Search results for ""giles""

'This is the definitive book on philanthropy – its history, contradictions and future' – John Gray, Emeritus Professor of European Thought, London School of Economics 'Good books lay out the lie of the land. Important books change it. This book is both' – Giles Fraser, priest, journalist and broadcaster The super-rich are silently and secretly shaping our world. In this groundbreaking exploration of historical and contemporary philanthropy, bestselling author Paul Vallely reveals how this far-reaching change came about. Vivid with anecdote and scholarly insight, this magisterial survey – from the ancient Greeks to today’s high-tech geeks – provides an original take on the history of philanthropy. It shows how giving has, variously, been a matter of honour, altruism, religious injunction, political control, moral activism, enlightened self-interest, public good, personal fulfilment and plutocratic manipulation. Its narrative moves from the Greek man of honour and Roman patron, via the Jewish prophet and Christian scholastic – through the Elizabethan machiavel, Puritan proto-capitalist, Enlightenment activist and Victorian moralist – to the robber-baron philanthropist, the welfare socialist, the celebrity activist and today’s wealthy mega-giver. In the process it discovers that philanthropy lost an essential element as it entered the modern era. The book then embarks on a journey to determine where today’s philanthropists come closest to recovering that missing dimension. Philanthropy explores the successes and failures of philanthrocapitalism, examines its claims and contradictions, and asks tough questions of top philanthropists and leading thinkers – among them Richard Branson, Eliza Manningham-Buller, Jonathan Ruffer, David Sainsbury, John Studzinski, Bob Geldof, Naser Haghamed, Lenny Henry, Jonathan Sacks, Rowan Williams, Ngaire Woods, and the presidents of the Rockefeller and Soros foundations, Rajiv Shah and Patrick Gaspard. In extended conversations they explore the relationship between philanthropy and family, faith, society, art, politics, and the creation and distribution of wealth. Highly engaging and meticulously researched, Paul Vallely's authoritative account of philanthropy then and now critiques the excessive utilitarianism of much modern philanthrocapitalism and points to how philanthropy can rediscover its soul.

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The market for professional services and consulting firms is changing, driven by evolving and more demanding client requirements. Legal, accountancy and other professional services firms are now looking for a new breed of leaders with the insight to help deliver those requirements. Professional Services Marketing Handbook, published in association with the Professional Services Marketing Group, is for marketing and business development professionals, sales specialists, and a firm's technical practitioners who want to play a fuller role in their firm's obsession with client relationship development to increase their impact and influence. Featuring international case studies and best practice from industry leaders and experts such as Allen & Overy, Baker & McKenzie, PwC, Kreston Reeves and White & Case, Professional Services Marketing Handbook explains how to become a complete client champion - the voice of the client - to both shape and deliver a firm's client solution and experience. It helps marketers develop a growth strategy for their firm, understand and connect with clients more deeply and develop and manage client relationships to build successful brands. Contributing Authors: Richard Grove, Director of Marketing, Business Development & Communications, Allen & Overy LLP Daniel Smith, Senior Business Development and Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific, Baker & McKenzie Claire Essex, Director of Business Development and Marketing, Asia Pacific, Baker & McKenzie Clive Stevens, Executive Chairman, Kreston Reeves Louise Field, Head of Client Service & Insight, Bird & Bird LLP Tim Nightingale, Founder, Nisus Consulting Ben Kent, Managing Director, Meridian West Lisa Hart Shepherd, CEO, Acritas Nick Masters, Head of Online, PwC Alastair Beddow, Associate Director, Meridian West Dale Bryce, President, Asia-Pacific Professional Services Marketing Association Gillian Sutherland, Director, Global Key Account Management Buildings + Places, AECOM Susan D'aish, Business Relationship Director, MacRoberts LLP Dan O'Day, Vice President, Thomson Reuters Elite Matthew Fuller, Director of Marketing and Business Development EMEA, White & Case LLP Amy Kingdon, Marketing & Communications Director, UK & Europe, Atkins Eleanor Campion, Communications Executive, UK & Europe, Atkins Jessica Scholz, Business Development Manager, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Germany Giles Pugh, Principal, SutherlandsPugh

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In this ferocious and tender debut, Chen Chen investigates inherited forms of love and family--the strained relationship between a mother and son, the cost of necessary goodbyes--all from Asian American, immigrant, and queer perspectives. Holding all accountable, this collection fully embraces the loss, grief, and abundant joy that come with charting one's own path in identity, life, and love. In the Hospital My mother was in the hospital & everyone wanted to be my friend. But I was busy making a list: good dog, bad citizen, short skeleton, tall mocha. Typical Tuesday. My mother was in the hospital & no one wanted to be her friend. Everyone wanted to be soft cooing sympathies. Very reasonable pigeons. No one had the time & our solution to it was to buy shinier watches. We were enamored with what our wrists could declare. My mother was in the hospital & I didn't want to be her friend. Typical son. Tall latte, short tale, bad plot, great wifi in the atypical cafe. My mother was in the hospital & she didn't want to be her friend. She wanted to be the family grocery list. Low-fat yogurt, firm tofu. She didn't trust my father to be it. You always forget something, she said, even when I do the list for you. Even then. Chen Chen was born in Xiamen, China, and grew up in Massachusetts. His work has appeared in two chapbooks and in such publications as Poetry, Gulf Coast, Indiana Review, Best of the Net, and The Best American Poetry. The recipient of the 2016 A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize, he has been awarded fellowships from Kundiman, the Saltonstall Foundation, Lambda Literary, and in 2015, he was a finalist for the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships. He earned his BA at Hampshire College and his MFA at Syracuse University. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in English and Creative Writing at Texas Tech University. Chen lives in Lubbock, Texas, with his partner, Jeff Gilbert, and their pug dog, Rupert Giles.

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Vitality is liveliness, to be alive. To be alive is to have the ability to harvest energy for movement, growth, and self-replication. But without health, vitality is just mechanistic. In this issue of LA+ we explore the notion of vitality as a proxy for the health of all things. We explore how design can improve the vitality of people, cities, systems, and landscapes. Articles include: - Sara Jensen-Carr explores the intertwined epidemiology of ecosystems, cities, and human bodies. - Through the intimate case study of a 15th century Roman noblewoman, historian Mirka Benes reveals the role of gardens in maintaining physical and mental health in the early modern era. - Design anthropologist Chuan Hao Chen reflects on vitality through the metaphor of the medical emergency. - Experimental psychologist Colin Ellard explores questions about the roots of our perceptions of life and agency. - Urban designer Julian Bolleter shines a light on the practice of placemaking in contemporary Dubai. - Public health scientists Billie Giles Corti, Jonathan Arundel, and Lucy Gunn explain why urban design is important in creating livable cities. - Landscape architect Clay Gruber captures a case study of the potential for renewal of a rural American landscape drained of socio-economic vitality. - Designer Colin Curley surveys the beautiful ugliness of Newtown Creek, New York's most-polluted waterway. - Biodiversity conservation scientist Andrew Gonzalez explains his multi-year research into designing a comprehensive and practicable green network for the city of Montreal and its hinterlands. - Landscape architect Jake Boswell offers a wide-ranging rumination on ecology and aesthetics. - Psychiatrist and urban health scholar Mindy Thompson Fullilove reflects upon the vitality of main streets in small-town America. - Philosopher Mark Kingwell takes on artificial intelligence in a series of provocative propositions dealing with notions of life and vitality. - Architect and urban designer Christopher Marcinkoski considers Tokyo's landscape future in the face of significant population decline. - Also includes interviews with the celebrated author of Vibrant Matter, Jane Bennett, MASS Design Group's Sierra Bainbridge, and The Nature Conservancy's lead scientist for global cities Rob MacDonald.

