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Electric Spark
A Times, Telegraph, Financial Times, Observer, Guardian and Tablet Book of the Summer''Absolutely mesmerising. I was possessed by this book in the same way that I suspect its author was possessed by Spark. It still hasn’t put me down'' SPECTATOR''Unputdownable'' FINANCIAL TIMES''Joyously, brilliantly intelligent. In Wilson, Spark has met her true match'' ANNE ENRIGHTFrom one of our leading biographers and critics comes an exhilarating, landmark new look at Muriel Spark.The word most commonly used to describe Muriel Spark is ‘puzzling’. Spark was a puzzle, and so too are her books. She dealt in word games, tricks, and ciphers; her life was composed of weird accidents, strange coincidences and spooky events. Evelyn Waugh thought she was a saint, Bernard Levin said she was a witch, and she described herself as ‘Muriel the Marvel with her X-ray eyes’. Following the clues, riddles, and instructions Spark planted for posterity in her biographies, fiction, autobiography and archives, Frances Wilson aims to crack her code.Electric Spark explores not the celebrated Dame Muriel but the apprentice mage discovering her powers. We return to her early years when everything was piled on: divorce, madness, murder, espionage, poverty, skulduggery, blackmail, love affairs, revenge, and a major religious conversion. If this sounds like a novel by Muriel Spark it is because the experiences of the 1940s and 1950s became, alchemically reduced, the material of her art. *A 2025 HIGHLIGHT FOR: Telegraph, Financial Times, Guardian, Observer and Scotsman*''A brilliant, wonderfully shrewd biography'' WILLIAM BOYD''Pitch-perfect, electrifying. Reconfirms Wilson''s pre-eminence as Maestra of British biography'' RACHEL HOLMES
The Monster of Harrods
‘Sensational new book’ – MAIL ON SUNDAY‘Bombshell book’ – THE SUN‘Tell-all book’ – MAIL ON SUNDAY''Explosive new book'' – DAILY MAIL AN UNFLINCHING EXPOSÉ OF MOHAMED AL-FAYED''S 25-YEAR REIGN OF TERROR AT HARRODSDECADES OF ABUSE.DOZENS OF VICTIMS.NO CONSEQUENCES.To the public, he was the eccentric owner of one of the world’s great department stores. But behind closed doors, Al-Fayed ruled with cruelty, humiliation and unchecked abuse.Why were his crimes ignore? hy did those in power look the other wa? his explosive investigation lays bare the power, corruption and complicity at the heart of an iconic British institution.Drawing on firsthand interviews with former staff, allies, executives and police officers, The Monster of Harrods exposes chilling accounts of misconduct, many revealed here for the first time. Through court records, testimonies and unpublished material, the book uncovers:The irreparable damage to victims’ livesThe NDAs, threats and systemic failures that kept them silentThe staggering indifference of those who knew but did nothingThis isn’t just about one man’s abuse of power – it’s about the culture that enabled him. The Monster of Harrods presents damning new evidence, and asks urgent questions of the people and institutions who stood by.Ultimately, this is a book about courage – the courage of the survivors who have stepped forward to reclaim their narratives from a man who tried to reduce them to objects. Their testimony stands as both an indictment of the past and a warning for the future.Their bravery demands nothing less than our complete attention.''The extraordinary courage of these survivors, who, despite everything, were willing to relive their trauma in hope of finally being heard, should not be underestimated. Many have waited decades for acknowledgement, carrying their wounds in silence while their abuser was celebrated.''
