Home & Garden Books

Book Synopsis2020 Independent Press Award Winner--Home & Garden CategoryTurn water scarcity into water abundance! Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1, 3rd Edition is the best-selling, award-winning guide on how to conceptualize, design, and implement life-enhancing water-, sun-, wind-, and shade-harvesting systems for your home, landscape, and community. This book enables you to assess your on-site resources, gives you a diverse array of strategies to maximize their potential, and empowers you with guiding principles to create an integrated, multi-functional plan specific to your site and needs. Clearly written with more than 290 illustrations, this full-color edition helps bring your site to life, reduce your cost of living, endow yourself and your community with skills of self-reliance and cooperation, and create living air conditioners of vegetation growing beauty, food, and wildlife habitat. Stories of people who are successfully welcoming rain into their life and landscape will invite you to do the same.Trade Review“Brad Lancaster has published a revised, third edition of his authoritative book Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond: Volume 1, Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape. Lancaster has decades of experience in planting rain in Tucson, Arizona. He began to counter poor waterscape management after meeting water farmer Zephaniah Phiri Maseko. This man’s wisdom, and his practice of long and thoughtful observation of land to understand how rain flows through it and shapes it, is at the core of Lancaster’s rainwater harvesting practice. Tucson receives more water from falling rain than its consumers use. But destruction of the region’s forest, and development of impermeable urban zones has led to water scarcity, as Lancaster explains in this Ted talk. His book addresses this problem. It tweaks Maseko’s principles of water infiltration to fit the needs of his Tucson home. This involves creating mulch-filled depressions in his garden where rainwater infiltrates, and where household greywater can be diverted. It also involves applying these practices in the public arena; for instance, diverting rainwater from streets to irrigate crop-bearing trees on public land. Rainwater Harvesting’s five chapters walk the reader through principles of rainwater infiltration, using Lancaster’s own projects as case studies. The book’s appendices, which have been further developed in this new, colour edition, offer another incredibly valuable resource. They describe, for instance, patterns of water and sediment flow and how to best utilize them; traditional Southwestern rainwater harvesting techniques; a list of plants and their water requirements, and information on the water-energy-carbon nexus and how domestic rainwater harvesting saves energy and money, while reducing CO2 emissions. In short, any household or community committed to living sustainably by conserving and recycling water should read this book.”—International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA)“Brad Lancaster has done it again. In revising his excellent book, he has given us a window into the world through the lens of water. Water connects all things. And Brad shows us water as a practical way of considering context and connection. From a world of water as commodity, he takes us to a world of water as moving, enriching exchanges, the stuff of life. A native friend got a job with his local water company, and rather than an engineering job, he saw it as a sacred trust. This is the shift that Brad leads us carefully through. Water is wealth and health—let’s treat it that way, and dance our way from scarcity to abundance.—Joel Glanzberg, author of the The Permaculture Mind; tracker; and teacher / designer of regenerative living systems; PatternMind.org“In a time of escalating resource scarcity and global conflict, this essential book helps us regain control of our water by showing us how to enhance our water and energy supply with simple, fun, and effective strategies at home and beyond.”—Maude Barlow, author of Blue Covenant; Senior Advisor on Water to the President of the United Nations General Assembly“Brad Lancaster clearly defines the differences between the path to scarcity and the path to abundance, both revolving around the wise use of water while avoiding the consequences of careless use. Throughout the book, alternatives are plainly described with illustrations that get to the point. I have worked in the field with Brad. He is unabashedly committed to the parallel causes of water and energy conservation. He asks incisive questions, searches for answers, tests solutions, documents findings, and happily shares his conclusions with all who care to listen. Clearly Mr. Lancaster is an agent for change, a true innovator, providing simple but powerful solutions to difficult questions facing society in both urban and rural situations.”—Bill Zeedyk, Zeedyk Ecological Consulting, LLC; co-author of Let the Water Do the Work“Lancaster’s book on rainwater harvesting is fantastic and an abundant guidebook for a more sane approach to our most precious resource. I highly recommend it.”—Jason F. McLennan, CEO, International Living Future Institute“This book and the thinking behind it should be part of the basic education of civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, and planners everywhere. As a civil engineer working for a progressive municipal water utility in an arid climate, I can see if a majority of our citizens followed these practices, many of our current and future challenges would be alleviated. The positive side benefits in terms of erosion-control, creation of bird habitat, and natural cooling would be exceptional.”—Patricia Eisenberg, P.E., Past president, Arizona Society of Civil Engineers“This wonderful book overflows with effective ways to beneficially cycle and enhance local water supplies, while maximizing power from the sun. It provides much-needed guidance and ideas on how to meet our resource needs, increase household and community potential, and protect the ecosystems upon which we all depend.”—Sandra Postel, founding director, Global Water Policy Project; Freshwater Fellow of the National Geographic Society; and author of Last Oasis“In an age of enormous, industrial questions about resources, this book is an antidote. In these pages are solutions on a human scale, taking water not from massive reservoirs or river diversions but straight from the sky.”—Craig Childs, author of The Secret Knowledge of Water“Though a bizarre irony, rainwater in the arid west is typically deflected away from water-starved land and shunted off to storm drains at great expense. Not so in Brad Lancaster’s universe. He welcomes rainwater into the landscape with creativity, intelligence, and humor, and puts it to use growing and enriching all kinds of resources, while reducing flooding and erosion, and enlivening the urban environment. In this new edition of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, he welcomes us to join him in exercising the radical common sense of harvesting rainwater melded with the harvests of sun, wind, carbon, and more.”—Ann Audrey, Environmental Consultant, for integrating rainwater harvesting, habitat restoration, and edible trees“This applies three times as much to the third edition: Buy this book now. If you live in a dry place, buy it. If you live somewhere subject to droughts (which is everywhere), buy it. The simple techniques (and the principles behind them) can help you save bundles of money, and make the landscape around you more productive and beautiful, with less work and upkeep than you can imagine. Lend it to your neighbors, and you’ll benefit as well. (Heck—buy them each a copy.) This how-to manual has enough stories, illustrations, and simple ideas to inspire even the most unhandy among us (such as myself). Buy it, try a couple of projects in your backyard, and in a few years be sure to send Brad and me a thank you note!”—Kevin Dahl, former Executive Director of Native Seeds/SEARCH and author of WildFoods of the Sonoran Desert and Native Harvest: Gardening with Authentic Southwestern Crops

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Book SynopsisZen Buddhist priest Shunmyo Masuno understands that today's busy world leaves little time or space for self-reflection, but that a garden—even in the most urban of spaces—can provide some respite. In his words, "The garden is a special spiritual place where the mind dwells." With this in mind, Masuno has designed scores of spectacular Japanese gardens and landscapes with the aim of helping people achieve a balanced life in the 21st century.This book explores Masuno's design process and ideas, which are integral to his daily Zen training and teachings. It features 15 unique gardens and contemplative landscapes completed in six countries over as many years—all thoughtfully described and documented in full-color photos and drawings. Readers will also find insights on Masuno's philosophy of garden design and a conversation between the designer and famed architect Terunobu Fujimori.Zen Garden Design provides an in-depth examination of Masuno's gardens and landscapes—not just as beautiful spaces, but as places for meditation and contemplation.Trade Review"…a deeper dive into Masunos design process and ideas, so if you're after something that's instructional as well as inspirational then this is [an] option for you." -- Flowers Across Melbourne blog"The text is superb--very complex thoughts written in an almost readily understandable fashion, and most enjoyable to read. And the illustrations are even better--assisted, I am certain, by the quality of the gardens being illustrated." --Shakkei Journal"[Masuno's] ideas and design process, which are fundamental to his daily Zen practice and teachings, are explored through photographs, drawings and descriptive narrative." --ABC Gardening Australia magazine

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Book SynopsisSimon Upton is one of the foremost names in interiors photography, with more than 25 years of published work to his credit. Sought after by the major design organisations, he travels the world photographing people and their homes. His work appears regularly in The World of Interiors, Elle Décor, Vogue, AD, and House & Garden. Karen Howes is an interior design writer whose books include Private Ireland, Vacation Homes, and Perfect Weekend Hideaways. She also runs The Interior Archive, a London-based picture library and photographic agency representing some of the world's best photographers. Rupert Thomas is editor-in-chief of World of Interiors magazine.

