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Book SynopsisA gorgeously illustrated introduction to the Japanese method of Kaizen – meaning 'change' 'good' – showing you how to make small, step-by-step changes to transform your life.'This beautiful, simple book suggests tiny changes we can make to improve all areas of life, from friendships to a cluttered flat' – Marianne Power, author of Help Me!From Marie Kondo to Hygge to Ikigai, in recent years, philosophies to help people live better lives have taken the world by storm. Kaizen will change your habits for good.This beautifully colour illustrated and photographed book offers a way to build good habits and remove bad ones, without being too hard on yourself along the way. The focus is on having patience, shaping solutions for yourself rather than following others and not giving up when things aren’t working. Rather than being critical of your faults, the emphasis is on mindful, positive change. Well-known in the business and sports worlds as a method for mapping incremental goals, Kaizen is also a wonderful tool for slowly improving aspects of your life, without feeling daunted or overwhelmed by the challenge.Kaizen by Sarah Harvey brings you a personalized and flexible approach to change that you can apply to any area of your life (whether it is health, relationships, money, career, habits, new hobbies or general wellbeing). You can adapt it to suit working style, preferences and personality. Every person’s experience of Kaizen will be different, which is what makes it such an effective tool for positive change.Trade ReviewThis is perfect for fans of Marie Kondo and lovers of hygge and ikigai. A sure bestseller. -- Sue Scholes, The BooksellerThis beautiful, simple book suggests tiny changes we can make to improve all areas of life, from friendships to a cluttered flat. Unlike a lot of self-improvement guides that make you want to change EVERYTHING NOW! – an approach which inevitably fails – this book is gentle and practical in its advice. Reading it made me feel calmer and at the same time motivated to sort out my cupboards and call my auntie; small tweaks maybe, but these things can make the difference between a good day and a bad one. A really lovely book. -- Marianne Power, author of Help Me!This wonderful book explains the Japanese art of turning small kizuki (realizations) into improvements. A great kaizen on the subject of kaizen itself, it will help anyone interested in lifelong learning, mental and physical health, career success, and happiness to achieve inner harmony. -- Ken Mogi, author of Awakening Your Ikigai

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Book Synopsis***THE ORIGINAL MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER AND TIK TOK SENSATION, NOW IN PINK*** For fans of Wreck This JournalWrite. Burn. Repeat. Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, VSCO, YouTube...the world has not only become one giant feed, but also one giant confessional. Burn After Writing allows you to spend less time scrolling and more time self-reflecting. Through incisive questions and thought experiments, this journal helps you learn new things while letting others go. Imagine instead of publicly declaring your feelings for others, you privately declared your feelings for yourself?Help your heart by turning off the comments and muting the accounts that drive you into jealousy for a few moments a night. Whether you are going through the ups and downs of growing up, or know a few young people who are, you will flourish by finding free expression - even if through a few tears!Push your limits, reflect on your past, present, and future, and create a secret book that's about you, and just for you. This is not a diary, and there is no posting required. And when you're finished, toss it, hide it, or Burn After Writing*.*Matches not included.

