Collins Books - Böcker

A fascinating cartographic study of urban development, perfect for map and history lovers.The city, a concept nearly as old as history itself, is a paradox of human innovation and intervention, order and conflict. From ancient civilisations to modern-day metropolises, maps have played a crucial role in urban progress. This book explores the development of cities through more than 70 captivating maps.Each map in this beautifully designed volume gives a unique visual representation of and historical context to the city it surveys. Spanning more than 4,500 years, this book expertly curates more than 70 historical maps which tell the fascinating story of human civilisation: from cities founded on sacred places, ideas and power, to early examples of town planning and later innovations such as skyscrapers and urban transport.Featuring maps of renowned capital cities as well as lesser-known urban areas, including: Mohenjo-Daro, c. 2500 BCBabylon, c. 600 BCRome, c. 210 ADBaghdad, 762 ADConstantinople, 1422Tenochtitlan, 1524Dublin, 1610Kyoto, 1626New Amsterdam, 1660Edinburgh, 1780Adelaide, 1838Lagos, 1885Los Angeles, 1908Brasilia, 1957Chongqing, 2016Dubai, 2020

Every map tells a story and this book tells the incredible history of our world through maps. From Babylonian tablets to digital mapping, the world has evolved rapidly, along with the ways in which we understand and depict it. In this time, cartography has not only kept pace with these changes, but has often driven them. In this fully revised and updated edition spanning more than 4,500 years, each individual map provides a unique visual insight into our past.This beautifully designed collection includes many famous examples of cartography, along with some that deserve to be better known. Witness countries and cities come and go, empires rise and fall, significant geographical discoveries, and key historical events unfold.Key maps shown include: Babylonian clay tablets, c.2300 BC and c.600 BC – some of the world’s oldest surviving mapsHereford Mappa Mundi, c. 1290 – medieval map of the worldAztec City Maps 1524/1541 – precious images of the Aztec capital and their migrations before the Spanish cameCook Chart of New Zealand, 1770 – the first complete chart of the coastline showing that New Zealand was made up of two islandsSelden Map of China, c. 1620 – Ming map of China and South-east AsiaThe Scramble for Africa, 1852/1898 – the European powers rush to colonise AfricaBooth Poverty Map, 1898 – mapping deprivation in Victorian LondonYpres, 1918 – mapping the deaths in one of the First World War’s bloodiest battlesCuban Missile Crisis, 1962 – map used by President John F. Kennedy during the crisisCOVID map, 2021 – a map of the Global Pandemic

100 beautiful places in Scotland to walk, eat and sleepPeter Irvine, bestselling author of SCOTLAND THE BEST,has selected 100 extraordinary places that epitomise what istruly great about Scotland. This personal and diverse compendium is illustrated with beautiful and evocative images by some of Scotland’s best photographers.Peter Irvine has drawn on a lifetime of experiences to create this list of the 100 best places in Scotland: reflective, magnificent and human places. Some choices may be surprising but all are exceptional.This book is Pete’s ultimate collection selected from the hundreds of places that feature in the bestselling independent guide to Scotland, SCOTLAND THE BEST. As well as expert commentary, all 100 places include highly selective recommendations of where to walk, eat and sleep nearby.Some of Scotland’s finest photographers have captured the essence of each place. From wild glens to ancient buildings, remote islands to vibrant cities, this is Pete’s list of the places in Scotland that you really should visit in your lifetime.

Fully updated essential guide to exploring Britain by train, Railway Day Trips is ideal for anyone planning or looking for inspiration for a rail journey. From bestselling railway author Julian Holland.This pocket companion is perfect for both casual and seasoned rail travellers. Plan adventures, follow the changing landscape through the train window and discover fascinating destinations.Each journey incorporates a location map, route diagram and descriptive text on its history and geography, plus some of the highlights awaiting you at each destination. High-quality photographs illustrate every route throughout the book.Based on his extensive knowledge of British rail travel, the author reveals appealing quirks of the various routes and provides practical tips on how to make the most of your journey.160 day trips from all over the country are featured, departing from major towns and cities and culminating at a variety of interesting destinations.This 2nd edition includes 10 new routes:• Cambridge to Ipswich• Hereford to Newport• Cardiff to Ebbw Vale• Carmarthen to Fishguard• Manchester to Southport• Sheffield to Lincoln• Middlesbrough to Newcastle• Glasgow to Perth• Edinburgh to Tweedbank• Inverness to Wick

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Bridge.When you open this little book, the state secrets of the game of bridge lie in your hands. They cover everything you need to know to go from being a bridge beginner to an international mastermind!The book is split into short, concise and easy-to-follow tips that will help to improve all aspects of your game and strategy. They reveal how to play a good defensive hand, how to devise a bidding system, what you can read from an opponent’s play, plus lots more.The beautifully decorated pages and luxury pocket style make this book something a little bit special. With it by your side you’ll always come up trumps!

