The ultimate guide to all things plywood – its history, design, manufacture and use in interiors – with pioneering British design company Uncommon Projects.

The popularity of plywood has skyrocketed in recent years, with the craftsmanship of plywood designs being appreciated on sites such as Pinterest, Houzz and Instagram. It is a DIY-friendly material, lending itself to modular and custom solutions. Plywood: A Sourcebook takes you through the history of plywood, from its origins and early use, all the way through to its resurgence in contemporary design. The book includes:

• Joinery and construction techniques: explore advanced methods of cabinetry construction, showcasing masterful craftsmanship.

• Interviews with designers and architects who favour plywood as their material of choice, offering insights into their creative process.

• Sustainable production practices in the modern era of plywood design.

• Global inspirations: how plywood kitchens are designed around the world, from Scandinavian minimalism to Japanese precision.

Illustrated with beautiful photography throughout, this book features real plywood projects undertaken by Uncommon Projects – in kitchens, offices, studios, living areas, storage spaces and more – and provides the ultimate inspirational guide to all things plywood.

The best-selling illustrated guide to the British Monarchy and the succession process, updated and redesigned for 2018.

Queen Elizabeth II is descended from King Egbert through 12 centuries of monarchs. Showcasing all the family trees, from the Anglo-Saxons to the Windsors, this useful guidebook explains the fascinating process on how power transferred from one monarch to the next.

This beautifully illustrated book forms part of the Pitkin Royal Collection series, celebrating the lives of the British royal family. Other notable titles in this insightful series include Royal Babies, The Queen and Her Family and Queen Elizabeth II.

A visual, large-format compilation of some the finest architectural drawings from Sir John Soane’s extensive collection.

Architectural Drawings casts light on the magnificent architectural drawings of neo-classical architect, teacher and collector, Sir John Soane that are otherwise concealed in archives. This book, featuring artworks handpicked from what was probably the first comprehensive collection of architectural drawings in the world, numbering 30,000 at the time of his death in 1837, celebrates a life spent procuring curiosities. 

The collection encompasses the hands of Montano, Thorpe, Wren, Talman, Hawksmoor, Vanbrugh, Gibbs, Kent, Chambers, Adam, Clérisseau, Pêcheux, Wyatt, Playfair, Nash and, of course, Soane himself. The quality of Soane’s collection of drawings is scarcely paralleled elsewhere and on account of their fragility, these items are infrequently seen by the public. This innovative book draws together the most exquisite and important works from the collection for the first time, showing the extraordinary connoisseurship of Sir John Soane while also exploring what drove Soane to amass such a collection and the provenance of his various significant acquisitions.

This book illustrates the story of Soane as a collector of architectural drawings, but a story which is not normally available to the public, and will provide a sumptuous opportunity to peruse some of the finest architectural drawings in existence.

Acclaimed mixed-media artist Mike Bernard has been at the forefront of collage painting for decades and his work has a sought-after vitality. He brings his latest guidance, ideas and techniques on a subject about which he is passionate: coastal painting. From his home near the Devon coast, he and co author (art writer) Susie Hodge, cover all aspects of mixed media painting. From considering composition and looking for contrasts to reducing elements for greater impact (and even moving towards abstraction). From working with limited palettes to including imaginary colours to a painting. From collaging with torn magazines, tin foil, plastic, newsprint to combining inks, oil pastels, PVA, acrylic and watercolours. From playing with proportion to create mood to using thick and thin oils for effect. And, of course, how to capture the mood and atmosphere of coastal life, from quiet stretches to busy harbours around the world. 

The authors include several step-by-step projects to demonstrate techniques plus a series of experimental exercises helps the reader try something new.

A masterclass from a popular artist with stunning artwork of coasts from around the globe. 

This fully-illustrated souvenir guidebook celebrates a remarkable man and includes rare, historical images of Prince Philip throughout his private and public life

As the longest serving royal consort in British history (1921-2021), it is now time to celebrate Prince Philip’s remarkable contribution to the monarchy. A strong character full of vigour and verve, he found himself married to the most famous woman in the world, Queen Elizabeth II. They married for love and, although at times this man with strong opinions and enthusiasms of his own has found it hard to play a subordinate role, he has always been the Queen’s rock and support. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, grew famous for speaking his mind, but as his loyalty to his wife and country and his devotion to duty became apparent, he has become a national treasure and a figure of great respect to the British public.

His marriage, fatherhood, early and distinguished career as a 1^st Lieutenant in the Royal Navy are all detailed in this commemoration, as is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards scheme that has changed the lives of many young people.

This commemoration of the Duke of Edinburgh, highlights how Prince Philip, as royal consort, has left an ongoing legacy not only to the sovereignty of Britain but also to his beloved royal family.

Her Majesty has never hidden the extent of her reliance on Philip, the man she has called: ‘My strength and stay all these years.’ 

A new edition of Batsford’s classic 1930s guide to England’s cathedrals, with foreword by Simon Jenkins.

This classic guide from 1934 gives a brief account and pictorial review of every Church of England cathedral in England that existed at the time. Simply and concisely written to be read by anyone with an interest in the subject, the book features cathedrals from the mighty York Minster, Durham and Canterbury through St Albans to Ripon and Southwark.

The full list of cathedrals covered are:
Bristol, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chester, Chichester, Durham, Ely, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, Lincoln, London, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Ripon, Rochester, St Albans, Salisbury, Southwark, Southwell, Wells, Winchester, Worcester, York. Also the Parish church cathedrals of Birmingham, Blackburn, Bradford, Chelmsford, Coventry (pre-war building), Derby, Leicester, Manchester, Newcastle, Portsmouth, St Edmundsbury, Sheffield and Wakefield.

