Biography: adventurers and explorers Books

Book SynopsisRAF Veteran and Prince''s Trust Awardee, Alford Dalrymple Gardner is one of the few living passengers to have travelled on the Empire Windrush. Now published in paperback, Finding Home is his stirring life story.On 22nd June 1948, the Empire Windrush sailed from Kingston, Jamaica, to harbour at Tilbury Docks. It carried 1,027 passengers and two stowaways, and more than two thirds of them were West Indies nationals. Alford Dalrymple Gardner was among them.Alford''s story traverses both the uplifting highs and intolerant lows that West Indian migrants of his generation encountered upon travelling to Britain to forge out a life. From joining the British military during World War II to being forcibly deported back to Jamaica once it was won-only to come back to the UK when the government decided it needed him again-Alford witnessed milestone events of the 20th century that shaped the country he still lives in today.In the context of a supposedly ''post-Imperial''

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Book SynopsisIn Franco, Michael Streeter explores the Generalissimo's legacy as the subject of a cult of personality in one of Europe's longest-lasting modern dictatorships and considers his genesis, his successes decades of relative stability and prosperity during a period of great European conflict and the terrible cost at which they came.

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Book SynopsisFrom the Pulitzer Prizewinning journalists who uncovered the Panama Papers, a gripping, real-life thriller following the authors' attempt to uncover the truth about one of the world's most wanted men. Karl Lee, alias Li Fangwei, plays a key role in the secret struggle between the world powers, bypassing Western sanctions to supply dictators with the weapons they need to wipe out their neighbouring countries or even to trigger a third world war. For almost two decades, intelligence agencies have been hunting for Karl Lee. The FBI has put a $5 million bounty on his head, but nobody has been able to catch him. Now, four award-winning investigative journalists set out to find him. Following the routes of his deliveries and his money, the authors track down Karl Lee's businesses in China and uncover his network of shell companies. During their investigation, they get embroiled deeper and deeper in the shady world of the Chinese phantom, and realise that Karl Lee is just a pawn in a muc

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Book SynopsisDr Henry Radcliffe (1819 1903) was a young Liverpool doctor, who joined the Californian gold rush in 1849, sailing to San Francisco via Cape Horn. He settled in Stockton where, when not prospecting for gold in the upper reaches of the San Joaquin River, he founded the first hospital in Stockton and became the proprietor and first editor of the Stockton Times, the first newspaper in Stockton. He was also one of the first trustees of the Stockton Methodist Church, the earliest (by a day) church in Stockton. The Doctor Digger is based on the letters of Dr Radcliffe, edited, with linking text, by his great, great, great nephew, John Radcliffe. Henry's letters describe expeditions to remote parts of the Southern Goldfields, encounters with indigenous tribes and tribulations with the Stockton Times, as well as his longings for home. The book also illustrates features of life in California, the Indian genocide, independence from Mexico and Statehood and the Mariposa War. When gold was discovered in Australia in 1851 Dr Radcliffe sailed for Sydney and made his way to the Victorian goldfields, finally settling in Ballarat. Later he became Honorary Physician at the Ballarat Base Hospital as well as maintaining a lucrative private practice. He died in 1903 a very old , but very alert man' and was buried next to the Eureka Soldiers Memorial in Ballarat Old Cemetery.

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Book SynopsisAn inside look at the most successful president of modern times.

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Book SynopsisFour writers. Four dictators. One world, changed out of all recognition. ENGINEERS OF HUMAN SOULS is an intimate and shocking shadow history of creative vanity in a time that turned writers - once the faithful servants of authority - into figures of political consequence. Maurice Barrès, who first wielded the politics of identity. Gabriele D'Annunzio, whose poetry became a blueprint for fascism. Maxim Gorky, dramatist of the working class and Stalin's cheerleader. The Maoist Ding Ling, whose stories exculpated the regime that kept her imprisoned. All four nursed extravagant visions of the future, and believed they were vital to its realisation. Each was lured to the centre of political action. Each established a dangerous and damaging relationship with a notorious dictator. And when writers and rulers find a use for each other, the consequences can be shattering for us all. These stories - of courage and compromise, vanity and malevolence - speak urgently to the uncontrollable power of words.Trade ReviewAn utterly thrilling and intellectually revelatory book. At a time when everything seems to be in freefall, and we are all trying to make sense of who we should be in a time of crisis, this is a stunningly wise book. If you read it, you'll learn about some of the deepest questions human beings can ask - and get closer to the answers -- Johann HariA compelling new book by Simon Ings about the corrupting effect of power on literary talent -- Thomas W. Hodgkinson * Spectator *Ings gives his readers a concise round-up of the intellectual ground in which the twentieth-century dictatorships took root. He has a talent for succinct statements so well turned that they immediately ring true ... His openings are arrestingly quirky. He cleverly leaves out the boring bits to offer the reader a staccato sequence of telling vignettes. His tone - by turns breezy and bitterly sardonic - is engaging ... Rather than plod through the welter of historical facts, he skips lightly from resonant incident to ringing quotation. His put-downs are trenchant, his asides witty, his exposition of political theory is clear and concise ... his book is enlightening and surprisingly entertaining -- Lucy Hughes-Hallett * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisMany of the academic refugees Esther Simpson helped rescue are well remembered. But who was she and why has history forgotten her?This is the story of Esther Simpson, a woman whose dedication to the cause of freedom in science and learning left an indelible mark on the cultural and intellectual landscape of the modern world.Esther Simpson - Tess to her friends - devoted her life to resettling academic refugees, whom she thought of as her family. By the end of her life, Simpson could count among her ''children'' sixteen Nobel Prize winners, eighteen Knights, seventy-four fellows of the Royal Society, thirty-four fellows of the British Academy. Her ''children'' made a major contribution to Allied victory in World War Two.From a humble upbringing in Leeds to Russian immigrant parents, Simpson took on secretarial roles that saw her move to Paris, Vienna and Geneva. But when Hitler assumed power in 1933, she took a job in London at the Academic Assistance CTrade ReviewThis is an extraordinary story of dedication and humanitarianism, superbly researched and clearly told. Eidinow tells numerous success stories, but doesn't ignore the darker side . . . a story of generosity, humanity and enormous achievement' -- David Herman * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisThe strange, but true biography of the colorful founder of Saucerian Books, a central purveyor and promoter of flying saucer and conspiracist knowledge in the mid-twentieth century.Gray Barker (1925?1984) was an eccentric literary outsider, filled with ideas that were out of step with the world. An author and unreliable narrator of implausible stories, Barker founded and operated Saucerian Books, an independent publisher of books about flying saucers and other ideas at the fringes of popular discourse. In The Saucerian, author Gabriel Mckee tells the fascinating story of Barker?s West Virginia-based press, the unique corpus of materials it published, and how office-copying and self-publishing techniques influenced the spread of paranormal beliefs and conspiratorial worldviews over the last century. Following the development of UFO subculture, Mckee explores the life and career of a larger-than-life hoaxer and originator of pseudoscientific ideas. Ever an entertainer, Barker established his reputation with one of the first flying saucer fanzines The Saucerian and with his first book, the conspiratorial and sensationalistic They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers. By the close of the 1950s, he had established a publishing imprint that brought out some of the strangest UFO-related books of the era, with a particular emphasis on flying saucer contactees. Saucerian Books became a platform for those whose stories were too unusual, implausible, or crudely written for more mainstream publishers. Though Barker himself was a skeptic, he viewed the world of occult believers as a source of ongoing entertainment. He also may have used the perceived eccentricity of flying saucer research, or ?ufology,? to obscure his homosexuality from his small-town neighbors. From his place on the fringes of midcentury American culture, Barker left an unmatched legacy in conspiratorial concepts that have become prominent pop cultural folklore, including the Men in Black, the Mothman, and the Philadelphia Experiment. As a mastermind behind the fantastical, Barker?s promotional efforts were the precursor to contemporary conspiracism.