I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You
*Pre-order the bestselling hardback autobiography of 2024, now in paperback*''A bombshell, moving, inspirational. Hart passes on the tips that helped her emerge from psychological as much as physical doldrums. No comedian, female or male, has been so taken to the nation’s bosom since Victoria Wood'' Independent''Irrepressible and joyous. Taking us affectionately by the hand, Miranda takes us through her ten-year journey to deep self-knowledge'' Daily Mail‘A wonderful book, filled with treasure’ Julia Samuel''A raw and poignant account. Miranda is more of an everywoman than ever before'' The Times''Miranda''s account of slowly letting her guard down and being vulnerable is sweet and moving, and proof that happiness is possible even in the most trying times'' Guardian----Hello to you, I am with news. I have a new book: I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You. I know – what an intriguing title!Basically, I have had an unexpectedly difficult decade – there have been surprising joys, but also deep revelations and challenging lows. I shall be honest about those, because what I discovered in the difficult times were my, what I call, treasures.Treasures – practical tools, values, ways, answers researched from some great scientists, neuroscientists, therapists, sociologists (all the ‘ists’) out there, that have genuinely led to a sense of freedom, joy, peace and physical recovery I never would have thought possible.Life now, amazingly, with what I will share, is – SUCH FUN! (always important to quote your own catch phrases. . .) If you fancy having a read, then I hope my story might help your story. After all, we are in this beautiful, mysterious, challenging life together. Rest assured there are funny stories along the way – we will have a laugh too, my dear reader chum.Oh, and I couldn’t possibly say if there is a love story in it . . . (There is – shush). Exciting.----Sunday Times bestseller, October 2024
Still a Bit of Snap in the Celery
From the bestselling author of A Shed of One''s Own, a very funny memoir about being 60.Marcus Berkmann''s funny, instantly recognisable description of middle-age in A Shed of One''s Own struck a chord and turned it into a bestseller. Now he realises he has entered a new age category: the Young-Old.Well, the body continues to provide challenges (every group meeting seems to begin the dreaded ''organ recital''), and the bank balance may not be doing too well either - but it''s certainly not all doom and gloom. You have come to terms with your deficiencies and eccentricities (although your partner may not); your Fear of Missing Out has become Joy at Staying In; you have embraced the notion of the Power Nap - and though you''re not going to embark on a course of ''mindfulness'' you nevertheless recognise if living in the moment also includes walking to the local for a pint with an old friend then you''ll sign up for it after all...You could call it ''beerfulness''.''Berkmann is a fine observer of decline. He says what other men would rather not think about, let alone discuss. Another ten years pottering around in his shed and he''ll have cracked it'' Sunday Times
Looked After
''This is a book that everyone must read. It''s funny, moving and of course it''s often sad. But mainly it''s a beautiful and fascinating and enlightening portrait of the care system, a world that is barely understood by many of us. It is also a proper page turner: the twists and turns and set-backs of his childhood are as gripping as they are shocking. I genuinely couldn''t put it down. This story is more urgent and relevant now than ever.'' - XAND VAN TULLEKEN WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:''What a powerful read, there are no words really to describe the impact it has had on me.'' ????? ''I couldn''t put this down and read it in two days. This book should be a staple read in every teacher training course and for every policy maker who wishes to shape a fairer, more equitable society.'' ????? ''I fully recommend this book to everyone who works with children, to inform and guide their work.'' ????? ''I devoured this book in a few days. Ashley''s story is honest and brave. A must read for everyone.'' ????? ''What an incredible book. It had me laughing, crying, dreaming about it . . . A true gift. Everyone should read it!'' ????? -------Ashley John-Baptiste grew up in the British care system, living with five different families, without ever being truly part of a family.It wasn''t easy, or straightforward, and Ashley''s ever-changing living situation affected every single part of his life - from his education to his sense of identity to his friendships and his hobbies. And yet, throughout everything his childhood in care threw at him, Ashley remained resilient and found a way to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way.Now Ashley feels able to tell us - vividly and movingly - how, when it felt like the world was turning its back on him, he refused to be an outsider in his own home and set about establishing a new and positive life for himself.Looked After is a memoir written from the heart that pulls no punches but demonstrates that given encouragement and love - and, sometimes, a second chance - a care-experienced boy can become a successful broadcaster, a loving husband and a proud father.