The former Prime Minister examines the early history of one of the great loves of his life in a book that sheds new light on the summer games social origins. All his life John Major has loved cricket. In More Than a Game he examines it from its origins up to the coming of the First World War. Along the way he considers the crucial role of the wealthy patrons who gambled huge sums on early matches; the truth behind the legends that have grown up around the famous Hambledon Club; changes in rules & techniques including the transition from underarm to overarm bowling; the long-standing but often blurred distinction between gentlemen & players; the coming of the MCC & its role as the supreme arbiter of the game; the spread of cricket throughout the British Empire; & the emergence of the county game & international competition. It is a story rich in anecdote & colourful characters. Many of the great names from the Golden Age of cricket -- C.B. Fry Ranjitsinhji Demon Spofforth & of course the towering figure of W.G. Grace -- are still well-known today. But long before then the game already had its stars: men like the Kentish innkeepers son Lumpy Stevens who played at the highest level until he was nearly sixty; Silver Billy Beldham who was taught how to play by a gingerbread baker; the notoriously avaricious & ill-tempered Lord Frederic Beauclerk a direct descendant of Charles II & Nell Gwynne; & the mighty Lion of Kent Alfred Mynn. ...

The former Prime Minister examines the history of one of the great loves of his life. Throughout John Major's life one of the constant factors has been his deep love of cricket. In this sumptuously illustrated book he delves deep into the game's history tracing its development from its rustic beginnings to the international sport we know today. Along the way he examines
- & at times demolishes
- many cherished myths. Among the subjects to which he pays particular attention are the changing social role of cricket developments in the rules the emergence of the professional player the game's spread throughout the British Empire & the part it has played in cementing international relations. John Major's history of cricket reflects not only his lifelong passion for the game but the depth of his research among a wealth of hitherto neglected but fascinating sources. It is a significant addition to the already rich literature of the greatest game of all.

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When Jane Ingleby interrupts a duel in Londons Hyde Park Jocelyn Dudley Duke of Tresham gets shot & Jane late for work at a milliners workshop loses her job. She is angry enough to demand a new job of Jocelyn & he is angry enough to hire her
- as his nurse. Her blue eyes are the sort a man could drown in
- if it wasnt for her imprudence. She questions his every move breaches his secrets & touches his soul & soon the dangerous duke is offering her a different job
- as his mistress. Jane tries to keep it strictly business an arrangement she is forced to accept in order to conceal a treacherous secret. Surely there is nothing more perilous than being the lover of such a man. Yet as she sees through his devilish facade & glimpses the noble heart within she knows the greatest jeopardy of all is the rising passion that could tempt her to risk everything...


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More Than He Expected Playboy Alex likes his relationships short & without strings. But his fiery fling with Gwen left him craving more. So when a holiday weekend getaway provides an opportunity for another taste of the tantalising woman he grabs it. Only things have changed since their last encounter...now Gwen is pregnant! An Inconvenient Affair Hillary has always been a magnet for Mr Wrong. & her latest left her in trouble with the law. To clear her name shes agreed to go undercover as the date for sexy billionaire playboy & secret agent Troy Donavan. His reputation is bad. But when his kisses are like molten sin being sensible in the face of such desire is not an option. ...

Award-winning photographer Tim Flach has spent years enquiring into the essential bond we have with animals. Now he presents the culmination of years of tireless expert endeavour an extraordinary body of work in which each image is more striking & powerful than the last. Just as did Flach's highly acclaimed previous books Equus & Dogs More Than Human will amaze & inspire in a constant affirmation of the animal whether it be rare or common powerful or defenceless odd or majestic. The book showcases a menagerie of creatures including: pandas tigers bats lions orang-utans cobras bull frogs chimpanzees wolves porcupines elephants owls armadillos among many others as they have never been seen before. Shedding light on Flach's images will be a deeply perceptive yet accessible collection of texts written & edited by acclaimed author Lewis Blackwell. ...

The OAP fined for walking too slowly...the market traders banned from putting bunting on the lamp posts...the woman who was told shed be fined if the birds in her garden didnt stop singing...the workmen who painted yellow lines over a dead badger... This wonderfully entertaining book collects some of the most outrageous examples of health & safety gone mad bureacracy running riot & jobsworth joylessness. With hilarious illustrations throughout these tales may amuse you or infuriate you depending on how recently you have fallen victim to your own local jobsworths. ...

When Rosie's parents were involved in a train accident her mother was killed & her father left crippled unable to earn a living & relying on Rosie to keep the wolf from the door. With her mother gone & her sweetheart Adam away in the army Rosie is lonely. She eagerly awaits the letters from him but they never come. As she grows more disillusioned Adam's best friend Doug goes out of his way to be charming & attentive. Alone & confused Rosie blossoms under his evil influence. Soon she is carrying Doug's baby & her father has thrown her out of the house. Realising she has no choice she agrees to marry Doug. As if she isn't in enough trouble Rosie's whole world falls apart when a warm & wonderful letter arrives from Adam...telling her he's on his way home. ...

Time Pieces is an exciting new series of repertoire which explores the wealth of music written from the sixteenth century to the present day. The pieces are presented chronologically within each volume & all include the year in which they were written too so you can map your journey through time. Time Pieces for Cello is a three-volume anthology providing a graded selection of well-crafted & idiomatic arrangements as well as some original pieces for cello & piano. All of them have been carefully written to provide practice of the keys note ranges & fingering patterns encountered in the early grades & there are suggestions for position work & varied bowing patterns. Each volume balances well-known pieces with less familiar music & the emphasis throughout is on tuneful repertoire perfectly suited to the cello with a simple supportive piano accompaniment. From Tallis to Tchaikovsky & from Haydn to Britten Time Pieces for Cello allows the pupil to get a real feel for the diffe ...

Time Pieces is an exciting new series of repertoire which explores the wealth of music written from the sixteenth century to the present day. The pieces are presented chronologically within each volume & all include the year in which they were written too so you can map your journey through time. Time Pieces for Cello is a three-volume anthology providing a graded selection of well-crafted & idiomatic arrangements as well as some original pieces for cello & piano. All of them have been carefully written to provide practice of the keys note ranges & fingering patterns encountered in the early grades & there are suggestions for position work & varied bowing patterns. Each volume balances well-known pieces with less familiar music & the emphasis throughout is on tuneful repertoire perfectly suited to the cello with a simple supportive piano accompaniment. From Tallis to Tchaikovsky & from Haydn to Britten Time Pieces for Cello allows the pupil to get a real feel for the diffe ...

This title features delicious recipes that make vegetable the star attraction. If youre tired of the same old salad combination while trying to stick to meat-free eating then The More Veg Cookbook" will be your new kitchen staple. Featuring over 200 fresh creative recipes that make vegetables the main event its perfect for anyone wanting to add more variety to their diet or tighten up their budget during the credit crunch. Youll find step-by-step techniques for preparing & cooking vegetables such as cutting artichoke hearts & variations on basic recipes like risottos & pizzas. Helpful flavour combinations & quick recipe features are sure to whet your appetite. With these recipes home cooks can satisfy vegetable lovers & carnivores alike. If your aim is to banish limp lettuce from your refrigerator forever & expand your options like never before " The More Veg Cookbook" is guaranteed to whip your meals into shape." ...