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'Just wonderful – two wheels good, Laura Laker brilliant. Part travel diary, part love poem to Britain's cycle network ... it's difficult not to be inspired by this fabulous book.' Jeremy Vine 'With a passion for both cycling and words, there are few more qualified to paint a picture of the NCN's potential than Laura Laker.' Chris BoardmanA unique journey around the UK's National Cycle Network and one journalist's quest to investigate the state of our country's cycling.What if we were less reliant on our cars? What if there were safe cycling paths to take us places instead? What if those paths led to the next town, the next village and the countryside beyond?This was the dream of a group of Bristolian idealists in the 1970s when they founded Britain's National Cycle Network, which now runs to nearly 13,000 miles across the country. Journalist Laura Laker sets off on an odyssey around the UK to see where the NCN began, and where it is now.What has gone right – and wrong – with this piece of national infrastructure? Why is it run by a charity whose CEO once admitted 'we've had enough of it being crap, we need to fix it'? Laura lifts the lid on this maddening, patchy, and at times dangerous network, and the similarly precarious politics and financing that make it what it is.She discovers beauty, friendship and adventure along the way, from the Cairngorms to Cornwall, from the Pennines to the South Wales coast. On her mission to pin down what the NCN is and what it means to those who use it, she also meets up with high-profile travelling companions, including Chris Boardman and Ned Boulting.In a country where 71% of trips are less than five miles, two thirds of Britons say they want to cycle more and doing so could help our climate, health and wellbeing. Laura is on a mission to see if we can make that dream a reality. A unique journey around the UK's National Cycle Network. Laura Laker is on a mission to experience the NCN herself, to understand how it came to be and to explore the future of our country’s cycling infrastructure.

A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 - SPORT'Incredibly moving and inspiring' Gabby Logan'It's brilliant – I loved it' Lorraine Kelly'Brilliant impressive and vividly told' The Times 'Louise is such a positive and uplifting presence. Her fearlessness should inspire us all' Susanna Reid'A celebration of the strength, power and determination of women' Giovanna Fletcher---JOIN LOUISE MINCHIN ON 17 EXHILARATING ADVENTURES WITH TRAILBLAZING WOMEN WHO ARE BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS, SMASHING RECORDS AND CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES. 'To get to the heart of who these women are I decided to do it the way that I know best, by taking part, spending time right beside them to experience the things they love.'Driven to bring more attention to female stories of courage and endeavour, Louise Minchin pushes herself to the extreme and embarks on thrilling endurance adventures with trailblazing women.She freedives under the ice in the dark in Finland with Cath, the first woman to swim a mile in the Antarctic Circle; she cycles across Argentina with Mimi, one of the world's most famous female endurance runners; and she swims from Alcatraz with Anaya and Mitali, two young sisters who have braved the shark-infested waters over 70 times.With her natural empathy and sense of humour, Louise forms close bonds with 18 incredible women. She explores what drives them and how they find the resilience and determination to go on despite life's setbacks. Lizzie overcame a life-threatening illness and now paddleboards whilst cleaning up the planet with her community; Rhian set up a charity in the face of grief and fundraises through hikes; and Zee took up rugby alongside her busy nursing career and motherhood.Louise reminds us of the bravery inside us all, and how essential it is to celebrate women's achievements. Prepare to be touched and inspired by these fearless women.

WINNER OF THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023: SPORT NOMINATED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 'An absorbing mix of historical sleuthing and travel writing' -The Telegraph '(a] fascinating and often touching book Wonderful' -The Times When cycling commentator Ned Boulting bought a length of Pathé news film featuring a stage of the Tour de France from 1923 he set about learning everything he could about it - taking him on an intriguing journey that encompasses travelogue, history and detective story. In the autumn of 2020 Ned Boulting (ITV head cycling commentator and Tour de France obsessive) bought a length of Pathé news film from a London auction house. All he knew was it was film from the Tour de France, a long time ago. Once restored it became clear it was a short sequence of shots from stage 4 of the 1923 Tour de France. No longer than 2.5 minutes long, it featured half a dozen sequences, including a lone rider crossing a bridge. Ned set about learning everything he could about the sequence studying each frame, face and building until he had squeezed the meaning from it. It sets him off in fascinating directions, encompassing travelogue, history, mystery story to explain, to go deeper into this moment in time, captured on his little film. Join him as he explores the history of cycling and France just five years after WWI.

