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The Essence and Duke Ellington
I worked, toured, and recorded with Duke Ellington for the last two years of his life – a period that was the highlight of my career. In my memoirs, The Essence and Duke Ellington, I aim to convey the spirit within the heart of the jazz musician, particularly Duke Ellington. I want to show what drove him and other musicians, past and present, to play and compose this wonderful music. I also depict Duke Ellington’s greatness as a human being, not as some super-human being, which he may well have been. I recount stories and reflect on my own experiences, expounding on what working with and learning from him and so many other jazz greats has meant to me.
£12.99 -
Milestone
Join Hugh on his hilarious adventures in the UK haulage industry in the 1970s and 80s. From securing his truck license on a disused airfield to traversing the country on colourful escapades, Hugh recounts rollicking tales with unforgettable characters.
We follow Hugh through a whirlwind of trucking jobs, from the docks of Watchet to the remotest corners of Scotland. Laugh along as he fumbles his way as a rookie and gains wisdom from wizened veterans. Hugh sheds light on seldom-seen slices of British life, whether struggling through blizzards or protecting his virtue from overtures by an amorous Spanish policeman.
With sharp wit and captivating storytelling, Hugh chronicles the trucker’s lot: gruelling but rewarding work peppered with uproarious mishaps and camaraderie. His adventures barrel on through faltering family businesses, runaway cargoes, and navigating narrow country lanes in oversized rigs. Hugh takes it all in stride, with plenty of hijinks along the way.
Strap yourself in for a rollicking ride packed with distinctly British humour and characters so colourful you’ll never forget them. Hugh’s memoir offers a glimpse of a hard-working but light-hearted era through one intrepid trucker’s escapades on the road.
£10.99 -
That Was Then
Seen through the eyes of an Asperger’s female – who can be harder to detect – this immersive memoir shares a fascinating, absorbing, and emotive coming-of-age story. Struggling to appear ‘normal’ amid a dysfunctional family life, the protagonist’s inspirational tale highlights the strengths found in diversity.
Experience compelling adventures and experiences that follow her childhood and adolescent journey of self-discovery. With cohesive storytelling that leaves you longing for more, this must-read offers a perspective rarely portrayed in literature, one that both enlightens and entertains. It’s an inside look at success despite adversity as well as a valuable glimpse into the rarely portrayed mind of an Asperger’s girl pushing back against social norms in her quest to thrive as her true self.
£10.99 -
Comrade Sao
‘Thursday 17 April 1975 is the day that I will never forget until the day I die. That was the day the Khmer Rouge took over Phnom Penh and overthrew the government of General Lon Nol and his Republican Party…’
Thus begins Firos Iseu’s gripping memoir of his experiences during the Khmer Rouge’s brutal regime in Cambodia between April 1975 and January 1979. At the tender age of 12, Iseu – whose ‘revolutionary name’, Comrade Sao, provides the book with its title – faced the horrors of the regime’s first wave of killings, which at a stroke deprived him of his parents and elder siblings. Bearing a diverse heritage of Indian, Laotian, and Vietnamese roots, he was branded a ‘17 April’ or ‘new’ person, marking him as an outsider and second-class citizen.
Comrade Sao stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, showcasing the author’s remarkable courage and resourcefulness in the face of terrifying adversity. This harrowing, unflinching and above all honest narrative sheds a necessary light on one of the darkest chapters of humanity of the past 50 years.£8.99 -
Another Search for Words in Jane Austen
Were you beguiled by searching for the cunningly hidden words in sentences in the first book in this series?
Here is another opportunity to search for words in Jane Austen-themed sentences. It is not your usual wordsearch book but something quite different.
Each group of ten sentences is supported by an information text designed for newcomers but equally informative for devotees of Jane Austen. There could be new information for the knowledgeable or even an invitation to look at Jane Austen in a new way.
£9.99 -
A Battle of Wits!
A Battle of Wits! is what it means. It was a battle getting help for myself. Finally, I was listened to and the rest is history. Juggling a new medication into my daily life, getting used to a new regime and the result that ensued. My mental health improved, my confidence grew and I began to get used to a new way of living. Before the change in meds, I was living like a zombie with no real direction. My hobbies and interests had slipped away and I didn’t want to socialize. Now I’ve got it all back and will strive to get others off that medication if they so wish. I describe what it felt like to be sedated. I explain the process that took place as I got used to a new medication. I was able to think about voluntary work for the first time in many years.
