Buyers' Choice

April 2009

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The horse : a celebration of horses in art by Rachel Barnes.
"The fascinating history of humanity's bond with the horse is spectacularly brought to life in this beautifully illustrated volume. With over 100 giant images from the extraordinary Parthenon Frieze to the thoroughbred portraits of Stubbs; and from the enigmatic paintings of Edgar Degas to the contemporary creations of Damien Hirst, this book will delight horse and art lovers alike. Drawing on his extensive equestrian knowledge, Simon Barnes tells the story of horses and their unique relationship with humans. Rachel Barnes, as art historian, traces changes and development in Western art revealed through paintings and sculptures of the horse and explores the animal's role as the subject of myth and legend, as a symbol of royal power and authority, as the subject of anatomical scrutiny and the embodiment of strength and beauty.The Horse covers the following periods: ancient civilizations and the horse; the horse in the age of chivalry; horses in renaissance and Baroque art; horses in nineteenth-century art; and, modern tributes to the horse." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Boreout! : overcoming workplace demotivation by Philippe Rothlin.
"This book explores demotivation in the workplace, which is caused by a lack of challenge at work because of repetitive and monotonous tasks, a lack of interest in the job, and downright boredom. Employees have given up and become resigned to their situation, while they suffer what is effectively the opposite of office burnout. Boreout has become widespread among employees around the world, although the problem is only recently being recognized by employers.The dangerous effects of boreout should not be underestimated: dissatisfaction, weariness and the loss of zest for life - not to mention the economic problems, caused by bored employees spending hours of company time surfing the net. In this fascinating new book, the authors bring to light this prevalent phenomenon and show employees and employers how to recognize boreout and avoid its consequences. Whether you are an employee suffering from this draining condition, or an employer looking to prevent any of your staff from falling into the boreout trap, this title is essential reading." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

The blackest streets : the life and death of a Victorian slum by Sarah Wise.
"In 1887 Government inspectors were sent to explore the horrifying - often lethal - living conditions of the Old Nichol, a notorious 15-acre slum in London's East End...The Blackest Streets is set in a turbulent period in London's history, when revolution was very much in the air - when unemployment, agricultural depression and a crackdown on parish relief provided a breeding ground for Communists and Anarchists. Author of the prize-winning The Italian Boy, Sarah Wise explores the real lives behind the statistics - the woodworkers, fish smokers, street hawkers and many more. She excavates the Old Nichol from the ruins of history, laying bare the social and political conditions that created and sustained this black hole which lay at the very heart of the Empire." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Love in a headscarf : Muslim woman seeks the one by / Shelina Zahra Janmohamed.
"At the age of thirteen, I knew that I was destined to marry John Travolta. One day he would arrive on my North London doorstep, fall madly in love with me and ask me to marry him. Then he would convert to Islam and become a devoted Muslim. Shelina is keeping a very surprising secret under her headscarf - she wants to fall in love and find her faith. Torn between the Buxom Aunties, romantic comedies and mosque Imams, she decides to follow the arranged-marriage route to finding Mr Right, Muslim-style. Shelina's captivating journey begins as a search for the one, but along the way she also discovers herself and her faith. A memoir with a hilarious twist from one of Britain's leading female Muslim writers. Love in a Headscarf is an entertaining, fresh and unmissable insight into what it means to be a young British Muslim woman." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Voodoo histories: the role of the conspiracy theory in shaping modern history by David Aaronovitch.
"Our age is obsessed by the idea of conspiracy. We see it everywhere - from Pearl Harbour to 9/11, from the assassination of Kennedy to the death of Diana. Bookshop shelves threaten to collapse under the weight of texts devoted to proving myriad conspiracy theories true, while even quality newspapers and serious TV channels are prepared to give them credence....In this entertaining and enlightening book - aimed to provide ammunition for those who have found themselves at the wrong end of a conversation about moon landings or twin towers - Aaronovitch carefully probes and explodes a dozen of the major conspiracy theories. In doing so, he looks at why people believe them, and makes an argument for a true scepticism: one based on a thorough knowledge of history and a strong dose of common sense." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Posters of the Cold War by David Crowley.
"The poster was a key medium in the Cold War, used to produce both fear and loyalty at home and abroad. Posters of the Cold War surveys poster design from the late 1940s when the 'Iron Curtain' was drawn across Europe to the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Featuring over seventy designs by some of the leading artists and graphic designers of the period including Pablo Picasso, Grapus Design Collective and Peter Kennard, posters have been selected from twenty countries to demonstrate the wide international reach of the conflict." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Serendip : my Sri Lankan kitchen by Peter Kuruvita.
"Serendip takes us on a rich and rewarding journey through Sri Lanka's traditional foods, its family-orientated culture and its colourful approach to life. Acclaimed chef Peter Kuruvita has reached deep into kitchen experiences with his grandmother and aunties, and has travelled the markets and stalls of the lush green island, to bring us this comprehensive collection of Sri Lankan recipes and a host of heart-warming stories. Offering Sri Lankan curries of every kind, as well as traditional snacks, breads and sticky sweet treats, Serendip is a treasury of spicy meals and tasty morsels. Key points: beautiful location photography brings the recipes to vibrant life; authentic Sri Lankan food, simply prepared and described; historical detail and fascinating family memories." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Triple bind : saving our teenage girls from today's pressures by Stephen Hinshaw.
"In many ways, today is the best time in history to be a girl: Opportunities for a girl's success are as unlimited as her dreams. Yet an alarm is sounding, revealing a disturbing portrait of the stresses affecting girls of all ages. Societal expectations, cultural trends, and conflicting messages are creating what psychologist and researcher Stephen Hinshaw calls the Triple Bind. Girls are now expected to excel at "girl skills" achieve "boy goals" and be models of female perfection, 100 percent of the time. The Triple Bind is putting more and more girls at risk for aggression, eating disorders, depression, and even suicide. Dr. Hinshaw's fascinating and groundbreaking book shows concerned parents how to listen, learn, and help girls unlock the shackles of the Triple Bind." (Book Description, Amazon US)

The ruin of the Roman Empire by James J. O'Donnell.
"What really marked the end of the Roman Empire? James O'Donnel's magnificent new book takes us back to the sixth century and the last time the Empire could be regarded as a single community. Two figures dominate his narrative - Theodoric the barbarian - whose civilized rule in Italy with his philosopher minister Boethius might have been an inspiration, and in Constantinople Justinian, who destroyed the Empire with his rigid passion for orthodoxy and his restless inability to secure his frontiers with peace. The book closes with Pope Gregory the Great, the polished product of ancient Roman schools, presiding over a Rome in ruins." (Product Description, Amazon UK)

Shane Warne's century : my top 100 test cricketers by Shane Warne.
"With a flamboyant approach to the game on and off the pitch, Australia's greatest bowler Shane Warne is an irresistible cricketing force. In Shane Warne's Century, he candidly profiles 100 players from every Test nation who have had the most significant impact on his cricketing life...Shane Warne's Century is a genuine page-turner by one of cricket's most popular stars and is a must-read for all cricket fans." (Product Description, Amazon US)

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