Biography Books

Book SynopsisThis book introduces practices that are now part of what people see as ‘21st Century Skills’. The enjoyable essays in this book provide a panoramic view over the subject of design. The essays are written to encourage designers and students of design to reflect upon their field. Fundamental questions are raised about the nature of design, about designers themselves, and about the role of design within the broader contexts of business and society. And design, these days, is not just for designers - many different fields are learning from design to build creative practices, and this book seeks to help to open up design practices for general use. The book is for designers (to help them reflect on their practices, and develop them further) and for students of design across all designing disciplines.

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Book SynopsisIn this poignant memoir, she narrates the unbelievable story of her survival to her son with candour, grace and humour, never missing a beat and always full of heart.

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Book SynopsisThe Nine Waves is a comprehensive history of Indian cricket, detailing the nine waves of success from 1932 to Virat Kohli's team today. It covers iconic moments, victories, and players, showcasing India's rise to cricketing superpower status with a billion-strong fan base.

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Book SynopsisHe relives the battle he waged on behalf of lyricists and music composers in Parliament, the intense internal struggle to overcome the difficulties that built up in the wake of fame and money, and the many strands that wove through his relentless pursuit of excellence.

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Book SynopsisA sweeping biography of the visionary behind bone marrow transplantation and the story of the diseases cured by Don Thomas's discovery. In the last half of the twentieth century, Thomas himself discovered a cure for every marrow-based disease—like leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle-cell anemia—forever changing treatment for some of the deadliest illnesses. His feats were extraordinary, earning him a Nobel Prize, and the cascade of treatments he inspired have reshaped and will continue to reshape the practice of clinical medicine. Yet no one has ever written Thomas’s courageous story. Dr. Frederick R. Appelbaum, a member of Thomas’s research team, does so for the first time in Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution. Bone marrow transplantation has now saved over a million lives, but when Thomas first had the idea, he was met with disbelief by the scientific community. Appelbaum, informed by decades in the field and personal connection with Thomas, tells us the secrets to Thomas’s success: his unique characteristics, how he created an effective team of researchers, and how he overcame the technical obstacles of marrow transplantation. Appelbaum tells a bigger story, too, of the scientific and societal implications of this achievement, which are critical for scientific and lay readers alike so that we all might be better informed of how far our medical progress has come and will go. Trade Review"Fred Appelbaum provides a vital and touching history. As a witness to (and a participant in) the birth of one of medicine's most inventive procedures -- bone marrow transplantation -- Appelbaum gives us a story rich with details, excitement and wonder. His writing sparkles as he describes the early years in Seattle and the subsequent successes, and this book is essential reading for doctors, patients and medical historians alike."—Siddhartha Mukherjee “This is the story of pioneers, foremost among them Don Thomas. While most explorations into the unknown venture to new lands, here we journey with Thomas and his colleagues deep into our bodies where they overcame daunting obstacles to make life saving discoveries. Fred Appelbaum skillfully weaves biography, science and patient stories into an inspiring tapestry of hopes fulfilled.”--Jerome Groopman, M.D., Recanati Professor, Harvard University, and author How Doctors Think and, with Dr. Pamela Hartzband, of Your Medical Mind “Anyone interested in medical science will want to read Living Medicine. It describes the ideas, experiments, surprises, failures, and successes of decades of research with a clarity that makes it one of the best science books that I have ever read. Chapters read like roller coaster rides with the painstaking attempts of treating a few patients, the slow progress of adapting to results, and the final success leading to rapid global adoption of therapeutic advances. It will be my graduation gift to each of my aspiring medical school students.”—Leland Hartwell, Nobel Prize winner “Living Medicine is a captivating and inspirational narrative that charts the challenges, breakthroughs and ultimate ascent of bone marrow transplantation, as well as the critical contributions of E. Donnall Thomas. At a time when we are on the brink of realizing long-held hopes for application of stem cells to treat and cure diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, and myriad other conditions, Appelbaum deftly illuminates critical milestones in medical history and tracks that progress to the most cutting-edge therapies of the modern day.”--Daylon James, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine, and host of the Stem Cell Podcast “The biotech revolution is one of the big stories of the 21st century. Cell and gene therapies with potential to cure many terrible diseases are coming in the near future, whether we’re ready or not. Fred Appelbaum tells the fascinating, untold story of how this transformation of medicine got started. Living Medicine is a tour de force of medical science history. Appelbaum has the intimate knowledge of an insider but takes great care to tell an accessible story. This book is easy to read and hard to put down. Anyone who wants to know about where breakthroughs come from and how medicine will change over the next 20 years should read it.”--Luke Timmerman, founder of the leading biotech newsletter, Timmerman Report

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Book SynopsisSpread the word . . . but keep the secret!The Cube is an imagination game—and more—that holds a secret you are dared not to reveal. Last seen making the rounds in the coffeehouses of Eastern Europe, the Cube is rumored to be of ancient Sufi origin, but no one really knows for certain. This mystery game just seems to reappear when and where it is needed. Now it is here! Inside these pages, the game is revealed along with intriguing stories of others who have played the Cube—including such celebrities as Gloria Steinem, Willem Dafoe, Erica Jong, and Judy Collins.So don't be square . . . Get Cubed!

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Book SynopsisA fascinating, richly illustrated exploration of the poignant origins of Rudyard Kipling’s world-famous children’s classicTrade Review“A scrupulous and poignant account of how love and loss inspired the Just So Stories”—Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian“In this concise and remarkable book...Batchelor guides us expertly...drawing on multiple sources and making intriguing connections between Kipling’s stories for children and for adults.”—John Carey, The Sunday Times “Fluent, engaging and gently erudite”—Boyd Tonkin, The Economist“Batchelor, who places the Just So Stories directly in the context of Kipling's private and public life, acknowledges that the stories contain traces of racism and imperialism, traits which were much more evident in Kipling's later works [and] highlights the stories for their humour and the deliverance of moral lessons.”—Colin Steele, Canberra Times “Intelligent, balanced, finely-written...John Batchelor, an academic whose own head teems with Edwardian history and books, opens [Kipling] up like a splayed tangerine, each segment of which is tagged to a Just So story.”—Nicola Shulman, The Oldie“Reading Kipling through the lens of his best-loved book makes a good introduction to his work.”—Janet Montefiore, Times Literary Supplement“Batchelor discusses each of the stories in turn, interweaving his erudite commentary with a penetrating exploration of Kipling's own story, and of his genius as a writer — not overlooking the brilliance of Kipling as illustrator of his own work.”—John Pridmore, Church Times“Batchelor’s book brings out the beauty of Kipling’s original volume and reveals much about this sad and complex man.”—Angela Wintle, Sussex Life'Batchelor’s achievement is to interweave a close reading of Kipling’s Just so Stories and their illustrations with a richly suggestive exploration of Kipling’s complexity as a man and his protean genius as a writer.’—Phillip Mallett, author of Rudyard Kipling: A Literary Life‘Beautiful … How the Just so Stories Were Made cracks through the imperial crustiness that many detest to reach into the warm heart and cool art of the great craftsman that so many admire. Batchelor movingly illuminates how personal grief and sorrow were integral to Kipling’s finest and most enduring work.’—Nicholas Rankin, author of Dead Man’s Chest: Travels after Robert Louis Stevenson'John Batchelor is the perfect commentator on the Just so Stories: unobtrusive, knowledgeable, striking just the right balance between literary gossip and erudite illumination. He renews the delight of reading Kipling at his best.’—Alberto Manguel

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Book SynopsisLong before he set foot on the islands, Big Cat Diary and Springwatch presenter, Simon King, fell in love with Shetland. This extraordinary northern wilderness is home to otters and a vast seabird colony, but it was a chance encounter with a killer whale that compelled him to spend a year getting to know the place of his boyhood dreams for a BBC series. With his wife and young daughter, Simon experienced Shetland through the changing seasons and discovered the wildlife and the warmth of community in these islands battered by the North Sea. Their journey is filled with adventure, beauty, humour and occasional hardship as Simon discovers the true voice of Shetland.Trade ReviewIf you love the Shetland Isles, or love the wildlife of the Scottish islands, then this is the book for you * Highland News *The TV Shetland Diaries are now accompanied by a book, which sheds light on King's attachment to the natural world. As a little boy, the diaries reveal, games of hide and seek in the woods developed the patience he would later require to while away the hours in hides in the field or, as he says, happily "lost in a world of otter spraint". * Countryfile *Brilliant observations of animal behaviour. Whether he's describing otters playing or gannets plunging off the cliffs of Noss, King slows down the action to enjoy every last, sinuous twist. * BBC Wildlife Magazine *Heartwarming and candid * Daily Mail on WILD LIFE *His book is packed with wild encounters * Independent on WILD LIFE *This is a heart-warming, engagingly honest read * Scotsman on WILD LIFE *Whether in front of the camera explaining the mysteries of the natural world ... or behind it as a skilled operator, King is one of the most engaging of natural history presenters and the prose in his autobiography, Wild Life, is every bit as addictive. * Scotsman on WILD LIFE *Fascinating...Simon's passion is infectious, as anyone who's watched his programmes knows, and his enthusiasm pours from every word in his new book * Beautiful Britain on WILD LIFE *

