Ian Shipley has now been traditionally hand-digging graves for 40 years. He was taught to dig the old-fashioned way and four decades on, averaging 114 graves per year, Ian can still be found habitually toiling away in one of any number of locations across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. In Tales of a Gravedigger, the author's first book, he recalls true tales from his early years whilst working at Newark's London Road Cemetery in Nottinghamshire. It is a light-hearted and occasionally amusing look into the life of a gravedigger. From coffins getting stuck to stomach-churning exhumations. From unexpected cave-ins to practical jokes and various other ghostly goings-on. It's an interesting glimpse into a profession that most of us know very little about. Ian has always believed that a grave should be hand-dug. It's more personal that way. For years he has declined to use mechanical digging, preferring instead to keep alive the old ways. In Newark-on-Trent and throughout the surrounding villages of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, Ian will possibly be the last of the traditional gravediggers.

Dogs are truly one of God's finest creatures, a marvelous gift for us humans. In the perfect follow-up to "A Prince among Dogs," Callie Smith Grant compiles a delightful collection of true stories that celebrate the dogs in our lives. These stories will touch our hearts, renew our spirits, and show us how God made these wonderful creatures for unique purposes.
Readers will love these uplifting glimpses into the lives of ordinary and extraordinary dogs and the people who love them. The stories are warm, captivating, and ideal for a good curl-up-and-read or a perfect gift for any dog lover.

'The unexpected comic masterpiece of the year' Daily Mail In 1967, retired army major and self-made millionaire Paddy Roy Bates inaugurated himself ruler of the Principality of Sealand on a World War II Maunsell Sea Fort near Felixstowe - and began the peculiar story of the world's most stubborn micronation. Having fought off attacks from UK government officials and armed mercenaries for half a century - and thwarted an attempted coup that saw the Prince Regent taken hostage - the self-proclaimed independent nation still stands. It has its own constitution, national flag and anthem, currency, and passports - and offers the esteemed titles of 'Lord' or 'Lady' to its loyal patrons. Incorporating original interviews with surviving members of the principality's royal family, and many rare, vintage photographs, Dylan Taylor-Lehman recounts the outrageous attempt to build a sovereign kingdom by a family of rogue, larger-than-life adventurers on an isolated platform in the freezing waters of the North Sea.

Women around the globe are buying and consuming alcohol at alarming rates never seen before. But is it doing us any favours? Is it really that treat or reward that we deserve? Lotta Dann thinks not. In The Wine O'Clock Myth, Lotta takes an in-depth and eye-opening look at women's drinking habits. Written through the lens of her own story and her work in the field of addiction and recovery, Lotta explores the privileged position alcohol holds in our society, the way the liquor industry targets women and the damaging 'Wine Mum' social media culture. She reveals the damage alcohol is causing to women: physically, emotionally and socially; and the potential reasons why so many women are drinking at harmful levels. And she talks to a number of brave women who share detailed, intimate stories about their personal relationships with alcohol. Stories that are at times brutal and heartbreaking, but also inspiring and heart lifting. The Wine O'Clock Myth is a powerful, important book that may well change the way you think about alcohol forever.

In Remarkable People, Dan Walker, the host of BBC1's Breakfast, recounts inspiring stories of the courage and selflessness of people he has met throughout his career. An uplifting tonic for the darkness and negativity of recent times. We live in an age of anxiety, besieged by bad news and uncertainty. But Dan Walker, the host of BBC1's Breakfast and Football Focus, is determined to shine a light onto stories of selflessness and compassion that seldom make the headlines. In the course of his professional life, Dan has encountered many inspiring stories of bravery and kindness. In Remarkable People, he recounts tales of incredible humanity, empathy, compassion, and a steely determination to transform lives, restore trust, renew hope. Remarkable People is the perfect book for these challenging times; an escape from the negativity of our everyday news cycle, and a tribute to courage and positivity.

