Published diaries, letters and journals Books

Book SynopsisWritten with an intimacy and spontaneity even more revealing than her celebrated memoirs, Diana Athill's correspondence with the American poet Edward Field covers thirty years of pleasure and pain, fame and gossip, relationships and ailments. Edited, selected and introduced by Athill, this collection of those letters covers her career as an editor and the adventure of her retirement, revealing a sharply intelligent woman with a keen eye for the absurd, a brilliant turn of phrase and a wicked sense of humour. Vivid, direct and entertaining, Instead of a Book is a wonderful insight into a woman growing older without ever losing her zest for life.Trade ReviewFascinating and surprising ... Athill is a wonderful letter writer - always aware of the need to entertain and beguile the reader ... Every page of this book shows that Athill's eye is as beady as ever -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *Encounter again, the sheer joy of her brisk, wry and hugely energetic prose -- Christina Patterson * Independent *These are vivid reports on life in late 20th-century Britain as experienced by a writer, editor, daughter, partner and pensioner with an extraordinarily "beady eye" on human relations and a phenomenal capacity for making the most of everything that comes her way ... She owes us nothing. She has given a very great deal -- Alexandra Harris * Guardian *She documents her dotage with affecting candour ... Athill is never remotely maudlin or self-pitying, and she describes beautifully those "lovely moments of pure being" that make it all worthwhile -- David Evans * Financial Times *A joy to read ... Grand, splendid and wonderfully entertaining, Athill makes you hope that letter-writing is not a lost art -- Tina Jackson * Metro *Athill is wonderful - always aware of the need to entertain and beguile her reader ... Fascinating and surprising -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *A superb description of a woman growing older without losing her sense of humour or enthusiasm for life * Daily Telegraph *Spirited sketches of OAP life... tackles the big questions through the small increments -- Alexandra Harris * Guardian *A revealing document... There's a disarming honesty in the detail of [her] daily struggles with domesticity and mortality * Big Issue in the North *The keenly intelligent letters between Athill and her friend, the American poet Edward Field, provide an intimate insight into the relationship between the two writers * Good Homes *

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Book SynopsisTony Benn was one of the twentieth century's most charismatic politicians. The Best of Benn showcases his powers of original thinking and communication over seven decades.From 'the baby of the house' to a retired widower, he was a consistently radical campaigning voice on issues such as the death penalty, the case against the European Union, opposition to war and support of workers' rights.This volume brings together Tony Benn's electrifying speeches, thoughtful journalism and passionate advocacy of often unconventional causes.'Tony Benn belongs in the great tradition of English revolutionaries - a passionate radical destined to be loved in popular memory for his defence of democracy and freedom.' Guardian'He had the facility to reach across generations and re-energise the debate about what should and should not constitute the common good.' ObserverTrade Review • "Tony Benn belongs in the great tradition of English revolutionaries -- a passionate radical destined to be loved in popular memory for his defence of democracy and freedom." --Guardian • "He had the facility to reach across generations and re-energise the debate about what should and should not constitute the common good." --Observer

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Book Synopsis'Endlessly captivating' - Tracy Borman'Tantalising' - Gill Hornby'More scandal than Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown' - Helena KellyThe carriages have rolled back into town, cards of invitation are propped up on chimney-pieces, and match-making mamas are plotting their campaigns; Regency London's Bon Ton are all set for another season . . .Using diaries, letters and stories of scandal from the newspapers, author Felicity Day reveals the real women of the Regency world: their loves, their lives, their opinions and adventures. She takes us behind drawing room doors and into high society ballrooms, following six leading ladies and their family, friends, and contemporaries as they move from matchmaking to matrimony and beyond. Forget fiction, this is real-life Regency romance and it's even more enticing . . .The Game of Hearts is a candid, hitherto unseen insight into the competiti

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Book SynopsisAfter helping Tony Blair to secure a historic third term in office, Alastair Campbell might have hoped to make good his long-planned escape from Downing Street. Blair, and Gordon Brown, had other ideas. Having negotiated Brown’s pivotal role in the 2005 election victory, Campbell then became fundamental in the transition from one Prime Minister to another. As this volume opens, Blair’s joy at his election victory is short-lived and he knows he is running out of road. By the volume’s close, two years later, Brown is Prime Minister – and leaning on Campbell almost as much as Blair had done. Meanwhile, a fresh-faced young PR man named David Cameron becomes the new Leader of the Opposition and struggles to unite his party over Europe. Beyond Westminster, a psychiatrist enters Campbell’s life; we follow his attempts to rebuild a normal family life, and a plethora of new challenges, from advising the British and Irish Lions to playing a charity match with footballing legend Diego Maradona. Packed with revelations, this latest instalment in the bestselling and critically acclaimed series of diaries is an intimate account of the last days of the Blair government, and the power struggles along the way.

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Book Synopsis'Twenty-five years a teacher. I could have committed a double murder and been out by now.' Ever wondered what life is really like for today's teachers? Reasoning that it's either laugh or cry, this author does both while intoning a mantra of 'July, July, July' and praying for a minor heart attack in return for a foot in the door to early retirement. From fending off inspectors to dealing with the alarming rise in mental health issues and increasing alienation of young people, it's fair to say the job has never been more difficult. Written by an anonymous author working in a state secondary school, this uproariously funny, desperately necessary book takes us inside the classroom to see morale at rock-bottom and a system on its knees. Hilarious, heartbreaking and impassioned, Class War is about the importance of good schools and talented teachers at a time when they have never been more essential. Painting a heartfelt portrait of the profession and an education system where no one should be left behind but too many are, this book reveals there is laughter to be found even as a river of effluent is sluicing down the pipe.Trade Review"Funny, infuriating, joyous and heartbreaking - the day-to-day life of a school teacher brilliantly captured by someone who cares."- Roddy Doyle "In among the snarls and bites and cutting humour there is clear compassion for his pupils, and a deft polemic against an education system unfit for its purpose." - Julia Bueno, TLS

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Book SynopsisWith the strong possibility of Labour forming our next government, it is fascinating to consider the last time the party stood on the verge of power, back in 1997. At that time, future Europe Minister Denis MacShane had a ringside seat that he would occupy for the next decade or so, living through Cool Britannia, the Good Friday Agreement, Peter Mandelson’s multiple resignations, Princess Diana’s death and Tony Blair’s seeming invincibility. New Labour may be remembered as an unstoppable force, but MacShane’s diaries reveal that while, outwardly, all seemed to be going well, the personal rivalries, slights and petty jealousies between the party’s big beasts meant that it was never far from disaster. MacShane was a regular in Downing Street from the moment of Labour’s election victory, and his candid, intimate diaries show figures such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, Peter Mandelson, Clare Short and Alastair Campbell in a light in which they’ve never been seen before, detailing the personalities as much as the politics of Labour’s most successful stint in government.

