Search results for ""Amber Books""

The elegant pen-strokes and visual harmony of Chinese writing, known as hànzì, have long been admired in the west. Classical Chinese calligraphy is a popular and valuable art form, and with the increasing economic and cultural power of China, its writing is becoming more widely appreciated and understood. In particular, the deep layers of history and symbolism which exist behind even the most everyday character have a strong appeal to those seeking understanding from an alternative philosophy. Chinese Characters: The Art of Hànzì features the most interesting of the three to four thousand characters are needed to write modern Chinese. Characters expressing concepts such as love, peace, respect and happiness are reproduced in a large format, enabling the reader to trace, scan or photocopy them for transfer to any other medium. Alongside the character is an accessible and inspiring explanation of how the character developed, what the particular strokes symbolize, and its various different meanings.

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Fully illustrated in a striking landscape format, Ships contains 300 mercantile and military vessels arranged in chronological order, from ancient times to the present day. Every type of vessel from every part of the world is featured, from Phoenician war galleys from 1500BC, through the graceful trading clippers of the nineteenth century, to the sophisticated and heavily armed submarines of the nuclear era. In these information-packed pages you will find out about ancient galleys, Viking longships, medieval cogs, galleasses, galleons, men-of-war sailing ships, coastal gunboats, iron-clad steam boats, dreadnoughts, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. Many well-known ships are included, such as Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, the ill-fated passenger liner Titanic, the infamous German World War II battlecruiser Bismarck and many, many more. Each ship is illustrated with a colourful artwork, while lively text offers a concise service history of the ship and a specification box provides comprehensive technical data, including displacement, dimensions, machinery, armament, speed and complement.

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At its peak in January 1945, 10,000 people worked at Bletchley Park, reading 4000 messages a day, decrypting German and Japanese communications and helping the Allies to victory. But while we know that Bletchley was the centre of Britain’s World War II code-breaking, how did its efforts actually change the course of the war? Enigma: How Breaking the Code Helped Win World War II tells the story of Bletchley’s role in defeating U-boats in the Atlantic, breaking the Japanese codes, helping the Allies to victory in North Africa, deciphering the German military intelligence code, learning of most German positions in western Europe before the Normandy Landings, defeating the Italian Navy in the Mediterranean, and helping sink the German battleship Scharnhorst off Norway. In tracing these events, the book also delves into the stories of major Bletchley characters, ‘boffins’ such as Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman, and ‘Debs’ such as Joan Clarke and Margaret Rock. An accessible work of military history that ranges across air, land and naval warfare, the book also touches on the story of early computer science. Illustrated with 120 black-&-white and colour photographs, artworks and maps, Enigma: How Breaking the Code Helped Win World War II is an authoritative and novel perspective on WWII history.

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The stories of Thor, Odin and Loki are familiar to most of us. Many people know that the Norse gods fought against giants and were ultimately betrayed by Loki the trickster. The end of the world and the death of the gods in a grim battle called Ragnarok has also found its way into popular culture. Ideas taken from Norse mythology are frequently found in modern fantasy and science fiction – such as elves, dwarfs and undead warriors rising from an unquiet grave, for example. Norse mythology is rich in adventure and ideas about creation, death and the afterlife. Norse Myths takes a wide-ranging approach, examining the creation stories of the Norse world, the monsters and the pantheons of the deities, including such figures as Heimdall, Freya and Baldr. It looks at the sagas and the Prose and Poetic Eddas, which tell of real and imagined people, featuring both heroic tales and humorous escapades. The book also examines how Norse myths were interpreted in a Christianized Europe and how their motifs influenced medieval German writers and, in turn, were used in the modern world in very different ways, by the likes of composer Richard Wagner and in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Illustrated with 180 colour and black-&-white artworks and illustrations, Norse Myths is an engaging and highly informative exploration of a rich mythology that still resounds today.

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Mammals include some of the most intriguing creatures on the planet: the big cats of Africa, the monkeys that inhabit the trees of the Amazon basin, the whales and dolphins that roam the world’s oceans. This book profiles the mammals of the world, using an entry by entry approach. By including fascinating examples from all of the world’s major mammal families, Mammals offers a truly comprehensive overview of mammals from every continent and gives a sense of the incredible diversity of mammal types. The entries are grouped by order, then within each order by family (and, where necessary, within each family by subfamilies); each family section contains examples of the key species, which are illustrated with beautifully detailed, full-colour artworks. For easy reference, each entry includes a table of information on scientific name, order and family, features, habitats, distribution, diet and breeding.

