Search results for ""MEDINA PUBLISHING LTD""
Medina Publishing Ltd Welcome to Yellowberry Hill: Cartoons for grown-ups
Welcome to Yellowberry Hill!...a place where an owl in a onesie, a snake in a cape and a mole with a conspicuous wig are best friends; where a cat has a pet dog, a frog is permanently in a mug and the local moose is never without a slice of pie; where an undersized panda regularly tests the patience of a duck in a woolly hat, while a little blue fish tries to make sense of it all and a distant yak looks on. Once you've accepted that all this is normal, you'll be right at home...
£8.88
Medina Publishing Ltd Rose, Castle and Crown: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's Citizen Soldiers
Rose, Castle and Crown is a unique history of the part-time soldier of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, from the time of the militia, yeomanry and volunteer, through to the Territorial Army and today's Army Reserve. This is all placed in the wider context of the British Army's history. For centuries, the country has defended its shores with a mixture of regular and auxiliary soldiers, but little has been written about the latter, particularly in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. All military volunteers, throughout history, have had to balance the requirement of their service with family demands and their main civilian employment. This book tells their story.
£25.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Bittersweet
An exploration of Yemen's rich culinary heritage. Dive into the origins, developments and transformations of Yemeni culinary traditions as evocative photography and meticulous research portray everyday practices, cooking techniques, and livelihoods against the backdrop of Yemen's unique landscapes, architecture and heartwarming gatherings.
£30.00
Medina Publishing Ltd The Power of Authenticity: Three Principles of Leadership Success
The Power of Authenticity: Three Principles of Leadership Success is a fascinating and candid account of the obstacles and triumphs that Dr Raja Al Gurg faced on her path to becoming one of the most influential businesswomen in the Arab world. Dr Al Gurg is the Chairperson and Managing Director at the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, an eminent family business in the UAE. In The Power of Authenticity she gives invaluable insight into the lessons she learned first as a secondary school principal before climbing the ladder of a diversified conglomerate that represents businesses ranging from retail to real estate. As a respected business leader in the region, Dr Al Gurg has defied conventional understandings about women in the Middle East, acknowledging that it was her handling of these all-too-pervasive challenges that ultimately shaped her leadership style and fostered her drive for success. Turning setbacks into strategies, she shares with readers the tactics and tools that she has gleaned from her illustrious career that will inspire the next generation of business leaders. Perfect for fans of Sheryl Sandberg, Indra Nooyi and Kashmir Maryam, Dr Al Gurg's lessons, and how they relate to her background and broader business philosophy, are a unique and essential contribution to literature on an increasingly competitive and diverse corporate world. By harnessing the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual energy that resides within each person, Dr Al Gurg explains how a leadership style based on personal authenticity can lead to business success. Along the way she considers What does it take to steer a company? How can a failure be turned into an advantage? How can women business leaders break down barriers and make a difference in the corporate world? Confident and encouraging, The Power of Authenticity answers these questions, and many more.
£15.15
Medina Publishing Ltd Out On An Island
**Shortlisted for the International Book Award 2023** Based on deeply personal testimonies and factual research, Out on An Island presents a rich and diverse portrayal of Isle of Wight LGBTQ+ history. Shining a light on stories of struggle and truth shared through recorded oral histories, this is a book which unearths a public history and cultural heritage hidden for over a century. In a collaborative effort among LGBTQ+ Island residents, Out on An Island signifies the first ever project dedicated to local LGBTQ+ oral history on the Isle of Wight. Created in remarkable circumstances, it celebrates a close-knit community surviving together in the face of exclusion, prejudice and misrepresentation. The result is an inspiring collection of interviews from LGBTQ+ people concerning their lives on the Island. The oral histories are shared in a matter-of-fact style, with accounts of disturbing homophobia, rejection and exclusion peppered with moments of joy and celebration. From beginning to end are stories of courage and despair which stand as powerful testaments of human endeavour. While some of the LGBTQ+ community were proud to call the Isle of Wight their home, others feared discrimination, and were desperate to escape. Read about the fierce, enigmatic lesbian Joe Carstairs, and the adventures of the all-female Ferguson's Gang in Newtown in the 1920s. Delving into the Island's 1980s gay scene, hear accounts of a community thriving in the face of negative local press and the grim shadow of Section 28. Onwards to the 1990s, experience the moment the Island welcomed its first ever local Gay Guide; and in the not-so-distant past, learn about a lingering culture of homophobia exposed by the Island's first Pride in 2017, and the resignations of reputable local journalist Charlotte Hofton, and the Island's Conservative MP Andrew Turner. A testament to the history, lives, social and political contribution of the Isle of Wight LGBTQ+ community for future generations, Out On An Island restores a shared and vibrant past. Instigating a broader dialogue on what can be complex and sensitive topics, readers are provided with a better understanding of the importance of equality, inclusion and the hurdles individuals must overcome to be their authentic selves.
£19.99
Medina Publishing Ltd A Plan to Hatch
The Southern coast of Cornwall is a very special place, with magic in the seaweed and a smile on every face. Each pebble is a wish, and covered cleverly by the tide, there are caves in secret places, where the smugglers used to hide. Meet Megan the singing Cornish Sea Piskie, star of A Plan to Hatch who lives at Polpeor Cove, right at the very tip of The Lizard Point as she and her friends hatch a plan to protect three rare chough eggs from some meanies... The rare Cornish chough has returned to the lush fields, the craggy cliffs and the vivid vistas of Cornwall. Whilst the rest of Cornwall celebrates, two awful villains don’t care about the wonder of their return. These two horrible men want to steal the eggs from their nest and sell them for their own profit. Rotters! Luckily Megan hatches a cunning plan to save the day with a whole host of colourful characters – elegant fox, fierce badger, squawky seagull and a battalion of rabbits!
