Headline Press – serie

From the veteran US legal analyst and leading Robert Mueller prosecutor, Andrew Weissmann issues an urgent summons to tackle the scourge of political lies - and prevent a figure like Donald Trump from ever rising again"The 2020 election was a total FRAUD!" "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." "There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes!!!" These and other lies by Donald Trump sparked a historic insurrection to topple US democracy and undermined the public's faith in elections. The Trump administration's deceit has enabled the use of law enforcement and the military against the people, the unlawful deportation of immigrants, and the disregard of international rules meant to promote a civilized and peaceful world. Other politicians, inspired by the success of the political lie, have flooded the public square with falsehoods of their own. As Andrew Weissmann reveals in LIAR'S KINGDOM, our vulnerability to politicians' lies stems from a flaw in America's legal system - one that can be fixed. But it will take courage, creativity, and a willingness to look to other countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, and the UK, that have already confronted this crisis. A slim, elegant treatise, LIAR'S KINGDOM is a playbook for stopping politicians like Trump from holding office in the future - and for saving democracy. We are entitled to more from our governments, and Weissmann shows us how we can get it.

"The 2020 election was a total FRAUD!" "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." "There is NO WAY Biden got 80,000,000 votes!!!" These and other lies by Donald Trump sparked a historic insurrection to topple US democracy and undermined the public's faith in elections. The Trump administration's deceit has enabled the use of law enforcement and the military against the people, the unlawful deportation of immigrants, and the disregard of international rules meant to promote a civilized and peaceful world. Other politicians, inspired by the success of the political lie, have flooded the public square with falsehoods of their own. As Andrew Weissmann reveals, our vulnerability to politicians' lies stems from a flaw in America's legal system - one that can be fixed. But it will take courage, creativity, and a willingness to look to other countries, such as Brazil, France, Germany, and the UK, that have already confronted this crisis. A slim, elegant treatise, Liar's Kingdom is a playbook for stopping politicians like Trump from holding office in the future - and for saving democracy. We are entitled to more from our governments, and Weissmann shows us how we can get it.

'This insightful book is is filled with useful ideas for curing work stress ' Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think AgainWhether we like it or not, work is central to our lives. Most of us define ourselves by our work: it gives us a purpose, it enables us to maintain our lives and it puts us often among like-minded people who share and appreciate our skills and achievements. No wonder we feel it is so important. But work can intrude on our lives and unconsciously take over our thoughts, our priorities and even our coping mechanisms. In Mind Over Grind, psychologist Guy Winch explains why our inability to disconnect from work can damage our careers, personal lives and emotional health. Through clear, practical strategies Winch will help you to regain control, change your mindset and be more intentional so that you can excel at work and flourish in your personal life. This is your guide to creating the balanced life you crave.

'Immensely readable ... Lamb's assessment is cool and considered: a thoughtful overview of the conclave's fruit in Leo's first year, and the challenges he faces. The author's gifts for rendering complexity digestible are on full display: American Hope is the most thorough and insightful overview out there of the Church at the start of the Leonine era' - Austen Ivereigh, The Tablet'Incisive ... American Hope combines background with predictions, lacing both together with a strong narrative and mastery of Vatican politics as well as theology ... The influence of Lamb's day job, as CNN's Vatican correspondent, can be seen here in the ease with which he places the Pope in a global context, not least in comparing him with US president Donald Trump and his VP, Catholic convert JD Vance' - Catherine Pepinster, TelegraphAs white smoke signaled a new pope had been chosen on the evening of May 8, 2025, Robert Prevost went from being a relatively unknown cardinal to one of the most famous people on earth, the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. In electing Leo XIV, the College of Cardinals broke with conventional wisdom that there would never be an American pope. Is it a coincidence that he was chosen at a time of unprecedented political turbulence in the United States? Had the cardinals seen in him someone who would act as a spiritual counterweight to President Donald Trump?In American Hope CNN's Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb explores what the election of Pope Leo means not just for the Catholic Church, but for the world. Drawing on his deep understanding of the Vatican and high-level access to cardinals and senior figures, Lamb paints a portrait of Leo as someone who combines an ability to unify with a steely determination to reform. He provides insights into the themes that will dominate Leo's papacy as the new pope steers a path between traditionalists and reformers.Leo is set to make a profound impact on the Church at a transformative moment in its history. In the era of "America First", the story of Leo's life and ministry asks what it truly means to be an American. In a world of conflict, he stands for peace. In a time of uncertainty, he offers a sense of hope.

