Search results for ""John Blake Publishing""

Bestselling authors Jonathan Levi and Emma French use their unrivalled access to the secret world of police protection officers as they tell the dramatic and astonishing stories of bravery, and the decisions that can change lives in a heartbeat.With the constant threats now posed by gangs, drugs turf wars and terrorism, the world of police protection has changed almost beyond recognition. But the story of these incredible officers is also the story of Britain's most dramatic and traumatic news events. In Bodyguard: The Real Story we meet individuals with first-hand recollection of these indelible events with powerful stories to tell.

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They were the unsung heroines of World War II; the wives and mothers and teenage girls who clocked in daily to work in vast munitions factories, helping to make explosives, bullets, shells, bombs and war machines that would ensure victory. It was dangerous, dirty and exhausting work. They worked round the clock, often exposed to toxic, lethal chemicals. A factory accident could mean blindness, loss of limb - or worse. Many went home with acid burns, yellow skin or damaged hair, others were forced to leave their loved ones and move to live with strangers in unfamiliar surroundings. Frequently, their male bosses were coarse and unsympathetic. Yet this hidden army of nearly two million women toiled on regardless through the hardest years of the war, cheerfully ignoring the dangers and the exhaustion, as bombing, rationing and the heartbreak of loss or separation took their toll on everyone in the country. Here, in their own words, are the vivid wartime memories of the 'secret army' of female munitions workers, whose resilience and sheer grit in the face of danger has only started to emerge. Republished to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of VE Day in May 1945, this revised edition now offers an entirely new, astonishing account of a young woman who worked in a vast munitions plant in Lancashire.

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A teenage boy lies on the pavement, bleeding from a stab wound; a distraught mum watches, in mute shock, as her daughter suffers a terrifying fatal asthma attack; a young girl is gang-raped and her stricken boyfriend takes an overdose; a disturbed young man flings himself in front of a speeding train at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.Few people can imagine living in a world where such situations are part of everyday life. Yet for veteran paramedic Lysa Walder, these and thousands of other emergency call outs are part of a day's work: scenes of tragedy, heroism loss and horror - but also stories of triumph and humour.Lysa has been a paramedic for over twenty years, working for the London Ambulance service - the world's biggest and busiest free service - for much of that time. Here, she reveals what it's really like to work in a job that brings paramedic teams face-to-face with death - and destiny - every day.

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- You know the key to having more energy has nothing to do with crystals and chakras... and everything to do with how much sleep you get.- You know that neglecting your friends will leave you destitute and lonely... but you're still too damn lazy to pick up your phone and get in touch.- You know you could get through your to-do list in half the time... yet you're still stalking your ex on Facebook.- You know you just need a kick up the backside... and that's what you'll find within the pages of this book.Get A F*cking Grip is the self-help book for people who hate self-help, offering simple no-nonsense advice that you can implement into all areas of your life, allowing you to get on with everything you've always wanted to do. Learning how to get a f*cking grip is the key to taking back control of your life.

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Tony Brooks was unique. He was barely out of school when recruited in 1941 by the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the wartime secret service established by Churchill to 'set Europe ablaze'. After extensive training he was parachuted into France in July 1942 - being among the first (and youngest) British agents sent to support the nascent French Resistance. Brook's success was primarily due to his exceptional qualities as a secret agent, although he was aided by large and frequent slices of luck. Among much else, he survived brushes with a British traitor and a notorious double agent; the Gestapo's capture of his wireless operator and subsequent attempts to trap Brooks; brief incarceration in a Spanish concentration camp; injuries resulting from a parachute jump into France; and even capture and interrogation by the Gestapo - although his cover story held and he was released.In an age when we so often take our heroes from the worlds of sport, film, television, music, fashion, or just 'celebrity', it is perhaps salutary to be reminded of a young man who ended the war in command of a disparate force of some 10,000 armed resistance fighters, and decorated with two of this country's highest awards for gallantry, the DSO and MC. At the time, he was just twenty-three years old.This remarkable, detailed and intimate account of a clandestine agent's dangerous wartime career combines the historian's expert eye with the narrative colour of remembered events. As a study in courage, it has few, if any, equals.

