Entertainment Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review" One strongly recommends this detailed and finely sympathetic biography, very well-written and produced, of arguably Britain's greatest composer of the twentieth-century. " * Musical Opinion Quarterly *

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Book Synopsis***'A wonderful document of the last great gathering of the pre-internet age. No camera phones, no social media, just a band and its fans as one' -NOEL GALLAGHER On 10th and 11th August 1996, Oasis played the concerts that would define them, a band at the height of their powers playing to over 250,000 people.Twenty-five years on, this is the inside story of those nights, told through the breathtaking photographs of Jill Furmanovsky, granted unprecedented access to Oasis throughout that summer. Also includes newly obtained first-hand accounts from the people who were there - including Noel Gallagher and Alan McGee - in text by award-winning author Daniel Rachel. From relaxed rehearsals and warm-up concerts to Knebworth itself - backstage, onstage, flying high above the site - many of the stunning photographs in this book have never been seen anywhere before.This the definitive account of two nights that a generation will never forget.

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Book SynopsisCostume Design for Performance offers a detailed insight into the creative process behind designing costumes for the performing arts, including theatre, opera, dance and film. Guiding the reader through the essential steps of the designing process, Bettina John combines extensive knowledge of the industry with insights gleaned from leading experts in the performing arts. Featuring over 200 original artworks by more than thirty designers, this book gives a rare insight into this highly individual and creative process. Topics covered include script analysis; in-depth research techniques; practical techniques to explore design; basic drawing techniques; character development; the role of the costume designer and wider team and finally, advice on portfolio presentation.

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Book SynopsisAn explosive expose of the men who changed independent cinema for ever in the 1990sTrade Review'Your book was so goddam well written, I was like, I don't want to read any more about [my heroes], but then I made the mistake of leaving it by my bedside table, and it was like a bag of pot, and I'm saying, "I'm not gonna smoke." I was insatiable' Quentin Tarantino 'Thoughtful, gossipy, and altogether mesmerizing ... A shamelessly good read' New York Times 'A total page-turner. The anecdotes, the characters, the fights, the stress of independent film-making are here in all their full-bloodedness' Independent 'As gripping and compelling as the fastest-paced thriller ... An unmissable sequel to Easy Riders Raging Bulls, as much a blockbuster as anything by the people it features. *****' Hotdog

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Book SynopsisAdapted for the screen by the author from his celebrated memoir, Alan Bennett''s The Lady in the Van, is directed by long-standing collaborator Nicholas Hytner.The film tells the true story of the relationship between Alan Bennett and the singular Miss Shepherd, a woman of uncertain origins who ''temporarily'' parked her van in Bennett''s London driveway and proceeded to live there for 15 years. Their unique story is funny, poignant and life-affirming.The Complete Lady in the Van contains a Foreword by Nicholas Hytner, a substantial Introduction with diary entries by Alan Bennett, the original memoir and the screenplay. The book includes numerous illustrations by David Gentleman, who sketched on set throughout filming, and a colour plate-section including behind-the-scenes photographs and stills from the film

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Book SynopsisThe brilliantly funny Sunday Times top ten bestseller. Alan Carr tells his life story in his own words, from growing up in a football-mad family in Northampton to his rise as one of Britain's best-loved comedians.Trade Review‘Carr's comic timing works every bit as well on the page as it does on stage, making this easily the funniest book of the year.’***** HEAT ‘joyous stuff that anyone can relate to.’ Independent ‘…written in a good-hearted, amusing tone but manages nonetheless to be quite candid.’ Sunday Express ‘[He] mixes the populism of Peter Kay with the camp of Larry Grayson.’ Evening Standard ‘Alan Carr is the spiritual son of Frankie Howerd.’ City Life

