Popular culture Books

Book SynopsisCulture Smart guides help travellers have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.Trade ReviewCulture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York TimesTable of ContentsBrief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

Read more less

Book SynopsisSouth Africa has been described as "A World in One Country" and a "Rainbow Nation." Its landscape ranges from miles of glorious beaches to the inland desert of the Karoo, the sweeping grasslands of the Highveld plateau, and the subtropical bush of the Lowveld. Its ethnic makeup is equally varied. There are eleven official languages, nine major black African tribes, two major white tribes, as well as a representation of all the world's major religions. It has a free market economy while communists share in government; one of the world's most liberal constitutions and a deeply patriarchal society; and very rich and very poor people coexisting. South Africa has come through fire, and although there is still considerable heat, it is doing pretty well. This insiders' guide will introduce you to the universal warmth and cultural diversity of its people, explain the backdrop of their troubled past, and familiarize you with their everyday life so that you'll feel comfortable whether you're invited to a shack in the townships, a mansion in the suburbs, or a braai on the beach. You'll learn how to stay safe in potentially dangerous areas, and you'll know where to go if you want to feel like the only person on the planet.Trade ReviewCulture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York TimesTable of ContentsBrief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

Read more less

Book SynopsisCulture Smart guides help travellers have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.Trade ReviewCulture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York TimesTable of ContentsBrief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe One We All Love to Remember. Friends may have stopped filming in 2004 but Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey have never left our screens or our hearts. Now let their words comfort and cajole you through the tricky, sticky and downright funny times in life. The One About Their Best One-Liners: The Little Guide to Friends contains 170 quotes straight from the mouths of Manhattan's most famous sextet. They'll be there for you as you tackle some of the biggest topics in our existences: life, work, dating, relationships, self-knowledge, sarcasm and... food. Could it BE any easier to get life advice from your favourite Friends characters? 'I'm gonna go get one of those job things.' Rachel faces reality after cutting financial ties with her dad. As seen on BuzzFeed.com, 16 December 2015, by Krystie Lee Yandoli. 'I'm Chandler and I make jokes when I'm uncomfortable.' Chandler fumbles introducing himself to Monica's ex, Richard. As seen on BuzzFeed.com, 22 September 2014, by Ariana Lange. 'You hung up on the pizza place? I don't hang up on your friends.' Joey almost rumbles Rachel trying to hook up with the cute delivery guy. As seen on USAToday.com, 18 September 2019, by USA Today staff. Table of ContentsLife • Work • Dating • Relationships • Self-knowledge • Sarcasm • Food.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMy Cool Bike celebrates a love affair with bikes and bike culture. The bicycle is the most popular form of transport on the planet. Cycling is simply ideal for many things and we are now at the dawn of a new golden age of this versatile machine. This book will appeal to all who have taken up cycling for sport, fun, health and wealth. As the individual stories in the book show, a bike is a way of seeking solitude – a leisurely trip taken at one's own pace, only relying on pedal power. For some the bike is much more than an accessory for the daily commute: there are the plucky few who have have embarked on life-changing momentous global journeys; while for others bike ownership offers the chance to be part of a loyal, passionate and strong-minded community of fellow enthusiasts embarking on club excursions. Among this collection of cool bikes are classic racing bikes, high-tech machines that use the latest in material science and aerodynamics, eccentric bikes designed for specific purposes, and rarities coveted by serious collectors. Themes include: Urban, Commercial, Touring and Sporting, Vintage and Eccentric, Custom bikes, Eco and community bikes, Workshops, shops and cafés and Accessories including fashion.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat was it that got you through the Covid-19 pandemic? For some it was long walks; others turned to home baking. For millions it was video games, a booming industry which exploded in popularity over the pandemic years. Confined to our homes and with the lines of reality becoming blurred as everyday life shifted to screens, perhaps it was no wonder that so many of us were desperate to be transported to different worlds. In Playing with Reality: Gaming in a Pandemic, journalist and presenter Alex Humphreys, a passionate gamer herself, investigates this extraordinary boom in the gaming industry. Charting its rise, Alex interviews players and developers, sharing a glimpse of what was going on behind closed doors as studios closed and games were finished from home. Playing with Reality explores exactly what it was that made gaming a lifeline for so many, and what the future holds as we look to the metaverse.Trade Review'Alexandra brilliantly chronicles the boundless creativity of an industry persevering through unprecedented times.' — Aaryn Flynn • 'Alex's work is a masterpiece in journalism. She demonstrates a thorough understanding of the big picture around gaming, technology, and society. Alex considers the implications for our future with a clear and thoughtful voice. To have collected so many useful perspectives from change makers is a gift to readers, and hopefully an inspiration to many.' — Jeremy Dela Rosa, Leyline (formerly Blizzard Entertainment)

