True stories / true accounts of events Books

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Untapped Award 2018.Fringe First and Total Theatre Award-winning Breach (Tank, The Beanfield) restage the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi.Based on surviving court transcripts, this new play dramatises the seven-month trial that gripped Renaissance Rome, and asks how much has changed in the last four centuries.It''s True, It''s True, It''s True blends myth, history and contemporary commentary to tell the the story of how a woman took revenge through her art to become one of the most successful painters of her generation.

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Book SynopsisCharmain Bynoe, a council housing officer for the London borough of Southwark, inspired the nation when she appeared on the TV series Council House Britain. Now, in The Estate, she shines a light on the challenges faced by so many of our citizens and provides heartwarming and inspirational stories of how they have been helped to help themselves. The role of our council housing officers is often overlooked and forgotten about. But their work is vital and, for some, the officers are their best hope for a better quality of life. Sometimes, Charmain works with those who are struggling to cope, finding it hard to keep a roof over their heads or to deal with day-to-day challenges. All they may need is some hope, and she is there to suggest a way forward. In Charmain's powerful new book, she looks back at some of the people she's worked with, from the old man who lives in squalor because he can no longer keep his flat tidy and needs support, to th

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Book SynopsisChristmas at Battersea: True Stories of Miracles and Hope is full of heart-warming festive tales about the bond between man and animal, from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.''Battersea Dogs & Cats Home never closes its doors, not even on Christmas Day'' - Paul O''GradyOn Christmas Day this year, an army of dedicated volunteers will be making the day as special as possible for the four-legged residents of Battersea, with knitted jumpers for poorly puppies and turkey dinners for hungry kittens.Christmas at Battersea features tales of rescue from Battersea''s staff, and of inspirational owners who find a place in their hearts and homes for abandoned pets.You''ll meet:- Scrappie the mongrel puppy, left in a bin on the coldest day of the year- Shadow the Pug, whose loyalty helps a widow through her first Christmas alone- The litter of puppies named after Santa''s reindeer, in urgent need of a home on Christmas Eve- Rosie the Staffie, rescued from a freezing lakeFeaturing tear-jerking but uplifting real life stories about the animals that have passed through Battersea''s doors at Yule time, Christmas at Battersea is the perfect present for animal lovers.Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is the oldest and most-loved animal home in the country, caring for thousands of lost, abandoned or unwanted cats and dogs every year. Royalties from the sale of this book go towards supporting the work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (registered charity no. 206394).

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERWant to know the truth about what life is like as a mum and step-mum with a chaotic patchwork family?This book is everything I''ve been through that''s made me who I am, plus the lessons I''ve learned from many mistakes. I hope that it will make you laugh as well as give you strength to keep going when times get tough. After all, we are all in this together...Rachaele, aka Part-Time Working MummyHundreds of thousands of fans flock to the Part-Time Working Mummy page for its heartfelt posts, honest accounts of complicated family life and its appeal to ''bring parents together to support each other through all the sh*t that life throws at us!''. This book channels the amazing spirit of the page, with Rachaele sharing behind-the-scenes experiences that have shaped her own views on parenting and life; packed with personal stories and lessons learned, it''s about the best, the worst and the ok times in

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Book Synopsis***LONGLISTED FOR THE 2019 JHALAK PRIZE***A leading new exploration of the Windrush generation featuring David Lammy, Lenny Henry, Corinne Bailey Rae, Sharmaine Lovegrove, Hannah Lowe, Jamz Supernova, Natasha Gordon and Rikki Beadle-Blair.For the pioneers of the Windrush generation, Britain was ''the Mother Country''. They made the long journey across the sea, expecting to find a place where they would be be welcomed with open arms; a land in which you were free to build a new life, eight thousand miles away from home. This remarkable book explores the reality of their experiences, and those of their children and grandchildren, through 22 unique real-life stories spanning more than 70 years. The story of Windrush, is, like any other, a story of humanity. Of life, love, struggle, hope, misery, success and failure. It''s one that is too often neglected in our media ... but this volume acts as a remedy to that failure of story-telling, which I ask

