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Professional HD 12X50 binoculars: 12x magnification professional 50 mm wide angle lens, wide field of view 374 feet/1,000 square metres, with the large eyepiece you can see at a glance and have the greatest pleasure of being close to the world. You can use binoculars in low light conditions, but not in completely dark environments. High quality accessories and HD vision: Compact binoculars with large BAK-4 prisms and multi-layer lenses and eyepieces guarantee high definition vision. It is a key element for clear vision and clear images. Ensures good light transmission and brightness for sharper vision. Even in the evening you always have a good experience designed for outdoor activities. Lightweight mobile phone and lightweight focus: Binoculars offer an adjustable phone holder that is compatible with all brands of smartphones. Night vision binoculars with adjustable width for adults and children. With a central focus ring and dioptre setting, you can easily focus on the target. Suitable for bird watching, hunting, sporting events, concerts. Portable and 3-proof: Binoculars can be taken with you for easy carrying. When you are busy, you can hang it around your neck. The sealed design is waterproof and anti-fog. The rubber handle is non-slip and very durable, can withstand light water, but can not be submerged in water for a long time.

A riveting and stylish saga set in Paris during World War II, The Art Spy uncovers how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world's most treasured masterpieces. On August 25, 1944, Rose Valland, a woman of quiet daring, found herself in a desperate position. From the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum, where she had worked and ultimately spied, she could see the battle to liberate Paris thundering around her. The Jeu de Paume, co-opted by Nazi leadership, was now the Germans’ final line of defense. Would the museum curator be killed before she could tell the truth—a story that would mean nothing less than saving humanity’s cultural inheritance? Based on troves of previously undiscovered documents, The Art Spy chronicles the brave actions of the key Resistance spy in the heart of the Nazi’s art looting headquarters in the French capital. A veritable female Monuments Man, Valland has, until now, been written out of the annals, despite bearing witness to history’s largest art theft. While Hitler was amassing stolen art for his future Führermuseum, Valland, his undercover adversary, secretly worked to stop him. At every stage of World War II, Valland was front and center. She came face to face with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, passed crucial information to the Resistance network, put herself deliberately in harm’s way to protect the museum and her staff, and faced death during the last hours of Liberation Day. At the same time, a young Free French soldier, Alexandre Rosenberg , was fighting his way to Paris with the Allied forces battling to liberate France. Alexandre's father was the exclusive art dealer for Picasso, Matisse, George Braque, and Fernand Léger. The Nazis had taken everything from their family—their art collection, their nationality, their gallery, and their home in Paris. Vivid and atmospheric, The Art Spy moves from the glittering days of pre-War Paris, home to geniuses of modern culture, including Picasso, Josephine Baker, Coco Chanel, Le Corbusier, and Frida Kahlo, through the tension-riddled cities and resorts of Europe on the eve of war, to the harrowing years of the Nazi occupation of France when brave people such as Valland and Rosenberg risked everything to fight monstrous evil. In the spirit of Hidden Figures, with the sweeping narrative of The Rape of Europa and the depth of The Resistance Quartet, The Art Spy is an extraordinary tale of a female hero whose courage and tenacity in a time of violence and terror is an inspiration for us all.

A collection of the most famous cases faced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's peerless creation, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes contains an introduction by Iain Pears and notes by Ed Glinert in Penguin Classics. This collection includes many of the famous cases - and great strokes of brilliance - that made the legendary Sherlock Holmes one of fiction's most popular creations. With his devoted amanuensis Dr Watson, Holmes emerges from his smoke filled room in Baker Street to grapple with the forces of treachery, intrigue and evil in such cases as 'The Speckled Band', in which a terrified woman begs their help in solving the mystery surrounding her sister's death, or 'A Scandal in Bohemia', which portrays a European king blackmailed by his mistress. In 'Silver Blaze' the pair investigate the disappearance of a racehorse and the violent murder of its trainer, while in 'The Final Problem' Holmes at last comes face to face with his nemesis, the diabolical Professor Moriarty - 'the Napoleon of crime'. In his introduction, Iain Pears discusses characterization, the key themes of the stories and Victorian methods of deduction. This edition also includes a chronology, further reading and explanatory notes by Ed Glinert, author of The London Compendium. Edinburgh-born Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) took a degree in medicine at Edinburgh University before becoming a doctor in Southsea. He began writing detective stories to supplement his income and 'A Study in Scarlet' (1887) introduced his finest creation, the hawk-eyed detective, Sherlock Holmes. If you enjoyed The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, you might like Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone, also available in Penguin Classics. 'Arthur Conan Doyle is unique ... Personally, I would walk a mile in tight boots to read him to the milkman' Stephen Fry

