Biography & True Accounts
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The Lost Coin: A Memoir of Adoption and Destiny
In The Lost Coin, Stephen Rowley shares his lifelong journey—searching for his birth parents, seeking his true identity, and discovering his soul’s calling. We join him when, as a boy growing up in Iowa, he visits Chicago for the first time and is shocked by blatant racial segregation and sprawling urban poverty. We see Stephen as a young athlete sustaining a life-changing injury, then becoming radicalized at the University of Wisconsin, entering the field of education at Stanford, and becoming a visionary school administrator before being fired by a vindictive Silicon Valley school board.He plays golf with a Tibetan lama, and experiences transcendence in a vivid dream, ultimately becoming a psychotherapist in his sixties. We witness the heart-rending scene when he and his wife adopt their own son, and we join him for a poignant reunion with his birth mother, who, it turns out, had desperately hoped he might appear in her life after she’d given him up for adoption.
As we accompany Stephen Rowley on this adventurous and reflective journey, we come to understand more deeply the trauma engendered when separating mother from child, and the unspoken restlessness and yearning for connection many adoptees feel.
“It is my hope,” he writes, that we all “may discover the unique capacity within us to heal and even thrive, not in spite of the wounds we carry, but because of them.”
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£7.80 -
Taken: A True Story of the Pain and Scandal of Forced Adoption (Stolen Lives)
In 1972, Michelle Pearson gave up her son for adoption.
As ‘one of those girls’, she was expected to hide her shame with secrecy. No one should ever find out she’d had a child.
But she never forgot the son who was taken from her.
In the years that followed she struggled with PTSD, traumatic memory loss, agoraphobia and anxiety – impacting every area of her life.
This is Michelle’s story of love, loss and hope; of how over 50 years she has managed the consequences of living with her secret, survived the emotional pain, and finally, after being reunited with her son, the journey to rebuild their lives together.
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‘Interesting. Fascinating. I wanted to hold Michelle’s hand and say “We can do this”‘ Louise Allen
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Alive Today: How Speaking Out Saved My Life and Helped Me Navigate My Mental Health Journey
In Alive Today: How Speaking Out Saved My Life and Helped Me Navigate My Mental Health Journey, author Naushad Qayyum takes readers on a deeply intimate journey through the profound challenges of grief, loss, and mental health struggles while emphasising the transformative power of open dialogue.
The book unfolds with the surreal and tragic events of the author’s wedding day, marked by the sudden collapse and death of his father. As the story evolves, readers witness the author’s emotional rollercoaster, navigating the aftermath of loss, divorce, and a contemplation of suicide, which ultimately leads to a diagnosis of complex PTSD. Through candid reflections, the book sheds light on the societal expectations placed on men, challenging stereotypes and advocating for the importance of mental health conversations.
At its heart, Alive Today is a poignant exploration of resilience, recovery, and the author’s determination to break the silence surrounding men’s mental health. Each chapter delves into different facets of the author’s journey, from the transformative impact of a father’s guidance to the depths of despair and eventual path to healing. The book is not only a personal account, but also a call to action, as the author takes proactive steps to address the lack of mental health support for men, particularly within the Arab and South Asian communities. A follow-up book that examines even more deeply this important topic is currently being planned and will appear in 2024.
With a focus on nature, routine, and holistic well-being, Alive Today offers insights into the ongoing process of recovery and the author’s commitment to raising awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Alive Today is much more than a memoir; it is a heartfelt invitation for readers to confront their own struggles, seek help, and foster a community of understanding and empathy.
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The Ladies of Whitechapel: London. 1888. Their Stories.
London, 1888.Enter the narrow dark alleys of Victorian London, where women sold their bodies for pennies, and the rich preyed among the weak!
In the dark lanes, away from the hustle and bustle of Whitechapel High Street, four women live their lives. But someone is watching – and waiting.
In 1888, five victims of Jack the Ripper became famous for their horrific fate. That same year, police ignored many other women’s murders because of their class, or in an attempt to dispel the idea of a serial killer loose in Whitechapel.
Discover the forgotten women of Whitechapel: from heiress to whore, from wife to murderer – four woven tales of women struggling to survive the terror of Jack the Ripper’s reign.
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Rites of Passage: Death and Mourning in Victorian Britain
In Rites of Passage, acclaimed historian Judith Flanders deconstructs the intricate, fascinating, and occasionally – to modern eyes – bizarre customs that grew up around death and mourning in Victorian Britain.
Through stories from the sickbed to the deathbed, from the correct way to grieve and to give comfort to those grieving to funerals and burials and the reaction of those left behind, Flanders illuminates how living in nineteenth-century Britain was, in so many ways, dictated by dying.
This is an engrossing, deeply researched and, at times, chilling social history of a period plagued by infant death, poverty, disease, and unprecedented change. In elegant, often witty prose, Flanders brings the Victorian way of death vividly to life.
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Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka: The Horrific True Story Behind Canada’s Ken and Barbie Killers (Real Crime by Real Killers Book 7)
Abduction. Rape. Murder.
Multiple assaults. Three dead teenage girls.
A pair of criminals. But which one was the killer?This graphic account of convicted killers, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, shows that in some relationships, neither party is the “better half.” Both halves of this Canadian couple add up to one evil story. A story too shocking to believe, but the truth, especially true crime, is all too often stranger and more gruesomely horrific than any mere work of fiction.
