In recent years, many historians of Islamic mysticism have been grappling in sophisticated ways with the difficulties of essentialism. Reconceptualising the study of Islamic mysticism during an under-researched period of its history, this book examines the relationship between Sufism and society in the Muslim world, from the fall of the Abbasid caliphate to the heyday of the great Ottoman, Mughal and Safavid empires.

Treating a heretofore under-researched period in the history of Sufism, this work establishes previously unimagined trajectories for the study of mystical...

The Collector's Guide to Plastic Toy Soldiers, 1947-87 was the first-ever book to illustrate the tremendous range and scope of plastic toy soldiers from across the World. Published in 1987 in a limited edition of just 1,000 signed copies it sold out very quickly and, since then, has become a "Holy Grail" publication for collectors. Twenty five years later it remains the only single-volume study of plastic toy soldiers from "The Golden Age" . This newly-scanned reprint includes the whole of the original book; an article by George Kearton written for "Plastic Warrior" magazine several years...

The Alamo in Miniature explores the whole range of Alamo figures, buildings and accessories made for play, collecting and wargaming. George Kearton has been collecting toy and model soldiers since 1955 and his fascination with the Alamo dates back to the early 1960's. The book also gives overviews of the Alamo, the Texas Revolution and its aftermath and includes details of over 30 other Alamo books, many Alamo boardgames, the most recent 'Alamo' films and their soundtrack music. Items by nearly 100 makers worldwide are listed and the book includes photographs of over 50 items from the...