---------''Rage-inducing from start to finish. It is such a powerful story, but it''s also a rallying cry for change. It will mean so much to lots of kids out there and should be read by every social worked in the land.'' - WES STREETING''Ashley John-Baptiste joins a high class of writing by upstanding respectful and honourable citizens and professionals, professors and actors, lawyers, doctors, artists and authors, all who happen to have had a life in care. We have every right to tell our story as much as anyone else. Welcome, Ashley.'' - LEMN SISSAY''An inspiring story of triumph over adversity.'' - FATIMA WHITBREAD''Ashley has done the country a great service in shining a light on the inhumane - and at times brutal - way that society supports this most vulnerable group of children. Every politician should read this book and commit to fixing the system.'' - SHARON WHITE''Beautifully written, with such immediacy, clarity and warmth.'' - EAMON McCRORY, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at UCL
The Dry Season
''Brilliant and powerful'' ELIZABETH GILBERT''So full of wisdom and pleasure that you don''t want it to end'' MAGGIE NELSONIn the wake of a disastrous two-year relationship, Melissa Febos decided to take a break - for three months she would abstain from dating, relationships and sex. Her friends were amused. Did she really think three months was a long time? But to Melissa, it was. Ever since her teens, she had been in one relationship or another. It was time to focus on herself and examine the lifelong patterns that had got her to this point. When those three months ended, she decided to extend her celibate period, fearing that she had not yet gained the clarity she was searching for. She knew she was taking on a challenge but had no idea that this year would become the most fulfilling and sensual of her life. No longer defined by her romantic pursuits, Melissa learned to relish the delights of solitude, the thrill of living on her own terms, the pleasures unmediated by lovers and the freedom to pursue her ideals without distraction or guilt. She began to see her life and her self-worth in a radical new way. Her year of divestment transformed her relationships with friends and peers, her work, creativity - and most of all her relationship to herself.The Dry Season is a memoir of Melissa''s year of celibacy, and a profound exploration of independence, sexuality and deep self-knowledge.
Person Unlimited
You''ve fought and you''ve run away. You''ve danced with other Black queer bodies until sunrise.Sometimes you wanted to be caught and sometimes you wanted to be held. With all that you''ve endured, you are nothing less than miraculous.From choirboy to drag act, grandson to mentor, poet to lover, Dean Atta has played many roles in his life. In this formally inventive, candid and courageous book, he explores what he has carried in his body: wins and losses, shame and pride, pain and joy. Dean also investigates how radical self-acceptance and a willingness to abide with discomfort open up the possibility of a life lived beyond definition: a person unlimited.
Blank. Příběh střelce
Pokud má kočka sedm až devět životů, Fedja Štukan jich musí mít nejméně sto. Snajpr, narkoman, alkoholik, herec, pilot, parašutista, motorkář, aktivista…
Jeho autobiografický román plný emocí způsobil senzaci i skandál, spojil letité nepřátele v obdivu nad knihou a získal autorovi mnoho nových. Z válečných zákopů přes blázinec po heroinovou závislost vyletěl skutečný hrdina k oblakům nejen jako letec, ale i jako herec hollywoodských filmů nebo člověk, co drží vládu pod krkem. Tohle musíš napsat, řekl mu Brad Pitt, když se dozvěděl o jeho životě. Pravdivý příběh, kterému neuvěříte, je líčen s živými i šokujícími detaily, ale s balkánským smyslem pro černý humor. Celý život bojuje Fedja Štukan za poctivost, pravdu a spravedlnost. V regionu plném gangsterů na ulici i ve vládě ne úplně snadná mise. Román BLANK. Příběh střelce je filozofickým kouskem, který zpochybňuje vlastenectví, nacionalismus a náboženství, nenávist a lásku, život i smrt. Úžasný strhující příběh ze skutečného života o chlapci, který šel za svým snem stát se pilotem a při této cestě prošel peklem a zpět. ŽIVOT JAKO JÍZDA NA HORSKÉ DRÁZE DO PEKLA A ZPĚT 60 000 prodaných výtisků
„Nejšílenější, co jsem kdy četl.“ Brad Pitt
„Tak skutečné, až to cítím.“ Angelina Jolie
Egy 20. századi fenegyerek - Libik György, az embermentő
Libik György (1919-1995), az elismert sportoló, mérnök és antifasiszta ellenálló nemcsak a sípályákon lett legendás, hanem a történelem sorsfordító pillanataiban mutatott bátor kiállása miatt is. E hiánypótló kötet átfogó képet nyújt Libik kevéssé ismert, kémregényekbe és politikai thrillerekbe illő, mégis nagyon is valóságos életéről.
