True stories of heroism, and endu Books
HarperCollins Publishers One Hundred and Four Horses
Book SynopsisA letter is handed to you. In broken English, it tells you that you must now vacate your farm; that this is no longer your home, for it now belongs to the crowd on your doorstep. Then the drums begin to beat.'As the land invasions gather pace, the Retzlaffs begin an epic journey across Zimbabwe, facing eviction after eviction, trying to save the group of animals with whom they feel a deep and enduring bond the horses.When their neighbours flee to New Zealand, the Retzlaffs promise to look after their horses, and making similar promises to other farmers along their journey, not knowing whether they will be able to feed or save them, they amass an astonishing herd of over 300 animals. But the final journey to freedom will be arduous, and they can take only 104 horses.Each with a different personality and story, it is not just the family who rescue the horses, but the horses who rescue the family. Grey, the silver gelding: the leader. Brutus, the untamed colt. Princess, the temperamentalTrade Review‘The dramatic narrative of their dangerous journey … gives this epic its nail-biting edge. The horses, each with its own character, are the stars’ The Times ‘Brutally honest and often grisly, One Hundred and Four Horses […] remains a powerful story of loss, desperation and, above all, hope. More than just a memoir, […] the story is gripping, moving and disturbing all at once.’ Horse and Hound
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Apollo 13
Book SynopsisApril 13, 1970. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert are hurtling towards the moon in the Apollo 13 spacecraft, when an explosion rocks the ship. The cockpit grows dim, the air grows thin, and the instrument lights wink out. Moments later, the astronauts are forced to abandon the main ship for the tiny lunar module, designed to keep two men alive for just two days. But there are three men aboard and they are four days from home. As the action shifts from the disabled ship to the frantic engineers at Mission Control to Lovell''s anxious family, APOLLO 13 brilliantly recreates the harrowing, heroic mission in all its drama and glory.This gripping story of human endurance is the basis for Ron Howard''s classic film starring Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon.
£10.44
John Murray Press Arthur and Friends
Book SynopsisThe continued adventures of the rescue dog that inspired the world - the sequel to the international bestseller, ARTHUR
£10.44
Pan Macmillan The 21 Escapes of Lt Alastair Cram: A Compelling
Book SynopsisA genuinely new Second World War story, The 21 Escapes of Lt Alastair Cram by David M. Guss is a riveting account of the wartime exploits of the Scotsman. It is a tale of courage in the face of extraordinary odds and a testament to one man's dogged determination never to give up.‘The greatest serial escaper of the Second World War’ – The Times'Endlessly fascinating. Cram's story sizzles with adventure' – Giles Milton, Sunday Times In November 1941 Lt Alastair Cram was taken prisoner in North Africa as a devastating tank battle unfolded as Operation Crusader struggled to relieve Tobruk. His capture began a four year-long odyssey as he passed through twelve different POW camps, three Gestapo prisons and one asylum. Determined to regain his freedom, he became a serial escapee fleeing his captors no fewer than twenty-one times.The most dramatic of these attempts was from Gavi, the ‘Italian Colditz’. This maximum-security prison built inside a thousand year old stone fortress was for the pericolosi, those classified as the ‘most dangerous’ prisoners due to their unrelenting desire to escape. It was here that Alastair met David Stirling, the legendary founder of the SAS, and cooked up the plan for the ‘Cistern Tunnel’, one of the most audacious but little-known mass escape attempts of the entire war. ______________'Fascinating' – Daily Express'An enthralling portrait of true courage' Sunday Express S Magazine Trade ReviewEndlessly fascinating. Cram’s story sizzles with adventure and the author plays it for all it is worth. I found myself rooting for his hero at every scrape and turn. * Giles Milton, Sunday Times *The story of Alastair Cram is a remarkable one, perhaps richer for having remained untold for so long . . . a book that ranks among the best escape literature * The Times *Fascinating -- Dominic Midgley * Daily Express *An enthralling portrait of true courage * Sunday Express S Magazine *An extraordinary story, vividly told. * History Revealed *Reads like a John Buchan novel. * History of War *[A] masterful account . . . Harrowing and deeply touching 21 Escapes pays homage to an inspiring figure and the determination of the human spirit. * Scottish Field *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers True Life Survival
Book SynopsisBuild your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right levelAn account of three true life stories of survival, where people have to act quickly against unexpected disasters. Maps and pictures engage us in the drama of a sailor lost at sea, a man ejecting from his plane and a school girl facing a tsunami. Survival tips are given in the unlikely event of the similar situations happening to us.Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.Text type Non fiction recount.A card index chart on pages 30-31 summarises facts and could act as a model for finding out more true life survival stories.Curriculum Links Citizenship: Developing a healthy, safer lifestyle, to recognising the different risks in different situations and then deciding how to behave responsibly.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.
£10.23
HarperCollins Publishers All at Sea
Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2017 PEN Ackerley PrizeThe thing to remember about this story is that every word is true. If I never told it to a soul, and this book did not exist, it would not cease to be true. I don't mind at all if you forget this.The important thing is that I don't.'On a hot still morning on a beautiful beach in Jamaica, Decca Aitkenhead's life changed for ever.Her four-year-old boy was paddling peacefully at the water's edge when a wave pulled him out to sea. Her partner, Tony, swam out and saved their son's life then drowned before her eyes.When Decca and Tony first met a decade earlier, they became the most improbable couple in London. She was an award-winning Guardian journalist, famous for interviewing leading politicians. He was a dreadlocked criminal with a history of drug-dealing and violence. No one thought the romance would last, but it did. Until the tide swept Tony away, plunging Decca into the dark chasm of random tragedy.Exploring race and redemption, privilege Trade Review‘If I read a sadder, truer, wiser chapter in a book this year I will count myself fortunate … Aitkenhead’s loss was our gain’ The Times ‘An exemplary memoir … However magnificent and powerful the book, you know it pales in comparison with the loss’ Sunday Times ‘This book is impossible to forget … It reminds one that grief is about transformation, the loss of old moorings, a new permission to put the heart first- a sea change’ Observer ‘Astonishing…. Aitkenhead has produced a work of art’ Evening Standard ‘An extraordinary memoir, a beautifully written account of life, love and what is left of both after tragedy …Utterly heart-breaking but it’s also a brave and honest account of grief and its aftermath that will stay with you long after you finish the last page’ Daily Express ‘Finely observed, emotionally truthful and beautifully written, her memoir is testament to the extraordinary power of love that doesn’t vanish when life of the beloved ends, but endures as long as memory itself’ Mail on Sunday ‘A story of absolute heartbreak, but also a story of unbelievable courage’ Davina McCall ‘An entrancing love story; a horrifying death story; a book about class, family, growing up, taking risks and learning how to be strong. Read it once, and it will be inside your head forever’ Andrew Marr ‘If you buy just one book this year, make it this one. I have never read anything like it and wished it would never end’ Jennifer Saunders ‘A brave book about emotional truth. It brought a tear to my eye, and will be deeply empowering for those who read it’ Tanya Byron ‘Anyone who has loved, lost or grieved – that's all of us – should read it.’ Alastair Campbell ‘A remarkable story of sudden tragedy and grief, of love and resilience’ Arianna Huffington ‘Beautiful’ Sunday Times
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Seduced by a Sociopath
Book SynopsisA devastating true story of love, betrayal, and deceit.Chrissy: attractive, successful 40-year-old divorcee with three amazing children.Alexander Marc d'Ariken de Rothschild-Hatton: international financier, wealthy, charming and smooth-talking.It's not long before they fall madly in love. With the promise of marriage and a new baby on the way, Chrissy knows she has been given another chance at love.But then Alexander asks for a loan to help him get over a few cash-flow problems. And, before long, 500,000 of Chrissy's money has vanished along with Alexander.After months of detective work, Chrissy finally tracks him down. But the reality of Alexander's true identity is far darker than she ever could have imagined
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers My Dream Time A Memoir of Tennis and Teamwork
Book SynopsisIt's a tennis story. It's a family story. It's a teamwork story. It's the story of how I got to where and who I am today.I''m only in my mid-twenties, and some might think that''s young to write a memoir. But it''s important to reflect on every part of the journey, especially the end. The timing is perfect to share my story, from the first time I picked up a racquet as a five-year-old girl in Ipswich to the night I packed up my tennis bag at Melbourne Park after winning the 2022 Australian Open. Now I can look back at the 20 years in between and think carefully through the work and the play, the smiles and the tears, and all the people who helped along the way, be it my first ever coach, Jim Joyce, or my longtime one, Craig Tyzzer.My Dream Time follows me on my path to being the best I could be, not just as an athlete but as a person. How do you conquer nerves and anxiety? How do you deal with defeat, or pain? What drives you to succeed and what happens when you do? The answers tell m
