Archives

Yoga for Pregnancy Birth and B

(2020) A practical, step-by-step photographic guide to yoga poses specifically chosen to support you safely through pregnancy and the first months following the birth.

Yoga is more important during pregnancy than at any other time of your life. As your body becomes unfamiliar to you from trimester to trimester and as labour approaches, you need safe, strengthening, and supportive sequences to guide you on your journey. This book gives you step-by-step yoga postures specially adapted for each trimester, and relaxation techniques and simple breathing exercises will show you how to adjust to the physical demands of labour and give birth with confidence. From conception to birth, help develop shared wellbeing and continue to reap the benefits of yoga after the birth as you bond with your new baby and regain your shape.

History of Magic Witchcraft and the Occult

(2020) Discover the beguiling history of witchcraft, magic, and superstition through the centuries in this stunningly illustrated title.

A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most interesting and often controversial subjects in the world, covering everything from ancient animal worship and shamanism, through alchemy and divination to modern Wicca and the resurgence of the occult in 21st-century literature, cinema, and television.

Providing readers with a balanced, and unbiased account of everything from Japanese folklore and Indian witchcraft to the differences between black and white magic, and dispelling myths such as those surrounding the voodoo doll and Ouija, the book explores the common human fear of, and fascination with spells, superstition, and the supernatural.

The perfect introduction to magic and the occult, this wide-ranging volume explores forms of divination from astrology and palmistry to the Tarot and runestones, mystical plants and potions such as mandrake, the presence of witchcraft in literature from Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the Harry Potter series, and the ways in which magic has interacted with religion.

The most comprehensive illustrated history of witchcraft available, A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult will enthral and fascinate you with its lavish illustrated, accessible entries, whether you are a believer or sceptic.

Short History of Trains

(2019) Journey through the history of the railways

A fascinating journey through the history of railways, packed with first-hand accounts of innovation, triumph, and tragedy.From the earliest steam engine to the high-speed bullet trains of today, A Short History of the Railway reveals the hidden stories of railway history across the world – the inspired engineering; the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the construction of the tracks; the ground-breaking innovations behind the trains that travelled along them; and the triumphs and tragedies of the people who made the railway what it is.Chart the history of the Trans-Siberian railway, the Orient Express, and Maglev trains and the impact of world events on the development of trains and the railway. Explore the pioneering railway lines that crossed continents, the key trains ofeach era, and the locomotives that changed the world.A riveting narrative packed with photographs, diagrams, and maps to illustrate and illuminate, this is the biographyof the machines that carried us into the modern era. Previously published as The Iron Road, A Short History of the Train makes perfect reading for train buffs.

Photography

(2019) Fully updated and presented in a striking slipcase, this fascinating all-in-one guide introduces you to the art, history, and culture of photography, and shows you how to get the very best from your photographs.

A comprehensive guide to all things photographic, Photography opens with a gallery of more than 30 of the key figures in photography, from 19th-century pioneers to famous photographers working today. The gallery provides fascinating contrasts between such diverse genres as art photography, reportage, portrait, and wildlife photography. The book then tells the story of photography, from its “garden shed” beginnings to the rise of the “selfie” today.

The second half of the book introduces cameras, accessories, and software, explaining what they can do and how to use them, then shows how to take better photographs by mastering the technical aspects of your camera; experimenting with composition, colour and light; and digitally enhancing your photos. Inspirational masterclasses covering all genres

of photography – landscape, portraits, wildlife, architecture, art – also provide you with an opportunity to apply your newfound skills in a clear and practical way. The section also gives expert advice on showing your work and how to become a professional photographer yourself.

Science of Yoga

(2019) Master your yoga asanas with confidence and ease! Explore the physiology of 30 key yoga poses, in-depth and from every angle.

Scientific and medical research has demystified so much of the practice and shows the benefits of yoga to every system in the body. Delve into the science behind your favourite yoga poses with this easy-to-understand, comprehensive guide.

Perfect for yogis of all levels, this reference book is an in-depth look at your physiology to help you understand how yoga works, and how to practise it safely for the best results. Find out how the spine, breathing, and body position are all fundamentally linked, and see how specific muscles respond to the movements of the joints and how alterations of a pose can enhance or reduce effectiveness.

Science of Yoga reveals the benefits of yoga using up-to-date knowledge. The annotated artworks show the mechanics, the angles, and how your blood flow and respiration are affected. Learn about the key muscle and joint actions, working below the surface of each pose, and safe alignments, to get the most out of your yoga workout.

Maintaining a regular yoga practice can provide many physical and mental health benefits. It can help lower your blood pressure, decrease inflammation and improve your heart health and quality of life. There are 30 key yoga poses to practise, from breathing and standing poses to inversion asanas.

Perfect Your Yoga Practise

The full-colour anatomical illustrations of different asanas with science-based information will give you deeper understanding of yoga and how different poses affect your body.

You can achieve technical excellence in your practice and optimise the benefits of yoga on your body and mind. It also makes a fantastic gift for the yogi in your life.

Inside the pages of this comprehensive yoga book, you’ll discover:

– The physiology of 30 key yoga poses.

– Different asanas from seated and standing, to inversion and floor poses.

– Q&A section that explores the science behind every aspect of yoga.

Visual Encyclopedia

(2020) Packed with facts and illustrations, this landmark book offers a reliable, visually stunning, and family-friendly alternative to online information sources.