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Book SynopsisIn Letters of Note: War, Shaun Usher brings together some of the most remarkable letters that encapsulate the human experience of war, from unimaginable feats of courage and compassion, to unthinkable episodes of violence and horror.Includes letters by:Martha Gellhorn, Alexander Hamilton, Kurt Vonnegut, Mohandas Gandhi, Mark Twain, June Wandrey,Evelyn Waugh, Luis Alvarez, Lord Horatio Nelson & many moreTrade ReviewPraise for Letters of Note: The literary equivalent of a box of chocolates - bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure . . . The result is beautifully produced, with photographs and colour facsimiles of much of the correspondence. A gorgeous Christmas present * * Sunday Times * *Addictive, like dipping into a bag of variously tempting assorted candies, knowing that the next one will always bring surprise and pleasure * * New Yorker * *A gloriously presented compilation * * Financial Times * *As a guide to letters that deserve a wider readership, Usher's compilation is hard to beat * * Scotland on Sunday * *Quite literally the most enjoyable volume it is possible to imagine. Every page is a marvel * * Spectator * *It is hard to see how Letters Of Note could ever be surpassed * * Mail on Sunday * *Funny, tragic, brilliantly incisive, historic, lyrical, romantic and studiedly offensive, this stupendous compendium of letters ancient and modern is my book of the year. You will never tire of it -- Stephen FryIt is inspiring, and often sad, funny, and occasionally quite surreal * * GQ * *A wonderful collection of magical missives . . . It'll have you reaching for pen and paper * * Evening Standard * *A truly extraordinary reading experience * * Big Issue * *

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Book SynopsisJane Austen's Notebook is a biography with a difference, providing a full and detailed account of Austen's life and legacy in the form of a personal journal. It examines the author's personal life, with images of family and friends for clues about how she saw the world, and reveals hidden connections between real-life situations and her fictional works. Includes images of the locations Austen grew up in and visited, plus handwritten quotations and amusing anecdotes to bring the author to life more vividly than any ordinary biography. Reveals the woman behind the writing, how the Austen felt about being published, and examines the amazing impact and enduring legacy of her works.

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Book SynopsisOn the first morning of Rome's Covid-19 lockdown Matthew Kneale felt an urge to connect with friends and acquaintances and began writing an email, describing where he was, what was happening and what it felt like, and sent it to everyone he could think of. He was soon composing daily reports as he tried to comprehend a period of time, when everyone's lives suddenly changed and Italy struggled against an epidemic, that was so strange, so troubling and so fascinating that he found it impossible to think about anything else. Having lived in Rome for eighteen years, Matthew has grown to know the capital and its citizens well and this collection of brilliant diary pieces connects what he has learned about the city with this extraordinary, anxious moment, revealing the Romans through the intense prism of the coronavirus crisis.Trade ReviewThe novelist Matthew Kneale has lived in Rome for 18 years and his response to the news of Italy's first Covid lockdown was to unburden himself by writing a long email to family, friends and even people he'd lost touch with years ago... Collected here, his wry and questioning meanderings lace an ordeal with charm. * New Statesman *Fascinating... It's a book to delight anyone with an interest in European culture. * NB Magazine *Joie de vivre radiates from every page. * Strong Words Magazine *An unflinching look at the Italian capital during its shutdown last year. * Monocle *

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Book Synopsis'Absorbing . . . testaments such as Janina Bauman's are important and should never be allowed to fade away. The drama of Anne Frank is rightly always before us but the equally vital stories of those who suffered but survived need to be listened to with just as much attention' MARGARET FORSTER'A profound and moving book which everyone ought to read' ALAN SILLITOE, NEW STATESMANJanina Bauman was a year older than Anne Frank when the Second World War began but, unlike The Diary of Anne Frank, this is a story of survival.When Hitler's decree forced her family into the Warsaw Ghetto, Janina, an intelligent, lively girl, suddenly found herself in a cramped flat hiding with other Jewish families. At first even curfews and the casual cruelty meted out by the German occupiers could not dim her passion for books, boys and romance. Then came the raids, and Janina with her sister and mother, had to keep on the move, hiding in the ruins of the ghetto to avoid being one of thousands rounded up every day and deported to the camps. Their escape to the 'Aryan' side was followed by two years in hiding, taking shelter with those willing to help them and living in constant fear of betrayal.Told through her teenage diaries, giving her story a rare immediacy, this is the extraordinary tale of a passionate young woman's courage and survival.Trade ReviewI found it absorbing . . . testaments such as Janina Bauman's are important and should never be allowed to fade away. The drama of Anne Frank is rightly always before us but the equally vital stories of those who suffered but survived need to be listened to with just as much attention * Margaret Foster *A profound and moving book which everyone ought to read -- Alan Sillitoe * New Statesman *A magnificent testimony to the people of the ghetto ... a profound autobiographical meditation * New Society *A deeply moving but surprisingly unselfpitying book, a real pleasure to read * Times Educational Supplement *A writer who has left an indelible mark on the literature of the Holocaust ... her moving testimonies characteristically non-judgmental and free of bitterness -- Lydia Bauman * Guardian *I found it absorbing . . . testaments such as Janina Bauman's are important and should never be allowed to fade away. The drama of Anne Frank is rightly always before us but the equally vital stories of those who suffered but survived need to be listened to with just as much attention * Margaret Forster *A profound and moving book which everyone ought to read * Alan Sillitoe, New Statesman *'A magnificent testimony to the people of the ghetto ... a profound autobiographical meditation * NEW SOCIETY *A deeply moving but surprisingly unselfpitying book, a real pleasure to read * TES *

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully presented practical book is a complete guide to the art of scrapbooking. Find out how to create inspired album pages with real personal style. All the materials and equipment you need to get started are clearly detailed. There are hints and tips on taking good photographs, and plenty of ideas for using the pictures creatively. Learn how to use patterns effectively, make collages, work with paint, stamps, stencils, embossing powders, chalk, fabric and stitch. Crammed with fantastic ideas for a myriad of designs, styles of working, album pages, quilts, memory boxes, 3D displays and book covers, this is the ultimate source book for all scrapbookers.

