sevres.
Making Sense of Militant Islam
Series: In Brief. Price: $5.15 USD. Words: 27,320. Language: English. Published: March 30, 2015 . Categories: Nonfiction » Religion & Spirituality » Islam / History
This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand the complex world of militant Islam. It explores the ideology behind the atrocities committed by the so-called 'Islamic State'? Including helpful maps and charts this book offers a clear and concise analysis of groups such as Al Qaeda, the Taliban and ISIS.
Abraham's Children: Jew Christian Muslim Commonality and Conflict
Series: In Brief, Book 4. Price: $5.15 USD. Words: 20,620. Language: English. Published: July 7, 2014 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Middle East
This book compares the commonalities and conflicts between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Separate paragraphs are devoted Abraham, Prophecy, Islamic Expansion, the Sunni-Shi'a Schism and Holy War with an Epilogue discussing current issues. Written in an accessible style with useful maps and charts it should appeal to the general reader with no previous knowledge of the subject.
Holy Roman Empire Power Politics Papacy
Series: In Brief, Book 3. Price: $4.75 USD. Words: 12,190. Language: English. Published: December 23, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Europe / Austria & Hungary
A brief history of the Holy Roman Empire from the coronation of Charlemagne in AD800 to its dissolution in AD1806, including the Habsburg Dynasty, the European Reformation and the Ottoman invasions. With useful maps and family trees this book will appeal to the general reader looking for an accessible account of a complex yet fascinating European power.
Paul of Tarsus: A First Century Radical
Series: In Brief, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 12,110. Language: English. Published: October 2, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Middle East, Nonfiction » History » Jewish
(5.00 from 1 review)
This book looks at the radical Jew of the First Century who challenged the status quo. Including useful maps it should appeal to the general reader who wants to learn about the man from Tarsus from a historical perspective rather than the more usual avenue, through Scripture.
From The Medes to the Mullahs A History Of Iran
Series: In Brief, Book 1. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 14,480. Language: English. Published: September 6, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » History » Middle East, Nonfiction » Politics & Current Affairs » World politics
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
This book offers an accessible, but comprehensive, introduction to the long and rich history of Iran. Starting around 600 bce it traces the main historical events finishing with the modern Islamic Republic of Iran. It would be of particular interest to the non-academic person who wants to understand a country that is frequently misunderstood.

Anne Davison's tag cloud

911 attacks    abraham    achaemenid empire    afghanistan    al qaeda    alexander the great    anatolia    ancient persia    ataturk    austria hungarian empire    balkans    battle of borodino    boxer rebellion    british raj    catherine the great    charlemagne    charles v    constantinople    crusades    early church    empress cixi    ephesus    european reformation    forbidden city    genghis khan    greece    habsburgs    hellenism    holy war    indian history    indian uprising    iran    iranian revolution    iraq    isaac and ishmael    islamism    ivan the terrible    janissaries    jewish diaspora    joseph stalin    judaism christianity islam    khomenie    kublai khan    mandates    mao zedong    ming dynasty    mongols    moscow    mughal empire    muhammad    nuclear weapons    opium wars    pahlavi    pakistan    palestine    papacy    peacock throne    peter the great    quran    radicalism    roman empire    rome    russian revolution    saudi arabia    seleucid empire    seljuk turks    shia    silk road    soviet central asia    stalingrad    sunnishia schism    sykespicot    taj mahal    taliban    tamerlaine    tamerlane    tarsus    terracotta warriors    the great game    the great wall    the mongols    the silk road    uzbekistan    vladimir lenin    vladimir putin    wahabbi    world war one