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Discover the fascinating world of the treasures beneath your feet. Minerals and Gemstones is an accessible and informative reference guide to 300 different minerals and gemstones, from simple sandstones to sanidine, jade and diamond. Learn what the Earth is made of, how its rocks were formed and how minerals and gems are used today. Minerals and Gemstones is divided into sections covering the internationally recognised classification groups. Each entry includes an accurately reproduced and representative colour photograph, and a key information table including specifications such as the colour, lustre, streak, hardness, specific gravity, cleavage, habit and crystal system of each type of mineral and gemstone. Full of facts and with an engaging but expertly written text, this handy, pocket-size book is a valuable reference source as well as a fascinating read.

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“Westeros is probably closer to medieval Britain than anything else.” George R.R. Martin, creator of Game of Thrones Kings who were insane, infant or imprisoned; feuding families, disputed successions and monarchs executing their brothers; exiled nobles, war with France and enemies forced to unite against a common foe – the history of the Wars of the Roses is so filled with drama that it feels like fiction. In fact, it has inspired fiction. As Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin said: “I’ve drawn on many parts of history, but the Wars of the Roses is probably the one A Song Of Ice and Fire is closest to.” Telling the story of the fifteenth century wars between Lancastrians and Yorkists, The Wars of the Roses follows the course of the conflict from the succession of infant King Henry VI right through to the defeat of rebellions under Henry VII. Its protagonists were twisted by their conflicting loyalties of blood, marriage and, above all, ambition. From mad Henry VI captured in battle to the mystery of the ‘Princes in the Tower’ and the truth behind Richard III’s deformity, the book is a lively account of more than 30 tumultuous years. Illustrated with more than 200 colour and black-and-white photographs, artworks and maps, The Wars of the Roses reveals the scheming and betrayal, the skullduggery and murder behind the struggle to gain power – and then hold on to it.

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The idea that a person’s destiny is shaped by impulses from astronomical bodies millions of miles away has fascinated mankind for thousands of years. Astrological signs are the celestial guides that illuminate our fate, reveal the secrets of who we really are, and warn of challenges to be faced. Divided into 12 volumes by star sign, the compact guides in the Zodiac series provide easy-to-use advice that will help you determine your sun sign and those of your friends and family. There is also extensive background on the mystical and mythological associations of each sign, and the gender and quality of each. Each volume provides a clear description and detailed analysis of all the key characteristics of the star sign, including the influence of the sun and the planets, and its bearing on childhood, appearance, health, career, relationships and parenting style. Find out why the strong, athletic Leo may not be a suitable match for the moody, capricious Capricorn; become familiar with the health and career prospects of the passionate, exciting and energetic Scorpio; understand the joys and pitfalls of loving the warm and restless Pisces.

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The idea that a person’s destiny is shaped by impulses from astronomical bodies millions of miles away has fascinated mankind for thousands of years. Astrological signs are the celestial guides that illuminate our fate, reveal the secrets of who we really are, and warn of challenges to be faced. Divided into 12 volumes by star sign, the compact guides in the Zodiac series provide easy-to-use advice that will help you determine your sun sign and those of your friends and family. There is also extensive background on the mystical and mythological associations of each sign, and the gender and quality of each. Each volume provides a clear description and detailed analysis of all the key characteristics of the star sign, including the influence of the sun and the planets, and its bearing on childhood, appearance, health, career, relationships and parenting style. Find out why the strong, athletic Leo may not be a suitable match for the moody, capricious Capricorn; become familiar with the health and career prospects of the passionate, exciting and energetic Scorpio; understand the joys and pitfalls of loving the warm and restless Pisces.

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Written in the 6th century BC, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is still used as a book of military strategy today. Napoleon, Mae Zedong, General Vo Nguyen Giap and General Douglas MacArthur all claimed to have drawn inspiration from it. And beyond the world of war, business and management gurus have also applied Sun Tzu’s ideas to office politics and corporate strategy. Using a new translation by James Trapp and including editorial notes, this bilingual edition of The Art of War lays the original Chinese text opposite the modern English translation. The book contains the full original 13 chapters on such topics as laying plans, attacking by stratagem, weaponry, terrain and the use of spies. Sun Tzu addresses different campaign situations, marching, energy and how to exploit your enemy’s weaknesses. Of immense influence to great leaders across millennia, The Art of War is a classic text richly deserving this exquisite edition.

