True stories of heroism, and endu Books

Book SynopsisA reissue of the 2014 edition, featuring a new foreword from the authors.Do you count down the minutes to wine o'clock? You are not alone. When it comes to alcohol, plenty of people find it hard to exercise moderation and become stuck in a vicious cycle of blame, guilt and addiction.If you want to take back control and stop being defined by alcohol now is the time to join The Sober Revolution.In this empowering book, addictions counsellor Sarah Turner and life coach Lucy Rocca examine women's relationship with alcohol and offer insight and advice into overcoming this addiction.The Sober Revolution explores the myths behind this socially acceptable yet often destructive habit and, through personal accounts of alcohol abuse and its impacts on relationships, careers and finances, you are invited to examine your own relationship with alcohol and its impact on your life. Read it now. Regain control and lead a happier, healthier life. Call time on wine o'clock forever.

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Book SynopsisOur world as it once was In August 2014, Farida was, like any ordinary teenager, enjoying the last days of summer before her final year at school. However, her peaceful mountain village in northern Iraq was an ISIS target as their genocide against the Yazidi people began. The catastropheISIS murdered the men and boys in the village, including Farida's father and brother, and took the women hostage. Farida was one of them. She was held in a slave camp, in the homes of ISIS members and finally in a desert training camp. Continually she struggled, resisted and fought against her captors, showing unimaginable strength and bravery. This is my storyEventually, Farida managed to plot her escape and fled into the desert with five young girls in her care, but defeating ISIS was just the first step in her journey. In this book she tells her remarkable and inspiring story.Trade ReviewTruly a triumph of the human spirit over terror * Irish Times *Farida's story needs to be told * The Times *This is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit * Observer *A compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control * Guardian *Mesmerising * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA shocking true story that reveals how one woman was tormented to the very depths of despair by her husband through coercive control and continual physical and sexual abuse.When Hannah Morgan first met Matt, she was completely swept off her feet. He offered her the love and security she'd always craved, but once they'd married, Matt's behaviour suddenly changed. His aggression escalated and before long Hannah was living under his complete control.Cut off from her friends and family, she was subjected to a torrent of mental, physical and sexual abuse from which there was no escape.When Hannah was forced to sell her body, she clung to the final fragment of strength she had left until a chance of escape presented itself but was it worth the risk?Nowhere to Hide is the shocking true story of how one woman lost everything but defied the odds to survive.

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Book SynopsisThe gritty and engaging story of two brothers, Chuck and Tom Hagel, who went to war in Vietnam, fought in the same unit, and saved each other''s life. One supported the war, the other detested it, but they fought it together.1968. It was the worst year of America''s most divisive war. Flag-draped caskets came home by the thousands. Riots ravaged our cities. Assassins shot our political leaders. Black fought white, young fought old, fathers fought sons. And it was the year that two brothers from Nebraska went to war.In Vietnam, Chuck and Tom Hagel served side by side in the same rifle platoon. Together they fought in the Tet Offensive, battled snipers in Saigon, chased the enemy through the jungle, and each saved the other''s life under fire. Yet, like so many American families, one brother supported the war while the other detested it.Tom and former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel never set out to be heroes, but they epitomized the best, and lived thr

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Book SynopsisAisling Creegan's childhood was dominated by an abusive, alcoholic mother, who tortured her at every turn. From insults through beatings and being threatened with a butcher's knife, Aisling endured unthinkable suffering at the hands of the woman who should have loved her unconditionally. Yet in the midst of this trauma, Aisling was able to rely on the one person she knew she could trust herself.Possessed of an incredible imagination and remarkable resilience, Aisling found escape in the little things in life: lying in a field on a sunny day; drawing; Matchbox cars; and her teddy bear, Panda. Aisling's power to imagine an alternative world enabled her to hold on and make it to adolescence and the freedom she had longed for since childhood.But the scars of the past take time to heal, and when Aisling suffered a breakdown it took her on a surprising path to freedom and forgiveness. I Am Someone is an extraordinary memoir about female cruelty, and ultimat

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Book SynopsisFrom the challenges of travelling when blind to becoming a parent for the first time, Kika & Me is the moving, heart-warming and inspirational story of Dr Amit Patel’s sight-loss journey and how one guide dog changed his world.'Inspiring and compelling . . . rekindles one's faith in human nature' - Andrew MarrAmit Patel is working as a trauma doctor when a rare condition causes him to lose his sight within thirty-six hours. Totally dependent on others and terrified of stepping outside with a white cane after he's assaulted, he hits rock bottom. He refuses to leave home on his own for three months. With the support of his wife Seema he slowly adapts to his new situation, but how could life ever be the way it was? Then his guide dog Kika comes along . . . But Kika’s stubbornness almost puts her guide dog training in jeopardy – could her quirky personality be a perfect match for someone? Meanwhile Amit has reservations – can he trust a dog with his safety? Paired together in 2015, they start on a journey, learning to trust each other before taking to the streets of London and beyond. The partnership not only gives Amit a renewed lease of life but a new best friend. Then, after a video of an irate commuter rudely asking Amit to step aside on an escalator goes viral, he sets out with Kika by his side to spread a message of positivity and inclusivity, showing that nothing will hold them back.'An incredible story of courage, perseverance and, ultimately love' - Sun'The most moving book of the year' - The Lady Trade ReviewAn entirely original, inspiring and compelling book, which is genuinely hard to put it down. Amit's story is nothing less than extraordinary, and rekindles one's faith in human nature . . . I think for millions of people, this will come to be an essential piece of reading. -- Andrew MarrAn incredible story of courage, perseverance and, ultimately love. * Sun *An uplifting read that highlights not only how we can all be better allies to disabled people but the importance of family and community support while navigating hardships. * Cosmopolitan *The most moving book of the year * Lady *

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Book SynopsisAn uplifting true story from foster carer and Sunday Times bestselling author, Angela Hart.Why has no one given Jasmine the safety and care she desperately needs? Angela is determined to find a solution.Jasmine is a little girl with a difficult upbringing whose current foster carers have refused to keep her on as they can no longer handle her behaviour. Social Services place her with specialist foster carer Angela Hart. Angela does her best to provide a secure environment for Jasmine in the hope that she can begin to move on, but it proves challenging as Jasmine often breaks out in bursts of anger and sometimes physical violence. Can Angela show Jasmine what safety looks like? And can she help Jasmine's beloved grandparents – who have been campaigning to become her full-time guardians – persuade social services that they are best placed to look after this troubled little girl?The Girl with the Saddest Secret is the eighth book from well-loved foster carer Angela Hart. A true story that shares the tale of one of the many children she has fostered over the years. Angela's stories show the difference that quiet care, a watchful eye and sympathetic ear can make to those children whose upbringing has been less fortunate than others.Trade ReviewPraise for Angela Hart: A no holds barred insight into the reality of looking after someone else's children. A remarkable story from a remarkable woman, it brought back a lot of memories for me. -- Casey WatsonPraise for Angela Hart: A moving story that testifies to the redemptive power of love. I hope Angela Hart inspires many others to foster. -- Torey HaydenPraise for Angela Hart: A true tear-jerking tale of love and compassion. -- Sunday Mirror

