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Big Deal: One Year as a Professional Poker Player
by Anthony HoldenBIG DEAL is the mesmerising story of a year spent by bestselling biographer Anthony Holden in the tough world of the professional poker player. He spent days and nights in the poker paradise of Las Vegas, in Malta and Morocco, even shipboard, mingling with the legendary greats, sharpening his game, perfecting his repartee, and learning a great deal about himself in the process.Poker, Holden would insist, is not gambling. Like chess it is a paradigm of life at its most intense, a gladiatorial contest that brings out the best as well as the worst in people. Its heroes, its eccentrics and is comedians stalk the pages of this remarkable book, along with all the hair-raising, nail-biting excitement of the games themselves.A classic of the genre, BIG DEAL is here reissued with a new introduction by the author.
Big Little Hotel: Small Hotels Designed by Architects
by Donna KacmarThis book showcases small hotels, all located in the United States, designed by architects who use light and materials in interesting and intentional ways. The designs also deliberately connect to their local history, context, or land – in many cases all three. Both the architecture and the operations harmonize with the place, whether that is a bustling city, small town, or natural area. Many are new buildings but some are adaptive reuse projects or renovations of historic properties, extending the connectivity of the place into the future. A condensed history of lodging helps to place the many typologies and histories of hospitality in relationship to world events and includes the many factors that influence hotel development such as business practices, technology, and even politics. Hotels are influenced by larger trends and innovations in hospitality such as the emergence of a variety of creative possibilities for future travel. A final chapter includes speculation on travel trends and encourages us all to wander more intentionally.
Big Little Hotel: Small Hotels Designed by Architects
by Donna KacmarThis book showcases small hotels, all located in the United States, designed by architects who use light and materials in interesting and intentional ways. The designs also deliberately connect to their local history, context, or land – in many cases all three. Both the architecture and the operations harmonize with the place, whether that is a bustling city, small town, or natural area. Many are new buildings but some are adaptive reuse projects or renovations of historic properties, extending the connectivity of the place into the future. A condensed history of lodging helps to place the many typologies and histories of hospitality in relationship to world events and includes the many factors that influence hotel development such as business practices, technology, and even politics. Hotels are influenced by larger trends and innovations in hospitality such as the emergence of a variety of creative possibilities for future travel. A final chapter includes speculation on travel trends and encourages us all to wander more intentionally.
Big Pig, Little Pig: A Year on a Smallholding in South-West France
by Jacqueline YallopAs heard on BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week'A delightful and entertaining memoir' Woman and HomeWhen Jacqueline moves to south-west France with her husband, she embraces rural village life and buys two pigs to rear for slaughter. But as she gets to know the animals better, her English sentimentality threatens to get in the way and she begins to wonder if she can actually bring herself to kill them. This is a memoir about that fateful decision, but it's also about the ethics of meat eating in the modern age, and whether we should know, respect and even love the animals we eat. At its heart, this book is a love story, exploring the increasing attachment of the author for her particular pigs, and celebrating the enduring closeness of humans and pigs over the centuries.
Big Snake: Big Snake (HB)
by Robert TwiggerRobert Twigger goes to the Far East in search of the world's longest snake - 'echoes of Gerald Durrell's trips crossed with Redmond O'Hanlon's foray into the heart of Borneo . . . a fantastic book' DAILY MAILAbout to be married, Robert Twigger decides on his last great adventure as a bachelor. Surfing the net, he discovers the Roosevelt Prize - worth $50,000 - for the capture of a live 30 foot python. Armed only with a tin of High Toast Snuff (deadly if sniffed by a snake), Twigger sets off into the remote jungles of Indonesia in search of his prey.Along the way, he investigates the legendarily beautiful women of Sulawesi, treads in Nabokov's footsteps, looks for giant snakes beneath the sewers of Kuala Lumpur, and spends time with a variety of snake catchers and cults. After being caught up in anti-Chinese riots and surviving on greasy civet cat in the jungle, Twigger finally comes face to face with the big one; but the final capture is not quite what he had in mind.