Weaving a tale of innocent victims who were terrorized, sexually assaulted, and murdered, this true-crime thriller details the crimes and takes an in-depth look at the perpetrators. Criminal profilers have found when killers work in tandem; often, they are designated as the “leader” and the “follower.” Readers are invited to draw their own conclusions as to which one of the deadly duo was the manipulator and who was being manipulated. Dubbed the “Ken and Barbie Killers” by the media, Paul and Karla’s pink dream house became a place of nightmares.
Get a copy today and discover the shocking confession that causes their world to fall apart like a house of cards and reveals that this “perfect couple” is, in fact, perfectly evil.
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Emma Mackey: The Biography Of A Modern Icon (Biography Of Your Favorite Barbie Actors and Actresses Book 6)
“Delve into the captivating life and journey of Emma Mackey, the enigmatic actress who has captured hearts worldwide. In ‘Emma Mackey: The Biography Of A Modern Icon,’ discover the untold story of her rise from an aspiring actress to an international sensation, tracing her steps through the challenges, triumphs, and transformational moments that shaped her into the remarkable figure she is today. Uncover the behind-the-scenes anecdotes, personal struggles, and artistic inspirations that have contributed to Mackey’s meteoric rise, making her not just a screen star, but a symbol of empowerment and change for a new generation.”
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Seeking Safety: A journey of moving forward
Sometimes you need to look back to move forward.
Join Ieva on her journey back through her tumultuous childhood into early adulthood, beginning in Latvia and traversing Scotland, Dubai, Lanzarote, the UK, and Italy. While her story is one of poverty, neglect, abuse, and unexpected tragedy, Ieva refuses to be defeated.
Arson, explosions, death threats, boarding school, foster care, drugs, narcissists— she endures them all, while searching for solace and the safety she never found in her parents. Instead, she finds resilience, crawling her way from one hardship to the next until eventually she learns to dance.
This inspiring true story will show you the power of the human spirit, as we all strive toward lives filled with love and self-discovery.
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£8.50 -
A Royal Navy Cold War Buccaneer Pilot: Flying the Famous Maritime Strike Aircraft
This is a vivid and powerful story of life on board the last of our great Second World War-era aircraft carriers, modernized to serve beyond their time. It is a story of the Cold War which conveys the trials and tribulations of flying one of the best-loved military aircraft in history.Steve Kershaw joined the Royal Navy in 1963. He began flying training in 1968 and progressed to the Blackburn Buccaneer – a world-class naval strike jet that was designed to fly very fast at ultra-low altitudes. In 1970, Steve joined 800 Naval Air Squadron, which embarked on HMS Eagle on its epic final cruise.
The voyage to the Far East was far from trouble-free – an aircraft crashed into the sea, there was a devastating explosion on board the carrier, and then two sailors were arrested for murder in Auckland. New year 1972 saw HMS Eagle decommissioned and 800 NAS disbanded.
Steve was transferred to 845 Naval Air Squadron, on which he flew Wessex helicopters. Embarked on HMS Hermes, the squadron supported Royal Marines Commandos during their deployment to the mountains of Norway under NATO plans for a European war. During this time, helicopters were strangely sabotaged on board and one of them crashed into a fjord at night.
By 1974, HMS Ark Royal was the last remaining Royal Navy fixed-wing aircraft carrier to which Steve returned to fly Buccaneers on 809 Squadron. It was in this period that he participated in a NATO exercise in Norway and a Mediterranean cruise.
On return, the squadron prepared for a bombing competition between the RAF and Royal Navy Buccaneers. As part of this, Steve flew a low-level sortie off the Lincolnshire coast. The light was fading, and he was struggling to see the target ahead. He failed to see they were losing height. The aircraft hit the sea. Steve and his observer, David, were ejected into the water.
In this book, Steve’s story is revealed by his son, Simon, through the words of his father, drawn from a mass of letters sent by him, and the recollections of those who served alongside him.
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IT Girls: Pioneer Women in Computing
Women have played a vital role in the development of computing, although at times their participation has gone unrecognised. Their scholarly inventiveness and discoveries have provided a rich tapestry to add to the evolution of computer science in the world. It is important that these women be viewed through the lens of their time, placing their achievements in context throughout the past few centuries.These significant contributions by women date from the earliest times and this book brings together the stories of those who have left their mark, despite the significant hurdles they have faced. There are numerous tales of remarkable women in computing and their incredible achievements serve as an encouragement to others who have a yearning to follow in their footsteps.
Although there are many women who deserve recognition in this way, including the much vaunted Ada Lovelace, Hedy Lamarr and Grace Hopper, there are others whose talent is undoubted although they have not received the plaudits they deserve. This book outlines the lives and work of talented women from different eras and countries.
Inspired by the success of the author’s book Women of Science, this volume will provide a valuable reference tool and starting point for those who wish to further expand their knowledge of these women who played such a vital role in the development of computers that have changed the way we live.
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£14.80 -
Do All the Good You Can: How Faith Shaped Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Politics
Methodism in the public and private lives of the politician
After more than forty contentious years in the public eye, Hillary Rodham Clinton is one of the best-known political figures in the nation. Yet the strong religious faith at the heart of her politics and personal life often remains confounding, if not mysterious, to longtime observers. Even many of her admirers would be surprised to hear Clinton state that her Methodist outlook has “been a huge part of who I am and how I have seen the world, and what I believe in, and what I have tried to do in my life.”
