Autobiography: adventurers and explorers Books

Book SynopsisThe most acclaimed European graphic novel of the last ten years, Epileptic is David B.''s story of his brother''s battle with epilepsy - but it turns into a penetrating and sometimes lacerating self-examination on the author''s part, as he delves into his own complex emotions and his family''s troubled history, as well as his own youthful fantasy life. Particularly pointed is his description of the family journey from one attempted cure to another, including acupuncture, spiritualism and macrobiotics. David B.''s drawing is utterly extraordinary, balancing literal representation and expressionist psychological distortion.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary graphic novel memoir of a childhood spent growing up with an epileptic brother... Epileptic possesses a charm, rhythm and majesty all its own * Time Out *A graphics extravaganza...bursting with energy and wild imaginings, a comic tour de force that is as emotionally gut-wrenching as it is visually stunning... Epileptic is a masterpiece - perhaps the masterpiece - of the genre * Spectator *A work of deep, deep darkness and luminosity * Guardian *An astonishing, autobiographical graphic novel...it's very moving and...very funny * The Times *It is rare to encounter a project this honest and forthright about real human emotions. But saying that Epileptic is merely confessional conveys nothing of what makes it so special. David B. had scrafted the most innovative comics project of the decade. And probably also the most important * The Comics Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe incredible and inspirational true story of one young man''s struggle to find peace during war, and the power of music to bring hope to a desperate nation. ''Ahmad has created a moving and visceral account of conflict, hope and the power of music'' Hannah Beckerman, Observer____________ One morning in war-torn Damascus, a starving man drags a piano into a rubbled street. Everything he once knew has been destroyed by war.Amidst ruin and despair, he begins to play. He plays of love and hope, he plays for his family and his fellow Syrians. He plays even though he could be killed for doing so. As word of his defiance spreads around the world, he becomes a beacon of hope and even resistance. Yet he fears for his wife and children - the more he plays, the more he and his family are endangered until, finally, he must make a terrible choice . . . Aeham Ahmad''s spellbinding and uplifting true story tells of the triumph of love and hope, the incredible bonds of family, and the healing power of music in even the very darkest of places.___________''In amongst the wreckage scenes of hope. An amazing man - Ahmad played the piano just to spread love'' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2 ''An extraordinary, beautiful book about a man who in the midst of utter terror wheeled his piano in to the street and played for Yarmouk. He is amazing'' Nihal Arthanayake BBC 5 Live ''The music of Aeham Ahmad became a symbol of resistance'' Today, BBC Radio 4 ''So inspiring'' ITV News''Aeham Ahmad is a talented and brave man of peace. Please read his book and pass it on to anyone who doesn''t know or understand the plight of today''s refugees'' Stanley Tucci BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week Trade ReviewAhmad has created a moving and visceral account of conflict, hope and the power of music * Hannah Beckerman, Observer *An epic story * RTE Guide *Suddenly opened a hidden door to reality * The Sunday Times *Aeham Ahmad is a talented and brave man of peace. Please read his book and pass it on to anyone who doesn't know or understand the plight of today's refugees * Stanley Tucci *If ever confirmation that music and love will always defeat misery and tyranny was needed, Ahmad's testimony delivers it in the humblest and most moving way

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Book SynopsisEmbark on an enchanting journey into our country''s past hundred years through the remarkable life of Captain Sir Tom MooreTHE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''A wonderful life story with lessons for us all . . . beautifully written'' DAILY TELEGRAPH''Gloriously enthralling'' DAILY MAIL__________Captain Sir Tom Moore''s story is all our stories . . .Born at the tail end of the Spanish flu epidemic, Tom Moore was raised in the Yorkshire Dales by a loving family that had not escaped tragedy. Yet when the clouds of war threatened, Tom raised his hand and joined up to fight.The Second World War took him to the Far East, where his can-do spirit was forged. Whether fighting for his life in Burma or helming a firm back home, racing motorbikes or raising a family, he always sought to do his very best. To make a difference to those around him.Captain Tom''s story is that of our parenTrade ReviewGloriously enthralling * Daily Mail *A riveting account. Tom is as sharp as a bayonet . . . This old soldier should never, ever fade away in our memory. Neither should his life advice * Daily Express *Engaging . . . His upbeat nature shines through and reminds us how much worse this year would have been without him * Evening Standard *A wonderful life story with lessons for us all . . . beautifully written * Daily Telegraph *Captain Tom Moore has stolen the nation's hearts * Evening Standard *A wonderful read. Captain Tom is a beacon of light, and hope, and positivity * Piers Morgan, Life Stories, ITV *A great book * Good Morning Britain *A beautiful book. We have so much to learn from Captain Sir Tom * Chris Evans, Virgin Radio *Fascinating. It's the life story of an ordinary man who is extraordinary * Michael Ball, BBC Radio 2 *Captain Tom Moore's charming autobiography is an inspiration . . . A great personal history of the past century, and we can all learn something from Captain Tom * Woman's Weekly *His story is of a man whose insatiable curiosity and appetite for life have led him around so many unexpected corners - and serves to unite and inspire every generation * This England *Lively and entertaining . . . beautifully captures Captain Tom's mixture of amazement and pride at what happened in 2020 * Reader's Digest *An incredible insight into a hundred years of British social history - and the story of a remarkable man * Candis *Captain Tom has a message of hope for us all * The Big Issue *His autobiography will continue to inspire. A hundred-year history of Britain and a life well lived * My Weekly *His optimism and courage shine through in this uplifting account of his life and times * Sunday Express *A national hero . . . He tells the story of his life with unfailing optimism and charm * Daily Mirror *In this delightful memoir, we see the build-up to that 'I said I'll do it and I will' attitude * Daily Mail *Uplifting and inspiring * Best *There is so much more to the humble centenarian exserviceman's life than his garden laps for the NHS. A life-affirming memoir * Sun *A very open and honest account of a centenarian's life . . . You cannot help but be amazed * Who Do You Think You Are? *Embark on an enchanting journey into our country's past hundred years through the remarkable life of Captain Sir Tom Moore * Eastern Daily Press *

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring, uplifting true story of a group of London girls dispatched to a children''s home in rural England during the Blitz, and meet the formidable nurse and Lady in Waiting who transformed their lives forever . . .''A heartwarming story of hope and kindness'' Daily Express''An engaging war-time tale. These evocative first-person memories conjure a vivid picture of 1940s Britain, leaving a lasting impression'' Lucy Fisher__________Bombs were falling all over Britain . . .For one young Londoner in a children''s home - Queenie Clapton - it might have been the end of the world. Yet swiftly evacuated Queenie, along with the other children taken up by the Waifs and Strays Society, escaped the shattered streets.Instead, she found herself invited into the stately home of Dorothy Peyton, a recently widowed Lady in Waiting. There, under the formidable guidance of Matron Bailey, Queenie discovered a nTrade ReviewAn engaging war-time tale about the fortitude of children and the transformative impact of one woman's care for them. These evocative first-person memories conjure a vivid picture of 1940s Britain, leaving a lasting impression. -- Lucy FischerA heart-warming story of hope and kindness * Daily Express *Full of fascinating detail, affectionately told, The Angels of Englemere Wood is by turns a humbling, touching, astonishing and ultimately uplifting read -- Joanna ToyeA winning blend of nostalgic personal narratives with a detailed social history of World War Two. I guarantee you'll be charmed by every one of the cast of waifs and strays, as well as by the "Angels" who took care of them. * Duncan Barrett *An exquisite, meticulously researched account of what happened to Britain's disadvantaged children and all who touched their lives when war came. Gentle, fascinating, nostalgic - I loved being in the company of this beautiful humane book -- Tessa DunlopA well-documented, imaginatively empathetic account of her life * The Times Literary Supplement *The Angels of Englemere is a heart rending and meticulously researched story of love, loss, companionship and bonding through the eyes of a group of disadvantaged children during WW2. When their families couldn't cope with them, doors opened that would transform their lives. This is a beautifully written nostalgic read. -- Ellee Seymour

