Diaries & Memoirs

At his trial for impiety and corrupting youth in ancient Greece, Socrates is reputed to have said; "The unexamined life is not worth living." The legendary philosopher believed that a life devoid of introspection, self-reflection, and critical thinking is essentially meaningless and lacks value.This sentiment provides context for Clocking the Goose, a memoir of short stories about growing up and getting over it, by Robert Moseley.The stories in Clocking the Goose illuminate the struggles of childhood, bring insight to the process of individuation, and provide an offbeat, alternative perspective on figuring out and fulfilling personal destiny.As these narratives reveal, the process of discovering and actualizing personal potential necessitates trial and error. Mistakes and missteps are as crucial to becoming a fully realized human being as the positive choices and the successful actions a person takes.If becoming fully human and alive is the reader's cup of tea, which is the core motivation driving Moseley's missives, he or she must endure inner contradictions that can be tormenting but necessary to make one mindful that human beings can do horrific as well as magnificent things at any time.What emerges from these stories is the realization that Moseley wasn't so afraid of making mistakes or of his shadow self, as he was of failing to become wholly himself and fully alive.Starting with his volatile, reactive and painful childhood, the stories in Clocking the Goose take the reader from sad and funny childhood struggles common to us all and the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood, to gaining a mature perspective on what being human is all about.Self-knowledge, self-acceptance, forgiveness and redemption are essential themes that run throughout the book.In tandem to the stories themselves, the pre and post story elements of this memoir provide social context to the author's personal struggles. Here, Moseley weighs in with his views on social media, the Woke movement, and America's corporatized culture in ways that make his personal journey culturally relevant.The emotional thrust of this memoir is that the business of becoming a human being in full is a harrowing and humbling process. Becoming conscious that saintly and savage traits eternally coexist within all individuals has the potential to transform or destroy us depending on the choices we make and the responsibility we take in creating our lives.Being mindful of this, hopefully, makes us more tolerant and compassionate towards our failings and the foibles of others.From a social perspective this memoir is framed in the viewpoint that modern America has been coopted by a corporate mind-set and an immature, unconscious and often rapacious social media culture that truncates our humanity.At the end of the day, Clocking the Goose affirms the value of individuation, and of embracing the light and darker angels of human nature with grace and forgiveness.

The Link in the Chain chronicles the survival of a young Dutch Jewish family through the Nazi occupation of Holland from 1940 to 1945. But it is also a love story. Just days before the Germans invaded, 19-year-old Judic de Vries married Bram Wynberg, the love of her life. Together they spent the next four years in hiding, making countless life-and-death decisions, separated from their families and even their own children. In spite of devastating losses, Judic and Bram rebuilt a life in Holland and then started over again in Canada. This memoir reveals their courage and hopes, and Judic's determination to connect us to all that was taken.

Grit, guts and gumption defined Amarnath's rollercoaster career. According to both Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan, Amarnath was the best batsman of their era. But strangely, he kept getting dropped from the Indian team, and subsequently became famous for his comebacks, earning him the moniker 'the comeback king'. He was a player who didn't flinch in the face of fire: a fearless cricketer and a man who just wouldn't be defeated or denied.

Forbidden but Allowed is an intimate memoir of a British expatriate navigating life in Saudi Arabia from 1984 to 1998.

A wonderfully humorous and witty true-crime memoir, documenting the highs and lows of life and offering insight into the institution of British policing.

Recovering from surgery, Paul Clements and his wife, Felicity, spent a year in a remote cottage in the woodlands of Montalto Estate, Co. Down. Through the lens of a curious observer and a budding bird watcher, Clements describes in exquisite detail his discovery of the restorative power of nature. Beautifully written, A Year in the Woods is a fusion of social and cultural history, nature writing and memoir. Reflecting back on this magical year spent in the woods through the journal he kept, Clements describes his awakening to the wonder of the woodland and developing his deep connection to nature. Peppered with fascinating folklore and history, Clements celebrates the changing seasons, from harsh winter storms to dry languid summer evenings. Clements is a gifted writer, but it is his detailed and often humorous descriptions of the complexities of nature at his doorstep from the foibles and idiosyncrasies of various fauna, to his awe of nature's resilience to ever-changing weather conditions that ultimately captivates the reader.

50th Anniversary EditionIn this beloved memoir, Seamus Murphy tells the story of his seven-year stone carving apprenticeship in Ireland. His artistic sensitivity matched his fellow craftsmen's reverence for 'the well made thing,' creating a tale of warmth, humour, and profound beauty.

Since 1945 the world has changed at breakneck speed. In this unique social history, acclaimed bestselling historian Alistair Moffat tells the story of these changes - many of which have been dizzying and disorientating - and how they have affected each and every one of us in all parts of the country.

