From Emperors and empresses, poets and prostitutes, slaves and plebs, Ancient Rome was a wealth of different experiences and expectations. None more so than around the subject of sex and sexuality. The image of Ancient Rome that has come down to us is one of sexual excess: emperors gripped by perversion partaking in pleasure with whomever and whatever they fancied during week long orgies. But how true are these tales of depravity? Was it really a sexual free for all? What were the laws surrounding sexual engagement? How did these vary according to gender and class? And what happened to those who transgressed the rules?
We invite you to climb into bed with the Romans to discover some very odd contraceptive devices, gather top tips on how to attract a partner and learn why you should avoid poets as lovers at all costs. Along the way we’ll stumble across potions and spells, emperors and their favourites and some truly eye-popping interior décor choices.
Publication date Thursday, September 01, 2022 Price £20.00 EAN\ISBN-13 9781913068790 Binding Hardback 304 pages
Blurb An action-packed tale of medicine in the most remote, poverty-torn areas of the globe from a Médecins Sans Frontières doctor. Set to appeal to fans of War Doctor.
Lachlan was sixteen when he found his father dead on the side of a dirt road in North Queensland, Australia. He had suffered a sudden heart attack and died alone. It was this tragedy that motivated Lachlan to train as a doctor specialising in providing medical care for people living in remote, resource-deprived locations. Lachlan’s work with the World Health Organization and Medecins Sans Frontieres has taken him to some of the world’s most extreme environments from the sinking islands of the Pacific to epidemics and war zones in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
In this no-holds-barred memoir, Lachlan recounts his experiences treating patients ravaged by tropical diseases, managing war wounds with drug-resistant infections, delivering babies by the light of a head torch, dealing with the devastating effects of climate change and narrowly avoiding being kidnapped by militia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tackling such impossible problems day in and day out inevitably takes a personal toll. Lachlan is ultimately forced to face his own battles with depression, alcohol abuse and bankruptcy.
Life and Death Decisions is a deeply human look at the personal cost of our broken global health system and a vital call to action.
PUBLICATION DATE: 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 HARDBACK ORIGINAL | £16.99 | ORENDA BOOKS
Blurb
1899, Belle Époque Paris. Lucienne’s two daughters are believed dead when her mansion burns to the ground, but she is certain that her girls are still alive and embarks on a journey into the depths of the spiritualist community to find them.
1949, Post-War Québec. Teenager Lina’s father has died in the French Resistance, and as she struggles to fit in at school, her mother introduces her to an elderly woman at the asylum where she works, changing Lina’s life in the darkest way imaginable.
2002, Quebec. A former schoolteacher is accused of brutally stabbing her husband – a famous university professor – to death. Detective Maxine Grant, who has recently lost her own husband and is parenting a teenager and a new baby single-handedly, takes on the investigation. Under enormous personal pressure, Maxine makes a series of macabre discoveries that link directly to historical cases involving black magic and murder, secret societies and spiritism … and women at breaking point, who will stop at nothing to protect the ones
The end of empire in the island of Great Britain was both more abrupt and more complete than in any of the other European Roman provinces. When the fog clears and Britain re-enters the historical record, it is, unlike other former European provinces of the Western Empire, dominated by a new culture that speaks a language that is neither Roman nor indigenous British Brythonic and with a pagan religion that owes nothing to Romanitas or native British practices.
Other ex-Roman provinces of the Western Empire in Europe showed two consistent features conspicuously absent from the lowlands of Britain: the dominant language was derived from the local Vulgar Latin and the dominant religion was a Christianity that looked towards Rome. This leads naturally to the question: ‘what was different about Britannia?’ A further anomaly in our understanding lies in the significant dating mismatch between historical and archaeological data of the Germanic migrations, and the latest genetic evidence. The answer to England’s unique early history may lie in resolving this paradox.
John Lambshead summarizes the latest data gathered by historians, archaeologists, climatologists and biologists and synthesizes it all into a fresh new explanation.
Format: 176 pages, Paperback Publication Date: 4th August 2022 by Icon Books ISBN:9781785786914 (ISBN10: 1785786911) Language: English
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What do we mean by social class in the 21st century?
A new Graphic Guide from Icon Books. Sociologists Laura Harvey and Sarah Leaney and award-winning comics artist Danny Noble present an illustrated journey through the history, sociology and lived experience of class.
What can class tell us about gentrification, precarious work, the role of elites in society, or access to education? How have thinkers explored class in the past, and how does it affect us today? How does class inform activism and change?
Class: A Graphic Guide challenges simplistic and stigmatizing ideas about working-class people, discusses colonialist roots of class systems, and looks at how class intersects with race, sexuality, gender, disability and age. From the publishers of the bestselling Queer: A Graphic History, this is a vibrant, enjoyable introduction for students, community workers, activists and anyone who wants to understand how class functions in their own lives.
