Unicorn Publishing Group
Unicorn Publishing Group Thea Porter's Scrapbook
Book SynopsisStarting in 1966, Thea Porter designed clothes for the rich and famous for nearly two decades. Her creations were made from sumptuous fabrics that drew inspiration from the Middle East, combining richly patterned silks with antique fabrics. Her clothes were a must for music and film stars such as Pink Floyd, Crystal Gayle, Elizabeth Taylor, and Barbra Streisand. Porter soon became a key member of an innovative group of British designers that included Ossie Clark, Zandra Rhodes, and Jean Muir, and her place in the history of British fashion was ensured when she was named Designer of the Year in 1972. Thea Porter’s scrapbook is her story in her own words, an unpublished autobiography she put together before her death in 2000. Edited by her daughter Venetia, and with an essay by fashion historian Amy de la Haye, it reveals Porter’s further talents as a keenly observant and descriptive writer. This book which includes working drawings, sketches, snapshots, and manuscript notes, serves as a memoir of her early life and career, charting many memorable episodes, including the dramatic surge of American interest in her clothes, and the opening of her shop in Paris as she pursued her ambition to create dresses “beyond trend and tat, that thirty years from today will still be beautiful.”Trade Review"The whole book is a great slice of fashion history." --Alexandra Shulman, former editor-in-chief, British Vogue; "A captivating book…Porter’s writing resembles her designs – it is often…a sensual patchwork…Like a wardrobe overflowing with wondrous clothes, the book is stuffed with photographs and paintings" Kate Kellaway, The Observer
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group A Passion for Fashion: 300 Years of Style at
Book SynopsisA Passion for Fashion provides an amusing look at some of the clothes, underclothes, shoes and accessories worn by many of the more colourful characters in Blenheim Palace’s 300-year history, as well as a cautionary look at the role that arsenic, lead, mercury and mousetraps played in the fashions of the day. Adult and children’s fashions from the 18th and 19th centuries are examined, as well as contemporary style from renowned designers including Christina Stambolian, Stephen Jones, Christian Louboutin and most recently of all, Dolce & Gabbana. Blenheim Palace’s on-going relationship with the House of Dior, is celebrated with a look at the early catwalk shows of the 1950s, and the launch of Dior’s Cruise collection, which took place at Blenheim in May 2016. The Palace is renowned for many things, but one of its leading claims to fame is that it is the birth place of a certain Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill – twice prime minister of Great Britain and accomplished writer, artist, sometime bricklayer and arguably, in fashion terms, the inventor of the ubiquitous and ever popular ‘Onesie’! A Passion for Fashion brings 300 years of Blenheim style to life.Trade Review‘The ultimate visual treat for lovers of vintage fashion’ The Lady
£13.50
Unicorn Publishing Group Mausoleum of Imperfection: The Art of Slavko
Book SynopsisMausoleum of Imperfection is a collection of picturesque and satirical portraits made by Slavko Krunić that refute the idea of separation between the observer and the work of art. Th us, it creates a certain intimacy; we feel we are the portraits’ companions and they are our fellow travellers in an imaginary life. Th e comical fantasy of these melancholy characters, who are watching us from the images, allows us to listen to their life stories whilst observing them in their immobility. Bill Gould wrote a short biography of an imaginary witness inspired by Krunic’s work. From this symbiosis arose an unusual combination of different artistic expressions, which was then shaped into Mausoleum of Imperfection.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Cadogan
Book SynopsisCeltic chieftains emerging from the mists of ancient Wales, the battle-keen' Cadogans play their part at Blenheim alongside Marlborough, on board Pellew's Indefatigable, with Wellington at Mondego Bay and Vittoria; at Balaklava and Sevastapol; at Ypres, Gallipoli and El Alamein. But opening the family archives private letters, diaries and albums we also find multilingual spies, evangelical clergymen, watercolour artists and society ladies who defy convention for love; illegitimacy, duels and gambling. There are diplomats, courtiers and confidantes. They share their stories with institutions from Chelsea Physic Garden and the British Museum to the British Olympic Association and Chelsea Football Club; from the Gaiety Theatre and the Jockey Club to the United Nations and the BBC. Woven throughout is the parallel history of Chelsea: a riverside farmland estate transformed into a visionary Georgian new town, and again into the recognisable red-brick of Pont Street Dutch, surviving riots
£45.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Lion
Book SynopsisLion follows internationally collected artist Mark Adlington's three-year mission to find lions in six very different habitats across East and Southern Africa. The resulting body of stunning paintings, drawings and sketchbooks represent the countless months of patient waiting, observation and interaction which have given the artist a unique insight into this most beautiful of big cats. With written contributions from frontline lion conservationists, without whose help and support the project would have been impossible, this is a book which will delight and inform art and nature lovers alike. Since the appearance of the Hohlenstein-Stadel Lion Man, the first ever human artwork, some 40,000 years ago, lions in art have surrounded us as symbols of royalty, power, evangelists, constellations and even the sun. Where lions are increasingly not, is living on this earth in the wild. While it may seem ambitious to take on such iconic subject matter, Adlington wanted to go back to source and create work that reflected the reality of the charismatic duality of this rapidly disappearing apex predator.Trade Review"This beautiful book brings these majestic creatures to life—you feel them stretch, hunt and fight as you turn every page." * Daily Mail (UK) *
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Nine Lives: The Story of Biggin Hill
Book SynopsisFrom Battle of Britain fighter station to commercial airport, this is the inspiring story of Biggin Hill. Biggin Hill, world-famous as a Battle of Britain fighter station, has had many lives. First used as an airfield in 1917, Biggin Hill saw brutal action in both World Wars, never losing a day’s operations despite devastating enemy attacks. Since 1959 two dynamic figures have kept this historic airfield open against the odds: fighter ace Jock Maitland, creator of the renowned Biggin Hill International Air Fair, and army pilot Andrew Walters, who has turned it into London’s No 1 business airport, with a thriving aviation community that includes air charter companies, engineering firms, flying schools, storage and restoration, and major Formula 1 and Bombardier operations. Meanwhile a new Museum and St George’s Memorial Chapel keep memories of its days as a Royal Force Station alive. The first full history of this great airfield, Nine Lives looks behind the scenes of a busy modern airport, digs deep into its dramatic past, and tells an inspiring tale of enterprise, innovation, teamwork and determination.