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Book SynopsisWATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'A long overdue, revisionist history of art by the brilliant Katy Hessel . . . Never stuffy or supercilious, Hessel's book is a revelation and an important first step towards redressing the balance of an art world in which women have been sidelined, stepped over and trampled upon for far too long.' REFINERY29'An extraordinary achievement that will have a disruptive cultural legacy and help deter­mine the landscape for years to come.' HARPER'S BAZAAR'Katy Hessel is a brilliant chronicler of the overlooked. I am so thrilled this book exists as an empowering, enlightening guide to the unforgettable vision of these brilliant artists. Essential reading.' ELIZABETH DAY'Will change the history of art . . . thank God.' TRACEY EMIN'I was not aware how hungry I was for this book until I dropped everything and ate it from cover to cover. I was not aware how angry I was that this book did not exist until it existed. It's an urgently needed, un-put-downable, joyful, insightful, glorious, perspective-shifting revision of the Story of Art.' ES DEVLIN__________________________________How many women artists do you know? Who makes art history? Did women even work as artists before the twentieth century? And what is the Baroque anyway?Have your sense of art history overturned, and your eyes opened to many art forms often overlooked or dismissed. From the Cornish coast to Manhattan, Nigeria to Japan, this is the story of art for our times - one with women at its heart, brought together for the first time by the creator of @thegreatwomenartists.__________________________________'A spirited, inspiring, brilliantly illustrated history of female artistic endeavour . . . The Story of Art Without Men should be on the reading list of every A-level and university art history course and on the front table of every museum and gallery shop.' LAURA FREEMAN, THE TIMES'Passionate, enthusiastic and witty . . . I wish I had had this book as a teenager' THE ITrade ReviewKaty Hessel is a brilliant chronicler of the overlooked. I am so thrilled this book exists as an empowering, enlightening guide to the unforgettable vision of these brilliant artists. Essential reading -- Elizabeth DayAn inspiring, beautifully written corrective -- Bidisha Mamata * Observer *Will change the history of art... thank God. -- Tracey EminExcellent, authoritative, exuberant and elegantly written -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of STALIN: THE COURT OF THE RED TSARI was not aware how hungry I was for this book until I dropped everything and ate it from cover to cover. I was not aware how angry I was that this book did not exist until it existed. It's an urgently needed, un-put-downable, joyful, insightful, glorious, perspective-shifting revision of the Story of Art. -- Es DevlinA book for every aspiring art historian - whatever their sex -- '10 best art books of 2022' * The Times *A long overdue, revisionist history of art by the brilliant Katy Hessel ... Never stuffy or supercilious, Hessel's book is a revelation and an important first step towards redressing the balance of an art world in which women have been sidelined, stepped over and trampled upon for far too long * Refinery29 *An extraordinary achievement that will have a disruptive cultural legacy and help deter­mine the landscape for years to come. -- Helena Lee * Harper's Bazaar *Well-researched and enlightening * Daily Express *Unapologetically revisionist * Financial Times *In this astounding, generous book, Katy Hessel has given us such a gift. Her research is profound, scholarly and wide-ranging, her writing authoritative yet accessible. I found so much to surprise and delight in these pages, so many works of art pulsating with life and intelligence, beauty and power. This book is a long-overdue corrective, and Hessel has executed it to perfection, echoing the passion and skill of the very artists she writes about. An astonishing achievement. -- Jessie Burton, author of The MiniaturistVia chronological chapters focusing on periods of change, Hessel leads the reader back through this story, reinstating the countless women whose contributions were missed. * RA Magazine *Vital... has firmly cracked open the canon -- Chloë Ashby, author of WET PAINT * Spectator *A spirited, inspiring, brilliantly illustrated history of female artistic endeavour... The Story of Art WithoutMen should be on the reading list of every A-level and university art history course and on the front table of every museum and gallery shop. -- Laura Freeman * The Times *A magnificent read and a beautiful book -- David WalliamsExhilarating ... a dazzling array marshalled by a talented young art historian who grinds her axe sharply and with skill ... [Hessel's] scholarship, enthusiasm and humour make this lavish book a must for any woman who loves art * Daily Mail *An illuminating celebration of female artists and their often overlooked place in history * Stylist *Passionate, enthusiastic and witty... I wish I had had this book as a teenager * The i *A touchpoint for a new generation who will go on to define the future of those exhibitions, collections, and auctions * Dazed Digital *This eye-opening read is an overdue revisionist history of art - ignoring the pale, male canon to celebrate female artists who have been overlooked for centuries -- Best non-fiction books of 2022 * iPaper *The early centuries are thin simply due to the paucity of surviving work by talented women painters but her story becomes fuller and more persuasive the closer it gets to today. Hessel is clear-sighted and impartial enough not to over-claim for her subjects but show that they are full of interest and every bit as worthy of attention as their male peers. -- Michael Prodger * New Statesmen *Katy Hessel's first book The Story of Art without Men is a necessary and urgent book. A truly empowering title, the volume celebrates the rise of women artists and recentres them within art, political and social history. Many of these artists have been presented at Serpentine and their visions are getting the visibility they deserve through the fantastic visuals and Katy's thorough research -- Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director, SerpentineWhen women are literally written out of history, Hessel conveys how radical, powerful and vulnerable their lives and art were - and still are. Through moments of rage and celebration, this story fundamentally centres creative freedom: the stifling of it, and the lengths endured to claim it. -- Tiarney Miekus * The Sydney Morning Herald *This passionate and personal telling of what has been an invisible history will bring revelation to anyone entering the world of art and its histories. -- Iwona Blazwick, Director, The Whitechapel GalleryAlthough women have always made art, for far too long, art history has been told as the story of male achievement. Katy Hessel's The Story of Art without Men is a brilliantly readable and lively corrective. Outraged and celebratory, it's chock-full of female trail-blazers - from the Renaissance until the present day - who forged their way, despite facing the kind of hurdles that would stump most mortals -- Jennifer Higgie, author of The Mirror and the PaletteCompiled with zip and wit, even the informed reader will learn something new on every page - we really cannot recommend it enough * The Fence *This eye-opening read is an overdue revisionist history of art - ignoring the pale, male canon to celebrate female artists who have been overlooked for centuries -- The best non-fiction books of 2022 * i paper *A sumptuously illustrated history... at once broad in scope and meticulously researched -- Breeze Barrington * TLS *This book has blown my mind. Really passionately recommend -- India Knight * Sunday Times *An extraordinary eye-opener, and very readable ... we badly need books like Hessel's * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisJason Allen-Paisant is a Jamaican writer and multi-award-winning poet. He is the author of two critically acclaimed books of poetry, Thinking with Trees and Self-Portrait as Othello, which won the UK's two most prestigious poetry awards for 2023 the Forward Prize and T.S. Eliot Prize. He is also a Professor of Critical Theory and Creative Writing at the University of Manchester and Associate Editor of Callaloo Literary Journal. Jason lives in Leeds with his partner and two children.

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Book Synopsis'A darkly sumptuous tale of wicked spectacle, wild injustice and the insuppressible strength of women' EMMA STONEX, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS'An essential story of women resisting the unjust exertion of male power' SUNDAY TIMES____________________ The Salpêtrière asylum, 1885. All of Paris is in thrall to Doctor Charcot and his displays of hypnotism on women who have been deemed mad or hysterical, outcasts from society. But the truth is much more complicated - for these women are often simply inconvenient, unwanted wives or strong-willed daughters. Once a year a grand ball is held at the hospital. For the Parisian elite, the Mad Women's Ball is the highlight of the social season; for the women themselves, it is a rare moment of hope. Geneviève is a senior nurse. After the childhood death of her sister, she has shunned religion and placed her faith in Doctor Charcot and his new science. But everything begins to change when she meets Eugénie, the 19-year-old daughter of a bourgeois family. Because Eugénie has a secret, and she needs Geneviève's help. Their fates will collide on the night of the Mad Women's Ball...____________________'In this darkly delightful Gothic treasure, Mas explores grief, trauma and sisterhood behind the walls of Paris' infamous Salpetriere hospital' PAULA HAWKINS, author of A SLOW FIRE BURNING 'A beautifully written debut...I have absolutely no doubt it will be one of my favourite novels of 2021.' AJ PEARCE, author of DEAR MRS BIRD'Essential reading' COSMOPOLITAN 'A deftly woven tale of hope and pain, judgement and redemption, cruelty and kindness. Utterly captivating and profoundly affecting.' Sunday Times bestseller, MIRANDA DICKENSON 'Enter the dance of this little masterpiece and let yourself be dazzled. Assured of hitting the bestseller lists' THE PARISIAN____________________AN AMAZON PRIME ORIGINAL FILM STARRING MÉLANIE LAURENTTrade Review[Victoria Mas's]... portrait of women who were unfairly banished to asylums often because they did not fit into the straightjacket of 19th-century society is moving... beautifully drawn. * THE TIMES *THE MAD WOMEN'S BALL is a darkly sumptuous tale of wicked spectacle, wild injustice and the insuppressible strength of women. Mas brings the world of La Salpêtrière to life with passion and fury, unveiling a hypnotic theatre that is as moving as it is macabre. * Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters *[An] essential story of women resisting the unjust exertion of male power. * SUNDAY TIMES *In this darkly delightful Gothic treasure, Mas explores grief, trauma and sisterhood behind the walls of Paris' infamous Salpetriere hospital. * PAULA HAWKINS, Sunday Times bestselling author of A SLOW FIRE BURNING and THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN *Elegantly written, Victoria Mas's slender, potent debut celebrates sisterhood, while also exposing the corrupt powers of the patriarchy at home and in the wider world. * DAILY MAIL *Enthralling and wonderfully imagined... written with terrific verve and sympathy. * LITERARY REVIEW *A deftly woven tale of hope and pain, judgement and redemption, cruelty and kindness. Utterly captivating and profoundly affecting, the story of The Salpêtrière lingers long in the mind after the stunning conclusion. I loved it. * Miranda Dickinson *A beautifully written debut set in Paris in 1885, Victoria Mas' characters come to life within a sentence while her storytelling compels you to turn the page. I loved The Mad Women's Ball and have absolutely no doubt it will be one of my favourite novels of 2021. * AJ PEARCE, author of DEAR MRS BIRD *'Beautifully written and captures the world so well. A delight to read.' * Renee Knight *A gothic, feminist book ...so cinematic it is already being turned into a film...it evokes the Brontës, with its dormitories, its phials and its ghosts. But thematically, it is bang up to date. * BIG ISSUE *The Mad Women's Ball is as lush on the inside as it is on the outside! It's richly immersive, taking us right into the heart of nineteenth-century Paris. From Genevieve, Eugenie and the women of Salpêtrière we learn what it is that keeps women locked up - and the extraordinary ways in which they might escape. * Shelley Harris, author of Jubilee *'Enter the dance of this little masterpiece and let yourself be dazzled. Assured of hitting the bestseller lists' * THE PARISIAN *A well-written historical novel... book groups will thoroughly engage with the plot and characters. * NB Magazine *

