Some people still experience personal branding as a show of ego. Which it can be.

Most people see personal branding as a tool for business growth and wealth, which it is.

But there are more fulfilling reasons to engage in the process of personal branding like building intellectual legacy and becoming a brave new human. If you want to engage in building a legacy, but not want to be blindsided by aspects like fame and hunt for money, then this is the book on personal branding you need. It offers you the complete range of what it can mean to you, not only the social media aspect.

“With this book, ianka succeeds in describing personal branding on a strategic level. ianka’s broad professional background makes this book particularly strong and valuable. She has experienced nearly everything a personal brand can go through in her career. A look behind the scenes and the sharing of that experience adds immense value. I highly recommend this book to everyone!” — Steven Van Belleghem, entrepreneur and author

“In a world of information overload and AI, developing your own authentic voice is more important than ever. How do you build unique visibility in a world of the Never Normal? ianka has written a wonderful book that makes you reflect on your own journey, your own development, and how you can find and strengthen that unique voice.” — Peter Hinssen, entrepreneur and author

“ianka has not only dared to breathe new life into an existing concept, but she has also ventured to create a book tailored to each individual reader. I sincerely wish I had been able to read this book much earlier because it helps me as a person, but also because it helps me make companies and their leaders better.” — Rik Vera, business philosopher and author

Embark on another cosmic adventure and discover the striking artistry of NASA’s mission patches and logos. This beautifully illustrated book offers a visual tour of NASA’s heritage symbolism from the early Mercury missions of the 1960s to the rovers, orbital telescopes and brand-new lunar capsules of the 2020s.

The countdown is underway! NASA’s first Moon landing since 1972 is now on the near horizon and this follow-up to the popular Space: Posters & Paintings is the perfect way to prepare for take-off. Celebrating the achievements of the men and women who dared to venture into the beyond, Space Mission Patches uncovers the story of the space administration through the indelible artwork of their historic insignias. Perfect for space aficionados, design enthusiasts and kids old and young, this meeting of art and exploration is the definitive testament to the enduring legacy of NASA’s trailblazing journeys to the unknown. 

Green is the new black according to Belgium-based garden architects Bart Haverkamp and Pieter Croes. It’s been more than 30 years now since they turned their love for nature into a business. During this time, they’ve completed countless and diverse garden projects, built up an enormous amount of experience and expanded their knowledge. Their method and philosophy evolved accordingly, resulting into their sought-after signature style. Their gardens – many of them on small plots, terraces or rooftops in the city – are anything but clean and fixed: rough outlines and plant selections are made beforehand, but they trust their intuition to make spontaneous decisions on the spot.

In this carefully curated and thoughtfully designed photo book, Bart and Pieter reflect on their work. Their aim is to share their vision and experience and to inspire all gardeners by showing how much is possible when you’re willing to let nature take its course. In this book, Bart and Pieter put their philosophy into words, as an introduction to 20 extensive and inspiring photo reports of their favorite or most important garden projects so far. The third part of the book holds short descriptions of these projects and useful advice on, for example, how to make your garden heat-resistant.

While connoisseurship of natural stones is today well established in the West, books on viewing stones still predominantly feature East Asian examples. This is the first to present the finest North American viewing stones from private and institutional collections, selected by a panel of experts from over 275 professional photographs submitted by over 50 individuals and institutions. Each stone confronts us with the beauty and diversity of the natural world, and each has an uncanny ability to elicit an emotional response in the viewer. Included are introductory essays on Native American stone appreciation and a brief history of stone collecting on the continent.

The project was conceived and developed by Dr. Thomas S. Elias, former Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, Chairman of the Viewing Stone Association of North America, and Honorary Vice-Chairman of the Viewing Stone Association of China.

White Salt-Glazed Stoneware of the British Isles is the first book on salt-glazed stoneware since 1971. This book is the first to cover salt-glazed production in the whole of the British Isles, not simply the production in Staffordshire. Beginning with the introduction of salt-glazed stoneware into England by German and Dutch potters in the mid-seventeenth century, and John Dwight’s patent of 1672, this book goes on to discuss in detail early industrial stoneware, the manufacture from raw materials to producing and decorating the pots, to marketing and distribution, and even the history of collecting salt-glazed stoneware. There is a chapter on the American market and the final chapter identifies, for the first time, a number of manufacturers who produced salt-glazed stoneware, attributions made possible by the excavations of pottery sites. Beyond that, there are five invaluable appendices with details of all manufacturers of salt-glazed stoneware identified thus far, price lists from the eighteenth century and an extensive bibliography.

