A wonderfully written and entertaining book which places Britain under the microscope and asks who we are today and how we've changed as a nation. 'Entertaining and absorbing' - The Sunday Times In 1841 there were 734 female midwives working in Britain, along with 9 artificial eye makers, 20 peg makers, 6 stamp makers and 1 bee dealer. Fast forward nearly two centuries and there are 51,000 midwives working in the UK and not an eye maker in sight! For the past two centuries, the National Census has been monitoring the behaviour of the British: our work-lives, homes lives and strange cultural habits. With questions on occupation, housing, religion, travel and family, the Census is a snapshot of a country at any given epoch, and its findings have informed the economy, politics and every other national matter for decades that followed. Now, for the first time ever, the Census findings of the past two centuries are collected in to a wonderfully written and entertaining book which places Britain under the microscope and asks who we are and how we've changed as a nation. On our occupations, our working lives, relationships; our quirks, habits, weird interests and cultural beliefs - this book takes the reader on a journey through the statistical findings of one of the most valuable pieces of ongoing historical research of modern times, and asks us what these fascinating numbers tells us about the Britain in the 21st century.

In 1950s London, an MI-5 outcast stumbles upon a secret that will change the world - if he can stay alive long enough to tell it. A page-turner for fans of 'Enigma' from the bestselling author of 'Messiah'. London, 1952. As the fog rolls in, the chase begins... A stranger's approach offering highly sensitive information seemed routine to an ex-spy turned policeman. But when a body turns up instead of state secrets, Detective Inspector Herbert Smith finds himself in a race against time to solve the murder. For he is not the only one after the dead man's secret. It seems the CIA, KGB and MI-5 are all vying to get to the truth first and some are prepared to kill for it. As the Great Smog descends on London, bringing chaos and death, Herbert finds himself facing one of the greatest evils of the twentieth century. At stake is the biggest prize of all: the key to life itself.

Their love is against the laws of a merciless state-but the heart has its own power. For rollercoaster designer Theo, living on the edge is just part of the job. He's used to wandering the world perfecting thrills, his heart immune to commitment. But then a commission in repressive North Korea exposes him to emotions he's never dared to feel. Tour guide Min has a soul that wants to soar, but she knows it's safer to build walls around her heart and mind. Skilled in showcasing the mesmerising beauty of capital city Pyongyang without revealing its darker secrets, she introduces Theo to a country he will never forget-and begins to question her policy of quiet compliance. But forgetting-or pretending to-is the key to survival for Min's formidable grandmother Cuckoo. After a devastating heartbreak years ago, she learned that passion and oppression just don't mix. As Min and Theo grow closer and long-held secrets come to light, all three are forced to confront emotions they've tried to suppress. In a country where following their hearts will put them in danger, how much are they willing to risk?

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, Festivals is one of the new titles for 2020 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the odd wiring diagram. It takes the reader through all areas of festival-going, giving all the hints and tips needed to make the entire experience run smoothly and mud-free.

Elemental rage, bloody Greek myth, man's greed and capacity for cruelty, the insane imaginings of a killer, all intermingle in this stunning new thriller from the bestselling author of Messiah to create a novel of stunning ferocity. A storm-tossed crossing on the North Sea; a catastrophic ferry accident; hundreds dead. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Beauchamp is one of the survivors but her ferocious fight to stay alive brings with it a high cost: a burden of guilt that she should live while some of her friends died; a terror of water; a frozen inner core that never seems to melt. When the body of a young female journalist is found in Aberdeen soon after the disaster, Kate insists on conducting the investigation - partly to exorcize her own demons, partly because she feels a strange affinity with the victim. The killing is peculiarly brutal and the murderer has left a unique calling card: attached to the woman's neck is a poisonous snake. Into this emotional cauldron steps the last man on earth Kate wants to see - her estranged father, Frank, in Aberdeen to conduct the marine inquiry into the sinking. Was the disaster the result of a bomb, as claimed by the ferry-line's chairman, or is he trying to hide something? In a sweltering heatwave, Kate and Frank conduct their highly pressured investigations. But for both of them, danger is approaching fast - a vortex of violence which will sweep them up and endanger their very lives.

GUARANTEED TO HAUNT YOUR DREAMS…

London is in the grip of a heat wave: Airless days, strange steamy nights and a killer stalking the streets. Wealthy men are being murdered to some mysterious pattern, with no clues left behind, only corpses with silver spoons in place of their tongues…

Set against this merciless butcher is DCI Red Metcalfe, an investigator with a celebrated ability to get under the skin and into the minds of the deranged killers he hunts. But as the city swelters and the body count rises, Red's own tortured past begins to turn against him- and the city is safe for no one. Sometimes it is said, it takes a killer to catch a killer…

'MESSIAH' is the most compelling and suspenseful British thriller to come along in years. Boris Starling is a startling and powerful talent to watch.

