Autobiography: adventurers and explorers Books

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis'THE BOOK CHINA DOESN'T WANT YOU TO READ' CNN 'READS LIKE A THRILLER' FINANCIAL TIMES, BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2021 In the headline-making and bestselling tradition of Bill Browder’s Freezing Order comes a unique and incendiary memoir from an entrepreneur who rose to the zenith of power and money in 21st century China and whose wife was disappeared - and then mysteriously reappeared four years later on the eve of Red Roulette’s publication and global media coverage about it. As Desmond Shum was growing up impoverished in China, he vowed his life would be different. Through hard work and sheer tenacity, he earned an American college degree and returned to his native country to establish himself in business. There, he met his future wife, the highly intelligent and equally ambitious Whitney Duan who was determined to make her mark within China’s male-dominated society. Trade Review'The book China doesn’t want you to read.' * CNN *'Powerful and disturbing…The Chinese government will not be happy with this book....Rarely has anyone in modern China been brave enough to violate its oppressive code of silence and give an honest first-hand account of what really goes on in the corridors of power.' -- Bill Browder, author of Freezing Order'The book is full of fabulous titbits... It was a period of so much scheming that the Beijing Hotel employed two full-time coordinators to stagger guests so as to prevent inconvenient encounters. It’s this level of detail on Beijing’s inner workings that has clearly spooked the communist high command. Shum’s recollections are still deeply embarrassing for the Chinese Communist Party, making this memoir a singular, highly readable insider account of the most secretive of global powers.' -- Cindy Yu * Spectator *'The machine was right to be worried. Large scandals of the recent past are revisited in Red Roulette… [The book] details an elite China built on secrets and fear, in which family ties are one of the only reliable bonds of trust.' -- David Rennie * The Economist *'Red Roulette pulls back the curtain on the sordid world of the Communist aristrocracy: how they operate, what drives them and what it means to rise and fall in their regime.' -- Juliet Samuel * Daily Telegraph *'Offers a rare peek into the luxe lifestyles of China’s elites…a vivid portrait.' * Washington Post *'A rare alternative to China’s tightly controlled, state-sponsored narratives. In his book, Shum poses an urgent question: "What type of system allows for extra-legal kidnappings of the type that befell Whitney Duan?"' * Bloomberg *'Red Roulette was already shaping up as a must-read account of corruption at the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party. But the sudden reemergence last week of Whitney Duan, Shum’s former wife, four years after disappearing into apparent arbitrary detention in Beijing, has made the book a news story.' * Politico, China Watcher *'Red Roulette is everything those who follow China have been waiting for: a deeply personal epic that reveals the idealism, ecstasy and avarice of post-Deng Xiaoping China…There simply isn't another inside history of today's Chinese leadership like this one. If it spawns a new genre of Chinese personal histories - as I hope it will - Red Roulette will remain the classic of its category. Desmond Shum’s book is riveting, moving and dangerous.' -- Matt Pottinger, former US Deputy National Security Advisor'A rare inside peek at the cossetted Chinese elite who parlay their connections with Politburo members into billions. This is a world of Château Lafite, Rolls Royces and $100 million yachts, where friendships are strictly transactional. Although the book can be fun and gossipy, it's also poignant, and, ultimately, we come away with rich insights into the workings of the Chinese Communist Party and the billionaires it has spawned.' -- Barbara Demick, former Beijing bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times'Gripping…sensational…rich, nuanced, and helped change my mind about much that I thought I understood about China.' -- David Barboza * The Wire *'A deliberative, slow-building, suspenseful narrative that reveals numerous insights about the mechanics of power and greed… Observers of contemporary Chinese affairs, consistently intriguing and murky territory, will find much to interest them here. A riveting look inside "the roulette-like political environment of the New China".' * Kirkus (starred review) *'Students of Chinese politics and business will appreciate Shum’s personal narrative of China’s turbulent economic rise; this book deserves a wide audience.' * Library Journal *'[The book that shows] why China’s billionaires are disappearing off the streets. Is this outspoken tycoon the next target to fall?' * 60 Minutes (Australia) *'One of the very few insider accounts we have of how things get done at the top in China... It’s also very well written... And it would make a tremendous movie about wealth, power and oppression in China. It’s a shame that, thanks to that same power and oppression, no one in Hollywood will ever have the guts to make it.' * Foreign Policy *'A memoir that shows how the Chinese government keeps business in line - and what will happen when businesspeople overstep... Red Roulette shows how government officials keep the rules fuzzy and the threat of a crackdown ever present.' * New York Times *'Shum knew he was picking a fight with the CCP the minute he decided to write Red Roulette and is aware he is now a marked man - he has reviewed his will and made sure his affairs are in order. "This is my David and Goliath fight," he says. "Except it’s Goliath times a million."' * Sunday Times *'Red Roulette is quickly shaping up to be the new must-read among observers of Chinese elite politics... A vivid portrait of the splashy lifestyles of China’s business and political elites... Shum deploys his piquant sense of detail and offers a rare glimpse into the webs and knots of China’s political and business royalty.' * Diplomat *

