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An immortal soul. A forgotten curse. A love that rewrites fate.Once a proud Scottish nobleman, Derek Drummond has spent 124 years caught between day and night, hiding from the world — and from himself. A shadow among shadows, he has watched time unravel, love vanish, and hope fade into myth.Until Megan MacKenzie looks at him — and sees more than she should. With haunted eyes and a quiet, stubborn kindness, she stirs the man he used to be. But the past never stays silent. Some curses won’t break. And some ghosts refuse to let go.Told entirely in Derek’s voice — darkly poetic, sardonic, and painfully human — The Diary of Derek Drummond is a gothic fantasy of redemption and reckoning.From the storm-lashed cliffs of northern Scotland to the rain-soaked rooftops of London, it is a story of immortality, forgiveness,and the terrifying hope of being truly seen.If you believe in second chances — even after death — open the diary.

Most strategy is, let’s face it, bullsh*t.A bunch of fancy words which mean nothing at all. At best harmless and easy to ignore. At worst confusing and destructive.What if strategy could instead be clear, simple, bold, and even actually useful? That’s what No Bullsh*t Strategy is all about. It sweeps away all the garbled corporate nonsense and dry academic theorising to leave you with pure strategic sauce, which can be actioned right away.It’ll make you see your business in a totally new light, and effortlessly unlock insights you didn’t know you had in you. Even better, it makes strategy fun.Ideal for the young entrepreneur and accessible to anyone, if you're wanting to demystify strategy and apply it instantly, No Bullsh*t Strategy is the book for you.

Throughout history, selling and entertainment have gone hand in hand - from the medieval pedlar and the medicine show, to generations of TV commercials featuring song and dance, comedy, and cartoon animals, right up to today’s celebrities who launch their own multi-million dollar brands. There are good reasons for this; we now understand better than ever before the psychological and sociological reasons why apparent frivolity creates serious business benefits. And yet the advertising business today seems reluctant to embrace its powerful links with popular culture. Misled on one side by managerial myths of rationality and logic, and on the other by a cultish misunderstanding of ‘creativity’, it risks forgetting how to appeal to the public, and how to build successful brands. As a result, evidence suggests, today’s advertising is less liked and less effective than ever before. But it is not too late to reverse this trend. Advertisers and agencies who read this book will rediscover why the pedlar sings, and despite what we’ve all been told, why people do buy from clowns. They will be inspired to make their advertising more popular, more famous, more fun again – and much more effective. ‘This is a fabulous book. ...It is possibly the book I would most highly recommend to anyone in marketing.’ Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman, Ogilvy

A Journey Through Cyprus: History, Memory, and the Search for Reunification. Spanning two centuries, this powerful narrative by Michael Attalides traces the intertwined story of an island and a family. Beginning with the execution of an ancestor by the Ottoman rulers in 1821, the narrative unfolds through colonial subjugation, nationalist struggle, independence, and the enduring trauma of division. As a sociologist, diplomat, and engaged citizen, Attalides offers a unique perspective, both deeply personal and politically insightful, on the modern history of Cyprus. From his boyhood under British rule to the devastation of the 1974 Turkish invasion and his lifelong commitment to the island’s reunification, he reflects on key issues and turning points with clarity, sensitivity, and unflinching honesty. This is more than a memoir. It is a chronicle of transformation: Of a people evolving from subjects of empires into citizens of a republic and, ultimately, European citizens . It is also a testimony to resilience, as Attalides recounts his own exile from his beloved Karpasia and his decades of public service, including his role among “the President’s Men” during efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. With the discerning eye of a sociologist and the clarity of a seasoned diplomat, Attalides paints a compelling portrait of a divided island and the enduring hope for its reunification.