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'Retire? You can't retire!', Sir David Attenborough told John Bartram, when the man who has been gamekeeper and senior wildlife officer for Richmond Park for the past thirty years announced his intention to step away from the role, bidding farewell to the iconic park which has been his home, the backdrop for a career many would give anything for, and a way of life for so long.During a career spanning four decades John has been the behind-the-scenes mastermind ensuring the welfare and maintenance of Richmond Park's world-famous herd of deer - widely thought of as the finest herd in captivity. Working with these fabled creatures has demanded balancing their needs with the very real, and often fatal, dangers the park's visitors pose to his herd, and John pulls no punches when it comes to his opinion on the deer's place in the scheme of things, the human 'invaders' and the collision of their two worlds.A remarkable diary chronicling the final year of John's charmed life as the guardian of Richmond Park, this memoir tells of the unique demands of each new season, and of the enormous wrench he will feel upon no longer waking up in the midst of so much unchanged and wild beauty.Park Life is a treasure trove of stories and memories, some poignant and moving, others offbeat and hilarious: from the quirk of fate and farcical interview that led to him getting the job, to living in close-quarters with the deer, the tragedy of putting down fatally wounded animals, and the annual ritual of the rut - as dependable as the rising and setting of the sun.

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Almost seventy-five years ago, MI9 dreamt up the most audacious escape and evasion plan of World War Two. Formulated by Airey Neave, one of the first men ever to escape from Colditz, this plan was one of subterfuge, concealment and deception on a scale never seen before. With numerous downed RAF and Allied pilots on the run in Europe and with the fabled Comete Escape Line having been infiltrated by double agents, Neave's plan was to hide these men right under the very noses of the Nazis rather than risk repatriation. Choosing a forest in the heart of France, right next to one of the German Army's largest ammunition bases, Neave, Belgian agents and the French Resistance would secretly transport and hide Allied pilots and soldiers within feet of the enemy. Nobody thought it would work, but such was the success of the secret camp that a whole community of over one hundred and fifty Allied escapers lived within the forest for three months in the run-up to D-Day. Despite numerous close shaves, they were never discovered and this outrageous plan, brilliant in its simplicity, saw the Allied evaders make their home in the forest, cooking and hunting to survive - and even setting up a golf course in the forest using branches for clubs - without discovery. This operation remained absolutely secret, to the point that the inhabitants of the villages surrounding the forest were unaware, until the end, of the existence of that allied force so close to them.Told through interviews with evaders, members of the Resistance and the children charged with smuggling food into the forest, this book tells the compelling story of one of the most audacious operations in World War Two. A story that has, until today, remained as secret as the Hidden Army of Freteval.

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Cassie was only thirteen when her mother died of a degenerative illness, leaving her vulnerable to sexual predators in the Halifax area who had been grooming her since the age of eleven. She fell through the net of the care system and reached out for friendship, only to be consumed by an escalating spiral of abuse. This harrowing and truly shocking story captures in vivid detail how gangs of men were able to ply a child with drink and drugs, then rape her and pass her around their associates with no one seemingly able to step in and prevent it. Cassie was lost in a world of appalling degradation for years before a local policeman and caring social worker became instrumental in helping her to escape and rebuild her life. In 2016, the largest case of child sexual exploitation ever brought to trial at that time in the UK resulted in the conviction of 17 men. Since Cassie's abusers were jailed, child safeguarding policies have improved so that vulnerable children like Cassie should never again fall through the net and become prey.

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The heartbreaking true story of two families' thirty-year fight for justice for their murdered daughtersOn 9 October 1986, Russell Bishop sexually assaulted and strangled nine-year-old Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, in woods near Brighton. He did not answer for his crimes for over thirty years.Bishop - a petty criminal known to both girls' families - was charged after his suspiciously close involvement in the search for the bodies. But a last-minute change of testimony from his then-girlfriend allowed him to go free, and the Babes in the Woods murders became one of Britain's most infamous cold cases.In this first book on the case, veteran crime reporter Paul Cheston brings to life this thirty-year saga of murder, betrayal and injustice - before three decades of hurt led, at last, to healing, justice and hope for the parents of two murdered girls.Written with the approval and cooperation of the Fellows family, The Babes in the Woods Murders sheds light once and for all on the awful truth behind what happened on 9 October 1986, and how the courtroom dramas that unfolded over a generation finally brought down one of Britain's most depraved killers.

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'People didn't talk about the team, they talked about the mob that came with them'Terrifyingly vicious, brilliantly organised, tremendously feared and highly fashionable, the InterCity Firm were the most notorious football hooligan gang the country had ever seen. Bestselling author Cass Pennant was one of the I.C.F.'s best-known figures and has used his unique position as a West Ham insider to bring together these first-hand accounts of the men who were at the eye of storm, both on and off the terraces. In this classic account of football hooliganism at its terrifying height, all the faces of the West Ham firm reveal their memories and thoughts about the violence, the battles, the campaigns, the run-ins with the authorities, and all that came with it. Congratulations, you are just about to meet the I.C.F...