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Book SynopsisWhen, if ever, should lying be permitted? If you''ve damaged a person''s reputation unfairly, can the damage be undone?Is a person who sells weapons responsible for how those weapons are used?if the fetus is not a life, what is it? How, as an adult, can one carry out the command to honor one''s parents when they make unreasonable demands?What are the nine biblical challenges a good person must meet?What do the great Jewish writings of the last 3,500 years tell us about these and all other vital questions about our lives? Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has devoted his life to the search for answers within the teachings of Judaism. In Jewish Wisdom, Rabbi Telushkin, the author of the highly acclaimed Jewish Literacy, weaves together a tapestry of stories from the Bible and Talmud, and the insights of Jewish commentators and writers from Maimonides, Rashi, and Hillel to Einstein, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Elie Wiesel. A richer source of crucial lif

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Book SynopsisComedy writer, journalist, radio DJ and screenwriter Danny Baker charts his 30 years in showbizDanny Baker was born in Deptford, South East London in June 1957, and from an early age was involved in magazine journalism, with the founding of fanzine Sniffin'' Glue, alongside friend Mark Perry. From there he moved to documentary series for LWT and over the years worked on a variety of quiz shows (Win, Lose or Draw, Pets Win Prizes, TV Heroes), as well two television commercials which made him a household name - Daz and Mars Bars.This book charts Danny''s showbiz career, the highs and lows, and everything in between, including the accusation that he killed Bob Marley ...Trade ReviewDanny Baker's passion runs deeper still as he attempts to squeeze the maximum amount of amusement from everything in his path in this hilarious first chronicle of his wonderful life. * THE OLDIE *Full of warmth and laughter -- Ian Hyland * Daily Mirror *A lively, memorable autobiography. * THE SUNDAY BUSINESS POST *

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Book SynopsisThe only unsolved act of air piracy in US history from the perspective of a mathematician and pilot.

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Book Synopsis A personal journey through some of the darkest moments of the cold war and the early days of television news Marvin Kalb, the award-winning journalist who has written extensively about the world he reported on during his long career, now turns his eye on the young man who became that journalist. Chosen by legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow to become one of what came to be known as the Murrow Boys, Kalb in this newest volume of his memoirs takes readers back to his first days as a journalist, and what also were the first days of broadcast news. Kalb captures the excitement of being present at the creation of a whole new way of bringing news immediately to the public. And what news. Cold War tensions were high between Eisenhower''s America and Khrushchev''s Soviet Union. Kalb is at the center, occupying a unique spot as a student of Russia tasked with explaining Moscow to Washington and the American public. He joins a cast of legendary figures along the way

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Book SynopsisAn unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of the Trump presidency from the anonymous senior official whose first words of warning about the president rocked the nation''s capital.On September 5, 2018, the New York Times published a bombshell essay and took the rare step of granting its writer anonymity. Described only as a senior official in the Trump administration, the author provided eyewitness insight into White House chaos, administration instability, and the people working to keep Donald Trump''s reckless impulses in check.With the 2020 election on the horizon, Anonymous is speaking out once again. In this book, the original author pulls back the curtain even further, offering a first-of-its-kind look at the president and his record -- a must-read before Election Day. It will surprise and challenge both Democrats and Republicans, motivate them to consider how we judge our nation''s leaders, and illuminate the consequences of re-electing a comman

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Book Synopsis''It''s hard to think of a better living practitioner of hilarious honesty than David Sedaris'' The Times''David Sedaris is funny - invariably. That''s his gift'' Los Angeles TimesBack when restaurant menus were still printed on paper, and wearing a mask-or not-was a decision made mostly on Halloween, David Sedaris spent his time doing normal things. As Happy-Go-Lucky opens, he is learning to shoot guns with his sister, visiting muddy flea markets in Serbia, buying gummy worms to feed to ants, and telling his nonagenarian father wheelchair jokes. But then the pandemic hits, and like so many others, he''s stuck in lockdown, unable to tour and read for audiences, the part of his work he loves most. To cope, he walks for miles through a nearly deserted city, smelling only his own breath. He vacuums his apartment twice a day, fails to hoard anything, and contemplates how sex workers and acupuncturists might be getting by during Trade ReviewIt's hard to think of a better living practitioner of hilarious honesty than David Sedaris * The Times *In this latest collection of anecdotes, the American humorist David Sedaris riffs on Covid, death and family . . . No longer elfin, Sedaris has matured into a devilish imp who scourges human folly and filth -- Peter Conrad * Observer *Sedaris' signature wit has always thrived on the macabre, so perhaps it should come as no surprise that Happy-Go-Lucky is some of his darkest - and most astute - writing yet... No topic is out of bounds for Sedaris' acerbic humor and sharp observations * Time *Sedaris is funny - invariably. That's his gift... Even amid the overwhelming gloom of the pandemic, a summer of unrest and the death of a father toward whom he still has complicated feelings, Sedaris never loses his wit or his crack timing * Los Angeles Times *Sedaris is one of the writers whose discovery you wish on friends, because it means they have a wealth of brilliant writing to discover . . . David Sedaris still delivering his killer lines * Irish Examiner *The writer's affable misanthropy and self-deprecation are on display in a new set of reflections on life and death -- Houman Barekat * Guardian *Sedaris gazes unflinchingly [...] at his family, including himself, in a way that is laugh-out-loud funny yet somehow avoids being cruel -- Books of the Year * TLS *There's a reason why David Sedaris has his own Radio 4 series and sells out Carnegie Hall in New York: as a performer of his own prose he's unmatched... The best way to enjoy Sedaris's waspish and funny essay collection is to hear it read by its author... [delivered] with impeccable comic timing -- Fiona Sturges * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''Much needed inspiration for those working hard to reach a position that matches their potential and their allies'' Ally Owen, Founder of Brixton Finishing SchoolYou might not think, right now, that you have what it takes to succeed. But incredible things do happen when you believe. We hope this book will stoke your sense of belief in what it is you can achieve and the gifts you have the potential to give to the world.Relentless in its inspiration, candour and warmth, A Colourful View From the Top is a vital anthology of twenty-one voices who are at the top of their game in business and beyond. Whether their specialism be advertising, tech, law or art, each luminary offers a unique and deeply meaningful collection of lessons and affirmations to draw upon time and time again.Discover how they became influential figures in culture and corporate life; how their achievements haven''t been defined or limited by their race, gender or agTrade ReviewMuch needed inspiration for those working hard to reach a position that matches their potential and their allies -- Ally Owen

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Book Synopsis''A man I like to call my father - football royalty'' Ian Wright ''Without David Dein there wouldn''t have been a Premier League'' Greg Dyke ''Mr Dein will always be Mr Arsenal'' Thierry HenryThe long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador, former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the game: David Dein.There''s no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and influential figures in British football for over three decades - operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind - along with Arsène Wenger - in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend, rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major turning points in the game.Trade ReviewA man I like to call my father - football royalty * Ian Wright *Without David Dein there wouldn't have been a Premier League * Greg Dyke *Mr Dein will always be Mr Arsenal * Thierry Henry *If you want to know how to run a football club, ask David Dein * Baroness Karren Brady CBE *David is one of the most influential executives in world football. I was always in admiration of the work he did at Arsenal . . . success delivered with class. * Gareth Southgate *An Arsenal fan who became its owner, its saviour and later its martyr * Guardian *The book is a treasure trove of anecdotes * City AM *Absolutely loved it! So many great stories . . . and such a vivid reminder of just how vital David was to our great club and how much we've missed him. -- Piers Morgan