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H. Rochester Sneath no longer exists. And if you wished to put your son's name on the waiting list for Selhurst School, near Petworth, Sussex, you might have a little difficulty. It doesn't exist either. But, as this collection of Sneath's letters, and the replies, proves, you can fool most of the people most of the time. Particularly, it seems, if the people happen to be the head masters of those most English private institutions - public schools. In early 1948 Sneath began his brief and glorious career. Letters, like canes, mortarboards and jaundiced rugger balls, began to appear in headmasters' offices, whose occupants, with two notable exceptions, appeared to find nothing strange in Sneath's requests or his exhortations. Pompous, indignant, eccentric, pushing, toadying, or just plain dotty, the letters were answered with a seriousness which is barely credible.For he wrote of: - infestations of rats - the possibility of 'engineering' Royal visits - how to hire a private detective - junior masters with club feet and warty noses - ghosts, cricket, statues, new buildings, 'monster' reunions George Bernard Shaw was puzzled, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was booked up, as was Sir Adrian Boult. Sir William Reid Dick was eager. After four or five letters the Master of Marlborough became exasperated, while the head master of St Benedict's was livid. A certain master displayed a cupidity not normally associated with men of the cloth; the new Master of Rugby was grateful for some wise advice; the head master of Stowe could not have been more helpful about sex. There was talk of Sneath succeeding the headmaster of Eton. One head master was so drawn to Sneath that he recommended Selhurst to a prospective parent, who promptly applied for a place on behalf of her son. His name was placed on 'the waiting list for the Waiting List'. Sneath's letters comprise a gentle and unmalicious, but devastatingly accurate parody of the public school system - a collection so intelligently absurd that it defies adequate description.

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Philip's created this new series for walkers, cyclists and local explorers at a scale that provides greener options to uncover all the nature and hidden gems in your local area. With over 18,000 streets and lanes and alleys, and from Aylesbury to Wolverton, we cover Buckinghamshire in enticing detail.Who hasn't explored and enjoyed their surrounding area in recent years and come to appreciate what is on our respective doorsteps? Philip's have created this new series for walkers, cyclists and local explorers at a scale that provides greener options to uncover all the nature and hidden gems in your local area.Includes all the streets in AYLESBURY, BLETCHLEY, CHESHAM, HIGH WYCOMBE, MILTON KEYNES, SLOUGH, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Buckingham, Burnham, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont St Peter, Chesham Bois, Chorleywood, Cookham, Denham, Flackwell Heath, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, Haddenham, Hazlemere, Iver, Linslade, Little Chalfont, Loudwater, Loughton, Maidenhead, Marlow, Newport Pagnell, Olney, Prestwood, Princes Risborough, Stoke Mandeville, Stoke Poges, Stony Stratford, Thame, Tring, Uxbridge, Wendover, Windsor, Winslow, Wolverton.The detailed scale allows explorers, walkers and cyclists to avoid main roads and select pathways, bridleways and lanes for optimum enjoyment. Whether it's meandering through the local parks or historic houses, exploring neighbourhood nature spots or the local town, we have the clear mapping and information you need.If you do have to travel to reach areas you'd like to explore, all A and B roads are clearly shown on our Route Planner and we include. Exceptional detail allows the user to pinpoint exactly where they need to go and the best route to follow.· The only atlas with every road, street and lane in the county named, along with the best pedestrian routes, long-distance cycle routes.· Highlighting lanes, alleyways, footpaths and bridleways, camping and caravan sites, golf courses, parks, gardens and many, many other places of interest· Contains all the usual one-way streets, barriers, car parks, railway and bus stations, hospitals, colleges and schools, police and fire stations, places of worship, post offices, shopping and leisure centres

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The triumphant conclusion to Tim Robinson's extraordinary Connemara trilogy, which Robert Macfarlane has called 'one of the most remarkable non-fiction projects undertaken in English'. Robinson writes about the people, places and history of south Connemara - one of Ireland's last Gaelic-speaking enclaves - with the encyclopaedic knowledge of a cartographer and the grace of a born writer. From the man who has been praised in the highest terms by Joseph O'Connor ('One of contemporary Ireland's finest literary stylists''), John Burnside ('one of the finest of contemporary prose stylists'), Fintan O'Toole ('Simply one of the best non-fiction prose writers currently at work') and Giles Foden ('an indubitable classic'), among many others, this is one of the publishing events of 2011 and the conclusion of one of the great literary projects of our time.'One of the greatest writers of lands ... No one has disentangled the tales the stones of Ireland have to tell so deftly and retold them so beautifully' Fintan O'Toole'He is that rarest of phenomena, a scientist and an artist, and his method is to combine scientific rigour with artistic reverie in a seamless blend that both informs and delights.' John Banville, Guardian'The Proust & Ruskin of modern place-writing, deep-mapper of Irish landscapes, visionary thinker, and human of exceptional intellectual generosity & kindness. He was an immense inspiration to & encourager of me & my work' Robert Macfarlane'A masterpiece of travel and topographical writing, and an incomparable and enthralling meditation on times past ... This perfectly pitched work opens readers up to the world around them' Sunday Times 'Will endure into the far future ... He knows this world as no one else does, and writes about it with awe and love, but also with measured grace, an artist's eye and a scientist's sensibility' Colm Toibin, Sunday Business Post Books of the Year 'Anyone willing to get lost in this book will be left with indelible mental images of places they may never have visited but will now never forget' Dermot Bolger, Irish Mail on Sunday

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Features interviews with Bill Bruford, Peter Giles, Gordon Haskell, Judy Dyble and more . . . In 1969 five young Englishmen calling themselves King Crimson altered the course of rock music, and despite a revolving-door lineup, the band has continued to innovate and inspire for more than fifty years. Fifty Shades of Crimson tells the story of this legendary band and of the unique English guitarist Robert Fripp it revolves around. With a deep passion for the music, author Pete Tomsett celebrates the achievements of Fripp and the array of incredible talent that has passed through Crimson, while not shying away from the many behind-the-scenes difficulties. Getting signed after supporting The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park, Crimson shot to fame with their debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, becoming one of the most influential bands of that era and triggering the rise of prog rock. While going through countless personnel, including Greg Lake, Bill Bruford and John Wetton, rejecting Elton John and Bryan Ferry along the way, they have put out many highly acclaimed albums and to this day maintain a big international following. In their early years Fripp's band reached the same commercial heights as the likes of David Bowie and Pink Floyd. However, as an intellectual who despised the practices of the music business, Fripp preferred innovation over chasing big sales. In 1974 he withdrew from mainstream music, becoming involved with the Fourth Way philosophy, but was eventually tempted back and reformed Crimson to much acclaim in the eighties. As well as also having collaborations with Brian Eno, Andy Summers and others, Fripp has created new forms of instrumental music, run his own idiosyncratic guitar courses and set up an ethical record company. Both genius and 'a special sort of awkward', Fripp has never been afraid to take his music where no one has gone before, and Crimson have been a powerful influence on everyone from Genesis and Yes to Roxy Music and Radiohead, creating a legacy that will live on for decades more!

