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The Dressmaker of Paris: 'A story of loss and escape, redemption and forgiveness. Fans of Lucinda Riley will adore it' (Sunday Express)
by Georgia KaufmannA beautifully written, sweeping historical women's fiction novel that spans both time and the globe as we follow one woman's journey from simple country girl to global fashion icon.I need to tell you a story, ma chère. My story.Rosa Kusstatscher has built a global fashion empire upon her ability to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. But tonight, as she prepares for the most important meeting of her life, her usual certainty eludes her.What brought her to this moment? As she struggles to select her dress and choose the right shade of lipstick, Rosa begins to tell her incredible story. The story of a poor country girl from a village high in the mountains of Italy. Of Nazi occupation and fleeing in the night. Of hope and heartbreak in Switzerland; ambition, glamour and love in Paris. Of ambition and devastation in Rio de Janeiro; success and self-discovery in New York.A life spent running, she sees now. But she will run no longer.Breathtaking and utterly enthralling, The Dressmaker of Paris is a stunning debut novel that is perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton and Dinah Jefferies.(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
The Dressmaker of Paris: A sweeping, breathtaking historical novel
by Georgia Kaufmann'Involving, immersive and unputdownable' - bestselling author Jill MansellI need to tell you a story, ma chère. My story.Rosa Kusstatscher has built a global fashion empire upon her ability to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. But tonight, as she prepares for the most important meeting of her life, her usual certainty eludes her.What brought her to this moment? As she struggles to select her dress and choose the right shade of lipstick, Rosa begins to tell her incredible story. The story of a poor country girl from a village high in the mountains of Italy. Of Nazi occupation and fleeing in the night. Of hope and heartbreak in Switzerland; glamour and love in Paris. Of ambition and devastation in Rio de Janeiro; success and self-discovery in New York.A life spent running, she sees now. But she will run no longer.Breathtaking and utterly enthralling, The Dressmaker of Paris is perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton and Dinah Jefferies.'The Dressmaker of Paris is a delicious book: elegantly structured, beautifully written and with a fascinating protagonist. Georgia Kaufmann has created a beautiful and compelling novel that had me hooked until the very last page. And that ending: wow!' - Gill Thompson, bestselling author of The Oceans Between Us'Sensuous, sweeping and utterly engrossing, The Dressmaker of Paris is as dazzling and finely crafted as a Dior gown' - Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of Dangerous Crossing'The story of a remarkable woman . . . A book you will lose yourself in' - Gill Paul, bestselling author of THE LOST DAUGHTER
The Dressmaker's War
by Mary ChamberlainFor readers of Amy Bloom, Sarah Waters, and Anthony Doerr, The Dressmaker's War is the story of a brilliant English seamstress taken prisoner in Germany during World War II: about her perseverance, the choices she makes to stay alive, and the haunting aftermath of war. London, 1939. Ada Vaughan is a young working-class woman with an unusual skill for dressmaking who dreams of opening her own atelier. When she meets Stanislaus von Lieben, a Hungarian aristocrat, a new, better life seems to arrive. Stanislaus sweeps Ada off her feet and brings her to Paris. But when war breaks out and Stanislaus vanishes, Ada is abandoned and alone, trapped on an increasingly dangerous continent. Taken prisoner by the Germans, Ada does everything she can to survive. In the bleak horror of wartime Germany, Ada's skill for creating beauty and glamour is the one thing that keeps her safe. But after the war, attempting to rebuild her life in London, Ada finds that no one is interested in the messy truths of what happened to women like her. And though Ada thought she had left the war behind, her past eventually comes to light, with devastating consequences. Gorgeously written and compulsively readable, The Dressmaker's War introduces us to an unforgettable heroine--Ada Vaughan, a woman whose ambition for a better life ultimately comes at a heartbreaking cost.Advance praise for The Dressmaker's War "Mary Chamberlain's clear, bright prose is river-swift and Ada Vaughan is a character rich with beautiful, flawed humanity. This is a gripping story about limits and the haunting, brutal way they can be drawn and redrawn in war."--Priya Parmar, author of Vanessa and Her Sister "A thrilling story, brilliantly told--I couldn't put it down. Ada Vaughan is a character to fall in love with: utterly real, flawed, and beguiling."--Saskia Sarginson, author of The Twins and Without You "I found myself completely swept up in this tale of love, ambition, and vanity."--Juliet West, author of Before the Fall "The Dressmaker's War is a powerful and gripping tale of longings and dreams, and how a chance meeting that seems to offer the answers and more instead comes with devastating consequences. It's a story about what a person will do and can do under force. The world before, during, and after World War II is amazingly well-drawn. But it is the character of Ada Vaughan that lingers: her resolve, her passion, and her flaws."--Cecilia Ekbäck, author of Wolf WinterFrom the Hardcover edition.
