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Edward III: A Heroic Failure (Penguin Monarchs)
by Jonathan SumptionEdward III lived through bloody and turbulent times. His father was deposed by his mother and her lover when he was still a teenager; a third of England's population was killed by the Black Death midway through his reign; and the intractable Hundred Years War with France began under his leadership. Yet Edward managed to rule England for fifty years, and was viewed as a paragon of kingship in the eyes of both his contemporaries and later generations. Venerated as the victor of Sluys and Crécy and the founder of the Order of the Garter, he was regarded with awe even by his enemies. But he lived too long, and was ultimately condemned to see thirty years of conquests reversed in less than five. In this gripping new account of Edward III's rise and fall, Jonathan Sumption introduces us to a fêted king who ended his life a heroic failure.
The Enemy Series, Books 1-3 (The Enemy)
by Charlie HigsonThey'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you . . .The Enemy (Book 1)When the sickness came, every parent, police officer, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry.Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive.A gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. The Dead (Book 2)Jack and Ed are best friends, but their battle to stay alive tests their friendship to the limit as they go on the run with a mismatched group of other kids. And one adult. Greg, a butcher, who claims he's immune to the disease. As a fresh disaster threatens to overwhelm London, they realize they won't all survive...The Fear (Book 3)DogNut and the rest of his crew want to find their lost friends, and set off on a deadly mission from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace and beyond, as the sickos lie in wait. But who are their friends and who is the enemy in this changed world?
Faulks on Fiction (Includes 3 Vintage Classics): Great British Snobs and the Secret Life of the Novel
by Sebastian FaulksThe publication of Robinson Crusoe in London in 1719 marked the arrival of a revolutionary art form: the novel. British writers were prominent in shaping the new type of storytelling - one which reflected the experiences of ordinary people, with characters in whom readers could find not only an escape, but a deeper understanding of their own lives. But the novel was more than just a reflection of British life. As Sebastian Faulks explains in this engaging literary and social history, it also helped invent the British. By focusing not on writers but on the people they gave us, Faulks not only celebrates the recently neglected act of novelistic creation but shows how the most enduring fictional characters over the centuries have helped map the British psyche. In this ebook, Sebastian celebrates the greatest snobs in fiction - from Emma Woodhouse to James Bond.Also included are three classic novels: Emma by Jane Austen: Emma is rich, independent and preoccupied with arranging suitors for her acquaintances. Her plans for the matrimonial success of a new friend, however, lead her into complications that ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance.Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: Pip's life as an ordinary country boy is destined to be unexceptional until a chain of mysterious events lead him away from his humble origins and up the social ladder. The Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith: Mr Charles Pooter is a respectable man, unfortunately, nobody seems to recognise his gentility. George and Weedon Grossmith's comic novel, perfectly illustrated, is a glorious, affectionate caricature of the English middle-class at the end of nineteenth century.
Eagles in the Storm (Eagles of Rome #3)
by Ben KaneAD 15. The German chieftain Arminius has been defeated, one of the lost Roman eagles recovered, and thousands of German tribesmen slain. Yet these successes aren’t nearly enough for senior centurion Lucius Tullus. Not until Arminius is dead, his old legion’s eagle found and the enemy tribes completely vanquished will he rest. But Arminius – devious, fearless – is burning for revenge of his own. Charismatic as ever, he raises another large tribal army, which will harry the Romans the length and breadth of the land. Soon Tullus finds himself in a cauldron of bloodshed, treachery and danger. His mission to retrieve his legion’s eagle will be his most perilous yet…
Faulks on Fiction (Includes 3 Vintage Classics): Great British Heroes and the Secret Life of the Novel
by Sebastian FaulksThe publication of Robinson Crusoe in London in 1719 marked the arrival of a revolutionary art form: the novel. British writers were prominent in shaping the new type of storytelling - one which reflected the experiences of ordinary people, with characters in whom readers could find not only an escape, but a deeper understanding of their own lives. But the novel was more than just a reflection of British life. As Sebastian Faulks explains in this engaging literary and social history, it also helped invent the British. By focusing not on writers but on the people they gave us, Faulks not only celebrates the recently neglected act of novelistic creation baplaudsut shows how the most enduring fictional characters over the centuries have helped map the British psyche. In this ebook, Sebastian celebrates the greatest heroes in fiction - from Tom Jones to Sherlock Holmes. Also included are three classic novels:Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe: The legendary story of a shipwreck on a desert island.Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray: The story of a young woman's spectacular rise and fall as she gambles, manipulates and seduces her way through high society and the Napoleonic wars.The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes' most famous case as he uncovers the truth behind the terrifying legend of a supernatural hound which preys upon the cursed Baskerville family.
