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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

An all-access guide to the abundant natural splendor of Sonoma County.Wild Sonoma celebrates the spectacular and resilient natural landscapes of Sonoma County, which along with its neighboring counties is one of the world’s premier winegrowing regions. Our exploration launches with an entertaining primer on ecology basics, including the impact of fire, before a fun fact–filled survey of sixty-two of the area’s iconic and commonly encountered species—from v...

In A Critical Companion to Wes Craven, contributors use a variety of theoretical frameworks to analyze distinct areas of Craven’s work, including ecology, auteurism, philosophy, queer studies, and trauma. This book covers both the successes and failures contained in Craven’s extensive filmography, ultimately revealing a variegated portrait of his career. Scholars of film studies, horror, and ecology will find this book particularly interesting.

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 ...