Chinese Bound Illustrated – serie

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.

'Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.' ― Kahlil Gibran, The ProphetLove, marriage, children, work, joy, sorrow, friendship, freedom, pain, passion – Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is a modern classic, its simple prose resonating in our hearts and minds. Written in English and first published in 1923, the book has gradually become a global bestseller, its wise words a favourite for readings at weddings and funerals. Shaped around the story of a prophet leaving his country of exile, the book is a series of short discussions on what really matters most in life. Its chapters offer solace and guidance.Beautifully produced with a timeless design with 80 illustrations, The Prophet Illustrated is an accessible yet spiritual book to be cherished.

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.

“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.

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.

If you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win numerous battles without a single loss. – Sun Tzu, The Art of War Written in the 6th century BC, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is still used as a book of military strategy today. Napoleon, Mae Zedong and Douglas MacArthur all claimed to have drawn inspiration from it. And beyond the world of war, modern-era business and management gurus have also applied Sun Tzu’s ideas to politics and corporate strategy. This illustrated dual-language edition not only presents the original Chinese characters with James Trapp’s translation on the facing page, it also tests Sun Tzu’s ideas against history. Each of the 13 chapters includes a new commentary giving examples of how Sun Tzu’s wisdom has been borne out on the world’s battlefields. When, for example, has information provided by spies changed the course of a battle? How has history shown Sun Tzu’s ideas on the importance of terrain in conflict to be true? And where can we best find examples of strategic warfare being waged? From the ancient world to the 20th century, the battles featured will be illustrated with colour battle maps, paintings and artworks. Of immense influence to leaders across millennia, The Art of War Illustrated is a classic text richly deserving this illustrated and expanded dual-language edition.

Haiku – seventeen-syllable poems that evoke worlds despite their brevity – have captivated Japanese readers since the seventeenth century. Today the form is practiced worldwide and has become established as part of our common global heritage. This beautiful traditionally hand-bound volume presents new English translations of classic poems by the four great masters of Japanese haiku – Matsuo Basho, Yosa Buson, Kobayashi Issa, and Masaoka Shiki – accompanied by both the original Japanese and a phonetic transcription, and a photograph or artwork highlighting or echoing the poem's theme. With a timeless design, Haiku Illustrated is an expert introduction and celebration of one of the most beautiful and accessible forms of poetry in the world.

Gaining insight into our deeper selves through the use of divination tools to help decide future actions has preoccupied mankind since ancient times. In Europe, cards which became known as Tarot have been used to map the soul and predict the future since the 16th century. The 78 cards in the Tarot deck each has its own imagery, symbolism and story. This beautiful hand-bound edition showcases each card from the Rider-Waite set, the one most commonly used by Tarot readers. Practitioners believe that the 22 Major Arcana cards represent life’s karmic and spiritual lessons, and the 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Tarot offers an elegantly presented, concise guide to the 78 cards, from number 0 The Fool – who represents unlimited potential, through The Hermit – who represents a break from everyday life, to number 21 The World – which indicates a sense of wholeness, completion and fulfilment.

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (1207–73) was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic originally from Greater Khorasan in Iran. This Chinese-bound volume offers a selection of his many poems with a variety of themes, including love, marriage, life and death, passion and mysticism, as well as his religious collection, Rubaiyat, and his long poem, Masnavi, one of the most influential works of Sufism, an Islamic form of mysticism. Rumi's reach transcends national borders and ethnic divisions: his poetry has influenced not only Persian literature, but also the literary traditions of the Ottoman Turkish, Chagatai, Urdu, Bengali and Pashto languages.

