Unicorn Publishing Group is a leading independent publisher with four imprints: Unicorn, visual arts and cultural history imprint; Uniform, specialising in military history; Universe, its historical fiction imprint; and Unify, which publishes philosophy titles.
Highlights across the imprints include Adrift - The Curious Tale of The Lego Lost at Sea, Cromwell, a history of sound Back To Bach, From Mozart to Moog and The Song of Seven Cloaks
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£18.75
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.
£13.49
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£9.74
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.
£32.00
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.
£13.49
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.
£15.00
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£8.62
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
£21.25
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) *
£21.25
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.
£45.00
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
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.
£17.00
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
£37.50
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 *
£21.25
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.
£24.00
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.
£21.25
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
£21.25
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.
£24.00
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.
£24.00
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
£45.00
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.
£38.00
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
£15.29
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
£17.00
Book SynopsisWhite Blood is a history of human milk and tells the story of how babies have been fed from antiquity to modern times and why it matters. 'Breast is Best' is the popular mantra, but there is a perennial debate about the pros and cons of 'breast and bottle'. White Blood explores this vital question, which has implications for the health and wellbeing of mothers, their young, families, communities and even countries. Starting in Ancient Greece and Rome, where human milk was thought to be blood diverted from the womb to the breast and there whitened and vivified, it lets the voices of those concerned with the care of newborn infants, and those who followed them, speak across the centuries of how they were, and should best be, nourished.Trade Review"[Weaver] takes readers on a detailed, 2000-year journey through the biology, technology, medicalization, and truth of the distribution of human milk to babies and young children. The book reads much like a well-thought-out article in the New Yorker, cumulatively building reader interest, every turn of the page revealing more new information. . . . The volume includes a variety of visual enhancements including color photographs and medical drawings that support the surrounding content. . . . This is definitely a source not to be overlooked by readers who want a comprehensive historical depiction of human milk as the vital nutritional resource for babies worldwide. . . . Recommended." * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface 1 Human Milk – Miraculous Fluid 2 Humours – White Blood 3 Alchemy – Soft Sweet Subtil Substance 4 Science – Corpuscular Fluid 5 Nature – Nature's Bountiful Urn 6 Paediatrics – Medicalisation of Infant Feeding 7 Puericulture – Maternal and Child Welfare 8 Biology and Technology – Breast and Bottle Acknowledgments and Sources Bibliography Picture Credits Index
£19.50
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.
£17.00
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.
£21.25
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Book SynopsisHolkham Hall is a masterpiece of eighteenth-century Palladian architecture set in a large walled park bordered by the marshes and dunes of the North Norfolk coast. Built, owned and occupied by the Coke family since 1612, it is at the centre of a major agricultural estate; a treasure house whose paintings, classical sculpture, books, manuscripts and furniture are of international importance.Using the extensive documents kept by generations of staff and family, recording the daily life of the Hall and estate, Christine Hiskey has traced Holkham's history through four hundred years, adding considerably to existing knowledge.Surviving vicissitudes and accumulating property, the Coke family were able to establish themselves at Holkham in the seventeenth century. The vision of Thomas Coke, later 1st Earl of Leicester , inspired by his exceptionally fruitful Grand Tour, resulted in his spending twenty-five years in the mid-eighteenth century, building and furnishing the Hall, and Christine Hiskey records the work of the staff and craftsmen who brought his ideas to reality: the sourcing of materials, his application of advanced domestic technology, and, after his death, the dedication of his widow to completing his life's work. During the next 250 years, the Hall adapted to changing fashions, aspirations and economic circumstances in its domestic, social and public life. Fresh light is shed on the attitude towards the Hall of 'Coke of Norfolk', chiefly celebrated as an agriculturalist, and there are chapters on Victorian and twentieth-century Holkham which explore new areas for research.For the first time, the Hall and its setting are treated as an integrated whole. The creation, development and use of the park are examined, including a neglected area of research: the way in which the process of acquiring land reflected the owners' landscape and farming priorities. The changing fortunes of the two villages of the 'town' (subsumed during the eighteenth century but rather later than is often supposed) and the staithe (the origin of the present village) are traced in detail for the first time. New research also reveals the process whereby 350 years of intervention by the Coke family transformed the coastal landscape of marshes, dunes and creeks. A further 'overview' chapter discusses the Hall's relationship with public visitors, from the small groups who came to witness the building work in the 1750s to the tens of thousands who today are welcomed at the Hall by the present generation of the Coke family.
