The term Latin America refers to the Portuguese & Spanish-speaking states created in the early 1820s following the wars of independence, states that differed enormously in geographical & demographical scale, ethnic composition & economic resources, yet shared distinct historical & cultural traits. Specially-commissioned essays by leading experts explore the unity & diversity of the region`s cultural expressions. These essays analyse history & politics from the nineteenth century to the present day & consider the heritage of pre-Columbian & Colonial Latin America. There is a particular focus on narrative as well as on poetry, art & architecture, music, cinema, theatre, & broader issues of popular culture. A final chapter looks at the strong & rapidly expanding influence of latino/a culture in the United States. A chronology & guides to further reading are included, making this volume an invaluable introduction to the rich & varied culture of modern Latin America. ...

From the art deco factories of the 1920s through to the skyscraper boom of the twenty-first century, Modern London takes you on an illustrated tour of the capital`s ever-changing landscape. Shaped variously by war, economics, population growth & design trends, the city has been moulded by some of the greatest modern architects & to this day remains a centre of building design & experimentation. Through intricate graphic illustrations & accessible entertaining text, London`s streets, structures & transport systems of the last century are brought to life. Discover long lost treasures such as the Firestone Factory & marvel at modern-day masterpieces like the London Aquatics centre; delight in previously vilified social housing projects such as the Balfron Tower, & discover the drama behind bold, eccentric designs like the ` Cheesegrater`. The city`s skyline can change in an instant; Modern London invites you to sit back & survey the scene so far. ...

Mezze
- a leisurely feast comprising a selection of small dishes
- is a flexible, sociable way of eating now becoming increasingly

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L&-locked between its giant neighbors, Russia & China, Mongolia was the first Asian country to adopt communism & the first to abandon it. When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, Mongolia turned to international financial agencies
- including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, & the Asian Development Bank
- for help in compensating for the economic changes caused by disruptions in the communist world. ” Modern Mongolia” is the best-informed & most thorough account to date of the political economy of Mongolia during the past decade. In it, Morris Rossabi explores the effects of the withdrawal of Soviet assistance, the role of international financial agencies in supporting a pure market economy, & the ways that new policies have led to greater political freedom but also to unemployment, poverty, increasingly inequitable distribution of income, & deterioration in the education, health, & well-being of Mongolian society. Rossabi demonstrates that the agencies providing grants & loans insisted on Mongolia`s adherence to a set of policies that did not generally take into account the country`s unique heritage & society. Though the sale of state assets, minimalist government, liberalization of trade & prices, a balanced budget, & austerity were supposed to yield marked economic growth, Mongolia
- the world`s fifth-largest per capita recipient of foreign aid
- did not recover as expected. As he details this painful transition from a collective to a capitalist economy, Rossabi also analyzes the cultural effects of the sudden opening of Mongolia to democracy. He looks at the broader implications of Mongolia`s international situation & considers its future, particularly in relation to China.



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WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY OLIVIA LAINGIn 1986 Derek Jarman discovered he was HIV positive & decided to make a garden at his cottage on the barren coast of Dungeness. Facing an uncertain future, he nevertheless found solace in nature, growing all manner of plants. While some perished beneath wind & sea-spray others flourished, creating brilliant, unexpected beauty in the wilderness. Modern Nature is both a diary of the garden & a meditation by Jarman on his own life: his childhood, his time as a young gay man in the 1960s, his renowned career as an artist, writer & film-maker. It is at once a lament for a lost generation, an unabashed celebration of gay sexuality, & a devotion to all that is living. ...

Russia is a dominant force in the world, whose culture has been shaped by its unique position on the margins of both East & West. As Russia faces new cultural challenges from outside its national boundaries, this volume introduces Russian culture in all its rich diversity, including the historical conditions that helped shape it & the arts that express its highest achievements. Newly commissioned essays by leading scholars explore language, religion, geography, ideological structures, folk ethos & popular culture, literature, music, theatre, art, & film. A chronology & guides to further reading are also provided. The Companion offers both historical orientation for the central processes of Russian culture & introductory surveys of the arts in their modern context. Overall, the volume reveals, for students, academic researchers & all those interested in Russia, the dilemmas, strengths, & complexities of the Russian cultural experience. ...

