Places and peoples: general and pictorial works Books

Book SynopsisThe USA is one of the most varied and fascinating countries in the world. Its areas of natural beauty such as the Pacific Coast, the Yosemite National Park, and Monument Valley are the stuff of great cinema (Hollywood finds its best settings practically in its backyard). For everyone who explores the USA beyond its big cities on a classic road trip, on the trail of Native Americans and pioneers, in the mountains or by lakes and beaches, unforgettable moments are guaranteed. In Great Escapes USA, Angelika Taschen presents remarkable places to stay through impressive photography, entertaining texts, and practical details on how to get there, prices, and tips for books and films. Her journey starts on the East Coast, where intellectuals and artists once met in idyllically located country houses such as the Twin Farms in Vermont and Troutbeck in New York State. It continues to the South, where The Moorings Village and Hôtel Peter & Paul, for example, tell of the history of Florida and Louisiana, and Southern belles such as the Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Texas reveal their glamor. Dunton Hot Springs, once a miners’ camp in Colorado, now transformed from a ghost town to an upscale rustic resort, lies on the route, just like the urban utopia that is Arcosanti in Arizona, conceived by the architect Paolo Soleri in the 1970s. The trip comes to a wonderful conclusion in California with unique hotels such as Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn, where many famous writers have stayed in the Norwegian-influenced wooden cabins, laid-back motels like The Surfrider Malibu, which is all about the California dream, and heavenly destinations for gourmets, for example SingleThread in Sonoma County with its three Michelin stars. The photography in this opulent publication presents hotels in the tradition of great architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright as well as the work of young contemporary designers and buildings in the typical American mid-century style. A horse ranch, a glamping site, even a hippie bathhouse and vintage mobile homes are also included – places as varied as the USA itself.Trade Review“The ultimate US travel guide.” * robbreport.com *“Highlights American hotels worthy as destinations all on their own.” * washintgonpost.com *“A collection of the country’s most notable, destination-worthy lodges, inns, cabins, resorts, and more.” * cntraveler.com *“…flip through the pages of Great Escapes USA. The Hotel Book to find fuel for your fantasies.” * vogue.com *“Brought to life with dazzling photography, the book guides you to funky, extravagant and far-from-the-maddening crowd hotels encompassing North America.” * Food & Travel *

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Book SynopsisNomad at Home dissects the desire to wander the globe from the point of view of the design-led traveller, those for whom ‘it is a better thing to travel hopefully than to arrive’. ‘There are few countries I have visited without consulting the local real estate agent’s window or poring over the free property magazine. Whether in Puglia or Provence, I am already imagining my new life there; the basket I’ll carry to market, the dress I’ll change into for an apéro, the flea market at which I will buy my furniture, the secret cove where I’ll swim.’ In Nomad at Home, compulsive wanderer Hilary Robertson showcases 10 unique locations and tells the stories of different nomadic tribes: the Adopters, who have left home forever and made a life elsewhere, as well as the Escapists, always on the move, with a base in two, three or maybe even four locations. Then there are the Serial Wanderers, who simply absorb the DNA of any given destination and bring it all back home; creating Provence in Pittsburgh with ingredients gathered on their travels. There are more ways than one of satisfying a wandering eye. As well as offering inspiration from homes all over the globe, Nomad at Home also contains champion shopper Hilary's nomadic sourcebook, which allows readers to hit the ground shopping in destinations all over the world, with an address book for every country covered, every story told.Trade ReviewHilary Robertson is a sought-after interiors stylist, an intrepid globe-trotter, and a British expat with an eye for synthesizing far-flung finds into warm, eclectic spaces - Martha Stewart Living I love every page and every word of this book. It's both aspirational and inspiring. It makes me want to get on a plane, but also, create a home that's more beautiful than any vacation! This book is a go to beauty for any design lover / travel bug and is sure to be read more than once, and displayed proudly on coffee tables on all over the world! - Leanne Ford Interiors Not only is it beautiful…but it’s a fantastic source of inspiration and an even better read – DREW magazine

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Book SynopsisStrap on your boots and discover Fuerteventura on foot with the Sunflower Fuerteventura travel guide which includes 47 long and short walks. On the days when your feet may have had enough, enjoy some spectacular scenery on one of our 4 recommended car tours.