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Book Synopsis''Giles Milton is a man who can take an event from history and make it come alive . . . an inspiration for those of us who believe that history can be exciting and entertaining'' Matthew Redhead, The TimesDid you know that Hitler took cocaine? That Stalin robbed a bank? That Charlie Chaplin''s corpse was filched and held to ransom? Giles Milton is a master of historical narrative: in his characteristically engaging prose, Fascinating Footnotes From History details one hundred of the quirkiest historical nuggets; eye-stretching stories that read like fiction but are one hundred per cent fact.There is Hiroo Onoda, the lone Japanese soldier still fighting the Second World War in 1974; Agatha Christie, who mysteriously disappeared for eleven days in 1926; and Werner Franz, a cabin boy on the Hindenburg who lived to tell the tale when it was engulfed in flames in 1937. Fascinating Footnotes From History also answers who ate the lTrade ReviewOccasionally, a book comes along that needs remarkably little explanation. Fascinating Footnotes From History is, quite literally, a collection of fascinating footnotes from history. Giles Milton hit the bullseye the day he came up with that title. Milton is a popular historian, in the best sense of those words. He writes incredibly readable narrative histories that tell you stories you didn't know before with a quiet, dry wit that is never allowed to overwhelm the material . . . Milton's delicious book is full of such tasty morsels * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, hopeful account of the grief of heartbreak, based on three true stories, from internationally bestselling author Jessie Stephens.For fans of Three Women and Conversations on Love.Heartbreak does not seem to be a brand of grief we respect. And so we are left in the middle of the ocean, floating in a dinghy with no anchor, while the world waits for us to be okay again.Claire is excited to bring her partner Maggie back home, but even as they build a new life together, she fears a distance is growing between them.Patrick is a lonely university student, until he meets Caitlin – but does she feel as connected as he does?Ana is happily married with three children. Then, one night, she falls in love with someone else.Telling three real-life experiences of love and loss, Heartsick is a compelling narrative non-fiction account of the many lows and occasional surprising highs of heartbreak. Bruising, beautiful, achingly specific but wholeheartedly universal, it reminds us that emotional pain can make us as it breaks us, and that storytelling has the ultimate healing power.'True stories with a narrative as compelling as any novel' – Jane Harper, author of ExilesTrade ReviewA remarkable long-form journalism exploration of the human heart and how it breaks. Original, meticulous, marvellous -- Trent Dalton, bestselling author of Boy Swallows UniverseThought-provoking, highly original and beautifully nuanced. Jessie Stephens' journalistic skill shines as she weaves together true stories with a narrative as compelling as any novel -- Jane Harper, bestselling author of The DryTackles heartbreak at its most real and raw * The West Australian *I felt completely seen by this book. Jessie captures the earth-shattering grief of heartbreak in the most compelling and original way. Beautiful, affecting and unputdownable – I recommend this to anyone who's ever suffered from grief, loss or heartbreak -- Laura Price, author of Single Bald Female

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Book Synopsis'[A] pacy, frictionless read' Sunday Telegraph'Cinematic. . . an entertaining and persuasive study of the royal family' Publisher's Weekly'Patterson treats the princess as a person and tells the story from a mother's perspective' Kirkus______________________________Twenty-five years after her tragic death, James Patterson tells the heartbreaking true story of Princess Diana's life as a mother and a global icon.At the age of thirteen, she became Lady Diana Spencer.At twenty, Princess of Wales.At twenty-one, she earned her most important title: Mother.As she fell in love, first with Prince Charles and then with her sons, William and Harry, the world fell in love with the young royal family - Diana most of all.With one son destined to be King and one needing to find his own way, she taught them lessons about royal tradition and also real life. 'William and Harry will be properly prepared,' Diana once promised. 'I am making sure of this.'Even after her tragic death, the strength of her love for her sons remains an enduring inspiration, not only for the two princes, but for the entire world.______________________________Praise for James Patterson'The master storyteller of our times' Hillary Rodham Clinton'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' Patricia Cornwell'Truly astonishing' Bob Woodward

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable true story that became a viral news sensation.Former Royal Engineer Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he heard whimpering from the rubble of a school that had exploded and collapsed. Upon further inspection he found that the source of the noise was a tiny, abandoned puppy, surrounded by her four dead siblings. A terrified Barrie initially rejected Sean's advances - but he refused to give up. He made sure she was safe and brought her food and drink, and cordoned off the area to ensure it was safe from explosives. After a few days Barrie grew to trust Sean and eventually the two became inseparable in the three months he was in Syria.Sean had to return to the UK, leaving Barrie behind. When his contract wasn't renewed he knew he had to bring Barrie home. The two created an unbreakable bond and they were reunited in emotional scenes that have made headlines all over the world. Sean credits Barrie with helping him with his PTSD and their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible bond that dogs and humans have, and how both can save the other.

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Book SynopsisJOIN SAS LEGEND PHIL CAMPION AS HE SHARES HIS DEEPLY PERSONAL LIFE STORY, WARTS AND ALLIn WHO DARES WINS Big Phil Campion reveals his chequered past, from terrible abuse suffered in a string of kids' homes to psychological abuse suffered at a top public school.Phil guides you through his soldiering career, from the so called "green army" to the brutal trial of SAS selection and all that followed. This includes years spent providing private military services across war-torn and risk-laden Africa; in between he was body-guarded the likes of Led Zep, Oasis, Kasabian, Dizzy Rascal and Pro Green.Phil takes you on his gripping, behind-the-scenes adventure acting as a roving reporter for Sky TV in Syria and Northern Iraq, more often than not under fire.Brave, riveting and truly revelatory, WHO DARES WINS is packed full of jaw-dropping stories to quicken the blood, while also telling of the psychological toll a life in conflict took on the author.'One of the best first-hand accounts of life in combat ever written'Andy McNab on Born Fearless

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Book SynopsisThese are the stories that defy conventional logic. The proverbial vanished without a trace incidences, which happen a lot more (and a lot closer to your backyard) than almost anyone thinks. These are the missing whose situations are the hardest on loved ones left behind. The cases that are an embarrassment for park superintendents, rangers and law enforcement charged with Search & Rescue. The ones that baffle the volunteers who comb the mountains, woods and badlands. The stories that should give you pause every time you venture outdoors.Through Jacob Gray's disappearance in Olympic National Park, and his father Randy Gray who left his life to search for him, we will learn about what happens when someone goes missing. Braided around the core will be the stories of the characters who fill the vacuum created by a vanished human being. We'll meet eccentric bloodhound-handler Duff and R.C., his flagship purebred, who began trailing with the family dog after his brother vanished in the San Gabriel Mountains. And there's Michael Neiger North America's foremost backcountry Search & Rescue expert and self-described "bushman" obsessed with missing persons. And top researcher of persons missing on public wildlands Ex-San Jose, California detective David Paulides who is also one of the world's foremost Bigfoot researchers.It's a tricky thing to write about missing persons because the story is the absence of someone. A void. The person at the heart of the story is thinner than a smoke ring, invisible as someone else's memory. The bones you dig up are most often metaphorical. While much of the book will embrace memory and faulty memory--history--The Cold Vanish is at its core a story of now and tomorrow. Someone will vanish in the wild tomorrow. These are the people who will go looking.

