What is the shape of Britain? The country's outline, looking a little like a wingless dragon, is instantly recognisable on any map or globe. But jostling within that familiar profile are countless vying maps of the country. Some of these are founded on rock - or on the natural features of the land. But far more are built on dreams - on human activity, effort, and aspiration. Britannia Obscura is an exploration of just a few of these surprising hidden Britains. Through a series of meetings with figures such as the retired army colonel and ley-hunter John Christian, the horse-boater Sue Day, and the cave-explorer Dave Nixon, each of the book's five chapters focuses on how a different group or community imagines the land and our relationship with it.

Longlisted for the 2014 Thwaites Wainwright Prize Welcome to a large small island. The outline of the British Isles is instantly recognisable. But jostling within that familiar profile are countless vying maps of the country. Some of these maps are founded on rock, or on the natural features of the land. Far more are built on dreams – on human activity, effort, and aspiration. From investigations of caves and megaliths to canals and airspace, Joanne Parker reveals a country with countless competing centres and ceaselessly shifting borders – a land where one person’s sleepy, unexceptional province will always be the busy heart of another’s map. Britannia Obscura opens our eyes to the infinitely layered, rich and surprising landscape of Britain.

A sweeping history of how ecological challenges have shaped English society over the last sixty years. England’s Green explores how environmental concerns have shaped and reflected English national identity since the 1960s. From agriculture to leisure, climate change, folklore, archaeology, and religion, David Matless shows how national environmental debates connect to the local, regional, global, and postcolonial worlds. Moving across a breadth of material including government policy, popular music, ecological polemic, and television comedy, England’s Green shows the richness and complexity of English environmental culture. Along the way, Matless tracks how today’s debates over climate and nature, land, and culture, have been molded by events over the past sixty years.

From ancient castles to the bright lights of Glasgow, the annual Edinburgh Festival to the fabled Loch Ness monster, a trip to Scotland promises a postcard-perfect, unforgettable vacation. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or bagpipe aficionado, traveling solo or with family, this user-friendly guide takes you to islands, Highlands, Lowlands and everything in between. You’ll discover how to get the most out of your time and your budget with: What to do and see in cities and regions including Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Central and West Highlands, the Hebridean Islands, and more Up-to-date advice on dining, shopping, and “doing the pub crawl” in Edinburgh and Glasgow Tips on experiencing Scotland by car, train, bus…and by boat to the islands! Handy listings of the best golf courses, historic castles, distilleries, pubs, and natural attractions Like every For Dummies travel guide, Scotland For Dummies, Second Edition includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip The best restaurants and hotels for every budget Lots of detailed maps