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Charles II's Illegitimate Children: Royal Bastards
by Sarah-Beth WatkinsCharles II had at least twelve illegitimate children that we know of. Although his queen, Catherine of Braganza, fell pregnant several times she was not able to bear any children to full term. The king, who was known for his many mistresses, had his first recognized child out of wedlock in 1649; the child was James Croft who would become Duke of Monmouth and mastermind of an infamous rebellion. Not all of his children would gain such notoriety but they would live long and full lives creating a Stuart bloodline that descends to the present day. There was Nell Gywn’s son, Charles Beauclerk, Duke of St Albans who was present at the siege of Belgrade in 1688. The French mistress, Louise de Keroualle’s son, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond who was an early patron of cricket. Catherine Pegge’s son, Charles Fitzcharles, 1st Earl of Plymouth who was a colonel in the King’s Own Royal Regiment and lost his life in Tangier and Moll Davis’ daughter Mary Tudor, Countess of Derwentwater who separated from her husband because she refused to be a Catholic. Not to mention Charles’s offspring by Barbara Villiers, Lady Castlemaine and later Duchess of Cleveland – there was Anne who had an affair with one of her father’s mistresses, Charles who succeeded to the dukedom of Cleveland, Henry who became vice-admiral of England, George who was in the secret service in Venice, Barbara who after a torrid affair with the Earl of Arran gave birth to illegitimate twins and became a nun in France and Charlotte, who became Countess of Lichfield and had eighteen children! And then there are the stories of other children like James de la Cloche and Charlotte Boyle whose births and lives are shrouded in mystery and rumor. This book will bring to life the king’s many illegitimate children and tell their stories.
The Sheik's Secret
by Judith McWilliamsTWIN SHEIKS?Sheik Hassan Rashid had no intention of marrying a Western woman. Until his irresponsible twin skipped town and he found himself engaged to Kali Whitman-his brother's fiancée! Hassan intended to masquerade as his twin only long enough to make Kali call off the wedding....But that ws the last thing Kali had planned! Oh, she knew Hassan wasn't the brother she'd agreed to marry-because his kisses aroused an all-consuming desire she'd never felt before. She loved Hassan's gallantry in sparing her feelings. Still, this sheik's secret would have to come out soon. And before it did, Kali had a plan for turning this honorable deed into a lifetime commitment....
The Well
by A. J. WhittenIf Hamlet thought he had issues, he should have talked to Cooper Warner.His mother&’s normally sunny demeanor has turned into something—homicidal.And what&’s worse, she has help in her hunt for Cooper: A ravenous monster living at the bottom of the old well in the woods behind their house. She&’s determined to deliver her 14-year-old son straight into the creature&’s eager clutches. Cooper turns to his girlfriend, Megan, for help, but then, to his horror, the creature takes her prisoner.Now, it&’s up to Cooper to fend off his murderous mother, finish his Hamlet paper, and enter the putrid lair at the bottom of the well to rescue Megan. And when he confronts the creature, Cooper must make the toughest decision of his life: kill, or be killed.Inspired by Hamlet, THE WELL puts a terrifying twist on the Shakespearean classic.
Vintage Icons of Fashion: From the Chanel 2.55 to the Rolex Oyster
by Raúl Barràgan Sanz Jean-Sébastien MoisyLuxury vintage clothing and accessories have avid collectors all over the world and interest in the vintage fashion market has never been greater. Imagine being able to acquire a Birkin bag, a Chanel 2.55, or a Kelly from the 1980s at an affordable price. Imagine wearing a Hermès scarf, the Chanel Première watch or one of the famous Louis Vuitton travel bags. Would you be able to recognize these iconic pieces if you saw them on the street? This elegant book highlights the most emblematic vintage pieces from throughout the 20th century and into the early 2000s. You will learn their main characteristics, their history, their trademarks and their manufacturing secrets. From handbags to scarves, watches to dresses, necklaces to shoes, each element of these flagship pieces is deciphered, and you will learn how and why they have become such sought-after staples of haute couture.Featured brands include:- Hermès- Chanel- Louis Vuitton- Yves Saint Laurent- Dior- Valentino- Tiffany & Co.and more...
