Search Results for: Lifestyle

Polish up on the art of becoming a true lady!
Are you…
Planning to visit a friend or family but don’t want to outstay your welcome? Going shopping on a budget but need to improve your negotiating techniques? Attending a formal event and would like to find the perfect ice-breaker? 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 woman to deport herself with poise and confidence. 

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.

Steve and I clutched hands – his right in my left – and then we simultaneously pushed down with our feet. Cogs clicked, wheels turned, and we were on our way. We left Nordkapp within minutes. Cape Town was only 18,000 kilometres away.
Deciding to break away from his comfortable lifestyle in London, Reza and his friend Steven set off from the most northerly point on mainland Europe to cycle the 11,000 miles to the other end of the planet, completely unsupported.
Their expedition becomes a race against the clock, as they attempt to complete the trip in a world record of just 100 days. Battling punishing terrain and primitive roads, harsh and debilitating climates, malaria, food poisoning and heat stroke, their thrilling journey brings them face to face with some of the world’s most stunning, memorable and volatile regions.
This is the intensely personal story of one man’s mission to create a more positive, purposeful life, and the compelling account of the epic journey he took to get there.

Embark on an exhilarating expedition through human history with this whirlwind tour of the essentials of archaeology

From the ancient wonders of Egypt and Pompeii to the mysteries of lost Mayan civilizations and the enigmatic Nazca Lines in Peru, this captivating guide offers a whirlwind tour of humanity’s past through the art of archaeology.

Archaeology isn’t just about dusty artifacts and buried ruins – it’s about understanding ourselves and our shared history. In this pocket-sized treasure trove, you’ll uncover the secrets of archaeological discovery and exploration and find out how it can illuminate the past, inform the present, and shape the future.

You’ll learn about the pivotal moments and discoveries that changed the way we view the past; meet the trailblazers and pioneers who have shaped the field, from Howard Carter to Kathleen Kenyon; discover the methods and techniques that archaeologists use to unearth, excavate and preserve their findings; and consider contemporary ethical issues surrounding cultural heritage and repatriation.

Packed with fascinating facts, intriguing mysteries and breathtaking discoveries, The Little Book of Archaeology is the perfect companion for anyone curious about the world beneath our feet. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or embarking on your first excavation, this accessible and engaging guide is sure to spark your imagination and ignite your passion for the ancient world.

Have you ever wondered…

• Who was the youngest WW2 serviceman to fight in battle?

• How low did the Dambusters fly?

• How many ships were sunk at Pearl Harbor?

From the Battle of Britain to the Siege of Leningrad, the horrors of the Holocaust to the D-Day landings, on the Home Front and abroad, the Second World War changed the political, social and economic structure of the world. Through
its battles, aircraft, weapons, soldiers, campaigns and heroes, this comprehensive miscellany is a compelling guide to one of the most destructive and all-encompassing wars the world has ever seen.

Escape to the sunlight and colour of a wild island in the south Aegean.

When Jennifer moves alone into the Honey Factory on a tiny Greek island, bringing a laptop, her hiking boots and plans for a peaceful life, she has no idea what surprises are in store.

Diving into an exciting new life with a fisherman, she learns something every day. Joining the dancing at local festivals and helping at a café on the beach, surviving winter storms and finding a canine companion, she is faced with both challenges and rewards, and discovers that to become an island woman she must live small and think big.

I came here looking for some kind of happiness. I think it might be the cleverest thing I have ever done.

One heartbroken winter, Jennifer decides to act on her dream of moving to a tiny Greek island – because life is too short not to reach out for what makes us happy.

Funny, romantic and full of surprising twists, Falling in Honey is a story about relationships, tzatziki, adventures, swimming, Greek dancing, starfish… and a bumpy but beautiful journey into Mediterranean sunshine.

Join travel writer Tom Chesshyre in this charming celebration of our favourite green spaces from around the world

People love parks – and more than that, people need parks. We crave greenery, fresh air and birdsong. Whether we’re in Colombia or Korea, America or Australia, urban parks are places where we can find calm amid the chaos. They can also (more often than we may realize) conceal intriguing hidden histories, and can tell us something about modern life in our frenzied world, too.

With fondness and humour, travel writer Tom Chesshyre recalls 50 of his favourite urban parks from across the world, in a love letter to the green escapes that bring us joy in our cities.

Fired by a long enthusiasm for all things Greek, Edward Enfield mounts his trusty Raleigh to follow in the footsteps of such notable travellers to Greece as Benjamin Disraeli, Edward Lear and the Romantic poet Lord Byron.

