Oldcastle Books Ltd

Every politician's rise to power is a story of success and failure, accompanied by tantalising what-might-have-beens. The career of Winston Churchill was no exception, with his eight months prior to becoming Prime Minister as First Lord of the Admiralty marked by the loss of important warships, the planning of disastrous expeditions and the design of impractical weapons. Based on archival and biographical research, this account argues that Churchill's actions at the Admiralty were for the most part misjudged and dangerous. Much of what happened could have been avoided, with lives saved and the defence of western Europe strengthened had other counsels prevailed. Very much the opposite of a hagiography, A Study in Failure provides an alternative perspective on the man regularly considered the UK's greatest ever leader.

The only power otherwise powerless people possess lies in their numbers. Riots and Rebels is an examination of how they have exercised that power over the centuries and how governments have reacted to it. In 1381, a large army of people marched through the south-east of England to London, demanding an end to unfair taxation and threatening the rule of the boy-king, Richard II. During the eighteenth century, food riots, riots in protest at land enclosure, and riots targeting religious groups and foreigners regularly occurred. In the following century, mass gatherings demanded reform of the electoral system which allowed only a tiny proportion of the population to vote. In the early twentieth century, suffragettes chained themselves to railings, took part in huge demonstrations and endured prison sentences in pursuit of the vote for women. Recent decades have seen tens of thousands of people take to the streets of London and other cities to protest against the Iraq War and, in the last year, the war in Gaza. From the so-called Peasants' Revolt to Just Stop Oil, via the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780, Luddites breaking machinery which threatened their livelihood, the infamous Peterloo Massacre of 1819, the Chartist demonstrations of the 1830s and 1840s, 1887's Bloody Sunday and many other, often violent events, Nick Rennison provides a concise, compelling account of popular protest in Britain.

More than eighty-five years after it ended in defeat for the Republicans and victory for the Nationalists headed by General Francisco Franco, the Spanish Civil War remains a subject of debate and contention. We live in a time of political polarization, with opposing sides holding entrenched and unalterable positions and War Without Mercy sheds light on the consequences of such circumstances. It also presents a detailed but concise picture of this turbulent and pivotal moment in European history. The Spanish Civil War was a war of firsts: the first in which civilians were targeted, through the bombing of cities. It was also the first 'photogenic' war in history, the growth in photo-journalism bringing images of the fighting and of the huge number of refugees that were created by the conflict to the newspapers and newsreels of other European countries. New weapons, technologies and strategies were tried out, rehearsing for the increasingly inevitable war on European soil. War Without Mercy examines the origins of this deadly conflagration which date back to the nineteenth century and which finds its causes in the issues of mass suffrage, social welfare reform, and land reform, as well as in the increasing tensions between urbanism and rural tradition. The course of the war is laid out, including descriptions of the major battles and incidents, incorporating details of the bombing of major cities, most harrowingly, of course, the bombing of civilians at Guernica, famously depicted in Pablo Picasso's painting of the atrocity. The reaction of the other nations of Europe is also examined - the 'non-intervention' promulgated by Great Britain and France, and the direct intervention of the fascist nations, Germany and Italy, in support of the Nationalist cause, support that took the form of troops, planes and armaments.

In the summer of 1989 John Williams embarked on an epic journey through a deeply troubled USA. A right-wing Republican administration seemed bent on rolling back the advances of the civil rights era; the Supreme Court were partially reversing the Roe vs Wade ruling on abortion; criminals from the Central Park rapist to the serial killers Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacey were all over the news. Who did Williams turn to make sense of all this? America's crime writers - that's who. He talked to novelists like James Ellroy and Elmore Leonard, Sara Paretsky and James Lee Burke, and visited the places they write about, like Los Angeles and Detroit, Chicago and New Orleans. The result was an instant cult classic that remains deeply relevant today: both an incisive and funny travelogue and a revealing guide to the lives and works of America's finest crime writers, caught at their peak.

As of 2025, there are 59 racecourses operating in Britain, from Perth in Scotland to Newton Abbot in Devon, and another 28 in Ireland. Almost all of them have had a book written about their history, as have many more historic, now defunct, tracks. However, there are two racecourses, both in British Crown Dependencies, which do not have a book dedicated to their history. This is a notably odd omission as the islands they are on have enjoyed properly organised racing for almost 200 years - both reportedly began the sport in 1832 - hosting leading jockeys, trainers, owners and runners over the decades. Graham Sharpe and John Henwood's comprehensive and engaging Jersey Jockeys and Guernsey Gallopers: A History of Channel Islands Horse-Racing corrects this ridiculous racing omission. It explores how the tracks in the two Channel Islands - currently Les Landes in Jersey and L'Ancresse in Guernsey - developed and flourished over the years, although the ongoing future of the latter is seriously under threat.

