Search results for ""Batsford""

Station is a celebration of modern railway architecture, from a brutalist signalbox in Birmingham to the futuristic snake-like footbridge at Koge Nord station in Denmark, taking in romantic station hotels, bustling interchanges and the latest railway innovations along the way.

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Innovative techniques in painting woodlands from renowned artist Ann Blockley. Watercolourist Ann Blockley is known for her striking and intriguing paintings of natural landscapes. In this beautiful guide she explores woodlands in a variety of interpretations, from tangled groves and ancient trees to fiery leaves and springtime orchards. With simple instructions and easy-to-follow demonstrations throughout, the book draws inspiration from forest poetry, birdsong and folklore. There’s practical advice on working outside, experimenting with mixing colours (especially greens), playing with water effects, using salt and granulation, mark-making and spattering with found objects such as leaves and twigs, creating texture with gesso and working with collage. Other techniques include working with oak gall ink and charcoal, and how to incorporate words, text and photo transfer. The book is illustrated throughout with stunning examples of Blockley’s colourful, expressive work, including a case study of her own woodland garden. Also showcased are works by fellow artists from The Arborealist group, the Royal Institute, and the Pastel Society to inspire you further. Pushing the boundaries of watercolour and other mixed media, this delightful wander through the woods is the ideal companion for both beginners and the more experienced landscape painter who wishes to take their painting to the next level.

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Nordic Baby Crochet includes easy to follow crochet patterns to create beautiful baby clothes and accessories without the need for arduous assembly. Nordic Baby Crochet features 35 patterns for adorable clothing and accessories for babies. With accessible step-by-step guides, the patterns are suitable for experienced crocheters as well as for those just starting with crochet. Here are patterns for cardigans, dresses, bibs, blankets, hats and more. All projects are assembly-free and achieve a modern Scandinavian look with simple patterns and elegant colours of your choosing. Crochet has a somewhat unfair reputation for being uncomfortable and tight. However, Charlotte Kofoed Westh, with her individual crochet technique, smart choice of patterns and the right yarn ensures that the pieces in this book are snug, elastic and comfortable. This is crochet in a whole new way, a far cry from the rigid designs that many associate with crochet.

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A delicious literary anthology all about food. With extracts from over 200 authors, it embraces fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even a smattering of recipes, with one piquant extract for every night of the year.This absorbing book is a literary feast for every food lover. Within these pages, you'll discover a wealth of foodie extracts from around the world and throughout the centuries, from Christmas feasts in Tudor times to Nigella Lawson on how much cheese to buy for a dinner party. In addition to renowned food writers such as Elizabeth David, Madhur Jaffrey and Anthony Bourdain, it includes literary greats like Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Maya Angelou, and some intriguing curiosities such as the surreal recipes in 1932’s Futurist Cookbook. And, of course, Mrs Beeton makes an appearance. Also on the menu are:• Tantalizing gingerbread in Jane Austen's Emma.• The joys of Caribbean cooking in Sam Selvon’s The Housing Lark.• Ingenious wartime solutions in MFK Fisher's How to Cook a Wolf and much, much more.Keep this delectable book by your bedside and savour a whole world of delicious food writing every night of the year – and it also makes the perfect gift for the foodie in your life!

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Following on from the hugely popular Treasury of Folklore: Seas and Rivers and Woodlands and Forests comes Treasury of Folklore: Stars and Skies, an exploration of the mysteries of the stars, skies and heavens above. People have gazed up at the same stars for millennia, trading stories about them; conjuring gods and goddesses; mapping the constellations; and navigating the complex human world below. The tales, traditions and myths included here traverse countries and continents and have been chosen to highlight how humans are linked through time and place, with shared dreams, fears and ways of rationalising the unknown. Under 'Stars and Heavens' Willow delves into rosy fingered dawn and the hubris of Icarus, the Greek myths surrounding the constellations and the omen of meteors, the trials of the Hawaiian goddess Hina and the legend of the rabbit in the moon. In the section on 'Skies' we are introduced to winged Pegasus and the trials of the Firebird, the Witch of Westray and stories of storms, the mysteries of the Northern Lights and unexplained UFOs. Treasury of Folklore: Stars and Skies is a fascinating portal into a rich history of myths surrounding the sky, an aspect of the natural world that continues to fascinate and confound.

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A glorious treasury of literary curiosities for every night of the year. Bedside Companion for Book Lovers contains an eclectic mix of fact and fiction, letters, diaries, essays and dedications, all suffused with the joys of books and reading. The perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life, it contains snippets from some of the greatest writers and book collectors from throughout history, including: Charles Dickens on the smell of books Maya Angelou on the pleasures of reading aloud Virginia Woolf on finding space for writing Nick Hornby on reading for pure enjoyment and much more. Along the way, you’ll find advice on how to look after your most precious volumes, what to do when books start taking over your home, and where to find the most atmospheric libraries and bookshops around the world. Keep this beautifully illustrated book by your bedside and wander into a magical world of books every night of the year.

