When the Ninth Doctor lands in the town of Kennet, he finds that something is terribly wrong. The people are scared. They don't like going out at night, they don't like making too much noise, and they certainly don't like strangers asking questions. What alien force has invaded the town and why is it watching barmaid Alison Cheney? The Ninth Doctor is sardonic, witty, compassionate, and tired of how foolish humans can be. He has lived through things his predecessors never dreamed of but has difficulty with things that those before him have taken for granted. He has secrets that may put him, Alison, and the whole world in danger. The Doctor is helped by his new military liaison Major Kennet and his Royal Green Jacket troops. Starting with a small community under threat, this Doctor Who story takes in the entire world, from New Zealand to India, Siberia to the USA, and cosmic expanses beyond. It was originally published in 2004.

Jamie Grimm is a middle schooler on a mission: he wants to become the world's greatest stand-up comedian — even if he always seems to 'choke' in the spotlight. When Jamie finds out about a contest called the Funniest Kid on the Planet, he knows it's time to face his fears and enter. But are the judges rewarding him out of pity because he happens to be in a wheelchair, like his bullying cousin Stevie suggests? And will Jamie ever share the secret of his troubled past — and reason for his disability — instead of hiding behind his comedy act? In this highly illustrated book that's as heartfelt as it is hilarious, James Patterson dishes out heaps of jokes that will have readers rolling on the floor and cheering for more.

The principles of creativity revealed in deceptively simple words and pictures by the man behind the world's most successful advertising agency. Simplicity looks easy. It's not. It's easier to complicate than simplify. Now in a pocket-sized format, Brutal Simplicity of Thought, presents stunningly simple examples of concepts that have changed the world — from the single piece of paper that became the American Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the most powerful nation in the history of the world, to the symbol and line that enables us to write music. Thought-provoking and incisive, Brutal Simplicity of Thought is the distillation, in words and pictures, of the Saatchi method of creativity. Whether you are a student, a manager, self-employed or a CEO, this book has something to teach us all: simplicity rules.

For Jane Austen fans who treasure the art of correspondence, an elegant keepsake box filled with 100 postcards featuring the ubiquitous wit of Austen's sentiments, to mail to loved ones, frame as a set, or pin to an inspiration board. Expect a most agreeable letter, for having nothing at all to say, there shall be no check to my genius from beginning to end. Jane Austen's bustling life rarely left her without news to share, but even in those spare moments with nothing to pen, her incandescent wit manages to shine throughout her letters. Collected from her extensive collection of personal correspondence, this box contains 100 postcards featuring 25 of her most beloved witticisms (reproduced 4 times). Housed in a beautifully designed keepsake box, this set of postcards makes a thoughtful gift for any Austen lover.

From designer silk squares to chunky homemade knits, this guide is filled with inspired ways to style your scarves. Inside you'll find: Step-by-step tutorials for square, oblong, and embellished scarves; Styles for the summer, fall, winter, and spring seasons; DIY scarf accessories featuring camera straps, tote bags, necklaces and more Wrapped in a silky cover and with a beautifully designed interior, HOW TO TIE A SCARF is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the finishing touch of a well-styled scarf.

«THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY — Book 1 Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the basis of the HBO TV show, and its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma Ramotswe navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, and good humor — not to mention help from her loyal assistant, Grace Makutsi, and the occasional cup of tea. This first novel in Alexander McCall Smith's widely acclaimed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series tells the story of the delightfully cunning and enormously engaging Precious Ramotswe, who is drawn to her profession to «help people with problems in their lives.» Immediately upon setting up shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, she is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, and follow a wayward daughter. But the case that tugs at her heart, and lands her in danger, is a missing eleven-year-old boy, who may have been snatched by witchdoctors. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency received two Booker Judges' Special Recommendations and was voted one of the International Books of the Year and the Millennium by the «Times Literary Supplement.»

Each spread offers two pages of complementary doodling activities. For example, a left-hand page invites kids to doodle raindrops falling on a picture of a plane, and the right-hand page asks them to doodle a plane flying through pictured raindrops. By using drawings, the connection between rain and plane doesn't need to be explained! Handwriting and spelling skills are reinforced throughout by rhyming words with missing letters and drawing pictures.

