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Outpost: A Journey to the Wild Ends of the Earth
by Dan RichardsThere are still wild places out there on our crowded planet. Through a series of personal journeys, Dan Richards explores the appeal of far-flung outposts in mountains, tundra, forests, oceans and deserts. Following a route from the Cairngorms of Scotland to the fire-watch lookouts of Washington State; from Iceland’s ‘Houses of Joy’ to the Utah desert; frozen ghost towns in Svalbard to shrines in Japan; Roald Dahl’s writing hut to a lighthouse in the North Atlantic, Richards explores landscapes which have inspired writers, artists and musicians, and asks: why are we drawn to wilderness? What can we do to protect them? And what does the future hold for outposts on the edge?
Journey to the Hebrides: A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland & The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (Canongate Classics #68)
by Samuel Johnson James BoswellSamuel Johnson and James Boswell spent the autumn of 1773 touring the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland. Both kept detailed notes of their impressions, and later published separate accounts of their journey. These accounts of their great tour contain some of the finest pieces of travel writing ever produced: they are magnificent historical documents and also portraits of two extraordinary personalities. In the vivid prose of these two famous men of letters, the Highlands and the Western Islands spring to life. The juxtaposition of the two very different accounts creates an unsurpassed portrait of a society which was utterly alien to the Europe of the Enlightenment, and which was straining on the brink of calamitous change. These great masterpieces, entertaining, profound, and marvellously readable are also our last chronicles of a lost age and people.
Explorer: The Quest for Adventure and the Great Unknown
by Benedict AllenWhat does it mean to be an explorer in the twenty-first century? This is the story of what first led Benedict Allen to head for the farthest reaches of our planet – at a time when there were still valleys and ranges known only to the remote communities who inhabited them. It is also the story of why, thirty years later, he is still exploring. Benedict decides to journey back to a clouded mountain in New Guinea to find an old friend called Korsai, and to fulfil a promise they made as young men. Explorer tells the story of what it means to be ‘lost’ and ‘found’.
Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip (P. S. Ser.)
by Peter HesslerIn the summer of 2001, Peter Hessler, the long-time Beijing correspondent for the New Yorker, acquired his Chinese drivers licence. For the next seven years he travelled the country, tracking how the automobile and the improved transport system were transforming China. Hessler writes movingly of everyday people farmers, migrant workers and entrepreneurs who have reshaped the country during one of the most critical periods in its history. Country Driving illuminates the vast, shifting landscape of a traditionally rural nation that, having once built walls against outsiders, is building the roads and factory towns that will shape the twenty-first century.
A Year of Living Simply: The joys of a life less complicated (Kate Humble)
by Kate Humble'Simply wonderful.' - BEN FOGLE'Kate's book has the warmth and calming effect of a log fire and a glass of wine. Unknit your brow and let go. It's a treat.' - GARETH MALONE'Kate Humble pours her enviable knowledge into attainable goals. It's a winning combination and the prize - a life in balance with nature - is definitely worth claiming.' - LUCY SIEGLE'As ever, where Kate leads, I follow. She has made me reassess and reset.' - DAN SNOW'Kate Humble's new book is a lesson in moving on from a tragedy and finding our place in the world' - WOMAN & HOME'A Year of Living Simply is timely, given that the pandemic has forced most of us, in some way to simplify our lives, whether we planned to or not. Kate wrote it before any of us were aware of the upcoming crisis, but it captures the current moment perfectly... It's not necessarily a "how to" book, more of a "why not try?" approach.' - FRANCESCA BABB, MAIL ON SUNDAY YOU'What I particularly love is her philosophy for happiness, which is the subject of her new book, A Year of Living Simply. The clue is in the title. Remember the basics. Instead of barging through the day on autopilot, really stop to think about the tiniest little things that added a moment of joy. No, of course stopping and smelling the flowers won't cure all our ills and woes. But taking the time to savour the things that bring pleasure, really being in that moment and appreciating it, can remind you that most days have moments that buoy your mood.' - JO ELVIN, MAIL ON SUNDAY YOUIf there is one thing that most of us aspire to, it is, simply, to be happy. And yet attaining happiness has become, it appears, anything but simple. Having stuff - The Latest, The Newest, The Best Yet - is all too often peddled as the sure fire route to happiness. So why then, in our consumer-driven society, is depression, stress and anxiety ever more common, affecting