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Book SynopsisThe life of Gandhi, in his own words150th Anniversary Edition with a New Introduction by Pankaj Mishra''Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood'' Albert Einstein upon the death of M. K. GandhiMohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in western India in 1869. He was educated in London and later travelled to South Africa, where he experienced racism and took up the rights of Indians, instituting his first campaign of passive resistance. In 1915 he returned to British-controlled India, bringing to a country in the throes of independence his commitment to non-violent change, and his belief always in the power of truth. Under Gandhi''s lead, millions of protesters would engage in mass campaigns of civil disobedience, seeking change through moral conversion of the colonizers. For Gandhi, the long path towards Indian independence would lead to imprisonment and hardship, yet he neveTrade ReviewGenerations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood -- Albert Einstein upon the death of M. K. GandhiChrist gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics -- Martin Luther King Jr.He is a hero not just to India but to the world -- Barack ObamaI have the greatest admiration for Mahatma Gandhi. He was a great human being with a deep understanding of human nature. His life has inspired me -- The Dalai LamaGandhi's ideas have played a vital role in South Africa's transformation and with the help of Gandhi's teaching, apartheid has been overcome -- Nelson Mandela

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Book SynopsisTim Farron’s account of his involvement in the turbulent politics of recent years offers a wealth of insight into life at the top of a major political party and the prospects for true liberalism in Britain today.Trade Review‘Tim Farron tells a fascinating story of family, football, faith, music and politics. It is a story about private and public, highs and lows, passion, pressure and pain . . . Many of us can learn from this book. I am certain that, with gratitude, many will.’ * Sir Simon Hughes, former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Minister of State for Justice and Civil Liberties, 2013–15 *‘Those who know Tim Farron personally will not be surprised by this book. They know his anger at injustice and his generosity of spirit at first hand. I would recommend this book to anyone who knows him only from headlines. You may not agree with everything he says, but you will be a whole lot wiser.’ * Andy Flannagan, Executive Director, Christians in Politics *‘Tim Farron knows better than anyone the stresses and challenges of leading a party in the febrile politics of our time. But this is not a conventional political biography. It reveals in frank and courageous detail the acute conflict between political loyalty and religious commitment.’ * Sir Menzies Campbell, Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats *‘A provocative read for many in politics who would rather all politicians thought the same.’ * Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor, The Spectator *‘Refreshingly frank, humble, faithful and full of grace.’ * David Burrowes, former Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate *

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Book SynopsisFor anyone who feels less-than about your work, your worth, your body, or the life you''re building, find here an incredible hope: you don''t have to have it all together to qualify for your life''s calling.Just ask Caitlin Crosby, the former Hollywood talent who didn''t finish college, never got an MBA, and wasn''t supposed to become a CEO--yet that''s exactly what she did. Caitlin''s passion for people led her to launch The Giving Keys, a give-back jewelry brand with the mission of helping its employees transition out of homelessness. Each of their one million keys sold represents a person who wore it and shared it with someone else, in a unique pay-it-forward model.In You Are the Key, Caitlin opens up about her own secret flaw that rocked her sense of self-worth for the better part of two decades and her private battle to believe that our scars are not sources of shame but proof of courage and prompts toward purpose.<

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Book SynopsisAn eye-opening, jaw-dropping account of Britain's dispossessed youth and inner city wastelands by an insider, as funny and inspiring as it is heartbreaking. 'Another CITY OF GOD, this time for Britain rather than Brazil.' ObserverTrade ReviewA dark and bitterly funny window on to a part of British life that most would rather sweep under the carpet . . . both inspiring and uplifting. * Daily Telegraph *A compelling piece of ethnography, but it is also a deeply personal memoir . . . Moving but never sanctimonious, it is another City of God, this time for Britain rather than Brazil. * Observer *A damnation of British society that is both violently shocking and laugh-out-loud funny, reading somewhere between a pre-teen Trainspotting and a northern-English equivalent of Larry Clark's Kids . . . a memoir with attitude * Big Issue *Hare writes with laconic self-deprecation, black humour and a humane, ever present sense of railing against the system that failed Urban and his gang . . . exceptional * Metro *An extraordinary account of the parallel world of missing children who live under our noses in every inner city, but officially don't exist. * Sunday Times *A cross between a grim fairytale and a reflective, brazen anecdote . . . a marvellous read. * Alexander Masters, Daily Mail *This is writing from the edge. Bernie Hare is a truly original voice. He deserves to be big - really big! * Fergal Keane *'Don't miss Bernard Hare's astonishing account of his relationship with Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew' * Anne Fine, Books of the Year, Sunday Herald *'As a record of contemporary Britain, it is searing...Hare is never sensationalist, sentimental, judgemental or self-regarding' * Sheena Joughin, Times Literary Supplement *'It reads like a novel - a gripping, vivid, deeply affecting piece of work' * Decca Aitkenhead, New Statesman *Unexpectedly powerful. * Time Out Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisA wonderfully colourful and deeply poignant memoir of growing up in a ''single end'' - one room in a Glasgow tenement - during and immediately after the Second World War. Although young Robert Douglas''s life was blighted by the cruel if sporadic presence of his father, it was equally blessed by the love of his mother, Janet. While the story of their life together is in some ways very sad, it is also filled with humorous and happy memories. NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM is a superb evocation of childhood and of a Glasgow of trams and tenements that has long since disappeared.Trade ReviewExquisite ... a beautiful paean * Sunday Times *His prose is direct, pacy, uncluttered ... engaging, deftly written and honestly remembered * Herald *NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM is a simply written book and all the better for it ... It recreates stunningly clear memories of a Glasgow childhood ... At the age of 66, Robert Douglas has written his first book - I cannot believe it will be his last. * Daily Mail, Scotland *A well-written slice of social history delivered directly by an eyewitness * Independent on Sunday *It has been a while since a book has reduced me to both tears of laughter and sympathy, but Robert Douglas managed it with NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM. * Journal, Newcastle *It is as a record of the old Glasgow spirit that this book is especially worthwhile. * Sunday Herald *The portrait of his mother is beautifully done ... and her loss (through breast cancer) when he was still very young is heartbreaking: it brings tears to my eyes now just writing about it. Douglas has real skill in conveying experience and his use of the Glasgow vernacular lends an extra poetry to the writing. A quite exceptional autobiography. * Publishing News, Book of the Month, November *Told with a direct, unsentimental honesty ... a vividness that makes them real. This is a remarkable, deeply moving autobiography. * Cumberland Times *Wonderful ... vivid. * Stockport Express *The descriptions of streets and smells and childhood feelings ... come from some little fire that's never gone out in Douglas' mind ... His prose is direct, pacy, uncluttered ... engaging, deftly written and honestly remembered. * Herald *Consider for instance "The Great Midden-raking Expedition", the sort of thing millions of Winnie-the-Pooh fans would be familiar with if Christopher Robin had been a Glaswegian ... NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM is a simply written book and all the better for it ... It recreates stunningly clear memories of a Glasgow childhood ... At the age of 66, Robert Douglas has written his first book - I cannot believe it will be his last. * Daily Mail, Scotland *A heartwarming, heartbreaking tale of a young boy's struggle to become a man. * Our Time, Cambridge *Robert Douglas looks back to his Glasgow childhood and his experiences, the misery (and the laughter) pouring out on every page. The portrait of his mother is beautifully done ... and her loss (through breast cancer) when he was still very young is heartbreaking: it brings tears to my eyes now just writing about it. Douglas has real skill in conveying experience and his use of the Glasgow vernacular lends an extra poetry to the writing. A quite exceptional autobiography. * Publishing News, Book of the Month, Novembe *'One of the most moving autobiographies ever penned by a Scottish writer' * Daily Record *'Heart warming characters caught up in a clever mystery' * YOURS *

