Philip Parker

Paul Mitchell

Marcus Weeks

John Farndon

Penguin Random House

Peter Chrisp

Claire Cock-Starkey

Frederick Cowell

Thomas Cussans

This book explores big questions like these, explaining the laws and legal precedents, and religious, political, and moral codes that have shaped the world we live in. Written in plain English, The Law Book cuts through the legal jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in legal history, with step-by--step diagrams and witty illustrations that untangle knotty concepts.--

Big Ideas Simply Explained

The Law Book

See nature in a whole new light with this enchantingly illustrated treasury of natural folklore and wild wisdom from around the world. Did you know that people used to believe that rabbits' ears would twitch in the direction of a thunderstorm? That lily of the valley flowers were formed from fairies' drinking cups? And that taking dandelions into the house would make you wet the bed? Traditional nature folklore can help us understand how our ancestors interacted with the world around them and allows us to view nature from a new perspective. Stunningly delicate and magical illustrations capture the magic and strangeness inherent in natural folklore, and cultures from around the world are represented in this comprehensive compendium. In this book, discover the lore of: An array of different animals, birds and insects All types of flowers, plants and trees The weather, sun, moon and stars Good and bad omens, and lucky charms Lore of the Wild inspires appreciation of different cultures, as well as an engagement with the beauty of the natural environment, and is a treasure trove of superstitions, ancient wisdom, and enchanting folktales.

Lore of the Wild: Folklore and Wisdom from Nature

The Lore of the Stars looks to the heavens and beyond to understand diverse cultures from here on Earth. This unique folklore treasury presents stories and traditional wisdom about the creation, nature, and role of the sky, celestial bodies, and the cosmos itself.

Folklore and Wisdom from the Skies Above

Lore of the Stars

The Lore of the Deep dives beneath the surface of world folklore, myth and tradition, in search of our mystical relationship with the sea and its depths.

Folklore & Wisdom from the Watery Wilds

Lore of the Deep

The Lore of the Land is a treasury of fascinating tales and ancient wisdom, unearthing the folklore of the world's wildest places.

Folklore & Wisdom from the Wild Earth

Lore of the Land

Lore of the Land: Folklore & Wisdom from the Wild Earth

The Georgian Art of Gambling takes readers on a wild tour through high and low society in Georgian England to reveal all aspects of the widespread love of gambling. From detailed accounts of the fashionable card and dice games of the day, as played in fine homes and gambling houses alike, to wagering on blood sports like cockfighting and bull baiting, and such less gruesome affairs as boxing and cricket, Claire Cock-Starkey brings to life the world of Jane Austen; Beau Brummel; Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire; and more. We see aristocrats ruined by the turn of a card; activists mounting antigambling campaigns through pamphlets, broadsides, and legislation; and the devious machinations of card sharps and dice loaders. Cock-Starkey also offers rules and descriptions for a number of games that have fallen out of favor, along with copious anecdotes and facts about the culture of chance in Regency England.

Being a Miscellaneous Collection of Fashionable Card Games and Diverse Pastimes

The Georgian Art of Gambling

Violet Moller

Which is the smallest book in the Bodleian Library? Who complained when their secret pen name was revealed in the library's catalogue? How many miles of shelving are there in the Book Storage Facility? What is the story behind the library's refusal to lend a book to King Charles I? And, what is fasciculing? The answers to these questions and many more can be found inside this intriguing miscellaneous collection of curious facts and stories about the Bodleian Library in Oxford.Home to more than 12 million books and a vast array of treasures including the Gutenberg bible, J.R.R. Tolkien's hand-painted watercolours for 'The Hobbit', Shakespeare's First Folio and four thirteenth-century copies of Magna Carta, the Bodleian Library is one of the most magnificent libraries in the world with a fascinating history.'Bodleianalia' delights in uncovering some of the lesser known facts about Britain's oldest university library. Through a combination of lists, statistics, and bitesize nuggets of information, it reveals many of the quirks of fate, eccentric characters, and remarkable events which have contributed to the making of this renowned institution. The perfect book for trivia-lovers and bibliophiles, it also offers readers a behind-the-scenes peek into the complex workings of a modern, world-class library in the twenty-first century.

Curious Facts about Britain's Oldest University Library

Bodleianalia

See nature in a whole new light with this enchantingly illustrated treasury of natural folklore and wild wisdom from around the world. Did you know that people used to believe that rabbits’ ears would twitch in the direction of a thunderstorm? That lily of the valley flowers were formed from fairies’ drinking cups? And that taking dandelions into the house would make you wet the bed? Traditional nature folklore can help us understand how our ancestors interacted with the world around them and allows us to view nature from a new perspective. Stunningly delicate and magical illustrations capture the magic and strangeness inherent in natural folklore, and cultures from around the world are represented in this comprehensive compendium. In this book, discover the lore of: An array of different animals, birds and insects All types of flowers, plants and trees The weather, sun, moon and stars Good and bad omens, and lucky charms Lore of the Wild inspires appreciation of different cultures, as well as an engagement with the beauty of the natural environment, and is a treasure trove of superstitions, ancient wisdom, and enchanting folktales.

What can be found in the Vatican's Secret Archive? How many books did Charles Darwin's library aboard the Beagle hold? Which library is home to a colony of bats?Bursting with potted histories, quirky facts and enlightening lists, this book explores every aspect of the library, celebrating not only these remarkable institutions but also the individuals behind their awe-inspiring collections.From the ancient library at Alexandria to the Library of Congress in Washington DC, A Library Miscellany explores institutions both old and new, from the university library to that of the humble village. It opens the door to unusual collections such as herbaria, art libraries, magic libraries and even the library of smells, and charts the difficulties of cataloguing books deemed to be subversive, heretical, libellous or obscene.Packed with unusual facts and statistics, this is the perfect volume for library enthusiasts, bibliophiles and readers everywhere.

The Library Lovers' Miscellany

Who said 'I should have drunk more champagne'? Did Nelson really utter 'Kiss me Hardy' from his deathbed? Which statesman was, at the end, 'bored with it all'? Which king begged, 'Let not poor Nelly starve ...'An extraordinary number of deathbed sayings have been recorded over the years, some proving irresistible to embellishment, others displaying wry humour, still more showing remarkable lucidity in the final hours of life.The last words of politicians, kings, queens, actors, philosophers, scientists and writers are sometimes profound, sometimes prescient, often strange, funny and usually poignant. They can reveal the essence of an extraordinary life or tell us something about a celebrated person's final hours.In our ultimate moments, it seems, we are not averse to cracking a joke, losing our temper or begging for help from those we are leaving behind. The most interesting, controversial and insightful of these exit lines are collected here, from deathbed desperation to the fondest of farewells.

An Anthology

Famous Last Words

Ever wondered how ink is made? Or what is the bestselling book of all time? Or which are the oldest known books in the world?Highbrow to lowbrow, all aspects of the book are celebrated and explored in 'The Book Lovers' Miscellany'. From a list of unfinished novels, a short history of the comic, the story behind Mills and Boon and an entry on books printed with mistakes, to a guide to the colours of Penguin paperback jackets and a list of the most influential academic books of all time.Between these pages you will discover the history of paper, binding, printing and dust jackets; which books have faced bans; which are the longest established literary families; and which bestsellers were initially rejected. You can explore the output of the most prolific writers and marvel at the youth of the youngest published authors; learn which natural pigments were used to decorate a medieval bible; and what animal is needed for the making of vellum.The ideal gift for every bibliophile, 'The Book Lovers' Miscellany' is full of fun facts, potted histories and curious lists, perfect for dipping into and sharing.

Claire Cock-Starkey

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