The yew is one of the most fascinating and versatile life forms on Earth, botanically rich and intriguing, and culturally almost without comparison. In history, mythology, religion, folklore, medicine and warfare, this tree bears timeless witness to a deep relationship with mankind. Yew was the wood chosen to make some of mankind's oldest artefacts: spears, bows and musical instruments. These include items like the prehistoric spear found near Clacton, the 2,000-year-old wooden pipes from Greystones, County Wicklow and, of course, the famous medieval English longbow. In modern medicine, too, yew has proved a boon. Since 1992 taxol/paclitaxel has helped revolutionise the treatment of certain types of cancer. In botanical terms, yew is a mass of contradictions. It is a conifer which bears scarlet 'berries' with sweet juicy pulp instead of cones. It is highly poisonous in all its parts except the red fruit pulp, and yet both wild and domesticated animals feed upon it. It can live for thousands of years with the potential to renew itself. A new tree from an interior root can grow slowly within the hollow trunk of an ancient yew and centuries later 'take over' the older tree. When it come to habitat, the yew tree is nothing if not versatile. It can grown on different continents at a wide range of altitudes: from rainy Edinburgh to sultry Istanbul, from Canada to Mexico, Scandinavia to North Africa and Sumatra, Japan and the Himalayas. Fred Hageneder's fascinating book is the first to cover all aspects of the botany as well as the cultural history and mythology of the genus Taxus. This is the remarkable story of the oldest living things in Europe.

-- Pioneers a new Science of Nature -- Offers striking new arguments against GM technologies -- Proposes startling solutions to our energy needs -- Foreword by David Bellamy Austrian naturalist Viktor Schauberger (1885-1958) was far ahead of his time. From his unusually detailed observations of the natural world, he pioneered a completely new understanding of how nature works. He also foresaw, and tried to warn against, the global waste and ecological destruction of our age. This book describes and explains Schauberger's insights in contemporary, accessible language. His remarkable discoveries -- which address issues such as sick water, ailing forests, climate change and, above all, renewable energy -- have dramatic implications for how we should work with nature and its resources.

Master artist and best-selling author David Bellamy shares with you his techniques, ideas and approach to painting his beloved landscape throughout the year. A revised and expanded edition of David Bellamy's Winter Landscapes in Watercolour, David looks at each season in detail and explores the challenges and surprises they present to the landscape artist. Also covered are learning techniques for seasonal effects such as rendering hoar frost on trees; misty and atmospheric effects; injecting rogue colours to add excitement to your work; how to tackle a variety of tree branches for different species; depicting light branches against dark backgrounds; altering the composition to suit your needs, and so much more.

This book is the culmination of various expeditions made by well-known artist and bestselling author David Bellamy to his beloved Arctic. His descriptions of his travels, written from an artist's point of view, vividly bring to life the challenges he faced when painting outdoors in one of the harshest environments on the planet, and make for an exhilarating and captivating read. Filled with David's watercolour paintings and sketches, made during his various expeditions, the book provides a fascinating insight into the wildlife and people that live within the Arctic Circle and captures perfectly the majesty and breathtaking beauty of the world's final wilderness.

Explore the deserts, mountains and souks of the Middle East, with best-selling author and artist David Bellamy. Following on from David's highly acclaimed Arctic Light, this book provides an intriguing and often entertaining insight into South Arabia and the Swahili Coast, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman. It describes the history, culture, customs and geography of the region and the daily life of its inhabitants, as viewed through the eyes of a world-renowned watercolour artist and life-long adventurer. Filled with personal anecdotes and humour, David Bellamy's unique account shines a light on the Middle East and highlights the incredible beauty and fascinating culture of this much-neglected region. David's stunning artwork, that he painted during his various expeditions, features throughout the book and captures perfectly the diverse and majestic nature of the region. Watercolourists will be inspired by the author's awe-inspiring ability to depict sweeping vistas and create a sense of space in his paintings, and to capture the very essence of a place through his art.

Renowned watercolourist David Bellamy shares his passion for painting seas and shorelines in this inspiring and practical book. There is advice on finding subjects and painting the different moods of the sea; rocks, crags and cliffs; adding figures and animals into your artworks; as well as an in-depth look at the painting and sketching techniques required. David's extensive travels mean that seas and shorelines from all over the world appear in the paintings.

