In the tradition of The Promise of a Pencil and Kisses from Katie comes an inspirational memoir by the founder of Comfort Cases about his turbulent childhood in the foster care system and the countless obstacles and discrimination he endured in adopting his four children. Rob Scheer never thought that he would be living the life he is now. He’s happily married to his partner and love of his life, he’s the father of four beautiful children, and he’s the founder of an organization that makes life better for thousands of children in the foster care system. But life wasn’t always like this. Growing up in an abusive household before his placement in foster care, Rob had all the odds stacked against him. Kicked out of his foster family’s home within weeks after turning eighteen—with a year left of high school to go—he had to resort to sleeping in his car and in public bathrooms. He suffered from drug addiction and battled with depression, never knowing when his next meal would be or where he would sleep at night. But by true perseverance, he was able to find his own path and achieve his wildest dreams. “A heartwarming, hopeful memoir brimming with humanitarianism and compassion” (Kirkus Reviews), Rob’s story provides a glimpse into what it’s like to grow up in the foster care system, and sheds necessary light on the children who are often treated without dignity. Both a timely call to action and a courageous and candid account of life in the foster care system, A Forever Family ultimately leaves you with one message: one person can make a difference.
THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THE MADNESS, ABSURDITY, AND UTTER CHAOS OF BEING A PARENT FROM THE HOSTS OF THE NO.1 SMASH HIT PODCAST. What's it really like to be a parent? And how come no one ever warned Rob or Josh of the sheer mind-bending, world-altering, sleep-depriving, sick-covering, tear-inducing, snot-wiping, bore-inspiring, 4am-relationship-straining brutality of it all? And if they did, why can't they remember it (or remember anything else, for that matter)? And just when they thought it couldn't get any harder, why didn't anyone warn them about the slices of unmatched euphoric joy and pride that occasionally come piercing through, drenching you in unbridled happiness in much the same way a badly burped baby drenches you in milk-sick? Join Josh and Rob as they share the challenges and madness of their parenting journeys with lashings of empathy and extra helpings of laughs. Filled with all the things they never tell you at antenatal classes, Parenting Hell is a beguiling mixture of humour, rumination and conversation for prospective parents, new parents, old parents and never-to-be parents alike. READERS LOVE PARENTING HELL: 'Best laugh out loud book on parenting' 'I laughed and cried! Not being a parent I can now appreciate everything my friends do a lot more!' 'Every parent needs to read this' 'Every parent or parent-to-be or parent-adjacent needs to read this! It's also surprisingly empowering for women - the way they include the wives perspectives is beautiful' 'An honest account of parenting with a welcome twist/dose of humour. Buy it! Gift it.' 'I laughed out loud many times and once had to go into another room because I thought I might wake my sleeping husband.
To any baseball fan, Nolan Ryan’s name still conjures up images of blistering 100-mile-per-hour fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs. During his 27-year career, “The Ryan Express” was named an eight-time All-Star and amassed seven no-hitters and more than 5,700 strikeouts—more than any other pitcher in major-league history. This comprehensive biography of Nolan Ryan follows the baseball legend’s journey from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Hall of Famers, journeymen, clubhouse workers, coaches, and trainers offer their own unique take on Ryan in this book filled with never-before-told anecdotes and personal recollections and peppered with eyewitness accounts of his greatest games. In the pages of this history, readers will discover what made Nolan Ryan one of the most revered and respected athletes and citizens of his time.
These five novels in the Gumshoe Collection bring back the style of Mickey Spillane and Raymond Chandler. Each one with a rock-solid core delivered with an explosive punch and snappy dialogue that sometimes may be risqué , but is always humorous. When ex-IRS Agent Mortimer— call me “ Mort” — Angel launches his new gumshoe career, he immediately becomes Reno' s infamous finder of bodies and/or body parts. In Gumshoe, it' s the mayor' s missing head; in Gumshoe for Two, it' s the hand of a U.S. Senator; in Gumshoe on the Loose, it' s the hanging body of a missing rapper; in Gumshoe Rock, it' s a skull, stripped clean and white; in Gumshoe in the Dark, it' s the dead body of his female companion' s mother. PI-in-training-Mort definitely has a special knack, as does Rob Leininger, in delivering gritty crime novels sprinkled with spicy humor. All five books in the Gumshoe Collection are perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Carl Hiaasen, and Tim Dorsey
From gift shop designs for the holiday village in north Wales, Portmeirion pottery evolved to a global business, thanks in large part to the design flair of Susan Williams-Ellis. She captured the spirit of the kitchens and dining rooms of the 1960s and '70s with bold new shapes and designs that could be both modern and traditional. 'Botanic Garden', introduced in 1972, used old flower prints with contemporary shapes and high quality manufacture, and has remained in production for 40 years. In the 21st century the company has moved vigorously forwards with a new generation of designers and a marketplace in over 50 countries.
