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Life, After
by Antoine LeirisThe Heartbreaking French BestsellerWhen Antoine lost his wife, Hélène, he was left to care for their baby alone. In this wry and honest book he writes about how they have fared since that terrible day.Life, After follows a father learning how to create a home for his son. From imagining the reviews he might receive as a parent, to dealing with the emotions that arise around a new relationship and talking to children about bereavement, Antoine charts the course of their life together with remarkable humour and self-awareness.At times heartbreaking and at times vibrating with the joy of the companionship of a lively little boy, Life, After finds a way to answer the question 'How can I go on?''Powerful and revealing... heartbreaking' Matt Rowland Hill, Guardian'A figure of hope...the portrayal of an everyday struggle to come to terms with loss and with single-parenthood' The Times'A beacon of hope in a dark world' Cathy Rentzenbrink, on international bestseller You Will Not Have My Hate
Life Among the Savages (Penguin Modern Classics)
by Shirley JacksonA darkly funny account of family life from the author of The Haunting of Hill House and The Lottery'Sometimes, in my capacity as a mother, I find myself sitting open-mouthed and terrified before my own children'As well as being a master of the macabre, Shirley Jackson was also a pitch-perfect chronicler of everyday family life. In Life Among the Savages, her caustically funny account of raising her children in a ramshackle house in Vermont, she deals with rats in the cellar, misbehaving imaginary friends, an oblivious husband and ever-encroaching domestic chaos, all described with wit, warmth and plenty of bite. 'Jackson's family chronicles have a genuinely subversive aspect ... Read today, her pieces feel surprisingly modern - mainly because she refuses to sentimentalize or idealize motherhood' The New York Times Book Review'Comic masterpieces, laced with hints of the discontent that lies beneath' Guardian
The Life and Legend of the Sultan Saladin
by Jonathan PhillipsAn engaging biography that offers a new perspective on one of the most influential figures of the Crusades In 1187, Saladin marched triumphantly into Jerusalem, ending decades of struggle against the Christians and reclaiming the holy city for Islam. Four years later he fought off the armies of the Third Crusade, which were commanded by Europe’s leading monarchs. A fierce warrior and savvy diplomat, Saladin’s unparalleled courtesy, justice, generosity, and mercy were revered by both his fellow Muslims and his Christian rivals such as Richard the Lionheart. Combining thorough research with vivid storytelling, Jonathan Phillips offers a fresh and captivating look at the triumphs, failures, and contradictions of one of the Crusades’ most unique figures. Bringing the vibrant world of the twelfth century to life, this book also explores Saladin’s complicated legacy, examining the ways Saladin has been invoked in the modern age by Arab and Muslim leaders ranging from Nasser in Egypt, Asad in Syria, and Saddam Hussein in Iraq to Osama bin Laden, as well as his huge appeal across popular culture in books, drama, and music.
The Life and Legend of the Sultan Saladin
by Jonathan Phillips'Superbly researched and enormously entertaining .. one of the outstanding books of the year' The TimesAn epic story of empire-building and bloody conflict, this ground-breaking biography of one of history’s most venerated military and religious heroes opens a window on the Islamic and Christian worlds’ complex relationship. When Saladin recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187, returning the Holy City to Islamic rule for the first time in almost ninety years, he sent shockwaves throughout Christian Europe and the Muslim Near East that reverberate today. It was the culmination of a supremely exciting life, fraught with challenges and contradictions but blessed occasionally with marvellous good fortune. Born into a significant Kurdish family in northern Iraq, Saladin shot to power in faraway Egypt thanks to the tutelage of his uncle. Over two decades, this warrior and diplomat fought under the banner of jihad, but at the same time worked tirelessly to build an immense dynastic empire that stretched from North Africa to Western Iraq. Gathering together a turbulent and diverse coalition he was able to capture Jerusalem, only to trigger the Third Crusade and face his greatest adversary, King Richard the Lionheart. Drawing on a rich blend of Arabic and European sources, this is a comprehensive account of both the man and the legend to which he gave birth, describing vividly the relentless action of his life and then tracing its aftermath through culture and politics all the way to the present day. It reveals the personal qualities that explain his enduring reputation as a man of faith, generosity, mercy and justice, even while showing him to be capable of mistakes, self-interest and cruelty. After Saladin’s death, it goes on to explain how in the West this Sunni Muslim became famed for his charm and chivalric virtue, while across much of the Islamic world he stands as one of history’s greatest heroes, an inspiration to be admired and emulated. The Life and Legend of the Sultan Saladin shows how this one man’s life takes us beyond the crude stereotypes of the ‘Clash of Civilisations’ even while his legacy helps explain them: an intimate portrait of a towering figure of world history that is thrillingly relevant today.
