Non Fiction Books

Book SynopsisA BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. 'Francis Pryor brings the magic of the Fens to life in a deeply personal and utterly enthralling way' TONY ROBINSON. 'Pryor feels the land rather than simply knowing it' GUARDIAN. Inland from the Wash, on England's eastern cost, crisscrossed by substantial rivers and punctuated by soaring church spires, are the low-lying, marshy and mysterious Fens. Formed by marine and freshwater flooding, and historically wealthy owing to the fertility of their soils, the Fens of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire are one of the most distinctive, neglected and extraordinary regions of England. Francis Pryor has the most intimate of connections with this landscape. For some forty years he has dug its soils as a working archaeologist – making ground-breaking discoveries about the nature of prehistoric settlement in the area – and raising sheep in the flower-growing country between Spalding and Wisbech. In The Fens, he counterpoints the history of the Fenland landscape and its transformation – from Bronze age field systems to Iron Age hillforts; from the rise of prosperous towns such as King's Lynn, Ely and Cambridge to the ambitious drainage projects that created the Old and New Bedford Rivers – with the story of his own discovery of it as an archaeologist. Affectionate, richly informative and deftly executed, The Fens weaves together strands of archaeology, history and personal experience into a satisfying narrative portrait of a complex and threatened landscape.Trade ReviewFrancis Pryor traces the area's history and his own relationship with it, which stretches back more than 40 years * Radio Times *A fascinating account of a complex landscape by archaeologist Francis Pryor who has dug and worked its soil for almost 40 years. Weaving together strands of archaeology, history and personal experience, he paints an intimate portrait of the East of England's marshy and mysterious Fens * East Anglian Daily Times *[Francis Pryor's] enthusiasm is infectious, whether he's glimpsing Ely cathedral from a train, coming across John Clare's grave or counting the bricks of Tattershall Castle * Spectator *An elegant account of a region that, as [Francis Pryor] puts it, "has inhabited my soul" * History Revealed *Pryor always writes well and entertainingly, and in The Fens he has created what should become one of his most lasting works, a personal, archaeological celebration of a region where he has family roots and where he conducted a lifetime's fieldwork * British Archaeology *A heartfelt love story to the fens: a testament to their deep past as well as a concern for their ecological future * BBC Countryfile *Literally hands-on history – a deeply felt discovery of half a million underestimated acres from Lincolnshire to Suffolk... The Fens retains much of its brooding, enigmatic character and those who wish to understand its unique importance can now call on an articulate and avuncular guide' * Country Life *[Francis Pryor] interweaves his own personal experiences, the graft and grime of the dig and lyrical evocations of place, offering a unique portrait of a sometimes neglected but remarkable area of England * Countryside *A wonderful journey into the history and archaeology of an East Anglian landscape * Eastern Daily Press Norfolk. *An immersive journey through the landscape, saturated with local history and personal insight... It will inspire you to explore the locations on foot' * Country Walking. *Part history, part memoir, it brings the riches of the Fens to the surface and shines a light on this much misunderstood corner of the country * Waterways World *Extremely erudite, with a deep love for and understanding of the flat landscapes of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire (where he has lived for many years), this is the bronze and iron ages brought vividly to life -- Jo Henry, BookBrunch

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Book SynopsisThis practical travel guide to California features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This California guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make California easier to navigate while you're there. This guide book to California has been fully updated post-COVID-19 and it comes with a free eBook. The Rough Guide to California covers: Los Angeles; San Diego; the Deserts; Death Valley; the Sierra; the Central Coast; San Francisco; the Gold Country; Lake Tahoe and Northern California.Inside this California travel guide you'll find:RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selected for every kind of trip to California, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Yosemite Valley, to family activities in child-friendly places, like Venice Beach, or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Salvation Mountain.PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Essential pre-departure information including California entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more.TIME-SAVING ITINERARIESIncludes carefully planned routes covering the best of California, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip.DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGEClear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this California travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options.INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCALTips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for surfing or climbing the saw-toothed peaks of the Sierra Nevada. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISSRough Guides' rundown of Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Big Sur, San Diego's best sights and top experiences help to make the most of each trip to California, even in a short time.HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWSWritten by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this California guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs.BACKGROUND INFORMATIONComprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to California features fascinating insights into California, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary.FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHYFeatures inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Yosemite National Park and the spectacular Bixby Creek Bridge.COLOUR-CODED MAPPINGPractical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in San Francisco, Napa and many more locations in California, reduce the need to go online.USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.FREE EBOOK Free eBook download with every purchase of this guide book to California allows you to access all of the content from your phone or tablet, for on-the-road exploration.

