The only state once recognized by the U.S.gov-ernment as an independent country.Texas is still more a nation than a state in many ways.It's larg-er than several European nations combined,with an amaxingly varied landscape and population. Since the fall of the Alamo,the Lone Star State has been the site of historic collisions:between the Old South and the New West,be-tween the Anglo culture of North America and the Hispanic culture of Latin America,between persistent small-town values and the glittering internationalism of Houston and Dallas.Yet its citizens are all Texans first,united by a storied past of epic battles,rangers and rustlers,cattle barons,wildcatters,and wheeler-dealers. The Texas Myth also embraces legendary sports teams and the fans that cheer them on; a down-home cuisine featuring Tex-Mex,chili,and rancn-style barbecue; and colorful politics across the spectrum,including outspoken liberals like Lyndon Johnson and former governor Ann Richards.Oil and cattle wealth built a legacy of ach

A million copy best-selling exploration of the animal kingdom, featuring facts and beautiful photos of over 2,000 wild animals from all habitats on planet Earth. Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide brings together the expertise of over 70 natural history specialists and the beautiful images of wildlife photographers from around the globe to illustrate, describe, and explain the incredible range of creatures in the animal kingdom. This fully up-to-date edition covers fascinating animals from across the globe including the newly discovered Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon, Jumping Spider, and Piglet Squid. From the smallest invertebrates to the mighty blue whale, Animal is a truly unrivalled look at life on planet Earth. Previous edition ISBN 9781405362337 ,

illinois,that long slice of the heartland stretching fro lake michigan fto kentucky,may be the most american place of all.its great patriot,abraham lincoln,and its great athlete,michael jordan,stand for what s best about our country. the prairie state has some of the midwest s richest farmlnd,and,by geographic luck,illinors also has the vital metropolis of chicago.the windy city took in the continent s resources and shipped them far and wide ,becoming the nation s railroad hub and later its crossroade of the air.after the dev-astating 1871fire,visionary planners and architects like daniel burnham and louis sullivan designed boulevards,gracious parks,and beaux arts buildings thet make this one of the most livable of cities. both chicago and downstate illinois have grow them,like john dere s plow; the prairie style homes of frank lloyd wright;mail-order merchandising from sears and wards;an ener-getic,all-american literture from carl sandburg,nelson algren,gwendolyn brooks,and saul bellow;and the soulf

Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, may be a hotbed of progressiveattitudes, but in the rest of the 'Land of the Blue Sky', liferemains pretty much the same - horses outnumber people, nomadsstill move camp each season and on long-distance bus rides you'llbe serenaded by passengers singing folk tunes. If you time yourtrip right you can experience the festival of Naadam, this annualthree-day festival features Mongolian wrestling, horse racing,archery and traditional sports. The only guide to include maps of major towns across all regions.GPS coordinates to help you find what you're looking for, even whenthe signs don't help, as well as feature essays to provide insightinto Mongolian history and way of life. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read, scanand find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time, season,interest or re

Nowhere else can so many cultures be found in such a tight spaceyou can wake up on the Mediterranean coast, have lunch in Paris andsee a show that night in London. Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lonely PlanetWriter Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authorsvisit the places we write about, each and every edition. We neveraccept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on us totell it like we see it. Inside This Book 14 expert authors 13 mountain ranges crossed 6,354,782 sq km explored 73 local beers sampled Inspirational photos Clear, easy-to-use maps In-depth background Easy-to-read layout Comprehensive planning tools At-a-glance practical info

What Will Your Washington DC Encounter Be? Meandering amongmuseums and monuments with fellow global citizens in America'sfront yard, or hobnobbing and nose-rubbing with politicos, wannabepoliticos and wannabe wannabe politicos? Creeping yourself out onThe Exorcist steps - and beware a tipsy tumble, or chowing down onDC's infamous half smokes and chili dogs with Obama? Cocktail-swilland hip-shake the night away - the question is, hip-hop, salsa orlingala? Blaze the urban frontiers of up-and-coming 'hoods such asColumbia Heights and Northeast. Discover twice the city in half thetime with a full-color pull-out map and detailed neighborhood mapsfor easy navigation. Our fabulous local author recommends the verybest sights, restaurants, shops, bars and clubs with uniqueitineraries and must-see highlights to help you make the most of ashort trip. Locals offer insider-only perspectives, from apolitical journalist on the best celebrity - and Obama - spottingto a real estate developer on the next best 'hood.

Cuba is a continuing education. Just when you think you vefigured it out, it confounds you with another brow-beating riddle.That essentially is its underlying attraction. Brendan Sainsbury,Lonely Planet Writer Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planetauthors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. Wenever accept freebies for positive coverage, and you can rely on usto tell it like we see it.

“oklahoma,where the wind comes sweepin down the plain!”who doesn t know the stirring lyrics to the most famous of all state songs?rodgers &hammerstein s musical captures the rambunctious frontier spirit of this state-an even more captivating place in reality. in oklahoma,the american west and the american dream come together-sometimes in one person,like will rogers,the part-cheokeejournalist and vaudevillian who became the nation s best-loved humorist.woody guthrie,our lureate of folk song,also springs from oklahoma soil,as do journalist bill moyers and apache sculptor allan houser,whose work graces the white house lawn.oklahoma helped to create the cowboy icon:on the legendary chisholm trail,in touring wild west shows ,and in the movies ,with actors roy rogers and gene auty.amerca s oil boom began her,and “black gold”built the art deco skylines of tulsa and okla-homa city.hardy survivors of the dust bowl era,oklahomans planned and built the “mother road,”route 66,and afine collection of museu

Best-selling Tolkien expert Brian Sibley (The Lord of theRings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy and The Lord of the RingsOfficial Movie Guide) presents a slipcased collection of fourfull-color, large-format maps of Tolkien's imaginary realmillustrated by John Howe, a conceptual designer for the blockbusterfilms directed by Peter Jackson. The set includes a hardcover bookdescribing in detail the importance and evolution of geographywithin Tolkien's epic fiction and four color maps presented withminimal folds, including two (Beleriand and Numenor) never beforepublished in this country.

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

Whatever you hunger for - art, architecture,cuisine, snow - you better pack a big appetite when you come toAustria. Symphonies in a Viennese concert hall, spotting marmots onthe Alpine trails, heavenly cakes and a kitschy Sound of Music tour- you'll be popping your dirndl with pleasure. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Redesigned color highlights section and dedicated chapter onOutdoor Activities * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read,scan and find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time,season, interest or region * New map design improves map legibilty for easy navigation

How will you see Norway? From behind a sled pulled by huskies?From the top of a glacier? Over an aquavit at Ibsen's old table inOslo's Grand Cafe? The exquisitely clear air of Lofoten Islands,colourful wooden houses, remote Svalbard...so much to see. And somany ways to see it. This guidebook has been fully updated! * Intuitive layout and new text styles make it easier to read,scan and find information at a glance * New visual design and structure improves navigation withoutsacrificing depth or quality * Expanded planning section helps travellers plan by time,season, interest or region * New map design improves map legibilty for easy navigation