£8.88
Medina Publishing Ltd A Germ's Journey
The journey, from the toilet seat to the tummy (and out again!), explores the concepts of germs being invisible to the naked eye, multiplying and causing illness. By placing their warm hands on the thermochromic patches, the multiplying germs are revealed.The simple, bright and bold illustrations by Charlie Evans allow children to develop an understanding of science and health from a young age, while having fun in the process.Written by Katie Laird, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology in the School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University with Sarah Younie and John Williams, and illustrated by Charlie Evans in bright, appealing drawings, A Germ's Journey is both educational and entertaining. There is also an interactive website (www.agermsjourney.com) designed to reinforce the message and where children can play while learning the importance of hygiene.
£7.28
Medina Publishing Ltd Our Dementia Diary: Irene, Alzheimer's and Me
This is a love story from start to finish, Irene and Rachael's. Based on the diaries of Rachael Dixey who looked after her civil partner Irene after she developed early onset Alzheimer's disease, the book opens with the lines: Irene, Alzheimer's and me - Alzheimer's came between us. It does that, drives you and the love of your life apart, going your separate ways because you cannot follow. That's the story really, that's it. The end. But it is also the beginning of the story, which shows how life can still be lived despite losing a life partner to dementia, and how to cope emotionally and practically with a disease that robs you of your loved one a thousand times before they die. The story charts the daily decline and inexorable loss of Irene to dementia. With the dramatic deterioration in Irene's health Rachael turns from lover and soul mate to career and, finally, single woman. Eventually, no longer able to cope with Irene at home, she makes the agonizing decision to allow Irene to be put in a care home. There she spent her last six years. When she died aged 66, the couple had spent half their life together.This book is a powerful and moving account of the progression of dementia, and raises serious questions about how our society cares for those who develop the disease, especially at a young age and in the gay, lesbian community. It also deals with loss and grief, during the illness and afterwards. Their memoir will be invaluable for anyone affected by dementia, those working in mental health and those caring for a loved one with a life-changing and incurable illness. Our Dementia Diary tells with brutal honesty of love, loss and life with Alzheimer's and opens up discussion of how dementia can be handled better."
£12.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Bob Dylan at the Isle of Wight Festival 1969
2019 marks the golden anniversary of the mass musical gatherings that saw the hippie generation at their 1969 zenith. Two events stand out, staged within days of each other that magical August: in the United States, there was Woodstock, and in the UK the Isle of Wight Festival of Music. Woodstock drew 400,000 fans and a quality bill that was a Who's Who of contemporary talent - all bar the main man the organisers hoped to lure on the doorstep of his home, Bob Dylan. Instead, Dylan opted to headline at the Isle of Wight, in front of close to 200,000 adoring fans. Here Bill Bradshaw celebrates the events of that summer 50 years on... and how the Isle of Wight, off England's southern coast, staged what was then the nation's biggest festival - and how it pulled off such a huge coup. Eye-witness accounts from fans, artists and the promoters bring alive that gilded summer and how it influenced both Dylan and the rock festival movement for generations to come.
£13.57
Medina Publishing Ltd Demogarchy: Putting Politics in its Place
NUB. A country in need of stability needs to repose political power in people who don't care about politics. Take a multitude who do not attend the rallies, do not wear the T-shirts, do not shout the slogans and cannot spell ideolagy. Make them the flywheel of sane politics, the big intimate force that imposes stability on the whirring busy parts. IS THAT ALL? Pretty much, but since you don't believe it there are more words inside, outlining in broad stokes the how-what-where-why.
£7.33
Medina Publishing Ltd From Epsom to Tralee: A Journey Round the Racecourses of the British Isles
In 1955, Reginald Gill - milkman and part-time illegal bookie - took his 12-year-old son Roy to the Spring meeting at Epsom Downs Racecourse. It was a trip that started a life-long passion for racing. In the half-century since, Roy Gill has visited every racecourse in the UK and Ireland at least once. Many courses have been closed down, some have moved their location, but every racecourse he visited is vividly recalled in this very personal and highly readable account. By the time he reached Tralee in 1992, Roy Gill was 99 not out on individual racecourses, and continues to attend race meetings whenever he can. He has included the new courses at Great Leighs and Ffos Las, and returned to Wolverhampton and Limerick, which have moved from their original locations. Along with brief histories of every racecourse visited, the highs and lows of both Flat and National Hunt racing are revealed here by an acknowledged expert - and bona fide Turf Accountant. The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs (many of them previously unseen and unpublished), course diagrams and fascinating racing memorabilia.It includes the noteworthy occurrences and behind-the-scene stories of each venue, as well as personal anecdotes about the courses, the horses, the jockeys and trainers. Told with humour and passion, this entertaining and informative work is essential reading for all lovers of the Turf, and also a valuable spotlight on the sporting and social history of these sceptered isles.
£24.99
Medina Publishing Ltd Searise: Book 3: The SeaBEAN Trilogy
In the thrilling final part of The SeaBEAN Trilogy, Alice and her five classmates are - for reasons they have yet to discover - abducted to 2118 in the C-Bean, their time-travel device, only to find the world is a difficult and alienating place. How will they survive their terrifying ordeal? Who can help them figure out a way to get back to their own time? Will they escape before their captor Commander Hadron catches up with them? Who is he anyway and what's his connection to the mysterious Dr Foster? Unsettled by the devastation they find everywhere in the future and armed with new knowledge about the C-Bean's ultimate purpose, Alice and Co scour the planet, confronting many challenges in pursuit of answers to their questions. But can they figure out a way to restore the Earth's delicate ecological balance for good?
