Explore new places with handy pocket maps from Collins.Handy little full colour map of the popular North Coast 500 route. A perfect guide for travelling around Northern Scotland. Detailed mapping and tourist information ideal for any road trip.Main features of this map include:• Clear mapping• Tourist attractions located and described• Ideal for touring with castles, museums, gardens, monuments, mountains, golf courses, walks and camping/caravan sites all on the map• Photographs of the main attractions along the route• Index to places of interest and place namesEssential for those planning a trip on the North Coast 500. Read more

'Fascinating' TOM HOLLAND | 'A delight from start to finish' MIRANDA SAWYER'A novel and fascinating perspective on world history' BILL BRYSON'By turns surprising, funny, bleak, ridiculous, or all four of those at once' GIDEON DEFOE'Elledge writes with wry humour and infectious enthusiasm' OBSERVERPeople have been drawing lines on maps for as long as there have been maps to draw on. Sometimes rooted in physical geography, sometimes entirely arbitrary, these lines might often have looked very different if a war or treaty or the decisions of a handful of tired Europeans had gone a different way. By telling the stories of these borders, we can learn a lot about how political identities are shaped, why the world looks the way it does - and about the scale of human folly.From the Roman attempts to define the boundaries of civilisation, to the secret British-French agreement to carve up the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, to the reason why landlocked Bolivia still maintains a navy, this is a fascinating, witty and surprising look at the history of the world told through its borders.More endorsements for 47 BORDERS: 'Fascinating and hugely entertaining' MARINA HYDE 'You'll never look at a map the same way again' STEPHEN BUSH '[A] clever, confounding history' PATRICK MAGUIRE'A witty grand tour' DORIAN LYNSKEY 'Warm, funny and sharply political' PHIL TINLINEIn the press:'[A] sprightly telling' New Statesman'Open and inviting' History Today'Wonderfully nerdy - and at times shocking' Byline Times'A diverting and informative read' theartsdesk.com Read more

One of the most talked about books of the decade, an inspiring true story of hope and the healing powers of the natural world.OVER 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDETHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERINCLUDED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES 2024 LIST OF THE TOP 100 BOOKS OF THE PAST FIFTY YEARSWINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE CHRISTOPHER BLAND PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITINGSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD_________Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall.Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways._________'A beautiful, thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, human strength and endurance' Guardian'A tale of triumph: of hope over despair; of love over everything' Sunday Times'Mesmerising. It is one of the most uplifting, inspiring books that I've ever read' i'The most inspirational book of this year' The Times'Luminescent. A literary phenomenon' Mail on Sunday'This is what you need right now to muster hope and resilience . . . a beautiful story and a reminder that humans can endure adversity' Stylist'A beautiful book, it really lives up to the hype . . . an enjoyable, gentle yet moving read' Pandora Sykes on The High Low_________Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023Winner, Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize, 2018Raynor Winn's books have sold over two million copies across all formats and languages, March 2025 Read more

Simple swaps and innovative ideas for cleaning and maintaining your home that won't cost the Earth – from tricky stains to descaling kettles. This beautifully illustrated black and white guide with 101 hints and sustainable, natural cleaning tips and hacks will help you take small steps that have a massive positive environmental impact.In Clean & Green, Great British Bake Off winner and Sunday Times bestselling author Nancy Birtwhistle shares the simple recipes and methods she has developed since making a conscious effort to live more sustainably, many of which are faster and easier than the go-to products and methods most of us use now.From everyday cleaning and laundry tips to zero-effort oven cleaner and guidance on removing tricky stains from clothing and furniture, these economical, practical methods are perfect for anyone looking to reduce their use of plastic and throwaway products.Nancy shares her tried-and-tested recipes for all-purpose cleaners, replacements for harmful chemicals that will keep both your home and the planet clean and green for future generations.'The book I’ve waited all my life for' – Kirstie AllsoppThis paperback edition includes ten extra tips. Read more

The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller!A compelling call to change the way we think about gardening and growing food, Nettles and Petals is the only guide you need to make your garden more sustainable.Full of essential information and inviting imagery, this accessible guide provides a holistic and ecological approach to gardening and vegetable growing. With a focus on biodiversity, soil health, and the creation of balanced ecosystems, Nettles and Petals is a must-read for any budding gardener.Join Social Media Influencer of the Year 2024 Jamie Walton and the @NettlesAndPetals community on their mission to save the wild plants in our gardens and learn how to begin growing them in your spaces in a practical way.Dig into must-know topics including:Companion plantingThe wonders of nettles and other weedsThe importance of flowers in the vegetable gardenCircular and ecological garden planningGrowing guides for Jamie’s ‘top 30’ vegetablesSeed saving and sowingUrban and small-scale sustainable gardeningHarvesting, preserving, and sharing produceAn ideal self-purchase or a gift for the green enthusiast in your life, Nettles and Petals is perfect for anyone curious about gardening sustainably. Read more