A Life in Nature: Or How to Catch a Mole
by Marc HamerA captivating, life-affirming memoir of a life in nature that celebrates finding wonder in our world. 'A wonderful book... It has taught me a lot. I feel great love for it' MAX PORTERAt the age of sixteen, Marc Hamer left home with only a rucksack and started walking. By day, he observed the animals and birds. By night, he slept under hedges, in woodlands and on riverbanks. It was the beginning of a life in nature.Years later, now working as a gardener and mole-catcher in the Welsh countryside, Marc tells of the experiences that have shaped him and of the wonders that he encounters each day. He considers, too, the fascinating ways of the mole and the myths that surround this curious creature.This beautiful, meditative book explores what nature can teach us about ourselves and our search for contentment. It is a celebration of living peacefully and finding joy in the world around us.'It is rare to encounter such respect and understanding of nature' Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of Cows** Longlisted for The Wainwright Prize 2019 **(Published in hardback as How to Catch a Mole)
Life Is a Marathon: A Memoir of Love and Endurance
by Matt FitzgeraldAn endurance athlete and coach reveals how the marathon transforms the lives of everyone who attempts it--and how it has helped his own family cope with serious adversityStep after step for 26.2 miles, hundreds of thousands of people run marathons. But why--what compels people past pain, lost toenails, 5.30 am start times, The Wall? Sports writer Matt Fitzgerald set out to run eight marathons in eight weeks across the country to answer that question. At each race, he meets an array of runners, from first timers, to dad-daughter teams and spouses, to people who'd been running for decades, and asks them what keeps them running. But there is another deeply personal part to Matt's journey: his own relationship to the sport--and how it helped him overcome his own struggles and cope with his wife Nataki's severe bipolar disorder. A combination of Matt's own How Bad Do You Want It? and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Life Is a Marathon captures the magic of those 26.2 miles. At the end of the day--and at the end of the race--the pursuit of a marathon finish line is not unlike the pursuit of happiness. You will pick up the book for a powerful personal story about what running does for the people for whom it does the most. You will put it down with a greater understanding of what it means to be alive in this world.
Life Is a Marathon: A Memoir of Love and Endurance
by Matt FitzgeraldAn endurance athlete and coach reveals how the marathon transforms the lives of everyone who attempts it--and how it has helped his own family cope with serious adversityStep after step for 26.2 miles, hundreds of thousands of people run marathons. But why--what compels people past pain, lost toenails, 5.30 am start times, The Wall? Sports writer Matt Fitzgerald set out to run eight marathons in eight weeks across the country to answer that question. At each race, he meets an array of runners, from first timers, to dad-daughter teams and spouses, to people who'd been running for decades, and asks them what keeps them running. But there is another deeply personal part to Matt's journey: his own relationship to the sport--and how it helped him overcome his own struggles and cope with his wife Nataki's severe bipolar disorder. A combination of Matt's own How Bad Do You Want It? and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Life Is a Marathon captures the magic of those 26.2 miles. At the end of the day--and at the end of the race--the pursuit of a marathon finish line is not unlike the pursuit of happiness. You will pick up the book for a powerful personal story about what running does for the people for whom it does the most. You will put it down with a greater understanding of what it means to be alive in this world.
