Biography: general Books

Book SynopsisObsessive was, still is, my natural state, and I never wondered why. I didn't mind, didn't know that other people could feel at peace. I always felt like a raw nerve, but then, I thought that everyone did. Writer and journalist Marianne Eloise was born obsessive. What that means changes day to day, depending on what her brain latches onto: fixations with certain topics, intrusive violent thoughts, looping phrases. Some obsessions have lasted a lifetime, while others will be intense but only last a week or two. Obsessive, Intrusive, Magical Thinking is the culmination of a life spend obsessing, offering a glimpse into Marianne's brain, but also an insight into the lives of others like her. From death to Medusa, to Disneyland to fire, to LA to her dog, the essays explore the intersection of neurodivergence, fixation and disorder, telling the story of one life underpinned and ultimately made whole by obsession. AUTHOR: Marianne Eloise is a writer and journalist. She covers topics like TV, film, digital culture, neurodiversity, wellness and alternative music, for outlets including The Cut, the New York Times, Courier, Vulture, i-D, Guardian and more.Trade ReviewThe mortifying ordeal of being known, minus the ordeal and sans mortification. I felt recognised on every page, learned so many new things, and laughed so hard I choked on my water. Read this!!! -- Naoise Dolan, author of Exciting TimesIn her candid, witty memoir, Marianne Eloise offers a powerful account of what it is like to feel trapped by mental health problems and obsessions ... A brave book that puts vulnerability fully on show. * Independent *Incandescent [...] Eloise's wit and grace cast her differences in a dazzling light [...] the result is a rewarding navigation through the corridors of a relentlessly curious mind. * Publishers Weekly *There are several shrewd observations made within this lucid and level-headed memoir. Amongst them is the way the matrix of obsession, compulsion and intrusion represents an exaggeration of conventional anxieties. * Arts Desk *Did not disappoint [...] a really good portrayal of neurodiversity in an entertaining and enjoyable way' * Eleanor, NetGalley *Lyrical, often funny, ... the essays will leave readers feeling secondhand joy and maybe even encouragement to own their love for their own less-than-cool favorite things. * NYLON *

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Book Synopsis''Highly readable, exciting and thought-provoking'' - Hilary Mantel''A gem of blood-and-thunder storytelling'' - Dominic SandbrookIn medieval England, man was the ruler of woman, and the King was the ruler of all. How, then, could royal power lie in female hands?In She-Wolves, celebrated historian, Helen Castor, tells the dramatic and fascinating stories of four exceptional women who, while never reigning queens, held great power: Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou. These were women who paved the way for Jane Grey, Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I - the Tudor queens who finally confronted what it meant to be a female monarch.

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary story of how Jason Padgett was transformed from an aimless thirty-two-year old to a mathematical genius following a vicious mugging outside a karaoke bar.

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Book SynopsisQUEEN GIVEN THE MARVEL COMICS TREATMENT! Former Marvel Comics editor and writer Tim Quinn has created a unique Platinum Jubilee souvenir with a brand new comic book telling the life story of Queen Elizabeth II. Quinn has used his colleagues from the publishing giant to illustrate the book. "As I researched the Queen's life story, I was struck by how visual the tale was," says Quinn. "It proved to be a perfect story to approach in exactly the same way we produced the super-hero titles at Marvel Comics." The book captures the Queen's story from childhood to the present day. It has been put together to raise funds for the Merseyside children's charity Liverpool Heartbeat who create literacy projects for schools. "There's nothing quite like the Marvel method of storytelling to capture the imagination of even the most ardent non-reader," says Quinn. "The combination of the Marvel approach and the Queen's amazing story has proved to be a visual treat." The book was presented to the Queen at Windsor Castle and received a very positive response which is featured in this new printing.

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Book SynopsisWhat is it about crime that we find so fascinating, even if at the same time the details are repugnant? Why exactly do we immerse ourselves in true crime podcasts and TV shows? Has this appetite for gore shifted over the years? And what role does the crime reporter play in all of this? In this compelling book, Martin Brunt draws on the most shocking and harrowing stories he's covered over the past thirty years to document the life of a crime reporter and assess the public obsession with crime that his reporting caters for. He also considers the wider relationship between the press and the police, the impact of social media and the question of why some crimes are ignored while others grip the nation. Featuring many undisclosed details on some of the biggest cases Brunt has covered, from the 'Diamond Wheezers' to Fred and Rose West, this blend of storytelling and analysis is not only a riveting overview of the nature of crime reporting but a reflection on the purpose of the profession in the first place.

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Book SynopsisChristian Dior: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Master is a stunning illustrated biography of legendary designer Christian Dior from internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess.Discover the key moments of Dior's fascinating life and iconic items from the fashion world that he created. Dior's love of flowers, creativity, femininity and good-luck charms were woven into everything he designed, and his New Look remains iconic to this day.Elegantly enclosed by a hardback cover and ribbon, Megan's beautiful illustrations follow Dior through three distinct chapters: the highs and lows of his early life, set against a backdrop of bohemian and wartime Paris; the couture house that he built into an empire in just ten years; and the incredible legacy he left behind for one of fashion's most influential brands.Christian Dior is a celebration of a man whose life was as remarkable as the clothes that he created, brought to life on the page by the expert hand of Megan Hess.Trade ReviewMegan Hess's [book] stands out; rather than simply chronicling his life and times, the internationally renowned fashion artist has given us an illustrated account. * Homes and Interiors Scotland *

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Book SynopsisSan Pedro is Bolivia's most notorious prison. Small-time drug smuggler Thomas McFadden found himself on the inside. Marching Powder is the story of how he navigated this dark world of gangs, drugs and corruption to come out on top.Thomas found himself in a bizarre world, the prison reflecting all that is wrong with South American society. Prisoners have to pay an entrance fee and buy their own cells (the alternative is to sleep outside and die of exposure), prisoners' wives and children often live inside too, high quality cocaine is manufactured and sold from the prison.Thomas ended up making a living by giving backpackers tours of the prison – he became a fixture on the backpacking circuit and was named in the Lonely Planet guide to Bolivia. When he was told that for a bribe of $5000 his sentence could be overturned, it was the many backpackers who'd passed through who sent him the money. Written by lawyer Rusty Young, Marching Powder – sometimes shocking, sometimes funny – is a riveting story of survival.Trade ReviewAll the staples of the prison memoir are here: sadistic guards, an attempted break-out, the terrors of solitary confinement, the joys of freedom . . . The result is a truly gripping piece of testimony. * Sunday Telegraph *Astonishing real-life story of a Brit drug smuggler banged up in Bolivia's most notorious jail. * FHM *This exotic, cautionary yarn opens the abyss beneath our wealthy world. * Uncut *