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Fighting Techniques of Naval Warfare describes the fighting techniques of navies throughout the ages, from ancient times to the present day. The book explores the tactics and strategy required to win battles with the technology available, and points out how the development of such weapons changed the face of naval warfare. Divided into five sections, the text first examines the ancient methods of fighting at sea. Fighting Techniques of Naval Warfare describes why some navies and admirals were more effective than others, and why certain tactics were successful or not. Progressing through the ages, each section contains four key battles illustrated with maps to highlight the tactics in vogue at the time, while the accompanying text describes the equipment used by navies of the period. The battles featured include Actium, Sluys, the Armada, Sacheon, Quiberon Bay, Lake Erie, and Jutland. Using specially-commissioned colour and black-and-white artworks to illustrate the battles, equipment and tactics of the era, Fighting Techniques of Naval Warfare shows in detail the methods by which navies gained and lost ascendancy on the oceans.

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The history of aviation is full of striking and unusual designs, from the biplanes and triplanes of World War I, through the giant bombers and streamlined fighters of World War II to the stealthy shapes and unusual configurations of modern military aircraft like the Northrop Grumman B-2 and V-22 Osprey. Military Aircraft Visual Encyclopedia provides a fascinating guide to every major military aircraft type ever flown, all illustrated with a profile artwork, accompanied by brief details and specifications. Common types such as the Spitfire, Ju 87 Stuka, F-86 Sabre and F-4 Phantom are featured with several artworks showing the range of colour schemes and operators. Arranged chronologically by type to allow easy comparison, each featured aircraft or variant is illustrated with an excellent full-colour artwork, showing in great detail its characteristics and markings, and completed with an informative caption. Many aircraft are illustrated in profile, and others in a head-on

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Bushido is the chivalric code of moral principles that the Samurai followed: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honour and loyalty. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding, Bushido: The Soul of Japan will appeal to anyone interested in leadership, the code of the Samurai and Japanese culture.

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Strategy is the craft of a warrior Miyamoto Musashi Written around 1645, Miyamoto Musashi's Five Rings is a classic Japanese work on mastery in swordsmanship, leadership and conflict. Musashi was a swordsman, philosopher and strategist, and today his work remains of influence not only in the realm of martial arts but in the business world, too. Musashi's no-nonsense approach to the martial arts and combat includes eliminating technical flourishes, understanding that technique should simply be understood as defeating your opponent, and appreciating that the same qualities apply in both small- scale and large-scale conflicts. Repeatedly, he stresses the importance of learning through practice, rather than merely reading about them. Produced using beautiful traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques, Five Rings is presented in an exquisite edition with a brand new modern translation.

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Haiku seventeen-syllable poems that evoke worlds despite their brevity have captivated Japanese readers since the seventeenth century. Today the form is practiced worldwide and has become established as part of our common global heritage. This beautiful traditionally hand-bound volume presents new English translations of classic poems by the four great masters of Japanese haiku Matsuo Basho, Yosa Buson, Kobayashi Issa, and Masaoka Shiki accompanied by both the original Japanese and a phonetic transcription. With a timeless design, Haiku is an expert introduction and celebration of one of the most beautiful and accessible forms of poetry in the world.

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180 atmospheric photographs of graveyards, catacombs, tombs, burial sites and cemeteries Expert text explains the fascinating stories behind the burial places Includes wide-ranging examples, from modern underwater crematoriums to grand ancient necropolises

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Treasures of Ancient Egypt is a photographic celebration of the wonders of the kingdom of the Pharoahs, from Tutankhamun's tomb to the pyramids, from ancient papyrus scrolls covered with hieroglyphs to golden amulets in the form of ankhs and scarabs.

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Written by an expert author, Fitness Training offers a total fitness programme for both body and mind. Special exercises and routines will help the reader improve strength, stamina and agility. There are also chapters on diet and nutrition, mental agility and self-defence to help cope with the challenges of modern life the SAS way.

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Includes over 550 photographs of key events, locations, people and objects in human history Expert text provides a concise account of the history of the world Offers an accessible overview of human history for the general reader

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Features 350 entries, from the Fokker DR.1 triplane through the Mil Mi-24 helicopter gunship to the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter Ranges from the World Wars to the present day Includes photographs or colour artworks for each entry