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Book SynopsisShauna Varvel began her career in public relations with Estée Lauder in New York, continuing with the brand to Tokyo. After many years of renting summer homes in Provence with her family, Shauna finally chose one to call their own, taking on the renovation of a 200-year-old farmhouse outside Avignon, France. The project has been celebrated by numerous publications, including Veranda, Town & Country and Fortune magazines, and visited by celebrities and an American president.Alexandra Black has written widely on cultural and material history. She is the author of Living in Cuba, Tuscan Elements, Ski Style, The Japanese House, Dusk Till Dawn, and The Fashion Book, and has contributed to Elle, Vogue Living and Gourmet Traveller.

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Book SynopsisGo beneath the soil with this hand-drawn guide!This book is sure to become your go-to reference for all things bonsai. Beautifully illustrated with details and views a camera simply can't show, Introduction to Bonsai offers a unique and insightful look at these mini ecosystems.This complete guide contains all the information you need to create and maintain your own bonsai: Handy monthly bonsai maintenance schedules detail proper watering, pruning, wiring, transplanting and other upkeep activities throughout the year Leaves, fruits, flowers, and processes are presented up-close to help make growing and upkeep as successful and simple as possible Diagrams show where, how much, and in what direction pruning, wiring, watering and other maintenance should be performed Clear, detailed illustrations of every part of the bonsai ensure that you'll see everything you need to see, exactly as you need to see it—making this a great resource for collectors and enthusiasts at all levels Learn the specific ways to care for more than 40 types of popular bonsai trees, including: Flowering Bonsai—cherry blossom, dogwood, azalea and lilac Fruiting Bonsai—crab apple, persimmon, Chinese quince and burning bush Coniferous and Deciduous Bonsai—maple, Japanese beech, black pine and salt cedar Prepared by the editors of Japan's popular Bonsai Sekai (Bonsai World) magazine,this handbook is designed to make care and maintenance easy for bonsai beginners—from seeds to root systems and from basic watering to your first transplant.

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Book SynopsisSimon Hugo is the author of several best-selling LEGO books including LEGO Absolutely Everything You Need To Know, the LEGO DC Super Heroes Character Encyclopedia and LEGO Star Wars: Choose Your Path. He has written on a variety of other pop-culture subjects including James Bond, Star Trek and Doctor Who.

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Book SynopsisCreate a colorful garden with tiles galore! A beginner-friendly guide, Garden Mosaics opens with insightful chapters on understanding the materials, tools, and techniques necessary to prepare and get started. Using ceramic, vitreous glass, marble, mirrors, or granite tiles, you'll move on to create 19 stunning mosaic garden projects that range from simple to elaborate, from one-of-a-kind pots, garden ornaments, and bird baths to stepping stones, garden tables, wall panels, and more! Each design contains step-by-step instructions and coordinating photography, as well as pattern templates. Authors and talented mosaicists Emma Biggs and Tessa Hunkin have written more than 5 books on mosaic art, design, and techniques.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year 2021 (British Book Awards)As seen on This MorningStraight-talking advice from the Skincare QueenThe Sunday Times Overall #1 bestseller for the w/e 27th June 2020Caroline Hirons is the authority in skincare and for the first time, she's sharing her knowledge with the world. With over 100 million views of her blog and over 13 million views of her YouTube videos, she cuts out the jargon, tells you what you do and don't need, and is finally going to get the nation off face wipes for good!Skincare is the go-to book for people of all ages and skin types who want to feel and look fantastic. It explains the facts, the myths and the best way to get good skin on any budget. With everything from Caroline's signature cheat sheets, simple tips and tricks to glow (inside and out!) understanding ingredients lists, and advice on how to choose the products that are right for you, this is the ultimate guide to healthier, brighter skin.Trade Review‘Skincare expert.’Vogue ‘Skincare Queen’ ITV This Morning ‘Hirons breaks down the world of skincare like no one else’ Red Magazine ‘The Hirons phenomenon’ Red Online ‘Caroline Hirons, aka the skincare oracle.’ Marie Claire Online ‘The most powerful woman in beauty’ YOU Magazine ‘Caroline Hirons, a skincare expert whose no-nonsense product reviews have attracted a sizeable following on social media’ Guardian ‘She pulls no punches about what's worth your money, and what's not,’ Bustle ‘An essential for every beauty-lover’ Fit & Well Magazine ‘Perhaps the most influential skin-care blogger in the Western hemisphere’ Yahoo ‘When I'm contemplating a new skincare product, there is one thing I always do. First, I type the name of the product into Google. Then I type “Caroline Hirons” beside it’. Image Ireland ‘Beauty blogger extraordinaire Caroline Hirons.’ Heart ‘The skincare guru knows what she’s talking about. That she is also hilariously frank is a bonus.’ The Irish Times ‘The beauty fanatic is known and loved for her brutally honest reviews and encyclopaedic knowledge of the skin.’ Harper’s Bazaar ‘The Skincare legend…’ Get the gloss ‘The internet's authority on skincare, Caroline Hiron's debut non-fiction book is a no nonsense guide to skincare – and getting the nation off face wipes for good.’ Evening Standard Online ‘Skin queen of the internet’ Image Magazine Ireland ‘Her opinion is like gold-dust for anyone marketing a new product, as she is so trusted in the industry.’ Image Ireland ‘Caroline Hirons writes exactly what her audiences needs with refreshing clarity and honesty.’Online Influence Awards 2019 – Vuelio ‘Skincare guru.’Evening Standard ‘This long-awaited offering from beauty guru Caroline Hirons is your cheat-sheet to better, brighter skin.’ Irish Tatler

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Book SynopsisThe official Lore Olympus postcard set features 50 pieces of the most iconic art from the hugely popular, Eisner Award?winning Lore Olympus. Send postcards featuring all your favorite Greek gods and goddesses from Rachel Smythe?s Lore Olympus. The back of each card has room to inscribe your own personal message, and the front features lavishly illustrated art from the award-winning comic.With 50 pieces that each repeat, for a total of 100 cards, you?ll be able to send dozens of gorgeous postcards to friends or family and keep the rest for your own collection

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Book SynopsisVisionary landscape architecture and garden design at mid-century in North America is captured by the greats of the era, including Julius Shulman and Ezra Stoller in many previously unpublished photographs.