£18.70
Penguin Books Ltd Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 50 Postcards
Book SynopsisA stunning set of postcards celebrating fifty extraordinary women who have changed the world -- from the team behind the phenomenally successful Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls''Every single rebel girl I know (and some rebel women, too) will be getting this gorgeous box of postcards, with inspiring quotes from extraordinary women, for Christmas'' - Sam Baker, The PoolFrom Malala and Michelle Obama to Ada Lovelace and Zaha Hadid, this set of beautifully designed postcards celebrates some of the most remarkable women featured in Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. With a short bio on each card and inspiring quotes, this is the perfect gift for all the rebels in your life.Featuring:Creators: Frida Kahlo, The Brontë Sisters, Julia Child, Nina Simone, Zaha Hadid, Xian Zhang, Ada Lovelace, Maud Stevens Wagner, Maria Callas, and Millo Castro ZaldarriagaLeaders: Queen Elizabeth I, Fadumo Dayib, Yaa Asantewaa, Jingu, Hatshepsut, Nanny of the Maroons, Lakshmi Bai, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Eufrosina CruzPioneers: Sylvia Earle, Ann Makosinski, Jane Goodall, Alek Wek, Maria Sibylla Merian, Balkissa Chaibou, Wang Zhenyi, Mae C. Jemison, Cholita Climbers, and Maria ReicheChampions: Yursa Mardini, Maya Gabeira, Wilma Rudolph, Serena and Venus Williams, Mary Kom, Alfonsina Strada, Amna Al Haddad, Misty Copeland, Simone Biles, and Ashley FiolekWarriors: Sonita Alizadeh, Claudia Ruggerini, Malala Yousafzai, Manal Al-Sharif, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Anna Politkovskaya, Harriet Tubman, Miriam Makeba, and Irena SendlerowaTrade ReviewEvery single rebel girl I know (and some rebel women, too) will be getting this gorgeous box of postcards, with inspiring quotes from extraordinary women, for Christmas -- Sam Baker * The Pool *Send your favourite patriarchy-busting women these Rebel Girls postcards * Stylist *
£13.77
Headline Publishing Group Victoria Cross Heroes
Book SynopsisVICTORIA CROSS HEROES tells the stories of over 150 individuals whose bravery has earned them the Victoria Cross, Britain''s most prestigious medal for courage in action. The book is introduced by Michael Ashcroft, who owns over ten per cent of all VCs ever awarded. He explains the history of the medal and the story of his fascination with it. The main text of the book tells the stories of both those recipients whose medals are in his collection and those whose stories featured in the television series. Each chapter covers a different conflict, from the Crimean War to Iraq.
£12.34
Arcturus Publishing Ltd Chernobyl
Book SynopsisIn the early hours of the morning of 26 April 1986, the nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine exploded, unleashing a storm of radioactive material into the atmosphere and contaminating most of Europe with its fallout. It was a disaster on an unprecedented scale.This is a story of hubris, heroism and tragedy as engineers, firefighters, doctors and government officials all worked to contain the fiasco.In this volume, Ian Fitzgerald reveals the details of how the accident occurred, the desperate response to the situation and the investigation and recriminations that followed. He asks what lessons can be learned - and what, if anything, we are doing to make sure they can never happen again.
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Typhoon
Book SynopsisThe thrilling account of the Typhoon FGR4s in the war against ISIS, from the RAF Wing Commander who led them into combat''Adrenaline-fuelled. A rare insight into the high-pressure, high-stakes world of an RAF fighter squadron at war'' JOHN NICHOL________''I eased the jet''s nose down and rested my index finger on the trigger. Three seconds to go. Almost 500 knots. The whole airframe pulsed as I started to fire . . .''Mike Sutton led the RAF''s premier Typhoon squadron into battle against a brutal enemy. Flying the world''s most advanced multi-role combat jet, every mission across the treacherous skies above Syria and Iraq saw him and his team tested to the limit. The threat of being shot down was a fact of life. Every split-second decision meant the difference between life and death.Typhoon brings to life the exhilarating and exacting world of a fighter squadron at war like never before.Strap in, light thTrade ReviewAn adrenaline-fuelled, gripping account that puts you right in the cockpit of one of the RAF's most modern combat aircraft. Typhoon is a rare insight into the high-pressure, high-stakes world of an RAF fighter squadron at war -- John NicholFew war memoirs achieve lasting popular acclaim . . . The exceptions are the ones that tell timeless truths about, usually men, in battle and its human costs - Stephen E. Ambrose's Band of Brothers and Paul Brickhill's Reach for the Sky spring to mind. Mike Sutton's Typhoon may well be another * RAF News *Visceral . . . Captivating * Daily Mail *A fabulous insight into the mind of an accomplished fighter pilot and leader as he takes on the biggest challenge of his career * FLYER *
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ltd Neglected
Book Synopsis'No matter how bad things are, Molloy tells those afflicted by neglect, there is always hope. And with hope, there is the possibility to heal and to build a new and better kind of life' Lancashire Evening Post Following on from her previous bestselling books, Hackney Child and Tainted Love, written under the name Hope Daniels, which told the stories of kids in children's homes who fought against the odds in their struggle to survive, Jenny Molloy's book Neglected gives harrowing accounts of what happens when children fall in love with the wrong people, and how the role of social workers in their lives can bring them back to an understanding of what love really means. Readers will be introduced to several brave and inspirational children: Jemma, taken into care after her father tried to kill her; Angelika,Trade Review'From a childhood spent in and out of the care system to a Sunday Times bestselling author of three novels, one woman is battling the negative stereotypes placed on children that go into care with her own success story' * Hackney Gazette *'No matter how bad things are, Molloy tells those afflicted by neglect, there is always hope. And with hope, there is the possibility to heal and to build a new and better kind of life' * Lancashire Evening Post *
£7.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Over the Top
Book SynopsisOnly one person has ever sailed vertically around the world singlehandedly - Adrian Flanagan. Sailing horizontally is difficult enough, crossing thousands of miles of ocean only to get near land at the Capes and battle treacherous currents. However, hundreds of sailors have still managed it. Adrian became obsessed with the idea of sailing vertically around the world as a boy, before he even knew whether it was possible. Thirty years later he managed it. This is his own account of his remarkable adventure. It was an epic challenge, sailing through the perilous waters around Cape Horn and across the remote, hostile stretch of the Russian Arctic. He survived being washed overboard, capsizing, a close encounter with pirates, and also managed to treat not one but two dislocated wrists - all of this alone, a thousand miles or more from anyone who could help him complete his quest. It wasn't all high drama, however. Adrian experienced moments of awe-inspiring beauty - being accompanied byTrade ReviewOne of the best-written and most gripping tales of recent years. * Yachting World *
£10.44
Pan Macmillan How to Survive: Lessons for Everyday Life from
Book SynopsisA splendid book . . . I can’t think of anyone I know who wouldn’t benefit from reading it' - Marcus Berkmann, Daily Mail'A brilliant, brilliant book' - Chris Evans, Virgin RadioNow including a new chapter on coping with a pandemic.What is the connection between crawling through a jungle and your ‘to do’ list? What can ejecting out of a stealth bomber teach you about the getting through a pandemic? What can surviving in extreme situations teach us about surviving everyday life?John Hudson, Chief Survival Instructor to the British Military, knows what it takes to survive. Combining first-hand experience with twenty years of studying the choices people have made under the most extreme pressure, How to Survive is a lifetime’s worth of wisdom about how to apply the principles of survival to everyday life.The cornerstone of military survival (surviving anything) is understanding the relationship between effort, hope and goals – a mindset that can be transposed anytime, anywhere. In How to Survive you will learn how this template for survival can be applied to any situation in your everyday life.Through gripping first-hand accounts of near disaster and survival stories from across the extreme world you will learn that by following these principles you can develop the mindset that will allow you to make better decisions under pressure, which are as equally applicable to first dates and presentations as to climbing Everest and getting lost at sea.'When it comes to survival and getting out of trouble, listen to this man. John is the real deal' - Levison WoodTrade ReviewWhen it comes to survival and getting out of trouble, listen to this man. John is the real deal -- Levison WoodWith clarity and humour, this book does what it says on the tin. John is the go-to-guy for survival wisdom -- Tristan Gooley, bestselling author of The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and SignsJohn is the top survival brain in the British Forces today. He trains the trainers. His expertise extends far beyond this area into the deeper ethos behind survival . . . He is what a lot of so-called “survival experts” want to be -- Alf Evans, UK Military Aviation Survival Equipment Trials OfficerA brilliant, brilliant book -- Chris EvansA splendid book . . . I can’t think of anyone I know who wouldn’t benefit from reading it -- Marcus Berkmann, Daily MailSuperb in every respect. * Lt Colonel Dale Zelko *
