Antonio (1431/1432-1498) and Piero (1441/1442-after 1485) del Pollaiuolo have always enjoyed a certain notoriety and, together with Verrocchio, Botticelli, and Ghirlandaio, occupy a central place in all books about Florentine art at the time of Lorenzo the Magnificent. However, the image we now have of these two bold artists, the sons of a chicken vendor in the old market of Florence, is rather misty. It is generally thought that Piero, ten years younger than his brother, was merely an assistant to the multi-talented Antonio, who excelled in disciplines as various as painting, sculpture, silver and gold work, and architecture.This view is attributable to Vasari but fails to correspond to the respect in which both artists were held at the time and probably deserves to be reconsidered. The almost total disappearance of brooches, necklaces, cups, bowls, candlesticks, crosses, incense-burners, chalices, and reliquaries made of gold, silver, enamel, and precious stones created by Antonio has greatly harmed the reputation of this highly talented artist. These objects are all documented, but they were all at some stage melted down and their precious materials reused (a common fate for many pieces of gold and silver plate). The visionary and dramatic imagination of the man Florence proudly remembered at his death, calling him ‘our citizen, a famous sculptor of unrivalled skill in his art,’ is displayed especially by the two bronze tombs of Pope Sixtus IV and Pope Innocent VIII in St. Peter’s and by a wonderful body of drawings. In these autograph sheets, Antonio’s sure line, precise as a scalpel, gives birth to a race of fabulous heroes with superhuman build, chests expanded to the utmost, lithe and elastic arms and legs: gladiators, archers, musclemen, martyrs. The two funerary monuments in the Vatican, which amazed the artist’s contemporaries, mark the highpoint of Antonio’s career. One of his most impressive works is the highly original tomb designed for Sixtus IV, a great bronze creation covered with panels containing allegorical figures that was designed to fit into the chapel the Pope himself had built for the purpose, decorating it with ancient porphyry columns and frescoes by Perugino. It is no surprise that such a masterpiece of bombastic commemorative intent should have been commissioned by the dead Pope’s nephew, Giuliano della Rovere, who as Pope Julius II in turn engaged Michelangelo to design a tomb for him that would surpass even his uncle’s in inventive magnificence.

“A joyous, mysterious portrait of rural American boyhood.” – THE NEW YORKER ON RANDY

Robin de Puy (b. 1986) has lived for several years in Wormer, a small village just to the north of Amsterdam. She is fascinated by the American countryside, and during the recent lockdown discovered that her new environment proves to be very universal, with the same sort of local small-town icons that she has often encountered during her travels through the rural landscapes of America.

For example, she meets an eleven-year-old shaman who shows her around barefoot in forbidden territory, she drives around with four giggling brothers in the back seat, and she meets a palm reader who immediately gives her the keys to his house. Dozens of encounters follow and, slowly, not only a photo book is created but also a world in which she starts to feel at home.

Text in English and Dutch.

The Paris guide is focused on describing the complexity of this European metropolis through its 20th and 21st century architecture.
Following Haussmann’s transformations, Paris, the most densely constructed city in Europe, expanded thanks to a flexibility based on a matrix able to absorb and integrate the directional courses of the architecture of the period. However, the complexity of the urban transformations and the changes in the Parisian architectural panorama did not erase the solid identity of the city’s urban image. This book guides the reader through decades of Parisian architectural history beginning with the great names of the Modernist movement, Loos, Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. The second half of the 20th century is famous for the cultural vitality of the city reflected in the innovative architecture of the Centre George Pompidou designed by Piano and Rogers. The Pompidou Centre is both the symbol and result of the 1968 student revolution. The 1980s and 90s were defined by the forceful initiatives of President François Mitterrand, promoter and advocate of iconic projects like the Louvre Pyramid, the Musée d’Orsay renovation, the Parc de la Villette and the Arab World Institute. The present period is represented with several selected projects that have elevated the quality of certain areas on the outskirts of the urban agglomeration.