The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books #47)
by Carlos EireThe life and many afterlives of one of the most enduring mystical testaments ever writtenThe Life of Saint Teresa of Avila is among the most remarkable accounts ever written of the human encounter with the divine. The Life is not really an autobiography at all, but rather a confession written for inquisitors by a nun whose raptures and mystical claims had aroused suspicion. Despite its troubled origins, the book has had a profound impact on Christian spirituality for five centuries, attracting admiration from readers as diverse as mystics, philosophers, artists, psychoanalysts, and neurologists. How did a manuscript once kept under lock and key by the Spanish Inquisition become one of the most inspiring religious books of all time?National Book Award winner Carlos Eire tells the story of this incomparable spiritual masterpiece, examining its composition and reception in the sixteenth century, the various ways its mystical teachings have been interpreted and reinterpreted across time, and its enduring influence in our own secular age. The Life became an iconic text of the Counter-Reformation, was revered in Franco’s Spain, and has gone on to be read as a feminist manifesto, a literary work, and even as a secular text. But as Eire demonstrates in this vibrant and evocative book, Teresa’s confession is a cry from the heart to God and an audacious portrayal of mystical theology as a search for love.Here is the essential companion to the Life, one woman’s testimony to the reality of mystical experience and a timeless affirmation of the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila: A Biography (Lives of Great Religious Books #47)
by Carlos EireThe life and many afterlives of one of the most enduring mystical testaments ever writtenThe Life of Saint Teresa of Avila is among the most remarkable accounts ever written of the human encounter with the divine. The Life is not really an autobiography at all, but rather a confession written for inquisitors by a nun whose raptures and mystical claims had aroused suspicion. Despite its troubled origins, the book has had a profound impact on Christian spirituality for five centuries, attracting admiration from readers as diverse as mystics, philosophers, artists, psychoanalysts, and neurologists. How did a manuscript once kept under lock and key by the Spanish Inquisition become one of the most inspiring religious books of all time?National Book Award winner Carlos Eire tells the story of this incomparable spiritual masterpiece, examining its composition and reception in the sixteenth century, the various ways its mystical teachings have been interpreted and reinterpreted across time, and its enduring influence in our own secular age. The Life became an iconic text of the Counter-Reformation, was revered in Franco’s Spain, and has gone on to be read as a feminist manifesto, a literary work, and even as a secular text. But as Eire demonstrates in this vibrant and evocative book, Teresa’s confession is a cry from the heart to God and an audacious portrayal of mystical theology as a search for love.Here is the essential companion to the Life, one woman’s testimony to the reality of mystical experience and a timeless affirmation of the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
The Life Scientific: Explorers
by Anna BuckleyInspiring life stories from BBC Radio 4's hit series The Life Scientific'In showing non-scientists why science offers so many paths to discovery it has no equal' Gillian Reynolds, TelegraphBased on Jim Al-Khalili's ground-breaking interviews, The Life Scientific: Explorers takes science out of its box and introduces us to the men and women who make it happen.The explorers featured in this volume include: Michele Dougherty, the mathematician who persuaded the Cassini mission to Saturn to make a diversion; Richard Fortey on his love of trilobites; Monica Grady, Meteorite Lady; neurosurgeon Henry Marsh on slicing through our thoughts; the Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Jane Francis; Jocelyn Bell Burnell describing how she missed out on a Nobel Prize; Brian Cox on quantum mechanics; and Nobel Prize winner John Sulston on why he thought it would be a good idea to sequence the human genome.
Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA
by Amaryllis FoxDo you have what it takes to stand between us and the enemy?"I’m here to prevent a major and imminent attack. One that will kill children. I’m alone and operational in the country where my colleague was taken and beheaded, and every hour I’m delayed is another hour for something to go wrong - for an informant to disclose my location, for the source I’m meeting to cancel, for the attack to go boom. The fear injects my thoughts with venom."Amaryllis Fox was recruited by the CIA at the age of 21 in the aftermath of 9/11. After an intense training period – where she learns how to master a Glock, get out of flexicuffs while in the trunk of a car, withstand torture, and commit suicide in case of captivity – she is sent undercover to keep nuclear, biological and chemical weapons out of the hands of terror groups. Posing as an art dealer, she is sent on countless dangerous missions around the globe. Each time, the stakes become even higher and the risks more terrifying. Determined to stop the masterminds, Amaryllis’s quest will almost destroy her, until she realises that the only way to actually defeat the enemy is to have the courage to sit across from them… and listen. In this explosive first-hand account – filled with suspense and plot twists to rival Carrie Mathison in Homeland – Life Undercover is an edgy story of an undercover CIA operative, hunting the world’s most dangerous terrorists, using deception and disguises and dead drops in the night in order to protect our streets. Revealed in never-before-seen detail, Amaryllis offers compelling insight that can only come from having fought on the front lines.