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Stranger on the Bridge: My Journey from
Book Synopsis'In my world, the word inspirational gets bandied around a lot, but Jonny Benjamin is truly deserving of that adjective.' – HRH The Duke of CambridgeIn 2008, twenty-year-old Jonny Benjamin stood on Waterloo Bridge, about to jump. A stranger saw his distress and stopped to talk with him – a decision that saved Jonny's life.Fast forward to 2014 and Jonny, together with Rethink Mental Illness launch a campaign with a short video clip so that Jonny could finally thank that stranger who put him on the path to recovery. More than 319 million people around the world followed the search. ITV's breakfast shows picked up the story until the stranger, whose name is Neil Laybourn, was found and – in an emotional and touching moment – the pair re-united and have remained firm friends ever since.The Stranger on the Bridge is a memoir of the journey Jonny made both personally, and publicly to not only find the person who saved his life, but also to explore how he got to the bridge in the first place and how he continues to manage his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Using extracts from diaries Jonny has been writing from the age of thirteen, this book is a deeply personal memoir with a unique insight on mental health. Jonny was recognized for his work as an influential activist changing the culture around mental health awareness, when he was awarded an MBE in 2017. He and Neil now work full-time together visiting schools, hospitals, prisons and workplaces to help end the stigma by talking about mental health and suicide prevention. The pair ran the London Marathon together in 2017 in aid of HeadsTogether. Following the global campaign to find the stranger, in 2015 Channel 4 made a documentary of Jonny's search which has now been shown around the world.'Jonny Benjamin is the most inspirational man I know. His book shows us how remarkable the human spirit is.' – Bryony Gordon, bestselling author of Mad GirlTrade ReviewIn my world, the word inspirational gets bandied around a lot, but Jonny Benjamin is truly deserving of that adjective. -- HRH The Duke of CambridgeJonny Benjamin is the most inspirational man I know. His book shows us how remarkable the human spirit is. -- Bryony Gordon, bestselling author of Mad GirlThis moving memoir, which includes a contribution from his rescuer, Neil Laybourn, is a hugely inspiring account of how Benjamin became an activist and mental-health campaigner. -- Sunday ExpressBrave and honest and interesting -- Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of Manual for Heartache and The Last Act of LoveYou gain a unique understanding of someone living with mental illness -- OK MagazineA personal appeal against the cultural entrenchment of the stigma that still surrounds male mental health. -- Men’s HealthHis work and book shows that continuing to talk about mental illness and extending that opportunity to others, really can make the biggest difference. -- HappifulOf the many books on personal experience The Stranger on the Bridge stands out in its entirely holistic approach. The reader is exposed to all angles of a complex journey - through good as much as through bad in a beautifully genuine and raw style. This book will be added to my suggested reading list to everybody interested in the field. -- Adrian Garcia, The Black Dog Campaign, SANEA moving memoir looking back over these incredible achievements, as well as the many challenges that led Jonny to contemplate taking his own life. -- Jewish NewsImportant and life-affirming memoir. -- The BooksellerOne of the most important depictions of what it’s like to live with a mental health problem that I’ve ever read. I went away feeling empowered and reassured that I wasn’t alone. -- Bryony Acketts, Mind Media
£9.49
Pan Macmillan Hope Not Fear: Finding My Way from Refugee to
Book SynopsisA poignant and powerful memoir from BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, Syrian refugee, hospital cleaner and activist, Hassan Akkad.I’ve experienced the best and worst of humanity. I’ve been detained and beaten, and welcomed and respected. And yet, this story – my story – is one of hope, not fear.'Hassan Akkad is a remarkable soul with a remarkable story. He not only leads us through his own physical and emotional odyssey, but teaches us about our own society.' – Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 NewsFrom the jasmine-scented streets of Damascus to uprisings, protest and being forced to flee his home, Hassan Akkad has experienced unbearable losses. Yet, he still holds on to hope and chooses to see the kindness in humanity every day.Since seeking asylum in the UK, Hassan’s unshakeable instinct to raise awareness, help and connect, has seen him share not only his experience as a refugee, but to the coronavirus pandemic. Hassan documented his work as a cleaner on a London hospital Covid-19 ward. His photographs and advocacy shone a spotlight on the often overlooked NHS cleaners and porters and instigated a U-turn on a government bill that had excluded their families from the bereavement compensation scheme.Hassan has captured hearts the world over. He bridges national and political divides, his humanity, sense of service and ideals bring people together. Hope Not Fear is a campaigning message of triumphing over adversity, standing together and uniting in kindness and love. In this book, Hassan shows us why this is the single most important message of our time.'An extraordinary story that deals with the urgent issues of our era . . . But it is also a story about resilience, renewal and humanism' – Elif Shafak, author of The Island of Missing TreesTrade ReviewA journey of hope and connection, of finding humanity in unlikely places and building something for the future. If you’re feeling bleak about the way things are going – this will do much to restore your faith. -- StylistRemarkable. -- The ObserverHassan Akkad is a remarkable soul with a remarkable story. He not only leads us through his own physical and emotional odyssey, but teaches us about our own society. -- Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 NewsHope Not Fear is an extraordinary story that deals with the urgent issues of our era....But it is also a story about resilience, renewal and humanism. -- Elief Shafak, bestselling author of The Forty Rules of LoveSyria has lost another extraordinary young person in Hassan Akkad. His terrifying and candid account is yet another reminder of how much we gain as a society when we welcome those to whom we owe nothing. -- Emma ThompsonA natural storyteller -- Happiful MagazineThis book is a vital and timely reminder of the power each of us has to create change in this world when we remember we are part of a global community. Hassan reminds us that hope is not passive: it comes from all of us. Hassan's words and story will stay with me forever. I cried and laughed. My heart was both broken and made whole again through his words. Everyone needs to read this book! -- Mikaela LoachRemarkable -- The ObserverWhat a book! What a story! So full of compassion, courage, and empathy. I learnt so much and feel much better informed. -- Cathy Rentzenbrink, bestselling author of The Last Act of LoveGalvanising and uplifting. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *
£17.09
Pan Macmillan Hope Not Fear: Finding My Way from Refugee to
Book Synopsis'An extraordinary story that deals with the urgent issues of our era . . . a story about resilience, renewal' - Elif ShafakA stunning testament to human strength, courage and compassion, Hope Not Fear shows that nobody is powerless to change the world. This memoir from refugee, filmmaker, and activist Hassan Akkad traces his campaigns for justice, from protesting the Assad regime in Syria to winning greater rights for cleaners in the NHS.Since seeking asylum in the UK, Hassan’s unshakeable instinct to raise awareness, help and connect, has seen him share not only his experience as a refugee, but to the coronavirus pandemic as a covid ward cleaner and documentary filmmaker. As a witness and advocate, he bridges national and political divides; his humanity, sense of service and ideals bring people together.If you find yourself wondering where to find hope in difficult times, this book is the place to start.'Remarkable' - The Observer'A journey of hope and connection . . . this will do much to restore your faith.' - StylistTrade ReviewA journey of hope and connection, of finding humanity in unlikely places and building something for the future. If you’re feeling bleak about the way things are going – this will do much to restore your faith. -- StylistHope Not Fear is an extraordinary story that deals with the urgent issues of our era....But it is also a story about resilience, renewal and humanism. -- Elif Shafak, internationally bestselling author of The Forty Rules of Love and 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange WorldRemarkable -- The ObserverSyria has lost another extraordinary young person in Hassan Akkad. His terrifying and candid account is yet another reminder of how much we gain as a society when we welcome those to whom we owe nothing. -- Emma ThompsonThis book is a vital and timely reminder of the power each of us has to create change in this world when we remember we are part of a global community. Hassan reminds us that hope is not passive: it comes from all of us. Hassan's words and story will stay with me forever. I cried and laughed. My heart was both broken and made whole again through his words. Everyone needs to read this book! -- Mikaela LoachWhat a book! What a story! So full of compassion, courage, and empathy. I learnt so much and feel much better informed. -- Cathy Rentzenbrink, bestselling author of The Last Act of LoveHassan Akkad is a remarkable soul with a remarkable story. He not only leads us through his own physical and emotional odyssey, but teaches us about our own society. -- Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 NewsGalvanising and uplifting. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller *
£10.44
Amazon Publishing North to Paradise: A Memoir
