the nonfiction book of the month is a blu ray quality masterpiece!
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My nonfiction book of the month for Christmas is a jaw-dropping coffee table book that celebrates in grand style the manmade wonders of the world, and it's published by Dorling Kindersley. I guarantee you won't leave it sitting on your coffee table for long - you'll be wanting to read it, and there's a very clear reason why you should! Also on this page you'll find Neil Oliver, Sir David Attenborough, David Mitchell and a fabulous book about America's Manned Spaceflight missions, plus much, much more including the Official History of Monsters of Rock! Plenty of Christmas gift ideas on this page! Book
of the Month - Dan Cruickshank: Manmade Wonders of the World Published by Dorling Kindersley 3rd October 2019
From Stonehenge to the Sagrada Familia, from the Great Wall of China to the Burj Khalifa, Manmade Wonders of the World plots a continent-by-continent journey around the world, exploring and charting the ingenuity and imagination used by different cultures to create iconic buildings. This truly global approach reveals how humans have tackled similar challenges - such as keeping the enemy out or venerating their gods - in vastly different parts of the world. As writer, historian, and broadcaster Dan Cruickshank writes in his foreword, "reading this book is like taking a journey through the world not only of the present but also of the past, because the roots of many wonders lie in antiquity." By combining breathtaking photography with 3D cutaway artworks, floorplans, and other illustrations, the hidden details and engineering innovations that make each building remarkable are revealed. Featuring the most visited monuments in the world - such as the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu - as well as some hidden gems, Manmade Wonders of the World can help you to map out the trip of a lifetime or simply be enjoyed as a celebration of the world that humans have built over thousands of years. Blu Ray DVDs are supposed to be anything from four times to seven times sharper than ordinary DVDs, and HD television is of course much sharper than ordinary TV. 4K (Ultra high definition) is sharper still, and most modern laptops are displaying in HD. This latest title from Dorling Kindersley has its photographic illustrations in Ultra High Definition, or so it seems to me, because they are clearer, sharper than any other book I have ever seen. The subject of these photographs is Manmade Wonders, with a glowing foreword by the great Dan Cruikshank, and I cannot remember ever enjoying a "coffee table" book more than this one. It is stunning and beautiful in every aspect, the photographs are jaw-droppingly good, very high definition, and the maps and diagrams (the cutaways) are second to none, stunning. This is a strong candidate for my nonfiction book of the year, and quite frankly, I can't see anything else coming anywhere near. I've had the privilege of reviewing a vast array of nonfiction books over the years, and this one has to be the very best of all of them! "Breathtaking" indeed! Neil
Oliver: The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places Published
by Transworld 20th September 2019
Jonny
Keeling & Scott Alexander: Seven Worlds One Planet Published by BBC Books 10th October 2019
With blu ray still in mind, I have to say that we have been watching Sir David Attenborough's latest documentary on our 4K TV on the BBC1 HD channel, and the clarity is staggering. The book, as always, has so much more information in it than Sir David could impart in the course of the one-hour programmes, and the photography is absolutely stunning, as it is in the companion book which, as always, gives you so much more. It's my confirmed belief that if you're hooked on the TV programme, then you need the book as well. Written by experts in their field, and with absolutely crystal clear photography, this book would stand alone as a brilliant exposition of the fauna of our unique world, together with the mountainous challenges they face to survive in the relentless onslaught of man's progress and continual usurpation of their breeding and feeding grounds. Sir David is encouraged by the reaction to his Blue Planet 2 series, which has brought about new attitudes to the use of plastics on our world. Seven Worlds One Planet is both a celebration of our wildlife, with whom we should be sharing the planet, and a warning that if we don't check that progress, further extinctions will surely follow. The book isn't written by Sir David, but it carries his messages loud and clear. It is fascinating to read about the amazing diversity of wildlife on the different continents or worlds. In the introduction, we're told about the fact that millions of years ago there was one super-continent, Pangea, and that over time it split into the continents we know and recognise today. This is the only fault with this book, that I can find, that the maps of Pangea and the splitting into seven continents, are small, not much larger than a fifty pence piece. I think the introduction would have benefited from whole page maps - other than that, it is faultless and fascinating. Another brilliant Christmas gift if ever I saw one, and thanks to BBC books for allowing me the opportunity to review it in Books Monthly. Books are the lifeblood of our education and development, and this is another shining example of all that's good in the modern publishing world. David
Mitchell: Dishonesty is the Second-best Policy - And Other Rules To
Live By Published by Guardian Faber Publishing 7th November 2019
But if you’re determined to give it a go, you might enjoy this eclectic collection (or eclection) of David Mitchell’s attempts to make light of all that darkness. Scampi, politics, the Olympics, terrorism, exercise, rude street names, inheritance tax, salad cream, proportional representation and farts are all touched upon by Mitchell’s unremitting laser of chit-chat, as he negotiates a path between the commercialisation of Christmas and the true spirit of Halloween. Read this book and slightly change your life!
