Agent Zigzag by Ben Maciintyre is the incredible but true story of the most notorious double agents not only of World War 2 but perhaps of all time.
Eddie Chapman was a somewhat problematic mixture of a variety of disparate and conflicting strands. He was a soldier (cashiered due to not bothering to go back after a period of leave) an expert jelly man (using gelignite to crack safes) a thief, a rogue, one of the most charming and personable and likeable men you would ever possibly meet, a villain, a man of great courage, a lover, a man conscience.
Trapped in a prison on Jersey, Chapman was on the island when it was overrun by the Nazis. He hit on a cunning plan. What if he told the Germans that he would be willing to spy on Great Britain?
Eventually, after a series of mishaps, blunders and errors (not of Chapman's making) he was parachuted into a field in Cambridgeshire.
Soon he was working for British Intelligence as Agent Zigzag, the most successful double agent every used by MI5 to trick the Germans.
Macintyre was allowed absolutely unprecedented access to the Top Secret archives of MI5 which contained a wealth of information about the extraordinary life and career of Eddie Chapman.
An official report by MI5 said: "The story of Eddie Chapman is different. In fiction it would be rejected as improbable."
The book is extremely well researched and superbly written and well illustrated with copious photographs many from the official archives of MI5 and the German Abwehr.
Chapman, however, never received the recognition that he deserved. Macintyre was able to establish that this was due to the double dealing and perfidy of an MI5 official who was not only a disgraced drunk but who only got the job because of a family connection, but who took against Chapman for some, to be frank, bizarre reasons.
Thebook is published by www.bloomsbury.com in paperback at £7.99. though if you follow this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/mn/search/?tag=bookworms05-21&link_code=wsw&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=zigzag&Submit.x=8&Submit.y=6&rd=1 you can buy the book at a special discounted Amazon price of £4.55.
Book review blog site, with some entertainment material from time-to-time.
Sunday 13 November 2011
Monday 7 November 2011
Weight Loss, the Essential Guide
This is another of the highly approachable and easy to use Need 2 Know books. It is written by Sara Kirkham who is not a guru of a weird fads celeb diet. Sara is a genuine nutritionist who lectures and writes on nutrition, so her book is a breath of very fresh air.
No fads, no fantasies, no fallacies, this book is the real deal if you really do want to lose weight in a sensible, structured and safe way.
She provides commonsense ways to reduce your calorific intake, tells you why control of portion size is so vital, tells you how to get past or beyond the weight loss plateau and how to measure your progress.
The book contains some enticing recipes that will help you reduce your weight as part of a calorie controlled diet, which is, of course, exactly where this book comes in!
Sara also provides tips on how to create shopping lists that will help you in your battle of the bulge, how to keep a food diary and why this can be so important.
The book also has a wealth of hints, tips and information and also some references to some other books that might be of help for the aspiring dieter and some information on some groups that could be useful. There's also a wealth of websites for you to browse at your leisure.
The book is in paperback and costs £9.99, the ISBN is 978-1-86144-090-7
No fads, no fantasies, no fallacies, this book is the real deal if you really do want to lose weight in a sensible, structured and safe way.
She provides commonsense ways to reduce your calorific intake, tells you why control of portion size is so vital, tells you how to get past or beyond the weight loss plateau and how to measure your progress.
The book contains some enticing recipes that will help you reduce your weight as part of a calorie controlled diet, which is, of course, exactly where this book comes in!
Sara also provides tips on how to create shopping lists that will help you in your battle of the bulge, how to keep a food diary and why this can be so important.
The book also has a wealth of hints, tips and information and also some references to some other books that might be of help for the aspiring dieter and some information on some groups that could be useful. There's also a wealth of websites for you to browse at your leisure.
The book is in paperback and costs £9.99, the ISBN is 978-1-86144-090-7
No Time for Theory? New book explore simple stratergies for influence
With the ability to influence others in the world of business becoming increasingly vital, the launch of Advocates & Enemies: How to build practical strategies to influence your stakeholders (www.advocatesandenemies.com/pr) is a must have read for anyone wanting to succeed and build powerful relationships that really work.
With 77% of respondents of a recent survey admitting finding it difficult to influence individuals, 74% struggling with groups, and most reporting networking as their biggest deficiency when it comes to influence, Advocates & Enemies could hold the key to change.
Packed full of simple and practical ideas, this easy read book is less about theoretical concepts and more focussed on looking ataccelerating progress so achievements and goals are met, and met quickly. It’s all about people using their influencing skills in simple ways in order to succeed.
