Biography: adventurers and explorers Books

Book SynopsisA gripping account of the infamous Nazi doctor from a former US Justice Department official tasked with uncovering his fate.Trade Review"It must be the most thorough-going account of Mengele's life available to date, a calm and professional read, but one that inevitably makes you want to look away." -- The Spectator"What specifically distinguishes Marwell’s account from previous studies concerns his personal involvement in the Justice Department’s Office of Special Investigations (O.S.I.) and the search for and identification of Mengele." -- The International New York Times"Gripping... sober and meticulous." -- David Margolick - The Wall Street Journal"Marwell’s life has much new to tell us, both about Mengele himself and, more significant, about the social and scientific milieu that allowed him to flourish." -- Adam Gopnik - The New Yorker"Compelling... At once a compact biography of the notorious war criminal, a detailed account of Mengele’s flight to South America, and an absorbing narrative of the quest to bring him to justice." -- Patricia Heberer Rice - Science

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Book SynopsisNiccolò Machiavelli taught that political leaders must be prepared to do evil so that good may come of it, and his name has been a byword ever since for duplicity and immorality. Is his sinister reputation deserved? In answering this question Quentin Skinner traces the course of Machiavelli''s adult life, from his time as Second Chancellor of the Florentine republic, during which he met with kings, the pope, and the Holy Roman Emperor; to the fall of the republic in 1512; to his death in 1527. It was after the fall of the Republic that Machiavelli composed his main political works: The Prince, the Discourses, and The History of Florence. In this second edition of his Very Short Introduction Skinner includes new material on The Prince, showing how Machiavelli developed his neo-classical political theory, through engaging in continual dialogue with the ancient Roman moralists and historians, especially Cicero and Livy. The aim of political leaders, Machiavelli argues, should be to act virtuously so far as possible, but to stand ready ''to be not good'' when this course of action is dictated by necessity. Exploring the pivotal concept of princely virtù to be found in classical and Renaissance humanist texts, Skinner brings new light to Machiavelli''s philosophy of a willingness to do whatever may be necessary - whether moral or otherwise -to maintain a position of power. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewQuentin Skinner's Machiavelli: A short introduction, published nearly forty years ago and now issued in a new edition, remains a frontrunner in the field. [...] The excellence of Skinner's book lies chiefly in its cool treatment of Machiavelli in his immediate context including his encounters with princes, Florence's political tergiversations, Italy being overrun by foreign armies, and his family background, education and readings in the classics. Skinner's aim was "to serve as a recording angel, not a hanging judge", and he therefore sought to avoid the "defeasible standards of the present as a means of praising or blaming the past". * Laura Martines, The Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: The Diplomat 2: The Adviser to Princes 3: The Theorist of Liberty 4: The Historian of Florence Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisA SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEARA TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARA TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR A VOGUE BOOK OF THE YEAR'A rollicking read... [Ostler] tells Elizabeth's story with admirable style and gusto' Sunday Times'Terrifically entertaining: if you liked Bridgerton, you’ll love this. . . and her research is impeccable' Evening StandardWhen the glamorous Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, Countess of Bristol, went on trial at Westminster Hall for bigamy in April 1776, the story drew more attention in society than the American War of Independence. A clandestine, candlelit wedding to the young heir to an earldom, a second marriage to a Duke, a lust for diamonds and an electrifying appearance at a masquerade ball in a diaphanous dress: no wonder Trade Review‘What a superb, gripping, decadent, colourful biography that brings an extraordinary woman and a whole world blazingly to life. Filled new research, written so elegantly with empathy, passion and cool analysis, The Duchess Countess is an unforgettable, unputdownable read that seems both modern and historical, utterly relevant today - featuring a cast of characters from Marie Antoinette to Catherine the Great, but also the life of a woman who is both adventuress and victim, who achieved vast wealth and great notoriety, becoming one of Europe's most famous women and the star of the most scandalous court case of the century.’ -- Simon Sebag Montefiore‘Although this book is a beautifully written and deeply researched life of one of the most remarkable women of the eighteenth century, it is also a scintillating portrait of an age. Since Elizabeth Chudleigh knew so many of Europe’s most talented, fascinating and important people – as well as its most dissipated rakes – the book is populated by as wide a galere of personalities as one is ever likely to meet in a biography. The author has ransacked every archive and visited every place connected with her subject from London to St Petersburg, and the result is the first ever fair-minded estimation of one of the great adventuresses of history. Funny, intelligent, witty, profound and on occasion moving, this book sets a new standard for eighteenth-century biography writing.’ -- Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny and Napoleon the Great‘Fascinating. Magnificent. Sensitively told. Complex, capricious, beautiful and boldly ambitious, Elizabeth Chudleigh was also one of the most reviled women in Georgian England. In resurrecting her tale, Catherine Ostler allows the Duchess of Kingston to emerge from the prejudices of the past like a resplendent phoenix.’ -- Hallie Rubenhold‘This is a scintillating story superbly told by Catherine Ostler... She has a remarkable ability to demonstrate her deep knowledge of the period without being boring or a show-off. She packs every paragraph with eye-opening detail, making you feel as though you’re living in the 18th century, but never veers from the central story of a woman trying to hold herself together in that vicious society while the men did as they pleased.’ -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham * The Times *'A rollicking read...[Ostler] tells Elizabeth's story with admirable style and gusto, and clearly finds her heroine irresistible. A series of gloriously implausible soap-opera twists... anticipating Thackeray's Becky Sharp... All this would be entertaining enough, but the real drama was yet to come. No wonder the scandal sheets loved it.' -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *'A dazzling portrait of a woman and an age - I was gripped from start to finish.' -- Antonia Fraser‘Before there was Becky Sharp, there was Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston and the greatest social grifter of them all. She lives once again, thanks to Catherine Ostler's captivating biography. Definitely dangerous to know, pretty bad and quite possibly mad, there's no better fun to be had than a ringside seat at the tragi-comic circus that was her life.’ -- Amanda Foreman, author of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire'Chudleigh’s life is like the longest and most jaw-dropping society story you’ve ever read. Ostler paints a glittering picture of London in the reign of George II...She also provides a close-up of what she calls “the psychodrama of the Hanoverian succession”. It’s all terrifically entertaining: if you liked Bridgerton, you’ll love this. The story romps along with great style and gusto, and her research is impeccable.' -- Marcus Field * Evening Standard *'Excellent... Ostler has undertaken impressive international archival research and always follows the money meticulously. The book’s spritely, wry tone is a pleasure to read throughout. By the end, however, I was ... in awe of Catherine Ostler’s thoughtful portraiture, both of Elizabeth Chudleigh and her century.' -- Ophelia Field * Times Literary Supplement *‘A masterclass in biography. Ostler brings her protagonist to life with dazzling prose, meticulous research and unique human sensibility. An immersive, glamorous odyssey stretching from rural England to the glittering palaces of St Petersburg, The Duchess Countess is a technicolour portrait of one of history’s most dynamic, but least understood heroines. An instant classic.’ -- Natalie Livingstone, author of The Mistresses of Cliveden'Well written and researched...it is a gripping tale' -- Anne de Courcy * Spectator *'In this sparkling gallivant through the 18th century, Catherine Ostler has done justice to a remarkable life... The real delight is the intimate detail of the royal court. The book also does an excellent job of shining a light on issues with thought-provoking modern resonance. Elizabeth is not flawless...[but] she could be just the heroine we need right now.' -- Emily Brand * BBC History magazine *Fans of Bridgerton (so, basically, everyone) will adore former Tatler editor Catherine Ostler’s deliciously evocative biography of Georgian anti-heroine Elizabeth Chudleigh, whose real-life antics make the Ton seem positively tame by comparison. * Vogue, Best Summer Reads *'Ostler breathes new life into a fabulous subject by taking the reader on a social tour that follows the irrepressible Elizabeth from the tough and insouciantly decadent world through which she frolicked as a Hanoverian belle to the court of Catherine the Great. The centrepiece of Ostler’s fascinating book – and of Elizabeth’s life – is the sensational trial...for bigamy. Ostler has written as juicily readable a book as Amanda Foreman’s celebrated life of another Georgian beauty, the Duchess of Devonshire.' -- Miranda Seymour * Literary Review *'Makes for thrilling reading' * Tatler *'In this brisk retelling Catherine Ostler does a good job of making us see how this ambitious army officer’s daughter was doing nothing more wicked than making the best of an indifferent hand of cards. For her latest biographer there is something quite admirable about the Duchess Countess, a girl who battled the law of the land, not to mention a good chunk of Britain’s aristocracy, in order to become her own woman.' -- Kathryn Hughes * Mail on Sunday *'Ostler is very good at conjuring up the 18th century "in all its elegance and acidity".' -- Roger Lewis * Daily Telegraph *'This is a brilliant biography that gives a stunning portrait of the age in all its glory and decadence, underpinned by the ever-present fear of losing face or fortune. Elizabeth comes across as a woman who snubbed the dictates of authority, and refused to be cowed by the paparazzi of her day. Very highly recommended.' -- Deborah Swift * Aspects of History *'Ostler writes beautifully of a Hanoverian life that was emblematic of much more than scandal. Elizabeth not only helped to inspire Thackeray’s Becky Sharp but scorched her way through a patriarchal society without compromise. Highly recommended.' -- Matthew D’Ancona * Tortoise Media *'A witty and engaging life of Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston and Countess of Bristol, who was tried for bigamy in 1776, which for all her subject’s scandal-ridden life is ultimately sympathetic.' -- Andrew Roberts * History Today, Books of the Year *'A lively portrait of the resilient Elizabeth Chudleigh (b. 1721), who was found guilty of bigamy and then hurtled off to St Petersburg to become best friends with Catherine the Great.' -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham * Spectator, Books of the Year *'The eye-popping story of Elizabeth Chudleigh, inspiration for Vanity Fair's Becky Sharp, the racy society beauty who in 1776 was convicted of bigamy, and ended up running a vodka distillery in Estonia.' -- Iona McLaren * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *'There is a great line in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie: “If scandal is to your taste, Miss Mackay, I shall give you a feast!” Elizabeth Chudleigh, the subject of The Duchess Countess gave the British nation a feast in 1776 when she was put on trial for bigamy. Catherine Ostler tells the life of this unembarrassable Georgian social climber with verve. She was Becky Sharp meets Liz Hurley - George II fell in love with her when she wore a see-through dress to a ball - with a dash of Gwyneth Paltrow.' -- Robbie Millen * The Times, Best Biographies of 2021 *'Welcome to this riveting story of racy society beauty and Georgian bigamist Elizabeth Chudleigh, who ended up running a vodka distillery in Estonia. She was a woman ahead of her time, someone who rose above her reversals of fortune. Her story shows the strength of the human will, and is an inspiration for anyone facing their own struggles, be they psychological or physical.' -- Rachel Kelly * The Idler, Books of the Year *'Begging for a Netflix adaptation, with shades of Jane Austen, Bridgerton and a dash of The Scarlet Letter. Ostler’s book...is fittingly bubbly for the 'ton', or fashionable set.' -- Michelle Ruiz * New York Times *'In this skilful and highly entertaining biography, Ostler theorises that the uninhibited Chudleigh was a bit unhinged. The real strength of the book is the author’s painstaking effort to corral all the facts in recounting a life that even her contemporaries found wildly improbable. Bridgerton fans take note: for sheer incident and drama, Chudleigh’s story rivals any episode of the popular Regency-era Netflix series. And it’s all true.' -- Clare McHugh * Washington Post *'Catherine Ostler draws a vivid portrait of this remarkable woman. Ms Ostler has written a rich and compelling book, the fruit of deep and assiduous research.' -- Allan Massie * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisCeltic chieftains emerging from the mists of ancient Wales, the battle-keen' Cadogans play their part at Blenheim alongside Marlborough, on board Pellew's Indefatigable, with Wellington at Mondego Bay and Vittoria; at Balaklava and Sevastapol; at Ypres, Gallipoli and El Alamein. But opening the family archives private letters, diaries and albums we also find multilingual spies, evangelical clergymen, watercolour artists and society ladies who defy convention for love; illegitimacy, duels and gambling. There are diplomats, courtiers and confidantes. They share their stories with institutions from Chelsea Physic Garden and the British Museum to the British Olympic Association and Chelsea Football Club; from the Gaiety Theatre and the Jockey Club to the United Nations and the BBC. Woven throughout is the parallel history of Chelsea: a riverside farmland estate transformed into a visionary Georgian new town, and again into the recognisable red-brick of Pont Street Dutch, surviving riots

