Africa is the only continent to have grown poorer over the past three decades. Why? Robert Guest's fascinating book seeks to diagnose the sickness that continues to hobble Africa's development. Using reportage first-hand experience & economic insight Robert Guest takes us to the roots of the problems. Two fifths of African nations are at war AIDS has lowered life expectancy to as young as forty & investment is almost impossible as houses that could be used as collateral do not formally belong to their owners. Most shocking of all is the evidence that the billions of dollars of aid given to Africa has had little perceptible effect on the poor. The Shackled Continent" offers insightful & occasionally controversial explanations for this state of affairs. In this magnificent & engaging book Robert Guest provides an invigorating history & an inspired commentary on the enigma of modern Africa & this paperback edition

Includes:: a new chapter. 'I doubt whether there is a better brief introduction to the travails of modern Africa & their causes.'
- Anthony Daniels " Sunday Telegraph". ' He is a lively & observant reporter who can describe in a breezy no-nonsense style the horrors & miseries of Africans in the interior... The reader can learn much from this lively & outspoken book.'
- Anthony Sampson " Guardian"."



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Ernest Shackleton was the quintessential Edwardian hero. A contemporary
- & adversary
- of Scott he sailed on the Discovery

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Sir Ernest Shackleton could never have imagined his name being closely associated with whisky certainly not in the title of a book. Rarely did he consume strong drink. On his expeditions he tolerated a 'mild spree' at times of celebration. But that was all. Drinking to excess appalled him. From an early age growing up in a teetotal home he was wary of alcohol. How then must he have felt about signing an order for twenty-five cases of whisky -- 300 bottles -- for his 1907-09 British Antarctic Expedition? Shackleton's Whisky follows the story of the Rare Old Highland Whisky taken south on his Nimrod expedition. It celebrates the extraordinary achievements of men exploring an extraordinary place. It dips into the human-interest stories of polar life in the 'heroic era' of Antarctic exploration. Shackleton once wrote of his interest in documenting 'the little incidents that go to make up the sum of the day's work the humour & the weariness the inside view of men on an expedition'. Here is one such account based largely on what he wrote & said about the expedition & also on what the members of his expedition wrote for most participants kept a diary or journal. Antarctic exploration & whisky in their own way are both steeped in history maturity endurance character & technology. Both have a worldwide following millions of fans. Their pathways coincided on the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-09. With the recovery 100 years later of three cases of Scotch from icy entombment under the hut at Cape Royds & the subsequent return of three bottles to Scotland for sampling analysis & a near-magical replication the relationship of whisky & Antarctic exploration came sharply into focus making a unique odyssey to the end of the Earth & back. ...

Shades of Earth" is the final novel in the teenage romantic science fiction trilogy from " New York Times" bestseller Beth Revis author of " Across the Universe" & "A Million Suns". Perfect for all fans of " The Hunger Games". Across the Universe was longlisted for the prestigous Carnegie Medal. Amy & Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh
- to build a home
- on Centauri-Earth the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience. But this new Earth isn't the paradise that Amy had been hoping for. Amy & Elder must race to uncover who
- or what
- else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony & building a future together. But each new discovery brings more danger. & if their colony collapses then everything they have sacrificed
- friends family life on Earth
- will have been meaningless... Praise for the " Across the Universe" trilogy: "A murder mystery a budding romance & a dystopian world gracefully integrated into a sci-fi novel that blows away all expectation". (Melissa Marr " New York Times" bestselling author of " Wicked Lovely"). " Entirely original deeply compelling & totally unputdownable
- I've found a new favourite!". (Carrie Ryan " New York Times" bestselling author of " The Forest of Hands & Feet"). " Revis has penned a fast-paced action-packed follow-up with her dystopian sci-fi thriller "A Million Suns" that explores not only the nature of authority & loyalty but fear of the unknown & fulfilling one's personal destiny". ("LA Times"). "A riveting thriller about space travel secrets murder & Realpolitik". (Kirkus " Kirkus" starred review). Beth Revis the " New York Times" bestselling US author of teenage novels " Across the Universe" & "A Million Suns". She wrote her first books whilst still at university where she secretly jotted down stories instead of taking notes. Beth lives in rural North Carolina with her husband & her dog where she splits her time between writing lesson plans writing stories & writing up plans to travel somewhere new."