Book SynopsisThe inspiring true story of one man’s treacherous boyhood journey from a rural village in Ghana to the streets of Barcelona—and the path that led him home. Ousman Umar is a shaman’s son born in a small village in Ghana. Though his mother died giving birth, he spent a contented childhood working the fields, setting traps in the jungle, and living off the land. Still, as strange and wondrous flying machines crisscrossed the skies overhead, Ousman dreamed of a different life. And so, when he was only twelve years old, he left his village and began what would be a five-year journey to Europe. Every step of the way, as he traveled across the Sahara desert, through the daunting metropolises of Accra, Tripoli, Benghazi, and Casablanca, and over the sea aboard a packed migrant dinghy, Ousman was handed off like merchandise by a loose network of smugglers and in the constant, foreboding company of “sinkers”: other migrants who found themselves penniless and alone on their way north, unable to continue onward or return home. But on a path rife with violence, exploitation, and racism, Ousman also encountered friendship, generosity, and hope. North to Paradise is a visceral true story about the stark realities of life along the most dangerous migrant route across Africa; it is also a portrait of extraordinary resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges, the beauty of kindness in strangers, and the power of giving back.Trade Review“With unerring humanity, Umar brings instances of light to his sobering tale through moving recollections of the friendships that bolstered him and moments of ‘divine intervention’ that led him to finally find a new home in Spain. This is a stunning testament to the strength of the human spirit.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Both sobering and inspiring, this story about a young African man’s awakening to the realities of an often uncaring world offers a compelling portrait of humanity at its ignorant worst and enlightened best. A candid and provocative memoir from a determined man.” —Kirkus Reviews
£6.64
Octopus Publishing Group SOLO: A true story of spirit, adventure & the
Book Synopsis'Jenny Tough writes with the same talent, imagination, and sheer courage that she displays in her athletic endeavours. This book will broaden the horizons of all who venture between its covers.' - Emily Chappell, author of Where There's a Will'I love that SOLO is part-self help and part adventure story. Jenny shows us all that the journey to self-belief comes with just as many ups and downs as the mountains she traverses and that, with a little trust in ourselves (and a few good cups of coffee) the next seemingly insurmountable pass is never beyond our reach.' - Anna McNuff, author of Bedtime Adventure Stories for Grown UpsJenny Tough is an endurance athlete who's best known for running and cycling in some of world's most challenging events - achieving accolades that are an inspiration to outdoor adventurers everywhere. But SOLO tells the story of a much more personal project: Jenny's quest to come to terms with feelings and emotions that were holding her back. Like runners at any level, she knew already that running made her feel better, and like so many of us, she knew that completing goals independently was empowering, too. So she set herself an audacious objective: to run - solo, unsupported, on her own - across mountain ranges on six continents, starting with one of the most remote locations on Earth in Kyrgystan. SOLO chronicles Jenny's journey every step of the way across the Tien Shan (Asia), the High Atlas (Africa), the Bolivian Andes (South America), the Southern Alps (Oceania), the Canadian Rockies (North America) and the Transylvanian Alps (Europe), as she learns lessons in self-esteem, resilience, bravery and so much more. What Jenny's story tells us most of all is that setting out to do things solo - whether the ambitious or the everyday - can be invigorating, encouraging and joyful. And her call to action to find strength, confidence and self-belief in everything we do will inspire and motivate.Trade ReviewJenny Tough writes with the same talent, imagination, and sheer courage that she displays in her athletic endeavours. This book will broaden the horizons of all who venture between its covers. -- Emily Chappell, author of WHERE THERE'S A WILLI love that SOLO is part-self help and part adventure story. Jenny shows us all that the journey to self-belief comes with just as many ups and downs as the mountains she traverses and that, with a little trust in ourselves (and a few good cups of coffee) the next seemingly insurmountable pass is never beyond our reach. -- Anna McNuff, author of BEDTIME ADVENTURE STORIES FOR GROWN UPS
£11.39
Headline Publishing Group When You Lose It: Two voices. One true story. A
Book Synopsis'An extraordinary and important book. Read it immediately' Claudia Winkleman 'Superbly written, this deeply moving book underlines how truly precious mother-daughter relationships are, and never more so than in those teenage years' Gloria Hunniford 'Read this book. Then talk to your sons. It is essential reading' Jamie Theakston A gripping memoir of two battling narratives and a mother-daughter relationship stretched to its absolute limits.Roxy was 13 years old when she was coerced then blackmailed into sending explicit photos, which were spread around her school. The shame led to self-loathing. The blame led to a psychotic breakdown. Roxy started hearing voices. Then she started seeing things...What happens when your teenager starts to lose it, and then you lose each other? What happens when you can't tell your mother you desperately need help? And how can a family move past a devastating mental health crisis?When You Lose It is a brutally honest true story, written from two perspectives, of consent, coercion and shattering consequences.Trade Review'Written with excruciating honesty ... For any parent open to learning from her own mistakes ... An act of self-exposure, honesty and altruism from both mother and daughter' * The Times *
£9.49
Octopus Publishing Group The Race of Truth: A Record-Breaking Bike Ride
Book SynopsisBeing the fastest cyclist in the world at the start line means nothing if your mind isn't strong enough to get you to the finish lineIn 2018, Leigh Timmis became the fastest person to cycle across Europe - in just 16 days, 10 hours and 45 minutes - breaking the previous world record by an astonishing 8 days and 17 hours. But when he set out to break the record, Leigh wasn't just trying to conquer the road.As he prepared his body for this ultra-endurance world record attempt, Leigh realized that he would have to confront deeper problems to make it to the finish line. Although test results showed that he already had the physical ability of an elite athlete, something was holding him back: his troubled mind.With the support of psychologists and sports science experts, Leigh confronted the past that had left him with vulnerabilities he would need to understand and overcome in the pursuit of performance. Then, cycling for 14 hours a day, from the west coast of Portugal to the edge of Siberia, he embarked on far more than just a physical journey.The Race of Truth is the remarkable true story of personal transformation against the clock, and the astonishing feats we can accomplish when we face up to our deepest fears.Trade ReviewBrilliantly relatable, honest and funny. Leigh has immortalized his incredible story in a way that will inspire readers. * Mark Beaumont, long-distance cyclist, broadcaster and author *Inspiring AND useful - Leigh's insights on the mental aspect of preparing for a big challenge are amazing; I wish I'd read them years ago. There's so much to learn from here, about achieving athletic goals and life goals. * Sean Conway, adventurer and author *This is a great read for anyone with an interest in cycling or adventures. However, for those with an interest in sport science, psychology or team dynamics, Timmis book is so much more. It offers a brilliant case study of just what it takes and just how many people need to be involved in order to take on a credible world record attempt. * Dr Josephine Perry, sport psychologist and author of The 10 Pillars of Success *An awesome story that shows what goes on 'under the hood' of a high-performance athlete. Leigh is an inspiration. * Jamie McDonald, adventurer and author *I turned the pages as quickly as Leigh turned the pedals. This tale of mental and physical endurance is both jaw-dropping and inspirational. * Steve Silk, journalist and author *A truly incredible achievement, and a fascinating insight into elite sporting performance - what it takes, and what it gives. Leigh brings his experience of an exploration of the world by bike and distils lessons from that, alongside the learnings of taking on something as all-consuming and ambitious as this challenge, and brings us along with him on a record-breaking ride. * Leon McCarron, adventurer and author *Leigh is an exceptional human being and he writes with honesty and humour. This book is both a fascinating story and a profound inspiration. * Lord Burlington, Chancellor of the University of Derby *A bonkers, fast-paced, and adrenaline-fuelled adventure. This is a fascinating insight into the world of ultra-endurance cycling. A great read, but rather him than me! * Simon Parker, travel writer and broadcaster *A compelling story of sport and self. Leigh's honest account taps into the importance and value of mental strength, proving there's more to athletes than physical fitness. * Mike Carter, journalist and author *Leigh Timmis' bravery is doubly impressive; not only did he take on a gruelling record attempt, but he faced up to his own inner demons and vulnerabilities. * Alastair Humphries, adventurer and author *This is a spirited, candid book, about aiming high and keeping going. It's impressive that anyone can sustain such a wild pace across an entire continent, but Leigh has much more to reckon with before the physical start line appears. His enthusiasm is captivating, even when the inner battles are hard won. He writes with great affection for the teammates who steered him and, with their help, finds the best in himself. It reminded me that mindsets are built, not bestowed; that faith in yourself can be the greatest challenge of them all. A fascinating, behind-the-scenes dive into how, and indeed why, world records get smashed. A banging adventure tale too. * Stephen Fabes, author and doctor *Wowsers. Talk about grit-on-wheels. I'm in awe of Leigh's willingness to push himself to the edge, in pursuit of a deeper understanding of himself and the demons that haunt us all. A beautifully written, immersive and truly gripping read. * Anna McNuff, author and adventurer *The Race of Truth is a testament, not just to the endurance of an individual, but to the potential for all humans to achieve extraordinary things given the right mindset, circumstances and support. Leigh's story of determination, generosity and sense of adventure is an inspiration to everyone, and we are very proud to call him an ambassador for MQ Mental Health Research. * Lea Milligan, CEO of MQ Mental Health Research *
