Immediately upon publication in 1998 the Encyclopedia of Country Music became a much-loved reference source prized for the wealth of information it contained on that most American of musical genres. Countless fans have used it as the source for answers to questions about everything from country's first commercially successful recording to the genre's pioneering music videos to what conjunto music is. This thoroughly revised new edition

Includes:: more than 1 200 A-Z entries covering nine decades of history & artistry from the Carter Family recordings of the 1920s to the reign of Taylor Swift in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Compiled by a team of experts at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum the encyclopedia has been brought completely up-to-date with new entries on the artists who have profoundly influenced country music in recent years such as the Dixie Chicks & Keith Urban. The new edition also explores the latest & most critical trends within the industry shedding light on such topics as the digital revolution the shifting politics of country music & the impact of American Idol (reflected in the stardom of Carrie Underwood). Other essays cover the literature of country music the importance of Nashville as a music center & the colorful outfits that have long been a staple of the genre. The volume features hundreds of images including a photo essay of album covers; a foreword by country music superstar Vince Gill (the winner of twenty Grammy Awards); & twelve fascinating appendices ranging from lists of awards to the best-selling country albums of all time.

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The queen of crafts Martha Stewart explores 32 different crafts in this comprehensive craft encyclopedia. Full step-by-step instructions for every technique make it suitable for beginner crafters right through to experienced craftaholic. This bumper craft book features every craft you can think of including papercraft jewellery making beading mosaics scrapbooking screenprinting candlemaking soap making & decoupage. Over 200 projects are fully explained with step instructions & beautifully photographed to make this a brilliant reference book for all crafters. A full listing of essential tools & materials with professional tips & handy UK resources make it essential reading for anyone who wants to get crafting. ...

Wonderful textured fabrics are now within easy reach! This complete guide explains in a clear & easy-to-follow fashion how to create everything from openwork & lace through to woven & hairpin crochet. As useful for the highly experienced as the absolute beginner this information-packed book takes you through the basic techniques to a highly adaptable project section that will provide guidance & inspiration for making colourful & stylish garments for you to wear. Create wonderful textured fabrics with this complete guide to crochet. Essential tools & techniques are clearly explained with step-by-step illustrations from working stitches & measuring gauge to adding embellishments & finishing off. Each technique

Includes:: stitch patterns to try out & an adaptable project section means that you can practice your new skills making original & colourful garments & accessories using your own choice of yarns & stitches.

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This encyclopedia presents a wealth of information on early cinema history with coverage of the techniques & equipment of film production profiles of the pioneering directors & producers analysis of individual films & the rapid growth of distinct film genres & the emergence of something the world had never seen before
- the movie star. The work also focuses on how the nature of film exhibition changed as the industry grew & how the publics reception to films also changed. The pre-cinema period is closely examined to show those mass-cultural forms & practices
- such as music hall & vaudeville
- from within which cinema was to emerge. A perfect companion for any student of early cinema & film studies.


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This is one of the bestselling aromatherapy books of all time with vital information on plant origins medical herbalism & the properties & actions of herbs & essential oils. It covers 165 oils their actions characteristics principal constituents & folk traditions & is a must for experienced aromatherapists & beginners alike. This essential handbook is used by aromatherapists all over the world & is one of the most successful titles in this area. It

Includes:: an A-Z listing of an enormous range of internationally relevant aromatic plants. Comprehensive information is provided for each entry for example: * Common name Latin name botanical plant family * General Description
- what it looks like * Distribution
- where its found * Herbal Folk Tradition
- traditional uses * Actions
- what its good for * Extraction
- How the oil is extracted * Characteristics
- what the oil looks like & which other oils it blends well with * Safety Information. The Encyclopedia also covers: * History of aromatherapy & herbalism * How aromatic plants work on your body & mind * How to make your own blends * Uses for oils in the home. This is a classic guide to essential oils & will remain a vital source of information for generations to come.







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The Encyclopedia of Immaturity" contains more than 400 pages of essential childhood skills activities mischief & secret knowledge
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David A. Hall one of today's foremost experts on Japanese combative culture combines hands-on experience in a wide variety of martial traditions with an academic & religious background to produce this landmark work. The Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts" is an exhaustive impeccably researched reference offering information about everything there is to know on the subject from adauchi (a vendetta) to zanshin (state of focused vigilance before during & after executing a technique or combative form). The volume opens with several sections to help make using the Encyclopedia as efficient & effective as possible: Abbreviations Quick Guide to Weapons & Systems Historical Eras guides to the Entries & Lineage Charts & A Note on the Japanese Language & Communication Style. The Encyclopedia itself which runs for more than 625 pages & contains around 4 000 entries arranged alphabetically with concise definitions covers all aspects the many different martial arts that have developed in Japan. Readers will find entries on hundreds of classical martial arts schools & over 50 detailed lineages of these schools; over 300 combative systems; the master martial artists (both ancient & modern); & the roles played by Buddhism Taoism Shintoism & Shugendo in shaping the spiritual & cultural lives of Japanese warriors. Following the main portion of the work are several Appendices (Traditional East Asian Numbering Systems & Ancient Period Military Organisation) as well as a Selected Bibliography; & character indexes (General Chinese English & Sanskrit) containing around 6 000 terms. With its vast wealth of information & practical user-friendly organisation " The Encyclopedia of Japanese Martial Arts" is sure to become the essential reference for the beginning martial artist seeking an introduction to the basics as well as for the advanced student who wants a deeper understanding of the historical spiritual & combative origins of the many different disciplines & schools. in addition the book is perfect for scholars & researchers -who will appreciate the access to material previously unavailable in English- as well as for reference libraries & Asian studies & language departments." ...

An invaluable reference guide to the latest machine embroidery techniques materials & equipment all in handy A-Z format. Entries include correct tension settings digitized motifs enlarging patterns fabric sculpture gold thread hand embroidery machines interlaced machine stitches lace techniques multi-head machines overlockers reverse stitching smocking understitching whitework & many more. Embracing both free motion & computerised embroidery this book contains all you need to know to make the most of your machine. ...

Hailed as a rare combination of learning decent writing & knock-your-eyes-out photography by The Times & an ultimate in natural history books by the Irish Times when it was published in its first edition this encyclopedia has become the definitive reference work on mammals for the 21st century. It covers the behaviour diet distribution & evolution of every known living mammal in the world in clear accessible language & is illustrated throughout with spectacular photographs & original artwork including breathtaking photo-stories of momentous events such as how a cheetah learns to hunt an elephants early years & life in the pouch for a kangeroo. There are also feature articles on a range of fascinating topics among them: Why do primates have big brains? Why do lions roar? & what are the costs of motherhood for seals? Written by an international team of experts & edited by renowned zoologist Professor David Macdonald
- whose documentary Meerkats United was voted the best wildlife film of all time by BBC viewers
- this new edition has been comprehensively revised & updated to reflect the most recent developments in modern zoology. It offers authoritative coverage of each species & contains brand new photographs maps & illustrations as well as essays on special topics from conservation to the evolution of primates; from human culture to disease in the Tasmanian devil. An essential work for zoologists & natural historians this book is also a stunning point of reference for families & for anyone interested in the mammals of the world.

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Here for the first time in one volume are all the basic & revolutionary concepts on exercise training principles contest preparation diet & nutrition that have evolved into modern bodybuilding from the man who stands at the forefront of the sport. The Encyclopaedia of modern bodybuilding" will answer every question any dedicated bodybuilder of bodybuilding enthusiast could ever think to ask. It is an exhaustive reference & instructional manual covering every conceivable aspect of the sport." ...