Shy boy Amadeo reigns supreme at table football in his local cafe. Taking on all comers he is one of "e;the unbeatables"e; with his loyal team of tiny foosballers. But there's another "e;unbeatable"e; in town. Aggrieved by his only ever defeat at the hands of Amadeo in a foosball match when they were kids, Flash the town bully returns to seek revenge. Not only does he destroy the foosball table, but he challenges Amadeo to a game of actual football. Amadeo has never played real football - and Flash, with his insatiable quest for glory, has subsequently risen to become the world's most famous soccer star. With the future of the village at stake and his foosballers scattered, the situation looks hopeless for Amadeo. Unless he can recruit the help of his eccentric fellow villagers and the girl he loves, Lara, to take on the world's best football team captained by his nemesis Flash. And unless the foossballers can be reunited. "e;It'll be like Barcelona against a non-league team with an injury crisis,"e; predicts Lara. What nobody predicts, however, is how Amadeo's foosballers will affect the game... The Unbeatables novel is the ultimate fantasy football story. Expanding upon the original movie, the novel includes additional adventures and characters. Written for young adults (and not so young adults), the book is a scintillating, action-packed 90 minutes of end-to-end incident, comedic flair, goalmouth scrambles and dubious off the ball challenges on the ethos of the modern game. Praise for The Unbeatables: "e;The witty dialogue and banter makes for some very funny moments, while the digs at the excesses of modern footballers will ring true to followers of the Beautiful Game."e; - Radio Times"e;The Unbeatables is great fun for young and old."e; - Daily Express"e;Nice jokes at the expense of FIFA, overpaid prima donna footballers and slimy agents."e; - Daily Mail"e;Lively and consistently funny."e; - Irish Times"e;An utterly charming gem. Deft one-liners. Back of the net!"e; - Irish Independent

Kyoto, the ancient former capital of Japan, breathes history and mystery. Its temples, gardens and palaces are testimony to many centuries of aristocratic and religious grandeur. Under the veneer of modernity, the city remains filled with countless reminders of a proud past. John Dougill explores this most venerable of Japanese cities, revealing the spirit of place and the individuals that have shaped its often dramatic history. Courtiers and courtesans, poets and priests, samurai and geisha people the pages of his account. Covering twelve centuries in all, the book not only provides a historical overview but brings to life the cultural magnificence of the city of "e;Purple Hills and Crystal Streams"e;. City of Power: The seat of aristocrats and warriors; military might and spiritual authority; unification and the transition to modernity. City of Ritual: Buddhist sects and Shinto festivals; tea ceremony; the role of the geisha; the influence of Zen. City of Arts: Poetry and fiction; architecture and garden design; Heian verse and Noh theatre; art and handicrafts; the Japanese Hollywood.

In July 1936 insurgent Spanish troops organized a military coup to oust the elected Republican government in Madrid. The rebel generals expected to force a quick, clean regime change but they failed. The botched uprising turned into a bloody civil war. Hundreds of thousands died in a bitter conflict which tore the country apart and rapidly turned into the prelude for an even greater conflict yet to come--the Second World War. The siege of Madrid was the key battle of the war. The world watched and waited for the city to surrender as General Franco's Nationalist army, backed by Hitler and Mussolini, closed in on the Spanish capital. But Madrid did not fall. Madrilenos fought tooth and nail to defend their city. Helped by volunteers from fifty other countries--the International Brigades--they held out against all the odds until the end of the conflict in 1939. Despite its central role in twentieth-century history, the siege of Madrid is an episode largely hidden from today's visitor. There is no guide to the war sites and few clues for the inquisitive traveller who wants to know more. Frontline Madrid fills that gap. This unique guide book explains what life was like in the city under siege and what happened in the battlefield dramas. The simple to follow maps and diagrams make it easy to visit the frontline sites. The vividly written descriptions bring events and people compellingly to life. The role of prominent individuals, British and American--Orwell, Hemingway, John Cornford is explored. Off the beaten track, from the University district in the city centre to the mountains of Guadarrama less than an hour away, the remains of the war in Madrid can still be found--gun emplacements, bunkers, trenches and occasional debris. Frontline Madrid retraces the footsteps of those who lived through the conflict to take the reader on a tour in time. The usual tourist traps are left far behind to enter the gripping world of a war which shaped modern European history.

