Travel writing Books

Book SynopsisWhat is it like to radically change your life? Writer Alec Ash meets the Chinese who are doing just this, ‘reverse migrating’ from the cities to the remote countryside of southwest China — and joins them himself, in an extraordinary and inspiring journey of self-discovery. In 2020, Alec Ash left behind his old life as a journalist in buzzy Beijing, and moved to Dali, a rural valley in China’s Yunnan province, centred around a great lake shaped like an ear and overlooked by the Cang mountain range. Here, he hoped to find the space and perspective to mend heartbreak, and escape the trappings of fast-paced, high-pressured city life. Originally home to the Bai people, Dali has become a richly diverse community of people of all ages and backgrounds, with one shared goal: to reject the worst parts of modernity and live more simply, in tune with the natural world and away from the nexus of authoritarian power. It is into this community that Alec embeds himself, charting his first year of life in Dali among these fascinating neighbours, from political dissidents to bohemian hippies. The Mountains Are High is a beautifully written, candid memoir about how reevaluating what is really important and taking a leap of faith to reach it can genuinely transform your life. As one of the ‘new migrants’ tells Alec when he arrives: it is easy to change your environment, far more difficult to change your mind.Trade Review‘The Mountains Are High is a treasure. Part escapist tale, and part a lesson on the history, culture, and people of enchanted Dali. It’s a young man’s journey we all yearn for and only dream of taking.’ -- James M. Zimmerman, author of The Peking Express: the bandits who stole a train, stunned the West, and broke the Republic of China‘The Mountains Are High is a fascinating story of modern China, told from the perspective of those trying to escape it. Alec Ash conjures up the paradise of Dali and the colourful characters that live there with an eye for the surreal. A writer of great talent.’ -- Charlie Gilmour, author of Featherhood‘I am deeply impressed that Alec was able to create a new life for himself in this remote corner of rural China where “the mountains are high and the emperor far away,” and indeed, to gain a new perspective on life. Beautifully crafted, The Mountains are High was a joy to read.’ -- Lijia Zhang, author of Lotus‘A beautiful, reflective book that probes gently but thoroughly into the depths of both the author’s life and China’s modern collision with its storied rural past at a time of global upheaval. Ash’s year spent communing with a colourful cast of China’s believers, burnouts, and internal exiles is by turns elegiac, energising, and uplifting.’ -- Charlie Walker, adventurer and author of Through Sand and Snow and On Roads That Echo‘Beautifully rendered. Equally tender and insightful. Alec Ash deftly weaves personal experiences into a longer history and larger social fabric of the place. The Mountains Are High is not only a loving portrayal of one corner of China, but also an illuminating probe of contemporary society and the meanings of life.’ -- Yangyang Cheng, award-winning writer and research scholar at Yale University‘An immersive, meditative, and constantly surprising search for meaning in a world beset by crisis. It beautifully and limpidly illuminates the extraordinary, eccentric complexity of contemporary China.’ -- Julia Lovell, author of Maoism‘A poetic, intensely personal account of a year-long stay in a town at the edges of China, a place geographically on the margins of the modern country, but one full of memories and meanings that go far beyond the horizon. In this place, Alec moves through his own history and feelings, both towards himself and the country he has lived in for much of three previous decade. China under Xi Jinping is an often epic, overpowering place to make sense of. But this is an account that does that, through engagement with a specific environment, at a specific time, in a way which is humane and sensitive — two qualities desperately lacking in so much work on China today.’ -- Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Studies and Director, Lau China Institute, King’s College London‘A beautiful window into rural China in all its variety, the search for freedom in all its complexity, and what it truly means to begin afresh.’ -- Jade Angeles Fitton, author of Hermit‘A sharply observed and deeply reflective account of a year in rural China. Ash writes with sensitivity and empathy for both people and place, and expertly weaves his own story with that of China’s. The Mountains are High is gentle, lyrical, and reminds us that whatever else happens, spring will always follow winter.’ -- Leon McCarron, author of The Road Headed West‘Dali is a miracle. Bucolic climes, a shimmering lake, and agricultural abundance ringed by mountains, which, as Alec Ash nimbly reveals, preserve an enclave of relative liberty in China. Alec is a superb guide to Dali, his revelations rooted in heartfelt appreciation for the valley and its people.’ -- Dan Wang, Yale Law School and Gavekal Dragonomics‘The Mountains Are High is a gorgeously written meditation on seeking freedom in an unfree country. Even if you think you know China, you will be surprised by Alec Ash’s exploration of an unlikely community of spiritual seekers, dreamers and dissidents, stoners and dropouts, tucked deep in the mountains of Yunnan Province.’ -- Barbara Demick, author of Nothing to Envy‘An insider account of a retreat from China’s relentless urbanism ... Ash offers an alternative view of Chinese rural life which, though often still poor and hardscrabble for many, can also be rewarding, instructive, and even instagammable for those that choose it. A welcome antidote to the constant drum beat of China’s 24/7 rush hour, all-pervasive tech and consumption obsession. It seems that for some there is another potential way.’ -- Paul French, author of Bloody SaturdayPraise for Wish Lanterns: ‘A gem of a book. Its brief chapters flow like a skilfully crafted set of interconnected short stories, yet all are rooted in the real life experiences of six individuals. An impressive debut book by a writer to watch.’ -- Jeffrey Wasserstrom, author of China in the 21st CenturyPraise for Wish Lanterns: ‘A beautiful and thoughtful book ... Alec Ash has succeeded in giving us an intimate and complex portrait of the one child policy generation. It skilfully documents their features, modes of life and dreams of the future. I enthusiastically recommend you to read it.’ -- Xiaolu Guo, author of I Am ChinaPraise for Wish Lanterns: ‘A provocative portrait of a fast-changing society riven by internal contradictions … a fine addition to the field, one of the best I have read about the individuals who make up a country that is all too often regarded as a monolith, but which abounds with diversity on multiple levels. Fluently written with nice touches of humour … this books supplies much food for thought, informing the wider debate while retaining its value as a closely observed picture of how some Chinese live today.’ * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisGeoffrey Chaucer might be considered the quintessential English writer, but he drew much of his inspiration and material from Italy. Without the tremendous influences of Francesco Petrarch and Giovanni Boccaccio, the author of The Canterbury Tales might never have assumed his place as the 'father' of English literature. Nevertheless, Richard Owen's Chaucer's Italy begins in London, where the poet dealt with Italian merchants in his roles as court diplomat and customs official, before his involvement in arranging the marriage of King Edward III's son Lionel in Milan and diplomatic missions to Genoa and Florence. Scrutinising his encounters with Petrarch, Boccaccio, and the mercenary knight John Hawkwood, Owen reveals the deep influence of Italy's people and towns on Chaucer's poems and stories. Much writing on Chaucer depicts a misleadingly parochial figure, but, as Owen's enlightening short study of Chaucer's Italian years makes clear, the poet's life was internationally eventful. The consequences have made the English canon what it is today.Trade Review'Very readable and well-paced - covers an amazing amount of ground.' Marion Turner, author of Chaucer: A European Life 'A fascinating insight into Chaucer's world.' Mary Hollingsworth, author of Princes of the Renaissance 'Richard Owen performs the remarkable feat of showing us Italy through Chaucer's eyes. It's a wonderful evocation of the vibrant intellectual, commercial, and cross-cultural exchanges at the height of the Middle Ages - and the perfect read for a getaway break to Florence, Genoa, or Milan.' Ross King, author of The Bookseller of Florence 'Inherently interesting, deftly written, impressively organised and presented.' Midwest Book Review

