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      • Individual actors & performers

        An East End Life

        by Derek Martin

        As long-suffering EastEnders patriarch Charlie Slater, Derek Martin has become one of British TV's best loved stars. Now in this witty and revealing memoir, Derek tells of his extraordinary journey from growing up in the real East End of London during the Blitz to taking up residency in Albert Square. Derek's journey to Albert Square has proved to be an eventful one. A bone fide East Ender, born within the sound of Bow Bells, Derek grew up during the Blitz in a tight-knit, working-class family. In this candid memoir he describes those tough early days, his stint in the police, life on the wrong side of the law and how he turned his dream of being an actor into a reality. But not before trying his hand as a professional gambler and acting as a runner for the notorious East End gangster Charlie Kray, brother of twins Ronnie and Reggie. Determined to be an actor, Derek began his hugely successful stage and screen career firstly as a stuntman; before landing memorable TV roles in series such as Law and Order, Minder, King and Castle, The Governor and doomed soap Eldorado. In this frank and revealing tale, Derek pulls no punches as he admits past mistakes and describes his remarkable transformation into one of our best loved actors. Meet the man behind the character as he shares with readers his heartbreak over two marriage break ups and his devotion to his twin boys. An East End Life is a truly remarkable story spanning nearly seven decades, packed with tears and laughter that will endear you to this popular star.

      • Individual actors & performers

        On the Beat

        My Story

        by Graham Cole

        Actor Graham Cole pounded the beat in ITV1 police drama The Bill for more than two decades and won plaudits for his carefully crafted portrayal of dependable PC Tony Stamp, the television cop most like the real thing. While on screen Tony Stamp became a Sun Hill stalwart and the sort of old-fashioned policeman you would want on your side, off-screen Graham worked tirelessly with the real police to make sure he's kept up to date with frontline officers. Graham worked in the NHS as a porter before starting his acting career doing summer seasons and working in holiday camps. His television break came as an extra playing monsters in Doctor Who and appearing in episodes of shows such as Only Fools and Horses and Secret Army. Later his skill at stage fighting landed him work as an extra in The Bill and it wasn't long before he was given a full-time job as area car driver and all round good guy Tony Stamp. Now, in a witty and candid memoir, he reveals just what it was like to star in one of television's most enduring series, the key events he's seen during his time on the show and how he really felt about leaving after 25 years. On The Beat is the entertaining autobiography of a likeable star who reveals the inside story behind the scenes of Britain's favourite police drama and the ups and downs of an actor's life.

      • Music

        Postcards From a Rock and Roll Tour

        by Gordy Marshall

        Postcards From a Rock & Roll Tour is drummer Gordy Marshall's witty and wry take on life on the road touring with legendary rock band The Moody Blues. Part memoir, part travelogue, it's a candid, unexpected and often hilarious account of just what it's like to travel around the world playing to sell-out audiences, living out of a suitcase and spending days and days on a tour bus. If you thought being in a rock band was all sex, drugs and rock and roll, then think again. Postcards From a Rock & Roll Tour gives a rare insight into the reality of life as a travelling musician. Includes a foreword by the legendary Graeme Edge of The Moody Blues.

      • Biography & True Stories

        Soul of musician

        by Túlio Mourão

        "When I seek the best of myself, I find music that lifts me above my fears and I also find understanding, convictions and hopes that support me over the depths of disbelief, indifference and intolerance." In addition to the piano, Túlio Mourão reveals mastery in literature by transforming trivial situations into good chronicles and printing the value of a historical document behind the scenes of Brazilian Popular Music.

      • Biography & True Stories

        Leben & Kunst / Life & Art

        by Janosch

        The first authorized biography of Mr Janosch Everyone knows them: the Tiger and the Bear, the yellowblack striped Tigerduck, and all the other figures created by Janosch. The artist has become a myth himself, because he likes to tell tales about himself as much as he loves to entertain with his stories. And one should never believe everything he says. There it is: the first (auto-)biography of the worldknown author and painter. The book contains several interviews with the artist and an article about the meeting between Astrid Lindgren and Janosch, along with a rich selection of his works. And of course: many pictures of the man himself - working or lying in the hammock.

