Category Archives: Travel Guides
Death of a Red Heroine
Shanghai in 1990. An ancient city in a country that despite the massacre of Tiananmen Square is still in the tight grip of communist control. Chief Inspector Chen, a poet with a sound instinct for self-preservation, knows the city like few others. When the body of a prominent Communist Party member is found, Chen is
The City Of Falling Angels
Taking the fire that destroyed the Fenice theatre in 1996 as his starting point, John Berendt creates a unique and unforgettable portrait of Venice and its extraordinary inhabitants.Beneath the exquisite facade of the world`s most beautiful historic city, scandal, corruption and venality are rampant, and John Berendt is a master at seeking them out. Ezra
One Morning Like a Bird
Tokyo, 1940. While Japan`s war against China escalates, young Yuji Takano clings to his cocooned life: his beloved evenings of French conversation at Monsieur Feneon`s, visits to the bathhouse with friends, his books, his poetry.But conscription looms and the mood turns against foreigners, just when Yuji gets entangled with Feneon`s daughter. As the nation heads
Captain Scott
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is uniquely qualified to write a new biography of Captain Scott. This is the first biography of Scott by someone who has experienced the deprivations, the stress and the sheer physical pain that Scott lived through; he has suffered all but the final tragedy endured by the much maligned Scott. He is
Wild Food – Ray Mears
Ray Mears has travelled the world discovering how native people manage to live on just what nature provides. Whats always frustrated him is not knowing how our own ancestors fed themselves and what we could learn about our own diet. We know they were hunter-gatherers, but no-one has been able to tell what they ate
The Clearing
Byron Aldridge, heir to a timber empire, returns from the First World War a changed man and finds refuge as a company policeman in a backwoods Louisiana sawmill. Soon his younger brother Randolph tracks him down, assuming charge of the mill in the hope of rescuing his former idol. But as the brothers try to
Big Chief Elizabeth
In April 1586, Queen Elizabeth I acquired a new and exotic title. A tribe of North American Indians had made her their weroanza – `big chief`. The news was received with great joy, both by the Queen and her favourite, Sir Walter Ralegh. His first American expedition had brought back a captive, Manteo, whose tattooed
Tai-Pan: The Second Novel of the Asian Saga
Set in the turbulent days of the founding of Hong Kong in the 1840s, Tai-Pan is the story of Dirk Struan, the ruler – the Tai-Pan – of the most powerful trading company in the Far East. He is also a pirate, an opium smuggler, and a master manipulator of men. This is the story
The Road to McCarthy
Setting off from Ireland, Pete McCarthy takes us on a wonderful journey around the weird and wonderful Irish communities of the world.In his own inimitable style, Pete recounts his adventures and escapades as, in Morocco he meets the head of Clan McCarthy, and then goes on to visit the renowned Irish peoples of New York.
Wine and War
In the vineyards, wine caves, and cellars of France as war and occupation came to the country winemakers acted heroically not only to save the best wines but to defend their way of life. These are the true stories of vignerons who sheltered Jewish refugees in their cellars and of winemakers who risked their lives
The Great Food Debate
John Humphrys is passionate about the state of British food, farming, fishing and agriculture. Here, he looks back to the days of organic farming in England when people shared and swapped food and considered the wildlife as well as the farmed animals, crops and fruits. He examines today`s travesties: factory farming, pouring chemicals into the
Samurai William: The Adventurer Who Unlocked Japan
In 1611 an astonishing letter arrived at the the East India Trading Company in London after a tortuous seven-year journey. Englishman William Adams was one of only twenty-four survivors of a fleet of ships bound for Asia, and he had washed up in the forbidden land of Japan. The traders were even more amazed to
The Man Who Saved Britain
After victory in World War II, Britain was a relieved but also a profoundly traumatized country. Simon Winder, born into this nation of uncertain identity, fell in love (as many before and since) with the man created as the antidote, a quintessentially British figure of great cultural significance: James Bond. Written with passion, wit and
White Gold
This is the forgotten story of the million white Europeans, snatched from their homes and taken in chains to the great slave markets of North Africa to be sold to the highest bidder. Ignored by their own governments, and forced to endure the harshest of conditions, very few lived to tell the tale. Using the
Banjo
While Banjo opens with a clutch of fine lyrics, elegies and set-pieces, at the heart of Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch`s new book is a remarkable tale of darkness and light, music and silence. Celebrating the centenary of Captain Scott`s arrival at the South Pole in 1912, Banjo gives us new psychological insight into the lives of the
1946: The Making of the Modern World
With the end of the Second World War, a new world was born. The peace agreements that brought the conflict to an end implemented decisions that not only shaped the second half of the twentieth century, but continue to affect our world today and impact on its future. In 1946 the Cold War began, the
Fishes of Caribbean Reefs
From violet and gold Fairy Basslets to Goldspotted Snake Eels, this pocket guide covers all the species you are likely to encounter on your diving holiday. Each entry includes information on the species` distinguishing features and habits, plus a colour photograph. Includes a useful section on underwater photography. Just remember not to actually take it
Chamberlain and Appeasement
This book provides a fresh and original approach to a controversial episode in British history, Chamberlain`s policy of `appeasement` towards Hitler`s Germany. Written directly from primary archival sources, Alastair Parker`s account offers the student new perspectives on the man who dominated the making of British policy before and after his `triumph` at Munich in September
Birds of the Eastern Caribbean
From Puerto Rico to Trinidad this a useful guide for birdwatching. Each is described and has a colour photograph to aid identification (the photos are excellent in themselves). One really excellent feature is the inclusion of local names for the species listed – perfect for confirming your sighting with local residents!