DEREK HODGSON CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR THE CRICKET MEDIA CLUB AWARDS Brilliant Daily Express A must-read Financial Times A wonderful book Henry Blofeld Exquisite The Sun CRICKET LEGEND. WAR HERO. FOOTBALLER. WILD MAN. BILL EDRICH'S STORY IS ONE OF CRICKET VICTORIES, EXPLOSIVE CONTROVERSIES, WARTIME GLORY AND A LIFE LIVED TO THE FULLEST. 571 first-class matches from 1934 to 1958. 36,965 runs. 29th on all-time lists. 86 centuries. 479 wickets. Bill Edrich was one of the biggest cricket stars of his time along with Denis Compton and Len Hutton. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1940 and played football for Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur during the 1930s. In the first biography for 30 years, award-winning writer Leo McKinstry recounts Edrich's audacity both as a cricketer and an RAF pilot. Edrichs flying prowess brought him a promotion to Squadron Leader and won him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) after his part in a courageous daylight raid over Cologne in August 1941. The same action-filled intensity applied to his turbulent private life. A man of keen amorous enthusiasms, he was married five times but rarely allowed his ardour to be inhibited by any wedding vows. Equally unrestrained was his fondness for alcohol and partying, though this trait brought him into conflict with both the cricket and the judicial authorities. After one particularly exuberant display of intoxication during a home Test match, he even lost his place in the England team, only to return for the famous Ashes triumph of 1953. A history of cricket victories, explosive controversies, wartime glory and a life lived to the fullest, this compelling biography reveals the story of one of cricketings greatest characters. SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR

WINNER OF THE ELWYN HARTLEY-EDWARDS AWARD FOR EQUINE WRITING, 2023. Tiffany Francis-Baker explores how the relationship between humans and horses has shaped the British landscape and how this connection has become part of our nation's ecosystems. Many of us enjoy walking or riding on bridleways. These ancient networks crisscross the British countryside, but we rarely pause to ponder how they came to be. Tiffany Francis-Baker tells the intriguing history of Britain's bridleways, revealing how our relationship with horses is deeply woven into the fabric of British culture, from street and pub names to trading routes and coaching inns. She meets the closest living descendants of wild horses and investigates our evolving relationship with horses, exploring equestrian sports, horse fairs, horseback travellers and adventurers, and how humans and horses have worked together for millennia. Part-domesticated and part-fiercely independent, horses have long captured our imaginations, and in The Bridleway, Francis-Baker reveals how deeply rooted they have been in our culture for thousands of years and how they can help us understand the natural world and our place within it.

A very funny book that tackles some serious football issues. Gary Lineker Ever dreamed of setting up your own football club? Join the team behind The Price of Football podcast as they start a (fictional) football club and discover whats really going on behind the scenes of the beautiful game. Buying a football club will set you back a few quid, but youve also got to pass the Premier League and EFL's fit and proper persons test. That all seems like a bit of a faff to the team behind the award-winning podcast The Price of Football, so acclaimed comedy writer Kevin Day, football finance expert Kieran Maguire and producer Guy Kilty start an imaginary club instead. In Unfit and Improper Persons they take West Park Rovers on a hilarious journey from the lowest level of the FA pyramid right up to the English Football League, the Premier League and, if fortune favours the fictional, into the heart of Europe. At least thats the plan, but inevitably they face a few challenges along the way. Where to find a shirt sponsor? What should the mascot be is a dog called Rover too obvious? Can they pay the womens team the same as the mens team? (Spoiler alert: hardly anyone else does.) And how can they get Messi to the Kleanwell Stadium next season, like they promised the fans? Roofing over the toilets, paying the electric on the floodlights, salary caps, parachute payments and avoiding bankruptcy, never mind relegation owning a football club isnt all about stuffing prawn sarnies and quaffing champagne in the directors box. Unfit and Improper Persons is informed, funny and, thanks to exclusive interviews with those whove been there, done that, it lays bare the labyrinthine world of football finance.