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Inspiration and practical tips on incorporating the everyday into textile art. In Embroidering the Everyday, acclaimed textile artist Cas Holmes explores the ‘everyday’ and the ‘domestic’, generating a wealth of inspiration and raw material to create textile work that resonates with time and place. Cas invites us to re-examine the world and use the limitations sometimes imposed by geographic area or individual circumstances as a rich resource to develop ideas for mixed media textiles in a more thoughtful way. With techniques and projects throughout, the book explores: How to be more resourceful with what we have to hand, including working with vintage scraps, homemade dyes and papers, and even teabags and biscuits. Rediscovering family history and how photographs and objects can provide inspiration, including Cas’s own exploration of her Romani heritage. Drawing inspiration from our local landscape and how it changes through the seasons. How to transform materials with mark-making, printing, image transfer, collage and stitch. Packed with inspirational work from the author, and other leading practitioners who place the everyday at the heart of their work, this treasure trove of ideas, techniques and practical projects is an essential guide for our times.

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A guide to the increasingly popular trend of transforming data into beautiful textile art. This stylish and fascinating book from up-and-coming textile art star Jordan Cunliffe shows how raw data, maps and personal experience can be distilled into textile art, producing mesmerising works with deep meaning, whether obvious or hidden, and concentrating on the smaller, quieter moments that make up our lives. Jordan explores the use of stitched data to tell stories, pinpoint special places on maps, convey secret messages, and record personal detail, for example daily walks or nightly sleep patterns. Her finished work is beautifully precise, including a long strip of fabric containing a stitch for every day of her life, a reimagination of a favourite childhood book in unreadable code, and pleasing beaded representations of secretly important documents. Almost any aspect of your life can be represented in graph or map form, and here are many practical ways to achieve this, whether it's recording the colours of flowers on a favourite path to create your own unique palette, or encoding your most private thoughts in beaded morse code. This visually stunning book explores a new way of working and will help you explore a fresh new angle in your embroidery and textile work. Illustrated with a wealth of examples of the author's own work as well as pieces from other data-focused artists from around the world, Record, Map and Capture in Textile Art proves beyond all doubt that data can be beautiful, and can inspire stunning works of stitched art.

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The classic poem, Goblin Market (1862) by Christina Rossetti, tells the story of Lizzie and Laura, who are tempted by the fruit sold by the goblin merchants. In this fully illustrated and beautiful volume, illustrator Georgie McAusland brings the words and story to life. SHORTLISTED in the V&A Illustration Awards and the World Illustration Awards. Breathing new life into the Victorian tradition of illustrated poems, this book reads like a picture story book. The stunning illustrations illuminate and drive the narrative forward as in all good story books. It tells the tale of the two sisters drifting apart as Laura succumbs to the forbidden fruit sold by the goblins, but the bonds of sisterhood prove strong. The poem has fascinated for generations and been the subject of various interpretations. This illustrated version brings the words and story alive for a new generation. Christina Rossetti is considered the foremost female poet of her time, and her poetry still resonates with women's lives today, as she entwines themes of sexuality, sisterhood, love and temptation in her work. All of these themes are encapsulated in Goblin Market. The book includes an introduction to the poem by novelist Kirsty Gunn, so all readers – for pleasure or study – can understand its riches.

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A passionate and purposeful book on finding real creativity through nature. An essential book for our times and all artists at whatever level. In her most passionate and personal book to date, acclaimed watercolour artist Ann Blockley takes both budding and more experienced artists through a series of ideas for working with nature – in its widest sense – to nurture our creativity, inspire us, make us more sustainable artists, and replenish energy and flow when our artistic streams run dry. In ‘Go Outside and Play’, the author exhorts artists to recapture a fun, no-pressure way of being outside and use that feeling when creating. In ’Connecting Materials to Place’ she creates her own paint from the local pond. In ‘The Slow Movement’, the artist reveals her year of working on a specific local hedgerow and painting a series of different interpretation in its every-changing detail. She created regular creative rituals, using her weekly playing card as a starting point for a new painting to reflect the season each week. She reuses old paintings, and tissue and paper – wabi-sabi style – to create new textures and even new paintings. Including work from other artists as well as her own, she shows the ideas and work from textile and mixed-media artists. From allotment inspiration to reusing old painting and from nature prints to the alchemy of found materials, this is a journey to find new creativity through our connection with our natural world.

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Enjoy a whole year of the very finest nature writing, with one carefully selected piece to savour every day. This beautifully illustrated daily anthology brings you the very best of nature writing from around the world and through the centuries, from Pliny the Elder’s Natural History to modern authors such as Helen Macdonald and Robert Macfarlane. Encompassing fact and fiction, essays and field guides, letters and diaries, it’s a rich banquet of prose, the perfect companion to help your mind escape into the world of nature every day. It contains descriptions of nature in all its guises: Virginia Woolf on snails, Kenneth Grahame on the charms of a riverbank, Willa Cather on the rolling American prairies, and, via L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables on Octobers. David Attenborough pops up to talk about our responsibility to the natural environment, Edith Holden provides evocative descriptions from The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, and Henry David Thoreau, of course, sends dispatches from Walden Pond. We meet Rudyard Kipling’s jungle animals and Jack London’s wild dogs, and Mark Twain explains why a camel is not jumpable. Keep this wonderful celebration of nature by your bedside and it will become the perfect start or close to each day of the year.

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A wonderful portable edition of Millie Marotta's Beautiful Birds and Treetop Treasures from the the Sunday Times and international bestseller Millie Marotta. Enter Millie’s wonderful world of treetop treasures and discover the birds nesting and flying high up in the treetops, and the myriad creatures found among the branches. The enchanting illustrations to colour in range from Major Mitchell’s cockatoo and rose robins, to the magnolia warbler, silver-eared mesia and whiskered treeswift. As well as the beautiful birds of the world, Millie’s intricate designs show the more unusual creatures residing in the treetops, such as the Amazonian milk frog, the sugar glider or the tree-kangaroo. Millie’s inimitable style is treasured by thousands around the world and in this exciting book there are all sorts of creatures and fauna waiting to be coloured in, from tiny insects to winged beasts and scaled reptiles to buds and blossoms. The world’s rainforests, woodlands and thickets are teeming with life and this book guarantees hours of relaxation and colouring fun.

