Batsford – förlag

The classic No.1 chess bestseller, now in a new and refreshed edition.Once you’ve learned the basic moves, where can you go next? What’s the best way to improve your chess? Try this book!In this much-loved classic, legendary chess writer Irving Chernev explains 33 complete games in forensic detail, going into the players’ minds to explain the thought processes behind each and every move. Playing through these games and explanations will give you a real and invaluable insight into the power of the pieces and how to use them most effectively.Passed down through the decades from generation to generation of players, this enduring bestseller is a secret weapon for improving your game.As the author says: ‘Each game that you play through will be an exciting adventure in chess in which courage, wit, imagination and ingenuity reap their just reward. It is by appreciating and absorbing what they teach so pleasurably that we can best learn to play Logical Chess, Move by Move.’

An exquisite literary anthology that celebrates life’s comforts and joys, both big and small.This warm and welcoming anthology concentrates on the things that make us happy, from spending time in nature and seeing our friends, to enjoying the comfort of being at home. The Cosy Commonplace Book contains a rich selection of quotations from novels, letters and diaries and poems from a wide range of writers including Jackie Kay, William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Jorge Luis Borges, Sara Teasdale and many more.Alongside the literary content, Miranda Mills provides a wealth of additional features including book lists to help you plan your reading, TV and film recommendations, recipes and lists of cosy activities for all times of the year.Chapters include: Celebrating Cosy Season; Nature’s Tonic; No Place Like Home; Simple Pleasures; Wise Words for a Happy Life; Love and Friendship.Illustrated with enchanting domestic scenes and pretty, colourful background designs, this book is perfect to dip in and out of, to bring joy to your everyday life.

Artist Ann Blockley is renowned for her innovative approach to traditional subjects. Following the huge success of her previous book, Experimental Flowers in Watercolour, she now explores ways to interpret landscape. Packed with stunning examples of her colourful, expressive work, this book encourages you to experiment with the same techniques in your own watercolour painting to develop a personal style. Techniques covered include combining water-based paint and ink with other media such as gesso and collage to create dramatic effects; manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm); tearing, layering and reassembling paintings into watercolour collages; and developing textures and marks made using fabrics and other found objects. Throughout the book Ann offers her personal commentary on how her paintings were created, giving us a unique insight into the mind of the artist.Both practical and inspirational, this glorious book is the ideal companion for watercolour painters who want to take their work a step further.

Reimagine your house (and your life) using tips from internet feng shui expert Cliff Tan.If you're not happy with your home – fix it with feng shui! How you live affects your mood and your life, and in Feng Shui Fix It! Cliff shows how you can use his easy-to-follow tips and tricks to clear the clutter, place furniture in your rooms, and add colour and decor to achieve your ideal living environment. The ancient practice of feng shui is full of practical advice to improve your space and Cliff explains the 100 most important feng shui beliefs about your home, what they mean for our modern context, and how you can fix any faux pas.Cliff has helped millions of people across the world fix their homes through his social media videos and his one-on-one client meetings – and now he's bringing the most-asked questions and answers together here, alongside his own drawings explaining each concept. Cliff's aim is simple: he wants you to feel happy to be home the moment you step foot inside your front door. If you've ever wondered:Where to place your bed for the best night's sleep How to fit your work desk into your houseHow to make your entranceway feel more welcoming How to create a money corner How to make your bedroom ready for a partner What to do if your living room faces a cemeteryWhy it feels uncomfortable to have a bathroom above your bedroomCliff will answer your queries and more, along with explaining the principles of feng shui. Now there is no excuse not to fix it and live a better life. 'There are reasons behind each feng shui rule. Indeed, moving furniture around can actually change your life – as long as you understand how and why' – Cliff

An enthralling chess biography of the celebrated player José Raúl Capablanca, documenting his greatest matches to give new insights to his tactical brilliance and incisive playing style.This important book marks the life and games of a much-celebrated chess legend, and is vital to any chess player's collection. Learn all about José Raúl Capablanca, his rigorous style and conceptual discoveries and how they exist in a modern context, and the moves that made him the best in the world.Renowned Swedish chess author and chess master Thomas Engqvist plays through the best and most famous games of his chess idol José Raúl Capablanca (1888–1942). Capablanca is widely recognised as one of the greatest chess players of all time, whose reign as unbeaten World Champion from 1921 to 1927 is seen as a vital turning point between the old-fashioned Classical School of chess to the 'Hypermodern' period which is still influential to this day.With thirteen chapters that deep-dive into some of Capablanca's more famous and influential games, this book contains many illustrative chess boards so you can play through the games yourself, move by move, accompanied by Engqvist's insightful commentary, as well as a selection of photos of Capablanca throughout his career for a more visual insight into his life.

