Books published by LUME BOOKS

'The stoic, detached, empirical, hard-boiled, penetrating, realist mind of James Burnham is something to behold, to admire, to emulate' - National Review¿¿¿¿¿A classic work of political theory and practise, this book makes available an account of the modern Machiavellians, a remarkable group who have been influential in Europe and practically unknown in the United States: Gaetano Mosca, Georges Sorel, Robert Michels and Vilfredo Pareto. In addition, there is a long section on Machiavelli himself.James Burnham contends that the writings of these men hold the key both to the truth about politics and to the preservation of political liberty.

Chink is the acclaimed biography of the brilliant soldier who outwitted Rommel at the First Battle of Alamein and helped turn the tide for the British army - only to fall into disgrace and obscurity.

UPDATED EDITION WITH NEW INSIGHTSThe first Special Boat Services memoir written from the inside...The SBS was first into battle a month before the SAS in the Falklands War and again in the Gulf War, yet hitherto it is the SAS that has had by far the higher profile. The SBS draws its manpower solely from the Marine Commando Units, and the Royal Marines are the oldest and most battle-honoured regiment in the world.First Into Action tells how Duncan Falconer was recruited into the SBS at Poole in Dorset weeks after completing Royal Marines training. Several years later he joined the top secret 14th Intelligence Detachment in Northern Ireland. The book graphically describes the ruthless regimen of the SBS selection course and includes revelatory accounts of Special Forces operations in Ulster, the Falklands and the Gulf War. It also describes the intense rivalry between the SAS's individualist mentality and the more team-based, Marine ethos of the SBS.'A must for military buffs' - Manchester Evening News

When City Girl first stepped into the Square Mile she had no idea of the fight she would face. Confessions of a City Girl tells us what really went wrong, and explains why girls are the only ones who can put it right.

'This fun read dishes on what it's like to live with your head in the clouds - from in-flight fist fights to sneaky shenanigans' - CosmopolitanThe secrets of the Mile High Club revealed...Mandy Smith spent twelve years strutting down the aisles as one of Richard Branson's sexy and sassy flight attendants.From dealing with projectile vomit and celebrity tantrums to sipping Manhattans and shopping in New York, this inside account is riotous good fun. Set against a backdrop of exotic locations, the cast of zany characters includes everyone from Courtney Love to Sir Richard himself. Mandy's jet-setting job allowed her to search the globe for Mr Right, which led her to many steamy love affairs.In Cabin Fever Mandy Smith tells the good, the bad and the downright naughty tales of life in the air.

Max Hadfield is surprised to learn that his wife is expecting a baby. After all, he has secretly had a vasectomy.This is just the first of a series of blows that start to rain down upon him. His chain of dress shops that was intended to lift him to the heights of prosperity is feeling the chill winds of recession, and his teenage son has decided to make a mysterious trip to Spain instead of launching himself on the career that his parents expected.His two drinking companions, Alec, a headmaster, and Laurie, a swashbuckling businessman, also find that middle age doesn't bring them peace. Alec for years has secretly been living in sin, and Laurie is married to an aggressive lady who thinks nothing of clipping off his moustache while he sleeps, or serving him a dog-food omelette.Worst of all, the three of them discover that the years spent being devoted parents have not produced the fine young offspring that they had set their hearts on. So what can the future hold for Max, with a child of unknown provenance on the way?At least there is always the solace of the Comedy Hotel.