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of How Are You Feeling Today?, this picture book encourages children to celebrate uniqueness and diversity and helps them to challenge stereotypes. The Same but Different explores the ways in which we’re all unique as well as the similarities we all share. Using everyday examples, clear explanations and colourful illustrations by Sarah Jennings, this book encourages children to rejoice in their differences. After all, imagine how boring the world would be if everyone was exactly the same! This book covers lots of ways in which we're different, including how we look, where we live, the languages we speak, what our families are like and what we believe in. It's the perfect resource for starting important conversations with children about diversity and inclusion, with topics such as race, disability, gender, sexual orientation and religion. Early Years and PSHE expert Molly Potter also provides a glossary of terms and notes for parents and carers offering advice on tackling prejudice right from the start. Let’s Talk books help you start meaningful conversations with your child. Written by an expert and covering topics like feelings, relationships, diversity and mental health, these comforting picture books support healthy discussion right from the start.Trade ReviewMolly Potter's books are just gorgeous and this one is another winner! * Kathy Brodie, Early Years expert and host of Early Years TV *A good starting point for conversations about inclusion. * The Bookseller *

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Book Synopsis'A masterful, must-read contribution to conversations on power, justice, healing, and devotion from a singular voice I now trust with my whole heart'GLENNON DOYLE, author of Untamed**Roxane Gay's Book Club March 2023 Pick**When Lamya is fourteen, she decides to disappear. It seems easier to ease herself out of sight than to grapple with the difficulty of taking shape in a world that doesn't fit. She is a queer teenager growing up in a Muslim household, a South Asian in a Middle Eastern country. But during her Quran class, she reads a passage about Maryam, and suddenly everything shifts: if Maryam was never touched by any man, could Maryam be... like Lamya?Written with deep intelligence and a fierce humour, Hijab Butch Blues follows Lamya as she travels to the United States, as she comes out, and as she navigates the complexities of the immigration system - and the queer dating scene. At each step, she turns to her faith to make sense of her life, weaving stories from the Quran together with her own experiences: Musa leading his people to freedom; Allah, who is neither male nor female; and Nuh, who built an ark, just as Lamya is finally able to become the architect of her own story.Raw and unflinching, Hijab Butch Blues heralds the arrival of a truly original voice, asking powerful questions about gender and sexuality, relationships, identity and faith, and what it means to build a life of one's own.Trade ReviewAs funny as it is original. -- New York TimesA masterful, must-read contribution to conversations on power, justice, healing, and devotion from a singular voice I now trust with my whole heart, Lamya H.'s gorgeously written and life-affirming debut Hijab Butch Blues traces the intertwining of faith and doubt, and invites us all to a deeper, more loving way to live -- Glennon Doyle, author of UNTAMEDWith a supple skill, Hijab Butch Blues treats gender and devotion with a thrilling sense of multiplicity and expansiveness. This is a book attentive to the fullness of being human. Among the meshes of power and orthodoxy, Lamya H. moves with curiosity, humour and vulnerability, divining new sources of hope and of life. -- Seán Hewitt, author of ALL DOWN DARKNESS WIDEA singular memoir about identity, queerness, racism and resistance which engages with the Islamic faith in open, nuanced and quietly radical ways. I love Lamya's intimate, intelligent and honest voice -- Arifa Akbar, author of CONSUMEDA gracefully-wrought memoir about the importance of community, faith and family in a world that is so often unwilling to accept and celebrate each of us in our beautiful complexity -- Eleanor Bally * Skinny *Exploring the strength and stories of the Quran that inform her own experience and celebrating how we move forwards to accept different viewpoints and ideas while telling the tale of her life, this is a brilliant read to savour -- Francesca Brown * Stylist *A moving reconciliation of identity and faith -- Katie Goh * i-D Magazine *Lamya H has accomplished in words all the tenderness, defiance, and nuance that their story demands. To be invited into the richness of their interior world - the beauty of childhood skepticism, the complexity of Muslim storytelling, and the glory of life in a queer body - is no minor gift. Hijab Butch Blues is for anyone coming home to themselves in a world content to disorient us. Lamya H will show us the way -- Cole Arthur Riley, author of This Here FleshHIjab Butch Blues is a revelation, an emotional journey of faith, family, community and sexuality. With precision, compassion, and deeply observed storytelling, Lamya H - a new, distinctive voice - navigates the fault lines of life and love in a queer Muslim body -- Linda Villarosa, author of UNDER THE SKINA richly textured and deeply moving testament to the power of faith - not only in the divine, but in the human spirit. In spare yet poetic prose, the author gifts us with stories from her quest to find belonging as a queer hijabi immigrant in America. Leaping effortlessly from the personal to the political, Hijab Butch Blues is one of those rare texts that seamlessly weaves trenchant social analysis with gorgeous storytelling skill. This book is sure to become a queer classic -- Kai Cheng Thom, author of FIERCE FEMMES AND NOTORIOUS LIARSDespite contending with secrets and silence and shame, Lamya H has been brave enough and bold enough to live her own dynamic life: Muslim, queer, politically radical, devoted to her faith. Using memoir, theological discussions of Quranic surahs, and critical reflection on American culture and society, Lamya has fashioned in this book what I never thought possible: she describes a world in which I could live -- Kazim Ali, author of FASTING FOR RAMADAN

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Book SynopsisA WATERSTONES BEST POLITICS BOOK OF 2024This is an exceptional moment for democracy.In the year of elections, read Margaret Atwood, Mary Beard, Lea Ypi, Elif Shafak and more on what democracy means - and why it matters. In 2024, nearly half the world will take part in a national election, with billions heading to the polls. It''s a thrilling, unprecedented opportunity for change - yet democracy is also under threat.Women are at the forefront of the fight for democratic rights, as well as being the most vulnerable when those rights disappear. Here, eleven extraordinary women - leaders, philosophers, historians, writers and activists - explore democracy''s power to uplift our societies. Between its ancient origins and its modern challenges, they share a vision for a better future - one we can build together.

