We’ve had an exciting year here at Yale UP London, with highlights such as a Nobel prize-winning author, long-awaited new editions to the Pevsner Architectural Guides series, an ever-growing range of ebooks and more author interviews and videos on our blog and social sites than ever before. If you want to find out about some of Yale’s bigger up-and-coming titles for next year you can explore our spring catalogue – or read on for a selection of 5 favourites for 2015!
1. Curiosity by Alberto Manguel – March 2015
2. Browned off and Bloody-Minded: The British Soldier Goes to War 1939-1945 by Alan Allport – March 2015
3. A Natural History of English Gardening by Mark Laird – May 2015
There’s something for everyone in our spring list, with Mark Laird’s expert analysis of the history of the English garden a must have for anyone heading to Chelsea in May! Laird follows a broad series of chronological events – from the Little Ice Age winter of 1683 to the drought summer of the volcanic 1783 – to probe the nature of gardening and husbandry, the role of amateurs in scientific disciplines, and the contribution of women as gardener-naturalists. Illustrated by a stunning wealth of visual and literary materials – paintings, engravings, poetry, essays and letters – Laird fundamentally transforms our understanding of the English landscape garden as a powerful cultural expression.
Winner of the 2013 David R. Coffin Publication Grant, given by the Foundation for Landscape Studies.
Mark Laird is a historic landscape consultant and garden conservator and teaches landscape history at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University.
4. The Ballet Lover’s Companion by Zoe Anderson – May 2015
5. Florence: A Walking Guide to its Architecture by Richard J. Goy – July 2015
Following on from his expert evaluation of the buildings of Venice, Richard Goy has returned to write about the architectural marvels of the famous Renaissance city of Florence. Clearly laid out and fully illustrated, this handbook is designed around a series of expertly planned walking tours that encompass not only the city’s most admired architectural sites, but also its lesser-known gems. Maps are tailored to each walking tour and provide additional references and insights, along with introductory chapters on the city’s architectural history, urban design and building materials and techniques. Featuring a complete bibliography, glossary of key terms and other useful reference materials, Goy’s guide will appeal both to travellers who desire a greater architectural context and analysis than that offered by a traditional guide, and to return visitors looking to rediscover Florence’s most enchanting sites.
Richard J. Goy is a practicing architect based in London and has written several books on the architectural history of Venice.
Featured image: Girl with book and purple sweater by {studiobeerhorst}-bbmarie via Flickr
