Search Results for: General Interest

A bike can be so many different things – a simple way of navigating busy city streets or enjoying quiet lanes, a cross-country steed to take a rider up hill and down dale or even a world-beating racing machine. What unites everyone who rides is that they each have their own cycling story to tell.
This book collects inspirational stories from riders around the world, both ordinary and extraordinary, from the cyclist who conquered Mont Ventoux on a Boris bike, to the trials rider who hops from building to building, to classic tales of Grand Tour rivalries and legendary cycling records of days gone by. Essential reading for anyone who loves life on two wheels.

If you want to know your Freud from your Jung and your Milgram from your Maslow, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of psychology. Including accessible primers on:

– The early thinkers who contributed to psychological ideas and the birth of modern psychology
– Famous (and often controversial) experiments and their repercussions
– What psychology can teach us about memory, language, conformity, reasoning and emotions
– The ethics of psychological studies
– Recent developments in the modern fields of evolutionary and cyber psychology.

This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how the study of mind and behaviour has sculpted the world we live in and the way we think today.

Unlock the secrets of human behaviour and explore the thoughts, motivations and perspectives of the people around you in this beginner’s guide to personality psychology

If you have ever wondered what makes us who we are, then you are not alone. The reasons behind why we think the way we do have captured the minds of philosophers and scientists for hundreds of years, leading to the development of one of the largest branches of psychology: personality psychology.

Personality psychology examines our personalities and considers how they develop and vary from person to person. In this pocket-sized guide, you will discover the forces that influence our personalities, and in turn how our personality influences our actions.

In this accessible introduction, you will learn about:

· Theories and key thinkers who have pioneered the study of personality
· The different personality tests and what they tell us about people’s minds
· Personality disorders and how they can impact our daily lives

From Maslow to Jung, and Freud to Darwin, this fascinating little book is a perfect guide to personality psychology, for both novices and experts alike. Delve in and uncover the secrets of our minds and innermost selves.

Marathons make you miserable, but they also give you the most unlikely and the most indescribable pleasures. It’s a world that I love – a world unlocked when you dress up in lycra, put plasters on your nipples and run 26.2 miles in the company of upwards of 30,000 complete strangers. Phil Hewitt, who has completed over 25 marathons in conditions ranging from blistering heat to snow and ice, distils his personal experiences into a light-hearted account of his adventures along the way from Berlin to New York, and explores our growing fascination with marathon running. This story of an ordinary guy’s addiction to running marathons – an addiction hundreds of thousands share – looks at the highs and lows, the motivation that keeps you going when your body is crying out to stop, and tries to answer the ultimate question, ‘Why do you do it?’

Put your knowledge of real-life kidnappers, killers, con artists and thieves to the test with this gripping compendium of puzzles and trivia

Journey to the darkest corners of human nature and discover the events that have ensnared the interest of humankind across the globe and throughout time. Dive deep into this entertaining book, where the most notorious heists, cons and crimes are reimagined as puzzles.

From crosswords and counting conundrums to spot the differences and sudoku, whether you’re a true crime junkie or just morbidly curious, there’s plenty in these pages to sharpen your mind and shred your nerves.

Inside you will find a variety of puzzles, including:

– Spot the differences between the two detective boards
– Shuffle the letters to reveal three types of murderer
– Guide the stolen goods through the maze to the getaway vehicle
– Solve the trivia questions to uncover gruesome facts about notorious serial killers

Supercharge your confidence, enhance your well-being and live life as your best self with the help of this modern guide to the ancient art of Stoicism

Whether you seek greatness or joy, self-knowledge or self-control, the Stoic philosophy can teach you how to exercise the mental muscles you need to rise above everyday stresses and manage whatever life throws at you.

The Stoic’s Guide to Life features philosophical insights and simple, actionable tips that will uplift and inspire you, as well as a treasure trove of wise words from giants of philosophy, from Marcus Aurelius and Zeno to Epictetus and Seneca.

Discover how to:

– Build mental strength and emotional resilience

– Distinguish between what is within your power to influence and what isn’t

– Find peace, even on the busiest of days

– Cultivate the four Stoic virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice

Life’s journey isn’t always a stroll in the park, but there are ways you can forge your own path. With the wisdom inside this little book, you will be empowered to find happiness and meaning in our modern world.

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.

You might run for fitness. You might run for speed. But ultimately, running is about much more than the physical act itself. It is about the challenges we face in life, and how we measure up to them. It is about companionship, endurance, ambition, hope, conviction, determination, self-respect and inspiration. It is about how we choose to live our lives, and what it means to share our values with other people.