Curious Cats and Fantastical Felines gives an intriguing insight into the historical relationship between cats and humans by exploring the folklore, myths and legends that relate to cats from around the globe. For thousands of years, cats and humankind have been inextricably intertwined. From the Ancient Egyptian Goddess Bastet to the cat demon Yokai of Japan, people have been fascinated, enthralled and horrified in equal measure by everything feline-related.Throughout history, cats have been revered and reviled and everything in between. Worshipped as divine, blamed for plague and pestilence, or labelled as the demonic companions of witches – whether fair or foul, no other animal has attracted such consistent attention, a fact strongly illustrated by the vast number of myths, legends, sayings, superstitions and tales that exist regarding these enigmatic creatures.Today, mankind is no less under the feline thrall, with cat memes, videos and celebrity cat accounts numbering amongst the highest-ranking entertainment across the internet. Unknown to many, this cultural fascination has a deep and rich history that spans continents and millennia. Discover the roots of this age-old captivation with our feline counterparts and why they have been loved – or otherwise – by so many.

The pleasures to be had from slowing down can be many, with connections to sustainability, simplicity, reflection, and tuning into traditional and other multicultural textile traditions.Slow Stitch is a much-needed guide to adopting a less-is-more approach, valuing quality over quantity, and bringing a meaningful and thoughtful approach to textile practice.Claire Wellesley-Smith introduces a range of ways in which you can slow your textile work down, including: Using simple techniques inspired by traditional practice (including hand-stitch rhythms)Reusing and re-inventing materials (reuse even old textile projects)Limiting your equipmentMending revisited (practical and decorative techniques)Project ideas and resources that help towards making a more sustainable textile practiceRichly illustrated throughout, and showcasing work from the best textile artists who work in this way, this is a truly inspirational book for those looking to reconnect with their craft and to find a new way of working.

An inspirational and practical art manual, packed with step-by-step projects.Artist Ann Blockley is renowned for her innovative approach to watercolour painting. Her highly anticipated new book provides a series of workshops demonstrating how to push the boundaries of watercolour, using key techniques to develop your own work and take your paintings to the next level. Ann's easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects demonstrate how some of her most dramatic paintings are created. She describes in detail some of the key techniques used and how you can experiment with alternative methods to create your own interpretations. Finally, her beautiful and inspirational artworks demonstrate how different interpretations of a subject might take an unexpected or unusual direction, and how to make the most of these opportunities.The book moves, with progressively challenging projects, from loose wildflower meadows, textured woodland and rustic rambling walls to atmospheric or semi-abstract landscape corners, all rendered in Ann’s adventurous signature style. Loose, expressive mark-making and unusual techniques include combining water-based paint and ink with granulation medium for dramatic texture, drawing with twigs, using gesso and collage to create unique effects; manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm); developing printed marks made using found materials.Following the huge demand for more practical guidance in experimental painting, the book provides plenty of techniques and instruction. Ann’s personal commentary also gives a unique insight into the mind of the artist – ways of looking at your subject, how to explore and experiment – to unlock the potential of your watercolour painting.

