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Elgar's Secret Lover
When old friend Arnold Chater Q.C. sends retired Norwegian Judge Christofferson a yellowing manuscript with the mysterious initials G.B. on the first page, the latter starts a quest to seek the truth about British composer Sir Edward Elgar’s secret muse in his masterpiece, the Enigma Variations, and whether he fathered an illegitimate child.
Fascinated with riddles and puzzles, the composer was in the habit of leaving a series of codes denoting the inspiration for his timeless compositions. But in the Enigma Variations, Elgar forsook his usual practice of inserting initials to honour his muse, explicitly refusing to name his great love by using a mysterious ellipsis. Cheekily, he gives a clue about his inspiration in the violin concerto with the words, ‘Here is enshrined the soul of …’
Chris Nicholson’s seminal musical thriller weaves an amazing tale with enigmas piled on riddles. He flagrantly delights in leading readers on a breathless chase of the women who were extraordinarily important in Elgar’s life. At the same time, he also unmasks Elgar as a man who hid himself and his intimate affairs behind a mask of respectability.
Nicholson is merciless in the details of Elgar’s life, loves and music, deciphering all the clues and delivering the final judgment as only he can.
Chris Nicholson is a retired judge and author of seven books.
£11.99£8.39 -
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was born on January 8th, 1935, in a shack in Tupelo, Mississippi. Though he was born a twin, his brother – who had been named Jess Garon – was tragically stillborn. Elvis died on August 16th, 1977, at the age of just 42, in his Graceland mansion. His death marked something significant in the collective mind, like the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, or Martin Luther King.
Conspiracy theories took off about the circumstances surrounding his death: Was Elvis murdered by the mob? Was his death faked? Did Elvis commit suicide? Is he still alive? This book sheds new light on many of these questions, while also celebrating his music and legacy.
Elvis Presley played a central and vital role in the development of Rockabilly music, drawing as he did on a vast range of styles, from the Gospel music of his southern youth to the country music of the Midwest. This book is dedicated to Elvis: the artist, the human being, and The King.
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Eugene Zarebski – a Story of Escape, Survival and Resilience
What’s wrong with a pair of rose-tinted glasses? Eugene would not allow the long, dark shadow of the Second World War to impact his life afterwards. Describing a teenager taking action to rebel against the Nazi occupation of his country, the author goes on to relate further events which shaped his character into becoming an adult who would never give up hope of creating a better life. Who knows what was in his mind as he hovered between life and death, more than once, in those fractured years? But as Eugene sometimes said – “You always need a little bit of luck.”
I remember my father-in-law Eugene as a stoic character who possessed a rather dry sense of humour. His story is one of a young man’s effort to stay alive and fight in the Second World War, but it also shows us how such a Polish patriot could manage to settle down to life as a coalminer in England, finally becoming an “Aussie” embracing a different culture and totally different lifestyle. The geography alone is absorbing – captured in Poland and sent to Northern Russia, then south into Uzbekistan, across Turkmenistan to Iran and Iraq - to be eventually transported by a British Navy ship to Liverpool in England. He was sent to Belgium and Holland in the war, then afterwards Duxford near Cambridge, London, Nottinghamshire and finally Melbourne, Australia. Enjoy the story.
Ted Geerling, Melbourne, Australia.
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First Thoughts: Final Outcome
The story follows the life of a hardworking and humble man named Steve, who is now close to retirement. He and his wife are looking forward to finally having some leisure time for themselves after a lifetime of hustle. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned due to Steve's health complications. The story revolves around how the main character and his family navigate through this time and the lessons they learn along the way.
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From a Lost Land: The Last Rhodesian and Other Tales
This is a series of tales, mostly in chronological order, about the short Rhodesian colonial period up to 1980, after which time the country became Zimbabwe. The tales in the book have very little political content and are not a critique on colonialism or post-colonialism. They show the lives and feelings of ‘ordinary people’ affected by the ‘winds of change’ in Africa, which were predicted by British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in his famous speech in February 1960 in the Cape Town Parliament. The rapid changes in Africa were caught up in the initial stages at the end of colonialism in Africa after World War Two. Many of the newly established post-colonial regimes began their operations under the influence of the harsh realities of Marxist–Leninism and other forms of totalitarianism – and many of those countries still follow their versions of the ‘revolution’ – with varying degrees of success. From a Lost Land is not a biography, but many of the tales are based on one extended family. Each tale provides a link to following tales, not necessarily in the immediately following tale. Some of these ‘links’ are names but some refer to artefacts which still exist in families of those mentioned in the tales.
