Hodder&Stoughton

Did you know that Adolf Hilter wasn't, in fact, German? The Second World War brought horror and heartache to millions of people all over the globe, and it turned everyday living upside down too. Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you what life during World War II was REALLY like...

This book explains how the war started, what it was about and who it involved. It describes the major battles and looks at what life was like for the soldiers in the trenches, the pilots in the air, the sailors at sea and the civilians back home. Written in the lively style common to this series, the author deals with this difficult subject in a sensitive and skilful manner, introducing humour only where appropriate. With black line illustrations throughout.

Did you know that some Roman generals would execute their own sons if they were disobedient? They had gory gladiators and evil emperors, they threw up at banquets and worshipped strange gods — but what else did the Romans do when they invaded Britain? Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you what the Romans were REALLY like...

Did you know that Vikings liked to slurp blood soup for supper? Highly-practised in the art of thuggery, the Vikings loved their drink, sacrificed humans in the name of religion and didn't bother with school! Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you what the blood-thirsty Vikings were REALLY like...

Did you know that Greek athletes used to win olive oil as prizes? From hunky heroes to funky philosophers, the Ancient Greeks have had a gigantic influence on life as we know it! Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this will dish the real dirt on those Ancient Greek culture vultures.

Did you know that Egyptian policemen used monkeys to arrest people? The Ancient Egyptians lived half of their lives up to their eyes in mud, the other half choking on desert sand, and spent most of their time thinking about dying! Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you just how weird life in Ancient Egypt REALLY was...

A frank, up-to-the-minute guide to boys growing up issues. The Boy Files offers friendly advice, practical tips and support to help boys navigate the physical and mental rollercoaster of puberty and guide them gently through the potential pitfalls. From willy worries, shaving and body hair, to girls, spots, bullying and staying safe in a cyber world, The Boy Files chatty, big-brotherly style is a feel-good reference source for tweens and young teens.

Welcome to Equestria, a world of friendship and magic! Meet Twilight Sparkle and her best friends as they explore the land of Equestria, from Ponyville to Canterlot. Join the pony friends on their adventures and discover secrets, magic and fun!

Complete Danish with 1 Audio CD: A Teach Yourself Guide provides you with a clear and comprehensive approach to Danish, so you can progress quickly from the basics to understanding, speaking, and writing Danish with confidence. Within each of the 24 thematic chapters, important language structures are introduced through life-like dialogues. You'll learn grammar in a gradual manner so you won't be overwhelmed by this tricky subject. Exercises accompany the texts and reinforce learning in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This program also features current cultural information boxes that reflect recent changes in society. The accompanying audio CDs include audio exercises--performed by native speakers--that reinforce communicative skills.

Complete Finnish: A Teach Yourself Guide offers a clear and comprehensive approach to Finnish, so you can progress quickly from the basics to understanding, speaking, and writing Finnish with confidence. Within each of the 18 thematic chapters, important language structures are introduced through life-like dialogues. You will learn grammar in a gradual manner so you won't be overwhelmed by this tricky subject. Exercises accompany the texts and reinforce learning in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The stars in Vincent van Gogh's painting are so beautiful that Katie can't resist reaching in and taking one. But what will she do when all the other stars come tumbling out of the painting, too? Will Katie be able to catch the stars before the gallery guard notices they've floated away? This picture book features The Starry Night, Noon, Vincent's Chair, Fishing Boats on the Beach, and The Olive Grove.

Welcome to Equestria, a world of friendship and magic. Meet Twilight Sparkle and her pony friends, and join in the fun! This activity book is packed with games, activities, puzzles and over 70 colourful stickers to stick!

Welcome to the world of infographics! This exciting form of data visualisation uses icons, pictograms and graphics to present information to kids in a whole new way. Marvel at the science behind the human anatomy, genetics, diseases, reproduction and our senses — all visualised in beautifully designed infographics.

Summer, 1944. As Allied soldiers prepare to land in France, Marc and his friends must destroy a battalion of German tanks that could halt the invasion in its tracks. The tide of war has turned against the Nazis, but desperation has made them more brutal than ever. Henderson's Boys' final mission will be their most dangerous. With food and weapons in short supply, survival is the biggest challenge of all.

Sooz, a 13 yr old girl from Surrey has become the Dark Mistress of Dirk's otherworldly kingdom, the Darklands. Thanks to the Ring of Power given to her by Dirk, his minions recognize her as their ruler. Sooz immediately sets about redecorating Dirk's Dark Tower to the taste of a young girl. But Sooz has to face her toughest challenge when an army of fanatical paladins and orcs gather to march against her. Despite their centuries of hostility to each other, they prefer to form an alliance rather than accept Sooz's new regime. And what of Dirk? He continues on slaving away at school, plotting ways to rescue Sooz. Eventually he is able to advise her on life in the Darklands and Sooz is able to hold back the fanatical paladins.

