Autobiography: arts and entertainment Books
Globe Pequot Press Words and Music
Book SynopsisWORDS AND MUSIC: THE ADVENTURES OF AN OPTIMIST
£22.50
Simon & Schuster Above the Line
Book Synopsis
£14.40
Pan Macmillan The Panther In My Kitchen: My Wild Life With
Book SynopsisBrian Blessed has a lifelong love of animals and over the years has rescued cats and dogs, horses and ponies, and even a very ungrateful fighting cock. All were characters in their own right, such as Jessie, a dog left languishing for a year at the local RSPCA, who ruled the entire household with a rod of iron, when she wasn’t out harassing the local vicar. Then there was Bodger, an abused terrier cross breed, who was nursed back to health by Brian and his wife, and Peppone, a stray cat and notorious thief, who was responsible for a crime epidemic in the Bagshot area. Most of all there was Misty, a soul mate and the first Jack Russell Brian met who didn’t take an instant dislike to him. Over the years Brian has encountered more exotic animals too, from Kali the black panther who had free run of his kitchen and the gentle boa constrictor Bo Bo who went for walks with him in Richmond Park to the female gorillas who found him incredibly attractive. Written with all of Brian’s ebullience, The Panther in My Kitchen is a laugh-out-loud, life-affirming book about the joy animals bring and why we should care for them.
£18.00
Pan Macmillan 147 Things: A hilariously brilliant guide to this
Book SynopsisIt's Sapiens for teenagers.' The TimesLIFE IS WEIRD.Nothing gives you a sense of perspective like finding out just how weird.I'm an extremely curious chap and with this book I wanted to share the content of my noggin, because I think these are the 147 things that have helped me through this thing we call life. Sometimes because it shows how lucky we are to be here at all, but often because I’m a moron and learned whatever lesson it taught me the hard way, and I’d like to save you the pain of making the same mistakes (I refer here to the waxing of my pubic hair).Ever wondered if first times are over-rated (hint: they are), whether you’ll ever find the one (hint: there are 7 billion of us) or pondered the sheer unlikelihood of the you who is you being in the world right now? If so, then YouTube superstar and fact-obsessed, over-sharer Jim Chapman is here to explain it all – whether it’s why your heart actually aches after a break-up, what’s happening when you get hangry, or why people are just so plain RUDE online.Along the way, we’ll find out how much fun he has when Tanya’s sleep-talking and why he looked like a gangly T-rex with wonky teeth when he was a teenager. As with his videos, no subject is off-limits, as Jim lifts the lid on his life and his relationships, sharing embarrassing stories and things he’s learnt along the way (trust us, the thing about kangaroos will really freak you out).Trade ReviewIt's Sapiens for teenagers * The Times *An online sensation * Guardian *
£15.29
Penguin Putnam Inc Failure Is An Option
Book SynopsisH. Jon Benjamin - the lead voice behind Archer and Bob's Burgers - helps us all feel a little better about our own failures by sharing his own in a hilarious memoir-ish chronicle of failure.
£13.29
Not Stated Trump The Art of the Deal
Book SynopsisPresident Donald J. Trump lays out his professional and personal worldview in this classic work—a firsthand account of the rise of America’s foremost deal-maker. “I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: If you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”—Donald J. TrumpHere is Trump in action—how he runs his organization and how he runs his life—as he meets the people he needs to meet, chats with family and friends, clashes with enemies, and challenges conventional thinking. But even a maverick plays by rules, and Trump has formulated time-tested guidelines for success. He isolates the common elements in his greatest accomplishments; he shatters myths; he names names, spells out the zeros, and fully reveals the deal-maker’s art. And throughout, Trump talks—really talks—about how he does it. Trump: The Art of the Deal is an unguarded look at the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur—the ultimate read for anyone interested in the man behind the spotlight. Praise for Trump: The Art of the Deal “Trump makes one believe for a moment in the American dream again.”—The New York Times “Donald Trump is a deal maker. He is a deal maker the way lions are carnivores and water is wet.”—Chicago Tribune “Fascinating . . . wholly absorbing . . . conveys Trump’s larger-than-life demeanor so vibrantly that the reader’s attention is instantly and fully claimed.”—Boston Herald “A chatty, generous, chutzpa-filled autobiography.”—New York Post
£8.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC I'll Never Walk Alone
Book SynopsisIn 1963, Gerry and the Pacemakers made pop-music history. Their first three singles, “How Do You Do It?”, “I Like It” and “You'll Never Walk Alone”, went to the top of the UK charts, creating a still-unbeaten record. For twenty-year-old Gerry Marsden it was the start of a long and colourful show-business career. A pioneer of the Liverpool pop explosion that reverberated around the world, he vowed to broaden his horizons and stay on stage for the rest of his life. Brought up in the tough Dingle district of Liverpool, Marsden was a street fighter and enthusiastic boxer, who left school at the age of fifteen to work as a railways delivery boy. Like thousands of teenagers in the 1950s he got the music bug, taught himself guitar, formed a group and joined the vibrant club circuit alongside the Beatles and hundreds of other young rock 'n' rollers. In 1962, Gerry and the Pacemakers were signed by manager Brian Epstein as his second group after the Beatles, and made their name with ballads like “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and “Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying” as well as raunchy pop. But it was a Rodgers & Hammerstein song, “You'll Never Walk Alone”, which had enthralled Marsden since he saw the film Carousel in his youth, that was their biggest hit. For three decades it has remained the anthem of the crowds at Liverpool Football Club, played before kick-off every Saturday, inscribed on the club gates and always the most popular concert request. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, Marsden released a version of “I’ll Never Walk Alone” in tribute to the National Health Service. In this autobiography, reissued following his death in January 2021, Gerry Marsden emerges as a driven man, an artist with enormous confidence and a unique spirit. From his streetwise boyhood and early love of music to his friendship – and keen rivalry – with the Beatles, hunger for fame and hard-won success, his story is one of grit, warmth, humour and determination.
