Memoirs Books
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Fighting for Napoleons Army in Russia
Book SynopsisThe memoir of a Dutch Napoleonic officer during the Russian Campaign of 1812, focussing on his experiences during the march into Russia, the battles and his captivity.
£17.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Out of the Siege of Sarajevo
Book SynopsisThis is a deeply personal memoir of the Bosnian Civil War, detailing the author's experience of the siege of Sarajevo, of having to flee their home and their eventual escape to the UK.
£17.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Magic in the Tin
Book Synopsis''Unmissable: please read this extraordinary book.'' - Daily Mail''A triumph ... A worthy follow-up to The Boy on the Shed.'' - Jeff Stelling''All men should read this book - important and brilliantly written.'' - Alan Shearer''Genius... A difficult, deeply personal story beautifully told.'' George Caulkin, The Athletic----From the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, The Boy on the Shed, comes a powerful tale of grit and resilience, told with great humour, openness and profound bravery.Former Newcastle United winger Paul Ferris was 51. He had successfully forged a post-football career as a physio, barrister and then a CEO, and his award-winning memoir, The Boy on the Shed, was just about to be published. But then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This honest, sometimes brutal and frequently funny book tells the story of what happened next.ProsTrade ReviewAll men should read this book – important and brilliantly written. -- Alan ShearerA triumph ... A worthy follow-up to The Boy on the Shed. -- Jeff StellingA difficult and important story beautifully told. -- Mick HarfordGenius... A difficult, deeply personal story beautifully told. Paul Ferris is a rare and important author who can write about the darkest of subjects with a warmth and life- affirming honesty few others can match. -- George Caulkin * The Athletic UK *Paul Ferris manages to be brutally honest and very funny about something dark and terrifying. He's also generous, warm and philosophical. -- Kevin Day, writer and comedianA book as brave as it is honest. * Daily Mail *... a fantastic read… educational and thought-provoking. * ITV News *A powerful, courageous and brave book -- Francis Benali, Southampton FC legend and award-winning charity fundraiserCourageous, life-affirming and beautifully written, it is a memoir that is both deeply moving and rich in humour... a magnificent book and I encourage you to read it. -- Helen McGurkA deeply personal and brutally honest account ... handled with a light tough - and moments of real humour - as Ferris brings that roller coaster road to life. * Irish news *Powerful * Choice Magazine *Unmissable: please read this extraordinary book... Every man, whatever their age, should read this brave and painfully honest book. * Daily Mail *Ferris brings humour to the darkness. This profoundly moving memoir will perhaps be his most important legacy. It will hold the hands of men unfortunate enough to face the same fight and encourage others not to remain silent. Inspirational. * Daily Mail *
£999.99
Edinburgh University Press The Loneliest Revolution
Book SynopsisIn this first-hand account of the Iranian Revolution, Mirsepassi deftly weaves together his memories of provincial life and radical activism in 1960s and 1970s Iran with insights gleaned in his subsequent career as a sociologist of Iran.Trade Review"The prose of our historiography is changing. Solid scholars with an impeccable academic background are turning to the more publicly accessible genre of memoir, and Ali Mirsepassi's exceptionally insightful new book is a vintage of such fruitful prose. Deeply erudite, and yet intimate, endearing, and irresistibly readable, The Loneliest Revolution charts a whole new way of writing history. A bravura performance! ?" -Hamid Dabashi, Columbia University
£18.22
Orion Publishing Co Maybe Baby On the Mother Side
Book SynopsisThe honest, entertaining and brilliantly relatable Sunday Times bestseller.Kate Lawler has never been maternal. And yet here she is: mother to Noa, after years of going back and forth about having children at all. This is the story of her journey from parentally undecided to early motherhood, via raging hormones, sleepless nights, emergency hospital trips, mum guilt, unspoken regrets and post-natal depression.This book is not a parenting manual. It won''t tell you what to pack in your hospital bag, or how to get your baby to sleep. It may not help you with feeding or dealing with tantrums. But it will show you that you''re not alone - and that it''s perfectly possible, and maybe even normal, to love your child with all of your heart while also feeling lost, alone and resentful.Whether you''re an expectant parent, a new parent, firmly in the thick of it, or still parentally undecided, this book is for you, as Kate writes honestly and hilariously
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co The Road to London Bridge
Book Synopsis''Steve Gallant''s exceptional act of courage on London Bridge speaks of both heroism and redemption'' - Jon Snow, former anchor of Channel 4 NewsThis is a story of physical bravery, moral courage, and the power of redemption from the man who led the charge in stopping the terrorist attack at Fishmongers'' Hall in November 2019. From cell fires to violent feuds and gang battles on prison wings, after being sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, what Steve witnessed at HMP Frankland made him change his life forever. After losing everything, he vowed to never use violence again. In November 2019, Steve''s redemptive journey led him to a Learning Together event at Fishmongers'' Hall, hosted by his mentor, Jack Merritt, and attended by Saskia Jones. It was here, on his first day out of prison on day release, that Steve was forced to break his vow as he bravely confronted and fought armed-terrorist Usman Khan on London Bridge. Armed just wTrade Review'Steve Gallant's exceptional act of courage on London Bridge speaks of both heroism and redemption' - Jon Snow, former anchor Channel 4 News
£8.54
Orion Publishing Co The Orphanage
Book SynopsisThe heartbreaking and inspiring account of a young girl who suffered at the hands of nuns in the Nazareth House Convent. Frances Reilly and her sisters were abandoned by their mother outside Nazareth House Convent - a Belfast orphanage run by nuns. Little did they know the unimaginable cruelty they'd endure within its walls. Frances suffered horrifically at the hands of the Sisters: brutally beaten, worked like a slave, abused and molested, the convent regime stripped her of everything - education, innocence and childhood. But the hope of rescue or escape never left her. Years later, Frances would face her demons in court, bringing to account those who so viciously stole her youth. This is her gripping and moving story of one child's spirit of survival.Trade ReviewAs the true story of abuse in a convent upbringing, this is a particularly harrowing account...the pain and fear that Reilly felt during this period is almost tangible in her frank prose. * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Reclaiming
Book SynopsisReclaiming is a brilliantly written and thought-provoking book. Through amazing story telling, Yewande highlights the richness in her culture that so many other black women can relate to. It was extremely gripping right from beginning. -- Oloni''This book highlights the topics and issues we still face in our society daily, including some that I''ve struggled with myself. I think it''s hugely important we keep having these conversations and this book certainly helps do just that.'' -- Olivia Bowen''Reclaiming is comforting, yet inspiring. Yewande has admirably opened up about her experiences growing up and facing difficulties such as colourism and mental health problems, how she''s so bravely over come them and found her voice. I whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone mixed up in this complex generation looking for a relatable, authentic and aspirational read.'' -- Demi Jones''
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Inciting Joy
Book SynopsisAn intimate and electrifying collection of essays from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Delights.
