Frans Hals (1582/83-1666) is rightfully considered one of the most important seventeenth-century Dutch painters. His portraits are admired for their virtuoso brushwork and their seemingly spontaneous character. This volume, with fourteen contributions by twenty-six specialists on Hals's paintings and his artistic ne...

In the mid nineteenth century, as Japan rapidly modernized, garden building declined in popularity. Only in the late nineteenth century did a new class of political and business leaders revive interest in horticulture, seeking garden designs that broke away from established patterns. As a result, these innovative ga...

Combining stunning photographs with expert knowledge, this book is a dazzling guide to precious stones, organic gems, and precious metals. Discover the intriguing stories of the world's most famous and fabulous gems, including the mysterious Hope Diamond, the stunning Koh-i-Noor of the Crown Jewels, and exquisite Fa...

Characters are a vital aspect of today's transmedia practices. Combining theories on fictional persons from Japanese and Euro-American practices, this book discusses video game characters embedded in our popular media culture in which they are constantly produced and re-imagined. This book introduces the dynamic gam...

⚓ Step into the witty, adventurous, and unforgettable world of Mark Twain, America's most beloved storyteller. The Complete Novels of Mark Twain gathers all of his masterful worksーstories that bring to life the Mississippi River, the spirit of exploration, and the sharp humor that made Twain a legend. With his kee...

⚔️ Step back into the turbulent centuries after the fall of Rome, a time of invasions, kingdoms, and transformation. The Dark Ages Collection by Charles Oman, one of Britain's most respected historians, provides a sweeping account of the early medieval world. With vivid detail and masterful scholarship, Oman explore...

World-renowned artist and textile designer Kaffe Fassett provides a window into his creative process, offering readers new patterns, new ideas, and new inspiration. With successes like Bold Blooms and Dreaming in Color, the latest book from Kaffe Fassett brings together all the best elements of his work and life. Ka...

Stitch your very own garden, blooming with color and texture! Explore your stitching versatility with this comprehensive guide by learning to use any thread and embroidery stitch you desire. Jennifer Clouston shares how to make the most of the thread you already own by introducing hundreds of stitch and fiber combin...

Un enigma oculto en un criptograma y la promesa de un tesoro perdido. Publicado en 1843, El escarabajo de oro es uno de los relatos más populares de Edgar Allan Poe. En esta historia, el hallazgo de un extraño insecto dorado conduce al descubrimiento de un secreto ancestral y a la resolución de un complejo criptogra...

A turbulent age of empires, invasions, and transformation. Charles Oman, one of the most respected historians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, presents a vivid and authoritative account of the period often called the "Dark Ages." The Dark Ages Collection gathers his essential works on medieval Europe, chro...

Humor, adventure, and sharp social insight ー the voice of America in one collection. Mark Twain, often called the "father of American literature," captured the spirit, struggles, and humor of a changing nation. The Complete Novels of Mark Twain brings together all of his full-length works in one definitive edition ...

Vocabulary for Sustainable Consumption and Lifestyles: a Language for our Common Future curates a shared vocabulary of concepts that enables a society-wide conversation about sustainable consumption and lifestyles, the future of consumer society, and ways to transcend it. Since the United Nations (UN) Earth Summit i...

Afterimages of Apartheid shows how photographs of the past can be mobilised as a critical tool for understanding the ongoing effects of apartheid in contemporary South Africa. Through close readings of significant images made during and after apartheid, the book shows how photography works as a means of documentatio...

An essential guide to socialising your cat, and ensuring a happy, harmonious existence for your feline friends within your household. The book looks first at cat personalities, and discusses cat behaviour and sociability. Cats from different backgrounds or of different breeds may have special needs or associated pro...

A Christmas tree becomes a gateway to treasured memories and festive wonders. In A Christmas Tree, Charles Dickens invites readers to gather around a beautifully decorated tree as he recalls the joys, mysteries, and enchantments of Christmas past. Through vivid imagery and gentle nostalgia, Dickens reflects on toys,...

Born in 1860 in a small Czech town, Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) was an artist on the forefront of Art Nouveau, the modernist movement that swept Paris in the 1910s, marking a return to the simplicity of natural forms, and changing the world of art and design forever. In fact, Art Nouveau was known to insiders as the ...