Life's Journeys According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way
by Fred RogersAn inspiring collection of thoughts to take with us on the paths we travel in life.For all the roads we choose to travel, and even those we don't, Fred Rogers has an observation, a story, some insights to share. Whether you're facing graduation, a new job, a new baby, marriage, any change in your life--expected or not--the wisdom that Mister Rogers offers can contribute mightily to the grace with which you handle the change.With sections titled Who You Are Right Now, Loving and Being Loved, and Guided Drift, Fred addresses the scope of human transitions. It all comes down to knowing we're valuable, and that we're worthy of that value. As Fred would say, "You don't have to be anything more than who you are right now."In her foreword, Joanne Rogers shares the Fred she knew. With stories from their life together, the joys as well as the struggles, Joanne shows how Fred looked at life as a journey--with the ups and downs and in-betweens.
The Light’s On At Signpost: Memoirs Of The Movies, Among Other Matters
by George MacDonald FraserFrom the author of the ever-popular Flashman novels, a collection of film-world reminiscences and trenchant thoughts on Cool Britannia, New Labour and other abominations.
The Lion’s Roar: Anagarika Dharmapala and the Making of Modern Buddhism
by Sarath AmunugamaAnagarika Dharmapala (1864–1933) was a leading Sinhalese Buddhist reformer and national activist who ranks high among the makers of modern Buddhism. The Lion’s Roar is one of the first detailed accounts of Anagarika Dharmapala’s life and the pioneering role he played in the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism at a time when resistance to colonial rule was mainly confined to the elite. The book explores his lifelong struggle for re-establishing Buddhist management of their own sacred places under Hindu control, particularly the Mahabodhi site in Bihar, India. Dharmapala’s association with the Bengali intelligensia, the ‘bhadralok’, and close interactions with Gandhi and Nehru in India, where he spent a greater part of his life, form an interesting part of the narration. Using a rich variety of primary sources, most importantly, Dharmapala’s diaries, the book situates his life within the socio-political and cultural ethos of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and chronicles the zealous efforts of a Buddhist crusader and monk who wished to reform the religion in his native land and propagate it in the Western world.
A Listening Ear: Stories from the Heart of Rural Ireland
by Michael Healy-RaeIn his first book, Time to Talk, Michael Healy-Rae established himself as part of the great tradition of Kerry storytellers with his chronicles of life in rural Ireland. Now, in his second book, his superior storytelling skills come to the fore once again as he shares more stories of what he’s witnessed and heard in the heart of the country.From his Kerry childhood to musings on rural Ireland today, A Listening Ear brings readers back to the countryside and characters that we have grown to love. With his quick wit and remarkable observations, Michael is a consummate chronicler of country life and the charm of local heroes.
