Henrik Meinander paints a brisk & bold picture of the history of Finland from integrated part of the Swedish kingdom to autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian empire, gradually transformed & maturing into a conscious nation, independent state & skilful adapter of modern technology. The main geographical context for his study is the Baltic region, & the author links his analysis to structural developments & turning points in European history. The book blends politics, economy & culture to show how human & natural resources in Finland have been utilized & the impact its cultural heritage & technological innovation have had on its development. In a departure from most conventional approaches, Meinander gives greater emphasis to recent & contemporary events. In other words, he puts Finland into a range of historical contexts in its Baltic & European settings to highlight how both together have formed Finland into what it is at the beginning of the twenty-first century. ...

The ingredients, cooks, techniques & tools that have shaped our love of food. We all love to eat & most of us have a favourite ingredient or dish. In today`s world we can get the food we want, when we want it, but how many of us really know where our much-loved recipes come from, who invented them & how they were originally cooked? In this book William Sitwell, culinary expert on BBC2`s `A Question of Taste` & editor of Waitrose Kitchen magazine, takes us on a colourful, whirlwind journey as he explores the fascinating history of cuisine. This book is a celebration of the great dishes, techniques & above all brilliant cooks who have, over the centuries, created the culinary landscape we now enjoy. Any lover of fine food who has ever wondered about the origins of the methods & recipes we now take for granted will find A History of Food in 100 Recipes required reading. As well as shining a light on food`s glorious past, there are contributions from a glittering array of stars of British cuisine, including Marco Pierre White, Delia Smith, Heston Blumenthal, Nigella Lawson & Jamie Oliver. In an incisive & humorous narrative, Sitwell enters an Egyptian tomb to reveal the earliest recipe for bread & discovers the greatest party planner of the Middle Ages. He uncovers the extraordinary & poetic roots of the roast dinner & tells the heart-rending story of the forgotten genius who invented the pressure cooker. & much, much more. ...

Find here the ingredients, cooks, techniques & tools that have shaped our love of food in this lavishly illustrated book. The history of food & cooking is the history of civilisation. In today`s world we can get food from just about anywhere, at any time of day, but how many of us know exactly where our much-loved recipes come from, who invented them, & how they were originally prepared? In this richly entertaining book, food writer William Sitwell explores the fascinating history of cuisine from the first cookbook to the first cupcake, from the invention of the sandwich to the rise of food television. His engaging & witty narrative uncovers the earliest recipes tucked within Egyptian tomb walls & medieval manuscripts & shines a light on the many trends & technological innovations that have shaped the way we eat over hundreds of years. ...

In 1703, Peter the Great founded his eponymous capital on a Baltic marsh. Modelled on Amsterdam, he believed it would usher in a modernised, Westernised future. In the nineteenth-century Age of Imperialism, the British rebuilt Bombay as a tropical London, while three Western powers made Shanghai look just like home. In our time, the sheikh of Dubai has transformed his desert city into a skyscraper-studded global hub. The cultural & historical threads that connect these cities & their conflicted embrace of modernity are brought into relief in Daniel Brook`s captivating mix of history & reportage
- a story of architects & authoritarians, artists & revolutionaries who take these facsimiles of the West & turn them into crucibles of non-Western modernism. A History of Future Cities is both a crucial reminder of globalisation`s long march & an inspiring look into the possibilities of our Asian Century.
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Even a brief glance at the maps of what has, or might have, been called Germany through the ages reveals a kaleidoscope of alterations in shape & composition. Though there are elements of continuity, the history of Germany has been the history of nearly constant change. In this concise introduction to Germany`s fascinating past, Peter Wende provides an approachable historical interpretation of the key periods & turning points from Roman times to the present. Wende shows that, throughout the course of 2000 years, German history is actually the history of many Germanies, & that it can be written neither just as the history of a region nor of a political, ethnic or cultural formation. Focussing on key points in Germany`s political, social & economic development, this guide is ideal for all those with an interest in the complex & compelling history of one of Europe`s main nation-states. ...

This is the first comprehensive history of the culturally diverse city, & the first to be co-authored by a Cuban & an American. Beginning with the founding of Havana in 1519, Cluster & Hernandez explore the making of the city & its people through revolutions, art, economic development & the interplay of diverse societies. The authors bring together conflicting images of a city that melds cultures & influences to create an identity that is distinctly Cuban. ...

This fresh & up-to-date interpretation of India`s rich & extraordinary history, written by a leading authority in the field, explores themes in ancient, medieval & especially modern India. Peter Robb`s accessible study analyses India`s civilizations, empires & regions through the ages, & now also evaluates present-day developments & opportunities. A History of India, Second Edition * examines the relationships between politics, religious belief, social order, environment & economic change * assesses, from c. 1860, British colonialism, Indian nationalism & nation-building, popular protest movements, religious revivals, & re-inventions of caste, community & gender * discusses long-term economic development, the impact of global trade, & the origins of rural poverty * has been revised in the light of the latest scholarship, & now features a Chronology as well as a fully reworked final chapter which brings the story up to the present day & carefully considers India`s prospects & new roles in the world. Centred around clearly expressed & well argued topics, issues & explanations, A History of India remains the ideal introduction for all those who wish to understand the drama & vitality of India`s past, its present situation & its future challenges. ...

A History of Israel examines Israel`s turbulent history from the first Zionist Congress of 1897 to the present day. Drawing on his considerable experience as historian & journalist, Ahron Bregman offers a balanced exploration of Israel`s past in which the three principal driving themes of Jewish immigration, wars, & attempts to forge peace with Arabs & Palestinians combine into a single compelling narrative. New insights, revelations appearing in print for the first time, & portraits of Israeli leaders, past & present, are adeptly woven together with an overview of major events. This incisive book will be welcomed by all with an interest in the fascinating history of Israel. ...

Until the beginning of the eighteenth century, to be ` Italian` meant to identify with a number of collective memories, rather than a national memory. Yet there are elements of continuity that have shaped Italian identity over the past 1, 500 years. Religion, food, art & architecture, a literary language, as well as a particular relationship between cities & countryside, between family & civil society have all contributed to present day Italian culture & politics. Baldoli explores the history of Italy as a country, rather than as a nation, in order to trace its fascinating cultural & political development. Offering a way into each period of Italian history, the book brings Italy`s past to life with extracts from poetry, novels & music. Drawing on the latest research published in English & Italian, this is the ideal introduction for all those interested in Italy`s cultural & social past & its significance for the country`s present. ...

Presenting the richness of Korean civilization from early state formation to the jarring transformations resulting in two distinctive trajectories of modern development, this book introduces the country's major historical events, patterns, & debates. Organised both chronologically & thematically, the 27 concise chapters explore recurring themes such as Korean identity, external influence, & family & gender. This lively narrative assumes no prior knowledge, inviting readers to appreciate both the distinctiveness & universality of Korean history. ...