Peter Vinding-Diers is a Danish aristocrat turned roving winemaker who, on escaping his studies at the Sorbonne one summer found himself on Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, suddenly besotted. Peter’s first foray into wine took him to the Cape (via a quick turn parachuting into the war-zone in Vietnam), where he learned vineyard ways and wine science. Next came a dazzling decade in Bordeaux, where his pioneering exploits began to catch the world’s attention. He then ventured to Bulgaria, Brazil, Spain, Chile and Hungary earning himself the title ‘Flying Winemaker’ (he was one of the first!). Along his wine journey, Peter has frequently had to call on his Viking ancestors for help – not least in taming his ‘Montecarrubo’ vineyards on the wilder side of Sicily – but whether by accident or by design (mostly the latter), he has always found himself at the forefront of vinous discovery…

Writing in the immediate aftermath of World War II, wine merchant, gentleman soldier and cricketer Ian Maxwell Campbell casts an affectionate and occasionally wistful look back at the Golden Age of wine, when Bordeaux was affordable, Burgundy’s finest vintages tended towards cannibalism and other wines could be… well, surprisingly attractive. Among the tales of convivial drinking and anecdotes involving Winston Churchill and WG Grace, the author paints a vivid picture of a pre-war (and pre-phylloxera) wine world whose horizons were about to expand beyond all imagining.

Wayward Tendrils of the Vine, though, is much more than a collection of reminiscences. As Neal Martin points out in his Introduction: “The title alone is a perfect allegory for how we learn about wine, how knowledge grows organically over time, never knowing what the next bottle will teach us, how it might alter preconceptions or where it might lead.” 

The Classic Editions breathe new life into some of the finest wine-related titles written in the English language over the last 150 years. Although these books are very much products of their time – a time when the world of fine wine was confined mostly to the frontiers of France and the Iberian Peninsula and a First Growth Bordeaux or Grand Cru Burgundy wouldn’t be beyond the average purse – together they recapture a world of convivial, enthusiastic amateurs and larger-than-life characters whose love of fine vintages mirrored that of life itself.  

The award-winning retail handbook, The Future of Shopping: Where Everyone is a Retailer (2018 Management Book of the Year) is back in a new, updated edition. Since it was first published, we have experienced a pandemic, a digitization race, and the bankruptcy of numerous iconic shops. This one crisis year has meant more turnaround for the trade sector than an entire decade. This book addresses a new perspective on globalization, and the pressing questions of what brands and merchants must do to survive in this new retail landscape.

“A whirlwind of flavors from the northeast of Thailand.” – Michelin

“A festival of fresh ingredients, spices, unctuosity and manifold flavours.” – Michelin

With fresh ingredients and a little extra attention to Thai preparation methods, you can put the tastiest Thai dishes on the table. According to Dokkoon Kapueak, a Michelin-starred chef, Thai cooking is not as difficult as you might think, and anyone can learn it. In this book, Dokkoon offers 60 traditional sharing dishes, created from Thai recipes that she has known all her life and now serves in her award-winning restaurant Boo Raan in Knokke-Heist, Belgium.

“If you really want to get under the skin of a city, the 500 Hidden Secrets series, which covers a number of cities from Havana to Ghent, all written by people who know the cities inside out, is ideal. It’s an innovative and refreshing take on the traditional travel guide.” – The Independent

For tourists who want to avoid the well-known tourist spots and discover the locals favorite addresses, and for residents who want to get to know their city even better, this handy little guide is eminently useful. Written by a true local, the book includes lists such as the 5 best vintage markets, the 5 best workplaces for freelancers and the 5 best concert venues. It features 500 addresses and facts that few people know, such as an elegant spice shop that sells condiments from all over the world, a small stationer’s where the daylight streams in gloriously and you can find the most beautiful Japanese paper creations, or a little shop where gifts like embroidered serviettes are made to order.

Architecture Asia, as the official journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, aims to provide a forum not only for presenting Asian phenomena and their characteristics to the world but also for understanding diversity and multiculturalism within Asia from a global perspective. In the 21st century, Asia has been developed fast in the wave of globalization, and the living and urban environment are changing rapidly along with the economic development. In this process, many Asian cities are carrying out large-scale urban infrastructure construction in the process of rapid urbanization, and building a large number of iconic buildings that represent the characteristics of the country or city. This issue focuses on Living in the 21st Century, through three perspectives: the transformation of spatial functions, the contradiction between urban development and individual dwelling, and architecture in the age of self-media.

