Edward VII who gave his name to the Edwardian Age but was always known as Bertie was fifty-nine when he finally came to power in 1901. He was king for the last nine years of his life. The eldest son of Victoria & Albert Bertie was bullied by both his parents. Victoria blamed his scandalous womanising for Albert's early demise & this richly entertaining biography reveals his power struggle with Queen Victoria as one of the stormiest mother-son relationships in history. Denied any proper responsibilities the heir to the throne spent his time eating (' Tum Tum') pursuing women (' Edward the Caresser') gambling going to house parties & race meetings & shooting pheasants. His arranged marriage to the stunning Danish princess Alexandra gave him access to the European dynastic network; but his name was linked with many beauties including Lillie Langtry & Winston Churchill's mother. The most romantic
- & the most dangerous
- of his mistresses was Daisy Brooke (' Babbling Brooke') & the most political & manipulative was Alice Keppel. But contrary to popular belief the playboy prince was also an instinctive diplomat: when he eventually became king he did a good job especially in foreign policy. He further confounded his critics by reinventing the monarchy & giving it a new role for the twentieth century. This magnificent & exhaustively researched book
- which draws on numerous new discoveries & primary sources
- gives Bertie due credit while painting a vivid portrait of the age in all its excess & eccentricity.



...

Even down to its well-set Georgian townhouses Edinburgh is a hymn to measure & harmony. But on Scotland Street domestic accord is in short supply. Matthew & Elspeth welcome three new arrivals though the joys of multiple parenthood are somewhat lost due to sleep deprivation & the difficulties of telling their brood apart. Angus & Domenica are to marry & Domenica has ambitious & disturbing plans for their living arrangements especially when it appears that Antonia in Italy recuperating from Stendhal Syndrome may not return. & little Bertie feeling blue puts himself up for adoption on e Bay. Can Edinburghs most deliciously dysfunctional residents forsake discord & learn to dance to the same happy tune? ...

Even down to its well-set Georgian townhouses Edinburgh is a hymn to measure & harmony. But on Scotland Street domestic accord is in short supply. Matthew & Elspeth welcome three new arrivals though the joys of multiple parenthood are somewhat lost due to sleep deprivation & the difficulties of telling their brood apart. Angus & Domenica are to marry & Domenica has ambitious & disturbing plans for their living arrangements especially when it appears that Antonia in Italy recuperating from Stendhal Syndrome may not return. & little Bertie feeling blue puts himself up for adoption on e Bay. Can Edinburgh's most deliciously dysfunctional residents forsake discord & learn to dance to the same happy tune? ...

Once more we catch up with the delightful goings-on in the fictitious 44 Scotland Street from Alexander Mc Call Smith. With customary charm & deftness Alexander Mc Call Smith gives us another instalment in this popular series now running in its ninth season in The Scotsman. Anything could happen to Bertie & the gang - ...

Routledge Performance Practitioners" is a series of introductory guides to the key theatre-makers of the last century. Each volume explains the background to & the work of one of the major influences on twentieth- & twenty-first-century performance. Bertolt Brecht is amongst the worlds most profound contributors to the theory & practice of theatre. His methods of collective experimentation & his unique framing of the theatrical event as a forum for aesthetic & political change continue to have a significant impact on the work of performance practitioners critics & teachers alike. This is the first book to combine: an overview of the key periods in Brechts life & work; a clear explanation of his key theories including the renowned ideas of Gestus & Verfremdung an account of his groundbreaking 1954 production of " The Caucasian Chalk Circle"; & an in-depth analysis of Brechts practical exercises & rehearsal methods. As a first step towards critical understanding & as an initial exploration before going on to further primary research " Routledge Performance Practitioners" are unbeatable value for todays student. Meg Mumford is a lecturer in Theatre & Performance Studies at The University of New South Wales Australia. She has published widely on the subject of Brechts theatre & contemporary appropriations of his theory & practice." ...

OS Explorer Map is the Ordnance Survey's most detailed map & is recommended for anyone enjoying outdoor activities like walking horse riding & off-road cycling. Providing complete GB coverage the series details essential information such as youth hostels pubs & visitor information as well as rights of way permissive paths & bridleways. ...

Join best friends Melrose & Croc for a day of sunshine & laughter beside the sea! This glowing picture book from the creator of the Blue Kangaroo series is perfect for sharing with little children making friends. Little Green Croc is in a snappy mood but Melrose knows that a guessing game & a trip to the seaside will soon have his favourite friend smiling again. This charming picture book is full of sunshine brightly capturing the warmth of true friendship. Wonderfully illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark it's a perfect addition to the Melrose & Croc series. ...

Can you remember why the sea is salty? How does the moon affect the tide? Where were Britains most notorious places for smugglers? & what was the mystery of St Michaels Mount? There are almost as many stories about the sea as there are pebbles on the beach. Beside the Seaside is a book for anyone who has been captivated by the crash of waves on sand thrilled by the exploits of pirates or delighted in an ice cream at the end of the pier. Answering such questions as what to look for in rock pools which are the best knots & how to avoid being cursed by a mermaid Beside the Seaside is bursting with facts fables history & mystery about Britains seaside & coast. ...

We are entering a new era of eclecticism in interior design. People who are serious about their living environment are turning to designer craftsman to create unique items of furniture to suit their precise needs & enhance the aesthetic ambience of their home & workplace. By its nature this individualistic trend cannot be served by the normal retail infrastructure & it can be difficult to access makers & their products. Bespoke resolves this problem by supplying the details of 190 leading makers the galleries & exhibitions that display their work & an explanation of the typical commissioning process. On a room by room basis a wide variety of individual maker's work is shown to give the reader an idea of their different styles. ...

In 1982 for the princely sum of GBP2 000 a year the seventeen-year-old Richard Anderson became an apprentice at Huntsmans the most venerable of Savile Row tailors. Nineteen years later he opened his own eponymous business on the world-famous ' Golden Mile' where he h&-cuts exquisite suits for a global clientele. In Bespoke he does for the world of tailoring what Kitchen Confidential did for the world of haute cuisine. With him we learn the consummate craftsmanship & pefectionism that goes into a h&-made suit & the years of sweat & graft it takes to learn it. Training in the art of making trousers & coats that could cost as much as GBP10 000 was a gruelling game but Richard persisted to become the youngest head cutter in Huntsman's 150-year-old history. We meet the extraordinary cast of characters who peopled Huntsmans from the boardroom to the backroom -- the debonair Colin Hammick the grumpy eccentric Brian Hall & Dick Lakey the heroically overworked 'leg man'. Not to mention the no less colourful clients who ranged from politicians & peers of the realm to music icons & Hollywood movie stars. Frequently funny & told with great candour Bespoke is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes on Savile Row. You'll never look at a suit in the same light again. ...