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Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens‘The image of little Oliver Twist victimised by poverty, almost seduced by the specious excitement of crime, and then offered the possibility of a lucrative career in authorship is always compelling’ GuardianOliver is an orphan living on the dangerous London streets with no one but himself to rely on. Fleeing from poverty and hardship, he falls in with a criminal street gang who will not let him go, however hard he tries to escape. In Oliver Twist, Dickens graphically conjures up the capital's underworld, full of prostitutes, thieves and lost and homeless children, and gives a voice to the disadvantaged and abused.
Anna Karenina: Leo Tolstoy (Vintage Classic Russians Series)
by Leo Tolstoy'One of the greatest love stories in world literature' Vladimir NabokovAnna is a beautiful, intelligent woman whose passionate affair with the dashing Count Vronsky leads her to ruin. But her story is also about a search for meaning, and by twinning it with that of Levin, an awkward idealist whose happy marriage and domestic trials form the backdrop for a similar quest, Tolstoy creates a rich and complex masterpiece that has captured the imagination of readers for decades.'I've read and re-read this novel and every time I find another layer in the story' Philippa GregoryTRANSLATED BY LOUISE AND AYLMER MAUDEVINTAGE CLASSICS RUSSIAN SERIES - sumptuous editions of the greatest books to come out of Russia during the most tumultuous period in its history.
Heat Of The Moment
by Tesni MorganAmber, Sue and Diane - three women from an English market town - are successful in their businesses, but all want more from their private lives. When they become involved in the Silver Banner - an English Civil War re-enactment society- there's plenty of opportunity for them to fraternise with the handsome muscular men in historical uniform. Thing is, the fun-loving Cavaliers are much sexier than the puritan Roundheads, and the tensions are rivalries are played out on the village green and in the bedroom.Great characterisation and oodles of sexy fun in this story of three friends who love dressing up for a romp.
Silas Marner
by George EliotA heartwarming and poignant tale of a lonely man brought back to life and faith. Silas Marner lives a friendless and isolated existence near the country village of Raveloe, hoarding his gold. One night his fortune is stolen and Silas loses everything he holds dear. But then the golden-haired child Eppie appears in his home, and Silas begins to reform bonds of faith and human connectedness that he once renounced forever. 'A great novel of unquenchable optimism and boundless humanity' Guardian
Wildfire
by Susan LewisEverything in Rhiannon's life is perfect. Her career is on the up and Oliver, the great love of her life, has just asked her to marry him. The future couldn't look better. But their married bliss soon starts to evaporate when Oliver's power-crazed boss decides that Rhiannon is an unsuitable wife. And when American billionaire Max Romanov, engaged to supermodel Galina Casimir, turns his charm on her, Rhiannon is overcome by the intensity of her feelings for this enigmatic man who proves to be a challenge too hard to resist. Until the web of passion becomes more and more tangled and threatens to destroy a love that consumes like wildfire...
Wives and Daughters
by Elizabeth GaskellThis tender story of parents, children and step-children, mistakes and secrets was Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel and is considered her masterpiece. Set in the watchful society of Hollingford, this is a warm tale of love and longing. Molly Gibson is the spirited, loyal daughter of the local doctor. Their peaceful close-knit home is turned upside down when Molly's father decides to remarry. Whilst Molly struggles to adjust to her snobbish stepmother, she forms a close relationship with her glamorous new stepsister Cynthia. The strength of this friendship is soon tested as their lives become entwined with Squire Hamley and his two sons. ‘Gaskell's work will always be one of the adornments of liberal Britain’ Guardian
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson BurnettWhat little girl can turn a whole household upside down and breathe new life back into a strange, old manor? The wonderfully contrary, strong-willed, angry, misunderstood Mary Lennox.When Mary Lennox is sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, everybody says she is the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It is true, too. Mary is pale, spoilt and quite contrary. But she is also horribly lonely. Then one day she hears about a garden in the grounds of the Manor that has been kept locked and hidden for years.And when a friendly robin helps Mary find the key, she discovers the most magical place anyone could imagine...The perfect heart-warming story for young readers and young-at-heart readers alike.'The book is brim full of magic and joy' Sunday Telegraph
The Diary of a Nobody
by George Grossmith Weedon Grossmith‘The funniest book in the world’ Evelyn Waugh Mr Charles Pooter is a respectable man. He has just moved into a very desirable home in Holloway with his dear wife Carrie, from where he commutes to his job of valued clerk at a reputable bank in the City. Unfortunately neither his dear friends Mr Cummings and Mr Gowing, nor the butcher, the greengrocer's boy and the Lord Mayor seem to recognise Mr Pooter's innate gentility, and his disappointing son Lupin has gone and got himself involved with a most unsuitable fiancee...George and Weedon Grossmith's comic novel, perfectly illustrated by Weedon, is a glorious, affectionate caricature of the English middle-class at the end of nineteenth century.
