Entertainment Books

Book SynopsisThe Eighties were about big ideas writ large - new money, new style, gender fluidity, gay pride, attritional politics, the ''special relationship'', nuclear fear, AIDS, cocaine, ecstasy, tabloid royalty, the rise of urban pop, and ultimately geopolitical chaos. Using a big narrative approach, Dylan Jones'' history of the decade in pop frames the decade through some of its most important and popular hits, choosing records which either epitomised their time, or ushered in a new cultural shift. So we move seamlessly from Rapper''s Delight and the genre defining moment of hip hop into The Specials'' spectral, Ghost Town; from ABC and the apotheosis of New Pop (The Look of Love) to Madonna''s breakthrough moment with Like a Virgin, and so on. In the ''80s each year brought a new twist as technology shifted and genres snowballed, MTV reigned supreme and the story of pop became globalised. It was a decade of excess in all areas, especially ambition, but it was in the transcendent moments

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Book SynopsisFrom the authors of The Science of Stephen King and The Science of Agatha Christie comes a book made for every classic film aficionado.  The Science of Alfred Hitchcock is a close look at the Master of Suspense’s most revered works. From his start in the silent era to his shocking unmasking of Norman Bates in Psycho, we explore Hitchcock’s legacy through the lens of biography, science, and pop culture. Steeped in the golden era of Hollywood, The Science of Alfred Hitchcock is a daringly close look at the man behind the camera lens.   Join us as we delve into the history of Hitchcock’s ouvre to discover;   Who was the true life murderer who inspired Shadow of a Doubt? Was there really a feud between Hitchcock and studio legend David O. Selznick? What is the psychology behind some of Hitchcock’s most famous characters? Is there science to support a “perfect” murder as featured in many of Hitchcock’s films?   With a comprehensive look at Alfred Hitchcock’s impressive filmography, this book is a must-read for every lover of suspense. Whether you’re a film buff or a cinema newbie, you’ll be mesmerized by the history and science behind the greatest film director of a generation.

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Book SynopsisDo It Yourself is a practical guide for artists, activists, and organisers to create impactful theatre rooted in working-class communities. Drawing on fifteen years of experience, UK theatre company Common/Wealth share their experimental approach, offering a vision of theatre as a powerful tool for political change. -- .

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Book Synopsis''You don't have to be able to hum Mozart to find this book utterly engrossing . . . I couldn't put it down'' - Joanna LumleyAt thirteen years old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a child prodigy who had captured the hearts of northern Europe, but his father Leopold was now determined to conquer Italy. Together, they made three visits there the last when Mozart was seventeen, all vividly recounted here by acclaimed conductor Jane Glover.Father and son travelled from the theatres and concert salons of Milan to the church-filled streets of Rome to Naples, poorer and more dangerous than the prosperous north, and to Venice, the carnivalesque birthplace of public opera. All the while Mozart was absorbing Italian culture, language, style and art, and honed his craft. He met the challenge of writing Italian opera for Italian singers and audiences and provoked a variety of responses, from triumph and admiration to intrigue and hostility: in a way, these Italian years can b

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER - includes brand new chapter, illustrations and photos!Dani Dyer stole the nation’s heart with her genuine warmth and honest personality when she won Love Island. She proves that you don't need to succumb to peer pressure, be swayed by all too perfect Insta-images or behave in a way that's not true to who you are. Her first book shows she is wise beyond her years as she shares her experiences around growing up, bullying, relationships, insecurities and living in the spotlight.Revealing everything you ever wanted to know about Dani, from dating disasters and life in the Dyer household to how she blow-dries her eyelashes, as well as her hard-learned advice on how to be more confident, What Would Dani Do? offers Dani's unique take on the world and her guide to living your most authentic life. Always relatable and at times vulnerable, Dani gives a laugh-out-loud and truly heartfelt account of her journey from Canning Town daughter of Danny Dyer, to runaway Love Island winner and the nation’s sweetheart.Trade ReviewCharming, wise and ... irresistibly funny -- Kate Leaver * Telegraph *Dani Dyer, who is my favourite human being in the world, was nice about me on telly and it made my life. Literally, she’s the nation’s sweetheart and if it was the Oscar or Dani, it would be Dani every time! -- Eddie RedmayneDani Dyer has become the nation’s straight-talking, dependable, ball of sass sweetheart during her time on Love Island. * Metro *A wholesome deserving, role model to the young women who look up to her ... she addresses their problems with humility and candour -- Telegraph * Kate Leaver *With her old-fashioned values, devotion to her family and tips on how to behave in the modern world [this] could be the guide for our children we've been waiting for. * Stella *

