Search results for ""John Blake Publishing""

Who wrote Only Fools and Horses? What is Rodney Trotter's middle name? What is the name of the actor who played Uncle Albert? When the first episode of Only Fools and Horses hit our screens in September 1981, the show became an instant classic. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest British comedies of all time. Whether you are looking to spice up your pub quiz or really test your in-depth knowledge of the Trotters, The Only Fools and Horses Quiz Book is a welcome, quirky addition to the bookshelf of any fan that will keep you quizzing - and laughing - for hours on end.

Read more less

When British troops first deployed to Northern Ireland in 1969 to keep apart rioting factions of loyalists and nationalists, they could not have known that they were being drawn into the longest campaign in the British Army's history, a battle against the threat of a new rising force - the Provisional Irish Republican Army. While patrols, vehicle bombs and incendiary speeches are the defining memories of the Troubles, the real war was fought out of sight and out of mind. For thirty years, Britain's Special Forces waged a ferocious, secretive struggle against a ruthless and implacable enemy. Harry McCallion's deep experience across the theatre of Northern Ireland offers a unique insight into nearly every major military action and operation in the Province. Having served seven tours with the Parachute Regiment, undergone selection for 14 Intelligence Company, completed six years with the SAS - including two tours with their anti-terrorism team - and received two commendations for bravery during service with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, there are few more qualified to tell this astonishing story. This book is his blistering account of the history of Britain's war against the IRA between 1970 and 1998. From new insights into high-profile killings and riveting accounts of enemy contact, to revelations about clandestine missions and the strategies used in combating a merciless enemy, Undercover War is the definitive inside story of the battle against the IRA, one of the most dangerous and effective terrorist organisations in recent history.

Read more less

The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!This is the story of Roberto Firmino, star of both Liverpool F.C and the Brazilian national team. Follow his exciting journey from his early days at Figueirense and Hoffenheim all the way to the bright lights of Anfield, where he has become a key part of Liverpool's Premier League success. Known for his energy, control and speed, Firmino has proven himself to be a real team player, always there to use his skills to help his team on the road to glory.Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to superstar professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Alisson Becker is the amazing Brazilian goalkeeper who earned his dream move to Liverpool FC in the summer of 2018. His record fee of £66.8 million made him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time. Known for his stunning saves and composure in possession, Alisson really is a force to be reckoned with both in the Premier League and on the world stage. This is the story of the little boy from Novo Hamburgo with a big dream that took him all the way to the bright lights of Anfield.Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to superstar professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

In his latest book, bestselling author Cass Pennant takes an engaging and unparalleled look at some of the most volatile and violent scenes of fans following their football clubs to have unfolded over the past five decades, and examines the lengths to which many will go to put one over their local rivals.Here is history that also examines everything from the changing face of football violence, to who gets involved - and why. It looks, too, at how the' firms' operate, both home and away, and at the effects of the football establishment's often counter-productive attempts to contain hooliganism on the psychology of supporters. Has the war on hooliganism been successfully stamped out? Can it ever be won? This remarkable and informative book gives a frank examination of football violence to show how different inter-club and inter-regional rivalries have evolved - and features many first-hand accounts of incidents that make chilling reading. It builds up to provide the most comprehensive look behind the match-day madness and the activities of some of British football's most notorious hooligans, to give answers as to why these games are so important to supporters. The history of such infamous 'firms' as the ICF, the Bushwackers, the Headhunters, and the Red Army has never been fully documented . . . until now.You're Going Home in a F*cking Ambulance is an eye-opening study of a problem that refuses to go away, by a writer who knows his subject inside-out.

Read more less

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERThe Peaky Blinders as we know them, thanks to the hit TV series, are infused with drama and dread. Fashionably dressed, the charismatic but deeply flawed Shelby family blind enemies by slashing them with the disposable safety razor blades stitched in to the peaks of their flat caps, as they fight bloody gangland wars involving Irish terrorists and the authorities led by a devious Home Secretary, Winston Churchill.But who were the real Peaky Blinders? Did they really exist? Well-known social historian, broadcaster and author, Carl Chinn, has spent decades searching them out. Now he reveals the true story of the notorious Peaky Blinders, one of whom was his own great grandfather and, like the Shelbys, his grandfather was an illegal bookmaker in back-street Birmingham. In this gripping social history, Chinn shines a light on the rarely reported struggles of the working class in one of the great cities of the British Empire before the First World War. The story continues after 1918 as some Peaky Blinders transformed into the infamous Birmingham Gang. Led by the real Billy Kimber, they fought a bloody war with the London gangsters Darby Sabini and Alfie Solomon over valuable protection rackets extorting money from bookmakers across the booming postwar racecourses of Britain.Drawing together a remarkably wide-range of original sources, including rarely seen images of real Peaky Blinders and interviews with relatives of the 1920s gangsters, Peaky Blinders: The Real Story adds a new dimension to the true history of Birmingham's underworld and fact behind its fiction.

