Spanning over 2 000 years Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors" tells the history of China & its 157 rulers from the early empire of 221BC to the revolution detailing in special features such diverse subjects as the Great Wall of China the Silk Roads Buddhism the Mongols the Ming Tombs the Forbidden City & the Opium Wars. The book is illustrated with paintings sculptures woodcuts & portraits & maps. In addition key information such as birthname & cause of death is given on each emperor & timelines detail the major events of every reign. This is a book to read for pleasure an essential reference volume for the home school or library & a source of discovery & inspiration on a culture that has enthralled people in the West throughout history." ...

New in paperback here is a highly readable account of 56 of the extraordinary characters whose lives were the defining threads in the great adventure & final tragedy that was the Roman Republic. In this history we see the best & worst of the Roman elite superstitious brutal & utterly uncompromising but often men of great honour & principle. This highly readable & authoritative account is ideal for home or school reference & as a companion to the bestselling Chronicle of the Roman Emperors"." ...

One night Jose hears gunfire from the deserted theatre next door to his bakery. He races to the theatres uppermost gallery & there beneath him on a spotlit stage lies the wounded body of Nelio a street urchin renowned for living on his wits. Gasping the wounded boy asks to be taken to the roof to breathe the beautiful air fresh off the Indian Ocean. On that theatre roof his life ebbing away Nelio begins to tell Jose his extraordinary story... Henning Mankells Chronicler of the Winds is a dazzling new venture from the master of crime; a beautifully told fable of the African continent. ...

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness carries you back to a world steeped in natural magic & elemental terror. In OUTCAST Torak's dreadful secret is revealed & he is cast out from the clans. Hunted & on the run he then uncover a deception too awful to contemplate. OATH BREAKER sees Torak becoming the hunter as he swears to avenge the killing of one of his closest friends. To fulfil his oath he must brave the hidden valleys of the Deep Forest where he will discover the true cost of revenge. & in the epic prize-winning finale to the series GHOST HUNTER Torak must defy demons & tokoroths & make the most heart-rending choice of all in his ultimate battle against the Soul-Eaters. ...

The Great War has ended but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful...A changing world has brought new challenges & new guests & inside the walls of the Great House there is more intrigue rivalry & romance than ever. The Chronicles of Downton Abbey takes you deep into the lives of the Crawleys their servants lovers friends & guests. So wander the crowded servants quarters & peek into luxurious bed chambers. Go beneath the surface & experience every aspect of their lives
- from daily routines dressing tables & treasure chests to their most secret hopes & fears. This lavish book explores the lives of every important member of the Downton estate. Focusing on each character individually it examines their motivations their actions & the inspirations behind them. An evocative source of story & background it will take you even deeper into the secret beating heart of the house.
...

The official companion to all three seasons. The Great War has ended but Downton Abbey is far from peaceful...A changing world has brought new challenges & new guests. Inside the walls of the Great House there is more intrigue rivalry & romance than ever. The Chronicles of Downton Abbey take you deep into the lives of the Crawleys their servants lovers friends & guests. So wander the crowded servants' quarters & peek into luxurious bed chambers. Go beneath the surface & experience every aspect of their lives
- from daily routines dressing tables & treasure chests to their most secret hopes & fears. This lavish book explores the lives of every important member of the Downton estate. Focusing on each character individually it examines their motivations their actions & the inspirations behind them. An evocative source of story & background it will take you even deeper into the secret beating heart of the house.
...

DEADWEATHER a sweaty little pirate-infested island is home to EGG thirteen years old & prey to a pair of cruel & stupid older siblings. But when Egg's family disappears in a freak accident he finds himself living on SUNRISE island with the glamorous Pembroke family & their feisty daughter Millicent. Finally life seems perfect. Until someone tries to throw him off a cliff. Suddenly Egg is lost in a world of cutthroat pirates & powerful villains. Only Millicent
- & a one-handed possibly deranged cabin boy
- can help him as he hurtles into the deadliest adventure of his life...

...

This inspired collection of short stories is based on the original illustrations of Chris Van Allburg in his esteemed & mysterious The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" & features many remarkable best-selling authors in the worlds of both adult & children's literature: Sherman Alexie M.T. Anderson Kate Di Camillo Cory Doctorow Jules Feiffer Stephen King Tabitha King Lois Lowry Gregory Maguire Walter Dean Myers Linda Sue Park Louis Sachar Jon Scieszka Lemony Snicket & Chris Van Allsburg himself. Van Allsburg's Harris Burdick illustrations have evoked such wonderment & imagination since Harris Burdick's original publication in 1984; many have speculated or have woven their own stories to go with his images. More than ever the illustrations send off their eerie call for text & continue to compel & pick at the reader's brain for a backstory
- a threaded tale behind the image. In this book we've collected some of the best storytellers to spin them."
...

They say the king's gone mad!" Blinded by grief & rage Conan the King has let matters of state fall by the wayside as he mourns the apparent death of his son & heir Conn. The barbarian king's erratic behavior & the void of leadership is troubling but where some see a kingdom on the brink of chaos others see an opportunity to seize the moment & pull the reins of power from the preoccupied monarch's hands. Dead hands that is!" ...