An attack on war which broadens into a satire on the ANCIEN REGIME of the Austro-Hungarian empire, THE GOOD SOLDIER SVEJK recreates the age-old figure of the simple soldier whose sheer determination to survive brings into question the mighty social & political institutions he confronts. Set in a Central Europe which has long since vanished, Hasek's novel is nevertheless a timeless portrait of the 'little man' doughtily waging his own war against authority ...

For eight groundbreaking years, Xinran presented a radio programme in China during which she invited women to call in & talk about themselves. Broadcast every evening, Words on the Night Breeze became famous through the country for its unflinching portrayal of what it meant to be a woman in modern China. Centuries of obedience to their fathers, husbands & sons, followed by years of political turmoil had made women terrified of talking openly about their feelings. Xinran won their trust &, through her compassion & ability to listen, became the first woman to hear their true stories. This unforgettable book is the story of how Xinran negotiated the minefield of restrictions imposed on Chinese journalists to reach out to women across the country. Through the vivid intimacy of her writing, the women's voices confide in the reader, sharing their deepest secrets for the first time. Their stories changed Xinran's understanding of China forever. Her book will reveal the lives of Chinese women to the West as never before. ...

For eight groundbreaking years, Xinran presented a radio programme in China during which she invited women to call in & talk about themselves. Broadcast every evening, Words on the Night Breeze became famous through the country for its unflinching portrayal of what it meant to be a woman in modern China. Centuries of obedience to their fathers, husbands & sons, followed by years of political turmoil had made women terrified of talking openly about their feelings. Xinran won their trust &, through her compassion & ability to listen, became the first woman to hear their true stories. This unforgettable book is the story of how Xinran negotiated the minefield of restrictions imposed on Chinese journalists to reach out to women across the country. Through the vivid intimacy of her writing, the women's voices confide in the reader, sharing their deepest secrets for the first time. Their stories changed Xinran's understanding of China forever. Her book will reveal the lives of Chinese women to the West as never before. ...

Everton Football Club's motto is NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM (nothing but the best is good enough) & they have undoubtedly lived up to it. From being founder members of the Football League, they rapidly made their name as one of the game's wealthiest clubs & have gone on to win the League Championship a remarkable nine times. As well as this, they have won the FA Cup on no fewer than five occasions & have been victorious in the European Cup Winners' Cup. No other English club has spent more seasons in the top flight than Everton & Goodison Park has been home to many of the most talented players football has to offer. These include men like Edgar Chadwick, Dixie Dean, Ted Sugar, Joe Mercer, Alex Young, Alan Ball, Andy Gray, Gary Linekar, Kevin Ratcliffe, Neville Southall, Duncan Ferguson & Wayne Rooney. Everton's fame extends far beyond Britain & they are universally recognised as being one of the most prestigious club's in Europe. THE GOODISON PARK ENCYCLOPEDIA is a clear & comprehensive book for all those fans of the club who think they know it all. Now fully revised & updated to include all the key players & statistics up until the end of Season 2003-04, this is a book that no serious Everton fan can do without. ...

The Goons first went on air at the BBC as The Crazy People on 28 May 1951. There then began a terrible rasping, squealing, giggling, snorting period of lunacy which continued unabated until 1960. Fifty years after the first show there is still a huge interest in the Goons, with each new generation dicovering afresh the anarchic humour that has had such a huge influence on so many of today's top comedy performers.
This fascination collection of reminscences, photographs & sketches is the definitive story of Eccles, Bluebottle, Neddy, Bloodnok, Grytpype-Thynne, Moriarty, Minnie Bannister, Henry Crun et al from those who know them best.
Under the patient guidence of Spike's Manager, Norma Farnes, Spike Milligan & Harry Secombe, along with a select handful of friends including Eric Sykes, delve into their dusty old memories to help piece together the history of the Goons.

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Gordon can see everyone else in his class getting gold stars for being good at something: Lucy has neat handwriting, Rachel is the best footballer, Peter makes great clay figures, but all Gordon seems to do is make a mess & get into trouble for being silly. So when they are choosing teams for a quiz, no-one wants Gordon: they say he is rubbish. But the children all agree that Gordon is kind, cheerful & funny
- & from now on, Mrs Tonks will give a star to someone who shows those qualities every day. It will be called ' The Gordon Star'
- & the first person to get it is Gordon!

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Gormenghast is the vast, crumbling castle to which the seventy-seventh Earl, Titus Groan, is lord & heir. Titus is expected to rule this gothic labyrinth of turrets & dungeons, & his eccentric & wayward subjects, according to strict age-old rituals, but things are changing in the castle. Titus must contend with treachery, manipulation & murder as well as his own longing for a life beyond the castle walls. ...