Mtb: 35 books

A few times in a generation a footballer’s name rises into the public consciousness and becomes familiar to everyone, even those not interested in sport. George Best, David Beckham, Bobby Charlton are among those few. To them can be added Paul John Gascoigne, better known as Gazza - an outstanding...

Sex is a serious topic. That’s probably why it is at the centre of so many jokes. Everyone is aware of it, yet a lot of people are too inhibited to talk about it openly and honestly, a relic perhaps of our Victorian past. It is probably the most powerful of all driving forces in the animal kingdom....

Fear affects us all in some way; no one is completely immune from its icy clutches. It comes in all shapes and sizes, from a fear of tiny insects up to the fear of Death. Like all human traits, it evolved for a useful purpose, namely, to keep us safe from harm. Curiosity might tempt us to take all...

Joan Rivers was without a doubt the most fearlessly outspoken and controversial comedienne in the world. She delighted or outraged millions with her biting, sometimes savage wit which was frequently turned against herself. Her one-liners were often devastatingly funny, even when she was being offensive....

Love him or hate him, Nigel Farage is one of those rare breeds of politician you can’t help but pay keen attention to, always wondering what will come out of his mouth next. Not one to mince his words, Farage has risen from the political shadows to become a household name. Wonderful or blunderful?...

History has portrayed Marilyn Monroe as a ‘dumb blonde’. In fact she was neither dumb nor naturally blonde. The popular image created of her is a consequence of the parts she played in her popular films and the childlike innocence she often displayed in public. However, there was another,...

When we look back on the 20th Century a few statesmen stand head and shoulders above the rest, marked out by their total commitment to their cause, their humanity and their oratory. Among them are to be found Nelson Mandela, and Mohanda (also known as Mahatma – ‘Great Soul’) Gandhi. Both of...

Who would have thought that someone with no political background could step into the powerfully supreme position of President of the USA? Yet on November 8th 2016 Donald J Trump, a highly successful businessman, who sparked massively bitter controversy, was elected 45th President of the United States....

Food, or the lack, of it can consume (pardon the pun) much of our time. For some it becomes an obsession, the central focus of daily life. The huge number of diets, recipe books, celebrity chefs and television programmes certainly reflects a growing interest in widely differing aspects of the subject. Whatever...

Oscar Wilde was one of the most creative writers, a brilliant wit and a much sought-after personality in late nineteenth century London and Paris Society. His flamboyant style of dress and his way with words made him stand out as a true individualist in a Victorian era that preferred uniformity. His...

Christmas – what does it mean to you? This little book is full of quotes about the festive season from many familiar and some less familiar personalities. There are funny, cynical, reverent, irreverent, reflective, thought-provoking and even a few controversial ones. With plenty to...

Of all human motivations the most powerful and obsessive is love. It has been written about, sung about, acted and painted... but never fully explained despite the best efforts of scientists, philosophers and psychologists. And would we want to explain it all anyway? It has a magic of its own...

This book encompasses many of the best moments of Jeremy Paxman’s career to date as a journalist and presenter, including transcripts from his most memorable interviews, particularly the ones on BBC2 television's Newsnight. Although he avoids talking about his private life, there are quotations...

There’s always somebody who spoils a party isn’t there? You get the loud, self-opinionated, heavily intoxicated guest who, ignoring subtle hints that it might be best to tone down their outrageous comments and behaviour, stumbles around giving forth until the embarrassed host is forced...