Unicorn Publishing Group

Book SynopsisTyrell and Julia booked to travel on the Titanic with their two sons to introduce them to their American grandfather, but the children were too ill to travel. Julia persisted in going without them. The fatal and tragic decision not only led to the unnecessary loss of her husband, it was to haunt her for the next fifty years. Why was she so determined to go? In a letter written to her sons, as her death approached, she claimed the purpose of the visit was to gain her wealthy father's support for his son-in-law's ambition to stand as a Member of Parliament.' Yet Tyrell had shown no enthusiasm for making the journey, as Julia had already made the trip alone, the previous year quite safely. From the Carpathia Julia cabled her father, Henry Siegel, to have clothes from his department stores ready for the Titanic's survivors. In 1992 and 2002 her son and grandson learnt from chance encounters with New Yorkers of Julia's father's shocking fall from grace, the grandfather who owned a famous

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third and final volume of Kevin J. Last's books about Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, East Sussex in three different eras. Semi-Detached Suburban Mr Jones is set in the 1960s and tells the story of Brian Jones, the only middle class member of the Rolling Stones and how he came to purchase Cotchford Farm as a country retreat away from the Stones London life. Despite the fact that he was founder of the group, Jones''s increasingly wild behaviour ensured that Mick Jagger eventually became the group''s leader. Harking back to his roots, Jones saw himself as a Sussex country gentleman but it all went impossibly wrong due to a vicious East End builder, Frank Thorogood, who made life hell for him with Jones eventually drowning in his own swimming pool in suspicious circumstances. How and why this happened is examined in close detail.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book features dream-space photo collages created by Xu Xiaowei. By combining visual representations of objects and places with ready-made images that randomly appear and disappear in contemporary Chinese society, the artist reinvents his memories. The artwork reflects the personal turmoil experienced in the face of rapid changes in Chinese society. Through non-linear and fragmentary stories that unfold in a dystopian fantasy world that is both pre-modern and post-industrial, the artist tries to convey this agitation. Using reconstructed photographs, the artist constructs a space of memory that lies somewhere between the tangible and the absurd.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom radical roots in the Sixties, outdoor arts have grown to become an essential part of nation-defining celebrations. At the forefront of the sector is Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, which has been lighting up lives and filling historic squares, town centres and unused spaces with spectacular large and small scale productions for 30 years. Founder Bradley Hemmings has followed his vision to raise the ambition, quality and diversity of work produced in the UK while also welcoming the best international companies. Above and Beyond tells the story in words and pictures of why GDIF is London's leading outdoor free arts festival.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA collection of Rudyard Kipling''s articles describing the French Frontline during the First World War. Published to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Rudyard Kipling''s birth.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe name Farsons is as synonymous with Malta as Guinness is with Ireland. Louis Farrugia’s visionary decision to conduct a European architectural competition has resulted in a stunningly beautiful and brilliant transformation of the 1951 Art Deco Farsons Old Brewhouse buildings. The gardens-courtyards-campus masterplan and architecture has been designed by the internationally renowned architects - ritchie*studio – led by Ian Ritchie, and realised in collaboration with Alex Torpiano’s engineering-focused Maltese practice TBA Periti, and environmental physicist Doug King. Inspired by Maltese palace gardens and the coloured architectural elements of the island’s vernacular buildings, and designed with respect for the force of the Mediterranean sun, this utterly contemporary mixed-use commercial architecture is a masterpiece of form, light and shade, sustainability and environmental engineering. Richard England, the celebrated Maltese architect wrote: “It is perhaps the finest building our island has seen over many a decade. It proves that real estate development can be produced enriched with what Vitruvius termed ‘Venustas’. Rarely has Malta seen architecture of this excellence.”

