As far back as stories go pioneers have reached for the skies. In the last two hundred years they have mastered the air & made the modern world possible. Today they are bringing outer space within our reach. Theyre inventors & toymakers amateurs & adventurers visionaries dreamers & yes crackpots. Some have called them irresponsible even dangerous. But Richard Branson has met many of them. He has worked with them funded them & flown with them. He admires them & trusts them & thinks they & their kind are our future. In this book Richard Branson looks at the history of flight through the stories & people who have inspired him throughout his life. In these pages you will find tales of miraculous rescues; of records made & broken; of surprising feats of endurance & survival including some of his own adventures as well as developments in the future of air travel (and space travel). It is a story of pioneers & of course it

Includes:: the world famous Montgolfiers & the Wright brothers but he also wants to describe some of the lesser-known trailblazers. People like Tony Jannus who in 1914 created the first scheduled commercial flight in the world flying his passengers over the waters of Tampa Bay at an altitude of just fifty feet! The bird man Leo Valentin who in the 1950s jumped from 9 000 feet with wooden wings attached to his shoulders. & Bransons friend Steve Fossett who dedicated his life to breaking records & having adventures. This is their story. It is also in a small way his own.

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In 1931 at the age of 21 Douglas Bader was the golden boy of the RAF. Excelling in everything he did he represented the Royal Air Force in aerobatics displays played rugby for Harlequins & was tipped to be the next England fly half. But one afternoon in December all his ambitions came to an abrupt end when he crashed his plane doing a particularly difficult & illegal aerobatic trick. His injuries were so bad that surgeons were forced to amputate both his legs to save his life. Douglas Bader did not fly again until the outbreak of the Second World War when his undoubted skill in the air was enough to convince a desperate air force to give him his own squadron. The rest of his story is the stuff of legend. Flying Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain he led his squadron to kill after kill keeping them all going with his unstoppable banter. Shot down in occupied France his German captors had to confiscate his tin legs in order to stop him trying to escape. Bader faced it all disability leadership & capture with the same charm charisma & determination that was an inspiration to all around him. ...

The final thrilling part of the New York Times" bestselling trilogy " Reached" is the sequel to " Matched" & " Crossed" by Ally Condie. After leaving the Society & desperately searching for each other
- & the Rising
- Cassia & Ky have found what they were looking for but at the cost of losing each other yet again. But nothing is as predicted & all too soon the veil lifts & things shift once again... In the gripping conclusion to the bestselling " Matched" trilogy Cassia Ky & Xander return to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long: the power to choose."

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The final thrilling part of the New York Times" bestselling trilogy " Reached" is the sequel to " Matched" & " Crossed" by Ally Condie. After leaving the Society & desperately searching for each other
- & the Rising
- Cassia & Ky have found what they were looking for but at the cost of losing each other yet again. But nothing is as predicted & all too soon the veil lifts & things shift once again... In the gripping conclusion to the bestselling " Matched" trilogy Cassia Ky & Xander return to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long: the power to choose."

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* Please note this is not a novel but a companion book for Reacher fans* Reacher's own rules for life are brought together in this irresistible collection of"es life lessons & wisdom from the man himself. As every Reacher fan knows you don't have to break the rules if you make the rules. If you want to survive in this world nothing else matters. Rule 1. When in doubt drink coffee. Rule 2. Never volunteer for anything. Rule 3. Don't break the furniture. Rule 4. Only one woman at a time. Rule 5. Show them what they're messing with. 'I don't want to put the world to rights I just don't like people who put the world to wrongs' ' Either you'll walk out of here yourself or you'll be carried out in a bucket' 'I'm not scared of anybody. But I certainly preferred it when he was dead' If you've read the books you'll love this. If you haven't read the books what are you waiting for? ...

The third edition of this best-selling title provides both a narrative & analysis of the background course & effects of the 1917 revolution. Beginning with an overview of Imperial Russia & the problems & challenges it faced it goes on to look at the growth of revolutionary movements which would eventually lead to the October Revolution. It then examines how the Bolsheviks consolidated their power under Lenin. Throughout the book key dates terms & issues are highlighted & historical interpretations of key debates are outlined. Summary diagrams are included to consolidate knowledge & understanding of the period & exam style questions & tips for each examination board provide the opportunity to develop exam skills. ...

Book & CD. This second edition of the best-selling Read & Speak Arabic" beginners pack features a new attractive design & free on-line activities. There are 8 everyday topics to get you talking: Names & introductions; Saying where you are from; Ordering drinks & snacks; Describing your house & town; Describing objects & people; Getting around; Meeting the family; Living & working plus a review to test yourself & fun tear-out game cards. The 60-minute audio CD

Includes:: native-speaker models pronunciation practice & simple speaking & listening activities. No other pack gives you quicker rewards than Read & Speak Arabic."

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Book & CD. Read & Speak Greek" teaches you basic vocabulary & explains sentence structures for eight key areas of everyday life -- introducing yourself saying where you are from asking what things are asking where things are located describing objects & people asking how to get around talking about your family & describing what you do. The accompanying CD features all the key words & phrases so you can hear how they are pronounced & also

Includes:: lively activities for listening & speaking practice. Inside you will find: Clear explanations of how to use basic phrases in everyday conversations; Entertaining activities games & puzzles with which to check your progress; Illustrated flash cards to help you memorise key phrases; Every title in the series

Includes:: a free 60-minute audio CD for pronunciation listening & speaking practice."



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Immerse yourself in the French language & culture. Read & Think French" is your ticket to building key French language skills. This book features 100-plus engaging easy-to-read articles written by native French-speakers. Each article features a bilingual glossary on the same page that means that you can learn without stopping to look up new or unfamiliar words in a dictionary. As the you move through the book you will gain confidence with the French language & build a vocabulary of key French words & phrases. Each chapter features several written exercises that reinforce new vocabulary & comprehension. The 70-minute companion audio CD features several of the articles read aloud by native-French speakers from various backgrounds giving you valuable practice in French listening skills. " Read & Think French" brings the culture of French-speaking countries to life! You will enjoy a travel narrative from Provence & a documentary on West Indies folk music as well as explore the geography of the French Alps & the streets of Montreal. Filled with engaging features such as a recipe for beigne de nos gr&-meres canadiennes (traditional Canadian doughnuts) a primer on French business etiquette a biography of French actor Mathieu Amalric & a look at the tradition of lavender oil perfumes & soaps this book gives you an insider look at French life & culture
- while introducing you to 100s of new French words & phrases. Topics of this title include: Culture; Voyages; Tradition; Celebration; Biographies; Musique et Art; Histoire; Geographie; Gastronomie; & Coutumes."
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This is a fun fascinating way to expand your knowledge of the Spanish language & Hispanic cultures. Read & Think Spanish" offers an innovative non-intimidating approach to learning Spanish language basics. Compiled by the expert editors of " Think Spanish!" magazine this book brings together 75 engaging fully illustrated readings & articles about the life & cultures of Spanish-speaking countries organized around topics such as famous people festivals traditions food history geography art sports & music. Key grammar points & fundamentals are highlighted comprehension questions help reinforce new Spanish vocabulary & an extensive bilingual glossary on each page means that you can read & learn without having to stop to look up words in a dictionary." ...