Travel writing Books

Book SynopsisBeguiled by the eccentric, the foreign and the unusual, David Maxwell-Scott gives a lighthearted account of his time in the drinks business. From his first days in the wine trade in 1962 to his role as managing director of J&B Whisky, David's story spans three decades and five continents, and is enlivened by an engaging cast of characters. A compelling storyteller, David draws from an era when maverick traders and unorthodox marketing often combined to make his role both joyful and hugely successful. AUTHOR'S ROYALTIES WILL BE DONATED TO CAFOD'S HUMANITARIAN APPEAL FOR UKRAINE.Table of Contents1 In the Beginning PART 1 ~ BY WAY OF BACKGROUND ~ 1962-1969 2 A Wine Cellar under Charing Cross Station 3 Camden Town 4 Speyside Distilling 5 Ireland, North and South 6 Oporto and the Douro 7 Jerez and La Rioja 8 Bordeaux and Burgundy 9 Harlow and Stockwell PART 2 ~ EXPORTING ~ 1970-1996 10 Latin America 11 Colombia 12 Andre 13 Venezuela 14 Brazil 15 Argentina 16 Uruguay and Paraguay 17 The Competition 18 J&B Rare: The New Kid on the Block 19 Peru 20 Chile 21 Communication and Travel 22 Bolivia 23 Ecuador 24 The Guianas 25 Panama 26 Central America 27 Mexico 28 West Africa 29 Firing an Agent 30 The Caribbean 31 Hispaniola 32 Dorrien's Boys 33 The Port Game 34 Europe: Beginning with Spain 35 Intermezzo in Italia 36 Franco's Spain 37 Portugal 38 Back to Spain in the Sixties 39 A Cautionary Tale 40 Spain: The First Hurdle 41 Franz v the Professor 42 Spain: Overtaking Johnnie Walker 43 How to Catch a Condor 44 The Magic of Scotland 45 The Million Bottle Parties 46 Cooper Goes to Epernay 47 Publicite Francaise 48 Ignition in Spain 49 Don Rafael's Fish 50 Learning Italian 51 Modern Marketing 52 Lunch in Greece 53 Dinner in Las Vegas 54 Travelling with Great Uncle Bulgaria 55 Return to Go 56 Game Fishing off Cape Town 57 Musical Chairs 58 The End of the Ullivarri Era 59 Emerging Markets: The Third Wave 60 The Old School Tie at Work in Monte Carlo 61 The Power of the Label 62 On Tipping and Practical Jokes 63 The Barons Get the Sack 64 Operation Dunkirk 65 Spain: Was it Just Luck? 66 The Lebanon Acknowledgements Image and Photograph Credit

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe islands of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides boast some of the most remote and spectacular scenery in the world. They also feature an astonishing range of mysterious structures – stone circles, beehive dwellings, holy wells and ‘temples’ from the Celtic and prehistoric eras. Over a twelve-day journey, Alastair McIntosh returned to the islands of his childhood to explore the meaning of these places. This book is a record of his pilgrimage – a walk through space and time, across a physical landscape and into a spiritual one. As he battled with his own ability to endure some of the toughest terrain in Britain, McIntosh met with the healing power of the land and its communities. Here he reflects on an extraordinary place and on the people he encountered along the way, and explores a vision of imaginative hope for humankind.Trade Review'A remarkable, highly readable yet scholarly book' -- Jim Corrigan * Faith and Freedom *'Fascinating, provocative and, occasionally, very funny' -- Joanna Kavenna * Times Literary Supplement *'One of the most fascinating books I’ve read for a long while, if maddeningly hard to categorise' -- David Robinson * Scotsman *'Poacher’s Pilgrimage is a book full of generosity, spry in its thinking and detailed in its observations' * Scotland on Sunday *'The language is almost poetic, reflecting the writer’s artistic gifts and his understanding of Celtic and pre-Celtic culture' -- David Thomson * Press & Journal (book of the week) *'His honesty is humbling ... he never skirts a question. He is on a mission, and having been Scotland's first professor of human ecology, he seems at times prophetic' -- Polly Pullar * Scottish Field *'If this sounds more serious than a Presbyterian church service, there is great fun to be found in Poacher’s Pilgrimage. McIntosh is an entertaining subversive' * The National *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first travel book that tested the idea that a five-year-old daughter makes for a useful international travelling companion. Together Dervla Murphy and her daughter Rachel with little money, no taste for luxury and few concrete plans meander their way slowly south from Bombay to the southernmost point of India, Cape Comorin. Interested in everything they see, but only truly enchanted by people, they stay in fisherman's huts and no-star hotels, travelling in packed-out buses, on foot and by local boats. Instead of pressing ever onwards, like so many travellers, they double back to the place they liked most, the hill province of Coorg and settle down to live there for two months. Anchored by her daughter's delight in the company of her Indian neighbours, Dervla Murphy creates an extraordinarily affectionate portrait of these cardamon-scented, spiritually and agriculturally self- sufficient Highlands. If travel is underwritten by an unwitting search for a lost paradise, this is a quest that was achieved - made possible with the right sort of travelling companion.Trade ReviewA travel writer of rare quality and freshness time in Asia has opened her eyes; it has not closed her heart to the romance of fresh places and faces - Observer

