The films of Andrei Tarkovsky have been revered as ranking on a par with the masterpieces of Russias novelists & composers. His work from films such as Ivans Childhood" " Andrei Rublev" " Solaris" " Mirror" " Nostalgia & Sacrifice" has had an enormous influence on the style of contemporary European film with its open narrative structures & slow pensive mood; yet Tarkovsky has remained an elusive subject for reflection & analysis. This book is a comprehensive well-illustrated & much-needed account of Tarkovskys entire film output. Robert Birds analysis is centred around a detailed account of Tarkovskys technique which provides the best interpretive guide to both the directors films & his theoretical speculations. Integrating his idiosyncratic ideas with his films irresistible sensuality Bird highlights Tarkovskys fascination with the elusive correlation between cinematic representation & the more primeval perception of the world. The book examines Tarkovskys films elementally grouping them into four sections: Water Fire Earth & Air. It also discusses Tarkovskys works for the radio theatre & opera & how he was in addition an accomplished actor screenwriter film theorist & diarist. The authors claim however is that Tarkovsky was a filmmaker before all else & this book examines what Tarkovskys cinema reveals about the medium in which he worked. A thorough yet accessible study with a wealth of images including stills from films as well as the director & crew on set this book will be of interest to all fans of Tarkovsky students of film studies & readers interested in European & Russian cinema." ...

TESTING TIMES is the 2009 Ashes-winning captain's personal account of a remarkable two-year period in world cricket. When Strauss went out for his second innings in the Napier Test of March 2008 everyone thought
- including the man himself
- he was one false stroke from the end of his England career. With extracts from his diary Strauss gives a unique insight into the torment which many Test cricketers go through. Taking the reader behind the scenes Strauss describes his momentous experiences such as Kevin Pietersen's captaincy the dramatic events of the Stanford Twenty 20 series the shocking terrorist attack in Mumbai his feat of becoming the first England batsman to hit two centuries in a Test in Asia his sudden appointment as England captain & his team being dismissed for 51 in his first Test. Both revealing & forthright TESTING TIMES captures all the excitement of the 2009 Ashes triumph in which his magnificent batting & calm leadership played such a role: the agonising last day at Cardiff England's first Ashes victory at Lord's for 75 years the horrors of Headingley & finally the joy at the Oval of regaining the Ashes.

...

In November 2010 Andrew Strauss faced the ultimate challenge for an England cricket captain: winning the Ashes on Australian soil a feat that had not been achieved for 24 years. By the end of a series that gripped the nation he had led his team to an overwhelming victory
- inflicting an unprecedented three innings defeats on the old enemy. Winning the Ashes Down Under is the captains story of a tour that exceeded all expectations. It not only reveals what went on behind the scenes as Andrew Strauss & coach Andy Flower put together their team of winners but also paints a very personal picture of day-to-day life on tour. It is an inspiring tale of how hostile conditions injury & intimidating reputations were overcome by leadership planning a slice of good fortune
- & extraordinary performances from the likes of Alastair Cook & Jonathan Trott with the bat & James Anderson & Chris Tremlett with the ball. Ranging from reverse swing to the sprinkler dance from referrals to sledging from despair at Perth to triumph at Sydney this is the definitive account of a series that will live long in the memory.

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This is a new title in the fantastic First Reading" series aimed at children who are beginning to read. One day Androcles comes across an angry lion. But whats that? It has a thorn stuck in its paw & Androcles quickly makes a new friend. This title is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly who is a senior lecturer in education & an early reading specialist from Roehampton University. It is a great value quality hardback with ribbon marker guaranteed to foster pride in book ownership." ...

Anybody can start building simple apps for the Android platform & this book will show you how! Android Apps for Absolute Beginners takes you through the process of getting your first Android applications up & running using plain English & practical examples. It cuts through the fog of jargon & mystery that surrounds Android application development & gives you simple step-by-step instructions to get you started. * Teaches Android application development in language anyone can understand giving you the best possible start in Android development * Provides simple step-by-step examples that make learning easy allowing you to pick up the concepts without fuss * Offers clear code descriptions & layout so that you can get your apps running as soon as possible What youll learn * Get yourself & your computer set up for Android apps development * Use the Eclipse programming environment to make your Android development efficient & straightforward * Follow steps in plain English to build simple apps & get them working immediately * Style your application so that it appeals to potential users * Make use of the Androids touch screen * Use shortcuts & cheat sheets to create apps the easy way * Use the basics of Java & XML to move onto more advanced apps Who this book is for If you have a great idea for an Android app but have never programmed before then this book is for you. You dont need to have any previous computer programming skills--as long as you have a desire to learn & you know which end of the mouse is which the world of Android apps development awaits! Table of Contents * Preliminary Information: Before We Get Started * Whats Next? Our Road Ahead * Setting Up an Open Source Android Development Environment * An Introduction to Java XML & How Android Works * An Overview of the Android Application Framework * Screen Layout Design: Views View Groups & Layout Types * User Interface Design: Buttons Menus Dialogs & Alerts * Designing Graphics for Android: 2D Images & Animation * Adding Interactivity: Handling UI Events * Understanding Content Providers * Understanding Intents & Intent Filters * The Future: 3D Widgets Bluetooth Maps Search & More ...

