Mother’s Day Gifts, National Geographic Books!
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia
By Tom Stevensen, edited by Orsi Szentkiralyi
This essential reference for oenophiles – long used as the go-to text for the prestigious Master Sommelier examination – is the most comprehensive guide to the world of wine, featuring authoritative information on the history, culture, geography, and taste of vintages around the globe. Fully updated and revised for the first time since 2011, this new 800-page edition of Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia reflects the most recent trends in the dynamic world of wine, written by experts around the globe.
Beautifully illustrated with more than 400 images and 100 brand new National Geographic maps, this definitive guide is arranged geographically to highlight the regions and climates that produce the best vintages. From the countries of Southeast flavor notes, vineyard profiles, tasting room guides, grape know-how, and special information on unique varietals. The book also features top wines organized by maker and year; a troubleshooter’s guide to potential wine faults; a taste chart to help identify flavors; up-and-coming producers; unusual wines; food pairings, and more. You’ll also find time lines depicting the chronology of wine from 500 million B.C., expert sommelier tips, and thousands of recommendations for the latest and greatest reds, whites, and roses. The most up-to-date and comprehensive wine reference in the world, this stunning book is an oenophile’s dream – and a must-have for anyone looking to become an expert in wine.
Spark:
How Genius Ignites, From Child Prodigies to Bloomers By Claudia Kalb
Yo-Yo Ma’s ear for music emerged not long after he learned to walk. By the age of seven, he was performing for President Kennedy; by fifteen he debuted at Carnegie Hall. Maya Angelou, by contrast, didn’t write her iconic memoir, I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, until she was 40. What propels some individuals to reach extraordinary creative heights in the earliest years of life while others discover their passions decades later? Are prodigies imbued with innate talent? How often are midlife inspirations triggered by propitious events, like Julia Child’s first French meal at the age of 36?
Do late bloomers reveal their talents because their skills require life experience and contemplation? Through engaging storytelling and intriguing historical and cutting-edge scientific research, best-selling author and acclaimed journalist Claudia Kalb explores these questions to uncover what makes a prodigy and what drives a late bloomer. In this series of linked biographies, Kalb follows the journeys of thirteen remarkable individuals – from Shirley Temple to Alexander Fleming to Eleanor Roosevelt to Bill Gates – to discover the secrets behind their talents. Each possessed a unique arc of inspiration. Each – through science, art, music, theater, and politics – reached extraordinary success at different stages of life. And each offers us a chance to explore the genesis – and experience – of genius. Available for preorder.