Search results for ""author richard"

Biography of Richard Wain from Penarth, Glamorgan, who won the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions at the Battle of Cambrai in the First World War, aged only 20. Also traces in detail the history of the Tank Corps and its contribution to the winning of the war, looking at personnel training and the development of tanks.

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Visitors flock to see the beast house with its blood-soaked corridors. But the worst part of the house is actually THE CELLAR... Bestselling author Gorman Hardy is looking for ideas for his next novel. Tyler and her friend Nora are looking for a wild time. But in fact they find pain, bestiality and death in... THE BEAST HOUSE. Horrific events have made the Beast House infamous. For the full story, take THE MIDNIGHT TOUR. Saturday nights only. Limited to thirteen tourists. It begins on the stroke of midnight. You'll be lucky to get out alive...

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Set in rural Wales, Happy Families shines a tender, funny and heartwarming light on the lives of three generations of a Chinese immigrant family. Refreshing and original, this is perfect for fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Rosie Project and Gavin & Stacey.When was the last time you paid much attention to the person behind the counter of your local Chinese takeaway? Amy is thirty-four and has just given up her glittering career in the big (Welsh) city to move back in with her grandfather, returning to work in the small-town Chinese takeaway where she spent her bookish and boring childhood. Why? That's a secret she won't tell.Just like the secret of why her grandfather, Ah Goong, and her faith, TC Li, haven't spoken to each other in thirty years. Weirder still, they've lived in the same small flat above the takeaway for the majority of those years, with Amy's mother Joan acting as their unfortunate go-between and buffer.Now Amy's parents have moved, leaving her in charge of looking after the old man. But then Ah Goong collapses in the street and time is running out if Amy wants to play happy families before it's too late.

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In this creative and engaging reading, Richard Kuhns explores the ways in which Decameron'ssexual themes lead into philosophical inquiry, moral argument, and aesthetic and literary criticism. As he reveals the stories' many philosophical insights and literary pleasures, Kuhns also examines Decameronin the context of the nature of storytelling, its relationship to other classic works of literature, and the culture of trecento Italy. Stories and storytelling are to be interpreted in terms of a wider cultural context that includes masks, metamorphosis, mythic themes, and character analysis, all of which Boccaccio explores with wit and subtlety. As a storyteller, Boccaccio represents himself as literary pimp, conceiving the relationship between storyteller and audience in sexual terms within a tradition that goes back as far as Socrates' conversations with the young Athenians. As a whole, Boccaccio's great collection of stories creates a trenchant criticism of the ideas that dominated his social and cultural world. Addressed as it is to women who were denied opportunities for education, the author's stories create a university of wise and culturally observant texts. He teaches that comic, religious, sexual, and artistic themes can be seen to function as metaphors for hidden and often dangerous unorthodox thoughts. Kuhns suggests that Decameronis one of the first self-conscious creations of what we today call "a total work of art." Throughout the stories, Boccaccio creates a detailed picture of the Florentine trecento cultural world. Giotto, Buffalmacco, and other great painters of Boccaccio's time appear in the stories. Their works and the paintings that surround the characters as they prepare to leave the plague-ridden city, with their representations of Dante, Aquinas, and other thinkers, are essential to understanding the ways the stories work with other works of art and illuminate and enlarge interpretations of Boccaccio's book.

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Denis Wirth-Miller and Dicky Chopping were a couple at the heart of the mid-twentieth century art world, with the visitors' book of the Essex townhouse they shared from 1945 until 2008 painting them as Zeligs of British society. The names recorded inside make up an astonishing supporting cast - from Francis Bacon to Lucian Freud to Randolph Churchill to John Minton. Successful artists, although not household names themselves, writing Dicky and Denis off as just footnotes in history would be a mistake. After Denis's death in 2010, Jon Lys-Turner, one of two executors of the couple's estate, came into possession of an extraordinary archive of letters, works of art and symbolically loaded ephemera the two had collected since they met in the 1930s. It is no exaggeration to state that this archive represents a missing link in British art history - the wealth of new biographical information disclosed about Francis Bacon, for example, is truly staggering. The Visitors' Book is both an extraordinary insight into the minutiae of Dicky and Denis's life together and what it meant to be gay in pre-Wolfenden Britain, as well as a pocket social history of the era and a unique perspective into mid-twentieth century art. With reams of previously unseen material, this is a fascinating and unique opportunity to delve into post-war Britain.

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Richard Schechner, Lee Breuer, and Anne Bogart share a spirit of profound adventure and that adventure is the redefinition of theatre itself. They are rare hybrids; the confluence of their theatrical roles as directors, scholars, theorists and teachers has placed them among the most influential thinker/practitioners of their generation. This book reveals the ways in which their consistent inquiry enabled them to re-examine, re-frame, and re-invent their own practice. The essays in this volume explore the ways in which Schechner, Breuer and Bogart have established powerful legacies of consistently innovative theatre most often created in the company of an ensemble of collaborative artists. Their influence is undeniable in the reformulation of theatre practices from the 1970s onward. The Great North American Stage Directors series provides an authoritative account of the art of directing in North America by examining the work of twenty-four major practitioners from the late 19th century to the present. Each of the eight volumes examines three directors and offers an overview of their practices, theoretical ideas, and contributions to modern theatre. The studies chart the life and work of each director, placing his or her achievement in the context of other important theatre practitioners and broader social history. Written by a team of leading experts, the series presents the genealogy of directing in North America while simultaneously chronicling crucial trends and championing contemporary interpretation.