The Big Walks of the North
by David BathurstDavid Bathurst has unlaced his boots to produce this definitive companion to the ten best-loved long-distance footpaths in the north of Britain, with each split into manageable sections. Combining detailed descriptions with an appreciation of the beauty and history of the British countryside, this in an indispensable guide for all walkers.
Big Wonderful: Notes from Wyoming
by Kevin HoldsworthIn this unconventional memoir, Kevin Holdsworth vividly portrays life in remote, unpredictable country and ruminates on the guts - or foolishness - it takes to put down roots and raise a family in a merciless environment. Growing up in Utah, Holdsworth couldn't wait to move away. Once ensconced on the East Coast, however, he found himself writing westerns and dreaming of the mountains he'd skied and climbed. Fed up with city life, he moved to a small Wyoming town. In Big Wonderful, he writes of a mountaineering companion's death, the difficult birth of his son, and his father's terminal illness - encounters with mortality that sharpened his ideas about risk, care, and commitment. He puts a new spin on mountaineering literature, telling wild tales from his reunion with the mountains but also relating the surprising willpower it took to turn back from risks he would have taken before he became a father. He found he needed courage to protect and engage deeply with his family, his community, and the wild places he loves. Holdsworth's essays and poems are rich with anecdotes, characters, and vivid images. Readers will feel as if they themselves watched a bear destroy an entire expedition's food, walked with his great-great-grandmother along the icy Mormon Trail, and tried to plant a garden in Wyoming's infamous wind. Readers who love the outdoors will enjoy this funny and touching take on settling down and adventuring in the West's most isolated country.
The Biggest Twitch: Around the World in 4,000 birds
by Alan Davies Ruth MillerMost people dream of packing in their humdrum city life, selling up and heading off into the unknown for a life of adventure. For Ruth Miller and Alan Davies this dream became a reality, albeit with a twist; they decided to pack in their jobs, sell their house and take on the ultimate birder's challenge - to smash the world record for the numberof species seen in one calendar year.This book is the story of their great expedition, searching for birds from Ecuador to Ethiopia via Argentina, Australia and Arizona. We follow this birding odyssey as they rachet up the species and the stamps in their passports, sharing in amazing birding experiences such as monkey-hunting Harpy Eagles in the Brazilian rain forest, seedsnipes in the Peruvian highlands and lekking bustards in South Africa, all leading to the ultimate question - will they break the magic 4,000? Written in an accessible style, this book will be of great interest to birders, readers of travel literature, and to people who simply enjoy a good adventure!
Bike Nation: How Cycling Can Save the World
by Peter WalkerA revolution on the roads is approaching. Is it time for drivers to Give Way? Guardian news correspondent, Peter Walker, takes us on a journey around the world, exploring the varying attitudes to cycling on our highways. Visit the shining examples of Amsterdam and Copenhagen, where cycling culture is an intrinsic part of the approach of politicians and officials. How have these cities made provision for cyclists and what are the extraordinary benefits?And then take to the less welcoming roads of Britain, USA and Australia, where cycling can still be a terrifying experience. What are the tragic mistakes being made when planning and developing cities, and how do these mistakes lead to aggression towards the cycling community?Millions of us find ourselves frustrated by the motor mentality and fighting for our rights to ride. This brilliant, shocking investigation will prepare you with all you need to know to confidently claim your place on the road.
A Bike Ride: 12,000 miles around the world
by Anne MustoeWhen ex-headmistress Anne Mustoe gave up her job, bought a bike and took to the road, she couldn't even mend a puncture. 12,000 miles and 15 months later, she was home. Her epic solo journey took her around the world, through Europe, India, the Far East and the United States. From Thessaloniki to Uttar Pradesh, from Chumphon to Singapore, she faced downpours, blizzards and blistering deserts, political turmoil and amorous waiters - alternated with great kindness from strangers along the way. A Bike Ride is the first in the series of Anne Mustoe's successful and inspiring travelogues.