Read more less

Book SynopsisElstree School celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2023 and to commemorate the anniversary new book Elstree 175 tells iconic story of the school from 1848 to today, celebrating every aspect of such a famous academic institution. This revised history gives a lively account of the extraordinary Sanderson family who ran it for 100 years, the other teachers who made it special as well as celebrating some of its distinguished old boys and alumni. Elstree School was a feeder for Harrow School, and in its early days, had a strong intellectual background with figures such as Joseph Conrad and John Galsworthy who were frequent visitors to the school. The book explains the ethos of study, Christian faith, high sporting achievement and good manners that have long given the school its special quality, and brings the story right up to the present day.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRonald Rae is a rare example of a 'total artist' or Gesamtkunstler. Since penning his first cartoon at the age of 14, closely followed by taking a chisel to his first stone at 15, Rae created artworks almost every day for the next 60 years. Rae is best known as a granite sculptor, being the only artist working at scale on this most obdurate of materials using hand tools. After coming home exhausted from carving, Rae would also draw prolifically, and create work in a bewildering variety of media including ink and wax on paper, collage, carved and sun-inscribed wood, cardboard, found objects, books and newspapers. Themes included war, racism, social exclusion and alienation, humans and the animal world, early artforms, religion, and loss. Rae created extensive piano improvisations and he was also a published poet in Spain. This monograph contains a biography and covers the broad aspects of Rae's artistic development and his approach to his work. Extensively illustrated, the volume will introduce the artist to a new audience and bring attention to his visceral yet ultimately tender depiction of the human condition.Trade Review“This is a much-needed book, with Robert De Mey’s rigorous text tracing the career of a significant and singular artist. Ronald Rae’s haunting and expressive biro and mixed media illustrations give insight into his complex and turbulent imaginative world, whilst images of his often monumental, extraordinarily expressive stone sculptures convey his passion for humanity and the natural world. Ronald Rae: An Inner Life reveals the tremendous compassion and prowess of a larger-than-life artist and man.” – Clare Lilley, Director, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe painter and collagist Wilfred Avery (1926 2016) tackled just two subjects in his career: landscape and the male body. A sixty-year investigation into both subjects developed out of his fascination with the unconscious mind as well as an exploration (and acceptance) of his own sexuality. By the end of his life - one led with a rare and intense creative focus - he had unified his two chosen subjects into one compelling whole. Untrained in any conventional sense and largely unrecognised, Wilfred's style evolved outside of any popular movement. He worked in self-imposed isolation from his creative contemporaries. Struggling to find his work a home in London's commercial art scene, he would remain adamant that he was making work for future audiences.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat do Winston Churchill, Rosa Parks, Emile Zola, Billy Beane and Christopher Hitchens have in common? They are all Contrarians. This book is about the people who do not quietly slip into the shadows, who revel in playing devil’s advocate, who zig when everyone else zags and who dare ask the question: ‘Yes, but just supposing that everyone else is wrong?’ They are not always successful all of the time. In fact some are spectacularly unsuccessful on occasions. They may not be popular or easy to live with, but are always interesting and usually inspiring. Some make a point of arguing the opposite point of view on every occasion; some are mainstream on everything, but resolute in opposing the mainstream on one particular issue. For some, the issue which they contest so vigorously becomes mainstream through their exertions. In Compendium of Contrarians, Robert Orr-Ewing shows how he has been inspired by these amusing, challenging, interesting and unusual characters.Trade Review‘An interesting and engaging group of individualists, some famous, some less so, who didn’t necessarily toe the line, but left their mark on history’ - Eleo Carson 'A well chosen selection of some of the most intriguing non conformists down the ages. Moving - and inspiring.' - Danny Danziger

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Unravelled the author unpicks the threads of her comically nuclear family with its deep silences to find what lay hidden, never to be spoken of. Beneath the carefully woven fabric of her family life, she finds clash of cultures – on one side Jews fleeing the pogroms of Eastern Europe, and on the other the highest levels of the British aristocracy, from the Earl of Erroll of White Mischief fame to the Twenties socialite Mimi Wimborne. The writer and thinker John Berger mysteriously links both worlds. She finds two grandmothers whose bids to find freedom and fulfilment ended in utter disaster. Her parents, shiny young communists of the 1950s airbrushed both women out of history. But what happens when you deny the past? How do you negotiate your sense of identity?