Innovative techniques in painting woodlands from renowned artist Ann Blockley.Watercolourist Ann Blockley is known for her striking and intriguing paintings of natural landscapes. In this beautiful guide she explores woodlands in a variety of interpretations, from tangled groves and ancient trees to fiery leaves and springtime orchards.With simple instructions and easy-to-follow demonstrations throughout, the book draws inspiration from forest poetry, birdsong and folklore. There’s practical advice on working outside, experimenting with mixing colours (especially greens), playing with water effects, using salt and granulation, mark-making and spattering with found objects such as leaves and twigs, creating texture with gesso and working with collage. Other techniques include working with oak gall ink and charcoal, and how to incorporate words, text and photo transfer.The book is illustrated throughout with stunning examples of Blockley’s colourful, expressive work, including a case study of her own woodland garden. Also showcased are works by fellow artists from The Arborealist group, the Royal Institute, and the Pastel Society to inspire you further.Pushing the boundaries of watercolour and other mixed media, this delightful wander through the woods is the ideal companion for both beginners and the more experienced landscape painter who wishes to take their painting to the next level.

A practical and inspirational guide to creating beautiful bespoke quilts without the constraints of strict rules or patterns.In Free-Form Quilts and Patchwork, internationally renowned Jessie Cutts of Cutts & Sons shows quilting doesn’t need to be daunting or require meticulous measurements or lots of planning. Instead, you can design and make up your work as you go along, being playful with colour and allowing mistakes to take your projects in new creative directions. In clear and engaging text accompanied by striking photography of the artist’s own work, Jessie guides readers through:• Exercises to help practise improvisation, encouraging a looser approach to patchwork without a specific project in mind.• Projects that introduce methodology while allowing space to create unique compositions. These include hand stitching a potholder or a mini quilt; experimenting with tonal stripes; creating playful blocks and loose checkboards.• Information on materials and techniques with tips on collecting fabrics, creating palettes, cutting with confidence, machine piecing, hand stitching, improvising guidelines, patchwork guidelines and how to finish and display quilts.With an emphasis on letting go of conventions and perfectionism, and instead allowing serendipity to be part of the enjoyable process of creating compositions in fabric, this book is ideal for anyone who feels intimidated by precise patterns and wants to create personal and unique quilts with guidance on how to get there.

International Sensation and Sunday Times BestsellerMillie Marotta is a hugely popular illustrator and her idiosyncratic drawings of the world's wonderful creatures will draw you in. Millie's Animal Kingdom offers a range of beautiful illustration to colour in, personalise and make your own.The artist's intricate style of illustration will get you itching for a pen, whether it's to add to the fine line hatching on the birds, the flowing tendrils of a jellyfish, or the composite of flowers that make up a grizzly bear. The work will inspire you to appreciate the detail of line drawing and its huge potential.You can colour her work or add your own line drawings to make it special to you. Add your own patterns to the lively forest scene, choose your own birds to add to the branches, or make a pattern with your colour choices. Each picture offers scope to improve your artistic skills while giving you a finished picture to show for your endeavours. The images and imaginative scenarios can be completed in colours of your choosing and are guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing.

A practical guide to painting nature's flora and fauna from award-winning botanical painting authors Meriel Thurstan and Rosie Martin.Recording the wildlife that surrounds us is an age-old art. The authors, in collaboration with the Eden Project, show us how to accurately and beautifully capture the natural world on canvas and make the most of the revival of this art form.Step by step, they take you through the whole process of capturing the essence of some of the most beautiful things on earth. From dinosaur skeletons and fossils to birds, butterflies and frogs. Learn how to paint the subtle scales on a fish, the iridescence of a feather or the lustre on a shell.The authors take you through the full range of skills and techniques you need to undertake natural history drawing and painting. Key techniques are explained with practical step-by-step demonstrations. Beautiful illustrations by the authors are featured throughout and will inspire you and illuminate the techniques you are learning.Painting Nature’s Details is a stunning book on an art form that is fast becoming the new botanical illustration.

100 contemporary patchwork designs using the traditional log cabin block, ideal for anyone wanting a modern take on this popular pattern.The log cabin block has been one of the foundations of patchwork quilting for over a century and a half. From the key idea – strips of fabric (the logs) sewn around a central square – it lends itself to almost countless variations. In this beautiful and practical book, textile artist Catherine-Marie Longtin guides you through 100 of these variations, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary.Starting with an inspirational showcase of the block designs, Log Cabin Quilt Blocks then offers step-by-step instructions on how to create each of the blocks for yourself, as well as ideas on how to play with the basic elements of the log cabin to produce stunning new designs. The techniques and step-by-step instructions include:• How to develop your own sense of colour and work with less traditional patchwork materials like linen.• How to create 4-, 3- and 2-sided blocks, quarter circles, courthouse steps, rectangle and polygonal designs.• How to use double strips and cornerstones to create striking graphic effects.• How to create more texture with foundation piecing, and much more...A comprehensive block directory includes diagrams of each block, along with measurements for each component. Once completed, the blocks can be stitched together to create unique quilts, or used as they are for cushions, artworks and other handmade objects.Whether you wish to reproduce the blocks, use the book for inspiration to create your own designs, or simply leaf through this captivating series of log cabin studies, this book is the perfect resource.