Oliver Keenan brings the medieval philosophy of Thomas Aquinas to life.Thomas Aquinas is more than a medieval curiosity. He was a reluctant revolutionary, a scholar, poet and saint whose work unleashed an epoch-defining explosion of philosophical creativity in the thirteenth century. Writing at a time of war, injustice, poverty and alienation, Aquinas' thought reaches across the ages and speaks to us today.As Oliver Keenan argues, Aquinas matters now not because he was right about everything but because he can teach us a new way of looking at the world. A powerful voice for community, justice, friendship and peace, Aquinas' profoundly non-violent philosophy shows us how to be human in a deeply dehumanizing world. The era that he knew was defined by conflict and divisive politics, much like our own – his unfailing belief in the power of communication to overcome alienation and despair is an important lesson for us all.This book brings Aquinas' challenging but deeply rewarding philosophy to life for readers new to his work, as well as those already familiar. Oliver Keenan has spent his working life researching and engaging with Thomas Aquinas, culminating in this moving and original account of why he matters now – perhaps more than ever. Oliver Keenan brings the medieval philosophy of Thomas Aquinas to life.

A kaleidoscopic investigation of Dickens's imagination and the world he created.See Dickens as never before in this creative biography, which delves into his novels, journalistic essays and letters to reveal his strange, hilarious but obsessive personal character and the audacity of a mind that set out, as he said, to rearrange the universe. Peter Conrad's bold rediscovery of Dickens suggests that he alone rivals Shakespeare and in some ways betters him. As well as re-examining the great novels, Conrad's book probes the journalism in which Dickens reports on his risky ventures into the urban underworld, and it describes the celebrated but dangerously over-intense public readings in which, as at a seance, he allowed his most terrifying characters to take possession of him. Ultimately itreveals how the forces of creation and destruction come together in Dickens, who despite his reputation for jollity and effusive sentiment found it increasingly hard to control the madness and violence of his own self-destructive genius.Dickens the Enchanter takes us deep into an imagination whose power and originality struck some contemporaries as godlike while others thought it demonic. If you already love Dickens, it will renew your understanding of him; if you have yet to read him, it will lure you into his astonishing, alarming, enchanted world. A kaleidoscopic investigation of Dickens's superhuman imagination.

Cull of the Wild takes a deep look into the challenges conservationists face - both practical and ethical - as they try to counter one of the greatest threats to biodiversity: invasive species. Cull of the Wild delves into the challenges conservationists face – practical and ethical – as they try to counter one of the greatest threats to biodiversity: invasive species.Culling animals for the sake of conservation is a thorny, sometimes crucial and often controversial issue. For naturalist Hugh Warwick, it is far from a comfortable subject. He loathes the idea of killing (or even eating) animals. Yet, as an ecologist, he is acutely aware of the need, in some instances, to kill and remove invasive species whose presence harms the wider environment.In Cull of the Wild, Hugh tells the stories of how various 'invasive' species came to be where they shouldn't and reveals the impacts of their presence. He talks to experts and meets the people whose job it is to set the traps and pull the trigger. From rats eliminated from important British seabird islands where they were eating their eggs, to control programmes targeting species such as the American mink, grey squirrel, and in Australia, the cane toad, these systems are complex and challenging but often essential to help other species survive.As we all know, sometimes programmes involving the 'legal killing' of animals are hugely emotive, such as when tourists pay to 'cull' species such as elephants or other 'big game'. Join Hugh as he hears from all sides in the debate in this moving and thought-provoking book.