£10.44
Little, Brown Book Group As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me
Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1955, this must be one of the most dramatic adventures of our time. Clemens Forell, a German soldier, was sentenced to 25 years of forced labour in a Siberian lead mine after the Second World War. Rebelling against the brutality of the camp, Forell staged a daring escape, enduring an 8000-mile journey across the trackless wastes of Siberia, in some of the most treacherous and inhospitable conditions on earth. Bauer's writing brilliantly evokes Forell's desperation in the prison camp, and his struggle for survival and terror of recapture as he makes his way towards the Persian frontier and freedom.Trade ReviewA story of human courage, endurance and terror. Washington Post One of the wildest adventure books of our time. Curt Hohof, Suddeutsche Zeitung Bauer has given us more than a prisoner-of-war story; he has left us one of the greatest adventure stories. Die Welt
£11.39
Cornerstone The Hero Code: Lessons on How To Achieve More
Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed: ten lessons on overcoming barriers, building confidence and finding new inspiration and motivation. In the course of his distinguished career Admiral William H. McRaven has met some truly exceptional people, from the men and women he served alongside in the Navy SEALS, to inspiring doctors, scientists, politicians and philanthropists. Drawing on stories of their incredible strength, humility and courage, Admiral McRaven has distilled the Hero Code - the ten habits that make ordinary people capable of extraordinary things.This book will show how we can all persevere to rise above our failures, use humour as a source of strength and inspire trust through integrity, as well as offering practical advice on rising to the occasion, coping with setbacks and becoming our best selves. Above all, this book offers simple and practical wisdom that we can all use to find encouragement, inspiration and optimism for the new year. Trade ReviewA call to everyday heroism . . . McRaven put forth a 10-point credo called 'The Hero Code', building on many of the familiar ideas he discussed in his 2017 megahit, Make Your Bed . . . thoughtful and inspirational. * Kirkus *
£11.69
De Coubertin Books You'll Never Walk
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Holland House Books Lili: Lili Stern-Pohlmann in conversation with
Book SynopsisThe story of Lili Pohlmann's childhood and survival. During the Second World War she was helped by many people, including a German woman working for the Nazi occupying forces in Lemberg, and a Greek Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop. After the war Lili came to London in the first transport of Jewish children from Poland.
£11.69
Scribe Publications Sisters in Resistance: how a German spy, a
Book SynopsisThe extraordinary true story of the unlikely friendship between three women — Mussolini’s daughter, a German spy, and an American socialite — who conspired to assist the Allies. In 1943, Edda Mussolini, daughter of the fascist dictator, gave her father and Hitler an extraordinary ultimatum: release her husband, Italy’s former foreign minister, Galeazzo Ciano, from prison, or risk her leaking her husband’s incendiary diaries to the press. Instead, Hitler and Mussolini vowed to do everything in their power to destroy the diaries — even if it meant killing Edda. They ordered Hilde Beetz, a German spy, to seduce Ciano in prison in order to learn the diaries’ location. But Beetz fell in love with Ciano, and joined forces with Edda to try to save him from execution. When this failed, Edda fled with Hilde’s assistance. Upon learning of Edda’s escape, US intelligence sent in socialite Frances de Chollet to find Edda and get her to hand over the diaries to the Americans. Against all expectations, what developed was a rich and humanising friendship. With all the twists and turns of a spy thriller, this is the story of three women whose lives were drawn together in one of the most unlikely rescues of the Second World War.Trade Review‘Intelligent and compelling, Mazzeo’s probing book delves intriguingly into the “moral thicket” into which a group of strangers found themselves plunged during the long, dark days of World War II. A tantalisingly novelistic history lesson.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘University of Montreal literature professor Mazzeo unravels a tangled knot of Fascist intrigue and family infighting in this riveting WWII history … Mazzeo efficiently relates these complex events and renders empathetic portraits of the story’s main players. WWII buffs will be enthralled.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for Irena’s Children: the extraordinary story of the woman who saved 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto: ‘[An] incredible account.’ * New York Times Book Review *Praise for Eliza Hamilton: the extraordinary life and times of the wife of Alexander Hamilton: ‘Drawing from an impressive breadth of sources … this is an expertly told story that’s certain to captivate Hamilton fans and intrigue anyone interested in early US history.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for The Secret of Chanel No. 5: the intimate history of the world's most famous perfume: ‘Mazzeo has written an account of the rarest of things — an international olfactory icon — that fairly rushes off the pages. Here is the life of one of the 20th century’s most interesting and deeply complicated women, a fascinating cultural history, and the story of an extraordinary perfume.’ -- Chandler Burr, New York Times scent critic and author of The Perfect Scent‘Reads like a John le Carré novel, too incredible to be true — and yet it is … This little-known but very important WWII story has the pacing of a thriller novel with the research acumen expected from this excellent writer.’ * Booklist *‘Told primarily through the eyes of fictional sisters Yvette and Gabby, the story can be seen as an homage to the women whose brave actions were integral to the underground French resistance … The book has it all: high fashion, spies, romance, loss, healing, mystery, sisterhood, friendship, and strong female protagonists … it is a fast-paced, well-told story that transports the reader to a memorable time in world history.’ * Historical Novel Society *‘A little-known history finally comes to light in Sisters in Resistance.’ * Town and Country *‘A nail-biting account of state crimes and secrets, real world action pitting spy versus spy and diplomat versus diplomat.’ * Library Journal *‘Compelling … a tangled web of deceit, corruption, betrayal, courage, and family intrigue. It reads like a spy thriller, moving at a fast pace, and even though the reader knows the successful outcome, the suspense never lets up.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘Fascinating … It’s a story too good not to tell … Mazzeo handles her formidable quantity of material with copious notes and sources. If ever there was a case for proving how history can be stranger than fiction, this story is it.’ -- Amanda Hopkinson * Jewish Chronicle *‘Sisters in Resistance is a unique real-life story with many twists and turns along the way … what shines through is the courage of the central characters in these extraordinary events in history.’ -- Karen McMillan * NZ Booklovers *
£17.00
Chronos Publishing Looking To Move On
Book SynopsisOn the evening of the launch of his debut novel, Matt West and his wife, Jo are knocked down by a car. She is killed and he's left in a wheelchair. After a challenging few months in hospital, Matt begins living independently. The driver of the car, Greg Dymond struggles with anger, mental turmoil and guilt but also organises a crowdfunding appeal to help Matt and his young daughter, Tilly. Community Nurse, Sophie Howlett supports Matt with daily living and emotional adjustment. Emerging from her latest unsatisfactory relationship, and with no one else to turn to, Sophie goes to Matt for support. Thus begins a valuable friendship as they seek to move on from what life has thrown at them - and love grows. A story of grief and joy, conflict and resolution, tears and laughter.
£9.49
Octopus Publishing Group A Gypsy In Auschwitz: How I Survived the Horrors
Book Synopsis THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Otto Rosenberg is 9 and living in Berlin, poor but happy, when his family are first detained. All around them, Sinti and Roma families are being torn from their homes by Nazis , leaving behind schools, jobs, friends, and businesses to live in forced encampments outside the city. One by one, families are broken up, adults and children disappear or are 'sent East'.Otto arrives in Auschwitz aged 15 and is later transferred to Buechenwald and Bergen-Belsen. He works, scrounges food whenever he can, witnesses and suffers horrific violence and is driven close to death by illness more than once. Unbelievably, he also joins an armed revolt of prisoners who, facing the SS and certain death, refuse to back down. Somehow, through luck, sheer human will to live, or both, he survives.The stories of Sinti and Roma suffering in Nazi Germany are all too often lost or untold. In this haunting account, Otto shares his story with a remarkable simplicity. Deeply moving, A Gypsy in Auschwitz is the incredible story of how a young Sinti boy miraculously survived the unimaginable darkness of the Holocaust.