Gary Scott Smith’s biography of Clinton’s journey in faith begins with her Methodist upbringing in Park Ridge, Illinois, where she faithfully attended worship services, Sunday school, and youth group meetings. Like many mainline Protestants, Clinton’s spiritual commitment developed gradually throughout childhood, while her combination of missionary zeal and impressive personal talents has informed her career from the time of her pro bono work at Yale on behalf of children to the present.
Her Methodist faith has been very important to many of Clinton’s high-profile endeavors and in helping her cope with the prominent travails brought on by two presidential campaigns, never-ending conservative rancor, and her husband’s infidelity. Smith’s account examines Clinton’s faith in the context of work ranging from her 1990s pursuit of healthcare reform to a “Hillary doctrine” of foreign policy focused on her longtime goal of providing basic human rights for children and women–a project she saw as essential to United States security. The result is an enlightening reconsideration of an extraordinary political figure who has defied private doubts and public controversy to live by John Wesley’s dictum: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
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£11.70 -
The Murderer and the Taoiseach: Death, Politics and GUBU – Revisiting the Notorious Malcolm Macarthur Case
A Murderer. A Leader. The Scandal of an Era.
‘Reads like a thriller but is sadly all too true … a brilliant account of shocking crimes and the dramatic political crisis they caused’ David McCullagh
The summer of 1982 was long-seared into the Irish public imagination for more than just its record high temperatures. That July, an aristocrat named Malcolm Macarthur went on a brutal killing spree, taking the lives of two innocent young people – Bridie Gargan and Dónal Dunne – in a doomed plan to remedy his financial woes.
A massive manhunt was launched and, in a sensational turn of events, Macarthur was captured in the home of the State’s top law officer, Attorney General Patrick Connolly.
The scandal attracted worldwide headlines and resulted in untold damage to Taoiseach Charles Haughey. The words he used to describe the dark events – grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented – coined the era-defining phrase GUBU.
Here, award-winning political journalist and GUBU podcast-maker Harry McGee retraces the happenings of that long hot summer and beyond. From the cat-and-mouse game to track down an unpredictable killer to Macarthur’s extraordinary capture, he considers both the life and psyche of a murderer, and that of the leading political figure of the time – a man similarly driven by greed, status and a sense of himself as existing above the law.
Including previously unknown aspects of the trial and interaction with Malcolm Macarthur himself, The Murderer and the Taoiseach is a compulsive journey through tragedy and scandal.
‘Brisk, illuminating, crackling with detail’ Tony Connelly
‘An incredible and compelling story’ Matt Cooper
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The Insanity of Gambling
The 27-year rollercoaster descent into the world of gambling madness and the eventual search for sobriety.Read more
£2.90The Insanity of Gambling
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Listen: A powerful new book about life, death, relationships, mental health and how to talk about what matters – from the Sunday Times bestselling author … to Find the Words…
‘Powerful, humane and wise’ JULIA SAMUEL
‘Everyone should read it’ NIGELLA LAWSON
‘Beautiful … This is a book for everyone. You feel held by it’ PHILIPPA PERRY
Most of us have a conversation we’re avoiding.
From the bestselling author of With the End in Mind, this is a book about the conversations that matter and how to have them better – more honestly, more confidently and without regret.
A child coming out to their parent. A family losing someone to terminal illness. A friend noticing the first signs of someone’s dementia. A careers advisor and a teenager with radically different perspectives.
There are moments when we must talk, listen and be there for one another. Why do we so often come away from those times feeling like we could have done more, or should have been braver in the face of discomfort? Why do we skirt the conversations that might matter most?
By bringing together stories with a lifetime’s experience working in medicine and the newest psychology, Mannix offers lessons for how we can better speak our mind and help when others need to.
Kathryn Mannix’s ‘With the End in Mind’ was a Sunday Times bestseller the weeks ending 6 January 2018, 13 January 2018 and 3 February 2018.
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The Doctor Will See You Now: The Junior Doctor’s Back in Hospital
The doctor is back again and on the wards! Now in his third year as junior doctor, Max looks and sounds the part. But this time around, things are not at all as he expected …
The junior doctor … back on the wards. After a year on the streets treating outreach patients, Max Pemberton is back in the relative comfort of hospital. This time running between elderly care and the dementia clinic to A&E and outpatients. No longer inexperienced (Max and his doctor friends can now tell when someone is actually dead), they are on the front line of patient care for better or worse.
In the midst of an NHS still under threat (some things never change) there are committed and caring doctors, big issues, hope, frustration, huge societal changes affecting the entire health system as well as the general drama of everyday life in a big hospital, from biscuit wars to resus. It’s not like television, this is real – there are no easy answers – but The Doctor Will See You Now will give you hope that there are enough good doctors asking the questions.
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Not in the Best of Health: The forthright and entertaining memoirs of an NHS paediatrician
The NHS is facing the greatest crisis since its inception in 1948. One of the UK’s most beloved institutions has been brought to its knees through underfunding, bad management and political meddling. Morale has slumped so low in 2022 that more than half of advertised consultant physician posts in England and Wales are unfilled. Nurses are leaving the profession in droves, and those who remain have voted for a nationwide strike. Piling on the misery, reports by Donna Ockenden and General Sir Gordon Messenger expose alarming flaws in healthcare.How did it come to this? Not in the Best of Health describes a medical career stretching from that of a fledgling student, to that of a worn out and disillusioned senior consultant paediatrician. In Charles Godden’s sharply observed memoir, stories of sick children and those who treated them are described with candour, humour and insight gained over three decades working in hospitals stretching from Papua New Guinea to the UK.
