Non Fiction Books

Book Synopsis'An absolute gem of a book' Alastair HumphreysFirst published in 1926, The Gentle Art of Tramping is as relevant now as then. Tramping is an approach: to nature, to humankind, to nations, to beauty, to life itself. This lost classic is a breath of fresh air for world-weary souls. It is a gentle art; know how to tramp and you know how to live. Know how to meet your fellow wanderer, how to be passive to the beauty of nature and how to be active to its wildness and its rigour. The adventure is not the getting there, it's the on-the-way'. It is not the expected, it is the surprise.Trade ReviewAn absolute gem of a book -- Alastair Humphreys * Microadventures, Local Adventures for Great Escapes *A hymn to the wilderness of the the British Isles -- Robert Macfarlane * The Wild Places *A wonderful book, so many of its points as valid now as they were a hundred years ago. A great catalyst for getting people off their backsides and out into wild places, with its can-do attitude ... The pages of my copy are so dog-eared from turning down the corners to mark yet another quotable gem that I can hardly close it. -- Christopher Somerville * The January Man: A Year of Walking Britain *Beware this book, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing - a thrillingly subversive life philosophy dressed in alluring practical advice. Strongly recommended for rebels and the restless -- Tristan Gooley * The Natural Navigator *The Gentle Art of Tramping is Mr. Graham’s masterpiece * New York Herald *Table of ContentsForeword 1. We Set Out 2. Boots 3. The Knapsack 4. Clothes 5. Carrying Money 6. The Companion 7. Whither Away? 8. The Art of Idleness 9. Emblems of Tramping 10. The Fire 11. The Bed 12. The Dip 13. Drying after Rain 14. Marching Songs 15. Scrounging 16. Seeking Shelter 17. The Tramp as Cook 18. Tobacco 19. Books 20. Long Halts 21. Foreigners 22. The Artist’s Notebook 23. Maps 24. Trespassers’ Walk 25. A Zigzag Walk 26. The Open For the Reader to Contribute A Note on the Author

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of Miss You comes Kate Eberlen's impossibly romantic second novel, Only You.One person is all it takes to change a lifetime . . . But how will you know if they’re the one?PresentLetty and Alf are the only English speakers at an Italian class in Rome, where they discover the language that really connects them is dance: Letty’s first love was ballet, while Alf was a junior ballroom champion. They come from different worlds, until the moment they waltz around the Piazza Navona, and everything changes. PastBut one moment can’t change the past, and it’s clear that Alf and Letty still have their secrets. What caused them to leave their lives behind in England? And who, or what, are they running from? As their relationship deepens, it becomes harder and harder to tell the truth . . .FutureWhen the unthinkable happens, Letty returns to London and Alf to Blackpool. Will they spend their lives apart, or discover a future together?'The book we all need right now. Charming, tender, funny – and sweet without being sickly, like the very best gelato – it's utterly glorious escapism.' – Veronica Henry, author of A Wedding at the Beach HutTrade ReviewOnly You is the book we all need right now. Charming, tender, funny -- and sweet without being sickly, like the very best gelato -- it's utterly glorious escapism. You will gulp it down more quickly than an Aperol Spritz on a hot summer's night. Perfetto! -- Veronica HenryKate Eberlen’s first book, Miss You, was a huge hit and Only You is just as compelling. Wildly romantic, touching and wise, it will keep you reading until dawn * Sunday Express/S Magazine *If romantic fiction is your cup of tea, you’ll love this touching story of a pair of 20-somethings who meet at a language school in Rome . . . Kate Eberlen’s previous book, Miss You, was a bestseller and Only You is just as good, with wonderful descriptions of Rome’s iconic landmarks * Independent *A gorgeous, uplifting romantic story with all the sparkle of a glass of Prosecco -- Fanny BlakeThe author of the brilliant Miss You is back with [another] read you’re sure to love . . . Exquisite * The Sun *If ever there was a time we needed to be swept off our feet and transported elsewhere, this is it. Cue Kate Eberlen's wonderfully romantic second novel, set in Rome . . . Perfectly plotted * Woman's Weekly *A love story with a difference and its ballroom dancing lead characters will charm fans of Strictly Come Dancing * Daily Express *I read it in a single day, savouring every moment but also breathless with wanting to know how it would end. And the clever twists! I didn’t see a single one coming. And the ending itself – I could have danced. I certainly cried. Just wonderful -- Joanna Nadin, author of The Queen of Bloody EverythingA beautiful love story * Bella Magazine *I loved it! I keep thinking about the characters and their lives. It’s wonderful to feel Kate’s passion for my beloved art form ballet. I felt touched in many ways reading this novel -- Marianela Nuñez, Prima Ballerina of The Royal BalletBeautifully realised and utterly beguiling -- Janet Ellis, author of How It WasImpossibly romantic * Sunday Post *While we’re all stuck at home, we need to be able to live and love vicariously so Only You, with its romantic Rome setting is just the thing for some literary escapism -- Sarra Manning, Red magazineA truly wonderful book. I loved it -- Alexandra Potter, author of Confessions of a Forty-Something F*ck Up

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Book SynopsisA deeply moving and brilliantly idiosyncratic visual book of days by the National Book Award-winning author of Just Kids and M Train. More than 365 images chart Smith's singular aesthetic - inspired by her wildly popular InstagramIn 2018, without any plan or agenda for what might happen next, Patti Smith posted her first Instagram photo: her hand with the simple message Hello Everybody! Known for shooting with her beloved Land Camera 250, Smith started posting images from her phone including portraits of her kids, her radiator, her boots, and her Abyssinian cat, Cairo. Followers felt an immediate affinity with these miniature windows into Smith's world, photographs of her daily coffee, the books she's reading, the graves of beloved heroes - William Blake, Dylan Thomas, Sylvia Plath, Simone Weil, Albert Camus. Over time, a coherent story of a life devoted to art took shape, and more than a million followers responded to Smith's unique aesthetic in images