£999.99
Pan Macmillan Me: Elton John Official Autobiography
Book Synopsis'The rock memoir of the decade' Daily MailIn his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the smash-hit film Rocketman. The result is Me - the joyously funny, honest and moving story of the most enduringly successful singer/songwriter of all time.______________Read by actor and star of Rocketman, Taron Egerton, with an introduction and epilogue read by Elton John. Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.In Me Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you, by a living legend.______________'Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all' The Times'Chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid' TelegraphTrade ReviewBlazingly honest . . . From sex and drugs and dancing with the Queen to sobriety and finally fatherhood, the rock star's gloriously entertaining and candid memoir is a gift to the reader * Sunday Times *The rock memoir of the decade * Daily Mail *Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all * The Times *All the sex, drugs and showbiz gossip you could want . . . A chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid account * Telegraph *Outrageously enjoyable . . . racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes – what more could you ask from the rocket man? * Guardian *Bracingly open and spectacularly funny . . . practically everyone who is anyone in rock jumps briefly but revealingly into view * New Statesman *Full of warmth and candour . . . John's enthusiasm for music continues to shine through, as does the rebellious streak that made him the groundbreaking artist he continues to be today * Independent *A fitting testament to Elton’s life . . . unrelentingly enjoyable * GQ *Me is a riveting, laugh-til-you-cry, heartfelt page-turner . . . it is the earnest, sweet, damaged “music mad” kid at the heart of Me that will stick with you. * EW *The perfect pop memoir . . . the world's most successful singer-songwriter is thin-skinned, opinionated, mischievous a, prone to excess - and funny * The I *
£22.42
Hodder & Stoughton Fight!: Thirty Years Not Quite at the Top
Book SynopsisA TIMES BEST COMEDY BOOK OF 2021 'The funniest man in the world has written the funniest book in the world.' DAVID WALLIAMS'A brilliant insight in to what it takes to go from regular funny bloke to one of the best stand ups I've ever seen.' LEE MACK'Proper laugh-out-loud funny, fascinating, and doubles up as probably the best book of advice on how to be a comedian I've ever read. A must for anyone who's interested in the business of laughter.' JOE LYCETT'The funniest book I've read in years.' ADAM KAYFrom a childhood spent making smoke bombs, killing wasps and carving soap in 70s Kent, Harry Hill then found himself in charge of hundreds of sick people as a junior doctor. Out of his depth and terrified, he chucked it all in to pursue his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. Battling his way through the 90s Comedy circuit he quickly rose to become a household name and one of the UK's most celebrated comics, almost making it to the top of the showbiz tree . . .From being chased around a car park by an angry heckler, getting fired from Capital Radio and watching every episode of Freaky Eaters, to a bizarre assassination attempt and cutting up Simon Cowell's trousers, Harry takes an honest and hilarious look at the ups and downs of his life and career through the lens of what didn't go right.He shares his secrets on how to be a great comedian, finding joy in failure and creativity in struggle, whilst never forgetting that life is short . . .What readers are saying about Fight!'Hilarious... recommended unreservedly' *****'Lots of laughs and memories of days gone by' *****'A great book... I could not put it down' *****'Beautifully written and great fun' *****Trade ReviewHarry Hill is one of the funniest, kindest, smartest people I know. This book manages to be proper laugh out loud funny, fascinating AND doubles up as probably the best book of advice on how to be a comedian I've ever read. A must for anyone who's interested in the business of laughter. -- Joe LycettThe funniest man in the world has written the funniest book in the world -- David WalliamsThere's only three things you need to be a brilliant comedian. Funny bones, the ability to write and terrible dress sense. Harry's got the lot. This book is a brilliant insight in to what it takes to go from regular funny bloke to one of the best stand ups I've ever seen -- Lee MackThe funniest book I've read in years - no fight whatsoever -- Adam Kay
£18.00
Grand Central Publishing ACT Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My
Book Synopsis
£16.19
Grand Central Publishing James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories
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£16.99
Seven Stories Press,U.S. The Hope In Leaving: A Memoir
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£15.19
Seven Stories Press,U.S. Escape Artist: A Memoir of a Visionary Artist on
Book SynopsisA candid and inspiring memoir from fine artist William Noguera, who has spent more than 30 years on Death Row at San Quentin Prison.
£999.99
Hal Leonard Corporation The Girl in the Back: A Female Drummer's Life
Book SynopsisNineteen seventy-seven. New York City. Dark. Dangerous. Thrilling. Punk Rock. Blondie. David Bowie. Drinking. Drugs. Happening at the speed of light.ÞSeventeen-year old Laura quaking within her skin while the bursting punk rock revolution explodes around her starts a band with her teenage friends called the Student Teachers. She's the drummer. They play legendary clubs ä CBGB Max's Kansas City Hurrah ä they rehearse madly write songs and tour the East Coast.ÞAll between final exams at school.ÞIn comes Jimmy Destri from Blondie. He thinks the Student Teachers are terrific! And then ä he falls in love with Laura. He pulls her into the glamorous life of Blondie and introduces her to David Bowie. Bowie takes an interest in Laura's band attends their rehearsals and sets them up to open for Iggy Pop at the Palladium on Halloween 1979. It's exhilarating! It's the beginning of amazing success in rock 'n' roll!ÞUntil it all comes to a stunning stop.ÞAfter playing a show at Town Hall in 1980 Laura is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Does it all fall apart?ÞLater at a dinner with Bowie he whispers something to Laura. And it helps her save her life.ÞIn prose that flows like music Laura Davis-Chanin presents a rich work of narrative nonfiction that is not only deeply personal but also revealing of the punk rock heyday in New York City. Infused with rare photographs this book is a journey through a unique ephemeral life experience.