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Book SynopsisGuidebook to 50 day walks in the Dolomites, showcasing the best mountain routes in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in northeastern Italy. The Dolomites offer fantastic walking from June to September and can easily be reached from Verona, Treviso, Venice and Innsbruck. Including easy, moderate and strenuous hut-supported walks, the routes range from 2–13 miles (3–21km), each designed to fit into a single day. They centre around key bases such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, San Vito di Cadore, Sesto and Misurina. 1:50,000 maps included for each walk Advice on access, refreshments and public transport Highlights include Tri Cime di Lavaredo, Pelmo and Marmolada Listing of rifuges and accommodation providers GPX files available to download

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Book SynopsisLonely Planet''s local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the ultimate short trip to New York City - and discover twice the city in half the time!Discover New York City''s most popular experiences, must-see attractions, and unexpected surprises - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - with our handy-sized Pocket travel guide. From sailing past the Statue of Liberty, to strolling along the High Line, and enjoying the sweeping views of Manhattan from Brooklyn''s vibrant waterfront park.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet''s PocketNew York City travel guide: Our Pocket guidebook format provides you with the best insider knowledge and local know-how for planning trips between 1 - 7 days Find what you''re looking for fast with this guide''s all-new structure and design and navigate New York City with ease Get

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate guide to Scotch whisky.Why does Scotch whisky taste as it does? Where do the flavours come from? How might they have changed over the years? The flavour of Scotch whisky is as much influenced by history, craft and tradition as it is by science. Whiskypedia explores these influences. Introductory sections provide an historical overview, and an explanation of the contribution made by each stage of the production process.Each entry provides a brief account of the distillery''s history and curiosities, lists the bottlings which are currently available, details how the whisky is made, and explores the flavour and character of each make.Fully revised and updated edition with new entries on the latest distilleries atPortintruan, Uile-beist,Port of Leith, Jackton, Cabrach, Dunphail and Kythe.

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Book SynopsisLonely Planet''s local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the ultimate short trip to Hong Kong - and discover twice the city in half the time!Discover Hong Kong''s most popular experiences, must-see attractions, and unexpected surprises - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - with our handy-sized Pocket travel guide. From embarking on one of Hong Kong''s well-known hikes, Dragon''s Back, for stunning coastal vistas, to relaxing on the white sand of Deep Water Bay, and basking in the spiritual atmosphere of Man Mo Temple.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet''s Pocket Hong Kong travel guide: Our Pocket guidebook format provides you with the best insider knowledge and local know-how for planning trips between 1 - 7 days Find what you''re looking for fast with this guide''s all-new structure and design and navigate Hong Kong with eas

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Book SynopsisLike other British motor manufacturers, the Rover Company spent World War II helping the war effort rather than building cars. Bombed out of its original home in Coventry during the Blitz in 1940, it was fortunate in 1945 to be able to move into the new factory at Solihull that it had been managing on behalf of the Air Ministry. The Solihull factory was not only new: it was huge. Its size presented Rover with a welcome opportunity for expansion, but first the company had to get back into the game. With no new car designs ready, Rover's only option was to re-start production with mildly improved versions of their pre-war models. New models were a long time coming. Early ideas focused on a small economy car, but it soon became clear that this was not what the public wanted. Meanwhile, ambitious plans for a new and ultra-modern car, using mechanical elements that had been under development before the war, had to be put back when there were delays in designing a satisfactory modern body st

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Book Synopsis'Joyfully entertaining. Full of warmth, wisdom and affectionate delight in the wonder and absurdity of being human.' Observer'Funny, honest and heart-warming.' Matt HaigWhat better way to understand ourselves than through the eyes of comedians - those who professionally examine our quirks on stage? In this touching and witty book, award-winning presenter and comic Robin Ince uses the life of the stand-up as a way of exploring some of the biggest questions we all face. Where does anxiety come from? How do we overcome imposter syndrome? What is the key to creativity? How can we deal with grief? Informed by personal insights as well as interviews with some of the world's top comedians, neuroscientists and psychologists, this is a hilarious and often moving primer to the mind.Trade ReviewJoyfully entertaining... full of warmth, wisdom and affectionate delight in the wonder and absurdity of being human. * The Observer *Accessible [and] intriguing... a smart, laugh-out-loud book. * Evening Standard *Funny, honest and heart-warming. * Matt Haig – author of Reasons to Stay Alive *Clever, witty and wise. It's very revealing about the psychology of comedians - and the rest of us. * Claudia Hammond – presenter of BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind *Clever, funny, kind and interesting - just like Robin. * Sara Pascoe, comedian and author of Animal *Deceptively deep. Invaluable and inspiring. * Stewart Lee, comedian and author of How I Escaped My Certain Fate *Charming, funny, throbbingly intelligent... A memorable, joyful, gorgeous read -- Deborah Frances-White * Observer *Moving, funny and interesting! Robin leads us on a fascinating journey through our often quirky minds. * Jo Brand, comedian *Profound, compassionate, eye-wateringly funny and immensely human. Robin investigates the big questions of the human condition with the razor-sharp insights and sensibilities of one of our very best stand-up comedians. * Alan Moore, writer of V for Vendetta *One of the UK's most accomplished, versatile comedians. * Guardian *Moving and insightful... This wide-ranging and well-researched book hides its deceptive depth in an easy to read, witty and conversational style. * Irish Times *Fascinating... One of the best books ever written about what it means to be a comedian... it's certainly a must-read for anyone interested in the workings of comedy and comedians, but probably for anyone interested in the workings of human beings in general. * Chortle *Insightful, informed, touching and funny in equal measure. * Richard Wiseman, Professor of Psychology *Parts of the book are hilarious, parts of it heartbreaking... Easy to devour, and a real pleasure to read. * Chemistry World *For a comedy book, Robin Ince's I'm a Joke and So Are You doesn't ask the usual question - 'What is wrong with comedians?' - but instead shows the quirks and weird thoughts we all fear are unique to ourselves are not as strange as we think. It's a book about the human mind and one that leaves you feeling a lot less alone in yours. * The Skinny, Book of the Year 2018 *In addition to being royally entertained I was also educated... * The Psychologist *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Shouting at Strangers for Money 1: Tell Me About Your Childhood 2: The Brain, Hardware and Chemistry 3: Talking About Myself Behind My Back 4: Daydreaming for a Purpose 5: Is There a Real You? 6: Getting to Know Your Inner Fraud 7: Anxiety and the 'Imp of the Mind' 8: Morals and Temptations 9: Death, Where Is Thy Punchline?