A collection of the most famous cases faced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's peerless creation, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes contains an introduction by Iain Pears and notes by Ed Glinert in Penguin Classics. This collection includes many of the famous cases - and great strokes of brilliance - that made the legendary Sherlock Holmes one of fiction's most popular creations. With his devoted amanuensis Dr Watson, Holmes emerges from his smoke filled room in Baker Street to grapple with the forces of treachery, intrigue and evil in such cases as 'The Speckled Band', in which a terrified woman begs their help in solving the mystery surrounding her sister's death, or 'A Scandal in Bohemia', which portrays a European king blackmailed by his mistress. In 'Silver Blaze' the pair investigate the disappearance of a racehorse and the violent murder of its trainer, while in 'The Final Problem' Holmes at last comes face to face with his nemesis, the diabolical Professor Moriarty - 'the Napoleon of crime'. In his introduction, Iain Pears discusses characterization, the key themes of the stories and Victorian methods of deduction. This edition also includes a chronology, further reading and explanatory notes by Ed Glinert, author of The London Compendium. Edinburgh-born Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) took a degree in medicine at Edinburgh University before becoming a doctor in Southsea. He began writing detective stories to supplement his income and 'A Study in Scarlet' (1887) introduced his finest creation, the hawk-eyed detective, Sherlock Holmes. If you enjoyed The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, you might like Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone, also available in Penguin Classics. 'Arthur Conan Doyle is unique ... Personally, I would walk a mile in tight boots to read him to the milkman' Stephen Fry

'Here is the absolute truth about love, told with wisdom, heart and humour. So clever, funny and life-affirming' Meg Mason 'Funny and heartbreaking, immersive and thoroughly satisfying' Nina Stibbe There are already three of us in this marriage. I'm not sure there is room for a fourth . . . Ann is a reluctant Vicar's wife. She tries her best but her husband only has eyes for God, her son is asking questions she struggles to answer, and it is all too easy to displease the congregation. It may only be a matter of time before she makes the headlines of the local gazette: Vicar's wife gets giggles in church. Vicar's wife refuses to bake scones. Vicar's wife does not care about other people. When her brother needs her help, Ann travels from Cornwall up to London. There she meets Jamie, and a new world unexpectedly opens up. Ann knows what the older women of the parish would say - she's made her bed and now she has to lie in it. But once she has been led into temptation, it may prove impossible to resist . . . The funny and heartbreaking new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink, Ordinary Time is an unforgettable story of the joys and sorrows of everyday life; one that asks big questions about friendship and marriage, forgiveness and redemption, and the real meaning of love. 'Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Cathy Rentzenbrink is so astute and observant about the small dramas, disappointments and compromises of marriage, and the deadening effects of duty . . . incredibly moving' Clare Chambers 'A very special book . . . She makes the everyday profound like Anne Tyler does. Melancholy interiority meets great capacity for joy. A beautiful, beautiful book about love in all its forms' Marian Keyes

Raymond Bannister is a wealthy man living a secure life. He is found slashed down in a dirty alleyway, in a part of town he had no reason to be in. The crime and the crimescene are inexplicable to Chief Inspector Lestrade, and he seeks the help of his new consultant detective, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Though this first mystery is quickly solved, it has deep connections to a far larger, and far grimmer case. We are lead back in time, to India, and the disturbing origins of a group of children who call themselves 'the Irregulars'. Can this be the key to Sherlock Holme's identity? And who is the new, mysterious and cruel new player who has entered the London underworld? His signature is just theletter M. Meanwhile the emotions between Missy Hudson and John Watson are stirring, as a certain Mary Morstan comes knocking at their door on Baker Street. Listen to the second installment of the Becoming Sherlock series. What listeners have said: - 'As good as the previous novel Twisting plot. Excellent narration. This second novel builds on the characterisations of the first and fleshes out some of the 'Sherlock' backstory. However, it leaves enough unexplained to make you want to move on to novel number three.' - 'Excellent narration and brought new dimensions to familiar characters I enjoyed the other Anthony Horowitz takes on Sherlock, Moriarty and the House of Silk were both very good and different in their own right. This again is familiar but different.' - 'Riveting Hope there is a book 3 as I will be very disappointed if I cannot hear more of these dystopian adventures' - 'A very clever concept perfectly executed. This is clever stuff. Apocalyptic London. Re-imagined Watson & Holmes. A solid storyline. Intriguing characters. Hugely enjoyed both the books in this series. More please.'

