Essays & Culture

The mosaics in the Rotunda in Thessaloniki are the most significant decorations that remain from the early Byzantine period. This richly illustrated book invites the reader to enter the building and experience the splendid golden and silver mosaics that cover cupola and vaults. After an introduction to the architecture of the Rotunda, the authors focus on the mosaics, discussing such issues as imperial patronage, the martyr portraits, the pictorial programme, as well as mosaic technique and the aesthetic qualities of the multi-coloured images. The succinct text provides an up-to-date introduction to the mosaics. It includes a timeline and a list of recent publications. Colour photos, many specially taken for this publication, document the spectacular qualities of these magnificent mosaics.

Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide, now with free eBook. Discover Crete with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to visit the 3500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, stroll along the turquoise waters and rose-tinted sands of Elafonisi or hike one of Crete's countless gorge hikes that take you from the mountains to the sea, The Rough Guide to Crete will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide to Crete:- Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas- Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to Crete- Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Irakilo, Lasithi and many more locations without needing to get online- Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including the striking windmills on the Lasithi Plateau and the awesome Melidhoni Cave- Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences- Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Hania, Ayios Nikolaos and Rethymno's best sights and top experiences- Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more- Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into Crete, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary- The ultimate travel tool: download the free eBook to access all this from your phone or tablet- Covers: Iraklio; Lasithi; Rethymno; HaniaYou may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Greece, The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands, The Rough Guide to SicilyAbout Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.

Practical travel guide to the Greek Islands with a free eBook featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in the Greek Islands, how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in the Greek Islands, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip.

The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands covers: Athens and Mainland Ports, Argo-Saronic Ports, the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, the East and North Aegean, the Sporades and Evvia, and the Ioanian Islands

According to Bertrand Russell, science is knowledge; that which seeks general laws connecting a number of particular facts. It is, he argues, far superior to art, where much of the knowledge is intangible and assumed. In "The Scientific Outlook," Russell delivers one of his most important works, exploring the nature and scope of scientific knowledge, the increased power of nature that science affords and the changes in the lives of human beings that result from new forms of science. Insightful and accessible, this impressive work sees Russell at his very best.

Everyone who cares about freedom and justice for women should read The Second Sex' GuardianSimone de Beauvoir famously wrote, 'One is not born, but rather becomes, woman'. In this groundbreaking work of feminism she examines the limits of female freedom and explodes our deeply ingrained beliefs about femininity. Liberation, she argues, entails challenging traditional perceptions of the social relationship between the sexes and, crucially, in achieving economic independence. Drawing on sociology, anthropology and biology, The Second Sex is as important and relevant today as when it was first published in 1949.

Richard Dawkins' brand of evolutionary theory dominates our understanding of Darwinism. His rhetoric has sidelined serious scientists who just happen to disagree with him. A staunch pro-scientist and scholar of Darwinian evolution, Fern Elsdon-Baker explores the historical, philosophical, and scientific arguments that are revealing the cracks in Dawkins' thinking.

'A page-turning retelling . . . so interesting and thought-provoking' JENNIFER SAINT'A fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus . . . I was gripped by the human drama at the novel's heart' ELODIE HARPERMyth remembers Perseus as one of its greatest heroes. A slayer of monsters. A rescuer of damsels. But the women who knew him best have a different story to tell. His mother, Danae. His trophy, Medusa. His wife, Andromeda. As Perseus becomes obsessed with the promise of his own destiny, his heroic journey casts a shadow of violence and destruction across all three women's lives. It takes strength to survive a legend. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Saint, Elodie Harper and Natalie Haynes, author of Daughters of Sparta Claire Heywood returns with an imaginative reinterpretation of the myth of the great hero Perseus, bringing to life the voices of three women who are side-lined in the traditional version, and whose stories reveal a man who might not, in fact, be a hero at all. Readers LOVE The Shadow of Perseus:'I absolutely adored this book, I devoured it.' ?????'The book is a real page turner.' ?????'This was such a compelling and wonderful read! I genuinely loved every minute of this book and cannot recommend it highly enough!' ?????'A beautifully written, unique, approach to the myth of Perseus. Just gripping' ?????'A masterful voice in the popular new wave of feminist reworkings of Greek mythology . . . A must-read for fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes' ?????'As someone who loves Greek Mythology retelling, I absolutely loved reading this book' ?????

For centuries, the ancient world was electrified by the story of the ten-year war that brought down the ancient city of Troy and destroyed the lives of countless Greek and Trojan warriors. In the modern world, according to Robert Graves, "English literature, to be properly understood, calls for as close a knowledge of the Trojan War as of the Bible." Here are ambition, greed, cruelty, suffering, madness, treachery, jealousy, pride, and foolishness in abundance, a tale of woe that brings the ancient world into a modern context.
The ancient city of Troy was sacked sometime early in the twelfth century BC; The Iliad and The Odyssey were composed some four or five centuries later. But there were many other accounts besides Homer's, and Graves uses them all. His writing style is sleek, action- driven, and to the point. A great story like this deserves a great story-teller, and gets all that and more in Robert Graves.

'Every day is a gift. Open it. Don't throw it away.'

The international bestseller

The relentless pace of the working day. Endless, unconquerable to-do lists. A constant sense of distraction and isolation despite countless online connections. In our increasingly complex world, true contentment has never felt further from reach.

The Simplest Gift is an essential antidote for our times. Over the course of 100 stories - each centred around a unique lesson - Stefanos Xenakis shares the transformative outlook through which he has found purpose and meaning in life's everyday moments. From rising early to sharing generously and laughing readily, Xenakis proves that joy can be found in the simplest and least expected places.

Humane, compassionate, and profound, this charming collection offers holistic guidance for the body, mind, and soul.