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Book SynopsisA Times and Sunday Times Book of the Year''Delicious and endearing'' Observer''Comedy gold'' Sunday Times ''A riveting account of what it takes to be an actor'' Christina Patterson''A writer of considerable urbanity and wit'' Lynn Barber, Daily TelegraphHugh Bonneville is one of Britain''s most accomplished actors, familiar to audiences worldwide for his roles in Notting Hill, the Paddington films and Downton Abbey. What is it like working with Judi Dench and Julia Roberts, or playing Robert de Niro''s right leg, or not being Gary Oldman, twice? A wickedly funny storyteller, Hugh also writers with poignancy about his father''s dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service only emerged after her death. Whether telling stories of working with divas, Dames or a bear with a penchant for marmalade, this is a richly entertaining account of his life Trade ReviewA writer of considerable urbanity and wit. Gary Oldman says it is 'beautiful, touching and funny'. I agree. -- Lynn Barber * Daily Telegraph *Comedy gold... I don't remember when I last read a book that gave me so many laughs... A riveting account of what it takes to be an actor -- Christina Patterson * Sunday Times *Tremendously entertaining... if collapsing into laughter is what you need at the moment, then Playing Under the Piano could be the book for you... a delicious and endearing mode somewhere between utmost sincerity and utter bafflement -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *A great read * Graham Norton *An enormously entertaining memoir * Daily Mirror *The tone of Hugh Bonneville's autobiography is very much like the man himself - warm, charming, funny and thoroughly embraceable... There is a refreshing lack of narcissism in a narrative poised between detached observation and amused self-reflection... An enormously entertaining memoir -- Neil Norman * Daily Express *Really enjoyed this. Wonderfully funny and utterly charming - just like the man himself! -- Jack WhitehallBy turns funny, touching, revealing - full of insights, delights and surprises. I couldn't have enjoyed it more -- Gyles BrandrethA gorgeous book. Warm, friendly, funny and sometimes surprisingly emotional. Very like Hugh himself -- Richard CurtisWhen other books have been forgotten, this one will be remembered. Hugh Bonneville's considerable talent for writing is on display page after page. Beautiful. Touching. And funny. -- Gary OldmanCharming, joyous and entertaining, just like Hugh. -- Griff Rhys JonesA collection of stories painting a brilliantly vivid picture of a career on stage and screen * Yorkshire Post *Bonneville is entertaining, with a clear-eyed view of his trade... Reliving it all so far with light and shade, bite and bonhomie, as a memoirist Bonneville passes the audition with flying colours * Mail on Sunday *You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love Hugh even more * Woman & Home *Bonneville tells of his life with appealing modesty... he gives us plenty of backstage gossip * Reader's Digest *Witty and moving * Country Living *The Downton star proves himself to be a polished raconteur -- Books of the Year * Daily Telegraph *A beautifully poised memoir, both insightful and - occasionally - laugh-out-loud funny, with the gift for comic timing he reveals on screen and a sharp eye for detail... warmly engrossing -- Books of the Year * The Times *Bonneville's affable screen presence richly translated onto the page through anecdotes and adventures... there are many howling laughs in this frequently entertaining memoir * RTE Guide *Playing Under the Piano made me hoot -- Ben Macintyre, Books of the Year * The Times *Though a funny raconteur, Bonneville also writes poignantly about his father's dementia and of his mother, whose life in the secret service only emerged after her death * The Gloss *Gloriously funny... Between the laugh-out-loud anecdotes are revealing stories of the less glamorous side of an actor's life, as well as poignant family memories -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisSince bursting into the spotlight aged nine, Coleen Nolan has experienced more highs and lows than most people have had hot dinners. Now she''s ready to share the lessons she''s learned along the way. From the good, the bad and the ugly (otherwise known as love and marriage) to career tips, lifestyle hacks and motherhood, Coleen covers everything you need to know. With her trademark down-to-earth wisdom, Coleen shares her best advice for navigating divorce and embracing single life, including her top Tinder tips. She reflects on her career, offering insight into dealing with nerves, imposter syndrome and how to achieve that all-important work/life balance. She talks frankly about getting through the menopause and coming to terms with saggy boobs and stretch marks that resemble the London Underground map as well as dealing with loss and making mistakes. Most importantly, Coleen teaches us how to be a goddess in every area of life - in the kitchen, bedroom and more!CuTrade ReviewFrank and hilarious * S magazine *Honest and practical * Woman *

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Book SynopsisGypsy tales from the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author...Trade Review'An enchanting story of a lost world, related with charm and good humour.' -- Alan TitchmarshPenfold's warm-hearted story of growing up in a gypsy wagon is rich with the small daily details - shelling peas, soda-soaking tea towels and lighting the tilley lamp - that made up this tight-knit community. * SAINSBURYS MAGAZINE *There are no dramatic climaxes in this beautifully written memoir, just a gentle journey through Penfold's childhood that I looked forward to picking up each night ... the most enjoyable thing about this read is that it's a classic coming-of-age story * COSMOPOLITAN.CO.UK *

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Book Synopsis''Both extremely funny and deeply sad, The Writing School examines how and why we tell our own stories. It''s beautifully written and structured, compelling, wise and fabulously readable'' Lissa Evans''The Writing School is an extraordinary book. It is funny, exhilarating, heart-breaking and passionate. Its delicate pulsing themes are held like a bird in the writer''s confident, gentle hand'' Katharine Norbury''Life, with its unexpected troughs and highs, the disciplines of teaching a creative writing course and the shadow of a family tragedy provide the focus for a memoir that brims with humour, honesty and intelligence. The Writing School taught me a lot'' Elizabeth BuchanA creative writing course is a chance for reinvention. When author Miranda France sets off to teach at a residential writing school in a remote valley, she expects to meet a group of aspiring writers with the usual mix of hope and unrealised ambitTrade ReviewFascinating, hugely entertaining, instructive in the best sense. I always thought that writing could not be taught, only reading, but this book made me reconsider. I read it in one sitting -- Alberto ManguelBoth extremely funny and deeply sad, The Writing School examines how and why we tell our own stories. It's beautifully written and structured, compelling, wise and fabulously readable -- Lissa Evans'Intellectually riveting but also slyly funny and, out-of-nowhere, heartbreaking. What an achievement. I loved every word of it' * Nathan Filer *The Writing School is an extraordinary book. It is funny, exhilarating, heart-breaking and passionate. Its delicate pulsing themes are held like a bird in the writer's confident, gentle hand. Miranda France has created a brilliant, ephemeral eulogy for her beloved brother and a luminous gift for her reader -- Katharine Norbury, author of The Fish Ladder

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Book SynopsisIn a nation of rugby heroes, Jamie Roberts has become a legend.Jamie Roberts is your quintessential hard man: a 6 foot 4, 17 stone slab of rippling muscle, conditioned to run hard into other huge men in an arena where physical dominance is the prime currency. Yet away from rugby, he's a mild-mannered and thoughtful man - a qualified doctor with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world around him. It's an intriguing contradiction.In his first full season with the Cardiff Blues he was picked by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the Grand Slam-winning side of 2008. He was still establishing his position in the national team when he toured with the 2009 Lions, emerging as Player of the Series. He went on to win 97 Test caps and play for clubs in Paris, London and Cape Town, yet his career has seldom been straightforward. A fractured skull was one of many injuries he had to overcome, and from the start he had to juggle the competing demands of university life and professional rugby. The joy of Six Nations success with Wales was balanced by heartbreak in the World Cup and disappointment against southern-hemisphere teams, while major trophies at club level proved frustratingly elusive.In this colourful and frank account of a sterling career, Jamie Roberts reveals all about life on tour, in boot camps and in dressing rooms filled with once-in-a-generation characters such as Mike Phillips, Andy Powell, Shaun Edwards, Martyn Williams, Brian O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton. He also shares his views on concussion in rugby, the failings of the professional structure in Wales and the vital role of old-school team-bonding.Trade ReviewDelves into his innermost emotions * Best Rugby Books 2021 *Roberts' autobiography, written with the excellent Ross Harries, is a compelling offering, packed with tales from a remarkable career including his relationship with Gatland and brushes with celebrities including Lana Del Rey and Bono in Monte Carlo * Telegraph *If Jamie Roberts achieved plenty on the pitch, few modern players have a wider-ranging story to tell off it . . . It is to the credit of the 35-year-old and his skilful "ghost" Ross Harries that Centre Stage: My Life in Rugby seamlessly weaves together all these contrasting threads * Guardian *Tells his private and professional story with candor and charm * Buzz Magazine *

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Book SynopsisJust in time for the fiftieth anniversary of The Fight of the Century (Ali–Frazier I), Sparrin’ with Smokin’ Joe provides a penetrating, at times brutally candid, look at legendary champion Joe Frazier. While the more flamboyant, media-accessible Ali continues to receive the lion’s share of the ink on their epic rivalry, Glenn Lewis rectifies that imbalance by focusing on the man whose ferocious fighting spirit enabled Ali to be viewed as truly great. Based on several months Lewis spent in the gym, on the road, and in verbal tussles with the Frazier as part of his inner circle in 1980, the book includes compelling, never-before-heard anecdotes that give new insight into Frazier and make readers reevaluate their impressions of Ali. Lewis argues that Joe actually won their second fight and even questions whether the wrong man got the mantle as “The Greatest.”