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Book SynopsisBeing diagnosed with incurable cancer that had spread to the liver and bones, might justifiably be regarded as a bad day at the oncologist’s office. Add to this a fractured neck, a life expectancy of six months and isolation from loved ones due to Covid lockdowns, and one could be forgiven for descending into the depth of despair. But not Issy Hogg. On receiving the news, this indefatigable and fun-loving defence lawyer told her oncologist, in true Shakespearean style, that she had no intention of ‘shuffling off this mortal coil’ anytime soon. Issy then began regaling family and friends with a series of amusing and inspirational posts providing updates on her experience in hospital, treatment programme and anecdotes from an eventful professional and personal life. Over a year beyond her death sentence, Issy has committed her experiences to this book. The primary aim being to share the overwhelming benefits of positive thought and a, literary, ‘never say die’ approach with those who encounter or fear unwelcome life-changing events of whatever nature.

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Book SynopsisLike so many, motivated by a quest for a Higher Reality', Johannes makes his way to India, the Motherload of spirituality. The introduction entitled Getting there', gives a brief, graphic description of his journey northwards, skilfully sketching out some key aspects of Indian life: colour, ancient tradition, poverty, diversity and humanity. Inspired by a long-term interest in Tibetan Buddhism, he makes his way to Kashmir, having booked a flight to Ladak. Deep snow scuppers the trip, and he encounters an unsuspected and hidden vein of Muslim spirituality, Sufism. Most of the book is then taken up with Johannes' diary which details, daily life, friendships, stunning descriptions of his environment, but above all, the teachings of the Sufi Master Amin. Leader of the Chistya Sufis, he was an independent, tolerant, and free-thinking individual, with far reaching interests and profound spiritual insights. It was his face that was truly striking. His head seemed massive, twice norm

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The definitive guide to telling an unforgettable story in any setting, drawing on twenty-five years of experience from the storytelling experts at The MothYou are a multitude of stories. Every joy and heartbreak, every disappointment and dizzying high, has the makings of an unforgettable story. Whether your goal is to deliver the perfect wedding toast, give a moving eulogy, ace a job interview or simply connect more deeply to those around you, The Moth is here to help. A leader in the modern storytelling movement, The Moth inspires thousands of people around the globe to share their stories each year.In this book, the Moth team reveal the secrets of their time-honed process and use examples from beloved storytellers like Neil Gaiman, Elizabeth Gilbert, Nikesh Shukla, Sarfraz Manzoor and more, to show you how to:* mine your memories for your best stories * explore structures that will boost the impact of

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Book SynopsisThe air pollution that we breathe every day is largely invisible - but it is killing us. How did it get this bad, and how can we stop it? Far from a modern-day problem, scientists were aware of the impact of air pollution as far back as the seventeenth century. The Invisible Killer will introduce you to the incredible individuals whose groundbreaking research paved the way for today's understanding of air pollution. Gary Fuller's global story examines devastating incidents from London's Great Smog to Norway's acid rain; Los Angeles's traffic problem to wood-burning damage in New Zealand. Fuller argues that the only way to alter the future course of our planet and improve collective global health is for city and national governments to stop ignoring evidence and take action, persuading the public and making polluters bear the full cost of the harm that they do. The decisions that we make today will impact our health for decades to come.Trade Review‘An admirably clear book and an appropriately urgent one.’ The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary untold story of Pippa Latour, who parachuted into occupied France in 1944 as an undercover agent and sent secret messages back to Britain.