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Watercolour is the ideal medium for painting flowers due to its wonderful translucency and in his new book, The Magic of Watercolour Flowers, Paul Riley shows readers how to paint colourful, vibrant flower paintings. He explains how to achieve exciting special effects in your flower compositions by using certain textural techniques, such as soft edges, and different light sources to make the most out of watercolour’s natural translucency and create mood for your paintings. Paul Riley encourages readers to be more adventurous in their paintings by adding figures and still life objects to their compositions, which can lend character and personality to a painting. There are many step-by-step paintings and useful tips and techniques throughout with chapters on flower markets, flowers in the garden, flowers in the landscape and a fascinating section showing how to combine imaginative decorated still life objects with flowers. In addition, Paul Riley shows how to use collage to create exciting and unexpected compositions. Capturing the beauty of flowers in watercolour has been the aim of painters for centuries and in this book, Paul Riley, inspires and encourages readers to take their watercolour flower paintings a step further, to make the most of the medium’s natural versatility.

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Bestselling artist and writer Hazel Soan has distilled her art teaching into the things that matter most and can be digested in a short period of time – in just one afternoon you can start painting. Learning to paint is one of the life-long aspirations of many of us, and these techniques can be picked up faster than you think. Hazel Soan’s concise book, filled with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step exercises, is written in an accessible way for those completely new to painting. Chapters include: Getting Started (the materials you will need and those you can ignore in the art shop); Choice of Colours; Mixing Colours; What’s the Subject?; What Surfaces to Paint on; Basic Painting Techniques; Brushstrokes and Composition (with details on how to design paintings with horizon, focus and balance, a hint of perspective and the light and shade of a subject). Packed with illustrations for guidance, this is the most comprehensive guide to learning watercolour very quickly.

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Always wanted to play chess but haven't much time to learn? This dinky little book will show you how – in just 10 minutes. Covers all the pieces and how they move, plus simple tips and tricks. Informative chessboard diagrams and quirky illustrations help the information stick. Most people think chess is a difficult game to learn. But that really isn't the case. By the time you've read this helpful little book, you'll have absorbed all the information you need to know to go off and play your first game. In clear, simple, humorous text, backed up with useful chessboard diagrams and illustrations, the author shows you round the board, introduces the pieces and how they move, and lets you into the secrets of special moves such as castling. It finishes off with some invaluable advice on how to marshal your troops and win the game: why you need to avoid the sides of the boards, and how to see every threat as an opportunity, and every opportunity as a a potential minefield. Armed with the information in this book, you'll become a real chess player – in super-quick time!

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Donnybrook is one of the most iconic and affluent areas of South County Dublin, a picturesque enclave known for its wide leafy roads and fine houses. In this new work, librarian and historian Dr Beatrice Doran explores its vibrant past by contrasting forty-five archive images with the modern photographs of Vincent Clarke. Accompanied by detailed and informative research, each page tells a story of change, looking at aspects of suburbia, architecture, transportation and commerce, and, of course, remembering some of the local people who helped to make Donnybrook what it is today. This book will be of great interest to all who know the area, and will be a vital and lasting record of the changing face of Donnybrook.

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Are you longing to know where your favourite scenes in Poldark were filmed? Or discover the secrets behind the derelict mines and perfect, unspoiled beaches? Pitkin’s latest addition to the Film Locations series allows you the inside knowledge to go behind the scenes and follow in the footsteps of Ross and Demelza. Travel back in time and join them along the windswept cliffs, rugged coastline and untouched, pristine beaches. From Padstow to the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall takes centre stage, providing the breath-taking backdrop that brings the series to life. The latest awarding-winning adaptation of Winston Graham’s Poldark, produced by the BBC, has captured the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide. As the third series returns to our screens this summer, and with a forth series underway, tourists from all over the globe are flocking to the deepest corners of the UK’s southwestern tip. Over the last three years the series has brought the region’s rich heritage back to life, with tales of smugglers, shipwrecks and the secrets of the mines gripping viewer’s imaginations. Visit the Poldark family mines at Agnes Head or Levant Mine, a World Heritage Site. Gallop along the clifftops of Chapel Porth, and learn of famous shipwrecks at Gunwalloe. If it’s the glistening, azur waters you’re after, don’t miss Holywell Bay, Cornwall’s largest stretch of coastline, which becomes the Warleggans private beach in series two. Cornwall has been an inspiration for writer’s, film directors and artists alike for centuries, and Eleanor Tomlinson (Demelza) sums up its magic. “So much of the piece came alive when we were filming in Cornwall and everyone found their character in the outdoors." Britain’s best kept secret is yours to enjoy.