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"Picture the moment, in the run-up to a Christian Dior haute couture show. John Galliano is working silently in the Paris studio with his friend and ally, the master milliner Stephen Jones. The designer is looking at the arc of a silhouette, the drape of a skirt and the tilt of a hat: 'I often work through a mirror for most of my decisions and I always see Stephen's reflection,' says Galliano. 'He is reading my every nuance. He is studying my face. I don't need to say anything - he can read my mind'." - From the essay by Suzy Menkes. Stephen Jones is one of the world's most talented and distinguished milliners. This exquisitely illustrated monograph is the first to examine his illustrious career and famous collaborations. Including photographs from private collections and museums, the book focuses on a variety of aspects of his work, from his collaborations with Boy George, John Galliano and Thierry Mugler to his work with photographers Bruce Weber and Nick Knight. Recent collections include: Marc Jacobs, L'Wren Scott, Giles Deacon, Gareth Pugh, Loewe, Christian Dior Haute Couture, Prêt-à-porter, Ski & Baby collections, John Galliano, Comme des Garcons. His recent commissions include: Dita von Teese/Crazy Horse, Bryan Adams, Immodesty Blaize, Take That, Sex and the City 2, Perrier Jouet, Printemps, Ascot, Disneyland, Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss/Met Ball. "With her moulded felt cloche shadowing an eye and pinned with a tremblant diamond cow-parsley sprig, Nadja Auermann, slinking down the stairs of a crumbling Hotel Particulier in Paris for the John Galliano show, defined the fashion moment. Once again, Stephen Jones, millinery magician, had summoned up the spirit of the day. Jones is a deft conjurer, who can draw whimsy from a hat. Steeped in couture lore and craft, he nevertheless propels his art into the future with his ceaseless invention and thistledown touch. His genius is to enhance the mystery, allure, wit of the wearer - although a Jones hat might be a dramatic statement in itself, it will never overpower." - Hamish Bowles, Style Editor, Vogue USA

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**As featured on BBC2's Between the Covers**'Glamorous. Heart-breaking. Hilarious. Feminist. Life-changing'Katherine Ryan'I loved this book so much. It's hard to overpraise. So funny and so sad and so hopeful' Neil Gaiman'A wonderful and very special book'Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt'Funny, sparklingly honest and heart-breaking'Bel Mooney, Daily Mail'Heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time! Genuinely couldn't put it down'Alan Carr'Incredibly moving, always funny and brilliantly written. I urge everyone to read it'Frank Skinner'LOVELY. Sad and funny and warm and DOGS'Marian Keyes'Very beautiful and poignant . . . it'll make you laugh and cry in equal measure'Giles Paley-Phillips'I read it in one sitting - it's so blinking good'Lorraine Kelly'A book that will leave you smiling but with a lump in your throat'Mail on Sunday, '100 Hottest Summer Books 2019'* * * The funny, heart-breaking, wonderfully told story of love, family and overwhelming loss which led Emily Dean to find hope and healing in the dog she always wanted.Growing up with the Deans was a fabulous training ground for many things: ignoring unpaid bills, being the most entertaining guest at dinner, deconstructing poetry. It was never home for the dog Emily craved. Emily shared the lively chaos with her beloved older sister Rachael, her rock. Over the years the sisters bond grew ever closer. As Rachael went on to have the cosy family and treasured dog, Giggle, Emily threw herself into unsettled adventure - dog ownership remaining a distant dream. Then, tragically, Rachael is diagnosed with cancer. In just three devastating years Emily loses not only her sister but both her parents as well. This is the funny heart-breaking, wonderfully told story of how Emily discovers that it is possible to overcome the worst that life can throw at you, that it's never too late to make peace with your past, and that the right time is only ever now, as she finally starts again with her very own dog - the adorable Shih-tzu named Raymond.

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When Hitler assumed power in 1933, he and other Nazis had firm ideas on what they called a racially pure "community of the people." They quickly took steps against those whom they wanted to isolate, deport, or destroy. In these essays informed by the latest research, leading scholars offer rich histories of the people branded as "social outsiders" in Nazi Germany: Communists, Jews, "Gypsies," foreign workers, prostitutes, criminals, homosexuals, and the homeless, unemployed, and chronically ill. Although many works have concentrated exclusively on the relationship between Jews and the Third Reich, this collection also includes often-overlooked victims of Nazism while reintegrating the Holocaust into its wider social context. The Nazis knew what attitudes and values they shared with many other Germans, and most of their targets were individuals and groups long regarded as outsiders, nuisances, or "problem cases." The identification, the treatment, and even the pace of their persecution of political opponents and social outsiders illustrated that the Nazis attuned their law-and-order policies to German society, history, and traditions. Hitler's personal convictions, Nazi ideology, and what he deemed to be the wishes and hopes of many people, came together in deciding where it would be politically most advantageous to begin. The first essay explores the political strategies used by the Third Reich to gain support for its ideologies and programs, and each following essay concentrates on one group of outsiders. Together the contributions debate the motivations behind the purges. For example, was the persecution of Jews the direct result of intense, widespread anti-Semitism, or was it part of a more encompassing and arbitrary persecution of "unwanted populations" that intensified with the war? The collection overall offers a nuanced portrayal of German citizens, showing that many supported the Third Reich while some tried to resist, and that the war radicalized social thinking on nearly everyone's part. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Frank Bajohr, Omer Bartov, Doris L. Bergen, Richard J. Evans, Henry Friedlander, Geoffrey J. Giles, Marion A. Kaplan, Sybil H. Milton, Alan E. Steinweis, Annette F. Timm, and Nikolaus Wachsmann.

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In 2020, for the first time in centuries, heavy red curtains swept closed on stages across the West End; all theatres were closed. Two actors, keenly feeling the loss of their theatre homes, turned to a form of art that could still thrive over the following months, and set about photographing the stage doors of the deserted city. An extraordinary collaborative project almost two years in the making, Exeunt - The Stage Door Project collects together these moving images, alongside anecdotes from some of the world's leading luminaries who have trodden the boards of the pictured theatres. A tribute to the magical nature of the stage door and the tales lurking behind it, Exeunt is a celebration of the legendary theatres of the city, the extraordinary figures behind the curtain - and the faithful audiences who have flocked back after the storm. Proceeds from sales of this book go to the Actors' Benevolent Fund, ArtsMinds and Theatre Artists Fund Featuring the words of Dame Judi Dench, Emma Rice, Ned Seago, Simon Callow, John McCrea, Diane Page, Reece Shearsmith, Anita Dobson, Macy Nyman, David Bedella, Kwong Loke, Luke Giles, Stephanie Street, Dame Harriet Walter, Rebecca Frecknall, David Jonsson, Jackie Clune, Ben Cracknell, Richard Sutton, Adeyinka Akinrinade, Le Gateau Chocolat, Paule Constable, Lucian Msamati, Adrian Scarborough, David Acton, Natalie Law, Gordon Millar, Leanne Robinson, Thomas Aldridge, Katrina Lindsay, Eben Figueiredo, Andy Taylor, Aimie Atkinson, Jack Holden, Laura Donnelly, Laurie Kynaston, Abraham Popoola, Oengus MacNamara, Louis Maskell, Valda Aviks, Garry Cooper, Mark Dugdale, Lyn Paul, James Graham, Emma Sheppard, Paul Bazely, Preston Nyman, Lauren Ward, Jessica Hung Han Yun, Natalie McQueen, Gavin Spokes, Niamh Cusack, Paterson Joseph, Anna Fleischle, Daniel Monks, Michael Sheen, Lia Williams, Ruthie Henshall, Simon Lipkin, Tom Brooke, Ian Rickson, Rufus Hound, Zoe Tapper, Patsy Ferran, Joshua McGuire, Sharon D Clarke, Mark Gatiss, Taz Skylar, Marianne Benedict, Ferdinand Kingsley, Lez Brotherston, Tamsin Withers, Hadley Fraser, Karl Queensborough, Neil Salvage, Jessie Hart, Kathy Peacock, Howard Hudson, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Andy Nyman, Andrew McDonald, Claire Roberts, Michael Jibson, Jason Pennycooke, Christopher Tendai, Laura Baldwin, Matt Henry, Robert Lindsay, Simon Evans, Fisayo Akinade, Irvine Iqbal and Zoe Wanamaker.

