- Table View
- List View
Lovers and Strangers: An Immigrant History of Post-War Britain
by Clair WillsSHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2018 TLS BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2017'Generous and empathetic ... opens up postwar migration in all its richness' Sukhdev Sandhu, Guardian'Groundbreaking, sophisticated, original, open-minded ... essential reading for anyone who wants to understand not only the transformation of British society after the war but also its character today' Piers Brendon, Literary Review'Lyrical, full of wise and original observations' David Goodhart, The TimesThe battered and exhausted Britain of 1945 was desperate for workers - to rebuild, to fill the factories, to make the new NHS work. From all over the world and with many motives, thousands of individuals took the plunge. Most assumed they would spend just three or four years here, sending most of their pay back home, but instead large numbers stayed - and transformed the country.Drawing on an amazing array of unusual and surprising sources, Clair Wills' wonderful new book brings to life the incredible diversity and strangeness of the migrant experience. She introduces us to lovers, scroungers, dancers, homeowners, teachers, drinkers, carers and many more to show the opportunities and excitement as much as the humiliation and poverty that could be part of the new arrivals' experience. Irish, Bengalis, West Indians, Poles, Maltese, Punjabis and Cypriots battled to fit into an often shocked Britain and, to their own surprise, found themselves making permanent homes. As Britain picked itself up again in the 1950s migrants set about changing life in their own image, through music, clothing, food, religion, but also fighting racism and casual and not so casual violence.Lovers and Strangers is an extremely important book, one that is full of enjoyable surprises, giving a voice to a generation who had to deal with the reality of life surrounded by 'white strangers' in their new country.
Keep Calm at Christmas
by VariousEveryone knows 'tis the season to be jolly; when you can roast chestnuts on an open fire, treetops glisten and sleigh bells ring alongside the sound of small children's laughter. However, if you don't think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year then reach for Keep Calm at Christmas and let its soothing advice reassure you that Christmas comes but once a year.Keep Calm at Christmas follows Keep Calm for Ladies and Keep Calm for Chaps and offers many merry pearls of wisdom to help you get through the festive season; on everything from relatives to office parties, and gluttony to new year resolutions. An insighftul pocket gift for Christmas.'What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day' Phyllis Diller'About all you can do is dream of a white Christmas, for it seems like it always leaves most of us in the red' Anon'Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice' Anon 'Next to a circus there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit' Kin Hubbard'New Year's Day... now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual' Mark Twain
La Basquaise
by Angel StrandAn unusual, erotic and beautifully written story set in the heady whirl of French society in the 1920s.The lovely Oruela is determined to fit into a lifestyle of opulence among the bright young things of 1920s Biarritz, which is sizzling with decadence. The fabulously wealthy are parading their vices, and she is surrounded by artists, hedonists and intellectuals. Jean is the seemingly devoted lover who will help her realise her wildest dreams. But she has to put her social aspirations on hold when she falls under suspicion for her father's murder. As Oruela becomes embroiled in a series of sensual games, she discovers that blackmail is a powerful weapon that can be used to obtain pleasure as well as money.
The Light In The Window
by June Goulding'I promised that I would one day write a book and tell the world about the home for unmarried mothers. I have at last kept my promise.'In Ireland, 1951, the young June Goulding took up a position as midwife in a home for unmarried mothers run by the Sacred Heart nuns. What she witnessed there was to haunt her for the next fifty years. It was a place of secrets, lies and cruelty. A place where women picked grass by hand and tarred roads whilst heavily pregnant. Where they were denied any contact with the outside world; denied basic medical treatment and abused for their 'sins'; where, after the birth, they were forced into hard labour in the convent for three years. But worst of all was that the young women were expected to raise their babies during these three years so that they could then be sold - given up for adoption in exchange for a donation to the nuns.Shocked by the nuns' inhumane treatment of the frightened young women, June risked her job to bring some light into their dark lives. June's memoir tells the story of twelve women's experiences in this home and of the hardships they endured, but also the kindness she offered them, and the hope she was able to bring.