£17.09
Interlink Publishing Group, Inc A Fool's Journey: To the Beach Boys and beyond
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£24.64
Feral House,U.S. Out Of My Father's Shadow: Sinatra of the Seine,
Book SynopsisThe daughter of a 50s superstar reckons with the pain of her upbringing.
£19.79
WW Norton & Co Words Without Music: A Memoir
Book SynopsisPhilip Glass has, almost single-handedly, crafted the dominant sound of late-twentieth-century classical music. Yet in Words Without Music, his critically acclaimed memoir, he creates an entirely new and unexpected voice, that of a born storyteller and an acutely insightful chronicler, whose behind-the-scenes recollections allow readers to experience those moments of creative fusion when life so magically merged with art. From his childhood in Baltimore to his student days in Chicago and at Juilliard, to his first journey to Paris and a life-changing trip to India, Glass movingly recalls his early mentors, while reconstructing the places that helped shape his creative consciousness. Whether describing working as an unlicensed plumber in gritty 1970s New York or composing Satyagraha, Glass breaks across genres and re-creates, here in words, the thrill that results from artistic creation. Words Without Music ultimately affirms the power of music to change the world.Trade Review"Illuminating…[Glass] is always vigorous in defending his artistic choices and aesthetics. Glass's music may sound simple, but it revels in subtle complexity." -- Sudip Bose - Washington Post"Glass, a key figure of musical minimalism, was one of the first composers to reject a distinction between 'ethnic' music and Western classical music, and in this memoir he explains how he came to view a composition not as a linear narrative but as progressive rhythmic sequences." -- The New Yorker"Essential reading for anyone remotely interested in the evolution of the avant-garde during the past half-century…Words Without Music [is] an important contribution to cultural history." -- Steven G. Kellman - Dallas Morning News"Lively and colorful…. Glass is one of the most articulate composers around. Insight and practical common sense pervade his new book…. With a composer’s sense of form, Glass returns, in the final pages, to his youth, the subject that elicits his most evocative writing." -- Kyle Gann - New York Times Book Review"Well-supplied with droll observations and plainspoken assessments regarding the details of a career that has been as remarkable and noteworthy as any in American music—indeed, in American culture…. Honest and candid." -- Steve Smith - Boston Globe"Readers don’t have to like Glass’s music to find pleasure in this warm, unaffected, and deeply human book, but they may come away with an improved understanding of and a greater appreciation for both the music and its composer…. If a listener’s view of a composer is one of the things that shapes his or her perception of the music, an autobiography that alters the composer’s image should have the potential to change the way the music comes across. Words Without Music has done precisely that for me." -- David Hajdu - The Nation"Philip Glass has written a fascinating account of his life with recollections of family, teachers, and friends. From his childhood in Baltimore to his studies with Ravi Shankar and Nadia Boulanger and the collaborations with Robert Wilson, Allen Ginsburg, Godfrey Reggio, and Martin Scorsese, among others, Glass offers insights to his music and personal life. Words Without Music will be a pleasure to read, not only for musicians (although they will particularly enjoy it) but for anyone interested in the world of art." -- Paul Simon"I came to Philip Glass’s music very simply, without any critical prodding or guidance. I listened and was transfixed. I was excited to work with Philip on Kundun, and he exceeded my wildest expectations giving us a score that was genuinely transcendent. He’s exceeded my expectations again with this rich and beautifully written memoir. Who knew that he was as good a writer as he is a composer?" -- Martin Scorsese
£12.17
WW Norton & Co The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present
Book SynopsisFrom his early Liverpool days, through the historic decade of The Beatles, to Wings and his long solo career, The Lyrics pairs the definitive texts of 154 songs by Paul McCartney with first-person commentaries on his life and music. Spanning two alphabetically arranged volumes, these commentaries reveal how the songs came to be and the people who inspired them: his devoted parents, Mary and Jim; his songwriting partner, John Lennon; his “Golden Earth Girl”, Linda Eastman; his wife, Nancy McCartney; and even Queen Elizabeth II, amongst many others. Here are the origins of “Let It Be”, “Lovely Rita”, “Yesterday”, and “Mull of Kintyre”, as well as McCartney’s literary influences, including Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll and Alan Durband, his secondary school English teacher. With images from McCartney’s personal archives—handwritten texts, paintings and photographs, hundreds previously unseen—The Lyrics, spanning sixty-four years, is the definitive literary and visual record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
£58.50
Forefront Books Ride Free: A Memoir
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£21.00
Forefront Books The Boys and Me: My Life in the Country Music
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£19.50
Forefront Books Average Joe
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£18.89
S&s/Summit Books Untitled Jc
£28.58
Simon & Schuster I Wrote This for Attention
£24.00
ECW Press,Canada You Should Be Dancing: My Life With the Bee Gees
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£16.19
ECW Press,Canada Head Of Drama: The Memoir of Sydney Newman
Book SynopsisThe memoir of the creator of Doctor Who and a legend in British and Canadian TV and film
£17.09
ECW Press,Canada Best Seat In The House: My Life in the Jeff
Book SynopsisAn exploration into the complicated brilliance of Jeff Healey from the authentic and intimate perspective of the band's drummer and manager.