An enthralling quest to solve the mystery of depersonalisation, one of the least understood but increasingly diagnosed mental illnesses.

A new Gerald Durrell title for Penguin, to celebrate the centenary of his birthThe Manor of the title is Les Augrès Manor in Trinity, Jersey. Inside, we find a remarkable collection of pen portraits of some of the creatures of Gerald Durrell's Zoo. We also discover some of the timeless lessons Durrell learned about making real and sustaining his childhood ambition of having his own zoo - and why conservation matters more than ever. One of Gerald Durrell's most beloved titles is back in print as a Penguin paperback to celebrate the centenary of his birth. 'This book is a certain joy' New Statesman'Animals come close to being Durrell's best friends. . . . He writes about them with style, verve, and humour' Time

A beautifully written and philosophical journey through the natural landscape of old age - what it means to age, to be old, and to still be you.

In the Bronx of the 1930s, paradise for a kid was stickball in the street or roasting potatoes in a vacant lot. Nuns ran school with a firm hand, while the restless work ethic of immigrant communities shaped life at home. Long before the digital era, young people ruled the world of play. But they grew up quickly against a backdrop of war. Retired Rear Admiral (USNR) Joe Callo revisits his youth and offers insight on the pursuit of meaning in an over-circuited modern age.

A Coven of Cats tells the true story of the author's longstanding love affair with cats. It begins with her experiences of growing up with cats, from the age of four, and continues with the narrative of her ongoing relationship with felines, culminating in her (and her husband's) love affairs with Burmese: animals that combine the best (and worst) features of cats, dogs and monkeys!The book is full of humour, high drama and the tragedy of loss. The central characters are the cats but the story revolves around the intimate relationship between cats and their human staff.A Coven of Cats demonstrates how enriching it can be for humans to share life's ups and downs with these animals. Far from the aloofness sometimes ascribed to felines, this book shows how loving, exciting and rewarding life with cats can be.

From Handbags to Hand Grenades is the riveting true story of Kathryn West, a courageous front-line officer in London's Metropolitan Police force. From 1990 to 2020, she dedicated her life to serving and protecting the people of Britain during some of the most historical and life-altering events of our time. This gripping memoir follows her career, intertwining significant news stories that shook the nation. To preserve anonymity, some names and places have been changed, but the events surrounding them remain unaltered. Readers will be transported to the heart of the action, from the harrowing Tavistock Square bombing and the attacks on Westminster Bridge to the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower. West's narrative balances true grit with humorous anecdotes, including tales of politicians' lost handbags, visits to the White House, and dancing at the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival. Through her eyes, readers will gain unprecedented insight into the inner workings of the Metropolitan Police. From the first page, West's authentic voice will draw you in, revealing the sadness and happiness, lies and deceit that police officers must navigate daily. Prepare to laugh, cry, and have your eyes opened wide as you witness the reality of life behind the thin blue line.

Have you ever been curious about what happens behind the scenes of a cabaret show, beyond the glitz and glamour? This book takes you backstage, exploring the lives of the performers both before the curtain rises and after the final bow. Discover how these dancers embarked on their careers, how they secure work, and the myriad escapades that unfold behind the scenes.From fun and hijinks to conflicts, dramas, and romances, this narrative delves into the reality of life in show business. It reveals the journeys of these performers as they travel with new shows, possibly finding love along the way or being left behind to start anew. The story also touches on the personal challenges they face, such as what happens when a dancer becomes pregnant or reaches an age where performing on stage is no longer viable.Read on to uncover the hidden world of cabaret dancers, their stories, struggles, and triumphs.

Kirkus Reviews's Most Anticipated Nonfiction of Spring 2025 What happens when a career you love doesn’t love you back? As Hannah Selinger will tell you, to be a good restaurant employee is to be invisible. At the height of her career as a server and then sommelier at some of New York’s most famed dining institutions, Selinger was the hand that folded your napkin while you were in the bathroom, the employee silently slipping into the night through a side door after serving meals worth more than her rent.  During her tenure, Selinger rubbed shoulders with David Chang, Bobby Flay, Johnny Iuzzini, and countless other food celebrities of the early 2000’s. Her position allowed her access to a life she never expected; the lavish parties, the tasting courses, the wildly expensive wines – the rare world we see romanticized in countless movies and television shows. But the thing about being invisible is that people forget you’re there, and most act differently when they think no one is looking.  In Cellar Rat, Selinger chronicles her rise and fall in the restaurant business, beginning with the gritty hometown pub where she fell in love with the industry and ending with her final post serving celebrities at the Hamptons classic Nick & Toni’s. In between, readers will join Selinger on her emotional journey as she learns the joys of fine fine dining, the allure and danger of power, and what it takes to walk away from a career you love when it no longer serves you.