John Murray Press strana 10 z 19

Metamorphosis has always been one of biology''s greatest wonders and toughest riddles. To emerge a butterfly, a caterpillar dissolves inside its chrysalis and builds a brand new brain, wings and legs. Why all this destruction and remodelling? Why all this wasted energy and time?Oren Harman beautifully unfurls the untold story of metamorphosis across two millennia, asking why it has obsessed and inspired us so profoundly. Along the way we meet poets, artists, philosophers, and a cast of scientists as colourful as the animals themselves: whether Aristotle determining cucumbers had souls, Sigmund Freud searching in vain for eel testicles, or a Japanese zoologist singing karaoke to a baby jellyfish.Taking us on an exhilarating journey through the creatures that metamorphose - a staggering three-quarters of all animal species - from starfish reproducing in reverse in ocean depths, to poison dart frogs on steaming rainforest canopies, to human adolescents struggling to control themselves, Metamorphosis is a new classic of natural history: a book that, by explaining a mystery of nature, causes us to relearn ourselves.

ALL WILL BE FORGIVEN, IF ALL CAN BE FORGOTTEN.The dilapidated seaside town of Saltwash isn''t a place that Tom Shift would have chosen to come to at all, let alone on such a bleak November afternoon. But his new friend, Oliver Keele, has insisted on meeting for dinner at the Castle Hotel, where the owners, the Paleys, try their best to cling on to the glory days. Both terminally ill, Tom and Oliver have been bound by the saddest of circumstances, though they have found some solace in writing to one another via a pen-pal scheme set up by their respective cancer clinics. So far, their friendship has been conducted solely through letters, with Oliver proving himself to be a treasury of literary quips and quotes. Yet, for all his flamboyance and verbosity, he is guarded, and Tom suspects that he is lonely and nomadic. And Oliver sees Tom for what he is too: a man haunted by guilt and desperate to try and atone in some way before it''s too late. Regret is what brings others to the Castle. Much to Tom''s surprise, dozens more guests appear, dressed in their finest to take part in a prize draw that offers one person the chance of deliverance from their remorse. But does everyone deserve the opportunity?

100 Food Affirmations offers bite-sized pieces of wisdom to help you liberate yourself from restrictive thinking when it comes to food. Food should not be a source of anxiety or shame; food should bring nourishment and joy. With these affirmations, change your beliefs and thoughts around food, health, and diet culture, and tap back into communication with your body. Develop helpful practices to re-energize and invigorate you, to calm and soothe you, and to provide structure and rhythm. Learn the nuances of having and caring for your body to finally heal and restore your relationship with food. Each affirmation is accompanied by a prompt, reflection, or extra context to help you along your evolving journey with food.

Receive healing for your emotional wounds and discover your destiny as God's daughter with this 90-day devotional by internationally renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer. Healing the Soul of a Woman delved deeply into Joyce Meyer's personal story and the journey of healing for all women. Despite suffering from years of abuse, abandonment, and betrayal by those closest to her, Joyce firmly believes a woman who has been deeply hurt by life's circumstances can be healed, heart and soul. Her steadfast claim comes from living her own journey of soul healing, and from seeing so many women who don't believe they can fully overcome their pain--or even know where to begin--find the guidance they need in the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. Now, in this companion devotional, Joyce will guide you through 90 daily readings to encourage you through whatever obstacles may be holding you back from finding your true destiny. God can heal your pain, and He wants to do this in you. Let HEALING THE SOUL OF A WOMAN DEVOTIONAL be an inspiration in your journey toward the wonderful, joyful future God has planned for you.

When brilliant young student Jessica Mowbrie is left in a coma after being abandoned in a remote patch of New Zealand bush, the local Masterton police don''t have a clue what happened. Isolated and under-resourced, the detectives struggle even to begin piecing it together.Police records clerk Lorraine Henry will not accept that Jessie simply had a lucky escape. She thinks whoever hurt her needs to be hunted down, and worries that her employers are a bit hopeless.As Jessie''s life hangs in the balance, it looks as if Lorraine will do the hunting. She''s not getting any younger, of course. But she has all the police records at her fingertips - and as much information about who hates who as anyone in their small town. Plus, she''s used to being under-estimated. And you should never under-estimate a middle-aged woman with justice in her sights . . .In this follow-up to his award-winning crime novel Paper Cage, Tom Baragwanath delivers another bone-deep exploration of life in the margins of small-town New Zealand.Praise for Paper Cage''A protagonist who is impossible not to root for . . . breathtakingly compelling'' Daily Mail''An astonishing debut with a wonderfully flawed character . . . full of heart and determination'' James Oswald, author of All That Lives''A truly crackling mystery'' Publishers Weekly