“If you really want to get under the skin of a city, the 500 Hidden Secrets series, which covers a number of cities from Havana to Ghent, all written by people who know the cities inside out, is ideal. It’s an innovative and refreshing take on the traditional travel guide.”– The Independent

For tourists who want to avoid the well-known tourist spots and discover the locals’ favorite addresses, and for residents who want to get to know their city even better. Written by born and bred Amsterdammers, the book includes lists such as the 5 best secondhand markets, the 5 most inspiring museums and the 5 best places to listen to live music, with a total 500 addresses and facts that few people know. Includes extensive maps and a comprehensive index.

The most comprehensive anthology of writings by visitors to the eternal city ever compiled – witty, profound and endlessly entertaining.
Drawing on French, Italian, Spanish, English, German, Scandinavian and American sources, Ronald Ridley has compiled a vivid collage-portrait of Rome through the centuries, illustrated with nearly three hundred images.

This hardback edition brings together its three volumes in one: The Middles Ages to the Seventeenth Century, The Eighteenth Century and The Nineteenth Century.

How did visitors arrive? Where did they stay? What were their expenses? What did they see of churches, palaces, villas and antiquities? What did they like or dislike of what they saw? What did they think of Rome in all its contemporary facets? What events did they witness? What portraits do they provide of people in Rome at the time of their visit? Excerpts from memoirs by more than two hundred visitors give a myriad of fascinating insights and together provide a detailed account of Rome over nearly a millennium.

The mashrabiya originated in the ancient world. As a scalable latticed window screen, whose intricate geometries developed with the spread of Islam, it provided ventilation, shade, and privacy to buildings. Today, as restoration efforts revive centuries-old architecture across Cairo and an interest in craft is rekindled by a global maker movement, the wood-turned mashrabiya are not only poignant metaphors for artists, architects, and writers but also sources of inspiration for nascent wood artisans. This publication, the first dedicated to the study of the mashrabiya, connects a culturally specific craft with contemporary artistic practice. Through photographs conveying the beauty and artistry of these wooden structures as well as contemporary works by leading artists, the complex beauty and meaning of the mashrabiya are brought to life.

If you are a true chocolate professional, then The Chocolatier’s Shop is your professional bible. In this book you will find answers to all questions to start or grow your chocolate shop: How do I build or further expand my brand? Which products do I include in my range? How do I deal with staff and customers? Which tools do I absolutely need? How do I manage my stock?

Bruges has many faces. Its proud towers, elegant stepped gables and charming squares were once the scene of bloodshed and intrigue, but also of budding romances and excessive wealth. Seduced by its illustrious past, Bruges attracts countless visitors who come to soak up the romance and atmosphere of yesteryear. Apart from the must-see sights like the Rozenhoedkaai, the Beguinage, the Minnewater and the Grote Markt, the city also boasts countless intimate corners, authentic squares and tranquil green oases that provide a retreat for those seeking some peace and quiet. Through the lens of photographer Selina De Maeyer, the essence of Bruges comes to life. Her evocative photographs capture the city in all its bustling vibrancy, its occasional weariness, and even moments of wistfulness. They offer a poetic glimpse into the soul of the city and take us on a journey from the iconic hotspots to the hidden gems. 

Text in English, French and Dutch.

Wine production in south-west France goes back a long way. The region includes some of the first districts in France (notably Gaillac) to be planted with vines, by the Romans more than two thousand years ago. It is also the earliest-known location of scores of grape varieties, some of them precursors of international varieties such as Malbec and Cabernet Franc. 

Although today south-west France is the fourth region of France in terms of wine production very few wine consumers are familiar with more than two or three of its appellations. Cahors and Madiran are well-known appellations but we don’t hear (or read) much about less fashionable appellations such as Rosette and Béarn. As a result the wines generally command relatively low prices.

This book covers all the important aspects of south-west France in an accessible way. Although it includes the mass-produced wines of the region it focuses on quality wines made in more limited volumes. Although a number of the appellations of south-west France share similar climatic conditions (such as the influence of the Atlantic), the many small AOPs vary significantly in soils and topography, grape varieties, and the styles of wines they produce. They range from the botrytized sweet whites of Monbazillac to the teeth-staining reds of Cahors, from the distinctive dry whites of Jurançon to the tannic reds of Madiran.

Phillips begins with a brief history of the region and provides an overview of the region today before considering the wines of the various sub-regions in turn, including land and climate, grape varieties, wine styles, and wine law, together with entries on their most notable producers. All colors of wine are made in south-west France, as are dry and sweet wines and sparkling and still wines. The rich diversity of the world of wine is represented in south-west France, and it is this very diversity of grape varieties and wine styles that makes the region so compelling.