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Book SynopsisThe letters of 2nd Lt. Victor George Ursell 1913 -1917 and War Diary of the 8th Kingâ??s Shropshire Light Infantry. With a Mathematics scholarship to Oxford in 1912 the hopes and aspirations of Victorâ??s parents and teachers are riding high, but his exuberance, vitality, sporting ability and his engagement to what the family refer to as his â??Russian Princessâ?? Lena, are thrown into jeopardy by the unfolding horror of war. His fiancÃe has to return to Moscow and Victor enlists, commencing a journey that will take him to France, Salonika, Malta, England and back to France again. If any story illustrates the loss, both personal and national during the First World War it can be found in these letters.

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Book SynopsisThis new edition publishes the letters adressed by Édouard Manet (1832–1883) to his friend, the artist Félix Bracquemond (1833–1914). The correspondence, for the most part unknown, surfaced at a sale in Paris in June 2016 and was acquired the next year by the Fondation Custodia with the generous help of Jean-Luc Baroni. It is edited here for the first time by Jean-Paul Bouillon, whose lifelong occupation with Bracquemond’s life and work has enabled him to situate the mostly undated letters accurately and discuss their contents in the context of both artist’s careers. The letters are presented in their original French language, accompanied by meticulous comments on their dating and subject matter, whereas illustrations reproduce most of the works alluded to in the texts. They are preceded by a comprehensive introduction on the friendship between the two men which highlights the principal subjects and themes around which the correspondence revolves over the years. Bracquemond and Manet probably met around 1860, at a time when Manet was beginning to take an interest in the potential of printmaking for disseminating his work. Both were among the founders of the ‘Société des Aquafortistes’ in 1862 and in these years Manet must have relied heavily on Bracquemond, the outstanding engraver of his generation, for his first attempts in the technique. The new interest in etching had a fierce supporter in Charles Baudelaire, who figures besides the two artists in Henri Fantin-Latour’s Homage to Delacroix of 1864, the year Bracquemond portrayed his friend in an important pastel which is here reproduced for the first time in its original form. Many of the letters attest to the frequent, at times almost daily, contacts between the two men, who met in Manet’s studio, at artist’s cafés like the café de Bade and the Guerbois, and at dinners with Manet, his wife and his mother. Others concern joint projects, such as the illustration of Émile Zola’s brochure issued at the occasion of Manet’s solo exhibition of 1867, or Manet’s ex-libris designed by Bracquemond in 1875. Their strong bond emerges perhaps most clearly from two longer letters in which Manet, writing from Arcachon – where, awaiting the end of the Commune, he tried to recover from the privations he suffered during the Siege of Paris in 1870 – poured his heart out to Bracquemond about the country’s political situation. Laconic in form as most of the letters are, the correspondence will certainly prove to be an important source for our knowledge of Manet’s life and dealings which, after more than a century of intense scholarship, still presents many a gap. This book is published by Ad Ilissum as the second volume in the series The Fondation Custodia Studies in the History of Art, which reflects and continues forward into the present the scholarly interests of the institution’s founder, Frits Lugt.Trade Review"A rich contribution that significantly deepens our understanding of the 1860s and 1870s Paris art scene." * The Burlington Magazine *"Thanks to Jean-Paul Bouillon’s editorship, nineteenth-century scholars have a new and invaluable source of information on the activities of both artists." * Nineteenth Century Art Worldwide *

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Book SynopsisGift Pack of classic book and journal.

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Book SynopsisSo, you think you know Donald Trump? The outrageous showman, vainglorious TV media host and first President to be appointed without any political or military experience. Yes, that Donald Trump. Jim G. Sitch’s diaries, compiled over four long years of the Donald Trump presidency, are hypnotic and scary throughout and a timely reminder of ‘what has been’ and what could well be again. President Trump was a self-taught ruler who, during his time in power, demonstrated his leadership capabilities by trying to tarnish the reputation of a dying American war hero, throwing paper towels at hurricane survivors and provoking Denmark to make Greenland a National Security Priority due to the President trying to buy it. Once you’ve read these diaries, which detail just what it was like to live under Donald Trump’s rule, you’ll seriously question whether there can ever again be another President like Donald Trump.Table of ContentsThe Trump Diaries – Any more years? 13 Section Intro: 2017 – Year 1 17 JANUARY 2017 19 Section Intro: 2018 – Year 2 109 JANUARY 2018 111 Section Intro: 2019 – Year 3 209 JANUARY 2019 211 Section Intro: 2020 – Year 4 303 JANUARY 2020 305 Trump Diary Epilogue – 2021 413 JANUARY 2021 415 Donald Trump – President of the United States of America 2017 to 2021; his legacy… 423 Acknowledgments 424

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Book SynopsisFuel success and grow your team at every level of leadership. True leadership isn't a matter of having a certain job or title. In fact, being chosen for a position is only the first of the five levels every effective leader achieves. To become more than "the boss" people follow only because they are required to, you have to master the ability to invest in people and inspire them. To grow further in your role, you must achieve results and build a team that produces. You need to help people to develop their skills to become leaders in their own right. And if you have the skill and dedication, you can reach the pinnacle of leadership-where experience will allow you to extend your influence beyond your immediate reach and time for the benefit of others.The 5 Levels of Leadership are: 1. Position - People follow because they have to.2. Permission - People follow because they want to.3. Production - People follow because of what you have done for the organization.4. People Development - People follow because of what you have done for them personally.5. Pinnacle - People follow because of who you are and what you represent.Through humor, in-depth insight, and examples, internationally recognized leadership expert John C. Maxwell describes each of these stages of leadership. He shows you how to master each level and rise up to the next to become a more influential, respected, and successful leader.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the hugely popular 3 Minute Positivity Journal, an all-new journal with more prompts, affirmations, and ways to boost your mood in just minutes a day. Kristen Butler created her original, hugely popular 3 Minute Positivity Journal to share the tools, mindset strategies, and habits that helped her go from depressed and broke—literally broken—to happy, thriving, and whole. Now, Kristen—the founder of the online community Power of Positivity, more than 50 million strong—returns with more unique prompts, affirmations, and ways to boost your mood and create happy habits in just minutes a day. Even with all the time we spend on our digital devices, the act of using pen and paper to write out our thoughts, feelings, intentions, reflections, goals, and wins carries great power. Kristen’s gentle yet impassioned guidance helps you tap into that power to boost your mood and change your life, using simple, small, repeated actions to change your life for good. These are the same habits she used to transform her life into the life of her dreams. This journal starts with a practical and inspiring user’s guide and then moves into quick, yet powerful daily entries—only 3 minutes in the morning and 3 minutes in the evening—to set you up for a more joy-filled life every single day. And because leading research reveals it takes 66 days to form a lifelong habit, it includes a full 90 days of prompts and exercises, so you can build a solid foundation for your new happiness routine. You don’t have to spend a decade building an empowering self-care routine through trial and error like Kristen did. With fresh, daily inspiration and done-for-you “check-ins,” all you have to do is show up each day and watch your life transform. Happiness is only a few daily habits away!