As someone who juggles many jobs between being a doctor, a personal trainer and an author, I understand how difficult it can be to prioritise food and eating well. I wanted to create a collection of beautiful recipes that are not only nutritious and great tasting, but super quick and simple to make, using only a handful of ingredients. The Fuel Up section is designed for just that - it is where you will find my recipes for grab-and-go breakfasts, lunches on the run and dinners that take less than 30 minutes to satisfy you after a long day at work! However, I truly believe that when we do have the time to cook a meal, bake some bread and sit down with friends and family to share some food, we should totally embrace those moments. This is where the Power Down section comes in: for when you're not in a hurry, I have included my chosen recipes for lazy weekend brunches, family dinners, breads and teatime treats. This is a cookbook that will help you fall in love with cooking and improve your relationship with food, so that you approach it not only as a source of nutrients, but also happiness, satisfaction and health. Hazel x Includes more than 100 recipes PLUS: - 10 'no recipe recipes' for emergency snacks + meal prep hacks for maintaining a healthy lifestyle when you're busy - an introduction to Hazel's five store-cupboard saviours, including 10 ways to cook with each one - a key for special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low sugar - nutritional advice covering the basics of nutrition, how to meet your 5-a-day and special nutritional requirements for a plant-based diet - features on how to live well for optimum health, with information on sleep, meditation, mindfulness and mindful eating

As someone who juggles many jobs between being a doctor, a personal trainer and an author, I understand how difficult it can be to prioritise food and eating well. I wanted to create a collection of beautiful recipes that are not only nutritious and great tasting, but super quick and simple to make, using only a handful of ingredients. The Fuel Up section is designed for just that - it is where you will find my recipes for grab-and-go breakfasts, lunches on the run and dinners that take less than 30 minutes to satisfy you after a long day at work! However, I truly believe that when we do have the time to cook a meal, bake some bread and sit down with friends and family to share some food, we should totally embrace those moments. This is where the Power Down section comes in: for when you're not in a hurry, I have included my chosen recipes for lazy weekend brunches, family dinners, breads and teatime treats. This is a cookbook that will help you fall in love with cooking and improve your relationship with food, so that you approach it not only as a source of nutrients, but also happiness, satisfaction and health. Hazel x Includes more than 100 recipes PLUS: - 10 'no recipe recipes' for emergency snacks + meal prep hacks for maintaining a healthy lifestyle when you're busy - an introduction to Hazel's five store-cupboard saviours, including 10 ways to cook with each one - a key for special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low sugar - nutritional advice covering the basics of nutrition, how to meet your 5-a-day and special nutritional requirements for a plant-based diet - features on how to live well for optimum health, with information on sleep, meditation, mindfulness and mindful eating

As someone who juggles many jobs between being a doctor, a personal trainer and an author, I understand how difficult it can be to prioritise food and eating well. I wanted to create a collection of beautiful recipes that are not only nutritious and great tasting, but super quick and simple to make, using only a handful of ingredients. The Fuel Up section is designed for just that - it is where you will find my recipes for grab-and-go breakfasts, lunches on the run and dinners that take less than 30 minutes to satisfy you after a long day at work! However, I truly believe that when we do have the time to cook a meal, bake some bread and sit down with friends and family to share some food, we should totally embrace those moments. This is where the Power Down section comes in: for when you're not in a hurry, I have included my chosen recipes for lazy weekend brunches, family dinners, breads and teatime treats. This is a cookbook that will help you fall in love with cooking and improve your relationship with food, so that you approach it not only as a source of nutrients, but also happiness, satisfaction and health. Hazel x Includes more than 100 recipes PLUS: - 10 'no recipe recipes' for emergency snacks + meal prep hacks for maintaining a healthy lifestyle when you're busy - an introduction to Hazel's five store-cupboard saviours, including 10 ways to cook with each one - a key for special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low sugar - nutritional advice covering the basics of nutrition, how to meet your 5-a-day and special nutritional requirements for a plant-based diet - features on how to live well for optimum health, with information on sleep, meditation, mindfulness and mindful eating