£32.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Is That Really True, Sir?: A Life of Colour and
Book SynopsisIn ‘Is That Really True, Sir?’, the artist, barrister, schoolmaster, musician, journalist and explorer Michael Aubrey negotiates a succession of improbable events and narrow escapes. Starting with a vivid account of his wartime childhood, Aubrey shares the joys, hazards, surprises and often hilarious disasters of his colourful experiences in many countries, encountering a range of unusual people along the way. With a comic lightness of touch, he revels in life’s absurdities at the same time as celebrating the beauty and harmony of the various worlds which he has inhabited. The memoir is lavishly illustrated, including over eighty of the author’s vibrant watercolours. His acute eye for the ridiculous, keen observation of character, lyrical accounts of unfamiliar places and illuminating insights make this a joyous book, one to lift the spirits even on the dullest of days.
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Chinese Art Today: From 20th-Century Tradition to
Book SynopsisContemporary Chinese art has played a significant role in contributing to art globalisation; meanwhile, the trajectory of modernisation of art in China has not been rendered explicitly. This book aims to explore the context of Chinese art from the 20th to the 21st century, from three aspects: society, the individual and art forms. It is hoped to inject new vitality into the current obscure art historiography. The complicated issue regarding how to position globalisation and national identity is well discussed throughout the book, addressing the hardcore research questions in the field. This research selects the nine most representative artists: Lin Fengmian, Wu Dayu, Sanyu, Zao Wou-ki, Wu Guanzhong, Su Tianci, Wang Jieyin, Zhang Enli and Chen Yujun.
£40.00
Unicorn Publishing Group A Sense of Theatre
Book SynopsisA Sense of Theatre is an eye-witness account of the birth and subsequent triumph of one of the world's most famous theatres. Since the iconic building opened in 1976 on London's South Bank, the National Theatre's deployment of extraordinary architecture and exemplary theatrical talent has drawn audiences worldwide. However, the 100-year dream of a national theatre for the nation did not happen without crises and setbacks. The theatre architecture has challenged generations of theatre makers, leading to innovation that has changed theatre worldwide. The architect, Sir Denys Lasdun, initially a neophyte in theatre design, subsequently became an initiator of a new way of approaching theatre design: through deep collaboration between architecture and theatre.In 1963, Richard Pilbrow, pioneer of modern stage lighting in Britain, was appointed by Sir Laurence Olivier to help create the National Theatre of Great Britain as a member of the building committee.This book is Pilbrow's account of t
£36.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Allen Jones Moves
Book SynopsisAllen Jones has created some of the most powerful and provocative images of the past half century. His Pop Art paintings are icons of Swinging London, while his controversial Furniture sculptures helped set the dystopian mood of the 1970s, the era of A Clockwork Orange and Punk, on which he exerted a crucial influence. Yet Jones's art hasn't stood still. From early shaped canvases to current experiments with virtual reality and AI, Jones's career has developed through a succession of formal innovations moves as he calls them which are the subject of this ground breaking publication. Lavishly illustrated with many little-seen images, the book examines Jones's personal iconography, and not least his contested approach to the female form in greater depth than any previous study. Far from uncritically reflecting the male gaze, as some have claimed, Jones's art has been preoccupied with themes of gender convergence and interchangeability from the outset. Allen Jones Moves takes us inside the artist's thinking at the key junctures of his career, highlighting the intellectual curiosity that has powered a life of constant, intense creative activity.
£31.50
Unicorn Publishing Group Power Pleasure
Book Synopsis
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Pedlars Poseurs and Performers
Book SynopsisPedlars, Poseurs and Performers is a compelling insight into the world of the Portobello Street market. Fifty years of photographs, which go beyond the stalls, shops and cafés normally associated with it. Each picture features, where possible, the subject's name and the date the picture was taken. Some of the characters shared their stories with Brian Jaquest while being photographed in his studio. The non-conformist approach to the layout of the book represents the chaotic experience of a street market. The photographs and texts describe each category in the book's title: pedlars, poseurs and performers. This book is not only a visual record of the characters who have made the Portobello Street market famous over generations but is also a collection of fascinating photographs taken from the point of view of an insider. Pedlars, Poseurs and Performers is an in-depth photographic history which takes the reader into the ticking heart of the Portobello Road.
£40.00
Unicorn Publishing Group The Architects Edge
Book SynopsisThe Architect's Edge is a bold exploration of architecture, leadership and business, offering invaluable insights for creative entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Gareth Stapleton, an award-winning architect and project manager, shares practical wisdom from decades of global experience. Drawing from real-world projects, he demonstrates how architects and leaders can navigate the complexities of modern business while maintaining creative integrity. This book challenges conventional wisdom and offers actionable strategies for driving long-term value and innovation. Whether you're an aspiring architect, a seasoned leader or a creative professional seeking to make an impact, this handbook equips you with the tools to build lasting value, inspire innovation and lead with confidence.