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Book SynopsisTHE STORY BEHIND THE HARDEST CLIMB IN HISTORY & ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY ''DAWN WALL'' ''Heart-stopping, absorbing'' Daily Mail ''The most daring free climber on the planet'' The Times__________ In 2015, climber Tommy Caldwell took on the hardest challenge of his life, spending 19 days freeclimbing Yosemite''s vertical, 3000-foot Dawn Wall - regarded as the most difficult climb in history and a route nobody had ever done before. This odds-defying feat was the culmination of seven years planning and a lifetime of determination. Here, he recounts how he got there, the falls and setbacks - being held hostage, losing his index finger, the break-up of his marriage - the summits conquered and the fears overcome. Fans of Free Solo and Dawn Wall, and climbers and non-climbers alike, will be gripped by this story of drive, focus and achieving the impossible. __________ Trade ReviewA genuine achievement in its own right . . . Caldwell's voice comes through clearly in passages of well crafted prose . . . The Push is not simply a book about rock climbing * Guardian *BOOK OF THE WEEK . . . heart-stopping, absorbing * Daily Mail *The most daring free climber on the planet * The Times *A real page-turner . . . captivating and deeply moving * Climb Magazine *The authenticity is compelling, the stories inspiring . . . impossible to put down. * Trail *Whilst undeniably a book about climbing, it manages to be more than that . . . Perhaps the most gripping moments in the book happen away from climbing altogether . . . One of the most insightful climbing books of recent times, The Push comes highly recommended. * Trek & Mountain *Totally captivating . . . beautifully constructed and passionately written * Climber Magazine *Exquisitely detailed ... The Push achieves the rarest of adventure reads: it thrills with colourful details of courage and perseverance but it enriches readers with an absolutely captivating glimpse of how a simple yet unwavering resolve can turn adversity into reward ... Caldwell is not just unflinchingly forthright in The Push, but his writing flows with the grace that defines his climbing ... While Caldwell excels at vividly illuminating his exploits - descriptions of climbs, his awe of nature, the physical challenges - his writing shines brightest as he examines his inner life ... he shows that pursuing a life pursuing adventure should inspire anyone * Denver Post *You always know that Caldwell's going to make it to the top of that 3,000-foot hunk of Yosemite granite. The book's raw honesty helps it transcend the hackneyed sports-autobiography genre * Outside *

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Book SynopsisGet to know the woman behind the Instagram cleaning sensation, Mrs Hinch, in her fascinating and remarkably honest memoir*** FEATURING A BONUS PAPERBACK CHAPTER ABOUT THE BIRTH OF LENNIE ***THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER''Gut-wrenchingly honest'' The Mail on Sunday''I love that woman so much, she is just so great'' Rylan Clark-Neal, BBC Radio 2_____________I sometimes can''t believe just how much has happened in the last couple of life-changing years. It''s been a total whirlwind of a journey, and I''m so grateful to all my followers for their amazing love and support along the way.From my very first toy kitchen which was my pride and joy right through to the my very first Instagram posts stories of my cleaning routine, I''m going to take you back to the start of how it all began. But there is so much more to my story than just cleaning tips; there have been Trade ReviewI love that woman so much, she is just so great * Rylan Clark-Neal, BBC Radio 2 *A gut-wrenchingly honest account. This book isn't about dust-busting, it's myth-busting * Mail on Sunday *Takes you through her highest of highs and her heart-breaking lows, keeping you hooked from the very first word * Hello! *An inspirational read whether you're a casual hincher or a die-hard fan * Ideal Home *Candid * Glamour *Gripping * Mirror *A great gift . . . a candid memoir, so you can stop cleaning, and get reading * Real Homes *

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Book SynopsisThe overwhelming response of readers to Lorna Byrne - regardless of religious beliefs - is that she gives them back hope, helping them to realise that no matter how alone they might feel they have a Guardian angel by their side. Lorna Byrne sees and talks with angels every day and has done since she was a baby. She sees them as clearly as the rest of us see rocks and stones and trees. In Stairways to Heaven Lorna tells true-life stories about the ways that angels help us. She describes how they helped her pull her own life together after her husband died and how she has seen them help other people - particularly those who are unhappy, ill or in danger.Written from direct, personal experience, never has a book contained such an extraordinary, vivid and convincing account of how angels work in the world.This new edition includes advice from Lorna on how to discover your guardian angel''s name and hear what your guardian angel is telling you.Trade ReviewLorna's wisdom and insights are breathtaking. This is a woman I have known for many years and admire enormously. She has made a big difference to my life and that of many others. * Daniel O'Donnell *Nobody is going to argue with Lorna Byrne's underlying message of love and compassion and forgiveness and her hopes for "peace among nations and peace in families". Spending time with her is both challenging and inspirational. * Irish Times *Lorna Byrne has been seeing angels since she was a child. Her remarkable gift has lead people from all walks of life to seek her spiritual insight. Her autobiography Angels In My Hair is the rare testimony of a modern day mystic. * Irish Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisMy Left Foot is Christy Brown''s inspirational story of his early life, his battle against the restraints of cerebral palsy and his determination to learn to read, write, and paint, all with the aid of his left foot.This autobiography, published in 1954 when he was twenty-two, recounts his early life in Dublin the poverty of his childhood, the support of his mother and his hope for a better life. Above all it describes his struggle to learn to read, write, paint and finally type, all with the toe of his left foot. Warm, honest and inspiring, this is a unique and captivating story of disability told by an extraordinary man.''Riveting, funny and inspiring'' Irish Times''His book, over and above the extraordinary achievement it reveals, is a testament to one man's courage, a hope for others'' Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisBoth Sides of the Couch is a searingly honest account of how counselling shapes both clients and therapists. A unique window into therapy, it shows, for the first time, the journey through the eyes of both participants.

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Book SynopsisWhen the foes are inside you, the only option left is to fight. Here you have the story of an uncanny part of my life. It is a true story told without makeup. An explosive combination of drugs, stress, and sleep deprivation led me to an ordeal of 25 long years, during which my life elapsed between two very different worlds.

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Book SynopsisAutobiography by Kyffin Williams (1918-2006), perhaps Wales'' most beloved landscape artist. Originally published in 1974, the book paints a humorous picture of his childhood and early years as a painter, as well as of his extended family. Includes family portraits and illustrations by the artist.

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Book SynopsisOn 29 September 1934, at the German Embassy office in London, Christabel Bielenberg officially became a German citizen. Having met her German husband Peter two years prior, Christabel decided to renounce her British citizenship, planning to start married life with Peter in Berlin. Though Adolf Hitler had risen to power in 1933, Christabel and Peter were convinced the German people would see through the newly elected chancellor.But soon Christabel found herself living under the horrors of Nazi rule and Allied bombings as the war progressed. Closely associated with resistance circles, her husband was arrested after the failure of the plot against Hitler's life on 20 July 1944, and she herself was interrogated by the Gestapo. Though she lived in constant fear for her and her family's safety, Christabel survived the war with the help of other like-minded Germans who were against Hitler and the Third Reich.With various memorable encounters from a simple-minded Nazi offic

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Book SynopsisA nostalgic and humorous memoir of Christmases spent in extraordinary placeson a desert island, in military training, at a Mexican ranch, and more. Blending adventure, social history, and heartfelt storytelling, the author shares unique festive experiences across the world, offering a fresh perspective on the holiday season.

