Other books that might interest you

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  Looking Out - Welsh Painting...

  Peter Lord

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  The six sequential essays in this collection provide a narrative of a century and a half of Welsh painting, written with an emphasis on issues of social class and national identity. Through his earlier writing, Peter Lord has contributed to the establishment of an historical tradition of Welsh painting, but because it does not feature in the wider story of Western art history as presently told, the work revealed continues to be perceived as marginal, existing in isolation from ideas and movements in other countries. These essays break new ground by discussing the concerns of Welsh painters not only in domestic terms but also in the context of the ways in which artists in other parts of Europe and in the United States reacted to the common underlying causes of those concerns. The author challenges the idea that the work of Welsh painters is relevant only to the evolution of their own communities and, through confident and detailed analysis, validates their pictures also in terms of the arts of other Western cultures.

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  Learn Spanish with Lucy Cat -...

  Catherine Bruzzone, Rosa María...

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  In this cartoon with full color illustrations, the brave Kitten Lucía stops a thief who is stealing money from the market.
  * Simple text in dialogs.
  * Nice drawings.
  * An interesting story.
  * Easy to read and so much fun!

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  Discovering Watercolor - An...

  Jennifer Lefèvre

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  A stunning and skill-building guide to take your watercolor painting techniques to the next level, Complete Guide to Watercolor Techniques has everything you need to become a master artist! Opening with practical advice to take your first steps in the medium and then progress in your practice, this must-have guide then features over 30 watercolor projects that slowly advance in difficulty and cover a wide range of subjects and techniques. Starting with exercises to help you understand color and create patterns before building your skills to create floral compositions, nature landscapes, realistic portraits, and more, Complete Starter Guide to Watercolor provides step-by-step instructions to guide you through each challenge so you grow in confidence and discover your own personal style! Also included within these pages are real life testimonies from other artists to further inspire your journey in the world of watercolor art!

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  Cast A Diva - The Hidden Life of...

  Lyndsy Spence

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  Maria Callas (1923–1977) was the greatest opera diva of all time with a career that remains unmatched by any prima donna. Much of her life was overshadowed by her fiery relationship with Aristotle Onassis, who broke her heart when he left her for Jacqueline Kennedy, and her reputation was marred by legendary tantrums on and off the stage. However, little is known about Callas the woman; a girl who was brought up between New York and Greece, and who was forced to sing by her emotionally abusive mother. She left her family behind in Greece for an international career and was feted by royalty and Hollywood stars. A self-made woman, she fought sexism to rise to the top, but there was one thing she wanted but could not have: a happy private life. Fame provided celebrity and riches, but her last days were spent as a recluse in her Paris apartment, listening to her old recordings and addicted to prescription drugs. In Cast a Diva, bestselling author Lyndsy Spence reveals the incredible story of a woman who was a true feminist icon.

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  Xia Dynasty - The Myth and...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Xia Dynasty is often considered the first dynasty of China, marking the transition from a prehistoric era dominated by tribal alliances to a structured monarchy. However, much of what is known about the Xia comes from ancient texts written centuries later, blurring the line between history and legend. At the heart of this foundation myth is Yu the Great, a figure credited with taming the catastrophic floods that once plagued the Yellow River region. 
  According to traditional accounts, China before the Xia was ruled by the Five Emperors, semi-mythical sages who brought order and knowledge to early societies. The final ruler of this period, Emperor Shun, recognized Yu for his brilliance and appointed him to control the devastating floods that had threatened agricultural settlements for generations. Unlike his predecessors, who attempted to block or divert the waters, Yu devised a system of dredging and canal-building that allowed the floodwaters to drain naturally into rivers and the sea. His efforts reportedly took over a decade, during which he traveled across the land, surveying the terrain and directing large-scale labor projects. His selfless dedication won him the admiration of the people, and his success in flood control cemented his reputation as a leader with the Mandate of Heaven. 
  The concept of the Mandate of Heaven, though later fully developed under the Zhou Dynasty, has its roots in the Xia period. It suggested that rulers were chosen by divine will and that their legitimacy depended on their ability to maintain order and prosperity. Yu's ability to tame the floods demonstrated both his virtue and his right to rule. Upon Emperor Shun’s abdication, Yu became the first king of the Xia Dynasty, establishing a hereditary monarchy that would continue for generations.

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  Rio de Janeiro

  Klaus H. Carl, Ingo Latotzki

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  Like so many other cities of South America, Rio is an urban sprawl containing some truly stunning contrasts. Yet Rio comes alive, really, for only two things – soccer and the samba. According to tradition, founded by the Portuguese navigator André Gonçalves on 1 January 1502, declared the capital of Brazil by King John in 1763, Rio underwent major reorganization under President Alvarez at the beginning of the 20th century. Avenues and boulevards were laid out in a logic that added overall cohesion to the city. The greatest architects of the time and place were invited to make use of their talents. The houses merge with the tropical countryside, which features banana and sugar plantations lining the large bay that is dominated by the Pão de Açúcar – the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Other tourist delights include the Carioca aqueduct, the São Bento monastery and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelária which are close to each other, and the Quinta da Boa Vista public park. Rio is also famous for its wonderful beaches – such as those of Copacabana and Ipanema – on which the most beautiful women in the world tan themselves to a gorgeous golden colour wearing the skimpiest of costumes. But there is so much to catch the eye in this city, from the areas of avant-garde architecture to the miserable shanties of the favelas – all of which empty themselves of their inhabitants during Carnival, when costumes may again be both imaginative and leave little to the imagination, or when there is an important football match on at the Maracanã Stadium. Like its population, Rio is a compound of all the colours, all the shades, between black and white.

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