"Kyuri is a heartbreakingly beautiful woman with a hard-won job at a 'room salon', an exclusive bar where she entertains businessmen while they drink. Though she prides herself on her cold, clear-eyed approach to life, an impulsive mistake with a client may come to threaten her livelihood. Her roomate, Miho, is a talented artist who grew up in an orphanage but won a scholarship to study art in New York. Returning to Korea after college, she finds...

"Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world, a landlocked nation that borders both China and Russia. Kazakhstan has long struggled to find its own identity. Since declaring independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Kazakhs have struggled to regain their unique culture. This volume takes readers through its past and current events, across mountains and valleys, and into the everyday lives of its citizens, using vivid photographs,...

A light-hearted education in Scottish history guides readers through a year of Scottish legends, traditions, historical battles, contemporary events, and famous and infamous Scots.

"From the bustling energy of Toronto to the rugged landscape of the Rockies and from the natural beauty of Niagara Falls to the artistic hub of Vancouver, Canada is a nation of contrasts. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and it's filled with diverse biomes, ethnic groups, and ways of life. Canadian culture is presented to readers through text that reflects current events as well as historical milestones. Vibrant photographs...

"Modern wars have shaped today's Iraq and have contributed greatly to the struggles of its people. Readers are taken past the headlines to learn the true story of what it's like to live in Iraq today-from the hardships to the happier moments celebrating with food and family. Focused chapters highlight the nation's history as the home of the Mesopotamian civilization-one of the oldest civilizations-as well as its government, geography, religious and...

The tale of Edith Adelon, an impoverished Italian orphan who innocently wields the charms of virtue, beauty, and loyalty to win her true birthright.

"Iran has ancient roots, and readers are guided through its past and present in this comprehensive guide to Iranian life. Focused chapters present the nation's history, economy, natural environment, government, religious groups, arts, and more. As readers explore the pillars of Persian culture, they also encounter full-color photographs of Iran's landmarks and people. Detailed sidebars, maps, recipes, and fact boxes enhance this learning experience,...

Bill Bryson, known in England as "the funniest travel writer alive," returns to the States and walks the Appalachian Trail, starting in Hanover, New Hampshire. This tour of America's most outrageous absurdities presents his comic musings of the quirkiest aspects of life in America, right down to hardware-store lingo, tax-return instructions, and vulnerability to home injury ... proving that there's truly no place like home, especially if it's in America....