In this year-long memoir, which might be described as a historian’s take on Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, the celebrated historian Ian Mortimer considers the meaning of running as he approaches his fiftieth birthday. From injuries and frustrated ambitions to exhilaration and empathy, it is a personal and yet universal account of what running means to people, and how it helps everyone focus on what really matters.

A life-saving illustrated guide to making student life easier, more productive and more fun. With shortcuts to academic success, tips for making the most of the student experience and – most importantly – hangover hacks to make things better the next day.

Welcome to the world of being a student! Where gaining knowledge is top priority and partying follows closely behind. The majority of your time in higher education will be spent moaning about lectures, then about exams and assignments, and then about how broke you are every month. Luckily this fully illustrated manual is here to solve your everyday dilemmas, with low-budget tips and tricks on all aspects of student living, including:

– Ways to make your student loan stretch further
– Tips to help you get out of bed in time for class
– Study, exam and revision hacks, including how to listen to your lectures in half the time
– How to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew – and how to get wine stains out of the carpet
– A trick for changing those pesky duvet covers
– How to store your beer bottles in the fridge without them toppling over
– Drawer and wardrobe space maximizers
– Party hacks
– Food and drink hacks to use up leftovers and make the most of whatever’s hiding in your fridge
Whether you’re a fresh-faced fresher or a seasoned student searching for shortcuts, this trusty guide will be your go-to for all occasions, helping to make your student years gloriously hassle-free.

Whether you’re looking for a one-stop shop to track and improve your general well-being, or you want to focus on a specific area of your health, this journal is the perfect place to start.

Divided into monthly chapters to help you stay on track 365 days of the year, My Fitness Tracker includes tips and advice on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle, along with lots of inspiration to keep you motivated. You’ll also find a variety of interactive pages where you can record your fitness journey, including:
– Your exercise goals and achievements
– How well you hydrate
– What you’re eating and where you can improve your diet
– How exercise and healthy eating affect your mood and sleeping habits
– Your alcohol intake and how you can reduce it

Simply spend five minutes a day recording your eating and exercise habits and enjoy looking back on the progress you’re making. There’s no better time to get your life on track and form a healthier relationship with fitness and food. You’ve got this!

Seek the truth at the heart of the world’s most bizarre cases in this chilling collection of unsolved mysteries

Did you hear about the woman who died inside a tree?

What about the legend of the Beast of Bodmin Moor?

Do you know that UFOs flew over Belgium?

Intriguing, captivating and downright bizarre, this heart-pounding collection of unexplained events is guaranteed to keep you up at night. Throughout history, unsolved mysteries have left us searching for answers.

Baffling stories of strange happenings and seemingly supernatural events mean we are terrified of what we can’t understand. Theories and folklore surround these events, but as we look for a rational explanation, perhaps the truth might be even more sinister.

Learn about the world’s most elusive secrets, and how people have attempted to explain them. Unsolved Mysteries includes:
– Strange disappearances
– Suspicious deaths
– Ghosts and hauntings
– Mystifying landmarks
– UFO sightings
– Mythical beasts

Dive into this peculiar collection of cold cases and paranormal events and see if you can uncover the “truth”.

‘The secret of getting ahead is getting started.’ Mark Twain


Organise your stuff and organise your life – you’ll soon see the results.


This book tells you exactly how to get your sh*t together, so you can be the best version of yourself.
Use its winning blend of super-achievable life hacks, motivating quotations and lots of good sh*t to kick-start your transformation.

You’re not alone in feeling lonely

In a world more connected than ever before, it can be hard to unravel why it is that you feel alone. The truth is, whether you’re sociable or solitary, extroverted or introverted, loneliness can affect us all at some point in our lives.

This pocket-sized guide will help you recognize and understand the way you feel, and offers practical advice for looking after your mental and physical well-being. From improving self-care to cultivating relationships, this book is here to help you break up with loneliness for good.

It’s time to meet your new superheroes

Discover the fascinating stories behind 38 iconic people of colour, all of them ground-breakers, risk-takers and game-changers. Whether they are activists, athletes, scientists or superstars, every one of them has been a trailblazer in their field and has paved the way for future change. It’s time these individuals took centre stage and had their achievements celebrated the world over.

This book will introduce you to some of the most influential people of colour from across the globe and throughout history, including several modern-day icons.

Among others, you will learn about the incredible lives and achievements of:
– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
– Barack Obama
– Chadwick Boseman
– Florence Price
– Jimi Hendrix
– Kamala Harris
– Laverne Cox
– Malala Yousafzai
– Maria Tallchief
– RuPaul

Each inspiring profile also features a bespoke illustration.

Be empowered and inspired by their extraordinary stories, their awesome accomplishments and their words of wisdom in this pocketbook of remarkable people.