This book covers the period of time during which the Cayman Islands were transformed from an obscure group of three British islands in the Caribbean to the fifth largest financial centre in the world.The transition was the brainchild of the country’s then Minister of Finance, Sir Vassel Johnson, whose book traces the reason for this change and the process by which it was accomplished.It begins with his journey as a young child from Jamaica to Cuba where his parents settled in a Caymanian community on the Isle of Pines (now the Isle of Youth) to make a living by farming. Ten years later the family moved to Grand Cayman where, with the help of Caymanian families who had been their neighbours in the Isle of Pines, they settled and made a home.This was the first time that Vassel and his younger siblings received a formal education and Vassel graduated senior school with distinction within 4 years. On leaving school Vassel went to work with the Cayman Islands Government where he met Rita Hinds, and they were later married and had 7 children.Rita’s family was among the original settlers of Grand Cayman, hailing mainly from the British Isles, and they were hardworking with strong church and community ties. At that time Cayman’s economy was quite poor and apart from a few government jobs, was largely sustained by the earnings of their men who went to sea and worked with the US Merchant Marine. When most of these jobs became redundant with the advent of containerised cargo, the men returned home where few jobs were to be had.This was the turning point in the islands’ history, and resulted in Vassel’s efforts to provide jobs by creating a financial industry that would have spinoffs to support families and the country’s essential services.

Layered Reality is a candid dialogue between a truth seeker, a semi-fictional character who personifies the author, and a highly evolved channelled spirit entity, Zachariah.Zachariah is an aspect of the same soul as the well-known ascended master Djwal Khul channelled by Alice Bailey in the early part of the 20th century. Zachariah and Djwal Khul share the same soul wisdom, however, Zachariah has a more lively and bubbly personality.In the form of a relaxed conversation, this book addresses fundamental questions relating to the nature of existence. The truth seeker and Zachariah cover topics such as the nature of time, causality, the soul, reincarnation, and the spirit realm. Encompassing aspects such as morality and the intersection between science and spirituality, the discussion then turns to more practical issues such as how to live a meaningful life and practice meditation.

All too often, pain in ridden horses is labelled as 'bad' behaviour. The apparently ‘sound’ horse is 'naughty', 'lazy', 'difficult', 'explosive', 'spooky', 'nappy', and more. These labels are wrong. Pain impacts all aspects of a horse's performance, including its partnership with the rider, and its potential to progress. It does not always create lameness. Relieving pain can lead to greater potential, a deeper partnership, and improved performance. In ‘Harmonious Horsemanship: Use of the Ridden Horse Ethogram to Optimise Potential, Partnership and Performance', Sue Dyson and Sue Palmer share their professional knowledge and experience. You will learn how to use a checklist of 24 behaviours to check for musculoskeletal pain in ridden horses. The book includes a gripping mix of research studies, contributions from industry experts, and real-life case studies. Only by first recognising pain can we then address it through accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. This book, full of practical tools and backed by solid robust science, teaches you how to use ridden behaviour to recognise the subtle signs of pain, even in horses that appear to be sound. It is for anyone who cares about the horse, whether you are an interested amateur owner or an experienced equestrian professional. Together, we can make the world a better place for horses.

In 1989, Spitfire JK187 and its pilot’s remains are discovered in a bog in southern England. Former WW2 test pilot Peter Thorpe becomes drawn into the recovery, while being troubled by returning memories of a failed mission in 1942 – to the concern of his wife, herself a wartime Spitfire delivery pilot.Thorpe becomes increasingly fixated on confronting his past, endeavouring to write a book about this two-man mission to steal Germany’s superior fighter plane, the Focke-Wulf 190.Meanwhile, in Berlin, as the infamous Wall is being dismantled, Johanna Schreib comes across one of her grandfather’s wartime photographs of an FW.190 – a clue to his hidden past. The emotionally fragile Johanna has a need to know more, but Erich Schreib refuses to cooperate.Airthief interweaves Thorpe’s struggle with his fragmenting mind and Johanna’s quest to uncover her family secrets. From opposite sides of the Channel, they stitch this history together, and as the revelations threaten to engulf both families, Johanna journeys to England to uncover the truth – ultimately bringing the two old foes together and laying to rest the ghost of Spitfire JK187.

