Was Bowie an aloof and unavailable artist, or a 'Starman' who descended to bring good news to the masses…a chameleon? David Bowie: The Collector teases out the elements which Bowie used to build his success: his profound sense of artifice, his ability to tap into the zeitgeist of his times and his gift for gathering ideas and influences from a variety of sources and rearranging them to produce not only new perspectives but also brand-new ideas. Revealed by the testimony of his closest frie...

Trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler (1930-2014) was one of the most enigmatic and influential musicians in recent memory. His instantly recognisable sound was a driving force within every major innovation in modern European jazz during the last half of the 20th century.More importantly, his life provides us with a profound example of the way music can manifest itself in the most unlikely of vessels. As a lonely and shy teenager in Canada, he sought refuge from his difficult home l...

Laid back, sun-drenched tropical paradise, or hotbed of drug-related crime and violence? Neither stereotype is true. Jamaica suffers from a PR problem, created largely by tabloid headlines written thousands of miles away. The reality is more complex and more fascinating. Despite its small size, Jamaica punches above its weight. Its footprints in sport and music are, like its people, larger than life. It is one of the few countries to have its own soundtrack— mento, ska, and reggae are popu...

Mobile Will Change Everything - AgainGeorge Orwell's paranoid vision of 1984 is here. Only it isn't Big Brother who is watching us. It's Big Data.Here's the deal.Google, Apple, and Microsoft are all attempting to do the same thing. They are trying to get your device to learn enough about you so it can anticipate what you want to do next and provide the appropriate information just as you need it. Rafe Needleman described it best in ...

“Humanoid Robots & Drones: How the Age of Smart Machines Will Revolutionize Our World” is a 24‑lecture audio expedition for anyone who likes their wonder with measurements. We chase robots, humanoids, and drones through restaurants, farms, warehouses, hospitals, disaster scenes, stadiums, and city skies—treating each as a solvable puzzle. How does a drone hold position in wind? Why does a humanoid’s shape matter for doors and stairs? When does a non‑humanoid robot beat a humanoid? More oft...

Don't just see the sights―get to know the people.Say "Cambodia," and two associations often come to mind: the lost glories of Angkor, and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. Any understanding of Cambodia today, however, must embrace these opposites, as well as the changing attitudes within the country caused by something of a demographic revolution―today, close to seventy percent of Cambodians are under thirty.In the past, Cambodia was the center of th...

Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman started the multimillion-dollar franchise College Hunks Hauling Junk when they were just twenty two, and they’ve been having the time of their lives ever since. What’s their secret?That's just it--there isn't one. There's no fancy software or complicated business schemes. No outside investors or quirky market niche. They just followed 10 common-sense commandments to building a straightforward, fun, and successful business that does a ...

Don’t just see the sights—get to know the people.The French are "different." You'll often hear this in conversations among the "Anglo-Saxons," as the French like to call English speakers. "Different" means charming, challenging, questioning, stylish, and doing things in their own way and to their own advantage.By looking at the attitudes and values of the French, and explaining how French life and business works, Culture Smart! France show...

Are you looking to learn how you can cash in on the Cryptocurrency revolution?Have you been hearing about Ethereum lately in the news and can't seem to wrap your head around what Ethereum is? Do you wonder how you can start investing in Ethereum but don't really know what it is and have hesitations around investing in something you don't understand? Do you wish you were able to understand Ethereum but are afraid that it is too complex and complicated?If this sounds like you...

Homes that contain devices that can be controlled by smart speakers, voice commands and apps are becoming a reality for an increasing number of people. What was once the stuff of science fiction is now firmly established as part of the real world and is easily accessible for anyone who wants to add an exciting new dimension to their home.100 Top Tips – Create Your Smart Home to Stay Safe and Save Money contains tips covering all aspects of setting up and using smar...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people.The volcanic island of Iceland has erupted onto the world travel scene in recent years. With otherworldly landscapes of steaming turquoise geysers set among rugged snowy peaks, miles of icy black sand beaches, and the breathtaking splendor of the northern lights, one can only wonder what took so long. But what of the people who call this island home? Behind a stoic veneer lies a proud, industrious, and egali...

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people.Malaysia presents visitors with an exciting and fascinating medley of cultures--Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arab, Eurasian, Dayak, and Aboriginal. Though very much a modern nation state, its diverse communities retain a considerable amount of their unique heritage and, in its customs, religions, festivals, costume, cuisine, languages, and architecture, Malaysian society perfectly illustrates the virtues of a vib...