On her son's first birthday, Betsy Cornwell fled her home, checking into a hotel under a false name so her husband couldn't find them. In the uncertain months that followed, her fierce determination to give her child what she never had - a safe and stable home - saved them. In Ring of Salt, Betsy traces her journey from that desperate moment to Ireland's windswept west coast, where the Atlantic Ocean crashes against ancient cliffs. There, nestled beside a quiet lake in the wilds of Connemara, she discovers a long-abandoned knitting factory - forgotten, but full of possibility. She sets out to restore it into a sanctuary for herself and her son - and, eventually, a creative refuge for single mothers. As she renovates the crumbling house and fights to keep custody of her son, Betsy begins to rebuild something more: a sense of belonging. In the cool mists of the countryside, and with the help of fellow survivors and an unexpected community, she pieces together a new kind of family. Mixing Maid's gripping portrait of single motherhood with Wintering's wild, romantic sense of place, this is a powerful memoir of survival, new beginnings, and the quiet, everyday magic of finding home on one of the world's most storied and soul-stirring coastlines.

''At last, a history of the Roman state as it has always been crying out to be told, and never has been!'' RODERICK BEATONThe greatest empire in Western history - told as never been told before.Rome is often remembered for its spectacular collapse. But for over two thousand years - through civil wars, plagues, invasions, and religious upheaval - the Roman state survived, adapted, and reinvented itself. From a muddy settlement on the banks of the Tiber to the glittering court of Constantinople, this is the untold story of a civilisation that endured.In The Romans, acclaimed historian Edward J. Watts tells the first truly complete history of Rome in all its epic sweep: the Punic Wars, the fall of the republic, the coming of Christianity, Alaric''s sack of Rome, the rise of Islam and the onslaught of the Crusaders who would bring about the empire''s end. This is the Rome of Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, and Constantine. But it is also the Rome of Charlemagne, Justinian, and Manuel Comnenus, and countless diverse men and women who shaped the empire: African emperors, Byzantine intellectuals and ordinary citizens whose loyalty together made it the most resilient state the world has ever seen.An expansive, eye-opening portrait, this the definitive history of Rome and its citizens.

A definitive and refreshingly readable new translation of Thucydides''s History of the Peloponnesian War, paired with a brilliant introduction on how to read and understand Thucydides.Thucydides called his work a "possession for all time," and his History of the Peloponnesian War has been essential reading for generals and politicians for centuries. Robin Waterfield''s translation of Thucydides''s sweeping narrative vividly depicts the events of the war between Athens and Sparta that began in 431 BCE and would continue until 404, a conflict that embroiled not only mainland Greece but Greek states from the eastern Mediterranean and as far west as Italy and Sicily. The only extant contemporary narrative of this conflict, Thucydides''s History brims with military, moral, and political reflections, offering critical commentary on challenges that still dominate our world today, from the strife of civil war to the devastation of widespread plague to the nature of political power. Thucydides died before completing the account-it ends in 410-but his legacy is timeless. One of the great masterpieces of classical Greece, The History of the Peloponnesian War offers an incisive and timely window into the conflicts of the past.

'A masterpiece' Peter Pomerantsev 'Powerful' Serhii Plokhy 'Fascinating' Daily TelegraphA history of Russian violence waged against Ukraine across the centuries. Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world. And yet this attack was in fact the latest episode in a centuries-long Russian campaign. In Intent to Destroy, leading scholar of genocide and Eastern Europe Eugene Finkel uncovers the deep roots of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Ever since the rise of Russian nationalism in the nineteenth century, the domination of this key borderland has become a cornerstone of Russian and Soviet policy. Using genocidal tactics - killings, deportations, starvation and cultural destruction - against ethnic Ukrainians and minorities including Tatars, Jews and Poles, Russia's long-standing policy has aimed to obliterate Ukrainian identity. This eradication has consistently been a part of the Kremlin playbook and leads inexorably to the violence we see today. Told with the astonishing power of Finkel's connection to this living history, and the authority of two decades of research, Intent to Destroy casts today's war it its broadest historical context, illuminating as never before Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II.    

