Search Results for: General Interest

Did you hear about…
The Tennessee student who jumped into a laundry chute that was actually a trash compactor?
The Swiss statesman butchered by an axe-wielding bear?
The ancient Greek playwright struck by a tortoise falling from the sky?
Over the ages, death has come in some very unpredictable forms. This irreverent little book gathers together some of the most peculiar and outrageous ways that people across the globe have met their untimely ends. Whether shocking or silly, these true stories are proof at least that the grim reaper has a strange sense of humour.

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.

What makes a man?


Forget the tired old rules about what a man should or shouldn’t be. Life’s just too short. Being a man is meant to be fun, thrilling and fulfilling. But there’s no harm in a few handy ideas to help you up your game – a style tip here, a life hack there, some adventures to boost your bucket list, even a recipe or two (for the barbecue and beyond). Man Stuff contains all this priceless wisdom and more, including a look at classic male hobbies like sport and technology as well as sound advice on health and fitness. Dive in and decide for yourself what kind of man you might be.

Prepare to step over to the dark side with this sinister selection of occult stories

Have you heard the tale of the black-eyed children?

What about the monster that eats your dreams?

Do you know about the witches that summon the dead?

This spine-chilling compendium of strange and supernatural happenings from across the globe is essential reading, whether you’re an occult enthusiast or simply curious.

Filled with mind-bending stories of dark magic, terrifying hauntings and unexplained phenomena, the world of the occult has left us fascinated and fearful since ancient times. Spellbinding, mysterious and hidden from view, occult practices offer a way to uncover the secret knowledge of the universe, but beware: some say this knowledge comes at a price…

Explore this rich history of magic and intrigue, as well as occult rituals and esoteric philosophies that continue today. Stories of the Occult looks at:
– Hauntings
– Unexplained deaths
– Witchcraft
– Mythical creatures and much more.

Delve into this book and see what you can discover. By the end, you may not know what to believe!

Where did the Coronavirus outbreak originate and was the pandemic predicted?

Did aliens help to build the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza, and what were they trying to tell us?

Is the food industry colluding to make us addicted to sugar?

Prepare yourself for some startling revelations on these topics and many more in this updated and expanded compendium of the world’s scariest and strangest conspiracy theories. Leaving no stone unturned, it delves into such conundrums as:

– the growing number of people who believe the Earth is flat
– the unsolved disappearance of Flight MH370
– the uncertainties surrounding the assassination of Osama Bin Laden
– the mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death
Whether you’re a doubter 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…

If you think you’re safe, then you’d better think again…

Explore some of the world’s most inexplicable occurrences, mind-bending conspiracy theories, spine-chilling urban legends and totally unbelievable truths in this weird and wonderful collection.

Whether you’re a sceptic, a self-confessed conspiracy junkie or just curious about what the world might be hiding from you, the stories in this book will push the boundaries of your belief and set your imagination alight – but only if you’re brave enough to read it.

Did Michael Jackson fake his own death in a bid to escape financial ruin or was he murdered?

Was it aliens that helped to build the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids and what were they trying to cover up?

Is the food industry colluding to make us addicted to sugar?

You’ll discover startling evidence on these topics and many more in this compelling compendium of the world’s scariest and wackiest conspiracy theories. It leaves no stone unturned as it delves into such conundrums as:
– the mysterious circumstances of Bruce Lee’s death
– the alleged withheld evidence pertaining to the 7 July bombings
– the controversy surrounding Barack Obama’s rise to power
– the unsolved disappearance of Flight MH 370

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…

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.

“It’s cancer.”

Dr Philippa Kaye was 39 years old when she heard those dreaded words. The diagnosis of bowel cancer would change her life and mean crossing the divide from being a doctor to being a patient. She soon discovered that her years of training and experience had not prepared her for the realities of actually living with cancer.

Doctors Get Cancer Too tells Dr Kaye’s moving story of being on both sides of the desk, and shares the insights she gained not only through the diagnosis and treatment but in surviving and thriving through cancer and beyond. Filled with practical advice, this book aims to make patients and their loved ones feel better understood, more prepared and less alone, and to provide solace for anyone navigating their way through hard times.

Dr Philippa Kaye is a GP with a particular interest in children’s, women’s and sexual health. She has written multiple books on topics ranging from pregnancy and fertility to child health and child development, and she has a weekly column in Woman magazine as well as contributing to other magazines and newspapers. She has regularly been seen broadcasting on radio and television in programmes such as This Morning and The Victoria Derbyshire Show. She is also the GP ambassador for Jo’s Cervical Cancer trust. Her days are filled with a mix of general practice, media work and her other job – being a mum!

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?’

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.

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.

‘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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

A comforting guide for whenever loneliness strikes, filled with kind words, helpful ideas and down-to-earth advice

We all feel lonely sometimes

In a world more connected than ever before, it can be hard to unravel why it is that we 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 clear and comforting book is here to help you understand loneliness and the importance of looking after your mind, body and soul whenever you feel alone. Packed with easy-to-follow advice and bite-sized tips as well as a selection of uplifting quotes, it’s a go-to guide for anyone feeling lonely or isolated.

Learn and understand more about:
– Why loneliness is so common and what we can do about it
– How to nurture your mind and body to give you greater confidence
– What the best strategies are to support your mental health and well-being
– How to form and build on new connections in your life