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Book SynopsisThe next chapter in Robert Douglas's remarkable life story picks up from the bestselling NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM but can be read on its ownTrade Review'Warm, energetic...punchy' * The Sunday Times *A natural-born writer...pins down all-too-human characters in a sentence or two - and a number of times he made me laugh out loud. He also recaptures the late 1950s and early 1960s, rekindling memories for those of us who were there or thereabouts and bringing them alive for those who weren't...convincing and entertaining * The Scotsman *Night Song of the Last Tram was one of the most moving autobiographies ever penned by a Scottish writer...Somewhere to Lay my Head takes up where that left off...Once again demonstrating an outstanding gift for evoking the atmosphere and emotions of a time gone by, this wonderfully talented storyteller takes us on a journey that he started as a boy and ended as a man * Daily Record *'If Blake Morrison is the Radio 4 of family memoir, then Robert Douglas is definitely the Radio 2' * Sunday Herald *With the ending of NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM, Douglas left us longing to find out what happened to his 16-year-old self, so cruelly cast out into the world. Now, in SOMEWHERE TO LAY MY HEAD, Douglas continues his story, portraying a bright and clever boy who never got the opportunities he deserved, but was still determined to make his way in the world * Publishing News *'It recreates stunningly clear memories of a Glasgow childhood . . . I laughed until the tears ran down my legs.' * Daily Mail on NIGHT SONG OF THE LAST TRAM *Exquisite * The Sunday Times on NIGHT SONG *A grace and assurance that turn everyday episodes into the stuff of romance. * Times Literary Supplement on NIGHT SONG *A well-written slice of social history delivered directly by an eyewitness * Independent on Sunday on NIGHT SONG *The portrait of his mother is beautifully done . . . it brings tears to my eyes now just writing about it. A quite exceptional autobiography. * Publishing News, Book of the Month, on NIGHT SONG *

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Book SynopsisFor years, Jenny and sister Kim suffered horrendous physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their father. They survived in part because of their closeness and their determination to be there for each other. Both sisters left home at the earliest opportunity to escape but before long, Jenny was embroiled in a relationship with an abusive man that kept her locked in a cycle of violence and fear. Their lives followed parallel paths, with first marriage, then kids and always the terror that things would never change. Eventually, with a lot of love, grit and courage they helped each other to climb out of the pit of despair and truly free themselves from the legacy of the past.Every bit as harrowing and inspiring as Behind Closed Doors, this is a story of the power of unstintingly loyal love.Trade ReviewThis woman is an inspiration and I am honoured to call her my mum * Martine McCutcheon *

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Book SynopsisThe doctor is back again and on the wards! Now in his third year as junior doctor, Max looks and sounds the part. But this time around, things are not at all as he expected ...The junior doctor ... back on the wards. After a year on the streets treating outreach patients, Max Pemberton is back in the relative comfort of hospital. This time running between elderly care and the dementia clinic to A&E and outpatients. No longer inexperienced (Max and his doctor friends can now tell when someone is actually dead), they are on the front line of patient care for better or worse. In the midst of an NHS still under threat (some things never change) there are committed and caring doctors, big issues, hope, frustration, huge societal changes affecting the entire health system as well as the general drama of everyday life in a big hospital, from biscuit wars to resus. It''s not like television, this is real - there are no easy answers - but The Doctor Will See You Now will give you hope that there are enough good doctors asking the questions.Trade Review'entertaining, but also enlightening . . . recommended to anyone who'd like to know what really goes on inside a hospital.' * Farm Lane Books *

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Book SynopsisWhen she was a little girl, Jasvinder Sanghera''s father told her about the village he came from, Kang Sabhu in rural Punjab. One day, he promised to take her there so she could meet her half-sister, Bachanu, who had stayed behind. But at the age of sixteen - as she so vividly related in her bestseller Shame - Jasvinder ran away from home to escape a forced marriage. Her parents disowned her. ''Shame travels...'' her father told her. Although her mother took all her other daughters to meet the extended family in the Punjab, Jasvinder was never allowed to go. With her own daughter about to marry, Jasvinder decides to challenge thirty years of rejection by going to India herself. She wants to explore her roots and to see for herself the place her parents called home until the day they died. What Jasvinder finds in India and what she learns changes the way she sees the world, and has important lessons for all of us. SHAME TRAVELS is not only a grippingTrade ReviewAcclaim for SHAME: 'She tells her story with the pace and vivid turn of phrase of a true writer . . . SHAME is an inspiring book, not least because of its honesty.' * Sunday Times *'A vivid, honest and deeply moving narrative of despair, courage and hope.' * Lord Lester speaking in Parliamentary debate *'Unbeaten and eloquent' * Evening Standard *'Heart-wrenching' * Daily Mail *One of the most powerful things I have read. * David Cameron *