A collection of the three volumes by Yannis Andricopoulos on ancient Greek wisdom applied to modern culture and society, including:- Volume 1: In Bed with Madness- Volume 2: The Greek Inheritance- Volume 3: The Future of the PastIn Bed with MadnessGlobalism endowed us with McDonald's, 'the world's local bank', English football teams without English players and an irrepressible desire for more as enough is never good enough - the blanket is always too short. Our personal world as much as our social and political realities seem to have blithely surrendered to the madness of a civilization which views anything from corporate greed and global warming to military adventures and religious fundamentalism as normal as a door banging in the wind. The destructive capabilities of our age have run too far ahead of our wisdom. However, the process is not irreversible if our thinking can postpone its retirement. In Bed with Madness is 'a well-argued, powerful and profound indictment of contemporary culture', stylishly written - a reviewer said he would have bought it just for its humour!The Greek InheritanceThe culture of ancient Greece, a culture of joy, was replaced by the Judaeo-Christian culture of faith and then by the capitalist culture of profit. Yet it is the only culture worth fighting for if we want a world run by humans rather than theocracies, nanotechnologies or private equity funds. Yannis Andricopoulos views the Greek culture as the front line of the battle against individualism, materialism, authoritarianism and religious extremism. In a world turned into the corporations' playground, this is also the battle for human values, civic virtues and an ethical society. The Greek Inheritance traces the conflict between Greek values and those of the repressive, religious or capitalist order throughout the millennia. The book is challenging and well-written with a light, humorous touch.The Future of the PastUniversalism in its old forms has, just like door-to-door milkmen, gone for good. But the search for some universally accepted ethical standards cannot be abandoned - values are not colourless as the wind and odourless as thoughts. Looking into our world from the classical Greek point of view, Yannis Andricopoulos wonders whether we cannot place Justice again at the heart of our morality, look forward to the happiness of the individual rather than the upgrading of his or her consumer fantasies, and endeavour to create, not more wealth, but a just and honourable world. The Future of the Past is written in 'a lively, challenging style guaranteeing to stimulate debate on the most pressing issues of our time'.

Illusionism is the view that phenomenal consciousness (in the philosophers' sense) is an illusion. This book is a reprint of a special issue of the Journal of Consciousness Studies devoted to this topic. It takes the form of a target paper by the editor, followed by commentaries from various thinkers, including leading defenders of the theory such as Daniel Dennett, Nicholas Humphrey, Derk Pereboom and Georges Rey. A number of disciplines are represented and different viewpoints are discussed and defended. The colleciton is tied together with a response to the commentaries from the editor.

Are you knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects? Do you enjoy learning new facts? Or are you swatting up for an upcoming quiz night? Whatever your reason for buying this quiz book you are certain to enjoy these questions with a common link - all of the answers begin with the same letter, arranged in sections from A-Z. Following on from the The Alphabetical General Knowledge Quiz Book, this book contains another 1,000 questions about general knowledge. Some are easy, some more challenging but as you are provided with the first letter of each answer, you will soon know if you are on the right track. Both educational and fun, this book is a good way for the whole family to broaden their general knowledge. Select a letter at random or work your way through the questions from A-Z to find out how much you know about the world we live in. Ideal for sharing, this book will provide hours or pleasure and appeal to people of all ages.

Are you a fan of horse racing? Do follow all the big races and enjoy the occasional bet? Can you name the great jockeys through the years and the events they have won? If you answered yes to any of the above, or would like to find out more about professional horse racing, you won't want to be without the new Horse Racing Quiz Book. Which two fences are only jumped once in the Grand National? Part of which UK racecourse is within a famous area known as the Knavesmire? What are the Christian names of the Hills twins, both Classic winning jockeys? The answers to these and many similar questions can all be found in this book.The 250 questions, some easy, some more challenging, will quickly uncover how much you know about the fast-paced world of horse racing. Covering all the big races, famous jockeys, racecourses, horses, owners and trainers as well as the history of horse racing, this is a must-have for anyone interested in this action-packed sport.

APPEARANCES is a collection of twelve short stories revealing how fragile and elusive reality is. It is full of playful and powerful images that exist all around us. Funhouse mirrors of life. Or maybe the other way round. Raw images of a reality normally photoshopped and made to look gorgeous in the beauty parlors of everyday society, now shown for what they are, revealing their true nature. The mirror theme helps reflect on this reality. Stories are mirrors of life, of people and circumstances. Images in those mirrors range from the exact to the distorted. They can be revealing, misleading, or indicative of something. They can be full of promises and lies, changing the world according to their whims, or brutally honest, revealing the world as it was never meant to be seen. Whatever the case, the images are real, and so are the mirrors, phenomena of the everyday world, reflecting back to us who we are, what we do and how we have set up the world around us. They indicate to us the various aspects of humanity and the human psyche, exposing our longings and fears. Victor and Xavier share these stories with us, offering their perspective on life through the prism of mirrors that are playful, powerful and present wherever one looks. Nothing can be taken for granted. Only one thing's for certain. Appearances are not what they seem.