The knowledge you need to help you succeed
Nerves are normal and natural, but if you’re worried about an upcoming exam, help is at hand. Whatever the subject, and whether you’re 15 or 50, the bite-size tips in this easy-to-follow guide will help you study efficiently, stay focused, and safeguard your physical and mental health. From early planning to final preparation, these simple steps will shut down your stress and fire up your confidence.

This is just the beginning…

Retirement is a fresh chapter, another adventure and permission to try something new. It’s also a great time to take care of your health, your money and your everyday happiness. This is the essential guide to your new life of opportunity, relaxation and enjoyment, whether you’re in need of inspiration for holidays and hobbies or advice on staying active, mentally sharp and emotionally fulfilled. Practical, insightful and enlivening, these ideas are perfect for any newcomer to full-time freedom.

There’s a lot of sh*t you should know
For example:
Today, the people of earth take more photos in two minutes than they did in the whole of the nineteenth century. The Andromeda galaxy is 2.6 million light years from earth, but can be seen with the naked eye on a clear night. The first marathon was undertaken in 490 BCE by a Greek messenger running from Marathon to Athens – unfortunately, he died of exhaustion when he arrived. This outrageously informative book is bursting with enough mind-blowing trivia to make your head spin. Whether you want to know your shit about history, science, literature, technology, sport, geography or almost any other kind of miscellanea, this is the essential guide for you.

An illustrated compendium of kickass women in sport, from around the world and throughout history, including legends like Billie Jean King and modern-day superstars like Simone Biles and Dina Asher-Smith. The perfect book to inspire any sports fan.

Meet your new superheroes

Discover the fascinating stories behind 38 iconic and internationally renowned women in sport, all of them record-breakers, trailblazers and game-changers. Whether from the world of soccer, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, boxing or skiing, every one of these women has been a ground-breaker in her field. It’s time these individuals took centre stage and had their achievements celebrated the world over.

Be empowered and inspired by their extraordinary stories, their awesome achievements and their wonder-words of wisdom with this pocketbook of remarkable women from across the globe and throughout history. Among others, you will learn about the incredible lives and achievements of:
– Simone Biles
– Serena Williams
– Dina Asher-Smith
– Rachael Heyhoe Flint
– Jessica Ennis-Hill
– Nicola Adams
– Danica Patrick
– Paula Radcliffe
– Michelle Kwan
– Megan Rapinoe
– Ellen MacArthur
– Ibtihaj Muhammad
– Ronda Rousey

Each inspiring profile also features a bespoke illustration.

Could you make a fire?
Are you able to sew on a button?
Do you know how to negotiate a pay rise?
If the answer to any of the above is no, then don’t worry – you’re not alone. Luckily, this book is here to give you a helping hand. Full of useful advice and practical skills that everyone should know, it will provide you with the essential knowledge you need to tackle life’s everyday challenges. From the little things, like how to boil an egg or treat a blister, right up to the big things, like speaking in public, this handy guide will arm you with all the skills you need to navigate life in the real world like a pro.

‘I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.’
Joseph Addison
This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, handy hints and captivating stories and quotes from the world of birds, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy of birdwatching.

Ever accidentally used your thumb as a hammer cushion while putting up a picture hook?

Do you become enraged at the uncontrollable bobbing of the straw in your drinks can?

Are you yearning to find a way to make your toilet roll tube enhance your music listening experience?

These and dozens of other everyday dilemmas are solved with Life Hacks, your handy guide to solving little annoyances before they turn into big problems. This fully illustrated manual covers everything from nifty electric cable management to ingenious cooking methods and much, much more.

Remember: if life throws you a curveball – HACK IT!

Everyone has the power to make a difference in the world, as long as they know where to start.

Drawing inspiration from celebrated activists and their groundbreaking work, this empowering little book will introduce you to the key forms of contemporary activism, showing you how you can engage in political and social movements. You’ll have everything you need to stand up and be a force for change.

‘Dance is the hidden language of the soul.’
Martha Graham
This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with fascinating facts, captivating stories and inspiring quotes from the world of dance, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy and freedom of slipping on your dance shoes and expressing yourself through movement to music.

Whether you are in need of some blossoming inspiration or your fingers are the colour of freshly mown grass, this compendium is overflowing with snippets of fascinating folklore and tips for making your garden grow.

Follow the garden path to horticultural heaven and learn about:
– Growing your own herbs to make therapeutic delights
– Banning bugs and slugs and attracting beneficial creatures
– Recycling old household items for gardening solutions
– Keeping bees and chickens
– Cooking up your produce, even the weeds
– Why you should always keep a leek in your attic and never kill a ladybird