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Book SynopsisRediscovered after 80 years gathering dust on a family bookshelf and first brought to public attention on BBC Radio 4''s Today Programme, A VERY UNIMPORTANT OFFICER is a detailed and intimate account of the experience of Captain Stewart, an ordinary officer in the front line in France and Flanders throughout 1916 and 1917.Recruited to The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in 1915 at the age of 33, Captain Stewart went ''over the top'' many times, outliving ''so many better men'', as he says with typical humility.Through his vivid testimony we learn of the mud (''more like thick slime''), the flies and the difficulties of suffering dysentry while on horseback. In one memorable passage he describes engaging the enemy while smoking a pipe - an episode for which he was awarded the Military Cross.Yet through the chaos and horror of the trenches, Captain Stewart reflects with compassion on the fears and immense courage of the men under his command.Newly Trade ReviewThe immediacy, candour and sheer literary merit of his journals make this an important new source for the Great War . . . a very remarkable man. * Evening Standard *something unusual and fresh on the subject of the Great War . . . edited sympathetically and unobtrusively by his grandson. * The Times *A vivid account of an infantry officer's war on the Western Front . . . should be required reading for those who really want to understand the war. * Richard Holmes, author of Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front *His trench diaries show a different aspect of World War I from the usual images of industrial massacre. * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisI was told to come alone. I was not to carry any identification, and would have to leave my cell phone, audio recorder, watch, and purse at my hotel . . .For her whole life, Souad Mekhennet, a reporter for the Washington Post who was born and educated in Germany, has had to balance the two sides of her upbringing - Muslim and Western. She has also sought to provide a mediating voice between these cultures, which too often misunderstand each other.In this compelling and evocative memoir, we accompany Mekhennet as she journeys behind the lines of jihad, starting in the German neighbourhoods where the 9/11 plotters were radicalised and the Iraqi neighbourhoods where Sunnis and Shia turned against one another, and culminating on the Turkish/Syrian border region where ISIS is a daily presence. In her travels across the Middle East and North Africa, she documents her chilling run-ins with various intelligence services and shows why the Arab Spring never lived Trade ReviewIf only every journalist with Souad Mekhennet's culture-straddling perspective and access would write an incisive book like this. It will haunt you, because the truth on the page is vaster than anything we're usually offered -- Azadeh Moaveni, author of Lipstick Jihad and Honeymoon in TehranMore than just a great narrative, I Was Told to Come Alone is a story for our time: a penetrating look at the roots of Islamist radicalism from a gifted and extraordinarily courageous journalist. Souad Mekhennet dares to confront the issues head-on, often at great personal risk, and she weaves her own experiences into an unforgettable and deeply absorbing tale. If you want to truly understand the nature of the crisis facing the West in the twenty-first century, this is the place to start -- Joby Warrick, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Black Flags: The Rise of ISISI Was Told to Come Alone reads like a thriller, as Souad Mekhennet takes us on a journey into the heart of the Muslim world. Mekhennet is a Western journalist who is female and Muslim, which gives her access that few reporters can match. Through her eyes we see how terrorism develops and that it produces no winners on either side. Her insights are sobering but deeply wise, and especially urgent today -- Jessica Stern, coauthor of ISIS: The State of Terror and author of Terror in the Name of GodSouad Mekhennet has written a fascinating memoir that functions on two levels. In the first, she is the daughter of Muslim immigrants to Germany, seeking ways to bridge these two worlds. In the second, she is an intrepid reporter investigating some of the most dangerous and important stories of recent years, and gaining unparalleled access to leading jihadist militants. Both stories are hers, and together they are truly compelling -- Peter Bergen, author of United States of Jihad: Who Are America’s Homegrown Terrorists, and How Do We Stop Them?This book is a monument to her professionalism, dedication and courage, but also as proof of her humanity: her ability always to see the human cost on both sides * Sunday Herald *An enthralling and sometimes shocking blend of reportage and memoir from the centers of jihadi networks in the Middle East and North Africa * New Yorker *One could hardly imagine a more suited writer . . . a brave, resourceful, canny and tireless reporter * Washington Post *Mekhennet's book is much more than a book of journalism, admirable as hers is: it is a remarkable record of a Muslim woman struggling to understand those who kill in the name of her religion, and to explain their actions to the uncomprehending Western world to which she belongs * The Economist *The surprise delight of the year for me . . . remarkable and at times personally risky series of interviews withjihadi leaders. But it's also a highly readable primer on the forces that gave rise to jihad, and an insight into the complexities of immigrant identity and loyalty . . . In a slippery post-truth world, her book is a reminder of just how much meticulously investigated and reported truths matter * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''Beautiful . . . Justifies its place alongside nature writing classics such as H is for Hawk'' NEW STATESMAN''Wonderful ... both frank and fearless'' TELEGRAPH BEST TRAVEL BOOKS OF THE YEAR''Fascinating'' GUARDIAN TOP TEN NATURE MEMOIRSFrom Mexico to the Arctic ice, grey whale mothers swim with their calves. Following them, by bus, train and ferry, are Doreen and her toddler Max, in pursuit of a wild hope. Doreen first visited Alaska as a young journalist reporting on climate change among indigenous whaling communities. There, drawn deeply into an Iñupiaq family, she joined the bowhead whale hunt, watching for polar bears under the never-ending light. Years later, now a single mother living in a hostel, Doreen embarks on this extraordinary journey: following the grey whale migration back to the Arctic, where greys and bowheads meet at the melting apex of our planet. ''Soundings got under my Trade ReviewA beautiful account of trauma, community and nature's capacity to heal, this book takes its place alongside modern classics of the genre such as Helen Macdonald's H is for Hawk. * New Statesman, best books of 2022 *The endless wait of the whale hunt is made fascinating by her quiet observations. The protagonists make a deeply refreshing triad: a single mother travelling with her child, learning from the whales how to parent -- Sarah Thomas * Guardian, Top 10 Nature Memoirs *Compelling ... A human story of resilience, loss and immense bravery ... A rallying cry for love * Irish Times *A wonderful debut . . . both frank and fearless, and a plea for the whales to be allowed to live, and die, in peace * Daily Telegraph *An original, unexpectedly pacey blend of memoir and nature writing. Whether observing how the ceteceans are threatened by global warming, delving into the lives of the Inupiaq or sharing personal struggles, Cunningham brings a sensitivity to the page. This is a moving riposte to those who offer atomised perspectives on the natural world -- Jini Reddy * Metro *A striking, brave and often lyrical book that defies easy interpretation . . . Her sensuous descriptions of grey whales and humpbacks provide some of the book's richest passages . . . She is no Ahab; it is not a single whale to which she is drawn, but the collective, and in the end the whales act as stepping-stones, bridges to human relationships on her journey, notably with other women and mothers. What at first seems a reckless, near-mystical pursuit of an imagined being leads her to find a human pod of her own. -- Edward Posnett * Guardian *Soundings got under my skin. It was as if I'd joined Doreen and her young son on their search for grey whales, and we'd been through something important together. I finished it in tears * Amy Liptrot, author of The Outrun and The Instant *Doreen's is a thrilling, passionate and tenderhearted adventure. I read this book in one sitting, and couldn't sleep that night - my mind was still filled with her extraordinary endurance, her wild spirit. * Helen Jukes, author of A Honeybee Heart has Five Openings *What a voice! What a book! Pounding with the power of thrashing flukes, shivering with Arctic ice, yet suffused with rare human warmth. A book worthy of its mighty subjects. * Charles Foster, author of Being a Human *Beautiful . . . Through such delicate merging of environmental and individual trauma, Soundings births a raw, intimate narrative about nature's capacity to mend - and justifies its place alongside modern nature writing classics, such as Helen Macdonald's H is for Hawk -- India Bourke * New Statesman *Beautiful and brave, and startling in its raw emotional honesty. * Neil Ansell, author of Deep Country and The Circling Sky *This stunning book blends nature writing of the most urgent kind with precise and poetic observation of human tribulation and the interconnectedness of all things. Fresh, brave and unique * Damian le Bas, author of The Stopping Places *Soundings stuns with its bravery and lyricism. This is a book to be devoured. * Ramita Navai, author of City of Lies *Cunningham's scientific knowledge and gorgeous prose take us on an extraordinary journey as she forges a remarkable connection with these astonishing creatures and issues an impassioned plea for our shared futures. Soundings is a completely unique, unforgettable book. * Erica Wagner *An intimate and fascinating story of one woman's journey with our most charismatic species * Mark Boyle, author of The Way Home *Beautifully written, insightful and gripping * Daniel Lavelle, author of Down and Out *In this fascinating book, Doreen Cunningham takes us on an intimate journey through a world already changed by climate change. As her own travel companions become ours - the indigenous people of Utqiagvik, the whales of the Pacific, the world's scientists and her little son Max - we learn that it is only by coming together as people and species that we will be able to navigate our way ahead in the vast troubled waters of our shared future. * Sjón, author of The Whispering Muse *This book is a gorgeous journey. Cunningham guides us elegantly from Mexico to Alaska, riding along with wild grey whales. And she excels as well at bringing the reader along on her personal journey of motherhood, struggle, and epiphany. You will be glad you've joined her. * Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief *A raw and rapturous work of nature writing. Or is it memoir? Adventure journalism? Pop science? Climate cri de coeur? This foul-mouthed, gimlet-eyed, big-hearted chimera of a book is all of those - and more * Robert Moor, bestselling author of On Trails: An Exploration *What a woman and what a tale! It is a rare gift to be taken on a journey by a single mother with her child and the particular perspective that offers. This is a story about living and loving at the sharp end of climate change, and learning to listen, and wait. I loved this book. Sensitive, sincere, and heart-warming. * Sarah Thomas, author of The Raven's Nest *Captures rarely observed natural places ... The reader understands that reporting on climate disaster, and Cunningham's own troubles, have sent the journalist into uncomfortable turbulence. She finds an easier groove, and readers are richer for it, in the enduring beauty and resilient wonder of the ocean * San Francisco Chronicle *Cunningham is consistently forthcoming and self-aware, and she delivers an informed perspective on climate change and ecological damage ... A gorgeous, heartfelt coda brings the narrative to a close, and we can't deny our own sympathies. An absorbing account that offers urgent warnings for humankind * Kirkus *Through her journey from Mexico to Alaska, Doreen Cunningham develops what can only be described as a spiritual relationship with the gray whales. Readers will be further enriched by her ability to seamlessly integrate traditional Indigenous knowledge and science of the sea, ice, and the world of the Iñupiat who hunt the mammoth baleen whales -- Rosita Kaaháni Worl, Ph.D., President of the Sealaska Heritage InstituteSoundings is a story of whales and people, of kinship and questing, and perhaps most of all of the connections among our human selves and across species. With a lyrical voice and tremendous emotional honesty, Doreen Cunningham defies genre and skips easy romance to bring us a cetacean journey-and a journey into the tough, transformative stuff of making community in this beautiful, harsh and changeable world -- Bathsheba Demuth, author of Floating Coast: An Environmental History of the Bering StraitA spellbinding journey of discovery told with deep sensitivity and honesty -- Dr. Edith Widder, CEO & Senior Scientist of the Ocean Research & Conservation AssociationI must say I was in awe of this book. Such a captivating, raw and special offering to the world. A lovely memoir that ranges in exploration but keeps the constant tone of gratitude and discovery on this journey we call life -- Emily Porter * Porchlight Books *With a light touch and artful prose, Cunningham's primary message of compassion comes through, a perspective readers are sure to respond to -- Colleen Mondor * Booklist Online *A beautiful book: a woman's search for meaning deep in the world of the whale * Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan, or the Whale *Doreen Cunningham captures the scope of the world, the grandeur of whales and the direct relationship between the two. We see our fragility, how short life truly is for the human animal and yet the degree of change wrought on the planet by our actions. Experiencing all this through her eyes has been a thrill: a brave, frightening wondrous ride from a woman who not only dares question but pushes back against systems that tell her no -- Ch?k?d?l? Emel?mad?