£999.99
Book SynopsisSoldier and Dramatist tells the story of LCpl Harold Chapin, a US born actor, author and playwright who volunteered for the British Army in 1914. Originally and posthumously published in 1917, A truly poignant and imaginative read, from letters written for his wife and child
£999.99
Book SynopsisUnmade Up features much previously unseen artwork and photography of the enigmatic singer David Bowie, by his go-to artist of his heyday, Edward Bell. His commissions included the sleeve for Bowie's 1980 album 'Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)' which featured the number one single 'Ashes to Ashes'. Bowie later bought all of Bell's artwork for his private collection. Features Iconic album covers from Scary Monsters to Tin Machine II.
£15.00
Book Synopsis
£15.00
Book SynopsisJohn Rothenstein, son of Sir William Rothenstein, the celebrated portrait painter, was born in 1901, four years after the Tate Gallery had been founded as the national gallery of British art. When Rothenstein took over as its fifth director in 1938, the Tate was in serious trouble: after 1917 when its remit was extended to include the national collection of modern foreign art, the confused dual purpose had placed an intolerable burden on those required to manage an institution still partly controlled by the National Gallery. Furthermore, it had no purchasing budget from the Government and was bound to accept often inappropriate pictures imposed on it by the Royal Academy under the terms of the infamous Chantrey Bequest. 26 years later when Rothenstein retired as Director in 1964, the Tate had acquired a Government grant, escaped the clutches of the National Gallery in 1955, and was firmly established both as the principal collection of modern art in the UK, and the best collection of British art in the world. Yet Rothenstein's career in the art world had never run a smooth course. After a childhood and early professional life dominated by the influence of his father, his curatorial posts in America, Leeds and Sheffield were not without incident, and at times it had looked as if his chosen career would stall. Adrian Clark's thoroughly researched account of the origins and professional life of John Rothenstein, covers his highs and lows and tries to give a balanced view and summary of the achievements of this remarkable human being.
£17.00
Book SynopsisA remarkable figure of British politics between the late Victorian and interwar years, Lord Lansdowne was among the last hereditary aristocrats to wield power by birth. Over the course of a distinguished fifty year career he served as Governor-General of Canada, Viceroy of India, Secretary of State for War, Foreign Secretary and Leader of the House of Lords. It was Lansdowne who engineered the crucial changes in British foreign policy and the burden of Britain's imperial commitments, led the House of Lords through one of the most divisive periods of modern times and at the end of the First World War became a figure of notoriety greater than any of the popular leaders of the day. Descended from one the Great Whig families, he was a moderate progressive incapable of discourtesy or of any dishonesty. He was trusted by everyone. His life illustrates the challenges that his class had to face at this time and acts as a prism through which to view the transition of Britain from a global force to a much reduced power. This authoritative text, based on the first full examination of Lansdowne's extensive archive, draws this great man out of the shadows and presents him in the context of his own time, offering a fascinating insight into the leading personalities and political events of his day. Simon Kerry's biography shows that many of the issues Lansdowne faced are still important today and that his career profoundly affected the course of modern history.Trade Review"Simon (Earl of) Kerry is a direct descendant of Lansdowne and the current heir to his title, but this book is no work of family piety....The last great Whig would not have wanted a biography written passionately in his defence. Simon Kerry lays out the facts of a remarkable life fully and with calm authority. That is what this forgotten statesman would have regarded as the proper course, and it makes this book a major contribution to modern political history."