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the brilliantly demented minds behind The Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip, an insane illustrated compendium about the art of pranking. Eric André is a master of the art of pranking—“an Andy Kaufman for the Four Loko generation,” as Spin magazine once hailed him. For over a decade, he and longtime collaborator Dan Curry have dreamed up and performed a cornucopia of outrageous, often illegal, and always death-defying hijinks for the Adult Swim series The Eric Andre Show, as well as in the hit movie Bad Trip. Now, in their very first book, Eric and Dan reveal the secret fuel behind their surrealistic prank machine. Get ready to gorge your thirsty peepers on epic stories of shame, redemption, and glory behind pranks so dumb they’re brilliant…and beyond the realm of criticism. But wait, there’s more! This pranktastic potpourri includes: -Tips for prankers of any skill level, from the importance of a “safe word” to why you should always keep the camera rolling, even after the prank is over. -All new pranks to try at home such as “Jell-O Surprise,” “Benadryl Steaks,” “Amateur Graverobber” and “The Jim Morrison.” -Wild behind-the-scenes stories about the most classic pranks from The Eric Andre Show and Bad Trip. -Learn about the dark existential dread behind everyone’s favorite mac-and-cheese-spurting DJ, Kraft Punk. -Discover how Eric avoided getting stabbed when a penis-in-a-finger-trap prank went horribly wrong. -Exclusive never-before-filmed pranks deemed too hot for TV. -Inspirational quotes from philosophers so obscure that they might not even exist. Artfully designed, loaded with funny photos, and a gracious foreblurb by Jack Black, Dumb Ideas is an essential manual for getting a laugh out of friends, family, and complete strangers—and staying out of jail while doing it.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCoding Care: Towards a Technology for Nature brings together contributions from renowned authors and artists who are particularly concerned with nature and our environment. In doing so, they raise the question of how we can use technology to better understand nature and shape coexistence in a sustainable way - especially in regions that are not yet fully technologized. In this sense, coding should be understood as a form of caring, a substitute for what technology can contribute to the future in each specific cultural and regional context.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn A Dysfunctional Success (Wreckless) Eric Goulden writes with an acute eye for detail about growing up in the 60s and 70s in suburban South East England, discovering music and girls; life as an art student in the frozen north eastern town of Hull; the formation and dissolution of bands with desperate equipment, a homemade ethos and not much idea; his move to London in 1976 and subsequent recording debut on the newly formed Stiff Record label. ''I didn''t actually want to write a music biography. There was a story to be told, but it wasn''t the tale of the meteoric rise and demise of Wreckless Eric. I was more concerned with my upbringing, the social background that shaped me and lead to this meteoric rise and demise. And I wanted to write about what happens after the firework fizzles out.'' This is an honest coming of age story from both sides of instant pop success: bands, squalid flats, menial jobs, making records, the rise to the point of fame and falling off into poverty and alco

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn inspiring, interactive guide for drawing people, places, food, and things you come across in your travels. This book offers aspiring urban sketchers a series of 40 step-by-step lessons showing you how to draw everything from the meal you ordered at a cafe to a map of highlights from your latest road trip. You'll get all the tips and advice you need for drawing what you see during your day and while out and about. Learn to sketch interesting subjects from everyday life and travel, such as: Fruits, vegetables, meals, and desserts Bottles, boxes, baskets, and bags Cups, glasses, appliances, and utensils Clothing and furniture Signs and storefronts Maps and floor plans People, locations, landmarks, and more! This beginner's guide is the perfect companion to toss into your backpack, artist's tote, or portfolio along with your sketch journal and pens!

Read more less

Book SynopsisMasala is a word that conjures up many associations. The word derives, through Urdu and Persian, from the Arabic masalih''ingredients. To a westerner, it immediately suggests exotic eastern spices. In its most widespread metaphorical use in India, it means embellishment or exaggeration. It also means a mixtureoriginally a mixture of ground spices, but more metaphorically any kind of mixture, especially one of cultural influences.While Shakespeare today is considered literature'' and is taught as a pure'', high'' form of art, in his own day it was the quintessential masala'' entertainment he provided that attracted both the common people and the nobility. In Masala Shakespeare, Jonathan Gil Harris explores the profound resonances between Shakespeare''s craft and Indian cultural forms as well as their pervasive and enduring relationship in theatre and film. Indeed, the book is aoveetter to popular cinema and other Indian storytelling forms. It is also aoveetter to an idea of India. One of the arguments of this book is that masalaand, in particular, the masala movieis not just a formal style or genre. More accurately, it embodies a certain version of India, one that celebrates the plural, the polyglot, the all-over-the-place. The book is also ultimately a portrait of contemporary India with all its pluralities and contradictions.In Masala Shakespeare, the author focuses on twelve Shakespeare playsThe Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night''s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, Kingear, The Tempest, Pericles and Titus Andronicusthat have acquired Indianives independent of the familiar English texts of the plays. The plays are a diverse mixture whose Indian avatarsincluding films such as Angoor, 10mlove, Ishaqzaade, Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, Gundamma Katha, Isiife Mein, Dil Bole Hadippa!, Maqbool, Omkara, Haider, Arshinagar and Theastear and plays such as Kamdev ka Apna Basant Ritu ka Sapna, Jangal mein Mangal, Chattan Kattu, Piya Behrupiya, Chahat ki Dastaan and Hera-Phericlesare very different from each other. In their own ways, however, they all chafe against an oppressive power by refusing the current vogue for shuddhta (purity), and singularity, and instead celebrate the plural and mixed.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFeaturing concept art, sketches, and interviews with key artists and writers essential to the creation of Captain America, Marvel: Captain America Art Book is a comprehensive visual guide that explores the complete history of the Star Spangled Man!

