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The Congo and the Cameroons (Great Journeys Ser.)
by Mary KingsleyContemptuous of Europe's 'civilising mission' in Africa, Mary Kingsley's (1862-1900) extraordinary journeys through tropical west Africa are a remarkable record, both of a world which has vanished and of a writer and explorer of immense bravery, wit and humanity. Paddling through mangrove swamps, fending off crocodiles, climbing Mount Cameroon, Kingsley is both admirable and funny.Great Journeys allows readers to travel both around the planet and back through the centuries – but also back into ideas and worlds frightening, ruthless and cruel in different ways from our own. Few reading experiences can begin to match that of engaging with writers who saw astounding things: Great civilisations, walls of ice, violent and implacable jungles, deserts and mountains, multitudes of birds and flowers new to science. Reading these books is to see the world afresh, to rediscover a time when many cultures were quite strange to each other, where legends and stories were treated as facts and in which so much was still to be discovered.
The Congress of the United States (A True Book (Relaunch))
by Christine Taylor-ButlerLearn the details of the Legislative Branch of governement.A True Book: American History series allows readers to experience the earliest moments in American history and to discover how these moments helped shape the country that it is today. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.This book describes the legislative branch of the United States government, and discusses each of its two parts, how it works, its origins, and notable events in its history, including impeachments and declarations of war.
The Conqueror's Lady: Ines Suarez
by Stella Burke MayFascinating biography of Spanish Conquistador, Ines Suarez recounting her life and adventures in South America.“On a morning in January, 1540, an army of one hundred and seventy Spanish soldiers, commanded by Pedro de Valdivia, departed from Cuzco, Peru, to conquer the land called Chile.One Spanish woman accompanied them. Her name was Ines Suarez.More than a year later, the gaunt remnants of that little army clambered up the solitary rock that the Indians called Huelen (Sorrow) and which today is known as the Cerro Santa Lucia, and took possession of Chile in the name of God and of Charles the Fifth, of Spain.”—Introduction
The Conquest of the Ocean: An Illustrated History of Seafaring (DK Short Histories)
by Brian LaveryA captivating tale spanning 5,000 years of the oceans' history, The Conquest of the Ocean tells the stories of the remarkable individuals who sailed seas, for trade, to conquer new lands, to explore the unknown. From the early Polynesians to the first circumnavigations by the Portuguese and the British, these are awe-inspiring tales of epic sea voyages involving great feats of seamanship, navigation, endurance, and ingenuity. Explore the lives and maritime adventures, many with first-person narratives of land seekers and globe charters such as Christopher Columbus, Captain James Cook, and Vitus Bering.
The Conquistador
by Adam Hook John PohlMany accounts portray the conquest of the New World as a remarkable military achievement, with Cortés' vastly outnumbered but better armed Spaniards defeating hordes of superstitious savages. However, the reality of these events is far more complex and no less significant. The first Conquistadors who had sailed in search of prosperity, inspired by dreams of unlimited riches, soon became disillusioned and restless. With disease rampant, resources exhausted, and the Caribbean populations dwindling, they had little alternative but to find new territories and peoples to exploit. This title shows how, bolstered by influxes of war-hardened veterans from Europe and an army of over 30,000 allied Indian troops, they came to rely on and perfect what they knew best - killing for profit, and without mercy.
The Consolations of the Forest
by Linda Coverdale Sylvain TessonA meditation on escaping the chaos of modern life and rediscovering the luxury of solitude. Winner of the Prix Médicis for nonfiction, The Consolations of the Forest is a Thoreau-esque quest to find solace, taken to the extreme. No stranger to inhospitable places, Sylvain Tesson exiles himself to a wooden cabin on Siberia's Lake Baikal, a full day's hike from any "neighbor," with his thoughts, his books, a couple of dogs, and many bottles of vodka for company. Writing from February to July, he shares his deep appreciation for the harsh but beautiful land, the resilient men and women who populate it, and the bizarre and tragic history that has given Siberia an almost mythological place in the imagination. Rich with observation, introspection, and the good humor necessary to laugh at his own folly, Tesson's memoir is about the ultimate freedom of owning your own time. Only in the hands of a gifted storyteller can an experiment in isolation become an exceptional adventure accessible to all. By recording his impressions in the face of silence, his struggles in a hostile environment, his hopes, doubts, and moments of pure joy in communion with nature, Tesson makes a decidedly out-of-the-ordinary experience relatable. The awe and joy are contagious, and one comes away with the comforting knowledge that "as long as there is a cabin deep in the woods, nothing is completely lost."