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERSHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS' BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE HATCHARDS AND BIOGRAPHERS' CLUB FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE HAY FESTIVAL, SUNDAY TIMES, THE TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES, SPECTATOR AND iNEWS 'A beautiful book' - ANGELINA JOLIE'I will be recommending this to everyone' - MATT HAIG'Quietly profound, beautifully written, Hare is now lodged in my heart' - TRACY CHEVALIER__Imagine you could hold a baby hare and bottle-feed it. Imagine that it lived under your roof and lolloped around your bedroom at night, drumming on the duvet cover when it wanted your attention. Imagine that, over two years later, it still ran in from the fields when you called it and snoozed in your house for hours on end. This happened to me.When lockdown led busy professional Chloe to leave the city and return to the countryside of her childhood, she never expected to find herself custodian of a newly born hare. Yet when she finds the creature, endangered, alone and no bigger than her palm, she is compelled to give it a chance at survival.Raising Hare chronicles their journey together and the challenges of caring for the leveret and preparing for its return to the wild. We witness an extraordinary relationship between human and animal, rekindling our sense of awe towards nature and wildlife. This improbable bond of trust serves to remind us that the most remarkable experiences, inspiring the most hope, often arise when we least expect them. Read more

THE PHENOMENAL INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER – 3 MILLION COPIES SOLDThe iconic bestseller Prisoners of Geography, now fully updated with brand new content to reflect the changing global geopolitical landscape since it was first published in 2015‘One of the best books about geopolitics you could imagine.’ Evening StandardPrisoners of Geography is the book people need to understand what’s happening in the news today, from China’s ambitions to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.Bestselling author and geopolitics expert Tim Marshall looks at the past, present and future to offer crucial insights into one of the major factors that determines world history – because if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture.This completely revised and updated edition brings the classic text up to date with the events and trends of the past decade, with new material including: • the Russia–Ukraine war and Moscow's alliances with authoritarian states • the conflicts in the Middle East • China’s growing military and strategic power, and its stance on Taiwan • American global power and pivot to the Pacific • Europe’s leaning towards more extreme politics, increased defence spending, and the new ‘Iron Curtain’ • Japan's remilitarisation and increasing power • great power play in Africa • the growth of Indian economic and military strengthRead Tim Marshall’s geopolitical primers (Prisoners of Geography, The Power of Geography and The Future of Geography) to understand what’s happening in our fast-changing world.*Want to test your world knowledge? Challenge friends and family with Prisoners of Geography: The Quiz Book, and discover who is the ultimate armchair explorer! * Read more

Explore Britain with easy-to-read mapping from Collins.This easy-to-use, handy A5 road atlas with spiral binding features extremely clear route planning maps of Britain and Ireland, and fits neatly into your glove box or bag.The maps of Britain are at 10 miles to 1 inch (1:625,000) and the whole of Ireland is covered at 15.8 miles to 1 inch (1:1,000,000). There are also a selection of more detailed urban area maps at 4.5 miles to 1 inch (1:285,000) to aid route planning in these busy areas.Main features:Road maps that focus on the main roads, motorways and settlementsMore detailed maps of London, Manchester, Merseyside and West MidlandsUpdated Park & Ride locations, new rail stations and extensions to tram lines in Blackpool and EdinburghHandy distance calculator chart highlighting distances between the major townsOver 30 categories of places of interest including castles, theme parks, sports venues and surfing beaches Read more

This all-new 2025 children’s annual is loaded with jaw-dropping, eye-popping, believe it or not facts and bright, bold photography!•Combining the planet’s weirdest facts with the coolest and strangest true stories•From from peculiar plants and curious caterpillars to accidental inventions, marvellous metals and strange superstitions.•Explores animals, geography, science, the environment, human achievement and lots more•The perfect book for fans of Guinness World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!Whether it's weird wildlife, strange sculptures, bizarre sports or out of this world discoveries, this 2025 children's annual is sure to entertain! Read more

