The glittering Nutcracker fairytale is retold by award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean in this magical novelty book. A beautiful retelling of the story of Marie, who is given a special nutcracker doll for Christmas. The nutcracker comes alive, turns into a handsome prince, and the marvellous adventures begin. Turn the pages and watch as each enchanting scene springs to life in this lavishly illustrated Christmas gift book. The die-cut cover reveals exquisite cut-paper layers and a pop-up character in an enchanting interior backdrop.

An international bestseller, Lynda La Plante's thrilling detective novel Prime Suspect introduced readers around the world to Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, a gritty investigator locked in a tooth-and-nail struggle to claim the authority, acceptance, and respect she deserves from Scotland Yard's chauvinist detective squad — even as she desperately tracks the maniac now running loose in the streets of London. Fans of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone books and the work of Kathy Reichs or Karin Slaughter will be immediately drawn to La Plante's Jane Tennison, the remarkable, no-nonsense police woman who laid the groundwork for all the rest who followed.

The last full new book, this distinctive and inimitable collection is the ultimate must-have title for Douglas Adams fans. Here is Douglas Adams' indispensable guide to life, the universe and everything. This sublime collection dips into the wit and wisdom of the man behind The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, uncovering his unique comic musings on everything from his school-trousers to malt whisky and from the letter Y through to his own nose, via atheism, hangovers and fried eggs. Including short stories and eleven chapters of a Dirk Gently novel that Douglas Adams was working on at the time of his death, The Salmon of Doubt is for fans and new readers alike. These hilarious collected writings reveal the warmth, enthusiasm and ferocious intelligence behind this most English of comic writers; a man who was virtually an unofficial member of the Monty Python team. Douglas Adams on his passion for P. G. Wodehouse, The Beatles and the perfect cup of tea alone make this a must-have collection and a remarkable sign-off from one of the best loved writers of all time.

On February 23, 1836, a large Mexican army led by dictator Santa Anna reached San Antonio and laid siege to about 175 Texas rebels holed up in the Alamo. The Texans refused to surrender for nearly two weeks until almost 2,000 Mexican troops unleashed a final assault. The defenders fought valiantly-for their lives and for a free and independent Texas-but in the end, they were all slaughtered. Their ultimate sacrifice inspired the rallying cry Remember the Alamo! and eventual triumph. Exhaustively researched, and drawing upon fresh primary sources in U.S. and Mexican archives, THE BLOOD OF HEROES is the definitive account of this epic battle. Populated by larger-than-life characters — including Davy Crockett, James Bowie, William Barret Travis — this is a stirring story of audacity, valor, and redemption.

What is Britishness? What allowed one small island group to rule a quarter of the world and, even today, to have the most spoken language after Chinese? What makes Americans admire the guts, traditions and loyalties of these island Anglo-Saxon and Celtic people? What is it that makes cynical Europeans and once-dominated Asians look to the British for opinion, literature, social norms and justice? The answers lie within the creation of British institutions, both Commoner and Aristocracy, during the past 2000 years. Following the thought-provoking style of the original This Sceptred Isle, this new volume brings to life the character and frustrations so carefully studied by allies and enemies for twenty-one centuries — from Romans to al-Qaeda. Here Lee makes all the connections with institutions and changing industrial and social characteristics that even show us that Britishness is not exclusively British. At a time when a major section of the British, the English, appear to be less and less sure who they are and who they are meant to be, This Sceptred Isle confirms who it is we really are.

1501 England had been ravaged for decades by conspiracy and civil war. Henry VII clambered to the top of the heap — a fugitive with a flimsy claim to England's crown who managed to win the throne and stay on it for sixteen years. Although he built palaces, hosted magnificent jousts, and sent ambassadors across Europe, for many Henry VII remained a false king. But he had a crucial asset: his family — the queen and their children, the living embodiment of his hoped-for dynasty. Now, in what would be the crowning glory of his reign, his elder son would marry a great Spanish princess. Thomas Penn re-creates an England that is both familiar and very strange — a country medieval yet modern, in which honor and chivalry mingle with espionage, real politik, high finance, and corruption. It is the story of the transformation of a young, vulnerable boy, Prince Henry, into the aggressive teenager who would become Henry VIII, and of Catherine of Aragon, his future queen, as well as Henry VII — controlling, avaricious, paranoid, with Machiavellian charm and will to power. Rich with incident and drama, filled with wonderfully drawn characters, Winter King is an unforgettable tale of pageantry, intrigue, the thirst for glory — and the fraught, unstable birth of Tudor England.