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Mushrooms are one of our planet's most amazing and unusual organisms. Used for millennia as a source of food, medicine, and occasionally poison, mushrooms and toadstools have become part of our cultural histories: for example, a ring of mushrooms was believed to be a magnet for fairies to come out to dance, while in Greek mythology, mushrooms were said to originate from Zeus's lightning because they appeared after rainstorms. Mushrooms is a photographic guide to the world's major species of fungi, from the familiar porcini mushroom, prized for its meaty texture and nutty taste, to the vivid hues of the red-and-white spotted fly agaric, known to cause psychotic reactions if eaten, and the well-named Jelly Ears, its large tan-brown fleshiness found growing on tree branches. Illustrated with 300 photographs and including dimensions and characteristics for each entry, Mushrooms offers a vivid pictorial introduction to fungi for foragers, cooks and all those interested

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First appearing around the mighty River Nile in the fourth millennium BC, Ancient Egypt is one of the great wellsprings of human civilization. Egyptian culture developed around a complex system of religious rituals tied to the agricultural seasons, with the pharaoh a living deity at the centre. Mighty pyramids, tombs and monuments were built to celebrate the pharaohs, many of which can still be seen in all their splendour today. Arranged chronologically, Ancient Egypt offers a compact photographic guide, from the 4000 BC Naqada culture to the end of the Ptolemy dynasty with the suicide of Cleopatra in 30 BC. In between, discover the Narmer Palette, a 31st century BC stone tablet that records the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Narmer; learn about Amenhotep the Magnificent, during whose reign Egypt reached the peak of its artistic and international power; marvel at the massive, rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, dedicated to Pharaoh Ramesses II (the Great), marking

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Did you know that Penguins have wings and feathers but they can't fly? Instead they have evolved into the most efficient swimmers and divers of all birds. Even on land penguins are surprisingly agile and can travel vast distances on foot or by toboganning', sliding on their stomachs over the ice' propelled by their wings and feet. Penguins is an outstanding collection of photographs in a handy pocket format showing these intriguing animals in their natural habitat. You'll discover how penguins survive the frozen Antarctic; their short outer feathers overlap, like tiles on a roof, to form a thick waterproof layer, and underneath are fluffier feathers for warmth. They also huddle together to keep warm. How do penguins sleep? They take short naps during the day and evening. They have the unique ability to sleep while standing up or in the water. Penguins features a variety of species, from the Emperor, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins in the Antarctic to the Magellanic,

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Warplanes of World War II provides a detailed look at 50 key aircraft in service between 1939 and 1945. Warplanes profiled include fighters, bombers, fighter- bombers, ground attack and other aircraft from the US, USSR, Germany, UK, Japan, France, Poland and Italy. A large-format side-on artwork in full colour shows every detail of each aircraft, with annotations pointing out features that made it unique. This is followed by an in-depth description of the aircraft's development, manufacturing history and technical profile all accompanied by photographs and a detailed specification panel.

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Other than the size of their ears (African elephants have much larger ears), how else do African and Asian elephants differ? Well, both male and female African elephants, rather than just some male Asian elephants, have long tusks. And African elephants also have two, rather than one, finger-like digits in their trunks to help grip. African elephants have more wrinkly skin, and their heads are more rounded, whereas Asian elephants have twin-domed heads. Elephants is an outstanding collection of photographs and captions showing these majestic animals in their natural habitat in a handy pocket format. You'll discover how, yes, African and Asian elephants differ, but also about the different species or subspecies in each continent. You will learn how herds of female elephants and their young are formed, how they feed and use their tusks elongated incisor teeth as weapons or for moving objects or digging, how they use their ears to cool themselves and how intelligent they are

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With fossil records dating back 400 million years, sharks have outlived the dinosaurs and many other forms of life currently on earth – they are even older than trees. There are more than 1,000 species of sharks and rays, with new species discovered every year. Through their evolution, sharks have shaped our oceans into the rich habitats we know today. As apex predators, sharks play an important role in the ecosystem by maintaining the species below them in the food chain – helping remove the weak and sick, and keeping the ocean and fish populations healthy. Other deadly predators of the deep – such as the box jellyfish, lionfish and giant octopus – are also to be feared. Did you know the Stonefish is the most venomous fish species to swim in our oceans? Better not get too close – it has 13 dorsal fin spines that release deadly toxins when the fish gets into threatening situations. Learn about the dwarf lantern shark, which is so small it can fit in the palm of your hand; or the whale shark, which grow up to 12 metres (40ft) in length and is the largest known fish species in the oceans today; or the great white shark, the oceans’ top predator and capable of chewing up dolphins and seals with its 300 teeth. With full captions explaining the different species, behaviour and feeding habits, Sharks & Underwater Predators is a lively examination of these elemental killers in more than 180 vivid photographs.