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Book SynopsisA moving and inspiring memoir by Afghanistan''s youngest female mayor and campaigner for human rights, as seen in Netflix''s In Her Hands documentary.''Zarifa will break your heart'' Christina Lamb, author of Our Bodies, Their Battlefields and I Am Malala''Incredible'' Stylist''In this earnest and fiery memoir, an activist and politician from Afghanistan recounts how her country''s instability marked her life'' New York TimesZarifa Ghafari was two years old when the Taliban banned girls from schools. She was seven when the American airstrikes began. She was twenty-four when she became the youngest and one of the first female mayors in Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan. An extremist mob barred her from her office and assassins tried to kill her six times. Through it all, Zarifa promoted peace and tried to lift up women, despite constant fear for herself and her family.Written with honesty, Trade ReviewAnyone wanting to know the grim reality of being a woman in Afghanistan and trying to make a difference, could not find a more illuminating book. Zarifa will break your heart. * Christina Lamb, author of Our Bodies, Their Battlefields *Incredible -- Francesca Brown * Stylist *In this earnest and fiery memoir, an activist and politician from Afghanistan recounts how her country's instability marked her life * New York Times *Frank and impassioned, Ghafari's narrative spotlights the power of activism... a remarkable story of perseverance and resilience * Publishers Weekly *Candid, poignant and powerful ... This gripping book can be read at one go and surely is a must buy * Telegraph (India) *This is a simply written and inspiring work that zips along with the pace of an adventure story. You can only be left in awestruck admiration at everything Zarifa has already achieved in her short life. Despite the current situation, you at least feel some hope that Afghanistan's trajectory will have been nudged towards a better tomorrow by her unceasing vision for a just and corruption-free homeland' -- Olivia Edward * Geographical Magazine *[Ghafari] tells her inspiring life story with sincerity and passion, providing a nuanced and, at times, horrifying glimpse into Afghanistan's devastating history ... A searingly honest, profoundly courageous memoir of one fearless woman's fight for her homeland * Kirkus *Zarifa's words, like her life, are an act of courage, weaving heartache with hope. They illuminate all the things we take for granted, especially the ordinary moments, the daily freedoms and most intimate of relationships. They illuminate the threads that connect our rights, freedoms, and happiness into an interconnected whole. * Shubhangi Swarup, Tata Prize winning author of Latitudes of Longing *Zarifa Ghafari's story is one of strength in the face of adversity. She perfectly captures the tragic reversal of fortune over the past year in Afghanistan as the Taliban have once again risen to power. Everyone should read this inspirational and heart-wrenching account of life in Afghanistan for women. * Layla Moran, MP *

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Book Synopsis* A unique and gripping document: the recently discovered diaries which reveal the story of an elderly German who saved so many lives he became known as the 'Oskar Schindler of ChinaTrade ReviewA story of wondrous humanity in the face of insane savagery * SPECTATOR *A testament of truly remarkable fortitude and charity by one man ... it restores faith in humanity * TLS *He out-Schindlered Schindler ... His unbelievable tenacity, courage and ingenuity make him the most unexpected unsung hero of modern time s' EVENING STANDARD * 'This is an important contribution to our understanding of those years.’ *SUNDAY TIMES * 'His story is a significant document.’ *

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Book SynopsisHow one Jewish woman survived the Holocaust - through marriage to a Nazi officer.Trade ReviewHahn Beer tells her story with a remarkable lack of rancour ... her evocation of atmosphere and detail is worthy of John le Carre. The book is most moving as a record of individual courage but it also constitutes valuable evidence on the vexed subject of how far ordinary Germans were aware of the evil in their midst * THE TIMES *All memoirs of this period are worthwhile, but, in this case, doubly so. * MORNING STAR *

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Book SynopsisThe speeches of Nelson MandelaTrade ReviewAre there any more words of praise that can be offered to a man descrived as the world's greatest living statesman? This would be incredibly difficult, but by having Mandela's own words tell the story there is little need for much else... Magnificent. * PRIDE *At it's heart there is a book that should be in every home. * SUNDAY HERALD *A testament to a man who uniquely combines sweetness with steel. * INDEPENDENT *A major achievement * OBSERVER *

