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Book SynopsisHoly Motherforking Shirtballs! The madly popular sitcom The Good Place, has propelled ethics and moral philosophy into the 21st century mainstream. The story of Eleanor Shellstrop, who has accidentally been sent to the Good Place after her death, continually challenges us to ask what makes for a ‘good person’? Taking inspiration from the show, this is a guide to ‘doing the right thing’. Using thought experiments, from the trolley problem to the balloon debate, as well as modern dilemmas like the etiquette of texting and ‘selfie’ culture (you’re going to the Bad Place), here is (nearly) everything you need to know about being in your own ‘good place’ in life.

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Book SynopsisThe book that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about data, privacy and the future of Big Tech. 'We are currently living in a moment of extreme pessimism about data. This book will change your mind.' Almost everything we do generates data.Digital technology is now so pervasive that it's very hard to escape its influence, and with that growth comes fear. But whatever the news has told you about data and technology, think again.Data expert and tech insider Sam Gilbert shows that, actually, this data revolution could be the best thing that ever happened to us.Good Data examines the incredible new ways this information explosion is already helping us – whether that's combating inequality, creating jobs, advancing the frontiers of knowledge or protecting us from coronavirus – and explains why the best is yet to come.Data touches everything, from our biggest hates (online advertising) to our greatest loves (our pets), and in this fascinating new book, Gilbert explores how, if we can embrace the revolution (even the ads), we could all live vastly improved lives.We are standing on the edge of greatness, we just need to know how to get there.Trade Review'Good Data brings a breath of fresh air, an invigorating blast of common sense, to the debate about our digital world. In place of scare stories about surveillance and exploitation, the book provides new insights from an expert, and pragmatic suggestions about how we can make data work for us as a shared resource. This is an essential read for anybody interested in shaping a positive digital future' -- Diane Coyle, University of Cambridge'Good Data weaves some thorny issues into a story that is positive, interesting, easy to read and provides valuable insight' -- Peter Turner, Chief Commercial Officer, Avast'There is increasing concern about how the big tech companies use – and abuse – our data. In this highly readable book, Sam Gilbert sets out how this data can be used for good, and describes how to think about controlling big tech while still achieving the positive benefits from it' -- Julian Huppert, The Intellectual Forum'A great read and really thought-provoking – challenges the surveillance capitalism narrative and suggests that an excessive focus on data privacy may harm us while reinforcing the power of the tech giants' -- Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC

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Book Synopsis'I laughed a lot and now understand blokes a lot more than I ever wanted to' - Katherine Ryan'Geoff is one of the funniest intelligent thinkers in comedy and this book reflects that perfectly' - Romesh Ranganathan'Geoff's examination of blokeness is Geoff all over - funny and insightful, making serious points without committing the cardinal sin of taking itself too seriously. Top bloke.' - Adrian Chiles'Highly informative. Geoff will make a proper bloke out of me yet.' - Hugo Rifkind'A brilliant and hilarious book which defends blokes without denigrating women' - Konstantin Kisin If you see a man drinking a pint in an airport pub alone, that's a bloke. If you see a man driving to the tip on a Saturday morning with a smile on his face, that's a bloke. And if you see a man heading back from the tip and on the way to the pub, that's a very happy bloke.The British Bloke appears simple and straightforward. He loves football, cricket, beer, sheds, wearing socks and books about the SAS.But beneath that simple exterior lies a mysterious and complex being.In The British Bloke Decoded, writer, comedian and regular bloke, Geoff Norcott peels back the layers of blokedom, revealing the truth behind the sometimes inexplicable behaviour of Britain's husbands, dads and brothers.Based on 46 years of field research and almost scientific insights, Geoff digs deep into subjects as wide as: the value of Banter, the surprising roots of Mansplaining, the near impossibility of getting blokes to send birthday cards, and whether there could be a medal system for Hoovering.And ultimately, he concludes that whilst the toxic men have been grabbing all the publicity - perhaps now's the time to celebrate the simple British bloke in all his eccentric splendour.Trade ReviewGeoff's examination of blokeness is Geoff all over - funny and insightful, making serious points without committing the cardinal sin of taking itself too seriously. Top bloke. * Adrian Chiles *Highly informative. Geoff will make a proper bloke out of me yet. * Hugo Rifkind *A brilliant and hilarious book which defends blokes without denigrating women * Konstantin Kisin *I laughed a lot and now understand blokes a lot more than I ever wanted to -- Katherine RyanGeoff is one of the funniest intelligent thinkers in comedy and this book reflects that perfectly -- Romesh Ranganathan

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Book SynopsisBetween 1965 and 1972, political activists around the globe prepared to mount a revolution, from the Black Panthers to the Gay Liberation Front, from the Yippies to the IRA. Rock and soul music supplied the revolutionary tide with anthems and iconic imagery; and renowned musicians such as John Lennon, Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan were particularly influential in the movement. This is the definitive account of this unique period in modern history; a compelling portrait of an era when revolutionaries turned into rock stars, and rock stars dressed up as revolutionaries.Trade ReviewPeter Doggett's weighty tome is a treasure trove of countercultural anecdotes and reportage. * * New Statesman * *Tells the story in an exemplary way. * * Financial Times * *Doggett has mastered hundreds of interviews, contemporary accounts and documents to put together this meticulously researched, scholarly and often gripping portrait of an era. * * Sunday Telegraph * *Doggett's encyclopaedic account of Sixties counter-culture is a fascinating history of pop's relationship with politics, examining the establishment's skill at assimilating rock 'n' roll rebellion into the mainstream. * * Independent * *Doggett has a brisk, readable style, with an astute eye for the idiosyncrasies of the period. * * Telegraph * *...a fresh and near-definitive slant on a subject you might have thought had been picked clean by journalists and historians. * * Time Out * *Peter Doggett's There's a Riot Going On is a lot of fun, but it also needs to be read by anyone who wants to understand the significance of the 60s or the role of pop culture. It is a very important book and I am sure I will go back to it numerous times. * * Mark Kurlansky, author of 1968 and Salt * *An impressive account. * * Observer * *Doggett examines the era with brilliant, creative meticulousness, song by song, riot by riot, poem by poem, dispelling myths...and uncovering truths...until you get caught inextricably up in the whirlwind of the greatest decade on record. Absolutely unmissable. * * Maxim * *Doggett's voluminous record unveils the hippie dream of remaking the world as mere fashion. * * Sunday Herald * *

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Book SynopsisJeff Howe coined the word 'Crowdsourcing' in a 2006 article for Wired magazine to describe the way in which the Internet has broken down traditional employer/employee relationships to create vibrant new enterprises that are 'staffed' by informal, often large gatherings of enthusiasts. A few weeks before the article hit the newsstands, a Google search for the word 'Crowdsourcing' returned zero results. One month after the article appeared, the same search returned nearly 500,000 hits. These days anyone and everyone can write book reviews on Amazon, post videos on Youtube, come up with new uses for Google maps or design T-shirts for Threadless. What makes this phenomenon so remarkable is that it is starting to transform the way many companies operate and to change their relationship with their customers: iStockPhoto.com has revolutionised the world of digital photography; Cambrian House is having a profound impact on the way films get made; Second Life has created a vast, profitable business with only a few formal employees but thousands of dedicated contributors. Moreover this revolution is rapidly changing our culture, introducing a consumer democracy that has never existed before.Jeff Howe has now followed up his initial, ground-breaking article with months of research, and the result is a book that will define the next stage of the Internet revolution.Trade ReviewAn informed and enthusiastic guide to the new collaborative creativity * The Times *It is carefully researched and crisply written, and the phenomenon it describes is here to stay * Management Today *Howe is certainly on to something * Financial Times *Jeff Howe has captured a complex and vital change in the business landscape: in the next few years, your customers could become your collaborators, or your competitors. His ability to weave story and strategy together makes Crowdsourcing a readable and indispensable guide to this new world -- Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes EverybodyBeyond the widsom of crowds is the work of crowds, a powerful and transformative source of creativity and an economic engine that defies traditional rules. Jeff Howe's guide to crowdsourcing - to use his perfect coinage - is insightful, fun, and indispensable to those who want to understand, or participate in, this amazing phenemonon -- Steven Levy, author of Hackers'and The Perfect Thing

