What is IRONMAN? It is unique combination of a race, a person & a state of mind. This comprehensive & beautifully-illustrated book explores every aspect of the famous triathlon competition, from its history & legendary competitors to its now international major events. Explore what it takes to be an IRONMAN with practical advice on how to prepare & succeed at such a demanding yet revered challenge. Written by acclaimed IRONMAN expert Bob Babbitt to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the IRONMAN race, this book captures the struggle, spirit & excitement of this globally respected sporting event.” Swim 2.4 miles. Bike 112 miles. Run 26.2 miles. Brag for the rest of your life!” ...

Here are all three volumes of Michael Palin`s bestselling diaries, covering 30 years from 1969 to 1998. All three are boxed together & Michael Palin has signed the back. Volume I: 1969-79 The Python Years Volume II: 1980-88 Halfway to Hollywood Volume III: 1988-98 Travelling to Work Throughout his years in Monty Python, his many successful film appearances, the writing of his novels & his travels to all corners of the globe, there was one constant in Michael Palin`s life: the daily ritual of writing in his diary. Now, for the first time, the complete diaries have been brought together, charting Michael`s highs & lows, & studded with his hallmarks of curiosity & sense of adventure. Volume one begins when he was newly married & struggling to make a name for himself in the world of television comedy. But Monty Python was just around the corner. Volume two follows his trail through seven movies & ends with his final preparations for the documentary that was to change his life
- Around the World in Eighty Days. Volume three tracks his journeys to far-flung places, not to mention more films, award-winning TV roles & a first novel.
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Nick Baker`s fascination with the natural world began at an early age, inspired by Gerald & Lee Durrell`s classic book The Amateur Naturalist. His The Complete Naturalist is an up-to-date, practical introduction to observing, understanding & investigating the natural world around us. Whether you want to understand what makes an insect & insect, rear a family of frogs for your garden pond, or record bird songs & calls, Nick can give you all the advice & information you need. Fact-packed & brimming with practical tips, techniques & activities, The Complete Naturalist offers a rich source of new ideas for more experienced naturalists, as well as sparking the natural curiosity of a whole new generation. From communicating with wild animals to setting up an aquarium, this is the naturalist`s guide no family bookshelf should be without. Nick is an experienced & well-travelled naturalist, & his book

Includes:: his international experiences.

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This work combines two of Bill Bryson's best-loved books & demonstrates his take on life
- from either side of the pond. The books,
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The Penguin Complete Novels of Nancy Mitford. Here in one volume are all eight of Nancy Mitford`s sparklingly astute, hilarious & completely unputdownable novels: Highland Fling, Christmas Pudding, Wigs on the Green, Pigeon Pie, The Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate, The Blessing & Don`t Tell Alfred. Published over a period of 30 years, they provide a wonderful glimpse of the bright young things of the thirties, forties, fifties & sixties in the city & in the shires; firmly ensconced at home or making a go of it abroad; & what the upper classes really got up to in peace & in war.` Entirely original, inimitable & irresistible` Spectator` Deliciously funny` Evelyn Waugh` Utter, utter bliss` Daily Mail ...

Do you have a baldy clue as to who the bears & junglies are? Confused by the thought of some cheekywatter from your cargo? Fancy a day out at Fort Weetabix? Or would you rather settle down with some swedgers? After all, you don`t want to be a stank dodger. Confused? You need this book. Michael Munro has won the eternal gratitude of Glaswegians for his efforts in popularising their city`s dialect, universally known as the `patter`. This book is the most extensive collection of this rich & expressive language ever made. Often hilarious, sometimes coarse (but never dull!), good knowledge of the patter is the key to understanding Glasgow & its inhabitants. ...

This profusely illustrated volume, the latest instalment in Thames & Hudson's bestselling Complete series, is the most up-to-date, comprehensive & authoritative account of the most important archaeological site in the world. Nine chapters cover the rise & fall of Pompeii & all aspects of its life, including reconstructions of the daily lives of the town's inhabitants, the dramatic story of Pompeii's destruction through the words of Roman writers & the spectacular remains of volcanic debris & damage. It is sure to become the standard account for tourist, traveller, student & scholar alike. ...

Powerful symbols of remote antiquity, the pyramids have intrigued & fascinated generations. In ” The Complete Pyramids”, newly available in paperback, Mark Lehner surveys the history, building & use of these fascinating & mysterious monuments in unprecedented scope & detail, looking at both the practical aspects
- the quarries, ramps & tools used in building them
- as well as the conceptual
- the cosmology & iconography of the pyramids & the intriguing Pyramid Texts.


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Robuchon is the most influential French chef of the post-nouvelle cuisine era. Since the mid-eighties, he has been called the primus inter pares of Paris` three star chefs for his work both at Jamin & at his eponymous restaurant. He is renowned for the relentless perfectionism of his cuisine. His food was seen as instrumental in leading French cuisine away from the excesses
- & excessive reductionism
- of nouvelle cuisine. In particular, his cuisine is seen as harkening back to a more authentic, even bourgeois French cuisine
- cuisine actuelle
- which focuses on making each ingredient taste of itself. He has mentored such distinguished chefs as Gordon Ramsay & Michael Caines & his signature dishes include a cauliflower cream with caviar & potato puree. In ” The Complete Robuchon” he offers us his recipes (over 800), secrets & tips: from the perfect omelette to vegetable soup, leg of lamb to marinated mussels, to his renowned potato puree every dish is described in detail starting with the ingredients, he tells you how to clean & prepare them down to the way to hold the pan & precise cooking times. It is all here
- a catalogue of the basics of French cuisine & a broad sampling of dishes that have earned the author his titles of glory & his truly imaginative recipes from L` Atelier. Born in Poitiers in 1945, Joel Robuchon became the official chef of La Tour de France, where he learnt a variety of diverse regional techniques. At 28, he became head chef at Harmony-Lafayette, overseeing 3, 000 meals a day. In 1981 he launched Jamin in Paris & within three years had received three Michelin stars. In 1996 he left his Parisian restaurant, establishing L` Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Tokyo. He opened another L` Atelier in Paris in 2003 & has since established Ateliers in Las Vegas, New York & London.




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Two best-selling books on The Mother Road come together in one volume, offering unbeatable value for anyone interested in ...