£14.39
Inanna Publications and Education Inc. Early Days, Early Dancers: Early Years of the
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£15.15
Orion Publishing Co Curious: True Stories and Everyday Absurdities
Book Synopsis'Warm, anxious and true - a Little Book of Un-Calm' Caitlin MoranShortlisted for Non-fiction Book of the Year at the National Book AwardsRead on BBC Radio 4Sometimes things are more ordinary than you think. And sometimes they're a whole lot odder than you can possibly imagine. By turns poignant, comic and uplifting, Curious is a book of stories from Rebecca Front's life, all of them true, though sometimes perhaps a little bent out of shape in the telling. It is a beguiling celebration of the curiosities of everyday life, and of what it is to be curious - in every sense of the word.Trade ReviewRebecca Front is an award-winning actress from TV political satire The Thick of It and also, it turns, out a brilliant storyteller. She's written for The Guardian and The Independent for years and Curious is her first book. Sharp, funny and often poignant, it is a collection of witty stories and sketches from her own life. * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *Rebecca Front's playful observations about the remarkable and curious moments in everyday life meant that I read her book with a frequent smile on my face. There's an Alice-in-Wonderland charm to the writing, and the stories range from the uninvited guest who sets up home in the family living room to a witty analysis of celebrity heirarchy. It's the kind of book where certain insights and experiences stick with you - you want to tuck them safely away so you can draw on them when you need them. -- Gemma Jenkins * PSYCHOLOGIES MAGAZINE *A charming collection of her life experiences - a great beach read. * SAINSBURY MAGAZINE *There is something of the cool aunt about Rebecca Front. As an actress, she is both mumsy and quietly subversive. She's equally at ease collaborating with Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci as she is in cosy crime such as Midsomer Murders and Lewis. The one constant is an eyebrow arched high. This winning delivery comes across in Curious, in which she mixes autobiography with baffled rant. And like her screen persona, her writing is funny and touching. -- Christian House * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Actress Rebecca Front offers not a straight autobiography but a string of quirky stories, memories and personal anxieties. * MAIL ON SUNDAY 'EVENT' *Rebecca...has anxieties to burn, and writes amusingly and perceptively about them. -- Markus Berkmann * DAILY MAIL *As you might expect from an actress who made her name in such darkly comic TV series as The Thick of It and Nighty Night, Rebecca Front tells a very funny tale. Her debut book is a gloriously entertaining collection of personal stories and anecdotes from her childhood to the present day. * HELLO! *Both original and entertaining -- Viv Groskop * SUNDAY EXPRESS *A brilliant storyteller, it's the curious in the quotidian that attracts her gaze as she spins her funny and poignant tales. -- Janet Christie * THE SCOTSMAN *Rebecca Front proves herself to be an entertaining raconteur, mixing personal reminscences with unusual observations of everyday life. * CHOICE *The BAFTA-winning actress, Rebecca Front, best know for her roles as MP Nicola Murray in The Thick of It and DCS Jean Innocent in Lewis, has written Curious which contains random, extremely amusing autobiographical anecdotes and yarns, giving her thoughts on everything from learning to swim and unwanted visitors, to the pros and cons of fame and her take on cosmetic surgery. * WOMAN'S WAY (Ireland) *Lively and marvellously eccentric ... her sharp observations amuse and delight * DAILY MAIL *Superbly amusing cabinet of curiosities - a mixture of autobiography and baffled rant * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *It's very, very funny, it's got some wonderful one-liners ... it's also a plea for us to accept and respect the differences that we all have -- Harriett Gilbert * A GOOD READ, BBC Radio 4 *I thoroughly enjoyed it ... I love the fact that it's based on more or less real life incidences, just very normal situations, and each chapter has its own little life lesson that we can just pause and think about ... you can imagine all of these chapters being little sketches -- Evelyn Glennie * A GOOD READ, BBC Radio 4 *It's a charming book, it's a very enjoyable read ... it does what the best memoirs and autobiographies do ... I felt very much as if this was a person I'd like to spend time with -- Sarah Churchwell * A GOOD READ, BBC Radio 4 *A total delight -- Lissa Evans, author of OLD BAGGAGE
£12.58
Titan Books Ltd Nick Cardy: The Artist at War
Book SynopsisBefore becoming one of the all-time greats of the comicbook world, artist Nick Cardy fought in World War II - and he took his sketchbook with him. From basic training in the US, through Europe to VE Day in Paris, Cardy documented everything, in vivid sketches and watercolors that show both the humor and horror of war: a chronicle of one man's journey, that speaks for millions.Trade Review“This art would be beautiful even if it weren’t created under such difficult circumstances; and as assembled, it does tell a story.” – AV Club “An amazing hardcover that faithfully reproduces all the sketches that Cardy did throughout his time in World War II.” “A lavishly-produced art book.” “I love that someone took the time to do a book like this in the first place. It’d be a great read even if you weren’t a fan of Nick Cardy’s work at all, but if you are, then this will immediately become one of your favorite Cardy books of all time. Seriously. I can’t recommend it enough.” “I hope it sells through the roof and starts a trend. I’d love it if this was the first of many volumes about the greats of comics and what their actual lives were about. These guys have great stories to tell, and we should get them told.” – Comic Book Resources “a moving collection of sketches, watercolors, photos and the voice of a powerful artist. From intimate portraits to brutal landscapes, this Silver Age comic book legend takes you on a moving journey through his time during the war. I recommend Nick Cardy’s collection for lovers of history and to see a different side of this great artist who made pop culture history.” – Comics Blend “History buffs and comic book fans alike will thoroughly enjoy this private look into the life of Nick Cardy.” – Fanboy Comics “This is a fantastic book that has been lovingly put together and should find a happy place on any artist or history buffs bookshelf.” – First Comic News “The presentation is spectacular, from the layout to the binding. This book is genuinely one of the best things we’ve ever reviewed on the site and would make a great gift for anyone interested in World War II.” – Military.com “These amazing drawings illustrate and document