Sunken cities in the jungle and towering temple pyramids reflect only a small portion of our knowledge about Mayan culture. This fascinating people achieved the landmarks of an advanced civilization — such as a highly developed writing system and densely populated cities — in the classical period (AD 300-600), earning them a place among the greatest civilizations in the world. However, this period represents just one phase in the history of the Mayan culture, which extends over thousands of years. Our knowledge of Mayan life has increased dramatically in recent decades. As a result, specialists from a wide range of disciplines have contributed to this book in order to represent all of the latest research on the Maya. The contributions included in this magnificent volume range from the origins of Mayan culture all the way to modernity, giving insight into everyday life and religion as well as the artistic accomplishments and intellectual abilities of this important culture.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns — and with simple step-bystep instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of motifs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer — and even provides the wrapping material at the same time. Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer — from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of designs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

How did the monks, nuns, and hermits live? What rules did they agree to obey? To what extent were they able to uphold those ideals in reality? What was the relationship between the monasteries and worldly authorities? And what was the source of the power that the religious orders were able to exercise in political affairs at various times? Are the remarkable cultural accomplishments of the cloisters simply the fruits of great self-discipline, or did they also result from a privileged way of life? Who were the men and women who entered monasteries? Knowledgeable responses to these and many other questions, in conjunction with opulent illustrations, make this an impressive volume that is destined to become a standard on the subject.

The fascinating black-and-white and color photographs in this volume lead observers through almost two centuries of the history of photo journalism. Including both everyday life and the grandest events, the ideals and fears of the decades are conveyed through an exciting perspective. The book will captivate you with its varied and striking images: viewers will be touched, shocked, amused, or even moved to tears. Photo Journalism is a must for everyone interested in photography and the events of our times.

There can be no doubt about it: this is a magnificent achievement. The illustrated volume Florence: Art and Architecture combines interesting and easily understood texts with an abundance of opulent color illustrations into a first class cultural experience. Prominent Florentine scholars and museum directors accompany the reader on a journey to the unique artistic treasures of this city on the Arno. The experts introduce superb historical buildings and sculptures in their historical contexts, and as insiders lead you through world famous painting galleries such as the Accademia and the Palazzo Pitti. Over 500 high quality illustrations, often over more than one page, as well as thematic essays on book illumination, the art of the goldsmith and the treasures of the Medicis round out the text. Whether as an especially beautiful gift or to grace your own bookshelves, this exceptional book is a bibliophile's jewel, and at the same time an enthralling art guide through one of the most gorgeous cities in the world.

Fashion — that means glamour, creativity and always the expression of a certain attitude toward life. This book is devoted to the legendary world of fashion from its origins in the nineteenth century until our own time. Which social, historical and cultural develop ments coalesced to allow fashion to become what it is today? Which designers had especially significant impact on their fashion eras, and what did their creations look like? Informative chapters that introduce each era coupled with extensive portraits of the ground breaking fashion icons and countless expres sive photographs work together to form a com pre hen sive portrayal of the rapid development that took fashion from the liberation of women from the corset all the way to the creations of modern designers.

What the doctor says sometimes seems cryptic. But anatomical and clinical knowledge can be described in a way everybody understands. Compiled by the editorial team of the world famous Sobotta Atlas, this volume provides you with a thorough overview of the human body and its different structures. Aided by more than 600 high-quality illustrations, drawings as well as fotos, concise textual material and detailed illustrations render the complexities of the muscular, the sensory and nervous systems accessible to the layman. The color-codes of the 13 chapters allow an intuitive approach. Following the detailed illustrations of organs and their functions, the texts are arranged by cues and colored enumerations. In extra chapters, the most common illnesses and physical dysfunctions are explained as well as their common ways of diagnosis and treatment. The Atlas of Anatomy is the competent guide for those seeking initial advice as well as for everyone willing to explore the greatest miracle known — the human body.