Read more less

Book SynopsisMay 11th 1941 - Berchtesgaden. The day after Rudolf Hess took off from Augsburg and hadn't yet returned or sent any signal, Adolf Hitler had to say something to justify Hess' so far unexplained disappearance. Not least for the benefit of the German nation and his then trading ally, Soviet Russia. Consequently he authorised a statement saying that Hess was suffering from a mental derangement and had succeeded in obtaining an aeroplane against the strict orders of the Fuehrer. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, but an explanation had at least been proffered before British propaganda commenced. The unlikely explanation has however proven durable, some still believing it to be true 80 years later. In this, their eighth book on the affair, Harris and Wilbourn demonstrate that far from being a random act, the flight had been meticulously planned, using state of the art German radio technology. Using contemporary equipment, maps and charts they demonstrate the true nature and character of the flight and explain what went wrong, leading to the sensational and very public arrival of Rudolf Hess in Scotland at 23.09hrs on May 10th 1941.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLight is the material of Architecture. Ian Ritchie is one of the UK’s most visionary architects, and remarkable for synthesising multiple creative disciplines to bring the essence of his architectural projects into focus. A poet and artist as well as an architect, Ritchie distills his ideas into verse and pithy aphorisms that probe the complexities of architectural commissions and the art of composition. In this volume, Ritchie's aphorisms and musings revolve around the topic of light, a fundamental element in the way we perceive both the natural and the built world. They are accompanied by his calligraphic etchings and illustrations of the architecture that emerges from them. This illuminating blend of poetry and design is a trove of inspiration for anyone seeking to expand their understanding of the creative process, and offers a fresh perspective on the profound interplay between thought, practice, and the radiant world of light.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLove in War is a love story of its time. Joanna and Johnnie were born in South London in the shadow of the Great War and were still growing up when the narrative begins in 1936 during Hitler’s rise in Nazi Germany. It ends ten years later in 1946, when Johnnie is demobilised. Despite the committed intensity of the five-year relationship, they spent only forty-nine days together. Thus, Love in War is more about managing life apart than being together. The story moves between London and Berlin (where Joanna visits in 1938 and her dear schoolfriend, Ursula lives out the war) and the horrific theatres of war in North Africa and Southern Italy, which have disastrous effects on Johnnie and render him almost unrecognisable on his return to England after the war. As the story closes, it is evident that there are no winners, just losers. Perhaps it is love that emerges as the only victor. The future is uncertain for all concerned. They have almost nothing to show for the last five years; just time lost. There remains a rather modest ray of hope – as Johnnie says at the end, ‘but we are alive.’Trade Review“This is a lovely love story of Johnnie and Joanna. … There is so much more to this story you have to read it.” Paula Learmouth “I always find books based on a true story extra special. This book was so evocative. I've got a feeling Joanna and Johnnie's story will stay with me for a long time. … Overall it's a stunning story of togetherness even in the hardest of times.” Daisy Blacklock “The book delves deep into the vulnerability and strength that come to the fore during times of adversity. I recommend this book to anyone, who appreciates a beautifully crafted love story, intertwined with the historical significance of war.” Books Galore “This is a very well written story about two people and as the title suggests their love in war. It is an epic love story that shows how people adapt during times of hardship. I really enjoyed this snapshot of a very specific time in recent history. It is always good to have a reminder of what times were like and how easily things can change.” Atomic Books “Such an emotional love story with characters that you will remember long after you’ve finished reading! 4 stars” Leanne’s Bookshelf “This book is just breathtaking in it tale. It takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, from love and sorrow, to the longing through distance. … I loved getting to know the characters and their lives. The author gave us so much detail about them and the lives they lived, in the time of war, plus enough to really make us feel as though we were there in the war, living the same life.” Natural Bri Books “I would recommend this book without hesitation as an interesting and informative read set in the context of a novel told from the viewpoints of Joanna and Johnnie.” From the Book Elf “This book has fantastic and immersive historical information that makes you feel as your watching these characters on their lives. I absolutely devor this book in a few days it's a author I would highly recommend.” Silky Book Lover Fun