Meet the rare, obscure, and utterly British species found nowhere else on earth.Around 70,000 species call Britain home, but how many of them can be found here and only here? Join conservationist James Harding-Morris as he uncovers the stories of our endemic wildlife – the plants, animals and fungi that are unique to these islands.Determined to give these irreplaceable species their moment in the spotlight, James goes in search of them across the length and breadth of Britain, from wild and rugged Orkney, the only known location for the Orkney vole, down to suburban Plymouth where the horrid ground-weaver spider faces global extinction at the hands of developers. He explores Devon's depths on the hunt for ghostly cave shrimp, seeks out alien fungi on Norfolk roadsides, and traces the tribulations of interrupted brome, the grass that has gone extinct not once, but twice. Along the way, he meets the experts devoted to the study and survival of these vanishingly rare creatures and plants, individuals working tirelessly – and often single-handedly – to save them from the brink of global extinction. Because many of these species are at risk of disappearing forever, before most of us have even realised they exist. A tapestry of wonder and weirdness, tragedies and triumphs, Endemic celebrates what makes our natural history so special and calls on us all to cherish and protect it. Meet the rare, obscure, and utterly British species found nowhere else on earth.

Professor Angie Hobbs proves in this persuasive and intelligent book that Plato is more relevant than ever. Does Plato matter? An ancient philosopher whose work has inspired and informed countless thinkers and poets across the centuries, his ideas are no longer taught as widely as they once were. But, as Angie Hobbs argues in this clear-sighted book, that is a mistake. If we want to understand the world we live in from democracy, autocracy and fake news to celebrity, cancel culture and what money can and cannot do there is no better place to start than Plato. Exploring the intersection between the ancient and the modern, Professor Hobbs shows how Plato can help us address key questions concerning the nature of a flourishing life and community, healthcare, love and friendship, heroism, reality, art and myth-making. She also shows us how Platos adaptation of the Socratic method and dialogue form can enable us to deal with contested issues more constructively. Platos methodology, arguments, ideas and vivid images are explained with a clarity suitable both for readers familiar with his work and for those approaching Plato for the first time. This book shows why Plato really matters, now more than ever.

A beautifully illustrated exploration of the habitats, communities and species hidden just below the British seashore. A beautifully illustrated exploration of the habitats, communities and species hidden just below the British seashore.The shoreline around the British Isles provides tantalising, twice-daily glimpses of the wonders in our seas, but reveals very little of the lives of the dazzlingly colourful fish, exotic-looking corals and thousands more creatures that are just out of sight. Marine biologists and lifelong divers Frances Dipper and Paul Naylor draw on their personal stories to build a vivid picture of the ocean on our doorstep – what lives there, why it's important and what's happening to it.Coastal Seas provides a window into the immensely varied and picturesque habitats beneath the waves, from kelp forests and reefs to seagrass meadows and the open water, as well as the fascinating behaviour and intricate relationships of the fish, cephalopods, invertebrates and other residents within them. The book explores the unique opportunities and challenges that come with living underwater (How do you stay afloat without being swept away? How do you find food and a mate if rooted to the spot?) and reflects on the state of our seas, and what we must do to conserve them.Illustrated with around 300 colour photographs, this latest addition to the British Wildlife Collection is a vibrant celebration of the richness and importance of our marine life.

