Unicorn Publishing Group

Book SynopsisLongford Castle is a fine Elizabethan country house, home to a world-class collection of art built up in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the Bouverie family and still owned today by their descendants. Until now, it has been relatively little known amongst the pantheon of English country houses. This book, richly illustrated and based on extensive scholarly research into the family archive, tells a comprehensive story of the collectors who amassed these treasures. It explores the acquisition and commission of works of art from Holbein’s Erasmus and The Ambassadors, to exquisite landscapes by Claude and Poussin, and family portraits by Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds. It explores how Longford, an unusual triangular-shaped castle that inspired Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia and Disney’s The Princess Diaries, was decorated and furnished to house these works of fine art, and how the Bouverie family patronised the best craftsmen and furniture makers of the day. The book brings the story up to the present day, with an introduction and conclusion by the current owner, the 9th Earl of Radnor, himself a keen collector of art, to celebrate this remarkable house and collection in the tercentenary year of its purchase by the Bouverie family.

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Book SynopsisJocelyn Pereira's vivid and colourful narrative of the 5th Battalion' Coldstream Guards advance from Normandy to Cuxhaven in 1944-45 is a priceless piece of regimental history and a tribute to those who served in that final, testing phase of the war. It is a story of war, an intensely human endeavour, with its bursts of extreme activity interspersed with long periods of relative inactivity; with its highs and lows, good times and bad. It is a story of Guardsmen, of professionalism and discipline in the most demanding of circumstances, of initiative and resourcefulness, of determination and stubbornness, of fortitude and stoicism in adversity, of comradeship and consideration for others, of humour and unbreakable morale, of extraordinary gallantry and sacrifice. With a light touch, a dose of irreverence, modesty and understatement, and an evidently healthy disregard for dress regulations, Jocelyn Pereira captures that enduring Coldstream spirit. A Distant Drum also contains useful appendices for the historian, these include: a Roll of Honour, citations for awards and medals and lists of orders of battle throughout the campaign.

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Book SynopsisFanny Cornforth was a Victorian supermodel whose face epitomised the vision and life of the Pre-Raphaelite artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. In their twenty-five years together, she played many parts from muse, medium and lover to housekeeper and nurse. Due to her care of the artist, he was able to create some of the best known and celebrated art works of the nineteenth century, however at his death Fanny became an outcast, accused of stealing, lying and even murder. Her journey from rural poverty to celebrated beauty gave her a life she could never have dreamed of, but her choice of love above security saw her end her days in an asylum. Her afterlife, in the imagination of those who knew her and those that followed saw her cast as a villainess; Rossetti’s folly, an illiterate prostitute who could crack walnut shells in her teeth. It’s finally time that the truth is separated from the swirl of lies and that the life of one of the most infamous women of Bohemian London is told, from canvas to asylum.Trade Review"In this, the third edition of her important reassessment of Fanny Cornforth’s life, Stonell Walker continues to set the record straight. Through extensive research, including new information available since the previous edition, Stonell Walker reevaluates an historically maligned life, perpetually portrayed through the lens of Victorian patriarchal social and gender bias. In this correction of the canon Cornforth rises above ‘stunner’ status to retrieve her own life story." Margaretta Frederick (Annette Woolard Provine Curator, Bancroft Pre-Raphaelite Collection, Delaware Art Museum) “Through her thoughtful consideration of the sparse, documented facts and her critical examination of the sensationalized biographical fictions, Kirsty Stonell Walker portrays Fanny Cornforth as a real woman with her own, individual life story, releasing her from the confines of the picture frame and the shade of Rossetti’s shadow. Stunner is a must-read for anyone interested in the Pre-Raphaelite circle.” Debra N. Mancoff (Author of Dante Gabriel Rossetti: Portraits of Women) “The much-maligned Fanny Cornforth has long needed to be brought out of the shadow of other Pre-Raphaelite women (and the deeper shadow of Pre-Raphaelite men). In this engaging biography, Kirsty Stonell-Walker brings Fanny into her rightful place in art history.” Lucinda Hawksley, biographer of Lizzie Siddal