Most of us take for granted the features of our modern society, from air travel and telecommunications to literacy and obesity. Yet for nearly all of its six million years of existence, human society had none of these things. While the gulf that divides us from our primitive ancestors may seem unbridgeably wide, we can glimpse much of our former lifestyle in those largely traditional societies still or recently in existence. Societies like those of the New Guinea Highlanders remind us that it was only yesterday — in evolutionary time — when everything changed and that we moderns still possess bodies and social practices often better adapted to traditional than to modern conditions. The World Until Yesterday provides a mesmerizing firsthand picture of the human past as it had been for millions of years — a past that has mostly vanished — and considers what the differences between that past and our present mean for our lives today. This is Jared Diamond's most personal book to date, as he draws extensively from his decades of field work in the Pacific islands, as well as evidence from Inuit, Amazonian Indians, Kalahari San people, and others. Diamond doesn't romanticize traditional societies — after all, we are shocked by some of their practices — but he finds that their solutions to universal human problems such as child rearing, elder care, dispute resolution, risk, and physical fitness have much to teach us. A characteristically provocative, enlightening, and entertaining book, The World Until Yesterday will be essential and delightful reading.

An elegant, twisty spy story by a true master of the craft Bestselling novelist Robert Littell employs all his considerable skills in telling the story of Kim Philby through the eyes of more than twenty true-life characters. As each layer is revealed, the question arises: Who really was this man? When Kim Philby fled to Moscow in 1963, he became the most infamous double agent in history. A member of Britain's intelligence service since World War II, he had risen to become their chief officer in Washington, D.C. after the war. The exposure of other members of the group of double agents known as the Cambridge Five led to the revelation that he had been working for Russia for even longer than he had been part of MI6. Yet he escaped, and spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Moscow. In Young Philby, Robert Littell tells the story of the spy's early years. In the words of his friends, lovers, and Soviet handlers we see the development of a fascinating, flawed man who kept people guessing about his ideals and allegiances until the very end.

Author Phillip Norman, whose previous bestseller, John Lennon: The Life, was praised as a haunting, mammoth, terrific piece of work (New York Times Book Review) and whose classic Shout! is widely considered to be the definitive biography of the Beatles, now turns his attention to the iconic front man of the Rolling Stones, the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world. Norman's Mick Jagger is an extraordinarily detailed and vibrantly written in-depth account of the life and half-century-long career of one of the most fascinating and complex superstars of rock music — the most comprehensive biography to date of the famously enigmatic musician. Keith Richards had his say in Life. Now it's time to get to know intimately the other half of the duo responsible for such enduring hits as Paint It Black, Sympathy for the Devil, Gimme Shelter, and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. Mick Jagger is a must read for Stones fans, and everyone who can't get enough of the serious memoirs and biographies of popular musicians, like Patti Smith's Just Kids, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? by Steven Tyler, and the Warren Zevon story, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.

This book is suitable for children aged 4 to 7 years old. Celebrate friendship! From pet parades and imaginary zoos to backyard picnics, summer swims and running barefoot through the grass, Gyo Fujikawa captures the joy of childhood camaraderie and play. Her best friends sing, romp, dream and occasionally argue — but always make up again. Brimming with adorable animals, busy babies and carefree children, Fujikawa's classic illustrations always charm.

NOW A MAJOR motion picture starring Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, Saoirse Ronan, and Harry Treadaway! This tie-in edition of The City of Ember features a movie-art cover and an 8-page photo insert. Jeanne DuPrau's instant classic tells the story of the great, underground city of Ember, designed as a last refuge for the human race. But when the storerooms run out of food and the lights begin to fail, it's up to two teens, Lina and Doon, to decipher the fragments of an ancient parchment and find a way out of Ember.

Cloud atlas is a cleverly written book consisting of six seperate, but connecting stories set across six different periods in time. Each story has been chopped in two and symmetrically placed in the book so you don’t discover the conclusion to the first tale until the very end of the book.This layout effectively creates a storytelling ripple where the sixth and final story is told, as a whole, at the books central core, before the reader then moves back out in the direction they came to discover each of the other characters destiny’s.

George is so excited when he receives a thank-you card in the mail from his friend Betsy. Now he wants to send thank-you cards too! Who can he thank? George tries to remember all the people who have been nice to him. But tracking them down to deliver his homemade cards soon becomes an adventure! Follow along with George as he learns the importance of saying thank you and having good manners. Includes two perforated Curious George thank-you cards for personalizing! For more monkey fun, investigate www.curiousgeorge.com and discover all the latest on Curious George, books, promotions, games, activities, and more!

Gideon likes to splash with the ducklings, hop with the frogs, play chase-the-piglets and scamper all over the farmyard. But one thing busy Gideon does not want to do is take his nap, no matter how many times his mother asks... until he gets tired, of course. Another darling gosling makes his debut in this spunky story, with Olivier Dunrea's perfectly pitched storytelling and illustrations that Gossie&Friends fans have come to cherish.

