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Art & Culture

Culture and art is many things and at Tales you find a wide selection of art and culture books. If you enjoy a trip to the museum or an evening at the theatre this is the place for you. If you are more into architecture or a well written song, fear not you also find books about that. Lastly design and fashion is also part of our art and culture selection, so what are you waiting for? Set your inner creativity free and get inspired by some of the world’s best artists, musicians, designers or architects.
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  • Save 14%
    - Journals, 1989 - 1990
    by Derek Jarman
    £9.49

    *****AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4*****A meditative and inspiring diary of Derek Jarman''s famous garden at Dungeness.In 1986 Derek Jarman discovered he was HIV positive and decided to make a garden at his cottage on the barren coast of Dungeness. Facing an uncertain future, he nevertheless found solace in nature, growing all manner of plants. While some perished beneath wind and sea-spray others flourished, creating brilliant, unexpected beauty in the wilderness. Modern Nature is both a diary of the garden and a meditation by Jarman on his own life: his childhood, his time as a young gay man in the 1960s, his renowned career as an artist, writer and film-maker. It is at once a lament for a lost generation, an unabashed celebration of gay sexuality, and a devotion to all that is living.''An essential – urgent – book for the 21st Century'' Hans Ulrich ObristThis new edition features an introduction from Olivia Laing, the author of Crudo

  • Save 27%
    - "Past, Present and Future"
    by King Adz
    £21.99

    The definitive history of the world's most influential fashion trend from the people who wore it best

  • Save 29%
    by Sony
    £28.49

    In the terrifying video game Bloodborne, deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures lurk around every corner of a horror-filled gothic city. Bloodborne: Official Artworks collects the hair-raising artwork behind this modern action role-playing classic. Included are character concepts, creature designs, location illustrations, weapons, items, and more!

  • Save 21%
    - A Personal History of Pink Floyd - New Edition
    by Nick Mason
    £13.49

    The definitive history of Pink Floyd, one of the world's great bands, by founder member Nick Mason

  • Save 23%
    - Fun and Easy Guide to Drawing Cartoons and Comics
    by Josiah Brooks
    £16.99

    Imagine, Design and Draw Your Own Characters!

  • Save 16%
    by HINKE
    £14.99

    Aimed at the beginner oboist, the exercises presented in this classic method, written by Gustav Adolf Hinke (1844-1893), will help to develop a strong tone and to practise good posture. The studies and scales will help to develop both technical control and awareness of style.

  • Save 24%
    - A Handbook of Techniques
    by Luca Bendandi & Marco Antonini
    £16.99

    Photography has always been about experimentation. This book takes the reader through the world of photography special effects and manipulations documenting techniques, approaches, experimenters, camera makers and their extraordinary creations.

  • Save 24%
    - Or; Disease and the Art of Medical Illustration
    by Richard Barnett
    £18.99

    Presents a visual tour through disease in an age before colour photography. This volume combines detailed illustrations of afflicted patients from some of the worlds rarest medical books, that forms a profoundly human reminder of mankinds struggle with disease. It features historic maps, pioneering charts and contemporary case notes.

  • Save 23%
    by Geoffrey Marsh & Victoria Broackes
    £30.99

    This is the first book produced with access to the David Bowie archive of performance costume, ephemera and original artwork by the artist, which is brought together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations.

  • Save 23%
    - Painting with Freedom, Expression and Style
    by Jean Haines
    £15.49

    Jean Haines' enthusiasm for watercolours burst through every page of this inspirational book that will guide you, step by step, to creating beautiful and unique paintings of your own, whatever your ability.

  • Save 21%
    - The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
    by Daniel Wallace
    £13.49

    An ancient training manual, which was crafted by early Jedi Masters. It explains the history and hierarchy of the Jedi Order, and what Jedi must know to take their place as defenders of the peace in the galaxy - from mastery of the Force to the nuances of lightsaber combat.

  • Save 21%
    by J O'Barr
    £14.99

    After the murder of his fiancee by a vicious street gang, a man rises from the grave to wreak bloody vengeance upon those who wronged him.

  • Save 23%
     
    £15.49

    Japan's sex industry in full flower. In more than 800 photos, Nobuyoshi Araki captures the sex shows, orgies, and bizarre crazes of Tokyo's Shinjuku red light district. From no-panties massage parlors to the notorious commuter-train fetishists, this is the last word on an age of bacchanalia, infused with moments of humor, poetry, and...