The Consorts of Death (Eurocrime Ser.)
by Gunnar Staalesen'The Norwegian Chandler' Jo Nesbø'One of my very favourite Scandinavian authors' Ian Rankin'Staalesen's most striking novel' IndependentMORE THAN FIVE MILLION BOOKS SOLD WORLDWIDESeptember 1995. A phone call takes Verg Veum back 25 years to a case from when he was a working as a child protection officer in the summer of 1970. A small boy was separated from his mother under tragic circumstances, but it didn't end there. In 1974, the same boy surfaced in connection with a sudden death at his new home; and once again, ten years later, after a dramatic double murder in Sunnfjord. The boy is now an adult, on the run in Oslo and determined to take revenge on those responsible for destroying his life - among them Veum, now a private investigator.A chilling series of complex motives, puzzling links and deeply dysfunctional relationships are cleverly drawn together in a stunning plot that will leave you gripped to the final page. The Consorts of Death shows Staalesen at his most thrilling, thought-provoking best. Translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett
The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World
by Dom JolyDom Joly sets off on his travels again, immersing himself in the strange world of conspiracies. On his journeys he meets conspiracy theorists galore in destinations all over the world, some famous, some rather less so.Conspiracy theories used to be fun, a bit of laugh. Did we really land on the moon? Was Paul McCartney cloned? Nowadays, however, in the aftermath of Donald Trump, a global pandemic and the ever-increasing influence of social media algorithms, they are part of the body politic and a massive cause of division and mistrust.In The Conspiracy Tourist Dom Joly sets out on a global journey to find out what's going on. His travels see him meeting followers of QAnon, hunting for UFOs in Roswell, chasing Alex Jones of Info Wars around Austin, trying to prove that Finland exists and taking a flat-earther to the edge of the world. On the way Dom inevitably finds the funny and the quirky, but he also tries to understand what makes people so drawn to conspiracy theories. What if those he has long dismissed as crazed loonies actually have a point? What if we are the sheeple and they've been right all along? Join a wide-eyed, slightly jaded, adventurous tourist on a very different kind of sight-seeing trip.
The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World
by Dom JolyDom Joly sets off on his travels again, immersing himself in the strange world of conspiracies. On his journeys he meets conspiracy theorists galore in destinations all over the world, some famous, some rather less so.Conspiracy theories used to be fun, a bit of laugh. Did we really land on the moon? Was Paul McCartney cloned? Nowadays, however, in the aftermath of Donald Trump, a global pandemic and the ever-increasing influence of social media algorithms, they are part of the body politic and a massive cause of division and mistrust.In The Conspiracy Tourist Dom Joly sets out on a global journey to find out what's going on. His travels see him meeting followers of QAnon, hunting for UFOs in Roswell, chasing Alex Jones of Info Wars around Austin, trying to prove that Finland exists and taking a flat-earther to the edge of the world. On the way Dom inevitably finds the funny and the quirky, but he also tries to understand what makes people so drawn to conspiracy theories. What if those he has long dismissed as crazed loonies actually have a point? What if we are the sheeple and they've been right all along? Join a wide-eyed, slightly jaded, adventurous tourist on a very different kind of sight-seeing trip.
The Constitution of the United States (A True Book (Relaunch))
by Christine Taylor-ButlerLearn how The Constitution came to be and how important it still is today.A True Book: American History series allows readers to experience the earliest moments in American history and to discover how these moments helped shape the country that it is today. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.This book discusses the meaning and purpose of a constitution; recounts reasons why the United States needed one in the 1780s and the events of the Constitutional Convention; and describes the Constitution's main points and how it has changed.
The Consuming Geographies of Food: Diet, Food Deserts and Obesity (Routledge Studies of Gastronomy, Food and Drink)
by Hillary J. ShawThe consumption and distribution of food, as well as its production, has become a major public policy issue over the past few decades; what we eat is no longer merely a private matter but carries significant externalities for wider society. Its increasing significance within the public arena implies a dissonance regarding the boundaries of food; where do we draw the line between food as private and food as public? What are the rights of society to impinge upon individual food consumption, and what conflicts will ensue when this boundary is disputed? The Consuming Geographies of Food explores these multiple issues of food across different regions of the world from the consumer’s perspective. It uniquely explicates the factors that lead customers towards certain typologies of consumption and towards certain types of retailing, offering a comprehensive review of the obesity problem, the phenomenon of food deserts and the issue of exclusion from a healthy diet. It then considers the effects of food on the consumer, the dynamic relationship between food and people, and the issue of food exclusion before concluding with possible futures for food consumption, from low-technology projects to high-technology scenarios. Based on original research into food access, ethics and consumption in both developed and less-developed countries this book will be of interest to students, researchers and academics in the fields of geography, economics, hospitality health, marketing, nutrition and sociology.
