A terrifically engaging & original biography about one of England's greatest novelists, & the glamorous, eccentric, debauched & ultimately tragic family that provided him with the most significant friendships of his life & inspired his masterpiece, ' Brideshead Revisited'. ...

Madagascar is a land where lizards scream & monkey-like lemurs sing songs of inexpressible beauty. KKnown as the Great Red Isl&, it is a place where fossa & tenrecs, vangas & aye ayes thrive in a true Lost World alongside bizarre plants like the octopus tree & the three-cornered palm. & where the ancestors of the Malagasy, as the islands 18 tribes are collectively known, come alive in rollicking ceremonies known as "turning the bones." This natural & cultural history of Madagascar is an exploration of what makes the island so extraordinary. It is the only book that combines cutting-edge science & conservation with adventure travel & historical narrative. Perfect for those about to travel to Madagascar for the first time or just want to learn more, much of the historical material will be new to those familiar with Madagascar, even researchers who have worked there for years. ...

Details: Brilliant Madagascar-themed 26cm x 23cm jigsaw puzzle made up of 100 colour pieces for you to complete! Ideal
...

Madagascars isolation means most of its mammals, birds, & plants exist nowhere else on earth. This guide showcases the best of the island with details of all the sights included in tour operators itineraries; trips along the Route Nationale 7, around Nosy Be, days trips around Antananarivo, & tours to the east & southwest of the country. Detailed maps include the top spots
- the six places most favoured by tour operators, & a birders map identifies the islands key locations to spot birds. An authoritative chapter on conservation discusses many of the islands projects & outlines how visitors can help. With full colour photographs throughout, this handy book also acts as a field guide to lemurs, chameleons & a host of other exotic plants & animals.


...

Features a celebration of the island's flora & fauna, 90 per cent of which is endemic. Containing over 280 colour photographs, updated information on 22 of the country's top parks & reserves, & lively species descriptions, this book is suitable for natural history enthusiasts & travellers alike. ...

Castigated for offending against public decency, Madame Bovary has rarely failed to cause a storm. For Flaubert's contemporaries, the fascination came from the novelist's meticulous account of provincial matters. For the writer, subject matter was subordinate to his anguished quest for aesthetic perfection. For his twentieth-century successors the formal experiments that underpin Madame Bovary look forward to the innovations of contemporary fiction. Flaubert's protagonist in particular has never ceased to fascinate. Romantic heroine or middle-class neurotic, flawed wife & mother or passionate protester against the conventions of bourgeois society, simultaneously the subject of Flaubert's admiration & the butt of his irony
- Emma Bovary remains one of the most enigmatic of fictional creations. Flaubert's meticulous approach to the craft of fiction, his portrayal of contemporary reality, his representation of an unforgettable cast of characters make Madame Bovary one of the major landmarks of modern fiction.
...

Emma Bovary yearns for a life of luxury & passion of the kind she reads about in romantic novels. But life with her country ...

Jeanne du Barry, courtesan & Louis XV's official mistress was the last of the French royal favourites. In this biography, Haslip portrays du Barry as an ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances in the royal court of 18th century France, victim of her own beauty. ...

Details: Build your own Madame Vastra with this fantastic Dr Who construction kit perfect for fans of the hit BBC show!
...

Chic yet practical, sophisticated yet comforting, Lisa Stickley's designs are guaranteed to delight. With hints of old-fashioned charm, Lisa reinterprets the core home items with a quirky individuality & a modern twist. This irresistible collection of homesewn designs, ranging from simple cushions to comfy bed covers, mixes timeless classics with current trends. The book opens with a comprehensive Basic Techniques section, moving on to four key areas of the home: Kitchen, Living room, Bedroom & Laundry. All the projects are stylish yet simple; most require only minimal sewing skills & can be made in a weekend. Who would not want to add a touch of individuality to their home with a patched bedspread, a cheery storage bag, a quirky doorstop or a pin-tucked cushion? Illustrated step-by-step instructions take you through each stage of the project, building on the techniques already learnt & increasing your level of sewing competence. Discover how to finish seams, stitch hems & h&-sew buttonholes whilst making gorgeous items for your own home. The emphasis is on practical but inspirational ideas that all share the unmistakeable Lisa Stickley look. Wherever relevant, Lisa gives advice on alternative fabrics & trimmings, colour & pattern combinations & other special touches. Made at Home gives you all the skills you need to personalise your interior, whether you're trying to furnish a first home on a budget or you simply want to refresh a tired room with new cushions. Whatever your sewing experience, you'll find great ideas for your home. ...