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Villa Ariadne is a meditation on the island of Crete, centred on the house built by Sir Arthur Evans, the famous archaeologist of Knossos. Dilys Powell captures the spirit of a place she loved dearly and a group of people she knew well, from local Cretans to the archaeologists Evans and Pendlebury, and the German General Kreipe who was famously kidnapped on the island by Paddy Leigh-Fermor in one of the most audacious actions of World War II. Weaving the myths of the island with its archaeology, ancient history and modern tales, she gives us a loving portrait of this classical land.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing A Month by the Sea, her acclaimed exploration of life in Gaza, Dervla Murphy describes with passionate honesty the experience of living with and among Jewish Israelis and Palestinians in both Israel and Palestine. In cramped Haifa high-rises, in homes in the settlements and in a refugee camp on the West Bank, she talks with whomever she meets, trying to understand them and their attitudes with her customary curiosity, her acute ear and mind, her empathy, her openness to the experience and her moral seriousness. Behind the book lies a desire to communicate the reality of life on the ground, and to puzzle out for herself what might be done to alleviate the suffering of all who wish to share this land and to make peace in the region a possibility. Meeting the wise, the foolish and the frankly deluded, she gradually knits together a picture of the patchwork that constitutes both sides of the divide - Hamas and Fatah, rural and urban, refugee, indigenous inhabitant, Russian, Black Hebrew and Kabbalist to name but a fraction. She finds compassion and empathy in both communities, but is also appalled by instances of its lack on both sides - a Palestinan woman who will not concede the suffering of Jewish civilian victims of a suicide bomber, and the Jewish inhabitants of Hebron who make the lives of their Muslim neighbours a living hell. Clinging to hope, Dervla comes to believe that despite its difficulties the only viable future lies in a single democratic state of Israel/Palestine, based on one person, one vote - a One-State Solution.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is the culmination of various expeditions made by well-known artist and bestselling author David Bellamy to his beloved Arctic. His descriptions of his travels, written from an artist’s point of view, vividly bring to life the challenges he faced when painting outdoors in one of the harshest environments on the planet, and make for an exhilarating and captivating read. Filled with David’s watercolour paintings and sketches, made during his various expeditions, the book provides a fascinating insight into the wildlife and people that live within the Arctic Circle and captures perfectly the majesty and breathtaking beauty of the world’s final wilderness. Trade ReviewThis book is an absolute delight, to browse through, to absorb the superb and evocative images, sketches and watercolours that took me straight back to my own Arctic wanderings, to adorn your coffee table or to read for inspiration or a good laugh. * Sir Chris Bonington, renowned British mountaineer. *This is a magnificent book. David Bellamy’s art beautifully captures the sheer splendour and majesty of this great wilderness, its wildlife and people. And his narrative is at the same time informative and funny – he goes to great lengths to paint in this unforgiving landscape, watching out for polar bears, sketching while sledging at speed across rock-hard pack ice, or hanging precariously off inch-wide ice ledges, paintbrush (often frozen) in hand. David is an inspiration and this book is inspirational – I cannot recommend it highly enough. * Ranulph Fiennes *I first encountered David Bellamy almost by accident. The husband of a friend of my wife’s was a freelance designer and happened to remark that I ought to see the book he was working on, which was The Wild Places of Britain. It was amazing. I followed it up with the publisher, struck a deal and sold an awful lot of copies. I said of it then that David visits hidden and out-of-the-way places and brings back their atmosphere, people and stories. Since then, there have been many more books, mostly instructional, and the work he does for exhibition has only occasionally been seen in print. The Arctic is one of the world’s last great wildernesses and getting to it imposes a huge number of difficulties. Simply existing there is also a challenge and carries very real dangers. Imagine, then, trying to paint in freezing winds, snow and ice when your body and materials are as unwilling to co-operate as they can be. David has a reputation for painting on the edge and has been shown hanging off ropes on desolate crags before. This, however, is a whole different ballgame. If this was just a tale of endurance, it would have little to recommend it. Sure, learning that gin is a great antifreeze (for your painting water) is all part of the fun that David manages to make this seem, but if the art wasn’t up to scratch, the book would be meaningless. It’s therefore a pleasure to report that David is at the peak of his powers. The conditions that make the Arctic a challenge to visit also make photography difficult and painting captures the landscapes better than the camera ever can. Few of us will ever make it this far north, and that’s as it should be. Wildernesses like this can only be preserved by their remoteness and lack of visitors. The Antarctic is already being endangered by tourism. The value of the book, therefore, is the tale it tells, in both words and pictures, of a beautiful region that is filled with mystery, unfamiliar creatures, and inhabitants who live on the edge and have strange legends. This is both a traveller’s tale and a love story and David is perhaps the only person alive who can tell it so effectively. His paintings, all exquisitely reproduced, are breath-taking and the words he weaves round them create the nearest impression of actually being there that most of us will, or should, ever achieve. This is a major contribution to science as well as to art and a magnificent production of which all involved should be proud. * Artbookreview.net *Like JMW Turner, the artist whom he admits to being his greatest influence, David Bellamy prefers to his paintings outdoors and in all weathers. That's why you can alsmost feel the biting wind and vicious spindrift squalls in the watercolours in his latest sumptuos offering, in which describes his experiences in the Scandinavian Arctic. The author who provides our Golden Eagle award winning painting every year, explains his interest in the Arctic came late in life, following a trip to Iceland with his daughter Catherine. He soon found as he explains, that was his favoured medium of watercolour worked superbly well in rendering the subtle nuances and infinite variation of tone and colour in ice subjected to changing light and atmospheric conditions. As anyone who has been to iceland or the arctic can attest, weather conditions at those lattitudes are every bit as changeable as the Government's plan for Brexit. As the Icelanders are fond of telling you 'If you don't like our weather hang on five minutes and it'll change.' Bellamy's top Arctic watercolour painting tip? Use gin or vodka, with their low freezing points, instead of water. And why the often uncomfortable and long winded method of sketching the first scene, instead of just taking a photograph? The author's response? '...you see and learn so much more when spending even a few minutes sketching a subject.' The result is without a doubt the finest collection of paintings of the Arctic I have ever seen. Bellamy's senstive brush-work captures every nuance of mountain, glacier and fjord and leaves the reader with the intense desire to return to these magnificent unspoilt wildernesses. * Roly Smith - president of the Outdoor Writers' and Photographers' Guild *Artist David Bellamy transports us into the wild and wonderful lands of the Artic with his photographs, beautifully illustrated sketches and watercolour paintings. David has alweays loved exploring the world's incredible landscapes, wildlife and people, and loves caputing his discoveries through the means of art. During the making of this book he found himself doing his sketches on moving dog sledges, keeping a wary eye out for hungry polar bears, and sometimes it was so cold his paint would freeze up! The perfect combination of storytelling, entertaining anecdotes and imagery, this book is a delightful insigh into David's icy adventures. * Adventure Travel *The judges commented: “In a market-place seemingly full of 'personal accounts' of some journey or another, this book is singularly different, bringing a fascinating insight into the creative artistic process, and providing a readable, informative account of exploring one of the world's wildest places.” * OWPG Awards for Excellence *David Bellamy often finds himself in all sorts of predicaments when seeking an elusive sketch. Despite tripping over a crodile in Kenya and tumbling down a cliff, nothing seems to stop this 74-year-old from being in the great outdoors. Growing up in the West Wales countryside, he cultivated a love for nature, with a keen fascination for its moods and wild places. Seeing the raw landscapes of Iceland motivated him to venture further north, into the Arctic. After a dog-sledging trip to East Greenland his hunger to explore more paint worthy landscapes drew him back another seven times- backpacking across mountains on foot, sailing up the Svalbard coast in a 49-foot boat and cruising a Zodiac up and 81km fjord. Each visit exposed him to more facets of the Arctics natural charm, such as the moulins at Greenland's ice cap. His book David Bellamy's Arctic Light includes his most fearful moments, such as when the glacier beneath him broke up while he was sketching a natural ice bridge. While he revels in the atmopshere of the moment when sketching outdoors, the Arctic's subzero temperatures also means that brushes freeze when dipped in water- an artist's worst nightmare. Bellamy's witty solution Add gin to lower the freezing point. In exceptional circumstances he was even rubbed snow over dry watercolour pencil sketches. To Bellamy, 'the High Arctic can be a hostile and unforgiving place, but it will well reward lovers of truly wild places' Besides preparing for potential severe weather conditions, he encourages travellers to hire a local hunter-guide for any Arctic expedition. 'And take along a little luxury with you to relieve difficult moments, even if it's just a bar of your favourite chocolate' * Singapore Airlines *18 October 2017 In depicting the nature, atmosphere and attraction of the Arctic, the artist takes us on a most interesting visit to a land of snow, ice, storms and waste. But it is much more than this and has its own beauty which impels itself on the mind forever of those lucky enough to experience it. This is not just an artist's impressions, for behind those, are hints and explanations for any artist or would-be artist, of how he worked for and reached this wonderful display of the land in all its moods. His delight in experiencing and depicting this land that has so much to offer us comes through in all his work. This is a delightful book into which, because of a life-long interest in the Arctic I will dip into time and time again. * Yorkshire Gazette & Herald *Having had the privilege to venture within the Arctic Circle a few times, I was delighted to read David Bellamy’s book Arctic Light. In truth, the pleasure was more in looking at the pictures - some stunning and evocative images of those icy climes. I have always struggled to explain how a landscape of white can be so compelling and utterly beautiful. Bellamy’s paintings show us how; the subtle mix of blues, greys and purples that make up the arctic landscape, full of contrast. It is this clarity of light that we no longer see in most of the world that meets the eye in a stark and startling way. I can remember sitting outside a wooden cabin in Liverpool Land where Bellamy has done some of his paintings, gazing for hours at the mountains on each side and the glacier valley winding away into the distance. There was no plant or animal life to attract my attention, no bird nor arctic hare, no fox nor polar bear, nothing. Even our Greenland dog was curled up on his favourite stone, sunning himself. Yet it captivated. In the summer months the splashes of colour of the flowers and musk ox show a very different place, the green land that gave the sub continent its name. The book is principally a book for artists; Bellamy describes how the sketches and paintings were produced and narrates how they were obtained. He tells of the trials and tribulations, not to mention the fear, that artists sometimes encounter to create their own unique representation of a remote landscape. Bellamy vividly recounts being belayed into moulin, whereupon he commenced sketching. In all weathers he sketches and paints - when the paint doesn't freeze - and even then, he does. Apparently dipping brushes in gin helps! For the mountaineer, ski mountaineer and climber, this book is a journey of exploration from a different perspective. It tempts the reader to places such as Greenland, Iceland Norway and Svaalbard. For those who have already been, it is a memento of the landscapes, peoples and animals of the Arctic, all wonderfully captured in paintings. * Adele Long - Alpine Club *The British artist David Bellamy is known for his multiple teaching books of watercolor painting. But his great passion lies in the discovery of untouched landscapes, getting to know foreign cultures and their customs. “Arctic light” takes the reader in the rough and icy world of the Arctic with describable beautiful landscape images accompanied by photographs, drawings and anecdotes of his multiple adventurous expeditions into the eternal ice. In his early years David Bellamy thought like many people that the Arctic was a featureless landscape of snow and ice with no mountains. But on several travels to Iceland, Greenland and the High Arctic he was convinced of the contrary. David Bellamy understands like no other painter to capture the release of colour and atmosphere of this unreal landscape. He displays the variety of white and grey/black hues that contrasts with vibrant colours of details which catch the viewers eye. Snapshots of the Inuit’s hard life, menacing ice bear scenes as well as breathtaking sky colouring make every aquarelle worth seeing. Accompanying the drawings are humorous stories and exciting experiences. Aggressive ice bear and sudden treacherous weather made his travels often a dangerous adventure. Extreme temperatures demanded unusual painting techniques and improvisation. Quickly drawn sketches show impressions of the extreme painting positions and adverse weather conditions. Conclusion: The symbiosis of expressive aquarelle and exciting accompanying texts make “Arctic light “an extraordinary book which combines the art of painting and travel guide. https://kreativreview.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/arctic-light-by-david-bellamy.html * Kreative Review *Watercolorist David Bellamy recounts his recent trips to the Arctic in this beautiful book of words and pictures. Search Press don’t publish many hardback books so when they do you can be sure it will be a visual feast to make any coffee table proud to house it. Greenland, Norway, Iceland and Svalbard reveal their stunning landscapes, seascapes, wildlife and people in this talented artist’s work and although this is not a primer there is plenty here to inspire. He captures the chilly light perfectly, illuminating icy vistas, mountains, floe laded seas and skies full of snow. There are sketches of polar bears, walruses, musk oxen and other creatures in different poses and a few of the people he met but it is the landscapes that dominate and are this artist’s forte. His accounts of the trips are lively and amusing, filled with anecdotes and local color. Discover some of the traditional foods, unique history and the trials of travelling and painting in the freezing cold. Some instruction on how to achieve some of the beautiful effects in his work would have made a great book even better, but this is not the purpose of this handsomely illustrated travelogue. Perfect for dipping into as there is something to gaze at or read on every page. An ideal present if you can bear to part with it. * myshelf.com *David Bellamy is a watercolour artist, author of several books, teacher and, as it turns out, quite an adventurer. Having travelled previously to the Himalayas, Andes and Africa, chillier climes are sought out here. David recounts this expedition where he travelled to the Scandinavian Arctic in Greenland and Svalbard into Norway and Iceland. For those that read his account of what he saw, did and painted, this book is a perfect way of living life vicariously through the artist. David’s experiences are hilarious, breathtaking and terrifying in equal measure. He balances each out perfectly, taking you from humour to the grim reality of the cold, the danger and physical injuries. His descriptions of the environs are rich with imagery such as the ‘lava-black Icelandic moonscape, surrounded by blackened and distorted lava-demons, statuesque and eerie in the mist’ and poetic: ‘I peered…into light that transformed them into many-coloured jewels, sparkling where sunlight caught sharp edges, incandescent with breathtaking purity’. With descriptions like these, you also travel on a journey lit up by his words. It is a book of many different experiences of people, places and animals and all are reflected in the beautiful artwork that David Bellamy produces. Many sketches were produced under freezing conditions and it is fascinating to see pictures that were sketched whilst he was hanging from an icy crevasse or paintings where the colour froze as it was applied. Just flicking through to look at each of the pictures in turn, you can only guess the sense of wonder at seeing these places first hand when their interpretations are things of beauty. This is a book of many things and each sitting brings something new to the reader. An insight into the way of life for the people that live and work in the places David Bellamy has visited, the harshness of life but also a travelogue of one man’s experiences seeing polar bears, walruses, glaciers, volcanos and icebergs. Entertaining, informative and a thing of beauty. What more could we ask for? * Samantha Packer *Issue 10 - Jul 17 Usually reserved for nature documentaries, the incredible beauty of the Arctic is unlikely to be something you'll be painting on location anytime soon. But thanks to renowned teacher and artist David Bellamy, you can get a little closer to that breathtaking experience. In this book the intrepid David ventures into greenland and the Norwegian island and Svalbard. He mixes tales of biting winds, sub-zero temperatures and whiteout conditions with life studies of polar bears, seals and other fauna, as well as mountainous frozen landscapes, churning ice cold seas and wild skies. If you love embarking on sketching expeditions yourself, this is an exhilarating journey into the extremes that will put gripes such as erecting a tent in the drizzle, or getting a blister on a hike, firmly into perspective. David's elaborative writing style leads you through the trials and tribulations of his journey, with hand drawn maps and behind-the-scenes photos helping you feel part of the action. But the real star is the artwork itself, displayed proudly across whole spreads in places. * Paint & Draw *Summer 2017 David Bellamy has written numerous books on watercolour painting, but this latest David Bellamy's Arctic Light is something different. The culmination of various expeditions he's made over the years, David brings the life of the arctic vividly to life, not only through some amazing paintings, but with descriptions of his travels and annotated sketches that capture the maginificence of the harsh enviroment and the people and wildlife that inhabit it. The British Mountaineer Chris Bonnigton writes in the introduction 'This book is an absolute delight, to browse through, to absorb the superb and evocative images, sketches and watercolours that took me straight back to my own Arctic wanderings, to adorn your coffee table or to read for inspiration or a good laugh.' * The Leisure Painter *August 2017 Be under no illusion this is a major publication. The Arctic is one of the world's largest great wildernesses and one of the hardest to get to. Despite this, David has made several visits and this book is the story of the place, the adventure, the people and the wildlife. As his first book, The Wild Places of Britain, showed, David is an excellent storyteller, both in pictures and words, and this is an enthralling account of a region few of us will ever see. To have illustrated it with paintings adds further personality to the tale, showing David's interpretation rather than photographic recordings. Although it is not an instructional book, David does record some of the perils of painting in sub-zero conditions and you marvel at his persistence and ingenuity. Such a book needs the very best production and Search Press have rightly given it the treatment it deserves. * The Artist *I have always liked David Bellamy’s paintings, so when this came I was so excited. It exceeds my expectations, this is a book I love. Subtitled ‘An artist’s journey in a frozen wilderness’, the book is just that. David’s palette suits this subject perfectly. He makes full use of all his incredible skills to portray the glaciers, people and animals of the region. The text is David’s reactions to the landscape, the eeriness, the natural dangers – you almost feel as if you are standing beside him. It is an artist’s journal of a remarkable journey, with insight into this incredible world and its natural landscape with nesting villages or vast glaciers. Sketches, paintings, observations and travels all rolled into one. This book captures the essence of the Arctic perfectly. Illustrated throughout with fabulous watercolour paintings. Beautifully put together in a book that captivates the eye and and entertains the mind. Highly recommended. * Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *This book is an absolute delight, a culmination of various expeditions made by well-known artist and author David Bellamy to his beloved Arctic. Filled with David’s watercolour paintings and sketches, it provides a fascinating insight into the wildlife and people that live within the Arctic Circle. * The People's Friend *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA charming, vibrant diary of Diana Athill's holiday to Florence in the late 1940s. In August 1947, Diana Athill travelled to Florence by the Golden Arrow train for a two-week holiday with her good friend Pen. In this playful diary of that trip, Athill recorded her observations and adventures - eating with (and paid for by) the hopeful men they meet on their travels, admiring architectural sights, sampling delicious pastries, eking out their budget and getting into scrapes. Written with an arresting immediacy and infused with an exhilarating joie de vivre, A Florence Diary is a bright, colourful evocation of a time long lost, and a vibrant portrait of a city that will be deliciously familiar to any contemporary traveller.Trade ReviewThe vivid intensity and Athill's joy at being young and alive and abroad make [A Florence Diary] perfect for travellers of any age -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *A short, sweet account of Diana Athill's 1947 trip to Florence in which the venerable writer turns her gimlet gaze on everything from Florentine pastries to dull, fellow British tourists. The perfect stocking filler for armchair travellers -- Claire Allfree, Best Non Fiction of 2016 * Metro *This wonderful book is as near to time travel as anyone could wish and probably just as fun -- Gillian Reynolds * Daily Telegraph *A delight: as good as time travel -- This week in books, chosen by Gillian Reynolds * Sunday Telegraph *The buoyant, naïve tone of the diary is endearing, and the impressions of the city have a period interest enhanced by the book's black-and-white photographs of familiar Italian views -- Lindsay Duguid * TLS *Athill records vibrant impressions, [...] each one informed by a sense of wonder that only an outsider can possess -- Christian House * Observer *A delectable time capsule, [Athill] brings alive the liberation, luck and drama of those Italian days * New York Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Warmly entertaining...an endearing account of the search for rare bees' GuardianA hunt for the world's most elusive bees leads Dave Goulson from Poland to Patagonia as well as closer to home, amongst the secret places hidden right under our noses: the abandoned industrial estates where great crested newts roam; or the rewilded estate at Knepp Castle, where, with the aid of some hairy, bluebell-eating Tamworth pigs, nightingale song has been heard for the first time in generations. Whether he is tracking great yellow bumblebees in the Hebrides or chasing orchid bees through the Ecuadorian jungle, Dave Goulson's wit, humour and deep love of nature make him the ideal travelling companion.Trade ReviewYou’ll learn all sorts of interesting things without effort because he’s a natural storyteller with a particular gift of understatement that is often laugh-out-loud funny – which you don’t expect from a bee book… It’s warmly personal, and stuffed full of the inescapable poetry and beauty of the natural world… Going on Bee Quest with him puts the natural world within our reach – to enjoy but also to protect… This is a truly positive and empowering read – you closed it better informed, filled with poetry, pies and ready to get out there and make a difference. -- Laline Paull * Observer *This is a quest that takes us from Patagonia to Poland, from Ecuador to Essex, fueled by Dave Goulson’s extraordinary passion for the bumblebee… Goulson’s search for some of the world’s rarest bees has led him on a geographical and intellectual exploration that combines bizarre facts about bumblebees…with passionate ideas about conservation. -- Martha Kearney * The Times *Dave Goulson… has perfected the art of turning the entomologist’s technical expertise into easy-reading everyman’s prose. He also laces his stories with rich helpings of wit and humour. -- Mark Cocker * Spectator *In this delightful book [Goulson] tells us of the discoveries he has made during his ‘bee travels’… a humorous, beautifully written tribute to these insects, and hope-filled examples of nature’s resilience. * Outdoor Photography *Entomologist Dave Goulson journeyed as far as Patagonia to track down populations of the world’s rarest bumblebees. The result is this fun serial travelogue and ode to diverse countryside… In a world skewed towards saving photogenic mammals, Goulson extols the intrinsic importance of insects, rather than their economic value. -- Barbara Kiser * Nature *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor over 20 years Bradt Travel Guides has been running an annual travel-writing competition which now attracts hundreds of entrants each year. Thanks to Bradt's status as the largest remaining independently owned travel publisher in the UK and one of the most respected travel publishing brands in the world, it is uniquely placed to champion good writing, bringing to the written word the same calibre of high expectations that it looks for in the travel experience itself. Now for the first time, Bradt is delighted to release a select anthology of the best pieces of writing to pass in front of the judges' eyes over the past 20 years. In keeping with the spirit of the competition, both new and previously published writers are included, young and old, based in countries across the globe and offering a collection of true stories that reflect our endless appetite for travel, adventure and connection. All of these tales paint vivid pictures through the power of their writing - and they do it in under 800 words each (one of the conditions of entry). Six themed chapters include remarkable places, extraordinary people, encounters with wildlife; real terror; history; and learning and reflection. All in all, 95 stories cover everything from border guard mix-ups, wild animals and dodgy navigation to a day trip to Iceland and being seduced by a goat in a French market. From soothing, familiar scenes in some of our favourite destinations to unrepeatable and uncomfortable exploits in obscure corners of the world, these stories offer the perfect chance for virtual travel. You might even be inspired for your next trip. So, sit back, relax and let us tell you our stories.Table of ContentsFOREWORD By Hilary Bradt 1 FIRST WORDS An introduction by Celia Dillow 2 PLACES & SPACES The Boatman Louise Heal The Perfection of Improvisation Kate Megeary A Goatly Encounter Margaret Histed Breath-taking Bryce Moira Ashley A Walk in the Desert Jean Ashbury At the Rialto Liz Sillars Olbia John Carter Ruby Eric Baldauf Northern Lights Kenneth Steven Land of Fog and Tarmac Jane Gulliford Lowes Work in the 40s Suzy Pope Alpine Elixir Susan Gathercole Wild Garlic Susanna Thornton The Sky Beneath Angela Barber Pinnacle Postcard Helen Billiald Journey to Pachira Carole Hastings Return to Sorrento Morna Sullivan The Man I Met Marc Jones 3 MEET & GREET Reflections of Dubai Celia Dillow Odoroki Amanda Huggins Evil Eye in Esfahan Sophy Downes In the Holy City of Sanliurfa Eithne Nightingale Handshakes Elizabeth Gowing Nails of Ice Fabian Acker The Letter Writer Joan Waller Pondolandan Pioneer Catherine Paver A Priestly Apparition Katie Parry Mabrat Yellem Joanna Griffin A Passage from India Emma Channell Cigarettes at Sea Liz Vernon 52-Card Pick-up in Laos Joanna Mason Saved by a Frog Mike Crome The Standing Train Robyn Jankel The Street Children of Salvador da Bahia Sharon Watson Shoelaces Liz Gooster Frisbee Diplomacy Gordon Thompson Tea in the Desert Shirley Jee Who Are You? Tom Swithenbank A Generous Solitude Mairi McCurdy 4 FEATHERS, FINS & FUR The Tiger's Tail Dom Tulett A Wolf in the Mountains Julia Bohanna Sharing the Sky Paul Alexander Searching for Mermaids Liz Cleere Alaskan Adrenaline Grass Lynn Watkins The Great Escape Grant Hackleton The Road Angela Moore A Small World Tom Franklin Whale Shark Central Henry Wismayer Summer of Snakes Mhairi Quiroz-Aitken Snake Temple Sylvie Celyn-Thomas Dog Days Peter Rimmer A Wild Night with Borneo's Old Man Lewis Cooper The Collection Rachel Robbins The Coldest Miles Polly Evans 5 THRILLS & CHILLS In Deep Snow Cal Flyn Summer in the Valley Sylvia Dubery A Pestle and Mortar in Paradise Ella Pawlik The Disappearing Beach Simon Duncan Five Get Close to Heaven (with apologies to Enid Blyton) Peter Hurley Women Drivers Sally Watts Eyes Closed, Full Speed Ahead Claire Morsman The Chase Lauren Hatch Zama Jack Losh A Brief Encounter with Altitude Sickness Matt Dawson Only in India Deborah Gray The Taxi Driver Sarah Stewart Wrestling with Red Tape Steven Tizzard Nuptials John Wilcox Tak Jadi Jude Marwa A Stranger's Smile Zoe Efstathiou 6 LESSONS & LIFE Closer to Home Kirstin Zhang The Village Sledge Run Alan Packer Sun at Peace Liam Hodgkinson Meeting the Challenge Lucy Clark Turkmenistan Blues Helen Watson Vanishing Islands Michelle Wu Far from Time Catriona Rainsford Just Visiting Chris Baker The Joy of Rain Debbie Parrott An Invitation to Tea Jacki Harris Red Shoes Gill Sutherland Now You See Me Cheryl Parry The Whale Jo Forel Turkana Sands Pat Warburton Hope in Pink Meringue Anita King The Dream of the Desert Agnieszka Herman 7 GHOSTS & DUST Crosses Sara Evans Rumia - A Love Story Marie Kreft Girona's City Walls Gabi Reigh Yes. No. It's a Little Difficult Chris Walsh Through the Blue Hannah Doyle What Was Left Behind Jane Westlake Prisoners of Pompeii Sally Stott Touching History Jenny Scott 585 Bury Road Jennifer Thompson 8 PASSPORTS & PRIZES Prize Trips Celia Dillow