If you want to know why the NHS is failing, and what might be done to save this most treasured institution, read this book.
EARLY REVIEWS
‘Not in the Best of Health will entertain and shock. This is an outstanding medical narrative from Godden who records a life in paediatrics and pulls no punches documenting his experiences of clinical medicine and the frustrations of NHS administration. His integrity and experience shine throughout with equal amounts of humour and poignancy.
His clinical scenarios are elegantly described such that lay readers will completely understand. This book should be read by anyone with even a passing interest in medical literature or with aspirations to work with children in the medical sphere.’ – Professor Neil Wilson MB BS DCH FRCPCH FSCAI‘Spanning three decades of reorganisation, over-management, declining consultant autonomy and sleepless nights this inimitable memoir shines a sharp light on our parlous NHS. Patient focussed and moving, funny but serious,
it is a must read.’ – Professor of primary care (general practice) Anthony Harnden‘WARNING! This is an honest reflection written with great humour and enviable humility of a career in medicine. Toe curling in places, totally relatable, and an essential read for those in, around, or interested in healthcare.’ – Dr Craig Marshall, Intensive Care Medicine Registrar
‘Whilst maintaining his effortless wit, Charles presents an honest account into the occasional highs and tragic lows of an NHS paediatrician. I really enjoyed the read and it certainly highlights the struggles I have ahead of me!’ – Robbie Hill, a first year medical student
‘I rarely read medical books for recreation – too much of a busman’s holiday. However, perhaps because we both qualified in 1983 and are both paediatricians, I found many of Charles Godden’s recollections from the front line resonated with me. His views are sometimes provocative and some readers may differ with his forthright opinions but many of the personal tragedies and uplifting successes ring very true.’ – Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, DM, FRCPCH, FRCP, Past chair of GMC and past president Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
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Could It Be Forever? My Story
This ebook edition contains the full text version as per the book. Doesn’t include original photographic and illustrated material. In the seventies, when he was just 20 years old, David Cassidy achieved the sort of teen idol fame that is rarely seen. He was mobbed everywhere he went. His clothes were regularly ripped off by adoring fans. He sold records the world over. He was bigger than Elvis. And all thanks to a hit TV show called The Partridge Family. Now, in his own words, this is a brutally frank account of those mindblowing days of stardom in which being David Cassidy played second fiddle to being Keith Partridge. Including stories of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll that explode the myth of Cassidy as squeaky clean, it’s also the story of how to keep on living life and loving yourself when the fickle fans fall away.Read more
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Once Upon A Tyne: The hilarious and heart-warming Sunday Times bestseller
Complete with Christmassy gold cover, this is the perfect uplifting gift for Ant and Dec fans. (P.S. it’s a little known fact that you can give gifts to yourself, too. Go on, treat yourself!)
Told through the lens of every TV show Ant and Dec have made, this is the riotously funny journey of two ordinary lads from Newcastle who have gone on to achieve extraordinary things.
From their modest beginnings in Byker Grove through to their “unique” time as pop stars and an award-laden TV career, Ant and Dec are surely the most loveable double act on our small screens. With more laugh out loud moments than you can count, ONCE UPON A TYNE includes behind-the-scenes stories about their first scriptwriter (an unknown comedian called David Walliams), Saturday night fun and games with countless Hollywood A-listers, and celebrities they torture – sorry, work with – every year in the jungle.
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David Bowie Made Me Gay: 100 Years of LGBT Music
The definitive book on the influence of LGBT performers on modern music: a Duckworth contemporary classic, beautifully repackaged for our 125th anniversary
From Sia to Elton John, Dusty Springfield to Little Richard, LGBT voices have changed the course of modern music. But in a world before they gained understanding and a place in the mainstream, how did the queer musicians of yesteryear fight to build foundations for those who came after?
Pulling back the curtain on the colourful world that shaped our musical and cultural landscape, Darryl W. Bullock reveals the inspiring and often heartbreaking stories of internationally renowned stars, as well as lesser-known names, who have led the revolution from all corners of the globe. David Bowie Made Me Gay is a treasure trove of moving and provocative stories that emphasise the right to be heard and the need to keep up the fight for equality in the spotlight.
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Bravo Two Zero: the classic true story from an SAS hero
Sergeant Andy McNab recounts the story of the top secret mission that would reveal the secrets of the SAS to the world for the first time.
Their location: Iraq
Their mission: to sever a vital enemy underground communication link, to find and destroy mobile Scud launchers
Their call sign: Bravo Two ZeroWhen eight members of the elite SAS regiment embark on a highly covert operation, they are each laden with 15 stones of equipment, needing to tab 20km across the desert to reach their objective. But within days, their location is compromised. They engage in a fierce battle. They escape on foot to the Syrian border. Three men die. One escapes.
But four men are captured. For them, the worst is yet to come. Delivered to Baghdad, they are tortured with a savagery for which not even their intensive SAS training has prepared them…This is a story of superhuman courage, strength, endurance and dark humour in the face of overwhelming odds. It shows just how much it takes to be a member of the SAS.