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Danny Goldberg is probably one of the purest, most reasonableguides you could ask for to 1967.' Ex-Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. 'Weaves together rollicking, rousing, wonderfully colourful anddisparate narratives to remind us how the energies and aspirations of thecounterculture were intertwined with protest and reform . mesmerising.' The NationIt wasthe year that saw the release of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts ClubBand, and of debut albums from the Doors, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix andJanis Joplin. The year of the Summer of Love and LSD; the Monterey Pop Festivaland Black Power; Muhammad Ali's conviction for draft avoidance and MartinLuther King Jr's public opposition to war in Vietnam.On its 50th anniversary, music business veteranDanny Goldberg analyses 1967, looking not only at the political influences, butalso the spiritual, musical and psychedelic movements that defined the era,providing a unique perspective on how and why its legacy lives on today.Exhaustively researched and informed byinterviews including Allen Ginsberg, Timothy Leary and Gil Scott-Heron, InSearch of the Lost Chord is the synthesis of a fascinating andcomplicated period in our social and countercultural history that was about somuch more than sex, drugs and rock n roll.Trade ReviewHippie 101-a kaleidoscopic snapshot of the Big Bang fifty years ago, three parts social and musical history, one part personal memoir, a sweeping overview that also manages to be up close and personal. Bravo. -- Joel SelvinDanny Goldberg has done something I would not have thought possible: with diligent research, sharp prose, a clear mind, and an open heart, he has rescued a period of history from the clichés that had previously defined it. -- Eric AltermanThis extraordinary book transports us back to a 'moment' when, as Goldberg writes,the phrase '"peace and love" was not meant or taken ironically.' Beginning at sixteen, Goldberg was a participant in the rise and cresting of the hippie movement, the hippie ideal, which has been trivialized and disparaged in later decades. He cuts through the obfuscation and recreates the sense of magic, wonder, intimacy, and community that was in the air and you could breathe it in. If you want to know, or remember, what it was like to be alive and part of that historic wave, I can think of no better guide than In Search of the Lost Chord. -- Sara DavidsonIn a time of the harshest dissonance, Danny Goldberg's In Search of the Lost Chord arrives like soma from a heaven that is still up there if you look hard enough. One the great gambits of the rightist culture has been to paint the 1960s, and the hippie movement in particular, as some stammering, slothful stoner movie. As an eyewitness, I can testify it was much, much more. Danny Goldberg's highly informative missive from that long, strange trip not only reminds veterans of the glorious possibilities of the age but also serves as an excellent primer to onward generations. -- Mark JacobsonGoldberg plunges into a thorough, panoramic account of the culture, politics, media, music and mores of the year to demolish the idea that it was trivial. He has researched and interviewed widely - his section on underground newspapers is impressively detailed - and he's been there with many of the principals through all these years. Some of the stories, like the development and popularization of LSD and the saga of the Monterey Pop Festival, have been told before (though readers may be surprised to learn that psychedelic music's launchpad was a Nevada dive called the Red Dog Saloon). But Goldberg's deep purchase on his subject and his storytelling ease make it fresh. -- The New York TimesGoldberg is fascinating on the origins of political activism, from the Cold War peace movement and the fallout from the Korean War. * The Sunday Times *Goldberg brings a personal passion that itself illustrates the lasting resonance of the hippie era. * Publishers Weekly *At the core of Goldberg's readable, entertainingly anecdotal book is a chronicle and summary of what the Sixties cultural moment has left posterity. * The Times *Goldberg has created a detailed insight into an important snapshot of our history whilst also banishing the popular cliché of the hippie movement... In Search of the Lost Chord is also a timely reminder that people power does indeed have an effect and that change is always possible. * Buzz *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis ultra-deluxe, winged levitating golden snitch and illustrated book is a one-of-a-kind collectible set for Harry Potter fans. Set features:Electro-plated golden snitch, measuring approximately 2 diameter and 6 across from wing tip to wing tip. Powerful special magnets keep the snitch levitating above a base.Levitation base. Operates with 6 AA batteries, or keep your snitch levitating indefinitely by using an AC adapter.*5-1/2 x 7-1/2, 48-page book, featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the Harry Potter filmmakers, movie quotes, and full-color illustrations and photos throughout. *Batteries and AC adapter not included with this set.This is a fine adult collectible. Not intended for children.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn alternative introduction to modern art, focusing on the stories of 50 key works that consciously questioned the boundaries, challenged the status quo and made shockwaves we are still feeling today. Table of ContentsIntroductionBREAKING TRADITIONS: 1850–1909 The Bathers, Gustave Courbet Art Inventions Olympia, Édouard Manet Manet and Modern Art The Kiss, Auguste Rodin Photography The Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh Skeletons Fighting Over a Pickled Herring, James Ensor The Scream, Edvard Munch Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, Paul Gauguin Nuda Veritas, Gustav Klimt Les Demoiselles D’Avignon, Pablo Picasso The Influence of African ArtTHE HORRORS OF WAR: 1910–1926 Seated Male Nude (Self-portrait), Egon Schiele Composition V, Wassily Kandinsky Synaesthesia Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, Umberto Boccioni Revolution! Black Square, Kazimir Malevich Fountain, Marcel Duchamp Cut with the Kitchen Knife Through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch of Germany, Hannah Höch Spirituality Skat Players (Card-Playing War Cripples), Otto Dix Composition with Large Red Plane, Yellow, Black, Grey and Blue, Piet Mondrian De Stijl and Neo-Plasticism Two Children Are Threatened by a Nightingale, Max Ernst Black Iris, Georgia O’KeeffeCONFLICT AND DEGENERACY: 1927–1955 The Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dalí The Doll, Hans Bellmer Degenerate Art The Broken Column, Frida Kahlo The Second World War Dhôtel Nuancé D’Abricot, Jean Dubuffet Number One, 1950 (Lavender Mist), Jackson Pollock Erased de Kooning Drawing, Robert Rauschenberg Experimentation Untitled Anthropometry (Ant 106), Yves Klein Artist’s Shit, Piero ManzoniCOMMERCIALISM AND PROTEST: 1956–1989 Concetto Spaziale, Lucio Fontana Brillo Boxes, Andy Warhol Materialism Pop and High Culture Equivalent VIII, Carl Andre Anatomic Explosion on Wall Street, Yayoi Kusama New Materials Trademarks, Vito Acconci Rhythm O, Marina Abramovic The Dinner Party, Judy Chicago Feminism Arroz con Pollo, Jean-Michel Basquiat Nan One Month After Being Battered, Nan Goldin Immersion (Piss Chris), Andres Serrano Untitled (Your Body is a Battle Ground), Barbara Kruge Do Women Have to be Naked to get into the Met. Museum?, Guerrilla GirlsBEYOND THE FRAME: 1990–PRESENT The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, Damien Hirst Light Sentence, Mona Hatoum Propped, Jenny Saville Untitled (House), Rachel Whiteread Installations Globalization Yo Mama’s Last Supper, Renee Cox La Nona Ora, Maurizio Cattelan Cell XXVI, Louise Bourgeois Svayambhu, Anish Kapoor Tatlin’s Whisper #5, Tania Bruguera Performance Art Computerization A Subtlety, Kara Walker Love is in the Bin (Girl with Balloon), Banksy Glossary Picture Credits Index Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover films that dared to be different, risked reputations and put careers in jeopardy. This is what happens when filmmakers take tradition and rip it up.  