--Lord Lexden, OBE "This extremely well-researched and well-written biography by Simon Kerry... shows that Lansdowne was much more than just a safe pair of hands.... [T]his book marks the arrival on the scene of a major new sleuthing historian of modern Britain. His efforts have been well rewarded by an avalanche of new material not mentioned in the only other biography of Lansdowne, which was published in 1929."--Andrew Roberts "Literary Review " "The 5th Marquess of Lansdowne's life coincides with the Victorian high point of the British Empire, and he had an enormous part in it. He was a grandee of grandees. . . . This is an admiring biography also in the Victorian mould."--Norman Stone "The Oldie "; `Simon Kerry should...be congratulated for writing the first modern Life of such a relic from a bygone time....Kerry's great achievement is his re-evaluation of Lansdowne's ministerial career between 1895-1905...as War Minister...If one concludes this biography with a sense of irony, it is because all of the things that Lansdowne was feted for in his lifetime...have become worthless or reprehensible...whereas the gesture for which he was politically vilified and socially ostracised is the one which will probably win the greatest admiration of the modern reader' Ian Cawood, Times Literary Supplement; `Lansdowne lived on until 1927. By then, events had swept away much of what he had sought to preserve. Neither his principles nor his political style seemed to have a place in a world torn between mass democracy and revolution. But his Whiggish commitment to liberal politics—the kind that combines duty, restraint and prudence with orderly government—need not be judged naive or passé. Indeed, Mr. Kerry’s fine study of the man and his world shows how necessary such a commitment remains today’ Wall Street Journal
£25.00
Book SynopsisWhy does global media feel a need to denigrate China? Why does discussion and analysis fall back on obvious tropes and polemics, when in reality China is raising living standards, developing its economy and introducing human rights. In this book, Maxime Vivas draws a picture of China from the perspective of the French media and France’s political class. He will also explore the ramifications of journalists who dare to stand out from the anti-China movement.
£999.99
Book SynopsisIn An Irishman Abroad, Tarka King recalls his feral youth on the periphery of the Anglo-Irish world, his brief UK public school education and a period of extensive travel, followed by a period of soldiering in the Middle East at the height of the Cold War before returning to Ireland. The book identifies the pre-Belfast Good Friday Agreement Ulster Canal project as a way of tackling historic regional socio-economic ills, with supporting opinions from wide range of contacts stretching from senior IRA hunger strikers through to dedicated hardline Unionists. King reflects on how he felt compelled to move to England due to the unrest in the early 1980s and how management of his farm and forests in 'no-man's-land' was not surrendered and his interest in pursuing the Ulster Canal restoration continues.Trade Review"[The book] like hurleys and horses in different settings, might rejuvenate a corner of Ireland so well and lovingly described in this very engaging memoir." Irish Examiner
£999.99
Book SynopsisBill Wyman has worked in the London borough of Chelsea on-and-off since joining the Rolling Stones in 1962, and has lived in the area since 1982. Over the past few years, Bill has walked every street of his beloved neighbourhood, photographing anything unusual that caught his eye: bridges, churches, pubs, shops, houses, monuments, decorative wall plaques, blue historical plaques, statues, weather vanes, front doors, street signs and coal hole covers. Alongside his photos, Bill began to research the area thoroughly – its history, its stories, and its residents. Bill Wyman's Chelsea is the result of this work: a comprehensive and informative guide to a London borough steeped in culture and history, as seen through the personal and affectionate lens of a long-standing resident, who himself plays a part in the history of the area. Complete with walking tour itineraries, maps, an A-Z of streets, historical information, over 300 of Bill’s photos and knowledge from an insider; Bill has produced what can confidently be called the ‘Master Book on Chelsea’.Trade Review“This is taking a stroll with Bill Wyman around his beloved Chelsea and coming home with an unexpected haul of treasures.”