Sean Smith – författare

From bestselling biographer Sean Smith comes the fascinating and tumultuous true story behind Sir Tom Jones, the nation’s treasure, sage of The Voice and living music legend.Celebrating his 75th birthday this year, Tom Jones’ life has been an unforgettable rollercoaster ride. From starting out in a little Welsh mining town where he married his sweetheart at just 16, who could have known that seven years later he would go on to become a major musical hit that would propel him to Bel Air? Through intimate interviews, Smith uncovers all this and more, including the years Tom spent as little more than a Vegas lounge singer, before being rediscovered in the late ‘80s and becoming a maestro on the music scene once again.As revealing as it is entertaining, this is the definitive story of a great talent who is showing no signs of slowing down.

Bestselling biographer Sean Smith takes on the world’s number one reality star, Kim Kardashian West. This is the ultimate insight into the reality behind the woman who has defined fame in our modern culture – her childhood, her family, her turbulent love life and the multi-millionaire lifestyle.Kim Kardashian West is a thoroughly modern woman. She enjoyed a privileged upbringing in a Beverley Hills mansion and, ironically, her childhood ambition was to appear in the long-running US reality series Real World. Instead she became the star of Keeping Up With the Kardashians while her own life story read like an X rated version of Dynasty…murder, elopement, domestic violence, sex tape, quickie divorce, churchgoing and impossibly glamorous designer dresses. Now married to one of the biggest stars on the planet, Kanye West, she has begun her own dynasty with the birth of daughter, North, and her son, Saint.In a world that follows her every move, Sean Smith uncovers what it took to get her to the top and how she intends to stay there. From her Armenian heritage and devotion to her family to the fabulous fashions and a body to die for, this is the truth behind the undisputed Queen of celebrity – the real story.

Adele touches the hearts of millions of people who love her for her music and share the real and honest emotion she brings to each and every song. In a cynical age, she is a phenomenon.In Adele, bestselling biographer Sean Smith talks to those close to her as he follows her astonishing journey to fame that began on the gritty streets of Tottenham. Through compelling new research and interviews, he reveals that there is far more to Adele than the superstar we all think we know.He uncovers the story of her complex family relationships; the ill-starred love affair between her mother and father; her devastation at the untimely death of her grandfather; and her seemingly unpromising future in a gang-ravaged area of South London.She found salvation at the BRIT School before a series of unhappy love affairs provided the inspiration for her record-breaking albums. He describes how she conquered America and how it all could have been ended by a dramatic vocal injury. Instead, she has made an amazing comeback and found personal happiness in a new relationship and becoming a mum.Intimate and revealing, Adele is the uplifting story of the woman with the most glorious voice in the world.

George is the story of two extraordinary lives – the private man and the public legend.Georgios Panayiotou was just eighteen when he decided to adopt the stage name of George Michael. Sometimes his two worlds would collide with shattering consequences.Bestselling biographer Sean Smith has gone back to the neighbourhoods of North London to trace the astonishing journey of a sensitive but determined boy who grew up to be one of the biggest British pop stars of all time.Along the way, he talks to those close to George, revealing the real man – funny, articulate, intelligent and generous spirited – who hid behind the powerful image he created.He reveals the complex relationship with his high-achieving Greek-Cypriot father; the unconditional love of his mother; his teenage relationships with girls; and his first tragic love affair with another man.George’s career began falteringly with a schoolboy band, exploded with Wham! before he became a solo phenomenon. But at the height of his fame, the world seemed to turn against him. Smith describes his despair at losing the two people who mattered most, how he sought consolation in drugs, his notorious ‘coming out’ and how he ended up in jail.His health failed him and he died heartbreakingly alone on Christmas Day, 2016.Affectionate yet honest and moving, George is both a celebration of George Michael’s music and a lasting tribute to a decent and much-loved man.

‘Compelling new biography’ Daily Express ‘Fascinating stories’Daily Mirror ‘A well-researched, entertaining look at Ed Sheeran … Sheeran fans will relish this well-told biography.’ Publishers Weekly Ed Sheeran is a true inspiration. His moving and uplifting songs forge a lasting connection with the millions of people around the world who love him and his music.He was the thirteen-year-old guitarist in a school rock band when he decided to become a singer-songwriter, even though he could barely hold a tune and had never written a song. Within a year, he had recorded an album in his bedroom.Bestselling biographer Sean Smith traces the astonishing journey of the shy little boy with a stammer who, avoiding flashy showmanship, grew up to be a global phenomenon.Through compelling new research and interviews, he tells the story of Ed’s remarkable mum and dad who gave their son the courage to pursue his dream, the friends and mentors who encouraged him and the lovers who inspired his most famous songs.Smith describes the setbacks Ed faced before his fortunes were transformed by Elton John’s management company, a record deal and a song that changed everything – with a little help from Taylor Swift.Ed found it difficult to cope with the world at his feet, but a new relationship with a girl from his home town has brought him happiness and a fresh purpose in life.Now he is the most successful solo star on the planet, earning £83 million last year. Yet in the middle of his record-breaking 2018 UK tour, he played for just 400 people at a charity night to raise money for the homeless.As this captivating book reveals, there’s no one quite like Ed.