The Contemporary Hotel Industry: A People Management Perspective (Palgrave Advances in Managing and Marketing Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)
by Charalampos Giousmpasoglou Evangelia MarinakouThis book provides a detailed account of the global hotel industry with a focus on managerial work and people management. A comprehensive understanding of the managers' work from a people management perspective is essential to the success of hotel operations; however, this is an area that has been under-researched.Based on existing literature and extensive research carried out by the authors over fifteen years, the book explores the different aspects of managerial work in global hotel industry settings and covers topics such as general management, leadership, education and training, skills and competencies, crisis management, and managing diversity. The book’s findings suggest that hotel managers should adopt a people-centric management and leadership style while at the same time maintaining operational efficiency.A unique book in terms of scale and depth, it offers useful insights into both theoretical and practical perspectives.
The Controversy over Marine Protected Areas
by Tim Gray Alex Caveen Nick Polunin Selina Marguerite SteadThis book is a critical analysis of the concept of marine protected areas (MPAs) particularly as a tool for marine resource management. It explains the reasons for the extraordinary rise of MPAs to the top of the political agenda for marine policy, and evaluates the scientific credentials for the unprecedented popularity of this management option. The book reveals the role played by two policy networks - epistemic community and advocacy coalition - in promoting the notion of MPA, showing how advocacy for marine reserves by some scientists based on limited evidence of fisheries benefits has led to a blurring of the boundary between science and politics. Second, the study investigates whether the scientific consensus on MPAs has resulted in a publication bias, whereby pro-MPA articles are given preferential treatment by peer-reviewed academic journals, though it found only limited evidence of such a bias. Third, the project conducts a systematic review of the literature to determine the ecological effects of MPAs, and reaches the conclusion that there is little proof of a positive impact on finfish populations in temperate waters. Fourth, the study uses discourse analysis to trace the effects of a public campaigning policy network on marine conservation zones (MCZs) in England, which demonstrated that there was considerable confusion over the objectives that MCZs were being designated to achieve. The book's conclusion is that the MPA issue shows the power of ideas in marine governance, but offers a caution that scientists who cross the line between science and politics risk exaggerating the benefits of MPAs by glossing over uncertainties in the data, which may antagonise the fishing industry, delay resolution of the MPA issue, and weaken public faith in marine science if and when the benefits of MCZs are subsequently seen to be limited.
The Cook, the Rat and the Heretic: In the Shadow of Rennes-le-Chateau
by Hugo SoskinHugo Soskin, son of a best-selling author on Rennes-le-Chateau, has no time for the French Pyrenean mystery of how a nineteenth-century priest became a millionaire overnight. But when his father arrives with a group of fanatical 'Rennies', they think Soskin knows more than he’s telling about where the priest hid his gold. Will he reveal all?
The Cook, the Rat and the Heretic: In the Shadow of Rennes-le-Chateau
by Hugo SoskinHugo Soskin, son of a best-selling author on Rennes-le-Chateau, has no time for the French Pyrenean mystery of how a nineteenth-century priest became a millionaire overnight. But when his father arrives with a group of fanatical 'Rennies', they think Soskin knows more than he’s telling about where the priest hid his gold. Will he reveal all?
The Corfu Trilogy: My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts and Relatives; and The Garden of the Gods (The Corfu Trilogy #3)
by Gerald DurrellNational Bestseller: The complete trilogy that inspired Masterpiece production The Durrells in Corfu in one volume. The tales of a naturalist and his family, who left England for the Greek island of Corfu—where they interacted with fascinating locals of both human and animal varieties—these memoirs have become beloved bestsellers and inspired the delightful series that aired on PBS television. Included in this three-book collection are: My Family and Other Animals: Ten-year-old Gerald Durrell arrives on sun-drenched Corfu with this family and pursues his interest in natural history, making friends with the island&’s fauna—from toads and tortoises to scorpions and geckos—while reveling in the joyous chaos of growing up in an unconventional household. Birds, Beasts and Relatives: Written after a boyhood spent studying zoology, this memoir is part nature guide, part coming-of-age tale, and all charmingly funny memoir. The Garden of the Gods: In the conclusion of the trilogy, Durrell shares more tales of wild animals and his even wilder family, including his mother, Louisa, and his siblings Lawrence, Leslie, and Margo, in the years before World War II. &“[Durrell&’s] books have an unfailing charm. . . . It is a tribute to his skill that one never tires of his accounts&” (Chicago Tribune). This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author&’s estate.
