A fresh, fascinating, up-to-the-moment appraisal of black holes—the massive astronomical objects with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing can escape them, not even light—situating them at the center of our understanding of our place on Earth and in the universeHumanity’s relationship with black holes began in 1783 in a small English village, when clergyman John Michell posed a startling question: What if there are objects in space that are so large and heav...

A new selection of Yukio Mishima (author of Spring Snow and The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea) short stories from the 1960s—his final decade—Voices of the Fallen Heroes offers a unique glimpse into the mind of one of Japan’s greatest writers.In the title story, "Voices of the Fallen Heroes," a séance brings forth the spirits of young officers in the Imperial Army and the kamikaze pilots of World War II, who reproach the Emperor ...

‘A book that everyone should read’ The TimesA harrowing, heart-rending first-hand account of the bombing of Nagasaki – and the acts of human kindness left in its wake.On 9th August 1945, the Japanese city of Nagasaki is hit by an atomic bomb. Forty thousand people are killed instantly. Doctor Takashi Nagai is not one of them.Pulling himself, broken and bloodied, from the wreckage that was once the city’s university hospital...

**One of Next Big Idea Club's Best Books of 2025From a groundbreaking neuroscientist, a book that will reshape the way we understand how our brain perceives the world around us—for readers of Adam Grant's Think Again and Lisa Genova's Remember.**How does your brain decide what it's seeing, from the physical world to other people? For decades, scientists have tried to understand how our brains work, not realizing that the answer lies much closer to home. Ne...

'A superb book’ – Observer‘Gripping, vivid and compelling’ – The Critic‘Humane, absorbing and meticulous’ – New Statesman‘An extraordinary book’ James O’Brien, TLSThree Weeks in July is the extraordinary and definitive account of the events of the 7/7 London bombings, publishing on the 20th anniversary of the event.Thr...

Quantum physicist, New York Times bestselling author, and BBC host Jim Al-Khalili reveals how 8 lessons from the heart of science can help you get the most out of lifeToday’s world is unpredictable and full of contradictions, and navigating its complexities while trying to make the best decisions is far from easy. The Joy of Science presents 8 short lessons on how to unlock the clarity, empowerment, and joy of thinking and living a little more sci...

A joyous celebration of Britain’s rich bird lifeIn Birdland, journalist and lifelong birder Jon Gower explores our intimate connection with the bird life around us. From the symphonic song of the wren to the clack of a puffin’s beak and from epic migrations to sunset murmurations, birds are commonplace miracles. No wonder they have inspired our artists, writers and songwriters. Whether rare or abundant, Jon Gower visits some of the best places in Britain to watch birds, se...

How Labour took power and what they're doing with it'Taken As Red stands out for its balance and the depth of its reporting' The Guardian'Revelatory and insightful.' Tim ShipmanIn Taken As Red acclaimed political journalist Anushka Asthana takes us behind the scenes of the 2024 general election campaign.As the political landscape undergoes a seismic shift, this gripping account pro...

‘Jenkins sets about his task with infectious enthusiasm and draws out all the most important themes in America’s 250-year history' The TimesIn the two hundred and fifty years since its foundation, the United States of America has grown to become the world’s richest and most powerful union. How did this new nation come to dominate global culture, economics, politics and warfare?Informed by years of close observation, bestselling author Simon Jenkins...

The riveting new exploration of American history – and how it has led to the era of Donald Trump – from the award-winning political broadcaster.'A well argued and elegant answer to the question, 'how did America get to this place?'' Justin Webb, presenter of Americast'Pithy, entertaining and informative’ GuardianTrump’s second term, even more than his first, is often called ‘unprecedented’. But...

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • A sweeping chronicle of four tumultuous years in 1980s New York that changed the city forever—and anticipated the forces that would soon divide the nation—from the bestselling author of Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning“A rip-roaring, sweeping, essential work of history . . . a deeply reported and brilliantly observed account of how the modern city was born and why all of us continue to...

‘Kiko Llaneras is one of the most consistently interesting data journalists to have emerged in the last decade’John Burn-Murdoch, Chief data reporter, Financial TimesIt’s almost impossible to feel confident we’ve made the right choice when we are constantly faced with conflicting data. From choosing the right school for our children to understanding major social and political events, making informed decisions can feel overwhelming. In a world overfl...