Long before the successful The Lord of the Rings films J.R.R. Tolkiens creations imagination & characters had captured the attention of millions of readers. But who was the man who dreamt up the intricate languages & perfectly crafted world of Middle-earth? Tolkien had a difficult life for many years: orphaned & poor his guardian forbad him to communicate with the woman he had fallen in love with & he went through the horrors of the First World War. An intensely private & brilliant scholar he spent over fifty years working on the languages history peoples & geography of Middle-earth with a consistent mythology & body of legends inspired by a formidable knowledge of early northern European history & culture. J.R.R. Tolkien became a legend by creating an imaginary world that has enthralled & delighted generations. This delightful & accessible biography brings him to life. Colin Duriez has appeared as a commentator on DVDs of Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings & BBC televisions The Worlds of Fantasy. He is also the author of The Inklings Handbook (with the late David Porter) J. R. R. Tolkien & C. S. Lewis: The Story of Their Friendship & Tolkien & The Lord of the Rings & has contributed to definitive reference works The Tolkien Encyclopedia & a number of other tomes relating to Tolkien. ...

J. Samuel White & Company was the oldest firm on the Admiralty List & built 252 ships for the Royal Navy alone. The yards closure in 1966 ended 300 years of shipbuilding during which time the company had gained acclaim from mercantile & naval customers alike. Famed early on for fast Revenue cutters & naval brigs in its final years Royal Navy destroyers earned it great distinction. Highly innovative it developed & patented many pioneering products while other innovations included semi-diesel engines heat exchangers air conditioners & compressors besides a range of marine thruster units. Not only did the company build ships & boats but it also constructed a range of marine aircraft. During the First World War Whites production accounted for 100 ships including twenty-seven destroyers & 201 seaplanes. Production during the Second World War added up to 317 ships among them twenty-six destroyers & a large minelayer. Illustrated with photographs of these & many of the companys other products this book tells the story of J. Samuel White & its subsidiary concerns a business built on a reputation of quality which earned it the slogan: Whites-built
- well-built!"."
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Peter Williams approaches afresh the life & music of arguably the most studied of all composers interpreting both Bachs life by deconstructing his original obituary in the light of more recent information & his music by evaluating his priorities & irrepressible creative energy. How even though belonging to musical families on both his parents sides did he come to possess so bewitching a sense of rhythm & melody & a mastery of harmony that established nothing less than a norm in Western culture? In considering that the works of a composer are his biography the books title A Life in Music means both a life spent making music & one revealed in the music as we know it. A distinguished scholar & performer Williams re-examines Bachs life as an orphan & family man as an extraordinarily gifted composer & player & as an ambitious artist who never suffered fools gladly. ...

John William Waterhouse is among the most popular Victorian artists & many of his paintings such as The Lady of Shalott Hylas & the Nymphs & Ophelia have become icons of femininity recognized the world over. With their compelling composition glowing colour & Impressionist-inflected technique these paintings are admired for their beauty yet at the same time they have the power to transport the viewer into a romantic world of myth & legend. Waterhouses depictions of female beauty reflect his ages complex & ambivalent attitudes towards women in which Victorian ideals of sentiment & duty commingled with less noble undercurrents of erotic desire & misogyny. In this fresh & innovative study of the artist Peter Trippi presents a new analysis of Waterhouses seductresses martyrs & nymphs together with a lively discussion of the cultural & historical circumstances in which these images were painted. This authoritative volume utilizes new research to provide an accessible biography of the artist & to assess his place in the late Victorian art world. Themes explored include Waterhouses passion for Italy literature & the classical world his participation in Englands Royal Academy his stylistic influences & studio practices & the collectors dealers critics & curators who helped make him famous in his day. Like other Victorian artists Waterhouse was neglected through much of the twentieth century but as critical inhibitions have fallen away the revival of his fortune has been dramatic. Today he is again acknowledged as a master painter. Peter Trippis monograph provides a timely re-evaluation that combines a close reading of Waterhouses imagery with a candid appraisal of his unique talent. ...

Jack Welch was perhaps the greatest corporate leader of the 20th century. When he first became CEO of General Electric in 1981 the company was worth $12 billion. Twenty years later it is worth a total of $280 billion. But Welch was more than just the leader of the most successful business in the world. He revolutionised GEs entire corporate culture with his distinctive highly personal management style: the individual appreciation of each of his 500 managers the commitment to an informal but driven work style & the encouragement of candour were all part of the Welch approach. Following John Harvey Joness Making it Happen & Troubleshooter Jack has already become the businessmans bible for the 21st century -- an inspiration for a new generation of corporate players. ...

The third Alex Cross novel & a No. 1 bestseller
- a gripping page-turning modern classic by the world's bestselling thriller writer.
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Read It Yourself" is a learning to read series of classic traditional stories with four levels of difficulty to suit the stage your child is at with reading. Written in a simple way for young readers they will build their confidence in learning to read as they progress through each level. Familiar fairytales & exciting stories will amuse children & encourage them to progress further with this series & become confident readers. Each book in " The Read It Yourself With Ladybird Series" is carefully structured to include many everyday words that are vital for first reading/beginner readers. They also contain clear beautiful pictures for extra support & interest. Extra puzzle questions at the end of each book further help with comprehension. This " Read It Yourself" version of " Jack & the Beanstalk" is a level 3 title & so suitable for children who are developing reading confidence & can read simple stories with help. It has a wider range of vocabulary to help improve reading stamina. Trust Ladybird to help your child learn to read & become a confident reader." ...

Fee fi fo fum! Based on the traditional folk tale Jack & the Beanstalk" this vibrantly illustrated story is sure to become a favorite in every home. Follow Jack up the beanstalk & read about his encounters with the giants the hen that lays the golden eggs & the silver harp. Part of the Ladybird " First Favourite Tales" series this hardback book contains lots of funny rhythm & rhyme to delight young children. It is ideal for reading aloud & sharing with preschoolers." ...

Based on the traditional fairy tale Jack & the Beanstalk" this vibrantly illustrated story is sure to become a favourite in every home. Jack's mother is very angry when he swaps their only cow for some magic beans. But before Jack knows it he is off on a big adventure! Part of the Ladybird " First Favourite Tales" series
- a perfect introduction to fairy tales for preschoolers
- this hardback book contains lots of funny rhythm & rhyme to delight young children. It is ideal for reading aloud & sharing with 2-4 year olds."

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This gorgeous picture book from Ladybird is a perfect introduction to the classic fairy tale of Jack & the Beanstalk. With lots of rhythm & rhyme & laugh-out-loud pictures this book will delight all young children everywhere! It is perfect for reading aloud & sharing with little ones. ...