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Quercus/MacLehose Press
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Courland is an entity that no longer exists. With the Gulf of Riga to the north, the Baltic to the west and Lithuania at its southern border, and now part of modern Latvia, the region was occupied by Nazi Germany and returned to Soviet Russia after the war, remaining largely inaccessible until 1991. It is now a nowhere land of wide skies and forests, deserted beaches, ruined castles and ex-KGB prisons. For years Jean-Paul Kauffmann has been irresistibly drawn to this buffer between the Germanic and Slav worlds. His digressive travels at the wheel of a Skoda become an investigation into the whereabouts of a former lover, a search for an excavator of tombs, and a journey in the footsteps of Louis XVIII, for whom Courland was once a place of exile. |
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AN ENEMY EMERGING FROM THE EAST. The US Secretary of State is abducted while conducting secret negotiations aboard a tanker in the South China Sea. 'Seven days' is her captors' warning. Seven days before she is beheaded, live on the internet. Seven days for Robin Monarch to save her. A TREACHERY TRACING TO THE TOP. The CIA asset and master thief journeys into the underworld of Southeast Asia to locate and extract his target. But as he navigates this shady labyrinth, he unravels a worrying conspiracy: stretching from the red-lit underbelly of Asia to the White House itself. |
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As ethnic tensions escalate into war, Marija returns in confusion to her native Croatia — call it a mid-life crisis. She soon takes up with a young soldier, but her age does not give her the least power over him. On the other side of the world, her estranged father is gearing up to enter the fray, raising the cash to raise an army. Exiled to Argentina, he has been waiting for this moment since 1945. But war is a young man's game, and even his closest comrades cannot be trusted. If the Old Man is to meet his daughter again it will be in a world altered beyond his understanding, where the only soldiers he commands are in his head. |
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Books That Changed the World tells the fascinating stories behind 50 books that, in ways great and small, have changed the course of human history. Andrew Taylor sets each text in its historical context and explores its wider influence and legacy. Whether he's discussing the incandescent effect of The Qu'ran, the enduring influence of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, of the way in which Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe galavanized the anti-slavery movement, Taylor has written a stirring and informative testament to human ingenuity and endeavour. Ranging from The Iliad to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the Kama Sutra to Lady Chatterley's Lover, this is the ultimate, thought-provoking read for book-lovers everywhere. |
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Great cities have always captured the popular imagination — from the souks of Marrakesh to the bustling streets of Tokyo, each one has a unique allure. Exploring urban locations from every continent, Dream Cities handpicks 50 of the most lively and beautiful cultural centres the planet has to offer. The history and sights of sprawling capitals — New York, London and Beijing — are covered alongside smaller, more relaxed cities — Edinburgh and St George's in Bermuda — in this exquisitely illustrated volume. Ever-expanding urban metropolises, such as chic Paris and hip Istanbul, are depicted through stunning colour photography, insightful narrative and up-to-date tips for visiting. Whether you want to plan an extended trip of a lifetime or be whisked away on a weekend city break, this book will give you all the inspiration you need. |
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Join us on a voyage of discovery to the world's most incredible places. This once-in-a-lifetime experience surveys every continent on the planet, selecting the most spectacular, heart-stirring and inspirational journeys — across landscapes so breathtaking that once seen they are never forgotten. Part reference, part travel guide, Dream Journeys contains a unique combination of inspirational photography, descriptive narrative and travel information: it will inspire and inform in equal measure. The 50 once-in-a-lifetime journeys featured in the book have been carefully selected by acclaimed travel writer Mary-Ann Gallagher. Geographically grouped and presented in easily accessible spreads, featured routes include America's renowned Route 66 and spectacular Pacific Coast Highway, the old and beautiful Orient Express and Silk Routes, stunning drives along Australia's Gold Coast and Stuart Highway, as well as more adventurous journeys across the plains of the Kalahari, to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, or around the magical Golden Triangle of the Orient. Beauty and nature abound on these journeys: discover incredible treks along Inca trails, winding paths along the foothills of the Andes, or the serene wilderness of the Trans-Siberian Railway and Antarctica. Or perhaps you would prefer to lay back and enjoy the romantic cities of Europe along the Appian Way; the paradise scenery of Costa Rica; or the awe-inspiring cruises down the Amazon or the Nile. Packed with travel tips and advice, as well as fascinating facts and descriptions of the world's most memorable routes, Dream Journeys allows the intrepid traveller to plan a trip of a lifetime or simply to explore the very best locations around the planet from the comfort of an armchair. |