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Book SynopsisSpanning four centuries, the V&A's Fashion Collection is the most comprehensive in the world, housing unrivaled collections of dress,accessories, shoes and hats from the 17th century to the present day. This thoroughly revised and redesigned edition shows the collection, from rare eighteenth-century gowns and exquisite bodices to 1930s evening wear, post-war couture, and showstopping ensembles by contemporary designers. Among the designers featured are Charles Frederick Worth, Madeleine Vionnet, Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Mary Quant, Stephen Jones, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen.Table of ContentsIntroduction -- Court and Country, 1750-1820 -- Taking the Air, 1790-1830 -- In Society, 1810-1830 -- At Home, 1825-1840 -- The Male Wardrobe, 1840-1875 -- The White Wedding, 1840-1860 -- Fashion and Industry, 1850-1870 -- Couture and Commerce, 1870-1910 -- The Cult of the Kimono, 1905-1915 -- Bright Young Things, 1920-1930 -- The Modern Woman, 1925-1940 -- Tailored to Fit, 1940-1960 -- The Pursuit of Perfection, 1947-1960 -- Revolution, 1960-1969 -- Patterning Fashion, 1967-1975 -- Deconstructing Fashion, 1975-1985 -- Fashion Now, 1990-2016 -- Further Reading and Collections.

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Book SynopsisTiHKAL: The Continuation is the sequel to PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story but can stand alone to any reader. Where PiHKAL focuses on a class of compounds called phenethylamines, TiHKAL is written about a family of psychoactive drugs known as tryptamines with TiHKAL being an acronym for Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved. Like its predecessor PiHKAL, it is divided into two parts. The first part of the book begins with the story of Alice and Shura, a fictionalized autobiography, which picks up where the similar section of PiHKAL left off. The book opens with the story about the DEA raid that occurred a few years after the publication of their first book, PiHKAL. It's a window into the DEA, the institutional aspect and human side of it as well, and the price that Shura and Alice pay for doing what they do, including exercising their first amendment rights. It then continues with a collection of essays on topics ranging from psychotherapy and the Jungian mind, to the prevalence of DMT in nature, ayahuasca, the War on Drugs, and even the Big Bang. It is a blend of travel, botanical facts, scientific speculation, psychological and political commentary. It is fascinating getting to know the mind of the man behind the compounds - his thoughts on science, technology, law, and society. And the mind of the woman who brought his work and their story into the light of the world. The second part of TiHKAL is The Chemistry Continues. It is a detailed manual for 55 psychedelic compounds (many discovered by Shulgin himself). For each compound there is information on synthesis, effective dosage, duration of effects, and commentary on the subjective effects that were experienced. The Shulgins'' two big books span autobiography, organic chemistry, politics, ethnobotany and psychopharmacology and the cultural impact of these works has been profound and will continue to be so in the future.

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Book SynopsisThe first history of Italian football to be written in English, Calcio' is a mix of serious analysis and comic storytelling, with vivid descriptions of games, goals, dives, missed penalties, riots and scandals in the richest and toughest league in the world.Calcio' tells the story of Italian football from its origins in the 1890's to the present day. It takes us through a history of great players and teams, of style, passion and success, but also of violence, cynicism, catenaccio tactics and corruption.We meet the personalities that have shaped this history from the Italian heroes to the foreigners that failed, the model professionals to the mavericks. Calcio' evokes the triumphs (the 1982 World Cup victory) and the tragedies (Meroni, the ''Italian George Best'', killed by his number one fan), set against a backdrop of paranoia and intrigue, in a country where the referee is seen as corrupt until proven otherwise.Calcio is no longer a game. It is sometimes difficult to define it as a Trade Review‘“Calcio: A History of Italian Football” reveals more about the national character than any dry study of politics or economics ever could. This is a hefty work but there is so much going on that the pace never slackens. Foot is a meticulous and knowledgeable guide to his complex subject and leaves the reader wanting to investigate further.’ Andrew Baker, Daily Telegraph ‘John Foot is head over heels in love with calcio, and his detailed, thematically structured account of its past and present is overwhelming evidence of that.’ Independent, Sport Section Book of the Week 'An excellent chapter on British failures in Serie A but it's the many scandals that one keeps coming back to.' Observer Sport Monthly 'Foot's exemplary history shows how football and Italian society are inextricably intertwined, and is full of fascinating vignettes.' Sunday Times 'Highly readable… “Calcio” has set an impressive benchmark for football histories in general.' Sean O'Connor, Soccerpile.com 'Like a match-winning penalty taken in extra time, this is a book not to be missed.' Oldie

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Book SynopsisSquishmallows are here to fill your heart with love and affection. This entertaining book is packed with quick, encouraging doses of positivity, humour, and the happy warmth of a 'Mallow hug. Discover your new happy place. Open the book to any page and find an amusing affirmation, an adorable image, comforting words of encouragement, or a fun exercise to help make you laugh and brighten up your day. From celebrating the small things to supporting your friends, this book is all about living life more like a 'Mallow. That means focusing on the good, spreading joy, and being kind to yourself, even when life gets stressful. Enjoy time with your favourite Squishmallows and become an official part of their lovable squad. This heartwarming collection is the perfect gift for the millions of Squishmallows fans or anyone who needs a reminder that they are awesome.

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Book SynopsisPunk. London.1977. Most people blinked and missed it. Many spent a decade trying to catch up. Derek Ridgers stumbled across it by accident, where it was, in the beating filthy heart of the Roxy in middle of a derelict slum called Covent Garden. Stumbling through the moshpits trying to keep hold of a borrowed camera. 1977. Punk London brings you 152 pages of photography featuring the birth of the the most exciting cultural phenomenon in UK history. Currents and vibes, flows and backwash, trends and anti-trends splashing around in the cauldron of youth culture in the city of London, and the lost rebels haunting their suburban bedrooms - jumping the train uptown to get into the legendary Roxy. All converged, for one priceless moment, an outpouring of a truly original, DIY, anarchic, underground scene. Ridgers captured the first wave. Kids in the crowd, never before seen. The punks who made their own clothes because you couldn t buy punk clothes. The punks who got beaten up time and again for making themselves into targets. Rebellion before it got easy. You won t see these kids anywhere in the magazines. They weren t trying to get famous. 1977 will happen again.1 977 is happening somewhere, for someone, right now."

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Book SynopsisI thought it was a great cultural movement, the music, the look, they're things that have shaped who I am... Paul Weller The skin-suede era was the most rigorously smart and pedantically correct in the history of working class street style. Robert Elms Levis, Ben Sherman, Crombie. Reggae, rocksteady, soul. The look and sound of Suedeheads - instantly recognisable in the sixties and early seventies - had a long-lasting impact on British style. Scorcha!: Skins, Suedes and Style from the Streets 1967—73 delves into the roots, rise and fall of the Suedeheads and their close companions the Skinheads. Covering topics from fashion and football to the influence of black music and culture, the book draws on first-hand accounts from the original skin-suede generation and later adopters, such as Paul Weller and Norman Jay MBE. Featuring a foreword by Suggs and jam-packed with iconic images, this is the definitive visual history of the Suedehead way of life.Trade Review'Hundreds of archival pictures contribute to this richly evocative examination of styles' Record Collector, 4* This brilliantly realised volume outlines the facts, fashions and foibles [of the suedehead group]. The layout is superb and the time spent meticulously researching the music, media and memories of those involved superlative, as is the standard of production making this if not the Bible for the period, then at least, in deference to the scooter owners within, the Haynes manual' Shindig!

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Book SynopsisWE ALL KNOW SOMEBODY WHO PUTS KETCHUP ON EVERYTHING!Ketchup is so much more than a condiment. It's a lifestyle! Transcending continents and generations, ketchup plays an intrinsic role in our global food culture. So much so that it begs the question: if you don't have a bottle of ketchup in your kitchen cupboard (or fridge), are you even alive?With recipes ranging from canapes and starters to breakfasts and main meals, these pages showcase the versatility of the world's favourite sauce!