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Hundreds of years in the future after the Something that Happened the world is an alarmingly different place. Life is lived according to The Rulebook & social hierarchy is determined by your perception of colour. Eddie Russett is an above average Red who dreams of moving up the ladder by marriage to Constance Oxblood. Until he is sent to the Outer Fringes where he meets Jane
- a lowly Grey with an uncontrollable temper & a desire to see him killed. For Eddie its love at first sight. But his infatuation will lead him to discover that all is not as it seems in a world where everything that looks black & white is really shades of grey.. . If George Orwell had tripped over a paint pot or Douglas Adams favoured colour swatches instead of towels.. .neither of them would have come up with anything as eccentrically brilliant as Shades of Grey.
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Her sanctuary has become her blackest nightmare... Life is tough in the Alaskan tundra but lately something wholly inhuman has let itself loose on the territory leaving a wake of unspeakable carnage. For bush pilot Alex Mac Guire the wreckage is especially chilling
- Alaska is the place she fled to after her mother & brother were brutally murdered in Florida. When the Midnight Breed is alerted to this slaughter they send Kade to quell the danger & ensure Alex does not learn the truth behind the attacks. & soon Alex will be tested by the threat of otherworldly evil & by her unexpected desire for Kade a man she should fear but who has become her seductive guide into an erotic realm of blood & darkness.
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In 1889 Cora Oakley died by inhaling a poisonous gas in her sleep & her husband William was put on trial for her murder. Over a hundred years later the only remaining members of the family are two elderly sisters who live in the ancestral home. Unable to maintain the mansion the sisters decide to sell up & live off the proceeds. Then a young Polish man named Jan appears claiming to be William Oakley's great-grandson & threatening to ruin the sisters' plans. When he is found dead it seems that the shadow of murder has returned to haunt the Oakley family again & Superintendent Markby must look back at the events of a century ago to find the killer... ...

Inspired by the sublime subtle tones of wintry northern landscapes Shades of Winter offers more than 35 projects that will give you an inside look into the natural beauty of pure undyed wool amidst a Scandinavian winter's snow crystals & cold. These gorgeous garments range from tops sweaters dresses & coats to hats mittens scarves & shawls & evoke wool's warmth & softness in many different patterns & textures. Organized by the natural tones of the yarns these fine woolens are visually stunning & hold the promise of doing no environmental harm. You'll be enchanted by the possibilities: garments ranging from simple garter & stockinette to more elaborate cables bobbles texture & lace patterns. With over 35 dreamlike knitted wool designs using stunning techniques captured with captivating artful photography Shades of Winter will have you feeling like you're in a modern fairy tale. ...

A powerful novel from Michael Morpurgo the nation's favourite storyteller... Never have Aman & his mother needed a friend more than when a Springer Spaniel appears
- thin & war-ravaged
- in the mouth of their Afghan cave. Nursed back to health by Aman the dog becomes a constant companion a shadow & that's what Aman decides to call her. But life in Afghanistan becomes more dangerous by the moment. Eventually Aman his mother & Shadow find the courage to embark upon the treacherous journey from war-torn Afghanistan to the safely of a relative's home in Manchester Engl&. But how far can Shadow lead them? & in this terrifying new world is anywhere really safe...?

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Luxury hardback collectors edition of a powerful moving novel by the best-selling author of War Horse. This is the story of Aman as told in his own words
- a boy from Afghanistan fleeing the horror of the Afghan war. When a western dog shows up outside the caves where Aman lives with his mother Aman is initially repulsed
- it is not customary for people to keep dogs as pets in his part of the world. But when Aman & his mother finally decide to make a bid for freedom the dog Aman has called Shadow will not leave their side. Soon it becomes clear: the destinies of boy & dog are linked & always will be...

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