«A compelling novel of desire, secrecy, and sexual identity, In One Person is a story of unfulfilled love — tormented, funny, and affecting — and an impassioned embrace of our sexual differences. Billy, the bisexual narrator and main character of In One Person, tells the tragicomic story (lasting more than half a century) of his life as a «sexual suspect,» a phrase first used by John Irving in 1978 in his landmark novel of «terminal cases,» The World According to Garp. His most political novel since The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving's In One Person is a poignant tribute to Billy's friends and lovers — a theatrical cast of characters who defy category and convention. Not least, In One Person is an intimate and unforgettable portrait of the solitariness of a bisexual man who is dedicated to making himself «worthwhile.»

New York Times bestselling author and noted British historian Alison Weir gives us the first full-scale, in-depth biography of Mary Boleyn, sister to Queen Anne as well as mistress to Anne's husband, Henry VIII — and one of the most misunderstood figures of the Tudor age. Making use of extensive original research, Weir shares revelations on the ambitious Boleyn family and the likely nature of the relationship between the Boleyn sisters. Unraveling the truth about Mary's much-vaunted notoriety at the French court and her relations with King Francois I, Weir also explores Mary's role at the English court and how she became Henry VIII's lover. She tracks the probable course of their affair and investigates the truth behind Mary's notorious reputation. With new and compelling evidence, Weir presents the most conclusive answer to date on the paternity of Mary's children, long speculated to have been Henry VIII's progeny. Alison Weir pieces together a life steeped in mystery and misfortune, debunking centuries-old myths to give us the truth about Mary Boleyn, the so-called great and infamous whore. Look for special features inside. Join the Circle for author chats and more.

A new novel from Zadie Smith, set in Northwest London Somewhere in Northwest London stands Caldwell housing estate, relic of 70s urban planning. Five identical blocks, deliberately named: Hobbes, Smith, Bentham, Locke, and Russell. If you grew up here, the plan was to get out and get on, to something bigger, better. Thirty years later ex-Caldwell kids Leah, Natalie, Felix, and Nathan have all made it out, with varying degrees of succes — whatever that means. Living only streets apart, they occupy separate worlds and navigate an atomized city where few wish to be their neighbor's keeper. Then one April afternoon a stranger comes to Leah's door seeking help, disturbing the peace, and forcing Leah out of her isolation... From private houses to public parks, at work and at play, in this delicate, devastating novel of encounters, the main streets hide the back alleys, and taking the high road can sometimes lead to a dead end. Zadie Smith's NW brilliantly depicts the modern urban zone — familiar to city dwellers everywhere — in a tragicomic novel as mercurial as the city itself.

From the author of the best-selling One Minute to Midnight, a riveting account of the final six months of World War II, during which the promise of Yalta gave way to the open conflict that led inexorably to the Cold War. When Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in Yalta in February 1945, Hitler's armies were on the run, and victory was imminent. The task of the three leaders was to forge the decisions that would shape the postwar world — and to divide Europe between Soviet and Western influence. They had fought side by side for nearly four years but their alliance was beginning to fracture, and though the Berlin airlift and the Iron Curtain were three years in the future, by August 1945 it was clear that cold war was inevitable. Six Months in 1945 captures this turning point of the twentieth century, tracing the steady breakdown in relations between the three powers, brilliantly describing the personalities and geopolitics that fueled this descent, and illuminating the aims and frustrations of all three key leaders. It is a vividly rendered story of individual and national interests in fierce competition at a seminal moment in history.

A boy and his favorite stuffed animals share their days with one another in this cozy bedtime picture book from Mem Fox. There was once a boy who loved bedtime. What could be more wonderful than sharing bedtime with beloved friends? The little boy in this gentle and fun story loves to talk to his stuffed animals each evening and share with them all the things that happened to him that day — and to hear about their days, too. From bestselling author Mem Fox and award-winning illustrator Lauren Stinger, here is a celebration of imagination, play, friendship, and coziness certain to touch a chord with young children everywhere.

«A heartwarming debut novel, now a major movie by David O. Russell — nominated for eight Academy Awards (including Best Picture), four Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards! «Aawww shucks!» NPR's Nancy Pearl said. «I know that's hardly a usual way to begin a book review, but it was my immediate response to finishing Matthew Quick's heartwarming, humorous and soul-satisfying first novel... This book makes me smile.» Meet Pat Peoples. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure him a happy ending — the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat's now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; he's being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, he's being haunted by Kenny G! David O. Russell, the Oscar-nominated director of «The Fighter», is helming his own adaptation of «The Silver Linings Playbook», featuring Bradley Cooper («People» magazine's Sexiest Man Alive) in the role of Pat, alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Julia Stiles, Chris Tucker, and Jacki Weaver. As the award-winning novelist Justin Cronin put it: «Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, «The Silver Linings Playbook» is a wonderful debut.»