China - Behind The Mask

China Behind the Mask is not only an interesting, informative and enjoyable read but gives a thorough description of life in present-day China from the point of view of the author, an Australian English teacher, who lived in China for more than ten years. Not only does he provide a unique flavour of Chinese culture, but also presents a thorough analysis of the current political situation within China and how Chinese attitudes influence its relationships with other cultures and countries. Part travel guide, part biography, part history, this book covers many aspects of China, particularly in relation to Australian life and culture. Some entertaining comparisons are made, which illustrate the divide between West and East in considerable depth. Personal anecdotes abound, bringing the book to life and ensuring that the reader is informed and entertained in equal measure.

Chasing Our Dream in La Rochelle

When the newly married Gillian and Bill leave Britain for rural France, little could they imagine the adventures they will have: from expert house renovation to wily language-school owners, to becoming involved in village life. The pair embrace all that comes their way, especially Bill, whose eye for the French ladies becomes legendary.While the newly christened 'Gilly-Anne' makes her debut as an English teacher in a school at La Rochelle, Bill tackles their new investment: a ruined house with no water or electricity. Fortunately, they are helped generously by their new neighbours. So many customs to discover, so much to explore in their camping van before the couple finally succeed in making France their home.New author Gillian Broome has written about her experiences with whimsy and humour. For those who have sought a new life abroad or are dreaming about one, her book will be a source of inspiration"”or laughter.

Beginner's Cookbook

You will find no gourmet recipes in here. It will only be the quick and easiest way to make something edible. Quick, relating to the preparation time rather than the cooking time. It is aimed at someone leaving home for the first time to which a cooker is a stranger or a student who has suddenly got to feed themselves or even someone who has never cooked before, but has decided to give it a go.

Panic Stations at Ski Stations

Conor MacNamara rode more than fifty of the greatest climbs in the Tour de France to try and conquer his fear of heights. In the end, Conor suffered a breakdown and discovered that he suffered from a panic disorder and required treatment. This book documents Conor’s experiences in detail.

Love Food, Love More

... The passionate link betweenlove and food...This book is created with pleasure in mind, both for those who love food and for those who love pleasure! It is perfect for a couple who have a little grey cloud hanging over their daily lives, with a few too many dinners just thrown on the table, a few too many evenings ending by turning off the bedroom light before little or no romance has occurred. This book is for the newly-married couple; it is for your friend who hasn’t quite taken the hint that you are interested in him or her; it is for the person who wants to make an effort to impress his or her lover. And – to those of you who live contentedly in a long-standing relationship but who are looking for “a new spice on the shelf,” and for those who desire to incorporate greater pleasure and sensual experience into your everyday life – this book is for you.  Nearness, intimacy and time for enjoyment are key words for sensual and erotic experiences. Remember that it’s the same with love as it is with food: you notice pretty quickly if the interest is there – or not!LOVE FOOD, LOVE MORE!

Unpacking Italy

Tony Gates has a love affair with Italy. This book shares the affair with you. He has visited Italy more times than he knows. He brings to this “unpacking” of Italy the experience of many years, enjoyment of its many cultures, fascination with the events which brought a united Italy into being, deep appreciation of its art, and engagement with its people and places.

This is not a guidebook. Tony wants to take you to the heartbeat of Italy, a journey which looks carefully at the events and scenes along the way and listens attentively to the pulse beats of the Italian peninsula. The journey reveals that there is really more than one Italy. Greeks, Romans, Etruscans, Umbrians, Normans, Lombards, French and many others have ensured that.

Where once Latin held pride of linguistic place, numerous dialects remain, pointing to the variety that is the Italy which the author shares with you. His hope is that you will find an exciting Italy as you join him on the journey.

Tony wishes you Buon Viaggio.

Transit to India

Changing times bring changing outlooks but even back in 1984, well before the plethora of today’s health and safety laws and risk-averse attitudes, an overland school trip to far-off India was considered somewhat extreme. And doubly so, given that travel through Iran was unavoidable despite Iran at the time suffering the upheavals of the Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution and engagement in a bloody war with neighbouring country Iraq.

The idea behind this 10000-mile, eight-week journey was to present a ‘retired’ old school Ford Transit minibus to the charity ‘Lepra’ to aid its life-saving work among India’s rural poor. Ten pupils aged 12 to 16, accompanied by two teachers, made up the delivery crew, in so doing possibly making the longest school minibus trip ever undertaken. One of the boys travelling (aged 15 at the time) said recently: “Surviving all the adventures and hairy incidents, all I can say is that I set off as a boy and returned as a man.”

The Little Book of Sloes and Crab Apples

Sloes are not just for making gin, they are an extremely interesting fruit with an intense flavour. Together with crab apples, these magical ingredients have inspired me to create thirty original recipes. Crab apple recipes include Toffee Apple Cupcakes, Strudel and Preserves. Sloes I have used to create drinks, chocolates with gin-soaked sloes and recipes for the festive season.
All the recipes are visually illustrated with full colour photographs and are easy to prepare and make.

The Little Book of Rhubarb

This exciting new book is dedicated to rhubarb. This ancient vegetable, which we all use as a fruit, has long been deemed fit only for the humble crumble. Rhubarb is forced, producing these bright pink stems that offer an amazing flavour and colour.In this book, there are thirty exciting recipes to try, ranging from drinks, desserts, pastries and cakes to tempting savoury vegetarian, meat and fish recipes. They are all easy to follow and prepare. Each is accompanied by a full-colour photograph, making them visually tempting and encouraging you to make these mouth-watering dishes.

The Little Book of Elderflowers and Berries

The amazing elder tree produces wonderful, fragrant, cream flowers followed by rich, burgundy-coloured berries. Used as culinary ingredients, both can be turned into so many exciting recipes. The contrasting flavours are quite different, and this is reflected in how they are used.
Elderflowers are fragrant and light, giving inspiration for cool sorbets, foamy desserts, cheesecakes and creamy panna cottas. Elderberries are rich and dark with an intense flavour. These can be used to make wonderful drinks as well as cakes, pastries, bread and savoury dishes.
All recipes are illustrated with full colour photographs.

The Go-To Cookbook

The Go-To Cookbook is written for people with busy lives who want to cook the best recipes for all occasions. Over 100 tried and tested recipes reflecting 50 years of cooking in a changing world. These recipes will become some of your own family classics. Recipes that give an insight into how taste, food availability and diet has changed over the years. Useful tips on planning ahead to save on waste, cost and time. This book reflects Helen’s life in the kitchen through happy and also very challenging times. This book has been written in memory of Helen’s youngest daughter, Vicki, who tragically died of cancer at just 22.

Every penny from this book will be donated to Macmillan via the Vicki Cole tribute fund.

(https://tributefunds.macmillan.org.uk/in-memory/VickiCole)

Strolling Through Three Counties

This book is Ian Falkner's masterpiece, a refreshing strolling adventure through three counties. Three people and a dog go on a short walk around the countryside of Edenbridge. Later, they penetrate into the depths of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The author's words help paint a vivid picture in the mind's eye and ignite the reader's imagination. This book points out some of the most interesting landmarks and viewpoints that he and his friends come across. With information about routes, historical contexts, roads and path names, this gift of a magical and unforgettable tour acts as a useful guide for those who have the spirit of an adventurer and the attitude of an explorer.