every strata of society and every age, even, worryingly, the very young? Why is it, when we have so much, that many of us still feel we are missing something and the rush of pleasure when we buy something new turns so quickly into a feeling of emptiness, or purposelessness, or guilt?So what is the route to real, deep, long lasting happiness? Could it be that our lives have just become overly crowded, that we've lost sight of the things - the simple things - that give a sense of achievement, a feeling of joy or excitement? That make us happy. Do we need to take a step back, reprioritise? Do we need to make our lives more simple? Kate Humble's fresh and frank exploration of a stripped-back approach to life is uplifting, engaging and inspiring - and will help us all find balance and happiness every day.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s Best Nature Walks: 29 Easy Ways to Explore the Parks' Ecology
by Roddy ScheerPlan out your trip on some of America's most beautiful natural wonders with this indispensable guide to the flora, fauna, geology, and hiking trails of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Step out of your car and right into nature! Yellowstone and Grand Teton&’s Best Nature Walks by Roddy Scheer guides you through simple hikes that feature the best of the park&’s rich ecology. Each entry starts with the brief description of the hike's level of difficulty—all are gentle to moderate and cover no more than two miles. Entries also include directions and clear descriptions of the flora, fauna, and geology you are likely to encounter along the way. Yellowstone and Grand Teton&’s Best Nature Walks is a must-have guide for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and tourists.
Wildflowers of California
by California Native Plant SocietyExperience the vibrant diversity of West Coast Wildflowers with this amazing, informative guide to more than 1,200 plant species.Wildflowers of California is a comprehensive field guide for anyone wishing to learn about the amazingly diverse wildflowers of the region. Organized by flower color and shape, and including a range map for each flower described, the guide is as user-friendly as it is informative. This must-have book is perfect for hikers, naturalists, and native plant enthusiasts. Describes and illustrates 1200 commonly encountered species Includes perennials, annuals, and shrubs, both native and nonnative Thousands of superb color photographs and range maps User-friendly organization by flower color and shape
Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Tourism and Hospitality: Global Post COVID-19 Recovery Strategies (Routledge Studies in Innovation, Organizations and Technology)
The dynamic characteristic of the tourism and hospitality industry under the influence of micro and macro environment factors requires future professionals to be equipped with appropriate skills and competencies to deal with such factors in real life practices. In this book, scholars and industry experts analyse case studies related to real-world scenarios to expand the body of knowledge, inspiring future research and developing the field.The Editors have compiled a compelling set of case studies covering topics centred around corporate entrepreneurship, including innovation, marketing and digital marketing, crisis management, quality development, product development and sustainability with a particular emphasis on post-Covid-19 recovery. The case studies included cover five regions, Europe, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Asia, offering enriching and diverse perspectives.This unique collection will be a valuable resource for scholars and upper-level students across corporate entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as those researching and studying n the tourism and hospitality fields.
Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Tourism and Hospitality: Global Post COVID-19 Recovery Strategies (Routledge Studies in Innovation, Organizations and Technology)
by Teresa Aguiar-Quintana Jonathon Day Álamo Vera, Francisca RosaThe dynamic characteristic of the tourism and hospitality industry under the influence of micro and macro environment factors requires future professionals to be equipped with appropriate skills and competencies to deal with such factors in real life practices. In this book, scholars and industry experts analyse case studies related to real-world scenarios to expand the body of knowledge, inspiring future research and developing the field.The Editors have compiled a compelling set of case studies covering topics centred around corporate entrepreneurship, including innovation, marketing and digital marketing, crisis management, quality development, product development and sustainability with a particular emphasis on post-Covid-19 recovery. The case studies included cover five regions, Europe, Africa, the Americas, Australia and Asia, offering enriching and diverse perspectives.This unique collection will be a valuable resource for scholars and upper-level students across corporate entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as those researching and studying n the tourism and hospitality fields.
