PAUL SIMPSON

"The Rough Guide to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials" explores the beguiling world of Philip Pullman's classic trilogy. The guide covers Pullman's inspiration from science and literature, including string theory, climate change and dark matter, Milton, Blake and fantasy fiction. The Story and characters are unraveled with insight into the key mysteries and events and how everyone from Lyra Belacqua to the golden monkey demon fit in to the author's grand design. You'll find everything from the story behind the filming and cast of the first "His Dark Materials" film, The Golden Compass to how the Victorian era shaped Pullman's imagination, with a tour of Oxford's Exeter College, Geneva (home of the Magisterium), Venice (Cittagazze), and of course where to catch the Northern Lights. Pullman shares his views on religion, and discover what organised religion has to say about his books. Cut threw the darkness and step into another universe with "The Rough Guide to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials".

The Rough Guide to Westerns examines one of the cinemas most durable, influential, genres, offering the reader an insight into its history, its place in popular culture in America and the rest of the world, the key iconic figures both in front of the lens and behind it, and the genres essential movies. The guide looks at what makes a good Western, considering the seven basic Western plots, the pens behind the movies, the major historic events and their influences, and the genres central ritual - the gunfight. There is a potted history of the Western decade-by-decade and a critical canon of the 50 greatest Westerns. From the pioneers and directors to the iconic cowboys and railroads, this guide covers it all.

With concept art, character models, set designs, stills, plus interviews with all the leading talent and an introduction by Nick Park, this is an illustrated guide to the movie