Reference Books

The must-have companion to the greatest event in world rugby... Containing everything rugby fans will need to enjoy the World Cup, this official guide is packed with images, profiles, previews and charts, making it essential reading for any fan and the perfect companion to all of the tournament action. Contents include Team-by-team profiles, Star player profiles, a guide to every venue, a Fill-in tournament progress chart, a History of the Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup records, Qualification round-up and more!  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781802796360 • Author: Simon Collings • Publisher:  Welbeck • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  128 • Dimensions:  18.9 x 24.6 cm

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is guaranteed to amaze and entertain children and adults alike with its unique blend of weird but true stories and jaw-dropping facts gathered from all over the world. This year... Marvel at the ice caves of Alaska. Find out what very unusual food Icelanders eat at their traditional mid-winter feast. Discover why Lucas the penguin has to wear rubber boots. Hear about the woman who sailed down the Missouri River in a giant hollowed-out pumpkin. And take the 'Funny Bones' test to see whether you can match photographs of skeletons to their animal owners. No Christmas is complete without Ripley's! Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529941203 • Author: Ripley • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Hardback • Pages: 256 • Dimensions: 30.5 x 23.6 x 2.2cm

Drawing on the latest neuroscience research, this visual guide makes the hidden workings of the human brain simple to understand.  How the Brain Works begins with an introduction to the brain's anatomy, showing you how to tell your motor cortex from your mirror neurons. Moving on to function, it explains how the brain works constantly and unnoticed to regulate heartbeat and breathing, and how it collects information to produce the experiences of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The chapters that follow cover memory and learning, consciousness and personality, and emotions and communication. Product Information: • ISBN: 9780241472224 • Author: DK • Publisher: DK • Format: Hardback • Pages: 224 • Dimensions: 24 x 20.2 x 2.3cm

Another year on the Diddly Squat Farm and Jeremy is still knee-deep in mud and endless challenges. Welcome back to Clarkson's Farm. Since taking the wheel three years ago Jeremy's had his work cut out. And it's now clear from hard-won experience that, when it comes to farming, there's only one golden rule: Whatever you hope will happen, won't. Enthusiastic schemes to diversify have met with stubborn opposition from the red trouser brigade, defeat at the hands of Council Planning department, and predictable derision from Kaleb - although, to be fair, even Lisa had doubts about Jeremy's brilliant plan to build a business empire founded on rewilding and nettle soup. And only Cheerful Charlie is still smiling about the stifling amount of red tape that's incoming... But he charges by the hour. Then there are the animals: the sheep are gone; the cows have been joined by a rented bull called Break-Heart Maestro;. the pigs are making piglets; and the goats have turned out to be psychopaths. But despite the naysayers and (sometimes self-inflicted) setbacks, Jeremy remains irrepressibly optimistic about life at Diddly Squat. Because It's hard not to be when you get to harvest blackberries with a vacuum cleaner. And, after all, it shouldn't just be Break-heart Maestro who gets to enjoy a happy ending...  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780241674895 • Author:  Jeremy Clarkson • Publisher:  Michael Joseph • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  192 • Dimensions: 15.2 x 2.6 x 23.6 cm

Germany, 1945: a country in ruins. Cities have been reduced to rubble and more than half of the population are where they do not belong or do not want to be. How can a functioning society ever emerge from this chaos? In bombed-out Berlin, Ruth Andreas-Friedrich, journalist and member of the Nazi resistance, warms herself by a makeshift stove and records in her diary how a frenzy of expectation and industriousness grips the city. The Americans send Hans Habe, an Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist and US army soldier, to the frontline of psychological warfare - tasked with establishing a newspaper empire capable of remoulding the minds of the Germans. The philosopher Hannah Arendt returns to the country she fled to find a population gripped by a manic loquaciousness, but faces a deafening wall of silence at the mention of the Holocaust. Aftermath is a nuanced panorama of a nation undergoing monumental change. 1945 to 1955 was a raw, wild decade poised between two eras that proved decisive for Germany's future - and one starkly different to how most of us imagine it today. Featuring black and white photographs and posters from post-war Germany - some beautiful, some revelatory, some shocking - Aftermath evokes an immersive portrait of a society corrupted, demoralised and freed - all at the same time.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780753561133 • Author:  Harald Jähner  • Publisher:  WH Allen • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  432 • Dimensions:  12.6 x 2.6 x 19.8 cm