Discover your new favourite wines, beers, spirits and cocktails in this unique and ingenious guide, led by your own taste buds 'All about the pleasures of raising a glass. This book tells you what to try next and why . . . Cheers!' Michel Roux Jr 'A kind of Flavour Thesaurus but for drinks. A joyful, thoughtful labyrinth in which you can happily lose yourself for hours' Daily Telegraph 'From floral to fruity, smoky to spicy, this invaluable tome will tell you how to hit every flavour high note' Esquire's 'Best Cocktail Books of 2023' **Finalist in the Guild of Food Writers Award for Drinks Book of the Year** ________ Do you always ask for the same old wine, the usual pint, the reliable spirit? It's all too easy to play it safe, and finding new favourites can take time and effort. Until now. Using the algorithm 'If you like this, you'll love that', this ingenious guide will lead you by your taste buds, using your existing favourite drinks and flavours to reveal vast varieties that will also suit your palate. Fan of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc? Try Sancerre for similar grassy notes. Partial to Vintage Champagne? Believe it or not, you may also like a Brown Porter. Those who enjoy Scotch Single Malt Whisky should give a Californian Pinot Noir a go, while a preference for Pornstar Martinis suggests you'll also be fond of Japanese Sake. Exploring the gamut of flavour styles, from floral and fruity to smoky and spicy, then showcasing all the drinks in which you can find them, from wine, beer, cider, tequila and vodka through to tea, coffee, mixers and everything in between There's a whole universe of incredible wine, beer, spirits and cocktails just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed - if only we can step outside that comfort zone. This book will show you how. ________ 'Rob Buckhaven will help you discover your new favourite tipple . . . He knows his stuff and his enthusiasm is infectious' Sunday Express
Gardening on a Shoestring" is for anyone who has more energy than dollars and wants to create a beautiful garden. Best-selling garden author and designer Rob Proctor has tips on how to save money that are innovative and guaranteed to give you the garden you've always wanted.
Wildflowers of Shenandoah National Park is an easy-to-use field guide to help you identify more than 230 of the park's most common species - from the iconic large-flowered trillium, with its trio of white to pink petals, to the showstopping blooms that adorn the mountain laurel shrubs that decorate trails in June. Information-packed and beautifully photographed, this field guide is an indispensable resource for identifying wildflowers in the park. Inside you'll find: • Vibrant full-color photos and a detailed park map • Detailed yet user-friendly descriptions of plants organized by color and bloom time, with natural history notes, ethnobotanical uses, and historical uses • 20 suggested wildflower hikes • A glossary of botanical terms and comprehensive wildflower index
Following the hugely successful 2012 Olympic games London is more popular than ever, and with The Rough Guide to London you can discover why. In full colour throughout, with dozens of photos to illustrate London's great buildings, iconic landmarks and distinctive neighbourhoods, this guide will show you the best the city has to offer, from the famous Olympic Park to the city's markets and museums, gourmet restaurants and hidden pubs. London has something for everyone - art galleries and shopping arcades, spacious parks and grand palaces - and The Rough Guide to London uncovers it all. Detailed colour maps for each neighbourhood, plus a tube map and practical information on all the essentials, make getting around easy. With chapters dedicated to the best hotels, restaurants and cafés, pubs and bars, live music and clubs, shops, theatre, kids' activities and more, you'll be sure to make the most of your time in the city with The Rough Guide to London. Now available in ePub format.
On March 25, 1911, flames rapidly consumed everything within the Triangle Waist Company factory, killing 146 workers. The victims, mostly young Jewish and Italian immigrant women, died needlessly due to unsafe working conditions, such as locked or blocked doors, narrow stairways, faulty fire escapes, and a lack of sprinklers. Until September 11, 2001, the Triangle fire was the deadliest workplace disaster in New York City history. Mass grief and outrage spread from New York's Lower East Side across the country. Garment union membership swelled, and New York politics shifted dramatically toward reform, paving the way for the New Deal and, ultimately, the workplace standards expected today. Through historic images, The New York City Triangle Factory Fire honors the victims' sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for the dignity of all working people.