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd Pavilions in the Air
Proverbs, those sage sayings and goblets of wisdom, invariably injected with gentle humour, are common to virtually all peoples and cultures on Earth. The Chinese are no exception.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd You can't get blood out of a turnip
Whether fashionable or unfashionable, which of us don't use proverbs all the time? They are an indispensable vehicle of popular wisdom and a lively contributor to educated speech. Proverbs are forever evolving. This gathering of Italian proverbs is intended to bring a smile of recognition to it's readers.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd The Call of Shaykh Muhammad Bin 'abdal-wahhab and the Three Saudi States (1157H/1744 - 1343H/1925): The Emergence of Modern Saudi Arabia
The importance of the region that is recognised today as Saudi Arabia (with its neighbours) can hardly be underestimated, let alone overlooked by the rest of the world, not merely because of its geographical location and religious significance to a large segment of the world's population due to the location of Islam's two holiest shrines in Makkah and al-Madinah, and for economic and political reasons too, for it has the world's largest known reserves of energy. This book attempts to trace and explain the rise, fall - then rise and fall again - and rise of the Saudi polity in the Arabian Peninsula, and explores the role played throughout these evengts by Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdal-Wahhab and his 'Call' for religious and social reform. Not since the writings of Philby five decades ago has a book exploring the history of such a politically important and sensitive region, and in such a comprehensive and academic manner, appeared on the scene. Supported by maps and illustrations, and written by an insider who has resided in the Kingdom for over four decades, the book is a fascinating eye-opener and historical reference, bringing almost all the known original indigenous Arabic and other source material into full purview.
£40.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Bye-Bye Germs: Be a Handwashing Superhero!
Jess and her brother Joe were playing with their toys when Jess felt a tickle in her throat. The little tickle turned into a bigger tickle. And the bigger tickle turned into a giant cough and sneeze! Can they stop the germs from spreading? Join them on their journey and learn how to become a handwashing superhero! Bye-Bye Germs includes fact boxes to inform both children and parents/carers of the science behind the story. De Montfort University's Dr Katie Laird (Microbiologist) and Professor Sarah Younie (Educationalist) have teamed up with author/illustrator Jules Marriner, and put together a brand new entertaining, educational book to help keep everyone safe, including: * Top tips for parents on how to prevent spreading viruses at home * A picture guide on how to wash your hands properly * A 'Spot the Germs' illustration to help children identify where viruses can be contracted Bye-Bye Germs is part of a 'A Germ's Journey' series. More activities and information can be found on www.germsjourney.com.
£8.88
Medina Publishing Ltd Diana: I'm Going to be Me: The People's Princess Revealed in Her Own Words
The book takes us from Diana's troubled childhood, through her rushed and ultimately unhappy marriage to Prince Charles and the uneasy relationship with the Royal Family, to her last years of failed flings and untimely death. But it also highlights the depths of her care and compassion, her unshakeable love of family, her groundbreaking campaigns on AIDS and land mines and her cheeky, sometimes risque, sense of humour. Beautiful and vulnerable, and one of the most popular and most photographed public figures, she lived the whole of her adult life in the glare of an intense media spotlight yet managed to retain herdignity and identity. In this first ever comprehensive collection of Diana's most memorable quotes, veteran royal reporter Phil Dampier reveals the heart and soul of an incredible woman who is missed by millions around the world. Her powerful legacy lives on through her sons, Princes William and Harry, and a new generation is becoming aware her extraordinary life for the first time.
£8.95
Medina Publishing Ltd Dubai Is My Home
Dubai Is My Home is a fascinating exploration of the diverse spectrum of foreign and local residents of Dubai. Through intimate personal stories and engaging photography, you will meet the people that make the city tick and who comprise its multicultural patchwork. From the Palestinian-Colombian deputy director of an independent cinema to a European falconer to a local Emirati dedicated to preserving the country’s natural environment, the book demonstrates that Dubai residents do not fit one mold but form a microcosm of the global community. This collection of voices and faces is an insight into what makes Dubai a functioning melting pot, where concepts of diversity, collaboration and harmony are not artificially enforced but lived. For a global audience all-too accustomed to clichés and superficial stereotypes about the city, Dubai Is My Home introduces readers the soul of the city, highlighting the deep social connections that make it one of the most liveable and alluring cities in the world.
£46.57
Medina Publishing Ltd Mokee Joe
When Hudson receives the weird message that Mokee Joe is coming, his life turns into a nightmare. Who is Mokee Joe? And what has Hudson done to make him so mad? There's only one course of actionHudson must destroy this monster before it destroys him!
£9.67
Medina Publishing Ltd The Little Book of Dog Quotes
No self-respecting dog owner should be without a copy of this book of quotations about man’s best friend. Compiled by dog lover Aubrey Malone, The Little Book of Dog Quotes brings together hundreds of quips and quotes about canines. Actors, writers, politicians – even Sigmund Freud – all famously share an appreciation for those faithful friends who have left a lasting impression not just on our lives, but on our language and laughterlevels too. This collection of quotes is humorously illustrated by the cartoonist Richard Jolley. If you and your best friend want a good laugh, this irresistible little book is just what you need. A dog wags its tail with its heart. Martin Buxbaum A Canadian psychologist is selling a video that teaches you how to test your dog’s IQ. Here’s how it works. If you spend $12 on the video, your dog is smarter than you are. Jay Leno What’s the difference between a dog and a cat? Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. Fay Weldon If a film of mine wasn’t going well I always put a dog into it. It worked every time. Walt Disney
£10.43
Medina Publishing Ltd The Imam The Pasha The Englishman
The dramatic encounter between Muhammad Ali Pasha, Ottoman governor of Egypt, and his vanquished Saudi foe, Imam Abd Allah, in Cairo in November 1818. The book highlights the importance of this historic moment in the uneasy relationship between Muhammad Ali and his nominal sovereign, Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II.
£25.00
Medina Publishing Ltd The Darker Side of Wight
Darker Side of Wight is a collection of twelve spine chilling stories from the pen of Peter J Murray, set in his favourite location, the Isle of Wight; or as Peter would say, ‘The Isle of Fright’! The island’s diverse local history combined with myth and legend provide an ideal recipe for Peter’s vivid imagination. In an age where it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage children in reading a book, Darker Side of Wight is guaranteed to arouse their curiosity and take them into a thrilling and adventurous world, something children need to experience more and more as an escape from the daily pressures of modern living.