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Book SynopsisAngus Roxburgh is one of Britain's most distinguished foreign correspondents. An author and renowned journalist, he was the Sunday Times Moscow Correspondent in the mid-1980s and the BBC's Moscow correspondent during the Yeltsin years. He is the author of The Second Russian Revolution and Pravda: Inside the Soviet Press Machine.Trade Review[I]t is valuable as a first-hand source for information about the people and events of the Putin era. * International Journal of Russian Studies *Table of ContentsAbout the Author Introduction 1. The Secret Policeman's Ball 1 2. Courting the West 3. The Battle for Economic Reform 4. The Darker Side 5. New Europe, Old Europe 6. Putin Mark II 7. Enemies Everywhere 8. A New Cold War 9. Media, Missiles, Medvedev 10. The Descent into War 11. Resetting Relations with the West 12. The Strongman and His Friends 13. Tandemology 14. Putin Mark III 15. A New Russia 16. President for Life? Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis is a gripping story that begins in February 2022, when the author and his family shared the fate of millions of Ukrainian refugees driven out of their cities and villages by the Russian invasion. Over a year later, the intense panic of the first weeks and months has subsided, and the author is able to convey the story through a clearer lens. This is not a hate-filled recounting of their experiencesdespite ongoing attacks. Instead, it focuses on the moments of love, friendship, unity, courage, and faith that Ukrainians experienced since the onset of the war. While war can be experienced as an out-of-control fire, it can also bring forward the healing warmth of kinship.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the definitive book on the Menendez caseand the disquieting true story behind Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. A successful entertainment executive making $2 million a year. His former beauty queen wife. Their two sons on the fast track to success.But it was all a façade.The Menendez saga has captivated the American public since 1989. The killing of José and Kitty Menendez on a quietSundayevening in Beverly Hills didn't make the cover of People magazine until the arrest of their sonsseven months later, when the case developed an intense cult following. By the time the first Menendez trial began in July 1993, the public was convinced that Lyle and Erik were a pair of greedy rich kids who had killed loving, devoted parents.The real story remained buried beneath years of dark secrets. A culmination of more than 30 years of journalist Robert Rand's relentless reporting, this updated edition of The Menendez Murders shares these intimate, breakthrough findings, including a deeply disturbing history of child abuse and sexual molestation in the Menendez family going back generations, as well as exclusive new revelations linking the 1980s boy band Menudo and the Menendez family, a first-hand account of the emotional reunion between Erik and Lyle Menendez, and surprising insights into how the Menendez brothers remain resilient and live with purpose despite a life sentence without parole. Rand has followed the Menendez murders from the beginning and is the only reporter who covered the original investigation as well as both trials. With a unique vantage and unparalleled access to the Menendez family and their history, including interviews with both brothers before and after their arrest, Rand has uncovered extraordinary details that would certainly have changed the fate of the brothers' first-degree murder conviction in 1996. Today, his discoveries give the brothers new hope for reopening the case.

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Book SynopsisA moving and wise book that powerfully conveys a simple truth: that putting one foot in front of the other is a transformative act. DeLana writes with insight, heart and wit. Cheryl Strayed. One morning in 2011, Libby DeLana stepped outside her New England home for a walk. She did the same thing the next day, and the next. It became a daily habit that has culminated in her walking over 25,000 miles the equivalent of the earth s circumference. In Do Walk, Libby shares the transformative nature of this simple yet powerful practice. She reveals how walking each day provides the time and space to reconnect with the world around us; process thoughts; improve our physical wellbeing; and unlock creativity. It is the ultimate navigational tool that helps us to see who we are beyond titles and labels, and where we want to go. With stunning photography, this inspiring and reflective guide is an invitation to step outside, and see where the path takes us.

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Book SynopsisThis book draws on Lee's own notes, letters, diaries and training logs to present the full extent of his training methods. They include nutrition, aerobics, isometrics, stretching, and weight training.Trade Review"All types of knowledge ultimately leads to self-knowledge. So, therefore, these people are coming in and asking me to teach them, not so much how to defend themselves or how to do somebody in. Rather, they want to learn to express themselves through some movement, be it anger, be it determination, or whatever. So, in other words, they're paying me to show them, in combative form the art of expressing the human body." --Bruce Lee"I suggest you read this book and use it to motivate yourself to pursue whatever goals you strive for in life. Here is the record of a man who had to overcome his own obstacles in life, and who achieved success because he believed in himself. Perhaps you can use this inspiration to achieve your own success. Even now, I feel Bruce's presence, and he still motivates me to this day. When I'm lifting weights…I max out my workout by doing one more rep for the old man upstairs and then do one for Bruce. It never fails!" --Allen Joe, from the Foreword"The Bruce Lee Library stands as a definitive presentation of Bruce Lee's magnificent legacy. Each volume belongs on the bookshelf of every serious martial artist." --Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Cinematic and deeply engaging. . . . a tour de force of storytelling.” -- Brent Staples * The New York Times Book Review *"Absorbing and even moving . . . Mr. Blight displays his lifelong interest in Douglass on almost every page, and his own voice is active and eloquent throughout the narrative. It is a book that speaks to our own time as well as Douglass’s. . . . A brilliant book.” -- John Stauffer * The Wall Street Journal *“The first major biography of Douglass in nearly three decades. . . . Blight isn’t looking to overturn our understanding of Douglass, whose courage and achievements were unequivocal, but to complicate it — a measure by which this ambitious and empathetic biography resoundingly succeeds.” -- Jennifer Szalai * The New York Times *“Extraordinary. . . . Blight has certainly written, in the book’s texture and density and narrative flow—one violent and provocative incident arriving right after another—a great American biography." -- Adam Gopnik * The New Yorker *“A consistently engrossing book that is likely to remain the definitive account of Douglass’s life for many years to come.” -- Eric Foner * The Nation *“A stunning achievement. Blight captures an icon in full humanity. From riveting drama in slavery and Civil War, his Douglass rises into clairvoyant genius on the blinkered centrality of race in our struggle for freedom.” -- Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of America in the King Years“Extraordinary. . . . In Blight’s pages, [Douglass’s] voice again rings out loud and clear, melancholy and triumphant — still prophesying, still agitating, still calling us to action.” -- Adam Goodheart * The Washington Post *“David Blight has written the definitive biography of Frederick Douglass. With extraordinary detail he illuminates the complexities of Douglass’s life and career and paints a powerful portrait of one of the most important American voices of the 19th century. . . . Magisterial.” -- Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. * The Boston Globe *