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Book SynopsisOne of the big memoirs of the summer i newsA potent tale of triumph over adversity. Angry but never bitter, Wheatle''s compassion shines through the pain ObserverAlex is a truly gifted storyteller, and the way he details his own story here is no exception JEFFREY BOAKYEIn this breathtaking memoir, acclaimed writer Alex Wheatle shows how music became his salvation through a childhood marred by abuse.Abandoned as a baby to the British care system, Alex grows up with no knowledge of his Jamaican parentage or family history. Later, he is inexorably drawn to reggae, his lifeline through disrupted teenage years, the challenges of living as a young Black man in 1980s Britain and his imprisonment for protesting against systemic racism and police brutality.Alex''s youth was portrayed in Oscar Award-winning director Steve McQueen''s Small Axe series. In Sufferah, he tells his own story, urgently, vividly

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisHilarious and scandalous tales of forty years in Hollywood from the award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director.

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Book SynopsisDo you know your ET from your AI? Do you know the year 2001: A Space Odyssey was released ? Put your knowledge to the test with over 1,000 questions about all things sci-fi!Whether you're breaking out of the Matrix or escaping the Terminator, there are ten categories of quizzes, each split into three difficulty levels that will test even the most knowledgeable fans' acumen of science fiction films.Whether playing against your family or getting together with your friends, The Ultimate Sci-Fi Movie Quiz Book makes an ideal gift and is a fun way to determine who knows more about this out-of-this-world genre of films.Categories include:Robots and AIAlien invasionTime travelSpace explorationDystopiasGlobal disasterPost-apocalypseOther realitiesExtraordinary abilitiesMad scientistsand more!Test your knowledge with these sample questions!1. There have been two big screen adaptat

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Book SynopsisA brand new series full of friendship, singing and laughter as war looms...Cleethorpes 1939 With the country teetering on the brink of war everyone faces an uncertain future. Destitute after the tragic death of her father, aspiring singer Jessie Delaney and her family have no choice other than to accept the charity of relatives to ensure a roof over their heads. Spiteful Aunt Iris soon has Jessie dreaming of a life filled with colour and excitement that she knows the theatre can offer. How can Jessie escape the drudgery, support her family and pursue her dreams? Through her father’s connections Jessie finds work as a Variety Girl in a new show at the Empire in Cleethorpes, a small seaside theatre on the east coast. But taking the job means flying solo and leaving her family and her sweetheart, Harry behind. Friendships are forged but will the glamour of show business lose its shine without those she loves close by?A gritty and heart-warming saga perfect for readers of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Pam Howes.Praise for Tracy Baines:‘A charming, heart-warming saga about ambition, hard work and courage in the cut and thrust of a world often driven by jealousy and spite’. Rosie Clarke‘Immerse yourself in the exciting, evocative world of Wartime musical theatre. I highly recommend this book.’ Fenella Miller‘An emotional, entertaining read that had me gripped!’ Sheila Riley'An absorbing and poignant saga. I loved it from the very beginning and would highly recommend it...' Elaine Roberts'Terrific - beautifully written. The book twinkles. A well-crafted and satisfying story' Maisie Thomas‘A pleasure from start to finish.’ Glenda Young‘…you will have to read this well-researched song and dance of a novel in great gulps as I did’ Annie Clark‘I just loved this book! Molly WaltonThe Variety Girls is terrific - beautifully written & with an unusual background. The stage costumes twinkle with sequins and the book twinkles with tiny details of theatre life that add depth and atmosphere to this well-crafted and satisfying story. Maisie Thomas, The Railway Girls‘A pleasure from start to finish.’ Glenda Young, Belle of the Backstreets‘…you will have to read this well-researched song and dance of a novel in great gulps as I did’ Milly Adams‘an evocative, busy, entertaining read, which has well balanced touches of humour, vying with angst, and of course, more than a dollop of tension.’ Margaret Graham, Frost Magazine‘Characterisation is one of the book’s strong points – the individual characters stay in your mind long after you finish the story.’ Barbara Dynes, The Voice

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThis new edition contains all the scales and arpeggios required for ABRSM's Grades 1-5 Cello exams. Contains all scales and arpeggios for the revised syllabus from 2012, with bowing patterns and suggested fingering, and a helpful introduction including advice on preparing for the exam.