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In this revelatory memoir, snooker player John Virgo turns the spotlight on himself, sharing secrets from his forty years at the top of one of the world's most popular sports.Famous for his hilarious impersonations of snooker's biggest stars, JV is a household name thanks to his razor-sharp BBC Snooker commentary and the much-loved quiz show Big Break.A fascinating insight into British sporting life, taking readers from John's childhood in Salford, through smoky snooker dens, to tournaments and championships all over the world, as he relives travelling on Concorde, rubbing shoulders with royalty and much more. Admiringly nicknamed 'Mr Perfection', John tells how he overcame adversity to become UK champion, yet also reveals how gambling wrecked his dreams of becoming World Champion, and almost bankrupted him.An affectionate reminder of a time when Britain - and sport - took themselves a little less seriously.With a foreword by snooker legend Jimmy White.

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THE RIVETING TRUE STORY OF HOW THE FBI BROUGHT DOWN THE FEARSOME MIGUEL TREVIÑO, LEADER OF LOS ZETAS, MEXICO'S MOST VIOLENT DRUG CARTEL.Drugs, money, cartels: this is what FBI rookie Scott Lawson expected when he was sent to the border town of Laredo, but instead he's deskbound writing intelligence reports about the drug war. Then, one day, Lawson is asked to check out an anonymous tip: a horse was sold at an Oklahoma auction house for a record-topping price, and the buyer was Miguel Treviño, one of the leaders of the Zetas, Mexico's most brutal drug cartel. The source suggested that Treviño was laundering money through American quarter horse racing. If this was true, it offered a rookie like Lawson the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the cartel. Lawson teams up with a more experienced agent, Alma Perez, and, taking on impossible odds, sets out to take down one of the world's most fearsome drug lords. In Bloodlines, Emmy and National Magazine Award-winning journalist Melissa del Bosque follows Lawson and Perez's harrowing attempt to dismantle a cartel leader's American racing dynasty built on extortion and blood money. Throwing back the curtain on the inner workings of cartel kingpins and law enforcement agencies, del Bosque turns more than three years of research and her decades of reporting on Mexico and the border into a gripping narrative about greed and corruption. Bloodlines offers us an unprecedented look at the inner workings of the Zetas and US federal agencies, and opens a new vista onto the changing nature of the drug war and its global expansion.

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Meet Manuel Neuer - Ultimate Football Hero.Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper in today's game. This is the story of how young Manuel worked his way up the ranks to become a core member of Bayern Munich's all-conquering side, as well as a captain and World Cup winner with his home country, Germany. Neuer's amazing reflexes, speed and revolutionary 'sweeper-keeper' playing style have re-invented what it means to be a goalkeeper.

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During the mid-1980s, a brutal killing spree began in Los Angeles as several women were murdered, having been sexually assaulted and shot in the chest with a .25 calibre gun. The man responsible was Lonnie David Franklin Jr. However, his identity wouldn't be revealed for almost thirty years, by which time he had become one of America's most prolific serial killers.At the time, Los Angeles was a city struggling under the weight of racial inequalities and a crack cocaine epidemic that was sweeping through its most deprived areas. Many in the communities of South Central felt that this caused a lack of interest on the part of the LAPD in properly investigating the these murders. In 2010, Franklin's escape from justice finally came to an end, and he was eventually convicted of the killings of nine women and one teenage girl in 2016, although it is suspected that he could be responsible for killing many, many more.In this book, investigative journalist Victoria Redstall delves into the mind of America's most notorious serial killer to discover the truth, in his own words, behind his appalling actions as well as speaking to neighbours, family members, victims' family members and police connected to the case. By visiting Franklin in prison and gaining his trust, she allows Franklin to reveal a terrifying lack of empathy for the victims whose lives he so brutally ended. This is a chilling and fascinating look into the crimes of the Grim Sleeper.

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As one of Britain's best known TV and radio personalities, Gloria Hunniford requires little introduction. From chat show and current affairs host to presenter of consumer and lifestyle programmes, Gloria is one of the few broadcasters who can genuinely claim to embrace the spectrum of popular culture. Now, having just been made an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours and celebrating 70 years in show-business, Gloria is ready to tell her story.Gloria has had many lives - starting out as a singer aged seven alongside her father in a troupe of entertainers, before taking the brave step to travel and live in Canada as a teenager, which broadened her horizons in a way she never could have imagined, coming from a religiously divided Northern Ireland. Back home at the age of twenty, following the release of her first record that went into the Ulster charts, she was offered a job at BBC Belfast, which started her on a career trajectory she could only have dreamed about in those early years singing in front of her Bakelite radio, hoping someone would hear her.Working through bombs, bullets and barricades, and the turmoil of the Troubles in the seventies, Gloria soon became a firm fixture on both radio and TV, especially with her nightly show, Good Evening Ulster. It wasn't long before Gloria's charm, wit and tenacity were spotted over the Irish sea, becoming the first ever woman to have a daily radio programme in 1982, presenting on BBC Radio 2 continuously for the next 13 years. Since then, Gloria's career has blossomed, and she has become widely regarded as one of the most respected names in the industry.In My Life Gloria will, for the first time, explore her life from her humble beginnings to the much-loved national treasure she is today.