A woman sits alone in a darkened boiler-room. A man enjoys hanging suspended from the ceiling. A dirty room indicates the secret sexual proclivities of its occupant. A curtain rustling in the breeze portends fear and paranoia. “The purpose of a room derives from the special nature of a room. A room is inside. This is what people in rooms have to agree on, as differentiated from lawns, meadows, fields, orchards.” Room Behavior is a book about rooms. Composed of texts and images from the most varied sources – including crime novels, decorating manuals, anthropological studies, performance art, crime scene photos, literature and the Bible, to name a few – Kovitz shapes the material through a process of highly subjective editing, ordering and juxtaposition to create an original, fascinating and darkly funny rumination about the behavior of rooms and the people that they keep. "Like the rooms he depicts, the pages of this book are host to an evocative and thought-provoking life of their own.” - Uptown Magazine “Strange and clever.” - Globe & Mail “The book is a unique mini-coffee table paperback, beautifully designed ... Much more than a ‘gift’ book, Room Behavior is something to pause and reflect on whenever you think about rearranging your furniture.” — Fast Forward “This is a book to keep, to review again and again. Funny, but deep.” — Umbrella Treyf 25th Anniversary edition.
Big ideas that just might save the world"--The Guardian The founder of the international Transition Towns movement asks why true creative, positive thinking is in decline, asserts that it's more important now than ever, and suggests ways our communities can revive and reclaim it. In these times of deep division and deeper despair, if there is a consensus about anything in the world, it is that the future is going to be awful. There is an epidemic of loneliness, an epidemic of anxiety, a mental health crisis of vast proportions, especially among young people. There's a rise in extremist movements and governments. Catastrophic climate change. Biodiversity loss. Food insecurity. The fracturing of ecosystems and communities beyond, it seems, repair. The future--to say nothing of the present--looks grim. But as Transition movement cofounder Rob Hopkins tells us, there is plenty of evidence that things can change, and cultures can change, rapidly, dramatically, and unexpectedly--for the better. He has seen it happen around the world and in his own town of Totnes, England, where the community is becoming its own housing developer, energy company, enterprise incubator, and local food network--with cascading benefits to the community that extend far beyond the projects themselves. We do have the capability to effect dramatic change, Hopkins argues, but we're failing because we've largely allowed our most critical tool to languish: human imagination. As defined by social reformer John Dewey, imagination is the ability to look at things as if they could be otherwise. The ability, that is, to ask What if? And if there was ever a time when we needed that ability, it is now. Imagination is central to empathy, to creating better lives, to envisioning and then enacting a positive future. Yet imagination is also demonstrably in decline at precisely the moment when we need it most. In this passionate exploration, Hopkins asks why imagination is in decline, and what we must do to revive and reclaim it. Once we do, there is no end to what we might accomplish. From What Is to What If is a call to action to reclaim and unleash our collective imagination, told through the stories of individuals and communities around the world who are doing it now, as we speak, and witnessing often rapid and dramatic change for the better.
National bestselling author of Roadkill Bar owner Triva Iktomi knows that inhuman creatures of light and darkness roam Las Vegas-especially since she's a bit more than human herself. She's just been approached with an unusual proposition. Something has slaughtered almost one thousand demons in six months. And the killing isn't going to stop unless Trixa and her friends step into the fight... Watch a Video
THE MUST-READ BOOK FOR ENGLAND'S EURO 2024 JOURNEY The definitive, behind-the-scenes account of England's journey from no-hopers to genuine contenders. Under the stewardship of Gareth Southgate and captained by Harry Kane, England will arrive in Germany as favourites to win Euro 2024 and finally end all those trophy-less years of hurt. It's taken for granted that England are now considered serious challengers at major football tournaments but prior to Southgate, this wasn't the case. 'Golden generations' came and went, with club rivalries and big egos ensuring that England camps had a fractured, toxic atmosphere where performances on the pitch paled in comparison to their club successes. So, how did we get here? Dear England: The Real Story of the Three Lions Rebirth delves into Southgate's turbulent journey to being hired as England manager, to his emergence as a waistcoated cult figure and becoming the country's most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey. Award-winning football writers Jonathan Northcroft and Rob Draper have had extraordinary access to the England team during Southgate's tenure and take us behind the scenes as they interview key backroom staff and players, including Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, John Stones, Bukayo Saka, Dan Ashworth, Martin Glenn, Steve Cooper, Jesse Lingard, Danny Rose, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and many more, to give the complete account of the highs and lows of Southgate's reign and the sea change that took place throughout the entire England set up. For the first time, this is the real story of England's evolution both on and off the pitch, revealing how Southgate transformed a failing culture and empowered young people to write their own history.