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Book SynopsisKeep in touch with your past, present, and future selves with this unique book of letters.Enjoy this new and inspiring look for the bestselling Letters to . . . series with artwork by Sophie Douala.The ultimate self-care gift! Nourishing your relationship with yourself is vitally important at every stage of life, and now you can do so in style with this modern and brightly illustrated redesigned package. Write letters to yourself-just like entries in a diary or journal-then postdate and seal them up with the included stickers. Assign a date for future opening and don't peek until the time arrives. In the years to come, break open your letters like a time capsule to appreciate the past and all that you've become. Included are 12 letters that have the same classic prompts from the original Letters to My Future Self, such as:- These are my roots . . . - Where I want to go . . . - I never want to forget this . . . - A pep talk for the future me . . . An outstanding self-purchase or thoughtful graduation, holiday, or birthday gift for women or men of any age, this specialty set is perfect to write now, read later, and treasure forever.A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD FAVORITE: Created by Lea Redmond, author of the bestselling Letters to . . . book series that has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, this fresh twist on the classic format from artist Sophie Douala adds a bit of colorful texture to a timeless keepsake. PERFECT SELF-CARE PURCHASE: Inspired Letters to My Future Self helps you embark on a journey of letter-writing that will eventually turn into a priceless memento. Future you will thank you. LETTERS TO OPEN WHEN: The finished set of special notes makes a great self-gift for graduation, a milestone birthday, or any other day that marks a special occasion in your life.Perfect for:- Anyone with an interest in journaling or time-capsule projects - A fresh twist on a guided journal or memory book to honor your accomplishments and milestone moments - Fans and users of other bestsellers in the Letters to . . . series looking for a new aesthetic approach

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Book SynopsisAgainst the frightening backdrop of World War II, a young Scottish woman took ten children by ship through the waters of the Atlantic from Scotland to South Africa, where she set up a home for them called Bairnshaven. An unusual portrayal of motherhood, nuclear family and love, Marjorie's story comes to life through diary pages, letters, telegrams and photographs. This true story is a fresh take on the role that women played during the war, highlighting the strength and courage shown, and focusing on hope and unconditional kindness.Trade ReviewBook Review – Marjorie's Journey by Ailie Cleghorn In 1940 Britain was at war. Bombs were falling on major cities from Glasgow to Plymouth, coastal defences were in place, and the Atlantic was full of German U-boats. On 29 July Marjorie Anderson Marnoch boarded the Winchester Castle and sailed from Glasgow to Cape Town. With her travelled twelve children, the oldest aged ten, and the youngest just nine months. In South Africa Marjorie set up a home for them all in the small town of Robertson. The home was called Bairnshaven, and the ‘family’ lived there very happily for the duration of the war and beyond it. Now Ailie Cleghorn, Marjorie’s second cousin and a professor emerita at Concordia University in Montreal, has researched her story. Marjorie’s Journey: On A Mission of her Own is an immensely readable and very interesting account of the life of this remarkable woman. Marjorie was born in Ceylon in 1906; her parents George and Harriet had left Aberdeen 18 months earlier when George had taken up a position in the Colonial Service. Sadly Harriet died when Marjorie was just 3 years old; George left her in the care of Harriet’s sister Agnes and her husband John and departed for Canada, where he was to work until 1936. Marjorie grew up with her cousins Sheena (the author’s mother) and Agnes in the Marnoch home in Albyn Place, Aberdeen. The family was fairly affluent (John was a doctor) but Marjorie had a miserable childhood and was treated badly by her aunt. She was sent to boarding school at the age of four, and was happier there. "She was petted and cossetted by the older girls and had a happy life during term time. School was a safe haven….the holidays in the Marnoch home were the most difficult times for her." Ailie Cleghorn feels that Marjorie’s early experiences were what led her to train as a teacher and develop such empathy for other lonely or neglected children. Marjorie wanted to leave the Marnoch home as soon as possible, but was prevented by her aunt from doing so until 1936, when her father retired and returned to live at Parkstone in Dorset, where she joined him. It was at Parkstone that Marjorie, now a trained Montessori educator, set up her first preschool and home for the children of parents working abroad (mainly, like her own, in the colonies.) Three years later World War Two began. Marjorie tried in vain to find a suitable property to move the children to away from the endangered south coast. In 1940 one of the parents, a brigadier general, asked her to take his daughter – and the children of all the other parents who agreed – away from the war. A month later they were on a blacked-out night train travelling from London to Glasgow. Marjorie had decided to sail from Scotland because the docks of her first choice, Southampton, had just been bombed, and there were rumours that those at Liverpool were about to suffer the same fate. Just before the group left Parkstone the air and sea protection of Glasgow harbour was removed. Marjorie decided to go anyway. "…we all stood at the rail on deck for a few moments. Rob next to me was yelling ‘Goodbye, goodbye!’ to the little man from South Africa House…" On the first night of the voyage the Winchester Castle was chased by a submarine, which it finally shook off at 3am. Thereafter the ship had to zig zag all the way to try to avoid the enemy, but three weeks later she docked safely in Cape Town. The family’s new life had begun. "I was struck by how Marjorie’s children truly escaped the horrors of war, to have the horrors replaced by safety, companionship, love and a happy life at Bairnshaven." In 1980 Marjorie wrote a 28 page letter to that nine month old baby, Sandy, then 40 years old himself, in which she told him in detail about the journey to South Africa and their life in Robertson. Twenty years later Ailie Cleghorn came across it in her family’s files, and her curiosity was sparked. She began to investigate. Ailie’s research led her to visit Scotland, England, South Africa, Robertson and Bairnshaven, and she also tried to contact Marjorie’s surviving children, with some of whom she became good friends. The children had many happy memories of their time with Marjorie, of life in the small Afrikaans-speaking town (where they attended the local school and soon became bilingual) with their menagerie of pets, of summers spent outside enjoying picnics by the Breede river or riding ponies, and of holidays at Umhlanga Rocks. In 1947 the nearby town of Worcester received a royal visit from King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the royal princesses. The children were presented to them, and this chapter of Marjorie’s Journey includes the thank you letter that Sandy wrote to the Queen and a collection of the children’s comments reproduced by Marjorie in her 1980 letter to Sandy; "Angela: please Aunty let’s cut off that bit of Malcolm’s hair and frame it, and say ‘This hair has been stroked by the Queen of England.'" Ailie Cleghorn quotes extensively from fascinating original sources, especially Marjorie’s long letter to Sandy, but also from her conversations with the ‘children’ she managed to track down. She also updates their stories, and again it is so interesting to find out what happened to them after the war, and where they ended up. Some returned to South Africa, the happy memories of their time there drawing them back. Some settled in other parts of Africa, in Canada and in the UK. "The testimonies of so many of them in the following years, even to this day, confirm that she gave them the best possible childhood." Marjorie’s own story is also completed; she returned to the UK in 1951 and soon started Fledglings, a new early years school at Richmond, near London, Ailie Cleghorn visited Marjorie several times after the war so is able to give a first-hand account of her memories. She also met with Marjorie’s fellow teacher Anne Maconochie and quotes from Anne’s spoken and written accounts of life at Fledglings. And it is these personal, intimate moments, together with the many touching photos of Marjorie’s own childhood, and of the Bairnshaven children then and now, that bring this wonderful book to life. As an academic, Ailie speaks of her own initial dilemma as to how to approach telling Marjorie’s story. As part of the same family, she felt she was an outsider looking in but also an insider, both distant and familiar, observer and participant. Whatever her own worries may have been she need not have had them, for her well researched and deeply absorbing book is an excellent testament to the life of a courageous, caring Scottish woman, one for whom kindness and compassion were all. In Ailie’s own words; "With her roots in Scotland, Marjorie deserves a place in that country’s history, adding to the all too few accounts of Scottish women and war." -- Rosemary Kaye * The Edinburgh Reporter *In Ailie's own words; "With her roots in Scotland, Marjorie deserves a place in that country’s history, adding to the all too few accounts of Scottish women and war." -- Rosemary Kaye * The Edinburgh Reporter *Professor David McCrone writes of Marjorie’s Journey that “It is testament to the triumph of the human spirit; that one woman could have achieved so much simply by force of will, in the context of a fairly miserable childhood, and against all the odds” – Scottish Affairs -- David McCrone * The life of Marjorie *Carol Rowan writes for the Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth that, “Cleghorn’s text provides the contemporary reader, student, and scholar insights into the construction of white privilege and at the same time opportunities to reconceptualize notions of ‘family’.” -- Carol Rowan * Marjorie’s Journey: On a mission of her own. *"I marvel at how one, single woman could offer so many children hope, and unconditional kindness. Her physical strength, fortitude, and ability to adjust and surmount challenges are the hallmarks of a true teacher whose passion is her calling." -- Rinelle Evans * University of Pretoria, South Africa *