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Book Synopsis''Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history - and then go out and change it'' Barack Obama''The authentic voice of Mandela shines through this book'' The Times''Burns with the luminosity of faith in the invincible nature of human hope and dignity'' Andre Brink''Splendid... This is his story and the story of that struggle and a people''s victory'' Desmond TutuThe riveting memoirs of the outstanding moral and political leader of our time, Long Walk to Freedom brilliantly re-creates the drama of the experiences that helped shape Nelson Mandela''s destiny. Emotive, compelling and uplifting, Long Walk to Freedom is the exhilarating story of an epic life; a story of hardship, resilience and ultimate triumph told with the clarity and eloquence of a born leader.Trade ReviewEssential reading for anyone who wants to understand history - and then go out and change it * Barack Obama *Enthralling...Mandela emulates the few great political leaders such as Lincoln and Gandhi, who go beyond mere consensus and move out ahead of their followers to break new ground * Sunday Times *The authentic voice of Mandela shines through this book...humane, dignified and magnificently unembittered * The Times *This life of a man who has been a political activist for fifty years, in one of the most difficult and complex conflicts of the twentieth century, is a major achievement * Observer *Riveting...both a brilliant description of a diabolical system and a testament to the power of the spirt to transcend it * Washington Post *Burns with the luminosity of faith in the invincible nature of human hope and dignity... Unforgettable * Andre Brink *Indispensable ... a unique life-story * Anthony Sampson *A splendid book... Justice, freedom, goodness and love have prevailed spectacularly in South Africa and one man has embodied that struggle and its vindication. This is his story and the story of that struggle and a people's victory. It is a fitting monument. It will help us never to forget, lest we in our turn repeat the ghastliness of apartheid * Desmond Tutu *A truly stunning account of his extraordinary life... A vivid testimony to an unusual mixture of courage, persistence, tolerance, and forgiveness * Sir David Steel *One of the most life-affirming books you'll read * GQ *A tale of anger and sorrow, love and joy, grace and elegance * Daily News *The autobiography succeeds because the vicissitudes Mandela has gone through in the course of his life are so dramatic that the reader cannot help responding to them as if to a fairy tale or moral fable of some kind. No hero of legend ever went through such protracted trials in order to arrive at so improbable a victory * Sunday Telegraph *A compelling book... both a brilliant description of a diabolical system and a testament to the power of the spirit to transcend it... One of the most remarkable lives of the twentieth century * Washington Post *A work of literature as well as an important document * Scotland on Sunday *Most searing in its portrayal of the harshness of the island prison and the author's yearning for family life... Most exciting in its descriptions of Mandela's period underground, including his clandestine journey through newly independent Africa -- Barbara Trapido * Spectator *An engrossing tapestry of recent South African history that grips the reader from the first pages... Riveting and sometimes painfully honest * San Francisco Chronicle *Mandela writes with rare and moving candour * The Economist *Long Walk to Freedom is, unexpectedly, a sociological treasure trove... a work of constant revelations -- Wole Soyinka * Times Higher Education Supplement *Irresistible... one of the few political biographies that's also a page-turner * Los Angeles Times *Absorbing reading... the work of a great politician who still retains the ability to reflect on himself as a mere mortal -- Beverley Naidoo * Times Educational Supplement *A story that is at once appalling and inspirational: appalling in its depiction of the waste of human potential; inspirational in the triumph of the human spirit -- Geoffrey Howe * Country Life *An enthralling tale told simply, the story of one man's remarkable life and of a people which finally became free * Sunday Tribune *One of those masterpieces, perhaps the greatest of twentieth-century autobiographical literature, which is a sharp, poignant, elegant and eloquent counter to the prevailing cynicism about the rottenness of politics * Caribbean Times *One of the most extraordinary political tales of the twentieth century and well worth the investment for anyone truly interested in the genesis of greatness * Financial Times *An epic of struggle and learning and growing, it tells of a man whose idealism and hope have inspired a world prone to cynicism... [it] should be compulsory reading -- Mary Benson * Daily Telegraph *This fluid memoir matches South African President Mandela's stately grace with wise reflection on his life and the freedom struggle that defined it... His belief in repairing his country inspires * Publishers Weekly *This is an articulate, moving account of Mandela's life...Over a third of Mandela's memoir tells of his twenty-seven years in prison, an account that could stand alone as a prison narrative. He ends his book with the conclusion that his 'long walk' for freedom has just begun * Library Journal *This memoir is remarkably free of polemics, self-pity, and self-aggrandizement. It is the work of a man who has led by action and example-a man who is one of the few genuine heroes we have * Kirkus *

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Book Synopsis'Beautiful. Poignant. Phenomenal...I cried and I smiled...Truly a gem.' Goodreads reviewerA moving and heartbreaking journey of a daughter discovering her Palestinian roots and recovering her mother's beloved past. Perfect for fans of The Bookseller of Kabul and The Beekeeper of Aleppo.1948, Jerusalem. Zakia is forced to flee the only home she's ever known as war rips through the leafy streets and the bustling spice-filled souqs. Taking just one suitcase, Zakia thinks she'll be able to return soon. But within weeks, she realises she won't be allowed back to her beloved homeland. 2007, California. Mona grew up with her mother Zakia's memories of Palestine, imagining the muezzin's call for prayer and the medley of church bells her mother so vividly described to her. So, when Mona gets the opportunity to teach conflict resolution in Ramallah, she also embarks on a personal pilgrimage to find her mother's home in militarized and occupied Jerusalem.With cherished letters from her mother who writes to Mona regularly, sharing her story of Jerusalem, Mona dreams of one day being guided by her through the winding cobblestone alleys of the Old City. Yet it is Mona who instead holds her mother's hand as they finally visit Jerusalem together. After fifty-nine years of exile, her mother is returning to the place she once called home - but can a lifetime of loss ever be healed?

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Book SynopsisNominated for the National Book Critics Circle AwardIn this long-awaited and candid memoir, Hitchens re-traces the footsteps of his life to date, from his childhood in Portsmouth, with his adoring, tragic mother and reserved Naval officer father; to his life in Washington DC, the base from which from he would launch fierce attacks on tyranny of all kinds. Along the way, he recalls the girls, boys and booze; the friendships and the feuds; the grand struggles and lost causes; and the mistakes and misgivings that have characterised his life.Hitch-22 is, by turns, moving and funny, charming and infuriating, enraging and inspiring. It is an indispensable companion to the life and thought of our pre-eminent political writer.Trade ReviewIf Hitchens didn't exist, we wouldn't be able to invent him. * Ian McEwan *Christopher Hitchens is one of the great conversationalists of our age and his wit, style and erudition are brilliantly deployed in this glittering autobiography. Hitch-22 sparkles with funny stories, treasurable quotations, witty apercus and deft descriptions. * Sunday Times *A pert yet elegantly written memoir. * Sunday Telegraph *A fascinating account of the influences - political, cultural and philosophical - on Hitchens's intellectual development... A funny, sad, incisive, and serious narrative... He is our son and one of our most gifted writers. We should take pride in that and be busting our guts to get him back. * Spectator *Table of Contents1: Yvonne 2: The Commander 3: Fragments from an Education 4: Cambridge 5: The Sixties: Revolution in the Revolution 6: Chris or Christopher? 7: The Fenton Factor 8: Martin 9: Portugal to Poland 10: A Second Identity: On Becoming an (Anglo) American 11: Changing Places 12: Salman 13: Mesopotamia from Both Sides 14: Something of Myself 15: Thinking Thrice about the Jewish Question. 16: Edward Said in Light and Shade (and Saul) 17: Decline, Mutation, or Metamorphosis?

