Barry Richardson – författare

A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.

A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings.

A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.

A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.

In this short story, an immortal soldier walks through the ashes of history, burdened with memory, cursed with survival.Across centuries of war - medieval battlefields, mechanised slaughter and futuristic devastation - one man endures. He cannot die. He cannot forget. Known only as the Eternal Witness, he carries the final words of the fallen, delivering grief from the trenches to the doorsteps of mothers, widows and orphans.As humanity spirals into self-destruction, his curse evolves. From messenger to mourner, from soldier to relic, he watches civilisation collapse into silence. And when the last voice fades, he remains - alone in a post-human world, the final archive of everything we were.Haunting, lyrical and deeply human, The Eternal Witness is a meditation on war, memory and the cost of immortality. A story of endless footsteps through history's ruins - and the unbearable weight of never being able to stop walking.

In this short story, the coffin is empty - but the ritual is not.In a ruined cemetery shrouded in mist, a procession of veiled mourners carries a coffin carved from obsidian, its lid etched with glowing runes and its interior hollow. The bells toll, even though no church remains. The candles burn cold. And the funeral begins.This is no ordinary burial; the coffin waits not for a body, but for an idea. It waits for death itself.Drawn to the ritual by forces he cannot name, a lone figure finds himself at the center of the ceremony. The mourners whisper his name. The coffin calls to him in his own voice. As the final bell tolls, he must choose: resist the pull of the void, or step inside and bury the very concept of endings.Haunting, lyrical and steeped in cosmic dread, The Last Funeral is a metaphysical tale of mortality, ritual and the terrifying cost of immortality. It's a story for those who wonder what happens when death itself is laid to rest...

In the mythic imagination of the Khoi-San peoples of Southern Africa, the trickster is more than a mischief-maker - he is a transformer, reshaping the world through lies, laughter and sudden reversals. These ten short stories reveal how chaos and cunning are woven into the very fabric of creation, showing that the universe itself is born not only from solemn beginnings but also from comic missteps and audacious acts.This volume gathers ten unforgettable mythological stories. Here, animals speak with cunning voices, gods stumble into folly, and tricksters bargain with death itself.At once humorous and profound, these tales remind us that disorder is not destruction but transformation. In their laughter and deception, the tricksters carry timeless wisdom: that the world is always unfinished, always vulnerable to surprise - and always alive with possibility.

The Eternal Divorce (a short story)Some endings refuse to end...In Halewick, divorce is not release - it is repetition. Couples are trapped in endless arguments, shadows of promises that refuse to die. The faceless judge demands conflict, the decrees rewrite themselves and the only way forward may not be to destroy the vow, but to rewrite it.The Eternal Divorce is a surreal, gothic tale of entrapment and release, where love curdles into prison and memory becomes law. For readers drawn to unsettling allegories, atmospheric horror and stories that twist the familiar into the uncanny, this story asks a chilling question: what if separation was forever?

Ten Eternal Lives  Ten stories. Ten souls. One question: what does it mean to live forever?In this haunting collection of ten short stories, memory becomes machinery, time folds inward and immortality is never what it seems. From a watchmaker's daughter who inherits a clock that whispers the past, to a painter whose canvas traps eternity, these ten stories explore the strange, beautiful and terrifying consequences of forever lives.Each tale stands alone; yet together they form a mosaic of longing, loss and the human desire to outlast death. Whether through cursed objects, forgotten gods or surreal landscapes where time refuses to move forward, these stories ask: if you could live forever, would you still be you?Eternal Lives is for readers who crave atmosphere, emotional depth and speculative fiction that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for fans of dark fantasy, literary horror and philosophical storytelling, this volume invites you to step into a world where forever is never simple - and not always kind.

In a village where a fire burns without fuel, this short story unfolds like a whispered legend passed from one generation to the next. Written in lyrical, atmospheric prose, the narrative drips with tension and uncertainty. If you're drawn to stories where the supernatural is woven into the fabric of everyday life, where grief and rebellion walk hand in hand, Ashes That Never Cool will haunt you in the best way. It is a haunting tale of legacy, rebellion and the terrifying power of rituals left unchallenged. For readers who crave stories where the supernatural is stitched into the bones of the living - and the dead never truly rest.