This insightful book examines in detail the lesser-known wines of Bordeaux – the dry whites, the rosés (including Clairet), the sweet wines (beyond just the famed Sauternes) and the relative newcomer crémant, the sparkling wine which now represents almost 1.5 per cent of all Bordeaux wine. The White Wines of Bordeaux examines the history and evolution of these less well-known wine styles and colors, and profiles the grape varieties planted. It highlights the different terroirs and vineyards across Bordeaux, and spotlights the grower–producers, their stories and their wines, which occupy the emerging ‘middle’ in an area that has traditionally been polarized as cru classé or generic. The book identifies and discusses the challenges the region and its growers face and assess important catalysts for change such as climate change, new markets made by globally traveled younger generations, a focus on sustainability and wine tourism.

This book looks at bronze through the remarkable collections of European bronze sculptures in the Ashmolean Museum of the University of Oxford. Largely thanks to the generosity of Charles Drury Edward Fortnum (1820–1899), the Ashmolean houses one of the world’s great collections of Renaissance and Baroque small bronzes.

The book provides a survey of the collection and an overview of the development of small bronze sculpture during a period of six centuries running from c.1200 to around 1800, although most of the works illustrated here were made within the shorter time frame of c.1450–1650. Any such survey is inevitably shaped by the strengths of the collection, which is conditioned by Fortnum’s taste, notwithstanding later acquisitions that have broadened its scope. He especially loved earlier Italian bronzes and so-called utensils — objects such as inkstands, candlesticks, salt-cellars, mirrors and seals — that are functional as well as beautiful. Fortnum was less interested in sculpture from the later 1500s onwards although, as this selection shows, he acquired some very interesting bronzes from the 17th and 18th centuries that deserve to be better known.

“You can be as smart as Einstein, but if you fail to direct your attention to what is important, then what good is that high IQ? People who are focused are more alert, experience less stress, and worry less. Unfortunately, focus has become a rare commodity: our attention span has dramatically decreased over the past decades.” – Elke Geraerts

How many times have you been distracted today from what you actually wanted to do? We live in a world of constant connectivity, where distraction lurks around every corner. Our endless to-do lists and packed schedules are a merciless reflection of what’s going on in our minds: we are constantly in overdrive, and our focus is completely lost. No wonder stress and burnout rates are at an all-time high. Despite the fact that we now know more than ever what we need to remain resilient and healthy, our overstimulated brain seems unable to handle all that knowledge, let alone put it into practice. Ten years after her bestseller Better Minds, Elke Geraerts presents a book tailored to a generation without attention. She combines powerful insights with practical tools that can be implemented immediately. Her goal? Sharpening our focus again. Not only by making us work more efficiently and attentively but also – and especially – by teaching us to deliberately unfocus. Are you ready for a mental revolution?

From the authors of Understanding Jewellery, considered to be one of the most important and frequently referenced books on jewelry ever produced, Age of Grandeur focuses solely on the 19th century, bringing with it over 250 new color photographs of jewelry from this most celebrated era.
Taking the reader through the history of jewelry over the decades, we learn how and why particular styles came about and then changed. From Napoleonic classicism and Victorian sentimental and memorial jewelry, through the Romantic era and its penchant for naturalism, the Gothic style and recreation of the Renaissance and, finally, the unique designs of the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau periods, this comprehensive study enlightens and fascinates. With stunning photographs accompanying us on our journey through the decades, creating a rich visual history that brings the text to life, this book remains the essential bible on 19th-century jewelry.

“Glamour is what I sell,” Marlene Dietrich once said. “It’s my stock in trade.”

For decades this iconic actress and singer commanded global attention as a thrilling enigma whose allure would transcend time. Dietrich Through the Lens, a collaboration between ACC Art Books and Iconic Images, is a tribute to a mesmerizing 20th-century talent whose influence is still felt today.

Featuring both world-famous and never-before-seen images, the book includes work by nine renowned photographers – Eve Arnold, Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson, Douglas Kirkland, Lawrence Fried, Eugene Robert Richee, Don English, William Walling and Lee Miller. Amongst the wide-ranging photographs, we find on-set moments, intimate shoots, one-off encounters and striking portraits of one of the most famous actresses of all time. Accompanied by the stories behind those prints, this book also includes an essay covering early images of Dietrich, curated by the former head of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, Terence Pepper OBE. The historical sweep and stylistic variety of these photographs creates a rich visual tableau, shedding light on Dietrich’s famously mysterious character, which combined the sultry cabaret singer, the fierce patriot, the lover, the mother, and the independent thinker. 

