Biography Books

Book SynopsisThe inside story of The Cure'Beautifully realised' Irish TimesComing of age in Thatcher's Britain in the late 70s and early 80s was really tough, especially if you lived in Crawley. But against the grinding austerity, social unrest and suburban boredom, the spark of rebellion that was punk set alight three young men who would become one of the most revered and successful bands of their generation. The Cure.Cured is a memoir by Lol Tolhurst, one of the founding imaginary boys, who met Robert Smith when they were five. Lol threads the genesis of The Cure through his schoolboy years with Smith, the iconic leader of the group, and the band's most successful era in the 1980s. He takes us up to the present day, a riveting forty years since the band's inception.The band's journey to worldwide success is woven into a story not only of great highs and lows but also of love, friendship, pain, forgiveness and, ultimately, redemption on a beach in Hawaii.Cured highlights those parts of the creative journey that are not normally revealed to fans, incorporating many first-hand recollections around Lol's personal odyssey. From suburban London to the Mojave desert, Cured brings an acute eye for the times to bear on a lifelong friendship, with tales of addiction and despair along the way. Cured is the story of a timeless band and a life truly lived.Trade ReviewBeautifully realised with an appealing deadpan style...If you're looking for something along the lines of Ian Hunter's classic Diary Of a Rock 'n' Roll Star you're in the right place here. * Irish TImes *

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Book SynopsisA monumental oral biography filled with raucous joy, aching loss and terrible poignancy, Elvis & the Memphis Mafia is the first book to capture the King – the man and the phenomenon – in his full complexity. Through revealing interviews with three of Elvis’ s closest friends, who were also his protectors and rescuers, Nash achieves the first true mapping of Elvis’ s psyche. Billy Smith – Elvis’ s first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother – Marty Lacker – best man at his wedding and foreman of the ‘ Memphis Mafia’ , the King’ s handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants – and Lamar Fike – the touring crew member who accompanied him into the Army – were with Elvis from his teens to his final days and provide unique access to the greatest of all rock and roll legends. The revelations cut through every aspect of Elvis’ s life, from the childhood seeds of his drug dependency, through his fear for his mother’ s life and his plan to change his identity, to his bizarre self-mutilation. No one who reads this symphonic blending of three proud, ribald, sad and ultimately wistful voices can fail to be profoundly moved.Trade Review'The Best Elvis book written to date' Uncut 'You don't need to be an Elvis fan to be awed by this book. It is so detailed, gossipy, far-ranging, and coherent that it becomes a clear window on an entire era. The book's genius is in the volume of fresh and flowing information ... Nash is one of the finest, most perceptive chroniclers and appraisers of pop music in America.' Billboard

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Book Synopsis''A brilliant book . . . brilliantly written. You really do need to read it'' Adrian Chiles''Mixing the sacred and the profane, high culture and low culture, the sublime and the ridiculous, Deep Pockets is the book this game of unfathomable difficulty and infinite mystery well deserves'' Critic The game of snooker has a remarkable history. From humble origins, it blossomed spectacularly in the 1980s into the nation''s most popular sport. Top players became celebrities. The papers were stuffed with snooker scandals. It even conquered the pop charts.In the twenty-first century, the game is still big news. Along with millions of British fans, a vast audience continues to grow across every corner of the world, from Europe to the Middle East to China. The global thirst for snooker has never been greater.But - strangely perhaps - snooker''s deeper meanings have rarely been explored. It is a game that celebrates subtlety aTrade ReviewCooper is a convincing, entertaining and philosophical guide to the strange magic of snooker over the past five decades - and what it might be able to teach us about the meaning of life. It should be his big break * Observer *A brilliant book . . . brilliantly written. You really do need to read it -- Adrian ChilesMixing the sacred and the profane, high culture and low culture, the sublime and the ridiculous, Deep Pockets is the book this game of unfathomable difficulty and infinite mystery well deserves * Critic *

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the joy of Christmas with these classic holiday stories and poems. This collection features more than 20 stories and poems celebrating Christmas, including works from esteemed authors such as Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, and Hans Christian Andersen. With favourites such as O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” and L. Frank Baum’s The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, this elegant leather-bound volume will hold a special place on your bookshelf, sure to be enjoyed during the Christmas season, or at any time of the year.

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Book SynopsisThis is the remarkable story of Donald Caskie, minister of the Scots Kirk in Paris at the time of the German invasion of France in 1940. Although he had several opportunities to flee, Caskie stayed behind to help establish a network of safe houses and escape routes for Allied soldiers and airmen trapped in occupied territory. This was dangerous work, and despite the constant threat of capture and execution, Caskie showed enormous resourcefulness and courage as he aided thousands of servicemen to freedom. Finally arrested and interrogated, he was sentenced to death at a Nazi show-trial, and it was only through the intervention of a German pastor that he was saved. After the war, Caskie returned to the Scots Kirk, where he served as minister until 1960. This inspiring story of selfless commitment to others in the face of extreme adversity is the legacy of a truly brave man.Trade Review'More thrilling than any adventure story' - The Scotsman

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times top 10 bestseller.Laugh along with Michael McIntyre as he lifts the curtain on his life in his revealing autobiography.Michael’s first book ended with his big break at the 2006 Royal Variety Performance. Waking up the next morning in the tiny rented flat he shared with his wife Kitty and their one-year-old son, he was beyond excited about the new glamorous world of show business. Unfortunately, he was also clueless . . .In A Funny Life, Michael honestly and hilariously shares the highs and the lows of his rise to the top and desperate attempts to stay there. It’s all here, from his disastrous panel show appearances to his hit TV shows, from mistakenly thinking he’d be a good chat show host and talent judge, to finding fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams and becoming the biggest-selling comedian in the world. Along the way he opens his man drawer, narrowly avoids disaster when his trousers fall down in front of three policemen and learns the hard way why he should always listen to his wife.Michael has had a silly life, a stressful life, sometimes a moving and touching life, but always A Funny Life.Trade ReviewThere are plenty of guffaws but it can be moving too * The Mail on Sunday *A winning combination of the laugh-out-loud funny and the surprisingly poignant * Daily Mail (Weekend) *A highly entertaining insight into a stand-up comic’s life. McIntyre fans will lap it up * Daily Record (Saturday) *He will have you on the verge of tears with his recollections - both happy and sad * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisThe autobiography – the dangerous life and wild times – of Sonny Barger, the legendary leader of the Hell’s Angels. Sonny Barger is the Hell’s Angel of all Hell’s Angels, the motorcycle club that has been the scourge of America for over forty years. Sonny was their de facto leader for much of that time, the man who Hunter S. Thompson immortalised in his 1965 classic Hells Angels, noting ‘Barger is nothing short of Winston Churchill when it comes to leading people’. He’s been called an American legend and he’s feared and revered by people on both sides of the law. From the club’s formation in the 1940s to the height of their notoriety twenty years later, from Sonny’s first-hand account of what really happened with the Rolling Stones at Altamont to his periods of imprisonment, from his fights with rival gangs and the police to his own battle with cancer, ‘Hell’s Angel’ sets the record straight. Sonny Barger has ridden with the Angels for forty years, obeying no law but that of the HAMC. For the first time, this is his own – and their own – story.