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Book SynopsisI can tell the difference between who I am and a side effect.The Effect is a clinical romance. Two young volunteers, Tristan and Connie, agree to take part in a clinical drug trial. Succumbing to the gravitational pull of attraction and love, however, Tristan and Connie manage to throw the trial off-course, much to the frustration of the clinicians involved. This funny, moving and perhaps surprisingly human play explores questions of sanity, neurology and the limits of medicine, alongside ideas of fate, loyalty and the inevitability of physical attraction.Following on from the critical and commercial success of Enron, The Effect offers a vibrant theatrical exploration into the human brain via the heart. It received its world premiere at the National Theatre''s Cottesloe Theatre in November 2012, starring Billie Piper and Jonjo O''Neill. It is published here in the Modern Classics series alongside an introduction by Miriam Gillinson.Trade ReviewLucy Prebble is a playwright blessed with an exceptionally fine mind . . . the play struck me as being both wise and sane, raising more questions than it answers, to be sure, but that seems a sign of integrity in a work dealing with such a complex subject. But what makes The Effect so special, is that as well as being a play of ideas, it is also deeply moving, both in its depiction of the giddy wonder of love, and also in its account of the terrifying wasteland of depression itself . . . The Effect is an astonishingly rich and rewarding play, as intelligent as it is deeply felt. * Daily Telegraph *Lucy Prebble’s follow-up to Enron is a scintillating exploration of the clash between scientific advance and human impulse … it demonstrates the same vivid, provocative intelligence * Financial Times *This four-hander brings the author's agile wit, intellectual penetration and a fresh, deeply affecting empathy to bear on a fundamentally much more complex topic than finance: brain chemistry and what it can – and cannot – tell us about the causes of severe depression and the experience of being in love … This is a provocative and challenging play … it ends in edgy gesture of good sense that made me feel like cheering. * Independent *After her hit with Enron, Lucy Prebble turns to medicine and the mind - to great effect ... The Effect is a four-hander that hopscotches confidently across themes of neurology, psychopharmacology, depression, love and guilt . . . The Effect moves you to thought, sometimes to strong feeling. * Sunday Times *Prebble has written a profound and stirring play. The material is complex but always accessible, the drama serious and informative yet deeply human, with the odd jolt of piercing humour. The Effect confirms her as one of the most intelligent voices in British theatre. * Evening Standard *Incisive dialogue . . . Prebble really researches and the range of her subjects suggests she will have a long theatrical life * Observer *The Effect is a headlong delve into the mysteries of the human brain. And Prebble pulls it off with assurance, tickling our cerebellums in the first half, before tugging on our heartstrings in the second . . . heartbreaking . . . [it has] a heart as well as a brain. * Time Out *Lucy Prebble's absorbing drama, a hit . . . Taut, intelligent * The Times *This is a knotty drama, dealing with scientific objectivity, guilt, the mysteries of the human heart and brain and what makes us who we are, wrapped up in a deceptively simple and constantly entertaining package. * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis'A story of courage, heart, of coming back for more, of love and struggle and the power of both' Joseph O'ConnorA No.1 bestseller, It's Not Yet Dark is an unforgettable book about relationships and family, about what connects and separates us as people and, ultimately, about what it means to be alive.Trade ReviewIf you are hungry for truth and beauty, read this book * Roisin Ingle, The Irish Times *Sparsely and beautifully written...the human spirit and will to live shines out of these pages...By the time you reach the end of this book, with tears of admiration, sadness and frustration in your eyes, the question is no longer why would you want to live...but how could you not * Irish Independent *An unforgettable read about what it means to be alive * Woman's Way magazine *[It's Not Yet Dark is] a demonstration of a will to live that is breathtaking...There's a rhythm of immediacy that feels like a still-beating heart whose strength is beyond admirable. It is a work of a documentary poetry...an extraordinary read * The Herald *Part memoir, part stark document of the way [Simon] and his family have dealt with motor neuron disease, and part fierce celebration of being alive, It's Not Yet Dark is powerful, gripping and compelling * The Irish Times *The word 'inspirational' is over-used, but if ever a book deserved this epithet, this is it * Sunday Independent *[A] gripping, affecting, sometimes funny read by a natural-born storyteller with something to say about the weight and the value of a life...If you need a story of courage, of heart, of coming back for more, of love and struggle and the power of both, It's Not Yet Dark could be the elusive thing you're after * Joseph O'Connor *Beautifully written...utterly life-affirming * Alan Rickman *Crystal clear, radiating all the things that we aspire toward. A beautiful love story * Colin Farrell *