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Book SynopsisThe saga of the Three Kingdoms—which recounts the dramatic story of the civil wars (ca. 180–220 CE) that divided the old Han Empire into the Shu, Wei, and Wu states—remains as popular as ever in China, having served as the basis of not only traditional operas and ballads, but also, in more recent years, of movies, television dramas, and video games. Translated into English for the first time here, the Sanguozhi pinghua (thirteenth century CE) provides a complete and fast-paced narrative account of the events of the period, from the beginning of the civil wars to the demise of the Three Kingdoms and the short-lived reunification of the realm by the Jin dynasty. Shorter, clearer, and more accessible to Western audiences than Luo Guanzhong’s later, greatly expanded Romance (Sanguo yanyi)—and beautifully rendered in this edition by two modern-day masters of the art of Chinese literary translation—the Records of the Three Kingdoms in Plain Language provides an ideal introduction to one of the foundational Chinese epic traditions. Tables of major Chinese dynasties and reigns, a guide to understanding formal Chinese naming conventions, a glossary of Chinese names and terms, and reproductions of some woodcuts from the original edition of the text are included.Trade Review"Idema and West have been collaborating on the production of scholarly works on, and translations of, Chinese vernacular literature for decades and work has set a very high standard for scholarly value, accuracy, and readability. This is their second volume on popular treatments of the famous Three Kingdoms period, a fascinating age that, as a topic, has dominated both traditional Chinese fiction and drama. . . . Records of the Three Kingdoms in Plain Language . . . presents a comprehensive introduction to all of the main characters (Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Cao Cao, Zhou Yu, etc.) and events (the Oath in the Peach Garden, The Battle at the Red Cliff, The Single Sword Meeting, etc.) that are so well known in China and deserve to be even better known in the West." —David Rolston, University of Michigan"A rollicking story cycle translated into lively English and ideal for undergraduate instruction. Also a crisp yet well annotated Introduction. Idema and West are two the best!" —Paul R. Goldin, University of Pennsylvania"The anonymous compiler of Records of the Three Kingdoms in Plain Language did not attempt to include all of the rich tapestry of narratives then available on the events of the Three Kingdoms era. Compared to the later Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is significantly shorter . . . action and dialogue are prioritized over description, creating a narrative that is fast-paced and easy to read. "As with their earlier works, West and Idema skillfully navigate the tensions inherent in literary translation. The text succeeds in the difficult task of sticking close to the linguistic contours of the original text while producing a readable and enjoyable English rendering. "Plentiful notes explain historical and cultural references, anachronisms and historical inaccuracies, and discuss translation choices and their rationale. More supporting information is provided in the in-depth introduction to the history and legend of the Three Kingdoms era, the plain tale form in general, and this work in particular, while the thorough bibliography in English and Chinese is a valuable resource for research on the topic. The rigorous approach to the translation further contributes to its value as a resource. "Overall, this is a welcome and high quality addition to the existing English translations of early Chinese narrative literature, and a fantastic resource for research on both the Three Kingdoms story cycle and the plain tale form." —Ewan MacDonald, University of London, in Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

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Book Synopsis“A delicious and mouthwatering book about food and family, the complicated love for both, and how that shapes us into who we are . . . I absolutely loved it!” —Valerie BertinelliRabia Chaudry—known from the podcast Serial and her bestselling book, Adnan’s Story, as well as her own wildly popular podcast, Undisclosed—serves up a candid and intimate memoir about food, body image, and growing up in a tight knit but sometimes overly concerned Pakistani immigrant family. “My entire life I have been less fat and more fat, but never not fat.” Rabia Chaudry was raised with a lot of love—and that love looked like food. Delicious Pakistani dishes—fresh roti, chaat, pakoras, and shorba—and also Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, and an abundance of American processed foods, as her family discovered its adopted country through its (fast) food. At the same time, her family was becoming increasingly alarmed about their chubby daughter’s future. Most important, how would she ever get married? In Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, Chaudry chronicles the dozens of times she tried and failed to achieve what she was told was her ideal weight. The truth is, though, she always loved food too much to hold a grudge against it. At once an ode to Pakistani cuisine, including Chaudry’s favorite recipes; a love letter to her Muslim family both here and in Lahore; and a courageously honest portrait of a woman grappling with a body that gets the job done but refuses to meet the expectations of others. For anyone who has ever been weighed down by their weight— whatever it is—Chaudry shows us how freeing it is to finally make peace with body we have.Trade Review“A delectable memoir that reads with the intensity of a novel. Devour it all at once, or savor it slowly—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this funny, heart-wrenching, and brutally honest journey of food, family, and learning to love yourself.” —Geraldine DeRuiter, founder of Everywherist.com and author of All Over the Place“A delectable memoir that reads with the intensity of a novel. Devour it all at once, or savor it slowly—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this funny, heart-wrenching, and brutally honest journey of food, family, and learning to love yourself.” —Geraldine DeRuiter, founder of Everywherist.com and author of All Over the Place “This unflinching and often humorous memoir of a Pakistani girl shows us Rabia Chaudry’s resilience while highlighting her determination to celebrate the foods she loves. I was rooting for her as she learned to control food instead of food controlling her.”—Tung Nguyen, author of Mango and Peppercorns “A delicious and mouthwatering book about food and family, the complicated love for both, and how that shapes us into who we are. It’s such a relief to not treat food as the enemy any longer and start to learn how to love and nourish the body I have today. I absolutely loved it!”—Valerie Bertinelli “Beautifully weaving together stories of food, family, and self-discovery, Rabia Chaudry’s memoir Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is complex, rich, and revelatory. I was deeply moved by her vulnerability, delighted by her self-deprecating humor, and awe-struck by her honesty. Chaudry sets a grand table before us and invites us to join her as she presents readers with her struggles, triumphs, and insights as a young girl in Pakistan, an awkward middle schooler in Maryland, and a young wife, advocate, and activist. Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is surprising, fiery, and heart-felt. Chaudry’s most important recipe contains the ingredients for loving and honoring who we were, who we are, and who we aspire to be.” —Phuc Tran, author of Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In “Rabia Chaudry’s Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is a hilarious and brutally honest journey told with candor, charm and wit about learning how to love yourself and your body unapologetically while navigating a roller-coaster of a life populated with eccentric and lovable Pakistani family members, delicious food recipes, awkward childhood crushes, failed diets, and Husky pants. I laughed at characters and scenes that seemed lifted from my own Pakistani home and winced at the colorism and fat-shaming that is often so prevalent but unchallenged in our communities. The big-hearted book takes on all of it with an invitation for all of us to be better, while enjoying a glorious, fried samosa along the way.”—Wajahat Ali, author of Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American “Rabia Chaudry has given us the next chapter in the story of how food shapes self and how self shapes food. Here is an American, a South Asian woman writing at the intersection of food, tradition, gender, the body and pressures without and the journey within. This is an important and savory work.”—Michael W. Twitty, James Beard Award-winning author of The Cooking Gene “A delectable memoir that reads with the intensity of a novel. Devour it all at once, or savor it slowly—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this funny, heart-wrenching, and brutally honest journey of food, family, and learning to love yourself.” —Geraldine DeRuiter, founder of Everywherist.com and author of All Over the Place “This unflinching and often humorous memoir of a Pakistani girl shows us Rabia Chaudry’s resilience while highlighting her determination to celebrate the foods she loves. I was rooting for her as she learned to control food instead of food controlling her.”—Tung Nguyen, author of Mango and Peppercorns “Yes, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is a book about food and Rabia’s relationship to food, how that relationship influenced her life and how she ultimately, as she says, becomes friends with her body. It’s also a profound act of generosity as Rabia invites us into her life with candor, humor, and kindness, for herself, her family and anyone who has reflected on their relationship to food. Not incidentally, it’s a terrific read and one you can appropriately plow through or savor. I cannot recommend Fatty Fatty Boom Boom highly enough. I can’t wait for my friends to read Rabia’s story, for my kids to try Rabia’s recipes and for the world to know more about this remarkable woman.”—Chelsea ClintonNamed a Best Book of November/2022 by Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, and Amazon“A delicious and mouthwatering book about food and family, the complicated love for both, and how that shapes us into who we are. It’s such a relief to not treat food as the enemy any longer and start to learn how to love and nourish the body I have today. I absolutely loved it!”—Valerie Bertinelli“Beautifully weaving together stories of food, family, and self-discovery, Rabia Chaudry’s memoir Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is complex, rich, and revelatory. I was deeply moved by her vulnerability, delighted by her self-deprecating humor, and awe-struck by her honesty. Chaudry sets a grand table before us and invites us to join her as she presents readers with her struggles, triumphs, and insights as a young girl in Pakistan, an awkward middle schooler in Maryland, and a young wife, advocate, and activist. Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is surprising, fiery, and heart-felt. Chaudry’s most important recipe contains the ingredients for loving and honoring who we were, who we are, and who we aspire to be.” —Phuc Tran, author of Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In“Engrossing…Chaudry refreshingly eschews conventional narratives about weight loss, as well as fat acceptance…Victory is sweet and savory in this ebullient tale of self-acceptance.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Chaudry eloquently portrays the role of food in love and friendship. At the same time, she doesn’t flinch from reporting the humiliations heaped on the overweight at every turn... The literary equivalent of chaat masala fries: spicy, heady, sour, and uniquely delicious.” —Kirkus (starred review)“Chaudry is totally engaging, a perfect host. And after her descriptions of food, readers will be very happy to see recipes included at the end. Utterly delicious!” —Booklist (starred)“…touchingly warm and intimate… Chaudry is an uplifting storyteller and her humor-laden anecdotes balance the underlying gravity of her story with grace and skill. A Pakistani American lawyer struggling with her weight chronicles with humor and sensitivity her path toward inner contentment and shares recipes for chai, ghee and the Pakistani dishes she loves.”—Shelf Awareness“Rabia Chaudry has given us the next chapter in the story of how food shapes self and how self shapes food. Here is an American, a South Asian woman writing at the intersection of food, tradition, gender, the body and pressures without and the journey within. This is an important and savory work.”—Michael W. Twitty, James Beard Award-winning author of The Cooking Gene“A delectable memoir that reads with the intensity of a novel. Devour it all at once, or savor it slowly—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this funny, heart-wrenching, and brutally honest journey of food, family, and learning to love yourself.”—Geraldine DeRuiter, founder of Everywherist.com and author of All Over the Place“This unflinching and often humorous memoir of a Pakistani girl who struggles with her weight and also her family and culture’s reaction to it, shows us Rabia Chaudry’s resilience while highlighting her determination to celebrate the foods she loves. I was rooting for her as she learned to control food instead of food controlling her. The wonderful Pakistani recipes included will surprise anyone who thinks that Indian and Pakistani food are the same.”—Tung Nguyen, author of Mango and Peppercorns“Those who know Chaudry from the podcast Serial may be surprised to read this bighearted, hilarious, and brutally honest journey told with candor, charm, and wit about learning how to love yourself and your body unapologetically while navigating a roller-coaster of a life populated with eccentric and lovable Pakistani family members, delicious food recipes, awkward childhood crushes, failed diets, and Husky pants. I laughed at characters and scenes that seemed lifted from my own Pakistani home and winced at the colorism and fat-shaming that is often so prevalent but unchallenged in our communities. The big-hearted book takes on all of it with an invitation for all of us to be better, while enjoying a glorious, fried samosa along the way.”—Wajahat Ali, author of Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American“Chaudry… pens a delightful and entertaining memoir… mouth-watering descriptions of the foods… Her hilarious anecdotes about her large and supportive family are relatable to any reader with zany relatives.”—Library Journal“Inspiring… This triumphant tale celebrates loving yourself and eating good food (it even includes recipes!)”?—Real Simple“Inspiring… This triumphant tale celebrates loving yourself and eating good food (it even includes recipes!)”​—Real Simple“Chaudry…turns her gimlet eye on her lifelong struggle with weight... Funny, smart and moving, this is a book for anyone with body issues."—Los Angeles TimesFatty Fatty Boom Boom is much more than skin-deep... this book was very personal—Kate Tuttle, Boston Globe“Deeply personal…cultural norms about what beauty means and what the ideal body is traverse oceans and continents; the pressure from family to be a certain shape and size have never felt more universal than in this heartfelt memoir.”—Zibby Owens, GoodMorningAmerica.com ABCNews.com“Deeply truthful. Chaudry writes authentically, reflecting on her relationship with food, fatness, and diet culture, while also exploring her passion for cooking and her feelings surrounding comments on her body. She includes a recipe section at the end, which many might want after reading her sensational descriptions of Pakistani food.”—Farrah Penn, BuzzFeed“[Chaudry] frankly and humorously details how she…learned to embrace her body and find joy in food — most significantly, the cuisine of her culture.”—Eater.com“This is more than a memoir about food and weight — it’s a humorous examination of growing up in a Muslim immigrant family, a love letter to the food of her culture, and a look at society’s expectations about what a body — a woman’s body — should look like.”—Book Riot“A meal is much more than what’s on your plate, as Rabia Chaudry details in Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, her memoir-with-recipes that delves into body image, disordered eating and the messages we get from our families about food. Exploring the foodways of her birth country and beyond led her to not just delicious bites, but true satisfaction.”—Austin-American Statesman“Delightful and entertaining… mouthwatering … Her hilarious anecdotes about her large and supportive family are relatable to any reader with zany relatives.”​—Library Journal“Delightful and entertaining… mouthwatering … Her hilarious anecdotes about her large and supportive family are relatable to any reader with zany relatives.”?—Library Journal“A candid and engaging reckoning with fat shaming... an engrossing read that attempts to reckon with two disparate cultures’ shame surrounding body image and obsession with looking thin. But don’t miss the tantalizing recipes... Like everything else in this book, they’ll keep you coming back for seconds.”—San Francisco Chronicle“Readers will eat it up, finding consolation in Chaudry's story… Atypical of inspirational weight loss books, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, is, among other things, a love letter to Chaudry's native cuisine.” —NPR.org“Her writing is funny and sharp and allows readers to delve into the legacy of the South Asian diaspora via its cuisine… It’s an honest look at the relationship with the one thing we all carry with us (quite literally) throughout our lives: our bodies. And it’s a sort of love letter to the food that fuels it.”—Okayplayer“You may be familiar with the author for the role she played in getting Adnan Syed freed, but trust me, she contains multitudes. This memoir explores her relationship with food and family, with Pakistani and American culture, and how she found her voice and her life.”—The Arts STL