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Book Synopsis''I defy you to read this book and come away with a mind unchanged'' John Jeremiah Sullivan''Als has a serious claim to be regarded as the next James Baldwin'' Observer''I see how we are all the same, that none of us are white women or black men; rather, we''re a series of mouths, and that every mouth needs filling: with something wet or dry, like love, or unfamiliar and savory, like love''White Girls is about, among other things, blackness, queerness, movies, Brooklyn, love (and the loss of love), AIDS, fashion, Basquiat, Capote, philosophy, porn, Louise Brooks and Michael Jackson. Freewheeling and dazzling, tender and true, it is one of the most highly acclaimed essay collections in years. ''A voice that''s new, that comes as if from a different room. I defy you to read this book and come away with a mind unchanged'' John Jeremiah Sullivan, author of Pulphead ''Effortless, honest and fearless'' Rich Benjamin, Trade ReviewA rhapsodic and provocative collection of essays on race, class, sexuality and identity in America * Financial Times *Als has a serious claim to be regarded as the next James Baldwin * Observer *Effortless, fearless and honest * New York Times *The first time you read Hilton Als, it's a revelation ... you wonder where this guy has been all your life ... He is both a startlingly insightful intellectual and a friendly, open and generous-spirited companion. It is the authenticity of his voice which makes him so compelling. That and the sheer dazzling brilliance of his writing, visceral and poetic, big-hearted, hot-headed and fierce' * Big Issue *Enlightening... a book you should read now * VICE *The variations he plays on the themes of identity, intimacy and race achieve a fugue-like complexity and power * Washington Post *Beautiful and deeply intelligent * New Statesman *A stunning analysis of contemporary culture ... undoubtedly one of the most important books of our times * DAZED *Pioneering ... a mosaic of thoughts and observations, taking in the landscape of a New York ravaged by AIDS and his private grief for his lost lover, imagining silent film star Louise Brookes' drawling inner life, and examining his own complicated relationship with his sexuality and blackness * AnOther Magazine *Magnificent * Los Angeles Times *Stunning * Kirkus Reviews *Exhilarating ... Audacious * San Francisco Chronicle *Brilliant * Boston Globe *Mesmerising * Los Angeles Review of Books *This will be debated for years * Entertainment Weekly *This book will change you * Chicago Tribune *I defy you to read this book and come away with a mind unchanged -- John Jeremiah SullivanAn intersectional masterpiece of race and sexuality, fact and fiction, memoir and polemic. The book that allowed a generation to make radicalism full of beauty and emotion * I-D Magazine *

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Book SynopsisAuthentic advice on subverting expectations and embracing kindness.What would Harry do? Songwriter, trendsetter, social activist, mindfulness master - we''d all love to be more like Harry Styles. This Golden guide, packed with Styles wisdom, will show you how. Want to learn how to be your most authentic self, have the confidence to wear what you want, and find inner peace? Discover how Harry finds his sparkle, so you can too. Inside the pages of this book you will find: - A mix of humour and sage advice that will resonate with any fan- Chapters covering style, career, creativity, attitude, relationships, and more - Stylish artwork and design appeals to key demographicFamously charming, fabulously dressed, and unapologetically himself - there are so many reasons to want to be more Harry Styles. This book will show you how to channel this once-in-a-generation pop icon.Following his stratospheric levels of fame as a member of One Direction, Harry has carved out his own unique path in the industry as a solo artist, actor, and fashion icon. Harry''s approach to life, career, music, relationships, and style is inspirational to anyone who wants to subvert expectations, be authentically themselves, and treat people with kindnessBe More Harry Styles is the perfect gift for Harry Styles fans.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FOR CRITICISM 2019From the MAN BOOKER PRIZE- and WOMEN''S PRIZE-SHORTLISTED author of Changing My Mind and Swing Time - discover a second unmissable collection of essays from Zadie Smith''Generous, courageous, and tough-minded... [A] classic English essayist in the vein of Orwell, Woolf and Angela Carter'' Financial Times''Engrossing, astute... Should you read this brilliant book? Absolutely'' Independent''Generous and curious'' Evening Standard''Brilliant, lively and frequently hilarious... She''s one of the brightest minds in English literature today'' NPRNo subject is too fringe or too mainstream for the unstoppable Zadie Smith. From social media to the environment, from Jay-Z to Karl Ove Knausgaard, she has boundless curiosity and the boundless wit to match. In Feel Free, pop culture, high culture, social change and political debate all get the Zadie Smith treatment, dissected with razor-sharp intellect, set brilliantly against the context of the utterly contemporary, and considered with a deep humanity and compassion. This electrifying new collection showcases its author as a true literary powerhouse, demonstrating once again her credentials as an essential voice of her generation.Trade ReviewA writer so insistent on the possibility of imaginative connection, so generous and curious with regard to her readers * Evening Standard *Refreshingly insightful on any number of topics, from Martin Buber to Justin Bieber...Reviewing a book by her countryman Geoff Dyer, [Smith] writes that she is most struck by 'his tone. Its simplicity, its classlessness, its accessibility and yet its erudition-the combination is a trick few British writers ever pull off.' Without question, Smith is one of them * TIME Magazine *Brims with a wide-ranging enthusiasm...[Smith's] open-mindedness gives the whole of Feel Free a lively, game-for-anything spirit...Enchanting * USA Today *Fascinating stuff! * Love It! *Charmingly digressive...Smith sets an unpretentious tone...As the pages pass, there's a palpable absence of self-certainty. In its place are ample reserves of curiosity and empathy * Minneapolis Star Tribune *The joy of this collection is Smith's straightforward phrasing, often summing up her thesis with a single thoughtful sentence. Her words are not overwritten; they do not distract from her purpose, nor are they a barrier to her argument; they are welcoming. I found myself re-reading the brightest of these sentences over and again, marveling at her humor and her brevity * Associated Press *The strongest essays showcase Smith's skills as an art, literary and cultural critic...One of the pleasures of reading Feel Free is in savoring Smith's joy when she writes about formative cultural experiences. As with any book of opinions, Feel Free makes claims one might dispute...But a collection of essays that doesn't prompt disagreements would be a dull book, and Feel Free is anything but dull * Houston Chronicle *Getting In and Out' is the kind of essay that sheds light on a whole career, and it would justify this collection even if Feel Free didn't include a handful of more perfectly crafted pieces of prose * Chicago Tribune *For years, [Smith] has been one of the most important literary journalists we have. This is why * Buffalo News *Smith writes [ . . . ] with such infectious zeal and engaging accessibility that it makes you want to turn up at her house and demand tutoring * Dazed and Confused *Publisher's Description: Dazzlingly insightful, explosively funny and ever-timely, essential writer Zadie Smith is back with a second unmissable collection of essays, following up her critically acclaimed collection, Changing My Mind * Penguin *It's good to know that, while my body rusts, I can keep my mind stretched and nimble by reading Zadie Smith * Observer *A preturnaturally gifted writer with a voice that's street-smart and learned, sassy and philosophical all at the same time * The New York Times *

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Book Synopsis''To write a book is hard; to write a funny book is harder; to write a funny book both wise and funny is the prerogative of Mr. Mikes'' The Times_________________________If you want to succeed here you must be able to handle the English sense of humour.So proclaims George Mikes'' timeless exploration of this curious phenomenon. Whether it''s understatement, self-deprecation or plain cruelty, the three elements he identifies as essential to our sense of humour, being witty here is a way of life.Perfectly placed as an adopted Englishman himself, Mikes delivers his shrewd advice - helpfully divided into ''Theory'' and ''Practice'' - with a comic precision that does his chosen country proud. Drawing on a trove of examples from our rich comic canon, from Orwell (Every joke is a tiny revolution) to Oscar Wilde, this is the essential handbook for natives and foreigners alike.Mrs Kennedy: I don''t think, Mr Churchill, that ITrade ReviewWise and witty -- William Cook on 'How to Be an Alien' * Spectator *Brilliantly comical -- Pico Iyer on 'How to Be an Alien' * New York Times *Very funny * The Economist *He is witty, observant, tolerant and sane * The Observer *To write a book is hard; to write a funny book is harder; to write a funny book both wise and funny is the prerogative of Mr. Mikes * The Times *

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Book SynopsisChonk cats are an adorable animal trend as seen on the internet. Now with Chonk Cat Nesting Dolls, cat lovers everywhere can express their love for pudgy cats with these super cute companions. This kit includes:* 3 chonk cat nesting dolls* Mini book celebrating chonk cats and the iconic chonk cats chart

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Book SynopsisJazz and Death: Reception, Rituals, and Representations critically examines the myriad and complex interactions between jazz and death, from the New Orleans "jazz funeral" to jazz in heaven or hell, final recordings, jazz monuments, and the music’s own presumed death. Table of ContentsIntroduction: Jazz and Death1. When I Die, You Better Second Line: The New Orleans "Jazz Funeral"2. The Devil’s Music: Jazz in Hell3. Louis and the Angels: Jazz in Heaven4. Swan Songs: Final Concerts and Last Recordings5. The Long Fall: The Death of Chet Baker6. Nine Naked Muses: Memorializing Ellington7. Funky Odors: Is Jazz Itself Dead?