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Book SynopsisThe new colour bible: a gorgeously illustrated exploration of colour and the modern gaze, from an award-winning designer'One of the best books on colour I've read. A layered tapestry of stories, insights and ideas, each beautifully and clearly written. For anyone interested in colour, it's a must' Marion DeucharsWhy are pencils yellow and white goods white? Why is black the colour of mourning? What connects Queen Victoria's mauve gown and Michelle Obama's yellow dress? In Chromorama, acclaimed graphic designer Riccardo Falcinelli delves deep into the history of colour to show how it has shaped the modern gaze. With over four hundred illustrations throughout and with examples ranging widely across art and culture - from the novels of Gustave Flaubert to The Simpsons, from Byzantine jewellery to misshapen fruit, from Mondrian to Hitchcock's thrillers - Falcinelli traces the evolution of our long relationship with colour, and how first the industrial revolution, and then the dawn of the internet age, changed it forever. Beautifully designed, deeply researched, and written with warmth and wit, Chromoroma is an engrossing account of shade and light, of tone and hue, of dyes, pigments, and pixels. It is the story of why we now see the world the way we do.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAre you looking to master the art of negotiation in both your personal and professional life? The Art of Negotiation by Adam Winschberg is your ultimate guide to achieving win-win outcomes. Packed with timeless strategies and proven techniques, this comprehensive book shares powerful stratagem methods used by some of history's most successful individuals. Adam Winschberg draws on decades of hands-on experience and valuable insights to present a clear, practical approach to negotiation. This book will help you improve your mental resilience while equipping you with the skills to effectively navigate challenging discussions and achieve your desired results. Whether you're negotiating in business, dealing with personal matters, or even negotiating with yourself, The Art of Negotiation offers tools to enhance your strategies and boost your confidence. Inside, you'll learn to:Recognize and apply key negotiation techniques for different situationsDevelop strategies tailored to your stren

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Book SynopsisViolin Star is a three-book series offering beginner violinists a refreshing and inspirational choice of pieces to help build confidence and musical skills. The repertoire is imaginatively tailored to develop specific techniques through an exciting range of musical styles. This Student's book contains the solo violin parts, along with colourful illustrations, activities and a playalong CD. The Accompaniment book, available separately, includes piano and violin accompaniments for every piece. Key features of the series include: an approachable progression from beginner level to Grade 2; playalong CDs with each Student's book, which contain specially created instrumental arrangements to convey style and mood; and original compositions and arrangements by Edward Huws Jones.Table of ContentsGypsy Fiddle ; Floating By ; Havana Breeze ; The Dancing Master [Anon. English] ; Ride on a Quad Bike ; Spring Song [Trad. Hungarian] ; Beethoven Boogie [Ludwig van Beethoven] ; Jingle Bells [J. Pierpoint] ; Pachelbel's Canon [Pachelbel] ; Morning Has Broken [Trad. Scottish] ; Caribbean Moonlight ; Old-Time Waltz [Trad. English] ; Ukulele Sam ; Action Hero! ; Action Hero! Improvisation ; Buzz, Buzz, Buzz [Hoffman von Fallersleben] ; Harpist's Fingers [Trad. Welsh] ; A North Country Lass [Trad. English] ; Sweet Dreams ; Meha's Song [Trad. South Indian] ; John Ryan's Polka [Trad. Irish] ; Jewish Dance [Trad. Klezmer] ; Lullaby ; Galliard [Tylman Susato] ; Bouree from Limousin [Trad. French] ; Hen-Coop Rag ; The Duke of Lorraine's March [Trad. English] ; Little Brown Jug [J Winner] ; Hand in Hand [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart] ; Greek Wedding [Trad. Greek] ; Casey Jones [Trad. American] ; The Boat to Inverie