What is the fitting wrapping for which gift? This book gives the answer-and even provides the wrapping material at the same time.Choose from the variety of themes that these beautiful high-quality gift-wrap papers offer-from flowers and ornaments to abstract patterns-and with simple step-by-step instructions learn the optimal way to wrap your gifts. The variety of motifs will more than meet your demands, and turn this booklet itself into an ideal gift.

Digital Art is the newest, most innovative trend in contemporary art. Whether it is on the internet, 3-D animations, modified computer games, or even media platforms, there are countless possibilities to explore. The author guides readers on an exciting journey of discovery through comprehensive documentation, from the beginnings of the medium in the 1960s to the present day. The World of Digital Art is alluring not only in terms of its subject matter, but also with its numerous large-format illustrations and clear, modern design. Films and animated software pieces can be viewed on the accompanying DVD or in the sequences of images in the book. There are also thought provoking essays written by curators, art historians and artists, presenting various perspectives on the topics. The layout of the book has been created by an artist involved in the digital scene. All of these elements combined make for an exciting work, for those already involved with digital art and curious beginners alike.

Christianity is the most widespread religion in the world. ARS SACRA pays the due tribute to its art and architecture; a comprehensive compendium presenting just under 2000 years of Christian art, from early Christianity to the present day, with an abundance of illustrations. These include high quality photographs in XXL-format, making this an opulent feast for the senses. This glorious tome impresses with the detail views specifically fitted for the format, which allows the viewer to come within grasp of the displayed objects, often even closer than in reality, and to leisurely indulge in the details. Excellently researched texts take the reader on a tour through the epochs and highlight the specific changes in the sacral art, architecture, and culture over the centuries. ARS SACRA as the standard work is all in one: fascinating glorious tome, comprehensive compendium, and substantial textbook.

This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey from the ancient sites in Orange to the university town of Aix-en-Provence, from the metropolis of Marseille to the spectacular Gorges du Verdon. In each chapter of this book there is an overview of the area with a reliable street map, lots of large, colour pictures, and texts that describe the history, geography, art, culture, and lifestyle of the area. The reader sees and experiences how Romanesque culture lives on through monasteries and churches and the Provencal landscape right up to the present day. The light and colours of the plants and wildlife blend into a unique panorama which inspired the special colour compositions of the late Impressionists Paul Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh. The book is organised by region and includes an appendix with indices of persons and towns, rounded off with a user-friendly glossary.

Spanning prehistoric times to the present, 1000 Sacred Places is a richly illustrated guide to the world's most extraordinary spiritual sites. Holy places and spiritual sites are found throughout the world, and all of them have in common a mysterious drawing power that has held humankind in its spell since the beginnings of time. This book contains detailed information about the world's religions and their venerated people and sites. Overview maps and symbols of the religions, alongside each site being listed with GPS coordinates, make orientation easy. Included are the holy sites of the great religions, along with countless spiritual places of indigenous peoples and vanished cultures. Amongst the one thousand special places featured, you will find some of the great Christian cathedrals in Europe; pilgrim paths and places of pilgrimage; Hindu, Buddhist and Shinto temples in Asia; the most important mosques of the Islam; natural sanctuaries in Africa, America and Australia; prehistoric cult sites and modern sanctuaries. This beautiful book is a spiritual journey through history and the cultures of the world.

Islands — real, artificial, and metaphoric — have always fascinated people. Buildings near, or even in water transcend boundaries and merge concrete, familiar structures with flowing visions to create symphonies of water, light, and stone. Examples of the mastery of this interplay of elements are provided by Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat museum island, artificial city suburbs such as Crystal Island in Moscow, and even entire new cities such as Island City in Japan. Apart from such dynamic urban centres, Dubai's luxury islands or the world's most expensive hotel, the Burj al Arab, are also architectural highlights. Visions of the future by renowned architects such as Jean Nouvel, Frank O. Gehry, Zaha Hadid, and Foster & Partners are also presented. This illustrated work is a fascinating journey through the island worlds of today, tomorrow, and the day after.