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Book SynopsisSharon Osbourne''s life has always been an extreme rollercoaster ride. And despite her best efforts, the last few years have been the most dramatic and turbulent of all. In her gripping new autobiography Sharon reveals the truth behind the headlines. There have been times of huge joy and pleasure - becoming a grandmother for the first time and seeing both Jack and Kelly come through testing times to find happiness and contentment at last. But there has also been a lot of heartache. Sharon describes the shocking and unexpected battle to save her thirty-year marriage to Ozzy - and the devastating betrayal that lay behind their separation. She also lived through every mother''s worst nightmare when Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis - and writes movingly of her hopes and fears for her beloved son. A tough but fair judge on the X Factor, Sharon is just as hard on herself. She is honest about the mistakes she has made - from misguided plastic surgerTrade ReviewHonest, funny and wise - much like the woman herself. Great stuff * Closer *

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of a pioneering Austrian naturalist and iconoclast who pointed the way to a completely new understanding of the vast potential of natural energy. By studying fish in streams and by closely observing the natural water cycle, Viktor Schauberger (18851958) was able to solve basic problems of energy transformation. He saw that modern man, without realizing it, was destroying the earth and sabotaging his own cultures by working against Nature. All the prevailing methods of energy generation - from hydro-electric to nuclear fission - produce harmful long-term effects on the environment and encourage disease. Schauberger had a clear vision of how fertility could be restored to the earth. As an inventor Schauberger developed a number of ingenious machines which would revolutionize farming, horticulture, forestry and aircraft propulsion. He developed water purification systems, and showed how air and water could be harnessed as fuels for many machines. His discovery of implosive energy and diamagnetism had many practical applications, most of which have yet to be developed.Table of ContentsWho was Viktor Schauberger? New Techniques of Water Management Schauberger's Teachings on Water The Life and Death of a Forest Perpetual Motion Implosion and Biosynthesis A Meeting with Hitler Wartime Experiences Biological Techniques in Agriculture Schauberger's Criticism of Science and Society The Final Years Schauberger's Heritage The Spreading Scientific Search Appendix I Contemporary Applications of Vortex Research Appendix II Physics and the Vortex

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Book SynopsisTerrific advice, insightful stories, and powerful life lessons curated by Dana Perino the #1 New York Times bestselling author of And the Good News Is . . . and beloved co-host of Fox News'' The Five and America?s Newsroom, inspired by her friends and colleagues.I Wish Someone Had Told Me . . . is a blueprint for success in your life and career. An all-star line-up of Dana?s lifelong friends and Fox News personalities with wide-ranging talents and accomplishments share amazing stories about their own experiences, offering invaluable guidance and wisdom on a range of subjects, including: Finding the right path and getting your foot in the door; How to break out in your job and get recognized; Making a transition in your career and betting on yourself; How to keep improving and adding new skills; Balancing relationships, avoiding burnout, and having a life; And much more. This illuminating and essential book is ideal for new graduates and everyone starting their first job; professionals thinking about making a change, transitioning into a different position, or phasing into a new career or act in life; and anyone looking for timeless insight and a helpful resource for self-improvement and career enhancement.Contributors include: Bret Baier, Dierks Bentley, Ainsley Earhardt, Jimmy Failla, Harold Ford Jr., Trey Gowdy, Greg Gutfeld, Benjamin Hall, Bill Hemmer, Lawrence Jones, Marthe MacCallum, Charles Payne, Judge Jeanine Pirro, John Roberts, Mike Rowe, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters, Salena Zito, Tyrus, and many more.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE NONFICTION CROWN AWARD 2024GUARDIAN: BOOKS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2024''GRIPPING'' THE TIMESThis is an immersive and revelatory history of the survivors of the Clotilda, the last ship of the Atlantic slave trade, whose lives diverged and intersected in profound ways.The Clotilda docked in Mobile Bay, Alabama, in July 1860 more than half a century after the passage of a federal law banning the importation of captive Africans, and nine months before the beginning of the Civil War. The last of its survivors lived well into the twentieth century. They were the last witnesses to the final act of a terrible and significant period in world history.In this epic work, Dr. Hannah Durkin tells the stories of the Clotilda's 110 captives, drawing on her intensive archival, historical, and sociological research. Survivors follows their lives from their kidnappings in what is modern-day Nigeria through a terrifying 45-day journey across the Middle Passage; from the subsequent sale of the ship's 103 surviving children and young people into slavery across Alabama to the dawn of the Civil Rights movement in Selma; from the foundation of an all-Black African Town (later Africatown) in Northern Mobile an inspiration for writers of the Harlem Renaissance, including Zora Neale Hurston to the foundation of the quilting community of Gee's Bend a Black artistic circle whose cultural influence remains enormous.An astonishing, deeply compelling tapestry of history, biography and social commentary, Survivors is a tour de force that deepens our knowledge and understanding of the Atlantic slave trade and its far-reaching influence on life today.Trade Review‘Gripping . . . a remarkably wide-ranging book taking in everything from science to soft drinks to show how slavery’s insidious hand wormed its way into the very fabric of American life' The Times 'Hannah Durkin lets the enslaved speak for themselves, and they tell a story not only of unimaginable suffering but also of courage and survival' Wall Street Journal 'Devastating and visceral… Durkin’s exhaustive, exhilarating research has created something new – something personal, emotional, almost tangible – from the history of this collective trauma' Literary Review 'Survivors, a comprehensive account of one of the most important parts of American history, is a triumph’ Booklist (starred review) ‘A sweeping history of the survivors of the Clotilda, the last slave ship to land in America . . . Durkin’s in-depth view is based largely on the survivors’ own words and perspectives (some lived into the 20th century and related their stories to various writers, most notably Zora Neale Hurston), and is woven together with her extensive archival research. It’s a stirring saga of resilience that sheds new light on Black life in postbellum America’ Publishers Weekly (starred review) ‘A highly recommended sweeping saga. Based on a rich archive that includes the survivors’ own stories, one of which became the basis for Zora Neale Hurston’s Barracoon, this title provides a human history of enslaved people and a portrait of the postbellum South’ Library Journal (starred review) ‘A welcome history of defiance and survival’ Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThe political thriller of the year - UPDATED WITH A DEVASTATING NEW CHAPTER ON THE CHILCOT INQUIRY''Excellent'' Sunday Times''Devastating'' Daily MailWhen Tony Blair became prime minister in 1997, he was, at forty-three, the youngest to hold that office since 1812. With a landslide majority, his approval rating was 93 per cent and he went on to become Labour''s longest-serving premier. So what went wrong? With unprecedented access to more than 180 Whitehall officials, military officers and politicians, Tom Bower has uncovered the full story of Blair''s decade in power. He has followed Blair''s trail from his resignation, since which he has built a remarkable empire advising tycoons and tyrants. The result is the political thriller of the year, illuminating the mystery of an extraordinary politician who continues to fascinate to this day.