Read more less

An incredible tale of one man's adversity and defiance, for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.Horace Greasley escaped over 200 times from a notorious German prison camp to see the girl he loved. This is his incredible true story.A Sunday Times Bestseller - over 60,000 copies sold.Even in the most horrifying places on earth, hope still lingers in the darkness, waiting for the opportunity to take flight.When war was declared Horace Greasley was just twenty-years old. After seven weeks' training with the 2/5th Battalion, the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, Horace found himself facing the might of the German Army in a muddy field south of Cherbourg, in northern France, with just thirty rounds in his ammunition pouch.Horace's war didn't last long. . . On 25 May 1940 he was taken prisoner and so began the harrowing journey to a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland. Those who survived the gruelling ten-week march to the camp were left broken and exhausted, all chance of escape seemingly extinguished.But when Horace met Rosa, the daughter of one of his captors, his story changed; fate, it seemed, had thrown him a lifeline. Horace risked everything in order to steal out of the camp to see his love, bringing back supplies for his fellow prisoners. In doing so he offered hope to his comrades, and defiance to one of the most brutal regimes in history.

Read more less

The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold! Sergio Ramos, the lionhearted captain of Real Madrid and Spain, is famous for his pace and strength in defence as well as his leadership on the field. Follow Sergio on his journey from Seville to the bright lights of the Bernabéu where he learned to become a team player and an ultimate football hero. This is the unofficial story of how he made it his mission to reach the top of his game to become one of the best defenders in the world. Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to superstar professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

The Number 1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Jordan Pickford is the hero goalkeeper whose super-save won England their first ever World Cup penalty shootout, and whose will to win inspired England to battle all the way to the semi-finals. This is the story of how a young boy with a big dream became Everton's number-one keeper and England's star player at the 2018 World Cup.Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

'If one woman understands tough guys, it's Kate Kray' - The IndependentMarried to Ron before his death, and a regular correspondent with Reg, Kate Kray was granted unique access to the shadowy underworld they inhabited, and was entrusted with some of the darkest secrets they possessed - secrets that could never be revealed until they were both dead. Featuring exclusive letters, thoughts from the twins themselves, as well as anecdotes and tributes from gangsters, actors and East End faces, Kate has produced the definitive view of the Krays. Fifty years on from their incarceration, this thrilling and, at times, terrifying memoir remains a truly unique portrait of the real men behind the immortal image.

Read more less

The No. 1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Kevin de Bruyne is arguably Manchester City's best player. This is the story of how the young Belgian rose through the ranks, worked hard despite the difficulties he faced along the way, and showed courage and determination to prove his skill in the world's toughest league. His versatility, technique and goal-scoring ability to have allowed him to become a midfielder like no other this season.Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

On 28 November 2004, banker and father-of-two Alistair Wilson was shot three times on his doorstep in a killing more commonly associated with inner city gang wars than a sleepy seaside town in the Scottish Highlands. All these years later, the question remains: why?Who would wish to kill this respectable husband and family man in such a brutal fashion? Was it simply a tragic case of mistaken identity, or did someone have reason to end Alistair's life? And what was the significance of the envelope handed to him before he was fatally wounded?Over the years, lines of enquiry have been investigated and dismissed, gossip has spread, theories offered and rumours debated at length. And yet, so long after Alistair's death, no arrest has ever been made and precious few motives have been made public.In this gripping true crime investigation, Peter Bleksley, top ex-undercover cop and The Chief on Channel 4's Hunted, strives to uncover the truth and hunt down Alistair's killer. He travels to Scotland, speaks to experts, and draws on his decades of investigative experience in order to provide new insight into Scotland's most mysterious murder case.

Read more less

Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the fight game. The Dubliner has achieved more in three years with the Ultimate Fighting Championship than anyone in the twenty year history of the organization. From an unknown prospect in 2013 to the first man to hold two world titles simultaneously, McGregor's knockout-filled march through the featherweight and then lightweight rankings sent shockwaves through the world. But as effortless as McGregor's heroics have seemed, his journey was far from smooth and his destiny anything but certain.Just another teenager trading martial arts techniques with his friends in a shed, the seemingly delusional boy packed in his plumbing gig - to the massive anxiety of his parents - to chase a pipe dream with little promise of reward. No one could have guessed he would go on to become the biggest pay-per-view attraction in the world. As a technician and tactician inside the cage, McGregor was something special. Outside of the cage McGregor could draw thousands of screaming fans to press events with his wit and presence. And away from the cameras, McGregor's life was built around a love of treating his friends and a loyalty to his teammates and his hometown.This is not another tale about an athlete who was born exceptional and groomed for success. It is about how one young man, through bloody-minded determination and indomitable spirit, came to change the whole game. Fully updated to put his mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather under the microscope, Notorious: The Life and Fights of Conor McGregor explores not just how the fight game changed Conor McGregor, but how Conor McGregor revolutionized the fight game.

