Around Africa: From the Pillars of Hercules to the Strait of Gibraltar

Following in the wake of Vasco de Gama, Peter Marshall set off in early 1992 to circumnavigate the huge continent of Africa.

Africa, where humanity first emerged, where civilization first developed, where the wilderness last remains, can teach us values which may still save humanity from their headlong rush to global madness and destruction. Light shines from the heart of Africa and can illuminate the darkness of the modern world.

Journey Through Tanzania

Outlines the history of Tanzania and discusses the nation’s culture, religions, customs, industries, geography, and wildlife.

Tanzania is a land of rare beauty. Bordered by shimmering lakes and the Indian Ocean, it is East Africa’s largest nation, half the size of Europe. Its natural features are unique: snow-capped Kilimanjaro on the equator, Africa’s largest mountain; Lake Tanganyika, its longest and deepest lake; Lake Victoria, the world’s largest lake, and Ngorongoro, the largest unbroken volcanic crater. In the mighty Selous straddling the Rufiji river and the Serengeti plains in the highlands, roam the last great herds of African wildlife.

The Philosopher’s Stone: A Quest for the Secrets of Alchemy

In his enthralling quest, Marshall demonstrates that alchemy, occasionally seen and invariably misunderstood, forms a powerful underground stream in cultures East and West. Alchemy has not only made an enormous contribution to science and medicine throughout the world, but has had a profound effect on religion, philosophy, psychology, literature, architecture and art.

And does Marshall find the Philosopher’s Stone in his arduous journey in space and time? There is only one way to find out…

Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism

A fascinating and comprehensive history, Demanding the Impossible is a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of anarchist ideas and actions from ancient times to the present day.

As the reviews make clear, too many to quote, Demanding the Impossible is a genuinely internationalist and highly enjoyable history of anarchist thought and action.It is divided into seven parts: Anarchism in Theory, Forerunners of Anarchism, Great Libertarians, Classic Anarchist Thinkers, Anarchism in Action, Modern Anarchism, the Legacy of Anarchism.

William Godwin: Philosopher, Novelist, Revolutionary

The picture of Godwin that emerges is one of a complex man and a subtle and revolutionary thinker. In the final analysis, Godwin stands forth not only as a rare example of a man who excelled in both philosophy and literature but as one of the great humanists in the Western tradition.

Romantic Rationalist: A William Godwin Reader

In order to make Godwin’s ideas available to a wider audience, Peter Marshall presents in this work a handy collection of his key writings in a clear and concise form, together with a long introduction containing a biographical sketch and an assessment of his contribution to anarchist theory and practice. The selections cover Godwin’s views of human nature, ethics, politics, economics, education and his vision of a free society. Godwin will be of interest to all those who celebrate truth, happiness, individuality, equality and freedom. Indeed, never since the French Revolution has his ideas been so relevant.

Damon and Delia: A Tale by William Godwin

Having uncovered the unique copy of this work in the British Library, Peter Marshall wrote the introduction and arranged its publication. Please apply to Peter Marshall at pm@petermarshall.net for a hardback copy of this book, price £10.

Godwin’s first novel, written in 1784, parodies the new man of feeling in a lively and amusing narrative. As might be expected from the future father of philosophical anarchism, the novel is more than a light-hearted treatment of the 18th-century sentimental novel and there is much robust satire. Delia moreover is a girl with a mind of her own and the fiery Sophia asserts that women are not to be controlled.

William Blake: Visionary Anarchist

Offering a lively and perceptive account of his thought ranging from his philosophy and his critique of existing society and culture, to his vision of a free world.

Poet, painter and engraver, Blake was not only a key figure in British Romanticism but involved in the central issues of his revolutionary age. Peter Marshall in this short study draws on Blake’s complete writings to offer a lively and perceptive account of his ideas, ranging from his general philosophy, his critique of culture and society, to his vision of a free world. Marshall reveals the light which shines behind the misty mountain range of Blake’s mythology and symbolism and presents him as deep thinker who anticipated the best in modern anarchism and liberation ecology.

World Astrology: The astrologer’s quest to understand the human character

World Astrology travels through the ancient world, tracing the origins of modern astrology. Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia and India all had systems with which to read the stars, and the discovery of a 4th Century Chinese star-map shows that they had been star gazing for centuries.

BOGNOR BOY: How I became an Anarchist

Bognor Boy: How I Became an Anarchist is a colourful and lyrical early memoir covering the life of Peter Marshall between 1946 and 1970. As the younger son of a hairdresser and fighter pilot (who became a racehorse trainer), he describes his family background as well as what it was like growing up after World War II in Bognor Regis, a seaside town on the Channel.