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Book SynopsisThe full story of the IRA bombing campaign of 1974 the biggest miscarriage of justice in British History. This is the book that campaigned for the Guildford Four's innocence revised and updated with new evidence 50 years on

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Book Synopsis'I stood up. A miracle had happened. I could walk. It was as if I was born again.'With a heart full of prayer, Marion Carroll journeyed to Knock in the west of Ireland. For 17 years, Multiple Sclerosis had ravaged her body so utterly that this reluctant pilgrim travelled on a stretcher. Then, at the Mass, an unimaginable miracle. Marion rose, pain-free, to walk, talk and see once more.Thanks to this wondrous blessing, Marion has transformed – in her 'own small way' – the lives of countless others. Her ministries share her rock-like faith and devotion to God. They testify to the power of ordinary people to listen, to care, to inspire.Nearly 30 years later, the Catholic Church officially recognised Marion's cure as a proclaimed miracle. Here, with warmth, grace, humility – and down-to-earth Irish humour – she tells of her life 'before' and 'after'. Marion's powerful, uplifting story is unique. It shines a light on love, hope and a remarkable relationship with God.Trade ReviewIn a world filled with bad news Marion Carroll’s story gives hope and inspiration to us all. * Bishop Christy Jones *

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Book SynopsisAfter the success of Taking the Plunge in 2019, Anna Deacon & Vicky Allan have seen wild swimming take off. From those who bathe in ice cold sunrise waters to wild swimmers under a moonlit sky, whether you like a dip in the buff, ice therapy or are on a mission to find like-minded people to share the experience of menopause, mental health issues and more, there is a community out there for everyone.As they swim their way through the country, they find a ripple effect. Swimmers changing the world and transforming their own lives together. As they spread the joy of immersion they also unearth tips and tricks from the wild swimming community, from the best spots, to safety tips and most importantly, how to findyour own wild tribe.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the profound impact of feline companionship in Cat Tales. This heart-warming collection of true stories celebrates the extraordinary connections between cats and humans, reminding us of the joy, comfort, and lessons they bring to our lives.This collection of uplifting stories shares true accounts of some extra-special cats and reminds us that even the smallest creatures can have the biggest impact on our lives Cats are more than just pets - they are family. This heart-warming book is filled with tales of the incredible bonds we form with cats, and inspiring examples of how these furry friends have brought joy and love into so many lives. From rescuing their owners from loneliness to being a source of comfort during tough times, the cats featured in these stories have proven that they are so much more than just cute and cuddly companions. Each tale serves as a reminder of the powerful connection we share with these fluffy

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Book SynopsisFilled with tales of con artists and their mind-bending schemes, from the terrifying to the downright unbelievable, this thrilling compendium of the world''s most incredible scams is truly stranger than fictionDid you hear about the scammer who posed as a wealthy socialite to fund her lavish lifestyle? What about the people who use dating apps to steal not only your heart, but your money? Do you know the story of the man who tried to sell the Eiffel Tower?Spanning criminal activity from across the world, this collection of real-life crimes will fascinate and shock you in equal measure. From swindlers and imposters to double lives and faked personas, discover the people behind these schemes and the lengths they went to in order to commit them.Whether you''re a true crime junkie or just can''t resist a glimpse of the darkness within the human psyche, let these stories of predator and prey ensnare your interest and dare you to believe the unbelievable.

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Book SynopsisNot only has Glasgow produced some incredible personalities, it has also been witness to some of the greatest happenings of our times. These outstanding people and epoch-making events are featured in Glasgow: Tales of the City. As a result of painstaking research, some startling new facts have emerged about the life and times of some of the city's most interesting characters. The many individuals documented in this book include the world's greatest pilot, whose many flying feats are still held in great awe today and unlikely ever to be repeated. He was hailed as a hero in America, they gave a him a ticker-tape reception in New York and Hollywood begged him to be a star. More recently, Glasgow was popularised by a TV programme about the city's tough police officer Taggart. The role of the Glasgow detective made Mark McManus one of Scotland's first international TV stars, and Mark's own life story makes equally compelling reading. Before Billy Connolly, Glasgow's greatest-ever comedian was Lex McLean. He smashed all the box-office records in a Glasgow theatre and became a legend in his own lifetime. His story has never before been told in such detail. This is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating studies of Scotland's largest city ever published.