a very poignant time in human history.” – Retrenders “The Artist at War is a special book. It is a chance to be transported across time and space. It is an opportunity to read the stories, see the pictures, and relive a moment in history which defined a generation. When that opportunity comes knocking you really must take it.” “Whether you are a fan of Cardy’s comic book work, a history buff, or someone who wishes they had a chance to see a memory through someone else’s eyes, Nick Cardy: The Artist at War is a must-read book.” – Stumptown “Rarely do we see this side of our comic book creators, and it shines a light on what I am sure played a huge influence on the artists and writers from golden age of comics.” – The Blot Says “Fascinating...a side of Cardy that fans of the Silver Age never got to see.” – Uproxx “Nick Cardy: The Artist at War is a pleasure to hold and look at. These collections from Titan Books are VERY well packaged, and as far as coffee table or guest reading materials are concerned, it’s hard to do much better with a focus on comics.” – Comic Book Herald “This book is absolutely perfect for history buffs. It is also absolutely perfect for folks interested in the human condition. And, war is all about the human condition, a condition that Nick Cardy captured just about every angle of with his pen and sketchbook.” – Unleash the Fanboy “Reaches the importance that only few “artbooks” are able to archive.” – Part Time Fanboy
£17.99
Poetry Wales Press The Wellspring: Conversations with David Owen
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£12.34
Omnibus Press California Celebrity Vineyards: From Napa to Los
Book SynopsisWhile they travelled the world for their first book, Celebrity Vineyards,here authors Nick Wise and Linda Sunshine focus on California, the land of abundance, creativity, winemaking, and, of course, celebrities.This new volume is filled with details of their travels, the wines they tasted, and the incredible men and women they met, all recounted in loving and often humorous detail. Includes interviews with artist Molly Chappellet and retired basketball player Yao Ming, actor Kurt Russell, golfers Luke Donald and Jack Nicklaus and legendary football coach Mike Ditka. The authors also revisited filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.Written for fans of wine, travel, and the rich and famous, California Celebrity Vineyards is a fascinating journey that will delight, charm, and educate your palate and your knowledge of winemaking.
£18.00
John Blake Publishing Ltd Jim Davidson, No Further Action: The True Story
Book SynopsisOn 2 January 2013, just a day before Jim Davidson was due to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house, he found himself behind far more serious locked doors when he was arrested by the Yewtree detectives over alleged sex offences. Twelve months later, the public voted to crown Jim Davidson as the winner of the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother. Finally, with all charges dropped and no further action being taken, and with the public offering him their staunch support, Jim can finally look back on his year from hell. Facing a series of damaging false allegations, Jim was forced to fight, not just for his reputation and his career, but for his freedom too. Mounting legal costs and a deepening sense of injustice saw Jim sink to the lowest point of his career as the Yewtree investigation threatened to ruin him both financially and emotionally. Finally, after months of pain came the words he and his supporters had been waiting to hear: No Further Action. Now, with the public's approval, Jim reflects on this painful period with the regular dose of wit and humour that have made him so successful. Searingly honest, No Further Action pays tribute to those who stood by him and takes a wry look at what life is like under investigation in the public eye.
£16.14
John Blake Publishing Ltd Holly Hagan: Not Quite a Geordie
Book SynopsisBusty babe Holly Hagan has had viewers of Geordie Shore glued to their screens ever since her arrival in the first series. Fed up with her dead end job at a call centre, and with dreams of being a star one day, Holly applied for a new reality TV show. She couldn't know it was to catapult her into fame and make her one of the most recognisable faces on British TV. Fame and fortune, though, came at a price - the road from the call centre to the celebrity circuit has been far from smooth. For the first time, Holly is lifting the lid on the perks and perils she's faced ever since her topless hot tub antics shocked the nation. Holly owes her success to a very simple change of look, which involved both a new bottle of red hair dye and a new-found confidence. Ever since then, audiences have been in stitches as they watch Holly (and her flame red hair) flirt her way around Newcastle's famed 'Diamond Strip' and places further afield such as Magaluf, Cancun and Australia. In this action-packed, revealing, funny and sometimes heart-breaking memoir, Holly recounts her life in and out of the limelight with brutal honesty - from her childhood days when she was badly bullied, her shocking take on sex and dating, her liaison with bad-boy musician Frankie Cocozza and what really goes on behind-the-scenes on the UK's biggest reality TV show. Filled with genuinely touching stories and inside accounts of what they don't show you on TV, Holly has laid herself bare, first physically and now emotionally. If you think you know all there is to know about Holly from Geordie Shore, think again.
£7.59
John Blake Publishing Ltd No Further Action: The Truth Behind the Smile
Book SynopsisOn 2 January 2013, just a day before Jim Davidson was due to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house, he found himself behind far more serious locked doors when he was arrested by the Yewtree detectives over alleged sex offences. Twelve months later, the public voted to crown Jim Davidson as the winner of the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother. Finally, with all charges dropped and no further action being taken - and with the public offering him their staunch support - Jim can finally look back on his year from hell. Facing a series of damaging false allegations, Jim was forced to fight, not just for his reputation and his career, but for his freedom too. Mounting legal costs and a deepening sense of injustice saw Jim sink to the lowest point of his career as the Yewtree investigation threatened to ruin him both financially and emotionally. Finally, after months of pain came the words he and his supporters had been waiting to hear: 'No Further Action'. Now, with the public's approval, Jim reflects on this painful period with the regular dose of wit and humour that have made him so successful.Searingly honest, No Further Action pays tribute to those who stood by him and takes a wry look at what life is like under investigation in the public eye.
