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The Little Book of Miriam
by Miriam MargolyesFrom ARNIE to DOLLY, BLACKADDER to SCORSESE; GRAHAM NORTON to HARRY POTTER; the VAGINA MONOLOGUES to ZOOM, welcome back to the irrepressible and unstoppable world of Miriam Margolyes. Packed with her wit, wisdom and unfiltered stories, The Little Book of Miriam is a memory palace of Miriam's extraordinary life's standout moments, opinions and conclusions. Never forget that this is a woman who knocked back WARREN BEATTY, played to an audience of TWO THOUSAND NAKED LESBIANS, injected sex into the CADBURY'S CARAMEL BUNNY and was VOGUE'S COVER STAR AGED 83. Miriam is always full of surprises and this book is too. Deliciously dip-in-able, thought-provoking and mirth-inducing, elegantly designed and always interesting -- whether sharing daring declarations, behind-the-scenes antics or talking about the indignities of ageing, this is a book as unique and extraordinary as Miriam herself.
The Diabetes Weight-Loss Plan: A Life-changing Method to Lose Weight and Beat Type 2 Diabetes
by Katie CaldesiOut now: The Diabetes Air Fryer: Over 100 easy, low carb recipes and meal plans to lose weight and beat type 2 diabetesGood intentions and a shelf full of cookbooks aren't enough to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle. What you need is a plan. A plan underpinned by simple, low carb principles that will help anyone lose weight, combat metabolic diseases and sustain a new way of eating.With its simple approach, The Diabetes Weight-Loss Meal Plan will get you started on a healthier lifestyle that's easy to maintain. It has weekly meal plans - including completely vegetarian variants - and over 100 delicious low carb recipes.Katie's simple CarbScale, showing how many carbs you can eat daily depending on your weight-loss target, means the diet is accessible to all, whether you're looking for dramatic weight loss or just a sustainable eating plan. Backed by expert medical, psychological and nutritional advice, this is a method that really works.There are quick and easy breakfasts, lunches and dinners - including blueberry and lemon pancakes, pepper quiches and oven-baked seabass in a creamy sauce - as well as batch cooking favourites such as lamb ragu and chicken curry. Special occasions and sweet tooths are catered for too, with recipes for a low-carb Christmas as well as brownies, muffins and sponge puddings. With all these delicious recipes plus ready-to-go weekly plans, it couldn't be easier to start enjoying the benefits of a low-carb life.
(Almost) Instant Noodles: Quick & Easy Recipes to Take Your Noodles to the Next Level
by Lily MartinNoodles are a quick and easy to cook, and delicious to eat. With these foolproof recipes that can be made in a flash, you can have a tasty and filling noodle meal, almost instantly!The recipes are organised thematically, with oodles of noodle inspiration in chapters including Soups, Saucy, Salads, Stir Frys and Sides, plus a whole chapter on upgrading instant and pot noodles from cornershop basics to mind-blowing meals. It couldn't be easier to embrace the noodle trend!Recipes include:- Crispy Salmon Ramen- Spicy Chicken Satay Noodles- Aubergine and Sesame Salad- Ginger and Chilli Stir Fry- Summer Rolls with Peanut DipWhether you're a Samyang superfan, nuts for Nongshim or bonkers about Buldak, this ultimate tribute to speedy noodles is the book for you!
The Irish Midwife: The brand-new, page-turning, romantic, heartwarming, heartbreaking and touching historical romance novel for 2025, set just before WW2 (The Irish Midwives)
by Seána TinleyCan she finally put herself first, in order to find love?Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?The first book in a heartwarming new historical romance series, for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Goodwin and Call the Midwife. READERS ARE ALREADY LOVING THE IRISH MIDWIFE . . .'A gripping story, I couldn't put this one down and read it in one day!''A brilliant book that keeps you hooked''An excellent story . . . a most interesting insight into the lives and work of midwives throughout the 1930s''I read it in a matter of hours. The writing was excellent''A lovely read. Very interesting and as it was set in Ireland made it different. Gave me an insight into how things worked in this era'
The Life, Style and Music of Sabrina Carpenter: Pop Sensation and Short 'n' Sweet Icon (Pop Icons)
by Erica CampbellAn exploration of the LOOKS, LYRICS and LIFE of pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.At just five feet tall, Sabrina Carpenter has left quite an impression with her witty wordplay, dynamic vocals, captivating stage performances and classic Hollywood-era glamour.This book explores the defining moments of her remarkable career, from her early acting auditions to sold-out stage shows and from record-breaking hits to zoo visits with Taylor Swift.With behind-the-scenes stories and incredible photos throughout, this is a very short 'n' sweet celebration of Sabrina Carpenter.
