'A first-class piece of work' New York Times Book Review Major Harry Maxim, formerly of the SAS, is as surprised as anyone when he is hired by 10 Downing Street to assist in matters of defence and security. When there is a suspicious suicide at the Ministry of Defence, and a hand grenade thrown through the door of number 10, Major Maxim's military intelligence training is put to the test. It all seems to point towards Professor John Tyler, a nuclear strategist who will state Britain's case when Europe's think tank on Armageddon gathers in Luxembourg. The Secret Servant is book one in the Major Harry Maxim Series.

"The World of Crocuses is a much-awaited encyclopaedia on crocuses. Published by the Latvian Academy of Sciences, it is the most comprehensive monograph currently available on this botanical family. Its author, Jānis Rukšāns, Dr Honoris Causa from the Latvian Academy of Sciences, grows thousands of crocuses. An internationally renowned expert on crocuses, he studied them extensively in their natural habitat, obtained many hybrids as a crocus breeder, and authored several books on bulbous plants and crocuses. In this monumental work he exhaustively and in much detail describes the 235 species of crocus currently listed."--Publisher

Originally published: Berkeley, CA: Flaming Chalice Press, 2010.

'A first-class piece of work' New York Times Book Review Major Harry Maxim, formerly of the SAS, is as surprised as anyone when he is hired by 10 Downing Street to assist in matters of defence and security. When there is a suspicious suicide at the Ministry of Defence, and a hand grenade thrown through the door of number 10, Major Maxim's military intelligence training is put to the test. It all seems to point towards Professor John Tyler, a nuclear strategist who will state Britain's case when Europe's think tank on Armageddon gathers in Luxembourg. The Secret Servant is the first novel in the Major Harry Maxim Series.

“A Way to Garden prods us toward that ineffable place where we feel we belong; it’s a guide to living both in and out of the garden.” —The New York Times Book Review For Margaret Roach, gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a calling. Her unique approach, which she calls “horticultural how-to and woo-woo,” is a blend of vital information you need to memorize and intuitive steps you must simply feel and surrender to. In A Way to Garden, Roach imparts decades of garden wisdom on seasonal gardening, ornamental plants, vegetable gardening, design, gardening for wildlife, organic practices, and much more. She also challenges gardeners to think beyond their garden borders and to consider the ways gardening can enrich the world. Brimming with beautiful photographs of Roach’s own garden, A Way to Garden is practical, inspiring, and a must-have for every passionate gardener.

Winsome, charming, and brilliant are just three of the adjectives that crocuses typically elicit from grateful, color-starved gardeners. Indeed, few flowers can rival crocuses for the cheer they bring to the barren, late-winter garden and for the affection in which they are held by millions of gardeners. But though they’re viewed as an icon of early spring, crocuses aren’t just one-season wonders: there are also dozens of striking autumn-blooming species that appear just when they’re most needed, as summer’s flowers wind down. And because many species originate in the Mediterranean basin, they’re ideal for gardens in which summer irrigation has been reduced or eliminated. In this comprehensive, up-to-date volume, bulb expert Janis Rukšans surveys all the known species in this remarkable genus, including those that have been discovered since the appearance of Brian Mathew’s 1982 monograph. A seasoned plant explorer, Rukšans has observed many species in the wild, and so is able to offer valuable insights into how they may best be grown. He also discusses their use in the garden, their botanical characteristics, and classification—all in nonspecialist language so that even readers without a botanical background can profit by his knowledge and broad experience. Illustrated with 300 stunning photographs, this book will be indispensable for all those with a serious interest in crocuses, from collectors and bulb enthusiasts to nursery professionals and garden designers.