Claire and Ben are the perfect couple. But behind the glossy facade, they've been desperately trying — and failing — to have a baby for years. Now, the stress and feelings of loss are taking their toll on their marriage. Claire's ready to give up hope and get on with her life, but Ben is not. And then Ben's best friend, Romily, offers to conceive via artificial insemination and carry the baby for them. Romily acts in good faith, believing it will be easy to be a surrogate. She's already a single mother, and has no desire for any more children. Except that being pregnant with Ben's child stirs up all sorts of emotions in her, including one she's kept hidden for a very long time: Ben's the only man she's ever loved. Two mothers — and one baby who belongs to both of them, and which only one of them can keep.

Mr & Mrs Max Irving request the company of: Mrs Fran Friedman, mourning her empty nest, the galloping years and a disastrous haircut. Mr Saul Friedman, runner of marathons, and increasingly distant husband. The two Misses Friedman, Pip and Katy, one pining over the man she can't have, the other trying to shake off the man she no longer wants. At the marriage of their son James, forbidden object of troubling desire. For thirty-six hours of secrets and lies, painted-on-smiles and potential ruin. And drinks, plenty of drinks. There's nothing like a wedding for stirring up the past. As Fran negotiates her way from Saturday morning to Sunday evening she is forced to confront things she's long thought buried, and to make decisions about the future that will have far-reaching consequences for them all.

Stories in the Travelman Short Stories series take the reader to places of mystery, fantasy, horror, romance, and corners of the universe yet unexplored. In turn, readers take them on the bus or subway, slip them into briefcases and lunchboxes, and send them from Jersey to Juneau. Each classic or original short story is printed on one sheet of paper and folded like a map. This makes it simple to read while commuting, convenient to carry when not, and easy to give or send to a friend. A paper envelope is provided for mailing or gift-giving, and both are packaged in a dear plastic envelope for display. The cost is not much more than a greeting card.

«Once upon a time, I had known nothing about my family. Gran never, ever spoke about her family, and I never asked. My parents and I knew that Gran had come from Europe, but anyone would have known that from her beautiful, aristrocratic French. But being me, I just couldn't leave it alone. So I went to Europe and found out. And then my life fell apart. Or shoudl I say, my «old» life fell apart. And my new life... well, it was like something right out of a fairy tale. I had been ta teacher on the college level, and now I was a member of one of the royal families of Dobrenica, an obscure European country with some very unusual attributes. Like magic. Yes, there was magic in Dobrencia. For instance, if certain members of two royal lines married at a specific time, Dobrenia «vanished.» And ghosts, I could now see ghosts. And vampires... but I still can't quite wrap my brain around that one. Let's just say that Dobrenica was one strange little country. I was truly happy. I was engaged to the heir apparent to the throne of Dobrenica, and we were in love. Wedding preparations were underway and, although the thought of being a princess made me feel weird, being with Alec was like living a dream. So my mood was high as I walked under the triumphal arch in the center of the capital city and ducked thorugh a lichen-dotten medieval archway. Trailing my fingers along the wall, I soon passed the odd little painting of a door that had intrigued me ever since I first came to Dobrenica. It was rendered so realistically that on first glance it seemed three-dimensional, but as I passed my hands over the painted doorknob, my fingres closed on cold metal, and the false door swung inward, revealing a sun-drenched landscape and a teenage girl with honey-colored braids. «I am Xanpia,» she said, and somehow I knew she wasn't just another girl named after the patron saint of Dobrenica. «This door,» I blurted, «how does it work?» «It is a door between your past and your future,» she responded. «Oh, no! No, no, no — I'm about to married!» I said in desperation, trying to back away. «You are called to guide the child Aurelie,» she said. «But that is only half your task: To save Dobrenica, you must bring her here.» And with that, she disappeared, leaving me floating like a spirit in a strange world, two hundred years in the past...»

Set in the South two years before the Civil War, DJANGO UNCHAINED stars Django, a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-top-face with German-born bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz. Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty. The unorthodox Schultz acquires Django with a promise to free him upon the capture of the Brittles — dead or alive. Success leads Schultz to free Django, though the two men choose not to go their separate ways. Instead, Schultz seeks out the South's most wanted criminals with Django by his side. Honing vital hunting skills, Django remains focused on one goal: finding and rescuing Broomhilda, the wife he lost to the slave trade long ago. Django and Schultz's search ultimately leads them to Calvin Candie, the proprietor of Candlyand, an infamous plantation. Exploring the compound under false pretenses, Django and Schultz arouse the suspicion of Stephen, Candie's trusted house slave. Their moves are marked, and a treacherous organization closes in on them. If Django and Schultz are to escape with Broomhilda, they must choose between independence and solidarity, between sacrifice and survival.

