The Mediterranean has been for millennia one of the global cockpits of human endeavour. World-class interpretations exist of its Classical & subsequent history, but there has been remarkably little holistic exploration of how its societies, culture & economies first came into being, despite the fact that almost all the fundamental developments originated well before 500 bc. This book is the first full, interpretive synthesis for a generation on the rise of the Mediterranean world from its beginning, before the emergence of our own species, up to the threshold of Classical times. Extensively illustrated & ranging across disciplines, subject matter & chronology from early humans & the origins of farming & metallurgy to the rise of civilizations Egyptian, Levantine, Hispanic, Minoan, Mycenaean, Phoenician, Etruscan, early Greek the book is a masterpiece of archaeological & historical writing. ...

”I slept very comfortably with half a dozen smoke-dried human skulls suspended over my head.” (Alfred Russel). Wallace left to explore the islands of southeast Asia an obscure naturalist; he returned eight years later an acclaimed scientist & co-discoverer of the theory of evolution. This is his vivid, exhilarating & heroic account of his travels across the entire Malay world, from Singapore to the western edges of New Guinea. With exploratory zeal & lyrical brilliance, he describes battling through jungles, enduring seasickness & fever, meeting head hunters, marvelling at birds of paradise & collecting countless new species, as he made discoveries that changed our view of the world. This is a new series of twenty distinctive, unforgettable Penguin Classics in a beautiful new design & pocket-sized format, with coloured jackets echoing Penguin`s original covers. ...

Alfred Russel Wallace`s The Malay Archipelago is a work of astounding breadth & originality that chronicles the British naturalist`s scientific exploration of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia & New Guinea between 1854 & 1862. An intrepid explorer who earned his living by collecting bird skins, Wallace also catalogued the vast number of plant & animal species that inhabit this unique geographical area. In addition, he

Includes:: numerous observations on the people, their languages, & ways of living & social organization, as well as geological insights into the nature & activity of volcanoes & the destructive force of nature. Colourful personal anecdotes based on experiences during his travels also pepper the text. First published in 1869, The Malay Archipelago provided some of the initial evidence for the modern theory of evolution. Discursive, captivating, occasionally offensive, but always wonderfully descriptive, it remains one of the most extensive works of natural history ever compiled. The Earl of Cranbrook is an expert in the environmental biology of the Malaysian region, & has a special interest in the life & career of Alfred Russel Wallace. About this edition: This edition presents Wallace’s complete, original text, re-proofed & accompanied by the illustrations from the first edition of 1869. About this series: Stanfords Travel Classics feature some of the finest historical travel writing in the English language, with authors hailing from both sides of the Atlantic. Every title has been reset in a contemporary typeface to create a series that every lover of fine travel literature will want to collect & keep.

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The Malt Whisky Map of Scotland & Northern Ireland (folded version), prepared by whisky writer Neil Wilson & James Mc Ewan
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The Malt Whisky Map of Scotland & Northern Ireland – wall map version size 76 x 98cm (30” x 38.5” approx), prepared by whisky writer Neil Wilson & James Mc Ewan
- the director of Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, & published by Waverley Books. Extensive information on the reverse side

Includes:: contact details for distilleries that welcome visitors, useful tips, historical notes, etc. This updated 2015 edition shows locations of working distilleries, indicating malt, malt & grain, or grain only, as well as distilleries mothballed/closed/dismantled post 1960. This information is presented on a background showing the network of main road & rail connections & indicating topography by altitude colouring. An inset shows the current division into whisky producing regions. On the reverse, notes by James Mc Ewan include a directory with website addresses and/or phone numbers plus British National Grid references for exact locations, indicating distilleries open to visitors, Also included are a list of interesting distillery terms, the wording of the Highland Distillery Licence from 1793, cooperage notes, etc.PLEASE NOTE: this title is also available in a folded format.


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Hammett`s 1930 detective novel is widely regarded as the first & finest novel of the hard-boiled private detective. Sam Spade has a cold detachment, keen eye for detail & an unflinching determination to achieve his own justice. Regarded by many as the greatest crime novel of the 20th century, it has been ranked in the top 100 of English- language novels. The Maltese Falcon has been filmed several times, most famously by John Huston with Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade. ...

The Malvern Hills, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have fired the imagination of painters, poets, writers, composers & scientists for many years. & the area has not lost any of its power to surprise, charm & thrill. The Malverns run almost directly north-south along the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border, dipping into Gloucestershire at its southern most end. The special quality of the Malverns lies in the contrasts. They make up an easily identifiable narrow ridge that thrust above the patchwork farmland of the Severn Vale 600 million years ago, producing a mountain range in miniature. Mike Smart`s collection of photographs capture the spirit of these hills. ...

The area covered by this guide encompasses all the scenic features that are generally considered to be traditionally English. It is a landscape characterised by gently rolling hills, wide & verdant river valleys, wooded tracts, small market towns &, above all, an abundance of exceptionally attractive villages mainly timber-framed & built of brick, with most of them featuring thatched cottages, medieval churches & fine old pubs. The walks in this guide incorporate historic highlights such as Coughton Court, Wroxton Abbey & Charlecote Park landscaped by ` Capability` Brown & allegedly where Shakespeare was once caught poaching. ...

In 1949, two young Cuban musicians, brothers Cesar & Nestor, leave Havana for New York. By day they work hard, by night they are the Mambo Kings: packing out clubs, dance halls & theatres with their sensuous, pulsing Latin music. This is the captivating story of charming, vivacious womanizer Cesar & quiet, romantic Nestor
- still nursing an unrequited love for `beautiful Maria of my soul`
- & their changing fortunes as they try to make it big in America.

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The new edition of this popular field guide has been fully revised & updated, making it one of the most comprehensive guides to the land mammals of the subregion. The new edition
Includes:: An easy-to-use system to identify the mammals in the book Detailed species descriptions, including information on the conservation status, size, food, life expectancy, enemies, habits, voice & breeding of more than 120 of the most common land mammals of southern Africa More than 200 excellent colour photographs of the male & female animals Photographs & illustrations of field signs, such as droppings & spoor, as well as distribution maps A table illustrating the tracks (spoor) of all the animals featured Illustrations showing the difference in size between each animal & a human A br&-new section which

Includes:: examples from all the families of smaller mammals, such as shrews, elephant shrews, moles, mole rats, bats, rats & mice. The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa is a must for game watchers, hikers & anyone with a love for nature.


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