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In a ceremony of great solemnity in July 1220, almost fifty years after his murder in December 1170, the relics of Saint Thomas Becket, Canterbury’s most famous archbishop, were taken from the tomb in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral where they had lain for fifty years and placed in a magnificent bejewelled shrine in the cathedral’s Trinity Chapel. The shrine, which became the focus of pilgrimage and veneration for generations of travellers to Canterbury, remained in the Trinity Chapel for more than 300 years until its destruction in September 1538 by commissioners acting on the orders of King Henry VIII. The fabulous jewels and precious metals were carted off to the king’s treasury in London, but no authentic record has come to light of the fate of the mortal remains – the holy relics – of Saint Thomas. There are many stories but few hard facts. This book marks the 800th anniversary of the translation of Thomas Becket’s relics in 1220 from the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral to the shrine in the Trinity Chapel. In it, John Butler carefully sifts the evidence about the fate of Becket’s bones when the shrine was destroyed in 1538, and he explores a series of probing questions. Did the monks of the cathedral attempt to hide the relics before King Henry’s commissioners arrived in Canterbury? Were the bones burnt on the orders of Pope Paul III, as many believe, or did they somehow survive? What is the significance of the grave discovered in the crypt of the cathedral in 1888? Against a background of church politics and carefully referencing all his sources, John Butler pieces together an intriguing story of faith, science and romanticism that will appeal to all who relish a true-life mystery.

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This beautifully illustrated guide reveals the cities, towns and windswept landscapes that have formed the backdrop to some of Scotland’s most famous films. Colour photographs and detailed descriptions of each location allow you to follow in the footsteps of some of cinemas most famous characters. Among the films covered in the book are Gregory’s Girl, the Harry Potter films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, One Day, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Rob Roy, Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and The Wicker Man. TV series include Taggart, Outlander and Game of Thrones. Scotland Film Locations takes in some of the most popular and beautiful sites in Scotland, from the streets of Edinburgh and the famous train journey over Glenfinnan Viaduct that inspired Harry Potter to Doune Castle, which featured in Game of Thrones, and the Isle of Skye, which formed a backdrop to The BFG and Macbeth. With this indispensable guide you will be able to step into some of your favourite films and discover the locations that created movie magic.

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William Marshal, born about 1147, was the son of a minor lord who held the hereditary title of ‘Marshal’, or head of the king’s security. He became a knight loyal to five kings, the most powerful man in the kingdom, the hero of Magna Carta and a saviour of England. At his funeral in the Temple Church, London, on 20 May 1219, he was described by the Archbishop of Canterbury as ‘the greatest knight in the world’. William’s son commissioned a biography of his father, The History of William Marshal, which brings William vividly to life and is the fullest and most dramatic such biography to reach us from the Middle Ages. The Rotunda of the Temple Church still contains eight 13th-century effigies of knights in armour. Three of the Marshals – William and two of his sons – are known to have been buried in the Church. By the late 16th century, antiquarians were trying to identify William’s effigy among them; and since 1843 one effigy in particular has been universally accepted to be William’s. This has recently been disputed by a set of drawings, dating to c. 1610, discovered in Washington, DC. These drawings show all the medieval effigies in the Temple Church – and a further, long-lost gravestone which matches the earliest descriptions of William’s tomb. This raises a fascinating question: has the real monument to William been lost? This book will uncover the details of this latest discovery and commemorate the greatest knight that ever lived.

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Most people are familiar with the use of horses and their often-heroic actions in the First World War, but what about camels, monkeys and the mighty elephant? In this wonderfully illustrated title, learn about how animals were trained and used, the role pets had to play in the war, and the plight of animals on the farm, down the mine and in the street. Although animals were used heavily on the front line and in major battles such as the Somme, they also had a role to play at home and, indeed, in almost every aspect of wartime life. From their first use to how animals were treated when the war ended, and including the involvement of the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, this volume contains stories that will shock, delight and move you.

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The Blitz was a defining moment of the Second World War when civilians faced total war from the air with bombing raids over Britain. This title brings back the effect of the chilling wail of the air-raid siren followed by anxious, sleepless nights and stories of bravery from ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Well-illustrated with contemporary photographs, this book explores the Blitz and its effect on places and people.

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From their origins of Roman knights through to the battlefield heros of the Tudor age, here is an exciting and vibrant history of this fascinating subject. This lavishly illustrated Pitkin Guide covers the origins and customs of knighthood in the Middle Ages to the evolution of the armoured knight as a battlefield weapon. Through examples of battles in which they fought, the guide explores how knights did fight, and their evolution from battlefield soldier through the post-1700s orders of knighthood. Discover the origins of the legacy which gives modern recipients the public honour of knighthood. With the inclusion of a list of important dates up until the 17th century, this guide provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to te world of knights and chivalry for students of history or those with an interest in romantic tradition. Includes a list of places to visit including castles, cathedrals, abbeys and manor houses.

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For hundreds of years York was England’s second city, a thriving and prosperous port. Now, encircled by its ancient walls and with its beloved historic stone minster, the city is loved by visitors from all across the world. A small city with layers built up since Roman times by successive communities, York has a rich history with fascinating contrasts of the ancient and the modern. Visit the awe-inspiring limestone Minster in the centre of York, still the tallest building in the city, or learn about iconic locomotives in the National Railway Museum. The arrival of chocolate companies Terry’s and Rowntree’s in the 19th century has made York’s Chocolate Story the perfect destination for those with a sweet tooth. This detailed guide provides a choice to two walks that show the best that York has to offer, with extra places to visit and diversions for visitors with more time. The city’s gardens and museums are listed as well as shopping areas, accompanied by beautiful colour photographs of locations within York. An indispensable guide for tourists visiting York and locals wishing to learn more about the city.