An elegant new edition of a classic book from one of the twentieth century’s greatest garden writers.This landmark work on creating a garden was first published in 1956 and has rarely been out of print since. We Made a Garden is the story of how Margery Fish, one of the leading British gardeners of the mid-20th century, and her husband Walter transformed an acre of wilderness into a stunning cottage garden, still open to the public at East Lambrook Manor, Somerset, England. Quirky and readable, this book details her creation of a world-renowned cottage garden, as well as her battles with Walter in the process, who preferred the standard suburban approach.In this beautiful and timeless work, she recounts the trials and tribulations, the successes and failures of her venture with ease and humour. Topics covered are colourful and diverse, ranging from the most suitable hyssop for the terraced garden through composting, hedges and making paths to the best time to lift and replant tulip bulbs. This book has been hailed as everything from a blueprint for the creation of a modern cottage garden to a feminist manifesto, and the author’s practical knowledge, imaginative ideas and general good sense will encourage and inspire gardeners everywhere.

In Taking the Fear Out of Watercolour, Hazel Soan teaches you to paint with confidence, releasing you from the fear and trepidation that so often accompanies this challenging medium.At first glance watercolour painting appears to be quite easy, meaning that beginners start off with very high hopes that are quickly dashed as they realise that it is much trickier than it looks. With wet pigment moving on paper, watercolour is often unpredictable, and it is easy to feel like you are out of control.In this in-depth guide Hazel Soan takes an alternative approach, teaching you how to work with the watercolour medium and not against it. Special emphasis is placed on the medium’s needs as she demonstrates an importance of understanding the properties of the pigments, the fabric of the paper and the purpose and versatility of each and every brushstroke. Full of thoughtful troubleshooting tips and advice, Hazel explains how and when to have control, when to cajole and coax, and more importantly, when to let go.Packed with finished paintings, step-by-step demonstrations and works in progress, this handy book takes you through all the common problems that arise in watercolour painting, allowing beginners and improvers alike to increase their skill levels and produce beautiful results.

WINNER of the Stanford's Award for Printed Mapping, British Cartographic Survey Awards 2026Awarded History Book of the Year 2025 by London Historians – 'A complete joy.'Awarded HIGHLY COMMENDED at the British Book Design and Production Awards 2026.A stylish collection of beautifully designed maps of each individual London borough, paired with quirky and fascinating facts about what you’ll find there.Cartographer and illustrator Mike Hall is renowned for his retro-themed print collection of boldly coloured, highly detailed maps of every London borough, inspired by classic 1960s graphic design. Published to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the boroughs’ establishment, The Boroughs of London brings together all of Mike’s London maps in one elegant volume to pore over.But that’s not all: alongside the maps is a wealth of authoritative but chatty commentary on each borough from Matt Brown, author of many Batsford books and acknowledged London expert. Packed with interesting facts, anecdotes and trivia, the book provides an introduction to each borough and its constituent neighbourhoods, as well as coverage of ten key places of interest per borough, including historic buildings, monuments, squares, parks and street markets, accompanied by quirky illustrations. It all adds up to a fascinating snapshot of the borough’s rich history and present-day diversity and culture.From well-known, much-visited central London boroughs like Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to less famous, further-flung suburban areas such as Bexley and Hillingdon, this book provides endless revelations about one of the greatest cities of the world, borough by borough. It’s the perfect book for London-dwellers, London visitors and London obsessives, history fans, cartophiles and graphic design aficionados. Readers will want to visit every borough!

