Tartans have a long and fascinating history, with patterns specific to a particular region dating back to the 16th century. The wearing of tartans became widespread in Scotland during the 18th century, when clan warriors would choose a particular pattern of colours to show allegiance to a particular leader. Some of the earliest records of whole Scots regiments wearing the same tartan date back to the Seven Years War in Canada (1756– 63). In the early 19th century, the novels of Sir Walter Scott captured the public imagination with romanticized accounts of dashing Highlanders, starting a trend for all things Scottish. This gave rise to attempts to catalogue the patterns, or setts, worn by each of the traditional clans, and to revive the wearing of these tartans. Many new designs proliferated during this period, with tartan becoming a true symbol of Scottishness, incorporated into clothing, biscuit tins and trinkets. Throughout the 20th century, tartans have continued to be devised for special occasions and regions far from the Celtic countries. Nowadays both the United States and Canada have a strong tartan tradition, and there are more than 2,700 known and registered setts in circulation, of which this book contains many of the best known. Featuring more than 250 setts, Tartans is a comprehensive guide to the ancient tartans of Scotland and Ireland, along with many other tartans adopted by organizations and regions around the world in more recent times. For anyone interested in tracing their Celtic roots and investigating the tartans of the Scottish clans, this is an accessible and attractive reference guide.

Despite its reputation as the longest established in Europe, the history of the English monarchy is punctuated by scandal, murders, betrayals, plots, and treason. Since William the Conqueror seized the crown in 1066, England has seen three civil wars; six monarchs have been murdered or executed; the throne of England has been usurped four times, and won in battle three times; and personal scandals and royal family quarrels abound. Dark History of the Kings & Queens of England provides an exciting and dramatic account of English royal history from 1066 to the present day. This engrossing book explores the scandal and intrigue behind each royal dynasty, from the 'accidental' murder of William II in 1100, through the excesses of Richard III, Henry VIII and 'Bloody' Mary, to the conspiracies surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, William and Kate Middleton's on-off courtship before they married, and Prince Harry's years of partying, girlfriends and Las Vegas strip poker, before his 2018 marriage to American divorcee Meghan Markle. Carefully researched, superbly entertaining and illustrated throughout with more than 200 colour and black-and-white photographs and artworks, this accessible and immensely enjoyable book highlights the true personalities and real lives of the individuals honoured with the crown of England-and those unfortunate enough to cross their paths.

Brenda Ralph Lewis presents an informative overview of how kings and queens came about and of the many forces that have shaped the identity of monarchy and in many cases caused its downfall.

This series is filled with scary, scaly, slimy creatures--"just what kids love! Large, full-color illustrations bring each creature to life, from toads and geckos to iguanas and cobras. Each book is packed with fascinating information and little-known facts, and includes maps and sidebars that show where each animal lives and how big it is. The detailed illustrations and lively text will hold young readers' attention for hours.

The principle of sacrifice is as old as human life itself. Human, animal or inanimate offerings were an essential part of an effort to handle natural disasters, secure good luck or good health, ensure success in war or commerce, in fact to produce any outcome that could better life on Earth. This fascinating book provides the first general, fully illustrated overview of sacrificial practices around the world from prehistoric times to the present day.

The principle of sacrifice is as old as human life itself. Human, animal or inanimate offerings were an essential part of an effort to handle natural disasters, secure good luck or good health, ensure success in war or commerce, in fact to produce any outcome that could better life on Earth. This work provides a general, illustrated overview of sacrificial practices around the world from prehistoric times to the present day. Human sacrifice is shown to have been common to civilizations as different as Ancient Greece and preHispanic Mexico; animal sacrifice is traced through biblical times to modern-day voodoo; inanimate offerings, such as flowers, grain or possessions, are seen to be common to many societies and religions from native Americans to Hinduism. The reasons behind these rituals are examined, and in the case of human sacrifice an attempt is made to understand the mentality of the "victims" who often willingly went to their deaths.