The towns of Italy in the later Middle Ages presents over one hundred fascinating documents, carefully selected and coordinated from the richest, most innovative and most documented society of the European Middle Ages: the urban civilization of Italy. After a general introduction, the book is divided into five sections on physical environment, civic religion, economy, society and politics. Each document is individually introduced and set in its own context.

The novel is set in post-World War II Japan and is narrated by Masuji Ono, an aging painter, who looks back on his life and how he has lived it. He notices how his once great reputation has faltered since the war and how attitudes towards him and his paintings have changed. The chief conflict deals with Ono's need to accept responsibility for his past actions. The novel attempts to ask and answer the question: what is man's role in a rapidly changing environment? The novel was shortlisted for the 1986 Booker Prize and won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award for the same year.

If you are someone who loves wild birds how would you like to attract different species to your own back yard? Just like the movie classic, if you build the right house they will come.
It's true. If you create the right environment for a particular bird it's as if you sent out engraved invitations to the right birds. And as any guest, they will welcome your hospitality.
Our environment continues to become degraded with natural habitats for wildlife declining at an alarming rate. Beginning a hobby that leads to helping our feathered friends to flourish is not only personally rewarding but is also environmentally sound.

Is the universe around us a figment of our imagination? Or are our minds figments of reality?
In this refreshing new look at the evolution of mind and culture, bestselling authors Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen eloquently argue that our minds necessarily evolved in an inextricable link with culture and language. They go beyond conventional reductionist ideas to look at how the mind is the response of an evolving brain trying to grapple with a complex environment. Along the way they develop new and intriguing insights into the nature of evolution, science and humanity.