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‘The best account yet of the SAS in action.’ Sunday Times
‘A gripping account of special forces at work…a tremendous adventure story.’ Daily TelegraphRead more
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Britney Spears: The Biography of Britney Spears
University Press returns with a short, captivating biography of one of history’s most compelling figures: Britney Spears.Britney Spears, the pop sensation who exploded onto the scene like a glittery tornado, has lived a life as vibrant as her music.
Born in McComb, Mississippi, in 1981, this Southern belle traded her small-town roots for the neon lights of Hollywood, and the world hasn’t been the same since.
From her iconic schoolgirl outfit in “Baby One More Time” to her fierce comeback in Las Vegas, Britney’s journey has been nothing short of legendary.
She’s danced her way through triumphs, survived the harshest media storms, and emerged stronger than ever.
With a discography that could make anyone want to “Scream & Shout,” Britney’s star power remains as blinding as ever.
Raise a toast to the princess of pop, who continues to live life on her terms and reminds us that we’re all stronger than yesterday.
This short book tells the intensely human story of a woman who is inspiring her millions of adoring fans – and changing the world in a way that no one else can.
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A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women
Rome as you’ve never seen it before – brazenly unconventional, badly behaved and ever so feminine.‘Hugely entertaining and illuminating’ —Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den
Here’s how the history of the Roman Empire usually goes…
We kick off with Romulus murdering his brother, go on to Brutus overthrowing Tarquin, bounce through an appallingly tedious list of battles and generals and consuls, before emerging into the political stab-fest of the late Republic. After ‘Et tu, Brute?’, it runs through all the emperors, occasionally nodding to a wife or mother to show how bad things get when women won’t do as they’re told, until Constantine invents Christianity only for Attila the Hun to come and ruin everything.
Let’s tear up this script. The history of Rome and its empire is so much more than these ‘Important Things’.
In this alternative history, Emma Southon tells another story about the Romans, one that lives through Vestal Virgins and sex workers, business owners and poets, empresses and saints.
- Discover how entrepreneurial sex worker Hispala Faecenia uncovered a conspiracy of treason, human sacrifice and Bacchic orgies so wild they would make Donna Tartt blush, becoming one of Rome’s unlikeliest heroes.
- Book yourself a table the House of Julia Felix and get to know Pompeii’s savviest businesswoman and restauranteur. Indulge in an array of locally sourced delicacies as you take in the wonderful view of Mount Vesuvius… what could possibly go wrong?
- Join the inimitable Septimia Zenobia, who – after watching a series of incompetent, psychopathic and incompetently psychopathic emperors almost destroy the Empire – did what any of us would do. She declared herself Empress, took over half the Roman Empire and ran it herself.
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The Jamie Oliver Effect: The Man, The Food, The Revolution
By the age of eight, Jamie Oliver was already cooking in his parents’ pub and restaurant in Essex. From Westminster Catering College, he went straight to the apron strings of Antonio Carluccio as his head pastry chef. Spotted by the director who would make Nigella, Jamie’s cheeky chappy image in the kitchens of “The River Cafe” won him his own TV series, “The Naked Chef”, by the tender age of 22. A monster advertising deal with Sainsbury’s was soon to follow, allowing Jamie and his mates – strewn through his series as effortlessly as he chucked herbs on his easy dishes – to come into our sitting rooms several times a night. We watched him marry his sweetheart, become a father twice, and chewed our fingernails with Jools in Jamie’s School Dinners”, willing him to come home more often. His campaign, Jamie’s “Fowl Dinners”, highlights the animal welfare implications for chickens of our constant demand for cheap food. The story of Jamie Oliver is the story of a culinary revolution. Speaking to people at the very heart of this revolution, from chefs and food stars to politicians and media commentators, Gilly Smith asks if it was Jamie who struck the match, or whether it was simply time to turn up the heat under a world finally ready to feed itself.Read more
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Don’t Be a Donkey: Lessons Learned from Chef Gordon Ramsey
Don’t be a Donkey is a true story about the life and career of Chef Chadd McArthur. It is about the lessons, about both kitchen and life, that he learned while working for Gordon Ramsay.Eighteen hours a day, five days a week…when you work with a great chef and leader that much, his wisdom will rub off on you, and at times traumatize you. The lessons learned will stick with Chef McArthur for the rest of his life, and now, with funny stories and clever insights into working with one of the world’s most well-known chefs, he’s sharing them in this very book.
From having Chef Gordon Ramsay himself fling a ravioli at him, to the integrity with which Ramsay dealt with the death of a colleague, Chef McArthur has a lot to tell about his three years spent working in Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in London, sometimes directly under the man himself.
Each chapter also includes a recipe, some created wholly by the author, and some influenced by Chef Ramsay’s own signature dishes. Enjoy this fresh new take on Gordon Ramsay, and the challenges of a chef who survived Ramsay’s kitchen for years.
