Written by top UK and US music journalists, and including a preface by Michael Lydon, the founding editor of Rolling Stone magazine, this book celebrates the great and ground-breaking albums throughout the eras - from the genesis of Fifties rock 'n' roll to the technological and electronic innovations of the 21st century.Each entry includes key tracks and explains exactly why each of these albums deserved to be included in the list, offering an insight into the process of their creation, development, and success.

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die pays homage to the forces that have shaped rock and pop - but also dips into dance, jazz, funk, punk, disco, soul, hip-hop, world music and the avant-garde. Fascinating insights and trivia accompany detailed reviews of each album. What did Time magazine consider the twentieth century's greatest album? Which anthem by Prince was an attempt to emulate Bob Seger? And what links Count Basie and Batman? With inside knowledge and incisive criticism from 90 internationally acclaimed music journalists, this updated edition provides an indispensable companion to the music itself. Illustrated with more than 900 iconic images of album covers, bands and artists, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a must-have for the musically inspired.

1001 Battles That Changed the Course of History traces the history of warmongering, from the small-scale battles of the ancient world to the devastation of modern conflicts. It provides a comprehensive record of the armed combats that have shaped the political and cultural landscape of the world and is fully illustrated with images ranging from ancient triumphal stone carvings through to the very latest war photography.

From the 1980s real ale revival in Britain to the explosion of microbreweries in the United States, there has never been a better time to discover, and enjoy, the astounding variety of beers available. Many beers are undoubtedly more complex than some wines, both in their taste and in the method of their manufacture. A tribute to the burgeoning number of specialist and craft beers from around the world, this stunning book from the acclaimed 1001 series is illustrated with more than 800 photographs of beer bottles, glasses, labels, posters and breweries. Written in an informative and entertaining style by an international panel of experts, 1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die also features critical tasting notes that will help you to match the right beer to the right food. Each description includes notes on the flavour and body of the beer, explains why it tastes the way it does and describes its strength and ideal serving temperature.

Never before have so many bicycles been profiled within one beautifully illustrated volume. 1001 Bikes to Dream of Riding Before You Die explores in detail the greatest bikes of all time and from across the globe: from the early historic velocipedes of the 1890s to the arrival of today's standard upright bikes that dominate the marketplace.

Offering concise critical insight to the novels and the writers that have fired imaginations and influenced cultures around the world, this newly updated edition runs the gamut from the first Latin novel to survive in its entirety to Dave Egger's highly topical novel about an all-seeing, all-knowing technology company, The Circle. Organized chronologically and covering the whole range of literary styles, this indispensable reference traces the history of world fiction. Discover the stories behind the adjectives Dickensian, Kafkaesque, Rabelaisian . . . and the writers behind the stories. From the dark recesses of the Marquis de Sade's jail cell to Aldous Huxley's brave new world, and from the society of Barbara Pym's excellent women to Don DeLillo's falling man, you'll find critiques of the most important and bestselling fiction ever written.

1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die is a visual testament to thebeauty, grace, and fortitude of the world's greatest architectural achievements. Beginning in the ancient and Near East, the book explores buildings from the Byzantine and Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages through to splendid contemporary innovations. The book is not only concerned with size - it also includes some of the world's most remarkable domestic buildings, such as the Mongolian yurt and houses of the American pioneers, as well as railway buildings, chapels, casinos, concert halls, gentlemen's clubs, and museums, cherished often for the way they represent and capture a particular moment in history.

It is almost impossible to imagine life today without one of the world- changing inventions of the twentieth century - the car. Appealing to carlovers ranging from vintage car spotters to armchair petrol heads, 1001Cars You Must Drive Before You Die brings you the world's best cars - Chevrolets from the United States, MGs from Italy, Toyotas from Japan, Porsches from Germany, Aston Martins from the UK and Holdens from Australia. In one of the first truly global guides to cars, they are all here: from Henry Ford's pioneering Model T with its hand-cranked starter to the latest hi-tech vehicles, such as the Lexus LS600h hybrid-powered 4x4 sports saloon.

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up is the perfect introduction to the very best books of childhood: those books that have a special place in the heart of every reader. It introduces a wonderfullyrich world of literature to parents and their children, offering both new titles and much-loved classics that many generations have read and enjoyed. From wordless picture books and books introducing the first words and sounds of the alphabet through to hard-hitting and edgy teenage fiction, the titles featured in this book reflect the wealth of reading opportunities for children.