Buried in deep valleys, there are citadels of ochre earth. Near the sea there are white chalked casbahs and vast tranquil palm-gardens and deserts of coloured sands run into soot black mountains. Pungent and bustling souks offer spices and potions to ward off malevolent spirits. Slender arched doorways open out into darkened alleys. Scented mint tea is served in pattern-draped tents. The sky is as clear as ever over the Sahara. This is the Moroccan South – a legendary land, sumptuous and austere. This series presents a fascinating chronology of the spread of Islamic art in the form of 12 Exhibition Trails in 11 countries. The programme is based on the unique idea of visitors viewing exhibitions without the works of art being transported- discovering artefacts in their natural environments and within their cultural and historical context. Each trail is presented and written by experts who live in the specified areas and are accompanied by beautiful illustrations.

Text in French.



Also AvailableParis Plaisir ISBN:9782867701139 £55.00Lebanon: The Phoenician Pearl ISBN:9782867701443 £55.00

Robert Helman is one of the 20th century’s major artists. Based in Montparnasse from 1946, he shared in the adventure of the New School of Paris without allowing himself to be trapped by any pictorial trend. Painted with bold gestures and a bright palette, his Suns, Genesis, Roots, Germinations, Trees and High Glides have produced a vast personal cosmogony. Robert Helman has thus managed to communicate his vital energy through powerful and lyrical work, by expressing, in harmony with Nature, the intimate link between his inner personal vision and his artistic achievement. Contents:
Robert Helman’s work in the XXth century Robert Helman’s universe and discoveries Robert Helman’s life Genesis Vegetation and Forests High Glides List of reproductions

Miami and the Keys are the cultural and geographical gateways to the United States; where Latin America gracefully blends into North America, and land embraces the sea. This unusual guide leads you along the fulcrum that is Miami and the Keys, laden with world-class architecture, sandy beaches, pristine waters, nightclubs, and trendy hotels. Beneath the well-polished surface lies a history and culture that strays far from the conventional, bubbling up through unexpected places, like a coral fortress built for a spurned lover, a divey laundromat that serves the sweetest café con leche you’ve ever had, or an enclave of houses built on stilts in the midst of the ocean. Lose yourself in a glass rainforest. Glide over the mysterious waters of the Everglades. Visit your own desert island. Drink the sweet nectar of the Cuban coffee gods. Venture into the “other” Miami, beyond the glitz and glamor, steeped in natural beauty and deep-seeded tradition. See why Ernest Hemingway called the Keys his home. Though teeming with tourists, there are still plenty of hidden gems to be unearthed, you just have to know where to look…

In the twenty years since the death of the artist and aesthetic heretic James Lee Byars, episodes from his life have taken on the aura of urban legend. Born in Detroit in 1932, he spent much of his adult life outside the United States and died in Cairo, Egypt in 1997. No country, however, influenced his development as an artist more profoundly than Japan, where he lived for most of the decade from 1958 to 1967. While there he immersed himself in Zen Buddhism, Shinto, Noh, the tea ceremony, calligraphy, and numerous other elements of Japanese aesthetic tradition. Yet virtually none of the literature written about Byars discusses that period of his life in depth, and it remains largely unknown to art critics and historians today.

This book is the first thorough examination of Byars’s days in Japan, the evolution of his art there, and the experiences and relationships that shaped it as well as of his final days and death in Egypt. Written by an art historian who has spent fifteen years researching Byars’s life and work, this is a seminal volume that satisfyingly elucidates the link between his art and Japanese culture.

Photographer Jasper Léonard previously resized Antwerp and New York and now points his special tilt-shift lenses towards Amsterdam. Amsterdam Resized shows you the city like you’ve never seen it before: the famous canals of Amsterdam have been reduced to mere trickles with mini-sized bridges; the joggers in the Vondelpark now resemble Playmobil puppets, and the Stedelijk Museum now looks more like a bath tub. A new book in the Resized series, which has been a huge success in the US with articles in, among others, USA Today and the New York Post. International press has heaped praise on the Resized series: “The book is an intimate and magical token of admiration.” – The Sydney Morning Herald Also available: Antwerp Resized ISBN: 9789401432702 Belgium Resized ISBN: 9789401434614 New York Resized ISBN: 9789401443395

Text in English and Dutch.

“Life is too short to drive boring cars.” – Hanan Sobati, founder of Arabian Gazelles, the first female supercar club in the world. “I only purchase and drive cars that represent thoughtful design, elegance and performance.” – Frank Lloyd Wright This book about beautifully designed cars and international architecture has been curated with an eye for pure aesthetics. Although architecture and cars are theoretically miles apart, the sources of inspiration for their designers are often strikingly similar. Recalling a time when you could recognize an architect from his Saab or his Citroën DS, lifestyle journalist Thijs Demeulemeester shows that architects and luxury car makers are alike in their appreciation of elegance of design, attention to materials, and solid construction. This book takes you on a trip through some iconic houses and the unique cars that match them.

