Award-winning writer Paul Theroux takes us on a journey through small town Malaysia through the eyes of the exuberant Spencer Savage in his breathtaking novel ” The Consul`s File”. Spencer Savage, a young American consul, is posted to Ayer Hitam, a small Malaysian town, in the 1970s. Told to close down this remote outpost in the sweltering jungle, he instead finds himself drawn to the many characters he meets among the Malays, Indians, Japanese, Chinese & the clubbable expat Brits. Through his eyes we see the rich tapestry of multi-ethnic life in post-colonial Malaysia, from adultery to murder, from ghost stories to the murky waters of diplomatic politics. It is a brilliant portrait of a vanished time, a lost landscape & scattered people. ”A cool & witty sequence...a polished & professional performance”. (” Guardian”). ” Theroux`s writing is at its most adventurous in ” The Consul`s File”. There is no book I can compare this to: Mr Theroux`s artistry is individual, serene, yet also grainy with fierce truths”. (” The Times”). American travel writer Paul Theroux is known for the rich descriptions of people & places that is often streaked with his distinctive sense of irony; his novels & collected short stories, ” My Other Life”, ” The Collected Stories”, ” My Secret History”, ” The Lower River”, ” The Stranger at the Palazzo d` Oro”, ”A Dead Hand”, ” Millroy the Magician”, ” The Elephanta Suite”, ” Saint Jack”, ” The Family Arsenal”, ” The Mosquito Coast”, & his works of non-fiction, including the iconic ” The Great Railway Bazaar” are available from Penguin. ...

When you have ingredients such as fresh, crunchy chicory, sweet sun-ripened cherry tomatoes & juicy ripe peaches, a simple approach to cooking is all you need. Spending hours over lengthy preparations only disguises the natural, fresh flavour of the food. In The Contented Cook, Xanthe Clay pares back all the effort & the fuss to show you how simplicity is key; both saving you time & allowing the quality of your ingredients to shine through. The simple philosophy embraces every seasonal glut & windfall of the year & rises to every occasion. A one-pot dish of Pork, Flageolets & Star Anise is perfect family food for a weekday evening, & Duck Breasts with Sweet Potato & Parsnip Crisps takes all the stress out of entertaining for a relaxed kitchen supper with friends. With recipes arranged according to seasonal ingredients, & with sections on Spring Baking, A Summer Buffet Party, An Autumn Mezze & Winter Canapes this book capitalises on nature`s bounty to provide simple & delicious solutions at every turn. ...

By sea & on the airwaves, by dollar & yuan, a contest has begun that will shape the next century. China`s rise has now entered a critical new phase, as it seeks to translate its considerable economic heft into a larger role on the world stage, challenging American supremacy. Yet he also shows why China may struggle to unseat the West
- its ambitious designs are provoking anxiety, especially in Asia, while America`s global alliances have deep roots. If Washington can adjust to a world in which it is not the sole dominant power, it may be able to retain its ability to set the global agenda.
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Those whom God wishes to destroy he first makes mad... The convent of Our Lady of Mercy stands alone in an uninhabited part of the Spanish sierra. Its inhabitants are devoted to God, to solitude & silence; six women cut off from the world they`ve chosen to leave behind. Everything changes on the day that a suitcase punctured with air-holes is discovered on the convent steps. Soon Mother Superior Maria Ines finds that the box & its contents are to have consequences beyond her imagining, & that even in her carefully protected sanctuary she is unable to keep the world, or her past, at bay. ...

It`s a national icon, a British institution, the finest grocer of them all. Fortnum & Mason is a store that has fuelled the tide of British history, fed the appetites of kings & queens, maharajahs & czars, emperors, dukes & divas alike. Fortnum & Mason is a constantly evolving, hugely successful modern enterprise, one that respects its magnificent history while looking forward into the 21st century. The first Fortnum & Mason`s Cook Book will do the same, appealing to the modern reader & cook, whilst never forgetting the past. A contemporary, accessible recipe book that combines superb recipes & expert advice on ingredients, the Fortnum & Mason`s Cook Book will shine a light on the history of the best British cuisine, with delicious, contemporary Modern British dishes. ...

This charming book recalls a time when the housewives of Britain were still making do & keeping a nation `fighting fit`. It contains a vast collection of recipes, from a classic fish pie to a `gooey` ginger cake, showing how even during the post-war rationing period, food could still be adventurous & tasty. Go back to basics & savour the tastes of the war years with this nostalgic collection of recipes. Illustrated with fine drawings by the artist Edward Bawden. ...

Go Travel’s ` The Cooler` is a pocket-sized mini-fan with soft flexible blades & a detachable neck chord. The fan can be adjusted in three positions allowing you to either hold it in your hand or sit back & let it cool you from a tabletop position. ...

Published in association with WWF-Malaysia, this important book describes the uniqueness of the Coral Triangle region`s marine biodiversity, its conservation importance & the stories, successes & struggles of the drive to maintain its rich biodiversity. The book gives a big-picture overview of threats & solutions & up-close & personal experiences from the ground & the people affected by conservation. The stories come from the work that WWF-Malaysia & USAID Coral Triangle Support Partnership are carrying out in the region. Chapters cover the rich habitats of the Coral Triangle & the endangered species, as well as an in-depth survey of each of the countries of the area. As the earth`s single greatest repository of marine life, the Coral Triangle is also a great draw for SCUBA divers. For each of the countries covered, top dive sites are listed. Stunningly illustrated with Eric Madeja`s photographs, this book is a visual feast as well as an essential read. ...

The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell consists of the popular classic My Family & Other Animals & its delightful sequels, Birds, Beasts & Relatives & The Garden of the Gods. All three books are set on the enchanted island of Corfu in the 1930s, & tell the story of the eccentric English family who moved there. For Gerald, the budding zoologist, Corfu was a natural paradise, teeming with strange birds & beasts that he could collect, watch & care for. But life was not without its problems
- his family often objected to his animal-collecting activities, especially when the beasts wound up in the villa or
- even worse
- the fridge. With hilarious yet endearing portraits of his family & their many unusual hangers-on, The Corfu Trilogy also captures the beginnings of the author`s lifelong love of animals. Recounted with immense humour & charm, this wonderful account of Corfu`s natural history reveals a rare, magical childhood.


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For most people, an amble round a farmers` market is a luxury, something that belongs in the hallowed realm of the weekend. ...