  • Save 19%
    - The Comlete Piano Etudes
    by Philip Glass
    £19.49

    THE TWENTY ETUDES FOR PIANO were composed during the years from 1991 to 2012. Their final configuration into Book 1 and Book 2 was determined by the music itself in the course of its composition.Book 1 (Etudes 1-10) had a twin objective - to explore a variety of tempi, textures and piano techniques. At the same time it was meant to serve as a pedagogical tool by which I would improve my piano playing. In these two ways, Book 1 succeeded very well. I learned a great deal about the piano and in the course of learning the music, I became a better player. New projects came along and interrupted the work on the Etudes for several years. Perhaps for that reason, when I took up work with the Etudes again I found the music was following a new path. Though I had settled questions of piano technique for myself in Book 1, the music in Book 2 quickly began to suggest a series of new adventures in harmony and structure. In this way, Books 1 and 2, taken together, suggest a real trajectory that includes a broad range of music and technical ideas. In the end, the Etudes are meant to be appreciated not only by the general listener, but especially by those who have the ability and patience to learn, play and perform the music themselves.

  • by Ellen Lupton
    £17.99

  • Save 21%
    - Healing with Nature in Mind
     
    £13.49

    In the 14 years since Sierra Club Books published Theodore Roszak, Mary E. Gomes, and Allen D. Kanner’s groundbreaking anthology, Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, the editors of this new volume have often been asked: Where can I find out more about the psyche-world connection? How can I do hands-on work in this area? Ecotherapy was compiled to answer these and other urgent questions.Ecotherapy, or applied ecopsychology, encompasses a broad range of nature-based methods of psychological healing, grounded in the crucial fact that people are inseparable from the rest of nature and nurtured by healthy interaction with the Earth. Leaders in the field, including Robert Greenway, and Mary Watkins, contribute essays that take into account the latest scientific understandings and the deepest indigenous wisdom. Other key thinkers, from Bill McKibben to Richard Louv to Joanna Macy, explore the links among ecotherapy, spiritual development, and restoring community.As mental-health professionals find themselves challenged to provide hard evidence that their practices actually work, and as costs for traditional modes of psychotherapy rise rapidly out of sight, this book offers practitioners and interested lay readers alike a spectrum of safe, effective alternative approaches backed by a growing body of research.

  • Save 31%
    by Maison Martin Margiela
    £54.99

    Graduating from Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the 1980s, Martin Margiela (and his contemporaries in the Antwerp Six) transformed global fashion with his aggressive restatement of traditional fashion design and a polemical approach to luxury trends. Working first with the house of Gaultier, Margiela absorbed the radical design of Japanese deconstruction, making it wholly his own with the founding of his own label in 1988. Margiela propounds a singular, enigmatic look, moving beyond the recognizable tropes of deconstruction—a monochromatic palette, outsized garments, non-traditional fabrics, exposed seams, or roughly appliquéd details—to develop a fully considered worldview, one with elegance, mystery, and menace in equal measure. This book provides an inside look at the design process from a craftsman who creates pieces prized for their originality, delicacy, and daring. In the spirit of Margiela's garments, the book is a work of art in itself, designed exclusively by Margiela and complete with silver inks, ribbon markers, a variety of lush paper types, twelve booklets, and an embroidered white-linen cover. This book provides a window onto the intimate, handmade world of a unique designer.

  • Save 31%
    by Slim Aarons
    £48.49

    Offers images of jet-setters and the wealthy, of beautiful, glittering people living the glamorous life. The main character is pools and everything that goes with them - magnificent, suntanned bodies, well-oiled skin, bikini-clad women, yachts, summer cocktails, sumptuous buffets, spectacular locations and most of all fun.

  • Save 24%
    - Masterworks
    by Rosalind Ormiston
    £18.99

    Though very much an individual and spiritual artist, Alfonse Mucha was a defining figure of the Art Nouveau era and is loved for his distinctive lush style and images of beautiful women in arabesque poses among the plethora of paintings, posters, advertisements and designs he produced. This title presents a range of his work.

  • Save 18%
    - The Ansel Adams Photography Series 2
    by Ansel Adams
    £20.49

    This photography guide initially discusses light, film and exposure. A discussion of the zone system follows, in which the author had a pioneering role. Chapters are also included on natural and artificial light, the darkroom and its equipment, and techniques for developing the negative.

  • Save 27%
    - A Structured Approach for Driving Innovation in Your Organization
    by Vijay (Illinois Institute of Technology) Kumar
    £21.99

    A guide for successful innovation planning. It is suitable for strategists, managers, designers, and researchers who undertake the challenge of innovation, despite a lack of established procedures and a high risk of failure.

