The war declared by the Boers on 11 October 1899 gave the British as Kipling said 'no end of a lesson'. It proved to be the longest the costliest the bloodiest & the most humiliating campaign that Britain fought between 1815 & 1914. Thomas Pakenham has written the first full-scale history of the war since 1910. His narrative is based on first-hand & largely unpublished sources ranging from the private papers of the leading protagonists to the recollections of survivors from both sides. Out of this historical gold-mine the author has constructed a narrative as vivid & fast-moving as a novel & a history that in scholarship breadth & impact will endure for many years. ...

Victorious in her previous campaigns in Africa Britain now confronted an altogether different foe. As this book explains the Boers proved themselves formidable opponents masterfully compensating for interior numbers through their resourcefulness grim determination strong religious faith & above all their expert use of cover mobility & the power of long-range magazine rifles firing smokeless powder. With inadequate transport insufficient numbers of mounted troops & poor intelligence the British were to be severely tested in a distant & inhospitable land of immense size & extremes of climate. ...

The history of science is often seen as a story of advancement but nothing could be further from the truth. Science it is true has progressed but rarely in the direction intended & seldom for the reasons given. This has a lot to do with the people responsible. Meet Thales credited as the father of science whose only real claim to fame is that he often fell into ditches discover how Archimedes never said Eureka & hated baths anyway & how the most lucrative ancient Greek invention was not democracy but the slot machine. Justin Pollard also fills us in on Issac Newton who liked to disguise himself & lurk in Londons less salubrious pubs how eleven people claimed to have invented the steam engine & why the first website was twelve foot across & made from wood. ...

Digging for peat in the mountain with his Uncle Tally Fergus finds the body of a child & it looks like she's been murdered. As Fergus tries to make sense of the mad world around him
- his brother on hunger-strike in prison his growing feelings for Cora his parents arguing over the Troubles & him in it up to the neck blackmailed into acting as courier to God knows what a little voice comes to him in his dreams & the mystery of the bog child unfurls. Bog Child" is an astonishing novel exploring the sacrifices made in the name of peace & the unflinching strength of the human spirit."
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Digging for peat in the mountain with his Uncle Tally Fergus finds something that makes his heart stop. Curled up deep in the bog is the body of a child. & it looks like she's been murdered. As Fergus tries to make sense of the mad world around him
- his brother on hunger-strike in prison his growing feelings for Cora his mam & da arguing over the Troubles & him in it up to the neck
- a little voice comes to him in his dreams & the mystery of the bog child unfurls...

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BOGGLE[trademark] Jr.
- the fun way to play with words
- is transformed into simple pleasurable & educational word searches

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Transformed by sir Richard Hotham to a seaside resort in the 18th century Bognor Regis is one of the most well known seaside towns in the entire British Isles. This new title from renowned local authors Sylvia Endacott & Shirley Lewis delves deep into the towns past comparing rare archive photographs of Bognors most famous locations over the last 200 years to the same scenes of today showing how much or how little has changed. From Hotham Park House & The Ship Inn to the Esplanade Theatre & Waterloo Square Bognor Regis Then & Now captures the essence of the town & its people detailing the evolution of the town over the years in a comprehensive & unique new way. With detailed & informative captions accompanying each pairing of photographs this evocative new volume will awaken nostalgic memories for all who know & love this iconic seaside resort. ...

Jack Parlabane the investigative journalist who is not averse to breaking the law for the sake of a good story has finally been caught on the petard of his own self-confidence & is experiencing accommodation courtesy of Her Majesty. The fledgling Scottish parliament is in catatonic shock after experiencing its first dose of Westminster sleaze. The Catholic Church of Scotland is taking full advantage of the politicians discomfort & is riding high in the polls as the voice of morality. Behind the scenes the truth is obscured by the machinations of the spin doctors & in prison aware hes missing out on a great story Parlabane discovers that contacts & a pretty way with words are no defence against people he has helped to put away. Part political satire part cliff-hanging thriller this is high calibre entertainment. & for the authors own view on his books visit his website at www.brookmyre.co.uk & for the authors own view on his books visit his website at www.brookmyre.clara.net ...

Focusing his expertise on the techniques & history of the bokken -- the wooden training sword used by both ancient samurai & todays swordsmen -- the author maintains that training with the bokken is important on two levels for the modern practitioner: to build the physical stamina rhythms & adroit body movements of traditional swordsmanship & to achieve something of the animating spirit of the traditional swordsman. This history of the bokken combines the authors concise eloquent writing style with over 100 photographs to provide the reader with the traditional & modern perspectives of this vital historically rich practice tool. ...

Marc Bolan was the very first superstar of the Seventies. As the seductive focus of T Rex" he revelled in fame & fortune released a string of classic records but then lost his way bingeing on cocaine & booze & apparently heading for obscurity. But the fatal 1977 car crash that cut short his planned comeback as a punk rocker was also to fix him forever as the classic icon of Glam Rock. Today almost 30 years after his death the legend of Marc Bolan lives on & not just for the image. His music & chameleonic style were to influence many future bands. Mod Beatnik Hippie Glam & Punk Rocker
- Bolans numerous guises offer a fascinating glimpse into the man himself as well as British pop history. This classic biography of a pop obsessive draws from interviews with many friends & colleagues including the late John Peel brother Harry & band members Mickey Finn & Bill Legend."
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