£17.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Carrying the Can
Book SynopsisFrom childhood, Christopher Miles was fascinated by celluloid. This love of the moving image announced itself early: he was just 12 when the BBC screened his first film in 1951. To be a filmmaker, Miles had to sidestep parental plans to enrol him in the family steelworks. He had already been filming in communist China and Argentina when he escaped to Paris where he made his first professional film. Later, working mostly in Europe and America, Miles made a string of intriguing and unusual films, two exploring his obsession with D.H. Lawrence, others bringing works by Jean Anouilh and Jean Genet to the big screen. He writes revealingly of his relationship with his father, of whether he is related to the royal family, and of the host of key figures in the film industry he worked with. Among the stars of his films are Ian McKellen, Ava Gardner, John Gielgud, Susannah York, Franco Nero and Charlotte Rampling. This compelling account goes behind the scenes, setting the films in context and giving the reader a very personal view of contemporary film-making.
£28.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Homage to Bangladesh: A Memoir of a Time and a
Book SynopsisBangladesh has been shunned by tourists from the moment it was created in 1971. Henry Kissinger described it as a basketcase. Poverty and humanitarian disasters defined Bangladesh in the ensuing decades. When Rupert Grey arrived in Dhaka in 1992, a sign announced that arrivals were ‘Welcome to Bangladesh before the tourists get here’. They still haven’t. Grey first came to Bangladesh as a London lawyer armed with three FM2 cameras. Many journeys and 30 years later he is a photographer armed with a useful legal background. The catalysts were Chobi Mela, the festival of photography, and its founder Shahidul Alam, an acclaimed photographer, human rights activist and Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2018. This book charts Grey’s love affair with Bangladesh, including an epic transcontinental journey through India to Chobi Mela in a vintage Rolls-Royce, later portrayed in the award-winning, Sharon Stone produced film Romantic Road. His photographs, mostly taken on film, speak powerfully of the cultural vitality and energy which Kissinger missed, and which inspired Grey’s Homage to Bangladesh. As a libel and copyright lawyer Rupert has represented national papers, politicians, bankers, celebrities and explorers. He serves on the board of a number of front-line charities in the arts, education, photography and marine exploration. He has travelled on foot and horseback, by dug-out canoe, dog sledge, camel, elephant, bush-plane and Land Rover to the wild places of the earth. His photographs have been exhibited in several countries including Bangladesh, and his articles have been widely published. He lives with his wife Jan in a remote thatched cottage in Sussex, England, with their three daughters nearby.Trade Review"an extraordinary book ... about his dazzling photography, revealing how that medium can open our eyes to the reality of a crowded, diverse and profoundly interesting country." Geographical
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group The Art of Michael Fell
Book SynopsisThe Art of Michael Fell explores the artist's life, work and influences, with perspectives from leading figures in the world of art criticism, painting and print making.
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Fifth Avenue
Book SynopsisPaperback edition of Fifth Avenue - This book seeks to recreate Fifth Avenue as it grew, flourished and failed.
£23.96
Unicorn Publishing Group Roger Bamber: Out of the Ordinary
Book SynopsisRoger Bamber, for fifty years one of Britain’s leading photojournalists, has poured his life’s work into this unique reflection of a career that encompassed not only riots and bombings and the crazy world of rock and pop in the twentieth century but recorded with a sympathetic eye the demise of traditional British industries and the old steam railways. His graphic photographs are well known for their distinctive, often wryly humorous, style and strong visual impact and have been widely published worldwide. He was British Press Photographer of the Year, twice British News Photographer of the Year and won many awards for his features on the arts. Towards the end of his career he worked mainly for the Guardian and was happiest finding creative people with a story to tell. He preferred working outdoors, ideally within sight of the sea, and showcasing ordinary people – celebrating just how extraordinary all of us can be.Trade Review“A true pictorialist, he captures the beauty of shape and form, always with a wry sense of humour and even a twist of anarchy.” – Eamonn McCabe "A wonderful showcase of a photographer who captured the music, politics and social changes of the latter half of the 20th century like no one else." – I News "A picture editor's dream, whose distinctive eye created engaging and striking images that captured an ordinary moment in an extraordinary way." – Sussex Life "An IRA bomb victim, a miniature railway obsessive and Thatcher with a handful of cow dung – these superb images tell a vivid tale of Britain" – The Guardian
£32.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Other Ranks
Book SynopsisOther Ranks is a First World War classic, first published in 1931 but quickly lost in the wave of war memoirs and novels. It is the fictionalised account of William Tilsley's war experiences through the eyes of ordinary soldier Dick Bradshaw in the 55th West Lancashire Division. This authentic memoir of life and death on the front line begins with Bradshaw’s “C” Company leaving the depot at Etaples and heading for their first engagement at the front on the Somme in the Autumn of 1916. Over the next fourteen months it follows the chores behind the line and unwelcome stints on the front line through to his wounding during the Third battle of Ypres in 1917 and subsequent return to Blighty. As well as criticism of the conduct of the war, there is description of the desolation of the landscape and continual conditions of the trenches as experienced by the Poor Bloody Infantry (PBI); wet, cold, frost bite, trench foot, shelling and general life in trenches with continual risk of collapse. War is not a chivalrous experience and his narrative does not hold back in his thoughts and feelings concerning soldiers behind the lines out of the reach of the guns and those at the top. This new edition follows research by Gaye Magnall and is accompanied by introductions from relatives of the three main characters, O'Neill, Magnall and WVT's great nephew, David Tilsley.Trade Review‘Mr. Blunden remarks that Mr. Tilsley “misses nothing.” He has, indeed, a very keen eye. Mr. Tisley’s description of an attack on the Somme is as vivid as anything of the sort that has been written’ Times Literary Supplement, 16 April 1931 ‘An unvarnished account…he gives us modestly the prose of the matter; of mud, stench, lice, fatigue, cold, fear, danger and death’ The Guardian, 18 March 1931 ‘This re-publication of W V Tilsley’s Other Ranks, a book at the pinnacle of the mountain of other ranks writing about the Great War after 88 years came as both surprise and pleasure. Although frequently, and unfairly, described as a forgotten book, it is one with a great reputation’ Stand To!