This handy travel guide to the Netherlands, via the Standing Mast Route, ensures sailors make the most of every minute ashore. From Vlissingen to the German Border including the IJsselmeer and Markermeer, this handy travel guide to the Netherlands, via the Standing Mast Route, ensures sailors make the most of every minute ashore.Arriving ashore somewhere new often raises questions for even the most experienced sailor: Where are the most peaceful harbours to stop? What are the nearest shops and where can I find facilities, fuel and help with repairs? Sailors need a different kind of pilot guide after arrival and this book is their shore-side companion, helping them to explore and enjoy all the Netherlands has to offer.There is probably no other country in Europe that packs in so many different types of cruising destinations into one small place as the Netherlands. In the morning you can be moored up in a vibrant, modern city, yet by the end of the day immersed in a quaint, traditional Dutch village, complete with windmills, and with a backdrop of vivid tulips at the right time of year. Where can I find the tastiest cheese in Gouda, or authentic stroopwafel bakery? Where is the most delicious chocolate workshop, and where can I watch a clog being made by a traditional shoe maker?Illustrated with photographs and maps, this guide brings together the key information needed for your trip, along with Paul Heiney's brilliant recommendations, all in one handy place, freeing up valuable holiday time.

A practical and user-friendly guide to the collision regulations, with full interpretations of the rules and clear diagrams. A thorough understanding of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) is essential for a wide range of professionals as well as amateur mariners. Written in legal text rather than easy to understand terminology, it is not a surprise that the Colregs are subject to gross misunderstanding and confusion. This makes this a difficult area for the thousands of mariners who need to learn, understand and remember them.This handbook is the answer. Expert marine training director Simon Jinks provides straightforward explanations of the complex situations that the Regulations discuss. He gives simple and comprehensive interpretation of the ColRegs rule by rule, giving students and professionals the clarity they need for exam prep and dealing with real-life situations. Colour illustrations of all lights and shapes, and clear diagrams provide additional support for students. The handbook also includes chapters on bridge watch-keeping, radar plotting and techniques for answering ColRegs questions in MCA exam conditions. It shows you where other maritime regulations work hand-in-hand with ColRegs.Simon Jinks is an experienced teacher of ColRegs to students who are studying for MCA Masters, OOW, Boat master and Chief Mates exams, plus those who are studying for RYA Yachtmasters and IYT Master of Yacht Qualifications and want to have an in-depth knowledge. The book adapts the author's teaching notes, developed over many years, with added extras around the subject to help in greater understanding. Autorid: Simon Jinks

A practical, easy-to-use handbook for teenagers that will help you learn how to develop a healthy and loving relationship with your body and food. This easy-to-use and friendly handbook for teenagers will help you learn how to develop a healthy and loving relationship with food and your body, for life. Packed with helpful tips, advice and recipes, in an easy-to-digest format.In no time at all you can dramatically improve the way you feel by making better choices with your food and lifestyle habits. Eat Well and Feel Great shows you how simple changes can have profound effects on your self-confidence and well-being, helping you to:- improve your mood- reduce stress and anxiety- sleep better and focus more- maintain a healthy weight- have a fresher complexion and healthy hair- feel happier in your body.Written by an expert nutritionist with over 20 years' experience, the book features case studies from the author's clinical work with young people. With a selection of quick and easy recipes, you'll learn how simple it is to nourish your brain and body with key nutrients.Eat Well and Feel Great aims to shape the health, wellbeing and self-esteem of current and future generations.Table of Contents: Foreword Introduction1. Set yourself up for success2. Spot the signs of nutritional deficiency3. Eat a rainbow and digestion 1014. Fats won't make you fat (but they will make you smart)5. Balance your blood sugar for all-day energy6. Good hydration7. What you eat can make you happier8. Going plant-based9. Love the skin you're in10. Achieve a healthy weight for life11. Gain weight and bulk up healthily12. Teenage hormone imbalance13. How to get more ZZZs 14. Build a healthy relationship with food15. Managing your emotions around food16. All about anxiety17. Learning to love yourselfQuick and easy recipesFurther reading and resourcesReferencesGlossaryIndex Autorid: Tina Lond-Caulk

