A tense, evocative, portrait of love and deceit set during one long hot summer in France, The Greengage Summer is a hauntingly beautiful coming-of-age story by from Rumer Godden, the author of Black Narcissus, now a major BBC drama series. When their mother is suddenly taken ill on holiday, five siblings are left to fend for themselves at the elegant, faded hotel, Les Oeillets. Under the increasingly jealous gaze of the glamorous patronne, Mademoiselle Zizi, the children gravitate towards her mysterious and charming lover, Eliot, for comfort. And, amongst the gnarled trees of the old orchards, thirteen-year-old Cecil watches from the sidelines as her achingly beautiful sister, Joss, is drawn into the heart of a toxic affair. Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.

A beautifully illustrated cover edition of Rumer Godden's classic story about friendship and family, Miss Happiness and Miss Flower. When little Nona is sent from her sunny home in India to live with her relatives in chilly England, she is miserable. Then a box arrives for her in the post and inside, wrapped up in tissue paper, are two little Japanese dolls. A slip of paper says their names are Miss Happiness and Miss Flower. Nona thinks that they must feel lonely too, so far away from home. Then Nona has an idea - she will build her dolls the perfect house! It will be just like a Japanese home in every way. It will even have a tiny Japanese garden. And as she begins to make Miss Happiness and Miss Flower happy, Nona finds that she is happier too.

Tottie is a loving little wooden doll who lives with her family in a shoebox. The doll family is owned by two sisters, Emily and Charlotte, and they are very happy, except for one thing: they long for a proper home. To their delight, their wish comes true when Emily and Charlotte fix up a Victorian dolls' house - just for them. It's perfect. But then a new arrival starts to wreak havoc in the dolls' house. For Marchpane might be a wonderfully beautiful doll, but she is also terribly cruel. And she always gets her own way . . . First published in 1947, Rumer Godden's classic The Dolls' House has been delighting children for years, and this beautiful edition, illustrated by Jane Ray, will delight future generations for years to come.

Soviet Central Asia (1989) explores the economic development of the four republics of Central Asia that suffered under Moscow’s economic policies – Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kirghizia. The Soviet literary weekly Literaturnaia gazeta described Soviet economic policies there as a ‘tragic experiment’, and this book argues that Central Asia serves as a prime example of the failure of Soviet regional development policies. It analyses the special role of the region in the Soviet economy and such key issues as industrial development, cotton production, water resources and labour. It also addresses the social ramifications of the underdevelopment of the region’s economy and the impact of new policies under Gorbachev.

Russian resurgence in the international arena has been one of the most controversial topics in European security in recent months. What drives Russian foreign policy at the end of the Putin era? Does it reflect the intensifying domestic struggle between factions and interest groups manoeuvring for dominance of the Kremlin? Is Russian international behaviour a product of the commercial pursuits of Russian energy exporters? Is it a policy fuelled by neoimperial ambition and desire to bring back under Moscow's control lands conquered by a succession of Russian emperors over more than two centuries? Or are we witnessing Moscow's painful adaptation to its new, diminished circumstances, and its attempts to develop a new international posture in relation to militarily vastly superior neighbours in Europe and Asia? And, last but not least, how should Europe and the United States respond to the new Russian foreign policy?

These are the questions that will be addressed in this Adelphi Paper. The paper will examine the key drivers of Russian foreign policy - domestic politics and economic, military and security considerations - and conclude with recommendations for Western policymakers on how to deal with Russia's return to the international arena as an assertive actor after its long period of introspection and preoccupation with domestic troubles. The paper should be of interest to scholars, policymakers and non-specialists interested in Russia and international relations.

The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 rapidly and irrevocably transformed Central Asia's political landscape. This region of five sovereign states with a population of some fifty million people quickly became a major focus of interest and influence for competing poles of power. The eminent contributors to this volume offer a four-part analysis of the region's new importance in world affairs. Rajan Menon examines the place of Central Asia in a global perspective. Eugene Rumer considers the perspective of the post-9/11 United States. Dimitri Trenin looks at the region from the standpoint of traditional hegemon Russia. Huasheng Zhao provides the view from economic superpower-in-the-making China.

The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 rapidly and irrevocably transformed Central Asia's political landscape. This region of five sovereign states with a population of some fifty million people quickly became a major focus of interest and influence for competing poles of power. The eminent contributors to this volume offer a four-part analysis of the region's new importance in world affairs. Rajan Menon examines the place of Central Asia in a global perspective, while Dimitri Trenin looks at it from the standpoint of traditional hegemon Russia. Huasheng Zhao provides the view from economic superpower-in-the-making China, and Eugene Rumer represents the position of the post-9/11 United States.