£15.29
Hodder & Stoughton Honey Baby Mine
Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ''wonderful... raw, gossipy, funny, delicate, endlessly compassionate, at moments devastating, at others spectacularly wise'' THE TIMES''This is the best, truest, most shocking Hollywood memoir I''ve ever read. It is also one of the most loving'' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH''Emboldened by each day''s revelations and driven by their abiding love for each other, [Dern and Ladd] wade into deeper confessions. The book is at its most memorable and affecting when they work up the courage to excavate heavy, sharp-edged emotional artifacts. . . They yell, grow quiet, accuse and forgive, allowing us to witness their relationship evolving, walk by walk.'' NEW YORK TIMES''Even the hardest of hearts might shed a tear or two thanks to the ways in which this book forces the reader to consider their own relationship with their mother.'' MAIL ONLINE*WITH A FOREWORD BY REESE WITHERSPOON*
£18.70
Hodder & Stoughton Fly Away Paul
Book Synopsis''No other book has come close to capturing so well what Paul McCartney is about, nor described so vividly his mental breakdown when the Beatles separated, nor his need for Linda to nurse him back to good health...the book is packed with trivia, not for the sake of it but because it throws light onto the way Paul developed. And it''s fascinating; every word of it. It''s an extraordinarily brilliant book.'' SIMON NAPIER-BELL''Totally enjoyed. You might have got a bit close for Sir Paul, but then again a true pro always respects the one who gets inside. Brava. '' ANDREW LOOG OLDHAM''The most brilliant journalism ... Captivating.'' STEVE HARLEY, COCKNEY REBEL''...another amazing book. Your meticulous research is second to none.'' JOHNNIE WALKERThe first definitive account of Paul McCartney''s time in Wings, publishing on the fiftieth anniversary of the bestselling album Band on the RunNo comprehTrade ReviewAbsorbing . . . Jones perceptively portrays how Wings were always overshadows by the Beatles' success * Scotland on Sunday *
£21.25
Hodder & Stoughton Personal Best
Book Synopsis''Adele''s inner strength is truly remarkable. Personal Best will light a fire of hope and determination in us all.'' -Lorraine KellyAward-winning BBC broadcaster, TV personality and DJ, Adele Roberts, was diagnosed with bowel cancer on the first of October 2021. In the months that followed, with her partner Kate Holderness alongside her, she fought very publicly through the challenges of chemotherapy and life with a stoma, whom she named Audrey. Adele''s legions of fans avidly followed this remarkable journey, struck by her determination, her stoicism, and above all the resolute positivity that she and Kate demonstrated despite the many hurdles they faced along the way. 18 months on - she ran across the finish line of the London Marathon, setting a new Guinness World Record as the fastest female with an ileostomy.Personal Best is the story of those months but it''s also a tremendously valuable, life-enhancing guide to surviving and thriving thr
£18.70
Hachette Books Ireland The Irish Experiment
Book SynopsisWhether it''s committing to a tackle, being a dad or writing a memoir, if Zach Tuohy goes in, he goes ''all in''During his childhood in County Laois, Zach Tuohy''s first love was Gaelic football. But when an Australian football club came knocking with a professional contract, the then-seventeen-year-old leapt at the opportunity to travel across the world and come to grips with an oval ball. Despite a rocky start navigating a Carlton Football Club in disarray and becoming a father at twenty-three, Zach went on to become one of the greatest success stories of the ''Irish Experiment''. A move to the Geelong Cats made him a star rebounding defender and cult favourite player, and in 2022 he reached the pinnacle of his adopted code, winning a Premiership medal. In 2023, Zach set a new record for the number of AFL games played by an Irish player, passing the effort of the great Jim Stynes. With characteristic devil-may care attitude and determination, Zach wr
£15.29
John Murray Press I Am Norwell Roberts
Book SynopsisTo appreciate the present and how far we have come we sometimes need to revisit the uncomfortable past, no matter how painful. Norwell Roberts, who became the Met''s first Black police officer in 1967, found out he had a new job the same way the readers of the Daily Telegraph did. The headline read ''MET TO HAVE FIRST COLOURED POLICEMAN''. From that day forward his face became a symbol - of acceptance, of a diverse police force, of a changing Britain. He was turned into the poster boy for progressive policing - but his day-to-day reality was anything but. Greeted with prejudice, ridicule, and rejection, he refused to quit. And thus began an extraordinary career that placed him on the frontlines of a tumultuous period in Britain''s history. Stationed at embassies, anti-war protests and riots, his race singled him out and landed him on front pages around the world. I am Norwell Roberts is the incredible true story of
£10.44
John Murray Press Committed
Book Synopsis''A deep, sometimes harrowing book about loss, grief, and the way literary representations of mental illness shaped Scanlon''s experience of her own life'' Emily Gould, The Cut''Visceral, raw and tender, this candid and timely memoir is, at heart, a love-letter to the profound and redemptive power of literature'' Annabel Abbs''An immensely talented writer, at her finest, cutting through propriety and convention to reach what is essential, meaningful, real'' Amina CainWhen Suzanne Scanlon was a student at Barnard in the 90s and grieving the loss of her mother, she made a suicide attempt that landed her in the New York State Psychiatric Institute.After nearly three years and countless experimental treatments, Suzanne left the ward on shaky legs. In the decades it took her to recover from the experience, Suzanne came to understand her suffering as part of something larger: a long tradition of women whose complicated and compro
£17.09
John Murray Press People Who Like Dogs Like People Who Like Dogs
Book Synopsis''Anyone who has ever walked a dog and found themselves falling into conversation with others doing the same will love this funny, charming and touching book'' RORY CELLAN-JONESOstensibly, Nick Duerden is a cat person, and so the acquisition of a family dog in his late-40s takes him by surprise. The border terrier, Missy, is in part a therapeutic aid - the idea being that she''ll get Nick out of the house after a long period of ill health, and back into the wider, sociable world. Unexpectedly, it works. There can''t be many opportunities in midlife to suddenly find yourself connecting with both hopeful young actor types and widowed octogenarians, a verbose existentialist Russian dissident and a stoned martial arts enthusiast, a bulldog with a basketball and a self-proclaimed animal mystic, but this is precisely what Missy, and the daily walk round the park, provides. (Incidentally, she saves marriages, too.)People Who Like Dogs Like People Who Like
£12.74
Penguin Books Ltd As I Was Saying . . .