This fully illustrated encyclopedia is the antidote to the internet. It’s expertly written and beautifully presented reference for a world overloaded with unreliable information. From quantum physics to the square of the hypotenuse, Ancient Rome to the depths of the oceans, this is your one-stop knowledge shop for the digital age – clear, simple, accurate and unbiased.

This book is a comprehensive guide to a huge range of human knowledge, and includes over 4,000 images to bring information vividly to life. Its format is accessible to a wide range of readers, so it’s ideal for a variety of ages, for home study – or simply for browsing for fun. Parents and teachers can be confident that children won’t see any unwanted content.

The Visual Encyclopedia is the ultimate easy-to-read family guide to science, nature, space, history, art, technology, leisure, culture, and more. The information is organized thematically for simple navigation, and clear signposting makes it easy to follow connections between subjects. For family, for study, for the simple pleasure of discovery, here is a trustworthy source of knowledge and enjoyment.

Woman of No Importance

(2020) ‘A METICULOUS HISTORY THAT READS LIKE A THRILLER’ BEN MACINTYRE, TEN BEST BOOKS TO READ ABOUT WORLD WAR II

An astounding story of heroism, spycraft, resistance and personal triumph over shocking adversity.

‘A rousing tale of derring-do’ THE TIMES * ‘Riveting’ MICK HERRON * ‘Superb’ IRISH TIMES

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In September 1941, a young American woman strides up the steps of a hotel in Lyon, Vichy France. Her papers say she is a journalist. Her wooden leg is disguised by a determined gait and a distracting beauty. She is there to spark the resistance.

By 1942 Virginia Hall was the Gestapo’s most urgent target, having infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare and sprung soldiers from Nazi prison camps. The first woman to go undercover for British SOE, her intelligence changed the course of the war – but her fight was still not over.

This is a spy history like no other, telling the story of the hunting accident that disabled her, the discrimination she fought and the secret life that helped her triumph over shocking adversity.

‘A cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman’ TELEGRAPH

‘Gripping … superb … a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman’ IRISH TIMES

WINNER of the PLUTARCH AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY

Dressmaking Book

(2021) This is your complete guide to dressmaking, from designing, creating and customising your clothes. Master every dressmaking technique in the book!

Fully illustrated and easy to use, this dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to make timeless wardrobe staples. It’s a must-have for beginners and expert stitchers alike.

Inside the pages of this reference book, you’ll discover:

– Step-by-step instructions and techniques, accompanied by clear, full-colour photography

– Thorough sections on tools and equipment, to help the reader choose the right items for each project

– 13 downloadable patterns for skirts, dresses, trousers, tops, and jackets that can be used to create 31 different garments

– Over 80 techniques, including how to cut out a pattern, machine stitch, and hand stitch

– Projects graded by difficulty level so as you can challenge yourself; whether you are a beginner, or looking for more advanced ideas

Fed up with fast fashion and fancy making your own clothes? This is the ultimate dressmaking guide for absolute beginners. Comprehensive, step-by-step guides and dressmaking patterns cover everything from choosing the perfect fabric for any project to trying your hand at a range of machine-sewing techniques.

Accompanied by close-up photographs, clear instructions, and a glossary of dressmaking terminology to demystify even the trickiest technique. This book will help you advance from a sewing learner to a seasoned stitcher in no time. Zoomed-in photographs of hand and machine tools show you the best dressmaking equipment for the job and teach you exactly how to use it.

The Essential Guide to Dressmaking

The Dressmaking Book guides you through every hand stitch, machine stitch, and sewing technique you’ll ever need. We’ve included the best way to stitch, alter, put in linings, seam and hem, so you can make your favourite bespoke outfits to suit your unique style.

Birthday Book

(2020) Find out what your birthday says about you and what your friends’ birthdays say about them in this utterly compelling gift book.

What makes me me? Who am I most compatible with? How will my future turn out? Shelley von Strunckel is expert at answering all these questions and more for her celebrity clients and in her newspaper columns.

Use your birthday to identify key personality traits and entertain friends and family by revealing theirs. Harnessing the power of astrology in an entertaining and informative way, you’ll learn about the dates, numbers, colours, and even foods with which each person is most compatible.

With descriptions of every birth day of the year, The Birthday Book is written in an easy-to-understand style, beautifully illustrated, and packed with information. It is an at-a-glance reference guide to astrology, numerology and tarot that will entertain you, your friends and family for years to come.

Composers Their Lives and Work

(2020) “The only love affair I have ever had was with music.” Maurice Ravel

A compelling celebration of more than 90 of the world’s most influential composers from the medieval period to the present day, Composers reveals the fascinating stories of their lives, loves, and works. Biographical entries – introduced with a stunning portrait of each featured composer – trace the friendships, loves, and rivalries that inspired each musical genius.

Profiles offer revealing insights into what drove each individual to create the musical masterpieces – symphonies, concertos and operatic scores – that changed the direction of classical music and are still celebrated and treasured today.

Lavishly illustrated with paintings or photographs of each composer, alongside original musical scores and personal correspondence, images of their homes and where they worked, and personal effects and other important artefacts, the book introduces the key influences, themes, and working methods of each individual, setting their works within a wider historical and cultural context.

Charting the development of classical music and music movements across the centuries, Composers provides a compelling glimpse into the personal lives, loves, and influences of the giants of the classical music canon.