David Mitchell, Lee Mack and Eddie Izzard are the three people guaranteed today to make me laugh. Situation comedies on both BBC and ITV are dire and have been since Victor Meldrew came "to the End of the Line" (the last series ended with the classic song by the Travelling Wilburies), with the notable exception of Not Going Out. There are legions of stand-up comedians who are simply not funny, there are dozens of so-called sitcoms such as Citizen Khan, Still Open All Hours and a whole host of others that simply wither and die for want of being funny in any way whatsoever. I won't mention Mrs Brown's Boys, which plumbs the depths of all that's wrong with TV broadcasting today. But Friday nights on BBC1 are guaranteed to raise not just a laugh but side-splitting hysterics when David and Lee, together with Rob Brydon, and especially when Bob Mortimer is a guest, appear on Would I Lie To You. That and Not Going Out are the two most brilliant and funny programmes on the television (for me). David Mitchell's extraordinary sense of humour is at its best when he's railing against something, which he does often on WILTY and even more so in his books. Dishonesty... is his second such book, and to read him pitching out against such things as Scampi, farting, the Olympics etc., brings just unutterable pleasure, because you can imagine him sitting in your living room (or wherever you choose to read this brilliant book) and saying it aloud, just to you. He has an opinion on everything, and can turn any subject into one of hilarity. He's a genuine philosopher who hides his philosophy behind the mask of a seriously funny person. The episode of WILTY when his wife, Victoria Coren-Mitchell was on it with him recently - she's not a comedienne in the sense that she does stand-up comedy, but as host of a genuinely funny quiz show, she is brilliantly funny in her own right, - was one of the funniest episodes ever, rivalling the inimitable Bob Mortimer. I would include Bob in my list of best comedians but unfortunately he associates regularly with two "comedians" who are simply not funny in any sense of the word: Vic Reeves and Paul Whitehouse. David and Victoria are well-matched, and one can only imagine how a typical day in the Mitchell household goes down. I try to see humour in everything except tragedy and health issues myself, my passion is words and turning them inside out and around - I'm good at anagrams and I have a phenomenal memory for 1950s/1960s radio shows, monologues, song lyrics etc., etc. I'm not a comedian, never have been, but generally try to make people laugh as it lightens the mood and laughter; laughter, as Readers' Digest has said forever, is the best medicine. David's book is genuinely good medicine. It will bring a smile to your face, it will make you laugh, and it will make you think you're in the room with David himself. Utterly, utterly brilliant. Four top Puzzle Books for amateur sleuths, classical music lovers and travel buffs... Sinclair
McKay: The Scotland Yard Puzzle Book Published by Headline 17th October 2019
If you cracked the GCHQ Puzzle Book and
tore through the Ordnance
Survey Puzzle Book, you MUST show off your brainteaser abilities
and prove that you have what it takes to be a detective at the Yard... It's time for you to tackle the conundrums that confounded the best detectives over the years. Since it opened its doors in 1829, Scotland Yard has used the science of detection to solve the most macabre of murders and catch the most audacious of thieves. The Scotland Yard Puzzle Book takes a look through the history of this famous institution and recreates some of the most complex puzzles its detectives have ever faced. Technology can now shine a light on some of the most difficult cases, but the analytical mind needed to crack the clues remains as essential as ever. Do you have what it takes to be a Scotland Yard detective?
For a year or so, when I was fifteen years old, there was one thing on my agenda for a career, and that was to be a policeman. I don't know if it was the uniform and the chance to become a figure of authority (I was never made a prefect at school because the headmaster knew that I was due to leave at the end of July that year, which I thought was unfair); I don't know if it was because of the books I read - I was a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, of John Creasey's Inspector West, and of PC49 in the Eagle comic. We didn't have television, so I didn't know about TV detective dramas, although I loved them from 1963 onwards, when we did have access to a television, my favourites being No Hiding Place (Inspector Lockhart) and eventually Z Cars. Nowadays, there isn't a TV police drama that I don't like, though I do have my favourites, which are Endeavour, Lewis and Inspector Morse, closely followed by Vera and Shetland. This brilliant puzzle book gives you the opportunity to become a detective, with a series of terrific puzzles to solve, clues to unravel, villains to catch, crimes to solve. This is the perfect antidote to television, laptop, iPad and phone. Pit your wits against the great detectives and see how well you'd cope as a detective! If you like puzzles, and if you like setting your mind to solving them, this terrific book will keep you occupied for hours with access to many real-life Scotland Yard cases. Are you up to the challenge? Dr
Gareth Moore: The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain Published by Trapeze 17th October 2019
In The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain map your way around Britain in 40 new regional maps,with hundreds of puzzles, mind-boggling brainteasers, navigational tests, word games, code-crackers, anagrams and mathematical conundrums to keep you occupied as you go! With maps covering the 8 areas of South-West England, South-East England, the Midlands, East England, North-West England, North-East England, Wales and Scotland, you'll put your knowledge and skills to the test and become a local - as you discover amazing facts about each region's folklore, famous historical events and the perfect day out from the OS's GetOutside Champions. With four levels of difficulty that make this fun for all the family, The Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour of Britain is also a celebration of the regional diversity, history and landscapes that make Great Britain so great.