A fiatal, sebességmániás Libik egészen korán a sísportok felé fordult, és komoly sikereket ért el egyéni és válogatott szinten. Ekkoriban nyerte el a Nobel-díjas tudós, Szent-Györgyi Albert lányának, Kornéliának a szerelmét is, aki később első felesége lett. A második világháborúban az antifasiszta ellenállókhoz állt be, embereket bújtatott, robbantásokban vett részt, és társaival együtt számos embert mentett meg a deportálástól. Mindeközben a svéd diplomata, Raoul Wallenberg sofőrjeként dolgozott, és életre szóló barátságot kötött Per Angerrel és Karig Sárával. Később szinte egyenes út vezetett számára Nagy Imre köréhez, majd az 1956-os forradalomban való részvételhez. A forradalom leverését követő tisztogatások miatt azonban előbb Lengyelországba, majd Svédországba menekült családjával, ahol végül elismert kutatómérnök és sikeres üzletember lett.
Hannah Arendtová
Kniha, kterou zde v překladu z angličtiny předkládáme českým čtenářům, představuje klasickou biografii politické myslitelky Hannah Arendtové (1906-1975). Její autorkou je Elisabeth Youngová-Bruehlová (1946-2011), někdejší - a jediná - doktorandka Arendtové v New Yorku. Autorka při psaní tohoto životopisu vycházela nejen z literární pozůstalosti Arendtové, ale také ze své osobní zkušenosti se svou učitelkou a přítelkyní a z rozhovorů s - dnes už vesměs nežijícími - pamětníky: jejími přáteli, kolegy, vydavateli či rodinnými příslušníky. Youngová-Bruehlová, jinak též autorka respektované biografie psychoanalytičky a dcery Sigmunda Freuda Anny Freudové a dalších pozoruhodných knih na psychologická i filozofická témata, v ní podává (slovy významného současného odborníka na Arendtovou) "neuvěřitelně intimní portrét" své učitelky. Za tuto svou knihu, ve které líčí mj. biografické souvislosti známých děl Arendtové jako Původ totalitarismu nebo Eichmann v Jeruzalémě a která zaujme také pozoruhodným psychologizujícím stylem, získala několik literární ocenění a na další byla nominována. Kniha byla přeložena do celé řady jazyků včetně slovenštiny (slovenský překlad byl ovšem pořízen z prvního vydání bez obsáhlé nové předmluvy). Zatímco většina hlavních děl Hannah Arendtové byla přeložena do češtiny, žádná její biografie česky dosud nevyšla. Českým čtenářům se tak nyní - v roce padesátého výročí úmrtí a v předvečer stodvacátého výročí narození Hannah Arendtové - dostává do rukou zásadní, ucelené dílo představující její život a spisy, které u nás dosud scházelo.
Exhibitionist
In the early days of the pandemic, Peter Mendelsund and his family traveled up to a secluded New Hampshire farmhouse to weather the chaos. There began his journey through a crippling and seemingly intractable depression - which differed in degree but not in kind from episodes that have recurred periodically throughout his life - that brought him to the brink of suicide. Relief came from an unlikely source: painting, something Peter had never contemplated doing before. And yet it became the thing that may very well have saved his life. Bleakly funny, profoundly moving, and - against all odds - truly inspiring, Exhibitionist is not just an account of a mind thinking through its own suffering in real-time, and of the author''s reckoning with his father''s tortured legacy; it''s also the story of the birth of an artist, and a portrait of an artist at work.