Friday Night Dinner and Timewaster Letters creator Robert Popper's new book of brilliantly funny letters, from Britain's oldest letter writer. 'Ridiculous, hilarious and sweet' GREG DAVIES'One of Britain's great comedy minds is at it again' AISLING BEA'I laughed till I cried' DAISY MAY COOPER''I howled with laughter' MATT LUCASAt 104 years of age, Mrs Elsie Drake of Granville Gardens, London, is the sixth oldest woman in Britain. But fed up with sitting in her armchair all day, Elsie is ready for new adventures. And so, armed with a computer she can barely operate, she fires off dozens of letters to everyone from the Prime Minister to Greggs Bakeries, to see if they can help. Whether offering her services as the new Arsenal football mascot dressed as a giant hare, or simply sending Sainsbury's a load of meat, no one can escape the clutches of Elsie Drake. Gloriously funny and ridiculously silly, The Elsie Drake Letters is also a testament to the wonderful kindness and good humour of the British public. Just wait till you read the replies... 'Hilarious and heartwarming - this book is a growth hormone for happiness' RICHARD AYOADE'When Robert Popper dies, he should leave his brain to scientists so that they can work out how someone could have written a book so funny.' KATY WIX'Spending time in the company of Elsie Drake is an achingly funny way to restore your faith in humanity' SIMON PEGG

Romans! Madrigals! The Dark Ages! Evolutions! Trumpets! The Oranges of The First World War!All of this (except trumpets) and more is covered in this de?nitive, illustrated, easy-clean history of all world history so far, written by the twenty-?rst century''s leading historian, philosopher and thought-thinker, Philomena Cunk.Focusing on the inventions, art and brainboxes that made the modern world the unbearable place it is today, The World According to Cunk is the history book to end all history books. From the birth of the ?rst baby caveman to the invention of the poo emoji. Some say history is written by the Victors. But they''re wrong - it''s written by the Philomenas. Well, a Philomena. The one on the cover. Yes, her, from TikTok

Equal parts bone-chilling, wryly funny and deeply political, The Midnight Timetable is a masterful work of literary horror from one of our time's greatest imaginations. 'Truly nightmarish.' Andrew Michael Hurley'I inhaled Bora Chung's book of ghost stories and then slept with the light on!' Avni Doshi'Uniquely brilliant and exquisitely demented' Gerardo Sámano CórdovaIn a labyrinthine research facility, where those who open the wrong door might find it's disappeared behind them or that the echoing footsteps they're running from are their own, an unnamed protagonist begins their night shift under the watchful eye of the building's enigmatic senior guard. Each evening, as the fluorescent lights flicker and the silence grows heavier, the guard shares another tale of cursed objects and lives unspooled by vengeance, sorrow or revelation. But these are not mere ghost stories. They're warnings. Lessons. Or, perhaps, confessions . . . As the nights stretch on and reality frays, our protagonist starts to suspect that the building itself is alive with malevolent intent and that the objects they guard aren't just cursed. They're waiting. Watching. 'Electrifying. A feast of a book. Strange, hypnotic and audacious.' Irenosen Okojie'A fascinating novel of shifting realities centred by a steady, humane heart. Bora Chung is a master of concocting dreamscapes that linger.' Marie-Helene Bertino'These ghost stories . . . mist off the page and leave the real world hazy and askew.' Pemi Aguda

A stolen magical gem transforms an orphan''s destiny... A stunning and completely unputdownable romantasy novel set in an alternative historical Paris, The Kiss of the Nightingale weaves together the seduction of Bridgerton and the magic of Raven Kennedy''s Gild.1890, Lutece: In this city, Talents are everything: precious gems that gift unrivalled skills to their owners. The most coveted, Elite Talents, are claimed by the aristocracy, passed through generations by blood magic.Cleodora dreamed of inheriting her father''s Tailoring Talent, but when he died, the magic died with him. Now she''s left with empty promises, a dress shop she can''t keep afloat, and her bed-ridden younger sister.But everything changes when she meets the dark-eyed Lady Dahlia Sibille. Dahlia offers Cleodora a Singing Talent - a chance to save her beloved sister and rewrite her own fate. From the first instant, Cleodora is bewitched... There''s just one catch: she needs to steal an Elite Talent from the prestigious Lenoir family.As Lutece''s nightingale, Cleodora is the star of the opera''s galas and balls, worlds away from the darkness and dust of home. But the handsome yet infuriating Vicomte Lenoir is nothing like she expected.Soon, the Vicomte''s teasing smiles win her over, even as Dahlia''s seductive whispers linger in her ears. Torn between Dahlia, who gave her everything, and the Vicomte, who holds the price of her freedom, is Cleodora in danger of losing it all? Or can she prove that magic isn''t the only gift that counts?