Abby's memories are her most precious thing. Even though they're sometimes painful, she can't stop herself looking back, reliving the love of her life. Until a freak accident means that she could lose it all: every memory and experience she has ever had. Abby can't believe it's true. She feels fine. She is fine. How could she possibly forget all those moments that make her who she is? She's determined to fight it. With the help of her friends and family, Abby makes a list of things she's always wanted to do. She's going to save her memory by having the most unforgettable year of her life!

The thrilling history of the turning point of the Second World War, when Hitler's armies were halted on the Eastern Front At the moment of crisis in 1941 on the Eastern front, with the forces of Hitler massing on the outskirts of Moscow, the miraculous occurred: Moscow was saved. Yet this turning point was followed by a long retreat, in which Russian forces, inspired by old beliefs in the sacred motherland, pushed back German forces steeled by the vision of the ubermensch, the iron-willed fighter. Many of Russia's 27 million military and civilian deaths occurred in this desperate struggle. In THE RETREAT, Michael Jones, acclaimed author of LENINGRAD, draws upon a mass of new eye-witness testimony from both sides of the conflict to tell, with matchless vividness and comprehensiveness, of the crucial turning point of the Second World War — the moment when the armies of Hitler could go no further — and of the titanic and cruel struggle of two mighty empires.

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits — the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth — a second-rate travelling circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. Jacob, a veterinary student who almost earned his degree, is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her. Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.

Is it possible to fully know anyone? Even those we love the most? What tips someone over the edge to commit a crime? For a Nebraska farmer, the turning point comes when his wife threatens to sell off the family homestead.A cozy mystery writer plots a savage revenge after a brutal encounter with a stranger.Harry Streeter gets the chance to cure himself from illness — if he agrees to impose misery on an old rival.And Darcy Anderson discovers a box containing her husband's dark and terrifying secrets — he's not the man who keeps his nails short and collects coins. And now he's heading home... Like DIFFERENT SEASONS and FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT, which generated such enduring hit films as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me, FULL DARK, NO STARS proves Stephen King a master of the long story form.

Doesn't every girl dream of getting... something from Tiffany's? On 5th Avenue in New York City, two very different men are shopping for gifts for the women they love. Gary is buying his girlfriend Rachel a charm bracelet. Partly to thank her for paying for their holiday-of-a-lifetime to New York. But mainly because he's left his shopping far too late. Whereas Ethan's looking for something a little more special — an engagement ring for the first woman to have made him happy since he lost the love of his life. But when the two men's shopping bags get confused, and Rachel somehow ends up with Ethan's ring, the couples' lives become intertwined. As Ethan tries to reunite the ring with the woman it was actually intended for, he discovers this isn't that easy. Does fate have other ideas for the couples? Or is there simply a bit of Tiffany's magic in the air...

In a jazz bar on the last night of 1937, watching a quartet because she couldn't afford to see the whole ensemble, there were certain things Katey Kontent knew: the location of every old church in Manhattan how to sneak into the cinema how to type eighty words a minute, five thousand an hour, and nine million a year and that if you can still lose yourself in the first chapter of a Dickens novel then everything is probably going to be fine. By the end of the year she'd learned: how to launch a paper airplane high over Park Avenue how to live like a redhead how to insist upon the very best that the word 'yes' can be a poison and the Rules of Civility. That's how quickly New York City comes about — like a weathervane — or the head of a cobra. Time tells which.

Thousands will die. It is not known where, or how, or who is behind the threat. 007 is given carte blanche to do anything necessary to protect his country, but there is no blank slate when innocent lives are at stake. The only suspects are career killers with no care for civilian victims. Bond must find out who is paying them, what they plan, and stop them. And he has five days to do it.

Fifth century Britain is a country of chaos and division after the Roman withdrawal. This is the world of young Merlin, the illegitimate child of a South Wales princess who will not reveal to her son his father's true identity. Yet Merlin is an extraordinary child, aware at the earliest age that he possesses a great natural gift — the Sight. Against a background of invasion and imprisonment, wars and conquest, Merlin emerges into manhood, and accepts his dramatic role in the New Beginning — the coming of King Arthur.

With the great sword Caliburn in his hand and Merlin the enchanter at his side, Arthur comes out of hiding to claim the crown he was born to wear. Merlin, Arthur's protector, sees the glories and horrors that await the new king... and to save him Merlin musters all his power to weave one last enchantment. He is showing signs of age and he gradually realises he is losing his powers of prophecy and clairvoyance to a younger generation. But he is able to accept this because he knows that they will be at the service of his beloved monarch whose fabled victories, marriage and the building of Camelot shine through these pages.