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In Soviet Russia the desire for freedom is also a desire for the freedom to love. Lovers live as outlaws, traitors to the collective spirit, and love is more intense when it feels like an act of resistance. Now entering middle age, an orphan recalls the fleeting moments that have never left him — a scorching day in a blossoming orchard with a woman who loves another; a furtive, desperate affair in a Black Sea resort; the bunch of snowdrops a crippled childhood friend gave him to give to his lover. As the dreary Brezhnev era gives way to Perestroika and the fall of Communism, the orphan uncovers the truth behind the life of Dmitri Ress, whose tragic fate embodies the unbreakable bond between love and freedom. |
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One morning a librarian finds a reader who has been locked in overnight. She begins to talk to him, a one-way conversation full of sharp insight and quiet outrage. As she rails against snobbish senior colleagues, an ungrateful and ignorant public, the strictures of the Dewey Decimal System and the sinister expansionist conspiracies of the books themselves, two things shine through: her unrequited passion for a researcher named Martin, and an ardent and absolute love for the arts. A delightful divertissement for the discerning bookworm... |
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Join us on an incredible journey to the most spectacular destinations in the world. This once-in-a-lifetime experience surveys every continent on the planet and selects the most spectacular, heart-stirring natural wonders and man-made creations — sights and locations so breathtaking that once seen they are never forgotten. Part reference, part travel guide, Dream Destinations contains a unique combination of inspirational photography, descriptive narrative and travel information: it will inspire and inform in equal measure. The 50 'must-see' sites featured in the book have been carefully selected by acclaimed travel writer Mary-Ann Gallagher. Geographically grouped and presented in easily accessible spreads, these features take you on an unforgettable tour of world's most amazing destinations: from astonishing natural wonders such as the spectacular Northern Lights, the majestic Victoria Falls, and the stunning wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, to the awesome scenery of the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. Some of the man-made marvels include the Great Wall of China, St Petersburg, the Darjeeling Railroad, the Forbidden City, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, the Taj Mahal and many, many more. Packed with travel tips and advice, as well as fascinating facts and descriptions of the world's most memorable locations, Dream Destinations allows the intrepid traveller to plan a trip of a lifetime or simply explore the very best locations around the planet from the comfort of an armchair. |
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The Big Questions series is designed to let renowned experts address the 20 most fundamental and frequently asked questions of a major branch of science or philosophy. Each 3,000-word essay simply and concisely examines a question that has eternally perplexed enquiring minds, and provides answers based on the latest research. This ambitious project is a unique distillation of humanity's best ideas. In Big Questions: Evolution, Francisco Ayala answers the 20 key questions: What is evolution? What is natural selection? Is evolution a random process? What are chromosomes, genes and DNA? What is molecular evolution? What is the tree of life? What does the fossil record tell us? Is intelligence inherited? Can I clone myself? Is language a uniquely human attribute? Was Darwin right? What is 'survival of the fittest'? What is a species? How do genes build bodies? How did life begin? Am I really a monkey? What is the missing link? Will humans continue to evolve? Where does morality come from? Is Creationism true? |
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Fate sends two star-crossed lovers, Sasha and Volodenka, on two separate journeys across space and time. Sasha finds herself as a young woman in a time not far from the present day. Volodenka finds himself as a young soldier in a horrific conflict at the turn of the twentieth century. Yet, despite their cosmic schism, their letters still reach one another; as he helps her to come to terms with life and she helps him to come to terms with death. Half male, half female; half exploration of the physical and the immediate, half meditation on the intangible and the infinite, The Light and the Dark is a literary feat as balanced and beautiful as it is prodigious and profound. |
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In The Story of Christianity, acclaimed theologian David Bentley Hart provides a sweeping and informative portrait of a faith that has shaped the western world and beyond for over 2,000 years. From the persecutions of the early church to the papal-imperial conflicts of the Middle Ages, from the religious wars of 16th and 17th-century Europe to the challenges of science and secularism in the modern era, and from the ancient Christian communities of Africa and Asia to the 'house churches' of contemporary China, The Story of Christianity triumphantly captures the complexity and diversity of Christian history. |
