Evelyn Waugh was born in Hampstead in 1903 and educated at Hertford College, Oxford. In 1928 he published his first novel, Decline and Fall, which was soon followed by Vile Bodies (1930), Black Mischief (1932), A Handful of Dust (1934) and Scoop (1938). During these years he also travelled extensively and converted to Catholicism. In 1939 Waugh was commissioned in the Royal Marines and later transferred to the Royal Horse Guards, experiences which informed his Sword of Honour trilogy (1952-61). His most famous novel, Brideshead Revisited (1945), was written while on leave from the army. Waugh died in 1966.

Evelyn Waugh

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Iain Banks

New introduction by Ian Rankin 
_________________________________________ 
 
‘One of the most playful and entertaining writers of our generation’ 
Val McDermid, Guardian 
 
 In an absorbing voyage as interesting to non-drinkers as to true whisky connoisseurs, sci-fi and literary author Iain Banks explores the rich heritage of Scottish whisky, from the most famous distilleries to the most obscure operations. 
 
 Whisky is more than a drink: it's a culture that binds together people, places and products far across Scotland's rugged terrain. Switching from cars to ferries to bicycles, Banks criss-crosses his homeland, weaving an engrossing narrative full of fascinating traditions, peculiar people, and the downright bizarre places he encounters on his journey down Scotland's great golden road. 
 
'The book I return to most often . . . It's is like slipping into a warm bath.' 
James Graham, THE TIMES (playwright and creator of ITV's Quiz) 
 
'Filled withinsightful and witty observations . . . this is a rip-roaringand informative delve into the unique history and enduring appeal of this iconic spirit.' 
VISIT SCOTLAND, 9 'must read' books

Raw Spirit

In Search of the Perfect Dram

Ashley James

Bossy. Frigid. Spinster. Sl*t. Mumsy. Milf. Bimbo. The English language has a seemingly infinite number of judgemental and hypocritical words to describe women and their life choices. We can't win, no matter what we do. Whether it’s on the sofa of ITV’s This Morning or online, Ashley James is a fierce advocate for women. In Bimbo, she unpacks the labels that box women in, and the systems that keep them there. From 'bossy' little girls, 'tarty' teens, to mothers who 'let themselves go', and 'left-on-the-shelf' single women, Ashley dissects the systems that try to confine us and asks: what if we broke free? Told through raw personal stories, humour and with a fierce feminist lens, this is a battle cry for every woman who’s ever felt too much — or not enough. This is a call to women stop shrinking, stop competing, and start rising — together. This is a book to be shared, discussed, and cherished, and a beacon of hope for a better future.

Bimbo

Ditch the Labels. Find Your Voice. Reclaim Your Confidence.

Siba Shakib

Shirin-Gol was just a young girl when her village was levelled by the Russians' bombs in 1979. After the men in her family joined the resistance, she fled with the women and children to the capital, Kabul, and so began a life of day-to-day struggle in her war-torn country. A life that includes a period living in the harsh conditions of a Pakistani refugee camp, being forced into a marriage to pay off her brother's gambling debts, selling her body and begging for the money to feed her growing family, an attempted suicide, and an unsuccessful endeavour to leave Afghanistan for Iran after the Taliban seized control of her country.   Told truthfully and with unflinching detail to writer and documentary-maker Siba Shakib, and incorporating some of the shocking experiences of Shirin-Gol's friends and family members, this is the story of the fate of many of the women in Afghanistan. But it is also a story of great courage, the moving story of a proud woman, a woman who did not want to be banished to a life behind the walls of her house, or told how to dress, who wanted an education for her children so that they could have a chance of a future, to live their lives without fear and poverty. .

Afghanistan, Where God Only Comes To Weep

Paul Nanson

THE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 
 
'Inspirational . . . Sandhurst helped me to discover my potential. Now discover yours.' Tim Peake 
 
'Brilliant, practical advice. Can help transform your mindset and life.' Ollie Ollerton 
_______________________________________________ 
 
Winston Churchill never surrendered. 
Prince Harry has fought for mental health around the world. 
Tobias Ellwood risked his life to save others during the Westminster terrorist attack. 
Tim Peake became Britain's first astronaut on the International Space Station. 
Nicola Wetherill led the first all-female expedition across the Antarctic ice. 
Ed Withey even organized his wedding with military precision. 
 
The one thing all of these individuals have in common? Their world-class Sandhurst training. 
 
Stand Up Straight applies 10 simple but transformative lessons that every officer is taught during their time at the world-famous military academy. Modern and counter-intuitive, with its lessons ranging from making your bed and ironing your shirt to achieving discipline, emotional intelligence, resilience and fast decision-making under pressure, the book draws on first-hand experiences from war as well as the leadership lessons taught at Sandhurst. 
 
The result is a groundbreaking and timeless book of universal wisdom and practical advice, inspired by military lessons and that speaks to every aspect of civilian life - work, home, confidence, anxiety, family and friends. 
_________________________________ 
''Military Mindfulness' . . . can help us all reach our potential' TELEGRAPH 
 
'I loved this book' CHRIS EVANS 
 
'Brilliant . . . military rules that can change your life . . . Sandhurst's precious life lessons, self-discipline, teamwork, even standing up straight, can make life run smoother, better, nobler, longer' DAILY MAIL 
 
'Follow the General's orders and fold your socks. You'll be a better person for it' THE TIMES 
 
'These military men are on to something . . . increases your chances of tacking the to-do list with a sense of calm if not ease' INDEPENDENT 
 
'It's a fantastic read on how to sort yourself out' PIERS MORGAN 
 
'It's a fascinating book, full of good old-fashioned common sense [...] As the Sandhurst alumni include Winston Churchill and Tim Peake, it's a game-raiser' THIS ENGLAND

Stand Up Straight

10 Life Lessons from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Libby Jackson

From small steps to giant leaps, A Galaxy of Her Own tells fifty stories of inspirational women who have been fundamental to the story of humans in space, from scientists to astronauts to some surprising roles in between. 
 
From Ada Lovelace in the nineteenth century, to the women behind the Apollo missions, from the astronauts breaking records on the International Space Station to those blazing the way in the race to get to Mars, A Galaxy of Her Own reveals extraordinary stories, champions unsung heroes and celebrates remarkable achievements from around the world. 
 
Written by Libby Jackson, a leading UK expert in human space flight, and illustrated with bold and beautiful artwork from the students of London College of Communication, this is a book to delight and inspire trailblazers of all ages. 
 
Packed full of both amazing female role models and mind-blowing secrets of space travel, A Galaxy of Her Own is guaranteed to make any reader reach for the stars.

A Galaxy of Her Own

Amazing Stories of Women in Space

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