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Book Synopsis'TERRIFIC' - Daily Mail'ONE OF THE UNDISPUTED GREATS' - Sun'Why me? How could a boy from a Copenhagen tower block say I want to be a champion with Manchester United and Denmark and make it happen?'Peter Schmeichel is a giant of football, who won more Premier League titles (five) than any player in his position and captained Manchester United in the incomparable, last-gasp Treble-clinching win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final. 'I don't believe a better goalkeeper played the game,' Sir Alex Ferguson said. One: My Autobiography is Schmeichel's story.In it, he takes us inside the remarkable, winning environment of a club that transformed football during the 1990s, and on to the pitch on that crazy, breathless night in Barcelona in 1999. From Ferguson's unique gifts to Eric Cantona's unique personality, he delivers a close-up and insightful portrait of United's golden era.However, One: My Autobiography goes way beyond the pitch.Schmeichel has an incredible family story to tell, starting with his father, Antoni, a brilliant Polish jazz musician who battled demons and for years kept a momentous secret from those around him. And he explores what he has been able to pass on to his own son, Kasper - himself a Premier League-winning goalkeeper and number one in the Danish national side.Peter's life after football, seldom straightforward, is described with astonishing candour. One: My Autobiography is about football, origins, journeys and legacy.Trade ReviewIt's comforting to know that one of the football heroes of my formative years is every bit the role model that I always thought him to be * On Magazine *One . . . is way beyond the glorified sporting diaries that crowd the shelves at this time of year . . . splendidly rendered * Irish Independent *Peter Schmeichel charts his exceptionally successful goalkeeping career alongside the remarkable story of his family * Irish Times’ Best Sport books of the year *The best autobiographies are always the ones written when the passing of time allows events to be considered and evaluated in proper perspective . . . Genuine candour runs through the story . . . A quite riveting story * Backpass Magazine *This is much more than the usual footballer's life story . . . It's warm, frank and conversational in tone . . . Terrific * Daily Mail, 2021's best books for sports fans *The story of one of the undisputed greats * Sun, Best Books for Christmas *A rollercoaster ride through the life of the Danish and Manchester United goalkeeper * Evening Standard, Memoirs of the Year *Engaging, honest and unsentimental . . . riveting * David Walsh, The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisFor the millions moved by Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, here is Miep Gies's own astonishing story. For more than two years, Miep and her husband helped hide the Franks from the Nazis. Like thousands of unsung heroes of the Holocaust, they risked their lives every day to bring food, news, and emotional support to its victims. From her remarkable childhood as a World War I refugee to the moment she places a small, red-orange-checkered diary -- Anne's legacy -- into Otto Frank's hands, Miep Gies remembers her days with simple honesty and shattering clarity. Each page rings with courage and heartbreaking beauty.

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Book Synopsis'I pulled off my glasses and wiped my eyes. "That was perhaps the last race of my career..."'Deep down, Mark Cavendish thought he was finished. After illness, setbacks and clinical depression, the once fastest man in the world had been written off by most. And at the age of 36, even he believed his explosive cycling career would fade out with a whimper. The Manxman hadn't won a single Grand Tour stage in Italy, Spain or France since 2016.But then came his incredible resurrection at the 2021 Tour de France. Included on the Deceuninck Quick-Step team at the very last minute, only after Sam Bennett suffered an injury, Mark set about rewriting history. He claimed back the green jersey he first wore in 2011, and his four stage victories finally saw him matching Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins. Cycling greats are never content, and Cav's dogged determination and inner strength had earned him the record that few believed he could ever achieve. This is his own intimate account of that race, right from the saddle of the miracle tour.

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Book Synopsis'Fantastic book written by a true LFC legend.' Jurgen Klopp'George Sephton is part of the brickwork of Liverpool Football Club and was witness to so many iconic moments. He has lived through a huge chunk of our history, from when Liverpool were in the Second Division, when he used to come to Anfield with his father, all the way to being crowned World Club and Premier League champions. It's been a rollercoaster ride, and George has been there for all the ups and downs - but mainly the ups.' Sir Kenny Dalglish'The voice of George Sephton has been heard at Anfield for so long that you could be forgiven for imagining him poised with a wind-up gramophone and a 78-rpm record of Gerry with his ukulele and a single Pacemaker, on a comb and tissue paper, piping Alan A'Court and Alf Arrowsmith onto the field.' Elvis CostelloGeorge Sephton's relationship with Liverpool Football Club began in 1971 when he wrote to the club secretary applying to be the stadium announcer. His first match also marked the debut of Kevin Keegan. For the past fifty years, Sephton has been at Anfield for all but a handful of home fixtures, as well as travelling with the team to major finals. From the highs of winning numerous league titles and European Cups, to the lows of Heysel and Hillsborough, Sephton has been with Liverpool through it all. From encounters with great managers and legendary players - from Bill Shankly to Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes to Jurgen Klopp, he tells his unique and entertaining story of the greatest club in the world.Table of Contentsi: Foreword ii: 'Sleeve Notes' iii: Prologue 1: Part One: The Fifties and Sixties 2: Part Two: The Seventies 3: Part Three: The Eighties 4: Part Four: The Nineties 5: Part Five: The 2000s 6: Part Six: The 2010s 7: Epilogue 8: Acknowledgements 9: Plate Section Photography Credits 10: Index

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Book SynopsisIsobel Miller gave up God for worldly pursuits. But as graduation approached and her engagement was broken, she questioned that decision. "If You will prove to me that You are, and if You will give me peace, I will give You my whole life." God heard Isobel's prayers and responded. Her search ended, and He gave her a whole new life of fruitful missionary service in China.

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Book SynopsisA REVEALING PERSONAL STORY: An ambitious businesswoman, Jenner will delve into the world of living a hectic life in the celebrity spotlight as well as touch on the themes of love, loss, marriage, divorce and motherhood, which should resonate with a wide range of women. Jenner will talk about being the mother of six children, her marriage to Olympic champion Bruce Jenner, her controversial parenting style, O.J. Simpson (She was married to the late Robert Kardashian, O.J.'s defense lawyer and was the best friend of murdered Nicole Brown Simpson), her work in television (she is currently the executive producer of all four hit Kardashian shows - Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Khloe & Lamar).

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Book SynopsisStanley Hooker joined the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1949 and tugged a rather reluctant company into the jet age, determined to give real competition to Rolls-Royce. So successful was he that in 1966 Rolls-Royce decided the best thing to do was to spend £63.6 million and buy its rival. By this time there was scarcely a single modern British aero-engine for which Hooker had not been responsible.

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Book SynopsisJoin award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard and audience-favorite actor Clint Howard as they frankly and fondly share their unusual family story of navigating and surviving life as sibling child actors.“What was it like to grow up on TV?” Ron Howard has been asked this question throughout his adult life.Trade Review“A Tinseltown childhood free of malice, regret or self-pity. It’s like a Ron Howard movie between two covers… a picture of a family unencumbered by major neuroses, hang-ups or rivalries… links to an earlier, simpler age… refreshing [and] homespun.” — Wall Street Journal “…kind, imperturbable and appreciative… the lulling rhythms of harmonious boomer sibs clearing out the old family house. See, they seem to say, brotherly love is possible in Hollywood.” — New York Times “[A] nostalgic coming-of-age story that examines life in showbiz, fun adventures and, perhaps above all, the importance of family.” — CNN.com “Who would have thought Ron Howard could be exciting? And yet, he and his brother Clint have written a saga of talent, ambition, serendipity, and lust. Well, forget about the lust. It’s just not there. But Ron and Clint’s story of their remarkable coming-of-age in show business will thrill any reader.” — Steve Martin “I’ve known and loved the Howard family for forty-eight years, and there are stories here that surprised even me. The Boys is an emotional journey that goes well beyond your typical Hollywood memoir.” — Henry Winkler "I have read dozens of Hollywood memoirs. But The Boys stands alone. A delightful, warm and fascinating story of a good life in show business.” — Malcolm Gladwell “This extraordinary book is not only a chronicle of Ron’s and Clint’s early careers and their wild adventures, but also a primer on so many topics—how an actor prepares, how to survive as a kid working in Hollywood, and how to be the best parents in the world! THE BOYS will surprise every reader with its humanity.” — Tom Hanks “How can the complexities of husband and wives, parents and children, brother to brother be contained between the pages of one book? It’s impossible and yet The Boys touched me in such a way that the Howards’ story---Rance, Jean, Ron and Clint—will continue, for a long time, to settle on my heart like soft rain. It is about life and show business and how one, famous family connected both--with passion, loyalty, respect and, most of all, love.” — Glenn Close “Actors and brothers Ron and Clint Howard reflect on growing up in Hollywood in this fascinating dual autobiography… Candid, humorous, and entertaining, this intimate account will be a hit with the brothers’ fans.” — Publishers Weekly "Filled with delightful stories from the sets of The Andy Griffith Show, Gentle Ben, The Music Man, and Happy Days, this memoir will be treasured by television and movie history buffs alike; fans of the Howards will greatly enjoy their teasing, loving banter, and evocation of a gentler era." — Library Journal (starred review) “It’s wholesome, earnest and contains just enough tidbits about Mayberry and “Happy Days” to satisfy ardent fans… In the end, it’s the remarkable story of a family that chose a very public line of work but managed to live by their own private values in an America that gave them the space to do just that.” — Associated Press "A treat for movie and TV buffs, this dual memoir is wholesome and satisfying…Fans of the Howards will revel in the details of their young ascents into the Hollywood spotlight.” — Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“An engrossing account of a leader who, by converting despair into strength, gave an exiled people both political purpose and the means to attain it.”—Benjamin Balint, Wall Street JournalWinner of the 2020 Canadian Jewish Literary Award in the history category, sponsored by the Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies“Derek Penslar, the most original scholar on the history of Zionism today, has written a masterful book, which may indeed become the definitive Herzl biography of our age.”—Michael Brenner, author of A Short History of the Jews“Theodor Herzl was the indispensable catalyst of the Zionist movement that began before him, developed independently of him, and prevailed on its own decades after his death. Penslar’s book unlocks this paradox, and in richly providing the historical context of his leadership, magnifies its achievement.”—Ruth R. Wisse, author of Jews and Power “Derek Penslar has found in Theodor Herzl an amazingly complex character and tells his story with deep insight and great fairness. This biography is innovative, carefully balanced, and engrossing.”—Tom Segev, author of A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion“In his pitch-perfect biography for a new century, accomplished historian Derek Penslar portrays the psychic traits that allowed Theodor Herzl to be elevated by the longings of a fledgling Zionist movement, which he in turn elevated into a political cause that has redefined Jewish and world history down to our present. An elegant masterpiece.”—Samuel Moyn, Yale University