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Book SynopsisLivia Manera Sambuy (Author) Livia Manera Sambuy is an Italian writer whose book of profiles of American writers, Non Scrivere Di Me, was published in 2015. She is also the author and co-director of two documentary films on Philip Roth. She has been a staff writer at the literary pages of the Italian national daily Corriere della Sera for over twenty years. She lives in Paris.Todd Portnowitz is the translator of The Greatest Invention; Long Live Latin; and Go Tell It to the Emperor: The Selected Poems of Pierluigi Cappello, for which he was awarded a Raiziss/de Palchi Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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Book SynopsisFinally, the acclaimed Rueben Award-nominated webcomic is collected! Follow the timely and terrifying adventures of Lil’ Donnie, the worst president in the history of the United States of America! This collection contains the first year of antics of a truly motley crew of weirdos and degenerates as they work (HA!) to make our world a better place... for them FOR THEM! Get one while we still have a first amendment! Collects the first 125 LIL’ DONNIE comic strips

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Book SynopsisIn her quest to live a vibrant spiritual life, Karen Wright Marsh had a revelation: she didn't need to find and follow the perfect plan; she needed people she could follow. In Wake Up to Wonder, Marsh introduces you to those people--faithful yet oh-so-human Christians from across centuries and cultures. Inspired by their example, she offers playful, simple practices that bring deeper meaning and purpose to everyday life. In the company of diverse spiritual companions, you'll journey through physical health, prayer, activism, Scripture reading, creativity, and beyond. Each chapter includes hands-on invitations such as writing prompts, space for personal reflection, and "Try This," a collage of spiritual and personal experiments anyone can do. As you wake up to wonder, you'll discover what these twenty-two historical figures already knew: that a life of spiritual depth, amazement, and connection is within reach--today and every day. Historical Figures Covered Henri J. M. Nouwen Martin Luther Thomas Merton Hildegard von Bingen Margery Kempe Wangari Maathai Caedmon Amanda Berry Smith Augustine Lilias Trotter Fannie Lou Hamer Patrick of Ireland Hans Scholl and Sophie Scholl Howard Thurman Pandita Ramabai Ephrem the Syrian Ignatius of Loyola Benedict and Scholastica Brother Lawrence Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi Dorothy Day Mabel Ping-Hua LeeTable of ContentsContentsInvitation to WonderWake Up1. Put Pen to Paper • Henri J. M. Nouwen2. Sing Out Loud • Martin Luther3. Follow Your Breath • Thomas Merton4. Fuel Up • Hildegard von Bingen5. Keep on Walking • Margery KempeReach Out6. Plant a Tree • Wangari Maathai7. Say Thank You • Caedmon8. Pray Your Anything • Amanda Berry Smith9. Ask Better Questions • Augustine10. Look to See • Lilias Trotter11. Raise Your Voice • Fannie Lou HamerGo Deep12. Embrace Alone • Patrick of Ireland13. Review the News • Hans Scholl and Sophie Scholl14. Take a Pause • Howard Thurman15. Wander through Scripture • Pandita Ramabai16. Surround Yourself with Beauty • Ephrem the Syrian17. Replay the Day • Ignatius of LoyolaDwell 18. Design a Life • Benedict and Scholastica19. Choose Your Intention • Brother Lawrence20. Do the Unexpected • Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi21. Escape to the Beach • Dorothy Day22. Take the Lead • Mabel Ping-Hua LeeLife Goes On

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Book Synopsis“As practical as it is poetic. . . . an optimistic call to action.” —Chicago Tribune Over time, with industrialization and urban sprawl, we have driven nature out of our neighborhoods and cities. But we can invite it back by designing landscapes that look and function more like they do in the wild: robust, diverse, and visually harmonious. Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is an inspiring call to action dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can ?ourish in our cities and suburbs. This is both a post-wild manifesto and practical guide that describes how to incorporate and layer plants into plant communities to create an environment that is re?ective of natural systems and thrives within our built world.

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

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Book SynopsisAn Official Companion to the Downton Abbey Films and TV Series: An exclusive inside look at the intricate and glamorous costuming of the popular PBS series, with complete historical detail and beautiful imagery. An inside look at the intricate costuming of the popular PBS series, including character costume choices and the historic fashion trends characteristic of the aristocracy during the Edwardian era. Appealing to Anglophiles, costume and sewing aficionados, and fans of the hit series, The Costumes of Downton Abbey presents—with comprehensive historical detail and beautiful imagery—the design decisions and wardrobe intricacies that shaped the glamour and elegance of the characters of Downton Abbey. Featuring the fashion of both upstairs and downstairs cast members, this title explores the unique daytime, evening, special occasion, and wedding wardrobes that led to a 2011 Emmy and several Emmy nominations for Outstanding Costumes for a Series. Detailed photographs, fan-favorite stills from the television series, and designer notes and insights make this a delightful and informative guide to the role costumes played in the character portrayal, story development, and art direction of the series.

