Published to great critical acclaim in 2009 and with a 2nd edition in 2011, this is a fully revised and updated edition of the most user-friendly field guide to the birds of Borneo, covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and the Indonesian states of Kalimantan. The book gives descriptions of 669 species living or reported on the island, including 51 endemic species.These are superbly illustrated in 141 colour plates with more than 2,000 full colour bird images, including most of the sexual variants and immature forms of polymorphic species. Each plate is accompanied by species descriptions covering taxonomy, size, call, range, distribution, habits and status. Distribution is shown by detailed thumbnail maps. There are 7 habitat plates, 12 regional maps showing Borneo’s top 130 birdwatching sites, fast-find graphic indexes to the birds of Kinabalu, and a full overview of vegetation, climate and ecology.
Quentin Phillipps has been interested in the natural history of Borneo all his life. He was born in Sandakan, Sabah and grew up on the Tuaran Rubber Estate. He was educated at Sabah College, Kota Kinabalu, Bedales School and King’s College Cambridge. At 17 he won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition (junior section) with the first-ever photograph of a nesting Chest-nutheaded Thrush. He now divides his time between London and Kota Kinabalu.
Karen Phillipps was also born in Sandakan and educated at Bedales School then Camberwell College of Arts and Technology, London, where she studied graphic design. Karen has illustrated numerous books on Asian wildlife, including A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali; Mammals of Borneo; A Colour Guide to Hong Kong Animals; A Field Guide to Birds of China;The Birds of Hong Kong and South China; and The Birds of Sulawesi.
210 x 148 mm (8¼ x 5¾“)
372 pages, 100,000 words approx.
141 full colour plates, 600 distribution maps, 12 maps.
ISBN 978-1-909612-15-0 (paperback)
John Hoskin’s informative and entertaining text, and Mark Standen’s distinctive and sympathetic photographs present a wide-ranging introduction to the Kingdom in all its aspects, geography, history, people, religion, art, culture and cuisine. The main text is accompanied by sidebars and box stories, which are used to highlight details, provide anecdotal information, and give a lively and reader-friendly look to the book.
Size 260 x 215 mm / 10 1⁄4” x 8 1⁄2”. Extent 160 pages
Words 30,000 approx. (including captions). Illustrations c 250 colour photographs, map
ISBN 978-1-906780-37-1
Penang is a world-renowned holiday destination, famous for its soft sandy beaches and regarded by many as the food capital of Malaysia. Many visitors check into one of the first-class hotels and spend a wonderfully relaxing holiday chilling out on the beaches. But as Enchanting Penang reveals, there are many other attractions to explore. Parts of George Town, the state capital, are listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Here many of the traditional buildings are being restored, fusing the old with the new, to become cafés, restaurants, boutiques and hotels
There are also many other sights around the island. Take the scenic and historic funicular railway to the summit of Penang Hill, for example, and revel in the view from the top. From here you might take a walking trail down to the expansive Botanical Gardens at the bottom of the hill. Other sights to discover include a tropical spice garden, a butterfly farm, a remote national park, Kek Lok Si Temple and a snake temple with live vipers. Penang’s beautiful beaches include the strip of bays and headlands stretching from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi. All resorts have restaurants, bars, spas and an extensive list of watersport activities.
Be it stunning beaches, ornate temples, unique heritage buildings or scrumptious cuisine, Enchanting Penang introduces all of the must-see delights on what will be a truly exotic holiday.
David Bowden is a freelance journalist based in Malaysia, specializing in travel and the environment. While Australian, he’s been living in Asia longer than he can remember, and returns to his home country as a tourist. When not travelling the world, he enjoys relaxing with his equally adventurous wife Maria and daughter Zoe.
• 260 x 215 mm (10 x 8”)
• 80 pages
• 10,000 words
• 180 photographs
• ISBN 978-1-912081-83-7
• £10.99 paperback
Enchanting Borneo describes the treasure house of natural beauty and biodiversity to be found in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the independent Sultanate of Brunei and the Indonesian state of Kalimantan. Described by Charles Darwin as ‘one great luxuriant hothouse made by nature for herself’, Borneo is home to a rich profusion of flora and fauna, including 673 bird species; a diversity of mammals including the Proboscis Monkey, the Bornean Pygmy Elephant and the Orang-Utan; and an immense variety of marine life, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles.
From the spectacular peak of Mount Kinabalu, one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia, to the depths of one of the world’s largest caves in Sarawak’s Mulu National Park and encompassing some of the world’s most exotic wildlife-watching locations along the Kinabatangan river and at Danum Valley, this fully updated third edition describes an unrivalled destination for adventurous and eco travellers.
