Autobiography: general Books

Book SynopsisTony Long was the best ‘shot’ the Met ever had. Under the codename ‘Echo 7’, he was ‘licenced to kill’ bringing down scores of targets, sometimes with deadly force. In 1985 he opened fire on a suspect to save a four-year-old girl whose mother had been stabbed to death by her assailant. Two years later he was involved in another high profile shooting while confronting three armed criminals. On both occasions Tony was commended by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. But in the spring of 2005, coming face to face with suspected drug dealer and armed robber Azelle Rodney, a volley of point blank shots would bring his career crashing to an end, tarnish his reputation and leave him fighting a murder charge and possible life sentence. From life or death cases and botched operations to political fallouts, this book charts the controversial career from rookie seventies beat cop to Long's command of SO19 – the Met’s most elite specialist firearms unit. Long’s personal testimony and professional insight raises serious issues about the duties, pressures and responsibilities that fall on the shoulders of those we task to risk their lives, and take the lives of others, in our name.Trade ReviewGripping and action packed -- Chris Ryan

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Book SynopsisWHEN legendary music journalist Billy Sloan was fifteen years old he saw The Who play an incendiary live show at Green's Playhouse in Glasgow. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with music. Just a few years later he was backstage interviewing the likes of Keith Richards and David Bowie, at the height of Ziggy-mania, and it has been a life and career full of extraordinary moments.In ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE, Billy now tells his stories from the stars, from skipping Christmas dinner to see The Sex Pistols at the peak of their notoriety to friendships and adventures with some of music's biggest names and scoops that have hit the headlines. As well as legendary music and gigs, there's Grace Jones in the bath, candid conversations with Rod Stewart, football in Brazil with Simple Minds, a tour of the White House with Paolo Nutini, close encounters with U2 and so much more. Plus, the interviews that definitely didn't go as planned.Brilliantly entertaining and searingly honest, ONE LOVE, ONE LIFE is an incredible insight into the music industry, the stars we love and an unmissable backstage pass for music fans everywhere.

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Book Synopsis'Fee writes with stunning honesty ... utterly breathtaking' - BustleA beautiful memoir from an exciting young writer, Meg Fee, on finding her way in New York City. Full of the dramas and quiet moments that make up a life, told with humour, heart, and hope. In Places I Stopped on the Way Home, Meg Fee plots a decade of her life in New York City - from falling in love at the Lincoln Center to escaping the roommate (and bedbugs) from hell on Thompson Street, chasing false promises on 66th Street and the wrong men everywhere, and finding true friendships over glasses of wine in Harlem and Greenwich Village. Weaving together her joys and sorrows, expectations and uncertainties, aspirations and realities, the result is an exhilarating collection of essays about love and friendship, failure and suffering, and above all hope. Join Meg on her heart-wrenching journey, as she cuts the difficult path to finding herself and finding home.Trade ReviewIf you ever needed a book that would be both relatable as hell when you're in your lowest dating woes, and act as the most soothing balm for heartbreak, then you need to add this book in your life.' * Bustle *A beautifully warm-hearted and vulnerable memoir. I enjoyed every single page.' * Emma Gannon, author & broadcaster, Ctrl Alt Delete *Meg writes so movingly about the way one's ghosts can inhabit a city, and how courage comes from embracing them.' * Daisy Buchanan, author, How to Be a Grown-Up *Places I Stopped on the Way Home is perfect - an exquisite articulation of loneliness and searching.' * Laura Jane Williams, author, Ice Cream for Breakfast *Without question the best book I've read this year, and one that I will return to again and again, Places I Stopped on the Way Home is everything I love in a book.' * The Literary Edit *A collection of raw yet beautifully crafted snapshots of Meg Fee's painful coming-of-age in the city she had dreamed of inhabiting ... touched me far more than I had expected.' * A Life in Books *Places I Stopped on the Way Home is an engaging account of a young woman shaping a life that shows her what she does and doesn't want, ultimately allowing her to become the person she wants to be . I found myself frequently marking lines and wondering how Fee had sussed so many of these things long before I did.' * The Writes of Woman *

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Book SynopsisFORWEWORD by David Cameron Fleeing Idi Amin’s regime, seventeen year-old Ugandan Indian immigrant Dolar Popat landed at Heathrow in 1971 with just £10 and a cardboard suitcase to his name – but with everything to prove. Fuelled by a tenacious entrepreneurial spirit, a sharp talent for finance and an unparalleled drive for success, Popat worked relentlessly to pay his gratitude to the country that offered him a fresh start: Great Britain. With this same passion, he tells the incredible story of his journey from Wimpy Bar waiter to business magnate to member of the House of Lords. Despite battling prejudice, he found allies in the Conservative Party and, with guidance from David Cameron and his spiritual leader, Morari Bapu, has become one of the most influential people in commerce and politics today. Full of life lessons and business wisdom, A British Subject is a timely testament to the importance of integration in Britain. A love letter to his adopted country, this is the inspirational tale of how the barefoot boy from the streets of Tororo now treads the corridors of Parliament.

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Book SynopsisAn unputdownable true account of how a tenacious head teacher led one of the most challenging schools in the country to excellence. No Excuses charts an extraordinary principal's journey in diary form from the moment she took over at a failing secondary school in a deprived area of the country, where less than a quarter of children attained five or more A*-C GCSEs, and how she set about the gruelling task of transforming its reputation using her zero-tolerance, tough-love approach. Armed only with a wicked sense of humour, fearless energy and a powerful vision, Alison Colwell put in place a stringent set of rules, including a strict uniform policy and a complete ban on mobile phones, provoking resistance and hostility from some parents, the wider community and on social media. This is the darkly funny, moving story of how, together, teachers and their - often troubled - pupils rebuilt a school and community, with an inspirational head at the helm. Charming, touching and full of brilliant leadership advice, this is the diary of the woman the Daily Mail labelled Britain's strictest head teacher.

