The magical bestseller: a classic story to read again and again. Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017 Winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year 2017 Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award Shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize   Beautiful, thrilling and magical, Sunday Times bestselling-author Kiran Millwood Hargrave's critically-acclaimed first novel is a modern classic. 'Absolutely loved it from start to finish' TOM FLETCHER 'I read it, I loved it' MALORIE BLACKMAN 'Kiran Millwood Hargrave creates a spellbinding world of magic, myth and adventure' EMMA CARROLL Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella dreams of the faraway lands her cartographer father once mapped. When her friend disappears, she volunteers to guide the search. The world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland – and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself. A beautifully written, multi award-winning story of friendship, discovery, myths and magic for any age – perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Frances Hardinge or Katherine Rundell From the author of Julia and the Shark and The Mercies, chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club Set in an extensive and stunningly-imagined parallel world imbued with magical realism A gorgeous gift with intricate star-chart illustrations throughout - a present for young and old, which will stay with you long after reading   'One of those timeless stories that feels like a real myth' SAMANTHA SHANNON 'FANTASTIC!' CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER 'Absolutely stunning' CATHERINE DOYLE 'So beautiful and magical' PIERS TORDAY Read more

A deep dive into the genesis, development, and occupation of the Hindenburg Line, as well as detailed guides to the actions and battles in each sector.When the Hindenburg Line, Germany’s legendary defence system, was pierced at Cambrai in November 1917, the British were so pleased and delighted that church bells were rung. But that initial elation was followed by disappointment when the Germans used “defence-in-depth” and “elastic-defence” to retake the Hindenburg defences.This book examines the reasons for the German’s decision to fall back to a strong defence line while their Navy starved Britain into submission, and the “burnt earth” policy of devastation in the area evacuated. The design and layout of the Hindenburg Line, and the Battles for its possession in 1917 and 1918, are given: with numerous maps covering different sectors and the struggles for each village and farm, together with the part played by many British Regiments. The maps contain information on how to find all remaining vestiges of both German and British defences in the region, most of which are rarely visited and many of which have not been seen by British eyes for many years.No book since the Great War has examined this area in such detail, nor has any single account contained so much for the battlefield visitor to see. The sites of individual acts of bravery, including the winning of many Victoria Crosses are featured, and existing locations of battle lines, headquarters, artillery observation and machine gun posts are also included, together with an absorbing narrative which also guides the armchair reader. Read more

Unlock answers to questions you never even knew existed!If you have a curious mind and a passion for learning, The Book of General Knowledge Bombs is the perfect companion. This isn’t just a trivia book—it’s packed with amazing facts, oddities, and curiosities for knowledge-thirsty minds, offering you an endless supply of captivating stories and unexpected discoveries.From jaw-dropping historical events to quirky cultural connections, this book is filled with fascinating tales that will keep you turning pages and sharing newfound knowledge with everyone around you. It’s the ideal read for trivia enthusiasts, lifelong learners, or anyone who loves to be amazed.Looking for cool birthday gifts, a unique gift, or the best gifts for men who have everything? This collection of obscure, mind-blowing facts is the perfect choice.Inside, you’ll explore:The teenager who once defeated Caesar—an underdog story that rewrote history.How Rock and Roll helped develop the CT scan, proving that music really can save lives.The curious link between Tupac and Shakespeare, two legends across centuries.Michelangelo’s secret art fraud, a twist on the Renaissance you never expected.The assassination attempt that almost didn’t happen, and how it shaped the world.Whether you’re broadening your horizons, looking for the best trivia books for adults, or searching for an engaging read for the history lover in your life, The Book of General Knowledge Bombs: Amazing Facts, Oddities and Curiosities For Knowledge-Thirsty Minds delivers page after page of surprising insights and unforgettable stories.Dive into the unexpected and expand your understanding of the world with every turn of the page! Read more

Philip's Stargazing is the perfect practical guide for both budding and experienced astronomers."If you buy just one guide...you won't do better than this." - BBC Sky at Night Magazine"I will continue to enjoy 'Philip's Stargazing' as the months go by." - Helen Sharman, Astronaut"Very useful indeed." - Chris Lintott, Sky at Night presenterPhilip's Stargazing is essential for all those who enjoy exploring the night sky, with up-to-date monthly star charts, moon calendars and viewing tips, as well as the best dark-sky sites to visit and astronomy festivals through the year. Compiled by experts and specially designed for easy use, Stargazing 2025 is a comprehensive companion for both seasoned and novice astronomers.* Fully updated colour star chart for each month of the year* Viewing recommendations and practical advice* Top constellation, target object, topic and picture for each month* Daily Moon Phase Calendar, highlighting special lunar events throughout the year * Planet Watch for ideal viewing days in 2025 * The best places to experience Dark Skies * The latest on Star Festival, Star Parties and astronomy-themed days out* Expert advice from internationally renowned astronomer professor Nigel Henbest * Special article by equipment expert Robin Scagell on small refracting telescopes* Complete calendar of major astronomical events * Top 20 Sky Sights of 2025 * Jargon Buster, explaining common or confusing terms * Clear explanation of the planets' movements, solar and lunar eclipses, meteors and comets Read more