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Book Synopsis"Human Nature" by Thomas Bell explores the Himalayas through four walks, blending travelogue, folklore, and history to reveal the complex interplay between the land and its people, touching on themes from ecology to British imperialism.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a celebration of the power of the smartphone camera combined with Thomas A. Kligerman's unique eye. Tom is a New York architect who adores travel and the different cultures of the world, recording vibrant details and evocative scenes on his device as he journeys from India to New Mexico, from Beaux-Arts monuments to rustic barns, from ocean to mountaintop. The images have been curated into dynamic pairs that spark a conversation about the world and the different ways of seeing it. They are accompanied by Tom's reflections, and those of his Instagram followers, in a series of captions, comments and mini essays. More inspiration from the digital world come in the form of QR codes, used throughout the book to transport readers from the printed page to sites in the online universe, in a magical mystery tour of stimulating experience. Readers will never know what to expect or what they will find. This book is a child of the pandemic, a time when people could only dream of traveling or relive past experiences, as Tom has done, from his camera roll. It rejoices in both the potential of new media and the physical pleasure given by a beautifully made and structured book, a new take on the notion of armchair travel - exuberant, witty and expert.Table of ContentsA Life in Detours; The Good Old Humber; Two Queens and a Camera; Beetle Cats I Have Known; She's Peppy; The Whisky Watercolor Club; The Oyster is my World; Sculpted by Time; An American Eye; Acknowledgments; Biography

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Book SynopsisExhilarating, introspective and inspiring, this collection of true travel stories proves that the world is best seen with courage, open-mindedness, and relentless curiosity. From a nervous flier anxiously taking to the skies for the first time to a female traveler braving the Middle East; from a death-defying hike on an Indonesian volcano to the anxious freedom of finding yourself alone on the other side of the world, these stories are certain to send you looking for your passport.

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Book SynopsisIn 2003, software engineer David Miller left his job, family, and friends to fulfill a dream and hike the Appalachian Trail. AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is Miller’s account of this thru-hike along the entire 2,172 miles from Georgia to Maine. On page after page, readers are treated to rich descriptions of the valleys and mountains, the isolation and reverie, the inspiration that fueled his quest, and the life-changing moments that can only be experienced when dreams are pursued. While this book abounds with introspection and perseverance, it also provides useful passages about safety and proper gear, showing a professional hiker’s preparations and tenacity. This is not merely a travel guide, but a beautifully written and highly personal view into one man’s adventure and what it means to make a lifelong vision come true.

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Book SynopsisBy Desert Ways to Baghdad is a charming travelogue penned with the aid of Louisa Jebb, an intrepid British tourist and writer. This notable e book narrates Jebb's super journey via the coronary heart of the Middle East, chronicling her travels from England to the historical city of Baghdad. Louisa Jebb's narrative is characterised by means of its vibrant descriptions, keen observations, and a deep appreciation for the various landscapes and cultures she encounters. As she traverses the barren region landscapes of Arabia and makes her way via the culturally rich areas of the Middle East, Jebb paints a vibrant photo of her reviews. Beyond the bodily demanding situations of her adventure, Jebb's narrative offers insights into the customs, people, and traditions she encounters. Her writing reflects a profound recognize for the local cultures and a deep interest approximately the intricacies of existence inside the Middle East during the early twentieth century. By Desert Ways to Baghdad is not just a travelogue; it is a cultural exploration that bridges the gap between East and West. Jebb's narrative is a precious historic document that gives a window into the era's Middle Eastern landscapes and societies, making it a long lasting source for historians and readers inquisitive about the rich tapestry of the place's records and the captivating interplay of cultures.

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Book SynopsisAbout Ireland is a travelogue written by means of E. Lynn Linton, a British novelist and journalist, inside the past due nineteenth century. The e-book affords a vivid and private account of Linton's journey through Ireland all through a time whilst the us of a changed into grappling with political, social, and cultural changes. In About Ireland, Linton takes readers on a captivating exploration of the Emerald Isle, presenting unique descriptions of its landscapes, towns, and people. She immerses herself in Irish life and tradition, enticing with locals and delving into the kingdom's records and traditions. Linton's travelogue isn't always simply a picturesque depiction of Ireland's beauty however also a mirrored image of the political and social tensions of the generation. The ebook delves into issues consisting of land reform, the warfare for Irish independence, and the connection between the Irish and British. E. Lynn Linton's writing fashion combines personal observations with a eager feel of empathy for the Irish humans and their struggles. About Ireland is a precious ancient document that gives insight into the complicated and multifaceted courting between Ireland and Britain during a vital length of their shared records. Linton's paintings remains applicable as a testomony to the long-lasting fascination with Ireland and its cultural heritage.

