The perfect companion to cinema's most spectacular genre, The Rough Guide to Film Musicals reveals how an escapist entertainment became Hollywood's most ingenious art form. From such enduring classics as Singin' In The Rain and West Side Story to recent successes like Evita and Chicago, this book reviews 50 essential musicals, including several forgotten gems. There are profiles of musical icons such as Fred Astaire, Judy Garland and George Gershwin and details of musicals from around the world. Complete with a list of the best soundtracks, websites and books for further reading, this Rough Guide takes a behind the scenes look at this magical movie genre.

Get the lowdown on the best fiction ever written. Over 230 of the world’s greatest novels are covered, from Quixote (1614) to Orhan Pamuk’s Snow (2002), with fascinating information about their plots and their authors – and suggestions for what to read next. The guide comes complete with recommendations of the best editions and translations for every genre from the most enticing crime and punishment to love, sex, heroes and anti-heroes, not to mention all the classics of comedy and satire, horror and mystery and many other literary genres. With feature boxes on experimental novels, female novelists, short reviews of interesting film and TV adaptations, and information on how the novel began, this guide will point you to all the classic literature you’ll ever need.

From the coming of sound to the 1960s, the musical was central to Hollywood production. Exhibiting – often in spectacular fashion – the remarkable resources of the Hollywood studios, musicals came to epitomise the very idea of 'light entertainment'. Films like Top Hat and 42nd Street, Meet Me in St. Louis and On the Town, Singin' in the Rain and Oklahoma!, West Side Story and The Sound of Music were hugely popular, yet were commonly regarded by cultural commentators as trivial and escapist. It was the 1970s before serious study of the Hollywood musical began to change critical attitudes and foster an interest in musical films produced in other cultures. Hollywood musicals have become less common, but the genre persists and both academic interest in and fond nostalgia for the musical shows no signs of abating. 100 Film Musicals provides a stimulating overview of the genre's development, its major themes and the critical debates it has provoked. While centred on the dominant Hollywood tradition, 100 Film Musicals includes films from countries that often tried to emulate the Hollywood style, like Britain and Germany, as well as from very different cultures like India, Egypt and Japan. Jim Hillier and Douglas Pye also discuss post-1960s films from many different sources which adapt and reflect on the conventions of the genre, including recent examples such as Moulin Rouge! and High School Musical, demonstrating that the genre is still very much alive.

The Rough Guide to Corsica is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Corsica has to offer. Discover the vibrant regions of Corsica from the beautiful island beaches of Corsica, to the amazing GR20 trail and scenic walks through this lush Mediterranean island. New full-colour features explore the most atmospheric festivals in Corsica and the charming traditional villages in Corsica with detailed information on traditional food, language and livelihoods. Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Corsica whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best accommodation in Corsica; from Corsica's luxurious hotels to budget campsites in Corsica, bars in Corsica, restaurants in Corsica, and the best scenic walks and hikes around Corsica. This Rough Guide unearths the best places to hike, mountain bike, canyon, horse ride and scuba dive. Explore all corners of Corsica with the clearest maps of any guide. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Corsica.

With accounts of all attractions from the atmospheric temples of Angkor and Phnom Penh, to the resort of Sihanoukville and the jungle-clad hills of Rattanakiri, this guide includes a background on Cambodian history, religion and cultural life.

The Rough Guide to Florida is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Florida has to offer. Discover the dynamic regions of Florida from the countless theme parks of Disney World, EPCOT, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, to the canals and beaches of Fort Lauderdale, Art deco sites of South Beach and Florida’s expanding Downtown region. Packed with practical advice on what to see and do in Florida this guide provides reliable, up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Florida, recommended restaurants and bars in Florida with detailed coverage on a full range of attractions; from day trips to Dry Tortugas Islands to discovering the historic Stranahan House. You’ll find expert tips on exploring Florida’s amazing fishing and boating activities, golf and adventure sports, Florida’s sensational art galleries and museums, all within walking distance of each other, including the Kennedy Space Centre, as well as cultural attractions, shopping and entertainment for all budgets. Navigate all corners of Florida with the clearest maps of any guide. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Florida.

The Rough Guide to Germany is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Germany has to offer. Discover the dynamic regions of Germany from the lively nightlife in Berlin, magnificent Baroque gardens in Northern Germany, medieval castles and historical towns, to the flavours of German cuisine. Packed with detailed, practical advice on what to see and do in Germany this guide provides reliable, up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Germany, German bars, recommended restaurants in Germany, and tips on the best shopping and festivals in Germany for all budgets. Featuring detailed coverage on a full range of attractions; from the spas of Baden-Baden and the galleries of Dresden, to boat trips in Hamburg and the jazz clubs of Munich, you'll find expert tips on exploring Germany's amazing attractions with an authoritative background on Germany's rich culture and history. Explore all corners of Germany with the clearest maps of any guide and practical German language tips. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Germany.

The Rough Guide to Barcelona is the ultimate guide to this intoxicating Spanish city, whether you are backpacking on a budget, or city-breaking in luxury. This up-to-date guide has a full-colour introduction that showcases the colourful streets and astonishing architecture, and there are new full-colour sections exploring Antoni Gaudi and modernism, as well as Barcelona’s exotic festivals. The city is covered neighbourhood by neighbourhood, with dozens of reviews for restaurant and hotels in Barcelona, easy-to-use maps and area highlights. With all the practical advice you need, and in-depth examinations of Catalan history, culture, music, cuisine, sport and folklore, this if the must-have item for any trip to Barcelona, from the adrenalin junkies to those craving some first-class tapas. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Barcelona!

The Rough Guide to Norway is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best Norwegian attractions. Discover the diverse regions of Norway; from the outstanding expresionist art in the unmissable Oslo galleries, to the Loften Islands and majestic coastline of Norway. This incisive, thoughtful guide delves deeper than any other guide into the heart of Norway and its people, the spectacular national parks, stunning scenery and cosmopolitan cities.Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Norway whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Norway, recommended restaurants in Norway, Norwegian bars, and all the insider tips to the best shopping and entertainment in Norway, for all budgets. You’ll find expert tips on exploring Norway’s untrammelled wilderness, catering for hikers and skiers, to Base jumpers and glacier hikers, with an authoritative background on Norway’s history and culture. Explore all corners of Norway with the clearest maps of any guide. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Norway.

The Rough Guide to Peru is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Peru has to offer. Discover the varied and exciting country of Peru whether exploring the breathtaking Machu Picchu, traversing a rainforest canopy walkway in one of the world’s richest jungles or hiking the Inca Trail, the Rough Guide to Peru makes sure you make the most out of your time in Peru. Packed with detailed, practical advice on what to see and do in Peru; this guide provides reliable, up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Peru, recommended restaurants in Peru, and tips on everything from shopping to festivals in Peru for all budgets. Featuring detailed coverage on a full range of attractions; from the Archbishops’ Palace and Nasca Lines, to the Valley of the Pyramids and scaling the Inca temple-fortress of Sacsayhuaman, you’ll find expert tips on exploring Peru’s amazing attractions with an authoritative background on Peru’s rich culture and history.Explore all corners of Peru with the clearest maps of any guide and practical Spanish language tips. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Peru.