The UK's most influential food and drink journalist shoots a few sacred cows of food culture. The doctrine of local food is dead. Farmers' markets are merely a lifestyle choice for the affluent middle classes. And 'organic' has become little more than a marketing label that is way past its sell by date. That may be a little hard to swallow for the ethically-aware food shopper but it doesn't make it any less true. And now the UK's most outspoken and entertaining food writer is ready to explain why. This engaging, witty and honest narrative is driven by the appetite of one large man: Jay Rayner — someone who lives to eat, but also understands that there is a world beyond the high-end obsessions of the farmers' market. Combining sharply-observed memoir — growing up with the UK's most famous agony aunt who also happened to be a bloody good TV chef; witnessing the arrival of McDonald's and Dayville's ice cream in Seventies London; working as a butcher's boy — with hard-nosed reportage, Jay Rayner will blow conventional foodie wisdom apart. For here is the reality: within a few decades we will have nine billion mouths to feed, and we won't be doing that by flogging free-range eggs from a stall in Borough market. Jay explains why the doctrine of organic has been eclipsed by the need for sustainable intensification; and why the future lies in large-scale food production rather than the cottage industries that foodies often cheer for. From the the cornfields of Illinois to the killing lines of Yorkshire abattoirs, Rayner takes us on a journey that will change the way we shop, cook and eat forever. And give us a few belly laughs along the way.

In a perfect world, Jonas begins to see the flaws... THE GIVER is the classic award-winning novel that inspired the dystopian genre and a major motion picture adaptation for 2014 starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift. It is the future. There is no war, no hunger, no pain. No one in the community wants for anything. Everything needed is provided. And at twelve years old, each member of the community has their profession carefully chosen for them by the Committee of Elders. Twelve-year old Jonas has never thought there was anything wrong with his world. But from the moment he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, Jonas discovers that their community is not as perfect as it seems. It is only with the help of the Giver, that Jonas can find what has been lost. And it is only through his personal courage that Jonas finds the strength to do what is right... The Giver is the award-winning classic of bravery and adventure that has inspired countless dystopian writers as the forerunner of this genre.

The gripping and largely untold story of the role of the intelligence services in Britain's retreat from empire. Against the background of the Cold War, and the looming spectre of Soviet-sponsored subversion in Britain's dwindling colonial possessions, the imperial intelligence service MI5 played a crucial but top secret role in passing power to newly independent national states across the globe. Mining recently declassified intelligence records, Calder Walton reveals this 'missing link' in Britain's post-war history. He sheds new light on everything from violent counter-insurgencies fought by British forces in the jungles of Malaya and Kenya, to urban warfare campaigns conducted in Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula. Drawing on a wealth of previously classified documents, as well as hitherto overlooked personal papers, this is also the first book to draw on records from the Foreign Office's secret archive at Hanslope Park, which contains some of the darkest and most shameful secrets from the last days of Britain's empire. Packed with incidents straight out of a John le Carre novel, Empire of Secrets is an exhilarating read by an exciting new voice in intelligence history.

Gabriel Allon, master art restorer and assassin, returns in a spellbinding new thriller from No.1 bestselling author Daniel Silva. For all fans of Robert Ludlum. When a beautiful young British woman vanishes on the island of Corsica, a prime minister's career is threatened with destruction. And Gabriel Allon, master art restorer, spy, and assassin, is thrust into a game of shadows where nothing is what it seems... and where the only thing more dangerous than his enemies might be the truth...

Perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Carole Matthews, Every Woman for Herself is a hilarious account of divorce and dating when you're the wrong side of 40. When Charlie's husband Matt tells her that she's failed as a wife and he wants a divorce she has to start from scratch. Suddenly single, broke and the wrong side of 40 she is forced to return to her childhood home in the Yorkshire moors. Living with her father and eccentric siblings could be considered a challenge but soon Charlie finds her new life somewhat refreshing. Now that she's single she's got no need to dye her roots or be the perfect wife and she can return to her first love — painting. But just as she begins to feel settled, handsome, bad-tempered actor Mace North moves in down the road and starts mixing things up for Charlie in more ways than one...