£7.59
John Blake Publishing Ltd Fighting For Your Life: A paramedic's story
Book SynopsisA teenage boy lies on the pavement, bleeding from a stab wound; a distraught mum watches, in mute shock, as her daughter suffers a terrifying fatal asthma attack; a young girl is gang-raped and her stricken boyfriend takes an overdose; a disturbed young man flings himself in front of a speeding train at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.Few people can imagine living in a world where such situations are part of everyday life. Yet for veteran paramedic Lysa Walder, these and thousands of other emergency call outs are part of a day's work: scenes of tragedy, heroism loss and horror - but also stories of triumph and humour.Lysa has been a paramedic for over twenty years, working for the London Ambulance service - the world's biggest and busiest free service - for much of that time. Here, she reveals what it's really like to work in a job that brings paramedic teams face-to-face with death - and destiny - every day.
£8.99
Cornerstone The Girl Who Smiled Beads
Book SynopsisA riveting story of dislocation, survival, and the power of stories to break or save usWhen Clemantine Wamariya was six years old, her world was torn apart. She didn't know why her parents began talking in whispers, or why her neighbours started disappearing, or why she could hear distant thunder even when the skies were clear.As the Rwandan civil war raged, Clemantine and her sister Claire were forced to flee their home. They ran for hours, then walked for days, not towards anything, just away. they sought refuge where they could find it, and escaped when refuge became imprisonment. Together, they experienced the best and the worst of humanity. After spending six years seeking refuge in eight different countries, Clemantine and Claire were granted refugee status in America and began a new journey.Honest, life-affirming and searingly profound, this is the story of a girl's struggle to remake her life and create new stories - without forgetting the old ones.____________________________________'Extraordinary and heartrending. Wamariya is as fiercely talented as she is courageous' JUNOT DIAZ, author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao'Brilliant ... has captivated me for a couple of years' SELMA BLAIRTrade ReviewExtraordinary * The Guardian *Sharp, moving memoir . . . Wamariya tells her own story with feeling, in vivid prose. She has remade herself, as she explains was necessary to do, on her own terms * New York Times *Her introspection, honesty and humanity in sharing her story and exploring these questions are thoughtful and moving to read * Culture Fly *A riveting story and one that, somehow, gives hope too * Stylist, Spring Picks *Clemantine Wamariya has written a defining, luminescent memoir that shines a sharp light on the dark forces that roil our age . . . Her gripping and brutally honest reflections inspire us to count our blessings and summon us to follow her fierce and unrelenting example to try to help build the world we wish to see -- Samantha Power, author of A Problem from Hell
£10.44
Transworld Publishers Ltd Ma, I've Got Meself Locked Up in the Mad House
Book SynopsisMartha is now in her thirties. Her daughter has left home and she is lonely and vulnerable. The hard knocks have taken their toll on her health, and as she looks into the years still lying ahead of her, she shakes her head, feeling she hasn't the heart or the strength to go on. As she teeters on the brink of a nervous breakdown, a phone call summons ghosts from the past. She discovers that one of the family is dead and the others need her help. Martha returns and when she comes face to face with the evil, psychotic Jackser, she can no longer suppress the nightmares of her childhood. A suicide attempt sees her admitted to the 'mad house', where a hunger strike takes her even nearer to death. But finally she sees a chink of light at the end of the tunnel. Could love in an unexpected form pull her back from the brink?Trade ReviewBlunt, moving and laugh-out-loud funny * Irish World *
£10.44
Octopus Publishing Group Beyond Impossible: From Reluctant Runner to
Book SynopsisWhen Mimi first started jogging on a treadmill as an unfit 36-year-old mother-of-three, she never imagined she would go on to become a World-Record-breaking ultrarunner. After coming to terms with the anorexia that had impacted her life from a young age, Mimi begins to reassess her relationship with food and finds a new resolve in running. With a renewed sense of purpose, she decides to take the sport that saved her life to the next level, training hard and throwing herself in at the deep end by entering the epic Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, despite still being a novice runner. One startling success leads to another, as she finds herself taking on ever-more-challenging races - from the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, USA, to the 6633 Arctic Ultra - all building up to her biggest challenge yet: attempting to gain the Guinness World Record time for a female running 840 miles from John o'Groats to Land's End. This incredible story of how an ordinary mum ran her way into the record books will inspire beginner runners and die-hard marathon devotees alike, proving that, no matter where life takes you, it's never too late to achieve your dreams and do the impossible.Trade ReviewA heart-warming story full of unimaginable feats * Lisa Jackson, author of Your Pace or Mine? *Mimi's story is truly amazing... Reading about her incredible journey will make anyone believe they can achieve anything they set their mind to. * Nell McAndrew *This book will inspire you to take on new challenges and achieve things you never believed you could... While you might not be up to world-record attempts or super-ultra-length runs, Mimi will inspire you to be brave enough to take that next step on your running journey. * Leanne Davies, Founder of Run Mummy Run *
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group Wasted
Book SynopsisMark Johnson''s father had ''LOVE'' tattooed across his left hand, but that didn''t stop the beatings. The Johnson children would turn up to school with broken fingers and chipped teeth, but no one ever thought of investigating their home life. Mark just slipped through the cracks, and kept on falling. For years. Constantly in trouble at school, Mark began stealing at the age of seven, was drinking by the age of eight, and took his first hit of heroin aged eleven. A sensitive, intelligent boy, he could never stay on the right path, and though Art College beckoned, he ended up in Portland prison instead. With searing honesty, WASTED documents Mark''s descent into the depths of addiction and criminality. Homeless, hooked on heroin and crack, no one - least of all Mark - believed he would survive. And yet - astonishingly - he somehow pulled himself through, and now runs his own thriving tree surgery business, employing and helping other recovering addicts. His story is at once Trade ReviewAs gripping as it is appalling, WASTED is all you could ask of a misery-and-trauma book - it's shocking and it's haunting and it's about one hell of a life * DAILY MAIL *
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Berlin Shadow
Book SynopsisA formally audacious and deeply moving memoir in three timeframes that confronts the defining trauma of the twentieth century, and its effects on a father and son. In 1939, Jonathan Lichtenstein’s father Hans escaped Nazi-occupied Berlin as a child refugee on the Kindertransport. Almost every member of his family died after Kristallnacht, and, arriving in England to make his way in the world alone, Hans turned his back on his German Jewish culture. Growing up in post-war rural Wales where the conflict was never spoken of, Jonathan and his siblings were at a loss to understand their father’s relentless drive and sometimes eccentric behaviour. As Hans enters old age, he and Jonathan set out to retrace his journey back to Berlin. Published to coincide with the eightieth anniversary, this is a highly compelling account of a father and son’s attempt to emerge from the shadows of history.For r
£9.49
Rocky Mountain Books Mauled: Life’s Lessons Learned from a Grizzly
Book SynopsisAn inspiring true-life survival story set in the remote backcountry of the Canadian Rockies.In August 2017, 32-year-old Jeremy Evans endured multiple ferocious attacks by a protective female grizzly bear while hunting in the Alberta wilderness.Jeremy's injuries were massive, his scalp and face destroyed, an eye and his jaw dangling down. The tendons on one leg had been fully severed during the mauling. His hands were damaged where he had physically fought the bear. It was more than a dozen kilometres to where he had parked his truck in darkness early that morning and absolutely no one was near. Thoughts of his wife and their eight-month-old daughter consumed Jeremy as he stumbled and crawled for hours back to his truck, before driving himself several kilometres to a backcountry lodge for help. All the while, Jeremy thought of his young family and the upcoming sixth wedding anniversary that he feared he might never be able to celebrate.Mauled carefully details what happened deep in an Alberta forest where few modern humans tread. Jeremy's miraculous recovery and life lessons learned when so close to death show that human determination can defy the greatest of odds, and that setting small goals along the road to recovery can lead to remarkable achievements. Despite the traumatic stress the encounter produced, Jeremy holds no animosity toward the bear and still enjoys spending time in the backcountry. To him the grizzly was doing what the best parents do: protect their young.