There's whiskers in the whiskey! Cats love a drink! When you're not looking, your kitty is busy getting liquored up. This book gathers the best photos of cats getting buzzed off booze and looking pawfully pitiful the morning after. And to aid your appreciation, these snaps of sordid and sozzled pussycats have been paired with hilarious captions telling us what their meowing actually means. Bottoms up! Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781800070202 • Author:  Charlie Ellis • Publisher:  Summersdale • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  96 • Dimensions:  14.73 x 1.65 x 14.61 cm

Dogs communicate with so much more than barks and tail wags. Misreading doggie body language makes life challenging for dogs and their humans. This small but mighty book is your perfect illustrated guide to seeing and understanding the subtle visual cues and interpreting the behaviours used by your beloved pup to express how they’re feeling. The more we notice and listen to what our dogs are trying to tell us, the more we can improve our relationship with our best friends, helping them to feel safe and happy. • Original illustrations help you compare similar facial expressions, body language and gestures • Interpret your dog's cues and learn how your dog uses his ears, eyes, mouth, tail and posture to communicate with you • Spot the signals your dog is trying to give you to tell you they're stressed or conflicted A Dog Lover's Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend Product Information: • ISBN: 9781787837010 • Author: Lili Chin  • Publisher: Summersdale • Format: Hardback • Pages: 128 • Dimensions: 17.53 x 12.19 x 1.65 cm

Guy Martin can't sit still. He has to keep pushing - both himself and whatever machine he is piloting - to the extreme. He's a doer, not a talker. That applies whether Guy's competing in a self-supported 750-mile mountain bike race across Arizona, or trying to reach 300mph in a standing mile on the 800-horsepower motorbike he built in his shed. And during his TV adventures, travelling through Japan, winning records for the world's fastest tractor, re-creating the famous Steve McQueen Great Escape jump, discovering the toil and sacrifice of the D-Day landings and trying to cut the mustard as a Battle of Britain pilot. Guy's become a dad now and he's hoping that one day his daughter will grow up to be a better welder than he is. Oh, and he's still getting up at 5am to work on trucks in for service or to be out on his tractor, working the Lincolnshire land he's always called home. This is Guy Martin's latest book, in his own words, on the last four years of his life that make the rest of us look like we're in slow motion. We're here for a good time, not a long time. To Guy, if it's worth doing, it's worth dying for.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781529940145 • Author:  Guy Martin • Publisher:  Ebury Press • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  320 • Dimensions:  15.24 x 3.05 x 23.34 cm

Dogs love a drink! When you're not looking, your four-legged friend is busy knocking them back. This book gathers the best photos of dogs getting buzzed off booze and looking pawfully pitiful the morning after. And to add to your amusement, these snaps of hedonistic and hazy hounds have been paired with hilarious captions telling us what their barking is all about. Raise a glass to these howl-raisers! Product Information:  • ISBN:  9781800070219 • Author:  Charlie Ellis • Publisher:  Summersdale • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  96 • Dimensions:  14.73 x 1.65 x 14.61 cm

Did COVID-19 actually break out to kill 6 million people because of a leak from a Chinese laboratory? What are the links between QAnon and Russiagate, Alex Jones and Donald Trump? Why did our own MI5 try to block evidence about the death of Iraq weapons inspector Dr David Kelly and the radioactive poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko? Putin is a brute who lies as a matter of policy. Hitler tried to blame Poland for starting WWII. We live in a world of fake news and false flags, secret plots and unexplained deaths. But what on earth can you believe, when nothing's ever quite what it seems? In Conspiracy, Ian Shircore cuts through the fog and the fairy tales to deliver a balanced analysis of the stories that shape the times we live in. New evidence - from Freedom of Information requests, WikiLeaks files, deathbed confessions and declassified archives - has solved some classic mysteries. Yet it raises more questions than ever about the assassinations of the 1960s, the dirty secrets of the late 20th century and the deadly traumas of the last few years. Now fully updated with new cases, material and evidence. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781789466164 • Author: Ian Shircore • Publisher: John Blake • Format: Paperback • Pages: 384 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.2 cm