£13.49
Unicorn Publishing Group Look Where We’re Going: Escaping the Prism of
Book SynopsisLook Where We’re Going is a book of revelation and revolution. Written by someone who has been at the centre of British government and international affairs for half a century, it looks afresh at the ideas, hopes, lessons and largely unintended consequences of successive generations of political leaders; it shows us how to Look Where We’re Going. Based on deep personal experience – the author is one of the few left who served in Margaret Thatcher’s first Cabinet of just over forty years ago – Howell gives us a new picture of the dramas deep inside government and how yesterday’s clashes of ideology and personality have led to today’s unanticipated turmoil. Old assumptions are torn apart and accepted versions of what occurred are unravelled. Howell shows how technology has made much of our conventional political vocabulary obsolete, how we now need quite different types of leadership serving new priorities and how, while we wrestle with the issues just before our eyes, much bigger forces are at work which are re-shaping our lives and our future.
£15.00
Unicorn Publishing Group The Name Beneath The Stone: Secret of the Unknown
Book SynopsisThree generations, one family, connected by an historic secret. 1917 – Private Daniel Dawkins fights at Messines Ridge and Passchendaele. He writes home to his true-love Joyce, but reveals little of his extreme bravery, his kindness, his loyalty to his comrades and the horrors they experience on the Western Front. 1920 – Captain Peter Harding is tasked with a secret mission to assist in the selection of a body dug up from the battlefields of Flanders to be buried in Westminster Abbey as the 'Unknown Warrior'. Events take place on that expedition that come to haunt him for the rest of his life. 2011 – Sarah Harding discovers Daniel’s letters and Peter’s diaries. Together with historian James Marchant she pieces together the hidden truth behind the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and must decide what to do with it. Values are challenged and characters are tested in this gripping novel which asks ‘what if the identity of the Unknown Soldier was discovered - and should that secret ever be revealed?’Trade Review"The blending of fact and fiction makes for a compelling narrative that educates as well as entertains. The level of reality in the depiction of army life and the quality of research that has gone in to The Name Beneath The Stone is exemplary" Linda's Book Bag "This breathtaking book is an absolute must read, I really can't recommend The Name Beneath The Stone highly enough; I'd give it 888,246 stars if I could, one for every military fatality of World War I. Every once in a while a book comes along that renders me speechless and The Name Beneath The Stone did just that. Stunning and imaginative, it took my breath away. Absolutely outstanding and perfect in every way; this is a book I will be recommending for many years to come." The Book Magnet "Relationships, morals, revelations and secrets are at the forefront of The Name Beneath The Stone: Secret of the Unknown Warrior and with it comes quite a complicated plot to get your teeth into, but somehow with a skilful approach, Newcome administers a developmental breakthrough showcasing a strong assurance of characters, both in lead roles and behind the scenes." Page Turners Nook "What I loved was the human aspect of the storyline. ...This was an enthralling and emotional book and one I’m very glad to have had the pleasure of reading." “I highly recommend this one to lovers of historical fiction” Secret Library Book Blog “The Name Beneath the Stone is an incredibly well research and beautifully written novel. It holds important historical significance and is highly recommended.” The Welsh Librarian “The Name Beneath The Stone is a remarkable story that’s insightful, thought provoking, poignant filled with raw, authentic images and scenes.” Kraftireader "this book title and blurb really caught my eye and it proved to be a beautifully written and thoughtfully researched novel. I had assumed it would be a non-fiction book but it is in fact a novel with a carefully crafted, complex weaving of a fictional family history and fact." Mrs Average on Books "This is the first I have read from Robert Newcome, it definitely won’t be the last, his writing is strong, informative and engaging, I was completely transfixed with his clear and vibrant narrative." Chicks, Rogues and Scandals "I found the sheer humanity of this sophisticated and meaningful book touching and significant, and I found the moral questions of the nature of historical investigation fascinating. I recommend it as a great read and it deserves a lot of attention." Northern Reader "I’ve read a lot of novels set during World War I, but none of them has moved me or challenged my thinking as much as Robert Newcome’s The Name Beneath the Stone. It is so well written and cleverly plotted that the ending, the final twist in the tale, left my thoughts and emotions in turmoil." A Darn Good Read
£13.49
Unicorn Publishing Group Wild Neighbours: Portraits of London’s
Book SynopsisAS FEATURED ON BBC LONDON NEWS. Take four seasons, one photographer, eighty species, hundreds of miles on foot in a city of ten million people and through intimate and captivating portraits meet London's wild neighbours. London is not just a city of ten million people, it is also home to an extraordinary diversity of beautiful wildlife. With world population exploding and more and more countryside being lost to urban sprawl or commercial agriculture, the sharing of urban space with nature is more important than ever. To achieve this, we have to preserve and increase the green and blue spaces in our cities and see and love the wildlife that we already have. Since London is my city, I set out to observe and create photographic portraits of all the creatures I could find. Whilst this has taken many hundreds of hours, it has been the happiest time imaginable as I immersed myself in the sweetness and delight of my wild neighbours.Trade Review"This magnificent book offers a surprising new angle on London." * Daily Mail (UK) *"Stunning images of animals. . . . An incredible array of natural beauty in our country." * The Lady (UK) *"These pictures are glorious. I cannot recommend this book more highly." * The Carrie and David Grant Show, BBC Radio London *"I read this book with envy at the author's ability to share peace and tranquility with the wilderness around her, allowing the wild creatures to feel safe enough to come as close to her as you can see in her amazing images." * Outdoor Photography Magazine *"There is ever increasing evidence that proximity to nature is highly effective in combating a wide range of mental and physical health issues. Wild Neighbours should be a compulsory prescription for all Londoners in these challenging times—not just a visual tonic, but a constant reminder of the extraordinary wealth of flora and fauna at our doorstep." -- Mark Adlington, author of Painting the Ice Bear"From the mighty stags of Richmond Park to the smallest beetle in a back garden, Cheesbrough’s evocative photographs will make your heart soar with the magic and wonder of nature and hope for the future." -- Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall, founder, SFW Communications"Cheesbrough’s stunning portraits of London wildlife are a joy to behold. They’re also a timely reminder of how much we have to gain from being more generous with our urban spaces, how allowing nature into our own backyards not only addresses the desperate questions of biodiversity loss but is balm for the soul." -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Art and Industry: Seven Artists in search of an