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Book SynopsisIn October 2016, Udo Kischka suffered a severe stroke. A large intra-cerebral bleed, a bleed deep in the right side of his brain. He was not a typical stroke patient: Professor Kischka was a neurologist and specialist in stroke rehabilitation. Like all stroke patients, he embarked on a journey of recovery. In his case, it was a re-education in his field of expertise. When he uttered the words, ''This is a life changing event'' to his wife a few hours after the stroke, he had no idea just how life changing it would be or that there would be still be a good life to be had. Written by experts on both sides of the fence - a stroke victim who is a stroke specialist, and a psychologist who helps others and now has to help herself and her family - this is a personal and brutally honest story of a family''s survival. This accessible and relatable book provides insight and realistic hope about what might lie ahead following a stroke, as well as offering both practTrade Review'Inspired, Surviving Stroke is a poignant, intimate and passionate response to a life-changing experience; a book that adds appreciably to our understanding of the psychological, emotional and physical toll a 'brain attack' can have on its victims. Udo and Helen's story broadens our knowledge of stroke because of the years of clinical experience they bring to Udo's unique and debilitating event. This is a book to be welcomed by all stroke survivors, their families, caregivers and health professionals?a vital and vivid story that speaks to treatment and recovery from brain damage of any sort'? - Ron Smith, D. Litt., author of The Defiant Mind: Living Inside a Stroke'[This book] gives a clear description and explanation of exactly how shattering a stroke can be. There is no magic moment; there are downs as well as ups; things happen for no reason; it is all agonisingly slow; uncertainty is crippling and exhausting; loss of control and choice is frightening and severe. It paints a very real picture, stripped of all gloss yet still allowing hope and restoration' - Professor Derick Wade, Consultant in Neurological Rehabilitation'Even though stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and a leading cause of death, people remain woefully ignorant of stroke and the havoc it wreaks. Surviving Stroke is an evocative account of the challenges one family faced and the strategies they employed to cope with the "carpet bombing" of Udo's brain. By telling their story, Professor Udo Kischka and Dr. Helen Kennerley have mapped out an inspiring blueprint for everyone, but especially for those who have to pick up the pieces and rediscover their lives' - Patricia Jean Smith, author of The Caregiver's Companion'The combination of Kennerley and Kischka's personal and professional expertise make this book unique. The writing is engaging and accessible. They communicate complex ideas about difficult topics sensitively and without jargon. And they strike the delicate balance between realism and hope successfully. It is an extremely good resource for people with brain injuries, their families, and professionals working in brain injury. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone' - Dr Jessica Fish, British Psychological Society Division of Neuropsychology Newsletter'This is a powerful and deeply moving account of a family surviving the physical and psychological trauma of a stroke. This book will be extremely useful to people who have experienced a stroke and their loved ones. Far from simply surviving a stroke, Helen and Udo have expertly turned their experiences into a source of strength, hope and resilience for many people all over the world with bravery, humanity and compassion' - Dr Michael Bloomfield, Head of the Translational Psychiatry Research Group, University College London

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewTotally gripping … A fascinating, revelatory and surreal WWII story of almost incredible courage and unspeakable horror – how a Polish resistance fighter helped reveal the secret of the final solution from inside Auschwitz * Simon Sebag Montefiore *A remarkable book. Fairweather’s account is often harrowing; but it is an important account of the suffering and tragedy in Nazi death camps, told using many previously unpublished sources - and from a new perspective. * Peter Frankopan *Well-researched, well-written and searingly memorable, Jack Fairweather’s book reminds us of the capacity for nobility in the human soul in times of unimaginable peril * Andrew Roberts, bestselling author of ‘Churchill: Walking with Destiny’ *Few books have enthralled, incensed and haunted me as “The Volunteer” has done. There were times I felt compelled to set it aside. There were others when hours of reading passed in what felt like moments … This is a story that has long deserved a robust, faithful telling, and he has delivered it * Wall Street Journal *An extraordinary story * The Times *Superbly written and breathtakingly researched … a story of incalculable value delivered in the most compelling prose I have read in a long time * Sebastian Junger, #1 New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist *What distinguishes The Volunteer is Fairweather’s meticulous attention to accuracy … if it sometimes seems as though there is nothing left to uncover about the Holocaust, Fairweather’s gripping book proves otherwise * The Spectator *Combines the verve of a thriller with the detailed evidence of the sober, hideous truth -- Anne de Courcy * The Telegraph *A searing account … a fitting memorial to one of Poland’s greatest war heroes and a shaming indictment of the western allies’ failure to act * Sunday Times *A forceful narrative with unstoppable reading momentum, Fairweather has created an insightful biography of a covert war hero and an extraordinary contribution to the history of the Holocaust. * Starred booklist review *Witold Pilecki is one of the great—perhaps the greatest—unsung heroes of the second world war ... Jack Fairweather's meticulous and insightful book is likely to be the definitive version of this extraordinary life * Economist *An outstanding achievement ... a harrowing tale, revealing the depths of human depravity, redeemed by the shining courage and nobility of one of humanity's heroes. * Patrick Bishop, bestselling author FIGHTER BOYS *

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Book SynopsisA teenage boy lies on the pavement, bleeding from a stab wound; a distraught mum watches, in mute shock, as her daughter suffers a terrifying fatal asthma attack; a young girl is gang-raped and her stricken boyfriend takes an overdose; a disturbed young man flings himself in front of a speeding train at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.Few people can imagine living in a world where such situations are part of everyday life. Yet for veteran paramedic Lysa Walder, these and thousands of other emergency call outs are part of a day's work: scenes of tragedy, heroism loss and horror - but also stories of triumph and humour.Lysa has been a paramedic for over twenty years, working for the London Ambulance service - the world's biggest and busiest free service - for much of that time. Here, she reveals what it's really like to work in a job that brings paramedic teams face-to-face with death - and destiny - every day.

