Collected biographies Books

Book Synopsis'Fascinating and richly documented . . . Few books manage to be so informative and so entertaining.' – Sunday TimesSantiniketan-Sriniketan in India, Dartington Hall in England, Atarashiki Mura in Japan, the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man in France, the Bruderhof in Germany and Trabuco College in America: six experimental communities established in the aftermath of the First World War, each aiming to change the world.Anna Neima's The Utopians is an absorbing and vivid account of these collectives and their charismatic leaders and reveals them to be full of eccentric characters, outlandish lifestyles and unchecked idealism.Dismissed and even mocked in their time, yet, a century later, their influence still resonates in progressive education, environmentalism, medical research and mindfulness training. Without such inspirational experiments in how to live, post-war society would have been a poorer place.'Thanks to Neima’s rigorous research, each chapter offers something new.' – Spectator'Neima ranges with impressive confidence across the world'. – Literary ReviewTrade ReviewFascinating and richly documented . . . This is Neima’s first book, and should not be her last. She writes with a novelist’s eye for detail and clearly revels in the eccentrics she has to chronicle — Gurdjieff selling sparrows painted yellow, for example, to fund his trek from Russia to France. Few books manage to be so informative and so entertaining. -- John Carey * Sunday Times *[Neima] offers an original perspective on the entire period and a new way of navigating its artistic and ideological upheaval . . . Fascinating . . . by showing how a global crisis can lead people to question tradition and reshape society, the subject remains important to this day. -- Guy Stagg * Spectator *[Neima] ranges with impressive confidence across the world . . . pleasingly non-judgemental and avoids laborious analysis. Reading this book is perhaps the most delightful way to indulge in elite communism in the 21st century, other than being recruited to a Californian tech start-up. -- Marc Mullholland * Literary Review *Neima’s brisk storytelling and eye for the illustrative quote and telling anecdote conveys the thrilling and sometimes scandalous strangeness of these experiments . . . highly readable -- Mary Harrington * The Critic *Meticulously researched . . . an engaging and immersive blend of macro- and micro-histories. The fascinating protagonists of each story are expertly situated within wider socio-economic history, with parallels usefully drawn between each community. -- Zoe Apostolides * Prospect *Neima’s diligent account focuses on six interwar endeavours, in Japan, India, America, Germany, England and France, each established by a charismatic leader, each with a goal of creating a more democratic, just and peaceful society. -- Olivia Laing * TLS *Neima’s writing is absolutely, faultlessly superb. It was a pleasure to read every page and an example of how non-fiction can be capable of blending intense research with first-class prose plus a large dash of entertainment. Highly recommended. * BookMunch *Anna Neima has picked a valuable and illuminating focus for her first book . . . Engagingly written with colour, warmth and unobtrusive erudition, The Utopians looks back to find some sturdy roots of hope. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Arts Desk *In the midst of crisis it’s inspiring to read about men and women who dedicated themselves to creating new worlds. Neima’s book, impeccably researched and beautifully written, will be an inspiration for anyone looking to an alternative future today. -- Stella Tillyard, author of Aristocrats and The Great LevelCan we ever transform ourselves and our divided societies? Deeply interesting and a pleasure to read, The Utopians illuminates the history of “social dreaming” at a time when it has never been more needed. This is a lovely book. -- Alison Light, author of A Radical Romance, Common People and Mrs. Woolf and the ServantsNeima is a historian of rare and wonderful powers. She writes with utter lucidity, bringing great swathes of thinking into focus, uncovering deep connections between experimental communities across the world. Considering her chosen utopians with a precious mix of shrewd realism and questing open-mindedness, she honours both practicalities and dreams. I finished this book newly persuaded of what the interwar years can teach us about the future. I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know, and looking to Neima as an inspiring new voice in non-fiction. -- Alexandra Harris, acclaimed author of Weatherland and Romantic ModernsBy highlighting the wide-spread, magnetic attraction of ramshackle and often spartan utopias, Neima's meticulously researched and measured study underscores the collective trauma of the First World War, and people's fervent attempts never to see those horrors repeated. -- Susan Gray * Church Times *A book that carefully recuperates the wild desires of a diverse group of dreamers who founded new societies between the 1920s and the 1940s . . . One of the great joys of the book is the kookiness of the projects [Neima] highlights. -- Joe P. L. Davidson * Tribune *

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Book SynopsisIn The Kinfolk Entrepreneur, author Nathan Williams introduces readers to 40 creative business owners around the globe, offering an inspiring, in-depth look behind the scenes of their lives and their companies. Pairing insightful interviews with striking images of these men and women and their workspaces, The Kinfolk Entrepreneur makes business personal. The book profiles both budding and experienced entrepreneurs across a broad range of industries (from fashion designers to hoteliers) in cities across the globe (from Copenhagen to Dubai). Readers will learn how today's industry leaders handle both their successes and failures, achieve work-life balance, find motivation in the face of adversity, and so much more. (The book jacket was updated in May 2022; some customers may receive an earlier version of the jacket.)Trade Review"Scandinavia has long been heralded as a source for inspiration, cutting-edge ideas, and design. Williams, editor in chief of the Copenhagen-based quarterly Kinfolk magazine and author of The Kinfolk Home (2015) and The Kinfolk Table (2013), offers material from these three fronts, and more. An eclectic global selection of entrepreneurs-varied by career, perspective, and background-greets readers through strong narratives and exquisite photographs, explaining their working passions and why they do what they do. A Swedish former-athlete-turned-perfumer, a chocolatier, and the creators of a novel concept in residential brokerage sales are among those 40 entrepreneurs singled out for vision, partnership, and community-building proficiencies. Next up are 7 tips that will be helpful to all business founders, from proper hiring to risk management; a selection of recommended supplies (books, desk essentials, and snack foods, all photographed in the iconic Kinfolk style); and one item of advice each from 10 different company owners." -Booklist, starred review

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring story of five women who set out to explore the furthest reaches of the globe and redefine scholarship At the dawn of the twentieth century, Katherine Routledge, Maria Czaplicka, Winifred Blackman, Beatrice Blackwood and Barbara Freire-Marreco set out to explore the furthest reaches of the globe. Resisting pernicious sexism and misogyny, they were among the first women to study at university and went on to chart now-vanished worlds, seeking new freedoms in in the wastelands of Siberia, the uncharted interior of New Guinea, on Easter Island, and in the villages of the Nile. Yet upon their return to England, they found only loss, madness and regret waiting for them. An extraordinary insight into women's suffrage at the turn of the century and a revelatory study of Britain's colonial legacy, Undreamed Shores is an extraordinary portrait of a pioneering quintet whose struggles helped usher in a brighter dawn.Trade ReviewA deeply poignant account of five women who defied convention to pioneer female scholarship at immense personal cost. If you want to understand why there is so little historical evidence of women's intellectual achievement, read this. A devastating indictment of prejudice and how it held women back -- Madeleine BuntingLarson's close and sensitive attention... gives this book, superbly researched and winningly written, its compassionate authority as well as its storytelling zest -- Boyd Tonkin * The Arts Desk *A vivid and moving history, sensitively told and rigorously researched. -- Sarah MossEngrossing, humbling and immensely enjoyable. These five courageous pioneers not only braved extreme conditions and heart-stopping dangers in remote lands, but also the prejudice and hostility of a male-dominated world. Their extraordinary lives are uplifting and tragic in equal measure, and Larson unfolds their story with her customary blend of scholarly insight and page-turning verve -- Wendy MooreAn absorbing biography of five extraordinary people - the hidden heroines of anthropology - which raises some intriguing questions about their era, and ours -- Jane Robinson, author of Ladies Can't Climb LaddersAbsorbing... With this tender and luminously written work, Larson has convincingly vindicated [the women's] careers * Rana Mitter, Literary Review *Larson's subjects aren't as well-known as they deserve to be... The expansiveness and meticulousness of Larson's research deserves applause * Lucy Scholes, Daily Telegraph *An extraordinarily well-crafted, many-layered and captivating book, in which the author makes the amount of research that underlies its chapters seem effortless -- Felix Haas * World Literature Today *Enthralling... the first generation of professional female anthropologists faced far more prejudice back home than they ever did out in the field -- Kathryn Hughes * Guardian *Undreamed Shores is a compelling group biography... This is a beautifully written and convincing book that is deeply sympathetic to the difficulties encountered by this first generation of British women anthropologists. It reveals much about how their work at the time was compromised by the myriad ways in which they, and the people they studied, depended on the colonial infrastructure * TLS *

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Book SynopsisDid you know that Beethoven made every cup of coffee with exactly 60 beans?Or that Shirley Temple always had precisely 56 curls in her hair?Or that the young Frank Sinatra practised underwater swimming as a way of developing his ability to hold long breaths?In Secrets of Success, Charlie Croker brings his proven blend of gripping trivia and incisive humour to the question of how famous high achievers reached those heights. We’ll see Chopin sleeping with wedges between his fingers to increase their span, learn how P.G. Wodehouse reminded himself which pages of a manuscript still needed work, and find out why Thomas Edison chose his research assistants on the basis of their soup-eating habits.This revealing and entertaining book provides countless glimpses into the methods – and sometimes madness – of the world’s most famous figures. From ancient Egypt to the modern day, you’re about to learn the secrets of their success . . .