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Book SynopsisEmpress of Rome is the fascinating biography of one of the most perplexing and powerful figures of the ancient world: the empress Livia. Second wife of the emperor Augustus and the mother of his successor Tiberius, Livia has been vilified by posterity (most notably by Tacitus and Robert Graves) as the quintessence of the scheming Roman matriarch, poisoning her relatives one by one to smooth her son''s path to the imperial throne. In this elegant and rigorously researched biography, Matthew Dennison rescues the historical Livia from this crudely drawn caricature of the popular imagination. He depicts a complex, courageous and richly gifted woman whose true crime was not was not murder but the exercise of power, and who, in a male-dominated society, had the energy to create for herself both a prominent public profile and a significant sphere of political influence. Trade Review'Brilliant' Daily Express. * Daily Express *'Ebullient' The Times. * The Times *Table of ContentsAuthor's Note. Family tree. Preface 'He chopped down the family tree'. 'Superbissima'. In the beginning ... were the Claudii. 'Innocent of guilt'. 'Virility to her reasoning power'. A young man of noble family, of native talent and moderation? 'Night would last for ever'. Fugitive. 'The whimsicality of fate'. 'An eagle flew by'. The price of comfort. 'No magic chant will make you a mother'. By the side of the goddess. Sacrosanct. 'A charming view with minimal expense'. 'A man and his family should live together as partners'. 'They compelled him, as it seemed, to accept autocratic powers'. 'Born of his sacred blood'. 'Her sacred office'. 'If you come to any harm ... that is the end of me too'. Three cities of Judea. 'The man set apart by such an alliance would be enormously elevated'. 'Outstandingly virtuous'. 'Tiberius closer to Caesar'. 'What more can I ask of the immortal gods?' 'Try not to guess what lies in the future'. 'Perpetual security'. Purer than Parian marble? 'Blood -red comets'. Augusta. 'His mother Livia vexed him'. Above the law? Epilogue: 'You held your course without remorse'. Notes. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. List of illustrations.

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Book SynopsisDuring World War Two the Special Operation Executive''s French Section sent more than 400 agents into Occupied France -- at least 100 never returned and were reported ''Missing Believed Dead'' after the war. Twelve of these were women who died in German concentration camps -- some were tortured, some were shot, and some died in the gas chambers. Vera Atkins had helped prepare these women for their missions, and when the war was over she went out to Germany to find out what happened to them and the other agents lost behind enemy lines. But while the woman who carried out this extraordinary mission appeared quintessentially English, she was nothing of the sort. Vera Atkins, who never married, covered her life in mystery so that even her closest family knew almost nothing of her past. In A LIFE IN SECRETS Sarah Helm has stripped away Vera''s many veils and -- with unprecedented access to official and private papers, and the cooperation of Vera''s relatives -- vividly reconstructed an extraordinary life.Trade ReviewIt is a testament to Helm's detective skills that she has marshalled evidence to refute the various suppositions about Atkins, presenting a truth more surprising and more compelling than the numerous fictions constructed about this dedicated, if flawed, intelligence officer WATERSTONE'S BOOKS QUARTERLY What makes the book as fascinating as the best of thrillers is that at every stage we know as much as she does, tracking Vera down clue by clue, contact by contact ... It makes compulsive reading Peter Lewis, DAILY MAIL She has now written a truly stunning book - quite the best by a non-veteran of secret warfare ... If any young reader wonders 'why the bunting and the occasional tear this VE Day, I recommend this book' John Crossland, SUNDAY TIMES 'Carefully researched and engaging biography'

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Book SynopsisAn inspirational collection of letters, notes, and conversations among friends, celebrities, experts, and the September Letters community. A guide to help us clearly see that we are not alone, and that sharing your story is powerful and healing.When actress and activist Brittany Snow was a teenager, she read an article about another woman?s hardship that made her feel seen and less alone. She carried that story in her back pocket for a long time. This experience was a gift that Brittany then paid forward when she revealed her own experience in a published article. Brittany?s story resonated with a young reader, who kept that story in her back pocket, where it was when the two crossed paths serendipitously. In September Letters, Brittany Snow and close friend and SL cofounder Jaspre Guest show us how sharing our stories reveals our greater connection. This book features a collection of original letters and notes from Hannah Bronfman, Lily Cornell Silver, Kid Cudi, Maria Menounos, and more, alongside interviews with mental health experts like David Kessler, Gretchen Rubin, Mark Epstein, Jay Shetty, and Wendy Suzuki. Equal parts guide and resource, September Letters is for anyone seeking to feel more connected with themselves and others. The book you hold is meant to be dog-eared and highlighted, to help you reflect on your personal story. Included within is a symbolic pocket, inspired by Brittany?s story, to hold your very own letter.

