Autobiography: science, technology and medicine Books

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Book SynopsisMaverick Scientist is the memoir of Forrest Mims, who forged a distinguished scientific career despite having no academic training in science. Named one of the 50 Best Brains in Science by Discover magazine, Forrest shares what sparked his childhood curiosity and relates a lifetime of improbable, dramatic, and occasionally outright dangerous experiences in the world of science. At thirteen he invented a new method of rocket control. At seventeen he designed and built an analog computer that could translate Russian into English and that the Smithsonian collected as an example of an early hobby computer. While majoring in government at Texas A&M University, Forrest created a hand-held, radar-like device to help guide the blind. And during his military service, he had to be given special clearance to do top secret laser research at the Air Force Weapons Lab. Why? Because while he lacked the required engineering degree, they wanted his outside-the-box thinking on the project. He went on

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Book SynopsisWhen a young girl, Cardy Raper told her mother, "When I grow up I want to be a scientist and make grand discoveries!" Her mother responded, "You could become a nurse." Science was a man's world then. Cardy refused to take "no" for an answer. Her dream seemed attainable when she met her mentor, Professor John "Red" Raper at the University of Chicago who said "Yes, you can be a scientist!" They became soul mates, fell in love, married, parented children, moved to Harvard, and did research together on the versatile sex life of fungi. Red's untimely death left Cardy alone in the competitive world of cutting-edge science. She carried on, obtained a doctoral degree, learned the techniques of molecular genetics, and established her own laboratory where she conducted pioneering research on the genetic and molecular determinants of sexual reproduction in a mushroom-bearing fungus with 20,000 different sexes. This fungus has served as a model organism for exploring the way in which sensing molecules, such as pheromones, function to communicate in more complex organisms.

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Book SynopsisDavid Mearns has discovered some of the world's most fascinating and elusive shipwrecks. From the mighty battlecruiser HMS Hood to the crumbling wooden skeletons of Vasco da Gama's 16th century fleet, David has searched for and found dozens of sunken vessels in every ocean of the world.The Shipwreck Hunter is an account of David's most intriguing and fascinating finds. It details both the meticulous research and the mid-ocean stamina and courage required to find a wreck miles beneath the sea, as well as the moving human stories that lie behind each of these oceanic tragedies.Combining the derring-do of Indiana Jones with the precision of a surgeon, in The Shipwreck Hunter David Mearns opens a porthole into the shadowy depths of the ocean.Trade ReviewThe underwater worlds of past and present collide in the depths of the ocean in this gripping and suspenseful narrative by David Mearns, a true expert on mysteries of the deep sea. * Clive Cussler *For [Mearns], setting world records and recovering centuries-old treasures is just another day at the office-or ocean, rather. * National Geographic *In 1915 Ernest Shackleton's ship SY Endurance sank into the icy depths of the Weddell Sea, never to be seen again. Her loss marked the start of what is arguably the greatest rescue in history and the ship remains a potent symbol of courage and survival. David Mearns has long wanted to pay tribute to Shackleton by finding his ship. Given David's amazing track record and outstanding abilities, I am quite sure that one day I will be able to see images of my grandfather's Endurance, no longer lost. * Alexandra Shackleton *Fascinating * Nautilus Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe revealing, compelling memoir of one of Australia's foremost cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr Nikki Stamp.Raw, honest and compelling, Scrubbed is Dr Nikki Stamp's account of her life as one of Australia's leading cardiothoracic surgeons. A life lived at the very edge of modern medicine, where heart surgeons walk the thinnest of lines between life and death, and yet where the greatest challenge can be the medical system itself.From childhood Nikki Stamp wanted to be a doctor. It was a calling, not a career. Her love for her vocation only grew as a medical student, and as a young registrar going through training rotations she fell, totally and utterly, for the hugely demanding specialty of cardiothoracic surgery. But alongside the excitement and enormous challenges of trying to make it in one of the toughest and most competitive fields of surgery came warning signs. Even in the operating theatre, where she felt most alive, she battled with sexism, enormous egos and at times outright bullying. And within the hospital system she lived with inhuman hours, chronic sleep deprivation and bureaucratic mismanagement that had a profoundly damaging effect on her life outside of work.From the drama of the operating theatre, filled with both triumph and tragedy, to the brutal realities of surgical training and the sacrifices needed to make it to the top, to entrenched misogyny and the grinding nature of hospital politics, Scrubbed is one of the most revealing books yet written about the real life and experiences of a surgeon.

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Book SynopsisThe engrossing memoir of a plastic and reconstructive surgeon involved in groundbreaking and life-changing procedures.

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Book SynopsisTake Your Baby and Run is Carol Youngson's first-hand account of the shocking ineptitude and misogynistic behaviour that led to the death of twelve children, primarily infants, under the care of Dr. Jonah Odim at Winnipeg's largest hospital in 1994. Youngson was the nurse in charge of the cardiac unit and in her book she details the dysfunctional hospital hierarchy that allowed this tragedy to unfold, leading to the longest running inquiry in Canadian history. Sadly, the themes of this book are just as relevant today during our current health crisis.

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Book SynopsisAs Featured on BBC Woman''s Hour? Deeply thoughtful and compassionate? Susie Orbach, author of In Therapy? A book with the power to move and inform . . . [Campling] is an expert in ? intelligent kindness? .? Gwen Adshead, author of The Devil You Know''Fantastic new book from Penny Campling - 5 stars'' Dr Kate LovettOver the course of her 40-year career, psychiatrist and psychotherapist Penelope Campling has worked with patients from all walks of life, from survivors of abuse to ICU doctors struggling under the strain of Covid-19. She has seen many positive changes in how we approach mental health ? and yet she is increasingly troubled by the state of our health services. Too often those suffering from serious mental illness are being neglected, locked away, even abused.In Don? t Turn Away Campling takes us into the therapy room, offering unique insight into how we treat those in distress. She shows us how the progress made in a more optimistic era of psychiatry is fast being eroded; how our struggling healthcare system often fails those who need our support; and how crucial it is in today? s uncertain world that we do not turn away.

