Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

A Sherlock Holmes Escape Book: The Adventure of the Tower of London is a unique form of puzzle book, in which the reader must solve the riddles to escape the pages. The fourth title in this ingenious series of Sherlock Holmes Escape Books, The Adventure of the Tower of London is an exhilarating combination of escape room, puzzle book and adventure story. Inspired by the urban craze for escape rooms, where players tackle puzzles while trapped in a locked room, it is an escape room in the form of a locked book, filled with codes, ciphers, riddles and red herrings, and a clever Code Wheel set into the cover. In the latest adventure in the series, readers will take on the role of the world's foremost consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes's nemesis Moriarty has locked Sherlock's friend, the musician Odon von Mihalovic, with the CrownJewels in a cage in Tower Bridge the night before a special ceremony is due to be held for the Queen. Holmes and Watson are themselves trapped in the nearby Tower of London by Moriarty, and they must work through the night and against the clock to find and free Odon from the cage to prevent him being disgraced in the ceremony the following morning. Combines riddles, logic puzzles, timed challenges, mathematical brain-teasers, maps and mazes.

A Sherlock Holmes Escape Book: The Adventure of the Analytical Engine is a unique form of puzzle book, in which the reader must solve the riddles to escape the pages. The third title in this ingenious series of Sherlock Holmes Escape Books, The Adventure of the Analytical Engine is an exhilarating combination of escape room, puzzle book and adventure story. Inspired by the urban craze for escape rooms, where players tackle puzzles while trapped in a locked room, it is an escape room in the form of a locked book, filled with codes, ciphers, riddles and red herrings, and a clever Code Wheel set into the cover. In this new adventure, readers will take on the role of the world's foremost consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, snared at the centre of a cunning plot, after receiving a mysterious letter from beyond the grave. Intrigued by an invitation from mathematician Charles Babbage to view his newly completed pioneering contraption, Holmes becomes imprisoned in a magnificent London villa, where tricks, traps and illusions aim to divert him from uncovering the true purpose of the reimagined Analytical Engine. Combines riddles, logic puzzles, timed challenges, mathematical brain-teasers, maps and mazes.

The Alcatraz Escape Book is a unique form of puzzle book, in which the reader must solve the riddles to escape the pages. An exhilarating combination of escape room, puzzle book and adventure story, this book is inspired by the urban craze for escape rooms as well as the history surrounding America's most infamous prison. Readers will take on the role of Scott Wilson, a member of an underground US environmental movement called the Wilderness, who has discovered that a farming lobby is illegally using toxic pesticides to sell large amounts of land cheaply to corrupt politicians. There is enough evidence safely tucked away in a secret location to bring these criminals to justice, but failed sting operation takes place which leaves an FBI agent dead and Scott framed for the murder. Framed as a traitor and a murderer and sent to Alcatraz as a result, the reader must escape the forbidding, top-security jail, recover the lost evidence and stop the pollution and land sale before it's too late. Surrounded by the most notorious, dangerous and unpredictable inmates, the reader will quickly learn that their only means of escape will be from solving hidden puzzles using the code wheel left behind by the renowned criminal mastermind Robert Stroud - the famous Birdman of Alcatraz. Nobody has ever escaped Alcatraz alive, and with time quickly running out, the reader will have to find unlikely allies who can help them break out and aid them when they come to face the perilous waters surrounding the prison in order to escape the Rock. Combines riddles, logic puzzles, timed challenges, mathematical brain-teasers, maps and mazes.

In this beautifully illustrated and fully updated edition, Charles Phillips charts the complete history of the royal families of Britain. Beginning in the earliest times with the legend of King Arthur, Eric Bloodaxe and the real-life history of Macbeth, he describes the lives and legends of the kings and queens of Britain, their consorts and children, and the pretenders, usurpers and regents who played a role in the making of the United Kingdom. Fact boxes highlight the essential events of each reign, as well as maps, charts and family trees. Over 500 fine art paintings, sculptures, engravings, artefacts, photographs, maps and illustrations reveal the heritage and pageantry of royal Britain. A valuable reference book for any historian, this guide will fascinate every reader interested in one of the longest-running monarchies in the world.

