Bede's Reads READ AROUND
WHETHER YOU PREFER FICTION OR NON-FICTION, SCIENCE OR HUMANITIES, FUNNY ANECDOTES OR SERIOUS OBSERVATIONS, EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK READING IS YOUR CUP OF TEA, THERE ARE PLENTY OF BOOKS OUT THERE THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU AND BRING YOU JOY, AND THEY MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE THE ONES YOU EXPECT. . .
List compiled by Sarah Evans, Librarian, Bede's Senior School. Book blurbs courtesy of Waterstones.com. Book Bingo SOMETIMES, BY SETTING YOURSELF A CHALLENGE, YOU CAN ADD AN ELEMENT OF FUN TO AN ACTIVITY YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE ENJOY. WHY NOT PLAY BOOK BINGO OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND SEE HOW MANY OF THE SQUARES BELOW YOU CAN TICK OFF? JUST FILL IN THE TITLE OF THE BOOK IN THE CORRESPONDING SQUARE WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED IT. GET YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS INVOLVED TOO, TO ADD A LITTLE COMPETITION TO THE MIX.
A book with a A book set in a A book that A book FEMALE HIGH became based on a HEROINE SCHOOL A MOVIE MYTH
A book with a A book that A A book about a ONE-WORD addresses BIOGRAPHY HISTORICAL TITLE CLIMATE or EVENT CHANGE MEMOIR
A A book with a A book A book with DYSTOPIAN BLUE written by a more than book cover PERSON OF 300 PAGES COLOUR
A book with an Your best A book with A book that LGBTQ+ friend's the word explores character FAVOURITE 'FIRE' MENTAL book in the title HEALTH Animal Management
When Sean Flynn's neighbour in North Carolina texted, "Any chance you guys want a peacock? No kidding!" he stared bewilderedly at his phone. He had never considered whether he wanted a peacock. But as an award-winning magazine writer, this kind of mystery intrigued him. So he became the owner of not one but three charming yet fickle birds: Carl, Ethel, and Mr. Pickle. At turns comically absurd and deeply poignant, 'Why Peacocks?' blends lively, insightful memoir and illuminating science journalism to answer the title's question.
Each of these 16 essays investigates a different famous animal named and immortalised by humans. Here are the starling that inspired Mozart with its song, Darwin's tortoise Harriet and, in an extraordinary essay, Jumbo the elephant (and how they tried to electrocute him). Modelled loosely on a medieval bestiary, these witty, playful, provocative essays traverse history, myth, science and more, introducing a stunning new writer to British readers.
History is full of strange animal stories invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney. But when it comes to understanding animals, we've got a long way to go. You've probably never considered that moose get drunk and that penguins are notorious cheats. This is an astonishing and laugh-out-loud funny book that will ensure you never look at the animal kingdom in the same way again.
Scientists are confident that there is alien life across the universe yet we have not moved beyond our perception of 'aliens' as Hollywood stereotypes. Might there be an alien planet with supersonic animals? Will they scream with fear, act honestly, or have technology? Is the universe swarming with robots? Dr Kershenbaum uses cutting-edge science to paint an entertaining and compelling picture of extra-terrestrial life. This is the story of how life really works, on Earth and in space.
If you are lucky, you might meet an animal that wants to talk to you. If you are even luckier, you might meet an animal that takes the time and effort to get to know you. Such relationships can teach us not only about the animal in question, but also about language and about ourselves. From how prairie dogs describe intruders in detail, including their size, shape, speed and the colour of their hair and T-shirts, to how bats like to gossip, to the impressive greeting rituals of monogamous seabirds, this is a fascinating and philosophical exploration of the ways animals communicate with each other, and with us. Art
Warhol sought out all the most glamorous figures of his times despite being burdened with an almost crippling shyness. Behind the public glitter of the artist's Factory, with its superstars, drag queens and socialites, there was a man who guarded the privacy of his home and overcame the vicious homophobia of his youth to become a symbol of gay achievement. Filled with new insights into the artist's work and personality, this book asks: Was he a joke or a genius, a radical or a social climber? As Warhol himself would have answered: Yes.
Aimed at all who travel to learn about new places and cultures, this book gathers together hundreds of unforgettable art experiences around the world, acting as an inspirational travel guide for anyone interested in art. From the Lightning Field in New Mexico to an art island in Japan, expert guide Yolanda Zappaterra leads us on a comprehensive, worldwide tour of bucket list destinations for every season. Divided into sections by continent, the book is a thrilling cultural journey, an insider's guide to the visual arts that suggests different ways to experience art beyond the usual galleries and institutions.
'Pencils You Should Know' traces the evolution of pencils over time and across the globe. From the humble, handcrafted pencil of the 19th century to the novelty writing implement of the 1990s, each object in this book tells a different story. Follow the history of 75 different pencils, and discover everything you need to know about this simple yet ingenious invention. A great book for pencil collectors, admirers, historians, artists, writers - basicaly anyone who gets excited about the new Palomino Blackwing or a perfectly sharpened No. 2 Ticonderoga.
Style luminary Charlie Porter takes us on an invigorating, eye-opening journey through the iconic outfits worn by artists, in the studio, on stage, at work, at home and at play, revealing details in the clothes he encounters, weaving together a new way of understanding artists, and of dressing ourselves. Part love letter, part guide to chic, and featuring generous photographic spreads, this is both a manual and a manifesto, a radical, gleeful, inspiration to see the world anew - and find greater pleasure and possibility in the clothes we all wear.
Hook takes the lid off the world of art dealing to reveal the brilliance, cunning, greed and daring of its practitioners, and describes the rise and occasional fall of the extraordinary men and women who over the centuries have made it their business to sell art to kings, merchants, nobles, entrepreneurs and museums. Philip Hook's history is one of human folly and duplicity, interspersed with ingenuity, inspiration and acts of heroism. This book is learned, witty and irresistibly readable. Business & Economics
"At the cost of who I truly was. I played the business game for years, where the rules were set by men for men. I was tough and aggressive. I put in long hours, was competitive and resilient. But I suppressed my natural energy, sensitivity and instinct. I worked like this until I couldn't any more. And then I changed. My team and I rebuilt my business on the values that matter. Now I want to share what I've learned through my own experiences. It's time to create an unstoppable force for change. A feminine force." -Mary Portas
In his new book, Harford once again brings us an array of remarkable, memorable, curious and often unexpected 'things' - inventions that teach us lessons by turns intimate and sweeping about the complex world economy we live in today. From the brick, blockchain and the bicycle, to fire, the factory and fundraising, and from solar PV and the pencil to the postage stamp, this brilliant and enlightening collection resonates, fascinates and stimulates. It is a wonderful blend of insight and inspiration from one of Britain's finest non-fiction storytellers.
Humans invented money from nothing, so why can't we live without it? And why does no one understand what it really is? In this lively tour through the centuries, Jacob Goldstein charts the story of this paradoxical commodity, exploring where money came from, why it matters and whether bitcoin will still exist in 20 years. Full of interesting stories and quirky facts - from the islanders who used huge stones as a means of exchange to the merits of universal basic income - this is an indispensable handbook for anyone curious about how money came to make the world go round.
For a new generation of fiercely independent and ambitious career women, going it alone and even thinking you could launch your own successful business remains a pipe dream. The business world, and the start-up scene in particular, remains ruthless, unwelcoming and scary. 'She Made It' is the secret weapon you need. With honesty, practicality and a helping of epic and successful women in business, this book offers you a voice of reason and encouragement. It is your go-to guide to launching your own business, as well as to finding your feet and voice as a woman in business.