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Book Synopsis*THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*A deeply honest investigation of what it means to be a woman and a commodity from Emily Ratajkowski, the archetypal, multi-hyphenate celebrity of our time._______________'This is the book for every woman trying to place their body on the map of consumption vs control, and every woman who wants to better understand her impulses. It left me much changed' - Lena Dunham'I read these pages, breathless with recognition, and the thrill of reading a new voice telling it like it is' - Dani Shapiro'Emily Ratajkowski's first essay collection needs to be read by everyone [...] both page-turning and moving as hell' - Amy Schumer'A slow, complicated indictment of a profession and the people who propel it [...] it will deliver a more nuanced and introspective rendering of her interior than those who come to it with those surface interests might expect' - Vogue'Dazzling' - Observer'Ratajkowski brings nuanced insight to questions about empowerment versus commodification of women's bodies and sexuality. Blending cultural criticism and personal stories, My Body is smart and powerful' - Time Magazine'Raw, nuanced and beautifully written. A moving and enlightening experience to join a woman openly exploring such deep parts of her physical self via the written word. A truly impressive debut' - Emma Gannon'Excellent [...] Ratajkowski writes with curiosity, intellect and acute awareness' - Harper's Bazaar'Superb [...] it feels revolutionary' - Telegraph'I admire and envy her artistry' - Guardian_______________Emily Ratajkowski is an acclaimed model and actress, an engaged political progressive, a formidable entrepreneur, a global social media phenomenon, and now, a writer. Rocketing to world fame at age twenty-one, Ratajkowski sparked both praise and furor with the provocative display of her body as an unapologetic statement of feminist empowerment. The subsequent evolution in her thinking about our culture's commodification of women is the subject of this book.My Body is a profoundly personal exploration of feminism, sexuality, and power, of men's treatment of women and women's rationalizations for accepting that treatment. These essays chronicle moments from Ratajkowski's life while investigating the culture's fetishization of girls and female beauty, its obsession with and contempt for women's sexuality, the perverse dynamics of the fashion and film industries, and the grey area between consent and abuse.Nuanced, unflinching, and incisive, My Body marks the debut of a fierce writer brimming with courage and intelligence.Trade ReviewEmily has captured-with the acuity of an early Joan Didion investigating the culture of California-the complicated terrain of having a body people want to sell and having her own agenda she refuses to give up. Her prose is by turns honey smooth and vicious, uproarious and wounded. She knows the pain that lives in every woman and she isn't afraid to link arms and say she's been there, and that it hurts. This is the book for every woman trying to place their body on the map of consumption vs control, and every woman who wants to better understand her impulses. It left me much changed. * Lena Dunham *These powerful essays mark a blazing, unexpected literary debut. Emily Ratajkowski interrogates beauty, sex, power, objectification, fame, and betrayal-both by self and other-with lucidity and scorched-earth honesty. I read these pages, breathless with recognition, and the thrill of reading a new voice telling it like it is. * Dani Shapiro *Emily Ratajkowski's first essay collection needs to be read by everyone. She explores body politics - and the politics of her body - through a uniquely feminist lens in stories that are both page-turning and moving as hell * Amy Schumer *This irresistibly titled debut from supermodel turned writer Emily Ratajkowski fills in some of the story of just how Ratajkowski came to have one of the most famous faces in the world. But more than that, the book is invested in probing what it means to be in possession of such a face. My Body is a memoir, but it's also-like Sweetbitter or In the Land of Men-a slow, complicated indictment of a profession and the people who propel it. Ratajkowski doesn't so much direct blame at any one person or organization as paint a personal picture of what it was like for her to be young, naive, ambitious, and smart-and to feel reduced, far too often, to a collection of body parts. The book will be alluring to anyone who wants to know what it was like to dance in Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" (the cringey video that made Ratajkowski a household name) or what it was like to act alongside Ben Affleck in Gone Girl, but it will deliver a more nuanced and introspective rendering of her interior than those who come to it with those surface interests might expect. * Vogue *Raw, nuanced and beautifully written. A moving and enlightening experience to join a woman openly exploring such deep parts of her physical self via the written word. A truly impressive debut * Emma Gannon *Essential reading * Red magazine *My Body is an excellent - if we excuse the pun - body of work. Ratajkowski writes with curiosity, intellect and acute awareness... What may surprise readers is not so much the quality of the prose, which is excellent, but that it is not an easy, pop-feminism read. It's a searingly personal piece, which frequently asks more questions than it answers * Harper’s Bazaar *When her gaze is on herself it is superb. My Body is the end of Ratajkowski's disassociation. She doesn't answer the question: what is a woman for? How can she? It is a universal question. But at least she asks it, and it feels revolutionary * Telegraph *A quietly furious disquisition on flesh and capitalism * Evening Standard *Emrata's voice... carries huge weight * Independent *These well-written, thought-provoking essays are Emily's way of reasserting her control. They make for fascinating, if depressing, reading * Daily Mirror and Express *Ratajkowski... writes intimately... at time remarkably candid and raw * i News *A thought-provoking read body shaming and what empowerment really means * STELLA magazine *An honest and thoughtful first-hand take on the patriarchy and commodification of the fashion industry * The Skinny *Ratajkowski writes knowingly about the misogyny that is fundamental to the industry * New Statesman *Dazzling * Observer *Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski's compelling essay collection deep-dives feminism, sexuality and power * The Sun *The skill of this book is in the way that Ratajkowski manages to cast her experiences in the glitter-plated hills of Hollywood and LA as entirely relatable which, all things considered, is quite a feat * Litro *Ratajkowski offers a fresh perspective on an age-old problem * Financial Times *I admire and envy her artistry * Guardian *Ratajkowski's feelings of shame and embarrassment after being sexually assaulted are movingly portrayed * Sunday Times *Well worth reading * The Times *A talented writer * Press Association *Ratajkowski delves into society's obsession with image and celebrity * Vogue *My Body has become one of the defining titles of 2021 exploring the uncomfortable and ever-shifting space that commodifies and exploits women's bodies with no easy answers * Stylist *It's really interesting. Emily says things that a lot of us wouldn't say about Instagram - how she thinks about what she posts because of the likes that she gets and how that can mentally control you. It's very honest and very well-written. Sometimes when you see someone beautiful like Emily, you assume that you know her life [but you don't] * Laura Whitmore *A fascinating read * Sheerluxe *The essays in My Body are an effort to grapple with the themes of power and control in a society where the female body - or at least one that looks like hers - is a valuable commodity * The Sunday Times *My Body is both an acknowledgement and a lament that [Emily's] physique and beauty are at the heart of her fame and success * Metro *A brilliant, beautiful read * Poorna Bell *A raw, powerful and reassuring read * Cosmo *My Body is genuine, powerful, and often eerily relatable * The Critic *There's no winning, but perhaps that means there's no real losing either: Any art, any writing, any attempt to detangle ourselves from the cruel stagnation of body-shaming is progress. My Body doesn't cut as deep as I want, but it cuts all the same * Buzzfeed *If you read (and liked) her hugely popular essay for The Cut last year, then model Emily Ratajkowski's new book is sure to tickle your fancy too * Image *Many stories are heartbreaking * Yorkshire Post *Ratajkowski, now 30, writes intimately and her essays are lucid * i paper and The Scotsman *The essay provokes an interesting debate on image ownership in an age where we constantly post ourselves online; who owns a photo - the subject or the model? * Reaction *Ratajkowski takes a subject that has obsessed tabloid media for years * Sunday Independent *A compelling portrait of loneliness, loss and the spiritual cost of choosing to pick up the tools you were handed to play by someone else's rules * VICE *An accomplished debut * Image magazine *An eye-opening read * The Times *In her thoughtful essay collection, Ratajkowski discusses the power and vulnerability of beauty, her relationship with her mother, and her experience of sexual violence and having her image exploited by men * Daily Mail *These well-written essays are Emily's way of reasserting control and are thought-provoking reading * Express *A deeply honest investigation into what it means to be a woman * Image Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe Art of Top Cow: Legacy brings together the past and present, showing the artistic evolution of the studio in a coffee table-style book featuring editorial commentary to guide collectors of exceptional comics' art through the history of each series and sure to bring fans of fine artwork from the world of comics together. The ultimate gift for comics fans, The Art of Top Cow: Legacy showcases a stunning collection of artwork spanning Top Cow's over thirty-year history. Featuring pieces from Top Cow creator Marc Silvestri as well as the beloved Michael Turner with breathtaking works by superstar artist Stjepan Šejic, his wife Linda Šejic as well as comics-industry legends like David Finch, Joe Benitez, Ed Benes, Brett Booth, J. Scott Campbell as well as a new wave of artists linking the past to the present in the form of Ed Benes, Giuseppe Cafaro, Willi Roberts, Andrea Mutti, Rosa Ekedal, Pat Boutin and more.

