Thames & Hudson Ltd

The making of pictures has a history going back perhaps 100,000 years to an African shell used as a paint palette. In this book, each chapter addresses an important question: What happens when we try to express reality in two dimensions? Why is the 'Mona Lisa' beautiful and why are shadows so rarely found in Chinese, Japanese and Persian painting?

Gives you an understanding of the ways in which modern art differs from realistic works of earlier centuries. This book examines 100 works of modern art that have attracted critical and public hostility from Cy Twomblys scribbled "Olympia", Jean-Michel Basquiats crude but spontaneous "LNAPRK", and more.

Casts new light on 75 masterpieces of modern art, revealing details that even those familiar with the works may previously have missed.

The simple, super-smart way for children to learn their first 100 Chinese words

Beryl Bainbridge is best known as a prolific writer of novels that ranged from black comedies of contemporary life, often autobiographical in inspiration, to idiosyncratic reimaginings of historical events and characters. This book offers a highly personal, chronological account of Beryl's life and work both her writing and her painting.

The history of the written word, from the cuneiform characters invented in 4000 BC, through the evolution of the alphabet around 2000 BC, to modern typographical techniques. A title from the NEW HORIZONS series of pocket-sized information books, with foldouts and double-page spreads.

How does a sign represent something other than itself? How do we come to understand the meaning of a written symbol? What happens when a sign crosses international borders of language and culture? Can clothes constitute a sign? Can colours? This work explores the world of symbols.

Covers from the essential (how to take care of dress shoes or charm the in-laws) to the just-in-case (how to pull off daring feats or dance at a wedding).

A visual cultural history of Ireland over the last 70 years, as seen by the world's most prominent photographic agency, Magnum, and commented on by leading figures of the Irish literary scene.

The definitive exploration of John Lennon's first major solo album after the break-up of the Beatles.