In 2015, rumours began circulating that billions of dollars had been stolen from a Malaysian investment fund. The mastermind of the heist was 27-year-old Jho Low who stole the money, right under the nose of global financial industry watchdogs. He used it to finance elections, purchase luxury real estate, throw champagne-drenched parties, and bankroll Hollywood films. Read about how this silver-tongued con man emerged from obscurity to pull off one of the most audacious financial heists the world has ever seen. Classics
The story of Troy speaks to all of us - Zeus, the king of the gods, triggers a brutal war when he asks the Trojan prince Paris to judge the fairest goddess of them all. Aphrodite bribes Paris with the heart of Helen, wife of King Menelaus of the Greeks, and naturally, nature takes its course. The stage is set for the oldest and greatest story ever told, where monstrous passions meet the highest ideals and the lowest cunning. In Troy you will find heroism and hatred, love and loss, revenge and regret, desire and despair. It is these human passions, written bloodily in the sands of a distant shore, that still speak to us today.
In Ancient Rome all the best stories have one thing in common - murder. Romulus killed Remus to found the city; Caesar was assassinated to save the Republic. Caligula was butchered in the theatre, Claudius was poisoned at dinner and Galba was beheaded in the forum. But what did killing mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd? Emma Southon examines real-life homicides from Roman history to explore how perpetrator, victim and the act itself were regarded by ordinary people.
Stories of gods and monsters are the mainstay of epic poetry and Greek tragedy, and still, today, a wealth of novels, plays and films draw their inspiration from stories first told almost 3,000 years ago. But modern tellers of Greek myth have usually been men, and have routinely shown little interest in telling women's stories. And when they do, those women are often painted as monstrous, vengeful or just plain evil. Now, in Pandora's Jar, Natalie Haynes redresses this imbalance. Taking Pandora and her jar (the box came later) as the starting point, she puts the women of the Greek myths on equal footing with the menfolk.
Packed with plotting, side-switching and last-ditch escapes, the enthralling story of Cassius Parmensis, the final assassin of Julius Caesar to be executed, reads like the most fanciful historical thriller. For 14 years he was the most successful at evading his hunters but has been barely a historical footnote - until now. This book dazzlingly charts an epic turn of history through the eyes of an unheralded man. It is a history of a hunt that an emperor wanted to hide, of torture and terror, politics and poetry, of ideas and their consequences, a gripping story of fear, revenge and survival.
Classicist Helen Morales reminds us that myths have subversive power because they are told, and read, in different ways. Through these stories, whether it's Antigone's courageous stand against tyranny or the indestructible Caeneus, who inspires trans and gender queer people today, Morales uncovers hidden truths about solidarity, empowerment, and catharsis. 'Antigone Rising' offers a fresh understanding of the stories we take for granted, showing how we can reclaim them to challenge the status quo, spark resistance, and rail against unjust regimes. Dance
FICTION: Mia is 16, rebellious, sarcastic, determined, and always ready to face head-on the problems of teenage life, and she has always pursued her one big dream: to get into London's Royal Ballet School. But complicating matters is her secret passion for Patrick, her best friend's brother, who thinks of her as a little sister. Her passions for dance and for Patrick are so intense that there's no way Mia would ever be able to give up either. Until destiny presents her with a difficult and painful choice. . . For fans of Jenny Han and Holly Bourne.
On a freezing night in January 2013, an assailant hurled acid in the face of the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, dragging one of Russia's most illustrious institutions into scandal. Here, renowned musicologist Simon Morrison shows how the attack, and its torrid aftermath, underscored the importance of the Bolshoi to ballet, to Russia, and to the world. With exclusive access to state archives and private sources, he sweeps us through the history of the ballet, from its disreputable beginnings in 1776 to the recent £450 million restoration that has returned the Bolshoi to its former glory, even as its prized talent has departed.
Science shows that just 10 minutes of dancing provides a thorough workout for the body and brain, raising the heartbeat to cause a release of feel-good endorphins, connecting us to our emotions and reducing our stress levels. Dancing quite simply makes us feel more alive. Dr Peter Lovatt, a former professional dancer turned dance psychologist, is on a personal mission to make dancing as natural an activity in our daily lives as walking or drinking coffee. Filled with fascinating case studies and great stories from dance history, this book will inspire even those who think they "can't dance".
FICTION: If you’re missing the excitement of traveling the globe, pick up this sweet YA romance. Mia is attending a prestigious ballet school in Paris for the summer. There, she faces tough competition, cute (and distracting) French boys, and the chance to audition for the ballet company of her dreams. If you’re in the mood for feel-good YA with tasty food, gorgeous sights, and pulse-pounding kisses, look no further!
'The Everyday Dancer' is an honest account of the business of dancing from a writer with first-hand experience of the profession. It goes behind the velvet curtain to uncover the everyday realities of a career in dance. Starting out with the obligatory daily 'class', the book progresses through the repetition of rehearsals, the excitement of creating new work, the nervous tension of the half-hour call, the pressures of performance and the anti-climax of curtain down. Through this vivid portrait of a dancer's every day, Deborah Bull reveals the arc of a dancer's life. Design & Technology
This international bestseller reveals that, by breaking free of fossil fuels, we are in fact setting ourselves up for a new dependence on rare metals, which are essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, smartphones, computers, tablets and other technologies. But we know very little about how they are mined and traded, or their environmental, economic, and geopolitical costs. This is a vital expose of the ticking time-bomb that lies beneath our new technological order.
Lose yourself in the vast sewer networks that lie beneath the world's great cities. This execrable exploration traces the evolution of waste management from the ingenious infrastructures of the ancient world to the cesspits and festering open sewers of the medieval period. It celebrates the work of the civil engineers whose pioneering integrated sewer systems brought to a close the cholera epidemics of the mid-19th century and continue to serve a vastly increased population today. And let's not forget those giant fatbergs clogging our underground arteries, or the storm-surge super-structures of tomorrow.
In 1957, in the mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia, for 14-year-old Homer 'Sonny' Hickam there are only two routes in life: a college football scholarship, or a life underground. But from the moment the town turns out to watch the world's first space satellite, Sputnik, as it passes overhead, Sonny and his friends embark on a mission of their own - to form the Big Creek Missile Agency, and build a rocket. Looking back at a distinguished career as a NASA engineer, this is the tale of a group of teenage boys who went on to design, build and launch the rockets that would change their lives, and their town, forever.
If you take even the slightest interest in the design of your toothbrush, the history behind your washing machine, or the evolution of the telephone, you'll take an even greater interest in this completely updated edition of Industrial Design A-Z. Tracing the evolution of industrial design from the Industrial Revolution to the present day, the book bursts with synergies of form and function that transform our daily experience. From cameras to kitchenware, Lego to Lamborghini, we meet the individual designers, global businesses, and genius products that become integrated into our lives.
In 1919, the Women's Engineering Society was created, spearheaded by Katharine and Rachel Parsons, a powerful mother and daughter duo, and Caroline Haslett, whose mission was to liberate women from domestic drudgery. This book looks at their significant achievements in engineering and technology, centering on the parallel but contrasting lives of Rachel Parsons and Caroline Haslett - one born to privilege and riches whose life ended in dramatic tragedy; the other who rose from humble roots to become the leading professional woman of her age. Drama
Take a peek into the cultural phenomenon that is Drag in this guide to its history, from ancient theatre to RuPaul's Drag Race. Drag has been around for thousands of years. A fabulous mix of fashion, theatre, gender and politics all come together to create the show-stopping entertainment millions love today. Here, Jake Hall delves into its ancient beginnings, to the present day and beyond. Vibrant illustrations enhance a rich history that ranges from Kabuki theatre to Shakespeare, and the revolutionary Stonewall riots to the still-thriving New York ballroom scene.