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THE TOP-TEN BESTSELLER!'Thought-provoking and clever' Gilly Macmillan'A tense and moving story that I will remember for a long time' Rachel Abbott'This tense psychological thriller focuses relentlessly on the way its characters cope as stress piles up and the mess deepens' Sunday Times'Thought-provoking' Woman & Home'I raced through it. A compelling, emotional read' Jenny Quintana'Dark, intelligent, suspenseful' Saskia SarginsonThe accusedWhile Nick Dean is enjoying an evening at home with his family, he is blissfully unaware that one of his pupils has just placed an allegation of abuse against him - and that Nick's imminent arrest will see the start of everything he knows and loves disintegrating around him. Because, mud sticks, right? No matter if you're innocent or guilty.The accuserWhen Angela Furness decides that enough is enough - she hates her parents, hates her friends and, most of all, despises what has recently happened at school - she does the only thing she knows will get her attention: calls the police. But Angela is unaware that the shocking story she is about to tell will see her life begin to topple.Because, once you've said what you've said, there's no way back, right? No matter if you're innocent or guilty.Richard and Judy and international bestselling author of The Guilty One returns with a nail-biting ride of 'he said/she said' between a teacher and his pupil. A gripping tale of two families torn apart by one catastrophic betrayal, illustrating the fine line between guilt and innocence.*LISA BALLANTYNE'S NEW NOVEL, ONCE UPON A LIE, IS OUT NOW*Praise for Lisa Ballantyne:'One of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year' Richard and Judy'Moving, insightful' Guardian'Thought-provoking, brave and challenging, this book is an unsettling and compulsive read' Rosamund Lupton'Grips like a vice' Daily Mail'Sophisticated, suspenseful, unsettling' Lee Child'A page-turner with real emotional depth' Daily Express'I couldn't get this book out of my head. It kept me up all night and guessing the whole way through. I loved it' Jenny Colgan'An outstanding work of fiction' Daily Record'Dark, intelligent, suspenseful' Saskia Sarginson'Tense, unsettling' Morning Star

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Freedom worth fighting for. Love worth waiting for.'The French House is a beautifully wrought exploration of love of all kinds. It's utterly gorgeous, convincingly written and completely captivating. Make sure you read it'MY WEEKLY'I was gripped from the start by the characters and the setting. A wonderful read'RUTH DRUART'A raw and honest love story, filled with a wealth of historical detail. The French House is a powerful depiction of the brutal intricacies of island relationships and loyalties in a time of war' FIONA VALPY'Deeply involving . . . A fantastic debut by a gifted storyteller' JILL MANSELL'A story of fraught secrets and tested loyalties . . . I found this beautifully told tale hard to put down' ANITA FRANK'Heart-wrenching . . . A truly special novel' LOUISE FEIN'Accomplished and atmospheric . . . I really enjoyed this uncliched yet deeply moving love story'TRACY REES'A vividly written, refreshingly different World War Two love story, with a central character I adored. Just brilliant!'GILL PAUL'Such an emotionally gripping novel portraying how love can be betrayed yet still endure' SUZANNE GOLDRING'I have been swept away by Jacquie Bloese's gorgeous writing, completely transported into the rich, atmospheric, and incredibly moving pages of The French House. . . this is an absolutely stunning, beautifully original novel'JENNY ASHCROFT'The writing is incredibly strong . . . a compelling read with a highly satisfactory ending'GUERNSEY PRESS***In Nazi-occupied Guernsey, the wrong decision can destroy a life... Left profoundly deaf after an accident, Émile is no stranger to isolation - or heartbreak. Now, as Nazi planes loom over Guernsey, he senses life is about to change forever.Trapped in a tense, fearful marriage, Isabelle doesn't know what has become of Émile and the future she hoped for. But when she glimpses him from the window of the French House, their lives collide once more. Leutnant Schreiber is more comfortable wielding a paintbrush than a pistol. But he has little choice in the role he is forced to play in the occupying forces - or in his own forbidden desires. As their paths entwine, loyalties are blurred and dangerous secrets forged. But on an island under occupation, courage can have deadly consequences...Lyrical, moving and compelling, this is a novel about wanting to hear and learning to listen - to the truths of our own hearts. Perfect for lovers of The Nightingale, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and All the Light We Cannot See.'A wonderful story, powerfully written with beautiful characters'JAMES KENT, director of Testament of Youth'A brilliantly moving historical novel' - 2020 Caledonian Novel Award panel

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We turn to Richard Hooker to understand the intellectual background of the Renaissance. He sets forth in his writing the ethical, political, and religious assumptions of his age. This magnificent old-spelling edition of Hooker’s works has long been needed, and is being greeted with universal admiration.Volume Four presents the text of the first and only major attack on the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity—namely, A Christian Letter, 1599—with Hooker’s marginal notes made on his own copy of the Letter; and the more extensive essays which he left in manuscript, written in preparation for a published reply. The importance of these notes and essays lies in their expansion of some of the more controversial points made in the Laws, and in the light they shed on Hooker, his personality, method, and sources.John Booty’s Introduction and substantial commentary place Hooker’s arguments firmly in their historical and theological contexts.