The definitive chronicle of the ancient peoples of Central America & Mexico – including the Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Mixtec, Toltec and Zapotec In a sumptuous new large-format edition, this wide-ranging reference book covers almost 3000 years of history, offering enthralling insights into the art and architecture, myths and legends, and everyday life of the many different empires of Central America and Mexico. Stories of sun-gods and blood sacrifice, of pyramids and temples, and of the fabulous treasuries filled with gold have fascinated many generations. This book unravels the true facts behind the stories and looks at how myth and legends can tell us much about the cult of war in these pre-industrial nations. The magnificent architectural and cultural achievements of a succession of Mesoamerican peoples - the Olmecs, Maya, Zapotecs, Toltecs, Mixtec and Aztecs - cover almost 3000 years. These achievements range from the temple-pyramids and colossal stone carvings of the Olmecs to the awe-inspiring cities, vast trading networks and complex religious societies of the Aztecs and Maya. The World Heritage sites of historic Mexico City and Tenochtitlán, Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, Tikal and Monte Albán, are examined giving life to the civic, military and everyday world of the time. Archaeological finds and surviving documents provide intriguing insights into astronomy, the development of calendars, mathematics, writing and the arts. They also reveal a grim commitment to war and a savage religious devotion to gods who demanded the blood of human sacrifice. Pottery and textiles, carvings, mosaics, and gold and metalwork show the technological innovations of these pre-industrial civilizations. Superbly illustrated throughout, with more than 1000 colour photographs, artworks, maps and plans, the book reveals every aspect of the history of these lost civilizations. This unrivalled volume is not only a perfect introduction to the subject but also a stunning visual record of a fascinating period that has helped to shape our world.

This comprehensive book provides a detailed insight into the Roman Catholic Church, its philosophy and practice, a guide to its most significant saints, and a history of the lives and works of each of the 266 popes from St Peter of Galilea to Francis of Argentina. Editor Charles Phillips brings together a group of expert authors to explore the extraordinary life of Christ; the first centuries of the propagation of faith; the essential principles of the Catholic doctrine; the religious and social history of Christian saints; and finally how the pope, as the direct successor of St Peter, has shaped the church's historical course from early Christian times, through the Crusades and the Reformation, and into the modern era. Lavishly illustrated with 1500 photographs and fine-art paintings, this book offers an insightful guide to a complex and rich religion and will fascinate and inform anyone interested in the history of Catholicism.

The crusades of 1200-1588 in Palestine, Spain, Italy and Northern Europe, from the Sack of Constantinople to the crusades against the Hussites, depicted in over 150 fine art images. This title offers an evocative account of what are known as the Late Crusades: the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight and ninth crusades between 1200 and 1588. It explains the political and religious background to the struggles in Palestine, the Christian determination to regain Spain, and the rise of the Ottomans in Egypt. It includes the wars waged by fellow Christians with the papal campaigns against the Cathars and Hussites, as well as against the pagan tribes in the Baltic states. It features the brotherhoods of warrior monks, including the Knights of St John, and the Knights Templar. It includes special sections on the crusading knights, generals and princes of that time such as: Prince Edward of England, King Peter of Cyprus, and Grand Master Jacques de Molay. This title is richly illustrated throughout with over 150 images of the battles, fortresses and epic journeys of the crusaders. This expertly researched and vividly illustrated book details the fascinating later crusades, which were fought between 1200 and 1588. These began with the attempts to regain the city of Jerusalem, held by the Christians for two generations but lost to Saladin in 1187. Conflict soon spread to Egypt, Spain and Italy, and then beyond, as the Pope used his call to arms to invoke campaigns against European pagans and Christian heretics. Charles Philips succeeds in explaining this complex period of history, and examining how the crusades impacted on the religious, social and political aspects of life in that time.

In battle, the medieval knight was the equivalent of the modern tank. A knight could plough his way through ranks of foot-soldiers, and on massive warhorses in tight formation, a cavalry charge was devastating. This book covers every aspect of the role of knights in feudal Europe: their nobility, social status, rigorous training, horsemanship, military exploits, responsibilities and privileges. Included are revered knights such as Charlemagne, Richard the Lionheart, Edward the Black Prince, and William Wallace, plus features on King Arthur, medieval poetry and courtly romances, stories of the crusaders, and folktales of rogue and errant knights.

This meticulously researched book provides an accessible history of the nine crusades between 1096 and 1272 plus smaller campaigns across Europe culminating in the Holy League's victory over the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto. It covers the land the crusading knights lost and won, the kingdoms they established, the inspiration that motivated them, and the controversies that still surround them. It also features some of the larger-than-life knights such as Robert of Jerusalem, Godfrey of Bouillon, Frederick II, and Richard the Lionheart and their contribution to the holy wars. Illustrated with over 400 fine art images, and with expert text, this book is a beautiful and fascinating account of an extraordinary historical period.