In 1912, six months after Robert Falcon Scott and four of hismen came to grief in Antarctica, a thirty-two-year-old Russiannavigator named Valerian Albanov embarked on an expedition thatwould prove even more disastrous. In search of new Arctic huntinggrounds, Albanov's ship, the Saint Anna, was frozen fast in thepack ice of the treacherous Kara Sea-a misfortune grievouslycompounded by an incompetent commander, the absence of crucialnautical charts, insufficient fuel, and inadequate provisions thatleft the crew weak and debilitated by scurvy. For nearly a year and a half, the twenty-five men and onewoman aboard the Saint Anna endured terrible hardships and dangeras the icebound ship drifted helplessly north. Convinced that theSaint Anna would never free herself from the ice, Albanov andthirteen crewmen left the ship in January 1914, hauling makeshiftsledges and kayaks behind them across the frozen sea, hoping toreach the distant coast of Franz Josef Land. With only a shockinglyinaccurate map to g

In January 2003 Nicholas Sparks and his brother Micah set offon a three-week trip around the world. An adventure by any measure,this trip was especially meaningful as it marked another milestonein the life journey of two brothers who, by their early thirties,were the only surviving members of their family. As Nicholas andMicah travel the globe, from the Taj Mahal to Machu Picchu, thestory of their family slowly unfolds. Just before Nicholas'marriage he and Micah lost their mother in a horseriding accident;a week short of Nicholas' triumphant debut as a novelist with THENOTEBOOK, the brothers lost their father to a car crash, and just afew short years later they were forced to say goodbye to theirsister who died of brain cancer at the young age of 36. Against thebackdrop of the main wonders of the world the brothers cometogether to heal the wounds of this tragic legacy and maintaintheir determination to live life to its fullest.

From Fouad Ajami, an acclaimed author and chronicler of Arabpolitics, comes a compelling account of how a generation of Arabintellectuals tried to introduce cultural renewals in theirhomelands through the forces of modernity and secularism.Ultimately, they came to face disappointment, exile, and, onoccasion, death. Brilliantly weaving together the strands of atumultuous century in Arab political thought, history, and poetry,Ajami takes us from the ruins of Beirut's once glitteringmetropolis to the land of Egypt, where struggle rages between amodernist impulse and an Islamist insurgency, from Nasser'span-Arab nationalist ambitions to the emergence of an uneasy PaxAmericana in Arab lands, from the triumphalism of the Gulf War tothe continuing anguished debate over the Israeli-Palestinian peaceaccords. For anyone who seeks to understand the Middle East, here isan insider's unflinching analysis of the collision betweenintellectual life and political realities in the Arab worldtoday.

Discover Amsterdam Delve into the life of a great artist at the Van GoghMuseum Find the perfect brown café, secret hang-outs of Dutch drinkersfor centuries Find out how to skip the queues at the city's topattractions Spice up your visit at one of Amsterdam's Indonesianrestaurants In This Guide: Three authors, over 700 recommendations, five neighborhoodswalks, three bike tours Color Architecture chapter on the city's buildings, old andnew Comprehensive Day Trips chapter includes Leiden, Utrecht andHaarlem

What Will You Bali Encounter Be? Catching the perfect wave at Ulu Watu Shopping for a boutique bargain in Seminyak Learning to prepare your very own Balinese banquet at a cookingcourse in Tanjung Benoa Getting swept up in magical Ubud, one of Asia’s most romanticdestinations Shaking it up on a dance floor in Kuta Discover Twice the City in Half the Time Detailed regional and town maps for easy navigation Our expert author recommends the best sights, restaurants, shopsand entertainment Unique itineraries and highlights help you makethe most of your short break Locals reveal Bali’s secrets: from the birth of surfing to theart of rice farming

Experience the best of Hungary with Lonely Planet's 6thedition. Discover the quiet beauty and fascinating culture of thischarming country - relax in Art Nouveau splendour at a thermalbath, treat your palate to the excellent local wines or watchhistory unfold as you drift down the Danube. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to theheart of every destination they visit. This fully updated editionis packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed togive you the information you need to make the most of yourtrip. In This Guide: Essential color section illustrating Hungary'shighlights Unique interviews with a potter, Klezmer band and a cyclingspecialist Activities chapter includes horse riding, hiking, caving andmore

Getting up close and personal with the Green Monster at FenwayPark Haggling over antiques in BeaconHill Feasting at salumerias, pasticerias and enotecas in the very Italian North End Making a house-call to the oldest home inBoston: Paul Revere's abode Gallery-hopping with fellow art enthusiasts inBack Bay Day tripping through history with visits toLexington, Concord, Salem and Plymouth