The story of grass is bigger than grass itself; it is the story of us and our place in the natural world. From creeping turf and towering bamboo, to rolling meadows, vast savannas and fields of wheat, grass is all around us. Yet despite its ubiquity, hardly any of us pay it much mind as we trample it underfoot every day. But what is perhaps the most overlooked plant is in fact one of the most remarkable, and our casual dismissal of it belies a much deeper, more complicated relationship that stretches back to the roots of our own species. In Grass, Julia Rosen shows not only how this extraordinary plant exploded from near ecological obscurity to spread across the planet, reshaping the landscape and producing new ecosystems in its wake, but how its rise to dominance enabled our own.

The story of grass is bigger than grass itself; it is the story of us and our place in the natural world. From creeping turf and towering bamboo, to rolling meadows, vast savannas and fields of wheat, grass is all around us. Yet despite its ubiquity, hardly any of us pay it much mind as we trample it underfoot every day. But what is perhaps the most overlooked plant is in fact one of the most remarkable, and our casual dismissal of it belies a much deeper, more complicated relationship that stretches back to the roots of our own species. In Grass, Julia Rosen shows not only how this extraordinary plant exploded from near ecological obscurity to spread across the planet, reshaping the landscape and producing new ecosystems in its wake, but how its rise to dominance enabled our own.

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A thrilling first-hand account by husband-and-wife CIA operatives who, against all odds, triumphed in a deadly cat-and-mouse game against a mole within the intelligence agency - an unprecedented insider view of 21st-century spycraft.Andrew and Jihi Bustamante were a 'tandem couple': married spies who'd dedicated their lives to the CIA. They met as trainees at Langley, and got married while hunting terrorists across the globe. Then, suddenly, they were assigned to a mission so sensitive and explosive that the CIA has still never acknowledged it. The CIA's source network in a country code-named 'Falcon' - one of America's most formidable rivals - had been compromised by a mole, and the agency needed a new way to collect intelligence there. Young newlyweds the Bustamantes were considered safe choices for this daunting task precisely because they had no experience in Falcon. They were also loyal, forgettable, and completely disposable - operatives who could help to strengthen the CIA's position in Falcon while simultaneously serving as bait for the mole.But although their superiors at the CIA didn't realize it, the Bustamantes also brought another advantage to the table: a granular understanding of how terrorist cells operate, and how the agency could exploit those same tactics to keep the West safe. Assembling a rag-tag team of fellow operatives and recruiting new sources from Falcon, the Bustamantes pioneered a new way of spying by building a cell of their own, right at the heart of the CIA.The propulsive, untold tale of one of history's greatest intelligence crises and the unlikely band of agents who were sent in to clean up the mess, Shadow Cell allows us to peer behind the curtain to see how today's spy wars are being fought - and won.

Bestselling author and renowned psychologist Kelly McGonigal offers a ground-breaking look at joy and how we can embrace it In this paradigm-shifting book psychologist Kelly McGonigal reveals that joy gives life meaning, sustains hope, and helps us feel close to others. It is the emotion that tells us: life is worth living, good things are possible, and you are not alone.And yet, many people find it difficult to allow themselves to feel, show, or even seek joy. Instead, we worry: Is it selfish to want joy? Is joy even possible when life is hard? Weaving together personal storytelling with insights from psychology, neuroscience, and research conducted around the world, McGonigal offers tangible ways to experience this powerful emotion in everyday life. You'll discover:- How joy works in the brain and body to provide relief- How to create moments of meaning, connection, and celebration, in challenging times- Why joy is a form of social support, and how to bring joy to others- Strategies to counteract joy dampening that keeps us from enjoying good moments- Tools to navigate common obstacles to joy, such as envy, guilt, anxiety, and grief- 20 "joy experiments" you can begin implementing todayMotivating and uplifting, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking shows that seeking and sharing joy is an act of courage and compassion-and one you can take even when life is difficult.