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'An unputdownable thriller' Gregory Dowling 'It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax' Daily Mail 'Gwynne Jones's talent for evoking place and atmosphere is clear as ever' Literary Review_______________It's the night of 12 November 2019. The worst flooding in 50 years hits the city of Venice. 85% of La Serenissima is underwater. Gale force winds roar across the lagoon and along the narrow streets. And the body of Dr Jennifer Whiteread- a young British art historian, specialising in the depiction of angels in Venetian painting - is found floating in a flooded antique bookshop on the Street of the Assassins.As the local police struggle to restore order to a city on its knees, Nathan Sutherland - under pressure from the British Ambassador and distraught relatives - sets out into the dark and rain-swept streets in an attempt to discover the truth behind Whiteread's death.The trail leads to the "Markham Foundation", a recent and welcome addition to the list of charities working to preserve the ancient city. Charming, handsome and very, very rich, Giles Markham is a well-known and popular figure in the highest Venetian social circles, and has the ear of both the Mayor and the Patriarch. But a man with powerful friends may also have powerful enemies. And Nathan is about to learn that, in Venice at least, angels come in many forms - merciful, fallen and vengeful..._______________ Praise for Philip Gwynne Jones 'Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid' Stephen Glover 'Clever and great fun' The Times 'Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself' L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra 'The Venetian setting is vividly described... good, fluid writing makes for easy reading' Literary Review 'Un-put-downable . . . If you love Venice, you'll love this because you'll be transported there in an instant. If you've not been to Venice, read this book and then go. If you like intrigue, and a clever plot, you'll love this book' Amazon reviewer, 5***** 'The lively, colourful narrative scuds along as briskly as a water taxi...you'll enjoy the ride' Italia Magazine

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'HISTORICAL FICTION DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS' ANGUS DONALD AD 633 Beobrand is a young man with a shadowy past. As an outsider in the kingdom of Bernicia, he is compelled to join his brother, Octa, as a warrior in the household of King Edwin. He must learn to fight with sword and shield to defend the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria. In a period of great upheaval for Dark Age Britain, all he finds is death and war. Men and women strive to seize control of their destinies in a time of despair, and the land is rife with danger as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. Amongst the blood and the betrayals, Beobrand learns of his brother's near-certain murder. Inexperienced but ruthless, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight as a warrior with sword and shield. Driven by a desire for vengeance and a relentless pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall. As he closes in on his kin's slayer, can Beobrand mete out the retribution he craves without sacrificing his honour... or even his soul? Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron 'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans 'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay 'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard

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BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR. SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2017. SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. WINNER OF THE PEN/ESPN AWARD FOR LITERARY SPORTS WRITING. THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. The most comprehensive and definitive biography of Muhammad Ali that has ever been published, based on more than 500 interviews with those who knew him best, with many dramatic new discoveries about his life and career. When the frail, trembling figure of Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996, a TV audience of up to 3 billion people was once again gripped by the story of the world's most famous sporting icon. The man who had once been reviled for his refusal to fight for his country and for his fast-talking denunciation of his opponents was now almost universally adored, the true cost of his astonishing boxing career clear to see. In Jonathan Eig's ground-breaking biography, backed up with much detailed new research specially commissioned for this book, we get a stunning portrait of one of the most significant personalities of the second half of the twentieth century. We are not only taken inside the ring for some of the most famous bouts in boxing history, we also learn about his personal life, his finances, his faith and the moments when the first signs of his physical decline began to show. Ali was a symbol of freedom and courage, a hero to many, but this is also a very personal story of a warrior who vanquished every opponent but was finally brought down by his own stubborn refusal to quit. An epic tale of a fighter who became the world's most famous pacifist, Ali: A Life does full justice to an extraordinary man.‘Ali: A Life is the business – 640 pages of patient scholarship and intelligent reassessment written in crackly prose’ Giles Smith, The Times ‘[A] richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait ... Ali: A Life is an epic of a biography’ Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times

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Long recognized as perhaps the greatest non-fiction writer at work in Ireland, for his vast, polymathic accounts of nature and culture in the Aran Islands and Connemara, Tim Robinson is also an essayist of genius whose fascinations range across the globe. In Experiments on Reality, he shines the light of his intelligence on his own life, and on some of the most fascinating questions in science and culture. Robinson brings us to his boyhood in Yorkshire, National Service in Malaya in the 1950s, and his years as a visual artist in Istanbul, Vienna and London. He revisits some of the scenes of his researches for the maps he made of Aran and Connemara, places that continue to throw up remarkable stories and puzzles. And he performs astonishing literary thought-experiments, playing with the boundaries of the essay form, scientific inquiry, and storytelling. Experiments on Reality is a masterpiece from one of the great minds of our time.'One of the greatest of all landscape writers ... When the material world is brought forth for us so beautifully, with such rapt attention and illuminating insight, we are reminded of how lucky we are to be part of it' Fintan O'Toole, Irish TimesPRAISE FOR THE CONNEMARA TRILOGY:'One of the most remarkable non-fiction projects undertaken in English' Robert MacFarlane, Spectator'Robinson is a marvel ... the supreme practitioner of geo-graphy, the writing of places' Fintan O'Toole, Observer Books of the Year'One of contemporary Ireland's finest literary stylists ... This is a book that does justice, in every sense of that phrase, to the frequently betrayed people whose stories it incarnates, and to their strange and beautiful corner of the world' Joseph O'Connor, Guardian'A masterpiece of travel and topographical writing and a miraculous, vivid and engrossing meditation on landscape and history and the sacred mood of places' Colm Tóibín, Irish Times Books of the Year'One of the finest of contemporary prose stylists' John Burnside, Irish Times'He is that rarest of phenomena, a scientist and an artist, and his method is to combine scientific rigour with artistic reverie in a seamless blend that both informs and delights.' John Banville, Guardian'Breathtaking ... the West of Ireland has found its ultimate laureate' Patricia Craig, TLS'Dazzling ... an indubitable classic' Giles Foden, Condé Nast Traveller