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Book SynopsisAn incisive and deeply candid account that explores autistic women in culture, myth, and society through the prism of the author’s own diagnosis. Until the 1980s, autism was regarded as a condition found mostly in boys. Even in our time, autistic girls and women have largely remained undiagnosed. When portrayed in popular culture, women on the spectrum often appear simply as copies of their male counterparts — talented and socially awkward. Yet autistic women exist, and always have. They are varied in their interests and in their experiences. Autism may be relatively new as a term and a diagnosis, but not as a way of being and functioning in the world. It has always been part of the human condition. So who are these women, and what does it mean to see the world through their eyes? In The Autists, Clara Törnvall reclaims the language to describe autism and explores the autistic experience in arts and culture throughout history. From popular culture, films, and photography to literature, opera, and ballet, she dares to ask what it might mean to re-read these works through an autistic lens — what we might discover if we allow perspectives beyond the neurotypical to take centre stage.Trade Review‘Törnvall has written an important, illuminating first book, one that deserves to sit alongside the best insider accounts of autism … [The Autists] should be required reading for all parents, partners, friends and colleagues of anyone on the autism spectrum, as well as a road map for autistic women navigating the neurotypical world.’ -- James Cook * Times Literary Supplement *‘Personal, entertaining, educational.’ * M Magasin *‘She writes with clarity, the style is characterised with rigour and clear pedagogics, making it easy for the reader to learn a subject that for many has only had a stereotypical “Rain Man”-connotations.’ * Svenska Dagbladet *‘Even if you ought to avoid hyping the autistic as superheroes, Törnvall shows that conformity to the norm is a ludicrous waste of the power in these beautiful brains.’ * Dagens Nyheter *‘[E]ven today, the adult autistic woman is a person who is difficult to grasp. She’s our civilisations’ elusive shadow. She’s the topic of of the thought-provoking book, The Autists.’ * Expressen *‘A carefully and intelligently composed book that fills a gaping hole … It is part of a big knowledge building that is ultimately about getting girls and women on the spectrum made visible and noticed.’ * Dagens ETC *‘The Autists is a medical, cultural, psychological history of autism research, diagnosis, and representation. It is framed as a memoir, but goes far beyond that … This will be an eye-opening and useful book for people with preconceptions about autism and autists … This is an excellent book to help you understand how autism works, full of clear and entertaining examples and anecdotes, beautifully written and translated (by Alice E. Olsson) so that it reads smoothly and swiftly. Whether you are neurodivergent, know someone who is, or are simply interested in seeing the world as it really is, there is a lot to be learned from this short entertaining book.’ -- Henry Oliver * The Common Reader *‘Journalist Törnvall seeks comfort in the stories of other autistic women throughout history in her illuminating debut … An insightful and involving narrator, Törnvall movingly explores how women with so-called “high-functioning autism” persisted in harnessing their abilities whether or not they lived in a time that recognised their neurotype. This winning combination of memoir and cultural history stimulates and entertains in equal measure.’ -- Publishers Weekly, starred review‘Törnvall was diagnosed as autistic at the age of forty-two, and The Autists takes her own experience as a lens through which to explore the phenomena and experiences of autistic women more generally. Its research is wide-ranging … I was particularly delighted by Törnvall’s chapter on language, “Too Much Faith in Words”’ -- Caitlin McGregor * Sydney Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisFrom the playgrounds of Glasgow to the villages of Bangladesh; from religious rites to ancient superstitions; from the world's richest people to its powerless and enslaved, Lorna Gibb's masterful Childless Voices paints a global portrait of people without children. Brilliantly grouped by thematic commonality (Those who long, Those who were denied, Those who Choose, etc) the book is a testament to the power of listening, and the power of sharing stories. It is an essential, moving and surprising book on a subject which touches everyone.

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Book SynopsisSet amid the glamour and bravado of 1980s Formula 1, The Power and the Glory tells the story of a rivalry unsurpassed in motor-racing history. By the mid-80s Alain Prost had firmly established himself as leader of the F1 pack. Winning Grands Prix almost at will, the French ace radiated invincibility. But then came the emergence of Ayrton Senna, sparking a decade-long battle for supremacy out on the track. Although chalk and cheese in terms of character and background, the two men were driven by the same burning desire: to become Formula 1's heavyweight champion of the world, its undisputed king. Senna and Prost would both go on to win multiple world championships in what was a golden era for F1 racing. Their Suzuka showdowns of 1988-90 attracted record worldwide audiences and popularised the sport as never before. An intimate portrait of two unique competitors, The Power and the Glory is a supercharged story of acrimony and sheer ambition.

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Book SynopsisIn this astonishing new history of wartime Britain, historian Stephen Bourne unearths the fascinating stories of the gay men who served in the armed forces and at home, and brings to light the great unheralded contribution they made to the war effort. Fighting Proud weaves together the remarkable lives of these men, from RAF hero Ian Gleed - a Flying Ace twice honoured for bravery by King George VI - to the infantry officers serving in the trenches on the Western Front in WWI - many of whom led the charges into machine-gun fire only to find themselves court-martialled after the war for indecent behaviour. Behind the lines, Alan Turing''s work on breaking the `enigma machine'' and subsequent persecution contrasts with the many stories of love and courage in Blitzed-out London, with new wartime diaries and letters unearthed for the first time. Bourne tells the bitterly sad story of Ivor Novello, who wrote the WWI anthem `Keep the Home Fires Burning'', and the crucial work of Noel Coward

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Book Synopsis''I came away from this book enraged, enlightened and with a sense of urgency to do something'' Annie Mac''Lays down a transformative path to peace'' David Lammy MP''Compelling'' The Sunday Times; ''Assured'' Observer; ''Brilliantly written'' Nikesh Shukla_________________________Demetri wants to study criminology at university to understand why people around him carry knives.Jhemar is determined to advocate for his community following the murder of a loved one.Carl''s exclusion leaves him vulnerable to the sinister school-to-prison pipeline, but he is resolute to defy expectations.Tony, the tireless manager of a community centre, is fighting not only for the lives of local young people, but to keep the centre''s doors open.Drawing on the latest research and interviews with experts, this refreshingly nuanced and beautifully written book inteTrade ReviewA very inspiring and important piece of work and I'd encourage people to buy it, to read it and to act on it -- Ed MilibandCiaran is the rarest thing: a writer of heart and clarity, who has spent thousands of hours absorbing the rules, codes and heartbreaks of life in some of London's most vulnerable communities . . . I read everything that Ciaran writes because it feels necessary to understand the city that I live in -- Sam Knight, New Yorker staff writerHonest, authentic and raw, this book confronts our deepest assumptions about violence, and lays down a transformative path to peace -- David Lammy MP, author of TribesPays poignant tribute to the victims of youth violence who so often become statistics . . . A compelling read that covers a difficult subject with nuance and authority . . . more urgent than ever -- Shanti Das * The Sunday Times *Cut Short is an assured debut that leaves you in no doubt of Thapar's talents as a writer. His depictions of the characters he gets to know during his years as a youth worker are full of respect, even love . . . These character studies are complemented by an analytical rigour that means Thapar's powerful narrative kicks against the state - against the austerity and demonisation that keep so many young black men trapped in cycles of poverty and marginalisation while a discourse of knife crime draws attention away from its root causes -- Ashish Ghadiali * Observer *Makes you stop and think -- Nick Robinson, BBC R4’s Today programmeAn incredibly important look at the plight of Britain's youth, delivered with clarity, honesty and an open heart -- Nikesh Shukla, editor of The Good ImmigrantCiaran's work is informed by lived experience at the frontline of social change. It takes a sensitive and respectful look at the truths less often told -- George the PoetA devastating and beautifully drawn tribute to the young boys that the media turns into statistics of knife crime. In telling their stories, Ciaran Thapar brings to the page their dreams, their imaginations and their hearts -- Candice Carty-Williams, author of QueenieA powerful account of teenage lives blighted by violence -- Robert Wright * Financial Times *Angry, impassioned, informed, accurate - the story behind the cutting short of public health and young lives -- Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1%Gripping and dramatic yet also poignant and reflective, Cut Short is essential for our times -- Dan Hancox, author of Inner City PressureNo bullshit, no filter, just facts from the trenches of the most neglected in society, and the power of music, mentorship and education to change lives. Everyone must read this -- Toddla T, DJLooks at the knife crime phenomenon from street level, rather than top down . . . Given the subject matter, the book is surprisingly hopeful -- Max Daly * UnHerd *In a potent mix of personal anecdote, social history and politics, he interweaves the stories of people caught up in the violence, to show how society is fracturing along lines of race, class and postcodes. The result is a trenchant, page-turning and sometimes challenging reading, but also a blueprint for positive change -- Caroline Sanderson * Bookseller, Editor's Choice *A crucial contribution and a compelling read. Thapar combines captivating narratives with a sophisticated understanding of the policy landscape - a must-read book for anyone interested in, or working to improve, the safety and well-being of children and young people -- Keir Irwin-Rogers, Lecturer in Criminology, The Open University; lead criminologist to the Youth Violence CommissionCut Short is at once a compelling memoir, a biting critique of Britain's hideous inequality, and a beautiful tribute to the remarkable strength and spark of London's youth - and those who work with them. Weaving together reflective autobiography, expert interviews and the stories of young people he works with, Ciaran Thapar paints a portrait of London's greatest assets and deepest injustices. Everyone - from teenagers to government ministers - can learn a lot about contemporary Britain from Cut Short -- Luke Billingham, youth & community worker, co-author of the Youth Violence Commission Final ReportBig up Ciaran x10 on the new book. Ciaran was basically there from where we really started to take off and it's good to see him doing big things and always tryna encourage and give back to the youth 'cause they need that -- Skengdo, rapperShout out Ciaran on the new book, everyone go cop that and take in the gems - real life issues being addressed. It's important to know that even though the book's called Cut Short your life don't have to be cut short, as long as you're breathing you got opportunities if you just focus and stay consistent -- AM, rapperThis book strongly gives a voice to the voiceless . . . essential reading -- Kenny Allstar, DJTakes us to the heart of London's street culture . . . more necessary than ever -- Alistair Fraser * TLS *