£12.83
Medina Publishing Ltd The Power of Authenticity: Three Principles of Leadership Success
The Power of Authenticity: Three Principles of Leadership Success is a fascinating and candid account of the obstacles and triumphs that Dr Raja Al Gurg faced on her path to becoming one of the most influential businesswomen in the Arab world. Dr Al Gurg is the Chairperson and Managing Director at the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, an eminent family business in the UAE. In The Power of Authenticity she gives invaluable insight into the lessons she learned first as a secondary school principal before climbing the ladder of a diversified conglomerate that represents businesses ranging from retail to real estate. As a respected business leader in the region, Dr Al Gurg has defied conventional understandings about women in the Middle East, acknowledging that it was her handling of these all-too-pervasive challenges that ultimately shaped her leadership style and fostered her drive for success. Turning setbacks into strategies, she shares with readers the tactics and tools that she has gleaned from her illustrious career that will inspire the next generation of business leaders. Perfect for fans of Sheryl Sandberg, Indra Nooyi and Kashmir Maryam, Dr Al Gurg's lessons, and how they relate to her background and broader business philosophy, are a unique and essential contribution to literature on an increasingly competitive and diverse corporate world. By harnessing the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual energy that resides within each person, Dr Al Gurg explains how a leadership style based on personal authenticity can lead to business success. Along the way she considers What does it take to steer a company? How can a failure be turned into an advantage? How can women business leaders break down barriers and make a difference in the corporate world? Confident and encouraging, The Power of Authenticity answers these questions, and many more.
£15.15
Medina Publishing Ltd A Kingdom Unseen: People of Saudi Arabia
Most countries have been explored and documented extensively - Saudi Arabia isn't one of them. Still shrouded in mystery, the country and its inhabitants are relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Alex Schlacher travelled the entire Kingdom in search of people and culture and was enthusiastically welcomed by a nation eager to shine a light on its extraordinary citizens in a way that hadn't been done before. The West's view on Saudi Arabia is often narrow and impersonal, and media features tend to cover politics and the economy. Schlacher focused on the private lives of Saudis, and the result is a collection of portraits and stories of people living in a vast country steeped in history, a country on the cusp of change.
£30.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Beyond that Last Blue Mountain
Harriet's parents hoped that, after leaving boarding school and doing `the Season', she would meet and marry a suitable young man. But she was to disappoint them. Just after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, she set off for Peshawar to see for herself the plight of thousands of displaced Afghan refugees. Determined to do something about their dire situation, Harriet set up a small silk weaving project for illiterate Turkmen refugees, and was sent by UNESCO to Mazar-i-sharif to work with Afghanistan's last remaining silk ikat weavers. During those years she was arrested by the KHAD, narrowly missed being blown up, survived acute bacterial meningitis in a Kabul hospital, and rescued an abandoned pi-dog puppy who became her devoted companion. At the end of the first Gulf War she travelled with the Peshmerga in the newly-liberated Iraqi Kurdistan. Then in 1994 she joined a group of unemployed builders and decorators driving convoys of food and aid from Croydon to the Muslim enclaves in Bosnia Herzegovina. Much has been written about conflicts in these countries, by war correspondents, diplomats and military personnel, but this is a different story. It is about young woman from a sheltered and privileged background travelling and working alone, in and around war zones, frequently with no financial or practical support, at a time of increasing Islamic fundamentalism. Harriet left her traditional, comfortable home and chose to live a life of adventure and danger helping refugees who had nowhere else to turn. She continues to raise money for charity through her business selling oriental textiles and remains friends with the refugees she helped in Afghanistan. However, she is now married, to just the sort of husband her parents always hoped for.
£15.17
Medina Publishing Ltd Success Through Cooperation: The First Decade of the GPCA, 2006 - 2015
From a standing start in 2006, the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association has become a key resource for global industry. This present report details the origins, development, and functions of the association and is issued in conjunction with its tenth anniversary celebrations.
£7.33
Medina Publishing Ltd Molecules, Mind and Matter: How the Arabian Gulf Became a Petrochemical Hub
The story of the petrochemical industry in the Arabian Gulf region is one of heroic endeavor. It exemplifies a much broader narrative of change as, within a few decades, we see groups of ancient tribes and families transformed into modern states playing important global roles. On visiting Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is hard to believe that a mere half-century ago they were undeveloped backwaters.The cities of those countries are today centers of international commerce and industry, crisscrossed by expressways; their skylines include the most modern architecture; they offer all the conveniences of contemporary life, including well-equipped and professionally staffed hospitals, airports, schools, banks, and telecommunication systems. Yet a few decades ago, many were small, obscure trading towns and fishing villages, isolated from each other and from the world beyond.The lifestyles and standards of living that citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries take for granted could hardly have been imagined by their grandparents.Paucity has given way to prosperity, once-rampant illiteracy has virtually disappeared, and what had been mainly a rural population is now largely urban. Moreover, the population of the GCC countries has skyrocketed, augmented by the influx of foreigners seeking employment in the industrial and service sectors. The dramatic transformation of the GCC countries is rooted in the fabulous hydrocarbon riches that lie beneath their ground. However, it would be a mistake to think that success of these states is solely the result of rich reserves of oil and gas. Other countries have oil riches and yet have failed to develop at the scale of those of the GCC or to improve the lives of their citizens in similar fashion.As we look at the petrochemical industry in the GCC region, we can see several key factors that underlie its success. First among these is the far-sightedness of GCC leaders, who neither played it safe by investing government oil revenues overseas, as some consultants had advised, nor squandered this revenue through profligate spending.Instead, at a critical point, they courageously invested billions of dollars to create modern infrastructure, to finance the launch of petrochemical ventures, and to send thousands of their citizens for overseas education. The latter investment was especially important as it created a technocrat class that could lead and develop industrial ventures. In subsequent years, investments in infrastructure, new enterprises, and overseas scholarships have continued, coupled with the development of world-class institutions of higher learning in the GCC countries. Another factor has been the readiness of GCC nationals employed in petrochemical enterprises to view their employment as something of a patriotic mission. Especially in the early years of the industry, this sense of mission encouraged many to forgo high salaries and perks and to work tirelessly to create world-class domestic chemical companies. Also important has been the willingness of international oil companies operating in the Arabian Gulf region-Exxon, Mobil, Total, Shell, and others-to participate in petrochemical joint ventures with GCC governments.This brought much-needed technology and marketing know-how to GCC petrochemical enterprises and set the stage for other Western partners to join.