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Three Plays of Adolescence: Goodnight Children Everywhere; Franny's Way; Madame MelvilleGoodnight Children EverywhereOlivier Award for Best Play, 2000'Exile - both literal and emotional - has been a haunting preoccupation for this dramatist. And with all themes of displacement and loss comes the yearning for a sense of place, for those attachments we cannot always rationalize but know as home. In Goodnight Children Everywhere, the safe harbor of home has been dynamited by war... A disturbing and lovely domestic drama about the loss of childhood.'New York ObserverFranny's Way'Boundaries warp and melt in the dense urban heat that pervades Franny's Way, Nelson's sensitively drawn portrait of love in the age of J.D.Salinger. The lines between childhood and adulthood blur disorientatingly for the three generations of characters gathered in a cramped apartment in Greenwich Village at the height of the summer in the 1950's... Nelson continues to give compassionate and insightful life to such erotic waywardness.'New York Times'It moves with the breathless haste of a horny teen on prom night.'Time Out New YorkMadame Melville'A memory play of wonderful delicacy, tenderness and humour... I left the theatre elated at having discovered such a terrific new play. An exquisite reminder of lost love, innocence and youth.' Daily Telegraph'An elegant, tender, beguiling play.' Guardian'It moves with the breathless haste of a horny teen on prom night.'Time Out New YorkMadame Melville'A memory play of wonderful delicacy, tenderness and humour... I left the theatre elated at having discovered such a terrific new play. An exquisite reminder of lost love, innocence and youth.' Daily Telegraph'An elegant, tender, beguiling play.' Guardian

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Richard Nixon is hardly remembered for his civil rights policies but there is no denying that, more than any other president, he is responsible for affirmative action. Noting Nixon's hostility towards busing, his political allegiances with segregationists, and the hostility of leading civil rights figures at the time, historians and political scientists have avoided explaining why the origins of modern affirmative action lie in the Nixon era. In this enlightening and original new work, Kevin Yuill combines extensive archival research with a careful analysis of the intellectual climate of the era to examine not only the conditions that made Nixon's policy decisions possible in the 1970s but also what motivated Nixon to act in the way that he did. He argues that in order to fully understand why Nixon embraced affirmative action, one must fully take into account the shifting context of American liberalism in the 1970s. In particular, Yuill contends that although government-enforced affirmative action did not fit into the postwar, growth-oriented liberalism, it emerged as an important regulatory policy blueprint in an era increasingly characterized by diminished horizons for social policy. Nixon's efforts in moving the focus of U.S. race relations from reform to indemnifying damages, Yuill argues, at least equals his contribution to the origins of affirmative action through policy innovations. Controversial and far-reaching, Richard Nixon and the Rise of Affirmative Action brings fresh research and a much-needed reinterpretation of a crucial yet still enigmatic period, president and policy.

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Essays on aspects of medieval military history, encompassing the most recent critical approaches. The essays in this volume honour the career and achievements of Richard Abels, the distinguished historian of medieval military history; in particular, they aim to reflect how the "cultural turn" in the field has led to exciting new developments in scholarship. Ranging from the late eighth century to the fifteenth, from northern England to the Levant, the chapters analyze how medieval kings and commanders practiced a genuine military science, how themeanings of victory and defeat were constructed by chroniclers and whole societies, how wars were remembered and propagandized, and how religion and war mixed.

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'Tragically funny, with moments of clarity and wisdom, Newman writes loss and laughter in equally brilliant amounts.' BONNIE GARMUS'Nora-Ephron-style wit...comforting, so funny, moving... one of my favourite books ever' MARIAN KEYES'Dazzling, heart-wrenching, snorty-hilarious... An utter joy to read' RACHEL JOYCE'An absolute masterpiece in characterisation... utterly beautiful.' JOANNA CANNON_______Who knows you better than your best friend? Who knows your secrets, your fears, your desires, your strange imperfect self? Edi and Ash have been best friends for over forty years. Since childhood they have seen each other through life's milestones: stealing vodka from their parents, the Madonna phase, REM concerts, unexpected wakes, marriages, infertility, children. As Ash notes, 'Edi's memory is like the back-up hard drive for mine.'So when Edi is diagnosed with cancer, Ash's world reshapes around the rhythms of Edi's care, from making watermelon ice cubes to music therapy; from snack smuggling to impromptu excursions into the frozen winter night. Because life is about squeezing the joy out of every moment, about building a powerhouse of memories, about learning when to hold on, and when to let go.For fans of Nora Ephron and Sorrow & Bliss, We All Want Impossible Things is a deeply moving, jubilant celebration of life and friendship at its imperfect, radiant, and irreverent best._____'You'll stay up late devouring every word' KATHERINE HEINY'One of the best novels on friendship I've ever read' AJ PEARCE'I absolutely adored this...what a beautiful, emotional novel' JILL MANSELL'Shot through with whip-smart humour and boundless compassion. It's one of the best debuts I've read in a long time.' HANNAH BECKERMAN