The Immortal's Dilemma:  An atmospheric short story of sacrifice, mortality and the cost of compassion.Cursed with eternal life, a weary immortal wanders through centuries of solitude - until a stormy night in a forgotten alley changes everything. There, he discovers a dying stranger clutching a parchment inscribed with ancient symbols - the key to ending his curse. But saving the man means risking the only thing he's ever known: survival.As thunder cracks and time slips away, he must choose between compassion and self-preservation, hope and fear, eternity and the unknown.A haunting short story that explores the fragile line between immortality and humanity.

Although this short book is grounded in real science, real practices and real policy debates, the author brings science to life through vivid storytelling. This narrative non-fiction book takes readers from farms to laboratories, from local workshops to global assemblies.Through dramatised scenes and dialogue, you'll meet farmers discovering healthier soils, scientists measuring the invisible, policymakers debating carbon markets and communities finding resilience in the land. Each chapter illuminates soil not as background but as protagonist - a living system that sustains life and offers hope in the climate crisis.  For readers of environmental science, sustainability and climate solutions, this book offers knowledge, inspiration and a vision: that beneath our feet lies a future we can choose to nurture.

A Journey Into Sound, Rhythm and the MindAcross cultures and centuries, humans have turned to rhythm as a way to alter consciousness and connect with something deeper. Today, brainwave entrainment continues this tradition through modern recordings and apps, promising relaxation, focus, creativity and deep sleep. But what is entrainment really, and how does it work?Non-Invasive Brainwave Therapy offers a comprehensive, balanced exploration of this fascinating practice. Beginning with its cultural roots and scientific foundations, the book moves through practical applications, guiding readers in how to design a personal brainwave entrainment routine that fits their lifestyle. Along the way, it addresses safety considerations, placebo and expectation effects and the ethics of marketing - ensuring that readers approach entrainment with clarity and responsibility.Inside, you'll find:Clear explanations of brainwave states and entrainment methodsPractical listening schedules and guided exercises for relaxation, focus, creativity and deep sleepHonest discussions of risks, limitations and the role of beliefInsights into emerging technologies — from apps and wearables to AI-driven personalisationWritten in an accessible style, Non-Invasive Brainwave Therapy is not a manual of medical treatment but a companion if you're curious about how sound can influence your consciousness. It invites you to experiment thoughtfully, blending entrainment with mindfulness, creativity and healthy routines.

The Painter of Forever (a short story)When art refuses to end, eternity begins.In a shuttered studio where dust gathers but colors never fade, a single canvas breathes. Its surface ripples with landscapes that shift like tides, faces that blink, and skies that move as though alive. The brush that waits beside it is no ordinary tool...The Painter of Forever is a haunting, lyrical tale of obsession and transcendence, where art becomes a prison and beauty becomes a curse. Written in prose that drips with atmosphere and uncertainty, it explores the fragile line between creation and surrender - and the terrifying cost of capturing eternity on canvas.

"e;The epic story of how humanity has always learned, taught and imagined its future."e;A Concise History of Education is a sweeping journey through humanity's oldest and most enduring practice: the passing down of knowledge. From fireside storytelling in ancient communities to the rise of universities, from colonial classrooms to digital learning, this book reveals how societies have taught, preserved and transformed knowledge across the ages.Written in a clear, narrative style, it shows that education has never been neutral. It has been a tool of survival, a sacred duty, a weapon of empire and a stage for liberation.This is not a textbook - it is a story; a story of memory and imagination, of how each generation has sought to prepare the next for life, faith, work and freedom. It reminds us that education is so much more than classrooms: it's about identity, power and the possibility of change.Whether you are a teacher, a student or simply curious about how societies shape themselves, this book offers a fresh, compelling perspective on the endless lesson of what it means to be human.