This remarkable book presents enthralling accounts of 1001 life-changing events that have taken place around the world since the Big Bang. From the foundation of Rome on 21 April 753 BCE to the execution of Saddam Hussein on 30 December 2006, and from the Battle of Marathon on 21 September 490 BCE to the accord in Northern Ireland in 2007, 1001 Days That Shaped the World tells the history of the world through extraordinary moments, decisive encounters, memorable incidents and natural disasters.Compiled by historian Peter Furtado, and written by an international team of historians, journalists and scientists, 1001 Days That Shaped the World features a detailed and informative account of every event, together with an assessment of the longer-term physical, cultural, social or economic impact. Evocative paintings and dramatic photographs complement the incisive text to make this book the one essential guide you’ll need to understand just why the world is what it is today.

From Ancient Egyptian wall paintings to contemporary Western canvases, this book is truly comprehensive in scope and beautiful to leaf through.Within its pages you will see displayed 1001 of the most memorable, haunting, powerful, important, controversial and visually arresting paintings that have ever been created. More than 400 twentieth- and twenty-first-century paintings are reproduced in these pages, including new works from contemporary galleries. Entertaining and informative text written by an international team of artists, curators, art critics and art collectors illuminates both the paintings and the people who painted them. An insightful review accompanies a beautiful reproduction of every painting - an enviable art collection to dip into whenever you please. The book is organized chronologically, so you will discover fascinating and surprising juxtapositions as well as pleasing similarities as you turn the sumptuous pages. The paintings are also listed by artist and by title, making it easy to find a specific painting or trace the development of one painter's work.

Gourmets with an appetite for good food in gorgeous settings will find their taste buds tingling in anticipation as they flick through the pages of this book. The eateries listed here come from around the world and range from beloved, local institutions-favorite spots for family celebrations-to elegant, haute cuisine establishments in which to enjoy refined and elegant dishes.

From 'Eight Miles High 'to 'Empire State of Mind', from Mississippi to Mali and from Ella Fitzgerald to Elton John, 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die picks through nearly a century of music to bring you an inspiring selection ofsome of the greatest recordings ever made.Each entry in this wonderfully browsable book tells the story of a great song. Find out what inspired the songwriter, what makes the track so enduring, which songs it influenced in turn and which cover version to listen out for. You will also pick up a wealth of fascinating trivia along the way. What links Lead Belly, Lonnie Donegan and 'Black Betty'? Whose gravestone inspired Phil Spector's first hit? And for which song did Johnny Rotten replace the singer from Def Leppard? Read on and find out.

1001 Whiskies You Must Try Before You Die takes you on a fascinating global whisky tour - from Scotland and Ireland through North America, Japan, India, and the rest of the world, providing insight into the 1001best and most exciting whiskies ever made.An invaluable resource for whisky afficionados everywhere, 1001 Whiskies You Must Try Before You Die explores the traditional tipple's incredible diversity, introduces you to the host of often new, and sometimes rare finds, and is sure to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of the drink in all its forms. A unique and inspirational guide to the mouthwatering world of whisky.

Time-honoured, luxurious and naturally made, whisky has a noble heritage unparalleled by any other spirit. 1001 Whiskies You Must Try Before You Die takes youon a fascinating global whisky tour – from Scotland and Ireland throughNorth America, Japan, India and the rest of the world, providing insight into the 1001 best and most exciting whiskies ever made – from the established classics, such as Scotland’s Springbank, to emerging greats from Japan. Each evocative review traces the heritage of the single malt, grain, blend or bourbon selected, and reveals the particular production methods used in its formation. Detailed and tantalizing tasting notes complete the text – whether tempting your palate with light citrusy flavours, warm, spicy overtones, or hints of everything from earthy peat and bitter chocolate to sweet syrup. An invaluable resource for whisky afficionados everywhere, 1001 Whiskies You Must Try Before You Die explores the traditional tipple’s incredible diversity, introduces you to a host of often new, and sometimes rare, finds, and is sure to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of the drink in all its forms.

Among the thousands of great wines on the market, which should you try at least once in your lifetime? 1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die ensures that you make the right decision every time. This evocative and informative guide identifies the wines and vintages most likely to please the palate, explains what makes them so special and suggests when best to drink them. Some of the 1001 wines selected are old and rare, most are readily available and many represent spectacular value; a few are controversial, a few are curiosities, but all are worthy of their place. Together they reflect the variety that is part of the enduring fascination of fine wine. Neil Beckett and his team of wine connoisseurs and writers recommend a huge variety of wines in 1001 factfilled and entertaining reviews packed with history, anecdote, facts and opinion. They share their experience and expertise through evocative and seductive tasting notes, and give guidelines on cost. Photographs of the wine labels and bottles as well as stunning photographs of the vineyards, wineries and winemakers supplement the text.