FICTION: Sold by her father to a 'Professor of Ghosts', Lily Bell dreams of a career on the Victorian stage. But Erasmus Salt is promising his audience not mere theatre, but a glimpse of the spirit world. And Lily is to be his ghost. Obsessed with perfection, Erasmus goes to extreme lengths to ensure his illusion is complete, and when Lily finds her own obituary in the paper, and then her own headstone in the cemetery, she realises that she is trapped. But Erasmus is haunted by more than one betrayal - and as the curtain falls, Lily's fate becomes even darker. . .
A comprehensive, revealing and hugely entertaining portrait of the world of theatre across 400 years. Many of the anecdotes are humorous, all have something illuminating to say about an aspect of theatrical life - whether it is the art of playwriting, the craft of covering up missed cues, the drama of the First Night, the nightmare of touring, or the secret ingredients of star quality. This is a book where, once in a while, the understudy takes centre-stage, treating triumph and disaster just the same, and including stories from the tattiest touring companies to Broadway and the West End.
This is the larger-than-life story of the much-loved Hollywood comedy stars that ruled the 1980s, delving behind the scenes of classic movies such as Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop and Trading Places, and chronicling the off-screen, larger-than-life antics of the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, John Candy and Steve Martin. The book explores the friendships, feuds, triumphs and disasters experienced by these iconic funnymen. Based on candid interviews from the stars, as well as those who entered their orbit, it reveals the hidden history behind the most fertile period ever for screen comedy.
FICTION: Hope is happiest out of the spotlight, working backstage at her local theatre, so she can't believe her luck when she lands a top internship on a major show. However, with a Hollywood star cast in the lead, and his young understudy upstaging Hope's heart, she soon wishes life would stick to the script. Hope has to prove she's got what it takes. But with a big secret and so much buzz around the show, it isn't long before Hope finds herself centre stage. A Hollywood star, a top director, a sold-out show, a major crush. . . and a girl with everything to prove. English
In this anthology, 60 accomplished authors share secrets and insights into their writing lives: on their inspirations, methods, wild ideas and daily routines; on the pleasure and the pain of achieving their literary goals; on how they started out and how they hope to continue. They outline some golden rules for staying on track and talk candidly about what goes wrong as well as right. How to find inspiration? How to get the words right? How to cope with writer's block? How to handle bad reviews? How to become a better reader? Pencil or computer? Inside or out? And where do the good ideas really come from?
Joanne Harris, one-time teacher and bestselling novelist, has created this collection of pithy and funny lists of advice, which provides both hard-won wisdom and insider industry help. All aspects of the writing process and story development are covered, as is the thorny issue of how and where to find readers. Uniquely, the book also takes the reader beyond the stage of finished manuscripts and editorial changes, and into the territories of rights, publicity and marketing. Whether you have the urge to write crime fiction or a fantasy novel, literary shorts or blockbuster thrillers, Joanne's lists will speak to you.
Looking at lists of the greatest speeches of all time, you might think that powerful oratory is the preserve of men. But the truth is very different - countless brave and bold women have used their voices to inspire change, transform lives and radically alter history. In this timely and personal selection of exceptional speeches, Yvette Cooper MP tells the rousing story of female oratory. From Boadicea to Greta Thunberg, and Chimamanda Adichie to Malala Yousafzai, Yvette introduces each speech and demonstrates how powerful and persuasive oratory can be decidedly female.
Once we've learned it as children, few of us think much of the alphabet and its familiar sing-song order. And yet the order of the alphabet continues to play a major role in our adult lives. In 'A Place for Everything', acclaimed historian Judith Flanders fascinatingly lays out the gradual triumph of alphabetical order, and along the way you'll meet the great collector Robert Cotton, who catalogued his manuscripts by the names of the busts of the Roman emperors surmounting his book cases, and the unassuming 16th-century London bookseller who ushered in a revolution by listing his authors surname first.
Reverend Willie Maxwell was a rural preacher accused of murdering five of his family members for insurance money in the 1970s. With the help of a savvy lawyer, he escaped justice for years until a relative shot him dead at the funeral of his last victim. Intrigued by the story, Harper Lee, author of 'To Kill a Mocking Bird', journeyed back to her home state to witness the Reverend's killer face trial. She reported on the case and spent many years trying to finish the book she called 'The Reverend'. This is the story she wanted to write, and the story of why she couldn't. Geography
Throughout history, whether escaping constricted societies at home or propelled by a desire for independence, footloose females have ventured to the four corners of the earth and recorded their exploits for posterity. For too long their triumphs have been overshadowed by those of their male counterparts, but here Mariella Frostrup puts female explorers back on the map. Her selection includes explorers from the 1700s to the present day, from iconic heroines to lesser-known eccentrics.
Not many Brits move to Poland to work in a fish and chip shop. Fewer still come back wanting to be an MEP. In 2016 Ben Aitken moved to Poland. It wasn't love that took him but curiosity: he wanted to know what the Poles in the UK had left behind. He flew to a place he'd never heard of and accepted a job in a chip shop on minimum wage. When he wasn't peeling potatoes he was on the road scratching the country's surface. By the year's end he had a better sense of what the Poles had turned their backs on - southern mountains, northern beaches, dumplings! - and an uncanny ability to bone cod.
If you want to understand what's happening in the world, look at a map. In this revelatory book, Marshall takes us into 10 regions that are set to shape global politics and power. Find out why the Earth's atmosphere is the world's next battleground; why the fight for the Pacific is just beginning; and why Europe's next refugee crisis is closer than it thinks. Covering Australia, The Sahel, Greece, Turkey, the UK, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Space, delivered with Marshall's trademark wit and insight, this is a lucid and gripping exploration of the power of geography to shape humanity's past, present and future.
'Prisoners of Geography' meets Bill Bryson: a funny, fascinating, beautifully illustrated and timely history of countries that, for myriad and often ludicrous reasons, no longer exist. This is an atlas of nations that fell off the map. The polite way of writing an obituary is: dwell on the good bits, gloss over the embarrassing stuff. This book fails to do that. And that is mainly because most of these dead nations (and a lot of the ones that are still alive) are so weird or borderline nonsensical that it's impossible to skip the embarrassing bits.
Cycling fans obsess about climbs and big mountains. They love reading about their tests and tribulations and they love to ride them. There have been fine books about the big climbs before but never from the voice of an elite GC winner, taking you inside what these climbs really feel like, where the attacks come, where the pain kicks in. From best-known big-hitters, via pro-peloton favourites, to the secret climbs Geraint has come to love, and featuring Australia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Mallorca and Wales, this is the cyclist's secret manual. Health & Well-being
In 2016, Isabel Hardman's mind, in her own words, 'stopped working' as she fell prey to severe depression and anxiety. She has since become one of the UK's most prominent public voices on mental health. She credits her better health to her passion for exercise, nature and the great outdoors - from horse-riding and botany to cold-water swimming and running. Straight-talking, thoroughly researched, and compassionate, this important and often funny book will fascinate anyone touched by a mental health condition, whether themselves or through the experiences of a loved one.
Nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn't give up. This book is a collection of little islands of hope. It gathers consolations and stories that give new ways of seeing ourselves and the world. Matt Haig's mix of philosophy, memoir and self-reflection builds on the wisdom of philosophers and survivors through the ages, from Marcus Aurelius to Nellie Bly, Emily Dickinson to James Baldwin. This is the book to pick up when you need the wisdom of a friend, the comfort of a hug or a reminder that hope comes from unexpected places.
In a world immersed in visual media, where stick-thin models are used to sell everything, teenage girls are under increasing pressure to achieve an unattainable physical perfection. 'Rebel Beauty for Teens' has been created to help girls develop a resilient relationship with themselves and their bodies, encouraging them to feel excited about their own unique brand of gorgeousness, irrespective of age, looks and body shape. Using the principals of NLP and CBT, this is an interactive programme that will empower young women with the skills and knowledge to shift their inner narrative, develop self-esteem and build confidence.