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Book SynopsisThere is nothing quite like the relationship between a farmer and his dog.‘For me, the bond I have with Peg, my border collie sheepdog is priceless. I know how very lucky I, and thousands of other shepherds and farmers, are to have these extraordinarily bright, enthusiastic dogs at our side.’In A Farmer and His Dog, Adam Henson explores the unique relationship between a farmer and his most loyal friend. Sheepdogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes from border collies to Australian kelpies (rumoured to be a distant relative of the dingo). Not only are they essential to the running of a farm, but they are also fiercely intelligent and exceptionally devoted companions, having evolved over millennia to make the make the work of a shepherd possible.But it is not just the farmer working the land who benefits from the extraordinary relationship between man and dog. Beginning by introducing us to the dogs who have been faithful companions to the Henson family over the years, Adam goes on to explore the impact made by the UK’s hardest working breeds. From traditional herding dogs and gundogs – such as the Labrador’s he grew up with and the Hungarian wire-haired Vizslas like Boo and Olive who live with him now – to the assistance dogs, sniffer dogs and even search and rescue dogs, whose stories have reinforced Adam’s belief that we humans owe an enormous debt to our wet-nosed, four-legged friends.

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Book SynopsisDiscover a forgotten British heritage.The protection and promotion of the UK’s native rare breeds is something that’s in Adam Henson’s blood. His father, Joe, established the Rare Breeds Trust in 1973, and they have been a core attraction at their Cotswold Farm Park, and a part of the Henson family story ever since. In A Breed Apart, Adam Henson takes readers on a very personal journey around the nation, discovering the animals that have shaped our lives and our land throughout the centuries. From postcard perfect Highland Cows to the Cotswold sheep (for whom the Cotswolds are named), to the fearsome, four-horned Manx Loagthan ram and the Ulster White Pig, Adam travels the length and breadth of the British Isles, uncovering the history of these ancient animals, meeting the specialists and farmers who are passionate about their preservation, and shares his hopes for the future of these magnificent and unique breeds and his fight for their survival.This is the story of Britain, told through the native breeds that have nourished and nurtured the nation.

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Book SynopsisTell Me You're Sorry, Daddy is the moving true story of one man's horrific campaign of abuse against his own daughter, which continued for more than seven years of her childhood, and has had effects which continue to this day.32 years after the abuse began, Caryn Walker finally saw her father in court in 2011, charged with 24 counts of abuse against her. As she awaited the verdict, she looked at the man who robbed her of so many years, who never showed any remorse, and realised that she was the one who was strong, she was the survivor. Caryn knew that it was time for her to tell her full story - and that of her dead sister, Jennifer. Against all the odds, she fought. And she won.

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Book SynopsisMary Berg was fifteen when the German army poured into Poland in 1939. She survived four years of Nazi terror, and managed to keep a diary throughout. This astonishing, vivid portrayal of life inside the Warsaw Ghetto ranks with the most significant documents of the Second World War. Mary Berg candidly chronicles not only the daily deprivations and mass deportations, but also the resistance and resilience of the inhabitants, their secret societies, and the youth at the forefront of the fight against Nazi terror. Above all The Diary of Mary Berg is a uniquely personal story of a life-loving girl’s encounter with unparalleled human suffering, and offers an extraordinary insight into one of the darkest chapters of human history.Trade Review"Without qualification, this reviewer recommends Mary Berg's diary to everybody" * The New York Times *"A moving record of terrorism" * Kirkus Reviews *"Berg’s powerful record of those terrible times is astonishingly lucid. The strength of her memories and the intensity of her experiences are naturally heart-breaking. This extraordinary, chilling memoir is essential reading for everyone" * Independent *"One of the most important documents in the age of Hitler" * San Francisco Chronicle *"What makes her account stand out is her novelist's eye: this is not just a crucial historical document but a classic read." * Scotsman *"Mary Berg’s diary records the dignity of man, his moral consciousness. Once again we are reminded that amid blazing homes, flame-swept streets and mass murders there were human beings who admitted no defeat." * The New York Times *"Direct, sharp-eyed and full of compelling detail, this Diary is both a major resource for historians and a richly compelling human document" * The Times Literary Supplement *"What makes her account stand out is her novelist's eye: this is not just a crucial historical document but a classic read" * Scotsman *"Mary Berg’s diary records the dignity of man, his moral consciousness. Once again we are reminded that amid blazing homes, flame-swept streets and mass murders there were human beings who admitted no defeat." * The New York Times *"Direct, sharp-eyed and full of compelling detail, this Diary is both a major resource for historians and a richly compelling human document." * The Times Literary Supplement *"This powerful testament documents Nazi brutalities. Berg is a remarkably clear-eyed, skillful and heart-breaking recorder of thos terrible years." * Publishers Weekly *"this is not just a crucial historical document but a classic read." * Scotsman *"This book […] gave me nightmares. But that is how colourful the writing of Berg is, how intense this one family’s story is and how it can have an impact on the world. A must-read for everyone" * Atlanta Jewish Times *"…book is gripping and reads well. It is hard to put the book down because Berg’s Writings…to share it with the world so many years later is a treasure. I believe it is a must-read for everyone" * Atlanta Jewish Times *"Mary Berg’s diary reminds us, Jewish life under the Nazis consisted of light as well as shade" * Jewish Chronicle *Short announcement of books existence * Detroit Jewish News *"A heartbreaking record of [Mary Berg's] experiences growing up in the Warsaw Ghetto" * The Good Book Guide *"The Richness of Berg’s memories and the intensity of here experiences record for posterity a chilling account of childhood during the Holocaust." * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisFor readers of Rachel Cusk, Lisa Taddeo and the essays of Zadie Smith, Bear Woman is a beautifully wrought memoir from one of Sweden's bestselling authorsA beautifully written and astonishing memoir of a woman - a writer - in the midst of motherhood, marriage and life.While struggling with the demands of family and career, the writer discovers a figure from history, Marguerite de la Rocque, a sixteenth-century noblewoman who was abandoned, pregnant, on a remote island in Nova Scotia. When she is finally rescued, her lover and her baby have died, but she has survived this inhospitable wilderness, alone, for two long years. It's a remarkable story of survival, but one that has been consigned to a footnote.Delving deeper into Marguerite's hidden life, the writer begins to question her ability to tell this story, the story of any women in history - or even her own.'The deeply personal journey of a writer, surprising and illuminating, and for me, familiar in the most reassuring way as she loses herself in this compelling story' - Esther Freud, author of Hideous KinkyTrade Review'The deeply personal journey of a writer, surprising and illuminating, and for me, familiar in the most reassuring way as she loses herself in this compelling story' * Esther Freud, author of Hideous Kinky *Ramqvist, in Vogel's translation, is a master of finely observed detail and this book - with a slow-burn obsession at its heart - captivated me. Rarely have I found a book so gentle but enthralling in its telling, so able to distill the subtle turbulence of womanhood, motherhood, and the writer's life. * Jessica J. Lee, author of Two Trees Make a Forest *Ramqvist skillfully blends a story of survival with an autofictional meditation on womanhood ... It adds up to a careful study of a woman's writing life. * Publishers Weekly *Karolina Ramqvist writes with frosty precision the kind of literature that is unforgettable. Her portraits of women hit deep into bone and marrow. * Dorthe Nors on The White City *