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Book SynopsisRubin "Hurricane" Carter was riding a wave of success. The survivor of a difficult youth, he rose to become a top contender for the middleweight boxing crown. But his career crashed to a halt on May 26, 1967, when he and another man were found guilty of the murder of three white people and sentenced to three consecutive life terms. Written from prison and first published in 1974, The Sixteenth Round chronicles Hurricane's journey from the ring to solitary confinement. The book was his cry for help to the public, an attempt to set the record straight and force a new trial. Bob Dylan wrote his classic anthem "Hurricane" about his struggle, and Muhammad Ali and thousands of others took up his cause. The power of Carter's voice, as well as his ironic humor, makes this an eloquent, soul-stirring account of a remarkable life.Trade Review"A document of life lived in the center of hell." --Sports Illustrated"When they come to list the greatest boxers, Hurrican's name isn't likely to pop up in the Top 10. But when they come to list the greatest figures of the 20th century, he'll be alone at the peak." -- Boston Globe"A shocking, savage and brilliant indictment of racial injustice and the inhumanity of the prison." -- Globe and Mail"Carter's scorching and poetic autobiography." -- Toronto Sun

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER THE INSPIRATION FOR THE FEATURE FILM THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY 'Screamingly addictive' STEPHEN FRY 'Superb ... Thrilling story-telling' NAOMI KLEIN 'A powerful contribution to an urgent debate' GUARDIAN What if everything we’ve been told about addiction is wrong? One of Johann Hari’s earliest memories is of trying to wake up one of his relatives and not being able to. As he grew older, he realised there was addiction in his family. Confused, he set out on a three-year, thirty-thousand mile journey to discover what really causes addiction – and how to solve it. Told through a series of gripping human stories, this book was the basis of a TED talk and animation that have been viewed more than twenty million times. It has transformed the global debate about addiction.Trade ReviewScreamingly addictive. The story it tells, jaw-droppingly horrific, hilarious and incredible, is one everyone should know -- Stephen FryIntoxicatingly thrilling -- Russell BrandSuperb journalism and thrilling story-telling -- Naomi KleinA wonderful book ... I hope everyone will read it -- Sam HarrisAn absolutely stunning book. It will blow your mind, and blow you away -- Elton JohnWonderful. I couldn't put it down * Noam Chomsky *One of the world's most important and most enlightening thinkers and social critics -- Glenn Greenwald, winner of the Pulitzer PrizeBreathtaking … A powerful contribution to an urgent debate * Guardian *Incredibly powerful -- Caroline LucasA testament to Hari's skill as a writer * New York Times *Incredibly entertaining. It’s enormously emotionally affecting … It really is an extraordinary book -- Vanessa Feltz * BBC London *Gripping * Financial Times *Amazing and bracing and smart. It’s really revolutionary -- Dan Savage

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Book SynopsisAn intimate conversation about music and creativity, between the internationally bestselling writer Haruki Murakami and world-class conductor, Seiji Ozawa. Haruki Murakami's passion for music runs deep. Before turning his hand to writing, he ran a jazz club in Tokyo, and the aesthetic and emotional power of music permeates every one of his much-loved books. Now, in Absolutely on Music, Murakami fulfills a personal dream, sitting down with his friend, acclaimed conductor Seiji Ozawa, to talk about their shared interest. They discuss everything from Brahms to Beethoven, from Leonard Bernstein to Glenn Gould, from record collecting to pop-up orchestras, and much more.'Absolutely on Music is an unprecedented treasure... Talking about music is like dancing about architecture, it's often said, but what joy to watch these two friends dance.' GuardianTrade ReviewAbsolutely on Music is an unprecedented treasure… Talking about music is like dancing about architecture, it’s often said, but what joy to watch these two friends dance. * Guardian *Hardly a soul writes of the listening and playing of music with such insight and tenderness -- Patti Smith * New York Times Book Review *Their words tessellate perfectly, forcing the neurons in your brain into a brave new quest for artistic divinity… A book for people transfixed by the minutia of creativity. * Shortlist *High Fidelity for classical music fans. * Publishers Weekly *These dialogues...add up to a sprawling feast of Mahler-style “polytonality” - or, alternatively, the sort of protean jam-session that Monk and Parker relished. -- Boyd Tonkin * Arts Desk *

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times bestseller, powerful, highly-charged and moving, No Way Out is Adam Jowett’s tribute to the men of Easy Company who paid a heavy price for serving their country in Afghanistan.'Fiercely immersive. Truly heroic.' – Tom Marcus, bestselling author of Soldier Spy.______________In Helmand province in July 2006, Major Adam Jowett was given command of Easy Company, a hastily assembled and under-strength unit of Paras and Royal Irish rangers. Their mission was to hold the District Centre of Musa Qala at any cost. Easy Company found themselves in a ramshackle compound, cut off and heavily outnumbered by the Taliban in the town.In No Way Out, Adam evokes the heat and chaos of battle as the Taliban hit Easy Company with wave after wave of brutal attack. He describes what it was like to have responsibility for the lives of his men as they fought back heroically over twenty-one days and nights of relentless, nerve-shredding combat. Finally, as they came down to their last rounds and death stared Easy Company in the face, the siege took an extraordinary turn . . ._____________'Vivid and brilliantly written: a pulsating account of the battle for Musa Qala, the Rorke's Drift of our times.’ – Martin Bell, OBE, war reporter.'A superb account of the chaos and brutality of conflict' – Levison WoodTrade ReviewFerociously immersive. Truly heroic. The action is relentless and claustrophobic as, surrounded by death, Easy Company fought for each other. I challenge you to read a more brutally honest account of brotherhood, survival and belonging. -- Tom Marcus, bestselling author of Soldier SpyA brilliant first hand account of men and war that crackles with action and brims with humanity -- Patrick Bishop, bestselling author of 3 Para, Fighter Boys, Bomber Boys, Air Force BlueSoldierly, vivid and brilliantly written: a pulsating account of the battle for Musa Qala, the Rorke's Drift of our times. * Martin Bell, OBE, war reporter *A superb account of the chaos and brutality of conflict which conveys the highs and lows of life on the front line with vivid accuracy. It us ultimately a fascinating story of modern soldiering and the bravery of Easy Company fighting a battle far from home. * Levison Wood *A truly extraordinary story of courage and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds . . . Brilliantly written and with a clear pride in the tenacity and grit of the nineteen-year-olds under his command who performed so bravely, Jowett's book belongs on the shelves of anyone interested in modern conflict and the experience of soldiering. -- Barney Campbell, author of RainA gritty, heart-pounding account of combat and courage that brings the siege of Musa Qala to life, from the 'crump' of mortar fire to the exhaustion and dogged determination of Easy Company as they fought on alone. -- Dan Jarvis MP

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year As featured on the BBC Radio 2 Book Club Dr James Barry: Inspector General of Hospitals, army surgeon, duellist, reformer, ladykiller, eccentric. He performed the first successful Caesarean in the British Empire, outraged the military establishment and gave Florence Nightingale a dressing down at Scutari. At home he was surrounded by a menagerie of animals, including a cat, a goat, a parrot and a terrier. Long ago in Cork, Ireland, he had also been a mother. This is the amazing tale of Margaret Anne Bulkley, the young woman who broke the rules of Georgian society to become one of the most respected surgeons of the century. In an extraordinary life, she crossed paths with the British Empire’s great and good, royalty and rebels, soldiers and slaves. A medical pioneer, she rose to a position that no woman before her had been allowed to occupy, but for all her successes, her long, audacious deception also left her isolated, even costing her the chance to be with the man she loved.Trade Review‘A scintillating portrait of Barry’s life…that feels almost Dickensian in style.’ * Guardian *‘An astounding story – of obstinacy, ambition, genius, fearlessness and pioneering feminism.’ * Daily Mail *‘Thoroughly engaging.’ * Sunday Times, Books of the Year *‘Gripping, unusual, moving.’ * Times, Books of the Year *‘A comprehensive account.’ * London Review of Books *'Fascinating’. * History Today *‘Thoroughly researched, stimulating…Highly recommended’. * The Lady *‘Fascinating’ * Irish Independent *‘An irresistible little byway in 18th-century medical and social history’. * Oldie *‘An elegant and sensitive biography…du Preez and Dronfield have done Margaret Buckley and her alter ego proud in this absorbing book.’ * The Times *‘At each turn of this quite gripping biography I found myself gasping in disbelief…the excavations of Michael du Preez…and Jeremy Dronfield…have yielded startling new evidence about the period…Their research is authoritative and prodigious’. * Literary Review *‘This fantastic book is so much more than a biography of a very remarkable woman. The thread of her personal story weaves its way through a meticulously researched record of a fascinating period in world history…compulsive reading.’ -- Dame Margaret Turner-Warwick, first female President, Royal College of Physicians‘A cracking story’. -- Maggie Fergusson * Spectator *‘This is a fascinating account of the life and career of Dr James Barry as a doctor working in the early nineteenth century. Although Dr Barry obtained a Diploma from this College in 1813 it is only now through this book we are able to fully understand and recognise her achievements.’ -- Clare Marx, President, the Royal College of Surgeons of England‘I found the book immensely enjoyable. It’s a fascinating story, told with verve, sensitivity and skill – the result of an awe-inspiring amount of research and detective work, managed with delicacy and flair. I felt the book had a real feel for the times and I appreciated its firm historical grounding, and the way in which imagination and a rigorous approach to fact played so well together. A marvellous read, and a story worth telling.’ -- Rodney Bolt, author of The Impossible Life of Mary Benson‘This is the extraordinary and remarkable story of the transformation of Margaret Bulkley, a red-haired Irish girl from Cork, into Dr James Barry, physician, medical reformer, friend of the rich, friend of the poor and fearless and irascible scourge of the stupidity, complacency, ineptitude and greed of Britain’s Colonial establishment. Dr James Barry kept his great secret for over fifty years and the truth that he was, in fact, a woman was only revealed to an incredulous public after his death. Meticulously researched and written with great verve, this biography is about as good as it gets.’ -- Neil McKenna, author of Fanny & Stella: The Young Men Who Shocked Victorian England'Extensively researched, a fascinating story of a woman taking extreme measures to work in a man’s world.’ -- Richard Hollingham, author of Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery

