Miscellanies and compendia Books

99 products


  • The Little Guide to Coco Chanel: Style to Live By

    Headline Publishing Group The Little Guide to Coco Chanel: Style to Live By

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe creative genius who gave us the Little Black Dress and Chanel No. 5. Almost 50 years after her death, Coco Chanel remains one of the world's most influential fashion designers. Her story is one of creative brilliance and innovation - she was a driving force in freeing women from the restrictive clothing they had been obliged to wear for generations. 'In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different,' Chanel would say, and throughout her life she demonstrated extraordinary passion and determination to change the world around her. There is much wisdom to glean from Chanel's self-reflections, while her sharp wit and joie de vivre will amuse, surprise and inspire in equal measure. 'Fashion changes, but style endures.' As seen on vogue.co.uk, 18 August 2017, by Julia Neel. 'Nobody has ever told Coco Chanel what to think.' As seen on dailymail.co.uk, 10 September 2019, by Caroline Howe. 'A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.' As seen on marieclaire.co.uk, 4 October 2016, by Mariel Reed. 'The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.' As seen on harpersbazaar.com, 12 August 2017.Table of ContentsBeing Coco * Women * Style * Life and Love * Success * Chanelisms.

    15 in stock

    £6.99

  • WORST CARS EVER SOLD BY CHAPMAN GILES AUTHOR

    The History Press Ltd WORST CARS EVER SOLD BY CHAPMAN GILES AUTHOR

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe worst cars ever sold

    Out of stock

    £12.34

  • Sails Skippers and Sextants

    The History Press Ltd Sails Skippers and Sextants

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisFifty stories showcasing the impact made by inspiring individuals and inventions on the development of the sailing world as we know it

    15 in stock

    £12.34

  • The Little Book of the Tudors

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of the Tudors

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis 'Little Book' gives you all the low-down on the daily life of the ordinary people as well as vivid descriptions of the luxury in royal palaces

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • A 1930s Childhood

    The History Press Ltd A 1930s Childhood

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisNostalgic book takes you back to a different age, remembering what life was like for those growing up in the 1930s.

    15 in stock

    £10.44

  • Cars We Loved in the 1980s

    The History Press Ltd Cars We Loved in the 1980s

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisRelive everything car-related in Britain in the 1980s with Giles Chapman.

    15 in stock

    £9.99

  • Cars We Loved in the 1950s

    The History Press Ltd Cars We Loved in the 1950s

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisGiles Chapman investigates the fascinating motoring history of the 1950s

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Scotland

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Scotland

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe ultimate Scottish miscellany

    Out of stock

    £9.49

  • The Biggest British Pub Quiz Book: Over 10,000

    Headline Publishing Group The Biggest British Pub Quiz Book: Over 10,000

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis is the perfect book for any Brit planning to host a pub quiz with their family and friends, either at home or in the pub! The British public love pubs, and the British public love trivia. Put them together and what have you got? A superb quiz book that's brimming with questions and answers about a massively wide variety of subjects. From classic topics like football and geography, to more contemporary quiz subjects, like social media and Sam Smith, this book truly has something for everyone. It also contains all you will need for setting your own pub quizzes, or for brushing up on your general knowledge before you try your next competition. Table of Contents0

    1 in stock

    £15.10

  • A History of London and Londoners

    The History Press Ltd A History of London and Londoners

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThis book is an entertaining romp through the history of our capital city from its origins as a simple market place in 50AD to the sprawling metropolis we know today. In it, the reader will discover many fascinating and unknown facts, ranging in timescale from the Romans to the twenty-first century. With chronological chapters dealing with themes such as royalty, politics, war, education, business and commerce, crime and punishment and transport, along with wonderfully illuminating accounts of the history of rhyming slang, words, street- and place-names, this is a revealing insight into London life through history. Other fascinating pieces of information on famous Londoners, famous firsts and events that shaped the city are also featured. Full of intriguing facts gathered from many years of research, this book will be a valuable addition to every Londoner''s bookshelf.

