A&C Black Publishers

It was one of the gravest challenges faced by any British government in peacetime. The banking system, taken for granted by most of the population to pay for life's essentials, came close to collapse. Yet nobody going about their business in October 2008 had any inkling how vulnerable the nation's financial infrastructure was. Nobody, that is, bar a small group of policymakers and ministers working frantically in Whitehall and the City of London. Royal Bank of Scotland, larger than the entire annual output of the UK economy, had toppled. Another banking giant Halifax/Bank of Scotland was in desperate need of a bailout. A staggeringly large bill had to be paid to stave off disaster. But could Britain afford it? Might foreign investors conclude that the UK's public finances could not take the strain and the game was up? Yet doing nothing might have seen cash machines closed, depositors panicking and troops on the streets. These were the appalling dilemmas facing Downing Street, the Treasury and financial regulators in the darkest hours of the crisis triggered by the crash of the US bank Lehman Brothers. As political leaders in the United States confronted challenges to their own system, their British counterparts could rely on nobody for help. A solution had to be found and fast. To their immense credit, a rescue package was unveiled and markets were reassured. But saving the banks was one thing - securing their future to the benefit of taxpayers and customers was another. Decisions made since the traumatic weeks of October 2008 have cast a long shadow. The UK economy is still bearing the scars. RBS is not repaired, some small businesses are struggling to get credit and public appetite for explanations of what happened remains high. This book is the definitive insider's guide to the UK banking crisis, the drama and characters involved in the collapse of some of the major pillars of British banking and the commitment of GBP66 billion of taxpayers' money. This as yet untold story is informed by conversations with highly placed policymakers, including many of the key players, and explains what really happened behind closed doors in Downing Street and the City.

Rapidly gaining popular attention, 3D printing is viewed as the next life changing technology. This book explains how the creative industries are directly interfacing with this new technology and how it is changing the practices of many artists and designers across the globe. A selection of case studies of leading practitioners in their respective disciplines reveals this fascinating process in action. The book also introduces the groundbreaking research by Stephen Hoskins and his 3D team at the Centre for Fine Print Research, world leaders in the development of techniques for 3D printing in ceramics, and includes a history of 3D printing, from its origins in aerospace to its current, diverse applications in bio-medics and Formula One racing, through to furniture design and jewellery. A fascinating investigation into how the applied arts continue to adapt to new technologies, this book is for academics and 3D print users from both the arts and science backgrounds, as well as artists, designers, those in creative industries and anyone who has an interest in new technological developments.

Some children like to slay dragons, others prefer to sip tea with princesses, but any child will find something to wear, play with and love within the creative knitting patterns featured in Sweet Knits: Knitted Treats and Clothes for Kids. From flower-shaped tea cups to cute summer dresses, cosy jumpers to fun room decorations, these projects encourage customisation for truly unique pieces full of personality. Step-by-step instructions and charming colour images accompany you through each and every pattern. The projects are easily adapted to suit knitters of all levels, as easy alternative directions are given alongside any tricky or complex design elements, and tips are provided throughout on how to simplify patterns. Garments come in sizes for children from birth to ten years, and there are even a couple of items for grown-ups, too! With suggestions on how to adapt and personalise each design to make unique pieces, the projects in Sweet Knits provide cosy hand-made treasures that grow with your child and stir young imaginations.

Singing Times Tables Book 2 by Helen MacGregor and Stephen Chadwick uses rhythmic raps, songs and chants to transform learning the times tables - whether it's rote learning, applying calculations or testing them. For times tables with a special x factor, these contemporary, cool songs are the place for kids to start. Higher standards in maths are getting an extra push from the Department for Education with a target for pupils to know their times tables up to 12x12 by age 9. In Singing Times Tables Book 2, children develop a secure knowledge of all the times tables up to x12. By rapping or singing to lively performance and backing tracks they rote learn the tables, then they apply the calculations in real life situation songs and chants. The last section offers question and answer tests - a handy assessment tool for teachers.

Singing Times Tables Book 1 by Helen MacGregor and Stephen Chadwick uses rhythmic rapping and vibrant vocals to transform learning the times tables - whether it's rote learning, applying calculations or testing them. For times tables with a special x factor, these contemporary, cool songs are the place for kids to start. Higher standards in maths are getting an extra push from the Department for Education with a target for pupils to know their times tables up to 12x12 by age 9. In Singing Times Tables Book 1, children develop a secure knowledge of the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables. By rapping or singing to lively performance and backing tracks they rote learn the tables, then they apply the calculations in real life situation songs and chants. The last section offers question and answer tests - a handy assessment tool for teachers.

How to Sound Clever explains the etymology of 600 key words you really ought to know, but haven't had the time to look up in the dictionary. Each entry features an etymological description as well as useful example phrases so that readers can quickly see the correct context for each word. Anecdotes and witty illustrations appear throughout to make a book that is entertaining and will help the reader to boost their vocabulary. An ideal gift and a useful book for everyone have to hand when they come across a word you should know, but don't. Colin Dexter has described How to Sound Clever thus: 'This admirable book is a wholly welcome antidote to the semi-demi-literacy of the 21st century. Go out and buy it!'