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Book Synopsis''Superbly researched and enormously entertaining... One of the outstanding books of the year'' The TimesAn epic story of empire-building and bloody conflict, this ground-breaking biography of one of history's most venerated military and religious heroes opens a window on the Islamic and Christian worlds' complex relationship.WINNER OF THE SLIGHTLY FOXED BEST FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZEWhen Saladin recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187, returning the Holy City to Islamic rule, he sent shockwaves throughout Christian Europe and the Muslim Near East that reverberate today.It was the culmination of a supremely exciting life. Born into a significant Kurdish family in northern Iraq, this warrior and diplomat fought under the banner of jihad, but at the same time worked tirelessly to build an empire that stretched from North Africa to Western Iraq. Gathering together a turbulent coalition, he was able to capture Jerusalem, only to tTrade ReviewSuperb, highly readable and definitive ... One of the world’s leading crusades scholars ... Phillips's narrative of Saladin's career is vivid and judicious, punctuated by set pieces that charge along like battle scenes from Game of Thrones -- Dan Jones * Sunday Times *Superbly researched and enormously entertaining ... one of the outstanding books of the year -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *An authoritative and brilliantly told account of the life of one of the world’s greatest – and most famous – military leaders. Jonathan Phillips leaves no stone unturned in this impressive and lively history of the genius who was Saladin -- PETER FRANKOPAN, author of The Silk RoadsOutstanding. Jonathan Phillips has written a compelling account of arguably the most inspirational of Islamic military heroes -- CHRISTOPHER DE BELLAIGUE, author of The Islamic EnlightenmentFascinating, authoritative and intelligent * Spectator *This illuminating and fascinating biography of Saladin could not be timely. Today political figures often inspire little admiration, but Saladin’s career at the height of the Crusades reminds us that moral charisma and integrity can be recognised and honoured by people on both sides of a vicious conflict. His concluding account of the intense emotion that the memory of Saladin still inspires in the Middle East today reveals the sensitivity and pain that underlies so many of the region’s unresolved problems -- KAREN ARMSTRONG, author of Fields of BloodBeautifully researched and authoritative, Jonathan Phillips's very fine biography of this fascinating historical character underlines how serious history made accessible to the general reader is invaluable if we hope to understand our world today -- JASON BURKE, author of The 9/11 WarsVivid and authoritative, with glistening details on every page. Phillips explains Saladin’s ability to mesmerise not just through the achievements of his lifetime but through his inspiration of Arab leaders, including Nasser, Assad and Saddam Hussein, ever since -- JAMES BARR, author of A Line in the SandJonathan Phillips explores new themes and makes use of various underused or wholly neglected Arabic sources ... vivid and convincing -- Robert Irwin * Literary Review *More than just a biography ... this book paints a rich, absorbing picture of the 12th-century Middle East ... gives expert accounts of the many hard-fought battles and sieges ... vividly describes the Crusader fightback ... One major lesson of this book is that the facts about the distant past are much, much more interesting than the opportunistic uses made of them by anyone in the present * Telegraph *Phillips produces an absorbing, readable narrative… an excellent introduction to the life of Saladin by a scholar who is respected around the world for his work on the sultan and the crusades… an invaluable guide -- Helen Nicholson * BBC History *Phillips’s careful scrutiny of the surprisingly numerous contemporary sources underlies an impressive piece of historical reconstruction -- Michael Prodger * New Statesman, *Books of the Year* *