DAILY MAIL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR WINNER OF THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 SPORTS PERFORMANCE BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS READER AWARDS 2025 I laughed, gulped and cried as I read Susies stories of battling through some of the hardest races on this planet as well as some of the hardest moments in her life Sophie Raworth AN EXHILARATING READ FROM ONE OF THE UK'S LEADING ENDURANCE RUNNERS. Susie Chan is an icon of endurance running. Since taking up running at the age of 35, she has completed the legendary Marathon des Sables more times than any other British woman, set the 12-hour treadmill World Record and was one of the first women to finish all the World Marathon Majors. Susies story is an inspirational fight against the odds. From leaving a dysfunctional marriage, managing as a single mum and tackling cancer treatment, Susie has had her fair share of adversity. Throughout it all, running has kept her going. She always finds a reason to lace up her shoes and hit the road or the track, trail or tread. Her mantra: You never regret a run. From the Moroccan desert, the Peruvian jungle and the sweltering Death Valley, to Susies local South Downs and a running track in Tooting, her adventures take her across the globe. With Susies down-to-earth personality, refreshing attitude and wicked sense of humour, we learn the countless reasons she finds to push herself further and the life-changing opportunities running has given her. Her passion for the sport is infectious, and her story is a shining example to all in the running community and beyond. Autorid: Susie Chan

Shane Warne, who died in 2022, is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest cricketers of all time – and the greatest spin bowler ever. Warne in Wisden records the highlights of an exceptional career – handpicked from all Wisden publications over a twenty-plus-year period and curated for a global audience.Warne in Wisden features coverage from Warne's first Test against India in 1992 – where he took one wicket – to his retirement from Test cricket in 2007, having taken 708 Test wickets. It includes complete reports and scorecards for key Tests, as well as Wisden's assessment of his impact on the English county game and the Indian Premier League, and his journey from master spinner to global celebrity.Warne combined a prodigious talent for leg-spin with a turbulent life off the pitch. While Wisden's focus was generally on his cricket, Warne in Wisden also relates the controversies and rows that earned him a occasional mention in the Chronicle section of the book.Wisden's authoritative and independent voice/writing provides a unique insight into one of the most discussed cricketers in history.Warne in Wisden includes:Cricketer of the Year by Vic Marks, 1994'A Spin-Doctor Writes' by Ashley Mallett, 1997Five Cricketers of the Century, 2000-13Leading Cricketer in the World, 2004-2005'The mighty craftsman' by Mike Atherton 2007'The Ashes Masters' by David Frith 2009The ebbs and flows of Warne's 21­-year­-long careerHis obituary and related articles from Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2023Scorecards of his most significant Test matchesColour plate section Autorid: Richard Whitehead

A fully revised and expanded edition of the only resource you'll need for choosing, owning and maintaining a narrowboat. The UK has over 2000 miles of navigable canals and rivers which are home to an estimated 35,000 licensed boats. Although canal boats can look much the same to the novice, there are some very important differences to be aware of. If you're new to boating you have some important choices to make.This comprehensive book examines the options available to different types of boaters. From those who choose to live aboard their boats and constant cruisers to fair-weather cruisers, hire boating and share boat syndicates – each will need a different type of boat if they are to fully enjoy their time afloat. Packed with case studies and advice from real boaters with years of experience to share, this second edition has been thoroughly updated throughout and includes new information on liveaboard costs and considerations, eco-friendly boating options, shared ownership and tax-free boat building, as well as:- The cost of boating- Choosing the ideal boat for your boating profile- Buying a boat and the legalities of purchase- Choosing suitable internal fittings and features- Heating, lighting, toilets and hot water options- Boat electrics and solar power- Finding a mooring- Boating health and safety- Locks, swing-bridges and the boating 'highway code'- Boat maintenance- Boating etiquette and best practice A fully revised and expanded edition of the only resource you'll need for choosing, owning and maintaining a narrowboat. Autorid: Tony Jones