Edward II: The Terrors of Kingship (Penguin Monarchs)
by Christopher Given-Wilson'He seems to have laboured under an almost child-like misapprehension about the size of his world. Had greatness not been thrust upon him, he might have lived a life of great harmlessness.'The reign of Edward II was a succession of disasters. Unkingly, inept in war, and in thrall to favourites, he preferred digging ditches and rowing boats to the tedium of government. His infatuation with a young Gascon nobleman, Piers Gaveston, alienated even the most natural supporters of the crown. Hoping to lay the ghost of his soldierly father, Edward I, he invaded Scotland and suffered catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn. After twenty ruinous years, betrayed and abandoned by most of his nobles and by his wife and her lover, Edward was imprisoned in Berkeley Castle and murdered - the first English king since the Norman Conquest to be deposed.
Enemy of Rome: (Gaius Valerius Verrens 5): Bravery and brutality at the heart of a Roman Empire in the throes of a bloody civil war (Gaius Valerius Verrens #5)
by Douglas JacksonA gripping, adrenalin-fuelled historical page-turner from bestselling author Douglas Jackson. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers are loving Gaius Valerius Verrens! "Once you have started you will want to read every volume in this exciting series [set] during one of the most turbulent times in Roman history" - 5 STARS "Douglas Jackson undoubtedly holds the crown as king of his genre" - 5 STARS"It is another tough book to put down" - 5 STARS"An entertaining and compelling read that makes you feel as if you were there!" - 5 STARS*****************************************LIVE BY THE SWORD. DIE BY THE SWORD.Summer, AD 69: Rome and its empire are in turmoil. The emperor Otho is dead by his own hand and his rival, Aulus Vitellius, occupies the imperial throne. However, a new challenge has arisen in the East - the legions of Titus Flavius Vespasian have declared him their Emperor.In the dry heat of an August morning, Gaius Valerius Verrens prepares for his last day on Earth. Wrongly accused of deserting his legion on the field of Bedriacum, it seems he is destined to die a coward's death. Then the executioner's hand is stayed. Vitellius' enemies will spare his life if he pledges allegiance to Vespasian. Valerius - tired of the endless slaughter - agrees. And so he must battle his way south to Rome in order to persuade his friend Vitellius to stand down for the greater good. But this is civil war and this is Rome, and Valerius - his loyalties divided and branded an enemy of the people - is trapped in a maze of distrust, corruption, betrayal and blood-letting . . .Gaius Valerius Verrens's adventures continue in Scourge of Rome.
Eagles at War (Eagles of Rome #1)
by Ben KaneONLY THE GODS CAN SAVE THE ROMANS NOW AD 9, Germania. East of the river Rhine, tribes hostile to Rome prepare a deadly ambush. Their leader is the charismatic chieftain and trusted ally of Rome, Arminius, whose dream is to drive out the brutal invaders of his land. Pitted against him are veteran centurion Lucius Tullus and the Roman provincial governor, Varus.Together with three local legions, they leave their summer camp to begin the march back to the Roman forts on the Rhine.They have no idea that in the forests and bog of the Teutoburg, mud, slaughter and bloody death await …‘This is historical fiction at its best' Sunday Express'Held me spellbound to its spectacular bloody end' Manda Scott'Gripping, brutal, brilliant' Giles Kristian
Edward I: A New King Arthur? (Penguin Monarchs)
by Andy KingThe acclaimed Penguin Monarchs series: short, fresh, expert accounts of England's rulers - now in paperbackEdward I (1272-1307) is one of the most commanding of all English rulers. He fought in southwest France, in Wales, In Scotland and in northern France, he ruled with ruthlessness and confidence, undoing the chaotic failure of his father, Henry III's reign. He reshaped England's legal system and came close to bringing the whole island of Great Britain under his rule. He promoted the idea of himself as the new King Arthur, his Round Table still hanging in Winchester Castle to this day. His greatest monuments are the extraordinary castles - Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Harlech and Conwy - built to ensure his rule of Wales and some of the largest of all medieval buildings.Andy King's brilliant short biography brings to life a strange, complex man whose triumphs raise all kinds of questions about the nature of kingship - how could someone who established so many key elements in England's unique legal and parliamentary system also have been such a harsh, militarily brutal warrior?
