Category Archives: Non-Fiction & Reference
Living in Turkey
The Turkish home is a living tradition whose refinement has continued uninterrupted for over 10,000 years from the earliest recorded dwellings of Middle Anatolia to the modern Istanbul townhouse. During this time, the rise and fall of great empires – Hittite, Byzantine, Ottoman – has brought a mosaic of influences from as far afield as
Breaking the Maya Code
The Third Edition of this classic account of the inside story of one of the major intellectual breakthroughs of our time – the last great decipherment of an ancient script revised and brought right up to date with the latest developments. 113 illustrations bring to life the people and texts that have enabled us to
The Mosque
Since its first publication, this superbly produced book has become the classic in its field. With contributions by sixteen eminent scholars, The Mosque traces the history and development of the mosque since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, explaining its traditional religious and teaching role in Muslim society as well as its architectural and decorative
The Ganges
India is not simply a place; it is an experience. And the Ganges is not just a river: it is an aspect of the Divine. This is Raghubir Singh`s personal pilgrimage along the Ganges: from the Himalayas, where the river rises among snows, through the villages of the Gangetic Plain, past Banaras and through Bihar,
The Complete Pyramids
Powerful symbols of remote antiquity, the pyramids have intrigued and fascinated generations. In “The Complete Pyramids”, newly available in paperback, Mark Lehner surveys the history, building and use of these fascinating and mysterious monuments in unprecedented scope and detail, looking at both the practical aspects – the quarries, ramps and tools used in building them
Villas & Courtyard Houses of Morocco
From the palaces of Fez to the roads of Marrakesh, from the trading posts of Essaouira to the Kasbahs of the south, this book seeks out the most singular living spaces in Morocco, a country blessed with one of the richest architectural heritages in North Africa. Corinne Verner explores the archetypes of the Moroccan built
Burma – The Alternative Guide
`Burma – The Alternative Guide` by Thames & Hudson provides a wealth of information accompanied by inspiring colour photographs and is a must read for anyone interested in Myanmar. Although, being printed in 2009 does not include the latest developments, the book offers an invaluable insight into a country of many contrasts. Starting with a
Natural Fashion – Tribal Decoration From Africa
Photographer Hans Silvester travelled to the remote Omo Valley to capture the striking body art of the local Surma and Mursi tribes. Traditionally nomadic, the tribes decorate the territory of their naked bodies with whatever nature offers, such as leaves, flowers, grasses, butterfly wings and snail shells plus the occasional pen top or Kalashnikov cartridge.
Renaissance Florence On Five Florins A Day
This fascinating and fact-packed guide provides all the practical advice you need for a journey back to the golden age of one of Europe`s great cultural cities. Take in the sights and sounds, marvel at Brunelleschis sublime cathedral dome, wonder at the sculptures and paintings that have made this the art capital of its day,
History of Ottoman Architecture
This survey of Ottoman architecture treats the subject chronologically and within its historical perspective, making reference to Byzantine, Persian and Selcuk examples. There is a discussion of the effects of conquests, religions and social organization, and alongside the descriptions of mosques are studies of the layout and function of the buildings which came to be
Russia -Concise History
The recent tremendous changes in Russia have only enhanced the special fascination which this powerful, enigmatic country has so long held for the world at large. Russia`s history, from her beginnings as an illiterate pagan Slav community centered on Kiev to her twentieth-century superpower status, has its own unique rhythm, Appalling calamities have shaped Russia:
Traditional Textiles of Central Asia
An illustrated survey of the vivid and romantic textile tradition of Central Asia. The colour plates display the opulent silks and velvets, the exquisite embroideries, felts and woollen fabrics produced throughout the area in the workshops of the Silk Route, the houses of the smaller villages and towns and in the nomads` tents on their
Pacific Island
This series examines the meeting of lifestyle and interior design. Each volume concentrates either on “ethnic” or “urban” traditions, encompassing places in the world that provide inspiration to today`s designers. The series looks at not only the particular design itself, but the context in which it exists, the inspirations from which it originated, and the
The Avebury Cycle
Avebury parish in Wiltshire contains an amazing collection of Stone Age monuments. Four thousand years ago this stretch of the chalk downs was the metropolis of Britain, with the tallest man-made hill (Silbury), the largest henge or sacred enclosure (Avebury), the great chambered cemetery of West Kennet Long Barrow and the two stone avenues of
Buddhist Art & Architecture
Buddhism is the single common thread uniting the Asian world, from India to South-East Asia and through Central Asia to China, Korea and Japan. To guide and inspire believers, innumerable symbols and images were made, beginning in India in the 3rd century BC. This phenomenally diverse tradition includes not only frescoes, relief carvings, colossal statues,
Hittites
The Hittites were an Indo-European speaking people who established a kingdom in Anatolia (modern Turkey) almost 4,000 years ago. They rose to become one of the greatest powers of the Ancient Middle Eastern world by conquering Babylon and challenging the power of the Eygptian Pharaoh Rameses II at the battle of Quadesh. They themselves were
The Art of Tibet
Tibet has produced some of the most distinctive art in the world, with qualities which set it apart from other Buddhist and Asian art. The author of this volume seeks to unravel the intertwined relationship between the art and the spiritual life of the region – a pantheon of variety and complexity. From the Potala
Pagan Celtic Ireland
Our established impressions of early Celtic Ireland have come down to us through the great Irish myths and sagas, yet how do these images compare with archaeological evidence? The author seeks to present a comprehensive and lucid account of the Irish Iron Age. He discusses advances that took place in travel and transport; the common
Hindu Art And Architecture
The art of Hinduism constitutes one of the world`s greatest traditions. Michell`s new survey examines the entire period, covering shrines consecrated to Hindu cults and works of art portraying Hindu divinities and semi-divine personalities.