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Book SynopsisThe debate over the merits of power tools vs. hand tools has raged for years, but the bottom line is that you need both to be a successful woodworker. Machinery provides efficiency for labor-intensive tasks such as sawing and planing, whereas hand tools are used to create fine details that machines can't duplicate. Power tools don't replace hand tools, they complement them. In Woodworking with Power Tools, expert craftsmen and craftswomen explain how they choose, maintain, and use every kind of power tool, from tablesaws to plunge routers, bandsaws to bench planers. There's advice on tool maintenance, techniques for getting the most from your tools, and projects made using power tools. With clear photographs drawings, and step-by-step instructions, Woodworking with Power Tools will be an essential resource for anyone who works wood. You'll learn how to: . tune up your tablesaw . choose bandsaw blades for resawing . get started with your plunge router . install dust collection in a small shop . cut easy angled tenons . get better cuts with your planer . build a perfect picture frame, an elegant bookcase, and a . pedestal dining table

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Book SynopsisThe most spectacular array of high-quality matt art stickers - over 500 - drawn from museum and ephemera collections around the globe. The perfect gift all scrapbookers, crafters, artists and collagers to bring a touch a beauty to any surface, whether sealing an envelope or creating a collage. From authentic Victorian ephemera and intricate botanical illustrations of flowers, exotic fish, birds and butterflies to circus performers, Greek busts, old masters' paintings and retro road signs, The Extraordinary Things to Collage Sticker Book provides something to satisfy all imaginations. The cornucopia of 1000+ lush, full-color stickers has been curated by respected and successful collage artist Maria Rivan, who blends pop art and surrealist influences to create eye-catching collage magic. Images are drawn from Laurence King's hugely successful Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage, also by Maria Rivans.

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If you're planning on building your own one-story dream home, this extensive collection will show you the best-selling and most stylish home designs available today. Updated with brand new plans and prices, Best-Selling 1-Story Home Plans, 5th Edition offers more than 360 home plans that have been carefully selected as most desirable based on actual sales data. From convenient ranch homes to traditional cottages, you’ll find a wide variety of styles and sizes here to meet your budget and style. And with complete construction blueprints and CAD files available for each and every house shown, you can build your special home just the way you want!

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Book Synopsis'Is this the chicest coffee-table book ever printed? Quite possibly.' - Financial Times, How To Spend It The first-ever authoritative A-Z celebration of the 500 greatest names in men's fashion - 200 years of men's style through the work of designers, brands, photographers, icons, models, retailers, tailors, and stylists around the globe The Men's Fashion Book is an unparalleled A-Z deep-dive into the people and brands that have produced and inspired the most memorable looks in menswear - and are advancing today's renaissance in men's clothing and style. Created in collaboration with Jacob Gallagher, men's fashion editor at Off Duty for the Wall Street Journal, this stunning book with its striking cover design and red and black marker ribbons, documents more than two centuries of men's fashion, bringing its history to life through iconic, inspirational images, from traditional suits to streetwear, and beyond. Inside this ground-breaking book you'll find approximately 130 designers, 100 brands, 70 icons, 40 photographers, 40 footwear and accessory designers, 30 retailers, 25 stylists, editors, and writers, 20 tailors, 15 publications, 15 models, and 10 illustrators, as well as art directors, influencers, milliners, and textile designers. Arranged alphabetically, the 500 entries spotlight living legends such as Giorgio Armani and Paul Smith alongside today's most innovative creatives, including Ozwald Boateng, Alessandro Michele, Kim Jones, and Virgil Abloh, and cutting-edge brands such as Bode, Sacai, and Supreme. Following in the footsteps of Phaidon's globally acclaimed and bestselling The Fashion Book, this is the most comprehensive guide to the men's fashion world ever published.Trade Review'Is this the chicest coffee-table book ever printed? Quite possibly.' – Financial Times, How To Spend It 'An extraordinary celebration and exploration of menswear throughout time and around the globe. From style icons to designers and others shaping men's fashion, it highlights generations of creative talent, including CFDA members Ralph Lauren, Public School, Sean Combs, and Emilie Adams Bode.' – Steven Kolb, CEO, Council of Fashion Designers of America 'The Men's Fashion Book is an encyclopedic and fabulous reminder that eccentrics, geniuses and provocateurs are by no means confined to the women's fashion arena.' – Simon Doonan, style icon, writer, and author of How to Be Yourself '[A] comprehensive guide ... on the most influential figures-ubiquitous brands and behind-the-scenes image-makers alike.' – WSJ Magazine 'Handsome ... A must-have for any clotheshorse.' – Town & Country 'Comprehensible and captivating.' – Publishers Weekly 'The book highlights iconic moments past, present and future in men's fashion.' – Woman's Wear Daily 'Takes stock of where menswear has been and suggests where it might be going at a time when the industry is heading in uncharted directions.' – Vogue 'Sprawling.' – Robb Report

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Book Synopsis‘Build resilience and create a low maintenance edible haven with this accessible guide.’ Kim Stoddart Learn how to create an edible forest garden from canopy to groundcover, modelled after nature – perfect for gardeners and growers at any scale! In The Home-Scale Forest Garden, gardener Dani Baker provides a practical, in-depth guide to creating a beautiful, bountiful edible landscape at any scale – from creating a foundation planting to developing an edible hedge to planning an acre or more. Discover how to create a resilient forest garden ecosystem, including: Observing and mapping your space Grouping fruit trees, berry bushes, and perennial vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in diverse layers that attract and shelter beneficial insects and birds Creating microclimates to increase the range of plants you can grow Expending less energy for greater reward Along with over 200 photographs taken over 10 years of forest garden development, you’ll find illustrated designs of plant groupings for a range of conditions, including hot, dry sites and shady, moist sites. This book is the perfect guide for gardeners of all experience levels who want to embark on their own forest garden adventure.Trade Review"Experienced gardeners with a serious interest in sustainability would do well to check this out."—Publishers Weekly“The Home-Scale Forest Garden is a thoroughly enjoyable read, with lots of good photos and illustrations. I particularly enjoyed reading about forest gardening in a colder winter climate and found Dani’s strategies for dealing with wet flooded ground, very heavy soil, deer attacks, and many other challenges both fascinating and inspirational. This book should be of great use to anybody making a forest garden on any scale.”—Martin Crawford, author of Creating a Forest Garden and founder, Agroforestry Research Trust“Dani Baker enriches cold-climate forest gardening with candid details of successes and (importantly) failures in her decade-old forest garden. The Home-Scale Forest Garden serves as a guide to anyone who wishes to plant one, and includes valuable experience with challenges including some very wet soils. Featuring over 200 beautiful color photographs from the garden.”—Eric Toensmeier, author of Perennial Vegetables and co-author of Edible Forest Gardens“Dani Baker generously shares the gems of her forest garden journey, offering insights of her successes, mishaps, and inspirations that culminate in the delicious fruits of her labor. Her vision, supported by a depth of teachers and study, guides readers in learning the art of edible abundance. Whether your goals include greater harvests, landscape beauty, or diversity of species, I highly recommend The Home-Scale Forest Garden as a resource for the land steward in us all.”—Katrina Blair, author of The Wild Wisdom of Weeds“We need many more examples of forest gardens, food forests, and permaculture orchards, and The Home-Scale Forest Garden will help inspire and direct you on the adventure of planning, planting, and tending your garden abundance. Dani Baker does a wonderful job introducing the uninitiated to permaculture principles in a clearly understandable way. Once you experience abundance from your forest garden, your life changes. A forest garden, as Dani explains so simply and beautifully, will get you to that abundance.”—Stefan Sobkowiak, permaculture educator and YouTuber; owner, Miracle Farms: The Permaculture Orchard“This book brings to life the visual beauty and the diverse productivity a perennial landscape can offer to anyone looking to get started or improve on what they’ve created. Forest gardening can often feel intimidating, but Dani Baker’s unique experience coupled with her friendly tone and plenty of details on the best plants, placement, and companions provides anyone interested in building a food forest with a plethora of material to help them succeed.”—Steve Gabriel, co-author of Farming the Woods; author of Silvopasture; extension specialist, Cornell Small Farms Program“Working with the natural world in our gardens has never been more important with the challenges we now face through climate change. Forest gardening offers hope, inspiration, and solutions for the future, and Dani Baker shows gardeners how to embrace this important method on a smaller scale. Build resilience and create a low maintenance edible haven with this accessible guide.”—Kim Stoddart, editor, The Organic Way magazine; co-author of The Climate Change Garden"Dani Baker is the dreamer and planner behind the Enchanted Edible Forest. She shares experienced, friendly advice for gardeners of all experience levels....With fun stories, a methodical organization, and helpful appendices, this is a great primer full of gardening expertise."—Foreword Reviews