The Dressmaker: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, 1973
by Beryl Bainbridge'The book I wish I'd written . . . Witty, chilling, every word in place' Hilary Mantel, GuardianWartime Liverpool is a place of ration books and jobs in munitions factories. Rita, living with her two aunts Nellie and Margo, is emotionally naïve and withdrawn. When she meets Ira, a GI, at a neighbour's party she falls in love as much with the idea of life as a GI bride as with the man himself. But Nellie and Margo are not so blind...
The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive
by Lucy Adlington'Lucy Adlington tells of the horrors of the Nazi occupation and the concentration camps from a fascinating and original angle. She introduces us to a little known aspect of the period, highlighting the role of clothes in the grimmest of societies imaginable and giving an insight into the women who stayed alive by stitching' - Alexandra Shulman, author of Clothes...and other things that matter'An utterly absorbing, important and unique historical read' - Judy Batalion, NY Times bestselling author of The Light of Our Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's GhettosThe powerful chronicle of the women who used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust, stitching beautiful clothes at an extraordinary fashion workshop created within one of the most notorious WWII death camps. At the height of the Holocaust twenty-five young inmates of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp - mainly Jewish women and girls - were selected to design, cut, and sew beautiful fashions for elite Nazi women in a dedicated salon. It was work that they hoped would spare them from the gas chambers. This fashion workshop - called the Upper Tailoring Studio - was established by Hedwig Höss, the camp commandant's wife, and patronized by the wives of SS guards and officers. Here, the dressmakers produced high-quality garments for SS social functions in Auschwitz, and for ladies from Nazi Berlin's upper crust. Drawing on diverse sources - including interviews with the last surviving seamstress - The Dressmakers of Auschwitz follows the fates of these brave women. Their bonds of family and friendship not only helped them endure persecution, but also to play their part in camp resistance. Weaving the dressmakers' remarkable experiences within the context of Nazi policies for plunder and exploitation, historian Lucy Adlington exposes the greed, cruelty, and hypocrisy of the Third Reich and offers a fresh look at a little-known chapter of World War II and the Holocaust.