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Book SynopsisCollected journalism from the number-one bestselling author of FIRE AND FURYTrade ReviewJust as startling - and dismaying about Anglo-American politics and power [as Fire and Fury]... Wolff is brilliant at getting up close and personal with our New Elite, and it can be pretty ugly * Irish Daily Mail *Michael Wolff's devilish examination of modern celebrity, from Jeffrey Epstein to Steve Bannon, delights in the amoral audacity of its protagonists -- Peter Conrad * Observer *

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Book SynopsisThe Lives of the SurrealistsUnlike the impressionists or the cubists, the surrealists did not obey a fixed visual code, but rather the rules of surrealist philosophy: work from the unconscious, letting your darkest, most irrational thoughts well up and shape your art. An artist himself, and contemporary of the later surrealists, Morris illuminates the considerable variation in each artist?s approach to this technique. While some were out-and-out surrealists in all they did, others lived more orthodox lives and only became surrealists at the easel or in the studio.Focusing on the thirty-two artists most closely associated with the surrealist movement, Morris lends context to their life histories with narratives of their idiosyncrasies and their often complex love lives, alongside photos of the artists and their work.Trade Review'A delight ... Morris writes with a pleasingly conversational tone and a dry humour and affection that undercuts the more preposterous behaviour described here … Juicy little nuggets litter the book' - The Times'Gossipy, waspish, biased, score-settling and very entertaining' - Literary Review'Uproariously funny … [Morris’s] anecdotes are all told with a dry but good-natured humour … these figures make for highly entertaining company' - The Spectator'An exceptionally lively, crisply written, independent-minded survey of one of the most bizarre groups of misfits who ever lived' - Mail on Sunday'A carnival of wackiness' - Big Issue'A compelling compendium of all the major players … page-turning … The book strikes the right balance between recognizing the artistic achievements of the milieu, as well as their colourful personal lives' - ArtnetTable of ContentsForeword Introduction Eileen Agar Jean (Hans) Arp Francis Bacon Hans Bellmer Victor Brauner André Breton Alexander Calder Leonora Carrington Giorgio de Chirico Salvador Dalí Paul Delvaux Marcel Duchamp Max Ernst Leonor Fini Wilhelm Freddie Alberto Giacometti Arshile Gorky Wifredo Lam Conroy Maddox René Magritte André Masson Roberto Matta Edouard Mesens Joan Miró Meret Oppenheim Wolfgang Paalen Roland Penrose Pablo Picasso Man Ray Yves Tanguy Dorothea Tanning Major Surrealist Group Exhibitions

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Book SynopsisMany remarkable women have been born in, or have strong connections with Yorkshire. In Issy Shannon''s new book we hear about the most infamous - including witches, thieves, fraudsters and murders. Among many other are the calculating Queen Cartimandua, ruler of the Brigantes and arguably more powerful than her contemporary Boudicca, Mary Bateman, the Yorkshire witch, whose skin was flayed off, cut up and sold as good luck charms after her execution, mary Newall of the Cragg Vale Coiners Gang, who roasted alive an informant, and Elizabeth Broadingham, who was burned at the stake for murdering her husband in 1776. Issy Shannon is a natural storyteller, and her lively text is fully illustrated with a wide range of photographs and engravings - illustrating the criminals and their crimes, and the towns and villages of Yorkshire in days gone by.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BRITISH SPORT BOOK AWARDS - RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR This is the story of 15 men killed in the Great War. The Final Whistle plays tribute to the pivotal role rugby played in the Great War by following the poignant stories of fifteen men who played for Rosslyn Park, London.Trade Review'A fresh and fascinating take on the impact of the Great War with a novel and moving focus.' -- Ian Hislop'Stephen Cooper has written a haunting and beautiful book, [he] tells the story of men from one rugby club but it is a universal narrative of heroism and loss. He writes superbly and has produced a book of commendable scholarship. I cannot recommend it enough.' -- Fergal Keane'a deeply moving book about the loss of fifteen members of Rosslyn Park Rugby Club during the Great War. A War that scarred Britain and took so many fine men, who had they lived would have enriched this country. The lives of these young men, all so promising, are poignantly and vividly recalled.' -- Max Arthur

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Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - The fateful Tudor triangle: a reigning queen, an exiled queen, and the countess who was obliged to be her jailer. And Bess of Hardwick had a close relationship with two more queens!

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Book Synopsis'Crisp and witty' Charles Moore, Spectator'A brilliant survey of the occupants of the Oval Office' Daniel Johnson, Article'Witty and succinct with splendid caricatures' Tibor Fischer, CriticA spirited and entertaining aide-memoire offering 44 short, fascinating accounts of each president, from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama and Donald Trump, bringing the United States' political history to life as never before.Who can name the eight presidents before Lincoln, or the eight presidents after him? Historians tend to shed light on just a handful of leaders: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and perhaps half a dozen others within living memory, leaving at least 30 holders of office if not in total darkness, then at least in deep shadow. Helping to bring these forgotten figures into the light, Andrew Gimson's illuminating accounts are accompanied by sketches from Guardian sartirical cartoonist, Martin Rowson, making this the perfect gift for all lovers of history and politics - the experienced and the novice, the serious and the silly.The Sunday Times bestselling Gimson's Prime Ministers and Gimson's Kings & Queens are also available.Trade ReviewThis is history at its liveliest and most enjoyable. Most presidential biographies are abominably long-winded and reverential. With miniaturist wit and precision, Gimson manages to compress all the salient facts about each president into five or six pages, while offering beautifully crafted insights into their characters and temperaments ... There is something fascinating or funny on every page -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *Witty and succinct with splendid caricatures * Tibor Fischer *Brilliant -- Matt ChorleyTerrific -- John RentoulAndrew Gimson’s hugely enjoyable collection of biographies of the 44 US Presidents (not 45, I have learned) is rendered all the more fun, as his books ever are, by Martin Rowson’s cartoons. * Tom Holland *

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Book SynopsisVictoria Woodhull, Mary Wollstonecraft, Aimee Semple McPherson, Edwina Mountbatten, Margaret Argyll and Chanel were all women who dared. They had no time for what society said they could and couldn’t do and would see the world bend before they did. In 1872 a mesmerising psychic named Victoria Woodhull shattered tradition by running for the White House. Had she won the ensuing spectacle would surely have rivalled that of our own era. Abhorring such flamboyance, Mary Wollstonecraft inspired a revolution of thought with her pen as she issued women’s first manifesto – still to be fulfilled. From Aimee Semple McPherson, the first female preacher in America, to Coco Chanel, designer of an empire, these women became the change they wanted to see in society. In Women Who Dared, Jeremy Scott pays tribute to them all with wit, verve and reverence.Trade Review‘With an adman’s flair for what’s bold and flashy [Scott] speeds the reader through the lives of his extraordinary subjects.’ * Sunday Times *‘There are some great stories along the way, and Scott tells them with verve.’ * New York Times *‘Hugely enjoyable and a sparkling addition to the genre.’ -- Katie Hickman, author of Daughters of Britannia and Courtesans‘Simultaneously an exuberant celebration of lives lived at full throttle, and a collection of cautionary tales… an engaging and often witty celebration of rugged individualism and outright eccentricity.’ -- Siân Evans, author of Queen Bees‘Bold, raunchy, and colorful, Scott’s book reveals what the history books leave out, including intimate details of the hidden and public scandals that marked the lives of these outspoken women, and honors them for their courage, determination, and commitment to change.’ * Foreword Reviews *‘He writes with verve…his fascination with his subjects is infectious.’ * Kirkus *‘Jeremy Scott, a man who clearly loves women, is awed by the exploits of these outrageous rule breakers. Me too. It’s a great read.’ -- Marcelle d’Argy Smith

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Book SynopsisIn Letters of Note: Love, Shaun Usher gathers together some of the most powerful messages about love ever composed, whether inspired by love's first blush or the recriminations at its ending, the regrets of unrequited feelings and the joys of passions known.Includes letters by:Simone de Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo Georgia O'Keeffe, Zora Neale Hurston Evelyn Waugh, Vita Sackville-West Nelson Mandela, John Steinbeck & many moreTrade ReviewPraise for Letters of Note: Quite literally the most enjoyable volume it is possible to imagine. Every page is a marvel * * Spectator * *It is inspiring, and often sad, funny, and occasionally quite surreal * * GQ * *A truly extraordinary reading experience * * Big Issue * *Witty, tragic, educational, inspirational * * The List * *Addictive, like dipping into a bag of variously tempting assorted candies, knowing that the next one will always bring surprise and pleasure * * New Yorker * *A gloriously presented compilation * * Financial Times * *The literary equivalent of a box of chocolates - bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure . . . The result is beautifully produced, with photographs and colour facsimiles of much of the correspondence. A gorgeous Christmas present * * The Sunday Times * *It is hard to see how Letters Of Note could ever be surpassed * * Mail on Sunday * *Funny, tragic, brilliantly incisive, historic, lyrical, romantic and studiedly offensive, this stupendous compendium of letters ancient and modern is my book of the year. You will never tire of it -- Stephen FryA wonderful collection of magical missives . . . It'll have you reaching for pen and paper * * Evening Standard * *

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Book SynopsisNOW INCLUDES BONUS MATERIAL FROM RICHARD OSMAN, DOLLY PARTON, DAVE GROHL AND MANY MORE. Over 10 years ago, The Big Issue began to ask well-known figures to give advice, offer hope and share a few jokes with their younger selves. They opened up in ways they never had, reflecting on their lives and themselves with affection, sympathy and, sometimes, disbelief.This collection of 100 incredible letters includes Paul McCartney on how he found inspiration, Olivia Colman on overcoming confidence problems, Mo Farah on the importance of losing, Diane Abbott on self-belief, Jamie Oliver on trusting your instinct, and so much more.Letter to My Younger Self is a revelatory and profound exploration into the wit and wisdom that age brings, and of the unique insights that looking back can reveal.