‘A feast for mind and soul, a treasure trove of insights into the enigmatic and enchanting world of the birds we share our lives with but barely notice. I have learnt so much. Every page is a thrill. Bird School has opened my eyes' Isabella Tree, author of WildingStep into the hide for a glorious new encounter with the British wildClose to Adam Nicolson’s home in Sussex, there is a forgotten field overrun by bracken and thicketed by brambles. It is the haunt of deer and many birds – nightingales, the occasional cuckoo, ravens, robins, owls and in summer the sweet-singing warblers that come north from Africa to breed in English woods.This gorgeous book charts his attempt to encounter birds, to engage with a marvellous layer of life he had previously almost ignored. He wanted to look and listen, to return to ‘bird school’ and see what it might teach him.He built a small shed amongst the trees with nesting boxes and bird feeders. Cocooned inside, season after season, he got to know the birds: where they nest, how they sing, how they mate and fight, what preys on them, what they are like as living things.Beautifully written and woven through with philosophy, literature, science and a sense of wonder, always conscious that that this is an age in which the natural world is under siege, Bird School pulls back the curtain on seemingly ordinary birds, taking a long, careful and concerned look at our relationship with the wild. Read more

A compact, lightweight and informative guide to 310 of the most common birds found in the UK. RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds is a compact, lightweight and informative field guide, featuring 310 bird species regularly seen in the UK. Species are illustrated in all distinct plumage forms likely to be observed in the wild by renowned bird artist Stephen Message, and a detailed distribution map for the British Isles is also provided. Concise text covers appearance, behaviour and voice - focusing on key identification points - and also outlines where you will find the species, describes its seasonal movements and includes the latest UK population data. Finally, confusion species are cross-referenced, with their most important and easily noted differences from the subject species described. A comprehensive introduction provides a guide on how and where to find birds, and how to make the most useful and rewarding observations for newcomers to birdwatching. Uniquely, this guide also provides images and descriptions for not only a selection of rarer visitors, but also for a range of domestic species and certain commonly observed aberrant forms of more familiar birds, all of which are omitted from most field guides but can cause great confusion for beginners when encountered in the wild. Read more

With fully-updated, large-scale mapping, there has never been an easier way to explore Europe by road.This super-clear, detailed road mapping covers all the top European tourist destinations in a large, easy-to-read format. Bask on the French Riviera, relax in sunny Sicily or discover the Dalmatian Coast; plot any of these trips with this comprehensive and accessible A3, spiral-bound atlas.With main mapping at a scale of 12 miles to the inch, this Road Atlas of Europe is our clearest yet.Main features116 super-size main mapping pages12 additional pages of route planning mapping for long distancesAccessible, large print fontClarifies toll and toll free motorways for ease of useScenic routes identified and highlightedEasy-to-use, large A3 size with handy spiral bindingFull road classificationLocal town and city names match up with local road signs to aid navigationLegible and easy to read indexMajor European routes shownCoverage of the whole of Europe at route planning scale with super-scale mapping of mainland Europe from France and Spain in the west, through Germany and Italy, to Poland, the Balkans and Greece in the Southeast.Mapping Scales116 pages of super-scale mapping – 12 miles to the inch (1:760,000)12 pages of route planning maps – 55 miles to the inch (1:3,500,000) Read more

‘A dazzlingly inventive work of literature’ Robert Macfarlane, author of The Old Ways'A wonderful, epic braiding of history, geography and personal memoir' James Rebanks, author of English Pastoral'Stunning...weaving an intricate tapestry of tarmac, humanity and time, as rich as the dark earth on which his many threads lie. It will stay with me.’ Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path _____________________________________________________________________At the heart of this book is a highway. The A1; The Great North Road. A 400-mile multiplicity of ancient trackway, Roman road, pilgrim path, coach route and motorway that has run like a backbone through Britain for the last 2,000 years.In this genre-defying and profoundly personal book, Cowen follows this ghost road from beginning to end on a journey through history, place, people and time. Weaving his own histories and memories with the layered landscapes he moves through, this is the story of an age, of coming to terms with time past and time passing, and the roads that lead us to where we find ourselves.Written in kaleidoscopic prose, The North Road is an unforgettable exploration of Britain’s great highway.__________________________________________________________________________'This is an astonishing book in its scope and vitality. It’s one to relish and revisit.' The Telegraph 'A remarkable, post-Covid, post-Brexit state of the nation literary archaeology.' Financial Times'Stunning and utterly unique. The North Road sits in a genre of one' Benjamin Myers, author of The Gallows Pole 'A dazzling, dogged, layered account of one road’s passage through place, time and an ordinary family’s history, The North Road truly is a trip' Melissa Harrison, author of All Among The Barley'Thought-provoking and beautiful' Matt Gaw, author of Under The Stars'A beautifully woven and mesmerising book' Tom Bullough, author of Sarn Helen'Sweeping, sensitive and enduring' Tristan Gooley, author of How To Read A Tree Read more

