It is 1862 & Japan is a land in chaos as the power of the Shogun wanes & the rival factions plan to restore the Emperor. In Yokohama the gai-jin the hated foreigners seek to profit from the chaos. At the head of the Noble House
- & heir to the title of Tai-Pan
- stands Malcolm Struan who is determined to become his own man & marry the woman he loves. At the head of the Shogunate party is the Lord Yoshi a direct descendant of Shogun Toranaga who shares all of his ancestors cunning & ambition.

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In this classic work that continues to inspire its many readers Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that life on earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists Gaia is a journey through time & space in search of evidence with which to support a new & radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is passive in the face of threats to its existence the book explores the hypothesis that the earths living matter air ocean & land surfaces forms a complex system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published many of Jim Lovelocks predictions have come true & his theory has become a hotly argued topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this reissued title he outlines his present state of the debate. ...

An alternative look at Japanese life history & culture Your Rough Guide or Lonely Planet book can tell who where to stay or what to see but how do you really get under the skin of Japan? In this book Ben Stevens explores the serious & the frivolous the history & the obsessions of a fascinating nation. Taking an A-Z walk through Japanese culture A Gaijins Guide To Japan looks at everything from akachochin bars to chikan (the weird blokes who touch you up on trains) geisha inari shrines karaoke omikuji (sacred lottery) & ending up at zen. With a fair sprinkling of celebrity mentions
- from David Beckham to soap opera star Yong-sama
- & handy guides to kanji & sushi this is the perfect book for the Japanophile in all of us. Ideal for readers planning a visit to Japan but also to armchair fans of Japanese culture.

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Explore the most up-to-date research in the field of strategic management. Gaining & Sustaining Competitive Advantage provides readers & practitioners with the most up-to-date research in a way that helps them see how the concepts can be applied to the real business world. Barney explores the impact of the recent global business changes in relation to the competitive context of firms & their ability to generate & sustain competitive advantages. The fourth edition has been thoroughly updated to include the latest research in the field. ...

The tranquil town of Gainsborough hides an exciting past. At the heart of the early history of England it acted first as a capital of King Alfred's Mercia & then as a stronghold of Viking conquerors Sweyn Forkbeard & Canute. It became the centre of turbulence once again as a Royalist garrison during the Civil War. The town's religious heritage is equally unconventional. Originally under the control of enigmatic Knights Templar later the Mayflower pilgrims would secretly worship here before departing for the New World. Gainsborough is sited on the River Trent. Originally a small agricultural settlement it grew to become an important port
- the most inland in Britain
- & a centre of diverse industry producing everything from boilers to fancy dress. Modern Gainsborough is renovating many of these industrial sites to great acclaim. This volume comprising stunning old images & modern colour photographs takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of Gainsborough's eclectic past & present.

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OS Explorer Map is the Ordnance Surveys most detailed map & is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities such as walking horse riding & off-road cycling. The series provides complete GB coverage & can now be used in all weathers thanks to OS Explorer Map
- Active a tough versatile version of the OS Explorer Map.
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Perfect for day trips & short breaks the OS Landranger Map series covers Great Britain with 204 detailed maps. Each map provides all the information you need to get to know your local area &

Includes:: places of interest tourist information picnic areas & camp sites plus Rights of Way information for England & Wales.

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Gathered here for the first time are Alastair Reynolds stories & novelettes set in the universe of REVELATION SPACE his first bestselling blockbuster. GALACTIC NORTH will include several br&-new stories & novelettes written specially for this collection. ...

Joe Fernwright works as a pot-healer a repairer of ceramics in a dull future where there isn't much call for his skills. He's broke & bored when the offer from the Glimmung comes along. It might just be the answer to both his financial & spiritual problems even if it does mean working on a strange project on Plowman's Planet with other assorted odd creatures. The only thing is that the Glimmung may just be divine & ask for more than Joe's commitment to the job.. . ...

OS Explorer Map is the Ordnance Surveys most detailed map & is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking horse riding & off-road cycling. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels pubs & visitor information as well as rights of way permissive paths & bridleways. ...