We're constantly told the same things about the monarchy:
But the monarchy is good for tourism..
It isn't! Evidence points to some royal weddings actually having a negative impact on inbound tourism.
But the monarchy makes a big difference to charity..
Of the approx. 1,200 charities with a royal patron, 74% had no contact with their patron during the preceding year.
But everyone loves the monarchy..
A January 2023 poll showed support for the monarchy is down 55 percent.
It's wrong in principle and it doesn't work in practice. It doesn't have to be this way.
They say Britain should be proud to have the mother of parliaments, to be a shining beacon of democracy and an example to other nations. But there's an elephant in the room.
At the heart of power is a single family. They weren't elected but they live off the public purse. They aren't accountable to anyone, and yet between them they are privy to more government secrets than many cabinet ministers. Divinely appointed using a special hat, the head of the family is your superior, you his subject. Apparently he is guardian of our constitution - but we're also told he wouldn't dream of interfering in politics.
If you accept the monarchy, you must accept the moral compromise that comes with it, from its erosion of the principle of equality to the secret interference in our laws. But the good news is that we don't have to accept it. True democracy is within our reach.
We're constantly told the same things about the monarchy:
But the monarchy is good for tourism..
It isn't! Evidence points to some royal weddings actually having a…
We all long to live a fulfilled and happy life – a life that offers us love and opportunity, independence and hope. Sadly, for many people struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and addiction, recovery and a future full of potential may seem to be unachievable goals.
In The Life Well Lived Professor Jim Lucey focuses on how a range of contemporary therapies can provide pathways to recovery. Through insightful case histories, he also explores issues such as stigma and other barriers to recovery, the true meaning of wellness, and how the rediscovery of a life of independence and social connection is not only possible but entirely achievable.
Positive and optimistic, The Life Well Lived shines a light into the psychotherapeutic world – a world which is so often feared and misunderstood.
We all long to live a fulfilled and happy life – a life that offers us love and opportunity, independence and hope. Sadly, for many people struggling with mental health problems…
The No.1 bestselling novel from one of Ireland's most loved writers!
With the threat of the First World War looming, tension simmers under the surface of Ireland.
Bright, beautiful and intelligent, the Gifford sisters Grace, Muriel and Nellie kick against the conventions of their privileged, wealthy Anglo-Irish background and their mother Isabella's expectations.
As War erupts across Europe, the spirited sisters soon find themselves caught up in Ireland's struggle for freedom.
Muriel falls deeply in love with writer Thomas MacDonagh, artist Grace meets the enigmatic Joe Plunkett - both leaders of 'The Rising' - while Nellie joins 'The Citizen Army' and takes up arms to fight alongside Countess Markievicz in the rebellion.
On Easter Monday 1916, the Rising begins, and the world of the Gifford sisters and everyone they hold dear is torn apart in a fight that is destined for tragedy.
The No.1 bestselling novel from one of Ireland's most loved writers!
With the threat of the First World War looming, tension simmers under the surface of Ireland.
Bright,…
The No.1 bestselling novel of the Great Irish Famine from one of Ireland's most beloved writers
Ireland's hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight that strikes terror in the heart of its people.
1845. Seamstress Mary Sullivan's dreams of a better future are shattered as she looks out over their ruined crop. Refusing to give in to despair, she must use every ounce of courage and strength to protect her family as they fight to survive.
Dr Dan Donovan is Medical Officer to the Skibbereen Union. The arrival of 'The Hunger' soon brings starving men, women and children crowding into the town and the workhouse, desperate for assistance.
Fr John Fitzpatrick's faith is tested by the suffering that surrounds him as his pleas for help fall on deaf ears.
Inspired by true Irish heroes, The Hungry Road is the heartbreaking story of the Great Irish Famine told by one of Ireland's best loved writers.