Colin Gautrey, author of Advocates & Enemies, said, “The approach I’ve developed over the years and now explored in my third book, is a simple process of focusing on a specific objective; identifying who can help or hinder your achievement and then analysing them in terms of a. their agreement with your goal and b. the quality of the relationship you have with them”.
He added, “The book is perfect for anyone who is too busy to read lots of theory and wants to get on and develop a strategy for achieving goals and building strong networks – fast! In many ways people are generally quite good at building relationships but falter when it comes to focusing where it matters most – with key stakeholders. They also seem to struggle when it comes to getting out there with people they don’t know very well. Advocates & Enemies can help them change this so they can create stronger business relationships that really perform”.
Damian Hughes, author of Liquid Thinking, added: "This is a book which contains some simple yet profound truths about our ability to persuade and influence others. It is an important book and its impact should be immense.”
For more information visit: http://www.advocatesandenemies.com/pr
With 77% of respondents of a recent survey admitting finding it difficult to influence individuals, 74% struggling with groups, and most reporting networking as their biggest deficiency when it comes to influence, Advocates & Enemies could hold the key to change.
Packed full of simple and practical ideas, this easy read book is less about theoretical concepts and more focussed on looking ataccelerating progress so achievements and goals are met, and met quickly. It’s all about people using their influencing skills in simple ways in order to succeed.
Colin Gautrey, author of Advocates & Enemies, said, “The approach I’ve developed over the years and now explored in my third book, is a simple process of focusing on a specific objective; identifying who can help or hinder your achievement and then analysing them in terms of a. their agreement with your goal and b. the quality of the relationship you have with them”.
He added, “The book is perfect for anyone who is too busy to read lots of theory and wants to get on and develop a strategy for achieving goals and building strong networks – fast! In many ways people are generally quite good at building relationships but falter when it comes to focusing where it matters most – with key stakeholders. They also seem to struggle when it comes to getting out there with people they don’t know very well. Advocates & Enemies can help them change this so they can create stronger business relationships that really perform”.
Damian Hughes, author of Liquid Thinking, added: "This is a book which contains some simple yet profound truths about our ability to persuade and influence others. It is an important book and its impact should be immense.”
For more information visit: http://www.advocatesandenemies.com/pr
Sunday 6 November 2011
Surfing, the Essential Guide
Surfing, the Essential Guide is a new book out in paperback from Need 2 Know Books. It is written by an expert surfer, Kathryn Dawes.
It's not a book aimed at the Californian surfers -as most books seem to be- it is aimed at people in the United Kingdom who have aspirations to become surfing experts, themselves!
There's nothing wrong with books aimed at the surfers of California or Australia or Hawaii, it's just that because surfing is a little different in the British Isles, a book aimed primarily at the United Kingdom market makes a good deal of sense.
Kathryn is not only an expert surfer, she is something of an educator, too. She tells you what you need to know about surfing, the best equipment to buy, depending on your budget, the best clothing, where the best surfing sites are in the British Isles, where you should surf and also places where a neophyte should avoid unitl they have a bit more surfing experience under their belt.
Kathryn addresses her readership as equals. As equals who might need to learn, but as equals, nevertheless. She does not talk down to her readers, which is not always the case with some surfing experts.
Kathryn tells you how and why waves work, safety, your first steps, the basic and easier manoeuvres and moves you will want to try, what equipment is available what you could or should not try at first, surfing in the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield for when you are a little more experienced. She also gives you tips on surf fitness and health and on surf culture, so you will be spared any embarrassing errors!
At only £9.99 this book is a must have Christmas present for every new surfer and perhaps for some more experienced surfers, too! ISBN 978-1-86144-106-5.
It's not a book aimed at the Californian surfers -as most books seem to be- it is aimed at people in the United Kingdom who have aspirations to become surfing experts, themselves!
There's nothing wrong with books aimed at the surfers of California or Australia or Hawaii, it's just that because surfing is a little different in the British Isles, a book aimed primarily at the United Kingdom market makes a good deal of sense.
Kathryn is not only an expert surfer, she is something of an educator, too. She tells you what you need to know about surfing, the best equipment to buy, depending on your budget, the best clothing, where the best surfing sites are in the British Isles, where you should surf and also places where a neophyte should avoid unitl they have a bit more surfing experience under their belt.
Kathryn addresses her readership as equals. As equals who might need to learn, but as equals, nevertheless. She does not talk down to her readers, which is not always the case with some surfing experts.
Kathryn tells you how and why waves work, safety, your first steps, the basic and easier manoeuvres and moves you will want to try, what equipment is available what you could or should not try at first, surfing in the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield for when you are a little more experienced. She also gives you tips on surf fitness and health and on surf culture, so you will be spared any embarrassing errors!