£25.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Sharifa: The Story of an Arabian Horse
This delight-ful children's tale tells of a man's love for his horse, the jealousy of his servant and the theft by bandits of his precious Arabian.Will Sharifa find her way back to him and can the Sheikh find for-give-ness in his heart for those who stole her away?
£8.11
Medina Publishing Ltd Hidden in the Sands: Uncovering Qatar's Past
The first book of its kind to be published for a general readership from youngsters upwards, Hidden in the Sands: Uncovering Qatar's Past is the fascinating, fun and educational story of Qatar's heritage and the exciting discoveries being made by archaeologists. This informative and delightful book is published through the generosity of Maersk Oil as part of its programme to support education and unlock Qatar's history and heritage. Hidden beneath the sand and sea and revealed on rocks are the clues which explain why this ancient land has been such a key region throughout history. Here you can follow the detective work of archaeologists and discover Qatar's rich past. In conjunction with a fully interactive website and also available in an Arabic edition, Hidden in the Sands describes in words and pictures the treasures uncovered by archaeologists, the methods they use, and the significance of their discoveries. Today, using state-of-the-art technology for excavation, dating and conservation, teams of experts are working all over Qatar to reconstruct its past. Hidden in the Sands is fully illustrated with photographs, maps and diagrams, and embellished by the vivid and evocative illustrations of the artist Norman MacDonald. Told simply and with in-depth and up-to-date detail, it leads readers through the fascinating world of archaeology. Like reconstructing an earthenware jar from a hundred little shards, this work pieces together the fragments of the past to produce a complete and beautiful whole.
£13.57
Medina Publishing Ltd A Matter of Luck
What is luck? The chances are you don't really know, but you probably believe in it, and I bet that you invoke the word every day of your life ...'Bad luck!' 'That was lucky!' 'You should be so lucky!' 'What a lucky escape!' - said with varying degrees of intensity, sincerity, sarcasm, amusement, incredulity or disgust. But what is luck? This book tries to determine what luck is, how it operates in our lives, and how far the individual is at its mercy - favoured by good luck or cursed by bad? Is there any justice or fair play in life, or are these merely human concepts that don't exist in the laws governing the universe? Whatever you think you believe, by the time you have read this book, the odds are that you will have changed your mind. James M Kileen's analysis ranges from Astrology to Zoroastrianism and everything in between: the big bang and the butterfly effect, destiny and determinism, fortune-telling and feng shui, gambling and game theory, miracles and Murphy's Law, oracles and ordeals, philosophy and religion, precognition and the placebo effect, serendipity and synchronicity. A Matter of Luck is a highly readable yet thought-provoking work, interspersed with illuminating and amusing examples to illlustrate each facet of this fascinating subject: for example, the true stories of the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo, King Umberto and the chef, James Dean's car, and the woman who simultaneously chose the winning numbers for both the Massachusetts and Rhode Island lotteries (although the numbers she chose for the Rhode Island lottery were the winning numbers for the Massachusetts lottery, and vice versa). Lucky or unlucky - you decide, if you can.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd Yes The Arabs Can Too
Much has been written about the role and presence of the Arabs in the world at the beginning of this millennium, and their ability to meet the challenges overwhelming our planet, bristling as it is with science, technology and latest lethal weapons.
£20.00
Medina Publishing Ltd One Humpy Grumpy Camel: (Dual Language; English & Arabic)
Humpy Grumpy Camel first appeared in Julia Johnson’s A is for Arabia, and now he’s famous! In One Humpy Grumpy Camel he appears with a whole new cast of characters, five silly billy goats, eight baby scorpions and nine busy beetles, 13 wise old men and 14 dancing girls, and many more characters, all of whom make counting fun for every child.
£7.33
Medina Publishing Ltd Catastrophes, Crashes and Crimes in the UAE: Newspaper Articles from the 1970s
Like any country, the United Arab Emirates have had their share of criminals, accidents, natural disasters and downright weird incidents. Most of these events merit a few pages in the newspapers before disappearing from history. This book brings the tragic, strange and illuminating stories from the 1970s back to life in a compilation of 168 of the best, drawn from past UAE newspapers - UAE News, Emirates News, Abu Dhabi News and the Gulf Weekly Mirror. The common theme of the articles are that they have all had an impact on safety, security and stability of the UAE, and cover a vast range of topics from smuggling deaths to murders, from assassinations to plane hijackings, and from mermaid hoaxes to UFO sightings. Together, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the past, and many of the stories still resonate today.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd A Soldier in Arabia
A Soldier in Arabia reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the events which lead up to and followed the creation of the present day United Arab Emirates in December 1971, followed, a few months later, with Ras Al Khaimah joining the Federation. Soldier and adventurer David Neild was the youngest officer to serve in the legendary Trucial Oman Scouts when he joined them at the age of only 20 in 1959. In 1968 Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, with whom Neild had formed a good working relationship, called on Neild - now a Lt Colonel - to set up and command a national defence force for the Sheikhdom, with the rank of Lt Colonel. Then, in 1972 after the Ruler of Sharjah was assassinated, Neild was asked to establish and command the Sharjah National Guard.The account of Neild's career in Arabia is set against the backdrop of unrest and uncertainty and the emerging national politics of the day.It is both a valuable historic record as well as an entertaining and honest account told with empathy, and in the lean, objective style of a military man who, on a daily basis, had to balance the need for rapid political, strategic and tactical decisions with respect for the traditional ways of a complex tribal Arab culture. The evidence of his success is revealed through the enduring relationship that has been forged with HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, son of the founding Ruler and his former employer, as well as the continuing presence and strength of both the Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah Defence Forces.A Soldier in Arabia is a unique first-hand account of a life lived to the full during a significant period of history on the Arabian Peninsula. The author writes with understanding and insight of the sheikhs and soldiers, statesmen and scoundrels encountered along the way.Part memoir, part history, but always full of adventure, this compelling account will provide the reader with a better understanding of a part of the world frequently misunderstood by outsiders and an appreciation of the remarkable man who earned the lasting respect of both the leaders he served and the soldiers he led.
