Charles Phillips

A beautifully illustrated and unique history of the rose—the “queen of flowers”—in art, medicine, cuisine, and more"From noted rosarian Peter Kukielski comes this unique and handsome book that traces the many ways that roses have captured human imagination throughout the history of civilization."—Meghan Shinn, Horticulture"I would recommend Rosa as a gift for anyone who loves flowers, although once purchased you would find it hard to pass on!"—Judith Blacklock, Flora Magazine Few flowers have quite the same allure or as significant a place in history as the rose. A symbol of love, power, royalty, beauty, and joy, the rose has played many roles, both literal and symbolic, in poetry, art, literature, music, fashion, medicine, perfume, decoration, cuisine, and more. In this beautifully illustrated guide, award-winning horticulturist Peter E. Kukielski and his coauthor, Charles Phillips, tell the fascinating and many-layered history of this “queen of flowers.” The book explores many stories from the long association of roses with human societies, from their first cultivation—likely in China some five thousand years ago—to their modern genetic cultivars. It shows how roses have been prominent across time and many cultures, including ancient Greece and Rome, Christianity, Islam, and Sufism. The book, with more than 140 color illustrations, offers a unique look at the essential contributions that roses have made throughout human history.

This is the second volume of a two-volume history of the Southern Railway and covers the years from 1936 to 1947\. These years saw the final extensions of the electrifications made by the Southern Railway as well as the inauguration of Britain’s first international passenger train the London to Paris Night Ferry, which used the Dover to Dunkirk train ferry. The Southern Railway was very much on the front line in the Second World War being involved with the repatriation of troops from France at the time of the Dunkirk Evacuation and with the preparations for the Normandy Landings, it also suffered heavily in the Blitz. Post war the Southern Railway had plans for further electrifications, not all of which came to fruition following the nationalization of the railways. The years also saw new motive power in the form of the first diesel and electric locomotives as well as Oliver Bulleid’s Merchant Navy, West Country and Battle of Britain classes of Pacifics, but also his highly original looking, but very useful Q1 class 0-6-0s and after the end of the Southern’s existence his unconventional Leader class. The 4DD class emu although appearing after nationalization were Britain’s only double deck trains and were also designed by Bulleid.

The Southern Railway was the smallest of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies created under the Railways Act 1921 having a route mileage of 2,129 miles stretching London in the north to Plymouth in the south and from Ramsgate in the east to Padstow in the west. Its ships served France and the Channel Islands. Its principal revenue came from passengers and not goods traffic unlike the other three companies. In many ways it was the most progressive of the four being the only one to go for extensive electrification. This volume covers the years 1923 from the Company’s formation to 1935 and the completion of the first stage of the main line electrifications. As well the electrification of the Southern’s entire suburban system and the beginning of the main line electrifications the years saw a number of other major works including the re-signalling of Waterloo Station and the rebuilding of stations in Hastings, Dover and Southampton along with improvements to Southampton Docks. The Railway had to fight growing competition from bus and coach operators for domestic services and airlines for international services. The Company invested in both bus companies and in Imperial Airways and later participated in Railway Air Services. Its motive power was varied with at the formation of the company some locomotives dating back to mid 1860s and some only recently built. To these were added a variety of classes including the less than successful Lord Nelson Class and the very successful Schools Class.

This book casts the reader as Mary King, a young woman who must navigate her way through Regency society, solving a series of puzzles to claim her inheritance. But word of her inheritance has got around, and will she also find the man who loves her for who she is, or a scoundrel who is only interested in her wealth? It’s October 1811, and Mary is celebrating her twenty-first birthday at her home, Oakham Grange, a country house near Meryton. Mary receives a letter from her grandfather, which sets her inheritance quest and adventure in motion: her grandfather has set her a sequence of puzzles, and she must successfully solve them to obtain her inheritance. The letter also reveals a watch – the codewheel set in the cover of the book. While attending a ball at Meryton, she discovers the first of the puzzles, which sets her adventure in motion. Along the way, Mary will also come across puzzles set by her two admirers, Wickham and Arthur, while also trying to solve the mysteries of society’s rules. The Adventure of Miss King’s Inheritance runs parallel to the events described in Pride and Prejudice, and throughout the book, the reader will interact with the characters of Austen’s novel. There are over 40 puzzles in the book, ranging from riddles and mazes to logic problems and visual conundrums. Solve them correctly and you’ll be on the path to wealth and love, but get them wrong and you could be condemning Mary to a far less rosy future…