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If you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win numerous battles without a single loss. – Sun Tzu, The Art of War Written in the 6th century BC, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is still used as a book of military strategy today. Napoleon, Mae Zedong and Douglas MacArthur all claimed to have drawn inspiration from it. And beyond the world of war, modern-era business and management gurus have also applied Sun Tzu’s ideas to politics and corporate strategy. This pocket illustrated dual-language edition not only presents the original Chinese characters with James Trapp’s translation on the facing page, it also tests Sun Tzu’s ideas against history. Each of the 13 chapters includes a new commentary giving examples of how Sun Tzu’s wisdom has been borne out on the world’s battlefields. When, for example, has information provided by spies changed the course of a battle? How has history shown Sun Tzu’s ideas on the importance of terrain in conflict to be true? And where can we best find examples of strategic warfare being waged? From the ancient world to the 20th century, the battles featured will be illustrated with colour battle maps, paintings and artworks. Of immense influence to leaders across millennia, The Art of War Illustrated is a classic text richly deserving this illustrated and expanded dual-language edition.

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Few animals strike as much fear as snakes, which kill either through their poisonous venom or through suffocation. Numbering more than 3000 species, snakes can be found in virtually every environment other than Antarctica, from the jungles of the Amazon to the Gobi desert and Australian Outback. Some snakes even inhabit the rivers and seas. Arranged by continent, Snakes offers an engaging pictorial introduction to these prehistoric predators. Find out about the black mamba, which is feared because it possesses an extremely potent venom that kills most of its victims – animal and human; see the banded krait, whose venom is a neurotoxin that induces instant paralysis; learn about the reticulated python, the world’s longest constrictor, regularly reaching over 6 metres (20ft) in length; and marvel at the tiny Barbados threadsnake, which typically grows to a length of 10cm (4in) and has been compared to a spaghetti noodle! With full captions explaining the history, behaviour and feeding habits of more than 150 snake species, Snakes is a fascinating examination of these highly colourful reptilian killers in more than 180 vivid photographs.

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The 2,500 year old Yi-jing or I Ching, translated as the 'Book of Changes', is an ancient Chinese work of divination and prophesy. Dating from the 4th century BCE, it is traditionally consulted by performing complex routines of dropping bundles of dried grass stalks. The particular patterns formed when six stalks are dropped are represented by 64 symbols called hexagrams, which show every possible combination of broken and unbroken stalks. The Book of Changes tells how to interpret the hexagrams to decide which is the best approach or action in a given situation. I Ching Illustrated features the 64 hexagrams and their successive interpretations, including the Judgment, written by King Wen in the 12th Century BCE, The Commentary and The Image (both attributed to Confucius, 6–5th Century BCE), and The Lines, written by King Wen’s son. Accompanying The Lines are present-day interpretative texts. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with 75 illustrations that make the perfect gift edition, this book will allow anyone fascinated by the traditional philosophies of the East to follow in the footsteps of Confucius and use the I Ching to predict their destiny.

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'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' – Abraham Lincoln Is the story of the United States that of George Washington, John Adams and Barack Obama? Or of slave rebel Nat Turner, of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King? Or Sitting Bull and Al Capone? Or Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and OJ Simpson? Of course, it is the story of all these, of both civil war and world war, of gold rush and dust bowl, of the Pilgrim Fathers and religious cults, of Prohibition and the Mafia, of the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy-era witch-hunts. From the Iroquois and early European settlers to the Revolutionary War and Civil War, from slavery to segregation, from the frontier to the Reservations, The History of America is a chronological examination of the United States through politics, labour, big business, crime and culture. Featuring such varied characters as Thomas Jefferson and John Brown, Bugsy Siegel and J P Morgan, Calamity Jane, Chuck Berry and Bonnie & Clyde, it tells the story of the first ‘new nation’, the first major colony to revolt successfully against colonial rule, and how it became the world’s most powerful country. Extensively researched and illustrated with 180 black-&-white artworks and illustrations, The History of America is a lively and fascinating account of the darker side of the story of the United States.

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Native American Myths is a wide-ranging examination of mythology among the First Nations people in Canada and the USA, featuring examples from Apache, Blackfoot, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Cree, Inuit, Lakota, Navajo, Sioux, Tlingit, and many other tribes. Arranged by region and tribe, the book includes creation myths and heroic journeys, and features a huge range of characters from benign harvest spirits to fearsome sea beasts, from ominous disembodied heads to invisible woodland creatures. There are famous figures, too, such as the trickster Coyote, the mighty Thunderbird and the cannibalistic Algonquian monster Wendigo. Ranging from the Inuits in the North to the Apache in the South, from Tlingit in the West across to Algonquin in the East, the book delves deeply into the folklore of North America’s indigenous peoples, exploring the importance of features such sweat lodge ceremonies, the concept of balance in The Four Directions, totem poles and the idea of the upper world and an underworld. Illustrated with 180 photographs and artworks, Native American Myths is both an exciting and an enlightening exploration of the cultural beliefs of North America’s First Nations peoples.