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Book SynopsisSelf-described as a 'spotty, chubby, ginger teenager' with a love for Damien Rice and Nizlopi, Ed Sheeran was never an obvious bet to become a global superstar. And yet that's exactly what he's achieved, winning plenty of awards (and hearts) along the way. But how did a young musician go from selling CDs from his rucksack to becoming the millennial record-breaking international stadium act? Tracing his story from his bohemian childhood in Yorkshire and Suffolk to the release of his third album Divide, music journalist David Nolan chronicles Sheeran's musical life and times. Featuring exclusive interviews with friends, relatives, musical collaborators and key figures in his rise to stardom, Divide and Conquer tells the story of how Ed Sheeran went from school drop-out to one of the world's most successful musicians.

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Book SynopsisIn 1890, the thirty-year-old Chekhov, already knowing that he was ill with tuberculosis, undertook an arduous eleven-week journey from Moscow across Siberia to the penal colony on the island of Sakhalin. Now collected here in one volume are the fully annotated translations of his impressions of his trip through Siberia and the account of his three-month sojourn on Sakhalin Island, together with his notes and extracts from his letters to relatives and associates. Highly valuable both as a detailed depiction of the Tsarist system of penal servitude and as an insight into Chekhov’s motivations and objectives for visiting the colony and writing the exposé, Sakhalin Island is a haunting work which had a huge impact both on Chekhov’s career and on Russian society.Trade ReviewAs a work of literature, Sakhalin Island is a masterpiece of restrained, dignified, unsentimental prose … a work of complete seriousness, full of clear, humane, practical suggestions for reform. * The Observer *Mr Reeve’s work reminds one that Chekhov was as great a master of the documentary genre – and also of the best academic prose – as of drama and narrative fiction … Sakhalin Island will never eclipse The Cherry Orchard. But it is every bit as impressive a masterpiece, and this new version will surely make its merits more widely known. * TLS *

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Book SynopsisSelected essays from America's foremost literary journalist and essayist, featuring ruminations on writers and artists as diverse as Edith Wharton, Diane Arbus and the Bloomsbury Group. This charismatic and penetrating collection includes Malcolm's now iconic essay about the painter David Salle.

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Book Synopsis'Always the leader and always the best' Bear Grylls 'Fiennes has so much to fit in, it's a wonder to grasp the full breadth of a lifetime of adventuring' - Compass Magazine'Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling' - Time OutSir Ranulph Fiennes has travelled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on Earth, almost died countless times, lost nearly half his fingers to frostbite, raised millions of pounds for charity and been awarded a polar medal and an OBE. He has been an elite soldier, an athlete, a mountaineer, an explorer, a bestselling author and nearly replaced Sean Connery as James Bond.In his bestselling autobiography, Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know, he describes how he led expeditions all over the world and became the first person to travel to both Poles on land. He tells of how he discovered the lost city of Ubar in Oman and attempted to walk solo and unsupported to the North Pole - the expedition that cost him several fingers, and very nearly his life.And now the extraordinary life story of the world's greatest living explorer is re-published to celebrate his 75th birthday, with two new chapters to bring his story up to date - telling of more mountains climbed, including his ascent to the top of Mount Everest, and even more extraordinary and risky adventures.Trade ReviewRip-roaringly readable * Guardian *Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling * Time Out *It's exhausting just reading about his exploits, so it is a perfect bedtime book. It's delightful to plump up one's duck-down pillows while vicariously enduring Fiennes's successive plunges into the deadly waters of the Artcic, and his festering crotch-rot. * Helena Drysdale, New Statesman Books of the Year *It is lively and vivid, and often exciting as we anticipate each plunge into deadly Arctic waters. There are some wonderful throwaway lines . . . So, not an alien species after all but - as they say - a national treasure. * Spectator *enthralling * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe autobiography of Extreme Enduro motorcycling legend Graham JarvisTrade ReviewHas anyone considered the fact that Graham Jarvis might not actually be human? [He] is a glitch in the Matrix - a complete oddity who can do things on a motorbike that most people only dream about - Trials & Motocross

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Book Synopsis#1 SEATTLE TIMES BESTSELLER A playful and moving book of essays by a "born storyteller" (Seattle Times) who invites us into the miraculous and transcendent moments of the everydayTrade ReviewAstonishing... gorgeous... Doyle was a writer 'made of love and song and amusement.' Every living thing intrigued him and was worthy of his powerful capacity for study and his equally powerful capacity for celebration. - New York TimesBrian Doyle took on the everyday and he suffused it, every last drop of it, with a redefining soulfulness... This posthumous collection will leave you marveling and wiping away the occasional tear. Certainly you will spill ink on its pages---starring and underlining, sprinkling exclamations up and down the margins... Over and over, Doyle's musings are canticles of joy, punctuated with occasional double-shots of heartbreak and humility. It's the textured layering, the leap from shadow to light, that keeps the reader alert, and ever absorbing. Always, emphatically, there comes wisdom; it's a signature move, one you can count on. Have your pens aimed and ready. It's a gospel of the ordinary, the shoved-aside, the otherwise overlooked. And at the heart of it, that ineffable and necessary unction, a holiness you can all but hold in your palms - Chicago Tribune

