Batik: Fabled Cloth of Java is richly illustrated with color plates of the finest antique and contemporary batik from thirty museums and private collections around the world.From the royal courts of Yogyakarta and Cirebon to the coastal towns of Pekalongan, Surabaya and Lasem, Inger McCabe Elliot takes the reader on a spellbinding tour of Java's north coast examining the customs, cultures and craftsmanship that distinguishes its magic cloth.Bat...

Throughout history, precious stones have inspired passions and poetry, quests and curses, sacred writings and unsacred actions. In this scintillating book, journalist Victoria Finlay embarks on her own globe-circling search for the real stories behind some of the gems we prize most. Blending adventure travel, geology, exciting new research, and her own irresistible charm, Finlay has fashioned a treasure hunt for some of the most valuable, glamorous, and mysterious substances on earth....

National Geographic pairs gripping and gruesome stories of shark attacks with cutting edge research to illuminate a fascinating underwater world that few truly understand. Sharks are the world's most fascinating predators—capable of detecting a single drop of blood in 25 million drops of ocean and sensing electricity emitted by their prey. This ebook short takes readers deep into the realm of the very latest shark science, including new insights into the nature of shark attacks around the ...

Welcome to a carnival unlike anything that you have ever read about, visited, or even imagined before. Here, before your very eyes, you will encounter bizarre, anomalous creatures of every conceivable (and inconceivable!) kind—a veritable menagerie of cryptozoological mysteries to dazzle and delight, tantalize and terrify. For this is Mirabilis—a realm of marvels, wonders, miracles...and monsters! Peer through the shadows and see what you may. Was that scuttling horror a spider the...

Learn the essentials of Asian gemstones with this useful and portable reference book.Gemstones, both mythical and real, are deeply embedded in the arts, religions and cultures of Asia. This handy pocket guide provides an excellent introduction to the full range of superb gemstones mined and processed in the region, their physical characteristics, historical importance and countries of origin. Stunning color photographs and informative text by noted writer on gemsto...

Journey to the Stone AgeIn one of the last untamed places on Earth, Indonesian New Guinea’s snowcapped peaks tower above steaming rainforests and huge crocodiles stalk in thick mangroves ringing the island. Whether you lounge on the white beaches of Biak, or trek around Wamena, Indonesian New Guinea offers the adventure of a lifetime.The ultimate adventure guideThis is the most complete guide to Indonesian New Guinea ever produced. ...

The African Safari Journal & Field Guide is the perfect book to take on safari because it is a wildlife guide, trip organizer, phrase book, safari diary, map directory and wildlife checklist, all in one! And because many safariers have strict baggage limits, this 7-BOOKS-IN-ONE journal becomes even more valuable because it features all the information a traveler to Africa is going to need. It puts key safari information at the reader's fingertips and allows them to record unforgettable mem...

Keoladeo National Park or more popularly called as Bharatpur Bird Park is a World Heritage Site. It boasts of a total of 375 plus bird species, in addition to a healthy number of mammal, reptile and insect species, and all easily accessible in a 27 square kilometres walkable jungle.The park has a number of winged visitors in winter as it lies on the migratory highway. Thousands of birds rest, breed and regain strength before travelling further south.Due to the protected sta...

This book provides a general introduction to the natural history of Bali, looking at each of the major ecosystems in turn and highlighting their most salient and interesting features. Watercolor panoramas and illustrations of typical or otherwise significant plants and animals from each type of habitat complement the text and provide the reader with a visual reference for some of the sights he or she is most likely to see during a visit to the island.

My Big Book of Birds - An excellent book incorporating beautiful images in vibrant colours with simple to read text that encourages children to learn about animals. More than 60 birds are mentioned in this book. This book is a part of big book series having 15 books on different topics.

Introduction To Fly Fishing: Everything A Beginner Needs To Know About Fly Fishing This book covers several topics including: Chapter 1: Introduction To Fly Fishing Chapter 2: Fly Fishing Terms You Need To Know Chapter 3: Fly Fishing Shop Chapter 4: Fly Fishing Show Chapter 5: Fly Fishing Vests Chapter 6: Fly Fishing Tackle Chapter 7: Tips On Fly Fishing Chapter 8: Fly Fishing Terms Chapter 9: Fly Fishing School Chapter 10: Fly Fishing...

Rivers have played an extraordinarily important role in creating the world in which we live. They create landscapes and provide water to people, plants and animals, nourishing both town and country. The flow of rivers has enthused poets and painters, explorers and pilgrims. Rivers have acted as cradles for civilization and agents of disaster; a river may be a barrier or a highway, it can bear trade and sediment, culture and conflict. A river may inspire or it may terrify. This Very Sho...