Following on from the massive success of 'Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and Other Lies)', Scarlett Curtis brings together more high profile figures to talk about their experiences of mental health and the stigma surrounding the issue. Outspoken, provocative and impassioned, this is a blistering collection that seeks to shed light on a hugely important topic. Over 60 people have shared their story, and this book is here to tell you: You are OK. Funny, important and relatable, this is the definitive book on mental health.
Discover what it means to be a young transgender and/or non-binary person in the 21st century in this frank and funny guide for 14+ teens. Stonewall ambassador, bestselling trans author and former PSHE teacher Juno Dawson defines a myriad of labels and identities and offers uncensored advice on coming out, sex and relationships with her trademark humour and lightness of touch. Juno has also invited her trans and/or non-binary friends to make contributions, ensuring this inclusive book reflects as many experiences as possible. History
Totally gripping and brilliantly told, this is a gruesome and utterly captivating portrait of the legal history of murder. Meet Richard Parker, cannibalized cabin boy, whose death at the hands of his hungry crewmates led the Victorian courts to outlaw a defence of necessity to murder. Dr Percy Bateman, the incompetent GP whose violent disregard for his patient changed the law on manslaughter. And Archibald Kinloch, the deranged Scottish aristocrat whose fratricidal frenzy paved the way for the defence of diminished responsibility. These, and many more, are the people who unwittingly shaped the history of that most grisly law.
Inspired by the heroic war time escapades of his father, as well as drawing on his own experiences in the special forces, acclaimed adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes thrillingly explores the history of elite military units. From the SAS and Navy Seals to infamous organisations such as The Assassins and Templar Knights. Whether it be fighting on the battlefield, storming forts and castles, rescuing hostages, high stakes reconnaissance missions or the dramatic assassination of enemy leaders, these are the men who are relied upon to undertake the most dangerous missions.
Friends do it, strangers do it and so do chimpanzees - and it's not just deeply embedded in our history and culture, it may even be written in our DNA. The humble handshake, it turns out, has a rich and surprising history. Join palaeoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi as she embarks on a funny and fascinating voyage of discovery from the handshake's origins (at least 7 million years ago) all the way to its sudden disappearance in March 2020. She reveals how this friendly gesture has played a role in everything from meetings with uncontacted tribes to political assassinations, and what it tells us about the power of human contact.
London, 1938. In Alma Fielding's modest home, china flies off the shelves, eggs fly through the air, stolen jewellery appears on her fingers, white mice crawl out of her handbag, beetles appear from under her gloves; in the middle of a car journey, a terrapin materialises on her lap. Nandor Fodor - a Jewish-Hungarian refugee and ghost hunter hastens to the scene of the haunting. By unravelling Alma's peculiar history, he finds a different and darker type of haunting. As the spectre of Fascism lengthens over Europe, and as Fodor's obsession with the case deepens, Alma becomes ever more disturbed.
When Germany invaded Wilhelm Brasse's native Poland in 1939, he was asked to swear allegiance to Hitler and join the Wehrmacht. He refused. He was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp as political prisoner number 3444. A trained portrait photographer, he was ordered by the SS to record the inner workings of the camp. Between 1940 and 1945, he took around 50,000 photographs of the horror around him. When Soviet troops finally advanced on the camp to liberate it, Brasse refused SS orders to destroy his photographs. This powerful true story of hope and courage lies at the very centre of Holocaust history. Information Technology
This book reveals the vibrant history and culture of interactive entertainment, from the first wood-panelled Pong machines in California to the masterpieces of engineering that now sit in countless homes all over the world. Above all, this is a book about the games - how the experience of playing has developed from simple, repetitive beginnings into a cornucopia of genres and styles, at once utterly immersive and socially engaging. As thrilling and surprising as the games it describes, this is an indispensable read for anyone serious about the business of having fun.
At 25, Anna Wiener moved to Silicon Valley to work at a data analytics startup in San Francisco. She had a healthy income for the first time, and felt like part of the future. But a tide was turning. People were speaking of tech startups as surveillance companies. Out of 60 employees, only eight of her colleagues were women. Casual sexism was rife. Sexual harassment cases were proliferating. And soon, like everyone else, she was addicted to the internet. This is a story about the tension between old and new, art and tech, the quest for money and the quest for meaning - about how our world is changing forever.
Nobody meant for this to happen. Facebook didn't mean to facilitate a genocide. Twitter didn't want to be used to harass women. YouTube never planned to radicalise young men. But with billions of users, these platforms need only tweak their algorithms to generate more 'engagement'. In so doing, they bring unrest to previously settled communities and erode our relationships. Social warming has happened gradually - as a by-product of our preposterously convenient digital existence. But the gradual deterioration of our attitudes and behaviour on and offline is real. And it can be corrected. Here's how.
Peter has Motor Neurone Disease, a condition universally considered by doctors to be terminal. He is told it will destroy his nerve cells and that within about two years, it will take his life too. But, face-to-face with death, he decides there is another way. This is the astonishing true story of Peter Scott-Morgan, the first person to combine his very humanity with artificial intelligence and robotics to become a full Cyborg. His discovery means that his terminal diagnosis is negotiable, something that will rewrite the future. And change the world.
The extraordinary inside story of how Instagram became the world's most successful app, this book explores how Instagram has reshaped global business, creating a new economy of influencers, and pioneering a business model that sells an aspirational lifestyle. And it delves into Instagram's effects on popular culture, rewiring our understanding of celebrity and placing mounting pressure on all of us to perform online - to the point of warping our perception of reality. Facebook's decision to buy Instagram was the best investment it ever made, but we're still learning about what it has cost the rest of us. Languages
If you were to master the 20 languages discussed in 'Babel', you could talk with three quarters of the world's population. But what makes these languages stand out amid the world's estimated 6,500 tongues? Gaston Dorren delves deep into the linguistic oddities and extraordinary stories of these diverse lingua francas, tracing their origins and their sometimes bloody rise to greatness. Babel takes us on an intriguing tour of the world, addressing such conundrums as why Vietnamese has four forms for 'I', or how Tamil pronouns keep humans and deities apart. 'Babel' will change the way you look at the world and how we all speak.
Hardach takes us into the 'book cemeteries' of medieval synagogues; describes the riddles of hieroglyphics and cuneiform, and the long struggle to decipher them; discovers the enigmatic lost language of Cypro-Minoan Britain; and reminds us, in an era of resurgent nationalism, that in the British Isles many languages have mingled in fruitful and fascinating ways. This is a book about languages and the people who love them. It is about the wonderful ways in which humans have used languages since the days of the earliest clay records. About the linguistic threads that connect us all. Above all, it is about pleasure.
The English language that is spoken by one billion people around the world is a linguistic mongrel, its vocabulary a diverse mix resulting from centuries of borrowing from other tongues. This book explores the intriguing and unfamiliar stories behind scores of familiar words that the English language has filched from abroad; in so doing, it also sheds fascinating light on the wider history of the development of the English we speak today. Full of etymological nuggets to intrigue and delight the reader, this is a gift book for word buffs to cherish - as cerebrally stimulating as it is more-ishly entertaining.
More than 100 surprising and entertaining puzzles that celebrate the amazing diversity of the world of words and language. Featuring a huge variety of ancient, modern and even invented languages, this collection of problems will introduce you to unusual alphabets and scripts, curious vocabularies and phonologies, and global variations in simple behaviours like counting, telling the time, and naming children. Whether you are a crossword solver, a code-breaker or a Scrabble addict, these puzzles are guaranteed to twist your tongue and sharpen your mind.