This ground-level WWII history describes the British armored offensive into occupied France with rare wartime photos.  Military historian Ian Daglish presents an authoritatively detailed chronicle of the greatest armored battle undertaken by the British during the Second World War. After the Normandy Landings, Operation Goodwood sent British tanks south out of the Orne bridgehead. Though the operation failed to break through German defenses, it exposed critical vulnerabilities that would ultimately assist the Allies in the liberation of France. Along with the engaging and informative text, this volume includes newly discovered aerial photos taken during the fighting by the RAF. This amazing imagery makes it possible to trace the course of the battle and to track the movement of the armored regiments and troops of both sides. Read more

Discover hidden gems around Bristol and Bath with 20 walking routes.Featuring 20 walks, including lesser-known circuits and details on popular walks. Accompanied by guided walking instructions and written by a local expert, A-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden Walks is the perfect way to explore the city in a new light.Small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, this handy guidebook is ideal for tourists or locals looking to discover more about the city. Each route varies in length from 1 to 6 miles (1.6 to 9.6 km), and is clearly outlined on detailed A-Z street mapping.• 20 walking routes with instructions and maps• Full-colour photographs of hidden gems and city attractions• Key sights and locations clearly marked on map• Information such as start/finish points, nearest postcodes, distance and terrain includedMore from the A-Z Hidden Walks series:A-Z Birmingham Hidden WalksA-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden WalksA-Z Edinburgh Hidden WalksA-Z London Hidden WalksA-Z Oxford Hidden WalksA-Z York Hidden WalksA-Z Brighton Hidden WalksA-Z Cambridge Hidden WalksA-Z Manchester Hidden WalksA-Z Liverpool Hidden Walks Read more

100 beautiful places in Scotland to walk, eat and sleepPeter Irvine, bestselling author of SCOTLAND THE BEST,has selected 100 extraordinary places that epitomise what istruly great about Scotland. This personal and diverse compendium is illustrated with beautiful and evocative images by some of Scotland’s best photographers.Peter Irvine has drawn on a lifetime of experiences to create this list of the 100 best places in Scotland: reflective, magnificent and human places. Some choices may be surprising but all are exceptional.This book is Pete’s ultimate collection selected from the hundreds of places that feature in the bestselling independent guide to Scotland, SCOTLAND THE BEST. As well as expert commentary, all 100 places include highly selective recommendations of where to walk, eat and sleep nearby.Some of Scotland’s finest photographers have captured the essence of each place. From wild glens to ancient buildings, remote islands to vibrant cities, this is Pete’s list of the places in Scotland that you really should visit in your lifetime. Read more

Discover the rich history of Britain's millennia-old network of pathways, and it will be impossible to take an unremarkable walk again . . .'A rallying cry to reclaim lost routes and preserve this precious resource for future generations' Walk Magazine__Hundreds of thousands of miles of ancient paths crisscross our land. Whether Iron Age footsteps or Anglo-Saxon mercenary trails, Railway Age tracks or Home Army defences, they reveal a hidden story. Jack Cornish has spent years walking and recording these forgotten routes and The Lost Paths is his history of the people who created and walked these ways. From sheep drovers to Cornish miners to workhouse wanderers, this tale of the land beneath our feet brings our past to life and puts its future squarely in our hands.This is a celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations.--PRAISE FOR THE LOST PATHS‘A rallying cry to reclaim lost routes and preserve this precious resource for future generations’ Walk Magazine‘Fascinating’ Country Walking‘A celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations’ The Best of UK‘[A] fascinating history of path-making and path-taking . . . our guide excels at historic story-telling . . . Cornish’s celebration of our grand wealth of history ways, and the different motivations for walking over the centuries, is a worthy clarion call for us to keep treading paths – so we don’t lose our way . . . ‘ The Oldie‘A lively account of millennia of movement, and a call to action to preserve an endangered heritage’ Inkcap Journal Read more

The Colossal Minecraft Building Guide is the perfect companion for anyone looking to buff up their building skills. This guide will show you exactly how to create incredible building interiors, exteriors and it will show you what you NEED to avoid if you ever want to create jaw-dropping structures. Read more

This popular and interesting book explains how over 2000 towns, villages and lochs in Scotland got their names, with placename origins explained. Read more