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, The Home is one of the new titles for 2017 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, Pets is one of the new titles for 2017 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including ex

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, Pensioners is one of the first titles in the brand new Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the odd wiring diagram. It takes the reader through all stages of vintage life, giving the hints and tips needed to keep everything running smoothly.

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, Babies is one of the first titles in the brand new Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the odd wiring diagram. It takes the reader through all stages of baby ownership, giving them all the hints and tips needed to keep them running smoothly.

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, The British is one of the new titles for 2017 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the odd wiring diagram. It takes the reader through all areas of British life, giving the reader all the hints and tips needed to make life in Blighty run smoothly.

For anyone who might be thinking of stepping into the strange and challenging vegan world of yeast flakes and cauliflower wings, The Bluffer's Guide to Veganism ensures that you will become an instant expert on strictly animal free diets (and wardrobes).

A taut and shocking story of vengeance, bloodshed and love, set over 100 days of bitter Russian winter… from the bestselling author of Messiah. Moscow, December 1991. Chaos reigns after the fall of communism. Muscovites are used to queues and empty shelves, but now they have to cope with a dangerous power vacuum – and a war between brutal mafiya gangs for control of the city. So when a child's body is found beneath the ice of the Moscow river it attracts little attention to begin with. Then a second body is found. And a third. At the heart of the gathering storm is Red October, Russia's most famous vodka distillery. Alice Liddell, an American banker, has come to Moscow to oversee its privatization – an unpopular move. Alice wants to get going, but faced with the charismatic, ruthless Lev – distiller director and head of one of the warring mafia gangs – a very difficult job is starting to look impossible. Lev's arch-enemy has vowed revenge on him and it seems that the bizarre child killings might be part of this. The last thing he needs is a determined young woman in the heart of his criminal empire. But will Lev and Alice be enemies or allies? And when the storm has passed, who will be left standing?

'Entertaining and absorbing' - The Sunday Times A wonderfully written and entertaining book which places Britain under the microscope and asks who we are today and how we've changed as a nation. In 1841 there were 734 female midwives working in Britain, along with 9 artificial eye makers, 20 peg makers, 6 stamp makers and 1 bee dealer. Fast forward nearly two centuries and there are 51,000 midwives working in the UK and not an eye maker in sight! For the past two centuries, through the Census and national surveys, the Office for National Statistics and its predecessors have charted the lives of the British: our jobs, home lives and strange cultural habits. With questions on occupation, housing, religion, travel and family, the Census findings have informed the economy, politics, and every other national matter. Its collected data forms the single most valuable ongoing historical resource of modern times. Now, for the first time ever, The Official History of Britain collects these findings into a wonderfully written and entertaining book by Boris Starling and assisted by the ONS' statistical advisor, David Bradbury. Delving deep into statistics surrounding our occupations, our working lives, relationships; our quirks, habits, weird interests and cultural beliefs, and, of course, the latest findings on the Covid-19 pandemic, The Official History of Britain places Britain under the microscope and asks who we are and how we've changed as a nation.

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, Marriage is one of the first titles in the brand new Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the odd wiring diagram. It takes the reader through all stages of married life, giving them the hints and tips needed to keep it running smoothly.

Never again confuse LEJOG with JOGLE, a Munro with a molehill, or a Corbett with a cairn. Bask in the admiration of your fellow enthusiasts as you pronounce confidently on the comparative merits of an Active Explorer and a Wainwright, and effortlessly learn how to solve any imponderable problem in the Great Outdoors by quoting a key Latin phrase beloved by hikers (and which also happens to be the answer to life, the universe and everything). DO SAY: "There's a fine line between permissiveness and flirtation, and a 'permissive path' may cross this line on a regular basis. Such paths are not legal rights of way. They merely tease the hiker into thinking they are. One day you can walk along one, the next day it may be closed. One minute it's your best pal, the next, it just doesn't want to know you." DON'T SAY: "If out on the hills without a fleece, just catch a couple of sheep - strap one across your chest, and another across your back, and you'll enjoy the same benefits. Sheep have a nervous habit of urinating when hikers pass by, so strap them head upwards and feet outwards. There's only so much work your wicking base layer can do."

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, The Germans is one of the new titles for 2017 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see inclu

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, The Americans is one of the new titles for 2017 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see incl

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, The French is one of the new titles for 2017 in the Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see includ

Written by bestselling author Boris Starling, Teenagers is one of the first titles in the brand new Haynes Explains series. A light-hearted and entertaining take on the classic workshop manual, it contains everything you'd expect to see including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the odd wiring diagram. It takes the reader through all stages of teenage life, giving them all the hints and tips needed to keep them running smoothly.