Events and Infrastructures: Critical Interrogations (ISSN)
Innovative and the first of its kind, this informative and multidisciplinary book explores the socio-cultural significance inherent in event infrastructures.While mainstream event management literature addresses event infrastructures mainly through its operational relevance, this carefully compiled edited volume takes infrastructures as an analytical point in respect to its social, political, economic and cultural potential of the study of events. Borrowing from the ongoing social scientific debates on the geography, sociology and anthropology of infrastructures, critical questions are posed in relation to the event contexts. With references to events in Argentina, Malawi, Spain and the UK, among others, the volume combines an international perspective with a highly relevant subject for contemporary event management education.By bringing together theoretical as well as empirical readings on the question of event infrastructures from a critical point of view, the debates are relevant to practitioners and researchers as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of events, leisure, tourism, anthropology, sociology, geography and urban planning – among others.
Events and Infrastructures: Critical Interrogations (ISSN)
by Barbara Grabher Ian R. LamondInnovative and the first of its kind, this informative and multidisciplinary book explores the socio-cultural significance inherent in event infrastructures.While mainstream event management literature addresses event infrastructures mainly through its operational relevance, this carefully compiled edited volume takes infrastructures as an analytical point in respect to its social, political, economic and cultural potential of the study of events. Borrowing from the ongoing social scientific debates on the geography, sociology and anthropology of infrastructures, critical questions are posed in relation to the event contexts. With references to events in Argentina, Malawi, Spain and the UK, among others, the volume combines an international perspective with a highly relevant subject for contemporary event management education.By bringing together theoretical as well as empirical readings on the question of event infrastructures from a critical point of view, the debates are relevant to practitioners and researchers as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of events, leisure, tourism, anthropology, sociology, geography and urban planning – among others.
The Places In Between: A vivid account of a death-defying walk across war-torn Afghanistan
by Rory StewartWinner of the RSL Ondaatje PrizeShortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award‘A striding, glorious book . . . A flat-out masterpiece’ The New York Times Book ReviewCaught between hostile nations, warring factions and competing ideologies, Afghanistan was in turmoil following the US invasion. Travelling entirely on foot and following the inaccessible mountainous route once taken by the Mughal emperor Babur the Great, Rory Stewart was nearly defeated by the extreme, hostile conditions.Only with the help of an unexpected companion, and the generosity of the people he met on the way, did he survive to report back on his journey with unique insight on a region closed to the world by twenty-four years of war.‘This evocative book feels like a long-lost relic of the great age of exploration’ The Guardian
Waterlog: The book that inspired the wild swimming movement