Hamlyn Cooks: Unprocessed
by HamlynFresh, unprocessed recipes that make it easier than ever to avoid ultra-processed foodsEating healthily doesn't mean giving up your favourite foods. These recipes prioritise whole ingredients so that you can move away from UPFs - while still eating meals you love.From warming soups and colourful salads to hearty main meals and delicious desserts, Hamlyn Cooks: Easy Unprocessed Recipes means that cooking from scratch doesn't have to be a chore.Chapters include:- Essentials: Homemade Stock; Pitta Bread; Home-baked Seeded Rolls- Breakfast & Brunch: All-in-one Veggie Breakfast; Moroccan Baked Eggs; Grilled Peaches with Passion Fruit- Light Bites: Pepper & Aubergine Hummus; Courgette & Mint Frittatas; Seeded Chips with Red Pepper Dip- Soups & Salads: Spicy Coriander & Lentil Soup; Cajun Red Bean Soup; Chicken, Apricot & Almond Salad- Hearty Mains: Lamb Skewers with Turkish Salad; Oven-baked Squash with Quinoa; Chicken & Spinach Curry- Sweet Treats: Blueberry & Lemon Muffins; Banana & Pecan Loaf; Chocolate & Chilli Mousse CakeEvery delicious recipe is accompanied by fantastic colour photography, a smart variation to keep your food feeling fresh, and all bound in a small, handy format, making this great-value book ideal for all!
Hamlyn Cooks: Meals for One
by HamlynA collection of simple recipes, perfectly designed to serve one personIf you are looking to enjoy a relaxed brunch, celebrate a special occasion or indulge in a dessert, Hamlyn Cooks: Meals for One is full of inspiring ideas for delicious dishes.There's no need to waste food or give yourself a headache dividing ingredient quantities for recipes designed for groups. From Blueberry French Toast for breakfast to Moroccan Lamb with Couscous for dinner, these fuss-free dishes are crafted to serve one and make every meal of the day a joy.Contents include:- Brunch: Baked Eggs with Salmon; Brie & Semi-dried Tomato Omelette; Ricotta & Pear Drizzle- Light bites: Bean Soup with Guacamole; Spinach & Feta Tarts; Crispy Chicken with Salsa Verde- Quick suppers: Feta, Fresh Herb & Rocket Frittata; Vegetable Stir Fry, Sausage & Broccoli Pasta- Special occasions: Beef Fillet with Walnut Pesto; Stuffed Mushrooms with Tofu; Tarragon Chicken with Potatoes- Desserts: Honey Roast Figs; Lavender Syllabub; Cherry ClafoutisEvery delicious recipe is accompanied by fantastic colour photography, a smart variation to keep your food feeling fresh, and all bound in a small, handy format, making this great-value book ideal for all!
Larousse French Cooking: The definitive collection of classic recipes from the French home kitchen
by Editions LarousseLarousse French Cooking is the ultimate culinary journey through France. From a Toulouse Cassoulet to a Provençal Pissaladière, a northern Moules à la Marinière to a southern Pistou Soup, this book brings together more than 130 of the best-loved recipes from every region.Discover everyday classics such as Lyonnais Onion Soup or Quiche Lorraine. Truly impress a crowd with showstopping dishes like a Seven-hour Leg of Lamb or a fireside Poule au Pot. And learn to make traditional French desserts such as Crème Brûlée, an Alsatian Kougelhopf and, of course, the perfect Madeleine.With step-by-step instructions and photographs for some of the most iconic dishes, and features on regional specialities and traditions, this is the ultimate guide to unlocking the warmth and flavour of the classic French kitchen in your own home.
