The idea behind the alphabet - that language with all its wealth of meaning can be recorded with a few meaningless signs - is an extraordinary one. So extraordinary, in fact, that it has occurred only once in human history: in Egypt about 4000 years ago. Alpha Beta follows the emergence of the western alphabet as it evolved into its present form, contributing vital elements to our sense of identity along the way. The Israelites used it to define their God, the Greeks to capture th...

The name Attila the Hun has become a byword for barbarism, savagery and violence. His is a truly household name, but what do we really know about the man himself, his position in history and the world in which he lived? This riveting biography reveals the man behind the myth.In the years 434-454AD the fate of Europe hung upon the actions of one man, Attila, king of the Huns. The decaying Roman empire still stood astride the Western World, from its twin capitals of Rome and Constant...

Sasol First Field Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the succulents of the region. With the help of full-colour photo graph, distribution maps and easy-to-read text, the budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common succulents that grow in southern Africa, discover where they are found, and learn about their unique features.

'Man does for the reader that most difficult of tasks: he conjures up an ancient people in an alien landscape in such a way as to make them live.' - GuardianThe people of the first nomadic empire left no written records, but from 200 BC they dominated the heart of Asia for 400 years. They changed the world. The Mongols, today’s descendants of Genghis Khan, see them as ancestors. Their rise cemented Chinese unity and inspired the first Great Wall. Their hei...

The emblem, an image accompanied by a motto and a verse or short prose passage, is both art and literature: in the emblem tradition, the image presents a story – often with pictorial symbols – and the verse below it drives home the picture-story's moral instruction. It is one of the most fascinating, and enduring, art forms in Western culture.John Manning's book charts the rise and evolution of the emblem from its earliest manifestations to its emergence as a genre in its own right...

Field Guide to Fynbos features over 1,000 species from the Cape Floristic Region – home to one of the world’s richest floras. This fully updated edition focuses on the most common and ‘showy’ plants. An introduction unpacks the world of fynbos – including origins, diversity, climate and adaptations – and is followed by a photographic key and descriptions of the fynbos families. Species descriptions are accompanied by photographs, distribution maps, comparisons with similar species, and not...

An Illustrated Guide to One of the Greatest Events of World War IIThe Allied landing in German-occupied Normandy on June 6, 1944 was the greatest amphibious operation in military history. In the months that followed, German forces, outnumbered and outgunned, fought one of the most tenacious and skillful defensive campaigns of the entire war. This magnificent graphical reconstruction details the momentous events of the Normandy campaign from its conception through t...

Theres something terrifying around every turn. When the world as we know it has ended and all that remains of humanitys earthly ways are the stories that reside within the libraries of the space habitats, the view of humanity can be skewed. In these twenty-four stories is a sample of how the earthly mind worked, how it delighted in terrifying, how it indulged in the horrific. What must our future selves think of us? This second volume in the Night Chills series offers tales from authors wh...

Ericas come in an astonishing array of sizes, shapes and colours. Some 760 species, many of them found nowhere else, occur in the Cape Floristic region – a centre of unparalleled diversity for the genus and home to one of the world’s richest floras.Even when in bloom, telling these delicate flowers apart is extremely challenging. In Ericas of the Fynbos, 170 of the region’s most common plants are described in detail, with key ID features highlighted for quick reference. In addition...

Proteas are South Africa’s wildflower celebrities: the King Protea is emblazoned on the National Coat of Arms and gives its name to the country’s cricket team. A total of 330 protea species are found in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region – the botanical treasure house at the southern tip of Africa. Proteas of the Fynbosfeatures 165 of the region’s more common or showy species, with pointers to many more. Each species account details diagnostic features, flowering times, habitats and d...

A panoramic history of the roots of China and Mongolia’s historic rivalry… and why it matters now.‘A beguiling blend of history and intimate narrative – and a delight to read.’ Colin Thubron, author of Shadow of the Silk RoadThe Great Wall of China – stretching from the arid rises of Gansu province to the cold waters of the Bohai Sea – remains an enduring symbol of Chinese might. And yet for all its grandeur, the Wall also marks a ...

A panoramic history of the roots of China and Mongolia's historic rivalry—and why it matters today.The Great Wall of China—stretching from the arid rises of Gansu province to the cold waters of the Bohai Sea—remains an enduring symbol of Chinese might. And yet for all its grandeur, the Wall also marks a vulnerability: an ever-present reminder of old battlelines and never-ending tension with China's northern neighbors.Travelling by sacred mountains and along...