Most Popular Books by Philip Wilkinson

Describes the voyage of Apollo 11, its three astronauts, and details of the mission that put the first man on the moon in 1969.

Surveys the cultural, political, artistic, and scientific highlights of major civilizations throughout history.

Explore the world''s most fascinating historical and contemporary buildings - from ancient pyramids to hi-tech skyscrapers- in this essential guide to architecture. Great Buildings gives you an overview of the history of architecture from the ancient world to the present day. It takes you on guided tours of more than 50 masterpieces of every architectural style, from the Great Pyramid of Giza to Chartres Cathedral, Sydney Opera House, and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Each building is analysed visually. CGI cutaway artworks peel away roofs and walls to reveal its structure, and close-up photographs home in on details of period style. Great Buildings takes a worldwide look at both historical and contemporary architecture. It shows you how to "read" buildings and work out when they were constructed. What is the difference between a Doric and an Ionic column? How does a flying buttress work? Why do concrete balconies appear to float in thin air? You will find all the answers here, along with a wealth of intriguing stories about the patrons, builders, and architects who made each architectural masterpiece possible. Reading Great Buildings is like being taken on a personal tour by a guide who shows you exactly what to look at. It unlocks the secrets of architecture and tells the stories behind each building, making it the perfect introduction to architecture.

DK Eyewitness Books: Christianity will give you an "eyewitness" look into Christian life, beliefs and culture around the world. Discover the different ways Christians worship and pray. See how people celebrate Christian festivals, take a look inside a monastery and find out about the amazing stories in the Bible. Great for projects and general reference, this spectacular and informative guide will tell you everything you need to know about this ancient and modern religion.

A study of the allocation of state and public financial resources in the Russian Federation. Among the problems documented are the very high differentiation of the regions in terms of level of development, public welfare and self-sufficiency; and inefficiencies in the taxation system.

Tells the story of time measurement, from the first water clocks and sundials to the high-tech atomic clocks of today. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Discusses bigfoot, vampires, fairies and other monstersl.

Profiles campaigns and battles and the leaders behind them, from the conquests of Alexander the Great to General Eisenhower''s role in the D-Day invasion of Normandy

In an easy-to-follow, accessible reference format, this book uses over 700 full-color illustrations and clear text to explain, identify, and compare the major religions of the world from Zoroastrianism and ancient Egyptian rituals to Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Story behind many of the most important inventions.

This user-friendly guide to English architecture up to the mid-twentieth century is divided into styles with examples highlighted (e.g. the Tower of London for Norman Architecture), complemented by original prints which sets this quality book apart from other guides. The detailed 18th and 19th century (and later) prints enable the reader to understand just what makes these styles so important and have the advantage of being much clearer than much modern photography. Written by architecture expert Philip Wilkinson, this is a must-read book for anyone who wants to know about English architecture in a pocket-size guide, ideal for reading when traveling.

Traces important developments in arts, crafts, and communications, from the development of writing to the invention of computers

The Infinity Series establishes a new benchmark for quality and innovation in illustrated reference books for older children. With its inventive, multi-faceted approach to individual subjects, it delivers an absorbing, exhilarating learning experience that will capture the attention of even the most reluctant reader.

Explains the key figures, festivals, holy writings and fundamental beliefs of all the major religions from ancient Egypt and Zoroastrianism, to the great faiths of today. It is cross-referenced and indexed and is intended to decode religions terminology and broaden horizons.

Describes important inventions and discoveries from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, including the creation of stone tools and the beginning of agriculture

The fascinating history of faces in art, with an in-depth look at ten famous paintings.

History books often focus on adults, but what was the past like for children? From early civilisations through to the modern era, discover what life was like for Egyptian, Viking, Tudor and Cold War children, see the toys they played with and the food they ate in this book, jam-packed with history facts and illustrations that bring the children to life. With profiles of real children from different time periods, children will learn more than ever about the real life Pocahontas, Marie Antoinette and even Anne Frank. Delve into the historic moments they witnessed and get a real insight into how they would have looked.