A magisterial chronicle of the calamity that crippled Europe in 1914. 1914: a year of unparalleled change. The year that diplomacy failed, Imperial Europe was thrown into its first modernised warfare and white-gloved soldiers rode in their masses across pastoral landscapes into the blaze of machine-guns. What followed were the costliest days of the entire War. But how had it happened? In Catastrophe: 1914 Max Hastings, best-selling author of the acclaimed All Hell Let Loose, answers at last how World War I could ever have begun. Ranging across Europe, from Paris to St. Petersberg, from Kings to corporals, Catastrophe 1914 traces how tensions across the continent kindled into a blaze of battles; not the stalemates of later trench-warfare but battles of movement and dash where Napoleonic tactics met with weapons from a newly industrialised age. A searing analysis of the power-brokering, vanity and bluff in the diplomatic maelstrom reveals who was responsible for the birth of this catastrophic world in arms. Mingling the experiences of humbler folk with the statesmen on whom their lives depended, Hastings asks: whose actions were justified? From the out-break of war through to its terrible making, and the bloody gambles in Sarajevo and Mons, Le Cateau, Marne and Tannenberg, this is the international story of World War I in its most severe and influential period. Published to coincide with its 100th Anniversary, Catastrophe: 1914 explains how and why this war, which shattered and changed the Western world for ever, was fought.

The translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for there exists an illuminating commentary on the text of the poem by the translator himself, in the written form of a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s; and from these lectures a substantial selection has been made, to form also a commentary on the translation in this book. From his creative attention to detail in these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if he entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendel's terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot. But the commentary in this book includes also much from those lectures in which, while always anchored in the text, he expressed his wider perceptions. He looks closely at the dragon that would slay Beowulf snuffling in baffled rage and injured greed when he discovers the theft of the cup; but he rebuts the notion that this is a mere treasure story, just another dragon tale. He turns to the lines that tell of the burying of the golden things long ago, and observes that it is the feeling for the treasure itself, this sad history that raises it to another level. The whole thing is sombre, tragic, sinister, curiously real. The treasure is not just some lucky wealth that will enable the finder to have a good time, or marry the princess. It is laden with history, leading back into the dark heathen ages beyond the memory of song, but not beyond the reach of imagination. Sellic Spell, a marvellous tale, is a story written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk-tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the historical legends of the Northern kingdoms.

Come face to face with Smaug the Magnificent, the most realistic, breathtaking and destructive dragon ever to appear on screen, in this gallery of exclusive images that tell the story of how he was created. Smaug is one of the most memorable characters in JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit: a huge, malevolent, fire-breathing, talking dragon! But while he makes quite an impact in the book, in Peter Jackson's film adaptation he is definitely the most spectacular creature ever to appear on screen. So how did the filmmakers manage to take the dragon that has lived in millions of readers' imaginations and turn him into a totally unique and unforgettable living, breathing character? The answer can be found in Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon. Packed with stunning, exclusive new images, it reveals how he grew out of thousands of detailed and fantastical concept designs into the beast that is unleashed in awesome digital glory. Compiled by the Academy-Award-winning teams at Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, who provide fascinating insights telling the story of the dragon's creation, and featuring an exclusive foreword by Benedict Cumberbatch, this is the perfect companion for every fan who was blown away by Smaug, the Magnificent!

A heart-stopping crime thriller and the fourth consecutive No. 1 Bestseller from the author of the Logan McRae series and Birthdays for the Dead. He's back...Eight years ago, 'The Inside Man' murdered four women and left three more in critical condition — all of them with their stomachs slit open and a plastic doll stitched inside. And then the killer just ...disappeared. Ash Henderson was a Detective Inspector on the initial investigation, but a lot can change in eight years. His family has been destroyed, his career is in tatters, and one of Oldcastle's most vicious criminals is making sure he spends the rest of his life in prison. Now a nurse has turned up dead on a patch of waste ground, a plastic doll buried beneath her skin, and it looks as if Ash might finally get a shot at redemption. At earning his freedom. At revenge.