‘Get the inside scoop on all things Spice!’ OK! Magazine 'A compelling new book' Daily Express From the moment they burst into our lives, the Spice Girls have inspired millions around the world.Emma, Geri, Melanie C, Mel B and Victoria were adored and admired in equal measure. Their determination, fierce independence and Girl Power philosophy have motivated generation after generation of young women.Sunday Times bestselling biographer Sean Smith reveals what life was really like for the fab five, before and after they found fame – the ups and downs, personal conflicts, break-ups and controversies, health issues and trials of parenthood. Baby, Ginger, Sporty, Scary and Posh have always been so much more than their iconic image.They conquered a male dominated music industry, raised twelve children between them while, over the years, their reunion tours have led to renewed outpourings of affection and excitement: the story of five ordinary women achieving extraordinary things is as wonderfully resonant and powerful as ever.

‘Fascinating and authoritative’ The Daily Express Sunday Times bestselling author Sean Smith tells the extraordinary story of a modern cultural icon: Harry Styles. Harry Styles has grown up. The One Direction boy-band member so loved by millions has become a truly global superstar and genuine icon of our times.In this captivating biography for fans from day one as well as a whole new generation, bestselling author Sean Smith follows the journey of a thoroughly modern man with boundless charisma, who represents a better world devoid of prejudice.At 16, Harry’s life changed forever when he left his home in rural Cheshire to appear on The X Factor – and never went back. Harry Styles: The Making of a Modern Man paints a picture of a man who at times remains an enigma, while embracing the world he cares about – his family, his friends and lovers, his music, acting and the world of fashion.Harry is the only British male artist to have his first two albums debut at number one in the US; his movie career is flourishing with starring roles in Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman, and he is the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue. A champion of gender-fluid fashion, he has proved himself to be an inspiring role model in a world where toxic masculinity has no place.In troubling and uncertain times, Harry Styles lives by his own mantra, which would benefit us all – ‘Treat People with Kindness’.

Meghan Misunderstood is a pioneering book that sets the record straight on the most talked about, unfairly vilified and misrepresented woman in the world.Meghan Markle was eleven when she first advocated for women’s rights; a teenager when she worked in a soup kitchen feeding the homeless; a popular actress when she campaigned for clean water in Africa and passionately championed gender equality in a speech to a United Nations Women’s Conference. Even before she met Prince Harry, hers was an extraordinarily accomplished life.Meghan’s wedding to Harry was a joyful occasion, marking happiness at last for the Queen’s grandson who had captured our hearts twenty years earlier when he bravely walked behind his mother Diana’s coffin. Theirs was a story that the screenwriters of Hollywood – where Meghan had made her name – could scarcely have imagined.The rom-com fantasy, however, soon turned into disturbing drama: any expectation of a life happily-ever-after was cruelly dashed by bullying tabloid newspapers and their allies, both on social media and within the walls of the Palace itself.Meghan was targeted for her gender, her race, her nationality and her profession. The abuse became so bad that seventy-two female MPs signed a letter of solidarity against the ‘often distasteful and misleading press’, calling out the ‘outdated colonial undertones’ of the stories.Now, Sean Smith, the UK’s leading celebrity biographer, pulls no punches as he reveals the remarkable and powerful story of this self-made, intelligent American woman with a strong social conscience who has made such an impact on our lives.

Having amassed a fortune of over $100 million and record sales of 40 million, at the age of twenty-two Britney Spears is the world’s biggest female star. This is the first biography to chronicle how the little girl with a crucifix in each ear, described by her teacher at Disney as 'the sweetest, most wholesome, most innocent person that you'd ever want to meet' has become the ultimate in tabloid fodder.Britney will follow her roller coaster life from her time on the Mickey Mouse Club where she first met Justin Timberlake to the moment she sashayed down the hallway dressed in school uniform and shot to fame becoming the all-American pop princess. Somehow it all fell apart – scarred by her break up with Timberlake, roundly booed at the London premiere of her first film, the downward spiral culminated with her infamous 55-hour Las Vegas marriage. The press went crazy over second marriage to dancer Kevin Federline, yet her fans remained loyal and she went on to win MTV Europe female of the year 2004 and the 2005 Grammy for best dance record. Speculating on what an uncertain future holds for Mrs Federline-Spears, Britney will be a gossipy and revealing biography of one of the most fascinating figures in pop.