£17.09
HarperCollins Publishers Target Tirpitz
Book SynopsisA gripping account of the epic hunt for Hitler's most terrifying battleship the legendary Tirpitz and the brave men who risked their lives to attack and destroy this most potent symbol of the Nazi's fearsome war machine.Tirpitz was the pride of Hitler's navy. To Churchill, she was the Beast', a menace to Britain's supply lines and a threat to the convoys sustaining Stalin's armies. Tirpitz was said to be unsinkable, impregnable no other target attracted so much attention.In total 36 major Allied operations were launched against her, including desperately risky missions by human torpedoes and midget submarines and near-suicidal bombing raids. Yet Tirpitz stayed afloat. It was not until November 1944 that she was finally destroyed by RAF Lancaster Bombers flown by 617 Squadron the Dambusters in a gruelling mission that tested the very limits of human endurance.The man who led the raid Willie Tait was one of the most remarkable figures of the war, flying missions almost continuouslyTrade Review‘This is a great wartime story, gung-ho in its praise of the men who finally sank Tirpitz, yet compassionate towards her courageous crew. Already a bestselling war historian with his books on the RAF, Target Tirpitz proves that Bishop has sea legs, and this book should add another fleet of fans to his existing army of admirers’ Sunday Telegraph ‘The story of the successive British efforts to destroy [the Tirpitz] is remarkable indeed, and Bishop deploys all his splendid narrative gifts to do it justice’ Max Hastings, Sunday Times ‘Spellbinding…While he is adept at explaining the strategic picture it is in his intense description of set-pieces and of the heroic dedication of their human participants that Bishop excels’ Daily Express ‘Patrick Bishop wisely concentrates his splendid narrative on the many ingenious and extremely hazardous British attempts to destroy [the Tirpitz]…Bishop does this tale extraordinary justice…Elegantly written and exhaustively researched, Target Tirpitz is a fitting memorial to all those who perished in this relatively unknown chapter of naval warfare.’ Daily Telegraph ‘The story of the successive British efforts to destroy (the Tirpitz) is remarkable indeed, and Bishop deploys all his splendid narrative gifts to do it justice’ Sunday Times
£13.49
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Mapmakers Wife
Book SynopsisRobert Whitaker is a science journalist and the author, most recently, of the much-acclaimed Mad in America. He has won the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association of Science Writers' Award for best magazine article. He was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, considered US journalism's top prize. Robert Whitaker's long fascination with South America began in the late 1970s, when he built and lived in a bamboo hut on the Ecuadorian coast. He now lives and writes in Cambridge, Massachusetts.Trade Review'Gripping...one of the best books I have read this year' * DAILY TELEGRAPH *'An unlikely page-turner...as a testament to frustration, endurance and mutual devotion, this takes some beating' * SUNDAY TIMES *'Enthralling...Full of mystery and danger, bravery and tragedy, with a rapturous love story at its core that transcends both time and continents. A marvellous read' * DENNIS LEHANE *'In the brilliant tradition of Dava Sobel's Longitude...combines powerful storytelling with excellent historical research in a book that reads like a novel' * ALAN LIGHTMAN, author of 'Einstein's Dreams' *'An exemplary narrative history and a fascinating tale of science, love and survival' * MARK HONIGSBAUM, author of 'The Fever Trail' *
£13.49
Amberley Publishing SOE Heroines
Book SynopsisNew B-format paperback - The amazing stories of 38 female spies who operated in occupied France and Vichy France, many told for the very first time.
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd Arctic Survival
Book SynopsisTHE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE for anyone who thinks they''d survive the world''s most hostile environments - or at least imagine they could do.-----------------------------First issued to airmen in the 1950s, the Air Ministry''s Sea Survival guide includes original and authentic emergency advice to crew operating over the ocean. With original illustrations and text, these survival guides provide an insight to military survival techniques from a by-gone era. Packed with original line drawings and instruction in:- The best faces to pull to prevent frostbite and when you can expect bits of you to ''fall off'', should you fail- How to build a structurally sound igloo- How to fashion a mask to prevent snowblindnessFocussing on the harshest of situations one can find oneself in, Arctic Survival is one of four reprints of The Air Ministry''s emergency survival pamphlets. Others include:Jungle SurvivalDeTrade Review**The Air Ministry's emergency survival series makes the perfect gift for those who think they'd survive the world's most hostile environments - or at least imagine they could do!**First issued to airmen in the 1950s, the Air Ministry's Sea Survival guide includes original and authentic emergency advice to crew operating over the ocean. With original illustrations and text, these survival guides provide an insight to military survival techniques from a by-gone era. * from the publisher's description *
£6.23
Penguin Books Ltd Tornado Down
Book SynopsisDiscover the brave, shocking and remarkable true story of two RAF lieutenants'' capture during the Gulf War''HEROISM UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY'' Independent''THE MOST COMPELLING STORY OF THE GULF WAR'' Daily Mail_________RAF Flight Lieutenants John Peters and John Nichol were shot down over enemy territory on their first mission of the Gulf War.Their capture in the desert, half a mile from their blazing Tornado bomber, led to seven harrowing weeks of torture, confinement and interrogation.An ordeal which brought both men close to death.In Tornado Down, John Peters and John Nichol tell the incredible story of their part in the war against Saddam Hussein''s regime.It is a brave and shocking and totally honest story: a story about war and its effects on the hearts and minds of men.
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co Will You Love Me The Rescue Dog that Rescued Me
Book SynopsisRain is lashing down when Barby Keel is called out to an emergency unfolding at the gates of her animal sanctuary, deep in the Sussex countryside. A greyhound had been dumped under the cover of darkness, and is at death''s door.In the 37 years she has dedicated her life to the welfare of animals, Barby has witnessed the horrors that humans are capable of, but never has she seen anything as barbaric as this poor dog''s condition. Cigarette burns scar his flank, and he is so malnourished that he struggles to stand, every rib showing through his patchy fur. It''s touch-and-go whether he will survive the night.The dog, who Barby names Bailey, proves he has a fighting spirit and, slowly but surely, begins the long road to recovery. But Barby is facing her own battle with ill health - one that threatens the future of the entire sanctuary...Will You Love Me? is an emotional, joyful true story of the deepest bond that exists between humans and animals, and sho
£8.54
Pan Macmillan The Book Collectors of Daraya: A Band of Syrian
Book Synopsis'The Book Collectors of Daraya celebrates the political and therapeutic power of the written word . . . defiant and cautiously optimistic' Financial Times'[An] incredible chronicle . . . The book tells the kind of story that often gets buried beneath images of violence' LitHub In 2012 the rebel suburb of Daraya in Damascus was brutally besieged by Syrian government forces. Four years of suffering ensued, punctuated by shelling, barrel bombs and chemical gas attacks. People’s homes were destroyed and their food supplies cut off; disease was rife. Yet in this man-made hell, forty young Syrian revolutionaries embarked on an extraordinary project, rescuing all the books they could find in the bombed-out ruins of their home town. They used them to create a secret library, in a safe place, deep underground. It became their school, their university, their refuge. It was a place to learn, to exchange ideas, to dream and to hope. Based on lengthy interviews with these young men, conducted over Skype by the award-winning French journalist Delphine Minoui, The Book Collectors of Daraya is a powerful testament to freedom, tolerance and the power of literature.Translated from the French by Lara Vergnaud.Trade ReviewThere is something seductive about the idea of knowledge as a bulwark against brutal force, and it’s an idea that immediately resonates with Minoui . . . She makes up for the lack of on-the-ground access with an abundance of attention and empathy. -- Mythili Rao * Guardian *The Book Collectors of Daraya celebrates the political and therapeutic power of the written word . . . defiant and cautiously optimistic -- Houman Barekat * Financial Times *[An] incredible chronicle . . . The book tells the kind of story that often gets buried beneath images of violence. -- Corinne Segal * LitHub *Just like prisons across the region, rebel strongholds are sometimes universities in exile; witnessing the unexpected joy of learning in such circumstances is both sobering and inspiring. -- Lisa Anderson * Foreign Affairs *A haunting portrait . . . Fluidly translated and emotionally powerful, this devastating account pays tribute to the "dream of a better world that never fully came true" * Publishers Weekly *This compassionate portrayal of an engaging group of rebels serves as a testament to both the resilience of the human spirit and to the power of story. Highly recommended for those interested in current events, Middle East history and politics, and personal accounts of war. * Library Journal *An extraordinary story . . . Heartbreaking, inspiring, and beautifully told * Kirkus Reviews *Readers will be moved by the plight of the people of Daraya, and inspired by their faith in the power of books to give information, release, and hope. * Booklist *The Book Collectors of Daraya is about hope and connection against unspeakable violence, deprivation, and tragedy. It is a meaningful addition to the literary subgenre that covers books and libraries. -- Martha Anne Toll * NPR *Precise yet passionate . . . The Book Collectors of Daraya is a phenomenal story of hope in the midst of complete devastation. -- Alice Cary * BookPage *The Book Collectors of Daraya