"Cassell's New French-English English-French Dictionary" is a comprehensive and authoritative linguistic resource designed for students, translators, and scholars of the French and English languages. Edited by Ernest A. Baker and Frank H. Vizetelly, this classic reference work provides an extensive vocabulary across both languages, ensuring precision in cross-cultural communication and literary analysis. The work goes beyond simple definitions by including a practical key to pronunciations, which assists users in mastering the phonetic nuances of both tongues. Additionally, the volume features an expansive appendix that includes proper names, as well as essential conversion tables for weights and measures, making it a versatile tool for historical research and practical application. This dictionary represents a high standard of lexicographical scholarship, providing clear, reliable entries that remain valuable for those studying 20th-century linguistic usage. Whether utilized for academic study, professional translation, or personal enrichment, "Cassell's New French-English English-French Dictionary" stands as an indispensable companion for anyone seeking to bridge the linguistic gap between the French and English-speaking worlds. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

From the season 3 winner of MasterChef Canada and star of Mary's Kitchen Crush, Mary Berg is here to bring food, family, and friends together where all good parties start and end--the kitchen. As anyone who has ever hosted a party will know, at some point, every guest will find him or herself standing around the kitchen--maybe grabbing another drink, tasting a dish, or just chatting casually with the host and other guests. That's because the act of gathering around the comfort of a hearth is an age-old tradition, one that unifies a group of people with a home-cooked meal. But, often, a kitchen party--even if it's just a weeknight meal for two--can become overwhelming. There's the mess to deal with, the timing of the dishes, the grocery shopping and much more. In her first book, TV star and home cook Mary Berg is here to banish any inflated pomp, circumstance, and anxiety surrounding the idea of inviting people into your home. Kitchen Party: Effortless Recipes for Every Occasion is filled to the brim with family-style favorites for brunches, cocktails, dinners, and special occasions--along with some of Mary's famous baked goods and desserts, of course. You'll find over 100 simple and straightforward recipes that are grand enough for company, yet easy enough to accomplish on a regular Tuesday night. Delight in mouthwatering dishes like Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast Bake with Apple Cinnamon Syrup; Ricotta, Roasted Grape and Hazelnut Tartines; Flank Steak with Horseradish Cream; and Slablova (aka Pavlova for a Crowd). All of Mary's recipes are meant to be plunked down on a table that is groaning under the weight of delicious food and relaxed elbows. And with signature tips and suggested menu pairings for all types of occasions, from Mother's Day Brunch to a Low-Key Bridal Shower, you'll never find yourself short of ideas. Whether you're cooking for a big crowd of friends or hosting a romantic dinner for two, Mary is ready to guide you using the warmth and culinary skills that have made her so beloved among home cooks nationwide.

Don't miss Jenny's gorgeous new novel - FIVE HUNDRED MILES FROM YOU is out now 'Nobody does cosy, get-away-from-it-all romance like Jenny Colgan' Sunday Express ___________________________________ In a Cornish coastal village, a tiny bakery serves the best hot chocolate you can possibly imagine Snuggle up and escape with Jenny Colgan 'An evocative, sweet treat' Jojo Moyes 'Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting' Marian Keyes 'A cracker - the must-read this festive season' Sun 'Irresistible' Jill Mansell 'Just lovely' Katie Fforde 'Naturally funny, warm-hearted' Lisa Jewell 'A gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of book' Mike Gayle __________________________________ It's Christmas Mount Polbearne - a time for family, friends and feasting. Polly Waterford loves running the Little Beach Street Bakery. She's at her happiest when she's creating delicious treats and the festive season always inspires her to bake and knead something extra special for the village residents. In fact, the only thing she loves more than her bakery is curling up with her gorgeous boyfriend, Huckle. She's determined that this Christmas is going to be their best one yet, but life doesn't always work out as planned... When Polly's best friend Kerensa turns up with a secret that threatens the life Polly and Huckle have built together, the future begins to look uncertain. And then a face from Polly's past reappears and things become even more complicated. Polly can usually find solace in baking but she has a feeling that's not going to be enough this time. Can she get things back on track so that everyone has a merry Christmas? ____________________ Why readers ADORE Jenny Colgan 'Jenny Colgan has a way of writing that makes me melt inside' 'Her books are so good I want to start over as soon as I have finished' 'There's something so engaging about her characters and plots' 'Her books are like a big, warm blanket' 'Her stories are just so fabulous' 'She brings her settings and characters so vividly to life' 'The woman is just magic'