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Book SynopsisRobert W. Schneider (he/him/his) has been called a renaissance man of the theatre by his previous bio.which he wrote himself. He is an award-winning Director, Producer, Author, Educator, and Podcast Host residing in New York City, where he is the Artistic Director of The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company. Despite finding every excuse imaginable not to go to classes in undergrad, including saying he had Elm Disease which apparently only trees get, it's ironic that Robert is now one of the most notable figures in theatrical education and holds academic appointments at Pennsylvania State University, New York Film Academy, and Mount Union University. He received his MFA in Direction for the Musical Theatre Stage from Pennsylvania State University and his BA in Political Science from California Lutheran University. Robert is a proud member of SDC, AEA, AGVA, ATHE and has a box at UPS.

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Book SynopsisAlong the way, he’s hobnobbed with people you wish you knew and some you honestly wish you didn’t— celebrities, presidents, presidents’ wives, celebrities’ wives, dogs and, of course, Veronica Corningstone, the love of his life.Trade ReviewForget the rest – the only celebrity memoir you need is Let Me Off At The Top! by Ron Burgundy. Actually by Will Ferrell, it’s published as his heroically coiffured newscaster Burgundy returns in Anchorman 2. As Burgundy insists: ‘‘This is a terrific book,’’(especially if you need 12 rules to survive a prison riot). * Metro *Funnier than the original movie. * Heat, 5 star review *A very funny mock-ography, and, yes, it smells of rich mahogany. * Shortlist *Comedy gold. * Empire *An insight into the brilliant mind of the world's favourite anchorman. * FHM *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Although Andre Bazin died shortly before the onset of what we now regard as the modern cinema, our understanding of this cinema wouldn't be the same without him. He's also one of the most scrupulous humanists and polemicists we've had, on a par with George Orwell, and these essays map out the busy highways we're all still navigating." - Jonathan Rosenbaum, film critic for the Chicago Reader"Table of ContentsForeword to the 2004 Edition Introduction The Ontology of the Photographic Image The Myth of Total Cinema The Evolution of the Language of Cinema The Virtues and Limitations of Montage In Defense of Mixed Cinema Theater and Cinema Part One Part Two Le Journal d'un cure de campagne and the Stylistics of Robert Bresson Charlie Chaplin Cinema and Exploration Painting and Cinema Notes Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Powerhouse delivers a chronicle of vaunting ambition, immense wealth and power, and personal betrayal all the more astonishing in a business ostensibly built on loyalty and trust... Even more impressive is Miller's ability to get nearly everyone involved not only to talk but also go on the record." -- New York Times Book Review "Magisterial. ... One of the two most important books about the business of entertainment to come out in 2016. ... A must read for anyone who wants to work in Hollywood or just know how Hollywood works." -- The Hollywood Reporter "It's dishy. It's like People Magazine meets 'The Godfather.' It's like nothing else. I ate it up." -- New York Post "Eminently readable and moves at a fast pace thanks to dozens of fascinating celebrity stories." -- Mashable "The year's hottest Hollywood tell-all." -- New York Daily News "Probably the most hotly anticipated book since Julia Phillips's tell-all YOU'LL NEVER EAT LUNCH IN THIS TOWN AGAIN dropped more than two decades ago." -- Variety "[F]un to read both for the boldface names - including agency founders Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer, and clients like Magic Johnson and Ali MacGraw - and for a glimpse into a largely unseen world of cultural influencers." -- The National Book Review

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Book SynopsisThis is the remarkable memoir of the small girl (5 foot 1 inch tall) with the huge voice. At the age of 15, in 1964, Lulu - born Marie Lawrie in Glasgow - was already a star with her international hit song ''Shout''. At 18 she stole hearts as an English schoolgirl to Sidney Poitier''s teacher with the movie hit ''To Sir With Love''. At 21, she married a Bee Gee, Maurice Gibb, and tied as winner of the Eurovision Song Contest with ''Boom-Bang-a-Bang''. Yet in 1993 she reached No.1 with ''Relight My Fire'' (with Take That). Nearly forty years at the top of the showbiz tree, Lulu has never been afraid to experiment with new trends, and her book reflects the daring that took a girl from a Glasgow tenement to international stardom - as ''To Sir With Love'' says, ''from crayons to perfume''.I DON''T WANT TO FIGHT (the title of a song Lulu wrote and Tina Turner recorded) is the devastatingly candid autobiography of a singer who has never shirked from facing anything.