You think you know her story. You ve read the Brothers Grimm, you ve watched the Disney cartoons, and you cheered as these virtuous women lived happily ever after. But real princesses didn t always get happy endings. Sure, plenty were graceful and benevolent leaders, but just as many were ruthless in their quest for power and all of them had skeletons rattling in their royal closets. Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe was a Nazi spy. Empress Elisabeth of the Austro-Hungarian empire slept wearing a mask of raw veal. Princess Olga of Kiev slaughtered her way to sainthood while Princess Lakshmibai waged war on the battlefield, charging into combat with her toddler son strapped to her back. Princesses Behaving Badly offers true tales of all these princesses and dozens more in a fascinating read that s perfect for history buffs, feminists, and anyone seeking a different kind of bedtime story.

'I was twenty-six years old and an associate beauty editor at Lucky, one of the top fashion magazines in America. That's all that most people knew about me. But beneath the surface, I was full of secrets: I was a drug addict, for one. A pillhead. I was also an alcoholic-in-training who guzzled warm Veuve Clicquot after work alone in my boss's office with the door closed; a conniving and manipulative uptown doctor-shopper; a salami-and-provolone-puking bulimic who spent a hundred dollars a day on binge foods when things got bad (and they got bad often); a weepy, wobbly, wildly hallucination-prone insomniac; a tweaky self-mutilator; a slutty and self-loathing downtown party girl; and - perhaps most of all - a lonely weirdo. But, you know, I had access to some really fantastic self-tanner.' By the age of 15, Cat Marnell longed to work in the glamorous world of women's magazines - but was also addicted to the ADHD meds prescribed by her father. Within 10 years she was living it up in New York as a beauty editor at Conde Nast, with a talent for 'doctor-shopping' that secured her a never-ending supply of prescribed amphetamines. Her life had become a twisted merry-go-round of parties and pills at night, while she struggled to hold down her high-profile job during the day. Witty, magnetic and penetrating - prompting comparisons to Bret Easton Ellis and Charles Bukowski - Cat Marnell reveals essential truths about her generation, brilliantly uncovering the many aspects of being an addict with pin-sharp humour and beguiling style. 'New York's enfant terrible...Her talent has resided in her uncanny ability to write about addiction from the untidy, unsafe, unhappy epicentre of the disease, rather than from some writerly remove.' Telegraph 'I LOVE this book' Catriona Innes, Cosmopolitan Magazine UK 'An unputdownable, brilliantly written rollercoaster' Shappi Khorsandi 'Brilliantly written and harrowing and funny and honest' Louise France, The Times Magazine 'Easily one of the most anticipated memoirs of the year...[Marnell's] got an inimitable style (and oh my god, so many have tried) and a level of talent so high, it's impossible not to be rooting for her.' NYLON

"Wasting Libby" chronicles decades of neglect by state and federal agencies, which allowed the Grace corporation to reap millions in profits from the largest vermiculite mine in the world, while knowingly exposing generations of Montana residents to fatal levels of asbestos-contaminated dust. Libby's story, which culminates in the 2009 criminal trial of the corporation's executives, is ultimately the tale of the families who fought Grace for justice, who refused to sacrifice their dignity even as they lost their lives.

With an introduction by actor and environmentalist Jeff Bridges.

Andrea Peacock is the co-author, with Doug Peacock, of "The Essential Grizzly."

The captivating account of how Clint Lorance, a soldier who became a scapegoat for a corrupt military hierarchy, was falsely charged with war crimes, imprisoned, and eventually pardoned by President Trump. While out on patrol in Afghanistan, Clint Lorance learned that two men, both suspected suicide bombers, were speeding toward a crowded city on motorcycles. Lorance couldn't see them, but his men on the ground had clear shots. After a split second, he gave the order to shoot, killing both men. In the months that followed, Lorance was arrested by the military and put on trial for war crimes. Prosecutors claimed that the order he gave constituted an act of premeditated murder, and they sentenced him to twenty years in prison. In Stolen Honor, Lorance finally tells the story of this event and the trial it led to -- how the prosecutors declined to admit clear-cut evidence that would have exonerated him, how the men in his unit turned on him, and why he still believes he was right to give the order to shoot. It is a story that stretches from small-town America to the deserts of Afghanistan, from the White House to the tiny jail cell where Lorance spent six years waiting on his exoneration, which finally came when President Trump pardoned him in 2019. The book also discusses Lorance's plans to attend law school and help reform the broken military justice system.