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The wolves of Odin have been unleashed: the hunt has begun.Anno Domini 1040. Christianity has swept unstoppably across Scandinavia, leaving few enclaves of the old ways clinging on to their fading world as King Olof of Sweden works to convert his people.A young warrior, Halfdan, has witnessed the ‘mercy’ of the Christian lords, watched his people attacked, his village burned and the Odin stone toppled as heretical. Watched his father cut down by an ambitious Christian jarl and his zealous priest. Among the ashes of his world he vowed an oath of vengeance before all the gods. That oath will bring together an unlikely band of allies and carry them to the very edge of the world, fighting giants, dragons and wraiths, in pursuit of his father’s killer: Yngvar. The jarl is powerful, and the weaving of Fate difficult, but the blood price must be paid.A compelling and explosive novel of revenge, this is a major new series from S.J.A. Turney. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Giles Kristian and Angus Donald.Praise for Blood Feud 'Si Turney is a natural born storyteller, gifted, brilliant and utterly enthralling. Blood Feud tells the story of a young Norse warrior, Halfdan, who swears to avenge the murder of his father. The reader is almost immediately immersed into the action, swept away into the dragon-ship beside Halfdan and his tough, salty and occasionally hilarious crew of Vikings… An intelligent, fast-paced but finely crafted novel of battle, comradeship and bloody revenge – with some surprising twists along the way. Highly recommended to all those who enjoy a superior Viking adventure yarn!' Angus Donald, author of The Last Berserker'SJA Turney's new Viking epic is a bone-crunching good time! A resourceful young warrior on a quest for vengeance takes to the sea with a dragon long-ship and a motley band of new friends, fighting old enemies, foreign wars and the mysterious workings of fate at every new turn of the tide. Blood Feud is sure to thrill those mourning the end of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories' Kate Quinn, author of The Rose Code'A rich combination of saga and quest, religion and violence, with a satisfying conclusion that paves the way for further adventures' Ruth Downie, author of the Medicus series

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'An unputdownable thriller' Gregory Dowling 'It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax' Daily Mail 'Gwynne Jones's talent for evoking place and atmosphere is clear as ever' Literary Review_______________It's the night of 12 November 2019. The worst flooding in 50 years hits the city of Venice. 85% of La Serenissima is underwater. Gale force winds roar across the lagoon and along the narrow streets. And the body of Dr Jennifer Whiteread- a young British art historian, specialising in the depiction of angels in Venetian painting - is found floating in a flooded antique bookshop on the Street of the Assassins.As the local police struggle to restore order to a city on its knees, Nathan Sutherland - under pressure from the British Ambassador and distraught relatives - sets out into the dark and rain-swept streets in an attempt to discover the truth behind Whiteread's death.The trail leads to the "Markham Foundation", a recent and welcome addition to the list of charities working to preserve the ancient city. Charming, handsome and very, very rich, Giles Markham is a well-known and popular figure in the highest Venetian social circles, and has the ear of both the Mayor and the Patriarch. But a man with powerful friends may also have powerful enemies. And Nathan is about to learn that, in Venice at least, angels come in many forms - merciful, fallen and vengeful..._______________ Praise for Philip Gwynne Jones'I devoured all Philip's novels and felt transported to Venice with a new intimacy' Val McDermid 'Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid' Stephen Glover 'Clever and great fun' The Times 'Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself' L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra 'The Venetian setting is vividly described... good, fluid writing makes for easy reading' Literary Review 'Un-put-downable . . . If you love Venice, you'll love this because you'll be transported there in an instant. If you've not been to Venice, read this book and then go. If you like intrigue, and a clever plot, you'll love this book' Amazon reviewer, 5***** 'The lively, colourful narrative scuds along as briskly as a water taxi...you'll enjoy the ride' Italia Magazine

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Insight Guides Explore BrugesTravel made easy. Ask local experts. Focused travel guide featuring the very best routes and itineraries, now with free eBook.Discover the best of Bruges with this unique travel guide, packed full of insider information and stunning images. From making sure you don't miss out on must-see, top attractions like De Halve Maan, Flanders Fields Museum and Astrid Park to discovering cultural gems, including seeing the work of the Flemish Primitives, cruising along the canal network or taking a tour in one of Bruges' iconic fiacres, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will save you time, and help you plan and enhance your visit to Bruges.Features of this travel guide to Bruges:- 15 walks and tours: detailed itineraries feature all the best places to visit, including where to eat and drink along the way- Local highlights: discover the area's top attractions and unique sights, and be inspired by stunning imagery- Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Bruges's rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions- Insider recommendations: discover the best hotels, restaurants and nightlife using our comprehensive listings- Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy- Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation- The ultimate travel tool: download the free app and eBook to access all this and more from your phone or tablet- Covers: City highlights; The Three Towers; Around the Burg; Markt to the Museums; Memling to the Beguinage; Sint-Anna; Fish market to Astrid Park; Merchants' Quarter; Langerei and St Giles; Princes' Court and Donkey Gate; Around 't Zand; Damme; Ostend; Ypres; Ghent Looking for a comprehensive guide to Belgium? Check out Insight Guides Belgium for a detailed and entertaining look at all the country has to offer.About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

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Find your way to awesome with this brilliant toolkit of goals, plans and challenges! Boys and girls everywhere have been discovering that they can be awesome thanks to bestselling author Matthew Syed. Now he's created an interactive journal full of life hacks, challenges and activities to give kids the confidence to come up with their own plan of action to be the best they can be. Because, with the right mindset, you really CAN do (almost) anything, whether you want to supercharge your maths, try out for the team or be the first person to walk on Mars. Whether setting out their goals, planning the best practice ever, keeping calm with breathing exercises or making paper aeroplanes to understand marginal gains, readers will love the brilliant activities in The You Are Awesome Journal. This is the perfect toolkit for anyone who dreams big - and who wants to make those dreams come true.Praise for YOU ARE AWESOME: 'Great book for young children about determination, resilience, self-confidence.' - Phil Neville, former England footballer and head coach of England Women'I have lost track of the number of people recommending YOU ARE AWESOME by Matthew Syed. An accessible, practical approach to helping kids develop a growth mindset.' - The Bookseller'An awesome book about becoming awesome. How inspiring it is to know that there's a path to awesomeness and that anyone - absolutely anyone - can go down that path. This book shows you how.' - Professor Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology, Stanford University'Grab yourselves a copy folks, this is wonderful and insightful.' - Author Giles Paley-Phillips'I read YOU ARE AWESOME in one go, and then read it again! It answered so many questions I had about how to get better at some of the things I struggle with. It has stories of how others have been successful and makes you feel that you can do it too. After reading YOU ARE AWESOME I've changed how I approach difficult things. I've told all my friends to read it!' - Freddie, age 10'I loved this book. YOU ARE AWESOME really builds your confidence and shows you how the right mindset can help you achieve your dreams. It shows that you have to be brave, prepare for failure and have self-belief. I will definitely be using some of the principles in this book to tackle some everyday challenges and other bigger ones too. A definite must read for anyone who wants to achieve more with their lives and build their confidence.' - Ella, age 13