A country retreat on a grand scale, Cliveden’s magnificent gardens and breathtaking views have been admired for centuries. Since it was built high above the Thames in the second half of the 17th century, Cliveden has been a powerhouse – a place visited by royalty and the politically influential. Its first owner the Duke of Buckingham was brought up with the children of Charles I, and was instrumental in the restoration of Charles II. Lord Orkney, the next owner, and his wife, Elizabeth Villiers, a one-time mistress of William III, hosted both George I and George II at Cliveden, while their successors the Sutherland family, among the wealthiest in the land, were often at home to Queen Victoria. However it was during the tenure of Nancy and Waldorf Astor that Cliveden became the glamorous centre of political, literary and artistic society. Guests from David Lloyd George, Herbert Asquith, Anthony Eden, Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain to Sylvia Pankhurst, George Bernard Shaw, Henry Ford, Mahatma Gandhi, Amy Johnson and Charlie Chaplin were invited to enjoy the lavish hospitality of Charles Barry’s architecture and the beauty of the gardens. A wider public became aware of Cliveden in 1963 when John Profumo, Secretary of State for War in the Macmillan government, met call-girl Christine Keeler by the swimming pool here, when he was a guest of the 3rd Lord Astor in 1961. Profumo’s brief affair with Keeler, who was also involved with Soviet naval attaché Evegeny Ivanov, raised fears about national security and he was forced to resign. The National Trust took over in 1966 and it is currently run as a hotel with a garden open to visitors. This guide contains details of the development of the garden and house, the history of the people who owned, visited and lived there, a fold-out bird’s-eye map and timeline, walks and highlights of the gardens and magnificent classical scuplture collection.

John Blockley was one of Britain’s most outstanding watercolour and pastel painters of the late 20^th century, and has exhibited at the Royal Academy. Self-taught, he produced work that has always been experimental and progressive. His highly textured style was well ahead of his time and still hugely influential now.

The quality of his work is even more staggering given that he never trained at any art college, and spent most of his working life as an engineer. He only started painting full time at the age of 52. His obsession for drawing and painting, even while a successful engineer, was driven by his search for the essence of his subjects. The power of his paintings reveal that passion.

This beautiful retrospective of his work, including drawings, watercolours, pastels and also acrylics, brings together the best of his work. The illuminating commentary on his work is from his daughter, Ann Blockley, who is also an acclaimed painter in her own right. She understands completely where John Blockley was coming from in his artistic vision and also explains the techniques he used. Breaking with so many traditions in watercolour painting in the 1960s, John was and is an influential figure in the art world.

John said, ‘In order to paint the terrain as I see it – blotched, mottled, grainy – I must experiment’. These experimentations are still of huge value to painters today. This book is perfect for any painter who enjoys John’s work but also for all the many, many fans of his work.

Wherever you are, whatever the company, the ability to engage and entertain your companions will always stand you in good stead. For many though, summoning up the courage to be heard in a crowded room, or seated next to a stranger at a dinner party, can test one’s nerves to the limit. What to say, and how to put yourself and your interlocutor at ease requires a range of skills and Her Ladyship is on hand to help you through even the most difficult of situations. From a garden party amongst royals to a business reception, this book covers common mistakes of conversational etiquette and offers countless suggestions on how to keep the conversation flowing so that you become the most valued of guests.

Her Ladyship considers the art of conversation in all sorts of contexts, from a chance encounter on a long railway journey to making new friends, and also takes account of the fact that more and more of our ‘conversations’ take place via text and email rather than talking. She covers: first impressions (from greetings, handshakes, body language and eye contact), introducing yourself (even if you’ve met them before!), making yourself sound interesting, suiting your conversation to the occasion, dealing with age differences, the art of listening, dealing with bores, and dating conversations.

Advice and case studies will help make you the essential guest at any get together.

In this ground-breaking art book, leading artist Mike Bernard reveals every aspect of working with collage, paint and other mixed-media approaches. Everything from the initial inspiration for a painting through to design, colour, surface qualities and finishing touches is covered. With detailed information and advice on collage techniques, the book demonstrates how you can develop original results by starting with paper collage and then working freely with paint and other materials.

The book includes numerous illustrations covering every step of the working process, as well as a wide selection of subject matter, location sketches, watercolour studies and striking finished paintings. Mike Bernard’s work is known for exciting textures, strong colour and the effects of light; all combined into original semi-abstract images of landscapes, still life and figure compositions. His techniques, particularly paper collage, are important ones for all artists looking to expand their repertoire.

Every chessplayer who aspires to achieve chess mastery must learn the techniques for winning a won game. It is the perennial problem which confronts players at all levels of play. This book will enable chessplayers to better recognize their positional advantages and the ways in which these can be used in order to bring them closer to victory. It also provides many instructive examples of using this knowledge to reach a faster and more spectacular victory.

Mr. Paul M. Albert, Jr. has been donating over $2000 per year to the most brilliantly played at both the Women’s and Men’s United States Championships for over 20 years. This book presents, describes and illustrates the most significant examples, with emphasis on what can be learned from them in terms of winning a won game.

This authoritative volume traces the evolution of the art of warfare in the Greek and Roman worlds between 1600BC and AD 800, from the rise of Mycenaean civilisation to the fall of Ravenna and the eventual decline of the Roman Empire. The book is also, of course, about the great military commanders, such as Alexander and Julius Caesar – men whose feats of generalship still provide material for discussion and admiration in the world’s military academies.