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Book Synopsis'Simon Woolley revolutionised British politics' - GuardianCan an outsider ever become a member of the establishment?Simon Woolley is a member of the House of Lords, the first Black man to head an Oxbridge college, and a policy changemaker who has the ear of prime ministers and the future King. But this is a Lord who wants to shake up the establishment; an outsider who knows how important it is to bring underrepresented voices to the table.Raised by loving white foster parents on the impoverished St Matthew's Estate in Leicester, young Simon soon learnt about politics while in line at the barber's and about racism as one of the few Black children in the neighbourhood. The desire to make the world better was awakened during a trip to South America, where he saw revolutionary politics first hand, and discovered how activism could change people's lives. Inspired, he co-founded Operation Black Vote in 1996, credited with encouraging thousands of Black men and women to exercise their right to vote over the past 25 years.Soar is a story of courage and commitment, of perseverance and remaining positive despite the challenges of institutional racism. It's about becoming a father and honouring your heritage. But most of all, it's about being your own role model, when no others have been available to you.

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Book SynopsisKeggie Carew has an unerring instinct for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, of putting her foot in it and making a hash of things. From the repercussions of a missing purse, to boiling a frog, or the holiday when the last thing you could possibly imagine happens, Keggie has been there. She also has an enviable talent for recycling awfulness and turning embarrassment into gold. In prose that will make you laugh, wince and curl your toes, Keggie Carew shares her most humiliating, awkward, uncomfortable, funny, true, terrible and all-too-relatable moments.Trade ReviewI don't know how she does it but Keggie has the ability to take the sideways moments in life, and paint them with such humour and folly and awfulness I go from snort-out-loud laughing to wonder. Here is a collection of tales of mistakes that verge from terrifying to everyday but told once again with Keggie's rare blend of wit, warmth, zany fizz and plain honesty -- RACHEL JOYCEThis is an unexpected and unusual treat: a funny and clever collection of non-fiction stories that feels like a breath of fresh air . . . This is laugh-out-loud, delightful comedic writing. It captures a mood of escapism and nostalgia that I found incredibly reassuring and cheering. More Keggie, please -- VIV GROSKOP * * Observer * *Hilariously, toe-curlingly relatable . . . a joyous burst of authenticity * * Mail on Sunday * *Carew is a natural storyteller, and each of these tales works like a perfectly paced standup routine, punctuated by some gorgeous phrase-making . . . It's hard to make writing look this easy, but Carew's stories have the knack of easing the reader happily from page to page, leaving us squirming at the situations she finds herself in while secretly hoping that she won't escape them just yet * * Guardian * *Wonderfully written, very funny and full of life -- ROGER DALTREYCarew excel[s] at pinpointing the disjointedness between the life we boast about and the messy lives we actually end up living * * Sunday Times * *Keggie Carew really has a knack for stepping in it, boy. But the further you wade in with her, the more hilarious, and poignant, it all becomes. Quicksand Tales is a tonic for the tortured and cursed -- JOSHUA FERRISI loved it. Keggie is chaos in motion, yearning for everything to go right and, luckily for us, it rarely does. She has a wonderfully sharp eye for character, draws every scene so vividly and it's funny, witty. Never arch. Funny. And awful -- ROBERT BATHURSTKeggie Carew blazes a trail for the more earthbound and hapless among us in her brilliant and hilarious Quicksand Tales * * Sunday Express * *Charming . . . Carew has a beautifully evocative style * * Evening Standard * *