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Book SynopsisFor too long the global sex industry and its vested interests have dominated the prostitution debate repeating the same old line that ‘sex work’ is just like any job. In large sections of the media, academia, public policy, government and the law, the sex industry has had its way. Prostitution Narratives refutes the lies and debunks the myths spread by the industry through the lived experiences of women who have survived prostitution. These disturbing stories give voice to formerly prostituted women who explain why they entered the sex trade. They bravely and courageously recount their intimate experiences of harm and humiliation at the hands of sex buyers, pimps and traffickers and reveal their escape and emergence as survivors. . Essential reading for Women’s Studies.Trade ReviewWhatever your stand on prostitution, its the first-hand stories of women that have to be listened to first. These accounts are among the most unsettling you will ever read, dispelling in just a few pages the comforting fairytales our society has built around sex work. Steve Biddulph, author of Raising BoysAs you read, be prepared to feel both grief and rage. Prostitution Narrativesforces us to face the routine cruelty of the sexual-exploitation industries and go beyond the diversionary arguments of those who glorify sex work. Most importantly, this book asks men to choose: What do we value more, our own sexual pleasure or the humanity of women? Our answer reveals whether we believe in our own humanity. Robert Jensen, University of Texas at Austin, author of Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity.One of the women who shared their story in Prostitution Narratives went on to share it in the Daily Mail online. Her article can be read in full using the link below.

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Book SynopsisFour years after Therese Greenwood and her husband moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta, their new community was shattered by one of the worst wildfires in Canadian history. As the flames approached, they had only minutes to pack, narrowly escaping a fire that would rage for weeks, burn more than 85,000 hectares and force 80,000 people to flee.Trade Review# 1 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, April 3, 2019"One of the greatest treasures in life may be to understand both where we have come from and who we have come to be. It seems that Therese’s reflections gave her some of those insights. Perhaps reading and reflecting with her might do the same for us." -- Bob Trube"...as evacuation orders were imposed and as the highway out of town swelled with traffic... [Greenwood] gathered an assortment of objects, from deeply meaningful mementos to items that initially appeared more random... Each of the objects she has retained is carefully considered and contextualized over a number of chapters that fuse past and present, family memories and local histories.... In this surprisingly gripping and deeply moving account, Greenwood considers how we re-establish normalcy in the wake of profound loss." [Full review at https://canlit.ca/article/precarious-places/] -- Heidi Tiedemann Darroch * Canadian Literature *"Greenwood's book, What You Take With You, is an amalgamation of life lessons on the resilience needed to recover emotionally and mentally following the May 2016 [wildfire] disaster.... The book analyzes what Greenwood took from her home as authorities began ordering the evacuation of Fort McMurray. She had only 15 minutes to grab what she needed.... Greenwood said each object she took in the frenzy of evacuation had a subconscious and special meaning for her.... Each chapter of her book explains the life lesson tied to these objects and how Greenwood applied those lessons to the aftermath of the fire." [Full article at https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/book-recounting-2016-fort-mcmurray-wildfire-nominated-for-award-1.5096318] -- Sarah Williscraft * Fort McMurray Today *Table of ContentsPrologue 1 Before 2 The Go Bag 3 The Rolling Pin 4 The Plaster Saint 5 The Sleigh Bells 6 The Beating Heart 7 The Bible and the Bee Book 8 The Cat Photo 9 The Breda Needlepoint 10 The Flattop and The Dobro 11 The Wedding Mirror 12 The Quilt 13 The Award 14 After Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisBranded `the rough-spoken Yorkshire Rasputin', Bernard Ingham served as Margaret Thatcher's press secretary for virtually all of her eleven-year premiership, adroitly steering the government's relationship with the media - and the Prime Minister's relationship with the nation. Known for his unswerving loyalty, he robustly defended Thatcher from her critics in both the press and the political jungle, earning him friends and foes in equal measure, as she went on to win three consecutive elections. Thatcher's last days in power, however, saw some of the most remarkable events in British political history, and Ingham was, for once, helpless to turn the tide. These eagerly anticipated diaries cover two turbulent years from January 1989 to December 1990 - a period Ingham terms `the long, slow assassination' - detailing the succession of crises that led to the Prime Minister's resignation in November 1990, and the critical roles played by the big political beasts of the time. With his trademark gruff candour and wry wit, Ingham's spirited diaries shed new light on Thatcher's final months in No. 10, charting the dramatic downfall of one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century.Trade Review"Entertainingly written and fulfils the first requirement of any political memoir, giving a tantalising glimpse of the hem of the black petticoat of power." The Tablet