      • Biography & True Stories
        October 2020

        Hope Street

        How I Became a Champion of England

        by Campino

        The story actually starts with Kevin Keegan, the Liverpool forwardwith the extravagant perm who became Campino’s idol during the1970s because he showed him which side he needed to be on.And when Campino became a punk musician, England was the answerto all his questions. He adored full English breakfast, Londonand even the Queen. What could be more obvious than the decisionfor the best football team in the world, Liverpool FC? This earlypassion has summed up all the contradictions of his backgroundas the son of an English mother and a German judge. Didit also have to do with the love for his mother and the austerity ofhis Prussian-bred father? - In his first book, Campino talks aboutall this, his German-English family and his burning passion for LiverpoolFC, which has quite a lot to do with his love of music. In it,a musician shows himself as a narrator who writes about tragedyand comedy, about loyalty and happiness - and about how it feelsto finally, finally be Champions of England.

      • Music

        Bridge Between Music, Art & Architecture: Boxed Set

        by Owen Waldschlagel

        Book, 2 Pyramid Books & 2 CDs.The nature of beginning is to connect. The result of connecting intellectually or physically is some form of development. This publication describes a life of connections involving the natural physical world with music and art. The stimulations of the progressive effects among the three brought forth the logical steps of architecture and self sustaining vocation. It begins with a young boy exploring and interacting with nature. His family and society allow his abilities and imagination to develop and flourish. The freedom of seizing opportunities and fates adventures allow his various talents to expand. Geography and the ocean become an integral part of his existence as he becomes a man. He often believes as he travels in solitude over land and sea toward his destiny that he exists in another time, perhaps hundreds of years earlier. As a young adult he reconstructs a sailing vessel that he found under the Brooklyn Bridge, in NYC. The sailboat is capable of ocean voyages. He sails and discovers interesting attributes combining the muses of natural science with those of music and philosophy. His interactions with people within and without his life bring him an awareness of the human condition. He is a song writer turning his thoughts into lyrics and music. He returns home to NY and discovers the high attributes of applying knowledge and logic to problems to create solutions. Involved in the everyday possibilities of hopes and dreams either through creating music, producing artwork or constructing dwellings he aspires to elevate destinies. A central theme of this book is the affability of the relationships between the different talented personalities and their abilities to share a logical or artistic quest as their paths crossed. Often the group would be thinking or creating in tandem or as one. The end results connect the reader to the sources of creativity that produce a bridge between Music, Art and Architecture. All inspired with creative communication being the only impetus. This tome describes how they developed a philosophical approach to solve some problems of the human condition through innovative architecture and vocation. The CDs feature 18 songs. Also includes two Pyramid Books -- "Sol-Ra" and "Returning Origin".

      • Biography & True Stories
        October 2013

        Going Solo on Lake Como

        by Ciara O'Toole

        Sometimes flying by the seat of your pants is the best thing you can do … When Ciara O’Toole and her husband move to Lake Como, Italy, they make plans – to run their own businesses, to learn the language and to immerse themselves in the Italian way of life. But just a few months into the adventure Ciara’s marriage ends and she finds herself alone in a country where she doesn’t speak the language. She is faced with a choice: return to Ireland or stay in Italy and make her new life work. Determined to make a go of it, she throws herself into everything – forging new friendships – whirlwind romances, attempting to eat her own weight in four-cheese pizzas … and learning to fly a seaplane! Her new passion grips her as she works tirelessly towards an all-important milestone: her first solo flight. Told with warmth, humour and disarming honesty, Going Solo on Lake Como is the inspirational story of how one woman finds her wings and takes to the skies. ‘It made me laugh, it made me cry. It is epic in scope but incredibly intimate.’ Jane Maas

      • Autobiography: general
        March 2010

        Cheapjack

        The Adventures of a Fortune-Teller. Knocker-Worker and Mounted Pitcher

        by Philip Allingham

        New edition of unique 1930s fairground memoir which achieved extraordinary success on first publication in both UK and US. Philip Allingham, brother to detective novelist Margery, was a young man uncertain of his direction in life. Setting out from his London office one morning, sporting a top hat and tails, he discovered his vocation as a fortune teller and salesman in the farigrounds and market places of working class England in the Depression era. Cheapjack is of interest to linguists as marking the first printed use of many Romany words. Essentially it is a delightful and completely individual coming-of-age autobiography, told with modesty and humour. This new edition includes many illustrations as well as biographical material and an introduction by Francis Wheen. It has been well reviewed in national newpapers.

