Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree


Book Description

“Tariq Ali captures the humanity and splendor of Muslim Spain . . . real history as well as fiction . . . a book to be relished and devoured” (The Independent). The savagery of the Reconquest tore apart the world of the Banu Hudayl family. For the doomed Muslims of late-fifteenth-century Spain, the approaching forces of Christendom bring not peace but the sword. Capturing the brutality of a war both military and cultural—and the price paid by the innocent—Tariq Ali opens his Islam Quintet with a harrowing and profound historical fiction.







Summer in Andalucía


Book Description

'Beautifully written, comforting and utterly uplifting, Lucy Coleman’s stories are the perfect tonic when life is a little grey.' Holly Martin Lainey Summers feels blessed to have her dream job writing for a renowned foodie magazine. And the day she goes to interview chef Rick Oliver at his new restaurant—Aleatory—in London’s popular Piccadilly, is the start of an unexpected journey. When Rick is offered the opportunity to jet off to a monastery in Andalucía, to film a cookery competition for Spanish TV, Lainey goes too, to cover the story. Spending a month filming in the stunning Spanish countryside, soaking up the sights, sounds, smells and of course the cuisine, Lainey and Rick start to enjoy each other’s company. But their time together flies by too quickly, and before they know it, Rick and Lainey have to face going their separate ways. With both their worlds shifting beneath them, the call of Andalucia and the call of happiness grows ever stronger. But with everything at stake, will they be able to take the chance of a happy-ever-after... Let Lucy Coleman whisk you off on a sun-baked, life-affirming, total escape to beautiful Andalucia. What readers are saying about Lucy Coleman’s novels: 'I really adored this beautiful story. Lucy Coleman’s writing is as breathtakingly beautiful and descriptive as ever, it didn’t fail to hold me captive.' 'I am completely captivated and enchanted by her beautiful prose and her flair in storytelling, and this book won’t be my last for sure!' 'A new Lucy Coleman novel never fails to brighten up my day.' 'An escapist, enjoyable and emotional tale written with plenty of heart.' 'How many times can I say I absolutely love Lucy’s books!' 'Lucy Coleman is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors... She seems to have a way of making you feel as though you've been transported into her book and you're right there experiencing it all with the characters.' 'I am definitely a huge fan of this author and this is another magical story which is highly deserving of five stars.' 'Some books stay with you after you finish reading and for me this was one of those books.' 'Another truly wonderful book from this author that always manages to make me smile.' 'This one had me hooked, I was able to switch off and escape to a beautiful setting.'




Le Deuxième Sexe


Book Description

The classic manifesto of the liberated woman, this book explores every facet of a woman's life.













Open Veins of Latin America


Book Description

[In this book, the author's] analysis of the effects and causes of capitalist underdevelopment in Latin America present [an] account of ... Latin American history. [The author] shows how foreign companies reaped huge profits through their operations in Latin America. He explains the politics of the Latin American bourgeoisies and their subservience to foreign powers, and how they interacted to create increasingly unequal capitalist societies in Latin America.-Back cover.




Christendom Destroyed


Book Description

Mark Greengrass's gripping, major, original account of Europe in an era of tumultuous change This latest addition to the landmark Penguin History of Europe series is a fascinating study of 16th and 17th century Europe and the fundamental changes which led to the collapse of Christendom and established the geographical and political frameworks of Western Europe as we know it. From peasants to princes, no one was untouched by the spiritual and intellectual upheaval of this era. Martin Luther's challenge to church authority forced Christians to examine their beliefs in ways that shook the foundations of their religion. The subsequent divisions, fed by dynastic rivalries and military changes, fundamentally altered the relations between ruler and ruled. Geographical and scientific discoveries challenged the unity of Christendom as a belief-community. Europe, with all its divisions, emerged instead as a geographical projection. It was reflected in the mirror of America, and refracted by the eclipse of Crusade in ambiguous relationships with the Ottomans and Orthodox Christianity. Chronicling these dramatic changes, Thomas More, Shakespeare, Montaigne and Cervantes created works which continue to resonate with us. Christendom Destroyed is a rich tapestry that fosters a deeper understanding of Europe's identity today.