Faulks on Fiction (Includes 2 Vintage Classics): Great British Villains and the Secret Life of the Novel
by Sebastian FaulksThe publication of Robinson Crusoe in London in 1719 marked the arrival of a revolutionary art form: the novel. British writers were prominent in shaping the new type of storytelling - one which reflected the experiences of ordinary people, with characters in whom readers could find not only an escape, but a deeper understanding of their own lives. But the novel was more than just a reflection of British life. As Sebastian Faulks explains in this engaging literary and social history, it also helped invent the British. By focusing not on writers but on the people they gave us, Faulks not only celebrates the recently neglected act of novelistic creation but shows how the most enduring fictional characters over the centuries have helped map the British psyche. In this ebook, Sebastian celebrates the greatest villains in fiction - from Fagin to Barbara Covett. Also included are two classic novels:Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist, born into tragedy, runs away to London with the naive hope for a brighter future. In this classic, Dickens graphically conjures up the capital's underworld, full of prostitutes, thieves and lost and homeless children. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins: Marian and her sister Laura live a quiet life under their uncle's guardianship until Laura's marriage to Sir Percival Glyde, a man of many secrets. Can she be protected from a mysterious and potentially fatal plot?
An Enduring Passion: My Ryder Cup Years
by Sam TorranceThe Ryder Cup has defined Sam Torrance's life as a professional golfer. He has played with and against some of the greatest golfers the game has ever known, in the biggest and most high-pressure team event in golf.In An Enduring Passion, Torrance recalls every great moment in the two decades he spent pursuing Ryder Cup glory and looks at how the event has changed since he was trying to qualify for it as a player in the late 1970s. He examines the tactics and techniques of the captains he played under and those he played against, and tells how his huge experience as a player, and his vice captaincy to Mark James in the bear pit of Brookline, shaped the way he conducted his own captaincy at The Belfry in 2002. Everything he had learned about the Ryder Cup went into his leadership during that event, and when he raised the trophy aloft at the end of it all he knew he had learned the lessons well.Today, Sam Torrance is one of the most identifiable faces, and voices, of golf. It is the Ryder Cup, though, that made him, and this book is his enlightening account of the competition from an insider's perspective.
Fatty Batter: How cricket saved my life (then ruined it)
by Michael SimkinsA fat boy with a passion for sweets and a loathing for games, the young Michael Simkins finds in cricket a sport where size doesn't necessarily matter and a full-blown obsession is born. Now in middle-age, he still harbours the somewhat deluded belief that the England middle-order might usefully benefit from his hard-earned skills. From impromptu Test series played with his dad in the family sweetshop through to his years running a team of dysfunctional inadequates, Fatty Batter is the bestselling and hilarious story of one man's life lived through cricket.
Eagle Trap
by Geoffrey ArcherRevenge is not a possibility, but a certainty.He was head of an international drugs ring, a kidnapper and a ruthless killer. One night British Sea Harriers reduced his Beirut headquarters to rubble and his evil empire to ruins. But Abdul Habib still had money, and hate, enough hate to spare to construct an elaborate plan which would destroy Gibraltar and the British Aircraft carrier which had committed the fatal strike.All he needed was luck to thread a nuclear warhead through the complicated network of the Middle East terrorist rings, get it on a Libyan freighter and head west across the Med-And enough luck to avoid the one man whose hate is even greater than his, Captain Peter Brodrick of the Royal Marines. A man Habib foolishly left alive, though he killed all his friends. A man whose fate is inextricably entwined with his.
An Education in the Private House
by Esme OmbreuxFetishism and initiation are the central themes of this story in which Eloise Highfield embarks on a series of extreme experiments with a painter of erotic subjects. Meanwhile her charge, Anne, is keeping a diary of what goes on.