Modern Spanish Cooking introduces the fantastic variety of contemporary Spanish cuisine with its emphasis on fresh ingredients & enticing flavour combinations. Recipes range from sensational tapas style dishes to traditional Spanish recipes described & presented in an original fresh way by Sam & Eddie Hart, owners of Fino, one of London's most exciting restaurants. Their simple philosophy is to source the finest top quality Spanish ingredients & apply Spanish styles of cooking to create superb-tasting dishes. With over 120 irresistible recipes for tapas, rice, beans, pasta & egg dishes, fish & shellfish, meat, vegetables & salads, & delectable desserts, Sam & Eddie have created a perfect blend of modern & traditional. Throughout the book, fascinating features on Spanish food culture, special cooking methods & Spanish ingredients are interwoven to encourage readers to embrace the Spanish way of eating & drinking. Spectacular photographs brilliantly capture the colour & flavour of Spanish food & make it easy for the reader to present the dishes authentically at home. ...

This book offers a comprehensive account of modern Spanish culture, tracing its dramatic & often unexpected development from its beginnings after the Revolution of 1868 to the present day. Specially-commissioned essays by leading experts provide analyses of the historical & political background of modern Spain, the culture of the major autonomous regions (notably Castile, Catalonia, & the Basque Country), & the country`s literature: narrative, poetry, theatre & the essay. Spain`s recent development is divided into three main phases: from 1868 to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War; the period of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco; & the post-Franco arrival of democracy. The concept of ` Spanish culture` is investigated, & there are studies of Spanish painting & sculpture, architecture, cinema, dance, music, & the modern media. A chronology & guides to further reading are provided, making the volume an invaluable introduction to the politics, literature & culture of modern Spain. ...

When you need to learn how to survive in today`s frightening world, you turn to the best. Barry Davies, who spent 18 years in the British Special Air Service, teaches how to survive when all else fails. From a little flair up to all out war, Davies prepares you so that you`re not only able to survive, but you`re able to succeed after the dust has settles. This is the guide you will keep by your side when all else fails. ...

This book should be in the library of every transportation researcher. Ronald Sheck Intermodal & guideway research program director, Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of Florida There is no escape from transport. By sea, air, road or rail, we rely on transport to connect individuals, businesses & cities. At a time when deregulation & privatization are becoming global trends & concerns grow about sustainability, what is the future of transport for the 21st Century? The best-selling first edition of Modern Transport Geography provided a topical transport textbook, based on geographical theory & focused on contemporary issues. This new, expanded, updated & revised edition builds on the strengths of the earlier text by taking a more international & global perspective. The book brings together an unparalleled range of contributors, reflecting the international expertise of the Transport Research Groups of both the Royal Geographical Society & the Association of American Geographers. Modern Transport Geography takes a principles & practice approach which enables students to develop their own ideas on the basis of the contextual, analytical & case material provided. from reviews of Edition I This book has all the ingredients of a successful textbook... The presentation is both stimulating & thought provoking. There is a lot of up to date information on current & case studies from all parts of the world. &, finally, there are plenty of references for further reading. What more could one ask? Journal of Environment & Planning A Geography / Transport Studies / Planning / Social Science Contents Transport Geography: an Introduction Transport & Development: Conceptual Frameworks The Role of Transport in the Development Process: Case Studies from Quebec, Indonesia, Zimbabwe & China Transport Deregulation & Privatization Transport & the Environment Urban Travel Patterns Urban Transport Problems & Solution Inter-Urban Transport Rural Areas: the Accessibility Problem Transport for Recreation & Tourism Ships, Ports & Bulk Freight Transport Intermodal Transportation International Surface Passenger Transport International Air Transport Sustainability of Transport ...