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This volume assesses the work of Meredith Monk, Richard Foreman, and Robert Wilson, three artists who have revolutionized the craft of directing and the art of theatre in both related and unique ways. Though their early artistic backgrounds differ, ranging from architecture, music and dance to writing, they are similar in that none of them began their career as a director per se or received formal training as such. They each assumed the director’s role based on the demands of their complex artistic visions, which combine art forms, but resist synthesis, finding expression in the differences and tensions between the forms. The essays in this volume explore how these auteur directors combine text, movement, film, sound and music, installation and visual arts to achieve their visions, employing multi-perceptual modes to evoke full and rich theatrical experiences. The Great North American Stage Directors series provides an authoritative account of the art of directing in North America by examining the work of twenty-four major practitioners from the late 19th century to the present. Each of the eight volumes examines three directors and offers an overview of their practices, theoretical ideas, and contributions to modern theatre. The studies chart the life and work of each director, placing his or her achievement in the context of other important theatre practitioners and broader social history. Written by a team of leading experts, the series presents the genealogy of directing in North America while simultaneously chronicling crucial trends and championing contemporary interpretation.

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'The Night She Disappeared is by far her best thriller yet.' HARLAN COBEN'Insane suspense. I loved it.' LEE CHILD'A gothic, multi-layered tale, deeply satisfying. We both loved it.' RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUBThe Night She Disappeared is UNBELIEVABLY good. I was utterly utterly agog.' MARIAN KEYES___________________________A cold case. An abandoned mansion. A family hiding a terrible secret. Prepare to be hooked. Lisa Jewell's latest thriller is her best yet.Midsummer 2017: teenage mum Tallulah heads out on a date, leaving her baby son at home with her mother, Kim.At 11 p.m. she sends her mum a text message. At 4.30 a.m. Kim awakens to discover that Tallulah has not come home.Friends tell her that Tallulah was last seen heading to a pool party at a house in the woods nearby called Dark Place.Tallulah never returns.2018: walking in the woods behind the boarding school where her boyfriend has just started as a head teacher, Sophie sees a sign nailed to a fence.A sign that says: DIG HERE . . .___________________________'No one thickens a plot like Lisa Jewell. I couldn't put this book down. Jewell just keeps getting better. It's SO GOOD!' SHARI LAPENA'Absolutely loved this one by Lisa Jewell - compelling, deep, surprising, tense, modern. Most thrillers are in black and white to me in terms of character and Lisa is blazing saturated technicolour.' GILLIAN MCALLISTER'Masterly. Gripping from start to finish.' JOANNE HARRIS'I'm calling it early. This is Lisa's best book yet, and she always sets that bar high! Stayed up so late because I couldn't put it down.' ADELE PARKS'Oh my God, so good. A head-scratching, heart-racing, page-turning triumph - I think this might be my favourite Lisa Jewell yet.' LOUISE CANDLISH'I swear her books are masterclasses for authors. Every time I read one, I'm in awe. I loved this one so much - clever, slick and so intriguing. Lots of emotion and I love how all the sub-plots come together. #bowdowntoLisa' MEL SHERRATT'Another first-class mystery . . . Totally enthralling.' HARRIET TYCE'I predict another number one.' ERIN KELLY'Once again Lisa Jewell has knocked it out of the park. Another masterclass in thriller writing from one of the world's most consistently brilliant authors. I was superglued to the pages.' MARK EDWARDS'Totally absorbing. I felt as though I'd slipped into the book and lived there for a few days, heart pounding. So so so amazing!' KATHERINE HEINY'Intriguing and wonderfully dark' THE SUN'I'm passionately attached to Lisa Jewell, whose novels somehow manage to be good-natured, creepy and tense all at once.' SARAH PERRY'Nail-biting. Left me reeling.' JANE CORRY'A compelling psychological thriller full of twists and turns... ideal for fans of Ruth Rendell and Lianne Moriarty' YOURS BOOK CLUB

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Richard Bolitho returns in this captivating page-turner set on the high seas from multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent. Fans of Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester will not be disappointed!'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' - THE SUNDAY TIMES'Good characters, good story, good action.' -- ***** Reader review'Leaves you wanting more' -- ***** Reader review'Every 'Kent' book is a joy to read, immersing you in this bygone era of seafaring.' -- ***** Reader review'Just good nautical escape-ism, with a solid basis in history.' -- ***** Reader review'Band Of Brothers is a classic Kent/Bolitho epic which I hardly put down for days until it was reluctantly finished.' -- ***** Reader review**********************************************************************************1774: The new year seems to offer Richard Bolitho and his friend Martyn Dancer the culmination of a dream. Both have been recommended for promotion, although they have not yet gained the coveted lieutenant's commission.But a routine passage from Plymouth to Guernsey in an untried schooner becomes, for Bolitho, a passage from midshipman to King's officer, tempering the promise of the future with the bitter price of maturity.Will he rise to the occasion?Richard Bolitho's adventures continue in Stand into Danger.

