The career of the film-maker Ken Loach embraces both the cinema and television, and has included Cathy Come Home, Kes, and the films Riff-Raff, Raining Stones and Land and Freedom, which won major continental awards. This book presents an exploration of his work.

An exploration of Ken Loach's cinema of social conscience. One of Britain's most distinguished and respected filmmakers, he makes tough, uncompromising films about a beleaguered working class--but with poetry and humor. Honored by every major British and European award for his films of the nineties (Ladybird, Ladybird; Land and Freedom; Raining Stones; Riff-Raff; The Flickering Flame and Carla's Song), Loach initially changed the face of British politics in the 1960s with a devastating television series on the homeless. Most recently he has stirred furious debate among the Spanish with Land and Freedom, his 1995 film on the Spanish Civil War.

"The Cinema of Ken Loach: Art in the Service of the People examines the linking of art and politics that distinguishes the work of this leading British film director. Loach's films manifest recurrent themes over a long period of working with various collaborators, yet his handling of those themes has changed throughout his career. This book examines those changes as a way of reaching an understanding of Loach's style and meaning. It evaluates how Loach incorporates his political beliefs and those of his writers into his work and augments this thematic interpretation with contextual information gleaned from original archive research and new interviews."--BOOK JACKET.

Don't be fooled by the small size of the H-6/Model 500 helicopter. In the scout role in Vietnam, OH-6As and their aircrew became legends for their high-risk work in the low-level environment. Wayne Mutza presents the small, dynamic helicopter's story in this well-written, superbly detailed, and lavishly illustrated volume. Much of the OH-6A's combat record in Vietnam is told in firsthand accounts. Mutza offers fascinating insight to the helicopter's controversial beginning, its development, and its service with the Army National Guard, the Army's flight demonstration team, worldwide operators, and law enforcement agencies. In addition, the reader is treated to an entire chapter devoted to the Little Birds of Special Operations. Also included are appendices with factual data, and more than sixty emblems. It's all here in this highly readable volume.

The popularity of loaches is on the rise as they become increasingly available at pet stores and aquarium shops, both large and small. Despite this surge in accessibility, they remain a relatively little-known group of freshwater fishes. Loaches is the first book of its kind to give extensive focus to this diverse family of aquarium fish. Experts from nine countries contribute their knowledge, experience, and photographs to this user-friendly guide. It delves into the natural history and husbandry of over 60 species of loaches, including the specialized brook and hillstream loaches, in both their natural and aquarium habitats. It also contains technical information on providing for the care of specialized loaches, including water chemistry and tank design, a comprehensive description of disease and treatment options, and descriptions of the first successful in-tank breeding of certain species. If you or someone you know is considering inviting loaches into your tropical aquarium, or if you own loaches but are in need of information to ensure proper care, Loaches provides expert information and guidance to one of the world's most popular types of aquarium fish.

A fun and magical story of a young girl staying at her favourite aunt's house. The first night, in the enchanted attic, she meets the aunt of an ant who is missing, and helps to reunite them. It has wonderful flow, humour and poetry, and teaches about compassion and respect for others. As a bonus, there is also a video of the story being read and sung by the author that can be seen on youtube (claireloach).

Life is tough and cheerless for Billy Casper, a disillusioned teenager growing up in a small Yorkshire mining town. Violence is commonplace and he is frequently cold and hungry. Yet he is determined to be a survivor and when he finds Kes, a kestrel hawk he discovers a passion in life. Billy identifies with her proud silence and she inspired in him the trust and love that nothing else can. Intense and raw and bitingly honest, A KETREL FOR A KNAVE was first published in 1968 and was also madeinto a highly acclaimed film, 'Kes', directed by Ken Loach.