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SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 ANDRÉ SIMON FOOD & DRINK BOOK AWARDS'Like a new Bill Bryson, she offers an easy sharing of deep knowledge, with humour, where one learns things in a gentle way without it feeling like learning.' Dan Jago, judge of the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards'Hot or cold, caffeinated, alcoholic, sweet or not, this book provides a fascinating cultural history of our favourite drinks, and explores the science (or not) underpinning their many health claims. A wonderful read!'Dr Giles Yeo, author of Gene Eating'A truly engaging read. By dispelling common health misconceptions and debunking bad science, Drinkology arms us with information to make better choices about what we drink, not just what we eat.'Ian Marber'Very engaging and entertaining . . . a clear guide to everything we need to know about drinks, from water to milk, tea, alcohol and beyond. Dr Willett dispels common myths and fads and sets the record straight . . . allowing us to make fully informed choices. A fascinating deep dive into the science behind everything we drink.'Elisabeth Cresta and Caroline Day, founders of Fight the Fads Do you really know what you are drinking? Are you sure? We all consume many drinks every day, often without thinking. Perhaps we're just thirsty, perhaps we need something to wake us up, perhaps we need something to relax us at the end of the day. But have you ever stopped to wonder what exactly is in that chai latte you're guzzling or just what those added electrolytes in your bottled water are supposed to do? Whether it's a simple glass of water or early morning espresso, the finest champagne or energy drink the morning after, all drinks have an impact on our body in one way or another. Drinkology distils the scientific evidence to see if we can get to the bottom of questions, such as:Is a regular glass of wine good for our health or not?Should we worry about energy drinks?Is fluoride in our tap water harmful?How do non-dairy milks compare with each other?What's the secret to the perfect cup of tea?Are fermented drinks and probiotics the answer to all our worries?Is there such a thing as a 'superdrink'?Whether you want to discover the true benefits of wellness drinks, find out if sulphites in wine really cause headaches, or are just sick of the pseudoscience behind the marketing of what we consume, this book is for you. Drinkology is a scientific digest of many of the world's most popular beverages and may just change the way you drink.

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She is the reason no one goes in the water. And she will make them pay. A chilling new novel for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Lamar Giles, and Ryan Douglass.Praise for Vincent Tirado's Burn Down, Rise Up:"A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession." - Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston"A creepy, mysterious rollercoaster of a novel that had me hooked from the explosive start. Tirado packs both action and heart into this timely story." - Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of the Girls of Paper and Fire trilogy"A breathtaking, read-it-in-one-sitting thrill of a novel." - Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Is Where It Ends"Readers will be on the edge of their seats and will have the chance to explore societal issues in a new way to answer the question "What are monsters?" when reading this book" - School Library Journal, STARRED review"A speculative novel that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism..." - Publishers Weekly"A deadly game meets social commentary in an ode to the Bronx." - Kirkus"A sense of dread and... plenty of vivid action sequences to keep readers engaged. " - Youth Services Book Review"Clever, tying into ripped-from-the-headlines police violence in the present-day world..." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksBronwyn is only supposed to be in rural Hillwoods for a year. Her grandmother is in hospice, and her father needs to get her affairs in order. And they're all meant to make some final memories together.Except Bronwyn is miserable. Her grandmother is dying, everyone is standoffish, and she can't even go swimming. All she hears are warnings about going in the water, despite a gorgeous lake. And a pool at the abandoned rec center. And another in the high school basement.Anais tries her hardest to protect Bronwyn from the shadows of Hillwoods. She follows her own rituals to avoid any unnecessary attention-and if she can just get Bronwyn to stop asking questions, she can protect her too. The less Bronwyn pays attention to Hillwoods, the less Hillwoods will pay attention to Bronwyn. She doesn't get that the lore is, well, truth. History. Pain. The living aren't the only ones who seek retribution when they're wronged. But when Bronwyn does more exploring than she should, they are both in for danger they couldn't expect.

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'Richly evocative and glittering with atmosphere, this tale of ambition and identity had me gripped from start to finish' STACEY HALLS, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars'Theatre of Marvels is a fascinating, empowering story of a young woman's search for identity and justice in Victorian London, a world which Lianne Dillsworth evokes so richly' JENNIFER SAINT, author of Ariadne_________________________________Behind the spectacle there are always secrets.Unruly crowds descend on Crillick's Variety Theatre. A black, British actress, Zillah, is headlining tonight. An orphan from the slums of St Giles, her rise to stardom is her ticket out - to be gawped and gazed at is a price she's willing to pay.Rising up the echelons of society is everything Zillah has ever dreamed of. But when a new stage act disappears, Zillah is haunted by a feeling that something is amiss. Is the woman in danger?Her pursuit of the truth takes her into the underbelly of the city - from gas-lit streets to the sumptuous parlours of Mayfair - as she seeks the help of notorious criminals from her past and finds herself torn between two powerful admirers.Caught in a labyrinth of dangerous truths, will Zillah face ruin - or will she be the maker of her fate?A deliciously immersive tale, Theatre of Marvels whisks you on an unforgettable journey across Victorian London in this bold exploration of race, class and gothic spectacle.AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW_______________________________'Zillah is a memorable heroine' Sunday Times'Exploitation and empowerment, race and class are all explored in this gripping historical novel. Dillsworth is a class act' Woman & Home'A thought-provoking, atmospheric debut' Daily Express'Very much enjoyed Theatre of Marvels. Zillah is a brilliant character who leads us through a Victorian London little spoken of, making for an illuminating, page-turning tale of self-actualisation. Loved it' KATE SAWYER'A tale steeped in Victorian London, I fell in love with Zillah and her theatre world. I was gripped from the opening pages - highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, drama and Victorian London' LOUISE HARE, author of This Lovely City'A startling, original and utterly compelling novel which subtly navigates the core issues of race, gender and class' MARY CHAMBERLAIN, author of The Dressmaker of Dachau'Thrilling, eye-opening and absorbing' LIZZIE POOK, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter'Fresh, original and full of atmosphere - a compelling story with a heroine I'll remember for a long time' FRANCES QUINN, author of The Smallest Man'A story that shines a spotlight into the shadows of the 19th century, while also exploring very relevant themes of identity. So fantastic to read a novel that centres POC in the Victorian era. Loved it!' SAARA EL-ARIFI, author of The Final Strife'Loved Lianne Dillsworth's Theatre of Marvels. A gripping story about identity and belonging with a strong sense of place. Can't wait for everybody to meet Zillah who is such strong and nuanced heroine.' LAURE VAN RENSBURG, author of Nobody But Us