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Book SynopsisLife is a razor's edge and one has to walk on that path with exquisite care and with pliable wisdom" - J Krishnamurti Between 1948 and the early 1960s, Krishnamurti was easily accessible and many people came to him. On walks, in personal meetings, through letters, the relationships blossomed. Happy Is the One Who Is Nothing collects together letters to a young friend who came to him wounded in body and mind. The letters, presented here in a beautifully gentle design, were written between June 1948 and March 1960. They reveal a rare compassion and clarity: the teaching and healing unfold; separation and distance disappear; the words flow; not a word is superfluous; the healing and teaching are simultaneous. Happy Is the One Who Is Nothing is ideal as a gift for any loved one interested in non-duality and perspective-shifting spirituality, or to be treasured on your own shelf. "One of the greatest thinkers of the age" - the Dalai Lama on J Krishnamurti

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Book SynopsisIn this guided journal, master life coach Nancy Levin shows you how to tap into your desire and find the power you need to create lasting change.There''s an art to making change--and it''s nowhere near as hard as you think.Change begins with your commitment to your own evolution. As author and life coach Nancy Levin shares, when you practice the eight dimensions of reinvention, you can embody the art of change by consciously curating what you want to bring into your life and what you choose to release.Nancy will be with you every step of the way, coaching you through this guided journal as you move in the direction of your reinvention: a return to the essence of who you are instead of endless versions of who you think you need to be. By dissolving the obstacles in your way, you can tap into your desire and discover the power available to you for creating lasting change.Each week, you''ll explore one of the eight dimensions of reinvention through b

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Book Synopsis''As brutal, withering and funny as you''d expect'' Julian Clary''A rollicking read, packed with wit and old-school glamour'' Sunday Telegraph''Fabulously entertaining, impossibly glamorous and utterly irresistible'' Piers Morgan''Packed with insight and fun'' Red***A keen diarist from the age of twelve, Joan Collins is finally spilling the beans - well, nearly all of them. Taking us on a dazzling tour around the globe - from exclusive restaurants in Los Angeles to the glittering beaches of St Tropez, from dinner parties in London to galas in New York City - some of the characters you will meet in these pages include Rod Stewart, Princess Margaret, Donald Trump, Michael Caine, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Rupert Everett, Roger Moore, Shirley MacLaine, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many more. Her diaries are intimate and witty, and they pull no punches, with NO apologies to anyone mentioned in them!Trade ReviewOutrageously wonderful . . . hilarious . . . it is nice to read a book where someone truly enjoys being themselves. She has promised us 'unapologetic' but woo-eee, it is savage. -- Camilla Long * The Sunday Times *These diaries are like their author - fabulously entertaining, impossibly glamorous, and utterly irresistible -- Piers MorganEven with a life as packed as this, can there be anything left to say? Plenty, it turns out, and with great style and an enormous dash of acid. This is a book to read while sipping a stiff drink, ideally with a gorgeous companion on hand to whom you can read out the choicest bits. She puts on a hell of a show * The Times *A fascinating glimpse into a fabulous life. Dame Joan's private thoughts are as brutal, withering and funny as you'd expect -- Julian ClaryThe inimitable Dame Joan shares her views on the world and her showbiz chums without deference to political correctness * Daily Telegraph *From encounters with the Royal Family to experiences at star-studded parties, this is a book packed with insight and fun * Red *A wonderfully rich and mesmerising diary. Full of insight and revelation -- William BoydThese diary entries are brilliantly candid, with name-dropping aplenty. A rollicking read, packed with wit and old-school glamour * Sunday Telegraph - Stella Magazine *Unapologetic to say the least. Alexis Carrington hasn't got anything on Dame Joan -- Tracey Emin CBE RACombative and gloriously indiscreet, Dame Joan Collins leaves a trail of walking wounded in her wake with her waspish observations of Hollywood, theatre-land and monarchy. It's why she is showbusiness royalty -- Andrew PierceWhat a treat to delve into Joan Collins's diaries; a treat from start to finish -- Elizabeth Hurley