Book SynopsisCrikey, the world according to Clarkson''s been a funny old place of late . . .For a while, Jeremy could be found in his normal position as the tallest man on British television but, more recently, he appears to have been usurped by a pretend elephant.But on paper the real Jeremy remains at the helm. That''s as it should be. For nearly thirty years he has been fearlessly leading the charge as one the best comic writers in the country. And in 2015, he shows no sign of slowing down. So, whether it''s pondering: If Jesus might have been better off being born in New Zealand Why reflexive pronoun abuse is the worst thing in the world How Pam Ayres''s head trumps Gordon Gecko''s underpants Or what a television presenter with time on his hands gets up toJeremy is still trying to make sense of all the big stuff.Circumstances change. Nothing''s forever. But As I WasTrade ReviewPraise for Clarkson * - *Brilliant . . . laugh-out-loud funny * Daily Telegraph *Outrageously funny . . . will have you in stitches * Time Out *Very funny . . . I cracked up laughing on the tube * Evening Standard *
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd My Sister Milly
Book SynopsisYou''ve seen Manhunt, now read this powerful and personal account from Milly Dowler''s sister Gemma . . . ''My name is Gemma Dowler. On 21 March 2002, a serial killer named Levi Bellfield stole my sister and sent our family to hell . . .'' In My Sister Milly, Gemma Dowler recounts the terrible day of Milly''s disappearance, the suspicions that fell on the family, the torture of encountering the murderer in court, the fatal errors made by the police, how it very nearly destroyed her family and how love and hope helped the family survive.Everyone thinks they know the story of Milly Dowler, but only one person knows the true pain of having lost her sister, and how a family can rediscover hope to survive.________________ ''Compelling. An amazing book'' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2 ''Heartbreaking'' Daily Mail ''Tragic, poignant, full of emotional memories'' Daily MiTrade ReviewThis is Gemma Dowler's powerful account, as seen on The One Show and This Morning . . . 'My name is Gemma Dowler. On 21 March 2002, a serial killer named Levi Bellfield stole my sister and sent our family to Hell . . .'Everyone thinks they know the story of Milly Dowler. * From the publisher's description *Compelling, an amazing book -- Jeremy Vine * BBC Radio 2 *The most honest and unsettling account * BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour *Powerful * Daily Express *Tragic . . . poignant . . . full of emotional memories * The Mirror *[Gemma] opens up . . . the books serves as 'fighting spirit' * Newcastle Journal *Inspired . . . the book to allows her voice to be heard * OK! Magazine *Gemma Dowler has finally revealed how deep they sank in My Sister Milly . . . her family's story is told in their own words * Daily Record *Gemma's book paints happy memories of her sister, a quirky teen who loved music, dancing and playing the saxophone * Reveal *
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd Tumult in the Clouds
Book SynopsisIn 1918, the RAF was established as the world''s first independent air force. To mark the 100th anniversary of its creation, Penguin are publishing the Centenary Collection, a series of six classic books highlighting the skill, heroism esprit de corps that have characterised the Royal Air Force throughout its first century.Anglo-American James Goodson''s war began on Sept 3rd 1939, when the SS Athenia was torpedoed and sank off the Hebrides. Surviving the sinking and distinguishing himself rescuing survivors, Goodson immediately signed on with the RAF. He was an American, but he wanted to fight.Goodson flew Spitfires with an RAF Eagle Squadron before later joining his countrymen with the Fourth Fighter Group to get behind the controls of Thunderbolts and Mustangs where he became known as ''King of the Strafers''.Chock full of breathtaking descriptions of aerial dogfights as well as the stories of others of the heroic ''few'', Tumult i
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Full Steam Ahead Felix
Book SynopsisCurl up with the wonderfully cosy SUNDAY TIMES bestselling tale of the exciting adventures of Felix and Bolt!''FULL OF FUNNY AND HEART-WARMING STORIES'' Sunday Express _________ Felix, Senior Pest Controller at Huddersfield station, has been at the heart of a close-knit community since the day she arrived as a kitten. But now, having risen to fame, everyday life at the station has become rather hectic; while reporters and fans clamour for a glimpse of her, Felix and her human co-workers find themselves, and the station, in quite a whirlwind. With the job seemingly too big for one fluffy feline to handle, it seems only sensible to recruit a young apprentice to the team: enter, Bolt. Full of funny and heart-warming stories, with personal tales from Felix''s biggest fans, this is the remarkable tale of Felix and Bolt, the ultimate pest-controlling duo.AS SEEN ON THE ONE SHOW & GOOD MORNING BRITAINTrade ReviewShe's come a long way from her humble start as Huddersfield train station's mouser * Sun *Full of funny and heart-warming stories * Sunday Express *Since she arrived at Huddersfield train station as an eight-week-old kitten, Felix has become famous, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to the West Yorkshire town in the hope of catching a glimpse of her * Big Issue North *Felix the cat, is back with another book of her escapades as a station cat - and she's gained a new apprentice, Bolt * Living North *He's a feline Facebook phenomenon . . . A beautiful book which encapsulates a whole range of emotions. It is humorous and heartbreaking but, above all, it's about real life and the joy pets bring to lives * Telegraph & Argus, Book of the Week *Within these pages you'll find heartwarming stories from the ultimate pest control duo, Felix and Bolt * Living North *
£7.59
Penguin Books Ltd 34 Patients
Book SynopsisDiscover the profound and moving portrait of one doctor''s life and work in the NHS''Wonderful - insightful and compassionate'' Dr Richard Shepherd, bestselling author of Unnatural Causes________They can''t teach you how to be a doctor at medical school . . .As a junior doctor, Dr Tom Templeton learnt how to do his job from books, professors and other doctors and nurses. But the most important lessons - tolerance, kindness, resilience and bravery - he learnt from his patients.Here, he shares the stories of just 34, and how they changed his life while he was helping theirs.From a stillbirth to the old woman who lived a century, from the inhabitants of stately homes to the homeless, these stories whether heartwarming or heartbreaking, funny or tragic, are always inspiring and illuminating.We are all patients, but discover for the first time how the doctors see us . . .________''An admTrade ReviewWonderful - insightful and compassionate -- Dr Richard Shepherd, bestselling author of Unnatural CausesAn admirably told story * The Spectator *Informative and personal, humbling and healing * Observer *
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Guardian of the Realm
Book SynopsisOUT NOW. Join TikTok sensation Kyle Thomas and his much-loved meerkat Mylo as they embark on their most epic adventure yet - to an alternate dimension filled with beautiful creatures some good . . . and some that will threaten our entire existence. Kyle Thomas and his beloved meerkat Mylo have always been inseparable. But now they''re about to be worlds away from life as they know it . . . Stumbling upon an extraordinary and magical alternate world, they enter a land filled with strange and wonderful wild creatures. Everything seems perfect here, but danger is lurking.A dark creature has found its way through an open portal and is wreaking havoc in the real world.People are frightened for their lives. And now it is down to Kyle and Mylo to save the world. _____Kyle and his incredible team: the No. 1 Sunday Times Bestselling Comic Book Artist, Amrit Birdi and scriptwriting powerhouse Leah Moore and Jo
£17.00
Little, Brown Book Group How to Be a Writer