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The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!'None of the defenders had a chance. Luis was too quick. Before they could move, he had pounced on the ball and fired a shot into the top corner.'Suarez follows the Uruguayan's winding path from love-struck youngster to Liverpool hero to Barcelona star. Grabbing goals and headlines along the way, this is the inspiring story of how the world's deadliest striker made his mark.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.

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In July 1940, Walter Schellenberg of the German Secret Service drew up a list of 2,694 people believed to be living in Britain, who were known enemies of the Reich. In that month, the Wehrmacht was poised across the Channel ready to hit Britain with blitzkrieg, the terrible and hugely successful tactic that had already overwhelmed Poland, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. The names on Schellenberg's list represent the heart and soul of a nation that made the British what they were but the list also includes a diaspora from Europe - the intellectuals, politicians and writers who had been driven out of their own homelands by the speed of the German conquests. All human life is there - lives that were, to the Nazis, unworthy of life.Historians have found the list a curiosity. Surely, it cannot be real? It was. The Black Book is the first book to evaluate the list, and look at the chilling reality of what Hitler had in store for the nation.

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One happy day, in the midst of writing to her fiancee, her hand stopped writing unbidden; then it continued by itself, etching the words which would change her life forever: '...but there's no point now, as I am going to be a nun.'That bolt from the blue set events in motion that caused Shirley to lose her mother and sisters, her husband to be, her horses, her parties and life of ease. Within months, Shirley had become Sister Agatha. But her faith in her choice never faltered, despite years of great difficulty when her Convent was close to bankruptcy. Her belief took her to London to knock on Sir Paul Getty's door to secure the money to ensure her community would not lose their home...and getting it. Now eighty-five, she looks back on an incredible life of love, loss and belief. This is at once a deeply poignant tale of doomed romance, and a heart-warming story of taking a leap of faith and finding a meaning in life beyond the wealth and comfort she was born into.Whether a believer or not, Sister Agatha's momentous life will touch and inspire, whilst reminding us that it is perhaps better to accept that not everything in the world is yet explained.

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But, as in the podcast, they got a bit side-tracked - as well as bringing you some (more or less) completely genuine football facts, Bob and Andy speculate about the lifestyle of baked bean-loving, yellow snake-owning ex-England boss Steve McClaren, and investigate the 'Gangs of the EPL', where football meets infantile bullying. There's also input from the Secret Soccer Superstar - a former player who lifts the lid on what it's really like to be a top, top pro - and the lyrics from some of Bob's most memorable Scottish songs, so that you can sing them to your children, elderly relatives or, indeed, yourself, should you need to be soothed after learning about Robson Green's Extreme Bangers. In summary, it's a bit of a mess - but - it's a beautiful, glorious, hilarious mess...and if you're not reduced to at least one convulsion while reading it, Bob and Andy are going to be very disappointed with you. In fact, they might come round to your house and force you to KISS THE ALDERMAN.

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When Jonathan Franklin takes two baby tawny owls back to Eton, he has no idea how chaotic the following months will be. The birds show no respect for Etonian routine and tradition. They trash his room and rule his daily life, and are known throughout the school as 'Dum' and 'Dee'. Although a keen naturalist, Jonathan struggles to understand his charges and to find the right food for them; at first meat and feathers, soon mice and rats. Even so, they nearly die of malnutrition on two occasions. Frantic, he searches for natural food. How to keep them alive is a constant worry. He watches them grow from ugly balls of fluff into beautiful adults, every change of plumage and behaviour noted. They play truant, they shock others, and lead Jonathan into hilarious adventures. They charm his housemaster and everybody who meets them. Best of all is seeing them flying about over those famous playing fields. All the time, Jonathan works to train them for eventual return to the wild. Will that be possible? He is never sure whether he will succeed.Now updated by the author to tell the end of this extraordinary story, Two Owls at Eton - very British, very witty, yet always close to the rawness of the natural world - is a story to delight everyone - whether they ever trod those playing fields, or have never wished to set eyes on the place.