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Book SynopsisIn 1936, the Duke of York unexpectedly became King George VI, and his ten-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth, became heir presumptive. However, she was never heir apparent, because a male sibling would automatically assume her place in the line of succession. So what would have happened upon the late arrival of a baby brother for the grown-up Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret? After King George VI’s death in 1952, the United Kingdom’s next sovereign would have been a very young boy, and one in need of a regent. James the Third tells that boy’s story. How does his reign unfold? He is clever, resourceful and unconventional − but can he alter the course of history, given the limited role of a constitutional monarch? Does he find true love, or must he accept second best? And, with the births of his heirs, what does the House of Windsor look like now? Set against rapidly changing times, there is a parallel tale of two working class sisters from the East End of London. As fans of the royal family, they are closer to the crown than they could ever imagine. Seamlessly blending the twists and turns of fiction with historical fact, this book is sure to please anyone who enjoys a glimpse of life behind palace walls.Trade Review“This book was fascinating. It presents a timeline of life as we know it, with one exception. We have a king. Author Maggie Ballinger looks at the ‘what if’ scenario had a younger son been born… this is a great story and provides a unique perspective of British history.” − Paradise is a Library “Well written, detailed, and highly enjoyable.” − Stacey Hammond “You can tell the author has put al lot of research into this well written book. I loved every page and the writing style was amazing easy to understand.” − Rhianydd Morris “The author knows her stuff and I have to say I have learnt so much reading this book. The historical, legal and political information is woven beautifully into the story” − Series Book Lover “What an absolutely fascinating story mixing fiction with fact… Well researched and great book.” − Lynda’s Book Reviews “A perfect mix of royal fact and royal fiction to make this a surprising yet familiar read. Everything you know to be true remains similar, like a nice snug comfort blanket. Yet James' arrival really stirs things up in the royal household... A must read for fans of the royals, or if not − why not try an alternative Royal version? I dare you.” − Bobs and Books “Ballinger is meticulous with her history and the story is told with excellent attention to detail as we watch James grow and Princess Elizabeth slip into a different role” − Smeets X “The book is well researched with an extensive appendix at the back which includes a wealth of historical context and Royal observation.” − Pondering the Pages “perfect for fans of historical fiction and the history of the royal family.” − Books and Moomins “It blends facts with a little fantasy so well it is hard to see the join, and it is easy to view a royal story with one addition….This is an enthralling and entertaining book which I greatly enjoyed, and I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review it.” – Northern Reader “This was right up my street. I love The Crown, and this story captured my imagination very easily. The research was clear to see; the laws around the monarchy all laid out to make this an interesting and lovely read. A really enjoyable read that is not only a twist on history but a surprising mystery, too. All in all, an entertaining and very interesting story from Maggie Ballinger.” – Beyond the Books “This novel takes you on an enjoyable journey through the twentieth century and blends together actual events, historical figures and some deliciously invented fictitious characters. …This was a truly enjoyable read which contained a surprising mystery, alongside a wealth of historical information. In short: An entertaining piece of historical fiction.” − Books Life and Everything “It’s so cleverly written it’s as if the author had a crystal ball to look at an alternative future. This is so brilliantly researched that this doesn’t seem all that unfathomable and the Royals on high become well, human. With quirks, flaws and an incredible amount of warmth and compassion. Perfect for historical fiction fans.” – Chapman’s Chapters And Pages “This book simply fascinated me! The melding of Royal history and speculative fiction was inspired. The way that members of the Royal family, who we are all familiar with, interacted felt genuine. I could almost visualise this young monarch being guided by Princess Elizabeth.” – John’s Bookshelf “This is such a good book. I really enjoyed it. It is such a great reimagining of the British Monarchy. … The fiction is fantastically woven with threads of fact which makes the book feel very real but also quite a comforting read.” – Atomic Books “Character voice in this book was fantastic. I could really hear the voices of everyone speaking in my head as I read it. I felt like a fly on the wall during some intimate and private conversations between members of the Royal family. I loved it! A real up close and personal account.” – Books on a Hill “This was right up my street, I love it when an author absolutely smashes historical fiction with a twist of what if... I absolutely thought the characters were fantastic and they had personality traits that all stood out and were extremely individual to that character. This author is exceptionally talented at switching the style to suit when needed.” – Twilight Reader

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Book SynopsisPepper the dachshund therapy dog sets off across the African Plains to cheer up the unhappy elephant Poncho. Along the way she meets a giraffe living with camels, survives a wildebeest stampede, makes friends with an aardvark, walks with a leopard through a valley of warthogs, befriends a vegan crocodile, swims with an inflatable hippopotamus, steals a picnic, avoids hungry lions, sprints with an ostrich and is charged by a bull elephant. And she hasn't even met Poncho yet.