Paperback. Pub Date: 2014-03-27 Pages: 864 Language: English Publisher: Harper Collins HBO's hit series A GAME OF THRONES is based on George RR Martin's internationally bestselling series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. A FEAST FOR CROWS is the fourth volume in the series. The Lannisters are in power on the Iron Throne. The war in the Seven Kingdoms has burned itself out. but in its bitter aftermath new conflicts spark to life. The Martells of Dorne and the Starks of Winterfell seek vengeance for their dead. Euron Crow's Eye. as black a pirate as ever raised a sail. returns from the smoking ruins of Valyria to claim the Iron Isles. From the icy north. where Others threaten the Wall. apprentice Maester Samwell Tarly brings a mysterious babe in arms to the Citadel. As plots. intrigue and battle threaten to engulf Westeros. victory will go t...

The fifth screamingly funny novel from David Walliams, number one bestseller and fastest growing children's author in the country. Hot on the heels of bestselling Gangsta Granny comes another hilarious, action-packed and touching novel — the story of a little girl called Zoe. Things are not looking good for Zoe. Her stepmother Sheila is so lazy she gets Zoe to pick her nose for her. The school bully Tina Trotts makes her life a misery — mainly by flobbing on her head. And now the evil Burt from Burt's Burgers is after her pet rat! And guess what he wants to do with it? The clue is in the title...From the author that is being called 'a new Roald Dahl', Ratburger is not to be missed!

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of How to Catch a Star with this new toddler-friendly board book edition! An inspirational story from internationally bestselling, multi-prize-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers. Once there was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend and how they could play hide-and-go-seek together. So, one day, he decided to set about catching a star of his very own...

Publisher: HarperCollins UK A hilarious field guide to the worlds most remarkable and unusual creatures:. The English Thanks to television documentaries by Bruce Parry and David Attenborough. we are better acquainted with the hunting rituals of the San bushmen and the mating habits of Papua New Guinean tribes than we are with the everyday lives of that most peculiar of species — the English In ENGLISH:. A FIELD GUIDE Sunday Times journalist Matt Rudd. sets out to uncover what makes us. the English. tick He will examine us in our. natural habitats. starting with the living room and moving out to the kitchen. the garden. the commuter train. the office. the motorway. the high street. the sports stadium. the pub. club. bingo hall. balti house. beach and ending up in the bedroom Hilarious. warm-hearted and surprisingly enlightening. ENGLISH:. A FIELD GUIDE shines a strong searchl...

Pub Date: 2014-06-05 Pages: 256 Language: English Publisher: Harper Collins The ultimate celebration of the first two Hobbit movies reveals the culmination of the creative vision for the film through more than 500 previously unpublished photographs. plus exclusive interviews with the designers. cast and crew. written and designed by the team at Weta Workshop The Hobbit:. The Desolation of Smaug Chronicles — Cloaks and Daggers peers through the silver screen to examine the incredible efforts undertaken to create thousands of costumes. armour. weapons. props and set dressing elements for Academy Award (R) -winning filmmaker Peter Jacksons adaptations of JRR Tolkiens The Hobbit Covering both The Hobbit:. An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. this lavish volume bulges with behind the scenes images. sumptuous photography and film stills. The films stars a...

Collins Easy Learning Spanish Dictionary is an up-to-date, easy-reference dictionary with key GCSE curriculum words highlighted and a practical and fun supplement covering key vocabulary areas. It is the ideal dictionary for learners of Spanish of all ages, but especially for those aiming for GCSE exam success. The bestselling Collins Easy Learning Spanish Dictionary is designed for all learners of Spanish, whether you are learning for your GCSE exams at school, in an evening class, for business or to go on holiday. The entries cover everyday Spanish and English (including all essential set expressions) and key curriculum words are highlighted to help with exam preparation. It is also fully endorsed by the exam board, Edexcel. Clear and concise language notes provide information on common grammatical errors and confusable words, while handy culture notes explain cultural differences. Spanish verbs are cross-referred to comprehensive verb tables, helping you find all the Spanish verb forms you need. Combined with a text which is colour-coded and very easy to navigate, the Collins Easy Learning Spanish Dictionary gives a solid foundation for Spanish language learning. *Get it right: thousands of examples of real Spanish show you exactly how translations are used. *Get there fast: clear colour layout takes you quickly to the words you want, with key GCSE vocabulary flagged for rapid identification. *Have confidence: a fun, practical supplement focuses on key exam vocabulary and helps you to use written and spoken Spanish correctly. Log onto www.collins.co.uk/languagesupport to access a wealth of free downloadable resources to help you practise and consolidate your language skills. Other titles available in the Collins Easy Learning Spanish range are: Collins Easy Learning Spanish Grammar, Collins Easy Learning Spanish Verbs, Collins Easy Learning Spanish Words and Collins Easy Learning Spanish Conversation.

