Japanese gardens are rooted in two traditions: an ancient one in which patches of gravelled forest or pebbled beach were dedicated to nature spirits, and a tradition from China and Korea that included elements such as ponds, streams, waterfalls, rock compositions, and a variety of vegetation. This book traces the development and blending of these two traditions, while also providing insight into modern Japanese gardening trends. The Art of the Japanese...

Japanese gardens are popular tourist destinations, cultural treasures, and even UNESCO heritage sites. Here, consider the splendor and harmony of some of Japan's most important gardens (including tea gardens, rock gardens, and strolling gardens) as part of a history of aesthetics and also as expressions of religious and cultural ideals.

"From New York Times and internationally bestselling author Isabel Allende, an exquisitely crafted love story and multigenerational epic that sweeps from San Francisco in the present-day to Poland and the United States during the Second World War. In 1939, as Poland falls under the shadow of the Nazis, young Alma Belasco's parents send her away to live in safety with an aunt and uncle in their opulent mansion in San Francisco. There, as the rest of...

In this century alone the world population will increase to 10 billion. Where do we get enough food for that many people? How do we stop mankind from destroying the very foundation of its food source? Valentin Thurn travels the world to study the essentials of food production, during which he encounters diverse interest groups. He meets organic farmers and agriculture industry speculators, visits urban gardens and commercial slaughterhouses. The film...