Bikepacking Scotland: 20 multi-day cycling adventures off the beaten track (Bikepacking #2)
by Markus StitzBikepacking Scotland by Markus Stitz features 20 great multi-day off-the-beaten-track cycling adventures across the Scottish mainland and islands. The book features routes of different lengths which take in the best of the country, from the Ayrshire Alps, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders in southern Scotland, through Perthshire’s unique drovers’ roads and the grand architecture of the Central Belt, across to Argyll’s islands on ferry-hopping adventures around Islay, a paradise for whisky connoisseurs, and Jura and Mull to spot magnificent golden eagles. And, of course, the Scottish Highlands with an epic tour of the Cairngorms National Park, home to 25 per cent of Britain's rare and endangered species, as well as the author’s own take on the North Coast 500 and more. Researched and written by the founder of Bikepacking Scotland, and mostly accessible by public transport, each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, with points of interest along the route, food recommendations and accommodation options, in addition to stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available. Alongside further information on access, seasons and what to pack, and valuable insight from Scottish cycling personalities including Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham, this book is full of practical tips and advice for both experienced bikepackers and those who want to try it out for the first time.
Bill Bryson's African Diary
by Bill BrysonBill Bryson goes to Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, the charity dedicated to working with local communities to eradicate poverty around the world. Kenya, generally regarded as the cradle of humankind, is a land of stunning landscapes, famous game reserves, and a vibrant culture, but it also has many serious problems, including refugees, AIDS, drought and grinding poverty. It also provides plenty to worry a nervous traveller like Bill Bryson: hair-raising rides in light aircraft, tropical diseases, snakes, insects and large predators.Bryson casts his inimitable eye on a continent new to him, and the resultant diary, though short in length, contains all his trademark laugh-out-loud wit, wry observation and curious insight. All the author’s royalties from this book, as well as all profits, will go to CARE International.
Billy Connolly's Route 66: The Big Yin on the Ultimate American Road Trip
by Billy ConnollyBritain's best-loved comedian hits the most famous highway in the world on an unforgettable journey.Billy Connolly, music-lover, biker, and scourge of the beige and bland the world over, has dreamed about taking a trip on the legendary Route 66 since he heard Chuck Berry belting out one of the greatest rock 'n' roll records of all time. And now he's finally had the chance to do it, travelling every mile on his custom-made trike in search of the real America that can still be found beyond the nation's freeways.Taking in both the essential icons and the hidden gems of the 'Mother Road', Billy also meets up with plenty of the memorable characters who call it home. With his instinct for a good story, and the infectious enthusiasm that has made him our most engaging national treasures, Billy Connolly is the ultimate guide to the ultimate road trip.
Billy Connolly's Tracks Across America
by Billy ConnollyBilly Connolly - raconteur, comedian, and irrepressible wanderer - has spent much of his life in the United States. It's a country he knows and loves a great deal, but even someone as well-travelled as Billy can always discover knew things about such a vast nation. So he's off on the move again, this time via the tracks of the great railroads that helped to build the country.Billy's latest adventure takes him on an epic trip through the backyard of America, tracing the routes taken by the first European settlers westwards from Chicago to California, then back down south and eastwards through Arizona, Texas, Alabama and finally New York, over 6,000 miles and 26 states later. It's a journey through a country you don't get to see from 30,000 feet in the air - the real America of friendly people with fascinating tales to tell which not only give us an insight into their lives, but also into the life of their great homeland. And it's a journey that couldn't be shared with a more entertaining companion. Hope aboard and join Billy on a trip you'll never forget.
Bing’s Bus Ride (Bing)
by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooksRound the corner, not far away, Bing is going to the seaside today!