An investigation of ten places in Africa and the Far East that were found by explorers and merchants such as The Great Wall, Taj Mahal, and Easter Isle.

In this text children are shown the customs and rituals that help people to live in groups. They can look at the ceremonies concerned with hunting, sowing crops and the harvest, and see how many have their roots in religious beliefs. They can also observe the rituals which surround eating, learn how the everyday practice of giving and receiving gifts is steeped in ritual, and see how people settle their differences in various traditional ways, from a straight fight to more complex song-duels and drumming contests.

Discusses various modes of transportation on wheels, on water, on the tracks, in the air and in space.

Looks throughout history at discoveries in the fields of arts, crafts and communications, and discusses how the ideas and inventions which were developed changed people''s lives. Examples include glass and metalworking, writing, microscopes and telescopes, recording sound, movies, and computers. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary.

Informative guide that explores Buddhist beliefs, practices and culture.

This is the most comprehensive single volume on English architecture for the general reader. It is a visual cornucopia and a tribute to the diversity of the English built environment, which is among the richest and most diverse in the world. Over 700 buildings are described and illustrated, and they range from the architectural icons to the less noticeable but equally fascinating buildings of England''s towns and villages.

There has always been an incredible diversity of domestic buildings around the world from simple branch and animal skin lean-tos to log cabins Roman villas and skyscrapers. This superb collection of photographs brings their variety and construction vividly to life.Starting with different building materials the book looks at how buildings are put together and the problems faced by stonemasons carpenters bricklayers and other craftspeople in their daily work. Learn how a medieval half-timbered house was erected how thatch is put on a roof and how glorious patterns and colours are achieved in mosaics tiles and glass. Discover the different styles of domestic building around the world with houses shown in detail inside and out.Packed with fascinating facts Building is a unique and compelling introduction to the homes we live in.

Describes Islam including its beliefs, history, and civilization.

Long de 6 300 km, le Yang-tseu-kiang traverse la Chine de part en part. Comme la Chine elle-même, il est immense, varié et mystérieux. Il naît dans les montagnes du Tibet où les glaciers gouttent et suintent pour créer un réseau de ruisseaux glacés qui se rejoignent et forment ce que les Chinois appellent simplement le Yangzi jiang, le Long Fleuve. Il serpente et cascade au travers de quelques-uns des paysages les plus spectaculaires au monde - montagnes escarpées, gorges étroites et rapides tourbillonnants - puis traverse les plaines fécondes de la Chine orientale, enrichies par ses fréquentes crues. L''ouvrage suit le cours fascinant de ce fleuve qui a tant intrigué les Chinois comme les étrangers. Il présente la faune et la flore sauvages uniques de ses berges, des rhododendrons aux éblouissants coloris au dauphin de Chine, l''animal le plus menacé de ses eaux. Il décrit les activités - pêche, agriculture ou commerce - qui font vivre des millions de riverains. Il examine le rôle du fleuve à certains tournants de l''histoire de la Chine, telles les guerres de la période des Trois Royaumes, la révolte Taiping ou la Longue Marche de Mao et de ses alliés communistes. Enfin, il s''interroge sur l''évolution actuelle et sur les défis que doit relever le fleuve aujourd''hui. Le plus grand projet de génie civil au monde, la construction du barrage des Trois-Gorges, est presque terminé. Le gouvernement chinois espère que ce gigantesque barrage maîtrisera les crues du fleuve, qu''il ouvrira le cours supérieur à la navigation et qu''il produira de l''énergie hydroélectrique. Les opposants dénoncent la destruction de l''environnement, les coûts humains et les risques énormes du projet. Magnifiquement illustré de photographies et de cartes spécialement créées pour cet ouvrage, Yang-tseu-kiang décrit le fleuve à un moment crucial de sa longue et passionnante histoire.

Accounts of important world events and the people who took part in them, including Confucius, Marco Polo, Karl Marx, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Tours some of the world''s most interesting places, from the ziggurats of the Middle East to the mystifying lines at Nasca, Peru