Book SynopsisIn seven linked essays, the author discusses paintings of industrial scenes by seven artists working in the period 1780–1830. Their unique and distinct responses to the subject matter reveal a surprisingly coherent message.Trade Review"Art and industry may sound like an unlikely combination, usually we see them almost at the extremes of the spectrum of life. That is to say, Art embodies creativity while industry channels efficiency and standardization. David Stacey, in his book Art and Industry: Seven Artists in Search of an Industrial Revolution in Britain, explores how those extremes can come together." * Daily Art Magazine *"The chapters contain much information about the artists themselves as well as many other people, and this is one of the strengths of the work in that some of this information may be appearing for the first time in the form of a published book. Although each of the essays purports to deal with a single painter more are included and there are a large number of biographical references. For the research worker in this field the book can be highly recommended. . . . This is a detailed scholarly book. . . . It is very-well referenced; there are copious notes, an extensive bibliography and a good index. David Stacey is to be complimented on a fine work." * International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology *
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Titian’s Lost Last Supper: A New Workshop
Book SynopsisThis intriguing book investigates the very rare discovery of a huge, lost, Last Supper painting produced in the workshop of Tiziano Vecellio, known as Titian. The discoloured canvas hung neglected in a parish church for 110 years until the conservator and art historian Ronald Moore removed centuries of discoloured varnish and began to appreciate that something exceptional was being revealed. Following extensive scientific examination, signatures and dates appeared whilst it also became apparent that some faces were actually portraits. The early history of the painting in a Venetian convent was discovered with the enthusiastic help of the modern Venetian, Count Francesco da Mosto, whose family knew Titian. The many painters of Titian's workshop are considered with careful circumspection to determine possible contributors to the Last Supper and the remarkable reason for the many changes, or pentimenti, are explained. After 10,500 hours of research and the translation of countless Italian documents and books, the full history of the painting has been revealed. We now know that the painting is far more than a Last Supper from Titian's workshop, painted by at least five artists over twenty years, but is actually a painting within a painting involving other prominent painters and a denouement unparalleled in Renaissance art.
£17.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Lifting the Day: A Lockdown Exhibition
Book SynopsisOn the first day of lockdown, Mary Collis decided to post a painting onto her Facebook page, suggesting she would ‘lift the day’ during the forecast two-week lockdown. 245 days later she was still posting daily. This Facebook lockdown exhibition became a daily source of inspiration and sanity for Mary and her followers, as they shared memories through her art and words about life in locked down Kenya and beyond.
£17.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Queen of The Savoy: The Extraordinary Life of
Book SynopsisBorn in 1852 in a small coastal town in Scotland, Helen D’Oyly Carte, through academic brilliance and an incredible talent for ‘managing chaos’, developed and ran the world’s foremost top entertainment and hospitality organisation with her husband, Richard D’Oyly Carte (known as D’Oyly). By the age of 30, she was running five Gilbert & Sullivan companies for the Savoy Group in the United States, crossing the Atlantic thirty times, and for the next three decades she ran the Savoy Theatre, the Savoy Hotel, Claridges and Simpson's-in-the-Strand. She was the only one trusted by the prickly, brilliant William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, to keep them from breaking apart, as they so regularly wanted to do. From a conventional upbringing, she chose to remain in London after the emigration of her family to Australia, first as an actress, then working alongside D’Oyly – she took over the reins as he became ill in the late 1880s. Until her death in 1913, she flourished and was famous, interviewed and admired, in a competitive, vibrant London that was the centre of world power and commerce. Queen of The Savoy charts Helen’s course from Wigtown to the West End, where running a company with hundreds of employees, led to her fame and fortune. The artists Whistler and Sickert were friends and immortalised her in portraits. She was known in her time as the true founder of the Gilbert and Sullivan franchise and this biography will bring to light, some 110 years after her death, the extraordinary role that she played in one of Britain’s greatest success stories.Trade Review‘This lively account of the life of Helen D’Oyly Carte is an extraordinary journey through the arts and business in Victorian and Edwardian Britain, as seen through the eyes of the ‘Queen of the Savoy’. Surfacing the stories of women who have often been rendered invisible is dependent on painstaking research. Elisabeth Kehoe has left no stone unturned in her excavation of the life story of this exceptional woman - an act of tenacity by the author that matches the essence of the subject of this fascinating book.’ - Professor Jo Fox, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Engagement) and Dean of the School of Advanced Study, University of London
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Conspiracy, Calamity and Cover-up: The Truth
Book SynopsisThe Hess affair requires an understanding of a variety of disciplines and practices: Wartime aviation, political history and human psychology to name but three. Harris and Wilbourn have over an extended period tried to learn as much as possible about all relevant aspects of what is in concert a complicated subject, one that has not yet been satisfactorily explained even after more than 80 years. In the past there have been works that have concentrated on single aspects of the affair; usually in great detail, but in Conspiracy, Calamity and Cover-up the authors’ work on the individual components provides the best ever yet plausible explanation of the affair as a whole. Official secrecy on the grounds of ‘National Security’, obfuscation and downright lying have all played a part in preserving the truth behind the flight. Through dogged perseverance and endeavour Harris and Wilbourn now present what they believe is the ultimate truth behind the affair.Trade Review"... clearly the culmination of all their years of diligent research, and they leave no proverbial stone unturned in their quest to answer exactly what happened and why... if you are looking for an insightful and informative read that comprehensively addresses the Hess saga then look no further." History of War