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First revealed by a Tibetan monk in the 14th century, Bardo Thodol (“Great Liberation upon Hearing in the Intermediate State”) – known more commonly as The Tibetan Book of the Dead – describes the experience of human consciousness in the bardo, the interval between death and the next rebirth in the cycle of death and rebirth. The teachings are designed to help the dying regain clarity of awareness at the moment of death, and by doing so achieve enlightened liberation. Popular throughout the world since the 1960s and overwhelmingly the best-known Buddhist text in the West, this classic translation by Kazi Dawa Samdup is divided into 21 chapters, with sections on the chikhai bardo, or the clear light seen at the moment of death; chönyid bardo, or karmic apparitions; the wisdom of peaceful deities, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; the 58 flame-enhaloed, wrathful, blood-drinking deities; the judgement of those who the dying has known in life through the “mirror of karma”; and the process of rebirth. The text also includes chapters on the signs of death and rituals to undertake for the dying. Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, The Tibetan Book of the Dead is an ideal resource of ancient wisdom for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhist notions of death and the path to enlightenment.

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For as long as historical annals have been kept, they have recorded the frauds and fakes that have been imposed upon innocent dupes. Perhaps the earliest Christian story of all is that which tells of the deception that Jacob practised on his unsuspecting father Abraham, pretending to be his brother Esau; and today the theft of identity is reported to be the most rapidly spreading crime. And throughout the ages works of art and literature, coinage, and documents of all kinds have been forged for profit, personal status – and even out of pure mischief. Fakes, Scams and Forgeries details many of the most notorious acts of forgery, fraud and fakery that have taken place over the centuries, describing how they were perpetrated, their acceptance by those who considered themselves experts, and how – often after many years – they were eventually detected. As well as providing entertaining and in-depth profiles of famous forgers and legendary frauds, the text deals with the many modern scientific techniques that have been developed for the examination of suspect materials.

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Ancient Egyptians imagined the afterlife as a kind of journey you had to make to get to paradise – but it was quite a hazardous journey so you would need help along the way. So spells and magic formulas written on papyrus were placed in coffins and burial chambers and believed to protect and aid the deceased in duat, or the underworld. These funerary texts were developed over many centuries into individualized collections known as the Book of the Dead. One of the best-known versions, the ‘Papyrus of Ani’, is featured here. Some 192 spells are known, although no single manuscript contains them all. The spells are designed to give the dead mystical knowledge in the afterlife, offer incantations to help preserve different parts of the deceased, and protect the dead from hostile forces. Some of the spells are to make sure you can control your own body after death. The ancient Egyptians believed that a person was made up of different elements: body, spirit, name, heart, all embodiments of a person, and they were afraid that these elements would disperse when you died. Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, Egyptian Book of the Dead is an ideal resource of esoteric wisdom for anyone interested in Ancient Egyptian notions of death and the path to the afterlife.

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Mysterious ghost stations forgotten beneath the cities of Paris and London; desolate grand rail hubs in the Pyrenean mountains; metro stations in China that terminate in a wasteland; Abandoned Train Stations looks at some of the thousands of disused station buildings, platforms, lines, tunnels, and rail yards left behind by modernity. Organised by continent, this book takes the reader to every corner of the globe. Explore Canfranc International Railway Station, once a busy mountain hub of international travel between France and Spain; see the eerily empty platform at Kings Cross Thameslink, London, today a service tunnel following the station’s closure in the early 2000s; examine the grandiose Michigan Central Train Station in Detroit, an historic Amtrak rail depot, and once the tallest rail station in the world; marvel at the dusty, overgrown shell of Abkhazia’s once beautiful railway station in Psyrtskha, a physical legacy of the former Soviet era in the Caucasus; see the disused Tiwanaku train station, situated almost 4,000 metres above sea level in the Bolivian Andes; or learn about the fascinating Istvántelek Train Yard, in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, better known as the ‘Red Star train graveyard’ because of its many Soviet-era engine wrecks. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs, Abandoned Train Stations provides a fascinating pictorial journey through the little-known remnants of rail transport infrastructure from every part of the world.