Book SynopsisMarcus Berkmann has been a freelance writer since 1988, working for newspapers and magazines and occasionally writing a book, like this one. He reckons to have written literally millions of words in that time, several of them in the right order. This, his 13th or possibly 14th book, is about those years of writing: the triumphs (few), the heartbreaks (many), the sackings (more than you would expect), the biscuits (many, many more than you would expect). In it he somehow makes the act of staring out of a window wondering what to say next seem both fascinating and, in some strange way, enviable, whereas, like most writers, he rarely leaves the house other than to go to the pub or the off-licence. Often asked how you become a writer, his advice remains: Please do not. There''s already enough competition out there and we don''t need any more. His advance for this book was about enough to buy a packet of Jaffa Cakes.Trade ReviewBerkmann is one of our funniest writers -- Craig BrownBerkmann is highly entertaining ... with an anarchic Monty Pythonesque sense of fun -- Alain de Botton
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group Throwing the Book
Book SynopsisWayne Barnes - one of the most-experienced international referees in history and criminal barrister to boot - uniquely lifts the lid on a lifetime of trying to keep the biggest names in the sport on best behaviour.There aren''t many people who can say they''ve been the thirty-first man on the pitch during a World Cup humdinger, Grand Slam decider or Premiership and European Cup final; listened to the sobs of a 20-stone prop as he tries to belt out his national anthem; heard the crunch of bones after some of the mightiest hits known to the game; or been yards away from the greatest players of the last twenty years, doing almost impossible things with a rugby ball - especially when you''re a working-class lad from the Forest of Dean, wondering how you ever got there in the first place.Candid, humble and warmly told, Throwing the Book is a definitive account of what it means to be a rugby referee and a love letter to the sport that has provided Wayne with so muchTrade ReviewPlenty of amusing anecdotes . . . highly readable . . . the former referee's new autobiography is required reading and lays bare some of the more disturbing aspects of modern rugby * Guardian *Difficult to put down . . . enjoyable and thought-provoking in equal measure * Planet Rugby *
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Redeemable
Book SynopsisErwin James lost his mother when he was seven. Shipped from home to home after his father turned to alcohol and violence, he committed his first crime of breaking and entering when he was ten. His petty crime turned increasingly violent, culminating in his convictions for murder, for which he was jailed for life at the age of 27. Entering prison, James struggled to come to terms with the enormity of his crimes and a future without purpose or hope. Then he met Joan, a prison psychologist, who helped him to confront the painful truth of his past, and to understand how it had shaped him from such a young age. Her sessions transformed his life. Encouraged to read and to educate himself, over the next twenty years Erwin James would go on to receive a BA in History, and become a regular columnist for the Guardian. This is a book that offers no excuses only the need to understand how we become who we become, and shows that no matter how far a person may fall, redemption is possible Trade ReviewHonest and compelling -- Martina ColeA painful and honest and beautiful account of a life blighted by circumstance and neglect, then wasted in criminality, and then, gloriously, redeemed by the power of the written word and by the capacity of the human heart for compassion and forgiveness ... Heartbreaking, poignant and affecting -- Stephen Kelman, author of Pigeon English One of the most powerful and touching books on crime and punishment I have ever read. Deserves to be a classic of the genre. It should be the bedside reading of every home office minister and of anyone involved in the criminal justice system -- Duncan Campbell, former Guardian chief crime reporterA compelling, extremely moving and finally uplifting memoir -- John Healy, author of The Grass Arena Compelling * Sunday Times *A powerful and illuminating description of real life behind bars that stays in your mind long after you put the book down * Daily Express *Compelling and intelligent prose on life inside * Daily Telegraph *Beautifully written, shocking and provocative * Herald *An extraordinary portrayal of life in a British prison * Daily Mail on A Life Inside: A Prisoner’s Notebook *What does it say about a man who has done almost twenty years in prison that his writing should be marked by such humanity, compassion and wisdom? Never pleading for himself or pitching for our pity, Erwin James's account of life inside is fascinating not just for its portrait of a harsh and secret world but because in the author we are introduced to a man of rare self-awareness, strength and intelligence * Ronan Bennett on The Home Stretch: From Prison to Parole *This memoir stands as a powerful testament to the redemption that can come from books and education and how hope can spring from the most unlikely of places - our maximum security prisons. Erwin James writes of pain, darkness and murder, but also of light and hope and with a searing honesty that catches the breath. Earlier this year the ludicrous book ban in our prisons was overturned but if any future Justice Secretary ever considers its return he should be sent a copy of this memoir immediately -- Professor David WilsonJames shows how precarious his rehabilitation was … As James shows, a focus on prison as a site of punishment may offer some comfort for victims and the more carceral-minded facets of society but rebuilding prisoners returns them to society as functional people and gives them the emotional intelligence to understand fully the scale and effects of their crimes * New Humanist *It’s been a vintage year for political memoirs, but the most memorable book I have read this year is Redeemable by Erwin James, who served 20 years for his part in two murders and who clawed his way back from a very low place lead a useful and productive life -- Chris Mullin * Observer, 'Book of the Year' *James shows in a brutally honest memoir how someone can be saved * Guardian 'Readers' Books of the Year *
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Emperor Far Away
Book SynopsisFar from the glittering cities of Beijing and Shanghai, China's borderlands are populated by around one hundred million people who are not Han Chinese. For many of these restive minorities, the old Chinese adage the mountains are high and the Emperor far away', meaning Beijing's grip on power is tenuous and its influence unwelcome, continues to resonate. Travelling through China's most distant and unknown reaches, David Eimer explores the increasingly tense relationship between the Han Chinese and the ethnic minorities. Deconstructing the myths represented by Beijing, Eimer reveals a shocking and fascinating picture of a China that is more of an empire than a country.Trade ReviewEngaging … Narrated by this curious Englishman and peopled by a cast of natives, settlers, tourists, and ex-pats, this absorbing book is a tantalizing introduction to China’s diversity and the ethnic and political dynamics at the extremes of its empire … Should interest travel junkies and students of ethnography and geopolitics * Publishers Weekly *A swift-moving, colorful account of the bewildering array of fiercely independent ethnic groups within an uneasy Chinese “home” * Kirkus *A witty and endearing travelogue, and one which presents a view of the country which may surprise even seasoned China watchers … An excellent exposition on how China’s hard-line stance on the immovability of its borders is affecting the lives of millions living on the fringes of both a country and a society * South China Morning Post *Honest and nostalgic, David Eimer’s book is as much about his experience of modern-day China as the problem of Han totalitarianism * Shortlist *The best of a number of recent synoptic books about the country … Eimer deftly mixes journalistic analysis with personal experiences. These include some salty tales, as the frontier towns he visits are lively places * Conde Nast Traveller *Eimer explores the little-visited outer reaches of a nation that’s more empire than country to meet the people chafing under the CCP’s diktats as the state shifts into superpower gear * Wanderlust *Bookshelves are now groaning under the weight of China travelogues, but Eimer has forged genuinely new ground as he recounts his travels to China’s furthest corners … A fascinating picture of a part of the country rarely examined in the many books on China’s go-go economy and fast-changing society **** * Daily Telegraph *An engaging journal of his travels through some of these liminal lands … Lovely writing * Ben Chu, Independent *Eimer has colourful material … A well-written adventure in far-flung places that the world needs to know more about if it is to understand China * The Times *Eimer is especially adept at ferreting out obscure historical facts … Part travelogue with vivid descriptions of landscapes and people * Scotsman *A fine piece of reportage, which goes a long way to explaining why the Han are seen so often as the representatives of a colonial power, and why separatists, rather than pro-democracy campaigners, are now the greatest concern in Beijing * Daily Telegraph *Eimer ... has forged genuinely new ground * Daily Telegraph *