Making A Killing: The Explosive Story of a Hired Gun in Iraq
by James AshcroftIn September 2003, James 'Ash' Ashcroft, a former British Infantry Captain, arrived in Iraq as a 'gun for hire'. It was the beginning of an 18-month journey into blood and chaos.In this action-packed page-turner, Ashcroft reveals the dangers of his adrenalin-fuelled life as a security contractor in Baghdad, where private soldiers outnumber non-US Coalition forces in a war that is slowly being privatised. From blow-by-blow accounts of days under mortar bombardment to revelations about life operating deep within the Iraqi community, Ashcroft shares the real, unsanitised story of the war in Iraq - and its aftermath - direct from the front line.
Keep Calm and Pedal On
by VariousIn the never ending streams of traffic and the choking fumes of pollution this book gives the average cycle enthusiast or, indeed novice, a collection of quotes, sayings and proverbs on even more reasons why one should get on their bike.In the format of the bestselling Keep Calm and Carry On, Keep Calm and Pedal On is the perfect gift for keen bikers. It is a book that will give a cyclist comfort in the knowledge that their passion for bikes is shared with some of world's greatest leaders, personalities and authors.After all, in the words of John F. Kennedy, 'Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.'
Kublai Khan
by John ManIn Xanadu did Kubla KhanA stately pleasure dome decreeKublai Khan lives on in the popular imagination thanks to these two lines of poetry by Coleridge. But the true story behind this legend is even more fantastic than the poem would have us believe. He inherited the second largest land empire in history from his grandfather, Genghis Khan. He promptly set about extending this into the biggest empire the world has ever seen, extending his rule from China to Iraq, from Siberia to Afghanistan. His personal domain covered sixty-percent of all Asia, and one-fifth of the world's land area. The West first learnt of this great Khan through the reports of Marco Polo. Kublai had not been born to rule, but had clawed his way to leadership, achieving power only in his 40s. He had inherited Genghis Khan's great dream of world domination. But unlike his grandfather he saw China and not Mongolia as the key to controlling power and turned Genghis' unwieldy empire into a federation. Using China's great wealth, coupled with his shrewd and subtle government, he created an empire that was the greatest since the fall of Rome, and shaped the modern world as we know it today. He gave China its modern-day borders and his legacy is that country's resurgence, and the superpower China of tomorrow.
Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St Agnes and Other Poems (Penguin Clothbound Poetry)
by John KeatsIn the summer of 1820, Keats published this collection, his third and final volume of poetry. A few months earlier, he had started coughing up blood; the following February, he would die of tuberculosis in Rome, aged just twenty-five. This volume contains his greatest work, written in an astonishing burst of creative genius in 1819. It includes 'Lamia', his tale of love and betrayal in ancient Corinth; the haunting medieval romance of 'The Eve of St Agnes'; and his six famous odes, now considered among the most famous verse in the language.
Lovely Jubbly: A Celebration of 40 Years of Only Fools and Horses
by Jim Sullivan Mike Jones** The No. 11 Top Ten Sunday Times Bestseller **Long Live Hookey Street ...Ménage et trois! It's been 40 years since John Sullivan's Only Fools and Horses first graced our television screens. In this new official guide, packed full of rare and never-before-seen photographs, Mike Jones and Jim Sullivan - son of John and co-writer of the hit West End show Only Fools and Horses the Musical - chart the creation and evolution of the nation's favourite comedy series. Including behind-the-scenes info and interviews with those who helped make the show a success, and more than a word or two from Del, Rodders and the rest of the Peckham faithful, here we take an episode-by-episode look at what made Only Fools and Horses work.Lovely Jubbly!