by Roger DeakinWaterlog celebrates the magic of water and the beauty of wild Britain.In 1996 Roger Deakin set out to swim the British Isles. He swam in the sea, in rivers, in streams, tarns, lakes, lochs, ponds, lidos, swimming pools, fens, dykes, moats, aqueducts, waterfalls, flooded quarries and even canals. This funny, wise, delightful book documents his journey. It inspired a movement, creating wild swimmers out of many readers.Detained by water bailiffs in Winchester, intercepted in the Fowey estuary by coastguards, mistaken for a suicide on Camber sands, confronting the Corryvreckan whirlpool in the Hebrides, Deakin discovered just how much of an outsider the native swimmer is to his landlocked, fully-dressed fellow citizens.Waterlog is a personal journey, a bold assertion of the native swimmer's right to roam, and an unforgettable celebration of the magic of water.INTRODUCED BY OLIVIA LAING'A delicious, cleansing, funny, wise and joyful book, so wonderfully full of energy and life’ Jane Gardam''Roger Deakin is the perfect companion for an invigorating armchair swim' Daily Telegraph
Somebody Told Me: One Man’s Unexpected Journey Down the Rabbit Hole of Lies, Trolls and Conspiracies
by Danny Wallace'Shocking, timely and - as you’d expect from Danny Wallace - very funny' - Adam Kay'Thrilling, thought-provoking, funny and wise. Danny has an incredible knack for taking the bizarre fringes and rabbit holes of humanity and making them compulsively laugh-out-loud readable.' - Danny Robins, journalist, presenter of Uncanny and writer of 2:22 A Ghost Story'Danny Wallace lightens this dark topic about lies and propaganda with his trademark humour and gets the balance just right' – BBC, Books to Read in 2024Have you been keeping your eye on your grandma lately? Have you been calling her enough? You sure she’s not spending too much time on YouTube? Is she talking fondly of dictators? Has she suddenly started quietly muttering in the Aldi queue about the “Jewish Space Lasers” she’s heard are setting wildfires around the world to make sure everyone believes in climate change? When was the moment the world began to believe anything?Danny Wallace, million-copy bestselling author of Yes Man and Join Me, has fallen down the modern rabbit hole of lies, conspiracies and disinformation. Along the way, he encounters families torn apart by accusations and fake news, journalists putting themselves on the frontline of the disinformation war, reformed conspiracy theorists, influencers who see profit in stoking paranoia, and the shadowy nameless, faceless trolls on the other side of our screens. He discovers how disinformation and well-told lies can ruin a year or a whole life, how they can affect our family, our street, our community. How they can spread across a country, a continent, even the world. How they take hold of our imaginations and make us feel both helpless and powerful.And Danny asks: can you do anything to stop it – even with the truth on your side?
Cultural Heritage in Japan and Italy: Perspectives for Tourism and Community Development (Creative Economy)
by Nobuko Kawashima Guido FerilliThis edited book represents one of the first scholarly research through an international collaboration project between Japan and Italy to address economic and social values of cultural heritage beyond its inherent—historic, archaeological, or aesthetic—values. Cultural policies in the world have over the decades expanded to include non-cultural purposes such as economic development and social inclusion. Japanese cultural policy for heritage is catching up on this trend: we have seen major shifts of emphasis from preservation for its sake to the utilisation of cultural heritage for the purposes of tourism, place branding, local vitalization and community-building, whilst Italy has long thrived on the economy of heritage tourism and more cases are being seen for urban and regional development with the use of cultural assets. The recent outbreak of Covid-19 and the problem of over-tourism that preceded it have challenged tourism policy and practice in the two countries.This book identifies emerging trends, issues, and problems in such policy shifts. The book breaks a new ground in the bourgeoning studies of tourism, heritage, and cultural policy by adopting an international, inter-disciplinary approach. The chapters on Japan in particular make an original contribution to these fields in the English literature in which discussion of Japan despite its economic and cultural presence on the globe has hitherto been less available.
