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A masterful history of how war and insecurity, both real and perceived, have driven Russia’s destiny for centuries, including the disastrous invasion of Ukraine. Putin retains his stranglehold on his position in Russia despite an almost ruinous invasion of Ukraine. The answer as to how and why can be found in Russian history. With no naturally defensible borders, and environmental factors constraining its economy, Russia has been pitched against the pre-eminent military powers of the age across the centuries, and often at a technological disadvantage. To respond to these challenges, it has had to sit heavily on the backs of its people, and so war – and the need to be able to fight it – has shaped its evolution, from tsars to commissars and presidents. The national identity has been forged in the furnace of war. From the medieval kingdom of Rus battling against a Scandinavian princes and Mongol emperors, to its own empire-building conflicts in 19th-century Asia, to the formative wars of the 20th century which saw Russia pitch from Tsarist empire to communist state and defender against Nazism, all these conflicts stained the lands of Russia red with blood. A weak post-Cold War Russia then turned to Putin, who created a new mood for martial triumphalism which led directly to the Ukrainian war. Packed with contemporary accounts, Forged in War strips away the myth to give an insider’s view on Russia’s past and present.

Twenty bears unpacking cases. Look at those excited faces! Ready to enjoy the sun… Holidays are so much fun! Get ready for a shot of pure counting fun, as twenty very excited bears set off for a holiday on the beach. Summer is here and it’s time to RELAX – but are these silly bears up to the task?

PREORDER DAVID GILMAN'S THRILLING NEW HISTORICAL NOVEL THE KNIFE MAKER OF VENICE NOW!In this gripping historical adventure, Master of War Sir Thomas Blackstone must travel into enemy lands with a price on his head as he seeks gold and alliances for King Edward's war with France. THE MASTER OF WAR RIDES AGAIN. 1368, Northern Italy. As the Hundred Years’ War smoulders, the Duke of Clarence, second son of Edward III, sets out from Paris to wed the Lord of Milan's daughter. The union could forge an alliance as vital as any victory on the battlefield. But the road to Milan is a road to betrayal. Riding ahead is Sir Thomas Blackstone, the legendary Master of War. Blackstone is tasked with securing the gold that, together with the marriage alliance, will fuel the House of Plantagenets’ fight against France. But with a bounty on his head, Blackstone will have to outthink and outfight foes deadlier than any he has faced before. Yet the gravest threat may lie closer to home. Blackstone's son, Henry, has inherited his father's unerring fate to walk where peril waits... Reviews for David Gilman'Page-turning and gritty' Daily Mail'Heart-pounding action' The Times'Gripping' Wilbur Smith'Vivid and inventive' Sunday Times'A master author' Army Rumour Service'The Hundred Years War brought alive' For Winter Nights

Hilarious illustrated story in the series about unlikely friends Squirrel and Duck. Join them on a mind-blowing adventure to discover why they're the only two talking animals in the world. Perfect for 7+ fans of Grimwood, Dog Man and Murray and Bun. 'Hilarious… addictive' Guardian'Zanily entertaining' LoveReading4KidsSquirrel and Duck can't remember where they first met, but Duck is having some strange flashbacks to a secret underground science lab. Trying to find it again, they meet a friendly ferret, a distinctly UNfriendly scientist and uncover some shocking secrets behind their own existence! Packed full of pictures and laugh-out-loud scenes, this is a zanily entertaining story from a bestselling author/illustrator. Don't miss the rest of the series: Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable and Squirrel and Duck: Invasion of the Doggy-Snatchers. From the bestselling author of the Big Bright Feelings picture book series.

Russian expert Mark Galeotti provides an in-depth look at the siege that pitted Ivan the Terrible and Russia's first standing army against the Khanate of Kazan, leading to Muscovy's rise. The Khanate of Kazan, one of the greatest Turkic successor states to the Mongol Golden Horde, had for generations been a thorn in Muscovy's side, raiding its lands for slaves and plunder. The newly crowned Ivan IV, who would become known as Ivan the Terrible, was determined to end the threat once and for all, leading a massive army against Kazan in 1552, comprising the Streltsy (musketeers), Russia's first standing army, and a massive artillery and engineer train, including an English expert in siegecraft. Kazan was finally taken and brought directly into Muscovy's control, making it a truly multi-ethnic empire. The next four years would see a bitter guerrilla war against the Russians, but they were committed to the march south – going on to conquer the Astrakhan Khanate and the move east into Siberia, setting the scene for the rapid expansion of the Russian Empire under Ivan's Romanov successors. In this gripping tale of Russian history, expert historian Mark Galeotti explores the major land and river offensive that saw Kazan fall to Ivan the Terrible's Army. With colourful battlescenes, detailed 2D maps and 3D diagrams, this book showcases how this siege marked the rise of Muscovy and ultimately helped lead to the Russian state today.

