Životopisu jedné z nejkontroverznějších postav lidských dějin dal Barnaby Rogerson podobu živého, poutavého vyprávění, oscilujícího mezi podáním historika a beletrií. Tento přístup mu umožnil barvitě vylíčit společenské prostředí, morálku i motivace jednajících postav a obohatit "kanonický" životopis řadou příběhů z muslimské lidové tradice.
Marrakech is the heart and lifeblood of Morocco's ancient storytelling tradition. For nearly a thousand years, storytellers have gathered in the Jemaa el Fna, the legendary square of the city, to recount ancient folktales and fables to rapt audiences. But this unique chain of oral tradition that has passed seamlessly from generation to generation is teetering on the brink of extinction. The competing distractions of television, movies and the internet have drawn the crowds away from the storytellers and few have the desire to learn the stories and continue their legacy. Richard Hamilton has witnessed at first hand the death throes of this rich and captivating tradition and, in the labyrinth of the Marrakech medina, has tracked down the last few remaining storytellers, recording stories that are replete with the mysteries and beauty of the Maghreb.
Discover the art of bartering and uncover the best bargains in Morocco's three imperial cities. This guidebook offers expert insights into the rich history, religion, culture, and architecture of these unique locations. With vibrant full-color photos and detailed maps, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the cities while learning practical tips for navigating their markets.
The Last Crusaders is about the titanic contest between Hadsburg-led Christendom and the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the last great conflict between East and West - the battles that were fought and the men who led the armies that fought them. It was, in its way, the first world war.
This collection On Travel is clever, funny, provoking and confrontational by turn. In a pyrotechnic display of cracking one- liners, cynical word play and comic observation, it mines three thousand years of wit and wisdom: from Martha Gellhorn to Confucius and from Pliny to Paul Theroux.
The exploration of the enduring Sunni-Shia divide reveals its roots in the events following the death of Prophet Muhammad, including the sidelining of his son Ali and the tragedy of Husayn at Kerbala. This historical narrative spans from the early caliphates through the rise of empires to the present-day Middle East, highlighting the complex interplay of religious, ethnic, and national identities. The author offers a unique perspective on the region's dynamics, shaped by historical events and the Iranian Revolution, fostering deep empathy and understanding of contemporary conflicts.
The Prophet Muhammad was the founder of a world empire and a new civilisation - this is his story.
Rogerson's Book of Numbers tells the stories behind our iconic numbers. It is based on a numerical array of virtues, spiritual attributes, gods, devils, sacred cities, powers, calendars, heroes, saints, icons and cultural symbols. It provides a dazzling mass of information for those intrigued by the many roles numbers play in folklore and popular culture, in music and poetry, and in the many religions, cultures and belief systems of our world.The stories unfold from millions to zero: from the number of the beast (666) to the seven deadly sins, the twelve signs of the zodiac to the four suits of a pack of cards. Along the way you will discover why Genghis Khan built a city of 108 towers, how Dante forged his Divine Comedy on the number eleven, and why thirteen is so unlucky in the west while fourteen is the number to avoid in China.Now available as a paperback, this is your pocket-book guide to the numerical mysteries of the universe.
Features, perhaps the most fashionable, talked about, photographed city in Africa, which is home to Yves St Laurent, the Bransons and others.
A travel book on Croatia, which presents an abundant culture of Roman remains, Venetian and Hapsburg-era palaces.