Bestselling author and renowned psychologist Kelly McGonigal offers a ground-breaking look at joy and how we can embrace it In this paradigm-shifting book psychologist Kelly McGonigal reveals that joy gives life meaning, sustains hope, and helps us feel close to others. It is the emotion that tells us: life is worth living, good things are possible, and you are not alone.And yet, many people find it difficult to allow themselves to feel, show, or even seek joy. Instead, we worry: Is it selfish to want joy? Is joy even possible when life is hard?Weaving together personal storytelling with insights from psychology, neuroscience, and research conducted around the world, McGonigal offers tangible ways to experience this powerful emotion in everyday life. You'll discover:- How joy works in the brain and body to provide relief- How to create moments of meaning, connection, and celebration, in challenging times- Why joy is a form of social support, and how to bring joy to others- Strategies to counteract joy dampening that keeps us from enjoying good moments- Tools to navigate common obstacles to joy, such as envy, guilt, anxiety, and grief- 20 "joy experiments" you can begin implementing todayMotivating and uplifting, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking shows that seeking and sharing joy is an act of courage and compassion-and one you can take even when life is difficult.

'One of the most important books you'll read this year ' THE NEW FEMINIST'A bold, unapologetic exploration of modern relationships' MARIE CLAIRE'An accessible manifesto to fight back against the digital harms facing women and girls' ADELE WALTONThe rising popularity of misogynistic content and toxic masculinity influencers combined with a lack of regulation within social media has created a perfect storm. Our increasingly online world has opened women and young girls up to a whole new level of violence that follows them into their homes, schools and workplaces.In No One Wants to See Your D*ck, women's rights campaigner Jess Davies reveals the shocking realities of this epidemic and what we can do to stop it. Covering everything from cyberflashing and deepfakes to the manosphere and catfishing, Jess offers practical advice and accessible language to help you understand what is happening online, what to do if you become a victim of it and why drastic change is needed now. Urgent and eye-opening, this is a vital toolkit for understanding and putting an end to violence against women.

If asked to name a psychologist, who springs to mind? No doubt Freud, perhaps Pavlov and his dog, maybe Jung or Piaget.But what of Mary Whiton Calkins, who has still not received her doctorate from 1895 on account of her gender despite her research influencing contemporary psychology; or Mamie Phipps Clark, whose work informed the US court case that ruled racial segregation illegal; and Beatrice Edgell, the first British woman to earn a PhD in psychology, whose studies have determined how generations of children are taught. Crucial to our modern world, yet largely unrecognisable. That changes now.In Absent Minds, award-winning psychologist Dr Madeleine Pownall takes readers from the advent of the discipline through to psychologists' response to the COVID-19 pandemic and screentime debate. Entertaining and empowering, she uncovers lost legacies, documenting how women shaped the field and provided alternative, creative and more critical ways of thinking about the human experience, the benefits of which we still feel today.

'A tour-de-force survey of how birds live their lives - with all the drama, surprise, humour, sadness and amazement of any human soap-opera' - Stephen Moss, author of Ten Birds That Changed the World'Utterly fascinating . . . Strassmann is the perfect guide to this world: an author as much fascinated by the science and research as she is motivated by the sheer joy and wonder of the birds themselves' - James Macdonald Lockhart, author of Raptor* Highly recommended for bird and nature lovers ** Features beautiful illustrations throughout *In The Social Lives of Birds, evolutionary biologist Joan Strassmann examines what it means for birds of a feather to flock together. Some birds sleep together. Some join the foraging groups of other species. Some are only social during the breeding season, forming nesting colonies in trees, cliffs, and sandbanks. Some are altruistic, helping to rear young that are not their own. Some males perform mating dances together.Strassmann explains how flocks provide safety in numbers, roosts offer warmth and shelter, and colonies allow for protected breeding. But group behavior is not without its costs-including increased competition, infidelities, tick infestations, and more. Strassmann exposes the conflicts birds face and the many ways in which they resolve these conflicts. With stories of birds from around the world-from broad-winged hawks that migrate south together in the fall, tree swallows that roost together in the thousands, and tropical anis that nest in communes-The Social Lives of Birds explores the different kinds of bird groups and what to look for when watching them. Above all, it reveals that solitary life, it seems, is not for the birds.'Delightful and informative' - Lee Dugatkin, author of How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog)