This engrossing history explores the creation, development and actions of the Special Duties squadrons, which carried spies, political figures and documents in and out of Occupied Europe. In 1940, Winston Churchill famously set in motion the Special Operations Executive. However, the creation of secret agent networks required a clandestine transport infrastructure to support nascent resistance movements in Occupied Europe. With only the moon to guide their way, the daring pilots of 161 Squadron constantly faced danger: their locations could be discovered, German night-fighters and flak had to be contended with and, of course, they dealt with the worst of European weather. Despite these extra risks, these Special Duties pilots were remarkably successful. Packed with first-hand accounts and expert research, this book dives into the history of the men who flew these dangerous missions and the main aircraft they used – unarmed Lysanders. Author Paul Smiddy, an RAF-trained pilot, explores the origins of the Lysander, the dangers it posed to its pilots and how operational techniques were developed. Facing political interference and limited resources from the RAF, these brave and under-recognised pilots provided a critical role in the war – bringing back agents with important information to help Britain and the Allies defeat the Germans.

“Unflinching” Bipolar UK“Rosie is an inspiration” Dua Lipa“Full of humour and hope” Hannah Murray, author of The Make-Believe“Raw, honest and surprisingly upbeat” Sunday TimesIn 2018, model Rosie Viva experienced a psychotic episode at Stansted Airport that led to her arrest and the evacuation of the terminal. What followed was a diagnosis of bipolar disorder - and a life completely turned upside down. In Completely Normal and Totally Fine, Rosie shares a raw, honest and often darkly funny mental health memoir, charting:- The extreme highs of mania- The isolating lows of depression- The long, complex journey toward stability and recoveryWith humour, vulnerability and insight, she explores how bipolar reshaped her understanding of identity, relationships, love and purpose - while challenging the stigma around mental illness. This is more than a story about bipolar disorder. It’s a book about survival, self-acceptance and finding hope in the chaos. Whether you live with bipolar, support someone who does, or want to better understand the realities of mental illness, this is a moving and ultimately uplifting story that reminds us: you are not alone. “Bursts with authenticity and warmth - a gift to anyone touched by bipolar.” Leanne Toshiko Simpson“A fittingly open and honest account of what happens when you lose your mind.” Service95

Twenty bears unpacking cases. Look at those excited faces! Ready to enjoy the sun… Holidays are so much fun! Get ready for a shot of pure counting fun, as twenty very excited bears set off for a holiday on the beach. Summer is here and it’s time to RELAX – but are these silly bears up to the task?

‘Rebecca meets Brideshead Revisited meets Saltburn’ STYLIST‘A subtle, claustrophobic, seduction of a novel’ CLAIRE FULLER‘Evocative, gripping and, at times, verging on horror’ IRISH TIMES‘Hypnotic and immersive ... Utterly addictive’ COLIN WALSH‘A hugely talented writer’ SARAH WATERS‘Sexy, evocative and unsettling in all the best ways’ JENNIE GODFREY‘The book of the summer’ HARPERS BAZAAR‘Tense, intelligent, excruciating … A cross between Notes On A Scandal and The Safekeep’ DAILY MAILRuby has spent her twenties scraping by in unfulfilling jobs. But now she’s tasting her first success as a film director – and she’s caught the eye of Ellen, an iconoclastic feminist filmmaker, critical darling and Ruby’s idol. When Ellen invites Ruby down to her sprawling country house and offers to mentor her through writing her next film, Ruby can’t believe her luck. Arriving in the middle of an oppressive heat wave, she is overawed by the glamour of the house – and finds herself quickly drawn into the middle of a dangerous dynamic between Ellen and her elusive daughter Lara. Because Ellen and Lara, it seems, like to play games with promising young women. As tensions escalate, Ruby begins to ask herself: why was she brought here, and what exactly do these two women want from her? Give Me Everything You’ve Got is the incendiary new novel from Imogen Crimp: a fearless, sultry and deliciously dark exploration of art, power and sex that grips to the final page.

From noisy gulls to marvellous minke whales, discover over 60 from the British Isles in this pocket-sized nature guide filled with facts, tips and nature-spotting tricks!Published in collaboration with the RSPB, the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe, this stylish and handy mini guide includes activities for rock pooling and making seashores safe for wildlife, as well as a special checklist with over 60 stickers for budding birdwatchers to tick off every animal and plant they spot by the sea. The perfect gift for any nature explorer to slip into their pocket, get outside and get spotting!

One man at the heart of American power must undertake a crucial wartime spy mission that will take him into enemy territory before he even leaves US soil. Washington DC, 1941. Quincy Kane, hero of the Boston Police Department and scourge of organised crime, is now a Secret Service agent. His meteoric rise means he’s trusted to guard the most important man in the country: President Roosevelt. Then Imperial Japan attacks the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. For Kane, American entry to World War II means the most crucial mission of his career: a complex scheme of bribery and subterfuge that will see him cross the Atlantic. He could change the course of the conflict and save thousands of Allied lives. First, though, he will have to survive a return to the world of organised crime via the City of Angels itself: Los Angeles, where every gangster has Quincy Kane in their crosshairs. From award-winning author Graham Hurley, Kane is a thrilling part of the Spoils of War Collection, a non-chronological series set during World War II and featuring some of the most momentous stories and figures of the era. 'Historical fiction of a high order' The Times on Graham Hurley