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Book SynopsisRemember when Zinedine Zidane lifted the World Cup in 1998? Kylian Mbappe doesn't. The forward wasn't born when the French team first became world champions. But it was Mbappe's unique talent that helped France reach the summit of world football once again in 2018, erasing years of failure, rancour and shame. For Les Bleus, the road between these two highs was blighted by bitterly painful lows. Zidane's headbutt; a players' strike; infighting and recriminations; even sex scandals and blackmail. Mbappe witnessed it all as he honed his prodigious talent in the banlieues of Paris, and his story embodies France's journey from disaster to triumph. In Sacre Bleu, Matthew Spiro traces the rise, fall and rise again of Les Bleus through the lens of Kylian Mbappe. Featuring a foreword by Arsene Wenger and interviews with leading figures in French football, Spiro asks what went wrong for France and what, ultimately, went right.

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Book SynopsisRobert Mads Anderson is an elite mountaineer with a solitary goal: to conquer Everest. After nearly getting killed on his first expedition, he led a team up a new route on the Kangshung Face without oxygen or Sherpa support, climbed solo on the remote North Face, and finally guided a team to the top of the world.Incorporating a who’s who of internationally recognised climbers, including Stephen Venables, Reinhold Messner and Chris Bonington, Nine Lives traces the story of Everest, from the big, nationally supported expeditions of the 1980s; through the small teams forging new routes and climbing solo; to the commercially guided expeditions of today.Set against the majestic backdrop of the world’s tallest peak, Anderson’s nine Everest expeditions over eighteen years define what truly drives a human being to the greatest of heights. With a foreword by Peter Hillary and 32 pages of colour photography, in Nine Lives Robert Mads Anderson offers his personal account of the world’s highest mountain.Trade Review‘An amazing story capturing the essence of life’s moments climbing on Everest.’ (Chris Bonington)‘Robert’s story of climbing on all three sides of Everest is full of narrow escapes. But what really shines out is the canny wisdom, courage, determination and sheer fun-loving chutzpah of a defiant optimist.’ (Stephen Venables)‘I must say this was some of the best writing I have enjoyed – ever! And not just mountaineering literature. Bravo!’ (Dr Peter Hackett, world-renowned high-altitude expert)‘I could not have climbed with any better team while being led by the best. Thank you for sharing your ninth life with me on the slopes and the summit of Mount Everest.’ (Sibusiso Vilane, first black African to summit Everest)‘Robert loves the environment of mountains, the challenge of mountains, the camaraderie built upon their flanks and the uncertainty that mountains toss into our lives.’ (Peter Hillary)

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Book Synopsis‘The emotional pain of failing just felt like it was going to be a bit worse than the physical pain of carrying on … ’Attempting to break long-distance running records used to be an underground endeavour, until the virus-stricken summer of 2020 came along. Only a few, such as the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, had ever broken into mainstream consciousness. But an absence of running races thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented rise in the popularity of attempts at breaking these records.In Broken, Ally Beaven takes an entertaining look at just why 2020 was so unusual for long-distance running. With his interest in Fastest Known Times (FKTs) piqued, Beaven immerses himself in the scene. His summer becomes one of spending hours in the hills feeding, cajoling and generally trying to keep safe the runners he is supporting, as well as following the dots of live trackers in the middle of the night and endlessly refreshing his Twitter feed as records tumble around the country.Through the stories of John Kelly’s epic Grand Round, Beth Pascall’s record-shattering Bob Graham Round, Donnie Campbell’s mind-bending new mark for bagging all 282 Munros, Jo Meek’s new overall record for the Nigel Jenkins Dartmoor Round and many others, Beaven brings us an inside look at the incredible FKT machine.Broken is the story of the summer of 2020, a historic time for running in the UK.Trade Review'Ally brings to life the stories of records set in the Cairngorms, Dartmoor and Land's End to John o'Groats alongside other long-distance feats. He has a great way of telling a story and scratching beneath the surface to see what made 2020 such a record-breaking year.' – Dave Littler, The Fellrunner'You might expect an anthology of ultrarunning struggles to be a bit dry, but Broken is an understated and (seemingly) effortless stroke of genius.' – Keri Wallace, UKHillwalking.comTable of ContentsIntroduction1 James Elson and the FKTs2 The Two Stewarts3 Sabrina Verjee4 The Big 65 Beth Pascall and Finlay Wild6 The Dartmoor Round7 Donnie Campbell (Part 1)8 LEJOG (Part 1)9 Nicki Lygo10 LEJOG (Part 2)11 The Grand Round12 Donnie Campbell (Part 2)13 Stephen PoultonAcknowledgements

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Book SynopsisIn 1998, Paul Pritchard was struck on the head by a falling rock as he climbed a sea stack in Tasmania. Close to death, Pritchard kept himself going with a promise that he would 'at least attempt to live'. The Mountain Path is an adventure book like no other, an exploration of a healing brain, a test of will and a triumph of hope.

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Book SynopsisNorway, 1965. A team of young climbers from the north of England camp at the bottom of the tallest vertical rock face in Europe - the Troll Wall. No one has dared attempt this gigantic challenge before. Some say it will never be climbed. This will be the adventure of a lifetime. Rain and snow soak them as they climb. Avalanches and loose rock threaten their lives. A Norwegian team arrives to compete for the glory as the world's media look on. Pushed to the limits of exhaustion, the team spends days on the wall, refusing to given in, even when failure seems certain. "Troll Wall" tells the gripping story of one of the most dramatic first ascents in British climbing history. Written days after their success, almost half a century ago, and newly rediscovered, Tony Howard's account is a fascinating insight into the challenges of climbing a big mountain wall.Trade ReviewThe book is a real page-turner as bit by bit Howard, John Amatt and Bill Tweedale push and push and push for the top, forever driven, forever barred by some new obstacle, the story always moving, devoid of any ego or bullshit. – Andy Kirkpatrick, The Alpine JournalIf you’ve not already done so, get hold and read – you’ll not find a more plainly exciting narrative in its genre. The midnight push for the top up the summit gully had me open-mouthed and breathless. Nothing written by Andy Cave, Andy Kirkpatrick, Mick Fowler or any other recent exponents of mountain writing – excellent though many of them are – comes close to the sheer edgy thrill of it. – Jim Perrin, Climber MagazineTroll Wall is a treasure for its close descriptions. Every uptake of slack and every piton pounded receive equal attention. Howard’s depictions of the strenuous toils of big-wall climbing are straightforward and honest, and more decorative for the times when the sun is shining and spirits are high. This finally released alpine epic is a chance to take in a tale from long ago and appreciate a true pioneer. – Nick Chambers, Rock & Ice MagazineWe can also recommend Troll Wall, Tony Howard’s gripping and previously untold story of the Rimmon Mountaineering Club’s 1965 ascent of Europe’s tallest vertical rock face. For Tony Howard the Troll Wall was to be the beginning of a life of adventure that, though touched upon in the last chapter, would merit a book of its own. – Barry Imeson, Boardman-Tasker Prize 2011A simple story well told, and a classic boys own adventure. A real page turner. – Andy Kirkpatrick, Climb MagazineRichly entertaining and well written ... a raw page-turning tale that brilliantly captures the now historic realities of big-wall climbing of the mid-1960s. – Lynn Martel, Rocky Mountain Outlook (Canada)A truly inspiring tale of one of the greatest achievements in British rock climbing history. – Andy McCue, Climber MagazineA great book, destined for classic status. – Matt Heason, Heason.netA fine fine work by a quite unique individual who has packed more into his lifespan than most of us could manage in ten. Inspirational stuff indeed! – John Appleby, To Hatch a CrowOne of the greatest ever achievements by British rock climbers. – Joe Brown CBE