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A brand new boxset of four adventures, featuring monsters from the new series of Doctor Who! 1.1 FALLEN ANGELS by Phil Mulryne. 2015: When sightseers Joel and Gabby Finch encounter a strange man in Edwardian cricketing garb in the Sistine Chapel, their honeymoon suddenly takes a terrifying turn. 1511: Michelangelo is commissioned to create some very special sculptures by a mysterious sect. But as he carves, angels seem to emerge fully-formed from the rock. Almost as if they are alive. From Michelangelo's workshop to the catacombs of Rome, the Fifth Doctor must keep his wits about him and his eyes wide open as he confronts the Weeping Angels. 1.2 JUDOON IN CHAINS by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris. The Sixth Doctor is no stranger to courtroom drama, but faces a very different challenge when he prepares to defend a most unusual Judoon. After an environmental clearance mission goes wrong, Captain Kybo of the Nineteenth Judoon Interplantary Force is stranded in Victorian England, bound in chains, an exhibit in a circus show. But he has allies: Eliza Jenkins - known to audiences as 'Thomasina Thumb' - and the larger-than-life 'clown' in the colourful coat.Uncovering a trail of injustice and corruption, the Doctor and Kybo soon find themselves on trial for their lives. 1.3 HARVEST OF THE SYCORAX by James Goss. In the far future, humanity has a remedy for everything. Whatever the problem, Pharma Corps has the answer and a designer disease tailored to every human's blood-type. Zanzibar Hashtag has no need to be sad, scared, stressed, or depressed ever again. That is, until vicious aliens arrive on her space station intent on opening its Vault. What will it mean for the human race if the Sycorax take control of what's inside? And when the Seventh Doctor arrives on the scene, can he convince Zanzibar to care about her life long enough to help him? 1.4 THE SONTARAN ORDEAL by Andrew Smith. An instant of the Time War brings centuries of conflict to the planet Drakkis, and the Eighth Doctor is there to witness the terrible results. A Sontaran fleet, desperate to join the epic conflict, follows in its wake to take advantage of the fallout. But when Commander Jask is beamed down to the ravaged surface, there is more to his arrival than first appears.Soon, an unlikely champion joins forces with the Time Lord to fight for the future of her world, and together they must face the Sontaran Ordeal.This epic release brings together elements of the TV Doctor Who series both classic (viewed as the era up to 1996) and the 2005 revival. Writer James Goss is the novelist trusted by the Douglas Adams estate to adapt several of the late author's Doctor Who works to book form. This set includes a number of actors recognised by fans for their work in various cult TV shows - Josette Simon (Blake's 7), Trevor Cooper (Star Cops), Dan Starkey (Doctor Who), Christopher Ryan (The Young Ones).CAST: Peter Davison (The Doctor), Colin Baker (The Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Paul McGann (The Doctor) Sacha Dhawan (Joel Finch), Diane Morgan (Gabby Finch), Matthew Kelly (Michelangelo), Joe Jameson (Piero), Nicholas Briggs (Captain Kybo), Kiruna Stamell (Eliza Jenkins), Trevor Cooper (Jonathan Jaggers Esq), Tony Millan (Justice Burrows/Jonty), Sabina Franklyn (Herculania), Nicholas Pegg (Business Owner), Nisha Nayar (Zanzibar), Jonathan Firth (Cadwallader), Rebecca Callard (Shadrak), Giles Watling (The Sycorax Chief), Josette Simon (Sarana Teel), Dan Starkey (Jask), Christopher Ryan (General Stenk/Flitch), Sean Connolly (Tag Menkin/Ensign Stipe).

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'A total triumph', 'Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once', 'Highly recommended'*The Independent best 'never-too-late' story of 2021, and one of the 8 best uplifting books of the year*IS IT EVER TOO LATE TO BE LOVED?'Wonderful . . . An utter treat' KATE MOSSE'A heartfelt coming-of-age story . . . Remarkable' LAURIE FRANKEL, New York Times bestselling author 'A heart-warming, joyous love story - original, hopeful and totally charming' ADELE PARKS 'I loved it! Really heart-warming and joyful, but also so poignant. I cannot recommend this book highly enough' LORRAINE KELLY'Albert is one of the most endearing characters I've met in a long time . . . Proof that it's never too late to find a happy ending' SUSAN WIGGS, New York Times bestselling author'A bright, clear, sharply intelligent writer' JENNY COLGAN'Will put a smile on everyone's face . . . A great big hug of a book!' - MICHAEL BALL, Radio 2 'Wonderful. Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism . . . inventive and fun but most importantly, true.' RUSSELL T. DAVIES'A beautiful, timely page-turner, straight from the heart . . . The perfect summer read' MATTHEW BOURNE'Brilliant . . . [I] recommend to all!' MATT LUCAS*****ALBERT ENTWISTLE WAS A POSTMAN. It was one of the few things everyone knew about him. And it was one of the few things he was comfortable with people knowing.64-year-old Albert Entwistle has been a postie in a quiet town in Northern England for all his life, living alone since the death of his mam 18 years ago. He keeps himself to himself. He always has. But he's just learned he'll be forced to retire at his next birthday. With no friends and nothing to look forward to, the lonely future he faces terrifies him. He realises it's finally time to be honest about who he is. He must learn to ask for what he wants. And he must find the courage to look for the man that, many years ago, he lost - but has never forgotten . . .Join Albert as he sets out to find the long-lost love of his life, and has an unforgettable and completely life-affirming adventure on the way . . . This is a love story the likes of which you have never read before!*****'Albert is such an endearing character - flawed, funny and awkward, but completely relatable. A wonderfully warm story that completely drew me in' RUTH HOGAN'A rollicking love story' IAN McKELLEN'Albert is the most delicious character and you'll be with him every step of the way' SUN'A charming adventure with love at its heart' MY WEEKLY'A life affirming story of lost love' THAT'S LIFE'A unique and moving story' CANDIS'A heart-warming and uplifting read' ATTITUDE'You will weep and yet have your heart filled with joy' ARLENE PHILLIPS'I raced through this heart-warming story' JUSTIN MYERS'Prepare to fall in love with Albert Entwistle! Touching and tender' S. J. WATSON'Albert is delightful and charming, and the book is too' JONATHAN HARVEY'I so enjoyed this - a warm-hearted, moving and thought-provoking joy about an elderly postman's awakening to life and love' FANNY BLAKE'A total triumph. Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once.' LAURA KAY'Tender, witty, uplifting' KATE EBERLENAs seen and heard on THE GRAHAM NORTON RADIO SHOW, BBC Radio 4's WOMAN'S HOUR, RESONANCE FM, BBC Radio 2'S THE MICHAEL BALL SHOW, TalkRADIO'S THE BADASS WOMEN'S SHOW, TIMES RADIO with GILES COREN and many more . . .

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Jacqui Burnett wants to kill her father. At the age of 16. With a gun. The setting: apartheid South Africa in the 1970s and 80s. The mood: the apparent bliss and harmony of white conservative Christian life. Driven to extremes by her father’s criminal schemes and corrosive emotional abuse, Jacqui barely survives the first part of this turbulent memoir, as near-death experiences lacerate the pages with suicide attempts, a death-defying car accident, an illegal abortion, and that near-patricide episode… to name just a few. At this point, Jacqui is only 18. This is truth stranger than fiction and it’s only the beginning of her journey… Part one is dedicated to her father and tells the visceral, switchback story of the twisted father-daughter relationship that formed her character, fuelled by her first 26 years in his thrall. Part two switches settings as we find Jacqui in her mid-40s travelling across America, searching for answers. Perhaps surprisingly, this section is dedicated to her mother, the woman who turned a blind eye while supporting the tyrant she remained married to – all his life. The opening chapter drops Jacqui at 11 300 feet in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Having achieved material success, Jacqui remains dogged by unresolved anger and co-dependency - damaged by her history, despite a bucket load of therapy. Trying to make sense of her life after a decade-long legal battle against the giant multinational accounting firm, Deloitte, which against all odds she wins, she now faces a failing marriage and a ninth near-death experience: Jacqui is lost in a snowstorm. Cue her rebound romance, with a man who at first appears to be her soulmate on a white horse come to rescue her. By the end of part two, however, the reader and Jacqui’s close friend Amanda are on the same page: this man is ultimately an unavailable emotional fool. Finally, in part three, after an avalanche of events strips Jacqui of everything she values, Jacqui learns to put herself first, to tell her story of survival through the prism of self-love and its potential for self-regeneration. In essence, Life’s Not Yoga is about self-discovery and self-recovery. Of course, every twelve-step program shares a similar tale of a shattering life journey (parts one and two) where the wounded soul is guided to recovery (part three). So how is this memoir different? While the themes are universal, the dialogue is cracking, coupled with Jacqui’s unapologetic authentic voice and her hard-won belief in discovering her own path to a Higher Power. This combination makes for compelling storytelling. On one level it’s a tale of looking for love in all the wrong places, but on a deeper level, it’s a story of how adversity viewed through the lens of insight and wisdom lead to hope and redemption. To get to this point – to quote Laurie Hertzel – requires ‘a certain plumbing of the soul’, at which Jacqui Burnett excels. It’s a tumultuous, terrifying, frustrating but finally redemptive journey as she struggles to uncover the heroine within. The miracle is that she comes out the other side alive and – more than that – willing to use her life story to inspire others to survive and flourish. This is a book that will attract readers well beyond her already 40 000-strong online following. Compulsory reading for all of us living through challenging relationships with parents, partners, families, colleagues, our histories and ourselves. That would be all of us, then. (Written by Giles Griffin)