Into Cuba

Into Cuba is a unique book – the first independently produced and fully illustrated on Cuba to appear in the West since the rise to power of Fidel Castro following the Cuba Revolution. Accompanied by award-winning photographer Barry Lewis, Peter Marshall travelled throughout the Cuban archipelago to bring back this startling account of a beautiful, controversial and widely misunderstood country. They travelled from the elegant boulevards of Havana to remote coral islands, from the central sugar plains to the rugged Sierra Maestra, from where Columbus first landed to where Castro and Che Guevara launched the revolution. On their way, they met sugar-cane cutters, cigar rollers, government officials, professors, students, writers, ballet dancers, musicians and artists.

Cuba Libre Breaking the Chains?

Drawing on extensive research and discussions with Cubans from all backgrounds, Marshall critically examines the origins and development of the Cuban Revolution, from the bold attempt to change human nature and to reshape the country’s agriculture and industry, to its influential and controversial role in international affairs. In his lively and thoughtful narrative, Marshall also provides a penetrating analysis of Cuban culture, sexual politics and religion as well as a vivid portrayal of everyday life. In this major reassessment of modern Cuba, the very rhythms of the country can be felt and enjoyed.

Nature’s Web: Rethinking our Place on Earth

Tracing the origins and development of the ideas and values which have led to the present ecological crisis, this book places the contemporary debate over green issues in their historical context and illuminates what is loosely called earth wisdom.

Riding the Wind: Liberation Ecology for a New Era

Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? In seeking answers to these fundamental questions, Peter Marshall develops a dynamic and organic philosophy for the third millennium which he calls liberation ecology.

Riding the Wind is a testament of Marshall’s mature philosophy. It presents a fresh and inspired vision which combines ancient wisdom and modern insights, reason and intuition, science and mythology. It is a lyrical and thoughtful guide on how to live well and in harmony with oneself, with others and with nature. It should appeal to all those who wish to act well, create a free and convivial society and find a meaningful place within the universe.

Poseidon’s Realm: A Voyage Around the Aegean

Peter Marshall set off with a companion in a small sailing boat to voyage around the Aegean -Poseidon’s Realm – in order to explore the evolution, nature and legacy of Greek civilization and to test his hunch that it cannot be fully understood except from the point of view of the sea. After travelling for six sailing seasons and for over 5,000 miles, making forays inland and branching out into the Ionian and Black Seas, surviving near shipwreck and sinking, Marshall returned with this original, critical and lyrical account of the achievements of the ancient Greeks.

Celtic Gold: A Voyage Around Ireland

Part travel book, part autobiography, this is the story of an extraordinary journey. His voyage on Celtic Gold proved exhilarating and challenging, both physically and spiritually.

Journey Through Maldives

With photographers Mohamed Amin and Duncan Willetts, Peter Marshall sailed down the Maldivian archipelago, landing at islands usually out of bounds to visitors. He explored the intriguing archaeological remains and dug through the country’s archives. He met local villagers and island chiefs, government officials, boat builders, fishermen and the greatest variety of marine life in the world. The result is a visually stunning and highly informative account of a remote people and a unique island culture which are only just beginning to be touched by the 21st century.

Spectrum Guide to the Maldives

The Spectrum Guide to Maldives is compiled and edited by Camerapix Publishes International,Nairobi, illustrated by the photographers Mohamed Amin and Duncan Willetts with the section History, Geography and People written by Peter Marshall who also helped edit the book. He travelled on a boat and dived underwater with Willetts throughout the archipelago.

Europe’s Lost Civilization: Exploring the Mysteries of the Megaliths

Set in some of the wildest and most beautiful places in Europe, the megaliths of the stone age prompt many questions: who built them and why? What mysteries are encoded in their stones?

To answer these questions, Peter Marshall sailed in a small boat from Scotland to Malta and visited all the major megalithic sites on the way. The result is this beautifully written, thought-provoking account. During his epic quest and 4000-mile voyage, Marshall comes up with some startling conclusions and his well-researched book – part adventure story and part historical detective work – is passionate, eloquent and lyrical.

The Theatre Of The World: Alchemy, Astrology and Magic in Renaissance Prague

The Theatre of the World is the enchanting story of the doomed dreamer Rudolf II, an emperor more interested in the great minds of his age than in the exercise of his immense power. Rarely leaving Prague castle, he gathered around him a galaxy of famous figures: among them, the Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, the German mathematician Johannes Kepler, the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno and the English magus John Dee.

The Mercurial Emperor: The Magic Circle of Rudolf II in Renaissance Prague

In the late 16th century the greatest philosophers, alchemists, astronomers, painters, and mathematicians of the day flocked to Prague to work under the patronage of the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, an emperor more interested in the great minds of his times than in the exercise of his immense power.