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Book SynopsisNestled in a spectacular botanical garden with stunning views on the Mediterranean, the idyllic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has attracted scintillating international guests for 150 years.Created in the nineteenth century as a retreat for artists and writers, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc at Cap d''Antibes continues to captivate an international clientele as an exclusive retreat today. The tropical paradise attracted Lost Generation writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose Tender is the Night was set at Eden Roc. Artists--including Monet, Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, and Damien Hirst--have drawn inspiration from the enchanted setting and its lush botanical gardens. Master photographers Jacques Henri Lartigue and Slim Aarons famously captured guests splashing in the Mediterranean or lounging in the sun next to the iconic seawater swimming pool carved in the basalt cliff. The secluded resort, located between Nice and Cannes, has always been a favorite haven on the French Riviera for A-list celebrities--from Marlene Dietrich to Orson Welles, and from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to Sharon Stone--during the Cannes film festival, and for secluded family holidays, ideal for unwinding at the green and white seaside cabanas where time stands still, sampling the bar''s iconic Bellinis, or enjoying creative locally-sourced cuisine. The hotel''s storied history is full of romance, humor, mystery, and legend. Built on one of the most alluring sites on the Rivera, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is the epitome of beauty, timeless elegance, and discretion; it has been a home away from home for generations of artists, photographers, authors, politicians, and Hollywood stars.

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Book SynopsisExplore the starkness of the seasons at the earth's upper latitudes, from snow deserts to a blooming tundra, polar lights to white nights.

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Book SynopsisLet Secret Provence guide you around the unusual and unfamiliar. Step off the beaten track with this fascinating Provence guide book, now in its 3rd edition, and let our local experts show you the well-hidden treasures of this amazing region. Ideal for local inhabitants and curious travellers alike.The places included in our guides are unusual and unfamiliar, allowing one to step off the beaten track. Secret Provence features 230 secret and unusual locations. Discover a statue of a pregnant Virgin Mary, an astronomical observatory in a former nuclear missile silo, a hotel room in a tree or a gypsy caravan, primitive Provencal artists, the mark of Christ''s knee, a fountain that flows with wine, a caiman dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a church in a theatre, an erotic medieval bas relief, a countess who returned to life, a Provencal Villa Medicis, a false volcano at La Roquebrussane, a ''sheep bridge'' at Arles, a rain-making saint, an alchemist''s garden, a magic palindrome at Oppede.Far from the crowds and the usual clichés, Provence offers countless off-beat experiences and is home to any number of well-hidden treasures that are revealed only to residents and travellers who find their way off the beaten track. An indispensable guide for those who thought they knew Provence well or would like to discover the other face of the region.

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Book SynopsisWith upgraded trains and technology, well-thought- out experiences, and growing eco-consciousness, train travel is likely about to have a renaissance. Travel by Train offers those who are ready-to-go, 40 unique itineraries across five continents. Bonuses include insightful tips and practical advice for first-time train travellers. For those in need of dreaming, Travel by Train provides stimulating information about the historical and cultural significance of each route, as well as, the natural wonders one is likely to encounter. High quality photography evokes the imagination and stimulates the senses. Beyond being a common method of everyday commuting, travelling by train is increasingly becoming its own touristic experience – and with good reason!