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Book SynopsisDom Joly sets off on his travels again, immersing himself in the strange world of conspiracies. On his journeys he meets conspiracy theorists galore in destinations all over the world, some famous, some rather less so. Conspiracy theories used to be fun, a bit of laugh. Did we really land on the moon? Was Paul McCartney cloned? Nowadays, however, in the aftermath of Donald Trump, a global pandemic and the ever-increasing influence of social media algorithms, they are part of the body politic and a massive cause of division and mistrust. In The Conspiracy Tourist Dom Joly sets out on a global journey to find out what's going on. His travels see him meeting followers of QAnon, hunting for UFOs in Roswell, chasing Alex Jones of Info Wars around Austin, trying to prove that Finland exists and taking a flat-earther to the edge of the world. On the way Dom inevitably finds the funny and the quirky, but he also tries to understand what makes peopTrade ReviewProperly entertaining and amusing odyssey into oddity. The Conspiracy Tourist is both very funny and a useful early warning system in a world of conspiracy theorists and the mainstreaming of their dangerous nuttery -- Otto English, bestselling author of Fake History and Fake HeroesLaugh-out-loud funny * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS 2024''As epic as it is engaging'' Tom Holland''Jaunty, highly informative and ultimately sobering'' New York Review of Books''A fine book... Leon McCarron''s tough journey paints a rich and enthralling portrait'' Sir Michael PalinThe river Tigris is in danger. It has been the lifeblood of ancient Mesopotamia and modern Iraq, but geopolitics and climate change have left the birthplace of civilisation at risk of becoming uninhabitable. In 2021, adventurer Leon McCarron travelled by boat along the full length of the river, in search of hope.From the source, where Assyrian kings had their images carved into stone, McCarron and his small team journeyed through the Turkish mountains, across north-east Syria and into the heart of Iraq. Passing by historic cities like Diyarbakir, Mosul and Baghdad, McCarron kept the company of fisheTrade Review'A journey through both time and ecological crisis: as epic as it is engaging' * Tom Holland *'A combination of honest writing, diligent research, abundant empathy and an eye for a good story . . . [this] is a book by turns hard-hitting, urgent, gently lyrical and self-deprecating, a bittersweet pleasure' * Justin Marozzi, Sunday Times *'McCarron reveals what humanity stands to lose with the threatened death of a great river and what can be done to try to save it. His journey along the Tigris was the first attempt at a full descent since Ottoman times' * Jules Stewart, Geographical *'A captivating journey' * John Cotterill, The Bookseller *'This remarkable book warns of the death of a great river that might no longer flow to the Gulf by 2040 - and is a call to action to prevent the birthplace of civilisation from becoming uninhabitable' * Emma Sky, The New European *'McCarron recounts the environmental and geo-political threats facing the river and people who occupy its neighbouring lands. An insightful and worrying read, softened by the hospitality and courage of the people we meet along the journey' * Brigid O'Dea, Irish Times *'Wounded Tigris is a fine book. Overcoming considerable difficulties Leon McCarron's tough journey paints a rich and enthralling portrait of a river that once helped create the first cities on earth, and is now fighting a battle for survival' * Michael Palin *

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Book Synopsis*A Newstatesman Book of the Year*‘Nimble, vital, unexpectedly affecting’ ObserverBestselling travel writer Horatio Clare joins an icebreaker for a voyage through the ice-packs of the far north.'We are celebrating a hundred years since independence this year: how would you like to travel on a government icebreaker?' A message from the Finnish embassy launches Horatio Clare on a voyage around an extraordinary country and an unearthly place, the frozen Bay of Bothnia, just short of the Arctic circle. Travelling with the crew of Icebreaker Otso, Horatio, whose last adventure saw him embedded on Maersk container vessels for the bestseller Down to the Sea in Ships, discovers stories of Finland, of her mariners and of ice.Aboard Otso Horatio gets to know the men who make up her crew, and explores Finland’s history and character. Surrounded by the extraordinary colours and conditions of a frozen sea, he also comes to understand something of the complexity and fragile beauty of ice, a near-miraculous substance which cools the planet, gives the stars their twinkle and which may hold all our futures in its crystals.Trade ReviewIcebreaker sails with a phlegmatic Finnish crew into threatening and threatened polar waters... Clare’s witty prose, filled with vivid descriptions, bears witness to the melting skin of our fragile planet and all that its loss might mean for our souls * New Statesman Books of the Year *Clare has a gift for pinning to the page all that comes his way. His is a joy in framing with such precision and flair that it is the opposite of indulgent, allowing the reader to share in his own marvellous encounters... nimble, vital, unexpectedly affecting -- Stephanie Cross * Observer *Icebreaker has many of the pleasures of classic travel writing: a pure sense of visiting another world in the company of an eloquent guide. But this is not a backward-looking book, and its warning for the future is clear… The Met Office estimates the Arctic could be seasonally ice-free by the 2040s. It may not be many decades, then, until Clare’s travelogue is a record of a vanished world -- Erica Wagner * Financial Times *Light fills his writing... Mr Clare is a great enjoyer -- of people, landscape, and above all of language * Economist *Salted with excellent topographical language... Clare has an ear and an eye for words... one can't have enough of the big white * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisMartha was the youngest of sixteen, handpicked reporters who filed accurate, confidential reports on the human stories behind the statistics of the Depression directly to Roosevelt's White House. From these pages, we understand the real cost of sudden destitution on a vast scale. We taste the dust in the mouth, smell the disease and feel the hopelessness and the despair. And here, too, we can hear the earliest cadences of a writer who went on to become, arguably, the greatest female war reporter of the 20th century.

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Book SynopsisIn Mezcal, two-time James Beard Award–winning author Emma Janzen explores what sets this cousin of tequila apart from the rest of the pack.*Nominated for the 2018 James Beard Foundation Book Award in the Beverage category* Produced in Mexico for centuries but little known elsewhere until recent years, mezcal has captured the imagination of spirits enthusiasts with its astonishing complexities. And while big liquor is beginning to jump aboard the bandwagon, most mezcal is still artisanal in nature, produced using small-batch techniques handed down for generations, often with agave plants harvested in the wild. Join author Emma Janzen as she presents an engaging primer on all things mezcal that includes:   Mezcal’s long and captivating history in Mexican culture The craft of distilling mezcal, from growing and harvesting the agave to roasting and grinding it, all the wa

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Book SynopsisThe world's top 500 food experiences - ranked! We asked the planet's top chefs, food writers and our food-obsessed authors to name their favourite, most authentic gastronomic encounters. The result is a journey to Mozambique for piri-piri chicken, Japan for bullet train bento boxes, San Sebastian pintxos bars, and a further 497 of the most exciting eateries anywhere on Earth. Ultimate Eatlist is the follow-up to our bestselling Ultimate Travelist and is a must-own bucket list for foodies and those who love to travel. You'll discover the planet's most thrilling and famous culinary experiences, the culture behind each one, what makes them so special, and why the experience is so much more than what's in the plate, bowl or glass in front of you. How many have you tried and what's your number one? With contributions from Monica Galetti, Curtis Stone, Mark Hix, Ben Shewry, Dan Hunter, Ping Coombes, Gail Simmons, Tony Singh, Elena Arzak, and many more. Entries include: Laksa, Malaysia Grilled octopus, Greece Smorrebrod, Denmark Ceviche, Peru Po boy, USA Steak tartare, France Bibimbap, Korea Dim Sum, Hong Kong Reindeer Stew, Finland Jerked chicken, Jamaica Asado, Argentina Shakshuka, Israel Pho, Vietnam Wildfoods Festival, New Zealand The Fat Duck restaurant, UK Tokyo sushi counters, Japan Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Italy Adelaide Central Market, Australia Grilled fish, Seychelles Irish stew New York Reuben delis, USA About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

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Book SynopsisA seasonal meander through the wilds of Scotland.'If Clanlands was a gentle road trip through Scotland, this almanac is a top down, pedal to the metal up and down odyssey through the many byways of a Scottish year. An invitation to anyone who picks up the book to join us on a crazy camper van exploration over 12 glorious, whisky fuelled months. Mountains, battles, famous (and infamous) Scots, the alarming competitiveness of Men in Kilts, clans, feuds, flora, fauna, with a healthy sprinkling of embarrassing personal reminiscences thrown in. Much is explored, all is shared. It is a camper van cornucopia of all things Alba'.From First Footing to Samhain, Fringe Festival follies to whisky lore, Sam & Graham guide readers through a year of Scottish legends, traditions, historical and contemporary events, sharing personal stories and tips as only these two chalk-and-cheese friends can.As entertaining as it is practical, The Clanlands Almanac is a light-hearted education in Scottish history and culture, told through the eyes of two passionate Scotsmen. The perfect escapist guide, The Clanlands Almanac is intended as a starting point for your own Scottish discoveries.