Restless Lives in the Second World War. A powerful wartime chronicle told through the eyes of five prominent writers: Elizabeth Bowen, Graham Greene, Hilde Spiel, Rose Macaulay, and Henry Yorke (writing as Henry Green). Volunteering as ambulance drivers, fire-fighters and ARP wardens, they were the successors to the soldier poets of WWI and their story has never been told. Opening with a meticulous evocation of a single night in September 1940, the author brilliantly and beautifully interweaves letters, diaries and fiction with official civil defence records to chart the history of a burning world in wartime London and post-war Vienna and Berlin.

The ultimate guide to the 25 greatest cycling journeys across the continent. Whether you're a seasoned randonneur or an armchair dreamer, this is the book for you. A beautifully photographed and practical guide for any keen rider on how to complete some of the most famous rides across Europe. The follow-up volume to Spring 2011's Ride a Stage of the Tour de France and capitalising on the popularity of long-distance cycling, and cycling in general, Classic Cycle Routes of Europe inspires and informs the reader about the most well known cycling routes across Europe. Each route is described in detail, with altitude, distance, maps, planning and preparation all included, along with background information and great stories associated with the area. Includes stunning photography and up to the minute practical advice from an author who has been there and done it. Classic Cycle Routes of Europe includes Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Giro di Lombardia, along with 20 more classics, sweeping you through The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Norway.

Whether you are a novice, a mountain-bike enthusiast, a competitive cyclist or one who rides for fitness or pleasure, this book provides all you need to know to get the best out of your bike. Beginning with the anatomy of the bicycle, it explains what to look for when buying a bike so that you get the right one for you, whether it be a folding bike, tandem, electric bike, track bike or BMX. There's plenty of information on the right kit - for women as well as men - and clear explanations to help you tackle maintenance and repair jobs with confidence. The basic principles of riding, negotiating cities and riding off-road are explained, and it also covers how to ride safely and comfortably. For all those who want to take their cycling further, there's information on competitive riding and training, and even a stunning international touring section packed full of recommended rides in breathtaking locations. Fun, inspiring, beautifully illustrated and easy to use, The Cycling Bible is the perfect companion for riders of every level, whatever they want from their bike.

Sustainable sewing projects don't have to be scratchy hemp skirts and brown patchwork aprons - you could be making beautiful one-off pieces for yourself and your home from unique and unusual eco-friendly recycled or vintage fabrics. A whole new generation of savvy craftsters have been dusting off old sewing machines and revving them up, but they don't want to make just any old thing. This book will guide readers through a series of stylish sewing projects with a focus on sourcing and using sustainable fabrics. The projects teach different aspects of sewing, starting with making cushions from recycled shirts, old jumpers, vintage buttons and other materials, working through making simple skirts and bags, to using leather applique, working with vintage lace and peace silk, using organic fabrics for scarves and shawls and even 'upcycling' an old suede skirt or hat into something beautiful and unique.

Winner of the HRH Duke of Edinburgh English Speaking Union English Language Book Award 2006. An award winning language book, this is a lively and engaging expose on the foreign words and phrases that populate our language. Each entry gives a translation of the expression, the language of origin, pronunciation, an insightful comment on usage, plus illuminating examples from the press. A Pretentiousness Index will help you avoid committing the ultimate faux pas(!). If you have ever been bamboozled by the use of a foreign word or phrase, or simply want to spice up your vocabulary with some well chosen bons mots, then this is the book for you. Thousands of foreign terms have been absorbed into the English language from the everyday (kowtow) to the relatively obscure (auto-da-fe). Faux Pas? focuses on familiar terms and expressions as well as those that are new, curious or amusing.

With over 8,000 terms and expressions, this best-selling dictionary provides clear, concise and fully up-to-date information on all aspects of civil, criminal and commercial law. Fully updated for the new edition, expanded topics include juvenile crime, immigration, anti-terrorism measures, e-crime, family law, police procedure and forensics. Examples and encyclopedic comments help to explain complex terms from British, European and US legal procedure.A recommended text for a number of law courses, this book is ideal for students and all professionals who need to understand legal terminology, especially non-native speakers of English.

Check Your Vocabulary workbooks are aimed at learners of English who want to build vocabulary in a specific area. Check Your English Vocabulary Phrasal Verbs and Idioms is a new title in the range which focuses on an extremely important, yet difficult, area of study for learners. Phrases such as 'go with the flow' or 'hang around' form a natural part of native English speakers' speech, however, they present the learner with a tall order - having to master distinctive expressions whose meaning cannot be deduced from the meaning of their actual words. Containing a range of word games, quizzes and exercises, this workbook will help build vocabulary confidence in a fun, memorable way.

Age-range: 14+ 'Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live and go to school and play and sleep - sometimes with each other. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, and we know how to party. It's a luxe life, but someone's got to live it.' The Gossip Girl series is the ultimate in glamour and cool - set in New York's glamorous Upper East Side the narrative follows the thrills and spills (with Jimmy Choo shoes and shopping at Barneys mixed in along the way) of its richest and most beautiful teenage residents. 'Gossip Girl' is the ultimate in sophistication, scandal and luxury - in fact if Carrie Bradshaw of 'Sex and the City' had a younger sister, there is no doubt she would be 'Gossip Girl'! Publisher's Weekly is quoted: 'Gossip Girl has the effect of gossip itself - once you enter it's hard to extract yourself&894 teens will devour this whole'. We will be publishing the series at regular intervals throughout 2003 with a high profile, energetic and suitably cutting-edge marketing campaign. This deliciously catty and engrossing series will be the spicy vanguard for Bloomsbury pushing the bundaries into young adult fiction.