26 Years Behind Bars

The book is written from the perspective of a participant observer. It is not strictly an autobiography or a history, although it has elements of both, as it would fail without them. It is intended for both the general reader and criminal justice professionals. My intention is that the book is educational, showing the prison system over three decades in the context of social, political and organisational change, in particular the impact of the decline of deference, the growth of public managerialism and the rise of political correctness. The trenchant opinions expressed are based on intellectual rumination, observation of human behaviour, and personal and professional experience. I have deliberately chosen a thematic approach for the book so that explanation and information work in tandem, giving a unique insight into the modern prison service and the workings of the public sector.

284 Munros

Since the Rev A E Robertson first accomplished the feat in 1901, over 6,500 people have registered their “compleation” of the Munros with the Scottish Mountaineering Club. There are records for the fastest round; for “compleating” in a continuous walk, or in a single season; for the greatest number of rounds; etc.

David Barraclough took a more leisurely approach, taking 51 years and 164 days to walk 2,086 miles and climb 690,000 feet between ascents of Sgùrr nan Gillean, his first Munro climbed when he was fourteen, and Beinn Dòrain, his 284th. David’s book is more than a diary of his achievement. He includes descriptions of the often non-standard routes he took to the summits and tries to rationalise the many changes that have been made to the Munro listings over the years. Beyond the mountains themselves, he discusses the effects on both access and the environment of the dams and enlarged lochs associated with hydro-electric power schemes, and the more recent threat to the wildness of Scotland’s more remote areas from industrial-scale wind farms. Throughout the book, David’s lifelong love of the Scottish mountains shines through.

3 Boys, 2 Dogs, 1 (Ex) Husband and Absolutely No Idea

‘I never thought, when I met my husband at 18, got married at 25, had my third baby at 30 or even two years ago when I started writing this book, that I would find myself in the position I am now… a single mum to three boys, two dogs with a now ex-husband.

This is a brutally honest account of life since I weed on that stick. Pregnancy, haemorrhoids, cabbage leaves, mum mates, tantrums, holidays, hormones, sex, dogs and divorce.

This is definitely not a guide to parenting but it may make you feel a little less alone on the journey.’

301 Top Tips for Design Engineers

This book is aimed at new mechanical design engineers – to improve your employability and to help you ‘hit the ground running’.

It also contains useful information and checklists for more experienced designers.

It’s a quick read, listing real-world, non-academic, practical experiences which you won’t find in an engineer’s technical reference book.

It includes design and drafting guides, good advice for everyday design and general office life, advice on job interviews, how to handle meetings, insights into other departments, looking after yourself in a work environment and more.

40 Days and Nights

A book where you get to follow a challenging time in someone’s life, when deep reflections on the existence and purpose of humanity arise. A book full of wisdom, insights and excitement. A book that is written to be experienced not only with the mind but also with the soul/heart.

47 Trees: A Cosmic Crusade Part 1

An Enthralling Spiritual Fantasy

of Wondrous Exploration and Discovery

This new millennium tale is a clever, intricately meshed tapestry of dimensional metaphysics, thrilling action with ancient hybrid tree warriors, perhaps a philosophical quagmire or two, and of course really cool spiritually organic space vessels.

Sometimes you just have to keep climbing and searching for the truth, yet still seeking the excitement and satisfaction that can bring you contentment. Come fly with veteran journalist and author Thom Costea on this gripping literary flight: unrestrained riding the crest of an etherial wave through spiritual corridors and across interstellar trails, searching for universal truth and embracing the spirit of exploration and discovery on an electrifying journey, and maybe indulging in the occasional moral conundrum or a binge of intoxicated debauchery and exotic exploits.

50 Shades of Awkward

There comes a time when you look at yourself in a dirty bathroom mirror and think, this cannot be all there is. I am speaking directly to the heart of every woman who, at this very moment, feels invisible, unloved, unworthy, trapped, tired, ugly, awkward, aimless, chubby and old. This book is for you.