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With punk tunes to die for, raucous gigs to get the world jumping and lyrics that resonate with a generation, All Time Low are putting the power back into power-pop and owning stages across the globe. In 2003, four best friends, Alex Gaskarth, Jack Barakat, Rian Dawson and Zack Merrick, got together in high school, bonding over their love of Blink-182 and soon set off on a path that would emulate their heroes. The group was signed before graduating and soon found they were breaking out as Vans Warped Tour favourites. Songs like 'Dear Maria, Count Me In' brought the band firmly onto the world stage as the group established itself as one of the most exciting on the circuit, touring as headliners in their own right as well as supporting seminal genre acts Green Day and Blink-182. The group's status as serious pop-punk heroes was further strengthened by the superbly-received 2012 album, Don't Panic, packed to the edges with blistering skate-punk riffs, infectious vocal harmonies and sparkling guitar play. With their 2015 album Future Hearts having debuted at No. 2 in the US Billboard 200 and topping the UK album charts, All Time Low have proved they're here to stay. Affectionate, in-depth and packed with more inside stories than you can shake a drumstick at, Don't Party, Let's Panic tells the unofficial story behind four boys who were destined to become the greatest thing to come out of Towson, Baltimore. The time for superstardom is nigh for a quartet whose party-loving ways and instant rapport with their fanbase are as strong as those irresistible riffs and melodies. The future is theirs.

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A key player in the worst prison riot in British history at Strangeways Prison in April 1990, Alan Lord was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was drawn to trouble like water to a sponge. After experiencing a troubled childhood during which Alan was in and out of children's homes - after being put into care at the tender age of eighteen months old - Alan was a teenager in 1981 when he was sentenced to life in prison for murder during a robbery that had gone badly wrong. He served thirty-two years in various prisons throughout the United Kingdom. This book tells the truth of what goes on behind prison walls and exposes the level of inhumane treatment and brutality that Alan had to endure throughout his thirty-two year journey, during which he never stopped standing up for human rights. Fighting against the degrading prison system of the late twentieth century, Alan helped change the historical humiliating slop out and weekly shower that hundreds of thousands of prisoners had to adhere to throughout the centuries. The battle came at a cost though as it meant more time behind bars, time spent mainly in the segregation unit.Powerfully detailing the way prisoners are treated on a daily basis, Life in Strangeways is a gripping tale that will change the perception of Alan Lord: convicted murderer and riot leader.

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Martin Freeman is one of Britain's best-loved actors. After being cast in bit parts and cameos - such as The Bill (his first onscreen role) and the beat-boxing Ricky C in Ali G Indahouse - he made his big break as Tim Canterbury in The Office. Freeman was later cast, among other roles, as the mundane character of Arthur Dent in the sci-fi movie adaption of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and, labelled an 'everyday' bloke by journalists, began to run the risk of being stereotyped. However, in 2010 he completely turned his career around when he took on the role of Dr John Watson in the incredibly successful Sherlock. His biggest role followed as he portrayed Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy and, in recent years, Freeman has shown a dark edge to his thespian skills by portraying Richard III in the West End and Lester Nygaard in the critically acclaimed US drama series Fargo. An intensely private man, Freeman is in a long-term relationship with the actress Amanda Abbington, whom he met on the set of the 2000 Channel 4 TV movie Men Only and who played his on-screen partner in Sherlock. The Unexpected Adventures of Martin Freeman explores the rise to fame of this unassuming actor, how he has successfully managed to avoid the pitfalls of stardom, and how he has become one of the greatest actors of his generation. It is a must-read for any fan.

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Appearing on the eighth series of Big Brother in 2007, Victoria Beckham lookalike Chanelle Hayes quickly became a national talking point thanks to her tears, tantrums and explosive relationship with fellow housemate Ziggy Lichman. As one half of golden couple 'Chiggy', feisty Chanelle was propelled to stardom and soon established herself as a darling of the British tabloid press and magazine cover girl. But despite being one of the most successful BB housemates of all time, with a flourishing modelling career and even a foray into the pop world, there is so much more to Yorkshire bornand- bred Chanelle than showbiz ups and downs. For the young mum's life has been etched with tragedy, right from the moment she was born in prison in November 1987. Just a few months old, she was orphaned when her drug-addicted mother was brutally murdered, and she was sent to live with foster parents before later being adopted. With the real reason for her mother's death shrouded in secrecy, Chanelle's teenage years were marked by an agonising quest for the truth - which saw her go to extreme and devastating lengths for answers, including attempted suicide. Her rocky past has also been plagued by eating disorders, while Chanelle's romantic history has been defined by heartache and despair. And despite doting on son Blakely, born to footballer Matthew Bates in 2010, her volatile relationship with the child's father played out through the courts to a miserable end. At times brutally honest and astonishingly sad, Chanelle's story does not make for easy reading, and she is the first to admit that she is no angel. But amidst all the heartbreak are humorous, wry observations and moving anecdotes which would soften a heart of stone. And in spite of all her troubles, Chanelle has emerged a stronger, happier woman, who has finally tackled her demons and can now embrace a brighter future with confidence.