Containing more than 300 step-by-step photographs, tips, instructions, and finished paintings, this complete guide provides a comprehensive introduction to watercolor and serves as an essential addition to the reference library of any artist. For those seeking to brush up on their skills or learn new ways of applying traditional techniques, this master class on atmosphere and mood, taught by renowned instructor David Bellamy, includes many excellent demonstrations and instructions on how to paint mountains and crags, rivers, hedgerows, flowers, beaches, harbors, and figures. With surprisingly simple techniques regarding composition, perspective, color, texture, and detail, this is a must-have resource for aspiring and experienced artists alike.

'A real find.... and a must read for all who enjoy good writing.' - J. Barry Humour, wit, passion, science - not a dull page in the whole book. He makes gardening sexy - Richard Kirby, BBC Natural History Unit cameraman/director. 'I blame it on Abies magnifica, ' says the author of his decision to leave New Zealand and travel the world, working as a gardener. Seeking out the trees, plants, gardens and arboreta he knew previously only from textbooks, Michael Scott describes the flora - and people - he meets with a unique, incisive and clever style. Introduction by 'Botanic Man' Prof David Bellamy: 'This is the most unusual gardening book I have ever read; really a biography of botanist Michael Scott who was born in NZ. Contains many good tips (and trips) to further one's knowledge of gardening. An easy read, very slick and full of interest for all who love gardening and/or see this as a good way to pay one's way around the earth. Reminds us that Earth is more valuable than gold. D.B. Christmas 2013

I probably should have called it: What Is Colin Farrell Really Like? This is the story of my summer gig working as an extra in the film The New World, which was Terrence Malick's dramatic re-creation of the Jamestown experience and the life of Pocahontas, released in 2006 by New Line Cinema. I saw a story in the newspaper about auditions. I had very little acting experience, but I had had ancestors at Jamestown in the 1600s and was writing a book about some of them. So I thought it might help me to feel the ambience of Jamestown if I was "lucky" enough to make the cut. In the first scene on the first day, I had to perform next to Colin Farrell and Christopher Plummer. Everyone seemed to think I should know what to do Overall, I think the book will give readers a new appreciation of the talent, hard work, and sheer craziness that go into the making of a big budget Hollywood film. Reynolds Price said: "I loved your account of the stint in The New World.... The whole piece is appropriately a hoot."

'The particular Bellamys I am writing about here arrived in the New World very early on, certainly no later than 1710 and possibly as early as 1634. It was a time of great upheaval in England, from whence they came, and we do not know expressly why they came. But there are a number of likely reasons.."

Joe David Bellamy's "The Bellamys of Early Virginia" provides the historical background as well as the hard evidence for a clearer understanding of this quintessentially American family. It is based on over a decade of original research into the genealogy and family history of the early Bellamys in areas of Virginia where many of the vital records were destroyed in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. This book cites numerous previously undiscovered sources, corrects many misconceptions, and puts forth compelling suggestions for further research.

'The particular Bellamys I am writing about here arrived in the New World very early on, certainly no later than 1710 and possibly as early as 1634. It was a time of great upheaval in England, from whence they came, and we do not know expressly why they came. But there are a number of likely reasons.."

Joe David Bellamy's "The Bellamys of Early Virginia" provides the historical background as well as the hard evidence for a clearer understanding of this quintessentially American family. It is based on over a decade of original research into the genealogy and family history of the early Bellamys in areas of Virginia where many of the vital records were destroyed in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. This book cites numerous previously undiscovered sources, corrects many misconceptions, and puts forth compelling suggestions for further research.

The yew is one of the most fascinating and versatile life forms on Earth, botanically rich and intriguing and culturally almost without comparison. In history, mythology, religion, folklore, medicine and in warfare, the yew bears timeless witness to a deep relationship with mankind. It is the tree that Darwin often rested beneath and under which he wanted to be buried until public opinion decreed a higher-status interment in Westminster Abbey. It was under the great Ankerwyke yew at Runnymede in Buckinghamshire that Magna Carta is believed to have been sworn by the barons in 1215. In 1803, Wordsworth celebrated the great yew in Lorton Vale, 'single, in the midst of its own darkness', a tree under which both the great Quaker George Fox and John Wesley preached. In many cultures it is the Tree of Life, and its association with churchyards in Britain and Europe has given it a particular claim on the popular imagination as a living link between our landscapes and those of the distant past.