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Whisky.An excellent introduction to the world of Scotch whiskies. It includes the major Scotch whiskies and the distilleries that produce them.The book includes details of the very best of Scottish single malts and deluxe whiskies, covering Speyside (Cardhu, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich) the Highlands and Islands (Blair Athol, Glenmorangie, Talisker), to Islay (Ardbeg, Laphroaig), the Lowlands (Auchentoshan, Glenkinchie) and Campbeltown (Glen Scotia). It is completely up-to-date, including new Scottish distilleries which have yet to bottle spirit or establish a core product.What’s more, an introduction exploring the current whisky boom and how distilleries are coping with this surge in demand makes this attractive Little Book a great introduction for anyone looking to learn about whisky.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Scottish History.From prehistoric Scotland to the Brexit referendum, this pocket-sized book covers all of the main events in Scottish history.A concise and excellent guide to Scottish history and how Scotland has come to be what it is today.Key events, people and places include:• The Union of Crowns• Bonnie Prince Charlie• Battle of Bannockburn• Culloden• Burns’ Night• Hogmanay• Alexander Graham Bell• Devolution• Indy Ref 1 and 2Beautifully produced, Collins Little Book of Scottish History is a treasure in itself and makes a perfect gift for any Scotland enthusiast.

A highly popular and informative guide to the Scots language in an attractive format. Contains words and phrases from both literary and everyday language, this is the perfect wee dictionary of Scots for native and non-native speakers alike.This is by far the most popular guide to the language of today’s Scotland, with nearly 1800 everyday words and phrases from all over Scotland clearly explained and with lots of helpful examples of usage. Colour text makes this best-selling dictionary even more user-friendly. With its durable and eye-catching cover, this is a must for every bookshelf.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English History.A concise guide to key events, people and places in English history and how England has come to be what it is today. From prehistoric England, Stonehenge and the Romans to modern times.Key events, people and places include: The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings1066, Battle of HastingsRichard 1 and The CrusadesHenry VIII, Thomas More, The Spanish Armada, Gunpowder PlotCromwellWorld Wars 1 and 2The NHSThe 1953 CoronationWorld Cup winThe BeatlesMargaret ThatcherPrincess DianaBrexitBeautifully produced, Collins Little Book of English History is a treasure in itself and makes a perfect gift for any visitor to England or enthusiast about its history.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English Castles.A handy guide to England’s most dramatic castles and strongholds, many of which are open to visitors. Includes an eight-page map section showing the locations of castles covered in the book.Features historical background and architectural details for each of the castles, accompanied by beautiful colour photographs. The book covers the major sites of Windsor, Warwick and Leeds Castle, as well as lesser known fortresses scattered across the country.Includes details on the property’s custodianship, whether cared for by the National Trust, English Heritage or another body, a description of the gardens where relevant, location, website and phone number. A concise guide to English castles in an accessible format.Of interest to English, local and architectural historians, as well as international visitors to England.

The true Scot's insider's guide to the very best Scotland has to offer. Fully revised and updated in Peter Irvine’s own unique style, the 14th edition includes more than 2,000 recommendations for every type of adventure.Trusted for 30 years, this fully comprehensive and independent guide to Scotland gives you only the very best recommendations, whatever your budget. Discover stunning scenery, landscapes and historical highlightsFind the best coastal walks, city strolls and sight-seeing spotsEat at the best local cafés and regional restaurantsGreat advice on where to sleep, from wild camping to boutique hotelsExplore the true culture of Scotland and discover local, hidden gemsPeter Irvine is your personal guide to the very best of Scotland. From the streets of Edinburgh to the Western Isles, he’s visited, rated and remarked on the must-see highlights of Scotland. The 14th edition is the perfect travel companion, complete with essential information including websites, phone numbers, costs and insider tips to let you experience the best of everything Scotland has to offer.

Explore the unique stories behind every Formula One World Championship circuit in this fully updated second edition. Written by award-winning journalist Maurice Hamilton and complete with bespoke digital maps of each course, this is the ultimate guide to the circuits of Formula One.Each venue is listed in chronological order from the first time it hosted a World Championship Grand Prix, starting with Monza, then taking in renowned locations such as Spa, Nürburgring, Monaco and Silverstone, all the way up to F1’s latest destination: Las Vegas. Uncover little-known facts about famous circuits and discover the story behind some of the sport’s lesser-known venues.This fully updated second edition includes:• All 77 Formula 1 World Championship circuits, featuring six additional venues from the previous edition• Bespoke digital maps of every racetrack• Statistics including circuit lengths, lap records, and names of corners and straights• Alphabetical and ‘by country’ indices for ease of reference