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestseller'When I see something old, that I think is beautiful, special, valuable, it's not about the money. It's about being in another time and place.'Star of TV's Salvage Hunters, Drew Pritchard will go to the greatest lengths for the best deals. He discovered the casts Lord Elgin made of his infamous marbles in a school garage, and broke the bank to buy the tool box Malcolm Campbell used when he set the water speed record in 1934. He made a million. Lost it. And made it again.The face of the compulsively fascinating business of finding and restoring lost treasures, visionary Drew takes us up and down the country, into garages, factories, schools and pubs, digging out incredible items from that 'other time and place'. Then by lovingly restoring them, he brings our history back to life.A flat cap among silver spoons and old school ties, our favourite no-bullshit expert may be a one-off, but his story makes us all dream of that obscure piece of antiquity gathering dust in the garden shed...

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated map and guide to the Cotswolds’ most beautiful spots, A Cotswold Garden Companion covers everything from Jacobean gems and classics of the English landscape movement to some of the finest contemporary gardens around today. Readers will meet royal gardeners, car-park gardeners, plant hunters and inveterate collectors, as well as discovering all manner of horticultural highlights, from national collections of walnuts, foxgloves and flowering cherries, to the strawberry beds that inspired William Morris’s fabric designs – not to mention a sprinkling of garden shops and plant nurseries just too good to miss. Presented in an attractive slip case, A Cotswold Garden Companion is clear and easy to use and appealing to art lovers and garden lovers alike.Trade Review'The map and guide take the hard work out of planning a Cotswolds garden break. Folding down to a handy pocket size, it's an essential to pack in your overnight bag or stash in the car door.' * The English Garden *'An ideal Mother's Day gift for a garden-loving mum.' * Gardens Illustrated *

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Book SynopsisPlant Science for Gardeners is the key to growing better plants. This easy introduction to plant biology and chemistry gives you the knowledge and confidence to analyze problems, find solutions, and make better decisions in the garden to optimize plant health and productivity. Learn the science and ditch the rules!Trade Review"Robert Pavlis hit the nail on the head: know the science and you can grow anything. Plant Science for Gardeners, Pavlis' latest, is a sure (and enjoyable) way to learn that science. Mind you, Pavlis is not just a gardener who knows his science, he is a great science writer who does a fabulous job of making science fun. I am quite sure you are one read away from being a much better gardener." — Jeff Lowenfels, author, DIY Autoflowering Cannabis and Teaming with Microbes "A work of genuine importance by an author for whom the phrase "received wisdom" is a contradiction in terms. You will never take horticultural lore at face value again." — James Armitage, editor, The Plant Review, magazine of the Royal Horticultural Society "Knowing just how plants work is an interesting and useful way to ratchet up your gardening game and Robert Pavlis has provided that story in his engaging new book Plant Science for Gardeners. Read it and your garden will blossom, literally and figuratively." — Lee Reich, author, Growing Figs in Cold Climates and The Ever Curious Gardener "Robert Pavlis has provided another detailed, yet accessible, addition to gardeners' home libraries. Be sure to give Plant Science for Gardeners an honored place on your bookshelves, next to Mr. Pavlis' groundbreaking Garden Myths series." — Rebecca Martin, technical editor, Mother Earth News magazine "Plant Science for Gardeners is at once easy to read and comprehensive in presentation. Robert Pavlis has updated and made accessible information that in the past I have gleaned here and there from old textbooks and the odd gardening book. It's a great reference and a fascinating read. This book will be the next gift I buy for my budding botanist granddaughter!" — Darrell Frey, author, The Bioshelter Market Garden, co-author, The Food Forest Handbook "Whether you grow plants for fun or for profit, Plant Science for Gardeners does a great job of explaining how plants work without overcomplicating it. This is an excellent book not only for the basics, but also to explain some of the lesser known aspects of plants. Whether you've taken plant biology and physiology or not, it is a good read for anyone who's interested in plants, and to keep on the shelf as a reference for when you forget the difference between a node and internode. Get this book to understand what to do to keep your plants healthy and why." — Andrew Mefferd, editor and publisher, Growing for Market magazine, author, The Organic No-Till Farming RevolutionTable of ContentsIntroduction Introduction to Plant Science Organization of the Book Terms Used in This Book 1. Plant Basics Cells Xylem and Phloem Photosynthesis Plant Myth: Plants Raise the Oxygen Level in Homes ATP and the Energy Cycle Respiration Meristematic Cells Classification of Plants 2. Roots Root Basics Types of Roots Plant Myth: Feeder Roots Are Located Under the Dripline Effect of Gravity Cut Roots and Side Roots Plant Myth: Circulating Roots Continue to Circulate Conditions That Affect Root Growth Plant Myth: Transplant Solutions Grow Better Roots Root Growth in Winter Absorption of Water and Nutrients Plant Myth: Is Soil pH Important? Roots and Microbes Plant Myth: Purchased Mycorrhizal Fungi Are Good for Plants Plant Myth: Roots Grow Towards Water The Rhizosphere 3. Stems The Outer Structure of Stems Internal Structure of Stems Trichomes Buds How Stems Grow The Importance of Photosynthesis Underground Stems Plant Myth: Plant Bulbs after the Ground Is Frozen Plant Myth: Bearded Iris Should Be Planted with Rhizome Showing 4. Leaves Leaf Structure How Sun Affects Leaves Why Are Some Leaves Red? Plant Myth: Evergreen Needles and Oak Leaves Are Acidic Functionality of Damaged Leaves Natural Pesticides Signaling Between Plants Pest-Proof Leaves Water Stress and Wilting Leaves Leaf Abscission Variegated Leaves 5. Flowers Parts of a Flower Pollination What Causes Flowering? Why Do Plants Not Flower? Plant Myth: High Phosphate Grows More Blooms Tough Love for Plants Attracting Pollinators Enjoy the Bracts Dioecious and Monoecious Plants 6. Fruits and Seeds What Is a Fruit? The Importance of Fruit Different Types of Fruits Fruit Development Seed Development Suckering Tomato Plants Seeds from Non-Flowering Plants Soil Seed Bank 7. The Whole Plant Life Cycle of Plants Plant Dormancy Movement of Water Movement of Nutrients Plant Myth: Leaves Can Be Used to ID Nutrient Deficiencies Movement of Sugars Seasonal Sharing of Resources Overcoming Physical Damage How Do Plants Get Taller? Following the Sun How Light Affects Plant Growth Gravity 8. Woody Plants What Are Woody Plants? Structure of Woody Stems Where Does Wood Come From? Plant Myth: Newly Planted Trees Need to Be Staked Storage of Sugars Taproots vs. Fibrous Roots Composition of Wood Apical Dominance Healing Damage Plant Myth: Damage on Trees Should Be Painted Conifers 9. Environmental Factors Garden Hardiness Zones Dealing with Cold Protecting Plants from Cold Dealing with Heat Dealing with Water Extremes Adaptability of Plants How Climate Change Affects Gardens 10. Growing from Seeds When Is Seed Mature? The Seed Germination Process The Mysterious Cotyledons Why Do Seeds Stay Dormant? Breaking Dormancy Plant Myth: Seeds Can Have Double Dormancy Seed Storage Best Method for Starting Seeds Indoors 11. Selecting Seeds Basic Genetics Hybrids vs. Heirlooms GMO Seeds Days to Maturity Buying Unusual Seeds 12. Vegetative Reproduction Natural Vegetative Reproduction Rooted Stems and Leaves Artificial Vegetative Reproduction Plant Myth: Homemade Rooting Hormones Work Well Grafting 13. Plant Names Why Use Botanical Names? Naming Conventions The Proper Way to Name Your Plants Index About the Author Connect with Robert Pavlis About New Society Publishers

