This is a new edition of this popular title which provides a fantastic reference point for students studying for their SATs & GCSEs. It is split into three sections each covering the key aspects of the curriculum for Physics Biology & Chemistry & including important charts tables & lists. It is brightly & clearly illustrated. It is internet-linked to further online educational resources through the Usborne Quicklinks website. ...

A compact guide to the gods & symbols of ancient Egypt their interpretation their significance & their cults. It answers questions such as why the jackal represents Anubis the embalmer god & why the dung beetle represents the sun god Khepri. ...

The armies of the world have used literally hundreds of different motorcycles over the last 100 years with many companies succeeding & then disappearing. The book focuses on 160 of the most important military motorcycles showing the incredible diversity of the types. With over 320 rare & previously unseen photographs this highly illustrated reference book provides enthusiasts & historians with key information about these diverse & mult-tasking machines. ...

This broad-ranging work examines all edged weapons featuring more than 400 examples from around the world. From the swords & spears of ancient Egypt to the pike & thrusting polearms of medieval Europe & from the slashing sabres of the 17th century cavalry to the presentation & dress swords used for show pomp & civil ceremonies in the 1900s. Including not only all types of swords but also polearms pikes lances & spears this comprehensive volume also offers information on African Chinese Sri Lankan Indian & South-east Asian weapons. This book is an indispensable resource for the keen enthusiast & serious collector alike while the detailed close up photographs of each entry will delight anyone with an interest in the conflicts warriors & weapons that have been a part of every age in every part of the world throughout human history. ...

This is a comprehensive & magnificently illustrated encyclopedia of the Islamic faith its history philosophy & religious practice. It offers an insightful overview of Islamic beliefs teachings texts & traditions & an exploration of the Qur'an as the revealed word of God & as a sacred text. It discusses Islamic worship religious practices & Muslim life & discusses the significance of holy sites prayer fasting & pilgrimage. It is an unparalleled reference book for the general reader superbly illustrated with over 500 colour paintings photographs artworks & maps. In the contemporary world the Islamic community is represented by around 1.4 billion people or twenty five percent of the global population. To understand the religion of Islam it is essential to comprehend the prophet Muhammad his message his life & the early medieval Arabian society into which he was born. This book comprehensively explores the life & work of Muhammad the history of Islam Islamic beliefs & doctrine & religious practices & worship. Illustrated with more than 500 full-colour paintings artworks maps & photographs & including a helpful glossary at the end this book offers an introduction to & overview of a complex & often misunderstood religion. It is perfect for general readers new to Islam & a handy resource for students & scholars alike. ...

This title presents a comprehensive history with 1000 photographs. It offers an authoritative account of Greek military & political power architecture sculpture & art drama & philosophy & their lasting influence on Western culture. Discover how ancient Greece became one of the finest civilizations ever seen & the lives of her great writers including Plato Homer & Aristotle. It details the fabulous myths & legends of the great gods of Mount Olympus
- from Zeus Hero & Athena to Apollo Poseidon & Aphrodite. Accounts of temples palaces & archaeological sites display the influence of ancient Greece on the birth of Western civilization architecture & art. Battleplans & maps chart the military history of ancient Greece including war with Sparta the Persian Wars & the campaigns of Alexander the Great. With over 1000 magnificent colour photographs sculptures paintings & plans maps & artworks this lavishly illustrated reference guide evokes the magnificent heritage of classical Greece. The legacy of the ancient Greeks has shaped our world. Classical Greece's military prowess political sophistication & cultural innovations continue to captivate & influence our modern society. The first half of the book focuses on political & military history from Mycenae & the Golden Age of Athens to the campaigns of Alexander the Great. The second half concerns ancient Greece's magnificent buildings sculptures mythology & dramas & their influence on world art architecture & society. This is a breathtaking exploration of the world of the ancient Greeks & an indispensable resource for both the general & specialist reader.
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This is a thrilling face-to-face encounter with the intimate lives elaborate displays & extraordinary behaviour of animals in the wild. Internationally renowned zoologist & TV presenter Charlotte Uhlenbroek brings the animal kingdom to vivid life in the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animal Life". Illustrated with astonishing wildlife photography & action sequences every aspect of animal life & behaviour is explored & explained
- from courtship rituals & birth to hunting & death. Mammals birds reptiles amphibians fish & invertebrates
- thousands of all kinds are featured as well as explanations on how the animal kingdom is organised & how animals bodies function. Plus critical conservation issues are also explored. From the fleeting life of a mayfly to the ten-year courtship of the manakin the " Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animal Life" lays bare the animal kingdom in all its awe-inspiring glory & detail."

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This is an expert reference guide to 840 amphibians reptiles & mammals from every continent. It is a comprehensive encyclopedia of over 840 animals from North & South America Africa Europe Asia & Australia all beautifully illustrated with over 1000 commissioned artworks & photographs & over 800 distribution maps. From the smallest mouse to the largest whale this book offers a detailed & thorough guide to an array of reptiles amphibians & mammals exploring their habits & habitats. It

Includes:: comprehensive biological & environmental data on evolution anatomy & ecology with special features on endangered species & wildlife conservation. It features a technical glossary explaining key biological & zoological terms for quick & easy reference. Packed full of facts & detailed illustrations & featuring over 840 animals from every continent this is a fascinating family reference guide to the animals that inhabit our world. Beginning with a biological & evolutionary overview of the animal kingdom the book examines a huge range of animal characteristics such as anatomy survival instincts & reproduction & takes a closer look at what it means to be an amphibian reptile or mammal. The second part of the book is divided into accessible chapters describing animals from North & South America Africa Europe Asia & Australia. Over 1000 illustrations 800 distribution maps & information boxes detailing habitat diet size life span & conservation status accompany the entries.

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This beautifully illustrated book explores the rich heritage of Islamic art. Starting with the original Arab-style courtyard mosques it traces the development of mosque architecture over the centuries & in different cultures. Meticulously researched with more than 500 colour photographs & artworks the book provides an essential overview of Islamic art & architecture. From architectural monuments to pottery carpet & costume it embraces the range of Islamic artistic achievement including the form revered by Muslims as the highest & purest of them all
- calligraphy the elegant decorative writing that represents the sacred words of God as revealed in the Quran.
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This is a magnificent visual account of Britains architectural & historical heritage celebrated in over 500 beautiful photographs fine-art paintings drawings & maps. It is a truly impressive reference to the historic buildings of the United Kingdom
- the castles royal palaces stately homes fortified manors & the great country houses. It has full coverage of the World Heritage Sites of Edward Is castles at Beaumaris Harlech Caernarvon & Conwy; Blenheim Palace the Tower of London & the Palace of Westminster; with in-depth features on over 120 royal palaces historic houses & gardens. The book is illustrated with over 500 photographs & paintings of landscapes exteriors & interiors. An A-Z gazetteer with contact details plus over 50 maps help you explore Britains architectural legacy. This sumptuously illustrated history is an authoritative guide to the castles royal residences & historic houses of Britain & Northern Irel&. It combines an in-depth account of the most important buildings with a wealth of stories & information about Britains glorious architectural past & heritage including Burghley House Longleat Windsor Castle & Balmoral. Special features focus on important art & architectural movements & on the great architects including Wren Adam Wyatt & Lutyens. More than 500 photographs & specially commissioned maps plans & drawings bring these national treasures vividly to life.
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