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‘Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage,’ are the opening words of Okakura Kakuzō’s The Book of Tea, written in English in 1906 for a Western audience. The book is a long essay celebrating the secular art of the Japanese tea ceremony and linking its importance with Zen Buddhism and Taoism. It is both about cultural life, aesthetics and philosophy, emphasising how Teaism – a term Kakuzō coined – taught the Japanese many things; most importantly, simplicity, which can be seen in Japanese art and architecture. Looking back at the evolution of the Japanese tea ceremony, Kakuzō argues that Teaism, in itself, is one of the profound universal remedies that two parties could sit down to. Where the West had scoffed at Eastern religion and morals, it held Eastern tea ceremonies in high regard. With a new introduction, this is an exquisitely produced edition of a classic text made using traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques. Surely it’s time for tea.

You may rob the Three Armies of their commander, but you cannot deprive the humblest peasant of his opinion – Confucius (Analects 9.25)The Analects of Confucius has been one of the most widely read and studied books in China for the last 2,000 years, and continues to have a substantial influence on thought and values today. His words largely concern ethics, morality within the family, within marriage and within government, social relationships, justice and sincerity, valour and virtue. But whether you regard this as high philosophy or self- help for all the ages, whether your interest is in Chinese culture or leadership, whether it is spirituality or success that occupies your thoughts, Confucius has wise and accessible things to say about them all.This complete edition of the Analects, which is made up of 20 books of brief passages from Confucius and his disciples, is presented with a new introduction and new editorial notes. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with a timeless design, Confucius: The Analects will appeal to anyone interested in philosophy, spirituality and Chinese culture.

“Chivalry is a flower no less indigenous to the soil of Japan than cherry blossom” are the opening words to Inazo Nitobe’s Bushido: The Soul of Japan. It was 1900 and Inazo, a Japanese academic living in the USA, had been prompted to write the book after an American professor had wondered how the Japanese imparted moral education on their children if schools didn’t offer any religious instruction. The answer, Inazo realised, was through Bushido. Bushido is the chivalric code of moral principles that the Samurai followed: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honour and loyalty. Influenced by Confucianism, Shinto and Zen Buddhism, it tempers the violence of a warrior with wisdom and serenity. Alongside Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and Machiavelli’s The Prince, Inazo’s book has become influential among military and corporate leaders looking for ways to manage their people and overcome their opponents. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with a timeless design, Bushido Illustrated: The Soul of Japan includes the classic Inazo Nitobe text with a new introduction and colourful illustrations throughout. It will appeal to anyone interested in leadership, the code of the Samurai and Japanese culture.

An alphabet developed by Germanic and Nordic peoples during ancient times, runes were used to represent both simple things and more complex concepts, providing a written form of communication before the latin alphabet was adopted. Today, reading runes are a popular tool for understanding the present and divining the future. Divided into two broad chapters, showing how to use runes, and outlining the full runic alphabet as well as a section on standing runestones, Runes Illustrated provides a compact, accessible guide to this ancient reading system. Discover the basic three rune layout, and how it can help bring clarity when seeking guidance; learn how to arrange the runes in a five rune cast, which offers a more complex reading; discover Uruz, U, which means a wild ox in Elder Futhark, the oldest runic alphabet; and see how runic inscriptions were combined on standing stones to mark burial sites and the deeds of great warriors. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with 120 illustrations and photographs of runes, rune readings and runestones, this book will fascinate anyone interested in this ancient writing form and its uses today.