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Book Synopsis THE CAPTIVATING TRUE STORY OF THE MAN WHO INSPIRED WOLF HALL, MASTERFULLY TOLD: NOW REVISED WITH A NEW CHAPTER Readers LOVE Thomas Cromwell:''Very well written and engaging; I found it hard to put it down . . . Great book and one I will read again.'' ????? ''This is one of the most fascinating biographies I''ve read.'' ????? ''There have been many biographies of Cromwell, but Tracy Borman''s book must rank among the very best.'' ????? ------------Known widely as Henry VIII''s ''right-hand man'', Cromwell has captured imaginations throughout the centuries: but who was he really? In this major new biography, leading historian Tracy Borman examines the life, loves and legacy of the man who changed the shape of England forever.Born a lowly tavern keeper''s son, Cromwell rose swiftly through the ranks to become Henry VIII''s right hand man, and one of the most powerful figures in Tudor history. The architect of England''s break with the Roman Catholic Church and the dissolution of the monasteries, he oversaw seismic changes in England''s history. Influential in securing Henry''s controversial divorce from Catherine of Aragon, many believe he was also the ruthless force behind Anne Boleyn''s downfall and subsequent execution.Although for years he has been reviled as a Machiavellian schemer who stopped at nothing in his quest for power, Thomas Cromwell was also a loving husband, father and guardian, a witty and generous host, and a loyal and devoted servant. With fresh research and new insights into Cromwell''s family life, his household and his close relationships, Tracy Borman tells the true story of Henry VIII''s most faithful servant. -----------Critical acclaim for Thomas Cromwell:''Dr Tracy Borman has crafted an exceptional and compelling biography about one of the Tudor age''s most complex and controversial figures. With expert insights based on a wealth of research, and riveting detail, she has brought Thomas Cromwell to life as never before.'' ? Alison Weir''This deeply researched and grippingly written biography brings Cromwell to life and exposes the Henrician court in all its brutal, glittering splendour.'' -- Kate Williams ? Independent''Tracy Borman tells us succinctly in 400 pages what we need to know about the man who rose to be the king''s highest adviser ... a very good book.'' ? The Times''Tracy Borman''s study makes clear his achievements, both admirable and despicable ... Borman has read an impressively wide range of modern historical literature on Cromwell.'' ? Guardian''Borman''s is a highly readable account, and will add to the debate surrounding this ultimately elusive character.'' ? Financial Times''Elegant ... her prose, as ever, glides beautifully along.'' ? Sunday Times''An engaging biography.'' ? Evening StandardTrade ReviewDr Tracy Borman has crafted an exceptional and compelling biography about one of the Tudor age's most complex and controversial figures. With expert insights based on a wealth of research, and riveting detail, she has brought Thomas Cromwell to life as never before. * Alison Weir *This deeply researched and grippingly written biography brings Cromwell to life and exposes the Henrician court in all its brutal, glittering splendour. -- Kate Williams * Independent *Tracy Borman tells us succinctly in 400 pages what we need to know about the man who rose to be the king's highest adviser ... a very good book. * The Times *Tracy Borman's study makes clear his achievements, both admirable and despicable ... Borman has read an impressively wide range of modern historical literature on Cromwell. * Guardian *Borman's is a highly readable account, and will add to the debate surrounding this ultimately elusive character. * Financial Times *Elegant...her prose, as ever, glides beautifully along. * Sunday Times *An engaging biography. * Evening Standard *Borman writes admirably; her prose trips along merrily and is full of intriguing titbits. * New Statesman *An excellent and readable biography. * The Tribune *A real and vital portrait, deftly drawn. * Mail on Sunday *Borman combines a mastery of historical detail with past-pace and an accessible style. She doesn't forget that she is dealing with human beings, with their fallibilities and petty motivations, and rather than see him as a man for whom things got out of control, as Mantel does, views him instead as a master of control. * Independent on Sunday *An intelligent, sympathetic and well-researched biography. * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisBy far the most lucid, comprehensive and authoritative account of Churchill that has been offered in a single volume' Daily TelegraphDrawing on decades of unprecedented access to Winston Churchill's family and estate, this classic bestseller remains the definitive biography of Britain's greatest prime minister. At once intimate and vastly ambitious, it transforms our understanding of who Churchill was and what he accomplished. A masterpiece of scholarship . . . Explores the strategic labyrinths of two world wars with an enviable clarity.' GuardianGilbert is, above all, a marshaller of material on a gigantic scale . . . The nakedness of the narrative proclaims its honesty, its unpretentiousness and its erudition.' The TimesOne of the greatest histories of our time.' Margaret ThatcherGenuinely riveting . . . Genius, courage, generosity, humour and imagination shine through.' Financial TimesA stupendous book. He has told the truth.' A. J. P. TaylorThe greatest adventure story of the cen

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Book Synopsis#1 New York Times bestselling author Craig Whitlock’s masterful account of one of the biggest public corruption scandals in American history—exposing how a charismatic Malaysian defense contractor bribed scores of high-ranking military officers, defrauded the US Navy of tens of millions of dollars, and jeopardized our nation’s security.All the admirals in the US Navy knew Leonard Glenn Francis—either personally or by his legendary reputation. He was the larger-than-life defense contractor who greeted them on the pier whenever they visited ports in Asia, ready to show them a good time after weeks at sea while his company resupplied their ships and submarines. He was famed throughout the fleet for the gluttonous parties he hosted for officers: $1,000-per-person dinners at Asia’s swankiest restaurants, featuring unlimited Dom Pérignon, Cuban cigars, and sexy young women. On the surface, with his flawless American accent, he

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Book Synopsis‘Highly engaging . . . The creeping escalation of oppression and rebellion is often thrillingly told . . . A powerful story of a history that remains far from settled’ Daily Telegraph In the darkest days of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Anna-Maria van der Vaart sheltered Allied pilots, gave refuge to persecuted Jews and participated in audacious acts of sabotage. She survived when others did not, a witness to their courage and to the terrible treachery that betrayed so many of them to the Nazis. Tens of thousands of Dutchmen elected to fight with the Germans, while many civilians turned over their Jewish neighbours to an almost certain death. Holland’s Jewish leaders prevaricated, hoping to save their people and their own skins. But the exploits of the Dutch Resistance produced unimaginable heroism and unparalleled self-sacrifice. A chance meeting with Martin Sixsmith in 2019 led to Anna-Maria telling him her story

