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Dramatic biographies of 50 famous generals and admirals of the Union and Confederacy, with full-colour portraits. Exciting illustrations of nearly seventy important battles, including the complete series of Kurz and Allison prints. Informative chronology of significant events illustrated with authentic documents. Accurate full-page maps show the location of every momentous battle of the Civil War. Official uniforms with rank and grade insignia and buttons. Authentic drawings of all the major weaponry, including muskets, rifles, revolvers, swords, and artillery.

And more!

October 21, 1982. Three singers stand on the steps of the High Court with large cheques and broken dreams. The women are Annie (Annabel Leventon, the book’s author), GB (Gaye Brown), and Di-Di (Diane Langton). Their dream was of a British three-woman rock band, unique and different from anything that had gone before. They called themselves Rock Bottom. They were raunchy, rude and hilarious – the contemporary media described them as ‘a cross between the female Rolling Stones and the female Marx Brothers’ – and they nearly made it.

Until Thames Television stole everything and made a major award-winning series called Rock Follies, about them, based on them, but without them. It made stars of the three lookalikes playing them. And they lost everything.

A common enough tale of showbiz betrayal. Except that they fought back. At the offset of the Court trial, the Head of Drama at Thames TV sarcastically quipped, ‘three little actresses against the might of EMI?’ Forget it, the three ladies were told. Move on. They didn’t. They took the case to the High Court and won. Breach of Confidence is now on the Statute Books and it has become one of the defining cases in Intellectual Property.

The Real Rock Follies is a real-life story of youthful trust betrayed, dreams of stardom dashed and cruel lessons learnt. The three girls, then in their late twenties, learned too late that in the harsh showbiz world you can hardly trust anyone, not even your friends. However, despite everything, they got the last laugh. Their promising career couldn’t be returned to them but they enjoyed the huge satisfaction (both emotional and financial) that the ruling confirmed that the creative concept behind Rock Follies was fully theirs.

Meet Albert Einstein and find out about his life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography. Join physicist Albert Einstein on his journey of scientific discovery and see how the Nobel Prize winner forever changed the way we think about energy, gravity, and the world around us. Children will learn about Einstein’s training, his struggle to find a teaching job, and how he developed his famous theory of relativity. The book also looks at his personal life, including his family, his emigration to America after the Nazis came to power, and his love of music. Appealing illustrations, information on his breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Einstein left his mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet artist Frida Kahlo and find out about her life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created vibrantly hued paintings – and led an equally colourful life. Known for her self-portraits, she became a feminist icon whose work now sells for millions of dollars. This lively biography looks at Frida’s childhood – including her bout with polio – as well as her devotion to Mexican culture and political causes; the bus accident that left her in chronic pain but also sparked her career; and her marriage to Diego Rivera. Appealing illustrations, information on her breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Frida left her mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet Galileo Galilei and discover the story of his life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography – narrated by the scientist himself. Astronomer, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei was referred to as “The Father of Modern Science,” because of his groundbreaking research. Making observations about nature, and using mathematics to back them up, he proved the Copernican Theory true: the Sun, not the Earth, is the centre of the universe. Join Galileo on his pioneering journey to see why his work had such long-lasting implications, and why the Catholic Church even condemned him for heresy. Ages: 6 plus

Meet Leonardo da Vinci and discover the story of his life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography. Why could Leonardo da Vinci paint the human form so accurately, in all its beauty? How was he educated and trained as an artist? What inspired his most famous work, including The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa? And what fun machine did he invent? Find out about this unique artist and the many areas, from architecture to flight, he drew on and influenced. Appealing illustrations, information on his breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how da Vinci left his mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz at the end of the book help kids test their understanding and knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet Pablo Picasso and discover the story of his life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography – narrated by the artist himself. Pablo Picasso redefined 20th-century art, moving from realistic portrayals and experiments in colour to primitivism and cubism, in which he deconstructed the subjects he painted. This engaging first-person biography explores the unique career of this master, who began learning to draw and paint at just seven years old. It delves into Picasso’s training, including at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona; his various stylistic periods, from naturalism to surrealism; his experience living in Paris under German occupation during World War II; his many marriages; and his profound influence on later artists. Ages 6 plus