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Book SynopsisCatalog and track the various herbs, flowers, and plants you’re growing in your magical space and how you intend to use them in your witchcraft practice with this companion journal to The Green Witch’s Garden. Every green thumb needs a place to write their garden secrets, even green witches! A green witch embraces the power of nature, draws energy from the Earth and the Universe, and relies on stones, plants, flowers, and herbs for healing. With The Green Witch’s Garden Journal, you can record all of your garden progress and secrets, making a log of how you’ve cultivated your magical space. With easy checklists, garden grids, and template pages, you will easily be able to keep a magical record of what you’ve planted, when it’s bloomed, how much water and light it needs, what it’s magical use is, and more. Your witchcraft practice has never been greener!Trade Review"Perfect for any witch that currently grows a garden or is looking to start one of their own in the future." —Flying the Hedge

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Book Synopsis Designer and HGTV personality Leanne Ford shares design secrets and personal reflections on how she creates her warm, chic, and easy-going aesthetic—and how you can do the same Leanne Ford’s imperfectly perfect designs inspire more than half a million social media fans daily. In this very personal design book, she shares her decorating philosophy, wry humor, and advice to live by.The Slow Down offers readers an inside look at how Leanne found her “wow does this need work” dream house and then moved (with her family in tow) across the country to turn it into a welcoming home. Her story has a rebellious soul that is refreshingly different from other interior design books: She encourages readers to slow down in their personal environments and celebrate the beauty of everyday moments.The Slow Down’s photos and narrative present a home tour like no other, stopping to recount crazy ideas (not always

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Book SynopsisDuring the Second World War and in the decades after it, a group of rose lovers, including the writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West, the florist Constance Spry, and the horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas, realised that heritage roses were becoming endangered.Fearing for their future, these rosarians began collecting rare, old roses to save them from dying out while England?s gardeners were away fighting on the front. Where the Old Roses Grow tells the extraordinary story of how they did this, while the German bombers were scorching the skies, Hitler was advancing on their lives, and hope was being extinguished, month by month.This is a tale of gardens and roses in wartime, and of fortitude and tenacity in the face of great loss and pain, but it is also a story of hope. It celebrates the achievements of an inspired group of rose lovers, who saved Britain?s favourite flower, so it could survive and bloom for future generations.

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Book Synopsis... With its hundreds of beautiful photographs and outstanding research, it is a magnificent and eye-opening contribution that tells not only the story of the silver and gold items fashioned by Malay artisans but the Malay peoples themselves.''Seif El Rashidi, Islamic scholar, author & Director, Barakat TrustThis ground breaking new book is the first study of Malay silver and gold to take chronology and place production into serious consideration, leading to a much more nuanced understanding of developments across Southeast Asia. The exciting findings include the identification as Malay of certain exquisite gold filigree pieces held in august collections worldwide.''Annabel Teh Gallop, Head, Southeast Asia Department, British LibraryAt last, here is an excellent publication that does full justice to the scope and beauty of Malay silver and gold...''Sylvia Fraser-Lu, Author?

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Book Synopsis‘Georgie is the greatest, greatest wedding planner, wedding guru and fairy godmother.’ JAMIE and SOPHIE LAINGCongratulations! The engagement balloons have deflated, now what? Award-winning wedding planner Georgie Mitchell is on hand to guide you through your big day, step-by-step, by bringing together the best tips, tricks and trade secrets to show you how to have your wedding, your way.It’s Your Wedding has got everything you need to know about every aspect of the day, big or small, from choosing the right dress to divvying up bridesmaids duties, how to hold your bouquet the right way to the importance of first impressions with your ceremony and more.This is your essential, pocket-sized wedding planner, on hand to elevate your wedding and ensure every aspect goes as smoothly as possible, from the moment you arrive until the last song on the dancefloor.With helpful lists of proposed timings and stunning illustrations throughout, this is the perfect engagement gift for brides and grooms.

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Book SynopsisExplore the second design book from acclaimed Spanish designer Isabel López-Quesada across stunning locales around the world Described as the most significant European woman designer working today, Isabel López-Quesada returns with a second volume demonstrating her interior design expertise. Showcasing a wider variety of her design projects, this superb, extended monograph is divided into two sections, Town and Country, displaying spectacular residences located on three islands across the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean, and more. Innovatively combining period and contemporary furniture and art in a sophisticated, seemingly effortless mix, the interiors of Isabel López-Quesada are inspirational and unforgettable. Beautifully captured by renowned photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna, with whom López-Quesada worked on her first book, her eye-catching designs and the skill with which sheq carefully places decorative objects among stunning furnishings are celebrated here.

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Book SynopsisIn this new, special edition of a cult classic work, photographer Derry Moore and interior designer David Mlinaric take readers on a panoramic tour inside some of Britain’s finest buildings, guiding them through five centuries of English interior design. Mlinaric’s informed text and Moore’s perceptive photographs present the best examples of both public and private buildings— from sixteenth-century Haddon Hall, Chastleton and Knole to seventeenth-century Hatfield and Wilton; Houghton Hall and Syon House from the eighteenth century; Apsley House, the Palace of Westminster and Waddesdon Manor from the nineteenth; and twentieth-century examples including Charleston and the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The work of British masters including Inigo Jones, William Kent and Robert Adam, as well as of influential twentieth-century tastemakers such as Nancy Lancaster, Pauline de Rothschild and David Hicks, is revealed in striking photographs and authoritative texts. Anglophiles, armchair tourists, and lovers of grand interiors will relish the photographs of these wonderful buildings, while discovering more about the designers and architects who built them, charting the evolution that has made British style so alluring, enduring, and widely imitated over the centuries.

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Book SynopsisOak-framed Buildings is a practical and inspiring guide to their design and construction, written by expert craftsman Rupert Newman. Oak-framed buildings have been with us for centuries and they are here to stay. They are beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly, and by marrying traditional and modern materials they can be brought to a very high standard of energy-efficiency. This is a practical book on the technique of timber-frame construction for carpenters, builders and aspiring self-builders, but it will also be a source of inspiration to anyone who appreciates beautiful buildings. Full-colour photographs show projects by the author and others both complete and under construction, and structural details are clearly explained both in photographs and in three-dimensional drawings. Here is a traditional craft brought fully up to date for the 21st century. Topics covered include: past and present, making a start, understanding the structure, frame design, the construction process, raising the frame, walls and roofs, second fix, finishing off, and future of timber building. Revised and updated edition A comprehensive and practical handbook for experienced carpenters and an inspirational and informative guide for anyone interested in owning their own oak-framed building Covers all stages of construction, from coming up with a budget and choosing land, through designing, making and raising a frame to adding the roof, walls and floors and finishing off Features colour photographs, illustrations and three-dimensional drawings throughout Trade ReviewNearly 200 well-laid-out pages, clearly-written text, finely-drawn diagrams and great photographs; at just shy of £25, it’s worth every penny. But does the author manage to be inspirational? Let’s put it like this: if I were a young man, I’d build myself a summerhouse using this book, send photos of it to the author with a note saying, ‘Please Mr Newman, give me a job’. * The Woodworker magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction A Brief History of Timber Framing Starting Off Case Study 1: From Tragic Beginnings to a Triumphant End Designing Frames Case Study 2: The Minstrel Frame The Structural Qualities of Oak Making Frames 89 Raising Frames Case Study 3: Oak Frame and Structurally Insulated Panels The Building Envelope Case Study 4: Sustainability at the Gateway Centre Finishing Details Further Reading Useful Contacts Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisEverything I Need to Know I Learned from Bruce Springsteen is an eye-popping collection of stunning photos and insightful lessons inspired by Springsteen’s life and musical legacy. For decades, the Boss has imbued his work with great depths of feeling and authenticity, speaking his truth to millions of fans worldwide. The analysis of his lyrics and the story of his life have generated bestselling literary works for decades. Now, as Springsteen takes on what may be his final world tour, on the cusp of turning an unstoppable 75 years old, author Trevor Courneen examines Bruce’s lyrics, quotes, media appearances and personal history, mining each for the invaluable bits of wisdom that so often give life and meaning to his music, and translates them into actionable lessons that readers can apply to their own lives. Throughout, the book features stunning black and white and full colour photos of Bruce on stage, in private and on the road, making this book a one-of-a-kind collectible or gift book for fans of The Boss.