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Book SynopsisHis book is a joy to read, full of homespun wisdom and hilarious asides' Independent____________________Where do comedians come from? Why is it that one person is a funny bloke down the pub while another actually makes a living by standing up in front of an audience telling jokes? And where does all that material come from? Well, young Lee McKillop used to wonder that too.___________________ Growing up in his parents' pub, small and wiry in a world of bigger and chunkier specimens, Lee quickly learned that cracking jokes was a way to get attention. After a somewhat random series of jobs, which included being Red Rum's stableboy and a bingo hall barman, it was as a Great Yarmouth holiday camp entertainer that he had his first crack at telling jokes on stage. It got him some laughs, the sack and a punch in the face.*Now, as Lee Mack, he's one of our best loved and most successful comedians, both Trade ReviewA first-class comic. His autobiography, Mack the Life, has all the cheerful candour of one of his barnstorming shows. Mack has polished this narrative until it shines, and his book is a joy to read, full of homespun wisdom and hilarious asides. * Independent *A cracking read. Jokes liberally dot the narrative … a frank picture of a man who can’t believe his luck, but still manages to keep his feet on the ground * Chortle *a truly fascinating read, genuinely funny throughout * British Comedy Guide *

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Book SynopsisHelps the player overcome problems, by building up a complete picture of each piece, through rhythmic and melodic exercises related to specific technical issues, then by studying prepared pieces with associated questions, and finally 'going solo' with a series of meticulously-graded sight-reading pieces.Trade ReviewThis series of very practical and productive workbooks, one per grade, was published several years ago and has been updated, according to the cover blurb, 'to support the revised ABRSM sight-reading criteria' in the 2009 syllabus. With hundreds of fascinating, short character pieces it is an inexhaustible resource for lessons - and delightful music in its own right. Helpful tips and tricks will improve pupils' chances of gaining more marks in this bit of the exam, and this is an honest, well-designed, reasonably priced package. I would recommend its use outside the exam preparation period rather than at the last minute, because the skills picked up will help in every aspect of piano playing, aural perception and general musical awareness. Piano Magazine, January 2009

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Book SynopsisA lively history of British nightclubs and music venues, from earliest days through to rock n' roll, Northern Soul and rave culture to the present day

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Book SynopsisStanley Kubrick died on 7 March 1999 at his Hertfordshire home, having finished the editing of his last film. Eyes Wide Shut was released later that year. Adapted from Arthur Schnitzler''s 1926 Viennese novel Dream Story, relocated and updated to contemporary Manhattan, Eyes Wide Shut stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a prosperous couple whose marriage is tested in the aftermath a series of sinister events. The film baffled many of its first audiences. It had all the lavish attention to detail of a Kubrick film but it seemed slow, enigmatic, too much of a dream. Michel Chion''s extraordinary study of Eyes Wide Shut makes the case that it is one of Kubrick''s masterpieces and a fitting testament. To appreciate this, though, it is necessary to look at what happens on the screen without bringing preconceptions to bear. The film needs to be taken at face value. Looked at this way, Eyes Wide Shut reveals itself to be a deeply moving film about characters who are not so different from re

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Book SynopsisRichard Burton: star. The roaring boy from the Welsh coal valleys who came to sport on the banks of the old Nile, playing great Antony to Elizabeth Taylor''s Cleopatra. From the West End to Hollywood, from Camelot to Shakespeare, he drank, dazzled and despaired, playing out his life on the public stage. But there was another, quieter, off-stage Richard Burton, a face hidden from the multitude.Melvyn Bragg, allowed free access to the never-before-revealed Burton private notebooks, and with the cooperation of friends who have never spoken about him before, has brought together the private and public sides for the first time. Rich is the complete Richard Burton: a revelation.