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Book SynopsisSpending seven months in Orkney to delve into the secrets of the islands, Richard Clubley was keen to get as many local views as possible.He gathered interviews with lighthouse keepers, farmers, archaeologists and climbers – and many others! On dreich afternoons during the short days of winter, Richard ate home bakes with locals and recorded their memories. It was at one such hearth that someone said, ‘You know about so-and-so of course, you come to Orkney all the time, so how could you not know?’. Richard didn’t know.While there are still a lot of unearthed stories hidden in Orkney, Richard has collected a fair few in this beautifully illustrated book.Richard Clubley loves Scotland’s islands, but it is Orkney that has stolen his heart. In this book, he portrays the northern Scottish islands fairly and honestly, with stories that even Orkney locals may not have heard before. Travellers from elsewhere will be charmed by Richard’s descriptions of the Orkney landscape and way of life.Trade ReviewA wealth of island voices, with a rich and varied picture of life in Orkney today. HOWIE FIRTHHe has a beautiful written style that allows him to convey his enthusiasm in a truly inspiring way. UNDISCOVERED SCOTLANDTable of ContentsMap 1 Scotland with her islands Map 2 Map of Orkney Map 3 Orkney Mainland Acknowledgements Foreword by Howie Firth Preface 15 Introduction Orkney History Chapter One: A Brief History of Orkney Chapter Two: Neolithic Orkney from the air Chapter Three: The Kitchener Memorial Chapter Four: Lighthouses Chapter Five: The Ring of Brodgar Orkney People Chapter Six: Dr John Rae Chapter Seven: The Island Games Chapter Eight: Orkney Furniture Chapter Nine: Young People Chapter Ten: The Owld Men’s Hut – The Pier Head Parliament Chapter Eleven: Traditional Music – Hanging by a Thread Chapter Twelve: Old Men of Hoy Chapter Thirteen: Islands in Winter Orkney’s Outer Islands Chapter Fourteen: Hunda Chapter Fifteen: Cava Chapter Sixteen: Rousay Chapter Seventeen: Papa Westray Chapter Eighteen: Westray Orkney’s WildlifeChapter Nineteen: Birds in Winter Chapter Ttwenty: Stoats Orkney’s Favourite BuildingsChapter Twenty-One: Favourite Buildings 1 – Schools Chapter Twenty-Two: Favourite Buildings 2 – ChurchesChapter Twenty-Three: Favourite Buildings 3 – St Magnus Cathedral Chapter Twenty-Four: Favourite Buildings 4 – The Bothy at Swanbister Tourism in OrkneyChapter Twenty-Five: Cruise Liners Chapter Twenty-Six: Orkney Produce Orkney’s FutureChapter Twenty-Seven: Green Energy Chapter Twenty-Eight: Heading North – The journey to Orkney is all part of the experience Chapter Twenty-Nine: New Hospital – The future’s bright Epilogue