'A tour-de-force survey of how birds live their lives - with all the drama, surprise, humour, sadness and amazement of any human soap-opera' - Stephen Moss, author of Ten Birds That Changed the World'Utterly fascinating . . . Strassmann is the perfect guide to this world: an author as much fascinated by the science and research as she is motivated by the sheer joy and wonder of the birds themselves' - James Macdonald Lockhart, author of RaptorIn The Social Lives of Birds, evolutionary biologist Joan Strassmann examines what it means for birds of a feather to flock together. Some birds sleep together. Some join the foraging groups of other species. Some are only social during the breeding season, forming nesting colonies in trees, cliffs, and sandbanks. Some are altruistic, helping to rear young that are not their own. Some males perform mating dances together.Strassmann explains how flocks provide safety in numbers, roosts offer warmth and shelter, and colonies allow for protected breeding. But group behavior is not without its costs-including increased competition, infidelities, tick infestations, and more. Strassmann exposes the conflicts birds face and the many ways in which they resolve these conflicts. With stories of birds from around the world-from broad-winged hawks that migrate south together in the fall, tree swallows that roost together in the thousands, and tropical anis that nest in communes-The Social Lives of Birds explores the different kinds of bird groups and what to look for when watching them. Above all, it reveals that solitary life, it seems, is not for the birds.'Delightful and informative' - Lee Dugatkin, author of How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog)

'Lively . . . peppered with entertaining lines. One of [Low's] skills as a journalist is an ability to sift through mountains of archive material and pick out the gems' - TelegraphCovering 200 years of royal history from Queen Victoria to King Charles, and looking forward to the future reign of King William, Power and the Palace is the gossip-laden and highly revelatory account of the relationship between the sovereign and the prime minister - the real story behind The Crown.Power and the Palace lifts the lid on the mysterious power nexus at the heart of the British state: the secretive and little understood relationship between the monarchy and the government. In vivid, page-turning prose, Valentine Low takes us behind the scenes of the weekly audience to uncover the ever-changing dynamic between sovereign and prime minister - from the romance and flattery that bound Victoria and Benjamin Disraeli, to the personal and political gulf that separated Elizabeth II from Margaret Thatcher.He reveals how the monarchy has gradually ceded political power over the past two hundred years while behind closed doors fighting to keep its finances secure - ensuring the long-term survival of the institution. But it has not all been smooth sailing, and the book includes moments of dramatic tension when the relationship threatened to unravel.Based on nearly 100 interviews with senior politicians, top civil servants, royal aides and constitutional experts, Power and the Palace rewrites our understanding of the political power of the monarchy.

'Lively . . . peppered with entertaining lines. One of [Low's] skills as a journalist is an ability to sift through mountains of archive material and pick out the gems' - TelegraphCovering 200 years of royal history from Queen Victoria to King Charles, and looking forward to the future reign of King William, Power and the Palace is the gossip-laden and highly revelatory account of the relationship between the sovereign and the prime minister - the real story behind The Crown.Power and the Palace lifts the lid on the mysterious power nexus at the heart of the British state: the secretive and little understood relationship between the monarchy and the government. In vivid, page-turning prose, Valentine Low takes us behind the scenes of the weekly audience to uncover the ever-changing dynamic between sovereign and prime minister - from the romance and flattery that bound Victoria and Benjamin Disraeli, to the personal and political gulf that separated Elizabeth II from Margaret Thatcher.He reveals how the monarchy has gradually ceded political power over the past two hundred years while behind closed doors fighting to keep its finances secure - ensuring the long-term survival of the institution. But it has not all been smooth sailing, and the book includes moments of dramatic tension when the relationship threatened to unravel.Based on nearly 100 interviews with senior politicians, top civil servants, royal aides and constitutional experts, Power and the Palace rewrites our understanding of the political power of the monarchy.