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Book SynopsisThe Dams Raid is the RAF’s most famous bombing operation of the Second World War, and Guy Gibson, who was in command, its most famous bomber pilot. Of the six men who made up his crew on the Dams Raid – two Canadians, an Australian and three Englishmen – only one had previously flown with him, but altogether the men had previously amassed more than 180 operations.Drawing on rare and unpublished sources and family archives, this new study is the first to fully detail their stories. It explores the previous connections between the seven men who would eventually fly on just one operation together and examines how their relationships developed in the months they spent in each other’s company.

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Book SynopsisThis brand-new deluxe baby journal encourages parents to chronicle all the important milestones of baby’s first year. But the exquisite presentation and the cloth-covered slipcase means that this is much more than just a journal – it is also destined to become a precious family heirloom. Once completed My Baby Journal will be a treasured keepsake detailing the fondest memories of your child’s first year.

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Book SynopsisNo one grows up dreaming of becoming an economist. Until the late nineteenth century, economics couldn't even be studied at university and was the preserve of polymathic figures whose radical curiosity drew them to an evolving discipline that was little understood and often derided. Each of the thirteen chapters of this book tells the story of just such a figure. Each of their extraordinary lives is worthy of fiction, and the manner of their deaths, oddly, often illuminates their work. In the Long Run We're All Dead shows us how these economists developed the theories for which they became famous, even if, tragically, much too late for them to enjoy their fame. And these often-complex ideas - of Utilitarianism, of Social Costs, of the Endowment Effect, to name just a few - are explained here with reference to the lives of their creators in a style that is engaging, irreverent, and comic. Though Frank tells us about these lives is true, this is also a book of imaginative speculation that considers how economist's principles might be applied to problems of today and of the future. 'In the long run', said John Maynard Keynes, 'we are all dead.' A blandly straightforward statement but one, when uttered by perhaps the greatest economist of the twentieth century, intriguingly gnomic too. Keynes is but one of the eccentrics, radical, unconventional, and often revolutionary thinkers who lives Frank entertainingly recounts.Trade Review‘This is a fascinating, readable, and quirky set of mini-biographies of some leading, and more obscure economists, united in having interesting lives and deaths. [Frank] manages to tell us something new about Keynes, List, Schumpeter and Thunen; and introduces us to the innovative Schmolder, the Nazi economist Stackelberg, the brave Soviet agricultural economist Chayanov and Richard Cantillon whose sophisticated monetary economics dates from three hundred years ago.’ Vince Cable; ‘This is a gem of a book. Engaging and short biographies of famous and not so famous economists whose death can illuminate their life and work. Full of economic insights explained in plain prose that will appeal to anyone interested in the dismal science. A thoroughly enjoyable read.’ Dr Toke Aidt, University of Cambridge; ‘Björn Frank has written an ingenious and darkly humorous set of portraits of seminal economic thinkers. Weaving together ideas and biography, he includes stories of economists who have been neglected in the English-speaking world while finding a fresh take on the well-known giants. Elegant, original and highly entertaining.’ Niall Kishtainy, author of A Little History of Economics; ‘By using their death as a lens through which to examine their lives, Björn Frank has created a novel, entertaining, and informative way to introduce readers to the work of almost twenty economists from the past two centuries. This compact work melds economic analysis with biography to shed new light on some of the discipline’s most influential research and theories. While several famous figures appear – Keynes, Marx, Coase – the book also includes many who will be new to non-economists. Newly-published from the German, In the Long Run We’re All Dead also has the merit of bringing to people’s attention several of that country’s economists whose reputation has undeservedly faded over time.’ Phil Thornton, author of The Great Economists: Ten Economists Whose Thinking Changed the Way We Live; A good dozen elegant and entertaining miniatures. (...) Bjoern Frank uses a pointed, ironic pen and has a loving eye for bizarre or even tragi-comic details - CATHERINE NEWMARK, DEUTSCHLANDFUNK KULTUR; It's entertaining and enlightening NZZ STORY

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Book SynopsisEdward III may be known for his restoration of English kingly authority after the disastrous and mysterious fall of his father, Edward II, and eventual demise of his mother, Queen Isabella. It was Edward III who arguably put England on the map as a military might. This show of power and strength was not simply through developments in government, success in warfare or the establishment of the Order of the Garter, which fused ideals of chivalry and national identity to form camaraderie between king and peerage. The expansion of England as a formidable European powerhouse was also achieved through the traditional lines of political marriages, particularly those of the king of England's own granddaughters. This is a joint biography of nine of those women who lived between 1355 and 1440, and their dramatic, turbulent lives. One was queen of Portugal and was the mother of the Illustrious Generation; one married into the family of her parents' deadly enemies and became queen of Castile; one became pregnant by the king of England's half-brother while married to someone else, and her third husband was imprisoned for marrying her without permission; one was widowed at about 24 when her husband was summarily beheaded by a mob, and some years later bore an illegitimate daughter to an earl; one saw her marriage annulled so that her husband could marry a Bohemian lady-in-waiting; one was born illegitimate, had sixteen children, and was the grandmother of two kings of England.

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Book SynopsisFew people have changed the world like the Nobel Prize winners. Each of them has a unique story to tell, combining advice and inspiration, challenges and discoveries, eureka moments and failures. A call from Stockholm turned a group of twenty-four academics into Nobel Prize winners. This is their call to the next generations worldwide.Trade Review'Stefano Sandrone's wonderful gift to the readers of this book is an opportunity to spend a few precious private moments with 24 Nobel Prize winners. There are wisdom and valuable advice in each chapter, but it is the insights into each Nobelist as a real person, with real life stories, that makes this book very special.' Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief of Nature'Nobel Life offers tantalising glimpses into the Nobel Prize winners' works, their ideas and their personalities. Showing the humanity of some and the humanness of all, we see curiosity and creativity, collaboration and competition, selfishness and generosity, graciousness and haughtiness.' Shirley M. Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science'In these touching conversational portraits of Nobel Laureates, the reader is invited to follow their scientific quest and personal life trajectories, often marked by unexpected turns. Stefano Sandrone succeeds in revealing the human side of brilliant scientists who emerge as individuals with their passions and quirks, yet humble and with a sense of social responsibility.' Helga Nowotny, Professor emerita at ETH Zurich and Former President of the European Research Council'No interviews have ever discussed all the facets of the lives of these explorers of unknown territories in science and medicine. Stefano Sandrone has formulated intelligent questions for intelligent people.' Anders Bárány, Professor emeritus at Stockholm University and Former Scientific Secretary to the Nobel Committee for Physics'An interesting collection of interviews of Nobel Prize winners. An insight into their minds. Their struggles. Their findings and science. What they were doing when they got the call. All have one thing is common. They are humble and thankful. A wonderful read to enlighten readers.' Amit V, NetGalley Reader'This would make a superlative choice for library acquisition, as well as for readers who enjoy science writing and biography … Five stars. Well written and interesting with insights into a world most of us will never experience.' Annie Buchanan, Goodreads'The book includes much vivid detail about the human side of science.' Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education'sometimes funny, occasionally poignant, and always insightful … Highly recommended for all readers.' Z. B. Johnson, Choice ConnectTable of Contents1. The periodic table Roald Hoffmann; 2. Eureka in Disney world Peter Agre; 3. Flying high Richard Ernst; 4. I'll show you what a woman can do Françoise Barré-Sinoussi; 5. Toys' stories Aaron Ciechanover and Edmond Fischer; 6. Clarity Tim Hunt; 7. Mentoring Martin Chalfie, Hamilton Smith and Johann Deisenhofer; 8. A stroke of colour Roger Tsien; 9. Impact factors Randy Schekman; 10. Know thyself Venkatraman Ramakrishnan; 11. Memory and vision Eric Kandel and Torsten Wiesel; 12. Words and people Daniel Kahneman; 13. Christmas and carol Elizabeth Blackburn and Hamilton Smith; 14. Rocket science Kary Mullis; 15. The big bang practice Arno Penzias, Hamilton Smith and David Gross; 16. Houston, we have a solution and many questions John Mather; 17. À la recherche of space and time Brian Schmidt; 18. Leadership and society Roger Myerson; 19. Of kings and cabbages Bob Solow; 20. Foreword to the future; Index.