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Book SynopsisAs read on BBC Radio 4 'Book of the Week'Shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year AwardLonglisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize'Sherman’s is a special book. Every sentence, every thought she has, every question she asks, every detail she notices, offers something. The Bells of Old Tokyo is a gift . . . It is a masterpiece.' - The SpectatorA hauntingly original book about Tokyo and the Japanese relationship to time, memory and history.For over 300 years, Japan closed itself to outsiders, developing a remarkable and unique culture. During its period of isolation, the inhabitants of the city of Edo, later known as Tokyo, relied on its public bells to tell the time.In her remarkable book, Anna Sherman tells of her search for the bells of Edo, exploring the city of Tokyo and its inhabitants and the individual and particular relationship of Japanese culture - and the Japanese language - to time, tradition, memory, impermanence and history.Through Sherman’s journeys around the city, The Bells of Old Tokyo presents a series of hauntingly memorable voices in the labyrinth of the Japanese capital: An aristocrat plays in the sea of ashes left by the Allied firebombing of 1945. A scientist builds the most accurate clock in the world, a clock that will not lose a second in five billion years. A sculptor eats his father’s ashes while the head of the house of Tokugawa reflects on the destruction of his grandfather’s city.'This mesmerising cultural history explores the neighbourhoods where Tokyo's bells once rang . . . As our own locked-down days squeeze and elongate, Tokyo time feels strangely familiar.’ - Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewSherman’s is a special book. Every sentence, every thought she has, every question she asks, every detail she notices, offers something. The Bells of Old Tokyo is a gift . . . It is a masterpiece. * Spectator *[Sherman's] perambulations around the bells yield fascinating, frequently moving narratives . . . In Tokyo's every nook and cranny, she finds the possibility of something profound, something elevating. * New Statesman *A subtle, beautifully written meditation . . . Profoundly moving . . . The bells of old Tokyo are no longer heard, but this lyrical yet serious work deserves ringing endorsement. * Literary Review *A completely extraordinary book, unlike anything I have read before. At once modest in tone and vast in scale and ambition . . . Delicately wrought, precise, lucid and strange as a dream. -- Olivia LaingBeautifully written, surprising, original and humane . . . A truly stunning debut. -- Joanna KavennaThe Bells of Old Tokyo is part personal memoir, part cultural history, but wholly unique . . . It is the best book I have read about Tokyo written this century, and deserves to take its place alongside the works of Donald Richie, Edward Seidensticker and Paul Waley as one of the great interpretations of this great city. -- David PeaceDelightful . . . Bells is unknowable, but brilliantly so. * Japan Times *Good travel writing is often hard to come by - it’s a delicate balance of bringing a destination to life while also informing of its noteworthy aspects, but Anna Sherman does so flawlessly. * Japan Today *In her haunting, beautiful debut travel narrative, Anna Sherman takes the reader along on her quest to find the bells of old Tokyo, illuminating a lost world hidden in plain sight . . . The Bells of Old Tokyo paints an intricate, rich portrait of this labyrinthine city . . . as much a history of Japan as it is a travelogue. * South China Morning Post *Only a handful could match Sherman for respectful curiosity, detailed knowledge and sensitivity to her surroundings. * Canberra Times *It is very possible – refreshingly, exhilaratingly, possible – for a great book to exist that is all at once a memoir, a travelogue, a history book, and an examination of what defines a culture and its people: their customs, arts, architecture, habits, and priorities. That is what The Bells of Old Tokyo is. It is also a masterwork. * Books and Bao *A staggering reassembling of an ancient city turned neon metropolis . . . An exceptional and exceptionally original piece of writing. * The Big Smoke *A fascinating portrait of a city and its people, epic and intimate at the same time * The Weekly Times *A reading treasure . . . A work of literary art . . . Magnificent both in its content and in the exquisite, lyrical writing of its author. * Cape Times *Sherman’s writing is elegant and accessible, and the story of Tokyo quickly becomes the story of time itself. -- Best Books of Summer 2019 * Uproxx *A beautifully written evocation of a place and a philosophical inquiry into the nature of time itself. An astonishing gift. * Shelf Awareness *A tour-de-force mapping, in four dimensions, of the amazing place we call “Tokyo.” I realized I barely know the city . . . So much is dealt with so beautifully – Mishima, the 1945 firebombs, the tangle that is Shinjuku . . . Wonderful . . . -- Liza DalbyAn enchanting read, drawing you into Sherman’s Tokyo world in a way that makes you wonder why you shouldn’t fly there right this minute, with her book as the only guide you’ll ever need. -- Xu Xi

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Book SynopsisThis is a volume on the art and architecture of the temple complexes of Angkor. Tracing the history of Angkor Wat from its beginnings in legend to its early incarnation as a centre of Hindu worship, before its transition in the 14th century to a major landmark of Buddhist architecture, author Thierry Zephir uncovers the layers of history buried beneath the ruins of Angkor, first guiding readers through Angkor Wat before bringing them to Angkor Thom, as well as the areas surrounding Angkor where lesser-known but equally intriguing structures still stand. The book consists of a rich visual array of photographs which illustrate both the vastness of the ancient complex as well as the intricacies of the stonework within. Picture spreads are testament to the extensive nature of Angkor s temples, while close-ups reveal the infinite detail that is inherent throughout. Individual chapters are devoted to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, while two further chapters, Around Angkor Thom and Away from Angkor, focus on the ruins in the landscape around the region. Pictures in each section are prefaced by well-researched texts which furnish the reader with historical information, placing the buildings against a backdrop of larger developments and trends in ancient Cambodian history and culture. The author illuminates each photograph in unstinting detail, bringing acclaimed photographer Luca Invernizzi Tettoni s pictures to life with expert knowledge. Angkor: A Tour of the Monuments proves to be an invaluable reference source for serious readers of the subject as well as for those wishing to acquaint themselves for the first time with one of Cambodia s most important monuments."

