Search Results for: General Interest

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”.

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.

‘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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

‘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.

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

‘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.

The dogs in this book won’t be donning red cloaks and tight, blue costumes. But they do have extraordinary abilities and out-of-this-world stories that make them super in their own right.

From fictional dogs to war-time dogs, faithful dogs to working dogs, life-saving dogs to dogs in space and science, the stories in this book tell the adventures of courageous, trustworthy and dutiful dogs, reminding us of the true worth of having a canine as a companion.

If you’ve always wanted to know how societies function – and why sometimes they don’t – this beginner’s guide to sociology has got the essential theories and thinkers covered

Sociology has almost limitless scope. From the smallest everyday interaction to the impact of vast systemic change, societies are brimming with fascinating phenomena we all want to understand more clearly.

There’s never been a more important moment to grasp what’s going on around us, and this pocket-sized guide offers an engaging introduction to the key sociological concepts and debates. It includes easy-to-follow coverage of:

The origins and development of modern sociology and the influence of foundational figures such as Durkheim, Marx and Weber

The major sociological schools or perspectives, from functionalism to feminism

How sociologists strive to test their theories ethically and carefully by using scientific research methods

The key topics in sociology, including inequality, class, crime, gender and race

How sociology can help us tackle new challenges and change our societies – and the wider world – for the better

Perfect for newcomers, or anyone seeking a concise breakdown of the subject, The Little Book of Sociology takes all the big ideas and makes them crystal clear.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 – CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR

Being the fastest cyclist in the world at the start line means nothing if your mind isn’t strong enough to get you to the finish line

In 2018, Leigh Timmis became the fastest person to cycle across Europe – in just 16 days, 10 hours and 45 minutes – breaking the previous world record by an astonishing 8 days and 17 hours. But when he set out to break the record, Leigh wasn’t just trying to conquer the road.

As he prepared his body for this ultra-endurance world record attempt, Leigh realized that he would have to confront deeper problems to make it to the finish line. Although test results showed that he already had the physical ability of an elite athlete, something was holding him back: his troubled mind.

With the support of psychologists and sports science experts, Leigh confronted the past that had left him with vulnerabilities he would need to understand and overcome in the pursuit of performance. Then, cycling for 14 hours a day, from the west coast of Portugal to the edge of Siberia, he embarked on far more than just a physical journey.

The Race of Truth is the remarkable true story of personal transformation against the clock, and the astonishing feats we can accomplish when we face up to our deepest fears.

Far away from the bright lights of international rugby, there is another version of the game played by ordinary blokes of all shapes, sizes and degrees of physical ability.

Steven Gauge was the last person anyone would expect to find on a rugby field, being somewhat shorter than average, bespectacled and decidedly “unsporty”. But as a gentleman of a certain age when strange life choices are sometimes made, Steven chose to pick up a rugby ball and run with it.

He discovered a hidden and hilarious world of convoluted nicknames, creative interpretations of the laws of the game and the inevitable, beer-related, post-match mayhem. But he also found a heartfelt sense of belonging and camaraderie of the kind that only a good, honest team sport can provide.

So forget everything you think you know about rugby and join us on the touchline of Warlingham Rugby Club as Steven leads out the 4th XV. Welcome to the world of mud, sweat and beers…

Beekeeping. Oh my what have I done? I am 30 years old, I have been married for three years and am a new father to a fantastic little boy. Surely there are things that I should be doing at this age which do not involve little yellow and black insects that can hurt you if you are remotely clumsy (which at 6 feet 5, I have an amazing ability to be). James Dearsley’s wife thought he had lost his mind when he announced his intention to become a beekeeper. But like many interested in the self-sufficient lifestyle, he loved gardening and growing vegetables on his allotment and the old romantic in him had idealistic notions of teaching his little boy where honey came from, so he set himself what seemed a reasonable goal: to get, in a year’s time, just one jar of honey.

An exhilarating and deeply moving story of one man’s attempt to sea kayak the areas of the Shipping Forecast, perfect for fans of The Salt Path and Attention All Shipping

Foreword by Charlie Connelly, author of Attention All Shipping

The Shipping Forecast has been described as the UK’s national lullaby: a source of dependability and calm in our often chaotic world, it has charmed millions of listeners and aided generations of seafarers across the decades. No stranger to weathering a storm after living with a rare life-limiting condition and facing the death of his brother, avid kayaker Toby Carr set out to explore the areas of the Forecast.

On a journey that took him to the harshest and most tranquil stretches of our sea, Toby found the real people, places and stories behind the familiar names and imagined environments of the well-loved BBC broadcast. From the wildness and peace of the sea, looking back at the land, Toby hoped to gain the strength and balance he knew nature could provide and to discover what anchors us to each other.

Written by Toby’s sister Katie from his extensive notes and recordings after his untimely death, Moderate Becoming Good Later is both an epic adventure – sometimes choppy, constantly moving – and a personal voyage of discovery that includes old friends and new, plenty of wildlife, and the ever-present sea.

If you’re intrigued by the question “What makes us human?”, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of anthropology

From the first steps of our prehistoric ancestors, to the development of complex languages, to the intricacies of religions and cultures across the world, diverse factors have shaped the human species as we know it. Anthropology strives to untangle this fascinating web of history to work out who we were in the past, what that means for human beings today and who we might be tomorrow.

This pocket-sized introduction includes accessible primers on:
– Influential anthropologists such as Franz Boas, Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict
– The key branches of anthropology, from physical and linguistic anthropology to archaeology
– How anthropologists study topics such as communication, identity, sex and gender, religion and culture
– How we can approach one of life’s most enduring questions: what is it that truly makes us human?

This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand the development of human beings, and how our history has informed the way we live today. A perfect gift for anyone taking their first steps into the world of anthropology, as well as for those who want to brush up their knowledge.

‘For as long as I stay here, I know I will have to also get to the wild places.’
                                                                                                                  Robert Macfarlane
This pocket-sized miscellany, packed with tips on equipment, food, surviving bad weather and finding the right campsite, and with facts and stories from the world of camping, is perfect for anyone who knows the incomparable joy and adventure of pitching their tent under an open sky.
 

Do you spend hours on garden maintenance, leaving no time for the fun stuff? Would you like the chance to eat your produce before the pests get to them? Do you dream of an abundant garden that’s beautiful all year round? These and dozens of other gardening dilemmas are solved with this trusty guide filled with ingenious gardening hacks. Whether you’re a regular Best In Show looking for some time-saving tips or you’ve just planted your first seedlings and you want to learn more, Gardening Hacks is your fully illustrated manual to blossoming as a gardener.