Does language reflect the culture of a society? Is our mother-tongue a lens through which we perceive the world? Can different languages lead their speakers to different thoughts? Here, acclaimed author Guy Deutscher will convince you that, contrary to the fashionable academic consensus of today, the answer to all these questions is 'yes'. A delightful amalgam of cultural history and popular science, this book explores some of the most fascinating and controversial questions about language, culture and the human mind. Maths
This is the captivating story of mathematics' greatest ever idea: calculus.Without it, there would be no computers, no microwave ovens, no GPS, no space travel. But before it gave modern man almost infinite powers, calculus was behind centuries of controversy, competition, and even death. "Warning: this book is dangerous. It will make you love mathematics. Even more, there is a nonzero risk it will turn you into a mathematician." Nassim Nicholas Taleb, bestselling author of The Black Swan
Like it or not, our lives are dominated by mathematics. Everyday the news regales us with statistical forecasts, opinion polls, risk assessments, inflation figures, weather and climate predictions and political decisions backed up by supposedly accurate numbers. In this simple guide for anyone numbed by numbers, William Hartston reveals with clarity and humour why the figures being flung at us may not tell the whole story. Along the way he explains commonly misused mathematical terms, solves everyday mathematical problems and shows how to steer a safe path through the minefield of maths that surrounds us.
Is flying dangerous? How much do the world's cows weigh? And what makes people happy? From Earth's nations and inhabitants, through the fuels and foods that energize them, to the transportation and inventions of our modern world - and how all of this affects the planet itself - Professor Vaclav Smil takes us on a fact-finding adventure, using surprising statistics and illuminating graphs to challenge lazy thinking. Smil is on a mission to make facts matter, because after all, numbers may not lie, but which truth do they convey?
Have you ever wondered how taxi meters work? Or why a lift takes so long to respond to your call? Is there a mathematical secret to making a hit single? And how long is a piece of string? In this fascinating book you will find the answers to these and many other intriguing questions of everyday life. Discover the astonishing '37% rule' for blind dates, how to avoid the gentleman's urinal, and some extraordinary scams that people have devised to get rich quick. This is the perfect book for anyone who is curious about the way maths underlies so much in our everyday lives.
How can we be sure that Pythagoras's theorem is really true? Why is the 'angle in a semicircle' always 90 degrees? And how can tangents help determine the speed of a bullet? David Acheson takes us on a highly illustrated tour through the history of geometry, from ancient Greece to the present day. With elegant deduction and practical applications, he argues that geometry can offer the quickest route to the whole spirit of mathematics at its best. Along the way, we encounter the quirky and the unexpected, meet the great personalities involved, and uncover some of the loveliest surprises in mathematics. Media Studies
'Break the Internet' takes a deep dive into the influencer industry, tracing its evolution from blogging and legacy social media such as Tumblr to today's world in which YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok dominate. Olivia Yallop enrols in an influencer bootcamp, goes undercover at fan meetups, and shadows online celebrities to understand how digital personas are built, uncovering what it is really like to live a branded life and trade in a 'social stock market'. 'Break the Internet' examines both the dangers and the transformative potential of digital culture.
This is a guide to help you make sense of the news, wherever it appears - print, broadcast or online. Peppered with examples from around the world, the book turns a serious subject into an enjoyable read. Readers will discover all the tricks they need to work out whether to trust a story based on an anonymous source, when big numbers are really small and when small numbers are really big, why you should ignore what appears behind someone on the TV and much more. The news has a role, but readers will learn how to ensure they don't confuse that with understanding the world.
Bestselling cultural critic Peter Biskind takes us on a dizzying ride across two decades of pop culture to show how the TV and movies we love - from Game of Thrones and 24 to Homeland and Iron Man - have taught us to love political extremism. Welcome to a darkly pessimistic, apocalyptic world where winter has come, the dead are walking, and ultra violence, revenge and torture are all in a day's work. Welcome to the new normal.
Campaigner and researcher Jodie Jackson helps us understand how our current 24-hour news cycle is produced, who decides what stories are selected, why the news is mostly negative and what effect this has on us as individuals and as a society. This is not just a book, it is a manifesto for a movement: it is not a call for us to ignore the negative but rather a call to not ignore the positive. It asks us to change the way we consume the news and shows us how, through our choices, we have the power to improve our media diet, our mental health and, just possibly, the world.
Celebrated Rolling Stone journalist Matt Taibbi provides an insider's guide to the variety of ways today's mainstream media tells us lies. The press have mastered the art of monetizing anger, paranoia, and distrust. Taibbi, who has spent much of his career covering elections in which this kind of manipulative activity is most egregious, provides a rich taxonomic survey of American political journalism's dirty tricks. After a 2020 election season that proved to be full of invective and digital ugliness, Hate Inc. is an invaluable antidote to the hidden poisons dished up by those we rely on to tell us what is happening in the world. Music
Billie Eilish is a phenomenon. With distinctive flare and darkly poignant lyrics that are unparalleled among music icons of the 21st century, Billie is a musician who stands out from the crowd. In this stunning visual narrative journey through her life, she is ready to share more with her devoted audience for the first time, including hundreds of never-before-seen photos. This book captures the essence of Billie inside and out, offering readers personal glimpses into her childhood, her life on tour, and more.
How we have created, performed and listened to music throughout history has defined what our species is and how we understand who we are. Yet music is an overlooked part of our origin story. Here, world- leading musicologist Michael Spitzer renders a global history of music on the widest possible canvas, and through this journey we begin to understand how music is central to the distinctly human experiences of cognition, feeling and even biology, both widening and closing the evolutionary gaps between ourselves and animals in surprising ways.
January, 2017: James Acaster wakes up heartbroken and alone in New York, his relationship over, and wondering if comedy is really what he wants to be doing any more. A constant comfort in James's life has been music, but he's not listened to anything new for a very long time. Idly browsing 'best of the year' lists, it dawns on him that 2016 may have been a grim year for a lot of reasons, but that it seemed to be an iconic year for music. And so begins a life-changing musical odyssey, as James finds himself seeking solace in the music of 2016.
Seven brothers and sisters. All of them classically trained musicians. One was Young Musician of the Year and performed for the royal family. The eldest has released her first album, showcasing the works of Clara Schumann. These siblings don't come from the rarefied environment of elite music schools, but from a state comprehensive in Nottingham. Their mother, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, opens up about what it takes to raise a musical family in a Britain divided by class and race. What comes out is a beautiful and heartrending memoir of the power of determination, camaraderie and a lot of hard work.
The story of two outsiders and obsessives whose collision prompted an evangelistic alliance on the furthest frontiers of underground music. Part sonic memoir, part Socratic dialogue, part gonzo mission to the heart of what makes music truly psychedelic, this is the first work of joint autobiography to trace the evolution of a life-changing friendship through the discographies of Gentle Giant and Voivod. From the chip- shops of Plumstead to the the wildest shores of Plymouth's '90s thrash scene, it's a funny, fearless buddy movie with a soundtrack that will make your eyes bleed. Philosophy
This is a book about the lives and works of women in philosophy, by women in philosophy, and brings to centre stage 20 prominent women whose ideas have had a profound, but for the most part uncredited, impact on the world. You'll learn about Ban Zhao, the first woman historian in ancient Chinese history; Angela Davis, perhaps the most iconic symbol of the American Black Power Movement; Azizah Y. al-Hibri, known for examining the intersection of Islamic law and gender equality; and many more.
FICTION: When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself? To solve the riddle, she uses her new knowledge of philosophy, but the truth is far stranger than she could have imagined. An addictive blend of mystery, philosophy and fantasy, 'Sophie's World' is an international phenomenon which has been translated into 60 languages and sold more than 40 million copies.
Football is about so many things: memory, history, place, social class, gender (especially masculinity, but increasingly femininity too), family identity, tribal identity, national identity, the nature of groups. It is essentially collaborative, even socialist, yet it exists in a sump of greed, corruption, capitalism and autocracy. Philosopher Simon Critchley attempts to make sense of it all, and to establish a system of aesthetics - even poetics - to show what is beautiful in the beautiful game. And of course, as a football fan, he writes about his heroes and villains: about Zidane and Cruyff, Clough and Revie, Shankly and Klopp.