Is animation written with words or pictures? How do writers and animators turn ideas into animated films or series? What's the animation development process? Are animated stories only for kids? What makes animation characters iconic? Can animated short films and web series launch your animation writing career? Writer and script editor Alizée Musson steps behind the scenes to find answers. From Hollywood and independent cinema to TV, meet the creators of Pixar and Walt Disney's Inside Out and Brave, Peppa Pig, Wolfwalkers, Chicken for Linda!, Netflix's Supa Team 4, Mars Express, American Dad! and many more. In over 25 case studies and interviews with writers, animators and producers - including an exclusive interview with the producer of Studio Ghibli's The Tale of The Princess Kaguya - discover all the storytelling tricks of the trade to write your own animated film or series and start your animation writing career.

Internationally renowned, David Lynch was America''s premier purveyor of the surreal, an artist whose work in cinema, television and the internet exposed the world to his highly personalised view of society. This book examines his oeuvre, from the cult surrealism of his debut feature Eraserhead to his last feature Inland Empire, considering the themes, motifs and stories behind his incredible feature films, shorts and internet projects. His series Twin Peaks revolutionised TV and expanded the possibilities of what the medium could offer. This updated edition includes Twin Peaks: The Return, his continuation of the series 25 years after the original had set the world alight. In Lynch''s world the mundane and the fantastical collide, often with terrifying consequences. It is a place where the abnormal is normal, where the respectable becomes sinister, where innocence is lost and redemption gained at a terrible price. And there''s always music in the air. From the deserts of a distant world to an ordinary backyard, at the breakneck speed of Lost Highway or the sedate determination of The Straight Story, readers will experience amateur sleuths, messiahs, giants and dwarves, chanteuses, psychopaths, cherry pie and damn fine coffee.

Whether housesharing with Philip Pullman, trading one-liners at RADA with Ralph Richardson, shooting the breeze with Clint Eastwood, partying with Jerry Hall, acting in Edwardian comedy with Rex Harrison or dodging fights with Sid Vicious, Edward Tudor Pole has proved himself equal to many a challenge. In a series of amusing, nostalgic and sometimes outrageous stories, told with candour and wit, Tudor Pole recounts his fascinating youth pre-punk and during the time of Vicious and The Clash before fronting 80s band Tenpole Tudor. After the horrific implosion of the group, Tudor Pole was enticed into the acting world, appearing in numerous films and plays including Sid & Nancy, Absolute Beginners, a long term association with cult film director Alex Cox, cameo appearances in Harry Potter and Game of Thrones and a stint presenting The Crystal Maze. The Pen is Mightier tells of how a troubled start can lead to a happy ending. Tudor Pole writes a fast-paced account of a life spent exploring every avenue of show business before finding out where you belong, taking the reader through his eclectic career as a punk rock band leader, hit songwriter, top 10 pop star, movie actor, TV presenter, West-End leading man and long-term touring musician.

In this essential guide, you''ll discover how to navigate the often overlooked, yet critical, aspects of marketing and distribution, ensuring your project reaches the audience it deserves. From crafting an effective publicity campaign on a tight budget to understanding the evolving digital landscape of VOD platforms, this book is packed with real-world insights and practical advice. Learn the importance of securing optimal cinema support, leveraging festival circuits strategically and mastering the art of audience engagement in a competitive market. Featuring expert interviews with filmmakers and industry professionals, Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker''s Guide offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities awaiting independent filmmakers. Whether you''re releasing your first feature or your third, fourth or fifth, this guide provides you with the tools to stand out in a crowded industry. If you''ve poured your heart into making your film, this is the book that will help you get it seen.

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink analyses ''kitchen sink realism'' and the birth of ''pop cinema'' in the context of contemporaneous debates surrounding politics, civil liberties, sexuality, race, immigration and urbanisation. Covering the lives and careers of well-known figures such as Alan Sillitoe, Shelagh Delaney, David Storey, Edna O''Brien and Albert Finney, as well as charting the rise of iconic British series like Coronation Street and Z-Cars, Simon Matthews offers a fascinating blend of social history, pop culture, drama and cinema. Matthews also interviews contemporary figures - including Ken Loach - about the kitchen sink era and how it inspired their work.