£13.57
Medina Publishing Ltd Anywhere But Saudi Arabia: Experiences of a Once Reluctant Expat
When Bechtel offered Sean Cuddihy a transfer to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1976, his wife Kathy agreed to go along on one condition: that it was only for two years, not a minute longer. This reluctant commitment turned into a 24-year love affair with Saudi Arabia and its people. Kathy's humorous anecdotes of her adventures and misadventures trace the journey of a country in transition. Never has a nation made so much progress in so short a time. As a trusted journalist and businesswoman, Kathy witnessed, recorded and participated in this spectacular development. From palaces to prisons and mud houses to private jets, Kathy's perspective is unique and her experiences remarkable. Told with the wit and stylishness for which the author is well known, Anywhere But Saudi Arabia! is a treasure for all who know and love the Kingdom, and an eye-opener for those with no comprehension of what life was, and is, like for anunconventional non-Muslim woman in a conservative Muslim population. At times hilarious, at times shocking, but always honest and entertaining, Kathy's story is infused with deep affection for her adopted country.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd When the World Came to the Isle of Wight: Volume One: Stealing Dylan from Woodstock
For a time, the Isle of Wight Festivals transformed a sleepy English island into the rock'n'roll capital of the world. From promoting a one-nighter in 1968, to raise funds for a local swimming pool, the young Foulk brothers were able to out-perform Woodstock, by signing the world-exclusive appearance of rock's poet laureate, Bob Dylan. The de facto leader of the counterculture had been hidden away in the artist-town of Woodstock, rarely seen after a motor cycle accident three years earlier. He turned his back on the eponymous festival, put there to persuade him to come out and play, but Dylan left for Europe on the day their event began. For the Foulk brothers - lacking experience, resources and time - the coup and ensuing public response was almost overwhelming, but with audacious bravado and steely determination they delivered the most awaited event of the era. Devotees from hippies to celebrities flocked to the Island from mainland Britain, Europe, the Americas and as far away as Australia. As well as changing the lives of Ray and his brothers the phenomenon played its part in a highly transformative period for Bob Dylan, in which the Isle of Wight remained his one and only full concert appearance in seven-and-a-half years.
£22.95
Medina Publishing Ltd This is Oman
Part 1 looks at culture and tradition while part 2 looks at the various regions and fables. A brief look at What is an Arab and the difference between the Arab World, the Muslim World and the Gulf States. Islam; Oman's ancient history; MH Sultan Qaboos bin Said; Modern History; National dress; Forts; Mosques; Wildlife and more.
£16.00
Medina Publishing Ltd The Art of Arabic Coffee
The Art of Arabic Coffee celebrates the subtle beauty and fascinating history of this aromatic beverage, which over the centuries has become an essential feature of Arab culture and society. The art of cultivating, roasting and preparing coffee was first honed in Arabia. It is an inseparable part of almost all social occasions, celebrations, ceremonies and political negotiations in the region. Driven by her infectious passion for the topic, Medina Ilyas takes readers on a journey to discover the intriguing story of Arabic coffee, detailing the events that have shaped its development and the myriad of customs, recipes and techniques that make it one of the most versatile and culturally significant beverages in the world. Through engaging stories and surprising facts, she demonstrates how the complexity and endless varieties of Arabic coffee reflect the diversity and richness of the people and cultures of the Arab world. Whether you are a seasoned Arabic coffee drinker or have yet to try it, The Art of Arabic Coffee has something for everyone. Be prepared to discover an infinite array of subtle and tantalizing flavors as you sip and indulge this precious and iconic Arabian beverage.
£16.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Treasures and Curiosities: From the Collection of Carisbrooke Castle Museum
100 Treasures and Curiosities draws on the extensive collection of Carisbrooke Castle Museum to reveal some of the Isle of Wight’s most significant and historic stories, alongside some more unusual tales from the Island’s past. Established by Princess Beatrice in 1898, the museum was intended to be ‘a treasury of objects illustrative of the history of the island’ and in the 125 years since, the museum’s collection has grown to comprise of over 35,000 objects ranging from the everyday to the exotic, from utilitarian to pure novelty. Today, Carisbrooke Castle Museum is a charity-run independent accredited museum and remains dedicated to the Island’s rich and varied history.