The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive
by Lucy AdlingtonThe powerful chronicle of the women who used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust, stitching beautiful clothes at an extraordinary fashion workshop created within one of the most notorious WWII death camps. At the height of the Holocaust twenty-five young inmates of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp - mainly Jewish women and girls - were selected to design, cut, and sew beautiful fashions for elite Nazi women in a dedicated salon. It was work that they hoped would spare them from the gas chambers. This fashion workshop - called the Upper Tailoring Studio - was established by Hedwig Höss, the camp commandant's wife, and patronized by the wives of SS guards and officers. Here, the dressmakers produced high-quality garments for SS social functions in Auschwitz, and for ladies from Nazi Berlin's upper crust. Drawing on diverse sources - including interviews with the last surviving seamstress - The Dressmakers of Auschwitz follows the fates of these brave women. Their bonds of family and friendship not only helped them endure persecution, but also to play their part in camp resistance. Weaving the dressmakers' remarkable experiences within the context of Nazi policies for plunder and exploitation, historian Lucy Adlington exposes the greed, cruelty, and hypocrisy of the Third Reich and offers a fresh look at a little-known chapter of World War II and the Holocaust.(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Dressmakers of London
by Julia KellyThe author of the &“enthralling&” (Woman&’s World) The Lost English Girl returns with a heartfelt new novel about estranged sisters who inherit their late mother&’s dress shop in World War II London. Isabelle Shelton has always found comfort in the predictable world of her mother&’s dressmaking shop, Mrs. Shelton&’s Fashions, while her sister Sylvia turned her back on the family years ago to marry a wealthy doctor whom Izzie detests. When their mother dies unexpectedly, the sisters are stunned to find they&’ve jointly inherited the family business. Izzie is determined to buy Sylvia out, but when she&’s conscripted into the WAAF, she&’s forced to seek Sylvia&’s help to keep the shop open. Realizing this could be her one chance at reconciliation with her sister, Sylvia is determined to save Mrs. Shelton&’s Fashions from closure—and financial ruin. Through letters, the sisters begin to confront old wounds, new loves, and the weight of family legacy in order to forge new beginnings in this lyrically moving novel perfect for fans of Genevieve Graham and Lucinda Riley.
The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights: A Novel
by Kitty Zeldis“A haunting meditation on the bonds between mothers and daughters. Zeldis offers a fascinating look into historic New York City and New Orleans, and her skill as a storyteller is matched by her compassion for her characters. What a beautiful read.”—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace“By turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, Kitty Zeldis’s The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights, set against the backdrop of the not-always-so-roaring Twenties, is an only-in-America story of reinvention, rising above tragedy, and finding family.”—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of Band of SistersFor fans of Fiona Davis, Beatriz Williams, and Joanna Goodman, a mesmerizing historical novel from Kitty Zeldis, the author of Not Our Kind, about three women in 1920s New York City and the secrets they hold.Brooklyn, 1924. As New York City enters the jazz age, the lives of three very different women are about to converge in unexpected ways. Recently arrived from New Orleans, Beatrice is working to establish a chic new dress shop with help from Alice, the orphaned teenage ward she brought north with her. Down the block, newlywed Catherine is restless in her elegant brownstone, longing for a baby she cannot conceive.When Bea befriends Catherine and the two start to become close, Alice feels abandoned and envious, and runs away to Manhattan. Her departure sets into motion a series of events that will force each woman to confront the painful secrets of her past in order to move into the happier future she seeks.Moving from the bustling streets of early twentieth century New York City to late nineteenth-century Russia and the lively quarters of New Orleans in the 1910s, The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights is a story of the families we are born into and the families we choose, and of the unbreakable bonds between women.
The Driest Season: A Novel
by Meghan Kenny"An elegant coming-of-age story that brings real heart to the American heartland. The book may be set during World War II, but the questions it asks—about love, loyalty, and the meaning of life—are timeless ones." —Elliott Holt, author of You Are One of ThemAs her Wisconsin community endures a long season of drought and feels the shockwaves of World War II, fifteen-year-old Cielle endures a more personal calamity: the unexpected death of her father. On a balmy summer afternoon, she finds him hanging in the barn—the start of a dark secret that threatens her family’s livelihood. A war rages elsewhere, while in the deceptive calm of the American heartland, Cielle’s family contends with a new reality and fights not to be undone.A stunning debut, The Driest Season creates a moving portrait of Cielle’s struggle to make sense of her father’s time on earth, and of her own. With wisdom and grit, Kenny has fashioned a deeply affecting story of a young woman discovering loss, heartache, and—finally—hope.
