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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This is a detailed study of the armies of Rome & their enemies including the Etruscans Samnites Carthaginians Celts Macedonians Gauls Huns Sassanids Persians & Turks. It is an incredible visual reference of the fighting men of Rome & their enemies from the earliest settlement on the River Tiber in the 8th century BC to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. It offers a concise & authoritative overview of the rise of the Roman Empire its campaigns conquests & tactics with detailed information on the men at arms. It

Includes:: coverage of the Roman navy & sea battles as well as the artillery pieces siege engines defenses & military structures built by the army
- from the north-west reaches of the empire to the far east. It is illustrated with over 670 images of military dress weapons galleys ballistas & fortifications. This book details the uniforms of the Roman army & its enemies from the first decades of tribal warfare in Italy through the republican & imperial periods up to the end of the eastern Roman Empire. It

Includes:: expert insight into the armys astonishing engineering feats the discipline of the legions & the relentless expansion of the empire. Including information on the arms & clothing of the Carthaginians Persians Huns & Turks & other enemies of Rome the book is a definitive & accessible visual study of the military dress of the period. There is also a fascinating history of the Romans artillery siege engines & fortifications & a special section on the founding & expansion of its navy.




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The war of 1914-1918 was a military political & social disaster. No other war changed the map of Europe so dramatically & more than 15 million people were killed. The dramatic political & social changes of the period were mirrored in the uniforms of the armed forces & the contrast between pre-war Europe & 1919 could not be more apparent. This unique illustrated book charts the developments in military uniform in fascinating detail: how the remaining reds & blues of 1900 soldiers died out in preference to browns greys & greens. It also tracks the evolution of hardware & ammunition. Evocative photographs of the struggle & stunning illustrations of the uniforms show in detail the changes reforms & modifications of all the major powers Great Britain France Russia Germany & Austria-Hungary. This unprecedented volume is an incredible visual study of the uniforms of a pivotal period of military history & of its context. ...

This comprehensive cookbook offers an overview of Caribbean Central & South American cooking. Traditional recipes stand alongside dishes that have been given an elegant modern twist. The reference section provides an insight into each countrys history its culinary influences & traditions. Also included is a thorough listing of regional ingredients from staples such as corn & chillies to exotic items you may never have heard of before including chayotes & cassava. With over 150 inspiring step-by-step recipes to try out on family & friends this book is a must for all adventurous cooks. Discover new ingredients & techniques & recreate the authentic flavours of these deliciously varied cuisines. ...

Peake's books are actual additions to life; they give like certain rare dreams sensations we never had before & enlarge our conception of the range of possible experience". (C.S. Lewis). Enter the world of Gormenghast. The vast crumbling castle to which the seventy-seventh Earl Titus Groan is Lord & heir. Titus is expected to rule this Gothic labyrinth of turrets & dungeons cloisters & corridors as well as the eccentric & wayward subject. Things are changing in the castle & Titus must contend with a kingdom about to implode beneath the weight of centuries of intrigue treachery manipulation & murder." ...

From the late 1940s to the fall of Communist Russia Britain was at war. To the general public much of it was imaginary but the Cold War was real nonetheless. Flaring up in 1962 with the Cuban missile crisis & in the 1980s with the standoffs between Reagan & Thatcher on one side with the Soviet leaders on the other. There are many remains today from secret nuclear bunkers to missile sites early-warning radar sites huge research establishments & of course spy sites such as GCHQ. Bob Clarke tells the story of the myriad Cold War remains illustrated with 150 images most never published before. He explains the need for our defences & the consequences of nuclear war. ...

With the advent of inexpensive high-power telescopes priced at under $250 amateur astronomy is now within the reach of anyone & this is the ideal book to get you started. The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" offers you a guide to the equipment you need & shows you how & where to find hundreds of spectacular objects in the deep sky
- double & multiple stars as well as spectacular star clusters nebulae & galaxies. You get a solid grounding in the fundamental concepts & terminology of astronomy & specific advice about choosing buying using & maintaining the equipment required for observing." The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" is designed to be used in the field under the special red-colored lighting used by astronomers &

Includes:: recommended observing targets for beginners & intermediate observers alike. You get detailed start charts & specific information about the best celestial objects. The objects in this book were chosen to help you meet the requirements for several lists of objects compiled by The Astronomical League or the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada: Messier Club; Binocular Messier Club; Urban Observing Club; Deep Sky Binocular Club; Double Star Club; & RASC Finest NGC List. Completing the list for a particular observing club entitles anyone who is a member of the Astronomical League or RASC to an award which

Includes:: a certificate & in some cases a lapel pin. This book is perfect for amateur astronomers students teachers or anyone who is ready to dive into this rewarding hobby. Who knows? You might even find a new object like amateur astronomer Jay Mc Neil. On a clear cold night in January 2004 he spotted a previously undiscovered celestial object near Orion now called Mc Neil's Nebula. Discover what awaits you in the night sky with " The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders.""




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The Illustrated Guide to Chickens covers the 100 most familiar breeds of chickens in Europe & North America. The breed profiles are written in engaging text that covers the history of each breed its main characteristics & information about looking after them. Each breed has been illustrated with delightful paintings by the author. Introductory sections contain practical advice about poultry-rearing & husbandry & outline the differences between breeds including the pros & cons between pure breeds hybrids bantams game fowl etc. & layers or table. The foreword has been written by HRH the Prince of Wales. ...