£28.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Seasons for the Soul Spells of Nature
Book SynopsisThe beauty and magic of nature seen through the eye of a needle. Colours of flowers and shapes of plants; bleached grass and golden cornfields at harvest time; spiders webs on the structures of decayed seedheads; a metallic green chafer beetle landing on a deep crimson rose; a shooting star. Beguiling discoveries that are part of the world full of secrets, minute details and the sumptuous colours and textures of nature that lend themselves to their translation into rich embroidery. This embroidered path of the seasons uses hand embroidery in its traditional role of storytelling to share nature's gifts. Each stitch holds the emotion of the moment and keeps a record. The book tells the story of the companionship and healing offered by the seasons during the enforced isolation of the pandemic, and how it enabled the artist to find beauty in solitude.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group The Perceptive Investor
Book SynopsisSuccess leaves clues. In The Perceptive Investor, global hedge fund manager Ardal Gronager shows that by learning from the world's most successful value investors and notable business figures it is possible to better understand the depth and breadth of the full investment landscape and confidently participate in it. Part One explores the financial concepts needed to become a successful value investor while Part Two outlines the individual securities selection process he uses at Gronager Partners. Honed from Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' and years of experience in both business and in markets some painful!'Your goal as an investor should be simply to purchase, at a rational price, a part interest in an easily understood business whose earnings are virtually certain to be materially higher, five, ten, and twenty years from now. Over time, you will find only a few companies that meet those standards so when you see one that qualifies, you should buy a meaningful amount.' - Warren E. Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire HathawayWith humility, a fascination for business and endless intellectual curiosity, it is possible to find your own formula for value investing success. This book will give you the educational grounding you need for success on your own value investing journey and perhaps more importantly, help you to avoid, many of the potential mistakes. ?'The more hard lessons you can learn vicariously rather than through your own hard experience, the better.' - Charles T. Munger, vice-chairman of Berkshire HathawayAll Authors proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated for the benefit of the Financial Times: Financial Literacy & Inclusion Campaign (FT FLIC). You can learn more about this charity by visiting their website: www.ftflic.com
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group My Dearest Heart
Book SynopsisMary Beale (16331699) was one of the earliest professional women artists in Britain. Her successful career was documented by her husband, Charles, whose almanacks provide a unique record of Mary's patrons, painting technique and family affairs. Her portraits of politicians, clergy, aristocracy and intellectuals reflect the vibrant literary, scientific and political scene of the seventeenth century. She has been seen as a feminist icon not only as a professional artist but also as a poet and the author of a Discourse on Friendship (1667) which argued for the equality of husband and wife in marriage a radical concept at that time. This new edition includes newly documented paintings by Mary Beale that have come to light since the first edition was published in 2019.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Travels with Plotinus
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Unicorn Publishing Group Appearances
Book SynopsisThe author weaves together history and memory in a wide-ranging exploration of women's attitudes to personal appearance in modern Britain.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group From Market to Stock Market
Book SynopsisFrom Market to Stock Market is the astonishing story of Bill Adderley who, from the humblest of beginnings, created one of the most successful retail chains in Britain today. Dunelm, Britain's leading homeware group, has over 180 superstores and a market value on the London Stock Exchange of 2.2 billion. The son of poor Irish immigrants, Bill grew up in a council house in Leeds, sharing a bed with his three brothers. He got his first job at fifteen, working as a Saturday Boy' at the local Woolworth, and went on to become a Woolworth manager when he was twenty-one. In the 1970s however Woolworth's went into steep decline and Bill left to start up his own business, selling seconds and reject goods on a stall in Leicester market. His first coup was a truckload of reject slippers, followed by reject Marks & Spencer curtains from which he made enough money to start a company that grew into the Dunelm homeware furnishings group. In 2006, Dunelm Group Plc listed on the stock market, since when the shares have increased six-fold. At the age of fifty-eight, Bill passed over the executive reins to his son Will and now lives a quiet life near Leicester with his wife Jean.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group The Graphic Design Sourcebook: 200 Years of
Book SynopsisThe Graphic Design Sourcebook delves into the vast array of graphic design that surrounds us wherever we go, and has done so ever since printing was invented. Yet everyday graphics have mostly been ignored as an art form. From Victorian song sheets to French perfume labels, early matchboxes to decorative greetings cards, appealing cigarette packets to enticing holiday brochures, colourful advertisements to racy night club tickets, these miniature masterpieces deserve artistic recognition. With over a thousand images, The Graphic Design Sourcebook is both an inspiring source book and a treasure trove of ideas; a true cornucopia of communication.Trade Review"eye-catching advertising goldmine" Daily Mail
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group A Thousand Fates: The Afterlife of Medieval
Book SynopsisA Thousand Fates explores the afterlife of medieval monasticism in England and Wales. A thousand years of monasticism came to an abrupt end in the mid-sixteenth century with the Dissolution of the Monasteries. At its peak two hundred years earlier, many people chose the contemplative life, while the rich sought salvation through the foundation or embellishment of religious houses. Much of the nation’s wealth was locked into these complexes through elaborate rebuilding, gifts of precious objects and flourishing libraries of rare books. Then in just four years all of the eight hundred plus houses were closed and ten thousand people dispersed, with the monastic fortune liquidated and passed to the crown. Today we are left with echoes of a time dominated by an enclosed elite, their homes repurposed or derelict or obliterated. Some of these foundations still thrive as churches, schools, homes or tourist attractions. Others have left little physical trace, the casual viewer ignorant of their existence. A Thousand Fates is not an account of why the monasteries closed or what happened to the people displaced. Instead it focuses on the monastic buildings and their numerous fates and brings life to their stories.
