The village of Colonus, near Athens, was, in the year 495 BC, the birthplace of Sophocles. Sophocles place in Greek Tragedy is assured. His birth places him between the two other giants of Greek tragedy; schylus and Euripides. He was 30 years younger than schylus, the reigning master of drama and was fifteen years older than Euripides, who would, in turn, usurp Sophocles. Sophocles was a handsome and agile youth and selected, at the age of sixteen, to lead with dance and lyre the chorus which celebrated the triumph of Athens and its Allies over Persia at the battle at Salamis. Sophocles career as a dramatist was marked by a victory in competition with schylus, under exceptional circumstances. At the time the remains of the hero Theseus were being removed by Cimon from the isle of Scyros to Athens and, at the same time, a contest involving the two dramatists was being held. schylus was lauded at the time as the supreme dramatist but Sophocles was popular if inexperienced. The first prize was awarded to Sophocles, greatly to the disgust of the veteran schylus, who taking umbrage, soon afterward departed for Sicily. By all accounts Sophocles would now write and exhibit tragedies and satyric dramas for the next sixty years. The canon of his work varies to between 120 and 180 plays, naturally a number were fillers and not of his highest standard but the prodigious output is extraordinary. In the annual Dionysia, the number of first prizes he won is put at between eighteen and twenty-four, with many more second prizes. On this basis alone schylus and Euripides were left a long way behind. So far from being dulled with age and toil, his powers seem only to have assumed a mellower tone, a more touching pathos, a sweeter and gentler mode of thought and expression. Sophocles was spared the misery of witnessing the final overthrow of his country, dying, at the age or around 90 after a long life full of triumphs and honours, a few months before the defeat of Aegospotami brought the downfall of his beloved Athens. This naval Battle of Aegospotami took place in 405 BC and decisively determined the outcome of the Peloponnesian War. In the battle, a Spartan fleet under Lysander destroyed the Athenian navy. This effectively ended the war, since Athens could not import grain or communicate with its empire without control of the sea. There are only seven dramas of Sophocles that have survived. It can be argued that Sophocles and his works were the high-water mark of Athenian excellence. He is rightly lauded and we can only wonder at the splendours he wrote that are now lost to us.

Eugene Gladstone O'Neill was born on October 16, 1888 in a hotel bedroom in what is now Times Square, New York. Much of his childhood was spent in the comfort of books at boarding schools whilst his actor father was on the road and his Mother contended with her own demons. He spent only a year at University - Princeton - and various reasons have been given for his departure. However whatever his background and education denied or added to his development it is agreed amongst all that he was a playwright of the first rank and possibly America's greatest. His introduction of realism into American drama was instrumental in its development and paved a path for many talents thereafter. Of course his winning of both the Pulitzer Prize (4 times) and the Nobel Prize are indicative of his status. His more famous and later works do side with the disillusionment and personal tragedy of those on the fringes of society but continue to build upon ideas and structures he incorporated in his early one act plays. Eugene O'Neill suffered from various health problems, mainly depression and alcoholism. In the last decade he also faced a Parkinson's like tremor in his hands which made writing increasingly difficult. But out of such difficulties came plays of the calibre of The Iceman Cometh, Long Day's Journey Into Night, and A Moon for the Misbegotten. Eugene O'Neill died in Room 401 of the Sheraton Hotel on Bay State Road in Boston, on November 27, 1953, at the age of 65. As he was dying, he whispered his last words: "e;I knew it. I knew it. Born in a hotel room and died in a hotel room."e;

Sorry, Holmes fans, not a snake in the entire book. The Spotted Band is a rock group of jungle cats: an Ocelot, Jaguar, Himalayan Snow Leopard and the irrepressible Cheetah, Chita. (She left Arch Villain Imperius Drake in a hurry in Book One.) The story begins in Reno, Nevada where Imperius and Bigg Baboon (recovering from their near misses with death in Book One) are searching for a replacement for Chita. They think they may have found him in an absolutely terrible magician appearing in, or being fired from, the show lounges in Reno casinos. Hairy Otter, soon to be renamed Otto the Magnificent becomes a pawn in the claws of Imperius but Otto turns out to be much more than Imperius can handle with some special talents all his own. Meanwhile, in Rio attending Carnaval for some well deserved R&R, Maury, Inspector Wallaroo and Howard Watt encounter the Spotted Band in a Brazilian bistro and the story further unfolds. They end up battling Pontius Puma, a gangster who controls all entertainment in Brazil and does substantial trading in stolen military and industrial secrets. They destroy his vast computer network with the help of L.Condor, a cyber net genius with a 12 foot wingspan and no voice. Back in the States, Imperius plans to use Otto as his Weapon of Bear Destruction. But Otto escapes and through a series of deucedly clever twists, ends up along with Chita, assisting Octavius in his simultaneous defense against Imperius and an enraged Pontius Puma who has come to Cincinnati to avenge the destruction of his empire of crime. The Puma and Bigg are arrested. Imperius Drake is believed killed in a mid-air collision with the Condor over the Ohio River. Wanna Bet?

