Biographies

In Meditations, now available in a highly designed hardcover gift edition, Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who ruled from 161 to 180 AD, reflects on the philosophical idea of Stoicism, his day-to-day life, and issues that still plague us all.

A study of a life lived in an environment of wild music and endless wonder, Sonic Life is the long-awaited memoir of iconic American musician and Sonic Youth frontman, Thurston Moore. A music-obsessed retrospective, beginning with his childhood epiphany of rock 'n' roll in the early 1960s into an infatuation with the subversive world of 1970s punk and no wave blasting forth from New York City - where he eventually runs off to join a band in 1978. By 1981 Moore would form the legendary and notorious experimental rock group Sonic Youth, who proceeded to record and tour relentlessly for almost 30 years, always progressing, always exploring.Along the way we meet a constellation of artists and musicians who colluded and collided with Sonic Youth including Velvet Underground, Stooges, Patti Smith, Television, Sex Pistols, Clash, Nirvana, Hole, Beastie Boys, Neil Young and a cavalcade of other musical visionaries, as well as figures from the art world - Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Gerhard Richter.Simply put, Thurston Moore and Sonic Youth changed the sound of modern alternative rock music and opened the minds of a generation of artists to new possibilities within the form. This is essential reading.

Framed by ten words and phrases common in the Chinese vernacular, China in Ten Words reveals as never before the world's most populous yet often misunderstood nation.

The definitive biography of the iconic English artist, packed with weird and wonderful artwork

Through his never-before-seen diaries - a twenty-five-year passion project - Alan Rickman invites readers backstage and into his life. He takes us behind the scenes on films and plays ranging from Sense & Sensibility, the Harry Potter series, Private Lives and many more. Detailing the extraordinary and the ordinary, he writes in a way that is anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy and utterly candid.

Christian Dior: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Masteris a stunning illustrated biography of legendary designer Christian Dior from internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess. Discover the key moments of Diors fascinating life and iconic items from the fashion world that he created. Diors love of flowers, creativity, femininity and good-luck charms were woven into everything he designed, and his New Look remains iconic to this day. Elegantly enclosed by a hardback cover and ribbon, Megans beautiful illustrations follow Dior throughthree distinct chapters: the highs and lows of his early life, set against a backdrop of bohemian and wartime Paris; the couture house that he built into an empire in just ten years; and the incredible legacy he left behind for one of fashions most influential brands.Christian Dioris a celebration of a man whose life was as remarkable as the clothes that he created, brought to life on the page by the expert hand of Megan Hess.

The international bestseller and recommended by medics, patients and the NHS, this is a brain scientist's personal experience of a stroke. It tells of her journey and gives rare insight into human consciousness and its possibilities for all of us

An insightful biography, based on exclusive research, of Queen Elizabeth II, bringing us the full story of one of our greatest and best-loved monarchs as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.

The only official biography of the iconic DJ, Avicii whose death in 2018 shocked the world.

The Academy Award (R)-winning actor, father of three, and bestselling author of Greenlights distils more than three decades of journaling experience to help you reflect, seek clarity, and forge your own path with this life-changing practice.

The award-winning digital creator and actress Avani Gregg takes you behind the scenes of her incredible life. Known for her viral make-up videos, Avani Gregg is social media phenomenon. But how did a regular girl in small-town Indiana become TikToker of the Year? In this eye-opening memoir, she shares the ups and down of her remarkable life, including the back injury that forced her to retire from gymnastics and her move to Los Angeles. Spanning topics like mental health, relationships, bullying and more, this is the revealing and deeply inspiring Backstory of a girl with big dreams and how she worked to achieve them.

Helps you discover the history, plots and stars of musical theatre and movie musicals. This book covers from origins in dance halls and vaudeville, to the record-breaking West End musicals and spectacular Broadway shows. It is suitable for all the musical fans.

Welcome to the book of you the sequel to the bestselling book The Burn After Writing. This is What My Soul Looks Like is an irresistible opportunity to continue your own personal journey of self-reflection. Hundreds of questions gently pry open the secrets of your psyche. Recognize your biases, tune in to your feelings and increase your self-awareness. Think of it as self-therapy.

San Pedro is Bolivia's most notorious prison. Small-time drug smuggler Thomas McFadden found himself on the inside. Marching Powder is the story of how he navigated this dark world of gangs, drugs and corruption to come out on top.Thomas found himself in a bizarre world, the prison reflecting all that is wrong with South American society. Prisoners have to pay an entrance fee and buy their own cells (the alternative is to sleep outside and die of exposure), prisoners' wives and children often live inside too, high quality cocaine is manufactured and sold from the prison.Thomas ended up making a living by giving backpackers tours of the prison - he became a fixture on the backpacking circuit and was named in the Lonely Planet guide to Bolivia. When he was told that for a bribe of $5000 his sentence could be overturned, it was the many backpackers who'd passed through who sent him the money. Written by lawyer Rusty Young, Marching Powder - sometimes shocking, sometimes funny - is a riveting story of survival.

Outrageously funny story-telling from the nation's favourite comedian. Tall Tales and Wee Stories brings together the 'Best of Billy Connolly'. 'One of stand-up's great naturals. No one told a story better.' Guardian

The international literary sensation written on a mobile phone from immigration detention, a devastating true story of survival from illegally imprisoned refugee Behrouz Boochani,

A book for anyone who fishes, anyone who wants to fish, and the millions worldwide who watched RIVER MONSTERS

The follow-up to the number one Sunday Times bestseller Reasons to Stay Alive

A brilliant, beautifully written memoir from Suede founder and lead singer Brett Anderson.

'Refreshingly honest [...] a highly enjoyable, fascinating read.' Horse and Hound"To ride into that arena, next to a sea of British flags and hear the roar of clapping and cheering, was so exciting. Dujardin began riding horses at the age of two, but dressage was firmly the domain of the wealthy, not the life of a girl from a middle-class family.

Standing at 6'3 he weighs almost 30 stone, and to make it through his hellish four-hour gym sessions he needs to eat a minimum of 10,000 calories a day. This is a visceral story of sporting achievement, an athlete pushing himself to the limits, and the personal journey of a man on the path to becoming being the best of the best.

Garry Kasparov gives his first public account of his landmark 1997 chess match with the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue, and explains why, twenty years later, he's become convinced that artificial intelligence is good for humans.

'WE'RE NOT JUST HERE TO TAKE PART - WE'RE HERE TO TAKE OVER' Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the fight game.