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Book SynopsisTen fascinating bite–sized biographies of the Christians people expect you to know. While Christians have always prized the Bible as our ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice, we also recognize that the Christian life is an intergenerational and communal activity. This collection of ten short biographies will introduce you to Christians from a variety of places and times, who all boldly preached the gospel, despite the risk to personal reputations and safety. How short–sighted it would be not to glean insights from our ancestors, whether that entails learning how to walk in their steps – or else avoiding their missteps. Written by Ian Maddock, Rachel Ciano and Stuart Colton, who all teach church history and edited by Ian Maddock. Each chapter has suggested further reading, and additional suggestions ‘for the adventurous’. Chapter Headings: 1. Athanasius: Against the World 2. Augustine: The Grace of God Defeated Me 3. Anselm: Faith Seeking Understanding 4. Martin Luther: Here I Stand 5. Thomas Cranmer: Lord Jesus, Receive My Spirit 6. Richard Baxter: Keep These Hearts Above 7. John Wesley: A Brand Plucked from the Burning 8. Hudson Taylor: These I Must Bring Also 9. Spurgeon: Preaching, Prayer and Perseverance 10. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Discipleship This book is ideal for anyone wanting a biref, entertaing and illuminating overview of the lives and beliefs of these ten giants of Christian history.Trade Review… the lives, thinking and impact of ten of the most important ‘dead guys’ have been brought to life. Famous names become interesting characters and big ideas are explained simply and clearly in a way that shows why they are still important today. -- Clare Heath–Whyte (Speaker and author of several books, including ‘Everyone a Child Should Know’ and ‘First Wives’ Club’)I warmly commend this page–turner, not least as an appetizer which will encourage you to delve more deeply into various aspects of Church (including missionary) history across the centuries. May these sketches challenge, perhaps correct, yet also motivate you to emulate significant aspects of these examples of committed, costly Christian discipleship. -- Hector Morrison (Principal, Highland Theological College, Dingwall)Each snapshot combines a brief biographical presentation with important lessons for the church to learn about obedience, faith, holiness, perseverance, courage, and mission. If readers are not familiar with these ten towering figures from the past, this book will bring them alive for today! -- Gregg R. Allison (Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)… an excellent read to stir the passion for Church history and to encourage the development of a historical awareness for our faith. -- Leonardo De Chirico (Church planter in central Rome)This insightful collection of ten Christian leaders from different times and places reveal that knowing the past can be both liberating and illuminating. Maddock, Coulton, and Ciano ably demonstrate how earlier theologians, pastors, martyrs, and missionaries sought to live out the gospel and challenge contemporary readers to be faithful disciples of Jesus as well. This welcome introduction is well–researched, reflective, warm–hearted, and witty. -- Tom Schwanda (Associate professor Emeritus, Christian Formation and Ministry, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois)

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Book SynopsisWho invented the ''House of Windsor'' as a royal name? Who founded Westminster Abbey? Which king had twenty-one illegitimate children? David Halliam answers all these questions and more. Here is a continuous history of the English monarchy, showing how the nine dynasties rose and fell.The book describes the most memorable features of the life and times of each king or queen - from Egbert, crowned in 802 and considered the first king of England, to Queen Elizabeth II - as well as recording the extraordinary lives of their queens, consorts, mistresses and bastard children. It also tells the story of the Saxons, describes what has happened to the monarchs'' mortal remains, and relates many lively incidents of royal history that rarely appear in the text books.Read of the saintly Edward the Confessor, who is believed to have refused to consummate his marriage; of the rumbustious Henry VIII, given to beheading those who displeased him; of the ''little gentleman in black velvet'', who caused the death of William III; and of Queen Victoria''s strange servant, the ''Munshi'', Queen Emma, who endured a trial by ordeal; and Anne Boleyn, widely suspected of being a witch.A complete list of the monarchs'' reigns and a genealogical table showing the royal descent down thirty-seven generations from Egbert to Elizabeth II adds to the volume''s reference value.

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Book Synopsis A treasure trove of noteworthy letters, arranged thematically to provide an insight into the lives and work of great artists. Trade Review"This attractive volume includes letters from artists to fellow artists, friends, patrons and lovers. Hearing from artists in their own words gives an extraordinary glimpse into their lives and artistic thought process. Some of these people could paint with words, too!" * Sartle: Rogue Art History *"Fascinating, instructive, thought-provoking, and memorable." * Midwest Book Review *"A great book to dip into when you have a few moments or when you’d like to put on a pot of coffee or tea and indulge yourself for a few hours." * COLOR Magazine *Table of Contents006 Introduction 1 ‘I saw the new giraffe’ Family & Friends Salvador Dalí to Paul Éluard Francisco Lucientes y Goya to Martín Zapater Lucian Freud to Stephen Spender Vanessa Bell to Duncan Grant Michelangelo Buonarroti to Lionardo di Buonarroto Simoni Philip Guston to Elise Asher Beatrix Potter to Noel Moore Piet Mondrian to Kurt Seligmann Gustav Klimt to Josef Lewinsky Jasper Johns to Rosamund Felsen Edward Burne-Jones to Daphne Gaskell William Blake to William Hayley Alexander Calder to Agnes Rindge Claflin Zhu Da to Fang Shiguan Camille Pissarro to Julie Pissarro Marcel Duchamp to Suzanne Duchamp Dorothea Tanning to Joseph Cornell 2 ‘Like a sleepwalker’ Artist to Artist Paul Gauguin to Vincent van Gogh Vincent van Gogh to Paul Gauguin Sebastiano del Piombo to Michelangelo Buonarroti Paul Signac to Claude Monet David Alfaro Siqueiros to Jackson Pollock, Sande Pollock and Harold Lehman Pablo Picasso to Jean Cocteau Mark Rothko to Lee Krasner Édouard Manet to Eugène Maus David Hockney to Kenneth E. Tyler Francis Picabia to Alfred Stieglitz Robert Smithson to Enno Develing Claude Monet to Berthe Morisot Ulay and Marina Abramović to Mike Parr Mike Parr to Marina Abramović and Ulay Benvenuto Cellini to Michelangelo John Constable to John Thomas Smith 3 ‘Your book on witchcraft’ Gifts & Greetings Cindy Sherman to Arthur C. Danto Joseph Cornell to Marcel Duchamp Leonora Carrington to Kurt Seligmann Wang Zhideng to a friend Yayoi Kusama to Donald Judd George Grosz to Erich S. Herrmann Yoko Ono and John Lennon to Joseph Cornell Joan Miró to Marcel Breuer 4 ‘The best I have painted’ Patrons & Supporters Guercino and Paolo Antonio Barbieri to unknown recipient Nancy Spero to Lucy Lippard Pierre-Auguste Renoir to Georges Charpentier Roy Lichtenstein to Ellen H. Johnson Peter Paul Rubens to Balthasar Gerbier Cy Twombly to Leo Castelli Winslow Homer to Thomas B. Clarke Eva Hesse to Helene Papanek Mary Cassatt to John Wesley Beatty Jackson Pollock to Louis Bunce Leonardo da Vinci to Ludovico Sforza Egon Schiele to Hermann Engel William Hogarth to T.H. Joseph Beuys to Otto Mauer Agnes Martin to Samuel J. Wagstaff Judy Chicago to Lucy Lippard 5 ‘Hey beautiful’ Love Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera Joan Mitchell to Michael Goldberg Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres to Marie-Anne-Julie Forestier Paul Nash to Margaret Odeh Ad Reinhardt to Selina Trieff Jules Olitski to Joan Olitski Jean Cocteau to unknown recipient Alfred Stieglitz to Georgia O’Keeffe Georgia O’Keeffe to Alfred Stieglitz Auguste Rodin to Camille Claudel Camille Claudel to Auguste Rodin Ben Nicholson to Barbara Hepworth Eileen Agar to Joseph Bard 6 ‘My 1244 guilders’ Professional Matters Nicolas Poussin to Paul Scarron Henry Fuseli to unknown recipient Henry Moore to John Rothenstein James McNeill Whistler to Frederick H. Allen Joshua Reynolds to Philip Yorke Anni Albers to Gloria Finn Naum Gabo to Marcel Breuer Rembrandt van Rijn to Constantijn Huygens Gustave Courbet to Philippe de Chennevières Aubrey Beardsley to Frederick Evans Kazimir Malevich to Anatoly Lunacharksy John Linnell to James Muirhead Andy Warhol to Russell Lynes 7 ‘I hope to get to Venice’ Travel Edward Lear to Hallam Tennyson Berenice Abbott to John Henry Bradley Storrs Georges and Marcelle Braque to Paul Dermée and Carolina Goldstein John Ruskin to unknown recipient Helen Frankenthaler and Robert Motherwell to Maria and Hans Hofmann Albrecht Dürer to Willibald Pirckheimer Carl Andre to Eva Hesse Francis Bacon to Erica Brausen Ana Mendieta to Judith Wilson Lee Krasner to Jackson Pollock 8 ‘I see better’ Signing Off Thomas Gainsborough to Thomas Harvey Paul Cézanne to Émile Bernard Timeline Index Picture Credits