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Book SynopsisForget Blur/Oasis and Cool Britannia. None of that actually happened. Bad Vibes is the true story of English Rock in the nineties. Written with wit, brio and no small amount of bile, Luke Haines recounts how it felt to ride a wave of self-congratulatory success in a world with no taste. As frontman of The Auteurs, Haines tells of supporting Suede, conquering France, and failing to break America. Of knuckle-headed musos , baffling tours and a swiftly unravelling personal life. And of what it''s like to be on the cusp of massive success. Funny, honest and ridiculously entertaining, Luke Haines attacks anyone within rifle range, and is more than happy to turn the gun on himself. Bad Vibes is a brilliant memoir from a man who tells it how it was - and how he wishes it hadn''t been.Trade ReviewThese recollections could be mistaken for a great comic novel... Haines is as funny as he is grumpy * Independent on Sunday *Haines' prolific spleen, pasty English wit and peerless way with a smartly tailored insult was always going to make this memoir essential reading * Time Out *Beautifully acerbic and elegant. . . a viciously funny writer * Q Magazine *A lavishly bitchy memoir packed with gripes, grievances and tall stories told at the expense of other more famous musicians ... Haines has constructed a vivid literary persona for himself as the great, grumpy Nearly Man of 1990s rock ... He pours endless scorn on his amiable peers, who bizarrely seem not to mind or even notice ... Rock's misanthrope in excelsis * The Sunday Times *As entertaining as Spinal Tap * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisAri Gold is known for his ruthless approach to deal-making and client relationships that made him one of, if not the, most powerful and sought-after agents in Hollywood until he retired in 2011. In his new book THE GOLD STANDARD, Gold will illuminate, for the first time, his unique, effective and, some would say, outrageous philosophies on running a successful business, client management, employee motivation, keeping a happy home life, and other keys to his many successes. Brash, emphatic, instructive and always wise, Gold''s book will rival business and leadership bestsellers the world over. In his own words and with his trademark enthusiasm, Gold''s tome will be the only book anyone wanting to make something of him or herself will ever need. Ari Gold says: In my humble opinion, if you want to run a successful business this is the only book you''ll ever have to read. And my humble opinion is never wrong.

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Book Synopsis(Faber Piano Adventures ). The 2nd Edition of the 3B Performance Book offers appealing, pianistic pieces that closely correlate with the Lesson Book concepts. Students will enjoy a German Dance by Beethoven and a selection from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, as well as arrangements by Strauss, and a four-hand duet by Felix Mendelssohn. Well-loved standards such as "Hava Nagila" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," along with new originals by the Fabers, provide a variety of major and minor keys, accompaniment styles, and pianistic expression.

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Book SynopsisThe zombie is cinema’s most enduring horror icon, having terrified audiences for decades. Book of the Dead charts the history of the walking dead from the monster’s origins in Haitian voodoo, through its cinematic debut in 1932’s White Zombie up to blockbuster World War Z and beyond.Covering hundreds of movies from America, Europe, Asia and even the Middle East, Jamie Russell examines zombies’ on-screen evolution from Caribbean bogeymen to flesh-eating corpses and apocalyptic plague carriers. With an exhaustive filmography covering the history of the zombie genre, Book of the Dead explains our ongoing fascination with the living dead and how this shambolic monster has become a stumbling, moaning metaphor for our age.Fully revised and updated with over 300 new moviesIncludes an exclusive interview with the ‘Don of the Dead’ George A. RomeroThe

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Book SynopsisJust in time for the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, a rollickingly updated edition of LIVE FROM NEW YORK with nearly 100 new pages covering the past decade.