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Book SynopsisAvailable again for the first time in decades, this jewel of a memoir is the poignant story of a young Jewish girl growing up in a Polish farm village, from the peaceful early 1930s through the tragic war years, and finding safe harbor at last.

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Book SynopsisAlan Munro reflects on his time in the RAF and the Cold War jets which he flew.It is his time on the Phantoms that is the main crux of this book. He discusses how the withdrawal of Lightnings from the RAF changed the Phantom's role and the impact this had on squadrons. This is a must for fans of the Cold War era fighters

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Book SynopsisIn ‘Is That Really True, Sir?’, the artist, barrister, schoolmaster, musician, journalist and explorer Michael Aubrey negotiates a succession of improbable events and narrow escapes. Starting with a vivid account of his wartime childhood, Aubrey shares the joys, hazards, surprises and often hilarious disasters of his colourful experiences in many countries, encountering a range of unusual people along the way. With a comic lightness of touch, he revels in life’s absurdities at the same time as celebrating the beauty and harmony of the various worlds which he has inhabited. The memoir is lavishly illustrated, including over eighty of the author’s vibrant watercolours. His acute eye for the ridiculous, keen observation of character, lyrical accounts of unfamiliar places and illuminating insights make this a joyous book, one to lift the spirits even on the dullest of days.

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Book SynopsisDan Biddle's body and mind were devastated on 7 July 2005, during the worst singleterrorist atrocity on British soil. It took ten seconds to disassemble him. It'staken twenty years for him to find the inner peace and brutal honesty revealhis daily battle to go on surviving.

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Book Synopsis''It''s hard to think of a better living practitioner of hilarious honesty than David Sedaris'' The Times In Happy-Go-Lucky, David Sedaris once again captures what is most unexpected, hilarious, and poignant about recent upheavals, personal and public, and expresses in precise language both the misanthropy and desire for connection that drive us all. If we must live in interesting times, there is no one better to chronicle them than the incomparable David Sedaris. ''Unquestionably the king of comic writing'' HADLEY FREEMAN, Guardian''Although Sedaris is famous for being funny, he does pain heartbreakingly well'' MELISSA KATSOULIS, The Times''His wickedly hilarious riffs are pyrotechnics in words'' PETER CONRAD, ObserverTrade ReviewIt's hard to think of a better living practitioner of hilarious honesty than David Sedaris * The Times *In this latest collection of anecdotes, the American humorist David Sedaris riffs on Covid, death and family . . . No longer elfin, Sedaris has matured into a devilish imp who scourges human folly and filth -- Peter Conrad * Observer *Sedaris' signature wit has always thrived on the macabre, so perhaps it should come as no surprise that Happy-Go-Lucky is some of his darkest - and most astute - writing yet... No topic is out of bounds for Sedaris' acerbic humor and sharp observations * Time *Sedaris is funny - invariably. That's his gift... Even amid the overwhelming gloom of the pandemic, a summer of unrest and the death of a father toward whom he still has complicated feelings, Sedaris never loses his wit or his crack timing * Los Angeles Times *Sedaris is one of the writers whose discovery you wish on friends, because it means they have a wealth of brilliant writing to discover . . . David Sedaris still delivering his killer lines * Irish Examiner *The writer's affable misanthropy and self-deprecation are on display in a new set of reflections on life and death -- Houman Barekat * Guardian *Sedaris gazes unflinchingly [...] at his family, including himself, in a way that is laugh-out-loud funny yet somehow avoids being cruel -- Books of the Year * TLS *There's a reason why David Sedaris has his own Radio 4 series and sells out Carnegie Hall in New York: as a performer of his own prose he's unmatched... The best way to enjoy Sedaris's waspish and funny essay collection is to hear it read by its author... [delivered] with impeccable comic timing -- Fiona Sturges * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIn his major New York Times bestseller, Jimmy Carter looks back from ninety years of age and “reveals private thoughts and recollections over a fascinating career as businessman, politician, evangelist, and humanitarian” (Booklist).At ninety, Jimmy Carter reflects on his public and private life with a frankness that is disarming. He adds detail and emotion about his youth in rural Georgia that he described in his magnificent An Hour Before Daylight. He writes about racism and the isolation of the Carters. He describes the brutality of the hazing regimen at Annapolis, and how he nearly lost his life twice serving on submarines and his amazing interview with Admiral Rickover. He describes the profound influence his mother had on him, and how he admired his father even though he didn’t emulate him. He admits that he decided to quit the Navy and later enter politics without consulting his wife, Rosalynn, and how appalled he is in retrospect. In his “warm and detailed memoir” (Los Angeles Times), Carter tells what he is proud of and what he might do differently. He discusses his regret at losing his re-election, but how he and Rosalynn pushed on and made a new life and second and third rewarding careers. He is frank about the presidents who have succeeded him, world leaders, and his passions for the causes he cares most about, particularly the condition of women and the deprived people of the developing world. “Always warm and human…even inspirational” (Buffalo News), A Full Life is a wise and moving look back from this remarkable man. Jimmy Carter has lived one of our great American lives—from rural obscurity to world fame, universal respect, and contentment. A Full Life is an extraordinary read from a “force to be reckoned with” (Christian Science Monitor).Trade Review“A warm and detailed memoir of his youth followed by a clear-eyed assessment of the issues he tackled as president and afterward . . . a sweeping overview of a broad range of issues and frequent credit to his wife Rosalynn . . . Carter puts the long arc of his story together the way he sees it. The book includes his accomplishments as a negotiator and peacemaker in the humblest way — as a man who was at work on a larger project, something he continues to be. A primer for the generations who don't know his work and a personal retelling for those who do, A Full Life may herald the reappraisal he deserves.” * Los Angeles Times *“Carter reveals private thoughts and recollections over a fascinating career as businessman, politician, evangelist,and humanitarian.” * Booklist *“A Full Life is understated like the man, always warm and human, and in a few instances, even inspirational.” * Buffalo News *“The former president is yet a force to be reckoned with. . . . The author takes the reader on an engaging personal journey through the later half of the 20th century, as he saw it.” * Christian Science Monitor *“The drawings and poems by the author add even more of a personal touch, though crises in his marriage and his ‘estrangement’ from the Obama presidency offer the most noteworthy revelations. A memoir that reads like an epilogue to a life of accomplishment.” * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling book from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—“a comprehensive look inside her brilliantly analytical, entertainingly wry mind, revealing the fascinating life of one of our generation''s most influential voices in both law and public opinion” (Harper’s Bazaar).My Own Words “showcases Ruth Ginsburg’s astonishing intellectual range” (The New Republic). In this collection Justice Ginsburg discusses gender equality, the workings of the Supreme Court, being Jewish, law and lawyers in opera, and the value of looking beyond US shores when interpreting the US Constitution. Throughout her life Justice Ginsburg has been (and continues to be) a prolific writer and public speaker. This book’s sampling is selected by Justice Ginsburg and her authorized biographers Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams, who introduce each chapter and provide biographical context and quotes gl