For many years now I've regretted my decision at Grammar School not to include geography in my curriculum. It goes hand in hand with history, after all, at which I excelled; and now I can't get enough of it, with BBC TV programmes like Coast and Neil Oliver's tours and documentaries, along with what I've learned from Sir David Attenborough's nature programmes and Michael Portillo's great British Railway Journeys (and railway journeys elsewhere in the world. Geography fascinates me more than ever, and looking back, what I was being taught in grammar school was really not geography but a mixture of geology and international trade. From memory, we never looked at a map, and for me, maps are the mainstay of geography. I am fascinated by maps, especially large-scale Ordnance Survey maps, but also road atlas maps as well. I don't know how well I will get on with Dr Moore's Ordnance Survey Puzzle Tour, but it looks absolutely fascinating, the maps are brilliant! I can't wait to get started on this terrific book, and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who takes an interest in where we are. On reflection, I don't honestly think I missed much by not taking Doughy Baker's geography lessons - he was a dreadful teacher and I've learned much more with textbooks, road atlases and OS Maps, certainly enough to enjoy this book and its puzzles. By the way, this and the Scotland Yard book above are recommended as a pair on Amazon - they're from different publishers, not that it matters! Congratulations to both publishers on coming up with two terrific puzzle books in an age of computer games. Books matter more now than ever, in my opinion. I hope my selection of books this month will inspire you in your Christmas gift choices! Helen
Brocklehurst: The AA British Road Map Puzzle Book Published by Sphere 17th October 2019
Uncover the history of Britain's roads and work your way around its highways, byways, bypasses and backwaters in these map-based challenges. Test your word-puzzling skills, map-reading savvy, general knowledge and problem-solving prowess, with over 400 mind-stretching questions. Guaranteed to drive your mind round the bend, this is the ultimate quiz to British places for motorists and map addicts. From producing the first road signs and handwriting route directions, to its bestselling atlases and touring guides, The AA has been helping motorists navigate British roads since 1905 - and no one knows Britain's roads better.
Whilst researching on Amazon which puzzle books would make good Christmas gifts, I stumbled on this third one, coincidentally published, like the other gtwo, on 17th October (three different publishers, three puzzle books, all published on the same date - I don't suppose anyone other than me takes any notice of who publishes what - they're all books, after all, what does it matter who the publisher is? That may be the subject of a small piece in Books Monthly at some stage next year). I've been equally fascinated by road atlases and ordnance survey maps for as long as can remember - I don't have a SatNav, I'd rather study my road atlas and work out my journey than be distracted by something in the car when I should be concentrating on my driving. I don't know what percentage of the driving population own road atlases, but even of you don't, this brilliant puzzle book is crammed with information about elements of the highway code and exercises (puzzles) in reading the kinds of maps you get in road atlases - it's great for brain-training, great for keeping you alert when you're actually driving, because it's educational, and most importantly, it's great fun! The
Classic FM Puzzle Book, Foreword by Alexander Armstrong Published by Cassell 3rd October 2019
Think you know classical music? It's time to put your knowledge to the test with this collection of questions and puzzles designed to challenge, to entertain - and to educate. Blending together basic trivia, complex wordplay and a range of visual teasers, the book calls on the knowledge of the Classic FM experts to provide hours of music-themed challenges. With difficulty levels varying from pleasantly tricky to fiendishly hard, The Classic FM Puzzle Book will entertain from the first bar until the very last note. As someone who loves classical music, (we have a substantial CD library of all the major composers, favourites being Mahler, Shostakovich, Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Prokoviev, Borodin etc.) I always have Classic FM on Saturdays and Sundays - it's far more listenable than Radio 3, the presenters (with one notable exception, I won't name her but her voice is dreary and her presentation even more dreary, and she's comparatively new to Classic FM) are great, knowledgeable, approachable and so on, and there is genuinely classical music for all tastes: baroque, classical, romantic, modern. The new Classic FM Puzzle Book is a cornucopia of stuff about composers, their lives and their works. If you like Classic FM, you will absolutely adore this book! Simon Heptinstall: 1001 Cars (You must drive before you die) Published by Cassell 3rd October 2019