Read more less

Christopher Berry-Dee, criminologist and bestselling author of books about the serial killers Aileen Wuornos and Joanne Dennehy, turns his uncompromising gaze upon women who not only kill, but kill repeatedly. Because female murderers, and especially serial murderers, are so rare compared with their male counterparts, this new study will surprise as well as shock, particularly in the cases of women like Beverley Allitt, who kill children, and Janie Lou Gibbs, who killed her three sons and a grandson, as well as her husband. Here too are women who kill under the influence of their male partners, such as Myra Hindley and Rosemary West, and whose lack of remorse for their actions is nothing short of chilling. But the author also turns his forensic gaze on female killers who were themselves victims, like Aileen Wuornos, whose killing spree, for which she was executed, can be traced directly to her treatment at the hands of men. Christopher Berry-Dee has no equal as the author of hard-hitting studies of the killers who often walk among us undetected for many years, and who in so many cases seem to be acting entirely against their natures.

Read more less

The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold! 'Eden slid on his knees towards the fans with his arms out wide. He was the hero again - there was just no stopping him now.' Hazard is the thrilling tale of how the wing wizard went from local wonder kid to league champion. With the support of his football-obsessed family, Eden Hazard worked hard to develop his amazing dribbling skills and earn his dream transfer to Chelsea.Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

Zara H. Phillips seemed to live a charmed life - backing singer to the stars with an incredible career here and across the Atlantic - but her smile masked a difficult childhood and the reality that she was adopted as a baby in the 60s. Her life soon spiralled and as a teenager she suffered from drug and alcohol addiction, as she struggled to find her birth parents and her true identity.Somebody's Daughter is a fascinating and revealing account of how a beautiful woman's life has been dominated by her adoption and how it has affected her and those around her. Hard-hitting and emotional, Zara's memoir explores the needs of adopted children, with her characteristic warmth and wit, and the true journey it takes to find where you belong.

Read more less

The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold! 'Philippe took a deep breath, shut his eyes and listened to the Anfield roar. The Liverpool stadium had the best atmosphere in the whole world.' Coutinho follows the Brazilian football wonder on his stunning path from the backyards of Rio de Janeiro to the bright lights of Milan and the historic city of Liverpool. This is a truly inspiring story of a playmaker that constantly pushes his team towards success, with his fast pace, silky skills and incredible agility as Liverpool's Number 10.Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

Meet Zindedine Zidane, Classic Football Hero. 'In the first minute, Zidane used his strength to hold off two Brazilian midfielders and then backheeled the ball cleverly between them. The France fans loved his tricks.' Zidane is the fantastic story of the boy who started off on the streets of Marseille and went on to win a World Cup with France, score a legendary volley to win the 2002 Champions League Final, and return to Real Madrid as manager. This is how the poor boy with the incredible talent went on to become the greatest player of his generation. Classic Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

Read more less

For many years after that night, my memories of what happened after he held the blade to my throat and threatened my life were fragmented...difficult to piece together. It was too extreme, too violent for me to understand. Living in a state of shock and self-loathing, it took her years of struggle to confront the buried memories of that first attack and begin to undo the damage it wrought, as men continued to take advantage of her fragility in the worst possible way. Yet, after growing up with a burden no teenager should ever have to shoulder, she found the heart to carry out the best revenge plan of all: leading a fulfilling and happy life. But the road to piecing her life back together was long and painful. For Madeleine, forgiveness was the key. True forgiveness takes genuine effort. It takes a real desire to understand those who have done us so much harm. It is the ultimate act of courage. In Unbroken, Madeleine tells her deeply moving and empowering story, as she discovers that life is about how a person chooses to recover from adversity. We are not defined by what knocks us down - we are defined by how we get back up.