The Drifter (A Peter Ash Novel #1)
by Nicholas PetrieAn explosive thriller debut introducing Peter Ash, a veteran who finds that the demons of war aren't easily left behind . . .Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his "white static," the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered . . . and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives. As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined . . . and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good. Suspenseful and thrilling, and featuring a compelling new hero, The Drifter is an exciting debut from a fresh voice in crime fiction.From the Hardcover edition.
The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army
by Paul Lockhart“A terrific biography. . . . The dramatic story of how the American army that beat the British was forged has never been better told.” —Doris Kearns Goodwin, New York Times–bestselling author of Team of RivalsFrustrated with a stalled career in midlife, the Baron de Steuben uprooted himself from his native Europe to seek one last chance at glory and fame in the New World. Steeped in the traditions of the Prussian army of Frederick the Great—the most ruthlessly effective in Europe—he taught the ragged, demoralized soldiers of the Continental Army how to fight like Europeans. His guiding hand shaped the fighting force that triumphed over the British at Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown. But his influence did not end with the Revolution. Steuben was instrumental in creating West Point and in writing the first official regulations of the American army, and his principles have guided the American armed forces to this day.“Reveal[s] the deeds and character of a man whose life was full of surprises and frustrating failures but ultimately crowned with success . . . sheds light on the career of an important but relatively obscure figure.” —Booklist“The author generally treats [Steuben] with balance, understanding and great good humor.” —The Wall Street Journal“An archetypal American story: an immigrant, ambitious, blustering, insecure, who gives his talents and his passion to his new-found home.” —Richard Brookhiser, author of George Washington on Leadership
The Drive on Moscow, 1941
by Niklas Zetterling Anders FranksonHow Nazi forces were driven back by the Soviets amid mud and freezing temperatures: &“Excellent . . . well researched, fast paced and enjoyable to read.&” —Military Review At the end of September 1941, more than a million German soldiers lined up along the frontline just 180 miles west of Moscow. They were well-trained, confident, and had good reasons to hope that the war in the East would be over with one last offensive. Facing them was an equally large Soviet force, but whose soldiers were neither as well-trained nor as confident. When the Germans struck, disaster soon befell the Soviet defenders. German panzer spearheads cut through enemy defenses and thrust deeply to encircle most of the Soviet soldiers on the approaches to Moscow. Within a few weeks, most of the Russian soldiers marched into captivity, where a grim fate awaited them. Despite the overwhelming initial German success, however, the Soviet capital did not fall. German combat units, as well as supply transport, were bogged down in mud caused by autumn rains. General Zhukov was called back to Moscow and given the desperate task to recreate defense lines west of Moscow. The mud allowed him time to accomplish this, and when the Germans again began to attack in November, they met stiffer resistance. Even so, they came perilously close to the capital, and if the vicissitudes of weather had cooperated, would have seized it. Though German units were also fighting desperately by now, the Soviet build-up soon exceeded their own. The Drive on Moscow, 1941 is based on numerous archival records, personal diaries, letters, and other sources. It recreates the battle from the perspective of the soldiers as well as the generals. The battle had a crucial role in the overall German strategy in the East, and its outcome reveals why the failure of the German assault on Moscow may well have been true turning point of World War II.