For better or worse, the former Soviet republics of Central Asia have largely completed their post-independence transitions. Over more than a decade, they have established themselves as independent states whose internal regimes and external relations have characteristic patterns and vulnerabilities both individually and as a group. The purpose of this volume is to assess both what has been accomplished and the trends of development in the region, especially its leading states. How sound are the foundations of this "bulwark against the spread of terrorism" in Eurasia?

This systematic analysis of the latest developments and trends in Central Asia assembles scholars from the United States, Russia, China, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, under the expert direction of Boris Rumer. With the evolving geopolitical situation as a background, they provide perceptive and reality-based appraisals of a host of key issues in the region, including: the influence of the Islamic factor; the deterioration of domestic political situations generated by the character of the ruling regimes; the dynamics and structural asymmetry of regional economies due to hypertrophy of the raw materials sector; and the deficiencies and failures of institutional reform in the social and economic spheres. In today's world, as centuries-old norms of political and economic order are being destroyed, we need to think carefully about the essential questions of politics, economics, and public life in the states examined here, independent only since the 1990s and now proclaimed the bulwark against terrorism.

Investment activity in the Soviet Union is presently undergoing a decline hitherto unknown in the history of the nation: The growth of capital investment has stopped, while levels of production have fallen. One important factor in this phenomenon is the Soviet policy of reindustrialization-shifting new investments into the expansion and improvement of existing facilities-which severely limits capital available for new construction. In this book, Dr. Rumer examines current Soviet investment policies and assesses their impact on economic development, especially in Siberia. Reindustrialization is intended to combine more rapid amortization for updating and retooling, growth in the volume of industrial output, and minimal capital investment. However, concludes Dr. Rumer, this investment pattern hinders the development of Siberia and thus reinforces the spatial polarization of fuel-energy and raw-material resources in the east of the country and the manufacturing industry in the west, with serious consequences for Soviet strategic/military vulnerability and for the Soviet economy.

The societies of Central Asia are besieged from within and without. The political elites -- virtually unchanged despite the transition to independent statehood -- battle radical Islamic movements and other oppositional threats that are continuously fueled by economic instability, corruption, environmental deterioration, and the collapse of social services. The heightened U.S. presence in the area, in connection with the military action in Afghanistan, is likely to unsettle the situation further, even while bolstering the incumbent regime.

This survey of political, economic, and social developments in Central Asia offers geopolitical context, unparalleled coverage, and analytical depth to our understanding of a region that can no longer be safely ignored.

The societies of Central Asia are besieged from within and without. The political elites -- virtually unchanged despite the transition to independent statehood -- battle radical Islamic movements and other oppositional threats that are continuously fueled by economic instability, corruption, environmental deterioration, and the collapse of social services. The heightened U.S. presence in the area, in connection with the military action in Afghanistan, is likely to unsettle the situation further, even while bolstering the incumbent regime.

This survey of political, economic, and social developments in Central Asia offers geopolitical context, unparalleled coverage, and analytical depth to our understanding of a region that can no longer be safely ignored.

The economic, political, and international profile of Central Asia has been the subject of much speculation since the region emerged from under the Soviet banner. This book offers systematic, informed analysis of developments in the newest of emerging market regions by a team of international experts, including leading in-country specialists. After an astute survey of political regimes by Umirserik Kasenov, Boris Rumer and Stanislav Zhukov present a comprehensive analysis of economic development and integrated issues. In the final four chapters, focused attention is devoted to foreign investment and trade questions and the most critical challenges confronting the two largest states, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Russia's resurgence as an assertive actor in the global diplomatic arena after a long period of introspection and preoccupation with domestic troubles, and the economic revival that underpins it, are among the most striking developments in international relations of recent years. But what drives Russian foreign policy at the end of the Putin era? To what extent is it shaped by Russia's role as a major energy supplier, and how long can the country remain anenergy superpower if indeed it is one? How might Russian foreign policy change in the years ahead? Which way will Russia, faced with the might of growing powers around it, and struggling with the fragility of its economic success and stability at home, choose to face in international relations? This Adelphi Paper examines the domestic context of contemporary Russian foreign policy and its key political, economic, military and security drivers, as well as looking at the contrasting outlook that preceded it, and at how Russia's international posture may adjust again in the coming years. It concludes with recommendations for Western policy makers on how to respond to Russia's return.

The economic, political and geopolitical future of Central Asia has been subject to speculation since the region emerged from under the Soviet banner. With contributions from Central Asian, Russian, US and Japanese experts, this book gives an analysis of the issues and choices facing the region.