The volume, investigating the extraordinary season of the Italian Renaissance, highlights the great contribution offered to the culture of that period by the Jewish world, still little documented in today’s studies. Indeed, there is no doubt that Judaism, with its long-lasting identity and tradition strongly rooted in territorial states, has made a peculiar contribution to the sphere of arts, literature and humanistic philosophy, contributing to giving many original and inimitable intonations to the Italian Renaissance. The investigation proposed here focuses on the relationship – harmonious in some cases and conflicting in others – between the Christian majority society and the Jewish identity in the period between the early fifteenth and mid-sixteenth centuries, meaning from the full affirmation of the Humanism to the conclusion of the Council of Trento, offering at the same time a precise geographical overview of the phenomenon. The volume is divided into thematic chapters, it contains a rich catalogue of testimonies ranging from liturgical objects to those of daily use, from manuscripts to furnishings to some art masterpieces, and is supplemented by bibliographical apparatus. Essays by: Guido Bartolucci, Giulio Busi, Donatella Calabi, Saverio Campanini, J.H. Chajes, Andreina Contessa, Miriam Davide, Silvana Greco, Maria Giuseppina Muzzarelli, Mauro Perani, David B. Ruderman, Angela Scandaliato, Salvatore Settis, Giacomo Todeschini, Francesca Trivellato, Giuseppe Veltri, Gianni Venturi, Joanna Weinberg.

A humorous analysis of facadism in London – why it is happening and what it means – accompanied by a gallery of the most notorious examples guaranteed to induce laughter and horror in equal degree.

Learn how to make a positive impact in these milestone years of your child’s development, when he or she goes from crawling to walking, and from knowing just a few words to speaking in complete sentences. Armin Brott guides you through this crucial phase of fatherhood three months at a time, in the third volume of the New Father series trusted by millions of dads nationwide. Each chapter covers: Your child’s physical, intellectual, verbal, and emotional/social development

What you’re experiencing as a father Age-appropriate activities you and your child can enjoy together Family matters, including your relationship with your partner, sibling relationships, and more

This new edition of The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the Toddler Years has been thoroughly updated to cover the issues dads face today, from balancing work and family to managing kids’ screen time. Dads will rely on this friendly yet authoritative book—and moms will find it helpful, too.

The CARE Principles – Leadership Playbook leads us into the new era of leadership. This book shows us how to bridge the gap between different and diverse generations in our teams using the CARE Principles: Collaboration, Agility, Reliability, and Empathy. Through an easy 20 step process, practical tips and real-life stories from leaders like you, it breaks down how CARE can transform your team, making them perform better and feel truly engaged with your organisation. The time for new leadership action is now.

This series of board books will help children to make the right choice when coming to recycling and saving the planet! On each page, after a short explanatory introduction, children will find a turning wheel. If they place it on the right recycling action, the following page will result in a happy ending. If they make the wrong decision, something bad for the environment will happen… but they can learn from that experience and start all over again thinking about their choices! A simple yet effective idea to make children understand that their actions have an impact on the planet. They can learn from it and make the right choice also in real life. Ages: 5 plus

The book examines the contemporary Asian city through the prism of urban design in assimilating new and established drivers of growth. This includes intensified forms of residential development, specialised commercial centres and technology parks, that drive the momentum of the contemporary city, while acting to restructure and reshape forms of capital investment. New spatial patterns are facilitated by tranches of urban expansion, redevelopment, regeneration and suburbanisation that have emerged as by-products of both formal and informal development processes. The book also examines the Asian city language embodied in the local morphology — the essential values of the street, block, temple precinct and monument, and how these can be incorporated as drivers of new urban identities that relate to the changing culture and configuration of city neighbourhoods. All of these continue to impose different levels of impact on the creation of livable cities and the quality of life for their inhabitants. In this way urban design can look to the future while respecting the past.

The book frames a perspective on the urban design challenges presented by the rapidly expanding and regenerating Asian cities, and how these can be shaped by memory, meaning and identity while meeting sustainable, resilient and community concerns.

“Veteran wine books are by modern standards short on facts.”┬á— Decanter Magazine

“This is an inspirational book well worth your time.”┬á— Eric┬áAsimov on Instagram

“If you want to learn about wine, switch off your phone, buy these two books and enjoy them with a nice glass of something.” —┬áThe Critic

“This is a don’t-miss book for people who plan their travels around vineyards.”┬á—┬áWashington Post

“This is one of the best books on wine ever written.”┬á—┬áSommelier India

In this unique approach to understanding wine, Hugh Johnson, the world’s best-loved wine author, weaves the story of his own epic wine journey with an embracing view of everything he has discovered along the way. Almost without realising it, the reader is drawn into a fascinating world; with each page turned, knowledge is gained and wine wisdom absorbed. Hugh takes us from the teetering ledges of the Mosel and majestic châteaux of the Médoc to the sylvan slopes of Windsor Great Park with a spring in his step and a tasting glass at the ready.