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This naval page-turner from the pen of the master storyteller of the sea, multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent, is full of action, political intrigue and personal tragedy and is perfect for fans of Patrick O'Brian and C. S. Forester. Dive in and get straight to the heart of the action!'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' -- Sunday Times'Shipwreck, survival ... a spirited battle ... a splendid yarn'' -- The Times'Really good book, needed to keep turning the pages' -- ***** Reader review'This series is the daddy!' -- ***** Reader review'A jolly good read' -- ***** Reader review'Great novel, great writing, always guaranteed to keep me interested' -- ***** Reader review'Excellent read, you're there with Boltho!' -- ***** Reader review'Exciting throughout. Brilliant!' -- ***** Reader review***************************************************************************************************1803: Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho finds himself the new master of the Argonaute, a French flagship taken in battle. With the Peace of Amiens in ruins, he must leave the safety of Falmouth. What lies ahead is the grim reality of war at close quarters - where Bolitho will be called upon to anticipate the overall intention of the French fleet. But the battle has also become a personal vendetta between himself and the French admiral who formerly sailed the Argonaute. Bolitho and his men are driven to a final rendezvous where no quarter is asked or given.

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The inspiring, feel-good Richard & Judy Book Club pick about a small boy with a big heart - and even bigger dreams.'One of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity' - Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin and Stacey and bestselling author of Us ThreeIt was a journey they would always remember . . . for a friend they'd never forget.Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides a tribute act for his best friend just can't wait, so he rewrites their plan:1. Look after Mum | 2. Find Dad | 3. Get to the Edinburgh FringeSadie knows she won't win Mother of the Year and she's not proud she doesn't know who her son's father is. But when she finds Norman's list, all she wants is to see her son smile again. So, enlisting the help of eccentric friend Leonard - an 84-year-old veteran with superior planning skills and a thirst for adventure! - they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman's dad along the way.-'An uplifting tale of love, loss and the redemptive power of humour' - Mail on Sunday'Charming, funny and cheering' - Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy'As moving as it is funny. And it's very funny' - Romesh Ranganathan'He's wheedled his way into my heart, and I suspect I'll have a Norman-shaped hole there forever' - Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity ProjectReaders are in love with Norman:***** 'This has everything a feel good book should have. I loved it'***** 'Norman is one of the most lovable characters I have ever met'***** 'A book to make you laugh and cry in the same moment, a bittersweet read'***** 'A charming, uplifting tale of love, family, friendship and hope'***** 'A beautifully written novel about having the courage to hold on to and chase your dreams'

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A decade after the implementation of the initial wave of economic reforms in India, the process of transforming the country into a fully developed market economy continues. A hallmark of the globalised economy is its ability to sustain competitive efficiency which, in turn, can lead to enhanced growth. This important new book gauges how far India has been successful in achieving this goal by implementing the correct economic reform measures. There is a severe lack of solid analytical evidence or rigorous scientific studies on the success of India's economic reforms. The expert authors attempt to redress this imbalance with a thorough analysis of key aspects of the state of the Indian economy since 1991. Keeping poverty reduction as the major objective, they comprehensively discuss and identify further reform measures which are vital in the monetary, fiscal and agriculture sectors in order to maintain and improve the momentum of growth. When compared with East Asian countries including China, India's lacklustre growth performance indicates that the task of reform is far from over. The authors argue that India needs to pursue its reform process much more vigorously at both the central and state levels in order to achieve its full growth potential.Providing a comprehensive assessment of the impact of economic reforms in India, this book will appeal to policymakers, researchers and students with an interest in developing economies. Political scientists as well as economists in the fields of liberalisation and international development will also find this an engaging and enlightening volume.

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A past master at playing with your mind, Richard & Judy million-copy bestselling author Sharon Bolton has penned a menacing and gripping thrill ride that will keep you gripped. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Cara Hunter and Karin Slaughter.'Bolton is a gripping storyteller, with fine, haunted characters' - PETER JAMES'This book writhes and glides and slithers its way into the readers psyche... [Bolton] knows precisely how to ratchet up the tension and tell a cracking story' -- Guardian'An original and atmospheric chiller' -- Daily Mail'A book you won't want to put down' -- ***** Reader reviews'Cracking good read' -- ***** Reader reviews'Brilliant! Well plotted, original and fast moving' -- ***** Reader reviews****************************************************************************THE TRUTH DOESN'T HURT. IT KILLS.You know that feeling? The one that makes you want to glance over your shoulder?All Clara Benning wants is a peaceful life as a wildlife vet, and to hide her disfigurement from the world.But now she doesn't have a choice.Because a man has died from a suspicious snake bite, and Clara's concern leads her to the abandoned house at the end of the lane, and an unspeakable tragedy that occurred half a century ago.What is it exactly that lies in store...?