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Book Synopsis'Axel Lindén is a shepherd-philosopher with James Herriot's knack for mishap and an almost Chekhovian deadpan humour.' Observer'Endearing and liberating.' Idler Magazine'A sublime little book.' Cotswold Life_______Why do we keep sheep? Alex Lindén ruminates as he watches his sheep ruminating. Naive and inexperienced, he has ditched his doctoral studies in order to move to a fully working farm in the country with his family, where he is tasked with the responsibility of caring for a herd of sheep.Lindén records his new life in his diary, as he tries to manage life on the farm, the ever-escaping sheep and the trials and tribulations that come with being a shepherd - shearing, lambing and confronting the slaughterhouse. As time passes and he gradually settles into the rhythm of shepherding, his naivete fades away and is replaced with stark realisations about what is now his everyday life. He finds himself applying his experiences of animal husbandry to consider our place - as individuals and as a collective organism - in the universe. Is he really the one caring for the sheep, or are they the ones keeping him? Lindén finds both companionship in his flock and a sound, if complex, moral framework for examining the lives we lead.The result is a sensitive and entertaining meditation on the small wonders in our world.

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Book Synopsis‘There were twenty-five hours in my day then ... any job or challenge that the ocean or the harbour might offer was an option. I undertook them all.’ Des Lavelle was born on Valentia Island in County Kerry in 1934, surrounded by the wild Atlantic waters. Known to the world for his passion for the nearby Skellig Islands, Des has led a fascinating and varied life, but his heart forever draws him back to Valentia. His wide-ranging memoir takes us on an extraordinary journey from an idyllic childhood on Valentia, through a short-lived ‘permanent, pensionable job’ with the Western Union Telegraph Company to a rich and fascinating life where the sea always offered opportunities. When the movie Ryan’s Daughter needed marine advice in 1968, they came to Des. In 1974 a North Sea oil rig sought him out to help with a giant safety net, and a few years later his special skills came to the fore once more as Telecom Éireann laid their cables under the waves. From sea-faring on his beloved 32ft Béal Bocht to pioneering deep-sea diving, running a ferry, campaigning for his beloved island outpost, crewing with the Valentia lifeboat and travelling to far-flung places, Des Lavelle shares his ups and downs on his road to becoming a renowned author and expert on the historical and wildlife riches of Kerry’s intriguing Skellig Islands. Island Boy is the compelling story of a man born and raised in Valentia and of a unique life that he continues to live to the full.Trade Reviewfull of tales intertwined with life, nature and the precious interpretations arising from this interaction. But the spellbinding and ever-present existence of the sea remains a centre point of the book * The Kerryman *

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Book SynopsisThrust into a hostile world, and unable to comprehend the language, Heike, an immigrant and ‘enemy’ child, struggles to understand the English islanders as she adjusts to the new identity demanded of her. Intent on escaping the traumas of growing up in fascist Germany and the horrors of its post-war desolation, Heike’s mother will marry the charismatic English officer she met during the Allied occupation of Lüneburg. Her daughter, who will be known as ‘Susanna’ from now on, must be kept innocent of her mother’s past and grow up to be English. As this memoir of displacement, national character, and misunderstandings unfolds, S M Saunders becomes the detective in her own story, searching for the truth that will reconcile her double identity and conflicting emotions. But this is far from a misery memoir. This is a tale of love—the narrator’s intense love for the extraordinary and eccentric English people whose positive influences not only shaped her and her mother, but also lent her the strength to come to terms with both her own identity and with her mother’s complex, harrowing story. Susanna: the making of an English girl explores a childhood that is sad, beautiful, funny, rich in detail and marked, above all, by love.

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Book SynopsisThis is not a book of life lessons. But Freddie Flintoff has had a moment to reflect and he's noticed that throughout his four decades, although there's been little method in the madness, there has been the occasional common thread.The Book of Fred is filled with anecdotes, observations and the odd opinion all told with Fred's trademark humour and no-nonsense style. Fred's approach to life draws on the sublime (his series winning performance in the 2005 Ashes) and the ridiculous (singing Elvis Presley's 'Suspicious Minds' in front of a live audience), from highs (making the transition to top TV presenter) to occasional lows (accidentally upsetting the lovely Bruce Forsyth), from the profane (discussing Shane Warne's barnet with Hollywood royalty) to the profound (why 'having a go' leads to self-respect).Throughout, Fred shares his code for success, happiness and a life fully lived - and gives his readers a laugh, some joy, and (the occasional) pause for thought along the way.

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Book SynopsisThe story of this Bushman''s youngest son starts in 1960s'' small town New Zealand where life didn''t come without its challenges.This true story begins with a lot of rugby, beer, pig hunting and the socialising that was all part of our basic Kiwi lifestyle.However there was me, Terry, different from the rest of my siblings, separated by design and confusing to my parents...This book takes you through a journey out of Tokoroa and into the world where I tried most things, tasted as much forbidden fruit as I could and did my best to experience all life had to offer at the time, but maybe all that glitters isn''t always gold.My extended family''s backstory paints a picture of love, heartache, rebellion and loss that many of us would not recover from.Did I conform, did I behave, did I make amends and forgive?Prepare to be challenged, pushed and pulled in all directions as this story seldom has a quiet moment. Desperate times call for desperate measures and sometimes in our lives we react in a way that we later regret, or at least try to.Fatherhood, coming out as gay, sex, drugs and rock ''n'' roll all rolled into one story.Not just drama - more like adventure with the everlasting search for aresolution. Ngaru NuiNgaru RoaNgaru paewhenua

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Book SynopsisRichard Gallegos is a veteran ultramarathoner, husband, father, and mental health advocate. In this searingly honest account of his life, Richard relates his descent into alcohol and opiate abuse to cope with the emotional toll of being a first responder paramedic, witnessing every aspect of the horror and devastation that can be experienced by humanity.Faced with the reality of the irreparable damage his addictions were causing, Richard made the decision to regain control of his life and re-build his self-esteem by taking part in a series of ultramarathons, culminating in his participation in a one hundred mile raceThis is a truly inspiring and heartfelt autobiography, written by a man who hit absolute rock bottom and clawed his way back with astounding strength and determination. For anyone struggling with addiction, PTSD or any mental or emotional obstacles, Recovery Run is a must-read.