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Inuit Way is a mesmerising take on polar travel by explorer and award-winning researcher Edward Cooper. It is a gripping account of the author's travels across northwest Greenland, where he spent several months living and hunting with the Inuit. From there, Cooper and teammate venture across the sea ice on to the Canadian Arctic islands. Here, Cooper's quest is to track down a note left by David Haig-Thomas, a British Arctic explorer, nearly a hundred years previously. Suffering from snow blindness and frostbite, Fighting off hungry polar bears, surrounded by the white wolves of Ellesmere Island, Edward Cooper and teammate, who was suffering from snow blindness and frostbite, discover a land steeped in culture and history. Part travelogue, part adventure and part history, this is a thrilling polar travel narrative that offers insights into the people that live in the Arctic year-round. Meet Mikael, a young Inuit hunter who sleeps in a small tent on the sea ice, and fishes for halibut during the winter months. Join Cooper in watching Inuit hunters coach crack teams of dogs across the ice in the year's first dog race. Get to know a former Danish drug smuggler turned hunter. Experience the realities of Arctic life - drinking water carved from icebergs by giant trucks, and the constraints imposed on sanitation by permafrost and freezing temperatures. And journey with Cooper on a life-endangering expedition, where he falls through a crack in the ice into icy waters while watching his teammate continue onwards, oblivious to danger. Reflecting on his experience, Cooper appraises Haig-Thomas's legacy from his time in Greenland, and considers how life has evolved for Inuit families across the following century. Above all, Cooper sensitively discusses Greenland as a litmus test for a world that is evolving geopolitically and through climate change. The Inuit Way is a fascinating book that will be enjoyed by intrepid travellers, adventure junkies, polar enthusiasts, and armchair or real-life explorers as well as people interested in the environment, fishing or indigenous communities.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION..........................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 Lost.........................................................................10 CHAPTER 2 Haig-Thomas and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago..................................19 CHAPTER 3 The Place of a Thousand Icebergs - Ilulissat...........36 CHAPTER 4 The New Thule - Qaanaaq......................................49 CHAPTER 5 Star Stones - Qaanaaq............................................64 CHAPTER 6 Back to the Drawing Board - London....................75 CHAPTER 7 Into the Cold - Qaanaaq.........................................82 CHAPTER 8 The First Sunrise - Qaanaaq...................................95 CHAPTER 9 The Coldest Catch - Qaanaaq...............................106 CHAPTER 10 A New Arrival - Qaanaaq...................................118 CHAPTER 11 Freezing Cold in Qeqertarsuaq...........................130 CHAPTER 12 The Old Hunter...................................................141 CHAPTER 13 Playing the Walrus..............................................151 CHAPTER 14 A Final Challenge - Bowdoin Fjord...................159 CHAPTER 15 Green for Go - Resolute Bay..............................174 CHAPTER 16 Eureka! - Ellesmere Island..................................187 CHAPTER 17 Cold - Eureka Sound...........................................204 CHAPTER 18 Bears - Axel Heiberg...........................................218 CHAPTER 19 Accept and Adapt - Axel Heiberg.......................230 CHAPTER 20 The Final Push - Haig-Thomas Island................239 CHAPTER 21 The Journey Back - London................................249