Read more less

Book SynopsisA duel on an empty island sets the course for one of the greatest romances ever told. As the lovers of legend meet, something new is born, and something eternal is revealed. Their names will forever be spoken as one. This modern retelling of Tristan and Yseult sheds a stark light on the beauty of the Celtic tale.Trade Review‘Bonelle’s authentically original reimagining is vibrantly alive through his extraordinary use of language. I was entirely drawn in to his inventiveness and immersed in each moment of his vision. He takes you on a journey of sound, light and emotional punch. Truly a new voice to be celebrated!’ -- Armen Gregory‘In this reimagining of the Tristan and Yseult myth, Harry Bonelle uses taut and timeless language and strong imagery to craft an atmospheric and challenging poem, that melds the lyrical and the violent to powerful and memorable effect. Innovative and haunting by turns, it is full of surprise and originality.’ -- Angus Graham-CampbellA beautiful, jagged fragment from the legend in grainy, percussive verse, Tristan/Yseult is intensely romantic, yet grounded in the concrete particulars of its sea-washed world. It feels both ancient and brand new. A bewitching, exhilarating read.’ -- Simon Dormandy'Harry Bonelle’s new version taps into the dark and furious energy of the old saga, surging and juddering with life. Bonelle’s actor’s training has encouraged him to liberate the performance piece that its original author must have intended. Thrilling on the page, but even more so spoken loud.’ -- Simon Callow

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 2007 Romany Mark Bruce, Irish-born lawyer and self-taught artist, was confronted by a stranger while walking his dog in Kemptown, Brighton. I want a word with you,' said the mysterious fellow, and walked off, without further explanation. Two days later, Romany received a follow-up email: would he consider mocking up a design for an AIDS Memorial statue, to be erected in the south-coast city? An open-call competition was underway:there were ten days left to enter. Having lost his dearest friend to the deadly virus, Romany by then predominantly a painter, though with ten years sculpting experience behind him wasted no time in making a decision, and making up a design. The rest is history, and his AIDS Memorial, dedicated to Paul Tay, is a poignant landmark much loved by Brighton residents. This monograph explores the life choices which have informed Romany's artistic pathway, and analyses the sculptural techniques he employs in his thriving painting practice. Romany is, in his own w