The Corner Shop: A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick
by Babita SharmaA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK'Nuanced, human and engaging' Nikesh Shukla, Observer'Full of life, characters, gossip and all the richness of the local community' Sir David Jason'A delightful story of growing up "above the shop"' Nigel Slater, Observer'Cleverly links her own memories of shop-bound life with the last 50 years of British history' Spectator'I come from a hidden world: I am the daughter of shopkeepers. I've seen you on a Sunday morning, nipping out to get a pint of milk or to grab a newspaper. I came to know a lot about you; whether your politics leaned to the right or left, whether you were gay or straight, and whether you were plagued by cash-flow problems or had enough disposable income to indulge your penchant for Cadbury's Creme Eggs.'Babita Sharma was raised in a corner shop in Reading, and over the counter watched a changing world, from the clientele to the products to the politics of the day. Along with the skills to mop a floor perfectly and stack a shelf, she gained a unique insight into a shifting landscape - and an institution that, despite the creep of supermarkets, online shopping and delivery, has found a way to evolve and survive - and is now once again keeping us all going.From the general stores of the first half of the 20th century (one of which was run by the father of a certain Margaret Thatcher), to the reimagined corner shops run by immigrants from India, East Africa and Eastern Europe from the 60s to the noughties, the corner shop has shaped the way we shop, the way we eat, and the way we understand ourselves. WINNER OF THE BUSINESS BOOK AWARD FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL BOOK THAT PROMOTES DIVERSITY'A triumph' Radio Times'A compelling, full selection box of a story' Sanjeev Kohli'One of the best books I've read on the immigrant experience in this country' Daily Mail'I loved it cover to cover' Angela Clutton, author of The Vinegar Cupboard
The Corner Shop: A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick
by Babita SharmaA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEKWINNER OF THE BUSINESS BOOK AWARD FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL BOOK THAT PROMOTES DIVERSITY'Nuanced, human and engaging' Nikesh Shukla, Observer'Full of life, characters, gossip and all the richness of the local community' Sir David Jason'A delightful story of growing up "above the shop"' Nigel Slater, Observer'Cleverly links her own memories of shop-bound life with the last 50 years of British history' Spectator'I come from a hidden world: I am the daughter of shopkeepers. I've seen you on a Sunday morning, nipping out to get a pint of milk or to grab a newspaper. I came to know a lot about you; whether your politics leaned to the right or left, whether you were gay or straight, and whether you were plagued by cash-flow problems or had enough disposable income to indulge your penchant for Cadbury's Crème Eggs.'Babita Sharma was raised in a corner shop in Reading, and over the counter watched a changing world, from the clientele to the products to the politics of the day. Along with the skills to mop a floor perfectly and stack a shelf, she gained a unique insight into a shifting landscape - and an institution that, despite the creep of supermarkets, online shopping and delivery, has found a way to evolve and survive. The Corner Shop is the remarkable human story of these little institutions that have changed the course of our history.From the general stores of the first half of the 20th century (one of which was run by the father of a certain Margaret Thatcher), to the reimagined corner shops run by immigrants from India, East Africa and Eastern Europe from the 60s to the noughties, the corner shop has shaped the way we shop, the way we eat, and the way we understand ourselves. 'A triumph' Radio Times'A compelling, full selection box of a story' Sanjeev Kohli'One of the best books I've read on the immigrant experience in this country' Daily Mail'I loved it cover to cover' Angela Clutton, author of The Vinegar Cupboard(P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Corner Shop: A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick
by Babita SharmaA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK'Nuanced, human and engaging' Nikesh Shukla, Observer'Full of life, characters, gossip and all the richness of the local community' Sir David Jason'A delightful story of growing up "above the shop"' Nigel Slater, Observer'Cleverly links her own memories of shop-bound life with the last 50 years of British history' Spectator'I come from a hidden world: I am the daughter of shopkeepers. I've seen you on a Sunday morning, nipping out to get a pint of milk or to grab a newspaper. I came to know a lot about you; whether your politics leaned to the right or left, whether you were gay or straight, and whether you were plagued by cash-flow problems or had enough disposable income to indulge