At only £9.99 this book is a must have Christmas present for every new surfer and perhaps for some more experienced surfers, too! ISBN 978-1-86144-106-5.
Friday 4 November 2011
Embezzled Love
That's Books Loved this video promo so much that we decided to run it on That's Books!
Thursday 3 November 2011
Primary School A Parent's Guide by Kim Thomas
Up until the 1981 act gave parents some choice over where they sent their children to school, a child was basically sent where there was a space at the nearest school.
With greater choice, however, comes greater responsibility. What should your child be learning at any given point in their career as a primary school pupil?
Exactly how should the admissions process work? Is it working properly in your area?
Is your child getting the education that it needs and that it deserves?
Who are you school's governors? Are they doing what they should be doing?
Are the buildings suitable?
What on earth is KS1 2 or whatever?
All of the above questions and many more are answered in clear, concise terms by educational expert Kim Thomas. And Kim is the kind of expert it is best to take notice of. Not only does she have a PhD in the sociology of education she is a parent of a child in a primary school and served as a parent governor at the school.
The book also contains a list of further reading material and a list of very valuable web resources. If you have a child who is going to go to primary school or who is already attending a primary school, then you will find this book of inestimable value.
You can also visit Kim's website at www.kimthomas.com.
It is published by Need 2 Know Books at £9.99, ISBN 978-1-86144-088-4.
With greater choice, however, comes greater responsibility. What should your child be learning at any given point in their career as a primary school pupil?
Exactly how should the admissions process work? Is it working properly in your area?
Is your child getting the education that it needs and that it deserves?
Who are you school's governors? Are they doing what they should be doing?
Are the buildings suitable?
What on earth is KS1 2 or whatever?
All of the above questions and many more are answered in clear, concise terms by educational expert Kim Thomas. And Kim is the kind of expert it is best to take notice of. Not only does she have a PhD in the sociology of education she is a parent of a child in a primary school and served as a parent governor at the school.
The book also contains a list of further reading material and a list of very valuable web resources. If you have a child who is going to go to primary school or who is already attending a primary school, then you will find this book of inestimable value.
You can also visit Kim's website at www.kimthomas.com.
It is published by Need 2 Know Books at £9.99, ISBN 978-1-86144-088-4.
Monday 31 October 2011
Star Wars™ Millennium Falcon laid bare in new Haynes Manual
Following the skyrocketing success of Haynes’ USS Enterprise Manual last year, the iconic Star Wars™ ship finally gets the Haynes treatment.
Using brand-new, full-colour artwork, cutaways and exploded diagrams together with plenty of photographs, the Haynes Star Wars: Millennium Falcon Owner’s Workshop Manual provides the most thorough technical description available of the starship that helped to change the course of history.
The book is written by Ryder Windham, a hugely respected authority on Star Wars, having more than 50 books on the subject, and highly regarded by both Lucasfilm and Star Wars fans.
It includes full, technical descriptions of how the Millennium Falcon was illegally altered by its smuggler owner-operators to deliver increased shield power and speed, and carry military-grade weapons.
In true Haynes how-to style, the reader is taken through how to fly the Falcon as well as the technology behind hyperspace travel, special manoeuvres, combat techniques and using the hyperdrive. The controls in the iconic cockpit, which juts out on one side of the starship, are rendered in beautiful colour artwork to describe in detail the Millennium Falcon’s operating systems.
Weapons systems are outlined offering intelligence that would have proved invaluable to the Imperial Navy. The crew quarters are revealed in detail, complete with recess bunks, medical kits, and even Chewbacca’s hologame table.
Double-page character profiles for each crewmember offer reminders of the men – and Wookiee – at the helm, along with shots from the original trilogy of Star Wars films.
As if this wasn’t detail enough, the Manual begins with a history of other spacecraft from the Corellian Engineering Corporation that brought us the Millennium Falcon, along with a rundown of the many configurations and options offered by the manufacturer.
The Haynes Star Wars: Millennium Falcon Owner’s Workshop Manual is destined to become essential reading for all Star Wars fans.
FACTFILE:
Ryder Windham is the author of over 50 Star Wars books and is highly regarded by Lucasfilm and Star Wars fans. Chris Reiff and Chris Trevas are the acknowledged experts when it comes to illustrating the Millennium Falcon.
Sales Information:
The Millennium Falcon Owners’ Workshop Manual is available from all good bookshops and direct from Haynes at www.haynes.co.uk or call 01963 442030, priced £14.99
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