James Mackay – författare

This is a newly updated guide to getting the most out the world's most popular hobby, with countless examples of rare, vivid and historical stamps spanning two centuries, plus advice on price and guidance about acquisition. Read some of the fascinating stories behind the world's most sought-after stamps, from the famous commemoratives of American presidents to issues from some of the most remote post offices in the world. Stamps trace the character and history of the country from which they originate, and this encyclopedic visual directory is an engrossing account of some of the most bizarre, vivid and poignant examples ever created.

Newly updated in 2020, this is the definitive illustrated reference to the world's greatest coins and a professional guide to building a spectacular collection, featuring over 3000 colour images. The ultimate expert guide to coins and coin collecting, this is an in-depth introduction to the origins, anatomy and usage of coins looks at the birth of the world's first currencies. Practical advice on evaluating grade and condition that will enable the amateur to gauge the value of their latest acquisitions, and step-by-step techniques show how to restore and preserve coins of all ages. The fully-illustrated country-by-country directory contains concise and lively histories of modern-day territories and ancient regimes, plus engrossing stories of some of the most remarkable coins in existence. This is a full-colour global guide to world coinage, from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present day, featuring coins and collectables for 200 countries. It provides an expert guide to understanding the value and identity of coins, with insights into dates, metals, denominations, shapes, mintmarks, and portraits. A thorough introduction details the history of coin production around the world, from the origins of coinage in the seventh century BC, to its subsequent development by Alexander the Great, Cleopatra and Napoleon, through to its role in today's society. It includes over 3000 life-size colour images of wonderful coins, including the boat-shaped issues of ancient Byzantium, the bronze tokens of the Chinese dynasties, the emergency World War One issues, the Vatican coins, and many more.

English for Vocational Purposes provides a linguistic description of English in the context of the trades and investigates how this specialist language is used in real-world contexts. As the demand for English-speaking workers in the trades grows internationally, a major gap in the research on language in the trades is evident. Based on courses in construction and engineering at a polytechnic in New Zealand, this book offers an empirical response to this gap in research. Features of this book include:

new research on linguistic features of written and spoken texts in trades education, with a special focus on discourse, visual elements of written texts and vocabulary;

real-life examples of the language in context, along with implications for teaching and learning and a chapter devoted to putting research findings into practice;

qualitative and quantitative data to support examples and shed light on the most complex aspects of English as a trades language;

supplementary material online which includes technical word lists in areas of carpentry, plumbing, automotive technology and fabrication (welding).

Paving the way for a new research agenda in the field of ESP, English for Vocational Purposes is key reading for advanced students, researchers and practitioners in the areas of ESP, trades education and vocational education.

English for Vocational Purposes provides a linguistic description of English in the context of the trades and investigates how this specialist language is used in real-world contexts. As the demand for English-speaking workers in the trades grows internationally, a major gap in the research on language in the trades is evident. Based on courses in construction and engineering at a polytechnic in New Zealand, this book offers an empirical response to this gap in research. Features of this book include:

new research on linguistic features of written and spoken texts in trades education, with a special focus on discourse, visual elements of written texts and vocabulary;

real-life examples of the language in context, along with implications for teaching and learning and a chapter devoted to putting research findings into practice;

qualitative and quantitative data to support examples and shed light on the most complex aspects of English as a trades language;

supplementary material online which includes technical word lists in areas of carpentry, plumbing, automotive technology and fabrication (welding).

Paving the way for a new research agenda in the field of ESP, English for Vocational Purposes is key reading for advanced students, researchers and practitioners in the areas of ESP, trades education and vocational education.

English for Vocational Purposes provides a linguistic description of English in the context of the trades and investigates how this specialist language is used in real-world contexts. As the demand for English-speaking workers in the trades grows internationally, a major gap in the research on language in the trades is evident. Based on courses in construction and engineering at a polytechnic in New Zealand, this book offers an empirical response to this gap in research. Features of this book include:new research on linguistic features of written and spoken texts in trades education, with a special focus on discourse, visual elements of written texts and vocabulary;real-life examples of the language in context, along with implications for teaching and learning and a chapter devoted to putting research findings into practice;qualitative and quantitative data to support examples and shed light on the most complex aspects of English as a trades language;supplementary material online which includes technical word lists in areas of carpentry, plumbing, automotive technology and fabrication (welding).Paving the way for a new research agenda in the field of ESP, English for Vocational Purposes is key reading for advanced students, researchers and practitioners in the areas of ESP, trades education and vocational education.

English for Vocational Purposes provides a linguistic description of English in the context of the trades and investigates how this specialist language is used in real-world contexts. As the demand for English-speaking workers in the trades grows internationally, a major gap in the research on language in the trades is evident. Based on courses in construction and engineering at a polytechnic in New Zealand, this book offers an empirical response to this gap in research. Features of this book include: new research on linguistic features of written and spoken texts in trades education, with a special focus on discourse, visual elements of written texts and vocabulary; real-life examples of the language in context, along with implications for teaching and learning and a chapter devoted to putting research findings into practice; qualitative and quantitative data to support examples and shed light on the most complex aspects of English as a trades language; supplementary material online which includes technical word lists in areas of carpentry, plumbing, automotive technology and fabrication (welding).Paving the way for a new research agenda in the field of ESP, English for Vocational Purposes is key reading for advanced students, researchers and practitioners in the areas of ESP, trades education and vocational education.

Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie is one of history's greatest heroes, but also one of its greatest enigmas - a shadowy figure whose edges have been blurred by myth and legend. Even the date and place of his birth have been mis-stated - until now. James Mackay uses all his skills as a historical detective to produce this definitive biography, telling the incredible story of a man who, without wealth or noble birth, rose to become Guardian of Scotland. William Wallace, with superb generalship and tactical genius, led a country with no previous warlike tradition to triumph gloriously over the much larger, better-armed and better-trained English forces. Seven hundred years later, the heroism and betrayal, the valiant deeds and the dark atrocities, and the struggle of a small nation against a brutal and powerful empire, still create a compelling tale.

Andrew Carnegie (1835–1922) was a mass of contradictions: a radical Chartist who became a rabid capitalist, an idealist who was also a profound cynic, a committed pacifist who also played a crucial role in the opening part of the American Civil War, and a ladies’ man who had to wait until his fifties (after his domineering mother died) before forming a meaningful relationship with a woman. From bobbin boy in a Pittsburgh factory he progressed to messenger boy, telegraphist and railway superintendent. His meteoric rise owed much to his boss, Thomas Scott, who also cut the young Carnegie in on his first lucrative share deal. The youth who earned thirty-five dollars a month was on the road to his first million within a year or two, and he never looked back. Speculation in rolling-stock and railways, the nascent oil industry, iron and, above all, steel made Carnegie the richest man in the world. Along the way he created fortunes for many others, but trampled on friend and foe alike in his relentless pursuit of money.Then, the man who amassed the largest fortune in the world proceeded to give most of it away. From free libraries to world peace, the Carnegie millions were pumped into a host of worthy causes. The Peace Palace at the Hague is the lasting legacy of this global philanthropy; but Carnegie’s faith in the Kaiser to achieve world peace was shattered by the outbreak of the First World War, and it was a setback from which he never recovered.This candid and penetrating biography follows Carnegie from his humble birthplace in Dunfermline to the squalor of Allegheny City and Pittsburgh in the 1840s, and charts his dramatic rise to fame and fortune. Set against the contrasting backdrops of radical Scotland and America during the most turbulent phase of its development, Little Boss is the definitive story of one of the world’s greatest captains of industry.

In My End Is My Beginning is the story of Mary Queen of Scots (1542–87), the tragic heroine par excellence. Queen of an unfamiliar and troubled nation when she was a week old, it was her misfortune to be a pawn in the game of international politics throughout her life. Even in the brief period from 1561 to 1567 when she was ruler of Scotland in fact as well as in name, she was beset with problems that would have defeated a much stronger, more experienced monarch. A talented poet and a charismatic leader, she contended with a treacherous, self-serving nobility, the religious ferment of the Reformation, and the political ambitions of larger and more powerful neighbours. With little real authority and few resources, Mary’s reign was successful, until her disastrous marriage to the dissolute Darnley set in motion the events that brought about her downfall. For the last 20 years of her life she was a prisoner in the hands of her cousin, Elizabeth I of England, and the subject of treacherous plots and conspiracies. A hostage to fortune, she represented a threat and a rallying-point for English Catholics. Her tragic end was inevitable. Yet her life, with all its adventurous, failures and disasters, produced the son – James – who ultimately brought about the union of Scotland and England.In the End Is My Beginning uncovers the true facts of Mary’s life in the context of Anglo-Scottish relations and shows why, after more than 400 years, she remains arguably the greatest character in popular Scottish history.

Thomas Lipton burst onto the national scene in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The Princess of Wales had launched a £30,000 fund to provide a Jublilee dinner for the poor, but, with only weeks to go, no more than £5,000 had been subscribed. Lipton saved the day by writing a cheque for £25,000. The annonymous gift created massive press speculation and even greater publicity when the identity of the donor leaked out two days later. Lipton's generosity earned him a knighthood and propelled him into society at the highest level, a personal friend of the future King and Queen.Many of the myths that surrounded Lipton in the latter part of his life were created at this time and would be fixed for ever in his autobiography, published shortly after his death in 1931. Until now, what we know of Sir Thomas Lipton, grocery millionaire and yachtsman, is what he chose to tell the world about himself. Now literally detective James Mackay has uncovered the true story of one of the turn of the century's most extrordinary, larger-than-life characters, a story which is indefinitely more dramatic than the accepted version.Virtually everything Lipton tells us about himself is now shown to be untrue - even the origins of his family, his name, his date of birth and the place where he was born. The man who was hailed as the world's most eligible bachelor (his name was linked romantically with Rose Fitzgerald, the future mother of John F. Kennedy) had at least two skeletons in the closet - a youthful indescretion which led to a forced marriage, and a homosexual affair which lasted for thirty years.As a self-publicist he was a genius, and this was the key to his remarkable success. Beginning with a small shop in Glasgoe in 1871 he created a nationwide grocery chain second to none. In the process, he revolutionised the grocery retail trade, dealing direct with producers and eventually controlling production himself, with tea estates in Ceylon and meat-packing plants in Chicago. He combined a flair for organisation with superb showmanship, with stunts such as five-ton cheeses stuffed with gold sovereigns. In 1898 his company went public in one of the most successful share issues in stockmarket history.Lipton developed an interest in yachting which he pursued with the same single-mindedness as his business ventures. Between 1898 and 1930 he challenged for the America's Cup with a succession of yachts called Shamrock, but the rules of the race were heavily weighted in favour of the American defenders. The saga of his challenges, his near triumphs and the disappointments that would have destroyed a less heroic figure has become the most stirring in the annals of sport, and provides a fitting conclusion to the life of a maverick and outsider who was also one of the most colourful and flamboyant tycoons of all time.