"I believe The Craft of System Security is one of the best software security books on the market today. It has not only breadth, but depth, covering topics ranging from cryptography, networking, and operating systems--to the Web, computer-human interaction, and how to improve the security of software systems by improving hardware. Bottom line, this book should be required reading for all who plan to call themselves security practitioners, and an invaluable part of every university's computer science curriculum."--Edward Bonver, CISSP, Senior Software QA Engineer, Product Security, Symantec Corporation"Here's to a fun, exciting read: a unique book chock-full of practical examples of the uses and the misuses of computer security. I expect that it will motivate a good number of college students to want to learn more about the field, at the same time that it will satisfy the more experienced professional."--L. Felipe Perrone, Department of Computer Science, Bucknell UniversityWhether you're a security practitioner, developer, manager, or administrator, this book will give you the deep understanding necessary to meet today's security challenges--and anticipate tomorrow's. Unlike most books, The Craft of System Security doesn't just review the modern security practitioner's toolkit: It explains why each tool exists, and discusses how to use it to solve real problems. After quickly reviewing the history of computer security, the authors move on to discuss the modern landscape, showing how security challenges and responses have evolved, and offering a coherent framework for understanding today's systems and vulnerabilities. Next, they systematically introduce the basic building blocks for securing contemporary systems, apply those building blocks to today's applications, and consider important emerging trends such as hardware-based security. After reading this book, you will be able to Understand the classic Orange Book approach to security, and its limitations Use operating system security tools and structures--with examples from Windows, Linux, BSD, and SolarisLearn how networking, the Web, and wireless technologies affect securityIdentify software security defects, from buffer overflows to development process flawsUnderstand cryptographic primitives and their use in secure systemsUse best practice techniques for authenticating people and computer systems in diverse settingsUse validation, standards, and testing to enhance confidence in a system's securityDiscover the security, privacy, and trust issues arising from desktop productivity toolsUnderstand digital rights management, watermarking, information hiding, and policy expressionLearn principles of human-computer interaction (HCI) design for improved securityUnderstand the potential of emerging work in hardware-based security and trusted computing

Sophie has become the figure within the family who is the comforter to its members and a reassuring and inspiring presence for the country. She is a modern woman and yet a throwback to happier Royal times. She is now the 'glue that binds'.During some of the darkest days of the Royal Family, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has quietly risen to become the respected and much-loved face of a family in turmoil.In this inspiring biography, bestselling author Sean Smith tells the remarkable story of Sophie Rhys-Jones; a young woman with a winning smile who captured the heart of a Prince and, subsequently, the nation.From her fun-filled days in rural Kent and nervous beginnings at the Palace, to becoming a powerful voice on world issues and being acclaimed as a 'trailblazer' by Hillary Clinton; this is an intimate portrait of a woman who has made significant achievements while enduring the pressures of life as a wife, mother and Royal. Whether it's keeping important secrets, navigating tabloid exposés or surviving near-death experiences, Sophie has done so with dignity and strength.Inside, discover the secret of Sophie's long-lasting love for Prince Edward; the unshakeable bond she had with the late Queen; her great friendship with the future Queen, Kate; and her frosty relationship with Princess Diana. And how, while the Royal Family gathers itself after the deaths of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; the cancer battles of King Charles and the Princess of Wales; amid a media obsession with Harry and Meghan - not to mention Prince Andrew - it is Sophie who is saving the day.

During some of the darkest days of the Royal Family, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has quietly risen to become the respected and much-loved face of a family in turmoil.In this inspiring biography, bestselling author Sean Smith tells the remarkable story of Sophie Rhys-Jones; a young woman with a winning smile who captured the heart of a Prince and the nation.From her fun-filled days in rural Kent and nervous beginnings at the Palace, to becoming a powerful voice on world issues and being acclaimed as a 'trailblazer' by Hillary Clinton, this is an intimate portrait of a woman who has achieved much while enduring the pressures of life as a wife, mother and Royal. Whether keeping important secrets, navigating tabloid exposés or surviving near-death experiences, Sophie has done so with dignity and strength.Inside, discover the secret of Sophie's long-lasting love for Prince Edward; her unshakeable bond with the late Queen; her friendship with the future Queen, Kate; and her frosty relationship with Princess Diana. Amid family upheavals and media obsession, it is Sophie who is saving the day.