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Book SynopsisPearl Zhi Ping Chen always wanted to be a person who ''had rich life experiences''. And it seems she got her wish.Born in China 1950, Pearl was part of the generation who grew up during the rise of the Chinese Communist Party''s rule which deeply affected her young life. After having her education cut short in the Cultural Revolution, Pearl had to work even harder to improve her employment prospects. Working in a variety of roles around China, it was her hard work teaching herself English that gave her the opportunity to change her life, going from the daughter of a ''class-enemy'' to a qualified teacher. Pearl expanded her horizons, going on to not only gain employment and education in several other countries, but to also gain citizenship, for herself and her family, in two other continents, including her current home: Canada.Follow Pearl through her extraordinary life and see how one can overcome any limits through perseverance and the support of others.

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Book SynopsisAutobiography of distinguished psychiatrist David Enoch, author of modern classic Uncommon Psychiatric Syndromes and committed Christian, now aged 95. A valuable first-hand contribution to 20th-century history as well as a candid and truly inspirational story of one man''s journey through life. 63 photographs.

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Book SynopsisDescribed by the Manchester Evening News as “One of Britain’s most popular conductors”, Anthony Inglis was born into the Royal Air Force with nine of his relatives, senior and distinguished pilots in the service. His family history however, did not stop him from deciding at the age of six that he was going to conduct. Anthony knew academia was not for him and battled to persuade his teachers and even his own parents that he did not need educating at expensive private schools. In the end, they agreed and he left school early to attend the Royal College of Music. His career has seen him conducting many famous orchestras and soloists, travelling the world and working in genres from pop bands such as The Scorpions to Bizet’s opera Carmen. His thirty-three year tenure at Phantom of The Opera in London and Music Directorship of two orchestras, plus his continuing association with Cunard and Katherine Jenkins has meant that although he is at an age when people retire, he continues to be busier than ever. This is a story of perseverance, hard work, joy, laughter, anecdotes and passion, in a career that he would (almost) do for free!

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Book SynopsisThe south of France, known for its beauty, perfect climate, fresh produce, excellent cuisine, fine wines and steeped in history – but what lurks behind? This is a humorous yet cautionary tale of 3 naïve individuals, Abi, Marc and their daughter Beth who after losing their financial security in the housing crash of 2008, packed up their belongings and relocated to Provence. Finding themselves unexpectedly welcomed into the family that owned their rented farm house, Abi, Marc and Beth were in their element, long lunches under the hot sun, dinner parties by the pool, and a simple lifestyle that was to provide them with the pleasurable and affordable elements life has to offer; fresh croissants, soft, creamy goats cheese, an abundance of locally produced wine, lunches on hot winter days at the beach and evening movies in the garden. Failing to heed the warning that offering a hand in France can mean the loss of the whole arm, this family found themselves in one crisis after another as uninvited strangers sought to share the delights they had previously overlooked. A story of suspicion, jealousy, seduction and of course the impending inheritance, that which keeps all French on their toes.

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Book SynopsisIn the Struggle and Service of My People describes the growing up and education of a boy in the Anglo Egyptian Sudan in a missionary dominated environment. This memoir explains the economic political educational policies of the Anglo Egyptian Sudan, dominated by the British, which marginalized the South Sudanese. Through Hilary Paul Logali’s story one can see the awakening up of the South Sudanese to political realities only to find out that they have been railroaded, fait accompli, into a country without their knowledge and consultation. It shows the struggle of the Southerners as the underdogs in the struggle for a breathing space in Sudan with more mature, educated, sophisticated and dominant Northern Sudanese. You can however see how the new and better educated South Sudanese began to articulate Southern aspirations better than their parents. This political memoir explains the effects of coups and military rule as well as one party systems, which were in the vogue in Africa in those years, resulting in the stifling of democracy. It also demonstrates the scourge and the inimical effect of tribalism as an impediment to political development which is also rampant in many parts of Africa. You also will see the negative effect of political Islam in the country, which eventually drove the Sudan into the bad books of the international community and especially of the United States. Through all this can be seen the character of a person, Hilary Paul Logali, the Southern nationalist who sacrificed his education and career for the sake of the political service he undertook for his people.

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Book SynopsisRichie Barlow recently celebrated his 40th birthday, a landmark date he never thought he would reach. Many were the times – when struggling to survive a desperate childhood and adolescence – that he clinged to a dream of simply making it to 22. Abandoned by his abusive mother and stepfather and placed in an inadequate care system, he was sold into child prostitution and criminality while the state apparatus knowingly failed him. But for the love and hope shared by surrogate parents Pauline and Anna, Richie would have become just another tragic statistic. Yet released back into the world with few coping strategies, he was determined to make his mark and have his mistreatment at the hands of the local authority recognised in order to bring about the change necessary so others would not have to experience the sort of tribulations, tragedy and sorrow he had. Now in a loving relationship, married to Ben, a new family around him and an award winning dog walking business, Richie’s story is one of immense determination and inner strength against the longest odds. It is about hope, reclaiming the past and gaining justice. Harrowing yet uplifting, it is a must read.

