What did we know about birds a thousand years ago, & how has our understanding developed? A History of Ornithology offers a complete history of birdwatching in Britain, a classic for every nature lover's bookshelf. Today there is a huge interest in birdwatching as a hobby, & over the years amateur birdwatchers have contributed enormously to our understanding of the birds around us. At the same time, ornithology has developed as a science
- in the field, in the laboratory, & in the universities
- & birds have played their part in pushing forward the frontiers of biological knowledge. Peter Bircham looks at the history of British ornithology, spanning a millennium & exploring along the way the first bird book, the earliest British lists, various notable scientists, collectors & artists, the first studies of migration, & the challenges presented by classification. He traces the development of the British Ornithologists' Union & other organisations, & finishes with a review of the current state of ornithology in Britain.A History of Ornithology is an authoritative & engrossing account, packed full of fascinating stories
- not only about the birds but also about the many colourful characters who have studied them through the ages. This beautifully illustrated book will hold great appeal both for the student of ornithology & for the enthusiastic amateur naturalist.


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It is impossible to understand Palestine today without a careful reading of its distant & recent past. But until now there has been no single volume in English that tells the history of the events--from the Ottoman Empire to the mid-twentieth century--that shaped modern Palestine. The first book of its kind, A History of Palestine offers a richly detailed interpretation of this critical region`s evolution. Starting with the prebiblical & biblical roots of Palestine, noted historian Gudrun Krmer examines the meanings ascribed to the land in the Jewish, Christian, & Muslim traditions. Paying special attention to social & economic factors, she examines the gradual transformation of Palestine, following the history of the region through the Egyptian occupation of the mid-nineteenth century, the Ottoman reform era, & the British Mandate up to the founding of Israel in 1948. Focusing on the interactions of Arabs & Jews, A History of Palestine tells how these connections affected the cultural & political evolution of each community & Palestine as a whole. ...

Anita Prazmowska provides a wide-ranging survey of Poland's history, from early settlements, through the establishment of the Kingdom of Pol&, to the present day modern state. This expanded second edition has been revised throughout in the light of the latest research, & brings the story right up to date. A new Bibliography also features. ...

Russia is the largest country on the planet, a multi-ethnic empire, a great power of global significance. For much of its history it has been a `peasant state`, in which peasant society & values interacted critically with those of the ruling elites. In modern times its society has produced artists, writers, musicians, scientists & cosmonauts who have made a unique contribution to world culture. In the twentieth century, Russia has been the scene of the world`s greatest social experiment
- the most powerful challenge ever mounted to hegemonic Western values. Roger Bartlett traces the history of the country from its beginnings in Kiev Russia, through the Muscovite & Imperial, Soviet & post-Soviet periods, to the start of the twenty-first century. While offering a broad perspective on Russia`s historical development, Bartlett focuses on the origins of Russian political culture & the place of the majority peasant population in the Russian/ Soviet polity. Lucid, balanced & authoritative, it is the ideal introduction for all those with an interest in Russia`s past, & its significance for the country`s present.
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Did you ever wonder which civilisation first took to water in small craft? Who worked out how to measure distance or plot a course at sea? Or why the humble lemon rose to such prominence in the diets of sailors? Taking one hundred objects that have been pivotal in the development of sailing & sailing boats, the book provides a fascinating insight into the history of sailing. From the earliest small boats, through magnificent Viking warships, to the technology that powers some of the most sophisticated modern yachts, the book also covers key developments such as keeps & navigational aids such as the astrolabe, sextant & compass. Other more apparently esoteric objects from all around the world are also included, including the importance of citrus fruit in the prevention of scurvy, scrimshaw made from whalebone & the meaning of sailor`s tattoos. Beautifully illustrated with lively & insightful text, it`s a perfect gift for the real or armchair sailor, the book gives an alternative insight into how & why we sail the way we do today. ...

Scotland is one of the oldest countries in the world with a vivid & diverse past. Yet the stories & figures that dominate Scottish history
- tales of failure, submission, thwarted ambition & tragedy
- often badly serve this great nation, overshadowing the rich tapestry of her intricate past. Historian Neil Oliver presents a compelling new portrait of Scottish history, peppered with action, high drama & centuries of turbulence that have helped to shape modern Scotl&. Along the way, he takes in iconic landmarks & historic architecture; debunks myths surrounding Scotland`s famous sons; recalls forgotten battles; charts the growth of patriotism; & explores recent political developments, capturing Scotland`s sense of identity & celebrating her place in the wider world.