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Slightly Foxed Best First Biography Prize 2014A rich historical biography of those wild Wyndhams' three cultured aristocratic sisters born into great privilege in late Victorian Britain.Mary, Madeline and Pamela the three beautiful Wyndham sisters were born into immense wealth. Cultured bohemian daughters of a maverick politician and an artistic mother, they became entangled with the scandalous and intellectual Souls' set, as well as the most celebrated figures of the day, including Oscar Wilde, Marie Stopes and the iconoclastic poet Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, lover both of Mary and her mother before her. Two sisters were intimate with great statesmen Prime Minister Arthur Balfour and the Liberal politician Edward Grey and only one of them would marry happily.This first ever biography of the sisters captures their dramatic lives from romantic beginnings through the passions and disappointments of womanhood to the tragedy and devastation of the First World War that broughtTrade Review‘Wonderful … a magnificently skillful biography of this trio of sexy sisters and the politically turbulent context of their lives. Renton demonstrates her scholarship with butterfly-winged elegance as she tells the story of a generation of Imperialist Victorians Suffused with privilege, power, money and sex that eventually ended in tragedy’ Evening Standard ‘Renton never loses sight of the bigger historical picture. She sets the sisters’ fabulously privileged and sometimes troubled lives against the convulsions of home and international politics through which they lived. The result is an impeccably researched, beautifully written and compellingly readable biography’ Daily Mail ‘Magnificent … [It] has the wisdom, excitement and psychological depth of a very good novel. She succeeds in combining the novelist’s art with the historian’s craft, laying the sources and workings before us. The beauty and romance are captured unforgettably’ Observer ‘Impeccably rehearsed and researched … a serious, spellbinding chronicle of the last days of Edwardian England’ The Times ‘A magnificently skilful biography…based on scrupulous research and enriched by hundreds of deliciously indiscreet, charmingly frank, pre-Mitfordian letters… Renton demonstrates her scholarship with butterfly winged elegance … [a] wonderful book’ Evening Standard ‘This elegantly written tableau of a book is much more than a group biography; it is an elegiac account of the horrors of the First World War from a female perspective. Renton is excellent at setting personal events within their larger political or social context’ Literary Review ‘A lucid and superbly researched book’ Spectator ‘Hilarious, heartbreaking and completely absorbing, Renton has captured the last rays of light of a gilded family of remarkable women’ Amanda Foreman ‘Readers who enjoyed reading about the Mitfords and Stella Tillyard's ‘Aristocrats’ will relish Renton's elegant book. [An] enthralling period portrait’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisThis is the ultimate anthology of theatrical anecdotes, edited by lifelong theatre-lover Gyles Brandreth in the Oxford tradition, and covering every kind of theatrical story and experience from the age of Shakespeare and Marlowe to the age of Stoppard and Mamet, from Richard Burbage to Richard Briers, from Nell Gwynn to Daniel Day-Lewis, from Sarah Bernhardt to Judi Dench.Players, playwrights, prompters, producers--they all feature. The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes provides a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years.Many of the anecdotes are humorous: all have something pertinent and illuminating to say about an aspect of theatrical life--whether it is the art of playwriting, the craft of covering up missed cues, the drama of the First Night, the nightmare of touring, or the secret ingredients of star quality.Edmund Kean, Henry Irving, John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Ellen Terry, Edith Evans, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren--the great ''names'' are all here, of course, but there are tales of the unexpected, too--and the unknown. This is a book--presented in five acts, with a suitably anecdotal and personal prologue from Gyles Brandreth--where, once in a while, the understudy takes centre-stage and Gyles Brandreth treats triumph and disaster just the same, including stories from the tattiest touring companies as well as from Broadway, the West End and theatres, large and small, in Australia, India, and across Europe.Trade ReviewIt is impossible to do justice here to the fullness of Brandreth's bran tub. It's a hamper of a book, overflowing with delights and the odd occasion for serious reflection... * Simon Callow, The Sunday Times *... cracker of a book... with theatres closed because of coronavirus, The Oxford Book of Theatrical Anecdotes is about as close to a play we can get at the moment and it is well worth the admission price. * Sunday Express *The mix of solemnity and humour is perhaps a suitable homage to a great industry now in danger of dying, leaving in its wake only anecdotes about old times. * Lindsay Duguid, Times Literary Supplement *Brilliantly wide-ranging collection of showbiz tales with an anecdote-packed introduction from the man himself. * James Walton, Readers Digest *... a chunky tome of a book containing scrupulously researched snippets of amusing theatrical chat... The prologue to the book is a mini masterpiece in itself and demonstrates with a quiet strenth and a familiar humour, the depth of Brandreth's love for the theatre and his remarkable insight into it... makes you smile, wonder and sympathise... * Sandra Callard, ON-Yorkshire Magazine *Brandreth is always reliably funny... * Literary Review *... a sheer delight... this meaty volume will transport the reader into the world of make-believe and recount the very real exploits of the wizards who create it. * John Badenhorst, Press and Journal *This, of course, is not a book to read from cover to cover - it's one to dip into as and when the mood takes you. I heartily recommend you take the plunge. * Stephen Griffin, Camden New Journal *Funny, cringe-worthy, witty and wise, it's the perfect book for theatre-goers. * Surrey Life *...provides a fascinating perspective on the history of British (and sometimes American or Australian) theatre... there's so much to enjoy here: it really is a book that keeps on giving, and will keep the reader happily dipping in and out for many weeks... * Shiny New Books *The ever wonderful Gyles Brandreth edits this joyous and hugely entertaining new anthology of theatrical anecdotes... a comprehensive, revealing, and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across four hundred years. * The Arts Shelf *Completely brilliant. Gyles knows all the best theatre stories and he has collected them just for us. What a treat! * Dame Judi Dench *Table of ContentsPrologue Act One: Players from WIlliam Shakespeare to Henry Irving Act Two: Players from Sarah Bernhardt to Tallulah Bankhead Act Three: Players from Ralph Richardson to Naeem Hyat Interval: Audiences and Critics Act Four: Playwrights, Producers, and Directors Act Five: Unforeseen Circumstances Epilogue

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Book SynopsisA unique, colorful view of Victorian London when residents both famous and now-forgotten endured the Great Stink across one hot summer? While 1858 in London may have been noteworthy for its broiling summer months and the related stench of the sewage-filled Thames River, the year is otherwise little remembered. And yet, historian Rosemary Ashton reveals in this compelling microhistory, 1858 was marked by significant, if unrecognized, turning points. For ordinary people, and also for the rich, famous, and powerful, the months from May to August turned out to be a summer of consequence. Ashton mines Victorian letters and gossip, diaries, court records, newspapers, and other contemporary sources to uncover historically crucial moments in the lives of three protagonistsCharles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Disraeli. She also introduces others who gained renown in the headlines of the day, among them George Eliot, Karl Marx, William Thackeray, and Edward Bulwer Lytton. Ashton reveals invisible threads of connection among Londoners at every social level in 1858, bringing the celebrated city and its citizens vibrantly to life.Trade Review“Superbly researched . . . argues that the year was a crucial one in the lives of the three great Victorians: Dickens, Disreali and Darwin.”—Paula Byrne, Times“Rosemary Ashton’s new book charts four boiling hot months in 1858 when the sewage of London went awry and . . . can often feel much closer to how people actually lived and breathed than grander, more panoramic narratives.”—Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday“England was changing in that smelliest of summers, and Ashton gives us a finely scented snapshot of it all.”—Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph“[The Great Stink] is a terrific subject for Ms. Ashton . . . She excels at unearthing and explaining the daily distractions of the nose-holding populace over the course of the summer: horse races, art shows, murder and divorce trials . . . Her detailed atomic record produces thought-provoking coincidences and reminds us of figures who deserve to be better known . . . In short: This book does not stink. Far from it.”—Alexandra Mullen, Wall Street Journal“A wide-ranging narrative, written with [Ashton’s] customary flair.”—John Bugg, TLS“Not just another book about the Victorians, but one that could just as easily have been written by them. Turning its pages is like opening a window on to their world.”—Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Guardian“The book’s real strength is its description of London quivering between modernity and the dark ages . . . There is plenty to enjoy in this panorama of Victorians in their heyday.”—The Economist “Finding space for clubland quarrels alongside state affairs and scientific advances, her lively study is elegantly executed, informative and entertaining.”—Anne Somerset, Literary Review “A wondrous, illuminating and evocative saga . . . Ashton has delved with comprehensive skill into the now-digitised copies of the newspapers of the day to discover the far from fake facts.”—Gerald Isaaman, Islington Tribune“[Ashton] is the best at navigating the hidden rapids of life, politics, art and popular culture.” —Judith Flanders, "Best History Books 2017", History Today"The new celebrity cult developed by the popular press collided with the revolting state of the Thames, in that hot summer. Rosemary Ashton's brilliant description of the result is a 'must-read', whatever this summer brings."—Liza Picard, author of Victorian London"Rosemary Ashton's evocative and intriguing portrait of public, private and political tensions in the long hot summer of 1858 delivers fascinating insights into the interconnected lives of her subjects."—Lee Jackson, author of Dirty Old London"History-writing too often confines itself to great events set in motion by great people. In One Hot Summer Rosemary Ashton has produced history-writing of the most important kind, as she explores what happens in between those great events, and great people, and connects previously unconnected subjects and ideas. It reads as easily as fiction, as excitingly as a thriller. It is history as it should be written, but so rarely is."—Judith Flanders, author of The Victorian City

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Book SynopsisThe last days of five great thinkers, writers and artists - as they come to terms with the reality of approaching deathKatie Roiphe''s extraordinary book is filled with intimate and surprising revelations. Susan Sontag, consummate public intellectual, finds her rational thinking tested during her third bout with cancer. Seventy-six year old John Updike''s response to a fatal diagnosis is to begin a poem. Dylan Thomas''s fatal collapse on the floor of a Greenwich Village tavern is preceded by a fortnight of almost suicidal excess. Sigmund Freud understands his hastening decline. Maurice Sendak shows his lifelong obsession with death in his beloved books.The Violet Hour - urgent and unsentimental - helps us to be less afraid in the face of death.Trade ReviewIn this elegant and beautifully written set of elegies, Katie Roiphe looks death squarely in the face, describing how people evanesce, how others lose them, how they lose themselves, how writing is a means to negotiate for immortality. This courageous, generous, intimate book is suffused with affection, and therefore provides comfort even when its topic is the loneliness that inheres in finality -- Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree[A] beautiful and haunting work. Never overly sentimental, this is a poignant and elegant inquiry into mortality * Kirkus *Elegant . . . courageous, generous, intimate -- Andrew Solomon author of Far from the TreeThe Violet Hour is a revelation, at least to me. Her case studies-of Susan Sontag, Sigmund Freud, Dylan Thomas, John Updike, and Maurice Sendak - focus on the last months of life, using each writer's final struggle as a key to his or her character. This is the best book Roiphe has written. She shows that our interest in dying is not just an interest in endings, or in final things, or in posterity. Instead, it has to do with how we get along, how families and friendship work, in short, how we live -- Lorin Stein * Paris Review *Moving and insightful * Washington Post *Her technique is never anything less than insightful . . . on every page, she turns up something interesting, lets in some astonishing shaft of light. Her writing is elegant, cool, unforgettable -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Engrossing . . . Such an immersive book is testament to her remarkable literary skills. This is an immensely sympathetic and satisfying read -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times *These elegant, moving elegies are full of riveting insight and poignant detail * Simple Things *The controlled and steady tone of all these portraits holds the book together, and makes it more than thesum of its parts: a contemporary, uncomfortably familiar study of death in the modern age * Evening Standard *Roiphe is an acute reader and listener with antennae tuned to pick up every nuance, and to penetrate the meaning behind meaning -- Craig Brown * Daily Mail *Roiphe sheds fascinating light on the mystery of the end of life and her book offers a comfort of sorts * Financial Times *Each essay reads like an intelligently speculative biography with the boring bits left out * Daily Telegraph *The Violet Hour is an unflinching but meditative look at a topic that may be the last real taboo and I found it challenging, moving and even hopeful * Red *