The No.1 bestselling novel of the Great Irish Famine from one of Ireland's most beloved writers
Ireland's hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight…
Pioneering study of the science behind quantum computing and what the new quantum reality will mean for mankind
The quantum computer is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Pioneering physicists are on the brink of unlocking a new quantum universe which provides a better representation of reality than our everyday experiences and common sense ever could. The birth of quantum computers – which, like Schrцdinger’s famous ‘dead and alive’ cat, rely on entities like electrons, photons or atoms existing in two states at the same time – is set to turn the computing world on its head.
In his fascinating study of this cutting-edge technology, John Gribbin updates his previous views on the nature of quantum reality, arguing for a universe of many parallel worlds where ‘everything is real’. Looking back to Alan Turing’s work on the Enigma machine and the first electronic computer, Gribbin explains how quantum theory developed to make quantum computers work in practice as well as in principle. He takes us beyond the arena of theoretical physics to explore their practical applications – from machines which learn through ‘intuition’ and trial and error to unhackable laptops and smartphones. And he investigates the potential for this extraordinary science to create a world where communication occurs faster than light and teleportation is possible.
Pioneering study of the science behind quantum computing and what the new quantum reality will mean for mankind
The quantum computer is no longer the stuff of science fiction.…
You never know where danger may come from...
6.45 am. A sweltering London rush hour. And in the last 27 minutes, seven people have been murdered.
In a series of coordinated attacks, seven men and women across London have been targeted. For journalist Famie Madden, the horror unfolds as she arrives for the morning shift.
The victims have one thing in common: they make up the investigations team at the news agency where Famie works. The question everyone’s asking: what were they working on that could prompt such brutal devastation?
As Famie starts to receive mysterious messages, she must find out whether she is being warned of the next attack, or being told that she will be the next victim...
You never know where danger may come from...
6.45 am. A sweltering London rush hour. And in the last 27 minutes, seven people have been murdered.
In a series of coordinated…
Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) adores Christmas. It's always the same - Mum and Dad hosting, carols playing, Mum pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the next-door neighbours coming round for sherry in their terrible festive jumpers.
And now it's even easier with online bargain-shopping sites - if you spend enough you even get free delivery. Sorted!
But this year looks set to be different. Unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocado, Becky's parents are moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch and have asked Becky if she'll host Christmas this year. What could possibly go wrong?
With sister Jess demanding a vegan turkey, husband Luke determined that he just wants aftershave again, and little Minnie insisting on a very specific picnic hamper - surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old boyfriend and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear . . .
Will chaos ensue, or will Becky manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas?
Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) adores Christmas. It's always the same - Mum and Dad hosting, carols playing, Mum pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the next-door…
THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'A directory of wonders.' - The Guardian
'Jaw-dropping.' - The Times
'Classic, wry, gleeful Bryson...an entertaining and absolutely fact-rammed book.' - The Sunday Times
'It is a feat of narrative skill to bake so many facts into an entertaining and nutritious book.' - The Daily Telegraph
'We spend our whole lives in one body and yet most of us have practically no idea how it works and what goes on inside it. The idea of the book is simply to try to understand the extraordinary contraption that is us.'
Bill Bryson sets off to explore the human body, how it functions and its remarkable ability to heal itself. Full of extraordinary facts and astonishing stories The Body: A Guide for Occupants is a brilliant, often very funny attempt to understand the miracle of our physical and neurological make up.
A wonderful successor to A Short History of Nearly Everything, this new book is an instant classic. It will have you marvelling at the form you occupy, and celebrating the genius of your existence, time and time again.
'What I learned is that we are infinitely more complex and wondrous, and often more mysterious, than I had ever suspected. There really is no story more amazing than the story of us.' Bill Bryson
THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'A directory of wonders.' - The Guardian
'Jaw-dropping.' - The Times
'Classic, wry, gleeful Bryson...an entertaining and absolutely…
Three witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - have gathered on a lonely heath. A king has been cruelly murdered, his throne usurped by his ambitious cousin. An infant heir and the crown of the kingdom, both missing . . .
Witches don't have these kind of dynastic problems themselves - in fact, they don't have leaders.