  • Save 10%
    by Chloe Hayden
    £8.99

    Fierce, unapologetic and joyous . . . This book is a marvel.'-Jordon Steele-John, Disability Rights Advocate and Australian SenatorGrowing up, Chloé Hayden felt like she'd crash-landed on an alien planet where nothing made sense. Eye contact? Small talk? And why are you people so touch-oriented? She moved between 10 schools in 8 years, struggling to become a person she believed society would accept, and was eventually diagnosed with autism and ADHD. When a life-changing group of allies showed her that different did not mean less, she learned to celebrate her true voice and find her happily ever after.This is a moving, at times funny story of how it feels to be neurodivergent as well as a practical guide, with advice for living with meltdowns and shutdowns, tips for finding supportive communities and much more.Whether you're neurodivergent or supporting those who are, Different, Not Less will inspire you to create a more inclusive world where everyone feels like they belong.

  • Save 21%
     
    £22.99

    The fantastic and visionary world of Tim Burton, in a rich volume that celebrates his dreamlike and grotesque style, developed over 30 years of great successes. Text in English and Italian.

  • Save 14%
    by Gladys McGarey
    £9.49

    DISCOVER THE SIX SECRETS TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AT ANY AGE FROM THE 102-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYONE 'Astonishing. Truly one of the most inspirational women you'll ever meet' ELIZABETH DAY, How To Fail podcast 'You will love the stories, you will learn how to honour your health and your body, and in the end, you'll love life that much more' Dr Edith Eger, New York Times bestselling Author of The Choice and The Gift----Others talk about longevity.Dr Gladys is living it . . .Dr. Gladys McGarey - the mother of holistic medicine and a practicing doctor aged 102 - reveals the secrets of how to live to a great age filled with vitality, purpose and joy.In The Well-Lived Life, Dr Gladys shares the lessons she has learned in her hundred plus years of life, as well as the six secrets of true health and happiness. This counterintuitive approach is nothing to do with conserving energy - rather it's all about spending it, wildly.Sharing life-changing stories of miraculous healing from patients of all ages, Dr. Gladys will not only fundamentally change the way you think about a well-lived life - but also show you how to embrace it.---- 'I want everyone to pick up this book and read it' Deepak Chopra 'Incredibly insightful. Very special. Full of wisdom. I can't think of a single person that this book won't help' Dr Rangan Chatterjee 'If you want to know the secret to living a truly good life then I don't imagine there's anyone you'd be better off hearing from' Jane Garvey, Times Radio 'Amazing. This book is moving as well as being filled with practical wisdom. Beautifully written' Nadiya Hussain 'Dr. Gladys' extraordinary book will offer millions of readers the simple yet revolutionary secrets to discover true health and happiness at any age' Mark Hyman, New York Times bestselling author of Young Forever and The Pegan Diet 'Gladys McGarey inhabits the real world where body, brain, and spirit are inseparable, and her century of wisdom is infused with science, medicine and soul' Dr. Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and New York Times bestselling author of The Good Life 'Dr. Gladys is as illuminating as she is engaging. Her combination of medical knowledge and lived experience will be an empowering guide for legions' Sara Gottfried MD, New York Times bestselling author of Women, Food, and Hormones

  • Save 14%
    by Hayley Morris
    £9.49

    Me vs Brain is a captivating novel penned by the talented Hayley Morris. Published in 2024 by Cornerstone, this book is a remarkable addition to the literary world. The genre of this masterpiece is not confined to one but is an intriguing blend that keeps the readers hooked from the beginning till the end. The author, Hayley Morris, has beautifully portrayed the constant battle between the heart and the mind, making the readers question their own choices. The publication year, 2024, marks the year when this gem was introduced to the world. Cornerstone, the publisher, is known for its quality publications and Me vs Brain is no exception. This book is in English and is a must-read for everyone who enjoys a good read.

  • Save 14%
    by Walt Disney
    £9.49

    COLOUR - OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY.Feel the force and colour your way through a galaxy of iconic artwork from Star Wars. From Ewoks on Endor to starships and stormtroopers, this colouring collection features comic covers, cartoon panels, detailed character art, intricate patterns and much more.Fans of all ages will enjoy reliving key moments from all Star Wars films, with illustrations from Star Wars: A New Hope through to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.Add colour to iconic scenes such as the battle between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rey vs. Kylo Ren, and AT-AT walkers attacking the Rebel base on Hoth. Featuring heroes and villains alike, there's something for all fans to colour!Coming soon: Star Wars: The Mandalorian Colouring Book.