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Book SynopsisLove, Poverty and War: Journeys and Essays showcases the Hitchens' rejection of consensus and cliché, whether he's reporting from abroad in Indonesia, Kurdistan, Iraq, North Korea, or Cuba, or when his pen is targeted mercilessly at the likes of William Clinton, Mother Theresa ("a fanatic, a fundamentalist and a fraud"), the Dalai Lama, Noam Chomsky, Mel Gibson and Michael Bloomberg. Hitchens began the nineties as a "darling of the left" but has become more of an "unaffiliated radical" whose targets include those on the "left," who he accuses of "fudging" the issue of military intervention in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet, as Hitchens shows in his reportage, cultural and literary criticism, and opinion essays from the last decade, he has not jumped ship and joined the right but is faithful to the internationalist, contrarian and democratic ideals that have always informed his work.Trade ReviewDazzling, and often very moving, writing from the 1990s by one of the most prolific, as well as brilliant, journalists of our time * Observer *An exceptional political polemicist * Prospect *Hitchens is just too damn good. * New Statesman *Table of Contents1: The Medals Of His Defeats 2: A Man Of Permanent Contradictions 3: The Old Man 4: Huxley And Brave New World 5: Greeneland 6: Scoop 7: The Man Of Feeling 8: The Misfortune Of Poetry 9: The Acutest Ear In Paris 10: Joyce In Bloom 11: The Immortal 12: It Happened On Sunset 13: The Ballad Of Route 66 14: The Adventures Of Augie March 15: Rebel Ghosts 16: America's Poet? Bob Dylan's Achievement 17: I Fought The Law In Bloomberg's New York 18: For Patriot Dreams 19: Martha Inc. 20: Scenes From An Execution 21: In Sickness And By Stealth 22: The Strange Case Of David Irving 23: Why Americans Are Not Taught History 24: A Hundred Years Of Muggery 25: Unfairenheit 9/11: The Lies Of Michael Moore 26: Virginity Regained 27: The Divine One 28: The Devil And Mother Teresa 29: Blessed Are The Phrasemakers 30: Jewish Power, Jewish Peril 31: The Future Of An Illusion 32: The Gospel According To Mel 33: The Struggle Of The Kurds 34: Thunder In The Black Mountains 35: Visit To A Small Planet 36: Havana Canwait 37: The Clinton-Douglas Debates 38: We're Still Standing 39: The Morning After 40: Against Rationalization 41: Of Sin, The Left, & Islamic Fascism 42: A Rejoinder To Noam Chomsky 43: Blaming Bin Laden First 44: The Ends Ofwar 45: Pakistan: On The Frontier Of Apocalypse 46: Saddam's Long Good-Bye 47: A Liberating Experience

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Book SynopsisJohn Hopkins brings back to life all the decadence and flamboyance of Tangier in the 1960s and 1970s. Tangier in the 1960s and â70s was a fabled place. This edge city, the 'Interzone', became muse and escapist's dream for artists, writers, millionaires and socialites, who wrote, painted, partied and experienced life with an intensity and freedom that they never could back home. Into this louche and cosmopolitan world came John Hopkins, a young writer who became a part of the bohemian Tangier crowd with its core of Beats that included William Burroughs, Paul and Jane Bowles and Brion Gysin, as well as Tennessee Williams, Jean Genet, Yves Saint Laurent, Barbara Hutton and Malcolm Forbes. Those intoxicating decades â Tangier's 'Golden Years' â are long gone. Grand old houses that once sparkled with life are shuttered and dark and most of the eccentrics who once lived and loved in the city have died. But here, in the pages of John Hopkins' cult classic, all the decadence and flamboyaTrade ReviewAn incomparable diarist. * Elle *[Hopkins] draws the reader into the daily life of what he describes as the “Saigon of the Sahara”, with tales of his encounters with the likes of William Burroughs, Malcolm Forbes, Wilfred Thesiger, Timothy Leary and Rudolf Nureyev [...] a chronicle of an era that has disappeared forever. * Independent on Sunday *All lovers of The Sheltering Sky will be grateful for this intimate record of Paul Bowles’s methods and opinions. -- Michael Arditti * Daily Mail *The Sixties are vividly described and we are plunged into the exotic world centred on writers Paul and Jane Bowles. A hit. -- Judy Cooke * Mail on Sunday *A grand read. -- Ephraim Hardcastle * Daily Mail *Morocco (especially Tangiers) was one of the places to be in the early ’60s. [...] Now it seems almost mythic, a great, outlandish American Bloomsbury. Hopkins delivers all the expected goodies and more: the requisite desert meditations, the kif-censed evenings in the kasbah, the celebrity sightings [...] a graceful, laconic stylist. * Kirkus Reviews *His diaries are crammed full of fine writing, warmly drawn recollections, and source material which will be used by historians so long as people want to read about the powerful confluence of cultures in collision which was Beat Tangier. -- Joe Ambrose * Outside Left *His beautiful diary is full of wonderful pen portraits of the many and various characters on display, vivid little street scenes and evocations of landscape [...] and personal stories. -- Jon May * The Generalist *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction The Tangier Diaries, 1962–1979 Epilogue

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Book SynopsisTo coincide with the bicentennial of Thoreau's birth and TarcherPerigee's publication of Expect Great Things: The Life of Henry David Thoreau, here is a sumptuous rediscovery edition of the first illustrated volume of Thoreau's classic, as originally issued in 1897.In 1897, thirty-five years after Thoreau's death, Houghton Mifflin issued a two-volume Holiday Edition of Walden illustrated with thirty remarkable engravings, daguerreotypes, and period photographs. In 1902 the publisher collected the work into a single volume. Now, to mark the bicentennial of Thoreau's birth in 1817, this timeless landmark is reproduced with all of the original illustrations and the complete text of his mystical, practical, magisterial record of a life in the woods.