With a preface from founding member of Pink Floyd, Nick Mason. Prepare yourself for the world's greatest road trip. Strap yourself in for a cavalcade of the fastest, biggest, smallest, most expensive, most innovative and downright sexiest motorized vehicles ever produced. Whether you're a vintage car spotter or an armchair petrolhead, 1001 Cars To Dream Of Driving Before You Die brings you the best stories and the most amazing photographs of the finest cars from every corner of the globe. This truly global guide offers a unique history of motoring through the ages, from Henry Ford's pioneering Model T, with its hand-cranked starter, to the latest hi-tech vehicles, such as the Lexus LS 600h, hybrid-powered, 4x4 sports saloon, and reveals the stories behind the cars, the geniuses who designed them, the companies and factories who built them, and the people who drove them. Discover the extraordinary contraptions that started it all more than 100 years ago and drool over today's most spectacular supercars. From the most famous Ferraris and Porsches to ground-breaking sports cars from Brazil, South Africa and New Zealand, 1001 Cars To Dream of Driving Before You Die is the ultimate car enthusiast's companion. Featuring cars chosen by stars, millionaires and world leaders, from James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder and Al Capone's Cadillac V16 to the classic James Bond favourite, the Aston Martin DB5, there's a car here for every petrol-head. The ultimate guide for every car fanatic. I recognise this book as a must-have for motoring fanatics. I enjoy F1 motor racing, but I wouldn't take out a subscription to Sky in order to watch it - I think the broadcasting authorities are wrong to allow anything other than "conventional" broadcasters (terrestrial broadcasters like the BBC or ITV) to show F1 racing, but I'm not that obsessed with it that I would allow myself to be lured into something I can't afford just for the sake of watching it, although I have friends who would do just that! For me, looking at pictures of cars is just as satisfying as actually driving them. Again, I once sat in a Lotus Esprit belonging to a friend, and found it to be one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life! I have a car that is a few months short of its twentieth birthday and which will, very soon, be recognised as a classic car. It cost me £500 and it is a joy to drive. I don't hunger for driving other cars, I'm happy just to look at them in just such a sensational gift book as this one, compiled by Simon Heptinstall. The photography is sublime, some of the cars (not all, by any means) are very nice to look at. This is a superb gift book for any motorist or enthusiast. Petrolheads will go out of their way to actually sit in or drive these motors, and have to watch inane and time-wasting TV programmes like Top Gear, which lost its appeal when Raymond Baxter stopped presenting it. If you're an old fuddy-duddy like me, you'll be content with this book on your lap, a cup of coffee and a biscuit in your other hand while you turn the pages and dream. Steven Jay Schneider: 1001 Movies (You must see before you die) Published by Cassell 3rd October 2019
This incredible gift series has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide! 'Both a fun stroll through some all-time favourites, and a guilty reminder of just how many great movies I haven't seen yet . . .' Aubrey Day, Total Film 'As edited by Steven Jay Schneider, it makes for addictive browsing, and likewise features top quality stills.' Film Review With more than 1.75 million copies sold worldwide in thirty languages, 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die celebrates the great and groundbreaking, classic and cult, must-see movies of all time, offering a treasure trove of incisive, witty and revealing insights. Spanning more than a century of extraordinary cinema, this comprehensive volume brings together some of the most significant movies from every country and all genres, from action to Western, through animation, comedy, documentary, musical, thriller, noir, short, romance and sci-fi. Newly revised and updated, this definitive edition features 500 original movie posters and hundreds of stunning movie stills, including recent Oscar-winning and nominated films such as BlacKkKlansman, The Greatest Showman, The Favourite, Roma and A Star is Born. Quotes from movie directors and critics, together with little-known facts, complement the incisive reviews and vital statistics of each movie to make this the most fact-filled edition ever. So, whether your passion is rom-com or art house, The Blue Angel or Blue Velvet, 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die is bound to become the only film book to which you will ever turn. We are old age pensioners (on a shamefully low pension, the lowest in Europe, I believe), and our entertainment is home-grown from necessity. The last time we went to the cinema was to see a