
Recommended read
A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower
Mikiso Hane & Louis Perez
A clear textbook-style history covering emperors, shoguns, and Japan's modern transformation.

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Jahangir I
Mughal Empire
1605–1627

James VI and I
England
1603–1625

Ahmed I
Ottoman Empire
1603–1617

Charles I of England
England
1625–1649

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Sweden
1611–1632

Louis XIII of France
France
1610–1617; 1617–1643

Shah Jahan
Mughal Empire
1628–1658

James VI and I
Scotland
1587–1625

Tokugawa Hidetada
Japan (Shogunate)
1605–1623

Philip III of Spain
Spain
1598–1621

Wanli Emperor
China
1572–1620

Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1619–1637

Philip IV of Spain
Spain
1621–1665

Philip III of Spain
Portugal
1598–1621

Pope Paul V
Papacy
1605–1621

Tianqi Emperor
China
1620–1627

Philip IV of Spain
Portugal
1621–1640

Murad IV
Ottoman Empire
1623–1640

Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1612–1619

Tokugawa Iemitsu
Japan (Shogunate)
1623–1651

Osman II
Ottoman Empire
1618–1622

Pope Urban VIII
Papacy
1623–1644

Charles I of England
Scotland
1625–1649

Mustafa I
Ottoman Empire
1617–1618; 1622–1623

Pope Gregory XV
Papacy
1621–1623
Chongzhen Emperor
China
1627–1644
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Recommended read
Mikiso Hane & Louis Perez
A clear textbook-style history covering emperors, shoguns, and Japan's modern transformation.
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