''I loved Goddess with a Thousand Faces. Fascinating, fun and thoughtful and enlightening'' JENNIFER SAINT''A beautiful weave of history, myth and storytelling by one of our most exciting new classicists'' DAN SNOWSteeped in ancient magic, dark divinity and wild ways, Goddess with a Thousand Faces takes you on a historical journey like no other...Blending mythological retellings with historical research, Goddess with a Thousand Faces traverses the world and transports through time to bring ten formidable and inspiring ancient goddesses to life. Meet Artemis, the Greek goddess of the wilderness, never without her bow and arrow; Sedna, Inuit goddess of the ocean, guarding the icy waters and all its creatures; Isis, Egyptian goddess of healing, who dwells by the River Nile, just to name a few...Jasmine Elmer explores these goddesses of our past, uncovering their truths, their rebellion and their freedom. For too long, they have been written out of history; lost to the sands of time and stamped into silence. Goddess with a Thousand Faces restores these women to their glory. Pour over this treasure trove of myths, legends and mighty goddesses. Hear the messages echoing through the ages and see yourself in the faces of these icons. For while their stories might ancient, today they are more important - and more powerful - than ever.A treasure trove of beautiful storytelling and ancient wisdom, perfect for fans of Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola and Storyland by Amy Jeffs.''Gorgeous. Jasmine Elmer has a fierce passion for these women, and this shines through in her writing. Come for the goddesses, stay for the spiritual journey!'' Lizzy Tiffin, author of Bad Girls of Ancient Greece''If you love history and feminist retellings, this is your next must-read. Goddess With a Thousand Faces is a thrilling exploration of lesser-known goddesses from around the world - offering a crash course in feminine myth and worship, with all its power, fury and wonder. I adored it'' Rachel Blackmore, author of Costanza''A passionate ode to the inner goddess within us all, that blends a rich and vibrant introduction to a diverse array of cultures and mythologies with accessible retellings. Part mythical guide, part history compendium and part self-help handbook, Jasmine Elmer''s sparkling debut offers up a refreshing, inclusive and powerfully feminist manifesto for what it means to be a goddess, ancient and modern'' Emily Hauser, author of Mythica

''Barrowbeck casts a real spell - or is it a curse?'' Mail on Sunday''Thrilling, unsettling, ominous . . . like a knock at the door on a dark evening'' Irish Times''Impeccable and beautifully drawn . . . Hurley has been rightly lauded in British folk-horror circles'' Big IssueFor centuries, the inhabitants of Barrowbeck, a remote valley on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border, have lived uneasily with forces beyond their reckoning. They raise their families, work the land, and do their best to welcome those who come seeking respite. But there is a darkness that runs through the village as persistently as the river. A father fears that his daughter has become possessed by something unholy.A childless couple must make an agonising decision.A widower awaits the return of his wife. A troubled man is haunted by visions of end times. As one generation gives way to the next and ancient land is carved up in the name of progress, darkness gathers. The people of Barrowbeck have forgotten that they are but guests in the valley. Now there is a price to pay. Two thousand years of history is coming to an end.''Hurley''s achievement is, like American craftsman of the weird H.P. Lovecraft before him, to put humanity in its place'' Northern Soul''Hurley is the master of contemporary British folk horror'' Dazed**COMING SOON** SALTWASH, the disturbing new novel from Andrew Michael Hurley. Pre-order now!

Aged twenty-five, dressed as Che Guevara, Nigel Planer answers an ad for a room and his life changes for ever.Both a memoir and a love story, Young Once follows his journey, from bell-ringer to gravedigger, from university dropout to long-term patient of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and all the other bizarre events that shape him, until the day he meets Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson in a former strip club and the 1980s Comedy Revolution is born . . . Often mistaken (even by his mother) for Neil, the hippy character he creates, by 1986 Nigel has become so well-known he often has to leave the house via the kitchen window. It''s lucky that he has always had a talent for seeing the funny side of things: whether it''s dealing with 20-foot-éclair-related injuries or being cajoled into Band Aid by Bob Geldof; gatecrashing a rave with Robin Williams or crashing into the set on Top of the Pops; becoming a grandfather at twenty-nine or being rescued from disaster by musical theatre.Against a backdrop of squats, Glastonbury and roller discos, with a supporting cast that includes Lemmy, a stony-faced Robert de Niro and French and Saunders, Young Once is a wildly entertaining and gloriously sideways glimpse into a remarkable life and career. It''s also an object lesson in why you should never give up looking for your Happy Ever After. It might well turn out to be right in front of you.