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Book Synopsis**AS SEEN ON BBC2's BETWEEN THE COVERS**A Guardian Book of the YearMaggie Nelson is one of the most electrifying writers at work in America today, among the sharpest and most supple thinkers of her generation - Olivia LaingBluets winds its way through depression, divinity, alcohol, and desire, visiting along the way with famous blue figures, including Joni Mitchell, Billie Holiday, Yves Klein, Leonard Cohen and Andy Warhol. While its narrator sets out to construct a sort of 'pillow book' about her lifelong obsession with the colour blue, she ends up facing down both the painful end of an affair and the grievous injury of a dear friend. The combination produces a raw, cerebral work devoted to the inextricability of pleasure and pain, and to the question of what role, if any, aesthetic beauty can play in times of great heartache or grief.Much like Roland Barthes's A Lover's Discourse, Bluets has passed between lovers in the ecstasy of new love, and been pressed into the hands of the heartbroken. Visceral, learned, and acutely lucid, Bluets is a slim feat of literary innovation and grace, never before published in the UK.Trade ReviewTranscendent.... very inspiring. She’s an amazing writer. -- Lorde * Irish Times *Maggie Nelson... She's so much better than anything I've read for a long, long time. -- Karl Ove KnausgaardThe book that changed my life... it's just brilliant. -- Sophie Mackintosh * Guardian *I remember where I was when I read each of Maggie Nelson's books in the same way I remember a place where I heard important news. Her words come, as though from a great distance, and strike incredibly close. I did not actually read Bluets, I think - I just let it hit me. -- Anne EnrightMaggie Nelson is one of the most electrifying writers at work in America today, among the sharpest and most supple thinkers of her generation. -- Olivia Laing[Nelson's] candour, also evident in The Argonauts, gives Bluets a turbo-charged vitality, precision and authenticity that frees her to reflect on the way female desire is too often sidelined or ignored.... In her dark excavation of grief, she has collected messages of great wisdom and powerful beauty. -- Gavin Francis * Guardian *A gorgeous, eddying read. -- Claire-Louise BennettNelson… looks sideways at her heartbreak, allowing for moments of piercing clarity as feelings come into focus. There is wisdom and beauty in this short work. -- Fiona Wilson * The Times *A luminous meditation on the author’s love for a single colour that displaces itself onto the grief prompted by the end of a relationship and the serious injury of a friend. -- Jenny Hendrix * Times Literary Supplement *Arty, smart and gorgeous meditation on the color blue. * Time Out *Bluets is a slim but intense volume dedicated to the colour blue, and to feeling blue. Nelson takes a Wittgensteinian form and fills it with feeling. In 240 loosely linked fragments she moves between memoir and analysis, from spiritual inquiry to erotic obsession… Beautiful. -- Tom Graham * Financial Times *A real short-sharp punch in the heart. Truly sad and beautiful, it’s a raw meditation on falling passionately in love with a colour. * Big Issue *What could be more invented than a life story that reads like a novel? Bluets doesn’t invent that way: its inventions are wilder, wiser (and more true) than that… each proposition is breathtaking. * Brick *A syncopated arrangement of 240 prose poems collected across three years of slowly dwindling grief and heartbreak, it centres around the colour blue and how it helped to heal Nelson’s pain. -- Isobel Thompson * A-List *This discussion of the colour blue is a gorgeous read, almost religious in the way it defaults to the beautiful and the sublime. -- Anne Enright * Guardian *When I want a sprawling, consuming book about love and loss, I turn to Maggie Nelson’s Bluets. The compact hybrid book of literature, memoir, and poetry at only 99 pages in length lingers long after the cover is turned over. -- Sarah MacDonald * Vice *I can’t stop thinking about [Bluets]. -- Darci PhenixAlways beguiling, her writing is powerful, incisive and so singular that it defies categorization … raw, honest and urgent… [Nelson] always prompt me to see some aspect of life very differently. -- Alice Rawsthorn * Observer *Last year, while recovering from a break up with a long-term partner, I carried the book with me everywhere... The way that she renders her experiences and thoughts in such vivid, aching and raw detail served as a shelter for me, and a way to articulate feelings I didn't yet have the distance or strength to put words to. -- Zaina Arafat * Good Housekeeping *Bluets is an expansive, intensely poetic text about Nelson's life-long infatuation with the colour blue... in Nelson's most visceral moments of divulgence, we see a testament to love in all its inexpressibility. -- Martha French * Varsity *

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Book Synopsis“It stood out for me for a number of reasons. The first, and by far the most important to me, being that the composition is absolutely gorgeous.” — Tim Clinch, Amateur Photographer “Packed with compelling visuals and important discussions around some of the planet's biggest issues, it's an excellent compendium of some of the world's best photographers working today.” — Amateur Photographer "As compelling in its visuals as it is in its messaging, Fire is an unforgettable document." — Jonathan McIntosh, Royal Photographic Society Journal Fire is the fourth element. It destroys and creates something new. In its heat, colours, and magnitude, it provides a terrifying spectacle as much as an existential threat. Today, it speaks as much to the fragility of human structures as to the damage wrought on nature: the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, forest fires from the Amazon to Australia, and infernos in California so colossal that the sky turned red. Reason enough for the Prix Pictet, the world’s leading award for photography and sustainability, to dedicate this year’s photo book to the many facets of fire. Selected by photography experts from around the world, this impressive publication features 100 images from the Prix Pictet shortlist and beyond. As compelling in its visuals as it is in its messaging, this is an unforgettable document of an elemental force, and of the increasing extremes of climate change.Trade Review"Fabrice Monteiro'sUntitled #9 is part of a series inspired by West African masquerades shortlisted for the Prix Pictet photography competition." - The Daily Telegraph"'Fire' (teNeues Verlag, £45) responds to events from the blaze that engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to forest fires in the Amazon." - The I newspaper"It stood out for me for a number of reasons. The first, and by far the most important to me, being that the composition is absolutely gorgeous." - Tim Clinch, Amateur Photographer"Packed with compelling visuals and important discussions around some of the planet's biggest issues, it's an excellent compendium of some of the world's best photographers working today." - Amateur Photographer"The hardback book is big, beautiful and democratic… Chairman of the Prix Pictet jury, Sir David King prophetically remarks, 'If ever there was a time for the Prix Pictet to take up the theme of fire, that time is now.'" - Peter Dench, Amateur Photographer"As compelling in its visuals as it is in its messaging, Fire is an unforgettable document." - Jonathan McIntosh, Royal Photographic Society Journal

