This collection of unvarnished random recollections fills in yet more missing pieces of Billy Abraham's background story, outlining his crazy, unconventional life, from an innocent primary schoolboy and original pre-teenage '69 skinhead, on through the heady days of Glam rock and Punk, and also his escapades as a professional criminal on the streets of London's Soho.

Join former London career criminal Billy Abrahams, alongside a colourful cast of villains, as they make their way through the British prison system, ducking and diving to circumvent its rules while waiting for the day they get back out on the streets to carry on their lives of crime.

The Castle of Otranto - Horace Walpole The History of Caliph Vathek - William Beckford The Mysteries of Udolpho - Ann Radcliffe Caleb Williams - William Godwin Wieland: or, The Transformation - Charles Brockden Brown Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen Frankenstein - Mary Shelley Melmoth the Wanderer (Lock and Key Version) - Charles Robert Maturin The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner - James Hogg St. John's Eve - Nikolai Gogol...

The Castle of Otranto is regarded as the first gothic novel as it merges medievalism and terror in a style that has endured ever since. The aesthetics of the book shaped modern-day gothic books, films, art, music and the goth subculture. The book begins on the wedding-day of his sickly son Conrad and princess Isabella. Shortly before the wedding, however, Conrad is crushed to death by a gigantic helmet that falls on him from above. This inexplicable event is particularly ominous in light o...

HORACE WALPOLE was the youngest son of Sir Robert Walpole, the great statesman, who died Earl of Orford. He was born in 1717, the year in which his father resigned office, remaining in opposition for almost three years before his return to a long tenure of power. Horace Walpole was educated at Eton, where he formed a school friendship with Thomas Gray, who was but a few months older. In 1739 Gray was travelling-companion with Walpole in France and Italy until they differed and parted; but ...

"The Castle of Otranto" tells the story of Manfred, the lord of the Castle of Otranto, who seeks to maintain his family's lineage and power. When his son Conrad dies mysteriously on his wedding day, Manfred becomes obsessed with producing a male heir to secure his dynasty. He is willing to go to extreme lengths, including defying societal and moral conventions, to achieve his goal.The novel is characterized by its eerie atmosphere, supernatural occurrences, and elements of suspense and hor...

Originally published in 1906 as one volume, Camping and Woodcraft was expanded into a two-volume edition in 1916 and 1917. Ranked sixth among the ten best-selling sporting books of all time, Camping and Woodcraft remains a classic for campers and a veritable outdoor enthusiast’s bible. This manual reflects Horace Kephart’s practical knowledge and covers, in depth, any problem that campers might confront. Kephart lived in the Great Smoky Mountains and spent most of his tim...

The year is 1977, and Punk is on the rise, putting the fear of Christ up the UK establishment. Billy Abrahams is holding down a dead-end job at Smithfield Meat Market, where he willingly joins in the rampant thieving. He uses the ill-gotten gains to purchase the best Punk clobber from the King's Road, where every Saturday he and his pals gather to fight the hated gangs of teddy boys. During this time, Billy also takes his first steps up the criminal ladder by carrying out small job...

The Castle of Otranto is a book by Horace Walpole first published in 1764 and generally regarded as the first gothic novel. In the second edition, Walpole applied the word 'Gothic' to the novel in the subtitle – "A Gothic Story". The novel merged medievalism and terror in a style that has endured ever since. The aesthetic of the book has shaped modern-day gothic books, films, art, music and the goth subculture.The novel initiated a literary genre which would become extremely popular...

"Our Southern Highlanders" by Horace Kephart is a captivating exploration of the life and culture of the Appalachian people in the Southern Highlands. Kephart, an outdoor enthusiast and writer, immerses himself in the rugged beauty of the region, capturing the essence of its landscapes and the resilience of its inhabitants. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, he paints a picture of a world that is both enchanting and challenging, revealing the deep connection between the peo...

During the Depression, Gloria and Robert enter a dance marathon in return for three square meals a day and a chance at winning the big-money prize. Under the intense scrutiny of the media, corporate sponsors and obsessive fans, the competing couples are put through a series of gruelling and humiliating feats of endurance, until they begin to fight among themselves and betray each other. As days and weeks go by, the tension reaches boiling point, and this pitch-black tale of desire and desp...

Gothic Classics: 60+ Books in One Volume is a captivating exploration of the Gothic literary tradition, showcasing a rich tapestry of themes such as the supernatural, psychological terror, and the sublime. This comprehensive collection presents an eclectic range of literary styles that span haunting tales of mystery and horror, each contributing uniquely to the overarching genre. With standout pieces that transport the reader through eerie landscapes and delve into the shadows of the human...