The Ancient Egyptians used a hieroglyphic writing system that still resonates today for its graphic representation of things, people, pharaohs and concepts. These hieroglyphics were discovered by adventurers and archeologists in temples, tombs and on papyrus documents, telling of the everyday life, religion and history of this 5,000-year-old civilization. Some of the symbols were simple but represented something with a wider significance, such as the eye of Horus; other logographs might represent an animal, such as a snake, elephant or lion; while others, such as the Ba symbol of a bird with a human head, represented the human soul with the ability to travel to the afterlife using wings. The language grew and over time came to represent every facet of Ancient Egyptian life. This book allows the reader to piece together and read the symbols, to understand their meanings and use, and examines what they have taught the world about this most influential of early civilizations. In Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Illustrated, we learn more of the story of this rich ancient language and its development over thousands of years, and the story of their decipherment after the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. The book explores the key logograms for popular concepts such as ‘sun’, ‘house’ and ‘mountain’, as well as more complex ideas such as Ajet, or ‘sun rising over mountains’; marvel at Tutankhamun’s full name as marked on his tomb, which is portrayed using a reed, a wave of water, a falcon, an ankh symbol, and a series of staffs; learn about the two outstretched arms of the Ka symbol, which represents the mortal life and soul of a person. Each of the graphically illustrated entries is accompanied by a description of the written form and an explanation of its meaning. Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Illustrated provides a compact, easy-to-understand introduction to the writing system of Ancient Egypt.

The elegant pen-strokes and visual harmony of Chinese writing have long been admired in the west. Classical Chinese calligraphy is a popular and valuable art form, and with the increasing economic and cultural power of China, its writing is becoming more widely appreciated and understood. In particular, the deep layers of history and symbolism which exist behind even the most everyday phrases have a strong appeal to those seeking understanding from an alternative philosophy. The sayings known as Cheng-yu, represented by four characters, are used frequently in Chinese. They are comparable to proverbs or idioms in English, but each adds a depth of meaning and linguistic colour very unlike their English equivalents. Many are rooted in ancient Chinese culture, and make oblique references to poetry, philosophy or history. Four characters may take a whole paragraph to explain, yet, to a native speaker brought up and educated in the traditions to which they refer, they are instantly comprehensible. Chinese Proverbs Illustrated: The Wisdom of Cheng-Yu features a selection of the most famous and most interesting of the more than 5000 Cheng-yu. Alongside the phrase is an accessible and inspiring explanation, its literal translation in English, what the particular strokes symbolize, and its various uses, as well as over 75 images to complement the text.

In Catholicism, sainthood is the highest state of holiness for any soul in Heaven. There are more than 10,000 saints that have been canonized by the Catholic Church – some were exemplary models, others extraordinary teachers, while some worked miracles or changed the lives of millions through their guidance and good works. Arranged in chronological order, the book covers all the major saints, from St Paul, the Apostle who did most to spread Christianity following the death of Christ, and established Christian communities in Asia Minor – to Pope John Paul II, famous for being a peacemaker and providing spiritual inspiration during the fall of communism. In between, this compact volume covers well-known historical figures such as Joan of Arc, who defended the honour of France in the Medieval era, the philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, and lesser-known saints such as Zita, the 13th century patron saint of maids and domestic servants. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with 150 illustrations and artworks of saints from every part of the world, this book will fascinate anyone interested in inspiring – and often very human – religious figures from Biblical times to the present.

Stoicism is a school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the 3rd century BCE. It is a philosophy that stresses positive emotions over negative and helps in providing a framework for living well and achieving happiness. Embraced by emperors in Rome, Stoicism has been an influence on philosophers throughout the years, such as Thomas More and Descartes, and is currently undergoing a cultural resurgence. Divided thematically, Stoics Illustrated contains over 100 quotes from key philosophers, including Zeno of Citium, Cleanthes, Diogenes of Babylon, Cato the Younger, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, and will give the reader many emotional and practical tools for living a better life.

The mythology of the Vikings is still alive today in popular culture: everyone knows of Thor, the Norse god of war (made popular through the Marvel Cinematic Universe); Ragnarök, the great battle at the end of the world, where many gods and heroes perish and the earth is submerged in water; the tragic love story of Siegfried and Brunhild, central to the music and operas of German composer Richard Wagner; the characters of Loki the Trickster, the great god Odin’s eight-legged horse Sleipnir, and elves, dwarfs and trolls, all popular motifs in 20th century fantasy literature. In Norse Gods & Myths see how Odin exchanged his eye in order to drink from the wisdom-giving Mímisbrunnr magical well; learn how Loki cut off the hair of the beautiful goddess Sif as a practical joke, and had to repay Thor by obtaining the all- powerful hammer Mjöllnir from artisan dwarves; explore how Asgard, the mythical dwelling place of the gods, was fortified by the giant jötunn in exchange for the fertility goddess Freya’s hand in marriage; and marvel at Yggdrasil, the sacred tree around which the Norse cosmos developed. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with 100 illustrations and photographs, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the mythology that brought us the terrifying giant wolf Fenrir and the goddess Hel, ruler of the underworld.