First developed in the final years of World War I, aircraft carriers have been the dominant technology in naval warfare since World War II, following the devastatingly effective carrier-borne air raid on the Italian base of Taranto by the British in 1940, and the even more infamous air attack by hundreds of Japanese bombers on the US base at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Today, the aircraft carrier is a key component of national navies around the world, offering a mobile aircraft platform that can be used to defend local waters as well as project power to every corner of the globe. Technical Guide: Aircraft Carriers features more than 50 of the most significant aircraft carriers from 1918 to the present, including the World War I-era converted battleship HMS Eagle, through the Japanese carriers Akagi and Kaga that were sunk at the famous Battle of Midway in 1942, to the great nuclear-powered supercarriers USS Enterprise and USS Nimitz of the Cold War era. The book comes up to date with the leading carriers of today, including the HMS Queen Elizabeth, Chinese Liaoning and Indian Vikrant. Illustrated with more than 80 vivid artworks and 40 photographs, Technical Guide: Aircraft Carriers is an essential reference guide for modellers and naval warfare enthusiasts.

Strategy is the craft of a warrior – Miyamoto Musashi Written around 1645, Miyamoto Musashi’s Five Rings is a classic Japanese work on mastery in swordsmanship, leadership and conflict. Musashi was a swordsman, philosopher and strategist, and today his work remains of influence not only in the realm of martial arts but in the business world, too. Musashi’s no-nonsense approach to the martial arts and combat includes eliminating technical flourishes, understanding that technique should simply be understood as defeating your opponent, and appreciating that the same qualities apply in both small- scale and large-scale conflicts. Repeatedly, he stresses the importance of learning through practice, rather than merely reading about them. Produced using beautiful traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques, Five Rings Illustrated is presented in an exquisite illustrated edition with a brand new modern translation.

Written in the early 18th century by Samurai retainer Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure is the classic exposition of Bushido, the warrior code of the Samurai, divided into a collection of commentaries. Combining elements of both Zen Buddhism and Confucianism, Hagakure teaches a wisdom centered on loyalty, devotion, purity and selflessness, placing a strong emphasis on the notion of living in the present moment with a strong and clear mind. With a focus on living with honour and a willingness to die at any moment in service of a lord, Hagakure was a popular and widely-read guide to Samurai ethics for Japanese soldiers during World War II. This illustrated edition with a brand new modern translation offers hundreds of selected anecdotes from the original, covering topics as wide-ranging as how to avoid selfishness, the importance of paying respect to elders, teachers and parents, gaining self-knowledge through modestly and discipline, committing to a task no matter what the odds are, and how to achieve the state of a pure and uncomplicated mind. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding, Hagakure Illustrated is a classic collection of instructive and entertaining sketches, stories and aphorisms reflecting on every aspect of life and death according to Bushido, the moral code of the Samurai.

Steam trains half-buried in the desert, roller coasters entangled in trees, hulks of ships perched high and dry miles from water – images like these are bound to make us wonder: what happened here? From forgotten railway stations to flooded shopping malls, from secret Cold War bunkers to radiation zones, Abandoned Places explores more than 100 fascinating lost worlds from all around the globe. Surveying the ruins of industrial sites and military bases, ghost towns, holiday resorts and airports, the book explains the story of how each place came to be abandoned – whether through natural or chemical disaster, war, economic collapse, or changing tastes and customs. Throughout, though, a picture emerges, not only of what has been lost, but of what remains. Left to the elements but ignored by humanity, these ramshackle settlements and dilapidated structures illuminate times and designs that we thought were long gone. With 150 outstanding colour photographs exploring hauntingly beautiful locations, Abandoned Places is a brilliant and moving pictorial examination of worlds we have left behind.

From the Battle of Marathon to the Minotaur, from the Acropolis to Aristotle, from Theseus to the Theban hegemony, from slavery to Sparta, The Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece is a fascinating fully illustrated reference work, spanning both political history, society, wars, art, architecture, culture, philosophy and mythology. Covering the founding of the Minoan civilization on Crete in the 3rd millennium BCE, Mycenaean Greece in the 2nd millennium, the Greek Dark Ages and the heights of Athenian civilization in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, the book expertly examines a wide range of aspects of the civilization that is considered to be the foundation of Western culture. Thousands of years later we can easily identify the influences of ancient Greece in modern politics, society and architecture, its mythical tales are still recounted and their patterns can be spotted throughout modern literature, television and film. Featuring more than 400 colour photographs and artworks, The Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece is an accessibly written exploration, reaching from siege warfare to Socrates, public sacrifice to public festivals to the Peloponnesian War.