The Makers of Rome
by PlutarchThese nine biographies illuminate the careers, personalities and military campaigns of some of Rome's greatest statesmen, whose lives span the earliest days of the Republic to the establishment of the Empire. Selected from Plutarch's Roman Lives, they include prominent figures who achieved fame for their pivotal roles in Roman history, such as soldierly Marcellus, eloquent Cato and cautious Fabius. Here too are vivid portraits of ambitious, hot-tempered Coriolanus; objective, principled Brutus and open-hearted Mark Anthony, who would later be brought to life by Shakespeare. In recounting the lives of these great leaders, Plutarch also explores the problems of statecraft and power and illustrates the Roman people's genius for political compromise, which led to their mastery of the ancient world.
Light in a Dark House
by Jan Costin WagnerFinnish detective Kimmo Joentaa is called to the local hospital in which his young wife died several years before. An unidentified woman in a coma has been murdered by someone who wept over the body, their tears staining the sheets around her. The death marks the start of a series of killings, with the unknown patient at their centre. As autumn turns to winter, and Christmas fast approaches, Kimmo’s attempts to unravel the case and identify the first victim are complicated by the disappearance of his sometime girlfriend, who has vanished after a party thrown by the head of the police force, and by a colleague’s spiral into the depths of a gambling addiction.
Keep Calm and Cuddle Up: Good Advice for Those in Love
by VariousThey say love is a many-splendored thing. So what could be more splendid than giving this pocket-sized book of love quotes, sayings and appeasements to show how much you truly care? Following in the footsteps of its less love-filled yet highly successful Keep Calm siblings, Keep Calm and Cuddle Up has all the advice you need to understand the complex matters of the heart. With words of wisdom from Jane Austen and Mark Twain, to Dr Johnson and Dolly Parton, let this compendium of amore guide you along the rocky road of love. 'Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you never can tell' Joan Crawford'If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain' Dolly Parton'Immature love says: "I love you because I need you." Mature love says "I need you because I love you"' Erich Fromm'Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience' Dr Johnson'Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love' Jane Austen
Kronos
by Guy Adams'What manner of monster can wreak such damage? I only hope you know how it can be stopped.' The peace of an English village is shattered when a young girl withers before her friend's eyes, becoming but dust and bones. Witnessing this terrifying transformation, local physician Dr Marcus fears the village has been cursed by the presence of evil. He immediately summons his old army friend, the mysterious but powerful vampire hunter, Kronos.Together with the help of his assistant Professor Grost, Kronos has dedicated his whole life to destroying vampires. He knows that there is nothing so varied and deadly. With a vampire nothing is certain, especially how one might be able to kill it. As more and more villagers fall prey to this deadly curse, time is against him. And when it comes dangerously close to home, Kronos is faced with a terrible choice...
Lifting: Becoming the World's Strongest Brothers
by Luke Stoltman Tom StoltmanWhen Loch Morlich freezes over, we cut a hole in the ice and jump in.Tom 'The Albatross' and Luke 'The Highland Oak' Stoltman are the world's strongest brothers. Between them, they've won everything there is to win in the mighty world of Strongman. Tom can deadlift a 430kg bar to hip height, equivalent to about seven washing machines. Luke isn't far behind. Yet for the Stoltmans, being strong is about more than pure muscle. It's about overcoming adversity. And it's about honouring their biggest fan: their mother, who died in 2016 leaving the family devastated. They've also transcended the sport, not least through launching the hugely successful online Stoltman Strength Academy. Through it all, they've stayed true to their roots in the Highlands of Scotland, giving back to their community, their family, and each other. But it wasn't always like this. Back in 2010, Luke worked full time on oil rigs in the North Sea, and Tom was a teenager contending with the challenges posed by his autism. So, how did two lads from Invergordon conquer the world? Simple. They started lifting. In their autobiography, Tom and Luke Stoltman show you how to lift: how to lift the lid on life with autism. How to lift yourself out of the darkness of bereavement. How to lift the trophy at the World's Strongest Man.