Daniel Klein and Thomas Cathcart take philosophy to task with flair and gusto in this wise and hilarious book. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, it's an irreverent crash course through the great thinkers and traditions. It's philosophy for everyone, from the curious layperson to the professor who's seen it all. Klein and Cathcart have the knack of getting to the core of an issue in a crystal clear line, meaning there's more room for jokes - good jokes, clever jokes, jokes that'll have you laughing so hard the people nearby will shoot you strange looks. It's the philosophy class you wish you'd had and finally, it all makes sense!
Thirty leading women philosophers draw on and advance the rich heritage of the philosophical tradition to explore topics of pressing interest for today. These conversations illuminate diverse aspects of being human: personal, social, ethical, and political. The contributors discuss the relations between humans and animals, between genders, between tastes, between cultures, and between nations. The volume concludes by investigating how philosophy works, how it makes progress, and its role in public life. Ideal for anyone interested in philosophical reflection on themselves and our world. Politics
On 20 January 2021, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration. Taking the stage after the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, Gorman captivated the nation and brought hope to viewers around the globe. This special edition of her prescient and uplifting poem "The Hill We Climb" affirms the power of poetry, and includes an enduring foreword by Oprah Winfrey.
For 11 years Kate Fall was one of David Cameron's closest advisors. During some of the most significant political events of our times she sat right outside the door of the Prime Minister's office, earning herself the title of 'gatekeeper'. Shedding light on the world behind the public facade of politics, she reveals what it is like to be a woman at the heart of power: the blood, sweat and toil, the victories and regrets, the friendships and fall outs, the chaos and camaraderie. This is a very personal portrait of life behind the scenes at the centre of power.
Experience life as a reporter on the campaign trail, as the election heats up and a global pandemic slowly sweeps in. As American lives are lost at a devastating rate, the presidential race becomes a battle for the very soul of the nation - challenging not just the Trump presidency, but the very institutions of American democracy itself. In this highly personal account of reporting on America in 2020, Jon Sopel takes you behind the scenes of a White House in crisis and an election in turmoil, expertly laying bare the real story of the presidential campaign in a panoramic account of an election and a year like no other.
The daughter of immigrants and civil rights activists, Vice President Kamala Harris was raised in a California community that cared deeply about social justice. As she rose to prominence as a political leader, her experiences would become her guiding light as she grappled with an array of complex issues and learned to bring a voice to the voiceless. Here, Harris reckons with the big challenges we face together. Drawing on the hard-won wisdom and insight from her own career and the work of those who have most inspired her, she communicates a vision of shared struggle, shared purpose, and shared values.
Matt Forde has been obsessed with politics ever since he was 9 years old. He joined the Socialist Workers Party as soon as he could and attended his first political party conference, and from then on, despite some career suicide moments such as chatting to the Prime Minister while badly drunk, Matt's whole future looked wedded to the Labour Party. But then Labour started to fall apart, and so did Matt's sense of purpose. This a hugely entertaining book of (often hilarious) personal stories and thought-provoking insights into this complicated world. And despite everything, Matt's passion is still there. Psychology
Even before a global pandemic introduced us to terms like social distancing, loneliness was already becoming the defining condition of the 21st century. But it's also one we have the power to reverse. Hertz explores how our increasing dependence on technology, radical changes to the workplace and decades of policies that have placed self- interest above the collective good, are making us more isolated than ever before. This book helps us to understand how we got here and what each of us can do to help reduce loneliness for ourselves and our communities.
Diagnosed with Autism at the age of eight, Camilla Pang struggled to understand the world around her and the way people worked. Desperate for a solution, Camilla asked her mother if there was an instruction manual for humans that she could consult. But, without the blueprint to life she was hoping for, Camilla began to create her own. Now armed with a PhD in biochemistry, she dismantles our obscure social customs and identifies what it really means to be human. Her unique perspective tells us so much about who we are and why we do it, and is a fascinating guide on how to lead a more connected, happier life.
M. E. Thomas is a high-functioning non-criminal sociopath. She is charismatic, ambitious and successful. You would be charmed by her if you met her, might even be seduced by her. You would not realise that she is studying you to find your flaws, that she is ruthlessly manipulative, has no empathy and does not feel guilt or remorse. But she does like people - she likes to touch them, mould them and ruin them. She could be your friend or your boss. She could be you. Now she writes with breathtaking honesty about her life. By turns fascinating, shocking and funny, this is an insight into the mind of a self-confessed predator.
What does it take to confront death, disease, distress and suffering every day? To work in a healthcare system that is stretched to breaking point? To carry the responsibility of making decisions that can irrevocably change someone's life - or possibly end it? Caroline Elton is a psychologist who specialises in helping doctors. Drawing on extraordinary case studies and decades of work supporting clinicians, 'Also Human' presents a provocative, perceptive and deeply humane examination of the modern medical profession.
When a personal crisis causes her world to come crashing down, Lori Gottlieb - an experienced therapist with a thriving practice - is suddenly adrift. Enter Wendell, himself a veteran therapist with an unconventional style, whose sessions with Gottlieb will prove transformative for her. This book offers a rare and candid insight into a profession that is conventionally bound with rules and secrecy. Told with charm and compassion, vulnerability and humour, it's a disarmingly funny and illuminating account of our own mysterious inner lives. Religious Studies
God is a tough audience as far as audible response is concerned, but at least you don't have to explain the references. In this collection of prayers, much-loved comedian Frank Skinner has tried to retain the bare candour of the rehearsal-room improvisation - to show what faith feels like, from the inside - but infused it with all the production values required to make it a passable public entertainment. In it are his convictions, his questions, his fears, his doubts, his elations - all presented in an eavesdropper-friendly form. Hell, Judgement, atheism, money, faith and the X-Men all feature.
Megan Phelps-Roper was raised in the Westboro Baptist Church - a fire- and-brimstone religious sect at once aggressively homophobic and anti- Semitic, rejoiceful for AIDS and natural disasters, and notorious for picketing the funerals of American soldiers. In 2012, at the age of 26, she left the church, her family, and her life behind. Unfollow is a story about the rarest thing of all: a person changing their mind. It is a fascinating insight into a closed world of extreme belief, a biography of a complex family, and a hope-inspiring memoir of a young woman finding the courage to find compassion for others, as well as herself.
At a time when strong men quickly seized power from any female Muslim ruler, Arwa of Yemen reigned alone for five decades. In 19th- century Russia, Mukhlisa Bubi championed the rights of women and girls, and became the first Muslim woman judge in modern history. After the Gestapo took down a Resistance network in Paris, British spy Noor Inayat Khan found herself the only undercover radio operator left in that city. In this unique history, Hossein Kamaly celebrates the lives and achievements of 21 extraordinary women in the story of Islam, from the formative days of the religion to the present.
As a member of the strictly religious Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism, Deborah Feldman grew up under a code of relentlessly enforced customs governing everything from what she could wear and to whom she could speak to what she was allowed to read. Trapped as a teenager in a sexually and emotionally dysfunctional marriage to a man she barely knew, the tension between her desires and her responsibilities as a good Satmar girl grew more volatile until she gave birth at 19 and realised that, regardless of the obstacles, she would have to forge a path, for herself and her son, to happiness and freedom.