Ginger Pig One Pot: More than 140 deliciously simple one-pot recipes
by Tim Wilson Rebecca SealMore than 140 deliciously simple one-pot recipes from the award-winning neighbourhood butcher, Ginger Pig."There's a kind of alchemy to one-pot cooking. A dish may look inauspicious in the beginning, but then you lift off the lid at the end and it's like opening a present: everything is just as it should be. It's the right consistency, the colour's spot on and the flavour is beautiful. The trick is combining ingredients in a way that is joyful." Tim Wilson, Founder of Ginger PigFollowing the success of the Ginger Pig Meat Book and the Ginger Pig Christmas Cook Book, the award-winning Ginger Pig butchers have curated this collection of tasty recipes, each of which can made in just one pot. Perfect for meat lovers, the book covers chicken, pork, beef, lamb, game, fish, as well as vegetarian dishes, sides and even ideas for how to use up leftovers.Recipes include:- Shawarma style chicken and roasted vegetables- Spicy Italian sausage with gnocchi, cream and kale- Steak, ale and mushroom pot pie- Lamb and potato stew with whipped feta- Green risotto with lemon and goats' cheese- Prawn saganaki
The Little Book of Miriam
by Miriam MargolyesFrom ARNIE to DOLLY, BLACKADDER to SCORSESE; GRAHAM NORTON to HARRY POTTER; the VAGINA MONOLOGUES to ZOOM, welcome back to the irrepressible and unstoppable world of Miriam Margolyes. Packed with her wit, wisdom and unfiltered stories, The Little Book of Miriam is a memory palace of Miriam's extraordinary life's standout moments, opinions and conclusions. Never forget that this is a woman who knocked back WARREN BEATTY, played to an audience of TWO THOUSAND NAKED LESBIANS, injected sex into the CADBURY'S CARAMEL BUNNY and was VOGUE'S COVER STAR AGED 83. Miriam is always full of surprises and this book is too. Deliciously dip-in-able, thought-provoking and mirth-inducing, elegantly designed and always interesting -- whether sharing daring declarations, behind-the-scenes antics or talking about the indignities of ageing, this is a book as unique and extraordinary as Miriam herself.
The Diabetes Weight-Loss Plan: A Life-changing Method to Lose Weight and Beat Type 2 Diabetes
by Katie CaldesiOut now: The Diabetes Air Fryer: Over 100 easy, low carb recipes and meal plans to lose weight and beat type 2 diabetesGood intentions and a shelf full of cookbooks aren't enough to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle. What you need is a plan. A plan underpinned by simple, low carb principles that will help anyone lose weight, combat metabolic diseases and sustain a new way of eating.With its simple approach, The Diabetes Weight-Loss Meal Plan will get you started on a healthier lifestyle that's easy to maintain. It has weekly meal plans - including completely vegetarian variants - and over 100 delicious low carb recipes.Katie's simple CarbScale, showing how many carbs you can eat daily depending on your weight-loss target, means the diet is accessible to all, whether you're looking for dramatic weight loss or just a sustainable eating plan. Backed by expert medical, psychological and nutritional advice, this is a method that really works.There are quick and easy breakfasts, lunches and dinners - including blueberry and lemon pancakes, pepper quiches and oven-baked seabass in a creamy sauce - as well as batch cooking favourites such as lamb ragu and chicken curry. Special occasions and sweet tooths are catered for too, with recipes for a low-carb Christmas as well as brownies, muffins and sponge puddings. With all these delicious recipes plus ready-to-go weekly plans, it couldn't be easier to start enjoying the benefits of a low-carb life.
(Almost) Instant Noodles: Quick & Easy Recipes to Take Your Noodles to the Next Level
by Lily MartinNoodles are a quick and easy to cook, and delicious to eat. With these foolproof recipes that can be made in a flash, you can have a tasty and filling noodle meal, almost instantly!The recipes are organised thematically, with oodles of noodle inspiration in chapters including Soups, Saucy, Salads, Stir Frys and Sides, plus a whole chapter on upgrading instant and pot noodles from cornershop basics to mind-blowing meals. It couldn't be easier to embrace the noodle trend!Recipes include:- Crispy Salmon Ramen- Spicy Chicken Satay Noodles- Aubergine and Sesame Salad- Ginger and Chilli Stir Fry- Summer Rolls with Peanut DipWhether you're a Samyang superfan, nuts for Nongshim or bonkers about Buldak, this ultimate tribute to speedy noodles is the book for you!
The Irish Midwife: The brand-new, page-turning, romantic, heartwarming, heartbreaking and touching historical romance novel for 2025, set just before WW2 (The Irish Midwives)
by Seána TinleyCan she finally put herself first, in order to find love?Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?The first book in a heartwarming new historical romance series, for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Goodwin and Call the Midwife. READERS ARE ALREADY LOVING THE IRISH MIDWIFE . . .'A gripping story, I couldn't put this one down and read it in one day!''A brilliant book that keeps you hooked''An excellent story . . . a most interesting insight into the lives and work of midwives throughout the 1930s''I read it in a matter of hours. The writing was excellent''A lovely read. Very interesting and as it was set in Ireland made it different. Gave me an insight into how things worked in this era'
The Life, Style and Music of Sabrina Carpenter: Pop Sensation and Short 'n' Sweet Icon (Pop Icons)
by Erica CampbellAn exploration of the LOOKS, LYRICS and LIFE of pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.At just five feet tall, Sabrina Carpenter has left quite an impression with her witty wordplay, dynamic vocals, captivating stage performances and classic Hollywood-era glamour.This book explores the defining moments of her remarkable career, from her early acting auditions to sold-out stage shows and from record-breaking hits to zoo visits with Taylor Swift.With behind-the-scenes stories and incredible photos throughout, this is a very short 'n' sweet celebration of Sabrina Carpenter.