Equipped with all you need to know on the history and traditions of the Chianti region, you will be guided on half-day or full-day drives out from Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti. Four itineraries with maps and commentary will lead you through historic sites and stunning landscape – with places to stop for an espresso, a leisurely lunch, an ice cream snack, some shopping, and a superb dinner.

“Any number of stories seem to pour forth from the work, which has a unique decorativeness and is very finely and exquisitely drawn. The frame decoration is beautiful and enjoyable, making it seem as though you are looking at a tapestry. In the personification of wood and use of colour, one senses not only the following of tradition but also the artist’s individuality.” The Jury for the Grand Jury Prize at the 15th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations, 2006
Jugnu Rani, a tiny firefly, ponders over her insignificance and witnesses the gradual distancing between trees and humankind. She observes the disciplined life of ants and the hard work of the bees, and feels that her existence is useless. But Suraj Dada, the Sun, reminds her that every creature has a place and purpose in the universe. One day, when the forest is in danger, Jugnu Rani discovers the light within her and find her purpose. Soon no one is afraid of the dark anymore. The Firefly is finally happy. The illustrations are drawn in the Mithila (also Madhubani) style of painting from northeastern India. Giving equal weight in its drawings to people, animals, and plants, the illustrations convey the values of the Mithila region. The unique decorativeness is beautiful and enjoyable.

With the recent recognition of Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the spotlight on its creator, Le Corbusier considered the 20th century’s greatest architect-planner attains a more illustrious glow. Against this backdrop, Le Corbusier Rediscovered: Chandigarh and Beyond weaves together an anthology of inspired essays by eminent, global experts on Corbusier’s life, ideas and work, both in Chandigarh and at other places. The diverse yet interlinked themes forming a composite compendium, rediscover the timelessness of Corbusier’s architecture and revisit his impact in India and the world over. Current issues like conservation of Chandigarh’s architectural heritage, future strategies for its growth and the Smart City model for Indian urbanization are also addressed. The book is imbued with a patina of historicity imparted by the inclusion of some rare archival images and texts. With focussed essays by international experts like B.V. Doshi, William J.R. Curtis, Raj Rewal, Rahul Mehrotra, Jacques Sbriglio, Michel Richard, Alfredo Brillembourg, S.D. Sharma, Jagan Shah, Rajnish Wattas and Sumit Kaur on thematically linked topics this richly illustrated book – with nearly 250 images – constitutes a seminal new publication. It rediscovers Le Corbusier and his crowning glory Chandigarh, viewed afresh in a new light.

This book is a fascinating study of the cultural history of Thanjavur – starting from its early days of grandeur during the Chola Empire when the Chola ruler Raja Raja I built the Rajarajeswaram temple, now known as the Brihadeeswara temple, which celebrated its 1000th year of consecration in 2010. It weaves together known and unknown histories of the various rulers – the Cholas, the Nayaks, the Marathas and the British – and of the Big Temple into a rich tapestry of cultural heritage that is Thanjavur. The historical stories presented in Thanjavur reveal to the reader the treasure house of the Sarasvati Mahal Library and lead them into the narrow lanes, or sandhus, where the painters who created the now famous Thanjavur style lived beside bangle-sellers, textile merchants, perfumers and the devadasis. The reader is invited on a long trip along the fertile river bank of Kaveri where Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam as we know them today were created and flourished. The temples, the palaces, the bronzes, the paintings, the frescoes, the cuisine, the weapons of war and ivory dolls, the kalamkaris, and literary genres are all brushstrokes that make up this colorful painting, which tells the story of the city of Thanjavur. Contents:
Foreword Of Granaries and Palaces: A short history of Thanjavur’s rulers The Sacred and the Secular: An unbroken tradition of painting in Thanjavur Manuscripts and Melodies: Thanjavur as the cradle for Carnatic music Rituals as Rhythms: Dance and drama in Thanjavur Zest for the Good Life: Crafts in Thanjavur Thanjan’s Wish: Thanjavur today and tomorrow Photographers of Thanjavur in the 19th Century Appendix 1: Treasures of the Sarasvati Mahal Library Appendix 2: A selected list of streets in the Thanjavur fort area (Municipal Wards 3-4) Appendix 3: Maps of the Thanjavur district and Thanjavur fort Appendix 4: Family trees of the kings of Thanjavur Bibliography and Suggested Readings Glossary A Word of Thanks Index