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Book SynopsisThe gripping, vividly told story of the largest POW escape in the Second World War – organized by an Australian bank clerk, a British jazz pianist and an American spy.In August 1944 the most successful POW escape of the Second World War took place – 106 Allied prisoners were freed from a camp in Maribor, in present–day Slovenia. The escape was organized not by officers, but by two ordinary soldiers: Australian Ralph Churches (a bank clerk before the war) and Londoner Les Laws (a jazz pianist by profession), with the help of intelligence officer Franklin Lindsay. The American was on a mission to work with the partisans who moved like ghosts through the Alps, ambushing and evading Nazi forces.How these three men came together – along with the partisans – to plan and execute the escape is told here for the first time. The Greatest Escape, written by Ralph Churches' son Neil, takes us from Ralph and Les’s capture in Greece in 1941 and their brutal journey to Maribor, with many POWs dying along the way, to the horror of seeing Russian prisoners starved to death in the camp. The book uncovers the hidden story of Allied intelligence operations in Slovenia, and shows how Ralph became involved. We follow the escapees on a nail–biting 160–mile journey across the Alps, pursued by German soldiers, ambushed and betrayed. And yet, of the 106 men who escaped, 100 made it to safety. Thanks to research across seven countries, The Greatest Escape is no longer a secret. It is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of the last century.

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Book SynopsisGo behind the scenes of world's biggest and most exhilarating action sports showcase - Nitro Circus. Born in a garage in Utah with just a video camera and some extraordinary, dare-devil stunts, Nitro Circus has exploded to become the world’s biggest producer of action sports entertainment, including television shows and show-stopping, adrenaline-charged live events. Nitro Circus’s crew of top action-sports athletes attempt the best and boldest tricks in motocross, BMX, scooter, skating and dirt biking, including record-breaking feats and, often, epic spills – there are no limits!From biographies of top athletes and tales of the most astonishing sporting skills, to the story of how it all started, this is the tell-all, must-have guide for every action sports fan. With stunning photography and behind-the-scenes guides, you will find tips and tricks straight from the legends themselves, including founder and action sports legend Travis Pastrana. So sit back and immerse yourself in the world's most exhilarating, extreme, show-stopping sports!

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Book SynopsisIn this extraordinary work of non-fiction, we hear the unforgettable stories of everyday heroes who look after our families, our friends and ourselves in the most challenging circumstances imaginable.______________________________When we're at our worst, nurses are at their best.Around the clock, highly skilled and compassionate men and women sacrifice and struggle for us and our loved ones.You have never heard their true stories. Not like this. From big-city and small-town hospitals. These are stories told from the heart.This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you understand the importance of the work they do.______________________________Praise for ER Nurses'James Patterson's account of the twilight world between life and death that nurses inhabit is one of the most moving things I have ever read.' Sebastian Junger'The compassion, the work ethic, and the selflessness of nurses . . . are given the respect they deserve and captured beautifully.' Sanjay Gupta, MDTrade ReviewJames Patterson's account of the twilight world between life and death that nurses inhabit is one of the most moving things I have ever read. In their own bullet-straight words, these heroes describe the pain, the love, and the brutally hard work of trying to save people's lives. I could not stop reading it and when I was done I felt like I was changed forever. -- Sebastian Junger, author of Freedom, Tribe, War, Fire, and The Perfect StormAs a trauma neurosurgeon, I have witnessed the compassion, the work ethic, and the selflessness of our nurses in countless situations. They save our lives every day and represent the true life blood of any hospital. Their stories are given the respect they deserve and are captured beautifully in ER Nurses. -- Sanjay Gupta, MD, neurosurgeon and chief medical correspondent, CNNER Nurses captures the beating heart of nursing: the lives lost and saved, the hard tragedies and unbelievable miracles, and how every day nurses show up, give their all for patients, and then do it over and over and over again, all while holding onto their empathy and humanity. Readers will be stunned and moved by this no-holds-barred portrait of nurses' essential and deeply meaningful work. -- Theresa Brown, PhD, RN, author of the New York Times bestseller The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients' LivesThese readable bite-sized snippets represent a significant caregiver demographic of women and men who exhibit the labour-intensive focus, compassion, dedication, and passion necessary to be an emergency nurse. From the heartfelt to the tragic, this book displays the nursing profession in all its unsung glory. A timely tribute to the modern-day heroes of medicine, conveyed in their own words. * Kirkus *Thriller legend James Patterson has compiled hundreds of interviews for his poignant and timely nonfiction recounting of the dramatic, dangerous, and professional lives of America's nurses. * Parade *