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC No Way But Gentlenesse
Book SynopsisBorn and raised in the South Yorkshire mining village of Hoyland Common, Richard Hines remembers heaps of coal dust, listening out for the colliery siren at the end of shifts and praying for his father's safe return. When he failed his eleven-plus it seemed all too likely that he would follow in his father''s footsteps and end up working in the pits - unlike his older brother Barry, who had passed the exam to grammar school and seemed to be heading for great things.Crushed by this, Richard spent his time in the fields and meadows beyond the slag heap. One morning, walking in the grounds of a ruined medieval manor, he came across a nest of kestrels. Instantly captivated, he sought out ancient falconry texts from the local library and pored over the strange and beautiful language there. With just these books, some ingenuity and his profound respect for the hawk's indomitable wildness, Richard learned to ''man'', or train, his kestrel, Kes, and in the process found the passion that would Trade ReviewThis is a work of enchanting honesty and tenderness; it is as gentle and inspiring to the reader as a falconer is with his hawks. Hines has a deep and lifelong passion for birds of prey, creatures of implacable wildness which have nevertheless lived and hunted with humans for millennia. Full of fascinating detail about the training of raptors, and kestrels in particular, No Way But Gentlenesse is far more than a book on falconry. Rich with history and anecdote, lit with humour and passionate social concern, it gives us new insights into the making of one of our best-loved films. It speaks of love, family, history, and education, and illuminates how an obsession can enrich and shape one’s life. Reading it was a true pleasure -- Helen MacdonaldReading Richard Hines’s book is like seeing a myth captured and brought to earth … Completely absorbing. His descriptions are so vivid you feel close enough to reach forward and touch -- Peter Carey * Sunday Times *Richard communicates his passion for falconry and for the landscape of his home town with great warmth. He played a great part in training the three kestrels who played 'Kes' -- Ken LoachIt is certainly worth having. And its plain-spoken and unflashy but eloquent account, as its title suggests, of all sorts of gentleness, first to do with the taming of meat-eating raptors, but then also related to Hine’s human kith and kin, runs deep into the literature birds and people ... Hine’s sweet title comes from a seventeenth-century falconry manual. And gentleness sweetly pushes through much of this book -- Tim Dee, Book of the Week * Guardian *A thoughtful and evocative memoir … A must for H is for Hawk fans * Sunday Express *Kes … is regularly hailed as a classic of British cinema. But the story behind it turns out to be almost as good as the film itself … If the book is, in part, an account of [Barry and Richard’s] relationship, at its heart is another, rather more touching bond – the one Richard enjoyed with his kestrels. He has certainly taken his time writing it, but this is a poignant, vividly recollected account of an angry, agonised and apparently earth-bound boy learning, in one sense at least, how to soar -- John Preston * Daily Mail *Captivating and inspiring … grounded and uplifting, accessible yet aspirational - a pleasurable bend of conflicts that demonstrates the power of nature and the good that comes from nurturing one’s passions * Publisher's Weekly *A moving memoir sheds new light on a celebrated film -- John Sutherland * The Times *The prose is as honed and svelte as the kestrels themselves, searingly honest, and sharp as a raptor’s eye. A poignant life story that will grip you from the first to the very last page, and make you well up with tears and cry with laughter -- Miriam Darlington * BBC Wildlife *Poetic, yearning -- Charlotte Heathcote * Sunday Express *A powerful evocation of northern working-class life in the Fifties and Sixties …This book is never bitter. On the contrary, it is the work of a man who understands that the important things in life require patience and that the most powerful means of persuasion is gentleness -- Mark Cocker * Mail on Sunday *No Way But Gentlenesse pulls no punches on the issues of class and entitlement – or lack of – that also made Kes so groundbreaking… As [Hines] describes so evocatively in the book, he too was earmarked in early life and by an inflexible education system to a lesser lot in life… Falconer or just plain old bird enthusiast, if you can love something that isn’t giving very much love in return, perhaps that is the greatest love… And if you can set a bird free, as Richard did for the Kestrels immortalised on film, well, even better. Letting go might even be the greatest gentlenesse -- Conor Jameson * British Birds *A delightful story of a boy, his birds, and his pursuit of knowledge in spite of society’s dictates * Kirkus *Beautifully written ... throughout Hines’ memoir there’s a sense of championing the underdog, whether it be the loving attention he paid to his kestrels as a child or the racism he found himself appalled by when he volunteered overseas in Nigeria * Yorkshire Post *The issue of class weaves through the pages … A moving story of a man and the bird he loves * BBC Countryfile *A moving and powerful tale of the redemptive powers of nature -- Stephen Moss * Guardian, 'Books of the Year' *‘Wonderful’ -- Keggie Carew * Financial Times *
£11.69
Orion Publishing Co Twelve Babies on a Bike
Book SynopsisA young midwife''s account of her training in the Midlands in the 1950s. A SUNDAY TIMES bestseller.It''s 1957, and in a shattered post-war world, life goes on. Dot, a pupil midwife, negotiates the streets on her trusty old bicycle - come rain or shine - to help women in need.Living and working under the supervision of the strict Mrs O''Reilly, she must complete her training with twelve deliveries: there''s Mrs Wardle who lives in a seedy slum; the eighth Clarke baby, born in an unusual place; the superstitious Wests, desperate for a boy; baby Murphy who is received with laughter; and brothel-worker Mrs Maloney.Amid lectures, textbooks and university dances, Dot must saddle up at any time of the day and night to attend deliveries. But just when she thinks she''s got the measure of the job, fate deals her an unexpected hand...Trade Reviewthere are times for laughter and tears with Dunn's storytelling reminiscent of the anecdotal writings of James Herriot and Richard Gordon. * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co West End Girls
Book SynopsisA vivid and compelling memoir recounting the real lives, loves and friendship of 1940s Soho and its working girls.Barbara Tate was 17 when she heard the whispered word that would change her life: Soho. It would take four years for Barbara to escape her loveless home but when she finally made it to the forbidden streets of Soho - just as London was recovering from the trauma of the second world war - things would never be the same again.There the naive Barbara meets the beautiful and capricious Mae. When she takes a job as Mae''s maid, Barbara imagines she''ll be housekeeping. But down a shabby backstreet, Barbara discovers the secret lives of Soho''s working girls.An astonishing world full of fierce friendships and bitter rivalries, dangerous men and desperate measures, Barbara soon learns that taking the money from a staggering supply of punters and making copious amounts of tea are only the bare essentials. She will need to be nursemaid, protector anTrade ReviewIn this affectionate and witty memoir [Tate] tells of her brief foray into the fantastical, untamed and gaudy world of prostitution. * DAILY EXPRESS *Readers of a shockable disposition should avoid this book - everyone else should rush out and buy a first edition. It is a jaw-dropping account of Soho prostitutes in the late 1940s - a world Barbara (Babs Tate) knew as she worked for one as her maid...She always said she wanted to paint one perfect picture before she died: she has certainly written one perfect book * SUNDAY TIMES *Fascinating, heart-warming and a little bit shocking. I couldn't put this down -- Katie FfordeA truly fascinating, entertaining and heart-warming glimpse into some of Soho's most eccentric and outrageous characters * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Her book acknowledges with humility and grace, as well as wit, how close she came to living the tough, funny and colourful but ultimately tragic life she describes * DAILY MAIL *Not only is this memoir told with candour and compassion but it also affords a fascinating glimpse into a lurid byway of London's social history...Tate's memoir fizzes with anecdotes and the quality of her writing is superb * DAILY EXPRESS *The memoir is beautifully written, occasionally rather shocking, but is hard to put down, and can be very funny indeed. * MUSEUM OF LONDON FRIENDS NEWS *In this affectionate and witty memoir [Tate] tells of her brief foray into the fantastical, untamed and gaudy world of prostitution. * DAILY EXPRESS *The memoir is beautifully written, occasionally rather shocking, but is hard to put down, and can be very funny indeed. * MUSEUM OF LONDON FRIENDS NEWS *
