London, more than any other city, has a secret history concealed from view. Behind the official façade promoted by the heritage industry lies a city of esoteric traditions, obscure institutions, & forgotten locations. Occult London rediscovers this history, unearthing the hidden city that lies beneath our own. From the Elizabethan magic of Dr Dee & Simon Forman to the occult designs of Wren & Hawksmoor; from the Victorian London of Spring-Heeled Jack to the fin de siecle heyday of Madame Blavatsky & Aleister Crowley. This book describes these practitioners of the occult & their unorthodox beliefs, alongside the myths & legends through which the city has always been perceived. The role of the occult within London`s literary history is also outlined, while a gazetteer maps the sites of London`s most resonant occult locations. Today we are experiencing a renewal of interest in the occult tradition, & Merlin Coverley examines the roots of this revival, exploring the rise of New Age philosophies & the emergence of psychogeography in shaping a new vision of the city. ...

“ Occult London” rediscovers this hidden history, unearthing the secret city & its forgotten inhabitants. Encompassing an historical panorama from the Elizabethan age to the present day, we are introduced to the magic of Dr Dee & Simon Forman, & the occult designs of Wren & Hawksmoor. Elsewhere you’ll read about Spring-Heeled Jack & the Highgate vampire, & occult organisations including the Theosophical Society & the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. These are the kind of figures that once read you will never forget about, & through this book you’ll be able to examine their relationship with New Age philosophies, alternative histories & psychogeography. ...

A hippy Sell Up & Sail, this entertaining & inspiring book is more than just a cruising narrative
- it is an instructive account
...

It is often the smallest details of daily life that tell us the most. & so it is under occupation in Palestine. What most of us take for granted has to be carefully thought about & planned for: When will the post be allowed to get through? Will there be enough water for the bath tonight? How shall I get rid of the rubbish collecting outside? How much time should I allow for the journey to visit my cousin, going through checkpoints? & big questions too: Is working with left-wing Israelis collaborating or not? What affect will the Arab Spring have on the future of Palestine? What can anyone do to bring about change? Are any of life`s pleasures untouched by politics? ...

Now available in paperback with an additional epilogue, Rory Stewart`s Occupational Hazards is a must-read account of the first few years of the occupation of Iraq from within its governing structures. Iraq, September 2003; it`s six months after the US-led invasion, & the country is in anarchy
- the infrastructure has collapsed, terrorist attacks have begun & the coalition has decided to rule directly via the Coalitions Provisional Authority (CPA). Rory Stewart, a thirty year old British diplomat, is appointed as coalition deputy governor (CPA deputy governorate coordinator) of a province of 850, 000 people in the Marsh region of southern Iraq. There, in the cities of Amara & then Nasiriyah, he & his colleagues struggle to rebuild the region`s infrastructure while controlling assassinations & tribal conflict, confronting gangsters, Iranian-linked politicians & a full Islamist insurgency. During all this Stewart kept a journal of his experiences. His time in the Marsh region culminates in a terrifying siege during which Stewart & his team remain in their compound under sustained attack. They negotiate hostage releases, appoint Iraqi governors & police chiefs, patch up the shattered infrastructure &, in June 2004, hand over sovereignty to the Iraqi government. Haunted by his previous work & travels in Asia, Rory Stewart brings a unique sensitivity & perspective to the daily interactions between Iraqis & the coalition & to the perils & even comedy of foreign occupation. In fact, while his almost colonial role may never exist again, his inside`s account reveals a side of Iraq different from the one familiar to us from print & broadcast journalism & hidden from most foreign soldiers & journalists alike. Stewart`s luminous, sharp-edged prose provides a nuanced & fascinating picture of individuals, both Iraqi & foreign, struggling to manage the collapse of a state. Occupational Hazards is a unique insight into the ambitions, errors, comedy, occasional heroism & moral risks of foreign occupation, which raises questions about the whole project of `state-building` in the twenty-first century.
...

Help your child learn all about the ocean using the new edition of this fact-packed guide with a giant wallchart, interactive clip-art CD & dedicated website. From the craft that investigated the wreck of the Titanic to how octopuses make use of jet propulsion: let your child learn all about the secret watery world that covers much of our planet & the incredible creatures that live in its depths. They'll find out more by downloading 100s of amazing images from the clip-art CD. Then use the giant pull-out wallchart to decorate their room. Great for projects or just for fun, make sure your child learns everything they need to know about the ocean. ...

In this lavish, large-format collection of all-new photographs by Philip Plisson, the immensely popular marine photographer widens his lens to provide a more global focus on the ocean & the humans who depend on it for survival. This magnificent volume

Includes:: nearly 200 new & unpublished images of the five oceans around the world, seen close to the surface or from the air. Featuring ten spectacular gatefolds, it will surprise & beguile the reader with breathtaking images that brilliantly illustrate the beauty, fury & sheer ecological importance of the ocean.

...

This gorgeous, large-format book is filled with clever cutouts exploring the ocean, from the shoreline to the murkiest depths. This fact-filled journey is illustrated by Helene Druvert, the acclaimed creator of Paris Up, Up & Away, Mary Poppins Up, Up & Away, Anatomy & New York Melody. ...

Dive in to this breathtaking read about the world`s oceans. Explore the last wilderness left on Earth, with an enhanced & updated edition of this exhaustive guide to the underwater world. From mangrove swamp to ocean floor, mollusc to manatee, the Japanese tsunami to Hurricane Sandy, unravel the mysteries of the sea. Marvel at the oceans` power & importance to our planet
- as the birthplace of life on Earth, a crucial element of our climate, & as a vital but increasingly fragile resource for mankind. You will discover every aspect, from the geology of the sea floor & the interaction between the ocean & atmosphere, to the extraordinary diversity of marine life. Updated illustrations & satellite-derived maps & the latest scientific research explain & illuminate each natural process & phenomena. It

Includes:: an inspiring introduction by editor-in-chief Fabien Cousteau. Ocean (previous ISBN 9781405333085) captures both the beauty & scientific complexity of the ocean, making it perfect for families & students alike.


...

Explore a new & exciting way to learn about creatures that live in the ocean with this interactive Slide-N-Seek book. You`ll see colorful images transform before your very eyes with the turn of a wheel & discover hidden images throughout each page. Kids will love this fun & educational format while learning about beautiful creatures along the way. ...