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Book SynopsisThe captivating and heroic story of Hudson Stuck—an Episcopal priest—and his team's history-making summit of Denali.In 1913, four men made a months-long journey by dog sled to the base of the tallest mountain in North America. Several groups had already tried but failed to reach the top of a mountain whose size—occupying 120 square miles of the earth’s surface —and position as the Earth’s northernmost peak of more than 6,000 meters elevation make it one of the world’s deadliest mountains. Although its height from base to top is actually greater than Everest’s, it is Denali's weather, not altitude, that have caused the great majority of fatalities—over a hundred since 1903. Denali experiences weather more severe than the North Pole, with temperatures of forty below zero and winds that howl at 80 to 100 miles per hour for days at a stretch. But in 1913 none of this mattered to Hudson Stuck, a fifty-year old Episcopal priest, Harry Karstens, the hardened Alaskan wilderness guide, Walter Harper, part of the Koyukon people, and Robert Tatum, a divinity student, both just in their twenties. They were all determined to be the first to set foot on top of Denali. In A Window to Heaven, Patrick Dean brings to life this heart-pounding and spellbinding feat of this first ascent and paints a rich portrait of the frontier at the turn of the twentieth century. The story of Stuck and his team will lead us through the Texas frontier and Tennessee mountains to an encounter with Jack London at the peak of the Yukon Goldrush. We experience Stuck's awe at the rich Inuit and Athabascan indigenous traditions—and his efforts to help preserve these ways of life. Filled with daring exploration and rich history, A Window to Heaven is a brilliant and spellbinding narrative of success against the odds. Trade Review"In A Window to Heaven, Patrick Dean brings together the story of a humble Episcopal priest with the stupendous chronicle of the improbable first ascent of North America's tallest and most magnificent mountain. A book whose scope, themes, and drama are worthy of Denali itself." -- Kevin Fedarko, author of THE EMERALD MILE"No matter how many times the Denali story gets told, it never gets old. The trick, if one is to write about it, is to make it new. Outdoors writer Patrick Dean has done just that in A Window to Heaven, casting the climb in new light. The story reverberates today. And while Stuck is controversial among climbers and others, in Native communities throughout the state, he remains widely revered. Stuck provides a roadmap for religious leaders grappling with these questions.He presents Stuck as an imperfect but still commendable model for our own times. We should pay attention." -- David A. James * The Anchorage Daily News *"From the Texas frontier to North America’s tallest peak, this balanced biography of Hudson Stuck offers plenty of adventure, setbacks, and turmoil. It seeks a way to impact the world and will engage." * Library Journal *"A Window to Heaven is much more than a climbing epic—it’s equal parts Wild West gold rush extravaganza, sub-arctic exploration saga, and social justice crusade. Dean takes us along with the prickly muscular Christian missionary Hudson Stuck as he dogsleds thousands of miles through Alaska’s frozen wilderness, fighting to shield its native cultures from the greed, whisky, physical and sexual abuse, cultural imperialism, and environmental devastation riding in the vanguard of white 'civilization,' all while telling the astonishing account of Stuck’s triumphant first ascent of Denali." -- Gregory Crouch, author of The Bonanza King and Enduring Patagonia"Everyone should know about Hudson Stuck. This Englishman left for the Texas frontier in the 1880s, became a missionary in Alaska, traveled thousands of miles by dogsled, and made the first summit of Denali in 1913. He's a spectacular character who deserves to be better known today." -- Alastair Humphreys, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, author of My Midsummer Morning“A ‘missionary first and a mountain climber afterwards,’ Hudson Stuck, at age fifty, became the first to climb to the top of Mount McKinley (Denali) and glimpse ‘a window into heaven.’ His is a remarkable story – of faith and vision and determination – extraordinarily well told by Patrick Dean.” -- John McCardell, Vice-Chancellor and President Emeritus, Professor of History at The University of the South"A rich and sensitive portrait of a man, a mountain, and an era in Alaska’s history that we should know better. With grace and clarity Dean reveals Hudson Stuck as a missionary-explorer who was both fully of his time and able to recognize some of its deepest prejudices. Surrounded by the miners, gamblers, and Sourdoughs of the Last Frontier, Stuck rejected dominant cultures of consumption and extraction to become a rare advocate for Indigenous culture. In his careful exploration of Stuck’s life and his race to be the first to summit Denali, Dean offers a wonderful view onto the North at a time when its people, and its landscapes, should be more on our minds than ever." -- Neil Shea * National Geographic *

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Book SynopsisLike a Drop of Ink in a Downpour: in Soviet Russia is a memoir that traces the lives of a girl, Alёna, her mother and her grandmother, and their quest to preserve the legacy of Alёna's late grandfather, a prominent artist who depicted the Holocaust. For years his canvases are locked away in their apartment with no hope of being exhibited because of art policies of the state. When the family decides to emigrate the unexpected happens: Alёna's father refuses to let her go, her grandmother leaves alone with the paintings, and her mother is accused of a fabricated crime and incarcerated. She serves her sentence at the notorious Kresti prison, Sablino labor camp, and as an exile with compulsory labor in Gorky. The wonder of childhood and motherhood persists amid their battles, and three generations of women call on their resilience to find their way back to one another. Narrated in the voices of the girl and her mother, their shifting perspectives creates a vivid view of women and girls in Leningrad of the '70s and '80s.Table of ContentsNOTE ON NAMESPART ONE: ALЁNAIn the WoodsFrom the BeginningVillage in a StackRain and FrostThe Shared and the UnspokenA Time to UprootPápochkaTo FairylandWithin and WithoutPART TWO: GALIAThe Rain You Accidentally SawMy ChildhoodMy MarriageThe Decision to EmigrateAt the RailwayThe SupermarketThe Beauty SalonKosmétika’s District BranchThe UnplannedKrestí PrisonThe Zóna: Sáblino Labor CampThe City of Bitter PART THREE: ALЁNAAdolescenceA Time to WaitDrawing with ErasersOn the Ladders “MEMORY” by Galia Lembersky GLOSSARYCREDITSACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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Book SynopsisKurt and Sonja Messerschmidt met in Nazi Berlin, married in the Theresienstadt ghetto, and survived Auschwitz. In this book, they tell their intertwined stories in their own words. The text directly expresses their experiences, reactions, and emotions. The reader moves with them through the stages of their Holocaust journeys: persecution in Berlin, deportation to Theresienstadt and then to Auschwitz, slave labor, liberation, reunion, and finally emigration to the US. Kurt and Sonja saw the death of Jews every day for two years, but they never stopped creating their own lives. The spoken words of these survivors create a uniquely direct relationship with the reader, as if this couple were telling their story in their living room.Table of ContentsTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Preface, by Sarah Cushman IntroductionBerlinTheresienstadt/TerezinAuschwitzSlave LaborDeath MarchLiberationMunichMaineConclusionBibliographyStudy GuideIndex