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Book SynopsisFirst history of the real battles of Vlad the Impaler, detailing bloodthirsty tactics and campaigns

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Book SynopsisA full life and times biography of Süleyman, the longest reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire.Süleyman, who ruled the Ottoman Empire between 1520 and 1566, was a globally recognized figure during his lifetime. His domain extended from Hungary to Iran, and from the Crimea to North Africa and the Indian Ocean. The wealth of his treasury, the strength of his armies, and his personality were much discussed by historians, poets, courtiers, diplomats and publics across Eurasia.Süleyman was engaged in bitter rivalries with the Catholic Habsburgs in Europe and the Shiite Safavids in the Middle East. He presided over a multilingual and multireligious empire that promised peace and prosperity to its subjects. During his reign, the Ottoman Empire became a truly global power. Imperial governance expanded considerably, and the law was emphasized as the main bond between the ruler and the ruled. Süleyman''s prolific poetic output, his frequent appearances during public ceremonies, his charity, and Trade ReviewSüleyman I has long been considered the epitome of Ottoman sultans, but the man behind the official persona remains elusive. Kaya Şahin is already author of standout studies of this reign and in this new work skillfully mines contemporary sources to reveal the joys and tribulations of a life increasingly shaped by the anxieties associated with the impending Islamic millennium. From his difficult youth to sickly old age, Süleyman's life story is here reappraised in a dynamic and intimate narrative that will have wide appeal. * Caroline Finkel, author of Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire *One of history's most fascinating leaders, known in Europe as 'the Great Turk,' comes vividly alive in this captivating book. Combining deep research with a light writing style, it tells not just the story of a sultan but of an epoch. Learning about Süleyman's multi-talented wife, who rose from slavery to become arguably the most powerful woman in the world, is an added bonus. * Stephen Kinzer, author of Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds *This volume will serve as the standard English account of Süleyman's reign and the model for how to write a biography of a sultan. * Choice *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Note on Usage Introduction Chapter 1: The Family Story: The Ottomans before Süleyman Chapter 2: Childhood and Adolescence: Raising a Prince, 1494/5-1509 Chapter 3: Apprenticeship: Service as District Governor, 1509-1520 Chapter 4: Growth: The First Years on the Throne, 1520-1525 Chapter 5: Partnership: Süleyman, :Ibrahim, and a New Imperial Vision, 1525-1533 Chapter 6: Maturation: The Middle Years, 1533-1553 Chapter 7: Old Age: The Final Years, 1553-1566 Conclusion: Legacies Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Eric Weiner follows in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, mining his life for inspiring and practical lessons in a book that’s part biography, part travelogue, part personal prescription.Ben Franklin lingers in our lives and in our imaginations. One of only two non-presidents to appear on US currency, Franklin was a founder, statesman, scientist, inventor, diplomat, publisher, humorist, and philosopher. He believed in the American experiment, but Ben Franklin’s greatest experiment was…Ben Franklin. In that spirit of betterment, Eric Weiner embarks on an ambitious quest to live the way Ben lived. Not a conventional biography, Ben & Me is a guide to living and thinking well, as Ben Franklin did. It is also about curiosity, diligence, and, most of all, the elusive goal of self-improvement. As Weiner follows Franklin from Philadelphia to Paris, Boston to London, he attempts to uncover Ben&rsqu

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Book SynopsisA haunting and beautiful memoir from a Cambodian refugee who lost her country and her family during Pol Pot's genocide in the 1970s but who finds hope by reclaiming the recipes she tasted in her mother's kitchen. RECIPE: HOW TO CHANGE CLOTH INTO DIAMONDTake a well-fed nine-year-old with a big family and a fancy education. Fold in 2 revolutions, 2 civil wars, and 1 wholesale extermination. Subtract a reliable source of food, life savings, and family members, until all are gone. Shave down childhood dreams for approximately two decades, until only subsistence remains. In Slow Noodles, Chantha Nguon recounts her life as a Cambodian refugee who loses everything and everyone—her home, her family, her country—all but the remembered tastes and aromas of her mother’s kitchen. She summons the quiet rhythms of 1960s Battambang, her provincial hometown, before the dictator Pol Pot tore her country apart

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Book SynopsisOne of the most famous and spectacular events of the Second World War was the destruction of two dams in the Ruhr by Avro Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron, known ever since as the Dambusters Raid. The bombs that the Lancasters dropped were designed by the most prolific inventor of armaments of the period. His Tallboy and Grand Slam earthquake bombs helped destroy the battleship Tirpitz as well as numerous other high-profile targets, and were only eclipsed in destructive power by the atom bombs dropped on Japan.The inventor was Barnes Wallis and A Hell of a Bomb is the story of the development of his bombs, their destructive uses and how they helped win the war for the Allies.

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Book SynopsisA profound, poignant story of a village healer and her community, from one of the world’s great contemporary novelistsTrade ReviewNamed by the New Yorker as a Best Book of 2022“During the Cultural Revolution, minimally trained ‘barefoot doctors’ were sent to the Chinese countryside. . . . The author of this novel was one of them, and she draws on her experiences in the story of Mrs. Yi, a village herbalist who gathers her remedies on a nearby mountain . . . [but] events become increasingly surreal. As the mountain changes shape and ghosts visit the living, mysterious connections between the body and nature emerge.”—New Yorker“A complex and illuminating portrait of a group of healers in China . . . [that] offers profound insights about what it means to pursue and live a fulfilling life.”—Publishers Weekly“Out of all of Can Xue’s books in English translation, this novel is especially intimate, as she was a barefoot doctor herself once upon a time. I have no choice but to call this novel my favorite of hers yet—a feeling I have with every single book.”—Porochista Khakpour, author of Brown Album“In Can Xue’s world eccentricity is the rule, and conversations are vital and multi-directional. It’s a constantly relational world, everyone is desiring, love is at the heart of her fiction. And what a love it is, random, magical, producing bursts of calm—which is why I read every one of Can Xue’s books. Can Xue is always an inestimable find.”—Eileen Myles, poet and author of For Now“The true daughter of Kafka and Borges, Can Xue possesses one of the most glorious, original, vivid, poignant, hellacious imaginations on the planet. No reader emerges from her powerful fictional dreams unscathed, for her work is as dangerous as it is beautiful. She can infiltrate the deepest part of our human experience with such subtlety and totality that it takes my breath away."—Bradford Morrow, author of The Prague SonataPraise for the author: “There’s a new world master among us and her name is Can Xue.”—Robert Coover “If China has one possibility of a Nobel laureate it is Can Xue.”—Susan Sontag “There’s something inescapably cosmic about [Can Xue’s] writing: the grandness of her vision, the abstraction of her thought, the way the details of lived reality seem to shrink and assume an equal significance, as though one were orbiting a distant star and peering down.”—Bailey Trela, Los Angeles Review of Books “Can Xue is a master at twisting philosophical ideas into realities that seem simple but are incredibly thoughtful and intricate.”—Emily Park, Booklist “There’s no other writer in China like Can Xue.”—Chad Post, Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisIsolating in Nogent-sur-Marne, Wajdi Mouawad embarks upon a spectacular inner voyage, travelling from his own microcosm to the eye of the Big Bang. We follow him from Peter Handke's office to his father's retirement home, from the banks of the Saint Lawrence to Montréal, Greece, Greenland, and the Lebanon of his childhood. Through Kafka and Star Wars, by way of French phonetics and the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, he explores the razor's edge of madness, conjures a dream shared by all humanity, and probes the bestiality of our everyday lives.Mouawad's plays, novels, and essays speak to us all, confronting our ghosts, addressing the obscure and the impenetrable, which dissipate as they are put into words. The musings in Speaking through the Night, born out of solitude, confront the mysteries of the universe with supple introspection.