– Mark Knopfler “Bill is the perfect author for a book about Chelsea: he’s a history buff, a long-time resident, and a member of the beau monde that made Chelsea an exciting place to live.” – Ken Follet “This fabulous book took me back to wonderful Saturday afternoons, strolling down the Kings Road, a must for the fashionable mods in the mid 60’s. Bill has brilliantly put together a fascinating history of Chelsea, and I learnt so much that I didn’t know about this wonderful ‘village’ in London.” – Dame Twiggy Lawson “Bill Wyman is himself a living history. He has prowled, strolled, walked and stalked every nook and cranny of his chosen London quarter.” – Bob Geldof
£999.99
Book SynopsisPublius Ovidius Naso (43BC – 17/18AD), known as Ovid, was known as much for his disgrace as for his poetry. By pleasing his contemporaries, befriending patricians and subtly mocking the emperor Augustus, he was transformed from a provincial outsider to Rome’s darling – and, for some, its corrupter. Banished without trial to a remote port on the Black Sea, he continued to write. It is fortunate that most of his work has not been lost. The transformation stories of his masterpiece – The Metamorphoses – inspired not just Shakespeare, Chaucer and Milton, but have been a major influence on European culture. His handbooks of erotic love taught men and women the art of dealing with the opposite sex. They brought him instant literary glory and notable adversaries. His works were banned by the emperor Augustus, by Savonarola, by the Bishop’s Ban, by the Vatican and eventually by the US Custom Office; this latter only lifted in 1930. To discover who was Ovid the man, Michael Solomon travelled in his footsteps, seeking the same landscapes today that Ovid found two thousand years ago.Trade Review"For any Classics lovers this is the perfect exploration into the life of such an influential poet. ...It is profound and well-written, and fully captivates you, bringing you into Ovid’s journey out of exile. If you love Ancient Greece/Ancient Rome or just love the symbolism in Ovid’s poetry then this will bring you into a new dimension of understanding." Inside Out Reviews "The Scapegoat is a thrilling novel with an intriguing character study that is sure to please those interested in the Roman Empire." Historic Chronicles "The Scapegoat is a thoughtful and interesting novel, with a good historical background research and unique take on historical facts. A long yet heartly recommended weekend read." Wild Writing Life "Sardonic, clever, and descriptive, this novel takes the reader not only into the life of the infamous Ovid but also into the heart of 1st century Rome with all of its political intrigue and artifice." Ellen Z Reads "The ending has a twist to it that leaves you with a smile on your face" From the Book Elf "An interesting and unusual read" The Library Door
£999.99
Book SynopsisHenri Matisse described the Chapel of the Rosary, the chief labour of his final years, as the 'gathering together' of his lifetime's work. Although widely known as 'Matisse's Chapel', the building's remarkable 'modern' design and decoration emerged from a surprising friendship and artistic engagement with a group of Dominican sisters and brothers keen to see the Church embrace 'Modern Art' and modern artists. With the advantage of hitherto unexplored archive and printed materials this study highlights that mutual encounter and explores how their shared artistic adventure became for Matisse himself an opportunity to express his 'religious' vision of art and to rediscover his natal Catholic Faith in its post-war avant-garde form.