David Bowden is a freelance journalist based in Malaysia, specializing in travel and the environment. While Australian, he’s been living in Asia longer than he can remember, and returns to his home country as a tourist. When not travelling the world, he enjoys relaxing with his equally adventurous wife Maria and daughter Zoe. He’s the author of Enchanting Australia, Enchanting Bali & Lombok, Enchanting Borneo, Enchanting Indonesia, Enchanting Langkawi, Enchanting Malaysia, Enchanting Penang and Enchanting Singapore also in this series.
Specifications:
• 230 x 190 mm (9 x 7½”)
• 80 pages
• 10,000 words
• 180 photographs
• ISBN 9781912081295
• £12.99 hardback
• Available
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of Singapore is a photographic identification guide to 280 bird species commonly seen in Singapore. High quality photographs from Singapore’s top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, opportunities for naturalists and the main sites for viewing the listed species. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of Singapore encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, IUCN status as at 2011.
Yong Ding Li is vice-chair of the Southeast Asian Biodiversity Society and committee member of the Nature Society (Singapore)’s Bird Group. He is currently pursuing a PhD in biodiversity conservation at the Australian National University. Ding Li has extensive field experience in Singapore and across Asia, and has published many research papers on birds, conservation and ecology. He also advises the IUCN SSC on South-east Asian birds.
Lim Kim Chuah is a committee member of the Nature Society (Singapore)’s bird group and one of the most experienced birdwatchers in Singapore, with over 30 years of field experience in the country and across Asia. He has written many papers and books on Singapore’s bird fauna.
Lead photographer Lee Tiah Khee is a professional with over 25 years of experience. He is one of Singapore’s top nature photographers and has won numerous accolades, including the Singapore International Photography award and the prestigious Young Artist Award in Photography in 1992. His works has been published in many magazines and books.
Specification • 180 x 128 mm (7 x 5”) • 176 pages • 40,000 words approx. • 300 photographs
• ISBN 978-1-912081-65-3 • £12.99 paperback • Available
Enchanting Langkawi is a pictorial travel guide to all of the scenic wonders and adventure opportunities that make Langkawi so special, fully updated in this 3rd edition
Langkawi is the premier island destination in Malaysia. This beautiful tropical archipelago surrounded by an azure sea has an unbeatable combination of sun, surf and sand as well as international beachfront resorts, iconic restaurants and easy access by flight from Kuala Lumpur and Penang. There are also hidden charms to be explored by taking a sunset cruise around the offshore islets or exploring the natural attractions on land. Langkawi wetlands are particularly scenic as steep limestone walls rise from the mangrove-lined mudflats. They are home to various species of mangrove and rare cycads.
For slowing down the pace, there are the picturesque beaches of Pantai Cenang, Datai Bay with Pantai Tengah. For holidaymakers looking for more active pursuits, there is diving around the four small coral islands just south of Langkawi where there is also a large floating pontoon facility offering snorkelling for all the family. As well as other watersports, including parasailing and kayaking, there’s jungle trekking, mountain climbing, caving, fishing or taking an adventurous journey through the rainforest canopy all to be explored.
David Bowden is a freelance journalist based in Malaysia, specializing in travel and the environment. While Australian, he’s been living in Asia longer than he can remember, and returns to his home country as a tourist. He’s the author of Enchanting Borneo, Enchanting Malaysia and Enchanting Singapore also in this series.
Specifications: • 260 x 215 mm (10 x 8”) • 80 pages • 12,750 words • 180 photographs
• ISBN 9781913679590 • £12.99 paperback • Available
Enchanting Malaysia covering Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo presents all the must-see sights of this hugely diverse country and travel destination. For travellers interested in history and culture, the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, as well as other major cities, such as Putrajaya, Melaka and George Town, are fascinating to explore. Eco-tourists have an amazing choice of destinations from the Taman Negara National Park on Peninsular Malaysia to Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak and the Kinabatangan River in Sabah. Visitors to these natural places will be able to see Orang-utans, the Malayan Tiger, the Western Tarsier, Proboscis Monkeys and many other primates. Birdwatching in Malaysia is particularly rewarding with 656 species recorded in Peninsular Malaysia and 673 on Borneo. For the adventurous, there are challenging mountains to climb, such as Mt Kinabalu in Sabah, some of the world’s best diving around Sipadan Island and exciting jungle treks through primary forests.
Malaysia is also perfect for relaxing, whether on the beaches of Langkawi, Cherating, Perhentian Island or Layang Layang and wherever you are, there will always be exciting food to try. From simple street food snacks to sophisticated five-star restaurants, the wonderful range of dishes is testimony to Malaysia’s multi-cultural make-up. This fully updated third edition introduces travellers through words and photographs to all of the wildlife and architectural wonders, thrilling adventures and cultural highlights.
David Bowden is a freelance journalist based in Malaysia, specializing in travel and the environment. While Australian, he’s been living in Asia longer than he can remember, and returns to his home country as a tourist. When not travelling the world, he enjoys relaxing with his equally adventurous wife Maria and daughter Zoe.