168 Songs of Hatred and Failure: A History of Manic Street Preachers
by Keith Cameron'A forensic exploration of their compositions and recordings, and everything that has been poured into them . . . completely definitive' MOJO ★★★★★ The story of Manic Street Preachers is unique in pop. Raging out of the stricken mining communities of south Wales in the late 80s, they were seemingly condemned to mere cult status by a cruel juncture of artistic triumph, commercial failure and personal despair. The story took a further agonising twist when the tragedy of Richey Edwards' 1995 disappearance was followed by a remarkable rebirth, built upon 'A Design For Life' - a hymn to the band's working-class roots - and then the award-winning, multi-million-selling album Everything Must Go, a majestic soundtrack to history and loss. Within five years, Manic Street Preachers were playing to 60,000 at the national stadium of Wales and had their second UK Number 1 single. Subsequent output has confirmed the band as both a wellspring of restless creativity and a barometer of the cultural conversation.Because it was music that saved them, it's through the prism of their music that Keith Cameron tells the definitive history of Manic Street Preachers, drawing on many hours of new interviews to dive deep into 168 songs, from 1988 debut single 'Suicide Alley' to the late day peaks of 2025 album Critical Thinking. Writing with the band's full co-operation, his book charts the dynamic evolution of a universe in which Karl Marx and Kylie Minogue happily co-exist, that accords Rush and The Clash equal favour, and where Morrissey & Marr meet Torvill & Dean via Nietzsche and New Order in a single four-minute pop song - all in the name of what Nicky Wire himself calls 'the fabulous disaster' of Manic Street Preachers.
Simply Raymond Kitchen Garden: Seasonal recipes from my place to yours
by Raymond BlancSimply Raymond Kitchen Garden is a celebration of seasonal ingredients, grown and cooked by Raymond Blanc in the gardens of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. 'I am still in awe,' says Raymond Blanc, 'of the magic of the garden and the miracles of the kitchen, and thewondrous connection between them.' With simple and trusted recipes, this book mirrors that connection.Within these pages, Raymond recounts a deeply inspiring story of creating his famous gardens at Le Manoir auxQuat'Saisons, the Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant in Oxfordshire, renowned as one of Britain's finest retreats.Over 90 recipes celebrate the year-round ingredients and flavours from Raymond's kitchen garden. You'll findsomething quick and wholesome for a midweek supper as well as sensational dishes for special occasions. Recipes range from an easy Kitchen Garden Omelette to Salmon and Beetroot Tartare, and from Roast Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Salsa Verde to Baked Peach and Almond Crumble.Whether you're in the kitchen wearing an apron dabbed with floury fingerprints, or longing to don yourgardening gloves, Raymond is with you sharing his unique wisdom, know-how and charm.Bon Appétit!
On a Coral Reef (A Day and Night)
by Anita GaneriPopping with colour and fizzing with life, coral reefs bloom like beautiful gardens under the sea. They're among the most spectacular places on our planet. Follow a day and night on a coral reef and see how coral and the amazing creatures that live on a reef change their behaviour depending on the time of day.Thousands of fabulous creatures live around coral reefs. Get ready to meet ...... fish that like to snooze in sleeping bags... shells big enough to have a bath in... fish that start to smell like the coral they eat... and many, many more.Then find out why coral reefs are in danger and what is being done to help them.Perfect for children aged 7+ to help them learn about this beautiful and amazing habitat.Full of intricate illustrations by award-winning artist, Khoa Le, who is a dedicated and passionate diver. She frequently engages in activities organized by her hometown divers' community, helping with beach cleanups and or protecting coral reefs by removing crown-of-thorns starfish.
Reading Champion: Green Band 5
by Jackie WalterBrand new readers based on the wonderful world of Enid Blyton's Famous Five characters, especially written for children beginning to read. Each story is accompanied by colourful illustrations to engage the young reader and support the text.In this story, Timmy runs off while out on a walk with George, Anne, Peter and Dick. They eventually catch up with Timmy and find an animal that needs their help!Reading Champion is an independent reading programme carefully levelled to match book bands widely used in schools. This book is suitable for readers aged 5+ and has been levelled at book band Green 5.