Lost to the Sea: A Journey Round the Edges of Britain and Ireland
by Lisa Woollett'An immersive and lyrically personal journey through deep-time and modern tides' RAYNOR WINN'Wondrous, elegant and haunting, Lost to the Sea is a fascinating alternative history of the fractured, flooded and eroded edges of Britain and Ireland' PHILIP HOAREMedieval kingdoms. Notorious pirate towns. Drowned churches. Crocodile-infested swamps.On a series of coastal walks, Lisa Woollett takes us on an illuminating journey, bringing to life the places where mythology and reality meet at the very edges of Britain and Ireland.From Bronze Age settlements on the Isles of Scilly and submerged prehistoric forests in Wales, to a Victorian amusement park on the Isle of Wight and castles in the air off County Clare, Lisa draws together archaeology, meetings with locals and tales from folklore to reveal how the sea has forged, shaped and often overwhelmed these landscapes and communities.Lost to the Sea is an exhilarating voyage around the ever-shifting shores of the British Isles, and a haunting ode to our profound relationship with the sea.'A hugely enjoyable mosaic of history, myth and imagination' SARA WHEELER'Beautifully written and researched . . . I was immediately tempted to head out in search of lost lands' WYL MENMUIR
Potholes and Pavements: A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network
by Laura Laker'Just wonderful – two wheels good, Laura Laker brilliant. Part travel diary, part love poem to Britain's cycle network ... it's difficult not to be inspired by this fabulous book.' Jeremy Vine 'With a passion for both cycling and words, there are few more qualified to paint a picture of the NCN's potential than Laura Laker.' Chris BoardmanA unique journey around the UK's National Cycle Network and one journalist's quest to investigate the state of our country's cycling.What if we were less reliant on our cars? What if there were safe cycling paths to take us places instead? What if those paths led to the next town, the next village and the countryside beyond? This was the dream of a group of Bristolian idealists in the 1970s when they founded Britain's National Cycle Network, which now runs to nearly 13,000 miles across the country. Journalist Laura Laker sets off on an odyssey around the UK to see where the NCN began, and where it is now. What has gone right – and wrong – with this piece of national infrastructure? Why is it run by a charity whose CEO once admitted 'we've had enough of it being crap, we need to fix it'? Laura lifts the lid on this maddening, patchy, and at times dangerous network, and the similarly precarious politics and financing that make it what it is.She discovers beauty, friendship and adventure along the way, from the Cairngorms to Cornwall, from the Pennines to the South Wales coast. On her mission to pin down what the NCN is and what it means to those who use it, she also meets up with high-profile travelling companions, including Chris Boardman and Ned Boulting. In a country where 71% of trips are less than five miles, two thirds of Britons say they want to cycle more and doing so could help our climate, health and wellbeing. Laura is on a mission to see if we can make that dream a reality.
Potholes and Pavements: A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network
by Laura Laker'Just wonderful – two wheels good, Laura Laker brilliant. Part travel diary, part love poem to Britain's cycle network ... it's difficult not to be inspired by this fabulous book.' Jeremy Vine 'With a passion for both cycling and words, there are few more qualified to paint a picture of the NCN's potential than Laura Laker.' Chris BoardmanA unique journey around the UK's National Cycle Network and one journalist's quest to investigate the state of our country's cycling.What if we were less reliant on our cars? What if there were safe cycling paths to take us places instead? What if those paths led to the next town, the next village and the countryside beyond? This was the dream of a group of Bristolian idealists in the 1970s when they founded Britain's National Cycle Network, which now runs to nearly 13,000 miles across the country. Journalist Laura Laker sets off on an odyssey around the UK to see where the NCN began, and where it is now. What has gone right – and wrong – with this piece of national infrastructure? Why is it run by a charity whose CEO once admitted 'we've had enough of it being crap, we need to fix it'? Laura lifts the lid on this maddening, patchy, and at times dangerous network, and the similarly precarious politics and financing that make it what it is.She discovers beauty, friendship and adventure along the way, from the Cairngorms to Cornwall, from the Pennines to the South Wales coast. On her mission to pin down what the NCN is and what it means to those who use it, she also meets up with high-profile travelling companions, including Chris Boardman and Ned Boulting. In a country where 71% of trips are less than five miles, two thirds of Britons say they want to cycle more and doing so could help our climate, health and wellbeing. Laura is on a mission to see if we can make that dream a reality.