The Charlie Moon Collection
by Shirley HughesCharlie gets into all sorts of sticky situations when his seaside summer holiday turns into a missing jewellery mystery - and detective Charlie finds himself in the middle of a muddle once again when a gang of bungling burglars threatens to spoil the Big Library Bonanza . . .
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy'Vital, passionate, spirited - from the moment Bathsheba appears she is beguiling' IndependentWhen Bathsheba Everdean arrives in the small village of Weatherbury she captures the heart of three very different men; Gabriel Oak, a quiet shepherd, the proud, obdurate Farmer Boldwood and dashing, unscrupulous Sergeant Troy. The battle for her affections will have dramatic, tragic and surprising consequences in this classic tale of love and misunderstanding.
Motor Do's and Dont's
by Harold PembertonIn this modern era of traffic jams, road rage and speed cameras, it's easy to forget the simple pleasure that the gentlemanly pastime of motoring can bring.This handy little guide from the original age of the automobile, reminds us how to achieve maximum enjoyment from the motoring experience.With essential advice for both beginner drivers and confirmed Road Hogs - from choosing your vehicle and learning to drive to the latest dashboard equipment and all you could want to know about oiling, greasing and valve grinding - Pemberton also offers many tips on women drivers, picnicking, the holiday tour and fitting a wireless into your car.A man of strong opinions, he insists you give way to the man driving uphill, for 'if you block his way you may spoil one of the motorist's most pleasant thrills, that is, a good top-gear hill climb'. He also offers wise advice on everything from speed limits: 'From long experience of touring in Britain and abroad I should say that an average speed of 20 miles per hour is a sound allowance' to new technology: 'In wet weather one of the chief annoyances to the driver is an obscured wind-screen. There are highly efficient automatic wind-screen wipers on the market.'Both informative and entertaining, Motor Do's and Dont's is the perfect Christmas gift for the motor enthusiast in your life.
100 Classic Coastal Walks in Scotland: the essential practical guide to experiencing Scotland's truly dramatic, extensive and ever-varying coastline on foot
by Andrew DempsterIf you are keen to explore the six thousand miles of coastline that Scotland has to offer, then this is the perfect guide for you. Complete with maps and illustrations and covering walks ranging from gentle strolls, family friendly outings and full-scale hikes, this is the perfect handbook for any Scottish adventure!'An invaluable accessory to the boots and the backpack' -- Daily Record'This selection of day trips, including maps and useful information, is a welcome sight' -- Scottish Field'Superb book with some great walks in it - ideal for new and old hikers alike' -- ***** Reader review'Excellent and very informative' -- ***** Reader review'Brilliant - very impressed, nicely laid out and nice maps too' -- ***** Reader review**************************************************************************************Scotland and its islands encompass more than 10,000 miles of breath-taking coastline. The 100 routes outlined by Andrew Dempster in this essential guide take in the quaint fishing ports, long sun-bleached strands and vast golf links of the east coast; the grand Gothic cliffs, natural arches and storm-tossed sea-stacks that comprise much of the fractured edge of the Atlantic; the kaleidoscopic wildflower carpet of the Western Isles machair; the romantic castles and Clearance settlements of Skye; and myriad idyllic secluded beaches and awe-inspiring clifftop vantage points.This unique guide covers the whole spectrum, from short hour-long beach strolls to serious full-day hikes that require mountain gear and total commitment.Compiled in a user-friendly format, containing maps and illustrations throughout, 100 Classic Coastal Walks in Scotland provides a wealth of walking possibilities for anyone with an interest in outdoor pursuits, with many of the walks also suitable for children.Book that staycation now!
100 Ideas that Changed the World: Our Most Important Discoveries, Selected By Our Greatest Minds
by Jheni OsmanEvery once in a while, an idea comes along that makes the entire world sit up and take notice. From the earliest understandings of our place in the solar system, via Darwinism, DNA, neutrons and quarks, right up to the theories that are pushing the boundaries of our knowledge today, we are forever propelled forward by our most gifted scientific minds. In this fascinating book, former BBC Focus magazine editor Jheni Osman explores 100 of the most forward thinking, far-reaching and downright inspired ideas and inventions in history, each nominated by experts from all fields of science and engineering. With selections from established authorities such as Brian Cox, Patrick Moore, Richard Dawkins and Marcus du Sautoy, Osman covers topics as diverse as the Big Bang, vaccination, computing, radioactivity, human genomes, the wheel and many more. Each essay looks at the logic behind these great inventions, discoveries, theories and experiments, studying the circumstances that brought them into being and assessing the impact that they had on the world at large. An intriguing and thought-provoking collection, 100 Ideas that Changed the World offers us a glimpse into the minds behind history's greatest eureka moments.