£9.99
Orion Publishing Co Pathfinder
Book SynopsisNine men. 2,000 enemies. No back-up. No air support. No rescue. No chance...First in - the official motto of one of the British Army''s smallest and most secretive units, 16 Air Assault Brigade''s Pathfinder Platoon. Unofficially, they are the bastard son of the SAS. And, like their counterparts in Hereford, the job of the Pathfinders is to operate unseen and undetected deep behind enemy lines. When British forces were deployed to Iraq in 2003, Captain David Blakeley was given command of a reconnaissance mission of such critical importance that it could change the course of the war. It''s the story of nine men, operating alone and unsupported, 50 miles ahead of a US Recon Marine advance and heading straight into a hornets'' nest, teeming with thousands of heavily armed enemy forces. This is the first account of that extraordinary mission - abandoned by coalition command, left with no option but to fight their way out of the enemy''s backyard. And it pTrade ReviewReal-life black ops - a must have -- Frederick ForsythOur elite forces in blistering action against all odds -- Bear GryllsA truly extraordinary book; fast-paced, gripping, authentic. A taut telling of an elite mission that helped change the course of a war. I joined the Regiment with David Blakeley and served alongside him in Kosovo and Iraq. He was a dynamic and inspirational leader -- Dan Jarvis MBEBlistering action behind-enemy-lines - a true soldier's story -- Big Phil Campion, author of BORN FEARLESS
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co Hygge
Book SynopsisCandlelight is hygge; the smell of freshly brewed coffee is hygge; the feel of crisp, clean bed linen is hygge; dinner with friends is hygge. ''Hygge'', pronounced ''hoo-ga'', is a Danish philosophy that roughly translates to ''cosiness''. But it is so much more than that. It''s a way of life that encourages us to be kinder to ourselves, to take pleasure in the modest, the mundane and the familiar. It is a celebration of the everyday, of sensual experiences rather then things. It''s an entire attitude to life that results in Denmark regularly being voted one of the happiest countries in the world. So, with two divorces behind her and her 50th birthday rapidly approaching, journalist Charlotte Abrahams ponders whether it''s hygge that''s been missing from her life. Is it a philosophy we can all embrace? In a society where lifestyle trends tend to centre on deprivation - be it no sugar, no gluten, no possessions - what does cherishing yourself actually mean? And will it make hTrade ReviewAbrahams' Hygge, Carvalho predicted, "could fill the Norwegian Wood hole for this Christmas". -- Bea Carvalho, Waterstones' non-fiction buyer * THE GUARDIAN *Writer Charlotte Abrahams was approaching 50 and feeling flustered. She had a busy life but the niggling feeling something was missing. Already familiar with hygge, she decided to make her research into the concept 'a bit more personal' and attempted to apply the philosophy of 'self-kindness' to her own life, ditching multi-tasking for mindfulness, making time for cake and lie-ins and cherishing the way these changes improved life. * THE SIMPLE THINGS *Charlotte Abrahams's thoughtful, very personal book. -- India Knight * SUNDAY TIMES *
£17.00
Orion Publishing Co The Little Big Things
Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''Henry Fraser is one of the most remarkable people I''ve ever met'' J.K. Rowling''What a story of transformation, inner power and inspiration'' Jonny Wilkinson The memoir of the year by Henry Fraser, motivational speaker and mouth artist with a foreword by J.K. Rowling.Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional...Henry Fraser was 17 years old when a tragic accident severely crushed his spinal cord. Paralysed from the shoulders down, he has conquered unimaginable difficulty to embrace life and a new way of living. Through challenging adversity, he has found the opportunity to grow and inspire others.This book combines his wisdom and insight into finding the gifts in life''s challenges, and will resonate with anyone facing an obstacle, no matter how big or small. It includes Henry''s thoughts on how to look at the right things and avoidTrade ReviewThis young man has an incredible story to tell that impressed me, moved me and has stayed with me. Everyone should read his book - it's just amazing. * Jonathan Ross *A young man who understands more about life than many of us. -- Donald McRae * GUARDIAN *Henry Fraser's positive outlook, perseverance and passion for life are nothing short of extraordinary. Much can be learnt from this remarkable man. -- Laura Milne * DAILY EXPRESS *Emotionally-charged * DAILY MAIL *Fraser's incredibly courageous story will speak to anyone, but it will provide a message of hope for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. -- Caroline Sanderson * THE BOOKSELLER *An extraordinary work from an extraordinary individual, The Little Big Things is a unique and inspirational book, a defiant celebration of how to live well in the face of adversity. -- Martha Greengrass * WATERSTONES BLOG *This terrific book is recommended to all. -- Alan Pearey * RUGBY WORLD *A story of survival and courage, and success against the odds... a highly recommended read. -- Jessica Gulliver * THE DULWICH DIVERTER *This is a memoir that will make you grateful as well as thoughtful. -- Rebecca Armstrong * i PAPER Books of the Year 2017 *He is one of the most amazing human beings - and I challenge anyone to not be touched by his account. -- Hollie Grant @pilatespt * PSYCHOLOGIES *
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co My Beautiful Struggle
Book Synopsis An incredible true story, for fans of Katie Piper and inspirational books. A girl with her whole life ahead of her. A terrible accident. An inspiring story of triumph over trauma. Aged 15, Jordan was a happy-go-lucky girl; having fun with friends and loving life. In one fateful moment, everything changed. A car accident left her paralysed from the chest down and shocked her into deep depression. She was on the brink of giving up. But gradually Jordan realised there is hope beyond utter devastation, and life beyond disability.Painstakingly re-learning how to apply her beloved make-up, Jordan began to rebuild her sense of self and empowerment. Her body may have been broken but her spirit was not. She is now a successful beauty blogger and her journey of positivity inspires millions around the world.MY BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE is the incredible true story of how one young woman overcame immense challenges, of inner strength that lies beneath
£8.54
Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd Saving a Strangers Life
Book SynopsisAnne Biccard has worked as an emergency doctor in Johannesburg for more than 30 years. It is a job that is both terrifying and thrilling, where death can be outwitted by skill and quick thinking, and the pressure eased by dark humour.Trade Review‘A rare and intimate insight into the thoughts and experiences of an ED doctor and her responses to the idiosyncratic cast of characters that she meets. A deeply ironic, humorous and yet compassionate and informative book. A must read.’ Professor Gillian
£13.25
Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd One Hundred Years of Dispossession
Book SynopsisDo you see that big tree on our right? asked Isaac, as soon as we had crossed the river. Wellington used to have lunch and rest there when he was ploughing the fields. It was him, Jambren, and Monyebere.
