The Great British Christmas Book is filled with festive fun to keep any bored child busy throughout the Christmas holidays & beyond.

Includes:: a selection of festive-themed things to make & do with simple step-by-step instructions to follow, plus puzzles & games, doodling & colouring
- all centred around the British Isles.


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In 1868, the first ever documented bicycle race was held in a Paris park, & to the locals' chagrin, was won by a Briton. Yet while cycling culture became ingrained in continental European culture, riders this side of the Channel were engaged in constant battles with the authorities to pursue their sport
- road racing was in fact banned as early as 1890. Its rise in popularity over the past 150 years, & the many triumphs of British cyclists in that time, have therefore been phenomenal. Never before has the full story of the sport been documented in one book, & in Great British Cycling, Ellis Bacon guides you through the development of our bike racing world, from weekend outings to British riders being able to compete in, then finish & win stages of the Tour de France. It takes you from cycling clubs & iconic frame-builders to a post-war explosion in cycling participation inspired by the likes of Brian Robinson, Tommy Simpson, Barry Hoban & Beryl Burton, from huge crowds witnessing the Tour of Britain & other races up & down the land to the modern era of glorious success by the likes of Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins & Chris Froome. As the Tour de France returns to these shores for the fourth time, with Great Britain now firmly established at the top of the world of cycling, this is the ideal time for fans of the sport, both new & old, to explore its wonderful history.
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In 1868, the first ever documented bicycle race was held in a Paris park, & to the locals` chagrin, was won by a Briton. Yet while cycling culture became ingrained in continental European culture, riders this side of the Channel were engaged in constant battles with the authorities to pursue their sport
- road racing was in fact banned as early as 1890. Its rise in popularity over the past 150 years, & the many triumphs of British cyclists in that time, have therefore been phenomenal. Never before has the full story of the sport been documented in one book, & in Great British Cycling, Ellis Bacon guides you through the development of our bike racing world, from weekend outings to British riders being able to compete in, then finish & win stages of the Tour de France. It takes you from cycling clubs & iconic frame-builders to a post-war explosion in cycling participation inspired by the likes of Brian Robinson, Tommy Simpson, Barry Hoban & Beryl Burton, from huge crowds witnessing the Tour of Britain & other races up & down the land to the modern era of glorious success by the likes of Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins & Chris Froome. As the Tour de France returns to these shores for the fourth time, with Great Britain now firmly established at the top of the world of cycling, this is the ideal time for fans of the sport, both new & old, to explore its wonderful history.
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` Delightfully good.. .an exuberant & learned celebration of British culture.. .full of love for & fascination with everything from the origins of heavy metal in the metal-bashing industries of the West Midlands to John Lennon`s & Damien Hirst`s lust for money` Nick Cohen, Observer ` Terrific.. .I defy you not to be swept up in a narrative that`s as colourful as it is dramatic`
- John Preston, Mail on Sunday ` Dramatic, perceptive & often extremely funny` Spectator, Books of the Year Britain`s empire has gone. We no longer matter as we once did. & yet there is still one area in which we can legitimately claim superpower status: our popular culture. It is extraordinary to think that one British writer, J. K. Rowling, has sold more than 400 million books; that Doctor Who is watched in almost every developed country in the world; that James Bond has been the central character in the longest-running film series in history; that The Lord of the Rings is the second best-selling novel ever written (behind only A Tale of Two Cities); that the Beatles are still the best-selling musical group of all time; & that only Shakespeare & the Bible have sold more books than Agatha Christie. To put it simply, no country on earth, relative to its size, has contributed more to the modern imagination. This is a book about the success & the meaning of Britain`s modern popular culture, from Bond & the Beatles to Catherine Cookson & Coronation Street, from Harry Potter, heavy metal & Kate Bush to Damien Hirst, Downton Abbey & Grand Theft Auto. Dominic Sandbrook`s superbly rich, entertaining & thought-provoking book makes it clear that The Great British Dream Factory is a very strange & wonderful place indeed.
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Britain`s empire has gone. Our manufacturing base is a shadow of its former self; the Royal Navy has been reduced to a skeleton. In military, diplomatic & economic terms, we no longer matter as we once did. & yet there is still one area in which we can legitimately claim superpower status: our popular culture. It is extraordinary to think that one British writer, J K Rowling, has sold more than 400 million books; that Doctor Who is watched in almost every developed country in the world; that James Bond has been the central character in the longest-running film series in history; that The Lord of the Rings is the second best-selling novel ever written (behind only A Tale of Two Cities); that the Beatles are still the best-selling musical group of all time; & that only Shakespeare & the Bible have sold more books than Agatha Christie. To put it simply, no country on earth, relative to its size, has contributed more to the modern imagination. This is a book about the success & the meaning of Britain`s modern popular culture, from Bond & the Beatles to heavy metal & Coronation Street, from the Angry Young Men to Harry Potter, from Damien Hirst to The X Factor. ...

The Great British Mountain Bike Trail Guide reveals the best trails to ride across the British Isles. Road-tested by experienced rider Clive Forth, this is a must-have resource for any mountain biker. * A comprehensive guide
- covering the best purpose-built trail centres * Trail evaluation helps you decide which trail to ride: the grading, the facilities, the ride experience * Handy size, packed with clear maps, helpful photos & trail description * Trails from across Britain & Ireland featured.
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Packing up a picnic hamper, throwing a rug in the car boot & savouring an outdoor feast is a time-honoured tradition that never fails to excite & delight. For adults the word picnic evokes warm childhood memories & the enjoyment of simple pleasures, & for children its suggestion of fun & treats brightens up the dullest of days. In this beautifully illustrated book, passionate picnicker Mark Price celebrates, & offers inspiration for, this great British institution
- in all its guises. He provides seasonal recipes for all manner of drinks & picnic fare
- from quick & easy sandwiches & soups, to more elaborate pies & cakes
- whatever the time of year, whatever the weather & however much time you have to prepare. He also offers: tips on how best to transport certain foods; what equipment you`ll need when you arrive; &, a comprehensive guide to 20 top British picnic sites, including a map of the site, how to find the perfect picnic spot & a list of local producers for a `cheat`s` picnic.


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Here are three great things about Great Britain: Pubs; Pub quizzes; & Love of trivia. This book is a winner on all counts, providing the keen pub quizzer with more than 1, 000 questions (and multiple choice answers) all about the UK. Use this book to crib up for your next pub quiz or set your own! ...

My Country Right or Wrong Quiz Book is filled with questions all about the United Kingdom: people, places, history, customs & more! Each mini-quiz will test your knowledge of a particular part of British culture or geography & the many pot-luck quizzes force you to take your chances! Play with a friend or as a group game, or just use this treasure trove of information to brush up on your general knowledge! ...

An inspirational guide book to help you plan spectacular road rides. Each route is broken down into key elements, giving concise information on the essentials that make for a great day out on the bike, including route, road features, & public transport links for point to point rides, accompanied by inspirational images of the ride. Each ride will has a clear start & end point outlined & takes in fun, flowing roads, deliberately featuring roads that are quiet & offer stunning views of the British landscape, covering all areas across the UK. Browse the pages, choose a route, & head off out with a road ride companion packed with useful information for when you`re out on your bike.

Includes:: two ` Taste Le Tour` rides for each of the two Tour de France Yorkshire stages in 2014, & information on the Giro D` Italia routes coming to Irel&, also in 2014. Also

Includes:: printable routes from the Bloomsbury website.



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