Hungry Planet
by Anna ClaybourneHow feeding the world - and food inequality - are impacting our planetWe all need to eat food to stay alive. In many parts of the world, there's plenty of food available and some even gets wasted. But in other places, people can struggle to find the food they need. Three billion people, or 40 percent of the world's population, currently don't have a reliable supply of healthy food.HUNGRY PLANET looks at how feeding the world - and food inequality - are impacting our world. It explores where our food comes from, how farming and fishing affect the environment, why famines and food shortages happen - and what we can all do to protect the planet and make sure everyone has the food they need.Aimed at readers aged 9 and up.Contents: Everyone needs to eat! / Why we need food / Where food comes from / CASE STUDY: Rice / The journey of food / Food and health / Food shortages 16 / CASE STUDY: The Irish Potato Famine / Food and the environment / Food and climate change / CASE STUDY: Shark overfishing / What's the answer? / Food and farm aid / Changing farming / Changing what we eat / CASE STUDY: Lab burgers / GM foods / Reducing waste / What can you do? / The future of food / Glossary / Further information / IndexBooks in the series:Plastic PlanetHot PlanetPandemic PlanetRecycled PlanetSustainable PlanetExtinction PlanetPeaceful Planet?Unequal PlanetWatery PlanetCrowded PlanetNeurodiverse Planet
Science Detective Agency: Can you solve the crime with forensic science?
by Stevie DerrickA crime has been committed and the Science Detective Agency are on the case. To be a detective you need an agile mind ... Train your brain to tackle the most intriguing mysteries and crack the case wide open. Do you think you've got what it takes? The Science Detective Agency is here to introduce curious detectives-in-training aged 8+ to the world of forensic science. Visit the crime scene and gather clues to solve the mystery, from collecting fingerprints and swabbing DNA to analysing soil samples and digital evidence. Look back on cases through history and use activities and practical at home experiments to test your hypotheses and find out whodunnit. Move over Holmes family, there's a new detective on the case!At the back of the book, take a quiz to test your knowledge and read an interview with a real-life forensic scientist and DNA expert.Written in consultation with Dr William Goodwin, who has worked in forensic genetics for thirty years at the University of Glasgow and University of Central Lancashire. He has taught a master's program in forensic genetics for over twenty years and researched various aspects of human identification.
The Life, Style and Music of Sabrina Carpenter: Pop Sensation and Short 'n' Sweet Icon (Pop Icons)
by Erica CampbellAn exploration of the LOOKS, LYRICS and LIFE of pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.At just five feet tall, Sabrina Carpenter has left quite an impression with her witty wordplay, dynamic vocals, captivating stage performances and classic Hollywood-era glamour.This book explores the defining moments of her remarkable career, from her early acting auditions to sold-out stage shows and from record-breaking hits to zoo visits with Taylor Swift.With behind-the-scenes stories and incredible photos throughout, this is a very short 'n' sweet celebration of Sabrina Carpenter.
The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana
by Paul BurrellTHE BRAND NEW REVELATORY ROYAL MEMOIR FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR PAUL BURRELL.'For twenty-one years I was in a privileged position and shared the lives of the Queen and Princess Diana. Now that neither of these two wonderful women are here, that duty continues for me in the need to protect their legacy.'For over two decades, Paul Burrell was a silent witness to the making of history - first as footman to Queen Elizabeth II, then as butler to King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), and, most famously, as a confidante of the late Princess Diana. Now, with a unique perspective shaped by time and change, he's ready to share his own story alongside theirs. His bestselling memoir, A Royal Duty, about his friendship with Diana, sent shockwaves around the world, selling over two million copies. But it is only, in the wake of the Queen's passing and the commencement of a new royal era, Burrell feels he can finally tell his story in full. In this deeply personal and intimate memoir, Burrell shares many untold stories of his life at home and abroad with the Royals. With warmth, candour, and rare insight, he recounts unexpected moments of intimacy with the Queen, who gently guided a fresh-faced, 18-year-old Burrell through palace life. He speaks candidly about the tensions that simmered during those years - including the breakdown of Charles and Diana's marriage and his own complex relationship with Princes William and Harry. He also reveals his heartache at parting with three of the most significant women in his life - the Queen, Diana and his wife Maria - all while navigating his own personal journey to happiness as well as a battle with prostate cancer. Heartfelt, sincere and rich in detail, this is the memoir of a man who has lived and learned in the most extraordinary of ways.