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Book SynopsisAlcohol-Free Reimaginings of Literary ClassicsEnjoy co-authors Delanie Fischer and Lindsey Smith’s delicious mocktail adaptations of your favorite books and authors.Beloved stories with a sober twist. Have you ever wondered what the ladies from your favorite Jane Austen books would drink at a ball? What Jay Gatsby would be serving at his crazy parties? Experience these answers for yourself with Lindsey Smith and Delanie Fischer’s all-new zero-proof drink cookbook. MockTales captures the intoxicating atmosphere of the bestsellers that we know and love. Featuring over fifty plant-based recipes that are easy to make and full of nutritious flavors, you’ll enjoy your next reread like never before with these delicious mocktails.A toast to the authors who made history. Each recipe inside MockTales is inspired by the literary characters and settings, but also the minds behind these incredible stories. Explore alcohol-free concoctions based on famous authors such as Alice Walker, Ernest Hemingway, Margaret Atwood, and more. Using ingredients that pay homage to their biographies, writing styles, and famous quotes, each sip will have you and fellow book lovers falling in love with these incredible writers all over again.Enjoy over 50 recipes inspired by banned books and literary classics from all genres, such as: Historical fiction novels like Les Miserables, Little Women, and Huckleberry Finn Romance books such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights Fantasy adventures including The Odyssey, Alice in Wonderland, and The Chronicles of Narnia Science fiction and horror tales such as Frankenstein and The Handmaid’s Tale So if you liked fun mocktail and cocktail books such as Tequila Mockingbird, The Art of Mixology Mocktails, or Flavor Lab Creations, then we recommend MockTales for you.

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Book SynopsisIn this second book of the Bunny DeBarge trilogy, ''The Kept Ones: The Fame Years" Bunny presents captivating revelations detailing her family''s rise to the top of R&B music royalty and how they each came tumbling down, one DeBarge member at a time.And so the story begins in 1979 with Bunny and her two young children preparing to leave the bitter cold of their small hometown in Grand Rapids, Michigan to follow the lead of her already famous brothers, Bobby and Tommy DeBarge in the sunshine, glitz and glam of fabulous Hollywood, where they''d already established success and notoriety as members of the R&B group, "Switch". An exciting time indeed for an emerging young star experiencing her first taste of stardom! As you turn the pages, one chapter at a time, Bunny''s definitive story of what began as a glamorous life, takes a dark and turbulent turn.This is the inspiring story of a beautiful, extremely gifted and hopeful musical family and how they navigated through the best and the toughest of times, with many of their hardships playing out in the public eye. Readers will be astonished with the way in which Bunny DeBarge so eloquently delivers her testimony about her life as she saw it. Read on to see how Bunny untangles the importance of forgiveness, the value of self-awareness and the importance of recognizing that GOD''s hand was on her life. She was always and will forever be The Kept One.

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Book SynopsisInto this personal account, Oldham weaves a brilliant historical reconstruction of life in a cultured and prosperous Berlin - until the darkening shadows of Hitler's anti-semitic laws steadily reduced the freedoms that he enjoyed and threatened his very existence. Why? Alexander's family was Jewish by birth but generations before, had converted to Lutheranism, an act which was to provide no defence in Hitler's Germany. Writing, remarkably, without animosity, Alexander Oldham combines the warmth of his childhood and his intriguing family life with a meticulous and historical exploration of the brutal political processes that forced him, aged twelve, to flee his Berlin childhood to take on a new identity and make a new life in Britain.Table of ContentsForeword; GERMANY; 1. Introduction; 2. Berlin 1925; 3. The Golden Years; 4. Change; 5. Darkening Skies; ENGLAND AND THE WAR; 6. Emigration; 7. Settling in; 8. The British Army; 9. Towards an Uncertain Future; Maria's Story