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Book Synopsis'Ever since I first set foot on rock at the tender age of seven years, climbing has been the most important thing in my life. In fact I would go so far as to say it is my reason for living and as long as I am able to climb I hope I will. It is from climbing I draw my inspiration for life.' On 14 June 1990, at Raven Tor in the Derbyshire Peak District, twenty-four-year-old Ben Moon squeezed his feet into a pair of rock shoes, tied in to his rope, chalked his fingers and pulled on to the wickedly overhanging, zebra-striped wall of limestone. Two minutes later he had made rock-climbing history with the first ascent of Hubble, now widely recognised as the world's first F9a. Born in the suburbs of London in 1966, Moon started rock climbing on the sandstone outcrops of Kent and Sussex. A pioneer in the sport-climbing revolution of the 1980s and a bouldering legend in the 1990s, he is one of the most iconic rock climbers in the sport's history, In Statement, Moon's official biography, award-winning writer Ed Douglas paints a portrait of a climbing visionary and dispels the myth of Moon as an anti-traditional climbing renegade. Interviews with Moon are complemented with insights from family and friends and extracts from magazines and personal diaries and letters.

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Book Synopsis`I was very grateful for today’s near perfect visibility and, despite the late hour, just had to sit down to take it all in.’ On a late April morning, lover of landscapes and professional geologist John Sutcliffe, approaching his 70th birthday, sets out on a backpacking trek from Cape Cornwall in South West England to Cape Wrath on the north-westerly tip of Scotland: a breathtaking 1,250-mile-long walk. Starting out along the sea cliffs of Cornwall and heading inland across the remote moor country of Dartmoor, Exmoor and the marshy Somerset Levels, John crosses into Wales and follows the delightful Welsh border to Shropshire. Continuing into the limestone dales of Derbyshire, he then treads the Pennine Way for 250 miles to the Scottish Borders, often sharing his campsite with the creatures of the night, facing unforeseen challenges and making new friends along the way. After traversing the Southern Uplands of Scotland and the Pentland Hills – hidden gems that many walkers overlook – he then follows the West Highland Way to Fort William where he clocks up 1,000 miles and takes a brief pause for his mother’s 100th birthday. Celebrations over, he sets out across the rugged and wonderfully remote North West Highlands of Ardgour, Knoydart, Torridon and Sutherland, exploring the bothy network along the Cape Wrath Trail and pitting himself against the elements with the onset of Hurricane Bertha. Whether wild camping with curlews or indulging in the occasional hot-shower luxury of a guest house en route, John furnishes his story with details of the cultural and political heritage and the geology underpinning the stunning landscapes encountered on his journey. Cape to Cape is an inspiring story of one man’s celebration of the diverse British countryside.Trade Review`An incredible feat, not just of tenacity and endurance but also of observation and narrative. Stories along the way abound in this one-man mission to straddle an island. I am deeply envious.’ (Mike Harding); `An entertaining story of a walk from Cape Cornwall to Cape Wrath. Captures well the spirit of solo backpacking. The author carries you along with him on his adventure. Lovely photos too.’ (Chris Townsend).Table of ContentsPreamble; Chapter 1 Cornwall to the Tamar; Chapter 2 Devon and Somerset to the Severn Bridge; Chapter 3 The Welsh Borders; Chapter 4 The Midlands; Chapter 5 The Derbyshire Dales; Chapter 6 The South Pennines; Chapter 7 The North Pennines and Cheviots; Chapter 8 Southern Scotland; Chapter 9 The West Highland Way; Chapter 10 The Cape Wrath Trail; Appendix 1 Equipment List; Appendix 2 Daily Log; Acknowledgements; List of Maps: Map 1 Cape to Cape, Map 2 South West England, Map 3 Welsh Borders to Derbyshire Dales, Map 4 The Pennine Way, Map 5 Southern Uplands to Scottish Highlands, Map 6 The Cape Wrath Trail.

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Book SynopsisIn 1939 British cyclist Tommy Godwin cycled 75,065 miles in a single year. Think about that for a second: it’s an average of over 200 miles each day. And it’s a mark that still stands after almost eighty years. In The Year, Dave Barter resurrects the legend of the year record – a challenge nearly as old as bicycles themselves – and the cyclists who pushed themselves to establish and break it. Barter uncovers the stories behind these riders who would routinely cycle over a hundred miles a day in the race to set new records. Americans such as John H. George who recorded over 200 ‘centuries’, nineteen double ‘centuries’ and three triple ‘centuries’ in the late 1800s. The British advertising executive Harry Long, whose annual tallies of over 20,000 miles in the early twentieth century led to the founding of the formal cycling year record and Cycling magazine’s Century Competition. The Englishman of French descent, Marcel Planes, whose 1911 record of 34,666 miles stood for over twenty years. Not forgetting the legends of the job-seeking Arthur Humbles, the one-armed vegetarian communist Walter Greaves, the ‘keep-fit girl’ Billie Dovey and the staggering mark set by Godwin who left a youthful Bernard Bennett trailing in his wake. Meticulous research through the annuals, archives and news stories of the bicycling world is backed up with insights from the families of these legendary cyclists, as well as Dave’s own analysis of the riders’ years in numbers. There is no more difficult challenge in cycling. The Year is the definitive story of these phenomenal cyclists.

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Book SynopsisMajor Norton gave the order to fire two or three times … Their advanced machine gunners could be seen rushing forward and establishing themselves in commanding posts … Almost at once the ridge we were occupying was swept by machine gun fire … E.F. Norton lived a life of distinction in the declining years of the British Empire. Born into an accomplished, well-travelled family, he followed his heart and enlisted for a professional career as a soldier. A distinguished military career followed, punctuated with indulgences in his passion for exploration and mountaineering. The British Empire was starting to crumble, and Norton would be called upon more than once to rise to a variety of challenges. Norton’s gift for leadership was first demonstrated via his rapid progression through the ranks in the First World War, which paved the way for future leadership appointments, having earned the confidence and respect of those under his command. Events in the Second World War followed suit, when Norton was abruptly assigned the post of acting governor of Hong Kong, entrusted to save the civilian population from imminent Japanese invasion. The 1924 Everest expedition also exemplifies the pattern of having had leadership thrust upon him – in this case when General Charles Bruce was struck down by malaria on the approach march. Leading from the front, Norton set an altitude record for climbing on Everest without supplementary oxygen – a record only bettered in 1978 when Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler made the first ascent of Everest without oxygen. Yet tragedy would follow Norton’s achievement, when George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared high on the mountain. In Norton of Everest, Hugh Norton has written sensitively and knowledgably about his father’s remarkable life as mountaineer, soldier, naturalist, artist and family man. As on Everest, the real story is not only the death of the gallant, but also the heroics of the quiet survivors like E.F. Norton. Table of ContentsForeword by Wade Davis; Preface; 1. The Early Years; 2. Soldiering; 3. A Pen Portrait; 4. Mountaineering; 5. The Middle Years; 6. Acting Governor of Hong Kong; 7. Retirement; Index.

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Book SynopsisWinner, Mountain Literature (Non-Fiction) Award, Banff Mountain Book Festival 2018Nick Bullock is a climber who lives in a small green van, flitting between Llanberis, Wales, and Chamonix in the French Alps. Tides, Nick's second book, is the much-anticipated follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut Echoes. Now retired from the strain of work as a prison officer, Nick is free to climb. A lot. Tides is a treasury of his antics and adventures with some of the world's leading climbers, including Steve House, Kenton Cool, Nico Favresse, Andy Houseman and James McHaffie. Follow Nick and his partners as they push the limits on some of the world's most serious routes: The Bells! The Bells! and The Hollow Man on Gogarth's North Stack Wall; the Slovak Direct on Denali; Guerdon Grooves on Buachaille Etive Mor; and the north faces of Chang Himal and Mount Alberta, among countless others. Nick's life can be equated to the rhythm of the sea. At high tide, he climbs, he loves it, he is good at it; he laughs and jokes, scares himself, falls, gets back up and climbs some more. Then the tide goes out and he finds himself alone, exposed, all questions and no answers. Self-doubt, grieving for friends or family, fearful, sometimes opinionated, occasionally angry - his writing more honest and exposed than in any account of a climb. Only when the tide turns is he able to forget once more.Tides is a gripping memoir that captures the very essence of what it means to dedicate one's life to climbing.Table of ContentsPrologue: Living Scared; 1 Love and Hate; 2 Immortal?; 3 Nothing More; 4 The Cutting Lap; 5 The Rain; 6 The Emotional Tightrope; 7 Bad Shit; 8 Deception; 9 The Web; 10 Cravings; 11 Death or Glory; 12 Slave to the Rhythm?; 13 Bittersweet Desire; 14 Strange Eden; 15 How Soon is Now?; 16 You Only Live Twice; 17 The Cathedral; 18 Trapped; 19 Evening Redness in the West; 20 Into the Shadow; 21 Similar to a Scottish Quarry; 22 Best Before; 23 Death of Paradise; 24 The Pitfalls of a Peroni Supermodel; 25 What Were His Dreams?; 26 Balloons; 27 That's Rowdy Dude; 28 Over the Top; 29 Flames; 30 Dreams and Screams; 31 Just Beneath the Surface; 32 The Light of the Moon; 33 The Mountain Soundtrack; 34 Please Queue Here; 35 Dawn to Dusk to Dawn; 36 Threshold Shift; Postscript.