A unique approach to describing life at sea in the Royal Navy. Despite the introduction of modern-day technology, Ships and Submarines of the Royal Navy still operate on the basis of main broadcast announcements, known in the Royal Navy as Pipes. Before the introduction of main broadcasts, a Crew (or Ship’s Company) would be alerted to forthcoming ship’s activity either using a Bosun’s Call (which is a small pipe or whistle) or a Bugle. Whilst those methods are still in place, and still used, a Pipe is now the term for any verbal announcement made over a ship’s main broadcast in the Royal Navy. This book aims to translate their meanings, not simply to make the seemingly incomprehensible understandable, but also to conjure up often humorous anecdotes that provide an insight into life at sea in the RN. Each Pipe is provided with a brief description of its meaning followed by longer observation of what it meant to different members of the Ship’s Company.

Sea monsters are well known for being moody and menacing. However, by following these simple but important rules, you might just be able to create a loveable and (almost) friendly pet. This is the essential monster-care manual you didn’t know you needed. Full of useful tips, tricks and advice on everything from feeding and naming your sea monster to playing fun games (top tip: ALWAYS LET THEM WIN), this handy guidebook will equip you with everything you need to bond with your new pet! This hilarious picture book is ideal for anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to own a sea monster, providing essential insights into an often-misunderstood species.

Join the Woodland Explorers Club to solve mysteries and protect the animals and trees of Willow Wish Wood. Six magical stories for 6+ inspiring learning through nature. Trix loves building dens! She is very excited to show the rest of the Woodland Explorers how to build THE BEST tree house, but when they arrive at her favourite building spot, Trix’s notices there are fewer flowers than there were last summer. Time for mission save the bees!From tree houses to bee houses, Trix's den-building skills are put to the test, and the Woodland Explorers discover the importance of bees as pollinators. Join the Explorers on their next adventure Eric's Pine Tree Concert publishing in November 2026!

'A wise, passionate, heartfelt book. An invaluable resource for those seeking greater attunement with the year's cycles' - Katherine May'I learnt so much, about the alchemy of the living world and the possibilities of relationship. I finished the book newly awestruck by planet Earth and all the life that she carries. Beautifully written, nourishing, evocative and inspiring' - Lucy Jones, author of Losing Eden'Poppy’s fresh-eyed look at her own little corner of the county gave me a renewed sense of wonder and delight at the joys and challenges of loving and (on good days) living off a small patch of land. Plus some truly brilliant ideas for getting the most from it' - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall'This is an intimate look at building a true relationship with a garden and all that live in it. Practical, poetic, political —like the best conversations over tea in the garden' - Alys Fowler-----------A Wilder Way is a memoir of a relationship with an ever-changing garden, of setting down roots and becoming embedded in nature, and of how tending to a patch of land will not only grow us as individuals, but can also help to grow a better world. Join Poppy Okotcha in her wild little garden in Devon, where, over the course of a year, she shares the inspiring, the mundane and the magical moments that arise from tending a garden through the seasons, and what they can teach us about living more sustainably. Alongside tips for sowing and growing, wild ingredients to be found and delicious seasonal recipes to make, she shows us how the small joys of engaging with the natural world are imperative for our physical and emotional wellbeing. How the more we look at the world around us, the more we learn and the more we care. Woven throughout are personal stories, exploration of environmental issues facing us today, and folktales from her English and Nigerian heritage – stories with nature at their heart that have inspired her, and will inspire us to live a little more wildly. With original illustrations from Frances WhitfieldWINNER OF THE JANE GRIGSON TRUST – SOUS CHEF AWARD FOR NEW FOOD AND DRINK WRITERS 2025

Weaving together Norse sagas and Anglo-Saxon chronicles to vividly depict the violence and spectacle of the Viking age, Don Hollway brings the legendary Olaf Tryggvason to life. Hammer of the Gods tells the extraordinary saga of Olaf Tryggvason – warlord, wanderer, king, and crusader – whose life rivals the most legendary figures of Viking lore. Born in exile and hunted from birth, Olaf survived slavery, betrayal, and shipwreck to become a fearsome warrior across the Viking world from the icy fjords of Norway to the courts of Kyiv, the slave markets of the Baltics, and the battlefields of England and Ireland. His rise would shake the foundations of Norse society, forge new kingdoms, and ignite a holy war against the old gods themselves. In an age of axe and flame, when the Viking world stood at the crossroads of pagan traditions and the spread of Christianity, Olaf emerged as the fiercest adherent to the new faith – a sword in one hand and a cross in the other. Drawing on a vast array of early medieval sources from Icelandic sagas and skaldic verse to Byzantine and Anglo-Saxon chronicles, Don Hollway brings the world of Olaf Tryggvason vividly to life cutting through the legend to reveal the man behind the myth. For readers of Bernard Cornwell and lovers of Viking history, Hammer of the Gods is the epic history of a great Norse king whose story shaped the fate of a civilization.