The history of Britain’s railways is a long and fascinating one, filled with stories of grand endeavours, noted figures and record-breaking feats. Julian Holland brings together a unique miscellany of intriguing tales and engaging trivia – the perfect collection for every railway enthusiast.Stories range from Bulleid’s 'Chinese Laundries', trainspotting trips in Wales and Scotland and Liverpool’s ‘Dockers’ Umbrella' to railway artists and clergy, a railway-owned airline and railways that were never built.Find out about• The Royal Scot’s 11,000-mile journey in the USA and Canada• A narrow gauge island railway in the middle of the Bristol Channel• How the London & South Western Railway saved the British Empire• Mallard’s unbeaten world speed record of 1938• How to fly by Great Western Railway from Cardiff to Plymouth• The 75-mile network of narrow gauge railways on the Isle of Skye• How another 4,500 miles of railway escaped closure by Dr BeechingAll Aboard is a delightful miscellany for every railway enthusiast, filled with fascinating and obscure stories, facts and figures. Read more

The Battleground series is designed for both the battlefield visitor and the reader at home. For the former, this book is an invaluable guide and each site is described in detail. For everyone there are graphic descriptions of action, often through first-hand accounts, supported by illustrations, diagrams and maps. Read more

This splendid and timely book will be invaluable to those visiting the battlefields, sites, museums, memorials and cemeteries of France and Belgium. It is intended for those planning and leading school groups and similar parties but is also ideal for individual/family visitors.Rather than list every site etc it provides realistic itineraries to the best places in the two major areas of the Somme and Ypres. Even these are flexible to allow party leaders suitable discretion.The author provides helpful information for each site such as its context in the War, visitor orientation, the 'spiel' (the essential facts to engage, inform and entertain), suggested activity and relevant photos and maps.This combines to make every visit of maximum benefit and interest and yet reduce the workload of the party leaders.There are also valuable tips for lunch breaks, free time ideas and other helpful pointers. Read more

A team of historians and archaeologists re-examine what happened at the Battle of Culloden between the Scottish Jacobites and Great Britain. In battle at Culloden Moor on April 16, 1746, the Jacobite cause was dealt a mortal blow. The power of the Highland clans was broken. And the image of sword-wielding Highlanders charging into a hail of lead delivered by the red-coated battalions of the Hanoverian army has passed into legend. The battle was a turning point in British history. And yet our perception of this critical episode tends to be confused by mistaken, sometimes partisan, views of the events on the battlefield. So, what really happened at Culloden? In this fascinating and original book, a team of leading historians and archaeologists reconsiders every aspect of the battle. They examine the latest historical and archaeological evidence, question every assumption, and rewrite the story of the campaign in vivid detail. This is the first time that such a distinguished team of experts has focused on a single British battle. The result is a seminal study of the subject, and it is a landmark publication of battlefield archaeology.Praise for Culloden“Culloden is one of the best documented British battles and also one of the most mapped, yet the contributions to this fine volume have succeeded in finding new material.” —Scotts Magazine (UK) Read more

Discover hidden gems around Liverpool with 20 walking routes.Featuring 20 walks in and around the city, including lesser-known circuits and details on popular walks. Accompanied by guided walking instructions and written by a local expert, A-Z Liverpool Hidden Walks is the perfect way to explore the city in a new light.Small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, this handy guidebook is ideal for tourists or locals looking to discover more about the city. Each route varies in length from 1 to 6 miles (1.6 to 9.6 km), and is clearly outlined on detailed A-Z street mapping.• 20 walking routes with instructions and maps• Full-colour photographs of hidden gems and city attractions• Key sights and locations clearly marked on map• Information such as start/finish points, nearest postcodes, distance and terrain includedMore from the A-Z Hidden Walks series:A-Z Birmingham Hidden WalksA-Z Bristol & Bath Hidden WalksA-Z Edinburgh Hidden WalksA-Z London Hidden WalksA-Z Oxford Hidden WalksA-Z York Hidden WalksA-Z Brighton Hidden WalksA-Z Cambridge Hidden WalksA-Z Manchester Hidden WalksA-Z Liverpool Hidden Walks Read more

Celebrate the heyday of passenger rail travel around Britain with this beautiful Times railway book. The perfect gift for any railway enthusiasts.• This e-book is best viewed on Kindle Fire in landscape view to optimise your experience.Take a journey back to the boom time for Britain’s railways, through a unique collection of fascinating stories, photographs, posters and railway ephemera.Leading railway author Julian Holland tells the story of an evocative period in Britain’s railway history – gone forever but never forgotten.Explore a century of rail travel in Britain, covering:• Late 19th century to 1922. The zenith of Britain’s railways, with 120 companies operating• 1923 to 1947. Railway companies are grouped into the ‘Big Four’• 1948 to 1994. Nationalization heralds the era of British Railways Read more