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Book SynopsisHighly Commended, Outdoor Book category, Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Awards for Excellence 2019We are all climbing where we are and with the gear we use in no small part due to Tony Howard’s quest for adventure.Tony Howard rose to fame in 1965 as a member of a group of young climbers from northern England who made the first British ascent of Norway’s Troll Wall; a climb described by Joe Brown as, ‘One of the greatest ever achievements by British rock climbers’. Tony went on to design the modern sit harness, now used worldwide by most climbers. He founded the company Troll Climbing Equipment but never stopped exploring. Quest into the Unknown is his story.Tony has dedicated his life to travelling the world in search of unclimbed rock faces and remote trekking adventures. The scale of his travels is vast: he has visited all of the North African countries, much of the Arab land of the Middle East, the mountainous regions of Scandinavia, Canada and the rocky spine of the Americas, the Himalaya, remote Indian provinces, South East Asia, Madagascar, South Georgia and Antarctica. This book, the last word in adventure travel, takes the reader from Tony’s youth spent developing the crags of the English Peak District, via whaling ships in the Southern Ocean, thousand-mile canoe trips in the Canadian Arctic, living amongst the Bedouin in the rocky mountains of Jordan, to the isolated opium tribes of Thailand.Tony Howard’s Quest into the Unknown is the jaw-dropping account of a life of adventure that is the very definition of true exploration.Table of ContentsPrecis; PART ONE; Chapter 1. Early Days -Part One; Chapter 2. Early Days -Part Two; Chapter 3. Early Days -Part Three; Chapter 4. Teenage Kicks -Part One; Chapter 5. Teenage Kicks -Part Two; Chapter 6. The Rimmon; Chapter 7. Whaling Days -South Georgia Bound; Chapter 8. Whaling Days -Antarctic Adventures; Chapter 9. Keep on Rockin’; Chapter 10. Winter Wanderings; Chapter 11. Norway -Arctic Adventures; Chapter 12. Jobs on the Rocks; Chapter 13. Dolomite Days; Chapter 14. Moroccan Mountains; Chapter 15. Norway -The Troll Wall and other escapades; Chapter 16. Life on the Ocean Wave; Chapter 17. Norway -The Romsdal Years; Chapter 18. The Times they are a-Changing; Chapter 19. On the Road Again; Chapter 20. Canada -Yukon Yarns; Chapter 21. Canada -‘The Trail of ’98’; Chapter 22. Homeward Bound; Chapter 23. Back Home; Chapter 24. Greenland; Chapter 25. Life at Troll; Chapter 26. Persian Perambulations; Chapter 27. And Then There Were Two; Chapter 28. Atakor Adventures; Chapter 29. Meanwhile, Back at Work …; Chapter 30. Spanish Rock; Chapter 31. Morocco -Here Comes the Sun; Chapter 32. Alpine Adventures; Chapter 33. All Change …; Chapter 34. Hard Rock Days; Chapter 35. Sudan Saga -Kassala Mountains; Chapter 36. Sudan Saga -Ticket to Ride ; PART TWO; Chapter 37. Exploring Jordan -Wadi Rum Discovery; Chapter 38. Exploring Jordan -Rum Rock ; Chapter 39. Exploring Jordan -Petra’s Secret Canyon; Chapter 40. Exploring Jordan -Beyond Petra ; Chapter 41. Exploring Jordan -More Rum Goings On; Chapter 42. Exploring Jordan -Bedouin Rock; Chapter 43. Travels in Thailand; Chapter 44. Oman Odyssey -A Surprise Christmas; Chapter 45. Oman Odyssey -Musandam to Dhofar; Chapter 46. Exploring Egypt -Sinai and the Red Sea Mountains; Chapter 47. Exploring Egypt -Some You Win, and Some You Lose; Chapter 48. Incredible India -The Western Ghats and Beyond; Chapter 49. Incredible India -Ladakh and Beyond; Chapter 50. Exploring Ethiopia -The Roof of Africa; Chapter 51. A Libyan Invitation; Chapter 52. Middle Eastern Meanderings; Chapter 53. Exploring Jordan -The Lowest Adventures on Earth; Chapter 54. Madagascar -Mystical Mountains; Chapter 55. Welcome to Palestine; Chapter 56. Exploring Egypt -If at First You Don’t Succeed …; Chapter 57. Exploring Egypt -Nubian Nemesis; Chapter 58. Incredible India -The North East Frontier; Chapter 59. Incredible India -Saramati Surprise; Chapter 60. Palestine -Is there anybody out there?; Chapter 61. Exploring Jordan -The Knife Canyon; Chapter 62. Mali -Mountains, Magic and Music; Chapter 63. Exploring Jordan -New Discoveries; Chapter 64. Exploring Jordan -The Jordan Trail; Chapter 65. Incredible India -A Walk on the Wild Side; Chapter 66. Exploring Jordan -Back on the Trail; Chapter 67. Memory Lane; Chapter 68. The End of The Trail; Postscript.

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Book Synopsis**Shortlisted as a finalist in the Business Book Awards 2023** What ingredients do you need to brew a successful career in selling and marketing consumer goods? The lessons found in Nick Millers fascinating and motivating story will tell you. Nick Miller sold a lot of beer in his many years in the UK beer industry. Starting in the bingo halls and working mens clubs of East London, he soon moved up to promoting world-class beer brands into nationwide pub chains and supermarkets. Using a powerful blend of creativity, dedication and discipline alongside a smart sales and marketing strategy he and his team turned Peroni from a niche Italian import into the UK's premier lager. Later he took the helm at the craft beer minnow Meantime, where his magic touch led to the brand's turnaround and eventual sale to SABMiller for £120 million. In the Meantime distils all the lessons Nick picked up during his impressive career to show any leader how you can: Think strategically about selling and marketing Maximise the strengths of your team Find the benefits in setbacks and barriers Analyse your own strengths and weaknesses Motivate your team and enjoy yourself along the way Unlock the confidence to believe in your own abilities and your potential to aim high and succeed as you discover a disciplined way of thinking that can enable you to become as successful in your chosen industry as you want to be. And along the way, lighten the load with some amusing anecdotes and engaging tales from a career well lived. Cheers!

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Book Synopsis'Even the most casual reader among you will by now have worked out that the whole thing is little more than a delightful ruse for having a very good time.'Experienced climber Charles Sherwood is on a quest to find the best climb on each continent. He eschews the traditional Seven Summits, where height alone is the determining factor, and instead considers mountaineering challenge, natural beauty and historical context, aiming to capture the diverse character of each continent and the sheer variety of climbing in all its forms.The author's ambitious odyssey takes him to the Alps, the Himalaya, Yosemite, the Andes, Kenya, New Zealand and South Georgia. His goal is neither to seek glory nor to complete a box-ticking exercise, but simply to enjoy himself in the company of his fellow climbers, including Mark Seaton, Andy Kirkpatrick and Stephen Venables, and to appreciate the splendour of his surroundings. On classic routes like the North Face of the Eiger and the Nose on El Capitan, it is hard not to be swept away by Sherwood's unfaltering enthusiasm.Also featuring fascinating historical detail about each route, Seven Climbs is a compelling account of Sherwood's efforts to answer a much-debated question: which are the world’s greatest climbs?Table of ContentsThe Challenge1. Europe: 1938 Route, North Face of the Eiger (Switzerland)2. Asia: South-West Ridge of Ama Dablam (Nepal)3. North America: The Nose, El Capitan, Yosemite (USA)4. South America: South-West Face of Alpamayo, Cordillera Blanca (Peru)5. Africa: Traverse of Nelion and Batian, Mount Kenya (Kenya)6. Australasia/Oceania: Linda Glacier Route, Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand)7. Antarctica: Coast-to-Coast Traverse of the Salvesen Range, South Georgia (UK Overseas Territory)Not-So-Final Thoughts

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