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Book SynopsisWitness True Resilience in These Incredible Survival Stories“Michael Tougias converts the wisdom of survivors into advice we can all use...” —Amanda Ripley, bestselling author of The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why#1 New Release in Disaster ReliefExtreme Survival will have you on the edge-of-your-seat with truly amazing survival stories.New York Times bestselling author Michael Tougias has earned critical acclaim and literary awards for his many best-seller non-fiction narratives. Extreme Survival is the long-awaited follow-up to The Finest Hours, co-authored with Casey Sherman.Explore the stories and the causes of manmade disasters. To answer the question of why disasters happen and how some survive, Tougias interviewed over 100 people who survived against all odds, first chronicling their harrowing survival stories, and then discussing in detail lessons learned. Extreme Survival delivers the entertainment and exceptional research Michael Tougias fans expect.Understand resilience through the mindset of survivors. Surviving disasters requires survival techniques to kick in at the right moment. Learn what a person is capable of when under extreme pressure and facing imminent disaster.Inside find: Captivating and narrative survival stories told in true Tougias trademark style Analysis of major man-made disasters and the faulty decisions that led to them First-person accounts and detailed survival tactics that can apply to your every-day life If you like true survival books like The Greatest Survival Stories of All Time, Into Thin Air, The Gift of Fear, Into the Abyss, Deep Survival, or If I Live Until Morning, you’ll love Extreme Survival. Also don’t miss reading other Michael Tougais survival books, including Fatal Forecast, Ten Hours Until Dawn, A Storm Too Soon, and Overboard!Trade ReviewPraise for Books by Michael J. Tougias Extreme Survival: Lessons from Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds“Each page is filled with the amazing arc of a human spirit exceeding all bounds, yet returning us, as readers, to what it means to be wholly human, humane, selfless, yet aware of one’s self—call it identity, our authentic selves, a grasp of what’s meaningful in one’s life. Tougias’ reporting and storytelling has appeal for armchair adventurers, historians of the extreme, for parents and families, teachers, civic leaders, those in business, and all of us in leadership positions large or small, who ask, ‘How do I make the most of this moment?’ “ —Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of In Harm’s Way and Horse Soldiers“If you're clinging to a lifeboat, surrounded by sharks (figuratively or literally), what should you think about? Who should you ignore? What are the patterns of mind and heart that have helped Antarctic explorers, soldiers, lobster fishermen, and prisoners of war stay sane—and alive? Michael Tougias converts the wisdom of survivors into advice we can all use to light up the darkness.” —Amanda Ripley, bestselling author of The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why“Tougias has chronicled examples of extreme survival in several books over the past 30 years. In researching such stories, Tougias realized it was more than luck that enabled these people to make it out alive.” —The Boston Globe“He's been keeping files about survivors, along with interview notes from about 70 survivors he interviewed, he explained. He also supplements the survivors he interviewed with survivors from history, from Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton to John McCain to Mary Rowlandson in King Philip’s War.“—Cape Cod Times“[Tougias] combines edge-of-your-seat stories with lessons learned and has a book that is both entertaining and inspiring.” —Wicked LocalThe Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue (co-authored with Casey Sherman) “A blockbuster account of tragedy at sea…gives a ‘you-are-there’ feel.” —The Providence Journal“A gripping read!” —James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers Overboard! A True Bluewater Odyssey of Disaster and Survival“A heart-pounding account of the storm that tore apart a forty-five-foot sailboat. Author Michael Tougias is the master of the weather-related disaster book.” —The Boston Globe “Overboard is a beautiful story deserving of a good cry.” —Gatehouse News Service “Tougias has a knack for weaving thoroughly absorbing stories—adventure fans need this one! —Booklist Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea “A passionately recounted peril-at-sea adventure...described with excruciating intensity. A blustery seafarer's delight, rendered with gusto.” —Kirkus Reviews“Tougias spins a marvelous and terrifying yarn….this is a breathtaking book.” —Los Angeles Times “Tougias's terrifying tale will stun you…leaving you breathless, exhilarated, and finally amazed.” —The Providence Journal“Ernie Hazard’s experiences, as related by Tougias, deserve a place as a classic of sea survival history.”—The Boston Globe “Tougias spins a dramatic saga…. (He) has written eighteen books and this is among his most gripping.” —National Geographic Adventure Magazine Ten Hours Until Dawn “The best story of peril at sea since Sebastian Junger’s Perfect Storm. Superb!” —Booklist“What a story! Tougias’ research and writing make the reader feel as if they are onboard the Can Do during the Blizzard of ’78.” —Governor Michael Dukakis“An incredible tale of heroism and sacrifice.” —Nathaniel Philbrick, National Book Award WinnerSelected as an American Library Association as an Editor’s Choice and “Top Book of the Year”Ten Hours audio book won Audiofiles “Earphones Award” A Storm Too Soon“By depicting the event from the perspective of both the rescued and the rescuers and focusing only on key moments and details, Tougias creates a suspenseful, tautly rendered story that leaves readers breathless but well-satisfied. Heart-pounding action for the avid armchair adventurer.” —Kirkus Reviews“The riveting, meticulously researched A Storm Too Soon tells the true-life tale of an incredible rescue” —New York Post“Tougias deftly switches from heart-pounding details of the rescue to the personal stories of the boat’s crew and those of the rescue team. The result is a well-researched and suspenseful read.” —Publishers Weekly“Already a maven of maritime books with Overboard! and Fatal Forecast, Tougias cinches that title here. Working in the present tense Tougias lets the story tell itself, and what a story! Any one reading (A Storm Too Soon) will laud Tougias’ success.” —Providence JournalTable of ContentsContents Chapter One: The Power of Little Steps & Survivors Mindsets Chapter Two: Thinking of Others (The Need to Bear Witness, Thinking Outside Oneself) Chapter Three: Control, Reaction, Detach Chapter Four: Intuition Chapter Five: Help from Within & Beyond Chapter Six: Enduring: Pep Talks, Pats on the Back, and the Possibility of Luck Chapter Seven: Rapid Recognition vs. Denial Chapter Eight: Blinded by the Goal Chapter Nine: Question the Experts (Especially on Vacation!) Chapter Ten: Digging Deep for Options & Resourcefulness Chapter Eleven: Emotion & Adrenaline and the Advantages of Pausing & Reversibility Chapter Twelve: For as Long as It Takes Chapter Thirteen: Final Thoughts

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Book SynopsisStories to inspire. Stories to connect. Extraordinary moments in which women's lives changed forever. Exhilarating, heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring, The Day That Changed My Life is a remarkable collection of stories of Ireland's women and the extraordinary moments which transformed their lives. There are stories of the marvels of motherhood and coming out, leaps of faith and determined entrepreneurship. Stories of crazy highs, such as Oscar nominations and being elected into office. And stories of brave fights against illness and triumphs against all odds. All are united by a strength in adversity, courage and resilience, and an ability to find humour in the darkest places. Our lives change, but some days change our lives forever. 'These women's stories have inspired me beyond measure and I remain in awe of their unwavering honesty. They leave me entirely humbled, while simultaneously stoking a fire in my belly.' CAITLIN McBRIDE Featuring inspirational Stories from: ÁINE KERR, AMY HUBERMAN, ANDREA NOLAN, BREEGE O'DONOGHUE, CAROLINE DOWNEY, CASSIE STOKES, CHRISTINA NOBLE, CIARA GRIFFIN, DERVAL O'ROURKE, DOIREANN GARRIHY, EIMEAR VARIAN BARRY, ELLEN O'MALLEY DUNLOP, EMMA DONOGHUE, EVANNE NÍ CHUILINN, GEORGIE CRAWFORD, HELEN McENTEE, JOANNE BYRNE, JUDITH GILLESPIE, KIRSTEN MATE MAHER, KATHERINE ZAPPONE, KATHY RYAN, LOUISE O'REILLY MARY ANN O’BRIEN, NORAH CASEY, NORAH PATTEN, ORLA BARRY, SABINA BRENNAN, SARAH TOBIN, SONYA LENNON, TARA FLYNN, TERRY PRONE