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Book SynopsisWithout Nancy Tennant, Humphrey Waterfield's exquisite horticultural creations might never have existed. The two of them were life-long partners and together created 'the most beautiful small garden in England' at Hill Pasture in Essex and collaborated on the restoration of the gardens at Le Clos du Peyronnet, Menton, France. It was Nancy who kept Hill Pasture going during the Second World War, and this garden and subsequently Le Clos became their earthly paradise, publicly acclaimed works of art and a consolation for the loss and trauma of their pasts. The gardens were a smokescreen for their deepest feelings, but one day, the smoke would begin to clear and the truth of who and how they really loved would be plain to see. It wasn't what it appeared to be, at all. This challenging love story of paradise lost, found and lost again is set against the backdrop of the 20th century, the traumas of two world wars, polarised British politics, the changing position of women in society, and the transformative power of nature's beauty on the human heart.

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Book SynopsisA pioneering cardiac surgeon expertly sews up the heart of surgery, the health of the nation, and the NHS. The Angina Monologues speeds from the transporting of a donor’s heart up the motorway hard shoulder, to cautionary stories of excessive intervention gone awry in US hospitals, to a traumatic trip to bring advanced cardiac surgery to the Palestinian West Bank. Nashef tells heart-stopping stories of transplants, coronary artery bypasses, aorta repair, and cardiac arrest. He also delivers humane advice about medical realities rarely observed: the futility of obsessing over diet, the necessity of calculating risks, the role of decision making, the resilience of doctor and patient alike, and the threadbare brilliance of the NHS. Nashef is a magnificently warm and likeable doctor and writer; and he has the best imaginable bedside manner.Trade Review‘Nashef's honest, unvarnished writing about his life and death work has given his readers new insights into the reality of life inside the operating theatre.’ -- Stephen Sackur * BBC World News HARDtalk *‘Enthralling and outspoken.’ -- Andrew Billen * The Times *‘It’s funny, sad, uplifting and hopeful. Samer Nashef’s writing style is easy for the lay person to understand (his description of how to do a heart transplant is unforgettable) but is also interesting to those who have some knowledge of cardiology ... Whether you work in medicine or are just interested in how heart problems can be corrected by surgery, this is a great read. I read this book in a couple of days because the stories were so varied and enthralling.’ * Sam Still Reading *Praise for The Naked Surgeon: ‘A Malcolm Gladwell-esque look at what happens in operating theatres … Nashef’s humanity and compassion shine through.’ * The Times *Praise for The Naked Surgeon: ‘One can’t help but think of Henry Marsh when reading Samer Nashef … [He] writes clearly, with plentiful moments of humour.’ * The Independent *Praise for The Naked Surgeon: ‘[The Naked Surgeon] takes a scalpel to the medical profession and asks if patients get the standard of care they have the right to expect from their surgeons … A valuable resource.’ * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisStories, poems and articles of hope by people in custody and on probation, edited by the Arkbound Foundation. Prison. It is a word that conjures up loss, bleakness and despair. A place where those who have broken the law are kept, both for punishment and for the safety of society. But behind these images are human stories, accounts of tragic mistakes and broken lives, woven in-between with hope. For those inside prison, it is hope that often keeps them going: for the future, for those they care for, and for the chance to start afresh upon release.Trade Review‘The reader cannot help but be moved by some of these stories and it is remarkable that in such times of penal adversity there are those who are able to lift people up and sustain them when all else seems defeated. For many, it is hope that has kept them alive.’ – Eoin Mclennan-Murray, former Prison Governor and Chair of the Howard League for Penal Reform

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Book SynopsisOssie Clark came from a modest, diligent working-class family, an ordinary boy who went on to do extraordinary things. He was born in Liverpool and raised in the industrial Lancashire town of Warrington, famous for its factories and the birthplace of Lewis Carroll. The author never knew Ossie, but they attended the same technical school, Beamont. Seventeen years apart, both made their way to the enclave of Notting Hill in West London. Ossie found fame and fortune as the go-to fashion designer to the stars in the swinging 60s and psychedelic 70s. Once dubbed the King of the Kings Road, this is one of the most extraordinary stories of a man who had it all. It's a classic tale of a rise from anonymity to the pinnacle of the fashion world, with the ultimate betrayal, told from the perspective of a fellow Northerner. The author has dramatized Ossie's life with facts and informed imagination.

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Book Synopsis"Life isn't how to survive the storm, it's about how to dance in the rain" This is the definitive story of Taylor Swift and her incredible rise to success from being just a smalltown girl with a dream to becoming one of the most influential and successful artists of her generation. Ever since she was 14-years-old Taylor has never known any other world than showbusiness, and we follow her journey through the good times and the times not so good, none more heartbreaking than losing the rights to her own music - her "stolen lullabies." In her own words and those who have played major parts in her career, we look back at how she turned failures into unbelievable success and chart the creation of a wonderful legacy by one of music's undoubted masterminds. There is no doubt that with her words of inspiration and the powerhouse lyrics to her songs, the world is a far better place thanks to the unstoppable force that is TAYLOR SWIFT.

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Book SynopsisExhilarating, introspective and inspiring, this collection of true travel stories proves that the world is best seen with courage, open-mindedness, and relentless curiosity. From a nervous flier anxiously taking to the skies for the first time to a female traveler braving the Middle East; from a death-defying hike on an Indonesian volcano to the anxious freedom of finding yourself alone on the other side of the world, these stories are certain to send you looking for your passport.