This fantastic title from Paul Ian Cross, the writer of How to Vanquish a Virus, takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of everything that’s disgusting, unusual and amazing about the human body. Find out everything about poo, pus and bogies, while learning a whole lot about how our bodies work hard in hundreds of fascinating ways to keep us alive.
With tons of hilarious and informative illustrations, it includes lashings of Paul Ian Cross’s trademark laugh-out-loud humour, in-depth knowledge and infectious optimism. It’s the perfect funny, accessible way to discover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the human body, but were too grossed-out to ask!
429 pages, Paperback Published February 4, 2021 by Orbit ISBN:9780356515885 (ISBN10: 0356515885) Language English
Blurb
While the Iskat Empire has long dominated the system through treaties and political alliances, several planets, including Thea, have begun to chafe under Iskat’s rule. When tragedy befalls Imperial Prince Taam, his Thean widower, Jainan, is rushed into an arranged marriage with Taam’s cousin, the disreputable Kiem, in a bid to keep the rising hostilities between the two worlds under control.
But when it comes to light that Prince Taam’s death may not have been an accident, and that Jainan himself may be a suspect, the unlikely pair must overcome their misgivings and learn to trust one another as they navigate the perils of the Iskat court, try to solve a murder, and prevent an interplanetary war… all while dealing with their growing feelings for each other.
Paperback, 512 pages Published August 16th 2022 by Orbit ISBN:0316538566 (ISBN13: 9780316538565) Series The Burning Kingdoms #2
Audiobook Published August 16th 2022 by Orbit ISBN:1668613557 (ISBN13: 9781668613559)
Blurb
“Alluring, action-packed, and gut-wrenching,” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), The Oleander Sword continues Tasha Suri’s acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy, in which a powerful priestess and a vengeful princess will change the fate of an empire.
The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared Malini the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has proven a blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the throne that fate offered her. But even with rage in her heart and the army of loyal men by her side, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.
The power of the deathless waters flows through Priya’s blood. Now a thrice born priestess and an Elder of Ahiranya, she dreams of seeing her country rid of the rot that plagues it: both Parijatdvipa’s poisonous rule, and the blooming sickness that is spreading through all living things. But she doesn’t yet understand the truth of the magic she carries.
Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya’s souls remain as entwined as their destinies. And saving their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn will come at a terrible price.
Yes, I admit it’s a bit lazy but I’m writing this from my tablet. I took the photos and then came upstairs to write and nap. It’s been a day. Plumbers turned up this morning while I was still only in my underwear and spent a couple of hours doing some work on the piping in the sitting room, which has been leaking, then I got a phone call from the lettings agency about my next inspection (next Wednesday) and then I decided painting two doors would be a good idea. They are going yellow with age, and needed refreshing. The lettings agent/landlord won’t do that sort of stuff, so I have to do it myself. If they don’t like the amateur results they can get the professionals in, can’t they?
I received a package of books this afternoon from Pen & Sword, so I’ve started reading them. This is the first one. After I’ve written this review and had a short rest I’m going back to reading the next one.
For those which have never been camping or haven’t camped in a long time, the (changes in) equipment can be a bit overwhelming. I used to do a lot of camping but since I damaged my back ten years ago it has really been beyond me. Besides, I don’t like being cold or not having access to a hot shower. The last time I went camping was Download 2013, for my 30th birthday. It was wet, I didn’t have a proper shower for almost a week, the company was either absent or miserable, and I didn’t like waking up cold every day.
I’ve donated my camping stove to the allotment, my rucksack has been retired, I’m not even sure my tents are usable any more. H
However, if I did fancy getting back under canvas, this book would be a useful place to start. If I could drive and had a car I might even consider it. Cars can apparently make useful larders and wardrobes for camping. There’s so many more options these days. Have you heard of ‘air tents’, where the tent poles are replaced by air tubes and you inflate the tent? No, me neither. I thought pop up done tents, from Quechua, were fancy!
It’s not just the tents that have evolved. Think airbed but make it luxury, or a three piece suite. Full kitchens with mini refrigerators and larders. Super comfortable chairs; no more folding camp chairs that leave marks on your bum, but padded seating and even foot rests. AHH, the luxury!
Going the other way, there’s ultra lightweight tents, sleeping bags and rucksacks for backpackers doing long distance walking. Even the foot wear has changed. My dad and his friends did some long distance walking when I was a kid, but there was always a support team and B&Bs or pubs booked at the end of the day. Pubs are an essential part of walking. This is one of the first lessons I learnt. That and how to apply dubin to a pair of leather walking boots. Now it’s all lightweight, quick dry shoes, bamboo socks and wild camping.
This book is full of useful information and advice on gear, suggestions for brands to use and rules about camping etiquette. It’s a good place to start your camping adventures.
Everything Is Better With Dragons 