streaming of Henry IV Part 2 from the RSC in Stratford-Upon-Avon because our daughter appeared in it. But cinema is a large part of our lives. We watch with interest to see what films are due out in the cinema so that we are able to find out when they are going to be available on blu ray (we have a decent [4k UHD] TV to watch blu rays on). Time was, when I was working, we would go and see the latest Star Wars or Star Trek movie - we went to the cinema in Fakenham to see the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2001/2/3, but for me and, I think, for my wife, enjoyment of these films is far enhanced by watching them in comfort in our own home on a 42 inch TV. This magnificent book suggests 1001 movies you must see before you die. I don't know who came up with the "You must see before you die" (substitute the word "drive" in the case of the 1001 cars book) strapline, but it's the least appealing part of this series of books for me. That said, this is a book that has been previously published like the 1001 cars book, and both have been updated to take into account new cars, or in this case, new films. We have The Greatest Showman, and love it. We have The Favourite, but have so far not got round to watching it. Including it in the 1001... book doesn't make it imperative that we watch it; after all, Steven Jay Schneider's list of 1001 films isn't either exhaustive or essential - it's a very personal selection, inevitably. But just seeing his selection, and reading about them in this beautiful book (more to my taste than the cars book, I have to say) combines two of my great passions - books and movies. This series has gone from strength to strength in the space of almost a decade - I remember reviewing some of the titles when they were first published back in 2012 (yes, Books Monthly is that old - twice as old, in fact!) and remarking then on what a terrific idea it was. These books are, for me, essential reading. I may not be interested in every titles list of 1001 films isn't either exhaustive or essential - it's a very personal selection, inevitably. But just seeing his selection, and reading about them in this beautiful book (more to my taste than the cars book, I have to say) combines two of my great passions - books and movies. This series has gone from strength to strength in the space of almost a decade - I remember reviewing some of the titles when they were first published back in 2012 (yes, Books Monthly is that old - twice as old, in fact!) and remarking then on what a terrific idea it was. These books are, for me, essential reading. I may not be interested in every title published, but the privilege of seeing these two titles, recently revised and updated, is immense, and I'm proud to have been able to feature them in Books Monthly! Luke
Wesley Price: Space Mission Art - The Mission Patches & Insignias
of America's Human Spaceflights Published by Ammonite Press December 2019
Since 1961, the United States of America has launched men and women into the hostile vacuum of space. For the adventures on which they were about to embark, astronauts, associates and designers commemorated each mission by creating a unique insignia that the crew could wear with pride on their spacesuits. Space Mission Art collects every one of these iconic designs, plus sticker sheets, to celebrate the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs. They are presented in full colour and glorious detail alongside the stories behind their design. There are also crew photos, mission facts and trivia that reveal the human face of space exploration, capturing the comedy, tragedy, bravery and beauty of these extraordinary adventures into the unknown. I was fortunate enough to be working in the British Space industry at the time of the Apollo programme. Years earlier the whole family crowded outside in 1961, on 12th April to see Russia's Vostok 1 spacecraft carry Yuri Gagarin around the Earth. It was like seeing the science fiction heroes I followed each week in my Lion and Tiger comics coming to life before my very eyes, and when President Kennedy responded to the Russians' challenge with a promise to put men on the Moon and bring them back safely by the end of the decade, all of the forecasts of an Earth Space Force by the year 2000 seemed to be on course for coming true. The truth, of course, was very different - but America's manned spaceflight programme was born, beginning with Mercury, then Gemini, followed by Apollo, Skylab and the Shuttle. Now, it seems that interest in manned spaceflight has been rekindled, with various reusable systems under development, and promises of commercial spaceflight within a couple of years. As I said, I was working for Hawker Siddeley Dynamics in Stevenage (Stevenage was known as Space City in the 1960s because there was also a British Aircraft Corporation factory just along the road, manufacturing rockets and missiles - I worked there for many years also) in 1969 and my job as Librarian was to gather as much information (data, you'd call it now) as