FilmQuake introduces 50 movies that shook the cinematic world, telling the fascinating stories behind their creation, reception and legacy. From unbelievable developments in technology (Citizen Kane, 1941) to feminist triumphs (Wanda, 1970); films that kickstarted New Queer Cinema (Paris is Burning, 1990) to others that challenged lawmakers (A Short Film About Killing, 1988) – FilmQuake presents the movies that questioned boundaries, challenged the status quo and made shockwaves we are still feeling today. From film's first innovators, people like the Lumière brothers, whose short film of a train arriving was reported to have terrified audiences Trade Review “Smith’s selections are often startling and surprising…” -- Christopher Schobert * The Film Stage *Table of ContentsIntroductionTHE SHOCK OF THE NEW: 1895–1929The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station: Auguste and Louis Lumière Women in FilmThe Birth of a Nation: D.W. GriffithWithin Our Gates: Oscar MicheauxNosferatu: F.W. Murnau German Expressionism Nanook of the North: Robert FlahertyBattleship Potemkin: Sergei Eisenstein Soviet CinemaThe Passion of Joan of Arc: Carl Theodor Dreyer Sound in FilmA WORLD IN FLUX: 1930–1959The Golden Age: Luis Buñuel Avant-Garde CinemaL’Atalante: Jean VigoTriumph of the Will: Leni Riefenstahl Propaganda on FilmThe Great Dictator: Charles ChaplinCitizen Kane: Orson Welles Auteur CinemaRome, Open City: Roberto Rossellini Italian NeorealismRashomon: Akira KurosawaPather Panchali: Satyajit RayThe Seventh Seal: Ingmar Bergman Art Film The Rise of AnimationSome Like It Hot: Billy WilderBREAKING ALL THE RULES: 1960–1979Breathless: Jean-Luc Goddard The French New WavePsycho: Alfred Hitchcock New Adventures in HorrorVictim: Basil DeardenCleo from 5 to 7: Agnès VardaThe Battle of Algiers: Gillo PontecorvoBonnie and Clyde: Arthur Penn New Hollywood2001: A Space Odyssey: Stanley KubrickWanda: Barbara Loden Feminist FilmSweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss: Melvin Van Peebles Black Cinema in the USTouki Bouki: Djibril Diop Mambéty Cinema of TransgressionJeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles: Chantal AkermanJaws: Steven SpielbergApocalypse Now: Francis Ford Coppola Developments in SoundINDEPENDENCE AND INDUSTRY: 1980–1999Fitzcarraldo: Werner Herzog An Epic CinemaShoah: Claude LanzmannThe Thin Blue Line: Errol MorrisA Short Film About Killing: Krzysztof Kieślowski Changing the WorldDo the Right Thing: Spike LeeParis is Burning: Jennie Livingston New Queer CinemaDaughters of the Dust: Julie DashTerminator 2: Judgment Day: James CameronReservoir Dogs: Quentin Tarantino US Indie CinemaChungking Express: Wong Kar-wai Cinema in Hong Kong, China Recent New WavesLa Haine: Mathieu KassovitzThe Blair Witch Project: Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez Recent HorrorTHE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN: 2000–PRESENTRussian Ark: Aleksandr Sokurov Cinema and Time Digital CinemaBrokeback Mountain: Ang LeeUnited 93: Paul Greengrass Cinema Post-9/11Tangerine: Sean BakerGet Out: Jordan Peele Film and Black Lives Matter Change for the FutureAtlantics: Mati DiopFor Sama: Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts Citizen JournalismParasite: Bong Joon-Ho Glossary Further Reading Picture Credits Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book includes 72 themed, 15x15 crosswords, some easy, some tricky, by Vox.com's all-star crew of crossword constructors: Patrick Blindauer, Adesina Koiki, Will Nediger, and Andrew J. Ries. The puzzles feature classic crossword themes, with wordplay, puns, and unexpected twists peppered throughout. Pop culture references range from Mario Kart to iCarly, from Master P to Bernie Sanders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis An amazing guide to some of the most beloved, original, inspiring, hysterical, heart-warming, compelling, rude and downright scary books that have enchanted children the world over. In 100 Children's Books That Inspired Our World, author Colin Salter surveys an exceptional collection of truly groundbreaking children's books – from Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer to the graphic novels of Dr. Seuss. All the classic children's authors are represented with one stand-out book, plus mentions for their best-known works. Ordered chronologically, the book showcases favourite children's books ranging from Victorian classics to modern day bestsellers. Books featured include: Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Charlotte's Web, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Matilda, Watership Down, Tales of Hans Christian Anderson, Grimms Fairy Tales, Peter Pan, A Bear Called Paddington, The Snowman, The Secret Garden, How to Train Your Dragon, Anne of Green Gables, Harry Potter, James and the Giant Peach, The Gruffalo, Mr Men, Coraline, Herge's Adventures of TinTin, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Finn Family Moomintroll, Swiss Family Robinson, Heidi, The Hobbit, The Red Balloon, The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, His Dark Materials, The Railway Children, Noddy, The House at Pooh Corner, The Sheep Pig, Stig of the Dump, Fungus the Bogeyman, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Secret Seven, Famous Five, Black Beauty, The Diary of a Young Girl, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas, Artemis Fowl and many more who lived happily ever after.Trade Review'Reveals how children’s literature has changed over time, from earnest instruction to playful adventure... includes bright covers and lively descriptions of beloved children’s books from 1697 to 2011.' -- Alexandra Wolfe, * The Wall Street Journal *'The is the most fantastic book - inspiring, interesting, reflective, nostalgic, informative and attractive.' * Juno magazine *'This is a lovely keepsake for book lovers who can look back on the stories that shaped their childhoods (and adulthood!). It is also a nice gift for children who can discover some “new” books, or learn about the authors who wrote some of their favourites.' * Picture Book Perfect blog *'Great for suggestions of books and extracts which would be worth using in the classroom; I want children in my class to see how brilliant some older texts can also be… This is an ideal book for any lover of children’s books and literature.' * Teacher Bookworm blog *'A beautiful selection of old and new books ... A real keepsake book' -- The Green Parent magazine'This is a lovely keepsake for book lovers who can look back on the stories that shaped their childhoods (and adulthood!). It is also a nice gift for children who can discover some “new” books, or learn about the authors who wrote some of their favourites.' * Picture Book Perfect blog *