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Book Synopsis*From the 'anti-guru' author of the smash hit The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k and the New York Times bestseller Get Your Sh*t Together *Being yourself should be the easiest thing in the world. Yet instead of leaning in to who we are, we fight it, listening too closely to what society tells us. You Do You helps you shake off those expectations, say f**k perfect, start looking out for number one and keep on with your badass self. From career and finances to relationships and family, lifestyle and health, Sarah Knight rips up the rulebook to help you achieve your hopes and dreams. Writing about her mistakes and embarrassments in her own personal quest to 'do me' - because nobody gets everything right all day, every day - Sarah Knight shows why you can and should f**k up and teaches you to let yourself off the hook, bounce back and keep standing tall.What everyone is saying about Sarah Knight:'The anti-guru' Observer'I love Knight' Sunday Times 'Life-affirming' Lucy Mangan, Guardian 'Genius' Vogue Trade ReviewFor practical and sweary self-help advice with no bloody lectures, Sarah Knight is the bollocks -- Brigid Moss * The Pool *I love Knight's book * Sunday Times Magazine on The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k *Life-affirming * Guardian on The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k *Absolutely blinding. Read it. Do it. * Daily Mail on The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k *Changed my life . . . I wasn't alone - the book became an international bestseller * Vogue on The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k *Absolutely blinding. Read it. Do it. -- Liz Jones * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisHomecoming, haunting, nostalgia, desire: these are some of the themes evoked by the beguiling motif of the lighted window in literature and art. In this innovative combination of place-writing, memoir and cultural study, Peter Davidson takes us on atmospheric walks through nocturnal cities in Britain, Europe and North America, and revisits the field paths of rural England. Surveying a wide range of material, the book extends, chronologically, from early romantic painting to contemporary fiction, and geographically, from the Low Countries to Japan. It features familiar lighted windows in English literature (in the works of poets such as Thomas Hardy and Matthew Arnold and in the novels of Virginia Woolf, Arthur Conan Doyle and Kenneth Grahame) and examines the painted nocturnes of James Whistler, John Atkinson Grimshaw and the ruralist Samuel Palmer. It also considers Japanese prints of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; German romanticism in painting, poetry and music; Proust and the painters of the French belle époque; René Magritte’s 'L’Empire des Lumières'; and North American painters such as Edward Hopper and Linden Frederick. By interpreting the interactions of art, literature and geography around this evocative motif, Peter Davidson shows how it has inspired an extraordinary variety of moods and ideas, from the romantic period to the present day.Trade Review'This is an art-history and English-literature lesson rolled into one, best enjoyed in the glow of your own bedside lamp, ideally with a storm raging outside.' * Country Life *'Davidson creates his own idiosyncratic, hybrid genre in which cultural history, nature writing and place writing are channelled through personal experience. … [he is] an excellent guide not just along pavements and footpaths but around paintings too, teasing out shades of meaning. ... Imagination and memory, the book suggests, create their own lighted windows in the darkest of journeys and have the power to change the world around us.' * TLS *'Erudite, companionable, and hypnotically satisfying.' * Financial Times *'While it's beautiful to peruse, this is no coffee-table book but a beguiling work of academia and an excellent festive offering for anyone who has walked past a lighted window on a dark evening and wondered about the goings-on inside.' * The Field *'There isn’t a Faber Book of Windows at Night, but Davidson is certainly the man for the job and The Lighted Window is a sort of memoir of the thought processes that would have produced one.' * The Literary Review *'A beautiful and timely book.' * Radio 4 Open Book *'A must-read if you've ever been captivated by a glimpse into another life on your evening stroll.' * OX Magazine *'Will evoke fond memories for any alumnus … the book will banish away winter nights while evoking the anticipation of spring and summer.' * QUAD Magazine *'A connoisseur of the crepuscular, the in-between zone dividing night and day, and all its electrifying implications. ... Winter cities, London nocturnes, northern townscapes … These generate aesthetically significant representations within the boundaries of Peter Davidson’s pungent and particular theme. He brings us some unexpected and enlightening assessments and observations, as his book proceeds on its scholarly and seductive way.' * Dublin Review of Books *'In this gorgeous book, Peter Davidson heads out into Oxford at nightfall, to consider cities in winter and rural summer twilights that embrace the warmth of the day. ... Enchanting.' * The Simple Things *Table of ContentsContents 1. Introduction 2. Winter Cities 3. London Nocturne 4. Windows in the Landscape 5. Northern Townscapes; Western Suburbs 6. Summer Night Illuminations Notes Further Reading Acknowledgments Picture Credits Index

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Book SynopsisThe first-ever, comprehensive and authorized showcase of legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie’s fabulous life and work, featuring hundreds of photos and dozens of never-before-seen sketches from his personal collection.Cher, Carol Burnett, Bette Midler, P!nk, Tina Turner, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, RuPaul, and Madonna...what do they all have in common? All have been dressed by Bob Mackie. For nearly six decades, the iconic and incomparable Bob Mackie has been designing stunning, unforgettable clothing. His unique, glamorous—sometimes hilarious—creations have appeared on Broadway stages, TV screens, runways, and red carpets worldwide. For his pioneering genius and continual reinvention, he is a Tony Award and nine-time Emmy Award winner, a three-time Oscar nominee, and recipient of the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. For the first time, he has granted full access to his archives and personal memories to the authors of this lavish celebration of his achievements. The Art of Bob Mackie is the first-ever comprehensive and fully authorized book showcasing Mackie’s work, from his early days as a sketch artist for the legendary Edith Head at Paramount to his current, cutting-edge costumes for pop stars and line of accessible, wearable clothing for QVC. In addition to hundreds of glorious photos and dozens of dishy recollections from Mackie and his many muses, this gorgeous volume features never-before-seen sketches from throughout his prolific career, from Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” gown to Carol Burnett’s “Went with the Wind” curtain-rod dress, to Cher’s show-stopping 1986 Oscar look. As other designers have burst onto the scene and faded out of fashion, Mackie has soared from success to success, always remaining relevant because he has always been spectacularly fashion-forward. With a foreword by Carol Burnett and an afterword by Cher, The Art of Bob Mackie is a stunning must-have for lovers of sequins, beads, and feathers; Broadway shows and classic television; pop music and pop culture; and fashion with incomparable flair.Trade Review“Exhibit[s] the brilliance that is Bob Mackie and his vast powers of imagination and creativity. . . this is a book that must become part of your library.” –NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS “The Art of Bob Mackie…is a celebration of the designer’s outrageous creativity. The compendium [is]…a 300-plus page testament to his singular talent.” –NEW YORK POST “Lavish.” –THE WALL STREET JOURNAL “Filled with Mackie’s original sketches and hundreds of photos that help tell the story of his sparkling career.” –ASSOCIATED PRESS “Lavishly illustrated. . . A must-have for the fan of glitz and glamour.” –THE BOSTON GLOBE "The Art of Bob Mackie is a colorful and informative must-have for lovers of sequins, beads, feathers, Broadway shows, classic television, pop culture and fashion with incomparable flair.” –DESERT SUN “The life and work of the legendary designer Bob Mackie is on resplendent display in this first-ever authorized collection. Part scrap book, part tribute (with contributions from Carol Burnett and Cher, no less), this comprehensive collection…might be the next best thing to owning one of his fantastical creations yourself.” –TOWN & COUNTRY “The Art of Bob Mackie by Frank Vlastnik and Laura Ross is an authorized trip down memory lane…Fans of “lewks,”divas and Hollywood gossip will have lots to enjoy.” –BOOKPAGE

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Book SynopsisNever less than compelling She consistently succeeds in bringing what might otherwise seem dusty and remote to vivid life' Tom Holland, Literary ReviewStarts with an erupting volcano and then gets more exciting Wonderfully rich, witty, insightful and wide-ranging' Sarah BakewellIn a dazzling, lively new literary biography, Daisy Dunn weaves together the lives of two Roman greats: Pliny the Elder, author of Natural History, and his nephew Pliny the Younger, who inherited his uncle's notebooks and intellectual legacy.Breathing vivid life back into the Plinys, Daisy Dunn charts the extraordinary lives of two outstanding minds and their lasting legacy on the world.A fascinating,compelling andexcellent biography' Simon Sebag MontefioreImmensely entertaining and readable Thoroughly recommended'Sunday TimesTrade Review‘A fascinating, compelling and excellent biography of the two great Plinys of Ancient Rome, as well as a celebration of nature, a study of literature and the human soul, and a lens into Roman society itself … This work of both scholarship and entertainment, arranged in Plinyesque seasons rather than strict chronology, is a delight that befits their high standards.’ Simon Sebag Montefiore ‘Starts with an erupting volcano – and then gets more exciting. A wonderfully rich, witty, insightful and wide-ranging portrait of the two Plinys … and their world.’ Sarah Bakewell 'Daisy Dunn’s book is an absolute delight. Meticulously researched and beautifully crafted, it shines a clear beam of light into the private lives of Pliny the Elder and Younger.' Giles Milton ‘Immensely entertaining and readable …. Dunn has given us a delightful new biography … Thoroughly recommended’ Sunday Times ‘Never less than compelling … Without ever veering into historical fiction, she consistently succeeds in bringing what might otherwise seem dusty and remote to vivid life … A portrait of the Roman Empire that gives the reader something of the shiver down the spine that Herculaneum can inspire’ Tom Holland, Literary Review ‘It is a story …retold with vivid flair…Dunn knits [the two Plinys’] lives together well and analyses the influence that they would have later on scholars from the Italian Renaissance to the English Romantic poets’ The Times ‘An enthralling and ambitious book … Dunn has a great eye for a story, and writes wonderfully’ The Daily Telegraph ‘If only Daisy Dunn’s book had been around back when I was an aspiring classicist … Dunn is a good writer, with some of the easy erudition of Mary Beard … Her translations of both Plinys are graceful and precise … Her enthusiasm, together with her eye for the odd, surprising detail, wins you over’ New York Times