possible on spaceflight, both manned and unmanned. There was a dedicated team of top scientists at Hawker's hell bent on getting satellites built and into Earth orbit. They were all passionate about manned spaceflight as well, and I managed to get myself on the circulation list for all NASA publications, including their press releases for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programmes. I prepared information for the James Burke and Geoffrey Pardoe TV coverage of Apollo, and we stayed up to watch Armstrong and Aldrin land on the moon in July 1969. I regularly visited the American Embassy in London to pick up the Nasa press releases, and I well remember admiring the suit patches for each mission. There was a time when I could have named all of the astronauts for each of the Apollo missions. I remember some, now, but not enough, not because my memory is failing, but because it's been hijacked by other genres of literature and information. This magnificent book collects all of the artwork for all of NASA's manned spaceflight missions, with crew photographs and profiles, mission profiles, suit patches etc., and is a fantastic reminder of the triumphs and the tragedies we witnessed along the way to the moon and to the International Space Station. Again, there was a time when the BBC and to a lesser extent ITV covered manned spaceflight with relish, but interest faded when it became clear that successive US governments were less and less convinced of the benefits on the grounds of cost. Now there is talk of a manned mission to Mars, and I hope I'm around to see it, because I've been inspired by man in space for as long as I can remember. The book is beautifully presented, the printing is clear and the text is absolutely brilliant. This is an inspirational, commemorative book that will intrigue, delight and inform anyone lucky enough to get their hands on it. It's also a revelation - the huge number of shuttle missions listed in this book was something of a shock to me. Many are listed by Luke as classified or unclassified defence missions, and one wonders if there is some kind of defence missile system deployed in near or far-Earth orbit? Absolutely fascinating, and pure magic, as anything to do with manned spacflight surely is. Available from Amazon and from www.thegmcgroup.com or by calling 01273 488005. Don't miss it! Simon
King & Clare Nasir: What Does Rain Smell Like? Published
by 535 17th October 2019
The weather is a topic of conversation we are willing to engage in with anybody we meet; here in North Norfolk, the weather forecast is rarely right, no matter who the presenter or channel may be. We have lost count of the times they have said it would be a fine day, lots of sunshine etc., and we're out with our dog in pouring rain. Sheringham is one of those places that quite often gets a "haar" - days on end of thick fog when just down the road it's gloriously sunny and warm. This book is essential reading for anyone with a passing interest in the weather, with the authors explaining just about every aspect of the weather in terms that even the layest of layment can understand. It's brilliant, simply brilliant. Chris
Packham: The Science of Animals
This elegant introduction to zoology offers interesting views, angles, and close-ups that show you animals in surprising detail. The unique nose-to-tail approach, with chapters on different body parts, allows you to focus in on the beauty of the antenna of a moth, the flight feathers of a parrot, or the feeding tentacles of a jellyfish. It explains how form relates to function - how each feature is an evolutionary answer to the challenges of environment and lifestyle. Features on key animals combine photography from the field with rounded descriptions of star species. These species are glowing examples of hunting, speed, camouflage, or any topic in question. The Science of Animals also explores how we have depicted animals in art, from zoological drawings that recorded new discoveries to great paintings inspired by a deep connection to the natural world. With fascinating stories, such as how animals communicate, defend their territories, and attract mates, The Science of Animals offers an engaging introduction to the diversity of the animal kingdom. The other blockbuster from Dorling Kindersley this month is this enormous coffee table book on how Earth's animals work, how they are structured, how they behave. It's like a giant biology textbook, with stunning illustrations and photographs. Had it been around when I was making my subject choices at grammar school back in the 1950s, I might well have chosen biology. As it is, I missed out. A simply sensational book. John Tucker: The Official Monsters of Rock Visual History
David
Day: The Hobbits of Tolkien Published by Pyramid Books 3rd October 2019
David
Day: The Illustrated World of Tolkien Published
by Pyramid Books 19th October 2019 Tolkien's
works have inspired artists for generations and have given rise to
myriad interpretations of the rich and magical worlds he created.