In his engaging book, Jules Evans explains how ancient philosophy saved his life, and how we can all use it to become happier, wiser and more resilient. Jules imagines a dream school, which includes 12 of the greatest and most colourful thinkers the world has ever known. Each of these ancient philosophers teaches a technique we can use to transform ourselves and live better lives. These practical techniques are illustrated by the extraordinary stories of real people who are using them today — from marines to magicians, from astronauts to anarchists and from CBT psychologists to soldiers. Jules also explores how ancient philosophy is inspiring modern communities — Socratic cafes, Stoic armies, Platonic sects, Sceptic summer camps — and even whole nations in their quest for the good life.

In this sixth deluxe Fables collection, featuring issues #46-51 of the Eisner Award-winning series, the threat of the Adversary looms ever closer as the drums of war begin their steady beat. The Fables prepare for battle, but first they must find their would-be commander: Bigby Wolf!

«Architect Le?on Krier asks, «Can a war criminal be a great artist?» Speer, Adolf Hitler's architect of choice, happens to be responsible for one of the boldest architectural and urban oeuvres of modern times. First published in 1985 to an acute and critical reception, «Albert Speer: Architecture 1932-1942» is a lucid, wide-ranging study of an important neoclassical architect. Yet is is simultaneously much more: a philosophical rumination on art and politics, good and evil. With aid from a new introduction by influential American architect Robert A. M. Stern, Krier candidly confronts the great difficulty of disentangling the architecture and urbanism of Albert Speer from its political intentions. Krier bases his study on interviews with Speer just before his death. The projects presented center on his plan for Berlin, an unprecedented modernization of the city intended to be the capital of Europe.»

People never like me and I never like people, Mary thought. When Mary Lennox is sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody says she is the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It is true, too. Mary is pale, spoilt and quite contrary. But she is also horribly lonely. Then one day she hears about a garden in the grounds of the Manor that has been kept locked and hidden for years. And when a friendly robin helps Mary find the key, she discovers the most magical place anyone could imagine...

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet. Why would they? Anna's a sixteen-year-old in 1995, fiercely determined to secure a running scholarship so she can leave her quiet, dull town and finally travel the world. Bennett's a seventeen-year-old in 2012, living in San Francisco and trying to control his ability to travel through time — an incredible gift, but also an unpredictable curse, which constantly threatens to separate him from the people he loves. When a minor lapse in judgment puts his sister Brooke in danger, Bennett finds himself two thousand miles and seventeen years away — in Anna's world. As he searches for Brooke, Bennett is strangely and inescapably drawn to Anna, who feels sure she's seen him somewhere before. Through the gorgeous, mysterious newcomer, able to travel anywhere in a split second, Anna visits deserted tropical beaches and stunning mediterranean coastlines for the first time, and they can't help falling for one another. But they both know, deep down, that it can never last. For no matter how desperate Bennett is to stay with Anna, his uncontrollable condition will inevitably knock him right back to where he belongs — and Anna will be left to pick up the pieces.

From petticoat duels and lucky cats to the Stiffs Express, Lord Nelson's spare nose, the Piccadilly earthquake and the Great Beer Flood of 1814, A Curious Guide to London takes you on a captivating, wildly entertaining tour of the city, unearthing the capital's secrets and celebrating its rich and colourful history. Brimming with tales about the city's forgotten past, its strangest traditions and its most eccentric inhabitants, this quirky compendium commemorates the unique, the unusual and the unknown. Perfect for tourists, day-trippers, commuters and the millions of people who call London home, this book will make you look at the city in a whole new light.

In this first-ever showcase of his work, Gregory Heisler, one of professional photography's most respected practitioners, shares 50 iconic portraits of celebrities, athletes, and world leaders, along with fascinating, thoughtful, often humorous stories about how the images were made. From his famously controversial portrait of President George H.W. Bush (which led to the revocation of Heisler’s White House clearance) to his evocative post-9/11 Time magazine cover of Rudolph Giuliani, to stunning portraits of Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Hillary Clinton, Michael Phelps, Muhammad Ali, and many more, Heisler reveals the creative and technical processes that led to each frame. For Heisler’s fans and all lovers of photography, Gregory Heisler: 50 Portraits offers not only a gorgeous collection of both black-and-white and color portraits, but an engrossing look at the rarely seen art of a master photographer at work. With a foreword by New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

In a future less than fifty years away, the world is still as we know it. Time continues to tick by. The truth is that it is ticking away. A powerful few know what lies ahead. They are preparing for it. They are trying to protect us. They are setting us on a path from which we can never return. A path that will lead to destruction; a path that will take us below ground. The history of the silo is about to be written. Our future is about to begin.