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Book SynopsisProfessor Saraiva's multi-volume History of Portugal is a celebrated scholarly standard work. Yet, when he published a one-volume Historia Concisa, it proved a run-away best seller in Portugal, and the television series that went with it became a chart-topper. His latest book, produced especially for Carcanet's Aspects of Portugal series, is a history of his country, brief, acute and illuminating, written with scholarly insight and with non-specialist foreign readers specifically in mind. To this main text Ian Robertson, author of the well-known Blue Guide to Portugal, has added a historical gazeteer, brief biographies, chronological tables, maps and other elements which make this an essential Companion, the sort of book that a reader in need of accurate, brief and lucid reference will find useful, and every visitor to Portugal will find rewarding. The book is generously illustrated.

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Book SynopsisForever linked in the public mind with the Pol Pot tyranny, Phnom Penh only became Cambodia's permanent capital in 1866. Long neglected by Western travellers, in the sixteenth century it was home to Iberian missionaries and freebooters who briefly held Cambodia's fate in their hands. It faded in significance until France established a colonial protectorate over Cambodia in 1863. As the colonialists robbed the Cambodian king of his temporal power, their protection enhanced his symbolic importance, setting the scene for the emergence of one of the most intriguing rulers of the twentieth century, King Norodom Sihanouk. The city Sihanouk ruled from 1941 to 1970 was a mix of traditional palaces, Buddhist temples and transplanted French architecture. In the 1960s Phnom Penh deserved its reputation as the most attractive city in Southeast Asia.But after 1970 all this was to change, and a terrible civil war was followed by the Khmer Rouge's capture of the city in 1975. Since the defeat of Pol Pot in 1979, Phnom Penh has slowly recovered, once again attracting perceptive travellers. It is a city of royalty and colonizers - Kings, courts and battles with French administrators; royal ceremonies, dancers and elephants; foreign intrigue and carpetbaggers who sought and failed to find riches. It is a city of culture - A rich local culture that became a headache for French officials; traditional architecture and colonial buildings that remain today; notable literary visitors from Somerset Maugham to Andre Malraux. It is a city of evil and rebirth - The terrible rule of Pol Pot; the Tuol Sleng extermination centre where 17,000 men, women and children were tortured and killed as "enemies of the state"; the return to a fragile normality.Trade Review"As described by Milton Osborne, who has known it for 50 years, Phnom Penh does so deserve first-rank writing." -- The Guardian

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Book Synopsis**Featured by Ski Asia on their list of "Best Gifts for People Who Love Skiing in Japan" "…if you're looking for more information on Japan's number one ski island, then this is a fantastic book for you or that other person who loves skiing in the land of the rising sun!" Embark on an unforgettable journey across Japan's vast northern island!This stunning guide covers all the places and experiences that foreign and Japanese visitors alike find so fascinating about Hokkaido—including the island's spectacular volcanic landscapes, the world's best powder skiing and some of Japan's most incredible ramen and sushi!Author Aaron Jamieson is a professional photographer, film-maker and journalist who has lived on Hokkaido for over a decade—devoting his time to seeking out the hidden wonders of this special island. In this book, he provides his personal tips on places to explore and things to do in and around the main cities of Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate and Asahikawa. Then he leads you on a grand tour into the wild and lesser-known places around the island, including: The resorts around Lake Toya and Niseko, now famous as "the Aspen of Asia" The vast hinterland with its rainbow fields of lavender and towering volcanic peaks The rugged east—home to the native Ainu people and their traditional culture Hokkaido's stunning national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and distinctive wildlife This unique book—the first of its kind—allows you to view Hokkaido through the eyes of a local and to explore one of the last undiscovered regions of Japan.Trade ReviewAuthor Interview: Aaron Jamieson's Journey on Japan's Great Northern IslandsFeatured by Ski Asia on their list of "Best Gifts for People Who Love Skiing in Japan""…if you're looking for more information on Japan's number one ski island, then this is a fantastic book for you or that other person who loves skiing in the land of the rising sun!" --Ski Asia

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Book SynopsisFrom the bright blue hues of Jodhpur, Rajasthan's medieval metropolis, to the deep purples of Provence's lavender fields, discover the world through a stunning collection of photographs with the first and only travel guide by colour palette. This inspiring book features 400 photographs of amazing destinations and events across a plethora of vivid shades. From the deep reds of Tambopata National Reserve's scarlet macaws to the verdant greens of the Peak District's rolling hills, be inspired to travel by colour all around the world. From the kaleidoscopic coral reefs of Indonesia's remote Raja Ampat archipelago to the striking blue-washed facades of Morocco's pretty hill town Chefachouen, no corner of the globe is left unturned in the 180 pages of this colourful book. With stunning photography throughout and words compiled by a wide range of trusted Lonely Planet writers, the world's first and only travel guide by colour is a must-have addition for any travel aficionados. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, eBooks, and more.