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Book SynopsisReluctant Rebels: My Family’s Fight for Survival is an inspiring story about the author’s battle with cancer and the significant impacts of that experience on her family. After a diagnosis of leukaemia at the age of eight, author Samantha Wilson went through a terrible journey of pain and suffering into her teenage years. Told that their child had weeks to live, her parents, Bernard and Kathleen didn’t give up. Turning to herbal medicine, they sought help from a well-known local herbalist, Mr Abbott and gradually, Samantha recovered. The book tells the story of how Samantha and her family dealt with the shock of the diagnosis and then, through relentless caring and support, helped her to survive. Step by step, Samantha began to live a normal life. Nonetheless, as well as a bout of meningitis, Samantha suffered bullying at the hands of both the children in her community and fierce objections from the authorities who tried to block her parents’ efforts to care for her outside the official system. After surviving a court case and media scrutiny, somehow, Samantha grew into adulthood and made a life for herself. But there were scars which remained affecting her own wellbeing, her parents’ marriage and her older brother who had been so supportive in helping her to stay alive. Years later, Samantha was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and experienced a period of time suffering with mental health issues. She also had to help her family through difficult times and traumatic experiences. Reluctant Rebels: My Family’s Fight for Survival is a story that will give readers hope. At the time of her leukaemia diagnosis, most children suffering with the condition did not survive. With her family’s support and the help of complementary medicine, Samantha pulled through, an example of alternative therapy and what it can achieve. She faced all of these challenges with a firm commitment to stay positive and do what had to be done. Samantha Wilson went on to achieve an BSc in Complementary Medicine at Salford University and a PGDE at the University of Bolton. She is the Joint Owner/Managing Director at the White Opal Beauty and Holistic Training Academy. She lives in Bury, Greater Manchester, with her husband Brian and in her spare time, loves to see her son Ryan and his family and to go for long walks with her dog, Rio. Samantha hopes that Reluctant Rebels: My Family’s Fight for Survival will raise awareness of complementary medicine and help the sufferers of leukaemia and their families to never give up hope.

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Book SynopsisBarry Woodward grew up in Greater Manchester, England. At the age of 16 he left school without graduating and was drawn into the drug scene, experimenting with marijuana, amphetamines, and LSD. This led to a heroin addiction and life as a drug dealer.For 12 years he was totally dependent on drugs, during which time he spent a number of sentences in prison. Miraculously, his life turned around completely following an amazing sequence of supernatural encounters.Trade Review'Through the many twists and turns of Barry's life this 'can't-put-down' book will have you shocked, surprised but ultimately relieved that there is hope even in the most despairing of circumstances.' J.John, Philo Trust

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Book SynopsisThese are the Journals of Francis Davies Leading Shipwright RN when on board Captain Scott's "Terra Nova" British Antarctic Expedition 1910 - 1913, Never seen before photos and historical artefacts, kept safe by his decadences, for over 100 years. Unique below decks prospective on Captains Scotts last Antarctic Expedition, Unabridged and never before Published. The geographic and scientific accomplishments of Captain Scott's two Antarctic expeditions changed the face of the Twentieth Century in ways that are still not widely appreciated over a hundred years later. The fact of accomplishment has tended to be lost in speculative argument as to how Scott should have done this instead of that, supposedly to achieve the extra few yards per day to save the lives of the South Pole Party in 1912. Also lost to a generation overwhelmed with information, however, is the sublime sense of adventure into the unknown, which Scott's expeditions represented to his generation. We have forgotten what it is to take the awesome life-gambling risk of sailing beyond the edge of the map into nothingness and rendering it known. We send robot explorers instead. As a result, after two millennia of maritime and exploration history, we have become detached from the sea which surrounds our island and the tradition of exploration which it represents. With Scott: Before the Mast is a unique account that serves as an antidote to this disconectedness. It is no fictional 'Hornblower', although it may seem so at times. This is a true story. It presents one man's account of his part in a great act of derring-do, the assault on the South Pole in 1912. Most records of Captain Scott's British Antarctic Expedition aboard Terra Nova (1910-1913) are the accounts of officers. With Scott: Before the Mast is the story of Francis Davies, Shipwright, R.N., and Carpenter. The title says it all but may be lost on landlubbers. Before the mast means 'to serve as an ordinary seaman in a sailing ship'. This makes it a rare and hugely important account, presenting a viewpoint from the lower ranks. Such insight is rarely available and the long overdue publication of this account is greatly to be welcomed.Trade ReviewAs a former Royal Navy Officer, who came from the ranks, I was hugely interested in this book and potential insights that it offered from a very different perspective than other books I have read about Scott. I am delighted to say that I was not disappointed and actually, the writings of Francis Davies offered not only an insight into Scott and the Terra Nova Expedition, but also the norms and the way that both the navy and society operated. In itself, this combination allows for a detailed consideration of the basis by which the expedition was undertaken and Scott’s leadership was executed. As a fellow naval Officer, who has led mixed groups of military and civilians in highly challenging environments and with a background of 30 years of expedition across the globe, I understand the complexities of managing mixed groups where the leadership of the military might necessarily be different to that needed to motivate and manage the civilians. I also understand how the reverse perspective of those being led, can lead to issues when the military contingent expect the civilian contingent to be led according to the same rules of military discipline as they are subject to. In my experience, when these forces combine, discontent and unruliness can commonly be the case unless the leader is able to establish a very high level of trust and respect. In doing so, the leader must walk the narrow margin between enforcing group compliance and being able to engage with every person at an individual level. There are many instances in the book where this is presented as a reality of Scott’s leadership, but the book is also very honest about some of his traits that were less desirable and this is essential to understand the man, as well as the expedition itself. The book is well written, with some quite comical observations on the operation of the Royal Navy and on Societal values at the time. It is also littered with a range of interesting photographs that enhance and support visual understanding of the writer’s words. As an avid reader of all things Antarctic and a practicing Historian who speaks regularly on Scott and Shackleton, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in such matters. Review by; Lieutenant Commander Paul Hart FRGS MPhil (Cantab) Royal Navy. Leader of the first party to make a man-haul crossing of the Antarctic Peninsula to conduct science and exploration, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaching the South Pole.

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary story about a Jewish woman who pretended to be Catholic to survive the Holocaust. Catholics believed she was one of them. A devoted Nazi family took her in. She fell in love with a German engineer who built aeroplanes for the Luftwaffe. But no one knew that Mala Rivka Kizel had been born into a large Orthodox Jewish family. She survived World War II using her charm, intelligence, blonde hair, and blue eyes to assume different identities. Journalist Pieter van Os retraces Mala’s footsteps through Europe to uncover her extraordinary journey and the stories of those who helped her. This poignant, rich book is an engrossing meditation on what drives us to fear the Other, and what in turn might allow us to feel compassion for them.Trade Review‘In almost every sentence, van Os compels admiration with his elegant prose, demonstrating his erudition but never showing off or taking away from the gravity of the subject matter … Hiding in Plain Sight is more than a survival narrative. It is a history of Eastern European mentality.’ * de Volkskrant *‘I couldn’t stop reading. A stunning book.’ -- Geert Mak, author of In Europe‘Based on the survival story of one woman, van Os wrote a poignant and disconcerting book about the terrible fate of the Jews, and at the same time about current obsessions with national character and identity.’ -- Judges’ comments from the Libris History Prize‘You rarely see a journalistic book of this narrative-literary level. A unique book that reveals every page how much careful research and great writing power lies behind it … Van Os shows the value of dwelling longer on a side path or a detail. In this way he knows how to paint a broad and multicoloured image of the blackest pages of recent European history. You are reading this book in one breath.’ -- Judges' comments from the Brusse Prize for Best Dutch-language Journalistic Book‘Hiding in Plain Sight is an utterly immersive book, bringing readers into lives and places and communities, into their loss and (re)building. It is a hard book to read. As it should be.’ -- Jordana Silverstein * The Conversation *‘Hiding in Plain Sight is, at times, a detective story and at others, a poignant reminder that there were good people who helped, and others who lied to survive, remembering each step of the way that lying, and in turn surviving, was the best revenge of all.’ -- Jessica Abelsohn * Australian Jewish News *‘Hiding in Plain Sight [is] a meticulous, engaging, and thoughtful book.’ -- Yelena Furman * Foreword Reviews *‘Journalist van Os delivers an intense and intriguing portrait of Holocaust survivor Mala Shlafer née Kizel (1926–2021), a Polish Jew who survived the Nazis by passing as an ethnic German Catholic …The result is an immersive study of survival.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Brings a different take to the well-worn genre of WW2 literature.’ * DutchNews.nl *