Kyropta the Skeleton Eagle: Series 32 Book 4 (Beast Quest #1131)
by Adam BladeMiandra and the rest of the New Protectors are facing their greatest challenge yet. The wizard Daltec has been struck down by a magical curse, and the land of Tangala is in grave danger from the sorceress Zuba, who wants to destroy the kingdom forever. But when the brave young fighters and their mystical animal companions set off on their Quest to fight back against Zuba, a great storm leaves them stranded. Now Miandra must undertake a dangerous journey through a rocky mountain range and defeat a terrifying skeleton eagle. The fate of Tangala depends on her and her friends!There are FOUR thrilling adventures to collect in the latest set of this beloved series - don't miss out! Dolrus the Spiked Destroyer; Zynara the Striped Prowler; Makroxa the Tunnelling Terror and Kyropta the Skeleton Eagle.
The Irish Midwife: The brand-new, page-turning, romantic, heartwarming, heartbreaking and touching historical romance novel for 2025, set just before WW2 (The Irish Midwives)
by Seána TinleyCan she finally put herself first, in order to find love?Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?The first book in a heartwarming new historical romance series, for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Goodwin and Call the Midwife. READERS ARE ALREADY LOVING THE IRISH MIDWIFE . . .'A gripping story, I couldn't put this one down and read it in one day!''A brilliant book that keeps you hooked''An excellent story . . . a most interesting insight into the lives and work of midwives throughout the 1930s''I read it in a matter of hours. The writing was excellent''A lovely read. Very interesting and as it was set in Ireland made it different. Gave me an insight into how things worked in this era'
Locating the ‘Local’ in South Asia: Critical Themes in the History of Northern Bengal
by Dipsikha AcharyaThis book presents an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the history of northern Bengal. Northern Bengal, despite having a rich historical past and geo-cultural heritage, is yet to receive unbiased attention from serious academic scholarship. The chapters in the book examine hitherto unexplored or little-explored issues across time of northern Bengal's pluralistic society and culture while drawing on various approaches and methodologies to arrive at an alternative historical understanding. This volume examines themes such as the historical landscape and geo-political contours of the region, its society, and culture, as well as the religious ideas prevalent in this sub-region through the lens of sculptures and mosques.Rich in archaeological and literary sources, epigraphic evidence, and archival materials, the book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of Indian history, South Asian history, cultural studies, gender studies, history of the 'marginalized', environment studies, modern history, and colonial history. This volume represents a crucial history of the 'local' in the global context.
Gendered Bodies, Social Exclusions: Contemporary Issues in Women's Studies (Contemporary Issues in Social Science Research)
by Aishika Chakraborty and Nandita Banerjee DhawanThis book explores contemporary issues in women’s studies, focusing on the agency of marginalised and disenfranchised within political, cultural, and social spheres. It employs feminist pedagogies to articulate the multiple intersecting histories of class, caste, race, sexuality, disability and citizenship. Using feminist perspectives, the book challenges the hegemonic and patriarchal logic of heteronormativity by contextualizing verbal abuse, violence in the private sphere, and the tensions between women's and men's rights across the continuum of family, community, and state. The essays in this volume examine the (im)possibilities of creating violence-free, caring, and affordable living space on the one hand, and seek to understand the gendered experience of violence in the context of migration, as well as cultural and sexual labour on the other. In addition to interrogating the cultural taboos that restrict women's autonomy and rights, the essays prioritise a diverse range of voices, including those of dancers in the entertainment industry, sexual and gender minorities, urban poor populations living in slums, and disabled women. They also document and archive the academic agency of staff and students working to address injustices within higher education institutions. Part of the Contemporary Issues in Social Science Research series, this volume will be of significant interest to scholars and researchers in gender studies, women’s studies, history, political science, sociology, social anthropology, development studies, law, media studies and South Asia studies.
Re-activating Indigenous Knowledge from Oral History: Landscape and Intangible Cultural Heritage in Greenland (Arctic Worlds)
by Asta MønstedThis book focuses on Greenlandic oral history and how to better understand people, their cultural remains, and their landscape through their own stories. It offers a way to consult Inuit oral history that opens up a perspective on houses and landscapes that may otherwise be invisible to the barren eye. Working with and re-activating Indigenous knowledge of Greenland, the study draws on more than two thousand stories collected between 1735 and 1981, preserved, and later enrolled in an online and searchable database. The author unearths the concepts woven into Greenlandic Inuit’s homes, settlements, and landscapes. These re-discovered insights challenge the archaeological interpretation, transcending the tangible to illuminate the unseen. The narratives contribute to safeguarding invaluable Indigenous knowledge and perhaps also to the revival of cultural practices, customs, and traditions. The book demonstrates how oral history is more than merely fantastical ‘myths’ and ‘legends’; it is valuable knowledge for scholars and communities. It will be of particular interest for scholars of Indigenous studies, anthropology, archaeology, and history.