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Book SynopsisColossus is the definitive showcase of epic European street art. From Berlin to Barcelona, Budapest to Lisbon it''s a visual guide to both the astonishing and the epic. From figurative to abstract, geometric to photo-realistic, all of the major creative executions are covered in the expansive collection. This book is the culmination of years of obsessively keeping up with the explosion of the art form. Featuring QR codes for many of the major European cities, you too will be able to visit the artwork in person.

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Book Synopsis My Cool Campervan celebrates a new wave of interest in modern-retro campervans. Join Jane Field-Lewis and Chris Haddon as they set off on a 3500-mile trip to locate campervans and proud owners, sharing their memories of family holidays under candy-striped pop-top roofs and of sunny days and simple pleasures. Delve into a world of road-tripping as Jane and Chris introduce us to a succession of distinctive campervans, memorable locations and classic models, at times beautifully restored, and at others well-loved and well-used. My Cool Campervan reveals a world beyond the stereotype, of vintage vans from another era, forgotten rarities and beautifully restored mass-produced models. Chapters include:Old Retro: In the 1970s and 80s as the motor industry turned its sights towards the global market, campervan designs began to change.Simple Life: Exploring functional campervans where styling doesn’t overwhelm function and where vans are so well designed in the first place, there’s nothing more to add than the journey.Weird and Wonderful: From a converted French fire truck, to an ‘extension’ to a regular saloon car, these campers are customized, unusual and have been created to provide space.American Beauties: The large American Recreational Vehicles, or RVs, fulfill just about everyone’s expectations of a comfortable life on the road. The enduring appeal of the RV lies in its iconic design and long association with the romantic notion of the great road journey.Classics: Some vehicle designs last longer than others. The VW T2 campervan is, without doubt, the front runner.New Retro: Reflecting owners’ unique styles and interest, the vehicles here function as an artist’s workroom or as a photographer’s studio; these are not only places to camp out or chill out, they are happy extensions of creative lives.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the smiley face’s 60 year impact on art, music, pop and counter culture with The Sm;)e Book. In the history of graphic design, there is no other symbol that has ever held such a duality—used simultaneously as both a positive mainstream driver and a counterculture subverter of that very mainstream. The Sm;)e Book showcases an unprecedented collection of some the world’s most potent visual communicators. With introductions from authors db Burkeman and Rich Browd, the book includes work from some of the most important visual communicators of our time such as: Alex Da Corte Alfie Steiner Alicia McCarthy Aurel Schmidt BANKSY Chapman Brothers Cody Hudson Curtis Kulig Destroy All Monsters Eric Elms Erik Foss Greg Bogin INVADER James Joyce Jeremy Deller KATSU Mark Flood Misaki Kawai Norman Cook Paul Insect + BÄST Richard Prince Rob Pruitt Ron English Sadie Benning Sayre Gomez SKULLPHONE Tyrrell Winston Wolfgang Tillmans Yung Jake 1UP Crew

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Book SynopsisThe story of art is not always the story of art-historical 'isms' and complex academic debate. The real history is often the story of some very simple firsts - the first time an artist painted themselves, the first time someone painted a smile, the first actual place to be depicted, the first feminist artwork, the first anti-war work. Art evolves and revolutionises itself through these simple - but ground-breaking - creative leaps. Art Firsts brings together 30 of these pioneering firsts to piece together an original approach to looking at and appreciating art, as well as understanding where it has come from and how it relates to you. Each first is approachable and engaging, while each work is simply and satisfyingly explained. Every work is also fully illustrated, and its significance is shown through images of the subsequent artists directly inspired by them. Art Firsts offers a refreshing and fascinating narrative for those curious about why so-callTrade ReviewThis is the first book by Nick Trend and it is a cracker... all in all, a highly recommended book * Daily Express *in his intriguing, revealing and sometimes provocative book, Nick Trend looks at 30 pictures that established new genres. . . It is a neat conceit that will have readers mentally fact-checking his 30 highlighted works as well as rising to the implicit challenge and finding first works for categories of their own * New Statesman *Recommended reading . . . Trend moves fluidly from famous moment (Picasso's distortion) to the lesser known (the first female self-portrait, by Catherine van Hermessen) * Royal Academy Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''Everything you could ever want for any age of woman. This book will change your life.'' Davina McCallTrinny has one goal to give everyone the tools they need to feel their best.FEARLESS is a collection of everything Trinny has learnt throughout her life and career, and it will empower you to feel confident at every stage of your life.This manual can be used as inspiration to challenge yourself; whether you need help with putting together an outfit that will make you feel great, knowing how to care for your skin, finding the colours that suit you and choosing makeup that enhances your natural beauty, FEARLESS includes all the tools you need to understand what suits you and will bring you joy.Trinny also covers all the elements that will make you feel more confident on the inside, including different methods to navigate life's challenges and help build faith in yourself and your choices.It is time to fear less and be more.Trinny Woodall''s book ''Fearless'' was a No.2 Sunday Times beTrade Review'Everything you could ever want for any age of woman. This book will change your life.' – Davina McCall ‘A practical, holistic and inspiring manual.’ – Platinum Magazine