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Book SynopsisThe Telling is a story of European Jewish identity set against the backdrop of the chronicles of one family, going back through history as far as Napoleonic times. Author, Daniel Tabor, tracks the experiences and changing perceptions of his family as they find themselves having to move locations, often needing to flee oppression but also, to take up new opportunities. The approach to the writing is based on the time-honoured Jewish tradition of older family members passing on their life stories and insights to younger ones, as one way of keeping the family culture alive. The book looks back at those who lived many years ago during the nineteenth century in the days when the family was establishing itself in Europe, particularly in the Russian Pale and in Germany. These stories are combined with those of his more recent relatives who travelled in Europe, but also as far away as Israel and Australia, to find safe havens from oppression, or to make better lives for themselves. How all these changes affected their perceptions of their identity is a central theme running through the book, as are the influence of the places they lived in, and how they remembered their life stories. The book focuses heavily on the author’s parents, David and Hanna and their individual families. But Daniel Tabor brings in the life stories of other relatives on both sides of his family, too. Overall, the author has brought together the stories of twenty members of his family. While there are tales of sadness, there are also many tales of joy as the family members set about making the most of their lives, dealing with numerous challenges thrown in their path, displaying perseverance, resilience, courage and determination along the way. The book is written in an engaging anecdotal style and includes many evocative family testimonies and photos, providing a vivid picture of life in times gone by. The Telling will appeal to those interested in Jewish history in general, Jewish family histories, the Holocaust, the formation and development of the modern state of Israel, the topic of people migration and also those interested in how others have overcome significant adversity to make a better life for themselves.

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Book SynopsisJaco van Gass was 23 when he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan in 2009. Losing his left arm to the blast, he sustained life-threatening injuries that stopped his heart twice; yet by a miracle - and the skill of the medics treating him - he survived. Against all the odds, Jaco has fought to build a post- injury life as an adventurer and professional athlete, a journey that has taken him from the slopes of the world's highest mountains to the North Pole, from the Carretera Austral to international cycling competitions in an Olympic velodrome. In his inspirational autobiography, Jaco tells his compelling and inspiring story, starting with his childhood in South Africa and ending on the podium in Tokyo. Shedding light on the potholes and pitfalls encountered along the way, he paints a vivid picture of the harshness of Basic Training, the cruel realities of war, the struggle to rebuild his life after losing a limb, the energy-sapping cold experienced at 6,000 metres above sea level, and the complexities of navigating the world of British Cycling. From the dust of the Afghan desert to the blinding whiteness of the North Pole, Jaco's story is one of horror and of great hope, of near-death escapes and of fierce resolve, and, above all, his unequivocal determination to succeed. Jaco has overcome extraordinary odds, not only in refusing to let injury define his life, but in going on to tackle challenges of which few people would even dream. Not just for adventure and military enthusiasts, Unequivocal is for any reader looking for an honest, inspiring voice that will encourage them to live life to the full.

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"In the beginning, I lived day to day, sometimes even hour to hour. I was pleased at the end of the day, to have survived, more or less. Now I know, I am strong. Life continues, for which I am glad." For Julia Engelhorn life divides into the Before and After. There was a time Before, when her life was filled with the joys and struggles of parenthood, when she was run off her feet trying to take care of a seven year old and three year old twins Octavia and Maximo. And then there was a time After, when her world was encased in darkness, when there was only one child left and she had become a member of a club that no one wants to join. On 6 April 2016 Julia went to pick up her three children from the rental home of her ex- husband Mario Deus where he had been taking care of them over the Easter holidays. Although it had been a difficult couple of years, Julia hoped that now the divorce was finalised they could get their relationship on a better and more stable footing for the sake of the children. Nothing could have prepared her for what happened that day. On arrival to the house, Mario told her to pick up a knife because he intended to kill her. When she asked what was happening he said that the twins were dead. Julia's world shattered in that moment, she ran to the bedroom where she thought her children were asleep, only to find their lifeless bodies. This is the story of her Before and After - a story of healing after unimaginable loss. Precious Scars is Julia's inspiring story of how she put herself back together again after being broken apart by unthinkable loss. It is about finding a way through impenetrable grief and learning to love, laugh and sing again. "The scars I carry with me, inside me, are a reminder of what I have survived. From the broken pieces of my old self, something new was created, just as beautiful, but different."

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Book SynopsisKurt and Sonja Messerschmidt met in Nazi Berlin, married in the Theresienstadt ghetto, and survived Auschwitz. In this book, they tell their intertwined stories in their own words. The text directly expresses their experiences, reactions, and emotions. The reader moves with them through the stages of their Holocaust journeys: persecution in Berlin, deportation to Theresienstadt and then to Auschwitz, slave labor, liberation, reunion, and finally emigration to the US. Kurt and Sonja saw the death of Jews every day for two years, but they never stopped creating their own lives. The spoken words of these survivors create a uniquely direct relationship with the reader, as if this couple were telling their story in their living room.Table of ContentsTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Preface, by Sarah Cushman IntroductionBerlinTheresienstadt/TerezinAuschwitzSlave LaborDeath MarchLiberationMunichMaineConclusionBibliographyStudy GuideIndex

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Book SynopsisHer crime: she is Uyghur. Mihrigul Tursun's story is a powerful testimony of bravery in the face of unimaginable crimes. Her three children were forcibly taken from her before she was taken to a so-called re-education camp. Months later, she could only take two of her children back into her care alive. During her detention, Mihrigul Tursun was physically and mentally tortured and forcibly sterilized. She witnessed inmates being raped and killed. She was about to face her own execution when she was finally rescued. Mihrigul Tursun has experienced firsthand the measures used by the Chinese state to eradicate the cultural and religious identity of the Uyghurs. It is necessary to break people, cut off any closeness between them, find out every detail about them, frighten and terrorize them, not give them any freedom, or silence them. But even when Mihrigul Tursun is threatened, living in exile, and yet she is determined not to remain silent. It is her courageous concern to enlighten the world about the human rights violations against her people and report on the crimes behind the walls of the so-called re-education camps.