Fortified by delicious fish dinners and quantities of draught retsina, he tackles the formidable roads of the Peloponnese before plunging, on a later trip, into the rugged heartlands of Epirus and Acarnania. His travels are set against the great panorama of Greek history – Greeks and Romans, Turks and Albanians, Venetians, Englishmen and Germans all people his pages.

An enchanting travelogue that combines wit, charm and scholarship, Greece On My Wheels is a superb example of travel writing at its unforgettable best.

Charge into this battle of wits and emerge victorious by putting your knowledge of military history to the test

Whether you choose to while away the hours or simply try a quick-fire quiz, there is plenty within these pages to hone your mental agility. You will need to be on the attack in order to prove your knowledge of everything from warfare and weaponry to tactics and troops, from ancient times to modern combat.

As well as anagrams to annihilate, trivia to target and crosswords to crush, inside these pages you will find a variety of puzzles, including:

– Solve the clues to find some of history’s most notorious missiles
– Conquer the crossword to reveal six classic drill instructions
– Decipher the anagrams to discover the battles that shaped the course of history
– Seek out the Allied fighter aircraft in the grid

What are you waiting for? Arm yourself with a pencil and answer the call of duty!

Did you know?
Ireland has won the Eurovision Song Contest more times (seven!) than any other country. Ireland has had its own version of the Olympics – the Tailteann Games – since the Bronze Age. From the castles, battles and mythology of yore to the landmarks and geography that still impress today, Ireland has the power to captivate us all. This miscellany is fizzing with fascinating trivia about all things Irish, so as well as getting the low-down on their sparkling music scene, rich literary pedigree and sporting greats, you’ll also gain unique insights into all the incomparable things that make Ireland grand. 

At 2,922 miles, the Congo is the eighth longest river and the deepest in the world, with a flow rate second only to the Amazon. Ex-Marine Phil Harwood embarked on an epic solo journey from the river’s true source in the highlands of Zambia through war-torn Central Africa. With no outside help whatsoever he faced swamps, waterfalls, man-eating crocodiles, hippos, aggressive snakes and spiders’ webs the size of houses. He collapsed from malaria, and was arrested, intimidated and chased. On one stretch, known as ‘The Abattoir’ for its history of cannibalism and reputation for criminal activity, the four brothers he hired as bodyguards were asked by locals, ‘Why haven’t you cut his throat yet?’ But he also received tremendous hospitality from proud and brave people long forgotten by the Western world, especially friendly riverside fishermen who helped wherever they could on Phil’s exhilarating and terrifying five-month journey.

Author’s documentary film of the journey, available on his website ww.canoeingthecongo.com, won several awards and went on tour in North America with the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival.

Did you know…
William IV was wont to speak his mind and could sometimes lack tact, which is said to have inspired the nickname ‘Silly Billy’? Edward III banned all sports, including football, on Sundays, so that his subjects could be free to concentrate solely on their archery? Coronation chicken was invented for foreign guests to enjoy at Elizabeth II’s coronation? This rich miscellany celebrates the fascinating history of the British Royal Family, from the reign of Egbert, King of Wessex, to the monarchy of the present day. Full of titillating trivia, little-known facts, bite-size biographies and memorable quotations, it paints a colourful picture of how the kings and queens of this noble land have shaped the way we live today.

Have you ever wondered who fired the first British shot of World War One? Or who claimed the glory of downing the Red Baron? And what has Winnie the Pooh got to do with it all?

Telling the stories of the battles, the aircraft, the weapons, the soldiers, the poets, the campaigns and the many heroes, Norman Ferguson delves deep into the history of the ‘Great War’. Through anecdotes and statistics, and drawing on letters, speeches and official reports, this comprehensive miscellany is a compelling guide to a war that transformed and marked forever the course of twentieth-century history.

“Easy going, discursive and digressive, even those to whom trains are a closed timetable will find this a charming travelogue.” – Stuart Maconie

Join travel writer and self-confessed “train nut” Tom Chesshyre as he celebrates 200 years of passenger railways on a zigzagging tour around the UK – the home of the railways – from the Isle of Wight to Snowdonia, Inverness and Penzance

In a small market town in the northeast of England in 1825, something momentous happened: ticket-bearing human beings began moving along wrought-iron tracks on a contraption with wheels powered by engines. The contraption was called a “train”. What happened in Darlington, along a 26-mile line to Stockton, would kickstart the railway revolution. Today, 1.3 million miles of tracks crisscross the planet.

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of this groundbreaking event, Tom Chesshyre embarks on a journey around the country that invented trains, taking in many heritage lines maintained by armies of enthusiasts. On a series of rides beginning and ending in Darlington on a train-inspired circle, Tom enjoys the scenery, seeks out the history, dodges delays (best he can), and lets the rhythm of the clattering rails help him understand what it is about trains – especially wonderful old trains – that we love so much.

