Details: With stunning photography, discover the real story behing Kate Middleton and the transformation from commoner to Royal. in this compelling biography. From her humble heritage to self made parents to her status as a world wide fashion icon. Ideal For: A must have for all Kate admirers and fans of the royal family.
In the summer of 1553, against all odds, Mary Tudor was the first woman to be crowned Queen of England. Anna Whitelock's absorbing debut tells the remarkable story of a woman who was a princess one moment, and a disinherited bastard the next. It tells of her Spanish heritage and the unbreakable bond between Mary and her mother, Katherine of Aragon; of her childhood, adolescence, rivalry with her sister Elizabeth and finally her womanhood. Throughout her life Mary was a fighter, battling to preserve her integrity and her right to hear the Catholic mass. Finally, she fought for the throne. The Mary that emerges from this groundbreaking biography is not the weak-willed failure of traditional narratives, but a complex figure of immense courage, determination and humanity.
Queen: one of the biggest bands the world has ever seen. Sell-out tours, chart-topping records and stunning success for four decades. Hundred of millions of CDs, videos and DVD's sold all over the world. They have broken records constantly: biggest ever paying crowd, longest number of weeks in the charts, headliners at the biggest festival ever and more. They have received accolades too numerous to list in full, but suffice to say 'Best Band', 'Best Album' 'Best Single', 'Best Video' and 'Best Live Act' feature again and again. They were indicted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and given their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002. The Queen musical We Will Rock You has been shown in Australia, Spain, the USA, Russia, South Africa, Germany and Japan and has been seen by more than 5, 000, 000 people. 40 Years of Queen is an official publication, and has been approved at every stage by the band. It shows and tells the story of a fantastically talented and popular group of musicians who have retained an enormous fanbase throughout their entire history. The book showcases the band, its members, recordings and concerts through images and the written word, as well as through the unique pieces of memorabilia that are from the private collections of Queen's members. 40 Years of Queen gives fans unprecedented access to all areas, and the chance to get their hands on some amazing memorabilia for the first time ever: backstage passes, setlists, handwritten lyrics, unpublished album art, ultra-rare posters, original tour itineraries, postcards, limited-edition records, invites to the now-legendary tour parties, and more! Special items: Liverpool concert poster, Christmas 1973 Very early Rainbow poster 1974 Ticket from Rainbow concert, November 1974 First US tour press pack including press release, photos and poster, 1973 Hand-drawn tour map, Europe 1974 Four handwritten letters from the band to the Queen Fan Club, 1975 Bohemian Rhapsody blue vinyl record with cover, 1978 (paper facsimile) Race card from Kempton Park race course, A Day At The Races launch, 1976 Signed poster for A Day At The Races, offered by the fan club, 1976 EMI promotional flyer for A Day At The Races, 1976 Press release from US version of News of the World, 1977 European tour backstage pass, 1979 Unused ticket from Nagoya, Japan concert, 1979 European tour menu, 1978 Flash Gordon film premiere ticket, 1980 Invitation to the Hot Space end-of-tour party, 1982 Hot Space promo cube, 1982 Four handwritten song lyrics from The Works: I Want To Break Free (John); Hammer To Fall (Brian); It s A Hard Life (Freddie); Radio Ga Ga (Roger). Unused ticket to Knebworth, August 9, 1986 The Miracle promotional poster, 1989 Crazy tour poster, 1979 Sticker sheet Interview CD featuring all members of the band talking to Tom Browne on BBC Radio 1. Originally broadcast in December 1977.
Eco-campaigning druid king Arthur Pendragon has waged a highly public, completely eccentric 14-year battle to assert the right of everyone to worship at Stonehenge. He has taken the Home Office to the High Court and HM Government to the European Court - and recently won. This summer solstice they are allowing general access to the public for the first time for years. Through the story of Arthur, this book explores the state of Britain, politically and spiritually; what Britain means at the start of a new millenium. Arthur is a key to exploring the nature of Britain on many levels; mythical, political, historical, magical, moral and physical. The book contrasts the landscape of old Britain, with its sacred groves and ancient monuments, which Arthur invokes and uses as his backdrop, and the new landscape of drive-in McDonalds, car-parks and shopping centres that have become the moral backdrop of the British psyche in the 21st century. This title covers the exploits and anecdotes of Arthur's past 14 years and at the same time serves as an inspiring mission statement - an "anyone can do it" manifesto - that whoever you are, whatever you do, you can create your own persona, live your own life, any way you choose to. It presents a slice of British history, popular culture and the eco-warrior movement - seen through the eyes of someone frequently on the wrong side of bureaucracy and the law - and a State-of-Britain exploration from this alternative viewpoint.
An updated edition of Ben Pimlott's classic biography of the Queen: 'There is no better biography of Elizabeth II.' PETER HENNESSY, Independent on Sunday The royal family have been through a tumultuous decade, but with the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton, Prince Philip's 90th birthday and the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee celebrations, there is renewed interest and appreciation of our monarchy. The Queen is an in-depth look at the woman at the centre of it all and is the only biography to take Elizabeth II seriously as the subject of historical biography, or to examine the influences that formed her and the ideas she represents. Ben Pimlott (described by Andrew Marr in the Independent as 'the best writer of political biography now writing') treats the Head of State to the rigorous and objective scrutiny he applied to major political personalities, using a wide range of sources, including interviews, diaries and letters, and papers in the Royal Archives. The Queen looks at the social, political and psychological aspects of his subject in detail, as well as at the changing role of Monarchy in the British Constitution. In the process, the book displays all the author's formidable analytic and narrative skills, and provides a gripping yet sensitive account of one of the most publicised - yet least known - figures of our time. It is vital reading for all those who care about public life in Britain - past, present and to come.