'Lively . . . peppered with entertaining lines. One of [Low's] skills as a journalist is an ability to sift through mountains of archive material and pick out the gems' - TelegraphCovering 200 years of royal history from Queen Victoria to King Charles, and looking forward to the future reign of King William, Power and the Palace is the gossip-laden and highly revelatory account of the relationship between the sovereign and the prime minister - the real story behind The Crown.Power and the Palace lifts the lid on the mysterious power nexus at the heart of the British state: the secretive and little understood relationship between the monarchy and the government. In vivid, page-turning prose, Valentine Low takes us behind the scenes of the weekly audience to uncover the ever-changing dynamic between sovereign and prime minister - from the romance and flattery that bound Victoria and Benjamin Disraeli, to the personal and political gulf that separated Elizabeth II from Margaret Thatcher.He reveals how the monarchy has gradually ceded political power over the past two hundred years while behind closed doors fighting to keep its finances secure - ensuring the long-term survival of the institution. But it has not all been smooth sailing, and the book includes moments of dramatic tension when the relationship threatened to unravel.Based on nearly 100 interviews with senior politicians, top civil servants, royal aides and constitutional experts, Power and the Palace rewrites our understanding of the political power of the monarchy.

In her new book, Radical Surrender, Anna Lembke - Stanford psychiatrist and 1.5 million copy bestselling author of Dopamine Nation -reveals why embracing the power of letting go is the solution to overcoming a global crisis of anxiety and loneliness.We are a generation addicted to control. In a world where we are constantly fed the idea that we are the architects of our own happiness, what happens when things don't go our way? We live in constant fear of taking the wrong step, making the wrong choice and missing out on our best lives. The result? An epidemic of anxiety, nihilistic boredom and loneliness.The solution? Embracing the power of letting go.In Radical Surrender, psychiatrist and bestselling author of Dopamine Nation, Dr Anna Lembke, shares inspiring stories and transformative science-led tools to help you let go in a world engineered for control and certainty. By seeking less mastery and more mystery you can experience release from the anxiety that is holding you back. This is your opportunity to discover a newfound joy in the beautiful, unpredictable unfolding of your life.

'Urgent and beautiful, this book shows how our treatment of disability mirrors our treatment of nature. Essential reading' ― Katherine May, author of Wintering'Enlightening, energetic, challenging and essential ... this book should be required reading for everyone' ― Katriona O'Sullivan, author of Poor and Hungry Since childhood, Bethany Handley has always felt most at home out in the wilds of the Welsh countryside. This all changed when Bethany became a full-time wheelchair user in her twenties and suddenly found herself padlocked out of the landscapes she belonged to.Today, nearly one in four people are Disabled in the UK. Yet, public rights of way are blocked in 32,000 places across England and Wales. My Body is a Meadow writes into this troubling landscape, delivering a galvanising call for us to rethink how we live among nature and each other. Join Bethany as she wheels through the British countryside exploring ableism, climate justice and what nature means to her. On this journey we discover the feral boar of the Forest of Dean; how the metal and rubber of a wheelchair can become just as much a part of your body as skin and bone; why swifts rarely land and how maps tell a story of exclusion. Exploring how land ownership, privatised healthcare, biodiversity loss and social marginalisation intertwine, Bethany shows why we must learn from nature's model of shared survival - and urges us to work together to make it open for all. 'A passionate call for an inclusive countryside - nature for all and all for nature' ― Jack Cornish, author of The Lost Paths'A change making book' ― Sally Huband, author of Sea Bean'A stunning exploration of longing for freedom, finding a home in your body and walking your own path in life' ― Pippa Stacey, author of How to Do Life with a Chronic Illness