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn I Never Knew That About New York Christopher Winn digs beneath the gleaming towers and mean streets of New York and discovers its secrets and its hidden treasures. Learn about the extraordinary people who built New York into one of the world's great cities in just 400 years. New York is one of the most photographed and talked about cities in the world but Winn unearths much that is unexpected and unremembered in this fast moving, ever changing metropolis where history is made on a daily basis!Trade ReviewComprehensive, fascinating, and thoughtfully laid out, this is a great read for the armchair tourist and pavement pounder alike -- The Library Journal * The Library Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDelve into the minds of Ireland's extraordinary personalities as writer and podcaster Róisín Ingle uncovers the stories behind their most treasured spaces.Including a huge array of talent such as Dara Ó Briain, Marian Keyes, Marty Morrissey, Daniel O'Donnell, Ardal O'Hanlon, Orla Kiely and more, each tale blends stunning scenery with personal anecdotes which will entertain and inspire in equal measure.In association with the mental health charity A Lust for Life, thirty influential figures relive fond memories in locations that have brought them solace, laughter and awe, providing a unique view of the relationship we have with special places and people we love.FEATURINGChris de Burgh - Niall Breslin - Deirdre O'Kane - Paul Howard - Anne Enright - Senator Lynn Ruane - Joanne O'Riordan - Dara Ó Briain - Colm Toibin - Marian Keyes - Marty Morrissey - Daniel O'Donnell - Ardal O'Hanlon - Orla Kiely - Professor Luke O'Neill - Maia Dunphy - Michelle Fairley - Tina Kellegher - Róisín Murphy - Liz Nugent - Ifrah Ahmed - Eamonn Coghlan - Senator Eileen Flynn - Neil McManus - Marguerite Penrose - Kevin Sharkey - Martin Beanz Ward - Keavy Lynch - Michelle Fairley

Read more less

Book SynopsisSally Magnusson brings together thirty well-known names together to discuss their most sacred spots.Including James Cosmo, Judy Murray, Anna Campbell-Jones, Val McDermid, Kieron Achara, Chris Hoy, Linda Bauld, Rhona Cameron, Eddi Reader, Clive Russell, Gordon Campbell Gray, John Colquhoun, Nati Dreddd, Kezia Dugdale, Janice Kirkpatrick, Sue Lawrence, Gemma Lumsdaine, Shauna MacDonald, Catriona Matthew, Danni Menzies, Gordon & Vanessa Quinn, Roza Salih, Richard Scott, Tony Singh, Victoria Stapleton, Alexander Stoddart, Grant Stott and Laura Young.Through in-depth interviews we delve into the minds of each personality as they explore the joyful, treasured, painful and inspirational moments we all share throughout life. Alongside stunning photography by Susie Lowe, My Perfect Place in Scotland is a captivating collection which highlights the importance of supporting mental health and wellbeing and reveals the special places where we choose to spend our time, which mean so much more than just a pretty view.A royalty of 5% of net receipts from the sale of every copy of My Perfect Place in Scotland sold will be made to SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health, Scottish Charity No. SC-008897)

Read more less

Book SynopsisA captivating journey along the iconic River Po and through Italian history, society and culture. 'Delightful... A wonderful cornucopia of history' TLS 'Uncovers the Po's fascinating history' Guardian The Po is the longest river in Italy, travelling for 652 kilometres from one end of the country to the other. It rises by the French border in the Alps and meanders the width of the entire peninsula to the Adriatic Sea in the east. Flowing next to many of Italy's most exquisite cities – Ferrara, Mantova, Parma, Cremona, Pavia and Torino – the river is a part of the national psyche, as iconic to Italy as the Thames is to England or the Mississippi to the USA. For millennia, the Po was a vital trading route and a valuable source of tax revenue, fiercely fought over by rival powers. It was also a moat protecting Italy from invaders from the north, from Hannibal to Holy Roman Emperors. But as humans radically altered the river's hydrology, those floodplains became important places of major industries and agricultures, the source of bricks, timber, silk, hemp, cement, flour and risotto rice. Tobias Jones travels the length of the river against the current, gathering stories of battles, writers, cuisines, entertainers, religious minorities and music. Both an ecological lament and a celebration of the resourcefulness and resilience of the people of the Po, the book opens a window onto a stunning, but now neglected, part of Italy.Trade ReviewA delightful book that is part history, part travel, part a picture of contemporary Italy... The Po is a wonderful cornucopia of history... Modern history at its most enjoyable * TLS *Travelling its length, Tobias Jones uncovers [the Po's] fascinating history * Guardian *Tobias Jones is the perfect guide to the sweet Po as it runs its course * Spectator *A meditative and evocative account... Like the Po, which has shifted course countless times and is notoriously prone to flooding, the book veers off on enjoyable tangents * Geographical Magazine *This is a bleak tale at times, but compelling reading * Italia *Jones has an eye for the quirky, and a talent for storytelling that keeps the reader engaged, amused, and enlightened. Recommended for all Italophiles, travellers, and lovers of the past * Archaeology Worldwide *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be an explorer in the twenty-first century? This is the story of what first led Benedict Allen to head for the farthest reaches of our planet - at a time when there were still valleys and ranges known only to the remote communities who inhabited them. It is also the story of why, thirty years later, he is still exploring. Benedict decides to journey back to a clouded mountain in New Guinea to find an old friend called Korsai, and to fulfil a promise they made as young men. Explorer tells the story of what it means to be 'lost' and 'found'.Trade ReviewA nuanced and sensitive long conversation with the people of Papua New Guinea. . . [Allen] is a sensitive observer . . . [he] has an ear for dialogue and the inconsequential, and a gift for bringing alive the characters he meets * * The Times * *A remarkable journey unfolds . . . [Allen] writes clean, honest prose, creating startling images of all he sees . . . an extraordinary story, painfully assembled and beautifully told * * Spectator * *A love song to the Yaifo and all peoples struggling to maintain dignity and culture in a world gone wrong * * Daily Telegraph * *Honest, sensitive and gives a brilliant look at a world most of us just dream about * * Our Man On The Ground Travel * *Brilliant. Reads like a thriller -- MARCUS du SAUTOY

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Passenger collects the best new writing, photography, and reportage from around the world. Its aim, to break down barriers and introduce the essence of the place. Packed with essays and investigative journalism; original photography and illustrations; charts, and unusual facts and observations, each volume offers a unique insight into a different culture, and how history has shaped the place into what it is today. Brimming with intricate research and enduring wonder, The Passenger is a love-letter to global travel. IN THIS VOLUME, Petros Markaris, Matteo Nucci, Christos Ikonomou among other Greek writers aim to tell the all-important stories of one of the most talked-about country, that fail to make headlines. Few countries have received more media attention in recent years and even fewer have been represented in such vastly divergent ways. There’s a downside to all this attention: everyone seems to have something final to say about Greece. News headlines replace people’s individual stories, impressions substitute facts, characters take the place of people. In this volume of The Passenger, we chose to set those opinions aside in order to give to the stories, facts, and people of Greece the dignity and centrality they deserve.Trade Review“These books are so rich and engrossing that it is rewarding to read them even when one is stuck at home.” * The TLS *“Few travel guides are confident enough to tell the stories of a destination’s complex realities as well as those of their beauty. [The Passenger] has a strong focus on storytelling, with pages given over to a mix of essays, playlists and sideways glances at subcultures and thorny urban issues.” * The Stack *“Half-magazine, half-book . . . think of [The Passenger] as an erudite and literary travel equivalent to National Geographic, with stunning photography and illustration and fascinating writing about place.” * Independent.ie (Best series of the year – 2021) *“The Passenger readers will find none of the typical travel guide sections on where to eat or what sights to see. Consider the books, rather, more like a literary vacation--the kind you can take without braving a long flight in the time of Covid-19.” * Publisher's Weekly *“Fresh and diverting, informative and topical without being slight or ephemeral [...] This supremely well-edited combination of current affairs, journalism, commentary, and fun facts is perfect for our pause-button moment.” * Australian Financial Review (Best Books of the Year) *Tremendously eclectic and classily produced . . . each volume gets under the skin of a country or a city in a multifaceted way that feels essential in these times of narrowing national horizons.” * The Bookseller *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Passenger collects the best new writing, photography, and reportage from around the world. Its aim, to break down barriers and introduce the essence of the place. Packed with essays and investigative journalism; original photography and illustrations; charts, and unusual facts and observations, each volume offers a unique insight into a different culture, and how history has shaped the place into what it is today. Since gaining independence from the UK, Nigeria has been in a state of permanent crisis. Dependence on oil is the glue that has kept together a country deeply divided but obsessed with an ideal of “national unity”. But this dependence has eroded institutions, compromised socio-economic development, caused corruption, coup d'états, and environmental disasters. The arrival of democracy in the 90s failed to bring much improvement. It’s estimated that over 100 million Nigerians live under the poverty threshold. Violence is widespread: from the Boko Haram terrorists to the armed secessionist movements and the growing scourge of kidnappings. How to live in a country where the state is absent? In these circumstances, Nigerians bring out all their dynamism, entrepreneurial skills, and their inventiveness. As the generation of generals who governed the country for 60 years dies out, and younger citizens refuse to ignore injustice and violence, the hope is born that a new, vibrant generation will take the country’s future into their hands. And, as they are accustomed to doing, fix it.Trade Review“Half-magazine, half-book… think of [The Passenger] as an erudite and literary travel equivalent to National Geographic, with stunning photography and illustration and fascinating writing about place.” * Independent.ie (Best series of the year – 2021) *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of the greatest women's travel writing selected by journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup. From Constantinople to Crimea; from Antarctica to the Andes. Throughout history adventurous women have made epic, record-breaking journeys under perilous circumstances. Whether escaping constricted societies back home or propelled by a desire for independence, footloose females have ventured to the four corners of the earth and recorded their exploits for posterity. For too long their triumphs have been overshadowed by those of their male counterparts, whose honourable failures make bigger news. In curating this collection of first-hand accounts, broadcaster, writer and traveller Mariella Frostrup puts female explorers back on the map. Her selection includes explorers from the 1700s to the present day, from iconic heroines to lesser-known eccentrics, celebrating 300 years of wild women and their amazing adventures over land, sea and air. Reviews for Wild Women: 'A stirring whistle-stop tour, led by women who often risked disapproval in leaving home to roam the world' Vanity Fair 'Like any good travel book, Wild Women succeeds in casting the reader's mind off on journeys of its own, inspiring fresh plans and what the Germans call Fernweh, or a longing for faraway places' TLS 'Required reading for anyone who assumed that 'the road less travelled' was a solely masculine preserve' Sunday IndependentTrade ReviewRequired reading for anyone who assumed that "the road less travelled" was a solely masculine preserve * Dublin Sunday Independent, Must Reads of 2019 *This fine anthology brings a female voice to a subject too long dominated by men... It curates some incredible tales' * Wanderlust *At a time when #MeToo is striking rather a strident note, these insights into the peculiar experiences and observations of courageous and articulate women in a male-dominated world are a joy to read * Country Life *Like any good travel book, Wild Women succeeds in casting the reader's mind off on journeys of its own, inspiring fresh plans and what the Germans call Fernweh, or a longing for faraway places * TLS *A stirring whistle-stop tour, led by women who often risked disapproval in leaving home to roam the world * Vanity Fair *

