Now, Marc Bennetts takes us straight to the beating heart of the opposition movement, introducing a generation of Russian dissidents, all united by their hatred of Putin and his bid to silence all political adversaries. We meet a bustling cast of urban youth, blogging and tweeting to expose the injustices of the regime, and a rag-tag bunch of dissenters — from Bolshoi ballerinas to skinhead nationalists. Featuring interviews with everyone from Gary Kasparov to top Kremlin loyalists, this is the definitive guide to the vicious battle for Russia's soul.

Lavishly produced and elegantly set, with a wealth of material which will please opera lovers, academics and general readers. Includes articles by some of the leading music specialists in the world. Includes more than twenty black-and-white and colour pictures printed on special glossy paper in a separate plate section. Contains a thematic guide, and an up-to-date bibliography, select discography and website guide. Acclaimed by today's most exacting music critics. In this guide there is an article comparing Pushkin's original with its treatment in the opera, a detailed musical analysis and an appreciation of Tchaikovsky's particular skill as a word-setter. An essay on its performance history details the contributions of the most notable artists who have taken part in productions of the work. Illustrations, a thematic guide, the full libretto with English translation and reference sections are also included.

Quite simply, this is a collection of Michel Roux's finest recipes — devised, refined and perfected during the course of his illustrious career. Recipes for all seasons and to suit all occasions are covered in this generous compendium, which contains over 250 recipes plus numerous variations. The book is divided into 9 chapters: Breakfast and brunch; Starters; Fish and shellfish; Poultry, meat and game; Vegetables, eggs and cheese; Desserts; Baking; Party food; Stocks and sauces. Mouthwatering contemporary dishes are featured, along with Michel's interpretations of the great classics. Step-by-step illustrated sequences guide you through specific techniques throughout the chapters. Presented in a generous format, designed in a clear, easy-to-follow style and illustrated throughout with stunning photographs, this is a must-have recipe collection from one of our greatest chefs.

Boutique Baking has an unrivalled range of recipes that combines traditional baking with chic, simple finishing touches. It captures the essence of Peggy's technical skill and inspired use of colour while also ensuring that each cake is both achievable and delicious to eat.

The unnamed narrator of the novel, a former government official, has decided to retire from the world and lead a life of inactivity and contemplation. His fiercely bitter, cynical and witty monologue ranges from general observations and philosophical musings to memorable scenes from his own life, including his obsessive plans to exact petty revenge on an officer who has shown him disrespect and a dramatic encounter with a prostitute. Seen by many as the first existentialist novel and showcasing the best of Dostoevsky's dry humour, Notes from under the Floorboards was a pivotal moment in the development of modern literature and has inspired countless novelists, thinkers and film-makers.

A short collection showing Chekhov in an amusing, playful light, poking fun at his characters, with the moral detachment that also characterizes his major, serious works In The Death of a Civil Servant, an administrative clerk accidentally sneezes on a hierarchical superior at the opera, which results in great embarrassment and hilarious and futile attempts at atonement. The other short stories included in this volume, A Calculated Marriage, The Culprit, The Exclamation Mark, The Speechmaker, Who Is to Blame, and A Defenceless Creature are in the same absurdly comical vein.

Presented as a series of letters between the humble copying-clerk Devushkin and a distant relative of his, the young Varenka, Poor People brings to the fore the underclass of St Petersburg, who live at the margins of society in the most appalling conditions and abject poverty. As Devushkin tries to help Varenka improve her plight by selling anything he can, he is reduced to even more desperate circumstances and seeks refuge in alcohol, looking on helplessly as the object of his impossible love is taken away from him.

The world's greatest importer and exporter, the European Union is an economic heavyweight with a GDP even larger than the US. But how much do we really know about the nature and aims of the EU, the benefits and costs membership brings, and its impact on peoples' everyday lives? And, in an increasingly multipolar world, can it ever emerge as a global superpower, or do widespread concerns about national sovereignty and serious questions about the Euro's stability mean that it is destined for an uncertain future? Featuring the most up-to-date assessment of the EU, its inner workings, external relations, and likely future development, this is the perfect introduction for anyone seeking to better understand European integration and what it means for Europeans as well as the rest of the world.

This collection of lesser-known of short stories — ranging from absurd humorous sketches to psychological pieces and tragic stories — demonstrates Anton Chekhov's mastery of the genre. Although varying in tone and purpose, what these tales have in common is a profound and subtle understanding of the human condition, in its farcical and melancholy aspects, couched in Chekhov's trademark minimalist style.

Packed with fascinating facts and insight, this book will fuel dinner party debate, and provide readers with the science and politics behind the world's most controversial resource. Without oil, there would be no globalisation, no plastic, little transport, and a global political landscape that few would recognise. It is the lifeblood of the modern world, and humanity's dependence upon it looks set to continue for decades to come. In this captivating book, the author of the acclaimed Energy: A Beginner's Guide, Vaclav Smil, explains all matters related to the 'black stuff', from its discovery in the earth, right through to the political maelstrom that surrounds it today.