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Book Synopsis'Christian has achieved something very beautiful and funny with this book, weaving ordinary life and every day sadness into something hopeful and profound. I loved it.' Russell BrandAs a radio DJ in London, Christian O'Connell appeared to have it all. He held the number one spot nationally, with a faithful audience of millions who'd listened to him for years. Celebrities flocked to come on his show and no other radio DJ had won more awards.But not everything was as it seemed. Minutes before going live one morning, something happened that changed everything and led to a decision of seismic proportions. He quit his job, moved to the other side of the world, where no one knew him, and took on the toughest radio market in the world - Australia.Why? is the question he's been asked every day since landing Down Under. Until now he's never shared the real reason.No One Listens to Your Dad's Show is the story of Christian risking everything, uprooting his wife, two daughters and his dog to move to Australia. A move that lands him as a complete unknown in a country where, he soon finds out, no one wants to hear him on the radio.He was failing, fortysomething and falling apart.Until he wasn't.Trade ReviewChristian has achieved something very beautiful and funny with this book, weaving ordinary life and every day sadness into something hopeful and profound. I loved it. -- Russell BrandSmart and funny -- Ricky GervaisReading this book is like spending time with Christian. Funny and inspiring. -- Adam HillsTable of Contentsi: Prologue: My last show on air, London, May 2018 ii: Introduction: The story I don't want to tell you iii: PART ONE 1: The man in the shed 2: Son of Fonzie 3: Mind your language, Prime Minister 4: Halfway dead 5: Leslie and me 6: 'Every time you open your mouth, people will hate you.' iv: PART TWO 7: Come fail with me 8: Pets before dads 9: 520 hours to make it work 10: Nineteen-minute honeymoon 11: Clowns with feelings 12: Notes from Down Under 13: Neighbours 14: Embrace the suck 15: 'Try giving birth.' 16: The biggest decision I had to make 17: Meet my new nemesis 18: Notes from my wife 19: Home alone v: PART THREE 20: Life lessons in a boxing ring 21: Fudge Man save me 22: A disgusting man 23: New besties 24: I bought a house drunk 25: Replaced 26: Building the treehouse 27: The Peter Logan effect 28: Drives with my daughters 29: 'Man Walks into a Radio Station with Ten Thousand Dollars' 30: 'Who's Calling Christian?' vi: Epilogue What happened to me? vii: Some words from the girls viii: Thank-you note

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Book SynopsisFor nearly forty years John Wilson travelled the length and breadth of Scotland as a school inspector. From orkney to campbeltown and Jura to Dundee, he visited hundreds of schools and met thousands of teachers and pupils. In these memoirs, first published in 1928, he paints an insightful yet humorous picture of life in the country’s schools after the 1872 education Act, which brought free schooling for all Scottish children between the ages of five and ten.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of the real bodyguard, Lee Sansum, ex-Royal Military Policeman, martial arts champion, and expert in close protection. Part of Mohamed and Dodi Al-Fayed's protection team, Lee had to guard the most famous woman in the world, Princess Diana. He formed a close bond with Diana and the young princes, particularly Harry, and it was only by a stroke of luck that he was not in the car the night Diana died. That night proved to be the turning point in his own life.Over the course of his career, Lee has worked with the rich and famous, such as Hollywood stars Tom & Nicole, Pele and Sylvester Stallone, and he gives a candid account of what it's like to work in a job where lives are literally at stake.Growing up in a tough part of Greater Manchester, Lee learnt the hard way that to survive you need to stand up to bullies and be harder than your opponent. A career in the Royal Military Police took him to the "Bandit Country" of South Armagh, where he pulled an AWOL squaddie out of a honey trap moments before an IRA active service unit arrived to kill him. He worked undercover in Northern Ireland and joined the SIB, the Army's own internal affairs unit, before entering the world of private security, operating in the world's hotspots, such as Libya and the breakaway state of Somaliland.Lee's story is one of quiet strength, of how reading a situation is invaluable to getting out of trouble. It is one of achieving personal goals and overcoming trauma through the help of his wife, Kate, and through his love of martial arts. It is also a fitting tribute to one of the outstanding figures of our age.

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Book SynopsisThe autobiography of the adventurer and climber Eric Jones, the farmer''s son from Clwyd who climbed some of the world''s highest peaks, displaying nerves of steel while facing many challenges. 47 colour and 22 black-and-white photographs.

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Book SynopsisThe community of Parc near Bala lost two valuable members in 2019; it was a loss felt throughout Wales. Both received the T. H. Parry-Williams Medal by the National Eisteddfod of Wales - the highest accolade for service to culture and community. This is a unique feat in the history of any village throughout Wales.

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Book SynopsisA volume of reminiscences through the songs of musician and tv producer Barry ''Archie'' Jones.

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Book SynopsisBorn a bastard to a teenage mother in the slums of 1950s Dublin, Martha has to be a fighter from the very start.As her mother moves from man to man, and more children follow, they live hand-to-mouth in squalid, freezing tenements, clothed in rags and forced to beg for food. But just when it seems things can't get any worse, her mother meets Jackser.Despite her trials, Martha is a child with an irrepressible spirit and a wit beyond her years. She tells the story of her early life without an ounce of self-pity and manages to recreate a lost era in which the shadow of the Catholic Church loomed large and if you didn't work, you didn't eat.Martha never stops believing she is worth more than the hand she has been dealt, and her remarkable voice will remain with you long after you've finished the last line.Trade ReviewStands head and shoulders above everything else in the category . . . a remarkable personal and literary achievement for the author and an unforgettable experience for the reader * Irish Independent *[Long's] story is unique in its rawness and its honesty. Entirely self-educated, she narrates her own life in a way which is both riveting and moving * Greenock Telegraph *Without question the most harrowing tale I have ever read. Even Charles Dickens, whom we appreciate for being the voice of so many abused children, is left in the dust -- Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple

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Book SynopsisAt 16, Martha collapses on the streets, suffering from starvation and exposure. She has reached rock bottom, but after Martha is taken to hospital, Lady Luck smiles kindly on her and she is given the opportunity to get off the streets for ever.Before long, Martha is on the way to leading the normal life she has so long dreamt of. She makes friends, begins to put the misery of her past behind her and even experiences her first taste of love.For her, love is a powerful feeling. She has never experienced real affection before and is now plunged into the complex world of love between a man and a woman. The intense emotion consumes her, for this is a forbidden love that can never be requited. After all, Ralph Fitzgerald is a priest, and he will never break his vow of chastity. This love brings heartbreaking consequences and changes the direction of Martha's life for ever . . .

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Book SynopsisFew people have the opportunity to change the face of modern medicine. However, Raymond Moody achieved precisely this with the publication in 1975 of Life After Life, which introduced the phrase 'near death experience' (NDE) into popular use. In that bestseller, Dr Moody researched what happens when we die, including the amazing stories of those who have had out-of-body experiences and witnessed the afterlife for themselves. And he has remained at the forefront of investigations into the paranormal ever since. Now, at long last, he has decided to share his discoveries and the story of his own unusual life in this gripping account. Searingly honest and extremely engaging, in Paranormal Dr Moody recalls his pioneering research into NDEs, reincarnation and ghosts. He also exorcises many of his own demons, revealing the trials and tribulations that have beset him personally - nearly driving him to suicide. The autobiography of a truly extraordinary life, Paranormal makes for compulsive reading.Trade Reviewfascinating and heartwarming -- Jeffrey Long, author of Evidence of the AfterlifeThrilling and inspiring...Anyone who is not grateful for Moody's immense contribution to human welfare ought to check his pulse -- Larry Dossey, author of Healing Beyond the BodyMoody's pioneering activities have...helped millions of people to understand and accept these special states of consciousness -- Pim Van Lommel, author of Consciousness Beyond LifeA lucid, engrossing memoir from a psychologist and philosopher dedicated to the afterlife. . . . The supernatural undertones saturating the narrative are dwarfed by an overwhelming sense that this eccentric visionary just might be on to something . . . the fascinating life story of an impassioned mystical maverick. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisMary Beard's by now famous blog A Don's Life has been running on the TLS website for nearly three years. In it she has made her name as a wickedly subversive commentator on the world in which we live. Her central themes are the classics, universities and teaching -- and much else besides. What are academics for? Who was the first African Roman emperor? Looting -- ancient and modern. Are modern exams easier? Keep lesbos for the lesbians. Did St Valentine exist? What made the Romans laugh? That is just a small taste of this selection (and some of the choicer responses) which will inform, occasionally provoke and cannot fail to entertain.Trade ReviewDelightful ... it has the virtues of brevity, eclecticism and learning worn lightly ... Beard is a very funny and penetrating commentator on academic life - and has a fantastic knack for controversy. If they'd had Mary Beard on their side back then, the Romans would still have their empire -- Sam Leith * Daily Mail *Enjoyable ... Beard is an exuberant communicator -- Dinah Birch * Observer *Sharply observed, often hilarious slices of academic life -- Charlotte Higgins * Guardian *Beard's studies of bygone times are infused with a peppering of wit that is unusual in an academic work, but given free rein here -- Julian Fleming * Sunday Business Post *This collection of her posts is pithy and engaging. The casual, humorous tone is seemingly informal. But the rhythm and cadence of the short blog have been honed to a fine art ... Beard remains self-deprecatory, invigoratingly sane and zestful -- Frances Spalding * Independent *The marvellously educative, hilarious It's a Don's Life by Mary Beard, the blogging queen -- Jane Gardam * Daily Telegraph *Beard has a spry, pithy, conversational style ... a diverting read -- Edmund Gordon * Sunday Times *Well-written, in short column-length bursts, it's the thinking person's loo book -- Alastair Mabbott * Glasgow Herald *It's a Don's Life is, by turns, enlightening, funny, outrageous * Weekend Australian *

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Book SynopsisAt the beginning of the 1990s, Linda Grant's mother, Rose, was diagnosed with Dementia. In Remind Me Who I Am, Again Linda Grant tells the story of Rose's illness and tries to reconstruct the history of their Jewish immigrant family, stalking them from Russia and Poland to New York and London. Writing with humour and great tenderness, Grant explores profound questions about memory, autonomy and identity, and asks if we can ever really know our parents.

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Book SynopsisVilla Diodati. 1816.In a villa on the shore of Lake Geneva, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and his young wife Mary, gathered for the summer. For three glittering months, this party of young bohemians would share their lives, charged with sexual and artistic tensions. It was a period of extraordinary creativity from which would emerge some of the masterworks of the Romantic period, including Frankenstein. But there were two other guests at the villa that summer, for whom the season would not be so rosy. With Byron came his young physician, John Polidori, a man with literary aspirations of his own. And joining Mary was her step-sister, the beautiful Claire Clairmont. For Byron and the Shelleys, their stay by the lake would serve to immortalise them in the annals of literary history. But for Claire and Polidori, the Swiss sojourn would scar them forever.Trade ReviewThe Vampyre Family is a thrilling tale about the pursuit of love, sex and fame. Andrew McConnell Stott provides a dual portrait of the Romantic spirit during its most intense period of creativity, and uncovers the emotional devastation that was left in its wake -- AMANDA FOREMAN, the bestselling author of Georgiana, Duchess of DevonshirePraise for The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi:'Brilliant . . . As a portrait of London life in all its mutinous and anarchic variety this book would be hard to beat * * Spectator * *A fast-paced rumbustious biography . . . Stott evokes both the dizzying excitement and the harshness of theatrical life -- Jenny Uglow * * Observer * *[A] great big Christmas pudding of a book, almost over-stuffed with rich and colourful life * * Guardian 'Book of the Week' * *Stott's dynamic dramatization grabs our attention, and we, too, as outsiders [like Claire and Polidori], are cannily lured into the poetic celebrity's inner circle * * Times Literary Supplement * *