your penchant for Cadbury's Creme Eggs.'Babita Sharma was raised in a corner shop in Reading, and over the counter watched a changing world, from the clientele to the products to the politics of the day. Along with the skills to mop a floor perfectly and stack a shelf, she gained a unique insight into a shifting landscape - and an institution that, despite the creep of supermarkets, online shopping and delivery, has found a way to evolve and survive - and is now once again keeping us all going.From the general stores of the first half of the 20th century (one of which was run by the father of a certain Margaret Thatcher), to the reimagined corner shops run by immigrants from India, East Africa and Eastern Europe from the 60s to the noughties, the corner shop has shaped the way we shop, the way we eat, and the way we understand ourselves. WINNER OF THE BUSINESS BOOK AWARD FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL BOOK THAT PROMOTES DIVERSITY'A triumph' Radio Times'A compelling, full selection box of a story' Sanjeev Kohli'One of the best books I've read on the immigrant experience in this country' Daily Mail'I loved it cover to cover' Angela Clutton, author of The Vinegar Cupboard
The Corsican Caper: A novel
by Peter MayleHere is Peter Mayle at his effervescent best--his master sleuth, Sam Levitt, eating, drinking, and romancing his way through the South of France even as he investigates a case of deadly intrigue among the Riviera's jet set. Billionaire Francis Reboul is taking in the view at his coastal estate, awaiting the arrival of vacationing friends Sam Levitt and Elena Morales, when he spies a massive yacht whose passengers seem a little too interested in his property. The yacht belongs to rapacious Russian tycoon Oleg Vronsky, who, for his own purposes, will stop at nothing to obtain Reboul's villa. When Reboul refuses to sell, Vronsky's methods quickly turn unsavory. Now it's up to Sam--he's saved Reboul's neck before--to negotiate with an underworld of mercenaries and hit men, not to mention the Corsican mafia, to prevent his friend from becoming a victim of Vronsky's "Russian diplomacy." The dire situation doesn't stop Sam and Elena from attending glamorous fêtes where the wines and starlets alike sparkle, and enjoying sumptuous meals--from multicourse revelations to understated delights like the first asparagus of the season, on which one must make a wish. But as Sam's sleuthing draws him closer to the truth of Vronsky's schemes, he realizes Reboul might not be the only one unable to enjoy the good life for long. Brimming with entertaining twists, sparkling scenery, and mouthwatering gustatory interludes as only Peter Mayle can write them, The Corsican Caper is a one-way ticket to pleasure, Provençal style.From the Hardcover edition.
The Cosmography and Geography of Africa
by Leo AfricanusThe first new translation in over 400 years of one of the great works of the RenaissanceIn 1518, al-Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Wazzan, a Moroccan diplomat, was seized by pirates while travelling in the Mediterranean. Brought before Pope Leo X, he was persuaded to convert to Christianity, in the process taking the name Johannes Leo Africanus. Acclaimed in the papal court for his learning, Leo would in time write his masterpiece, The Cosmography and the Geography of Africa.The Cosmography was the first book about Africa, and the first book written by a modern African, to reach print. It would remain central to the European understanding of Africa for over 300 years, with its descriptions of lands, cities and peoples giving a singular vision of the vast continent: its urban bustle and rural desolation, its culture, commerce and warfare, its magical herbs and strange animals.Yet it is not a mere catalogue of the exotic: Leo also invited his readers to acknowledge the similarity and relevance of these lands to the time and place they knew. For this reason, The Cosmography and Geography of Africa remains significant to our understanding not only of Africa, but of the world and how we perceive it. Translated by Anthony Ossa-Richardson and Richard Oosterhoff
The Country Cooking of Ireland
by Colman AndrewsThe acclaimed food and travel writer brings to life the people, countryside, and delicious food of Ireland in this James Beard Award–winning cookbook.Fast emerging as one of the world’s hottest culinary destinations, Ireland is a country of small farms, artisanal bakers, cheese makers, and butteries. Farm-to-table dining has been practiced here for centuries. Meticulously researched and reported by Saveur magazine founder Colman Andrews, this sumptuous cookbook includes 250 recipes and more than 100 photographs of the pubs, the people, and the emerald Irish countryside taken by award-winning photographer Christopher Hirsheimer. Rich with stories of the food and people who make Ireland a wonderful place to eat, and laced with charming snippets of song, folklore, and poetry, The Country Cooking of Ireland ushers in a new understanding of Irish food.