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Book SynopsisIan Skeet travelled across the vast sand deserts and arid highlands of Muscat and Oman in 1966 8, preparing the wary inhabitants for the coming of oil, visiting its isolated walled cities, fortified oasis communities and independent-minded Bedouin tribes.

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Book SynopsisGastronomy is a wonderful starting point to study France and the French. As the retired schoolmaster from Provence says ''The religion of France is food. And wine, of course.'' And they put their money where their mouth is, spending a greater proportion of their income on food and drink than any other nation in the world. Literally hundreds of gastronomic fairs and festivals take place throughout the year all over France - a frog fair, an hommage to the sausage, to the turnip, to the quiche and the noble Camembert. What kind of person is a snail-fancier? Is there a brotherhood of sausage connoisseurs? How can you devote an entire weekend to the French fry? Peter Mayle finds out and brings hilariously and affectionately to life the people who can get passionate about a frog''s leg or a well-turned omelette. Over ten years ago he transformed our feelings about Provence, now he captures the irresistible essence of France herself - and her food.Trade ReviewPeter Mayle's idyllic portrait makes you almost taste the wonderful food and wine, feel the sun and balmy breezes * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Delightfully readable. The style is high comedy and Mayle is bitingly funny about local rural mores. But the jokeyness only partly obscures Mayle's warm enthusiasm for local life and landscape. * SUNDAY TIMES *A gastronomic delight. * SUNDAY TRIBUNE *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Bestseller and insipration behind David Mitchell's Unruly'Entertaining and informative . . . Delightful' IndependentThere are many reasons to be fascinated by Germany: forests, architecture and fairy tales, not to mention its history and inhabitants’ penchant for very peculiar food. Our distant and often maligned cousin, this is a place in which innumerable strange characters have held power, in which a chaotic jigsaw of borders have moved about seemingly at random, and which at the dark heart of the 20th century fell into the hands of truly terrible forces. And now Simon Winder is here to tell us everything else there is to know about this mesmerizing, tortured and endlessly fascinating country.Germania is also a personal guide to the Germany that Simon Winder loves. In this startlingly vibrant account, Winder describes Germany’s past afresh, starting with the shaggy world of the ancient forests, all the way up to the present day – and in doing so, he sees and begins to understand a country much like our own: Protestant, aggressive and committed to betterment. Joining Danubia and Lotharingia in Winder’s endlessly fascinating retelling of European history, Germania is a brilliant, vivid and enthusiastic insight to the hidden wonders of GermanyTrade ReviewAn engrossing, informative and hilarious read * The Sunday Times *Magnificently crazy -- Will Self * Esquire *The high plateau of my year was my catching up with Simon Winder. Danubia and Germania are an idiosyncratic, often funny fusion of history writing, travel writing and disrespect. -- Sir Tom Stoppard * TLS *Travelogue and historical narrative are merged in a gloriously free-wheeling narrative of the entire sweep of German history. * The Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFollowing on from her hugely popular books, My Good Life in France and My Four Seasons in France, ex-pat Janine Marsh shares more heart-warming and entertaining stories of her new life in rural France.Since giving up their city jobs in London and moving to rural France over ten years ago, Janine and husband Mark have renovated their dream home and built a new life for themselves, adjusting to the delights and the peculiarities of life in a small French village.Including much-loved village characters such as Mr and Mrs Pepperpot, Jean-Claude, Claudette and the infamous Bread Man, in Toujours la France! Janine also introduces readers to some new faces and funny stories, as she and Mark continue their lives in this special part of northern France. With fantastic food, birthday parties, rural traditions old and new – Jean-Claude introduces snail racing to the village – and trouble with uninvited animals, there is never a quiet moment in the Seven Valleys.

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Book SynopsisIn this intrepid and brilliant memoir, Emma Larkin tells of the year she spent travelling through Burma, using as a compass the life and work of George Orwell, whom many of Burma's underground teahouse intellectuals call simply "the prophet". In stirring, insightful prose, she provides a powerful reckoning with one of the world's least free countries. Finding George Orwell in Burma is a brave and revelatory reconnaissance of modern Burma, one of the world's grimmest and most shuttered dictatorships, where the term "Orwellian" aptly describes the life endured by the country's people. This book has come to be regarded as a classic of reportage and travel and a crucial book for anyone interested in Burma and George Orwell.

