In this extraordinary collection of short stories Thomas Mann uses settings as diverse as Germany Italy the Holy Land & the Far East to explore a theme which always preoccupied him: the two faces of things. Thus in A Man & His Dog & Disorder & Early Sorrow small domestic tempests become symbolic of the discordant muddle of humanity. In The Transposed Heads & The Tables of Law the demands of the intellect clash with the desires of physiology
- an idea developed more fully in The Black Swan where body & spirit are tragically out of harmony. Written between 1918 & 1953 these stories offer us both an insight into Manns development of thought & also some impressive literature from these interesting times.
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Despite being a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours & of the British Society of Poster Designers Kenneth Denton Shoesmith (1890
- 1939) is little known today yet his maritime art perfectly captures the romance & adventure of ocean liner travel in the early 20th century. In 1918 he left a career at sea to devote himself to painting & much of his art celebrates the ships of the Royal Mail Line for whom he produced a vast amount of paintings & sketches for advertising purposes but perhaps the pinnacle of his career was working on the interiors of Queen Mary. Shoesmith died at the early age of 48 just before the outbreak of war in 1939. An obituarist wrote: As a poster artist
- he was quite definitely in the front rank of those who are content to paint what they see & know. He was direct in his methods sound in his drawing & brilliant in his colour. His ships were not only correct in detail but they were always in & not on the water for he painted with a seamans knowledge as well as an artists perception. Glyn Evans has spent many years researching this elusive artist & rediscovering his works to share with a wider public. The selection of works included here are a fond tribute to Shoesmiths talent & an expression of the authors personal delight in having discovered a maritime artist so gifted in the skill of bringing ships to life & imbuing them with such character as to make one wish to rush out & book passage on the next available sailing!

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In 1930 sixteen-year-old Marjorie Morgenstern lives with her family on the edge of Central Park. She has just come out into New York society. Her mother hopes for a glittering marriage to a good man but Marjorie has other ideas. Spending the summer working as a drama coach she falls desperately in love twice over: with Noel Airman a musician as reckless as he is talented; & with a dream to defy her destiny as a Jewish wife & mother & become a star of the stage. Why should she settle with being another Mrs Morgenstern if she can succeed in the heady world of show business as Marjorie Morningstar? ...

Mark for Everyone (with Luke for Everyone) starts this exciting new series. Tom Wrights own translation of the Gospel of Mark is combined section by section with eye-opening comments on the passage & what it might mean for us. Making use of his true scholars understanding yet writing in an approachable & anecdotal style Wright captures the urgency & excitement of Marks gospel in a way few writers have. ...

Gemel is an old English word meaning twin
- Mark Forsyths Gemel Edition brings together a Sunday Times Number One bestseller &
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Baking often conjures up images of scones & sponges afternoon tea & fancy patisserie but these sweet treats (delightful as they are) are only part of the story. In this exciting new book Mark Hix applies his characteristic flair to a range of sweet & savoury recipes that reflects his own unique interpretation of baking. Here the term covers pretty much anything that can be cooked in the dry heat of an oven
- whether that be a simple everyday luxury like a vegetable gratin or a sophisticated tarte aux pommes. Split into chapters covering snacks bread meat & fish vegetables savoury & sweet tarts & puddings & cakes Marks selection of recipes is based on dishes that he has been cooking for years or that he has eaten on his travels around the globe. Also included are a number of fascinating features on the various different ovens used for baking
- from brick wood-fired ovens & tandoors to Agas & modern fan-assisted ovens. With its delightful collection of unusual delicious & easy-to-follow recipes straightforward cooking techniques & sumptuous photography Mark Hix on Baking is sure to become the must-have baking book for years to come.

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The German A7V & the British Mark IV were similar in weight size & speed but differed significantly in armour armament & maneuverability. The A7V had thicker armour & had nearly double the horsepower per ton. The Mark IVs pair of side-mounted 6pdr cannons forced the vehicle to present its side arc to an enemy in order to fire one of its main guns. Possessing twice as many machine guns as the Mark IV the A7V had a frontally mounted 57mm gun that proved capable of defeating the Mark IVs armour. The Mark IVs rhomboid design proved superior in crossing trenches climbing obstacles & moving over rough terrain. As the first tank-versus-tank engagement in history the fighting around Villers-Bretonneux showcased the British Mark IV & German A7V designs. Although not purpose-built to combat enemy armour both vehicles proved the viability of such operations which during the postwar period led to key advances in suspension armour gunsights ammunition & command & control. While the British continued to develop their armoured forces German armour development never materialized & only in the postwar period did they address the issue. ...

On St Scholastica's Day in February 1355 Oxford explodes in one of the most serious riots of its turbulent history. Fearing for their lives the scholars flee the city & some choose the University at Cambridge as their temporary refuge. However they don't remain safe for long. Within hours of their arrival the first of their number dies followed quickly by a second. When Bartholomew & Brother Michael begin to investigate the deaths they uncover evidence that the Oxford riot was not a case of random violence but part of a carefully orchestrated plot. With the Archbishop of Canterbury about to honour Cambridge with a Visitation & a close colleague accused of a series of murders Bartholomew is certain he didn't commit the race is on to solve the riddles & bring a ruthless killer to justice. ...

The Heresy reached Calth without warning. In just a few hours of betrayal & bloodshed the proud warriors of the XIIIth Legion
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When world peace begins to cost an American arms manufacturer dear he enlists the aid of The Society a secret organization designed to ensure that wealth & power remain in the hands of its members. To this end they make President James Beckwith unbeknownst to him their puppet. ...