Read more less

Book SynopsisOccasionally panoramic, more often intimate, in Clouds of Love and War author Rachel Billington balances a detailed and highly researched picture of the life of a Second World War Spitfire pilot with the travails and ambitions of a young woman too often on her own. The result is both a gripping story of war and a sensitive story of love, a love that struggles to survive. Eddie and Eva meet on the eve of the Second World War. Eddie only wants to be a flyer, to find escape in the clouds from his own complicated family. However, the Battle of Britain makes a pilot's life a dangerous way to flee reality. Eva has her own passionate longing: to become a painter. When Eva's Jewish mother disappears to Germany, she is left alone with her elderly father. Both Eddie and Eva come of age at a time that teaches them that happiness is always fleeting, but there are things worth living – or dying – for. Through the connecting stories of these young people and their wider families, and against a background of southern county airfields, London, Oxford, Dorset and France, Rachel Billington brings the world of war time England, now eighty years in the past, back to life.Trade Review"Astonishingly engaging. . . . This book shows an acute understanding of the contradictions which most people felt a lot of the time in this uniquely inclusive conflict. . . . [A] wonderful book of love and war." * Northern Reader *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSempre Avanti. Ever Forward. That’s the motto on the Gelardi family shield and it’s a philosophy that has directed the lives and careers of four generations of hoteliers – Giuseppe, Giulio, Bertie and Geoffrey. Giuseppe managed hotels in his native Italy in the nineteenth century but his son Giulio was more ambitious and came to London, working first at Walsingham House – which was to later to become the Ritz – and managing the Savoy and Claridges in London and the Waldorf Astoria in New York. His son Bertie worked alongside Lord Forte to create the international Trust Houses Forte empire and acquiring, amongst others, the George V and Plaza Athenée in Paris, Sandy Lane in Barbados and the Pierre in New York. Geoffrey, Bertie’s son and the fourth generation Gelardi to make his mark in the luxury hotel business, spent years in the USA at the Bel Air in Los Angeles and the Sorrento in Seattle before returning to the UK to open the Lanesborough in 1991 – then, and still, London’s leading luxury hotel. Interweaved into this fascinating history we encounter royalty, celebrities, politicians and film stars – Mussolini, King Edward VII, Lilly Langtry, Ronald Reagan, various Atlantic City mafia figures, Frank Sinatra, Arnold Swartzenegger, Sophia Loren, Madonna, Michael Jackson, HRH The Queen, Princess Diana and many, many more.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJames Gordon Bennett was born in 1841, a spoilt only son who took over as publisher of the New York Herald from his millionaire father. Bennett tirelessly supported pioneering fields of technology and sport, always with speed in mind. In 1899, fascinated by the new motor cars, he instigated the International Gordon Bennett Cup. The inaugural race took place in 1900 between Paris and Lyon. Three countries entered, but this was just the beginning of a massive phenomenon that, thanks to Bennett, saw spectators grow from less than a hundred to eighty-thousand. The widespread anti-car sentiment, endless bureaucracy, speed limits, safety and design challenges were all obstacles to overcome. Each Gordon Bennett Cup Race is documented here with an account of the drivers, the cars, the courses and the thrilling highs and lows of the events. The 1903 Cup, which was held in Ireland, was crucial since for the very first time a closed-circuit course was used. It was also the first international race in the British Isles. His dedicated promotion of early motor-car racing gave a boost to the global auto-industry and was a firm basis to the international racing that is still a thrilling part of our lives over 100 years later.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA romance inspired by real events... Maria, Georgy and Harriet navigate their first throes of passion, scandal, and love in the heady pre-war atmosphere of Brussels in 1815. Little do they know they will soon be waltzing their way to the battle of the century at a small village called Waterloo. As the fight for Europe rages outside the city walls, Maria seeks to find herself – will she also find a husband along the way?Trade Review'Vivid and engaging...deftly captures the hopes, loves, laughter and pathos of the time.' Kristine Hughes, author of 'Waterloo Witnesses' 'A beautifully crafted and captivating page turner, I didn't want it to end!' Sarah Murden, author of 'All Things Georgian' 'Goes beyond the excitement and glamour of those exciting times to the real emotions of the people who lived through them.' Rory Muir, author of 'Waterloo and the Fortunes of Peace 1814 - 1852' “This book is so beautifully written and the vivid descriptions of the balls really brings them to life. I really liked that this was based on real people and also included extracts from their letters. It is a fascinating look back in time and I love that it is written from a female perspective.” A Cottage Full of Books “This is a brilliant book didn’t know what to expect at first I loved it full of history and emotion. Every chapter start of with a letter that makes this book even more special.” Rhianydd Morris “The characters in The Belles of Waterloo are based on real people, which provides additional depth to the story. But there is definitely more romance and fun than perhaps there really was. However, this makes the book a delightful read. It has no hidden depths, and is slightly frivolous at time – but at its core is a lovely story of society, romance and heroism.” Paradise is a Library “A wonderfully engaging page-turner that perfectly captures the grandeur, decadence and excitement of the era in this vividly descriptive regency romance inspired by true events.” Natasha Leighton “Alice’s book is irresistible, sumptuously, and seamlessly blending her incredible factual knowledge with delectable fictional inspiration.” The Fallen Librarian “Alice Church has expertly crafted a compelling, historical romance novel that will delight anyone who loves history and romance together.” Beyond The Books “This really is a fascinating book, clearly well-researched and, as I said, refreshing to read about the thoughts, feelings and actions of this group of women whose previous experiences would have been so far removed from the realities of battle and horrific injuries.” It Takes A Woman “I loved Maria, Georgy and Harriet. If I had lived in this era I would have liked to have been friends with them. Such courageous and outstanding women.” Mickys Bookworm “This was an absolutely phenomenal educational piece of work which brings out the remarkable characters from such an era.” Twilight Reader

