The House Party: A Short History of Leisure, Pleasure and the Country House Weekend


Adrian Tinniswood - 2019
    Parlour games. Cocktails. Welcome to a glorious journey through the golden age of the country house party - and you are invited. Our host, celebrated historian Adrian Tinniswood, traces the evolution of this quintessentially British pastime from debauched royal tours to the flamboyant excess of the Bright Young Things. With cameos by the Jazz Age industrialist, the bibulous earl and the off-duty politician - whether in moated manor houses or ornate Palladian villas - Tinniswood gives a vivid insight into weekending etiquette and reveals the hidden lives of celebrity guests, from Nancy Astor to Winston Churchill, in all their drinking, feasting, gambling and fornicating. The result is a deliciously entertaining, star-studded, yet surprisingly moving portrait of a time when social conventions were being radically overhauled through the escapism of a generation haunted by war - and a uniquely fast-living period of English history. Praise for The Long Weekend:'Delicious, occasionally fantastical, revealing in ways that Downton Abbey never was. It is as if Tinniswood is at the biggest, wildest, most luxuriantly decadent party ever thrown, and he knows everyone.' Observer 'A deliciously jaunty and wonderfully knowledgeable book. Tinniswood displays a terrific insider's grasp of gossip . A meticulous, irresistible story.' Spectator 'Elegant, encyclopedic and entertaining . A confident and skilled historian who understands the mores of his era and wears his learning lightly . Deserves to be on every costume drama producer's bookshelf.' Times

Quran Made Easy (Complete English Translation)


Afzal Hoosen Elias - 2012
    This is the only english language translation that includes translation and inline commentary. The language is simple and easy to understand and unlike other translations leaves no room for ambiguity and misunderstanding. The work is a recent project and does not use "old" english or difficult to understand words.This is the complete english version which includes all 30 sections of the Quran as well as the inline commentary and introduction to the Quran.

Prayers for Forgiveness


الحسن البصري - 2004
    Forgiveness means a way out, a second chance, a feeling of hope with which to turn a new page in life. It is through the seeking of forgiveness that we begin to understand that there is no reason whatsoever to despair of the mercy of God. Islam encourages us to not run away in fear of Allah but rather to turn toward God the same way a baby would run into its mother's lap. So lovingly does God, Most High, address His sinful servants: "Say (to humanity, O Muhammad): O My servants—those (of you) who have committed (sins in great) excess against their own souls—never despair of the mercy of Allah! For, indeed, Allah forgives sins, one and all. Indeed, it is He who is the All-Forgiving, the Mercy-Giving. So turn in penitence to your Lord. And submit yourselves to Him." (The Qur'an 39:53-54) This collection of seventy prayers for forgiveness [istighfarat] is attributed to one of the greatest spiritual luminaries of the past, Hasan al-Basri, and it has been presented here to offer a way for us to navigate through the complications and pitfalls of this life. Set out in Arabic script, with adjoining translation in English, this edition also includes transliteration of the prayers to facilitate reading for those who are not so well-versed in Arabic.

Parallax


Steven Holl - 2000
    Holl reveals his working methods in this book, part treatise, part manifesto, and part, as Holl writes, "liner notes" to fifteen of his projects. Parallax traces Holl's ideas on topics as diverse as the "chemistry of matter" and the "pressure of light," and shows how they emerge in his architectural work: "criss-crossing" at the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki, "duration" in the Palazzo del Cinema in Venice, "correlational programming" in the Makuhari housing in Japan. The result is a book that provides a personal tour of the work of one of the world's most esteemed architects. Parallax is designed by Michael Rock of the award-winning design firm 2x4.

Siteless: 1001 Building Forms


François Blanciak - 2008
    Others may think of it as the last architectural treatise, for it provides a discursive container for ideas that would otherwise be lost. Whatever genre it belongs to, SITELESS is a new kind of architecture book that seems to have come out of nowhere. Its author, a young French architect practicing in Tokyo, admits he "didn't do this out of reverence toward architecture, but rather out of a profound boredom with the discipline, as a sort of compulsive reaction." What would happen if architects liberated their minds from the constraints of site, program, and budget? he asks. The result is a book that is saturated with forms, and as free of words as any architecture book the MIT Press has ever published.The 1001 building forms in SITELESS include structural parasites, chain link towers, ball bearing floors, corrugated corners, exponential balconies, radial facades, crawling frames, forensic housing--and other architectural ideas that may require construction techniques not yet developed and a relation to gravity not yet achieved. SITELESS presents an open-ended compendium of visual ideas for the architectural imagination to draw from. The forms, drawn freehand (to avoid software-specific shapes) but from a constant viewing angle, are presented twelve to a page, with no scale, order, or end to the series. After setting down 1001 forms in siteless conditions and embryonic stages, Blanciak takes one of the forms and performs a "scale test," showing what happens when one of these fantastic ideas is subjected to the actual constraints of a site in central Tokyo. The book ends by illustrating the potential of these shapes to morph into actual building proportions.