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Book SynopsisJourney into the world of intensive care medicine and the lives of people who have forever been changed by it.   ‘A very special book filled with stories of survival, hope and loss.’Adam Kay '[Morgan's] wit and compassion are everywhere evident in this enlightening book, and he makes a welcome contribution to our understanding of these extraordinary times.'Sunday Times There is no room for error in the ICU. Full focus is required at all times. It can be the difference between life and death.   Through the remarkable stories of his patients, Dr Matt Morgan guides you through the body and its organs. He explains how various critical conditions arise, and all that goes into treating them – from the science, research and technology, to the tireless efforts of the doctors and nurses. This book gives you powerful insights about intensive carTrade Review'Matt Morgan is an engaging, honest and perceptive doctor who has managed to pack an awful lot into his career. This book promises to offer a real insight into an area of life and death medicine that many of us will have seen dramatised on television.’ -- Dr Michael Mosley, bestselling author of The Fast Diet, The 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet and The Clever Guts Diet'Matt Morgan writes beautifully and movingly about the edges of life. Through vivid encounters and pitch-perfect insights, he shines a light on the human experience at the frontiers of healthcare.' -- Ganesh Suntharalingam, President, Intensive Care Society‘A very special book filled with stories of survival, hope and loss.' -- Adam Kay, author of the best-selling book This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor‘I loved it. So carefully written and obviously as a doctor, I could totally get behind the stories of Gram and the origin of ICU, but the patients…just so touching. I love the exploration of what it means to survive, at what cost and so on. A lovely book.’ -- Dr Nikki Stamp FRACS, Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon and author of Can You Die of a Broken Heart? A Heart Surgeon's Insight Into What Makes Us Tick‘A gripping realism of life in intensive care that reminds us how fragile is life. Written with humility and insight this is an intriguing glimpse into a world of life-saving decisions. It is life affirming and hugely reassuring.’ -- Professor Dame Sue Black, author of All That Remains: A Life in Death‘This book is marvellous: buy it, share it, recommend it....We are fortunate to have dedicated, caring and humble folks such as Doc Morgan on the Critical Care front line. We are even better off when a writer can capture all that this exciting, mad, glorious and even exasperating job means. If you work in healthcare, know somebody that does, or simply inhabit a body then this book is for you: in fact it's critical.’ -- Peter Brindley MD FRCP Can FRCP Edin FRCP Lond, Professor of Critical Care Medicine, Anesthesiology, Medical Ethics, University of Alberta'Compassionate and moving… Morgan provides a rich array of stories and characters. Alongside the cases studies, he details the development of the medical practices and technology – from the iron lung to ultrasound – that have helped make such life-saving procedures possible.' * The Observer *‘An illuminating, compassionate insight into the fascinating world of intensive care.’ -- Leah Hazzard, author of Hard Pushed

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Book SynopsisWith four years in the Parachute Regiment, ten years in the SAS and two Everest summits to his name, no one is better equipped than Jay Morton to reveal what it takes to become the best of the best.Soldieris Jay Morton's masterclass in mindset, strategy and excellence. Drawing on his extraordinary personal experience, it provides in-depth, comprehensive lessons and practical takeaways.Whether serving as an elite soldier, training as a high-level shooter or becoming an expert in HALO (high-altitude, low-opening) and HAHO (high-altitude, high-opening) parachuting, Jay has always strived to be at the very top of the game.More than most, Jay knows that military service develops skillsets you'd never dreamed of having, and which can be applied to our day-to-day lives. We are prone to underestimating ourselves, but physical and mental endurance and resilience as well as realising our own full potential are well within our reach.

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Book SynopsisA story of Irfan Orga's family's survival.Trade Review"This book is a little masterpiece" Robert Fox, Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA moving and inspirational memoir about true love, the darkness of grief—and learning how to find your way back into the light.A work of staggering grace.—Women''s HealthThe ultimate book about what it is to be human.—Stacey HealeRaw, brave, deeply moving and powerful.—Angela ScanlonFrom the moment Lotte first met Ben, she knew they were meant to be together. And for a few years, their life was truly idyllic: flourishing careers, adored friends, and travel to every corner of the planet.But when Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Lotte was catapulted into the uncharted landscape of cancer medicine, becoming his caregiver overnight. With the world around them in lockdown, they refused to give up the fight for his survival, travelling from London to Mexico in hope of a cure at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.When Ben lost his life, many miles from home, Lotte found herself askin