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Book SynopsisThe essential companion to discover the styles, architecture, form, significance and historical impact of castles from all over the world. How to Read Castles is a travel-size primer that takes a strictly visual approach to castle architecture, building up your vocabulary of castle types, styles and materials, and showing you how these aspects can be recognised across architectural features from the floor-plan and moat, to the towers and crenulations. Focusing on the 10th-16th century period, and crusading across the globe from a Welsh motte-and-bailey to a Japanese hirajiro, this is both an architectural reference and a visitor's guide showing you how to read the stories embedded in every castle’s stones. Castles once dominated the landscape as seats of power and symbols of wealth and status, providing a means of control over borders, passes, routes and rivers. Armed with this book you will be able to unpick their histories and see how they shaped the land around them. From rugged coastline defences to soaring mountain fortresses, this book takes you on an international journey of discovery, exploring some of the most inspiring and impressive architecture history has ever seen.Trade ReviewFor anyone beginning to take an interest in castle building, Hislop's book will prove a very sound introduction. -- John R Kenyon * Medieval Archaeology *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Grammar of Castles Function Design & Construction Castle Types Destruction & Revival Castles: Feature by Feature The Great Tower The Enceinte Tower, Turrets & Bartizans The Entrance Barbicans Wallhead Defences Accommodation Chapels Dungeons, Oubliettes & Prisons Doors & Windows Water Supply & Sanitation Heating Staircases Glossary Resources Gazetteer Index Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisDiscover new places in Europe with easy-to-read mapping from Collins.A fully revised and updated colour road map of Europe at a scale of 79 miles to 1 inch / 50km to 1cm (1: 5,000,000). Roads, motorways, European Route numbers, railways, airports, cities and towns are clearly shown, making the map ideal for route-finding and planning journeys.This map includes:Fully revised and updatedFull index to place names (on reverse of sheet)Distance chart giving distances in kilometres between main townsEuropean Union map showing member states and the EurozoneInternet links to further information on EuropeArea of coverageCovers the whole of Europe from the North Cape (Norway) to Gibraltar and from Ireland to east of Moscow. Also includes Iceland and Cyprus.Key to approved country code abbreviations GB, F, D etc.Map key in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian

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Book SynopsisFrom the very beginning, the blues has had a close connection with the LGBTQ community. There is a long and decorated history of so-called 'dirty blues' songs, stretching back beyond the earliest attempts to capture the blues on record. The 1920s and 30s saw the release of dozens of raunchy, bawdy blues recordings aimed at a knowing LGBTQ audience. Queer Blues tells the story of the pioneering LGBTQ composers and entertainers that wrote, performed and recorded these wonderfully outlandish, life-affirming songs and chronicles, including: Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Josephine Baker to Frankie 'Half-Pint' Jaxon and many more. This is the definitive account of the LGBTQ trailblazers of early blues and a fascinating consideration of the intersection between music and LGBTQ history, from the award-winning Darryl W. Bullock.Trade ReviewA Guardian Music Book of the Year 2023 A Resident Records Book of the Year 2023 'Darryl W. Bullock excavates and celebrates the fantabulous intersection of Blues and Queer Culture, highlighting racial struggles, explosive joy and creativity. I love this book!' Simon Doonan 'Meticulously researched and rich in detail, Queer Blues is fabulous in its debunking of myths and righting of wrongs' 4**** Mojo

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Book SynopsisThe most supportive, easy-to-use and focussed literature guides to help your students understand the texts they are studying at GCSE and A LevelTable of Contents Part 1: Introduction Part 2: The text Part 3: Critical approachs Part 4: Critical history Part 5: Background Further Reading Literacy Terms

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.We have declared before that it is not only expedient but necessary for a prince to take care his foundations be good, otherwise his fabric will be sure to fail.'Considered one of the first works of modern philosophy, Machiavelli's The Prince is an intense study on the nature of power and the course it should take when ruling a country and expresses the author's strong and unyielding ideals and beliefs on using force rather than law to achieve your aims.Responsible for the widely-used phrase Machiavellian', with all of its negative connotations, his extreme treatise remains a classic text to this day.

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Book SynopsisA Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide is the go-to resource for project management practitioners. Over the past few years, the project management profession has significantly evolved due to emerging technology, new approaches and rapid market changes. Reflecting this evolution, The Standard for Project Management enumerates 12 principles of project management and the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition is structured around eight project performance domains. Both the standard and the guide reflect the wide range of development approaches that lead to value delivery. This edition is designed to address practitioners’ current and future needs and to help them be more proactive, innovative and nimble in enabling desired project outcomes. This edition of the PMBOK® Guide: Reflects the full range of development approaches (predictive, adaptive, hybrid, etc.) Provides an entire section devoted to tailoring the development approach and processes Includes an expanded list of models, methods, and artifacts Focuses on not just delivering project outputs but also enabling outcomes; and Integrates with PMIstandards+ for information and standards application content based on project type, development approach, and industry sector.

