The gods & goddesses of ancient Egypt, worshipped for over half of recorded history, are among the most fascinating & complex of any civilization. Here is a comprehensive & authoritative guide to the deities that lay at the heart of Egyptian religion & society. It examines the evolution, worship & eventual decline of the numerous gods & goddesses
- from minor household figures such as Bes & Taweret to the all-powerful deities Amun & Re
- that made Egypt the most completely theocratic society of the ancient world, & made Egyptians, according to Herodotus, `more religious than any other people`.

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This is a comprehensive, full-colour manual providing a complete reference for climbers of every level & discipline. It covers all the skills, safety issues & equipment necessary for the key climbing disciplines: mountains, bouldering & climbing walls, summer climbing, winter climbing, big wall & expedition climbing. This exciting book is extensively illustrated throughout, with practical diagrams as well as inspirational & instructive photographs covering everything from the basic saftey, equipment & techniques to advanced-level mountaineering on some of the world's toughest ascents. The basic skills

Includes:: fundamental information on the necessary technical equipment, from harness, rock boots & ropes to slings, karabiners & belay devices. There is a detailed section on different types of knots with clear diagrams to exemplify each. The technical skills section gives comprehensive information on abseiling with diagrams & photographs, plus various emergency procedures that all climbers & mountaineers should know. The natural ability to climb is in all of us, it is getting it out on to the surface & refining it into a useful skill that is the trick. Pete Hill explains how to move on rock with the various handholds, footholds & specific climbing techniques, he shows the attractions of bouldering, & the importance of chalk as part of a boulderer's arsenal, & finally Pete discusses the various types of climbing walls. The summer section of the book details everything you need to know about traditional climbing, considered by many as the purest form of the sport, as well as sport climbing, & Via Ferratas which are well suited for families new to climbing. The Winter section covers avalanches, ice climbing & snow shelters, as well as step kicking, step cutting & crampon techniques. For the more advanced climbers & mountaineers, the Alpine Climbing, Big wall climbing & expedition sections of the book will provide you with ideas, equipment information, techniques, advice on how to overcome any problems & scenarios to get your adrenaline racing. The Appendices provides essential & useful information on the various climbing grades worldwide, as well as factors & forces. It is one of very few books on the market that is so comprehensive, internationally relevant & covers so many different types of climbing. It is written by Pete Hill (MIC, FRGS), an experienced & highly-regarded author & climbing instructor. Pete is author of the bestselling ' Mountain Skills Training Handbook' & ' The International Handbook of Technical Mountaineering'. He has led mountaineering expeditions to the Indian & Nepalese Himalaya, & was leader of an international expedition to Kashmir which made the first ascents of three previously unclimbed peaks.

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This ultimate guide to digital photography reflects the latest technological advances & contains all the information the reader will need to create crisp colour photographs every time. With over 600 illustrations, a no-nonsense, jargon-busting glossary of terms, & a full index for easy reference, it is an indispensable source of information & enlightenment. ...

This comprehensive guide to the flags of the world, now available in a completely updated edition, provides concise, accurate coverage of every country in the world, giving the history, meaning, & symbolism of national flags, together with large-scale & smaller locator maps. It

Includes:: the history of flags; color flags of over 220 countries & territories; flags of international organizations; large-scale & detailed locator maps for easy reference; up-to-date data & statistics for all countries; information about the history & symbolism of each flag; a section on de facto & emerging states; & a full index.

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This handy-sized guide is an indispensable reference book for everyone from the novice to the craftsman & the outdoor adventurer. With everything from everyday knots to decorative & applied knots, this pocket guide reveals what each knot looks like, where you can use it & how to tie it. Each one comes with a short introduction about its properties, easy-to-follow instructions & clear step-by-step photographs showing every single stage. Beginning with a chapter on different types of rope & the situations where they should be used (whether they are flexible, tough, are water resistant or can float), this comprehensive handbook spans simple knots like the Loop knot, sewing knots like the Overhand knot, moving on to climber`s knots, applied knots used to make rope ladders or netting, & beautiful ornamental knots. Special sections are devoted to knots used for shortening ropes, those for use as tackles for lifting & moving weights, & importantly, knots that can be tied with only one hand for emergency situations. This essential book will enable you to master 70 of the most useful knots with absolute confidence. ...

In addition to things to see & do in the major regions of Yosemite, this guidebook also provides reservation information & dining options, suggests hikes & excursions at any level of desired activity, promotes safe enjoyment of the park, & covers major & little-known natural features. Also included are information on roads & gateway communities, tips on how to reserve a campsite or lodging, photos of flora & fauna, & important phone numbers, emails, & web sites, & updated maps. New to this eighth edition are:•connectivity & technology information;•a ” Hike Smart” safety section with loads of tips;•all new photographs. ...

In this book, four leading scientists present the most up-to-date discoveries in the different fields of Ice Age Research. They reveal how the epoch was discovered, the profound climatic fluctuations it generated as ice sheets waxed & waned, & the myriad ways in which humans & animals coped with the changing world they lived in. The final chapter issues a stark warning about the future of our planet & the consequences of our profligate lifestyles. Magnificently illustrated with dramatic photography, explanatory diagrams & reconstruction scenes, ” The Complete Ice Age” shows above all the fragility of our climate system & the power of humans to adapt to the most extreme environmental challenges. ...

This is a comprehensive encyclopedia of the Incas & other ancient people of South America with more than 1000 photographs. It provides an exploration of the political & social history, art, architecture & mythology of the lost cultures of the Andes. It presents an in-depth history of the ancient people of South America including the Paracas, Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Wari, Lambayeque-Sipan, Tiwanaku, Chimu & Inca. Discover the breathtaking developments in Andean art, from the mysterious lines etched in the Nazca desert to the lovely temples erected at Kotosh, La Galgada & Aspero. Over 1000 colour photographs, paintings, artefacts, maps & artworks bring the ancient cultures of the South America to vivid life. The history of the Incas fascinates the modern world. This groundbreaking book separates fact from fiction, exploring the native people of Peru & the Andes, their mythologies & ancient belief systems, & the amazing beauty of Inca art & architecture. It opens with the culture & history of its many kingdoms & their mythological rituals & beliefs. The second half of the book focuses on the day-to-day lives of ordinary people & the beautiful art they created, such as ceramics, gold- & silverwork & fabrics. This authoritative volume combines over 1000 striking illustrations with lively & engaging text. ...

This vibrant award-winning cookbook takes you on a regional tour of India, introducing you to classic local recipes & world-renowned dishes. Try a famous Assamese `tenga`
- fish, tomatoes, lime & whole spices
- or street snacks ranging from Central Indian Parsnip Patties to the melt-in-the-mouth kababs of Hyderabad. Punjabi dishes include Spiced Mustard Greens, a sizzling dish of pungent roots & hot chillies. Mughal influence is evident in the stately poultry & meat dishes, & sweet dishes include Saffron Rice, Sweet Samosas & Kulfi. Evocative images & clear step-by-step recipes will guide you to discover India`s unsurpassed cuisine.

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What is IRONMAN? It is unique combination of a race, a person & a state of mind. This comprehensive & beautifully-illustrated book explores every aspect of the famous triathlon competition, from its history & legendary competitors to its now international major events. Explore what it takes to be an IRONMAN with practical advice on how to prepare & succeed at such a demanding yet revered challenge. Written by acclaimed IRONMAN expert Bob Babbitt to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the IRONMAN race, this book captures the struggle, spirit & excitement of this globally respected sporting event.” Swim 2.4 miles. Bike 112 miles. Run 26.2 miles. Brag for the rest of your life!” ...