Guizhou, isolated from the rest of the world for centuries by its mountainous terrain, remains one of China's most isolated and unspoiled provinces. Its beckoning treasures include Asia's biggest waterfall, China's largest limestone cave, areas of pri

Guizhou Province, Second Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guides)

Travel

Corrigan, Gina

Asia

Airphoto International Ltd.

Since the earliest years of city history, New York's firefighters have put their lives on the line to protect its citizens from fire. Written by experts on Fire Department history, this book documents the evolution of city firefighting from the earliest bucket brigades through to the post 9/11 Department, largely through the collection of the The New York Fire Museum. Along the way, it documents the organizational improvements and political changes that have made city firefighting significantly more effective. This book tells the tale of the greatest fires that threatened New York, including the Great Fire of 1835 and the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. It includes the attack on the World Trade Center and looks beyond from the perspective of the months following that traumatic day when hundreds of New York's Bravest tragically lost their lives. Illustrated throughout with full-color photographs of fire fighting equipment, memorabilia and notable fires, mostly taken from the remarkable collection of the NYC Fire Museum and generously supplemented with unique additional material from private collections as well as from the FDNY Photo Unit. With chilling accounts of the most devastating fires that have threatened New York, including the Great Fire of 1835, the General Slocum Steamboat Fire and the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, FDNY: An Illustrated History tells the story of the world's greatest city and the brave firefighters who work tirelessly to protect it. Full-color photographs throughout

FDNY: An Illustrated History of the Fire Department of New York (American Icon Close-Up Guide)

Arts & Photography

The New York City Fire Museum

Andrew Coe

Photography & Video

To the modern reader, the Silk Road conjures up images of fabled cities and exotic lands, of long-gone empires and great conquerors. Place names such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khotan and Chang'an continue to fascinate with the richness of their past. In this authoritative book, Luce Boulnois explores the encounter between East and West across the vast continental expanse that separates the Mediterranean world from the Chinese one. She unravels in a clear and compelling way the complex threads that make up the history of these great overland trade routes, which allowed the transmission across the world of ideas and beliefs, techniques and works of art, helping to shape civilisations that flourished along the way. How did the Romans, following in the footsteps of the Greeks, discover these far-flung regions? What did the Chinese know of the European world? How did they manage to keep the secret of silk manufacture safe for centuries? Did Marco Polo really go to China, or was he just a clever impostor? In navigating through these questions Boulnois enlightens us about the relationships between the East and the West and their influence on each other in the light of recent archeological discoveries, while also taking into account the recent geopolitical upheavals that have swept through these regions. Color Illustrations and maps

Silk Road: Monks, Warriors & Merchants

History

Luce Boulnois

Helen Loveday

The great legacy of the ancient Khmer civilization, the temples of Angkor cover an area of over 77 square miles in northwest Cambodia. These monuments, built between the ninth and 15th centuries, the classic period of Khmer art, are unrivaled in architectural greatness. They are, undoubtedly, one of the wonders of the world, astounding in their splendor and evoking a real sense of awe... This beautifully illustrated book contains background information on Khmer history, religious beliefs and legends depicted on the bas-reliefs, as well as descriptions of the architectural features. This detailed, monument-by-monument guide to the sites includes detailed maps and plans, plus information about four newly opened temple complexes accessible by helicopter!

Angkor: Cambodia's Wondrous Khmer Temples, Fifth Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guide)

Rooney, Dawn

Stunningly illustrated with a clear overview of historical, cultural and social aspects, this newest edition of Odyssey's guide to Kyrgyzstan provides fresh information on both southwestern Issyk Kul and northeast Naryn provinces as well as expanded Jalalabad province, Osh and Talas sections (including trekking by foot or horseback in the Chatkal valley to Sary Chelek). Whether exploring grass-roots accommodation of local nomadic families or mountainous adventures in the mighty Tien Shan range, this guide offers unparalleled insight into Kyrgyzstan's tremendous scenic beauty and diversity. Included: historical and contemporary aspects of this fascinating, little-known land, new areas for trekking and mountaineering, sights and activities in each area to appeal to all interests, practical Kyrgyz- and Russian-language guide with Cyrillic alphabet, and outstanding color photography. 108 color photos and 7 maps

Kyrgyz Republic (Odyssey Illustrated Guide)

