Books published by Reaktion Books

An anthology of traditional British folk songs of crime and punishment, compiled by Stephen Sedley and Martin Carthy.

A thrilling, beautifully illustrated account of human space exploration, from the space race of the 1950s and '60s to the present day.

A new, critical biography of the innovative and influential French artist Henri Matisse.

A new account of the life and work of poet, scholar, soldier and cleric John Donne.

A rich and revealing account of the ancient, enigmatic Aztec civilization.

A history of food in Australia spanning 65,000 years.

An analysis of the extraordinary films and life of director Werner Herzog.

The natural and cultural history of an opportunistic omnivore, the raccoon.

A history of the sweet treats jam, jelly and marmalade.

A fragrant, unpredictable ramble through the world of cut flowers.

An in-depth look at the invention and evolution of the electric guitar.

An in-depth insight into the history of Madrid, as well as the city today.

'The Indus' is a fascinating look at the vital legacy of the Indus within modern India and an accessible introduction to this tantalizing 'lost' civilization.

The superstitions, marvels, fantasies and experiments of twins.

The first history in English of the global sensation, sushi.

An engaging account of foie gras, a luxurious yet controversial ingredient.

The story of breathing; a tale relevant to everyone.

Essential Desires: Contemporary Art in Thailand is the first major, fully illustrated survey of Thai art in thirty years. Brian Curtin shows how Thai artists negotiated their emergence on the global art stage while dealing with pan-Asian regionalism and nationalism at home. This book traces the influences on contemporary Thai artists, from the impact of consumerism in Bangkok in the 1990s to the waning legacies of tradition, and their relationship to the nation's often-volatile political stage. Curtin, in his exploration of Thailand's fascinating art scene, shows how Thai artists are generating new ideas about their country.

A celebration of the ancient, unassuming yet exceptional turtle.

English art critic John Ruskin was one of the great visionaries of his time, and his influential books and letters on the power of art challenged the foundations of Victorian life. He loved looking. Sometimes it informed the things he wrote, but often it provided access to the many topographical and cultural topics he explored--rocks, plants, birds, Turner, Venice, the Alps. In The Art of Ruskin and the Spirit of Place, John Dixon Hunt focuses for the first time on what Ruskin drew, rather than wrote, offering a new perspective on Ruskin's visual imagination. Through analysis of more than 150 drawings and sketches, many reproduced here, he shows how Ruskin's art shaped his writings, his thoughts, and his sense of place.

The spirit, ingenuity and genius of Peter Paul Rubens.

A delectable tour of the rich history of yoghurt.

The loss, discovery and reinvention of the world's earliest civilization, the Sumerians.

A vivid portrait of the formidable-looking yet sociable and intelligent crab.

An exploration of the Devil through art, literature, theology and music.