The joy of chess lies in its endless possibilities. With each move, you immerse yourself in a world of strategy, calculation and creativity. Every game presents a unique challenge, testing players’ intellect and intuition to the maximum. Chess is also known for its ornate and beautiful pieces as much as it is for strategy and tactics. Even many people who don’t play will often display a polished wooden set in their homes. Chess Illustrated offers a compact, accessible introduction to the pieces, classic sets and basic moves of this supreme game of strategy. Learn about the Staunton chess pattern, which provides a model for most modern chess sets; marvel at the Isle of Lewis chess pieces, which offer a fascinating insight into the culture and wider connections of medieval Scotland; and understand how skilled players use pawns to control the centre of the board. The book also includes features on some of the great players and classic games of the modern era. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with 100 illustrations and photographs, Chess Illustrated will fascinate anyone interested in the material culture of one of the world’s oldest and most widely played games.

Discover everything you’ve ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of contemporary pop culture. Japanese Myths Illustrated provides a sumptuous, accessible guide to the religious beliefs, myths and gods of this enduring culture. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based folk religion. The Shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami (deities or spirits). One notable aspect of Japanese mythology is that it provided a creation story for Japan and attributed divine origins to the Japanese Imperial family, assigning them godhood. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with over 130 photographs and illustrations, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the tales of an ancient culture and still has an enduring appeal today.

Greek Gods & Myths Illustrated features classic figures from ancient mythology, from the famous Zeus and Aphrodite to lesser known examples such as Demeter and Hyperion. Including gods and goddesses throughout Ancient Greek history, the book tells the stories of each fabulous deity and shows how they lived in Greek civilization. Each character is featured on a single page or across a spread for better known examples. All the characters are presented with illustrations and background text telling their stories. Fully illustrated and featuring easy-to-read fact boxes, Greek Gods & Myths Illustrated is an entertaining and educational guide to some of the world’s most beloved characters and enduring stories. In Greek Gods & Myths Illustrated you can read about the stories of Theseus and the Minotaur; Jason and the Argonauts; Chimera, the three-headed monster; Hydra, the nine headed serpentine; Midas and his golden touch; Poseidon, god of the sea; Apollo, god of light; Aphrodite, goddess of beauty; and many more. The book tells the story of Greek mythology from its creation myths and gods to its tales of mortals. It is divided into chapters covering primordial Greek gods, the Olympian gods and the Titans. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with 130 illustrations and photographs, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the mythology discovering more about the most famous collection of deities in the world.

Founded on stories and myths told orally, the legends of Native American peoples have 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 Legends Illustrated offers a detailed introduction to the spirit world and ghosts, creation myths and universe, people, family and culture in the words of the people who have inhabited the North American continent for thousands of years – the Iroquois, Algonquin, Cheyenne, Apache, Hopi, Dakota and Sioux – to name a few. The book also introduces characters such as Rabbit Boy, Blue Jay (the trickster bird), the Double-Faced Ghost, the Splinter-Foot Girl and Mondawmin, the Corn Spirit. Sumptuously illustrated and including numerous quotes from famous Native Americans such as Black Elk, Geronimo and Sitting Bull, Native American Legends Illustrated is a vivid, engaging read.

