Ben Matson lost someone he loved in the 9/11 attacks. Or thinks he did
- no body has been recovered, & she shouldn`t have been
...

Where do we seek adventure? In the early 1920s more Americans were finding it in Europe. The majority of travellers were exploring & experiencing a connection with their historical & cultural past. Anna Mc Cleary’s diary is a reflection of the curiosity of so many of her fellow Americans. ...

Each chilli demands & deserves to be known in its own right. With hundreds of varieties, & a dizzying array of flavours, shapes, sizes & colours, chillies are a key ingredient in everything from our favourite curries to drinks & desserts. But even the most experienced chilli fanatic needs a guide to which variety to choose & how hot to go on the infamous Scoville scale. This essential kitchen companion profiles 100 versatile chilli varieties, chosen to showcase their impressive range of shape, colour, flavour & heat, ranging from milder everyday favourites such as the jalapeno, ancho & bell pepper to exotic new superhots including the Dorset Naga & Carolina Reaper. Organized by heat level on the infamous Scoville scale, An Anarchy of Chillies tells the story of each variety & offers advice on how to identify, grow & prepare them. The striking illustrations, in a vivid graphic style inspired by the CMYK process, make this not only a go-to reference but also a beautiful art piece. Written & illustrated by Caz Hildebr&, author of the successful Herbarium & The Grammar of Spice, this is a wonderful gift book for any cook, gardener or chilli lover. ...

The Book of the Dead of Sobekmose, in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum, New York, is one of the most important surviving examples of the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead genre. Such `books`
- papyrus scrolls
- were composed of traditional funerary texts, including magic spells, that were thought to assist a dead person on their journey into the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians believed in an underworld fraught with dangers that needed to be carefully navigated, from the familiar, such as snakes & scorpions, to the extraordinary: lakes of fire to cross, animal-headed demons to pass &, of course, the ritual Weighing of the Heart, whose outcome determined whether or not the deceased would be `born again` into the afterlife for eternity. This publication is the first to offer a continuous English translation of a single, extensive, major text that can speak to us from beginning to end in the order in which it was composed. The papyrus itself is one of the longest of its kind to come down to us from the New Kingdom, a time when Egypt`s international power & prosperity were at their peak. This new translation not only represents a great step forward in the study of these texts, but also grants modern readers a direct encounter with what can seem a remote & alien civilization. With language that is, in many places, unquestionably evocative & very beautiful, it offers a look into the mindset of the ancient Egyptians, highlighting their beliefs & anxieties about this world as well as the next.

...

” An Ancient Greek Temple” is the inside story of the magnificent temples which were built by the Greeks to worship their many gods & goddesses. Discover the amazing rituals & festivals that were at the centre of Greek life. Learn how the world of the Greeks was brought to an end by their foreign neighbours. Pull-out illustrations highlight significant parts of the artwork in greater detail. Informative captions, maps, a complete glossary & an index make this title an ideal educational text. ...

One of the great autobiographies of the twentieth century.. .A journey from luminous childhood, through the dark experiences of supposed madness, to the renewal of her life through writing fiction. It is a heroic story, & told with such engaging tone, humorous perspective & imaginative power` Michael Holroyd, Sunday Times After being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia as a young woman, Janet Frame spent several years in psychiatric institutions. She escaped undergoing a lobotomy when it was discovered that she had just won a national literary prize. She then went on to become New Zealand`s most acclaimed writer. As she says more than once in this autobiography: ` My writing saved me.` ` One of the most beautiful & moving books I have ever read.. .A masterpiece.. . Janet`s autobiography had an enormous effect on me. She struck a blow right to my heart` Jane Campion ...

A beautiful special gift, this is a children`s animal encyclopedia with a twist. Alongside interesting facts are the stories & myths behind children`s favourite animals as well as incredible pictures & stunning illustrations. Containing more than 100 species, this beautiful modern bestiary will take children through the animal kingdom from the huge whale to the tiny spider. Discover how the koala got its name or which animal the Ancient Egyptians thought rolled the Sun across the sky. Each page features fun animal facts & detailed close-up photographs for children to pore over, including firm favourites such as dolphins, tigers & butterflies as well more unusual animals such as walrus, lemur & peacock. A perfect gift for children who can`t get enough of animals, wildlife & nature, An Anthology of Intriguing Animals covers animals big & small & feathered & furred & will be a treasured favourite book. ...

An irresistible invitation to reject the work ethic & enjoy life`s simple pleasures (such as laughing, drinking & lying in the open air), Robert Louis Stevenson`s witty & seminal essay on the joys of idleness is accompanied here by his writings on, among other things, growing old, visiting unpleasant places & the overwhelming experience of falling in love. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves
- & each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war & revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked & comforted. They have enriched lives
- & destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals & visionaries whose ideas shook civilization & helped make us who we are.

...

An Appetite for Lombardy is a series of portraits of the most interesting characters behind some of the best food & wine in Lombardy. This book explores not only their cooking but also their stories & views, which are thought –provoking & inspiring. ...

An Appetite for Umbria by Christine Smallwood is both a beautifully illustrated recipe book & a series of portraits that highlight the best restaurants in Umbria. But ‘best’ certainly doesn’t mean ‘similar’. In the book you will find up-market restaurants next to informal wine bars & casual eating places, establishments that have been run by the same families for many decades next to newcomers, & the modern & stylish next to the more traditional. An Appetite for Umbria gives a snapshot of the heroes of Italian food in this region, some of international renown, others unsung, accompanied by samples of the type of food you can expect to find at their restaurants, trattorie, osterie & enoteche. This book explores not only their cooking but also their history, stories & views, which are though-provoking, entertaining & inspiring. Many of the featured establishments are small, & their owners have every intention of keeping them that way, preferring 25 customers to feel delighted about the food & service they have received, rather than 50 merely think the experience was good. In none of them is there a frenzied race for culinary decorations, nor are quality or innovation sacrificed for easy returns: many of these chefs & proprietors are supporters of small, local food suppliers & producers rather than supermarket chains, & all believe that offering good food
- & wine
- is a duty as much as a delight. Each restaurant in the book is listed according to its location, & information is provided on the restaurants address, contact details, opening hours & number of covers. Sections at the back of the book provide an overview of the regions specialties, & comprehensive directions & maps are included for each of the restaurants listed in the text.

...