This title contains everything you need to know about your Android smartphone in full color. Eager to learn the ins & outs of your exciting new Android phone? Then this is the book you need! Written in the typical fun & friendly For Dummies" style this full-color guide covers the basics of all the features of Android phones without weighing you down with heavy technical terms or jargon. Veteran world-renowned author Dan Gookin walks you through everything from getting started with setup & configuration to making the most of your phone's potential with texting e-mailing accessing the Internet & social networking sites using the camera synching with a PC downloading apps & more. It covers all the details of the operating system that applies to every Android phone including Motorola Droids HTC devices Samsung Galaxy S phones to name a few. It walks you through basic phone operations while also encouraging you to explore your phone's full potential. It serves as an ideal guide to an inexperienced Android newbie who is enthusiastic about getting a handle on everything an Android phone can do. " Android Phones For Dummies" helps you get smarter with your Android smartphone." ...

Get the most out of your Android tablet with this full-color reference. Whether you are one of the millions who already have an Android tablet or you are interested in joining the masses with a first-time purchase this friendly guide is perfect for you! Written by the ultimate For Dummies author Dan Gookin this funny-but-informative book introduces you to the features of all Android tablets & details the nuances of what makes a tablet more than a smartphone yet different than a computer. You'll discover how to browse the web on your tablet get organized with a digital calendar enjoy music & books use the camera access social networks watch video & more. It helps you choose the right apps for all your interests out of the thousands of apps that are available for the Android platform. It covers all Android tablets from popular favorites like the Kindle Fire HD NOOK HD & Google Nexus to devices from other manufacturers like Samsung Asus Motorola & others. It walks you through maintenance & common troubleshooting tips. Packed with invaluable information on everything from typing & editing text to customizing & personalizing your tablet Android Tablets For Dummies" gets you off the ground running with your Android tablet!" ...

Five prominent biophysicists give the United States government an urgent warning: sterilisation procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere. Two years later Project Scoop sends seventeen satellites into the fringes of space in order to collect organisms & dust for study. Then a probe falls to the earth landing in a desolate area of northeastern Arizona. A little while later in the nearby town of Piedmont bodies are discovered heaped & flung across the ground faces locked in frozen surprise. But the terror has only just begun because when they try to find the cause of death the scientists dont realise just what kind of unearthly danger they are dealing with... Brilliantly filmed by Robert Wise in 1971 The Andromeda Strain was the first book to introduce Michael Crichtons audacious combination of believable plots & white-knuckled excitement to a wide audience. ...

When Andy Murray finally overcame Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller to secure the 2012 US Open it was a dream fulfilled for the man from Dunblane. After four previous defeats in Grand Slam finals Murray had finally achieved what no British man had managed since the 1930s. But the story of how he got there was just as compelling as the final itself with as many twists & turns along the way. Writer Mark Hodgkinson has been covering that story since the start
- he was actually the first person to interview Murray for a national newspaper back in 2004 & has worked closely with Judy Murray in the past. In Andy Murray: Champion Hodgkinson explains how Murray first emerged as a tennis player of true quality & how his rivalry with his brother Jamie spurred him on. He looks at the close relationship Murray has with his mother & the various coaches who haved worked with him to assess their influence on his game. In a hugely competitive era of tennis with Federer Nadal & Djokovic all counted to be among the greatest tennis players of all time Murray has earned the right to be ranked alongside them all
- & this book explains how & why he has done so becoming a true national sporting icon in the process.

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When Andy Murray finally overcame Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller to secure the 2012 US Open it was a dream fulfilled for the man from Dunblane. After four previous defeats in Grand Slam finals Murray had finally achieved what no British man had managed since the 1930s. But the story of how he got there was just as compelling as the final itself with as many twists & turns along the way. Writer Mark Hodgkinson has been covering that story since the start
- he was actually the first person to interview Murray for a national newspaper back in 2004 & has worked closely with Judy Murray in the past. In Andy Murray: Champion Hodgkinson explains how Murray first emerged as a tennis player of true quality & how his rivalry with his brother Jamie spurred him on. He looks at the close relationship Murray has with his mother & the various coaches who haved worked with him to assess their influence on his game. In a hugely competitive era of tennis with Federer Nadal & Djokovic all counted to be among the greatest tennis players of all time Murray has earned the right to be ranked alongside them all
- & this book explains how & why he has done so becoming a true national sporting icon in the process.

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