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the Line of Fire is the personal memoir of Antony Thomas, a documentary filmmaker whose work has won international acclaim and many prestigious awards. From the full range of documentaries made over a fifty-two-year career, the author focuses on subjects that affected him deeply and remain relevant to this day; the pernicious effects of racism, the ‘seamless border’ between intelligence and crime, the last colonial wars in Africa, the conflicts in the Middle East, the rise of Islamic extremism, the politicisation of Evangelical Christians in the United States and the origins of fake news – to mention just a few. Thomas brings these disparate experiences together by taking a very personal approach and using every opportunity to take the reader ‘behind the camera’ where he shares the difficulties, the moral problems and the dangers that he and his colleagues sometimes faced, including the moment when the entire team was condemned to death in a military camp in Zambia. Eleven years later, Thomas was back in the line of fire, coping with vicious attacks from MPs and sectors of the press, following the broadcast of his controversial docudrama Death of a Princess.Trade Review“In the Line of Fire is one of the finest books written in the last years about documentary practice and its goals. It is a must-read for all those interested in nonfiction film.” Cineaste

Read more less

Book SynopsisSoldiering is a serious, frequently bloody business. That aspect has been documented endlessly. But behind the blood, thunder and de-humanising aspects of conflict are people – people in uniform and people supporting them. All of them have personal feelings and aspirations and they experience the humdrum assortment of daily occurrences that closely match those of their counterparts in civil society. Those aspects of their lives are not widely reported, or appreciated, and it is on those that this book has its focus. ‘Life Wasn’t Boring’ relates the life, times, successes, failures and, most importantly, the personal inter-actions and loves of a professional infantry officer and his family, over more than a third of the century that was his service. Some parts are as serious as can be expected of a military account. Other parts might surprise, entertain and even amuse the reader. Together they hold up a mirror to reveal the human side of being a soldier.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTold in his own words, in response to questions from the writer and art critic Andrew Lambirth, this book chronicles Andrew Logan's life and work through expressive anecdote and factual recollection. Reflections is a look back, but also a look at the present and a look forward: it is about the meaning of Andrew's world and the sculpture he has made to fill it, and about his approach to art, to friendship and to living in London and Wales. The Alternative Miss World, founded by Andrew in 1972, is at the heart of his philosophy, not just the world's greatest drag act (though it is this too), but an exhilarating celebration of the transformative power of the imagination. Andrew's work, which is all about joy and beauty, is inspiring and uplifting. This book, based upon discursive interviews dealing with all periods of his career, explains and contextualises it fully for the first time.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhere do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? These questions form the title of an 1897 painting by the French artist Paul Gauguin. He knew he was pushing the limits of human knowledge by asking them. He also knew they are not new questions. Our ancestors began to ask them on the African savannah. The Roman poet Lucretius posed them in his long poem On the Nature of Things, written just before the Christian era. He sought natural explanations for the behaviour of matter, without recourse to gods. But he also knew that the world we see is largely a creation of our mind. Since then, science has answered most of his 'how' questions, almost to the point of offering us a 'Theory of Everything'. But Gauguin's 'why' questions remain largely unanswered. They require a personal response from us, without which, as Lucretius intuited, nothing can be joyous or lovely. In The Stupendous Story of Us, we consider the narrative from all angles: our mastery of the realm of things, our exploration of our inner world, and our connectedness to each other. The pace is frantic because life is short, knowledge is infinite, and the challenges ahead are pressing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIain Grahame, author of five previous books, gives us an amusing but authoritative account of the establishment of a garden, nature reserve and environmental education centre on the Suffolk Essex border. Children of all ages benefit from this hidden gem, while gardeners can draw inspiration from the outstanding collection of rare trees and shrubs, plus a superb collection of old roses.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Darran Rees first drove northward toward Transylvania he felt he was being transported back in time. These remarkable landscapes were like visions of the past with such odd beauty and majesty that betrayed little of their recent history.Over the following fifteen years he was fortunate enough to continue that journey and indeed accompany Romania on its own journey as it unbuckled itself from the chains of its dictatorship and looked to an independent and brighter future.These images represent a record of this unique yet often misunderstood country, its exceptional people and their rare culture, family values and traditions. It shows a moment in time, a unique time in a unique country among extraordinary people.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe young woman was weaving a shawl. Jacqueline offered to purchase this square of colourful fabric, a few coins jingled on the table. A man immediately appeared and took the money. In 1993 Jacqueline de Chollet founded The Veerni Project (Veer Ni, the brave woman' in Hindi) which strives to uplift women and girls, to break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality, and provide them with essential skills and knowledge through the establishment of a program to attend good secondary schools universal secondary education being a sustainable goal of the United Nations as well as training centres and healthcare facilities. Secondary schooling is often unavailable in many rural settings particularly in the desert area of Rajasthan. By fostering self reliance and promoting women's rights through education, this uplifting story sheds a light on how such endeavours aim to create a sustainable impact on the lives of women, fostering a brighter future for generations to come so that women'

