An enthralling guide to the largely unrecognised treasures of England's remarkable Parish Churches, 'the supreme treasury of English vernacular art and memory'.Our parish churches constitute a living patrimony without precise European parallel. Their cultural riches are astonishing, not only for their quality and quantity, but also their diversity and interest. Fine art and architecture here combine unpredictably with the functional, the curious and the naïve, from...

There's no pleasing Mrs. Pringle—and everyone in Fairacre knows it. "Miss Read's novels are sheer delight" ( Chicago Tribune).Miss Read is certain of one thing—she won't be forced to hire grumpy Mrs. Pringle to straighten up her house. Mrs. Pringle of Fairacre chronicles the life of the beloved but curmudgeonly school cleaner through the stories of her fellow villagers. Readers will delight in the quirks of this favorite character, from the "flare...

In this small English village, when one door closes, another opens for its favorite schoolteacher. "You'll relish a visit to Fairacre" (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author).Gradually worsening health forces Miss Read to consider an early retirement from her job as the village school's headmistress. John Jenkins, a handsome newcomer, competes for her affections with the newly widowed Henry Mawne. However, Miss Read has more on h...

A vibrant history of the castle in Britain, from the early Middle Ages to the present dayThe castle has long had a pivotal place in British life, associated with lordship, landholding, and military might, and today it remains a powerful symbol of history. But castles have never been merely impressive fortresses—they were hubs of life, activity, and imagination.John Goodall weaves together the history of the British castle across the span of a millennium, from...

Have you ever had your life fall apart, or felt you were on the verge of oblivion and wonder if there were any glimmers of hope ahead? If youre human, its likely that has happened to you at least once. During those times, it may seem like nothing good will ever come your way again.John Goodale felt that way. In his memoir, Johnny Gora, Goodale tells how he watched his entire life crumble. His story begins with growing up in a middle-class home and then embarking on a life ...

Are we really in control of our destinies?Tehran, 1969.An Assyrian fortune teller, who is well-known for her accurate predictions, informs a young woman, Mahin, that she would soon meet a young man with blond hair and blue eyes and travel the world.John, a British Engineer, is posted on a temporary assignment to Iran to estimate the costs of one of the Shah’s most prestigious construction projects. Following his arrival, he...

The best stories are true storiesTehran, 1969. An Assyrian fortune teller, famed for her accurate predictions, informs a young woman, Mahin, that she will meet a young man with blond hair and blue eyes, and will travel the world.John, a British Engineer, who has been posted on a temporary assignment to Iran receives an invitation to the races. To his amazement, a breathtakingly beautiful young woman and her friends appear to be poi...

**"If you've ever enjoyed a visit to Mitford, you'll relish a visit to Thrush Green," where there's a spring in the step of villagers young and old (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author).It is spring in the village of Thrush Green. In neighboring Lulling, Charles Henstock admires the blooming garden of his new vicarage, glad the squabbles with his parishioners in Affairs at Thrush Green are settled. And yet the good vicar wistfully recalls his ...

Both the good and the bad find sanctuary in an English village— "You'll relish a visit to Thrush Green" (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author).It's spring again in the village of Thrush Green, and with the changing of the seasons comes change in the lives of many villagers. The Young family's tranquility is disrupted by the sudden arrival of Joan's father, while Molly and Ben Curdle consider putting an end to their wandering days in order to fin...

A new season brings changes—and hope—to the little English village of Thrush Green, from the beloved author of the Fairacre series.Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Thrush Green is normally a peaceful place. But as autumn turns to winter, feelings are running high in the village. Miss Fogerty, a respected teacher at the village school for over thirty years, is troubled by the methods of the new young teacher. Dotty Harmer takes up driving, much to the concern ...

**Tongues are wagging in this charming novel of English village life— "If you've ever enjoyed a visit to Mitford, you'll relish a visit to Thrush Green" (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author).Gossip from Thrush Green returns readers to the delightful English village, neighbor to Fairacre, for a golden summer. But this sleepy, pristine setting conceals a flurry of activity amongst the villagers. Rumor has it that Mr. Venables is considering reti...

Old and new friends find a warm welcome in the cozy English village of Thrush Green— "Miss Read's novels are sheer delight" ( Chicago Tribune).There had been general dismay when Miss Watson and Miss Fogerty retired to Barton-on-Sea after many years of devoted service teaching the children of Thrush Green, so their visit to see old friends in the village brings great pleasure. The new headmaster, Alan Lester, is cautiously accepted, but rumor is rife about ...