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For eight years Flora and Fin had an exciting, intense relationship, but when Flora wanted to settle down and have children, Fin vanished. Three years on, Flora has resigned herself to being single, convinced she's left it too late to find love, though part of her still pines for Fin. Then suddenly he reappears. They pick up where they left off — his betrayal forgotten, or at least forgiven. But has Fin really changed? |
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Mogadishu, Somalia. A luxury cruise liner has been captured by Somali pirates, with 860 lives at the mercy of the ruthless hijackers. Jake Grafton, head of Middle Eastern covert Ops for the CIA, has contacted his uniquely talented operative Tommy Carmellini, requesting his presence. Grafton's veins of ice and nerves of steel make him Washington's go-to man in a crisis, while Carmellini has the skillset Grafton needs when he knows he won't be playing by the book. With the pirates holding firm to their demands, together they must launch an offensive explosive enough to blow their enemy firmly out of the water... |
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England, 1154. As Henry II seizes the throne after years of turmoil, a new dynasty is poised to haul this hitherto turbulent nation out from the Dark Ages and transform it into the nation state we recognize today. Featuring some of England's greatest but also most notorious kings, the house of Plantagenet would reign for over 300 blood-soaked, yet foundational, years. The dynasty provides some of the most evocative names in our history: from the brave yet rash Richard the Lionheart, his treacherous brother John, the hapless Richard II, and the hero of Agincourt Henry V, through to the controversial Richard III. And in this authoritative, intelligent and grippingly written book, acclaimed historian Derek Wilson brings this thrilling era to life. |
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Mid Haven, New England, 1894. Emma Appleby's ordered and loving existence comes to an abrupt and painful end with the death of her father. Her brother Laurence has no concern for her welfare and, at her wits' end, Emma plots her escape to the town in England where her father was born. Tow Law Town, North East England, 1904. Emma's arrival in the village offers Mick Castle a lifeline. His days are spent running the Black Diamond pub, but his marriage to Isabel is increasingly troubled and his daughter Connie is running wild. As Emma opens her academy, she sets herself up in competition with the local school, provoking a savage response from the community. But she will not be deterred — even when her past catches up with her and Mick is forced to choose between family and love. |
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Surrounded by evil, how long can one man's good intentions last? February 1941, Berlin: A murderer is on a killing spree. The Murder Squad is in the midst of the biggest manhunt the city has ever seen. Georg Heuser is the idealistic, brilliant young detective set to crack the case. July 1959, West Germany: Lawyers Max Kraus and Paula Siebert are investigating war crimes of unimaginable magnitude committed near the Russian Front, the empire the Nazis called Ostland. The man accused is called Georg Heuser. Assured of his guilt, Paula and Max have only one question left: What has happened to make this good man become a monster? |
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'I'm looking for that perfect blend of flavours; the taste that used to be you.' It's been 18 months since my husband was murdered and I've decided to finish writing The Flavours of Love, the cookbook he started before he died. Everyone thinks I'm coping so well without him — they have no idea what I've been hiding or what I did back then to protect my family. But now that my 14-year-old daughter has confessed a devastating secret, and my husband's killer, who was never caught, has started to write to me, I know it's only a matter of time before the truth about me and what I've done will be revealed. My name is Saffron Mackleroy and this is my story. |
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Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, the greatest Italian painter of his day, is expelled from the Order of the Knights of Malta. Subject to a clandestine hearing, his crime remains a closely guarded secret. 2014. Two bodies are found in a London art gallery — stripped naked, necks bound with wire and legs obscenely contorted. They are twin brothers — successful art dealers — their brutal murder linked to the mysterious disappearance of two paintings by the master Caravaggio. Investigators are confounded, and it falls to art expert Gil Eckhart to identify the killer before he slays again. But as the search for clues takes him from the glamorous skyline of New York to the fetid catacombs of Palermo, Eckhart finds that in the high-stakes world of art, good and evil are often tarred with the same, blood-soaked, brush. |
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DS Aector McAvoy is a man with a troubled past. His unwavering belief in justice has made him an outsider in the police force he serves. When three seemingly unconnected people are brutally murdered in the weeks before Christmas, the police must work quickly to stop more deaths. It is only McAvoy who can see the connection between the victims. A killer is playing God — and McAvoy must find a way to stop the deadly game. |
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