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Book SynopsisFrom the No.1 bestselling author of Do No Harm, an entrancing and uplifting meditation on the gift of life.‘A book to treasure and reread’ Gavin Francis, author of Adventures in Human BeingAs a retired brain surgeon, Henry Marsh thought he understood illness, but even he was unprepared for the impact of his diagnosis of advanced cancer.In And Finally, he navigates the bewildering transition from doctor to patient. As the days pass, his mind turns to his career, to the people and places he has known, and to creative projects still to be completed.Yet he is also more entranced than ever by the mysteries of science and nature, by his love for his family, and – most of all – by what it is to be alive.* A Daily Telegraph, The Times and Financial Times Book of the Year *‘Magnificent’ Rachel Clarke‘Vividly wry and honest’ The Times‘I admire this book enormously’ Philip Pullman‘Enthralling’ GuardianTrade ReviewHenry Marsh may have retired from medicine but let's hope he keeps producing books as good as this one, which enthral as well as teach. * Observer *[And Finally] is unexpectedly fun, and the author is pretty much irresistibly likeable... diagnoses and remissions are described with wonderful candour... [and Marsh's] discussion of end-of-life care and assisted dying is the best essay I have read on the subject. * Guardian *[Marsh is] deeply reflective, the result is a bit like sitting in the pub with the smartest person you know. * Spectator *Beautifully written... A thoughtful journey into his experience as a doctor-turned-patient, enlivened with a wonderful black humour and a gimlet eye for comforting nonsense... One couldn't wish for a better guide. -- Steven Poole * Daily Telegraph, 5 stars *His dignified introspection is a joy. -- Clare Chambers, author of SMALL PLEASURES

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Book SynopsisA Bricklayer's Guide to the Galaxy . . . The inspirational memoir of a former brickie who followed his passion for the stars and built his own observatory. Perfect for readers of Robert Macfarlane, Helen Macdonald and James Rebanks - as well as fans of Brian Cox and the BBC’s Sky at Night Gary Fildes left school at sixteen, got a trade like most of his mates and was soon married with four kids. His life seemed set. But he had a secret. Something he only practised late at night with a few like-minded friends. Then one day, middle age approaching alarmingly, he acted on his lifelong passion. He finally came out. As an astronomer.Today, Gary is the founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory, one of the top ten stargazing sites in the world, which he also helped to build. Situated in the beautiful forests of Kielder, Northumberland, within Europe’s largest protected dark sky park, it offers some of the UK's most spectacular views of stars, planets and galaxies.An Astronomer’s Tale is Gary’s inspirational story: part memoir, part nature writing, part seasonal guide to the night sky. It is a book brimming with passion; and at a time when the world is captivated by space, it will leave you ready to get out there and explore the wonders of the skies for yourself.Trade ReviewI can heartily recommend this book as an inspiration to all public outreach volunteers as, like Gary, they too reach for the stars * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *The observing tips are honed by years of experience, and Fildes excels at capturing the atmosphere at public observatories and star parties * Physics World *Kielder is a stargazer's paradise -- Robert MacfarlaneMove over Brian Cox * Daily Telegraph *Gary’s story reminds us of the old saying that our destiny is not in the stars but in ourselves. He is proof that dreamers from the most unlikely backgrounds can turn their hopes into reality, if they get lucky and work hard... A moving and informative read * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisThis is a history of archaeological endeavour in Norfolk set within a national context. It covers the writer's early experiences as a volunteer, the rise of field archaeology as a profession and efforts to conserve the archaeological heritage against the tide of destruction prevalent in the countryside up to the 1980s when there was not even a right of access to record sites before they were lost. Now developers often have to pay for an excavation before they can obtain planning consent. The book features progress with archaeology conservation as well as the growth of rescue archaeology as a profession both in towns and in the countryside. Many of the most important discoveries made by aerial photography, rescue excavations and metal detecting from the 1970s onwards are illustrated. The last section covers the recent growth of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust as an owner of some of the most iconic rural sites in Norfolk. The book concludes with a discussion of some issues facing British field archaeology today.Trade Review'What a life in Norfolk's archaeology! The book is destined to become an essential archaeological reference and to join other classics of archaeological autobiography, among them Sir Mortimer Wheeler's Still Digging and Philip Rahtz's Living Archaeology. An absolute must-read.' - Edward Biddulph (2018): Current Archaeology Nominated for the Current Archaeology Book of the Year Award 2019Table of ContentsNorfolk Firsts ; Time line of key events most of which feature in the Book ; Chapter 1: Introduction ; Chapter 2: The Early Years ; Chapter 3: Excavating Deserted Medieval Villages ; Chapter 4: The Launditch Hundred Project, 1967-71 ; Chapter 5: North Elmham Park: The Excavation of a High-Status Anglo-Saxon and Early Medieval Settlement, 1967-72 ; Chapter 6: Chance Finds ; Chapter 7: Societies ; Chapter 8: Amateurs in Action ; Chapter 9: Metal Detecting: ‘The Norfolk System’ ; Chapter 10: Urban Surveys ; Chapter 11: The ‘RESCUE’ Movement, The Scole Committee and Professional County Units ; Chapter 12: A New County Service for Field Archaeology, 1973-1999 ; Chapter 13: Key Norfolk Archaeological Unit Projects ; Chapter 14: The Story of ‘East Anglian Archaeology’ ; Chapter 15: County-based Conservation Projects ; Chapter 16: National Conservation Initiatives ; Chapter 17: Some Rescue Excavations, 1972-92 ; Chapter 18: Clearing the Publication Backlog from the Past, 1977-97 ; Chapter 19: Re-structuring Field Archaeology in Norfolk, 1991 ; Chapter 20: Time to Move On ; Chapter 21: The Norfolk Archaeological Trust: a property-owning conservation trust ; Chapter 22: Caistor St Edmund Roman Town ; Chapter 23: Burgh Castle ‘Saxon Shore’ Roman Fort ; Chapter 24: Two Monasteries ; Chapter 25: Other Recent Acquisitions ; Chapter 26: The Future Role of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust ; Chapter 27: A Time to Reflect ; Appendix 1: Alan Davison’s publications ; Appendix 2: Summary of progress set out in the 1996 Five-year Development Plan for Archaeology in the Norfolk Museums Service ; Appendix 3: List of those archaeologists who attended the February 1970 Barford meeting which represented the start of the RESCUE movement ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book Synopsis'Fascinating...an enticingly interesting read' - Sayeeda Warsi. Born in rural Afghanistan, Shakardokht Jafari became a refugee aged just six, after a harrowing half-year trek to Iran. There, at twelve, she discovered she had been promised in marriage at birth to an older cousin. Resisting no fewer than three arranged marriages, she fought to choose her own husband, education and career, defying convention to study radiation technologies at Tehran University. Returning to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, she was asked to re-establish a cancer facility in Kabul, which meant studying first for higher qualifications in the UK. With Islamist insurgency on the rise again, her lawyer husband fled to join her, driving a minicab to make ends meet. The inventor of a method for improving outcomes of radiotherapy on cancer patients, Shakar has become one of Britain's leading medical entrepreneurs. Ironically, at the same time she has faced one of her biggest battles - to save her own health. This remarkable woman, winner of a string of awards for business innovation, is also a leading campaigner for girls' education in Afghanistan. She tells her extraordinary story with disarming candour.Trade Review'A deeply emotional and inspiring book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. A must-read for anyone interested in the history, culture, and politics of Afghanistan and a timely reminder of the resilience and strength of Afghan women Dr Jafri's commitment to empowering women through education is a reminder of the power of empathy and courage. However, the book is also a wake-up call for the broken promises made to Afghanistan by the international community.' Waseem Mahmood, author of Good Morning Afghanistan

