Progressing through almost two centuries of corset-making this fascinating collection showcases an astonishing range of period pieces from the 1750 whale-boned corsets through the invention of the sewing machine & mass-produced corsets of the 1850s to the makeshift corsets of World War I. Reflecting the changing fashions & attitudes of women throughout the centuries the collection

Includes:: corsets for pregnancy riding corsets for sportswomen & hard-wearing corsets for housemaids. There are even corsets for small children & their dolls. The book is packed with practical information on how to recreate these stunning period pieces for yourself. Each corset features an annotated pattern a detailed drawing & close-up photography so any historical detail can be captured accurately by the maker. A brief overview places the corset within its historical context & explains any features or alterations necessary for making up the patterns. For those new to dressmaking there are two step-by-step projects
- one for a h&-stitched pre-1850 corset & one for a post-1850 corset made using the sewing machine. There is also invaluable advice on a range of corset-making techniques from cutting & fitting the patterns to adding historical detail. Information on lacing the corsets inserting eyelets gussets & split busks & on stitching & flossing is all included.


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Bestselling romance editor Trisha Telep brings an exciting new element to the fast-growing sub-genre of steampunk which bends & blends the old & the new in increasingly popular dark urban fantasies. Young heroes & heroines battle evil in various forms with the help of super-technological or supernatural powers while falling in & out of love. The contributors include: Ann Aguirre a bestselling author who writes urban fantasy (the Corine Solomon" series from Roc) romantic science fiction (the " Jax" series from Ace) apocalyptic paranormal romance (as Ellen Connor writing with Carrie Lofty from Penguin) paranormal romantic suspense (as " Ava Gray from Berkley") & post-apocalyptic dystopian young adult fiction (" Razorland & Wireville" coming in 2011 from Feiwel & Friends). Tessa Gratton her debut novel " Blood Magic" arrives in 2011 from Random House Childrens Books followed by the companion " Crow Magic" in 2012. Jaclyn Dolamore is the debut author of " Magic Under Glass" from Bloomsbury USA. Lesley Livingston is the award-winning author of " Wondrous Strange & Darklight" the first two books in the bestselling trilogy from Harper Collins. Frewin Jones is the bestselling author of the " Faerie Path" series & the " Warrior Princess" books among many others. Caitlin Kittredge is the author of the " Iron Codex" trilogy a Lovecraftian steampunk adventure. Dru Pagliassottis first novel " Clockwork Heart" was one of the first in the rising new genre of steampunk romance & was named by " Library Journal" as one of the five steampunk novels to read in 2009. Dia Reeves is the debut author of the critically acclaimed "YA Bleeding violet". Michael Scott is the Irish-born " New York Times" bestselling author of the six part epic fantasy series " The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel". Maria V. Snyder is the " New York Times" bestselling author of the " Study" series (" Poison Study" " Magic Study" & " Fire Study") about a young woman forced to become a poison taster. Tiffany Trent the author of the acclaimed "YA" dark fantasy series " Hallowmere" which was an Indie Bound Childrens Pick & a New York Public Library Book of the Teen Age 2008. Kiersten White is the debut author of " Paranormalacy" the first book in a new trilogy which was published by Harper Teen in August of 2010. Adrienne Kress is the author of " Alex & the Ironic Gentleman" & " Timothy & the Dragons Gate"." ...

This guide meets a need for the independent travellers to Corsica who seek to explore the islands popular & well-known elements such as the GR20 one of the top hiking trails of the Mediterranean. There is extensive coverage of other outdoor activities & DIY advice on sourcing rustic accommodation & inexpensive cuisine not to mention the unspoilt beaches & off-the-beaten-track beauty spots. It also featurres a new all inclusive colour map. ...

Marco Polo maps feature completely up-to-date digitally generated mapping. The high quality cartography with distance indicators & scale converters aid route planning. The extensive coverage of the maps enables travellers to cross country boundaries with the same map. A fold-out overview map is ideal for route planning & 7 self-adhesive Marco Polo mark-it stickers can be used to pin-point a destination or route for future reference. Scenic routes & places of interest are highlighted
- ideal for touring holidays. The maps also contain a comprehensive index & inset city maps of Porto-Vecchio Ajaccio Bastia Bonifacio Calvi & Corte. Map Scale
- 1: 250 000.

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Buying a classic Corvette is never easy & when the funds are in place to complete a purchase excitement can easily replace common sense. A lot of information must be absorbed quickly to avoid making rash judgements that will be regretted later. This book is the perfect companion for the first-time or even the more experienced buyer. All the information is here to help make a clear & balanced decision to counter the vendor's claims & even negotiate a better price. The author has bought & sold more than 700 Corvettes over 40 years & his knowledge & enthusiasm will prove a vital resource for potential buyers. Having this book in you pocket is just like having a marque expert at your side. A unique points scoring system reveals the true condition of a potential purchase & the correct price category. ...

Esther Woolfsons daughter rescued Chicken a fledgling rook sixteen years ago. Amazed by their intelligence & personalities Woolfson became fascinated by corvids. Chicken Spike the magpie & most recently Ziki the Crow have formed sibling relationships with Woolfsons daughters & with each other; cached food in her kitchen wall & laid eggs in her living room; called to her at dawn & perched companionably on her knee of an evening; & taught her more than she ever expected about birds & about human beings. Woolfsons account of her experiences is funny touching & beautifully written & gives fascinating insights into the closeness human beings can achieve with wild creatures. ...

Cosa Nostra" is the compelling story of the Sicilian mafia the worlds most famous most secretive & most misunderstood criminal fraternity. The mafia has been given many names since it was founded one hundred & forty years ago: the Sect the Brotherhood the Honoured Society & now Cosa Nostra. Yet as times have changed the mafias subtle & bloody methods have remained the same. Now for the first time " Cosa Nostra" reconstructs the complete history of the Sicilian mafia from its origins to the present day from the lemon groves & sulphur mines of Sicily to the streets of Manhattan. " Cosa Nostra" is a definitive history rich in atmosphere & with the narrative pace of the best detective fiction & has been updated to make it the most vital contemporary account of the mafia ever published. The mob genre has finally grown up." ...

This is the story of the Cosa Nostra: from its origins in Sicily in 1863 to Italian immigration to America prohibition & the formation of the first mafia families & to fascism & post-war Italy. The image of the mafioso as a man of honour"
- good to the weak above the laws of the state but subject to a precise code
- was rooted in the collective imagination until the 1980s when light was shed on the structure of the vast organisation its unsavoury objectives & the cold-blooded strategies behind its actions. Culled from thousands of archival images photographs & detailed captions tell the story of the criminals who have entered popular legend but also of the people who have been victims of the mafia: the judges police officers & private citizens who fought back."

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In this the fifth book in the acclaimed Aurelio Zen series " Zen finds himself in Naples in disgrace
- & having the time of his
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Liam is too big for his boots. & his football strip. & his school blazer. But being super-sized height-wise has its advantages: he's the only eleven-year-old to ever ride the G-force defying Cosmic rollercoaster -- or be offered the chance to drive a Porsche. Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job? Sometimes being big isn't all about being a grown-up. ...