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From the Highlands of Scotland to the plains of northern India, Castles of the World is a beautiful examination of past worlds viewed through strongholds that continue to enrich the modern landscape. They evoke an imagined age of aristocratic warriors and noble aspirations. Presented in a handy, pocket-sized format, arranged chronologically and illustrated with more than 200 colour photographs, Castles of the World examines more than 150 fortifications from across the world, from Cathar castles and Alpine schlösser to Norman keeps and Samurai strongholds. Discover how the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland was destroyed during the Jacobite rebellion of 1719; learn about Turkey’s Marmaris Castle, built in 1522 by Suleiman the Magnificent to support his attack on neighbouring Rhodes; and explore the Mughal-constructed Red Fort in Delhi, home of Muslim rulers from 1648 until 1803, and today a symbol of Indian nationalism.

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Travelling from the edge of our Solar System, through the Milky Way and to the outer edges of the observable universe, Deep Space is a spectacular photographic guide to galaxies, nebulae, supernova, clusters, black holes and quasars. Learn about the birth of stars in our own galaxy, planets beyond our own solar system, when they were first discovered and how we have managed to photograph these places. Ranging from the Magellanic Clouds within the Milky Way to stellar life cycles, from other spiral galaxies such as the Andromeda Galaxy, to the Sombrero Galaxy, and from nebulae such as the Pillars of Creation to black and white dwarfs, this is accessibly written for the general reader to grasp the science and magnitude of deep space. Featuring 200 outstanding colour photographs and expert captions, Deep Space is most certainly out of this world.

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Exploring some of the world’s more remote regions can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but should things go wrong, would you know what to do? Do you possess the basics skills and, above all the determination and will to survive? With a total of 150 expert survival tips, Survival Tips gives you the basic skills to keep going in any situation, and reach safety. Tips range from using an ice axe and sheltering from the wind, to finding fresh water and building a protective shelter. Survival Tips is an easy-to-use handbook of professional survival skills. It teaches survival fundamentals for every scenario and every environment, from the sub-zero landscape of the Arctic to the scorching suns of the tropics. In clear and practical terms, the book explains how to preserve life with minimal external aids and stay safe. Topics covered include: how to make hunting weapons, identifying edible plants, survival psychology, evasion techniques, celestial navigation, surviving at sea, constructing shelters, hunting and trapping techniques, making fire, improvised cooking vessels, improvising weapons, endurance techniques and finding underground water. The book also explores traditionally less well-covered but equally essential aspects of survival such as natural remedies for common diseases, rope handling and climbing methods and unarmed combat. Illustrated with more than 100 black-and-white illustrations, Survival Tips provides the reader with a single source of invaluable survival information.

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Four thousand years before the birth of Christ, ancient Egypt was the cradle of modern civilization. Pharaohs built great cities on the fertile banks of the River Nile, and employed thousands of labourers to create lavish tombs and temples such as Thebes and the pyramids of the Giza plateau. Today the exceptional beauty and scale of the antiquities is legendary, drawing millions of visitors to Egypt’s monuments each year. But the nation is much more than even that. From the beaches on the Red Sea to the Nile, from the markets in Cairo and Alexandria to the country’s Roman, Coptic and Sassanid history, and Arab and Ottoman culture, Egypt is spectacular. Ranging from desert monasteries to the trade on the Suez Canal, from mausoleums hidden for centuries to medieval souks to urban life today, Egypt takes the reader from the mountains to the sea, from the desert to the city, from the ancient to the modern. Featuring 200 colour photographs and captions explaining the fascinating stories behind each image, Egypt is a stunning portrait of an ancient and modern land.

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When you think of London, what do you see? The Houses of Parliament? The bustle around Piccadilly Circus? Elegant Victorian streets and squares? The Tate Modern? Or even Camden Market? With London, there are so many different aspects to the city. In more than 200 striking images, London celebrates the British capital, from its famous landmarks to atmospheric alleyways, from the top of the Shard to London Underground’s lost ghost stations, from the parks to the canals to the Thames. Exploring both the history and modernity of the city, the book reveals the city’s legacy as a capital and a trading hub, but also looks at how the contemporary city lives and breathes as a multi-ethnic metropolis. Presented in a landscape format and with captions explaining the story behind each entry, London is a stunning collection of images celebrating the world’s most interesting city.