The story of folate (vitamin B9) is one of outstanding achievements which have advanced major areas of medical practice and also of scandals of international significance.Folate was the only one of the 13 vitamins to have been discovered by a woman, Lucy Wills. She showed in1931 that the yeast extract Marmite could cure the anaemia of pregnant women in Bombay. The vitamin, first isolated from spinach, was subsequently shown not only to correct anemia but also to prevent the birth of babies with the severe defect spina bifida. The first effective anti-bacterial drugs and anti-cancer drugs were anti-folates.The scandals in the story of folate include the opposition, mainly by men, to women becoming doctors, the lack of any public recognition of Lucy Wills’s achievements, the vicious treatment the British Government gave to Waldemar Haffkine who had made for them the world’s first two anti-bacterial vaccines and saved millions of lives, and the incorrect use of folic acid to treat pernicious anaemia leading to irreversible paralysis.The most significant scandal, the failure of worldwide fortification of the diet with folic acid. This catastrophe allows thousands of babies to be born each year with the major birth defect spina bifida ,which could be prevented by this cheap, safe public health measure, already mandated for in over 80 countries, in North America since 1998.

Welcome to Lagos. Lagos’s combo of grit and (chaos) is bound to mesmerize all those keen to explore its vibrant culture, intense parties, charismatic souls, rich history and fabulous food. Lagos, one of the world’s most populous cities with over 18 million inhabitants, often gets overlooked – this guide exposes the mystery, the charm and all that Lagos has to offer to the bold traveler looking to immerse themselves in a truly African experience. This travel guide showcases Lagos’ soul, sights, and tastemakers in a new, upbeat and positive light. Visit Lagos smartly and safely with this Lagos travel guide that simulates the lifestyle of a true local.  Lagos Travel Guide is a personal, honest and engaging perspective of the wondrous city from the eyes of the top changemakers. This guide will serve as your handbook to help you build a bond with the heartbeat of Africa.  From one of Nigeria’s most highly recognised travel writers “Funke Ogunkoya-Futi”, this is the definitive book on visiting Lagos, Nigeria.

A journey through the past and present of a little-known area of south-west France. Explores the people, places and events that shaped a land once too important to ignore. A whole library has been written about the Lauragais in French, but virtually nothing in English.The Lauragais lies in south-west France at the heart of Occitania. Today it is largely ignored by the millions who visit its neighbours each year – Toulouse and Carcassonne – but in times gone by it rarely escaped the attentions of the great and the good, or the ambitious and the avaricious. This is a book with big characters – Simon de Montfort, the Black Prince, Thomas Jefferson and the Duke of Wellington among others – but most of all it tells the story of the people who have shaped this land, the living and the dead, families that have lived in the same house or village for hundreds of years. This is the story of their lives, their religion, their forgotten language and their environment. On the autoroute, a journey through the Lauragais will take you three-quarters of an hour, but all you will see are tantalising glimpses of gorgeous countryside and distant signs of human habitation. In this book, the author takes you on a more leisurely trip through time in a land that is endearingly modest about its illustrious past.

The Close Protection Handbook is built for seasoned professionals, new operatives, training academies, and security enthusiasts. Whether starting your journey or advancing your skills, it supports excellence across government, corporate, private, and commercial protection and security operations. Focused on real-world performance, it strengthens strategic thinking and everyday operational decision-making through practical, proven methods. Success in close protection demands strategy, preparation, and awareness — not just tactics. Inside are 15 expert-driven chapters and 70+ illustrations delivering tested knowledge with no filler. This handbook serves operatives, and anyone drawn to the field, offering insight into what makes a strong Close Protection Operative, Threat and Risk Assessment, Travel Security, Surveillance, and VIP-protection.

Unlock the secrets of effective grassroots football coaching with Principles of Play for Grassroots Football. This practical, visually engaging guide breaks down the core Principles of Play into realistic, match-related scenarios, tailored specifically for beginner and grassroots coaches. Unlike dense, overly technical manuals, this book uses clear imagery and concise explanations to make key concepts easy to understand, reflect upon and apply.The Principles of Play are often explored in depth at advanced coaching levels but are often only touched on in grassroots. However, by understanding and applying these fundamentals, you can transform how you coach, fostering deeper understanding, better decision-making and ultimately, more confident, capable players.Whether you’re just starting your coaching journey or seeking an accessible way to elevate your team’s performance, Principles of Play for Grassroots Coaches equips you with the tools to move beyond coaching football to truly coaching the game.