No one writes so infectiously on every aspect of wine, whether human or cultural, technical or historical. This book is peppered with anecdotes and personal recollections, infused with the sheer delight Hugh finds in his subject. It is a book with a story to tell and a mastery of wine to impart.

Previously published as Wine, A Life Uncorked 2005, now updated with new chapters.

A new brilliantly illustrated book about a best-selling topic: Dinosaurs! The first part of the book explains the characteristics of the most famous herbivore and carnivore dinosaurs such as the T-Rex, the Velociraptor, the Triceratops and the Stegosaurus. The second part teaches the young readers how to manage their dinosaur pup, how to educate it, feed it and nurse it back to health if it gets sick. The book features short but interesting texts as well as Anna Lang’s magnificent illustrations, which bring the oldest inhabitants of the planet back to life with a touch of irresistible irony. A new title of a wonderful series that will entertain children and grown-ups alike thanks to the amazing illustrations and the fun texts. Ages: 6 plus

This delightful new series of colour filled pages with easy, short and fun text makes exploring bugs in the garden an exciting adventure for little ones with soft felt flaps to flip and uncover! This interactive board book with durable felt flaps plays on children’s innate attraction to peekaboo and hide-and-seek.

Ages 3+

This book guides young readers on a quest for fascinating and unforgettable fantasy creatures through the diary of a young apprentice who studies information, legends and details. Two sections dedicated to the Creatures for Beginner Keepers (the most docile and sweet) and the Creatures for Expert Keepers (the most dangerous). Short, fun, approachable stories that describe each creature and explain how to catch sight of it, how to tame it and what makes it angry at the end of the story, the readers will find a short test, similar to the one the book’s narrator must take, so that they’ll get their Certificate of Fantastic Creatures Keeper, that children can detach from the book and fill. Ages: 7 plus

Adorned on the outside with a magnificent marble entrance, the Libreria Piccolomini possesses on the inside a jewel-like cycle of frescoes painted by Pinturicchio. For the first time this fresco cycle – of remarkable pictorial quality – is fully illustrated in all in inexhaustible narrative and chromatic richness. Mirabilia Italiæ is a unique series. It owes its existence to an innovative and ambitious project: an atlas of the great monuments of Italy that will display them in all their details, from the best known to the least. This series represents a completely new way of documenting art.

Mirabilia Italiæ provides a guided tour of each monument, fully and accurately explained. Each atlas contains hundreds of colour photographs, arranged in a precise topographical sequence and accompanied by diagrams showing the exact location of each detail. The atlas is complemented by a volume of texts edited by the premier scholars in the field, consisting of critical essays and descriptive notes. Essays examine the monument from the art-historical point of view, and record the alterations it has undergone over time. Descriptive notes analyse the content and significance of the images. Extensive cross-references link the essays and notes to the images, facilitating consultation of the work. The General Editor of Mirabilia Italiæ is Salvatore Settis, Director of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa.

Text in English and Italian.

The Royal Palace of Palermo, today seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, is one of the symbols of Sicily and of the rich Sicilian and national patrimony. Formerly a fortress, then royal palace and finally building of government, the palace is today an extraordinary and fascinating monumental complex. A casket of artistic treasures like the Palatine Chapel commissioned by Roger II, testimony of the deep encounter between the cultures of the Normans, the Byzantines and the Arabs. The origins of the Palace go back to the xii century, while its present look is mostly due to the additions made by the Spanish viceroys during the Renaissance. Its history is rooted in the viii century B.C., when can be dated the Phoenician structures discovered during the digs of 1984. The scholarly essays of this book, together with the new photographic campaign realized by the photographer Ghigo Roli, are an indispensable guide to the history of the Royal Palace, its manifold functions and the timeless fascination of its rich artistic heritage. With texts by Maria Andaloro, Cinzia Cigni, Piero Longo, Ruggero Longo & Gianni Riotta.