100 Irish Rugby Greats
by John ScallyBursting with humour and full of amusing anecdotes, 100 Irish Rugby Greats is a unique celebration of the most significant stars of the sport from the 1930s to the present day. A veritable who’s who of Irish rugby, it takes in all of the true greats, including Jack Kyle, Tony O’Reilly, Mike Gibson, Willie John McBride, Moss Keane, Keith Wood, Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.Many of the in-depth and revealing profiles are based on interviews with the legends themselves, as well as with those who have lined up against them. The result offers remarkable insights into the myriad controversies, epic matches, thrilling contests and pivotal events on and off the field in which each player has been involved.Written with an insider’s knowledge, 100 Irish Rugby Greats will prove to be a thrilling read for all fans of the sport.
100 Places That Made Britain
by Dave MusgroveIn 100, carefully selected places, BBC History Magazine editor Dave Musgrove takes us on an unforgettable historical tour through British history, from the Roman invasion to 1960s Liverpool. Musgrove has asked foremost British historians such as Dominic Sandbrook, to nominate the sites they believe to be the most important in our history, and has travelled to each place to provide a visitor's point of view alongside the captivating stories that make each one great.Covering the length and breadth of the British mainland and two thousand of years of history, 100 Places that Made Britain visits renowned sites such as the Tower of London and Runnymede, as well as less well-known places like Rushton Triangular Lodge in Northamptonshire - a three-sided, three-themed house built during the Reformation and designed to represent the Holy Trinity - and Jarrow, home of the first chronicler of Anglo-Saxon Britain, The Venerable Bede. Each essay adds another layer to our understanding of Britain's story, whether it be an advance in politics, religion, law or culture.Bringing the vast history of this small island to life, 100 Places that Made Britain is a captivating historical compendium that will have every reader criss-crossing the country to explore its myriad treasures.
2012: Everything You Need To Know About The Apocalypse
by Manda ScottA pocket compilation of the Mayan legends of 2012, featuring everything you need to know about the Apocalypse in easy to digest facts. The first thing you need to know about 2012 is that it's just like any other year.And the second thing you need to know... is that it really isn't...The Maya didn't make it their 'end date' for nothing...2012 collects everything you need to know about how, why and what is going to happen in this apocalyptic year, as outlined in the ancient Mayan prophesies in a humourous and insightful way, the facts, the fantasties and the frankly extraordinary.
2012: The Crystal Skull
by Manda ScottThe ancient Mayans predicted the End of Days with uncanny precision: 21 December 2012.But they also provided the key to staving off apocalypse: a flawless sapphire of incomparable beauty carved into the perfect likeness of a human skull.For more than four centuries, the skull and its legacy of dark intrigue and murder have been hidden, protected by a code few can break.Now it's about to be found.
32 Programmes
by Dave RobertsWhen Dave Roberts relocates to the USA, his wife informs him that they can only take what is 'absolutely essential'. Packing his collection of football programmes (1,134 of them - football fans are sticklers for statistics), Dave is aghast to be informed that the programmes do not fall into that category. He must whittle down his treasured archive to only what will fit inside a Tupperware container the size of a Dan Brown hardback.32 Programmes tells the story of how Dave made the selection of his most important programmes, and how the process brought back a flood of nostalgia for simpler times. As the sights, sounds and smells of those 1,134 football matches return, the choices Dave makes reflect the twists and turns that life takes. Finally, with just hours to go before the flight, the container is full to the brim. One more programme will be added to the collection - one that Dave never thought he would see and which means more to him than any other.32 Programmes is the story of youthful football obsession, crushes on disinterested girls, rubbish jobs and trying to impress skinheads. But most of all, it is the story of a man's life and loves, of family, friends and football.