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Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * 5 MILLION COPIES SOLD“Significant...The book is both instructive and surprisingly moving.” —The New York TimesRay Dalio, one of the world’s most successful investors and entrepreneurs, shares the unconventional principles that he’s developed, refined, and used over the past forty years to create unique results in both life and business—and which any person or organization can adopt to help achieve their goals.In 1975, Ray Dalio founded an investment firm, Bridgewater Associates, out of his two-bedroom apartment in New York City. Forty years later, Bridgewater has made more money for its clients than any other hedge fund in history and grown into the fifth most important private company in the United States, according to Fortune magazine. Dalio himself has been named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. AlonTrade ReviewWinner of the Axiom Business Book Award for 2018 “Mr. Dalio has long been an object of fascination. . . . His new book is more significant than the original list of principles: It is part memoir, part how-to guide. It is a deeply personal story, with Mr. Dalio wading into how he started his firm in 1975, internal conflicts inside the company, and strife early on in his career. The book is both instructive and surprisingly moving. . . . Underneath what may seem like a clinical, emotionless approach is something different and far more poignant: Mr. Dalio is preaching for individuals to have a sense of humility and introspection, an ability to open themselves to appreciate pointed criticism and use it to improve.” —The New York Times“If there was an ‘it’ book for businesses or careers in 2017, it was Ray Dalio’s Principles. The book, weighing in at nearly 600 pages, begins with the author’s own story, including the rise of Bridgewater Associates, Dalio’s highly successful investment firm. Part memoir, part strategic plan, Dalio uses his own history to provide suggestions on attaining success while always stressing the power of individuality and personal goals. This isn’t just a book for the power elite. Dalio’s highly detailed game plan focuses on what he calls ‘radical’ truths and transparencies, and are applicable to the careers of powerful CEOs, ladder-climbing executives, longtime grunts, and fresh-faced rookies.” —Chicago Tribune“Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles.” —Bill Gates“I absolutely loved this book. It’s beautifully written and filled with such wisdom.” —Arianna Huffington“I found it to be truly extraordinary. Every page is full of so many principles of distinction and insights—and I love how Ray incorporates his history and his life in such an elegant way.” —Tony Robbins“Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach.” —Michael Bloomberg“It’s important and instructive to share what you’ve learned in life with others, and Ray does this in an interesting and provocative way in this compelling work.” —Jamie Dimon“I was surprisingly moved by it. I found it to be remarkably engaging. It made me think about life and how we all deal with each other in pretty profound ways. And Mr. Dalio’s own story about how he came to these principles is fascinating.” —Andrew Ross Sorkin“The billionaire investor has created the strongest culture I’ve ever seen in an organization—one that prizes radical transparency over politics and meritocracy over democracy. In his long-awaited book, he describes the systems that he has designed to shape meaningful work, meaningful relationships, and the world’s most successful hedge fund.” —Adam Grant“I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business.” —Tim Ferriss“It’s the book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur, stressing over not knowing what I didn’t know. Principles offers a bible to the greatest skill an entrepreneur can have, the ability to Learn How to Learn in any situation. Read it.” —Mark Cuban“Principles had a profound positive impact on my leadership style—through living more honestly.” —Reed Hastings“Ray brings unique analytic insights about how to think about complex issues. His Principles is a must read. It’s a gift to all of us.” —Steve Schwarzman “Among a handful of philosopher-investors known not only for moneymaking prowess but also for their distinctive take on life.” —The Wall Street Journal“What makes Dalio compelling is not just his track record but the way he goes about making money, and the rigorous analysis he applies to understanding markets, organizations, the economy, and life.” —Fortune

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Book SynopsisSince its release in 1949, The Hero with a Thousand Faces has influenced millions of readers by combining the insights of modern psychology with Joseph Campbell?s revolutionary understanding of comparative mythology. In these pages, Campbell outlines the Hero?s Journey, a universal motif of adventure and transformation that runs through virtually all of the world?s mythic traditions. He also explores the Cosmogonic Cycle, the mythic pattern of world creation and destruction.As part of the Joseph Campbell Foundation?s Collected Works of Joseph Campbell, this third edition features expanded illustrations, a comprehensive bibliography, and more accessible sidebars.As relevant today as when it was first published, The Hero with a Thousand Faces continues to find new audiences in fields ranging from religion and anthropology to literature and film studies. The book has also profoundly influenced creative artists?including authors, songwriters, game designers, and filmmakers?and continues to inspire all those interested in the inherent human need to tell stories.

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023BARNES & NOBLE''S BEST SCIENCE & NATURE BOOKS OF 2023The arts can deliver potent, accessible and proven solutions for the wellbeing of everyone. In this book, Magsamen and Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years. This can be anything from painting and dancing to expressive writing, architecture and more - no matter your skill level. Your Brain on Art is an authoritative guide to how neuroaesthetics can help us transform traditional healing, build healthier communities and mend an aching planet.

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Book SynopsisA BESTSELLING 78-CARD TAROT DECK AND GUIDEBOOK FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED TAROT READERS ALIKE.THIS BEAUTIFUL HEALING TAROT DECK WILL HELP YOU EXPLORE BOTH THE LIGHT AND SHADOW SIDES OF YOUR NATURE WITH REIMAGINED TRADITIONAL TAROT ARCHETYPES AND SYMBOLS IN A RELATABLE, MODERN STYLE. The expressive characters who live within the landscapes of the cards tell stories, ask questions, and provide guidance. This unique tarot deck is an ideal companion as you seek to uncover the places in your life and in yourself that are most in need of illumination.TAROT CARDS INCLUDE: The Major Arcana The Minor Arcana (Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles) 184-page GuidebookI included relatable, free-spirited characters who radiated healing energy and who took responsibility for their own light. Based on the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot deck, I imagined a deck of intuitive guides who were authentic en