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Book SynopsisA thought-provoking, authoritative biography of one of history’s most maligned rulersTrade Review“In a work which must currently rank as the definitive contribution to our understanding of Louis XVI as a man and a monarch, Hardman displays a quite extraordinary grasp of sources relating to the court and to the high politics of the ancien régime.”—P.M. Jones, English Historical Review"An up-to-date, immensely erudite and compelling study, the fruit of a lifetime’s work on the king. It is also crisply, sometimes brilliantly,written. Hardman’s style is accessible, often witty, and he has a gift for putting complex issues in a nutshell. Louis XVI remains one of the crucial characters in modern history . . . and this is now the best biography of him in any language."—Munro Price, Literary Review"Hardman has devoted much of his life to Louis XVI; some of the excellent illustrations are of objects in his own collection. He uses many new sources, such as papers of the Navy minister the Marechal de Castries, and the magnificent diary of the ambassador the Marquis de Bombelles, spanning the entire period 1780-1822."—Philip Mansel, Spectator"This is the product of a lifetime's research and writing on late eighteenth-century France by one of the foremost scholars of the era. Original, gripping and authoritative, it is the best biography in any language of Louis XVI, and a significant contribution to the history of the French Revolution."—Munro Price, author of The Perilous Crown: France Between Revolutions"John Hardman has written a highly readable, well-paced biography of Louis XVI which draws on the most recent scholarship on French kingship and court politics. He shows sensitivity and sympathy for a monarch who was not blind to what was happening around him but who felt increasingly trapped by forces he could not control."—Alan Forrest, author of Napoleon: Life, Legacy, and Image"This new life of Louis XVI, by the world’s leading authority, not only tells all the good stories with considerable verve, it also offers insightful analyses of the politics of this tragic life that began in the palace of Versailles and ended on the scaffold of the Revolution. It is simply the most authoritative biography of Louis XVI ever written."—Peter Campbell, former professor of French History, University of Versailles

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Book SynopsisA portrait of Martin Heidegger as a man and a philosopherTrade Review“In this engaging, lively narrative, Payen masterfully presents the vast trajectory of Heidegger’s intellectual and personal life without flinching from disturbing elements but also without deciding for the reader what the most shocking of these might mean for an assessment of the philosophy, the man, or the intersections of the man and the thinking. What emerges is an intimate and provocative portrait of Heidegger’s life and legacy.”—Gregory Fried, Boston College“Payen’s volume ranks as one of the best biographies of Heidegger in any language. Among its many strengths, his reading of Heidegger’s anti-Semitism is thorough, judicious, and painstakingly grounded in all the available texts.”—Thomas Sheehan, Stanford University

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Book SynopsisMost of my childhood was spent in transition. . .Anh Lin knows something about displacement and belonging. When she was four, her family left their home in Vietnam and migrated to the United States where Anh experienced difficult, transient living situations, the inherited traumas of her parents, and—the summer before she entered eight grade—the loss of her father to stomach cancer.From the creator of The Abundant Life Devotional Journal and the renovation and design YouTube channel Girl and The Word, Forever Home is a moving perspective on belonging, reckoning with the past, and living abundantly.We all long for lasting peace and stability. We long for beauty. Whether we''re healing from traumatic experiences, grieving a loss, or simply trying to find a quiet path in a chaotic world. Tender and insightful, Anh Lin will help you work through your pain by drawing on her personal experiences, psychological stTrade ReviewA beautifully written, inspiring debut book comes from Anh Lin, who personally invites you into her past traumas and onto her healing journey of rebuilding a safe haven, a forever home that is built on the strong foundation of Jesus' love. Her words are tender yet powerful. She speaks directly to healing your broken past and guides you with insightful spiritual and psychological tools to take tangible steps of ultimately finding your very own forever home. Lena Kang, digital creator and influencer @LenaxstyleAnh Lin has written a book that will have readers rejoicing in the powerful testimony of triumph over trauma and hurt. You will find yourself nodding along to biblical truths while being gently led to self-reflection. Wendy Lau, interior stylist and digital creator @TheKWendyHomeAnh Lin wants to help you renovate your heart. Forever Home will help you build a new foundation for your life. Heather Thompson Day, author of I'll See You TomorrowForever Home is a heartfelt book that takes readers on an honest and vulnerable journey of healing from trauma. Through personal and touching stories, including the reconstruction of her relationship with her mom, Anh Lin shares an empowering story of rebirth, renewal, and rediscovery of one's self-worth. With educational insights into psychology and therapy, along with practical journaling prompts, this book is a transformative guide to rebuilding oneself from within. Aileen Xu, creator @lavendaire and the Artist of Life workbookForever Home is a powerful memoir that illuminates the path to healing from trauma and finding solace through God's love, mercy, and grace. Through her personal journey, Anh Lin reveals the profound truth that your trauma can serve as a catalyst for drawing closer to your forever home--a place of healing, peace, and divine love. This book offers a transformative message of hope, inspiring you to embrace your own journey of healing through insightful questions, scientific studies, and practical application. Maya Lee, digital creator and influencer @mayaleex3The journey of healing isn't linear and is often extremely painful. It requires a breaking and a cleaning out of the heart to rebuild a story that leaves a legacy of hope and resilience. Anh Lin has crafted a book that can help you create a story you can be proud of. I challenge you to dig deep into this book and the painful parts of your story so you and God can rebuild something beautiful together. I assure you it will be worth it. Toni Collier, speaker, podcast host, and author of Brave Enough to Be Broken

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Book SynopsisAn elite Navy SEAL Team 6 operator trained to kill the United States’ most dangerous enemies takes readers inside the unadulterated, morally complicated and riveting post-military adventures of a lethal American mercenary. In American Mercenary, Daniel Corbett takes readers on a wild ride through the unadulterated, morally ambiguous, and riveting world of being a hired gun. From Abu Dhabi to Washington, DC, Cairo to San Diego, Belgrade to places that must remain secret, this is a world where money rules, and where adventure, danger, and absurdity often follow. A star high school athlete, Corbett passed on a Division I football career and opted for the US Navy.  He began his career at SEAL Team 5 and eventually checked into SEAL Team 6. The navy spent millions teaching him and his fellow Team members how to sneak, subvert, recruit, disappear, survive, resist, and exert. And of course, how to shoot, a discipline at wh

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Book SynopsisThe BBC and HBO series Gentleman Jack brought Anne Lister to international attention, awakening tremendous interest in her diaries, which run to nearly five million words and are partly written in her secret code. They record in intimate detail Anne’s intellectual energy and her challenges to so many of society’s expectations of women at the time.In As Good as a Marriage, the sequel to Female Fortune, Jill Liddington’s edited transcriptions of the diaries show us Anne from 1836–38. She guides the reader through life at Shibden Hall after Anne’s unconventional ‘marriage’ to wealthy local heiress Ann Walker. The book explores the daily lives of these two women, from convivial evenings together to her ruthless pursuit of her own business and landowning ambitions.Yet the diaries’ coded passages also record tensions and quarrels, with Ann Walker often in tears. Was their relationship really as fragile as Anne’s coded writing suggests? This question is at the heart of As Good as a Marriage.Trade Review'This meticulous study of a key two-year period in the marriage of Anne Lister and Ann Walker is a must-read for scholars and fans alike. Liddington highlights key passages of the diaries and letters while providing invaluable context and commentary.'Jen Manion, author of Female Husbands ‘Jill Liddington delivers a thorough analysis of the critical years following Anne Lister and Ann Walker’s union. Utilizing her own transcription of Lister’s famously challenging “crypthand”, Liddington brings us into the room as the couple struggles against challenges from within and without. Whether you’re a fan of the BBC’s Gentleman Jack or an Anne Lister scholar, this book is not to be missed.’Pat Esgate, organiser of the Anne Lister Birthday Weekend'As Good as a Marriage continues the amazing Anne Lister/Gentleman Jack story. Jill Liddington’s excellent introduction and careful editing of letters and diaries for the mid-1830s gives access to the personal, business and political life of this powerful lesbian couple.'Catherine Hall, co-author of Family Fortunes: Men and Women of the English Middle Class 1780–1850 -- .Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionNote on the Text I. Living married life at Shibden: May-August 1836II. The last of the generation: September-October 1836III. Mariana visits Shibden: November-December 1836IV: maintaining the upper hand: January-May 1837V: Getting Stuart Wortleys in Parliament: June-December 1837VI: How to get off ~ & to where? January-May 1838EpilogueAfterwordIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book reveals for the first time the extraordinary true story of the worst naval catastrophe of the First World War and how Churchill covered it up