      • Biography & True Stories
        October 2013

        How Blue is my Valley

        The Real Provence

        by Jean Gill

        Humorous travel memoir about moving from Wales to France; amazon bestseller. Appeals to readers who enjoy armchair travel, who love France and Provence, who read Peter Mayle's books, who dream of changing their lives and moving to a rural haven, especially older readers about to retire from work or those wanting to give up their current work. The true scents of Provence? Lavender, thyme and septic tank. There are hundreds of interesting things you can do in a bath but washing dishes is not one of them, nor what writer Jean Gill had in mind when she swopped her Welsh Valley for a French one. Keen to move out of the elephant's stomach, that stew of grey mists called weather in Wales, she offered her swimming certificate to a bemused Provencale estate agent and bought a house with good stars and its own spring-water. Or rather, as it turns out, a neighbour's spring-water that is the only supply to the kitchen, which, according to the nice men from the Water Board, is emptying its dirty water directly and illegally onto the main road... and there's worse ... But how can you resist a village called Dieulefit, `God created it', the village 'where everyone belongs'. Discover the real Provence in good company ... Watch the book trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Rrn4CGw5A

      • Biography & True Stories
        May 2013

        The Valbonne Monologues

        by Chris France

        Living the life of the idle rich on the Cote d'Azur, here are some of the things being said about the author and his writing: - "The funniest book I have ever read." - "As funny as Wilt by Tom Sharp." - "50 shades of shite." - "As intellectually challenging as reading Heat magazine with a hangover." - "As appealing as sucking warm diarrhoea through a tramps sock." - "This book makes those who suggest you should never stop trying look really stupid." - "Somhow death seems a less daunting prospect after reading this book." - "If you want a gripping tale delivered with fine turns of phrase and an evocative prose, read another book."

      • Biography: arts & entertainment

        Last Stop, Carnegie Hall

        New York Philharmonic Trumpeter William Vacchiano

        by Brian A. Shook

      • Biography & True Stories

        My Cool Sixties

        Lennon, Jagger & The Rest

        by Tony Norman

        'If you remember the Sixties, you weren't there.' Tony Norman turns the cliché on its head with his memories of an amazing decade. Sex, drugs, laughter, gang fights, groupies, lovers, broken hearts. They are all part of growing up with the teenage Mod band he loves like brothers. It's a golden age for music and London is buzzing like never before. The Rest live it all to the max. Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, Tony dreams of becoming a music writer and interviewing rock legends like John Lennon and Mick Jagger. It all comes true in this sexy-funny-handclappin'-footstompin'-good-time-story. Young and Free in Sixties London. Right place... Right time... Be there! Also available 'My Cool Sixties - The Album'. 13 original songs inspired by the people and places in the highly acclaimed book.

      • History of architecture
        October 2013

        Paul T. Frankl

        Autobiography

        by Christopher Long and Aurora McClain (eds)

        A page-turner that captures this leading Modernist in his own words. – Bennett Johnson, Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine   Viennese émigré Paul T. Frankl was a pioneer of early modern design in America, known for his “Skyscraper” furniture of the 1920s and work for Hollywood celebrities. His autobiography, thought for decades to be lost, is annotated by design scholar Christopher Long and accompanied by previously unpublished photographs and drawings. Hand-sewn with a linen cover, this book won the “Most Beautiful Book” design award in Austria.