David Day: A Dictionary of
Sources of Tolkien Published
by Pyramid 17th October 2019
The
spellbinding world of Middle-earth is full of beasts and battles,
heroes and heroines, and the struggle between good and evil. David Day has written more books about Tolkien's worlds and work than just about anyone else, and this month sees the release of three brilliant new books; you can read about the others on this page but I thought I would whet your appetite here with this one, which brings together all of the books and sagas etc., that may have influenced J R R Tolkien as he embarked on his amazingly complex and massive creation. There are references to Norse myths, to Germanic folklore, to just about anything imaginable in the world of fantasy and myth, and it is a joy just to read this book, even though it it takes the form of a reference book, from cover to cover. The illustrations are striking, some of them are amazingly good, and this is a book any Tolkien fan will be proud to have on his bookshelf. Utterly amazing. Pendleton
Playing Cards Published by Chronicle Books 25th September 2019
Sara
Sheridan: The World of Sanditon Published by Trapeze 3rd October 2019
The official companion to ITV's hotly anticipated new drama, The World of Sanditon delves behind the scenes of Sanditon, giving you the inside scoop on Jane Austen's unfinished masterpiece, adapted for television by Andrew Davies. Produced by Red Planet Pictures, ITV's Sanditon series tells the story of the joyously impulsive, spirited and unconventional Charlotte Heywood and her spiky relationship with the humorous, charming and slightly wild Sidney Parker. Written by Emmy and BAFTA-Award winning writer Andrew Davies, the series will bring Austen's story to life and this book will allow you to go behind the scenes of the cast and crew, exploring the world that Austen created and offering fascinating insights about the period and about the real-life heartbreak behind her final story. Readers will also have access to location guides, interviews with the cast, and in-depth historical information by esteemed author Sara Sheridan. Full of beautiful photography from the series, this is the only guide you need to Autumn's biggest show - welcome to Sanditon! Last month I had the pleasure of reviwing the sumptuous companion to the new Downton Abbey film; this month I'm honoured to be able to review the companion to ITV's latest Sunday night blockbuster, Sanditon, which I hope, along with millions of other viewers, could become ITV's new Downton Abbey! This companion, compiled by Sara Sheridan and with a foreword by Sanditon creator Andrew Davies, is the very finest example of a literary companion it has ever been my good fortune to review. I don't need to say that the many fine photographs are stunning, that goes without saying, but I've said it anyway. There is such a wealth of information in this book I don't know where to begin! First of all, there is an excellent introduction to the life and works of Jane Austen, without whom there would be no Sanditon. There is information on how libraries started in England, and the blossoming publishing industry; on the seaside, because Sanditon was set at a time when seaside holidays were starting to become fashionable; on turn of the century Great Britain, on food, on clothing, on everything about Jane Austen's England; and, of course, there are profiles of the main characters and the actors and actresses who portray them. You have to wait until the very end of the book before you get the profile you've been waiting for, that of Charlotte Heywood, portrayed by the stunning Rose Williams, who is the very essence of an Austen heroine, and who deserves an award for her acting prowess in Sanditon. Each profile looks at the character and the actor/actress portraying them, which is, for me, a first with this type of companion, and very welcome indeed. This sumptuous book arrived just in time to make it into this issue, and I decided that I would have two nonfiction books of the month because it is simply brilliant, quite the best TV/film companion I have ever been privileged to review in Books Monthly.
Book
of the Month - The Bake-off Team: The Big Book of Amazing Cakes Published by Sphere 3rd October 2019
THE ULTIMATE CAKE-BAKING BIBLE The Big Book of Amazing Cakes brings the magic of The Great British Bake Off to your kitchen with easy-to-follow recipes for every shape, size and delicious flavour of cake you can imagine. Featuring the very best cakes from inside the Bake Off tent, alongside much-loved family favourites, stunning showstoppers and classic bakes, the book is packed with expert advice and helpful tips for decorating. From simple sponges to spectacular celebration cakes, aspiring star bakers will have everything they need to create the perfect bake for any occasion. Includes
exclusive recipes by the series 10 bakers, and favourite bakes from
contestants across all ten series. STOP PRESS: David just won the
Bake-off trophy for 2019, and deservedly so. His show stopper blew the
competition away! I honestly think that Bake-off has benefited from the move from the BBC to Channel 4, the production is better, the presenters are better, and the format of the programme is better. To add to that, the books that accompany the series are definitely better, and this Big Book of Amazing Cakes has to be the best yet, with stunning photography, clear, easy-to follow recipes, and genuinely mouthwatering recipes. Many of this year's contestants will go down as some of the best in the show's ten year history, and some will go on to write books of their own, of course, but this book showcases their recipes to perfection. There are the perennial favourites, such as Victoria Sponge, and Christmas Cake, but there are also some of the fantastic show-stoppers from the current series which, as I write this, is still going on, with about six contestants left. My personal favourite is Henry, followed by Steph, but really, they're all brilliant and the standard this year is incredibly high. But this is about the book, not the programme, and I honestly think that this book will be around for a long time as the perfect showcase for cake baking, as a shining example of a perfect TV show, and as a companion that does so many thing: educates and entertains, encourages and inspires. Fantastic. A strong contender for one of this year's very best nonfiction books. Book
of the Month - Metropolitan Museum of Art: Christmas Is Coming! Published by Abrams Books 15th October 2019
It's certainly not too early to be thinking about Christmas, and this issue of Books Monthly is crammed with brilliant suggestions for Christmas book gifts, including this one from publisher Abrams and Chronicle, which showcases Christmas in a way that used to be the norm. Utterly charming, crammed with stories, poems, carols (including the piano music) and essays, and the most brilliant set of illustrations I've seen celebrating Christmas for ages.