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Book SynopsisA harrowing and inspiring true story of a young boy''s abusive childhood, from international bestseller Dave Pelzer, the final memoir in his bestselling trilogy.''Truly touching, and emotionally shocking. A marvel'' Best*****''I don''t blame others for my problems. I stand on my own. And one day, you''ll see, I''m going to make something of myself.'' These words were eighteen-year-old Dave Pelzer''s declaration of independence to his mother - a woman who had abused him with shocking brutality. But even years after he was rescued, his life remained a continual struggle. Dave felt rootless and awkward, an outcast haunted by memories of his years as the bruised, cowering ''It'' locked in his mother''s basement. Dave''s dramatic reunion with his dying father and a shocking confrontation with his mother led to his ultimate calling: as mentor to others struggling with personal hardships. From a difficult marriag

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Book SynopsisThe #1 New York Times bestseller from “America’s historian-in-chief” (New York magazine) An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of America’s most beloved historians, artfully weaves together biography, memoir, and history. She takes you along on the emotional journey she and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin embarked upon in the last years of his life.Dick and Doris Goodwin were married for forty-two years and married to American history even longer. In his twenties, Dick was one of the brilliant young men of John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier. In his thirties he both named and helped design Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society and was a speechwriter and close advisor to Robert Kennedy. Doris Kearns was a twenty-four-year-old graduate student when selected as a White House Fellow. She worked directly for Lyndon Johnson and later assisted on his memoir.

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Book SynopsisThe wit and wisdom of Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman and twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – with a new foreword by Lord Lexden.

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Book Synopsis''I read the first chapters at such a pace that I almost had to remind myself to breathe.'' Sunday Times''Tense, powerful and gripping... her writing style is often nothing short of beautiful - evocative and emotional.'' Adam Kay, ObserverAt seven months pregnant, intensive care doctor Rana Awdish suffered a catastrophic medical event, haemorrhaging nearly all of her blood volume and losing her unborn first child. She spent months fighting for her life in her own hospital, enduring a series of organ failures and multiple major surgeries.Every step of the way, Awdish was faced with something even more unexpected and shocking than her battle to survive: her fellow doctors' inability to see and acknowledge the pain of loss and human suffering, the result of a self-protective barrier hard-wired in medical training.In Shock is Rana Awdish''s searing account of her extraordinary journey from doctor to patient, during whichTrade ReviewOutstanding... What marks it out is not the scale or urgency of the trauma, although I read the first chapters at such a pace that I almost had to remind myself to breathe. It is the writing. It sparks and crackles with a dark energy... The writing is not just intense, but intelligent... In Shock stands above other patient memoirs. -- James McConnachie * The Sunday Times *Tense, powerful and gripping... her writing style is often nothing short of beautiful - evocative and emotional. -- Adam Kay * The Observer *In Shock is both an enthralling page-turner and a haunting call to arms for the medical profession to practice with greater kindness, compassion and humility. Awdish captures beautifully how and why doctors, against our best selves, can lose sight of our patients in furious pursuit of the diagnosis, the save, the cure. Anyone – doctor or otherwise – whose life has been touched by illness will be transfixed by this deeply moving tale of catastrophic illness and everything it teaches us. -- Rachel Clarke, author of Your Life in My Hands: A Junior Doctor's StoryAwdish looks at the way we practice medicine with a combination of love and outrage. She writes beautifully about the secret, shameful feelings many doctors feel they have to hide and she shows us how we might do better. After reading this book, I feel like a different doctor. -- Gabriel Weston, author of Direct Red: A Surgeon's StoryA brave, powerful memoir about what it is like to be both a doctor and a patient... There is a widsom that literally comes from suffering. * The Times *There are few recent books to compare it to. Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air, another physician’s account of illness, ended with his death. Awdish lives to tell the tale, but her cascade of medical problems is appallingly severe. Like [Adam] Kay’s, her writing is motivated by trauma, both her own and that of her medical colleagues…The dramatic story of her illness and recovery alone would make the book compelling, but in the growing genre of medical non-fiction, it is her reflections on medical practice that really stand out. -- Dr Alexander Van Tulleken * TLS *Compelling and insightful, this story of what a doctor learns through coming close to death is packed with both action and reflection. * Cathy Rentzenbrink, bestselling author of The Last Act of Love *Urgent and supremely eloquent... In Shock is a book to set alongside the likes of Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, Direct Red by Gabriel Weston and, of course, Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *An extraordinary memoir. * Daily Mail *Awdish describes her experiences powerfully... In Shock is a reminder that the sick are not subhuman, doctors are not superhuman, and that medicine needs to be human in order to truly heal. -- Sarah Ditum * Mail on Sunday *In Shock is a notable, ambitious and welcome contribution to an emerging dialogue concerning the quality and orientation of acute hospital care. -- Paul D'Alton * Irish Times *Awdish's book is the one I wished we were given as assigned reading our first year of medical school, alongside our white coats and stethoscopes ... dramatic, engaging and instructive. * New York Times *Harrowing and enlightening... This is a story of darkness and light, horror and hope. It's not an easy read, but it is a fascinating one, and highly recommended. * The Sunday Business Post *Had me hooked right from the start. Incredible story, and even more incredible story-telling... has had an unexpected impact on me and will change the way I practice medicine from here on. * Dr Ranj Singh *

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Book SynopsisSeptember 1, 1985. The RMS Titanic, which has been missing since April 15, 1912, is found in the North Atlantic where it lies at a depth of 3,821 metres.Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a commander in the French Navy, directed underwater research of part of many expeditions to the wreck, from 1987 until his untimely death in 2023.With hundreds of hours of diving to the liner and more than five thousand objects brought to the surface, including bottles of champagne, luggage and jewellery, the last secrets of the liner will be revealed, reliving the ship's maiden voyage and tragic destiny.Through the incredible story of his expeditions, Paul-Henri Nargeolet brings to life the Titanic, that of its passengers and its crew, and offers a unique point of view on this maritime disaster.

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Book SynopsisPhil Elwood is a public relations operative. He was born in New York City, grew up in Idaho, and moved to Washington, DC at age twenty to intern for Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He completed his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, and his graduate studies at the London School of Economics before starting his career at a small PR firm. Over the last two decades, Elwood has worked for some of the top - and bottom - PR firms in Washington. He lives in DC.