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Book SynopsisIn 1611 an astonishing letter arrived at the East India Trading Company in London after a tortuous seven-year journey. Englishman William Adams was one of only twenty-four survivors of a fleet of ships bound for Asia, and he had washed up in the forbidden land of Japan.The traders were even more amazed to learn that, rather than be horrified by this strange country, Adams had fallen in love with the barbaric splendour of Japan - and decided to settle. He had forged a close friendship with the ruthless Shogun, taken a Japanese wife and sired a new, mixed-race family.Adams'' letter fired up the London merchants to plan a new expedition to the Far East, with designs to trade with the Japanese and use Adams'' contacts there to forge new commercial links.SAMURAI WILLIAM brilliantly illuminates a world whose horizons were rapidly expanding eastwards.Trade ReviewTold with Stevensonian gusto ... A revelation * Jane Gardam, Spectator *Anyone who enjoyed Shogun ... will love this * Lancashire Evening Post *Samurai William is a great read and fairly romps along * What's On *A page-turner of a book... an accessible, well-crafted piece of popularised history. * Allan Spence, The Scotsman *Giles Milton has once again shown himself to be a master of historical narrative... a gripping tale of Jacobean derring-do, a fizzing, real-life, Boys' Own adventure underpinned by genuine scholarship. * Katie Hickman, The Sunday Times *Giles Milton again expertly navigating the eastern seas * Economist *Milton has brought the era to life, conveying nuances of character and the values of the time. * The Sunday Times *The thoroughness and intelligence of his research underpins the lively confidence with which he deploys it. * The Times Literary Supplement *Fascinating detail . . . Milton is good at portraying eccentric characters and the Englishmen's shock at the periodic brutality of the Japanese. * The Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisFascinating … to be eagerly devoured’ Clarissa Dickson-Wright Most people today, if they have heard of her, associate Constance Spry with the cookery book bearing her name. But Connie was much, much more than the author of a bestselling cookery book. She was deeply unconventional, extremely charming and very determined; Spry’s life took her from the back streets of Victorian Derby to running a hugely successful business as the florist of choice for the highest of high society, organizing the flowers for royal weddings and indeed for the Queen's coronation. She endured a violent first marriage, had a lesbian affair with a cross-dressing artist and was a pioneer for working women at a time when few women had careers. Sue Shephard tells her extraordinary story with insight, wit and flair. 'Riveting.’ Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall ‘Makes you fall utterly in love with its subject’ New York Times Magazine

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Book SynopsisStorytelling kept alive the myths, legends, and history of the Blasket Islands, which are three miles off Irelands Dingle Peninsula. In her old age, Peig Sayers, 'the Queen of Gaelic storytellers', recounted her life to her son, who recorded the tale in this book. She recalls the events of her life and her simple philosophy.

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Book SynopsisEvelyn Waugh chose the name Labels for his first travel book because, he said, the places he visited were already fully labelled in people''s minds. Yet even the most seasoned traveller could not fail to be inspired by his quintessentially English attitude and by his eloquent and frequently outrageous wit. From Europe to the Middle East and North Africa, from Egyptian porters and Italian priests to Maltese sailors and Moroccan merchants - as he cruises around the Mediterranean his pen cuts through the local colour to give an entertaining portrait of the Englishman abroad.

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Book SynopsisThe authorised biography of the great naturalist and conservationist Gerald Durrell, who died aged seventy in January 1995 in Jersey, where he founded the zoo he'd dreamed of as a small boy and pioneered the captive breeding of animals for conservation.Gerald Durrell was a world-famous naturalist and popular author who wrote, in all, some thirty-seven immensely readable yarns, including the bestselling My Family and Other Animals'. His other books include Birds, Beasts and Relatives', The Bafut Beagles' and A Zoo in My Luggage'.Above all, he paved the way in print for the popular presentation of the natural world on television and presented twelve series himself the early ones, of his own expeditions. Sir David Attenborough has said: He was responsible for changing people's attitudes to zoology and changing their agenda. He showed them small animals could be as interesting as apes and elephantsHe was a pioneer with a marvellous sense of humour.'His brother was the famous writer Lawren

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Book SynopsisJapan 1945. In one of the defining moments of the twentieth century, more than 100,000 people were killed instantly by two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by US Air Force B29s. Hundreds of thousands more succumbed to their horrific injuries, or slowly perished of radiation-related sickness. Hiroshima Nagasaki tells the story of the tragedy through the eyes of the survivors, from the twelve-year-olds forced to work in war factories to the wives and children who faced it alone. Through their harrowing personal testimonies, we are reminded that these were ordinary people, given no warning and no chance to escape the horror.American leaders claimed that the bombings were ''our least abhorrent choice'' and fell strictly on ''military targets''. Even today, most people believe they ended the Pacific War and saved millions of American and Japanese lives. Hiroshima Nagasaki challenges this deep-set perception, revealing that the atomic bombings were the final crippling blow to the Japanese in a stratgic air war waged primarily against civilians.Trade Review[A] vivid, comprehensive and quietly furious account...Paul Ham brings new tools to the job, unearthing fresh evidence of a deeply disturbing sort. He has a magpie eye for the telling detail -- Ben Macintyre * The Times *We are in Paul Ham's debt for showing that it is unjustifiable to consider ever again dropping an atomic bomb...Comprehensive and horrifying -- Jonathan Mirsky * Literary Review *Provocative and challenging, Paul Ham's book strips away the cosy myth that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the Second World War...A voice that is both vigorous and passionate -- Christopher Sylvester * Daily Express *Controversial...Gives an eye-witness picture that leaves Dante's Inferno looking pale...Well documented and stringently argued -- Peter Lewis * Daily Mail *With more detail than the average text book yet written in a way that pulls you in ... this is essential for anyone remotely interested in our history * Sydney Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR BIOGRAPHY 2013Completely absorbing' Amanda Foreman''Enthralling' GuardianThe Three Musketeers! The Count of Monte Cristo! The stories of courseare fiction. But here a prize-winning author shows us that the inspiration forthe swashbuckling stories was, in fact, Dumas's own father, Alex - the sonof a marquis and a black slave... He achieved a giddy ascent from privatein the Dragoons to the rank of general; an outsider who had grown upamong slaves, he was all for Liberty and Equality. Alex Dumas was thestuff of legend' Daily MailSo how did such this extraordinary man get erased by history? Why arethere no statues of Monsieur Humanity' as his troops called him? TheBlack Count uncovers what happened and the role Napoleon played inDumas's downfall. By walking the same ground as Dumas - from Haiti toTrade ReviewRichly detailed, highly researched and completely absorbing... A triumph -- Amanda ForemanTotally thrilling... Brings to life one of history's great forgotten characters -- Simon Sebag MontefioreWe believe we know the glories of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. We believe we understand the horror of slavery and the oppression of Africans. But what is the relationship between the grand goal of liberation and the deep tragedy of racism? As Reiss shows us, answers can be found in the extraordinary life of a forgotten French hero of the great revolutionary campaigns - a hero who was black -- Timothy SnyderTom Reiss can do it all: gather startling research and write inspired prose; find life's great stories and then tell them with real brilliance. In The Black Count the master journalist-storyteller opens the door to the truth behind one of literature's most exciting stories, and opens it wide enough to show the delicate beauty of the lives within -- Strauss, National Book Critics Circle Award winning author of Half a Life and Chang and EngA terrific story…(Reiss) is to be congratulated for retrieving such a splendid character from the dustbin of history -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *A terrific story, every bit as good as one of Dumas’s novels, and Reiss tells it with suitable gusto and swagger -- John Preston * Mail on Sunday *A rarefied, intimate literary study delineating a roiling revolutionary era * Bookseller *Brilliant… Reiss directs a full scale production that jangles with drawn sabres, trembles with dashing deeds and resonates with the love of a son for a remarkable father -- Hugh MacDonald * Glasgow Herald *Fascinating * Robin’s Reviews *Enthralling…a swashbuckling tale -- Nigel Jones * Guardian *Richly imaginative… In 1802, Marie-Louise gave birth to their third child, Alexandre, Dumas pere. That Alexandre was a figure of vast appetite and incredible energy, but thanks to Reiss we now know that Dumas grandpere was even more interesting. A statue in his honour once stood in the Place Malesherbes in Paris, but it was destroyed by the Nazis since it celebrated a man of mixed race. There still isn’t a monument to him, but there should be -- Leo Damrosch * Scotsman *A cross between military biography and literary detective story…the author’s eye for colourful detail and palpable enthusiasm for his subject make for a highly entertaining read -- Andrew Lynch * Sunday Business Post *Heartfelt…highly readable…relentlessly, lovingly researched, indexed, cross-referenced and anecdotal. It is sustained by the author’s admiration for a singular individual, the brilliant father of a novelist whose subject was heroism and justice, the concepts by which his beloved sire had lived -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *A fascinating tale even more incredible than those penned by his famous son… Reiss writes his history with a suitably swashbuckling edge and brings to life a man who deserves to be remembered in his own right * Hampshire Chronicle (syndicated review) *This brilliantly researched book…deserves a film treatment all of its own -- Christopher Hudson * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWidely regarded as the first modern autobiography, The Confessions is an astonishing work of acute psychological insight. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) argued passionately against the inequality he believed to be intrinsic to civilized society. In his Confessions he relives the first fifty-three years of his radical life with vivid immediacy - from his earliest years, where we can see the source of his belief in the innocence of childhood, through the development of his philosophical and political ideas, his struggle against the French authorities and exile from France following the publication of Émile. Depicting a life of adventure, persecution, paranoia, and brilliant achievement, The Confessions is a landmark work by one of the greatest thinkers of the Enlightenment, which was a direct influence upon the work of Proust, Goethe and Tolstoy among others.Table of ContentsThe Confessions - Jean-Jacques Rousseau IntroductionThe First PartBook OneBook TwoBook ThreeBook FourBook FiveBook SixThe Second PartBook SevenBook EightBook NineBook TenBook ElevenBook TwelveNotes