The most charismatic figure to emerge during the struggles for the independence of Ireland was undoubtedly Michael Collins. This remarkable biography, which draws on much hitherto unpublished material, charts the dramatic rise of the country boy who became head of the Free State and the commander-in-chief of the army.

This open access collection is the first to investigate the poetry of Instagram. Alongside academic essays from a variety of theoretical perspectives, it also includes accounts from people actually involved in the creation and circulation of Instapoems.In the 21st century, poetry enjoyed a publishing boom, largely thanks to the rise of a cohort of writers labelled “Instapoets” – named after the Instagram platform where many of them first became famous. The work of these writers has been controversial with other poets and literary critics, who argue that their product is in some way not really poetry: at the same time, Instapoets have reached new audiences, held sold-out readings, and been deeply loved by their fans. In this collection, writers ask how we can approach poems marked by such extreme simplicity. Can we see them as being products of their platform, created to satisfy the algorithm? Might we read their interaction with the digital environment through their hashtags? What importance should we ascribe to the high number of Instapoets from immigrant and other frequently excluded groups? What can we make of the contrast between the capitalist hustle of influencer poetry and the frequent insistence in Instapoetry on the deeply personal? Can Instapoems be generated automatically? What do they tell us about affects of the digital age?The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence onbloomsburycollections.com.

This open access collection is the first to investigate the poetry of Instagram. Alongside academic essays from a variety of theoretical perspectives, it also includes accounts from people actually involved in the creation and circulation of Instapoems.In the 21st century, poetry enjoyed a publishing boom, largely thanks to the rise of a cohort of writers labelled “Instapoets” – named after the Instagram platform where many of them first became famous. The work of these writers has been controversial with other poets and literary critics, who argue that their product is in some way not really poetry: at the same time, Instapoets have reached new audiences, held sold-out readings, and been deeply loved by their fans. In this collection, writers ask how we can approach poems marked by such extreme simplicity. Can we see them as being products of their platform, created to satisfy the algorithm? Might we read their interaction with the digital environment through their hashtags? What importance should we ascribe to the high number of Instapoets from immigrant and other frequently excluded groups? What can we make of the contrast between the capitalist hustle of influencer poetry and the frequent insistence in Instapoetry on the deeply personal? Can Instapoems be generated automatically? What do they tell us about affects of the digital age?The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence onbloomsburycollections.com.

Until the advent of the helicopter, the only way to visit St Kilda was by sea and two companies made the trip their own. John Macallum and Martin Orme owned the ships Hebridean, Hebrides and Dunara Castle and these ships made the regular mail visits to the islands from the 1880s until the late 1930s. They brought trade and tourists to the islands, and were, apart from infrequent calls by fishing boats and whaling ships, the only contact with the outside world. For a short summer each year, once a week, one of the steamers would be in Village Bay discharging cargo, collecting tweed and taking visiting tourists on their quest to view Britain’s most remote inhabitants. James MacKay tells the story of the St Kilda steamers, those ships that have operated to the island group of St Kilda and which helped in the evacuation of the islands in 1930.

Diane Glancy is one of the outstanding Native American authors of modern times. Working in multiple genres – poetry, novel, theatre and nonfiction – she has created a vast, ceaselessly provocative oeuvre (more than 35 volumes) and an instantly recognizable voice. Her subject matter is astonishingly diverse, encompassing everything from the Cherokee Trail of Tears to the New Testament character of Dorcas, from the lives of small-town Midwestern women to the joys of classic automobiles, from grade school maskmaking to the recuperation of personal heritage in the archives.The essays in this groundbreaking volume represent the first attempt to systematically survey this challenging writer. Ten outstanding scholars approach her work, mapping out controversies and providing readers of Glancy with various contexts and comparisons through which to understand her ideas. These chapters take a variety of ideological and methodological positions (feminist, Christian, postcolonial, literary-nationalist and more), the better to draw out the complexities of a writer whose work never lets the reader come to easy conclusions. Also included are an original interview with Glancy herself, a survey of previous criticism and a bibliography of her writings. This volume will therefore serve equally well as an introduction to Glancy for newcomers and as an in-depth survey for people already familiar with her work.The Salt Companion to Diane Glancy is part of a unique series of companion volumes to Native American poets. Previous subjects include Carter Revard and Jim Barnes.