£9.49
Upfront Publishing John, Paul & Me Before the Beatles: The True Story of the Very Early Days Second Edition
Book SynopsisThis is a true life story account of Len Garry's childhood memories of his childhood days spent with John Lennon and Paul McCartney and the forming of the band The Quarrymen. Also the day John Lennon met Paul McCartney for the very first time at St. Peter's Church fete on 6th July 1957, this book is a first hand account of what took place on that day plus more stories.
£15.00
Omnibus Press There's No Bones in Ice Cream: Sylvain Sylvain's
Book Synopsis"Don't live life worrying about it, just T. Rex the shit out of it." - Sylvain Sylvain The New York Dolls were called many things; glam, proto-punk, hard rock, but are probably best understood as a "dirty rock & roll" band. Combining an aggressively androgynous style with street smart New York attitude and campy humour, the New York Dolls ushered in the era of CBGBs, heroin chic, loud guitars and referential lyrics which gave rise to Patti Smith, The Ramones, Television and many more. Fans of the band range from Guns N' Roses to Morrissey, who organised the reformation of the band when he curated Meltdown festival in 2004. Sylvain Sylvain was there from the start, and this is his story. Taking in his early life in New York, the rise, fall and rise again of the New York Dolls, and all his misadventures between, There's No Bones in Ice Cream is the true story of one of rock's greatest, told in his own authentic voice. "In any great band it's often The Quiet One who has the best stories. There's No Bones in Ice Cream would be a superb book even if Sylvain worked in a bank. As it is it's one of the best rock biographies ever. Ten out of ten" - Classic Rock
£15.29
John Blake Publishing Ltd Dear Dudley: Life and Laughter - A celebration of
Book SynopsisBarbra Paskin was the late Dudley Moore's official biographer, having known him well for many years. In this latest book, she provides an affectionate celebration of this extraordinary comic and musical talent. Although the book examines his extraordinary life and career from the ground-breaking stage revue Beyond the Fringe, followed by his long association with Peter Cook that produced such immortal television programmes as Not Only . . . But Also, to Hollywood stardom with films like 10 and Arthur, it is more than a biography. Uniquely, Dear Dudley also publishes for the first time a selection of the many kind, comforting, and often extremely funny letters that the author obtained from more than 100 leading celebrities to mark Dudley's 64th birthday, from the Rolling Stones to Michael Caine, Billy Joel to Paul McCartney, Goldie Hawn to Woody Allen - all of whom have given permission for them to be reproduced in the book.
£16.14
Quercus Publishing Always Smiling: The World According to Toff
Book SynopsisEveryone loves Toff and she has come a long way since bursting onto our screens on E4's Made in Chelsea in 2014. As the runaway winner of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2017, Toff surprised us all, not least herself, with her positive, happy-go-lucky attitude and kindness to others, no matter what challenge came her way in the jungle. In ALWAYS SMILING, Toff is here to share her experiences, some funny, some sad, some that make her cringe with embarrassment. So whether it is friendships, family dramas, heartbreak and relationships, or how she coped with living her life in front of millions of viewers of Made in Chelsea, Toff reveals how she has learnt to keep a smile on her face, whatever life throws at her. Told with her trademark honesty, humour and endless sense of fun, ALWAYS SMILING is a must-have for any fan.
£9.99
Omnibus Press Growing Out Of It: Machinations before Madness
Book SynopsisForeword by Martin Freeman Whether flying across a screen or lighting up the stage, Madness' wild, energetic sax player has always been hard to miss. For Lee 'Kix' Thompson, life is for having as much fun as possible. Growing Out of It is the tale of one 'nutty boy' not really growing out of it at all. From getting up to no good as a teenager to his many musical (mis)adventures in the 1970s, Lee's memoir of his formative years captures his enduring love for his north London stomping ground, where he first met the other members of Madness. This is a story of growing up in a certain time and place when anything felt possible, even a bunch of north London lads forming a ska revival band - and becoming one of Britain's best-loved groups.Trade Review'A revealing, deeply personal book but also an excellent band memoir. Recommended.' HiFi World ‘Hyperactive saxophonist’s ripping yarns – from approved school to Top of The Pops … his is undoubtedly a brilliant and unusual story’ Mojo
£12.74
Bonnier Books Ltd Me Life Story: The funniest book of the year!
Book Synopsis*The Sunday Times bestseller*Fact: Did you know, over its lifespan, your sofa will witness roughly 293 arguments and 1,369 cuddles?Hiya, my name's Scarlett Moffatt and I love random facts. Almost as much as I love sitting on me sofa. You might know me best from my most famous and celebrated sit thus far on the I'm A Celebrity throne. You might also know me from all sorts of other seats, most especially my Gogglebox sofa. Well this book is my attempt at telling me life story through a whole series of them!So I'd like you right now to stop what you're doing and take a seat, whether it be in the comfort of your own home, on the top deck of the bus, on the tube (so you don't have to make eye contact with anybody) or on the throne of the house (a.k.a. the toilet). I want you to get comfortable and get ready to laugh, cry and maybe even learn a bit, as I chat to you about some of the highs and lows of me life.So grab a brew, settle down, and let's start from the very beginning...
