For over a century, the Comrades Marathon has captivated a nation. It’s an annual South African ritual, a day of inspiration and extraordinary achievement. Written in an accessible, anecdotal style, this book tells the absorbing story of a humble start in 1921, when only a handful of runners finished, to its current status as the world’s greatest ultra-marathon.

It bears witness to the complexity of South African society and over a hundred years of change in a fascinating story that begins with the early heroes, Arthur Newton in the 1920s, Hardy Ballington in the 1930s and Wally Hayward in the 1950s, to official permission for women and people of colour to run in the 1970s, to nine-times winner Bruce Fordyce in the 1980s, democratic South Africa in the 1990s, the domination of the Russians in the early 2000s, and the ascent of black runners in the 2010s. And then came a worldwide pandemic and for only the second time in its history, the Comrades Marathon was cancelled.

In 2022, participants once again lined up on the Old Main Road for the first time in two years to run the ultimate human race, this book tells the tale of the world’s largest ultra-marathon: its glories, its passions, its triumphs and tragedies.

'A writer of comic genius - he has something of Roald Dahl's magic, but more heart' - Sunday Telegraph ‘Maybe you don’t believe me. Maybe you don’t believe in magic. I bet you will by the time you’ve heard what happened to us.’ Cousins Middy and Nathan love magic. The on-stage, cape-swirling, bunny-out-of-a-hat kind. For Middy, it’s all about patience and practice. She uses magic skills to help her out of tricky situations. Nathan is a show-off and a total danger magnet, he is drawn to the sensation, spectacle and audience. So when the famous Blackpool Tower dramatically vanishes the night of the Grand Lights Switch-On, showman Nathan announces live on TV that they will magic it back home. With a stick of rock, a spangly cape, and a bit of misdirection, they end up lost in Las Vegas, home to the grand master of illusion, Perplexion, ‘Legend of Magic’. Full of tricks, twists and deceptions, the delightful Nathan and Middy will keep you guessing until the very end. Praise for Noah's Gold: 'Sparkly, witty, enticing storytelling . . . It's perfect' Hilary McKay

'A writer of comic genius - he has something of Roald Dahl's magic, but more heart' - Sunday Telegraph ‘Maybe you don’t believe me. Maybe you don’t believe in magic. I bet you will by the time you’ve heard what happened to us.’ Cousins Middy and Nathan love magic. The on-stage, cape-swirling, bunny-out-of-a-hat kind. For Middy, it’s all about patience and practice. She uses magic skills to help her out of tricky situations. Nathan is a show-off and a total danger magnet, he is drawn to the sensation, spectacle and audience. So when the famous Blackpool Tower dramatically vanishes the night of the Grand Lights Switch-On, showman Nathan announces live on TV that they will magic it back home. With a stick of rock, a spangly cape, and a bit of misdirection, they end up lost in Las Vegas, home to the grand master of illusion, Perplexion, ‘Legend of Magic’. Full of tricks, twists and deceptions, the delightful Nathan and Middy will keep you guessing until the very end. No matter how big the show, family, friendship and adventure shine through in The Wonder Brothers - multi-award-winning author Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Praise for Noah's Gold: 'Sparkly, witty, enticing storytelling . . . It's perfect' Hilary McKay

Frank Cottrell Boyce's Millions is the tale of a not-so-great train robbery.

Two brothers, Damian and Anthony, are unwittingly caught up in a train robbery during Britain's countdown to joining the Euro. Suddenly finding themselves with a vast amount of cash, the boys have just one glorious, appalling dilemma – how to spend it in the few days before it becomes worthless. Torn between the vices of buying a million pizzas and the virtues of ending world poverty, the boys soon discover that being rich is a mug's game. For not only is the clock ticking – the bungling bank robbers are closing in too.

Pizzas or World Peace – what would you choose?

This edition features fantastic cover artwork from the incredible Steven Lenton.

It's one giant leap for all boy-kind in Frank Cottrell Boyce's out-of-this-world story: Cosmic.

Liam is too big for his boots. And his football strip. And his school blazer. But being super-sized height-wise has its advantages: he's the only eleven-year-old to ever ride the G-force-defying Cosmic rollercoaster – or to be offered the chance to drive a Porsche. Long-legged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best boy for the job? Sometimes being big isn't all about being a grown-up.

This edition of Cosmic includes bonus material and discussion questions from Frank Cottrell Boyce and features fantastic cover artwork from Steven Lenton.

'Brilliantly entertaining & thought provoking . . . I am in total awe.' David Walliams 'Proper, sparkly, witty, enticing storytelling . . . It's perfect.' Hilary McKay Packed with mystery, adventure and laughs, Noah's Gold is the exciting novel from the bestselling, multi-award-winning author of Millions and Cosmic, Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Fully illustrated in black and white throughout by Steven Lenton, this is perfect for readers of 9+. Being the smallest doesn't stop you having the biggest ideas. Eleven-year old Noah sneaks along on his big sister's geography field trip. Everything goes wrong! Six kids are marooned on an uninhabited island. Their teacher has vanished. They're hungry. Their phones don't work and Noah has broken the internet. There's no way of contacting home . . . Disaster! Until Noah discovers a treasure map and the gang goes in search of gold. 'A writer of comic genius - he has something of Roald Dahl's magic, but more heart' - Sunday Telegraph 'Joyous writing. Wonderful characters. Authentic humour. Heart & soul. So Much Fun. And, oh, the dialogue! Just love it! Pure class' Jenny Pearson, author of The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates

Rory Rooney likes to be prepared for all eventualities. His favourite book is Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared, and he has memorized every page of it. He could even survive a hippo attack. He knows that just because something is unlikely doesn't mean it won't ever happen . . .