Lovejoy on Football: One Man's Passion for The Most Important Subject in the World
by Tim LovejoyTim Lovejoy loves football. Along with Helen Chamberlain he presented Soccer AM for more than a decade to become as much a part of a football fan's weekend as phone-ins, back-page EXCLUSIVES and the vidiprinter. But why does Tim love football? Is it actually the most important subject in the world? And did he really once support Watford as a kid?Lovejoy on Football gets down to the nitty gritty of the really important stuff in football, such as:Why he, Tim, is technically a rubbish football fan; Women's true place in football;How 'Save Chip' became the biggest football cause in the country;Why it's a bad idea to hammer Razor Ruddock; And why footballers are in fact underpaid.Packed with amusing anecdotes, bustling with great football stories and full of strong opinions, Lovejoy on Football is the must-have football book of 2007.
Make You A Man
by Anna ClareClaire Sawyer is a PR queen with the breasts of Venus di Milo and the morals of Attila the Hun. At the sharp end of the celebrity food chain she is amoral yet pragmatic.When the opportunity arises to make a star out of James-a scruffy sociology student-Claire and her friend Santosh waste no time in giving the young man the make-over of his life. He soon becomes the beau of the London celeb circuit, fraternising with louche young rock stars and models. What Claire and Santosh don’t bank on is their living boy toy having a strong mind and sexuality of his own.
Keep Calm: Trust Yourself and Enjoy Your Baby
by Dr. Ellie CannonKeep Calm: The New Mum's Manual, with an introduction by Jools Oliver, is the perfect antidote to inflexible, guilt-inducing parenting guides. Turning the tables on encyclopaedic tomes on parenthood and their often conflicting advice, GP and mum-of-two Dr Ellie will empower you to relax, trust your instincts and enjoy your new baby. Includes:* Early days – looking after baby and listening to your instincts* Sleeping – establishing a flexible routine that works * Feeding – making the right, guilt-free choices * Soothing – understanding crying and settling your baby * Weaning – starting with a simple action plan for success* Development – identifying key milestones and not worrying* Health – recognising baby illnesses and when to call the doctor* Vaccinations – understanding the facts and getting them without tears This isn't a one-size-fits-all routine but a lighthearted, sensible guide that is full of essential advice to build your confidence and bring back mummy power.
Lambert's Railway Miscellany
by Anthony LambertThe world of the railways weaves a spell over many people. In this engaging book railway expert Anthony Lambert presents some of the best stories. From the early days come tales of financial skulduggery and worries that sparks from locomotives might ignite sheep's fleeces. But as the railway transformed the modern world, attitudes changed, and railways were opened to great rejoicing and even religious blessing. The perennial appeal of the steam locomotive generated a pride amongst railwaymen and a fascination among the public. The romantic aspects of the railway were soon celebrated - and not just the unexpected engagement that came from a snowbound train in the Highlands or the sexual shenanigans of the Orient Express. Here are stories of railway travel, from the palatial carriages of tsars and maharajahs to the open trucks of the 'lower orders', mishaps and faux pas, and tales of how ticket inspectors used to have to hold on to the outside of carriages while clipping tickets.From tales of lonely stations and signal-boxes in Scotland, to the unlucky engineer eaten by a lion in a carriage in Kenya, Lambert casts his net across railways worldwide to gather the most entertaining material. There are stories here that would enliven even a cheerless commute on the 18.01, and remind you that our railways really were - and occasionally still are - full of derring-do, romance and character.
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (A\puffin Book Ser. #7)
by Norman Hunter'It¹s brilliant that a book written in 1933 can still make a modern kid laugh like a drain' CHARLIE HIGSON Still one of the immortals of children's literature - Professor Branestawm's continues to amuse generations of young readers. The wonderfully nutty, fabulously entertaining mishaps of Professor Branestawm. He's madly sane and cleverly dotty. Professor Branestawm is the most absent-minded inventor you'll ever meet and no matter how hard he tries his brilliant ideas never seem to keep him out of crazy scrapes.