Rome may have fallen in the late fifth century CE, but more than 1,500 years later its mark on Europe and around the Mediterranean is still evident. It’s not just in the roads, aqueducts and settlements, though, that Rome’s immense legacy can be found. Or even in more recent buildings – from the Renaissance to the present day – that have been constructed in a neoclassical style. We need only look at modern law, which is based on principles developed during the Roman Empire. Or modern philosophy, which stands on the shoulders of work by Seneca and others. And although Latin may be a dead language, we still use it in scientific classification – even for newly coined words. From Augustus’s reign as the First Emperor of Rome to the Barbarian invasions beginning in the 5th century CE, The Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire is an outstanding celebration of the glory that was the Roman Empire. Ranging from military expansion to life within a Roman legion, from Pompeii to Jerusalem to Constantinople, from political assassinations to gladiatorial games, from the Roman Catacombs to Hadrian’s Wall, and from the Jewish Revolt to early Christianity, the book expertly explores the political, cultural, social and religious history of the Roman Empire. This is the story of Marcus Agrippa, Caligula, Claudius, Hadrian, Livia and Hadrian – and many others. Accessibly written and with a wealth of colour illustrations and photographs, The Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire is a fascinating reference work for any home.

The World's Greatest Cars brings together some of the most famous motor vehicles in the world – classic designs that have a fanatical global following, and which all car enthusiasts would agree are worthy of inclusion, including the Ford GT40, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and Chevrolet Corvette. But this book isn’t just about the most powerful, most prestigious or most advanced cars in the world. It’s a book for everyone and includes quirky, lovable cars such as the VW Beetle and Bond Bug. The World's Greatest Cars celebrates the best, the most stylish and the most memorable cars from motoring history. Humble machines such as the Mini, Fiat 500, Citroen 2CV and Renault 4 sit bumper-to-bumper with evocative names such as Ferrari, Bugatti and Porsche, while we’ve also included cars that have sold in their millions across the globe, such as the Ford Focus and Toyota Camry. Each car is illustrated over two pages with full-colour, five-view studio photography, annotated to show particular features worthy of note. Informed text written by motoring experts and full specifications bring each car and its history to life. Featuring 250 magnificent cars, The World's Greatest Cars is the perfect celebration of the world’s best cars.

“Chivalry is a flower no less indigenous to the soil of Japan than cherry blossom” are the opening words to Inazo Nitobe’s Bushido: The Soul of Japan. It was 1900 and Inazo, a Japanese academic living in the USA, had been prompted to write the book after an American professor had wondered how the Japanese imparted moral education on their children if schools didn’t offer any religious instruction. The answer, Inazo realised, was through Bushido. Bushido is the chivalric code of moral principles that the Samurai followed: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honour and loyalty. Influenced by Confucianism, Shinto and Zen Buddhism, it tempers the violence of a warrior with wisdom and serenity. Alongside Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and Machiavelli’s The Prince, Inazo’s book has become influential among military and corporate leaders looking for ways to manage their people and overcome their opponents. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with a timeless design, Bushido: The Soul of Japan includes the classic Inazo text with a new introduction. It will appeal to anyone interested in leadership, the code of the Samurai and Japanese culture.