On Friday 13th September 2019 I embarked on an Elementary Pilot Training Course. 4 days later I would awake to be told most of the left hand side of my body & back were broken along with other serious injuries. I was told I'd sustained life changing injuries. Determined that I was not going to give my life up. I focused solely on what needed to be done to get me through. What had happened to me? 6 months into rehabilitation the COVID lockdown hit, physiotherapy, complimentary therapies & all types of training stopped. Completely isolated the only thing I could do now was to keep working on my walking until it became better & I grew stronger. With a body full of metalwork & the NHS completely at a standstill due to the pandemic would I be able to get the operations I need to release myself from the metal prison that is holding me captive? Would I be able to get myself out of the biggest challenge I was yet to face? Would I ever be able to get myself back to some semblance of a life I recognise?

In March 2020 Covid struck and the world changed - much of the world locked down - will it ever be the same again? The author woke up one morning at the end of June 2021 and decided that she wanted to put a book together of "lives during these times". She had been watching families and friends becoming increasingly divided by their opposing views on what was going on in the world. People were becoming angry and frustrated with each other for not sharing the same view on what was going on. Fear, blame, anxiety, were on the increase. People were suffering and if there was one thing we didn't need more of it was suffering. We all have our own unique circumstances, views, beliefs, thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears and her aim for this book is to create more understanding, respect and love. She has gathered individual heartfelt stories from friends, ordinary people, of where they were in their lives when Covid struck and how they have navigated the past 2 and a half years. The world is in crisis and we need unity, trust and love, not division, hopelessness and fear. This book tells the unique stories of people living in different circumstances, in different countries with some very different opinions. Each story is the truth of the person who wrote it even if it is not your truth. The author hopes you will enjoy reading the wonderful stories that have been shared with her.

During the frenzied Klondike Gold Rush, many daring women ventured north to seek riches and adventure or to escape a troubled past. These unforgettable, strong-willed women defied the social conventions of the time and endured heartbreak and horrific conditions to build a life in the wild North. At the height of the gold rush, Martha Purdy, Nellie Cashman, Ethel Berry and a few hundred other women were conquering what came to be called the Trail of '98--a route that proved to be an impossible ordeal for many men. From renowned reporter Faith Fenton and successful entrepreneur Belinda Mulrooney to Mae Field, "The Doll of Dawson," and other "citizens of the demimonde," the Klondike's rebel women bring an intriguing new perspective to gold-rush history.

QUEEN GIVEN THE MARVEL COMICS TREATMENT! Former Marvel Comics editor and writer Tim Quinn has created a unique Platinum Jubilee souvenir with a brand new comic book telling the life story of Queen Elizabeth II. Quinn has used his colleagues from the publishing giant to illustrate the book. "As I researched the Queen's life story, I was struck by how visual the tale was," says Quinn. "It proved to be a perfect story to approach in exactly the same way we produced the super-hero titles at Marvel Comics." The book captures the Queen's story from childhood to the present day. It has been put together to raise funds for the Merseyside children's charity Liverpool Heartbeat who create literacy projects for schools. "There's nothing quite like the Marvel method of storytelling to capture the imagination of even the most ardent non-reader," says Quinn. "The combination of the Marvel approach and the Queen's amazing story has proved to be a visual treat." The book was presented to the Queen at Windsor Castle and received a very positive response which is featured in this new printing.

