When Isabel Archer a beautiful spirited American is brought to Europe by her wealthy aunt Touchett it is expected that she will soon marry. But Isabel resolved to enjoy her freedom does not hesitate to turn down two eligible suitors. Then she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Gilbert Osmond. Charming & cultivated Osmond sees Isabel as a rich prize waiting to be taken. In this portrait of a 'young woman affronting her destiny' Henry James created one of his most magnificent heroines & a story of intense poignancy. ...

The marriage was that between the two writers Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson & the portrait is drawn partly by Vita herself in an autobiography which she left behind at her death in 1962 & partly by her son Nigel. It was one of the happiest & strangest marriages there has ever been. Both Vita & Harold were always in love with other people & each gave the other full liberty 'without enquiry or reproach' knowing that their love for each other would be unaffected & even strengthened by the crises which it survived. This account of their love story is now a modern classic. ...

Gabriel Allon master art restorer & assassin returns in a spellbinding new novel from the 1 New York Times bestselling author For Gabriel & his beautiful Venetian-born wife Chiara it was supposed to be the start of a pleasant weekend in London-a visit to an art gallery in St. Jamess to authenticate a newly discovered painting by Titian followed by a quiet lunch at an Italian restaurant along the Str&. But a pair of deadly bombings in Paris & Hamburg has already marred this sparkling autumn day. & while walking along Wellington Street the ever-vigilant Gabriel notices a man whom he believes is about to carry out a third attack. The man is exhibiting several traits common to suicide bombers-traits that Gabriel one of the worlds most experienced counterterrorism officers knows all too well. Armed with a concealed Beretta pistol he follows the man into the crowded Covent Garden market determined to prevent the massacre of innocents he fears is about to take place. But before Gabriel can draw his weapon he is knocked to the pavement by two undercover London police officers. A moment later he looks up to find a scene from his nightmares. Bodies & blood Baghdad on the Thames.. . ...

The former plotlands around Laindon & Dunton are still held dear in the memories of many of their former residents. Most of the grassy lanes have since been swallowed up by new housing but the combination of archive material with the recollections & photographs of those who once made the plotlands their home will bring back to life the period from the 1930s to the advent of Basildon Development Corporation in the 1950s when the plotland population was its highest. Although the memories of those who owned weekend huts are included the focus is on the permanent residents who were here all year round. They couldnt depart for London when the mud reached the tops of their boots the milkmans cart got stuck in a rut & the standpipes were frozen solid. Some had fled the London blitz but now found themselves under attack in the Essex countryside. Material from Lord Leatherlands estate shows how the Parish Invasion Committee helped plotlanders prepare for possible invasion & even held an exercise to test their preparations. Coverage

Includes:: plotland lanes in the west of Laindon an area that has received little attention so far. Documentary evidence reveals just how the Corporation tackled the thorny question of what to do with the shack dwellers. For the unmade roads lined with self-built bungalows were home to those who coped without the basic mains services that were generally being taken for granted. Other hazards included adders bulls spiders in the loo vicious dogs disappearing bread shotgun pellets & arson attacks. & yet the plotlands inspire enormous nostalgia & those who recall with pleasure the hot tea & blackberries they once enjoyed here will find a great deal in this delightful book to amuse them.

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This is the first book of the famous trilogy of English country life The Brensham Trilogy by John Moore. A wonderful & exuberant chronicle of an English market town between the wars distinguished with a historic abbey a winding river & bustling pubs with a cast of characters that could have stepped out of Hogarth or Shakespeare... ...

Playful & experimental James Joyce's autobiographical A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" is a vivid portrayal of emotional & intellectual development. This " Penguin Modern Classics" edition is edited with an introduction & notes by Seamus Deane. The portrayal of Stephen Dedalus' Dublin childhood & youth his quest for identity through art & his gradual emancipation from the claims of family religion & Ireland itself is also an oblique self-portrait of the young James Joyce & a universal testament to the artist's 'eternal imagination'. Both an insight into Joyce's life & childhood & a unique work of modernist fiction "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" is a novel of sexual awakening religious rebellion & the essential search for voice & meaning that every nascent artist must face in order to fully come into themselves. James Joyce (1882-1941) the eldest of ten children was born in Dublin but exiled himself to Paris at twenty as a rebellion against his upbringing. He only returned to Ireland briefly from the continent but Dublin was at heart of his greatest works " Ulysses" & " Finnegans Wake". He lived in poverty until the last ten years of his life & was plagued by near blindness & the grief of his daughter's mental illness. If you enjoyed "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" you might like Joyce's " Dubliners" also available in " Penguin Modern Classics". " There is nothing more vivid or beautiful in all Joyce's writing. It has the searing clarity of truth.. .but is rich with myth & symbol". (" Sunday Times"). " James Joyce was & remains almost unique among novelists in that he published nothing but masterpieces". (" The Times Literary Supplement")." ...

Portrait Photographer's Style Guide is a hardworking recipe book of inspiring portrait photography. The first section of the book explores professional portrait techniques across a wide variety of styles & genres that echo the full range of images in today's magazines advertising & modelling shots. From gritty urban looks to classic poses readers are provided with all the ingredients they need to recreate these styles. A 3D diagram of the studio or outdoor equipment setup accompanies each image & explanations describe precisely how the image was shot in terms of format lens exposure aperture & lighting. The second half of the book provides professional advice on handling commissions setting fees understanding copyright & planning shoots. It also

Includes:: practical shooting tips an overview of essential equipment & step-by-step tutorials.

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Now completely updated this bestselling portrait photography guide from acclaimed author Mark Cleghorn features easy-to-follow instructions & detailed photo sequences that help photographers from beginners to aspiring professionals create compelling images. With tips on software studio lighting & equipment settings & locations poses & expressions & interacting with models Portrait Photography" covers every skill needed to master this creative medium." ...

Every person is unique & in this book youll find the skills to draw each persons unique facial features like the expression on their face or the years of experience held in their wrinkles. This books also features tips on drawing accessories like spectacles & hats. The How To Draw series takes a highly visual & practical approach to drawing featuring step-by-step instructions for each art project. Duotone lines highlight each step. Each title

Includes:: information on the drawing materials you can use & where to use them most effectively. Pencil pen crayon paints & charcoal & more are all covered in detail. The series covers a comprehensive range of rudimentary techniques
- with sections on materials composition & perspective. The How To Draw series is an excellent way to introduce the concepts of drawing to child & adult alike.


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This fascinating new book explores the world of portraiture from a number of vantage points & asks key questions about its nature. How has portraiture changed over the centuries? How have portraits represented their subjects & how have they been interpreted? Issues of identity modernity & gender are considered within a cultural & historical context. Shearer West uncovers much intriguing detail about a genre that has often been seen as purely representational featuring examples from African tribes to Renaissance princes & from stars such as David & Victoria Beckham to ordinary people. In the process she shows us how to communicate with the past in an exciting new way. ...