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From Chaos to Order
At the age of 37, a true experience of life after death set the author on a journey to find answers to many questions. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What is this life all about?
Eleven years later, after the passing of the author’s 25-year-old daughter, many of her questions were answered in the most fascinating way she could have ever imagined.
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From Cholera to Ebola
"We've been invited to witness a bonfire of marijuana by the Taliban. Anyone interested?" Amid the missionaries, mercenaries and misfits drawn to the world's most dangerous and volatile hotspots stands Dr John Parker. From Cholera to Ebola is a captivating collection of true stories 25 years in the making. Whether challenging the bureaucracy of refugee camps to cradling children as they died, Dr Parker operated far from his comfort zone, from the norms of medical practice and from the decencies of humanity. His is a life that swung from heartbreaking hopelessness to sheer ecstasy as he battled PTSD to chase his next 'fix' over increasingly dangerous missions. "There are some things you cannot be taught; you have to live them."
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From Doctor to Guinea-pig
Alex was born on a Greek island and moves with his parents to Congo-Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). He studies medicine and goes to work in a hospital in the bush with his teenage wife. Faced with seemingly unsurmountable problems he works wonders and moves to Kinshasa for the comfort of his family. He is a man married to his work, he contracts AIDS and fights the difficulty of announcing this terrible news. Truly philanthropic, he offers his body to science to test the various drugs that are created to treat this new virus. You will be fascinated by his medical exploits, and be torn between him and his wife both struggling to face the problems that life presents to them. A story about life, faith and our approach to death.
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Hakuna Matata
At the heart of a nation’s identity lies the moment it breaks free from its chains. For Kenya, this pivotal moment came in 1963, setting a course that would be both celebrated and challenged. Amidst this backdrop, we follow Salimo, a man whose life is intertwined with Kenya’s political and professional evolution. His interactions with international allies and the Kenyan people he serves deeply influence his path.
‘Hakuna Matata’ isn’t just a phrase; it embodies the resilience of Kenya’s youth and the spirit of a nation that refuses to be subdued. Yet, the shadow of the ruling elite looms large, marked by violence, political games, and rampant corruption. From the era of Jomo Kenyatta to the tumultuous reign of President Moi, the narrative captures the highs and lows of a country in flux.
But through it all, the Kenyan spirit remains unbroken. The people, especially the youth, remain hopeful, forging ahead, shaping and being shaped by their nation’s journey. Dive into a tale of resilience, politics, and the indomitable spirit of a nation and its people.
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Half the Size, but Twice the Life
A biography depicting a real-life account of one woman’s incredible weight-loss story, sharing the struggles and successes throughout the journey of losing half her body weight all on her own, transforming not just herself, but her whole life—with an underlying message about going for your goals, no matter what they may be…
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Hard Luck Motty
You will not be able to put this book down once you start!
Hard Luck Motty has been through everything you can imagine.
See if you can find someone who can top my life adventures!
The famous people I have met and spent time with: Hollywood superstars, sporting greats.
The family tragedies along the way.
The excitement and thrills.
The silliness.
The lessons I have learnt the hard way, in my working, sporting and fun life.
You need to read this book.
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Holloway
Holloway was a closed category A prison supposedly for women who had committed murders and were considered to be dangerous criminals. What was unknown was that many women were placed in Holloway due to the abuses and crimes related to and should often have been blamed on men. Historically such injustices and inequality were often linked to cases such as the Suffragette movement and the Irish Republicans, however, in modern times women found themselves to be remanded or imprisoned in Holloway for petty crimes, as a place of detention when there were immigration issues and for reasons that were beyond the understanding of those involved. Here are the stories of women who were abused by the laws and society one hoped were there to protect rather than punish them further. These remarkable women formed deep friendships, loved and cared for each other despite being thrown into a place of fear and intimidation.
£7.99£5.59