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Book Synopsis492 Great Things About Being Italian is fun, informative and catnip for 17 million Italian-Americans. It follows in the footsteps of other successful books aimed at this minority proud of its remarkable—and ongoing!—heritage. It comprises 492 (as in 1492…) individual people, things, places and phenomena that make one proud to be Italian (or half-Italian, which adds millions more to the target market). But one doesn’t have to be Italian to enjoy this book, any more than one has to be Jewish to love rye bread! Italy is Americans’ second-favorite travel destination outside North America, and Italian foods, celebrities, entertainment, etc., are popular with most everyone. It’s also the kind of book that once you peek inside, you won’t be able to read just one entry of the 492—it’s like potato chips!Trade Review"Packed with lovely information to please every person of Italian origin and every lover of Italian culture. . . . A great Christmas gift for Italophiles." —Linda Binkley, Italian American Heritage Foundation"Packed with lovely information to please every person of Italian origin and every lover of Italian culture. . . . A great Christmas gift for Italophiles." —Linda Binkley, Italian American Heritage Foundation

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Book SynopsisMicronesia, Hawaii, Polynesia, Bora Bora, Seychelles, Maldives, Australia - where does the mind go when imagining such places. Drawn from the best travel blogs and Instagram images, this book brings together the most beautiful locations near, on, or under water. From eco resorts to remote, pristine islands; from sailing on ultra-blue oceans to diving in translucent waters; in aerial and underwater photography, the focus is on finding paradise. Whether thinking about a trip or longing for sun and sand, this book is where those daydreams begin.

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Book SynopsisHighlights the larger meaning of what is happening to the author's subjects with an imagery that testifies to the fundamental dignity of all humanity while simultaneously protesting its violation by war, poverty, and other injustices.Trade Review"While art should speak for itself, Salgado's photography is first and foremost a documentary way of bearing witness to something else. His work is both an anguished cri de coeur and, although he professes not to be religions, something of a votive offering presented in the hopes of getting the attention of a world that sometimes seems to have fallen asleep." - Orville Schell, from the Foreword"Table of ContentsForeword Sahel: Man in Distress / Orville Schell Introduction Twenty Years Ago, and Later / Fred Ritchin Photographs Captions Afterword Salgado / Eduardo Galeano Biographical Note Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisA mystery, a comedy, and a riveting human drama rolled into one, from the bestselling author of MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVILTrade Review'Berendt's descriptions of people and places are well-honed and he has an ear for a good yarn as well as an obvious knack for getting people to talk revealingly.' * Laurence Phelan, Independent on Sunday *'Berendt's descriptions of people and places are well-honed and he has an ear for a good yarn as well as an obvious knack for getting people to talk revealingly' * Laurence Phelan, Independent on Sunday *'Fascinating, fantastic. . . Intrigue, too, stems from the burning of the Fenice opera house in 1996 and here Berendt's enthusiasm for juicy recriminations become almost palpable.' * Stephanie Cross, Observer *It's a fascinating read' * Jonathan Gibbs, Telegraph *'Glittering, entertaining and anecdote-filled.' * Sunday Times *'The inhabitants of Venice are the real stars of the story' * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTahir Shah was born into an Anglo-Afghan family, with roots in the mountain stronghold of the Hindu Kush. Shah's ten books have chronicled a series of fabulous journeys. He lives with his wife and two children in Casablanca.Visit his website: www.tahirshah.comTrade ReviewA wonderfully entertaining book - Tahir Shah's talent is to make you laugh while you are admiring the insights given by his most original and lively view of life. -- DORIS LESSINGFunny, moving, fast-paced and thoughtful, it confirms Shah as one of the best travel writers of his generation...a rich mosaic of a book as intricate, complex and beautiful as the Arabian Nights world itdescribes -- JASON WEBSTERReading about restoring houses overseas can be as tedious as watching paint dry...yet I can't fault this joyful and resplendent addition to the genre. Shah writes without artifice or condescension, his language is fluent and direct. His characters leap off the page...I couldn't put the book down. -- RORY MACLEAN * SUNDAY TIMES *A book full of charm and humour, elevated by a consistent sense of the beauty and mystery of everyday life. What also shines through the narrative is the author's decency and respect for the people and the cultures he encounters, the sort of qualities we like to think of as fundamentally British ...a tribute to our potential for understanding and learning to live with irreconcilable differences * GUARDIAN *Shah...with good humour and wit...gives a vivid evocation of the spirit of the place...The Caliph's House is charmingly escapist, and combines the pleasures of good property porn with those of the best travel writing -- DAILY TELEGRAPH