Make learning to count easy and fun with this busy busy book from Richard Scarry! Join Willy Bunny and count your way from 1 to 100 with wonderful illustrations along the way. Willy practises counting all of the things he sees — from one bunny (himself!) to a hundred fireflies in the night sky. This wonderful book makes learning your numbers fun and easy. Full of humour and beautiful illustrations, this classic work really is the best counting book ever!

«This is the fourth super-funny Big Nate compilation — now in FULL COLOUR! Enjoy all the most hilarious moments from Big Nate's long running, much-loved comic strip. Big Nate is created by Lincoln Peirce, who inspired Jeff Kinney, author of 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'. Open up and start laughing! The fourth compilation of classic Big Nate comic strips that were originally published in newspapers and on the Web at comics.com, Mr Popularity gives you another slice of funny from the maestro himself — Big Nate. «Lincoln Peirce is one of my cartooning heroes, and BIG NATE ranks as a comics classic. Year in and year out, Big Nate is among the best comics on the funny page.» Jeff Kinney»

Hadley Freeman, Guardian features writer and author of the popular 'Ask Hadley...' column, reminds the modern lady to 'Be Awesome'. All women need to listen to Hadley. She might just have the answers to life's trickiest questions, such as: why does the funny girl in the film never get the guy? Can you read a women's magazine without damaging your brain? And should you ever buy Hello Kitty knickers? Of course you shouldn't! Why are you even asking that? With sage advice, some very helpful lists and a killer dance routine to Patrick Swayze's 'She's Like the Wind', Hadley is here to show you just how awesome life as a modern lady could be.

The Collins COBUILD Essential English Dictionary is an engaging, illustrated dictionary aimed at elementary and pre-intermediate learners of English of all ages. With over 8,000 entries, and an attractive full-colour illustrated supplement, this is the perfect dictionary for adults or younger students who are starting out on their journey of learning English. The words and phrases will equip students with English from A1 (elementary) to approximately intermediate level (B1). The Collins COBUILD Essential English Dictionary covers all the essential words, phrases and idioms that students need to learn. The definitions are written using simple language and the dictionary contains thousands of examples of real English, showing the learner how English is really used. The dictionary also includes a thesaurus which focuses on 50 of the most overused words in English and will help students to expand their vocabulary and increase their fluency. With hundreds of line drawings illustrating key terms, and the full-colour illustrated supplement of essential topics, the Collins COBUILD Essential English Dictionary is the ideal reference tool for beginner learners of English.

The 3rd edition of the Collins COBUILD Intermediate Learner's Dictionary offers up-to-date coverage of today's English in a clear, attractive format. This dictionary is ideal for intermediate-level learners of English. With full-sentence definitions written in simple, natural English, this dictionary is easy to use and understand. The examples, taken from the 4.5-billion-word Collins Corpus, show learners how the words are used in authentic contexts. This dictionary covers all the essential words, phrases, and idioms that students at this level need to learn, and provides help with grammar and usage. A wide range of vocabulary-building features, many of them with full-colour illustrations, encourage students to learn new words and improve their fluency. The dictionary also includes a Visual Thesaurus, which provides alternatives to the 50 most over-used words in English; an Activity Guide, which helps students learn how to get the most out of the dictionary, and a Grammar Reference, which explains key points of English grammar. The Collins COBUILD Intermediate Learner's Dictionary provides invaluable guidance on the English language, and is the complete reference tool for learners of English.