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The complete autobiography of the great adventurer Sir Francis Chichester, the first and fastest man to singlehandedly circumnavigate the globe.

Aged 18 and with a taste for adventure, Francis Chichester emigrated to New Zealand with ten pounds in his pocket. He tried his hand at a number of ill-fated careers -a boxer, shepherd, lumberjack, and gold prospector, to name a few before returning to England. Having qualified as a pilot, in 1929 he embarked on his most famous solo flight in the de Havilland Gipsy Moth from England to Australia. Shortly afterward, he survived a near-death catastrophe in an attempt to fly solo around the world. Turning to sailing, he won the first single-handed transatlantic yacht race in Gipsy Moth III, despite having been diagnosed with cancer two years previously. In 1967, he became the first person to sail around the world solo from west to east via the great capes. Here, his entire life – including his greatest failures and successes – are told by the man who experienced it all first hand. A foreword from his son, Giles Chichester, is also included.

With passion and wit, Bernard Levin describes his travels on foot through the beautiful countryside of south-eastern France. He follows in the mighty footsteps of the great Carthaginian enemy of Rome, Hannibal, who made the expedition with an army and elephants nearly two millennia before.

From the Camargue via the Rhône Valley, across the Alps and into Italy during August snowstorms, he comments on the social and historical importance of the landscapes he passes through, taking detours to the table of chef Jacques Pic at Valence and the Arles region immortalised by Van Gogh. The journey would not have been complete without enjoying the hospitality of the Moussets – the fifth generation of their family to produce wine at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, before turning eastwards, to face the greater challenge of the Alps.

Have moles always lived in holes?

Why are blondes so stupid?

How much radiation can a pickled onion withstand?

The world is full of really important questions. You will find none of them in this book. What you will find is plenty of nonsense, lots of lies and just enough truth to make you double check the ‘facts’ with a reliable source.

Following the huge success of the New Scientist books Does Anything Eat Wasps? and Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze?, this is an alternative take on human curiosity. With detailed answers to ridiculous questions, if you’ve learnt absolutely nothing useful by the time you’ve finished this book, at least you’ll be laughing.

Ever been lost for words abroad?

When you want to get your point across abroad there’s only one way to do it: by swearing your ar*e off! Impress the world with a stream of multi-lingual profanity from this nifty pocket book.

Hugo Soskin, son of best-selling author on Rennes-le-Chateau Henry Lincoln, has no time for the French Pyrenean village and its mysteries. He is fed up with the whole subject of how a nineteenth-century priest came to be a millionaire overnight and why he built so many bizarre clues into his church and his home. But when he and his wife decide to drive an old camper van to Spain to start a new life, they can’t resist a tiny peek en route at the village that enthralls and captivates so many. After agreeing to work on a nearby campsite for a season, Soskin starts to absorb the culture and rhythms of life in south-west France, where working in the shadow of Rennes-le-Chateau exposes him to loony treasure hunters and conspiracy theorists, all of whom assume he has inside knowledge that could help them crack the mystery and find the hidden gold. If this isn’t bad enough, Soskin’s father arrives accompanied by a group of fanatical ‘Rennies’, including the punk rocker ‘Rat Scabies’, needing his assistance in touring places of interest and wanting to know Soskin’s own theory about the mysteries of Rennes-le-Chateau: surely he knows more than he is telling? Will he reveal all?

You don’t have to be magic to harness the power of the unicorn. Bring some sparkle into your life with this guide to work, rest and play – the unicorn way!
– Harness your unicorn power
– Health tips to keep your coat glossy and hooves strong
– Hone your rainbow style
– Learn mystical methods to achieving your dreams

Learn to spot the stars and rainbows in everyday life and celebrate the real you – a magical, unique being – with this a-mane-zing book!

Polish up on the art of becoming the complete bachelor!
 Are you…
Attending a formal dinner but worried you won’t know which fork to use? Planning a trip abroad but unsure of what to pack? Joining a yachting club and need to know the correct attire?  Bursting with witty, practical advice on the ins and outs of etiquette, from how one should dress for a formal occasion to what behaviour one should adopt while travelling abroad, this guide will help every modern man to deport himself with poise and confidence.

The Little Book of Going Green aims to shed light on the ways humans are harming the environment, from pollution and deforestation to industrial production and farming methods. Filled with facts, theories and tips on how we can do our bit for the planet, this is your one-stop guide to making every aspect of your life earth-friendly.

This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with quirky facts, quotes, handy hints and surprising stories is the perfect pick-me-up for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of gardening.

For your pleasure and amusement we present the Lady`s Puzzler, a charming little volume filled with enough crafty conundrums to keep any modern gent thoroughly engaged and entertained in everyday moments of idleness or ennui.

For your pleasure and amusement we present the Gentleman’s Puzzler, a charming little volume filled with enough crafty conundrums to keep any modern gent thoroughly engaged and entertained in everyday moments of idleness or ennui.

