In a world historically dominated by male rulers, the women who have sat on thrones of their own shine out brightly. Some queens and empresses were born to greatness, while others fought their way to power. Queens ranges from the ancient world to the present day, telling the stories of these women who ruled, from murderous former courtesan Wu Zetian in 7th century China to Elizabeth I, the 'Virgin Queen' of England. In 6th century Constantinople, Empress Theodora, who had been a street performer before catching the eye of Emperor Justinian, extended rights for women, passing laws that allowed them to divorce and own property and made rape a crime punishable by death. In 12th century Europe, Eleanor of Aquitaine first married the king of France and then the king of England. At the Mughal court in Lahore in the early 17th century, Nur Jahan, wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was the political powerhouse behind the throne. In more recent history, the book explores the reigns of Catherine the Great, revealing how a minor German aristocrat came to rule and expand the Russian Empire, Queen Victoria, whose family dominated the world in the early 20th centuty, and her more recent descendent, Elizabeth II, the longest-ruling queen in history. Female rulers are often described as ambitious rather than bold, as devious rather than diplomatically astute and as intriguers and meddlers, all characterizations that are destructive to the reality of women's lives in the world's monarchies. Even genealogies still often leave out the women of royal families, overlooking their genuine contributions. To some extent, we will never know these great women of history as well as we know their menfolk; the sources simply leave too many gaps. However, we can and will do better in giving the women rulers of history the recognition they deserve Carefully researched, superbly entertaining and illustrated throughout with more than 180 photographs and artworks, Queens highlights the true personalities and real lives of the women who became monarchs and empresses.

It's time to celebrate the end of an era - and the start of a whole new one! Ah, retirement - from here on out it's all lazy lie-ins, pleasant afternoons in the garden (or the garden centre), long lunches with friends and evenings spent in a comfy chair in front of the fire, right? Wrong! Welcome to a world where you're halfway to the office before you realize you don't work there any more, you somehow seem to have even less free time than before to do all the things you need to do, and suddenly daytime TV seems a whole lot more appealing than it ever used to... This indispensable handbook, packed with amusing illustrations, is here to guide you through the pleasures and pitfalls of being retired. Most importantly, though, it'll teach you how to how to make sure you always get a decent afternoon nap. This book is perfect gift for retirees, offering tongue-in-cheek advice on how to make the most of their new-found freedom.

Liven up the party with this heady collection of drinking games! Choose from brain-boggling classics such as Fuzzy Duck and Twenty-One, or dizzying games of pure chance like TV Drinking and Vodka Roulette - whichever you play, you're guaranteed to be gleeful and giggly by the end! Most of these games have one thing in common: they combine a full glass of booze with making a complete fool of yourself - all the ingredients for a great night, in fact! These games take different formats - cards, chance, verbal, etc. - but the outcome is always the same: players will find themselves laughing hysterically at each other. Each game has a list of what you will need to play - needless to say, you will need alcohol of some sort for all of them. So, gather your friends and crack open your favourite poison: it's time to play some drinking games! Please drink responsibly. This book is intended for use by adults only.

Have you ever wondered what fate has in store for you? Then let this beginner's guide reveal the secrets of the mystical world of Tarot. For hundreds of years, Tarot cards have been used as a tool for divination, and a way to cast light on life's questions and challenges. Contrary to popular belief, anyone can read the Tarot. You don't need to be psychic or spend years training, as the images on the cards are powerful and universal. The best way to get started is to dive right in. This little book will guide you on your journey, introducing you to each of the 78 cards, with tips to help you decode their symbolism and remember their meanings. With advice on choosing your deck and tips on how to prepare and read your cards, The Little Book of Tarot has everything you'll need to gain your first glimpse into the misty realms of the future. It's time to step inside the world of the Tarot and begin your voyage to self-discovery. What message will the cards hold for you?

We live in busy, stressful times and finding happiness in our modern world can be a challenge. From the demands of a hectic working life to the relentless cycle of 24/7 news or the constant beep of our smartphones, there are all many things that can trigger negative emotions. The Little Book of Happiness offers guidance for when the scales of life are tipped and feeling positive feels beyond our reach. Packed full of wise words from some of the world's best-known figures – from ancient philosophers and celebrated writers to modern-day figures – this book will help you to shift your thinking, boost your mood and find your inner joy. 'Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.' - Frank Tyger 'To be content means that you realize you contain what you seek.' - Alan Cohen

Otters are some of the most delightful animals on the planet. These long, lean, furry creatures embody pure joy in so many ways - they live for napping, playing, making friends and eating, and forget about the rest. Pretty inspiring, right? In a world that can often seem divided, lonely, and just plain cruel, the otter reminds us of what's important in life. What other animal: * Holds hands with their friends whilst napping so they don't float away? * Communicates in a flurry of whistles, chirps, chuckles, clicks and coos? * Builds a waterslide on a daily basis? * Befriends other species, just because? * Eats food off their tummy while floating peacefully with their pals? These intelligent, adorable, water-dwelling mammals have a lot to teach us about the way we live. So, kick back, grab a pal, dive in and reconnect with your playful side, just like you otter!