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Book Synopsis** Richard Lloyd Parry is the winner of the 2018 Rathbones Folio Prize **In the last years of the twentieth century, Richard Lloyd Parry found himself in the vast island nation of Indonesia, one of the most alluring, mysterious and violent countries in the world. For thirty-two years it had been paralysed by the grip of the dictator and mystic General Suharto. But now the age of Suharto was reaching its end, giving way to a new era of chaos and superstition - the ''time of madness'' predicted centuries before by poets and seers.On the island of Borneo, tribesmen embarked on a savage war of head-hunting and cannibalism. Vast jungles burned uncontrollably; money lost its value; there were plane crashes and volcanic eruptions. After the tumultuous fall of Suharto came the vote of independence from Indonesia for the tiny occupied country of East Timor. And it was here, trapped in the besieged compound of the United Nations, that Lloyd Parry reached his own painfulTrade ReviewA fine book, the best I've read on the implosion of human decency that took place in Indonesia...Lloyd Parry was there for all the great stories. He writes sensitively and well...A great hit...Bold and beautifully written * Literary Review *One of the most incisive portraits of moral failure by the so-called 'international community'... In its refreshing modesty of tone and subtlety of message, it beats the more epic accounts of "heroic" journalists such as John Simpson hands down * The Times *Combining sassy reportage with a quiet commentary on his own emotions, he draws indelible portraits of countries where events have revealed how fine a line exists between civilisation and barbarity * Glasgow Herald *Written in the best tradition of journalist's dispatch from a strange land...Lloyd Parry does a worthy job navigating the complexity of Indonesian politics and history * Financial Times *Mr Lloyd Parry's volume fills a void...Harrowing...Well-written * The Economist *

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Book Synopsis“I’m a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no.” Nujood Ali''s childhood came to an abrupt end in 2008 when her father arranged for her to be married to a man three times her age. With harrowing directness, Nujood tells of abuse at her husband''s hands and of her daring escape. With the help of local advocates and the press, Nujood obtained her freedom—an extraordinary achievement in Yemen, where almost half of all girls are married under the legal age. Nujood''s courageous defiance of both Yemeni customs and her own family has inspired other young girls in the Middle East to challenge their marriages. Hers is an unforgettable story of tragedy, triumph, and courage.

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Book SynopsisPart political inquiry, part travel journal, part-self exploration, Seek is a collection of essays by an award-winning novelist out to explore himself and his life in the company of those who live on the edges of society. His travels take him from hippy conventions to war-torn Liberia