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 2010, the author set out on an ambitious project: to single-handedly create a photographic census of New York City. The result of these efforts was "Humans of New York," a vibrant blog in which he featured his photos alongside quotes and anecdotes. Inspired by the blog, this book features four hundred colour photos.

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Book SynopsisThe Yorkshire Dales combine a wild limestone landscape of high rolling moorland gouged by dramatic caves and cascading waterfalls with peaceful farmland carpeted in wildflowers and dotted with ruined abbeys, ancient stone walls and barns, and timeless villages waiting to be discovered.The 40 moderate walks in this collection from award winning publisher Pocket Mountains highlight the very best the area has to offer and include adventures in Wharfedale, Malhamdale, Nidderdale, Ribblesdale, Wensleydale, Swaledale and Dentdale. Many routes make use of sections of established long-distance trails such as the Pennine Way and the Dales Way.

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Book SynopsisAn ideal introduction to the language and culture of Greece, Greek Language and People is an integrated multi-media course for beginners.

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Book SynopsisFloridian journalist Joshua Lawrence Kinser serves up the best the Gulf Coast has to offer

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Book SynopsisKasos is the southernmost island of the Dodecanese, lying between Carpathos and Crete. Roughly 11 miles long and four miles wide, with a rocky, mountainous landscape, Kasos was famed from antiquity as a centre of shipbuilding, and played a role in the Greek War of Independence. But with the advent of steam, the island's shipyard closed, and its population dwindled. Today some one thousand people remain on the island, living in five small villages full of historic homes and churches. The islanders produce agricultural products of exceptional quality; preserve their distinctive culinary, musical, and dance traditions; and welcome a small number of adventurous travellers to their sparkling beaches.Robert A. McCabe's stunning black-and-white photographs of Kasos, most taken in 1965, offer a unique record of the island's people, architecture, and natural landscapes. In a stark contrast to the transformation undergone by other Greek islands, many of the scenes depicted in McCabe's

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Book SynopsisUnbuilt tells the stories of the plans, drawings and proposals that emerged during the 20th century in an unparalleled era of optimism in architecture. Many of these grand projects stayed on the drawing board, some were flights of fancy that couldn't be built, and in other cases test structures or parts of buildings did emerge in the real world. The book features the work of Buckminster Fuller, Geoffrey Bawa, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright and Archigram, as well as contemporary architects such as Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid, Will Alsop and Rem Koolhaas. Richly illustrated with photographs, drawings, maps, collages and models from all over the world, it covers everything from Buckminster Fuller's plan for a 'Domed city' in Manhattan to Le Corbusier's utopian dream of skyscraper living in central Paris, from a proposed network of motorways ploughing through central London to a crazy-looking scheme for 'rolling pavements' in post-war Berlin. This is an important book, not just for the rich stories of what might have been in our built world, but also to give understanding to the motivations and dreams of architects, sometimes to build a better world, but sometimes to pander to egos. It includes plans that pushed the boundaries – from plug-in cities, moving cities, space cities, domes and floating cities to Maglev, teleportation and rockets. Many ideas were just ahead of their time, and some, thankfully, we were always better without. Trade Review‘Told in clean, clear prose accompanied by collages, sketches, models and maps, Beanland’s book plumbs the archives of 20th-century plans for alternate visions of our cities’ -- Monocle Weekend Newsletter‘Discover a plethora of boundary pushing ideas ahead of their time and designs that never left the drawing board’ -- The Modern House‘A fantastic survey of 20th century architectural ambitions. It spans a host of ideas that … run the gamut of the sublime to the ridiculous, often calling into question some of the great visionaries of the modern age’ * The London Society *‘A very beautiful hardback book full of colour illustrations and fascinating stories of dreams that never became reality’ * Roads.co.uk *‘A thing of beauty’ -- John Grindrod * Twitter *‘Runs the gamut of the sublime to the ridiculous, often calling into the question some of the great visionaries of the modern age’ * London Society Journal *

