Other books that might interest you

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  Spy Princess - The Life of Noor...

  Shrabani Basu

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  This is the riveting story of Noor Inayat Khan, the descendant of an Indian Prince Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, who became a British secret agent for SOE during World War II. Born into an illustrious Indian family in 1914 and brought up in the non-violent Sufi religion, Noor seemed an unlikely secret agent. Yet she became the first female radio operator to be landed in enemy-occupied France, and refused to abandon her post in Paris in 1943, continuing her work under extremely dangerous circumstances. 
   
   
   
  Shrabani Basu tells the moving story of Noor's life from her birth in Moscow—where her father was a Sufi preacher—to her capture by the Germans. Noor was one of only three women SOE awarded the George Cross and, under torture, revealed nothing but her name—but not her real name, nor her code name, just the name she used to register at SOE: Nora Baker. 
   
   
   
  Kept in solitary confinement, chained between hand and feet, and unable to walk upright, Noor existed on bowls of soup made from potato peelings. Ten months after she was captured, she was taken to Dachau and, on September 13, 1944, she was shot. Her last word was "Liberte."

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  You'll Be Sor-ree! - A...

  Sid Phillips

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  Sid Phillips knew he was a long way from his home in Mobile, Alabama, when he plunged into the jungles of Guadalcanal in August 1942. A mortarman with the same company of the 1st Marine Division as Helmet for My Pillow author Robert Leckie, Sid was a seventeen-year-old kid when he entered combat. By the time he returned home some two years later, the island fighting on Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester had turned him into a man and an "Old Timer" by Marine standards. 
  In this true story, Sid recalls his encounters with icons like Chesty Puller, General Vandergrift, Eleanor Roosevelt, and his boyhood friend Eugene Sledge, author of With the Old Breed. He remembers fighting in the battle of the Tenaru (Alligator Creek), the struggle for Henderson Field, bombardments by Japanese battleships, the brutality of the tropics, and the haunting notion of being surrounded and expendable. This is the story of how Sid stood shoulder to shoulder with his Marine brothers to discover the strength and faith necessary to survive the dark, early days of World War II in the Pacific.

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  The Blogfather - The Best of...

  Iain Dale

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  "Iain Dale's Diary caught the beginning of the great blog wave and rode it until Twitter became the dominant form of digital communication. Dale was key in transforming British political comment - melding political convictions, personal views, gossip and emotional honesty. His diary of the Westminster Village quickly built up hundreds of thousands of readers and became a must for those on the inside and those on the outside as well. Dale had something for everyone and not just political geeks: chance encounters, domestic dramas, the travails of supporting West Ham, and even the joys of walking the dog. We miss it. Read all about it in The Blogfather, an offer you shouldn't refuse." - Adam Boulton

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  Dolly Parton - In Her Own Words

  Suzanne Sonnier

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  A collection of quotations from one of America’s most beloved cultural icons. 
   
  Curated from Dolly Parton’s numerous public statements—interviews, speeches, social media posts, and more—this is a comprehensive picture of her legacy as a musician, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Since her career began in the Nashville music scene of the 1960s, Parton has become revered for her work as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, selling over one hundred million records and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. And beyond her musical achievements, she co-owns the Dollywood Company and is renowned for the philanthropic work of her Dollywood Foundation. 
   
  This collection is a look into the inner workings of the woman known for penning such hits as “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” and “9 to 5.” Now, for the first time, you can find Parton’s most inspirational, thought-provoking quotes in one place, providing an intimate and direct look into the mind of this legendary woman.

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  The Boys of Winter - The Perfect...

  Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot

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  England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story.The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness - everyone knows where they were during that iconic moment on the 22nd November 2003. Twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever. There is still no modern player as beloved as Jonny Wilkinson, no captain as celebrated and respected as Martin Johnson, and no coach as revered as Sir Clive Woodward. And there is no one with the aura and drive of Lawrence Dallaglio.In The Boys of Winter, Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moment.But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of those involved, for better or worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win- Takes you inside the dressing room and onto the pitch for this historic moment- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players- Explores why this success has never been repeatedThis is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.The audiobook features exclusive content with Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot.

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  Becoming Spectacular - The...

  Jennifer Jones

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  The first African American Rockette charts her journey to one of the world's most celebrated dance troupes in this gripping memoir that, for the first time, goes behind the velvet curtains at Radio City's legendary holiday show.  
  “Smashing through glass windows and paving the way for others requires a special blend of bravery and perseverance. Being a pioneer involves breaking down stubborn barriers, challenging closed-minded people and navigating through instances of racism and prejudice. This journey often included facing ongoing resistance from individuals who were unwilling to embrace change. It’s believing in your dream—that you can be and do whatever it is that you love.”—Jennifer Jones 
  The Radio City Rockettes are as American as baseball, hot dogs, and the Fourth of July. Their legendary synchronized leg kicks, precise lines, and megawatt smiles have charmed audiences for a century. But there is a hidden side to this illustrious national institution. When the Rockettes began in 1925, Black people were not allowed to dance on stage with white people. However, during the Civil Rights Movement, dance history changed significantly when Black and white dancers were permitted to perform together, marking a moment of progress and inclusivity in the world of dance and entertainment. Even so, as late as the early 1980s, Rockette director Violet Holmes said having “one or two Black girls in the line would definitely distract.” 
  In 1987 the 63-year color barrier at Radio City was finally broken by one brave and tenacious woman. When she arrived, Jennifer Jones was met with pushback—a fierce resistance she details in this intimate and inspiring memoir. After overcoming seemingly impossible odds to join the line of The Rockettes, a PR director summoned the Black dancer to her hotel room and announced, “You’re old news, nobody cares about you, your story or anything about you. You're just lucky to be here.” 
  Those words would haunt this shy, insecure biracial woman, who had always felt like an outsider. 
  Like Gelsey Kirkland’s iconic Dancing on My Grave, Becoming Spectacular allows us to walk in Jones’ tap shoes—beautiful and glittering, yet painful and binding. Bringing into focus the wounded life of a trailblazer, this searing memoir is also a triumphant celebration of a spirit who refused to be counted out.

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