Tour guiding is a well-established part of the entertainment profession. Its practitioners have evolved over the centuries, shifting from street theatre performers to companions for aristocrats exploring the brothels and antiquities of the ancient world. As time went on, companies like Messrs Thomas Cook & Co employed hundreds of guides worldwide, confirming their place in the tourism industry. Yet, entertainment remains the key to delighting clients and ensuring a good tip.

A good story should have a happy ending. Real life, however, is filled with untoward events and refuses to follow the rules of Mozartian opera. Our characters will still be presented in theatrical style. Each will have a few moments of monologue or a chance to stand alone on stage. None speaks from a pulpit; they all act on stage. This is a puppet theatre of words, revealing only half the truth – but which half? Perhaps it is best not to believe a single word. Drawing of Burslem old town h...

'Sicily is the key to everything' Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThe author of the classic book on Venice turns his sights to Sicily in this beautiful book full of maps and colour photographs.'I discovered Sicily almost by mistake . . .We drove as far as Naples, then put the car on the night ferry to Palermo. There was a degree of excitement in the early hours when we passed Stromboli, emitting a rich glow every half-minute or so like an ogre puffing on an immense cigar; and a f...

A lively journey through the brain's inner workings from "one of the world's leading cognitive neuroscientists" ( The Wall Street Journal).Human intelligence builds sprawling cities, vast cornfields, and complex microchips. It takes us from the atom to the limits of the universe. How does the biological brain, a collection of billions of cells, enable us to do things no other species can do?In this book, neuroscientist John Duncan offers an adventure...

Why are we so often in conflict—arguing with ourselves and with others, uncertain over who we are what we need from our lives?In The Animal and the Idea, the world-leading, pioneering neuroscientist John Duncan explains that each of us is not just one person – we are two. On one side are our animal instincts, built on the sophisticated needs of human life through evolution, but struggling to navigate the complexity of modern life. On the other side is our ...

Celebrating Edinburgh's diverse riches, this quiz book invites you to come on a wide-ranging exploration of Scotland's hilly capital. Peel away its many layers in the company of one of Edinburgh's top Blue Badge tourist guides. These 22 tours will inspire you, your family, colleagues and friends to leap from page to pavement in the entertaining company of a local expert. Have fun!

In war-torn Iraq, Stratton's closest friend is killed whilst on operation, leaving behind a grieving wife and child - Stratton's godson. When the widow moves to Los Angeles she is brutally murdered and her child placed in state custody. Stratton, rocked to his foundations by the killing, uncovers a FBI plot to hide the crime and sets off on a private operation of revenge that eventually pits him against one of the most powerful East European crime syndicates in America. Hunted by the CIA a...

"Travels in Western Africa" by John Duncan is a captivating account of his explorations in the region during the mid-19th century. This volume, the second in a two-part series, delves into the rich cultures, diverse landscapes, and the challenges faced by travelers in Western Africa. Duncan's observations provide a unique perspective on the social and economic conditions of the time, as well as the interactions between European explorers and local populations. His vivid descriptions and de...

"Travels in Western Africa" by John Duncan is an insightful account of his explorations in the region during the mid-19th century. The book captures the rich cultural tapestry and diverse landscapes of Western Africa, as Duncan navigates through various territories, documenting his experiences and observations. His narrative is filled with vivid descriptions of the people he encounters, their customs, and the challenges faced during his travels. This work serves as both a travelogue and a ...

Facts, figures, and essays on women and poverty by Barbara Ehrenreich, Kirsten Gillibrand, LeBron James, and other high-profile contributors.Fifty years after President Lyndon B. Johnson called for a War on Poverty and enlisted Sargent Shriver to oversee it, the most important social issue of our day is once again the dire economic straits of millions of Americans. One in three live in poverty or teeter on the brink—and seventy million are women and the children wh...

*** NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING DOMINIC COOPER - READ IT BEFORE YOU SEE IT! *THE ENEMY HAS A WEAPON. SO DO WE.Discover the hugely bestselling debut thriller by a former member of the elite Special Boat Services - the toughest men in the world - and his super-weapon hero: Stratton.**When an undercover operation monitoring the Real IRA goes horrifically wrong, British Intelligence turn to the one man who can get their agent out: Stratton, SBS operative with a lethal repu...

An established favourite with veterinary and agricultural students and a valuable addition to the library of any veterinarian or sheep farmer, this handbook covers the basics of sheep medicine and production. Geared at being an easily accessed reference, it clearly conveys fundamental information on the care and treatment of sheep worldwide. This fully updated and revised eighth edition: - continues to cover all important aspects of sheep production and health, including reproduction, vacc...