We love these books. Each one is a great gift for Christmas.
The Bumper Book of Things That Nobody Knows
A great book that gives hours of entertaining knowledge.
A witty and fascinating exploration of the limits of human knowledge of our planet, its history and culture, and the universe beyond.
There are many, many things that nobody knows…
Do animals have a sense of humour? Why do we have five fingers? What did Jesus do in his youth? Has human evolution stopped? Can robots become self-aware? What goes on inside a black hole?
Bringing together The Things That Nobody Knows and Even More Things That Nobody Knows, this bumper volume takes us on a guided tour of 1,001 gaps in our knowledge of cosmology, mathematics, animal behaviour, medical science, music, art and literature.
The Bumper Book of Things That Nobody Knows is available here.
And Then You’re Dead: A Scientific Exploration of The World’s Most Interesting Ways To Die
As interesting as it is morbid. A great book.
What would happen if you took a swim outside a deep-sea submarine wearing only Speedos? How long could you last if you stood on the surface of the sun? How far could you actually get in digging a hole to China?
And Then You’re Dead offers serious answers to these horribly interesting questions. Paul Doherty and Cody Cassidy explore the real science behind these and other fantastical scenarios, offering insights into physics, astronomy, anatomy and more along the way. Illustrated with straightforward technical art and leavened by small doses of dry humour, And Then You’re Dead is both scientifically informative and gruesomely entertaining.
The Zoomable Universe
A stunning visual book. Unique and full of knowledge.
Embark on a breath-taking, cutting-edge voyage through the enormity of our reality – travelling one “power of ten” or order of magnitude at a time. Echoing the classic film by Charles and Ray Eames, acclaimed astrobiologist Caleb Scharf and artist Ron Miller guide us from the very edge of the observable universe – about 91 billion light-years away – to the subatomic realm, where the fabric of space-time itself behaves in a way that confounds all the rules of physics we currently know.
Gorgeously designed and visually inspiring, The Zoomable Universe takes a truly unique approach toward explaining our place in the universe, charting an unforgettable course through galaxies, black holes, solar systems, stars and planets, oceans, plants and animals, microorganisms, atoms, quantum fields, and much more. Illustrated with stunning colour artwork and infographics, this is an unforgettable journey that will thrill readers who want to discover more about the incredible reality we inhabit.
The Zoomable Universe is available here.
Mail Men: The Unauthorized Story of the Daily Mail – The Paper that Divided and Conquered Britain
A great and fascinating read about the most popular, yet most hated, newspaper in the UK today.
Mail Men is the gripping, unofficial story of an institution that has become the self-proclaimed voice of middle England, and the adversary of liberals everywhere. Journalist Adrian Addison investigates the secret behind the Mail‘s extraordinary longevity and commercial success but also examines the controversies that have beset the paper – from its owner’s flirtation with fascism in the 1930s to its fractious relationship with liberals, celebrities and politicians today. Revelatory and captivating, this book also gets under the skin of Paul Dacre, the once awkward reporter who has become one of the most feared, hated, secretive, and respected editors in Britain. This is an essential read if you wish to understand modern Britain.
The Rise of The Outsiders: How Mainstream Politics Lost its Way
Perfect for the political junkie in your life. A great book.
Politics in the West has become unpredictable and tumultuous. In recent years, voters have deserted the political centre like never before. Whether it’s Trump, Brexit, Le Pen, Tsipras, or even Corbyn, why have outsiders and populists flourished on far left and far right? Why is the political landscape shifting so rapidly?
In this landmark book, celebrated political commentator Steve Richards provides a clear and penetrating analysis of the biggest political story of the past fifty years. He argues that despite charismatic outsiders dominating the headlines, the real answers lie in the failure of the mainstream to evolve in a world still suffering the fallout of the financial crash in 2008. Exploring factors from globalization and a changing media to rising immigration and stagnant wages, he reveals just why confidence in conventional politics is at an all-time low – and why many voters (wrongly) see mainstream politicians as self-interested and aloof.
And what of the outsiders themselves? Analysing their record so far, Richards argues that the reasons for their success also sow the seeds of their eventual demise. If they do gain power, they inevitably become insiders themselves – and fail to live up to their outlandish promises. But with the world increasingly unstable in the meantime, Richards warns that there is an urgent need for conventional politicians to reconnect with voters and for the electorate to engage with the constraints on elected politicians.
Intelligent, nuanced and wide-ranging, this is the essential handbook for understanding the chaotic political times in which we live.
The Rise of The Outsiders: How Mainstream Politics Lost its Way is available here.
Women On Childbirth: Tips and Experience From Women Who Have Done It.
An essential book for any women who is going to give birth. A popular book from our editor Catherine Balavage.
Women on Childbirth is an essential book for any woman expecting a baby. From caesarean sections to natural births, no matter how you choose to give birth, one of these women have done it before. Catherine Balavage had a traumatic birth with her first child, which spurred her on to talk to other women about their experiences and find out more about childbirth. She then went on to have a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) with her second child. Women on Childbirth aims to empower woman with stories of childbirth, but also provide tips and information. It is essential reading for any woman who is going to give birth.
Women On Childbirth: Tips and Experience From Women Who Have Done It is available here.
The Lies of The Land: A Brief History of Political Dishonesty
A great and timely book for our times.
Trust in our politicians is at an all-time low. We’re in a “post-truth” era, where feelings trump facts, and where brazen rhetoric beats honesty. But do politicians lie more than they used to? And do we even want them to tell the truth?