Three of Plato's dialogues on the philosophies of Socrates, the Apology, the Crito and the Phedo, translated into English.

This side-splitting collection of 101 of the best lightbulb jokes you have ever heard is dangerously funny! Jack Goldstein aims his humour cannon at older children with this hilarious joke book containing over one hundred jokes that will have the whole family laughing. Organised into categories so you have a lightbulb joke for every occasion, this is an ideal addition to any budding comedian's bookshelf. How many seabirds does it take to change a light bulb? About four or five terns ought to do the trick...

A fantastic classic novel set during the Great Plague of London (1665-1666).

The Fen country in the autumn of 1850 is dank and drab. A young woman, Catherine Greencliffe, comes from the other end of England to care for a small child who has been abandoned by his mother. On the surface all seems well but she soon becomes prey to mysterious compulsions and visions. She comes to realise that Southwell Hall holds a secret that she is not invited to share and at last makes a dreadful discovery.

Is it possible to rid yourself of chronic stress, anxiety and depression? Is it possible to experience true peace of mind? Is it possible to discover a new way of living life, beyond what you imagined? In this inspirational true story, Terry Rubenstein explains why this IS absolutely possible. The answers lie within the Three Principles of Innate Health - a ground-breaking new paradigm that replaces the countless misconceptions that cause many of us to lose our way. At the age of 29, Terry was an overwhelmed mother of 5 young sons suffering from acute depression and anxiety. A few years later, having arrived at a simple but revolutionary understanding that explained all her past suffering, her life changed dramatically. She discovered the secret that lets you escape from being a helpless victim; that allows you to be resilient and secure in the face of life's inevitable ups and downs. Terry's moving account reveals the gift of an Exquisite Mind overflowing with infinite potential - and the unexpected discovery of the innate health that resides within us all. Thought is the divide that creates the chasm, but it is also the bridge that builds the connection.

In this series of five short stories, Holmes and Watson continue their late investigations into dark crimes in 1920s London, joined by their excitable housekeeper at 221B Baker Street, the brilliant, buxom Miss Lily Hudson, and by Jasper Lestrade of Scotland Yard, the ambitious, respectful son of the late George Lestrade.Thanks to Royal Jelly, Holmes is a fit 72-year-old, who has lost his interest in bees and returned to detecting, joining forces again with his colleague and friend, Dr. John Hamish Watson, a 74-year-old unfit twice-widower, who hankers after the good old days of derring-do.Together they explore the case of the Shepherds Bushman, when a dying aborigine finds his way to 221B Baker Street; the Acton Body-Snatchers and the disappearing boy sopranos; the Notting Hill Rapist and the stripping of pregnant women; the Clapham Witch, who casts her voodoo spells on sad old men; and the Battersea Fetishists, a secret brotherhood with some truly murderous rituals.

It is summer 1895 and a lost play by William Shakespeare is discovered. While being authenticated by scholars in Oxford there is a break-in at a college and the three hundred year old quarto is stolen. Holmes is engaged in the most unusual of circumstances and together with the faithful Dr Watson, they are soon on a trail which takes them from the Epsom Derby to Epping Forest and the great city of Florence itself.But this is not the only case brought to 221b Baker Street during this eventful year. Any number of singular problems demand Holmes' attention including the terrifying schemes of an injured army captain, a spate of strychnine poisonings and a dancing bear suspected of murder in the East End. What bearing do these seemingly unrelated adventures have on the search for the lost play? Who is the woman haunting Dr Watson and what is the mysterious Society of Lucius?With stilt walking chases, a swimming race across the River Thames and an explosion at the former site of Shakespeare's Globe, this is set to become Holmes' most dangerous and memorable adventure yet.