Stories of Aztec sungods and blood sacrifice, of pyramids and temples, and of the vast treasuries of gold raided by the Spaniards have fascinated many generations. This book offers enthralling insights into the history, myths and legends of the peoples of Mesoamerica and unravels the facts behind the stories of their great civilizations. The lands the Mesoamericans conquered, the cities they built and the world they developed are a startling revelation, and form one of the true cradles of human civilization. The magnificent architectural and cultural achievements of a succession of peoples in Mexico and Central America cover almost three thousand years. These achievements range from the temple-pyramids and colossal stone carvings of the Olmecs to the awe-inspiring cities, vast trading networks and complex religious societies of the Aztecs and Maya. Archaeological finds and examination of surviving documents provide intriguing insights into astronomy, the development of calendars, mathematics, writing and the arts. They reveal a severe commitment to war and a savage religious devotion to gods who demanded the blood of human sacrifice. The peoples of Mesoamerica entered into an intense relationship with the natural world and with the gods and goddesses who lived in natural forms. A survey of the ‘mythologized’ narratives covers tales of creation, earth and sky, legends of the gods, goddesses and heroes, and stories of fertility, harvest and the afterlife. Myth-like accounts and historical fact were blended in contemporary narratives of Mesoamerican history and even in the story of their defeat by the Spanish conquistadors. Discover key Mesoamerican legends including creation tales, stories of the gods and goddesses, and the mythology of fertility, harvest and the afterlife. Explore the incredible architecture from the temple-pyramids and colossal stone carvings of the Olmecs to the awe-inspiring cities of the Aztecs and Maya. Archaeological finds provide intriguing insights into astronomy, the development of calendars, mathematics, writing and the arts. Fully illustrated throughout with more than 500 photographs, artworks and maps.

Explore the lives of the most influential people in history, from the dawn of civilization to the present day. History is made by the people who were there, and this book looks at the lives of 500 remarkable people who have shaped the story of humanity. This meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated book takes you from the philosophers of ancient Greece to the bold activists of the present day, charting the lives of major figures from around the world along the way. Chosen for their significant impact on global history, here are short and compelling biographies of the political and religious leaders, artists, inventors, scientists, entertainers, and campaigners whose achievements have stood the test of time. A History of the World in 500 People introduces you to the influencers of our civilization.

This book is the sequel to the author’s two previous volumes on the history of the Great Eastern covering the Early Years from 1811 to 1862 and the Late 19th Century and early 20th Century from 1862 to 1924. This book cover the years 1923 to 2023 describes how the Great Eastern Section of the London and North Eastern Railway was transformed from being something of a backwater during the inter war years to being very much at the forefront of modernisation under British Railways. Within the book will be found how the Great Eastern Section coped with the threat of road competition during the inter war years, its involvement in the Second World War and how under British Railways it came to be seen the epitome of modernisation beginning with the arrival of the arrival of the Britannia Class locomotives in 1951 and culminating the complete elimination of steam power in the East of England at the end of 1963. The book describes the impact of the Beeching Report on the former Great Eastern. It chronicles the progress of the Section’s through the electrification of its two main lines and the construction and opening of the Elizabeth Line. Preservation is also mentioned as are possible future developments. It is book for anyone who is interested in the history of the railways of the East of England, railways in general and the history of the East of England.

This is the second volume of the history of the Great Eastern Railway from 1811 to 1924\. This volume covers from 1862 when the Great Eastern Railway was formed to 1924 when with the absorption of the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway and the Mid Suffolk Light Railway into the LNER, the cessation of locomotive building at Stratford and the departure of the Company’s last General Manager, Sidney Parnwell the GER could finally be said to exist. The history covers many things including the building and the subsequent expansion of Liverpool Street station and the development of the extensive suburban system. The Company’s attempts to gain direct access to the northern coal fields which resulted in the formation of the Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Line is mentioned as is the abortive proposed working union with the Great Northern and the Great Central railways. Relations with London, Tilbury and Southend Railway including the battle for the Southend traffic from 1911 are dealt with, as is the effect of Midland Railway takeover of that Railway. How the GER dealt with the threat of electric tube railways at the turn of the 20th century receives attention as do the abortive proposals in 1918 for the electrification of the Company’s suburban services.

This comprehensive book provides a detailed insight into the Roman Catholic Church, its philosophy and practice, a guide to its most significant saints, and a history of the lives and works of each of the 266 popes from St Peter of Galilea to Francis of Argentina. Editor Charles Phillips brings together a group of expert authors to explore the extraordinary life of Christ; the first centuries of the propagation of faith; the essential principles of the Catholic doctrine; the religious and social history of Christian saints; and finally how the pope, as the direct successor of St Peter, has shaped the church's historical course from early Christian times, through the Crusades and the Reformation, and into the modern era. Lavishly illustrated with 1500 photographs and fine-art paintings, this book offers an insightful guide to a complex and rich religion and will fascinate and inform anyone interested in the history of Catholicism.

