The 12th century minaret of Djam is one of Afghanistan`s most celebrated treasures, a magnificent symbol of the powerful Ghorid Empire that once stretched from Iran to India. The second tallest brick minaret in the world, Djam lies in the heart of central Afghanistan`s wild Ghor Province. Surrounded by 2, 000 metre-high mountains & by the remains of what many believe to have been the lost city of Turquoise Mountain
- one of the greatest cities of the Middle Ages
- Djam is, even today, one of the most inaccessible & remote places in Afghanistan. When Freya Stark travelled there, few people in the world had ever laid eyes on it or managed to reach the desolate valley in which it lies. Her journey from Kabul to Kandahar & Herat was difficult & often dangerous but her account shines with humour & is adorned with beautiful descriptions of the land she journeyed through & the people she encountered. A celebrated portrait of Afghanistan & its history, ” The Minaret of Djam” is a poignant reminder that this was once far more than just a country ravaged by war & the political games of the world`s superpowers.

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The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming explores how swimming in rivers, lakes, & seas is the very epitome of conscious living. Zen-seeker Tessa Wardley reconnects the physical & spiritual cycles of life to the changing seasons & flow of wild waters worldwide & leads the reader on to a mindful journey through the natural world. With expert insight & personal anecdote, she shares a sparkling clarity on why our relationship with open water is so fundamental to pure wellbeing, & reveals how wild swimming can be the ultimate Zen meditation. ...

Twenty-first century man is still crudely categorised as macho or metrosexual, yet male wellbeing & particularly mental health is demanding attention-much needed for a happy & harmonious society. The Mindful Man embraces a positive approach to holistic growth for men & shares enlightening insights into modern day, masculinity. Engaging author Caspar Walsh explores the beautiful opportunities mindfulness offers for emotional development & spiritual resilience. Through meditative exercises rooted in wild nature & creative writing, Caspar offers a unique understanding of the ways every man can cultivate a naturally joyful & instinctive awareness. Alongside frank anecdotes & a gentle wisdom, he guides the reader towards meaningful connections, consciousness & community. ...

In today`s busy world, finding physical & mental space for peace & calm amidst the competing demands of work, family & friends can be a challenge. Mindfulness is a simple & powerful practice that can help you cut through the noise & reclaim tranquillity, wherever you are. The Mindfulness Journal offers an introduction to mindfulness & easy exercises that can be done whether you are sitting at your desk, squeezed on to a crowded train, or standing in line at the supermarket. Beautifully illustrated, with notes pages to record your thoughts, this journal is your indispensable companion to a more peaceful, stress-free day. ...

Janek Mitter stumbles into his bathroom one morning after a night of heavy drinking, to find his beautiful young wife, Eva, floating dead in the bath. She has been brutally murdered. Yet even during his trial Mitter cannot summon a single memory of attacking Eva, nor a clue as to who could have killed her if he had not. Only once he has been convicted & locked away in an asylum for the criminally insane does he have a snatch of insight
- but is it too late? Drawing a blank after exhaustive interviews, Chief Inspector Van Veeteren remains convinced that something, or someone, in the dead woman`s life has caused these tragic events. But the reasons for her speedy remarriage have died with her. & as he delves even deeper, Van Veeteren realizes that the past never stops haunting the present.
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” It makes me very happy that I can read this novel written over a hundred years ago as if it were contemporary & be deeply affected by it. It cannot & should not be overlooked. It is one of my favorites.” Haruki Murakami” The Miner ”is the most daringly experimental & least well-known novel of Japanese writer Natsume Soseki. An absurdist tale written in 1908, it was in many ways a precursor to the work of James Joyce & Samuel Beckett. Translated by Jay Rubin, & with an introduction from Haruki Murakami, this is bound to appeal to fans of Japanese literature.” ...

With this kit, complete with a 32page book explaining bonsai gardening, an instruction sheet, a small pot, a peat pellet, a packet of seeds, & a pair of scissors, indoor gardeners can grow a peaceful mini-garden anywhere they choose. Whether it`s on a desk or in a kitchen, this little bit of greenery will brighten up the day-just add water! Also available in a full-size kit ...

Put the power of voodoo to work in the office--so you won`t have to! With a mini corporate voodoo doll & 32 page executive spellbook, you`re practically guaranteed to turn nasty colleagues into friendly allies. & if you`re looking for a raise or hoping for a promotion, you can hardly go wrong with this hilarious kit. ...

This carry-along version of our enormously popular Zen Gardening Kit provides a touch of tranquility on the go. Packaged with a 32page introduction to the aesthetic enlightenment of Zen gardening, it

Includes:: a tray, fine s&, decorative rocks, & miniature wooden rake.

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There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed... On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear & present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways... Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? & will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall? Beautiful, intoxicating & filled with heart-pounding suspense, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love & obsession, betrayal & retribution, appearance & truth. ...