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGates' book is compulsively readable. His ambition was to 'cut through the noise' and give consumers better tools for understanding what works, an ambition he meets admirably. It more than that, however. Gates can get an audience with anyone, can marshal almost limitless resources, and is dogged in the detail. The result - particularly in the wake of the Trump presidency - is thrilling -- Emma Brockes * The Guardian *Of the many books I have come across recently making the case that climate change will be a catastrophe, but we can do something about it, this is the best ... The relentless practicality of the book combined with Gates's firm faith in innovation do not promote despair. He exudes optimism; things will get better, not least because, as John Lennon once sang, they can't get no worse -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *It is mostly concerned with solutions rather than problems. This already marks it out as something of an outlier within environmental literature... if you're after an approachable book about what needs to happen next, this is a great place to start -- Ed Conway * The Times *Bold but well argued ... a compelling explanation of how the world can stop global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions effectively to zero... [Gates] is a serious and genuine force for good on climate change -- Bob Ward * Observer *How to Avoid a Climate Disaster is clear, concise on a colossal subject, and intelligently holistic in its approach to the problem. -- Adam Vaughan * New Scientist *It all makes for a meaty manifesto which Gates hopes can offer sufficient variety to appeal across political divides and "shift the conversation" away from the polarisation and misinformation that has clouded discussion about climate change up until now. -- Martin Bentham * Evening Standard *Books about the environment can induce a paralysing despair. The billionaire Bill Gates is a can-do, problem-solving chap, and his book is full of detailed, practical plans * The Times *Gates's carefully packaged nuggets of information are not only easy to understand, but they aim to provide the reader with practical tools to engage with the density of climate change information ... What Gates has achieved with his book is something rare in the swelling arena of popular climate literature. The Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist has compiled a solutions-based strategy that is as informed on the commercial realities of scaling new technologies as it is on the environmental consequences of not doing so. -- Daniel Murray * The Business Post *The most refreshing aspect of this book is its bracing mix of cold-eyed realism and number-crunched optimism ... Ultimately [Gates's] book is a primer on how to reorganise the global economy so that innovation focuses on the world's gravest problems. It is a powerful reminder that if mankind is to get serious about tackling them, it must do more to harness the one natural resource available in infinite quantity-human ingenuity. * Economist *Gates plots out, in patient, simple prose, a pathway that would allow us to reduce carbon emissions from the current 51 billion tonnes a year to zero by 2050. -- Thomas Jones * London Review of Books *"System change not climate change!" cry the protesters, demanding that we choose between capitalism and a healthy planet. "Oh!" the less ascetically minded among us might pout. "Can't we have both?" Thankfully, according to Bill Gates, we can. In How to Avoid a Climate Disaster he outlines the new technologies we need to fight climate change, and how businesses can help to invent and deploy them. Capitalism is not only capable of stopping climate change, he says, it's also the only way to provide a decent standard of living to the world's poorest. -- Ben Cooke * The Times Books of the Year *This is an optimistic account of how climate change might be solved without destroying the world's economies in the process. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA landmark publication that captures the beautiful richness of every aspect of trees and their importance for science, culture and the future of humankind. Trees feed us, shelter us, inspire us and heal us. In a world facing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and a pressing climate emergency, the importance of these primeval beings in shaping our future is hard to understate. Generously illustrated and organized according to tree lifecycle from seeds, leaves and form to wood, flowers and fruit this book celebrates the great diversity and beauty of the 60,000 tree species that inhabit our planet. Exquisite details are rendered by surprising photography and infographics: intricate bark and leaf patterns, intertwined ecosystems, colourful flower displays, archaic wooden wheels and timber houses. Integral to science, art and culture, fundamental and fragile, dependent and depended on, the vitality of trees is revealed like never before.Trade Review'Stunningly illustrated and detailed ... a celebration of all things arboreal, from the seeds, leaves, flowers and fruit to the diversity of trees and how they have influenced art, culture and science' - Sunday Times'[Paul Smith] is a dendrologist with wit, passion and an enlightening way of telling a story ... the tree's frankly astonishing essence is generously illustrated and thoughtfully explained ... destined to become a classic and should certainly be part of any family's library' - World of Interiors'This stunningly illustrated book covers all aspects of trees, from seeds and leaves to wood, flowers and fruit, as well as their importance for humanity through the ages. Clear explanatory text by Paul Smith, a leading plant conservationist, balances the finely reproduced photos and graphics' - Financial Times, Books of the Year'Meticulously researched and illustrated ... detailed scientific facts are peppered with fascinating anecdotes' - English Garden'Extensive ... looks at 60,000 tree species across the world revealing fascinating facts' - The Garden'An engaging and beautiful book about all things arboreal' - Garden Answers'This accessible and fascinating overview spans the science of tree life, and more broadly their ecology and natural and social history ... All nine chapters are well illustrated throughout with helpful and insightful narrative, whether you just want to dip into subjects or desire a more concerted read' - Garden News'An engaging, enchantingly illustrated global study by plant ecologist and conservationist Paul Smith' - Nature'Very beautiful' - The Future Forest CompanyTable of ContentsForeword Introduction 1. Seeds 2. Leaves 3. Form 4. Bark 5. Wood 6. Flowers 7. Fruits 8. Symbiosis 9. Trees and Us

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Book SynopsisNothing beats a really good cheese. These days you can buy great dairy products locally, made using high-quality ingredients and with a unique flavour of their own. The next step is to try your hand at making yoghurt, labneh, mozzarella and even delicious matured cheeses yourself. The River Cottage ethos is all about knowing the whole story behind what you put on the table; and as Steven Lamb explains in this thorough, accessible guide, the key ingredient is milk. He shows you exactly what to do to take it from its liquid form to a wide range of dairy products, from clotted cream to a washed-rind cheese. There are also plenty of gorgeous recipes that make the most of cheese and other dairy goods as you''d hope, they involve such pleasures as dunking carbs into a pot of melty cheese; biting down on a delicate cheese wafer; or whipping up the best ever cheesecake. With an introduction by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and plenty of helpful photographs, this book is the indispensable guid

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Book SynopsisWhen is a marigold not a marigold? Where in Great Britain is a harebell a bluebell? What does a Burdock have to do with velcrose? And what does a dandelion have to do with teeth? In this delightful little book, historian Gerald Ponting reveals the fascinating stories at the heart of many wild flower names. From names made up by Shakespeare to names based on appearance or medicinal properties, prepare to be amused, informed and amazed.Trade ReviewWooden Books are: "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisMatch the male and female pairs of 25 species of bird from around the world in this beautifully illustrated memory game. To play, simply place the cards face down and see if you can remember where the matching bird is located. Collect more pairs than your opponent to win! With all kinds of species – from the barn owl to the blue tit and the ostrich to the macaw – this fun and educational game is an ideal gift that will appeal to bird lovers everywhere.

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Book SynopsisFew stories have endured as long as the fables of Aesop. In this magnificent edition, award-winning illustrator Helen Ward has chosen a dozen of her favourite fables to create this breath-taking classic new collection to grace every bookshelf and bedside.The experiences described in the tales apply to us all and the lessons learned are both timeless and universal. Each creature comes to symbolise in its own way some particular aspect of the human condition - the sly fox, the silly crow, the majestic lion; all acting out their parts, uncomprehending, in the great game of life. Fear, greed, arrogance, stupidity, all these and more put in an appearance, leaping straight to the heart of our understanding from each page of this exquisitely illustrated edition. Includes the tales: The Hare and the Tortoise, The Lion and the Mouse and The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs.Trade Review'beautifully produced with exquisite illustrations' 'a book to treasure' 'perfect gift for 6-9 year olds' 'a stunning book' 'highly recommended' -- Tom Tolkien * School Reading List *Helen Ward has created a timeless edition of these beloved classics that will appeal to readers young and old. Children will delight in spotting the tiny details of the pictures such as miniature snails crawling up a plant stem or an ant's story told in tiny print as it meanders across the page. Adults will appreciate the range of characteristics presented, from greed and pride to bravery and perseverance. An Anthology of Aesop's Animal Fables is a beautifully presented collection that is sure to inspire a love of both reading and nature in children of all ages. -- Melanie Dillon * School Reading List *A book that will delight adults and children alike ...Beautifully rendered ...A stunning introduction to Aesop's fables -- Ruth Concannon * Children's Books Ireland *