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One of TIME and Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2025. Natalie Portman's Book Club Pick for March. 'Amanda's story underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams' Melinda French GatesA brave and imaginative memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, detailing her healing journey and ground-breaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard.At a Harvard fraternity party in 2013, the trajectory of Amanda Nguyen's life was changed forever when she was raped.The American-born child of Vietnamese refugees, Nguyen had long dreamed of attending Harvard, and it had become a place of refuge from a childhood filled with turmoil and trauma. Determined to not let her rape derail the life she'd worked so hard to create, she opted for her rape kit to be filed under Jane Doe, knowing that an active court case tied to her name could hurt her odds of working for NASA after graduation, a goal she'd been working toward for years.But she was shocked to learn this choice meant she had only six months to take action before the state of Massachusetts destroyed her kit, rendering any future legal action impossible. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively silenced survivors of sexual assault, or fight for a change.A deeply affecting memoir of grief, survival, and hope, Saving Five details Nguyen's winding journey of recovery and action, which ultimately led her to create the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights, one of the only unanimously passed laws in the history of the United States. Both a tribute to resilience and a lesson on healing, Saving Five is an inspirational story for the ages.

'Saving Five is an extraordinarily moving account of Amanda Nguyen's pursuit of justice and healing for herself and for millions of survivors around the world' Melinda French GatesAstronaut and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen's life was changed forever when she was sexually assaulted as a student at Harvard.Determined not to let her assault derail her goal of joining NASA, Nguyen opted for her rape kit to be filed under 'Jane Doe'. But she was shocked to learn her choice to stay anonymous gave her only six months before the state destroyed her kit. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively denied her justice, or fight for a change - not only for herself but for survivors everywhere.A heart-wrenching memoir of survival, Saving Five weaves the story of Nguyen's activism with a second, beautifully imagined adventure of Nguyen's younger selves as they navigate through her path toward healing. This is a ground-breaking work that traces Nguyen's moving journey of acceptance and hope.From one of the most influential activists and astronauts of her time, Saving Five is a tribute to resilience, a celebration of healing through action and a resounding cry to change the world.

John Sweeney tells stories power and money don't want told. As a war reporter he took crazy risks from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and everywhere else in between. In former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone and Gaza, he lost friends: killed in the firing line of duty. Years later, the BBC got rid of him when had a go at another cult, the one run by Tommy Robinson. Freelance, he headed to Ukraine, staying in the capital for the whole of the Battle of Kyiv.Staying Alive is the autobiography of a reporter who has criticised Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to their faces. In Siberia, Sweeney got punched in the guts; in New York, the Trump organisation put out an attack video against him. When not going undercover in North Korea or Chechnya or Zimbabwe, in Britain he made documentaries on cot death mothers Sally Clark, Angela Cannings and Donna Anthony, that they were not guilty of murdering their babies. Thanks, in part, to Sweeney, they were all freed. In 2023, on the day when nurse Lucy Letby was first convicted of killing seven babies, Sweeney tweeted: "Sometimes the law gets it wrong."It is the story of someone who is a free spirit, not afraid to confront real monsters or to stand up for those falsely accused of being monsters. But all of that leaves scar tissue. The book opens with Sweeney sitting in a psychiatrist's waiting room, on sick leave from the BBC, broken by too many battles.It is a book written by someone who has seen the darkest things people can do to each other but also that information is light, that laughter can light up a prison cell, that love and friendship can keep people going through the worst of times.As information becomes more poisoned by the day, Staying Alive sets out the human cost paid by the people who tell truth to power

'By one of the great psychologists of our time, a book that shows us how we can answer the universal questions that define our lives: Can I succeed? Do I belong? Am I loved?' Carol S. Dweck, bestselling author of MindsetDiscover simple psychological shifts that build trust, belonging, and confidence--from the co-director of the Dweck-Walton Lab at Stanford UniversityThe emotional questions we face can define our lives. If you're expecting an interaction to go wrong, that expectation can make it so. That's spiralling down. But as esteemed Stanford psychologist Greg Walton shows, when we see these questions clearly, we can answer them well. Known to social psychologists as wise interventions, these shifts in perspective can help us chart new trajectories for our lives. They help us spiral up.This is ordinary magic: The everyday experiences that help us set aside the ordinary worries of life to unleash extraordinary change.Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis of fascinating research Dr. Walton pulls back the curtain to reveal the magic at work:- With our children: The few choice words from a parent or a teacher that builds trust and achievement.- In our relationships: How the right opportunity to reflect, for just a few minutes before a conflict conversation, can engender greater intimacy among couples--even a year later.- In school: How learning that everyone feels as out of place at first as you do at a new school--they really do--can unleash extraordinary potential, improving your life a decade later.- In our policy: how a one-page letter reduced recidivism among kids returning to school from juvenile detention by 40 percentage points; a postcard campaign cut suicide rates in half.It's easy to think problems are out of our control. But in fact, we have vast opportunities for change. Ordinary Magic puts the tools for change at your fingertips.