A guide to exploring 380 of the most scenic, wildlife-rich and historically significant woodlands in England. From precious remnants of temperate rainforests to lesser-known wildwoods and urban copses, English woodlands offer places of sanctuary for both wildlife and people. In this practical guide, woodland expert Gabriel Hemery brings together the beauty, purpose, history and wildlife of some of the most extraordinary woodland sites in England, from the largest (covering thousands of hectares) to the smallest copse of just a handful of trees and everything in-between. Some woods are havens for rare wildlife such as hazel dormouse and pine marten. Others offer opportunities to explore archaeological features and discover Englands hidden histories. The book is divided into eight regions, each beginning with a summary of its woodland heritage. The 380 site entries contain details of ownership, designation, area, forest type, precise access details (including grid reference, post code and what3words reference) and a description of key features of interest. With clear regional maps and hundreds of remarkable photographs showcasing England's plants, animals and landscapes, this is an essential book for adventurers, ramblers and wildlife enthusiasts. Wherever you may be in England, with this guide you will never be far from a fascinating forest site. Autorid: Gabriel Hemery

Excellent' Simon Kuper The definitive story Christian Karembeu A REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION, INCLUDING NEW EXCLUSIVE PSG CONTENT THE PLAYERS, THE TEAMS, THE GOALS, THE GAMES, THE SCANDALS, THE GLOOM AND THE GLORY: THE STORY OF FRENCH FOOTBALLS EVOLUTION OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS French football is an enigma: a mixture of brilliance and farce, flair and frailty, stunning success and abject failure. Its domestic league is mocked as an uncompetitive Farmers League and its clubs ridiculed for underachieving in European competitions. But France have reached four of the past seven mens World Cup finals and at its best the roar of the Vélodrome, the glamour of the Parc des Princes, the brilliance of Zinédine Zidane and Kylian Mbappé French football has few equals. When it comes to scandal, meanwhile, the French are the best in the business. Tom Williams brings to life French footballs evolution over the last 40 years. He details how the idealistic romanticism of the national team in the early 1980s gave way to an Italian-style pragmatism that would lead Les Bleus to the summit of the international game. By delving into French football's rich history, the book explains the myriad ways in which France has shaped the games evolution around the world. Featuring exclusive interviews with legends such as Alain Giresse, Jean-Pierre Papin, Emmanuel Petit and Blaise Matuidi, and with appearances from Karim Benzema, Chris Waddle and Lionel Messi, it's a book no football fan should miss. Autorid: Tom Williams

'A fascinating book about four women - it tells us so much about their world, and about our own. What jumps off the page is the liveliness of the women, their passion, their courage and their own way of being...' PHILIPPA GREGORY, author of The Other Boleyn Girl and Normal Women'A celebration of female ambition and endeavour... enormous fun' The Sunday TimesA spectacular, vivid, groundbreaking work of history which takes us into the minds and lives of medieval women.What was life really like for women in the medieval period? How did they think about sex, death and God? Could they live independent lives? And how can we hear their stories? Few women had the luxury of writing down their thoughts and feelings during medieval times. But remarkably, there are at least four extraordinary women who did. Marie de France, a poet; Julian of Norwich, a mystic and anchoress; Christine de Pizan, a widow and court writer; and Margery Kempe, a "no-good wife". In their own ways these four very different writers pushed back against the misogyny of the period. Each broke new ground in women's writing and left us incredible insights into the world of medieval life and politics.This mesmerizing book is an unforgettably lively and immersive journey into the everyday lives of medieval women through the stories of these four iconic women writers, some of which are retold here for general readers for the first time.

Whether you are sailing, motorboating, pottering around in a dinghy, racing, going fishing offshore or embarking on an ocean crossing, this is the essential pocket-sized guide to first aid you need to have on board. Aimed specifically at boaters, it covers every medical problem you may encounter on board, from common issues such as seasickness and sunburn to more serious problems such as broken bones and emergencies including heart attacks and strokes. Every problem is graded for its seriousness, indicating whether it is something you can treat yourself that needn't mean the end of the trip, or whether you should head back to shore or summon help immediately. It guides you in how to make someone comfortable and, in the most serious circumstances, improve their chances of making a full recovery. Clear, full-colour step by step diagrams illustrate succinct instructions for quick reference. The book also includes a guide on what to include in your on-board first aid kit, which differs depending on where you are going, and how long and how far you will be away from the nearest assistance. A handy reference to have on board wherever you are going, this book will boost your confidence, help you solve medical problems, and minimise the dangers in emergencies.