Computer-generated, historically accurate patterns enable you to make a wide range of garments, such as doublets, hose, bodices, skirts, hats and headdresses – even underwear. There are also plenty of ideas for decoration and embellishment such as ruffs, cuffs, collars, embroidery and other surface decoration. The full range of Tudor society is represented, including lower- and middle-class clothing as well as the more sumptuous costumes from the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. There are also patterns for childrenswear and maternity wear, plus information on how to store and look after your finished clothing. In addition to the patterns, there are detailed drawings of each costume and information about historical context, including original paintings and source material.

‘Still seen as the classic games collection’– English Chess Federation'It is a work of genius'– The Compulsive ReaderOne of the most important chess books ever written, reissued in celebration of a chess genius, Bobby Fischer.The American takes the reader through 60 of his games, describing his thoughts, the intricacies behind his and his opponent's strategies, the tactical justification of moves and the psychological battle in each one. You'll find beautifully simple positional play by out-of-this-world combinations that are just breathtaking. Fischer played nearly all of these games as a grandmaster so they are at the very highest level, but his lucid commentary makes every move and idea both accessible and understandable, meaning that every player will learn huge amounts from this book. It is an essential for each chess enthusiast, competitor and professional alike.The controversial alterations that were made to Bobby Fischer's words in the last edition have been omitted in this book, so only the author's own words are expressed, giving a true insight into one of the most gifted, troubled and controversial minds of the 20th century.

A brand new colouring collection from number 1 bestselling illustrator Millie Marotta, exploring wildlife conservation – a subject very close to her heart.This gorgeous book features 77 amazing animals and plants from around the world to colour, with a focus on endangered and vulnerable species. Containing a rich mix of wildlife from the much-loved snow leopard to the adorable axolotl, from the vibrant ladybird spider to the otherworldly galaxy frog, it’s a celebration of creatures that are currently at risk but that humanity is making efforts to save.Use your pencils or pens to bring colourful life to a wealth of wonderful wildlife, all rendered in Millie's beautifully intricate style, including:• Big beasts like the Javan rhino, the Bactrian camel and the elusive mountain gorilla.• Treasures of the sea: the dugong, the mini blue bee shrimp and the northern right whale.• Beautiful birds: the northern lapwing, the Ocarito kiwi and the fearsome bearded vulture.• The insects that pollinate our world: many different bumblebee species, the purple skimmer dragonfly and the Madeiran brimstone butterfly.• ‘Lazarus species’, thought to be extinct but now discovered in the world, such as the Cuban solenodon and the night parrot, and a few long-extinct and near-mythological animals – the woolly mammoth and the sabre-tooth tiger.Printed on high-quality paper with minimal show-through, suitable for all sorts of colouring media, this is a glorious treasury of the wildlife we don't want to lose.

An introduction to making himmeli straw mobiles with 22 unique projects.Discover the traditional art of himmeli in this captivating book in which Finnish craft and sleek artistry intertwine to create stunning geometric mobiles from rye straw. The exquisite mobiles with their angular lines, geometric shapes and crisp, airy feeling have something natural and timeless about them. With the addition of colours and new materials such as paper drinking straws, they become modern sculptures that can adorn your home or make thoughtful gifts for friends and family.In Himmeli you get a comprehensive introduction to building himmeli mobiles alongside step-by-step instructions and a gallery of inspirational images that will help both beginners and seasoned crafters create 22 beautiful mobiles. This absorbing book covers:• Himmeli: history and folklore• Rye straw: an introduction to materials• Geometric beauty: the basic shapes• The technique: tips for a successful build• Projects: with step-by-step instructions and diagramsHimmeli is your key to creating timeless, intricate hanging mobiles from readily available and affordable materials to bring a touch of Nordic flair to your home.

A practical guide to using gouache in botanical painting, by a leading botanical painter.Gouache is an opaque water-based medium, often called body colour, that produces crisp and vibrant paintings, and is becoming increasingly popular in botanical painting. Leading botanical painter, Simon Williams, specializes in painting in gouache and this is his first book.Botanical Painting in Gouache is full of practical advice on all aspects of using the exciting medium of gouache and contains many step-by-step demonstration paintings. In addition to the sumptuous flower paintings there are also sections on painting butterflies, birds and exotic and unusual plants from the rainforest.