A Different Kind of Power
From the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office, comes a deeply personal memoir chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering inspiration to a new generation of leaders.What if we could redefine leadership? What if kindness came first? Jacinda Ardern grew up the daughter of a police officer in small-town New Zealand, but as the 40th Prime Minister of her country, she commanded global respect for her empathetic leadership that put people first. This is the remarkable story of how a Mormon girl plagued by self-doubt made political history and changed our assumptions of what a global leader can be.When Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister at age thirty-seven, the world took notice. But it was her compassionate yet powerful response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, resulting in swift and sweeping gun control laws, that demonstrated her remarkable leadership. She guided her country through unprecedented challenges—a volcanic eruption, a major biosecurity incursion, and a global pandemic—while advancing visionary new polices to address climate change, reduce child poverty, and secure historic international trade deals. She did all this while juggling first-time motherhood in the public eye. Ardern exemplifies a new kind of leadership—proving that leaders can be caring, empathetic, and effective. She has become a global icon, and now she is ready to share her story, from the struggles to the surprises, including for the first time the full details of her decision to step down during her sixth year as Prime Minister.Through her personal experiences and reflections, Jacinda is a model for anyone who has ever doubted themselves, or has aspired to lead with compassion, conviction, and courage. A Different Kind of Power is more than a political memoir; it’s an insight into how it feels to lead, ultimately asking: What if you, too, are capable of more than you ever imagined?
Stalin's Library
In this engaging life of the twentieth century’s most self-consciously learned dictator, Geoffrey Roberts explores the books Stalin read, how he read them, and what they taught him. Stalin firmly believed in the transformative potential of words, and his voracious appetite for reading guided him throughout his years. A biography as well as an intellectual portrait, this book explores all aspects of Stalin’s tumultuous life and politics.
Stalin, an avid reader from an early age, amassed a surprisingly diverse personal collection of thousands of books, many of which he marked and annotated, revealing his intimate thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Based on his wide-ranging research in Russian archives, Roberts tells the story of the creation, fragmentation, and resurrection of Stalin’s personal library. As a true believer in communist ideology, Stalin was a fanatical idealist who hated his enemies-the bourgeoisie, kulaks, capitalists, imperialists, reactionaries, counter-revolutionaries, traitors-but detested their ideas even more.
Different Kind of Power
This is not just a book for people who follow politics, but for anyone who has ever doubted themselves, or wanted to make a difference.
The deeply personal memoir from the former prime minister of New Zealand, then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to become a mother in office.
Jacinda Ardern grew up the daughter of a police officer in small-town New Zealand, but as the 40th Prime Minister of her country, she became a global icon for her empathetic leadership that put people first. She guided her country through unprecedented challenges, from the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks to a global pandemic. She advanced visionary policies to address climate change and child poverty. And all while juggling first-time motherhood in the public eye.
This is the inspiring story of how a Mormon girl plagued by self-doubt changed our assumptions of what a leader can be. A Different Kind of Power is more than a political memoir. Powerfully evocative and refreshingly open, it is a profound insight into how it feels to lead, it asks: what if you, too, are capable of more than you ever imagined?
The Wonder of Sound
This is the English translation of the German best-selling Klangwunder: wie die Kraft der Musik mich geheilt hat. Albrecht Mayer has been principal oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra since 2002 and enjoys a prolific solo career, and is believed by many to be the greatest oboist in the world. In his autobiography (co-authored with Heidi Friedrich) Albrecht Mayer describes his journey from an insecure child to the pinnacle of the music world. His life gains a new direction when his authoritarian father gives him an oboe at the age of ten with the edict that he learn to play it. He gives a very personal account of the obstacles he faced and the people who helped him along the way, and of performing with the most famous musicians in the world's greatest concert halls. But despite all his success, he has never forgotten the stigma of stuttering and the happiness of having found his true place in the world despite his impairment. This is the deeply moving autobiography of a man who has experienced the healing power of music and today embodies it with great charisma. It is a testament to the healing power of music and the endurance of the human spirit. Written in an eminently readable style this is an honest book about 'an ordinary human being' who has reached the pinnacle of musical success but is very grounded in reality and who cherishes his family above all else.
