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Gavin D. Smith

    This author delves into dark and unsettling themes, often focusing on the psychological depth of his characters. His prose is characterized by a raw honesty and an uncompromising look at human nature. Shifting perspectives and non-linear narratives draw the reader into the vortex of events. His work challenges conventional understandings of reality and morality.

    Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser
    Beer. A Global History
    Confronting the Present
    Goodness Nose
    Stoke Newington
    Islington in Old Photographs
    • Islington in Old Photographs

      • 128 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Exploring the vibrant borough of Islington, this book delves into its rich history, highlighting significant events, cultural transformations, and notable figures that have shaped the area. Through engaging narratives and detailed accounts, readers will discover the unique character of Islington and its evolution over time, making it a captivating journey through one of London's most dynamic neighborhoods.

      Islington in Old Photographs
    • Stoke Newington

      • 128 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Stoke Newington in the early nineteenth century was notable as an 'old world' suburb possessing great charm. Many of its interesting old houses, inns and chapels were recorded in the sketches and paintings of Thomas Hosmer Shepherd and his son. At the same time a new architectural genius was at work in the area; Thomas Cubitt, who pioneered mass building techniques and whose work also later became well-known in Pimlico and Belgravia. This book concentrates on the last one hundred years of Stoke Newington's history and does so through the medium of old photographs. This superb collection of 200 photographs will appeal to all who know this fascinating area of London.

      Stoke Newington
    • Richard Paterson has Scotch whisky running through his veins. His grandfather and father were both prominent in the Scotch whisky industry in Glasgow for decades before Richard joined a competing whisky brokerage firm to start his apprenticeship. But this is no dry textbook on blending. Far from it. Humour, insight, history, a love of people and an abiding and evangelical passion inform every page.For the first time one of the world's foremost whisky blenders reveals how he rose through the ranks to top of his profession. He also candidly reveals some of the secrets of his craft and gives his thoughts on where he feels the industry is heading today. Lavishly illustrated in colour and black and white with black and white line artwork, this is destined to become a whisky classic and an essential item on every whisky lover's bookshelf.

      Goodness Nose
    • Confronting the Present

      Towards a Politically Engaged Anthropology

      • 312 pages
      • 11 hours of reading

      The book explores the evolving role of anthropologists in a globalized world, where traditional distinctions between cultures are blurring. It examines how historical approaches to studying "other" societies are challenged by shrinking distances and emerging political dynamics. The author questions how these changes influence the development of a politically engaged anthropology, urging a rethinking of methodologies to address contemporary issues of differentiation and collective identity.

      Confronting the Present
    • Beer. A Global History

      • 160 pages
      • 6 hours of reading
      3.1(46)Add rating

      Celebrating the heritage of the worlds favourite tipple, Gavin D. Smith traces beer from its earliest days to its contemporary consumption.

      Beer. A Global History
    • Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser

      New Writing on Beer and Whisky in Honour of Michael Jackson

      • 176 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Leading international writers on beer and whisky have joined together in a unique project to celebrate the enduring legacy of celebrated drinks writer Michael Jackson (65), who died in August 2007 having suffered from Parkinson s disease for over a decade. They have each donated a piece of new writing to Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser, launched on March 27, 2009 to mark Jackson s birth date. All proceeds from the publication, which was supported by leading single malt whisky The Glenlivet, will be donated to the Parkinson s Disease Society of the UK. Editor Ian Buxton, who conceived the project, said Michael Jackson dominated the world of both beer and whisky writing for two decades and was hugely influential in both real ale and single malt whisky. A complete generation of writers has cause to be grateful to him, not to mention countless brewers and distillers. This new book honours that legacy. He concludes: If variety is what you celebrate in your choice of whisky or beer, then this is truly a joyous and eclectic celebration of a life well-lived. We have sought to honour Michael with words, fresh and new writing on beer and whisky that he would have enjoyed reading; that he would have respected; that he might even have wished to have written himself. The collaborators represent a roll of honor from drinks writing: (in alphabetical order) Stephen Beaumont, Dave Broom, Ian Buxton, John Hansell, Julie Johnson, Charles MacLean, Hans Offringa, F Paul Pacult, Roger Protz, Lucy Saunders, Conrad Seidl, Carolyn Smagalski and Gavin D Smith.

      Beer Hunter, Whisky Chaser
    • Opening the Black Box

      The Work of Watching

      • 202 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      Focusing on the experiences of surveillance workers, the book delves into the role of CCTV operators in shaping and interpreting urban governance. It examines how their daily interactions with mediated surveillance influence their understanding of reality, highlighting the complexities of their work and its broader societal implications. Through this lens, it offers a critical perspective on contemporary issues of surveillance and the construction of social order in urban environments.

      Opening the Black Box
    • Crises and Conflicts

      • 258 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      Fifteen stories explore the thrilling realms of Military Science Fiction and space opera, showcasing diverse narratives that range from interplanetary battles to high-stakes races. These tales celebrate the 10th anniversary of NewCon Press, highlighting both the creativity of various authors and the rich possibilities of futuristic conflicts and adventures across the cosmos. Each story offers a unique perspective on the struggles and triumphs in distant worlds, making this collection a must-read for fans of the genre.

      Crises and Conflicts
    • Beyond its vulgar function as a means of execution, the Gallows has long served as a source of esoteric power. From the severed appendage of the thief that becomes the Hand of Glory to the fallen seed that spawns the mandrake root, the Hanging Place is awash in the sinistral ambiance of authentic Sorcery. Richard Gavin weaves together threads of folklore, spiritism, and occult philosophy to create a tapestry of grim vitality. The Moribund Portal: Spectral Resonance and the Numen of the Gallows examines the subtle yet potent symbiosis that exists between the incarnate world and the realm of the Dead. This book's exploration of the liminal space between firmament and earth, where Odin perceived the runes and Christ witnessed the celestial kingdom, is designed to illuminate the macabre portal through which one may glimpse the Otherworld.

      The Moribund Portal: Spectral Resonance and the Numen of the Gallows