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Book SynopsisA major new biography of the Black Prince. 'A clear-eyed and thrilling vision of the man behind the legend' DAN JONES. 'Pacy, vivid and extremely readable' TLS. In 1346, at the age of sixteen, he won his spurs at Crécy; nine years later he conducted a brutal raid across Languedoc; in 1356 he captured the king of France at Poitiers; as lord of Aquitaine he ruled a vast swathe of southwestern France. He was Edward of Woodstock, eldest son of Edward III, but better known to posterity as 'the Black Prince'. Michael Jones tells the remarkable story of a great warrior-prince – and paints an unforgettable portrait of warfare and chivalry in the late Middle Ages.Trade ReviewPacy, vivid and extremely readable... its extensive research and questioning approach also make it an important work for specialists to consult' * TLS *It is not often that a work of medieval history provokes a news story in the Daily Mail * The Oldie *The Black Prince is one of the great romantic heroes of the Hundred Years War and in Michael Jones he has a worthy biographer. This is a clear-eyed and thrilling vision of the man behind the legend and a splendid introduction to one of the most fascinating periods in medieval history -- Dan JonesJones has done an excellent job... It is not easy to make somebody so far back in history really come alive, but this book has pulled it off extremely well. It is supplemented with several pages of maps, battle plans and a detailed timeline' * The Bookbag *Michael Jones superbly brings to life the campaigns and battles which made the Black Prince's name... The hero and the villain were one man and Jones does justice to this complexity' * The Times *Splendid... Jones convincingly argues that Edward should not be too readily condemned [...] with great skill and lightly worn erudition... Will enthral a wide audience' * Spectator *Get to know the heir of Edward III in all his guises in this accomplished volume * Historical Trips UK *Fascinating... restores one of our great heroes to his rightful position' * Daily Mail *Sure to enlighten and entertain thanks to the author's use of new archival research and his pacy, atmospheric writing style * History Revealed. *Offers a thoughtful, rounded picture of a man who led not solely by virtue of birth, but through personality and achievement, too * The Tablet *A gripping read; it has that 'just one more chapter' quality that keeps you going late into the night... A compelling and humane portrait of a medieval warrior, bringing the Black Prince and his world triumphantly to life' -- David SantiusteA thoroughly riveting biography of Edward of Woodstock * Military History Monthly *Pacy, vivid and extremely readable, Jones's book [...] will appeal to a wide spectrum of readers, but its extensive research and questioning approach also make it an important work for specialists to consult * TLS *A fascinating biography of England's greatest king that never was... Jones brings to life the achievements of a man whose contemporary popular appeal has been dimmed by time' * BBC History Magazine Book of the Year (2017) *Essential reading for those who prefer fact to fantasy * Historical Novel Society *The author is set on uncovering the man behind the myth of the Black Prince. It is an endeavour in which he largely succeeds, convincingly portraying the Prince as an exemplary military commander who is undeserving of the bad reputation he has received... This book will undoubtedly become the first port of call for anyone interested in the Black Prince for years to come' * Royal Studies Journal *

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Book Synopsis'I was determined to break into the White House and, with the confidence of youth, I didn't see how anyone was going to be able to stop me.' So how did a small-town girl from Muncie, Indiana, end up an assistant to and favourite of the President, joining George H. W. Bush for early morning runs and on the White House tennis court? In this sparkling memoir, Annie Bracken takes readers straight to the heart of the action. How do the powerful live on Capitol Hill? What is Joe Biden really like and could he be a successful President? What is life like after the White House? Packed with vivid personal portraits of Bracken's encounters with Presidents, gangsters, spies and even some Hollywood greats, this is a joyful insider account of one woman's journey from America's fly-over states, through tales of hilarity and intrigue in London and Cannes, all the way to the White House.Trade Review“You definitely want her on your side.” - Katharine Graham, owner of the Washington Post “A breath of fresh air.” - Richard Helms, former director of the CIA“This book is a riot, bright and breezy, whose pages sparkle with unlikely insights into official Washington, with a first person flavour of what goes on behind the closed doors of power. Every line is worth the ticket; the fun is in the reading. It is on the tennis courts that she meets and sometimes is wooed by Washington’s high and mighty. Small as the book is, it offers us a spectacular range of celebrities, by whom the author is undaunted, offering not so much a memoir, as sketches of a life enthusiastically lived.” - John Carlin, author of Invictus “Not a page is turned without a smile” - Andrew Ovenstone

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Book SynopsisNOW AN AWARD-WINNING FILM ON NETFLIX 'One of the great autobiographies written in the twentieth century' MICHAEL HOLROYD, SUNDAY TIMES'Irresistibly readable, commendably honest' FLEUR ADCOCK, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT'The Janet Frame of An Angel at My Table is a writer of exceptional sensitivity' LOS ANGELES TIMESAfter being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia as a young woman, Janet Frame spent several years in psychiatric institutions. She escaped undergoing a lobotomy when it was discovered that she had just won a national literary prize. She then went on to become New Zealand's most acclaimed writer. As she says more than once in this autobiography: 'My writing saved me.'This edition contains all three volumes of Frame's autobiography: To the Is-Land, An Angel at My Table and An Envoy from Mirror City.'One of the most beautiful and moving books I have ever read . . . A masterpiece . . . Janet's autobiography had an enormous effect on me. She struck a blow right to my heart' JANE CAMPION, GUARDIAN Trade ReviewOne of the great autobiographies written in the twentieth century . . . A journey from luminous childhood, through the dark experiences of supposed madness, to the renewal of her life through writing . . . a heroic story, and told with such engaging tone, humorous perspective and imaginative power * Sunday Times *One of the most beautiful and moving books I have ever read . . . A masterpiece . . . Janet's autobiography had an enormous effect on me. She struck a blow right to my heart * Guardian *Irresistibly readable, commendably honest, and, as a lesson in how courage and the will to survive defeated the effects of a ghastly mistake, inspiring * Times Literary Supplement *Janet Frame's luminous words are the more precious because they were snatched from the jaws of the disaster of her early life. It is one of the classics of autobiography. She knew that a writer must search her soul in order to say anything that is essentialThe Janet Frame of An Angel at My Table is a writer of exceptional sensitivity * Los Angeles Times *Janet Frame is the greatest New Zealand writer. She is utterly herself. Any one of her books could be published today and it would be ground-breaking -- Eleanor Catton

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Book SynopsisNow an eight-part docuseries on Apple TV+ featuring Kim Kardashian, Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Wanda Sykes, Megan Thee Stallion and more She couldn’t have been more than seven or eight years old. “Go ahead, ask your question,” her father urged, nudging her forward. She smiled shyly and said, “You’re my hero. Who’s yours?”  Many people – especially girls – have asked us that same question over the years. It’s one of our favourite topics. HILLARY: Growing up, I knew hardly any women who worked outside the home. So I looked to my mother, my teachers, and the pages of Life magazine for inspiration. After learning that Amelia Earhart kept a scrapbook with newspaper articles about successful women in male-dominated jobs, I started a scrapbook of my own. Long after I stopped clipping articles, I continued to seek out stories of women who seemed to be redefini

