Engelska

<b>Brilliant and engagingly written, <i>Why Nations Fail </i>answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine?<br/><i><br/></i></b>Is it culture, the weather, geography? Perhaps ignorance of what the right policies are?<br/><br/>Simply, no. None of these factors is either definitive or destiny. Otherwise, how to explain why Botswana has become one of the fastest growing countries in the world, while other African nations, such as Zimbabwe, the Congo, and Sierra Leone, are mired in poverty and violence?<br/><br/>Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson conclusively show that it is man-made political and economic institutions that underlie economic success (or lack of it). Korea, to take just one of their fascinating examples, is a remarkably homogeneous nation, yet the people of North Korea are among the poorest on earth while their brothers and sisters in South Korea are among the richest. The south forged a society that created incentives, rewarded innovation, and allowed everyone to participate in economic opportunities.<br/><br/>The economic success thus spurred was sustained because the government became accountable and responsive to citizens and the great mass of people. Sadly, the people of the north have endured decades of famine, political repression, and very different economic institutions&mdash;with no end in sight. The differences between the Koreas is due to the politics that created these completely different institutional trajectories.<br/><br/>Based on fifteen years of original research Acemoglu and Robinson marshall extraordinary historical evidence from the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, medieval Venice, the Soviet Union, Latin America, England, Europe, the United States, and Africa to build a new theory of political economy with great relevance for the big questions of today, including:<br/><br/>- China has built an authoritarian growth machine. Will it continue to grow at such high speed and&#160;overwhelm the West?<br/><br/>- Are America&rsquo;s best days behind it? Are we moving from a virtuous circle in which efforts by elites to aggrandize power are resisted to a vicious one that enriches and empowers a small minority?<br/><br/>- What is the most effective way to help move billions of people from the rut of poverty to prosperity? More philanthropy from the wealthy nations of the West? Or learning the hard-won lessons of Acemoglu and Robinson&rsquo;s breakthrough ideas on the interplay between inclusive political and economic institutions?<br/><br/><b><i>Why Nations Fail </i>will change the way you look at&mdash;and understand&mdash;the world.&#160;</b>

Step into the magical world of Moominvalley with this beautiful and unique book; a fun, fascinating and unprecedented look at the wonderful world of the Moomins and their creator, Tove Jansson. Filled with illustrated maps and family trees, facts about Moomintroll behaviour and habits, this book contains all you could wish to know about the beloved characters from the original Moomin stories and the world in which they live. Find out all about Moomintroll's adventures, Moominmamma's handbag and Moominpappa's diary and meet the extended Moomin family including Snork Maiden, Snufkin, Sniff and Little My. This book also takes you behind the studio door of the uniquely talented, Tove Jansson. Featuring original Moomin drawings, colour studies and stunning character sketches as well as family photographs and Tove's childhood drawings. Written by award-winning children's author Philip Ardagh with contributions from best-selling children's author, screenwriter and Moomin devotee, Frank Cottrell Boyce, The Moomins: The World of Moominvalley is a highly illustrated, beautifully designed gift book for all Moomin fans to treasure.

<b>Break open the cocktail cabinet to prepare gin-based cocktails with this deck of mixologist favourites. </b><br/><br/>Whether you prefer a simple gin and tonic, a bubbly French 75, or more modern creations like the bramble, gin is the foundation of some truly great cocktails. Without it, we wouldn't have the martini, the Tom Collins, or the negroni.<br/><br/><i>The Cocktail Cabinet: Gin</i> distils the best of the spirit with 50 cards that feature recipes for any mood, whether you'd like to get effervescent with a fizz or fly away on an aviation. With something for every palette, get ready to shake, mix and stir your way through the world of juniper.<br/><br/>With mid-century-inspired illustrations and easy-to-follow recipes, this deck is the ideal pick for budding mixologists and bartending experts.