‘It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a home-grown tomato.’
Lewis Grizzard

WISE WORDS FOR GARDENERS

The World War Two slogan is still pertinent in these thrifty times as more people than ever are turning to self-sufficiency and growing their own fruit and vegetables. This little compendium is packed with tips and hints on how to make the most of your garden along with witty quotations to help you dig for victory.

This beautifully illustrated guide contains specific month-by-month ‘to do’ lists for ornamental gardens, edible crops and general maintenance, as well as tips on things to look out for, such as pests and how to eliminate them. With diary pages for making your own notes each month, this pocket-sized calendar is a must-have whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out. 

Things you could be doing instead of being on your phone:
– Learning some Cockney rhyming slang
– Doing the tree pose
– Bottling a whole pear

There’s more to life than looking at your phone. Beyond that tiny screen there’s a whole world of fun, cool and weird things you could be doing instead! Whether you want to fill five minutes or spend an entire afternoon, this handy book is bursting with fascinating trivia, amazing facts and suggestions to free you from your screen – from the useful, to the fun, to the downright bizarre. Become the most interesting person you know: put down your phone, pick up a book – this book – and learn something new!

‘There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.’
Alfred Austin

Inspired by all things green and flourishing, this is the perfect book to dip into for a moment’s reflection, whether you are cooped up on a rainy day or admiring the fruits of your labour on a summer evening.

What would it feel like to be out there alone in that empty vastness? Just before midnight on 24 November 2011, Felicity is left completely alone on the coast of Antarctica. The isolation is instant and devastating. Only three people in the world have crossed Antarctica alone. The first two were men and both Norwegian. At the age of 34, British woman Felicity Aston became the third. Unlike her predecessors, she didn’t use kites or parasails to assist her. Within days, frozen into her facemask and reflecting on what had drawn her to such a place, she was battling desperate weather as she towed her heavy sledges. Every morning she wakes believing she cannot face another day as the expedition becomes a race against time to reach the coast before the last flight out. This gripping and inspirational account of personal endurance shows what you can achieve when you grit your teeth and decide just to get through today in one piece.

Hygge (pronounced ‘hue-ga’) is a Danish word that describes the feeling of being cosy, comfortable and at peace with the world. It’s almost impossible to translate into English, but this concept might explain why Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world.
The Art of Hygge is packed with delicious recipes to share with friends, craft ideas for decorating your home, and inspirational suggestions for enjoying the magic of everyday pleasures. Whether it’s a soothing mug of hot chocolate, a tasty butternut squash soup or a snuggly pair of felt slippers, you’ll find that a little hygge brings a lot of happiness!

Based on the social media sensation, #WeRateDogs features photos of the most heroic puppers, adorable floofers and entertaining pooches the world has ever seen. It will take you on a journey through the science of dog rating and the unwavering rules associated with it. They are certainly not arbitrary and this book is definitely not just about how cute dogs are.

The question has been popped, the ring has been presented and the celebrations have begun! What’s next? Just the wedding.

Top Tips for Brides presents ingenious ideas for the any bride-to-be, covering the ever-so-stressful months preceding the wedding – including the hen party and choosing your attire – to the big day itself.

All you need is love. And a plant.

Whether you’re a plant lover looking for seeds of inspiration, or a beginner hoping to cultivate your very own urban jungle, this little book is bursting with tips and ideas to help you hone your green fingers and become a true plant parent.

Time: 10+ minutes to play
Number of players: 2+
Ages: 3+
Includes: 52 cards, plus 8 instruction cards
Assembly required? No
Batteries required? No

Fun for all the family!

Say hello to Master Swishy the Narwhal, Mrs Snoozy the Sloth, Miss Dazzle the Pineapple and Mr Stardust the Unicorn as you have hours of fun playing hilarious, super cute card games, including:
– Llama Drama
– Nuclear Narwhal
– Rainbow Row
– Pug

Time: Depends how long you last!

Number of players: 2

Includes: 52 playing cards, plus an instruction card

Ages: 18+

Assembly required? No

Batteries required? No

Warning: Not suitable for persons under 18 years. For adult use only.

Who cares about winning? In this game, it’s the taking part that counts…

This X-rated version of the classic game of Snap is all about speed, spontaneity and paying close attention to the sex positions on the cards. It’ll leave you and your opponent gagging for more.

It’s the best of times and the worst of times. You’re welcoming a new addition to the family, but you’re now officially old. You’re also an eternal babysitter. On the plus side, you can enjoy spoiling the little darlings rotten and hand them back at the end of the day before the nappies start overflowing.

Packed with over 500 photos and clear, step-by-step instructions, Practical Taekwondo: Back to the Roots offers a wealth of interpretations of ITF and WTF taekwondo patterns. Using the techniques that the author has discovered and tested, it shows readers how they can find their own applications.

ITF and WTF practitioners alike will find this book to be invaluable. No matter what level you are in your study of taekwondo, this book will help you look at patterns in a completely different way. Whether you are a white belt or a black belt, this book is packed with information that will make your training practical and relevant to the social challenges of the twenty-first century.