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Book Synopsis“A fascinating, exciting story.” — Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful MindWhile still in his early 20s, and under Hitler's shadow, Leonid “Leo” Hurwicz (1917-2008) left his home in Warsaw, Poland, seeking safety and a degree at the London School of Economics. The following years, while challenging and potentially life-threatening, contained the seeds of a lifelong intellectual adventure. Leo's story is personal (born a refugee, precarious war years for himself and his Polish-Jewish family, a new life in America), global (revolutions, wars, depressions), ideological (socialism, capitalism, economic planning, free markets) and professional (a sixty-year career as a professor of economics leading ultimately to a Nobel Prize). This book tells his story.Trade Review“A fascinating, exciting story.” — Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind“Before he became an economist, Leo Hurwicz led a dramatic life worthy of a Hollywood movie. Michael Hurwicz tells this story with verve, and also succeeds in explaining to a lay readership the deep contributions his father made to economic science. Terrific reading.”— Eric Maskin, Nobel laureate in Economics, Harvard University“Kudos to Michael Hurwicz, who has written a paean to his late father, Leo Hurwicz, an extraordinary economist, teacher, polymath, and polyglot, whose genial personality and sense of humor endeared him to many in the profession. Especially for those of us who primarily knew Leo in an academic context, this book provides the background story of his life and times. It is meticulously researched and well-written.”— Samiran Banerjee, Teaching Professor of Economics at Emory University and editor of The Collected Papers of Leonid Hurwicz: Volume 1“Michael Hurwicz gives us a unique attempt to clarify, for all those who knew Leo Hurwicz, the complex history of his family. Many of us who knew Leo had only a fragmentary understanding of this story. Michael tells it with loving care. He then proceeds to interweave ideas from Leo's work and to show, with tenderness, aspects of Leo as a father. A remarkable achievement.”— Thomas Marschak, University of California, Berkeley, CA“Hurwicz tells the story of a remarkable man. A man, who received a Nobel Prize in Economics at age 90, who was married to the same woman, Evelyn, from age 27 until his death, who was the father of four children, who was an excellent pianist with a repertoire that reached from Beethoven to folk songs, an inspired — and inspiring — teller of bed-time stories, a life-long learner and knower of, almost, everything, an active citizen, and, yes, did I mention the Nobel Prize in Economics at age 90?And Leo Hurwicz achieved all of this in spite of — or should we say, because of — the times of existential peril through which he and his extended family lived. … It is a context of revolutions, wars, antisemitism, persecution, and genocide. But it is also a context of resistance, persistence, ingenuity, courage, and creativity, of humanity in the face of barbarism.”— Jens Kruse, The OrcasonianTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsPrologue 1939, sierpień/août/August Born a Refugee Now or Never Home Safe? Get an Education! The Miracle Hurwicz Home School Crisis, Coup, Catastrophe Astrophysics, Chopin and Jazz Economics and Einstein Socialist Calculation Brown Shirts and Ghetto Benches Graduation Getaway Math, Models and Mechanisms Government Intervention A Lifeline Hurwiczes on the Run An Intellectual Warrior at the School for Peace Leo Hurwicz: “Excess Foreign Population” Geneva to Chicago by Way of Locarno, Barcelona and Lisbon Chicago and MIT Surprise Attack Honey A Little Bit Unruly The Great Book Review A Slow and Difficult Process Just a Closer Walk with Stan Blood, Fire, Smoke, Exile and Human Kindness Mechanism Design: Development and Recognition Appendix A. Leo’s MemorialAppendix B. A Celebration of Leo's 90th Birthday, Held at the Holiday Inn Metrodome, 1500 Washington Avenue South, in Minneapolis on April 14, 2007Appendix C. The Theory of Economic Behavior, by Leonid HurwiczAppendix D. The Hurwicz CriterionAppendix E. Edited transcript of 2007 interview with Leo, conducted by the authorAppendix F. A Timeline of the Life of Leo HurwiczAppendix G. What Is Mechanism Design?

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Book Synopsis“Extraordinary storytelling about unfathomable horror.” — Library Journal (starred review)"[A] worthy tribute to the extraordinary bravery of a remarkable woman.” — Publishers WeeklyIn World War II's Poland, thirty year old Zofia Sterner and her husband Wacek refuse to be classified as Jews destined for extermination.Instead, they evade the Nazis and the Soviets in several dramatic escapes and selflessly rescue many Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto and a labor camp, later becoming active participants in the Warsaw Uprising where they are taken prisoner. This retelling, captured through diaries, interviews, war crime trial testimonies, and letters, detail the Sterners' heroic rescues, escapes, and ultimate survival. A true story of hope amid horrifying tragedy, How We Outwitted and Survived the Nazis illustrates how war brings out the worst and the best in people, and how true humanity and heroism of ordinary people are revealed by their willingness to risk everything and help others. This story is about being human under the most inhumane conditions.Trade Review“The book reads like a fast-paced thriller with stories about … escapes, participation in the Warsaw Uprising and subsequent arrests… Extraordinary storytelling about unfathomable horror. At the core of it is a remarkable woman and her family who not only refused to allow the Nazis to exterminate them, but they also saved others. For readers who enjoy history, Judaic studies, and human-interest stories.” — Library Journal (starred review)“Dziarski debuts with a dynamic narrative … [and] renders in palpably urgent, first-person, present tense writing the remarkable story of a woman who was driven by her belief that ‘every life was precious’ to save strangers. … It’s a worthy tribute to the extraordinary bravery of a remarkable woman.” — Publishers Weekly“In the vast literature on the Holocaust, few memoirs are told from the point of view of the rescuers. Roman Dziarski’s reconstruction of the story of a Polish-Jewish couple under German occupation stands out for its presentation of events from the perspective of Zofia, an ethnic Pole married to her Jewish husband and member of the Polish resistance, Wacław Sterner. Under Nazi racial laws, both are to don the Star of David armband and report to the Warsaw ghetto, which they refuse, taking their chances on the so-called Aryan side. With ties to the Polish underground and the milieu of assimilated Warsaw Jewry, the couple is involved in a sort of grassroots ‘Żegota’ rescue operation that helps dozens of Jews escape the ghetto. The story, punctuated by counterintuitive twists, demonstrates the difficulty of generalizing about Polish-Jewish relations during the Second World War and beyond. This creative retelling, pieced together from sources found in the family's archive by the author, a nephew of the protagonists, saves this remarkable story from oblivion.”— Tomasz Frydel, PhD, Concordia University“How We Outwitted and Survived the Nazis reads like a thriller. It is a page-turner. What makes it unique is that the story conveys the precarious lives of Poles under the German occupation and after liberation without whitewashing the antisemitism that existed. If, like Roman Dziarski, Poles and Jews can acknowledge the suffering of each group, perhaps these groups can transcend the argument about ‘who suffered most’ and work together to teach the history of World War II and its aftermath.”— from the foreword by Eva Fogelman, author of Conscience & Courage: Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust“[T]here is such a confidence . . ., such a gift, such abandon of Good! I am greatly struck by it, when Zofia Sterner tells me how she led her charges out of the ghetto. . . . [D]uring all the occupation, the Sterners devoted heart and soul to the cause which they had voluntarily chosen: to save Jews, give them comfort, and to help them leave for more secure places, with passes in their pockets.”— Marek Halter, La force du Bien (Stories of Deliverance: Speaking with Men and Women Who Rescued Jews from the Holocaust) Table of ContentsPrefaceChapter 1: FleeingChapter 2: Getting helpChapter 3: Mob and lossChapter 4: Reunion and fleeing againChapter 5: Back with the familyChapter 6: EvadingChapter 7: BirthChapter 8: ResistanceChapter 9: RescuesChapter 10: Passing and hidingChapter 11: Working for the enemyChapter 12: BlackmailChapter 13: UndergroundChapter 14: UprisingChapter 15: PrisonerChapter 16: DeportationChapter 17: Escape and freedomChapter 18: ReturnChapter 19: Back homeChapter 20: Epilogue – Zosia and Edek KosmanThe main charactersAfterwordPostfaceJewish situation in Poland before WWIIPolish-Jewish relations, Polish help, and Polish atrocities on Jews in WWIIHuman cost of WWIIA note on terminologyAbbreviations and glossaryAcknowledgementsReferencesList of FiguresFigure creditsIndex