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Book SynopsisHomecoming, haunting, nostalgia, desire: these are some of the themes evoked by the beguiling motif of the lighted window in literature and art. In this innovative combination of place-writing, memoir and cultural study, Peter Davidson takes us on atmospheric walks through nocturnal cities in Britain, Europe and North America, and revisits the field paths of rural England. Surveying a wide range of material, the book extends, chronologically, from early romantic painting to contemporary fiction, and geographically, from the Low Countries to Japan. It features familiar lighted windows in English literature (in the works of poets such as Thomas Hardy and Matthew Arnold and in the novels of Virginia Woolf, Arthur Conan Doyle and Kenneth Grahame) and examines the painted nocturnes of James Whistler, John Atkinson Grimshaw and the ruralist Samuel Palmer. It also considers Japanese prints of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; German romanticism in painting, poetry and music; Proust and the painters of the French belle époque; René Magritte’s 'L’Empire des Lumières'; and North American painters such as Edward Hopper and Linden Frederick. By interpreting the interactions of art, literature and geography around this evocative motif, Peter Davidson shows how it has inspired an extraordinary variety of moods and ideas, from the romantic period to the present day.Trade Review'This is an art-history and English-literature lesson rolled into one, best enjoyed in the glow of your own bedside lamp, ideally with a storm raging outside.' * Country Life *'Davidson creates his own idiosyncratic, hybrid genre in which cultural history, nature writing and place writing are channelled through personal experience. … [he is] an excellent guide not just along pavements and footpaths but around paintings too, teasing out shades of meaning. ... Imagination and memory, the book suggests, create their own lighted windows in the darkest of journeys and have the power to change the world around us.' * TLS *'Erudite, companionable, and hypnotically satisfying.' * Financial Times *'While it's beautiful to peruse, this is no coffee-table book but a beguiling work of academia and an excellent festive offering for anyone who has walked past a lighted window on a dark evening and wondered about the goings-on inside.' * The Field *'There isn’t a Faber Book of Windows at Night, but Davidson is certainly the man for the job and The Lighted Window is a sort of memoir of the thought processes that would have produced one.' * The Literary Review *'A beautiful and timely book.' * Radio 4 Open Book *'A must-read if you've ever been captivated by a glimpse into another life on your evening stroll.' * OX Magazine *'Will evoke fond memories for any alumnus … the book will banish away winter nights while evoking the anticipation of spring and summer.' * QUAD Magazine *'A connoisseur of the crepuscular, the in-between zone dividing night and day, and all its electrifying implications. ... Winter cities, London nocturnes, northern townscapes … These generate aesthetically significant representations within the boundaries of Peter Davidson’s pungent and particular theme. He brings us some unexpected and enlightening assessments and observations, as his book proceeds on its scholarly and seductive way.' * Dublin Review of Books *'In this gorgeous book, Peter Davidson heads out into Oxford at nightfall, to consider cities in winter and rural summer twilights that embrace the warmth of the day. ... Enchanting.' * The Simple Things *Table of ContentsContents 1. Introduction 2. Winter Cities 3. London Nocturne 4. Windows in the Landscape 5. Northern Townscapes; Western Suburbs 6. Summer Night Illuminations Notes Further Reading Acknowledgments Picture Credits Index

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Book SynopsisA first-hand account of the life of travel writer Dervla Murphy in which she tells of her early life in Lismore, Co. Waterford, in her rather unusual household. Her father was the county librarian and her mother a chronic invalid. An only child, Dervla was allowed from the age of seven to freely roam on her own. At ten, she cycled ten miles to a local mountain, climbed it, then lost herself on the way down, and was forced to stay out all night - much to the distress of her parents. Living in a house that was crumbling around their ears, she reveals how her family hid a Republican who was later hanged, how she tested herself (with hot water) to increase her pain threshold, how she avoided an insane and shrieking maid, who was convinced that Dervla's parents were fried eggs, and how she helped another maid give birth under the kitchen table. An early love of books and writing, led her to enter a writing competition arranged by a local newspaper, and she won first prize for five weeks in a row.

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Book SynopsisOne small East African country embodies the battered history of the continent: patronised by colonialists, riven by civil war, confused by Cold War manoeuvring, proud, colorful, with Africa''s best espresso and worst rail service. Michela Wrong brilliantly reveals the contradictions and comedy, past and present, of Eritrea.Just as the beat of a butterfly's wings is said to cause hurricanes on the other side of the world, so the affairs of tiny Eritrea reverberate onto the agenda of superpower strategists. This new book on Africa is from the author of the critically acclaimed In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz.Eritrea is a little-known country scarred by decades of conflict and occupation. It has weathered the world''s longest-running guerrilla war, and the dogged determination that secured victory against Ethiopia, its giant neighbour, is woven into the national psyche. Fascist Italy wanted Eritrea as the springboard for a new, racially-pure Roman empire, Britain sold off its industry for scrap, the US needed headquarters for its state-of-the-art spy station and the Soviet Union used it as a pawn in a proxy war.Michela Wrong reveals the breathtaking abuses this tiny nation has suffered and, with the sharp eye for detail that was the hallmark of her account of Mobutu''s Congo, she tells the story of colonialism itself. Along the way, we meet a formidable Emperor, a guerrilla fighter who taught himself French cuisine in the bush, and a chemist who arranged the heist of his own laboratory. An arresting blend of travelogue and history, I Didn''t Do It For You' pierces the dark heart of our colonial history.Trade ReviewPraise for I Didn’t Do It For You: ‘Contemporary history on the grand scale. I was entertained, informed and angered. Wrong has given us another essential contribution to the post-colonial scramble for Africa.’ John le Carre ‘Vivid, penetrating, wonderfully detailed. Michela Wrong has written the biography of a nation and more – she has excavated the very heart and soul of the Eritrean people and their country.' Aminatta Forna ‘If you thought Eritrea was some exotic flower you heard mentioned on a gardening programme this book will tell you something different. It tells the tale of a small group of Africans so despised and trampled by successive foreign occupations that they fought back and after 30 years of war, they became a nation. It is an astounding story packed with tales of the worst – and the best – of human behaviour.’ Richard Dowden, President of the Royal African Society 'This is a wonderful, readable and illuminating book. Michela Wrong is an enormously talented writer…thoroughly researched and deeply engaging and honest.' Clare Short – New Statesman 'Impressive … Wrong offers an uplifting testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Eminently readable and full of fascinating detail, this is a book that deserves and needs to be read' Guardian '[A] corker … fascinating and tragic. Wrong's writing flows so smoothly that it is only after 100 pages or so that you notice how much legwork she has put in [and] she tracks down a startling array of characters' Daily Telegraph 'A lyrical, intensely intelligent and wonderfully readable history of Eritrea … beautifully written' Independent

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Book SynopsisDoes for spirituality what Sophie's World did for philosophy.Theo is fourteen, very clever, reads a lot, loves computer games and the Greek myths. But then, suddenly, he falls ill. His rich aunt Martha decides that they must roam the world to find a cure for his malaise.What follows is a tour of the world's religions and religious sites, with the sceptical, quizzical Theo being shown the varieties and depths of faith that exist in other places, other cultures.All this is handled with real style, pace, wit and clarity. The book is a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to why and how people believe in their God even Dave Allen would have liked it.Trade Review‘A wonderful book that both adults and adolescents like Theo will find richly rewarding.’Le Populaire ‘With its fluent and alert prose, this encyclopaedic novel will entrance any smart reader keen to extend their spiritual understanding.’Madame Figaro ‘Clement has written her great book of questions. The reader needs to dive into it as they would plunge into crystal-clear waters: it will open their heart and refresh their spirit.’Magazine Litteraire