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‘Hawker is a terrific creation’ Bernard CornwellAre they saving a prince, or unchaining a monster?December 1476. The infamous Vlad the Impaler – Dracula – is reported killed in a Turkish ambush: the brutal scourge of the Ottomans is no more…November 1485. Nine years later, mysterious Hungarian noblewoman Maria Hunyadi lays a quest at the feet of Sir John Hawker, loyal retainer to the fallen King Richard III and protector of Richard’s illegitimate son, Sir Giles Ellingham. The mission: to liberate her father from imprisonment in a remote Wallachian mountain fortress. The prisoner: Vlad Dracula.Indebted to Maria for saving his men’s lives in Venice, Hawker reluctantly accepts her story and agrees to come to her aid. But any rescue will be fraught with danger. There are powerful forces at work who would not want the great warlord found alive.But is Maria really who she says she is? Is she looking for more than just her father? And is the Impaler truly alive, after all this time – a lost prince?From the fringes of the Hungarian empire to the dark mountain forests of Saxon Transylvania, Hawker must contend with enemies on all sides, and those unseen within the company itself. The exciting sequel to Hawker and the King’s Jewel – described by Bernard Cornwell as ‘brilliant’ – perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and David Gilman.Praise for Hawker and the King’s Jewel ‘A brutal, brilliant tale, told with verve and pace. Hawker is a terrific creation’ Bernard Cornwell‘Bale takes the reader from the terror of battle where a crown is lost and won to the sparkling jewel that is Venice, teeming with intrigue and treachery. Great storytelling’ David Gilman, author of the Master of War series'An absolute gem of a novel. I was taken aback by Bale's skill and talent. Meticulously researched, with a totally authentic medieval feel, the novel fizzes with action, romance and intrigue. A gripping yarn' Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw series‘Hawker is an ageing, flawed character and it is in his description of the man's inner turmoil, his bursts of energy and, above all, loyalty that the author has created a living soul… Compelling, authentic characters, a tight narrative which drives the story with verve; dialogue which is neither mock Gothic nor anachronistic, all allow the reader to feel part of the sounds and sights of the late fifteenth century. The novel deserves high praise’ The RicardianWhat readers are saying about Hawker and the King's Jewel ‘I bought this to read on holiday on the back of a friend's recommendation. I don't normally read historical fiction like this but was blown away by the experience - it was a great story, told at a good clip with wonderful characters, action and lovely historical touches that made you really “feel” and appreciate the period but without weighing down the whole. I more than surprised myself by sneaking in the odd hour of reading here and there in ways that I never normally do. It was an absolute treat’‘The characterisation and period detail are superb and with plenty of action. The pace is just right, making it a really good and engaging read’‘A rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns’‘I can honestly say the book grabs the reader’s attention and draws them in from the opening pages. It opens your mind to all sorts of possibilities to where the narrative is heading, then suddenly switches track, leaving you grasping for answers. It certainly had me riveted and enthralled’‘You will be drawn into the political intrigues of15th century Europe. Very informative and not too heavy. I would thoroughly recommend it.’‘Beautifully researched; an exciting & gripping tale of what might have been’‘Breathless and rollicking… This reader could hardly bear to put it down’

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From polar explorers and politicians to CEOs and sports coaches, we are fascinated with the makeup of leaders. How do they thrive under pressure and inspire others to do the same? How do they establish a culture of long-term success?Performance psychologist Tom Young has worked closely with teams and individuals at the highest level of professional sport. He has seen how leaders in these high-pressure environments communicate, how they maintain focus and respond to challenges. In The Making of a Leader, Young shares the practical principles of sustained elite performance and shows how any individual can add value to their own business or organisation by applying these insights.You will learn how to develop a leadership philosophy that is true to your values, effectively manage and get results from individuals and teams, establish a high-performance culture and bring value to your organisation - in short, the ingredients that make a leader. These lessons are based on interviews with:- Stuart Lancaster, current Leinster coach and former Head Coach of the England national RFU team- Ashley Giles, ECB Director of Cricket during England's 2019 World Cup win- Gary Kirsten, record-breaking former international batsman and World Cup-winning coach of the Indian national team- Dan Quinn, Head Coach of Atlanta Falcons and a Super Bowl winner with Seattle Seahawks- Roberto Martinez, FA Cup-winner and Belgium national team manager - Sean Dyche, Burnley FC manager- Michael Maguire, Head Coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team The Making of a Leader is a unique, inspiring guide to leadership that can inspire positive results in any context, based on interviews and experiences from the cutting edge of elite sport.---'Offers fascinating insight into man management and the attributes needed to be an effective leader, which is incredibly useful and relevant to me ahead of captaining the 2020 European Ryder Cup team' - Pádraig Harrington, three-time Major champion and captain of the 2020 European Ryder Cup team'Although elite athletes understand the keys to excellence, you rarely have the chance to get inside their heads. You're in luck: Tom Young has solved that problem. As a performance psychologist, he's worked closely with some of the world's best in both individual and team sports. In this fascinating book, he shares his rich experiences and his keen insights on the science - and the practice - of achieving and sustaining success' - Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the chart-topping TED podcast WorkLife'I am always looking to learn from other sports and this book gives a unique insight into what it takes to navigate the challenges of high performance' - Tommy Fleetwood, professional golfer'This book shows that in the world of professional sport these proven and renowned leaders all have their own rules of strategy, which have brought continued success and recognition' - Alastair Campbell, bestselling author, strategist, broadcaster and lifelong fan of Burnley FC'Full of important lessons that you learn as a leader in sport that are as applicable to business environments as they are to elite sports' - Sir Bill Beaumont, chairman of World Rugby and former England and British & Irish Lions captain'The Making of a Leader provides a unique insight into the inner workings of established leaders' minds. Well worth a read to gain useful leadership intel' - Rebecca Symes, sports psychologist, The FA and England Lionesses'If you want to be a leader or become a better leader, man or woman, in sport or any other sector, this book is for you' - Professor Andy Hargreaves, Professor Emeritus, Boston College and author of Uplifting Leadership

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