<b>A startling, witty and downright terrifying collection of 25 short stories from the "21st century's Richard Matheson" (Richard Chizmar, <i>Chasing the Boogeyman</i>.) Perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay, Rachel Harrison and Eric LaRocca.</b><br/><br/>They're feeding on you too.<br/><br/>A father returns from serving in Vietnam with a strange and terrifying addiction; a man removes something horrifying from his fireplace, and becomes desperate to return it; and a right-wing news channel has its hooks in people in more ways than one. <br/><br/>From department store Santas to ghost boyfriends and salamander-worshipping nuns; from the claustrophobia of the Covid-19 pandemic to small-town Chesapeake USA, Clay McLeod Chapman takes universal fears of parenthood, addiction and political divisions and makes them uniquely his own. <br/><br/>Packed full of humanity, humour and above all, relentless creeping dread, <i>Acquired Taste</i> is a timely descent into the mind of one of modern horror's finest authors.

Step into the world where cars became dreams on wheels. In Designing Dreams, Dick Ruzzin unveils the untold story of General Motors, Harley Earl's groundbreaking vision, and the artistry that defined America's Golden Automotive Age. At the centre of this compelling collection of essays is the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado-a revolutionary front-wheel-drive luxury car that remains an icon of design and innovation. As one of its designers, Ruzzin provides an insider's perspective on its creation, offering a rare glimpse into the radical ideas and creative energy behind this automotive masterpiece. After 40 years at General Motors Design, Ruzzin reflects on the profound influence of Harley Earl, the pioneer car designer who elevated automobiles into works of art. Earl's creativity and design philosophies reshaped the industry, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire. Illustrated with over one hundred sketches and General Motors Design's archival images, this book explores the passion, artistry, and precision behind automotive design. It captures the essence of a unique profession that combines function with beauty, producing cars that are both practical and beautiful. Designing Dreams is more than a history of car design-it's a celebration of the people, ideas, and innovations that made the automobile a defining symbol of American ingenuity. Perfect for car enthusiasts and design lovers alike, this is a journey into the heart of creativity and the Golden Age of the American Automobile.

<b>'James Payne's YouTube Channel "Great Art Explained" gained a huge and appreciative worldwide audience. This beautifully put-together book is simply the best introduction to the lifelong pleasure and rewards of looking at pictures since Gombrich. An instant classic' Stephen Fry</b><br/><br/> <b>Art appreciation made accessible, relevant and entertaining; writer, curator and YouTuber James Payne demystifies great works of art.</b><br/><br/> Based on the popular and enormously successful YouTube channel of the same name, <i>Great Art Explained</i> unveils the fascinating stories behind some of the world's most iconic paintings and sculptures, proving that there's more to art than just watching paint dry. It can be thrilling, if you give it a chance. It is how you view the work, place it in context and understand its history that makes an artwork truly come alive.<br/><br/> A fresh approach to a classic subject, James Payne's no-nonsense analysis sheds new light on thirty different masterpieces from around the globe and reveals what makes them truly timeless works of art. Each chapter delves into not only the art itself but also the artist's life, as well as the work's place in their wider oeuvre; in other words, what makes it 'great'. From Hilma af Klint's occult altarpieces to Claude Monet's <i>Water Lilies</i>, Botticelli's <i>The Birth of Venus</i> to Georgia O'Keeffe's <i>Jimson Weed</i>, each artwork is explored with clarity and passion.<br/><br/> Whether a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this book promises to deepen your appreciation and enrich your understanding of some of the world's greatest treasures.

<b>This attractive paperback box set brings together 5 collections of spell-binding mythological tales from a variety of cultures, including Greek, Roman, Norse, Celtic and Native American.</b><br/><br/>From the Greek gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, to the mighty heroes of Norse mythology, to the mysterious druids of the ancient Celts, this book offers an enchanting journey through the world's most intriguing mythological traditions. These are beautifully retold by acclaimed authors and folklorists, including Nathaniel Hawthorne and Charles Squire, who breath new life into these ancient tales.<br/><br/> This collection contains:<br/> &bull; Classical Mythology<br/> &bull; Celtic Mythology<br/> &bull; Norse Mythology<br/> &bull; Native American Myths & Legends<br/> &bull; Myths & Legends from Around the World<br/><br/>These books feature striking contemporary cover designs and fit neatly together into an attractive slipcase. This box set makes a perfect gift or collectible for any mythology lover.<br/><br/> <b>ABOUT THE SERIES:</b> The <i>Arcturus Classic Collections</i> series features delightful, high-quality paperback box sets of classic works of literature with striking contemporary cover designs.