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Book Synopsis''I loved every word'' - Sarra Manning, Red''[A] blissful book - it''s like basking in the warm Med'' - Rachel Johnson, Mail on SundayThe Riviera Set is the story of the group of people who lived, partied, bed-hopped and politicked at the Château de l''Horizon near Cannes, over the course of forty years from the time when Coco Chanel made southern French tans fashionable in the twenties to the death of the playboy Prince Aly Khan in 1960. At the heart of this was the amazing Maxine Elliott, the daughter of a fisherman from Connecticut, who built the beautiful art deco Château and brought together the likes of Noel Coward, the Aga Khan, the Windsors and two very saucy courtesans, Doris Castlerosse and Daisy Fellowes, who set out to be dangerous distractions to Winston Churchill as he worked on his journalism and biographies during his ''wilderness years'' in the thirties.After the War the story continued as the Château changeTrade ReviewI loved every word -- Sarra Manning * Red *Lovell is superb on the great villas of the Riviera * The Times *[A] blissful book - it's like basking in the warm Med -- Rachel Johnson * Mail on Sunday *Mary S Lovell's social history is a meticulously researched and highly entertaining story about the characters who populated this decadent world . . . confiding and intimate, and it's an illuminating read -- Hannah Beckerman * Observer *Lovell wears her detailed research lightly and has produced a sprightly, well-paced account, rich in fascinating anecdote . . . an entertaining and zesty read * Sunday Express *Lovell dissects their lives and curates the interesting parts, bringing together the creme of high society. A sparkling group biography that brings to life a bygone era * The Lady *

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Book SynopsisAngela Harrelson, George Floyd’s aunt and closest relative in Minnesota, tells the behind-the-scenes story of George’s family—how he lived and why he died—and how the world can find a solution to racism through his death.Angela Harrelson grew up poor, one of thirteen brothers and sisters raised in a shack in the North Carolina woods. She was first in her family to go to college, first to be commissioned in the military, and first to have a career as a professional nurse. Along the way, she and her family were exposed to the harshest forms of racism—from her childhood riding the school bus with white children who made the Black kids stand, to racist commanding officers in the Air Force who told her they wanted her to fail. Nothing stopped Angela, and nothing removed the hope in her heart that America could learn to stop hating people based on the color of their skin. This is the story of George Floyd’s aunt, Angela Harrelson, and how, after being suddenly thrust into the spotlight, she went on a quest to make sure her nephew did not die in vain. Lift Your Voice is a memoir of faith, hope, and bravery, of what we all—Black and white—need to do to eradicate racism from our society. It’s a story of tragic loss and a worldwide uprising to ensure Perry’s death ushers society into a time where people are no longer judged, hated, or killed because of the color of their skin.Trade Review“The publicly witnessed murder of George Floyd ignited an acute awareness that racism is still prevalent in America, perhaps unlike anything experienced in decades. This moving book will ensure that the legacy of George Floyd lives on, and challenges those left behind to effect change—and ultimately work together to prevent the repeat of such tragedies.” -- John Hope Bryant, Founder and CEO, Operation Hope

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER This “beautiful tribute to a legendary artist” (Quincy Jones) is the first in-depth biography of Nipsey Hussle, the hip-hop mogul, artist, and activist whose transformative legacy inspired a generation with his motivational lyrics and visionary business savvy—before he was tragically shot down in the very neighborhood he was dedicated to building up. For Nipsey Hussle, “The Marathon” was more than a mixtape title or the name of a clothing store; it was a way of life, a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of excellence and the willpower required to overcome adversity day after day. Hussle was determined to win the race to success on his own terms, and he wanted to see his whole community in the winner’s circle with him. A moving and powerful exploration of an extraordinary artist, The Marathon Don’t Stop places Hussle in historical context and unpacks his complex legacy. Combining on-the-ground reporting and candid interviews, “Rob Kenner has given us the book the world—and hip-hop and pop culture—has been waiting for…one that should be celebrated alongside the best biographies ever about iconic figures we have loved—and lost” (Kevin Powell, author of When We Free the World).Trade Review“Like dead prez said, ‘it’s bigger than hip-hop,’ and few embodied that more than Nipsey. His life must serve as a textbook example for anyone working towards uplifting their community, where the work, and not the fame, take full precedent. We need more people like Nipsey Hussle, which is what makes telling his story important.” -- Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson“Rob Kenner was part of the original editorial team who brought my vision for VIBE magazine to reality, and during his seventeen years at the magazine he always did outstanding work. The Marathon Don’t Stop is a beautiful tribute to a legendary artist.” -- Quincy Jones“You may have heard of Nipsey Hussle, but you don’t know the awesome story of one of the most inspiring men of his generation. Nipsey was the Tupac of his generation and this book explains why.” -- Touré, author of I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an Icon“Ermias Asghedom’s all-too-short life was a pure epic run—from child prodigy, teenage baller, and young G to worldly rapper, hood builder, and global superstar. Rob Kenner’s thorough, definitive, and powerful telling of his story captures all of his heart, courage, and commitment. Read it and be inspired.” -- Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop“The Marathon Don’t Stop is chronicle of a complex love and Kenner delivers it with the clear-eyed authority that has made him one of the best culture writers of his era.” -- Dr. Joan Morgan, author of When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down“Kenner episodically reconstructs Hussle’s evolutionary process, the long strides and long game he played to become a master of his own destiny in the voracious rap business, and a generous and visionary community leader in South Central Los Angeles. For those wanting an immersive, concentrated read about why Hussle’s run and ting still matters, The Marathon Don’t Stop provides layered chapters of incisive and insightful reveals.” -- Greg Tate, author of Flyboy in the Buttermilk“The assassination of Nipsey Husssle was, in many ways, the death of modern classical hip-hop. In death, Nipsey’s star has risen to the heavens. Rob Kenner illuminates the artist’s mortal side while artfully unpacking his humble beginnings and momentous victories. You see his flowers in bloom, in Technicolor, then and now. Behold.” -- Sacha Jenkins, filmmaker“With The Marathon Don’t Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle, Rob Kenner has given us the book the world—and hip-hop and pop culture—has been waiting for. It is a powerfully written and reported biography of a life gone too soon, yes. But it is also history, sociology, psychology, and a case study of what is humanly possible, even for those of us born with very little. This is one of the finest pieces of literature about a real life I’ve ever read, and one that should be celebrated alongside the best biographies ever about iconic figures we have loved—and lost.” -- Kevin Powell, author of When We Free the World“What made Rob one of my favorite editors and my primary longform collaborator was his insightful eye, his innate sense of story, and his ability to appreciate the importance of minutiae as they relate to a larger narrative. He brings all of those skills to the forefront with this incredible book. Not only do you walk way appreciating Nipsey’s work, love for his community, and yes, hustle, but Rob also paints a sensitive portrait of Ermias the man. God rose inside of this man, and Rob captures every moment.” -- Cheo Hodari Coker, author of Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G.“An extraordinary accomplishment: a book about a rapper, a neighborhood, business and ownership, racism, immigration, friendship, family, art, and love . . . from the Pacific Ocean to the Red Sea. A masterclass in music journalism’s higher calling, The Marathon Don’t Stop is a book not only for Nipsey Hussle fans, but for anyone who wants to understand the brutal and beautiful truths of the country called America. Rob Kenner has been to the mountaintop, and brought the word back down for the rest of us. ” -- Peter Relic, author of For Whom the Cowbell Tolls: 25 Years of Paul’s Boutique“From the cradle to the grave, The Marathon Don’t Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle is a deep dive into the man, music, and motivation of one of the most gifted rappers to emerge from the West in decades. More than a hustler, Nipsey Hustle was both a businessman and teacher who was equally inspired by family, the streets, and the motherland. With an eye for the real, writer Rob Kenner has composed a biography that is journalistically solid, cinematically vivid, as gritty as the streets of Crenshaw, and beautiful as a rose growing through concrete.” -- Michael A. Gonzales, co-author of Bring the Noise: A Guide to Rap Music and Hip-Hop Culture“A rigorously reported, gripping account of how Ermias Joseph Asghedom hustled his way into the hearts and minds of millions. Veteran journalist Rob Kenner takes us on a harrowing journey, from the embattled streets of South L.A. to the ancient shores of East Africa to tell the story of a conflicted gang member, gifted hip hop artist, and crafty businessman who devoted his life to transforming himself and his community by any means necessary.” -- Carter Harris, screenwriter, producer, and former editor at The Source and VIBE magazines“In his relatively short and tragic life, Nipsey Hussle was an icon of the new new music business, where sheer grit, determination—and, of course, natural talent—helped cement his undying legacy. One of hip-hop’s most powerful voices, Hussle was an entrepreneurial activist, a street corner philosopher whose everlasting contribution lies not just in the songs he made, but also in the way he chose to live. In The Marathon Don't Stop, veteran music journalist Rob Kenner tracks Hussle's life with verve and compassion, from his humble beginnings to his horrific ending, unpacking the chaotic world which made him, fueled the work that defined him, and sadly took him from this planet all too soon.” -- Paul Cantor, contributor to the New York Times, New York Magazine, and XXL

