Makers of the Modern World - launch of three titles at The House of Lords

'To the Attlee Room in the House of Lords on a snowy evening last week, for the launch of the most recent of Haus Publishing’s monumental 32-book series on the Paris Peace Conference that ended the Great War. Oh, yes, you read that right dearest readers. Thirty-two books on the Paris Peace Conference. “When we launched at the London Book Fair last year, no less than 14 different publishers came up to me to tell me this series was mad,” said Haus head honcho Barbara Schwepcke. “They weren’t wrong.”

Alas, the inclement weather meant that only about half of the 50 guests struggled through to make it. Still, the own-brand House of Lords wine was soon flowing, making the banter between the silver haired historians merry indeed, with many a knowing sally about Lloyd George, Woodrow Wilson and General Smuts.

The newest tome is by the life peer Baroness Ruth Henig, on the founding of the League of Nations, and the launch was meant to commemorate the League’s 90th anniversary (I know most of you will have celebrated in your own way—perhaps with close friends and family). At the end of her talk she said she regretted so many had not been able make it in, but there was an upside: “Right, let’s now drink for 50.” Great days.'

Haus publisher Barbara Schwepkce (second left in photo above) at the House of Lords for the launch of the latest book in the Makers of the Modern World series. With (from left) series editor Professor Alan Sharp, and authors Baroness Ruth Henig and Antony Lentin.