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Julian Sayarer grew up riding a bicycle. Working as a bike courier in London, he learned the world record for a circumnavigation by bike had been broken, and that cycling into the sunset had been bought by banks and big business. Determined to do things differently, Julian set out to take back the record for the people. Life Cycles is his story of that record, riding 110 miles every 24 hours for 6 months on only GBP8.84 a day - a route through jungles, snow and 20 different countries. He found himself stranded without money in the deserts of Kazakhstan, held up by insurrections in northwest China, and sleeping under motorway bridges in America's Deep South. Taken by life on the road and a spirit of adventure, he loved every minute of it. A tale of excitement and world politics by bicycle, travelling at 12mph, Julian found that the Tartars of Central Asia aren't so different to the trailer families of Louisiana. This book is a reminder that the world is out there - and it's waiting for us.

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Peter Sallis is known to millions as Norman Clegg in the classic BBC series Last of the Summer Wine, and to millions more - whether they realise it or not - as the voice of Wallace in the Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit. Peter was to raise the curtain on richly diverse in the most unlikely of circumstances; as an amateur actor whilst serving on the RAF groundcrew during World War 2. A scholarship to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts followed, and it was from these humble beginnings that Peter would go on to become one of Britain's best loved actors.

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Although nobody realised it at the time, the historic importance of the MC5 is vast. Often considered a 'post-punk' band, their influence reaches far and wide, with everyone from Green Day, The White Stripes, Motorhead, Ramones, Rage Against The Machine and Bad Brains citing them. Fuelled by the radical politics of the White Panther party, the MC5 preached revolution and were often a target for the authorities. Having released three albums between 1969 and 1971, two of the band passed away and guitarist Wayne Kramer spent time behind bars for drug-related offences. Thirty years of low-key solo projects followed, before the band reunited in the new Millennium for a one-off show that turned into a full-on reunion. It details not only the seismic impact that they've had on music, but also the social climate in which they evolved.

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From the Sunday Times bestselling author, Carl ChinnAs Britain emerges into the mid-twentieth century, change is afoot. Cities are beginning to shift from smog-filled industrial hubs to more efficient metropolitan centres of commerce and, despite the country once again being blighted by war, society is beginning to shift towards a more modern, forward-thinking era. But change is not only limited to regular men and women; under the shifting tides of development, the criminal underbelly, too, is evolving, anxious for new avenues of exploitation and expansion . . .And so, in the third instalment of his best-selling series, historian Carl Chinn examines this new era in the landscape of Britain's gangs. After the violent reign of the Peaky Blinders, the intimidation of the Birmingham gang and frequent gang wars up and down the country, from the wreckage new groups are emerging with new ways of making money and causing trouble, and, like those who came before them, they leave havoc and destruction in their wake.Peaky Blinders: The Aftermath will bring this new generation of criminals into focus. And up and down the length of the country, from the dog tracks to the pubs of the East End, it delves into the murky world of the country's most villainous criminals.

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The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Dele Alli is one of England's best young midfielders, known for his skill, scoring prowess and passion on the pitch. During his teens, Dele Alli managed to progress through the ranks at MK Dons and eventually signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2015. Since then he's been working hard at getting glorious goals for his club and country and being an all-round footballing superhero.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.

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Meet the crews who think nothing of using tear gas, meat hooks, home-made bombs and worse. They come from all corners of the globe: from Brazil, Croatia, Argentina, Italy... and for these football hooligans, their team is their life. In a quest to find the most fanatical football hooligans on the planet, author Dominic Utton visited nine countries in three months with Danny Dyer, and the team behind the hit TV series. Shot at, stoned, glassed and tear-gassed, he survived gunfire in Brazil and a riot in Poland. Full of spine-chilling encounters, extraordinary characters and brutal clashes, The Real Football Factories shows that football hooliganism is alive and kicking all over the world.

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AS SEEN IN THE SUNDAY TIMES, THE UK'S NO.1 FORENSIC ECOLOGIST LOOKS AT HER MOST HIGH-PROFILE AND INTERESTING CASES...'I love puzzles, and finding answers is the only truly enjoyable part of what I do.' Professor Patricia Wiltshire is a forensic ecologist, her days spent at crime scenes collecting samples, standing over dead bodies in a mortuary, or looking down her microscope for evidence.Working at the interface of where the criminal and natural world interact, Patricia has been involved in some of the most high-profile murder cases. Now, through a study of her most infamous, and fascinating cases - including the murder of Sarah Payne, and the Soham murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman - Patricia will show us how she finds the answers to some of the worst crimes imaginable. Not only does she help the police solve crimes and give answers to the most bemusing circumstances, she can help to exonerate t

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The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Kylian Mbappe has the world at his feet. The young French striker's goals, skills and fearless attacking spirit earned him a £166 million transfer to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, to take on the best teams in Europe with new teammate Neymar. And at the 2018 World Cup, Kylian was the star player, his goals firing France to victory in the final. Now as a world champion, he has just one goal left - to become the best player ever.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.

