Many studies focus on film in Africa. Few, however, study cinema as a leisure activity: one that has influenced several generations and opened up spaces to dream, discuss or contest. Movie theatres offered a break from the daily routine, as places of escape and of education. Cinema was also potentially subversive, offering an alternative to colonial discourse. Tropical Dream Palaces seeks to trace this history in a West African context: of broadening horizons on the one hand, and of censorship and control on the other. It fills a historiographic void, following cinema's arrival in the region in the early twentieth century up until the Independence era, and also looking further afield to Central Africa and its different models. Goerg addresses questions of film distribution in colonial times; of screening venues, their implantation, spread and different categories; while also focusing on audiences, their gender or age; the acquisition of a film culture; and the impact of screening foreign images. Her book draws on extremely varied sources to paint a broad picture of this cinematographic landscape: archives, the accounts of African and European spectators or administrators, novels, autobiographies, the local press, interviews and iconography.

Reviewers say: "Spellbinding..." "Well written and very informative..." "Would recommend to all ..." "Written with skill and accuracy..." "Truly amazing ..." A group of friends escaping the cold Michigan winter for a vacation charter a boat for a warm weather cruise to the Florida Keys, a week of friendship and nautical fun. The three couples enjoy Mother Nature's abundance and one another's company until they cross paths with a couple of the sunshine states' more shady characters and their tropical dream turns into a nautical nightmare.

Many studies focus on film in Africa. Few, however, study cinema as a leisure activity: one that has influenced several generations and opened up spaces to dream, discuss or contest. Movie theatres offered a break from the daily routine, as places of escape and of education. Cinema was also potentially subversive, offering an alternative to colonial discourse. Tropical Dream Palaces seeks to trace this history in a West African context: of broadening horizons on the one hand, and of censorship and control on the other. It fills a historiographic void, following cinema's arrival in the region in the early twentieth century up until the Independence era, and also looking further afield to Central Africa and its different models. Goerg addresses questions of film distribution in colonial times; of screening venues, their implantation, spread and different categories; while also focusing on audiences, their gender or age; the acquisition of a film culture; and the impact of screening foreign images. Her book draws on extremely varied sources to paint a broad picture of this cinematographic landscape: archives, the accounts of African and European spectators or administrators, novels, autobiographies, the local press, interviews and iconography.

With over 350 beautiful photographs and insightful commentary, Island Style reveals the lush, tropical architecture and interior design of Indonesia. A tropical island inspires thoughts of warm breezes, crystal clear water and white beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. But tropical islands are more than just gorgeous beaches, particularly in the vast archipelago of Indonesia, with its diverse peoples, cultures and traditions stretching from Java to Bali and beyond. In Island Style, the inspiration artists and designers have long found in Indonesia comes to life with a new generation of architects and designers as they discover this island paradise. Twenty-five stunning luxury homes inspired by the natural tropical settings of Indonesia are showcased in these pages, setting a new standard for tropical Asian architecture. From private beach bungalows to vacation villas to island hideaways, each of these dream houses expresses a different aspect of Indonesia's unique design heritage. Simple yet exotic, minimalist yet organic, cosmopolitan yet local and sustainable--the common denominator for all of these homes is that they are the stuff of island dreams. Be inspired by these tropical homes as the ultimate in outdoor living and sustainable architecture, fantastically decorated with modern Asian decor. Detailed descriptions of the materials used and design philosophy behind each house means you'll be able to find plenty of practical ideas for furnishing and building your own tropical island dream home anywhere in the world.

A stunning array of the most ambitious examples of recent residential architecture and design in the tropical regions of this world.