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Book SynopsisIf you're wondering what Chris Stewart did before he and Ana moved to El Valero, their Spanish farm, here's one of the answers. He took to the sea, landing a job as skipper for the summer, sailing a Cornish Crabber around the Greek islands. It was his dream job - and there was just one tiny problem. He hadn't ever sailed before and had not the foggiest how to start.In a series of madcap and hilarious adventures we follow Chris from a shaky start in Chichester harbour to his epic Odyssey to Spetses (a bucket would have been handy), and then on to the journey of a lifetime - battening down the hatches on a trip across the North Atlantic. It's a journey crackling with Chris's zest for life, irresistible humour, and unerring lack of foresight. Dry land never looked more welcoming.Trade ReviewLaugh yourself silly! Wonderful! * Books Quarterly *Witty, self-deprecating and charming, Stewart makes wonderful company even if you do get soaked in the process. It's a book with a big heart and a great belly laugh -- Kathleen Wyatt * The Times *A charming and lyrical read, awash with the joy of discovery...I've never read a funnier description than his detailed advice on How to Pee at Midnight during a Force -- Rory Maclean * Guardian *It is easy to enthuse about the simple pleasures of life, but hard to write about them well. Stewart's gift is to do so with the carefree manner of someone you've just met in a bar, and who is buying the drinks -- Hugh Thomson * Independent *His enthusiasm and sheer good nature are infectious and, like Bill Bryson, with whom he's sometimes compared, he's a hard man to dislike * Mail on Sunday *This is a lovely little book... you really get a sense of what it's like aboard an ocean-going sailing ship -- Sam Leith * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe outrageous sequel to Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs (She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse) brings more great stories from the far side of civilization - hilarious, full of humour, colourful characters and dramatic action! Just another glorious day in the oilfield for Paul Carter! He's stuck in the middle of the Russian sea on a rig staffed by a crew from Azerbaijan. The choppers are older than him and can only fly by line of sight, turning back regularly due to the weather which gets particuarly interesting when they are past the point of no return with half there fuel gone and they are committed to finding the rig in a fog that's thicker than a Big Brother housemate. The closest thing to a hotel for miles around is the Asylum, a former soviet mental institution that now houses offshore personnel en-route to the rig, where his room mates are Vodka Bob - who drinks Guinness for breakfast when he's not on the rig - Sick Boy, who snores like a pit bull being hot-waxed and Sealbasher. In his inimitable style Paul Carter regales us with his colourful adventures from the front line of thee oil industry and the far side of civilization!Trade ReviewIf you're looking for a rip-roaring, rollicking roster of drunken antics, tropical diseases and bad behaviour, you won't go far wrong. * Amazon reviews *Get ready for loosely connected, bawdy stories about the author and his outrageous friends. Some tales come from the oil rigs Carter worked on, but most take place in bars, where misogynistic alpha males drown themselves in a sea of liquor. How about the one where a bloke with a glass eye pops it into someone's beer, and the crowd waits until the victim quaffs the last ounce to see it staring at him from the bottom of his glass? Carter narrates the audiobook in his working-class Australian accent, loaded with the national vocabulary of 'mates', 'queuing', 'boiled sweets', and 'rubbing one out' (think gas). His rapid narrative style leaves the listener little time to ponder the novel metaphors, similes, and analogies. * Audiofile Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'His erudition is enorous, his prose as beautiful and clear as the blue ocean on a crisp morning . . . Passage to Juneau is a wonderfully fluid read' – Sunday Times Passage to Juneau is an account of Raban's voyage from Seattle to the Alaskan capital by boat, and the devastating news that awaits him when he returns to dry land. In Raban's capable hands, the passage from Seattle to Alaska is less a journey than a backdrop for musings on history, art, myth, and philosophy.Reissued with a new introduction from Robert Macfarlane, author of Underland: A Deep Time Journey, this is extraordinary travel writing, defying at every turns the constrains of genre.'Raban at his best' – Ian McEwanTrade ReviewRaban's inability to write a mere travel book opens the way for Passage to Juneau to become something richer and stranger: a book that defies categories, unless it simply be called a portrait of the journeying soul . . . Evoking the sea, Raban is incomparable * Times Literary Supplement *A moving, complex mosaic of memory, history and adventure * Sunday Telegraph *'Passage to Juneau is a rich and complex book – a beautifully crafted travelogue, a subtle exercise in anthropology and an involving account of the personal crises which gripped Raban during his voyage to Alaska' * Express on Sunday *'Jonathan Raban is one of the most satisfying writers of his generation' * Observer *This is an extraordinary book . . . The epic jounrey through the eddies, rips, whirlpools, and various other marine terrors quickly becomes intensely personal . . . Passage to Juneau is far more thna a meditation on the sea and its meanings; it is also an unsparing self-exaomination, written with mordant humour and forensic ruthlessness * Telegraph *A thrilling adventure and a telling internal exploration . . . the writing contains natural description of breathtaking exactness . . . and the sea itself – in all its moods – has surely never been so intricately painted * Evening Standard *His erudition is enormous, his prose as beautiful and clear as the blue ocean on a crisp morning and his sense of joy at having found his place in the world is immensely rewarding. Passage to Juneau is a wonderfully fluid read. It is also a thought-provoking and challenging work that is likely to splash around in the memory long after the volume has been consigned to the shelf * Sunday Times *Raban's journey itself is most beautifully told, vivid and fresh with observation * Spectator *A work of great beauty and inexhaustible fervour * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisALOHA (love) • 'ĀINA (land) • MO'OLELO (stories) • 'OHANA (family) DISCOVER FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF HAWAIIAN LIVING FOR A PEACEFUL AND BALANCED LIFE. More than just a beautiful paradise, Hawai'i has a rich culture, deeply rooted in tradition. Native Hawaiian and cultural expert Kainoa Daines has spent many years teaching visitors to the islands about this time-honored wisdom, and now he has teamed up with journalist Annie Daly to share that knowledge with you. Island Wisdom is an inspirational and rewarding journey through traditional Hawaiian teachings that have stood the test of time, from how to be pono (live a balanced life) every day, to how to mālama 'āina (preserve and protect the land). Filled with the voices and guidance of Hawaiian elders, regional folklore, and ancient teachings—plus gorgeous local photography and illustrations throughout—Island Wisdom is a celebration of Hawaiian culture, language, and values that will give you a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for Hawai'i and the Hawaiian way of life. Perfect for: - Fans of the New York Times bestseller The Little Book of Hygge - Travelers who have visited or are thinking of visiting Hawai'i - Readers curious to learn about Hawaiian culture and language - Anyone seeking a more thoughtful and balanced life

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Book SynopsisArtist, designer and photographer Claire Lloyd enjoyed a phenomenal career in London for many years. Living in a beautiful apartment, with a life filled with excitement and travel, she continued working like a maniac until 2004 when glandular fever stopped her in her tracks. During her long recuperation, she realised her priorities were changing, and her life needed restructuring. A chance conversation with a friend led her to the Greek island of Lesvos, where she finally found what she was looking for - a sense of peace and the return of her creative drive. The book describes Claire's days in a small village in Greece, where the seasons govern a way of life that has barely changed over thousands of years. Accompanied by Claire's stunning photographs filled with colour and light, this inspirational story of reconnecting with nature and community, and finding beauty in the smallest details, will make you see the world afresh.