The last decade has seen Geography transformed by an astonishing range of cultural and philosophical concepts and approaches. Thinking Geographically is designed for students as an accessible and enjoyable introduction to this new landscape of geographical ideas. The book takes the reader through the history of geographic thought up to a survey of the present. Contemporary theory is then used to explore real world issues drawn from across the discipline of social, cultural, political and economic geography.Entertainingly written and packed with examples and with profiles of key theorists, the book is an ideal introduction for any student who wants to discover the potential of thinking geographically.
Funny yet down-to-earth, honest yet full of exaggeration, actor Walter Matthau (1920-2000) will always occupy a place in America's heart as one of the great comic talents of his generation. Born Walter Matuschanskayasky into Jewish tenements on New York's Lower East Side, he was a child actor in New York Yiddish theater, and later a World War II Air Force radioman-gunner. He paid dues for ten years on Broadway, in summer stock, and on television before landing his film debut The Kentuckian in 1955. By the time of his 1968 casting as cantankerous but lovable slob Oscar Madison in the film version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, Matthau had won major Hollywood stardom. Based on dozens of interviews and extensive research, this book covers the breadth of his often-complicated personal life and multi-faceted career, including his unforgettable performances in such films as The Fortune Cookie, A Guide for the Married Man, Plaza Suite, Charley Varrick, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Sunshine Boys, The Bad News Bears, California Suite, and Grumpy Old Men.
Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Clevedon Civic Society.If you have an interest in Clevedon, its views and vista and, of course, its people, then this book is for you. The vast majority of the images have not been published before. Sit down and browse its pages – read about Clevedon’s connections with early flight and later with early Penicillin production.The final chapter deals with our ‘watering holes’. What better place to read and discuss the book’s contents than in front of a raging fire in one of the pubs described. It’s a must for family historians and locals alike.
Compared to the obvious complexity of animals, plants at a glance seem relatively simple in form. But that simplicity is deceptive: the plants around us are the result of millennia of incredible evolutionary adaptations that have allowed them to survive, and thrive, under wildly changing conditions and in remarkably specific ecological niches. Much of this innovation, however, is invisible to the naked eye. With Wonders of the Plant Kingdom, the naked eye gets an unforgettable boost. A stunning collaboration between science and art, this gorgeous book presents hundreds of images of plants taken with a scanning electron microscope and hand-colored by artist Rob Kesseler to reveal the awe-inspiring adaptations all around us. The surface of a peach—with its hairs, or trichomes, and sunken stomata, or breathing pores—emerges from these pages in microscopic detail. The dust-like seeds of the smallest cactus species in the world, the Blossfeldia liliputana—which measures just twelve millimeters fully grown—explode here with form, color, and character, while the flower bud of a kaffir lime, cross-sectioned, reveals the complex of a flower bud with the all-important pistil in the center. Accompanying these extraordinary images are up-to-date explanations of the myriad ways that these plants have ensured their own survival—and, by proxy, our own. Gardeners and science buffs alike will marvel at this wholly new perspective on the world of plant diversity.
This is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of the Oregon Ducks football team. Most supporters have taken in a game or two at the Autzen Stadium, have seen highlights of a young Joey Harrington, and vividly recall the Ducks' trip to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. But only real fans can name the Oregon alumnus responsible for the team's unique Nike uniforms, can name the All-American running back from the 1970s who became a well-known sportscaster, or know all the lyrics to "Mighty Oregon." Every essential piece of Duck knowledge and trivia, profiles of memorable Ducks figures, as well as must-do activities, is ranked from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist for those on their way to Oregon fan superstardom.
Credence, Texas, is a one-horse town. Dying on its feet since the closure of the Shawnee Trail, the place is divided by bitterness, resentment and feuds that have smouldered on for years. This is what Johnny Hartford finds when he returns home for his brother's wedding. Ten years before, he left the town in a blaze of glory to travel to Chicago to become a Pinkerton Agent. But that was before the war. Now everything has changed: his dying father will barely speak to him, his brother is running wild and longhorn rustling is rife. Determined to make amends with his family and catch the cattle thieves, Hartford turns to old Sheriff Milton for help. But the day after he arrives, a prominent local rancher is shot in the back and Hartford discovers that almost everyone in the town has a reason for wanting him dead.
