Simon Sebag Montefiore in conversation with Gus Casely-Hayford.

This event will take place at the British Library. It will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person (physical), or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

The online version of this event will be live captioned.

Simon Sebag Montefiore’s bestselling narrative histories have transported readers to Tsarist Russia and Ancient Jerusalem. In his latest book, the 1,000-page epic The World: A Family History, he offers a gripping account of human civilization told through the families that have shaped our collective past.

From the Caesars and Khans to the Churchills, Castros and Kennedies, he uncovers global history on a surprisingly intimate scale, linking grand themes of war, migration, religion, plague and technology to the people at the centre of the human drama.

In this spellbinding event, chaired by V&A East director Gus Casely-Hayford, he shares some of their remarkable stories.

If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. We are committed to the safety of our event bookers. Find out how we are welcoming you to the Library safely.

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This event is kindly sponsored by the Society of Geneologists. 

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