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Let the master storyteller of the sea, multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent, transport you to the heart of the action in this no-holds-barred naval adventure. You'll feel like you're on the deck with Bolitho! 'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' -- Sunday Times'Shipwreck, survival ... a spirited battle ... a splendid yarn'' -- The Times'A great read from beginning to the end' -- ***** Reader review'Keeps you hooked - I was not able to stop reading until the dramatic finale!!!' -- ***** Reader review'Edge of your seat reading, most enjoyable' -- ***** Reader review'Difficult to put down. Superb' -- ***** Reader review'Another masterpiece from Alexander Kent' -- ***** Reader review**************************************************************************************************1808: As Napoleon holds Portugal and threatens his old ally Spain, Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho is dispatched once more to the Cape of Good Hope to establish a permanent naval force there.Setting aside his bitter memories and the anguish of a friendship betrayed, Bolitho takes passage in the ill-fated Golden Plover. With him sail others commanded by duty and lured by danger - and those who wish only to escape.But when shipwreck and disaster overtake the Golden Plover off the desolate coast of Africa, neither the innocent nor the damned are spared. Beyond the tortured hell of the reef, Bolitho's battle begins - to summon the survivors' last reserves of courage and of hope.

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Wir Menschen sind erstaunliche Wesen. Unsere Körper sind in der Evolution - genau wie die aller Tiere - durch natürliche Selektion entstanden, und doch unterscheiden wir uns von sämtlichen anderen Geschöpfen in vielfältiger Weise. Wir nutzen Sprache zur Kommunikation. Wir führen Kriege, glauben an Religionen, bestatten unsere Toten und sind bei Sex-Themen peinlich berührt. Wir sehen fern, fahren Auto und essen Eis. Warum sind wir so anders? Als einzige Vertreter unter den Tieren vermögen Menschen andere zu imitieren und können so Ideen, Angewohnheiten, Fähigkeiten, Verhaltensweisen, Erfindungen, Lieder und Geschichten untereinander kopieren. All das sind Meme, ein Begriff, den Richard Dawkins 1976 am Ende seines Buches Das egoistische Gen geprägt hat. Wie Gene sind auch Meme Replikatoren; sie wetteifern darum, in so viele Gehirne wie möglich zu gelangen, und diese Konkurrenz der Meme hat unseren Geist und unsere Kultur geformt, so wie die natürliche Selektion unsere Körper modelliert hat. Wir Menschen sind, wozu die Meme uns gemacht haben: Wir sind allesamt Mem-Maschinen. Ist die Analogie zwischen Memen und Genen überhaupt hilfreich? Führt sie uns weiter - zu starken neuen Theorien, die tatsächlich etwas Wichtiges erklären? Diese Fragen wirft Richard Dawkins in seinem Vorwort zu dem Buch auf, und seiner Ansicht nach gewinnt Susan Blackmore eben hier eigene Statur. >Sie gewöhnt uns zunächst mit einigen faszinierenden Denkanstößen an den memetischen Stil der Argumentation. Warum reden wir so viel? Warum können wir nicht aufhören zu denken? Warum schwirren uns bestimmte Melodien im Kopf herum und quälen uns bis zur Schlaflosigkeit? Ihre Antwort leitet sie in allen Fällen auf die gleiche Weise ein: "Stellen Sie sich eine Welt voller Gehirne vor, in der es weitaus mehr Meme gibt, als unterkommen können. Nun fragen Sie sich: Welche Meme werden mit größerer Wahrscheinlichkeit einen sicheren Unterschlupf finden und weiter gegeben werden?" Die Antwort ist einleuchtend, und sie verhilft uns zu einem besseren Verständnis unserer selbst. Susan Blackmore geht geduldig und geschickt weiter vor und wendet dieselbe Methode auf immer tiefgründigere und interessantere Probleme an. Wozu ist Sprache da? Was zieht uns an unseren Geschlechtspartnern an? Warum sind wir nett zueinander? Waren Meme die Triebfeder für die rasche, massive und erstaunliche evolutionäre Vergrößerung des menschlichen Gehirns?

