Search Results for: General Interest

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 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.

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.

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.

Have you ever wanted to know…




Which junction to take for Gibraltar?


How to save £35,040 a year on Dartford Crossing tolls?


How many assassins were buried within the concrete of the M25? (at least one)


Why it’s important that North Ockendon declares itself independent from Greater London at the earliest opportunity?




This indispensable biography of a road profiles the 117 miles of Britain’s most infamous motorway, from its controversial origins to its present-day status as backdrop to the lives and commutes of millions. Told with Ray Hamilton’s trademark powers of observation and off-the-wall humour, it is an eye-opening account of the stuff you didn’t know about the M25 – including the action, sightseeing or nature-loving fun you can have coming off at any junction – and a very different view of the stuff you did know.

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.

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…

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

Sloths: cute, cuddly and so impossibly chilled! Get ready to hang out with nature’s laziest, craziest creatures with this photographic and illustrated collection of sloths. It’ll have you slowed down and feeling mellow in no time!

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.

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.

The lizards are alarmed. 
The snakes are scared. 
The antelopes are apoplectic. 
Why? The meerkats have turned mean. 
Sure, they look cute with their little noses in the air. And some of them are. But have you ever paused to wonder what’s really going on in those cosy communities? There’s a darker side to the cuddly meerkat, and the shocking truth is revealed here for the first time in When Meerkats Turn Bad.

If you want to know your Socrates from your Sartre and your Confucius from your Kant, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of philosophy.

Philosophy is a quest for wisdom and knowledge; philosophia in Ancient Greek literally means “love of wisdom”. The aim of philosophy is to ask and explore life’s big questions to help us work out what we can know and how we can live a good life. Today, in a world of fake news, embarking on a quest for truth couldn’t be more important.

This pocket-sized introduction to important philosophers and key philosophical ideas includes accessible primers on:
– The early Greek philosophers and the “big three”: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
– Key schools of philosophy from around the world – from ancient philosophy right up to the present day – and their impact on modern life
– Insights into the main questions philosophers have explored over the years: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? Do I have free will?
– Practical applications for the theories of Descartes, Kant, Wollstonecraft, Marx, Nietzsche and many more.
This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how human ideas have sculpted the world we live in and the way we think today. A perfect gift for anyone taking their first steps into the world of philosophy, as well as for those who want to brush up their knowledge.

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.
Hal Borland
Brimming with curious garden lore as well as practical, year-round advice on everything from planting and pruning to growing your own veg and composting, this handy book is the perfect companion for any gardener. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or information, The Pocket Gardener will keep you busy in all seasons.

You were never, ever convinced that the Milky Bar Kid was strong and tough. Your parents threatened to throw you out if you ever became a hippy. Do you remember when England won the World Cup, screaming yourself hoarse for the Fab Four and watching from behind the sofa as the daleks invaded Earth for the first time? If so, then kick off your go-go boots, switch on the lava lamp and do your best Mick Jagger pout as you prepare to find out if you are a true child of the 60s.

Do you remember riding a Chopper to school, buying your dad Old Spice

for Christmas and getting brain-freeze from your first Slush Puppie? If so,

then hang up your disco ball, dig out the old Atari 2600 and tuck into a

Curly Wurly as you prepare to find out if you are a true child of the 70s.

Worried about the world and want to make a difference? Inspired by a new political voice or enraged by an old one? Finding out how to play your part in the political process has never mattered more.


Politics finds its way into almost every corner of our lives. While the plotting, scheming and petty point-scoring might put some off, others thrive on it, and passions rise when the issues affect people’s lives. Politics is too important to leave to the politicians, so this little book would like to warmly welcome you into the political world. It will be your handy guide as you take your first tentative steps towards becoming politically active. With a bit of the history, the things you need to know today and a few tricks of the trade, it will help you to change the world for the better and stand up for what you believe.


Whether you’re taking your first tentative steps into the world of politics or thinking about getting out and knocking on some doors, this clear and concise guide is for you. Providing a whistle-stop tour through the corridors of power and explaining the basics of our parliamentary democracy, it will inspire you to take action.

‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’    John Muir
Packed with absorbing countryside facts and tips on everything from birdwatching to identifying flora and fauna, this miscellany is the perfect companion for any nature lover. Whether you’re seeking knowledge or encouragement, The Pocket Naturalist will deepen your delight in the natural world all the year round.

All bikes are beautiful, but some are downright sexy.



Bike Porn brings together some of the most seductive and tantalizing bikes ever to be photographed , from the slickest single-speeds to the most teched-out racing machines and beyond, captured in all their finely crafted glory.

Can you make a healthy meal?

Do you know how to proofread an essay?

Are you able to plan a weekly budget?

If the answer to any of the above is no, then don’t worry – you’re like the millions of other students worldwide! Luckily this book is here to give you a crash course in living while you learn. Full of useful advice and practical skills, it will provide you with the essential knowledge you need to take your first steps into the world of adulthood. From the little things, like planning a revision timetable, right up to the big, like negotiating your starting salary, this handy guide will arm you with all the skills you need to navigate life in the real world like a pro.

Have you always thought that a goldfish has a 3-second memory span?
Do you think your morning coffee comes from a bean?
Do you believe that those accused at the Salem Witch Trials were burned at the stake?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you’ve been lied to. But don’t worry, this book will set the record straight on all the common myths that most people take for fact, making you the most well-informed smart alec in town. So next time someone proclaims that Napoleon Bonaparte was short, or that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker, you can correct them, and tell them smugly that everything they think they know is wrong.

In this updated and expanded edition, Stewart Ferris uses his industry know-how to give you all the tips, tricks and inside knowledge you will need to become a successful writer, covering all types of writing from books to scripts and beyond. This accessible and informative guide is packed with advice to equip you with the skills you need to launch a writing career:

• Using your ‘voice’ as your USP

• Learning to love criticism

• Surprising solutions to writer’s block

• Avoiding submission blunders

• Using e–publishing to sell your work

So what are you waiting for? Pick up your pen, open your laptop and fire up your imagination. Whichever tools you choose, the time to start is now.

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.