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Book SynopsisThis illuminating exhibition catalogue interrogates the entanglement of the Islamic world with European visual culture during the medieval period and Renaissance, from the 9th century to the end of the 17th. It traces and reveals this interconnectedness through works of art that reflect the intense environment of contact, influence and exchange which developed over centuries between the two cultures. It also explores the reception of the image of ‘Islam’ in Europe, as highlighted by an important painting of the Supper at Emmaus, painted in the so-called ‘Oriental Mode’ by the Venetian artist Giovanni Mansueti (c. 1465–1527) in the last decade of the 15th century. Islam in Europe presents a survey of artistic production in the medieval Islamic world and the many ways it altered the trajectory of European visual culture. Opening with earlymedieval objects produced by Muslim artisans and known to have been exported in large numbers to medieval Europe, the catalogue explores the crosscurrents of visual culture at the nexus of Islam and Christendom which were already well developed by the 10th century. It continues with artworks produced under the aegis of the Umayyads (711–1031) and later Islamic dynasties which ruled large swathes of the Iberian Peninsula until 1492, and the influence of Islamic rule on the development of a distinctive visual culture in medieval Spain.A central group of objects traces the breathtaking force with which refined export wares from Mamluk Egypt and Syria, Central Asia and Anatolia flooded the Italian market during the 14th to 16th centuries, revolutionizing European aesthetics as well as the taste for (and very definition of) luxury goods. This section of the catalogue includes objects that chart the rise of European textiles, metalwork, ceramics and other arts specifically emulating Islamic designs.The catalogue concludes with a group of important early textiles spanning the 13th to 17th centuries. It explores how and why European artists started to incorporate lavish Ilkhanid silks into their imagery, and how Italian weavers began to imitate both these early imports, and later also Ottoman velvets flooding the market in the 15th century, with voracious appetite. One of the catalogue’s key foci is an important group of rare Anatolian carpets woven between the 15th and 17th centuries and richly imitated both by European painters including Titian and Holbein, and by local weavers vying for control of the market in luxury furnishings.The catalogue presents 60 works of art, which have taken a decade to bring together and are presented in this way for the first time. Together the works elucidate the complete integration of Islamic art and artisanal technology into European visual culture during a period of extraordinary efflorescence. A brief introductory essay explores questions of entanglement in the medieval world and proposes a new lens through which to examine the artistic production of the period. The catalogue closes with a new essay by Michael Franses analyzing the importance of the only firmly dateable ‘Lotto’ Arabesque carpet still in existence, acquired by The David Collection, Copenhagen, in 2022.

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Book SynopsisExam Board: SQALevel: HigherSubject: Modern Studies Two books in one! Combining a revision guide and a full set of practice test papers, this fantastic resource is all you need to revise for the exam.The revision guide Covers all of the topics in the CfE Higher Modern Studies curriculum, broken down into manageable chunks for easy revision Clearly explains key concepts, research evidence and real-life applications Contains Quick Tests to let students check their knowledge and understanding as they go alongThe practice test papers Are in the format and the style of the SQA exam, giving students an opportunity to practice taking the Higher Modern Studies examMarking instructions and sample answers are provided online, so students can check their progress.

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Book SynopsisTHE UNFORGETTABLE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR''Popular science at its best: entertaining and thought-provoking.'' FINANCIAL TIMES''You don''t have to be a victim to your past and the way you used to think . . . A wonderful book.'' DR RANGAN CHATTERJEEA radically new and engaging explanation of how and why we remember.' MATTHEW WALKERLife-changing.' SIDDHARTHA MUKHERJEEMemory is far more than an archive of the past. This groundbreaking book by a pioneering Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, Dr Charan Ranganath, reveals the powerful role memory plays in nearly every aspect of our lives.Combining fascinating tales of the peculiarities of memory as well as cutting-edge science, Dr Ranganath shows the surprising ways our brains record the past and how we use that information to understand who we are in the present, and to imagine and guide our futures. Memory shapes how we experience the world, and it does that in often invisible, active and sometimes destructive ways. Dr Ranganath argues that we can use this knowledge to make better use of our flawed memories, whether in daily tasks like finding our keys or dealing with memory loss as we age. What's more, when we work with the brain's ability to learn and reinterpret past events, we can shed our biases, learn faster and heal after grief or trauma. This is a vital, accessible guide to understanding memory's quirks and its power.

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Book SynopsisJames Crowden is Britain's best cider writer Cider Country is the book we've all been waiting for.' Oz ClarkeJoin James Crowden as he embarks on a journey to distil the ancient origins of cider, uncovering a rich culture and philosophy that has united farmer, maker and drinker for millennia.LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 ANDRE SIMON FOOD AND DRINK AWARDCidermaking has been at the heart of country life for hundreds of years. But the fascinating story of how this drink came into existence and why it became so deeply rooted in the nation's psyche has never been told. In order to answer these questions, James Crowden traces an elusive history stretching back to the ancient, myth-infused civilisations of the Mediterranean and the wild apple forests of Kazakhstan.Meeting cider experts, farmers and historians, he unearths the surprising story of an apple that travelled from east to west and proved irresistible to everyone who tasted it. Upon its arrival in Britain, monks, pirates and politicians foTrade ReviewPraise for CIDER COUNTRY ‘James Crowden is Britain’s best cider writer. I always turn to his work first when I want top research and inspiring opinions. His new ‘Cider Country’ is the book we have all been waiting for.’ OZ CLARKE ‘Crowden writes with an intoxicating lyricism about the great love of his life – cider. Packed with cider flavoured nuggets of history, magic and folklore, this book will not just make you want to drink the stuff, it will have you packing your bags and move to the West Country to make it.’ Ned Palmer, author of A Cheese-monger’s History of the British Isles ‘Wonderful … From the ancient orchards of Kazakhstan to the cider presses of Somerset, fizzing with fruity stories and yeasty historical tales!’ Alice Roberts ‘James Crowden takes us on the most immersive journey through this drink and tells us of the story of the origins of the apple through Kazakhstan… It’s such a friendly book, a cosy feel…This drink fell into decline particularly in the seventies and eighties, and in more recent years we’ve had this revival of fine cider…This book tells that story. Dan Saladino, Radio 4 Food Programme ‘Books of the Year’ ‘Cider Country is a vivid ramble through orchards and history …Enormous fun, and effortlessly readable.’ Caroline Eden, author of Red Sands ‘Fascinating … Crowden knows this world intimately. He has a gift for evoking the rhythms and smells of cider-making.’ SPECTATOR ‘Imagine that Falstaff's got a handful of PhDs, and that he's holding court late at night in a West Country cider house, rombustiously, outrageously, learnedly, rapturously, fascinatingly. That's Crowden here. Don't miss it.’ Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide to British universities. Essential guide to British universities that gives you all the information you need to make the crucial decisions on what to study, where to study, and how much it might cost. Objective and authoritative, it is the best-selling guide to making the right university choice for you.