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Book Synopsis''Fascinating and illuminating'' STYLIST''Perceptive and candid'' IRISH TIMES''Wide-ranging, deep-dive, soul-baring interviews, full of candid, intimate, spiky meditations on inspiration, artistry, sexuality, race, love, self-doubt, abuse, defiance and everything in between'' OBSERVER''Variously optimistic, troubling, joyful, illuminating, fierce and thoughtful'' GUARDIANINTERVIEWS WITH WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINE OF MUSICWriter and critic Amy Raphael has interviewed some of the world''s most iconic musicians, including Courtney Love, Patti Smith, Björk, Kurt Cobain and Elton John. In 1995 she wrote the critically-acclaimed Never Mind the Bollocks: Women Rewrite Rock, which included a foreword by Debbie Harry. More than two decades on, the music business has changed, but the way women are regarded has not. In this new book, A Seat at the Table, Raphael interviews eighteen women who worTrade ReviewIn 1995, the journalist published Never Mind The Bollocks: Women Rewrite Rock, a series of interviews with artists including Courtney Love, Bjork, and Justine Frischmann. This kind-of-sequel updates what's changed - and what hasn't - for female musicians, with Christine And The Queens, Mitski and Kate Tempest among those participating. The most urgent interview is with Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry, who offers a powerful account of the negative drag caused by online trolls and the effects of speaking out. Reasons to be cheerful - and angry * Q Magazine *Kate Tempest, Clara Amfo, Ibeyi, Georgia, Tracey Thorn . . . Journalist Amy Raphael talks to 18 incredible women about their experiences as musicians and the music industry with fascinating and illuminating results * Stylist *A perceptive and candid collection of new interviews with 18 women that discuss everything from #MeToo and queer politics to the impact of social media on their lives and the subtleties of routine misogyny * Irish Times *Raphael has collated a stunning collection of interviews, then removed herself entirely, presenting each as a narrative as if the subject is talking straight to you, the reader. It breaks an added barrier in really being invited in to understand each interviewee, unfiltered. It's a fascinating, brilliant book, full of joy, rage, a love of music, and a battle to show that it can be done even when culture might push back. A celebration of some of the best and most exciting faces in music today, and a must read * The Skinny *A series of wide-ranging, deep-dive, soul-baring interviews, full of candid, intimate, spiky meditations on inspiration, artistry, sexuality, race, love, self-doubt, abuse, defiance, and everything in between . . . Raphael had carved a vital space for female artists to 'womanspread', as it were, and speak freely -- Barbara Ellen * Observer *Variously optimistic, troubling, joyful, illuminating, fierce and thoughtful. It is often all these things at once -- Fiona Sturges * Guardian *Many women interviewed for this collection - including the eloquent Kate Tempest, gender activist Chris (AKA Heloise Letissier from Christine and the Queens), a feisty Alison Moyet and wise woman Natalie Merchant - argue that it's not just about whether you 'get your tits out', but whether you get respect and recognition for your work. 'I've been in this industry for 35 years . . . I've never felt the need to conform to one shape. No one has ever really claimed me,' says Moyet. 'I've never been cosseted, nor have I been someone's muse. And [that] really saved me.' Moving words indeed -- Lucy O'Brien * Mojo *

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating backstories of four women painted by John Singer Sargent come alive in this seductive, multi-layered biography.Trade Review"Ingenious." -- Frances Wilson - Times Literary Supplement"Straight from the pages of a novel by Edith Wharton or Henry James." -- The Times"[Lucey pieces together] lost stories, and the stormy brew of scandal and repression that affected these women—and Sargent himself." -- Elle"As rich as [Sargent’s] portraits are, the textural evidence in which Ms. Lucey ensnares them is finer still." -- The Wall Street Journal"It [Sargent's Women] tells of an era long gone yet still fascinating." -- Choice"[These women] were smart, passionate, willful, adventurous and striking-looking.… Lucey’s prose is invitingly conversational and quick-flowing." -- The Washington Post"... these four well-researched mini-biographies are vibrant and never less than engaging." -- The Herald

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Book SynopsisThe six children of King George V and Queen Mary all lived to maturity except the youngest, Prince John. The eldest, who was Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, reigned as King Edward VIII for less than a year. His infamous romance with Mrs Simpson plunged the country into the abdication crisis and led both of them into a long period of exile. King George VI, who reluctantly and unexpectedly ascended to the throne, was a shy man, handicapped by a speech impediment and a sense of his own inadequacy. However, together with his Consort, Queen Elizabeth, and the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, he gave the nation spirited guidance throughout World War II. Both surviving younger brothers served in the armed forces during war-time. Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was Governor General of Australia from 1944-6 and crowned his military career with promotion to the rank of Field-Marshal. George, Duke of Kent, an officer in the RAF, was tragically killed on active service in

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Book SynopsisThe story of Black British theatre at its most radical, entertaining and profound - told through the lives of its great trailblazersTrade ReviewStephen Bourne is a hero of our history. He has published countless books, always accessible to all, on the hidden stories of our presence on these shores. Let’s honour Stephen for quietly shining a light on our history -- Booker Prize-winner Bernardine EvaristoStephen Bourne is a tireless chronicler of the Black British history of the last century or so. I love Stephen’s books because he gives voice to real people – Black soldiers, sailors, musicians, campaigners, doctors, nurses, broadcasters and so many more -- Jhalak Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence

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Book SynopsisSince 1066 when William the Conqueror (alias William the Bastard) took the throne, English and Scottish kings have sired at least 150 children out of wedlock. Many were acknowledged at court and founded dynasties of their own - several of today''s dukedoms are descended from them. Others were only acknowledged grudgingly or not at all. In the twentieth century this trend for royals to father illegitimate children continued, but the parentage, while highly probable, has not been officially recognised. This book - split into four sections: Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian and, perhaps most fascinating, Royal Loose Ends - is a genuinely fresh approach to British kings and queens, examining their lives and times through the unfamiliar perspective of their illegitimate children.

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Book SynopsisNew in paperback - The personal reminiscences of Luftwaffe veterans and original documents and images give a unique insight into the Mediterranean theatre and late aerial war battles.

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Book SynopsisA biography focussed history of the working-class men and women who brought fresh ideas to Victorian British society.

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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 School You 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 oTrade 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 SynopsisIn this book, John Piper celebrates the lives and ministries of 27 leaders from church history, offering a close look at their perseverance amidst opposition, weakness, and sufferinginspiring readers toward a life of Christ-exalting courage, passion, and joy.