Dog Days Out: 365 things to do with your dog in the UK and Ireland
by Lottie GrossA dog-owner's bible for a wealth of fun, welcoming and quirky adventures in the UK and Ireland.A staggering one third of British households now own a dog as a pet, meaning dog-friendly days out and weekend trips are becoming ever more popular. Finding reliable and comprehensive information on dog-friendly activities, though, is getting harder thanks to the deluge of online content, much of which doesn't offer in-depth information on the kinds of things dog owners need to know. Dog Days Out solves that problem, offering 365 ideas for things to do around the UK with your four-legged friend, such as long rambles in the countryside, brilliant beaches to play fetch on, and exciting attractions and quirky accommodation options. From the rugged countryside of Ireland and Northern Ireland to the beaches of Cornwall, Kent and the Scottish Highlands, plus castles, country houses and cracking walks to be had in between, this book will provide an abundance of ideas for an hour, half a day or a whole day out to suit all weathers. Gorgeous maps and beautiful photography make this both an aspirational and endlessly useful read. The long list of brilliant activities is accompanied by essential practical information for dog owners, such as local bylaws, rules for dogs, wildlife to be aware of, safety tips, solo travel with dogs, activities with reactive dogs, and accessible dog days out.
Dog Days Out: 365 things to do with your dog in the UK and Ireland
by Lottie GrossA dog-owner's bible for a wealth of fun, welcoming and quirky adventures in the UK and Ireland.A staggering one third of British households now own a dog as a pet, meaning dog-friendly days out and weekend trips are becoming ever more popular. Finding reliable and comprehensive information on dog-friendly activities, though, is getting harder thanks to the deluge of online content, much of which doesn't offer in-depth information on the kinds of things dog owners need to know. Dog Days Out solves that problem, offering 365 ideas for things to do around the UK with your four-legged friend, such as long rambles in the countryside, brilliant beaches to play fetch on, and exciting attractions and quirky accommodation options. From the rugged countryside of Ireland and Northern Ireland to the beaches of Cornwall, Kent and the Scottish Highlands, plus castles, country houses and cracking walks to be had in between, this book will provide an abundance of ideas for an hour, half a day or a whole day out to suit all weathers. Gorgeous maps and beautiful photography make this both an aspirational and endlessly useful read. The long list of brilliant activities is accompanied by essential practical information for dog owners, such as local bylaws, rules for dogs, wildlife to be aware of, safety tips, solo travel with dogs, activities with reactive dogs, and accessible dog days out.
Out in the World: The Gay Guide to Travelling with Pride
by null Stefan Arestis null Sebastien ChaneacOut in the World is THE indispensable guide to LGBTQ+ travel from The Nomadic Boys – full of tips, advice and resources on the best and safest places to visit around the world. Get ready for a fabulous adventure across the world with this essential guide to LGBTQ+ travel. The Nomadic Boys share their favourite travel experiences spanning six continents in gorgeous technicolour, giving you tips, advice and resources for making the most of every destination. Plan your own trip of a lifetime, exploring the world's most dazzling Pride celebrations whilst discovering top-notch spots for great food and drink. From must-see landmarks to hidden gems – whether you dream of snorkelling in the Philippines, skiing in Canada, stargazing in New Zealand or partying in the streets of Mexico – this is your ticket to travel with pride! - Travel with confidence - Connect with local LGBTQ+ communities - Find practical tips for travelling safely - Make the most of every destination
The Honeymoon Affair: Don't miss the gripping and romantic new contemporary novel from No. 1 bestselling author Sheila O'Flanagan!