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Book SynopsisDavid Berridge returns with more stories from his time as a prison officer at HMP Parkhurst, giving a raw, uncompromising look at the harsh reality of working in British prisons. From dealing with inmate violence and clearing out defiled prison cells to the unsavoury nature of prison language and life, this is an even more detailed look inside Britain's most infamous prison. Through it all, David retains his wry humour and offers a much-needed assessment of the state of UK prisons today, the job crisis and poor recruitment, the corruption and gangs running rife, and the mental health epidemic hitting prisoners, causing many to take their own lives. Guiding us in episodic fashion through the various wings of Parkhurst prison, we witness the horrifying and often hilarious experiences of a prison officer through David's own eyes.

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Book SynopsisThe first hundred years of the American Mafia''s existence would come to be seen as a golden age. From small-town Sicily to glittering Las Vegas, the mob had carefully expanded and consolidated their power until their influence touched almost every aspect of American society. But in the 1960s, everything changed.In CLASH OF TITANS, the second volume of former Mafia associate Louis Ferrante''s groundbreaking Borgata trilogy, we discover for the first time the true scale of the conflicts that rocked the organisation between 1960 and 1985. From Robert F. Kennedy''s personal crusade against the unexpecting mob to covert assassinations, betrayal by government informants and full-blown insurrections, we follow the Mafia from the apex of their power to their descent into civil war.This story takes place against the backdrop of a changing America, where shadowy CIA conspiracies, brutal Justice Department battles and J Edgar Hoover''s FBI all leave their mark on the Ma

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Book SynopsisIn April 2016, Dr. Nasser Al-Mohannadi became one of the first Qataris ever to complete a full Ironman race. He swam 3.8km, biked 180km and ran 42.2km on one of the most difficult Ironman courses in the world. It was the fulfilment of a childhood dream and the climax of 28 years of preparation and training. In this book, Al-Mohannadi shows how he overcame childhood fears, cultural misunderstanding, and physical injuries to reach his goal. Through careful planning, persistence and learning through mistakes, he achieved what seemed impossible.

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Book SynopsisIn the aftermath of terrible crimes, the public demand immediate justice. Police and prosecutors rush to quickly close the case. But in Framed, John Grisham and Jim McCloskey unpick the reality. Ten wrongful conviction cases. Twenty-one innocent people. Ten stories with a truth more shocking than fiction.Joe Bryan suffered the unbearable tragedy of his wife''s murder, only to be tried and found guilty of the crime himself - despite being 120 miles away at the time it was committed. Clarence Brandley spent nine years on Death Row, coming to within six days of execution, before new evidence cleared him of all charges. And in the case of the Norfolk Four, police and prosecutors continued to arrest innocent people until not one but four men were behind bars.Impeccably researched and told with page-turning conviction, in Framed, these cases are finally laid bare. John Grisham, the master of the legal thriller, teams up with Jim McCloskey, the founder

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERChasing Daylight is the honest, touching, and ultimately inspirational memoir of former KPMG CEO Eugene O'Kelley, completed in the three-and-a-half months between his diagnosis with brain cancer and his death in September 2005. Its haunting yet extraordinarily hopeful voice reminds us to embrace the fragile, fleeting moments of our lives-the brief time we have with our family, our friends, and even ourselves. This paperback edition features a new foreword by his wife, Corinne O'Kelley and a readers' group guide and questions.âœVoicing universal truths . . . shared . . . simply and clearly.â-Janet Malin, New York TimesâœWords to live by.â-Kerry Hannon, USA TodayâœOne of the most unexpected and touching books you're likely to read this year.â-Edward Nawotka, Bloomberg NewsâœAn honest, thought-provoking memoir . . . O'Kelly has many lessons to teach us on how to live.â-Steve PowersTable of ContentsForeword: A GiftThe Bottom LineThe Business of Dying is HardThe TransitionThe Good GoodbyeAfterword: Chasing Daylight

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Book SynopsisThis book captures over 150 entertaining snippets, stories, and strange and unusual facts from an ample supply of railway curiosities.

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Book SynopsisLeslie T. Chang is a graduate of Harvard University and was a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal in Beijing. She is married to Peter Hessler, who also writes about China. She lives in Colorado.

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Book Synopsis''Wow! I did not want this book to end. This story was unlike any other'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review''Very gripping and powerful read... makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review''I''m very, very bad. I don''t deserve to have nice things. Nobody loves me.''Three young siblings arrive at Maggie''s door after being taken into care. Teachers of eight-year-old Bobby spotted distinct hand-shaped bruises on his arm and his dad and stepmother are uncooperative and hostile to Social Services. While they investigate, Bobby, as well as Melodie and Poppy, are looked after in Maggie''s home.As the children settle in, a thought won''t let Maggie go. While Melodie and Poppy are clean, well-fed and immaculately dressed, Bobby is pale, severely underweight and extremely quiet. What looks like a case of neglect is actually something m

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Book SynopsisDID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE KIDS WHO FOUND A FERRARI BURIED IN THEIR GARDEN? WHAT ABOUT THE MAN WHO SUED SATAN? DO YOU KNOW THE LEGEND OF THE BUNNY MAN? Strange happenings, unsolved mysteries and seemingly supernatural events have gripped and shocked us for centuries, passed from person to person in whispers in classrooms, tales around the campfire and idle gossip among friends. Whether they’re based on a grain of truth or a complete flight of fancy, the myths, legends and weird tales contained within this book will take you on a fascinating journey to the outer limits of plausibility, and dare you to believe the unbelievable.