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Book SynopsisUnflinchingly honest about his family, his failures, his already broken health at the age of sixty?three and the loss of the hopes he once had for himself, Thomsen is also sickened by the corruption and rapacity of our societies, the inequality and the economic destitution. What starts as an almost reluctant concatenation of memory and poignant, limpid descriptions of Brazil, grows into a shattering romantic symphony on human misery and life s small but exquisite transcendent pleasures. He spares the reader nothing.

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Book SynopsisIt's two decades since Chris Stewart moved to his farm on the wrong side of a river in the mountains of southern Spain and his daughter Chlöe is preparing to fly the nest for university. In this latest, typically hilarious dispatch from El Valero we find Chris, now a local literary celebrity, using his fame to help his old sheep-shearing partner find work on a raucous road trip; cooking a TV lunch for visiting British chef, Rick Stein; discovering the pitfalls of Spanish public speaking; and recalling his own first foray into the adult world of work. Yet it's at El Valero, his beloved sheep farm, that Chris remains in his element as he, his wife Ana and their assorted dogs, cats and sheep weather a near calamitous flood and emerge as newly certified organic farmers. His cash crop? The lemons and oranges he once so blithely drove over, of course.Trade ReviewWhen an author is as modest and humorous as this, his story cannot be told too often * The Times *An affectionate account of living well in the shade and scent of Stewart's beloved organic citrus trees. Happy days -- Iain Finlayson

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide to the strange, sometimes sinister culture of contemporary Italy.When Tobias Jones first travelled to Italy, he expected to discover the pastoral bliss described by centuries of foreign visitors and famous writers. Instead, he discovered a very different country, besieged by unfathomable terrorism and deep-seated paranoia, where crime is scarcely ever met with punishment.Now, in this fascinating travelogue, Jones explores not just Italy''s familiar delights (art, climate, cuisine), but the livelier and stranger sides of the bel paese: language, football, Catholicism, cinema, television and terrorism. Why, he wonders, do bombs still explode every time politics start getting serious? Why does everyone urge him to go home as soon as possible, saying that Italy is a ''brothel''? And why do people warn him that ''Clean Hands'' only disguise ''Dirty Feet''?

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Book SynopsisThe iconic writer''s travel log from the uncharted shores of West Africa. Leaving Europe for the first time in his life, Graham Greene set out in 1935 to discover Liberia, then a virtually unmapped republic on the shores of West Africa. This captivating account of his arduous 350-mile journey on foot - a great adventure which took him from the border with Sierra Leone to the Atlantic coast at Grand Bassa - is as much a record of one young man''s self-discovery as it is a striking insight into one of the few areas of Africa untouched by Western colonisation. Journey Without Maps is regarded as a masterclass in travel writing.WITH A FOREWORD BY TIM BUTCHER AND AN INTRODUCTION BY PAUL THEROUX''One of the best travel books this century'' IndependentTrade ReviewOne of the best travel books this century * Independent *No one who reads this book will question the value of Greene's experiment, or emerge unshaken by the penetration, the richness, the integrity of this moving record * Guardian *His originality lay in his gifts as a traveller. He had the foreign ear and eye for the strangeness of ordinary life and its ordinary crisesJourney Without Maps and The Lawless Roads reveal Greene's ravening spiritual hunger, a desperate need to touch rock bottom both within the self and in the humanly created world * Times Higher Education Supplement *

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Book SynopsisStones of Aran: Pilgrimage is, as Robert Macfarlane says in his introduction, ''one of the most sustained, intensive and imaginative studies of a place that has ever been carried out''. That place is one of the most mysterious and oldest inhabited landscapes in the world, the islands of Aran off the west coast of Ireland. Tim Robinson''s epic exploration of the desolate, storm-lashed, limestone rocks, which have already haunted generations of Irish writers, takes the form of a clockwise journey around the coast. Every cliff, inlet and headland reveals layers of myth and historical memory, and Robinson makes beautifully crafted observations about the habits of birds, plants and the humans who lived there and endured, leaving records in stone - on the walls, cairns and ancient forts - in story and in oral tradition.

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Book SynopsisBritain''s most readable journalist takes on his biggest challenge - America.Where were you when John F. Kennedy was shot? Today the answer more often than not is going to be ''not born''. You have to be some way past 45 to know where you were when Kennedy was shot in Dallas in 1963. A generation later, you could ask the same question about the World Trade Centre. Where were you when the plane hit the twin towers on 11 September 2001? But this book is about what happened between those two moments. The world''s perception of America changed between those two waves.A.A. Gill''s book is about the things he''s always found admirable and optimistic about the United States and its citizens. Two of the happiest times of his life were spent living in New York and the mountains of Kentucky. The contrast between the two couldn''t have been more complicated and different. The America he found was contradictory and elusive, not the simpletons'' place he''d been led to Trade ReviewA.A. Gill sees things very differently, and in this collection of penetrating and abrasive essays he takes issue with any number of lazy cliches. * THE MAIL ON SUNDAY *This immensely entertaining collection of pieces inspired by Gill's love and knowledge of America provides a welcome reminder of his gift for sharp, clever and vigorous prose. In all of them, he shows his skill in fusing cultural and historical knowledge, personal anecdotes and trenchant opinions. * THE SUNDAY TIMES *

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Book SynopsisTen years ago journalist Jens Muhling met Juri, a Russian television producer whose job it was to sell stories to TV stations in Germany but who always maintained that 'The true stories are more unbelievable than anything I could invent.' Ever since, Jens Muhling has been travelling through Russia in search of stories that appear too unbelievable to be true: a hermit from the Taiga who only recently found out that there was a world beyond the woods, a priest who ventures into the exclusion zone around Chernobyl to preach to those that stubbornly remain there, and many more. Jens Muhling shows us a country whose customs, contradictions, absurdities and attractions are still largely unknown beyond its borders.Trade Review'To understand the ambiguities, contradictions, absurdities and complexities of the Russian soul, the advice was always to read Gogol. The advice now would be to read Muhling. There is a shock of discovery and a shot of pleasure on every page.' -The Times; 'A compelling story of an author's journey into deepest Siberia in a quest to meet a woman determined to remain cut off from the outside world ' - Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisThese twenty articles, written during a period of thirty years, include an interview with Castro's executioner; a meeting with a tragic Ernest Hemingway; a farcical trip to the Chocos of Panama; a description of a fishing community in an unspoilt Ibiza; an extraordinary story of bandits in the highlands of Sardinia, and Lewis's famous report on the genocide of South America's Indians.

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Book SynopsisIn a ruined temple along the Nile, Anthony Sattin sees a woman praying to the gods of ancient Egypt to bless her with a child. Later that day, a policeman stops his taxi to ask to borrow a mobile phone to call his mother. The ancient rubs up against the modern just as dramatically as when Flaubert wrote, 'Egypt is a wonderful place for contrasts - splendid things gleam in the dust". Anthony Sattin has tracked down extraordinary examples of ancient survivals in the hurly-burly of modern Egypt.