168 Songs of Hatred and Failure: A History of Manic Street Preachers
by Keith Cameron'A forensic exploration of their compositions and recordings, and everything that has been poured into them . . . completely definitive' MOJO ★★★★★ The story of Manic Street Preachers is unique in pop. Raging out of the stricken mining communities of south Wales in the late 80s, they were seemingly condemned to mere cult status by a cruel juncture of artistic triumph, commercial failure and personal despair. The story took a further agonising twist when the tragedy of Richey Edwards' 1995 disappearance was followed by a remarkable rebirth, built upon 'A Design For Life' - a hymn to the band's working-class roots - and then the award-winning, multi-million-selling album Everything Must Go, a majestic soundtrack to history and loss. Within five years, Manic Street Preachers were playing to 60,000 at the national stadium of Wales and had their second UK Number 1 single. Subsequent output has confirmed the band as both a wellspring of restless creativity and a barometer of the cultural conversation.Because it was music that saved them, it's through the prism of their music that Keith Cameron tells the definitive history of Manic Street Preachers, drawing on many hours of new interviews to dive deep into 168 songs, from 1988 debut single 'Suicide Alley' to the late day peaks of 2025 album Critical Thinking. Writing with the band's full co-operation, his book charts the dynamic evolution of a universe in which Karl Marx and Kylie Minogue happily co-exist, that accords Rush and The Clash equal favour, and where Morrissey & Marr meet Torvill & Dean via Nietzsche and New Order in a single four-minute pop song - all in the name of what Nicky Wire himself calls 'the fabulous disaster' of Manic Street Preachers.
Simply Raymond Kitchen Garden: Seasonal recipes from my place to yours
by Raymond BlancSimply Raymond Kitchen Garden is a celebration of seasonal ingredients, grown and cooked by Raymond Blanc in the gardens of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. 'I am still in awe,' says Raymond Blanc, 'of the magic of the garden and the miracles of the kitchen, and thewondrous connection between them.' With simple and trusted recipes, this book mirrors that connection.Within these pages, Raymond recounts a deeply inspiring story of creating his famous gardens at Le Manoir auxQuat'Saisons, the Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant in Oxfordshire, renowned as one of Britain's finest retreats.Over 90 recipes celebrate the year-round ingredients and flavours from Raymond's kitchen garden. You'll findsomething quick and wholesome for a midweek supper as well as sensational dishes for special occasions. Recipes range from an easy Kitchen Garden Omelette to Salmon and Beetroot Tartare, and from Roast Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Salsa Verde to Baked Peach and Almond Crumble.Whether you're in the kitchen wearing an apron dabbed with floury fingerprints, or longing to don yourgardening gloves, Raymond is with you sharing his unique wisdom, know-how and charm.Bon Appétit!
On a Coral Reef (A Day and Night)
by Anita GaneriPopping with colour and fizzing with life, coral reefs bloom like beautiful gardens under the sea. They're among the most spectacular places on our planet. Follow a day and night on a coral reef and see how coral and the amazing creatures that live on a reef change their behaviour depending on the time of day.Thousands of fabulous creatures live around coral reefs. Get ready to meet ...... fish that like to snooze in sleeping bags... shells big enough to have a bath in... fish that start to smell like the coral they eat... and many, many more.Then find out why coral reefs are in danger and what is being done to help them.Perfect for children aged 7+ to help them learn about this beautiful and amazing habitat.Full of intricate illustrations by award-winning artist, Khoa Le, who is a dedicated and passionate diver. She frequently engages in activities organized by her hometown divers' community, helping with beach cleanups and or protecting coral reefs by removing crown-of-thorns starfish.