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Book SynopsisAchieve "Massive Action" results and accomplish your business dreams! While most people operate with only three degrees of action-no action, retreat, or normal action-if you're after big goals, you don't want to settle for the ordinary. To reach the next level, you must understand the coveted 4th degree of action.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Chapter 1 What Is the 10X Rule? Chapter 2 Why the 10X Rule Is Vital. Chapter 3 What Is Success? Chapter 4 Success Is Your Duty. Chapter 5 There Is No Shortage of Success. Chapter 6 Assume Control for Everything. Chapter 7 Four Degrees of Action. Chapter 8 Average Is a Failing Formula. Chapter 9 10X Goals. Chapter 10 Competition Is for Sissies. Chapter 11 Breaking Out of the Middle Class. Chapter 12 Obsession Isn’t a Disease; It’s a Gift. Chapter 13 Go “All In” and Overcommit. Chapter 14 Expand—Never Contract. Chapter 15 Burn the Place Down. Chapter 16 Fear Is the Great Indicator. Chapter 17 The Myth of Time Management. Chapter 18 Criticism Is a Sign of Success. Chapter 19 Customer Satisfaction Is the Wrong Target. Chapter 20 Omnipresence. Chapter 21 Excuses. Chapter 22 Successful or Unsuccessful? Chapter 23 Getting Started with 10X. Glossary. About the Author. Index.

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Book Synopsis''When you attain the Way of strategy, there will not be one thing you cannot see.''-Miyamoto MusashiThis luxurious hardback presents The Book of Five Rings, a classic Japanese text by the undefeated swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Shortly before his death in 1645, Musashi retreated to a cave to live as a hermit. There he wrote five scrolls describing the true principles required for victory in the martial arts and on the battlefield. Instead of relying on religion or theory, Musashi based his writings on his own experience, observation, and reason.The scrolls, published as The Book of Five Rings, have recently gained an international reputation in the business world as a means of resolving differences and achieving success. But their delineation of the psychological strength, rigorous self-control, and practical application necessary for dealing with physical and mental conflict also has a wider relevance and can be usefully applied to all our

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Book SynopsisPetra Thölken’s practical and inspiring book examines what it means to make an abstract work of art. She encourages the reader to consider the subjects of composition, planes, and subject and expression, while also examining the more practical topics of colour theory and colour mixing, how to work with pigment, canvas and priming, spatula techniques and working with unconventional backgrounds. All these elements build up into a vocabulary of visual pointers from which the reader can begin to explore their own adventurousness and creativity. Through the 20 beautiful projects that Petra demonstrates, step by step, readers will learn how to create texture, work with unusual tools and create soft transitions or high contrast. Her clarity of thought and inspirational advice will open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your paintings and achieving the self-expression that leads to visually exciting and technically innovative work. For some of the projects, there are links to Petra's popular YouTube videos, demonstrating how she created the individual paintings.Trade ReviewThis is a visually beautiful book with plenty of helpful advice, information and tips. I have done a couple of the exercises and although I am not happy enough to show you the results, I feel encouraged to continue with abstract. I don't think this book is for a complete beginner to art but is perfect for an artist who is a beginner to abstract art. I am very glad I added to my library of art library. -- Alison Currin * Amazon Customer Review *I have long been a fan of abstract art but find it so difficult to achieve myself without ending up with a muddy mess. This enchanting book covers the basics in great detail from which paints to use, creating your own paints with pigments and binders, using commercially available paints, colour theory and composition and includes a section of what exact colours to mix to get a specific colour which I found useful. The author gives simple analogies throughout to explain concepts such as subject and planes, making for easy reading and understanding. There are exercises to complete to help you explore the techniques mentioned. They are detailed and precise, perfect for a beginner. The artist walks you through 20 of her own works of art and gives in depth instructions for you to replicate the painting yourself. I always find it interesting to see the process of other artists' work and how they achieve certain marks and textures. The artist's work was engaging, energetic and colourful with lots of textures to draw the eye in and make you want to touch the real painting! Overall, this is a lovely book to get beginners started on their abstract journey and introduce you to some of Petra’s beautiful work. I am definitely happy to have it on my bookshelf. -- Samantha Gilliam-Scott * Customer Review *This is a really lovely book not only for those new to abstract painting, but I think excellent for someone that may have got stuck in a rut with their work. It’s sensibly laid out with the expected clear explanations of materials, colour theory etc. But I like the unconventional tools section, encouraging the artist to make use of what they may already have. Projects vary in complexity and have some wonderful ideas for bringing texture into abstract work. All in all a great book and I'm going to enjoy incorporating some of the ideas into future projects. -- Julie Pearce * Customer Review *Unleash your inner artist and create visually exciting and technically innovative work with Abstract Painting by Petra Tholken. Through learning how to create texture, work with unusual tools and create soft transitions or high contrasts, Petra's wealth of knowledge and advice will open your eyes to a whole new way of working. * Crafts Beautiful *For any artist who wants to take steps towards abstraction, this is the book for you. Petra Thölken is an artist and freelance designer based in Germany who opened her own painting school in 2004 and created her internationally popular Youtube channel under the name Künstlerstreich. Her new book, Abstract Painting, shows readers how to take skills they already possess with composition, colour theory and techniques and to build upon them while exploring more adventurous methods, working with unusual tools (or objects they may already have), and unconventional grounds. Twenty step-by-step projects are included, which will stretch your painting skills to create works with heightened contrasts, textures, and emotional connection. Some of the projects are linked to Petra's Youtube videos so that you can watch her in actions. -- Leisure Painter * Leisure Painter *20 projects and creative techniques in acrylic and mixed media. The front page is very attractive. It tells you exactly what it is. When you open the book it tells you a bit about the author. When you are looking though the book it tells you all about paints and how to use them. Then it goes on to the projects you can do. The projects are very easy to follow and have step-by-step instructions, as well as handy tips. Very easy to follow if it’s your first time doing abstract painting. The 20 projects are all very different and colourful. Would recommend this book if you are new at this. -- Debra White * Customer Review *Table of Contents6 FOREWORD 8 THE BASICS 10 Pigment 12 Acrylic 13 Binding agent 14 Traditional colour theory 16 Mixing in practice 17 Making pigment paste 18 Composition 19 Planes 20 Subject and expression 22 Brushes 24 Unconventional tools 26 Canvas 27 Priming 28 What is glazing? 29 Spatula techniques 30 Spatula: Exercise 1 32 Spatula: Exercise 2 34 Texture in the picture 36 Emphasizing texture: Exercise 1 38 Emphasizing texture: Exercise 2 40 Sponge 42 Drawing implements 43 Gold plating 44 Unconventional backgrounds 45 Your colours 46 PROJECTS 48 My Japanese Water Lilies 52 Golden Skyline 56 Patina Allure 60 The Golden Rectangle 64 Creative Board 68 What Good Can I Do Myself Today? 72 Give Colour Some Room 76 Inspiring Colour Field Painting 80 Days Like This 84 Wandering into the Distance 88 Flower Interplay 92 Summer Courtyard Whispers 96 Garden Art From Long Ago 100 True Colours 104 Silence is Golden 108 Sailing in a Storm 112 Dreamy Green 116 Overland Cornfield 120 Expressive Abstract 124 Abstract Colour Play 128 NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR 128 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Book SynopsisCOMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION -- THE ESSENTIAL HISTORY OF THE TROUBLES''Compellingly written and very even-handed. By far the clearest account of what happened in the Northern Ireland conflict and more importantly why it happened'' Irish News''Extraordinarily well-balanced, sane, comprehensive and rich in sober understatement'' Glasgow Herald__________________________First published two decades ago, Making Sense of the Troubles is widely regarded as the most ''comprehensive, considered and compassionate'' (Irish Times) history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Written by a distinguished journalist and a teacher of history in Northern Ireland, it surveys the roots of the problems from 1921 onwards, the descent into violence in the late 60s, and the three terrible decades that followed.In this fully revised and updated version, McKittrick and McVea take into account the momentous events of the ten years that followed their first publication, including the disbanding of the IRA, Ian Paisley''s deal with the Republicans and the historic power-sharing government in Belfast.__________________________''An updated reissue of a collaborative study published 12 years ago to rave reviews as a frank, accurate and authoritative narrative of events which should be required reading for anyone hoping to understand what had been going on in the North'' Irish Independent''I would strongly advocate that it be made compulsory reading for everyone in Northern Ireland because for the first time it is our history, all of it warts and all, presented in a clear and understandable way'' Irish NewsTrade ReviewCompellingly written and very even-handed. By far the clearest account of what happened in the Northern Ireland conflict and more importantly why it happened * Irish News *Extraordinarily well-balanced, sane, comprehensive and rich in sober understatement -- Cal McCrystal * Glasgow Herald *Even-handed, clearly written, and set to become one of the definitive works on the subject * Scotland on Sunday *For those looking for a pragmatic understanding of the country known as Northern Ireland it is essential reading -- John Coulter * Sunday Business Post *