Read more less

Book SynopsisInvestigates the overlapping cultures of fandom and American literature from the late 1800s to the mid-1940s, exploding the oft-repeated myth that fandom has its origins in the male-dominated letter columns of science fiction pulp magazines in the 1930s.Trade ReviewBefore Fanfiction significantly expands, extends, revises, and reanimates our understanding of the multiple histories of fandom and, in particular, fan writing, through a consideration of other transformative literary practices. Edwards's boldly revisionist approach makes this book essential reading, decentering the white male science fiction fan conventions from fandom's origin stories, in favor of women's clubs, circles, and magazines of the early twentieth century." - Henry Jenkins, author of Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture"A vivid investigation of the historical bonds that link fandom, criticism, and creative practice. Edwards shows how the fan cultures of today are rooted in a matriarchal and thoroughly literary lineage that extends well beyond our contemporary mediaverse." - Sheila Liming, author of What a Library Means to a Woman: Edith Wharton and the Will to Collect Books"Before Fanfiction reenergizes fan studies in exciting new directions that promise to revolutionize the field. Revising the 'fandom creation myth,' Edwards establishes a lineage of fan audiences through varied genealogies, including early literary fan communities, letter columns in literary magazines, and fan mail. Exploring an intersectional history of fan culture, Edwards changes our understanding of fandom today and, relevantly, what fandom can be in the future. A must-read for fan scholars and audiences alike." - Paul Booth, professor of media and popular culture at DePaul University and author of Playing Fans: Negotiating Fandom and Media in the Digital Age