The Salt Stones
A PBS NewsHour Summer Reading RecommendationFeatured on NPR’s Fresh AirAn Esquire "Best Books of Summer 2025""Revelatory. . . magical. . . Whybrow beautifully explores interconnectedness and disruption in nature."—Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post Set in Vermont''s Green Mountains, a profoundly moving meditation on the lessons and wisdom that come from raising a family, tending sheep, and living close to the land.In the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Helen Whybrow and her partner set out to restore an old two-hundred-acre farm. Knowing that “belonging more than anything requires participation,” they begin to intertwine their lives with the land. But soon after releasing a flock of Icelandic sheep onto the worn-out fields, Whybrow realizes that the art of shepherding extends far beyond the flock and fences of Knoll Farm.In prose both vivid and lean, The Salt Stones offers an intimate and profoundly moving story of what it means to care for a flock and truly inhabit a piece of land. The shepherd’s life unfolds for Whybrow in the seasons and cycles of farming and family—birthing lambs, fending off coyotes, rescuing lost sheep in a storm, and raising children while witnessing her mother’s decline. Exploring the interdependence of animals, as well as of the earth and ourselves, Whybrow reflects on the ways sheep connect her to place and to the ancient practice of shepherding. Evocative, affectionate, and illuminating, The Salt Stones sings of a way of life that is at once ancient and entirely contemporary, inspiring us all to seek greater intimacy and a sense of belonging wherever our home place may be.
Magnáti: 25 príbehov ako na Slovensku zbohatnúť
Mená ako Igor Rattaj, Boris Kolár, Milan Dubec či Peter Štecko verejnosť pozná. Odkiaľ však prišli a ako zbohatli? Komu môžu vďačiť za svoj úspech či postavenie? Akých kostlivcov ukrývajú vo svojich biznisových príbehoch?
Kniha Magnáti odkrýva príbehy 25 úspešných a vplyvných slovenských podnikateľov. Mapuje ich začiatky, vzostupy, pády aj kauzy, ktoré by niektorí z nich najradšej vymazali zo svojich životopisov. A časti z nich sa to aj darí.
Kniha je voľným pokračovaním titulu Oligarchovia. Jej autorom je novinár Tomáš Vašuta, ktorý sa vyše pätnásť rokov venuje slovenskému biznisu. Text dopĺňajú kresby Filipa Györeho z projektu Hej_ty.
Mama Afrika
Milo ako mladý lekár prináša svojou knižkou svedectvo chudoby a utrpenia. Je skvelé vidieť mladého človeka, ktorý nerezignuje v bezmocnosti z toho, ako funguje svet a neuspokojí sa s fejsbukovými statusmi s lacnou kritikou svetových politikov, medzinárodných organizácií, či nadnárodných spoločností. Milo si vyhrnul rukávy a vybral si cestu poctivej a obetavej služby. Nečakal na ideálne podmienky, ale skombinoval svoju odvahu, vedomosti a chuť pomáhať. Pre stovky ľudí v juhosudánskej buši a ich rodiny znamenala jeho služba život namiesto smrti, radosť namiesto smútku, či úľavu namiesto utrpenia. Nech sú jeho memoáre z Mapuorditu inšpiráciou pre ďalších mladých ľudí, ktorí v sebe prechovávajú túžbu pomôcť a sú ochotní vyjsť zo svojej komfortnej zóny a použiť svoje talenty pre službu tým najbiednejším.