The Drone Memos: Targeted Killing, Secrecy and the Law
by Edited and Introduced by Jameel Jaffer&“A trenchant summation&” and analysis of the legal rationales behind the US drone policy of targeted killing of suspected terrorists, including US citizens (Publishers Weekly, starred review). In the long response to 9/11, the US government initiated a deeply controversial policy of &“targeted killing&”—the extrajudicial execution of suspected terrorists and militants, typically via drones. A remarkable effort was made to legitimize this practice; one that most human rights experts agree is illegal and that the United States has historically condemned. In The Drone Memos, civil rights lawyer Jameel Jaffer presents and assesses the legal memos and policy documents that enabled the Obama administration to put this program into action. In a lucid and provocative introduction, Jaffer, who led the ACLU legal team that secured the release of many of the documents, evaluates the drone memos in light of domestic and international law. He connects the documents&’ legal abstractions to the real-world violence they allow, and makes the case that we are trading core principles of democracy and human rights for the illusion of security. &“A careful study of a secretive counterterrorism infrastructure capable of sustaining endless, orderless war, this book is profoundly necessary.&” —Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation
The Drones Race and International Security (Contributions to Security and Defence Studies)
by Mohammad Eslami Lauro BorgesThis volume discusses the rise of drone technology in modern warfare, focusing on its profound implications for global military competition, arms control, and international security. Situated within the broader context of contemporary international relations, where emerging military technologies are increasingly central to the formulation of national security strategies, this book explores not only the technological advancements that enable drone warfare, but also the strategic, political, and ethical dilemmas that arise from their widespread use. The scope of the book spans several key areas: the rapid development of drones as tools of military power, the implications for global arms races, the challenges they present to arms control frameworks, and the evolving nature of international security in an age of autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons systems. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this book draws on international relations theory, security studies, and military strategy, seeking to provide a nuanced understanding of the issues at play. Filling a critical gap by providing a detailed, interdisciplinary examination of the global "drones race" and its consequences for security, governance, and international norms, this volume will be of interest to scholars and students working in fields such as security studies, arms control, the proliferation of conventional weapons, and international security.
The Drowned and the Saved
by Primo Levi Raymond RosenthalLevi wrote of the moral collapse that occurred in Auschwitz and the fallibility of human memory that allows such atrocities to recur. Levi's last book published before his death in 1987.
The Drowned and the Saved: When War Came to the Hebrides
by Les Wilson George RobertsonSaltire Society &“History Book of the Year&” Award winner. &“An absorbing and moving book&” on the World War I shipwrecks off of Scotland&’s Islay island (The Scotsman). The loss of two British ships crammed with American soldiers bound for the trenches of the First World War brought the devastation of war directly to the shores of the Scottish island of Islay. The sinking of the troopship Tuscania by a German U-Boat on 5 February 1918 was the first major loss of US troops in in the war. Eight months after the people of Islay had buried more than 200 Tuscania dead, the armed merchant cruiser Otranto collided with another troopship during a terrible storm. Despite a valiant rescue attempt by HMS Mounsay, the Otranto drifted towards Islay, hit a reef, throwing 600 men into the water. Just 19 survived; the rest were drowned or crushed by the wreckage. Based on the harrowing personal recollection of survivors and rescuers, newspaper reports and original research, Les Wilson tells the story of these terrible events, painting a vivid picture which also &“pays tribute to the astonishing bravery and humanity of islanders, who risked their lives pulling men from the sea, cared for survivors, and buried the dead&” (The Herald).&“A well-researched account of loss and tragedy.&” —Oban Times
The Drug Story: A Factological History of America’s $10,000,000,000 Drug Cartel
by Morris A. BealleA FASCINATING EXPOSÉ ON THE CORRUPTION OF WESTERN MEDICINE."The truth about cures without drugs is suppressed, unless it suits the purpose of the censor to garble it. Whether these cures are effected by chiropractors, Naturopaths, Naprapaths, Osteopaths, Faith Healers, Spiritualists, Herbalists, Christian Scientists, or MDs who use the brains they have, you never read about it in the big newspapers.”—Morris A. BealleIn the 1930’s, Morris A. Bealle, a former city editor of the old Washington Times and Herald, was running a county seat newspaper, in which the local power company bought a large advertisement every week. This account took quite a lot of worry off Bealle’s shoulders when the bills came due. But according to Bealle’s own story, one day the paper took up the cudgels for some of its readers that were being given poor service from the power company, and Bealle received the dressing down of his life from the advertising agency which handled the power company’ s account. They told him that any more such ‘stepping out of line’ would result in the immediate cancellation not only of the advertising contract, but also of the gas company and the telephone company.That’s when Bealle’s eyes were opened to the meaning of a ‘free press’, and he decided to get out of the newspaper business.He used his professional experience to do some deep digging into the freedom-of-the-press situation and came up with several shattering exposes—one of which is this book, The Drug Story, which was first published in 1949. Although never admitted to a major bookstore—it was sold exclusively by mail—it went on to become one of the most important books on health and politics ever to appear in the USA.