Read more less

Book SynopsisRiddoch on the Outer Hebrides is a thought-provoking commentary based on broadcaster Lesley Riddoch's cycle journey through a beautiful island chain facing seismic cultural and economic change. Her experience is described in a typically affectionate but hard-hitting style; with humour, anecdote and a growing sympathy for islanders tired of living at the margins but fearful of closer contact with mainland Scotland.Trade Review... the same charm that great orators and generals have demonstrated, the kind of charm that Wallace and De Moray led the armies with, the kind of sweet-talk that could persuade Inuits to buy freezers. - THE STORNOWAY GAZETTE Congratulations on a thoughtful, timely and wonderfully contentious commentary on Scotland's dysfunctional relationship with 21st century Gaeldom. It is well informed, well observed, provocative, hard-headed, wrong-headed and inspired in equal measure and opens up a whole new level of engagement with 'the Gaelic issue'. - Malcom Maclean, Gaelic Arts AgencyLet's be proud of standing on the outer edge of a crazy mainstream world - When the centre collapses, the periphery becomes central. - Alistair McIntoshChatty without being oppressive and informed without being lecturing, Riddoch's style nicely brings home the beauty of the islands and the charm of those who live there. - THE HERALD

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe British Isles including Ireland are a unique tapestry of islands off the Continental shelf of NW Europe. Though there are thousands of islands making up this archipelago, a modest 221 (excluding Great Britain and Ireland) are permanently inhabited, mostly in the Gaelic, Irish and Welsh or Celtic west.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe English seaside has long been seductive. For 200 years, punters have sought out its quirky thrills from bingo to Wurlitzer organ dances, glamorous granny parades to child-jockeyed donkey races, lewdly shaped rock candy to harrowingly bad karaoke. But recently, many seaside towns have been pummelled by poverty, unemployment, underinvestment, addiction, Brexit, Covid-19 and the climate emergency. Writer Tom Sykes and illustrator Louis Netter take you on a Gonzo tour of 21 English coastal communities in an age of anxiety and absurdity. Their encounters are comical, sad, weird and beguiling - sometimes all at once. A post-lockdown beach party turns violent in Bournemouth. The Hampshire shores pile up with plastic waste and sewage dumped by a water company. St Osyth and Jaywick's trailer parks and makeshift homes have come to resemble a Global Southern shanty town. Covid disinformation is daubed on walls and benches across the Dorset coast. A pub in Scarborough celebrates Ulster paramilitarism. Portsmouthians come to terms with the imperial past. A Blackpudlian musician confesses an intimate connection to the serial killer Harold Shipman. But there's good news too. Combers and mudlarkers are cleaning our beaches. Art projects are drawing attention to coastal erosion and other ecological menaces. In an increasingly uniform England of red-brick estates and retail parks, seaside towns might just be our last outposts of eccentricity and individuality.Trade Review'An enjoyable read. The illustrations have a mutant Donald McGill vibe.'-- Will Self; ‘This is a unique book . . . [with] a rigorous sense of the reasons for economic and cultural decline. . . This is a very radical book, but it is never propagandist or dull. It made me laugh aloud several times: the plight of the observers is very well drawn. It left me wanting more: more piers, more takeaways, more grubby stopovers.’—The London Magazine; ‘Immersively gonzo, febrile and slapstick, written with the gusto of a gourmand relishing a (beggars’) banquet.’—Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place and Nature; ‘The mix of forensic observation of people by Sykes and the sketches by the very talented Louis Netter makes for a very unusual book indeed. . . If you want to read a very different travelogue of Britain then this is a brilliant place to start.’—Half Man, Half Book

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Fernando spots her in a Venice cafe and knows immediately that she is The One, Marlena de Blasi is caught off guard. A divorced American woman travelling through Italy, she thought she was satisfied with her life. Yet within a few months, she quits her job as a chef, sells her house, kisses her two grown-up kids goodbye, and moves to Venice. Once there, she finds herself sitting in sugar-scented pasticcerie, strolling through sixteenth-century palazzi, renovating an apartment overlooking the seductive Adriatic Sea, and preparing to wed a virtual stranger in an ancient stone church.As this transplanted American learns the hard way about the peculiarities of Venetian culture, we are treated to an honest, often comic view of how two middle-aged people, both set in their ways but also set on being together, build a life. A THOUSAND DAYS IN VENICE is filled with the foods and flavours of Italy and peppered with recipes and culinary observations. But the main course here is about a woman who falls in love with both a man and a city, and finally finds the home she didn't know she was missing.Trade ReviewAbove all a love paean to the city. Anyone who has not already visited Venice will want to visit, and those who have been there will want to return soon * BOOK LOONS *Marlena describes the comical pitfallls of falling in love with a Venetian. Well worth reading. OK! * 'If you have ever been to Venice..then you will adore this book. If you have never been to Italy, you will love this book. It's earthy, beautiful, emotional and a true story.’ *Evening Herald * 'If you're feeling starved of romance, you'll devour A Thousand Days In Venice by Marlena de Blasi'. Prima *This is a book to appeal to all the senses, full of interesting sidelights on life in Venice...a thoroughly enjoyable read. * New Books Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis English-language book reflects the undemanding concepts of Portmeirion Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the gifted creator of the village, himself described his intentions as being of a ''gay, light-opera sort of approach''. Rob Piercy who has grown up in the area has created a personal, light-hearted insight into his Portmeirion. (Welsh-language version also available: 9781845273781

Read more less

Book SynopsisHis mother walked across America in the seventies. Her past fascinates him. Her faith confounds him. They embark on a 5,000-mile journey to discover how families can stay together when beliefs are pulling them apart.When his mother, Barbara, turns seventy, Jedidiah Jenkins is reminded of a sobering truth: Our parents won’t live forever. For years, he and Barbara have talked about taking a trip together, just the two of them. They disagree about politics, about God, about the project of society – disagreements that hurt. But they love thrift stores, they love eating at diners, they love true crime, and they love each other. Jedidiah wants to step into Barbara’s world and get to know her in a way that occasional visits haven’t allowed.They land on an idea: To retrace the thousands of miles Barbara trekked with Jedidiah’s father, travel writer Peter Jenkins, as part of the Walk Across America book trilogy that became a sensation in the 1970s. Beginning in New Orleans, they set out for the Oregon coast, listening to podcasts about outlaws and cult leaders – the only media they can agree on – while reliving the journey that changed Barbara’s life. Jedidiah discovers who Barbara was as a thirty-year old writer walking across America and who she is now, as a parent who loves her son yet holds on to a version of faith that sees his sexuality as a sin.Along the way, he peels back the layers of questions millions are asking today: How do we stay in relationships when it hurts? When do boundaries turn into separation? When do we stand up for ourselves, and when do we let it go?Tender, smart, and profound, Mother, Nature is a story of a remarkable mother-son bond and a moving meditation on the complexities of love.Trade Review'Tender, funny, and courageous, exquisitely written and completely compelling. As Jenkins traces a 5,000-mile route with his wildly entertaining mother, Barb, he begins to untangle the live wires of a parent-child bond and to wrestle with a love that hurts. Their relationship is as complicated as it gets, yet as beautiful as I've ever had the privilege to witness in words. I don't know a single person who wouldn't benefit from reading Mother, Nature.' - Suleika Jaouad, New York Times bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms -- . * . *'A gorgeously written story of a mother and son's journey across the country, back into the past, over craggy emotional and ideological territory, as they try to find a way forward together. Again and again, Jenkins' conclusions surprised me and made me consider my own "deal breakers." Ultimately Mother, Nature is a book about love, acceptance, and the freedom that comes from knowing, at long last, the truth. As a mother and as a daughter, I'll be thinking about the conversations at the heart of this book for a good, long time.' - Maggie Smith, New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful -- . * . *'A beautifully crafted road trip through the sad, sweet, aching truths of a mother, a son, her faith, and his reason; a peacemaking of love unresolved and overwhelming.' - Rabbi Steve Leder, New York Times bestselling author of For You When I Am Gone -- . * . *'Mother, Nature may chronicle a familiarly fraught parent-child odyssey, but reading it feels like a soul-soothing stroll. Jenkins's vulnerable, clear-eyed storytelling is a gift.' - Amanda Montell, author of Cultish -- . * . *'First of all, fuck Jedidiah Jenkins. As a soon-to-be mother of a son, I am completely gutted by this brilliant book. It's one of the most vivid and generous accounts of a mother I have ever read, and a masterclass in confronting unspoken truths; the ones lodged in our throats for years, risking the sting for something sweeter: freedom. At its core, Mother, Nature is an act of devotion and defiance, proving that an imperfect love, 'a love that limps', offers us both.' - Nada Alic, author of Bad Thoughts -- . * . *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA soul-searching meditation on the foundations that shape us, Like Streams to the Ocean is an essential guide for the crossroads of life. In the busyness of the day-to-day, we rarely have time to think clearly about the questions that matter most: Who am I? What makes me, me? What do I stand for? With the passion and clarity that made his debut, To Shake the Sleeping Self, a New York Times bestseller Jedidiah Jenkins explores the eight signposts we all face as we find our way in life: ego, family, home, friendship, love, work, death and the soul. In this soothing work, Jenkins reveals how we can find fulfilment in the people and places around us and discover the courage to show our deepest selves to the world.Trade ReviewA beautiful, attentively humane writer ... I couldn't put these essays down -- Thomas Chatterton Williams, author of Self-Portrait in Black and WhiteLike Streams to the Ocean is as inviting, wide-ranging, and philosophical as an all-night conversation with a best friend, and as revealing and thought-provoking as the diary of a curious adventurer -- Sasha Sagan, author of For Small Creatures Such as WeIt's rare to find the level of honesty and authenticity that Jenkins brings to his audience. This is the type of storytelling the world needs more of -- Chris Burkard, award-winning photographer, author of At Glacier's End