1/3 MILLION COPIES SOLD'Written by a World Barista Champion and co-founder of the great Square Mile roasters in London, this had a lot to live up to and it certainly does. Highly recommended for anyone into their coffee and interested in finding out more about how it's grown, processed and roasted.' (Amazon customer)'Whether you are an industry professional, a home enthusiast or anything in between, I truly believe this is a MUST read.' (Amazon customer)'Informative, well-written and well presented. Coffee table and reference book - a winner' (Amazon customer)'Very impressive. It's amazing how much territory is covered without overwhelming the reader. The abundant photos and images are absolutely coffee-table-worthy, but this book is so much more. I think it would be enjoyable for an obsessed coffee geek or someone who just enjoys their java.' (Amazon customer)For everyone who wants to understand more about coffee and its wonderful nuances and possibilities, this is the book to have.Coffee has never been better, or more interesting, than it is today. Coffee producers have access to more varieties and techniques than ever before and we, as consumers, can share in that expertise to make sure the coffee we drink is the best we can find. Where coffee comes from, how it was harvested, the roasting process and the water used to make the brew are just a few of the factors that influence the taste of what we drink. Champion barista and coffee expert James Hoffmann examines these key factors, looking at varieties of coffee, the influence of terroir, how it is harvested and processed, the roasting methods used, through to the way in which the beans are brewed.Country by country - from Bolivia to Zambia - he then identifies key characteristics and the methods that determine the quality of that country's output. Along the way we learn about everything from the development of the espresso machine, to why strength guides on supermarket coffee are really not good news. This is the first book to chart the coffee production of over 35 countries, encompassing knowledge never previously published outside the coffee industry. Read more

The story of an ancient ambush that devastated Rome—and the modern-day hunt that finally revealed its location and its archaeological treasures.   In 9 A.D., the seventeenth, eighteenth, & nineteenth Roman legions and their auxiliary troops under the command of Publius Quinctilius Varus vanished in the boggy wilds of Germania. They died singly and by the hundreds over several days in a carefully planned ambush led by Arminius—a Roman-trained German warrior adopted and subsequently knighted by the Romans, but determined to stop Rome’s advance east beyond the Rhine River. By the time it was over, some 25,000 men, women, and children were dead and the course of European history had been forever altered. “Quinctilius Varus, give me back my legions!” Emperor Augustus agonized aloud when he learned of the devastating loss.   As decades passed, the location of the Varus defeat, one of the Western world’s most important battlefields, was lost to history. It remained so for two millennia. Fueled by an unshakable curiosity and burning interest in the story, a British Major named J. A. S. (Tony) Clunn delved into the nooks and crannies of times past. By sheer persistence and good luck, he turned the foundation of German national history on its ear. Convinced the running battle took place north of Osnabruck, Germany, Clunn set out to prove his point. His discovery of large numbers of Roman coins in the late 1980s, followed by a flood of thousands of other artifacts (including weapons and human remains), ended the mystery once and for all. Archaeologists and historians across the world agreed. Today, a state-of-the-art museum houses and interprets these priceless historical treasures on the very site Varus’s legions were lost.  The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions is a masterful retelling of Clunn’s search to discover the Varus battlefield. His well-paced and vivid writing style makes for a compelling read as he alternates between his incredible modern quest and the ancient tale of the Roman occupation of Germany—based upon actual finds from the battlefield—that ultimately ended so tragically in the peat bogs of Kalkriese. Read more

What's it like to compete in the world's largest sporting event? Find out all about the Olympic Games, when they began and how they have changed over time. Read about the different events and some of the amazing stories of how athletes have won their medals in this fascinating information book.Topaz/ Band 13 books offer longer and more demanding reads for children to investigate and evaluate.Text type: An infomation book.A useful chart on pages 46-47 compares Olympic events from the ancient games, the first modern games and the most recent games to help children discuss what they’ve read and think about the way the sporting event has changed and developed over time.Additional information retrieval devices such as a glossary and index can be evaluated for their usefulness as children develop critical reading skills.Curriculum links: Geography: Connecting ourselves to the world; Citizenship: Living in a diverse world.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. Read more

2020 WINNER OF THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD Discover unusual and secret places that have disappeared from modern atlases, and revel in imagining what the world once looked like. Award-winning author Travis Elborough takes you on a fascinating voyage to all corners of the world in search of the lost, disappearing and vanished. Unearth ancient seats of power and long-forgotten civilizations through the Mayan city of Palenque; delve into the mystery of a disappeared Japanese islet; and uncover incredible hidden sites like the submerged Old Adaminaby, once abandoned but slowly remerging. With beautiful maps and stunning colour photography, Atlas of Vanishing Places shows these sites as they once were, together with how they look today – it’s a travel guide, a modern atlas and a passage through geography like no other: travel writing has rarely been so inspiring. Also in the Unexpected Atlas series: Atlas of Improbable Places, Atlas of Untamed Places, Atlas of the Unexpected. Read more