Granny Weatherwax was the most highly-regarded of the leaders the witches don't have. But even she found that meddling in royal politics was a lot more complicated than certain playwrights would have you believe . . .
Three witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - have gathered on a lonely heath. A king has been cruelly murdered, his throne usurped by his ambitious cousin. An…
The irresistible new standalone from Sophie Kinsella is a story of love, empowerment and an IOU that changes everything . . .
Fixie Farr can't help herself. Straightening a crooked object, removing a barely-there stain, helping out a friend . . . she just has to put things right. It's how she got her nickname, after all.
So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees, she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her, the computer's owner, Sebastian, scribbles her an IOU - but of course, Fixie never intends to call in the favour.
That is, until her teenage crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and needs her help. Fixie turns to Seb - but things don't go according to plan and now Fixie owes Seb: big time.
Soon the pair are caught up in a series of IOUs - from small favours to life-changing debts - and Fixie is torn between her past and the future she deserves.
Does she have the courage to fix things for herself and fight for the life, and love, she really wants?
The irresistible new standalone from Sophie Kinsella is a story of love, empowerment and an IOU that changes everything . . .
Fixie Farr can't help herself. Straightening a…
Мрачный Жнец каждому приносит покой. Морту он принёс предложение о работе.
Смерть, скелет в чёрных одеждах и с косой, должен пожинать души. В этом суть его… жизни.
Он большой любитель котов, но человечество вызывает в нём недоумение. В какой-то момент он решает ознакомиться с понятием человечности поближе, но для этого ему нужно нанять кого-то себе в помощь.
От этого предложения Морт не может отказаться. В качестве ученика Смерти он получит бесплатное питание и доступ к корпоративному коню, а быть мёртвым вовсе не обязательно. Это работа мечты - до тех пор, пока он не обнаруживает, что она может стать убийцей в его личной жизни...
«Мор, ученик смерти», роман из цикла «Плоский мир» одного из самых ярких писателей жанра фэнтези, Терри Пратчетта, станет великолепным подарком для поклонников творчества автора.
Роман открывает серию книг о Смерти.
Книга на английском языке.
One of the new PB editions of three classic Discworld titles introducing new readers to the wonderful world of Terry Pratchett.
Death comes to us all. When he came to Mort, he offered him a job.
Henceforth, Death is no longer going to be the end, merely the means to an end. It's an offer Mort can't refuse. As Death's apprentice he'll have free board, use of the company horse - and being dead isn't compulsory. It's a dream job - until he discovers that it can be a killer on his love life...
Мрачный Жнец каждому приносит покой. Морту он принёс предложение о работе.
Смерть, скелет в чёрных одеждах и с косой, должен пожинать души. В этом суть его… жизни.
Он большой…
Плоский Мир – это диск, покоящийся на спинах четырёх слонов, которые стоят на спине Великого А`туина, черепахи, плывущей в бесконечной пустоте космоса. А ещё это самое смешное место во всей вселенной.
«Для Анк-Морпорка в часы ненастий такая толпа была обычным делом. Половина из них пришла сюда жаловаться, четверть – поглазеть на первую половину, а остальные – чтобы воровать, продавать хот-доги и просто докучать окружающим».
В Анк-Морпорке зреет восстание. Богатые притесняют бедных, бедные мешают богатым.
Капитан ночной стражи города Сэм Ваймс к такому уже привык, но даже у него рука к бутылке тянется. Больше, чем обычно. Ко всему, какие-то проходимцы умудрились раздобыть ключ от давно забытого, страшного оружия, которого сами толком не понимают, и теперь весь город окутан страхом и хаосом.
Похоже, пришла пора Ваймсу протрезветь.
Подарочное издание романа «Стража! Стража!» из цикла «Плоский мир» станет великолепным подарком для преданных поклонников творчества автора.
Роман открывает серию книг о городской страже Анк-Морпорка.
Книга на английском языке.