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestseller about two guys who went out for coffee and dreamed up Seinfeld—“A wildly entertaining must-read not only for Seinfeld fans but for anyone who wants a better understanding of how television series are made” (Booklist, starred review).Comedians Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld never thought anyone would watch their sitcom about a New York comedian sitting around talking to his friends. But against all odds, viewers did watch—first a few and then many, until nine years later nearly forty million Americans were tuning in weekly. Fussy Jerry, neurotic George, eccentric Kramer, and imperious Elaine—people embraced them with love. Seinfeldia, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s intimate history is full of gossipy details, show trivia, and insights into how famous episodes came to be. Armstrong celebrates the creators and fans of this American television phenomenon, bringing readeTrade Review***A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER*** "Her book, as if she were a marine biologist, is a deep dive...Perhaps the highest praise I can give Seinfeldia is that it made me want to buy a loaf of marbled rye and start watching again, from the beginning." —Dwight Garner, The New York Times “Even for those of us who imagine ourselves experts, Armstrong scatters delicious details throughout her book, like so many Jujyfruits we can’t resist… [I]n describing the making and writing of this singular show, Armstrong is queen of the castle. Her stories about “Seinfeld” are real — and they’re spectacular.” —Washington Post “Lively and illuminating. A wildly entertaining must-read not only for Seinfeld fans but for anyone who wants a better of understanding of how television series are made.” —Booklist, starred review “[S]avvy and engaging…the best way to enjoy “Seinfeldia” is to read the book with TV remote in hand, calling up episodes on Hulu as Ms. Armstrong adroitly recounts the back story of these still-captivating shows that were never, ever about nothing.” —Wall Street Journal "The heart of Armstrong’s book and its most engaging quality is how it all came to be: the Seinfeld rules of the road that seemed to be without rules; the actors who left their indelible mark (Bryan Cranston as dentist Tim Whatley, Teri Hatcher as one of Jerry’s “spectacular” girlfriends) and the parade of moments about nothing that really turned out to be something." —USA Today “Even as someone lucky enough to be on the show, I couldn’t put Seinfeldia down.” —Larry Thomas, “The Soup Nazi” “Armstrong's intimate, breezy history is full of gossipy details, show trivia, and insights into how famous episodes came to be. How nothing could become something or how a national TV audience learned to live in a Beckett-ian world. Perfect for Seinfeldians and newcomers alike.” —Kirkus Reviews “Armstrong offers a masterly look at one of the greatest shows. The research involved makes this a boon to television scholars, but Seinfeld enthusiasts will also enjoy this funny, highly readable book.” —Library Journal

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Book Synopsis33 1/3 is a new series of short books about critically acclaimed and much-loved albums of the last 40 years. Each focuses on one album rather than an artist's entire output. Velvet Underground's first album - with the Andy Warhol banana cover - introduced, along with 'Sgt. Pepper', a new form of rock music: the artsy concept album.Trade ReviewAuthor Harvard has succeeded in finding the right mix between objective research and personal connection with his subject. -- Jason Dropor * Record Collector, October 2004 *A bite-sized look at the creation of one of the more seminal albums of our time....well worth dipping into. -- David Hill * Shredded Paper Magazine, Fall 2004 issue *The splendidly named Harvard sees the Velvets through the eyes neither bleary nor jaded nor excessively worshipful, and among many sharp insights nails the idea that it wasn't just LouLouLou with, oh yeah, John Cale and the chick who split after this debut and the drummer who played standing up and the bass player who moved to Austin. Anybody who's heard "Sunday Morning" as the sun's coming up on a Sunday morning knows the Velvets were a BAND, and for these two sides of vinyl there was no more powerful idea. A- * Austin American-Statesman *[Harvard] has the material as well as the gift of gab. -- Robin Vaughan * Boston Herald *

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Book SynopsisArtistic genius, political activist, painter and decorator, mythic legend or notorious graffiti artist? The work of Banksy is unmistakable, except maybe when it's squatting in the Tate or New York's Metropolitan Museum. Banksy is responsible for decorating the streets, walls, bridges and zoos of towns and cities throughout the world. Witty and subversive, his street art depicts monkeys with weapons of mass destruction, policemen with smiley faces, rats with drills and the iconic young girl with the heart-shaped balloon. If you look hard enough you'll find your own. His statements, incitements, ironies and epigrams are by turns intelligent and cheeky comments on everything from the monarchy and capitalism to the war in Iraq and farm animals. His identity remains unknown, but his work is prolific. And now for the first time, he's putting together the best of his work - old and new - in a fully illustrated colour volume.Trade ReviewSince spotting my first few Banksies I have been desperately seeking out more. When I do come across them, surreptitiously peeping out of an alley or boldly emblazoned on a wall, I find it hard to contain myself... they make me smile and feel optimistic about the possibilities of shared dreams and common ownership. * Simon Hattenstone, Guardian *

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Book Synopsis In Ireland, a pint – having one, going for one, buying one – is a cultural institution. It’s about so much more than 568ml of beer in a glass. But how did a simple pint become such a phenomenon?  In A Compendium of Irish Pints, Ali Dunworth delves into the culture, customs and craic surrounding pints in Ireland, from airport pints to unplanned pints, pints for celebrations and pints for commiserations, festival pints, quiet pints, crisps and pints and everything in between. With illustrations by Stephen Heffernan, aka Hephee, that perfectly capture the culture of pints in his iconic style, you’ll find yourself working up a thirst and sending that text we all love to get: ‘Pint?’

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Book SynopsisHis first new collection of short humor in fifteen years is classic Woody Allen. Zero Gravity is the fifth collection of comic pieces by Woody Allen, a hilarious prose stylist whose enduring appeal readers have savored since his classics Getting Even, Without Feathers, Side Effects, and Mere Anarchy. This new work combines pieces that have appeared in The New Yorker along with ten written exclusively for this book, each a comic inspiration. Whether he’s writing about horses that paint, cars that think, the sex lives of celebrities, or how General Tso’s Chicken got its name, he is always totally original, broad yet sophisticated, acutely observant, and most important, relentlessly funny. Along with titles like “Buffalo Wings Woncha Come Out Tonight” and “When Your Hood Ornament Is Nietzsche,” included in this collection is his poignant but very funny short story, "Growing Up in Manhattan.”Zero Gravity implies writing not to be taken seriously, but, as with any true humor, not all the laughs are weightlessTrade ReviewPraise for Mere Anarchy, Woody Allen's previous collection of his short humor pieces:“The stories in Mere Anarchy deliver the same joys and foibles that have been with its author from the start.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times“Uproarious . . . In each story the ornate and the vulgate slam together and make it rain polysyllabic absurdity.”—Wall Street Journal“Like the Carnegie’s one-pound sandwiches, Allen’s literary slapstick is . . . comedy on wry.”—USA Today“Brilliant neurotica . . . Unfailingly entertaining . . . [An] obsessive and seriously funny book.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review“Will put a rictus on your kisser. . . . The animating comedy is part S. J. Perelman and part borscht belt: Allen piles the ludicrous on top of the ridiculous and tops it with an acidic lemon squeeze, and then just keeps the jokes coming.”—Publishers Weekly"The topsy-turvy literary allusions pour from Allen's pen like bullets from a Gatling gun (an appropriately obscure simile), exposing the intellectual pretensions of a ragtag assortment of Allenesque everymen—endearingly unkempt nebbishes who, despite knowing their Dostoevsky, can't quite deal with the absurdities of daily life."—Booklist

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Book SynopsisNeil Young's "Harvest" is one of those strange albums that has achieved lasting success without ever winning the full approval of rock critics or hardcore fans. Inglis here explores the creation of the album and its lasting appeal.Trade ReviewA fascinating book about a fascinating album...the insights into Young's life, methodology, and fans' and critics' reactions are compelling. * Leaf Salon, New Zealand *...[Inglis's] lack of flash and authority has its upside; his ego stays far enough out of the way that emphasison the nuts 'n' bolts of the recording history of "Harvest" actually helps you hear what's going on... * Austin American-Statesman, 10/17/04 *