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Book SynopsisLondon Living presents a unique look into the homes of London-based interior designers, antique dealers, musicians, and influencers, revealed by leading interior design photographer Simon Upton. Following the success of his first book, New York Interiors, Simon Upton turns to London—a city in which he has been based for most of his working life. Exploring an incredible range of homes in this vibrant city, Upton looks behind the scenes into the private spaces of creatives and influencers. Presented in two parts, the book begins with “Town,” which is devoted to the homes of those who live solely in London, such as grandee of interior design John Stefanidis; House & Garden’s Interior Designer of the Year 2019, Maria Speake; industrial designer and architect Tom Bartlett; fashion designer Bella Freud; model Poppy Delevingne; and antiques dealer and interior designer Adam Bray. Then, “Country” sho

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Book Synopsis'An amazing read! I galloped through it' Lady Antonia Fraser'Lawrence has done an excellent job of recreating this eccentric gardening guru's life' The Times'My pick for gardening book of the year is this page-turning life story of Ellen Willmott' The Sunday Times'Sandra Lawrence tells her story with brio and affection' Daily Mail'Simply brilliant and a joy to read' The English GardenEllen Ann Willmott was a remarkable woman whose achievements in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, photography and more, should have made her one of the most well-known trailblazers of her age. Yet, both posthumously and within her lifetime, she instead became known as a bitter, cantankerous and eccentric miser, and her reputation has been forever stained by the image of her maliciously seeding other people's gardens with thorns.The beginnings of this prickly myth can be traced back to her conspicuous absence at what should have been the pinnacle of her career: the Royal Horticultural Society's inaugural Victoria Medal of Honour Award ceremony, at which she was due to be one of only two female recipients. Universally interpreted as the rudest of snubs, nobody has ever stopped to question why Ellen wasn't there, or if she was really as difficult and mean as she has been portrayed ever since. Author, Sandra Lawrence, has been granted unparalleled access to her archives, and with it has uncovered the secrets behind this thorniness. This is a book with it all: gossip, sisters, rivalry, squandered inheritance, forbidden love, bad marriages and, at the heart of it all, trailblazing talent.Trade ReviewAn amazing read! I galloped through * Lady Antonia Fraser *Excellent * The Times *'Simply brilliant and a joy to read' -- Clare Foggett * The English Garden *

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Book SynopsisMedical doctor turned food scientist and author of DK bestsellers The Science of Cooking (2017), The Science of Spice (2018) and The Science of Living (2020), "Dr Stu" is a science and medical writer, presenter and educator. He makes regular appearances on TV, radio, and at public events, and his writing appears in national and international publications. Stuart is also the founder and editor of online lifestyle-science magazine Guru.Trade Review"If you want to know more abou the natural phenomena that control the world of garden plants, then this book is for you." -- Ian Hodgson * Garden News *

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Book SynopsisA guide to green woodworking, with detailed patterns to create beautiful projects. Discover hundreds of projects for working with unseasoned wood in this essential book. Ray Tabor, an unparalleled expert in green woodworking guides you through this old, traditional craft. Whether you are new to the craft and are looking for a simple project like a spoon or a bowl or want something challenging, you will find it here. The 300 patterns for the home and garden range from wattle gates to lemon juicers, from chairs, benches and stools to baskets, whistles and door wedges. Green woodworking involves the use of freshly felled timber (unseasoned wood), and embraces a number of traditional woodland crafts, including turning and carving. All patterns come with detailed dimensions in both metric and imperial. Each item has annotated black-and-white patterns, a brief description, historical information and details of the materials that should be used. Includes the simplest of woodland designs to more advanced, with something to suit every skill level. Both a historical record and a sourcebook for those looking to use their green woodworking skills to make traditional items of beauty, this is the perfect book for anyone interested in whittling, woodland crafts and woodworking.Trade Review‘Packed with tips and clear explanations’ The Countryman

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Book SynopsisCreate the Cosplay Dress of Your Dreams Design and sew a ballgown fit for cosplay royalty! A crucial part of any cosplayers wardrobe, the right ballgown can transform you into an elegant princess or a dramatic sorcerer. But it takes more than just magic to create jaw-dropping gowns and ball-worthy dresses. Follow along with world champion cosplayers Cowbutt Crunchies as they walk sewists of all skill levels through building a ballgown with all the flourishes. This book contains everything you need to know about silhouette, planning, patterning, construction, corsets, hoop skirts, and trims. Craft your own magical fairytale masterpiece from start to finish! Curtsy with confidence! Sew elaborate cosplay ballgowns from scratch Take your builds to the next level with tips from award-winning cosplayers Regan and Kelley This complete guide helps new and experienced sewists build stunning showpiece gowns

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Book SynopsisStay close to family and friends with this stunning Royal HorticulturalSociety (RHS) stationery set to cut out and colour.

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Book SynopsisThis title contains plenty of delicious, healthy and wholesome exploitation-free recipes. It provides solution-based approaches to nurturing personal effectiveness and health. It discusses eco-friendly living, home and garden design, veganic food growing and community regeneration. Graham Burnett demonstrates how understanding universal patterns and principles, and applying these to our own gardens and lives, can make a very real difference to both our personal lives and the health of our planet. Interspersed with an abundance of delicious, healthy and wholesome exploitation-free recipes, Graham provides solutions-based approaches to nurturing personal effectiveness and health, eco-friendly living, home and garden design, veganic food growing, reafforestation strategies, forest gardening, reconnection with wild nature and community regeneration with plenty of practical ways to be well fed with not an animal dead!Trade ReviewIn his inimitable maverick fashion, Graham Burnett has jumbled together the pragmatism of Permaculture with the DIY ethos of punk, and come up with an essential and practical guidebook for anyone even remotely interested in the true nature of cultural (r)evolution. So, if you're looking to 'get a life', this would be as good a start as any - now's the time. Penny Rimbaud, Performer, philosopher, writer, and founder of the band/collective, Crass

