Galileo once wrote that 'the Bible tells us how to go to Heaven, but not how the heavens go'. From the Greeks to the present day, thoughtful people have struggled to reconcile the discoveries of science with religious belief and authority. In the age before Darwin many powerful clerics were also notable scientific scholars and leading scientists were often at least conventionally pious. Observing life ever more closely, an extraordinary generation of English geologists, fossil hunters and naturalists were compelled to accept that their planet was older, more complicated, diverse and cruel than they had previously imagined. Questions about God and the Bible inevitably began to arise. But for these men, unlike for Darwin, science and religion could share a philosophical basis: a careful, rational study of nature, instead of denying God, would confirm that life is, after all, the product of God's unique creation. This belief became known as natural theology. Its greatest exponent was William Paley but the work of others such as John Ray, Robert Plot, William Whiston, Thomas Burnet, John Woodward, Erasmus Darwin and countless more writing between 1665 and 1800 gives us an extraordinary glimpse into minds at the forefront of an epic enquiry. Taking his title from Paley's famous analogy that as a watch requiried a maker, so nature in all its intricacy had to be the creation of a supreme designer, Keith Thomson's wonderful book brings to life their dilemmas, and is a winning portrayal of intellectuals struggling with their belief systems in an age of revolutionary science.

The Watch on the Heath : Science and Religion Before Darwin

Science & Math

Keith S. Thomson

Biological Sciences

Harpercollins Reference Hbacks

The definitive, fully-illustrated guide to the trees of Britain and non-Mediterranean Europe.

Collins Tree Guide

David More

The Art of Botanical Painting

The first definitive instructional guide to the art of botanical illustration, published in association with The Society of Botanical Artists and featuring step-by-step work by members of the Society. This beautifully illustrated book covers all aspects -- from plants and flowers to fruit, vegetables and gardens as a whole. Botanical illustration has been a popular art form for many centuries, with its appealing traditions of detail and beauty. Reflecting continued interest in the subject, The Society of Botanical Artists has, for the first time, decided to put together a practical teaching guide to the art. The Society's membership includes only the most highly-esteemed artists in the field, many of whom regularly teach, and this book reflects that depth of expertise. Packed with demonstrations, step-by-step exercises and stunning illustrations, this is an inspiring, practical guide, as well as a visual treat.

Arts & Photography

Margaret Stevens

Painting

This one-stop practical guide will show you how to understand what other people are really feeling -- even before they do! To make your progress easier, it comes in a handy format with colour photos and expert advice throughout. If you cross your legs are you relaxed or tense? What does it mean if you stroke your chin? Do you know the meaning behind a friend lowering their eyebrows? Would you know how to greet an inhabitant of Greenland? How would you subliminally show ownership of your brand-new car or house? This book will answer all these questions and more. It's fully illustrated with colour photographs which show hundreds of gestures, postures and 'attitudes'.

Body Language

Politics & Social Sciences

Carolyn Boyes

Social Sciences

KS3 Shakespeare: "Macbeth" (Test Practice)

Mike Gould

Reference

Collins French School Dictionary (Collins School) (English and French Edition)

UNKNOWN

Children's Books

Clear and easy to use, with entry words in colour, Collins Easy Learning English Dictionary helps build language and literacy confidence for adults. With straightforward definitions and no jargon, it's specially designed to be easy to understand, making it an essential tool for anyone keen to improve their language skills. You can expect to find essential information on what words mean and how they are used, as well as information about spelling, grammar, and punctuation, to help you use language well, communicate with others, and express your ideas more effectively. There are also pronunciation guides to help you with more unfamiliar words, as well as interesting word histories throughout. Presented in an attractive and clear two-colour layout.

Collins Easy Learning English Dictionary (Collins Easy Learning Dictionaries)

Collins ELT

Dictionaries & Thesauruses

This superbly illustrated book, published in association with The Society of Botanical Artists, looks at one of the most important aspects of botanical painting: how to achieve the right colours. It provides an authoritative practical guide to this essential subject and features 17 step-by-step demonstrations by members of the Society. Each chapter in the book focuses on a specific colour, providing practical advice on how to achieve the right colour by overlaying washes rather than by simply mixing colours on the palette or paper. This results in subtle, translucent colours that accurately reflect the delicacy of the flowers' appearance. Detailed step-by-step demonstrations by members of the Society reveal exactly how each flower painting is built up, from the first stage to the finished illustration. A special feature of this book is the projects that are included in several of the demonstrations. Each project includes a simplified drawing of the finished work that students can trace and use as the basis for their own painting. The main artists featured are Valerie Baines, Susan Christopher-Coulson, Brigitte Daniel, Paul Fennell, Susan Hillier, Jennifer Jenkins, Barbara McGirr, Vicky Mappin, Susan Martin, Kay Rees-Davies, Margaret Stevens, Ann Swan, Sandra Wall Armitage, Brenda Watts and Janet Wood.

The Botanical Palette

Stevens, Margaret

History & Criticism

Designed to accompany the widely acclaimed Collins Easy Learning German Dictionary and now with all the new German spellings, Collins Easy Learning German Grammar offers beginners a clear and easy-to-understand guide to the verbs and grammar of German. Collins Easy Learning German Grammar has been designed for all those learning German at school, at work or at home. It provides easily accessible information in an attractively presented layout, with new German spellings included throughout. Key grammatical points are highlighted as a means of reinforcement. In addition, a full glossary gives clear explanations of grammatical terminology. Collins Easy Learning German Grammar also provides beginners with all the regular verb forms and conjugations, and the most common tenses of irregular verbs are shown in full. An index contains thousands of verbs which are cross-referred to their conjugation model. / Collins Easy Learning German Grammar explains the essential points of German grammar using simple language throughout. / Hundreds of examples of real German illustrate clearly the grammatical points being made. / Clear, colour layout ensures that you find the information you need quickly and easily. Other titles available in the Collins Easy Learning German range are: Collins Easy Learning German Dictionary, Collins Easy Learning German Verbs and Collins Easy Learning German Words.

Collins Easy Learning German Grammar (Collins Easy Learning Dictionaries)

COLLINS

Foreign Language Study & Reference

FOREWORD BY RYAN TUBRIDY The authoritative and comprehensive guide to tracing your Irish ancestry There's never been a better time to trace your Irish family history. Vast internet resources and DNA testing, as well as access to censuses, religious records and other archive material make this process easier than ever. Anthony Adolph gives you a wide range of tools and information to discover your Irish ancestry. The text is packed with weblinks to enable you to search the great number of records now available online, as well as providing contact information on other sources, such as archives and libraries. He explains how to trace family in Ireland, starting from various countries around the world (including Ireland itself of course), as well as looking at surnames, heraldry, families of non-Irish origin, and poignant stories of migration from Ireland. By reading this book you'll also be drawn into the lives your ancestors led, through the examples, compelling stories and fascinating social history which are interwoven within the text. This is the complete resource for discovering your Irish family history, and as a result, learning more about who you are and where you come from.

Collins Tracing Your Irish Family History

Anthony Adolph

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