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Book SynopsisAward-winning writer Heather Lanier''s memoir about raising a child with a rare syndrome, defying the tyranny of normal, and embracing parenthood as a spiritual practice that breaks us open in the best of ways.Like many women of her generation, writer Heather Lanier did everything by the book when she was expecting her first child. She ate organic foods, recited affirmations and drew up a birth plan for an unmedicated labour in the hopes that she could create a SuperBaby, an ultra-healthy human destined for a high-achieving future.But her daughter Fiona challenged all of Lanier''s preconceptions. Born with an ultra-rare syndrome known as Wolf-Hirschhorn, Fiona received a daunting prognosis: she would experience significant developmental delays and might not reach her second birthday. Not only had Lanier failed to produce a SuperBaby, she now fiercely loved a child that the world would sometimes reject. The diagnosis obliterated Lanier''s perfectionist tendenciTrade ReviewHeather Lanier's Raising a Rare Girl is that rare soaring book: a gripping read that delivers spiritual reflection and serious cultural analysis on disability and parenthood. These sentences are sheer poetry, and in the service of dissecting the ableism in our culture, they are also piercing and necessary. -- Sonya Huber * author of Pain Woman Takes Your Keys and Other Essays from a Nervous System *Raising a Rare Girl is not just a memoir about Heather Lanier's first few years as a mother, nor is it only about the challenges of raising a child with a rare syndrome in a world that does not welcome differences. It's a tender and powerful book that asks us to look honestly at what we expect of our children, each other, and ourselves, and explores the unexpected joy that comes when we release those expectations. Lanier had no choice but to let go of her expectations of motherhood, herself, and her baby when Fiona came into this world, and we are the lucky recipients of the loving wisdom she gained in doing so. -- Kerry Egan * author of On Living *

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Book Synopsis“A masterpiece... Farah Jasmine Griffin’s magical words enchant and empower us like those of her towering heroes.”—Cornel WestTrade Review"Slim and quietly captivating... This a life lived among books, then reinterpreted through them." -- Carlos Lozada - The Washington Post

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Book SynopsisA member of one of Pakistani's most influential families, Tehmina Durrani decided to write this book about they way women are treated in Pakistan after leaving her husband Mustafa Khar. In the writing of My Feudal Lord, Tehmina Durrani worked with William Hoffer, author of Midnight Express and co-author of Betty Mahmoody's Not Without My Daughter.Trade Review'An extraordinary story' * The Sunday Times *'Riveting...one of the many remarkable qualities of Durrani's story is her total frankness...she emerges as a woman to be admired' * The Age, Melbourne *

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Book SynopsisGeneral Sir Mike Jackson''s illustrious career in the British Army has spanned almost 45 years and all that time he has shown loyalty, courage and commitment to the British army whilst also being an undeniable media attraction.A man of substance where foreign policy is concerned, he has served in theatres from the Artic to the jungle but is perhaps best known for his role in charge of the British troops to end ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, for assembling the British ground component of the coalition that toppled the Taliban, for equipping and organising the army we dispatched to defeat in Iraq and for re-organising the British army with aplomb. His drive, enthusiasm and dominating personality were always popular with his soldiers and drove him right to the top of his profession. He may have been a general but he never stopped caring about the men and women in his charge, despite the politics.Soldier: The Autobiography exhibits all the qualities for which Jackson is admired; his professionalism, his honesty, his directness, his exuberance and his sense of humour. Most of all it gives a vivid sense of what modern soldiering entails.Trade ReviewEngagingly recounted with both intelligence and candour...General Jackson is a man of high principles, who on more than one occasion was prepared to lay his career on the line to defend [his] beliefs. In this highly readable and fascinating book, he speaks a great deal of good sense. More importantly, he is able to publicly voice his concerns for the future and defend the soldiers he clearly cares about -- James Holland * Sunday Telegraph *Utterly compelling...Jackson has provided a model of the modern military commander, media friendly, internationally minded and politically sensitive...Indispensable reading -- Andro Linklater * The Spectator *Insightful and valuable...In his account of his career, he has exposed the weaknesses and failures that led to the challenges facing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan today -- Michael Evans * The Times *A very readable, personal account of a man who rose to the top of the army and gained a reputation for being a 'no-nonsense' commander -- Richard Norton-Taylor * The Guardian *His trademark blunt honesty and humour are to the fore in his autobiography...He has a very interesting story to tell...An engaging and honest account that would repay reading by all those who seek to understand the 21st century British army * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe little cat Deric Longden saw sitting forlornly on an upturned bucket belonged to the neighbours, but somehow when it began to rain it seemed only natural to bring him inside. And Deric being Deric, the obvious way to thaw him back to life was to make a little coat for him out of a shrunken thermal vest.Trade ReviewSo warm and funny it'll make you want to go and get one of your own. A cat, that is * New Woman *

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Book SynopsisFrom the day he was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital in London, Andy McNab has led an extraordinary life.As a teenage delinquent, Andy McNab kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years on five continents. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever'. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS.Since then Andy McNab has become one of the world's best-selling writers, drawing on his insider knowledge and experience. As well as several non-fiction bestsellers including Bravo Two Zero, the biggest selling British work of military history, heTrade ReviewPaying tribute to the soldiers he served with for 10 years, he tells the poignant story of five brave men of whom, tragically, he is the only one still alive. ***** * News of the World *The SAS hero dishes up another helping of gripping memoir * Good Book Guide *

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Book Synopsis''A life-affirming book'' Daily Mail''An uplifting personal story of a year lived like no other'' Daily ExpressTwo days after her husband of sixty-seven years dies, nonagenarian Miss Norma is diagnosed with cancer. When given her treatment options - surgery, chemo and radiotherapy - she rises to her full five feet and says in the strongest voice she can muster: ''I'm ninety years old. I'm hitting the road!'' Driving Miss Norma is the story of her inspirational road trip across the US in a thirty-six-foot motorhome with her son, Tim, his wife, Ramie and their Poodle, Ringo - showing us that it''s never too late to begin an adventure, inspire hope or become a trailblazer. As the journey unfolds, Miss Norma finally spreads her wings and lives life on her own terms for the very first time. With each adventure a once timid Miss Norma says YES to living in the face of death - whether it''s experiencing her very first pedicure or tTrade ReviewProfound * The Guardian *This life-affirming book is an inspirational account... It's about three people learning to let go of their fears and find love and trust in each other and the world around them. * Daily Mail *The author celebrates life and offers a heartfelt vision of what dying a good death really means . . . Uplifting and life-affirming. * Kirkus Reviews *Joyful and moving… offers profound insights into how we choose to live. * Publishers Weekly (starred review). This text refers to the Audio CD edition. *An uplifiting personal story of a year lived like no other... a touching and eloquently argued manifesto for a different kind of care for the elderly, one that embraces joy, life and human connection. -- Jane Warren * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisMulti-award-winning comedian, presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter RUSSELL KANE is best known for the BBC Sounds podcast, Evil Genius which has become a flagship show and was the best performing original podcast on the platform. Russell's other podcast, Boys Don't Cry, also features regularly on the iTunes podcast chart. Recent TV appearances include The Apprentice You're Fired, Antiques Roadtrip, Stupid Man, Smart Phone and the host of three series of Live At The Electric. Other TV appearances include Live at The Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, Love Island Aftersun, Comedians Giving Lectures, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Crystal Maze and Celebrity Juice.Winner of Best Show in 2010 at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Russell went on to make history as the first comedian to win both the Edinburgh Award and Melbourne Comedy Festival's Barry Award in one year. Russell is currently tourin

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Book Synopsis___________________''Deeply personal and blisteringly powerful.' Tom Marcus, author of SOLDIER SPYThe incredible true story of life as a London firefighter. What is it really like to be a firefighter? How does it feel to respond to an emergency call, to know that someone''s life hangs in the balance and every second is critical?Into the Fire offers an unforgettable insight into the highs and lows of life in the fire service. Chronicling his thirteen-year career in the London Fire Brigade, Edric Kennedy-Macfoy takes us with him from his training days as a new recruit to his very first fire; from call-outs to cannabis farms, chemical spills and trapped swans to the devastating scenes of road traffic collisions, the Croydon tram derailment and the Grenfell Tower fire.Heart-breaking, deeply personal and at times hilarious, this is his remarkable story.Trade ReviewDeeply personal and blisteringly powerful. * Tom Marcus, author of SOLDIER SPY *