£14.24
John Murray Press The End of Your Life Book Club
Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe inspiring story of a son and his dying mother, who form a 'book club' that brings them together as her life comes to a close.Trade ReviewWill Schwalbe gives us two love stories in one: That of his relationship with his dynamo of a mother as her horizons shrink, and that of their mutual devotion to the printed word, infinitely and insistently engaging. Tender and touching and beautifully done. * Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Cleopatra *I was so moved by this marvellous book. Schwalbe has done something extraordinary: made a personal journey public in the most engaging, funny and revealing way possible. It is a true meditation on what books can do. * Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with Amber Eyes *A perfect book-club book about books and the community they create that also portrays the love between mother and son. * Library Journal *Will Schwalbe's brave and soulful elegy to his remarkable mother, his recollection of their sparklingly literate conversations, is a timely reminder that one exceptional person, or one exceptional book, can be a torch in the darkness. You'll turn the last page wishing you'd met Mary Anne Schwalbe, vowing to be worthy of her incandescent example - and promising yourself to read more. * J. R. Moehringer, author of The Tender Bar *At last a book that celebrates the role books play within our own story. Will Schwalbe has created a tender, moving and honest portrayal of the precious relationship between a mother and son - an ode to that beautiful thing called love. * Cecilia Ahern, author of PS, I Love You *A wonderful book about wonderful books and mothers and sons and the enduring braid between them. Like the printed volumes it celebrates, this story will stay with you long after the last page. * Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie and The Time Keeper *an astonishing, pertinent, and wonderfully welcome work. * Publishers Weekly starred review *An extraordinarily wise, witty, and quietly wrenching book about parental love, filial love, profound grief, and literature's great consolations. How wonderful to encounter a writer who combines erudition with great emotional honesty, and who isn't afraid of addressing life's most profound and baffling questions. * Douglas Kennedy, author of Leaving the World and The Pursuit of Happiness *a moving and inspiring story * Choice Magazine *This touching and insightful memoir about the slow process of dying will appeal to readers of Tuesdays With Morrie and The Last Lecture, but also to people who love delving into books and book discussions. Like Mary Anne, who reads the ending first, you know how this book is going to end, but while it is a story about death, it is mostly a celebration of life and of the way books can enrich it. * Booklist (starred review) *What self-respecting reader isn't a sucker for a great book about other great books? The End of Your Life Book Club is that much and more. * BookPage *a graceful, affecting testament to a mother and a life well lived. * Entertainment Weekly *Literature bridges generations in Will Schwalbe's thoughtful tribute to his late mother * Vogue.com *a tribute to a remarkable woman and an exemplary reader. * Salon *A truly poignant read . . . a moving tribute to a wonderful-sounding mum and the power of fiction. * Good Housekeeping *It helps of course if you are a book lover and can relate to the passion for reading, but even prolific readers will find that the book teaches them not only about life and death but about the power of a really good book to move you and peel off the onion skin layers of "what you already know" and reveal truths. * Curious Book Fans *a life-enhancing celebration of the power of books and reading, very much in the vein of Tuesdays with Morrie * Independent *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Just the Job Lad
Book SynopsisAfter ten years with the Metropolitan Police, Mike has returned to his North Yorkshire roots. Working a rural beat in God''s Own Country he finds that life and crime in the countryside continue to throw up fresh challenges.When a drug dealer targets the towns and villages of Ryedale, Mike launches an investigation that will uncover nationwide connections. News of a proposed ban on hunting with dogs raises hackles amongst his friends and contacts, threatening to put him in the firing line. And, as he starts working towards his sergeant''s exams, there''s trouble on the home front. The roof at Keeper''s Cottage springs a leak during a thunderstorm - and they have to share their love-nest with the builder.But none of this matches the drama of the anti-hunt demo which threatens to stop a train bringing a local MP to town. With horseman racing alongside the steam engine, and a protester lying on the tracks, Mike has to call on all his resources to handle an inflammaTrade ReviewPannett, the James Herriot of policing, tiptoes his way through domestic issues, stag nights, and sword-wielding madmen bent on decapitation and tells his tales with warmth and humour. * Daily Express on You're Coming With Me Lad *Move over James Herriot and Gervase Phinn - there is a new name on the North Yorkshire literary block. * York Press *Think 21st-century Heartbeat meets James Herriot with the occasional white-knuckle ride of The Sweeney throw in. All delivered with a Yorkshire twang. * The Telegraph *'After years in the Metropolitan Police, on the beat in central London, Mike Pannett is hoping for a quieter life when he moves back to his home county, Yorkshire. But crime lurks amid the hills and dales, moors, villages and towns and he finds some of the policing tactics he's learned in London come in very useful. More tales from this Yorkshire bobby, who is building a loyal collection of fans with his engaging books.' * Choice Magazine *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Walking with Sausage Dogs
Book SynopsisKeeping pets is a lovely idea. When building a family, they complement the kids. But what happens when things get out of hand?For writer and house husband, Matt Whyman, it''s a case of catastrophe management in coping with four children and all the ill-advised animals amassed by his career wife, Emma. Just as Matt gets to grips with managing her two maxed out minipigs, she falls for a miniature Dachshund - the kind of dog he wouldn''t be seen dead with.Hercules isn''t big or clever, but Emma is determined. She''ll do everything, she promises...From the author of Pig in the MiddleTrade Reviewthe ideal pick-me-up, this is a warm and thoroughly enjoyable book...heart-warming and often laugh-out-loud funny. * Daily Express *A funny account of normal, eccentric family life, plus a small menagerie. * Woman's Weekly *'This is Marley & Me without the tears'. * Weight Watchers *If your pets have become the miniature dictators of your family - or if you just love sausage dogs - you'll love this. * Jojo Moyes *This sweet, funny book is a must for those who love animals. * Star *A fabulous read, especially for parents, and animal lovers, hilarious at times, and full of irony. I found myself not wanting to put it down. I really enjoyed this book, and will be recommending it to my friends and family. * www.whatsgoodtodo.com *Praise for Pig in the Middle: * . *What a fabulous, funny read! I enjoyed every page. * Sophie Kinsella *Be careful where you read this book because it is laugh-out-loud funny... It's compelling, bristles with irony and is sure to delight animal lovers. * Daily Telegraph *This merry memoir of family growing pains and too many pets has so many laugh-out-loud sequences it's embarrassing to read in public... the most good-hearted, hilarious memoir in years. * Shelf Awareness *'Definitely my favourite pigs since Babe...This book is both funny and completely charming'. * Jenny Colgan, author of The Good, the Bad and the Dumped *'Funny, frank and charming'. * Lisa Jewell *
£9.99
John Murray Press After Cleo Came Jonah
Book SynopsisThe eagerly anticipated follow-up to the bestseller Cleo, Helen Brown's frank and often funny account of a power struggle between a mother, her daughter and the insane family cat.
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Gang of One One Mans Incredible Battle to Find
Book SynopsisYou're from Glasgow. You're in a notorious Texas prison. You're on your own. The true story of the man who became a ... Gang of One.Trade Review'A compelling new account of two blood-splattered years spent at the hands of America's penal system'. * Mail On Sunday *'An entertaining read'. * Guardian *'An eye-opening account of US jails...fascinating reading'. * Libby Purves, Midweek, BBC Radio 4 *'Utterly engaging'. * Richard Bacon, BBC Radio 5 Live *'An absolutely fascinating story... an absolutely cracking read'. * Iain Dale, LBC Book Club *'Confirms my worst fears about American jails...the real tragedy of this book was the human tragedy'. * Jeff Randall, Sky News *Mulgrew's combination of personal insight and dark, subversive humour makes his new, autobiographical account of jail, GANG OF ONE a really special read, a kind of prison version of, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. * Catherine Deveny, Herald Magazine *'An absolute education...a fantastic book'. * Pat Kenny, RTE *'Anyone who still believes that we should be sending people to American-style jails should read the description of the violent Texas prison in Gary Mulgrew's GANG OF ONE'. * New Statesman *
£11.69
Hodder & Stoughton My Madder Fatter Diary