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From Hell’s Kitchen to Culinary Royalty: The Gordon Ramsay Journey : A Story of Grit, Talent, and the Pursuit of Culinary Excellence
This biography provides a comprehensive overview of Gordon Ramsay’s life and career, highlighting his remarkable journey from a young chef with a dream to a global culinary icon. It delves into his culinary philosophy, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to excellence, his passion for fresh ingredients, and his dedication to precision. It also explores his personal life, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity and his unwavering dedication to his family. The biography extensively covers Ramsay’s television triumphs, highlighting his fiery personality, sharp wit, and ability to transform aspiring chefs. It also examines his global impact, encompassing his Michelin-starred restaurants, best-selling cookbooks, and diverse business ventures. Additionally, it sheds light on his balancing act between his professional and personal life, demonstrating his ability to prioritize his family and friends while maintaining his culinary success. Finally, the biography celebrates Ramsay’s enduring influence on the culinary world, emphasizing his legacy of innovation, excellence, and inspiration.Read more
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From Hell’s Kitchen to Culinary Royalty: The Gordon Ramsay Journey : A Story of Grit, Talent, and the Pursuit of Culinary Excellence
This biography provides a comprehensive overview of Gordon Ramsay’s life and career, highlighting his remarkable journey from a young chef with a dream to a global culinary icon. It delves into his culinary philosophy, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to excellence, his passion for fresh ingredients, and his dedication to precision. It also explores his personal life, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity and his unwavering dedication to his family. The biography extensively covers Ramsay’s television triumphs, highlighting his fiery personality, sharp wit, and ability to transform aspiring chefs. It also examines his global impact, encompassing his Michelin-starred restaurants, best-selling cookbooks, and diverse business ventures. Additionally, it sheds light on his balancing act between his professional and personal life, demonstrating his ability to prioritize his family and friends while maintaining his culinary success. Finally, the biography celebrates Ramsay’s enduring influence on the culinary world, emphasizing his legacy of innovation, excellence, and inspiration.Read more
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GORDON RAMSAY: Biography of a Culinary Maverick
Gordon Ramsay, a culinary maverick with a career as sizzling as his signature dishes, emerged as a prominent figure in the culinary world. Born in Scotland in 1966, Ramsay’s journey from aspiring footballer to renowned chef began when he enrolled at North Oxfordshire Technical College to study hotel management.His early career saw him training under culinary luminaries in Europe, honing his skills in classic French cuisine. Ramsay’s breakthrough moment came when he joined Marco Pierre White’s restaurant, Harvey’s, where he absorbed both the artistry and intensity that would later define his own culinary approach.In 1998, Ramsay opened his first solo venture, Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road, quickly earning three Michelin stars. This success marked the inception of his global empire, expanding to restaurants worldwide and culminating in a myriad of Michelin stars.Beyond the kitchen, Ramsay became a household name through television. His unfiltered and passionate persona on shows like “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Kitchen Nightmares” solidified his status as a culinary rockstar. Ramsay’s commitment to perfection, tempered by a fiery temper, adds a unique flavor to his celebrity chef persona.
Despite the tough exterior, Ramsay is also a philanthropist, author, and family man. His journey from a small town in Scotland to the summits of the culinary world illustrates the tenacity of a man whose love for food and uncompromising standards have left an indelible mark on the global gastronomic landscape.Read more
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Gordon Ramsay: The True Story Of Gordon Ramsay And His Wife Tana Ramsay Welcoming Their Sixth Child Together || Biography, Early Life, Career As Chef, Five (5) Children And Net…
Have you ever wondered about the extraordinary journey of Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana Ramsay welcoming their sixth child together?
Dive into the compelling pages of this book, unveiling the true story behind the celebrated chef’s family expansion. Explore the moments of joy, challenges, and the Ramsay family’s journey to completeness.
Discover the intimate details of their remarkable life.
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the heartfelt narrative of love, resilience, and the joy of a growing family?
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Gordon Ramsay: Angel in Disguise
An unauthorized mini biography of Chef Gordon Ramsay, written in 2013.Read more
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Gordon Ramsay’s Book : Gordon Ramsay welcomes the 6th child with woman Tana’ What an amazing birthday present’. The inside Story of his Biography, Family, Early Life, Career And…
The celebrity cook posted a triad of prints from the sanitarium on his vindicated Instagram account Saturday, revealing the brace had eaten a son, Jesse James Ramsay. “ What an amazing birthday present, ” Ramsay, who turned 57 on November 8, wrote in the caption, adding, “Please welcome Jesse James Ramsay, 7 lbs 10 oz whopper!! ” “ One further pack of love to the Ramsay squad, ” he continued, tallying his children with “ 3 boys, 3 girls. CNN has reached out to Ramsay’s representatives for fresh commentary on Ramsay and the woman After being married in 1996, Tana is the mother of two boys, Jack Scott and Oscar, and three daughters, Tilly, Megan, and Holly Anna.
Gordon James Ramsay was born in Johnstone, Scotland, on 8 November 1966, the son of Helen( née Cosgrove), a nanny, and Gordon James Sr., who worked as a swimming pool director, welder, and shopkeeper. He has an aged family, a youngish family, and a youngish family. When he was nine, he moved with his family to England and grew up in the Bishopton area of Stratford-upon-Avon.
He has described his early life as” hopelessly ambulatory” and said his family moved constantly owing to the troubles and failures of his father, who was a sometimes violent alcoholic; Ramsay described him as a”
hard-drinking womaniser”. He worked as a pot washer in an original Indian eatery where his family was a waitress. He’d hoped to become a footballer and was first chosen to play under-14 football at the age of 12, but his early footballing career was marked by injuries.