About Time: Cosmology and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang
by Adam FrankAn expert “ponders fresh ideas in cosmology, such as string theory and the multi-verse, and how the human perception of time will change in the future” (Washington Post).The Big Bang is all but dead, and we do not yet know what will replace it. Our lives are about to be dramatically shaken again—as altered as they were with the invention of the clock, the steam engine, the railroad, the radio and the Internet.Astrophysicist Adam Frank explains how the texture of our lives changes along with our understanding of the universe’s origin. Since we awoke to self-consciousness fifty thousand years ago, our lived experience of time—from hunting and gathering to the development of agriculture to the industrial revolution to the invention of Outlook calendars—has been transformed and rebuilt many times. But the latest theories in cosmology—time with no beginning, parallel universes, eternal inflation—are about to send us in a new direction.Time is both our grandest and most intimate conception of the universe. Many books tell the story, recounting the progress of scientific cosmology. Frank tells the story of humanity’s deepest question—when and how did everything begin?—alongside the story of how human beings have experienced time. He looks at the way our engagement with the world—our inventions, our habits and more—has allowed us to discover the nature of the universe and how those discoveries, in turn, inform our daily experience.“An eloquent book.” —Nature“A phenomenal blend of science and cultural history.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review“This will fascinate anyone curious about the nexus of astronomy and history and, of course, time. Recommended.” —Library Journal
Aerotropolis: The Way We'll Live Next
by John D. Kasarda Greg LindsayThis brilliant and eye-opening look at the new phenomenon called the aerotropolis gives us a glimpse of the way we will live in the near future—and the way we will do business too. Not so long ago, airports were built near cities, and roads connected the one to the other. This pattern—the city in the center, the airport on the periphery— shaped life in the twentieth century, from the central city to exurban sprawl. Today, the ubiquity of jet travel, round-the-clock workdays, overnight shipping, and global business networks has turned the pattern inside out. Soon the airport will be at the center and the city will be built around it, the better to keep workers, suppliers, executives, and goods in touch with the global market. This is the aerotropolis: a combination of giant airport, planned city, shipping facility, and business hub. The aerotropolis approach to urban living is now reshaping life in Seoul and Amsterdam, in China and India, in Dallas and Washington, D.C. The aerotropolis is the frontier of the next phase of globalization, whether we like it or not. John D. Kasarda defined the term "aerotropolis," and he is now sought after worldwide as an adviser. Working with Kasarda's ideas and research, the gifted journalist Greg Lindsay gives us a vivid, at times disquieting look at these instant cities in the making, the challenges they present to our environment and our usual ways of life, and the opportunities they offer to those who can exploit them creatively. Aerotropolis is news from the near future—news we urgently need if we are to understand the changing world and our place in it.
After the Fall: The End of the European Dream and the Decline of a Continent
by Walter LaqueurA master historian takes us deep into the heart of Europe's current political and financial crisisWalter Laqueur was one of the few experts who predicted Europe's current financial and political crisis when he wrote The Last Days of Europe six years ago. Now this master historian takes readers inside the European crisis that he foresaw. Ravaged by the world economic meltdown, increasingly dependent on imported oil and gas, and lacking a common foreign policy, Europe is in dire straits. With the authority that comes from thirty years of experience as an expert on political affairs, the author predicts the future prospects of this troubled continent. Europe is the United States' closest ally, and its prosperity is vital to American's success and security. This is a must-read for anyone invested in our country's future.
The Age Revolution: The drug-free plan to stay fit, young and healthy
by Dr Charles Clark Maureen ClarkCombat the effects of ageing and live a fuller, healthier life.Getting older may be inevitable, but your body doesn't have to show the signs of age. This revolutionary health book from bestselling author Dr Charles Clark, reveals how you can slow - or even reverse - the process of ageing.Using medically proven techniques for progamming your body to work for you, rather than against you, he neutralises every age-related health concern.Improve your health and reduce requirement for medicationLower cholesterol and blood pressureProtect yourself from arthritis, cardiovascular disease and heart diseaseControl or reverse diabetesLook younger, prevent premature ageing and feel energised
Air Raid Shelters of the Second World War: Family Stories of Survival in the Blitz
by Stephen WadeThis book features the design, creation and use of air raid shelters, including interviews with people who used them during the Second World War. The different types of bunkers/air raid shelters (both public and in peoples gardens) are covered and the strength and weakness of their designs discussed, using original designs and primary material. The nostalgia/social history of the book covers peoples experiences of staying in the air raid shelters. These are divided into topics, including getting to the shelters (how they reacted to the sirens or whether they just moved into the shelters, especially those in gardens, long-term), facilities, health issues, morale and safety, both real and perceived. In recent years, air raid shelters have been converted into different uses, including homes, and the book will finish with a brief chapter concerning the future and preservation of these once vital buildings.