'Life-changing' DAVINA McCALL'A must-read' Dr RUPY AUJLA'Fascinating' NIGELLA LAWSON'Empowering' LIZ EARLE**THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE FOOD FOR LIFE COOKBOOK**Food is our greatest ally for good health, but the question of what to eat in the age of ultra-processed food has never seemed so complicated.Drawing on cutting-edge research and personal insights, Professor Tim Spector offers clear answers in this definitive, easy-to-follow guide to the new science of eating well.Empowering and practical, Food for Life is nothing less than a new approach to how to eat - for our health and the health of the planet.‘No fads, no nonsense, just practical, science-based advice on how to eat well’ Daily Mail, Books of the Year'A rigorously academic book that welcomes the layperson with open arms' The Times** A THE TIMES and SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR**** WINNER OF THE FORTNUM & MASON SPECIAL AWARD **Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, February 2024 Read more

THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER‘As gripping as any thriller. History doesn't get any better than this’ BILL BRYSON’A brilliant read … Game of Thrones but in the real world’ ANTHONY HOROWITZPICKED AS A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 BY THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, THE GUARDIAN, THE DAILY MAIL AND THE DAILY EXPRESS.The sinking of the White Ship in 1120 is one of the greatest disasters England has ever suffered. In one catastrophic night, the king’s heir and the flower of Anglo-Norman society were drowned and the future of the crown was thrown violently off course.In a riveting narrative, Charles Spencer follows the story from the Norman Conquest through to the decades that would become known as the Anarchy: a civil war of untold violence that saw families turn in on each other with English and Norman barons, rebellious Welsh princes and the Scottish king all playing a part in a desperate game of thrones. All because of the loss of one vessel – the White Ship – the medieval Titanic.‘Highly enjoyable’ Simon Heffer‘Brilliant’ Dan Jones‘Fascinating’ Tom BowerThe #2 Sunday Times bestseller on Sunday 18 June 2021Charles Spencer's book 'A Very Private School' was a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-03-18. Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK*An Economist, Financial Times, Times and New Statesman Book of the Year*Shortlisted for the FT Business Book of the Year Award and the British Academy Book Prize, Longlisted for the Wainwright Conservation Writing Prize'Compelling' TIM MARSHALL'Lively, rich and exciting' PETER FRANKOPAN'Vitally important' TIM HARFORD_____________Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. They built our world, and they will transform our future.They took us from the Dark Ages to the present day. They power our computers and phones, build our homes and offices, and create life-saving medicines. But most of us take these six crucial materials completely for granted.In Material World, Ed Conway travels the globe to uncover a secret world we rarely see. As we wrestle with climate change, energy crises and the threat of new global conflict, Conway shows why these substances matter more than ever before, and how the hidden battle to control them will shape our geopolitical future. Read more

A beautiful guide to Earth's wildlife and natural history, including its rocks, minerals, animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms and more!Introducing The Natural History Book - a complete guide to the nature and wildlife of our world and written by a worldwide team of natural history experts. In the 11 years since the book was originally released, thousands of new species have been identified, and new revelations have redrawn the tree of life.Already featuring galleries of more than 5,000 species, The Natural History Book has since been updated to include dynamic discoveries such as the olinguito (the "kitty bear" of the Andean cloud forest), and a new species of deep-sea Bolosoma glass sponge photographed by the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, alongside a reorganization of the groups of living things to reflect the latest scientific understanding.Explore each and every page of this stunning nature book to discover:- A full-colour gallery of over 5,000 species- Over 500 rocks, minerals and fossils featured throughout- Includes glossary of important natural history terms- Specially-commissioned photographs showcase wildlife in close-up detailThis treasure-trove of natural history is accompanied with easy-to-read, accessible information and beautifully-striking imagery, making it a riveting reference guide to pass down for generations to come. The only book to offer a complete visual survey of all kingdoms of life, this nature book for adults is the perfect addition to every family bookshelf, as well as an ideal gift for the nature, animal and plant lover in your life! Gardeners, hikers, and visitors to wildlife park and natural history museums alike would also love this niche nature book, which also doubles up as the perfect coffee table book.Split into 6 core chapters, covering Living Earth, Minerals, Rocks and Fossils, Microscopic Life, Plants, Fungi, and Animals - there truly is something for everyone to explore, love and learn. From granites to grape vines, from microbes to mammals, The Natural History Book is the ultimate celebration of the diversity of the natural world. Read more

