The so called ' Kingdom of Prester John' was a Christian power thought to exist in Central Asia at the time of the twelfth-century crusades. At a deeper level for the steppe peoples it constitutes a distant dynamic which led to the world-shattering rise of Mongol power under Chinggis (Genghis) Khan. The book ranges widely in subject matter space & time. Christian history & ecological demographic social & economic history are all interwoven with the politics religions & literature of the vast & varied area between European Russia & China from c 800 to 1300. The author's views are distinctive & stimulating & are not always accepted by western specialists. But his bold synthesis fills in many of the missing links between histories of Europe & medieval China & makes it possible to think of these vast areas as in some senses parts of a greater whole. ...

Searching for Order traces the search for order in the natural world a search that for hundreds of years occupied some of the most brilliant minds in Europe. Redefining mans relationship with nature was an important feature of the Renaissance. But in a world full of plagues & poisons there was also a practical need to name & recognise different plants: most medicines were made from plant extracts. Anna Pavord takes us on a thrilling adventure into botanical history travelling from Athens in the third century BC through Constantinople Venice the medical school at Salerno to the universities of Pisa & Padua. The journey traced here for the first time involves the culture of Islam the first expeditions to the Indies & the first settlers in the New World. In Athens Aristotles pupil Theophrastus is the first man ever to write a book about plants. What should these things properly be called he asks. How can we sort & order them? The debate continues still two thousand years later. Gradually over a long period in Europe plants assumed identities & acquired names. Artists painted the first pictures of them. Plants acquired the two-part names that show how they are related to other plants. But who began all this work & how was it done? Searching for Order gives a compelling insight into a world full of intrigue & intensely competitive egos. ...

Artist Josie Iselin celebrates the diversity & beauty of nature with her exquisite portraits of seashells. Like her extremely popular Beach Stones" & " Leaves & Pods" " Seashells" is not a field guide but an artful & informative portrayal of a beloved part of our natural world. While it draws upon unparallelled shell collections " Seashells" balances the exotic with the familiar from tropical corals & rare fossils to everyday clamshells & barnacles. As in her previous books Iselin arranges these precious natural objects into striking images which she produces on a flatbed scanner. In her introduction & captions marine geologist & paleontologist Sandra J. Carlson introduces the reader to seashells in all their variety explaining why they look as they do. Both an art book & a contemplation of nature " Seashells" combines aesthetic delight in natural things with scientific fact & philosophical wonder." ...

One of Usbornes most enduring & well-known series has been given an exciting new look. Each guide has been completely updated & has a striking new cover. It makes perfect companions for enthusiasts keen to discover the many fascinating aspects of the natural world with full-colour illustrations of around 100-200 different species per title that have been reproduced from the original artwork using the latest technology. It provides ideal field guides for both children & adults & incredible value for your money. ...

A fascinating introduction to the different habitats & creatures to be found along the coastline. With over 240 colour photographs this is the ideal guide to take on seashore rambles. Divided into different coastline habitats for ease of use Collins Gem Seashore is the ideal guide for families & children. Featured habitats include cliffs rocky shores sand dunes saltmarsh shingle & the strandline. The book

Includes:: full details of the many species to be found within each habitat. Introductions to seaweeds worms molluscs arthopods fish birds & mammals & many other shore-line inhabitants are presented in a clear accessible manner. This portable informative book is perfect for any excursion to the shore.

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Dive into this magical new mermaid series featuring gorgeously girly illustrations & fabulous ocean adventures from an ever-popular author. As Mollys underwater quests begin she must help fellow mermaid Ella recover her piece of the magical conch shell in order to protect the coastline & prevent floods. But the Dark Queens army of menacing sea creatures is hot on the mermaids tails. When Ella is attacked by a bewitched orca & flung onto the nearby beach Molly must learn to harness the mysterious powers of her magic conch necklace to save her. Readers will be enchanted by Molly the Secret Mermaids daring ocean quests full of gorgeous undersea detail & captivating characters in this dazzling new series for budding mermaids everywhere. ...

Orlando the marmalade cat takes his dear wife Grace & their three kittens to the seaside where there is old beached ship they can all stay in. It proves to be the holiday of a lifetime as they swim sunbathe go flying on the tail of a kite discover a mermaid" & even help to rescue some shipwrecked travellers." ...

This title presents Rainbow Magic with whiskers! When Maisie moves to the seaside with her mum & dad she feels desperately lonely. Her best friends at home seem to have forgotten about her & her new school doesnt even start for a couple of weeks yet. Then one day on the beach Maisie finds a tiny tabby kitten with big emerald eyes who looks just as lonely as she does & suddenly a magical summer looks to be on the horizon... ...

Lets do the flip-flop frolic & splash into the sea! Playing on the sand looking at starfish going to the funfair imagining mermaids or listening to the wind & waves-this book is full of poems about what children love to do at the seaside. Illustrated charmingly by Nick Sharratt the collection

Includes:: poems by Judith Nicholls Margaret Mahy & Richard Edwards.

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Perfect for reading together or for children who are just starting to read alone. Filled with gorgeous illustrations. Willow Valley is a very special place. Nestled in a hidden valley trees of all shapes & sizes grew on the rolling green hills & pretty flowers dance in the meadows. Only the animals who live there know their way in & out but they hardly ever want to lave because they're having too much fun! Riley the mouse Starla the badger & Horatio the hedgehog are off to the seaside. They can't wait to have fun building sandcastles & collecting shells. If only Riley's boring cousin Posy wasn't coming too! More WILLOW VALLEY stories are available: BIRTHDAY FUN (9781407124742) SPOOKY SLEEPOVER (9781407124759) THE BIG BIKE RACE (9781407124766) HIDE & SEEK (9781407124773) & ONE SNOWY DAY (9781407134833). ...