An Education: How an outsider became an insider - and learned what really goes on in Irish government
by John Walshe'Fascinating' Fintan O'Toole, Irish Times'It's a fascinating book. I ended up reading it till about four in the morning. It gives an incredible insight.' Shane Coleman, political editor, Newstalk'Excellent' Sam Smyth, Irish Mail on Sunday'A great read and I'd recommend it' Hugh Linehan, Irish Times'One of the best journalists I ever worked with ... his tell-all book is absolutely fascinating' Matt Cooper, Today FM'Like pulling back the curtains and getting a sneaky peak inside ... fascinating' Sinéad Desmond, Ireland AM, TV3After over forty years in national journalism, John Walshe thought he had seen and heard it all. That was until he got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in government and see how decisions are really made ...Having spent most of his career as an education correspondent, Walshe did not have to think twice about accepting incoming education minister Ruairi Quinn's invitation to become his special adviser. So in a matter of weeks he found himself in the seat of power in Government Buildings and up close and personal with some of the country most powerful decision-makers. It was heady stuff.An Education is John Walshe's revealing, surprising and entertaining inside account of what it's like be part of a government trying to get to grips with a country and an economy in free-fall. It is an anatomy of how choices are made, particularly when the choices are between swingeing cuts and drastic savings. And it is a gripping description of the ferocious day-to-day territorial battles and face-offs between the coalition parties and their backroom staff.Ruairi Quinn knew this would be his last cabinet post and he was determined to leave a legacy. Walshe documents the triumphs and disasters of Quinn's mission to reshape Irish education. In doing so he gets to the heart of the mix of idealism, egotism and pragmatism that ultimately drives those who govern.John Walshe's forty-month education on the corridors of power him left him much wiser about those who set out to do the state some service. His conclusions are sometimes encouraging and sometimes dismaying. But they are always enlightening. An Education is both lively and essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Irish politics in the raw.
Endometriosis: The Experts’ Guide to Treat, Manage and Live Well with Your Symptoms
by Professor Andrew Horne Carol PearsonOvercome your symptoms and live a better life. All the information you need to help you manage endometriosis. One in ten women suffers with endometriosis. So why is there no definitive cure and why does it take an average of 8 years to diagnose? Endometriosis experts Professor Andrew Horne and Carol Pearson explain what Endometriosis is and provide vital information for women who suffer from the disease. Find out:- How to get a diagnosis - What treatment options and care are available to you- How to overcome your symptoms and live a better life - The lifestyle changes you can make that could improve your condition With the voices of countless women at different stages of their journey and advice from a range of specialist healthcare practitioners, Endometriosis provides the information and support to empower anyone with the condition and those close to them.
Fathers and Sons
by Ivan TurgenevWhen Arkady Petrovich comes home from college, his father finds his eager, naive son changed almost beyond recognition, for the impressionable Arkady has fallen under the powerful influence of the friend he has brought with him. A self-proclaimed nihilist, the ardent young Bazarov shocks Arkady's father by criticizing the landowning way of life and by his outspoken determination to sweep away traditional values of contemporary Russian society. Turgenev's depiction of the conflict between generations and their ideals stunned readers when Fathers and Sons was first published in 1862. But many could also sympathize with Arkady's fascination with its nihilist hero whose story vividly captures the hopes and regrets of a changing Russia.
Dyslexia: A Teenager's Guide
by Sylvia MoodyDyslexic teenagers face special problems - this book will help solve them. Dyslexia, involving problems with reading, writing, spelling, memory, organisation and time management, can affect people of all backgrounds and abilities. But most books on this subject are geared towards young children; advice for teenagers is thin on the ground. Yet dyslexic teenagers face special problems. They need to master complex study skills, deal with large amounts of revision, and cope with the demands of examinations. They may suffer from stress, anxiety and lack of confidence. Dyslexia: A Teenager's Guide helps young adults tackle these problems with strategies uniquely suited to their needs. Clearly and simply written by a leading expert in the field, the book helps with reading, writing, spelling and memory, as well as giving tips on how to take notes, organise study, deal with examinations and use IT. It also shows how to improve confidence, deal with stress, and build on the creative talent that many dyslexics possess.
Fathers and Forefathers
by Slobodan SelenicA touching story of cultural difference and tested loyalties. Set in Belgrade before WWII, Fathers and Forefathers tells the story of the marriage between a Steven, a Serb, and Elizabeth, an Englishwoman. After meeting at an English university they marry and leave England to build their life together. Steven's narrative and Elizabeth's letters home reveal two very different personal accounts of the difficulties this involves. Raised in Serbia their son, Mihajlo, is ashamed of his mixed parentage and rebels against his non-Serbian ancestry. On the eve of the war, Steven's loyalties are challenged when his counsel is sought by both the Serbian king and the opposition. He resolves to keep his distance from the conflict, but Mihajlo's more radical response forces him to become involved, and tragedy engulfs the family.