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Book SynopsisPaul Kidby (Author, Illustrator) Paul Kidby is best known for being the 'artist of choice' for Sir Terry Pratchett. Paul started working with Terry in 1993 and has designed the Discworld book jackets since 2002 following the death of artist Josh Kirby. He has illustrated many Discworld publications including The Art of Discworld, best-selling The Last Hero and the Terry Pratchett's Discworld Imaginarium. In 2019 he illustrated Good Omens written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE DOUGLAS STEWART PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE VICTORIAN PREMIER'S LITERARY PRIZE LONGLISTED FOR THE WALKLEY BOOK AWARD 'I understand and sympathise with the feeling you might have that you already know the Jeffrey Epstein story. But I am not here to tell you a story about Jeffrey Epstein, or even Ghislaine Maxwell. I am here to tell you the stories of ten women, many of whom have never spoken at length before, about the real impact of sexual trauma on their lives' In November 2021, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of five counts of sex-trafficking of minors and is now serving twenty years in prison for the role she played in Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of four girls. Journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley was one of the only reporters allowed into the courtroom every day. In her meticulous account of this incendiary trial, Osborne-Crowley paints a blistering critique of a criminal justice system ill-equipped to deliver justice for abuse survivors, no matter the outcome. Written as a gripping true crime drama, The Lasting Harm critically questions our age-old appetite for crime and punishment, reframes trauma and offers a new blueprint for meaningful reparative justice.

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for The Baillie Gifford Prize 2024Prospect Magazine Books of the Year 2024: LivesGuardian Best Biographies & Memoirs 2024Frantz Fanon was born in Martinique, a French colony, in 1925. As a young man, he volunteered to fight in de Gaulle's army for the liberation of France, and trained to become a doctor and psychiatrist. His experiences as a Black man under French colonial rule had a profound effect on him. In 1952, he wrote Black Skin, White Masks, a vital analysis of the effects of racism on the human psyche.He was later re-assigned to a hospital in French Algeria. It was here that he became involved in the rebellion of the National Liberation Front (FLN), who fought to break free from colonial power. Fanon's work for the FLN as a propagandist and psychiatrist became highly contentious. His final work, The Wretched of the Earth, was published in 1961 just before he died at the age of 36. It has proved to be one of the most controversial yet influential books of our time.The Rebel''s Clinic is a searing biography of the short and harrowing life of Frantz Fanon, and a brilliant, nuanced exploration of his ideas, whose legacy is still so powerful. In an age when debates about race and the effects of colonialism are ever more urgent, The Rebel's Clinic is a profoundly relevant book.

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Book SynopsisLooking for your next adventure? This rail map of Europe is the perfect planning and travel companion

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Book SynopsisA laugh-out-loud celebration of the everyday, from national treasure, Natalie Cassidy!

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Book SynopsisYour Ultimate Guide To Modern Home DesignWelcome to the world of Home Design Recipes - your ultimate guide to modern home design rooms with ease. Just as baking the perfect cake requires sourcing the finest ingredients and following a tried-and-true recipe, designing a stunning space demands the right "ingredients" and a step-by-step plan.Simple home improvement.In this innovative design "cookbook," we demystify the process of interior design, providing you with easy-to-follow recipes for crafting modern, stylish homes. Gone are the days of merely admiring beautiful pictures without understanding how to replicate the look. With Home Design Recipes, you''ll be empowered to transform your house design from ordinary to extraordinary.Endless design ideas. Each recipe in this book is meticulously crafted to guide you through the modern home design process, from A to Z. Cathy Hobbs covers essential topics, popul

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Book SynopsisChris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, where his research ranges from understanding how galaxies form and evolve, to predicting the properties of visiting interstellar asteroids. He is Principal Investigator of the Zooniverse citizen science platform, which provides opportunities for anyone to contribute to scientific research, and which was the topic of his first book, 'The Crowd and the Cosmos'. Lintott is best known as presenter of the BBC's long-running Sky at Night program, and as an accomplished lecturer and performer in venues from music festivals to planetaria. In 2023, he was appointed the 39th Gresham Professor of Astronomy, a post that dates back to the 16th century. Away from work, he cooks, plays real tennis and spends time with a rescued lurcher, Mr Max, with whom he presents the Dog Stars podcast.

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Book SynopsisRadhika Das is a London-based Kirtan artist and Bhakti Yoga teacher who has been practicing for 16 years. He has devoted his life to helping people find spiritual fulfilment through mantra, bhakti yoga and meditation. His talks and events span over 30 cities and countries worldwide (including a weekly Friday evening residency at OmNom in Islington, a residency in New York and multiple retreats a year in India, Italy and Belgium) and he is also the host of the podcast For Soul's Sake'.

