Drawing both on his own familys stories & his years of hands-on political experience Thant Myint-U has written an illuminating account of how Burmas rich past informs its violent present & of how the world might transform the countrys future. This is the story of modern Burma & a narrative that is by turns lyrical dramatic & appalling. ...

An utterly engrossing historical romance from debut novelist Bee Ridgeway The River of No Return" is a must-read. ' Time is like a river. It always flows in one direction.' What if everything you thought was certain was not? 1812: On a lonely battlefield in Spain Lord Nicholas Falcott Marquess of Blackdown is about to die... But the next moment he inexplicably jumps forward in time nearly two hundred years
- very much alive. Taken under the wing of a mysterious organisation " The Guild" he receives everything he could ever need under the following conditions: He can't go back. He can't go home. He must tell no one. Accepting his fate Nicholas begins a life of luxury as a twenty-first century New York socialite living happily thus for the next ten years. But when an exquisite wax sealed envelope brings a summons from the Alderwoman of " The Guild" Nicholas is forced to confront his nineteenth century past. Back in 1815 Julia Percy's world has fallen apart. Her enigmatic grandfather the Earl of Darchester has died & left her with a closely guarded secret one she is only now discovering
- the manipulation of time. In terrible danger from unknown enemies Julia flees her home to the sanctuary of neighbouring Falcott House. In this strange place Julia & a recently returned Nicholas are drawn to each other & together they realise how little Julia knew about her beloved grandfather & begin to understand his ominous last words...' Pretend.' Bee Ridgeway's " The River Of No Return" is a truly unforgettable novel. If you loved " The Time Traveler's Wife" or " The Night Circus" then prepare to be swept away by this stunning debut novel. Bee Ridgway grew up in Amherst Massachusetts. She attended Oberlin College (B.A.) then worked for a year as an editorial assistant at " Elle" magazine. She studied literature at Cornell University (M.A. & Ph.D.). She has worked at Bryn Mawr College since 2001. She lives in Philadelphia PA."

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The latest novel in Robert V.S Redick's stunning & original fantasy epic is a taut race against time that takes the Chathrand ...

In September 1838 a storm blows up on the Indian Ocean & the Ibis a ship carrying a consignment of convicts & indentured laborers from Calcutta to Mauritius is caught up in the whirlwind. When the seas settle five men have disappeared
- two lascars two convicts & one of the passengers. Did the same storm upend the fortunes of those aboard the Anahita an opium carrier heading towards Canton? & what fate befell those aboard the Redruth a sturdy two-masted brig heading East out of Cornwall? Was it the storm that altered their course or were the destinies of these passengers at the mercy of even more powerful forces? On the grand scale of an historical epic River of Smoke follows its storm-tossed characters to the crowded harbors of China.? There despite efforts of the emperor to stop them ships from Europe & India exchange their cargoes of opium for boxes of tea silk porcelain & silver. Among them are Bahram Modi a wealthy Parsi opium merchant out of Bombay his estranged half-Chinese son Ah Fatt the orphaned Paulette & a motley collection of others whose pursuit of romance riches & a legendary rare flower have thrown together.? All struggle to cope with their losses
- & for some unimaginable freedoms
- in the alleys & crowded waterways of 19th century Canton.? As transporting & mesmerizing as an opiate induced dream River of Smoke will soon be heralded as a masterpiece of twenty-first century literature.


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Between 1970 & 1975 Jon Swain the English journalist portrayed in David Puttnams film The Killing Fields lived in the lands of the Mekong river. This is his account of those years & the way in which the tumultuous events affected his perceptions of life & death as Europe never could. He also describes the beauty of the Mekong landscape
- the villages along its banks surrounded by mangoes bananas & coconuts & the exquisite women the odours of opium & the regions other face
- that of violence & corruption.

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Dive into another exciting magical adventure for girls
- will you answer the call of Silver Dolphins? Its the Spring holidays &
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Gita Mehtas captivating & enchanting novel tells the story of a retired beurocrat who has escaped the world to spend his twilight years running a guest-house on the banks of the countrys holiest river the Narmada. But he has chosen the wrong place for peace & quiet: too many lives converge here & he meets a series of unusual characters including a privileged young executive bewitched by a mysterious lover; a novice Jain monk moving from opulence to poverty; & a woman with a golden voice & a broken heart. As the beurocrat moves from story to story he ponders the meaning of each tale & the potent belief & the dark secrets which the river hides within her. ...

Flowing between Devon & Cornwall the beauty of the River Tamar is ever changing. Every turn brings something new; deer otters seals stoats & in the past even the occasional dolphin. Rich with trees flowers & insects there is something wonderful to be found with every season. Spring brings new growth & colour with bluebells & daffodils. Wildlife flourishes & bees & butterflies appear along with many other weird & wonderful insects. In the summer everything thrives & then the wonderful shades of autumn cloak the banks of the river. In the winter we see stormy weather snow flurries & heavy rain. Various industries flourish along the Tamar including boat building fishing & farming together with many activities such as yacht racing regattas & fetes. This lavishly illustrated book will appeal to anyone who loves this beautiful waterway. ...

This impressively researched & beautiful photographed book by Derry Brabbs presents a detailed insight into Britains grandest most varied & most important river. The journey downriver from the source to the sea is intercut with thematic chapters on tr ibutaries locks & boating & periodically deviates away from the riverbank to feature some of the historic towns & villages within reach of the Thames including Farringdon Oxford Wallingford Windsor & Kew. Taken through the seasons & in all conditions Brabbs photographs often combine atmospheric landscape with architecture to create a timeless sense of history. This book will appeal to anyone exploring the Thames either on foot by boat or by car & will be treasured both by visitors & those who live by the river. ...

Popular guide covering the canals & waterways between Exeter & the River Thames. Colour Ordnance Survey (R) maps clearly show locks towpaths & boating facilities. There are also comprehensive navigational notes as well as descriptions of the towns & villages pubs & restaurants alongside the waterways. In print for over 30 years the Collins/ Nicholson guides to the waterways have always been a vital part of journeys along Britains canals & rivers. They are designed for anyone & everyone with an interest in Britains inland waterways -- from experienced boaters to those planning their first boat trip as well as walkers cyclists & visitors. The Ordnance Survey (R) Maps have added information showing: * Locks bridges tunnels aqueducts winding holes & towpaths. * Waterpoints sanitary stations pump out facilities & refuse disposal. * Boatyards pubs restaurants & local shops. * Mile markers & milestones (distance in miles & number of locks to strategic points along the waterways). Text
Includes:: * The history & background to each canal. * Local services & places of interest pubs & restaurants & NEW for this edition: postcodes added for each place. * Opportunities for walking & cycling. * NEW for this edition: notes on wildlife to be found along the waterways. Comprehensive navigational notes include: * Maximum

Dimensions & low bridges. * Mileages advice & potential hazards. * Navigation authorities & contact details. Waterways covered in this guide -- Basingstoke Canal Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Grand Western Canal Exeter Ship Canal Kennet & Avon Canal River Thames River Wey.


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