Read more less

Bobby Womack was born on 4 March 1944, and died on 27 June 2014, aged 70. In a career that spanned two centuries and seven decades, the soul singer, songwriter and guitarist carved a niche for himself that has rarely been equalled, and never surpassed. He is, quite simply, irreplaceable. A phenomenally gifted musician, his incredible talent helped him to escape the ghetto and become a star, with 30 million record sales to his name. Yet behind his beautiful music lay a life scorched by tragedy. Having trod the harsh edge of the music business for decades, he finally told his explosive story in Midnight Mover. From finding success with his family gospel group The Valentinos and being whipped into shape by James Brown and Jimi Hendrix on the chitlin circuit , to recording with Wilson Pickett, Eric Clapton and Elvis Presley, Womack s stellar career wove a colourful path through the history of soul, rock and R&B music. His collaborations with other musicians read like a roll of honour, from Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles to The Rolling Stones and Damon Albarn. Success came at a price, however. Womack lost his friend and mentor Sam Cooke when the soul star was gunned down in a motel. A doomed marriage to Cooke s widow followed, which severely damaged his reputation in the music business. Tragically, he lost two sons, one to suicide, as well as his brother Harry to a brutal murder. His escape was to turn to drugs. Years of riotous abuse took their toll on Womack and those closest to him including Janis Joplin, who spent her last night drinking with the singer. But Womack s talent, searing guitar and soulful voice always survived. Cited as an influence by myriad musicians, even in death he remains the epitome of cool. Honest, insightful and unflinching, this is the authentic voice of the Midnight Mover, a supremely talented legend of music whose every day was lived to the full.

Read more less

Did you know that there are twice as many chickens in the world than humans, or that ONE IN THREE men picks his nose while driving? Do you want to know the average weight of a human eyeball, or how many hearts a worm has? Amaze your friends by telling them about purple animals, the heaviest sumo wrestler, and the longest bout of hiccups EVER. The first book in the Dr Dino's Learnatorium series, How Fast Can You Fart? is packed with the wildest, weirdest, funniest, grossest, brainiest and best facts about history, science, food, geography, words and much more.

Read more less

In February 1983, civil servant Dennis Nilsen was arrested after body parts were found to be blocking drains at the house where he lived. As the squad car drove him away, he confessed he had strangled 15 young men. It wasn't just the crimes that stunned the police, but the way Nilsen talked. He spoke as if he loved the young men he killed. His words seemed bizarre. When newspapers carried stories of how the 37-year-old lured men back to his flat and why, the nation was shocked by his sheer evil. Yet some psychiatrists considered him a man of rare, complex, and extreme psychological problems. Moreover, they had never met a killer who seemed so keen to understand his own psyche. Whilst on remand in Brixton Prison, Nilsen filled 55 exercise books with thoughts. During his subsequent thirty years in prison he has continued to write, most notably on the first draft of a multi-volume autobiography. The Home Office has now banned it, calling the work pornographic and outrageous. Only one journalist has read the book. Using exclusive access to Nilsen's writing and extensive independent research, Russ Coffey explains what Nilsen says and how much of it we can believe. This is a shocking glimpse into the mind of a killer.

Read more less

Learn how to protect your health for the future by losing weight, and knock years off your age - with expert advice from Harley Street doctor, Dr Aamer KhanDr Khan has spent over 15 years performing cosmetic and non-surgical procedures, helping thousands of men and women, each with a different concern, achieve their aim - to look good and feel as good as they can. In TURN BACK TIME he gives the reader everything they need to know on how to look good and feel great in older age.With practical, personal and expert advice on the right exercise, nutrition to help you find the right balance in life.

Read more less

The author reveals his journey to success. His account of overcoming all obstacles is one that demonstrates that with an inner determination to succeed combined with positive opportunism, anything is possible. Wishing to support young people from struggling communities much like his own childhood neighbourhood, Rod's journey led him to help address ineffective education in this country. His story ends with his going back to the beginning, using his skills and experience to create the Aldridge Foundation and, through his academy schools, help 10,000 students nationwide to reach their full entrepreneurial potential.

Read more less

If you have ever dreamt of meeting One Direction then this is the book for you! Author Sarah Oliver has the inside scoop from 1D's biggest fans from around the world, including all the gossip about what happened when they met Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis and Zayn...and tour secrets you wont hear anywhere else. Anthony Lee was named 'Australia's Best Dad' and appeared on national TV when he helped his daughter meet the band. Discover how he made it happen. Tiffani from Boston met the boys when they were filming the video for 'Gotta Be You' - find out how she accidentally started the rumor that the boys had died on their way to their second video shoot. Greyson from Pennsylvania was the first fan to find out when Liam broke his toe and how he did it - she knew two weeks before he revealed all on The Today Show. Jenna form Ottawa got to hang out for two hours with Niall's family and play with baby Lux - discover what the boys' families are really like! Sarah Oliver reveals all and much more, including which countries One Direction love the most and some of the crazy things they get up to when they're not onstage. Sit back, relax and follow in the footsteps of One Direction as they go around the world!

Read more less