Read more less

Book SynopsisSinking ships, devastating fires, horrendous car accidents, mountain climbing catastrophes, sword wielding terrorists and killer crocodiles are all situations recorded in this book; but what start out as disasters are redeemed by the bravery, quick thinking and sheer humanity of people who, only moments before, had no idea that they are about to be thrown into circumstances of overwhelming intensity. These are stories from the archives of the Royal Humane Society, which has been rewarding bravery for 250 years. They provide an insight into the type of person who risks their lives, potentially sacrificing themselves to save others. Some are famous but most are ordinary people from young boys to older women going about their daily lives.Dramatic and hair-raising, the tales are gripping in their own right but the fact that there is always a hero or heroine at their heart reinforces our faith in humankind and reminds us that there are plenty of ordinary people in the world capable of extra

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisStills from Life opens with Syd Shelton's dream of hope that the struggle and the fight for racial and class justice will prevail and it is the driving force dominating the last fifty years of his subjective photographic practice. From that time, he has never been anywhere without his camera bag in pursuit of what he calls the graphic argument.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIan Ritchie is recognized as one of the UK's most visionary architects, renowned for his innovative approach that synthesises multiple creative disciplines to articulate the essence of his architectural projects. A poet and artist as well as an architect, Ritchie distills his concepts and design principles into verse, exploring the interplay between the complexities of architectural commissions and the art of composition. In Life, Ritchie's poems are complemented by his monotypes, vivid expressions of his passion for colour and artistic expression. The collection traces Ritchie's personal journey, his evolution from youth to mentor, navigating themes of love, loss, and his passion for art and architecture. Yet, above all, the works invite readers to share in his unique perspective on the natural and built environment, transcending conventional boundaries to contemplate the realms of architecture and the spirit.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book showcases the work of contemporary ink artist Christina Tung Wai. Feathers and Taoist philosophy have been recurring subjects in her paintings; for her the feather symbolises her aspirations for freedom following a previous career in the finance sector. Initially working on Chinese rice paper and Japanese linen paper, she has recently chosen to explore more innovative materials such as tissue paper and leather, turning ordinary things into extraordinary art.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt seems that making art is chasing after an elusive dream of perfection that sits somewhere in my head. It will not go away, even after fifty years of trying. After all this time the process of holding materials, rubbing, crushing, cradling or just placing them violently or tenderly, is what it's about. Every action is a stream of discovery of something that hasn't existed before it's a miracle and a bloody disaster. And so every sculpture leads to the next piece in the great puzzle. Much of this work is initiated in the subconscious. The different processes connect me with something physical or metaphysical that needs to be understood. In this way I discovered and dealt with past trauma. Things that didn't make sense but once transposed into clay became obvious. In this way personal experiences were opened out into universal experiences.'