Lockwood's childhood was unusual in many respects. Her mother speaks almost entirely in riddles and warnings of impending danger, and her gun-toting, guitar-riffing, frequently semi-naked father underwent a religious conversion on a submarine and found a loophole that saw him approved for the Catholic priesthood, despite already having a wife and children. When a crisis forces Lockwood to move back into her parents' rectory, she must learn to live again with the family's simmering madness, and to reckon with the dark side of her religious upbringing. Science
Forget everything you think you know about climate change. This book explains why the planet desperately needs our help and how you can use your power to change the world through climate activism. Klein presents her urgent message about saving the environment by asking three simple questions: Where are we? How did we get here? What happens next? Internationally bestselling author Naomi Klein, with award-winning young person's science writer Rebecca Stefoff, gives a powerful picture of why and how the planet is changing, providing effective tools for action so that you really can make a difference.
Have you ever wondered why you have a brain? Let renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett demystify that big grey blob between your ears. Learn where brains came from, how they're structured (and why it matters), and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Along the way, you'll also learn to dismiss popular myths such as the idea of a 'lizard brain' and the alleged battle between thoughts and emotions, or even between nature and nurture, to determine your behaviour.
Meet the men and women preparing for the end of the world. In the remote mountains of Scotland, in high-tech bunkers in South Dakota and in the lush valleys of New Zealand, small groups of determined men and women are getting ready. They are environmentalists who fear the ravages of climate change; billionaire entrepreneurs dreaming of life on Mars; and right-wing conspiracists yearning for a lost American idyll. One thing unites them: their certainty that we are only years away from the end of civilization as we know it. Not unconcerned himself by the possibility of the end of days, Mark O'Connell set out to meet them.
Every body leaves a mark. Here, Professor Patricia Wiltshire takes us on a journey through the fascinating edgeland where nature and crime are intertwined. She'll take you searching for bodies through woodlands and plantations, along hedgerows and field-edges, from ditches to living rooms - solving time since death and how remains were disposed of. From flowers, fungi, tree trunks to walking boots, carpets and corpses' hair, 'Traces' is a fascinating and unique book on life, death, and one's indelible link with nature.
Can we give Grandma a Viking funeral? Why don't animals dig up all the graves? Will my hair keep growing in my coffin after I'm buried? Every day, funeral director Caitlin Doughty receives dozens of questions about death. Here she offers her factual, hilarious and candid answers to 35 of the most interesting, sharing the lore and science of what happens to, and inside, our bodies after we die. Why do corpses groan? What causes bodies to turn strange colours during decomposition? and why do hair and nails appear longer after death? The answers are all within. Sociology
Speaking directly to the reader, Frederick Joseph offers powerful reflections on his own experiences with racism. As a former "token Black kid", he now presents himself as the friend many readers need, touching on topics including cultural appropriation, "reverse racism" and white privilege. Featuring interviews with figures such as writer Angie Thomas, content creator Toni Tone, and April Reign, founder of the #OscarsSoWhite movement, this book serves as conversation starter and tool kit, creating a timely and essential read for committed anti-racists and newcomers to the cause of racial justice alike.
Like trigger warnings and gender-neutral bathrooms, pronouns spark debate, prompting new policies about what pronouns to use. More than a by-product of the culture wars, gender-neutral pronouns are, however, nothing new. Pioneering linguist Dennis Baron puts them in historical context, noting that Shakespeare used singular they and women invoked the generic use of he to assert the right to vote. An essential work in understanding how 21st century culture has evolved, this book chronicles the story of the role pronouns have played, and continue to play, in establishing both our rights and our identities.
Welcome to Her Majesty's Prison Service. Like most people, documentary-maker Chris Atkins didn't spend much time thinking about prisons. But after becoming embroiled in a dodgy scheme to fund his latest film, he was sent down for five years. His new home would be HMP Wandsworth, one of the largest and most dysfunctional prisons in Europe. With a cast of characters ranging from wily drug dealers to senior officials bent on endless reform, this powerful memoir uncovers the horrifying reality behind the locked gates, and reveals why our creaking prison system is sorely costing us all.
The author of 'Don’t Touch My Hair' delivers a blistering extended essay full of practical and constructive actions for white people to take, to fight systemic racism. Stop the denial. Abandon guilt. Interrogate capitalism. When it comes to racial justice, how do we transform demonstrations of support into real and meaningful change? With intellectual rigour and razor-sharp wit, Emma Dabiri cuts through the haze of online discourse to offer clear advice.
Musa Okwonga - a young Black man who grew up in a predominantly working-class town - was not your typical Eton College student. The experience moulded him, challenged him, but also made him wonder why a place that was so good for him also seems to contribute to the harm being done to the UK. Woven throughout this deeply personal and unflinching memoir is a present-day narrative which engages with much wider questions about pressing social and political issues. 'One of Them' is both an intimate account and a timely exploration of race and class in modern Britain. Sport
The summer of 2018: England sweltered in the most sustained heatwave for 42 years, the government tore itself apart over deals and no deals, and hundreds of miles away, in a taciturn and strange state, the national football team did the unthinkable in the World Cup: they didn't screw it up. Barney Ronay was there through the whole tournament, criss-crossing over Russia as he followed the England team, and the rest, on their quest for glory. Here, he captures the sights and sounds, the twists and turns, the bad food and the great football that helped to make this World Cup one of the greatest of all time.
Part narrative, part practical, this adventure takes you to the foothills of Ethiopia and the 'town of runners'; to the training grounds of world- record-holding marathon runners in Kenya; racing across the Arctic Circle and the mountains of Europe, through the sweltering sands of the Sahara and the hostility of a winter traverse of the Pennine Way, to witness the incredible natural movement of runners in these environments. Whether you're experienced or just tackling your first few miles, this ground-breaking book will help you discover the lost art of running.
What does "toughness" mean to you? Perhaps it's being physically fit and mentally resilient. Perhaps it's doing something no one else has done before. Perhaps it's breaking down boundaries and proving what you can do, in spite of the naysayers. Perhaps it's running ultramarathons in the blistering heat and beating the competition. The badass adventurers in this collection are all fearless, intelligent, compassionate and curious about the world - and they all happen to be female. Be inspired by their stories of grit, courage, determination, triumph and heartbreak.
FICTION: Seventeen-year-old Samuel Sooleyman comes from a village in South Sudan, a war-torn country where one third of the population is a refugee. His great love is basketball: his prodigious leap and lightning speed make him an exceptional player. And it may also bring him his big chance: he has been noticed by a coach taking a youth team to the USA. As American success beckons, devastating news reaches Samuel from home. Caught between his dream and the nightmare unfolding thousands of miles away, this quiet, dedicated boy must do what no other player has ever achieved: become a legend in 12 short months.
Milner explains how a footballer's working week unfolds - what they eat, how they prepare for matches technically, tactically, mentally and physically, and the ups and downs of a match day. He reveals penalty- taking techniques, half-time team talks, the differences between playing against Lionel Messi, Wilfried Zaha and Jimmy Bullard, and the behind- the-scenes work that went into Liverpool's Champions League success, as well as the celebrations that followed. This isn't an autobiography, but questions from fans, which he's used his own experiences to answer. Biography
As a junior criminal and family law barrister, Alexandra finds herself navigating a world and a set of rules designed by a privileged few. A world in which fellow barristers sigh with relief when a racist judge retires. Here, she recreates the tense courtroom scenes, the heart- breaking meetings with teenage clients, and the moments of frustration and triumph. She shows us how it feels to defend someone who hates the colour of your skin, or someone you suspect is guilty. We see what it is like for children coerced into county line drug deals and the damage that can be caused when we criminalise teenagers.
Through a year in his home patch in Northern Ireland, 15-year-old Dara McAnulty spent the seasons writing. These vivid, evocative and moving diary entries about his connection to wildlife and the way he sees the world are raw in their telling. It portrays not only his intense connection to the natural world, but also his perspective as a teenager juggling exams and friendships alongside a life of campaigning. Dara explains, "In sharing this journey my hope is that people of all generations will not only understand autism a little more but also appreciate a child's eye view on our delicate and changing biosphere."