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Also available in English On 12 June 1944, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, Winston Spencer Leonard Churchill, crossed the English Channel to visit the Normandy beachhead on what he called his ‘jolly day’. Relishing danger, he had insisted on coming on D-Day itself. ‘Nothing,’ he said, is more exhilarating than being shot at without result.’ But King George VI would not allow him to travel on that day, so he came six days later. Many millions have followed his footsteps since, but none had so privileged a view as Churchill did that summer’s day. Here, in the words of those who witnessed the great man’s progress, and through photographs – many previously unpublished – we relive the events of that day.

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A valuable sourcebook for costume designers, dressmakers and those involved in historical reenactments, this book contains all the information you need to create authentic clothes from the Tudor period. Computer-generated, historically accurate patterns enable you to make a wide range of garments, such as doublets, hose, bodices, skirts, hats and headdresses – even underwear. There are also plenty of ideas for decoration and embellishment such as ruffs, cuffs, collars, embroidery and other surface decoration. The full range of Tudor society is represented, including lower- and middle-class clothing as well as the more sumptuous costumes from the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. There is also information on how to store and look after your finished clothing. In addition to the patterns, there are detailed drawings of each costume and information about historical context, including original paintings and source material.

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One of the most exhilarating cities in the world, London is steeped in history whilst embracing innovation. Its skyline is a mix of old and new, with the beautiful architectural splendour of St Paul’s Cathedral sitting comfortably alongside the staggering modernity of new high rises. The pomp and ceremony of quintessential British culture remains very much on show, from Changing the Guard to the Lord Mayor’s Show and tea at The Ritz. With world-famous museums, art galleries, theatres, eight royal parks, shops, restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, London has something on offer for everyone. The latest Pitkin guide to London is a fresh, updated edition of our best-seller In and Around London. This guidebook celebrates the most famous icons in our English heritage, as well as introducing the newest architectural additions to the city’s skyline – from museums to The Shard. The book showcases all these top attractions in a fun and accessible manner, offering exciting facts and anecdotes as well as significant historical information. At 44 pages, London is compact enough to fit into a bag or a small piece of hand luggage, but it is still an insightful read. Whether it is an expedition through the museums - back in time to ancient London, following the footsteps of one of the most famous royal families in the world or indulging in the countless eateries, theatres and shopping hubs, this text is the perfect companion to any tourist visiting London.

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What is the origin of the stories of the Round Table, of Excalibur and the Holy Grail, of Sir Launcelot and Guinevere? And where was Camelot? King Arthur’s name has echoed down the centuries, conjuring up rich images of mystery and power, chivalry and romance. But did he exist at all? There is no evidence to prove he reigned in the fifth and sixth centuries; no eye-witness accounts of his coronation and no reliable manuscripts outlining his deeds. This full-colour guide examines the facts of the legends in the tantalising puzzle of King Arthur and his knights. Learn about the origins of the Round Table, the cult of chivalry and conflict between knights, and Arthur's shape-shifting half-sister Moran le Fay. From the origins of Arthurian legend to the new phase in the Arthurian cyce in the romantic revival of the early nineteenth century, read about the tantalizing puzzle that is King Arthur. Look out for more Pitkin guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel.

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‘Whether you are new to wanting to understand birdsong, or are already a fully fledged birdwatcher, this book casts a spell. A truly lovely reading experience’ - Love Reading This is a book full of fascinating stories about birdsong for every week of the year, with QR codes to bring each song to life. Leading bird expert and writer, Dominic Couzens, takes you on a journey to enjoy an authentic year of birdsong around the world, one for every week of the year. From the ancient song of the Rifleman that was likely the first sound made by a songbird to the Eurasian Skylark who evokes the zenith of summer, from the constant companion of the American Robin whose song resonates from the top of skyscrapers and complements the howling of a wolfpack in Alaska to the drumming rhythm of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This book covers a myriad of topics including bird nature and behaviour, stories and literary masterpieces inspired by birdsongs, the musicality of the notes, and what different songs communicate. Each of these fascinating stories are accompanied by illustrations by award-winning artist Madeleine Floyd and a QR code to let you listen to the birdsong while you read. A natural wonder that has captivated and fascinated generations, birdsong is the soundtrack to life. This book offers the perfect tonic whether you are an avid birdwatcher or just want to understand the songs that are often the first thing we hear in the morning and the last thing we hear at night.

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The reign of Richard III was one of the shortest in British history, yet he remains one of the most enigmatic and controversial personalities who occupied the throne. This informative guide traces the life of Richard and his seemingly contradictory qualities, of loyalty and perfidy, generosity and self-interest, honesty and manipulation. From his initial position far down the line of succession to his position as Lieutenant-General of the North and move to the throne in 1483, Richard's story is fascinatingly explored. Sections engagingly cover the controversies surrounding Richard such as the Princes in the Tower and the Battle of Bosworth. In February 2013, a skeleton uncovered in the ruins of Grey Friars Church in Leicester was identified as the remains of Richard III. The remains found were proved to be Richard's 'beyond reasonable doubt' through DNA tests. But what was this man really like? A ruthless manipulator, or a tragic figure? Michael St John Parker's guide delves into the life of Richard with colour photographs, illustrations and artefacts.