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Book SynopsisClive Wearing has one of the most extreme cases of amnesia ever known. In 1985, a virus completely destroyed a part of his brain essential for memory, leaving him trapped in a limbo of the constant present. Every conscious moment is for him as if he has just come round from a long coma, an endlessly repeating loop of awakening. A brilliant conductor and BBC music producer, Clive was at the height of his success when the illness struck. As damaged as Clive was, the musical part of his brain seemed unaffected, as was his passionate love for Deborah, his wife.For seven years he was kept in the London hospital where the ambulance first dropped him off, because there was nowhere else for him to go. Deborah desperately searched for treatments and campaigned for better care. After Clive was finally established in a new special hospital, she fled to America to start her life over again. But she found she could never love another the way she loved Clive. Then Clive''s memory unaccounTrade ReviewThis is a harrowing, haunting and heartening book - a loss-story which is also a love story. It takes us deep inside the question of what it means to be human. -- Andrew MotionSometimes terrifying, sometimes very funny, and always deeply moving, Deborah Wearing's beautifully written testament to a love that survives all the ravages of her husband's amnesia is a book to seize the heart. -- Lindsay Clarke, author of the Whitbread winning The Chymical WeddingA remarkable book: absorbing, moving and humbling. -- Fay WeldonLoving, terrifying and often extremely funny, an astonishing voyage into the very heart of what makes us human. -- Deborah MoggachI had the privilege of filming a documentary about Deborah and Clive and like the rest of the crew I was immediately struck with the extraordinary patience and affection with which Deborah dealt with this appalling ordeal. In Forever Today she takes us further than ever into this remarkable experience. -- Jonathan Miller

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating, insightful and often moving correspondence between Sir Winston and Lady Clementine Churchill extends from their early days of innocent courtship in 1908 to Winston Churchill''s death in 1965.The letters serve not only as a chronicle of their personal achievements and tragedies over the years, but also as a political and social history. In their own words, Winston and Clementine recount some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century: the sinking of the Titanic, the abdication of King Edward VIII, the downfall of governments, the Depression, and two world wars. Here are harrowing first-hand accounts from the battlefields of 1915, reflections on political triumphs and upsets, as well as domestic minutiae, foreign travel, revelations of social scandals and, above all, words of mutual support and encouragement that span the career of one of Britain''s most revered statesmen. Speaking for Themselves is not only an important historical document, it is aTrade ReviewThe record of a remarkably enduring marriage * The Scotsman *Lady Soames, the Churchills' sole surviving child... has edited these letters with great skill, providing a lively commentary and vivid pen portraits of supporting characters -- Piers Brendon * Mail on Sunday *We expect the correspondence of Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine, to be interesting... and still these letters can astonish: in their scope; in the way their individual brilliance is sustained day by day and year upon year * Sunday Telegraph *A fascinating aid to our understanding of an extraordinary couple -- John Grigg * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisNick Flynn met his father when he was twenty-seven years old, working as a caseworker in a homeless shelter in Boston. As a teenager he''d received letters from this mystery father - self-proclaimed poet (and greatest American novelist since Mark Twain), descendant of the Romanov dynasty, alcoholic, and con-man doing time for bank robbery - but there had been no contact. Another Bullshit Night in Suck City (a phrase Flynn senior uses to describe his life on the streets) tells the story of the eerie trajectory that led Nick and his father into that homeless shelter, onto those streets, and finally to each other. With a raw authenticity, telling honesty and a dark but necessary humour, Nick Flynn''s memoir breathes new life and vigour into the form. In passionate and playful prose Another Bullshit Night in Suck City illuminates the emotional and physical consequences of a relationship between father and son that exists, if at all, in a void.Trade Review"'What a piece of work. I don't usually like memoirs, but if they were all like Nick Flynn's - eloquent, funny, unsentimental, and bravely inventive - I'd read them by the truckload.' Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River; 'No one who reads Another Bullshit Night will ever walk through a city in the same way again.' Michael Cunningham"

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Book Synopsis''This book for me is a warning as well as a reminder. May you never experience what I have experienced.''In April 1993, Stephen Lawrence was murdered by a group of young white men on a street in south-east London. From the first police investigation onwards, the case was badly mishandled. In the end, long after the case against the five suspects had been dropped, the government had to give in to mounting pressure and hold a public inquiry, which became the most explosive in British legal history.These facts leave the reader unprepared for Doreen Lawrence''s own story of her son''s murder. In this raw, honest book, she writes frankly about her childhood, about her struggle for a decent life for herself and her children and her hopes for her bright, motivated son. Her account of the murder and the botched and insensitive investigation by the Metropolitan Police is deeply moving. She recreates the pain, frustration and bafflement she experienced as she realised

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Book Synopsis''One of the most original and audacious autobiographies ever written by a writer.'' Le Monde Hand to Mouth tells the story of the young Paul Auster''s struggle to stay afloat. By turns poignant and comic, Auster''s memoir is essentially a book about money - and what it means not to have it. From one odd job to the next, from one failed scheme to another, Auster investigates his own stubborn compulsion to make art and, in the process, treats us to a series of remarkable adventures and unforgettable encounters. Hand to Mouth is essential reading for anyone interested in Paul Auster, in the figure of the struggling artist, in the nature of poverty, or in baseball.

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Book SynopsisIn this nostalgic and raucous collection of sixteen original essays, Ira Madison III?critic, television writer, and host of the beloved Keep It podcast?combines memoir and criticism to offer a brand-new pop-culture manifesto.?This is the most fun I?ve had reading all year. Like Chuck Klosterman before him, Ira Madison III takes seriously and analyzes the pop culture detritus that took up hours of our lives.??Lin-Manuel MirandaYou can recall the first TV show, movie, book, or song that made you feel understood?that shaped how you live, what you love, and whom you would become. It gave you an entire worldview. For Ira Madison, that book was Chuck Klosterman?s Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, which cemented the idea that pop culture could be a rigorous subject?and that, for better or worse, it shapes all of us.In Pure Innocent Fun, Madison explores the key cultural moments that inspired his career as a critic and guided his coming of age as a Black gay man in Milwaukee. In this hilarious, full-throttle trip through the ?90s and 2000s, he recounts learning about sex from Buffy the Vampire Slayer; facing the most heartbreaking election of his youth (not George W. Bush?s win, but Jennifer Hudson losing American Idol); and how never getting his driver?s license in high school made him just like Cher Horowitz in Clueless: ?a virgin who can?t drive.?Brimming with a profound love for a bygone culture and alternating between irreverence and heartfelt insight, Pure Innocent Fun, like all the best products of pop culture, will leave you entertained and surprisingly enlightened.

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Book SynopsisAgainst the Tide is a story told with honesty and great emotion; the narrative of a life in which tragedy and good fortune succeeded each other with bewildering speed. After training as a doctor, Noël Browne experienced at first hand the devastating ravages of tuberculosis both personally and professionally. Drawn to politics, he was appointed Minister for Health on his first day in the Dáil at the age of thirty three. His single-minded campaign for reform of the health system, especially the Mother and Child Scheme of 1951, encountered the strenuous opposition of both the Catholic Church and the medical establishment. Abandoned by his party colleagues, he embarked on a stormy political career over the following thirty years.For nearly forty years, Noel Browne''s name has been synonymous with political controversy. He was idolised by his supporters; demonised by those who opposed him. Against the Tide was an instant bestseller on its publication in 1986. It has become a classic political memoir - subjective, passionate, controversial and beautifully written.