Dorling
Kindersley: Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life Published by Dorling Kindersley 17th September 2019
This richly illustrated catalogue starts with the first Precambrian microbes and traces the evolution of life through mass extinctions and ice ages. As well as dinosaurs, it features extinct plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals, conjuring up a series of past worlds. The book also explores geological time and examines how fossils preserve the story of evolution. This abridged edition of DK's Prehistoric (2009) features updated information on hundreds of life forms, with a scattering of new entries - including the jellyfish Haootia, and the early Cretaceous mammal Ambolestes. Artists' impressions of the living, breathing animals have also been updated according to the latest findings about colouring, feathers, and scales. Combining stunning visuals and clear text, Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life is a fascinating encyclopedia for the whole family - as well as anyone enthralled by T-Rex, or the dinosaurs of the Cretaceous and Jurassic worlds. Three stunning books from Dorling Kindersley this month - the first is a brilliant book about dinosaurs and prehistoric life, and the content is absolutely amazing! Page after page about the formation of the Earth and the continents, arranged by the ages by which our prehistory is defined, with explanations about how fossils form and what fossils tell us; and that's just for starters. When we finally get to the age when the dinosaurs start to appear, the content becomes simply magical, with stunning illustrations and explanatory text. This fabulous book contains everything you need to know about how life evolved on Earth and the age of the dinosaurs. It's a coffee table book, but it's also much more than that - it's educational, entertaining and simply thrilling! Dorling
Kindersley: The Complete Classical Music Guide Published by Dorling Kindersley 7th November 2019
Whether you already love classical music or you're just beginning to explore it, The Complete Classical Music Guide invites you to discover the spirituality of Byrd's masses, the awesome power of Handel's Messiah, and the wonders of Wagner's operas, as well as hundreds more composers and their masterpieces. This guide takes you on a journey through more than 1,000 years, charting the evolution of musical instruments, styles, and genres. Biographies of major and lesser-known composers offer rich insights into their music and the historical and cultural contexts that influenced their genius. The book explores the features that defined each musical era - from the ornate brilliance of the Baroque, through the drama of Romantic music, to contemporary genres such as minimalism and electronic music. Timelines, quotes, and colour photographs give a voice to this music and the exceptionally gifted individuals who created it. Covering both music history and the fundamental building blocks of music theory, The Complete Classical Music Guide explains not just the who, what, and where of classical music, but the how and why. This is a republishing of a book DK first published earlier this century, and it is a brilliant companion to the music that simply won't go away. Page after page about the various stages of classical music, through the baroque, the romantic and the modern periods, with profiles of composers and the instruments they composed for. If you're just beginning your appreciation of classical music, this one's for you; if you're already a committed classical music listener, this wonderful book will be the perfect companion. Absolutely outstanding! RHS:
Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers Published by Dorling Kindersley 3rd October 2019
Drawing on expert advice from the RHS, the book features an illustrated catalogue of more than 4,000 plants and flowers. Organised by colour, size, and type, rather than as an A-Z directory, and accompanied by beautiful, full-colour images, it will help you select the right varieties for your outdoor space. Browse the photographic catalogue to find at-a-glance plant choice inspiration, or use the extensive plant dictionary to look up more than 8,000 plant varieties and the best growing conditions for them. This new edition features the latest and most popular cultivars, with more than 1,400 new plants added, as well as updated photography, hardiness ratings, and a brand-new introduction. Fully comprehensive yet easy to use, the RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers is the inspirational, informative guide every gardener needs on their bookshelf. This is the most comprehensive book about plants and flowers you will ever need. The illustrations are out of this world and the way the book is arranged is superlative. I can't think of a better Christmas gift for the gardener in your family - it's a book you can sit and pore over for hours on end and still not entirely satisfy yourself. Dorling Kindersley at its very finest!
The small print: Books Monthly, now well into its 22nd year on the web, is published on or slightly before the first day of each month by Paul Norman. You can contact me here. If you wish to submit something for publication in the magazine, let me remind you there is no payment as I don't make any money from this publication. If you want to send me something to review, contact me via email at paulenorman1@gmail.com and I'll let you know where to send it.
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The books below all
make perfect Christmas gifts! Don't forget: there are more nonfiction
books on the Pen
and Sword page...
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Discover
and explore the most incredible statues, monuments, temples,
bridges, and ancient cities with this unparalleled survey of the most
famous buildings and structures created by humans. 
Fascinating
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fossils, it uses the latest scientific research to recreate a wealth of
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dinosaurs, early mammals, and even the first humans.
What
makes Mozart's music so great? Why does a minor chord sound sad and a
major chord sound happy? What's the difference between opera and
operetta? From Bach to Bernstein, this definitive guide offers a
complete survey of the history of classical music.
Choose
the right plants for your garden and find all the inspiration and
guidance you need with the new edition of this best-selling illustrated
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