The Drums of Morning
by Philip Van Doren Stern“Historical fiction as written by Philip Van Doren Stern is much more than a literary exercise tinctured with the dramatic past. It is the historical record cast in excellent prose style in order to recreate in as lifelike manner as possible the long-ago. Historians, no doubt, will remember the author of The Drums of Morning as the individual who published The Man Who Killed Lincoln and The Life and Writings of Abraham Lincoln. Stern's interest in Lincoln led him into the slavery controversy and prompted him to investigate the abolitionist movement...And the volume is admirable for both the historian and the student who wish to follow in dramatic fashion the anti-slavery movement in the United States from its early days until the close of the Civil War.The narrative itself is of simple structure. Jonathan Bradford whose father was killed in Alton, Illinois, by a mob seeking to destroy Lovejoy's printing press determines to devote his life to the abolition of slavery. In order to see the slave system at its worst Bradford journeys through the cotton states in 1852-1853. His adventures form the body of the novel. But the book cannot be dismissed merely as a picaresque novel. The characters emerge as mature, well-rounded figures illuminating and emphasizing the broad sweep of history. And it is in the depiction of the tumbling rush of events which lead to the freeing of the slaves that the story moves most swiftly, catching the reader in the tumult over the fugitive slave Anthony Burns, whose return to bondage all Boston rose to protest; in the tragic grandeur of John Brown's plans for his Harper's Ferry raid; in the agony of the long months' bombardment of Charleston ; in the epic sufferings of the Union soldiers at the notorious Andersonville prison; in the day-in and day-out suspense of the Underground Railroad movement; and in the work of the valiant minority of Americans who risked their lives to free their fellow men.-Jrl. of American History
The Du Pont Dynasty
by John K. WinklerHidden in one of the smallest states of the Union, living in feudal splendor, is a singular family — proud, aloof, prolific —, which today controls a greater slice of American wealth than has ever before fallen into private hands. They are the Du Ponts of Delaware. The Du Ponts, who have long dominated Delaware, have only recently emerged into the larger arena of national affairs. In 1932, several prominent members of the clan, ardent wets, supported Franklin D. Roosevelt. This they consider their biggest blunder and are now vigorously fighting the New Deal through the American Liberty League. The present volume is the first full length portrait of this extraordinary family.“THIS is a lively excursion into the private annals of the mighty Du Pont family which has lived in splendour for five generations on its feudal barony in Delaware—industriously making gunpowder and profits. The inside story is revealed with wit and enthusiasm.”
The Dublin Girls: A powerfully heartrending family saga of three sisters in 1950s Ireland
by Cathy MansellDramatic, emotional and romantic, if you love Lorna Cook, Tracy Rees and Jenny Ashcroft, you'll love this gripping and heartrending novel from Cathy Mansell, author of A Place to Belong.'Glorious - a cross between Maeve Binchy and Catherine Cookson' 5* early reader review'A superb saga' PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH'A heart-warming story full of characters you'll come to love' ROSIE GOODWIN'Page-turning and compelling... Most highly recommended' MARGARET KAINE'Rarely have I read a book where every character springs from the pages so authentically' JEAN CHAPMAN'A warm-hearted, engaging story' MARGARET JAMES, WRITING MAGAZINEIn 1950s Dublin, life is hard and jobs are like gold dust.Nineteen-year-old Nell Flynn is training to be a nurse and planning to marry her boyfriend, Liam Connor, when her mother dies, leaving her younger sisters destitute. To save them from the workhouse, Nell returns to the family home - a mere two rooms at the top of a condemned tenement.Nell finds work at a biscuit factory and, at first, they scrape through each week. But then eight-year-old Róisín, delicate from birth, is admitted to hospital with rheumatic fever and fifteen-year-old Kate, rebellious, headstrong and resentful of Nell taking her mother's place, runs away.When Liam finds work in London, Nell stays to struggle on alone - her unwavering devotion to her sisters stronger even than her love for him. She's determined that one day the Dublin girls will be reunited and only then will she be free to follow her heart.Look for more gripping, heartwrenching page-turners from Cathy Mansell - don't miss A Place to Belong, out now.