The giraffe in a scarf is a poor little thing. Will he star in the play if unable to sing?

In Mrs Pennyweather's garden, where the flowers all gather and grow, all seems calm and peaceful. But, in a small corner of the garden, whispers are in full flow and something is about to change...

Spectra is the new digital magazine bringing you the best in new sci-fi, horror and fantasy short fiction, news and reviews. With four new stories from established writers and rising talent every issue, Spectra Magazine delivers the cutting edge of digital fiction direct to your favourite eBook platform. Spectra Magazine is the first science fiction, fantasy and horror short fiction publication dedicated to digital reading, delivering the best in genre-based literary entertainment. Each month, four brand new short stories are curated from award-winning genre writers and new talent alike, bringing you electrifying fiction in a host of different styles. We believe that sci-fi, fantasy and short fiction should dazzle and excite even the most seasoned reader, and we only select authors who are sure to blow your mind, ignite your imagination or turn your dreams into nightmares. Written and designed specifically for the e-book generation and e-reader technology, Spectra Magazine is essential for everyone with a passion for science fiction, fantasy, horror, or anyone looking for something fresh and exciting to bring their e-Reader to life. The future of short fiction is here.

Are you a fan of German motor racing ace Sebastian Vettel? Have you followed his progress on the grand prix circuit, clocking up successive wins to become three times world champion? Are you eagerly anticipating his next race? If the answer is yes, you are certain to want to have a go at the 100 questions in The Sebastian Vettel Quiz Book. Where is Germany does Sebastian come from? Who were his childhood heroes? What record-breaking achievement is Sebastian credited with? The answers to these questions and many more can all be found inside this challenging new quiz book. With 100 facts detailing Sebastian's early life, his multiple victories and career highlights as well as many personal details, this book will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the unassuming champion. Packed full of information, this book is sure to appeal to motor racing fans of all ages. If you have an interest in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, you won't want to be without this quiz book.

When Billy Burton receives a birthday present from his Auntie Flo, it really is a surprise, as it is a computer generated emu. He and his sister Jilly decide to call it M. At first they do not realise that, except for Auntie Flo, they are the only people who can see it. Soon M not only takes on a life of his own, but also causes mayhem along the way, whilst protecting Billy and Jilly at school, at the supermarket, and even on holiday abroad.

Spectra is the new digital magazine bringing you the best in new sci-fi, horror and fantasy short fiction, news and reviews. With four new stories from established writers and rising talent every issue, Spectra Magazine delivers the cutting edge of digital fiction direct to your favourite eBook platform. Spectra Magazine is the first science fiction, fantasy and horror short fiction publication dedicated to digital reading, delivering the best in genre-based literary entertainment. Each month, four brand new short stories are curated from award-winning genre writers and new talent alike, bringing you electrifying fiction in a host of different styles. We believe that sci-fi, fantasy and short fiction should dazzle and excite even the most seasoned reader, and we only select authors who are sure to blow your mind, ignite your imagination or turn your dreams into nightmares. Written and designed specifically for the e-book generation and e-reader technology, Spectra Magazine is essential for everyone with a passion for science fiction, fantasy, horror, or anyone looking for something fresh and exciting to bring their e-Reader to life. The future of short fiction is here.

This book gives the reader a whole host of tools - both practical and psychological - which will help them achieve the status of a self-defence master. With thirty-two chapters covering a range of subjects from fitness to body language to eye contact, this book is not your run-of-the-mill martial arts manual. It is written by self-defence expert and 6th Dan Tom Hill, and those with an interest in the mental techniques of attack and defence will no doubt enjoy it greatly.

1923. When RAF airman Jack Toulson finds a wooden box buried in the desert, he hopes to uncover a cache of jewels or even an antique sword, but all it contains is a worthless old stick with Arabic writing on it. Disappointed, he shoves it into his bag and thinks no more of it. The next day, he decides to take a picture of the empty horizon with his new Kodak Hawk-Eye, but when the picture is developed, it shows a camel-train that had not been there. He concludes it must be a fault with the camera. Jack is wrong on both counts. The stick he held in his hands, and the camel train that appeared in his photograph, were a window into another time a thousand years before Christ - a time when King Solomon tried to seduce the beautiful Queen of Sheba by entrusting her with the most precious artefact known to man: the Rod of Moses. In this gripping novel, the power of the Rod echoes down the generations, from ancient Egypt right through to the present day.

