An overview of the history of yachting in its social, cultural, political and economic contexts. Shortlisted for the Maritime Foundation's Mountbatten Award 2018 This book, by a leading expert in the field, is the first major history of yachting for over a quarter of a century. Setting developments within political,social and economic changes, the book tells the story of yachting from Elizabethan times to the present day: the first uses of yachts, by monarchs, especially Charles II; yacht clubs and yacht racing in the eighteenth century; the early years of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes and an analysis of the America Cup challenges; the pioneering developments in Ireland and the exporting of yachting to the colonies and trading outposts of the Empire; the expansion of yachting in Victorian times; the Golden Age of Yachting in the years before the First World War, when it was the sport of the crowned heads of Europe; the invention of the dinghy and the keelboat classes and, after the Second World War, the massive numbers of home-built dinghies; the breaking of new boundaries by risk-taking single-handers from the mid-1960s; the expansion of leisure sailing that came in the 1980s with the use of moulded plastic yachts; and current trends and pressures within the sport. Well-referenced yet highly readable, this book will be of interest both to the scholar and the sailing enthusiast. MIKE BENDER is an experienced yachtsman and qualified Ocean Yachtmaster, with some forty thousand miles, mostly singlehanded, under the keel. He is an Honorary Research Fellow in History at the University of Exeter.

The Most Serious Fart is a seriously fun children's illustrated picture book about not taking ourselves so seriously. Meet Siegfried, a most serious fart who is sick and tired of farts being a laughing matter. When he sets out on a most serious mission to change the fart as we know it, he ends up learning to embrace his fartness and the fun and friendship that come with it. The book also includes over 300 hidden butts from legendary Highlights Hidden Pictures illustrator, Chuck Dillon. Featured on episode 2 of Bedtime Stories with Ryan (Reynolds)! *** "Hilarious and thought-provoking, with wonderful illustrations. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but these farts are clever, funny and gorgeous." -Stuart Gibbs, author of New York Times bestselling series: Spy School, FunJungle, Charlie Thorne, Moon Base Alpha and The Last Musketeer. “This book is a real gas!� -Amy Sedaris "I would’ve laughed myself silly as a kid reading this book. Also, full disclosure, I laughed myself silly as a grownup reading this book. A work of fart!" -Brad Montague, creator of the hit web series Kid President, author of Becoming Better Grownups, and the New York Times bestsellers Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome and The Circles All Around Us.  “Some stories are silent but deadly boring… but this isn’t. It’s a ripping blast that will leave you lingering in laughter.� -Steve Lavigne, illustrator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles “I must point out that obviously, I never fart. And certainly not in front of my boyfriend. But when I do, it’s hilarious… just like this book." -Karen McCullah, screenwriter Ten Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde “This book is delightful.  It's hilarious.  The art is stunning.  And, something I thought I'd never say about a book with a fart in the lead, it's got a wonderful message.� -Brian Lynch, screenwriter The Secret Life of Pets, Minions, Puss in Boots, and Hop "This book, like its subject matter, delivers the goods– funny, warm, and over 300 hidden butts!? Genius." - Jake Parker, illustrator of the New York Times bestselling The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man and creator of Inktober

From one of Golf Digest's Top 5 teachers - a simple, scientific program to build a great swing. Most golf instruction is based on helping students emulate the best players, but for top golf teacher Mike Bender, physics provides a better model for developing a swing that is as efficient, consistent, and timeless as that of Iron Byron, the PGA robot that tests clubs and balls. Now Mike Bender shows you how to put the secrets of science into your own swing with a simple, proven program that will take your play to a different level and transform your approach to the game. This title: explains Mike Bender's unique biomechanical approach to building a simple, repeatable, and effective swing; shares the same approach Bender teaches his students, who include two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen, PGA Tour winner Jonathan Byrd, and 2006 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year Seon Hwa Lee; shows you how to build your scientific swing step by step; includes 150 photographs to help you put principles into practice on the golf course; includes a Foreword by Zach Johnson, 2007 Masters champion and one of Mike Bender's star students. As Mike Bender puts it: would you rather fly in an airplane that was built by engineers who understood the principles of lift and acceleration, or would you rather fly in one built by people who simply went out to the airport and watched them taking off and landing? Once you develop a scientific swing, it's your own game that will really soar.