Explore World War II in unprecedented detail with this compelling geographical guide.If you're interested in finding out more about one of the deadliest wars in history, then this war book is perfect for you. World War II Map by Map is an intricately detailed history book, that will encourage you to get a sense of the magnitude, mobility and speed at which the colossal armies swept through these vast landscapes during a war that claimed millions of lives and spanned through many areas globally. Follow the key developments of World War II in unprecedented visual detail, with more than 100 specially created historical maps covering all major theatres of war. Discover how the conflict raged around the globe on land, air, and sea, while timelines provide an in-depth chronology of events. Beautiful archival photographs, contemporary artifacts, and profiles of famous leaders reveal the full story of the war that shaped the modern world. So what are you waiting for? Journey back in time and uncover:- 9 main contemporary maps, including battle maps from both Allies and Axis countries, explain key events. - Easy-to-read text panels to accompany the maps for a deeper understanding of each topic. - Set out into 5 Chapters with 11 narrative overviews- 30 photo feature spreads exploring topics beyond the WarBursting with striking illustrations and full of fascinating detail, this world war 2 book is the ultimate gift for history students, general readers, and military history enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy watching military documents, or you're looking for the perfect gift for the history lover in your life, World War II Map by Map can be enjoyed by adults and children aged 12+ alike. Written by a team of historians headed by Richard Overy as a consultant, this history book for adults examines in detail how the most destructive conflict in history changed the face of our world.At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.So why stop there? The Map by Map series includes other titles such as History of the World Map by Map and Battles Map by Map, each detailing historical events and placing them in the context of geography. DK's luxurious Map by Map books are fantastic history gifts, packed with fascinating facts, high-quality photography, and detailed profiles and descriptions of people and events. Read more

BBC R4 Book of the Week‘Brilliant’ Guardian‘Fascinating and often delightful’ The TimesWhat if intelligent life on Earth evolved not once, but twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter?In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a distinguished philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver, tells a bold new story of how nature became aware of itself – a story that largely occurs in the ocean, where animals first appeared.Tracking the mind’s fitful development from unruly clumps of seaborne cells to the first evolved nervous systems in ancient relatives of jellyfish, he explores the incredible evolutionary journey of the cephalopods, which began as inconspicuous molluscs who would later abandon their shells to rise above the ocean floor, searching for prey and acquiring the greater intelligence needed to do so – a journey completely independent from the route that mammals and birds would later take.But what kind of intelligence do cephalopods possess? How did the octopus, a solitary creature with little social life, become so smart? What is it like to have eight tentacles that are so packed with neurons that they virtually ‘think for themselves’? By tracing the question of inner life back to its roots and comparing human beings with our most remarkable animal relatives, Godfrey-Smith casts crucial new light on the octopus mind – and on our own. Read more

Longlisted for the National Book Award 2024'Passionate and absorbing'SUNDAY TIMES'I learned more about the Moon by reading this book than after a lifetime of study'CHRIS HADFIELD, author of An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth'Superb: as much a feat of imagination as it is a work of globe-trotting scholarship'TELEGRAPH'Boyle's writing shines, shifting through time and space, science and sentiment; a luminous read'REBECCA WRAGG SYKES, author of Kindred'You will never look at the Moon the same way again . . . fascinating'NEW STATESMAN'A riveting feat of science writing'ED YONG, author of An Immense World'Engrossing'INDEPENDENTEvery living being throughout history, across time and geography, has gazed up at the same moon.From the first prehistoric life that crawled onto land guided by the power of the tides, to the division of time into months and seasons for the first humans, the moon has driven the expansion and development of our world.It has inspired scientific discovery and culture from the ancient astronomers to the scientific revolution of Copernicus and Galileo, from the 1969 Apollo landings to writers and artists, and stirred an inexhaustible desire to know where we come from and how we got here.And as astronauts around the world prepare to return to the Moon - opening up new frontiers of discovery, profit and politics - Our Moon tells the dazzling story of how the Moon has shaped life as we know it, fuelled dramatic change across the globe and could be the key to humanity's future. Read more