In a world historically dominated by male rulers, the women who have sat on thrones of their own shine out brightly. Some queens and empresses were born to greatness, while others fought their way to power. Queens ranges from the ancient world to the present day, telling the stories of these women who ruled, from murderous former courtesan Wu Zetian in 7th century China to Elizabeth I, the ‘Virgin Queen’ of England. In 6th century Constantinople, Empress Theodora, who had been a street performer before catching the eye of Emperor Justinian, extended rights for women, passing laws that allowed them to divorce and own property and made rape a crime punishable by death. In 12th century Europe, Eleanor of Aquitaine first married the king of France and then the king of England. At the Mughal court in Lahore in the early 17th century, Nur Jahan, wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was the political powerhouse behind the throne. In more recent history, the book explores the reigns of Catherine the Great, revealing how a minor German aristocrat came to rule and expand the Russian Empire, Queen Victoria, whose family dominated the world in the early 20th centuty, and her more recent descendent, Elizabeth II, the longest-ruling queen in history. Female rulers are often described as ambitious rather than bold, as devious rather than diplomatically astute and as intriguers and meddlers, all characterizations that are destructive to the reality of women’s lives in the world’s monarchies. Even genealogies still often leave out the women of royal families, overlooking their genuine contributions. To some extent, we will never know these great women of history as well as we know their menfolk; the sources simply leave too many gaps. However, we can and will do better in giving the women rulers of history the recognition they deserve Carefully researched, superbly entertaining and illustrated throughout with more than 180 photographs and artworks, Queens highlights the true personalities and real lives of the women who became monarchs and empresses.

The strange cries heard at night in a dilapidated penitentiary, the glimpse of a ‘White Lady’ floating through a graveyard, the face at the window in a room that has been locked for decades – stories of hauntings never cease to intrigue us. From palaces to prisons, from an 11th century chateau in France to 'The Island of the Dolls' in Mexico City, Haunted Places features the world’s most fascinating spooky locations. Some hauntings are recent, others are ancient, but all the stories are striking: from the deceased monks who pace the boundaries of a ruined former priory, to the lift operator in a Canadian hotel still working his shift decades after he died, to the infamous Vlad the Impaler, who haunts a Romanian castle where he was imprisoned for seven years. With tales of the ‘Mad Old Woman’ who searches Highgate cemetery in London for the children she supposedly murdered to strange laughter heard at night, from apparitions to floating orbs to radios suddenly changing station, Haunted Places features 150 outstanding photographs of haunted sites. Each eerie photograph is accompanied by a caption explaining the story of the haunting, from tragic accidents to brutal murders, from executions to disease and other sorrowful endings.

First revealed by a Tibetan monk in the 14th century, Bardo Thodol (“Great Liberation upon Hearing in the Intermediate State”) – known more commonly as The Tibetan Book of the Dead – describes the experience of human consciousness in the bardo, the interval between death and the next rebirth in the cycle of death and rebirth. The teachings are designed to help the dying regain clarity of awareness at the moment of death, and by doing so achieve enlightened liberation. Popular throughout the world since the 1960s and overwhelmingly the best-known Buddhist text in the West, this classic translation by Kazi Dawa Samdup is divided into 21 chapters, with sections on the chikhai bardo, or the clear light seen at the moment of death; chönyid bardo, or karmic apparitions; the wisdom of peaceful deities, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; the 58 flame-enhaloed, wrathful, blood-drinking deities; the judgement of those who the dying has known in life through the “mirror of karma”; and the process of rebirth. The text also includes chapters on the signs of death and rituals to undertake for the dying. Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, The Tibetan Book of the Dead is an ideal resource of ancient wisdom for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhist notions of death and the path to enlightenment.

Illustrated with detailed artworks of Japanese aircraft and their markings, Japanese Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to all the aircraft deployed by the Japanese military from the Second Sino-Japanese War to the surrender in the Pacific in August 1945. Organised alphabetically by manufacturer, this book includes every type of aircraft, from fighters to seaplanes, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bombers and carrier aircraft. All the best-known types are featured, such as the Mitsubishi G4M ‘Betty’, Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan, Aichi B7A2 Ryusei torpedo bomber and the world- famous Mitsubishi A6M ‘Zero’ fighter. The entries are accompanied by exhaustive captions and specifications. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks, three-views, and special cutaway artworks of the more famous aircraft in service, such as the Aichi D3A1 ‘Val’, Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, and Nakajima Ki.27 ‘Nate’. Illustrated with more than 120 artworks, Japanese Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and enthusiasts with an interest in military aircraft of World War II.

