Breaking the Flood

In Breaking the Flood, the first of four novels about the fall of Constantinople, Niccolo Gritti, a nineteen year-old scion of an aristocratic merchant dynasty in mid-15th century Venice, recounts his upbringing, his family’s impoverishment and his decision to take ship in a trading fleet to the eastern Mediterranean. Ambushed by corsairs, Niccolo is pressed as a galley slave. Soon, a fellow oarsman identifies himself as Demetrius Angelos, member of a distinguished military family in Constantinople. Demetrius is desperate to return there, threatened as his city is by the bellicose ruler of the Ottomans, Mehmet II. Eventually, the two young men escape the corsairs’ clutches and Niccolo decides to throw in his lot with Demetrius, journeying with him to the decayed Byzantine capital. At once, Bildungsroman and quest narrative, Breaking the Flood is both vivid and haunting, recreating a forgotten world with cinematic and at times hallucinatory clarity.

Brilliant! Scottish Inventors, Innovators, Scientists and Engineers Who Changed the World

Over eight hundred great minds are introduced in Brilliant! Scottish Inventors, Innovators, Scientists and Engineers Who Changed the World. Metal-works, medicine, astronomy, surgery, architecture, machinery, transportation, geology and mathematics; among many others, those are only a select handful of fields explored in this collection of brief accounts of life-altering Scottish accomplishments. From 1453 to present day, countless inventions and discoveries are presented in a chronological order.With the criteria of Scottish nationality, Andrew G. Paterson showcases the intelligent and creative endeavours of Scots with many motivations. Hailing from war-times and in peace, through the Industrial and Agricultural Revolutions, and located in all corners of the world, Scottish men and women gifted the world with time-changing and original contraptions, devices, procedures and theorems.

Burberry Days

At the end of the 1950s the 100-year-old clothing firm Burberry was a troubled company with an uncertain future, whose new owners did not know what to do with it once they had secured it.Brian Kitson joined Burberry in 1958 expecting a temporary summer job and stayed for over twenty years. His research into the company's distinguished past, encouraged by the last Mr Burberry, began to suggest a possible direction for regeneration...Written with great verve and wit, Burberry Days tells of the author's unexpected adventures as an international travelling Burberry salesman throughout the 1960s and '70s, as well as exploring the origins of the company's emblematic trench coat and the familiar house check.The book also offers some controversial reasons why Britain, with so much to offer - from the Savile Row suit, the Jermyn Street shirt and Scottish cashmere to workforce skills and great design talent - can still only count Burberry in the premier league of international fashion houses.

Castles

Ann has a job to do in Cornwall. They are shooting an episode of Trevorrow, and she has been given the assignment to cover the filming. Her friend Phoebe is handy with a camera, so she invites her along, not being quite honest with her. And there is Sue, who is just fun to have along. The three friends get a little more than they had bargained for. A story of friendship, sea and well - have a read and discover for yourself.

Chasing Our Dream in La Rochelle

When the newly married Gillian and Bill leave Britain for rural France, little could they imagine the adventures they will have: from expert house renovation to wily language-school owners, to becoming involved in village life. The pair embrace all that comes their way, especially Bill, whose eye for the French ladies becomes legendary.While the newly christened 'Gilly-Anne' makes her debut as an English teacher in a school at La Rochelle, Bill tackles their new investment: a ruined house with no water or electricity. Fortunately, they are helped generously by their new neighbours. So many customs to discover, so much to explore in their camping van before the couple finally succeed in making France their home.New author Gillian Broome has written about her experiences with whimsy and humour. For those who have sought a new life abroad or are dreaming about one, her book will be a source of inspiration"”or laughter.

China - Behind The Mask

China Behind the Mask is not only an interesting, informative and enjoyable read but gives a thorough description of life in present-day China from the point of view of the author, an Australian English teacher, who lived in China for more than ten years. Not only does he provide a unique flavour of Chinese culture, but also presents a thorough analysis of the current political situation within China and how Chinese attitudes influence its relationships with other cultures and countries. Part travel guide, part biography, part history, this book covers many aspects of China, particularly in relation to Australian life and culture. Some entertaining comparisons are made, which illustrate the divide between West and East in considerable depth. Personal anecdotes abound, bringing the book to life and ensuring that the reader is informed and entertained in equal measure.