An ideal gift for anyone with an intrigue for geographical curiosities.Defined as sovereign states with a very small population, land area, or both, microstates serve as fascinating case studies of geopolitical significance. This atlas explores the unique history, politics, and self-determination of the world's smallest states.Under what conditions do microstates form in the first place? Is there a correlation between the size of a political unit and its relative sovereignty? What contributes to the success of ministates, or, in certain cases, their failure?From modern day city-states, island countries as well as sparsely populated territories, to historical anomalies, tax havens, aspirant states and micronations, this atlas considers a wide range of countries largely defined by their relative smallness.A beautifully-designed collection ideal for those with an interest in geopolitics and cartographic curiosities, some of the microstates explored in this book include:• Liechtenstein one of the smallest countries in the world today – and also one of the wealthiest – with a territory that covers approximately 25km from north to south, the only country located entirely in the Alps• Cocos (Keeling) Islands consisting of two coral atolls with a total area of 14m2, where fewer than 600 people live and the majority of the population is Muslim• Couto Misto a de-facto semi-independent state which many believe had special sovereign rights granted to it by a 12th century princess, later disputed by Spain and Portugal and eventually partitioned in 1864These along with many more examples are captured in this engaging atlas full of geographical intrigue.

‘A powerful and timely book’ PETER KENNARD 'Really good read' DERMOT O'LEARY 'Tremendous…it strikes me it fills a gap somehow' AL MURRAY 'Fantastic' DOMINIC SANDBROOK Delve into the history, politics, literature and popular culture that defined the Cold War era. The Cold War defined the history of Britain in the second half of the twentieth century as much as it did that of the US and the Soviet Union. Cold War Britain is an exploration into the multifaceted dimensions of Britain’s experience during the Cold War era.By weaving together history, politics, literature, and popular culture, this book invites readers to immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Cold War Britain, offering fresh insights and perspectives into how this global conflict shaped the fabric of British society. Matching superb narrative storytelling with scholarly analysis and visually stunning photography from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, this book gives a fascinating insight into a pivotal period in world history. Chapter One: Origins Dive into the tumultuous aftermath of World War II, where Britain grappled with its status as a world power amidst economic devastation. Explore pivotal moments such as the carving up of Europe and the influential voices of figures like Orwell and Churchill in defining the Cold War era. Chapter Two: The Special Relationship Uncover the deep political and cultural ties between the UK and the USA, navigating through testing times that nevertheless strengthened their bond. Examine how this special relationship influenced Britain’s Cold War trajectory. Chapter Three: The Bomb Engage in the debates surrounding Britain’s pursuit of an independent nuclear deterrent, amidst the backdrop of cloak-and-dagger intrigue epitomised by the Cambridge Spies. Explore the moral dilemmas and strategic imperatives that shaped Britain’s nuclear policy. Chapter Four: The Peace Movement Delve into the grassroots movements advocating for peace amidst Cold War tensions. Through oral histories and archival photographs, witness the voices and faces of those who sought to challenge the status quo, examining the establishment of CND, Aldermaston, and Greenham Common. Chapter Five: Hot Wars Explore Britain’s entanglements in global conflicts with a Cold War context, from Cyprus and Korea to Northern Ireland and the Falklands. How did Britain avoid the quagmire of Vietnam? Uncover the geopolitical complexities and ideological battles that defined these conflicts. Chapter Six: Popular Culture Experience the Cold War through the lens of popular culture, from the dystopian visions of George Orwell to the glamorous espionage of James Bond. Explore how cultural artifacts reflected and influenced public perceptions of the Cold War era. Chapter Seven: Endings and Legacies Navigate through the tumultuous events that marked the end of the Cold War, from Thatcher and Gorbachev to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Reflect on the lasting legacies of this era and examine how institutions like the Imperial War Museums interpret and commemorate the Cold War.

A fascinating month-by-month collection of facts, figures and explanations related to UK weather. Discover historical facts, notable weather events, amazing statistics and stories that will keep you informed all year round.You can delve as deeply as you like, or follow your own favourite topic throughout the year. discover little-known secrets about the weatherlearn fascinating facts and notable meteorological anniversariestrack weather patterns over the previous 12 monthsexamine weather extremes, temperature and atmospheric pressure highs and lowscheck wind, rainfall and snowfall extremesdiscover the times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset across the UK capital citiesfind the Moon's Phases and Ages for the yearwritten by weather expert Zoë Johnson

The perfect gift for nature lovers and weather watchers.A fascinating month-by-month collection of facts, figures and explanations related to UK weather. Discover historical facts, notable weather events, amazing statistics and stories that will keep you informed all year round.You can delve as deeply as you like, or follow your own favourite topic throughout the year. discover little-known secrets about the weatherlearn fascinating facts and notable meteorological anniversariestrack weather patterns over the previous 12 monthsexamine weather extremes, temperature and atmospheric pressure highs and lowscheck wind, rainfall and snowfall extremesdiscover the times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset across the UK capital citiesfind the Moon's Phases and Ages for the yearwritten by weather expert Zoë Johnson