£999.99
Book SynopsisManchester International Festival (MIF) has invited some of the world's greatest living artists to delight and often challenge crowds in spaces of all shapes and sizes; from disused railway stations to atmospheric concert halls. It's crossed boundaries and artistic disciplines, leapt over them, determinedly broken them down, to create unique productions that have gone on to tour the world. Radical and unpredictable, the Festival started in 2007 and has been on every two years since. Everything That Happened is a celebration of that journey to date. With selected images from the last eight iconic Festivals, the book will showcase the extraordinarily ambitious work that has made MIF a landmark cultural event and will continue to do so at its new permanent home. Each image is accompanied by a reflection from an artist, a participant, a supporter or audience member capturing a unique voice and personal meditation on that moment.Trade Review“From Marta Minujín’s toppled Big Ben made of books to Kenneth Branagh’s Macbeth in a deconsecrated church to Skepta’s dystopian mixed reality rave in a railway depot, it has been a joy to revisit some of our most celebrated festival moments in this book marking 16 years of extraordinary world firsts in Manchester, ahead of the opening of our landmark new year-round venue in the heart of the city.” John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International and Manchester International Festival
£999.99
Book SynopsisNigel Molesworth, ‘the curse of St. Custard's’, was a much-loved post-war fictional schoolboy character who featured in a series of books by Geoffrey Willans and illustrated by Ronald Searle. The books also featured the headmaster Grimes, Nigel’s annoying younger brother Molesworth 2, his best friend Peason, the head boy Grabber and the school wet Fotherington-Thomas. Nigel’s main characteristic was his cynicism and in Nigel Molesworth’s Cynical Tendency he has, through the success of his YouTube channel The Cynical Tendency, started a Cynical Tendency political party and his school friends have all become heads of the main political parties. The play starts with a Prologue for those unfamiliar with the characters, and the action is then set just after a general election in the near future, the result of which was chaotic and all the players could possibly become Prime Minister but only with Nigel’s support. Nigel on the other hand…Trade Review'Ian Strathcarron's energetically sarcastic farce is part satire, part revue sketch, part critique of the amoral mess we find ourselves in today, above all a wonderful compendium of all the tropes and cliches which adorn our current, seriously knackered, political discourse. You may well laugh until you burst out crying.' Michael Coveney, Theatre Critic 'An absolute disgrace, whoever is behind this should be shot' The Old Saint Custardian
£999.99
Book SynopsisThis new and comprehensive story of instrumental conservationist Pearl Chase’s fascinating life is a tribute to her remarkable achievements. Spending over seventy years pioneering work in preservation, social services, and civic activism, Chase met and corresponded with the most significant influencers of the time. Serving on hundreds of committees and working with organizations, she received over eighty national, state and local awards including two honorary doctorates. Pearl Chase was known as Santa Barbara’s woman of the twentieth century. Devoted to improving the world around her, Chase was an intrepid, forward thinking, practical-minded leader. Through his meticulous research and with respect for his distinguished American ancestor, British historian, Simon Kerry traces Chase’s early life and collegiate years at UC Berkeley through to her return to Santa Barbara and indelible impact on both California and the nation. During a tumultuous period in American history in the early twentieth century, she paved a way for not only the environmentalist movement but also for women’s influence in politics in the federal and local civic spheres. Her compassionate, charitable nature extended to many cultural groups and causes, evident in her vocal support of protecting the lands and customs of Native Americans in the southwest.
£999.99
Book SynopsisLiving With Dogs is a series of portraits showing people at home with their dogs. It looks at how we share our homes, sofas, living rooms and lives with our canine friends. Shot in sitters' homes, it examines this relationship and the commitment shown by dog owners to their pets.This book highlights how much we adapt our lives to suit our four-legged friends; how much room we give them, comfort we offer them and support we provide for them. In sitters' stories and featured essays it looks at different types of dog/ human partnerships and examines the give and take of these relationships.
£999.99
Book SynopsisWhile looking into her genealogy, particularly the Cumberbatches from Barbados, Helen Ashton discovered the silversmith Omar Ramsden and his connection to her family. Omar Ramsden and fellow Sheffield-born designer Alwyn Carr set up a partnership in 1898 moving to London to exploit the fashionable taste for handmade silver of the Arts and Crafts Movement and, with the help of skilled artisans, made articles adapted from Gothic and Renaissance designs with Celtic-style inscriptions, which became their trademark. A fascinating story, painstakingly researched following one of the most successful silversmithing collaborations of the 20th century. Helen’s interest became a fascinating obsession, resulting in three years of research to find out about his family background in Sheffield and his long partnership.
£999.99