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Book SynopsisBullied at school, and growing up dreaming of revenge, Mark 'Chopper' Read determined to be the toughest in any company. He became a crime commando who terrorised drug dealers, pimps, thieves and armed robbers on the streets and in jail - but boasts never to have hurt an innocent member of the public. Streetfighter, gunman and underworld executioner, he has been earmarked for death a dozen times, but has lived to tell the tale. This is his story.

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Book SynopsisDave Eggers is the founder of McSweeney's, a quarterly journal and website (www.mcsweeneys.net), and his books include You Shall Know Our Velocity, How We Are Hungry, Short Short Stories, and What is the What. His work has appeared in the New Yorker and Ocean Navigator. He is the recipient of the Addison Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and was a 2001 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Northern California.

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Book SynopsisLudwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was an extraordinarily original philospher, whose influence on twentieth-century thinking goes well beyond philosophy itself. In this book, which aims to make Wittgenstein''s thought accessible to the general non-specialist reader, A. C. Grayling explains the nature and impact of Wittgenstein''s views. He describes both his early and later philosophy, the differences and connections between them, and gives a fresh assessment of Wittgenstein''s continuing influence on contemporary thought. 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 ReviewLucidly and attractively written. * Heythrop Journal *Anyone wanting to come to grips with the later Wittgenstein's views on philosophy, his beliefs about the nature of thought and language, and his many unignorable (if sometimes muddled and often muddling) ideas in the philosophy of the mind could do no better than start here. * Guardian *[Grayling] is to be congratulated on the success of his enterprise in a book which is a model of expository elgance ... an admirably clear and concise introduction * Philosophical Books *Table of ContentsTHE EARLY PHILOSOPHY; THE LATER PHILOSOPHY

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Book SynopsisSome twenty years ago, anthropologist Carlos Castaneda electrified millions of readers by describing his initiation--under the Yaqui Indian brujo Don Juan--into an alternate reality. Now Taisha Abelar, who was taught by the female members of Don Juan's group, recounts her own crossing in this arresting book.While traveling in Mexico, Abelar became involved with a group of sorcerers and began a rigorous physical and mental training process designed to enable her to breach the limits of ordinary perception. The Sorcerers Crossing details that process, giving us a highly practical sense of the responsibilities and perils that face a woman sorcerer. Abelar's enthralling story is invaluable as a virtual sorcerers manual, as anthropology, and as a provocative work of women's spirituality.

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER'An intimate portrait of Afghani people quite unlike any other ... compelling' CHRISTINA LAMB, SUNDAY TIMESFor more than twenty years Sultan Khan, a bookseller in Kabul, defied the authorities - be they communist or Taliban - to supply books to the people of Kabul. He was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned by the communists and watched illiterate Taliban soldiers burn piles of his books in the street. A committed Muslim, Khan is passionate in his love of books and hatred of censorship. Two weeks after September 11th, award-winning journalist Åsne Seierstad went to Afghanistan to report on the conflict there and the year after she lived with an Afghan family for several months. We learn of proposals and marriages, suppression and abuse of power, crime and punishment. The result is a gripping and moving portrait of a family, and a clear-eyed assessment of a country struggling to free itself from history.'Fascinating ... A portrait of people struggling to survive in the most brutal circumstances' DAILY MAILTrade ReviewWritten sometimes more like fiction than fact ... this is a remarkable portrait, with deftly woven accounts of weddings and journeys, books and bookselling, relations and squabbles, firmly anchored by pleasing details about food and customs, all set against the backdrop of a derelict city, filthy and crammed but not defeated * Independent *Fascinating ... a colourful portrait of people struggling to survive in the most brutal circumstances ... bear[s] witness to the power of literature to withstand even the most repressive regime -- Michael Arditti, Daily MailA unique insight into another world as the Norwegian answer to Kate Adie shares the life of a family in Kabul * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Book Review Editors? Choice The untold story of the artistic battle between James Abbot MacNeill Whistler and John Ruskin over Whistler?s controversial, ground-breaking Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket.In November 1878, America?s greatest painter sued England?s greatest critic for a bad review. The painter won?but ruined himself in the process. The painter: James Abbot MacNeill Whistler, whose combination of incredible talent, unflagging energy, and relentless self-promotion had by that time brought him to the very edge of artistic preeminence. The critic: John Ruskin, Slade Professor of Art at Oxford University, whose four-decades? worth of prolific and highly respected literary output on aesthetics had made him England?s unchallenged and seemingly unchallengeable arbiter of art. Though Whistler and Ruskin both lived in London and moved in the same artistic world, they had, until June, 1877, managed to remain entirely clear of one another. This was unusual because Whistler had a mercurial temperament, a belligerent personality, and seemed to thrive on opposition: he once challenged a man to a duel because the man accused the painter of sleeping with his wife. (Whistler had, in fact, slept with the man?s wife.) That November, John Ruskin walked into the Grosvenor Gallery?s new exhibition of art and gazed with horror upon Whistler?s Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket. The painting was Whistler?s interpretation of a fireworks display at a local pleasure garden. But to Ruskin it was nothing more than a chaotic, incomprehensible mess of bright spots upon dark masses: not art but its antithesis?a disturbing and disgusting assault upon everything he had ever written or taught on the subject. He quickly channeled that anger into a seething review. The internationally-reported, widely discussed, and hugely-entertaining trial that followed was a titanic battle between the opposing ideas and ideals of two larger-than-life personalities. For these two protagonists, Whistler v Ruskin was the battle of a lifetime?or more accurately, a battle of their two lifetimes. Paul Thomas Murphy?s Falling Rocket also recounts James Whistler?s turbulent but triumphant development from artistic oblivion in the 1880s to artistic deification in the 1890s, and also Ruskin?s isolated, befogged, silent final years after his public humiliation. The story of Whistler v Ruskin has a dramatic arc of its own, but this riveting new book also vividly evokes an artistic world in energetic motion, culturally and socially, in the last decades of the nineteenth century.