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group From the Ashes: Reconstruction of Flanders Fields
Book SynopsisOnce the steel storm of the industrial war had passed, the idyllic Flanders Fields region in Belgium was left as a desolate moon landscape. The First World War had wiped dozens of villages and cities completely off the map. The fields had been destroyed by grenades, mine craters, scrap, trenches, bunkers, railways and infrastructure of the war machine. But Flanders Fields rose again, like a Phoenix from the ashes. Even before the end of the war, the first people returned to their previous homes. A traditional architecture was supposed to remove all traces from the war and restore the former beauty of the area. With the first fairs and processions from 1919 onwards, the social fabric started to heal. Pilgrims started to come from all the corners of the earth to visit the many memorials and cemeteries. By the end of the twenties the reconstruction was largely finished. It is this post-war reconstruction that continues to define the characteristics of the region to this very day. This book has been published to commemorate the centenary of the recovery as guide for iconic sites of reconstruction, thematic exhibitions, public events, and walking and cycle routes that will take you to many striking sites of the reconstruction in the Westhoek. It also contains an historical overview of the revival of a region so heavily scourged by the Great War and new insights a century on.
£8.55
Unicorn Publishing Group Lines of Power
Book SynopsisWritten by John Buxton and Don Heath, two experienced rail professionals, Lines of Power delivers a comprehensive record of the stuttering progress of electrification and modernisation of Britain's railway network, exposing the furtive manoeuvring by competing factions within the railway industry during the 1950s. The book is highly critical of the excessive scepticism of the Department of Transport (DoT later DfT) and the frequent disproportionate, and often imprudent, interventions by politicians that have collectively thwarted the opportunity to progress a more comprehensive and cost effective rolling programme' of electrification.
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group The Falklands Factor
Book SynopsisThis is the almost incredible but well-documented story of the author's 40-year-long hard-fought battle with naval authorities and government.
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Untold Stories: Hong Kong Architecture
Book SynopsisAlthough Hong Kong has produced many internationally renowned architects and designers who have contributed significantly to its cityscape, there are many talented local architects who have played the role of an unsung hero in shaping this beautiful city. This book aims to capture the stories of theses talents whose unique work should be more widely known and appreciated. This lavishly illustrated book is the first to provide this essential showcase.
£32.00
Unicorn Publishing Group A Journey Painted in Clay
Book SynopsisOf all the ceramic processes, Maiolica truly requires a painter’s touch. Combining a confident sensitivity of brushwork and a vision of what might be once the subtle blends of oxides fuse with the tin glaze in the firing, it is both a rewarding and unforgiving art form. A Journey Painted in Clay celebrates the ceramic work of Agalis Manessi through its various forms of expression over a career spanning fifty years. Inspired by many historical and contemporary sources, her work is a fusion of her Mediterranean heritage and annual travels across Europe between Greece and London. Ideas are drawn from the experience of viewing subjects in churches, museums and galleries and observations directly from life. Animated vessels express a gentle humour that is offset by the suggestive poise of their condensed forms, camouflaged within the painted surface. Following in the tradition of English Delft, portrait dishes are softly coiled, with painted images built up of composite features worked up from notebook sketches. Modelled animals and figures take on a more enigmatic nature, communicating a silent yet eloquent poise. With a foreword from Jenni Lomax, curator and former director of Camden Arts Centre, and contributions from Megan Brooks, Tanya Harrod, Mina Holland, Marina Papasotiriou, Michael Petry and Liz Rideal.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group Liotard: A Portrait of Eighteenth-Century Europe
Book SynopsisJean Etienne Liotard (1702-1789) was one of the most accomplished, idiosyncratic and witty artists of 18th-century Europe. Born in Geneva, he pursued a remarkable career, travelling across the continent and the Near East, portraying a riveting cross-section of society. Liotard worked in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Venice, Constantinople and Vienna and excelled as a specialist in the delicate art of pastel. He became renowned for the uncanny realism of his portraits as well as the beauty of his drawings, while also experimenting with watercolour, oil painting, printmaking and enamels. In Britain he enjoyed notoriety because of his exotic persona, and received commissions from royalty, aristocrats, grand tourists and celebrities. LIOTARD: A Portrait of Eighteenth-Century Europe plots the career and practice and reputation of an extraordinary artist who deserves to be better known. This new study throws light on the wider cultural environment he navigated, illuminating connected themes, including fashion history, orientalism and the promotion and display of portraits in the public and private spheres of Enlightenment Europe.