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Book SynopsisLove affairs, grief, unhappiness, the mess at the bottom of your handbag. This is a book about the things we hide from other people, and how we might find new ways to think about love and intimacy in the twenty-first century.How do you learn to be a grown-up when you've never got over the death of a parent? What makes a happy family'? What happens if you can't stop thinking about an ex? And what does commitment really mean?In this genre-defying memoir, Sophie Ratcliffe travels through time, space and great literature to capture the complex and often messy nature of life, love and grief. Beautifully crafted, painfully funny and frank about things that most people keep to themselves, The Lost Properties of Love is a game-changing exploration of the human heart.Trade Review‘An ingeniously constructed tribute to messy relationships’ Prospect Magazine, Best Biographies and Memoirs of 2019 ‘Booksellers needn't fret about where to shelve this limpid, funny, haunting meditation on love, loss and parenting: just put it on your best tables and watch it fly’ Patrick Gale ‘Magnificent… The Lost Properties of Love is glorious on the journeys of life, love and loss, stirringly intimate, deeply painful, occasionally hilarious. It deserves to do brilliantly.’ Philippe Sands, author of East West Street ‘Deeply moving … Sophie Ratcliffe has rummaged in her heart and produced a memoir of books, trains, love and grief. If you have ever lost an umbrella, an earring or someone close to you, you have found your book.’ Andy Miller, author of The Year of Reading Dangerously ‘A mesmerising book about the messiness of life, love and marriage, and the pain of losing the one you love … raw, truthful, witty and occasionally sublime.’ Paula Byrne, bestselling author of The Real Jane Austen ‘Sophie Ratcliffe brings a breathtaking honesty and a cool precision to her imaginative meditation on the lessons of Anna Karenina – it is a true tour de force which is both moving and exhilarating to read.’ Rosamund Bartlett, author of Tolstoy: A Life and the translator of Anna Karenina ‘A lovely, intricate book and devastatingly honest. I think every truthful person will find themselves mirrored here.’ Craig Raine 'Wonderful and highly individual … The pages crackle with her cleverness and she has a genius for concision … Witty and original, but also human.' Spectator ‘A compelling and very honest book. At times it made me think of Tracey Emin’s bed! So many of the details and detritus of a life arranged in a work of art.’ Neil Tennant musician and co-founder of the Pet Shop Boys ‘An intricate, fiercely intelligent memoir.’ Observer

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Book SynopsisConor McGregor is the biggest star in the fight game. The Dubliner has achieved more in three years with the Ultimate Fighting Championship than anyone in the twenty year history of the organization. From an unknown prospect in 2013 to the first man to hold two world titles simultaneously, McGregor's knockout-filled march through the featherweight and then lightweight rankings sent shockwaves through the world. But as effortless as McGregor's heroics have seemed, his journey was far from smooth and his destiny anything but certain.Just another teenager trading martial arts techniques with his friends in a shed, the seemingly delusional boy packed in his plumbing gig - to the massive anxiety of his parents - to chase a pipe dream with little promise of reward. No one could have guessed he would go on to become the biggest pay-per-view attraction in the world. As a technician and tactician inside the cage, McGregor was something special. Outside of the cage McGregor could draw thousands of screaming fans to press events with his wit and presence. And away from the cameras, McGregor's life was built around a love of treating his friends and a loyalty to his teammates and his hometown.This is not another tale about an athlete who was born exceptional and groomed for success. It is about how one young man, through bloody-minded determination and indomitable spirit, came to change the whole game. Fully updated to put his mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather under the microscope, Notorious: The Life and Fights of Conor McGregor explores not just how the fight game changed Conor McGregor, but how Conor McGregor revolutionized the fight game.

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Book SynopsisFrom the thirty-two canvas Campbell's Soup Cans to the Marilyn Diptych, Andy Warhol's silk-screen prints are the epitome of Pop Art: witty, gimmicky and unafraid of repetition. Obsessed with consumerism and the cult of celebrity, Warhol exalted the "surface of things" – and yet he was a man of deep complexity. In Andy, Typex captures the remarkable life of the king of Pop Art, from his working-class upbringing in Pittsburgh to the dizzying heights of his celebrity. Spanning a period that began with the "talkies" and ended with the advent of house music, it is also a memorable portrait of 20th century pop culture and the stars who defined it: from Elvis to Greta Garbo, Truman Capote to Lou Reed. Taking in Warhol's early career as a commercial illustrator, his relationship with the Velvet Underground and the development of his own instantly recognisable style, Typex's Andy is an exhilarating portrait of a transcendent artist and a master self-publicist. Intensively researched, this 568-page graphic novel--with silver edgestain on the pages—is the first to tell the complete life story of the iconic pop artist.Trade Review“As an art object, it’s unlikely to be outdone by any new release any time soon.” -- Library Journal"the utterly irresistible Andy: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol by Typex (SelfMadeHero) will hit the mark with art fans, whether they love or loathe its subject." -- The Guardian, Best Books of 2018

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Book SynopsisOne of the most original and talented young writers we have.' Sathnam SangheraA must-read.' Elizabeth DayA beautiful, searingly personal account of a world defined by money, full of courage and truth telling.' Owen JonesAn extraordinarily candid personal account of the ups and downs wrought by money,We Need To Talk About Moneyis a vital exploration of stories and issues that will be familiar to most. This is a book about toxic workplaces and misogynist men, about getting payrises and getting evicted. About class and privilege and racism and beauty. About shame and pride, compulsion and fear.In unpicking the shroud of secrecy surrounding money who has it, how they got it, and how it shapes our lives this boldly honest account of one woman's journey upturns countless social conventions, and uncovers some startling truths about our complex relationships with money in the process.Trade Review Praise for We Need To Talk About Money: ‘A beautiful, searingly personal account of a world defined by money, full of courage and truth telling.’ Owen Jones ‘In this compelling book, Otegha confronts the British aversion to discussing money and in doing so reveals she is one of the most original and talented young writers we have.’ Sathnam Sanghera ‘A brilliant book that moved, amused, challenged and made me re-evaluate my own relationship with money. Otegha Uwagba writes with real intelligence and insight about the things many of us suspect but leave unsaid. A must-read.’ Elizabeth Day ‘This brilliant book has made me re-evaluate my money privileges, past and present. A must-read for anyone who thinks their money is just their monthly cash flow.’ Raven Smith ‘A riveting, confronting memoir – as beautifully written as it is provocative and thoughtful.’ Pandora Sykes ‘Refreshingly honest – Otegha captures the creeping realisation in your twenties that your feelings about what you earn defines so much, from self-image to who we date, who we are friends with to what we will – or won’t – put up with at the office.’ Laura Whateley ‘Personal but universal, Uwagba’s story of navigating university and the world of work while dealing with the pressures of class, lack of privilege and misogyny, is illuminating, eye-opening and reassuring.’ The Bookseller ‘Dosh, dough, bread, cash, pecunia – whatever you call it, there’s no excuse for not understanding it. We Need to Talk About Money, the new, must-read book by Otegha Uwagba.’ The Gentlewoman ‘A smart take on finance that delves deep into both the personal and the political. Uwagba does not shy away from the knottier topics – in fact, she asks us to lean in and think about how we might untangle them ourselves.’ Stylist ‘Highly original.’ The Times

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Book SynopsisFor thirty summers Tove and her partner, the graphic artist, Tuulikki Pietilä, retreated to the tiny island of Klovharun, a rocky outcrop in the gulf of Finland, where they would live, paint and write, energised by the shifting seascapes and the island''s austere charms. Notes from an Island, offers both a memoir of, and homage to, this beloved island home. Tove''s spare prose, and Tuulikki''s subtle washes and aquatints, combine to form a work of meditative beauty.This edition includes the first UK publication of Tove''s acclaimed 1961 essay/prose poem, The Island.

