Books by Simon King

If extraterrestrial beings do exist, they have probably already visited our world throughout the past and continue to observe our human development today. The life-forms and/or their spacecraft could be merely a product of vivid imaginations, unusual effects created by atmospheric conditions, astronomical phenomena, or even arising from supernatural causes... However this explanation is unconvincing in light of the many reported encounters that remain inexplicable.This book traces the progress of our intimate association with these perceived life-forms and their aerial craft, commencing from their earliest potential contacts with several ancient civilisations and subsequent development of various mythological gods.Extraterrestrial: Alien Life studies the various unidentified/unconventional flying objects created by meteorological phenomena, as well as a raft of unusual craft of ‘unknown/alien origin’ and their extensive range of  observed design and performance characteristics.Case studies of relevant alien landings, incursions and physical descriptions of various extraterrestrial beings are reviewed, as well as their probable innovative advanced technology, in order to provide a technical insight into these cosmic visitors.Extraterrestrial also looks at contemporary space exploration that aims to identify distant exoplanets with suitable biosignatures to sustain life. And this provides further guidance on the likelihood of humans sharing this galaxy with extraordinary ‘alien’ neighbours from outer space.If it all sounds too fanciful, tighten your seat-belt because we are in for quite a ride, and it may involve considerable long distance travel.

Extreme life can be experiencing the harshest personal challenges produced by nature’s arsenal, and testing one’s endurance to prevail over these elements without going ‘over the edge’.Wingsuiting from a mountain top, hang gliding across the countryside, kiteboarding the waves, whitewater kayaking of rapids and waterfalls, free diving beneath the ocean, polar swimming, snowboarding, cross-country skating and long distance trail hiking. These are only a few of the various leisure endurance pursuits explored in this book being used to challenge the Earth’s climatic conditions, bodies of water and difficult terrain. Nature’s myriad of severe storms and oceanic phenomena that probably cannot be safely challenged provide a further insight into such potential extremes.A distinctive selection of the planet’s animals, bird and marine life which could be reasonably considered as natural ‘extremes of life’ provide a useful complement to these human exploits. Humankind may also celebrate their endeavours in other less energetic ways, including unusual community festivals involving enormous gatherings of like-minded people in fancy dress, as clowns or simply people who enjoy throwing coloured powder over each other. There are many other ways to appreciate and enjoy extreme life, and this book shares many more of these experiences of being ‘on the edge’. 

Witches, Whispers, Shadows and Strange Sights is about mystifying spirits, ethereal entities, strange ‘otherworldly’ beings, and how the human imagination perceives their presence, and what might happen to us when one’s life is about to be extinguished unexpectedly. It explores a vast and diverse selection of reported supernatural manifestations throughout the world from past centuries to contemporary times, and of the relevance of folklore, myth and legend that may assist in providing a suitable perspective for these encounters. The role of paranormal magicians, witchcraft and sorcery, a myriad of witches and their familiars, and their respective stories across history are examined to scrape away the layers of inherent superstition surrounding them that have accumulated in various cultures. Many surreal experiences throughout this authors’s own life are shared with respect to paranormal encounters and other inexplicable events that often defy logical explanation or sense. The unsettling appearance of eerie ephemeral shadows, the haunting whispers when no-one is there and the reasons why only some of us perceive them at all may provide at least some answers. Why do mysterious spectral visitations occur at various times, sometimes recurring over centuries, and are such entities amongst us all the time or simply sending a message? Why do unusual coincidences occur to us without sensible explanation or strangers enter our lives for no apparent reason or purpose? More importantly, are we listening to any of these messages? For the reader, it will be a matter of deciding for yourself, because these selection of tales and their eventual outcomes will certainly challenge many of you, even possibly raise more doubts than answers, but at least provide you with some meaningful insight into an entirely different non-physical realm than most us can comprehend.

This is the UK version. Do you have an illness or injury that just won't heal? Do you suffer from unexplained aches, pains, stiffness, or fatigue that won't go away, no matter what you try? The culprit may literally be right under your nose or hanging around your neck. Simon King explains his theory, based on careful observation, that many necklaces, rings, watches, piercings, and dental work affect your sensory nervous system and muscle reflexes - whether you can feel anything happening or not! Based on a well-known but under-appreciated mechanism called "Proprioception," Live without Pain reveals how many common items activate proprioceptive mechanisms which leave you vulnerable to pain, and how you can remedy these without drugs, surgery or exercises. It offers individuals and health practitioners alike simple solutions that build health; sometimes resolving even long-term health issues in the process. For more information, go to www.live-without-pain.com

With the coming flood of connected products, many UX and interaction designers are looking into hardware design, a discipline largely unfamiliar to them. If youre among those who want to blend digital and physical design concepts successfully, this practical book helps you explore seven long-standing principles of industrial design.Two present and former design directors at IDEO, the international design and innovation firm, use real-world examples to describe industrial designs that are sensorial, simple, enduring, playful, thoughtful, sustainable, and beautiful. Youll learn how to approach, frame, and evaluate your designs as they extend beyond the screen and into the physical world.Sensorial: create experiences that fully engage our human sensesSimple: design simple products that provide overall clarity in relation to their purposeEnduring: build products that wear well and live on as classicsPlayful: use playful design to go beyond functionality and create emotional connectionsThoughtful: observe peoples struggles and anticipate their needsSustainable: design products that reduce environmental impactBeautiful: elevate the experience of everyday products through beauty

Top ten Sunday Times bestselling memoir by the hugely popular presenter of the BBC's Big Cat Diary and Springwatch.