Birds, Beasts and Relatives (The Corfu Trilogy #2)
by Gerald DurrellThe follow up to My Family and Other Animals and the second book in The Corfu Trilogy, the beloved books that inspired ITV's television series The Durrells.In this second collection of tales concerning the Durrell family on the island of Corfu, young Gerry continues to be captivated by the fascinating flora and fauna of their adopted home - much to the bemusement and upset of his long suffering siblings and mother.Whether it's lamp fishing by night or roving the countryside with his mentor Theodore, Gerry encounters intoxicated hedgehogs, tarantulas, dung beetles, water spiders and other animals, some of which become the family's very unwanted pets.
Birds of Australia: A Photographic Guide
by Iain Campbell Sam Woods Nick Leseberg Geoff JonesAustralia is home to a spectacular diversity of birdlife, from parrots and penguins to emus and vibrant passerines. Birds of Australia covers all 714 species of resident birds and regularly occurring migrants and features more than 1,100 stunning color photographs, including many photos of subspecies and plumage variations never before seen in a field guide. Detailed facing-page species accounts describe key identification features such as size, plumage, distribution, behavior, and voice. This one-of-a-kind guide also provides extensive habitat descriptions with a large number of accompanying photos. The text relies on the very latest IOC taxonomy and the distribution maps incorporate the most current mapping data, making this the most up-to-date guide to Australian birds.Covers all 714 species of resident birds and regularly occurring migrantsFeatures more than 1,100 stunning color photosIncludes facing-page species accounts, habitat descriptions, and distribution mapsThe ideal photographic guide for beginners and seasoned birders alike
Birds of Australia: A Photographic Guide (PDF)
by Iain Campbell Sam Woods Nick Leseberg Geoff JonesAustralia is home to a spectacular diversity of birdlife, from parrots and penguins to emus and vibrant passerines. Birds of Australia covers all 714 species of resident birds and regularly occurring migrants and features more than 1,100 stunning color photographs, including many photos of subspecies and plumage variations never before seen in a field guide. Detailed facing-page species accounts describe key identification features such as size, plumage, distribution, behavior, and voice. This one-of-a-kind guide also provides extensive habitat descriptions with a large number of accompanying photos. The text relies on the very latest IOC taxonomy and the distribution maps incorporate the most current mapping data, making this the most up-to-date guide to Australian birds.Covers all 714 species of resident birds and regularly occurring migrantsFeatures more than 1,100 stunning color photosIncludes facing-page species accounts, habitat descriptions, and distribution mapsThe ideal photographic guide for beginners and seasoned birders alike
Birds of Belize (Princeton Field Guides #158)
by Steve N. Howell Dale DyerA state-of-the-art illustrated field guide to the birds of BelizeBelize is one of the world’s premier birding destinations, home to a marvelous array of tropical birds and beautiful habitats ranging from verdant rain forests and extensive wetlands to rolling pine savannas and the country’s famed barrier reef. Birds of Belize is the essential illustrated pocket guide to this birder’s paradise. It covers all regularly occurring bird species found in the region and features facing-page plates and text that make field identification easy. Concise species accounts describe everything from size and distribution to voice, habitat, and status. This compact guide also features progressive taxonomy and a wealth of color range maps.Covers more than 500 species of birds found in BelizeIncludes 116 superb color platesFeatures concise species accounts, facing-page plates and text, and up-to-date range mapsIts compact size and field-friendly layout make it the ideal travel companion for any birder
Birds of Bhutan and the Eastern Himalayas (Helm Field Guides)
by Carol Inskipp Richard Grimmett Tim Inskipp SherubThe nation of Bhutan and the Indian states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh together form the eastern arm of the Himalayas. This book is the definitive field guide to the birds of this magical corner of Asia.Covers all 809 species that regularly occur in the region, including most vagrants.152 superb colour plates, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference.Concise text covering identification, voice, habits, habitats, distribution and status.Introduction includes information habitats, birding sites and conservation.