Reading Champion: Green Band 5
by Jackie WalterBrand new readers based on the wonderful world of Enid Blyton's Famous Five characters, especially written for children beginning to read. Each story is accompanied by colourful illustrations to engage the young reader and support the text.In this story, Timmy runs off while out on a walk with George, Anne, Peter and Dick. They eventually catch up with Timmy and find an animal that needs their help!Reading Champion is an independent reading programme carefully levelled to match book bands widely used in schools. This book is suitable for readers aged 5+ and has been levelled at book band Green 5.
Hungry Planet
by Anna ClaybourneHow feeding the world - and food inequality - are impacting our planetWe all need to eat food to stay alive. In many parts of the world, there's plenty of food available and some even gets wasted. But in other places, people can struggle to find the food they need. Three billion people, or 40 percent of the world's population, currently don't have a reliable supply of healthy food.HUNGRY PLANET looks at how feeding the world - and food inequality - are impacting our world. It explores where our food comes from, how farming and fishing affect the environment, why famines and food shortages happen - and what we can all do to protect the planet and make sure everyone has the food they need.Aimed at readers aged 9 and up.Contents: Everyone needs to eat! / Why we need food / Where food comes from / CASE STUDY: Rice / The journey of food / Food and health / Food shortages 16 / CASE STUDY: The Irish Potato Famine / Food and the environment / Food and climate change / CASE STUDY: Shark overfishing / What's the answer? / Food and farm aid / Changing farming / Changing what we eat / CASE STUDY: Lab burgers / GM foods / Reducing waste / What can you do? / The future of food / Glossary / Further information / IndexBooks in the series:Plastic PlanetHot PlanetPandemic PlanetRecycled PlanetSustainable PlanetExtinction PlanetPeaceful Planet?Unequal PlanetWatery PlanetCrowded PlanetNeurodiverse Planet
Science Detective Agency: Can you solve the crime with forensic science?
by Stevie DerrickA crime has been committed and the Science Detective Agency are on the case. To be a detective you need an agile mind ... Train your brain to tackle the most intriguing mysteries and crack the case wide open. Do you think you've got what it takes? The Science Detective Agency is here to introduce curious detectives-in-training aged 8+ to the world of forensic science. Visit the crime scene and gather clues to solve the mystery, from collecting fingerprints and swabbing DNA to analysing soil samples and digital evidence. Look back on cases through history and use activities and practical at home experiments to test your hypotheses and find out whodunnit. Move over Holmes family, there's a new detective on the case!At the back of the book, take a quiz to test your knowledge and read an interview with a real-life forensic scientist and DNA expert.Written in consultation with Dr William Goodwin, who has worked in forensic genetics for thirty years at the University of Glasgow and University of Central Lancashire. He has taught a master's program in forensic genetics for over twenty years and researched various aspects of human identification.
The Life, Style and Music of Sabrina Carpenter: Pop Sensation and Short 'n' Sweet Icon (Pop Icons)
by Erica CampbellAn exploration of the LOOKS, LYRICS and LIFE of pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.At just five feet tall, Sabrina Carpenter has left quite an impression with her witty wordplay, dynamic vocals, captivating stage performances and classic Hollywood-era glamour.This book explores the defining moments of her remarkable career, from her early acting auditions to sold-out stage shows and from record-breaking hits to zoo visits with Taylor Swift.With behind-the-scenes stories and incredible photos throughout, this is a very short 'n' sweet celebration of Sabrina Carpenter.
The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana
by Paul BurrellTHE BRAND NEW REVELATORY ROYAL MEMOIR FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR PAUL BURRELL.'For twenty-one years I was in a privileged position and shared the lives of the Queen and Princess Diana. Now that neither of these two wonderful women are here, that duty continues for me in the need to protect their legacy.'For over two decades, Paul Burrell was a silent witness to the making of history - first as footman to Queen Elizabeth II, then as butler to King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), and, most famously, as a confidante of the late Princess Diana. Now, with a unique perspective shaped by time and change, he's ready to share his own story alongside theirs. His bestselling memoir, A Royal Duty, about his friendship with Diana, sent shockwaves around the world, selling over two million copies. But it is only, in the wake of the Queen's passing and the commencement of a new royal era, Burrell feels he can finally tell his story in full. In this deeply personal and intimate memoir, Burrell shares many untold stories of his life at home and abroad with the Royals. With warmth, candour, and rare insight, he recounts unexpected moments of intimacy with the Queen, who gently guided a fresh-faced, 18-year-old Burrell through palace life. He speaks candidly about the tensions that simmered during those years - including the breakdown of Charles and Diana's marriage and his own complex relationship with Princes William and Harry. He also reveals his heartache at parting with three of the most significant women in his life - the Queen, Diana and his wife Maria - all while navigating his own personal journey to happiness as well as a battle with prostate cancer. Heartfelt, sincere and rich in detail, this is the memoir of a man who has lived and learned in the most extraordinary of ways.