With joyful tasks, words of wisdom and simple yet practical tips for looking on the bright side of life, The Little Book of Joy will show you how to sprinkle an extra serving of happiness into your every day. The Little Book of series has sold 1 million copies worldwide, with titles like The Little Book of Mindfulness, The Little Book of Gratitude and The Little Book of Love. "I find ecstasy in living; the mere sense of living is joy enough." - Emily Dickinson

Harry Mount and John Davie unlock the wisdom of the past in this light-hearted and fascinating book, revealing how ancient Latin can help us to live better in the present. There are so many Latin phrases in everyday use that often we use them without understanding the background and context within which they were actually used. 'Carpe diem'; 'Stet'; 'Memento mori'; 'Et tu Brute' - examples would fill a book. And often these phrases are also used in English translation: 'The die is cast'; 'crossing the Rubicon'; 'Rome was not built in a day'. Many of these phrases are humorous, but they are also a rich source of wisdom: the wisdom of the ancients. The chapters of this book include: Latin for Gardeners, the Great Latin Love Poets, Cicero on How to Grow Old Gracefully and Seneca's Stoic Guide to Life. Each chapter starts with a quotation and is lightly sprinkled with many more, with accompanying English translations and entertaining cartoons and illustrations dotted throughout. The background to each quotation is explained so that the context is fully understood. Who crossed the Rubicon and why, for example? At a time of great political and social turbulence, more and more people are turning back to ancient wisdom as a guide to life. Here they are in touch with two classical scholars of distinction who have the common touch and can help make Latin accessible to all, not to mention fun!

When Falstaff calls upon the sky to rain potatoes in The Merry Wives of Windsor, he is highlighting the late sixteenth-century belief that the exotic vegetable, recently introduced to England from the Americas, was an aphrodisiac. In Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet calls for quinces to make pies for the marriage feast of her daughter. This fruit was traditionally connected with weddings and fertility, as echoed by John Gerard in his herbal where he also explained that eating quinces would 'bring forth wise children, and of good understanding'. Taking fifty quotations centring on flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables, Margaret Willes gives these botanical references their social context to provide an intriguing and original focus on daily life in Tudor and Jacobean England, looking in particular at medicine, cookery, gardening and folklore traditions. Exquisitely illustrated with unique hand-painted engravings from the Bodleian Library's copy of John Gerard's herbal of 1597, this book marries the beauty of Shakespeare's lines with charming contemporary renderings of the plants he described so vividly.

Have you ever wondered how you'd survive without your wife or girlfriend (or mum!) attending to those little tasks - such as mending, sewing and cleaning - that you should, rather embarrassingly, be able to do yourself? Have you ever wished you knew these skills so that you can finally sew on a button or remove a stain on your own? Then this is the book for you! From baking bread and making jam to ironing a shirt and treating a sting, Darn It! features all the essential skills that a man should learn to make his life that little bit easier. Divided into sections on housekeeping, craft and make do, the kitchen and first aid, each task is succinctly explained and accompanied by beautifully illustrated instructions. The modern man need never again sheepishly ask for help!

DRIPPING. FURRY. PUSSIES. You won't believe your eyes. This book contains some of the world's wettest pussies! Paired with hilarious captions, these pics will have you laughing out loud in no time. Go on - you know you want to sneak a little peek at these beautiful hairy beasts!

From internationally bestselling author Liz Climo comes I'm So Happy You're Here, a book to remind us to love ourselves. We all need a reminder that we're loved and we matter, and international bestselling author Liz Climo delivers that dose of warmth and love in her new book Sometimes we just need a little pep talk to remind us that we're doing our best. With help from her charming animal drawings, Liz Climo encourages us to embrace the joyful moments, get back up after falling down, and always love ourselves. A little book to let someone know how important they are to you or a thoughtful gift you can give to yourself, I'm So Happy You're Here highlights how truly amazing we are. Like a good friend, it will lift you out of low moments and keep you company until they've passed, making you laugh and cry while reminding you that you're loved, you matter, and we're all really happy you're here.

This is a book of book lists. Not of the '1,001 Books You MUST Read Before You Die' variety but lists that tell stories. Lists that make you smile, make you wonder, and see titles together in entirely new ways. From Bin Laden's bookshelf to the books most frequently left in hotels, from prisoners' favourite books to MPs' most borrowed books, these lists are proof that a person's bookcase tells you everything you need to know about them, and sometimes more besides.

