This book shows how Shakespeare's excellence as storyteller, wit and poet reflects the creative process of conceptual blending. Cognitive theory provides a wealth of new ideas that illuminate Shakespeare, even as he illuminates them, and the theory of blending, or conceptual integration, strikingly corroborates and amplifies both classic and current insights of literary criticism. This study explores how Shakespeare crafted his plots by fusing diverse story elements and compressing incidents to strengthen dramatic illusion; considers Shakespeare's wit as involving sudden incongruities and a reckoning among differing points of view; interrogates how blending generates the "strange meaning" that distinguishes poetic expression; and situates the project in relation to other cognitive literary criticism. This book is of particular significance to scholars and students of Shakespeare and cognitive theory, as well as readers curious about how the mind works.

The Danes are the happiest people in the world, and pay the highest taxes. 'Neutral' Sweden is one of the biggest arms manufacturers in the world. Finns have the largest per capita gun ownership after the US and Yemen. 54 per cent of Icelanders believe in elves. Norway is the richest country on earth. 5 per cent of Danish men have had sex with an animal. Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians, on and off, for over ten years, perplexed by their many strange paradoxes and character traits and equally bemused by the unquestioning enthusiasm for all things Nordic and hygge that has engulfed the rest of the world. He leaves his adopted home of Denmark and embarks on a journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover who these curious tribes are, the secrets of their success and, most intriguing of all, what they think of each other. Along the way a more nuanced, often darker picture emerges of a region plagued by taboos, characterised by suffocating parochialism and populated by extremists of various shades. 'The next Bill Bryson.' New York Times Winner of the Best Narrative Travel Book Award from the British Guild of Travel Writers

This book shows how Shakespeare's excellence as storyteller, wit and poet reflects the creative process of conceptual blending. Cognitive theory provides a wealth of new ideas that illuminate Shakespeare, even as he illuminates them, and the theory of blending, or conceptual integration, strikingly corroborates and amplifies both classic and current insights of literary criticism. This study explores how Shakespeare crafted his plots by fusing diverse story elements and compressing incidents to strengthen dramatic illusion; considers Shakespeare's wit as involving sudden incongruities and a reckoning among differing points of view; interrogates how blending generates the "strange meaning" that distinguishes poetic expression; and situates the project in relation to other cognitive literary criticism. This book is of particular significance to scholars and students of Shakespeare and cognitive theory, as well as readers curious about how the mind works.

This book examines the careers of three performers whose professional lives together spanned the period from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth centuries, from the heyday of neo-Classicism to the coming of Realism. While the individual essays concentrate on the specific work of Siddons, Rachel and Ristori, a wide-ranging introduction relates their collective achievement to social and cultural change. All three rejuvenated a national repertoire and experimented with new forms of dramatic literature, achieving fame far beyond the boundaries of their own country. As they redefined the nature of tragic experience, as strong and independent women, they contributed greatly to changing concepts of gender and sexuality. Vivid reconstructions of their interpretations and unique accounts of theatrical conditions place the art of three very different but pivotal figures in context.

'His account of their "foodie family road trip" establishes Booth as the next Bill Bryson.' New York Times Japan is the pre-eminent food nation on earth. The creativity of the Japanese, their dedication and ingenuity, not to mention courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream, is only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi-saturated West, as are the remarkable health benefits of the traditional Japanese diet. Food and travel writer Michael Booth sets of to take the culinary pulse of contemporary Japan and he and his young family travel the length of the country - from bear-infested, beer-loving Hokkaido to snake-infested, seaweed-loving Okinawa. What do the Japanese know about food? Perhaps more than anyone else on earth, judging by this fascinating and funny journey through an extraordinary food-obsessed country. Winner of the Guild of Food Writers Kate Whiteman Award for the best book on food and travel.