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - AND THE GIFT THAT WILL BE ON EVERY BRUCE AND BARACK FAN''S WISH LIST!Two long-time friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly-produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast, featuring more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material.Renegades: Born in the USA is a candid, revealing, and entertaining dialogue between President Barack Obama and legendary musician Bruce Springsteen that explores everything from their origin stories and career-defining moments to their country''s polarized politics and the growing distance between the American Dream and the American reality. Filled with full-colour photographs and rare archival material, it is a compelling and beautifully illustrated portrait of two outsiders-one Black and one white-looking for a way to connect their unconventional searches for meaning, identity, and community with the American story itself.It includes: Original introductions by President Obama and Bruce Springsteen Exclusive new material from the Renegades podcast recording sessions Obama''s never-before-seen annotated speeches, including his Remarks at the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Marches Springsteen''s handwritten lyrics for songs spanning his 50-year-long career Rare and exclusive photographs from the authors'' personal archives Historical photographs and documents that provide rich visual context for their conversation.In a recording studio stocked with dozens of guitars, and on at least one Corvette ride, Obama and Springsteen discuss marriage and fatherhood, race and masculinity, the lure of the open road and the call back to home. They also compare notes on their favourite protest songs, the most inspiring American heroes of all time, and more. Along the way, they reveal their passion for-and the occasional toll of-telling a bigger, truer story about America throughout their careers, and explore how their fractured country might begin to find its way back toward unity.Trade ReviewThere is a lot to be enjoyed as they dig into a subject that has underpinned their very different careers: the gap between the glowing aspiration and cracked reality of the so-called American Dream . . . there is some serious political and philosophical content here. Springsteen and Obama are articulate and idealistic orators, and the conversation relentlessly pushes towards the shared goal of reclaiming a liberal, progressive vision of America in post-Trumpian times * Daily Telegraph *This new book of conversations, photos and speeches is a beautifully presented, coffee table-friendly smorgasbord of uplift . . . Annotated versions of Obama speeches on their original notepaper, most movingly his passionate and compassionate eulogy for civil rights activist John Lewis ("like John, we have to keep getting into good trouble"), feel like a window on to history, as, to a lesser extent, do rather more pristine, handwritten Springsteen lyrics * iNews *One may be a songwriter and the other a politician but Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama are both gifted storytellers who have crafted a story about themselves and their nation . . . Renegades reminds us that despite the hardness of the world and the challenges that demand to be faced there still exists the promise of better days -- Sarfraz ManzoorIn this beautifully curated coffee-table book, which bulks up the extended podcast transcripts with photographs, annotated speeches and handwritten song lyrics to lend a degree of polished intimacy, these American heavyweights find the silver linings adorning even the darkest of clouds * The Times *Renegades: Born in the USA is human, vulnerable, smart, and passionate . . . Obama and Springsteen admire their country while considering its shortcomings and still come out the other side with a sense of patriotism and hope that spills over the bounds of a book * Associated Press *A collection of intimate and thoughtful conversations between the President and the Boss * Los Angeles Times *Do you dream of scoring an invitation to Springsteen's Colts Neck compound? Maybe strumming on those guitars, riding horses, riffing on the American experiment in the recording studio? Unless you're an American president, you're going to have to get in line. But in between daydreams, pick up Renegades. It's the closest thing to being a fly on the wall of an incredible friendship * Esquire *

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Book Synopsis Bring the warmth and fun of Central Perk to your home or office with this special light-up version of the iconic coffee shop sign from Friends.    Specifications: 3-1/2 x 3 inch LED light-up Central Perk sign mounted on a base Book Included: 48-page book filled with essential information on Central Perk, a guide to great moments set at the café, and more, featuring full-color photos from the show throughout Perfect Gift: Must-have gift item for fans of Friends For Your Desktop: Small size allows for fun anytime, anywhere and is perfect for a mantle or desktop Officially Licensed: Authentic Friends collectible Requires two AAA batteries (not included).

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Book SynopsisA LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEARA riveting journey into the psyche of Britain through its golden age of television and film; a cross-genre feast of moving pictures, from classics to occult hidden gems, The Magic Box is the nation's visual self-portrait in technicolour detail. 'The definition of gripping. Truly, a trove of wyrd treasures.'BENJAMIN MYERS'A lovingly researched history of British TV [that] recalls the brilliant, the bizarre and the unworldly.'GUARDIAN'A reclamation, not just of a visual 'golden age', but of Britain as a darkly magical place.'THE SPECTATOR'A feat of argument, description and affection.' FINANCIAL TIMES'Young unearths the ghosts of TV past - and Britain's dark psyche.' HERALD'Highly entertaining . . . [A] fabulous treasure trove.' SCOTSMAN'Young is a phenomonal sc

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Book SynopsisWhat binds this series together, and what brings it to life, is that all of the authors - musicians, scholars, and writers - are deeply in love with the album they have chosen.Trade ReviewMatteo takes us into the process of the album's creation, fully attending to the minute negotiations and forced compromises that characterized the Beatles' last stab at full collaboration....the book's compact yet comprehensive account of the album is worthwhile. -- Mike Tribby * Booklist, September 15, 2004 *Set out in an easy to read format...a well-written, unbiased overview of the whole LET IT BE affair- all contained in a handy pocket-sized book. A must for fans and historians of THE BEATLES alike! * Beatlesdays *Let It Be is far from the Beatles' most memorable record, but as most know, its inception marked a seminal time period in the life (or death) of the most influential band in rock 'n' roll history. Steve Matteo's research is meticulous, giving to-the-minute accounts of things that happened during the making of Let It Be and its depth stifles the writer's voice in exchange for relaying the chaos and controversy over these sessions (and, almost more importantly, the tapes documenting them). -- Zack Adcock * The Hub Weekly, 1/13/05 *Matteo's is the best of the lot, just as expected: after all, he' s done time with Rolling Stone and Spin, and wrote Dylan. For his study of the Beatles' Let It Be he has done his homework, having interviewed a number of people involved in Apple and the making of the album. In tackling the one record that many think of as a complicated footnote to The Beatles' career, he expertly negotiates the long and winding road of recording sessions and 500 hours' worth of audio tapes. The result is a contender for book of the series. -- Jason Draper * Record Collector (UK) Feb. 2005 *For such a little book, it sure does pack a big wallop. Just when you thought the ill-fated Let It Be sessions had been researched to death, Steve Matteo's recently released book sheds new light on the subject with the proper perspective of hindsight....Matteo's book...should stand as the definitive account of these historic sessions. -- Marshall Terrill * DayTrippin' No. 28 (Fall 2004/Winter 2005 issue) *I applaud the author for taking up such a daunting task and condensing a sometimes-confusing story into a mer 136 pages of enjoyable text. Hopefully there will be more Beatles-related books of this calibre in the 33 1/3 series! * Ear Candy, January 2005 issue *33 1/3 is a fabulous series written with passion by an equally fabulous cross-secton of today's best music journalists. This series is a must for every serious record nerd out there! And I know the nerds agree with me cause I'm having trouble keeping them on the shelves. * Edmund LeStrange, Book Buyer for Waterloo Records *As the brouhaha over Paul McCartney's reworking of the last album the Beatles recorded together suggested, Let It Be has quite a history. The raw edges of the Fab Four's devolution, completely betrayed in the movie Michael Lindsay-Hogg made of the recording sessions, showed through aurally in inconsistent song quality. To McCartney's later consternation, Phil Spector was brought in to add finishing production touches. Matteo takes us into the process of the album's creation, fully attending to the minute negotiations and forced compromises that characterized the Beatles' last stab at full collaboration. In the closing pages Matteo rather gently assesses the 2003 re-release, Let It Be...Naked, and the planned re-release of the film. Despite Matteo's rather tepid critical attitude, the book's compact yet comprehensible account of the album is worthwhile. -- Mike Tribby * Booklist *Matteo faithfully details the most fascinating month in Beatles history and its endlessly bootlegged afterlife. * Austin American-Statesman, 10/17/04 *

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Book SynopsisTelling their story in their own words, with exclusive photos and behind-the-scenes gossip, this is a must-have for any Little Mix fan. Little Mix are the UK''s most successful girl band. They first found fame - and each other - on The X Factor in 2011. Five years later they have gone from strength to strength, achieving huge global success. With three platinum-selling albums in the UK and over 14 million record sales worldwide, the band are both adored by their fans and critically acclaimed for their brilliant music. In this book the girls share the real behind-the-scenes story of both their personal lives and their success. They reveal the many highs - what it feels like to perform in front of thousands of people; the excitement of seeing your music soar to Number One around the world - but also the lows. Through it all the girls have had each other, and their incredibly close friendship has grown stronger and stronger as the years have gone by. NTrade ReviewCelebrate Little Mix's first UK number-one album - Glory Days - by reading the full story of the girls' astonishing rise to pop super stardom. Our World is full of exclusive photos and inspirational stories about Jade, Perrie, Jesy and Leigh-Anne's unique friendship. * from the publisher's description *Our World is the official tell-all book from the UK's biggest girl band, Little Mix. Brimming with exclusive photos, the girls share their hopes and dreams for the future, their families, their relationships, their style advice and above all their friendship. This is Little Mix's story in their own words, telling you everything you need to know about their lives both in and out of the spotlight. * from the publisher's description *