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Book SynopsisThe Book of Forgiving, written together by the Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and his daughter Revd Mpho Tutu, offers a deeply personal testament and guide to the process of forgiveness.All of us have at times needed both to forgive and be forgiven whether small, everyday harms or real traumas. But the path to forgiveness is not easy, and the process unclear. How do we let go of resentment when we have been harmed, at times irreparably? How do we forgive and still pursue justice? How do we heal our hearts, and move on? How do we forgive ourselves for the harm we have caused others?Drawing on his memories of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has identified four concrete steps to forgiveness through which we must all pass if we are to reach our destination:1) Admitting the wrong and acknowledging the harm2) Telling one's story and witnessing the anguish3) Asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness4) Renewing or releasing the relatTrade Review‘A very 21st century approach to forgiveness.’ - Christianity Magazine ‘Mpho and Desmond Tutu have walked the way of forgiveness over a long period of time, and now they have shared their story with us in their practical and inspiring book.’ - Canon Stephen Hance, Southwark Cathedral ‘This is a wonderful book filled with practical advice.’ - Yoga Magazine ‘This is at one level a handbook, useful to all, indispensable to anyone who desperately needs to forgive or be forgiven.’ - The Very Reverend Dr John Arnold ‘A … self-help manual… that seeks to prod [us] towards a practical understanding that forgiveness heals whereas revenge tears people and societies apart.’ - The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisWith a new foreword by Ken BlanchardAn invaluable new strategy for creating enthusiastic employees, from the author of the bestselling The One Minute Manager.Every day thousands of uninspired employees trudge to work often dooming their companies to failure with their lack of enthusiasm.Drawing on over 20 years' experience of working with hundreds of corporations across the US including America Online, Eastman Kodak, General Motors, Hershey Chocolate and Microsoft Blanchard reveals a sure-fire strategy for boosting employee enthusiasm, productivity and performance.Gung Ho! presents a simple system for inspiring employees. Based on three core ideas: work must be seen as important, workers must be put in control of their own production and managers must cheer their workers on it is a method that all employees and managers can easily implement and which has already been adopted by such major corporations as K-Mart.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Dr. Henry Cloud offers four practical steps to make your life more fulfilling in the classic guide to healthy relationships, Changes That Heal.