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Book SynopsisRichard Burton's life offers dazzling riches. He was one of the greatest Victorian explorers, an innovative translator and brilliant linguist, a prolific travel writer, a pioneer in the fields of anthropology and sexual psychology, a mesmeric lover, a spy and a publisher of erotica. Fawn Brodie has created a vivid portrait of this remarkable man, who emerges from the richly textured fabric of his time. His travels to Mecca and Medina dressed as a Muslim pilgrim, his witnessing of the human sacrifices at Dahomey and his unlikely but loving partnership with his pious Catholic bride are all treated with warmth, scholarship and understanding.Trade Review"No one could fail to write a good life of Burton, but Fawn Brodie has written a brilliant one" J. H. Plumb, New York Times

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'A beautiful book' - Jo Good, BBC Radio London'When Harry Met Minnie made me cry and made me dance with joy. It's an exquisite tale about heartbreak and healing, critters and humans, and the little miracles life hands us when we need them the most' - Jeannette Walls, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses'Teichner's main themes are sure to warm readers in this cold coronavirus winter: the steadfast devotion between dogs and their owners, and the essential role friendship plays in sustaining both humans and their beloved pets ... Teichner has learned that we all have the capacity to create and build new friendships and attachments at whatever age or stage of life. That such rewards are possible is the inspirational lesson for all the characters in - and readers of - this touching saga' - The Washington Post'When Harry Met Minnie is a tour-de-force of storytelling. Martha Teichner not only charts the course of two remarkable friendships, between two people and two dogs, she invites us to consider our own relationships. The stars that had to align to put someone special in our life. This is a love story, masterful, warm and funny, heartfelt and heartbreaking. I absolutely loved this book' - Louise Penny, New York Times bestselling author of All the Devils Are Here'When Harry Met Minnie is a story of laughter and tears, of friendship and dogs. It shows us the loyalty and resilience of Bull Terriers?and of two women who love them. A book of generosity and hope for an era badly in need of both' - Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of GOOD BOY: My Life in Seven Dogs'When Harry Met Minnie belongs on the shelf next to Travels with Charley and Marley and Me. But the unforgettable dogs we meet in these pages don't just help the people in their lives, they save each other. Martha Teichner has written an extraordinary story filled with love and humor about the transformative power of friendship, among dogs and people, in the thick of life and at its end. I fell in love with Harry, Minnie, their humans, and this marvel of a book' - Will Schwalbe, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Your Life Book Club and Books for Living'I decided to write this book, because I didn't want to stop living the story of what happened when Harry met Minnie. I didn't want to forget any of it, even the sad parts. This story of unexpected friendship, of love, was a wonderful gift, and in the end, it made me and Minnie happy' - Martha TeichnerThere are true fairy tales. Stories that exist because impossible-to-explain coincidences change everything. Except in real life, not all of them have conventional, happily-ever-after endings...Carol, who is dying of cancer caused by the toxic pollution in New York in the aftermath of 9/11, needs someone to take care of Harry, who is a 'great listener but does have a problem with large dogs. He is great with smaller dogs. If he sees a hose he will destroy it to protect you. He will figure out ways to let you know exactly how he feels'. When Martha has a chance encounter with Carol's friend, he can't help but notice Minnie, 'oh those chunky little legs', and so the matchmaking begins. After a disastrous first meeting, when Minnie doesn't appear to think much of Harry (who is super keen), things improve and soon they are inseparable. As Carol's illness progresses, so a new friendship and community blossoms, Carol's Club.The bonds that grew changed Martha's life, Carol's life, Minnie's life and Harry's life. And they changed Carol's death as well.In this rich and touching narrative, Martha considers the ways our stories are shaped by the people we meet, and the profound love we can find by opening our hearts to unexpected encounters.

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Book SynopsisAn engaging, accessible introduction into how numbers work and why we shouldn't be afraid of them, frommaths expertRachel Riley.Do you know your fractions from your percentages? Your adjacent to your hypotenuse? And who really knows how to do long division, anyway?Puzzled already? Don't blame youBut fret not! You won't be At Sixes and Sevens for long. In this brilliant, well-rounded guide, Countdown''s Rachel Riley will take you back to the very basics, allow you to revisit what you learnt at school (and may have promptly forgotten, *ahem*), build your understanding of maths from the get-go and provide you with the essential toolkit to gain confidence in your numerical abilities.Discover how to divide and conquer, make your decimal debut, become a pythagoras professional and so much more with these easy-to-learn tips and tricks. Packed full of working examples, fool-proof methods, quirky trivia and brainteasers to try from puzzle-pro Dr Gareth Moore, this book is an absolute must-read for anyone and everyone who ever thought maths was above' them. Because the truth is: you can do it. What's more, it can be pretty fun too!

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Book SynopsisEdited by Darren Ambrose and with a foreword by Simon Reynolds, this comprehensive collection brings together the work of acclaimed blogger, writer, political activist and lecturer Mark Fisher (aka k-punk). Covering the period 2004 - 2016, the collection will include some of the best writings from his seminal blog k-punk; a selection of his brilliantly insightful film, television and music reviews; his key writings on politics, activism, precarity, hauntology, mental health and popular modernism for numerous websites and magazines; his final unfinished introduction to his planned work on "Acid Communism"; and a number of important interviews from the last decade.Trade Review“Mark Fisher’s k-punk blogs were required reading for a generation” - The Guardian“An essential guide to inventing a new world that makes sense for everyone” - Holly Herndon“Fisher is the most trusted navigator of these times out of joint.”- David Peace“A thrillingly creative critic.” - Sight & Sound"A more interesting British writer has not appeared in this century." — Irish Times"A primer in how to write cultural criticism in the 21st century." - LA Review of Books

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Book SynopsisA delicious collection of horror stories with a foodie twist in a brand new series from Berger Books and internationally acclaimed chef Anthony Bourdain.A delicious collection of horror stories with a foodie twist in a brand new series from Berger Books.

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Book Synopsis_______________''One of the most inventive, original and disturbing writers of her generation'' - Daily Telegraph''Diski does not do linear, or normal, or boring In Gratitude amounts to the inner monologue of a highly intelligent, furiously funny, traumatised woman'' - Helen Davies, Sunday Times''She deserves our unfeigned admiration, not for her bravery or her struggle, or any irrelevant tosh like that, but for writing so well'' - Guardian_______________In August 2014, Jenny Diski was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and given two or three years' to live. Being a writer, she decided to write about her experience and to tell a story she had not yet told: that of being taken in, aged fifteen, by the author Doris Lessing, and the subsequent fifty years of their complex relationship. Splicing childhood memories with present-day realities, Diski paints an unflinching portrait of two extraordinary writers Lessing Trade ReviewJenny’s pain and fury are still hot in this fascinating but uncomfortable read … Clear-sighted, defiant and written with Diski’s customary furious elegance, it is a remarkable last word from a writer who survived to live and love, almost despite herself * Jane Shilling, Daily Mail *Nothing about Jenny Diski is conventional. Diski does not do linear, or normal, or boring … In Gratitude amounts to the inner monologue of a highly intelligent, furiously funny, traumatised woman, “trembling at the prospect of extinction” … She cannot be subsumed into the wider narrative or by Lessing. In Gratitude assures Diski the last word * Helen Davies, Sunday Times *One of the most inventive, original and disturbing writers of her generation * Daily Telegraph *Remarkable … Honest and spirited … As the scenes of her traumatic and chaotic childhood pass she reminds us, sentence by sentence, not only that she emerged to become every bit the writer she always dreamed of being, but also that, despite everything, along the way she learned a great deal about love * Tim Adams, Observer *A different kind of cancer memoir, and an almost entirely platitude-free one … plain-spoken, harrowing and invariably moving … The details are incisive, and she stacks them carefully … There’s a raw, almost feral quality to Ms. Diski’s writing about cowering in Lessing’s long shadow. It’s a trait she brought to so much of her writing. It’s just like her to leave us a title, In Gratitude, that slowly sheds its softness and sends up a mischievous flare * Dwight Garner, New York Times *As a study of influence and the monstrous egos of writers, In Gratitude is up there with Thomas de Quincey’s account of Wordsworth and Paul Theroux’s tale of befriending V S Naipaul … But Diski has always been a badass … The tone of In Gratitude is, accordingly, cocky and belligerent … It is the combination of entitlement and indifference to opinion that gives Diski’s voice its serrated edge and makes her such a savagely good recorder of herself. Read me if you like, she implies in In Gratitude, but you don’t have to like what you read * Frances Wilson, Daily Telegraph *Diski’s line is simple: ‘I want to die easily.’ This deeply human wish bears no resemblance to the rich messiness of Diski’s life, nor the challenging delight of her writing * Kate Wormersley, Spectator *My favourite reading this year -- Blake MorrisonShe deserves our unfeigned admiration, not for her bravery or her struggle, or any irrelevant tosh like that, but for writing so well * Guardian *A marvel of steady and dispassionate self-revelation ... Bracingly devoid of sententiousness, sentimentality or any kind of spiritual urge or twitch * New York Times *A suberb, original and unsentimental writer * Guardian Summer Reading *In Gratitude reminds us what pleasure, what company and nourishment there is in just thinking, especially if you do it well, as she does here -- Anne Enright * Irish Times *

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