By 2020, the Internet of Things (IoT) will consist of millions of computational devices intimately connected to real-world aspects of human life. In this insightful book, Professor Sean Smith, who worked in information security long before the web appeared, explains that if we build the IoT the way we built the current internet and other information technology initiatives, we're headed for trouble. With a focus on concrete solutions, The Internet of Risky Things explains how we can avoid simple flaws that have plagued several dramatic IT advances in recent decades. Developers, engineers, industrial designers, makers, and researchers will explore "design patterns of insecurities" and learn what's required to route around or fix them in the nascent IoT. Examine bugs that plague large-scale systems, including integer overflow, race conditions, and memory corruption Look at successful and disastrous examples of previous quantum leaps in health IT, the smart grid, and autonomous vehicles Explore patterns in coding, authentication, and cryptography that led to insecurity Learn how blunders that led to spectacular IT disasters could have been avoided

Finding a balance between humans and intelligent machines has become paramount. While ingenious AI solutions may yield immediate benefits, they can also trigger behavioral shifts, potentially leading to long-term challenges and shifting standards.Influence Design in the AI Era: Business Strategy is a must-read for business leaders and strategists seeking to understand and capitalize on AI's transformative power. Through the lens of Influence Architecture, organizations can harness AI's capabilities to drive desired outcomes, enhance situational awareness, and gain control in the digital landscape.The book offers practical strategies for alignment, fostering collaborative intelligence, and laying the foundation for a "machineforce" - the organization's harmonious collective of artificially intelligent machines dedicated and aligned in support of organizational productivity.As a comprehensive guide, this book empowers the Influence Architect in us all to thrive in the AI Era and beyond. It forges our path toward the Machineforce Era, in which humans and machines collaborate seamlessly to shape a sustainable future.

She’shad a few different names over the years but will always be Cheryl tous, the most beautiful woman of our times. Cheryl Ann Tweedy’s path to fame andfortune was often difficult, beginning in a grim working-class area ofNewcastle where the lives of her friends and family were blighted by drugs andunemployment.Butshe didn’t just get lucky. She didn’t stumble off the street into Girls Aloud.She had no family showbusiness connections but simply worked hard to get thebreaks. Quite simply she was a champion dancer who ‘oozed talent’. Howwould Cheryl fare now if she took part in Strictly Come Dancing?  She’d murder them.

Victoria Beckham is the first female star to have her PATH TOFAME. Shemay not have been the outstanding singer or dancer at her prestigious stageschool but Victoria Adams was by far the best at what would prove to be themost important subject for her future - she was top in image classes. She knewexactly what she wanted; or more precisely what she did not want. Thelook that would become universally known as the Posh Pout was devised by thelady herself long before the Spice Girls came into being.

Robbie Williamsis the perfect choice for the very first Path to Fame book. Robert PeterWilliams did not become Robbie until, aged sixteen, he joined a bunch of boyband hopefuls who eventually made it to the very top as Take That. He was justRob, a surprisingly sensitive boy from Stoke-on-Trent, who preferred amateurdramatics to football in the park with his mates. Rob left schoolwith no qualifications and was whiling away his days smoking and selling doubleglazing when his mum Jan spotted the advertisement for an audition inManchester that would change his life. It wasn’t all plain sailing, however –he was sacked from Take That and had to battle through a descent into drink anddrugs before becoming a multi-millionaire and a record-breaking Brit awardwinner.

Gary Barlow’sPath to Fame came to an abrupt halt when his career slumped in the mostspectacular way. Until his solo career crumbled, his pathway had been linedwith gold. Quite simply, he was a musical prodigy as a teenager growing up inthe small Cheshire town of Frodsham.The compère atthe local British Legion Club asked the bingo enthusiasts to listen politely toa song the schoolboy musician had just composed and give it a massive applause.Gary blew on the mic, as he always did, and began: ‘Put Your Head Against MyLife…’ It was the first public performance of A Million Love Songs andit did indeed bring the house down. When he firstfound fame, Gary was perceived as arrogant but that changed when his solocareer flopped and he became depressed and overweight, while the triumphs ofRobbie Williams were a constant reminder of his failure. But Take That returned,bigger than ever, and Gary got back on the path.And just likeRobbie, the first book of the unique Path to Fame series, he had to hit rockbottom before he could Rule the (pop) World again.

Adele är en superstjärna och ett fenomen. Med sin fantastiska röst och de starka och uppriktiga känslor hon uttrycker med sin musik har hon berört miljontals människor. I den här biografin får vi följa hennes resa från Tottenhams gator till världens största scener. Författaren Sean Smith har intervjuat människorna runt Adele och berättar om hennes barndom och uppväxt, hur hennes album kom till, hur hon tog USA med storm - och om det som kunde ha satt stopp för hennes karriär. En avslöjande biografi om kvinnan med världens mest fantastiska röst. SEAN SMITH har skrivit bästsäljande biografier om några av världens mest kända människor, bland annat J.K. Rowling, Kim Kardashian och Justin Timberlake.