Literary Places
by Sarah Baxter Amy Grimes<strong><em>Inspired Traveller’s Guides: Literary Places</em> takes you on an enlightening journey through the key locations of literature’s best and brightest authors, movements and moments – brought to life through comprehensively researched text and stunning hand-drawn artwork.</strong><br /> <br /> Travel journalist Sarah Baxter provides comprehensive and atmospheric outlines of the<strong> history and culture of 25 literary places around the globe</strong>, as well as how they intersect with the <strong>lives of the authors</strong> and the works that make them significant. <strong>Full-page colour illustrations</strong> instantly transport you to each location. You’ll find that these places are not just backdrops to the tales told, but characters in their own right.<br /> <br /> Travel to the sun-scorched plains of Don Quixote’s La Mancha, roam the wild Yorkshire moors with Cathy and Heathcliff or view Central Park through the eyes of <strong>J.D. Salinger</strong>’s antihero. Explore the lush and languid backwaters of <strong>Arundhati Roy</strong>’s Kerala, the imposing precipice of <strong>Joan Lindsay</strong>’s Hanging Rock and the labyrinthine streets and sewers of <strong>Victor Hugo</strong>’s Paris.<br /> <br /> Featured locations:<br /> Paris, <em>Les Miserables</em><br /> Dublin, <em>Ulysses</em><br /> Florence, <em>A Room with a View</em><br /> Naples, <em>My Brilliant Friend</em><br /> Berlin, <em>Berlin Alexanderplatz</em><br /> Nordland, <em>Growth of the Soil</em><br /> St Petersburg, <em>Crime and Punishment</em><br /> Sierra de Guadarrama, <em>For Whom the Bell Tolls</em><br /> La Mancha, <em>Don Quixote</em><br /> Davos, <em>The Magic Mountain</em><br /> Bath, <em>Northanger Abbey and Persuasion </em><br /> London, <em>Oliver Twist</em><br /> Yorkshire Moors, <em>Wuthering Heights</em><br /> Cairo, <em>Palace Walk</em><br /> Soweto, <em>Burger's Daughter</em><br /> Kerala, <em>The God of Small Things</em><br /> Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), <em>The Quiet American</em><br /> Kabul, <em>The Kite Runner</em><br /> Hanging Rock, <em>Picnic at Hanging Rock</em><br /> New York, <em>The Catcher in the Rye</em><br /> Monterey, <em>Cannery Row</em><br /> Mississippi River, <em>Adventures of Huckleberry Fin</em><br /> Monroeville, <em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em><br /> Cartagena, <em>Love in the Time of Cholera</em><br /> Chile, <em>The House of the Spirits</em><br /> <br /> Delve into this book to discover some of the world’s most fascinating literary places and the novels that celebrate them.<br /> <br /> Each book in the <strong>Inspired Traveller's Guides series</strong> offers readers a fascinating, informative and charmingly illustrated guide to must-visit destinations round the globe. Also from this series, explore intriguing: <em>Spiritual Places</em>, <em>Hidden Places</em> and <em>Mystical Places</em>.
The Little Book of Big Explorations: Adventures into the Unknown That Changed Everything
by Jheni OsmanThis is a book about expedition, adventure, our thirst for knowledge and pushing the limits of human endurance.From the navigational instruments that have led us through unknown lands, to the advanced engineering that carried us into the depths of the ocean, to the rocket science that propelled us into space, science and adventure have always been inextricably linked. Both are at the heart of everything we now know about the complex universe we find ourselves in.From the groundbreaking sea voyage in 1735 that settled the debate raging between Descartes and Newton about the shape of the earth to the balloon ride that led to the discovery of cosmic rays, we have pushed the limits of what’s possible, both on our planet and beyond the clouds.The Little Book of Big Explorations is a collection of some of the most daring and eye-opening adventures in history that have changed the way we view the world, as well as a look at what’s still to be discovered. Our insatiable curiosity has driven our survival as a species and can be charted through the centuries by these incredible voyages of discovery.
The Little Book of Girl Power: The Wit and Wisdom of the Spice Girls
by Various'When I came out of my mother's womb I screamed: "Girl Power!"' Ginger SpiceThe Spice Girls shaped the nineties. They taught us about girl power, union jack dresses, the power of leopard print clothes and how if we want to be our lover, you've got to get with our friends. The Little Book of Girl Power is a collection of the most iconic girl band's quotes on love, men, girl power and friendship.From Posh Spice's words on fashion to Sporty Spice on female friendships, The Little Book of Girl Power is the perfect gift for any Spice Girls fans in your life.