The Country Nurse Remembers: True Stories of a Troubled Childhood, War, and Becoming a Nurse (The Country Nurse Series, Book Three) (The Country Nurse #3)
by Mary J. MacLeodFrom the Bestselling Author of Call the Nurse and Nurse, Come You Here!, the Moving Story of Her Young Life and Her Path to Independence through Training to Be a Nurse—"A Must-Read Suggestion for Fans of the BBC's Call the Midwife" (Booklist) Mary MacLeod's mother died in childbirth when Mary was five, an event that marked for the child a "before time"—a lost joyful time—and after. She was shunted from one relative to another while her father coped with his grief. He married again only nine months later, perhaps to have a mother for his child, but her new mum, harsh and withholding of her love, quickly exerted complete control over her thoughts and deeds, with her father oblivious. Her name was changed to her stepmother's choice of "Julia." Yet the pale, thin, quiet little girl didn't know she was unhappy: things were just the way they were. Narrating from the perspective of the child she was but with the understanding and empathy of the nurse and mother she became, the author of Call the Nurse recounts the moving, intimate, indelible story of her young life, growing up in rural England near Bath, relishing the good times when her stepmother was friendly or she helped her father in the garden, experiencing the world war—air raids and blackouts, the war effort, evacuees, German prisoners—winning a scholarship, leaving home to train for three years as a nurse, and gradually finding her way as an independent woman.
The Countryside: Ten Rural Walks Through Britain and Its Hidden History of Empire
by Corinne FowlerTen walks through idyllic scenery reveal the countryside&’s forgotten links to transatlantic slavery and colonialism—a work of accessible history that will transform our understanding of British landscapes and heritage.The green fields, rugged highlands, and rolling hills of England, Scotland, and Wales are commonly associated with adventure, romance, and seclusion as well as literary figures like Jane Austen and William Wordsworth. But in reality, many of these rural places—with their country houses, lakes, and shorelines—were profoundly changed by British colonial activity. Even hamlets and villages were affected by distant colonial events. Taking ten country walks, author Corinne Fowler explores the unique colonial dimensions of British agriculture, copper-mining, landownership, wool-making, coastal trade, and factory work in cotton mills. One route shows the links between English country houses and Indian colonization. Another explores banking history in Southern England and its link to slavery on Louisianan plantations. Other walks uncover the historical impact of sugar profits on the Scottish isles and 18th-century tobacco imports on an English coastal port. The history of these countryside locations—and the people who lived and worked in them—is closely bound up with colonial rule in far-away continents. Accompanying the author on her walks are a fascinating group of people—artists, musicians, and writers—with strong attachments to the landscapes featured in this book and family links to former British colonies like Barbados and Senegal. These companions illuminate the meaning of colonial history in local settings. Crucially, this is not just a history book but a compassionate reflection on the way we respond to sensitive, shared histories which link people across cultures, generations, and political divides.
The Couscous Chronicles: Stories of Food, Love, and Donkeys from a Life between Cultures
by Azzedine T. DownesAzzedine Downes moves between cultures, places, and time in this wryly comedic, at times mysterious, and always curious memoir of a lifelong nomad.The best strategy was to drink tea, smile, and enjoy the frustration of not knowing where the story leads. If time is endless, why rush to the point of a story? Now an international leader in the fight for animal welfare, Azzedine began his career as a volunteer teacher and later was appointed to leadership in the U.S. Peace Corps. An American Muslim with Irish roots, he's a natural cultural shape-shifter, immersing himself in the cultures of Morocco, Eastern Europe, Northwest Africa, Israel and his native United States. Along the way he befriends the glue-sniffing shoemakers of Fez, becomes the de facto manager of a traveling break-dance troupe, dodges bullets on his daily commute, and finds himself cursed over a feast of couscous gone very, very wrong. But his most powerful story recounts Azzedine's marriage to an elusive girl from Tangiers. Arranged after only two meetings their love story ultimately spans continents and withstands language barriers, international intrigue, and one very antagonistic State Department bureaucrat. A labyrinth of tales as complex as its namesake dish, The Couscous Chronicles is for anyone who believes that the only real failure is to remain unchanged and in place, that true love is always a blind leap, and that a good story over a cup of tea holds the power to change one's destiny.