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Book SynopsisIntroduce readers to some of the most well-known criminals and tyrants of ancient history with this fascinating nonfiction book! Readers will learn about villainous leaders and criminals of the past--such as Brutus, Antony and Cleopatra, Caligula, Nero, and Locusta--and what these people did to leave such infamous legacies. Featuring intriguing facts and theories, colorful images, and informational text featuring Time For Kids content, students will be captivated while getting a glimpse of life in ancient times. This book also includes text features such as a table of contents, glossary, and index, as well as resources like a bibliography and a list of useful websites for learning more. Keep students engaged and wanting to learn more after reading this high-interest book!

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Book SynopsisA remarkable recounting of a human journey through an inhumane world.What does it mean to be a “refugee”? It is easy for those who live in relative freedom to ignore or even to villainize people who have been forced to flee their homes. After all, it can be hard to identify with others’ experiences when you haven’t been in their shoes.In Hakim’s Odyssey, we see firsthand how war can make anyone a refugee. Hakim, a successful young Syrian who had his whole life ahead of him, tells his story: how war forced him to leave everything behind, including his family, his friends, his home, and his business. After the Syrian uprising in 2011, Hakim was arrested and tortured, his town was bombed, his business was seized by the army, and members of his family were arrested or disappeared. This first leg of his odyssey follows Hakim as he travels from Syria to Lebanon, Lebanon to Jordan, and Jordan to Turkey, where he struggles to earn a living and dreams of one day returning to his home.This graphic novel is necessary reading for our time. Alternately hopeful and heartbreaking, Hakim’s Odyssey is a story about what it means to be human in a world that sometimes fails to be humane.Trade Review“[A] stupendous testimony of survival.”—starred review Booklist“Thrilling, contemplative, tragic, and inspirational.”—Peter Dabbene Foreword Reviews“Hakim’s story adds to the growing body of graphic literature on the refugee experience, with insightful perspective on how an ordinary life can crumble.”—Publishers Weekly“A beautiful book. Hakim’s Odyssey is deeply personal and superbly researched. I loved reading it.”—Benjamin Worku-Dix,author of Vanni: A Family’s Struggle Through the Sri Lankan Conflict“An amazing, heartfelt story of one man’s journey to rebuild his life, and go from refugee to citizen in a new country.”—James Facer Diamond Bookshelf

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Book SynopsisJoe Exotic, star of the Netflix original documentary that “consumed the pop-cultural imagination” (The Atlantic) and transfixed a nation in the midst of a global crisis, opens up about his outlandish journey from Midwestern farmer to infamous Tiger King, and finally, to federal inmate. Shortly after his arrest (for charges including hiring a hitman to murder his rival, Carole Baskin), Joe Exotic began keeping a daily journal of his life behind prison walls. In support of his defense, Joe began writing everything he wished he could tell a jury of his peers. Little did Joe know that mere months later, the self-proclaimed “gun-toting, gay redneck with a mullet” would become one of the most famous men in the world. Written entirely while incarcerated, this no-holds-barred memoir is Joe Exotic’s first, and maybe only, chance to tell his side of the story—the full story. Despite never having seen Tiger King, Joe is aware of what’s been said about him, and he’s eager to answer all the questions the world is dying to know. Such as: -The origin of the mullet. -How Joe became the Tiger King. -Joe’s favorite animals. -Joe’s relationships. -Joe’s explanation of all charges against him. -What happened with Trump’s pardon. -What he thinks about caging animals now that he lives in a cage. -What Joe has to say now about Carole Baskin. From his tragic childhood riddled with abuse to his dangerous feuds with big cat rivals and beyond, nothing is off the table. This is the exclusive and definitive read for anyone who binged the “riveting” (Vanity Fair) documentary and finished it hungry for more. A memoir unlike any other, it proves that they can cage the Tiger King, but they can’t silence his roar.

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Book Synopsis"This is the Zodiac speaking. I like killing people because it is so much fun...the most thrilling experience..." This shocking true crime classic is now a major movie. A sexual sadist, the Zodiac's pleasure was torture and murder. He taunted the authorities with mocking notes telling where he would strike next. The official tally of his victims was six. He claimed 37 dead. He was never caught. Author Robert Graysmith tells the inside story of the hunt for the hooded killer, and finally reveals his possible true identity. The new movie "Zodiac" is based on this book. Directed by David Fincher ("Fight Club"), it stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Graysmith himself, Robert Downey Jr and Chloe Sevigny.

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Book SynopsisHilary Davidson delves into the clothing of one of the world’s great authors, providing unique and intimate insight into her everyday life and material worldTrade Review“[A] charming book, which examines what Austen actually wore on the evidence of voluminous letters exchanged with her sister Cassandra whenever they were separated. . . . A delightful companion.”—Maev Kennedy, Art Newspaper “This lavishly illustrated book offers readers a unique peek into the clothes worn by celebrated Regency author Jane Austen.”—History Revealed “Davidson’s engaging and illuminating study portrays a household in which appearances are important but budgets tight. . . . Nothing I have read has brought Austen so close.”—Rosemary Goring, The Herald “It’s by [an] evocation of the everyday real world that Jane Austen’s Wardrobe triumphs (that and its magnificent production values—the design is appropriately sumptuous). We turn these pages watching one of the world’s greatest novelists manage her appearance and sort out what she’ll wear day by day and what she’ll pay for it. . . . It’s captivating, particularly with [Davidson’s] historical insight as a guide.”—Steve Donoghue, Open Letters Review “Rakewell is looking forward to the publication of Jane Austen’s Wardrobe by Hilary Davidson (Yale University Press).”—Rakewell column, Apollo Magazine “As gripping as a corset, this superb book is a must-read for Austen lovers and scholars.”—Philippa Stockley, The Oldie “A visual feast, as well as offering insight into Austen’s fabled attention to the minutiae of her own social class. It also sends a message to the modern [over] consumer.”—Jacqueline Riding, Country Life “[Davidson’s] book provides significantly more detail than is generally known about any individual wardrobe. . . . It provides as close to a comprehensive look at her wardrobe as is possible.”—Cassidy Percoco, History Today "go forth and read" —YouTuber and author Bernadette Banner “An intriguing and wholly original approach to Jane Austen. . . . A most delightful book and a must for every Austen reader.”—Claire Tomalin, author of Jane Austen: A Life “The definitive compendium of Jane Austen’s clothes, recreated from fragments, by an acknowledged mistress of the field. Open the book, the author invites, as you might a chest of drawers, to find anything but a dowdy spinster.”—Amanda Vickery, author of Behind Closed Doors “This gorgeously illustrated volume from the world’s leading expert on the fashion of the Regency era lifts the skirts on Jane Austen’s wardrobe.”—Paula Byrne, author of The Real Jane Austen “Hugely enjoyable, charmingly illustrated and beautifully produced, a book to linger over and which, moreover, sheds light on just how seriously Jane Austen took fashion.”—Claire Wilcox, author of Patch Work

