I loved this book because I really learned
something new - in this case, the origins of the many different citrus fruits
(who knew there were so many?) and how they crossed the world and ended up being
cultivated in Italy.
I loved the way the author really took us to the citrus
groves and those who manage them, as well as sharing some fascinating history
along the way (such as how the Mafia originally formed to protect Sicilian
lemon farmers). But mostly, I loved this book because the writing is just as
mouthwatering as the subject matter it relates to.
The Land Where Lemons Grow is the sweeping story of Italy's cultural history told through the history of its citrus crops. From the early migration of citrus from the foothills of the Himalayas to Italy's shores to the persistent role of unique crops such as bergamot (and its place in the perfume and cosmetics industries) and the vital role played by Calabria's unique Diamante citrons in the Jewish celebration of Sukkoth, author Helena Attlee brings the fascinating history and its gustatory delights to life.
Whether the Battle of Oranges in Ivrea, the gardens of Tuscany, or the story of the…
Sometimes, a book comes along that simply surprises you, which is exactly what happened
when I read The Parrot in the Mirror.
We (humans) don’t look much like birds,
but this book’s evolutionary and behavioral argument is that we are much more
similar to birds than you might possibly imagine. I was astonished and also
convinced – but you really need to read this book to find out why!
How similar are your choices, behaviours, and lifestyle to those of a parrot?
We humans are not like other mammals. We look like them, but we don't act like them. In fact, many of our defining human traits: our longevity, intelligence, monogamy and childrearing, and learning and language, all deep parts of what it means to be human, are far more similar to birds than to our fellow mammals. These similarities originate not from shared ancestors but from parallel histories. Our evolutionary stories have pushed humans and birds to the same solutions. In this book, Antone Martinho-Truswell explores these similarities…
I
wasn't in London during the swinging '60s (I was in nappies), but I've just been
taken there by David Mitchell, and I had a fantastic time. I loved getting to
know the band members of Utopia Avenue as they established themselves in London
and then hit the big time in America – I felt like I was behind a camera lens,
watching their lives unfold every step and guitar strum of the way.
This is a
triumphant, uplifting novel that celebrates the joys and complications of
everyday life. David Mitchell is a genius.
The Number One bestselling novel by the author of CLOUD ATLAS, 'one of the most brilliantly inventive writers of this, or any country' (Independent).
Utopia Avenue might be the most curious British band you've never heard of.
Emerging from London's psychedelic scene in 1967, folksinger Elf Holloway, blues bassist Dean Moss, guitar virtuoso Jasper de Zoet and jazz drummer Griff Griffin together created a unique sound, with lyrics that captured their turbulent times. The band produced only two albums in two years, yet their musical legacy lives on.
The book aims to open readers' eyes
to the critical role cryptography plays in supporting our everyday lives. It
examines why we need cryptography in cyberspace, what it does, how we use it,
and what its limitations are.
One of the main purposes of doing so is to use
this explanation of cryptography to provide readers with a more profound
perspective on their own personal digital security while operating in
cyberspace. I also want to help readers adopt a more informed position about the political aspects of the digital world.
The book thus discusses the role
cryptography plays in the wider social debates concerning how society should
balance personal freedom with control of information.