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Book SynopsisGenerations: The Fishing Families of Hastings is a photographic portrayal from the 1990s to the present day of the men and women of Britain’s oldest beach-launched fishing community. Realised by the photojournalist and Hastings resident John Cole, the book portrays a unique community that may soon become extinct. Generations is in the tradition of such classic photojournalists as Sebastiao Salgado, Don McCullin and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Cole’s images document the passing of a way of working, of skills that have been handed down from generation to generation.

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Book SynopsisMy mind constantly rearranges everyday objects into faces. I''ve conditioned myself not to see them. Occasionally they break through. When that happens, I make polaroid photos. Nothing sought, nothing staged.' The phenomenon of recognising faces in everyday objects, called face pareidolia, is experienced widely. Once thought of as a symptom of psychosis, it is increasingly understood that pareidolia images are processed by the same mechanism that would normally process emotion in a real face. In Justin Sutcliffe's case, the likenesses often appear from combinations of objects randomly and fleetingly arranged rather than single items that happen to resemble faces. This collection of photographs represent a small selection of the images he has made around the world, often presenting themselves to him at unexpected moments during the course of his professional work.

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Book SynopsisThe year 2023 sees the 150th anniversary of the death of William Harry Rogers. Rogers was one of the finest artist-designers of the Victorian period in Britain, someone to be considered in the same company as Pugin, William Burges, Owen Jones and Christopher Dresser. His designs won several prize medals at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the event which provides a ubiquitous reference point for cultural histories of the nineteenth century. He subsequently specialised in designing the appearances of books and his work in this field in the 1850s and 1860s was unrivalled, with many of his designs appearing also in the USA. The present book is the first to be devoted to Rogers and aims to be definitive, containing comprehensive accounts of his work and his life in Soho and the then village of Wimbledon. It includes many new discoveries, and hundreds of colour illustrations.Trade Review"Greg Jones's biography brings to life a versatile Victorian artist and designer who made an indelible impact on nineteenth-century material culture. Based on meticulous research, Jones creates a compelling portrait of a talented yet little known artist whose influence on Victorian taste was profound." - Joanne Shattock, Emeritus Professor of Victorian Literature, University of Leicester "This book is erudite yet eminently readable and is a comprehensive study of WHR and his varied achievements in design encompassing not just book covers and illustration but also silver, wooden items and playing cards. This is a landmark in Victorian studies and is very well illustrated." - Paul Goldman, Honorary Professor of English Literature, Cardiff University "This thoroughly researched and lavishly illustrated book places William Harry Rogers at the forefront of mid-Victorian design, as frequently expressed in his book cover designs." - Edmund M.B. King, art historianTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 7 one Introduction 9 two Life of the Artist-Designer 19 three George Isaacs 37 four Two Signatures 46 five The Builder 50 six Henry Fitzcook 63 seven The Art Journal 69 eight Silver 81 nine Sir Henry Cole 96 ten Queen Victoria’s Cradle 106 eleven The Great Exhibition and its Successors 118 twelve Spiritual Conceits 139 thirteen Illustrations 149 fourteen Playing Cards 161 fifteen Jewellery 168 sixteen Book Covers 174 seventeen Contemporary Owners 196 eighteen Patrons 202 Appendices a Gallery of Book Covers 216 b Paris 285 c Cover Design Re-use and Materials 291 d Kate Rogers and Others 295 Index of Titles for Books and Journals with WHR Covers 301 Index 305

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Book SynopsisThe Lao and the Siamese are descendants of the same Ai-Lao race, but they have different characters and destinies, and they established their own kingdoms. The invasion of ViengChan by Siam in 1779 left Lao LanXang in danger of total collapse. The twelve-year-old prince Chao Anouvong, the feudal ruling class, the court nobility and many of the people were forcefully taken to Siam, resulting in the total political extinction of a society that had governed LanXang for over 1,000 years. Chao Anouvong grew up in Bangkok and was regarded by the Siamese as a mere provincial ruler. He returned to ViengChan at the age of twenty-eight and became king, with nothing to support him but his own talents and his ambition to restore LanXang.