In this book, the biography, career and personal life of Gordon Ramsay’s will be discussed. His family, early life and achievement and lots more will be discussed. Not to worry this book was written by a certified journalist of the social Press Media. I know you want to read this book.
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BIOGRAPHY of GORDON RAMSAY : Unveiling A Culinary Maverick’s Journey from Hell’s Kitchen to Michelin Stars: Fire in the Kitchen (THE BIOGRAPHIES)
Join the rollercoaster ride through the life of Gordon Ramsay, the renowned chef whose fiery passion for perfection in the culinary world has made him a household name. Delve into his turbulent upbringing, his rise from the ashes, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that turned him into a global culinary icon. Uncover the untold stories, the heartaches, the triumphs, and the relentless drive that fueled his journey from the streets of Scotland to the summits of gastronomy.Read more
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Humble Pie
Everyone thinks they know the real Gordon Ramsay: rude, loud, driven, stubborn. But this is his real story…
In this fast-paced, bite-sized edition of his bestselling autobiography Ramsay tells the real story of how he became the world’s most famous and infamous chef: his difficult childhood, his brother’s heroin addiction, his failed first career as a footballer, his fanatical pursuit of gastronomic perfection and his TV persona – all the things that have made him the celebrated culinary talent and media powerhouse that he is today. Gordon talks frankly about:
- his tough childhood: his father’s alcoholism and violence and the effects on his relationships with his mother and siblings
- his first career as a footballer: how the whole family moved to Scotland when he was signed by Glasgow Rangers at the age of fifteen, and how he coped when his career was over due to injury just three years later
- his brother’s heroin addiction.
- Gordon’s early career: learning his trade in Paris and London; how his career developed from there: his time in Paris under Albert Roux and his seven Michelin-starred restaurants.
- kitchen life: Gordon spills the beans about life behind the kitchen door, and how a restaurant kitchen is run in Anthony Bourdain-style.
- and how he copes with the impact of fame on himself and his family: his television career, the rapacious tabloids, and his own drive for success.
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£0.70Humble Pie
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Vinyl Countdown
‘You hold in your hand a miracle. A book about a passion, and the hipsters, oddballs and old heads who share it, written by one of their number, albeit a ludicrously erudite one’ – Danny Kelly
A revival of interest in vinyl music has taken place in recent years – but for many of those from the ‘baby boomer’ generation, it never went away.
Graham Sharpe’s vinyl love affair began in the 1960s and since then he has amassed over 3000 LPs and spent countless hours visiting record shops worldwide along with record fairs, car boot sales, online and real life auctions.Vinyl Countdownfollows his journey to over a hundred shops across the globe – from New York to New Zealand, Walsall to Warsaw, Oslo to Ozstralia, (old) Jersey to New Jersey – and describes the many characters he has encountered and the adventures he accrued along the way.
Vinyl Countdown seeks to reawaken the often dormant desire which first promoted the gathering of records, and to confirm the belief of those who still indulge in it, that they happily belong to, and should celebrate the undervalued, misunderstood significant group of music-obsessed vinylholics, who always want – need – to buy… just one more record.
A mesmerising blend of memoir, travel, music and social history, Vinyl Countdown will appeal to anyone who vividly recalls the first LP they bought and any music fan who derives pleasure from the capacity that records have for transporting you back in time.
‘Graham Sharpe’s journey around the second-hand record shops of the UK is full of laugh out loud anecdotes and wonderful observations. A great read not just for vinyl fans, but for anybody who has ever visited a record shop’ – Graham Jones, author of Last Shop Standing (Whatever Happened to Record Shops), Strange Requests and Comic Tales From Record Shopsand The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made it HappenRead more
£1.10Vinyl Countdown
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JOAN COLLINS BIOGRAPHY BOOK: Behind the Shoulder Pads: A Life of Glamour, Grit, and Enduring Grace
Step into the dazzling world of Joan Collins, an icon of Hollywood glamour and timeless elegance. In this captivating biography, explore the life of a woman who defied expectations and became a true legend of the silver screen. From her early days in London’s West End to her reign as a Dynasty diva, Joan’s journey is a tale of talent, tenacity, and unapologetic style. Get ready for a glamorous ride through the golden era of Hollywood with the inimitable Joan Collins as your guide.Read more
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Disney’s British Gentleman: The Life and Career of David Tomlinson
‘A wonderful account of a life filled with far more ups and downs than its subject’s languid demeanour ever suggested.’
Miles Jupp.
Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’d recognise David Tomlinson’s face – genial and continually perplexed, he was Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, Professor Browne in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Peter Thorndyke in The Love Bug. To many, he’s the epitome of post-war British comedy.
But at times his life was more tragedy than comedy. A distinguished RAF pilot in the Second World War, his first marriage was to end in horrific tragedy and his next romance ended with his lover marrying the founder of the American Nazi Party. He did find love and security in his second marriage, but drama still played its part in his life – from the uncovering of an earthshattering family secret to the fight for an autism diagnosis for his son, up against the titans of the British medical establishment.
Tomlinson may have died over twenty years ago, but his star continues to shine. In Disney’s British Gentleman, Nathan Morley reveals the remarkable story of one of Disney’s most beloved icons for the very first time.