Organised chronologically by type, German Aircraft of World War I offers a highly-illustrated guide to the main types of aircraft used by the German Air Force during World War I. The book offers a comprehensive survey of German aircraft, from the Albatros B.1 and Fokker E.II of the early years, to the more sophisticated Fokker D.VII and Junkers CL.1 of the final months of the war. All the major and many minor types are featured, including monoplanes, biplanes, single-seater fighters, two-seater fighters, bombers, ground attack aircraft, night bombers, giant bombers and floatplanes. This includes both well-known and lesser- known models, such as the LVG and Pfalz single-seater fighters, the Gotha and Zeppelin Staaken large bombers, AEG ground attack aircraft, and the Albatross, Halberstadt and Brandenburg two-seater biplanes. Each featured profile includes authentic markings and colour schemes, while every separate model is accompanied by exhaustive specifications. Packed with 110 full-colour artworks with detailed specifications, German Aircraft of World War I is a key reference guide for military modellers and World War I enthusiasts.

With fossil records dating back 400 million years, sharks have outlived the dinosaurs and many other forms of life currently on earth – they are even older than trees. There are more than 1,000 species of sharks and rays, with new species discovered every year. Through their evolution, sharks have shaped our oceans into the rich habitats we know today. As apex predators, sharks play an important role in the ecosystem by maintaining the species below them in the food chain – helping remove the weak and sick, and keeping the ocean and fish populations healthy. Other deadly predators of the deep – such as the box jellyfish, lionfish and giant octopus – are also to be feared. Did you know the Stonefish is the most venomous fish species to swim in our oceans? Better not get too close – it has 13 dorsal fin spines that release deadly toxins when the fish gets into threatening situations. Learn about the dwarf lantern shark, which is so small it can fit in the palm of your hand; or the whale shark, which grow up to 12 metres (40ft) in length and is the largest known fish species in the oceans today; or the great white shark, the oceans’ top predator and capable of chewing up dolphins and seals with its 300 teeth. With full captions explaining the different species, behaviour and feeding habits, Sharks & Underwater Predators is a lively examination of these elemental killers in more than 180 vivid photographs.

Since the 1950s, helicopters have developed to become a key component of armies everywhere, providing attack, transport and reconnaissance capabilities to land and maritime forces throughout the world.From deadly fighting machines like the US Army’s AH-64 Apache and the Russian Mil Mi-24 ‘Hind’, to efficient, multipurpose utility helicopters such as the Bell 222 and Harbin Z-9, Modern Military Helicopters is an accessible guide to the most important rotary-winged aviation in service today.The book is organised by type: attack, reconnaissance, utility, transport and maritime. Find out aboutthe Bell AH-1Z Viper gunship, armed with enormous firepower, including a three-barrelled 20mm cannon, Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles;the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator all-weather combat helicopter, capable of destroying ground armour with beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles;the Bell V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability;and the massive Russian Mil Mi-26, the world’s largest production helicopter with the ability to carry up to 100 combat troops or two combat vehicles.Illustrated with 90 detailed artworks, *Technical Guide: Modern Military Helicopters* is an essential reference for modellers and aviation enthusiasts.

'Spookiness is the real purpose of the ghost story. It should give you the creeps and disturb your thoughts…' – Roald DahlWhether considered the souls of the dead, windows in time or interdimensional beings, cultures throughout the centuries have reacted with fear and fascination to their horrific haunts and eerie appearances.In Ghosts, discover the intriguing stories behind one some of the most infamous and terrifying spectres ever seen. This enchanting collection uncovers the mysteries of historic ghost sightings, delving into the past.Alongside traditional tales, learn how ghosts continue to be prevalent in our contemporary lives and popular culture. Accompanied by intricate images, delve into the life and origins of every spectre featured in this riveting read.Discover fascinating facts about historical ghostly happenings of figures such as the Grey Lady, learn which of Henry VIII's infamous wives haunts the Bloody Tower, read more about friendly, beloved ghosts created by Charles Dickens and Daphne du Maurier and explore the disappearances surrounding the St Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, USA.Ghosts is beautifully illustrated, packed with stunning images and full of haunting tales.