Details: Prince Harry is arguably one of the most recognized faces in the world today, and over the years has attracted both criticism and praise. In his 29 years he has served on the front line in Afghanistan and taken lives there, has set up his own charities, undertaken his first solo tour representing his grandmother the Queen, has been a figure of controversy and has won an humanitarian award. Equally at home in military uniform, black tie or jeans and baseball cap, Prince Harry certainly grabs life with both hands and rides it at 100 miles an hour. Harry: A Biography sets out to document the full, true story behind the popular prince as he steps out of the shadow of his older brother Prince William. Covering his early years, the breakdown of his parents' marriage, the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, his relationships with his father and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, his time at Sandhurst and serving in Afghanistan, his charity walk to the North Pole, the women in his life, the partying and his first solo tour. Comprehensive yet entirely accessible, Harry: A Biography paints a revelatory portrait of the 'coolest' member of the royal family. Ideal for: Followers of Prince Harry and those interested in the Royal Family. This paperback book has 256 pages and measures: 23 x 15.2 x 2.1cm
Details: Diana - A Princess Remembered commemorates and celebrates the life of a true Twentieth Century Icon. Using stunning images from the private collection of prize-winning, international photographer Glenn Harvey, Diana - A Princess Remembered shows why she became universally loved as she travelled the globe, visiting Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Spain, Scotland, Thailand, not forgetting 'Di mania' in USA. The glamour and joy Princess Diana gave to millions is captured with many rare and previously unpublished photographs, revealing special moments in the public eye. Presidents, Emperors, Kings, Tribal and Religious leaders were all taken by the impact she had on so many people and the affection they held for her in return. Diana - A Princess Remembered contains over 150 outstanding and award-winning photographs from home and around the world. This special edition comes with a unique and free DVD that contains many of the images from the book with additional photographs and also includes an exclusive gallery of 30 previously unseen photographs. These images can be viewed as a slideshow and have been edited to a backing soundtrack, providing a unique alternative to view these wonderful scenes. Ideal for: People who want to learn more about Princess Diana and her life. This hardback has 240 pages and measures 29.8cm x 21.8cm x 2.2cm
The inside story of a thoroughly modern monarch told by the maker of ITVs upcoming documentary on Queen Elizabeth IIs jubilee. This bestselling acclaimed biography of our Queen contains previously unseen material.
History has known no monarch like her.
She has travelled farther than all her predecessors put together and lived longer than any of them. She has known more historic figures than anyone alive - from Churchill to Mandela, de Gaulle to Obama.
Now, the distinguished royal writer Robert Hardman has been granted rare and privileged access to the world of Queen Elizabeth II to produce this enthralling new portrait of one of the most popular public figures on Earth.
So much has changed around the Queen yet she has remained utterly true to herself, says Hardman. There is this timeless quality about her. The more you talk to Her Majestys family and to her people, the more you look at her life, the more impressive the scale of her achievement becomes.
The Queen's story is our history: she was not born to be Queen but, a media star since the age of three, she has been the most famous woman in the world for all of our lives. In this definitive account, acclaimed Royal author Sarah Bradford offers a vivid window into the key moments of British and world history during the Queen's sixty-year reign, a mixture of happiness and crisis, but one defined by her extraordinary love and commitment to Britain and the Commonwealth. Drawing on a unique collection of archives and interviews, interwoven with the latest research, she gives us fascinating insights into Royal life, from wars and political scandal, to the death of Diana and the triumph of Prince William's wedding to Catherine Middleton. This is the biography the Queen deserves: remarkable, warm and, above all, inspiring.
This is the story of how Elizabeth became Queen. We can hardly imagine a Britain without Elizabeth II on the throne. It seems to be the job she was born for. And yet, for much of her early life, the young princess did not know the role that her future would hold. She was our accidental Queen. As a young girl, Elizabeth was among the guests in Westminster Abbey watching her father being crowned, making her the only monarch to have attended a parent's coronation. Kate Williams explores the sheltered upbringing of the young princess, with a gentle father and domineering mother, her complicated relationship with her sister, Princess Margaret, and her dependence on her nanny, Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford. She details the profound and devastating impact of the abdication crisis, when, at the impressionable age of eleven, Elizabeth found her position changed overnight: no longer a minor princess she was now heiress to the throne. Elizabeth's determination to share in the struggles of her people marked her out from a young age. Her father initially refused to let her volunteer as a nurse during the Blitz, but relented when she was eighteen and allowed her to work as a mechanic and truck driver for the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. It was her forward-thinking approach that ensured that her coronation was televised, against the advice of politicians at the time. Kate Williams reveals how the 25-year-old young Queen carved out a lasting role for herself amid the changes of the twentieth century. Her monarchy would be a very different one to that of her parents and grandparents. And its continuing popularity in the twenty-first century owes much to the intelligence and elusive personality of this remarkable woman.
This lavishly illustrated book offers a complete view of the love story that has burgeoned over the last six years between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. With a look at the two central figures and how they came to meet, plus their courtship, the book moves on to cover the announcement of their engagement and how William and Catherine's lives have begun to change. The greater part of the book is devoted to the wedding: images will recall every step of the processions to the Abbey, the arrival of the groom and his supporter - his brother Prince Harry - plus the guests, heads of state, members of the royal houses of Europe and, of course, the members of the UK's Royal Family. Beautiful images will capture the arrival of the bridesmaids and pageboys and, finally, the bride herself. Capturing the key moments of the ceremony itself, the book will follow the carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace where the couple and their families are expected to make appearances on the famous balcony where over 30 years ago Prince William's parents made their own wedding-day appearance. The stage is set for a truly memorable occasion.