This pack contains a book and an audio CD. Porter has been touring her stories about victims and bullies for over seven years. These stories are first person accounts by both victims and bullies. The victims try to change the situation and usually, but not always, succeed. The stories are descriptive narratives of what happens to real people. They are based on Porter's observations, countless interviews, personal experience, and imagination. The book explores the idea that victims and bullies are two sides of the same coin and that the healing of both lies in dealing with this paradox. There is not a lot of real violence in these stories; there is some, and much of it is implied in threats, taunts, gossip, e-mails, gestures, and language. Most of the bullying is teasing and it is always designed to torment and ridicule. "The Bully and Me" also refers to biblical and folk tales in the comments showing how bullying is not a new problem. This is not a self-help book; it is about listening to and thinking about the stories of bullying that happen everyday in our homes, our schools, and our communities.

Paul Baker has experienced many ups and downs in his life, but it's how he dealt with these moments and learned from them that really sets his story apart. He is accustomed to failure, having learned how to turn negative experiences into positive outcomes, and he continues to remain focused on his ambitions by continually setting himself new goals. Covering themes such as ambition, determination, and the importance of mindset and exercise when it comes to personal growth, Finding Fame illustrates Paul's drive to constantly improve both himself and his life. Paul has enjoyed many major milestones over the years, from being awarded the Kyokushinkai Karate black belt at just age 16 to serving with the British Army, a career that led him all over the world to places like Belize and the Falkland Islands. This book showcases how important it is to fail in life - to get knocked down but then to rise up again, stronger and wiser and ready for the next obstacle. His martial arts background and army training taught Paul the importance of discipline and resilience, traits he took with him and used in all other areas of his life. Underlining everything he does is his knowledge of how your mindset can set you up for success, and the understanding that bad experiences aren't ultimately bad, as they can teach you the tools and techniques you need to navigate through the challenges of life. Paul also understands the power of setting goals in life, and in being ambitious with those goals. Without a clear, set plan, you won't know which direction to go in - which path to take - and, even if you end up going down a path you hadn't previously considered, you simply have to take that first step. What you learn along the way is often far more important than the destination you initially had in mind. Paul acknowledges the impact his environment had on him when he was younger, from his home life to his schooldays and his extracurricular activities. He attributes his positive growth mindset to several people from his youth: his parents, his middle school teacher, and his martial arts instructors. These individuals moulded who he was as a person and encouraged him to view circumstances and obstacles from a different perspective; by shifting his mindset, he opened himself up to all the wonderful opportunities this world has to offer. Exercise is another key theme in the book; Paul looks at how it's helped him physically and mentally. As he says, the earlier you start physical activity, the faster the payback - in all areas of your life. Not only does exercise improve your health and help with weight loss, but it also encourages a happier, more positive mindset, increases your energy levels, and gives you the confidence required to go after what you really want. Without exercise, Paul simply would not have accomplished everything he's achieved in his life so far. Finding Fame also looks at the music and world events that shaped Paul's adolescence as he grew up in the '80s, as well as his fitness victories - including the time he climbed Mont Blanc, a personal challenge he set himself to celebrate his 40th birthday. This book is an excellent example of how mindset is everything, how failure is a learning experience, and that - in order to keep growing as a person - you simply must carry on, no matter what. Finding Fame will give you the knowledge, motivation, and inspiration you need to identify your goals and go after what you really want in life.

'Comfort Food for Breakups' is a beautifully written food memoir with a queer bent in which the author comes to terms with her Ukranian heritage and her lesbian identity by way of their connections to food: as sustenance, as coping mechanisms, as reminders of family history, and as objects of desire.

'A grisly treat' Financial Times on the podcast Based on the 'world's spookiest podcast' of the same name comes Unexplained: a book of ten real-life mysteries which might be best left unexplained. . . ******************************* What can a case of demonic possession in 1970's Germany teach us about free will? What might we learn about how we construct reality from the case of a poltergeist in the Fens? And what can a supposed instance of reincarnation in Middlesbrough tell us about how we develop a concept of the self? Taking incidents once thought of as supernatural or paranormal and questioning whether radical ideas in science might provide a new but equally extraordinary explanation, Unexplained asks what real-life unexplained events can reveal of our unique human experience. 'These mysteries are all the creepier for being true' Tatler