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Book SynopsisThe Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever read. Taken from Alastair Campbell''s daily diaries, it charts the rise of New Labour and the tumultuous years of Tony Blair''s leadership, providing the first important record of a remarkable decade in our national life. Here are the defining events of our time, from Labour''s new dawn to the war on terror, from the death of Diana to negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, from Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, through to the Hutton Inquiry of 2003, the year Campbell resigned his position at No 10. But above all here is Tony Blair up close and personal, taking the decisions that affected the lives of millions, under relentless and often hostile pressure. Often described as the second most powerful figure in Britain, Alastair Campbell is no stranger to controversy. Feared and admired in equal measure, hated by some, he was pivotal to the founding of New Labour aTrade ReviewThis is a gripping, compelling and genuinely revelatory read * Rod Liddle, Sunday Times *A brilliant, absorbing account ... will be gasped at, and relied upon, for decades to come. Buy them: they will suck you in. * Matthew Parris, The Times *This compelling read is full of revelations, humour and honesty and gives a revealing insight into the man behind the political figure * Sun *Vivid, humorous and revelatory ... There is enough in these diaries to convince me they will become one of the classic records of our time. * Steve Richards, Independent *

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Book SynopsisIncludes over 250 recipes, many from his BBC TV series Dish of the Day, Simple Suppers and Simple Cooking.From Nigel Slater, presenter of Dish of the Day and one of our best-loved food writers, a beautiful and inspiring companion volume to his bestselling Kitchen Diaries.For years now I have kept notebooks, with scribbled shopping lists and early drafts of recipes in them. These notes form the basis of this second volume of The Kitchen Diaries. More than a diary, this is a collection of small kitchen celebrations, be it a casual, beer-fuelled supper of warm flatbreads with pieces of grilled lamb scattered with toasted pine kernels and blood-red pomegranate seeds or a quiet moment contemplating a bowl of soup and a loaf of bread.'Trade Review'Nigel is a bloody genius' Jamie Oliver 'The greatest cookery writer of them all' Guardian ‘The best food writers combine beauty with practicality, and no one does it more elegantly than Nigel Slater’ Jane Shilling, Daily Mail – BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'The pick of the bunch…bubbling with ideas, suggestions, hints and personal opinions that genuinely help you to make your own mind up about how and what to cook' The Times 'He's a genius' Matthew Fort, Guardian ‘Slater remains the reigning champion, a writer incapable of uninspiring sentences' Daily Express ‘No one writes more temptingly about food' Independent

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Book Synopsis`My object is to have you fit to live; which, if you are not, I do not desire that you should live at all.'So wrote Lord Chesterfield in one of the most celebrated and controversial correspondences between a father and son. Chesterfield wrote almost daily to his natural son, Philip, from 1737 onwards, providing him with instruction in etiquette and the worldly arts.Praised in their day as a complete manual of education, and despised by Samuel Johnson for teaching `the morals of a whore and the manners of a dancing-master', these letters reflect the political craft of a leading statesman and the urbane wit of a man who associated with Pope, Addison, and Swift. The letters reveal Chesterfield's political cynicism and his belief that his country had `always been goverened by the only two or three people, out of two or three millions, totally incapable ofgoverning', as well as his views on good breeding. Not originally intended for publication, this entertaining correspondence illuminates

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Book SynopsisAs editor and publisher, his work is unrelenting, commissioning works ranging from Michael Roberts's The Modern Mind to Elizabeth Bowen's anthology The Faber Book of Modern Stories.

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Book Synopsis1 January 2018 will be the 250th anniversary of Maria Edgeworth's birth. Valerie Pakenham's sparkling new selection of over four hundred letters, many hitherto unpublished, will help to celebrate her memory. Born in England, she was brought to live in Ireland at the age of fourteen and spent most of the rest of her life at the family home at Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. Encouraged by her remarkable father, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, whose memoirs she edited, she became, in turn, famous for her children's stories, her practical guides to education and her novels - or, as she preferred to call them, `Moral Tales'. By 1813, when visiting London, she was, as Byron testified, as great a literary lion as he had been the season before, and she was hugely admired by fellow novelists Sir Walter Scott and Jane Austen. Maria Edgeworth's posthumous fame has dwindled and only her first novel, Castle Rackrent (1800), a brilliant burlesque account of the Irish squirearchy, is still widely read. She was, however, a prolific and fascinating letter writer. She insisted that her letters were for private consumption only, but after her death, her stepmother and half-sisters produced a private memoir for friends using carefully selected extracts. Their literary quality was spotted by Augustus Hare, whose shortened version, The Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth, appeared in 1894. In the 1970s Maria's great great niece, Christina Colvin edited Maria Edgeworth's Letters from England and Maria Edgeworth in France & Switzerland. No one, however, has revisited fully Maria's original letters from the place she loved and knew best: Ireland. From 1825, Maria's letters reflect sixty years of Irish history, from the heady days of Grattan's Parliament, through the perils of the 1798 Rebellion to the rise of O'Connell and the struggle for Catholic Emancipation. In old age, she worked actively to alleviate the Great Famine and wrote her last story to raise money aged 82. A treasure trove of stories, humour, local and high-level gossip, her letters show the extraordinary range of her interests: history, politics, literature and science. Maria almost single-handedly took over the management of her family estate and restored it to solvency. Her later letters brim with delight at these practical undertakings and her affection for the local people she worked with. Two of her half-sisters and her stepmother were gifted artists, and Valerie Pakenham has been able to use many of their unpublished drawings and sketches to illustrate this book.Trade ReviewThe editor of the present volume married a Pakenham, which family are related by marriage to the Edgeworths. Surrounded by reminders of Maria Edgeworth's enduring literary legacy, Valerie was prompted to edit and select over 400 letters penned by Maria, the woman often declared to be the first 'historical' novelist. -- Paddy Kehoe * RTE *Valerie Pakenham has made an inspired selection of Maria Edgeworth’s letters, ranging chronologically from childhood to her 81st year. Most have never appeared in print. Edgeworth’s qualities – her affectionate humour, sharp observation, lively curiosity and insatiable appetite for new information and knowledge – shine through in these sparkling, witty and honest letters to friends and family. -- Susan Manly * The Irish Times *The Anglo-Irish novelist’s writings reveal the morals and good nature nursed by her home in Longford. -- Anne Haverty * The Sunday Times *Valerie Pakenham has compiled a sparkling collection of correspondence from Maria Edgeworth, giving a fascinating insight on the great and the good visiting the Longford family pile, writes Professor Claire Connolly. -- Claire Connolly * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisDear Granny (sketch design) is an award-winning journal filled with over 60 fun and inspiring questions carefully created to inspire any grandmother to tell her story - probably one of the most valuable gifts you will ever buy. Everyone has stories to share about their own amazing life and it is so important to find ways to capture and treasure them. Dear Granny contains 60 carefully designed questions to ask her about her life. Ask her to complete it carefully, adding photos and memorabilia along the way. Find out how things have changed throughout her life, what things did she do as a child that are different from today. What were her own parents really like and what adventures has she had in her life. Discover what your own mum or dad was like when they were young! What about your own relationship with your grandmother, what are her favourite memories of the times you have spent together and is there any advice she would like to give you? When you get her completed journal returned to you, this will be one of the most emotional presents you have ever received. A great gift for Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, her birthday, an anniversary, Christmas or just because you care ...