First book of the original and best City Watch series, now reinterpreted in BBC's The Watch
'Vimes ran a practised eye over the assortment before him. It was the usual Ankh-Morpork mob in times of crisis; half of them were here to complain, a quarter of them were here to watch the other half, and the remainder were here to rob, importune or sell hotdogs to the rest.'
Insurrection is in the air in Ankh-Morpork. The Haves and Have-Nots are about to fall out all over again. Captain Sam Vimes of the city's ramshackle Night Watch is used to this. It's enough to drive a man to drink. Well, to drink more. But this time, something is different - the Have-Nots have found the key to a dormant, lethal weapon that even they don't fully understand, and they're about to unleash a campaign of terror on the city. Time for Captain Vimes to sober up.
Плоский Мир – это диск, покоящийся на спинах четырёх слонов, которые стоят на спине Великого А`туина, черепахи, плывущей в бесконечной пустоте космоса. А ещё это самое смешное…
You know you're a grown-up when...
·You become impatient while scrolling down to your year of birth.
· You’ve lost and gained the same 10lbs so many times you now regard it as an old friend.
· Your parents have stopped trying to change you.
· You don't want to be with the cool people anymore; you want to be with your people.
· You know that 'Soul mate' i
You know you're a grown-up when...
·You become impatient while scrolling down to your year of birth.
· You’ve lost and gained the same 10lbs so many times you now…
What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she'd normally avoid at all costs? Jessica Pan is going to find out. When she found herself jobless and friendless, sitting in the familiar Jess-shaped crease on her sofa, she couldn't help but wonder what life might have looked like if she had been a little more open to new experiences and new people, a little less attached to going home instead of going to the pub. So, she made a vow: to push herself to live the life of an extrovert for a year. She wrote a list: improv, a solo holiday and... talking to strangers on the tube. She regretted it instantly. Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come follows Jess's hilarious and painful year of misadventures in extroverting, reporting back from the frontlines for all the introverts out there. But is life actually better or easier for the extroverts? Or is it the nightmare Jess always thought it would be?
What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she'd normally…
How does our diet affect our skin? What makes the skin age? And why can't we tickle ourselves?
Perched on the exterior of our delicate and intricate bodies, the skin is our largest and fastest-growing organ. We see it, touch it and live in it every day. It's a habitat for a mesmerizingly complex world of micro-organisms, its physical functions are vital to our health and indeed our survival, and it's crucial to our sense of identity. Yet how much do we really know about it?
Through the lenses of science, sociology and history, Dr Monty Lyman leads us on a journey through the comedy, tragedy and exquisite humanity of our most underrated and overlooked organ. By delving into something that seems so familiar, he reveals how the skin is far stranger and much more complex than you've ever imagined, making it impossible ever again to take your skin for granted.
How does our diet affect our skin? What makes the skin age? And why can't we tickle ourselves?
Perched on the exterior of our delicate and intricate bodies, the skin is our…
'The decision to publish this book has been very difficult, and taken with heavy hearts ... My reason for writing it is simple: to give an account of the truth ... Writing this memoir has entailed recording some very personal, intimate and emotional aspects of our lives. Sharing these with strangers does not come easily to me, but if I hadn't done so I would not have felt the book gave as full a picture as it is possible for me to give. As with every action we have taken over the last five years, it ultimately boils down to whether what we are doing could help us to find Madeleine. When the answer to that question is yes, or even possibly, our family can cope with anything ... Nothing is more important to us than finding our little girl.'Kate McCann
'The decision to publish this book has been very difficult, and taken with heavy hearts ... My reason for writing it is simple: to give an account of the truth ... Writing this…
Эмоционально насыщенный, остроумный роман автора бестселлера номер один Софи Кинселлы о любви и выживании в длительных отношениях — и о том, как те, кого, как нам кажется, мы знаем лучше всех, порой нас больше всего удивляют…
Прожив вместе десять лет, Сильвия и Дэн обзавелись уютным домом, хорошей работой, красивыми девочками-близняшками и общаются так непринужденно, что заканчивают предложения друг за друга. У них счастливый брак, и они верят, что знают друг о друге все, что только можно знать. Пока в разговоре с ними случайно не упоминается, что они могли бы быть вместе еще шестьдесят восемь лет... и начинается паника.