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In 1940 Doreen Wallace, prolific novelist, academic, social campaigner and farmer, wrote a book for Batsford on vegetable growing, as part of the publisher's iconic Home Front Handbook series. With its chatty, readable writing style and its beautiful Brian Cook cover, the book became a wartime classic, invaluable for everyone growing fruit and vegetables at home to help the war effort. This reissue of that important book retains all the appeal of the original. As well as being a great read, it contains a wealth of information that is still useful for vegetable gardeners today. It tells you what fruit and vegetables to grow and when, how and why, how to keep down weeds and pests, explores 'The Vexed Question of Small Fruit', gives tips on arrangement and rotation of crops, and even touches on the subject of keeping hens and pigs in your garden. Full of sensible practical advice mixed with whimsical musings and a great deal of charm, this book would make a perfect gift for any gardener.

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A beautifully lyrical collection of essays on the natural world in Britain by the Guardian's country diary writer Paul Evans. With a title taken from the 1940 Batsford book, this is nature writing for the modern reader. It is a book both for those that live in the country and those that don't, but experience nature every day through brownfield edge lands, transport corridors, urban greenspace, industrialised agriculture and fragments of ancient countryside. Evans weaves historical, cultural and literary references into his writing, ranging from TS Eliot to Bridget Riley, from Hieronymus Bosch to Napoleon. The essays include the The Weedling Wild, on the wildlife of the wasteland: ragwort, rosebay willowherb, giant hogweed and the cinnabar moth; Gardens of Light, about the creatures to be found under moonlight: pipistrelle bats, lacewings and orb-weaver spider; The Flow, with tales from the riverbank, estuaries and seas, including kingfisher, minnow, otter and heron. The Commons looks at meadowland with a human footprint, with the Adonis blue butterfly, horseshoe vetch, skylark, black knapweed and the six-belted clearwing moth. Other chapters look at the wildlife returned to Britain, such as wild boar and polecats, and finds nature in and around landscapes as varied as a domestic garden or a wild moor. The book ends with an alphabetical bestiary, an idiosyncratic selection of British wildlife based on the author's personal encounters.

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Lucy Willis is a well-known and successful watercolourist, renowned for her atmospheric paintings full of sunlight and shade. In her third book, Sunlight and Shadows in Watercolour, Lucy Willis shares her professional tips and expertise on painting inspirational landscapes and interiors full of light. There are several step-by-step demonstration paintings on how to achieve the different effects of light – bright sunlight, shadows, dappled light and night-time scenes. In addition, Lucy shows how to paint from photographs, how to mix colour, and stresses the importance of tone in creating a successful composition. The themes and subjects covered are Landscape, Water, Gardens, Architecture, Interiors, Still Life, Portraits and the importance of keeping a sketchbook. Lucy Willis encourages all watercolourists, whatever their level, to exploit the versatile effects of watercolour and produce exciting, atmospheric work of their own.

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Over 200 of the best illustrated typographical designs in the world today Over 35 of the most innovative designers and illustrators from around the world Features a range of techniques, from traditional drawing, collage and graffiti to the latest software packages The world of design and contemporary illustration is one of the fastest-growing and exciting creative fields in the world today. Illustrative and decorative type is at the core of much of the work of both illustrators and designers. This important book showcases some of the very best illustrated typography in the world today. Over 35 of the most interesting artists and designers from around the world – from South America to Japan, Spain to Australia – are featured in this book, producing a rich resource for those working in design and anyone who loves good illustration. Their work shows a mixture of technique, from traditional drawing and watercolours, to collage, Photoshop, Illustrator and other software. Their typographical work comes in a variety of languages, but all the work has application as well as inspiration for designers worldwide. This is the latest in the hugely successful New Illustration series and should be on the shelf of any designer or illustrator.

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Working from surviving garments and contemporary tailoring books and patterns, Anne Tyrrell has put together a pattern book of key 20th-century costumes with fascinating historical details on dress. A decade for each chapter, the book features garments such as war uniforms, a 1930s evening gown, a Teddy Boy outfit, a 1960s maxi coat and many more. Wonderful illustrations of period dress are accompanied by information on notable features, underwear and accessories for each period. Scale patterns follow for each outfit shown, complete with detailed notes on making up, using techniques appropriate to the period. A grid for enlargement of the pattern pieces is provided together with full instructions. This is an essential book for any dressmaker interested in recreating period dress, especially film and theatre costume-makers, but also fashion designers looking for inspiration in authentic historical dress of the recent past.

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Poems to celebrate spring. A sublime bedside companion to enjoy as the frost melts and days grow longer, with poems to immerse yourself in the season. From William Blake and Emily Dickinson to Robert Browning and Eleanor Farjeon, some of the finest poets that ever put pen to paper describe this wondrous season of new beginnings. With one entry for every day through spring, from 1st March until 31st May, this collection of 91 poems will invigorate you in the warmer and wetter months of Spring, from Robert Herrick’s first drops of March dew and the breaking blossoms of Laurence Binyon’s April day to William Blake’s meadow-sweet May and Emily Dickinson’s promise of light to come. This beautiful and collectable anthology of poems derives from the popular A Poem for Every Night of the Year and features poems inspired by springtime by Laurence Binyon, Margaret Cavendish, Amy Lowell, William Wordsworth and many more.

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Ever wondered what we get up to behind closed doors? This anonymous collection of postcards will show you, in glorious technicolour detail. Following on from her bestselling Lockdown Secrets, queen of postcards Eleanor Tattersfield turns her attention to the sex lives of the nation. This time round, she put out a call on social media for people to reveal their deepest, darkest, funniest and even their most unsavoury sex habits, in postcard form. She was overwhelmed by replies, and the very best of them are collected in this book, hand-crafted and beautifully decorated. You’ll be shocked and seduced by the themes explored, where truly anything goes! Salacious, scurrilous and very definitely saucy, this book is not for the faint-hearted but provides a fascinating record of how we take our pleasures.