Long shrouded in secrecy, alchemy is now recognized as the ancestor of modern chemistry.Before the advent of modern science, alchemy was the ancient art of transformation, a way of combining matter to create a divine force. Today alchemy retains a strong pull on the imagination, with its tales of turning base metals into gold and mixing potions to create the elixir of life, a draught that brings immortality.Alchemy Illustrated offers a vivid illustrated guide to this lost art, introducing the reader to the main developments in alchemy and the most famous people to have dabbled in this speculative science.Discover the alchemical elements and their properties, a precursor to the periodic table, which included such substances such as bismuth, sulfur and moon-silver, the last of these symbolizing intuition, resurrection and illumination; learn about the Philosopher’s Stone, a mythic alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold, and pursued by famous scientists such as Isaac Newton, who wrote more than a million words on alchemy during his lifetime; and encounter Hennig Brand, who in 1669 accidentally discovered the chemical element phosphorus during alchemical experimentation.Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding, Alchemy Illustrated introduces the reader to the history of alchemy, its practice, symbols and famous alchemists through the ages.

Completed in 1258, Sa'di's Gulistan (‘The Rose Garden’) contains a wide-ranging selection of stories, anecdotes and poems offering advice and reflections on human existence, love, governing, education, and the nature of freedom – just as a rose garden is a collection of flowers.The full work contains some 595 short poems in Persian, consisting typically just under two couplets each. The stories are expressed in precise, minimalist language, providing psychological insight and wisdom.Considered the most influential work from the classical age of Persian literature from the tenth to sixteenth centuries, Gulistan was widely read across the Islamic world from Bengal to Istanbul.In the modern era, the great works of Persian literature by Sa'di, Rumi and others have become known throughout the world, and Gulistan is the supreme work in a tradition that values clarity, simplicity and elegance.Bound in a traditional handmade style, this collection from Gulistan is an attractive and accessible edition of Sa'di's work for any reader interested in classic literature.

The clickety-clack of mahjong tiles being mixed by a group of friends is one of the most soothing and distinctive sounds found across East Asia and, increasingly, North America. First developed in southern China in the early 19th century, mahjong – meaning ‘sparrow’ – is a fun and popular game that tasks you with solving a tile-matching puzzle before you run out of moves. Played by four people using 144 tiles, mahjong is not just a game of luck; it requires strategy, pattern recognition, and an understanding of the other players’ tactics. Mahjong Illustrated introduces this highly engaging and competitive game, which helps develop concentration and mental agility while at the same time building relationships and a sense of community. The book is divided into chapters designed for the beginner, offering a brief background history, with introductions to the tiles, rules, playing the game, and popular variants and competitions. Find out how to shuffle and stack tiles to start the game; learn the difference between a kong and a pong and how this can win you points; understand the significance of the honour tiles, including the four winds and the three dragons; and find out what ‘winning from the wall’ means to complete a ‘legal hand’.

"Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, And he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames" — BeowulfSet in the pagan world of 6th-century Scandinavia, the 3,000-line Beowulf is the longest epic poem written in Old English, the language spoken in England before the Norman conquest in 1066.Originally an oral tale passed on by word of mouth, the poem tells the story of the adventures of a young hero, Beowulf, and his successive battles with the monster Grendel – who he kills by ripping off its arm – Grendel’s vengeful mother, and with a rampaging dragon. In between, the story involves gathering bands of warriors, drinking mead in great halls, the crowning of Beowulf as king of the Geats, and finally a lament for a dead hero after he has slain the dragon and claimed the mighty treasure hoard. Written around 750, it is a tale of heroism and sacrifice that connects the old world of Norse mythology with an emerging Christian mindset.Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, Beowulf Illustrated offers a classic translation of this famous eighth century Anglo-Saxon epic that still entertains today.

Dickens’s most famous ghost story was written in the autumn of 1843 as a reaction to the suffering of poor children during the early Victorian era. A Christmas Carol was fittingly published on 19th December that year and was an immediate and resounding success. A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’ popular novella set during the festive period. Recounting the story and life of the mean-spirited Ebenezer Scrooge, who has four visits that all represent a period in his life. Including the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley and the spirits of his Christmas Past, Present and Future. Every ghost influences his attitude towards others, but also how he sees and is impacting himself. And after these encounters, Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, and more giving man. A heartwarming tale of the triumph of kindness over selfishness, together with favourable treatment of the poor means A Christmas Carol has retained its appeal to readers for over 150 years. Many may be familiar with this story through the many adaptations for film, television, stage and opera. Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, A Christmas Carol Illustrated offers a beautiful edition of this much-loved festive classic.

