LITMIR.BIZ

Terry Pratchett is one of the most loved writers in the world. With worldwide sales of over 65 million copies in 37 languages, his novels are eagerly awaited by his legions of fans year after year. His first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic was released in 1983 and ever since then the series, with its whimsical heroes and fiendish foes, has delighted both young and old alike. In 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He has courageously faced the disease head-on, equalling the determination of his characters in his vivid and satirical novels. In Terry Pratchett – The Spirit of Fantasy, Craig Cabell examines his extraordinary life, showcased against the backdrop of his irreverent works. With 2011 the 40th anniversary year of his first novel, The Carpet People, this is a fitting time to pay tribute to the author's artistic achievements and celebrate one of Britain's true national treasures. Featuring an in-depth look at the man and his work, as well as on-screen adaptations and a complete UK bibliography and collector's guide, this is essential reading for any fan.

Подробнее

When we went to the Palace to get The Beatles their OBEs. John Lennon had some acid with him. 'I'm gonna slip it into the Queen's tea,' he told me. 'I want to open her mind and try to get her to declare war on somewhere nice and warm so we can all go and fight on the beaches.' After Jane Asher dumped Paul McCartney he literally used to cry on my shoulder. We hit the bottle together. Hard. 'I had everything and I threw it all away,' he would say. Alistair Taylor was with The Beatles from the moment they signed with Brian Epstein. In fact, apart from the signatures of each of the Fab Four, his is the only other name on the contract. From the very beginning he travelled, ate, partied, and even holidayed with them, right up until the beginning of the group's spectacular break up. As the group's 'Mr Fixit' he settled paternity cases, bought islands, houses and estates, and took care of John, Paul, George and Ringo when their lifestyles became a little too lively. Alistair Taylor was privy to all the secrets that we were never supposed to know. Now, on the 50th anniversary of Ringo's appointment as drummer, he reveals for the first time what it was really like to ride the rollercoaster that was the sixties with The Beatles.

Подробнее

For more than half a century, a shared love of canals and narrowboats has been inseparable from the marriage of Timothy West and Prunella Scales. The two iconic actors have spent many of the happiest days of their life together enjoying the calming pleasures of watching land and nature unfold before them at four miles an hour.<br><br>In 2014, Tim and Pru took to the canals of Britain and beyond with a television crew and a brief to record their best-loved trips along the most beautiful waterways they could find. Little did anyone guess that their seemingly light-hearted travelogue, and the story of their lives that it revealed, would transcend the programme's gentle façade, becoming something entirely more powerful. From the outset, the reflective undertones of the possibilities of later life, and the realities of Prunella's dementia, struck a chord with viewers around the country. Now in its seventh series, the show has been described as 'beautiful and meditative' by the <i>Guardian</i>, 'touching' by the <i>Independent</i> and 'a hymn to the possibilities of later life' by the <i>Telegraph</i>, there is no finer, nor more thought-provoking, travelogue on British television.<br><br>In this handsomely presented book, Timothy West tells the story of the couple's life and travels. Illustrated throughout with beautiful photography, <i>Our Great Canal Journeys</i> recounts their storied careers as actors while recording their remarkable journeys along some of the world's most scenic waterways. Beyond this, however, it explores with sensitivity the trials, but also the joys, of ageing, and how Prunella's struggle with dementia has both changed, and yet failed to change, their lives together.<br><br>By turns humorous and poignant, <i>Our Great Canal Journeys</i> is at once a beautifully observed ode to a unique, magical method of travelling the world, and a warm meditation upon love, learning and life.

Подробнее

Carolyn Ross, Tony Hart's daughter, paints a fascinating and detailed picture of her father, one of the most loved men ever to have graced British television. Remembered by generations for his long-running programmes, including Take Hart and Hartbeat, Tony Hart was a firm fixture in children's television for over 30 years and inspired tens of thousands of young people to explore their creative talents. Following his death in January 2009, at the age of 83, a flashmob of tiny plasticine figures were placed on London's Bankside to honour the memory of the late TV artist. Almost 200 models in the shape of children's TV favourite Morph were arranged in a Terracotta Army-style formation outside Tate Modern. An inspirational figure to thousands of children from the 1970s until his retirement in 2001, Tony Hart is fondly remembered and this detailed biography will appeal to the readers of celebrity biographies as well as to those with an interest in art

Подробнее

Murder, violence and corruption are words synonymous with organised crime. Its long and bloody history influences all our lives whether we know it or not. But what lies behind these shadowy organisations? Where did they come from and how did their influence become so widespread? In this extraordinary book, leading crime investigator Martin Short reveals the shocking truth of how the Mafia and other criminal organisations maintain their strength through public demand, as well as extortion and murder. The Rise of the Mafia traces the roots of modern organised crime. Martin Short has met hundreds of people with first-hand knowledge and has interviewed some of the most powerful mob masters and informers in the business as well as speaking with key police and FBI officers.