Read more less

Book SynopsisWelcome to the favela, welcome to the rainforest, welcome to the real Brazil. This is the Brazil where a factory worker is loyal to his company for decades, only to find out that they knew the product he was making would eventually poison him. This is the Brazil where the mothers of the favela expect their sons to die as victims of the drug trade while still in their teens. This is the Brazil where the women initiated into the old Amazonian tradition of 'baby-pulling' deliver babies in their own time, far away from the drugs and scalpels of the modern hospital. In the company of award-winning journalist Eliane Brum, we meet the individuals struggling to stay afloat in a society riven by inequality and violence, and witness the resilience of spirit and commitment to life that makes Brazil one of the most complicated, most exhilarating places on earth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs a child, all Aatish Taseer ever had of his father was his photograph in a browning silver frame. Raised by his Sikh mother in Delhi, his father, a Pakistani Muslim, remained a distant figure. It was a fractured upbringing which left Aatish with many questions about his own identity. Stranger to History is the story of the journey Aatish made to try to understand what it means to be Muslim in the twenty-first century. Starting from Istanbul, Islam's once greatest city, he travels to Mecca, its most holy, and then home through Iran and Pakistan. Ending in Lahore, at his estranged father's home, on the night Benazir Bhutto was killed, it is also the story of Aatish's own divided family over the past fifty years.Trade ReviewA subtle and poignant work by a young writer to watch. -- V.S. NaipaulTaseer uses this intensely personal prism to spring a narrative that darts deftly between physical journey and childhood memoir. The paternal relationship he never had becomes the backbone of the book, which is all the better for it. Uncomfortable reading for Daddy, certainly, but gripping for the rest of us. * * Literary Review * *Probing, exhilarating and shot through with pinpoint observations of people, places and situations. -- Kenny Hodgart * * Herald * *Stranger to History is remarkable. The souks, the landcapes and the people are described in simple, poetic language . . . Indispensable reading for anyone who wants a wider understanding of the Islamic world, of its history and its politics. -- Emmanuelle Smith * * Financial Times * *A memorable read that engages the mind as well as the heart. -- Tom Adair * * Scotsman * *Engrossing and provocative . . . Part travelogue, part memoir, this honest and revealing book is an attempt to form a better relationship with his father. Throughout, he confronts the concerns of religion and politics head on, unafraid to question the basic principles of faith and the Islamic view of history. -- Duncan Mills * * Traveller Magazine * *A revealing personal odyssey . . . Illuminating. * * The Bookseller * *Stranger to History is remarkable. The souks, the landcapes and the people are described in simple, poetic language . . . Indespensable reading for anyone who wants a wider understanding of the Islamic world, of its history and its politics. * * Financial Times * *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'The perfect guide to the hidden history of London's streets.' BBC History MagazineIn Cruickshank's London, Britain's favourite architectural historian describes thirteen walks through one of the greatest cities on earth. From the mysterious Anglo-Saxon origins of Hampstead Heath, via Christopher Wren's magisterial City churches, to the industrial bustle of Victorian Bermondsey, each walk explores a crucial moment in our history - and reveals how it helped forge the modern city. Along the way, Cruickshank peppers the book with vivid photographs, sketches and maps, so you can immediately follow in his footsteps.Every street in London contains a story. This book invites you to hear them.___'An inspiringly illustrated guide to walks across London . . . It proves how much we can miss if we don't pay close attention to our surroundings.' Country Life'All power to Cruickshank and his intrepid and knowledgeable kind. We need them.' Times Literary SupplementTrade ReviewAll power to Cruickshank and his intrepid and knowledgeable kind. We need them. * TLS *An inspiringly illustrated guide to walks across London . . . Proves how much we can miss if we don't pay close attention to our surroundings. * Country Life *There can be few people more passionate about Georgian architecture than Dan Cruickshank . . . A call to explore London. * Daily Telegraph *Such a beautiful book . . . Absolutely fascinating. * Monocle *Reveals the capital . . . Cruickshank finds great stories in the Big Smoke. -- Best Travel Books * Shortlist *Historic walks covering all corners of the city . . . [Cruickshank] tells little known stories including the West Ham churches inscribed with the occult symbols of the Knights Templar, and the features of Tower Bridge that were included to appease Queen Victoria’s temper. * Londonist *A closer look at our magnificent city, under the eagle eye of Dan Cruickshank. -- Robert Elms, BBC Radio LondonFeaturing maps and photographs, this new book is the perfect guide to the hidden history of London’s streets. * BBC History Magazine *For armchair walkers or history buffs wanting a stroll with a headful of interesting facts to share, it’s an excellent guide. * This England *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMark Twain had it all wrong: golf is not a good walk spoiled, golf is a journey. And when Ireland provides the map it becomes an 11,000km odyssey for one man in a camper van. Kevin plays every 18-hole golf course in Ireland in all kinds of weather and with all kinds of golfers. He deals with a leaky roof, potholes, born-again Christians and even an Irish mammy. Ireland's beauty shines through but the people encountered along the way, the golf clubs visited and the idiosyncrasies of a twenty-year-old camper van form the fairways on which this story plays. From tee-off to putting the final hole, this is a true Irish golfing adventure.Trade ReviewA fabulous read - one of the best sports books of the year. * Wexford People *Entertaining. Captures the essence of the endless variety of characters and funny/peculiar situations encountered on his adventure. * Irish Independent *Everyone who has been there, or is going there, should read this. * AZ Golf Insider *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAcclaimed chefs Tony Singh and Cyrus Todiwala are on a mission to wake Britain up to the versatility of spices.For too long, our spices have sat unused and dusty in cupboard shelves, when just a mere sprinking of cumin, a dash of turmeric or a handful of star anise has the power to turn our everyday food into an explosion of tastes and smells. Tony and Cyrus have taken to the road, exploring the British Isles and adding their own spicy twist to our most classic and best-loved dishes. Try jazzing up a Sunday roast chicken with a honey and ginger, adding a cumin and coriander kick to a shepherd's pie or lacing a Victoria sponge with aromatic fennel seeds and cardamom.With delicious, everyday recipes accompanied by Cyrus and Tony's top tips and favourite spices, The Incredible Spice Men will demystify the contents of your spice rack, and open your everyday cooking up to a world of exciting new flavours.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 1933, the eighteen year old Patrick Leigh Fermor set out in a pair of hobnailed boots to chance and charm his way across Europe, like a tramp, a pilgrim or a wandering scholar. The books he later wrote about this walk, A Time of Gifts, Between the Woods and the Water, and the posthumous The Broken Road are a half-remembered, half-reimagined journey through cultures now extinct, landscapes irrevocably altered by the traumas of the twentieth century. Aged eighteen, Nick Hunt read A Time of Gifts and dreamed of following in Fermor's footsteps.In 2011 he began his own great trudge - on foot all the way to Istanbul. He walked across Europe through eight countries, following two major rivers and crossing three mountain ranges. Using Fermor's books as his only travel guide, he trekked some 2,500 miles through Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. His aim? To have an old-fashioned adventure. To slow down and linger in a world where we pass by so much, so fast. To discover for himself what remained of hospitality, kindness to strangers, freedom, wildness, adventure, the mysterious, the unknown, the deeper currents of myth and story that still flow beneath Europe's surface.Trade ReviewNick Hunt has written a glorious book, rich with insight and wit, about walking his way both across and into contemporary Europe. He set out as an homage to Patrick Leigh Fermor's legendary tramp across Europe in the early 1930s, but his journey became - of course - an epic adventure in its own right. A book about gifts, modernity, endurance and landscape, it represents a fine addition to the literature of the leg. -- Robert Macfarlane, author of The Wild Places and The Old Ways: A Journey on FootWith Walking the Woods and the Water, Mr. Hunt has created an illuminating addition to what the travel writer Robert Macfarlane calls 'the literature of the leg'. The shepherds and the fishermen are long gone, but Mr. Hunt controls his nostalgia and avoids mimicking Leigh Fermor's flamboyant style. Still, his inspiration rubs off, like the skin on Mr. Hunt's feet. * Wall Street Journal *This moving and profoundly honest book sometimes brings a sense of unlimited freedom, sometimes joy, sometimes an extraordinary, dream-like dislocation: always accompanied by a dazzling sharpness of hearing and vision. I see now how that youthful walk informed so much of Paddy's style. Before setting out Hunt was going to write to Paddy. The letter was never written, and by the time he set off, Paddy was dead. How touched and fascinated he would have been to read this book. -- Artemis Cooper, author of Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure and co-editor The Broken RoadVivid and hard-won. -- Giles Foden * Condé Nast Traveller *In his 2,500-mile journey, which took him through eight countries, he nearly froze to death and he had had innumerable encounters with the kindness of strangers. Hunt's narrative mixes description elegantly with reportage. * New Statesman *An effective, no, beautiful accompaniment to Fermor's own books. * Booklist, ****Starred review *Hunt went in search of a good old-fashioned adventure and his vivid off-the-beaten-track encounters are coupled with personal anecdotes and an indomitable spirit. * Geographical *With Walking the Woods and the Water, Hunt succeeds in honoring his predecessor. With elegant language, he describes the landscape, the people and culture, and his own perspective, offering an exquisite picture of his walk. Travelers and hikers will feel the itch to move when reading his gorgeous prose. * Foreword Reviews *Deliciously lyrical. A very enjoyable read. * newbooks Magazine *Delightful, balanced and extremely well-written...an impressive and timely effort. A worthy literary tribute to the classic of British travel writing. -- Vitali Vitaliev, author of Passport to EnclaviaAlthough I've read both Nick's book and Leigh Fermor's I have to say, I enjoyed Nick's much more. Nick writes more like a contemporary travel-writer where personal experience and anecdotes take priority. Nick's book is much more accessible, while also inspiring a sense of wonder in his readers at his fantastic feat of walking such a great distance with so little in the way of resources. While the style of writing may be different, the adventurous and resourceful spirit is the same, and for modern readers, Nick's book will I think be more enjoyable than Leigh Fermor's. * A Common Reader *A most enjoyable read and a worthy tribute to the originals. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *Walking in the footsteps of Patrick Leigh Fermor from Rotterdam to Constantinople, Nick Hunt found that, 78 years later, everything and nothing has changed. * Daily Telegraph interview with author *A brave achievement. Hunt's admiration for his celebrated predecessor is clear, and his curiosity is compelling. * The Anglo-Hellenic Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisUPDATED EDITION WITH A NEW CHAPTERIntoxicated with dreams of a Greek paradise, John Mole inflicts upon his family a tumbledown ruin on a hillside with no water, no electricity, no roof, no floor, no doors, no windows and twenty years of goat dung... far away from the tourist resorts and posh hotels. Through hard work and comic misadventures a bond is formed with a vivid cast of village characters - from Elpida who cures back pain with raw eggs to beautiful Eleni yearning for Düsseldorf - over bottles of ouzo, whisky and wine. If only Hector the dog would calm down.Trade ReviewA fabulous insight into Hellenic life * Daily Express *A love affair with Greece * Daily Telegraph *John Mole writes with clarity, honesty and humour...whether you are new to the country or share Mole's passion for all things Greek, this book offers an entertaining glimpse of life in rural Greece. * Saga Travellers News *It's All Greek to Me!' represents travel writing at its best. Mole's descriptions of the people and places he encounters do for Greece what Peter Mayle did for France in his bestselling 'A Year in Provence' and Frances Mayes for 'Italy in Under the Tuscan Sun'. * www.greece.com *A wonderful book about Greece, the Greek people and transitional island life with hilariously recounted misadventures. Mole is a brilliant comic writer - and generous humorist as well, for he doesn't just sketch the various mad characters and situations he encounters, he lampoons himself first and foremost. * Greece in Print *Anecdotes come thick and fast... Mole's affable style suits the subject, and his self-deprecatory tone is a bonus. * The Good Book Guide *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn June 1863 an English lady set off by train on the trip of a lifetime: Thomas Cook's first Conducted Tour of Switzerland. A century and a half later, travel writer Diccon Bewes, author of the bestselling Swiss Watching, decided to go where she went and see what she saw. Guided by her diary, he followed the same route to discover how much had changed and how much hadn't. She went in search of adventure, he went in search of her, and found far more than he expected. Slow Train to Switzerland is the captivating account of two trips through the Alps: hers glimpsing the future of travel, his revisiting its past. Together they make a journey to remember.This is a tale of trains and tourists, of the British and the Swiss, of a Victorian traveller and a modern-day Englishman abroad. It is the story of a tour that changed both Switzerland and the world of travel forever.Trade ReviewLoquacious and genial. * The Independent *Bewes has become something of an expert on the Swiss. His first book, Swiss Watching lifted the lid on a country everybody knows of but knows little about. In his latest book, Slow Train to Switzerland he follows in the footsteps of Miss Jemima Morrell, a customer on Thomas Cook's first guided tour in 1863, and discovers how this plucky Victorian woman helped shape the face of modern tourism and Switzerland itself. * Wanderlust *Fascinating. Charming. Bewes' breezy prose makes him a pleasant travelling companion. * Spectator *Very enjoyable. Bewes is a charming guide. * Geographical *A brilliant book. There is a strong story to tell of the burgeoning country that Switzerland was in the 1860s, and the utmost change the travel industry effected on the land. The differences and similarities between the two excursions make this time capsule was well worth opening, the contrast well worth making, and this author probably the best to do so. * Bookbag *This book gives an excellent history of our favourite country, not the usual battle of this or war of that, but at the much more personal level of the common people's everyday lives. Even those of us who think we know a lot about Switzerland will learn something new, and gain that knowledge in a very readable and entertaining way. If you enjoyed 'Swiss Watching' then you'll need to get a copy of this book by the same author. Highly recommended. * Swiss Express *A delightful accessible throw-away style which is both amusing and endearing. * The Cultural Traveller *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOi, mate, is that monstrosity diesel? From the author of the bestsellers Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse and This Is Not a Drill, this is the eagerly awaited next installment of Paul Carter's rollicking life.Take one mad adventurer and a motorbike that runs on bio fuel (cooking oil i.e. chip fat to you and me) and send them with one filmmaker on a road trip around Australia just to see what happens. What you get is a story full of outback characters, implausible (but true) situations, unlikely events and unfortunate breakdowns, all at a break neck pace. Never one to sit still for long, this is what Paul Carter did next.Whether you've been shocked, delighted, entertained, horrified - or all of the above - by Paul's stories whether from oil rigs or the road one thing is for sure, they are always high octane adventures.Trade ReviewWhen Carter eases off on the profanity and throttles up on the wit, he gets the chequered flag every time. The book is funny, entertaining and – for rev heads – informative. * Sunday Herald Sun *There is so much more to his stories than simply getting from A to B. If Carter can have a crazy adventure on the way, he will. If he can make things difficult, he will without even trying. Add to this a few whiskies and a great bunch of mates, and you get the idea of what to expect from this trip... a fascinating story... what will Carter do next? * Bookseller and Publisher *Some people cure boredom by going shopping; Carter does it by taking a bio-diesel motorbike around Australia... don’t buy this book if you’re offended by seriously bad language: we’re talking direct quotes from hardened oil riggers. * Sun Herald *I laughed so hard I cried – but there is also poignancy here... Carter captures the moment with pithy observations that achieve an almost transcendent lucidity at times, and is funny enough to frame. * Western Australian *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'I was so absorbed by her writing it was unreal . . . I find myself hungry to find the next morsel of who Jenny was and what her life was like' EMILIA CLARKE (on Why Didn't You Just Do What You Were Told?)In spite of the fact that her idea of travel is to stay home with the phone off the hook, Jenny Diski takes a trip around the perimeter of the USA by train. Somewhat reluctantly she meets all kinds of characters, all bursting with stories to tell and finds herself brooding about the marvellously familiar landscape of America, half-known already through film and television. Like the pulse of the train over the rails, the theme of the dying pleasures of smoking thrums through the book, along with reflections on the condition of solitude and the nature of friendship and memories triggered by her past times in psychiatric hospitals. Cutting between her troubled teenaged years and contemporary America, the journey becomes a study of strangers, strangeness and estrangement - from oneself, as well as from the world.Trade ReviewHer writing is sensitive, sincere and sparkling. * Morning Star *(Diski's) near-erotic musings on the dreaded weed almost made me want to take up smoking again. And that's saying something. * Irish Times *Beautifully written * Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis entertaining and endlessly surprising book takes us on an exploration into every aspect of Japanese society from the most public to the most intimate. A series of meticulous investigations gradually uncovers the multi-faceted nature of a country and people who are even more extraordinary than they seem. Our journey encompasses religion, ritual, martial arts, manners, eating, drinking, hot baths, geishas, family, home, singing, wrestling, dancing, performing, clans, education, aspiration, sexes, generations, race, crime, gangs, terror, war, kindness, cruelty, money, art, imperialism, emperor, countryside, city, politics, government, law and a language that varies according to whom you are speaking. Clear-sighted, persistent, affectionate, unsentimental and honest - Alan Macfarlane shows us Japan as it has never been seen before.Trade ReviewIntelligent and engaging ... an excellent book for anyone with an interest in Japanese culture. * Sunday Telegraph *An elegantly arranged narrative that takes in everything from the mythical roots of sumo to the ubiquity of Shinto shrines. * The Times *An engaging and well-informed analysis of Japanese culture and society ... Readers fresh to Japanese studies will find something fascinating on every page; those more familiar with writing on Japan will appreciate the smaller details, many born of Macfarlane's rich comparative insights. * Independent *He triumphantly decodes this enigmatic country. * Japan Times *A must read for businesspeople and anyone planning a visit to this vibrant land. * Monsters and Critics.com *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe absolutely inspiring true tale of a young couple who gave up the "good life" in England to start a new life in the wilderness of the Yukon Dorian Amos--a painter from Cornwall--and his wife decided that they were in need of adventure, so they gave up their comfortable life and traveled to Yukon Territory in the remote Canadian wilderness. Told by Dorian with warmth and humor, this is the compelling account of their adventures. Buying a piece of land in the forest just outside Dawson City, they revel in the stark beauty of the landscape and the liberation they feel from the mundanity of their former home--crossing frozen rivers just to buy food, hunting caribou, coming face to face with bears, and building their own log cabin. The perfect tale for anyone feeling that there must be more to life, their story will convince readers to stop putting their dreams on hold.Trade Review""A great read, full of escapism and gentle humour." --"Globe and Mail