Don't miss Jenny's gorgeous new novel - FIVE HUNDRED MILES FROM YOU is out now 'Nobody does cosy, get-away-from-it-all romance like Jenny Colgan' Sunday Express ___________________________________ In a Cornish coastal village, a tiny bakery serves the best hot chocolate you can possibly imagine Snuggle up and escape with Jenny Colgan 'An evocative, sweet treat' Jojo Moyes 'Gorgeous, glorious, uplifting' Marian Keyes 'A cracker - the must-read this festive season' Sun 'Irresistible' Jill Mansell 'Just lovely' Katie Fforde 'Naturally funny, warm-hearted' Lisa Jewell 'A gobble-it-all-up-in-one-sitting kind of book' Mike Gayle __________________________________ It's Christmas Mount Polbearne - a time for family, friends and feasting. Polly Waterford loves running the Little Beach Street Bakery. She's at her happiest when she's creating delicious treats and the festive season always inspires her to bake and knead something extra special for the village residents. In fact, the only thing she loves more than her bakery is curling up with her gorgeous boyfriend, Huckle. She's determined that this Christmas is going to be their best one yet, but life doesn't always work out as planned... When Polly's best friend Kerensa turns up with a secret that threatens the life Polly and Huckle have built together, the future begins to look uncertain. And then a face from Polly's past reappears and things become even more complicated. Polly can usually find solace in baking but she has a feeling that's not going to be enough this time. Can she get things back on track so that everyone has a merry Christmas? ____________________ Why readers ADORE Jenny Colgan 'Jenny Colgan has a way of writing that makes me melt inside' 'Her books are so good I want to start over as soon as I have finished' 'There's something so engaging about her characters and plots' 'Her books are like a big, warm blanket' 'Her stories are just so fabulous' 'She brings her settings and characters so vividly to life' 'The woman is just magic'

From the season 3 winner of MasterChef Canada and star of Mary's Kitchen Crush, Mary Berg is here to bring food, family, and friends together where all good parties start and end--the kitchen. As anyone who has ever hosted a party will know, at some point, every guest will find him or herself standing around the kitchen--maybe grabbing another drink, tasting a dish, or just chatting casually with the host and other guests. That's because the act of gathering around the comfort of a hearth is an age-old tradition, one that unifies a group of people with a home-cooked meal. But, often, a kitchen party--even if it's just a weeknight meal for two--can become overwhelming. There's the mess to deal with, the timing of the dishes, the grocery shopping and much more. In her first book, TV star and home cook Mary Berg is here to banish any inflated pomp, circumstance, and anxiety surrounding the idea of inviting people into your home. Kitchen Party: Effortless Recipes for Every Occasion is filled to the brim with family-style favorites for brunches, cocktails, dinners, and special occasions--along with some of Mary's famous baked goods and desserts, of course. You'll find over 100 simple and straightforward recipes that are grand enough for company, yet easy enough to accomplish on a regular Tuesday night. Delight in mouthwatering dishes like Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast Bake with Apple Cinnamon Syrup; Ricotta, Roasted Grape and Hazelnut Tartines; Flank Steak with Horseradish Cream; and Slablova (aka Pavlova for a Crowd). All of Mary's recipes are meant to be plunked down on a table that is groaning under the weight of delicious food and relaxed elbows. And with signature tips and suggested menu pairings for all types of occasions, from Mother's Day Brunch to a Low-Key Bridal Shower, you'll never find yourself short of ideas. Whether you're cooking for a big crowd of friends or hosting a romantic dinner for two, Mary is ready to guide you using the warmth and culinary skills that have made her so beloved among home cooks nationwide.