Kyropta the Skeleton Eagle: Series 32 Book 4 (Beast Quest #1131)
by Adam BladeMiandra and the rest of the New Protectors are facing their greatest challenge yet. The wizard Daltec has been struck down by a magical curse, and the land of Tangala is in grave danger from the sorceress Zuba, who wants to destroy the kingdom forever. But when the brave young fighters and their mystical animal companions set off on their Quest to fight back against Zuba, a great storm leaves them stranded. Now Miandra must undertake a dangerous journey through a rocky mountain range and defeat a terrifying skeleton eagle. The fate of Tangala depends on her and her friends!There are FOUR thrilling adventures to collect in the latest set of this beloved series - don't miss out! Dolrus the Spiked Destroyer; Zynara the Striped Prowler; Makroxa the Tunnelling Terror and Kyropta the Skeleton Eagle.
The Irish Midwife: The brand-new, page-turning, romantic, heartwarming, heartbreaking and touching historical romance novel for 2025, set just before WW2 (The Irish Midwives)
by Seána TinleyCan she finally put herself first, in order to find love?Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?The first book in a heartwarming new historical romance series, for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Goodwin and Call the Midwife. READERS ARE ALREADY LOVING THE IRISH MIDWIFE . . .'A gripping story, I couldn't put this one down and read it in one day!''A brilliant book that keeps you hooked''An excellent story . . . a most interesting insight into the lives and work of midwives throughout the 1930s''I read it in a matter of hours. The writing was excellent''A lovely read. Very interesting and as it was set in Ireland made it different. Gave me an insight into how things worked in this era'
Locating the ‘Local’ in South Asia: Critical Themes in the History of Northern Bengal
by Dipsikha AcharyaThis book presents an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the history of northern Bengal. Northern Bengal, despite having a rich historical past and geo-cultural heritage, is yet to receive unbiased attention from serious academic scholarship. The chapters in the book examine hitherto unexplored or little-explored issues across time of northern Bengal's pluralistic society and culture while drawing on various approaches and methodologies to arrive at an alternative historical understanding. This volume examines themes such as the historical landscape and geo-political contours of the region, its society, and culture, as well as the religious ideas prevalent in this sub-region through the lens of sculptures and mosques.Rich in archaeological and literary sources, epigraphic evidence, and archival materials, the book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of Indian history, South Asian history, cultural studies, gender studies, history of the 'marginalized', environment studies, modern history, and colonial history. This volume represents a crucial history of the 'local' in the global context.
Gendered Bodies, Social Exclusions: Contemporary Issues in Women's Studies (Contemporary Issues in Social Science Research)
by Aishika Chakraborty and Nandita Banerjee DhawanThis book explores contemporary issues in women’s studies, focusing on the agency of marginalised and disenfranchised within political, cultural, and social spheres. It employs feminist pedagogies to articulate the multiple intersecting histories of class, caste, race, sexuality, disability and citizenship. Using feminist perspectives, the book challenges the hegemonic and patriarchal logic of heteronormativity by contextualizing verbal abuse, violence in the private sphere, and the tensions between women's and men's rights across the continuum of family, community, and state. The essays in this volume examine the (im)possibilities of creating violence-free, caring, and affordable living space on the one hand, and seek to understand the gendered experience of violence in the context of migration, as well as cultural and sexual labour on the other. In addition to interrogating the cultural taboos that restrict women's autonomy and rights, the essays prioritise a diverse range of voices, including those of dancers in the entertainment industry, sexual and gender minorities, urban poor populations living in slums, and disabled women. They also document and archive the academic agency of staff and students working to address injustices within higher education institutions. Part of the Contemporary Issues in Social Science Research series, this volume will be of significant interest to scholars and researchers in gender studies, women’s studies, history, political science, sociology, social anthropology, development studies, law, media studies and South Asia studies.