The Scrovegni Chapel, a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14th century, is considered to be the most complete series of frescoes executed by Giotto in his mature age. Mirabilia Italiæ is a unique series. It owes its existence to an innovative and ambitious project: an atlas of the great monuments of Italy that will display them in all their details, from the best known to the least. This series represents a completely new way of documenting art. Mirabilia Italiæ provides a guided tour of each monument, fully and accurately explained. Each atlas contains hundreds of colour photographs, arranged in a precise topographical sequence and accompanied by diagrams showing the exact location of each detail. The atlas is complemented by a volume of texts edited by the premier scholars in the field, consisting of critical essays and descriptive notes. Essays examine the monument from the art-historical point of view, and record the alterations it has undergone over time. Descriptive notes analyse the content and significance of the images. Extensive cross-references link the essays and notes to the images, facilitating consultation of the work. The General Editor of Mirabilia Italiæ is Salvatore Settis, Director of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa.

Text in Italian.

The World’s Best Beaches takes you to 200 breathtaking beaches scattered across the globe. This book is a true tribute to the most beautiful coastlines, where every beach lover can find their paradise. From pristine, pearl-white sands in the tropics to dramatic cliffs along rugged shores, these carefully selected destinations are all worthy of your bucket list. Be inspired by gorgeous photos that make you dream of your next beach adventure, and plan your trip with the practical information provided. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves sun, sea, and sand.

From Pascale Naessens’ keto-friendly kitchen, she shares her vision of the ketogenic diet cure and explains what it is and for whom it works best. There are contributions from two healthcare experts: Dr. Hanno Pijl examines the pros and cons of the keto diet for diabetics, and Dr. William Cortvriendt writes about the positive effects of the keto diet during cancer treatment. For this new book, Pascale Naessens has created low-carb recipes (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for a two week keto cure, which can be extended to a third week.

Much of what is written about wine, whether in wine books, on bottle labels or in the Sunday supplements uses language that gives wine an air of mystery. While compelling and enticing for the consumer this can also lead to confusion regarding the science of wine as well as fear on the part of the inexperienced wine drinker of ‘getting wine wrong’. In The Cynic’s Guide to Wine Sunny Hodge strips wine back to its basic science and unravels the facts behind wine flavours, showing readers a clear path through the verbiage. The text takes in elements of horticulture, soil science, botany and sensory science as well as oenology and is provided in bite-sized chunks aimed at the curious non-scientist. This is a straightforward and eye-opening book for anybody who has ever wanted to question the stories told around wine but was afraid to ask. 

• The wine book all novice wine drinkers need: strips away the pretension and explains what really matters when it comes to producing the flavours in your glass of wine.
• Questions many of the things we take for granted when it comes to wine, from terroir to the science of wine making.
• Author is the award-winning owner of two London wine bars who has earned a reputation as a disruptor in the wine trade.

“It’s a great way to spark interesting conversations with friends and perfect entertainment if you’re coffee-ing solo.” — Real Homes

“Fascinating new book reveals homes in vertigo-inducing locations, from a house clinging to a cliff to a gravity-defying mountain hideout.”  — Daily Mail
In Living on the Edge, the author goes in search of the most amazing and seemingly unfeasible buildings which are situated at the edge of deep chasms and on steep cliffs. These houses are the work of architects who approach complexity and difficult conditions with imagination and a talent for thinking outside of the box. This book shows how, with the help of innovative techniques, fear of heights-inducing homes have been built at the most challenging locations all over the world. Living on the Edge is a book for architecture lovers without fear of heights!

The graphics range from the advertising produced for the first steam ships of the 1880s to those for the ocean liners of the 1920s, cruise liners of the 1930s and, finally, those for the last transatlantic lines in the 1960s. Posters: The Sea Voyage collects placards, posters, announcements, advertising leaflets, brochures and pamphlets produced to promote passenger ships, cruises, sea journeys and Atlantic crossings. In addition to identifying these graphics, text by architect and scholar Pablo Piccione contextualises and historicises the development of Italian graphic styles and tastes. Text in English and Italian.

This step-by-step Pocket Guide will teach you how to draw stunningly beautiful perspectives, complete with reflections and shadows.

The Pocket Guide to Perspective uses a simple, step-by-step method to help readers understand the basic concepts of perspective construction. Readers will learn to build one-point, two-point, and multi-point perspectives as well as reflections and shadows in perspective. This small pocket guide is compact and focused. Whether you’re at your desk or out and about, it is useful reference to bring along for both students and professionals alike.