'If you're a woman over 40, ever going to be a woman over 40 or you've ever met a woman over 40 you should read this book' JANE FALLON 'I NEED this book. We ALL need this book! If menopause happened to men, there would be CELEBRATIONS and parties every time one of them completed their change.' MARIAN KEYES 'A compelling voice within [the menopause] movement' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Funny, frank and empowering... a vital book for any woman who is at the beginning of her radicalisation journey, looking at her life and finally piecing together the personal and the political.' THE OBSERVER 'Sam Baker is rewriting the narrative around menopause' WOMAN & HOME 'A rollicking read' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'I loved it.. blazingly hopeful and beautifully written. This book is meant to be mainlined.' LISA TADDEO 'This gem is a guide to navigating your 40s and 50s and just generally being yourself. ... joyful, positive, and goes to ALL the places. Highly recommended.' JOJO MOYES The essential manifesto for any woman s taring the second half of their lives in the face and wondering, WTF is going on? * Invisible to society now you're past child-bearing age? * Tired of being disregarded, overlooked and underestimated? * Wondering what the hell is happening to your body, mind and internal thermostat? Women over forty are the most ignored demographic in society. And yet this is the time when you are likely to have the most freedom, power, confidence and self knowledge than ever before. Some serious life has been lived: there have been great loves, heartbreaks, births, marriages, careers, betrayals, bereavements and survival. So what now? What happens when the narrative given to you by society - husband, babies, house - runs out and you become storyless? Including chapters on menopause, sex, culture, work, rage and freedom, writer and journalist Sam Baker shares her experiences of life post 40 and shows how women to create their own story. This needn't herald the era of loose clothing and hair dye; or hot flashes and bad sleep (though there is that too). It's time women north of 40 took a leaf out of the millennial handbook and reinvented things our way. Sam hosts a podcast of the same name, now with over 50 thousand downloads. Harness your energy, opinions and power and create a liberating new narrative for the second half of life. 'I am so glad The Shift exists. Sam's writing is a wonderful generous mixture of no-bullsh*t and a comforting hug. I'll be passing this book on to many women I know and love.' EMMA GANNON 'brilliant - powerful, brimming with integrity, inspiring, the politics of anger and what it means when we refuse to be invisible. Every woman (whatever her age) should buy, borrow, lend a copy' KATE MOSSE 'This is such a painfully beautiful look at the menopause in all its complexity. As honest as it is insightful, this is the first book I've read about later womanhood that exchanges shame and fear for truth and celebration... does for 40-something women what the honest parenting movement did for mothers.' ANNA WHITEHOUSE, founder, Mother Pukka 'great pace and feisty content. It will be a great help to women to see their lives mirrored and not feel like they are going mad... bold and funny.' CARYN FRANKLIN '[Sam] tackles the menopause with her customary wit and wisdom' i PAPER 'Honest and witter account of life post-40. Makes for essential reading at any age.' - KATE WILLS, FABULOUS MAGAZINE 'Insightful, thoughtful, inspirational - impressive work.' - VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE

"...a nice overview of what the American aircraft industry was able to churn out post WWII and the rather wonderful advances made during that time frame." - Large Scale Planes In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the air forces of the United States faced unprecedented challenges. Demobilization had stripped the armed forces of millions of personnel, while the rapid transition from a wartime economy strained the aviation industry at the same time as the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) was re-established as the independent US Air Force (USAF). US Air Power 1945-1990 Volume 1: US Fighters and Fighter-Bombers 1945-1949 examines this pivotal period, analyzing the first steps the USAF took to re-establish its dominance in the skies during the early Cold War era. This volume meticulously documents the political, industrial, and technical decisions that shaped the development of the USAF's early jet fighters and fighter-bombers. It covers the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to first-generation jet designs, showcasing the radical innovations and experimental prototypes that laid the foundation for future air power. Readers will find detailed descriptions of key aircraft such as the P-80 Shooting Star, the F-86 Sabre, and the F-84 Thunderjet, which became operational despite the severe budget constraints and strategic uncertainties of the time. Author David Baker brings to light the untold stories behind these aircraft. He provides an integrated narrative that goes beyond mere type histories, weaving together the political backdrop, industrial struggles, and technological advancements that influenced the design and deployment of these pioneering jets. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how the USAF navigated the post-war landscape to emerge as a formidable force by 1949. The book also includes an appendix detailing speculative projects that never reached production, such as the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin 'parasite fighter', Convair XF-92 delta-wing interceptor and many others, alongside tables listing the performance characteristics of both operational and experimental aircraft from this era. These sections offer invaluable insights into the 'what ifs' of aviation history, showing how alternative designs might have shaped air combat strategies differently. The first in an extensive series of volumes, each exploring different facets of US air power during the Cold War, subsequent titles will cover bombers, naval aviation, and the evolving roles of fighters and bombers through conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam wars. Each volume will maintain a focus on the technical and engineering aspects that defined these aircraft, rather than operational histories alone. Extensively illustrated, including rare photographs and specially-commissioned color artwork, this book provides a thorough and engaging exploration of a transformative period in US air power history.