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group The Final Curtain: Obituaries of Fifty Great
Book SynopsisMichael Coveney has been writing theatrical obituaries alongside reviews for several decades and makes a telling, sometimes surprising, selection of the best performers of our time, from Laurence Olivier to Alan Rickman, Peggy Ashcroft to Helen McCrory, Richard Briers to Ken Dodd. Most of these obits appeared in the Guardian, several in the Observer, the Financial Times and the Evening Standard. The fifty articles are arranged in chronological order of each actor’s demise and constitute a vivid history of postwar theatre through the lives of the actors, ‘the abstract and brief chronicles of the time’ as Hamlet called them. There are happy/sad juxtapositions of shooting stars Robert Stephens and Alan Bates; tragic niece and aunt, Natasha Richardson and Lynn Redgrave; classical queens Diana Rigg and Barbara Jefford; and versatile showtime hoofers Una Stubbs and Lionel Blair.Trade Review'Great idea, great cover, great writing. The Final Curtain is a book we need.' Simon Callow
£24.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Faberge: The Twilight Years: Drawings and Objects
Book SynopsisFaberge: The Twilight Years introduces an incredible album of rare drawings from Carl Faberge's leading workshop in St Petersburg that have come to light in the National Archive of Finland by pure chance. The album, stored unnoticed in the archive for almost a century, contains beautifully watercoloured drawings of objects produced by Faberge during the period 1914 - 1917, among these a whole array of elegant cigarette cases, table clocks and enchanting flower studies. Most of the drawings have a completion date, which means that the finished object exists somewhere. This has sparked a treasure hunt for these pieces. A great number of objects matching the drawings have been found and are illustrated in the book. Altogether eleven well known experts on the oeuvre of Faberge have written fascinating essays related to the drawings, their history, provenance, style and technique. These contributions make the book an important addition to our knowledge and understanding of the art of the great St Petersburg jeweller.
£36.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Edward Marsh: A Life of Poets, Painters and
Book SynopsisSir Edward ‘Eddie’ Marsh was an ornament of early twentieth-century society; a respected civil servant, polymath and scholar who led a remarkable life. Always at the heart of the establishment, he was Winston Churchill’s longest serving Private Secretary and close friend. Marsh harboured a passion for young men - poets, painters and actors - to whom he devoted his money, time and connections. His numerous protégés included luminaries such as Rupert Brooke, Robert Graves, Mark Gertler, Stanley Spencer, and Ivor Novello to name but a few. Preferring to work behind the scenes, Marsh also edited the work of several acclaimed writers; Winston Churchill, Somerset Maugham, Siegfried Sassoon and many others owe a debt to Marsh whose hand burnished their work. Sharon Mather's biography of Edward Marsh is set against the backdrop of the extraordinary events of the first half of the twentieth century, and is seen through the prism of his illustrious friendships.
£21.25
Unicorn Publishing Group 100 Theatres
Book Synopsis100 Theatres showcases an eclectic range of paintings of theatres, from ancient to modern and from the smallest travelling theatre in Rome to one of the largest in New York. We are lucky to still have some of them; it is surprising how many of these world-famous theatres were scheduled for demolition in the second half of the twentieth century: Carnegie Hall in the 1950s and several London West End Theatres in the 1960s. Some of course did not survive, demolished to make way for yet another modern office block. In this book Paul Tracey has painted some of our most attractive survivors and even a couple that are no longer with us. There is a broad mix of the familiar and lesser-known but equally important buildings. Many of the paintings are accompanied by notes, old postcards of the buildings and programmes featuring some of the actors who performed there. The introduction is written by the bestselling author Tracy Bains, who worked in the theatre as a young woman.
£28.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Living with the Algorithm Servant or Master
Book SynopsisAn authoritative guide to what is needed for AI governance and regulation from expert authors internationally involved in the practical world of AI. This book tackles the question of why AI is a distinct challenge from other technologies and how we should seek to implement innovation-friendly approaches to regulation. It sets out many of the risks to be considered, why regulation is needed, and the form this should take to promote international convergence on AI governance and the responsible deployment of AI. This is a highly readable prescription for AI governance and regulation designed to encourage the technological goals of humanity whilst ensuring that potential risks are mitigated or prevented and, most importantly, that AI remains our servant and does not become our master.
£13.49
Unicorn Publishing Group The Battle for Better Design
Book SynopsisPrince Albert was the first Chairman of the first Royal Fine Art Commission, appointed by Queen Victoria to commission art for the new Houses of Parliament. At the age of just twenty-two, he deftly navigated the complex project, leaving a remarkable artistic legacy and honing the skills that made him one of the Renaissance Men of the nineteenth century. Albert then set the template for a second Royal Fine Art Commission, created in 1924 as a priority of Britain's first ever Labour Government. From the aftermath of the Great War to the eve of the Third Millennium, this Commission gave elite architects and designers from Edwin Lutyens to Henry Moore a platform to apply their minds to a democratic cause, putting in countless hours analysing the design of buildings, street furniture, roadsand bridges.The story of the two Commissions, told together for the first time, is a compelling one of civic duty performed freely in the public interest, against the background of high politics, difficul
£28.00
Unicorn Publishing Group Aachen Equestrian Beauty
Book SynopsisAachen Equestrian Beauty is a celebration in photographs of CHIO Aachen, the world's greatest horse event held annually at Aachen in Germany and founded in 1898. Readers are treated to a front seat as the photographer follows the action, relishing this world festival of the horse and horsemanship.As well as the traditional dressage and show jumping, CHIO Aachen includes eventers, carriage drivers and vaulters in stunning displays of horse riding skill. The book is a portrait of brilliant riders and beautiful horses, whose feats visitors marvel at every year as they compete in the superb Soers setting.As well as winners and stars, the photographer includes the supporting cast, the gala opening and closing ceremonies and the Horse and Symphony programme, an evening of magical equestrian pageantry and music.CHIO Aachen attracts all that is best in the horse world. The book is a lasting record of a glorious event.
£32.00