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Book Synopsis'Filled with wonderment and awe ... Greene's eloquent memoir is equal parts escape and comfort.' Publishers WeeklyA powerful reflection on life in isolation, in pursuit of the dream of Mars.In 2013 Kate Greene moved to Mars.On NASA's first HI-SEAS simulated Mars mission in Hawaii, she lived for four months in an isolated geodesic dome with her crewmates, gaining incredible insight into human behaviour in tight quarters, as well as the nature of boredom, dreams and isolation that arise amidst the promise of scientific progress and glory.Greene draws on her experience to contemplate what makes an astronaut, the challenges of freeze-dried eggs and time-lagged correspondence, the cost of shooting for a Planet B.The result is a story of space and life, of the slippage between dreams and reality, of bodies in space, and of humanity's incredible impulse to explore. From trying out life on Mars, Greene examines what it is to live on Earth.'In her thoughtful, well-written account of the mission, Greene reflects on what this and other space missions can teach us about ourselves and life on Earth.' Physics TodayTrade ReviewGreene is a talented writer, and her words shine throughout -- Library JournalIn her thoughtful, well-written account of the mission, Greene reflects on what this and other space missions can teach us about ourselves and life on Earth. -- Physics TodayFilled with wonderment and awe ... Greene's eloquent memoir is equal parts escape and comfort. -- Publishers WeeklyLooking for a relatable isolation read after enduring so much pandemic-fueled social isolation? This may be just the book you need. Kate Greene's memoir recounts her time spent as a research participant for NASA in a Mars simulation study. Over the course of four months, Kate lived in insolation with a handful of other participants inside a geodesic dome perched along a Hawaiian volcanic slope. Kate pairs her story of simulating life on Mars with reflections on her queer identity, her brother's disability, and more. -- Book Riot

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Book SynopsisFeatured in New Scientist's Best Books of 2021'Filled with wonderment and awe ... Greene's eloquent memoir is equal parts escape and comfort.' Publishers WeeklyA powerful reflection on life in isolation, in pursuit of the dream of Mars.In 2013 Kate Greene moved to Mars.On NASA's first HI-SEAS simulated Mars mission in Hawaii, she lived for four months in an isolated geodesic dome with her crewmates, gaining incredible insight into human behaviour in tight quarters, as well as the nature of boredom, dreams and isolation that arise amidst the promise of scientific progress and glory.Greene draws on her experience to contemplate what makes an astronaut, the challenges of freeze-dried eggs and time-lagged correspondence, the cost of shooting for a Planet B.The result is a story of space and life, of the slippage between dreams and reality, of bodies in space, and of humanity's incredible impulse to explore. From trying out life on Mars, Greene examines what it is to live on Earth.'In her thoughtful, well-written account of the mission, Greene reflects on what this and other space missions can teach us about ourselves and life on Earth.' Physics TodayTrade ReviewGreene is a talented writer, and her words shine throughout -- Library Journal'Greene turns the longueurs and frustrations of her mission into a moving and compelling story.' -- ‘The best books of 2021’ * New Scientist *In her thoughtful, well-written account of the mission, Greene reflects on what this and other space missions can teach us about ourselves and life on Earth. -- Physics TodayFilled with wonderment and awe ... Greene's eloquent memoir is equal parts escape and comfort. -- Publishers WeeklyLooking for a relatable isolation read after enduring so much pandemic-fueled social isolation? This may be just the book you need. Kate Greene's memoir recounts her time spent as a research participant for NASA in a Mars simulation study. Over the course of four months, Kate lived in insolation with a handful of other participants inside a geodesic dome perched along a Hawaiian volcanic slope. Kate pairs her story of simulating life on Mars with reflections on her queer identity, her brother's disability, and more. -- Book Riot

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Book SynopsisSurgeons cut, but physicians... what do physicians actually do? And is it true that other doctors really call them 'the magicians'? John Quin worked for thirty-three years as a physician for the NHS in both Scotland and England, specialising in endocrinology. He was told the subject was easy because 'hormones - well, they just go up and down'. This, it turned out, was something of an over-simplification. Days on the wards were uproariously funny one minute, infinitely tragic the next. From tackling fraudulent medical students to trying and failing to induce hypoglycaemia in Glaswegian alcoholics (all in the name of research), Dr Quin, Medicine Man is packed with vividly told tales of the joy and reward of getting the diagnosis right, the disaster of getting it wrong. Chasing Chekhov's two rabbits of medicine and writing, meanwhile, Quin sought solace in literature, art and music, applying the lessons of Bulgakov's country doctor to 1980s Glasgow, where none of the patients seemed to have a full complement of fingers, and to 21st-century Brighton, dealing with the consequences of a decade of austerity measures. Darkly amusing and with a keen eye for the absurd, this sharply observed memoir is not only an acute insight into the farcical frustrations and tensions of working in a chronically underfunded system but also a timely reminder of the humanity of the NHS staff who care for us.Trade Review"Refreshing and eloquent" - Libby Purves, The Times “Quin’s acute powers of observation vividly convey the hinterland of the modern general hospital. Quite sweary, this is a medical memoir for the Trainspotting generation.” - The Tablet

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Book SynopsisGabriel Weston was born in 1970. She studied English at Edinburgh University before attending medical school in London and becoming a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 2003. Her Sunday Times bestselling debut, Direct Red, was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and won the PEN-Ackerley Award for Autobiography, while her novel Dirty Work won the McKitterick Prize. The presenter of several BBC TV series, including Trust Me I'm a Doctor and Incredible Medicine: Dr Weston's Casebook, she currently works as a part-time surgeon and lives in London with her husband and children.