Read more less

Book SynopsisBetween these covers, the millennia of mercantile and cultural exchange along the Silk Route are celebrated by travellers and writers from Marco Polo to Sven Hedin, from William of Rubrick to Ella Maillart. Kathleen Hopkirk has spent a lifetime researching this vital heartland, traversed by five, inhospitable deserts but united by ancient chains of trading oases: from the Buddhist Empire of Kushan, to the scholarly Islamic centre at Bukhara, from the military conquerors massing in both directions to the saintly missionaries and monks who moved between its centres of learning. This mysterious homeland of the Tartars, Turks, Mongols, Uzbeks, Uighurs, Tajiks, Scythians and Sarmatians, gave the world terrifying conquerors of the stature of Gengiz Khan and Tamberlane. Later it became the focus of the Great Game, a rivalry for influence in the area between the empires of Russia and Britain played out by spies, ambassadors, agents and travel writers for 150 years, itself a continuation of the old cultural rivalry between Persia and China for the soul of this vast region.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDrawn by the mysterious mount Etna, Thomas Meyer sets off on a quest to discover the secrets of the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Stromboli. The Sicilian region is not only famous for the drama of its live volcanoes, but also for its associations with numerous cultural figures - ranging from Cain, Empedocles, Klingsor and the much maligned Cagliostro, through to Goethe and Rudolf Steiner. The author ponders their lives, work and karmic connections, whilst unexpected meetings with cryptic strangers result in discussions that are filled with spiritual insights and pearls of wisdom.Meyer's travelogue is at once engaging, poetic and deeply esoteric, drawing parallels between the burning lava of Etna and Stromboli and the soul lava through which our spiritual feet must wade in the present day. In meditations on the Guardian of the Threshold and the explosive popularity of football, we are led to the conclusion that today human beings need to develop 'spiritual feet' to cross the boundary to higher worlds. The author's final trip coincides with the recent natural catastrophe in Nepal, which prompts him to ask whether humanity can begin to take inner responsibility for the many such disasters - particularly earthquakes and volcanic eruptions - that take place around the world. For these natural calamities, says Meyer, are intimately related to our untamed passions and emotions.Table of ContentsAuthor's Note Departure Syracuse In the Greek Theatre The Drive to Etna Etna Speaks Weininger Again From Empedocles to Goethe's Faust Conversation in a Sicilian Bower A Dead-end Tourist Trail Enna Empedocles in Agrigento Caltabelotta Selinunte and Hecate Klings or Farewell to Etna Back in the Present Turania Farewell to Catania Conversation on the Flight Home Milazzo Stromboli The Workshop of Hephaestus Palermo Cagliostro, Goethe and Steiner Parzival in Palermo Phanuel and Enoch Recent Earthquakes Words Heard Within Notes