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Charlie Bronson has spent 28 of the last 30 years in solitary confinement. He has been locked in dungeons, in iron boxes concreted into the middle of cells and, famously, in a cage. When he is unlocked, up to 12 prison officers - sometimes in riot gear and with dogs - are standing by. Yet this is a man of great warmth and humour who has never killed anyone and has often dealt with his gruelling life with humour - during a siege in 1993 he demanded an inflatable doll and a cup of tea. Now his story is being turned into a Hollywood film. Now in this amazing new edition of his best selling autobiography, Charlie reveals the truth about his extraordinary life behind bars.

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Comedian, teatime talk show host and all-round entertainer, multi-award winning Paul O'Grady is one of the most popular figures on British television.But his real-life journey has been more dramatic than any of his on-stage stories.Born into a noisy Irish Catholic household in Birkenhead, Paul was always determined to live a colourful life. He was a boxing champion as a boy. He became a dad as a teenager. He has been a barman in a brothel and spent his first years in London working as a carer to some of the capital's most at-risk kids.In this, the first major biography of the star, Neil Simpson reveals the extraordinary highs and the terrible lows of Paul's life. He explains: how Lily Savage was born as a way to make more money - and help Paul take his mind off the horrors he saw every day as a social worker; how tough it was for the 'blonde bombsite from Birkenhead' to break into the entertainment mainstream; and, why Paul decided to risk everything by throwing off Lily's wig and carving out a new career as himself.The depression, the private grief and the near fatal heart attacks that struck as Paul re-invented himself as the funniest and most successful chat show host in the country. Frequently hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenchingly sad, Paul O'Grady has always lived his life on a rollercoaster of emotions. Today he is a proud grandfather, a multimillionaire and a man loved by millions of devoted fans. This is his incredible story.

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Meet the UK's most notorious football hooligans. Author Andrew Woods has come face-to-face with Millwall's most famous firm and now, for the first time, the Bushwackers reveal all about their bloodiest battles and fiercest rivalries - in their own words. But among the camaraderie, the battles of wits with the police and the exhilarating toe-to-toe run-ins with the opposition, this book also examines the history of hooliganism and why measures brought in to combat violence have failed. Packed with hilarious characters. shocking tales and plenty of excitement, no stone is left unturned in this journey into the dark side of football. With stories from the 1960s to the present day - including the infamous Luton riot of 1985, the 'Mad Season' of 2001/02 and the ongoing war with West Ham's ICF - No-one Likes Us, We Don't Care is the ultimate collection of tales from the terraces.

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For years, men have been puzzling over what it is that women find attractive in a man. Now, the world's leading female pick-up artist trainer, Kezia Noble, is here to unlock the mysteries of what women really want in a man. Unlike male pick-up artist trainers, Kezia doesn't make assumptions about what women want - she knows exactly what it is they find attractive in the opposite sex. In this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to becoming a master seducer, Kezia wil show you how to: * Understand the chemistry between two sexes * Use body language to your advantage * Master the art of seduction * Seal the deal and make sure you see a woman again Read this book and discover that, with Kezia's techniques at your fingertips, attracting women isn't as difficult as you might think!

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There have been innumerable 'rock star' biographies and music histories before, but there is no book that presents the deepest, innermost thoughts from some of the industry's most legendary musicians on not only how they create, but what drives their creative process. Have you ever wondered how your favourite rock stars get inspired? How they write a song? How an album is put together? What made them choose a life devoted to music? Written and compiled by Jenny Boyd, who has lived at the heart of the rock world since the 1960s and experienced many of its most iconic moments, the book contains interviews with each musician to give the reader a compelling and groundbreaking insight into the creative process at the heart of each rock star's musical success. From Eric Clapton to Mick Fleetwood, Joni Mitchell to George Harrison, this is a bible of rock royalty that provides an intimate portrait of their craft. Icons of Rock is the perfect book for any fan that wants to know more about their favourite musicians and bands - or any budding composer and performer who wants a unique insight into how the world's most legendary rock stars created and delivered their greatest music.

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From No.1 bestselling author Toni Maguire comes a new true story of abuse and survival. Gerry was only a young girl when she was first abused by her father. His evil acts were followed by abuse from her local priest, arranged by her father. After her mother found out about the abuse, and believing there was nothing she could do to help her child, she committed suicide. Gerry and her siblings were split up and placed in different foster homes, all knowing they were unlikely to see each other ever again. Told that her mother had committed a grave sin, her foster parents were far from kind to her. She experienced years of loneliness, feeling completely abandoned. The abuse Gerry experienced was so extensive it led to her needing an operation to repair the damage her body went through. When asked who or what had been responsible, she responded 'the priest'. But she was not believed in her small northern town in the 60s, where everyone believed a priest took his orders directly from God. After finally meeting her kind and caring husband a few years ago, and after celebrating her 60th birthday, Gerry decided it was time for her story to be told. This is her true story of survival.