Human Factors in Challenging Environments: From Thermal Comfort to G-Force Exposure (Body of Knowledge in Human Factors and Ergonomics)
by Waldemar Karwowski Beata MrugalskaIn human factors and ergonomics, professionals play a key role in shaping the compatibility between tasks, products, and environments with the needs of individuals. The most successful projects demonstrate a tight integration with the human experience, underscoring the importance of ergonomic design in promoting societal well-being. A human-centered approach to design and evaluation should be championed. This book addresses this issue with an approach that focuses on environmental conditions and ergonomics in physical settings.This book examines human factors and ergonomics across various industrial settings. From tackling challenges posed by thermal to extreme environments, the book offers an understanding of environmental ergonomics, resulting in better, more comfortable, and safer workspaces. It investigates critical topics such as G environments and +Gz Acceleration, equipping the reader with the knowledge to navigate and optimize various workplace conditions. Additionally, the reader will develop a good understanding of environmental ergonomics and understand how an appreciation of it can lead to practical and noticeable changes in their workplace.Human Factors in Challenging Environments: From Thermal Comfort to G-Force Exposure will be of interest to human factors and ergonomics professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and broaden their understanding of the field. It will also appeal to engineers, designers, and policymakers who are invested in creating safer and more efficient work systems.
Communicating Esther: The Diffusion and Reception of a Biblical Dream (Routledge Research in Religion, Media and Culture)
by Menahem Blondheim Elihu KatzThis book presents a communications approach to the biblical story of Esther and the ritual that it anchors, the Jewish carnival of Purim. Esther, the second-most written about book of the Bible, is thought to be based on a tale that circulated around 400 BC, and was later transcribed and brought before the Jewish Sages with the request that it be canonized. It was, though God is not mentioned in it, with its focus instead on glamour, drinking, sex, violence, and genocidal plots. Despite the reservations of many at its inclusion in the canon, Esther formed the basis for an extremely popular Jewish ritual: the holiday of Purim.This book discusses how story and holiday combine all of the elements of a communication process – production of content, choice of medium, seal of approval, diffusion over time and space, and promotion of various forms of reception and reaction. It is a case study of "how culture works" and how the text itself is about communicating. It will appeal to all researchers of communication and religion, communication and the Bible, and communication and Judaism, and more generally to readers who are interested in communication or fascinated by culture.
National-Scale Dynamic Water Resources Assessment Model in China
by Huan Liu Jianhua Wang Peng Hu Jiajia Liu Yangwen Jia Junkai Du Cunwen NiuThis detailed book introduces China's national dynamic water resources assessment model, presenting its construction, application scenarios, and modern modeling approach to replace traditional statistics-based methods.The book thoroughly explores the applications of distributed hydrological modeling techniques in national water resources assessment. It presents the successful development of the China Water Assessment Model (CWAM), which is based on the WEP-L hydrological model. CWAM demonstrates broad potential in supporting national water information acquisition, uniquely covering both surveyed and un-surveyed regions. The work highlights the model's ability to account for China's diverse climatic and geological characteristics, while improving the efficiency of water resources assessment and providing solutions to dynamic assessment challenges, especially under climate change and human impacts.This work will serve as an essential reference for scholars and students in hydrology and water resources, as well as policy makers and engineers involved in water resources management and assessment.
Transatlantic Practices of Fascism: The Cultural Politics of “Us” versus “Them” (Routledge Studies in Fascism and the Far Right)
by Reindert Dhondt, Monica Jansen and Maria Bonaria UrbanThis volume brings together leading international experts in politics, discourse, memory, and culture to examine the complex entanglements of populism(s) and fascism(s) in political thought and cultural productions. The starting point is Argentine historian Federico Finchelstein’s assertion that the dynamics of transnational fascism and populist movements become clearer when viewed from the margins. Indeed, it was in Latin America – not Europe – where fascism and populism first intersected, with Argentine Peronism as the paradigmatic case.Building on this perspective, the volume explores Europe’s political and cultural legacy of fascism within the context of globalised mobilities, linking its totalitarian roots to the Latin American genealogies of populism(s). Adopting an interdisciplinary transnational and transhistorical approach, and cultural transfer as a method, it investigates cultural representations and practices that both reflect and challenge the divisive “Us” versus “Them” rhetoric central to fascist and populist discourses. Particular attention is given to how cultural artefacts and practices memorialise, remediate, and oppose narratives of fascism(s) and populism(s), with the assumption that (anti)fascist art and activism still move along transatlantic trajectories.This book will be of interest to researchers of fascism, populism, social and cultural history, European and Latin American history, literature, art, and activism.