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Book SynopsisSue Klebold is the mother of Dylan Klebold, one of the two shooters at Columbine High School in 1999 who killed 13 people before ending their own lives, a tragedy that saddened and galvanized the nation. She has spent the last 15 years excavating every detail of her family life, and trying to understand the crucial intersection between mental health problems and violence. Instead of becoming paralyzed by her grief and remorse, she has become a passionate and effective agent working tirelessly to advance mental health awareness and intervention.Trade ReviewGripping, troubling and compelling * Guardian *Should be required reading for parents of adolescents ... a book of nobility and importance * The Times *Unsparing and intelligent ... an immensely powerful read * Sunday Times *As harrowing as it is important * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Phenomenal woman' The Oprah Magazine'Dazzles you with the amazing change that is possible in one lifetime.' Washington Post-This is the heart-wrenching true story of a girl named Cupcake Brown.Orphan, runaway, addict, all before she was twenty.Trade Review"It dazzles you with the amazing change that is possible in one lifetime. We see a woman learn to build a family from strangers who help her because she is another human being trying to overcome horrendous circumstances. It is a story that is poetic in its simplicity, beautifully stripped to the basics" Washington Post "Extraordinary... An engaging account of a remarkable life filled with pain and wisdom, hope and redemption" San Francisco Chronicle "Her story of survival and triumph is incredible and often rough. Readers who like gritty, urban nonfiction will enjoy this" Booklist "Want to be inspired by a story that's far from run-of-the-mill? Curl up with Cupcake Brown's harrowing, sugar-free memoir..." Marie Claire "Incredibly frank and funny memoir " Closer

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Book SynopsisAt ninety years old, Mary Soames is the only surviving child of Winston and Clementine Churchill. A Daughter's Tale follows her early life from an idyllic childhood in her own Garden of Eden' at Chartwell to her ATS service in mixed anti-aircraft batteries during the war. With glimpses into her fascinating personal diary, published here for the first time, she draws us into a world where the experiences of a packed family, social and romantic life unfold against a background of cataclysmic events.When Chamberlain's declaration of war in 1939 shatters Mary's world, she begins to share the anxieties and stresses suffered by her family through her father's position. The mutual love between Mary and her parents is evident on every page, from her Chartwell years to Winston's defeat at the 1945 general election, when she recounts her own devastation on her father's behalf. As she meets her future husband Christopher Soames at the end of this charming memoir, it is clear thaTrade ReviewPerceptive, funny, always totally honest. -- Philip Ziegler * The Spectator *An entertaining memoir -- Aline Reed * Sunday Express *a nostalgic memoir of a happy childhood in a vanished age * Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2012 Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature 'I was aware that I was cold - beyond cold. I was a lump of meat left for too long in a freezer, a body trapped beneath the ice, sinking down into the dark. I was freezing to death.' In this brilliant sequel to his award-winning debut Psychovertical, mountaineering stand-up Andy Kirkpatrick has achieved his life's ambition to become one of the world's leading climbers. Pushing himself to new extremes, he embarks on his toughest climbs yet - on big walls in the Alps and Patagonia - in the depths of winter. Kirkpatrick has more success, but the savagery and danger of these encounters comes at huge personal cost. Questioning his commitment to his chosen craft, Kirkpatrick is torn between family life and the dangerous path he has chosen. Written with his trademark wit and honesty, Cold Wars is a gripping account of modern adventure.Trade Review"The book is often as varied as it is textured, and with every break I looked forward to returning ... a book that is both hilarious and haunting." (Alison Osius, Rock & Ice Magazine). "This is Andy Kirkpatrick at his best." (Tom Richardson, Climb Magazine). "The rarest of things, a mountaineering book that really matters." (John Horscroft, Climber Magazine). "Kirkpatrick's wry sarcasm, his deft character sketches of his climbing partners, and the often ridiculous situations of the game of big-wall climbing lead to many laugh-out-loud moments. The portrayal of Kirkpatrick's developing insight into his motivation and his growing realisation of the importance of life outside climbing make this a climbing autobiography on a par with Steve House's Beyond the Mountain, only with more jokes about poo and Johnny Depp." (John Chivall, TGO Magazine). "Cold Wars is a funny, poignant read and I enjoyed it very much." (Alastair Humphreys, www.alastairhumphreys.com). "Brilliantly written, painfully thoughtful and yet still an incredibly easy and gripping read. Human and brilliant at the same time." (Jon Doran, OUTDOORSmagic.com). "A good second book from one of the the UK's best climbing showmen which will hopefully open the door for a third, as this man surely has more mountain stories to tell." (Jack Geldard, UKClimbing.com). "It's laugh-out-loud funny at times, and amazingly honest at others. Read it - but then you would have done anyway." (Rosie Fuller, Adventure Travel Magazine). "The book weaves an impressive line between man and mountaineer ... and manages to break out of an over-worked genre by dint of the author's honesty and vulnerability." (John Appleby, Footless Crow). "A superbly written insight into the life of a world class performer torn by internal battles, never satisfied because to stand still is to go backwards and infuriatingly not recognising that he doesn't need to be be measured against anyone." Dave Mycroft, MyOutdoors.co.uk). "A book that is moving, powerful and hugely entertaining, often within a single chapter, Cold Wars joins Psychovertical as one of the new classics of mountaineering literature." (Nicola Underdown, rockclimbinguk.co.uk). "Cold Wars is a superb book. For those like me who don't climb, it is a fantastic insight into a specialised world with pithy comment on the difficulties faced by those who inhabit it. For those who climb big walls in winter, you may well be in it. Regardless of who you are, go and read it." (British Army Rumour Service)."A book which celebrates all that is best in mountaineering literature and the Boardman Tasker Award in particular." (Bernard Newman, Boardman Tasker Prize 2012). "The book is often as varied as it is textured, and with every break I looked forward to returning ... a book that is both hilarious and haunting." (Alison Osius, Rock & Ice Magazine). "This is Andy Kirkpatrick at his best." (Tom Richardson, Climb Magazine). "The rarest of things, a mountaineering book that really matters." (John Horscroft, Climber Magazine). "Kirkpatrick's wry sarcasm, his deft character sketches of his climbing partners, and the often ridiculous situations of the game of big-wall climbing lead to many laugh-out-loud moments. The portrayal of Kirkpatrick's developing insight into his motivation and his growing realisation of the importance of life outside climbing make this a climbing autobiography on a par with Steve House's Beyond the Mountain, only with more jokes about poo and Johnny Depp." (John Chivall, TGO Magazine). "Brilliantly written, painfully thoughtful and yet still an incredibly easy and gripping read. Human and brilliant at the same time." (Jon Doran, OUTDOORSmagic.com). "A good second book from one of the the UK's best climbing showmen which will hopefully open the door for a third, as this man surely has more mountain stories to tell." (Jack Geldard, UKClimbing.com). "It's laugh-out-loud funny at times, and amazingly honest at others. Read it - but then you would have done anyway." (Rosie Fuller, Adventure Travel Magazine). "Cold Wars is a funny, poignant read and I enjoyed it very much." (Alastair Humphreys, www.alastairhumphreys.com). "A hugely entertaining and moving book, which will appeal to mountaineers and non-mountaineers alike, and no doubt will become one of the modern classics." (Ken Applegate, Scottish Mountaineer). "The book weaves an impressive line between man and mountaineer ... and manages to break out of an over-worked genre by dint of the author's honesty and vulnerability." (John Appleby, To Hatch A Crow). "A superbly written insight into the life of a world class performer torn by internal battles, never satisfied because to stand still is to go backwards and infuriatingly not recognising that he doesn't need to be be measured against anyone." (Dave Mycroft, MyOutdoors.co.uk). "A book that is moving, powerful and hugely entertaining, often within a single chapter, Cold Wars joins Psychovertical as one of the new classics of mountaineering literature." (Nicola Underdown, rockclimbinguk.co.uk). "Cold Wars is a superb book. For those like me who don't climb, it is a fantastic insight into a specialised world with pithy comment on the difficulties faced by those who inhabit it. For those who climb big walls in winter, you may well be in it. Regardless of who you are, go and read it." (British Army Rumour Service).Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Prologue Yosemite One Dru Two Lafaille Three Black Dog Four Fitz Roy Five Mermoz Six Park Seven Fear Eight Xmas Nine Troll Ten Hard Eleven Troll II Twelve Breathing Thirteen Lesueur Fourteen Sheep Fifteen Diamond Sixteen Post Seventeen Charlie Eighteen Grounded Nineteen Magic Climbing 101 Glossary