The Book of Tea (1906) by Okakura Kakuzō has long become a classic. Its title notwithstanding, the book is not a manual on tea. Rather it is an essay, better a hymn, to culture, aesthetics and the spirit of tea as a symbol, a paradigm, of the Asian soul. It was created by a passionate Japanese scholar whose life was devoted to renew and spread the values of the East in the same moment in which his own country seemed to deny them in order to embrace Western culture. This new edition has an important apparatus of over 200 notes to explain the contents of the book and supply all the information needed to understand it fully (concepts of Eastern philosophy, history, geography, biographical information), something that so far has never been done. It also contains an important essay by Giancarlo Calza on Okakura and his role to foster intercultural understanding and the development of spirituality through the aesthetics and practice of the tea ceremony as a style of life. Contents: The Cup of Humanity; The Schools of Tea; Taoism and Zennism; The Tea-room; Art Appreciation; Flowers; Tea-masters; Okakura: A Life in Style by Giancarlo Calza

This stunning book documents a collection of 66 extraordinary pieces of petrified wood, mainly from Western United States (Arizona, Oregon, Washington). Specially photographed they are shown in their entirety and in magnificent details.

Petrified wood is formed from fallen trees that in the absence of oxygen and microbes, and with water containing minerals, through a replacement process called permineralization, slowly transform into visually spectacular fossils. But Nature often uses a paintbrush in its preservation magic, splashing the wooden canvas with an array of colors and hues before fixing it in a matrix of hard durable quartz, thereby creating splendid works of art. Petrified wood has been found throughout the world, but actual petrified forests are truly noteworthy in the United States, the most famous being the Chinle Formation forest of Arizona.

From cars made of carrot to tea-smuggling spies; Popeye’s spinach to the hallucinogenic effects of lettuce, renowned garden expert Chris Beardshaw takes us on a journey though history’s most fascinating plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs: the ones that changed the world, the ones that almost did, and the ones that certainly didn’t! Ranging from Roman times to present day and even covering future plant-inventions, 100 Plants that (almost) changed the World is a fascinating compendium of stories about the plants and vegetables we see, nurture and consume every day. If you have ever wondered why carrots are supposed to help you see in the dark or why we hang fairy lights and decorations on our Christmas trees then this is the book for you a fun and quirky new volume that offers unique exploration of our planets most fascinating plants.

Bloom: The Luminous Gardens of Frederico Azevedo presents the accomplished work of Frederico Azevedo – the Brazilian landscape designer who has established himself as the leading gardener of the Hamptons. With stunning projects all over Long Island, Azevedo’s work carries an emphasis on flowers which he uses to ‘lure the eye through the flow of the design’. His signature curving, floral borders are the hallmark of an Azevedo garden. He also often creates multi-dimensional vistas using layers of flowers, trees, grasses, shrubs, and hedges for a dramatic effect. The results of his impeccable designs are soft and romantic, but always sophisticated, well executed, and most importantly, adaptable to whatever its environment may bring. Discover the luminous world of Frederico Azevedo and his dazzling gardens.  Contents: Introduction; Casa Meu; Vista; Bloom; Green; Border; Tree; Stone; Water; More.

The area centred around the Grand Palace bordered by the Chao Phraya river on the west and Khlong Khu Muang Doem on the east is undoubtedly Bangkok’s cultural centre. Known as Rattanakosin Island, it is home to most of the city’s most important temples – Wat Pho, Wat Rajabhopit, and Wat Mahathat, to mention just a few – as well as Museum Siam and the recently renovated National Museum. To the south of this iconic area is the famous flower market, while to the north is the tourist mecca of Khao San Road.

Exploring Old Bangkok takes the visitor around all the most important sights as well as explaining the meaning of lesser-known landmarks such as the Pig memorial or the Monument to the Expeditionary Force. The guide also includes iconic sights on the west bank of the river such as Wat Arun and the royal barge museum. With the opening of the magnificent metro station, Sanam Chai, access to this center of culture and Thai art has never been easier. Alternatively, visitors can reach the area via the ever-popular tourist boats and maybe take a khlong trip from Tha Chang.

Exploring Old Bangkok also features two fascinating walks and a pull-out map with suggestions of where to stay and where to eat.

Narrated by the eldest daughter of Sao Shwe Thaike, the Prince of Yawnghwe, The Moon Princess recounts both the story of her early life and at the same time provides a fascinating memoir of her father who, in 1948, became first President of the Union of Burma after the country gained its independence. She describes growing up in the Shan States and records the changes that occurred during the periods of British colonial rule, war and Japanese occupation, the return of the British administration, the troubled years after Burma’s independence and finally, the military takeover in 1962. It is a personal account of a family caught up in political turmoil which led to the loss of a brother and a father, the first during the coup and the latter, in military custody. Studying at Cambridge, Sanda, met her English husband, Peter Simms and later they lived in Rangoon against a background of political upheaval until the end of democratic rule forced them to leave their home and their country, never to return. The Moon Princess is an important record of a tumultuous period in the history of a troubled country. It includes appendices of important political documents relating to the Shan states and tables of the ruling princes and family trees.