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Book SynopsisLeprosy has tormented mankind since records began. For much of its long history it was without cure—a disfiguring disease that stigmatised those it affected, isolating them from society. Today there is an effective treatment, but the last mile to achieve a leprosy-free world is the hardest. Now approaching eighty years old, one Japanese philanthropic activist has played a key role in global efforts against leprosy, both as head of a private foundation and as the World Health Organization's 'Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination'. In this book, he lays out his personal mission and philosophy, and explains how his father, the politician and philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, influenced his decision to make leprosy elimination his life's work. Yohei Sasakawa has visited more than 100 countries, motivating political leaders, raising awareness via the media, encouraging frontline health workers, and helping to empower persons affected by leprosy and their families to speak out for their rights. His book is a validation of the path taken by a father and son to change the course of leprosy history, and to transform the circumstances of those affected by the disease for the better.Trade Review‘Moving . . . the book is a rallying cry for a world free of this disease . . . [a] powerful account.’‘Yohei Sasakawa’s journey and message is clear and important, even at present, and hopefully will inspire other people to take to heart the plea of individuals with leprosy who are still experiencing stigma in their countries.’ -- The Lancet'East Timor achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in 2010. We owe much to Mr Yohei Sasakawa, who visited the country repeatedly to encourage our health services to focus on the disease and convince us it was possible. He is an extraordinary person in the way that he has devoted himself to this humanitarian cause. This book gives you a real idea of who he is and what motivates him. I admire his commitment and dedication to improving the situation of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.' -- José Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1996, and former President of East Timor'"No Matter Where the Journey Takes Me" is the story of a man who has selflessly dedicated his life to bettering the life of others by contributing to the elimination of leprosy, and advocating for the end of the social discrimination it causes. It is the story of disfiguring disease that has afflicted humankind since before history was written, and of a man with a destiny and a mission that are making a difference.' -- David L. Heymann * London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine *'Yohei Sasakawa's "No Matter Where the Journey Takes Me" is a moving account of efforts over almost sixty years to fight both disease and discrimination. Despite significant work, an estimated 3 million people around the world are living with disability from leprosy. The book is a rallying cry for a world free of this disease.' -- Ann Aerts * Nature, The International Journal of Science *

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully written, passionate and moving, this is the book everyone should read about COVID-19' Kate Mosse'Hard to put down' Rachel Clarke'Gripping, humane, eye-opening and seriously tense' Ian DuntThe first book to tell the full story of the COVID-19 pandemic from a doctor on the frontline.ALL ROYALTIES FROM SALES GO TO HEROES, A CHARITY PROTECTING AND SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE WORKERS. On the 8th of February, Dr Dominic Pimenta encountered his first suspected case of coronavirus. Within a week, he began wearing a mask on the tube, and within a month, he moved over to the Intensive Care Unit to help fight the virus.From the initial whispers coming out of China and the collective hesitation to class this as a pandemic to full lockdown and the continued battle to treat whoever came through the doors, Dr Pimenta tells the heroic stories of how the entire system shifted to tackle this outbreak and how, ultimately, the staff managed to save lives.This incredible account captures the shock and surprise, the panic and power of an unprecedented time, and how, at this moment of despair, human generosity and kindness prevailed.'A startlingly personal account ... It can be described as a memoir, a thriller or a horror story, but it is really all at once' Observer'Reads like a thriller – a first-hand account of a group of individuals facing a terrible adversary – but it also moved me sometimes to tears because it communicates the humanity of the patients, as well as the NHS staff. As with all great writing, its honesty shines out' Tim Walker'An excellent book ... Moving and fascinating in equal measure' Xand van TullekenTrade Review'Duty of Care is a tense and gripping account of the unfolding pandemic from a doctor who was there. The bravery and dedication of NHS staff are extraordinary, the looming dangers vividly described. I found it hard to put down' -- Dr Rachel Clarke, Sunday Times bestselling author of Dear Life and Your Life in My Hands.'Gripping, humane, eye-opening and seriously tense. Public interest journalism which reads like a thriller novel' -- Ian Dunt.'Truly wonderful ... Brilliant at explaining what it means to be at the heart of things, the growing sense of menace ... Absolutely essential reading ... It deserves to be on every recommended reading list and pressed into the hands of every politician ... Beautifully written, passionate and moving, this is the book everyone should read about COVID-19' -- Kate Mosse.'A startlingly personal account ... It can be described as a memoir, a thriller or a horror story, but it is really all at once' * Observer. *'Reads like a thriller – a first-hand account of a group of individuals facing a terrible adversary – but it also moved me sometimes to tears because it communicates the humanity of the patients, as well as the NHS staff. As with all great writing, its honesty shines out' -- Tim Walker.'An excellent book ... Moving and fascinating in equal measure' -- Xand van Tulleken.Table of Contents0