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Book SynopsisA charming evocation of life in Beijing in the 1940s and 50s for a small child growing through the enormous social change in China at that time. Little Auspicious and his family experience unforgettable adventures involving secret agents, spies, Japanese invaders, the Kuomintang and dangerous encounters and escapades before Beijing is liberated and New China is created. An accessible and beautifully illustrated narrative of life in Beijing at a time of immense change this book will appeal to teenagers and all who wish to learn more about China during this period.

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Book SynopsisMonemvasia has a powerful visual and emotive separation from the world. The ‘Castro’ or fortress is set on a rock in the southern Peloponnese of the Aegean Sea, joined by a causeway to the Greek mainland. Inhabitants are further isolated behind the fortified walls, with only one gateway into the Castro. From the 6th century AD it has played a significant role in Byzantine and Mediterranean history. The unique environment determined how the community evolved through periods of social change. The photographic collection spans over a century, from 1890 until the present day, and alongside historic and contemporary quotations, provides a graphic description of Monemvasian society throughout its recent history. It is an illustration of how a community, living in unique, physical and historical surroundings, may flourish and recreate within itself a strong bond of solidarity, pride and continuity. This interaction determines the pattern of the book. It is a journey, on a physical and emotional level, through Monemvasia. The chapters move through the public spaces and activities into the private experiences of family life.Trade Review"This wonderful book of photographs, compiled by Ann Eldridge… captures the magic that is Monemvasia. It’s a handsome and hefty book that would grace any coffee-table, and be the ideal gift for anyone interested in Greece, in history, in photography… With several essays about Monemvasia, as well as the remarkable photos, this beautiful book should definitely be on the shopping list for anyone with any remote interested in Greece. And if you haven’t yet been to Monemvasia, it will tempt you to go" Greece Travel Secrets

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Book SynopsisPublished to coincide with a career-defining retrospective at Hastings Museum and Gallery in January 2022, In Sussex: Bob Mazzer is a far-reaching collection showing Mazzer doing what he does best in the town he came to call home. Hastings, St Leonards-on-Sea and the stunning surrounding countryside are all on show in this carefully curated selection of images. With a foreword by Eamonn McCabe.

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Book SynopsisThe tale of Warm Summer is set in Meigu, a small town in the suburbs of Tianjin. It has taken place over the past two years during the national poverty alleviation project. The story centres around two villages within the town: Dongjinwang Village and Xijinwang Village. These villages were once one family and had a strong bond, but they are now separated by a river and face many barriers. One village is wealthier and more culturallystrong, while the other is poorer and relatively weak. The heads of the villages, Zhang Shaoshan and Jin Yongnian, are similar in age and were once brothers in their generation. However, their relationship is now delicate and they only exchange a few words at the town government's poverty alleviation mobilisation meeting. Zhang Shaoshan of Dongjinwang Village, unable to tolerate the other's ridicule, vows to change the face of poverty in his village within two years. The story follows Zhang Shaoshan's efforts to alleviate poverty step by step.

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Book SynopsisIn this first book to explore the entire history of triumphal arches, from their Roman origins to the present day, the Classicist and architectural historian Peter Howell describes arches through time, in terms of their cultural and historical significance. He also discusses the form of the arch in Renaissance painting and the rather surprising use of arches as war memorials. The erection of arches is far from dead, and Howell shows us examples, taken from over thirty years of research, from around the world.Table of ContentsCONTENTS PREFACE viii 1 THE ROMAN TRIUMPHAL ARCH: ORIGINS 1 2 ARCHES OF THE TIME OF AUGUSTUS 7 3 FROM TIBERIUS TO NERO 29 4 AFTER NERO IN ITALY 36 5 AFTER NERO IN EUROPE OUTSIDE ITALY 71 6 AFTER NERO IN ASIA MINOR 90 7 NORTH AFRICA 107 8 FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE RENAISSANCE 130 9 RENAISSANCE ITALY 137 10 PAPAL ARCHES 169 11 ARCHES FOR CELEBRATIONS IN ITALY 191 12 ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES 202 13 FRANCE IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES 221 14 FRANCE FROM LOUIS XIV TO THE REVOLUTION 229 15 THE LOW COUNTRIES FROM THE SIXTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 246 16 ARCHES AS FEATURES OF PARKS AND LANDSCAPE GARDENS 262 17 ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 291 18 ARCHES IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND FOR ROYAL OCCASIONS 304 19 NAPOLEONIC ARCHES 316 20 ARCHES IN FRANCE AFTER NAPOLEON I 325 21 LONDON – THE MARBLE AND WELLINGTON ARCHES 329 22 GERMANY AND AUSTRIA FROM THE SIXTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 334 23 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE 348 24 RUSSIA AND MOLDOVA 355 25 SCANDINAVIA 363 26 SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 368 27 MALTA 374 28 AMERICA, 1758–1939 377 29 MEXICO, SOUTH AMERICA, CUBA 381 30 AUSTRALIA 388 31 INDIA 393 32 THE FAR EAST 396 33 ARCHES AS WAR MEMORIALS 401 34 TWENTIETH- AND TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY ARCHES 425 BIBLIOGRAPHY 440 PICTURE CREDITS 441 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 443 INDEX 444

