Search Results for: General Interest

Belt up and enjoy this 365-day ride as you cruise past the most momentous motoring events in history. Packed with fascinating facts about races, motorists and the history of the mighty engine, this book is a must-have for any car enthusiast.

HOP ON BOARD, SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

Whether you pine for the romantic age of the steam engine, thrill at the speeds of today’s
superfast trains, dream of travelling on the world’s great long-distance rail journeys or yearn to take the ‘Toy Train’ to Darjeeling, this book offers a fantastic, whistle-stop tour of train travel.

Great British Cars celebrates the cars commonly seen on the nation’s roads during a golden age of motoring. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Britons drove such models as the Ford Zephyr, Hillman Imp, Triumph Herald, Ford Capri, Vauxhall Viva and, of course, the Morris Minor 1000. While rarely seen now on our roads, the 40 models described here still have a special place in many drivers’ hearts. Join Stephen Barnett on a nostalgic road trip back in time, in this beautifully illustrated celebration of classic cars.

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. 

Pocket-sized gophers, fuzzy finger-monkeys and cuddly koalas are just a few of the cute and loveable creatures you’ll find in this book. From the teeniest to the fluffiest, this collection of the world’s cutest animals contains lavish photographs, interesting facts and ‘snuggle ratings’ for Nature’s most adorable creatures – so sweet you’ll want one of each!

All aboard the puzzle train!

This book is fully loaded with 200 railway-themed puzzles, perfect for aficionados as well as inquisitive commuters

More than just a means of transport, trains have changed the world. Across centuries and continents, they’ve been unstoppable. But when you’re sitting back in your seat on a long rail journey, why not pause for a puzzle or two?

From quick quizzes and riddles to more leisurely crosswords and sudoku, whether you’re a locomotive obsessive or just enjoy the occasional trip, there’s plenty in these pages to fire up your mental furnace and keep you going full steam ahead to the end of the line.

Inside you will find a rich variety of puzzles, including these:

– Find the names of world-famous locomotives within word searches
– Shuffle the letters of anagrams to identify essential railway paraphernalia
– Guess the meaning of some technical train-related terms
– Figure out what happened during strange-but-true incidents from railway history

Man-eating maggots, poisonous birds and freshwater fish with teeth as big as a tiger’s are just a few of the dangerous and deadly creatures you’ll encounter in this book. From tiny terrors to raging beasts, this collection of the world’s deadliest animals contains amazing photographs, gruesome descriptions and shocking stats on real-life monsters of the natural world – proceed with caution!

Whales that look like unicorns, lizards that squirt jets of blood from their eyes, naked rats that can sprint backwards… It seems as though some creatures have been put on this earth just to amaze us.

From the harmless but hilarious to the truly frightening and deadly, the animals in this book are guaranteed to keep you enthralled, astonished and extremely amused.

Language is one of the key paths to awareness, acceptance and empowerment but honestly, it can be confusing for many people. This easy-to-use dictionary introduces some of the most essential terminology surrounding gender, sexuality and LGBTQIA+ identity. If you have questions about yourself or about the terminology, or even if you’re simply interested in learning more, this essential guide will help you navigate the world with knowledge and kindness.

Feel confident in the ABCs of LGBTQ+

Language is a key path to awareness, acceptance and empowerment. It’s central to understanding the world and the communities we live in, but it can often be tricky to keep up with correct and ever-evolving terminology.

This easy-to-use dictionary introduces the most essential vocabulary surrounding LGBTQ+ identities. Whether you’re questioning your own identity or simply interested in learning more, this useful guide will help you navigate the world with knowledge, understanding and kindness.

“Tom Chesshyre is the consummate traveller, who makes you want to experience all his adventures and mishaps for yourself.” – Christian Wolmar, author of British Rail: The Making and Breaking of Our Trains

From London via Paris, Naples, Nuremberg, the Swiss Alps, Budapest, Athens and into the furthest corners of Eastern Europe across Romania and Bulgaria, join Tom Chesshyre on his fascinating journey to Istanbul and back

Ever dreamt of dropping everything and adventuring cross-country to the edge of Asia? That’s just what rail enthusiast Tom Chesshyre did, hitting the tracks for a 4,570-mile adventure on 55 rides, shadowing the old Orient Express route.

Interrailing was once the realm of young backpackers setting off to “find themselves” – and for many, it still is. But it’s also a joyful and eco-friendly twenty-first century adventure that’s open to us all, no matter our age or agenda. Dodging striking train drivers in Germany, getting stuck by the Bulgarian-Greek border, and negotiating tricky passport officials in Turkey is all part of the fun in this illuminating and meandering journey around Europe.

Europe by rail awaits. The freedom of the lines awaits. Why not hop on board?