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What do you call an Englishman at the Qatar 2022 World Cup final? A referee! From the No.1 bestselling football series comes the Ultimate Football Heroes Joke Book - just in time for the summer! The UFH Joke book is here and it's the ultimate collection of the funniest footy puns and gags, one-liners and anecdotes you're ever likely to find. Whether young readers wish to impress their friends with the silliest football jokes or try their luck on an unsuspecting adult, this joke book is the perfect past time to share with all your family & friends. With 112 pages of rip-roaring funnies, here's just a few awaiting you: What is black and white and black and white and black and white? A Juventus fan rolling down a hill! Did you hear about the Icelandic centre-back who couldn't swim? They gave her the captain's armband. What is Man City's club motto? If at first you don't succeed, buy, buy again. And there's so many more! Why not also dive into the Ultimate Football Heroes Activity Book or the Ultimate Football Heroes Quiz Book?

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The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Hailing from a footballing family, Jude Bellingham started his football career as an under-8 at Birmingham City before going on to make history as the club's youngest ever first-team player when he made his senior debut at the age of 16. His natural talent caught the eye of the scouts at Borussia Dortmund. Joining the German team in 2020, Bellingham became the club's youngest ever goalscorer in his first competitive match.Discover how this midfielder from the West Midlands balanced school and a burgeoning football career to hone his skills. From training with the seniors as a teenager and undertaking a two-year scholarship at Birmingham City to playing for a European club and representing England in the World Cup 2022, at the age of 19.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.

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From the bestselling Ultimate Football Heroes series comes the Ultimate Football Heroes Activity Book - just in time for the Euros!The Ultimate Football Heroes Activity Book is packed with activities to keep football fans entertained. Can you put together the greatest football XI? Do you have the skills to create the ultimate football hero? Can you answer trivia questions to prove your super-fan status?With 144 illustrated fill-in pages of drawing challenges, word puzzles, codes to crack and much more, the Ultimate Football heroes Activity Book is enough to keep football fans of all ages busy for an entire season. Inside you'll find hours of fun including:- Map the team exercises- Word searches- Jokes- Quizzes- Doodling activities- Crosswords- Fantasy Football- Puzzles- Fun facts - And much more!

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As the son of a former footballer, Martin Ødegaard spent his early years at local Norwegian sports club Drammen Strong and, at the age of 10, joined the youth division at Strømsgodset where he trained with older players. By the age of 15, Ødegaard was playing in the UEFA Champions League and even represented Norway in a friendly against the UAE, making history as Norway's youngest ever national team player. In 2015, Ødegaard caught the eye of Real Madrid where he trained with both the first team and the reserves. In 2021, Ødegaard moved to Arsenal where he quickly became an essential part of the team and was named captain ahead of the 2022-23 season.Discover how this midfielder from Norway balanced full-time education with a burgeoning football career to hone his skills. From training and playing with opponents many years older and representing his country aged just 15, to holding the captaincy for both Norway's national team and Arsenal. 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.

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Hailing from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Casemiro enrolled in the youth academy of Sao Paulo, playing for his country in the Under-17s and Under 20s, and making his senior debut in 2011 against Argentina. Proving himself a highly skilled player, it wasn't long before he caught the eye of European scouts during his 2012 Copa Sudamericana performance, and earned a loan to Real Madrid and then to Porto. In 2022, Casemiro transferred to Manchester United.Discover how this defensive midfielder from Brazil overcame family struggles, balancing his home life with a burgeoning football career to hone his skills. From playing in the Sao Paulo youth academy and representing Brazil in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup to signing for Manchester United and becoming a crucial member of the Brazil National Team.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.

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The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Bukayo Saka has the world at his feet. Since breaking through the ranks at Arsenal, the young forward has gone from strength to strength, helping his team lift the FA cup for a record 14th time. His versatile style of play means he can help his team all over the pitch. Discover how the boy born in Ealing, went on to represent England at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final, achieved his dream of representing his country at such a young age and overcame adversity to become the ultimate football hero.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.

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The No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold!Robert Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world. Loved for his smart gameplay and relentless goalscoring, Lewandowski gathered a great following at Lech Poznan and Borussia Dortmund. Then, his career reached new heights when he moved to Bayern Munich in 2014, leading to the team winning the Bundesliga six years in a row and becoming Champions League winners in 2020. Follow his incredible journey from a young boy aspiring to emulate his sporting parents, to the man who conquered the pitches of Munich and Europe!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.

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