Why do so many feel compelled to risk their lives climbing mountains? During the climbing season one person a day dies in the Alps & more people die climbing in this season in Scotland than they do on the roads. Mountains of the Mind" pursues a fascinating investigation into our emotional & imaginative responses to mountains & how these have changed over the last few centuries. It is rich with literary & historical references & punctuated by beautifully written descriptions of the authors own climbing experiences. There are chapters on glaciers geology the pursuit of fear the desire to explore the unknown & the desire to get to the summit & the book ends with a gripping account of Mallorys attempt on Everest. " Mountains of the Mind" is a beautifully written synthesis of climbing memoir & cultural history." ...

A woman in her thirties is released from prison with a new name & not much else. She begins to make a fresh start but the present is soon invaded by fragments from her past. Unsettling hallucinatory & without precedent Mountains of the Moon" is the tragic account of a broken life but against all expectation it amounts to something utterly beautiful." ...

Design & Make: Mounting & Setting Stones is a clear & practical introduction to mount construction & the processes of stone setting. Suitable for both the student & the practising jeweller wanting to learn new skills this book explains how different stones & cuts relate to their mounts. Easy-to-follow illustrated explanations describe each setting style including tension claw gypsy pave & rub-over styles with step-by-step instructions on how to fix the stone in place. With beautiful examples of work from professional jewellers a detailed look at mount construction & a useful section on specialist tools & techniques this guide reveals the skills & methods required for successful mounting & setting. ...

When Jose Mourinho realised as a teenager that he was never going to be a great player he decided he was going to become the best coach in the world. From translator & assistant to Sir Bobby Robson at Barcelona to Champions League-winning manager at Porto & on to turning Chelsea into one of Europe's most successful clubs followed by Champions League victory at Inter-Milan & now manager of Real Madrid Jose Mourinho's ascent has been rapid. Backed by Abramovich's billions Mourinho weeded out those not fully committed to his methods made several astute signings & enhanced the performances of many Chelsea stars. The result: in his first season in 2005 Chelsea won both the Premier League title & the Carling Cup followed by another title the following season. Mourinho then left for Inter-Milan where he delivered a treble in his second season in charge & is now tasked with bringing Real Madrid's ' Galacticos' the silverware they crave. Further Anatomy of a Winner is an intelligent analytical & now fully updated account of the life & psychology of one of the greatest football managers. ...

The inimitable Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher & her husband Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher seem to get a reprieve from their sleuthing duties when they are invited to the wedding of their friend Lucy Fotheringay. Lucy's grandfather is hosting the ceremony at his beautiful estate & so it promises to be a typical affair with hordes of gossipy aunts & other colourful but not necessarily pleasant relatives. Daisy meets all these characters & observes the ensuing familial fraternization with a certain kind of amusing nonchalance. That is until Lucy's great aunt is found strangled to death in her bed. Lucy in the meantime has arranged to meet her betrothed in the conservatory but when she arrives she finds him trying to revive her uncle who has died
- or has he been murdered? & just like that a normally celebratory occasion turns suspicious. Now Daisy must sift through a throng of relatives
- aunts uncles cousins grandparents
- once wedding guests & now murder suspects. & she must find the killer quickly before another family member becomes a corpse. Critical Praise for The Daisy Dalrymple novels" by Carola Dunn: " Replete with well-drawn characters snappy dialogue & interesting plot twists... Easily the best entry in a charming series." (" Booklist on " Mistletoe & Murder"). " The period sense remains vivid the characterizations are excellent & the mysteries are if anything more perplexing than ever." (" The Oregonian" on " Rattle His Bones"). " Daisy & her husband spring into action surrounded by historical armaments secret rooms hidden treasure & family secrets. For fans of British cozies & Dorothy Sayer's novels this is a very inviting situation." (" Library Journal" on " Mistletoe & Murder"). " Styx & Stones is a swift deeply enjoyable read. While Dunn's influences are many she ultimately makes this territory her own." (" The Register-Guard"). " Reading like an Agatha Christie thriller Rattle His Bones is a charming look at life after the first World War." (" Romantic Times"). " Dunn captures the melting pot of Prohibition-era New York with humorous characterizations & a vivid sense of place & with careful plotting lays out an enjoyable tale of adventure." (" Publisher's Weekly" on " The Case of the Murdered Muckraker")."


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Its not easy being a mouse. Bleak weather & dangerous predators mean theres always a need for the Mouse Guard a group of soldier-style mice who ensure that mice can wander freely & go about their business in peace. When three of the Guard go off in search of a missing merchant mouse they discover what they had never suspected
- a traitor among their own. Intricate line art & warm vibrant watercolour washes bring the heroic characters of the mice alive in this engaging collection of far-from-cutesy comic-strip fantasy adventures. Acclaimed writer & artist David Petersen presents a beautifully illustrated world of danger daring & deviousness: once you enter it youll never forget it!
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Inside the June Alley Inn mice gather to tell fantastic tales each trying to outdo the other. A competition of sorts begins. The rules: Every story must contain one truth one lie & have never been told in that tavern before. Legends of the Guard" is a new Mouse Guard anthology series featuring the work of artists & storytellers handpicked by series creator David Petersen." ...

The grumpy miller is having mouse trouble so he buys himself a large tabby cat. Fortunately for the mice the cat is too unfit to catch even a single mouse. But when the miller loses his temper & threatens to drown the poor tabby the mice decide they must intervene as they have grown surprisingly fond of him... ...

This year Rabbit has invited all her friends to spend Christmas with her. Mouse is the most excited of all: its his dearest wish to spend the holiday together with his friends. But one thing after another goes wrong until Mouse believes he will never be able to make the journey! Will he be left all alone at Christmas? ...

This is a new title in the fantastic First Reading" series aimed at children who are beginning to read. Father Mouse wants his daughter to marry the best husband in the world
- the Sun! But Miss Mouse has her own ideas in this charming folktale from Japan. This book features clear & compelling text accompanied by enchanting original illustrations by Frank Endersby. It is developed in consultation with Alison Kelly who is a senior lecturer in education & an early reading specialist from Roehampton University. It is a great value quality hardback with ribbon marker guaranteed to foster pride in book ownership."
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