For 2,000 years the pope has been the acknowledged head of the Roman Catholic Church. As the direct successor of St Peter, he holds a unique position, ruling over millions of Catholics worldwide. Arranged in chronological order, the book covers all the major popes, from the first, St Peter, to Pope Clement VII, whose reign was marked by a rapid succession of political, military, and religious struggles – and Pope Leo XIV, the first head of the Catholic Church from the United States. Journey through time from the glories of Byzantium to the crusades, from the Avignon split papacy to the modern church, discover more about the most powerful men in Catholicism. Beautifully produced in traditional handmade binding and with 150 illustrations and artworks of popes from throughout Christian history, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the history of the Catholic church from the first millennium to the present day.

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 illustrated 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, editorial notes and illustrations and photographs. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding and with a timeless design, Confucius Illustrated: The Analects will appeal to anyone interested in philosophy, spirituality and Chinese culture.

After years of failure exploring the tombs of the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt, British archeologist Howard Carter’s shovel struck a buried stone step in November 1922. Breath held, he cleared sand, descending into darkness. A sealed doorway appeared. By flickering candle, gold gleamed through the aperture. After centuries of silence, Tutankhamun’s untouched tomb emerged, thrilling explorers, igniting headlines, and revealing ancient Egypt’s splendor to the modern world. More than 100 years later, in 2025 the death mask of Tutankhamun, one of the world’s most famous art objects, went on display in the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo, alongside over 5,000 objects recovered from the tomb. This was the first time all objects have been shown together and catalogued, providing a unique and fascinating insight into the past. Tutankhamun Illustrated reveals the life and times of the 14th century BCE boy- pharaoh who died in mysterious circumstances as a teenager; learn how his tomb was uncovered, intact and untouched for 3000 years; marvel at key objects recovered from the tomb; and understand the many myths that have grown up around the discovery of the tomb and the wider influence of Tutankhamun and his legacy on modern understanding of ancient Egyptian culture and life.

Ancient Egyptians imagined the afterlife as a kind of journey you had to make to get to paradise – but it was quite a hazardous journey so you would need help along the way. So spells and magic formulas written on papyrus were placed in coffins and burial chambers and believed to protect and aid the deceased in duat, or the underworld. These funerary texts were developed over many centuries into individualized collections known as the Book of the Dead. One of the best-known versions, the ‘Papyrus of Ani’, is featured here. Some 192 spells are known, although no single manuscript contains them all. The spells are designed to give the dead mystical knowledge in the afterlife, offer incantations to help preserve different parts of the deceased, and protect the dead from hostile forces. Some of the spells are to make sure you can control your own body after death. The ancient Egyptians believed that a person was made up of different elements: body, spirit, name, heart, all embodiments of a person, and they were afraid that these elements would disperse when you died. Presented in a high-quality Chinese-bound format with accompanying illustrations, Egyptian Book of the Dead is an ideal resource of esoteric wisdom for anyone interested in Ancient Egyptian notions of death and the path to the afterlife.

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.

The 2,500 year old Yi-jing or I Ching, translated as the 'Book of Changes', is an ancient Chinese work of divination and prophesy. Dating from the 4th century BCE, it is traditionally consulted by performing complex routines of dropping bundles of dried grass stalks. The particular patterns formed when six stalks are dropped are represented by 64 symbols called hexagrams, which show every possible combination of broken and unbroken stalks. The Book of Changes tells how to interpret the hexagrams to decide which is the best approach or action in a given situation. I Ching Illustrated features the 64 hexagrams and their successive interpretations, including the Judgment, written by King Wen in the 12th Century BCE, The Commentary and The Image (both attributed to Confucius, 6–5th Century BCE), and The Lines, written by King Wen’s son. Accompanying The Lines are present-day interpretative texts. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with 75 illustrations that make the perfect gift edition, this book will allow anyone fascinated by the traditional philosophies of the East to follow in the footsteps of Confucius and use the I Ching to predict their destiny.