Renowned expert David Rago, publisher of Style 1900 and Modernism Magazine and frequent guest on Antiques Roadshow™, is widely acknowledged as the foremost dealer in art pottery, having run his auction house/gallery for 30 years. Here he imparts the full measure of his knowledge and experience in a sumptuous photographic volume that is the essential companion for enthusiasts of the ceramic arts. With over 350 fine color photographs, the rare beauty of the potter’s art, from 1876 on, is richly illustrated and insightfully evaluated.

Ansel Adams is known for his expressive interpretations of nature, and especially of the landscapes of the American West that so inspired him. Not only were his photographs almost poetic in their subtlety, they were also technically superb, reflecting his lifelong determination to strive for ever greater tonal range, depth, sharpness and detail in his images. At the height of his career, Adams was commissioned to create a photographic record of the beauty of the unspoiled American West that could be reproduced as a series of large murals for the U.S. Department of the Interior. This handsome volume presents the best of the Mural Project photographs, along with a selection of others that were also part of his public-service portfolio.

Aquaponics is a revolutionary system for growing plants by fertilising them with the waste water from fish in a sustainable closed system. A combination of the best of aquaculture and hydroponics, aquaponic gardening is an amazingly productive way to grow organic vegetables, greens, herbs and fruits, while providing the added benefits of fresh fish as a safe, healthy source of protein. On a larger scale, it is a key solution to mitigating food insecurity, climate change, groundwater pollution and the impacts of overfishing on our oceans. This is the definitive do-it-yourself home manual, with an introduction by Charlie Price, head of Aquaponics UK. It focuses on giving you all the tools you need to create your own aquaponic system and enjoy healthy, safe, fresh and delicious food all year round. Starting with an overview of the theory, benefits and potential of aquaponics, this book goes on to explain: system location considerations and hardware components; the living elements – fish, plants, bacteria, and worms; and, putting it all together – starting and maintaining a healthy system. Aquaponics systems are completely organic. They are four to six times more productive and use 90 percent less water than conventional gardens. Other advantages include no weeds, fewer pests, and no watering, fertilising, bending, digging, or heavy lifting – in fact, there really is no down side! Anyone interested in taking the next step towards self-sufficiency will be fascinated by this practical, accessible and well-illustrated guide.

Confused about the difference between Baroque and Rococo? Curious about the latest architectural trends, or maybe the ancient traditions of Japan? Wondering if the White House has Doric or Corinthian columns? ‘Architecture: A Spotter’s Guide’ takes you on a whirlwind tour of our rich and varied architectural heritage. However much, or little, you know about architecture, you’ll find this concise, worldwide guide to our remarkably diverse built landscape invaluable. Not only does it provide a richly illustrated, easy-to-use reference to the major trends that have prevailed in architecture since Classical antiquity, it also outlines the key features that will enable you to identify the style of almost any building that catches your attention, giving you a whole new outlook on your surroundings.

In the encounters in the wild series, renowned nature writer Jim Crumley gets up close and personal with British wildlife: here, the barn owl. With his inimitable passion and vision, he relives memorable encounters with some of our best-loved native species, offering intimate insights into their extraordinary lives. “The barn owl is an ambassador for life on the edge. It is the night owl that also hunts fearlessly by day; the silent flier with a sudden shriek that can shatter glass; the restless sentry of the outside edge of the woods with one ear attuned to the grassy banks and the other to the first and last tree shadows; the stone-still embellishment on a country kirkyard gravestone beyond the edge of the village, looking in moonlight like nothing so much as the sculptor’s final inspired flourish.”

The brutal shooting of a bear cub galvanises ecologist Callis MacArthur into becoming an activist. Dreaming of bears roaming free – even in Scotland, a thousand years after their disappearance – she finds herself exploring Europe’s remotest forests and meeting colourful characters who are as passionate about nature as she is. But as she begins to embrace her wild side, she faces escalating challenges: she must risk her career and endure agonising personal losses to avoid being swept up in events and emotions beyond her control. Combining lyrical prose, mythical themes, romance and a cracking plot, Bear Witness is a page-turner with a heart and mind.