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Book SynopsisThe memoir of a trainee nurse at one of the world's most famous children's hospitals.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, from the co-host of the podcast WHAT THE MIDWIFE SAID________________No sleep for twenty hours. No food for ten.And a ward full of soon-to-be mothers...Midwives are there for us at some of the most challenging, empowering and defining moments of our lives. From heart-wrenching grief to the pure joy of a new-born baby, midwife Leah Hazard has seen it all.But life on the NHS front line, working within a system at breaking point, is more extreme than you could ever imagine.Moving and compassionate, funny and unexpected, Leah shares her experiences in this extraordinary love letter to new mothers and fellow midwives everywhere._____________________'The stories in Hard Pushed highlight the bravery of our midwives, and the women they care for.' CHRISTIE WATSON, author of The Language of Kindness'Heart-rending, inspiring and funny, Hard Pushed brings alive the world of midwifery in all its complexity and radiates love and respect for women.' PROFESSOR LESLEY PAGE CBE, former president of the Royal College of Midwives'It is Leah Hazard's capacity to love and give so personally to the many thousands of women she has worked with which imbues this book with its power.' JULIA SAMUEL, author of Grief Works'Not only powerful but well written too . . . a worthwhile addition to a genre fast becoming as crowded as a busy maternity unit.' DAILY EXPRESS'A riveting read: heartwarming and heartbreaking' SHEENA BYROM OBE, midwifery consultant and author of Catching Babies'A beautifully written, intimate portrait of the extraordinary work that midwives carry out each and every day.' CAROLINE ELTON, author of Also Human: The Inner Lives of DoctorsTrade ReviewLeah Hazard describes the challenges and dedication of those working in the NHS. The stories in Hard Pushed highlight the bravery of our midwives, and the women they care for. -- CHRISTIE WATSON, author of THE LANGUAGE OF KINDNESSA ‘love letter’ to midwives everywhere - which brings the maternity ward to life in all its gory, humorous and touching glory. * Telegraph *Heart-rending, inspiring and funny, Hard Pushed brings alive the world of midwifery in all its complexity and radiates love and respect for women, even in the most frantic and anxiety-ridden moments. -- Professor Lesley Page CBE, former president of the Royal College of MidwivesYou will laugh, cry and not quite believe what you read. I loved every word. * Sun *Part hymn to the strength of the pregnant and labouring women and part "warning shot, a battle cry" for a system in crisis... Abundant heart-warming and moving birth stories... Her tone is deeply reassuring... not only powerful but well-written too.' * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational autobiography of Britain’s beloved astronaut Tim Peake, the #1 bestselling author of Hello, is this Planet Earth? and Ask an AstronautAs heard on BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs__________________'What surprised me was how entirely serene I felt. I was weightless, no forces exerting themselves on my body. To my left was the Space Station. Below me, gradually going into shadow, was the Earth. And over my right shoulder was the universe.'In fascinating and personal detail, and drawing on exclusive diaries and audio recordings from his mission, astronaut Tim Peake takes readers closer than ever before to experience what life in space is really like: the sights, the smells, the fear, the sacrifice, the exhilaration and the deep and abiding wonder of the view.Warm, inspiring and often funny, Tim also charts his surprising road to becoming an astronaut, from a shy and unassuming boy from Chichester who had a passion for flight, to a young British Army officer, Apache helicopter pilot, flight instructor and test pilot who served around the world. Tim's extensive eighteen-year career in the Army included the command of a platoon of soldiers in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, deployment in Bosnia, and operations in Afghanistan.Full of life lessons for readers of all ages, Limitless is the story of how ordinary can become extraordinary.__________________'For someone who has literally been out of this world Tim's an incredibly down to earth guy and I think you'll be amazed at some of the things he has done ... it's so inspiring to know that even going into space didn't change him as much as being a parent did.' JOE WICKS'Tim is one of our nation's good guys - and his story is a testament to his courage, kindness and a never-give-up spirit.' BEAR GRYLLS'Full of courage, camaraderie and daring escapades, this reads like a Boys' Own adventure' MIRROR'A fantastic book' PIERS MORGAN'Fasten your seatbelt for an exhilarating read ... His accounts of blasting into orbit at 25 times the speed of sound and floating, weightless, around the space station are enthralling.' EXPRESSBestseller in the UK, Sunday Times, October 2020Trade ReviewHis accounts of blasting into orbit at 25 times the speed of sound and floating, weightless, around the space station are enthralling. Fasten your seatbelt for an exhilarating read. * Daily Express *It's awesome! -- Jason FoxFor someone who has literally been out of this world Tim's an incredibly down to earth guy and I think you'll be amazed at some of the things he has done ... it's so inspiring to know that even going into space didn't change him as much as being a parent did. -- Joe WicksTim is one of our nation's good guys - and his story is a testament to his courage, kindness and a never give up spirit. -- Bear GryllsWarm, entertaining and sprinkled with a touch of stardust, this book is definitely a must-read for anybody who's dreamed of the stars. To infinity and beyond! -- Roaring Bookworm (blog)

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.An unorthodox guide to making things worth making, from 'the father of the iPod and iPhone' and the creator of Nest.Everyone deserves a mentor. For every career crisis, every fork in the road, you need someone to talk to. Someone who's been there before, who knows exactly how wobbly and conflicted you feel, who can give it to you straight:Here's how to think about choosing a job.Here's how to be a better manager.Here's how to approach design.Here's how to start a company.Here's how to run it.Tony Fadell learned all these lessons the hard way. He spent the first 10 years of his career in Silicon Valley failing spectacularly, and the next 20 building some of the most impactful devices in history - the iPod, iPhone, and Nest Learning Thermostat. He has enough stories and advice about leadership, design, startups, mentorship, decision making, devastating screwups, and unbelievable success to fill an encyclopedia.So that's what this book is. An advice encyclopedia. A mentor in a box.But Tony's doesn't follow the standard Silicon Valley credo that you have to radically reinvent everything you do. His advice is unorthodox because it's old school. Because it's based on human nature, not gimmicks.Tony keeps things simple: he just tells you what works. He gives you exactly what you need to make things worth making.PRAISE FOR BUILD'This is the most fun - and the most fascinating - memoir of curiosity and invention that I've ever read.'Malcolm Gladwell,Host of the Revisionist History podcast. Author of Outliers and Talking to Strangers.'Whether you're looking to build a great product, a creative team, a strong culture, or a meaningful career, Tony's guidance will get you thinking and rethinking.'Adam Grant,Author of Think Again & Host of the TED podcast WorkLifeTrade ReviewTony Fadell has made more cool stuff than almost anyone else in the history of Silicon Valley, and in Build he tells us how. This is the most fun - and the most fascinating - memoir of curiosity and invention that I've ever read.Malcolm Gladwell, Host of the Revisionist History podcast. Author of Outliers and Talking to Strangers. * . *Tony Fadell is one of the world's great experts in starting companies and creating insanely great products. He's distilled his wisdom in this book, providing wildly useful mentorship in a delightfully readable set of stories.Walter Isaacson,Author & Biographer of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein & Leonardo DaVinci * . *Tony Fadell distills his epic career into refreshingly candid, often contrarian advice that you can put into practice right away. Whether you're looking to build a great product, a creative team, a strong culture, or a meaningful career, Tony's guidance will get you thinking and rethinking.Adam Grant,Author of Think Again & Host of the TED podcast WorkLife * . *Super hacks for building a team, building a company [and] how to spot a good idea. All of the chapters are 10/10 solid gold. This book is fantastic.Chris Evans * . *Tony Fadell is the legendary technologist, engineer and entrepreneur who's lived so many lives in the pressure-cooker of Silicon Valley bringing visionary ideas into existence, one after another. The chance to now share his insights, instincts and wisdom is essential reading and a precious gift for any inventor hungry to change the world.Thomas Heatherwick,Award Winning Designer & Founder Heatherwick Studio * . *Based on hard won, real life lessons as an entrepreneur, Tony Fadell's Build delivers priceless advice for any young person who wants to build something great or change the world for the better. I wish I had this book when I was 21.Ben Horowitz,Founding Partner, Andreessen Horowitz * . *A highly personal and sparky guide to building your career and creating cool stuff.John Thornhill, Financial Times * . *With 30+ years of experience in Silicon Valley and 300 patents to his name, Fadell has been part of epic successes-and failures-and this book is full of stories, insights and lessons related to themJosh Rubin,Cool Hunting * . *If you're at all interested in the history of tech and the products that made it so, Build is a must-read. We've not seen anything of this scale published before, so any tech fans should snap it up'Stuff * . *A Forbes Top 10 Tech Book of 2022. * . *