"...a nice overview of what the American aircraft industry was able to churn out post WWII and the rather wonderful advances made during that time frame." - Large Scale Planes In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the air forces of the United States faced unprecedented challenges. Demobilization had stripped the armed forces of millions of personnel, while the rapid transition from a wartime economy strained the aviation industry at the same time as the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) was re-established as the independent US Air Force (USAF). US Air Power 1945-1990 Volume 1: US Fighters and Fighter-Bombers 1945-1949 examines this pivotal period, analyzing the first steps the USAF took to re-establish its dominance in the skies during the early Cold War era. This volume meticulously documents the political, industrial, and technical decisions that shaped the development of the USAF's early jet fighters and fighter-bombers. It covers the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to first-generation jet designs, showcasing the radical innovations and experimental prototypes that laid the foundation for future air power. Readers will find detailed descriptions of key aircraft such as the P-80 Shooting Star, the F-86 Sabre, and the F-84 Thunderjet, which became operational despite the severe budget constraints and strategic uncertainties of the time. Author David Baker brings to light the untold stories behind these aircraft. He provides an integrated narrative that goes beyond mere type histories, weaving together the political backdrop, industrial struggles, and technological advancements that influenced the design and deployment of these pioneering jets. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how the USAF navigated the post-war landscape to emerge as a formidable force by 1949. The book also includes an appendix detailing speculative projects that never reached production, such as the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin 'parasite fighter', Convair XF-92 delta-wing interceptor and many others, alongside tables listing the performance characteristics of both operational and experimental aircraft from this era. These sections offer invaluable insights into the 'what ifs' of aviation history, showing how alternative designs might have shaped air combat strategies differently. The first in an extensive series of volumes, each exploring different facets of US air power during the Cold War, subsequent titles will cover bombers, naval aviation, and the evolving roles of fighters and bombers through conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam wars. Each volume will maintain a focus on the technical and engineering aspects that defined these aircraft, rather than operational histories alone. Extensively illustrated, including rare photographs and specially-commissioned color artwork, this book provides a thorough and engaging exploration of a transformative period in US air power history.

A must-have for Star Wars fans-the definitive behind-the-scenes history of the classic film that started it all After the 1973 success of American Graffiti, filmmaker George Lucas made the fateful decision to pursue a longtime dream project: a space fantasy movie unlike any ever produced. Lucas envisioned a swashbuckling SF saga inspired by the Flash Gordon serials classic American westerns, the epic cinema of Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa, and mythological heroes. Its original title: The Star Wars. The rest is history, and how it was made is a story as entertaining and exciting as the movie that has enthralled millions for thirty years-a story that has never been told as it was meant to be. Until now. Using his unprecedented access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its trove of never-before-published "lost" interviews, photos, production notes, factoids, and anecdotes, Star Wars scholar J. W. Rinzler hurtles readers back in time for a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes look at the nearly decade-long quest of George Lucas and his key collaborators to make the "little" movie that became a phenomenon. For the first time, it's all here: the evolution of the now-classic story and characters-including "Annikin Starkiller" and "a huge green-skinned monster with no nose and large gills" named Han Solo excerpts from George Lucas's numerous, ever-morphing script drafts the birth of Industrial Light & Magic, the special-effects company that revolutionized Hollywood filmmaking the studio-hopping and budget battles that nearly scuttled the entire project the director's early casting saga, which might have led to a film spoken mostly in Japanese-including the intensive auditions that won the cast members their roles and made them legends the grueling, nearly catastrophic location shoot in Tunisia and the subsequent breakneck dash at Elstree Studios in London the who's who of young film rebels who pitched in to help-including Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Brian DePalma But perhaps most exciting, and rarest of all, are the interviews conducted before and during production and immediately after the release of Star Wars-in which George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Sir Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, composer John Williams, effects masters Dennis Muren, Richard Edlund, and John Dykstra, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, legendary production designer John Barry, and a host of others share their fascinating tales from the trenches and candid opinions of the film that would ultimately change their lives. No matter how you view the spectrum of this thirty-year phenomenon, The Making of Star Wars stands as a crucial document-rich in fascination and revelation-of a genuine cinematic and cultural touchstone.