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Book SynopsisA Times Best Book on the Royal Family of the Year 2022This is a biography of the Queen Mother with all the dull bits stripped out.When told that Lady Mountbatten was being buried at sea, the Queen Mother replied cheerfully. Dear old Edwina, she always did like to make a splash!'During her lifetime, the Queen Mother was as famous for her clever quips, pointed observations and dry-as-a-Martini delivery style as she was for being a member of the Royal Family. She was also famed for her fondness for drinky-poos' usually a gin and Dubonnet or three. Now, Do Let's Have Another Drink recounts 101 biographical vignettes one for each year of her long, remarkable life, including her coming-of-age during World War I, the abdication of her brother-in-law, the truth about her tragic nieces and her relationship with her two daughters over half a century of widowhood.The book is a skimming-stone biography the story of a life without the boring bits and a travel guide to a world that no longer exiTrade Review‘My favourite book of the season…a brief and highly selective biography of the QM…concentrating on good stories at the expense of all the guff …along the way we learn some fascinating facts…You know you want this book, and I know you want it, and if you’re very good Father Christmas might bring it for you’ The Spectator ‘Entertaining …compelling…it explains a lot about this most misunderstood of matriarchs…she put the backbone into a royal family that was floundering when she joined it. And she could be shocking and funny’ The Times ‘A warm, funny, and above all, sympathetic picture of a remarkable woman… Russell’s ‘skimming-stone’ biography has managed to capture both the laughter and the wisdom – I raise a glass to him’ Daily Telegraph, Four star review ‘Utterly compelling… This drink-infused, deliciously gossipy account of a privileged life is guaranteed to raise the spirits of anyone lucky enough to read it’ Anne Sebba, author of That Woman: The life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor ‘Wonderful prose, telling stories that are hilarious and moving by turns. Immensely enjoyable’ Suzannah Lipscomb ‘Utterly glorious’ Emerald Fennell ‘Do Let’s Have Another Drink is a joyful corrective. A triumph’ Owen Emmerson, co-author of The Boleyns of Hever Castle ‘I absolutely adored this book! It’s wonderful’ Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author ‘Gareth Russell brings the Queen Mother’s humanity, courage and spirit to life… a compulsive read’ Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Showrunner Truth Be Told (Apple TV+)

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Book SynopsisVladimir Ilyich Lenin visited London on six occasions at the beginning of the twentieth century and it was in this city, where Marx wrote Das Kapital, that the roots of Lenin''s political thought took shape. This book, from a former curator of the Russian collections at the British Library, tells the story for the first time of Lenin''s intriguing relationship with the enigmatic Apollinariya Yakubova a revolutionary known to her comrades as the ''primeval force of the Black Earth''. Based on a series of stunning new archival discoveries from the British Library, published here for the first time, as well as photographs and details of the Russian revolutionaries (and indeed international police spies) who congregated in the East End of London - known then as the ''Little Russian Island'', this is the first full exploration of the formation of one of the leading political visionaries of his age. Revealing Lenin''s London-based accomplices and political rivals, and shedding new liTrade ReviewHenderson has woven his narrative out of a brilliant miscellany of archival sources, with crucial finds in the Hoover Institution's records of the Okhrana, or political police. * Times Literary Supplement *Henderson, a former Russian curator at the British Library, knows everything there is to know about Lenin’s love affair with the BM, and tells it all. This is a level of detailed Leniniana seldom encountered since the demise of the Soviet Union, but even those diligent Soviet researchers who used to track Lenin’s every move and hour didn’t know the BM [British Museum] as Henderson does. It’s what gives his book its charm. * London Review of Books *One hundred fifty years after Lenin’s birth, Henderson’s book does something to bring him back to life. * The Jacobin *Henderson’s revelatory book captures the atmosphere of a time of Jewish idealism preceding that of the horrors of the Gulag. * The Jewish Chronicle *Robert Henderson’s archival snapshots put human flesh on the intellectual and political bones of a figure who remains either revered or hated to this day… [the book] captures the atmosphere of Edwardian London and brings to life many of the players – with its wealth of photographs – in the early moves of a game that would indeed change the world. * Morning Star *Henderson’s book is a very welcome contribution to understanding the role that time spent in London played in the intellectual and practical development of the Russian revolutionary left, especially that of Lenin and his closest comrades. It provides a vivid sense of place and a lot of the human context to a crucially important period in Lenin’s political life. * Counterfire *[A] fascinating and meticulously researched book. As a former curator of the Russian collections at the British Library, Henderson is very well placed to undertake such research. * East-West Review *Henderson’s book should be of interest to Labour historians of the early 20th century. It reveals many of Lenin’s London based political networks and the roots of the politics that continue to influence the party’s left-wing. * Tides of History blog *Henderson has succeeded once again in writing another important and captivating history…Henderson’s book makes an original contribution to our knowledge of Lenin by providing us with a clearer understanding of his activities, the associates with whom he connected and, generally speaking, the milieux in which he moved during his London years. Today this research is invaluable to anyone with an interest in trying to comprehend how Lenin and political émigrés generally perceived their work in exile to make essential contributions to the promotion of revolutionary change in their countries of origin. * European History Quarterly *Based on thorough archival research in Britain, France, Russia, and the USA, the story recreated by the author is presented in an elegant and engaging narrative style, combining meticulous factual accounts with humor, vivid details, and emotional attachment to historical figures. Although the title quite accurately points at the main focus of the book – Lenin’s political activities during the periods when he stayed in London – I would add that Henderson’s narrative can also be described as a chronicle of love and politics that evolved around libraries in the turn of the century London, full of police, radicals, and spies. In this work, Henderson offers up a piece of fascinating historical research, weaving stories of various libraries and their collections into the fabric of his narrative. * Slavic & East European Information Resources *Henderson’s book concentrates on new archival finds and previously unpublished materials. Much of what he uncovers is fascinating and valuable information. * Look Left *[Henderson] makes excellent use of a wide variety of archival sources. * Socialist History *Flawlessly researched, lucidly written, replete with exhaustive archival evidence, including previously undiscovered photographs, Henderson has produced the definitive study of the numerous occasions that Lenin, the world's best known revolutionary, spent in London refining and developing his influential views. * John Gonzalez, author of An Intellectual Biography of N.A. Rozhkov: Life in a Bell Jar (2016) *In this outstanding work Robert Henderson deploys new archival discoveries and a lifetime’s research into the Russian émigré community of the early twentieth century to throw new light upon both the revolutionary and the personal life of one of the towering figures of modern history. One could ask for no more expert or convivial guide to Lenin’s various sojourns on London’s “Little Russian Island” during the birth of Bolshevism. * Dr Jonathan Smele, Queen Mary University of London, UK *Henderson’s book is the product of thirty years of research. Time well spent. Pending future openings of Soviet archives or chance discoveries of unpublished diaries of memoirs, this gripping narrative bids fair to remain the definitive version, in Roman poet Horace’s words, ‘a monument more lasting than bronze’. * The Spokesman *Robert Henderson takes us into the cheap lodgings, much-frequented libraries, packed meeting halls, favourite bars and restaurants which were the backdrops to the intense lives of the Russian revolutionary emigration in London. We become witnesses to their ferocious arguments and observers of their lives, loves and hopes for a better future for their homeland. * Professor Christopher Read, University of Warwick, UK *In this fascinating study, Robert Henderson takes us on a trail through the archives to reconstruct Lenin's life in London: the places he lived, the circles he moved in, and the relationships he built. * Professor Charlotte Alston, Northumbria University, UK *Table of ContentsContents Note on Transliteration and Calendars Acknowledgements Frontispiece Introduction Chapter 1 The Little Russian Island: The First Castaways Chapter 2 'Lirochka' and Lenin – The Spark That Lit the Flame? Chapter 3 1902–1903: Iskra and Shaping the Party Chapter 4 1905: A Congress of Conspirators Chapter 5 The London Congress of 1907 and the Triumph of Bolshevism Chapter 6 Two Last Visits: 1908 and 1911 Postscript Apollinariya's Story Appendix Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA critically acclaimed reckoning with the birth of women's healthcare that illuminates the sacrifices of a young woman who changed the world only to be forgotten by it-until now.For more than a century, Dr. J. Marion Sims was hailed as the father of modern gynecology. He founded a hospital in New York City and had a profitable career treating gentry and royalty in Europe, becoming one of the world's first celebrity surgeons. Statues were built in his honor, but he wasn't the hero he had made himself appear to be. Sims's greatest medical accolade was his so-called cure for obstetric fistula, which did forever alter the path of women's health. But the road to that treatment was several years of experimental surgeries-without anesthesia-on a young enslaved woman known as Anarcha. One medical text after another hailed Anarcha as the embodiment of the pivotal role that Sims played in the history of surgery. Decades later, a groundswell of women objecting t