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Book SynopsisAn account from the frontline of fertility treatment, giving a unique insight into not only the medical and scientific advances involved but the human cost and rewards behind this life-changing technology.Simon Fishel worked with Robert Edwards during his pioneering early IVF research and was part of the team in the world’s first IVF clinic, with all the trials and tribulations that involved at the time, including a writ for murder! As the science developed over the decades so did his career, as he sought to do more for patients and taught the new technologies to doctors all over the world. He came up against regulatory and establishment barriers, including fighting a 3-year legal case in the High Court of Justice and a death threat from a doctor if he refused to work with him. The clinic he founded has grown into the largest IVF group in the UK, developing exciting new procedures, and he has helped establish clinics throughout the world, even being invited to introduce IVF to China.Trade Review"I've enjoyed many medical memoirs, and have read quite a few about the miracle of birth-but these were midwife memoirs. This one starts way before actual births and tells of the growth of IVF treatment. It was a fascinating read. Simon Fishel originally worked with Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, pioneers in IVF treatment. He later set up an IVF unit in a hospital in Nottingham. You hear of so many couples having IVF treatment now-relatives, friends; so it was interesting to go back to its infancy. There were amazing advances made-whilst at the same time they suffered much opposition to what they were doing. This book is not just about miracle babies, there would be many hurdles and surprising events I didn't envisage too. The book contains photos and news clippings." Julie Haigh"A remarkable and open account of the early years of IVF." Mrs A * Amazon.co.uk *Table of ContentsList of Figures Foreword Special Note 1. Nobody Said It Would Be Easy 2. Bourn Hall: The World’s First IVF Clinic 1980–1985 3. Beginnings 1953–1980 4. Nottingham to Rome and Back 1985–1991 5. The Nurture Years 1991–1997 6. Bankruptcy Looms 1997–2001 7. CARE: The Battle for Miracles Continues 1997–Present 8. The DNA of IVF 9. The Legacy of IVF About the Author . Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisIf you thought you knew about the life of a GP, think again.Let me take you on an unbelievable journey to the truth, through spilt urine bottles, the patients who should have been in hospital months ago, existential crises, utterly unexplainable health problems and awkward silences.This is a job that requires you to be a detective, relationship counsellor, social worker, friend, sex therapist, parent-figure and sometimes, just sometimes, a doctor. Find out why you only get ten minutes with a GP, why you can never see the same doctor, why we are ALWAYS running late and why, despite a struggling system and an almost omnipresent sense of impending doom, I really love my job.

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Book SynopsisIt was a low-level panic at first, but very quickly there were big changes taking place. Day by day, wards were being cleared to make way for Covid-positive patients. Things were getting worse by the day. For the first time in my nursing career, I felt scared.As a palliative care nurse, it is Kelly Critcher's job to look death in the eye - to save a patient while the fight can still be won, and confront life's end with grace and kindness when it can't. In early 2020, everything changed for nurses on the NHS front line. Working on Covid wards and the High Dependency Unit, Kelly spent the height of the coronavirus crisis at Northwick Park hospital - perhaps the UK hospital most deeply ravaged by the illness.She, and many others like her, battled tirelessly in a critical care unit pushed to breaking point, delivering the bad news and fighting the good fight, day-in, day-out, throughout the gravest test our health service has faced since its inception.Kelly's story weaves together her raw, emotional diaries from the COVID frontline with a broader reflection on the truths about a life spent caught between battling for her patients' lives and helping them face down death with courage and compassion. Bringing together the enormity of the last twelve months - and the scars it will leave - this is a book for our times.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of One Born Every Minute.The Secret Midwife is a heart-breaking, engrossing and important read. At once joyful and profoundly shocking, this is the story of birth, straight from the delivery room.Strongest supporter, best friend, expert, cheerleader and chief photographer . . . Before, during and after labour the role of a midwife is second to none. The Secret Midwife reveals the highs and lows on the frontline of the maternity unit, from the mother who tries to give herself a DIY caesarean to the baby born into witness protection, and from surprise infants that arrive down toilets to ones that turn up in the lift.But there is a problem; the system which is supposed to support the midwives and the women they care for is starting to crumble. Short-staffed, over worked and underappreciated - these crippling conditions are taking their toll on the dedicated staff doing their utmost to uphold our National Health Service, and the consequences are very serious indeed.

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Book SynopsisThe progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention.Visionary, pioneer, and eccentric genius, Nikola Tesla was the quintessential scientist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Two of his creations, the induction motor and the Tesla coil, underpin the technology of the modern world. First published as six articles in the Electrical Experimenter magazine, My Inventions tells the story of Tesla''s life, from his humble beginnings in Croatia to his migration to the United States, and describes his revolutionary feats of invention and pivotal breakthroughs in the world of engineering. This book takes you on an inspirational journey into one of the world''s greatest and most unconventional minds.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.

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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 SynopsisFrom the 2021 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, a remarkable journey into the practice of groundbreaking science ''Giorgio Parisi is renowned for his scientific creativity, originality, and power. In this exhilarating little book, he shows his human side, too. By its end, readers will feel they''ve made a charming, witty new friend'' Frank WilczekThe world is shaped by complexity. In this enlightening book, Nobel Prize winner Giorgio Parisi guides us through his unorthodox yet exhilarating work to show us how. It all starts with investigating the principles of physics by observing the sophisticated flight patterns of starlings. Studying the movements of these birds, he has realized, proves an illuminating way into understanding complex systems of all kinds - collections of everything from atoms to planets to other animals like ourselves. Along the way, Parisi reflects on the lessons he''s taken from a life in pursuit of scientific truth: the importance o

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Book SynopsisShining a light on the eccentricities of junior doctors in the NHS, Quacks is filled with stories that will make you laugh and gasp in equal measure.