Horse addicts come in all shapes, sizes and guises but are easily recognisable as a breed. They never have food in their fridge, they forget to go shopping and live on junk. Their horse on the other hand has special supplements for all its needs and its feed is agonised over, carefully chosen and measured to ensure optimum nutrition for its workload. Addict and non-addict can live in beautiful harmony if the right balance is achieved - it is easiest to develop your stable hand skills and be grateful the horse is too big to share the bed with you. Lovers of cat and dog addicts aren't so lucky!

Drag may have been around for hundreds of years, but it's only in recent years that it's really hit the mainstream. Thanks in part to the phenomenon that is RuPaul's Drag Race, drag is now a regular feature of TV, streaming, podcasts and more, and it is beloved by many - stars such as Bianca Del Rio and Trixie Mattel are now household names. But that growing fame hasn't been entirely positive, with backlash from conservatives and religious groups.

The Little Book of Drag is a sickening celebration of all things drag, serving realness with facts, history and quotes from the queens. Providing all the T on everything you've ever wanted to know, this is the book for any queen who wants to get reading . . . the library is open.

Britain's favourite basset hound is back again in this brand-new collection of witty cartoon strips from the Daily Mail Fred Basset first sauntered onto the pages of the Daily Mail in July 1963, and over more than half a century he has made himself a household name with readers all over the world. Nearly six decades after his debut, Fred and his friends continue to delight and entertain us with their trademark mix of wholesome humour, wry wit and shrewd observation. Their familiar faces and new adventures offer readers a source of comfort, contentment and amusement in our increasingly hectic, fast-paced world. Through all life's ups and downs, Fred Basset is always here to lift our spirits. Join Fred and his lovable gang on and off the leash, as they indulge in their favourite activities - and chase plenty of rabbits, naturally. This is classic Fred Basset and an essential read for all fans.

Channel peace and practice mindfulness with this beautiful Lotus flower replica, which creates a tranquil, serene setting wherever it's placed. This kit includes: - A simple pink Lotus flower atop a beautifully modern base reminiscent of a calm pond. The base emits soothing, spa-like sounds of bubbling water and chimes and includes a colour-changing LED light that moves through calming blues and greens. - A 32-page mini illustrated book on the history and significance of the Lotus flower in different cultures The Peaceful Lotus is perfect antidote to a stressful work space, and a charming gift for anyone in need of a pocket-size reminder to breathe deep and find stillness.

Discover the wands of your favourite Harry Potter characters with this deluxe gift book. In the world of the Harry Potter films, characters' wands are a sheer expression of their personality-the wand chooses the wizard, after all. Whether talon-shaped like Bellatrix Lestrange's or simple and elegant like Hermione Granger's, each wand in the Harry Potter films was developed to be a reflection of its owner's identity. This deluxe book comes in a novelty format reminiscent of one of Ollivander's wand boxes and contains a detailed pictorial guide to the many magical characters and wands of the Harry Potter films.

Becoming a grandparent is one of life's true joys, but your new role comes with a lot to think about! This handy book is packed with simple tips and advice, from bonding with the little ones to supporting the new parents, to guide you through those magical first steps with the newest members of your family.

Filled with simple ideas and inspiring quotes, this little book will help you bring kindness and gratitude into your life 365 days of the year. An act of kindness can transform the lives of those around us - and it enriches our own experiences too. You might think that choosing kindness means carrying out grand gestures or spending large amounts of money, but small actions can be just as meaningful. This book offers plenty of ideas to help you enact kindness - including simple acts of compassion, self-kindness and ways to spread positivity - along with inspirational quotes to remind you of the benefits of benevolence. Within these pages you will find: Tips on practising gratitude and appreciation Innovative advice to help you invite kindness into your day A raft of beautiful quotes to warm your heart Inspiration for random acts of kindness 365 Days of Kindness will be your guide to spreading goodwill and gratitude all year round.

Challenge yourself at home with word and number puzzles The latest title in The Times Fiendish Su Doku series - previously unpublished quality Su Doku puzzles from the puzzle providers to the Times. You don't need to be a mathematical genius to solve the treacherous puzzles in this collection of Fiendishly difficult puzzles - it's simply a question of logic. Since the first Su Doku puzzle appeared in The Times in November 2004, this classic game of logic has become a phenomenon, with over 5 million copies of the Times Su Doku series sold worldwide. Perfect for the advanced solver in need of a constant supply of ultra-difficult puzzles, and guaranteed to provide hours of mind-stretching entertainment.