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Book Synopsis''A Pilgrim''s Progress for our time . . . A captivating narrative of discovery'' Telegraph''One of those books I find myself being (excuse the pun) evangelical about, pressing it into friends' hands like a Gideon's Bible' Sunday Times''The stakes are so real and so recognisable . . . The most honest and moving account of the wrestle of faith that I have read since Christian Wiman''s My Bright Abyss'' Church TimesWhy are young people in Britain today turning to faith in our age of uncertainty? Lamorna Ash was raised with about as much Christianity as most people in Britain these days: a basic knowledge of hymns and prayers received via a Church of England primary school education; occasional brushes with religious services. But once she started writing about her two friends' unexpected conversions, she began encountering a recurring phenomenon: in an age of disconnection and apathy, a new generation was discovering religion for itself. In Don't Forget We're Here Forever, Ash embarks on a journey across Britain to meet those wrestling with Christianity today. Through interviews and her own deeply personal journey with religion, and from Evangelical youth festivals to Quaker meetings, a silent Jesuit retreat along the Welsh coastline to a monastic community in the Inner Hebrides, she investigates what is driving Gen Z today to embrace Christianity. Written with lyrical beauty and sensitivity, this is a reminder of our universal need for nourishment of the soul.*A 2025 HIGHLIGHT FOR: Telegraph, Financial Times, New Statesman, Irish Times, Elle and GQ*''A book of rare quality. Ash is a writer of exceptional grace and energy'' Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury''Spellbinding. An incredible exploration of how young people are navigating the complex world we find ourselves in today'' Katy Hessel, author of The Story of Art without Men

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Book Synopsis''Deb Dana guides us to understand and befriend our autonomic nervous system, engaging its healing capacities to connect with ourselves and with our social world.'' Gabor Maté''Once we know how our nervous system works, we can work with it,'' teaches Deb Dana. ''We can learn to access an embodied, biological resource that is always present, available, and there to guide us toward well-being.''An aggressive email from your boss, or a fight with your partner - these situations aren''t life-or-death, yet our bodies may react as if they are. But we can train our nervous system to stop overreacting, and start responding to the world with greater safety and ease, if we know how. In Anchored, expert teacher Deb Dana shares a down-to-earth presentation of Polyvagal Theory, then brings the science to life with practical, everyday tools.Using field-tested techniques, Dana helps you master the skills to become more aware of your nervous syst

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Book SynopsisHow can a leader be strong and decisive, yet still inspire loyalty in his followers? When is it necessary to break the rules? Is it better to be feared than loved? In this book, the author answers all these questions in a work of realpolitik that still has shrewd political lessons.

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Book Synopsis74 of the most popular items from Carols for Choirs 1, 2 and 3 in one volume, plus 26 pieces new to the series. The volume contains both accompanied and unaccompanied items, and the Order of Service for a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Orchestral and brass ensemble accompaniments for many of the items are available on hire.Table of ContentsAdam lay ybounden ; All my heart this night rejoices ; Alleluya, a new work is come on hand ; Angels, from the realms of glory ; Angelus ad virginem ; As with gladness men of old ; Ave plena gracia ; Away in a manger ; A babe is born ; Birthday Carol ; The cherry tree carol ; Child in a manger ; A child is born in Bethlehem ; Christmas night ; Coventry carol ; Coventry carol ; Cradle song ; The crown of roses ; Deck the hall ; Ding dong! merrily on high ; Ding dong! merrily on high ; The first Nowell ; Gabriel to Mary came ; Gabriel's message ; God rest you merry, gentlemen ; Good King Wenceslas ; A great and mighty wonder ; Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary ; Hark! the herald-angels sing ; He is born the divine Christ-child ; Here we come a-wassailing ; The holly and the ivy ; Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber ; I saw a maiden ; I saw three ships ; I saw three ships ; I wonder as I wander ; Il est ne le divin enfant ; In Dulci Jubilo ; In the bleak mid-winter ; In the bleak mid-winter ; Infant holy, infant lowly ; The Infant King ; It came upon the midnight clear ; Jesus child ; Jesus Christ is risen today ; Jesus Christ the apple tree ; Jingle, bells ; Joy to the world ; Joys seven ; King Jesus hath a garden ; Kings of Orient ; Lo! he comes with clouds descending ; Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming ; Longfellow's carol ; Lord of the Dance ; Lute-book lullaby ; A maiden most gentle ; Mary's Lullaby ; A merry Christmas ; Myn lyking ; Nativity carol ; A New Year carol ; O come, all ye faithful ; O come, o come, Emmanuel ; O little one sweet ; O little town of Bethlehem ; O little town of Bethlehem ; O Queen of heaven ; Of the Father's heart begotten ; Once, as I remember ; Once in royal David's city ; Out of your sleep ; Past three a clock ; Personent hodie ; Quelle est cette odeur agreable? ; Quem pastores laudavere ; Rise up, shepherd, and follow ; Sans Day Carol ; See amid the winter's snow ; The shepherds' farewell ; Shepherds in the field abiding ; Shepherds left their flocks a-straying ; Shepherd's pipe carol ; Silent night ; Sing aloud on this day! ; Sir Christemas ; A spotless Rose ; Star carol ; Still, still, still ; Stille Nacht ; Sussex carol ; There is a flower ; There is no rose ; This Christmas night ; This joyful Eastertide ; The three kings ; Tomorrow shall be my dancing day ; The truth from above ; The twelve days of Christmas ; Unto us is born a son ; Up! good Christen folk, and listen ; A virgin most pure ; Wassail song ; Wexford carol ; What cheer? ; When Christ was born ; Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing? ; While shepherds watched their flocks ; Ye choirs of new Jerusalem