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If you don’t know your Baroque from your Rococo, or the difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, or where Modernism ends and Postmodernism begins, then don’t fear, you’re not alone. Understanding Architecture will reveal all. From the ancient world to the present day, from medieval Cambodian temples to Paris metro stations, from American shotgun shacks to colonial villas, fascist grandeur to the latest ecologically friendly structures, the book expertly guides the reader through the world’s different architectural styles. Arranged chronologically, over two spreads a major building is used to illustrate a particular style – King’s College Chapel, Cambridge for Perpendicular Gothic, the Palace of Versailles for Baroque, the Chrysler Building for Art Deco. Each entry is illustrated with both general view photographs and close-ups, accompanied by accessible text explaining the major features of the style. Each chapter also offers a general cultural background to the major architectural movements, putting them into historical context. Illustrated with more than 200 outstanding photographs of remarkable buildings, Understanding Architectureis an excellent, accessible introduction to the history of architecture.

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No single human invention has changed the nature of war more that the development of the aeroplane. The History of Air Warfare is a highly illustrated and accessible account of the development of aerial warfare, from the first skirmishes over the Western Front in World War I to today’s hi-tech netcentric aerial battlespace. Developing from unpowered observation hot air balloons in the 18th century and even the older kite, aerial warfare has become a multibillion-dollar industry and has led to many advances in technology and techniques such as aerodynamics, propulsion, radar and use of composites and engineered materials such as carbon fibre. Featuring more than 120 complex computer-generated battle maps and graphics, the History of Air Warfare explores every major air battle to have taken place in the world’s skies, as well as documenting the air element of campaigns such as Operation Barbarossa and Operation Desert Storm. Extensively researched text tells the history and the stories behind these battles concisely and clearly.

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How were agents recruited for secret operations in World War II? How did they fare once dropped behind enemy lines? How effective were resistance movements? And how brutal were the reprisals? Ranging from the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the German Abwehr to resistance movements across Europe, Secret Operations of World War II is a fascinating account of the major special ops organisations and underground cells in the conflict. Examining recruitment, training, equipment and deployment of operatives, the book not only reveals the ingenious steps taken to select suitable agents, disguise weapons and gather intelligence, but also follows the fortunes of particular agents after their operations were launched. From such well known cases as the SOE and Norwegian agents sabotaging Norwegian hydroelectric plants to the less explored territory of Soviet partisans, from the Abwehr’s rescue of Mussolini to the French Maquis, from the Polish Home Army to OSS operations in the Pacific, the book explores a wide range of secret organisations and their intelligence gathering, sabotage and reconnaissance missions. Illustrated with 120 black-&-white and colour photographs, artworks and maps, Secret Operations of World War II is an authoritative and novel perspective on some of the most outlandish episodes of the conflict.

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Yes, cats are known to be inscrutable, but their behaviour tell us more about them than we often think. Did you know that if your cat is wagging her tail at you that is not a good sign? (She’s angry.) Or what it means if her pupils are dilated? (She’s scared.) Or if she’s kneading your leg? (She’s showing appreciation.) Getting straight to the point, The Purrfect Guide to Thinking like a Cat doesn’t waste time on lengthy and complicated explanations that you will never finish reading let alone put into practice. Instead, in brief instructions the book explains how to understand your cat’s behaviour and how you can adapt your own behaviour to make the most of your relationship. Featuring 110 colour photographs, the book deftly addresses all manner of issues, from marking territory to hissing, from scratching to self-harming, from exercising to coping with other cats. Packed with easy-to-understand and easy-to-apply information, The Purrfect Guide to Thinking like a Cat is an essential guide to forging a lasting, healthy relationship with your cat.

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In 1991, Coalition special forces were active deep inside Iraq, hunting down SCUD missile launchers before they could be fired. In 2011, US Navy SEALs were responsible for the assassination of the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden. In 2014, the US Delta Force captured Libyan terrorist Ahmed Abu Khattala, wanted for the attack on the US embassy in Benghazi in 2012. Over the last 25 years elite military formations have played an increasingly important role in the policing of the world’s trouble spots, including rescuing hostages in Afghanistan and fighting Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. Special Forces in Action is a detailed account of the operations of the world’s special forces from 1991 to the present day. From the Gulf War to the invasion of Iraq, via the war in Afghanistan, the search for war criminals in the Balkans, drug gang hunting in South America, hostage rescues in Africa, and the counter-terrorist initiatives since 9/11, the book brings the reader full details of the often clandestine and varied roles of the world’s elite soldiers. Authoritatively written and illustrated with more than 180 photographs and artworks, Special Forces in Action is an expert account of how the world’s special forces have become a vital arm of the modern military machine.

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