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Book SynopsisWaging Heavy Peace is the remarkable memoir of rock icon Neil YoungNeil Young is a singular figure in the history of rock and pop culture in the last four decades, inducted not once but twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Reflective, insightful and disarmingly honest, Waging Heavy Peace is his long-awaited memoir. From his youth in Canada to his crazy journey out to California, through Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash, to his massively successful solo career and his re-emergence as the patron saint of grunge on to his role today as one of the last uncompromised and uncompromising survivors of rock ''n'' roll - this is Neil''s story told in his own words.Young presents a kaleidoscopic view of personal life and musical creativity; it''s a journey that spans the snows of Ontario to the LSD-laden boulevards of 1966 Los Angeles to the contemplative paradise of Hawaii today. Along the way he writes about the music, the victim

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Book SynopsisA unique survey of the twentieth century's most influential acting methods, offering invaluable practical insights for actors and drama teachers. Each of the ten famous techniques included in this handbook is described in detail by one of today's foremost practitioners. Each chapter outlines the development of the respective technique and offers practical guidance for actors wishing to explore it for themselves. • Lee Strasberg Technique by Anna Strasberg • Stella Adler Technique by Tom Oppenheim • Sanford Meisner Technique by Victoria Hart • Michael Chekhov Technique and The Mask by Per Brahe • Uta Hagen's Technique by Carol Rosenfeld • Physical Acting Inspired by Grotowski by Stephen Wangh • The Viewpoints by Mary Overlie • Practical Aesthetics by Robert Bella • Interdisciplinary Training by Fritz Ertl • Neo-classical Training by Louis ScheederTrade Review'A remarkable and significant book... The thing that makes it so special is that editor Arthur Bartow brings together chapters on all the major practitioners written by other highly respected teachers and practitioners' * ReviewsGate.com *Table of ContentsLee Strasberg's Method by Anna StrasbergStella Adler Technique by Tom OppenheimSanford Meisner Technique by Victoria HartMichael Chekhov Technique and The Mask by Per BraheUta Hagen Technique by Carol RosenfeldPhysical Acting Inspired by Grotowski by Stephen WangThe Viewpoints by Mary OverliePractical Aesthetics by Robert BellaInterdisciplinary Training by Fritz ErtlNeoclassical Training by Louis Scheeder

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Book SynopsisOnce in a generation a woman comes along who changes everything. Tina Fey is not that woman, but she met that woman once and acted weird around her.Before 30 Rock, Mean Girls and ''Sarah Palin'', Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher.She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true.At last, Tina Fey''s story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately half-hearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon - from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.Tina Fey reveals all in this hilarious memoir, and proves what we''ve all suspected: you''re no one until someone callsTrade ReviewA masterpiece in comedy writing...I was hooked from the first word * Sunday Telegraph *Mightily enjoyable ... Bossypants shows that 30 Rock's voice is very much Fey's voice: pithy, smart and as ironic as being run over by an ambulance ... if she has a point to make, if she feels something deeply, she can make it funny. That's why she is a great comedian * The Times *My love for the divine Tina Fey is river deep, mountain high ... Bossypants is as hilarious, candid and self-deprecating as fangirls like me would expect -- Lauren Laverne * Grazia *Wry, clever, biting and brilliant * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe classic biography which explores the shocking drama of Kurt Cobain's troubled life

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Book Synopsis"This does indeed deserve comparisons with Blackadder" Radio Times"A knockabout, well-researched take on the working and domestic life of Shakespeare." The GuardianIt’s the 1590s. William Shakespeare – brought to life on screen by the inimitable David Mitchell – is at the start of his career. But no one is taking him seriously. In London, he is mercilessly mocked by his rivals and at home in Stratford he is belittled by his sullen teenage daughter. Yet he is determined to find an ending for his newest creation Romeo and Juliet. Luckily, inspiration is forthcoming. The trials and tribulations of his closest friends and family reveal the plot twists he’d been missing. And not only for this famous tragedy but for many of his finest plays. With sparkling wordplay, hilarious gags and his trademark wit, Ben Elton celebrates the great William Shakespeare and reveals the startling stories behind the playwright’s best-known plays.Trade ReviewA gag-packed riot * The Times *A knockabout, well-researched take on the working and domestic life of Shakespeare * The Guardian *Gloriously restores Elton's credentials as a reliable provider of quality sitcom * The Telegraph *It's really, really funny * Spectator *The guffaws come thick and fast * Independent *Packed with gags * Mirror *This does indeed deserve comparisons with Blackadder * Radio Times *A rollicking good comedy * Express *

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Book SynopsisThis slipcase edition - limited to just 500 copies - contains an exclusive Slade Christmas card, handsigned by Don, and is the only way to buy this updated edition in hardback.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating deep-dive into the minds of killers and criminals from the creators of the UK's number one true crime podcast, Redhanded.