Fazail-E-Amaal, Vol. 1


Muhammad Zakariya Kandhlawi - 2002
    It is a two-volume compilation of several books, primarily written by the Indian scholar Muhammad Zakariya Kandhlawi His title Shekul Hadees. An English translation of the title is The Virtues of Good Deeds.The text consists of selected verses of the Qur'an, Hadiths, commentary thereon, and other material. The book is a compilation of different previous books written by same author. It has been translated into English, Persian, Bengali, and many other languages. It is popular in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and among South Asian immigrants in the United States and UK. It is mainly used by the Tablighi Jamaat for taalim (teaching) purposes. Objective of which is to bring Ehtesaab (consider the rewards of good deeds before committing them) into ones life.This book provides basic information of Islam. It is credited with transforming lives of numerous people wordwide and bring serenity and peace in the hearts.It is said to be the most widely read book about Islam after Quran and the Sihah Sitta.Contents of Volume 1:- Hikayat-e-Sahabah (Stories of the Sahabah) - Fazail-e-Quran (Virtues of the Quran) - Fazail-e-Namaz (Virtues of Salah) - Fazail-e-Zikr (Virtues of Dhikr) - Fazail-e-Tabligh (Virtues of Tabligh) - Fazail-e-Ramadhan (Virtues of Ramadan) - Musalmano-ki-Maujudah-Pasti-ka-Wahid-Ilaj (Muslim Degeneration and its Only Remedy) by Ihtisham ul-Hasan KandhalviSome publishers append an additional book:Fazail-e-Durood (Virtues of Durood) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fazail-e...

A Carpenter's Life as Told by Houses


Larry Haun - 2011
    Larry Haun is as much a historian and philosopher as he is a 60-year veteran carpenter. Larry's memoir would be equally at home on the bookshelves of home building and architecture enthusiasts as anyone on a spiritual journey."- Brian Pontolilo, Editor, Fine Homebuilding Magazine The unforgettable memoir of a legendary builder. You don't have to be a carpenter to appreciate this fascinating book that Publishers Weekly calls, "a first person timeline of 20th century American residential architecture... combining ...two literary styles: the memoir and the how-to book." A moving story of that place we call home. An early advocate for building lean and green and an avid blogger, Larry Haun tells his unique story in terms of twelve homes - built over the last 100 years. These are homes he knows intimately, drawing the reader in with detailed descriptions and thoughtful observations. "Just like any good carpenter, Haun brings his own artistic flourishes to the job of storytelling.... But where Haun's true personality comes across is when he describes the construction process for the many houses he has lived in and built--from his parent's 1,000-sq. ft. wood-frame house and the adobe and cob structures of the Southwest to the mid-century pre-fabricated and tract houses, and the more recent Habitat for Humanity homes he has donated his time to help erect." Publishers Weekly, 6/13/2011A delight to read. A great gift. This engaging memoir will appeal to anyone who appreciates a well-told story. A Carpenter's Life As Told in Houses explores our love of home - feelings so deeply rooted that they go far beyond wood and plaster and shingles. Share the author's deep connection to the natural world, his yearning for simplicity, and respect for humanity - and see why he believes that less is more.

Thomas Heatherwick: Making


Thomas Heatherwick - 2012
    Heatherwick is known as one of the greatest innovators of our era, and for the first time, this publication provides an inside look at the creation and development of his projects. It answers the one question always asked of Heatherwick's work: How did he do that? The book covers the studio's complete output over more than fifteen years—some 170 projects—including designs large and small: zippered bags that can be expanded to five times their size, a bridge that rolls open and closed, the in-progress one-million-square-foot mall in Hong Kong and glass bridge in London.

Moazzam Ali / معظم علی


Naseem Hijazi - 1982
    The lead character, Moazzam Ali joins the fight against the British with the army of Siraj ud-Daula. The story goes around as the character moves from one place in India to another in search of the lost glory and freedom.

Happy Inside: How to harness the power of home for health and happiness


Michelle Ogundehin - 2020
    Strong, clever, intelligent advice with soul.’Mary Portas‘A wonderful look at how to transform our homes to be more mindfully aligned with our true nature and a reflection of who we are.’Fearne Cotton‘A happy home is a fundamental building block of happiness, and Michelle’s book is an essential, step-by-step guide to creating a home we love.’Arianna Huffington, Founder & CEO, Thrive Global‘A must-have read for anyone looking to improve not just their home but also their quality of life within it.’Matthew Williamson Be happier, healthier and more empowered with Michelle Ogundehin’s step-by-step practical guide to creating a home that supports your well-being.Whether that home is owned or rented, small or large, and regardless of how much money you have, Happy Inside shows you how to harness its potential in pursuit of becoming your best self. If you want to feel calm, content, soothed or energized, you must begin with what surrounds you.This comprehensive guide covers everything from how to create more light and space to how to get a good night’s sleep; the path to a perfect sofa and why a dining table is your most vital piece of furniture. Plus, how to decorate to promote joy; the importance of play (and circular side tables); your definitive capsule kitchen kit; and why your hallway is where it all starts. Combining Michelle’s knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness, colour psychology and good design, Happy Inside is your one-stop guide to living well.Welcome to the healthy home revolution!