The Dublin Girls: A powerfully heartrending family saga of three sisters in 1950s Ireland
by Cathy MansellDramatic, emotional and romantic, if you love Lorna Cook, Tracy Rees and Jenny Ashcroft, you'll love this gripping and heartrending novel from Cathy Mansell, author of A Place to Belong.'Glorious - a cross between Maeve Binchy and Catherine Cookson' 5* early reader review'A superb saga' PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH'A heart-warming story full of characters you'll come to love' ROSIE GOODWIN'Page-turning and compelling... Most highly recommended' MARGARET KAINE'Rarely have I read a book where every character springs from the pages so authentically' JEAN CHAPMAN'A warm-hearted, engaging story' MARGARET JAMES, WRITING MAGAZINEIn 1950s Dublin, life is hard and jobs are like gold dust.Nineteen-year-old Nell Flynn is training to be a nurse and planning to marry her boyfriend, Liam Connor, when her mother dies, leaving her younger sisters destitute. To save them from the workhouse, Nell returns to the family home - a mere two rooms at the top of a condemned tenement.Nell finds work at a biscuit factory and, at first, they scrape through each week. But then eight-year-old Róisín, delicate from birth, is admitted to hospital with rheumatic fever and fifteen-year-old Kate, rebellious, headstrong and resentful of Nell taking her mother's place, runs away.When Liam finds work in London, Nell stays to struggle on alone - her unwavering devotion to her sisters stronger even than her love for him. She's determined that one day the Dublin girls will be reunited and only then will she be free to follow her heart.Look for more gripping, heartwrenching page-turners from Cathy Mansell - don't miss A Place to Belong, out now.
The Dublin Girls: A powerfully heartrending family saga of three sisters in 1950s Ireland
by Cathy MansellDramatic, emotional and romantic, if you love Lorna Cook, Tracy Rees and Jenny Ashcroft, you'll love this gripping and heartrending novel from Cathy Mansell, author of A Place to Belong.In 1950s Dublin, life is hard and jobs are like gold dust.Nineteen-year-old Nell Flynn is training to be a nurse and planning to marry her boyfriend, Liam Connor, when her mother dies, leaving her younger sisters destitute. To save them from the workhouse, Nell returns to the family home - a mere two rooms at the top of a condemned tenement.Nell finds work at a biscuit factory and, at first, they scrape through each week. But then eight-year-old Róisín, a delicate from birth, is admitted to hospital with rheumatic fever and fifteen-year-old Kate, rebellious, headstrong and resentful of Nell taking her mother's place, runs away.When Liam finds work in London, Nell stays to struggle on alone - her unwavering devotion to her sisters stronger even than her love for him. She's determined that one day the Dublin girls will be reunited and only then will she be free to follow her heart.Look for more gripping, heartwrenching page-turners from Cathy Mansell - don't miss A Place to Belong, out now.(P)2020 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
The Duchess
by Wendy HoldenIt was a love so strong, a king renounced his kingdom—all for that woman. Or was she just an escape route for a monarch who never wanted to rule? Bestselling author Wendy Holden takes an intimate look at one of the most notorious scandals of the 20th century. 1928. A middle-aged foreigner comes to London with average looks, no money and no connections. Wallis&’s first months in the city are lonely, dull and depressing. With no friends of her own she follows the glamorous set in magazines and goes to watch society weddings. Her stuffy husband Ernest&’s idea of fun, meanwhile, is touring historic monuments. When an unexpected encounter leads to a house party with the Prince of Wales, Wallis&’s star begins to rise. Her secret weapon is her American pep and honesty. For the prince she is a breath of fresh air. As her friendship with him grows, their relationship deepens into love. Wallis is plunged into a world of unimaginable luxury and privilege, enjoying weekends together at his private palace on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Wallis knows the fun and excitement can&’t last. The prince will have to marry and she will return to Ernest. The sudden death of George V seems to make this inevitable; the Prince of Wales is now King Edward VIII. When, to her shock and amazement, he refuses to give her up--or recognize that they are facing impossible odds--her fairy tale becomes a nightmare. The royal family close ranks to shut her out and Ernest gives an ultimatum. Wallis finds herself trapped when Edward insists on abdicating his throne. She can&’t escape the overwhelming public outrage and villainized, she becomes the woman everyone blames—the face of the most dramatic royal scandal of the twentieth century.