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Book SynopsisFrom acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes The Shape of Water, an otherworldly love story set in 1963 against the backdrop of Cold War-era America. Starring Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Sally Hawkins, and Doug Jones, The Shape of Water tells the story of a janitor (Hawkins) in a government facility who falls in love with an aquatic man (Jones) who is being held captive for testing. The Art and Making of The Shape of Water chronicles the entire filmmaking journey, from development to design to filming. Featuring interviews and commentary from key actors and members of the creative team, the book also showcases the amazing concept art and design work created for the film. For del Toro fans and movie lovers everywhere, it's the perfect way to explore this exciting new movie from a master filmmaker known for his poignant storytelling and visual grandeur.

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Book Synopsis''The book is great: moving but also properly funny.'' Hadley Freeman, The Guardian''A memoir with an unusual sense of purpose. . . pithy, highly readable'' The TimesThe entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future. His two previous bestselling memoirs, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up, dealt with how he came to terms with the illness, all the while exhibiting his iconic optimism. In No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, Michael shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, ageing, the strength of family and friends, and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality. Thoughtful and moving, but with Fox''s trademark sense of humour, his book provides a vehicle for reflection about our lives, our loves, and our losses.Running through the narrative is thTrade Reviewthe book is great: moving but also properly funny (only Fox would take up golf after developing Parkinson's), and now that he has, to varying degrees, jettisoned the fig leaf of determined optimism, it gives the clearest description of life with Parkinson's I've ever read * Hadley Freeman, The Guardian *A heartfelt, unselfish book about never giving up. . . * Kirkus Reviews *No Time Like the Future is a memoir with an unusual sense of purpose. . . pithy, highly readable. . . Fox tells his story vividly with plenty of quips and self-deprecation * The Times *Funny and readable * GQ *In this moving, often funny memoir Michael J Fox reveals how he regained his sense of optimism, and reflects on age, family and living with a disability. * The Guardian *Fox's writing reflects his funny and upbeat approach to life * GQ *

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Book SynopsisI can confirm that should you ever find yourself on stage playing the bass guitar with three left hands, it is usually the one in the middle that is the real one. The other two are probably phantoms. Playing the Bass with Three Left Hands tells the story of one of the most revered British bands of the 1980s: Spacemen 3. As the decade turned and acid house hit the mainstream, the band imploded spectacularly, going their separate ways just as they were on the cusp of breakthrough success. Here, Will Carruthers tells the story of his time in a wholly dysfunctional yet hugely influential band, in one of the funniest and most memorable music memoirs.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller!'Downton with dance, perfect!' Santa MontefiorePrepare to be swept off your feet by the romantic and irresistible debut novel from Anton Du BekeLondon, 1936.Inside the spectacular Grand Ballroom of the exclusive Buckingham Hotel the rich and powerful, politicians, film stars, even royalty, rub shoulders with Raymond de Guise and his troupe of talented dancers from all around the world, who must enchant them, captivate them, and sweep away their cares. Accustomed to waltzing with the highest of society, Raymond knows a secret from his past could threaten all he holds dear.Nancy Nettleton, new chambermaid at the Buckingham, finds hotel life a struggle after leaving her small hometown. She dreams of joining the dancers on the ballroom floor as she watches, unseen, from behind plush curtains and hidden doorways. She soon discovers everyone at the Buckingham - guests and staff alike - has something to hide . . .The storm clouds of war are gathering, and beneath the glitz and glamour of the ballroom lurks an irresistible world of scandal and secrets.Let's dance . . .Trade ReviewDownton with dance, perfect! * Santa Montefiore *The consummate storyteller, adept at captivating audiences will now captivate readers as he whisks them away to worlds of dance, intrigue, high society and scandal... bringing the golden age of dance to life, page by page * Western Mail *A sparkling debut * Woman Magazine *This sweeping, engrossing story offers glamorous, high-society entertainment and promises to delight the reader * Daily Express *The characters and stories are beautifully interwoven to provide a really fabulous read * Judy Murray *