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Book Synopsis The Sunday Times Number One BestsellerComplete with new afterword where she discusses the past eighteen months since President Donald Trump has been serving in office. ‘A compelling read’ - Financial Times ‘A sporadically absorbing, pleasingly vengeful and often darkly funny account of one woman’s bid for presidential history.’ Sunday Times ‘Her new book is more gossipy, it is meaner, more entertaining and more wrong-headed than anything she or her speechwriters have written before.’ Observer ‘What Happened is highly entertaining. It is spirited, well-written and informative.’ Guardian'In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I’ve often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I’m letting my guard down.' -

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Book Synopsis'Jefferson's eye for details yields some devastatingly honest and painful insights' The Times'Captivating... Charm is this book's watchword' Colin Grant, Guardian The daughter of a successful paediatrician and a fashionable socialite, Margo Jefferson spent her childhood among Chicago's black elite. She calls this society 'Negroland': 'a small region of Negro America where residents were sheltered by a certain amount of privilege and plenty'. With privilege came expectation. Reckoning with the limits and demands of Negroland at crucial historical moments - the civil rights movement, the dawn of feminism, the fallacy of post-racial America - Jefferson brilliantly charts the twists and turns of a life informed by psychological and moral contradictions. Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award. 'Negroland is a sharp-eyed cultural commentary on an era of America that has often been too simply told' Aminatta Forna, Guardian 'Jefferson writes with piercing clarity of a childhood which was full of love and opportunity at home, but also saturated by contradictions, confusions and a racism which corrodes, like rust, to the heart's core' Observer 'Utterly compelling... a remarkable achievement' Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisToni Maguire''s memoirtells the deeply moving story of an idyllic childhood that masked a terrible truth. Underneath her mother''s gentility and her father''s roguish charm lay horrifying secrets, which eventually led to their only child''s near destruction. The first time her father made an improper advance on Toni, she was six years old. Her father warned her not to tell her mother, or anyone else, because they would blame her and wouldn''t love her any more. It had to remain our secret. When she finally built up the courage to tell her mother what had happened, she was told never to speak of the matter again. With no one to turn to, isolated and alone in rural Ireland, the abuse continued unhindered. At14 Toni fell pregnant by her father, and when her state was discovered she was made to have a late abortion which almost killed her. The truth of her childhood could no longer be kept hidden but, just as her father predicted, Toni found herself judged and rejected by her family, teachers, and friends. The blame and anger she was treated with only worsened when her father was sent to prison as a result of his actions. This is the compelling story of her struggle to put the ghost of her childhood to rest, and emerge ultimately triumphant.Trade Review‘Hard to put down …. I truly felt I was living her life alongside her, being taken back in time. I could almost smell the honeysuckle and soda bread but also feel the dread and fear.’ Jane Elliott, author of the No.1 bestseller ‘The Little Prisoner’ 'This memoir is testament to [Toni Maguire's] amazing courage'. Closer magazine. ‘Amazing'. The Mirror.