Specifications:
• 230 x 190 mm (9 x 7½”)
• 80 pages
• 10,000 words
• 180 photographs
• ISBN 9781912081288
• £12.99 hardback
• Available
Enchanting Singapore presents the huge variety of experiences for holidaymakers of all kinds offered by this island nation. This bustling cosmopolitan city has excellent shopping malls and fascinating museums; heritage trails and wildlife walks; a colourful nightlife and a huge choice of dining options.
Much planning has been involved in maximising these attractions. Leading the way are the two integrated resorts of Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands which offer the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas as well as all the excitement of theme-park activities. Other massive projects are the 1.1 km boardwalk that runs along the coast and mangrove area of Chek Jawa, allowing nature lovers to get close to the rich plant and marine life, as well as ‘Gardens by the Bay’, three waterfront gardens that showcase horticulture and garden art. Singapore’s Botanic Gardens have developed into one of the world’s most respected with palms, cycads, bromeliads and a vast number of orchids. For sporting enthusiasts, there’s the recently introduced F1 Grand Prix, as well as all of the watersports you would expect around an island and some adventurous trekking in the national parks and wetlands.
The wonderful array of cuisines from Peranakan to Chinese, Indian to Malay is proof of the collage of cultures that make up Singapore’s population. This fully updated edition introduces all of the must-see places and events as an introduction to and souvenir of your trip.
David Bowden is a freelance journalist based in Malaysia, specializing in travel and the environment. While Australian, he’s been living in Asia longer than he can remember, and returns to his home country as a tourist. He’s the author of Enchanting Borneo, Enchanting Malaysia and Enchanting Langkawi also in this series.
Specifications: • 230 x 190 mm (9 x 7½”) • 80 pages • 10,000 words • 180 photographs
• ISBN 9781913679606 • £12.99 hardback • Available
An Identification Guide to Mushrooms of Britain & Northern Europe is an introductory photographic identification guide to 150 species of mushrooms commonly found in Britain and Northern Europe. A user-friendly introduction includes an overview of distribution, the anatomy of a mushroom, nomenclature and useful information on hunting for and cooking with mushrooms. The identification section then divides into three categories: edible mushrooms, inedible (but not poisonous) mushrooms, and poisonous species. There is useful information on where and when mushrooms can be found, characteristic features and if edible, how best to cook them.
Josephine Bacon picked wild mushrooms since she was nine. Fired with enthusiasm for fungi by her natural sciences teacher at school, at the age of 16, she joined the British Mycological Society. She had a collection of 500 books, old and new, about fungi, and participated in many forays. She also wrote A Naturalist’s Guide to Mushrooms and other Fungi of Britain & Northern Europe (John Beaufoy Publishing), and translated four books on fungi from French. Sadly, Josephine passed away in 2018
Paul Sterry is one of the UK’s leading wildlife and natural history photographers, with more than 40 highly successful books to his name. Originally trained as a biologist, he uses his knowledge of natural history and ecology to take images that depict wildlife in a natural context, and celebrate its beauty. He lives in Berkshire.
Specifications • 210 x 148 mm (8¼ x 6”) • 160 pages • 25,000 words approx.
• 200 photographs approx.
• ISBN 978-1-912081-37-0
• £9.99 paperback
• Available
Thailand and Thai culture are exotic. In spite of the effects of mass tourism and globalization, Thailand is unusual in that it preserves much of its unique traditional culture very largely intact. This compelling collection of articles aims to highlight facets of Thai life, aspects that in most cases are readily seen and yet are defining in their own way of the ‘Thainess’ that indelibly stamps the culture of a country and a people so fascinating and, ultimately, so endearing. The articles are grouped by themes covering The Buddhist World; The Supernatural World; The Ceremonial World; The Festive World; The Natural World; The Art World; The Sporting World and The Changing World.
They reflect the author’s long fascination with the country – he has lived there since 1979 – for him it is the unexpected that underscores precisely what the city and Thai culture as a whole is all about – the ability to constantly surprise, to offer fresh encounters – as this fascinating book gradually reveals.
John Hoskin is a British writer who has been based in Bangkok for the past 32 years. After completing a BA degree in History and a Masters in Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham, England, he began his career in London. Subsequently, he lived and worked in Sydney, Amsterdam and Hong Kong before settling in Thailand. He is the author of more than 20 books on Thai and South-East Asian history, culture and travel, including Ten Contemporary Thai Artists, The Mekong: A River and Its People, Bangkok by Design, and Presenting Thailand. He also regularly contributes feature articles to various regional and international publications.
198 x 129 mm (7¾ x 5”)
208 pages, 60,000 words
ISBN 978-1-906780-66-1