The Asian Library of Leiden University houses the world renowned and extensive Asian collections. This includes the largest collection on Indonesia worldwide and some of the foremost collections on South and Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Korea.

"Voyage of Discovery" contains more than twenty essays of academics, curators and authors on various aspects on their experience with the Leiden collections.

Richly illustrated and showcasing twenty-five treasures from the Asian Library, such as uni...

The collection of the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum comprises over 9,000 items. Together, they illustrate the relationship between humankind and Cannabis over the course of thousands of years. It’s an enlightening and fascinating journey. In Weed of Wonder, you can experience this journey as never before. Hundreds of high-quality, full-colour photographs accompanied by lively, informative text take you through the highs and lows of Cannabis history to the present day. Seasoned Cannabis champ...

The little-known story of Margaret of Parma, governor, art lover and Italian society figure

Daughter of Charles V, Governor of the Netherlands, a society figure in Italy and a passionate art lover and patron: Margaret of Parma (1522–1586) is a fascinating figure who for a long time was neglected by historians. This richly illustrated publication rehabilitates a woman who played a key role in the Habsburg Netherlands and the turbulent sixteenth century.

Who was Margaret of Parma, as a person...

Peoples who spoke Germanic languages told us in their own words, symbols and artefacts how they experienced people, animals, plants and the world in which they lived. They did this in the form of sagas and legends about gods, elves, giants, dwarfs and other mythological creatures, and in stories about legendary events that made a deep impression on them. Since the Migration Period (c. 300 – 600 AD), these stories have been written down in several Germanic languages, including Old Norse, Old...

A fully updated and revised edition of a classic bestseller: the definitive guide to Tutankhamun and his tomb - what it contained, why, and what it means today.

On 4 November 1922, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter's long search in Egypt's Valley of the Kings drew to a triumphant close: Tutankhamun's tomb had been found. As news of the discovery spread, and as images of the breathtaking treasures began to circulate, this once-obscure pharaoh would capture the imagination of the enti...