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Book SynopsisDreamlike and beautifully paced, this lyrical debut memoir traces the events of one harrowing summer and its repercussions throughout Stephanie Clare Smith's life, including her work with families in crisis and as a caregiver for the mother who abandoned her.Trade ReviewThis stunningly lyrical memoir is a profoundly insightful glimpse into the complex and frightening consequences of parental neglect. As Smith's voice naturally evolves from alienated to intensely present, the impressively concise narrative alternates between ethereal observations about everything from space to spiders and gut punches of pain, shame, revelation, and redemption . . . . A masterful literary memoir about caring for those responsible for our trauma."—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED review)

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Book SynopsisAn unparalleled memoir that grapples with the complex relationships that exist within the mountaineering community. On 20 January 2003, at 10:45 a.m., a massive avalanche released from Tumbledown Mountain in the Selkirk Range of British Columbia. Tonnes of snow carried 13 members of two guided backcountry skiing groups down the 37-degree incline of a run called La Traviata and buried them. After a frantic hour of digging by remaining group members, an unthinkable outcome became reality. Seven people were dead. The tragedy made international news, splashing photos of the seven dead Canadian and us skiers on television screens and the pages of newspapers. The official analysis did not specifically note guide error as a contributing factor in the accident. This interpretation has been insufficient for some of the victims families, the public, and some members of the guiding community. Buried is the assistant guides story. It renders an answerable truth about what happened by delving deep into the human factors that played into putting people in harms way.

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Book SynopsisThe Hachette Essentials series comprises a collection of titles that are regarded as modern classics. A carefully and lovingly curated selection of distinctive, ground-breaking fiction and non-fiction titles published since 1950. Timeless. Relevant. Passionate. Unified as a series - distinctive as books. A good book is great. A great book is essential.In the shadow of Auschwitz, a flamboyant German industrialist grew into a living legend to the Jews of Cracow. He was a womaniser, a heavy-drinker and a bon viveur, but to them he became a saviour. This is the extraordinary story of Oskar Schindler, who risked his life to protect Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland and who was transformed by the war into a man with a mission, a compassionate angel of mercy.Thomas Keneally's novel first brought the story of Oskar Schindler to international attention in 1982, when it won the Booker Prize. It was made by Steven Spielberg into the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List in 1993, the year Schindler and his wife were named Righteous Among the Nations.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary achievement -- Graham Greene, author of BRIGHTON ROCKBrilliantly detailed, moving, powerful and gripping * The Times *Thomas Keneally has done marvellous justice to a marvellous story * Sunday Times *This remarkable book has the immediacy and the almost unbearable detail of a thousand eye witnesses who forgot nothing * New York Times Book Review *Keneally is a superb storyteller. With Schindler's Ark he has given us his best book yet, a magnificent novel which held me from the first page to the last -- Alan Sillitoe, author of SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNINGAn extraordinary tale . . .no summary can adequately convey the stratagems and reverses and sudden twists of fortune . . . A notable achievement * New York Review of Books *A magnificent book, powerful, harrowing and beautifully written * Sunday Express *A fine and moving story * Evening Standard *Fascinating, expertly told and impossible to put down * Bookseller *Magnificent . . . Beautifully written * Mail on Sunday *A masterful account of the growth of the human soul * Los Angeles Times *An astounding story . . . in this case the truth is far more powerful than anything the imagination could invent * Newsweek *

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Book Synopsis“I've told you before, and I will tell you again, if you are unable to read the Holy Book you will be punished.” The teacher’s face was a mask of anger. “Understand?”Trade Review‘Told with searing honesty, heartfelt emotion and bucket loads of wit. [Alex] has risked death threats to tell this tale. It was worth the risk.’The Sun ‘This book will challenge how you think and cause you to question your moral values.’Steve McLaughlin, author of ‘Squaddie’ ‘A true story of courage and inspiration’Jasvinder Sanghera, author of ‘Shame’ and founder of Karma Nirvana

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Book SynopsisBorn in a prison and removed from his drug-dependent mother, rejection is all that 7-year-old Alex knows.When Cathy is asked to foster little Alex, aged 7, her immediate reaction is: Why can't he stay with his present carers for the last month? He's already had many moves since coming into care as a toddler and he'll only be with her a short while before he goes to live with his permanent adoptive family. But the present carers are expecting a baby and the foster mother isn't coping, so Alex goes to live with Cathy.He settles easily and is very much looking forward to having a forever family of his own. The introductions and move to his adoptive family go well. But Alex is only with them for a week when problems begin. What happens next is both shocking and upsetting, and calls into question the whole adoption process.

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Book SynopsisTHE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERTHE EPIC TRUE STORY OF DUNKIRK - NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN AND STARRING KENNETH BRANAGH, TOM HARDY AND MARK RYLANCE.In 1940, at the French port of Dunkirk, more than 300,000 trapped Allied troops were dramatically rescued from destruction at the hands of Nazi Germany by an extraordinary seaborne evacuation. The true history of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians involved in the nine-day skirmish has passed into legend. Now, the story Winston Churchill described as a ''miracle'' is narrated by bestselling author Joshua Levine in its full, sweeping context, including new interviews with veterans and survivors.Told from the viewpoints of land, sea and air, Joshua Levine's Dunkirk is a dramatic account of a defeat that paved the way to ultimate victory and preserved liberty for generations to come.Trade Review‘Not merely the essential companion to the film but probably the finest work we’ve seen on the evacuation full stop’ Waterstones Weekly

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