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Book SynopsisAt the end of the 1970s, Manchester seemed to be sliding into the dustbin of history. Today the city is an international destination for culture and sport, and one of the fastest-growing urban regions in Europe. This book offers a first-hand account of what happened in between.Arriving in Manchester as a wide-eyed student in 1979, Andy Spinoza went on to establish the arts magazine City Life before working for the Manchester Evening News and creating his own PR firm. In a forty-year career he has encountered a who’s who of Manchester personalities, from cultural icons such as Tony Wilson to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and influential council leaders Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein.His remarkable account traces Manchester’s gradual emergence from its post-industrial malaise, centring on the legendary nightclub the Haçienda and the cultural renaissance it inspired.Trade Review‘Every great city needs a great chronicler. We are lucky to have Andy. Read on.’Lemn Sissay‘This is a fabulous, compelling book with a cast of larger-than-life characters. First as observer, then as participant, Andy has enjoyed a ring-side seat in the renaissance and development of Britain's most exciting city.’Michael Crick‘Andy Spinoza knows the real story.’Jon Savage'The strength of the book is its immediacy. I think he also considers it a book not just about Mancunians but for them too. It is a love letter to his adopted city.'Jon Talbot, Literary Review'The author draws the “key players” in the rebirth of modern Manchester with a vividness that might have eluded a conventional historian.'Jonathan Derbyshire, Financial Times'A flamboyant hybrid, conveying the nitty-gritty of municipal politics and private-public property deals with the zest and wit of the best journalism. [...] it is likely to become a touchstone for all chroniclers of modern Manchester.'Andrew Martin, Times Literary Supplement'Elegantly interweaving his own biography with that of the city, Spinoza narrates with panache the story of how the place once known as Cottonopolis has reinvented itself.' Julian Coman, The Observer'A personal and sociological look at how its fortunes changed, featuring encounters with all the expected characters like Tony Wilson and even Alex Ferguson.'Eoghan O'Sullivan, The Irish ExaminerOne of their best music books of 2023‘Beautifully written – a great read that feels important. The musical thread through the different eras is persuasive without feeling forced. This is an inspiring personal story, in which the power of Manchester rises from the page.’Paul Unger, Editor, Place North West'A compelling retelling of the origin story of the original modern city.'Thom Hetherington, Manchester Art Fair'It’s a fantastic book.'Ian King, Sky News'You’ve got to buy a copy of this book, it’s a great read... It really embraces the Manchester we see out of our windows today. The stories in it are just fantastic.'Phil Trow, BBC Radio Manchester'Manchester unspun sorts the truth from the spin of the city’s stories to reveal a remarkable journey, describing the hubris,scandal, money and politics which played out during its remarkable reinvention.'John Robb, Louder than War 'As books about Manchester go, there are plenty to choose from, but there are few as well sourced, well written and expansive as this one.'Michael Taylor, The Business Desk NW'Andy Spinoza has had a front row seat to the transformation of this city, and it really comes across in his magnificent book.'Dr Vikas Shah MBE, author of Thought Economics'This is a fantastic book for anybody interested in Manchester's unprecedented modern renaissance.'Thom Hetherington, founder of Landing Light 'What a great read! At last someone who was there and knows, telling a fascinating story of a city’s rebirth. Wonderfully written too. I couldn’t put it down once I’d started.'Mike Pickering, musician and DJ 'Overall, Spinoza's memoir is very well written and he offers an antidote to the deficient journalism we have suffered over the popular music history of Manchester and its story as Britain's "second city".'Richard Witts, Popular Music -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction: how a city got high on music page Place names: a stranger’s guide 1 The city calls 2 A meeting in Moon Grove 3 Dirty old town 4 All the news not fit to print 5 A fiend dropping in 6 Left turn, U-turn 7 Village people and rock-star developers 8 Haçienda hitman 9 Cash E-conomy 10 Simply regeneration 11 Planet Hulme, city conversations 12 Suited, booted and branded 13 Manc mafia on the Med 14 PR potholes on the road to hell 15 Football, fashion and food 16 University challenge 17 The Haçienda must be built 18 The merchandising of memory 19 Pop and politics, Wilson and Burnham 20 Devolution and dissent 21 Who wants to live in a city without culture? 22 ‘Intention: To restore a sense of place’ Index

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Book SynopsisRainbow History Class is your entry into LGBTQ+ history, sharing queer and trans stories from Ancient civilisations all the way up to the internet. So much of queer and trans history and culture has been erased, but Hannah McElhinney, writer and creator of Rainbow History Class (as seen on TikTok), is here to help us all with this crash course. This history lesson isn’t dry and academic, nor is it glitter-soaked and reductive. It’s a comprehensive and entertaining romp through queer and trans history, full of secret queer codes, gender-bending icons, pop-culture knowledge and incredible activists. More than anything, Rainbow History Class will make you feel connected to the stories of our rich and vibrant community. This knowledge will help spark conversations between your friends and family and be a source of comfort as you stand up for yourself and your community. This illustrated hardback book is a celebration for all LGBTQ+ people, and an invitation to the newly out that says, ‘Welcome to the club, let’s get you caught up!’

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Book SynopsisWhat actually happens to you when you drink a cup of coffee?Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac? How do drugs like alcohol and cannabis work? Did psychedelics play a part in human evolution? In this fascinating little book, leading psychopharmacologist Dr. Ben Sessa describes the drugs, legal and illegal, natural and synthesised, from nicotine to endorphins, sugar to antidepressants, that humans all over the world take every day to change their state of mind. "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.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 States of Consciousness 2 The Brain 4 Neurotransmitters 6 Oxytocin & Adrenaline 8 Dreaming 10 Hypnotic States 12 Meditation 14 Endorphins 16 Sex & Aphrodisiacs 18 Emotional States 20 Food & Fasting 22 Sugar 24 Chocolate 26 Caffeine 28 Alcohol 30 Nicotine 32 Cannabis 34 Solvents & Inhalants 36 Ketamine & Nitrous Oxide 38 Cocaine 40 Opiates 42 MDMA & Amphetamines 44 Natural Psychedelics 46 LSD 48 Poisons & Potions 50 Shamanism 52 Antidepressants 54 Quantum Consciousness 56 Further Reading 58

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Book SynopsisA collection of the world's most memorable, provocative, best-selling and groundbreaking posters from Johannes Gutenberg to Barack Obama. Classic posters from the last 300 years and the stories behind them. Posters have always been designed to seek an immediate response. From the time when paper was first affordable, the poster has been used to provoke a direct reaction, whether a public appeal, a legal threat, a call to arms, or the offer of entertainment. Newspapers might have the advantage of ubiquity in spreading the word, but a poster could be tightly targeted by its location. Organized chronologically, 100 Posters That Changed the World charts the history of poster design from their earliest forms as a means of information communication to the more subtle visual communication of the 21st century. As printing became cheaper, posters were used for more than just promoting the capture of local villains or announcing government decrees. Advertisements took over, citing up-and-coming events, auctions, public meetings, political rallies, sports games, lectures and theatrical performances. The technological leaps from engraving to aquatints to lithography, chromolithography and the offset press, all had their impact on what could be advertised by poster, and the art form took off spectacularly in the late 19th century with the influence of Lautrec and the Paris nightclubs. From then on, the poster became a sophisticated means of visual communication. In the West it was used to sell products – in the East it was used to sell regimes and control behaviour. Along with historic moments in poster evolution, 100 Posters That Changed the World charts the most impactful designs of the last 300 years – images that communicate a message whether commercial or political, images that sell a film, a musical, a cause or used for decoration, inspiration, motivation and affirmation. The affirmation for teenagers in the 1970s that Farah Fawcett was looking at you.Trade Review'Showcase[s] an extensive collection of the images and slogans that have shaped society as we know it' -- Country Life'This engaging book is a vivid tapestry of poster styles with diverse commercial, cultural and political applications supplemented by informative single-page essays that stimulate curiosity page after page' -- Morning Star'Offer[s] a way to get to grips with history from 1880 to 1940' -- This England'This journey through images that can inspire, shock or just leave the viewer laughing is never less than fascinating... a beautifully produced volume that will find a very broad readership' -- All About History

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