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Book SynopsisFor Elizabeth, Drake made the impossible real, serving as a crucial and brilliantly adaptable instrument of her ambitions to transform England from a third-rate island kingdom into a global imperial power.In 1580, sailing on Elizabeth’s covert orders, Drake became the first captain to circumnavigate the earth successfully.Trade Review“Fascinating. … Engaging. … Drake’s story is both dramatic and timely. … In Laurence Bergreen’s colorful assessment, an unlikely alliance between Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake empowered English Protestants to … stake out the beginnings of the British Empire.” — New York Times Book Review, "Editors' Choice" “A dramatic tale of discovery. ... A comprehensive look at Drake, in all his contradictions. ... A lively and compelling history of a man whose blend of audacity, piety and cruelty changed the world.” — San Francisco Chronicle “Vivid. … Entrancing. ... The accounts of Drake’s circumnavigation and his subsequent naval career are very good indeed. They will surely delight aficionados of imperial history and anyone keen on real-life adventure stories.” — Wall Street Journal "With a keen sense of adventure and a sharp grasp of personalities on sea and land, Bergreen details Drake’s round-the-world adventures as well as political intrigues and mutinous sailors." — Booklist (starred review) “The swashbuckling life and times of the explorer who achieved what Magellan could not—and made England’s fortune in the process. ... Demonstrating his deep knowledge of the era, the author energetically recounts Drake’s action-packed journey. ... Bergreen masterly portrays the principal characters in this drama. … A smooth, dramatic, and well-fleshed world history.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “The great pleasure of In Search of a Kingdom is the revelation of Drake as a man of apparent contradictions that helped rather than hindered his ambitions. Readers in search of a story of how a clergyman’s son gained the support of a queen and helped found the British Empire will not be disappointed.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “Laurence Bergreen’s new book tells the swashbuckling tale of Sir Francis Drake. … Drake’s trip around the globe, which Bergreen describes in great and fascinating detail, was truly a marvel. … The account of Drake’s remarkable trip and Bergreen’s parsing of this complicated character will repay the time of readers who choose to take this 400-page trip.” — American Spectator

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Book Synopsis'A triumph – a Game of Thrones in the Dark Ages' TOM HOLLAND. The magisterial biography of Oswald Whiteblade, exiled prince of Northumbria, who returned in blood and glory to reclaim his birthright. A charismatic leader, a warrior whose prowess in battle earned him the epithet Whiteblade, an exiled prince who returned to claim his birthright, the inspiration for Tolkein's Aragorn. Oswald of Northumbria was the first great English monarch, yet today this legendary figure is all but forgotten. In this panoramic portrait of Dark Age Britain, archaeologist and biographer Max Adams returns the king in the North to his rightful place in history.Trade ReviewA triumph. The most gripping portrait of 7th-Century Britain that I have read... A Game of Thrones in the Dark Ages' -- Tom Holland, The TimesAn engagingly populist and evocative book that makes a bold and effective attempt to bring a particularly obscure period in northern British history to the general reader * Literary Review *This early ruler had a life, and a legacy that rivals any fable * Independent *Gripping, hugely enjoyable and deeply scholarly. * History Today Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable life of the vivacious, clever and forgotten Kennedy sister, who charmed the English aristocracy and was almost erased from her family history.The favourite child of Joe Kennedy and favourite sister of Jack, Kick Kennedy was spirited, vivacious and legendary for her charm. When the Kenndys sailed to Britain in 1938 she was presented as a debutante amid the pre-war social whirl of the British aristocracy. Here she met a shy, tall, handsome man called Billy, and, rebelling against family, faith, and country, soon married him. He was William Cavendish, heir to Chatsworth and the Duke of Devonshire, the most eligible bachelor in England. But their days of married bliss proved short, as war would bring tragedy and loss.Uncovering her spectacular life in full for the first time, Paula Byrne depicts a remarkable woman who bewitched the Churchills, Astors and Mitfords, and yet was almost erased from Kennedy family history.Trade Review‘Byrne conjures such a vivid portrait of her enchanting heroine that one almost feels deprived never having met her’ Daily Mail, Book of the Week ‘Byrne is engagingly smitten with her subject … Sentence by sentence, the book is a joy: a fresh take on the exceedingly well-worn theme of the Kennedy family. Byrne recounts the dramas of the end of her life with great pace and a poignancy that is all the more affecting for not being overdone’ Guardian ‘Byrne does a fine job rescuing Kick from undeserved obscurity, providing an important chapter to the story of this dazzling doomed dynasty’ The Times ‘Sparkling … fast-paced … transfixing’ Sunday Times ‘This absolutely enthralling biography is written by an expert hand… Her narrative is deceptively easy and fluid, cleverly belying the enormous weight and variety of her source materials’ Irish Independent ‘An exciting, heartbreakingly tense love story’ Kirkus Review ‘Written with panache … as engaging as its subject’ Sunday Express ‘A fun-loving American charms the English aristocracy with her wit and sangfroid, overcoming prejudice to win the heart of London’s most eligible bachelor … Paula Byrne … recaptures her brief but fascinating story’ Vogue ‘This very sad story is at the heart of Paula Byrne's excellent biography … supported by impressive research’ Financial Times ‘Sympathetic and faced-paced … Byrne’s portrait of the Kennedy’s at home is transfixing’ Sunday Times ‘A compelling biography … Byrne is to be commended for handling the formidable task with aplomb. She has produced a lively work … allowing [Kick’s] warmth, charisma and legendary vitality to shine through’ Country Life ‘Absolutely enthralling … Paula Byrne's narrative is deceptively easy and fluid cleverly belying the enormous weight and variety of her resource material’ Irish Independent