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Book SynopsisOne of the first woman authors, Julian of Norwich produced in Revelations of Divine Love a remarkable work of revelatory insight, that stands alongside The Cloud of Unknowing and Piers Plowman as a classic of Medieval religious literature. This Penguin Classics edition is translated from Middle English by Elizabeth Spearing, with an introduction and notes by A.C. Spearing.After fervently praying for a greater understanding of Christ''s passion, Julian of Norwich, a fourteenth-century anchorite and mystic, experienced a series of divine revelations. Through these ''showings'', Christ''s sufferings were revealed to her with extraordinary intensity, but she also received assurance of God''s unwavering love for man and his infinite capacity for forgiveness. Written in a vigorous English vernacular, the Revelations are one of the most original works of medieval mysticism and have had a lasting influence on Christian thought.This edition of the Table of ContentsRevelations of Divine Love IntroductionFurther ReadingTranslator's NoteRevelations of Divine LoveShort TextLong TextNotesAppendix I: List of ShowingsAppendix II: Original Texts of the RevelationsAppendix III: Margery Kempe's Meeting with Julian

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Book SynopsisBlood on the Tracks tells the thrilling and brutal story of the 1974/75 Ashes series.

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Book SynopsisSimone Weil was one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century: a philosopher, theologian, critic, sociologist and political activist. This anthology spans the wide range of her thought, and includes an extract from her best-known work ''The Need for Roots'', exploring the ways in which modern society fails the human soul; her thoughts on the misuse of language by those in power; and the essay ''Human Personality'', a late, beautiful reflection on the rights and responsibilities of every individual. All are marked by the unique combination of literary eloquence and moral perspicacity that characterised Weil''s ideas and inspired a generation of thinkers and writers both in and outside her native France.

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Book SynopsisMistletoe therapy is becoming more recognised as a viable treatment for cancer. The mistletoe plant contains several compounds including lectins which improve immune defences and can decrease the negative effects of cancer treatments. As a therapy, mistletoe represents a rediscovery of ancient wisdom and shows us how the science of modern medicine might expand its reach and reconnect with a more human-centred medicine.This book condenses the information shared at a three-day practitioner training course hosted by the Physicians' Association for Anthroposophic Medicine, highlighting several key lectures. This book serves as a bridge between conventional oncology and the development of Integrative Medicine as an effective path in the treatment of cancer. This book is a valuable resource for medical practitioners who want to expand cancer treatment options for their patients, as well as informative background reading for anyone interested in alternative medicine.Table of ContentsC O N T E N T S:How to Use this BookForeword by Dr Luis A Diaz Introduction by Dr Steven Johnson, DOPART 1: THE LANDSCAPE OF MISTLETOE THERAPY1. Ancient Plant, Modern Therapy: A Brief History of Mistletoe and Modern OncologyDr Steven Johnson, DO and Dr Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO2: The Immunology and Science of Mistletoe Dr Paul Faust, ND3: The State of Current Mistletoe ResearchDr Paul Faust, ND and Dr Marion Debus, MDPART 2: MISTLETOE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE4: Understanding Host Trees: Best Practices in Choosing Mistletoe TherapiesDr Peter Hinderberger, MD5: Test, Assess, Address . . . Don’t Guess! Adjusting Treatment Priorities in Response to the Patient's Unique TerrainDr Nasha Winters, ND, FABNOPART 3: HUMAN-CENTERED MEDICINE6: The Physiology of WarmthDr Adam Blanning, MD7: What is 'Constitutional Care' in the Anthroposophic World? Seeing the Whole person, the Whole Human Organism, before Providing CareDr Peter Hinderberger, MD8: Pairing AM Adjuvants: Helleborus and Other Anthroposophic Remedies Provided alongside Mistletoe TherapyDr Steven Johnson, DO9: Building the Bridge between Mistletoe andOther Integrative TherapiesDr Nasha Winters, ND, FABNOPART 4: WEAVING IT ALL TOGETHER: SPECIAL APPLICATIONS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE10: Unique Scenarios: Novel Mistletoe Administration Routes and Understanding Tissue-origins of Specific Cancer TypesDr Mark Hancock, MD and Dr. Marion Debus11: Using Mistletoe Therapy in Advanced Disease and End-of-Life CareDr Steven Johnson, DO12: What the Horizon Holds for Mistletoe Therapy . . . And for an Expanding Integrative Approach to Cancer CareDr Nasha Winters, ND, FABNOAfterword by Holly Lucille, ND, RNAPPENDICESA: Basics of Mistletoe AdministrationB: Dramatic Responses to VAE Therapy C: Anamnestic FormD: MD Anderson Prognostic Scoring SystemE: Host Trees and Cancer Types: Basic Matching GuidelinesF: Terrain-centric Core Lab Tests and True Healthy Ranges

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Book SynopsisAn enchanting and fascinating insight into Japanese landscape, culture, history and future. Originally written in Japanese, this passionate, vividly personal book draws on the author''s experiences in Japan over thirty years. Alex Kerr brings to life the ritualized world of Kabuki, retraces his initiation into Tokyo''s boardrooms during the heady Bubble Years, and tells the story of the hidden valley that became his home.But the book is not just a love letter. Haunted throughout by nostalgia for the Japan of old, Kerr''s book is part paean to that great country and culture, part epitaph in the face of contemporary Japan''s environmental and cultural destruction.Winner of Japan''s Shincho Gakugei Literature Prize, and now with a new preface.Alex Kerr is an American writer, antiques collector and Japanologist. Lost Japan is his most famous work. He was the first foreigner to be awarded the Shincho Gakugei Literature Prize for the best work of nonTrade ReviewOne of the finest books about Japan written in decades * Insight Japan *

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