Birds of Bhutan and the Eastern Himalayas (Helm Field Guides)
by Carol Inskipp Richard Grimmett Tim Inskipp SherubThe nation of Bhutan and the Indian states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh together form the eastern arm of the Himalayas. This book is the definitive field guide to the birds of this magical corner of Asia.Covers all 809 species that regularly occur in the region, including most vagrants.152 superb colour plates, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference.Concise text covering identification, voice, habits, habitats, distribution and status.Introduction includes information habitats, birding sites and conservation.
Birds of Borneo (Pocket Photo Guides)
by G. W. Davison Chew Yen FookThe island of Borneo is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots and a birdwatcher's paradise. Around 600 species of bird have been recorded here, and some 430 are known to breed. Many of these are rainforest specialists, but such a large island also has widely different habitats attracting a surprisingly wide range of avian visitors. Of particular interest are the 30 or so species that are endemic to Borneo, ie found nowhere else in the world. This concise and easy-to-use guide features 252 of Borneo's most interesting and spectacular birds, with each species illustrated in full colour and with key information on identification, habitat and distribution.Illustrated with clear colour photography and brief but authoritative descriptions the Pocket Photo Guides highlight the species of birds and animals from each region that the traveller is most likely to see, as well as those that are genuinely endemic (only to be seen in that country or region) or special rarities. The genuine pocket size allow the books to be carried around on trips and excursions and will take up minimal rucksack and suitcase space.
Birds of Borneo (Pocket Photo Guides)
by G. W. Davison Chew Yen FookThe island of Borneo is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots and a birdwatcher's paradise. Around 600 species of bird have been recorded here, and some 430 are known to breed. Many of these are rainforest specialists, but such a large island also has widely different habitats attracting a surprisingly wide range of avian visitors. Of particular interest are the 30 or so species that are endemic to Borneo, ie found nowhere else in the world. This concise and easy-to-use guide features 252 of Borneo's most interesting and spectacular birds, with each species illustrated in full colour and with key information on identification, habitat and distribution.Illustrated with clear colour photography and brief but authoritative descriptions the Pocket Photo Guides highlight the species of birds and animals from each region that the traveller is most likely to see, as well as those that are genuinely endemic (only to be seen in that country or region) or special rarities. The genuine pocket size allow the books to be carried around on trips and excursions and will take up minimal rucksack and suitcase space.
Birds of Central America: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
by Andrew Vallely Dale DyerThe first comprehensive field guide to the birds of Central AmericaBirds of Central America is the first comprehensive field guide to the avifauna of the entire region, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Handy and compact, the book presents text and illustrations for nearly 1,200 resident and migrant species, and information on all rare vagrants. Two hundred sixty detailed plates on convenient facing-page spreads depict differing ages and sexes for each species, with a special focus on geographic variation. The guide also contains up-to-date range maps and concise notes on distribution, habitat, behavior, and voice. An introduction provides a brief overview of the region’s landscape, climate, and biogeography.The culmination of more than a decade of research and field experience, Birds of Central America is an indispensable resource for all those interested in the bird life of this part of the world.Detailed information on the entire avifauna of Central America260 beautiful color platesRange maps, text, and illustrations presented on convenient facing-page spreadsUp-to-date notes on distribution supported by an extensive bibliographySpecial focus on geographic variation of bird species
Birds of China (Pocket Photo Guides)
by John Mackinnon Nigel HicksA compact, easy-to-use bird identification guide for any nature watcher on a visit to China, one of the world's top destinations for watching birds. A total of 252 species is described here in detail, from the magestic Black-crowned Night Heron to the striking Large Niltava. All of these birds are clearly illustrated in a collection of specially commissioned colour photographs. With almost 300 full-colour photographs, easy-to-use thumbnail family silhouettes, a regional distribution map and handy tips on the best birding localities.Illustrated with clear colour photography and brief but authoritative descriptions the Pocket Photo Guides highlight the species of birds and animals from each region that the traveller is most likely to see, as well as those that are genuinely endemic (only to be seen in that country or region) or special rarities. The genuine pocket size allow the books to be carried around on trips and excursions and will take up minimal rucksack and suitcase space.