Dyslexia: How to survive and succeed at work
by Sylvia MoodyDyslexic people face many problems in the workplace: difficulties with reading and writing, memory, organisation and time management, and a recent TUC report on dyslexia in the workplace estimates that 3 million people are affected.Dyslexia: How to survive and succeed at work is written by a leading expert in the field for people of all backgrounds and abilities and will help you to master complex organisational skills, deal with a large workload and cope with the demands of deadlines. It also shows how to improve confidence, deal with stress, and build on the creative talent that many dyslexics possess.Dyslexia: How to survive and succeed at work:- Explains what dyslexic and dyspraxic difficulties are- Describes how they affect workplace efficiency- Offers strategies to manage dyslexic difficulties and reduce their adverse effect on work efficiency- Provides information about ways in which employers can help dyslexic employees
Educating Jack
by Jack SheffieldAs the 1982 school year begins, Jack Sheffield returns to Ragley village school for his sixth year as headteacher. Nora Pratt celebrates twenty-five years in her coffee shop, Ronnie Smith finally tries to get a job, and little Krystal Entwhistle causes concern in the school Nativity play. It's the time of ET and Greenham Common,. Price William's birth, Fame legwarmers and the puzzling introduction of the 20p piece. Meanwhile, for Jack, the biggest surprise of his life is in store...
The Endless King (Knights of the Borrowed Dark)
by Dave RuddenThe final book in the award-winning Knights of the Borrowed Dark trilogy, perfect for fans of Skulduggery Pleasant.'You have no idea what real war is . . . but I'm afraid you're going to find out.'There's nothing like an apocalypse to kick off the school year.Denizen Hardwick has travelled to Daybreak, the ancestral home of the Order of the Borrowed Dark, to continue his training as a knight. But lessons have barely begun before an unexpected arrival appears with news that throws the fortress into uproar.The Endless King has fallen, his dark realm rising in a brutal civil war. When the conflict strikes closer to home, Denizen and his friends face their greatest challenge yet. For if Daybreak falls, so does the world . . .'Action-packed, atmospheric and powerfully imagined' - Sunday Times
The Edge Chronicles 9: Third Book of Rook (The Edge Chronicles #9)
by Paul Stewart Chris RiddellFleeing from the ruins of New Undertown, young librarian knight Rook Barkwater and his colleagues – Felix Lodd and his banderbear friends – must lead the escaping population to a new life in the Free Glades.But perils aplenty are ahead for the crowd, and Rook knows the journey will be full of danger. Meanwhile, in the Goblin Nations, the tribes are amassing for war. Will Rook be able to keep his friends, himself and their new lives safe? Freeglader is the third book of the Rook Saga – third trilogy in The Edge Chronicles, the internationally best-selling fantasy series, which has featured on the UK and the New York Times best-seller lists and sold more than 3 million copies. There are now 13 titles and four trilogies in the series, but each book is a stand-alone adventure, so you can read The Edge Chronicles in any order you choose.
Father Brown Stories (The\father Brown Stories Ser. #2)
by G K ChestertonImmortalized in these famous stories, G. K. Chesterton's endearing amateur sleuth has entertained countless generations of readers. For, as his admirers know, Father Brown's cherubic face and unworldly simplicity, his glasses and his huge umbrella, disguise a quite uncanny understanding of the criminal mind at work. This edition includes seven tales from a number of G. K. Chesterton's 'Father Brown' books.
Dyslexia: A parents' guide to dyslexia, dyspraxia and other learning difficulties
by Dr Helen Likierman Valerie MuterMany children spend their entire school lives struggling with their school work. Research has shown that at least 10-15 per cent of children with apparently normal learning ability will have a significant problem with school learning. They may feel that whatever they do it is not good enough - either for their parents, their teachers or indeed themselves. This can often result in feelings of demoralisation, and even alienation from learning and school. This book aims to address these issues and to help parents understand and deal with them.Dyslexia: A Parents' Guide starts by correcting common misconceptions of learning difficulties that are rife in the press and popular literature, and addresses the conflicting approaches and advice from 'experts'. This authoritative guide then moves through diagnosis – with information on dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, discalculia and more – to offering practical and easy tips to enable parents to help their child overcome their learning difficulty.Both authors are practising psychologists with extensive knowledge and experience of children's learning difficulties. They will show parents how to develop a successful approach to assessing and subsequently managing their child's difficulties.