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Book SynopsisThere’s never been a better time to be prepared. "This book is an indispensable basic manual for the real-life issues that await us in the decades to come. . . [A] treasure trove of practical wisdom."—James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere Matthew Stein’s comprehensive primer on sustainable living skills—from food and water to shelter and energy to first-aid and crisis-management skills—prepares you to embark on the path toward sustainability. But unlike any other book, Stein not only shows you how to live green in seemingly stable times, but to live in the face of potential disasters, lasting days or years, coming in the form of social upheaval, economic meltdown, or environmental catastrophe. When Technology Fails covers the gamut. Inside, you’ll learn: The basics of installing a renewable energy system for your home or business How to find and sterilize water in the face of utility failure How to keep warm if you’ve been left temporarily homeless Practical information for dealing with water-quality issues Alternative health and first-aid techniques Each chapter describes skills for self-reliance in good times and bad. Chapters Include: A survey of the risks to the status quo Supplies and preparation for short- and long-term emergencies Emergency measures for survival Prepping water, food, shelter, and clothing First aid, low-tech medicine, and healing Securing energy, heat, and power Metalworking Utensils and storage Low-tech chemistry engineering, machines, and materials Fully revised and expanded, When Technology Fails ends on a positive, proactive note with a chapter on “Making the Shift to Sustainability,” which offers practical suggestions for changing our world on personal, community and global levels.Trade ReviewReview From John Egan, proprietor of the website SurvivalistBooks.com- Matthew Stein has written a clear, concise book on the subject of survival that, while educating, also does what few others have managed to do - entertain and engage the reader. Throughout the book you'll find personal stories accompanying the text to further illustrate or drive home a point. The use of these asides brings you into Matthew Stein's life, as he recounts personal stories of survival and tells the stories of others who have managed to overcome the odds to survive. Not just a survival book, Matthew also covers topics like alternative therapies; how to create a survival mindset; survival strategies; renewable energy; companion gardening; prophecies etc. as well as all the regular topics found in such books - edible plants; first aid; making a survival kit; growing, hunting and foraging; making tools; creating shelters; spinning/weaving/tanning etc. The book has some great illustrations that make plant identification and first aid that much easier to understand and each chapter finishes with a reference section listing books (along with a short review) and resources (with web addresses where available). "If you've been wondering about how to respond to the twin dangers of peak oil and global warming, one of your best choices would be to read this book."--Greg Pahl, author of The Citizen-Powered Energy Handbook: Community Solutions to a Global Crisis"We imagine that we live in the age of information, but this engrossing book reminds us of how comparatively little we know. Most human communities used to know how to provide water and food and energy for themselves, but most of the tips in this comprehensive account will come as news to most Americans. You may never need to put them into practice (or you may need them this winter when home heating prices soar) but at the very least they illuminate the state of our comparative ignorance."--Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy "You don't need to be a survivalist to appreciate this book. If you are thoughtful. If you seek a simpler, more sustainable life or if you feel as though technology has already failed us in the ways that matter, this is a book you want in your personal library."--Kathy Harrison, author of Just In Case: How to Be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens "This book is an indispensable basic manual for the real-life issues that await us in the decades to come. Those who read it, and pay attention to its treasure trove of practical wisdom, will enjoy a huge advantage as the cheap oil fiesta winds down and circumstances compel us to live differently."--James Howard Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency "A fascinating collection of concepts and skills that will satisfy everyone from the casual do-it-yourself enthusiast to someone who wants to attempt self-reliance and the ultimate emergency preparedness."--Howard Backer, MD, author of Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care for Wilderness Locations and past president of the Wilderness Medical Society "I have no children because I read M. King Hubbert's analyses on the future of oil and other fossil fuels in 1969, and Limits to Growth shortly thereafter. It was clear to me then and in every year since that our whole economy, and all of our economic principles, were based on cheap oil that would not last. The reason that economists could get away with criticizing Hubbert and LTG as well promoting their basically absurd theories that often disregarded and even belittled natural resources was that, in fact, more oil could be pulled out of the ground to make ANY economic theory or policy work, no matter how stupid. Now that the oil spigot is sputtering the economists' theories and policies are increasingly shown to be failures. We need a whole new way to think about how we do our economies. In the spirit of the old Whole Earth Catalogues Matt Stein does a marvelous and diverse job of helping us to think about how we might go about generating an approach to our economies that can make sense. This is a great book to have on your bookshelf as we enter the post-peak second half of the age of oil."--Professor Charles A.S. Hall, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry "When Technology Fails is the roadmap that you want and need to navigate whatever may lie ahead."--John L. Chunta, PeakOilResources.com "We may all need a survival reference when technology fails. Matthew provides one--fact-filled, with useful tips on all aspects of survival, clothing, food, shelter, water, etc., including such vital subjects as grazing and the green pharmacy."--James A. Duke, economic botanist, USDA (ret.), and author of The Green Pharmacy "A marvelous guidebook for helping us through the worst of times, and even improving on the best of times."--Thom Hartmann, syndicated radio host and author of The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight"When the grid goes down, having this book with you could be the difference between life and death."--Matt Savinar, author of Life After the Oil Crash"Stein's excellent guide to simplifying your life, reducing your environmental impact, and pulling yourself out of a jam is sure to gather no dust on your bookshelf... This book is a personal and planetary empowerment tool."--Richard Heede, Ph.D., author, Homemade Money: How to Save Energy and Dollars in Your Home "I liked this book. It's carefully researched, comprehensive, well illustrated, and readable. It presents much needed alternate information, for, in my opinion, technology has already 'failed' ...So replacement of polluting 'high' technologies with non-polluting 'low' ones is urgent, and Matthew Stein's handbook systematically and accurately surveys a wide array of possible low-tech options. Much hard work, time, and talent went into the building of this basic reference survey of low-tech options."--Carla Emery, author, The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old-Fashioned Recipe Book "When Technology Fails is a massive project done well. First the book gives a superb presentation of WHY one should be more aware and prepared--and then HOW one should go about this. The scope of this book... is thorough. Not only is the information presented well, but a solid bibliography can carry the student as far as he desires in any particular area of interest."--John McPherson, author, Primitive Wilderness Living and Survival Skills "Matthew Stein has done us all a tremendous favor by searching far and wide for useful knowledge. In this era of specialization, personal and social viability depend on expansive thinking. When Technology Fails is itself a powerful expression of the technology of sustainable living. It teaches more skills than I thought possible in just one book and rightly combines the immediacy of an emergency escape plan with the urgency for long-term thinking."--Mathis Wackernagel, Executive Director of the Global Footprint Network "When Technology Fails is a comprehensive guide and compendium of the tools society will require as it reaches the convergence of hyper-inflation, oil depletion, and environmental limitations; in other words, at the point where technology fails."--William Kemp, author of The Renewable Energy Handbook"When Technology Fails. . . Like that's some sort of unlikely future possibility! Technology is always failing while people stand around befuddled about what to do. With Mat Stein's book, when push comes to shove, you can be your own veritable MacGyver. Not only does it provide us with the information we need to plan for, and deal with, potential emergencies and disasters, it also shows us how we can live more sustainably and self-reliantly in today's world of climate change and gas prices that are going through the ceiling. This is the sort of ingenuity for which Americans have been famous. When Technology Fails is to the mechanical world what Joy of Cooking is to the world of cooking. In other words, the encyclopedia every home should have on hand. Keep it right next to the emergency flashlight and your Swiss Army knife."--David Blume, permaculturist and author of Alcohol Can Be A Gas!"Whether you are seeking self-reliance and a simpler life or fear the collapse of social services, this compendium of practical information for sustainable living belongs on your bookshelf..."--Fred C. Walters, editor, Acres U.S.A. magazine "The depth of this book, covering everything from building materials to spiritual healing, is astounding. It is a one-stop source... to create a self-sufficient, earth-friendly lifestyle. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in preserving the health of themselves and the planet--and moving toward a sustainable, sane way of living."--Robyn Griggs Lawrence, editor-in-chief, Natural Home magazine "Matthew Stein gives us a readable, updated wake-up call for sustainability practices in the best tradition of Paul Ehrlich, Lester Brown, and Jared Diamond."--Stephen Schneider, Ph.D., Melvin and Joan Lane Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies at Stanford University and coordinating lead author in IPCC summary papers on climate change "In this age of over-consumption, truth is lost in a myriad of commercialized details. Matthew Stein picks up and assembles these shattered shards, and by examining each in the meticulous manner of a crime scene investigator, offers valuable insight and practical tools to survive in a world at the brink of chaos. In doing so, he helps maintain sanity in a time of hardening denial about the state of the world--and helps throw open the door to Plato's Cave where so many of us remain uncomfortably shackled."--Peter Droege, author of The Renewable City and Urban Energy TransitionTable of ContentsForeword by Richard Heinberg. An Introduction to Self-Reliance. Present Trends, Possible Futures. Supplies and Preparations. Emergency Measures for Survival. Water. Food: Growing, Foraging, Hunting and Storing. Shelter and Buildings. First Aid. When High-Tech Medicine Fails. Clothing and Textiles. Energy, Heat and Power. Metalworking. Utensils and Storage. Better Living Through Not-So-Modern Chemistry. Engineering, Machines and Materials. Making the Shift to Sustainability.