Eight years ago, I was married for the third time to a guy I met on the Internet and barely knew. This is a raw look at life through the eyes of a middle-aged woman as she comes to grips with parenting, dating, divorce, dieting, financial and mental health meltdowns, and her brutally honest way of dealing with it all.

Through horrific mistakes, gut-wrenching pain and laugh-out-loud life mishaps, I hope it will help you see that life isn’t at all bad.

50 things we all take too seriously

Do you find yourself stressing out each and every day? Does it seem like it's one thing after another? Do you wish things could seem a bit easier and lighter?
Well, look no further! 50 things We All Take Too Seriously will take you on a journey of relief. As you read, you will begin to realise how we make things seem a lot more stressful than they actually are. To put it bluntly, we are all guilty of TAKING THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY! This book will allow you to change the way you perceive stressful situations to make them ‘not so stressful’ after all. If you are looking for a fun, light-hearted, yet thought-provoking read, then this is the book for you.

500 Days

How different could the world have been, then and now, if lead-ups and events surrounding the Second World War had occurred vastly differently? What if different alliances had been formed through dramatic circumstances and, subsequently, the tyrants had been unable to wield their evil powers?

In the latter half of the 1930s, Russia and Germany are going through the motions of getting on well with each other until a series of “events” occur. A spectacular explosion kills many fascists including Hitler and the Russians decide to seize the moment and invade. Britain and France declare war on Russia and become allied to a Germany under new leadership. There are more shocks when Stalin disappears just when the Russians seem on the brink of success.

Germany, however, has a great deal of support and there are great sea powers, especially Britain, who begin to demonstrate their vast reach. One of the smallest navies in existence also has a big say in subduing a mighty power.

54 Days

Angel is a career girl working in publishing, loves her job, loves being single and has no kids, lives alone and is the only child of her parents Arthur and Rosaleen Mayflower; Angel is the apple of their eye and thrives on the success she has achieved for herself with the hope their daughter climbs the career ladder even further one day, or so they think.

Angel has two best friends, Linda and Helen, and they all constantly enjoy nights out meeting new men and having a really good time letting their hair down whenever possible. However, one night proves that going out isn’t all it’s cracked up to be as events take a turn that nobody will ever forget as hearts are broken and families torn apart.

One man, three women, a coma and death on the menu.

Could jealousy be the cause? Or something more sinister, who knows?

A B C of Indian Astrology

Dr Ravindra Sharma has been a medical surgeon all his life yet has maintained a deep and abiding interest in astrology, having learnt it from several experts in the field such as his father, uncle, maternal grandfather and many others.

Astrology is an ancient science which attempts to unravel the mystery of the ever-changing drama of human life. It largely succeeds in doing so on the basis of planetary influences.

As a beginner, when one is looking for a book about astrology, one finds that most of them are either too simple or too difficult to read and absorb. This is a unique book in English language, concise yet comprehensive, that encompasses the entire gamut of the fundamentals of astrology in an easy-to-understand style and systematic manner.

Life-long pursuit of astrology for well over six decades has enabled the author to understand and relate to the fluctuating, often unexpected, even contradictory and at times intriguing events in one’s life. It has stood by him as a dependable companion, a friendly guide and an additional dimension.

The author believes the book will prove an interesting and absorbing read, a worthy and reliable companion and an added support. It is bound to provide the reader the thrill, the excitement, the joy and the satisfaction of discovering the dynamics of events in his life.

A Bad Gorilla Day

Are you having a Grumpy, Bumpy, Gurgly, Whirly, Bad Gorilla Day?

Have no fear! Grumps gorilla will show you how he conquers a bad gorilla day like a champ, not a chimp.

So take a walk on the wild side, learn some new tricks and tips that are sure to turn even your whirliest of days into a Great Gorilla Day!

‘A Bad Gorilla Day, But, A Great Gorilla Life.’