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Book SynopsisMarty Goddard dreamed up a new crime-solving tool?a kit that could help rape survivors fight for justice. This thrilling investigation tells the story of the troubled, heroic woman who kicked off a feminist revolution in forensics, and then vanished into obscurity.Astonishing . . . Marty Goddard takes her rightful place as a visionary thanks to Kennedy?s relentless investigation.??Rachel Louise Snyder, author of No Visible BruisesThe Secret History of the Rape Kit is stunning: part thriller, part feminist reclamation, part personal journey, fully a page-turner. How did we not know about Marty Goddard??Peggy Orenstein author of Girls & Sex and Boys & SexIn 1972, Martha Marty Goddard volunteered at a crisis hotline, counseling girls who had been molested by their fathers, their teachers, their uncles. Soon, Marty was on a mission to answer a question: Why were so many sexual predators getting away with these crimes? By the end of the decade, she had launched a campaign pushing hospitals and police departments to collect evidence of sexual assault and treat survivors with dignity. She designed a new kind of forensics tool?the rape kit?and new practices around evidence collection that spread across the country. Yet even as Marty fought for women''s rights, she allowed a man to take credit for her work. When journalist Pagan Kennedy went looking for this forgotten pioneer, she discovered that even Marty Goddard''s closest friends had lost track of her. As Pagan followed a trail of clues to solve the mystery of Marty, she also delved into the problematic history of forensics in America. The Secret History of the Rape Kit chronicles one journalist''s mission to understand a crucial innovation in forensics and the woman who championed it. As Pagan Kennedy hunts for answers, she reflects on her own experiences with sexual assault and her own desire for justice.

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Book SynopsisDessau, Germany, 1939. A 49-year-old veteran of the Great War hobbles over to his sleek, green racing car, hands his walking stick to his mechanic and awkwardly pulls his damaged leg into the bowels of the machine. His hosts, the glamorous young drivers of the Nazi state-sponsored Silver Arrows team, share bemused grins as he rolls up his sleeves, dons an old-fashioned leather racing cap and pulls down his goggles. A few minutes later, to the astonishment of the Germans, the mostly selffunded car flashes past at over 200mph, setting a host of new international records. Goldie moves from the brutality of an Edwardian public school, through the jungles of Ceylon and into the blood-soaked trenches of the Somme. The book follows Goldie Gardner as he emerges into the post-war world, trying to make sense of what has happened, finding friendship and love, and searching for a way to prove himself. Motor racing and record breaking seem to offer a solution, but what follows is a story of obsession that establishes him as one of the most extraordinary record breakers of all time but leads to heartbreak, betrayal and eventually taking one risk too many.

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Book SynopsisEach time my mother laid a finger on me it was another step into the jaws of hell. Her abuse, more so than any other, destroyed me. It was the ultimate betrayal.'Abused from the age of eight by her older brother and then her step-father, Maureen Wood quickly became numb to the constant suffering. But Maureen's world crumbled when her own mother started to abuse her tooA Family Secret is the harrowing true story of how one little girl survived sickening abuse by the people who should have loved her most, and how an innocent baby finally saved her.

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Book SynopsisThe true story of Melody, aged 8, the last of five siblings to be taken from her drug dependent single mother and brought into care.When Cathy is told about Melody's terrible childhood, she is sure she's heard it all before. But it isn't long before she feels there is more going on than she or the social services are aware of. Although Melody is angry at having to leave her mother, as many children coming into care are, she also worries about her obsessively far more than is usual. Amanda, Melody's mother, is also angry and takes it out on Cathy at contact, which again is something Cathy has experienced before. Yet there is a lost and vulnerable look about Amanda, and Cathy starts to see why Melody worries about her and feels she needs looking after.When Amanda misses contact, it is assumed she has forgotten, but nothing could have been further from the truth

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Book SynopsisMeet the inspirational dogs who went from being rescued to becoming rescuer, in these incredible true stories. You’ll read all about… Toby, the golden retriever who performed the Heimlich manoeuvre to save his owner’s life Liam, the Lhaso Apso–Poodle mix who helped his owner battle an eating disorder Hercules, the St Bernard who saved his owners from burglars on the first day he moved in Alfie, the terrier who gave a bullied girl a new lease of life … as well as many other canine heroes who came to their owner’s aid – whether it was saving them from physical threats, or helping them to recover from mental illness, PTSD and bereavement. These remarkable dogs all repaid the love and appreciation that their owners displayed in rescuing them. Let these uplifting stories warm your heart, and show you that adopted dogs truly are man’s best friend.

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Book Synopsis'Nobody knew the truth. For all those years while people judged me, I protected those closest to me. Now it's time for the real story to be told. It's time for healing and forgiveness.' Tressa Middleton made UK history when she became Britain's youngest mum in 2006 aged just 12 years and 8 months. Her case provoked shock and outrage - but the truth behind the headlines was far sadder than anyone could ever have imagined. Born into a life of poverty and neglect, Tressa was forced to grow up fast when she taken into care at just four years old. She was returned to her mother's chaotic world but by the age of seven, she was being abused by her own brother and at 11 years old she fell pregnant with his child. For years she kept his dark secret in an attempt to hold her family together until the truth threatened to destroy her completely. In the years since the birth, Tressa has gone through more pain and turmoil than most adults experience in a lifetime - yet today she survives a brave, strong and compassionate young woman. Now, for the first time, Tressa Middleton tells her own harrowing yet poignant story - a story of hope, forgiveness and above all, love.