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Book SynopsisWritten by one of Japan's foremost experts, The Ultimate Bonsai Handbook provides a complete overview of every aspect of bonsai gardening. Over 1,000 photos demonstrate each step involved in raising and caring for 70 types of bonsai, supporting the book's "learn by imitation and observation" approach. This detailed book will serve as a timeless reference to cultivating pines, maples, flowering and fruit bearing trees and many other varieties.This practical, comprehensive bonsai guide includes information about: Types of bonsai and how to choose them Basic tree shapes and how to display them Tools, soils, and containers Transplanting, root trimming, watering and fertilizing Propagation, pruning, wiring and support And much more! Trade Review"The book is filled with photos of different types of bonsai trees with information on how to care and prune them." -- Mom Home Guide blog"Banish Bonsai fear with this guide from one of Japan's leading experts. Includes over 1,000 photos, clear instructions and tips on containers, trimming, pruning and propagation." -- Gardens Illustrated Magazine"…this book is a perfect guide for beginners. It has over 1000 photos and features 70 (!!!) different types of bonsai, and for each type it takes you through basic management tips, transplanting, pruning, arranging and wiring and sprout plucking." -- Desire to Inspire blog"

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Book SynopsisDesign Masterclass is the definitive home-decorating guide from Kelly Hoppen, offering invaluable professional advice on both the practical and aesthetic aspects of interior design. Kelly shares her trade secrets and expert knowledge to help you ensure that your decorating project runs smoothly; comes in on time and within budget; and achieves a functional, flexible interior that suits the way you live. Alongside inspiring photographs and room schemes of some of her finest projects, Kelly offers expert guidance on: How to use scale and proportion, colour, texture, lighting, furniture, art and other decorative elements to create a comfortable and elegant home that looks the way you want it to. How to approach the challenges and solutions commonly faced when designing different spaces in the home – from kitchens, living rooms bedrooms and bathrooms to media rooms and home offices, gyms and spas – and offers helpful hints on all aspects of decorating and furnishing each one. Essential advice on practical matters, such as budgeting, scheduling, drawing up floor plans, creating room boards, briefing professionals and managing the work. Kelly Hoppen’s Design Masterclass is an indispensable reference for interior designers and home decorators alike, giving professional insight to anyone wanting to give their home a touch of Kelly Hoppen’s distinctive style.Trade Review ‘A wealth of professional advice on both the practical and the aesthetic aspects of interior design. Inspiring room schemes and photographs.’ ‘Showcasing her latest work, Hoppen’s gentle signature minimalism mixes with colour, strong architecture and function to create home spaces that are magazine worthy but very, very livable. In the words of her fellow Dragons, we’re in!’ ‘Beautifully illustrated throughout, a must for any lover of interior design.’ ‘ Showcasing her latest work, Hoppen’ s gentle signature minimalism mixes with colour, strong architecture and function to create home spaces that are magazine worthy but very, very livable. In the words of her fellow Dragons, we’ re in!’ ‘ The definitive home decorating guide.’ ‘ Beautifully illustrated throughout, a must for any lover of interior design.’ 'This is a stunning book, full of advice, inspiration and beautiful photography. Highly Recommended!' 'A fabulous guide to home decorating, with definitive professional advice on all aspects of interior design. Sumptuously illustrated with photographs and room schemes that are bound to inspire any home owner.' ‘ Give your home a Hoppen makeover with this guide to the Dragon’ s interior design philosophy.’ ‘ A wealth of professional advice on both the practical and the aesthetic aspects of interior design. Inspiring room schemes and photographs.’

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Book SynopsisRefreshing in tone and approach, this is an accessible, relatable guide to finding joy while having less.Trade Review"Discover how to streamline everything from drawers to your whole house, and cultivate a minimalist mindset with simple steps to lasting success." -- Happiful

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Book SynopsisThis is not a book about French Gardens. It is the story of a man travelling round France visiting a few selected French gardens on the way. Owners, intrigues, affairs, marriages, feuds, thwarted ambitions and desires, the largely unnamed ordinary gardeners, wars, plots and natural disasters run through every garden older than a generation or two and fill every corner of the grander historical ones. Families marry. Gardeners are poached. Political allegiances forged and shattered. The human trail crosses from garden to garden. They sit in their surrounding landscape, not as isolated islands but attached umbilically to it, sharing the geology, the weather, food, climate, local folklore, accent and cultural identity. Wines must be drunk and food tasted. Recipes found and compared. The perfect tarte-tartin pursued. None of these things can be ignored or separated from the shape and size of parterre, fountain, herbaceous border or pottager. So this is a book filled

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Book SynopsisDraping, also known as moulage, is a fashion design technique that involves working with fabric directly on a mannequin, ‘sculpting’ the toile on a dress form. Imagination and freedom are the key principles of this process, allowing the designer to start from an idea and change it as the garment progresses. Pieces take shape inch-by-inch on the dress form, going directly from sketch to fabric. Using the intricate process of draping, this extensively illustrated publication is an essential step-by-step guide for students, couture connoisseurs and fashion professionals who want to delve deeper into a technique used by prestigious fashion houses around the globe. This volume offers everything readers need to learn about the principles of draping and to gain a solid foundation for making their own imaginative pieces without limiting their creativity.

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Book SynopsisThe essential guide to retrofitting old houses to be energy efficient and sustainable. Now revised and updated throughout. Table of ContentsContents The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings Foreword by Kevin McCloud Advisory note Preface 1 Old houses can be green 2 Old house to eco house 3 The building envelope 4 Retrofit materials 5 Roofs and ceilings 6 Windows and doors 7 Walls 8 Floors 9 Paints 10 Energy, air and water 11 Old house for the future Acknowledgements & Picture credits Index

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Book SynopsisAircraft of World War II details the design and specifications of 75 of the most important warplanes used during the conflict, from the venerable Fairey Swordfish biplane, through legendary aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Douglas C-47 Dakota, to the Messerschmitt Me-262, the first operational jet fighter. Presenting the information in an innovative format, the book features three-view colour artworks of each aircraft along with informed text giving a detailed account of the aircraft’s development. Examining each featured aircraft over two spreads, full technical information is provided for each type, including maximum speed, range and powerplant. Arranged by country, expertly written and attractively presented, Aircraft of World War II is an accessible guide for any aviation enthusiast.Table of ContentsIntroduction France Italy Japan Poland Soviet Union United Kingdom United States Index

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Book Synopsis

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