Christopher Lloyd tells our story from the beginning of time to the present day. Along the way he explains exactly how the Earth’s collision with another planet caused the moon, how dragonflies the size of seagulls emerged out of the prehistoric waters, and how the Big Bang can be detected in your TV. Accessible and endlessly entertaining, this brilliant book makes essential reading for the whole family.
Time out Great Train Journeys of the World is a selection of forty of the world’s best train journeys, from nostalgic steam lines to state-of-the-art high-speed locomotives. Beautifully illustrated and written with passion by those who care deeply about travel, this book will appeal to people who cherish the individual, the ethical and the characterful when planning their journeys.
The campaigns and conflicts, the warriors and commanders, the tactics, weapons and technology… all factors that have shaped human warfare. With fascinating features on topics including the role of infantry, siege warfare and the treatment of wounded soldiers, War is a definitive guide to the brutal dimension of the story of humankind.
Engrossing, amazing and informative, this reference book offers a unique insight into the lives of these fascinating creatures. With over 250 stunning images and an informative text that describes and explains the everyday and extraordinary aspects of life in the undergrowth, this book gives a spectacular account of the bizarre beauty of insects.
In a wonderfully witty style, this casebook gives us the stories of inventors, Nobel Prize winners, scientists, actresses, engineers, architects, kings, tennis champions, criminals, opera singers and many more besides who have benefited from sheer blind luck. From the Japanese trader who made a fortune after a share price typo to the art book bought for £50 that turned out to contain original Picassos, this is a celebration of serendipity and outrageous good fortune.
Who else would you rather go travelling with than Michael Palin? Here he is, in all his glory, ready to guide you every step of the way through five of his finest adventures. Brilliantly readable, these epic tales take you (literally) around the world and back again and this classic collection is a timely reminder not just of Palin’s skills as a traveller and actor but also of his very great gift as a writer and communicator.
The perfect portable companion for all Scrabble games, this handy guide is an essential item for players of the world’s bestselling word game. Ideal reference for family and friends, this pocket book features short definitions for every word listed so players can check meanings of words without having to consult a second dictionary… guaranteed to come in handy when it comes to resolving disputes or proving a point!
This ultimate guide to the world’s unspoilt sights and experiences presents 1,000 fascinating alternatives to hundreds of well-known tourist destinations. Less crowded, less expensive and often more spectacular, these lesser known wonders of the world remind travellers what real travel is about.
Which animal would you find in a Dazzle, a Crash, a Flamboyance, a Boogle or a Bloat? Why on earth is a group of crows called a Murder? And were you aware that jellyfish don’t have brains, a goat’s pupils are rectangular, or that herrings communicate via bubbles from their bottoms? From ants to zebras, this miscellany of animal madness is packed full of the most utterly astonishing facts ever.
After much research about (and in) pubs, Albert Jack brings together the stories behind pub names to reveal how they offer fascinating and subversive insights into our history, customs, attitudes and jokes. Any regular visitor to the great British pub will delight in knowing the origin of The Royal Oak or the Cat and the Fiddle and here they’ll also learn facts about a diverse range of pub culture from the rules of cribbage to drinking songs and ghost stories.