Are you a fan of Rita Ora? Have you followed her rise to fame from the release of her debut album through to becoming a coach on the UK TV show The Voice? Whether you are already familiar with the charismatic singer from London, or would like to find out more, you won't want to be without The Rita Ora Quiz Book. What character did Rita play in the 2015 film Fifty Shades of Grey? Who directed the music video for Rita's single 'How We Do (Party)'? How many BRIT awards was Rita nominated for in 2013? The answers to these questions and more can all be found in this exciting new quiz book. Containing both personal details and professional highlights, the 100 questions in this book will help you to get to know your favourite singer as well as providing a fascinating insight into the life of the chart-topping star. This is a must-have book for Rita Ora's rapidly increasing fan base and for anyone with an interest in the current music scene.

A fascinating look at the events of the American Civil War. Part of the fifty volume series on American history, Chronicles of America.

The fantastic tale of the benefits and drawbacks of great wealth, written by the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The fascinating and somewhat sensationalist memoirs of Anna Leonowens, the English travel writer, educator, and social activist that became tutor to the wives and children of the king of Siam from 1862-68. Her story was later fictionalised in the book 'Anna and the King of Siam', which was adapted by Rogers and Hammerstein into the hit 1951 musical 'The King and I'.

Is Southend United your local football club? Are you a lifelong fan of the Blues or new to the touchline? Do you know all about the team's long and fascinating past, which began in the Blue Boar pub in 1906? Would you like to find out more? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are certain to enjoy 101 Interesting Facts on Southend United, all about the boys from Roots Hall. Perfect for challenging your friends on match days or teaching your children about the history of your local football team. This tribute to the Southend United will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Blues, including all the memorable faces that have played a part in the team's wins and losses through the years. This is a must-have book for Southend supporters of all ages, so why not relive all those unforgettable moments from days gone by and gen up on your favourite football club.

Following on from her first book, Miaow There! It's Misty at Sea!, Misty, the playful grey and white cat, reveals further tales of life on board a cruise ship with her beloved owner, Sheila. In this new book, the mischievous Misty gives us another fictitious account of life at sea, experienced through the eyes of a well-travelled cat. As a result of her previous adventures, Misty has grown in confidence and knows exactly how to wheedle her way into getting the best service, the tastiest food and the most attention, giving the reader a fascinating insight into the devious mind of a cat. Through the many strange sights, sounds and smells and the interesting characters she meets, Misty gives you a charming and humorous account of living the high life on the ocean waves. With a foreword written by former MP and cat lover Ann Widdecombe, It's Still Misty Out at Sea will appeal to cat lovers of all ages and strike a chord with anyone who has ever been on a cruise.

One wet, windy, winter's morning Harey decides to have a party because it is his birthday. Having been given some pot-pourri as a present he tries to drink the essential oil but Scampi saves him just in time, knocks over a candle and causes a fire, goes to use some plastic washing pouches for eating as jellies and swallows some "e;sweets"e; he finds in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.

A fascinating look at ancient Eastern history, from the Babylonian Empire to the conquest of the East by Alexander, written by British archaeologist and scholar David George Hogarth of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum.

Here are a few essays about puzzlers in and about Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories: The Devil's Foot and the author's cautious inserts of the Christian sacraments he learnt as a boy; A liturgical opposite - the Hebrew rabbi in Scandal in Bohemia; The Boscombe Valley murder re-emerging in a contemporary divining of a murder at Pemberley; The definitive solution and identification of Jack the Ripper - search no further; AND The Salvation Army and Suffragettes picked-on and prodded in the Red-Headed League.

A fantastic look at the history of the United States by American author, editor, journalist, civil war veteran and politician Henry Mann.

It is early 1916 and the world is at war. Sherlock Holmes is well into his spy persona as Altamont following the capture of the German spy Von Bork at the opening of the Great War. Watson is called to London by Mycroft Holmes and is asked to join Sherlock, who has infiltrated the Irish Volunteers. War within the United Kingdom could deal a decisive blow to the war effort and Holmes must find out the rebels plans, and if possible, stop the rebellion which appears imminent. He has need of Watson once again.