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Book SynopsisDr Tony Holohan served as Chief Medical Officer in Ireland for 14 years, but only really became known to the public during the Covid 19 pandemic. During this time his remarkable leadership skills came to the fore and he became the public face of the pandemic, helping to steer the nation through the biggest public health crisis in Ireland's modern history.However, while dealing with the most serious pandemic in a century in his professional life, he was also enduring challenges at home. His beloved wife of 25 years, Emer, was battling cancer, and died in February 2021. This remarkable book reflects on these experiences and inspires us to have those difficult conversations that ultimately make life more meaningful.Trade Review'Engrossing, readable, and thought-provoking' -- Prof Brendan Kelly * The Medical Independent *'A compelling, honest and at times brutal and deeply emotional account' * Irish Independent *'dignified, careful and compelling' * The Irish Times *'Worth reading' -- Allan Prosser * Irish Examiner *'A very important contribution from a man at the very heart of policy making' -- John Kirkaldy * Books Ireland *'Worthy and humane' -- Andrew Lynch * Business Post *

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Book Synopsis''This book recounts some of the more significant instances of grief, tragedy and sorrow I encountered throughout my crime scene investigation career. Along with some relevant snapshots from my earlier frontline policing, they offer an inside glimpse into how this strange world shaped my view of life and living and provide an insight into the hard-earned lessons I learned, both professionally and personally, along the way. I seek to show how these experiences ultimately led to a transformation in my understanding of the true nature of death.''Despite an intense fear of death, Ciaran Prior became a garda crime scene investigator, a job that exposed him to the very thing he had feared most as a child.In this remarkable and revealing memoir, Ciaran sensitively details his work on some of Ireland's most shocking murders, giving the reader behind-the-scenes access to real crime scenes and a unique insight into the role of forensics in modern-day policing, as well as the impact that constant frontline encounters with death had on Ciaran's health. More than just a forensic police procedural,Traces of Truth is both a fascinating glimpse into crime scene investigation techniques, the character instinct and judgement required to see justice done, and a moving reflection on life, death and the traces that a career spent dealing with mortality leave on a man's perception and psyche.

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Book Synopsis'Vital and heart-wrenchingly intimate' Leah Hazard'Urgent, fascinating and thought-provoking' Julia Bueno'Thoughtfully researched and beautifully written' Pippa VosperAfter losing four pregnancies with no obvious cause, Jennie Agg set out to understand why miscarriage remains such a profoundly misunderstood, under-researched and under-acknowledged experience. Part-memoir, part-scientific investigation, Life, Almost documents Agg's path to motherhood and her search for answers. Tracing each tentative step of her fifth pregnancy - as her body becomes a creature she does not wish to spook - Agg dismantles the myths that we unquestioningly accept about our reproductive lives: Why are we told miscarriage can't be prevented when half of all miscarriages are of perfectly healthy embryos? Why is it normal not to tell anyone you're pregnant for the first three months? Why don't we know why labour starts? Drawing on pioneering research and interviews with world-leading experts, Life, Almost is a ground-breaking book that will change how you think about miscarriage, and a moving reflection on grief and love at the edge of life as we understand it.

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Book SynopsisLife and death in a modern hospital, from Seamus O'Mahony, the award-winning author of The Way We Die Now and Can Medicine Be Cured? Seamus O'Mahony charts the realities of work in the 'ministry of bodies', that huge complex where people come to be cured and to die. From unexpected deaths to moral quandaries and bureaucratic disasters, O'Mahony documents life in the halls and wards that all of us will visit at some point in our lives with his characteristic wit and dry and unsentimental intelligence. Absurd general emails, vain and self-promoting specialists, the relentless parade of self-destructive drinkers and drug users, the comical expectations of baffled patients: this is not a conventional medical memoir, but the collective biography of one of our great modern institutions – the general hospital – through the eyes of a brilliant writer, who happens to be a doctor.Trade ReviewSharp and pithy observations... An insight into the realities of healthcare that no journalist could hope to capture' -- Danielle Barron, Irish TimesNo one writes as clearly and intelligently about modern medicine as Seamus O'Mahony -- Emily Hourican, Sunday IndependentWonderfully funny and curmudgeonly, The Ministry of Bodies is a descent into the very bowels of modern medicine, as brilliant and candid as Solzhenitsyn's Cancer Ward -- Kevin ToolisDoctors tend to be seen as saints and heroes, but that's a picture few of them recognise. Seamus O'Mahony, a medical Dostoevsky, gives a much more interesting and much funnier portrayal of a doctor's life -- Richard Smith, former editor of the British Medical JournalThe Ministry of Bodies has much of what we expect from O'Mahony – it's blunt, witty, erudite, curmudgeonly -- Melanie Reid, The TimesThere's plenty of interesting strangeness * iNews *Funny, sad, infuriating, heartening and depressing, all in almost equal measure, although the overarching theme is one of deep regret for what has been lost... There are many parts of The Ministry of Bodies that had me laughing out loud... O'Mahony has a very keen eye for the absurd. But much of it made me wince too... The moral conviction of the book is unwavering' * Irish Sunday Independent *

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Book SynopsisFor the last twenty years, Dr Hawa Abdi and her daughters have run a refugee camp on their family farm not far from Mogadishu which has grown to shelter 90,000 displaced Somalis: men, women, and children in urgent need of medical attention. As Islamist militia groups have been battling for control of the country creating one of the most dire human rights crises in the world, Dr. Abdi's camp is a beacon of hope for the Somalis, most of whom have no proper access to health care. She was recently held hostage by a militant groups who threatened her life and told her that because she's a woman she has no right to run the camp. She refused to leave.This is not just the story of a woman doctor in a war torn Islamic country risking her life daily to minister to thousands of desperate people, it's also an inspiring story of a divorced woman and her two daughters, bound together on a mission to rehabilitate a country.Trade ReviewA remarkable story of tenacity in dire circumstances. - The Bookseller