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Book SynopsisA Times Book of the Year 2019''You should not deny yourself the pleasure of reading it'' Sunday Times''A remarkable work and an important addition to the extraordinary wartime history of literary London'' Literary ReviewWho were the Lost Girls? At least a dozen or so young women at large in Blitz-era London have a claim to this title. But Lost Girls concentrates on just four: Lys Lubbock, Sonia Brownell, Barbara Skelton and Janetta Parlade. Chic, glamorous and bohemian, as likely to be found living in a rat-haunted maisonette as dining at the Ritz, they cut a swathe through English literary and artistic life in the 1940s. Three of them had affairs with Lucian Freud. One of them married George Orwell. Another became the mistress of the King of Egypt and was flogged by him on the steps of the Royal Palace. And all of them were associated with the decade''s most celebrated literary magazine, Horizon,Trade ReviewDJ Taylor's new book is an exploratory and sometimes eye-popping slice of social history . . . Taylor is a strikingly versatile writer - novelist, critic, historian, author of the standard biography of Orwell, and the acerbic wit behind Private Eye's What You Didn't Miss column . . . If you have even a passing interest in human relationships and the imagination, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of reading it -- John Carey * Sunday Times *DJ Taylor, who has previously written about the bright young things of the interwar years, makes a convincing case for seeing Sonia and her peers as a racier, tougher and far more intelligent group than has previously been allowed * Guardian *Lively account of the chaotic way of life at the Horizon office . . . In Lost Girls, Taylor presents a colourful portrait of this fascinating, sophisticated and highly sexualised literary world . . . expertly narrated . . . excellent descriptions of the daily routine in the Horizon office . . . a remarkable work and an important addition to the extraordinary wartime history of literary London -- Selina Hastings * Literary Review *Entertaining, ever shrewd account * Spectator *Enjoyable . . . an often very funny chronicle of fiendishly complicated and rackety love lives . . . infectious . . . deliciously readable -- Lucy Lethbridge * Financial Times *Enticing . . . Like a private detective on an adultery case, Taylor eavesdrops in bedsits and furnished flats, lurks in Chelsea pubs and Soho dives, reporting in a style both elegant and deadpan. His text is crowded with throwaway gems -- Jane Thynne * The Tablet *Highly entertaining * Country Life *Immersive, intense and dense with detail, Taylor's latest work is a wonderfully niche and pointed take on lost girls from a lost era; a real-life wartime drama, on an intricate and intimate scale * Irish Times *Engaging and stylishly written . . . captures the edgy atmosphere of 1940s bohemian London * Times Literary Supplement *A lively, perceptive, and gossip-strewn inquiry into an overlooked aspect of an influential corner of London's literary life * The New Criterion *An empathetic group biography of four bright, beautiful, literary women in wartime London . . . highly entertaining account . . . insightful and empathetic group biography * Wall Street Journal *Thoughtful, witty writer . . . poignant * London Review of Books *Enthralling . . . because of D.J. Taylor's vivid and affecting group biography, the "lost girls" will never be lost again * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisWho would top your list of the fifty people who have done the most to make the modern world a worse place?Trade ReviewI can't imagine how they whittled it down to just 50 people'. -- Comedian Nik RabinowitzA fantastic thought-provoking book that renews my appreciation for history. It reminds us how we got here and how we can avoid things getting worse. -- Mandla Shongwe * SAFM Lifestyle *A fascinating, terrific read. -- Gareth Cliff * CliffCentral *Brilliant. D'you remember Meg Ryan's orgasm in When Harry Met Sally? No, I didn't have an orgasm (sadly) reading the book, but I did yell Yes Yes Yes! -- Gorry Bowes TaylorA book which is likely to launch a few thousand arguments about who else ought to have been included . . . with superb cartoons from Zapiro . . . And I applaud the inclusion of the nameless lady who assures us, 'Your call is so important to us that we've been ignoring you for seventeen minutes at your expense.' -- Jay Heale * Fine Music Radio Christmas 2017 recommendation *Interesting stuff - go read it! -- Nigel Pierce * Good Hope FM *

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Book SynopsisIn Remarkable People, Dan Walker, the host of BBC1''s Breakfast, recounts inspiring stories of the courage and selflessness of people he has met throughout his career. An uplifting tonic for the darkness and negativity of recent times.We live in an age of anxiety, besieged by bad news and uncertainty. But Dan Walker, the host of BBC1''s Breakfast and Football Focus, is determined to shine a light onto stories of selflessness and compassion that seldom make the headlines. In the course of his professional life, Dan has encountered many inspiring stories of bravery and kindness. In Remarkable People, he recounts tales of incredible humanity, empathy, compassion, and a steely determination to transform lives, restore trust, renew hope.Remarkable People is the perfect book for these challenging times; an escape from the negativity of our everyday news cycle, and a tribute to courage and positivity.Trade ReviewA compilation of inspirational stories from ordinary - in the best sense of the word - people [Dan Walker] has met over the years living through extraordinary circumstances, both joyous and torturous. * Radio Times *A celebration of goodness, kindness and humanity * Radio Choice *A vital tonic and antidote to the darkness and negativity of recent times * Methodist Recorder *

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Book SynopsisInside the lives of the scientists who are exploring the world, our universe, the past and ourselves.Based on the interviews broadcast on BBC Radio 4''s hugely popular series, The Life Scientific: Explorers takes science out of its box and introduces us to the men and women who make it happen.The explorers featured in this volume include: Michele Dougherty, the mathematician who persuaded the Cassini mission to Saturn to make a diversion; Richard Fortey on his love of trilobites; Monica Grady, Meteorite Lady; neurosurgeon Henry Marsh on slicing through our thoughts; the Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Jane Francis; Brian Cox on quantum mechanics; and Nobel Prize winner John Sulston on why he thought it would be a good idea to sequence the human genome.Trade Review'Both inspirational and richly human, the book offers a compelling picture of science at the cutting edge' * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *'Anna Buckley, the producer of The Life Scientific, distils the scientists' passions skilfully into print' * Sunday Times, Science Books of the Year 2018 *

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Book SynopsisBite–sized biographies of inspirational Christian women. Spanning two millennia and multiple continents, these stories will introduce you to great women in the history of the Christian faith. From Mary in first century Judea, to Catherine Booth in nineteenth century Britain, to Gladys Aylward in twentieth century China. Perpetua and Jane Grey lived brief lives cut short by their conspicuous and brave fidelity to Jesus, while Corrie ten Boom, although no less courageous, lived a long life that testified to God’s compassion and forgiveness. For all their differences, each one of these women has left an indelible legacy on our collective intergenerational Christian consciousness. Each are worth knowing. To know someone’s story is a privilege. We hope you’re encouraged in your Christian walk as you read of theirs. The women whose stories are included in this book are: Mary Perpetua Catherine of Siena Jane Grey Anne Hutchinson Anne Dutton Selina, Countess of Huntingdon Catherine Booth Gladys Aylward Corrie Ten Boom Trade ReviewThe authors are right: you should really know about these 10 Dead Gals and what God has done in their extraordinary lives. Here is an impressive cloud of witnesses, from every era of church history, testifying to the power of the gospel to transform human beings. -- Michael P. Jensen (Rector, St Mark’s Anglican Church, Darling Point, New South Wales and Honorary Research Associate, Sydney College of Divinity)This book is a well–researched, engagingly written, and insightful read that is sure to captivate readers and encourage them personally. As the subtitle suggests, the carefully curated stories of these ten women (who range from Mary the mother of Jesus, to twentieth–century missionary Gladys Aylward) mesh together to tell a bigger story. -- Nicole Starling (Lecturer in Church History, Morling College, Sydney)… a brilliant and contrasting gallery of subjects, from Mary the mother of Jesus through Catherine of Siena, to Anne Hutchinson, and Gladys Aylward; every chapter reveals an individual powered by faith and determined to act upon it. The vivid and arresting language in which these women are described, and the solid scholarship of the authors, will guarantee a wide readership for the book. -- Carole Cusack (Professor of Religious Studies, The University of Sydney)I benefited from the book not only because of its historical insights, but also for the many challenges that I received from encountering these women. Rachel Ciano and Ian Maddock have done a great job of combining fresh scholarship and spiritual wisdom. -- Leonardo De Chirico (Church planter in central Rome)Like the ten guys in the first book, these women were stellar examples of faithfulness, fearlessness, steadfastness, and fruitfulness. May you be challenged by their lives as their stories come alive for us today! -- Gregg R. Allison (Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)… with the historical, theological, and geographical terrain covered in Ten Dead Gals, Ciano and Maddock have certainly enriched our conversation about the blessing of women in God’s church! -- Mark Earngey (Head of Church History and Lecturer in Christian Thought, Moore Theological College, Sydney)This book is essential reading for Christians of all ages and backgrounds: women and men, girls, and boys. You will be humbled, encouraged, and awe–struck by the courage and witness of these ten incredible women in Christian history. -- Sarah Irving–Stonebraker (Associate Professor of History, Western Civilisation Program, Australian Catholic University)Fresh. Fascinating. Faith–building. … not just a chronicle of their lives: we learn about the theological debates that they engaged in, the social pressures they faced, and the ways their ministries have been interpreted. -- Rhys Bezzant (Senior Lecturer, Ridley College, Melbourne & Director, Jonathan Edwards Center Australia)

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Book Synopsis'An incredible portal to our past' The Sunday TimesOn 7 January 1922, Ireland became a free state. Born into that era of turbulence and hope were the twenty-six women and men whose stories and memories of a lifetime are captured by cherished Irish journalist Valerie Cox. From living memory come stories of the arrival of electricity, story-telling at 'rambling houses', raising a family in an earlier era, the scourge of TB, the big snow of 1932 and hiding out when the Black and Tans raided. These evocative pieces reflect both a simpler time and a tougher one, where childhood was short and the world of work beckoned from an early age.Growing Up With Ireland is a compelling portrait of an Ireland in some ways warmly familiar, and in others changed beyond recognition, from those who were there at the beginning.'A comprehensive and evocative insight into a century of Irish life ... a valuable record' Irish ExaminerTrade ReviewAn incredible portal to our past ... These are stories of healing and love and life - and pain. Reading them is like sitting next to one of your grandparents, listening to them as they open their heart to you - The Sunday TimesAbsorbing ... a clear-sighted account of how electricity, mass emigration and healthcare revolutions changed this country - for better and for worse - Sunday Business PostA comprehensive and evocative insight into a century of Irish life ... a valuable record - Irish Examiner

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Book SynopsisFrom historical figures such as Marie Curie to contemporaries such as Steve Jobs, a handful of innovators have changed the world. What made them so spectacularly inventive? Melissa A. Schilling, one of the world's leading experts on innovation, looks at the lives of seven creative geniuses--Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Elon Musk, Dean Kamen, Nicola Tesla, Curie, and Jobs--to identify the traits and quirks that led them to become breakthrough innovators.Though all innovators possess incredible intellect, intellect alone does not create a serial innovator. There are other very strong commonalities: for instance, nearly all exhibit very high levels of social detachment. They all have extreme, almost maniacal, faith in their ability to overcome obstacles. And they have a passionate idealism that pushes them to work with intensity even in the face of criticism or failure. These individual traits would be unlikely to work in isolation--being unconventional without having high levels of confidence and direction, for example, might result in rebellious behavior that does not lead to meaningful innovation.Schilling reveals the science behind the convergence of traits that increases the likelihood of success, and shows us how to nurture and facilitate breakthrough innovation in our own lives.

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