Opera is all about intense emotion, magical music and overwhelming theatrical spectacle.
In this exciting new guide, the many myths that surround opera are exploded, while its transformation from inaccessible high art to affordable, dramatically realistic and easy-to-encounter drama is revealed.
The powerful principal players in the opera world - the maestros, superstar divas and directors - are examined in fascinating detail, and questions are asked of opera's future in a world where such extravagant entertainment can seem at odds with the rest of today's popular culture.
Whether you are completely new to the genre or a regular opera-goer wanting to learn more, Opera makes for essential reading.
Astronomy is the oldest science, probably because you can do it just with your eyes.
From time immemorial, people across the globe have looked up at the skies and wondered. In Stargazing Maggie Aderin-Pocock gives an overview of the universe as we see and know it today, and explains what its components: earth, moon, solar system etc., mean and where we fit in.
She shows us what can be seen with the naked eye as well as discussing stargazing equipment from astronomical binoculars to setting up your own telescope.
Punctuated throughout with Maggie's top 10s - from Top 10 Interesting Bodies in Space to Top 10 Mysteries of the Universe and Top 10 Dark Sky Locations - this is a fascinating and very accessible guide to understanding our universe.
Unravelling the mysteries of whisky, this eminently approachable and enjoyable guide delivers a working knowledge of this magical drink in all its aspects.
Dave Waddell points the reader in the direction of the very best whiskies out there - whether Scotch blend, American bourbon, Irish triple distilled or Japanese single malt - outlining the history behind what goes into each glass as well as revealing how to get the most from every sip.
Whisky's complex yet fascinating distilling and blending processes and the key differences between the major styles are covered in detail, while along the way a good few myths are debunked, including the idea that whisky has to be taken neat.
In turns both authoritative and generous, Whisky is essential reading for both the newcomer and dedicated enthusiast alike.
Introducing a new series of information-led pocket guides aimed at demystifying a wide and eclectic range of subjects.
Called The knowledge each book within the series is written by an expert in the field providing a lively, and informative, introduction to their respective topic.
The jazz paradox: why has an art that has so transformed the world's music in barely 100 years, remained so widely misunderstood? Jazz shines light on the subject for those intrigued by its influence and creativity, but also mystified by its occasionally esoteric habits.
From charting the first wave of jazz to breaking down its full history, Jazz will lead you from the form's African-American slave origins to the individuals who shaped the most innovative musical genre of the 20th century.
Introducing a new series of information-led pocket guides aimed at demystifying a wide and eclectic range of subjects. Called The knowledge, each book within the series is written by an expert in the field providing a lively, and informative, introduction to their respective topic.
The formulation of the periodic table, in 1869, revolutionised chemistry in the same way that Darwin and Newton's theories had advanced the fields of biology and physics.
The discovery of a relationship between the known elements revealed a link between the scientific disciplines and offered scientists an inkling into the blueprint of the universe. This fascinating book traces the story of the table of elements.