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Book SynopsisAn exhilarating journey into the unfathomable depths of the human mind, from the acclaimed author of Let Me Not Be Mad.What does it take to care for a stranger? Really care.The Case for Love is a reflection on a career treating patients with brain trauma - people whose thoughts and feelings are largely unknowable - and how and why those treatments failed.It is a reconstruction of three haunting cases in which the patients were tragically misunderstood - and an attempt through the power of the imagination to understand and make amends.It then describes the author's abandonment of his career and his tumultuous quest for healing and redemption.It is also a story of intimate relationships, pets, fatherhood and heartbreak, culminating in a moment of psychedelic transcendence and rebirth.It is about the overpowering need for connection - and how, increasingly, we are trapped in ourselves.It is a meditation on empathy and an act of atonement.It is a unique, hybrid work of clinical case study and pure invention that destroys the boundary between fact and fiction in order to bring us face-to-face with the shocking, liberating truth.__________Praise for Let Me Not Be Mad'Imagine a gonzo Oliver Sacks communing with Edward St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose, R.D. Laing and the spirit of Kafka's 'The Country Doctor', and you still won't quite have the flavour of this wild and strikingly original book' William Fiennes'Stunning: clever, troubling, restless, honest, dishonest; one of the best portraits of madness and clinical practice I've read' Olivia Laing'A perfectly extraordinary - not to mention extraordinarily perfect - tense Hitchcockian psychodrama. I have rarely read a more haunting and enthralling account of a descent into madness. An important, profound and fascinating book' Stephen Fry'Blackly comic, warmly compassionate, a unique take on the human mind offering uncomfortable universal truths' Stewart Lee'A slow-burn belter of a book ... terrific ... so finely described, the result has the terse force of a classic short story' Roddy Doyle'Exhilarating ... dazzling ... a miraculous feat' GuardianTrade ReviewPart memoir, part case study, part work of fiction ... exhilarating ... this is really what he means by love: one mind truly knowing another ... rich ... claustrophobic ... Benjamin is at times a virtuosic writer ... an artful book, and there are moments of sublimity ... beautiful and moving -- M M Owen * Times Literary Supplement *Benjamin writes beautifully and with exceptional insight, a tormented soul who knows the truth of the worst torments -- Andrew Anthony * Observer *A blindsiding dissection of the poetry of pain, dazzlingly scripted, with craft and integrity. Compulsive and shocking -- Iain SinclairWith clinical precision, coupled with the sensibility of a poet, A K Benjamin lets the reader imagine the inter-twined world of a neuropsychologist and his patients -- Caroline Elton, author of Also Human: The Inner Lives of DoctorsAt first I thought this an exceptionally well written book in the genre of medical story telling. The more I read the more I realised it's an exceptional book in a genre all of its own. Insightful, wonderfully well observed and beautifully written -- Suzanne O'Sullivan (on Let Me Not Be Mad)A treasure of a book. Intricately woven and deeply intimate, it reveals things that astonish, surprise and improve us -- James Rhodes (on Let Me Not Be Mad)A truly astonishing journey into and out of the mind. Not content to pin you down with the intense intimacy of his storytelling Benjamin dramatises some of the most profound and intractable issues in neuroscience and psychiatry. I've never read anything like it -- Professor Mark Lythgoe, UCL (on Let Me Not Be Mad)A mental-health memoir like no other ... a genre-defying wake-up call of a book ... compelling ... clever humane ... holding back a sly twist for the end * Observer (on Let Me Not Be Mad) *Like a meeting of Oliver Sacks and Hunter S Thompson ... this is not a simple narrative of striking cases written by a far-seeing practitioner. It's a turbo-charged race -- Lisa Appignanesi * New Statesman (on Let Me Not Be Mad) *

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Book SynopsisSir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. His career as a naturalist and broadcaster has spanned nearly six decades, and in this volume of memoirs Sir David tells stories of the people and animals he has met and the places he has visited. His first job - after Cambridge University and two years in the Royal Navy - was at a London publishing house. Then in 1952 he joined the BBC as a trainee producer, and it was while working on the Zoo Quest series (1954-64) that he had his first opportunity to undertake expeditions to remote parts of the globe, to capture intimate footage of rare wildlife in its natural habitat. He was Controller of BBC2 (1965-68), during which time he introduced colour television to Britain, then Director of Programmes for the BBC (1969-1972). However, in 1973 he abandoned administration altogether to return to documentary-making and writing, and has established himself as the world's leading Natural History programme maker with several landmark BBC series, including Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet (1984), The Trials of Life (1990), The Private Life of Plants (1995), Life of Birds (1998), The Blue Planet (2001), Life of Mammals (2002), Planet Earth (2006) and Life in Cold Blood (2008). Sir David is an Honorary Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Royal Society and was knighted in 1985. He is also Britain's most respected, trusted and lauded natural history broadcaster and writer, championing conservation and standing at the forefront of issues concerning the planet's declining species. A lot has changed since his first television documentary, and in this updated edition of Life on Air Sir David tells us of his experiences of filming in the 21st century.Trade ReviewIt's almost impossible to believe that all these things happened to one man... but David Attenborough wears his achievements lightly and there are as many laughs here as there are animals. -- Michael PalinWhat shines through most of all is his enthusiasm - as undimmed now as when he started out. * Sunday Telegraph *An enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television. His life has been fascinating. Attenborough is a master story-teller, and his book is crammed with anecdotes. * Good Book Guide *Life on Air, David Attenborough's professional autobiography, tells the entertaining story of how he turned us all into armchair experts in natural history. -- Douglas Palmer * New Scientist *[An] engaging and often amusing text. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisDavid Attenborough is one of the most influential and admired figures in English television. When 26, he applied for a job in the BBC – which then meant radio – and was promptly turned down. But someone saw his rejected application and asked, would he like to try television? He would, and sixty years later, he is still at it. Elegantly told, often very funny, here is his story.At home there is his rise to controlling BBC2, introducing colour television to Britain, encounters with Montgomery, Anthony Eden, singers, athletes, explorers, the Queen, Benjamin Britten. Abroad there are people just as remarkable, journeys up tropical rivers, to the interior of New Guinea or the Australian outback, dragons, birds of paradise, flying snakes and walls of cockroaches.Now updated to cover his work since 2009, Life on Air is a remarkable account of David Attenborough’s passion for the natural world and his lifelong quest to understand it. .Trade ReviewThere isn’t a single false note....Attenborough’s familiar voice comes through in every line. * Daily Telegraph *It’s almost impossible to believe that all these things happened to one man… But David Attenborough wears his achievements lightly and there as many laughs here as there are animals. -- Michael PalinAn enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television… Attenborough is a master story-teller, and his book is crammed with anecdotes. * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisAt the dawn of the permissive age Diana is a medical student in swinging London. Revel in the fascinating characters that she meets, the medical students, doctors and patients and see what made the little girl into the woman she is now. Funny and moving and based on a true story.

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