Michael Kerrigan

This text looks at torture tools and techniques used throughout history and upto 20th century inventions, such as the use of electrons to administer electric shocks, as well as enduring instruments such as the rack, which was first mentioned in Ancient Greece.

The Instruments of Torture

Dark History of Russia

The Journals that Revealed Nature's Grand Plan

Charles Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle

Charles Phillips

Slavic Myth

Forests of the Vampire

A Dark History

American Presidents

This enticing gift book explores the world of classic symbols and signs, revealing the deep meaning and often quirky history behind each one. Symbols are all around us--some mysterious, some timeless; some arcane and some prosaic. But what are their origins? What does the infinity symbol really signify? Do you understand yin and yang? And why is the swastika really a good-luck sign? From the ouroboros and the ankh to the menorah, caduceus, and astrological symbols, this book ranges widely across the world's most recognized symbols. With one symbol per page, accompanied by a detailed explanation and history, and printed on high-quality paper with a special binding, Classic Symbols is a unique and attractive book which will appeal to a broad range of readers, both as a gift and as a source for tattoo designs and other creative projects.

A Guide

Classic Symbols

From early basilicas to medieval cathedrals, from churches in rural Africa to today's award-winning designs, this stunning volume reveals the different approaches to faith across the centuries, shifting architectural styles, and the effect of history on Christianity. Encompassing various Christian beliefs, from Catholic and Protestant to Baptist and Calvinist, the buildings include stone and wooden structures; ones that have been knocked down and rebuilt, or even moved from one location to another; and churches cut into rock.

More Than 100 Cathedrals, Chapels and Basilicas

Amazing Churches of the World

Ronald Creighton-Jobe

Mary Frances Budzik

A Comprehensive Guide to the History, Philosophy and Practice of Catholic Christianity, with More Than 500 Beautiful Illustrations

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Catholicism

Power, Corruption, and Scandal at the Heart of the White House

Dark History of the American Presidents

Death is universal, but each culture has found a different way of dealing with it. This wide-ranging book examines the compelling subject of death, funeral rites and burial in different cultures and societies, from the drama of medieval French royal funerals to the burial alive of the Dinka masters of the spear in the Sudan, from the Egyptian pyramids to the Chinese terra-cotta army to elaborate Victorian mausolea, from the Grim Reeper to Hades and the Underworld. Funerals can be solemn but also celebratory, drunken and even lascivious. From human sacrifice to ritual killings, from burial to cremation, from ancestor worship to concepts of the afterlife, The History of Death examines how through our passing we, in fact, define our lives."

The History of Death

Celtic Legends offers tales of intrigue and enchantment, of love and war, of feuding families, brigands and rebels, of honour and disgrace.

The Gods and Warriors, Myths and Monsters

Celtic Legends

Noetic Science Exploring the Power of Collective Consciousness

Roger Luckhurst

Mike Ashley

Matt Cardin

Russ Thorne

Rosie Fletcher

S.T. Joshi

Dave Golder

Companion title to The Astounding Illustrated History of Science Fiction this new book reflects the same roots in Gothic literature but follows a complementary path through the 20th century, to the movies of Peter Jackson, the success of streaming TV series such as Grimm, and the fantasy of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. From the wellspring of Frankenstein, Germanic fairy tales, and heroic, epic myths a dark and fantastic path can be found to the fragmentation of the 1930s: the schlock horror of early modern movies, the invention of High Fantasy by Tolkien and fellow Inkling C.S. Lewis, and the pulp magazine powerhouse Weird Tales with Robert E. Howard’s sword and sorcery archetype Conan. A brilliant concoction of movie posters, stills, book covers, fantastic art and incredible timelines.

The Astounding Illustrated History of Fantasy & Horror

Artist, soldier, politician, madman? We know the headlines, we know about the atrocities, but what do we really know of the man at the heart of it all? Hitler looks behind the image of the dictator and explores his childhood, his military service during World War I, his artistic aspirations, the formation of his political and religious views, his troubled love life, his rise to power and his life as dictator. From an ordinary background, Adolf Hitler wasn’t highly educated and hadn’t held high rank in the army, but became the most powerful man in Europe. He rose quickly in politics and manoeuvred himself into not just a position of power but of unchecked authority, with those who opposed him either intimidated, arrested or executed. He created a cult around himself and rebuilt his weakened country. But what were his thoughts as he led the country into war, and how did he change as the war turned against him? What was the true nature of his relationship with his half-niece Geli, who committed suicide in his apartment? And what did he think in his final days when he realised that all was lost? Expertly written and illustrated with 180 colour and black-&-white photographs, paintings and artworks, Hitler tells the inside story behind the man whose actions may appall us, but continue to fascinate us.

The Man Behind The Monster

Hitler

From the slaves used to build the Great Wall to the Tiananmen Square protests, the illustrated China – A Dark History takes an expert sweep across more than 2000 years of Chinese history.

From Ancient Dynasties to the Communist Party

China – A Dark History

This title explores more than 100 bunkers, pillboxes, submarine bases, forts, and gun emplacements from the North Sea to Okinawa. Included are defensive structures, such as the Maginot Line on France's eastern border with Germany, Germany's own western and eastern border defences, and the Atlantic Wall, the German-built bunkers and pillboxes on the coast from Denmark down to Brittany.

World War II Abandoned Places

Prior to the invention of the printing press, all books had to be written by hand. Manuscripts are the beautiful manifestation of this craft, and the most precious and expensive of such manuscripts were 'illuminated' through the use of brightly coloured pigments and gold embellishments. Beginning with a fresh and thoughtful introduction to illuminated manuscripts, Illuminated Manuscripts Masterpieces of Art goes on to showcase key works in this stunning artistic genre.

Illuminated Manuscripts Masterpieces of Art

Paul Nash, the British landscape and Surrealist painter, lived through both the First and Second World Wars. His depictions of these human catastrophes, with their damaged landscapes and broken machinery are much remembered today. His painting life moved from representational landscapes, through to the Surrealist and symbolist styles of his later years where he experimented with abstraction and the everyday. He was regarded as a fine book illustrator and often created work for other graphic and theatrical forms. This new book offers 100 images, with an introduction to his art and contribution made by Nash to the cultural sophistication of the modern world.

Paul Nash Masterpieces of Art

James Peacock

Beginning with a fresh and thoughtful introduction to Kandinsky's life and art, Kandinsky Masterpieces of Art goes on to showcase his key works spanning early paintings inspired by Russian folk art and fairy tales to later works characterised by contrasting colours and striking geometric shapes.

Wassily Kandinsky Masterpieces of Art

David Gould

An introduction to myths of ancient India features commentary on tales about the divinities, the ten incarnations of Vishnu, and female figures prevalent in the legends.

Michael Kerrigan

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