One of the best guide books ... all that you need to ensure a thoroughly enjoyable do-it-yourself Outlander tour.'– Outlander Home Page'Beautifully presented ... and the print quality of the book is top-notch.'– Scottish Field'Billow and breeze, islands and seas, Mountains of rain and sun...'Since 18th-century Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and resourceful 20th century medic, Claire Randall first met on screen in 2014, millions of viewers have been swept away by the Outlander TV series to the wild hills and craggy castles of Scotland. Now you can follow in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie with this guide to the inspiring locations where Diana Gabaldon’s novels were set and the hit tv show were filmed.From the ancient cobbled streets, gabled palace and herb garden of Culross, which became fictional Cranesmuir, to the iconic 1960s Pathfoot Building at the University of Stirling, which Claire’s daughter Brianna visits on her first trip to Scotland, you can time-travel through centuries. In Scotland, different eras coexist and collide – just as they do in Outlander.Focusing on easy day trips from the characterful cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow – themselves jam-packed with Outlander locations – this guide will tell you about the most rewarding sights, when to visit them and how to get there.

An informative and accessible new book by Thomas Engqvist, the practical follow up to his previous two authoritative chess books: 300 Most Important Chess Positions and 300 Most Important Tactical Chess Positions. Filled with 300 engaging chess exercises and complete solutions in the end of the book, this book will allow you to apply and consolidate your newfound knowledge. The book is divided into four key sections: ·75 exercises practising positional ideas in the opening/middlegame ·75 exercises covering the endgame ·75 tactical exercises in the opening/middlegame ·75 tactical endgames.The exercises featured in the book are taken from real game positions from various renowned chess players, including Capablanca and Magnus Carlsen.

A seasonal touchstone packed full of quotes, book lists, recipes, poems and observations on the natural world to keep close at hand and to accompany you through the year.Commonplace books have been kept for centuries, and have historically been used to record favourite passages from books, poetry, anecdotes, extracts from letters, proverbs, lists, shared recipes, quotes, prayers and lyrics. ‘Commonplacing’ has seen a recent revival and can now be seen more as a highly personal anthology – a joyful place where the keeper can develop a deeper sense of self by selecting fragments of language that feel meaningful and reflect their tastes, beliefs and values.In this book, delve into blogger, Instagrammer and YouTuber Miranda Mills' ultimate commonplace book, a carefully curated guide to the seasons. Including poetry by Robert Browning, Emily Brontë, Sara Teasdale, Lemn Sissay, and with extracts from Edith Wharton, George Eliot, Alison Uttley, Louisa May Alcott, Adrian Bell and many, many more. Connect more deeply with yourself and your creative impulses as you explore everything each season has to offer, and even be inspired to create your own personalised commonplace book.

Learn Sashiko, the timeless Japanese form of decorative stitch repair, to mend your clothes, bedsheets and more.The Japanese art of Sashiko is a joyful and practical method of decorative repair. It is a hand sewing technique with a long and colourful history, based on simple stitches that anyone can pick up, regardless of skill level. This book contains both simple and advanced patterns to cater to those both new and well-versed in this timeless craft. Sashiko is used to repair and decorate clothing, bed covers, tablecloths; nearly any textile you could think of. It is a functional, decorative way to give new life to tired or damaged clothing. In Mending with Sashiko, you will learn how to sew with different techniques such as hitomezashi, moyozashi and koginsashi, and learn which techniques are best for which materials. There are direct instructions on how to mend jeans, shirts, socks and more, as well as how to utilise your new skills on larger projects, such as patchwork quilts. Takao 'Momi' Momiyama is a renowned artist and Sashiko practitioner, and in Mending with Sashiko you are invited into his workshop where he shares his best tips and tricks for successful stitching. You can dive into Momi's archive and take a closer look at garments that he has repeatedly repaired with Sashiko over the years; in some cases, up to 40 years. You can observe how this continuous cycle of wear, tear and repair affects the clothing in a way that is rarely seen in our throw-away culture, and see how mending your clothes with Sashiko, either simply with functionality in mind or with more intricate embroidery patterns, turns your clothes into unique and sustainable pieces for life.