Mindgames: Phil Jackson's Long Strange Journey
by Roland LazenbyMIND GAMES follows the journey of Phil Jackson to the top of basketball&’s coaching hierarchy, a rise that took him from obscurity in the Continental Basketball Association to nine championship rings in the NBA. Along the way he turned multimillionaire players on to meditation, transformed the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls from a one-man show to a five-man team of domination, and after battling with Bulls management, ended one dynasty to start another on the West Coast.Sportswriter Roland Lazenby, author of the bestselling BLOOD ON THE HORNS, reveals the fascinating story of Jackson's life, from his years with the New York Knicks under the legendary Red Holzman to his remarkable nine championships coaching first the Chicago Bulls and then the Los Angeles Lakers.In MIND GAMES Lazenby compellingly portrays a man with a unique determination to control the competitive environment he inhabits. A clear picture of the Jackson mystique emerges: philosopher, teacher, manipulator, counselor, psychologist, shaman, champion, master of mind games.Originally published in 2007, now available in eBook format for the first time.
High Speed Trains to the North of England
by David MatherFor as long as we could remember steam traction had been king on our railways. The resounding beat of exhaust from classic designs by Gresley, Stanier, Collett, Bulleid and many others had thrilled us all, while less prestigious ‘work-horses’ had kept commuters and freight moving throughout a vast network of major and minor routes. Mighty diesels had replaced them, notably the iconic Class 55 ‘Deltics’, setting new standards for speed and efficiency on the East Coast Main Line. Electrification became the ‘buzz-word’ as the need for speed increased and drove railway planning to a new level. The West Coast Main Line saw the wires go up by the mid-1970s and though other express routes would eventually follow the stage was set for the development and introduction of an alternative mode of traction for main lines not yet electrified, based on the concept of a powerful diesel locomotive at each end of a rake of newly designed carriages. The High Speed Diesel Train was thus conceived. Sleek and elegant. A modern design for a new age of rail travel. Capable of running at speeds of up to 125mph (201km/h) it was an immediate success and is still giving stalwart service some forty years later. A testament to its resilience. This is the story of the archetypal express diesel train – the Inter City 125.
British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, 1649-1859
by David HepperThis significant new reference book provides a complete list of the ships of the Royal Navy which were lost at sea in the age of sail. Arranged in chronological order, it includes outline details of each vessel lost and the circumstances of her loss. 1649 is the start date, which coincides with the execution of Charles I and that time when the Royal Navy entered a new phase as an instrument of state: the launch of the steam-powered and iron-hulled Warrior in 1860 effectively marks the end of the great era of the wooden-hulled sailing warship. Life at sea in the age of sail was a hazardous pursuit, and there were many reasons for a ship being lost. A correspondent to the Nautical Magazine in 1841 detailed some fifty reasons and causes, from being short of crew, abandonment without sufficient cause, the poor condition of a ship, incorrectness of charts, poor dead-reckoning as well as less obvious reasons such as ‘the presence of captains’ wives and other women.’ Navigational error, particularly before the chronometer allowed for the accurate calculation of longitude, was a common reason, while poor weather in the form of fog or gales was an obvious peril. So many ships suffered the melancholy fate of lonely disappearance – overwhelmed by storm and sea, and witnessed by none. Collisions and fire feature regularly as does, of course, loss to the enemy. Each entry includes details of the ship, its name and type, tonnage and dimensions, origin and place of build, the circumstances of the loss, the date and a list of the main references used. All this material is presented here in a single and highly accessible volume, and represents a major milestone both in naval research and publishing; it offers too a fund of fascinating and compelling stories of maritime misadventure. Praise for the author's previous work: ‘This volume is an amazing encyclopaedic, catalogue of British warships lost between 1920 and 1982 … It is strongly recommended to historians, authors, researchers and all those with an interest in the history of the Royal Navy and the Second World War.’ -Scuttlebut Magazine