Подробнее

When shocking images emerged of Anne, Britain’s last circus elephant, being beaten by one of her keepers, it sparked a national outcry. Undercover footage showed the gentle creature cowering in fear as the youth repeatedly inflicted violent attacks on her, making her wince in pain. The public was appalled and demanded that Anne be freed from the circus where she had spent nearly fifty-five years performing and be allowed to live out her final years in peace. I, a reporter at the Daily Mail, broke the story after the campaign group Animal Defenders International passed the newspaper the footage they had secretly shot.<br>From then on, the paper, animal charities and experts worked tirelessly behind the scenes to save Anne and deliver her to safety. But there were fears for her health due to her crippling arthritis and old age and at one stage it was thought that she might have to be put down to ease her suffering. Thankfully the vets decided that they could treat her and she officially retired in 2011.<br>It was agreed that Longleat Safari Park would be her new home and she settled in nicely. Meanwhile, her keeper is believed to have fled to his native Romania and her owner Bobby Roberts was prosecuted for animal cruelty the following year. The Daily Mail ran a funding appeal to build her a refuge at the park specifically designed for her needs and she moved in to Anne’s Haven a year ago.<br>Since she was rescued, she has gone from strength to strength and the arthritis which caused her to drag her back legs has dramatically improved. Having recovered her mobility, she is able to play and go for walks with new-found energy. Now, at last, she has the chance to live out her final years in a happy and safe place.

Подробнее

Pheidippides did it once and became a legend. Brian Mills did it over 800 times…but you might be forgiven for not knowing who he is. He is a runner and 'it' is the marathon – all 26 miles and 385 yards of it – and for some people, once is not enough. Brian Mills is rumoured to have a butterfly tattoo for each of his 800 plus efforts. And Brian is not the only one who has notched up three digits of gruelling athletic endeavour. The 100 Marathon Club, also known as the Hell's Angels of Running and Running Sluts (running one race whilst thinking of another) is growing in number every year. This is a club with no prejudices and only one prerequisite for membership – the completion of 100 marathons. It is full of colourful, contrasting characters with idiosyncratic personalities and diverse lifestyles. They make up a gargantuan melting pot of humanity linked by one common desire – to run…and run …and run. But who would want to run 100 marathons or more? And why? How do they find the time, the money, the energy? Are they crazy? Find out by reading their stories. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry, some may even inspire you to run a marathon. Believe it or not, these are ordinary, everyday people like you. Although when you have finished laughing and crying, you may still not be sure whether they are crazy or passionate. But you – as they do when they run – will have a lot of fun along the way.

Подробнее

Using contemporary accounts of W.G.'s greatest innings, many for the first time, Robert Low presents a radically new image of the sportsman who was recognised as the pre-eminent athlete of his day.From his emergence as a teenage prodigy to well past his fiftieth year W.G. dominated the game of cricket, taking 2,876 wickets and scoring 54,896 first-class runs in a career lasting an incredible 43 years, from 1865 to 1908. His beard and massive frame made him instantly recognisable wherever he went and his gamesmanship and wit were legendary.

Подробнее

When Jack Hale invested in the advertising agency that belonged to his daughter, Celia, it wasn t because he really had faith in her abilities. Inexplicably, however, she quickly becomes a success. When Jack takes her out to dinner to celebrate, they witness a daring murder, committed in full public view. There's no way the killer could have escaped without a precisely orchestrated plan… or were they just very, very lucky? Is it really possible that there is a female conspiracy, dedicated to ridding the world of men who are evil… or even just inconvenient? Jack must risk everything to uncover the truth about the Women's Club.

Подробнее

This is the amazing, terrifying, muscle-packed story of the most feared and respected bouncer in the country. When Stellakis Stylianou, known to his friends – and his enemies – as Stilks, was a kid growing up in London he was so poor that he had to go out hunting pigeons for his family's supper. It was the memory of those lean days that made him vow that his own family would never be hungry again. And so he forged a life for himself doing what he knew best – using his muscle and his unstoppable force to keep law and order on the streets, in a way that no uniformed copper could ever do…Now he has risen to become the most famous club doorman in the world. Woe betide anyone who mistakes his firm politeness for weakness.

Подробнее