Read more less

Book SynopsisOffers a wide-ranging exploration of armed conflict as depicted in art that illustrates the constant presence of war in our everyday lives. Philip Beidler investigates the assimilation and pervasive presence of the idea of war in popular culture, the impulses behind the making of art out of war, and the debatably aimless trajectories of war itself.Trade ReviewIn his 'Conclusion', Beidler writes that wars now seem endless and art will always be made from them, but someone else will have to explain it. He has had enough. He is through. Goodbye to all that. To which I can only say: Thank you for your service." - The Tuscaloosa News"Beidler offers us a dazzling array of case studies that, when taken together, convey the seemingly inexhaustible energy that Western cultures continue to pour into the representations of war via an ever-changing and ever-expanding set of technologies and the protean nature of armed conflict as a locus for collective memory." - Steven Trout, author of On the Battlefield of Memory: The First World War and American Remembrance, 1919–1941"The subject of war is, of course, an important one, but what separates this book from many others on the subject is its unusual focus on so many forms of art—literature, film, music, visual art, poetry, photography, architecture, sculpture, shrines, memorials, and the museums that contain such—as they reflect on the intense human response that war induces." - Donald Anderson, editor of War, Literature, and the Arts: An International Journal of the HumanitiesTable of Contents List of Figures Acknowledgments Introduction: A Dreadful Fascination 1. Arms and the Bard: Soldiering in Shakespeare 2. Bury Their Hearts at Horseshoe Bend 3. Ted Turner et al. at Gettysburg; or, Reenactors in the Attic 4. What Lady Butler Knew 5. Qingdao and the Archaeologies of War 6. Ralph Vaughan Williams's Long Journey Out of War 7. History and Memory in the Great War Paintings of John Singer Sargent 8. The Great Party Crasher: Mrs. Dalloway, The Great Gatsby, and the Cultures of World War I Remembering 9. What Kurt Vonnegut Saw in World War II that Made Him Insane (Along with Billy Pilgrim, Rabo Karabekian, Eliot Rosewater, and Others) 10. Script by Stephen Crane, Novel by John Huston, Movie by MGM 11. In the Museo de la Revolucíon; or, The Ghost of José Martí 12. By the Numbers: Americans, Vietnamese, and the Figures of Sacrifice Conclusion: The Forever Wars Notes on Sources and Further Reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA beautiful visual celebration of the iconic LEGO® minifigure—its history, evolution, and status as a cultural icon.The LEGO® minifigure is one of the most recognizable and collectible toys on the planet. Over the span of 40 years it has evolved from a simple yellow figurine to a global pop culture icon. This landmark volume celebrates the colorful history, evolving design, and lasting impact of the one and only LEGO minifigure. Driven by compelling interviews and essays, lush photography, infographics, and never-before-seen visuals from inside the LEGO archives and beyond, this book is a wide-reaching visual exploration of why the minifigure matters—as a beloved toy and as a singular cultural icon.MUST-HAVE: The ultimate celebration of the LEGO minifigure, this book explores the minifigure from all angles.FOR ALL LEGO FANS: This book is perfect for all LEGO fans, from avid collectors and super fans seeking new, never-before-published

Read more less

Book Synopsis40 artists, filmmakers, illustrators and fans produce original art for a tribute to the sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the film. An artistic tribute to the sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien. 40 artists, filmmakers, and fans have been invited to contribute a piece of original art to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Alien in 2019. Pieces range from alternative posters to gothic interpretations of key scenes. Sketches, process pieces, and interview text accompany each new and unique nightmare. In addition to cover artist Dane Hallett-an Alien: Covenant concept artist-the contributors include Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve, Sam Hudecki, and Tanya Lapointe; Star Wars concept artist and creature designer Terryl Whitlatch; and Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and Jon Wilcox.Trade Review“Nothing short of superb and every artist deserves to be spotlighted. The bottom line here is, if you are an Alien fan, there is no debating that you need to own this visual feast for the eyes” - Dead Entertainment“A must for Alien fans the world over; a coffee table book worthy of the Nostromo rec room” - Adventures in Poor Taste“A vivid artistic tribute to the cinematic gem that still haunts our dreams” - SYFYA great mix of contributors... [This] is the coffee table book for the ultimate Alien fan” - Borg.com“I’m utterly blown away by some of these pieces... One of the coolest coffee table books I’ve had the pleasure of owning” - This Week in Geek "A stunning and beautiful compilation" - Boyce McClain's Collectors' Corner“A stunning collection of artwork” - The Film Stage ‘Whether you’re a fan of Alien, or just amazing fan art, this book is a fantastic look at how the movie franchise inspired artists’ - Fangirl Nation

Read more less

Book SynopsisToiletpaper is an artists’ magazine created and produced by Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari, born out of a passion or obsession they both cultivate: images. The magazine contains no text; each picture springs from an idea, often simple, and through a complex orchestration of people it becomes the materialization of the artists’ mental outbursts. Since the first issue, in June 2010, Toiletpaper has created a world that displays ambiguous narratives and a troubling imagination. It combines the vernacular of commercial photography with twisted narrative tableaux and surrealistic imagery. The result is a publication that is itself a work of art, which, through its accessible form as a magazine, and through its wide distribution, challenges the limits of the contemporary art economy.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor fans of big-screen monster films, KAIDA Yuji is a very well known name. Best known for his vivid illustrations of Godzilla and other popular Toho kaiju, some of Mr KAIDA's most beautiful work is presented here in this full-color flexicover volume. This book's 128 pages are packed with lush artwork, including a brand new piece showing Godzilla in London, created especially for this book.Whether you are an admirer of this Japanese master's work or just a fan of monster movie art, this book is an essential purchase!