'A really thrilling discovery . . . This is a real extension of our knowledge of women of the period, engagingly told' - Philippa Gregory'It held me captive from the first page to the last. Utterly breathtaking' - Tracy BormanThe youngest of the Maitland siblings, Marie had watched her elder sisters be married off one by one, destined to take up the unavoidable path for women in sixteenth-century Scotland. However, as she neared marrying age, her father, an influential judge, poet and Keeper of the Privy Seal under Mary, Queen of Scots, went blind and suddenly needed someone to act as his scribe and secretary. In taking up this role, Marie indeed avoided the unavoidable, dedicating her life to her father's work. After his death, she put the finishing touches on the Maitland Quarto, long recognised as significant for its preservation of the poetry of the male great-and-good of sixteenth-century Scotland.A rare feat for a woman at the time, but Marie's story doesn't stop there. For hidden in the pages of the Maitland Quarto, historian and translator Ashley Douglas discovered Marie's own secret lesbian love poetry. Penning such poetry in the hostile climate of post-Reformation Scotland, with its suffocating tightening of moral control over society, was an incredible act of bravery. Unable to sign it directly, Marie, insistent on her voice and love being known, littered the manuscript with clues to its true penmanship. Clues that, until now, have remained unseen.Building on her initial discovery of Marie's poetry, in With My Own Hand Ashley Douglas draws on a vast range of newly unearthed primary historical records to tell the fascinating story of Marie and her manuscript, in full, for the very first time.'With My Own Hand is a beautiful tribute to a woman lost to time, a work of history as courageous as its subject . . . Douglas has given us a gift in these pages. We need more historians like her' - Leah Redmond Chang

Drawing on his long and distinguished reporting career, former BBC HARDtalk presenter Stephen Sackur mounts a passionate case for fearless, truth-telling journalism in a world turned toxic by disinformation.From Woodward and Bernstein's famous exposé of a crooked American president to the shocking murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia who confronted deep-rooted corruption in Malta, Hard Truth explores ten dramatic cases where journalists showed astonishing bravery in uncovering the truth; sometimes paying the ultimate price.Stephen Sackur spent many years holding political leaders to account as the presenter of BBC HARDtalk. In Hard Truth he takes us inside a series of global investigations, highlighting the work of extraordinarily courageous journalists, many of them women, in a journey that takes him from the West Bank to Washington, Moscow to Manila.Hard Truth is also the story of Sackur re-examining the assumptions underpinning the journalism he grew up with. Is it enough to bear witness and move on? What does impartiality mean when the truth itself is drowning in a sea of disinformation and lies? Do we need journalists who see themselves as 'activists for the truth'?In a media landscape dominated by a handful of tech oligarchs, in which lies are weaponised and reality is warped by algorithms, independent journalists are increasingly on the front line of the fight to save democracy itself. Hard Truth shows us that there is hope. It is a fight that can still be won.

Stephen Sackur is one of the most respected news journalists in the country. For nearly 20 years, as the lead presenter of the BBC's HARDtalk, he deployed a fearless, forensic style of questioning as the programme's inquisitor-in-chief. In Hard Truth he issues a rallying cry for the vital and continuing role of investigative journalism in holding the powerful to account.From Daniel Ellsberg's exposé of the Pentagon papers to Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption fight in Russia - via the shocking murder of Daphne Caruana who took on systemic corruption in Malta - Hard Truth highlights ten dramatic cases when brave journalists told truth to power, sometimes paying the ultimate price. In a world turned toxic by disinformation, where lies are weaponised and the truth is targeted, independent journalists are increasingly on the frontline of the fight to save democracy. Hard Truth demonstrates that it is a fight that can still be won.