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Book SynopsisA moving story about love, AIDS, grief, and memory by one of the most adventurous writers to come out of San Francisco''s LGBTQ+ scene.Bob Glück met Ed Aulerich-Sugai in 1970. Ed was an aspiring artist; Bob wanted to write. They were young men in San Francisco at the high tide of sexual liberation and soon, and for eight years, they were lovers, after which they were friends. Ed was an explorer in the realms of sex. He was beautiful, fragile, exasperating, serious, unassuaged. In 1994 he died of HIV. His dream notebooks became a touchstone for this book, which Glück has been working on for some two decades, while also making his name as a proponent of New Narrative writing and as one of America?s most unusual, venturesome, and lyrical authors. About Ed is about Ed, who remains, as our dead do, both familiar and unknowable, faraway and close. It is about Bob too. The book is a hybrid, at once fiction and fact, like memory, and it takes in many things through tales of political activism and domestic comedy and fury to questions of art and love and experiences of longing and horror. The book also shifts in register, from the delicate to the analytic, to funny and explicit and heartbroken. It begins in the San Francisco of the early 1980s, when Ed and Bob have been broken up for a while. aIds is spreading, but Ed has yet to receive his diagnosis. It follows him backward through his life with Bob in the 1970s and forward through the harrowing particulars of death. It holds on to him and explores his art. It ends in his dreams.

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Book SynopsisMore than half a century after his death, Lt Col. Robert Blair Mayne is still regarded as one of the greatest soldiers in the history of military special operations. He was the most decorated British soldier of the Second World War, receiving four DSOs, the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d'honneur, and he pioneered tactics used today by the SAS and other special operations units worldwide. Rogue Warrior of the SAS tells the remarkable life story of 'Colonel Paddy', whose exceptional physical strength and uniquely swift reflexes made him a fearsome opponent. But his unorthodox rules of war and his resentment of authority would deny him the ultimate accolade of the Victoria Cross. Drawing on personal letters and family papers, declassified SAS files and records, together with the Official SAS Diary compiled in wartime and eyewitness accounts from many who served with him, the picture emerges of a soldier who, although a flawed hero, was unquestionably one of the most distinctive combatants of the campaigns in the Western Desert and Europe.

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Book SynopsisA few months into the new millennium in May 2000, Ken Livingstone became the first ever Mayor of London. In the succeeding two decades, London has undergone a dramatic evolution under three very different mayors, but how has the mayoralty itself changed? How have the capital’s challenges and crises been overcome? And is the office still fit for purpose? At a time of tremendous uncertainty for the capital and the nation generally, this ambitious new book marks the twentieth anniversary of the creation of the position of the Mayor of London. It examines how the first three mayors have approached the role with markedly distinct politics, outlooks and styles and how the position has transformed over time to meet the changing needs of the city. London’s Mayor at 20 combines expert opinion with reflections from those closely involved in setting up, running and working in the mayor’s office. Featuring a foreword by Tony Blair, who played a crucial role in the establishment of the mayoralty, and including interviews with Ken Livingstone and Sadiq Khan, this comprehensive analysis seeks to investigate how the government of London has developed and what the future holds for this modern metropolis.Trade Review"At a time when so many people are disillusioned about politics, this book reminds us that real change is possible - as we've seen with the impact of successive London mayors. From the congestion charge to Tech City, London has evolved dramatically over the past two decades - and London's Mayor at 20 tells the story of this transformation in a brilliantly human and compelling way." - Rohan Silva, former senior policy advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron "The London mayoralty was the most radical innovation in the capital's government since the LCC. For the first time the political life of the metropolis was embodied in one personality. This study of its creation, strengths and weaknesses is essential reading for anyone who cares about London. It should roll the pitch for a second stage of reform to the capital's transport, policing, education and health. Where I think some regional mayors are of dubious permanence, London's is irreplaceable." - Simon Jenkins, journalist and author of A Short History of London

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Book SynopsisNew York Post and Toronto Sun crime reporter and author of Cold Blooded Murder, Brad Hunter has spent over thirty years writing about some of America’s most horrific crimes. In this new book he enters the mind of John Wayne Gacy, the real-life ‘Killer Clown’, often said to be the inspiration for Stephen King’s evil Pennywise in It. Gacy lured victims to his home with the promise of work or a warm bed and then duped them into putting on handcuffs, claiming he wanted to show them a magic trick. He would then rape and torture his victims before killing them by suffocating or strangling them. Twenty-six were buried in the crawl space beneath his home; others were buried elsewhere on his property, while a handful were dumped in the Des Plaines River. While Gacy was executed for his sickening crimes in 1994, his terrifying spectre continues to haunt us. At least five of his victims remain unidentified and detectives have always suspected that the known victims were just the tip of the iceberg. Gacy even told one detective that his tally of murders was closer to forty-five victims. How many victims were there? Did Gacy act alone? And what drove John Wayne Gacy to murder? Was it his alcoholic, abusive father or was it something deep within him that caused the seemingly normal Gacy to sexually assault, torture and murder at least thirty-three young men and boys? And who was the John Wayne Gacy who regularly performed at children’s hospitals and charitable events as Pogo, or Patches, the Clown? The Gacy who was a player in local Democratic Party circles? Drawing on his many years’ experience as a crime reporter, investigating and interviewing perpetrators of terrible crimes, Hunter seeks to understand what drove Gacy to unleash a reign of terror in suburban Chicago.

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Book SynopsisAlan Bennett is the author of Writing Home, The Madness of George III, Talking Heads, The Clothes They Stood Up In and much else besides. Miss Shepherd lived in a Robin Reliant opposite Bennett's house in Camden Town. After a series of attacks on her van, he suggested she move, with her van, to his front drive. Initially reluctant, she agreed - and Bennett landed himself a tenancy that went on for fifteen years. The Lady in the Van is probably Alan Bennett's best-known work of non-fiction, and follows his other little blockbuster The Clothes They Stood Up In.

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Book SynopsisImmerse yourself in the colourful world of Frida Kahlo with this search and find book which details key aspects of her life - from her eccentric teenaged years and infatuation with Diego Rivera, to her dynamic arrival as an international artist, her incredible studio and house in Mexico and her deep love of Mexican culture. With twelve intricately drawn scenes, you can find Frida, among other places, at home with Diego Rivera, among a bustling Day of the Dead scene and at her Paris gallery opening.Find Frida not only features the iconic and flamboyant artist but is populated with a huge cast of over 200 extras for you to spot - including artists, filmmakers, writers and photographers - allowing the book to tell the complete story of Kahlo's life and her huge cultural influence.

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Book SynopsisWhen Freddie Mercury died in 1991, aged just 45, the world was rocked by the vibrant and flamboyant star's tragic secret that he had been battling AIDS. The announcement of his diagnosis reached them less than 24-hours before his death, shocking his millions of fans, and fully opening the eyes of the world to the destructive and fatal disease. In Somebody to Love, biographers Mark Langthorne and Matt Richards skilfully weave Freddie's pursuit of musical greatness with Queen, his upbringing and endless search for love, with the origins and aftermath of a terrible disease that swept across the world in the 1980s.With brand new perspectives from Freddie's closest friends and fellow musicians, this unique and deeply moving tribute casts a very different light on his death. An intimate read, like Freddie and his art, it will stay with you for a long time to come.

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