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the fascinating and cutting-edge science behind the greatest question of all: is there life beyond Earth? For millennia, we have looked up at the stars and wondered whether we are alone in the universe. In the last few years, scientists have made huge strides towards answering that question. In The Aliens are Coming!, comedian and bestselling science writer Ben Miller takes us on a fantastic voyage of discovery, from the beginnings of life on earth to the very latest search for alien intelligence. What soon becomes clear is that the hunt for extra-terrestrials is also an exploration of what we actually mean by life. What do you need to kickstart life? How did the teeming energy of the Big Bang end up as frogs, trees and quantity surveyors? How can evolution provide clues about alien life? What might it look like? (Probably not green and sexy, sadly.) As our probes and manned missions venture out into the solar system, and our telescopesTrade ReviewA lively, thoughtful look at a scientific frontier that captures our imagination while posing a serious moral question about our responsibilities as citizens of the universe * Kirkus *Miller covers a lot of ground with humor and insight . . . Pop science readers will have fun with this energetic look at the hunt for alien life * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCoinciding with the 75th anniversary of the first commercial LP, In the Groove is an authoritative and visual celebration of the history and culture of vinyl record collecting and turntables.Trade Review"...a fascinating read, and the accompanying photos are excellent in illustrating the story and are essential to this book...a brilliant book and would be the perfect Christmas gift for the collectors on your holiday shopping list. The book is full of detailed asides, which make it so fascinating to read. It is those little touches that add so much to the overall book and make it such a necessary addition to your library. * Spill Magazine *"Jam-packed with amazing photography, this fascinating book is the perfect gift for anyone who cherishes their stereo and vinyl collection but offers info and inspiration for others who are just starting theirs." * Addicted Magazine *Table of ContentsTHE BIRTH OF COOL - THE RISE OF THE LP (AND OTHER VINYL FORMATS) DROPPING THE NEEDLE - TURNTABLES AND OTHER HI-FI EQUIPMENT SOMETHING UP THE SLEEVE - THE ART OF THE LP SHOP AROUND - DOWN AT THE RECORD STORE BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME - RECORD-COLLECTING CULTURE RESOURCES IMAGE CREDITS AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES INDEX

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCandice Brathwaite's much-anticipated second book about all the things she wishes she'd been told when she was young and needed guidance.I Am Not Your Baby Mother was a landmark publication in 2020. A thought-provoking, urgent and inspirational guide to life as a Black British mum, it was an important call-to-arms allowing mothers to take control and scrap the parenting rulebook to do it their own way. It was a Sunday Times top five bestseller.Sista Sister goes further. It is a compilation of essays about all the things Candice wishes someone had talked to her about when she was a young Black girl growing up in London. From family and money to Black hair and fashion, as well as relationships between people of different races and colourism, this will be a fascinating read that will have another profound impact on conversations about Black Lives Matter.Written in Candice's trademark straight-talking, warm and funny style, it will delight her fans, old and new.Trade ReviewDirect, accessible and in parts, very funny * Guardian *A sharp, sometimes moving self-help book * Observer *[I] inhaled this. Fans of I Am Not Your Baby Mother, brace for another corker from Candice Brathwaite * Pandora Sykes *This book is like the older sibling you wish you'd had growing up. Looking at family, sex, money and Blackness, bestselling author Brathwaite deftly navigates even the trickiest of topics in this compilation of essays, holding up a lens to joy, heartbreak and exactly what it really means to be a young woman * Cosmopolitan *One of the best books I've read this year * Yewande Biala *Wise, honest, confronting, beautiful and funny * Sheerluxe *Inspiring and provocative * Heat *A witty, honest and transformative collection of essays * The Strategist *Wise, witty * Evening Standard *[Sista Sister is like] that older and wiser friend you always wish you'd had * Independent *The honest and profound words have been chosen carefully and speak volumes about society, making this a must read. Hugely emotive in parts, the author's warmth and humour radiates off the page * Woman’s Way Magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCulture Smart guides help travellers have a more meaningful and successful time abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on values, attitudes, customs, and daily life will help you make the most of your visit, while tips on etiquette and communication will help you navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.Trade ReviewCulture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York TimesTable of ContentsBrief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Mongolia is landlocked between its neighbors China and Russia in the heart of Asia. For centuries after the disintegration of Genghis Khan's empire it was ruled by one or the other, but in 1990 the Mongols embraced democracy. Now, after two centuries of Manchu stagnation and seventy years of Soviet communism, they are rebuilding their national heritage. Rarely in the news but making progress toward a market economy, this resource-rich but infrastructure-poor country is a land of pioneers, and its greatest asset is the Mongol people, who are friendly, cooperative, ambitious, and well educated. English is now the first foreign language and the country's leaders are forging new partnerships with international investors. Travelers from across the world are drawn to the oland of blue skyo by its picturesque mountains and lakes, flower-carpeted steppes and stony deserts, home to the snow leopard, the wild horse and camel, and the Gobi bear. The broad pasturelands, with herds of grazing livestock, and the traditional lifestyle of the nomads contrast with the busy streets of the capital Ulan Bator, a bustling metropolis of over one million people, modern hotels, apartments, and shops, iTrade ReviewCulture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers...' Sunday Times Travel, ' the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries.' Global Travel, ' full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas.' Observer, ' as useful as they are entertaining.' Easy Jet Magazine, ' offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world.' New York TimesTable of ContentsBrief History Politics - Economic Life Traditions - Friendships & Family Relationships Bureaucracy Religion Humour - Local Holidays Taboos Invitations Gifts Dress - Business etiquette - Punctuality & Appointments - Team working Communication Negotiating - Women in Society Tips - Eating Out - Traditional Food - Dos and Don t - Making Friends