A new series of illustrated books specifically designed for children in elementary education, narrating the stories of those great historical figures who have left their mark on humanity in fields such as science, art, exploration, music and other subjects. Young readers will be able to read all about these famous people’s main achievements, experiencing the main steps of their lives through Isabel Munoz’s engaging illustrations, and finding out some curious facts about their work and success. In the six volumes of the series, children will be fascinated by the genial and revolutionary intuition of Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci’s vast breadth of expertise, the incredible discoveries about space made by Galileo Galilei, Mozart’s infinite musical creativity, the masterpieces created by Picasso and Van Gogh. There is an index at the end of each volume listing the main biographical events and some simple quizzes will help children to further understand and test their knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and learn about his life and music in this engagingly illustrated biography. Wolfgang Amadeus rose to fame as a child genius who wrote his first piece at the age of five, spent a lifetime making music for archbishops and emperors, and created countless compositions until his untimely death at only 35 years old. This engaging biography explores his amazing career, from when Mozart began his musical studies under his father’s tutelage; through his time as a court composer, musician, and concertmaster; to his final work in honour of the coronation of Leopold II as King of Bohemia. Along the way, we find out about Mozart’s travels and the great composers he met, his difficulties with his rich benefactors, his financial struggles, his marriage and family, and his final illness. Appealing illustrations, information on his breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Mozart left his mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet Coco Chanel and discover the story of her life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography – narrated by Chanel herself. Her name was Coco Chanel, and her couture creations revolutionised women’s fashion, winning fans around the world. Take a walk down the Parisian catwalk and follow the story of Chanel’s life, and of the high-fashion house she founded. Find out about Coco’s years in an orphanage where she learned how to sew, her time as a singer, her marriage, and how a simple hat shop led to international fame. Appealing illustrations, and an index of major events reveal how Chanel left her mark on humanity. Ages: 6 plus

Meet scientist Marie Curie and learn about her life and pioneering research in this engagingly illustrated biography. At a time when women weren’t welcome in the world of science, Marie Curie made her mark on history. She was the very first woman to become a professor of physics in the Sorbonne, where she had studied, and even went on to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. With this fascinating biography, kids will find out how Curie, along with her husband, set up their lab and discovered both polonium and radium, and why their work on radioactivity was so important. Appealing illustrations, information on her breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Marie left her mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking and learn about his life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography. Known for both his bestselling books and his work on black holes, physicist Stephen Hawking beat the odds and lived with ALS – a form of motor neuron disease – for longer than doctors ever expected. This engrossing biography shows why Hawking is such an inspiring example of someone who pursued his dreams in spite of his disability. Born into a family of thinkers who loved reading books at the dinner table, Hawking got his love of science and math from his father. Follow his path to fame as he formulates his groundbreaking theory, works on expanding our ideas about the universe and its creation, and becomes a “rock-star scientist” who appeared in TV shows and films. Appealing illustrations, information on his breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Hawking left his mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

A series of illustrated books specifically designed for children in elementary education, narrating the stories of those great historical figures that have left their mark on humanity in fields such as science, art, exploration, music, fashion and other subjects. Young readers will be able to read all about these famous people’s main achievements, experiencing the main steps of their lives through Isabel Munoz’s engaging illustrations, and finding out some curious facts about their work and success. In the twelve volumes of the series, children will be fascinated by the genial and revolutionary intuition of Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci’s vast breadth of expertise, the incredible discoveries about space made by Galileo Galilei, the visionary theories about the Universe by Stephen Hawking, the Maria Montessori’s educational method Mozart’s infinite musical creativity, the masterpieces created by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo. Young readers will also discover how Marie Curie, Charles Darwin and Coco Chanel have changed science, medicine and fashion forever. There is a timeline at the end of each volume listing the main biographical events and some simple quizzes will help children to further understand and test their knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet Maria Montessori and discover the story of her life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography – narrated by Montessori herself. Maria Montessori believed in the creative potential of every child – and she developed a brand-new approach to education, building on the way children naturally learn. Now, her methods, which won her three Nobel Peace Prize nominations, are practiced around the world. This fascinating biography shows how Maria, an avid reader, defied gender norms by earning a degree in physics and mathematics, became one of the first women physicians in Italy, and revolutionised educational theory – experimenting and refining to discover what worked best. Ages: 6 plus