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A visually stunning and beautifully written celebration of park life around the world. Parks are an absolutely essential part of modern life. From the author who brought you Lido, here are 50 of the world's greatest parks – but not just a list of the examples we already know. Yes, we'll tell you about those storied greats such as Central Park in New York and Phoenix Park in Dublin, but we'll also take you to the Philippines, to Australia, to provincial Britain and around the world to show you the most historic and the most interesting, the newest and most cutting-edge that mix the best of nature and architecture. We'll explore what you can find there, who goes there, why they are important, and how parks respond to their environments, including ones over a road, on old rail lines or in Berlin's former airport. Examples include: • Freeway Park, Seattle, USA: a bizarre and brilliant brutalist park over a motorway. • Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo, Brazil: this one contains amazing galleries and theatres. • Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, UK: mountains within a city. • Adelaide's parks, Australia: unique in that the entire city centre is enclosed by parks. and many, many more. Illustrated with glorious photographs throughout, this book is a fascinating record of the world's most interesting and innovative parks, and the people who use them – you'll want to visit them all.

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Batsford’s Chess Bible is a landmark, full-colour chess instruction book, ideal for both beginners and more experienced players wanting to improve their game. The book takes the form of a course, with quick-start guides to help to retain the information you’ve learned and puzzle sections for you to test yourself as you go. To illustrate more advanced strategy and tactics, author Sean Marsh uses world-class chess ‘heroes’, such as Anatoly Karpov and Mikhail Tal, to bring the concepts to life. Essential topics include: Pieces and Moves: the very basics, covering the chessboard, notation, the names of the pieces and how they move, plus an overview of chess etiquette. What Chess is All About: an exploration of chess culture and history. Winning, Drawing and Losing: Covers the various ways of winning at chess, and how games are drawn. Six Openings for Life: Coverage of six of the best chess openings, each illustrated by a different 'chess hero'. Tactical Weapons: An examination of forks, pins, skewers and other tactical devices, followed by illustrative games from Tactical Hero Mikhail Tal. Positional Play: Looks at good and bad positions, plus the art of planning, seen through the games of Positional Hero Tigran Petrosian. Human Factors: Typical mistakes and blunders to avoid. Easy to follow, yet thorough and challenging, this book is an essential companion for all budding chess champions.

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Acclaimed mixed-media artist Mike Bernard has been at the forefront of collage painting for decades and his work has a sought-after vitality. He brings his latest guidance, ideas and techniques on a subject about which he is passionate: coastal painting. From his home near the Devon coast, he and co author (art writer) Susie Hodge, cover all aspects of mixed media painting. From considering composition and looking for contrasts to reducing elements for greater impact (and even moving towards abstraction). From working with limited palettes to including imaginary colours to a painting. From collaging with torn magazines, tin foil, plastic, newsprint to combining inks, oil pastels, PVA, acrylic and watercolours. From playing with proportion to create mood to using thick and thin oils for effect. And, of course, how to capture the mood and atmosphere of coastal life, from quiet stretches to busy harbours around the world. The authors include several step-by-step projects to demonstrate techniques plus a series of experimental exercises helps the reader try something new. A masterclass from a popular artist with stunning artwork of coasts from around the globe.

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A showcase of London’s street nameplates – from the curious to the ornate. All around London, you can find a remarkable public archive of lettering in the city’s street nameplates. A unique collection of styles and forms that stretches back to the 17th century, these little labels hide in plain sight – we use their information daily, but too often fail to really notice them. And they aren’t just visual anchors, telling us where we are; but temporal anchors too, telling us where we’ve come from. This expertly curated collection documents the most significant, beautiful and curious street signs, from enamel plates to incised lettering, the simplest cast iron signs to gloriously ornamental architectural plaques. It’s a visual and typographical journey through the history of a great metropolis. Along the way, the fascinating stories behind these unassuming treasures are uncovered, revealing where they came from before being affixed to brick or stone for decades to come. We’re introduced to the iconic nameplates of the City of Westminster, the stunning tiled signs of Hampstead and the revival nameplates of Lambeth, as well as the ghost signs of the no-longer existent NE postal district. London Street Signs is a striking visual record of our collective history that will appeal to design and history enthusiasts alike.

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An updated, expanded edition of the 2003 classic, with all 100 games reanalyzed, along with six additional games This book covers the entire career of an American chess grandmaster and eleventh World Chess Champion, going well beyond his My 60 Memorable Games, and includes rarely seen"lost"Fischer games With new insights into what made the enigmatic Fischer play – and act – the way he did. “Bobby Fischer...The precision and energy that he played with is unmatched in the history of chess.” Magnus Carlsen, World Chess Champion Nearly 30 years since his last chess game, Bobby Fischer’s fame continues to grow. Appearing in Hollywood movies, documentaries and best-selling books, his life and career are as fascinating as they ever were and his games continue to generate discussion. Indeed, with each new generation of computer, stunning discoveries are made about moves that have been debated by grandmasters for decades. International Grandmaster Andrew Soltis played Fischer and also reported, as a journalist, on the American’s legendary career. He is the author of many books, including Pawn Structure Chess, 365 Chess Master Lessons and What it Takes to Become a Chess Master.