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe nineteenth century saw a complete transformation of the practice and reputation of surgery. This book follows its increasingly optimistic evolution, drawing from the examples of surgical textbooks with a focus on the extraordinary visual materials of the mid-nineteenth century.Trade Review'An extraordinary array of illustrations ... A book that will appeal to all lovers of medical history ' - British Journal of Hospital MedicineTable of ContentsSurgery: An Introduction • Head & Neck: 1. Head; 2 . Eyes; 3. Ear, Nose & Throat • The Upper Body: 4. Hands & Arms; 5. Chest; 6. Abdomen • The Lower Body: 7. Genitals; 8. Legs & Feet

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor ten years Calvin and Hobbes was one of the world's most beloved comic strips. And then, on the last day of 1995, the strip ended. Its mercurial and reclusive creator, Bill Watterson, not only finished the strip but withdrew entirely from public life. This title traces the life and career of the intensely private man behind Calvin and Hobbes.Trade Review"'Martell, who wears his fan heart on his sleeve, travels far and wide to gather pieces of Watterson lore. He interviews former syndicate employees, comic strip artists from the past and present, and some of Watterson's closest confidants. By doing so, Martell walks a fine line between diligent journalist and obsessive fan. But his journey is a reminder that some things can't be recaptured, no matter how much we may wish otherwise.' -The New York Times, "The Moment" blog 'This story of Nevin Martell's search for the elusive Bill Watterson, the J.D. Salinger of the cartoon world, is so richly infused with the spirit of "Calvin and Hobbes," the genuine innocence and affection and humor, it doesn't even matter that the author never meets his subject' -The Los Angeles Times Book Review"Table of ContentsPrologue; 1. Working on a Dream; 2. Making Friends; 3. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants; 4. A Boy And His Tiger; 5. Calvin in Wonderland; 6. Welcome to the Machine; 7. This is How You Disappear; 8. Under the Influence; 9. There and Back Again; 10. The Future is Always Uncertain; Epilogue.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third book in the series curated by George Lucas, Star Wars Art:Illustration collects the best of the art from the products that expanded the Star Wars universe into a multimedia phenomenon.  Introduction by Steven HellerForeword by Howard Roffman   The instant and massive success of Star Wars took Lucasfilm by surprise, but in 1978, an industry unto itself was born, consisting of books, trading cards, magazines, video games, and merchandise. The art created for these projects continues to expand the limits and celebrate the iconography of the Star Wars galaxy.   Featuring previously unpublished, rarely seen, and fan-favorite art from Mark Chiarello, Dave Dorman, Hugh Fleming, Tim and Greg Hildebrandt, Ralph McQuarrie, Jon J. Muth, Tsuneo Sanda, Drew Struzan, Jerry Vanderstelt, Christian Waggoner, and many others, Star Wars Art: Illustration explores the wide

Read more less

Book SynopsisBoozy ice lollies you can make at home.The sun is out,the mercury is finally hitting 30 degees what better way to toast the start of summer than with a frozen cocktail on a stick!With the onset of summer, the alcoholic ice-lolly trend is getting BIG. The adult popsicle market is one of the fastest-growing product areas in the ice cream market, with sales up 23% to 40m in the past year, according to Kantar Worldpanel.From high-end gourmet ice pops on the festival scene to mass-market popsicles that were a sell-out at Aldi, people's appetite for frozen booze is growing. Even Fortnum and Mason have produced their own alcoholic ice-lollies for the best people. But why go for shop-bought, when you can easily mix and freeze these drinks at home, and never spill a drop.This book provides 60 recipes for popsicles, slushies and ice-creamy frozen drinks, with stylish photography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDon't just see the sights get to know the people. Culture Smart! guides provide travelers with vital information about the values and attitudes of the people they will meet, and practical advice on how to make the most of their time abroad. Travelers to Poland in particular, a country in transition from its Communist past, need to be open-minded and well-informed. Today's Poland is very much a mix of the old and the new, and the two are not always in harmony. Background knowledge of the land, people, and history is crucial to understanding who the Poles are today: the Polish sense of identity has been forged by history, and the reader is introduced to the main events of Poland's turbulent past. A chapter on values and attitudes provides essential insights into this relationship-based society, and will help visitors understand why things are done the way they are. Further chapters describe important festivals and rites of passage, as well as how Poles go about their daily social and work lives. Valuable advice is also offered on how to get along with them. The Polish people are warm and generous and place great value on personal relationships. Show an interest in their history and an awareness of their culture, and your welcome will be warmer still.Trade Review""Culture Smart! has come to the rescue of hapless travellers," - Sunday Times Travel;""...the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries," - Global Travel;"...full of fascinating, as well as common sense, tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas," - Observer;"...as useful as they are entertaining," - Easy Jet Magazine;"...as useful as they are entertaining," - Easy Jet Magazine"Table of ContentsKey History - Politics - Economic Life - Values - Attitudes - Religion - Traditions - Taboos - Festivals & Holidays - Friendships & Family - Women in Society - Humour - Hospitality & Home life - Cultural Life - Cuisine & Dining Out - Socializing - Dos and Don'ts - Business Etiquette - Punctuality & Time Keeping - Meetings & Presentations - Negotiating - Bureaucracy - Communication & Language - Tips

Read more less