**Shortlisted for the 2017 Andre Simon Food and Drink Book Awards** **Shortlisted for the 2018 Fortnum & Mason Food Book Award** 'The next Bill Bryson.' New York Times Food and travel writer Michael Booth and his family embark on an epic journey the length of Japan to explore its dazzling food culture. They find a country much altered since their previous visit ten years earlier (which resulted in the award-winning international bestseller Sushi and Beyond). Over the last decade the country's restaurants have won a record number of Michelin stars and its cuisine was awarded United Nations heritage status. The world's top chefs now flock to learn more about the extraordinary dedication of Japan's food artisans, while the country's fast foods - ramen, sushi and yakitori - have conquered the world. As well as the plaudits, Japan is also facing enormous challenges. Ironically, as Booth discovers, the future of Japan's culinary heritage is under threat. Often venturing far off the beaten track, the author and his family discover intriguing future food trends and meet a fascinating cast of food heroes, from a couple lavishing love on rotten fish, to a chef who literally sacrificed a limb in pursuit of the ultimate bowl of ramen, and a farmer who has dedicated his life to growing the finest rice in the world... in the shadow of Fukushima.

'The next Bill Bryson' New York Times Two tigers cannot share the same mountain - Chinese proverb Despite geographical proximity, cultural similarities, and shared status as highly powerful nations, China, Korea and Japan love to hate each other. Why? In search of an answer, Michael Booth journeys across East Asia to explore the mutual animosity that frequently threatens to draw the world into all-out war. From misjudged cake decorations to electoral meddling, contradictory origin myths to territorial disputes, this deeply researched and hugely entertaining book shows that no conflict is too small to keep the fires of neighbourly hostility burning. 'A fine summary of East Asian cultures and conflicts...useful, fact-packed and readable' Spectator

If you have ever wanted to know more about aquaponics - a method of growing plants alongside fish - this little book is for you. An aquaponics system is a fabulous, self-contained, water-saving method of gardening on as small or as large a scale as you want. It can be a fair weather hobby or a year-round one if you add some sort of protection (e.g. a greenhouse or polytunnel), heat, and light to the system - or have a small system in your house. The fish water continually floods and drains through the plants, feeding and nourishing them, and the plants then act like a reed-bed, filtering the water before it goes back to the fish. The plants grow more quickly than plants in soil, and are less susceptible to disease and pests. The fish can also be eaten, providing a valuable source of clean protein without contributing to the devastating effects of over-fishing which are so damaging to our oceans and wild fish stocks. You don't have to eat the fish, though - lots of vegetarians grow food aquaponically. The growth in the self-sufficiency movement is unprecedented. More and more people are taking back control of their health from the government and pharmaceutical industries. Now it is possible to grow an abundance of healthy, organic produce even if you don't have a garden. It is also possible if you don't have a huge bank balance The book includes links to DIY plans and sets out the components you need for a basic system. The author of the book does not claim to be an aquaponics expert, she is just passionate about growing aquaponically as it has helped her health and grocery bills. She aims to dispel some of the myths about aquaponics, while showing how easy and inexpensive it can be to take up, and that you don't need to be good at electrics or plumbing in order to understand how a system works.

A puppy born without the ability to bark; A veterinarian who believes that dogs could talk, given the right surgery; A scientist who specialises in growing tissue. Add these together and the result is a dog with a unique ability and an attitude problem. That means a confused family, offended neighbours, and some very scared cats ===== This is a book for children aged around 8-12 years of age. ===== Reviews: "This is one of those books that you just don't want to put down. From the first page it was great. My kids enjoyed listening to this and it prompted a very nice lengthy discussion after we were finished with it. I would highly recommend this book to parents. Although this is a longer book, I found it a nice way to spend an afternoon with my kids." "This is a perfect family book." "Who wouldn't want to have a speaking dog and learn to know what his/her furry friend really thinks? The book also gives a lot of opportunities for (grand)parents that read this book with their (grand)children to start conversations about so important topics like bullying in an easy way. Highly recommended " =====

'The next Bill Bryson.' New York Times World-weary, distracted and more often than not the worse for wine, Michael Booth really needed to make some major changes to his life. Instead, he embarks on an over-ambitious, self-indulgent attempt to write the definitive book on Indian food, taking his wife and two young children in tow. They criss-cross India, from mist-shrouded Delhi to Mumbai and the slums of Dharavi, meeting the locals and samplying different cuisines along the way. However, his plan is derailed as he spirals deeper into his metaphysical middle-aged malaise, finally unravelling amid the sweltering heat of the Keralan backwaters. Fortunately, his wife takes control and enrolls her disintegrating husband in a hardcore yoga boot camp, enlisting a wise meditation guru who helps him chart a path towards enlightenment. But will Booth's cynicism and untrammelled appetites prove his undoing? Can he regain his balance, conquer his anxieties and face up to life as a husband and father?