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Book SynopsisGypsy Boy is the first commercial memoir written by someone on the inside of the notoriously secretive culture of the Romany Gypsies.Trade ReviewIt was a revelation. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it - an amazing achievement * Stephen Fry *Brash and frightening and funny - tonally, think of Frank McCourt meeting Axl Rose. * The New York Times *In this violent yet often comic memoir, Walsh writes of life as an English Gypsy ... Gypsy Boy feels, in all its cocky, awkward affection and anguish, like the real deal. * The Boston Globe *A sobering and compelling portrait of Gypsy life that is written by an insider. * The National *Best memoir since Running with Scissors * Attitude *Touching, insightful, funny and incredibly shocking **** * HEAT *This is a wonderfully readable tale of love, abuse, and eventual escape - all lived in the heart of an English Gypsy family. The father is one of the most frightening figures I've encountered in years. * Edmund White, author of A Boy's Own Story *The earthy, violent, funny memoir of a gypsy boy in England. It's absolutely riveting, un-put-downable. * Anne Lamott, The Miami Herald *Gypsy Boy is a brilliant but bittersweet story, which reads like a magical fairytale. Although he could be excused for doing so, Mikey never descends into self pity - and has found the perfect balance between humour and harsh reality. Gypsy Boy sits somewhere between the grittiness of Irvine Welsh, and the charming warmth of Frank McCourt. * Dermot O'Leary *Explosive, sparkling and hugely entertaining - this is a twisted fairytale from a truly original mind * Hayley Atwell, star of Agent Carter and Captain America *He's an irresistible guide through this secret world, and the tour is strongly recommended. * The New York Times Book Review *Mikey Walsh's memoirs were an unexpected smash hit last year and the audiobook version is every bit as enjoyable. * HEAT *Gypsy Boy tells the poignant story of a boy living in an unusual and secretive environment of shoplifting, boxing, and virtual illiteracy, a boy who desperately wants to please his abusive father but all the while grapples with his own clandestine issues. This extraordinary memoir about resilience and the human spirit is a rare glimpse into a world few of us can imagine * The Advocate *'Absolutely can't be missed. If you're up for a funny, brutal, sharp memoir, this is the book you want.' * The Washington Blade *'Harrowing ... exposes disturbing connections between culture and abuse.' * The Washington Post *'An inside look at the Gypsy world through the eyes of a Gypsy.... Read this book, and you'll never look at, or think of, a Gypsy in the same way.' * The Washington Times *This stunning childhood memoir takes readers into the insular culture of Romany Gypsies. ... It is astounding that Walsh survived such brutality, without emotional support or formal education, to pen this unflinching but oddly generous memoir, demonstrating a respectful attitude toward Romany culture and affection toward his family * Library Journal *A poignant memoir that bears comparison to the bestselling Running With Scissors--but better written and far darker. * Kirkus Reviews *'Reading Gypsy Boy, I felt invited into a secret society. I've always found Gypsies mysterious and even slightly dangerous, and Mikey Walsh does an excellent job describing the cloistered lifestyle and fascinating traditions of the Romany people. Moreover, Mikey's personal story of being a misfit among misfits is both compelling and universal. I cheered for him every step of the way.' * Julia Scheeres, author of Jesus Land *'Mikey Walsh provides an unsentimental and compelling look at the louche and brutal culture of Romany Gypsies in the U.K. ... Walsh analyzes the grotesqueries of Gypsy life in painful detail--garish trailers, stifling family ties, crime and crudeness, and the constricted options for women who are considered old maids at 21. Yet despite his gruesome experiences, he also praises the fierce loyalty and cultural continuity that have allowed Gypsies to maintain their dignity in the face of hatred for centuries.' * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThe real story of John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer’s criminal exploits are revealed in this explosive book

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Book SynopsisMoving memoir from the first female President of Ireland, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.Trade Review'Mary "rights-based" Robinson has been right about a lot of things... human wrongs and human rights... not just in theory but in practice and in action, whether for Ireland as President, for the UN as Rights Commissioner, at GAVI as Chair, or at the Elders. We need more Marys. Hail Mary.' * Bono *'Mary Robinson has all the Gaelic attributes; she is warm, friendly and engaging. She is really passionate about human rights, especially the rights of women and young girls, and cares deeply about the environment. This is her story, the story of the lawyer who rose to be Ireland's first woman President and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.' * Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu *'Like many English words, the word "bold" - brave to the British - acquired new depths across the Irish Channel. It gained a sense of rebellion and a twinkle of mischief. Mary Robinson is a bold woman. Whether taking on the oppressive orthodoxy of Catholic dogma embedded in the Constitution, the rights of women, the oppressed and the dispossessed, she has been bold, courageous, compassionate and fiercely determined to do what is right. Even when she was a young girl playing the part of Batman, she took on the entire forces of evil and has been a fearless champion of those in need ever since. This is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary woman, who is also one of my heroes.' * Peter Gabriel *'As an advocate for the hungry and the hunted, the forgotten and the ignored, Mary Robinson has not only shone a light on human suffering, but illuminated a better future for our world.' * President Barack Obama *A candid and understated account of her life. * Mail on Sunday (Eire) *Everybody Matters has all the hallmarks of the woman herself. Concerned for the truth, unflinching in the telling of it and passionate to achieve a fairer world. I hope it inspires as many as possible. * Sir Richard Branson *Intimate, candid and intriguing * Irish Times *An extraordinary book * Irish Independent *Sensitive, idealistic and unashamedly feminist. * Evening Herald (Dublin) *Engrossing memoir... an inspiring read. * The Good Book Guide *

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Book Synopsis'Scotty was a huge part of our journey coming together as a team' Gareth Southgate, England manager In Never Give In, former Royal Marine Major Scotty Mills blends personal experiences from his remarkable life and career with inspirational advice and insights to provide his 12 Commando Rules for Life that could help anyone to do better and reach their targets. A sudden downpour while Scotty Mills was walking down a street in South London sent him diving for cover into the nearest shop. It turned out to be a recruitment centre for the Royal Marines and, after a few minutes' conversation while waiting for the rain to stop, Scotty was hooked and signed up to join the elite force. It changed his life and set him on a new direction that would end up with him leading the Marines on operations around the world, becoming an Olympic flag bearer in 2012 and dining at Buckingham Palace with the Queen and the royal family.

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