Packed with 100 all-new bedtime stories about the lives of incredible female figures from the past and the present, this volume recognises women who left their birth countries for a multitude of reasons: some for new opportunities, some out of necessity. Readers will whip up a plate with Asma Khan, strategise global affairs alongside Madeleine Albright, venture into business with Rihanna, and many more. All of these unique, yet relatable stories are accompanied by gorgeous, full-page, full-color portraits, illustrated by female artists from all over the globe.
When Bella Younger spawned Deliciously Stella - her hilarious and daring social media alter ego - she wanted to prove once and for all that Instagram does not equal reality. Within weeks, she'd gone viral and begun her very own #influencerlife. But even as the constant rush of notifications fuelled her endorphins, life among the Insta-famous began to take a toll. Funny, frank and fearless, 'The Accidental Influencer' is a relatable story of the precarious balancing act between our online and offline selves, and the truth behind the staged shots, spon-con, and the coveted but ever-elusive blue tick.
A candid insight into the life of a hijab-wearing Muslim woman in modern Britain. Writing with grace and humour about her family's experiences building a new life in Britain in the 1970s, Rabina Khan then turns her gaze outwards to explore the politics of the veil, white privilege and intersectional feminism, before charting her battle to build a successful political career against a backdrop of blame, bias and misogyny - including from her own community. Clear-sighted and often deeply affecting, this is an inspiring story about the power of self-belief and determination to create a fairer world. Fiction
The very first book pick for Reese Witherspoon's YA Book Club. Becky Albertalli meets Jenny Han in this smart, funny, black girl magic, #ownvoices rom-com. Liz has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed town. But Liz has an escape plan to attend an uber-elite college, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down, until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. . .
Maggie has witnessed impossible things, but no one believes her, and now she has to spend the winter in a remote farmhouse. Bored and angry, Maggie and her sister Kate start to play tricks: rapping on the floorboards above their parents' bedroom, cracking their toes under the table, and telling tales about noises in the night. Then the house starts to make sounds of its own. Neither Maggie nor Kate can explain it, but it seems as though someone - or something - is trying to speak to them . . . Inspired by the incredible true tale of the Fox Sisters, the girls who made their fortune in 19th-century America by speaking to ghosts.
When Nala agrees to attend an open mic night she finds herself falling in instant love with Tye Brown, the MC. He's perfect, except . . . he's an activist and is spending the summer putting on community events when Nala would rather watch movies and eat ice cream. In order to impress Tye, Nala tells a few tiny lies. In 'Love Is a Revolution', plus-size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.
Fifteen-year-old Gloria is maid to Afalia's tyrannical Head of State, Madame Suprema. When the country is hit by unprecedented flooding, Madame Suprema runs away, fearing she will be blamed for the crisis. To cover up this cowardly act, Gloria is made to step into Madame Suprema's shoes and is thrust into a world of corrupt and desperate politicians. As Gloria becomes aware of the forces toying with her every move, she must take decisions that could save, or end, thousands of lives - including her own . . .
It's the summer holidays, and 13-year-old Luke has just had his life turned upside down. First his older sister Rose moved 'across the road', where a community of climate rebels are protesting the planned airport expansion - and now his dad's gone too. Dad only went to get Rose back, but he's out there building totem poles and wearing sandals and drinking mead with the best of them . . . Luke is determined to save his dad, his sister AND his summer. So how does he find himself at the top of a tree refusing to leave until the bulldozers stand down? A fresh, funny, heartfelt look at this must-win battle: one earth, one chance. Fiction
Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be messy, but he wasn't expecting it to end in an airport interrogation room. Now, he's telling his side of the story to the stern-faced officer. Amir has to explain why he ran away to Rome (boys, bullies, blackmail) and what he was doing there for a month, all while his mum, dad and little sister are being interrogated in the room next door. A nuanced take on growing up brown, Muslim and gay in today's America, 'How It All Blew Up' is the story of one boy's struggle to come out to his family.
Ever felt anxious or alone? Like you don't belong? Like you're almost . . . invisible? Find your kindred spirits at The Sad Ghost Club. This is the story of one of those days - a day so bad you can barely get out of bed, when it's a struggle to leave the house. But even the worst of days can surprise you. When one sad ghost, alone at a crowded party, spies another sad ghost across the room, they decide to leave together. What happens next changes everything. Because that night they start the The Sad Ghost Club - a secret society for the anxious and alone, a club for people who think they don't belong.
A prize-winning story of a 16-year-old wrongfully accused of stealing, this is a smart and searingly honest tale of young lives shaken and nearly destroyed by police brutality and racial injustice. A fist-happy cop, Paul, mistakes Rashad for a shoplifter, mistakes Rashad's every flinch at every punch as resistance. Quinn - Rashad's classmate who has been raised by Paul - films it all. Quinn refuses to believe that Paul could possibly be guilty. But people start to take sides: the basketball team; the school; the town. Simmering tensions threaten to explode as Rashad and Quinn are forced to face consequences they had never considered before.
Seventeen-year-old Saoirse has finished with exams and is facing a long hot summer before uni. She plans to party, get drunk, watch horror movies and forget all her troubles by kissing girls. Ever since the breakupocalypse with her ex Hannah, she's been alone and angry, dealing with the hole left in her family by her sick mother's absence. Worse, Dad drops a bombshell: he's remarrying at the end of the summer. Enter Ruby, who challenges cynical Saoirse to try a summer romance with the serious parts left out, just like in the movies. But what happens when the falling in love montage ends?
Georgia has never been in love, never kissed anyone, never even had a crush, but she's sure she'll find her person one day. As she starts uni with her best friends in a whole new town far from home, Georgia's ready to find romance. But when her romance plan wreaks havoc amongst her friends, Georgia ends up in her own comedy of errors, and she starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her. With new terms thrown at her - asexual, aromantic - Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever. Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along? Fiction
Set in an alternate 1950s America where dragons double as farmhands and sinister conspiracies spread like wildfire, 'Burn' is a story of friendship and bravery in a world on the brink of its own destruction. On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waits with her father for the dragon he's hired to help on the farm. This dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye. He has arrived at the farm because of a prophecy. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents - and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself.
This is the story of one family, one dreamy summer - the summer when everything changes. In a holiday house by the sea, in a big, messy family, one teenager watches as brothers and sisters, parents and older cousins fill hot days with wine and games and planning a wedding. Enter the Goddens - irresistible, charming, languidly sexy Kit and surly, silent Hugo. Suddenly there's a serpent in this paradise - and the consequences will be devastating. A lyrical and quintessential coming- of-age tale - a heady, timeless and irresistible summer book.
In a post-apocalyptic America, a community survives in a national park, surrounded by water that keeps the Dead at bay. But when winter comes, there's nothing to stop them from crossing the ice. Then homebody Peter puts the camp in danger by naively allowing a stranger to come ashore and he's forced to leave the community. Now he must help rancher Cooper, the boy he's always watched from afar, herd the Dead from their shores before the lake freezes over. But a dark discovery reveals the sanctuary's secret past. One that forces the pair to question everything they've ever known.
Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings, but he's excited to start his new life, where he's no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar, and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents' disapproval. In the span of a few weeks he's made new friends, has his first ever boyfriend, and is traveling around Europe. But he knows he can't keep up the facade. He hasn't spoken to his parents since he arrived, he's tearing through his savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse, and he hasn't landed the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home?
Told over the course of the 10 rounds of his first fight, this is the story of amateur boxer Sunny. A 17-year-old feeling isolated and disconnected in the city he's just moved to, Sunny joins a boxing club to learn to protect himself after a racist attack. He finds the community he's been desperately seeking, and a mentor in trainer Shobu, who helps him find his place in the world. But racial tensions are rising in the city, and when a Far Right march through Bristol turns violent, Sunny is faced with losing his new best friend Keir to radicalisation.