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Book SynopsisAdapted from his extraordinary autobiography, Angels of Divine Light (Transworld, 2010), for the Open Door series of short books for emerging readers, Aidan Storey recalls how the presence of Angels sustained him through years of great turmoil. As he recalls the sexual and mental abuse he suffered in primary school, and the dark days of depression that followed, he describes how the Angels, through the power of angelic healing, taught him how to bring light and love into his life and the lives of many others. Profoundly moving, this is an inspiring story of hope and forgiveness, and a testament to the healing power of Angels that will stay with you for ever.

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Book SynopsisIf anyone has ever wondered what happens in the engine room when the Captain on the bridge rings 'Full Ahead' on the telegraph then this book will enlighten the reader. This is a story of one man's life at sea, from his beginnings as a lowly cadet to his qualification as a Chief Engineer. There are many anecdotes about his experiences - some amusing and some terrifying - together with pen portraits of a few of his fellow seafarers and the places he visited. In the Treacle Mine starts in the 1960s when steam power was still the preferred option for larger and more powerful ships but over the following decade, the availability of ever more powerful and more fuel-efficient, diesel engines sounded the death knell for steam propulsion. Now there are only a few preserved steamships left as a reminder of how things used to be down below in the 'treacle mine', which was how Geordie marine engineers described the engine-room. Despite the fact that steam power has disappeared from everyday use, there are still a great many enthusiasts from all walks of life who are prepared to give up their spare time to ensure that steam lives on. This dedication means that heritage steam railways, steam traction engines and even the occasional preserved steamship, can continue to operate and give pleasure to millions of visitors every year. One whole chapter is devoted to a voyage with an 'up and downer' (a steam reciprocating engine) and although the remaining steamers were all turbine vessels which may lack the same visual appeal, there will still be much that will be of interest to any steam enthusiast. Following his experiences with steam, the author eventually began working on motor ships but these were also not without incident and there is much in this book that will spark the interest of anyone who enjoys stories of the sea and seafarers.

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Book SynopsisBrenda Bullock, brought up on a council housing estate in Sheldon, holds up a mirror to Birmingham in the 1940s and 1950s: she tells of the games played then in the streets: hopscotch, queenie, marbles, skipping, roller skating. She takes us back to school life during and after the war, to what it was like to be sick before the advent of the NHS and antibiotics; the struggle to make ends meet and find enough food to put on the table; the pawn shop, hiding from the rentman - all the experiences shared by so many children of the '40s and '50s, all illustrated by line drawings of the old Birmingham landmarks by architect, Matthew Bullock.

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Book SynopsisThe letters of a young doctor who was sent to a remote hospital in Bangladesh in the years following its war of independence. They describe the day-to-day life of the hospital, its ups and downs, its triumphs and disasters. Through these challenging circumstances, he discovers a new experience of the presence of God.

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Book SynopsisIn Down to Earth, Nancy Cooper gives us a glimpse into the real life of a seventeen year old young woman who is recruited into the Women’s Land Army in 1943. It is a big change from her life at Old Hill in the Black Country, and a welcome escape from the secretarial training that she was desperate to avoid. She soon found herself living alone, far from home and working on several farms. She managed to milk 30 cows, working alone, as she did her part in providing the country with enough food in the shortages both during and after WWII. At one farm she cared for a yard full of pigs, who cunningly tried to outwit her attempts to share their food out. Dealing with unfairly jealous wives, strange billeting arrangements with a nocturnal visitor and rats everywhere were also ways in which Nancy’s resourcefulness was tested. There is now a memorial to honour the work of the Women’s Land Army at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. If you go to see it you will notice that the rats have got in on this as well!

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Book SynopsisBrought up in a large family living in a council house in the Stechford area of postwar Birmingham, David Prosser's childhood was not easy, he knew hardships and hunger, wearing worn out clothes and pumps with holes in. But, along with his best friend Trevor, David enjoyed the freedom of his youth with nearby fields, trees to climb, a river to play in and lots of places to explore. Times were hard so they did anything they could to make money: running errands for neighbours, carrying bags of coal on their backs, spending many hours on the tip collecting scrap metal and collecting rags from door to door to sell for pennies. Just two Brummie lads getting by on their wits trying to earn enough to pay for sweets, trips to the swimming baths and the cinema.

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Book SynopsisSofka Zinovieff had fallen in love with Greece as a student, but little suspected that years later she would return for good with an expatriate Greek husband and two young daughters. This book is a wonderfully fresh, funny and inquiring account of her first year as an Athenian. The whole family have to get to grips with their new life and identities: the children start school and tackle a new language, and Sofka's husband, Vassilis, comes home after half a lifetime away. Meanwhile, Sofka resolves to get to know her new city and become a Greek citizen, which turns out to be a process of Byzantine complexity. As the months go by, Sofka's discovers how memories of Athens' past haunt its present in its music, poetry and history. She also learns about the difficult art of catching a taxi, the importance of smoking, the unimportance of time-keeping, and how to get your Christmas piglet cooked at the baker's.

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