Они быстро решают преподносить друг другу маленькие сюрпризы, чтобы их отношения оставались свежими и веселыми. Но в процессе реализации проекта «Удиви меня» — от неожиданных подарков до свиданий в ресторане и фотосессий — возникают проблемы, которые приводят к катастрофическим и комичным последствиям. Постепенно сюрпризы превращаются в шокирующие открытия. И когда всплывает скандал из прошлого, они начинают задаваться вопросом, а знали ли они когда-нибудь друг друга по-настоящему...
Книга Софи Кинселлы «Удиви меня» — отличный подарок любителям легких теплых и оптимистичных увлекательных историй.
Книга на английском языке.
Number One Bestselling Author Sophie Kinsella's emotionally charged, witty new standalone novel about love and long-term relationship survival - and how those we think we know best can sometimes surprise us the most . . .
After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it's casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years... and panic sets in.
They quickly decide to create little surprises for each other, to keep their relationship fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me - anything from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to photo shoots - mishaps arise with disastrous and comical results.
Gradually, the surprises turn to shocking discoveries. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all...
'Left me giddy with laughter. I loved it' JOJO MOYES
'One of the most relatable books I've read in a long time, I couldn't put it down.' LOUISE PENTLAND (SprinkleofGlitter)
'Life doesn't get much better than a new Sophie Kinsella novel' RED
Эмоционально насыщенный, остроумный роман автора бестселлера номер один Софи Кинселлы о любви и выживании в длительных отношениях — и о том, как те, кого, как нам кажется, мы…
1925, a damp wintry night in Berlin. Englishman Philip Gibson, in Germany to seek the answers to a tantalising mystery surrounding the Grand Duchess Anastasia, witnesses an attack on Natasha, a young woman who has fled from Russia. When Philip takes the fragile, lonely Natasha in to help her recuperate, she quickly falls for his kind and caring nature. But when further threats are made on her life, Philip finds himself at the heart of another mystery. What is it that links Natasha to this mysterious, damaged woman? And will her love for Philip survive the secrets that will be unearthed?
1925, a damp wintry night in Berlin. Englishman Philip Gibson, in Germany to seek the answers to a tantalising mystery surrounding the Grand Duchess Anastasia, witnesses an attack…
THE PERFECT GIFT FOR DOG LOVERS.We all know that dogs have personalities as colourful and unique as any human. They can be confident and dominant – born leaders – or shy and timid. They can be obedient, laid back, cheeky or stubborn. They can be prima donnas, stroppy so-and-sos or lazy sods – just like us.With so many characters you’ll recognise, and based on the Instagram account with hundreds of thousands of followers, Dog Personalities reveals ours canine counterparts, all with imaginative backstories and photographs guaranteed to make you smile.
THE PERFECT GIFT FOR DOG LOVERS.We all know that dogs have personalities as colourful and unique as any human. They can be confident and dominant – born leaders – or shy and…
Since his first book was published in 2012, The Secret Footballer has been able to take the reader behind the scenes of footballers' lives like no other player has been able, or will ever be able, to do. Anonymity has been a potent weapon in revealing the real world of football stars, and five years on, he has now penned the work that all his fellow professionals have been urging him to do from the start, The Secret Footballer: What Goes on Tour. And it isn't going to stay on tour any more. From Marbella and Ibiza to Dubai and Las Vegas, The Secret Footballer lays bare the worst, most embarrassing and most hilarious excesses of these fit and mostly fickle young men whose million-pound salaries, to use his own words, 'open up a host of recreational opportunities'. Fuelled by rampaging desires for sex, drugs, booze and rock'n'roll, these footballers think up ever more extreme ways of splashing the cash, and needless to say, it doesn't always end well.
Since his first book was published in 2012, The Secret Footballer has been able to take the reader behind the scenes of footballers' lives like no other player has been able, or…