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Book SynopsisA treasure trove of tales of incredible waves and remarkable riders to stoke the fire of armchair surfers and hardcore wave-riders alike.Trade Review"Expect an exhilarating ride alongside surfing legends.” (Coast) “With tales of monster waves, deadly sharks and perfect breaks, this book alone gets every surfer stoked – even if there isn't a wave in the sea.” (Cornwall Today) “Entertainingly written and painstakingly researched: there's something for everyone.” (Carve Surfing) “Accessible and diverting. There are a great many stories here, all short and true. The language is at once literary and idiomatic...Wade comes across as so steeped in respect for the ocean that the overriding impression is of authenticity. The book succeeds through a confluence of subject matter and structure. Some of these stories will transport us, others may pass us by, and the feeling is eerily akin to that of surfing itself.” (Times Literary Supplement 2013)Table of ContentsPreface; Going to Extremes; Tragic Tales; When the Big Stuff Bites; Gonzo Interlude; Contests & Communities; Worldwide Waves; Obsessions; Inspiration

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Book SynopsisWRITTEN WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY MARK BOSTRIDGE In her bestselling first volume of autobiography, Testament of Youth, Vera Brittain passionately recorded the agonising years of the First World War, lamenting the destruction of a generation which for her included those she most dearly loved - her lover, her brother and her closest friends.In Testament of Friendship Brittain tells the story of the woman who helped her survive those tragic years - the writer Winifred Holtby. They met at Somerville College, Oxford, immediately after the war. Their friendship continued through Vera's marriage and their separate but parallel writing careers until Winifred's untimely death at the age of thirty-seven. When she died, her fame as a writer was about to reach its peak with the publication of her greatest novel, South Riding. A moving record of a friendship between two women of courage, determination and intelligence and a wonderful portrait of a lifelong love. Testament of Friendship now takes its rightful place as a Virago Modern Classic.Trade ReviewThroughout their correspondence, the fragile Brittain is often painfully demanding - but the role of devoted supporter seems to gratify Holtby * Spectator *Holtby certainly helped Brittain write by looking after her children. But they also both helped each other work. And they each saved the other's best book * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE POLITICAL BOOK AWARDS POLITICAL HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014.Published to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Profumo scandal, An English Affair is a sharp-focused snapshot of a nation on the brink of social revolution.Britain in 1963 Harold Macmillan was the Prime Minister of a Conservative government, dedicated to tradition, hierarchy and, above all, old-fashioned morality. But a breakdown of social boundaries saw nightclub hostesses mixing with aristocrats, and middle-class professionals dabbling in criminality. Meanwhile, Cold War paranoia gripped the public imagination.The Profumo Affair was a perfect storm, and when it broke it rocked the Establishment. In An English Affair', the author of the critically-acclaimed Titainic Lives' Richard Davenport-Hines brings Swinging London to life. The cast of players includes the familiar louche doctor Stephen Ward, good-time girls Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, and Secretary for War John Profumo himself. BTrade ReviewIndependent on Sunday Books of the Year ‘Wonderful and exacting’ Mail on Sunday Books of the Year ‘A breakneck thriller and a brilliant dissection of the times’ Independent on Sunday Books of the Year ‘This is more than simply an overview of the affair…Davenport-Hines skewers an entire society’ ‘A wonderful evocation of the period; a Rolls-Royce ride, with that hugely enjoyable sense of a writer being op top of his material and perfectly attuned to his subject’ David Kynaston, author of ‘Austerity Britain’ ‘An outstandingly evocative portrait of a hinge moment in our recent history, as well as a treasure trove of anecdotes’ Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times ‘Fascinating … a meticulous and witty portrait of a society built on the shaky foundations of snobbery, suspicion, hypocrisy and sexual anxiety’ Mail on Sunday ‘Mesmerising. Brilliantly researched, irresistibly readable, fiercely polemical, ‘An English Affair’ ought to sit on the desk of everyone who voices a view on the entanglement of politics, media and celebrity … No book about the British past this year will cast a fiercer light on the British present’ Independent ‘His research is impeccable and the story told with lip-smacking relish’ Daily Express ‘A superb book’ Evening Standard ‘[The Profumo Affair] has found a marvellous chronicler in Davenport-Hines, an incisive writer with a terrific eye for detail’ Sunday Telegraph ‘[A] superb account of the scandal’ Mail on Sunday, ‘[This] livid, lurid but enthralling history of “sex, class and power in the age of Profumo” boasts a rare passion and bravado’ Independent ‘Davenport-Hines is superb on the English … His eye is as shrewd and telling as Anthony Powell’s’ Times ‘It is written in a wonderfully sharp and witty style, and packed with illuminating details’ Craig Brown, Books of the year, Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisIn 1913, just before the outbreak of the First World War, a 19-year-old Czech Jew named Jiri Langer left his assimilated family to live in the remote village of Belz, Galicia (now Ukraine). He had gone to live under the Chassidic (or Hasidic) Rokeach dynasty, a line of Rabbis that survives to this day. Nine Gates is the record of Langer''s time amongst these isolated Chassidic mystics of Eastern Galicia, and a window into their world. Langer tells of their enthusiasm, their simple faith, their ecstasies, their austerities, their feasts, their wonder-working Holy Rabbis and their esoteric wisdom. Most of all, he recounts a collection of shrewd and earthy folk tales told by the holy men who ruled these little spiritual kingdoms for generation after generation.Over 80 years since its original publication in Czech, this translation by Stephen Jolly remains the definitive English version of this towering work of Jewish introspection. Nine Gates is a document from another time and place, andTrade Review'Lo! As he reached the roof, an unknown hand gave him a light' Nine Gates is not primarily for those whose approach to Hasidism is detached and analytical, although it would even be interesting to them. It is a book for the reader who wants to breathe Hasidic air. . . . Like the Rebbe Reb Shmelke, the reader of the Nine Gates is given the light without realizing from whence it comes. Isaac Bashevis SingerTable of ContentsForeword by Frantisek Langer Introduction - A Youth from Prague among the Chassidim Gate I - Of diamonds in the Lord's crown the costliest, the holy Reb Sholem of Belz Gate II - Child of God, our dearest, the holy Mayerl of Przemysl Gate III - Heart of our mirth, the holy Reb Naftali of Ropshitz Gate IV - Blazing lion of the heavenly Academy, the holy Reb Urele of Strelisk (also the holy Reb Jude Hersch of Stretena) Gate V - Two golden trambones in the angelic choir, the holy Rebe Reb Meshulem Sussya of Anipol and the holy Rebe Reb Melech of Lizensk Gate VI - Mystic twain, the holy Rebe Reb Schmelke of Mikulov and the holy Rebe Reb Pinchas of Frankfurt Gate VII - Three tall tamarisks in the broad plain, the holy Yismach Moyshe of Ihel - the holy Ohev Yisroel of Apta - and the Saint of Kalev Gate VIII - Mystic shining mirror, the holy Reb Jacob Yitzhak, the Seer of Lublin (also the holy Dyvre Chayyim of Sanz) Gate IX - Most secret brain of Greatness and Wisdom, the holy Reb Pinchas of Koritz (ah! the saints at Slavuta) The City of Wisdom - Gold and silver and pearls and all the precious stones of Kotsk - or the holy Reb Moyshe Yide Lieb of Sassov - Reb Simche Binem of Pzhysha - the Holy Jew - Mendele of Kotsk - and the wise Rim of Gora Kalwariye