Book SynopsisNow a major TV series for E4. Volume two of the bestselling diaries see Rae move into her all-important A-Level year.Trade Review'Funnier, sadder and ruder than Adrian Mole, this will delight teenagers past and present' * Financial Times *You wouldn't catch many people revealing their true teen thoughts. Hurray then for Rae Earl, who dug out her 1989 diary and published it in the raw. Hilarious and gut-wrenchingly familiar * In Style *Very funny * Elle *'Full of 80s nostalgia, this journal will make you laugh out loud' * Closer (four stars) *'Very funny - and sad' * Heat *'Full of teenage logic, bad poetry and 80s nostalgia, Rae's frank and hilarious trip down memory lane stands out from the current surge of memoirs' * The London Paper *This show actually is my mad fat diary. I have already pretty much lived this show, for real... Reminds you how rarely you see teenage girls on television doing anything other than looking sexy in short skirts, endlessly texting their friends about parties, or wailing "IT'S SO UNFAIR" when their parents won't buy them a car. * Caitlin Moran for The Times *The diaries based on author Rae's real life continue in excellent style * Heat *
£10.44
John Murray Press Catching the Wolf of Wall Street
Book SynopsisRead what happened next in the follow-up to the bestselling The Wolf of Wall Street, now a major motion picture directed by MARTIN SCORSESE, starring LEONARDO DICAPRIO, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY, JONAH HILL, JEAN DUJARDIN, KYLE CHANDLER and JOANNA LUMLEY.In the 1990s Jordan Belfort became one of the most infamous names in American finance: a brilliant, conniving stock-chopper. He was THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, whose life of greed, power and excess was so outrageous it could only be true; no one could make this up! But the day Jordan was arrested and taken away in handcuffs was not the end of the madness.Catching the Wolf of Wall Street tells of what happened next. After getting out of jail on $10 million bail he had to choose whether to plead guilty and act as a government witness or fight the charges and see his wife be charged as well. he cooperated.With his trademark brash, brazen and thoroughly unputdownable storytelling, JoTrade ReviewWhat separates Jordan's story from others like it, is the brutal honesty. * Leonardo DiCaprio *Still a hustler, still a salesman - and also a hell of a writer. * Kirkus reviews *spankingly candid insights into sex, drugs and rocky stockbroking. * GQ Australia *Salacious reading. * The Star-Ledger *
£10.99
Hodder & Stoughton Black Rainbow
Book SynopsisBlack Rainbow is the powerful first-person story of one woman''s struggle with depression and how she managed to recover from it through the power of poetry.In 1997, Oxford graduate, working mother and Times journalist Rachel Kelly went from feeling mildly anxious to being completely unable to function within the space of just three days. Prescribed antidepressants by her doctor, and supported by her husband and her family, Rachel slowly began to get better, but her anxiety levels remained high, and six years later, as a stay-at-home mother, she suffered a second collapse even worse than the first.Throughout both of Rachel''s periods of severe depression, the healing power of poetry became an integral part of her recovery. As someone who had always loved poetry, it became something for RachTrade ReviewIt's a book we should all read, especially women, and especially those of us who have, like me, had their own struggles with what Winston Churchill (another sufferer) called the Black Dog... Women, especially those with new babies, exhausted from pregnancy, sleepless nights and the sheer shock of motherhood, are often consumed with fear bordering on terror. That's what depression is, and if it applies to you or your daughter, take heart. Help is available. And it will help to read Rachel Kelly's Black Rainbow -- Judy Finnigan * Daily Mail *The memoir has the gripping immediacy of a novel and taught me much about depression that perhaps I should have known, but didn't. Its advice on diet, exercise, supplements and getting help will be invaluable for anyone who finds themselves barked at by the black dog. -- Bel Mooney * Daily Mail *
£10.44
John Murray Press Life Love and The Archers
Book SynopsisA book for anyone who's ever fallen in love, tried to give up smoking, or consoled themselves that they'll never be quite as old as Mick Jagger.'funny, fearless and unflinchingly truthful' Times Literary Supplement - Books of the Years 2014'thought-provoking and inspiring' Independent on Sunday - Books of the Year 2014Trade Reviewfunny, fearless and unflinchingly truthful * Times Literary Supplement - Books of the Years 2014 *thought-provoking and inspiring * Independent on Sunday - Books of the Year 2014 *delightful... Behind her fluid style and droll wit emerges a woman who was in analysis five times a week for ten years, and who wondered what she was doing wrong when she read about single women enjoying their freedom with the company of supportive friends. A marvellously honest and entertaining compilation of her wonderful writing. * Daily Mail (Must Reads) *entertaining and moving, with appeal far beyond stalwart Cope fans... Life, Love and The Archers begins poignantly with hints of humour ... with the final section prompting several mortifying laugh-out-loud-on-public-transport incidents * Independent on Sunday *This anthology of prose from Britain's best-loved poet is wonderful, wistful and has some wisecracking one-liners * Tatler *This collection of her prose reveals a more serious Wendy Cope... What holds the book together is an unflinching honesty - about her depression, her finances, her love life. And, most of all, about poetry... Cope's truth-telling about her own life may disturb some admirers, but the occasional bleakness is warmed and illuminated by shafts of comic sunlight... Is it any wonder that so many of us love her? -- Francis Wheen * Mail on Sunday *A wonderful mix of poet Wendy Cope's prose, uncovered from the archives of The British Library. Find hidden gems such as extracts from an abandoned memoir and unpublished essays Billy Graham, smoking addiction and more. The book also comprises published prose, including a hilarious collection of TV reviews written for the Spectator in the 80s. Perfect to dip into over the holidays. * Mumsnet *In the end, as she says ruefully, "What will survive of us will be quoted out of context." But at least Wendy Cope will be quoted with delight * The Times *a sort of autobiography in fragments. She is as uncompromising here in her insistence on telling the truth; the honesty about her love life that marks her poetry finds a corresponding honesty about the practical business of life... It is remarkable how much Cope writes, often to comic effect, about time-killing pursuits which free us of anxiety - darts, sudoku, comfort eating, even, as the book's title suggests, listening to the Archers. * Times Literary Supplement *Her writing is always witty and insightful * Good Housekeeping - Best non-fiction book of the month, December 2014 *Poet Wendy Cope's first book of prose is like an extended conversation with an old friend. You find a huge amount in common, laugh every five minutes, enjoy a good moan and end up counting your blessings; not least among them the joyous fact that "we'll never be as old as Mick Jagger"... Irreverent, sensible, with a keen eye for the absurd and the pretentious, Cope is a boon companion * The Oldie *The no-nonsense honesty, sharp insight and humour of her poetry are evident in her prose too, as is the deceptive simplicity of her language: never overwrought, it has a thoughtful precision and unselfconscious elegance... The writer's life ... is portrayed with her signature blend of self-deprecation and wit * The Lady *It is, very often, wonderful... the latter parts of this book are joyous * The Tablet *A pleasure to read. The writing is crisp and to the point, eloquent but not flowery. Cope never patronises her readers: she trusts them to understand, to think about what she is saying: the pieces are thought-provoking and genuinely relevant in today's world. * Bookbag *[A] highly enjoyable collection . . . Cope fans and poetry lovers will find much to relish here, as will the general reader * The Good Book Guide *
£9.99
Amberley Publishing 60009 Union of South Africa
Book SynopsisFormer members of the support crew of the famous Union of South Africa locomotive share their memories, supported by a wealth of previously unpublished images.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Lady M
Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - Lover of George, the Prince of Wales and mother of Queen Victoria's favourite prime minister, Viscountess Melbourne was the most important hostess of the Regency period. It was entirely in character that on her deathbed Elizabeth urged her daughter Emily to be faithful, not to her husband - but to her lover!Trade Review‘The biography Lady M richly deserves’ -- Professor Leslie Mitchell, Emeritus Fellow of University College, Oxford and author of Charles James Fox
£9.49
Amberley Publishing A 1980s Childhood
Book SynopsisWhat it was like to grow up in 1980s Britain, from the Cold War to Duran Duran. This book combines memories, original documents and photos from that time.
£9.49
Pan Macmillan My Secret Sister
Book SynopsisA heartbreaking and moving true story of two sisters separated at birth, and their journey towards finding each other, celebrating the true meaning of family.Helen Edwards grew up in a pit village in Tyneside in the post-war years, with her gran, aunties and uncles living nearby. She felt safe with them, but they could not protect her from her neglectful mother and violent father. Behind closed doors, she suffered years of abuse. Sometimes she talked to an imaginary sister, the only one who understood her pain. Jenny was adopted at six weeks and grew up in Newcastle. An only child, she knew she was loved, and with the support of her parents she went on to become a golfing champion, but still she felt that something was missing. . . Neither woman knew of the other's existence until, in her fifties, Jenny went looking for her birth family and found her sister Helen. Together they searched for the truth about Jenny's birth - and uncovered a legacy
£9.49