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Book SynopsisThis introduction to the essential elements of music is ideal for students preparing for examinations, as well as an excellent resource for everyone learning to read music.Trade ReviewThis book is not only a mustfor all keen music students and examination candidates but will also help to enhance the enthusiastic concert goer's better understanding of what he listens to. * EPTA Piano Journal *As a primary resource for both student and teacher taking or teaching these exams it is first class and will become a standard text * Music Teacher *

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Book SynopsisChronicling a history of punks at war, Blitzkrieg Bops studies bands who have soundtracked a movement including Pussy Riot, Stiff Little Fingers, National Wake, Wutanfall, The Kominas & more creating music to overthrow corrupt governments, stomp out oppressive regimes, fight the establishment and, in turn, fight for their lives.

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Book SynopsisThe untold story of the greatest band of all time''s real X factor, that special something which elevated them above all their competitors - the Beatles'' COMEDY. The hilarious story of John, Paul, George and Ringo''s classic films, cartoons, audio comedy - even panto! Illuminating and delightful. Stephen Fry

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Book SynopsisMeticulous, detailed reference-styled timelines, charting the history of this esteemed UK institution, from its inception to the band's posthumous last album, Coda, issued in 1982. This elegant coffee table book charts the explosive live stage history of the band, along with the iconic albums. Memorabilia adds a visual feast to the book.

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Book SynopsisDubious, unlikely, improbable, The story of the finest rock n' roll band that ever was; the near mythical Max Webster. Consume these pages, and you will learn the secrets; often in the impenetrable code of the band's top-shelf wordsmith Pye Dubois; of the wily Canuck wizards who made the above boast sing with unassailable truth.

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Book SynopsisDawn The Nice Story offersa detailed exploration of the uniqueness, achievements and music of The Nice as well as the spin-off groups Jackson Heights, Refugee and beyond celebrating them as a band worthy of critical recognition in their own right.

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Book SynopsisThe book takes 45 chart toppers and writes their story. The music, the lyrics, the artists, producers and writers are all discussed, as well as any side or back stories to do with the single.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe gift that keeps on giving (if you get it wet) with this officially licensed Gremlins collectible! Deluxe Collectible: A finely detailed, 3 inch plastic replica of Gizmo Light-up and Sound Effects: Equipped with multiple LED Christmas lights and audio of Gizmo singing Card Included: A instruction card features the rules for the care and keeping of your new pet Perfect Gift: Popping out of his decorated box, Gizmo is ready for gifting during the holidays Officially Licensed: An authentic Gremlins collectible Requires two AAA batteries (not included).

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Book SynopsisThe Eagles wrote the soundtrack to the Seventies and Eighties - and even now their albums top the charts. But backstage, there were no peaceful, easy feelings...Don Felder was just a poor boy from Florida, but when he joined the Eagles he soared into the stratosphere. Alongside former bandmates Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Randy Meisner, and Felder''s childhood friend Bernie Leadon, he sold tens of millions of records (Eagles: Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975 is the bestselling album of all time), performed before countless adoring fans, and co-wrote the renowned hit ''Hotel California''. His guitar-playing ability lifted the band from mere popularity to iconic status. And now Don Felder finally breaks the Eagles'' decades of public silence to take fans behind the scenes - where drugs, greed and endless acrimony threatened to tear the band apart almost daily.Maybe there was too much talent. Maybe the personalities clashed with the egos. Whatever the reason, ther

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Book SynopsisBringing Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" to the screen was a labor of love for writer/actress Emma Thompson. Featuring the complete award-winning script, "Sense and Sensibility: The Screenplay and Diaries" also showcases Thompson's unreserved, often hilarious diaries that capture the unique experience of making this film. Her rare and personal perspective makes this an irresistible book for students of film and Austen devotees, as well as for everyone who loved this extraordinary movie.

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Book SynopsisJoin us in celebrating the unparalleled talent and unmatched charisma of Taylor Swift with this exclusive activity book. Whether you''re a die-hard Swiftie or just beginning your journey as a fan, this is the ultimate companion for anyone enchanted by Taylor''s music and magic.Girlboss, superstar, feminist icon it''s no wonder Taylor Swift has inspired an army of Swifties across the globe. The Taylor Swift Activity Book is an ideal gift for those who missed out on concert tickets but still want to experience the excitement of The Eras tour or for fans wanting to find out what cryptic messages are hidden in her lyrics. It's also the perfect companion for waiting in line and a fun way to pass the time for those lucky enough to attend a concert.Step into the dazzling world of Taylor Swift are you ready for it?Dive into vibrant illustrations and graphics dedicated to Taylor''s greatest hits, ready for you to colour in and bring to lifeGet creative with crafting your own unique friendship b

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Book Synopsisfor cello Cello Time Joggers is a landmark book in the popular Cello Time series, which is enjoyed by students and teachers all over the world. It contains Kathy and David Blackwell''s trademark attractive and engaging compositions that appeal to learners of all ages. Lively original pieces, traditional tunes, and easy duets take the learner from open strings to all fingers down in finger pattern 0-1-34. Appealing and exciting play-along tracks, with live band, are available on major streaming platforms or to download from a companion website. Stylish piano and cello accompaniments are also available in separate books.