A new series of illustrated books specifically designed for children in elementary education, narrating the stories of those great historical figures who have left their mark on humanity in fields such as science, art, exploration, music and other subjects. Young readers will be able to read all about these famous people’s main achievements, experiencing the main steps of their lives through Isabel Munoz’s engaging illustrations, and finding out some curious facts about their work and success. There is an index at the end of each volume listing the main biographical events and some simple quizzes will help children to further understand and test their knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

A new series of illustrated books specifically designed for children in elementary education, narrating the stories of those great historical figures who have left their mark on humanity in fields such as science, art, exploration, music and other subjects. Young readers will be able to read all about these famous people’s main achievements, experiencing the main steps of their lives through Isabel Munoz’s engaging illustrations, and finding out some curious facts about their work and success. There is an index at the end of each volume listing the main biographical events and some simple quizzes will help children to further understand and test their knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

Meet Ella Fitzgerald and discover the story of her life and work in this engagingly illustrated biography – narrated by the singer herself. Sometimes called “The First Lady of Song,” other times “The Queen of Jazz,” Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most popular singers of the 20th century. She not only worked with the greatest composers and musicians of her time, she won 13 Grammy Awards, received the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors, and sold millions of records. Learn about the life of this incomparable diva, including her difficult childhood, her first performance in the famed Apollo Theater’s amateur night, and the discrimination she had to overcome. Ages: 6 plus

A new series of illustrated books specifically designed for children in elementary education, narrating the stories of those great historical figures who have left their mark on humanity in fields such as science, art, exploration, music and other subjects. Young readers will be able to read all about these famous people’s main achievements, experiencing the main steps of their lives through Isabel Munoz’s engaging illustrations, and finding out some curious facts about their work and success. There is an index at the end of each volume listing the main biographical events and some simple quizzes will help children to further understand and test their knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

A new series of illustrated books specifically designed for children in elementary education, narrating the stories of those great historical figures who have left their mark on humanity in fields such as science, art, exploration, music and other subjects. Young readers will be able to read all about these famous people’s main achievements, experiencing the main steps of their lives through Isabel Munoz’s engaging illustrations, and finding out some curious facts about their work and success. There is an index at the end of each volume listing the main biographical events and some simple quizzes will help children to further understand and test their knowledge. Ages: 6 plus

A monumental photo book documenting the scenes of more than 3,000 years of human conflict.
After a distinguished—and death-defying—career documenting the wars of today, Yan Morvan decided to undertake a different kind of battlefield photography, one that would show how war has imprinted its awful memory on all of human history, and on the landscape as well. Traveling the globe, he sought out the scenes of history’s most important battles, positioning his 8 × 10 Deardorff view camera to capture the perspective of the soldier on the front lines.

The result of his decade-long quest is this monumental volume, presenting 430 images of 250 historic battlefields, from the Trojan War to Muammar Gaddafi’s last stand. In between are the battlegrounds of the Persian Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, the World Wars, the Vietnam War, and many others. The text includes a concise account of each battle, as well as an interview with Morvan about his work.
Battlefields is a staggering work of art, an important historical document, and a memorial to all those who have fought and died on the battlefield.