£8.54
Bonnier Books Ltd My Thoughts Exactly: The No.1 Bestseller
Book SynopsisSo, this is me. Lily Allen.I am a woman.I am a mother.I was a wife.I drink.I have taken drugs.I have loved and been let down.I am a success and a failure.I am a songwriter.I am a singer.I am all these things and more.When women share their stories, loudly and clearly and honestly, things begin to change - for the better.This is my story.Narrated by Lily Allen. This audio edition is an MP3 CD.Trade ReviewAn unflinching, unputdownable book * Guardian *A fascinating and very honest read * Stylist *Blunt, brave and honest * The Pool *She doesn't hold back * Irish Times *Shockingly frank * Metro *Candid and amusing * Observer *Her book might be the most explosive celebrity memoir ever * Heat *A fresh, direct voice, used bravely, with nuance and style... Uniquely candid * New Statesman *[Lily] writes with a rawness that leaves you breathless. An emotionally hefty read, it's hard not to be hooked * The Herald *Allen has a flair for storytelling... [My Thoughts Exactly] should be required reading for anyone who dreams of fame * Daily Telegraph *
£17.99
Bonnier Books Ltd Parenting Hell: The funniest gift you can give
Book SynopsisTHE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THE MADNESS, ABSURDITY, AND UTTER CHAOS OF BEING A PARENT FROM THE HOSTS OF THE NO.1 SMASH HIT PODCAST.What's it really like to be a parent? And how come no one ever warned Rob or Josh of the sheer mind-bending, world-altering, sleep-depriving, sick-covering, tear-inducing, snot-wiping, bore-inspiring, 4am-relationship-straining brutality of it all? And if they did, why can't they remember it (or remember anything else, for that matter)?And just when they thought it couldn't get any harder, why didn't anyone warn them about the slices of unmatched euphoric joy and pride that occasionally come piercing through, drenching you in unbridled happiness in much the same way a badly burped baby drenches you in milk-sick?Join Josh and Rob as they share the challenges and madness of their parenting journeys with lashings of empathy and extra helpings of laughs. Filled with all the things they never tell you at antenatal classes, Parenting Hell is a beguiling mixture of humour, rumination and conversation for prospective parents, new parents, old parents and never-to-be parents alike.READERS LOVE PARENTING HELL:'Best laugh out loud book on parenting''I laughed and cried! Not being a parent I can now appreciate everything my friends do a lot more!''Every parent needs to read this''Every parent or parent-to-be or parent-adjacent needs to read this! It's also surprisingly empowering for women - the way they include the wives perspectives is beautiful''An honest account of parenting with a welcome twist/dose of humour. Buy it! Gift it.''I laughed out loud many times and once had to go into another room because I thought I might wake my sleeping husband.'
£17.00
John Blake Publishing Ltd Mouthy - Unfiltered, Uncensored & Honest as Ever:
Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERMegan McKenna is the Essex girl who exploded onto our screens in some of the biggest reality TV shows in Britain, including Ex on the Beach, Celebrity Big Brother and, of course, TOWIE. Her sassy, no-holds-barred story follows her journey to the spotlight - from first ever steps on the stage, through to being flown to the EOTB villa for the first time. She speaks candidly about having her heart broken on national TV, as well as pursuing her musical dreams. Megan also shows readers her more vulnerable side, telling of the shy girl who hid from bullies, her struggles with coeliac disease, and the anxiety she still battles every day. Throughout all the meltdowns and mayhem, she has never let go of her dreams and passions - resulting in the launch of her own clothing and makeup brands, and a gluten-free fine-dining restaurant, McK Grill. MOUTHY will give readers unique access to what really goes on when the cameras stop rolling and the paparazzi have gone home. Megan uncovers the truth behind the headlines in her own words - straight from the famous Megan McKenna mouth!
£8.54
Chronicle Books Mud Ride: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge
Book SynopsisA down-and-dirty chronicle of the birth and evolution of the Seattle grunge scene—from amateur skate parks and underground hardcore clubs to worldwide phenomenon—as told by one of its founding fathers and lead guitarist of legendary alternative rock band, Mudhoney. In the late 80s and early 90s, Steve Turned and his friends—Seattle skate punks, hardcore kids, and assorted misfits—started forming bands in each other’s basements and accidentally created a unique sound that spread far beyond their once-sleepy city. Mud Ride offers an inside look at the tight-knit grunge scene, the musical influences and experiments that shaped the grunge sound, and the story of Turner's bands, Green River and Mudhoney, which went from underground flophouse shows to selling out stadiums with Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Including stories about the key moments, musicians, and albums from grunge's beginnings to its come-down from the highs of global success and stardom, this is the first account of the musical phenomenon that took over the world from someone who was there for it all. Written by Steve Turner, lead guitarist of Mudhoney, a foundational grunge band that inspired musical icons from Kurt Cobain to Sonic Youth, Mud Ride features a foreword by Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard and never-before-seen photographs and grunge memorabilia throughout. Take a seat and ride through the messy and muddy grunge scene that grew from the basements of the Northwest and went on to circle the globe.