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Book Synopsis''Packed with insight and anecdote, his story brings the Tower ravens to vivid life, each bird with a personality of its own. I''ve been fortunate enough to tour the Tower and meet the ravens a few times in years past; after reading this book, I cannot wait to go back'' George R. R. MartinFor centuries, the Tower of London has been home to a group of famous avian residents: the ravens. Each year they are seen by millions of visitors, and they have become as integral a part of the Tower as its ancient stones themselves. But their role is even more important than that legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower will crumble into dust, and great harm will befall the kingdom.One man is personally responsible for ensuring that such a disaster never comes to pass the Ravenmaster. The current holder of the position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, and in this fascinating, entertaining and touching book he memorably describes the ravens' formidable intelligence, their iTrade Review‘He is a born storyteller’ Evening Standard ‘A born storyteller with a gift for banter honed by years in the British army, Skaife has written a book that is far from a dry monograph about the species … [it is] a beguiling, fascinating, and highly amusing account of the strangely magical birds. He is making us love them in a way that makes them more than mere symbols’ Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk, Atlantic ‘A natural story teller, Skaife writes with affection and insight about these powerful, unpredictable and highly intelligent birds … a wonderfully personal account’ Guardian ‘The best Christmas presents are often a little unexpected and this lovely memoir of Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife's experience of looking after the Tower of London ravens fits the bill. A beguiling mixture of personal experience, folklore and humour, The Ravenmaster is a charming delight’ iNews ‘A strange, wise and fascinating book that takes you deep into the interwoven myth and history of the raven. At a time when we're thinking more than ever about tradition and identity, this is a book that feels both urgent and timeless, with the Ravenmaster himself an eccentric, genial and quintessentially British narrator’ Alex Preston, author of When Kingfishers Catch Fire ‘The London book of the year this year has to be The Ravenmaster, a funny and informative account of life with the royal ravens’ Evening Standard ‘Balancing fascinating tidbits with macabre details (blood-soaked dog biscuits and ghostly sightings), [Skaife] titillates as he educates, rehabilitating the gloomy reputation of the raven. Skaife’s conversational style and disarming candor make this a rollicking tale fit for nearly any armchair adventurer’ Publisher's Weekly

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Book SynopsisShowrunners Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald reveal the story behind the creation of one of the most celebrated, revolutionary animated series of all time.  X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series takes fans behind the scenes of the landmark cartoon that laid the groundwork for the dozens of Marvel Comics adaptations that followed. Interviews with series writers, artists, producers, and executives reveal the razor’s edge that Marvel and Fox navigated in order to bring the X-Men to television, and detail the tough decisions, compromises, and brilliant solutions that resulted in a series that has been lauded by critics and fans for nearly three decades.   Along the way, readers will encounter comics and entertainment luminaries Stan Lee, Margaret Loesch, Avi Arad, and Haim Saban, as well as exclusive production art and commentary from key X-Men: TAS artists such as supervising producer/director Will Meugniot, producer/direTrade Review“…many a comic fan considers the 1990s X-Men animated series to be the definitive screen version of Marvel’s iconic mutant team — and this encyclopedic new volume is the definitive guide.” * Yahoo! Entertainment *“Plain and simple, this is a must-buy for all X-Men fans.” * Geeks Worldwide *“It’s a must read for all fans of the 90s cartoon classic…” * The Beat *“…you’re truly getting a look behind the curtain to how [the show] came together.” * Cinelinx *“Abrams Books has published something that satisfies those looking for animation knowledge, art aficionados, and the most die-hard critical X-Men collectors.” * Red Carpet Report *“…a behind-the-scenes look packed with commentary and never-before-seen concept art, storyboards and more.” * The Los Angeles Times *“…this massive hardcover is a must-have for any fan of Marvel's mutants.” * Comic Book Resources *

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