£6.99 -
God and Chips
We all have busy lives with a million things to do and places to be. The author was no different until a life-changing episode did just that, changed his life forever. He recounts, often in minute detail and with a sense of humour, a growing awareness of the world around him as his perceptions of the reality of life unfolded.
Each new experience is told with breathtaking honesty and dissected thoroughly in plain English with even the most complex spiritual theories being challenged from this unique perspective. Every chapter reveals a deeper understanding and experience of life beyond that of the mundane, leading you ultimately to the source of all life and all creation. A true and incredible story that may challenge all you presently understand about your life here on this earth.
£7.99 -
White to Black
Embark on a thrilling adventure through the vastness of Russia, starting from the frozen north within the Arctic Circle in the Hero City of Murmansk. Once the destination of many Allied Arctic convoys during the Second World War, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, Murmansk overlooks the majestic Arctic Sea.
Travel along the rivers and across the lakes of northern Russia, passing through historical cities brimming with captivating stories before reaching Moscow, the capital of the Tsars’ empire, with its iconic Kremlin, magnificent cathedrals, and opulent palaces.
Follow the mighty Volga River, journeying through significant historical cities, and arrive at Stalingrad, where the Russians made their valiant stand, turning the tide against the Nazi advance during the Great Patriotic War.
There is caviar to experience and a visit to Sochi, widely known for its hosting of the Winter Olympics in 2014. Working my way along the Black Sea Coast, I reach Sevastopol, the largest city in the Crimea which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014 and was Putin’s latest acquisition to his new Russian Empire. Discover what life is like in this region today.
£9.99 -
Squat Toilets and Chopsticks
How many times have you stood outside your door, or looked out the window and realised that all you see is just a little piece of sky? There is so much more than what you see above where you are. Under every little piece is a different culture, a different way of life, new experiences, places to see and a world of opportunity.
Travelling is perhaps one of the greatest opportunities to live a fulfilled life.
Experiencing different cultures or moving to a different country where nobody knows who you are allows you to live and enjoy an amazing life. Breaking out of comfort zones allows you to achieve so much. Perhaps you are seeking a change of career, new challenges, more exciting adventures, or a fresh start.
In his book, Squat Toilets and Chopsticks: Experiencing Life Through Travel, Philip Bryan takes you on a journey from a life-changing trip to Jordan and other countries including Cambodia, Australia, Israel and finally to China where he works as a high school English teacher.
This book shares his experiences, struggles, views, and life-changing moments.
In life, we are faced with many problems and uncertainties both in our personal and professional lives. Travelling can provide you with an opportunity to solve those and realise there is more to life. There is a world out there. Get out and live it.
£9.99 -
Pandemic in Paradise
Pandemic in Paradise tells my story of pregnancy during a global pandemic. From the challenges of lockdown to the raising of my first child, I share the ups and downs of my pregnancy journey under those strange, difficult, and unique circumstances. Despite the obstacles which COVID-19 and the lockdowns presented, it is also about celebrating the gift of my son.
£5.99 -
The Special Lady
This book takes you on Elizabeth’s transformative journey, showcasing how she embraced and overcame life’s challenges.
Elizabeth’s resilience shines through as she faces various obstacles, demonstrating her ability to bounce back from setbacks.
By fostering a growth mindset, she learns to perceive challenges as opportunities for personal development and growth.
The book emphasizes the significance of self-care and making healthy lifestyle choices, which can enhance overall well-being and minimize the risk of encountering life’s hurdles.
Embarking on a path of self-growth allows individuals to discover a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.
£8.99 -
Archaeology at Two Australian Universities 1971 to 2023
This book is about the author’s time as an academic archaeologist attached to the University of New England, Armidale NSW, and the Australian National University, Canberra ACT, Australia. It continues the autobiographical account in Prelude, published in 2011 and From Cambridge to Lake Chad published in 2019. It discusses his experiences as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Professor and Emeritus Professor. This memoir also considers the role of many other people with whom he was associated.
Covering the period of 1971 to 2023, it charts the development of the field of archaeology in the Australian context.
£10.99