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Book SynopsisFrom Rupaul's Drag Race All Star and host of HBO's WE'RE HERE comes an inventive, wondrous novel about American hero Harriet Tubman that remixes history into a fresh, dynamic novel about love, freedom, salvation and music.

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Book SynopsisStunningly beautiful, deeply puzzling, profoundly moving or intensely unsettling – performance art can evoke a wide variety of responses. In this important and richly illustrated book, Catherine Wood, one of the world’s leading curators and writers on the subject, provides the broadest and most up-to-date survey published in recent years. Wood proposes performance not as a genre of art separate from object-making but as an attitude that has infiltrated the entire terrain of contemporary art. From the musical-theatricals of Marvin-Gaye Chetwynd to the public encounters created by Tino Seghal and the social activism of Tania Bruguera, a hugely divergent set of practices has emerged in the past twenty to thirty years which embrace the worlds of sculpture and painting, spectacle and protest. Examining in turn individual, social and object-based approaches in the field, Wood first examines the influential performance art of the 1960s to 1980s: the body art of the Viennese actionists; the raw performances of Yoko Ono and Chris Burden; and the experiments of the Japanese Gutai group among others. She then explores how these sources have been revisited, reformed or rejected by contemporary artists in the twenty-first century. This impressive book encompasses international artists who fall outside the traditional European and North American focus, giving the reader the broadest and most up-to-date insight into the subject yet published.

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Book SynopsisThis book will provide you with a clear understanding of the fundamentals of popular music theory, accelerate your aural skills, and take your musicianship to the next level. It will demystify the key terms related to harmony, melody, rhythm, and structure through practical exercises and audio tracks. It covers concepts related to drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and vocals and is suitable for every contemporary musician.This is the book for you if you are:? interested in exploring the musical concepts and theories underpinning contemporary music? taking a graded Rock & Pop exam and looking to further develop your understanding of the theory behind the repertoire? studying Music or Music Technology in secondary, further, or vocational education? aspiring to study popular music at university and want to understand the essentials to help you prepare for auditions and entrance exams? a classically trained musician or music teacher and want to widen your knowledge of popular music theory.

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Book Synopsis'Glorious' Guardian'Revelatory' New Yorker'Evocative' Los Angeles TimesIn 1971, as her groundbreaking album Blue emerged as a singular commercial and critical success around the world, Joni Mitchell puzzled over what gift to give her friends that Christmas. The result was a handmade book, with only one hundred copies produced, filled with Joni's hand-written lyrics and reproductions of many of her stunning drawings - portraits, abstracts, random concertgoers, and more. Each was given to a friend and, until now, the edition has remained private. Today, with Morning Glory on the Vine, Joni's long-ago personal Christmas present is a present to us all.Trade ReviewGlorious * * Guardian * *I became engrossed in Mitchell's drawings while browsing the book - they're vivid, intimate - but her handwritten lyrics and poems are just as revelatory . . . Morning Glory on the Vine feels like an extension of Mitchell's already considerable reach - it's a way of better understanding what she found beautiful, and worth holding onto. It is also a reassuring, almost palliative object on its own: these drawings and writings, arranged so artfully and carefully, feel like an anchor in an increasingly unsteady world * * New Yorker * *The peerless Joni Mitchell isn't only one of the 20th century's greatest songwriters, she's also a water colourist of some distinction . . . It contains a rare intimacy and candour, as well as a unique gateway into Mitchell's inimitable music itself * * Metro, Books of the Year * *A collection of more than thirty original paintings steeped in a bygone era . . . Evocative . . . A revelation for her devoted listeners, Morning Glory on the Vine is a comforting and intimate look at what caught an artist's eye when she was at the peak of her chaparral mountain * * Los Angeles Times * *A showcase for another side of Joni Mitchell's prodigious talent * * Washington Post * *A warm, water-coloured invitation to Mitchell's Laurel Canyon years . . . Think of the book as an artful expression of friendship, a personal time capsule unearthed * * The Globe and Mail * *