Interesting Information + Slick Graphics = This Infographic Book
This is the super-stylish book you didn’t know you needed until you saw it. Packed with weird and wonderful visual information, it is guaranteed to entertain and help you look at things in a completely new way.

This charming and indispensable reference guide contains specific month-by-month ‘to do’ lists for ornamental gardens, edible crops and general maintenance, as well as tips on everything green-fingered, from protecting your plants from frost, pests and disease to making sure you get a bumper harvest to enjoy year-round. With diary pages for making your own notes each month, this pocket-sized yearbook is a must-have for every season. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this book will become an old and trusted friend.

How can we challenge the judgements we don’t even know we’re making?

Unconscious bias affects us all. From the smallest assumption to the most sweeping generalization, the way we think about others can unknowingly influence our behaviour and shape our culture. Acting as your mentor and guide, this book will take you through the most common forms of prejudice, including gender, race, size, age and sexuality. It also explores the psychology behind our biases and provides actionable tips and simple exercises to help you combat implicit judgements.

You will learn:
– Why our biases matter
– How to identify your own biases
– Techniques to mitigate unconscious bias
– How to make objective decisions

Book of the Month, Countryside magazine

‘[this] fascinating new book… provides a detailed insight into the snow-white species’ Waterways World


A wildlife writer and photographer’s celebration of the mute swan, Britain’s most iconic breed, exploring the bird’s significance across myth and history alongside vivid observations on its habits and habitats.

The swan is both a lover and a fighter. A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf. Immortalized by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day. The mute swan – with its orange beak and aura of stately silence – is the breed we know best in Britain.

Dan Keel has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He’s spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a writer of nature journalism, as a wildlife photographer looking for the perfect shot, and as a pilot sharing the skies.

In this labour of love, Dan speaks up for the mute, answering the essential questions about its nature and its future. Along the way, weaving his first-hand observations into the narrative, he shows us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans.

Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the Queen own them all? With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan’s story, Dan lays out the facts, guides us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urges us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.

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.

‘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.

‘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.

Awesome puzzles? Check.

Epic life hacks? Check.

Legendary dad jokes? Double check!

This book is everything a dad could dream of and more! Packed even more tightly than his sock drawer, it’s bursting with games, quizzes, life hacks, jokes and useless-but-interesting facts, making it an essential companion for every dad, and the ultimate way to guarantee him hours of fun.

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. Pippa Greenwood is a leading light in the world of horticulture. She was a presenter on BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World for over 13 years and the gardening consultant for Rosemary and Thyme. She is a regular panellist and bug expert on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, has written a number of award-winning books and contributes to BBC Gardeners’ World magazine.

This charming and practical handbook is bursting with tips, facts and folklore to guide you through the birdwatching year. Find out how to identify birds by sight or song, everything you need to know about their behaviour, habitats and breeding and migration habits, and tips for encouraging birds into your garden. Also includes handy diary pages for making your own notes each month. A must-have for any eager birdwatcher.

It’s time to celebrate your inner geek with this treasure trove of lists and prime cuts of knowledge.

Time to brush up on what you’d forgotten or misremembered, and discover what you never had a clue was true. Ranging across history, science and the natural world, taking in sport, film, food and much more, Man Facts gives you a wealth of up-to-date stats and eye-opening trivia that will make you a general-knowledge genius, or at least help you nail your next pub quiz. Dig in.

Did Michael Jackson fake his own death in a bid to escape financial ruin?

Is swine flu a dastardly plot by global pharmaceutical companies or a scare campaign created by the pork industry’s competitors?

Are the British Royal Family really reptilian shape-shifting aliens?

You’ll discover startling evidence on these topics and many more in this compelling compendium of the world’s scariest and wackiest conspiracy theories.

This guide leaves no stone unturned as it delves into such conundrums as the mysterious circumstances of Alexander Litvinenko’s death, the alleged withheld evidence pertaining to the 7 July bombings and whether global warming is a hoax.

Whether you’re a sceptic or a self-confessed conspiracy junkie, you’ll find a cover-up for every occasion. And remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you…

Take a tour through the Big Smoke via road, rail and river, and discover…
What the official difference is between a ‘taxi’ and a ‘cab’. Why the iconic Routemaster was withdrawn from regular service in 2005. How much of the Underground is actually below ground. Why London’s first tramway was threatened with closure in the same year it opened. Which was the first ferry to operate passenger trips across the Thames. Every year London opens its doors to a staggering 16 million people, all wanting to get to their destination of choice in the shortest time possible. Yet for many of us, the beauty and clockwork of the transport we use, be it taxi, Tube, bus, bike or boat, is a part of the London experience we tend to forget. From the iconic red buses to the abandoned Tube stations and the engineering achievements to the cultural highlights, this book celebrates everything you’ve ever wanted to know about getting around in London, and much, much more.