A handy and stylish pocket guide to Bordeaux, The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide covers everything you need to know about the world’s greatest wine region, from its centuries-long history and the geography of its famous wine appellations, to where to get the best steak frites in the city of Bordeaux. This is a guide written by wine experts for the wine-interested tourist. Everything about this complex region is covered: the difference between St Emilion and Pomerol, wine routes to take you past the legendary châteaux of the Médoc, how to read a Bordeaux wine list. The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide series is written in collaboration with Club Oenologique, with comprehensive listings of restaurants, hotels, cafés and bars, points of wider cultural interest such as art galleries and museums, which châteaux you can visit, Bordeaux winemakers’ favorite restaurants and more.

A handy and stylish pocket guide to Rioja, The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide covers everything you need to know about Spain’s most famous wine region, its fascinating 150-year relationship with Bordeaux, the history of its great bodegas, the complex business of barrel ageing, the differences between modern and classic Rioja – and where to find the best tapas in Rioja. This is a guide written by wine experts for the wine-interested tourist. Everything about this complex region is covered: the difference between Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, wine routes to take you past architectural masterpieces like Frank Gehry’s Marques de Riscal and Calatrava’s Bodegas Ysios. The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide series is written in collaboration with Club Oenologique, with comprehensive listings of restaurants, hotels, cafés and bars, points of wider cultural interest such as art galleries and museums, which bodegas you can visit, how to read a Rioja wine list, Rioja winemakers’ favorite restaurants and more.

Goya’s last set of etchings were made between 1815 and 1823, the dark years after the fall of Napoleon, when Goya was living in his farm, The House of the Deaf Man (Quinta del Sordo). Enigmatic and sinister, the etchings were not published until long after his death. They are variously known as The Proverbs, The Dreams, or, most often, Los Disparates, or The Follies. They are some of the most compelling images in Western art and their technical virtuosity is second to none.

Sculptor Martin Kargruber (b. 1965), from South Tyrol, Italy, forms each of his distinctive sculptural objects from a single piece of solid wood. He consciously uses the wood’s natural properties and organic materiality in his architectural and landscape motifs, employing traditional techniques and interpreting them anew in extraordinary ways. He transforms the rigidity of the material into a seemingly gentle movement, incorporating the workmanship itself into an explicit part of the design. His representative motifs are characterized — above and beyond the formal concept — by intensive exploration into the reality of the living world and a high level of poetic abstraction.

Text in English, German and Italian.

After the great success of the first issue, we are now following up with the eagerly awaited Volume II. Guido Weiß alias DJ MAD from the ABSOLUTE BEGINNER has fished out 366 absolute gems from the last four decades from his extensive and well-stocked vinyl collection for this fine hip-hop and rap tear-off calendar.
In addition to the well-known US classics, there are also many French, English and German artists. An absolute must for all B-boys and girls out there! And of course, many albums can be played immediately using the printed SPOTIFY codes.

When African-American music broke out of the church in the early 1960s and singers such as Ray Charles and Sam Cooke added secular lyrics to gospel in order to tap into a new audience, the 7″ single was the medium of the hour. The early soul LPs were mostly compilations of successful singles, enriched with cover versions, but this was to change radically in 1971 when Marvin Gaye released “What’s Going On” against the resistance of his label Motown. After that, there was no stopping him.
Sly & The Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, The Temptations, James Brown and countless criminally ignored groups used the medium to comment on grievances and experiment. Songs stretched over ten minutes and left the radio-friendly three-minute format. The music was also given a visual aesthetic, the musicians were given a face and told their story on the backs of the covers. Anyone who had previously raved about Al Green’s voice could now hold him in their hands as an LP, reclining on a wicker chair in a white suit.
Today, original LPs are traded for sometimes dizzying sums. Record shops and online exchanges are booming. The feel of the record, the crackling when the needle grips the groove, analogue playback and, last but not least, DJ culture have simply defied the logic of technological progress. They say that the dead live longer. This certainly applies to the LP. This calendar is dedicated to the aura that only an original pressing can have.

Design models are an integral part of the design process, as prototypes and providers of ideas for those products that are later launched on the market as serial and mass goods. However, working with models is an interdisciplinary undertaking: The book reflects the design model as the basis for future concepts, as a collector’s item in a museum and in its actual function as a planning and work tool for designers and model builders.

Text in English and German.