Search results for ""amber books ltd""

An ancient land with a turbulent past and haunting landscape, Scotland’s material culture stretches back to the time of ancient Roman incursions north of Hadrian’s Wall and includes Viking raids, wars with England, and clan wars that still stir the blood today. Now, remnants of the country’s history can be found in every corner of this dramatic land, from the thinly inhabited Western Isles to the remote Highlands and the fishing ports of the North Sea coast. In Abandoned Scotland, discover the ramshackle sanatorium of Glen O’Dee Hospital; see the rusting, neglected rides and rollercoasters of the Loudoun Castle Theme Park, closed after a fatal accident in 2007; quake at the site of New Slains Castle, Cruden Bay, said to be haunted by soldiers and mermaids; venture underground into the massive labyrinth of Cults Limestone Mine, which attracts treasure hunters and potholers, despite the dangers; explore Cramond Ghost Island, and the massive World War II teeth created to block the Firth of Forth in case of invasion; and see one of the country’s many ruined castles, including the 14th century Castle Stalker, set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich, or the atmospheric Buchanan Castle, set close to Loch Lomond. Illustrated with 180 photographs, Abandoned Scotland provides a fascinating pictorial exploration of the little-known corners of this glorious country.

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They define landscapes, people risk their lives to climb them, and they can even make their own weather. Mountains often serve as geographic features that determine natural borders of countries. Their height can influence weather patterns, stalling storms that roll off the oceans and squeezing water from the clouds. And many are the subject of myth and legend, both expressions of nature’s power and symbols of the sacred. Mountains is arranged by geographical region, featuring the greatest, most spectacular, most infamous and legendary mountains from every part of the world. Read about Mount Aconcagua, with an elevation of 6,959 metres (2,831ft), and the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere; or Half Dome, the semi-spherical mountain that towers over the valley floor in Yosemite National Park; or Mount Olympus, reputed home of the Ancient Greek gods; or K2, considered by many to be the most difficult mountain to climb in the Himalayas; or Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia – a popular hike for many thousands of tourists each year, and the highest mountain in Southeast Asia; or Gunung Agung, the active volcano that remains sacred to the Balinese people as a replica of the mythological Mount Meru of Hindu legend. Each entry is accompanied with a caption explaining the significance and history of the mountain. Illustrated with 200 outstanding colour photographs, Mountains is a visual feast for those who want to gaze down from the roof of the world.

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Discover how the individual parts of the human body function in this anatomy book with a difference, and learn about the body through colouring in. Organised by body area and system, each page includes a detailed colour artwork alongside an identical, annotated line drawing, showing the elements of the featured body part. Following the detailed artworks, students can colour in the line drawings, learning about the different bones in the skull, the respiratory system, blood circulation, the workings of the heart – and every other body system – as they colour. By colouring, students absorb the information more effectively and learn more thoroughly. The book features 215 scientifically precise colour artworks accompanied by 215 highly accurate line drawings, organised by body area: head, neck, thorax, upper limbs, abdomen, reproductive system, pelvis, lower limbs and whole body systems. Human Body Colouring Book is a fun and effective way to learn about human physiology.

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Small arms have developed hugely since the introduction of the machine gun in the 1870s. Magazine-fed rifles, submachine guns, automatic pistols and, later, assault rifles and personal defence weapons have changed the face of infantry warfare, offering a range of weaponry designed for both the specialist and novice. Small Arms features 52 weapons from the late 19th century to the present day. The book includes the best-known weapons from throughout the modern era, from the Gatling gun, SMLE rifle and Luger pistol, to the Uzi, FN MAG and the M110 sniper rifle. Great iconic weapons, such as the Colt M1911 pistol, Bren Gun, MP5 submachine gun, and Steyr AUG rifle are featured, as well as timeless classics still in use today: the M2 Browning 50 cal, AK-47 and M16 rifle. Each weapon is illustrated with a colour profile artwork and photographs, along with a description of the weapon’s development and history, key features and a full specifications box. Including more than 200 artworks and photographs, Small Arms is a colourful guide for the military historian.

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The first species to be domesticated, dogs have been selectively bred over thousands of years. Today they’re man’s best friend – but while many are pets, many, too, are working animals: for the police, for the blind, as guard dogs, as sheepdogs, pulling sleds and as therapy animals. Arranged in chapters covering physical characteristics, senses, lifecycle, communication, behaviour and working dogs, Dogs is a hugely informative visual celebration. From huskies to German shepherds, from collies to Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu to Jack Russell Terriers, Labradors to Bullmastiffs to Dachshunds, the book includes a huge range of breeds. With fascinating captions on every page, even dog lovers will learn something new. Dogs is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs.

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The Russian Air Force is the world’s second largest military air arm, capable of deploying more than 4,000 military aircraft, including 1,522 helicopters, 497 trainers, 873 fighters, 424 transports, and more. Illustrated throughout with detailed artworks with authentic markings and exhaustive specifications, Technical Guide: Modern Russian Military Aircraft is a compact guide to the military aircraft deployed by the Russian Air Force from the end of the Cold War to the present. Organised by type, this book includes every significant aircraft used by the Russian military over the last 30 years, from the latest Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter and Kamov Ka-50 ‘Black Shark’ attack helicopter to the evergreen Sukhoi Su-25 close air-support aircraft and the venerable Ilyushin Il-76 airlifter transport. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks, three-views, and dynamic view artworks of the more famous aircraft still in service, such as the Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’, Mikoyan MiG-29 multirole fighter and Tupolev Tu-160 heavy bomber. Illustrated with more than 110 detailed artworks, Technical Guide: Modern Russian Military Aircraft is an essential reference guide for modellers and aviation enthusiasts with a passion for modern military aircraft.