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Out on the estuary a slab of land had separated itself from the horizon and was moving closer" Shortlisted for the New Angle Prize 2019 In 2016 Tom Bolton set out on a mission to walk the long, winding coastline of Essex — from Purfleet on the Thames Estuary to the Suffolk border. Low Country records his probing, hallucinatory journeys along crumbling sea-walls and through retail parks, past abandoned military forts and plotlands. He uncovers an ancient battlefield upstream from a decommissioned nuclear power station, visits England’s most deprived community and treks the remote and beautiful Dengie peninsula in search of forgotten stories. In the treacherous mudflats and coastal resorts of England’s eastern edge, an alternative vision begins to emerge, shaken by Brexit and the rise of new, populist politics in Britain and America. In this low country of vast horizons, where land and sea are in constant flux, Bolton discovers a hidden history of invasion, resistance and radical thinking. A timely new book from the celebrated author of London’s Lost Rivers and Vanished City, Low Country repositions the edgelands of Essex at the political and imaginative heart of England.Trade Review'We are given a rich sense of the wonders of the Essex coast both from Bolton and from the writers who trudged along these muddy paths long before the words Britain and Exit had ever been fused together.' James Canton, TLS'Low Country: Brexit on the Essex Coast [is] a handsome volume illustrated with atmospheric black and white photographs. Although it treads familiar ground, it deftly seeks to understand the relationship between marginal landscapes and embattled identities and loyalties in a world of political turmoil. [...] Bolton’s book, with its engaging style and terrific bibliography will further enhance the county’s singular appeal, the astringent nature of which surely suits the times.' Ken Worpole, The New English Landscape'Bolton’s walk takes him from Purfleet on the Thames Estuary to Manningtree on the Suffolk border. But his odyssey is not unbroken: work commitments and the practical limitations of public transport mean that the journey needs to be made in stages and on weekends often weeks apart. But this does not seem to affect the continuity and power of Bolton’s narrative, indeed there is a hypnotic quality to his landscape descriptions in this book; something to do, perhaps, with the way that the writer conveys how it seems the three elements of the coastline of Essex, sky, sea and sand, constantly coalesce at the vanishing point forming an unreachable fourth place.' Bobby Seal, Psychogeographic Review'Low Country is a wide-raging and fascinating book taking in people, political and newsworthy events, and the changing industry, landscape and use of the coastal region.' Clare Wadd, Caught by the River'We are given a rich sense of the wonders of the Essex coast both from Bolton and from the writers who trudged along these muddy paths long before the words Britain and Exit had ever been fused together.'James Canton, TLS * TLS *'Low Country: Brexit on the Essex Coast [is] a handsome volume illustrated with atmospheric black and white photographs. Although it treads familiar ground, it deftly seeks to understand the relationship between marginal landscapes and embattled identities and loyalties in a world of political turmoil. [...] Bolton’s book, with its engaging style and terrific bibliography will further enhance the county’s singular appeal, the astringent nature of which surely suits the times.'Ken Worpole, The New English Landscape * The New English Landscape *'Bolton’s walk takes him from Purfleet on the Thames Estuary to Manningtree on the Suffolk border. But his odyssey is not unbroken: work commitments and the practical limitations of public transport mean that the journey needs to be made in stages and on weekends often weeks apart. But this does not seem to affect the continuity and power of Bolton’s narrative, indeed there is a hypnotic quality to his landscape descriptions in this book; something to do, perhaps, with the way that the writer conveys how it seems the three elements of the coastline of Essex, sky, sea and sand, constantly coalesce at the vanishing point forming an unreachable fourth place.'Bobby Seal, Psychogeographic Review * Psychogeographic Review *'Low Country is a wide-raging and fascinating book taking in people, political and newsworthy events, and the changing industry, landscape and use of the coastal region.'Clare Wadd, Caught by the River * Caught by the River *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Seven Seas is a celebration of the sea, and of the seven oceans on earth, in poetry and painting. The land, the seven continents of our planet, usually takes centre stage with its diverse populations of flora and fauna, and humanity - ourselves. But this book gives first place to the water, the element that covers some seventy per cent of the earth's surface, and the life above and within it. The volume is organised to reveal the nature and character of the seven oceans ('the seven seas', as poets have traditionally called them) and the principal ports that link them as one vast waterway. It contains a series of seven voyages which together comprise one extensive and imaginary tour of the world, encircling the globe three times at different latitudes and visiting both the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans at the northern and southern extremes. After a lively Foreword and a learned Introduction, describing the ocean today and its history, the sea-routes and landfalls of the voyage - and also providing a short account of the arts of poetry and painting - the book is arranged in seven chapters representing each of 'the seven seas' in turn, beginning and ending at Greenwich. The imaginary voyage explores the North Atlantic first, followed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, then the Antarctic, before turning northwards again to tour the South Atlantic, passing through the Panama Canal to reach the South and North Pacific, and finally the Arctic Ocean, the Baltic and North Sea, before returning home. Each port of call is characterised in Sandra Lello's delightful illustrations and thoughtful verses from the pen of John Elinger, who are each experienced travellers and cruise-lecturers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStarting with a wild taxi ride into town from Ataturk airport, Tillinghast takes his readers on a voyage of discovery through the storied city of Istanbul, known in Byzantine times as the 'Queen of Cities' and to the Ottoman Turks as the 'Abode of Felicity'. As comfortable talking about the distinctive and delicious Turkish cuisine as he is about Byzantine mosaics, dervish ceremonies, Iznik ceramics, Anatolian carpets, and the imperial mosques, Tillinghast illuminates Istanbul's great buildings with stories that bring Ottoman and Byzantine history to life and is adept at discovering both what the city remembers and what it chooses to forget. Easily overlooked mosaics in the church of Hagia Sophia yield stories of a Byzantine emperor who died playing polo while drunk and an empress with several husbands. From an obscure gravestone, the author brings to life the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, when the Doge of Venice, though over ninety and practically blind, led the assault on the city.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Alejandro Luque receives a book of photographs taken in Sicily by the Argentinian writer, essayist, and poet Luis Borges, he decides to trace the writer's journey, setting off with a group of friends on his own Sicilian odyssey. Meticulously identifying the location of each photograph, Luque uses Borges's pictures to imagine the range of emotions that the renowned writer felt as he experienced the same views. As his hunt for the locations of the original photographs unfolds, Luque chronicles the ways in which he begins to fall in love with both the island itself and with his friend, Ro. This winding journey features literati both past and present, indigenous and foreign. These characters live alongside Luque's own comments and observations in a narrative that is rich in historical and personal detail. The writer who inspired this great journey, Borges himself, becomes a character in this narrative that is infused with extracts and reflections from his essays and poetry. Borges in Sicily acts as a travel diary, a guide to the most fascinating places in Sicily, a recounting of Borges's journey around the island, and a deeply poetic story of Luque's own adventures. The book also includes twenty-three photographs from the renowned Magnum photographer Ferdinando Scianna, and it won the 1st Premio International del Libros de Viajes.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollow Peter Millar on a journey in the heart of Cold War Europe, from the carousing bars of 1970s Fleet Street to the East Berlin corner pub with its eclectic cast of characters who embodied the reality of living on the wrong side of the wall.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAUTHOR OF INTERSTATE, STANFORD DOLMAN TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016"Julian's tales of weaving through the streets of London on two wheels bring to life the gig economy, showing how things have changed in the modern workforce but have also stayed the same. Messengers gives the reader insights on what goes on behind the grand lobbies of the UK's banks and large companies, to see the people who really make business work" Financial TimesMessengers sees Julian Sayarer return to work as a London bicycle courier, after six months cycling around the world. From saddle and kerbside, his stories of delivering flowers to politicians, and administration notices to banks toppled by the financial crisis, make for a social history of a less seen city, written from the perspective of someone stuck in one of London's most insecure and poorly paid jobs.Underneath the deliveries, we meet London's bicycle messengers, a family drawn from jaded graduates, jailbirds and recovering drug addicts. The riders all share their brushes with the law, struggles on the breadline and compete together in alleycat races, forming an unlikely but tender community upon the streets.With a bicycle the one constant that seems to make sense of everything else, Messengers is a two-wheeled portrait of everyday life in a modern city at the start of the twenty-first century."Sayarer is a precise and passionate writer . . . The vast energy of his commitment to discover, observe and communicate makes for engrossing, often incandescent prose. We need writers who will go all the way for a story, and tell it with fire. Sayarer is a marvellous example" HORATIO CLARE

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is, quite literally, a barrel of laughs! Never has a beer cask climbed so many mountains, canoed across lakes, forded rivers, trundled over bridges and staggered over stiles. All this in search of the Lake District’s greatest local brews, while raising funds for our incredible Mountain Rescue volunteers. The wacky brainchild of Beth and Steve Pipe, this husband and wife team battled weather and all terrains, roped in volunteers, and survived marital disputes to accompany the itinerant, fundraising barrel on its unique Lake District tour. Of course, they also had to sample the way, forcing themselves to enjoy the very best ales from this stunning part of the UK. Brewers Loop is a brilliantly entertaining read, a useful guide for seekers of great beer, and a walking book – what else could you need!

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan you be a pilgrim without leaving your life behind? How does it feel to approach everyday places with the same reverence as grand cathedrals? And how are we changed by even the smallest of journeys? James Attlee asks these questions and more in his thoughtful, streetwise, and personal account of a pilgrimage to a place he thought he already knew: the Cowley Road in Oxford, right outside his door. Attlee's Cowley has little to do with the dreaming spires of his city. Leaving tourism and student life aside, Attlee instead presents a vital and delightfully motley collection of places, people, languages, and cultures. From a sojourn in a sensory-deprivation tank to a furtive visit to an unmarked pornography emporium, from halal shops to Brazilian art dealers to reggae clubs to quiet churchyards, Attlee celebrates the appealing and homegrown eclecticism that so often comes under attack from predatory developers. Drawing inspiration from sources ranging from Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy to contemporary art, Isolarion is at once a charming road movie, a battle cry raised against creeping homogenisation, and a love song to the gloriously messy real life of the city he calls home.Trade Review‘With an eclecticism that ropes in Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy, Foucault, a porn shop and a Jamaican restaurant, Attlee scrutinises a sense of place. He reminds me of the old scholars, chock full of intellectual curiosity and an almost alchemical sensibility. Here you will find wry humour, intellectual curiosity, strangeness and charm.' Ray Mattinson, Blackwell, Oxford ----'The attraction, for Attlee, is that the Cowley Road 'is both unique and nothing special'; the resulting book is unique and very special . . . Residents of East Oxford can be proud to have this eccentric advocate and eloquent explorer in their midst.' Geoff Dyer, The Guardian ----'A new Oxford that no guide book has yet captured.' Richard B. Woodward, New York Times ----'Attlee proves that good travel writing is not about where you go, or how you go there, but the way that you look at the world that you pass through.' Sunday Telegraph ----'Isolarion, despite its title, is about engagement. Attlee shows the hidden beauty of the plural society.' Financial Times ----'Attlee captures the essence of this city better than any tour bus ever could.' Paul Kingsnorth, The Independent ----'A vivid account of daily life, fluid and unsettling, in a modern British town with powerful allegorical reflections on the connections between past and present, time and space, and high culture and the hard-scrabble world that sustains it. Oxford may be the city of lost causes, and this book is indeed ambitious; it could easily sound sententious or twee. But it works, gloriously.' The Economist ----'I have written much about the streets of Oxford myself, but seldom so perceptively or interestingly . . . Anyone who can drag Lucretius, Susanna, Bathsheba, and St. Jerome into a Cowley Road porn shop deserves our attention and admiration.' Colin Dexter, OBE ----'I have never read a better book about Oxford - its oddities and eccentricities. The peripatetic local form of James Attlee's delightful book makes it a storehouse of information as well as a joy to read for its wit and humour.' John Bayley ----'The fish-out-of water travelogue is a staple of the bookstore, but Attlee . . . has set himself a different task: to be the fish, and to give a detailed description of the properties of the water. . . Attlee's reading is deep and wide and engagingly circuitous, and this book frequently provides the delights of discovery that make any adventure worth undertaking.' Rebecca Mead, Bookforum----'All the messy glories of Cowley Road - pubs and porn shops alike - come to life in this work, which becomes a meditation on home and the nature of pilgrimage.' National Geographic Traveler----'A force for good when it comes to resisting the drive and the dismal dialect of modernisation . . . To stiffen the sinews for the rearguard action every Oxonian should buy this book.' Eric Christiansen, The Spectator ----'In an age in which air travel opens up the world, and holidays are to escape the mundane, Attlee encourages us to look at the riches on our doorstep . . . The end of our journey as humankind is not known, but Isolarion provides an invaluable guide to how to progress along the way.' Elizabeth Garner, London Times ----'The vignettes, like marks on a painting by a pointillist, eventually coalesce to become a beautiful work of art.' Sydney Morning Herald ----'It's now a familiar story of the local versus the global; the tide of increasing uniformity as chains proliferate and streets succumb to banal prescriptions . . . But Attlee tells the story vividly and well, and it's a book that anyone concerned for the future of their own town's Cowley Road could read with profit.' Andrew Mead, Architect's Journal

Read more less