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THE MUST-READ RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK. Chilling, moving and unputdownable, The Memory Wood is a thriller like no other. 'Beautifully told, with two superbly drawn young protagonists, Lloyd is a rare new thriller talent' Daily Mail'Superbly creepy, with an unexpected twist' Guardian'Brilliant writing, a terrifying story, and characters so real it feels like you know them. If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers that stay with you, read this book' Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely Wife*************Elijah has lived in the Memory Wood for as long as he can remember. It's the only home he's ever known.Elissa has only just arrived. And she'll do everything she can to escape.When Elijah stumbles across thirteen-year-old Elissa, in the woods where her abductor is hiding her, he refuses to alert the police. Because in his twelve years, Elijah has never had a proper friend. And he doesn't want Elissa to leave.Not only that, Elijah knows how this can end. After all, Elissa isn't the first girl he's found inside the Memory Wood.As her abductor's behaviour grows more erratic, chess prodigy Elissa realises that outwitting strange, lonely Elijah is her only hope of survival. Their cat-and-mouse game of deception and betrayal will determine both their fates, and whether either of them will ever leave the Memory Wood . . .*************Praise for Sam Lloyd'An intense, atmospheric, and truly original thriller' Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door'Remarkable. Stunning prose and compulsive reading. It's undoubtedly the best thriller I've read in a long, long time' Lesley Kara, author of The Rumour'I haven't read anything quite this exciting since Room. You think all the stories have been told, then something like this comes along' Emma Curtis, author of The Night You LeftReaders love The Memory Wood 'A very clever psychological thriller. Dark, creepy and intense.' *****'Deliciously dark... fresh and imaginative.' *****'The twists and turns in The Memory Wood will astound. This book is undoubtedly the best I've read this year.' *****__________**** THE RISING TIDE, Sam Lloyd's electrifying new thriller, is available to pre-order now****

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OUR MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS HAVE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.UNTIL NOW...'Emily' is a devoted single mother.'Jack' starts a new job in a new town.They both share the same secret: neither of them are who they say they are.They are among only nine criminals in the UK who have been granted lifelong anonymity, for their own safety, because of their terrible crimes. But what if someone exposed their true identities to the families of their victims, who are desperate for revenge? Probation officer Olivia Campbell is caught in the crossfire of this crisis - and as the search for the mole behind it all intensifies, so too does the hunt for the vigilante killers let loose by the leaks...RIGHT OR WRONG?CRIMINAL OR VICTIM? REDEMPTION OR REVENGE?*****Praise for AN EYE FOR AN EYE: 'A big, bold, twisting thriller' CHRIS WHITAKER 'A thought-provoking masterclass' DANIEL COLE'A propulsive thriller ... Fast-moving, disturbing and thought-provoking' GUARDIAN, Thrillers of the Month 'A stirring crime novel for the 21st century' DAILY MAIL 'There are no easy answers in this thoughtful, harrowing thriller' THE SUN 'Impressive and compassionate, Eye For An Eye should win prizes' LITERARY REVIEW #EyeForAnEye

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Richard Preston was one of James VI & I's most enduring favourites, rising from page boy to Captain of the Guard at the Scottish Court. After the Court's migration to England in 1603, Dingwall outlasted both of James' great favourites, the Earl of Somerset and the Duke of Buckingham but unlike them, he has been unfairly written out of history. This biography reconstructs Dingwall's colourful and highly ambitious life which ranged from teaching Henry, Prince of Wales, how to wield a sword, making, spending and losing vast amounts of money, gathering armies for foreign invasions to befriending visiting scholars. He was also equally at home being elevated onto a stage in the boughs of a rising tree, dressed in a suit of green leaves before dancing before the Court and capable of bringing a Whitehall tournament to a halt by arriving as Hannibal on top of a trundling, mock elephant. Sadly for him, as for the Early Stuarts, it did not end well.

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Friedlander’s social landscape is a who’s who of postwar American photography In the 1960s and '70s, Lee Friedlander (born 1934) developed his signature approach to documenting the American “social landscape”: deadpan, structurally complex black-and-white photographs of seemingly anything, anybody or anyplace that passed in front of his lens. But as he was making his name as a documentary photographer capturing the look and feel of modern American life, he was also photographing his closest friends, a practice he has continued throughout his long career. A slipcased set of six paperback books, The Mind and the Hand presents the photographer’s intimate portraits of six of his best friends taken over the past five decades. The subjects, each presented in their own separate volume, comprise a veritable who's who of one of America's most fertile periods in photography: Richard Benson, William Christenberry, William Eggleston, Walker Evans, John Szarkowski and Garry Winogrand. Each volume begins with a relevant quote from its subject.

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THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.' Jodi Picoult'A knock-out twist' Gillian McAllister'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant.' Clare Mackintosh****Two best friendsElizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They're the best of friends, and godmothers to each other's daughters - because they both trust that the safety of their children is their top priority.One little secretLittle do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined.Every parent's worst nightmare . . . ****'Compelling and nuanced. A hugely impressive page-turner' Ashley Audrain'Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story' Susan Lewis'Insightful, compassionate and nuanced. The Herd is so good.' Louise O'Neill'A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters.' Sharon Horgan, co-creator of CATASTROPHEHere's what readers are saying about The Herd:'A timely and dramatic novel showing both sides of an ongoing debate. Loved this read!' *****'Such a genuine tale with such high stakes emotion and sensitivity' *****'A fantastic, thought-provoking and gripping book which would make a cracking book club read' *****'A complex, layered, wholly character-driven look at a complicated and controversial subject' *****