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Book SynopsisA guided tour of Leicester, showing how the city has changed over the past century and more.

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Book SynopsisAdrian Tomine (Shortcomings, Scenes from an Impending Marriage) has forged countless iconic images of New York City in his career as an illustrator. A master of conveying an entire story with a single panel, his covers for The New Yorker are beloved by New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers alike, as much for their frank yet charming portrayal of life in the big city as for their flawless design and gorgeous linework. This postcard set celebrates thirty of Tomine's most well-known illustrations, and is a loving homage to the city that Tomine, a West Coast transplant, has called home for the past eight years.Trade ReviewIn [Tomine's] illustrations, Edward Hopper-like situations-of dogs under disused railway bridges, or people on a street corner-take on a wry edge.-The Economist

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the bestselling, wonderfully unique and iconic book Manhattan Unfurled, comes an equally brilliant and utterly unprecedented portrait of London.

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Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT COMPANION TO PETER MAY'S LEWIS TRILOGY, AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEBRIDEAN ISLANDS.The landscape of the Outer Hebrides, with its stark cliffs, ghostly mists and lonely beaches, has become a definitive character of Peter May's Lewis trilogy. In Hebrides, readers will accompany him on an odyssey in prose and images, through a history of the Vikings' 'Long Island' and his own deep personal connection with the islands that influenced his bestselling work.Travelling as if alongside his protagonist Fin Macleod, he describes the island life - as bewitching as it is treacherous - his encounter with the bird-hunters of Sula Sgeir, the savage seas of Ness and the churches of Eriskay. With extracts from the trilogy and specially commissioned photographs, this book places his writing and characters within the land that gave them form.Couldn't get enough of the Lewis trilogy and its extraordinary setting? Check out Peter May's latest bestseller, Coffin Road, in which the million-selling master of crime brings murder back to the Outer Hebrides.Trade ReviewOver 100 5-star Amazon reader reviews, and counting! -- QuercusTable of ContentsIntroduction. A Geological History of the Outer Hebrides. A People History of the Outer Hebrides. My History with the Outer Hebrides. The Blackhouse. The Lewis Man. The Chessmen. A View From Behind the Lens. Index.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisFeatures thirty-six villages from all over Tuscany from those clustered around the great cities of Lucca and Florence, which produce some of the finest olive oil and are home to some of the world's greatest works of art, to the Chianti region and the valley of the Orcia, devoted to the cultivation of aromatic herbs.Trade Review'Beautifully composed photographs … sublime landscapes graceful, knowledgeable text' - Country Living'Breathtaking photographs … the riches and variety of tuscanyare laid out for all to see … a well balanced, well presented and well written exploration of one of italy’s most beautiful regions' - Contemporary ReviewTable of ContentsIntroduction • Around Florence and Lucca: Bagni di Lucca; Castelnuovo di Garfagnana; Castiglione de Garfagnana; Cutgliano; Uzzano; Collodi; Vicopisano; Artimino; Scarperia; Vicchio; Stia; Poppi; Camaldoli • Around Arezzo and Siena: San Gimignano; Casole d’Elsa; Radda in Chianti; Castellina in Chianti; Monterchi; Monte San Savino; Foiana della Chiana; Lucignano; Pienza; Montalcino; San Quirico d’Orcia; Castiglione d’Orcia • The South: Cetona; Radicofani; Sovana; Arcidosso; Abbadia San Salvatore; Saturnia; Pitigliano; Montemerano; Magliano in Toscana; Populonia; Ansedonia

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