Michal Krčméry, riaditeľ Vysokej školy zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce sv. Alžbety
Mama Afrika od Mila Mišánika je inšpiratívnym a silným príbehom o obetavosti, ľudskosti a odhodlaní pomáhať druhým v najchudobnejšej krajine sveta, zmietanej občianskou vojnou, chorobami, negramotnosťou a najrôznejším utrpením. Kniha nielenže priblíži čitateľom realitu života v Južnom Sudáne, ale aj ukáže, aké náročné je vykonávať lekársku profesiu v krajine, kde sú zdroje a možnosti mimoriadne obmedzené. Milo je človek, ktorý má rád rôzne výzvy – športové, medicínske, ale aj ľudské. Na svojej lekárskej misii v Južnom Sudáne skĺbil všetky dokopy. Výsledkom je neprenosná skúsenosť, ktorá obohatí človeka profesionálne aj ľudsky. Jeho denníkové záznamy spracované do knihy čitateľa prenesú na africký kontinent, kde je život pomalší, nevládnu mu sociálne siete a úcta k starším je prirodzená. Jednotlivé príbehy v sebe zahŕňajú množstvo obety, nebezpečenstva, ale aj humoru, ozajstného priateľstva, vynaliezavosti a hlavne človečiny, ktorá sa z moderného sveta vytratila. Milo ju vo svojej knihe priniesol z chudobnej africkej krajiny naspäť medzi nás.
Marek Smolár, chirurg, kolega a priateľ
L’Aubier
what we must remember, what we would forget…How do we carry the past when memory begins to splinter, when daily words and faces elude us while the distant past haunts and torments? How do we carry the past as the adult children of ageing parents whose vitality has given way to a dependency the parent cannot accept? And where are the safe places for our elders in a society with no patience for the slow and the old, a society that sees them as products for an industry of ‘care’ that exists first for its share-holders?These questions weave through l’Aubier as Isabelle Llasera explores the final stages of her mother’s life in a residential home in the South of France and as her mother’s dementia escalates in an environment where profit ranks above care. Written with grace, tenderness and extraordinary clarity, the narrative is addressed to ‘you’. And so we are immersed in a story that brims with frustration (the clothes that disappear, the cold air conditioning in November, the persistent odour of urine in the lounge…) alongside small acts of rebellion that we revel in (the unauthorised car trip in the rain and snow with the best rainy coffee ever). And through it all, the fragments of a long and accomplished life dissolving into moments that won’t let go — the horror of whether three Jewish children ever reached safety or the teenage joy of the fur coat her father gave her…Deeply personal and searingly political, without a whiff of didacticism, l’Aubier will make you laugh and cry. But most of all it will leave you with questions. Dignity? Memory? Identity? Responsibility? So many questions society needs to face if we are to retain humanity.
Čítanie o slávnych osobnostiach je mnohokrát inšpirujúce. Motivujú nás biografie slávnych umelcov, známych hercov alebo významných politikov.
Absolútne prvou biografiou všetkých čias je zrejme Excellentium Imperatorum Vitae, ktorú napísal grék Cornelius Nepos a opisoval v nej životy viacerých gréckych vojenských generálov. Neskôr mal už skoro každý významný vodca svoju biografiu, vrátane Cicera, Júliusa Cézara alebo Alexandra veľkého.
Pri čítaní životopisných kníh máme jedinečnú možnosť sledovať dlhú cestu, ktorú museli títo slávni ľudia prejsť. Uvidíme množstvo pádov a chýb, kvôli ktorým sa ale tieto osoby nevzdali a zobrali ich ako príležitosť zlepšiť sa vo všetkyćh oblastiach. Mnoho v sebe skrývajú aj úprimné rozhovory, ktoré sú často otvorenými vyznaniami a v tejto kategórii nájdete isto aj knihu o človeku, ktorého považujete za svoj vzor a je pre vás inšpiráciou.
Môžete si vybrať, či budete čítať o danej osobe z pohľadu iného človeka, alebo či siahnete po autobiografii. Obidve možnosti majú svoje čaro.
Je všeobecnou pravdou, že dobrá kniha môže ovplyvniť smerovanie nášho života. Pri biografickej literatúre to platí stonásobne, pretože v ruke držíme príbeh reálneho človeka, z ktorého môžeme čerpať mnoho inšpirácie a tipov.
Nájdete tu biografie z oblasti biznisu, filmu a hudby, histórie, literatúry, športu, mafie a podsvetia, náboženstva, politiky, osobností vedy a umenia.