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_______________________________On the eve of her ninth birthday, Rose Edelstein bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother's emotions in the slice. All at once her cheerful, can-do mother tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes perilous. Anything can be revealed at any meal.Rose's gift forces her to confront the truth behind her family's emotions - her mother's sadness, her father's detachment and her brother's clash with the world. But as Rose grows up, she learns that there are some secrets even her taste buds cannot discern.The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is about the pain of loving those whom you know too much about, and the secrets that exist within every family. At once profound, funny, wise and sad, this is a novel to savour._______________________________Now available to preorder: Aimee Bender's new novel, The Butterfly Lampshade

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OVER FOUR MILLION COPIES SOLDThe New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller - a heart-rending story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who face a life-changing moral dilemma'Unforgettable' GUARDIAN____________________A boat washes up on the shore of a remote lighthouse keeper's island. It holds a dead man - and a crying baby. The only two islanders, Tom and his wife Izzy, are about to make a devastating decision.They break the rules and follow their hearts. What happens next will break yours.____________________'Irresistible . . . a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page' OPRAH MAGAZINE'A moving tale . . . prepare to weep' NEW YORK TIMES'A love story that is both persuasive and tender' SUNDAY TIMESWHAT READERS ARE SAYING:***** 'A beautiful, poignant story, very well told'***** 'By far, one of the best books I've ever read'***** 'A stunning and enjoyable read, one you won't forget'Now a major motion picture starring Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender and Rachel Weisz

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A RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICKWINNER STANFORD TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS 2020SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL PRIZE 2019'Such an addictive and likeable book...One of this year's best memoirs' The Telegraph'It's the resistance to the obvious narratives that makes Rough Magic so appealing: the book undermines lazy women-in-the-wilderness tropes at every turn.' Sarah Moss, Guardian'Think Educated meets Wild' Entertainment Weekly'Rough Magic is transporting, beguiling and terrifically entertaining' Daily MailThe Mongol Derby is the world's toughest horse race. A feat of endurance across the vast Mongolian plains once traversed by the people of Genghis Khan, competitors ride 25 horses across a distance of 1000km. Many riders don't make it to the finish line.In 2013 Lara Prior-Palmer - nineteen, underprepared but seeking the great unknown - decided to enter the race. Driven by her own restlessness, stubbornness, and a lifelong love of horses, she raced for seven days through extreme heat and terrifying storms, catching a few hours of sleep where she could at the homes of nomadic families. Battling bouts of illness and dehydration, exhaustion and bruising falls, she found she had nothing to lose, and tore through the field with her motley crew of horses. In one of the Derby's most unexpected results, she became the youngest-ever champion and the first woman to win the race.A tale of adventure, fortitude and poetry, Rough Magic is the extraordinary story of one young woman's encounter with oblivion, and herself.

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In these two closely linked works - a travel book and a biography of its author - we witness a moving encounter between two of the most daring and original minds of the late eighteenth century: A Short Residence in Sweden is the record of Wollstonecraft's last journey in search of happiness, into the remote and beautiful backwoods of Scandinavia. The quest for a lost treasure ship, the pain of a wrecked love affair, memories of the French Revolution, and the longing for some Golden Age, all shape this vivid narrative, which Richard Holmes argues is one of the neglected masterpieces of early English Romanticism.Memoirs is Godwin's own account of Wollstonecraft's life, written with passionate intensity a few weeks after her tragic death. Casting aside literary convention, Godwin creates an intimate portrait of his wife, startling in its candour and psychological truth. Received with outrage by friends and critics alike, and virtually suppressed for a century, it can now be recognized as one of the landmarks in the development of modern biography.

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Conflict between England and France was a fact of life for centuries, but few realize that its origins date from the time of the Vikings, when a Norse chieftain named Rollo established himself and his progeny in Normandy. In this compelling and entertaining history, Mary McAuliffe takes the reader back to those dark and turbulent times when Rollo’s descendants, the dukes of Normandy, asserted their dominance over the weak French monarchy—a dominance that became especially threatening after Duke William conquered England in 1066, giving him a royal crown. Despite this crown, William the Conqueror and his royal successors remained dukes of Normandy, with feudal obligations to their overlord, the king of France. This naturally fostered an ongoing hostility between the French and English crowns that, as McAuliffe convincingly shows, became ever more explosive as the strength and territorial holdings of the English monarchs grew. Conflict erupted regularly over the years, and Eleanor of Aquitaine’s desertion of one camp for the other only added fuel to the long-simmering feud. McAuliffe takes the reader back to this dramatic era, providing the fascinating background and context for this “clash of crowns.” She offers colorful insights into Richard Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine as well as lesser-known French and English monarchs, especially Philip II of France. Philip proved a determined opponent of Richard Lionheart, and their cutthroat rivalry not only created fatal divisions within the Third Crusade but also culminated in an incendiary faceoff at Richard’s newly built Château-Gaillard, the seemingly impregnable gateway to empire. The outcome would shape the course of English and French history throughout the centuries that followed.

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