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Book SynopsisDIALOGUE is the follow-up title to Robert McKee's hugely successful STORY.Trade Review"'Writing dialogue is a challenging art. McKee's book DIALOGUE is a great tool for writers.' John Lassater, Chief Creative Officer, Pixar & Walt Disney Animation Studios * 'McKee's DIALOGUE is a mother lode of insight and inspiration for any writer. His teachings have changed my career and changed my life. Robert McKee is in a category of one.' Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, The War of Art, and Gates of Fire * 'McKee teaches what is not yet taught. He shines his unwavering analytical light on the structure and invisible substructure of dialogue. He takes a craft that is often considered instinctual or magical and reveals its chemical secrets.' Terry Johnson, writer/director, winner of the Tony Award, Olivier Award, Critics' Circle Theatre Award, and Writers' Guild Award * 'DIALOGUE is a masterwork. There's nothing harder to teach. Now this book exists. McKee has written an essential book akin to The Elements of Style for all writers.' Margaret Nagle, writer/producer of Golden Globe-winning TV Series Boardwalk Empire, winner of the Writers Guild Award, Emmy, NAACP, Golden Globe, and PEN * 'A rich and useful companion for practicing writers.' Kirkus Reviews * 'I used to think great dialogue couldn't be taught. You either had an ear for it or you didn't. That was before I read McKee's DIALOGUE. He's a wizard at explaining the unexplainable.' Sarah Treem, writer/producer, co-creator and showrunner of Golden Globe-winning TV Series The Affair, winner of the Writers Guild of America Award and Emmy Award nominee"

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Book SynopsisHomer's best-loved and most accessible poem, recounting the great wandering of Odysseus during his ten-year voyage back home to Ithaca, after the Trojan War. A superb new verse translation, now published in trade paperback, before the standard Penguin Classic B format.Table of ContentsThe OdysseyIntroductionIntroductionThe Spelling and Pronunciation of Homeris NamesMaps:1. Homeric Geography: Mainland Greece2. Homeric Geography: The Peloponnese3. Homeric Geography: The Aegean and Asia MinorHomer: The OdysseyBook 1: Athena Inspires the PrinceBook 2: Telemachus Sets SailBook 3: King Nestor RemembersBook 4: The King and Queen of SpartaBook 5: Odysseus-Nymph and ShipwreckBook 6: The Princess and the StrangerBook 7: Phaeacia's Halls and GardensBook 8: A Day for Songs and ContestsBook 9: In the One-Eyed Giant's CaveBook 10: The Bewitched Queen of AeaeaBook 11: The Kingdom of the DeadBook 12: The Cattle of the SunBook 13: Ithaca at LastBook 14: The Loyal SwineherdBook 15: The Prince Sets Sail for HomeBook 16: Father and SonBook 17: Stranger at the GatesBook 18: The Beggar-King of IthacaBook 19: Penelope and her GuestBook 20: Portents GatherBook 21: Odysseus Stings his BowBook 22: Slaughter in the HallBook 23: The Great Rooted BedBook 24: PeaceNotesTranslator's PostscriptGenealogiesTextual Variants from the Oxford Classical TextNotes on the TranslationSuggestions for Further ReadingPronouncing Glossary

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Book SynopsisFrom one of the great thinkers and writers of our time, comes the unmissable final instalment in Deborah Levy''s critically acclaimed ''Living Autobiography''.''A beautifully crafted and thought-provoking snapshot of a life'' The Evening Standard_________________________________''I began to wonder what myself and all unwritten and unseen women would possess in their property portfolios at the end of their lives. Literally, her physical property and possessions, and then everything else she valued, though it might not be valued by society. What might she claim, own, discard and bequeath? Or is she the real estate, owned by patriarchy? In this sense, Real Estate is a tricky business. We rent it and buy it, sell and inherit it - but we must also knock it down.''Following the critical acclaim of Things I Don''t Want to Know and The Cost of Living, this final volume of Deborah Levy''s ''Living Autobiography'' is an exhilarating, thought-provoking and boldly intimate meditation on home and the spectres that haunt it._________________________________''Real Estate is a book to dive into. Come on in, the water''s lovely'' The Daily Telegraph''Her reflections on domesticity, freedom and romance are so beautiful, I found myself underlining multiple sentences a page. Wry, warm and uplifting, it''s a book I''ll return to again and again'' Stylist''[Levy''s living autobiography series is] a glittering triple echo of books that are as much philosophical discourse as a manifesto for living and writing'' Financial TimesTrade ReviewA beautifully crafted and thought-provoking snapshot of a life * Evening Standard *One of those wise books where you want to underline every sentence * Good Housekeeping *Her reflections on domesticity, freedom and romance are so beautiful, I found myself underlining multiple sentences a page. Wry, warm and uplifting, it's a book I'll return to again and again. * Stylist *The narrator of Real Estate is drily funny, irreverent, curious, even wise; she makes the reader want her for a companion . . . each of the books [in Levy's living autobiography series] bears several re-readings; together, they offer one version of how a woman might continually rewrite her own story. * The Observer *Levy is experimenting with language in subversive ways * Literary Review *This is a work about what it means to be a writer: its reinventions, isolations, self-interrogations, its shifting penury and riches, both emotional and financial. . . [Levy's living autobiography series is] a glittering triple echo of books that are as much philosophical discourse as a manifesto for living and writing. * Financial Times *Lyrical sentences come naturally, full of cadence . . . She's particularly touching on the love between mothers and daughters, and funny too . . . Real Estate is a book to dive into. Come on in, the water's lovely. * Daily Telegraph *Her voice - at once jokey and elliptical - is so casually intimate that it feels like catching up with an old friend . . . In three moving memoirs, Levy has perfectly fused the act of writing with the art of living. * i *Levy's intellectual energy is as frenetic as [the] dance floor, her memoirs a string of disparate pearls that entwine travelogue with philosophy and memory with literature * i *Expect fierce prose and bold meditations on what it means to be a woman. * Red *

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