Delve into the human mind and understand the science behind how you and others think and act with this visual guide to applied psychology! Discover what makes you, you - the unique blend of nature and nurture that makes up your sense of who you are - and psychology’s role in relationships, sport, work, and education. Learn about a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alongside treatments, from cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoanalysis to group therapy and art therapy.  A fascinating read that will quickly hone your emotional intelligence and give you perceptive insights into both your own and other people's feelings and behaviour - perfect both for students and people new or interested in psychology!  Product Information: • ISBN: 9780241417843 • Author: Jo Hemmings • Publisher: DK • Format: Hardback • Pages: 256 • Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 2.5 cm

Overall Winner and Winner of Non-Fiction Lifestyle Book of the Year at The British Book Awards 2023! Menopausing is more than just a book, it’s a movement. An uprising. Menopause affects every woman, and yet so many approach it with shame, fear, misinformation or silence. Why is no one talking about this? Who has the correct information? And how can we get it? That’s how this book has come about. We are going to tell you the truth, so you can make an informed decision about your life and your body … mic drop. For too long, women have had to keep quiet about menopause – its onset, its symptoms, its treatments – and what it means for us. Menopausing will build an empowered, supportive community to break this terrible silence once and for all. By exploring and explaining the science, debunking damaging myths, and smashing the taboos around perimenopause and menopause, this book will equip women to make the most informed decisions about their health… and their lives. Menopausing will also celebrate the sharing of stories, enabling women to feel less alone and more understood and talk openly and positively about menopause. No more scaremongering: just evidence-based info, no shame: real women, real menopause stories, real empathy, real community, honest, no-holds-barred advice: Dry vagina? Zero sex drive? Hair loss? We’ve got it covered. The start of a movement: to get everyone talking about menopause in every home, GP surgery and workspace Product Information: • ISBN: 9780008517786 • Author: Davina McCall • Publisher: HQ  • Format: Hardback • Pages: 304 • Dimensions: 24 x 17.6 x 3 cm

 In this visually glorious chronological history, prolific railroad historian and photographer Brian Solomon curates a selection of the world’s most significant trains and locomotives over the last two centuries. Hop aboard to see trains and locomotives at work in scenic locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.  Two centuries after iron behemoths first began appearing in Europe and North America, locomotives and trains continue to fascinate folks of all ages. From North American steam and electric-diesel machines designed and built by the likes of Baldwin and General Electric to state-of-the-art electric freight and commuter trains in Europe and Asia, Solomon provides a thorough look at the development of the most famous, most influential, and most technologically advanced trendsetters across more than two centuries, with photography depicting heavy hardware at work in North America, Europe, and Asia. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780760389331 • Author:  Brian Solomon  • Publisher: Motorbooks • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  192 • Dimensions:  22.86 x 2.22 x 28.58 cm

Fully illustrated profiles of Britain's top twelve most legendary racing drivers. The Immortals of British Motor Racing celebrates the UK's greatest ever racing drivers. It profiles the best of the best from over 50 years of Formula 1, the BTCC and the world's classic motorsport events such as Le Mans. Renowned motorsport commentator and writer David Addison selects his top twelve drivers then delves into the careers of the true greats. Legendary racers selected and profiled include pioneers Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart, 1970s and 1980s heroes James Hunt and Nigel Mansell, plus current hero Lewis Hamilton. The book tells the remarkable stories behind each Immortal's rise to the top and the adversity faced through their careers. Product Information:  • ISBN: 9781922662019 • Author: David Addison • Publisher: Gelding Street Press • Format:  Hardcover • Pages: 192 • Dimensions: 25 x 18.4 x 1.8cm