This hilarious and philosophical exploration of running and ageing sees comedian and award-winning writer Paul Tonkinson take on an ultra-marathon through the heart of the Sahara Desert. This hilarious and philosophical exploration of running and ageing sees comedian and award-winning writer Paul Tonkinson take on an ultra-marathon through the heart of the Sahara Desert.AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOWAgeing as a runner is no joke. Paul Tonkinson discovers that in running, as in life, you are gradually overtaken by a stream of young people wearing clothes you couldn't get in to and in shoes you don't recognise. He observes that your relationship with running changes – you no longer run as fast as you can, you run as fast as your body can handle, which is slow. So, embrace it.Why not the toughest footrace on earth? The Marathon Des Sables, a week long, 250kms self-sufficient sweat fest across the Sahara Desert. What could possibly go wrong?Turns out lots. While training for the event – calves explode, tendons pop, knees disintegrate. Years come and go, time seems to be running out as the race seems an impossible dream and then, in 2024 when fitness is finally achieved, a freak accident – Paul is run over by dogs, hospitalised, all hope is lost Spring 2025, the planets align. Tonkinson snags entry to MDS, two months till race time. It's on – the last hurrah. Get the gear down from the attic, apply the toe jelly and find that mandatory whistle.With such little time to train, he can't compete any more that's for sure – the question is more basic – can he possibly finish? Autorid: Paul Tonkinson

An engaging blend of conservation stories and humorous, personal anecdotes from Philippa Forrester about women who, like her, choose to live and work in the wild.Surviving in the wilderness has long been associated with men, and traditionally conservation and environmental biology have been male-dominated subjects. Yet many remarkable women also choose to live and work in wild and challenging landscapes. In her new book, Philippa Forrester studies and celebrates what it means to be a wild woman.Taking an anthropological approach, Philippa considers the grit and determination required for women to maintain connections to wildlife. She reveals stories of female conservation heroes and other extraordinary wild women and relates some of her own experiences from three decades spent travelling around the world working in some of the wildest places on Earth. What does it take for a woman to live or work in the wild? Which qualities help women to survive and thrive in the most challenging of natural environments?Talking to women from around the world, she examines how these women benefit from a life spent in the wilderness and considers what the natural world gains from them. And as she explores our relationship with the wild, Philippa contemplates what we expect and need from nature and ponders why we still feel a pull towards it despite living pasteurised lives disconnected from the natural world.

CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR THE CRICKET MEDIA CLUB AWARDS 'McKinstrys biography will fascinate cricket lovers' The Times A STORY OF CRICKET VICTORIES, EXPLOSIVE CONTROVERSIES, WARTIME GLORY AND A LIFE LIVED TO THE FULLEST 571 first-class matches from 1934 to 1958. 36,965 runs. 29th on all-time lists. 86 centuries. 479 wickets. Bill Edrich was one of the biggest cricket stars of his time along with Denis Compton and Len Hutton. He even played football for Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur. Award-winning writer Leo McKinstry recounts Edrichs audacity both as a cricketer and an RAF pilot when his flying prowess brought him a promotion to Squadron Leader and won him the Distinguished Flying Cross. The same action-filled intensity applied to his turbulent private life. Edrich was married five times but rarely allowed his ardour to be inhibited by any wedding vows. Equally unrestrained was his fondness for alcohol and partying, with one particularly exuberant display of intoxication during a home Test match losing him his place in the England team, only to return for the famous Ashes triumph of 1953. SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR Autorid: Leo McKinstry