Magic, to a sailor, is harnessing the wind – getting something for nothing – the surprise of a gust, the boon of a side-wind and the trial of a headwind and best of all, the moment when a change in direction means turning away from the head seas and wind and spray in silence and warmth. In 1969, man flew to the moon and sailed around the world solo. In 2009, sailor and Londoner Steffan Meyric Hughes thought he’d try something a little closer to home, becoming the first to sail and row around London in a small boat. Along the way, he discovers the history of the great city and great secrets of the mysterious Thames: wrecks, bombs and intrigue. Circle Line is the story of a unique journey on the forgotten waterways of one of the world’s greatest capitals; an investigation into the way we live today; and a humorous, moving trip down memory lane.

Have you ever wondered…


• How fast a Spitfire could travel?
• Which pilot won Fighter Command’s only Victoria Cross?
• What a ‘Stuka Party’ was?



Telling the stories of the commanders, the air raids, the pilots, the aircraft and the vital use of the world’s first radar air defence system, this comprehensive miscellany is a compelling guide to this most crucial of Second World War battles – the first to be fought solely in the air.

Did you know?
Nessie is not the only monster supposedly living in a Scottish loch. Loch Morar has its own: Morag. The first Open golf Championship was played in Scotland, at Prestwick in 1860. As well as television, insulin, chloroform and the telephone, Scotland has given the world kaleidoscopes, contour lines, tinned salmon and Andy Murray. This miscellany of all things Scottish will have you quoting Burns, reeling off famous battles and fizzing with fascinating trivia in no time. As well as getting the low-down on the who, what, when and where of Scottish history – including profiles of William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie – you’ll gain plenty of insight into the food, drink, landscape, culture and everything else that makes Scotland exceptional.

Celebrate the wit and wisdom of Winston Churchill with this collection of inspiring quotes

Sir Winston Churchill had a wonderful way with words, motivating the masses with his quips, statements and speeches, and he is regarded as a British hero. His inspirational leadership led the nation to victory in the Second World War, and he continues to be a voice of strength, courage and perseverance, with his powerful quotes inspiring millions today.

This collection features over 140 of Winston Churchill’s wittiest remarks and sagest sayings. With quotes on life, education, philosophy and more, this book is a celebration of the former prime minister’s famous oratorical skills. It’s the perfect gift for history lovers, British patriots and literary fans alike.

Discover legendary Churchillian quotes such as:

– “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
– “Never give in. Never, never, never, never.”
– “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
– “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

And many more!

From rogan josh and rendang to bunny chow and vindaloo, dive into this celebration of one of the world’s most popular dishes: curry

There are few foods more diverse than curry. It’s a dish, an ingredient and a cooking method; it can be made hot or mild; vegetarian or vegan; and it can be served with rice, breads, chutneys or pickles. However, while curry comes in many forms, at the heart of the dish is always its flavour – the wonderful alchemy of spices that’s guaranteed to delight the taste buds.

This handy pocket guide will give you a taste of the following and much more:
– Find food for thought with the history of curry around the world
– Whet your appetite with the hottest bites of curry trivia
– Cultivate your palate by growing your own spices
– Discover delicious curry recipes which will allow you to eat your way around the world in your very own kitchen

The Little Book of Curry will help you spice up your life one dish at a time.

From seaweed-wrapped maki rolls to tuna-topped nigiri, dive into this celebration of one of the world’s favourite delicacies

There are few foods more recognizable than sushi. Originating in Japan, the iconic fluffy white rice that’s topped, wrapped or rolled with beautifully prepared fish and vegetables is an art form as much as it is a meal.

This handy pocket guide will give you a taste of the following and much more:
– Find food for thought with the history of sushi
– Learn about different kinds of sushi, from the traditional to the modern, and how to eat it
– Whet your appetite with delicate bites of trivia Discover mouth-watering recipes, allowing you to bring Japan to your very own kitchen

Whether you are a curious beginner or a seasoned connoisseur, The Little Book of Sushi will be your handy guide to the bite-sized delicacy which has found favour all over the world.

‘The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’


This inspiring collection gathers together Winston Churchill’s wisest and wittiest quotations.The Wit and Wisdom of Winston Churchill showcases his finest hour and is sure to delight all admirers of this great British statesman’s rousing and compelling way with words.

This inspiring collection gathers together Winston Churchill’s wisest and wittiest quotations.

Quotable Churchill showcases his finest hour and is sure to delight all lovers of this great British statesman’s rousing and compelling way with words.