When relics awaken, faith trembles...Each story in this chilling Catholic-inspired collection of 14 short stories explores the mystery of faith colliding with dread, where relics of devotion become vessels of terror. Doctrine and miracle blur into curse, leaving the faithful to wonder: are these signs of divine Presence - or warnings of divine wrath?With prose steeped in atmosphere and theological resonance, these tales weave suspense, ritual and cosmic unease into unforgettable narratives. Readers will find themselves drawn into churches where silence trembles, relics bleed and the walls themselves whisper prayers that may not be answered.For lovers of dark fiction, biblical mystery and supernatural dread, The Relics That Spoke offers stories that are haunting, unsettling and impossible to forget.

The Forgotten God (a short story)Some names are buried - but others refuse to stay silent.Deep in the forest lies a temple to an abandoned god. No one dares to enter. When a lone traveller stumbles upon the temple, the silence begins to crack and the god who was abandoned whispers again. To speak his name is to bind yourself to eternity...Written in haunting, lyrical prose, The Forgotten God is a tale of reverence and reckoning, where devotion becomes a curse and silence becomes a prison. It is for readers who crave myth woven with dread, atmosphere thick with mystery and the chilling reminder that some gods are forgotten for a reason...

A History of Human Communication traces the epic journey of communication, showing how each innovation - from oral tradition to alphabets, printing presses and digital networks - reshaped not only how we share information, but how we understand ourselves.In vivid, immersive chapters, the book dramatises the milestones of human connection, from handprints on cave walls to machines that answer us back.At every stage, the book reveals a paradox: the more ways we invent to connect, the more fragile true understanding becomes. Yet the thread of communication - fragile, unbroken and eternal - remains humanity's greatest achievement.Sweeping in scope yet intimate in detail, this book is both history and meditation, showing that communication is not only technology but a fragile miracle of reaching across silence to be heard.Ideal for readers of cultural history, technology and narrative non-fiction, A History of Human Communication invites you to see communication not as background but as the very fabric of civilisation.

In this short story, every soul is recorded by the Archivist. Except his own.In a library beyond time, carved from shadow and silence, the immortal Archivist records the final truths of every human life. With a bone quill and a lantern fueled by memory, he captures the last breath, the final thought - the essence of what remains when the body fails.For eternity, he has served without question. Until one day, he discovers his own scroll missing.As the Archive begins to unravel and a mysterious figure emerges to write his fate, the Archivist must confront the impossible: that his story is being written by another hand. To reclaim his identity, he must defy the laws of eternity, risking the collapse of the Archive and the loss of every soul it holds.Haunting, lyrical and steeped in metaphysical mystery, The Archivist of Souls is a tale of memory, rebellion and the terrifying power of self-authorship. For readers who crave stories that linger like echoes in the dark.

The Watchmaker's Daughter (a short story)Some clocks measure more than time...Elena has never left her father's shop, a place where gears line the walls like constellations and clocks tick in layered rhythms. But when her father vanishes, she inherits his greatest creation: an impossible clock that ticks backward and holds something far more dangerous than hours.Inside its obsidian face are memories... The clock is not a machine but a doorway, a prison and a library of souls. Elena must decide: will she open what remembers or become its keeper?The Watchmaker's Daughter is a gothic tale of inheritance and choice, where memory becomes machinery and the past refuses to stay silent. For readers drawn to surreal allegories, atmospheric horror and tales that blur the line between time and humanity, this story asks: what would you risk to hear the voices of those you've lost?

How to Overcome Screen Addiction Step-By-StepIn a world dominated by glowing computer or cellphone screens, it's easy to lose sight of the simple joys of presence. Digital Detox blends personal storytelling with step-by-step strategies to help you step away from the distraction of glowing screens and step back into life.Through intimate anecdotes, gentle reflections and actionable steps, the author guides you toward a sustainable transformation away from screen addiction. You'll discover:Moments of clarity that remind you what life feels like without constant interruption.The hidden costs of screen dependence - lost creativity, weakened relationships, diminished presence.Small steps and rituals that can anchor screen-free living into your daily rhythm.The joy of rediscovery - books, hobbies, conversations and silence that nourish the soul.A step-by-step 30-day challenge to help you build lasting habits and reclaim balance.This isn't about rejecting technology or chasing perfection. It's about remembering that life is richer when we are fully present for it.Whether you're seeking more creativity, deeper connection or simply a calmer rhythm to your days, Digital Detox offers a gentle, practical way forward.