    Out of stock

    £13.49

  • Motorcycles We Loved in the 1980s

    The History Press Ltd Motorcycles We Loved in the 1980s

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisEveryone’s favourite motorcycles of the 1980s in this lavishly illustrated little book

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of

    Workman Publishing Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisSee the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman's whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.Nature Anatomy is the second book in Rothman's Anatomy series - you'll love Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Farm Anatomy, too!

    1 in stock

    £12.99

  • The Little Book of the Cotswolds

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of the Cotswolds

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe little book of the Cotswolds

    Out of stock

    £9.49

  • Jane Austen Inspiring Lives

    The History Press Ltd Jane Austen Inspiring Lives

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book will reveal the real Jane: bitchy, gossipy, badly behaved at times as well as show the side we all love: the writer, sister, true romantic.

    15 in stock

    £9.49

  • Truth and Beautiful Meaningful Lies: A Collection

    Rare Bird Books Truth and Beautiful Meaningful Lies: A Collection

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisTruth and Beautiful Meaningful Lies is a collection of memorable quotes from one of the most quoted writers in American literature.One of the most celebrated writers in American literature, Jack Kerouac helped an entire generation of post-WWII Americans explore a purpose beyond the standard narrative values, spiritual ideologies, and economic materialism that was rampant throughout pre-war America. Alongside prominent beat writers like Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, Kerouac crafted a magnum opus that would later be connected to counterculture movements throughout the 1960s.His extensive collection of novels, short stories, poetry, journals, letters, and other writings are often littered with long-winded reflections, observations, proclamations, and other mad ramblings about life, love, loss, loneliness, and the search for a new American identity. Constantly pivoting from a recluse searching “...once and for all what is the meaning of all this existence and suffering and going to and fro in vain,” to a seasoned road-warrior exploring the country and sifting through the profound philosophies of Zen Buddhism, Taoism, and the meaning of Dharma, Kerouac’s spontaneous style of prose generates a kind of unpolished wisdom that leaves a lasting impression long after reading.The insights and quotes assembled in this book have been woven into a patchwork of reoccurring themes found throughout Kerouac’s writings, such as adventure, life, self-reflection, and spirituality are heavily featured, but more niche quotes around topics like cats, coffee, music, and sports can also be found. This collection pulls from prominent novels such as Big Sur, Desolation Angels, The Dharma Bums, On the Road: The Original Scroll, The Subterraneans, Tristessa, Vanity of Duluoz, and Visions of Cody, as well as some of his selected short stories, poems, letters, and journals.Whether you’re new to Kerouac, searching for inspiration in his words, or are a self-proclaimed “mad one” looking to make sense of it all, this quote book will undoubtedly serve as a go-to reference for the discerning Kerouac reader.

    2 in stock

    £17.09

  • The Lore of Ireland: An Encyclopaedia of Myth,

    Boydell & Brewer Ltd The Lore of Ireland: An Encyclopaedia of Myth,

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe definitive reference book on Ireland's cultural and religious heritage. Ireland has one of the finest cultural heritages and a standard reference book combining the related subjects of folklore, myth, legend and romance is long overdue. There are 350 substantial entries, in alphabetical order from Abán, a 6th-century saint, to Weather, all with full references to sources, a synopsis of relevant stories, and discussion of their origin, nature and development. These are complimented by a genre-list of material under various headings, such as Mythical Lore, Fianna Cycle, Ulster Cycle, King Cycles, Peoples and Traditions, Religious Lore, and Folk Custom and Belief. There is also a wealth of genealogical detail, indicating how historical and social circumstances have influenced the growth and spread of Irish lore. DAITHI O HOGAIN, Associate Professor of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin, was an international authority on folklore and traditional literature.Trade ReviewAn exhaustive collection of folktales and history from the Emerald Isle. An essential resource about Ireland's legends. * RENAISSANCE MAGAZINE *Superb from beginning to end. [...] Essential for all scholars of Ireland's mythology. * FORTEAN TIMES *With its profusion of atmospheric allusions and spirited retellings, grounded in a scholarly acuity, [it] adds up to a complex delineation of an ancient, reimagined and still functioning cultural terrain. * TLS *An invaluable resource for Hibernophiles. This is a refreshing and reasonably priced new treatment of Ireland's lore. * CHOICE *