hurt me like never before, because I hold this country I have never visited, my country, close to my heart . . . Readers discover how the magic of books kept the rebels motivated, hopeful, sane and, most importantly, alive . . . Honest and brutal, it opens your eyes to the nightmares of war but also to the glory of books and reading. -- Bader Saab * Patheos *This is an urgent and compelling account of great bravery and passion. Delphine Minoui has crafted a book that champions books and the individuals who risk everything to preserve them. -- Susan Orlean, author of The Library BookAbsolutely essential reading. With masterful storytelling, Delphine Minoui recounts the struggle and tenacity of the youth of Daraya who, in the shadow of a merciless war, rescue books from the rubble and bring to life a library unlike any other. Each page connects us to their strength and their spirit as well as to the power of words in a crumbling world. This book is an ode to resistance, to freedom, and to life. -- Négar Djavadi, author of DisorientalAfter reading this book, there can be no doubt. Not about the power of words versus the words of those in power. Not about the importance of literature in times of despair. And not about the strength of Delphine Minoui's pen, as she honors the act of resistance against the disaster of war. -- Atiq Rahimi, author of A Curse on DostoevskyI was so moved by this account of the young rebels of Daraya, Syria, who, in the midst of a four-year blockade by Assad’s forces (including having poison gas used against them), set up a library with books rescued from bombed and destroyed buildings, an underground (in both senses of the word) library that grew to more than 15,000 titles, ranging from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People to Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, and everything in between. In this testimony to the power of reading, these lines stood out: ‘Books are their best way to escape the war, if only temporarily. A melody of words against the dirge of bombs.’ -- Nancy Pearl, author of Book Lust and George and Lizzie
£9.49
Pan Macmillan A Nurse's Story: My Life in A&E During the Covid
Book SynopsisMoving, honest and inspiring – this is a nurse’s true story of life in a busy A&E department during the Covid-19 crisis.Working in A&E is a challenging job but nurse Louise Curtis loves it. She was newly qualified as an advanced clinical practitioner, responsible for life or death decisions about the patients she saw, when the unthinkable happened and the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The stress on the NHS was huge and for the first time in her life, the job was going to take a toll on Louise herself.In A Nurse’s Story she describes what happened next, as the trickle of Covid patients became a flood. And just as tragically, staff in A&E were faced with the effects of lockdown on society. They worried about their regulars, now missing, and saw an increase in domestic abuse victims and suicide attempts as loneliness hit people hard. By turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, this book shines a light on the compassion and dedication of hospital staff during such dark times.'An important memoir that we all need to read right now.' – CloserTrade ReviewAn important memoir that we all need to read right now. * Closer *
£10.44
Hachette Book Group Under the Wire: Marie Colvin's Final Assignment
Book SynopsisZero Dark Thirty meets 127 Hours - a riveting war journal from photographer Paul Conroy, who accompanied Marie Colvin (called by her peers &ldquothe greatest war correspondent of her generation”) during her ill-fated final assignment in Syria.Marie Colvinwas an internationally recognized American foreign war correspondent who was killed in a rocket attack in 2012 while reporting on the suffering of civilians inside Syria. She was renowned for her iconic flair and her fearlessness: wearing the pearls that were a gift from Yasser Arafat and her black eye-patch, she reported from places so dangerous no other hard-core correspondent would dare to go. Paul Conroy, who had forged a close bond with Colvin as they put their lives on the line time and time again to report from the world's conflict zones, was with her when she died. Under the Wire is Paul's gripping, visceral, and moving account of their friendship and the final year he spent alongside her. When Marie and Paul were smuggled into Syria by rebel forces, they found themselves trapped in one of the most hellish neighbourhoods on earth. Fierce barrages of heavy artillery fire rained down on the buildings surrounding them, killing and maiming hundreds of civilians. Marie was killed by a rocket which also blew hole in Paul's thigh big enough to put his hand through. Bleeding profusely, short of food and water, and in excruciating pain, Paul then endured five days of intense bombardment before being evacuated in a daring escape in which he rode a motorbike through a tunnel, crawled through enemy terrain, and finally scaled a 12-foot-high wall. Astonishingly vivid, heart-stoppingly dramatic and shot through with dark humour, in Under the Wire Paul Conroy shows what it means to a be a war reporter in the 21st century. His is a story of two brave people drawn together by a shared compulsion to bear witness.Trade ReviewBookviews "Anyone who has spent any time in a war zone, in combat, or just wondering what it is like will thoroughly enjoy this book. One might say they shared a foxhole or two together and the story he tells is gripping and a great tribute to his friend, a great journalist." Sunday Times "A fine and gripping account of how the brave, rackety band of war reporters and photographers bring the human consequences of war to our breakfast tables." The Times, UK "Paul Conroy's touching memoir...is a tribute to the metier of reporting conflict...It's a touching, if heartbreaking story." Humphrey Hawksley, BBC "A masterpiece, possibly the finest account of war of this generation." Books Examiner "This is an eye-opening account of what journalists go through to tell the world about the atrocities going on in war-torn countries like Syria." Another Opinion David Remnick, The New Yorker "Colvin devoted her life--and gave her life--for the proposition that the truth of history demands witnesses. Her death, like that of so many others, is yet another reminder, as if any more were needed, that experience in the field is no shelter from disaster." Tom Fletcher, British ambassador to Lebanon "Paul's experience is a chilling testimony to what families in Homs are experiencing. We need renewed focus on humanitarian support and to put an end to violence." Booklist "In this tense, hour-by-hour account, he takes readers back to Syria and the events that led to their being behind the battle lines... Colvin was a significant voice in international journalism and will be sorely missed, and Conroy's account is unforgettable." Vanity Fair "In Under the Wire, Conroy relives their odyssey and its harrowing final hours." Publisher's Weekly "Conroy's visceral account is provides readers with a greater appreciation for the work of war correspondents and insight into the sacrifices they make."
£22.57
Ultimo Press Runaways
Book SynopsisTwo women. Two cultures. And a friendship that freed them both. ‘We don’t choose where we’re born. Geography ends up being everything.’ Shaimaa Khalil and Shelley Davidow met twenty years ago in the Middle East when Shaimaa was Shelley’s student at the University of Qatar. Strangers in a strange land where the silencing and oppression of women is deeply entrenched, they immediately formed a deep and abiding bond. Shelley saw Shaimaa as her ‘Rosetta Stone’, helping her decode a culture and world so foreign it appeared to be from another planet. Shaimaa saw Shelley and her apartment as her ‘Tardis’, a space where she could glimpse a world she dreamed of inhabiting. Born a decade apart on opposite ends of the African continent – Shaimaa, an Arab Muslim from Egypt and Shelley an Ashkenazi Jew from South Africa – tell the story of a friendship that has defied historical, geographic and temporal boundaries, mapping the vast emotional and geographic territories they have travelled as women pushing against patriarchal confines over the past two decades. In an exchange of words and memories, Shaimaa and Shelley recall what shaped them, what broke them, and how they made themselves whole again through their interwoven stories.
£17.09
John Blake Publishing Ltd Slave Girl - Return to Hell: I Was an Ordinary
Book SynopsisIn her bestselling book Slave Girl, Sarah Forsyth told of her terrible ordeal as a young woman sex-trafficked from England to the Red Light District of Amsterdam - and of her dramatic escape from forced prostitution. But Sarah's journey from the dark back into light was far from over. Still addicted to drugs and drink, she struggled to cope with life, with love and with the marriage she desperately hoped would bring her happiness. It would take three more long and painful years to be rid of the terrible after-effects of sex slavery. But as she fought her draining battle to survive, Sarah came to realise that there was something she needed to do. It was a decision that would take her back into the modern scandal of sex trafficking - and back into the hell of Amsterdam's Red Light District. Now Sarah tells the incredible story of her very personal mental journey to find goodness within herself - and the shocking and painful physical journey to find the sex slaves she left behind. Both are journeys which will take all the strength, courage and love that she has. But if she is to survive, they are journeys she must make.
£7.59
Vintage Publishing My Own Story (Vintage Feminism Short Edition)
Vintage Feminism: classic feminist texts in short formWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JESS PHILLIPSSoldier, criminal, militant, hooligan, revolutionary: these labels Emmeline Pankhurst took up and wore proudly in her long struggle for women’s suffrage. This shortened edition of her autobiography tells the inside story of this struggle: the tireless campaigning, the betrayals by men in power, the relentless round of arrests and hunger strikes, the horror of force-feeding. It is a reminder of the controversial means, the indomitable spirit and the sacrifices of life and liberty by which women won their political freedom.ALSO IN THE VINTAGE FEMINIST SHORTS SERIES:The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary WollstonecraftThe Beauty Myth by Naomi WolfA Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
£5.99