Krishna: Srimad Bhagavata Purana
by Edwin F. BryantThe Purana is one of the two most important and popular Hindu texts, the other being the Ramayana. It is part of the popular tradition, rather than a literary classic like the Upanishads or the Gita. It tells the story of the god Krishna, the supreme godhead of the Hindus and worshipped by them for over two and a half millennia. The most popular stories about him occur in this, the 10th book, which is the climax of the epic. The stories relate to Krishna's childhood and adolescence in the forests of Vrindavan among the herdspeople, delightful tales which lie behind much of Hindu art, appearing in painting, temple sculpture, drama, dance and song.
The Lifted Veil (Penguin Little Black Classics)
by George Eliot'Why did she stand before me with the candle in her hand, with her cruel contemptuous eyes fixed on me, and the glittering serpent, like a familiar demon, on her breast?'In this dark novella of Victorian horror, George Eliot explores clairvoyance, fate and the possibility of life after death.One of 46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Each book gives readers a taste of the Classics' huge range and diversity, with works from around the world and across the centuries - including fables, decadence, heartbreak, tall tales, satire, ghosts, battles and elephants.
Loved Clothes Last: How the Joy of Rewearing and Repairing Your Clothes Can Be a Revolutionary Act
by Orsola de Castro'It's important that everyone with an interest in fashion reads this book so we can live on a healthier planet' Arizona Muse 'The most timely book you'll read this year' India Knight* * * * * Running out of space for the clothes you can't stop buying? Curious about how you can make a difference to the environmental challenges our planet faces? Join Orsola's care revolution and learn to make the clothes you love, last longer.This book will equip you with a myriad of ways to mend, rewear and breathe new life into your wardrobe to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. By teaching you to scrutinise your shopping habits and make sustainable purchases, she will inspire you to buy better, care more and reduce your carbon footprint by simply making your loved clothes last longer.Following Orsola's practical tips to lavish care and attention on the clothes you already own will not only have a positive environmental impact, but will be personally rewarding too: hand wash, steam and spot clean your clothes, air dry instead of tumble drying, or revive your clothes by sewing or crocheting.Fast fashion leaves behind a trail of human and environmental exploitation. Our wardrobes don't have to be the finish line; they can be a starting point. We can all care, repair and rewear. Do you accept the challenge?* * * * *'An incredibly thoughtful, must-read guide' Kenya Hunt'A must read for anyone who wants to understand the fashion industry as an outsider and wants direction as to where we go next' Aja Barber
Make My Wish Come True
by Katie PriceTake one showbiz reporter; one sexy TV chef; one creepy ex-boyfriend plenty of sex and scandal and you have all the ingredients to Make My Wish Come True from the bestselling Katie Price.Storm always wanted to be a celebrity reporter. But when she lands the job of her dreams, it costs her her best friend.However, apart from her creepy ex-boyfriend, Storm loves the job. Until she’s asked to go undercover to find out if sexy TV chef Nico Alvise is cheating on his girlfriend. Storm knows it’s wrong but agrees because she likes him. A LOT. And she’s determined to protect him.She didn’t bank on them falling in love though. But Nico has secrets to hide, and he hates journalists. So when he finds out what Storm does, the fallout is brutal. Suddenly jobless, friendless and heartbroken, Storm knows that no matter how hard she wishes, Nico will never forgive her…
Katy Perry: The Unofficial Biography
by Alice MontgomeryThe fascinating account of a girl-next-door turned pop princessEver since the international chart-topping hit, I Kissed a Girl, Katy Perry hasn't stopped making headlines. From reaching number one in charts worldwide to selling out concerts around the globe, her phenomenal success has propelled her to the A-list. But it didn't always seem like she was destined for stardom. Brought up in a deeply religious community, Katy was allowed to listen only to church music. However, with her astounding musical gift, along with plenty of willpower, Katy was determined to follow her dream. Her rise to the top was cemented in 2010, when after a flurry of media gossip, she married the most controversial figure on British TV - Russell Brand. Bestselling biographer Alice Montgomery traces Katy's steps to stardom from her choir girl beginnings to her breakthrough in the music business and her secret wedding ceremony in India, to reveal the intimate story behind the most exciting and unpredictable pop star around.