I have been seeking P.F. Sloan, but no one knows where he's gone. -from the song 'P.F. Sloan' by Jimmy Webb. Absolutely none of 'em could beat ol' P.F. -Lester Bangs, Rolling Stone magazine. What's Exactly The Matter With Me? is a first-person account of an extraordinary life and pilgrimage through the most fascinating years of American and English musical culture. This is a story of dreams, success, destruction, and miraculous resurrection; the incredible, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of one of the greatest songwriters in American music-and also one of the most elusive and mysterious. P.F. Sloan was one of the most prolific and influential geniuses to emerge from the golden age of the 60s, and a pioneer of folk-rock. Between 1965 and 1967, 150 of his songs were recorded by major acts, and 45 of those made the charts. No other songwriter has ever come close to achieving so great number of hits in such a short period of time. From his little studio at Dunhill Records, P.F. Sloan was a veritable hit-machine, writing for The Mamas and The Papas (that's Sloan's infectious guitar lick on 'California Dreamin"), Jan and Dean (the falsetto you hear on most of their hits is Sloan's), Barry McGuire (the brilliant and controversial 'Eve Of Destruction'), Johnny Rivers ('Secret Agent Man'), The Turtles, The Fifth Dimension, and many, many more. He wrote so many songs, in fact, that Dunhill sold him as seven different acts. Unsurprisingly, he wound up exhausted and broken, thus beginning a long journey into the wilderness-a journey of UFOs and psychiatric hospitals, healing and survival, and, ultimately, redemption.

Provides a comprehensive review and evaluation of waste containment technologies presently practiced in remediation applications. Covers the state-of-knowledge, construction and performance of the three main barrier types - vertical (walls), bottom (floors) and surface (caps).

A tense, evocative, portrait of love and deceit set during one long hot summer in France, The Greengage Summer is a hauntingly beautiful coming-of-age story by from Rumer Godden, the author of Black Narcissus, a major BBC drama series. When their mother is suddenly taken ill on holiday, five siblings are left to fend for themselves at the elegant, faded hotel, Les Oeillets. Under the increasingly jealous gaze of the glamorous patronne, Mademoiselle Zizi, the children gravitate towards her mysterious and charming lover, Eliot, for comfort. And, amongst the gnarled trees of the old orchards, thirteen-year-old Cecil watches from the side lines as her achingly beautiful sister, Joss, is drawn into the heart of a toxic affair. 'Rumer Godden's novels pulse with life' - Daily Telegraph 'One of the finest. . .English novelists' - New York Times 'An exciting tale, this novel has both charm and atmosphere' - Evening Standard

Ivy, Holly, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones all have one Christmas wish. Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a real home and sets out in search of the grandmother she's sure she can find. Holly, a doll, wishes for a child to bring her to life. And the Joneses wish more than anything for a son or daughter to share their holiday. Can all three wishes come true? This festive tale is perfectly complemented by beloved Barbara Cooney's luminous illustrations, filled with the warm glow of the Christmas spirit.

The old woman is happy living in her old vinegar bottle house by a loch, until one day she saves a charming fish prince who grants her wishes in return. At first the old woman's wishes are humble -- a hot dinner and a little cottage -- but as she asks for more and more extravagant things she forgets how happy she used to be in her little vinegar bottle house with her cat, Malt. Can her wishes truly bring her happiness? This traditional tale is adapted with charm and humour by Rumer Godden, one of the twentieth-century's best-loved writers, while the beautiful artwork of best-selling illustrator Mairi Hedderwick, creator of Katie Morag, give the story a Scottish twist! Featuring beautiful Scottish landscapes and lively characters, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle is a wonderful traditional tale to share with young children.

At fifteen and twelve, the daughters of diplomat Sir Edward Gwithiam have already seen more of the world than most girls of their age. But when Una and her younger sister, Halcyon, are summoned from their English boarding school to join their father in New Delhi, they encounter a reality unlike anything they have ever experienced. For Hal, India is a glorious adventure, filled with exotic sights and sounds, and a host of interesting new people. But Una feels like an outsider in this world of ingrained racial prejudice and cultural elitism left over from the days of the British Raj. Then Ravi, a young Indian gardener, brings a welcome light into Una's life, relieving her sadness and loneliness with poetry and compassion. But what begins as a simple friendship soon blossoms into a love forbidden by society, threatening to end in scandal and disaster. The Peacock Spring is a beautiful and heartbreaking novel of loss of innocence and coming-of-age from the acclaimed author of Black Narcissus and The Greengage Summer.