The first species to be domesticated, dogs have been selectively bred over thousands of years. Today they’re man’s best friend – but while many are pets, many, too, are working animals: for the police, for the blind, as guard dogs, as sheepdogs, pulling sleds and as therapy animals. Arranged in chapters covering physical characteristics, senses, lifecycle, communication, behaviour and working dogs, Dogs is a hugely informative visual celebration. From huskies to German shepherds, from collies to Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu to Jack Russell Terriers, Labradors to Bullmastiffs to Dachshunds, the book includes a huge range of breeds. With fascinating captions on every page, even dog lovers will learn something new. Dogs is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs.

Few animals strike as much fear as snakes, which kill either through their poisonous venom or through suffocation. Numbering more than 3000 species, snakes can be found in virtually every environment other than Antarctica, from the jungles of the Amazon to the Gobi desert and Australian Outback. Some snakes even inhabit the rivers and seas. Arranged by continent, Snakes offers an engaging pictorial introduction to these prehistoric predators. Find out about the black mamba, which is feared because it possesses an extremely potent venom that kills most of its victims – animal and human; see the banded krait, whose venom is a neurotoxin that induces instant paralysis; learn about the reticulated python, the world’s longest constrictor, regularly reaching over 6 metres (20ft) in length; and marvel at the tiny Barbados threadsnake, which typically grows to a length of 10cm (4in) and has been compared to a spaghetti noodle! With full captions explaining the history, behaviour and feeding habits of more than 150 snake species, Snakes is a fascinating examination of these highly colourful reptilian killers in more than 180 vivid photographs.

Organized by type, World War II Military Aircraft includes more than 50 of the best- known aircraft to fly for all nations from 1939 to 1945, from classic fighters such as the Messerschmitt 109, Supermarine Spitfire and North American P-51 Mustang, through the great bombers of the era, including the Avro Lancaster, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Heinkel He 111H, to the aircraft that fought across the vastness of the Pacific Theatre, such as the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, Grumman F4F Wildcat and Douglas SBD Dauntless torpedo bomber. World War II Military Aircraft also features 12 large-scale gatefolds of key types, including the multirole German Junkers Ju-88 fighter-bomber, the British rocket-armed Hawker Typhoon, which proved essential in winning the battle for Normandy, and the Soviet Yak fighter, the first in one of the longest-running aircraft production programs in history. Each entry includes a dozen annotations detailing aspects of the type’s technology, from powerplant and armament to crew compartment and aerodynamic elements. Featuring the greatest aircraft of World War II, this book is the perfect gift for military aviation enthusiasts and modellers.

The flyers of the Luftwaffe spearheaded the German blitzkrieg during the early years of World War II, providing a key aerial element to the German war machine that swept all before it. Later in the war, the Luftwaffe concentrated on defence, producing the world’s first rocket- and jet-propelled fighters. German Aircraft of World War II features 52 of the greatest aircraft to fly for the Luftwaffe from 1939 to 1945. Included are the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka divebomber, an aircraft with a shrieking siren that terrorized ground troops and civilians in Poland, France and the Low Countries; the Messerschmitt Bf 109, one of the most adaptable and longstanding fighters of the war that served in every theatre in a variety of roles; the twin- engined Ju-88, which served as a tactical bomber in the early phase of the war and later as a night-fighter during the defence of the Reich; and the Messerschmitt Me 262, the first jet fighter to enter service for any air force and a highly-effective interceptor against Allied bombers from 1944 onwards. Each entry includes a brief description of the type’s development and history, a dynamic artwork, key features and specifications. Packed with more than 200 artworks and photographs, German Aircraft of World War II is an exciting guide for the military historian and aviation enthusiast.