Sense there's more to travel than meets the eye?A Travel Guide to Connection is your passport to the hidden layers and human stories in every destination – including your own home. Social anthropologist Dr. Jonathan Newman shares twelve key pathways to connect with others and gain a deeper understanding of different points of view.Why do tourists visit ancient cities?Are military arms fairs better holiday destinations?What is the relationship between a traveller and their luggage?Can dogs teach humans to smell the world?Who drinks in ‘bad’ pubs?This unique guidebook suggests hundreds of locations rarely revealed by traditional travel books and offers over two hundred insightful questions to transform your conversations. Each chapter provides practical steps to turn your next trip into an adventure of profound discovery. Embrace a form of travel that transforms your understanding of the world and your place within it. For life’s explorers, this is the perfect ticket.“Newman’s brilliant book is a fun, engaging invitation to see the world afresh. With clarity and wit, it shows how an anthropological sensibility – meeting difference with curiosity rather than judgment – is exactly what we need in a time of disconnection and division.”– Gwen Burnyeat, University of Edinburgh“This exceptional book fundamentally shifts how we experience the ordinary. It takes us on a journey of connection with what we thought we knew. This changes everything. Few books so powerfully transform how we perceive the world around us. It is a must read.”– Steffi Bednarek, Centre for Climate Psychology

It’s Earth, 2199 and three close friends; St. Mungo, Gundel, and Arkil, are on a mission to save the lives of 78 scientists, a thousand light years out of Earthside who have been partially terminated in a seemingly unprovoked attack on the edge of the Colony Line.As they sift through the debris, they realise that the attack was anything but pointless. It’s just the last turn of a century-long war being fought over control of our Galaxy. The more they uncover, they begin to understand that their actions are being controlled by a secret group of ultra-fast machine intelligence agents, called the Core.It's only then they begin to understand that their role in the plan has always been to bring home one of the most destructive appliances ever built.

Growing up, Maggie was branded ‘cloth-ears’ and told by teachers she would never communicate properly or live a normal life. Her future was painted as limited and small. Maggie proved them wrong. She didn’t just learn to cope; she moved to Turkey, became a teacher, a wife and a mother in a foreign land. But in a society where disability carried a heavy stigma, Maggie felt she had to survive by hiding her truth. For years, she navigated complex traditions and lip-read a new language while keeping her severe hearing impairment a secret from her friends, colleagues and even her new family. It wasn’t until her fifties, with the arrival of Bluetooth hearing aid technology that the silence truly broke. For the first time, she heard the chirping of birds, the bubbling of a boiling kettle and countless other wonders most people never stop to notice. This technology did more than amplify sound; it gave Maggie the freedom to live in her surroundings, rather than just spectate. This is the inspirational true story of a woman who refused to be defined by what she lacked. It is a memoir about fighting through barriers of prejudice, the isolation of a hidden life, and the courage it takes to finally find your voice.

Still haunted by the death of his uncle and the mysterious disappearance of a girlfriend ten years earlier, Oscar Shufflebottom is adrift, befuddled and stuck in a humdrum and nonsensical office job. But after forming an intense and fateful bond with his enigmatic colleague, Stephen Howman, his life suddenly begins to change.An abrupt career upheaval leads to an unexpected offer of work experience at an elusive detective agency run by the hard-bitten PI, Quint. Soon Oscar and Stephen are charged with staking out the home and tracking the movements of an eccentric man seemingly connected to one of Quint's cases. However, events take a disturbing turn and the two apprentice investigators come to realise they are entangled in an affair far more sinister than they imagined; a dangerous predicament marked by a series of bizarre escapades that force Oscar to finally confront his traumatic past... Sherlockholmesing is a darkly comic psychological thriller, with strong echoes of the classic Conan Doyle stories throughout, exploring dysfunctional relationships, the destabilising long-term effects of loss, and the fraught search for purpose.