£19.79
Equinox Publishing Ltd Hidden Man: My Many Musical Lives
Book SynopsisEverybody knows John Altman's music, but not so many people know his name. Yet he is one of the most prolific composers, conductors and arrangers in history and his saxophone playing has been heard live and on record with many great names. In this vivid account of over fifty years in the world of popular music, Altman explains why he is the 'Hidden Man', whose scores include such well-known film sequences as 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' from Life of Brian, which he arranged, conducted and whistled; the tank chase through St. Petersburg in the James Bond movie Goldeneye and the ship sinking in Titanic, with the orchestra playing on deck. In all, he has composed the music for over 50 movies, and won most major film awards in his long and distinguished career. His orchestrations can be heard in film scores by legends like Elmer Bernstein and Jule Styne, and he was musical director for several television series, notably Miss Marple, starring Joan Hickson, as well as Peak Practice. As an arranger/conductor he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist and clarinet player he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians. John Altman has also found time to write, produce and arrange over 4,000 commercials worldwide, including his theme for the 'Sheila's Wheels' advertisement. Such anonymity coupled with universally-known themes is why Monty Python's Terry Gilliam named Altman the 'Hidden Man'. In this entertaining, fast-paced memoir you will discover how Ingrid Bergman smiled at his back; how a Beatle always greeted him by singing one of his musical phrases; how he tried in vain to persuade Nick Drake to continue performing in public; how he reduced Freddy Mercury to helpless laughter; how he got Pierce Brosnan his big movie break; how he sat with Charlie Chaplin watching a movie that hadn't been seen for a quarter of a century (with a running commentary from the great man himself); how he sang over a mobile phone to James Cameron and the cast of Titanic; how he inspired a five-year-old George Michael to become a musician; how he was the Wailers' tour guide around London, and how Tina Turner made him a cup of tea. One of the most poignant parts of the story is how he mentored the young Amy Winehouse.Table of ContentsPreface 1 All in the Family 2 School Days 3 We’re Jamming 4 Some Legends 1 (Peter Green, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Harry Nilsson, Tim Hardin, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix) 5 The London Beat 6 Forty Eight Years (and counting) of Python 7 Whispering Wheels, You Sexy Thing, Muhammad Ali, and Freddie Mercury and the sausages 8 BBC, Early Commercials, Bowie, Dietrich, Jule Styne and early Van 9 Sir Van the Man 10 Some More Legends 2 (Paul Kossoff, Bob Marley, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, John Ogdon, Spike Milligan, Mick Jagger, George Harrison) 11 An Intrusion and an Explanation 12 Records 13 Television 14 Movies (1) 15 Some More Legends 3 (Classic Movie and Jazz Stars including Orson Welles, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Chet Baker) 16 Movies (2) 17 Commercials 18 Going Live 19 LA Life 20 Amy 21 Some More Legends 4 (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Prince, Mike Stoller, Mark Ronson, Sacha Baron Cohen) 22 What was that all about? 23 Shanghai, Honeymoons and Chat Shows (or how I came to be on a massage table next to Rafa Nadal), Paris, and Vladivostok 24 Awards and Recognition 25 The Ones That Got Away 26 Today and Beyond
£42.75
Orion Publishing Co I Can Explain: A hilarious memoir of mistakes and
Book SynopsisThe warm, funny and entertaining memoir of much-loved TV personality and loveable posh boy, Jamie Laing.Funny, charming, and romantic to a fault, everyone loves Jamie Laing. The affectionate and exuberant blonde puppy dog has come a long way - and broken many hearts - since he first graced our screens in 2011 as the joker of the King's Road on Made in Chelsea. Ten years on, he became king of the ballroom making the final of Strictly Come Dancing. Now he's ready to spill the tea - and (McVitie's) biscuits - about life, love and everything in between.From his idyllic upbringing in the countryside to the grey walls of boarding school, Jamie has always had a knack for getting himself into trouble. He reveals how he won popularity at school teaching the rest of the boys the proper way to ... [PARENTAL ADVISORY]. He hilariously recounts blagging his way into a casino aged 17, and winning so much money his mother thought he was a drug dealer. Jamie has been equally lucky with ladies, but not always quite the romantic hero he had in mind - unless sitting lovelorn outside a girlfriend's halls begging to be taken back while fending off abuse from drunk students calling out 'Made in Chelsea twat' counts as heroism?Jamie also writes movingly about his struggles off camera, which left him crippled with anxiety and led to his eventual burnout. Throughout it all he opens up about the importance of friendship and how his two ride-or-dies, Georgie and Spencer, have always been there for him. They've enabled Jamie to thrive as a confectionery king and genuinely change lives with his Private Parts podcast, while not letting him forget that he took part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer despite not knowing how to pronounce the word 'meringue'. Candid, entertaining, and almost always ridiculous, this is the real Jamie Laing.
£9.99
John Blake Publishing Ltd This Heart within Me Burns - Crissy Rock: From
Book SynopsisBest known for her role in cult comedy TV hit, Benidorm and for playing Maggie Conlon in Ken Loach's remarkable film Ladybird Ladybird, Crissy Rock is a hugely popular actress and comedienne. But Crissy's path to success was far from easy and her life has been plagued by trauma and turmoil. Never has there been a more honest and disturbing biography ever written; never has there been so much to tell. Crissy Rock's poor but idyllic young life was plunged into darkness at the age of eight, when her grandfather began to abuse her both physically and sexually. Pregnant and married to a violent bully at sixteen it seemed that trouble and turmoil would always stalk her. Having finally escaped her violent marriage, Crissy began to turn her life around. Having firmly established herself on the comedy circuit she was then cast in Ladybird Ladybird for which she won Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival. This is one of the most astonishing books you will ever read.
£8.99
John Blake Publishing Ltd Beast: The Drugs, the Groupies...the Whole Story
Book SynopsisPaul Di'anno is one of rock's wildest figures. Now he reveals the shocking stories of his life on the road, including the moment he kicked out his own guitarist's teeth, chasing journalists from venues, shooting out car tyres with a rifle and the truth about his arrest for carrying a sub-machine gun. His tale is one of drugs, guns, alcohol; of extended periods banged up in prison and his time fronting the mighty Iron Maiden. His controversial antics off-stage are even more shocking than his existence under the spotlights. He has battled drug addicitions and tumbled from the heights of fame to the pit of bankruptcy. This is a look into the dark and disturbing times of a man who had spent his whole life courting his demons.
£7.59