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As an antidote to more sober accounts of Scotland`s history, Ian Crofon offers a colourful chronology of the eccentric, the infamous, the bawdy, the horrific & the hilarious people & events that have spattered across the pages of our nation`s story. From the Royal High School riot to Marocco the Wonder Horse, from the War of the One-Eyed Woman to the MP cleared of stealing his ex-mistress`s knickers, A History of Scotland Without the Boring Bits

Includes:: a host of little-known tales that you won`t find in more conventional works of history, including the chatelaine who struck a general over the head with a leg of mutton, the cow that gave birth to fourteen puppies, the clan chief who ripped out the throat of his enemy with his teeth, the surgeon who was so fast with the saw that he inadvertently took off his patient`s testicles as well as his leg, the mathematician who calculated that the Christian religion would finally disappear in the year 3153. Ian Crofton`s alternative history of Scotland looks at the country`s seedy underbelly with a quizzical eye. It is full of the mischievous humour & lightly-worn scholarship so praised by the critics in his Dictionary of Scottish Phrase & Fable.

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` Spain is different` was for a long time the explanation proffered by historians when they sought to explain the course of the nation`s exceptionally rich & varied history. Spain was the only region in the medieval West (along with Sicily) to experience Islamic conquest; the first nation to lay claim to a global empire & the first to lose it; & the country in which the extreme forces of the Left & the Right were to act out one of the bloodiest confrontations Europe has known. Today, however, as Spain has become firmly integrated into the political & economic structures of the European Union, the long-held notion that the country is a nation apart no longer seems valid. Simon Barton probes the extent to which Spain should be regarded as an exceptional case & provides a highly-readable, lucid & balanced account of its vibrant & colourful history, from its origins to the present day. This second edition of a highly successful text has been revised & expanded in the light of new scholarship, & now features additional maps & figures. Barton brings the story right up to date with coverage of recent events, such as the 2004 Madrid bombings & the general election of 2008. ...

A History of the 20th Century in 100 Maps is a truly fascinating book, even for all of us in Stanfords who are well used to seeing interesting maps & posters! The 100 maps, many accompanied by additional photos & reproductions of posters or letters, show how the 20th century was a golden age of map-making & maps permeated almost every aspect of daily life. It was a century overshadowed by war but also marked by tremendous social & technological change to which millions of contemporary maps bear witness. Most were created for a specific & immediate purpose, & have never been reprinted or discussed, until now. From the first British concentration camps to the only Nazi labour camp on British soil, & from a trench map used at the Battle of the Somme to an escape & evasion map from the first Gulf War, this book explores the cartographic legacy of 20th-century conflict, from top-secret documents to mass propaganda. These 100 maps tell many stories, revealing changing social attitudes towards the unfamiliar & unconventional, from Jewish London at the turn of the century to women in the workplace, & from the Edwardian opium trade to gay London in the 1980s. The maps cover the peak of imperial pageantry as well as rapid post-war decolonisation, & they explore technological change from the expansion of the London Underground system to 1980s computer games. The book tells the story of a ` British` 20th century, but one which has been interpreted in the broadest possible sense, culturally & geographically. Informative descriptions put every map in a wider context & if you want to read about Edward Stanford’s contribution to 20th century mapping, it’s on page 67. ...

Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania have been the battleground for neighbouring powers & the site of intense rivalry, but also interaction, between East & West. A History of the Baltic States masterfully traces the development of these three Baltic countries, from the northern crusades against Europe`s last pagans, & Lithuania`s rise to become one of medieval Europe`s largest states, to their incorporation into the Russian Empire & the creation of their modern national identities. Drawing upon the most recent scholarship, Andres Kasekamp pays particular attention to the tumultuous twentieth century, during which the Baltic States achieved independence, but also endured occupation by both the Soviet Union & Nazi Germany. Finally, he explores how the Baltic States recovered their statehood & transformed themselves into members of the European Union. Clearly & accessibly written, this is one of the first English-language books to provide a comparative survey of Baltic history. ...