One day in the 1950’s a famous French clairvoyant and medium named Marcel Belline happened upon a suitcase in a client’s attic which was full of rare books and manuscripts. Amongst the papers he found this magical Oracle that now bears his name. It turned out that it was originally created a century earlier by one Jules Charles Ernest Billaudot, who was known by his magical name Mage Edmond. Mage Edmond was a celebrated seer working in Paris – as coincidence would have it in the very same street that Belline now had his office. The 52-card Oracle Belline is a unique divination tool structured around the 7 planets known to the ancient world. Its quirky, often humorous, images give this deck an immediate charm. It has a clear, direct and predictive voice, while its planetary framework lends the oracle subtlety, texture, and depth. This book reflects these qualities in its teaching style, guiding the learner to skilled practitioner in simple, accessible steps. The Oracle Belline is the most popular oracle in French-speaking countries. Largely unknown elsewhere, this remarkable deck deserves to be more widely recognized.

Making Money in Forwarding provides a road map for how to be a successful forwarder, and make a great career in forwarding and logistics. It covers all aspects of what a freight planner must know, and do, in order to be successful. Readers will learn how to avoid common industry pitfalls and how to focus on profit, cost control, negotiation skills and building customer rapport. The book also shows just how profitable a company in this somewhat unglamorous industry can be, if it is led the right way, thus creating potential for enormous amounts of wealth for investors and employees alike. Written by two industry insiders; having a unique mix of hands-on daily practical experience, and the perspective from the Chief Executive Office, they share all of their insights in a way that concepts and actions can easily be applied and taken advantage of.

Which of Greater London’s most gruesome murders happened in your street? And were they committed by Graham Frederick Young (the poisoner of the North Circular Road), by the murderous Donald Hume, or by that monster Dennis Nilsen? Sometimes quiet suburban terraces hide the most terrible secrets... Read about the ‘Hampstead Triangle’ – home to a surprising number of celebrated murders – as well as another triangle of violent deaths in Kensal Rise and ponder some very mysterious unsolved murders. Armed with this book and a good London map, you will be able to do some murder house detection work of your own.

“Who knew paradise would be this dangerous?” Stuck in a boring office job, Matt wasn’t happy. Suffering with debilitating anxiety issues, he could feel his life wasting away. Something had to change. One flying lesson was all it took to set him on a journey to escape the mundane and embark on an adventure to a land unknown…Matt’s life went from answering emails to flying the most dangerous routes in one of the world’s last frontiers: Papua. Plane crashes, tropical diseases, tribal villages and jagged, jungle covered mountains were the new normal.If you enjoyed the hit Channel 4 TV series, Worst Place to be a Pilot, then you need to read Flying from Shangri-La. It’s informative, funny, tragic and proof that real adventure still exists.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave your normal life behind and risk everything to fulfil a dream?

The aim of this book is to provide ideas and guidelines which will help parents, educators and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) themselves learn to manage their difficulties. Gaynor Jackson has worked in inclusive mainstream schools as an advisory teacher, working with young children with social communication difficulties and a range of special needs. Her most formative time has been working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in schools and during the course of her studies, which specialised on children with ASD. Having worked with numerous parents of children with ASD Gaynor has found many common difficulties, especially for parents of children who have been recently diagnosed. She has penned Autism Supporting Difficulties: Handbook of ideas to reduce anxiety in everyday situations to provide ideas and re-enforcement as to how common some of these difficulties are, providing simple and informative tips about how children with ASD can be supported by their parents and professionals to manage their anxieties and difficulties. From her work and studies with parents and professionals, she has selected a range of strategies and interventions which she has used to help children with ASD. These techniques are designed to help children overcome the daily difficulties that they encounter and, in most of these cases, have helped them learn to manage more effectively. The book contains many vignettes to illustrate how the ideas and strategies can work in real-life situations, and aims to shed light on underlying fears so that parents can deal with them early on – before children reach the ‘meltdown stage’. “Children are individuals, no matter what they have in common. Autism is a spectrum of difficulties – and the degrees of difficulties and sensory issues are not uniform, but individual to each child. Sometimes we look too deeply, and sometimes not deeply enough,” comments Gaynor, underlining the importance of understanding each child’s personal needs and difficulties, rather than trying to apply the same techniques to everyone. There is no cure for autism, but Gaynor hopes that by learning to pre-empt some of the potential anxieties caused by the unfamiliar, parents, educators and the children themselves may be able to help manage their reactions and, in time, reduce some of their fears and anxieties.