    15 in stock

    £26.99

  • Atlas of Geographical Curiosities

    Jonglez Atlas of Geographical Curiosities

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Atlas of Geographical Curiosities – a glorious celebration of an unusual world. Welcome to this compendium of interesting, unexpected and downright bizarre geographical anomalies that are guaranteed to delight and inspire. The world is full of little-known facts that have sometimes been a source of diplomatic or military struggle. Many still exist under the radar now to be revealed by this entertaining treasure trove. Where else can you discover: Countries that do not really exist A UK hotel room which became Yugoslavian for one day only An island which is Spanish for six months of the year and French for the other six A city which is officially constituted by one single high-rise (14 floor) building The world's first and only railway that belonged to one country and ran across another A hotel room whose bedroom is in France and whose bathroom is in Switzerland Bir Tawil which is one of the very few territories on earth not claimed by any country The only place in the world where you can find so-called counter-enclaves where in a 20-minute walk around the town you can cross an international border at least 50 times at 50 different points The world is full of wonderful and strange geographical irregularities. Turn to the Atlas of Geographical Curiosities to uncover more little known but important facts.

    15 in stock

    £15.96

  • The Little Book of Wicklow

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Wicklow

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA compendium of fascinating Wicklow facts and stories, new in paperback

    15 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Little Book of Galway

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Galway

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisA compendium of historical facts and figures, perfect for dipping into. Full of information that will make you say, ‘I never knew that’

    5 in stock

    £13.49

  • Remember to Dream!: 100 Artists, 100 Notes

    HENI Publishing Remember to Dream!: 100 Artists, 100 Notes

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisHans Ulrich Obrist, the Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, brings his curating expertise to the Instagram feeds of more than 384,000 followers, in an endeavour to revive the art of handwriting from within an ever-advancing digital age. The result is one of the most comprehensive looks at the art world from the inside; inclusive of artists, writers, designers, musicians, actors, architects and public figures. In his open-ended Instagram project, Obrist collects an abundance of thoughts for the day, dreams, drawings, musings, jokes, quotations, questions, answers, poems, and puns from some of the world’s greatest contemporary artists, handwritten on everyday Post-it notes (and other scraps). From the reassuringly philosophical to the inspiringly straightforward, the ingeniously funny to the tenderly post-humous, Remember to Dream! (a note from American artist Carrie Mae Weems) paints a picture of the art world direct from many of the most celebrated artists of the twenty-first century. The book features an introduction by Hans Ulrich Obrist and is designed by Amsterdam-based award-winning book designer Irma Boom.

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • Discovers 20 Things You Didnt Know About

    HarperCollins Publishers Inc Discovers 20 Things You Didnt Know About

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe column, 20 Things You Didn't Know About is a feature of the "Discover Magazine". This book is based on this column. It is drawn from a wide variety of scientific fields, including: space disasters, garbage, sleep, meteors, death, ancient weapons, rats, aliens, bees, sperm banks, internet, birth, sex in space, weather, duct tape and germs.