This book is the first of two which covers the history of the Great Eastern Railway and its predecessors from the first proposal for a railway in the eastern counties in 1811 for a railway from Islington to Wallasea Island and Mucking to its absorption into the London and North Eastern Railway under the 1923 Grouping of Railways. This volume covers the period from 1811 up to the formation of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862. The history is the first history of the GER since Cecil J. Allen’s history of the railway which was first published in 1955 and which has long been out of print. The book makes use of both previously published works on the GER and its predecessors, but also contemporary documents such as the Directors’ reports to shareholders of the Eastern Counties Railway, timetables, reports in local and national newspapers as well as extracts from selected peoples' diaries. Some of which were not easily available to Allen when he wrote his history of the GER. Incorporating these other sources means the book sheds new light on the Railway’s history. The book is intended for anyone who is either interested in railways and particularly the Great Eastern Railway and the railways of the east of England, but also for anyone who is interested in general in the history of that part of England.

An exhilarating combination of escape room, puzzle book and adventure story, this book is inspired by the urban craze for escape rooms as well as the history surrounding America’s most infamous prison. Readers will take on the role of Scott Wilson, a member of an underground US environmental movement called the Wilderness, who has discovered that a farming lobby is illegally using toxic pesticides to sell large amounts of land cheaply to corrupt politicians. There is enough evidence safely tucked away in a secret location to bring these criminals to justice, but failed sting operation takes place which leaves an FBI agent dead and Scott framed for the murder. Framed as a traitor and a murderer and sent to Alcatraz as a result, the reader must escape the forbidding, top-security jail, recover the lost evidence and stop the pollution and land sale before it’s too late. Surrounded by the most notorious, dangerous and unpredictable inmates, the reader will quickly learn that their only means of escape will be from solving hidden puzzles using the code wheel left behind by the renowned criminal mastermind Robert Stroud – the famous Birdman of Alcatraz. Nobody has ever escaped Alcatraz alive, and with time quickly running out, the reader will have to find unlikely allies who can help them break out and aid them when they come to face the perilous waters surrounding the prison in order to escape the Rock. Combines riddles, logic puzzles, timed challenges, mathematical brain-teasers, maps and mazes.

This meticulously researched book provides an accessible history of the nine crusades between 1096 and 1272 plus smaller campaigns across Europe culminating in the Holy League's victory over the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto. It covers the land the crusading knights lost and won, the kingdoms they established, the inspiration that motivated them, and the controversies that still surround them. It also features some of the larger-than-life knights such as Robert of Jerusalem, Godfrey of Bouillon, Frederick II, and Richard the Lionheart and their contribution to the holy wars. Illustrated with over 400 fine art images, and with expert text, this book is a beautiful and fascinating account of an extraordinary historical period.

A Sherlock Holmes Escape Book: The Adventure of the Tower of London is a unique form of puzzle book, in which the reader must solve the riddles to escape the pages. The fourth title in this ingenious series of Sherlock Holmes Escape Books, The Adventure of the Tower of London is an exhilarating combination of escape room, puzzle book and adventure story. Inspired by the urban craze for escape rooms, where players tackle puzzles while trapped in a locked room, it is an escape room in the form of a locked book, filled with codes, ciphers, riddles and red herrings, and a clever Code Wheel set into the cover. In the latest adventure in the series, readers will take on the role of the world’s foremost consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes’s nemesis Moriarty has locked Sherlock’s friend, the musician Odon von Mihalovic, with the Crown Jewels in a cage in Tower Bridge the night before a special ceremony is due to be held for the Queen. Holmes and Watson are themselves trapped in the nearby Tower of London by Moriarty, and they must work through the night and against the clock to find and free Odon from the cage to prevent him being disgraced in the ceremony the following morning. Combines riddles, logic puzzles, timed challenges, mathematical brain-teasers, maps and mazes. The fourth title in the series of bestselling Sherlock Holmes ‘escape room’ puzzle booksCreates an interactive adventure based around two of Victorian London’s most famous landmarksAimed at puzzle/escape room fans, Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts and those interested in popular mathematics and the early history of computingFrom the authors of two previous books in the series, A Sherlock Holmes Escape Book: The Adventure of the British Museum and A Sherlock Holmes Escape Book: The Adventure of the Analytical Engine