'...a book that leaves you with a fiery desire to get out the door for a run.' – Laura Green'...captures all the beauty, all the anguish, all the feelings and stories and rituals that made us fall in love — and stay in love — with running.' – Anne Helen Petersen, author of Culture Study.This is Running is a celebration of the world of running, exploring everything you'd need to know about the sport and the rich culture that surrounds it. Running is huge with an estimated 621 million runners worldwide but behind that statistic is a world that is as diverse as the people who engage in it. From the elite endurance of the Rarámuri tribe from Mexico who frequently run ultramarathons in nothing but simple sandals made from discarded car tires to some of the most famous races which are household names for runners and non-runners alike, coach and journalist Raziq Rauf gives a fascinating snapshot of this world.This is Running covers why, where and how we run, incorporating insights from psychologists, sociologists and other experts from our first dash around a childhood playground to joining a run club or hitting high-altitude mountain trails whether that be for the health benefits, to make friends, test your own limits or to explore the world around you.A host of compelling essays explore topics such as running’s technological revolution, brands and streetwear, women’s experiences of running, the boom of trail running and the future of the sport. Also included is a selection of the world’s most notable runs including The London Marathon, the UTMB and the Barkley Marathons, and Q&As with individuals who are pioneering global running culture including influencer and comedian Laura Green, Nils Arend from The Speed Project, professional trail running athlete Dylan Bowman and Jessica Zapotechne from Girls Run NYC.Beautifully illustrated throughout with striking photography, This is Running is the perfect gift for the obsessive runner in your life, or for anyone who wants to know more about the sport and the culture that surrounds it.Quite simply, if you are a runner, this book is catnip to your passion.

A glorious exploration of BMW, one of the greatest car brands of all time, with dynamic photography and lively text that explains why people love them.Known as 'the ultimate driving machine', BMW is one of the world's most prestigious car brands. Renowned for their smooth handling, precision engineering and sleek looks, BMWs pair driving comfort with powerful engines. Originally formed during the first world war, the company reached new heights of popularity in the 1960s and is still going strong today.This captivating book outlines all the most iconic BMW models, from their first car, the Dixi of 1927, to today's high-performance models, including the beautiful 1955 507 roadster, the instantly recognisable 2002 from the 1960s, and the iconic E30 M3, first manufactured in the mid-1980s. Each evocative vintage photograph is accompanied by insightful explanation.The ideal gift for every car enthusiast, whether they're a BMW owner or just aspire to be, this beautifully illustrated book conveys perfectly the joys of this classic brand.

'Majestic' – The Idler'An absolute treasure trove.' – The Scotsman'Neil Macdonald's triumph of a book' – Transworld SkateboardingElsewhere is the definitive oral history of British skateboarding. Told chronologically from the beginning of its identity shift to the start of the new millennium, the book explores the lasting influence British skateboarding continues to have on fashion, film, photography, art and media. While British skateboarders moved the sport away from its Californian roots, embracing a different terrain with skaters in the north taking to ramps in abandoned warehouses and in the south skating the streets of new developments, the story of skateboarding in the UK goes far beyond the act of riding a board. As important were the cottage industries of clothes manufacture, photography, filmmaking and zine production which were inspired by British skateboarders: many of which are now multi-million-pound brands which regulate mainstream culture today. Suitable not only for skaters but for anyone interested in film, fashion and photography, Elsewhere tells the story of skateboarding in the UK during the pivotal era of 1987–2002 when the British iteration of the sport developed its own unique identity and subsequently went on to inspire and transform global popular culture.

A beautiful gift edition of one of the most inspirational and influential chess books ever written.First published in 1969, My 60 Memorable Games offers a rare window into the mind of chess icon Bobby Fischer. It contains Fischer’s objective, honest and self-critical annotations to games he had won, drawn and even lost in the period from 1957 to 1967 – but from which he also learned valuable lessons.Reading Fischer’s intensely personal commentaries is like going back in time and watching live coverage of his over-the-board battles with the leading players of the day. Soon he would become the greatest of them all.Released in a luxurious new edition for collectors, with a foiled cover and an eight-page plate section, this remarkable book is a true insight into one of the most gifted, troubled and controversial minds of the 20th century.