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Robert My Father: A Personal Biography of Robert Morley
‘If Robert had a mission, it was to emphasise that life was meant to be fun; he was one of the few men I knew who strode through life instead of circumnavigating it. He died without ever growing old.’ Michael Parkinson
‘Comic genius’ was the uncontested verdict of the International Herald Tribune. But Robert Morley was bigger even than that. While he is remembered for landmark performances such as the first portrayal of Oscar Wilde on stage and screen, and for many more as the epitome of the crusty but lovable English gentleman, Robert Morley is equally remembered for perhaps his finest role: playing himself. Through books, plays and countless radio and television performances, Robert Morley spread his own unique brand of irresistible humour and joie de vivre, generally resembling, to quote one memorable description, ‘an indignant elephant’. In this wonderfully entertaining account of a remarkable life, Sheridan Morley reveals the true Robert Morley – actor, playwright, bon viveur, and, not least, father.
‘Warm yet unsentimental … a first-rate portrait of a true original and star’ Evening Standard
‘Affectionate and moving, packed with anecdotes. Above all it is fun’ Sunday Express
‘Charming and affectionate … What his son’s biography sets out to do, and succeeds in admirably, is to celebrate the joyful pleasure that old-fashioned performers took in their art’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Hugely entertaining, and bulges with very good stories’ Mail on Sunday
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A Life in Movies: Stories from 50 years in Hollywood
“A lively memoir . . . a first-hand work of cinema history . . . the testament of a pivotal figure in American moviemaking.” —Martin ScorseseThe list of films Irwin Winkler has produced in his more-than-fifty-year career is extraordinary: Rocky, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, De-Lovely, The Right Stuff, Creed, and The Irishman. His films have been nominated for fifty-two Academy Awards, including five movies for Best Picture, and have won twelve.
In A Life in Movies, his charming and insightful memoir, Winkler tells the stories of his career through his many films as a producer and then as a writer and director, charting the changes in Hollywood over the past decades. Winkler started in the famous William Morris mailroom and made his first film—starring Elvis—in the last days of the old studio system. Beginning in the late 1960s, and then for decades to come, he produced a string of provocative and influential films, making him one of the most critically lauded, prolific, and commercially successful producers of his era.
This is an engrossing and candid book, a beguiling exploration of what it means to be a producer, including purchasing rights, developing scripts, casting actors, managing directors, editing film, and winning awards. Filled with tales of legendary and beloved films, as well as some not-so-legendary and forgotten ones, A Life in Movies takes readers behind the scenes and into the history of Hollywood.
“Charming and anecdote packed . . . popcorn for movie nerds.” —Newsweek
“A deftly written recollection of an eventful and happy life in a precarious and, frankly, insane business; a remarkably clear-eyed look behind the scenes of moviemaking.” —Kevin Kline
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Shark Infested Waters: Tales Of An Actors’ Agent
Michael Whitehall contrasts the glamorous image of theatrical life with the mundane realities of the business, while passing on some startling trade secrets along the way.
A laconic raconteur of refreshingly unstar-struck theatrical anecdotes, Whitehall deftly sketches the social comedy of his eccentric background: growing up in suburban London in the 1950s, his schooldays at Ampleforth and his subsequent adventures as a prep schoolmaster – worthy of Evelyn Waugh himself – before becoming an actors’ agent.
Shark-Infested Waters is a charming, funny and piquant view of a world that continues to fascinate.
Praise for Shark Infested Waters:
“The funniest show-business memoir I’ve read since David Niven’s The Moon’s a Balloon.” – Nigel Havers
“One of the year’s funniest memoirs.” – Daily Express
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American Prince: My Autobiography
He has appeared in over a hundred films. Elvis copied his looks. The Beatles put him on the cover of Sgt. Pepper. Tony Curtis is without question a Hollywood legend and part of its Golden Age. In American Prince he tells the whole story, from his hard-knock childhood growing up in the Bronx to his wild days as a Hollywood playboy, his destructive drug addiction and his life now as an artist in his eighties. He talks frankly about the people he has known during his long and illustrious career, from the studio owners and directors to his famous friends, such as Jack Lemmon, Cary Grant and James Dean, and the women in his life, including Janet Leigh and Natalie Wood.
Forthright and enthralling, and sparing no detail and no ego, American Prince is the true record of a life lived to the full.
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Billy Connolly
The inside story of the one of the most successful British stand-up comedians, as told by the person best qualified to reveal all about the man behind the comic, his wife of over 20 years – Pamela Stephenson.
Once in a lifetime, there strides upon the stage someone who can truly be called a legend. Such a person is the inimitable, timeless genius who is Billy Connolly. His effortlessly wicked whimsy has entranced, enthralled – and split the sides of – thousands upon thousands of adoring audiences.
And when he isn’t doing that…he’s turning in award-winning performances on film and television.
He’s the man who needs no introduction, and yet he is the ultimate enigma. From a troubled and desperately poor childhood in the docklands of Glasgow he is now the intimate of household names the world over.
How did this happen, who is the real Billy Connolly? Only one person can answer that question: his wife, Pamela Stephenson. Pamela’s writing combines the very personal with a frank objectivity that makes for a compelling, moving and hugely entertaining biography. This is the real Billy Connolly.
This genre-defining book is now released as an ebook for a new generation of comedy fans, with a new Foreword from the author. Pamela’s vision of Billy is as true now as it ever was – as groundbreaking, as moving and as laugh-out-loud funny – and here she brings the book fully into its context, as one of the most influential biographies ever written.
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£0.90Billy Connolly
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