Golf, A Very Peculiar History' takes a sideways look at one of Britain's greatest exports, tracing its history from the earliest ball-in-hole games right up to the scandals that rock its current celebrities and tournaments, with a fair few mulligans in between. From its origins as a strictly men-only, exclusive sport, golf has matured a great deal through the ages and has distanced itself from the elitist pursuit it once was, today allowing players from all creeds and sexes. This ebook tak...

The Little Book of Sussex is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters and literally hundreds of wacky facts (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia). David Arscott's new book gathers together a myriad of data on Sussex. There are lots of factual chapters bu...

When war broke out in 1939, few knew that they would soon be fighting to survive, let alone how or when it would end. 'Rations: A Very Peculiar History' looks at the measures the British government took to ensure the wellbeing of its people during wartime, and how the British public dealt with it. With some stealing, some hoarding, but most just trying to get by, it was one of the bleakest periods in British history. But there's a reason they called it 'the Blitz spirit' - this title featu...

The 60s, A Very Peculiar History' is a nostalgic celebration of those gloriously giddy years. Filled with fascinating trivia and quirky facts about the Swinging Sixties, David Arscott uniquely explores what made the sixties so different and how the decade has influenced the world today. From a timeline of pivotal historical world events to examining London, 'a city steeped in tradition, seized by change and liberated by affluence', as well as memorable fashions, food, film and music of the...

EIIR Queen Elizabeth II, 60 Years a Queen, A Very Peculiar History' uniquely explores the life and times of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as we approach her 2012 Diamond Jubilee. The story that unfolds is one of doughty determination - the story of a young monarch who finds herself thrust into a new world of relentless public exposure, whose own family turns out to be as frail as everyone else's, but who somehow, for a full 60 years and counting, manages to steer the institution through t...

Taking a unique look at how Britain survived the bombing of its major cities, 'The Blitz, A Very Peculiar History' tells a story of blackouts, Bletchley Park and bravery during the darkest (literally) period of World War II. From Dunkirk to Dad's Army, explore the many ways in which Britain tried to foil the incoming bomber planes, featuring quirky stories and fascinating trivia about this period of history. Were German paratroopers really dropped disguised as nuns? Find out the answer to ...

In 'The World Cup, A Very Peculiar History', author David Arscott tackles the big subjects at the heart of the beautiful game, including how the tournament first kicked off, the dirty tactics used throughout the years and the most memorable managers in the history of football. Filled to the brim with quirky quotes, fantastic facts and surprising statistics, this is the perfect accompaniment to any post-match celebration (or commiseration!) during the season. At its heart 'The World Cup, A ...

From its beginnings in Ancient Greek antiquity, right up to its arrival in Great Britain, the home of so many modern sports and favoured pastimes, the Olympic Games have always been a grand and exciting spectacle, whether you're watching a no-holds-barred wrestling match or a mesmerising, freewheeling gymnast. 'The Olympics, A Very Peculiar History' gives an overview of the strange, the unbelievable and the downright bizarre events that have occurred over the many years that this esteemed ...

Brighton: that curious master of reinvention - whether it's considered 'London-by-the-Sea' or 'England's San Francisco', it's certainly a city with a reputation for being on the edge. Delve deep into the weird and wonderful history of 'Brighthelmstone', and find out how this dreary fishing village became a dazzling playground for the louche and wealthy: from the fashionable Regency period to the age of DJs, Brighton has always been home to the proudly quirky. But it's not all sun, sea and ...

The backlash against poor language teaching has produced a rash of full-blown grammar books, but this uncomplicated and amusing user’s manual concentrates on the essentials. GOOD ENGLISH hacks away at the tangled thicket of confusions while never becoming a dull grammar lesson. Ideal for any English speaker uneasy about handling full-stops, commas and the dreaded apostrophe, it highlights the most common problems and solves them with style and a smile. GOOD ENGLISH has proved itself popula...

The unique nutshell gide to researching, planning, writing and referencing a compelling student essay. Nothing threatens to cloud those first exciting university days more than sitting down to your very first tutorial assignment and realising that you've never been set anything quite as daunting in your life. Where on earth do you begin? With GOOD ESSAYS, of course. Our cheerful little guide swiftly teaches you the tricks of the trade, from economical note-taking, through the creation of a...

We’re in the last days of a general election campaign a few years from now. The ruling Tories have lurched to the right, with Labour abjectly following in their wake. The state has been further dismantled, while the poor, the unemployed and the disabled are ruthlessly demonised and punished. But there’s a shock in store, revolving around the indecent violation of a portrait of Margaret Thatcher that hangs in 10 Downing Street. A chance encounter opens the eyes of the caretaker prime minist...