Stewart, Rowan

Weldon, Susie

Thanks to 20 years of civil war and its association with terrorism, Afghanistan is now unjustly thought of in the West as a barbarous backwater. Afghanistan: A Traveler's Companion &amp; Guide aims to dispel this image in a comprehensive introduction to 3,500 years of Afghan culture. Starting with a full history of the country from 1500 BC, each chapter looks at the major cities and regions, describing their distinctive cultural and ethnic traditions, their associations with poets, artists, musicians, travelers and holy men, as well as warriors and conquerors. Ancient and modern sources from Afghanistan are extensively quoted, as well as the thoughts, musings and experiences of writers from America, Europe, Russia, China, India and the Middle East, including such luminaries as Wilfred Thesiger and Bruce Chatwin. Experienced Afghan traveler Matthew Leeming contributes detailed information for those who intend to visit the country as tourists, with guides to specific cities and areas, as well as more general advice. A number of short specialist appendices by leading experts further illustrate matters such as archaeology, architecture, carpets, miniature painting, calligraphy, music, flora and fauna. Wonderfully illustrated with superb images from world-renowned photographers such as Michael Yamashita and Roland and Sabrina Michaud. Also includes engravings, etchings, paintings and priceless museum artifacts. • Written by authors with both academic and first-hand knowledge of the country • Essential reading for anyone with an interest in Afghanistan's history • Includes stunning contemporary photography from world-renowned photographers such as Michael Yamashita and Roland and Sabrina Michaud • Rare archive material includes black-and-white photography by Wilfred Thesiger • Literary excerpts from Herodotus to Robert Lowell, Robert Byron, Peter Levi and Bruce Chatwin • The most comprehensive coverage, from Alexander the Great to the new constitution • 110 stunning color photos This lavish guide reveals the immense treasury of cultural, historical and natural wealth-too frequently forgotten-that is Afghanistan. 110 full-color photos; maps and illustrations

Afghanistan: A Companion and Guide

Bijan Omrani

Matthew Leeming

Middle East

Whethersacred mounts or gardens, original photography, original architectural drawings,and three-dimensional renditions of temple ruins dramatically illustrate the concisescholarly insight and passion of the author. The cultural landscape of Buddhism is,for the first time, drawn together from the religion's inception to its grand spreadthrough more than twenty Asian countries. This story is essential reading foranyone wanting to peer over the temple wall at the fascinating motivations behindsuch architecture.

Sacred Spaces: Architecture of the Buddhist World

Lall, Vikram

A popular guidebook to the beautiful destination of New Zealand, with its green-and-golden land spread between snowy mountain peaks, and its winding coastline of island-studded bays and harbors. Waterfalls cascading through mossy gorges, bubbling geothermal areas, active volcanoes, magnificent stretches of sandy beach and cool fjords are among the highlights that attract travelers to this other land 'down under'. This well-researched and entertaining book provides an excellent overview of New Zealand's Maori culture, a special topic on Tolkien-related New Zealand, geological wonders, national parks and cities, in addition to a step-by-step tour of the country. This guide provides up-to-date, detailed information on New Zealand's many outdoor sporting activities, including diving, hiking, bird-watching and golf. If you like to travel in style, but don't want to miss anything along the way, this is the book for you. Are you feeling energetic enough to go bungee jumping at Queenstown or rafting the rapids of the Tongariro River? Does taking in a traditional Maori presentation sound intriguing? Are you a golfer who enjoys walking world-class fairways? Does getting close to nature by swimming with dolphins sound appealing? At the end of the day, how does a supremely soothing soak in a naturally heated thermal pool sound? This book has it all and more―comprehensive coverage of a land that boasts some of the world's most spectacular and diverse scenery, countless outdoor adventures, hospitable locals, and tourist facilities that will impress even the most discerning of travelers. 102 full-color photographs and 14 maps

New Zealand: Snowy Peaks to Ocean Deep, Sixth Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guides)

Andrew Hempstead

Elisabeth Booz

Ever since Marco Polo published his wide-eyed report on Khanbaligh, or Cambaluc, the city of the Mongol khans, Peking―as Beijing has been known for most of the past 300 years―has captured the Western imagination as few other ancient cities have.Beijing Walks presents six detailed walking tours of the most important historic quarters of the Chinese capitalthe Forbidden City, the former Legation Quarter, Beihai Park, the Temple of Heaven, the Confucius Temple, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, and the Olympic Village. All tours are placed in their imperial contexts and enlivened with drawings and photographs. Cohn offers vital information on everything from feng shui, Pekingese dogs, and Peking duck to Peking Opera and the emperors' private lives, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of old Peking, its pleasures and its grandeur. 115 full-color photos and 17 maps

Beijing Walks: Exploring the Heritage (Odyssey Illustrated Guides)

Sports & Outdoors

Cohn, Don J.

Individual Sports

Long regarded as a mysterious and desolate archipelago, this wildlife paradise is a true showcase of evolution in action. In recent years, the newly developed Marine Reserve fulfills the ultimate purpose of the National Park Service—protection and conserv

Galapagos: A Natural History Guide, Seventh Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guides)

Science & Math

Constant, Pierre

Biological Sciences

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Airphoto International Ltd. publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Airphoto International Ltd.