“Marble palaces balanced atop wooden poles, commuters crossingthe Grand Canal standing in gondolas, prosecco bottlespopping in tight quarters: Venice defies all common sense, andchooses wonder instead.” – Alison Bing, Lonely Planet Writer

Lonely Planet knows New Zealand like our own backyard, andthis handy guide brings you the best of the country's South Islandin one easy package. Let us help you discover the South's mostbreathtaking mountain roads, quietest off-the-beaten-track escapesand best city experiences. Lonely Planet guides are written byexperts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. Thisfully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honestadvice, designed to give you the information you need to make themost of your trip. In This Guide: Comprehensive coverage of thehighlights and hidden secrets. Itineraries to inspire great skiing,eating, wine-touring, driving or bushwalking experiences. Practicalinformation on getting around by car, bus, plane or camper van.

This stunning volume was the gift book of the year when it firstpublished, and the images that grace its pages remain iconic. Fromthe famous Afghan girl whose haunting green eyes stare out from thebook’s cover, and her poignant story that captured the world’sinterest, to award-winning photography culled from the Society’svast archives, The Photographs offers readers an inside look atNational Geographic and a sharp-eyed view of the world. The bookshowcases the skill and imagination of such notable Geographicphotographers as David Doubilet, William Albert Allard, Sam Abell,Jim Stanfield, Jodi Cobb, Jim Brandenburg, David Alan Harvey, andmany more. They share their techniques, as well as personal andcolorful anecdotes about individual images and their adventures inthe field—sometimes humorous, sometimes terrifying, always vividlycompelling. Author Leah Bendavid-Val writes about thephotographers’ achievements from technical, journalistic, andartistic perspectives. Five chapters cover core Nationa

Discover Washington DC Toss a Frisbeein the shadows of the founding fathers on America's frontlawn View cutting-edge art in a former munitions factory Drink beers while practicing your putt in a bar that doubles as amini-golf course Chow down on curry served from a van full of would-be circusringleaders In This Guide: Two authors, 50 days of in-city research, 15 detailed maps,innumberable half-smokes eaten Dedicated Politics chapter reveals what makes the capital citytick Expanded Eating chapter lets you taste everything from ChesapeakeBay crabs to Salvadoran pupusas

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. Frommer's. The best trips start here. ·Detailed coverage of the United States' best attractions, hotels, restaurants, and outdoor experiences. ·Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. ·Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget. ·Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions

What Will Your Dubai Encounter Be? Try Skiing on the world'sfirst indoor black run, commissioning a special gold ring at amarket price, or spend hours doing nothing at a Jumeirah beachresort. Kickback with a beer, a sea breeze and a view of the Gulfat sunset, or recline on cushions and smoke sheesha. Clear yourhead in the Arabian desert. Discover twice the city in half thetime. Navigate Dubai easily with a fully indexed street map plusdetailed neighborhood maps. Our discerning author recommends thevery best in shopping, dining, clubbing and relaxing. Take thehassle out of daily planning with unique thematic itineraries andgo straight to the source: this guide includes cultural highlightsfrom the founder of the Al Bastakiya Art Fair, shopping hints froman antique gallery owner.

New format means loads more colour, better maps and aneasy-to-read layout.

Take a fresh approach to Venice with this "Step by Step"guide, part of a brand new, stylishly designed series from InsightGuides. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this book features 14irresistible self-guided walks and tours, written by a local expertand packed with great insider tips. Whether you are new to the cityor a repeat visitor, whatever your interests, and however long yourstay, this book is the perfect companion, showing you the smartestway to link the sights and taking you beyond the beaten touristtrack. All the walks and tours come with clear, easy-to-followfull-colour maps and hand-picked places to eat and drink en route.A 'Key Facts' box at the start of each tour highlights therecommended time needed to enjoy it to the full, plus the distancecovered and a start and end point; all this makes it simple to findthe perfect tour for the time you have to spare. The book alsorecommends top tours by theme and includes a special 'Only in'feature, highlighting a number of experiences or attract

Content reflects the hottest must-have experiences. Author is aresident New Yorker.

Bill Bryson travels to Kenya in support of CARE International.All royalties and profits go to CARE International. Bryson visits Kenya at the invitation of CARE International, thecharity dedicated to eradicating poverty. Kenya is a land ofcontrasts, with famous game reserves and a vibrant culture. It alsoprovides plenty to worry a traveller like Bill Bryson, fixated ashe is on the dangers posed by snakes, insects and large predators.It is also a country with many serious problems: refugees, AIDS,drought, and grinding poverty. The resultant diary, though short inlength, contains the trademark Bryson stamp of wry observation andcurious insight.