by Sheila O'Flanagan'A glitzy, glamorous rollercoaster of a romance - hugely entertaining and so satisfying . . . Sheila O'Flanagan at her sparkling best' Veronica HenryThe irresistible, utterly satisfying new contemporary novel from No. 1 bestselling Sheila O'FlanaganIzzy is in the Caribbean on the honeymoon-that-isn't after her fiancé broke her heart. She's not looking for someone new. But when she meets Charles Miller, a successful writer holidaying alone, the electricity is undeniable. And what does she have to lose? In Ireland, Charles's ex-wife and agent Ariel flits from party to party, glamorous and poised. She's in constant contact with Charles. They're very close. Ariel wonders if they should get back together. She's an independent woman, but she liked being part of a power couple. And she's sure she only has to say, and they'll pick up where they left off.No matter how in control of life you think you are, it can shock and surprise you. As Izzy, Ariel and Charles are about to find out . . .Sheila O'Flanagan's new novel tells a compelling and thought-provoking story about two strong women, one complicated man, and the secrets and dreams that draw them together - with explosive consequences . . .'What a fascinating book, set in the world of publishing. I loved it!' Sue Moorcroft
Cypria: A Journey to the Heart of the Mediterranean
by Alex ChristofiAn evocative and lyrical history of Cyprus and the Mediterranean.Think of a place where you can stand at the intersection of Christian and Arab cultures, at the crossroads of the British, Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman and Egyptian empires; a place marked by the struggle between fascism and communism and where the capital city is divided in half as a result of bloody conflict; where the ancient olive trees of Homer's time exist alongside the undersea cables which link up the world's internet.In Cypria, named after a lost Cypriot epic which was the prequel to The Odyssey, British Cypriot writer Alex Christofi writes a deeply personal, lyrical history of the island of Cyprus, from the era of goddesses and mythical beasts to the present day.This sprawling, evocative and poetic book begins with the legend of the cyclops and the storytelling at the heart of the Mediterranean culture. Christofi travels to salt lakes, crusader castles, mosques and the eerie town deserted at the start of the 1974 war. He retells the particularly bloody history of Cyprus during the twentieth century and considers his own identity as traveler and returner, as Odysseus was.Written in sensitive, witty and beautifully rendered prose, with a novelist's flair and eye for detail, Cypria combines the political, cultural and geographical history of Cyprus with reflections on time, place and belonging.
Cypria: A Journey to the Heart of the Mediterranean
by Alex ChristofiAn evocative and lyrical history of Cyprus and the Mediterranean.Think of a place where you can stand at the intersection of Christian and Arab cultures, at the crossroads of the British, Ottoman, Byzantine, Roman and Egyptian empires; a place marked by the struggle between fascism and communism and where the capital city is divided in half as a result of bloody conflict; where the ancient olive trees of Homer's time exist alongside the undersea cables which link up the world's internet.In Cypria, named after a lost Cypriot epic which was the prequel to The Odyssey, British Cypriot writer Alex Christofi writes a deeply personal, lyrical history of the island of Cyprus, from the era of goddesses and mythical beasts to the present day.This sprawling, evocative and poetic book begins with the legend of the cyclops and the storytelling at the heart of the Mediterranean culture. Christofi travels to salt lakes, crusader castles, mosques and the eerie town deserted at the start of the 1974 war. He retells the particularly bloody history of Cyprus during the twentieth century and considers his own identity as traveler and returner, as Odysseus was.Written in sensitive, witty and beautifully rendered prose, with a novelist's flair and eye for detail, Cypria combines the political, cultural and geographical history of Cyprus with reflections on time, place and belonging.
Charleston Then and Now
by null Leigh Jones HandalFollowing her success with Lost Charleston, local author and city tour guide Leigh Jones Handal brings a fresh approach to one of the key titles in Pavilion Books’ trademark series. Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most popular East Coast tourist destinations. The flashpoint of the Civil War, what remains of Fort Sumter in Charleston is still a much-visited attraction, and despite bombardment by the Federal Navy, earthquakes and many hurricanes, the South Carolina city has retained its 19th-century charm. City guide Leigh Jones Handal tells the story of the Charleston she loves through archive photos matched with their modern viewpoint, including the Jenkins Orphanage whose band were the likely originators of the Charleston dance. There are vintage photos of the great plantation houses, plus the grand buildings on Meeting Street, and the soaring spires of Charleston’s many churches. Downtown many of the classic mansions, such as the Miles Brewton House, have been retained, along with the Market Hall and the Customs House, and though the trolleys no longer run along Broad Street, it is still recognizable from a century before. Leigh Jones Handal has uncovered a treasury of vintages images which have been matched with modern photos to show new aspects of this enduringly fascinating city.