The Merc With a Mouth continues his calamitous cruise through the Marvel Universe and this time, no one is safe! Everyone's favorite maniac joins some of Marvel's best and brightest in this collection of tasteless team-ups. Deadpool travels to the UK for tea, crumpets and a fistfight with Captain Britain, battles demons for the love of the sultry Satana, takes on the merciless Mr. X, puts on a puppet show with Machine Man and plays laser tag with Gorilla Man.
American International Pictures was in many ways the "missing link" between big-budget Hollywood studios, "poverty-row" B-movie factories and low-rent exploitation movie distributors. AIP first targeted teen audiences with science fiction, horror and fantasy, but soon grew to encompass many genres and demographics--at times, it was indistinguishable from many of the "major" studios. From Abby to Zontar, this filmography lists more than 800 feature films, television series and TV specials by AIP and its partners and subsidiaries. Special attention is given to American International Television (the TV arm of AIP) and an appendix lists the complete AITV catalog. The author also discusses films produced by founders James H. Nicholson and Samuel Z. Arkoff after they left the company.
From the NBA’s most sought-after trainer and skills coach comes a “backstage pass to a part of the NBA that most fans never see” (Pete Thamel, Yahoo Sports)—how superstars like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Love work to excel at the game. When Rob McClanaghan failed to make the Syracuse basketball team as a walk-on freshman, he asked the coaches what he needed to do to achieve his goal the following year. They all agreed: get stronger. So that’s what he did. For months, Rob traded fraternity parties and hanging out with buddies for hours in the gym lifting weights and shooting baskets. He was single-minded; the only thing that mattered was defying the odds. He returned to Syracuse for his sophomore year thirty pounds heavier and caught the coach’s eye. In Net Work, McClanaghan’s “experience, knowledge, and keen understanding of the sport jumps off the pages” (Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company) and he delivers what he brings to each of his training sessions: the same grit and spirit that got him into the college game. He calls it “the grind,” and he knows that without it, even the most talented players will come up short. McClanaghan pushes his clients hard; he does whatever he can to drive his players to the edge and to simulate fourth quarter, at-the-buzzer adrenaline and fatigue. An all-access pass to the practice courts of the NBA, Net Work combines McClanaghan’s hard-earned wisdom—both on and off the court—with rare glimpses into the dues-paying life of professional athletes determined to stay at the top. McClanaghan shares stories of working one-on-one with some of basketball’s greatest names, explaining how each athlete works to shore up his offensive and defensive weaknesses; perfect his nutrition; treat injuries; build mental toughness; and find occasional refuge from the glare of the spotlight. This book is life inside the NBA as you’ve never seen it, where players differentiate themselves by their willingness to put in relentless “net work.”
A visually stunning, hands-on guide to using aromatherapy and essential oils in everyday life to achieve well-being, health, and happiness. "a wealth of information on the rich tradition of aromatherapy and healing".--Salle Merrill Redfield, author of "The Joy of Meditating". Color photos.
* SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS * Robin Smith was one of England's most popular cricketers of the 1990s. The Judge, as he was known to all, took on some of the most dangerous fast bowlers of all time with a skill and fearlessness that ensured hero status. His savage square cut drew roars of approval from fans all around the world, especially those of his beloved England and Hampshire. But when he was prematurely dumped from the England set-up at the age of 32, he had to face his toughest opponent of all - himself. Smith suffered a debilitating loss of identity, especially when he retired from professional cricket in 2003, and struggled to deal with the contradictions in his personality. Was he the Judge, the fearless warrior, or Robin Smith, the frantic worrier? Without a support structure to transition from cricket to the outside world, Smith suffered from mental health, alcohol, marital and financial problems until he hit rock bottom and planned to take his own life. In The Judge - More than Just a Game, he revisits his experience of extreme darkness and challenges received wisdom about masculinity and mental health. He also shares the many highs and lows of his eventful international and county career, including his exhilarating battles with the West Indies and his struggles against mystery spin. And he reflects fondly on a time when cricketers worked hard and partied even harder; a time almost unrecognisable to the modern day.
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