Misgod'ed: A Roadmap of Guidance and Misguidance in the Abrahamic Religions


Laurence B. Brown - 2008
    Brown teases common threads in the complex world of organized religion from the tangled mass of religious misdirection. An earnest search for truth, this text unveils both the corruptions and commonalities of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to fill the current void of intellectual discourse on the subject. For those readers who are intrigued but skeptical of organized religion, especially strict, literal interpretation of the Bible, this book articulates many of the questions readers have about religion, and poses others of its own. It provides a comprehensive, historically based analysis of documents, traditions and institutions. The central theme is to examine Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for truth in revelation, and trace the chain of revelation to its logical conclusion. Solicitous and precise, this text captures the essence of what it means to be a person of God.

Las Vegas Then and Now


Su Kim Chung - 2002
    Part of the highly successful Then & Now series, each spread shows an image of Las Vegas as it was, and how it is currently.

The Due Diligence Handbook For Commercial Real Estate: A Proven System To Save Time, Money, Headaches And Create Value When Buying Commercial Real Estate


Brian Hennessey - 2015
    Failure proof your real estate investing by learning these essential principles. This book is a #1 Best Seller in commercial real estate books on Amazon. It is an easy-to-follow, proven step-by-step system that investors and real estate professionals use regularly while conducting their due diligence. It will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions when deciding whether to buy or NOT buy. You will learn how to avoid mistakes with costly consequences, create more value, and take decades off your learning curve with this essential information for buying investment property. Adhering to a proven system allows you to conduct due diligence faster, easier, and more efficiently, and you’re less likely to miss something. Here are just a few of the lessons you’ll learn: Negotiating the purchase and sale agreement – Discover what you MUST include in order to maximize your opportunities to negotiate further with the seller. (Super important to know.) Reviewing the leases – Not knowing what provisions to watch for could cost you dearly once you own it. Don't leave it up to chance that it will "work out." Uncovering hidden problems and issues – Sellers will NOT disclose these, so you need to know where to look for them. They will not "hand you a list of problems" about the property. Many of these issues could make or break your investment. Critical factors to consider during your financial analysis – A list of essential questions that MUST be addressed is included. Leaving these questions unanswered can be potentially devastating to an investment. Not over-paying – Make sure you’re getting all you deserve by getting credited fairly for items on the closing statement. This includes specific items to review with instructions on what to ask for to minimize your chances of getting taken advantage of and potentially losing big money. These fundamentals remain the same and are all applicable whether they are residential rental properties, industrial, retail, or office buildings. This system will help reduce risk and create value for all of them. In addition, the handbook includes: Physical and mechanical Inspection photos that show you what to look for and how to assess issues. Due diligence checklist Due diligence document checklist Sample tenant questionnaire – Lists essential questions that you should ask when conducting a tenant interview. This provides a wealth of information when done properly. Learn this or lose out. By having this valuable system, you will be more prepared and confident in your ability to negotiate, going up against ANY seller. Most investors, real estate brokers and commercial real estate professionals barely scratch the surface conducting their due diligence. Mainly because "they don't know what they don't know.” I’ve spent over 30 years helping investors buy and sell over 9 million square feet of property and witnessed the practices of professional and small investors.

The Architect's Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design


Edward Allen - 1995
    Now in its fourth edition, this industry standard continues its reputation as a reliable tool for the preliminary selecting, configuring, and sizing of the structural, mechanical, and egress systems of a building. Bestselling authors Edward Allen and Joseph Iano reduce complex engineering and building code information to simple approximations that enable the designer to lay out the fundamental systems of a building in a matter of minutes and get on with the design.Now in a flex binding that makes it even easier to use, The Architect's Studio Companion, Fourth Edition provides quick access to reliable rules of thumb that offer vital help for selecting, configuring, and sizing:Structural systems Heating, cooling, and electrical systems Egress provisions, including exit stairways, parking garages, and parking lots Daylight provisions The book concludes with precalculated tables of building code height and area limitations.

Tokyo: The Monocle Travel Guide


Monocle - 2015
    In this 148-page hardback they reveal the places that they have got to know and love and show you why Tokyo is the friendliest big city in the world. It’s a guide book that will lead you to the best in culture and new architecture – and a few fun nights out too.The Monocle Travel Guide series reveals our favourite places in each city we cover, from the ideal route for an early-morning run to the best spots for independent retail. Full of surprises and quirks, they also feature detailed design and architecture pages, neighbourhood walks to get you away from the crowds and our favourite places to eat everything be it tasty fast food or something truly celebratory.