The Little Book of Marilyn: Inspiration from the Goddess of Glam
by Michelle MorganA lifestyle guide and tribute to the style, glamour, and showmanship of Hollywood's most iconic star, with Marilyn-inspired lessons and inspiration for today's woman.While the 1950s was in many ways an era of repression for women, Marilyn Monroe broke barriers and rebelled against convention -- and charmed the world with her beauty, talent, and irresistible personality. Filled with gorgeous photos, The Little Book of Marilyn will show you how to bring a touch of that glamour into your own life through:Tutorials on recreating the star's makeup looks Style advice and tips on where to find Marilyn-like fashions Décor ideas from Marilyn's own homes Everyday inspiration from her life that will let your inner Marilyn shine, and much more!
The Little Book of Massive Cock-Ups: A Brief History of Epic Fails
by James ProudDid you know…?Russia sold Alaska to the US for just $7.2 million in 1867Alexander the Great failed to name an heir to his vast empire before he died, which subsequently led to its fallJ. K. Rowling received several rejections from publishers before her first Harry Potter book hit the shelvesWe all do stupid things in our lives, but the events in this book are next-level ridiculous! Packed with trivia and information on the world’s biggest fails in history, this book will leave you shocked and a little smug as you discover the true meaning of the word ‘cock-up’.
The Little Book of Queer Icons: The Inspiring True Stories Behind Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Icons
by Samuel AlexanderDiscover the fascinating stories behind 38 queer icons, all of them ground-breakers, risk-takers and game-changers. Whether they are activists, sportspeople, scientists or superstars, every one of these people has been a trailblazer in their field, and deserves to have their achievements celebrated the world over. Be empowered and inspired by their extraordinary life stories, their awesome achievements and their wonder-words of wisdom with this pocketbook of remarkable people, and prepare to be introduced to your new superheroes.
Little Boy: A Novel
by Lawrence Ferlinghetti'This isn't a book: it's a reckoning ... Utterly extraordinary.' GuardianLittle Boy was quite lost. He had no idea who he was or where he had come from . Grown Boy came into his own voice and let loose his word-horde pent-up within him.From growing up as an orphan in 1920s New York, to serving in the Navy at the D-Day landings in Normandy, to a vagabond life drinking in Parisian cafes, to befriending America's greatest counter-cultural writers, Little Boy has seen it all. This is the story of one man's extraordinary life, and the madness of the century that witnessed it - a story steeped in the exhilarating energy of the Beats, a magical torrent of language that gleams with Walt Whitman's visionary spirit. Above all, this is the literary last will and testament of the iconic publisher and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti: not only a meditation on his 99 years on the planet, rich in wisdom, emotion, and memories, but an inspiring reflection on what our future might hold.
Little Labours
by Rivka GalchenAN OBSERVER BOOK OF THE YEAR A droll and dazzling compendium of observations, stories, lists, and brief essays about babies. ‘Beguiling … A wunderkabinett of baby-related curios … A peculiar book, and astonishing in its effect.’ Boston Globe
Little Leaders: Exceptional Men In Black History
by Vashti HarrisonThis beautifully illustrated volume educates and inspires as it relates true stories of black men in history. Illuminating text paired with irresistible full-color art bring to life both iconic and lesser-known figures.Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop culture icons. The men featured include writer James Baldwin, artist Aaron Douglas, photographer Gordon Parks, diplomat Kofi Annan, comic book author Dwayne McDuffie, and musician Prince.
Little Weirds
by Jenny Slate'Magical' - Mindy Kaling'Delicious' - Amy Sedaris'Funny and poignant and beautiful' - John Mulaney'It made me remember I was alive' - George SaundersTo see the world through Jenny Slate's eyes is to see it as though for the first time, shimmering with strangeness and possibility. As she will remind you, we live on an ancient ball that rotates around a bigger ball made up of lights and gases that are science gases, not farts (don't be immature). Heartbreak, confusion and misogyny stalk this blue-green sphere, yes, but it is also a place of wild delight and unconstrained vitality, a place where we can start living as soon as we are born, and we can be born at any time. In her dazzling, impossible-to-categorize debut, Jenny channels the pain and beauty of life in writing so fresh, so new and so burstingly alive, we catch her vision like a fever and bring it back out into the bright day with us, and everything has changed.