In a history full of wit and political acumen, Private Eye journalist Adam Macqueen dissects the gripping stories of the biggest political lies of the last half century, from the Profumo affair to Blair’s WMDs to Boris Johnson’s £350 million for the NHS. Covering lesser known whoppers, infamous lies from foreign shores (“I did not have sexual relations with that woman”), and some of the resolute untruths from Donald Trump’s explosive presidential campaign, this is the quintessential guide to dishonesty from our leaders – and the often pernicious relationship between parliament and the media.
But this book is also so much more. It explains how in the space of a lifetime we have gone from the implicit assumption that our rulers have our best interests at heart, to assuming the worst even when – in the majority of cases – politicians are actually doing their best.
The Lies of The Land: A Brief History of Political Dishonesty is available here.
Uncovering the Secrets of Winning Business from Private Clients
A good business book. It has its niche and is full of knowledge for those in the UHNW community.
Caroline Garnham, a former leading private client lawyer and head of Simmons & Simmons private client practice for fifteen years, was nominated as one of the top five leading private client lawyers by The Lawyer in 2011. She was a contributor for the Financial Times from 1986 to 1998, pioneered the area of law now known as Family Governance and proposed and drafted the Executive Entity Act for the Bahamas, which became law in December 2011.
This book draws on her extensive knowledge and intimate experience in working for some of the world’s wealthiest families. Pulling together scores of examples, she looks at the relationship of the UHNW community and their advisors from both perspectives. She believes that by understanding each other, they can work together more productively.
Caroline had a break from practicing law in December 2011 to focus her attention on making investment opportunities, exclusive luxury products and relevant information more available to the UHNW community.
She designed a digital platform which she now runs as a joint venture enterprise www.bconnectclub.com. It provides a safe and secure neutral website, where UHNWIs can find investment opportunities, luxury products and services and where subscribers can promote their case studies, news and views to this hard to reach market.
Caroline is actively advising clients. She is passionate about the need for UHNW families to use teams of trusted advisers on a regular basis. They cannot hope to know the detail of what risks lie in wait for them and need a team of advisers – which she calls a ‘Ring of Confidence’ – to keep them fully informed.
Uncovering the Secrets of Winning Business from Private Clients is available here.
Flying Fergus By Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, written with award-winning author Joanna Nadin
Another brilliant book in the series. .
A new coach is needed – but what can a wheelchair basketball champion teach Fergus and friends about cycling?
Fergus is sure their new coach is going to be his ultimate hero, cycle champ ‘Spokes’ Sullivan, so when Grandpa introduces Charlotte Campbell, the children are all less than impressed. Charlie is the successful captain of the Paralympic wheelchair basketball team and has some interesting training methods. She gets the team doing yoga and wheelbarrow races, and enters them in the Wreck-It Run, a charity race where everyone creates their own adapted bikes from parts and must compete in pairs. Fergus is sure Charlie is off her rocker – how will this help them get faster for the International time trials?
Flying Fergus is available here.
When You Are Super Rich Who Can You Trust?
We thought this book was full of great information for the rich but also a great insight for those who are not. Even when it occasionally goes off topic, it is still fascinating. It is also nice to see a book which is sympathetic to the rich instead of just hating them and judging them.
Caroline Garnham, a former leading private client lawyer was head of Simmons & Simmons private client practice for fifteen years. She was nominated as one of the top five leading private client lawyers in 2011 and was a contributor for the Financial Times for twelve years on tax and trusts. Caroline pioneered the area of law now known as Family Governance.
This book draws on her extensive knowledge and intimate experience in working for some of the world’s wealthiest families. Pulling together scores of examples, she looks at the relationship between the UHNW community and their advisors from both perspectives. She believes that by understanding each other they can work together more productively.
“Working as a private client lawyer for more than twenty years I developed a sympathy for you, the Super-Rich community. It is a community people find hard to feel sorry for – you do not have to worry about the mortgage being paid or where the next meal is coming from but your concerns nevertheless can keep you awake at night.
You contribute significantly in taxes which benefits us all. In Great Britain, the top 1% pay 30% of our income tax; you spend in our shops and oil the wheels of our economy – and yet in general you are poorly served and often despised.
As wealthy individuals I understand you are being fingered for money ALL THE TIME. It is hardly surprising therefore that you fly off the handle when you are being fleeced for yet more. Being pestered for money is a way of life for you which most of you hate which is why you want to preserve your privacy.”
This book is designed for you, the super-rich and those aspiring to be super rich. This book will tell you how
to manage your advisors, your wealth and how to enjoy it all.
When You Are Super Rich Who Can You Trust? is available here.
Reflections of Life From an Essex Girl
A good book of poetry from an obvious talent.
It’s Your Time
Entertaining and interesting book of alternative poetry.
It’s Your Time is a journey of life, describing the spiritual challenges we face and presenting musical lyrics to feed your soul. It serves as a place to unwind, be intense, be in love or out of love, be thoughtful, or cry. It is your space and time in words. These verses explore a wide range of topics, including hope, love, sadness, joy, empowerment, and spirituality, all bound up in lives that matter. For author Sandra Donald, the supportive mechanism of faith helped her to understand and accept that good things can come from painful experiences and that true magic is entwined with the written word.
This collection of poetry seeks to pull at strings and thoughts, unblock the blocked, capture a laugh, and reinvent the wheel for all the things you need.
It’s Your Time is available here.
What will you buy?