Jonathan Bastable – författare

Contemporary creative writers reflect on the past, present and future of the novelIn 2012-2013, a year-long conversation between writers took place at 17 literary festivals around the world, from Jaipur to Krasnoyarsk, and from Melbourne to Berlin. Distinguished novelists such as Irvine Welsh, Ahdaf Soueif and Ali Smith shared their thoughts on various aspects of contemporary literature – the challenges it faces and the directions it is taking. This book is in part an anthology of the best of those accounts and also an overview of the lively wide-ranging global debate that the authors’ views engendered among the many writers who took part. It adds up to an arresting and thought-provoking picture of the state of world literature today. Key FeaturesA powerful statement of the significance of literature in the modern world, and a call-to-arms for those who believe that fine writing is endangeredContributors include well-known contemporary novelists such as: China Mieville, Ahdaf Soueif, Kapka Kassabova, Irvine Welsh, Ali Smith and Kirsty GunnProvides an international perspective on the issues facing writers and writing in general, and the present-day novel in particularA new and valuable resource for academics and students, and a fascinating primer for a wider readership – for those who want to know how fiction functions & who like to get an insight into the thought processes of creative artists

Journey to the seventeenth century and a dramatic period of political upheaval, plague, and fire, with this “vivid portrait of Restoration England” (History Today).  Inside Pepys’ London reveals a vivid picture of London at a critical point in history, as it was poised to become a major center of international commerce and culture. It provides accounts of all aspects of contemporary life, from the arts and entertainment, to politics and religion.   Samuel Papys was not a king or a famous general—yet his renowned diary makes him one of the most interesting characters in history. His life encompassed happenings of huge historical and human impact—the execution of Charles I and the Great Fire of London to name but two. This book takes Pepys’ diary, which he kept almost daily from 1660-1669, as its central resource, but also includes a range of other contemporary sources to provide a fascinating and vivid picture of the times.

This history of the pivotal WWII Battle of Stalingrad reveals newly translated firsthand accounts from Russian and German soldiers as well as civilians. In August of 1942, the German Army and Axis Powers invaded the city of Stalingrad in Southern Russia. The ensuing battle was one of the most protracted and bitterly fought conflicts of the Second World War. More than five months later, Germany was forced to retreat in what would be a major turning point in the war. Voices from Stalingrad presents a vividly intimate account of the battle. It is largely told through the personal accounts of the German and Soviet soldiers who fought, the Russian civilians who watched the destruction of their city, and Western onlookers such as diplomats and newspaper correspondents. Many of these voices are gleaned from newly-discovered archive material, and from rare sources and reminiscences in Germany and Russia, including KGB sources. No previous work about Stalingrad places such emphasis on the experience of ordinary fighters and civilians. Further supporting the accounts many of which have never been published or are totally unknown in the English-speaking world are numerous archival photographs from both sides of the front.

This history of the pivotal WWII Battle of Stalingrad reveals newly translated firsthand accounts from Russian and German soldiers as well as civilians. In August of 1942, the German Army and Axis Powers invaded the city of Stalingrad in Southern Russia. The ensuing battle was one of the most protracted and bitterly fought conflicts of the Second World War. More than five months later, Germany was forced to retreat in what would be a major turning point in the war. Voices from Stalingrad presents a vividly intimate account of the battle. It is largely told through the personal accounts of the German and Soviet soldiers who fought, the Russian civilians who watched the destruction of their city, and Western onlookers such as diplomats and newspaper correspondents. Many of these voices are gleaned from newly-discovered archive material, and from rare sources and reminiscences in Germany and Russia, including KGB sources. No previous work about Stalingrad places such emphasis on the experience of ordinary fighters and civilians. Further supporting the accounts many of which have never been published or are totally unknown in the English-speaking world are numerous archival photographs from both sides of the front.

Whether you want to explore how our Prime Ministers came to reside in No.10 Downing Street, read about the official mice-catching cats also dwelling there, learn about the rarely seen soft side of the Iron Lady, or discover how Sir Robert Peel invented the police, there is something for every enthusiast to dip into. "The Amazing and Extraordinary Facts series" presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.

This is a fascinating collection of stories exploring the less well-trodden byways of Britain's long history of conflicts. From the Romans vs Britons to the war on terror, "Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: the British at War" uncovers the heroic, tragic and often peculiar facts behind some of the best-known battles in British history. Brief, accessible and entertaining pieces on a wide variety of subjects makes it is the perfect book to dip into. The amazing and extraordinary facts series presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.