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFan Zhen is an abstract painter whose art centres on the therapeutic colour field and energy expansion. Her visual creations strongly echo Daoism and Buddhism, which are mysterious yet existentialist. The paintings attempt to grasp the fleeting moments in life and engage the audience directly with purity, blurring the ephemeral and the eternal. Although abstract art in Western senses has exhausted inspiration regarding formal languages and theories, Eastern philosophical thinking, exempt from the modern/postmodern dichotomy, offers new ways of examining the entity of art and life. As a female artist living in China, Fan Zhen endeavoured to convey her art to a much wider audience, with concerns referring but not limited to gender, class, power and ethics. Fan Zhen's art stems from traditional Chinese culture and adopts a contemporary temperament with the need for counter-anxiety caused by rapid change in society. Daoism and Buddhism, as philosophical contexts, have generated a great heritage of visual language that differs from Western abstract art. The book explores Fan Zhen's art, validating the value of life and faith in vision.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBradfield College first opened in 1850 and this is a pictorial celebration of its rich history. Located in the Pang Valley, Berkshire the school was founded by the Reverend Thomas Stevens and originally called Saint Andrew's College. This book is a beautifully illustrated social history of the buildings, its traditions and challenges, including contributions from students and staff. Bradfield 175 follows changes in education and society from the nineteenth century through to the successful institution it is today.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen looking at a painting of the Madonna with the Christ Child, do you know why Jesus is clutching a goldfinch? Or why a peacock often appears in paintings of the Annunciation? Can you use your knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology to interpret what is going on in Botticelli's Primavera? Are you so steeped in the Bible that you know why Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt? Past generations would have known the answers: religious belief and the mythology of antiquity permeated people's lives and decoding symbols within a painting was automatic. Today we no longer have the background knowledge and the layers of meaning contained in some of the greatest works of art escapes us. Our gaze is superficial; recent research has shown that on average a visitor to an art gallery looks at a painting for less than two seconds, reads the label for ten seconds, glances again at the painting, then moves on. Even the Mona Lisa receives only about fifteen seconds of a viewer's attention. In Painted Mysteries Caroline Chapman aims to encourages art lovers to look more deeply into pictures and to understand better what they see. In over 100 images, many of them famous masterpieces, she dissects the paintings, recounting the stories the artists were depicting and painstakingly unravelling the layers of meaning that modern viewers may find elusive or mysterious.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOnly Us is a comprehensive, photographic portrait of humanity; a tapestry of mankind. As a species we are incredibly diverse, yet remarkably similar in so many ways. Our ability to adapt is unrivalled; from the four corners of the planet there are few places we have not succeeded in inhabiting. Only Us is a unique look at what essentially makes us human. Intended to expand the appreciation of its audience, drawing upon parallels we all have, transporting the viewer from their living room to far flung lands full of colour, inspiration and natural beauty.Trade Review"Stunning images. . . . Dunn's sense of adventure and photographer's unfailing eye for a human story have combined to create a deeply personal outlook on humanity in a way that examines our similarities, rather than differences, from a positive and life-affirming stance." * Explorers Journal * "An epic photographic portrait of humanity featuring a diverse cast of characters. . . . Dunn's new book showcases his love of travel and his love of photography, and how he combines the two to such good effect. . . . Only Us is a love letter to Dunn's insatiable wanderlust and his wonder for his subjects." * Digital Camera World * "Stuart Dunns' Only Us is an exceptional photographic celebration of humanity. . . . All human life, from all areas of the world, is laid bare here-an incubated baby in Sheffield. Ugandan night fishermen at work. Thai monks on laundry day. Tanzanian hunter-gatherers. Canadian rangers protecting polar bears. A Newcastle native outside a pub. . . . This outward-looking, inclusive global perspective on humanity permeates every image, each of which really is worth a thousand words. Each of them prompts questions, invites the viewer to consider the lives of the people depicted. They summon stories. While the accompanying copy contextualises the images, noting where they were taken and who's featured, with occasional fascinating personal anecdotes, Dunns' words leave space for personal contemplation. Some are close-up portraits, focussing on faces, with the subjects' eyes and expressions revealing emotional states we all recognise and relate to. Others take a step back and show people at home, at work, or in their natural landscapes, from Arctic tundra to Omani deserts. And all of them lay bare our shared human experiences, prompting empathy, and a stirring sense of interconnection." -- Joanne Owen * LoveReading *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWilliam Carne’s life, like so many others in the 20th Century, was defined by the two World Wars. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet aged just sixteen in 1914. This is his story of his life at sea, from his own memoirs, letters, diaries and photos. It is a humbling account of his time as a midshipman on HMS New Zealand at the Battle of Jutland, to Captain of HMS Coventry in 1941 during the evacuation of Crete. It is also a fascinating insight into society at that time, both in the Service and at home. It is the story of The Making of a Royal Naval Officer.

Read more less