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS''The best Everest book I''ve read since Into Thin Air. Synnott''s climbing skills take you places few will ever dare to tread, but it''s his writing that will keep you turning pages well past bedtime.'' - Mark AdamsVeteran climber Mark Synnott never planned on climbing Mount Everest. But a hundred-year mystery lured him into an expedition where a history of passionate adventure, chilling tragedy, and human aspiration unfolded.George Mallory and Sandy Irvine were last seen in 1924, eight hundred feet shy of Everest''s summit. A century later, we still don''t know whether they achieved their goal of being first to reach the top, decades before Hillary and Norgay in 1953. Irvine carried a camera with him to record their attempt, but it, along with his body, had never been found. Did Mallory and Irvine reach the summit and take a photograph before they fell to their deaths?Mark SynnotTrade ReviewThe Third Pole is an elegy of extremes, a white-knuckle tale of obsession and survival. From the archives of London's Royal Geographical Society to a tent battered by howling winds in the Death Zone, Mark Synnott puts it all on the line in his quest to solve Mount Everest's most enduring mystery. * Susan Casey, author of The Wave and Voices in the Ocean *A hundred-year-old detective story with a new twist. A high-altitude adventure. The best Everest book I've read since Into Thin Air. Synnott's climbing skills take you places few will ever dare to tread, but it's his writing that will keep you turning pages well past bedtime. * Mark Adams, author of Tip of the Iceberg and Turn Right at Machu Picchu *Join Mark Synnott on a quest for an artifact that could change Everest mountaineering history. Part detective story, part high adventure, Synnott engages obsessed historians, dodges Chinese bureaucrats, and ultimately risks his life high on the mountain's north face. As the tension rises, he discovers astounding strengths in his fellow climbers, tragic frailty, and an ineffable truth he never imagined. * Andy Hall, author of Denali’s Howl *Almost seventy years after my father, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, climbed the summit of Chomolungma with the British 1953 Expedition, Western narratives about Mount Everest continue to be haunted by the question whether it was Mallory and Irvine who had been the first to stand on the summit. Mark Synnott's The Third Pole pursues this mystery and brings us closer to closing this chapter of mountaineering history. I learned a lot from this book. -- Norbu Tenzing NorgayThe author and adventurer Mark Synnott skillfully describes early-twentieth-century exploration, then dives into a story about Everest that merges mystery, adventure, and history into a single tragic bundle. . . . Synnott knows how to keep readers turning the pages, and they will speed their way to his mystery's resolution. * The New York Times *Both a gripping adventure story and an engrossing historical mystery. -- Maggie Shipstead, author of Great CircleIf you're only going to read one Everest book this decade, make it The Third Pole. . . A riveting adventure. * Outside *Uncovers the dangerous obsession that tackling this behemoth holds today. * Newsweek *A hold-your-breath story that features the author's own hazardous journey and exploration of the motives behind climbers' obsession with reaching dangerous heights. * AARP *Captivates with mystery and adventure. * National Parks Traveler *The book is a fascinating tale and forces the reader to constantly ask themselves, What would I do? in each situation. * Fodor's *Mark Synnott's new book . . . is as rewarding as any Everest book can be, with history and geography wonderfully woven into the author's own climb, in 2019. * Air Mail *As in his previous book, the author's writing comes alive when he recounts life on the mountain. . . . This is a must-read for outdoor enthusiasts and readers of Everest and exploration history. * Library Journal, starred review *[A] hair-raising mountaineering story . . . A fine tale of adventure and exploration sure to please any fan of climbing and Everest lore. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *Synnott weaves back and forth between the early climbing pioneers' experiences and his 2019 expedition, harrowing in its own right. A gifted storyteller, he proves firsthand the irresistible lure and perilous dangers of climbing Mount Everest. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisDiscover unrelenting spirit and strength in the extraordinary true story of Franci: a woman who survived the holocaust against all of the odds''Achingly moving, gives much-needed hope. Deserves the status both as a valuable historical source and as a stand-out memoir'' Daily Express ''A story that needs to be heard'' 5***** Reader Review ______ In 1942 Franci Epstein, a young Jewish woman, was imprisoned in Terezin, a concentration camp close to her home in Prague. Few could expect anything other than death. But for Franci it was the start of a journey that would take her into the very heart of Nazi genocide. Through a combination of guile, ingenuity, endurance and sheer bloody mindedness, Franci survived not one but five death camps, including Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. In this astonishing memoir, unpublished for 50 years, Franci lays bare the appalling sacrifices she and other women had to Trade ReviewFranci's story is a testament to the human spirit . . . a mesmerising read * Jewish Chronicle *The extraordinary true story of the girl who survived the holocaust against all of the odds . . . In this astonishing memoir, she lays bare the appalling sacrifices she and other women had to make to survive * Eastern Daily Press *Achingly moving, gives much-needed hope . . . Deserves the status both as a valuable historical source and as a stand-out memoir * Daily Express *First-hand accounts of life in Nazi death camps never lose their terrible power but few are as extraordinary as Franci's War * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisMarshal Zhukov at the Oder

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Book Synopsis'Entertaining...essential...peppered with brilliant observations' Tim Shipman, Sunday Times Andrew Gimson, whose previous book Boris is the essential read on Johnson's earlier career, returns with a penetrating and entertaining new account of Boris Johnson's turbulent time as prime minister, from the highs of a landslide election victory to the lows of his car-crash resignation.  In Boris Johnson: The Rise and Fall of a Troublemaker at Number 10, Gimson sets out to discover how a man dismissed as a liar, charlatan and tasteless joke was able, despite being written off more frequently than any other British politician of the twenty-first century, to become prime minister. During his ascent, Johnson benefited from being regarded as a clown, for this meant his opponents failed to take him seriously, while his supporters delighted in his ability to shock and enrage the Establishment. He even changed the language of politicsTrade Review'Entertaining...this is an essential book for anyone who seeks to understand [Johnson]. Gimson has a profound understanding of the character and urges of his subject... peppered with brilliant observations...A book that is elegant, wise and full of waspish delight...much to entertain, amuse and provoke thought.' -- Tim Shipman * Sunday Times *'Engaging, perceptive and often funny. Gimson, a former parliamentary sketch writer for the Daily Telegraph, has an eye for detail and a sense of the absurd...littered with entertaining and revealing vignettes' -- Rachel Sylvester * The Times *'Thought-provoking, exceptionally well written and informed by a deep knowledge of political history.' -- Andrew Sparrow * Guardian *'Understanding how someone like Johnson became prime minister is both interesting and important... Gimson's tone is that of a witty and cynical dinner companion providing an insight into a famous friend... Johnson's attributes are reflected in this biography. It is entertaining and often funny.' -- David Gauke * New Statesman *'Well-written, with a discerning eye for detail, Andrew Gimson’s biography sets out to understand the electoral appeal of a man so frequently dismissed as a charlatan and a clown.'. -- Keith Simpson * The House *