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Book SynopsisSunday Times Classical Music Book of the YearA landmark biography of the Polish composer by one of the world's leading authorities on Chopin and his timeBased on ten years of research and a vast cache of primary sources located in archives in Warsaw, Paris, London, New York, Washington, D.C., Alan Walker's monumental Fryderyk Chopin: A Life and Times is the most comprehensive biography of the great Polish composer to appear in English. Walker sets out to dispel the many myths and legends that continue to surround Chopin. Fryderyk Chopin is an intimate look into a dramatic life; of particular focus are Chopin's childhood and youth in Poland, which are brought into line with Walker's latest scholarly findings, and Chopin's romantic life with George Sand, with whom he lived for nine years.Comprehensive and engaging, and written in highly readable prose, the biography wears its scholarship lightly: this is a book suited as much for the professional pianist as it is for the casual music lover. Just as he did in his definitive biography of Liszt, Walker illuminates Chopin and his music with unprecedented clarity in this magisterial biography, bringing to life one of the nineteenth century's most confounding, beloved, and legendary artists.

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Book SynopsisIn a film eight years in making, Studio Ghibli’s cofounder Isao Takahata tells the untold story of Princess Kaguya.An old bamboo cutter and his wife find a tiny girl inside a bamboo shoot and raise her. The mysterious little princess grows rapidly into a young lady, enthralling everyone who encounters her–but ultimately, she must face her fate. This book captures the breathtaking art of the film from conception to production, and features commentary, interviews, and an in-depth look at the production process. “Every frame is worthy of being its own painting.” –Joe Hisaishi, film’s composer

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Book SynopsisThere are many miles from the business school and basketball court at the University of Southern California to 50 million viewers for the final episode of a TV show called Magnum P.I. Tom Selleck has lived every one of those miles in his own iconoclastic and joyful way. Frank, funny and open-hearted, You Never Know is an intimate memoir from a beloved actor, the story of a remarkable life and thoroughly accidental career. Journey to the top in Hollywood, learn of his mistakes and his well-earned success. Selleck clears up an armload of misconceptions and shares never-told stories. His rambunctious California childhood. His clueless arrival as a good-looking college jock in Hollywood (from the Dating Game to the Fox New Talent Program to co-starring with Mae West). What it was like to emerge as a mega-star in his mid-thirties and remain so for decades to come, an actor whose ease on screen connected with audiences worldwide, while redefining the clichés of manhood.In You Never Know, Sel

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Book SynopsisTwenty-five years since acid house and Ecstasy revolutionized pop culture, Simon Reynolds''s landmark rave history Energy Flash has been expanded and updated to cover twenty-first-century developments like dubstep and EDM''s recent takeover of America.Author of the acclaimed postpunk history Rip It Up and Start Again, Reynolds became a rave convert in the early nineties. He experienced first-hand the scene''s drug-fuelled rollercoaster of euphoria and darkness. He danced at Castlemorton, the illegal 1992 mega-rave that sent spasms of anxiety through the Establishment and resulted in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill. Mixing personal reminiscence with interviews and ultra-vivid description of the underground''s ever-changing sounds as they mutated under the influence of MDMA and other drugs, Energy Flash is the definitive chronicle of electronic dance culture.From rave''s origins in Chicago house and Detroit techno, through Ibiza, Madchester and the anarchic free-party scene, to the pirate-radio underworld of jungle and UK garage, and then onto 2000s-shaping genres such as grime and electro, Reynolds documents with authority, insight and infectious enthusiasm the tracks, DJs, producers and promoters that soundtracked a generation. A substantial final section, added for this new Faber edition, brings the book right up to date, covering dubstep''s explosive rise to mass popularity and America''s recent but ardent embrace of rave. Packed with interviews with participants and charismatic innovators like Derrick May, Goldie and Aphex Twin, Energy Flash is an infinitely entertaining and essential history of dance music.

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Book SynopsisJennie Gow is a respected reporter, broadcaster and event host who broke into the world of Formula One motor racing in 2010 and has since become renowned as one of the sport's foremost media professionals.One of the few women to work in this demanding arena, Jennie is currently to be found presenting and reporting on Formula One for BBC News and BBC Radio Five Live, and will once again be featured as an F1 expert on the next season of the Netflix documentary series Drive to Survive.

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Book SynopsisDark Side of the Spoon: The Rock Cookbook features thirty recipes inspired by some of the most renowned rock acts of today and yesteryear. The dishes are accompanied by exclusive artworks from thirty top illustrators. Catering for cooks of all abilities and tastes, this book will help you master a wide range of starters, mains and desserts – including Smashing Pumpkin Pie, Fleetwood Mac and Cheese and Primal Bream. Dark Side of the Spoon celebrates the many humorous parallels between food and rock, and is a must-have for anyone with a love for cooking, music or illustration, or indeed all three.

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