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Book Synopsis'Wonderful' Yorkshire Times 'Not just a celebration of these enigmatic creatures, but also a timely alarm bell about their shrinking numbers' The Lady 'Just about every hedgehog fact you could wish to know' Northern Echo Hedgehogs, with their quiet determination and bristling, bumbling ways, are one of the most enduring symbols of the countryside and town gardens. The Hedgehog Handbook explores different facets of this enigmatic and much-admired mammal – from its eating and sleeping habits to its literary heritage and how we can help preserve this icon of rural life. Packed with inspirational quotes, entertaining facts, folklore and literary references, it's the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for prickles.Trade ReviewWonderful... A responsible perspective on animal conservation is underwritten by presentation of the shocking facts' * Yorkshire Times *Just about every hedgehog fact you could wish to know * Northern Echo *Not just a celebration of these enigmatic creatures, but also a timely alarm bell about their shrinking numbers * The Lady *One of our favourite books of the year * Yorkshire Post *

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Book Synopsis'Excellent ... much to ponder' Financial Times In 1945, Europe lay in ruins - its cities and towns destroyed by conflict, its economies crippled, its societies ripped apart by war and violence. In the wake of the physical devastation came profound moral questions: how could Europe - once proudly confident of its place at the heart of the 'civilised world' - have done this to itself? And what did it mean that it had? In the years that followed, Europeans - from politicians to refugees, poets to campaigners, religious leaders to communist revolutionaries - tried to make sense of what had happened, and to forge a new understanding of civilisation that would bring peace and progress to a broken continent. As they wrestled with questions great and small - from the legacy of colonialism to workplace etiquette - institutions and shared ideals emerged which still shape our world today. Drawing on original sources as well as individual stories and voices, this is a gripping and authoritative account of how Europe rose from the ashes of the Second World War, forging itself anew in the process.Trade ReviewRuin and Renewal is an erudite, rigorously researched, and elegantly written account of the post-war remaking of Europe. Paul Betts provides his reader with a breathtaking panorama of the world of the men and women who, pursuing varied visions for the creation of a new 'civilization', embarked on bold reforms to rebuild the continent on the ruins of the Second World War. His book will fundamentally reshape our understanding of modern Europe - a masterpiece. -- David Motadel, London School of EconomicsPaul Betts uses the concept of 'civilisation' like a radiographer's dye to reveal some deeply unsettling pathologies beneath the skin of post-war Europe. Ruin and Renewal is an impressively wide-ranging, original synthesis of cultural and political history. -- Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies, University of OxfordRuin and Renewal is a marvellously subtle and wide-ranging exploration of the ways in which Europe rebuilt itself materially and morally after the Second World War. Paul Betts boldly uses the much debated and controversial concept of civilization to show how Europeans, on both sides of the Cold War, redefined themselves and others. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the world of today. -- Margaret MacMillan, author of The War that Ended PeaceExcellent ... much to ponder * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author Johanna Basford, a stunning new colouring book that invites artists to explore the great indoorsThrough her bestselling colouring books and distinctive illustrations, Johanna Basford's beautiful forests, ocean depths, and hidden magical kingdoms have enchanted millions of people around the world. In this newest work, Basford takes her audience indoors, inviting them to explore the wonders of the worlds within. Hidden within every illustration in Rooms of Wonder is a secret key and a locked door. Find the key, unlock the door and continue to the next room. Discover a busy craft studio, a wizard's workshop, a mouth-watering ice cream parlour and an opulent banquet hall. With hidden treasures, curious spaces and a few enchanted interiors, all you need to do is unlock the first door and begin your magical journey.

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Book SynopsisHumans are increasingly becoming an indoor species. We spend 90 per cent of our life indoors. And, on average, we dedicate eight hours a day looking at screens. Our increasingly domestic lives are having huge consequences to our health. In Into the Forest, Immunologist and Forest Medicine expert, Dr Qing Li, examines the unprecedented benefits of the world''s largest natural health resource: the great outdoors.Applying cutting-edge research and emerging science, Dr Li explores the inherent connection between nature and improved wellbeing. This practical guide will help you overcome some of life''s most problematic health issues, including how to: reduce blood pressure; lower stress; improve energy levels; and boost the immune system. From mindful strolls in your local park to listening to the wind, from watching the sunset to walking barefoot in the grass, Dr Li reveals the life-improving advantages of spending time around