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Book SynopsisFor much of the nineteenth century, women artists laboured under the same restrictions and taboos they had endured for centuries, and it was assumed that marriage and child-bearing were their goals in life. However, by the 1870s female art students of every nation were flocking to Paris in search of instruction in the city’s private art schools. With proper training, they now had the confidence to tackle a wider range of subjects and by the century’s end they were at last able to study the nude figure. During these breakthrough years, women won the right to work and exhibit alongside men, both in Europe and America, and the advent of art galleries and art dealers opened up new ways of selling their work. This book is full of surprising adventures: young women, still not allowed to visit a museum unchaperoned, travelled thousands of miles in a quest for first-class tuition; several Americans, while still in their twenties, journeyed to Rome to study sculpture; numerous free and independent women joined the artists’ colonies that sprang up all over Europe, where they made lasting friendships, painting from dawn to dusk en plein air and enjoying the bohemian life. These trailblazing women rose to the challenges of the century’s dramatic development in art styles – from Realism to the Avant-Garde – and triumphantly succeeded in becoming successful professional artists.Trade Review"Many of the artists featured in this book have been forgotten or consistently ignored by museums, galleries and art historians. After enduring centuries of social restrictions and taboos (for example, young women were not allowed to visit an art museum unchaperoned), by the 1870s women artists were flocking to Paris to be tutored in private art schools. Their new-found confidence saw them tackling a wide range of subjects and contributing to the century's dramatic developments in art styles." * Artmag (UK) *

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Book SynopsisA century, a hundred, a ton, whether in sport, in life or an exam result raises expectations and interest. When it is a celebration of a leading yacht club’s longevity, pens descend on paper. From small beginnings after the First World War the Royal Lymington Yacht Club has become one of the UK’s leading sports clubs. The Club’s patron, HRH Princess Anne, has seen the Club lead the way in a UK-wide recognised sailing programme for local youngsters, resulting in many of them winning Olympics medals. Other members have cruised round the world for fun, some more than once, while others have risen to be world champions in a variety of racing classes, up to and including the America's Cup. This snapshot of a hundred years of a Royal Club is an absorbing collage of yachting, educational and social events in a thriving club that is at the epicentre of the boating world of the New Forest, the Solent and Lymington River.

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Book SynopsisThere is no journal with a livelier and richer history than The Spectator. As well as being the world’s oldest current affairs magazine, none has been closer to spheres of power and influence in Britain. Since its first appearance in 1828, during the dying days of the Georgian era, The Spectator has been ready to spar – with the Tories and their Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington, with a corrupt political system, and with the lacklustre literary world of the day. Over the subsequent 54 Prime Ministers, The Spectator has not just watched the world go by but has waded into the fray: it has campaigned on consistently liberal lines, fighting for voters’ rights, free trade, the free press and the decriminalisation of homosexuality, while offering open-minded criticism of every modern taboo and orthodoxy. 10,000 Not Out marks the magazine’s 10,000th issue by recounting the turbulent and tortuous tale of its history, of 192 years chock-full of crises and campaigns, of literary flair and barbed wit. Eight chapters chart the evolution of the title – from radical weekly newspaper, to moralising Victorian guardian, to wartime watchdog, to satirical magazine, to High-Tory counsellor, to the irreverent but influential Spectator of the twenty-first century. The book weaves together copious quotations from the magazine’s unparalleled archive, the contemporary press, private letters and staff anecdote.Trade Review"Butterfield's highly readable romp through its history reminds members of The Spectator club—it has always had a very clubby feeling—of editorial triumphs and disasters, commercial horrors and some remarkable luck." * Literary Review *"Few journals have cut such a dash through history and culture as The Spectator, and none have lasted as long. David Butterfield has immersed himself to excellent effect in the British magazine’s billion-word digitized archives, paying tribute to a unique institution as influential now as at any time in its 10,000 issue history. . . . Butterfield’s book demonstrates that [The Spectator] has simultaneously helped make and mirror the British psyche, and to read it is not just to read the mind of the British right, but also the heart of a complex country." * Chronicles *"The Spectator: the greatest magazine in the English language." -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson"A gem of a book—in the hands of a superb writer. Butterfield’s attention to detail is fabulous, his storytelling magnificent and his playful affection for these often larger than life characters makes them leap off the page. A delight." -- Emily Maitlis, Newsnight (UK)"More than individually surprising discoveries about people and their strange ways, this history presents an intriguing moving picture of life inside Britain’s oldest weekly." -- Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph (UK)"A rich and beautifully crafted chronicle, often hilarious and always informative." -- A. N. Wilson, author of Prince Albert: The Man Who Saved the Monarchy"The Spectator has always had its own mind—and its own life. David Butterfield has written a first-class biography of that life: the highs and lows, the feuds and affairs, the best jokes, the worst decisions—it's a treasure trove. A brilliantly readable history of the magazine, its life and its times." -- Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator

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Book SynopsisThere are many books about Great War heroes. Relatively few are written about survivors and even fewer detail their whole lives or the wider context of their service. In this approach to the Great War, Richard Cullen takes the reader through history, led by the medals of five who served, each decorated for distinguished service; to wide-ranging political and military contexts, the personal side of their lives in war and peace, and the untold contributions that they made. What do the medals tell about the people who wore them? Where did they serve? How full were there lives? What wider historical and tactical contexts surrounded them? Readers will learn of aspects of service, battles and ways of making war that they might otherwise not have found in one place; philanthropy, volunteering, care for the injured, supplying an army, the dangerous monotony of the trenches, the Allied Intervention in the Russian civil war. Each of the subjects covered here led diverse lives. They served on land, in the air, and later at sea. Their stories are untold and open our eyes to the struggles that so many faced without formal recognition. In these varied and multi-layered accounts are tales of sadness, power struggle, modesty and compassion, bravery and a fulfilled post-war life.Trade Review"The depth of detail goes beyond the battlefield to describe the social and political worlds in which they lived and served. . . . There is much to learn and upon which to reflect. Readers will certainly be better informed. They may also feel their own emotions touched by the lives and fate of the five, and regret that such lives, representative of many others, have remained unknown and undervalued for so long. This is an unusual book, but it is well worth reading." * Pennant: The Journal of the Forces Pension Society *

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Book SynopsisIn early 1910s, two pioneering women entrepreneurs, Nadezhda Dobychina in St Petersburg and Klavdia Mikhailova in Moscow set up two of the first art galleries in Russia. Skilfully balancing current art market trends and daring avant-garde experimentations, Dobychina and Mikhailova soon transformed their establishments into vibrant centres of Russian artistic life. Their exhibitions of well-established national and international artists attracted enthusiastic crowds and won acclaim from leading art critics. They did not hesitate to engage in more provocative ventures, including the controversial Goncharova retrospectives in 1914, which for the first time put on view over 500 cutting-edge avant-garde works, and the famous 0.10 exhibition of 1915 at Dobychina’s Art Bureau in St. Petersburg, where Malevich’s famous Black Square was displayed for the very first time. Based on previously unpublished archival materials and illustrations, this book will tell the story of the lives and adventures of these two remarkable women. Operating in a predominantly man’s world, they focussed on discovering and promoting those Russian artists who later went on to become major figures in the history of world modernism.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a personal, humorous and insightful insider’s perspective of what goes on a daily basis inside the United Nations. It is incisive, direct and a pleasure to read. There have been other historical accounts and contemporary assessments of the United Nations, but none by United Nations staff members at such a high level, with long established careers that allow for nuanced perspectives and analysis.