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Book SynopsisPhoebe Hoban’s definitive biography of the renowned American painter Alice Neel tells the unforgettable story of an artist whose life spanned the twentieth century, from women’s suffrage through the Depression, McCarthyism, the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution, and feminism. Throughout her life and work, Neel constantly challenged convention, ultimately gaining an enduring place in the canon. Alice Neel’s stated goal was to “capture the zeitgeist.” Born into a proper Victorian family at the turn of the twentieth century, Neel reached voting age during suffrage. A quintessential bohemian, she was one of the first artists participating in the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, documenting the challenges of life during the Depression. An avowed humanist, Neel chose to paint the world around her, sticking to figurative work even during the peak of abstract expressionism. Neel never ceased pushing the envelope, creating a unique chronicle of her time. Neel was fiercely democratic in selecting her subjects, who represent an extraordinarily diverse population—from such legendary figures as Joe Gould to her Spanish Harlem neighbors in the 1940s, the art critic Meyer Shapiro, Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, Andy Warhol, and major figures of the labor, civil rights and feminist movements—producing an indelible portrait of twentieth-century America. By dictating her own terms, Neel was able to transcend such personal tragedy as the death of her infant daughter, Santillana, a nervous breakdown and suicide attempts, and the separation from her second child, Isabetta. After spending much of her career in relative obscurity, Neel finally received a major museum retrospective in 1974, at the Whitney Museum of American Art, in New York. In this first paperback edition of the authoritative biography of Alice Neel, which serves also as a cultural history of twentieth-century New York, the author Phoebe Hoban documents the tumultuous life of the artist in vivid detail, creating a portrait of the artist as incisive as Neel’s relentlessly honest paintings. With a new introduction by Hoban that explores Neel’s enduring relevance, this biography is essential to understanding and appreciating the life and work of one of America’s foremost artists.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Studio Still Life; Childhood's Canvas; Designing Women; En Plein Air; Limbo; Tropical Soul; (You Can Go) Home Again; Futility of Effort; The Bell Jar; Resurrection; Next Stop, Geenwich Village; The Easel Project; A Man's Man for All That; Moving On; Jose and Spanish Harlem; More Truth; Enter Sam; Painting in Oblivion; Domestic Dramas; Monsters and Victims; In the Middle of the Road; Romancero Guajiro; Pull My Daisy (From Flower to Power; Their Balls Are Just Higher Up; Vindication; Bowing Out; Last Look; Coda; Epilogue; Notes; Acknowledgements; Index

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Book SynopsisOn 26 December 1900, the vessel Hesperus arrived at Eilean Mor in the remote Outer Hebrides with a relief lighthouseman and fresh provisions. The relief keeper, Joseph Moore, found the lighthouse to be completely deserted, and a subsequent search of the island failed to reveal any sign of what had happened to the three keepers.

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