£22.50
Medina Publishing Ltd Captain Shakespear: Desert exploration, Arabian intrigue and the rise of Ibn Sa'ud
Two years before T E Lawrence received orders to travel to the Hejaz to liaise with the leader of the Arab Revolt, other British officers had already roamed the Arabian Peninsula's unforgiving Nejdi desert, to rally tribal support for the British war effort. The first was Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, a political agent from the Government of India's Political Department. Born in October 1878 in India, Shakespear spent much of his childhood away from his Anglo-Indian parents, schooling in Portsmouth and later in the Isle of Man, before entering Sandhurst as a British Indian Army Officer Cadet. On his return to India, Shakespear spent six years in military service before he joined the Political Department in 1904, serving twice in Bandar Abbas and briefly in Muscat. Shakespear's next mission was as a political agent in Kuwait, arriving at the coastal Sheikhdom in the spring of 1909. For the next four years, he travelled extensively into the Nejdi desert, providing both London and Delhi with valuable intelligence about the vastly unknown interior as well as cultivating a personal relationship with Ibn Sa'ud, the Emir of Riyadh. At a time when London and Constantinople were negotiating the Anglo-Ottoman treaty, Shakespear almost became persona non grata for advocating the need to back the emir after his tribal warriors had expelled the Ottoman garrisons in al-Hasa in 1913. When war was declared in July 1914, Shakespear was one of the first to try to join the British Army to fight in France, but when the Ottoman Empire looked set to ally with Germany, the powers that had previously shunned him now needed his unique knowledge of Central Arabia and relationship with Ibn Sa'ud. That October, as many of his peers and countrymen crossed the English Channel to reinforce those already in the trenches, Shakespear set sail for Kuwait on special duty to rendezvous with the emir. It was a mission that T E Lawrence would later commend, acknowledging the crucial role that the political agent played during the early stages the Middle Eastern theatre of war. Shakespear was a pioneer in exploring the Nejd, capturing many firsts with his camera, although there were a few other equally intrepid British officials who preceded him into the desert. From the late-18th century, the East India Company collided numerous times with the House of Sa'ud as both attempted to understand the intentions of the other, before the political agent finally laid the foundations for formal diplomatic relations with Ibn Sa'ud, and later with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
£25.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Emirates Diaries: From Sheikhs to Shakespeare
Emirates Diaries tells the story of how Peter Clark came to love the Emirates and its people. He got to know Abu Dhabi sheikhs and Dubai merchants and people at every level of society. The country was on the cusp of enormous economic expansion and this book is an affectionate picture of the Emirates when it was still like a chain of large informal villages. The people of the UAE were aware of their good fortune and were, he found, open, generous and innovative. Clark arranged for the explorer Wilfred Thesiger to return to the country he had celebrated before it became oil-rich. Thanks to Peter, Thesiger met up with his old companions who had accompanied him in crossing the Empty Quarter 40 years earlier. Peter embedded himself in the local cultural scene and translated stories by Dubai's best known writer, Muhammad al-Murr. Emirates Diaries tells of opera in Ras Al Khaimah, how Shakespeare was brought to large audiences of young people, how to organize a royal visit, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease among the oryx in the Al Ain zoo, the culture of camel racing and an unpaid bill left by Margaret Thatcher. The diaries sparkle with mischievous humor and acute observation. This book is a prequel to Peter Clark's Damascus Diaries: Life under the Assads, described by The Economist as 'quirky, digressive and indiscreet'.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd The Salukis in My Life: From the Arab world to China
Sir Terence Clark's My Life with Salukis is part-memoir, part-travelogue, and explores in lively and unprecedented detail the history and significance of the Saluki across the world. Indigenous to the Arabian peninsula, the desert-bred Saluki has for centuries been revered, and remains as highly valued today for its elegance and intelligence. Sir Terence's own life and work have been profoundly influenced by this ancient breed. His commitment to the study, enjoyment and preservation of these `Companions of Kings' has taken him far and wide and introduced him to extraordinary people and places: in Iraq and Oman (where he was British Ambassador), throughout the Middle East and across Syria, into Central Asia, Russia and China. Beautifully illustrated with personal photographs, artwork and calligraphy, this book interweaves Sir Terence's fascinating life story with the history of the breed throughout the region. His passion for Salukis is infectious - whether for hunting, showing, coursing, breeding or simply companionship, the reader cannot help but share the love.
£22.95
Medina Publishing Ltd Alexandria: City of Gifts and Sorrows
Ancient Alexandria was built by the Greek Macedonians. Ptolemy started the dynasty and in thirty years completed the first lighthouse, and the grand library and museum, which functioned as a university with an emphasis on science, known as "The Alexandrian School". Scholars attended as "the birthplace of science" from all over the ancient world. Two of the most eminent were Euclid, the father of geometry, and Claudios Ptolemy, writer of The Almagest, a book on astronomy. These are the oldest surviving science textbooks. Herein there are stories about scientists, poets and religious philosophers, responsible for influencing the western mind with their writings.Modern Alexandria was rebuilt in 1805 by multi-ethnic communities who created a successful commercial city and port with an enviable life-style for its inhabitants for 150 years. In 1952 the Free Officers of the Egyptian Army masterminded a coup to free the country from the monarchy and British domination. In 1956 the socialist regime under Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser closed the Suez Canal, resulting in the Anglo-French-Israeli invasion. This outburst of Egyptian nationalism and military revolution by this understandably anti-Western regime included the confiscation of property belonging to foreigners and the subsequent mass exodus of business and artisan classes that hitherto had made the city so successful. The author was an eye-witness to these events and he sets out the political errors and failures of both Egyptian and Western leaders. The legacy of the resulting political and social confusions is deeply apparent in the continuing unrest in the Middle East, and in particular in Egypt.
£13.57
Medina Publishing Ltd Alexandria: City of Gifts and Sorrows
Ancient Alexandria was built by the Greek Macedonians. Ptolemy started the dynasty and in thirty years completed the first lighthouse, and the grand library and museum, which functioned as a university with an emphasis on science, known as "The Alexandrian School". Scholars attended as "the birthplace of science" from all over the ancient world. Two of the most eminent were Euclid, the father of geometry, and Claudios Ptolemy, writer of The Almagest, a book on astronomy. These are the oldest surviving science textbooks. Herein there are stories about scientists, poets and religious philosophers, responsible for influencing the western mind with their writings.Modern Alexandria was rebuilt in 1805 by multi-ethnic communities who created a successful commercial city and port with an enviable life-style for its inhabitants for 150 years. In 1952 the Free Officers of the Egyptian Army masterminded a coup to free the country from the monarchy and British domination. In 1956 the socialist regime under Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser closed the Suez Canal, resulting in the Anglo-French-Israeli invasion. This outburst of Egyptian nationalism and military revolution by this understandably anti-Western regime included the confiscation of property belonging to foreigners and the subsequent mass exodus of business and artisan classes that hitherto had made the city so successful. The author was an eye-witness to these events and he sets out the political errors and failures of both Egyptian and Western leaders. The legacy of the resulting political and social confusions is deeply apparent in the continuing unrest in the Middle East, and in particular in Egypt.