The Duchess Countess
by Catherine Ostler'Outrageously scandalous, soaked in sex and money, aristocracy, adventure and grandeur... Catherine Ostler&’s superb, gripping, decadent biography brings an extraordinary woman and a whole world blazingly to life. An unforgettable, unputdownable read that seems both historical and modern, utterly relevant today.&’ – Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Catherine the Great and Potemkin'Fascinating. Magnificent.?Sensitively told.' Hallie Rubenhold, author of The Five and The Covent Garden LadiesWhen the glamorous Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, Countess of Bristol, went on trial at Westminster Hall for bigamy in April 1776, the story drew more attention in society than the American War of Independence. A clandestine, candlelit wedding to the young heir to an earldom, a second marriage to a Duke, a lust for diamonds and an electrifying appearance at a masquerade ball in a diaphanous dress: no wonder the trial was a sensation. However, Elizabeth refused to submit to public humiliation and retire quietly. Rather than backing gracefully out of the limelight, she embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe, being welcomed by the Pope and Catherine the Great among others. As maid of honour to Augusta, Princess of Wales, Elizabeth led her life in the inner circle of the Hanoverian court and her exploits delighted and scandalised the press and the people. She made headlines, and was a constant feature in penny prints and gossip columns. Writers were intrigued by her. Thackeray drew on Elizabeth as inspiration for his calculating, alluring Becky Sharp. But her behaviour, often depicted as attention-seeking and manipulative, hid a more complex tale – that of Elizabeth&’s fight to overcome personal tragedy and loss. Now, in this brilliantly told and evocative biography, Catherine Ostler takes a fresh look at Elizabeth&’s story and seeks to understand and reappraise a woman who refused to be defined by society&’s expectations of her. A woman who was by turns, brave, loving and generous but also reckless, greedy and insecure; a woman totally unwilling to accept the female status of underdog or to hand over all the power, the glory and the adventures of life to men.
The Duel: The Eighty-Day Struggle Between Churchill & Hitler
by John LukacsThis day-by-day account of the maneuvering between Britain and Germany in 1940 is &“a wonderful story wonderfully told&” (George F. Will, New York Times-bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner). During the late spring and early summer of 1940, Hitler was poised on the edge of absolute victory, having advanced rapidly through a large part of Europe—and Britain was threatened by imminent invasion and defeat. From the acclaimed author of Five Days in London, May 1940, this book tells the story of two leaders facing off against each other, and the decisions they made that shaped the eventual outcome of the Second World War. &“Powerful…An impressive study [written] with elegance and panache.&”—The New York Times &“A master of narrative history on a par with Barbara Tuchman and Garrett Mattingly.&”—Kirkus Reviews &“An often witty and always fascinating—even entertaining—writer.&”—TheWashington Post