But Rory isn't prepared when he suddenly and inexplicably turns green. Stuck in an isolation ward in a hospital far from home with two other remarkably green children, Rory's as confused by his new condition as the medics seem to be.

What if turning green actually means you've turned into a superhero? Rory can't wait to make it past hospital security and discover exactly what his superpower might be . . .

The Astounding Broccoli Boy is the hilarious tale of an unlikely (and very green) hero believing in himself and finding adventure. This edition features fantastic cover artwork and black and white inside illustrations from the incredible Steven Lenton.

Runaway Robot is a funny and heartwarming adventure about two best friends helping put themselves back together, from the award-winning Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton.

When Alfie goes to Airport Lost Property, he finds more than he bargained for. A lot more. Because there's a giant robot called Eric hidden away on the shelves. Eric has lost one leg and half his memory. He's super strong, but super clumsy. He's convinced that he's the latest technology, when he's actually nearly one hundred year's old and ready for the scrap heap.

Can Alfie find a way to save Eric from destruction – before Eric destroys everything around him?

Ethnomusicology and its Intimacies situates intimacy, a concept that encompasses a wide range of often informal social practices and processes for building closeness and relationality, within the ethnomusicological study of music and sound. These scholarly essays reflect on a range of interactions between individuals and communities that deepen connections and associations, and which may be played out relatively briefly or nurtured over time. Three major sections on Performance, Auto/biographical strategies, and Film are each prefaced by an interview with a scholar or practitioner with close knowledge of the subject that links the chapters in that section. Often drawing directly on fieldwork experience in a variety of contexts, authors consider how concepts of intimacy can illuminate the ethnographic study of music, addressing questions such as: how can we understand ethnomusicological and ethnographic research and performance as processes of musically-mediated intimacy? How are the longstanding relationships we develop with others particularly intimated by and through musicking? How do we understand the musically intimate relationships of others and how do these inflect our own musical intimacies? How does music represent, inscribe, constrain or provoke social or personal intimacies in particular contexts? The volume will appeal to all scholars with interests in music and how it is used to construct relationships in different contexts around the world.

This Lent book offers imaginative reflections on Christ's crucifixion. Each of the seven chapters is focused on a different key character, who describes his or her experience of the Passion. The nails used to crucify Christ are used as a jumping off point for their reflections. Each character considers the questions, 'who killed Christ' and 'who was responsible' Each chapter includes a Biblical passage, a meditative hymn, a reflection from the point of view of the character, and a short prayer. The book finishes with practical suggestions on how it can be used as a Lent study course. It is ideal for individual reflection or group study, and can also readily be adapted for use as a Good Friday liturgy.

The fourth edition of this highly respected book builds on the excellent reputation of its predecessors. Fully revised and updated throughout, it continues to provide essential structure, support, guidance and tips for both beginning and experienced teachers and their managers, both in the UK and internationally. Pitched at an introductory level with an emphasis on practical tips and application of theory, rather than focussing heavily on scholarly research, its content is designed to be relevant and inclusive to all healthcare disciplines. Key points are highlighted by the inclusion of tips from experienced teachers in each chapter, while throughout chapters reflect contemporary concepts and key approaches, including teaching styles, curriculum development, e-learning, virtual learning environments, leadership and professionalism. Teaching Made Easy, 4E will continue to benefit everyone teaching health professionals at all levels, from general practitioners and hospital doctors, nurses in primary and secondary care, and professionals allied to medicine and health service managers, and will also support the development of colleagues in new roles such as physician associates, FCPs and newer nursing associates.

This A-Z of the Christian faith is written for beginners of all ages. It suitable for anyone aged 9 - 90. It introduces the key words and concepts of the Christian faith and tells the story of how God's heart's is open to everyone through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

