Category Archives: Travel Guides
The Unknown Universe: What We Don`t Know About Time and Space in Ten Chapters
On 21 March 2013, the European Space Agency released a map of the afterglow of the Big Bang. Taking in 440 sextillion kilometres of space and 13.8 billion years of time, it is physically impossible to make a better map: we will never see the early Universe in more detail. On the one hand, such
Southern Cross to Pole Star: Tschiffely`s Ride
Aime Tschiffely had an unlikely dream: to ride 10,000 miles from Buenos Aires to New York City. In April 1925 he set out on his epic journey with two native Argentine horses called Mancha and Gato. The trio traversed the Pampas, scaled the Andes and struggled through the crocodile-infested rivers of Colombia and the jungles
Crusaders: An Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands
Dan Jones, best-selling chronicler of the Middle Ages, turns his attention to the history of the Crusades the sequence of religious wars fought between the late eleventh century and late medieval periods, in which armies from European Christian states attempted to wrest the Holy Land from Islamic rule, and which have left an enduring imprint
Scandinavians: In Search of the Soul of the North
The Scandinavians are regarded as Europe`s most tolerant and peace-loving people. So how was it that one of the worst acts of political terror ever witnessed on this continent was committed by a Norwegian – against his fellow countrymen? Scandinavia is the epitome of cool: we fill our homes with cheap but stylish Nordic furniture;
The Expedition: The Forgotten Story of a Polar Tragedy
On July 11th, 1897, three men set out in a hydrogen balloon bound for the North Pole. Led by engineer August Soloman Andree, they want to make history, but are frighteningly underprepared. Three days into their journey they make a crash landing and disappear into a white nightmare. They never return. 33 years later. The
The Expedition: Solving the Mystery of a Polar Tragedy
11 July, 1897. Three men set out in a hydrogen balloon bound for the North Pole. They never return. Two days into their journey they make a crash landing then disappear into a white nightmare. 33 years later. The men`s bodies are found, perfectly preserved under the snow and ice. They had enough food, clothing
Death Descends on Saturn Villa
London: 1883. Sidney Grice is London`s foremost personal detective. Called away to Yorkshire, he leaves his ward, March Middleton, to run his house. But hearth and home hold little charm for March, who harbours dreams of becoming London`s foremost, and first, lady detective. So, when a mysterious letter arrives from her long-lost uncle, she accepts
The Secrets of Gaslight Lane
London, 1883: All is quiet at 125 Gower Street. Sidney Grice is swotting up on the anatomical structure of human hair whilst his ward, March Middleton, sneaks upstairs for her eighth secret cigarette of the day. The household is, perhaps, too quiet. So, when a beautiful young woman turns up at the door, imploring London`s
The Ruby Airship
In this action-packed sequel to The Diamond Thief, trapeze-artist Remy has left the circus and her life as a jewel thief behind, but doubts that young detective Thaddeus Rec will ever truly trust her. Torn between her new life and her old, her mind is made up when Yannick, a fellow circus-performer from Remy`s past,
A Loud Winter`s Nap
Every year Tortoise sleeps through winter. He assumes he isn`t missing much. However, his friends are determined to prove otherwise! Will Tortoise go to sleep or will his friends convince him to stay awake and experience the frosty fun of the season? Best-selling author Katy Hudson`s charming picture book will convince even the biggest grouch
Rush Hour: How 500 Million Commuters Survive the Daily Journey to Work
Each working day 500 million people across the planet experience the miracle and misery of commuting. Whether undertaken by car, bus, train or bicycle, the practice shapes our days and creates a time and a space for a surprisingly diverse range of activities. In RUSH HOUR, Iain Gately traces the past, present and future of
Hair-Pocalypse
In this outrageously funny picture book, a bad hair day seems like the end of the world. But Aidan Allen`s hair isn`t just bad – it`s MAD! And over the course of one crazy day, Aidan`s hair takes its revenge. But can Aidan stop it before it ruins his life?
They Eat Horses, Don`t They?: The Truth About the French
The centuries-old, love-hate relationship with our closest neighbour has spawned a plethora of myths and stereotypes. In recent years our stock of received wisdom about the French – land of the sophisticated lover, the wine-fuelled lunch, the gitane-puffing philosopher, the hairy female armpit and the rebarbatively squalid toilet – has been replenished by a new
Classical Civilization: A History in Ten Chapters
A concise and accessible study of the foundations, development and enduring legacy of the cultures of Greece and Rome, centred on ten locations of seminal importance in the development of Classical civilisation. Starting with Troy, where history, myth and cosmology fuse to form the origins of Classical civilisation, Nigel Spivey explores the contrasting politics of
The Black Russian
Frederick Bruce Thomas is not a famous man. His life does not feature in the history books, it has not been translated to film or stage. And yet, in his own way, Frederick Thomas is one of the most remarkable characters of the twentieth century. After the brutal murder of his father, Thomas fled his
Quick Travel Puzzles
This selection of word games, quizzes, spatial conundrums and number games is designed to provide diversion and entertainment while on the move. In addition to more than 90 individual riddles, tests and problems there is a challenging `mind maze` of 60 linked brainteasers.
Long Live the King
December 1901: With London Society in a frenzy of anticipation for the coronation of the new king, Edward VII, the Earl and Countess of Dilberne are caught up in lavish preparations. Yet Lady Isobel still has ample time to fret, and no wonder with a new heir on the way, an elopement, family tragedy, a
The Rise of Rome
Beginning with the founding myths of Romulus and Remus and a succession of probably fictitious kings, Anthony Everitt charts the development of Rome from its origins as a small market town in the eighth century BC, through various forms of patrician government, up to Caesar`s victory in the Civil War that defeated the Roman Republic
Restoration: 1666: A Year in Britain
In an England inhabited by Pepys, Evelyn, Dryden, Hobbes and the young Isaac Newton, Charles II is king, and the nation is beginning to relax a little after the tough, joyless years of Cromwell`s Protectorate. In RESTORATION, Alex Larman paints a fascinating portrait of a country in the throes of social, political and cultural change
A Journey to Britannia: From the Heart of Rome to Hadrian`s Wall, AD 130
It is AD 130. Rome is the dazzling heart of a vast empire and Hadrian its most complex and compelling ruler. Faraway Britannia is one of the Romans` most troublesome provinces: here the sun is seldom seen and `the atmosphere in the country is always gloomy`. What awaits the traveller to Britannia? How will you