    Out of stock

    £12.99

  • The Big Bad Book of Botany

    HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Big Bad Book of Botany

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisTrade Review"A fascinating journey. ... If you like animals and odd stories and gooey oddities then this one is for you." -- Examiner.com on The Big, Bad Book of Beasts "An expert guide. ... Delves into truth and lore about our furry friends." -- Miami New Times on The Big, Bad Book of Beasts "Amazingly entertaining." -- Maxim on Final Exits "A literary walk through an amazing botanical garden. ... Full of fun facts and surprising legends, the book is a great read for both plant-lovers and novices alike. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot - broccoli will never look the same!" -- Dr. Ellen Prager, oceanographer and Safina Center Fellow on The Big, Bad Book of Botany "A fascinating summary of some of the most famous and important plants grown around the world." -- Dr. F.G. (Eric) Hochberg, Curator Emeritus, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History "This gracefully written book will appeal to general readers interested in botany, who will enjoy browsing information on a wide variety of strange and/or useful plants." -- Library Journal "In a quirky, alphabetical collection of folklore, traditional botany, growing suggestions, and modern science and nutrition, Largo shares delight in the weird and wonderful corners of the plant world. ... Colorful. ... Largo's palpable enthusiasm means every page yields something to catch the reader's interest." -- Publishers Weekly "Largo has the gift of transforming a nerdy catalog of facts into an apothecary of invigorating information. His encyclopedic knowledge is never an end in itself, but it is always an engine for historical insight and reflection on human nature." -- BookPage "Not your standard reference book. ... Written with an eye for humor and cocktail-party-friendly trivia, this botanical exploration can serve as a coffee-table piece or conversation starter." -- Shelf Awareness "All the exuberance of a kid's garden." -- Wall Street Journal "A very cool, quirky look at the plant kingdom." -- Miami New Times "This combination of history, mythology, lore, science and sheer entertainment takes us on a tour of the world's most unusual plants." -- Sacramento Bee "[A]n entertaining compendium of unusual plants. Full of history and intriguing cultural tidbits." -- Miami Herald "[A] compendium of unusual botanical knowledge. ... Perfect pre-Halloween reading for gardeners with a slightly twisted take on their flower beds." -- Sacramento Bee "Wonderfully weird. ... Largo does an excellent job of showing both historical background and present-day uses." -- Garden & Gun "What happens when a wise-guy plant nut tosses all the amazing, and occasionally really odd, botanical lore he can think of into a well produced book? You get a wild ride through the plant world. ... A real kick to read." -- The American Gardener "Fascinating. ... A great book to have." -- Steve Young, New York Flora Association "A useful, thorough A-Z study of the plant kingdom. ... Largo's amusing anecdotes will interest even people with brown thumbs. ... Fans of Largo... are now assured that it's a weird, wonderful world." -- Oregonian

    Out of stock

    £15.55

  • A Salisbury Miscellany

    The History Press Ltd A Salisbury Miscellany

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisRather than taking a traditional narrative approach to the history of Salisbury, in A Salisbury Miscellany David Hilliam distils 1000 years into a series of lists - all of which focus on sights that the visitor can still see today - the cathedral and close as well as the town itself.

    Out of stock

    £20.17

  • Party Pieces

    The History Press Ltd Party Pieces

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisTaking the reader through the course of the party, from conception to its, sometimes messy, aftermath, this book is a mix of the funny and wry. It combines modern quotes with selections from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and also includes poetry, prose and drama.

    Out of stock

    £13.49

  • 99 Ways to Die in the Movies

    The History Press Ltd 99 Ways to Die in the Movies

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThere have been many spectacular, tragic, shocking and downright gruesome deaths in Hollywood films over the years, and this little compendium brings together 99 of the most memorable.

    Out of stock

    £9.49

  • War in 100 Events

    The History Press Ltd War in 100 Events

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHere renowned military historian Martin van Creveld has compiled a concise guide to the history of war in 100 key events. With intriguing facts and a worldwide range, War in 100 Events is an immensely entertaining volume for military buffs and laymen alike.

    1 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Stillorgan

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Stillorgan

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Little Book of Stillorgan is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about this vibrant suburb of Dublin.

    5 in stock

    £13.49

  • 1968 Those Were the Days

    The History Press Ltd 1968 Those Were the Days

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA compendium of milestone stories and watershed events in popular culture, politics and news at home and abroad from 1968, including: Assassination of Martin Luther King; Bobby Kennedy shot and killed; The Beatles found Apple Records; Manchester United win the European Cup

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • J.R.R. Tolkien Inspiring Lives

    The History Press Ltd J.R.R. Tolkien Inspiring Lives

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe complete guide to the inspiration that is J.R.R. Tolkien

    5 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Little Book of Leicestershire

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Leicestershire

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisContained within is a plethora of entertaining facts about Leicestershire’s famous and occasionally infamous men and women, its literary, artistic and sporting achievements, customs ancient and modern, transport, battles and ghostly appearances.