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Book SynopsisCanned coffee and Kimonos is Tom Fitzmaurice's memoir of the four years he spent living and teaching in Tokyo, Japan, the biggest city on Earth. A young man from England's rural West Country, he was thrust into a new world for which he was completely unprepared and which he found utterly bewildering. Tom gives an insight into the life of an English teacher in this most fascinating of countries and how he found his feet teaching students aged two to ninety-one. From sitting in a robot restaurant watching a giant metal triceratops firing multicoloured laser beams, to the quietude of secluded and ancient mountain-top shrines on remote Japanese islands, this is a story of coming of age in a beguiling metropolis, of culture shock, faux pas, joy, hilarity, horror and the steepest of learning curves. Earthquakes, hedgehog cafes, bathing with the yakuza, love hotels, typhoons, geisha, nuclear fallout, fascists, festivals, temples, bullet trains, karaoke, samurai swords, sushi and sumo. This memoir has it all.

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Book SynopsisMexico, through the eyes of Sybille Bedford is a country of passion and paradox: arid desert and shrieking jungle, harsh sun and deep shadow, violence and sentimentality. In her frank descriptions of the horrors of travel - through bug-infested jungle, trapped in a broiling stationary train, or in a bus with a dead fish slapping against her face - she gains our trust. But it is the charmed world of Don Otavio which steals our imagination. He is, she says, one of the kindest men I ever met. She stays in his crumbling ancestral mansion, living a life of provincial ease and observing with glee the intense life of a Mexican neighbourhood.Trade Review"An absolutely first-class writer at the top of her powers" Mark Amory

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Book SynopsisAt the gateway to the Mediterranean lie the two Pillars of Hercules: Gibraltar and Ceuta, in Morocco. Paul Theroux decided to travel from one to the other but taking the long way round. His grand tour of the Mediterranean begins in Gibraltar and takes him through Spain, the French Riviera, Italy, Greece, Istanbul and beyond. He travels by any means necessary - including dilapidated taxi, smoke-filled bus, bicycle and even a cruise-liner. And he encounters bullfights, bazaars and British tourists, discovers pockets of humanity in war-torn Slovenia and Croatia, is astounded by the urban developments on the Costa del Sol and marvels at the ancient wonders of Delphi. Told with Theroux''s inimitable wit and style, this lively and eventful tour evokes the essence of Mediterranean life.Table of ContentsThe cable car to the Rock of Gibraltar; the Mare Nostrum express to Alicante; the MV Punta Europa to Majorca; the Virgen de Guadalupe express to Barcelona and beyond; Le Grand Sud to Nice; the ferry Ile de Baute to Corsica; the ferry Ichnusa to Sardinia; the ferry Torres to Sicily; the ferry - Villa to Calabria; the ferry Clodia from Chioggia; the ferry Liburnija to Zadar; the ferry Venezia to Albania; the MV Seabourne Spirit to Istanbul; the MV Akdeniz through the Levant the 7:20 express to Latakia; the ferry Sea Harmony to Greece; the ferry El-Loud III to Kerkennah; to Morocco on the ferry Boughaz.

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Book SynopsisContinuing from A Thousand Days in Venice, this is the story of Marlena and her Venetian husband, Fernando, as they make a life for themselves in rural Tuscany. Amongst the many people they befriend is Barluzzo, an old sage who takes the couple under his wing and initiates them in the age-old traditions of Tuscan life: since their house lacks electricity, he helps them build a traditional brick oven in the garden; in autumn he wakes them at dawn to gather chestnuts and porcini mushrooms, and at the onset of winter he takes them to pull grapes from the vines and beat olives from the trees. Beautifully written and richly seasoned with mouth-watering recipes of the region, this book is filled with the carpe diem attitude that so captivated readers of A Thousand Days in Venice.Trade ReviewDe Blasi's glittering descriptions and mouthwatering recipes take you directly into the heart of Italy and into the souls of the Italian people * Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Lucia, Lucia *Filled with warmth and the rich and simple drama of a beautiful life. The evocation of country dishes is mouthwatering, the lyrical beauty irresistible * Susan Herrmann Loomis, author of On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town *A love poem to de Blasi's professional life as a chef' USA Today * 'This memoir of the seasons in a small Tuscan village is rich with food, weather, romance, and, above all, life . . . [de Blasi] immerses her readers in life's poignancy, brevity, and wonder' Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisMatthew Fort has worked on the food pages of the Guardian for more than ten years. He also writes for the Observer, Esquire, Country Living, Decanter and Waitrose Food Illustrated and appears as a judge on BBC2's Great British Menu. One of Matthew's greatest passions is Italy, which he visits every year. Sweet Honey, Bitter Lemons is his fifth book.Trade ReviewWitty and romantic * Metro *An accomplished piece of travel writing that makes you want to explore the island all for yourself * Sunday Express *Perfect summer holiday reading * The Bookseller *Matthew has an infectious delight in proper food * Rick Stein *The finest book on this fascinating cuisine since Peter Robb's Midnight in Sicily -- Christopher Hirst * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisWhen Tessa de Loo saw Albania for the first time, no foreigners were allowed to enter. Filled with a great curiosity, longing, and a sense of wonderment by this isolated land, de Loo gazed toward the mountains that stood like 'the backs of patiently waiting elephants' across the water from Corfu. Inspired by the famous Thomas Phillips portrait of Lord Byron in Albanian national costume, and enthralled by the image of Lord Byron since her teenage years, she sets about exploring not only his physical journey, but attempts to understand his inner one as well. de Loo stole her way in and found a country suffering the hardships of post-communist reality and the constant and sometimes fractious clash between tradition and modernity. In the tradition of Bruce Chatwin, de Loo, the award-winning author of "The Twins," has written a fascinating travelogue and a very personal reassessment of the a formative chapter in Lord Byron's short life.Trade Review'[One notes] the seriousness and humour with which De Loo laces her contribution to superior travel literature... She gives her report in the form of letters to Byron (My dear friend, My dearest George) alternated with chapters where she recounts Byron's journey. However euphoric De Loo's report is not too affected, it stays lively and informative... is a book of contrasts, surprises and disappointments, written cheerfully and with eye for details.' Vrij Nederland

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Book SynopsisAlexander Burnes travelled up the Indus to Lahore and to the Khanates of Afghanistan and Central Asia in the 1830s, spying on behalf of the British Government in what was to become known as the 'Great Game'. His account of these travels was a bestseller in its day and this brand new edition brings the heady sense of excitement, risk and zeal bursting from the pages.

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