Dara O Briain – författare

Nostalgia, identity, eccentricity, gin drinking and occasional violence... these are just some of the themes that stand-up comedian Dara O Briain explores in Tickling the English. O Briain moved to England many years ago, but when he takes his show on tour around the country - from deserted seaside towns and remote off-shore islands, to sprawling industrial cities and sleepy suburbs - it's clear to him that his adopted home is still a bit of an enigma. Why do the English pretend to be unhappy all the time?Why can't they accept they rank about 5th, in everything?And what's with all the fudge?But this Irishman loves a challenge; he's certainly got the gregarious personality and the sure-fire wit to bring down the barriers of that famous English reserve, and have a good old rummage inside. Swapping anecdotes with his audiences and spending time wandering in their hometowns, this nosy neighbour holds England up to the light while exploring some of the attitudes he brought over here with him too. As Dara goes door-to-door in search of England in this part tour diary, part travelogue, the result is an affectionate, hilarious and often eye-opening journey through the Sceptred Isle.

Relax: no one understands technical mathematics without lengthy training but we all have an intuitive grasp of the ideas behind the symbols. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), this book is designed to showcase the beauty of mathematics - including images inspired by mathematical problems - together with its unreasonable effectiveness and applicability, without frying your brain. The book is a collection of 50 original essays contributed by a wide variety of authors. It contains articles by some of the best expositors of the subject (du Sautoy, Singh and Stewart for example) together with entertaining biographical pieces and articles of relevance to our everyday lives (such as Spiegelhalter on risk and Elwes on medical imaging). The topics covered are deliberately diverse and involve concepts from simple numerology to the very cutting edge of mathematics research. Each article is designed to be read in one sitting and to be accessible to a general audience. There is also other content. There are 50 pictorial 'visions of mathematics' which were supplied in response to an open call for contributions from IMA members, Plus readers and the worldwide mathematics community. You'll also find a series of "proofs " of Phythagoras's Theorem - mathematical, literary and comedy - after this, you'll never think of Pythagoras the same way again.

A stunning celebration of the rich culture and fascinatinghistory of Ireland featuring ten Irish illustrators.Discover everything that makes the Irish isle so special - fromits famous landmarks to its myths andlegends, from its epic battles to its incrediblemusic ... and everything in between. With a foreword from much-loved Irish comedian Dara Ó BriainBeautiful, full-colour illustration makes this the perfect giftShowcases the talent of ten of Ireland’s top illustrators. Sections include: The Island of Ireland – illustrated by Linda FahrlinEarly Ireland – illustrated by Diarmuid Ó CatháinWarring Ireland – illustrated by Alan DunneHaunted Ireland – illustrated by Lydia HughesMagical Ireland – illustrated by Brian FitzgeraldThe Living Landscape – illustrated by Ashling LindsayThe Human Landscape – illustrated by Graham CorcoranUnderground Ireland – illustrated by Jennifer FarleyThe Culture of Ireland – illustrated by Conor NolanFun Things to Do in Ireland – illustrated by Donough O'Malley

Science fiction meets science fact in this brand newhilarious book from one of the UK and Ireland’s best-lovedcomedians. Genuinely qualified space expert, Dara O Briain,is here with all the answers to help you sort your Area 51s fromyour messages from Mars.Includes: how life begins in the first placehow Earth was createdwhether aliens might exist elsewhere in the Solar Systemthe search for other planets like our ownhow we could possibly ever get there and . . .would we really meet aliens?  Alongside this runs the hilarious, but not very truestory of Carl and his cat, Clive, who will join you on the journeyof the book to help take you from novice alien-hunter to bona-fidespace expert, with a brilliant final twist!So, is there anybody out there?NO. (Well, maybe.)And do aliens really exist?Probably.(Possibly.) Fully illustrated throughoutAn expert in his field, Dara explores difficult concepts in ahumorous way, alongside fun and quirky illustrationsHe is also known as the host of long-running TV show Mockthe WeekCheck out his other two other side-splittingly funnyscience books for kids - Beyond the Sky (also about space)and Secret Science (facts about the earth).