In a powerful blending of memoir and practical strategies from a medical doctor's perspective, The Gift of Caring: Saving Our Parents - and ourselves - from the Perils of Modern Healthcare reveals the hidden side of modern healthcare practices for aging Americans. This ground-breaking book, co-written by award-winning author Marcy Houle and nationally-recognized geriatrician and public health advocate, Elizabeth Eckstrom MD MPH, sheds new light on aging by showing it from twin perspectives: the story of a daughter desperately seeking help for the parents she loves, and a geriatrician who offers life-changing strategies that can protect our loved ones and ourselves. Today, for many older adults, the medical delivery system is confusing, fragmented, and ill-equipped to provide comprehensive, person-centered care. Under our current healthcare model, thousands of aging persons face unnecessary suffering, hospitalizations and nursing home stays, and even preventable death. Seniors and families often feel powerless as they travel this sad journey. Not having knowledge of aging's changes, they resign themselves to believing there is nothing anyone can do to help, while some health care professionals simply write off symptoms seniors endure as "just old age." But as Marcy Houle discovered in caring for her parents, many of the problems often are not "just old age." Further, the real issue is not that the answers to ease suffering don't exist. Rather, what we need to know is generally not available to the general public. Even more concerning, many health care professionals have had little or no training in the care of older adults. The Gift of Caring hopes to change that. It is written to give empowerment to all older adults, family members, and health care professionals, by sharing much needed knowledge and practical strategies. The Gift of Caring shows the best ways to advocate for our parent's health care ... and our own ... by giving us the tools we need to insist upon the better way. Your parents and you deserve the best healthcare as you age- But there are so many reasons why that's not happening.You can change that.

Award-winning authors Marcy Houle and Elizabeth Eckstrom have teamed up again following the success of their critically acclaimed book The Gift of Caring, winner of the 2016 National Christopher Award. This new book blends frontline science with inspirational stories and insights from wise elders for aging with health, joy, and purpose. The book explains how our bodies and brains age, defining what can be expected with aging and what is unusual. It demonstrates ways we can significantly increase our chances for a positive aging experience into our 80s, 90s and 100s. It offers key strategies for meeting the challenges of aging, informs us of issues of inclusion and equity, and advises on handling legal and financial affairs. The Gift of Aging illustrates how we can make the third act of our lives meaningful and fulfilling, ensuring we as elders can make a difference in our world.

The Thirteenth Edition of Advanced Financial Accounting is an up-to-date, comprehensive, and highly illustrated presentation of the accounting and reporting principles and procedures used in a variety of business entities. Every day, the business press carries stories about merger and acquisition mania, the complexities of modern business entities, new organizational structures for conducting business, accounting scandals related to complex business transactions, the foreign activities of multinational firms, the operations of governmental and not-for-profit entities, and bankruptcies of major firms. Accountants must understand and know how to deal with the accounting and reporting ramifications of these issues.

The unforgotten coat belongs to Chingis, one of two Mongolian brothers Julie knew as a child. As she tries to help them make sense of their new, unfamiliar surroundings, the brothers speak of their fear of a demon that makes people vanish. Slowly, Julie learns the painful truth behind this very real threat.

A hilarious comedy from award-winning Frank Cottrell Boyce. George is so unpopular that even his own grandad won't come to his birthday party. Instead, his grandad sends him a bottle of aftershave that expired years ago. But the aftershave seems to have developed extra properties since its sell-by date...Now George is irresistible to all the girls in school - and even the teachers can't get enough of him! Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+

The fourth edition of this highly respected book builds on the excellent reputation of its predecessors. Fully revised and updated throughout, it continues to provide essential structure, support, guidance and tips for both beginning and experienced teachers and their managers, both in the UK and internationally. Pitched at an introductory level with an emphasis on practical tips and application of theory, rather than focussing heavily on scholarly research, its content is designed to be relevant and inclusive to all healthcare disciplines. Key points are highlighted by the inclusion of tips from experienced teachers in each chapter, while throughout chapters reflect contemporary concepts and key approaches, including teaching styles, curriculum development, e-learning, virtual learning environments, leadership and professionalism. Teaching Made Easy, 4E will continue to benefit everyone teaching health professionals at all levels, from general practitioners and hospital doctors, nurses in primary and secondary care, and professionals allied to medicine and health service managers, and will also support the development of colleagues in new roles such as physician associates, FCPs and newer nursing associates.

Narrating the story from the perspective of key characters gives us insights into its many horrors and uncertainties as well as its joys

This and the previous volume chart the history of financial institutions in England in the mid-late nineteenth century as well as examining the periods of boom and bust, their causes and effects. Using hitherto unpublished sources from the International Financial Society this book provides an unrivalled record of the development of the modern banking industry.

This volume brings together leading voices from the new wave of research on musical instruments to consider how we can connect the material aspects of instruments with their social function, approaches that have been otherwise too frequently separated in musical scholarship. Shaping Sound and Society: The Cultural Study of Musical Instruments locates the instruments at the center of cultural interactions. With contributions from ten scholars spanning a variety of methodologies and a wide range of both contemporary and historic music cultures, the volume is divided into three sections. Contributors discuss the relationships between makers, performers and their local communities, the different meanings that instruments accrue as they travel over time and place, and the manner in which instruments throw new light on historic music cultures. Alongside the scholarly chapters, the volume also includes a selection of shorter interludes based on interviews with makers of comparatively new instruments, offering further insights into the process of musical instrument innovation. An essential read for students and academics in the fields of music and ethnomusicology, this volume will also interest anyone looking to understand how the cultural interaction of musical instruments is deeply informed and influenced by social, technological, and cultural change.

This and the following volume chart the history of financial institutions in England in the mid-late nineteenth century as well as examining the periods of boom and bust, their causes and effects. Using hitherto unpublished sources from the International Financial Society this book provides an unrivalled record of the development of the modern banking industry.