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Book Synopsis''An outstanding work of historical artistry, a brilliantly woven and pacy story of the men who surrounded, influenced and sometimes plagued Henry VIII.'' Alison WeirHenry VIII is well known for his tumultuous relationships with women, and he is often defined by his many marriages. But what do we see if we take a different look? When we see Henry through the men in his life, a new perspective on this famous king emerges.Henry''s relationships with the men who surrounded him reveal much about his beliefs, behaviour and character. They show him to be capable of fierce, but seldom abiding loyalty; of raising men only to destroy them later. He loved to be attended and entertained by boisterous young men who shared his passion for sport, but at other times he was more diverted by men of intellect, culture and wit. Often trusting and easily led by his male attendants and advisers during the early years of his reign, he matured into a profoundly suspicious Trade ReviewIn this stunning book, Tracy Borman proves yet again that she is at the top of her field. It's an outstanding work of historical artistry, a brilliantly woven and pacy story of the men who surrounded, influenced and sometimes plagued Henry VIII. Borman is in complete command of the vast source material, and affords us a new perspective on a king who has dominated the national consciousness for centuries - no mean achievement. Masterful, and hugely impressive, this is one Tudor book you must not miss! * Alison Weir *An arching overview of Henry's reign with small surprises on virtually every page. Why wait for the final installment of Wolf Hall, when the real tale is every bit as compelling? We meet a Henry who for once is a wholly convincing man - neither a monster, nor the monolith of the Holbein portrait [Borman] unpacks so deftly. * Sarah Gristwood *A fresh and interesting approach to Henry VIII's story, revealing a new side to the famous king's character through the lives of the men who surrounded him. * Elizabeth Norton, author of The Lives of Tudor Women *This is a superbly told and impeccably researched account of Henry VIII's reign and the men who surrounded him. At the centre of Borman's narrative is the majestic horror created, and inflicted, by Henry's charisma. * Gareth Russell, author of Young and Damned and Fair: The Life of Catherine Howard *Henry VIII and The Men Who Made Him is a meticulously researched and compellingly presented narrative, which presents the infamous Tudor King in a whole new light from the eyes of the men who knew him: family, friends, servants and enemies. It's a refreshingly brilliant approach to a well known story, which is beautifully and engagingly written. * Nicola Tallis, author of Crown of Blood *Praise for The Private Lives of the TudorsBorman approaches her topic with huge enthusiasm and a keen eye for entertaining...this is a very human story of a remarkable family, full of vignettes that sit long in the mind. * The Sunday Times *Tracy Borman's eye for detail is impressive; the book is packed with fascinating courtly minutiae...this is a wonderful book. * The Times *Borman is an authoritative and engaging writer, good at prising out those humanising details that make the past alive to us. * The Observer *Fascinating, detailed account of the everyday reality of the royals... This is a book of rich scholarship. Tracy Borman is a chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces and she knows her Tudor history inside out. * Daily Mail *Praise for Thomas CromwellThis deeply researched and grippingly written biography brings Cromwell to life and exposes the Henrician court in all its brutal, glittering splendour. * Independent *Dr Tracy Borman has crafted an exceptional and compelling biography about one of the Tudor age's most complex and controversial figures. With expert insights based on a wealth of research, and riveting detail, she has brought Thomas Cromwell to life as never before. * Alison Weir *Tracy Borman tells us succinctly in 400 pages what we need to know about the man who rose to be the king's highest adviser ... a very good book. * The Times *Borman's is a highly readable account, and will add to the debate surrounding this ultimately elusive character. * Financial Times *Elegant...her prose, as ever, glides beautifully along. * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis'Superb...his pages fizz with character and colour' Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times 'Scholarly and very readable' Andrew Lycett, Spectator 'Energetic and hugely entertaining' A.N.Wilson, TLSThe definitive biography of Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, the first and greatest press magnate in history and the genius who invented modern popular journalism. The turn of the century was a period when the world was opening up in new and exciting ways – radio, telegrams, the advent of flight. With literacy and the right to vote extending across an ever-expanding populace, politics and journalism were embarking on a power struggle that continues unabated to this day. Lord Northcliffe rose to the challenges of this new world by employing cutting-edge technology, upending the outdated mores of traditional journalism and radically reshaping the very concept of ‘news’.Trade Review‘Roberts does a superb job of bringing [Northcliffe's story] alive… His pages fizz with character and colour...but at their heart is Northcliffe himself: charismatic, swashbuckling, admirable and appalling. His book is littered with affairs, tantrums and tirades, all of which add considerably to its attractions… Some of the most memorable scenes come in the early 1920s, as Northcliffe succumbs to all-out megalomania.’ -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *'With an experienced historian’s use of contemporary documents, Roberts makes Northcliffe’s eventful life a panoramic account of his times... [a] restrained, scholarly and very readable book.' -- Andrew Lycett * Spectator *'Lord Northcliffe...was the daddy of all press barons...classless, dynamic and fearless. This compelling biography...leaves you exhausted by the sheer work that bred success. Northcliffe had his faults...but what an exciting man he must have been to work for.' -- Quentin Letts * The Times *'The way Roberts persuasively tells it, not only did Northcliffe establish the template for British journalism ever since, but he also did much to win the First World War. You do finish The Chief utterly open-mouthed at all that Northcliffe got done in his 57 years. -- James Walton * Daily Telegraph *‘Towards the end of The Chief, his keenly researched biography of Lord Northcliffe, the Daily Mail founder and “Britain’s greatest press baron”, the historian Andrew Roberts observes: “Great men are seldom nice men.”…there’s no question that Northcliffe was indeed an exceptional character… His last months were spent in a state of delirium that manifested as extreme megalomania.’ -- Andrew Anthony * Observer *'Long before Rupert Murdoch, there was Alfred Harmsworth. The original and probably the greatest UK press baron...the man who styled himself “the Chief” set a tone and style for popular newspapers that still prevails today. Roberts is keen to dispel myths of megalomania, until Harmsworth’s final short illness destroys his mind... While mostly friendly, the author is critical at times and unsparing about Harmsworth’s zealous anti-Semitism. It’s a pacy and enjoyable read.' -- Robert Shrimsley * Financial Times *'Reading this energetic and hugely entertaining biography, you are trapped on a carousel in an insane fairground, whizzing round and round inside the head of “the Chief”. What hits you again and again is the absolute randomness of his inspired, sometimes loathsome, obsessions.' -- A.N.Wilson * Times Literary Supplement *'Lord Northcliffe - founder of the Daily Mail, inventor of tabloid journalism, the most significant media innovator of the early 20th century - ended up in Hell... This has long been the highbrow take on Northcliffe. Shovelling information and entertainment was Northcliffe’s business model. His conjuror’s trick was simple: give as many people as possible what they want. It is the megalomaniac perception of Northcliffe that Andrew Roberts seeks to rebut in a new and sympathetic biography. [Rupert Murdoch] took Northcliffe’s principles and dialled them up.' -- Nicholas Harris * UnHerd *'This intriguing biography...is sympathetic to its subject, Roberts does not gloss over the darker side of Harmsworth’s life and his foibles: his anti-Semitism, his quirky prejudices and his eventual descent into madness. Northcliffe died 100 years ago, and his legacy was the British popular press as we know it.' -- Kim Bielenberg * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisTimes book of the week'Dan Morain is a fair-minded biographer with enough access he is a veteran journalist who has worked for theLos Angeles TimesandTheSacramento Bee to make this more than a cuttings job. The Kamala Harris who emerges from these pages is accomplished and politically savvy, perhaps to a fault.' The TimesA revelatory biography of the first Black woman to be elected Vice President of the United States. InKamala's Way, longtimeLos Angeles Timesreporter Dan Morain charts how the daughter of two immigrants born in segregated California became one of this country's most effective power players. He takes readers through Harris's years in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, explores her audacious embrace of the little-known Barack Obama, and shows the sharp elbows she deployed to make it to the US Senate. He analyses her failure as a presidential candidate and the behind-the-scenes campaign she waged to land the Vice President spot. And along the way, Morain paint

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