Climate Change And The Cargo Cult

Climate Change is a major threat to our way of life, and requires urgent political action to remedy its many threats, but is it a symptom rather than the disease? This book argues that the problem lies deep in our commitment to the quest for ever increasing economic growth. At some time in the 1970s the Western World passed a point of economic satiety beyond which further economic growth was of little benefit, and indeed was counter-productive, to living the good life.  We must therefore seek a better understanding of our environment and of what constitutes genuine wealth. Life without the frenetic economic activity and culture of selfish possession that drives the modern economy can indeed be more humane, more pleasant and more meaningful than what we have today , but to reach it will require a major re-evaluation of what is important in business, politics and culture.  

Collective Social Intelligence

People are naturally social and social relationships have sustained the ways we interrelate to start and finish our greatest achievements.  Today, the ways we use technology has created a virtual-world that is overloading us with so much information that the resulting behaviors are breaking many productive social relationships in the actual-world.

The virtual-world very often results in out-of-proportion reactions to too much information and too much connectivity.  There's nothing wrong with technology, but if we embrace Collective Social Intelligence (CSI) the technology will be put to better use because by necessity our virtual-worlds will be cleaned-up, mended and re-defined to put humans back onto a faster track of globally pioneering and progressing our place in the universe.

Conscious Cookery; Seasonal Recipes and Inspirations from Sunny Brow Farm Holistic Retreat

A cook book to inspire a healthy way of living that comes from the body and intuition, not just from the mind. Conscious Cookery is a wonderful holistic fusion of nutritional awareness, wild foods, home-grown harvests, organic unprocessed foods, macrobiotics, the philosophy of the five elements and a love of connecting fully to each and every season. By allowing the energy of the seasons and an awareness of the ingredients nature provides, we can be inspired with a new approach to cooking and eating that can support our holistic health. When we eat something, it has a nutritional and energetic impact; this book supports an understanding of both these aspects, which ultimately allows for a better flow in our individual lives, and a strength and vitality to be who we truly are.The eclectic plant based recipes are great for vegans and vegetarians to ensure a tasty and nutritious diet. All recipes are dairy and refined sugar free, with the addition of many gluten free ideas and inspirations.

Convergence: Towards Immortality

What if there was no further need for faith: how would that impact and change the world? What if science was able to unravel the secret to immortality and the composition of the soul: how would that affect humanity? It is the year 2038 and the world has entered a period of great scientific discovery and achievement. It is also a time of upheaval and uncertainty, where old ways, systems and cultures are challenged by new norms, new social structures and new threats. Convergence is the story of Laura, Alessandro and other brave individuals whose destinies become intertwined through a series of significant archaeological and scientific undertakings. It forces them to collaborate in order to ensure that the truth that lies beyond is revealed to all of humanity. The quest they embark upon will propel them to overcome danger and adversity and to answer the ultimate human question through the greatest discovery of all time.

Cyril Squirrel and the Wonderfully Worrisome Task

Cyril Squirrel is tasked with the responsibility of a very important job. Unfortunately, in his overexcitement, Cyril ignores some very valuable advice and finds himself feeling extremely worried indeed. How will he get the job done? Will anyone want to help him? Cyril Squirrel and the Wonderfully Worrisome Task is an enchanting and emotive children's book that tackles an everyday problem to which all children will relate.

Darker Matter - Book 1 Dakor's Darkness

Bradley White is an ordinary man who is transported against his will to a land incalculably distant where magic has shaped its growth and development, and where science has no place. He is forced by a ruthless being of unimaginable might to undertake an impossible task, one in which he will surely fail. The stakes couldn't be higher; if he does fail, then all that he holds dear will be destroyed. Should he succeed, he is certain that his family will not be spared. He cannot hope to take on and defeat his adversary, but if he cannot find a way, then all is lost. His journey through this strange world is also a journey of self-discovery as he battles against despair and helplessness in his desperate attempt to find a way to save his family.