    1 in stock

    £11.04

  • The Little Book of Herefordshire

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Herefordshire

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisFull of information which will make you say, ‘I never knew that!’

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Edinburgh

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Edinburgh

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA vibrant collection of trivia from all around this great city, new in paperback

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • Quantum of Silliness

    The History Press Ltd Quantum of Silliness

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisTo coincide with the release of No Time to Die in April 2020, this humour book looks back at the franchise's quirks and lovingly pokes absurdist fun

    Out of stock

    £8.54

  • The Little Book of Wiltshire

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Wiltshire

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA compendium of fascinating facts that will make you say 'I never knew that!', new in paperback

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Pintfulness

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Pintfulness

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisWe've all tried Mindfulness ... now learn to restore your equilibrium through the the ancient art of Pintfulness

    Out of stock

    £10.44

  • The Little Book of Hurling

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Hurling

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisA little compendium full of hurling history and information

    5 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Little Book of Cambridgeshire

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Cambridgeshire

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisFull of information which will make you say, ‘I never knew that!’

    5 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Little Book of Suffolk

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Suffolk

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisPopular title new in paperback

    5 in stock

    £11.69

  • A History of Gardening in 50 Objects

    The History Press Ltd A History of Gardening in 50 Objects

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisA treasure trove of gardening information in 50 often little known objects that have transformed the way we think about and work our gardens today.

    5 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Little Book of Oxfordshire

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Oxfordshire

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisNew in paperback, a little book full of information that you probably don't know about Oxfordshire!

    5 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Little Book of Rathmines

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Rathmines

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA compendium of historical facts and figures, perfect for dipping into. Full of information that will make you say, ‘I never knew that’

    15 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Little Book of Berkshire

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Berkshire

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisFull of information you didn't know about Berkshire

    5 in stock

    £9.99

  • A 1950s Childhood Special Edition

    The History Press Ltd A 1950s Childhood Special Edition

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisA STUNNING VISUAL WALK BACK THROUGH TIME TO A 1950S CHILDHOODDo you remember Pathé News? Taking the train to the seaside? The purple stains of iodine on the knees of boys in short trousers? Knitted bathing costumes? Then chances are you were born in or around 1950. To the young people of today, the 1950s seems like another age. But for those born around then, this era of childhood seems like yesterday.From waking up to ice on the inside of the windows to bathing in a tin bath by the fire and spoonfuls of cod liver oil, home life was very different to today. Capturing all aspects of a 1950s childhood home life, games and hobbies, holidays, music and fashion, and more bestselling author Paul Feeney spins his memories and delightful illustrations into a compendium that will jog priceless memories for all who grew up in post-war Britain.Trade Review'If you did grow up in the 1950s then you will find this ... absolutely impossible to put down.' -- This England Magazine 'It's like opening up a paper bag of penny chews or sherbet lemons. It's so evocative.' -- Jeni Barnett on The Jeni Barnett Show, LBC Radio 'So evocative I could smell the Christmas tree again.' -- Amazon customer

    Out of stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Cardiff

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Cardiff

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisUpdated edition full of Cardiff facts, new in paperback

    15 in stock

    £9.99

  • RMS Titanic in 50 Objects

    The History Press Ltd RMS Titanic in 50 Objects

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe story of the world’s most famous liner, told through a fascinating selection of important objects

    15 in stock

    £21.25

  • Scotland Yards History of Crime in 100 Objects

    The History Press Ltd Scotland Yards History of Crime in 100 Objects

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe secrets of Scotland Yard’s famous Crime Museum revealed

    Out of stock

    £19.80

  • The Little Book of Wales

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Wales

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisFascinating Welsh facts, new in paperback

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Mayo

    The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Mayo

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFascinating facts about Mayo, new in paperback

    1 in stock

    £13.49

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