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Book SynopsisBrave and beautiful.' Stylist MagazineSocial media's answer to Carol Ann Duffy' Sunday Times STYLEDivine.' Cecelia AhernShe Must be Mad explores coming-of-age: the pain and beauty of love, the relief and the agony of turning from girl to woman, the isolation of an untethered mind and the power and subjugation of the body.Charly captures the formative experiences of today's young women from the poignant to the prosaic in writing that is at once witty, wry and heartfelt. Wayward nights out that don't go as planned; the righteous anger at those men with no talent or skill or smarts who occupy the most powerful positions in the world; the strange banality of madness and, of course, the hurt and indecision of unrequited love.For every woman surviving and thriving in today's world, for every girl who feels too much; this is a call for communion, and you are not alone.Trade Review‘Charly constantly astounds me with how inspired she is. It can be patronizing to mention someone’s age when they are very young, as if that’s their only USP; but it’s relevant here, because Charly’s poetry really encapsulates what it is to be a young woman. All the tensions and anxieties and new discoveries.’ – Pandora Sykes ‘Charly is social media’s answer to Carol Ann Duffy, if Carol Ann Duffy asked the question: “How can I enjoy poetry whilst checking my Instagram feed on the toilet?” She’s funny and heartfelt and brilliant, she always seems to know how to make you feel less alone. – Sunday Times STYLE ‘Poetry meets mental health in Charly Cox’s brave and beautiful She Must Be Mad.’ Stylist Magazine ‘Relatable and funny, [Charly’s] work champions young women trying to navigate the modern world.’ ELLE ‘Instagram poetry sensation Charly Cox translates the plights, worries, thoughts and feelings of modern women into accessible short reads of prose and poems that have you laughing, crying and questioning your own life in no time. With delicate prose that reveals the reality of coming-of-age in an overwhelmingly honest and open personal tale, it's packed full of emotion and a brilliant weekend read.’ Glamour online ‘I fell in love with Cox's honesty and sharp sense of style’ The Pool ‘Witty and heartfelt’ Standard Online ‘Staggeringly impressive. Her debut collection demonstrated her phenomenal skill and unique tone which is bringing poetry to a new generation.’ ELLE online

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Book SynopsisA guided journal filled with prompts, quotes, exercises, and plenty of space to write as you tap into your inner power to manifest your desires and create the life of your dreams.“Nothing merely shows up in your experience. You attract it—all of it. No exceptions.”–Abraham-HicksWith the power of positive thinking, your thoughts become your reality. Use the ideas and exercises in this book to practice sending out and attracting more positive energy into your life. Deepen your awareness of the power within you using the inspiring prompts on these pages. Harness the Law of Attraction to understand what it is that you truly desire. Recognize your inner power to make your dreams a reality. Learn to increase your positive energy by practicing gratitude. Set a specific intention for what you want to bring into your life. Practice techniques to release negative energy a

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Book SynopsisOliver Sacks was born in 1933 in London and was educated at the Queen's College, Oxford. He completed his medical training at San Francisco's Mount Zion Hospital and at UCLA before moving to New York, where he soon encountered the patients whom he would write about in his book Awakenings.Dr Sacks spent almost fifty years working as a neurologist and wrote many books, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat, Musicophilia, and Hallucinations, about the strange neurological predicaments and conditions of his patients. The New York Times referred to him as the poet laureate of medicine', and over the years he received many awards, including honours from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008 he was appointed Commander of the British Empire. His memoir, On the Move, was published shortly before his death in August 2015.

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Book SynopsisA 52-week undated journal for exploring the role of kindness in modern life, with a focus on the small actions that can make a very big difference, with 100 ways that users can bring more kindness into their lives.

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Book SynopsisA self-deprecating and humorous account of life in the Coldstream Guards followed by a wry, witty collection of letters that provides unique insight into life as a POW during the Second World War.Trade ReviewFull of [Mortimer's] trademark gallows humour and laconic self-deprecation * Daily Mail *For Dear Lupin fans Vintage Roger provides an interesting prequel that gives fresh insight into the life of one of the twentieth century's most amusing letter writers and top Dads * The Critic *Charming * The Oldie *I am in love with Roger Mortimer and his book Vintage Roger. From his descriptions both of pre-war life in the Coldstream Guards, and of the war itself, he brings all the surrounding characters vividly to life. Nor does he ever grumble but manages to be hilariously funny about the most gruesome experiences - particularly in his letters home during five years in a German Prisoner of War camp. Most touching of all is the reciprocal love between him and his son Charlie (Lupin) who edited the book. You will laugh and cry reading Vintage Roger, but you will also relish every word * Jilly Cooper CBE *

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Book SynopsisIn Letters of Note: Sex, Shaun Usher collects together some of the most noteworthy missives ever written on the subject, from euphemism-laden, flirtatious exchanges and desire-driven expressions of passion to sincere and thoughtful meditations on the meaning of sex. Includes letters by: John Cheever, Dorothy Day,Frida Kahlo, Margaret Mead,Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin,Mae West & many moreTrade ReviewPraise for Letters of Note: Quite literally the most enjoyable volume it is possible to imagine. Every page is a marvel * * Spectator * *The literary equivalent of a box of chocolates - bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure . . . The result is beautifully produced, with photographs and colour facsimiles of much of the correspondence. A gorgeous Christmas present * * Sunday Times * *It is hard to see how Letters Of Note could ever be surpassed * * Mail on Sunday * *A gloriously presented compilation * * Financial Times * *

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