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Book SynopsisIn 1943, eighteen-year-old Walter Stitt enlisted in the U.S. Army, ready to serve his country. From his time in basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana, throughout his time as a tank gunner in the 33rd Armored Regiment, to his post-injury service in England, he wrote home to the family he had left at home. Unbeknown to him, his mother carefully numbered and saved the letters, treasuring them until her death. This book brings together the very different two versions of Walter's war: the version that a teenage soldier could reveal to his parents and younger siblings without scaring them or invoking the censor's pen, and the full and often terrifying details of serving as a tank loader and gunner in France and Belgium, remembered so clearly eighty years later. Walter explains the forced omissions and partial truths his teenage self offered to comfort his family while he survived the destruction of three Sherman tanks, the death of three crew members, and two wounds. Born in West Virg

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Book SynopsisKatherine Swynford sexual temptress or powerful woman at the centre of the medieval court? This book unravels the many myths and legacies of this fascinating woman, to show her in a whole new light. Katherine was sister-in-law to Geoffrey Chaucer and governess to the daughters of Blanche of Lancaster and John of Gaunt. She also became John of Gaunt's mistress a role that she maintained for 20 years and had four illegitimate children by him, from one of whom Henry Tudor was descended. In a move surprising in the fourteenth century, John of Gaunt eventually married her, making her Duchess of Lancaster and stepmother to the future king, Henry Bolingbroke. But who was this extremely well-connected woman? In this fascinating book, Jeanette Lucraft treats Katherine as a missing person and reconstructs her and her times to uncover the mystery of the other woman' in John of Gaunt's life.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the real personality behind the multi-million-dollar Netflix blockbuster Outlaw King

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Book Synopsis Born into upper class America in the same year, 1854, Sara Delano and Jennie Jerome refused to settle into predictable, sheltered lives as little-known wives to prominent men. Instead, both women concentrated their energies on enabling their sons to reach the epicentre of political power on two continents. In the mid-19th century, the British Empire was at its height, France’s Second Empire flourished and the industrial vigour of the USA was catapulting the republic towards the Gilded Age. Sara and Jennie, raised with privilege but subject to the constraints of women’s roles at the time, learned how to take control of their destinies, Sara in the prosperous Hudson Valley and Jennie in the glittering world of Imperial London.  Yet their personalities and choices were dramatically different. A vivacious extrovert, Jennie married Lord Randolph Churchill, rising politician and scion of a noble British family. Her

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Book SynopsisINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Former White House Press Secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki shares the surprising lessons she’s learned on her path to success and offers unique yet universal advice about how to be a more effective communicator in any situation.Not many White House Press Secretaries capture the nation’s interest the way Jen Psaki did. Refreshingly candid and clear, Psaki quickly became known for her ability to break through the noise and successfully deliver her message. In her highly anticipated book, Psaki shares her journey to the Briefing Room and beyond, taking you along the campaign trail, to the State Department, and inside the White House under two Presidents. With her signature wit, Psaki writes about reporting to bosses from the hot-tempered Rahm Emanuel to the coolly intellectual Barack Obama to the surprisingly tenderhearted John Kerry. She also talks about her time working close

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Book SynopsisA New York Times bestselling memoir from Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and the most decorated US female Olympian in history: Katie Ledecky.Katie Ledecky has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. She is a four-time Olympian, a nine-time gold medalist, a twenty-one-time world champion, eight-time NCAA Champion, and a world record-holder in individual swimming events. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, she became the most decorated US female Olympian of all time. Time and again, the question is posed to her family, her coaches, and to her—what makes her a champion? Now, for the first time, she shares what it takes to compete at an elite level. Again and again, Ledecky has broken records: those of others and, increasingly, her own. She is both consistent and innovative—consistent at setting goals and shattering them, and innovative in the way she approaches her training. A true competitor, she sets her goals by choosing the ones that feel the scariest. But, crucially, she never sacrifices the joy of competition, even in the face of adversity. Her positive mental outlook and a great support system provides the springboard to her success. Just Add Water charts Ledecky’s life in swimming. It details her start in Bethesda, Maryland, where she played sharks and minnows and first discovered the joy of the pool; her early foray into the Olympics at the tender age of fifteen where, as the youngest member of the American team, she stunned everyone by winning her first gold medal; her time balancing competition and her education at Stanford University; how she developed a champion’s mindset that has allowed her to persevere through so many meets, even under intense pressure; and how she has maintained her dominance in a sport where success depends on milliseconds. You learn how every element of her life—from the support of her family to the tutelage of her coaches, from her childhood spent in summer league swimming to the bright lights of Olympic pools in London, Rio, and Tokyo—set her up to become the champion she is. In the end, Katie’s story is about testing yourself against the difficult, and seeing who you become on the other side.

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Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.A TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''His best book yet'' The Times''Macintyre''s page-turner is a dazzling portrait of a flawed yet driven individual who risked everything (including her children) for the cause'' Sunday TimesDISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF THE SPY WHO ALMOST KILLED HITLER - FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SPY AND THE TRAITORUrsula Kuczynski Burton was a spymaster, saboteur, bomb-maker and secret agent. Codenamed ''Agent Sonya'', her story has never been told - until now.Born to a German Jewish family, as Ursula grew, so did the Nazis'' power. As a fanatical opponent of the fascism that ravaged her homeland, Ursula was drawn to communism as a young woman, motivated by the promise of a fair and peaceful society. From planning an assassination attempt on Hitler in Switzerland, to spying on the Japanese in Manchuria, to preveTrade ReviewMacintyre does true-life espionage better than anyone else -- John Preston * Evening Standard *Think John le Carré at his early best - but fact not fiction * Daily Express *This impeccably researched account of her double life spans continents and is brilliantly compelling * Sunday Mirror *Macintyre's page-turner is a dazzling portrait of a flawed yet driven individual who risked everything (including her children) for the cause * Sunday Times *The best true spy story I have ever read -- John le Carré on 'The Spy and the Traitor'Thrilling...Macintyre will have you hooked to her life's every twist and turn -- Lucy Knight * Times/Sunday Times Books of the Year *Macintyre has found a real-life heroine worthy of his gifts as John le Carré's nonfiction counterpart * New York Times *This book is classic Ben Macintyre...quirky human details enliven every page... it is Macintyre's own vivid retelling of her perilous professional, personal and political life that make Agent Sonya such an accessible spy story. * Spectator *He has the unerring gift of uncovering those astonishing truths that make even the best novelists of espionage seem both earthbound and artificial in comparison * Daily Telegraph *His best book yet -- The TimesHe...spins gloriously through one of the most extraordinary private lives of the 20th century * Daily Mail, Book of the Week *In Agent Sonya, Macintyre has pulled off his most remarkable trick: he leaves us admiring, and even cheering for, the woman at the heart of his story, someone who not only wanted to destroy our democracy but helped Russia get a nuclear bomb. She is the strongest character of all in Macintyre's bestselling series of wartime tales... I raced through the pages to keep up with the plot * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisThis acclaimed biography charts the progress of the brilliant, prolific writer, C. S. Lewis.C. S. Lewis was a deeply complex man, capable of inspiring both great devotion and great hostility. This acclaimed biography charts the progress of the clever child from the Little End Room' of his Ulster childhood and adult life, exploring Lewis's unwilling conversion to Christianity, the genesis of his writing, and the web of his relationships.Trade Review‘The more biography he writes, the better he gets – his life of C. S. Lewis is his best yet. It’s a vivacious and compassionate book. Wilson’s range of interests – religious, literary, human-gossipy and Oxfordian – make him an ideal match for the subject.’ Andrew Motion, Observer ‘Passionate, perspicacious, funny and inevitably partisan.’ Selina Hastings, Telegraph ‘Wilson’s biography is admirable, probably the best imaginable … Mr Wilson is a brilliant biographer.’ Anthony Burgess, Independent ‘It seems fitting that A. N. Wilson should now have written the definitive biography of Lewis, and it is a superb job.’ John Bayley, Guardian