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Book SynopsisBorn into a loving working-class home, Lynn Ruane's early years were idyllic, but all that changed when two shocking incidents in her teenage years shook her to her core. She gradually withdrew from family life and went further into the world of petty crime and chaotic drug use that permeated the streets of her hometown.By age fifteen pregnant with her first child and no longer attending school Lynn hit rock bottom and made the brave decision to stop running away from herself. Against all odds, she set about rebuilding her life and laying to rest the ghosts of her past.Intimate and brave, People Like Me is an exhilarating story about how where we are from shapes the opportunities and challenges we face. From the edges of society to the centre as a leading political voice for justice and equality in Irish society, Lynn's is a story of how self-belief can help you rise above all obstacles, inspiring others around you to do the same.I highly recommend this' NIALL BRESLINA fantastic book' VINCENT BROWNERead this in one sitting. Powerful and moving' ALAN RUSBRIDGER, former editor of The GuardianMade me cry and think and feel everyone should read it' RÓISÍN INGLE

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Book SynopsisKeelin''s compelling story is as powerful as the woman she was.' Liz NugentJoan Didion'sThe Year of Magical Thinkingis a masterpiece. This ranks alongside. How can such a beautifully written, intimate, heartbreaking memoir be so uplifting?' Joe DuffyWhen journalist Keelin Shanley passed away in February aged 51, it was hard to grasp that someone so filled with life was gone. But a light so bright never really goes out, especially since, in her last few months, Keelin wrote a fantastic record of her life.Charting the twists and turns of both a remarkable career as an investigative journalist and a lengthy battle with cancer, in A Light That Never Goes Out Keelin reveals with real honesty what it's like to keep living your life and career right up to becoming a co-anchor of RTÉ's Six One News while dealing with the challenges of cancer treatment.Written with the help of Alison Walsh and completed posthumously by Keelin'

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Book SynopsisWith Time to Talk,

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Book SynopsisNobody thought Rory O'Connor would make it written off as thick' at school he struggled to find a career he felt he could succeed in. When a hot tip led to a win on the horses it was the beginning of a dangerous spiral into a gambling addiction that gnawed away at his self-esteem even further.How did the man who thought he had nothing to live for go on to become a stand-up comedian selling out venues around Ireland and reaching 800,000 people through his social media platforms? This is Rory's Story.Told with his trademark humour, this straight-talking memoir is a book for anyone who wants to be inspired by an ordinary man's mental health journey.''A witty and moving look behind one of the biggest comedy success stories of recent years.'' Donal Lynch, Sunday Independent''Great Read'' Kieran Cuddihy, The Hard Shoulder''''Brilliant'' Dermot and Dave

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Book SynopsisA triumph of family story-telling' Hugo Hamilton, author of The Pages.A tale of three journeys, the final one a successful pursuit of shadows' Myles DunganGrowing up in Waterford, Tom McGrath never noticed the odd gaps in the stories of his parents' lives before he was born; it was only many years after they died that he uncovered the unspoken truths, which did so much to explain the people they had been.Here he tells the incredible true story of his father's conscription into the British Army, his escape from a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland, his daring journey across Europe and subsequent recapture and the devastating news that awaited him in England. Tom's research also led him to discover that his mother also carried a heartbreaking secret.In writing this book Tom not only recreated his father's nail-biting escape but also embarked on a journey of his own to reconnect with previously unknown family members. Unspoken pieces together an extraordinarily rare tale that encompasses memoir, family history, and two parallel stories that were almost lost for ever.

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Book SynopsisBrian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian are among Ireland's most beloved television personalities and social media stars. The internet exploded when the couple announced they were expecting their first child, with Brian's sister Aoife acting as their surrogate. Their daughter, Blake, was born in September 2022. In this book, Brian and Arthur detail their long journeys, separately and together, before finally realising the dream of creating their own very happy family.From births, to deaths, marriage and everything in between this heartfelt and hilarious memoir brings Arthur and Brian's positive and inspiring attitude to the page as they journey towards parenthood. Brian and Arthur's Modern Family reflects on the universal cycles of adversity, love and grief experienced byall of us as we strive to achieve our dreams, sharing what they have learned along the way about what really matters.

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the strange and dangerous world of the VENOM DOC.Imagine a three-week-long first date in Siberia catching venomous water shrews, and later a wedding attended by Eastern European prime ministers and their bodyguards wielding machine guns. Then a life spent living and working with snakes. Lots of very, very poisonous snakes and other venomous creatures ... everything from the Malaysian king cobra to deadly scorpions.Welcome to Bryan Grieg Fry''s world.In this action-packed ride through Bryan''s life you''ll meet the man who''s worked with the world''s most venomous creatures in over 50 countries. He''s been bitten by 26 poisonous snakes and stung by three stingrays - and survived a near-fatal scorpion sting while deep in the Amazon jungle. He''s also broken 23 bones, including breaking his back in three places, and had to learn how to walk again. But when you only research the venom you''ve collected yourself - the adventures, and danger, will just k

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Book SynopsisAn iconic memoir by one of the first female fighters of the PKKTrade Review'Sakine Cansiz was a true pioneer and one of the founders of a political movement whose story is far from over and whose latest chapters we witness unfolding in today's events in Turkey and Syria. This book is essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the real motivates of this unique modern political movement' -- Estella Schmid, Peace in Kurdistan Campaign'A brilliant, passionate girl who discovers Kurdish politics in high school and flees her family, determined to become a revolutionary instead of a housewife - A riveting, inspiring book' -- Meredith Tax, feminist activist and author of A Road Unforeseen: Women Fight the Islamic State (2016)'Here is the story of a fearless Kurdish woman full of fight, who, with pain and resistance, resurrected and caused resurrection, who rebelled and caused rebellion, who became free and caused freedom. Her story is the story of Kurdistan, the story of Kurdish women, the story of Middle Eastern women. A story that renews itself with the consciousness of freedom' -- Çiğdem Doğu, coordination of Kurdistan Women's Communities KJKTable of ContentsTranslator’s note German translator’s note Author’s preface Translator’s introduction: The 1970s political context Sara Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis memoir of Graham Greene's life is by his long-term companion.Trade Review'This book adds an important element to our knowledge of Graham Greene' The Times 'Anyone interested in the man or his novels will find this a fascinating and necessary book' Country Life 'An exhilarating and thought-provoking biography ... full of insights into a rigorous and fascinating mind' Daily Mail 'An illuminating memoir, written with intelligence and dignity ... Cloetta successfully makes the case for Greene as a man of great passion and generosity' Scotland on Sunday

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Book SynopsisKim Noble is an accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited around the world. She is a mother with a 13-year-old daughter. She is a bubbly and vivacious woman. To meet her you wouldn''t think anything was wrong. But when Kim was younger than five years old, her personality splintered and fractured. In 1995 she was finally diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) which has been described as a creative way to cope with unbearable pain. Now her body plays host to more than 20 different personalities, or ''alters''. There are women and men, adults and children; there is a scared little boy who speaks only Latin, an elective mute, a gay man and an anorexic teenager. Some alters age with her body; others are stuck in time. ALL OF ME takes the reader through the extraordinary world of a woman for whom the very nature of reality is different. It will tell of her terrifying battles to understand her own mind; of her desperate struggle against all odds to win back the chi

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Book SynopsisValerie Storie, the survivor of the infamous A6 Murder, was victim shamed for over 50 years. This is her story, told for the very first time

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