£11.21
Medina Publishing Ltd Spirit of the Wind: A Photographic Celebration of the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert
The Namib Desert is vast, arid expanse of constantly moving gravel plains and dunes. It covers more than 31,000 square miles stretching the whole of the western coast of Namibia, into Angola and South Africa. The winds blow relentlessly and thick fog frequently blankets the towering dunes along the coast. Although it supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna, it is a harsh environment for man and mammal. In the midst of this seemingly inhospitable region, near Garub, live the elusive wild horses that have fascinated people for almost a century. And into this wilderness a young slip of a girl ventured, alone and armed with little more than a camera, a tent and a burning desire to follow the call of the wild. As the weeks turned into months, Miona Janeke followed the herd from before sunrise until after dark: learning, understanding, photographing and becoming one with the free-spirited horses. This book is the result of an intrepid pilgrimage to discover the essence of the mysterious herds of feral horses. The exquisite photographs of the horses and their surroundings show a deep, almost spiritual, connection between subject and photographer.They are testament to a rare talent and an indomitable personality.
£20.00
Medina Publishing Ltd The Caravan Goes on: How Aramco and Saudi Arabia Grew Up Together
The remarkable story of one man's journey to leadership of the world's largest energy company, The Caravan Goes On is the first published inside account of the workings of the corporation by a CEO and represents a significant addition to the literature on the turbulent development of the world's oil industry. Frank Jungers, former President, Chairman and CEO of the petroleum giant Aramco, tells the inside story of his three decades in Saudi Arabia (1947-1978) with the world's largest oil producing company. A North Dakota farm boy Jungers rose to the top of one of the most important hydrocarbon enterprises ever, a company that eventually found itself responsible for nearly one-quarter of the world's oil resources. He writes of his face-to-face encounters with King Faisal and other Saudi leaders, and his role in steering the company through major international crises that included the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, the dramatic oil price increases of the 1970s, the Arab oil embargo and the OPEC hostage incident of 1975. Central to Jungers' story is his role in helping to develop Aramco's Saudi workforce in preparation for the eventual transfer of company ownership from four American oil majors to the Government of Saudi Arabia. He explains the unique nature of the ownership transfer, which was remarkably different from the bitter nationalization process seen in Iraq, Libya, Iran and Venezuela. Jungers describes how Aramco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in an important sense grew up together, and he highlights the crucial role played by Aramco in the development of the young nation's infrastructure and economy. The Caravan Goes On describes the origins of the petroleum industry in Saudi Arabia, with the granting of a concession in 1933 to a subsidiary of Standard Oil of California, the first of Aramco's four oil-company parents. Jungers talks of his own origins as the son of farmer in North Dakota, the family's migration westward due to drought and depression, and his engineering studies at the University of Washington. Jungers began his career in Saudi Arabia working at Ras Tanura, site of Aramco's first oil refinery and oil tanker terminal. He describes how Aramco built its initial workforce, consisting of Americans, Italians, Saudis and other nationalities; he explains how it soon became clear that the future of the Saudi oil industry belonged not with foreign oil interest but to the people of Saudi Arabia; and he relates how he and others worked to give Saudis the training and incentives needed to take over and successfully operate what would become the world's premier oil producing and exporting company. At the same time, Aramco, with its technological expertise and its access to international specialists, began playing a central role in the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company, with support and encouragement of the Saudi Kings, took a lead role in building healthcare, agriculture, the railroads, the electric grid and other sectors of the Saudi economy. The story of the "King Faisal Era" (including the monarch's role in the oil price issue, the Arab oil embargo and his closed-door meetings with the King and his key advisers, including Oil Minister Shaikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani) are vividly described, as well as the shock of King Faisal's tragic death and the tense moments of the OPEC hostage incident that began in Vienna and ended in North Africa. Jungers speaks of his involvement in launching Saudi Arabia's Master Gas System, now a central part of the national economy and his pivotal role in the consolidation of Saudi Arabia's electrical power grid in the Eastern Province. When he returned to Saudi Arabia in 2008 to attend the celebrations of the company's 75th anniversary he fully realized the success of the Aramco venture - how it had indeed prepared large numbers of Saudis for the responsibilities of leading their country's oil industry into a new and exciting economic era. This personal, colorful and up-close view is required reading for oil-industry watchers as well as those interested in big business, geopolitics, America's role in the Middle East and the extraordinary transformation and emergence of modern Saudi Arabia since oil was discovered in its Eastern Province.
£13.57
Medina Publishing Ltd Shari'ah, Democracy and the Kuwaiti Constitution
£35.00
Medina Publishing Ltd Prison Time in Sana'a
Prison Time in Sana'a tells the story of Dr Abdulkader Al-Guneid's harrowing experience inside jail in Yemen's capital shortly after it was taken over by Houthi rebels. In his hometown of Taiz, Al-Guneid, a medical doctor, had been an outspoken figure on Yemeni politics for decades. In recent years, his social media and interviews were read around the world and attracted a global following from an audience anxious to hear an unbiased explanation of the underlying roots of the conflict. Ultimately, his activism placed him in the movement's crosshairs, leading to his abduction on 5 August 2015 and incarceration in an undisclosed Houthi jail in Sana'a. For the next 300 days, Al-Guneid shared his time with American hostages, Houthi fighters, Al Qaeda militants and ordinary Yemenis caught up in the chaos of war. Following his release, he wrote about his experience in exhaustive and gripping detail from exile in Canada. Initially typing his entire account on his mobile phone, his story has since been distilled into a deeply personal account of his incarceration offering an extraordinarily candid perspective on the Yemen crisis from deep within Houthi-held territory.
£20.00