Unleash your inner witch, learn the secrets of modern magick, and find joy every day with The Modern Witch’s Guide to Happiness. Discover everything you need to know to unlock your inner witch with this essential guide. Learn how to use tarot cards and healing crystals, how to embrace your psychic power and dispel toxic energy, and how to harness the magick of nature to become the happiest and most grounded version of yourself. Written in layman’s terms, this book offers practical activities such as spellcraft, finding your own rituals, and how to use magickal herbs effectively. Coupled with positive affirmations and advice on spiritual self-care, The Modern Witch’s Guide to Happiness is the perfect handbook to guide you on your magickal journey. Product information: • ISBN: 9781789296419 • Author: Luna Bailey • Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 128 • Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 1.3cm 

Discover the elemental properties and explosive reactions of iconic DC characters... From Superman, whose powers are enhanced by Earth's yellow sun to The Flash, imbued with the Speed Force, and from Batman's superior human abilities to the mystically empowered Wonder Woman, not to mention the criminal genius of Lex Luthor and The Joker, the DC universe comprises a vast and varied array of heroes and villains.  Whether Atlantean or Amazonian, magical or elemental, technologically augmented or genetically evolved, key and lesser known DC characters are expertly classified in The Periodic Table of DC to illuminate the properties that bind them, the catalysts that created them, the active agents that energize them, and the fundamental forces that underpin the DC Multiverse. With more than 130 character profiles written by a DC expert, beautiful comic book art, and DC's seal of approval, The Periodic Table of DC reveals the fascinating and astonishing connections between the most extraordinary heroes and villains ever created. Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780241610619 • Author: DK • Publisher:  DK • Format:  Hardback • Pages:  192 • Dimensions: 15.5 x 1.9 x 21.6 cm

Welcome to the world of the forensic psychologist, where the people you meet are wildly unpredictable and often frightening. The job: to delve into the psyche of convicted men and women to try to understand what lies behind their often brutal actions. Follow in the footsteps of Kerry Daynes, one of the most sought-after forensic psychologists in the business and consultant on major police investigations. Kerry's job has taken her to the cells of maximum-security prisons, police interview rooms, the wards of secure hospitals and the witness box of the court room. Her work has helped solve a cold case, convict the guilty and prevent a vicious attack. Kerry's frank memoir gives an unforgettable insight into the personal and professional dangers in store for a female psychologist working with some of the most disturbing men and women. Product Information: ISBN: 9781788402170 Author: Kerry Daynes Publisher: Endeavour Format: Paperback Pages: 304 Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 3 cm

Pass your driving test with ease with this comprehensive guide that gives learner drivers the essential information they need to pass both the Theory Test and Practical Test first time.  The AA has an excellent track record with driving test titles and is one of the biggest sellers of books in the genre. The Theory Test, Practical Test & Highway Code features all the official revision theory test questions for car drivers, hundreds of practical test questions set by experts from the AA Driving School and the latest edition of the Highway Code – essential reading for all road users. Explanatory text is included to help learner drivers understand what’s required for every revision question. The Theory Test, Practical Test & Highway Code’s clear and concise layout makes it easy to revise and is a must-buy for anyone learning to drive.  Product Information:  • ISBN:  9780749583101 • Author: AA Publishing • Publisher:  AA Publishing • Format:  Paperback • Pages:  488 • Dimensions:  20.6 x 4.4 x 14 cm

Answering all your burning scientific questions, from what it means to be alive to why things explode, How Science Works explains science facts throughout amazing diagrams and infographics. Unlock the secrets of the universe, such as whether a robot takeover is possible, and marvel at the surprising simplicity of gravity. Dazzle your friends and family with answers to their everyday science questions such as; why do sirens change pitch as they pass by? How do planes stay in the air? Plus many more! Learn how to explain the mind-boggling concepts that eluded you at school, all the way through to more recent fascinating topics such as the discovery of the Higgs Boson- this really is science made simple. Product Information:• ISBN: 9780241417836• Author: DK• Publisher: DK• Format: Hardback• Pages: 256• Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 2.5cm

In the early years of Queen Victoria's reign, HMS Erebus undertook two of the most ambitious naval expeditions of all time. On the first, she ventured further south than any human had ever been. On the second, she vanished with her 129-strong crew in the wastes of the Canadian Arctic, along with the HMS Terror. Her fate remained a mystery for over 160 years. Then, in 2014, she was found. This is her story. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781787468047 • Author: Michael Palin • Publisher: Arrow • Format: Paperback • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.6 cm