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Book SynopsisA Black Cat Abroad is the untold WWII story of a 'Terrier' nicknamed 'Oscar': R.E.H. Hadingham (1915-2004), CBE, MC & Bar TD, better known as 'Buzzer', who was later chairman of Slazenger's and then the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Beginning with his work in London and Territorial Army training, it describes life in Wimbledon under the cloud of impending war. On 29th July 1939, Buzzer was commissioned into 167 Brigade, 67th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment R.A. T.A., the 'Black Cats'. Three years later he embarked from Liverpool, carrying a sun-helmet, destination unknown. Momentous challenges followed, not least a 3-year separation from his family. Here are fresh aspects of an epic 3,000-mile journey from Iraq to action in North Africa, before conflicts in Italy: Salerno, Anzio, and the lesser-known 'Monte Cassino of the Adriatic': Gemmano. Leading toward the 80th Anniversary of the Italian Campaign (1943-1945), relevant historic anecdotes and key operational recollections reveal a young, energetic 303 Anti-Tank Battery Commander's personal perspectives, and the first officer in his Territorial Regiment to receive a batt le honour. This remarkable, first-hand account by the 'poet of Wimbledon' is intended as a special tribute to all brave men who served in the 'Black Cats' - and as a commemoration of the fallen.

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Book SynopsisThroughout London’s two-thousand-year history, architecture has expressed the identity of the city’s diverse communities. From Franciscan friars to merchant bankers, royal dynasties to grocers and tailors, the ideals and wealth of these groups have been reflected in magnificent buildings and public spaces. Gilded City tells the fascinating history of London through its medieval and early modern architecture, and discusses how the powers these buildings and spaces represent have shaped the capital. As well as exploring famous landmarks, smaller-scale civic gems are revealed. Over eighty photographs are included, with maps and guides of nine recommended walking tours.

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Book SynopsisHsiao Chin spent his formative years in Europe experiencing the Western Modern Art movement. As a leading post-war Asian artist, he has contributed immensely to the development of avant-garde art and established himself prominently in the modern abstract movement in Asia. As a co-founder of Punto Movement in Milan during 1961-1966, Hsiao is the first and only post-war Chinese artist attempting to convey Eastern philosophical ideas and the concepts of mindfulness and self-contemplation in the Western pictorial language of abstraction. Hsiao’s works are not only artistic representations of Asian philosophy but, in a broader context, are an intellectualised expression of Asian ideas in their essential forms. The understanding of the entire post-war avant-garde art scene would not be complete without mentioning Hsiao Chin and the Punto Movement, along with American Abstract Expressionism, French Lyrical Abstraction, and Japanese Gutai. This book records 13 Punto exhibitions, which demonstrates Hsiao’s contribution to the international cultural realm throughout his artistic career. Included here are in-depth articles on Hsiao‘s historical significance in the twentieth century. The book also introduces his iconic oeuvres over the last six decades; work that reconciles Eastern and Western art prospects.

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Book SynopsisThe Few Who Flew is an evocative memoir written by one of the last young men to train as a RAF pilot, gaining his 'Wings' in April 1957 just days before the end of National Service. Michael Morris as he was then (he is now Lord Naseby) was selected to do his flying training in Canada alongside fellow British and NATO pilots from seven different countries. Initial training was on Harvards at Moose Jaw in the Prairies and then jet flying on the world's best trainer at the time, the T-33 Canadair Silver Star. The Few Who Flew reflects Michael's inherent love of all aspects of aviation. The last three chapters cover 'Churchill's Secret Airfield', RAF Tempsford, Bedfordshire near Michael's home; his views on the future of aviation in a low carbon world, and then finishing with some provocative thoughts of a one-year 'Service to the Nation ' for all young school leavers.

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Book SynopsisOn the edge of Dartmoor and a stone’s throw from the fishing ports of Devon and the rich seas of Cornwall, the Fish Deli celebrates the wonderful array of fresh fish and shellfish available in local waters. The shop was established in 2004 by Nick and Michele Legg who, in this book, share the recipes from their award-winning deli. With beautiful illustrations, the book takes the reader on a journey through the seasons, explaining when all the different species of fish and shellfish are at their prime, and how best to enjoy them.Trade Review'In their new book, Four Seasons at the Fish Deli, with beautiful hand-drawn illustrations by artist Alice Cleary, [Nick and Michele Legg] share their knowledge of when fish and seafood are in their prime, guiding through the seasons, with delicious recipe ideas for enjoying the day's catch.' Period Living; "it's all very seasonal with lots to say about day boats and the importance of a good fish stock - but it's amiable, and brought to life by pretty pen-and-watercolour illustrations" Crumbs Magazine

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