The fair is in town in Ashton Mead and everyone is keen to join in the fun - that is until a young woman falls from the Ferris wheel and all fingers point to Emily''s new friend, Dana. With her outsider status, mysterious past and penchant for stretching the truth, who else could it be? As the villagers grow increasingly suspicious of the fairground people and tensions start to bubble, Emily vows to clear Dana''s name and protect her friend, much to the dismay of those closest to her. But can Emily and her dog Poppy find the real culprit before the town erupts, or will Emily risk her life for nothing?

In 1381, a large army of people marched through the south-east of England to London, demanding an end to unfair taxation and threatening the rule of the boy-king, Richard II. During the eighteenth century, food riots, riots in protest at land enclosure, and riots targeting religious groups and foreigners regularly occurred. In the following century, mass gatherings demanded reform of the electoral system which allowed only a tiny proportion of the population to vote. In the early twentieth century, suffragettes chained themselves to railings, took part in huge demonstrations and endured prison sentences in pursuit of the vote for women. Recent decades have seen tens of thousands of people take to the streets of London and other cities to protest against the Iraq War and, in the last year, the war in Gaza. The only power otherwise powerless people possess lies in their numbers. Riots and Rebels is an examination of how they have exercised that power over the centuries and how governments have reacted to it. From the so-called Peasants'' Revolt to Just Stop Oil, via the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780, Luddites breaking machinery which threatened their livelihood, the infamous Peterloo Massacre of 1819, the Chartist demonstrations of the 1830s and 1840s, 1887''s Bloody Sunday and many other, often violent events, Nick Rennison provides a concise, compelling account of popular protest in Britain.

Best known for forming and fronting the punk band Tenpole Tudor in 1977, Edward Tudor Pole eventually came to prominence after appearing in the film The Great Rock ''n'' Roll Swindle as a possible replacement for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols. In a series of amusing, nostalgic and sometimes outrageous stories, told with candour and wit, Tudor Pole recounts his fascinating youth pre-punk and during the time of Sid Vicious and The Clash before he moved on to an acting career appearing in numerous films and plays including Sid & Nancy, Absolute Beginners, a long term association with cult film director, Alex Cox, cameo appearances in Harry Potter and Game of Thrones and a stint presenting The Crystal Maze. The Pen is Mightier tells of how a troubled start can lead to a happy ending. Tudor Pole writes a fast-paced account of a life spent exploring every avenue of show business before finding out where you belong, taking the reader through his eclectic career as a punk rock band leader, hit songwriter, top 10 pop star, movie actor, TV presenter, West-End leading man and long-term touring musician.

Bedi and Sushma''s marriage is arranged. When they first meet, they stumble through a faltering conversation about happiness and hope and agree to go in search of these things together. But even after their children Selena, Tara and Rohan are grown up and have their own families, Bedi and Sushma are still searching. Years later, the siblings attempt to navigate life without their parents. As they travel to the Ganges to unite their father''s ashes with the opaque water, it becomes clear that each of them has inherited the same desire to understand what makes a life happy, the same confusion about this question and the same enduring hope.

No country in history has been more deeply penetrated by spies than divided Germany after the Second World War. Among them were the ''first class comrades'' of the Stasi - the East German Ministry for State Security. The early Cold War saw the Stasi establish itself as one of the world''s most notorious spy and secret police agencies. Drawing on previously unexamined files from the Stasi archives, First Class Comrades tells the Stasi story from a fresh perspective: how it helped to create a new European state, how its foreign intelligence service became one of the most successful ever, and how its spy-catchers tackled vigorous attempts by the West to infiltrate East Germany - attempts that influenced the decision to build the Berlin Wall. Full of new insights and little-known facts about the Stasi and Cold War espionage, and featuring newly discovered details of the Stasi''s operational methods, First Class Comrades shines a light on this lesser-known period of Stasi history, and why its stories and lessons still matter today.

No country in history has been more deeply penetrated by spies than divided Germany after the Second World War. Among them were the ''first class comrades'' of the Stasi - the East German Ministry for State Security. The early Cold War saw the Stasi establish itself as one of the world''s most notorious spy and secret police agencies. Drawing on previously unexamined files from the Stasi archives, First Class Comrades tells the Stasi story from a fresh perspective: how it helped to create a new European state, how its foreign intelligence service became one of the most successful ever, and how its spy-catchers tackled vigorous attempts by the West to infiltrate East Germany - attempts that influenced the decision to build the Berlin Wall. Full of new insights and little-known facts about the Stasi and Cold War espionage, and featuring newly discovered details of the Stasi''s operational methods, First Class Comrades shines a light on this lesser-known period of Stasi history, and why its stories and lessons still matter today.