Engelska

<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.

Blockbuster bestseller Rebecca Ross returns to the world of international sensation <em>Divine Rivals</em> with her most epic story yet. <br/><br/>Featuring full-colour endpapers with print-exclusive character artwork by @palinlineart <br/><br/> <strong>Before Iris sat at her typewriter and before Enva sang her song, a young goddess wandered dreams...</strong> <br/><br/>Born to the firelit domain of the underworld, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods kill each other for magic, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry letters through the realms, but she also carries secrets of her own: one of them deadly, the other a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met... <br/><br/>Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life - begging the goddess he befriended in dreams for aid. But his prayer went unanswered, forever hardening his heart against the gods. That is until the same goddess comes tumbling through his window, bearing a letter to change both their destinies. For Matilda and Vincent are tangled together by threads of fate and the promise of a future beyond dreams, one that might rewrite the dark, blood-soaked ways of the gods...or end them.

The Bridge Kingdom (deluxe Edition) [Bok / Inbunden]

<strong>THE LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL TO <em>WILD SWANS</em>, THE MULTI-MILLION COPY INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING SENSATION</strong> <br/><br/>Jung Chang's <em>Wild Swans</em> was a book that defined a generation, an epic personal history of Jung, her mother and grandmother - 'three daughters of China'. The book opens with her grandmother's birth - and foot binding - in 1909, when China was under the last emperor, through Mao Zedong's rule and the Cultural Revolution during which Jung's parents were subject to unbelievable ordeals. It finishes in 1978 when the Mao era officially ended, and Deng Xiaoping started the post-Mao 'Reforms'. Jung, at that propitious juncture, became one of the first Chinese to leave Communist China for the West. <br/><br/>Nearly half a century on, China has risen from a decrepit and isolated state to a world power, the challenger to the United States' dominant position in the world. Through those decades, Jung's life has been intimately entwined with her native land. Her experiences in those years were rich and complex - especially so because all her books were (and are) banned. <br/><br/><em>Fly, Wild Swans</em> is the follow-up to <em>Wild Swans </em>and brings the story of Jung's family - along with that of China - up to date. The book is in many ways Jung's love letter to her mother. It is inevitably also about her grandmother and father both of whom died tragically in the Cultural Revolution, but they are often recalled in this book. In fact, the past is never far away in Jung's subsequent life. It has shaped her, and moulded the present China, and what's more, it promises to herald the future. <br/><br/>China is now at another watershed moment: Chairman Xi Jinping is seeking to turn the country back towards the old Maoist days and build a Communist state with capitalist features. This new Xi era is greatly affecting the lives of Jung and her mother. Through the arc of their respective lives, she gives an immersive, deeply moving and unforgettable account of what it is like to live in a communist dictatorship and the threats modern China poses to the international world order. It is family history at its best.

Brand-new revised and expanded hardback edition of this best-selling graphic novel based on the enchanting prelude to <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>. <br/><br/>Fully painted in colour, it contains a carefully abridged version of Tolkien's tale of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who is whisked off by the wizard Gandalf on an adventure to recover stolen treasure. <br/><br/>First published in 1990, David Wenzel's comic book adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's <em>The Hobbit</em> was an immediate success and has become one of the best-loved graphic novels of the last 25 years. <br/><br/><em>The Hobbit</em> is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and contented hobbit whose life is turned upside down when he joins the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves on their quest to reclaim their stolen treasure. It is a journey fraught with danger - and in the end it is Bilbo alone who must face the guardian of this treasure, the most-dreaded dragon, Smaug. <br/><br/>Illustrated and hand painted in full colour throughout, and accompanied by the carefully abridged text of the original novel, this handsome authorised edition will introduce new generations to a magical masterpiece - and be treasured by Hobbit fans of all ages, everywhere. <br/><br/>This new edition includes exclusive extra content from David Wenzel revisiting the process of creating the original edition of the graphic novel and the story of its evolution to this revised and expanded version.

<b>A new edition of the timeless holiday favorite showcasing Norman Rockwell's artwork alongside festive stories, poems, and recipes</b><br/><br/>Originally published by Abrams in 1977, <i>Norman Rockwell's Christmas</i><i></i>is a holiday classic that has remained a bestselling family treasure for more than 30 years. With over 85 images from Rockwell's archive of art, this fully redesigned edition brings a fresh, contemporary appeal to the original vintage volume.<br/><br/> This holiday favorite features timeless art, including images of children sleigh-riding, families caroling, and Santa preparing for his big night, as well as 15 new images culled from Rockwell's extensive archive. Alongside these lush illustrations are Christmas poems and stories from beloved writers such as Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Hans Christian Andersen, and Lewis Carroll; Christmas carol music and lyrics; and Christmas dinner recipes from Fannie Merritt Farmer's 1896 cooking tome.<br/><br/><i>Norman </i><i>Rockwell's</i><i> Christmas </i>is the perfect present under the tree for Rockwell fans young and old.

<b>Enter the magical realm of gnomes with this captivating book that unveils their hidden secrets.</b><br/><br/> This companion volume to the runaway international bestselling <i>Gnomes</i> takes you on a journey through lush forests, mystical gardens, and cozy underground homes, revealing the fascinating lives of these elusive creatures.<br/><br/> The 200 hand-illustrated pages overflow with the authors' on-the-scene sketches and firsthand observations.<br/><br/><b>Inside this book, you'll find:</b><ul><li><b>Detailed Illustrations</b>: Beautifully crafted images that bring the gnomes' world to life. </li><li><b>Intriguing Stories</b>: Tales of gnome adventures, wisdom, and folklore. </li><li><b>Gnome Lore</b>: Insights into gnome culture, habits, and their unique way of life. </li></ul><br/><br/><br/> In <i>Secrets of the Gnomes</i>, authors Poortvliet and Huygen are invited as more than mere observers. After a meal of mushrooms and cream (which tastes as if it were made of "everything that light, air, sun, moon, and earth could produce"), they find that they have been turned into gnomes themselves....<br/><br/> The authors learn of the tender emotional life of a gnome; they see and diagram the mechanics of ingenious gnome technology; they observe how gnomes administer justice in the wild; they are told how fairy tales first began (Little Red Riding Hood was actually a gnome!); and, best of all, they are allowed to see parts of the gnomes' fabled Secret Book.<br/><br/> Whether you're a seasoned gnome enthusiast or new to their enchanting world, <i>The Secrets of the Gnomes</i> offers a delightful escape into a land of wonder and imagination. Perfect for readers who love fantasy, nature, and whimsical tales.