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A humorous and informative book, debunking a range of commonly held myths about animals. Camels store water in their humps and magpies love to steal shiny objects. Or do they? A must-read in the Everything you Know series, this book debunks a range of old-cod stories about animals in author Matt Brown's inimitable humorous and fascinating style. Covering everything from the myth that lemmings throw themselves off cliffs in suicide (they don't, but on occasion some just fall off) to the one about bats being blind (they're not, and they can see but use the more sophisticated echolocation for certain hunting). From head in the sand ostriches to cats landing on their feet, a wealth of information on our beloved pets to creepy crawlies and wild giants, this book will set the marvel of the animal word straight. Plus, there are special features on the odd diets of animals and how wrongly they are portrayed in the movies. All the old stories and myths about animals we've had since childhood are gleefully debunked in a hugely entertaining book.

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A book by stalwart chess writer on an aspect of chess that is quite common, but little is written about, swindling in chess. In chess, a swindle is a ruse by which a player in a losing position tricks his opponent, and thereby achieves a win or draw instead of the expected loss. Renown chess writers Horowitz and Reinfeld observe that swindles,"though ignored in virtually all chess books","play an enormously important role in over-the-board chess, and decide the fate of countless games". Andrew Soltis, American chess journalist, says swindles are not accidental or a matter of luck. Swindling is a skill. But there has been almost nothing written about how to do it, how to make yourself lucky in chess. Swindling means setting traps that exploit an opponent's over-confidence. It means choosing the move that has the greatest chance of winning, rather than the move that has the least chance of losing. Soltis' new proposal will explain to players of all levels how to do just that with plenty of examples to explain along the way.

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Techniques and projects for using shibori dyeing in textile art. Shibori is one of the world's richest textile traditions. Commonly associated with Japan, it is in fact a technique long used in Africa, India and South America. In this practical guide, textile artist Janice Gunner shows how to combine traditional Japanese, African and Indian shibori methods with contemporary techniques to create stunning textiles that are bursting with rich, intricate patterns and bold colour. Various techniques are covered – from tied and stitched designs to ideas for wrapping, folding, clamping, pleating and binding. Simple and safe instructions for a range of dyeing techniques are also included. Practical information is accompanied by clear instructions and diagrams, aimed at quilters, embroiderers and textile artists of all abilities. Stunning quilts and embroideries throughout demonstrate the full potential of the technique, alongside practical advice on turning your shibori textiles into beautiful quilts, hangings and textile art.

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A visual and comprehensive guide to a hugely popular graphic style. The distinctive aesthetic of mid-century design captured the post-war zeitgeist of energy and progress, and remains hugely popular today. In Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design Theo Inglis takes an in-depth look at the innovative graphics of the period, writing about the work of artists and designers from all over the world. From book covers, record covers and posters to advertising, typography and illustration, the designs feature eye-popping colour palettes, experimental type and prints that buzz with kinetic energy. The book features artworks from a wide selection of international designers and illustrators whose work continues to inspire and influence today, including Ray Eames, Paul Rand, Alex Steinweiss, Joseph Low, Alvin Lustig, Elaine Lustig Cohen, Leo Lionni, Rudolph de Harak, Abram Games, Tom Eckersley, Ivan Chermayeff, Josef Albers, Corita Kent, Jim Flora, Ben Shahn, Herbert Bayer and Helen Borten. Theo draws from a broad range of sources including advertising, magazine covers, record sleeves, travel posters and children’s book illustration to show the development of the design style globally, and how this continues to influence design today. The book is packed with hundreds of colour illustrations, including classic designs, such as Saul Bass’ film posters and Miroslav Šašek’s children’s books, alongside lesser-known gems.

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A practical guide to modern calligraphy, complete with worksheets and projects. In Modern Lettering, you will learn how to create beautiful decorative handwriting in a variety of styles. It’s a fun and immersive guide, inviting you to explore beautiful letterforms, experiment with your own hand-lettering style and use calligraphy for creative projects. Professional calligrapher Rebecca Cahill Roots guides the reader through the basic techniques, sharing useful tips along the way. She brings her own unique style to a range of beautiful modern calligraphy alphabets, each accompanied by worksheets printed on high-quality calligraphy paper for practising. There are tips for mixing fonts, using different coloured inks and beginner’s brush calligraphy. Once you’ve mastered the basic techniques, you can apply your handwriting skills to some of the stylish step-by-step projects featured, including wedding stationery, framed quotes and personalised envelopes. This fun and approachable guide is a must-have for anyone looking to add a personal touch to their lettering, whether it’s for a particular project or for taking up a new hobby.

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A practical companion to help kids enjoy outdoor activities and adventures even when it's rainy, snowy or windy. As the weather turns into autumn and the kids start watching more television and stare at the computer, how can you get them out and about to enjoy the cooler months? Outdoor enthusiasts Steph and Katie are teachers and mothers and have years of experience of finding new and novel ways to get kids to enjoy the great outdoors, whatever the weather. This great little tome is packed with ideas for games, activities and nature crafts that are perfectly suited to the autumnal and winter months of rain and wind. Activities range from puddle painting and making your own nature paint brushes, to making wind spinners from golden leaves and feathers. Why not try puddle pouncing or raindrop racing, or create a pool and spa for an elf? Or make a leafy woven kite, windmill or nature parachute for the windy weather? Nature offers loads of autumnal bits and bobs just waiting for a creative hand. And if you don't want to stay out for too long, the book lists things to collect outdoors for taking home and used for stay-at-home projects. The book encourages youngsters to see the excitement of wind, snow, rain and to enjoy the elements with fun projects that excite the imagination.

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