  • Save 30%
    by Alice Rawsthorn
    £39.99

    An unprecedented level of craft is the key signature of Uniacke’s design ethos, on display in this much-anticipated monograph of notable homes she has created.In-demand London-based interiors and furniture designer Rose Uniacke beautifully showcases a number of homes she has designed, boasting clean lines and calm, light-filled spaces, and showrooms defined by an effortless blend of traditional details within contemporary spaces. Whether the project is an urban townhouse, a seaside retreat, or a London villa, the approach of Uniacke is always the same—a collaboration with clients to make understated, refined sanctuaries that offer the perfect settings for everyday life. The book is sumptuously illustrated with two hundred color photographs that truly capture the serenity and timelessness of Uniacke’s hand-hewn cultivated style.The pages of this book exude the same warmth of a Uniacke interior, heightened by the author’s own words as she describes in detail the specifics of each of the eleven projects explored. The result is akin to an informal conversation, with Uniacke revisiting her journey to share instincts and inspirations. An index of Rose Uniacke Editions, the designer’s furniture, lighting, and textiles, completes this elegant volume.i

  • Save 20%
    by Camilla Falkenberg
    £11.99

    Do you want to make money while making the world a better place? Then this is the book for you.After the bestselling success of Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, the founders of Female Invest are back, and this time they're focusing on impact investing. Cutting through the noise and ditching the jargon, this book teaches you how to build wealth while creating positive change.From understanding investment basics to identifying the ethics behind different assets, you'll learn how to make money while supporting the issues you really care about. By introducing you to important concepts and strategies, and combining them with simple, actionable steps, aligning your investments with your values has never been easier. The good news? You don't need to be rich or an expert to get started.

  • Save 27%
    by Bunny Guinness & HRH The Prince of Wales
    £25.49

  • Save 27%
    by Barbra Streisand
    £25.49

    Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognisable voices in popular music. Welcome to the long-awaited memoir by Barbra Streisand!

Culture
What defines culture you might ask? The answer is culture is what defines you. It is what makes us humans human and differentiate us from all other species on the planet. Art and culture is what we share with others, whether it is so called high culture or pop culture. High culture is typically associated with the ‘finer’, classical art forms such as opera, classical music, visual art, ballet and plays. Works that often have a certain age and artistic acknowledgement begin it, but fine culture is also sometimes seen as “high-brow” and not something everyone can understand and that’s sad, because culture and cultural books are for everyone no matter the kind. On the other end of the spectrum we have pop culture that typically is associated with more modern, popular and mainstream forms of culture. It can be pop music, cartoons or big blockbuster movies. We have cultural books from each side of the spectrum, but the best thing is that a change between the two concepts is coming and people are more open about mixing high culture and pop culture, because they are not that different at all. The most important thing about culture is that it connects us and is part of who we are. It can create communities and friendships, but also let us reflect upon ourselves. You can get wiser on that topic in some of our selection’s culture books. 

Art
In our selection you find some of the finest art books featuring some of the greatest artists in history and now. Art is a very important part of our culture. In art you have the possibility of getting engrossed in a wonderful painting, a provocative sculpture, a brilliant play or a beautiful ballet. 
In art you can get lost in the most wonderful stories and themes and identify yourself with someone who doesn’t necessarily look and act like you. By experiencing that you improve your ability of empathy. At the same time you can learn about yourself through art and art books especially when it comes to feelings that can be difficult to describe. In art the themes and problematics are universal and that’s why we feel recognized when experiencing a play, listening to a symphony, studying a great painting or reading a good art book. The art books are best enjoyed in a relaxed setting giving the art room to speak. 
Another beautiful thing about art is that it needs interpretation. When a person meets a well painted painting, a classical sculpture, or a provocative installation it makes us reflect about what it means, and what the art will tell us about society, life or yourself. Everyone can get something different out of a good artwork, because it speaks directly to you and functions as a dialog, where you will have to finish the sentence with your interpretation taking our own life and experiences into the artwork.
We also have a lot of artist books. One of the most talented and popular artists right now are the world famous Dane Vilhelm Hammershøi. Hammershøi has a very significant way of painting giving voice to the melankolic side of the world and of us humans. The painter is famous for his artworks of especially white doors in his apartment in Copenhagen. In the paintings Hammershøi plays with light and shadow in a brilliant way giving room to both sides, which also could be seen as a reflection of life that contains both. The motive also makes the art watcher wonder what is on the other side of the doors or corridors making them compose a continuation of the painting. You can read about Hammershøi in an European context in the artist book Hammershoi and Europe

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