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Book SynopsisA beautiful 60th anniversary special edition of the first George Smiley novel, now with a new introduction by John le CarréAfter a routine security check by George Smiley, civil servant Samuel Fennan apparently kills himself. When Smiley finds Circus head Maston is trying to blame him for the man's death, he begins his own investigation, meeting with Fennan's widow to find out what could have led him to such desperation. But on the very day that Smiley is ordered off the enquiry he receives an urgent letter from the dead man. Do the East Germans - and their agents - know more about this man's death than the Circus previously imagined? Le Carré's debut novel, Call for the Dead, introduced the tenacious and retiring George Smiley in a gripping tale of espionage and deceit. 'The greatest spy novelist of all time' Jake Kerridge, Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewIntelligent, thrilling, surprising ... makes most cloak-and-dagger stuff taste of cardboard. * Sunday Telegraph *Brilliant. Realistic. Constant suspense. * Observer *The greatest spy novelist of all time ... astounding works of the imagination. -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *Brilliant, popular, intelligent, thrilling, suspenseful, angry, original, masterful writing. Can't be topped. -- Armando IannucciAn extraordinary writer who brought literary lustre and lived insight to the spy yarn. -- Ian RankinOne of those writers who will be read a century from now. -- Robert HarrisHis Smiley novels are key to understanding the mid-20th century. -- Margaret AtwoodWhat Joseph Conrad started, John le Carré enshrined and made modern. That is the real achievement of his great novels and why they will endure ... we should see him as our contemporary Dickens. -- William Boyd * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisA poetic, passionate and intensely personal exploration of colour written during the final year of Derek Jarman''s life -- with a new introduction by Ali Smith.In Chroma, his most poetic and lyrical book, Derek Jarman explores the uses of colour. Shifting across the spectrum and from the medieval to the modern, he draws on the work of great colour theorists from Pliny to Leonardo. Interwoven with these musings are evocative memories from Jarman''s childhood and illustrious career, along with reflections on his deteriorating health. Written a year before Jarman's death, and as his eyesight was failing, this is an intensely personal work; a paean from an artist seeking to memorialise the extraordinary power of colour even while it receded from his own life.Trade ReviewChroma is more than an Aids autobiography...it is a paean to colour...Shot through with sass and moving testimony...this complexly written, yet stylish and readable book locates most powerfully the sublimal brilliance of one artist * Gay Times *Chroma sparks off pieces of Jarman's poetry and prose against fragments that span Ovid, Alberti, Goethe and Wittgenstein...to form a highly personal reflection on colour, a keleidoscopic experience that throws out different facets like a prism in the light * New Statesman *Full of anger, wit, emotion, and knowledge, this collection informs and astounds...Immensely powerful * Kirkus *Jarman reminds us how much there is to be smelled, observed and listened to in the world if we do not walk past it * Guardian *The context of the writing of this book inevitably turns it from an amusing bricollage to a gesture of extraordinary generosity, a tribute to the continuing need to create and communicate on the very edge of darkness * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisNot – as often imagined – of a culture apart, but of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, from the Arabs to the Christians.Which makes the story of the Jews everyone’s story, too.Trade ReviewSchama at his best, a labour of love, as full of memorable incident as a Bellow novel and wittier than a Woody Allen movie * The Times *Schama has written a proud and personal story of his people, one that will make a good starting point for those interested in one of history’s most fascinating and tragic tales -- Josh Glancy * Sunday Times *Inspiring… Schama tells it with panache, weaving facts and anecdotes into a vivid history * Observer *Unforgettable…a delicious cacophony of conversations and clamorous arguments echoing across history * Daily Telegraph *A spirited, immensely enjoyable and wide-ranging account… [expresses] both the triumphs and the tragedies with irrepressible enthusiasm and his customary eloquence * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisBartolomé de Las Casas was the first and fiercest critic of Spanish colonialism in the New World. An early traveller to the Americas who sailed on one of Columbus's voyages, Las Casas was so horrified by the wholesale massacre he witnessed that he dedicated his life to protecting the Indian community. He wrote A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies in 1542, a shocking catalogue of mass slaughter, torture and slavery, which showed that the evangelizing vision of Columbus had descended under later conquistadors into genocide. Dedicated to Philip II to alert the Castilian Crown to these atrocities and demand that the Indians be entitled to the basic rights of humankind, this passionate work of documentary vividness outraged Europe and contributed to the idea of the Spanish 'Black Legend' that would last for centuries.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700&Table of ContentsA Short Account of the Destruction of the IndiesAcknowledgementsMap of America (1540)IntroductionA Note on Editions and on this TranslationA Short Account of the Destruction of the IndiesSynopisPrologue(Preface)HispaniolaThe Kingdoms of HispaniolaThe Islands of Puerto Rico and JamaicaCubaThe MainlandThe Province of NicaraguaNew SpainNew Spain (continued)The Province and Kingdom of GuatemalaNew Spain, Pánuco and JaliscoThe Kingdom of YucatánThe Province of Santa MartaThe Province of CartagenaThe Pearl Coast, Paria and TrinidadThe River YuyapariThe Kingdom of VenezuelaThe Mainland in the Region Known as FloridaThe River PlateThe Great Kingdoms and Provinces of PeruThe Kingdom of New Granada(Conclusion)Index

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Book SynopsisPart of the ancient Hindu epic The Mahabharata, The Bhagavad Gita is one of the enduring religious texts of the worldThe Bhagavad Gita is an early poem that recounts the conversation between Arjuna the warrior and his charioteer Krishna, a manifestation of God. In the moments before a great battle, Krishna sets out the important lessons Arjuna must learn to understand his own role in the war he is about to fight. Krishna reveals to Arjuna his true cosmic form and counsels the warrior to act according to his sacred obligations. Ranging from instructions on yoga to moral discussion, the Gita has served for centuries as an everyday, practical guide to living well. Translated with an introduction by Laurie L. Patton

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Book SynopsisThe Acharnians/The Clouds/Lysistrata''We women have the salvation of Greece in our hands''Writing at a time of political and social crisis in Athens, the ancient Greek comic playwright Aristophanes was an eloquent, yet bawdy, challenger to the demagogue and the sophist. In Lysistrata and The Acharnians, two pleas for an end to the long war between Athens and Sparta, a band of women on a sex strike and a lone peasant respectively defeat the political establishment. The darker comedy of The Clouds satirizes Athenian philosophers, Socrates in particular, and reflects the uncertainties of a generation in which all traditional religious and ethical beliefs were being challenged. Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Alan H. SommersteinTable of ContentsLysistrata and Other PlaysChronologyIntroductionFurther ReadingTranslator's NoteNote on the TextPreface to The AcharniansTHE ACHARNIANSPreface to The CloudsTHE CLOUDSPreface to LysistrataLYSISTRATANotes

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Book SynopsisAdam Tooze''s The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy provides a groundbreaking new account of how Hitler established himself in power, mobilized for war - and led his country to annihilation. Was the tragedy of the Second World War determined by Nazi Germany''s terrifying power, or by its fatal weakness? This gripping and universally-acclaimed new history tells the real story of the cost of Hitler''s plans for world domination - and will overturn everything you thought you knew about the Third Reich. ''A tour de force'' Niall Ferguson ''Masterful ... smashes a gallery of preconceptions'' The Times ''This book will change the way we look at Nazi history ... nothing less than a masterpiece. Rejoice, rejoice, for a great historian is born'' Sunday Telegraph ''A remarkable and gripping revision of the history of Nazi Germany'' New Statesman Books of the Year ''A powerful and provocative reassessment of the whole story'' Richard Overy

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Book SynopsisWhat happens to your body after you have died?Fertilizer? Crash Test Dummy? Human Dumpling? Ballistics Practise? Life after death is not as simple as it looks. Mary Roach''s Stiff lifts the lid off what happens to our bodies once we have died. Bold, original and with a delightful eye for detail, Roach tells us everything we wanted to know about this new frontier in medical science. Interweaving present-day explorations with a history of past attempts to study what it means to be human Stiff is a deliciously dark investigations for readers of popular science as well as fans of the macabre.''Spry, common, sharp-witted survey brings a whole new meaning to the phrase Life after death'' Sunday Times''One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year'' Entertainment Weekly''Every chapter packed with more arresting details elegantly humourously expressed than one can hope for'' <