Ayub Shaikh is a renowned trainer, famous for having brought credibility, confidence and industry knowledge to over 5,000 IT recruitment consultants, HR professionals and resourcers through his training courses around the world. In the past Ayub himself was an accomplished IT recruiter in the financial heart of London and is now a mentor to some of the world's largest IT recruitment consultancies. His company Holistica Consulting is the world's only training company dedicated purely to teaching IT recruiters and resourcers all they need to know about the various IT vertical markets such as SAP, JAVA, C#, and Telecoms. Without doubt there is nobody more suited to writing the world's first 'survival guide' for the IT Recruitment industry. Each chapter is written with recruitment relevance in mind, and includes Interview questions and further techniques to help match candidates to jobs. This is a hugely significant work for the IT recruitment industry, but do not be daunted (those of you who are squeamish about IT jargon and terminology).Those who have attended Ayub's training will immediately relate to the uniquely simple, passionate and even humorous ways in which he puts across very complex IT concepts and principals.And his now famous easy-to-understand teaching style continues into this ground breaking book. IT knowledge is delivered in a reassuring and relaxed way; and the stories, trivia, and anecdotes flow throughout. This is an instruction manual like no other. With The Complete IT Recruitment Survival Guide you have a constant, easy-to-understand yet knowledgeable companion as you tackle the murky waters of the world of IT recruitment.

“Beattie explores our humanity in its beauty and brokenness through women’s voices. Fictional voices of the marginalised have been inserted in the recorded history of the country, not to create an alternative history but to add to its rich, multi-faceted texture.” (Chiedza Musengezi, Zimbabwean poet and author)“Msasa trees provided dappled shade for Jenny’s tea party. April sunshine dribbled through the leaves onto suntanned arms. The frangipanis were in bloom ...” This is the scene that greets Scottish doctor Morag soon after her arrival in Salisbury in the 1950s. Jenny is an English wife and mother trapped in an increasingly violent marriage and secretly in love with another man. Soon, Beatrice will come to work as Jenny’s maid and nanny to her children. Over the next twenty years these three women will form deep bonds of affection, but can their loyalty to one another survive as the façade of white suburban life is shattered by war? In a novel that moves from the Firth of Clyde in Scotland to pre-independence Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), from the illusory idyll of colonial privilege to the traumas of guerrilla war, Beattie explores the hidden lives and untold stories of those caught up in the dying years of white rule in Africa. “Rhodesia is sleep-walking towards its devastating civil war. Three women become entangled in that war and in relationships that harbour the seeds of tragedy. With great sensitivity and insight, Tina Beattie tells a haunting story of love and war that will long linger in the mind.” (Kay Powell, author of Then a Wind Blew). “A compelling and captivating read. The story is a fascinating weave of black and white characters. I loved it despite scenes that deeply disturbed me, having been through those times. Tina Beattie has captured an essence of the time with precise and knowledgeable detail.” (Angus Shaw, Zimbabwean writer and war correspondent)

The story is told as a fictional account of one of the soldiers, based on the author's uncle, though including many historical facts.This cub who they called Wojtek (pronounced Vojtek), meaning 'Happy Warrior' in Polish, was initially adopted as their mascot and would be raised by their company, accompanying them on their travels through the Middle East. It would then be given official documents by the authorities making him a real soldier (hence the term Private) so as to enable him to travel with the company to the battle of Monte Cassino, where he would become a hero.After the war, Wojtek came to Scotland with the soldiers and, after being demobbed, had to be given to Edinburgh zoo.He was a huge, comical, tame and intelligent bear and had many hilarious adventures during his time with the Company.

