Just four books from me today, and these are all older ones which I have found rather nice as introductory works or standalone ones to their respective topics of history.

• An Impeccable Spy: Richard Sorge, Stalin's Master Agent by Owen Matthews: I've cited this work a fair few times in my posts about interwar Japan (especially with regards to the years 1937-1941), but this in-depth biography of one of (if not the most famous) names in espionage traces Sorge's origins and his affiliation with Communism, before spending the better part of its 350 or so pages (not including source-work) on his most infamous assignment as the rezidentura head in Tokyo. Made with well-cited and thoroughly touched on sources from archives (including some recently unclassified Soviet ones), Matthews breathes a life like no other into this curious, fascinating, and alluring spy.
• The Second World War: A Short History by Robert Alexander Clarke Parker: This work has also been a nice overview of the conflict whose scale, nature, and impact have inspired all manner of questions on AH (and likely will continue to do so). For a book which condenses the causes, course, and consequences of those six years, Parker's work is nothing short of a grand (yet concise) publication. His sourcing is a tad on the skinnier side, and it should be noted that this book is definitely more on the military/political aspects of the war (though does include a nice chapter on economies, with accompanying tables/charts). Still a good read for anyone wishing to dip their toes into the shallow end (if one actually exists) of this infinitely deep cesspool of a history topic.
• Empires in the Sun: The Struggle for the Mastery of Africa by Lawrence James: Another one of those great "overview works", though obviously this covers a longer timeframe and arguably even more scope than Parker's work above. Focussing on the period of 1830-1945, James explores how the various European nations of the 19th and 20th centuries entered, administered, oppressed, educated, and exited various parts the African continent. The work touches on social, political, economic, and cultural history as well, and is a great read for anyone looking to get into the more "mainstream" colonial narratives of Africa's history. Fair warning however, that tying the various threads of European colonisation in Africa can take a bit of internal mind-mapping.
• Forgotten Armies: Britain's Asian Empire and the War with Japan by Christopher Bayly and Tim Harper: This is definitely one of those more "in-depth" works about a specific aspect of the Second World War, but it also serves as a great introductory work into the course of the war in Asia and its impact in the British holdings (India, Malaya, Singapore, and even Hong Kong). Bayly and Harper trace the rise of nationalism in the various colonies throughout the book, and their approach of following a cast of "characters" from 1939-1945 is a rather well-executed (if at times confusing) one. Well-sourced and with plenty of primary accounts, this work is great for anyone looking to get a bit more knowledge on an oft-sidelined part of the Second World War.

Any suggestions for books on the colonial history of the German Empire?

Does anyone have book/article recommendations for the Visigothic Kingdom and Visigoths, more specifically the economic, cultural, social, and religious history?

Thanks!

Any suggestions for the use of Onager as a siege/artillery weapon? Looking for historical uses in battles as well the earlier the better.

Khubilai Khan: His Life And Times (Morris Rossabi): I finished it this week and can recommend it as a good general book about Kublai and the early Yuan. It seemed to me that the author is slightly biased towards Kublai, but, then again, I'm no historian. Anyway, I'm now intrigued about the three "villainous ministers" and will read in detail on the role of Muslims in Kublai's empire.

I just finished pillars of the earth. Loved everything but the rape and chest talk.

Anything else in the same vein you’d recommend? Sorry I know it’s fiction. Would love documentaries about cathedrals now or other novels in a similar spirit.

I’ve heard he has more books in the series but they aren’t as good. Have also had shogun by james clavell recommended