A gorgeous volume celebrating the eternal splendour of the boy pharaoh. On November 4th, 1922, after months of unsuccessful expeditions and excavations, a young Howard Carter was close to giving up his Egyptian experience in the Valley of the Kings when, unexpectedly, he and his team discovered one of the most important masterpieces in the history of archaeology. The intact royal burial palace and the golden mask of the boy king Tutankhamun are probably the most iconic symbols of Ancient Egypt. This luxurious volume will retrace, with never-seen-before pictures, the history of those exciting moments.

Eastern Europe is the last undiscovered gem of the wine world. Over the last thirty years three countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova have been working hard to escape the legacy of communism. For all three the regimes that took hold after the Second World War affected their wine industries profoundly, with state farms favouring mechanization and mass production over care and quality. Recent decades have seen a huge switch in attitudes following privatization, with more focus on quality and reconnecting people with the land to rebuild these historic wine industries for today’s wine drinkers.

Bulgarian wine’s fall in sales in the West due to the rising popularity of New World wines, Moldova’s economic crisis at the hands of a Russian ban on Moldovan wine and Romania’s need to counter imports from foreign producers as tastes in wine change have forced wineries to rethink their approaches to viticulture and winemaking. Instead of production lines of anonymous wines, makers now focus on creating authentic regional wines using local and international varieties and modern techniques.

In The wines of Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, Eastern European wine expert Caroline Gilby MW presents the wine stories of these three connected but distinct countries as one who has witnessed the vast changes as they happened. The cultures of the three countries, their complex and troubled histories and their roads to recovery are profiled here along with details of the geography, climate, grapes grown and, most importantly, the producers working to revive and reinvent their respective wine industries.

For those who seek something new beyond the traditional wines of Western Europe or who find New World wines losing their thrill The Wines of Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova is an inspirational introduction to a wine world waiting to be explored.

Great Britain is a premium wine-producing region, with around 650 vineyards in England and Wales covering some 2,750 hectares and producing sparkling and still wines. English and Welsh wines have won many prestigious awards recently and Stephen Skelton is the leading authority on the wines of the UK.

The Wines of Great Britain is a comprehensive survey of the history of UK wines, as well as of the current state of the wine industry and its future prospects. After a short introduction showing where UK wine is in 2019 and where it might go in the future Skelton considers the history of winemaking in the UK from King Alfred in the fifth century, through the medieval period to recent developments in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Wines of Great Britain then takes us on a tour of contemporary viticulture and winemaking, examining trends in plantings and vineyard layout, varieties, rootstocks and clones, vineyard sizes, modern wineries and styles of wine. Skelton considers regional identities as well as the branding of UK sparkling wines and their market position.

A substantial part of this important book is the 21 detailed biographies of the most important, exciting and innovative producers and the wines they create. Wine businesses profiled in detail include Breaky Bottom, Chapel Down, Nyetimber, Oxney Organic Estate, Sixteen Ridges Vineyard and Yorkshire Heart Vineyard. Shorter entries on other significant or up and coming producers also feature.

Wines are generally defined in one of three ways: by their country or region of origin, by their colour (red, white, pink) or by their style (still, sparkling, fortified). Only recently have wines begun to be defined by how their grapes have been grown and the wine made, with a clear distinction between modern ‘chemical’ wine-growing on one hand, and the chemical-free organic or natural approach on the other. Now the world’s most respected wine producers, from Bordeaux to the Barossa, and Chablis to California, increasingly see biodynamics as the method of choice for blue-chip winemaking. Biodynamic Wine explains concisely and clearly the theory behind biodynamics, how biodynamics differs from organics, and how the world’s winemakers – from high-end Bordeaux chateaux to under-the-radar family estates – use biodynamics in practice, often with significant and captivating variations according to wine style, local terroir, weather and even lunar cycles. Biodynamic wine is a comprehensive and absorbing guide to the most argued-about green winemaking phenomenon of recent years. It is both an ideal how-to manual for growers and a fascinating guide for wine professionals and wine enthusiasts.