The range of the book: from wartime England to colonial Assam; from sapper training in India to jungle warfare in Malaya – Tea, Love and War tells the unique true story of the child of an exploited village woman gaining recognition and acceptance in suburban England. It is split into three parts: Stuart and Mary’s story, David’s story, and Ann’s story.Stuart, working on a tea estate in the jungles of Assam, fathers a child by a teenage native woman. Stuart’s letters to his family in pre-war England vividly describe his life as a planter in colonial India but conceal his secret love life. When war breaks out, Stuart joins the Indian army, trains as a sapper and is posted to Malaya, blowing bridges in the desperate rearguard action against the Japanese invasion. Back in wartime England, his sister Mary marries Stuart’s best friend, Arthur, who decides to train as an army officer. Mary, now a young mother pregnant with her second child, tells of the year’s delay in hearing news of her brother’s death at the fall of Singapore. Before the child is born, she learns that Arthur has been killed in action in Italy. The story switches to a jungle village in Assam where a small Anglo-Indian child named Ann fights her way through poverty and discrimination, always seeking the identity of her father and his family.Tea, Love and War is a gripping true story, narrated by Mary through her son David. “Much of the text is taken from the many exercise books that she filled with her memories, and whilst my investigations have expanded and updated her story, the history of the relevant elements of the Second World War, the Blitz and public perception of the Malayan campaign leading to the fall of Singapore are more eloquently seen from her individual viewpoint.” The book will appeal to fans of autobiographies, history and social history – Anglo-Indian culture and exploitation of women in India are key themes in the text – and has been inspired by Wild Swans.

This is a story of medieval magic, mystery and adventure. Finding that the level of water in the river is falling, the king’s son Yan travels to the mountains to explore the source of the river. He succeeds in avoiding several traps along the way but eventually succumbs to the magic of the witch queen Grimhelda.When Yan fails to return, the king organises a search party. The members of this party are the king himself, his cook, his secretary and astrologer, two knights and the prince’s younger brother and sister. The exploits of the rescue party in the mountains are at times hilarious, but there is also a strong mythological ‘bite’ to the story, which draws on aspects of Greek and Indian legends.As the tale develops, Yan’s younger brother and sister have an increasingly important part to play, but in the final unravelling of the plot every member of the royal party is directly or indirectly involved.An exciting story with some very engaging characters, The Golden Falcon will appeal to children interested in adventure stories from 8-12 years old.

Nearly two years have passed since the first of the three Runes of the Deathless was won. Caz Wylde is approaching his sixteenth birthday. He and Kyri, one of the legendary Galdramerar, are inseparable. They have the second of the great runes in their sights...

For a hundred years most supporters watched football from terraces, a culture that was an integral part of the game. By the 1980s though, neglected stadia, hooliganism and a lack of concern for safety meant that football had to change, and after 96 Liverpool fans tragically died at Hillsborough, Lord Taylor’s report recommended that our grounds should be all-seated. Many people however believe that something of the soul has been taken away from watching football and that standing is the natural way to feel part of the game.In Stand Up Sit Down Peter Caton considers the arguments for and against the choice to stand to watch football. He visits the 23 English grounds that still have terraces, seeking the views of clubs and supporters, travels to Yorkshire to watch rugby league and to Germany to stand on a convertible terrace. With extensively researched background, the author analyses the disasters and hooliganism that led to all-seating, and the many changes that have occurred in the game. He considers various solutions proposed to allow standing, and highlights obstacles facing those backing the choice to stand. His own experiences of watching football at all levels add insight and interest. The book ends by asking its own questions and with a whiff of conspiracy.Illustrated with colour photographs, Stand Up Sit Down is a fascinating read, which unearths some surprising facts and raises many controversial issues relevant to all who love the football.