      • Music

        Walk, Don't Run

        A Rockin’ and Rollin’ Memoir

        by Steven Jae Johnson

        “An epic story of show-biz dreams.”—Mike Foley “It’s this generation’s American Graffiti — it’s Happy Days slammed into Resurrection Boulevard.”—Rick Marcelli “Johnson’s memory for the adventures we shared breaking into show business is seamless.”—Edward James Olmos “Like a front-row seat to the action when rock ‘n’ roll was still young and exciting!”—Jason Liller Kids, This Is Rock ‘N’ Roll: A Rockin’ and Rollin’ Memoir Made on the 1960s Sunset Strip in Hollywood Here is a story that is glamorous, inspiring, and gritty — a marvelous fusion of the ups, downs, and in-betweens of life and music and passion in 1960s Hollywood, California, the place where dreams are made and chased and, sometimes, die. When Steven “Rusty” Johnson, Eddie Olmos, and Joey Zagarino met in high school in 1962, the sky was the limit and rock ‘n’ roll stardom was a record deal away. These three friends forged a life-long friendship that would take them through triumph and tragedy, victory and defeat, success and failure — all in the pursuit of reaching the rock ‘n’ roll dream. This is not only the story of three dreamers, it is a true tale that shows that success — and life — is about taking it from the top, catching a good groove, and taking it one beat at a time. SOUNDTRACK INCLUDED WITH BOOK AND EBOOK! Walk, Don’t Run: A Rockin’ and Rollin’ Memoir is about passion and dreams — and music. That’s why this incredible book comes complete with an incredible soundtrack! When you get the book, you’ll also get the album that The Pacific Ocean featuring Edward James Olmos singin’ and screamin’ on vocals while Steven “Rusty” Johnson pounds away on the drums. All of it digitally remastered in high-quality mp3 format beautifully tagged and ready to be transferred to you favorite music device. It’s a riveting and exciting album that will take you back to a time when the music was loud, the cars were fast, and dreams were a record deal away. Track List of Album: 16 Tons • Road to Hell • My Shrink • Subterranean Homesick Blues • Track of My Tears • I Can’t Stand It • I Wanna Testify • 99 1⁄2 • Mickey’s Monkey (If you purchased the book or ebook elsewhere, please visit www.WalkDontRunTheBook.com to claim your soundtrack. You’re going to love it!)

      • Autobiography: arts & entertainment
        April 2015

        Giambattista Bodoni

        His Life and His World

        by Valerie Lester (author)

        This is the first English-language biography of the relentlessly ambitious and incomparably talented printer Giambattista Bodoni (1740-1813). Born to a printing family in the small foothill town of Saluzzo, he left his comfortable life to travel to Rome in 1758 where he served as an apprentice of Cardinal Spinelli at the Propaganda Fide press. There, under the sponsorship of Ruggieri, his close friend, mentor, and protector, he learned all aspects of the printing craft. Even then, his real talent, indeed his genius, lay in type design and punchcutting, especially of the exotic foreign alphabets needed by the papal office to spread the faith. His life changed when in 1768 at age 28 he was invited by the young Duke of Parma to abandon Rome for that very French city to establish and direct the ducal press. He remained in Parma, overseeing a vast variety of printing, some of it pedestrian, but much of it glorious. And all of it making use of the typefaces he personally designed and engraved. This fine book goes beyond Bodoni's capacity as a printer; it examines the life and times in which he lived, the turbulent and always fragile political climate, the fascinating cast of characters that enlivened the ducal court, the impressive list of visitors making the pilgrim- age to Parma, and the unique position Parma occupied, politically Italian but very much French in terms of taste and culture. Even the food gets its due (and in savory detail). The illustrations—of the city, of the press, of the types and matrices—are compelling enough, but most striking are the pages from the books he designed. And especially, pages from his typo- graphic masterpiece, the Manuale Tipografico, painstakingly prepared by his wife Ghitta, posthumously published in two volumes, and displaying the myriad typefaces in multiple sizes that Bodoni had designed and engraved over a long and prolific career. Intriguing, scholarly, visually arresting, and designed and printed to Bodoni's standards, this title belongs on the shelf of any self-respecting bibliophile. It not only makes for compelling reading, it will be considered the biography of record of a great printer for years to come.

      • Theatre: individual actors & directors
        October 1997

        A Confession in Writing

        by A. Shaughnessy

        An account of fifty years, training at Ealing Studios then writing and directing for film, theatre and television, by the principal script-writer and editor of TV series such as the original 'Upstairs, Downstairs'.

      • Memoirs

        Random Thoughts

        by Chris Corcoran

        Chris Corcoran opens his mind to share every thought he's ever had, in his own random order. There are insights into his life as he takes readers back to his Eighties school disco days to reveal how the greatest moment of his teenage years was ruined by Queen's Radio Ga-Ga. He also shares the wisdom of his life experience from his time on CBeebies' Doodle Do with a lesson on the dangers of toilet roll. And he answers many of life's great questions...Why isn't optimism enough to complete a marathon? Why does food taste better in a field? And, more importantly, what is the point of Petit Filous? These thoughts and more are all here, delivered in his unique affectionate and charming way. "Quick Reads" are exciting, short, fast-paced books by leading, bestselling authors, specifically written for emergent readers and adult learners.

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