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Book SynopsisWhat pushed Blunt, Burgess, Cairncross, Maclean and Philby into Soviet hands?With access to recently released papers and other neglected documents, this sharp analysis of the intelligence world examines how and why these men and others betrayed their country and what this cost Britain and its allies.Enemies Within is a new history of the influence of Moscow on Britain told through the stories of those who chose to spy for the Soviet Union. It also challenges entrenched assumptions about abused trust, corruption and Establishment cover-ups that began with the Cambridge Five and the disappearance of Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean on the night boat to Saint-Malo in 1951.In a book that is as intellectually thrilling as it is entertaining and illuminating, Richard Davenport-Hines traces the bonds between individuals, networks and organisations over generations to offer a study of character, both individual and institutional. At its core lie the operative traits of boarding schools, the univTrade Review‘Richard Davenport-Hines, in his fascinating and compendious new book … challenges prevailing interpretations and provides answers to all the major questions about spies… As a result, this book manages to be both nostalgic and politically progressive when it seeks to remind us, passionately and eloquently, of the value of trust’ Guardian ‘Davenport-Hines writes persuasively … Enemies Within provides a comprehensive demolition of many widely accepted myths surrounding communist subterfuge during the Cold War … it is encouraging to come across such an erudite and unapologetically ‘elitist’ counterblast’ Spectator ‘A supremely accomplished historian … he writes with mordant wit and a merciless eye for distortions … the great virtues of this book lie in the detail Davenport-Hines amasses and his sense of context’ Sunday Times ‘He is strong on retelling the spy stories … but the chief virtue of the book is the almost revisionist judgments he feels able to make based on his research … in this rich, detailed and entertainingly irascible book’ Book of the Week, The Times ‘The product of one of our greatest modern masters of non-fiction Richard Davenport-Hines, Enemies Within is an exhaustive … chronicle of spies in Britain … a mosaic of such vivid detail’ Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday ‘There could not be a more experienced interrogator of a subject so festooned with myths of sleaze, power and treachery … Enemies Within is a peculiar and fascinating hybrid’ Observer ‘Richard Davenport-Hines dissects and destroys … conventional wisdom in his masterly retelling of Britain’s most notorious intelligence disaster … makes his case with splenetic zeal, backed by a formidable array of sources … fascinating’ Economist ‘The history of the five Cambridge spies recounted in this book with Richard Davenport-Hines’s usual vim and brio … a vivid panorama … [he] bases his case on wide research and illustrates it with a wealth of piquant anecdote’ Literary Review

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Book SynopsisThe book John Kelly reads every time he gets a promotion to remind him of the perils of hubris, the pitfalls of patriotism and duty unaccompanied by critical thinking'The most vivid, moving and devastating word-portrait of a World War One British commander ever written, here re-introduced by Max Hastings.C.S. Forester's 1936 masterpiece follows Lt General Herbert Curzon, who fumbled a fortuitous early step on the path to glory in the Boer War. 1914 finds him an honourable, decent, brave and wholly unimaginative colonel. Survival through the early slaughters in which so many fellow-officers perished then brings him rapid promotion. By 1916, he is a general in command of 100,000 British soldiers, whom he leads through the horrors of the Somme and Passchendaele, a position for which he is entirely unsuited and intellectually unprepared.Wonderfully human with Forester's droll relish for human folly on full display, this is the story of a man of his time who is anything but wicked, yet prTrade Review‘A superb novel. It blends Forester's preference for military subjects and solid unreflective characters, his irony, his grasp of history and his gift for lean, hypnotic narrative’ New York Times ‘Confirms Forester’s rightful place as one of the finest novelists of his generation’ Max Hastings ‘The most penetrating and subtle study of a Regular army officer that I have ever read’ Observer ‘A portrait for all time of an individual in his period’ H.G. Wells

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Book SynopsisThe International BestsellerThe inspiration for Impeachment: American Crime StoryThe definitive account of the Clinton-Lewinsky sex scandals, A Vast Conspiracy casts an insightful eye over the extraordinary ordeal that nearly brought down a president.First published a year after the infamous impeachment trial, Jeffrey Toobin's propulsive narrative captures the full arc of the Clinton sex scandals from their beginnings in a Little Rock hotel to their culmination on the floor of the United States Senate with only the second vote on presidential removal in American history.Rich in character and fuelled with the high octane of a sensational legal thriller, A Vast Conspiracy has indelibly shaped our understanding of this disastrous moment in American political history.Trade Review‘[An] admirably clear, vigorously written, plain-spoken and commonsensical book’ The New York Times Book Review ‘A superb work of factual and legal analysis … Few novels are as gripping’ The New York Review of Books ‘A good read … a brave book’ Economist ‘A story as taut and surprising as any thriller …. Unimpeachable page-turner’ People

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Book SynopsisGripping and profoundly moving' DAMON GALGUTDeft and operatic' OBSERVER?A TIMES BEST BIOGRAPHY OF 2023From one of South Africa's foremost nonfiction writers, a deeply researched, shattering new account of Nelson Mandela's relationship with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Drawing on never-before-seen material, Steinberg reveals the fractures and stubborn bonds at the heart of a volatile and groundbreaking union, a very modern political marriage that played out on the world stage.One of the most celebrated political leaders of the twentieth century, Nelson Mandela has been written about by many biographers and historians. But in one crucial area, his life remains largely untold: his marriage to Winnie. During his years in prison, Nelson grew ever more in love with an idealised version of his wife, courting her in his letters as if they were young lovers frozen in time. But Winnie, every bit his political equal, found herself increasingly estranged from her jailed husband ' s politics. Behind

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Book Synopsis'F *** ing brilliant. I would describe it as like a bag of political nuts moreish and fabulously salty' JOE LYCETT A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARForget Westminster bust-ups and PMQs, some of the key events that have shaped modern British politics happened not in the cloisters of parliament or Downing Street's many corridors of power, but in car parks, village halls and seaside resorts where the mundane have played host to the mighty. From Pitt the Younger's Putney Heath duel to finding Margaret Thatcher a voice coach on a train, Harold Wilson's Scilly' season holidays to John Major's dental appointment clearing his path to No10 these (and many more) are the places where chance meetings, untimely deaths and snap, sometimes daft, decisions changed the course of politics.Matt Chorley has spent almost two decades covering Westminster, interviewing prime ministers, mocking ministers and chronicling the serious, and sometimes unintentionally absurd, events which act as unlikely turning points inTrade Review A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘F *** ing brilliant. I would describe it as like a bag of political nuts – moreish and fabulously salty’ JOE LYCETT ‘Matt Chorley never fails to look at politics from a different perspective and to make it fun. This book is a rollicking ride through the turning points of the last two hundred years, including many we will never forget and others that some of us wish we could’ WILLIAM HAGUE Revealing, touching and very funny, Matt Chorley’s delightful romp through the rooms where it happened (and the restaurants, museums and beach huts too) is packed full of insight, detail and momentous political stories’ ED BALLS ‘Matt Chorley has the ability to burst the bubble of politicians’ pomposity and show them in all their hilarious ridiculousness. Always acutely observed and completely on point – and loads of belly laughs’ LORRAINE KELLY

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary life and legacy of legendary journalist Cokie Roberts—a trailblazer for women—remembered by her friends and family.Through her visibility and celebrity, Cokie Roberts was an inspiration and a role model for innumerable women and girls.Trade Review“Encouraging and enlightening…. A celebration of women helping women.” — Washington Post “A beautiful book.” — Andrea Mitchell, MSNBC “A moving tribute.” — Christian Science Monitor "A moving testimony of the remarkable life and legacy of his wife, trailblazing journalist Cokie (1943–2019). Through depictions of her faith, family, work, writing, and friendships, Roberts shares engrossing anecdotes about his partner from their over 50 years together. . . . This loving tribute is likely to gain the celebrated journalist a whole new crop of fans." — Publishers Weekly, starred review "Inspiring." — New York Daily News "Demonstrates . . . both the painful loss and the rich and enduring legacy of this pioneering journalist and compassionate human being." — Booklist "An upbeat portrait of a productive life that was so important to journalists and women everywhere." — Kirkus “A highly readable and immensely heartwarming biography.” — Library Journal

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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