When author Peter Mortimer was commissioned to write a play about a little-known riot between Yemeni & British seamen at Mill Dam, South Shields, in 1930, he decided to take the long trip to Yemen itself in search of inspiration. Undeterred by post-11 September government warnings against visiting this `highly dangerous` area, Mortimer set off & found an extraordinary & surprisingly Anglophile country. Cool for Qat documents this remarkable journey, during which Mortimer pieces together how the riots of 1930 arose & considers their relevance to Western attitudes towards Muslims today. He meets many remarkable characters along the way & immerses himself in the national custom of chewing the narcotic qat leaf. After visiting the ex-British Protectorate of Aden
- through which many of the seamen passed en route to Britain
- Mortimer travels on to San`a & then Tai`iz. It is while visiting the isolated mountain villages surrounding this city that Mortimer finally meets men who worked in South Shields some 50 years ago. Carrying a battered book with images of Yemenis living in the North-east in the `30s from home to home, trying to jog distant memories, he realises his visit has taken on a new purpose
- bringing a small part of the country`s history back to where it belongs. Back in the UK, Mortimer`s investigations into the 1930 riot reveal a society with many striking similarities to current times. Then, as now, Muslim immigrants were treated as scapegoats for all manner of ills, tabloid newspapers drummed up prejudice & hatred, & the powers that be often used fear & racial mistrust to disguise their own economic failings. Cool for Qat questions just how `civilised` the Western world
- & Britain in particular
- is in comparison to Yemen. It is a touching, thought-provoking & at times humorous document of one man`s travels through a country about which little is known in the West.




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Weekend in The Cool Hotels series from Te Neues, focusing on hotels perfect for weekend breaks; the guide is aimed squarely at those looking for luxury & escape in its purest, & most likely expensive forms. Unique ambiences, exclusive locations, & soothing silences are all in this large format, gorgeously photographed book. As well as the full-colour photography bursting from every page, there are telephone numbers, websites & addresses should any of them take your fancy. ...

Which ever direction you travel in the Americas; north, south, east or west, this volume offers an extensive array of cool hotel options. When you`re seeking just the right combination of sophisticated watering hole, deluxe private space, & cutting-edge design, these locales are for you. This guide is packed full of both alluring images & useful information. Browsing the pages, you`ll get an in-depth glimpse of the carefully curated furnishings, artwork, & fine design details which make each hotel a byword for chic sophistication. Along with fine service & precise attention to detail, they all offer the ambiance & amenities sure to please even the choosiest of hip travelers. ...

London is an unparalleled blend of tradition & edginess. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its hotels. This vital compendium showcases chic hotels sure to wow even the most jaded guest. Each profile lists hotel facilities as well as nearby restaurants & shops featured in te Neues's Cool Restaurants & Cool Shops series. This complete round-up covers such stunning lodgings as Hazlitts, B+B Belgravia, & Brown's Hotel. ? This handy flexi-cover guide is abundantly illustrated with Approx. 200 color photographs that convey the spirit of each home-away-from-home ? Essential for travelers to London & for design professionals ...

Spa & Wellness in The Cool Hotels series from Te Neues; this particular edition of the guides is aimed squarely at those looking for relaxation, refreshment, & all else spas & similar havens have to offer. Unique ambiences, exclusive locations, & soothing silences are all in this large format, gorgeously photographed book. As well as the full-colour photography bursting from every page, there are telephone numbers, websites & addresses should any of them take your fancy. ...

Explore the heart of Japanese culture with this three-part travel guide. First, visit Kyoto, where you will discover one thousand years of history from the ancient love story the Tale of Genji to the traditional tea ceremony. Then head to Tokyo to experience Japan`s cutting-edge capital, where the twenty-first-century kawaii culture collides with landmarks like the Kabuki-za Theater & the Imperial Palace. For a different perspective, venture outside the city to the seaside towns of Tohoku, the region largely affected by the 2011 tsunami disaster. Written by local expert Sumiki Kajiyama & illustrated in lively animation style, this book introduces readers to Japan`s national heroes & must-see places from a uniquely Japanese perspective. Informative, entertaining, & useful, ” Cool Japan” is an ideal introduction for any traveler looking for a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, past & present. ...

Often called Europe's hippest metropolis, London is a magnet for creative types. With an array of cultural offerings, exceptional buildings & a lifestyle that's both sophisticated & edgy, this city has it all. Whether it's the perfect boutique, a trendy gallery or a chic spot to sip & nibble, this accessible guide to the hotspots will make sure you know where to see & be seen. ...

Did you know that fish can use tools, & that wombat poo is cubic? This animal-tastic, fact-packed guide to the world of nature contains everything the budding naturalist needs to know. Meet nature`s most fearsome predators, explore the wonders of the ocean, & marvel at the ability of animals to survive in the harshest environments. If you want to get out into the wild yourself, there`s cool practical advice for tracking animals through the woods, using binoculars to spot our feathered friends & making a bird feeder in your back yard. Learn about why we should all care about endangered species, who would win in a fight between a shark & a honey badger, & how to make flowers bloom in the most unlikely places. Packed with quirky illustrations & absorbing information, this book is the perfect gift for the nature obsessive in your life. Word count: 20, 000 ...

New York in Te Neues Cool Cities range, a primarily visual guide to the coolest hotels, restaurants, cafes, clubs, bars, lounges, shops, highlights & more. As well as the sumptuous full colour photography, there are brief snippets of information on the places themselves, as well as basic contact details & addresses. This little tome is perfect for those literally wanting to have a look at these places as opposed to a detailed read. ...

Paris in Te Neues Cool Cities range, a primarily visual guide to the coolest hotels, restaurants, cafes, clubs, bars, lounges, shops, highlights & more. As well as the sumptuous full colour photography, there are brief snippets of information on the places themselves, as well as basic contact details & addresses. This little tome is perfect for those literally wanting to have a look at these places as opposed to a detailed read. ...