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Book Synopsis''Be prepared to be amazed'' GuardianCan anyone get a perfect memory?Joshua Foer used to be like most of us, forgetting phone numbers and mislaying keys. Then he learnt the art of memory training, and a year later found himself in the finals of the US Memory Championship. He also discovered a truth we often forget: that, even in an age of technology, memory is the key to everything we are.In Moonwalking with Einstein he takes us on an astonishing journey through the mind, from ancient ''memory palace'' techniques to neuroscience, from the man who can recall nine thousand books to another who constantly forgets who he is. In doing so, Foer shows how we can all improve our memories.''Captivating ... engaging ... smart and funny'' The New York Times''Delightful ... uplifting ... it shows that our minds can do extraordinary things'' Wall Street Journal''Great fun ... a book worth remembering'' Trade ReviewI'd never thought much about whether I could improve my memory, but I now think I could after reading Joshua Foer's book ... It's absolutely phenomenal, one of the most interesting books I've read this summer -- Bill GatesA marvelous overview of one of the most essential aspects of what makes us human - our memory ... Witty and engaging -- Dan ArielyMemory...makes us who we are...passionate and deeply engrossing ...The more we challenge ourselves, the greater our capacity. It's a fact that every teacher, parent and student would do well to learn. The lesson is unforgettable. * Washington Post *Captivating ... Engaging ... Mr. Foer writes in these pages with fresh enthusiasm. His narrative is smart and funny -- Michiko Kakutani * New York Times *[D]elightful...empathetic, thought-provoking and...memorable. -- Elizabeth Pisani * Prospect *Riotous -- Alexandra Horowitz * New York Times *[An] endearingly geeky world...witty and revelatory...[The] journey certainly demonstrates how much memory matters...Apart from anything else, filling up our mental storehouses in the right way can make life feel longer. -- Oliver Burkeman * Guardian *In this marvelous book, Joshua Foer invents a new genre of non-fiction. This is a work of science journalism wrapped around an adventure story, a bildungsroman fused to a vivid investigation of human memory. If you want to understand how we remember, and how we can all learn to remember better, then read this book -- Jonah LehrerOne year, Joshua Foer is covering the US Memory Championships as a freelance journalist, the next he returns as a competitor - and wins it...How he pulled off this extraordinary feat forms the spine of this crisply entertaining book. -- Matt Rudd * Sunday Times *Combines erudite analysis, historical context, a mind-bending adventure and extremely suggestive sex - some of it involving Foer's grandmother. -- Tony Allen-Mills * Sunday Times *A labyrinthine personal journey that explains how our author ended up in the finals of the US Memory Championship - a compelling story arc from sceptical journalist to dedicated participant. I can't remember when I last found a science book so intriguing. -- David Profumo * Literary Review *[A] charming book...interwoven with informed exposition about the psychological science of memory. -- Professor Larry R Squire * Nature *A fascinating, engaging and very well-written book. -- Dallas Campbell * Science Focus *Addictive and fascinating...extraordinary. [Foer] attended the US Memory Championship as a journalist and returned the next year as a competitor and won...It is Foer's gifts as a teacher and a storyteller that make this book essential reading. -- Leo Robson * Scottish Sunday Express *Take, for example, the emergence of Downing Street as a salon for intellectuals from around the world, and not only economists and political scientists. Under David Cameron-or, more accurately, Steve Hilton, the prime minister's most influential adviser-the thinkers invited to hold court there often have little to say about policy per se. Joshua Foer, a young American who has written an acclaimed book about how memory works, was a recent guest. Mr Hilton's rationale is that governments have more to learn from fields of research that investigate how humans behave, such as neuroscience and social psychology, than from conventional technocrats. There is now a policy team devoted to "behaviourial insight" in the Cabinet Office. * Bagehot, The Economist *Foer's book is great fun and hugely readable, not least because the author is a likeable sort of Everyman-science nerd whom we want to become a memory champion. Always fascinating and frequently mind-boggling, Moonwalking with Einstein is a book worth remembering. -- Mark Turner * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisIn Utopia Thomas More painted a fantastical picture of a distant island where society is perfected and people live in harmony, yet its title means ''no place'', and More''s hugely influential work was ultimately an attack on his own corrupt, dangerous times, and on the failings of humanity. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

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Book SynopsisWhat is Madness? is Darian Leader''s probing study of madness, sanity, and everything in betweenWhat separates the sane from the mad? How hard or easy is it to tell them apart? And what if the difference is really between being mad and going mad?In this landmark work Darian Leader undermines common conceptions of madness. Through case studies like the apparently ''normal'' Harold Shipman, he shows that madness rarely conforms to standard models. What is Madness? explores the idea of quiet madness - that at times many of us live interior lives that are far from sane but allow us to function normally and unthreateningly - he argues that we must seek a new way to assess, treat and deal with those suffering mental health problems.What is Madness? is Darian Leader''s radically insightful and masterfully convincing exploration of a painful, complex but endlessly fascinating area of humanity.''A terrific intellectual stylist'' JTrade ReviewEngrossing and enlightening . . . Leader is as much a philosopher as a psychoanalyst * Metro *Fascinating, humane and timely . . . Leader forces us to rethink our assumptions about 'mental health' with a formidable grasp of psychiatric history and a storyteller's flair for detail -- Lisa Appignanesi * New Statesman *Witty, probing . . . A myth-busting diagnosis of the method in our madness * Independent *Wonderful * Bookseller *[Says] something that very much needs to be said * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisWhy Read the Classics? is an elegant defence of the value of great literature by one of the finest authors of the last century. Beginning with an essay on the attributes that define a classic (number one - classics are those books that people always say they are ''rereading'', not ''reading''), this is an absorbing collection of Italo Calvino''s witty and passionate criticism.Trade ReviewEnthusiasm and intelligence: these are the essential qualities of the critic. Calvino, himself a novelist of rare quality, possessed both generously. This is a book to read for itself, and also because it will send you back to other books to read, either again in a new way, or for the first time... Superb * Daily Telegraph *This volume itself is a classic book at bedtime, a seductive invitation to forgotten opportunities or rereading * The Times *A master’s guidance on everything from the ancient Greeks to Ernest Hemingway, proving that “a classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” This timeless description applies to Calvino’s own books too -- John Self

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