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On 9 May 1912 the first airplane take-off from a ship was made from the deck of the HMS Hibernia. In July 1918, seven Sopwith Camels launched from the converted battlecruiser HMS Furious damaged the German airbase at Tønder and destroyed two zeppelins. The age of the carrier was born. In the interwar years the Lexington, Akagi and Courageous – class carriers were developed, but it was only during World War II that the aircraft carrier finally came into its own. Fleet carriers carrying 30–40 aircraft allowed the Japanese and US navies to project air power across the vast Pacific Ocean, with the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor presaging a new kind of warfare. With the sinking of hundreds of ships during World War II, including the German battleship Bismarck in 1941, by the end of the war carriers ruled the waves and the era of the battleship had passed. Aircraft Carriers features 52 of the most significant flat tops and amphibious assault ships built since the 1920s until the present day, from the USS Yorktown, which survived direct hits during the battle of Midway (1942), through the Falklands War veteran HMS Invincible, to the mighty Nimitz class, the core of the US Navy’s carrier battle groups today. Also included are significant amphibious assault ships, such as the USS Tarawa and French Mistral. Each entry includes a brief description of the ship’s development and history, a colour profile view or cutaway, key features and specifications. Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, Aircraft Carriers is a colourful guide for the naval warfare enthusiast.

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It seems bizarre that in a place as crowded, noisy and expensive as London there are still wasted unused spaces. The relentless drive for regeneration across Britain’s capital deceives us into thinking that every spare building and patch of ground is under development. But this vast metropolis of more than 10 million people hides many secrets and unexpected treasures from the city’s unique 2000-year history. In Abandoned London, read about the Abbey Mills Pumping Station, a facility created in 1858 to deal with ‘the Great Stink’, and now London’s Italian-Gothic cathedral of sewage; or the subterranean Finsbury Park underground reservoir, a space capable of holding five million gallons of water and today used as an occasional movie location; or the remnants of Highgate’s overground steam railway station, now a protected bat habitat; or the Clapham deep-level shelters, constructed in World War II and designed to provide protection for locals against aerial bombing raids; or the Haggerston public baths, part of an early 20th century building programme devised to improve London’s hygiene. These photographs of abandoned places capture a moment in time. Some of the buildings have since been demolished or refurbished, but many are still there, neglected and uncared for. These places have great value and a rich significance, offering us a glimpse of past worlds.

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Supercars are exotic, powerful and expensive. Representing the ultimate in performance, styling and unadulterated driving thrills, a supercar encapsulates the romance, power and freedom of the motor car in one beautifully designed package. Classic Supercars celebrates the incredible machines built in the twentieth century, providing a detailed look at 300 great automobiles from around the world. All the great marques are covered, including Aston Martin, Chevrolet, De Tomaso, Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati and Porsche. Illustrated with a photograph, each car entry includes detailed specifications, which include all the performance statistics, engine type, transmission, chassis, special features, running gear and dimensions. Packed with information, this handy reference guide is a must for all lovers of these powerful classic machines.

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Illustrated with detailed artworks of combat aircraft and their markings, Aircraft of World War I: The Essential Aircraft Identification Guide is a comprehensive study of the aircraft that fought in the Great War of 1914–18. Arranged chronologically by theatre of war and campaign, this book offers a complete organizational breakdown of the units on all the fronts, including the Eastern and Italian Fronts. Each campaign includes a compact history of the role and impact of aircraft on the course of the conflict, as well as orders of battle, lists of commanders and campaign aces such as Manfred von Richtofen, Eddie Rickenbacker, Albert Ball and many more. Every type of aircraft is featured, including the numerous variations and types of well- known models, such as the Fokker Dr.I, the Sopwith Camel and the SPAD SVII, through to lesser-known aircraft, such as the Rumpler C.1, and the Amstrong Whitworth FK8. Each aircraft profile is accompanied by exhaustive specifications, as well as details of individual and unit markings. Packed with more than 200 colour profiles of every major type of combat aircraft from the era, Aircraft of World War I 1914–1918 is an essential reference guide for modellers, military historians and aircraft enthusiasts.

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Tabby cat or toucan? Airedale terrier or Angora rabbit? Python or Parakeet? If you didn’t have a pet as a child, you probably wanted one. Pets features a huge range of pets from everyday pets such as cats and dogs to exotic pets such as tropical fish, toucans and terrapins, from cute mice to formidable pythons, from energetic rabbits to docile tortoises to thoroughbred horses. Part of the highly successful Mini Encyclopedia series, Pets includes 300 pets from around the world, offering a wealth of fascinating information on the background, breeding and natural habitat of these animals. With a page and outstanding colour illustration given to each pet, and specification boxes detailing on the origins, appearance, size, diet and lifespan of each animal, Pets is an easy-to-use pocket reference book for anyone interested in domesticated animals.

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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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