War elephants, chariots, cavalry; ringmail, belly-bows and spears; Kadesh, Alesia, Masada – Ancient Warfare Illustrated Atlas describes the equipment, weapons and tactics of soldiers in Europe and the Middle East in an age before gunpowder. The book explores the tactics required to win battles and points out how little has changed in some respects in the art of war. Using specially-commissioned maps and artworks to illustrate the battles, equipment and tactics of the era, the book shows in detail the methods by which armies, including Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman forces, prevailed over their foes, and why other armies were far less successful. Arranged by type of warfare – from infantry to mounted warfare to siege and finally naval warfare – Ancient Warfare Illustrated Atlas is an essential companion for any reader in warfare in the classical age.

“What is Life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”— Black Elk, Oglala Sioux Founded on stories and myths told orally, the wisdom of Native American peoples has been passed down through generations, revealing the origins of a tribe, chronicling the heroes who fought the gods, showing how to reach Wakan-Taka(the Great Spirit), exploring the nature of the True Peace and reflecting on the changing landscape with the arrival of European settlers. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding, Native American Wisdom offers more than 80 thought-provoking proverbs on the spirit world, family, fathers and sons, animals and plants, and the changing seasons, in the words of the people who have inhabited the North American continent for thousands of years – the Iroquois, Algonquin, Cheyenne, Hopi, Dakota and Sioux – to name a few. Many quotes are from well-known Native American leaders, such as the Blackfoot warrior Crowfoot, the legendary Apache leader Geronimo, and famous Oglala Lakota medicine man Black Elk.

Bomber Aircraft of World War II features more than 100 of the greatest and most important aircraft to serve in the Axis and Allied forces during the Second World War.Classics such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, Avro Lancaster and Heinkel He 111 are displayed in vivid detail. Important but lesser-known types, such as the cannon-mounting Henschel Hs 129 ground-attack aircraft and Blackburn Skua torpedo bomber provide a wide-ranging assessment.Each aircraft is illustrated with three artworks and a photograph, showing the markings and camouflage of each model.Accompanying text puts the type’s development, production and service history into context. There is also a specifications table for each aircraft detailing dimensions, performance, weight, engines and armament.Presented in a compact, pocket-size volume, Bomber Aircraft of World War II is a vivid and authoritative guide to the greatest bomber types of the Second World War.

Describing the most intriguing creatures on the planet, from the big cats of Africa to the apes that are our closest evolutionary ancestors and the whales and dolphins that roam the world’s oceans, Animals profiles over 400 of the world’s most fascinating species, offering a truly comprehensive overview of animals from every continent and giving a sense of the incredible diversity of animal types. Featured animals are grouped by order, then within each order by family; each family section contains examples of the key species, which are illustrated with beautifully detailed, full-colour artworks. For easy reference, each entry includes a table of information on scientific name, order and family, features, habitats, distribution, diet and breeding, as well as informative maps and detailed box features. Packed full of information and colour, Animals is guaranteed to appeal to any budding zoologist or animal enthusiast.

No understanding of Chinese civilization is possible without a grasp of Taoism, the philosophy that has shaped not just Chinese spirituality but also art, science and politics. And it was in the Tao Te Ching, written around 300BC, that the fundamental beliefs of Taoism were first gathered. This short, wise but very humble book went on to influence on philosophy, religion and politics. In a compellingly simple rhetorical style the book addresses how to live a simple, peaceful and harmonious life, how to rid oneself of desires and free society of institutions that promote greed. This dual-language edition of Tao Te Ching presents the original Chinese characters with a new translation on the facing page, and is illustrated throughout to make an attractive gift edition in traditional Chinese hand binding. With a new introduction that discusses the questioned authorship of the text and editorial notes, all 81 brief chapters are included, ranging from advice for politicians to wise words for the everyday person. Of immense influence across millennia, Tao Te Ching Illustrated is a classic text richly deserving this exquisite edition.