When Sebastian says he wants to travel, the other toys suggest a trip to the North Pole or the Equator. But Sebastian is just a teddy-bear: how could he possibly go around the world on his own? Fate steps in, and soon he is on an adventure that takes him first to Paris and then on a train bound for Russia. Along the way, he has his portrait painted, joins a circus, becomes a magician's assistant, and is mistaken for the Abominable Snowman.

This classic work from Elizabth Gaskell has been specially formatted for today's e-readers. This excellent tale is set in a small rural town, inhabited largely by women - a community that runs on co-operation and gossip. The central characters are the daughters of the former rector: Miss Deborah Jenkyns and her sister Miss Matty. In the saga, domestic peace is constantly threatened by financial disaster, burglaries (or are they?), tragic accidents, and the re-apparance of long-lost relatives.

Gosport, 1860. Felix Wild has lived on the streets and on his wits for all his young life. He's been a mudlark at The Hard, eaten tallow when there was nothing else to be had, picked oakum in Forton Gaol, and acquired a skill for 'tup-tup-tupping' from the women of Haslar. He has no family, no idea of how old he might be, and has never heard of Christmas. But he has one remarkable talent: he can make a perfect drawing, from memory, of anything that he has seen.Saved from a further spell in prison by the wealthy William Kettle, Felix joins the Kettle household in East London and is employed to make drawings of the building of a magnificent new iron-clad vessel, HMS Warrior. His eagerness to learn new things knows no bounds: from working out how to use a knife and fork, and reading a dictionary from cover to cover, to being given the 'tipsy key' for the chronometers during his first voyage on board Warrior as she conducts sea-trials. While the men he meets are in awe of his drawing skills, the young women are absorbed in rather less cerebral matters, namely the fit of his fashionably tight 'gas-pipe' trousers and his distinctive looks - one eye is blue, the other green.Felix Wild is a captivating novel that has all the affectionate humour and vivid sense of place that has made Peter Broadbent's naval memoirs so popular.

Do you enjoy pub quizzes? Are you a member of a pub quiz team? Or maybe you would simply like to increase your general knowledge? Whatever your reason for choosing this book, you are certain to enjoy tackling the 500 questions contained inside. What art movement did the American artist Andy Warhol spearhead? What is a collection of giraffes called? Which country other than Norway and Denmark did the Vikings originally hail from? The answers to these questions and more can all be found in The Essential Pub Quiz Book. With sections on a range of topics including sport, art history, geography, countries, cinema, celebrities, food and drink, TV, careers, politics, literature, culture, science, animals, music, cars, social media and gaming, crime and punishment, news headlines, symbolism and religion, fashion, beauty, law and flashbacks to the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s,1990 and 2000s, there really is something for everyone. Whether you are genning up for a quiz night or enjoy learning more about the world around you, this book is guaranteed to teach you something new.

Mai 1920, die Regierung der Republik in Berlin erklaert die deutschen Freikorps, die im Baltikum noch immer kaempfen, fuer aufgeloest. Geruechte ueber Intrigen und Verschwoerungen beherrschen die Presse. Nationalisten beginnen unter den Augen der Alliierten eine neue deutsche Armee zu schaffen. Alles, was Brock bisher vom Leben gesehen hat, sind der Krieg und das Heer. Der alten Volksweisheit vertrauend, dass, wer wirklich arbeiten will, auch Arbeit findet, macht er sich auf den Weg nach Berlin und wird schnell er eines Besseren belehrt. Betrogen und ausgeraubt endet er ohne einen Pfennig auf der Strasse. Nur Glueck und Mut retten ihn. Widerstrebend wird er in die Machenschaften der militaerischen Geheimbuende und ihrer Verbuendeten in Politik und Wirtschaft involviert. Er betritt die verschiedenen Welten von Gerichtshof und Polizei, Presse und krimineller Unterwelt, Schwarzer Reichswehr und altem Adel. Schliesslich muss er, gerade im Begriff, ein erfolgreicher Reporter zu werden, einen gefaehrlichen Moerder stellen und verliert beinahe sein eigenes Leben. Die spannende Geschichte entwirft ein Bild der Zwanziger Jahre, ohne ein Geschichtsbuch zu sein.