Character-19

Opposing troops gathered on Christmas Day for a Yuletide truce. This was an unofficial downing of arms for soldiers on the Western Front. Gifts were exchanged, carols were sung and even football was played all in No Man's Land! ––––––––––––––––––––––– Available now as an ebook! Morgan Servin World War I was the most destructive conflict the world had ever seen. Few could have predicted how the assassination of the Austrian-Hungarian heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and the subsequent declaration of war on Serbia in July 1914 would escalate into a global conflict that would claim the lives of more than nine million people in little more than four years.  With the 20th century still just a teenager, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, and France – obliged by historic treaties to defend other nations – were soon drawn into the conflict. Their leaders failed to grasp the full implications of the hostilities and it was commonly expected that the war would be finished by Christm...

Bill Shankly took centre stage as he led his team out at Wembley for the last time at the Charity Shield match in August 1974. Shankly had unexpectedly announced his retirement a month earlier. Liverpool played Leeds United, managed by Brian Clough (second left) and the teams drew 1-1. The Reds snatched a result in the end, winning 6-5 on penalties. ––––––––––––––––––––––– Available now as an ebook! David Clayton This book takes a look at the development and heritage of one Britains most famous and iconic football teams Liverpool, from the golden age. Step back in time to when the founding fathers of the club first trod the turf at Anfield, through to Bill Shankly’s arrival and subsequent regeneration that put the Merseyside team firmly on the football map. The famous Boot Room and its occupants are explored, along with the success stories, quotes and trivia. There are player profiles of the greats including Kenny Dalglish, Roger Hunt, Ray Clemence, Kevin Keegan and Billy Liddell a...

Audrey played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady in 1964. Julie Andrews had successfully played the part on Broadway, but it was the then 35-year-old 'non-singer' Hepburn that won the role. ––––––––––––––––––––––– Available now as an ebook! Jessica Bailey At a time when Hollywood was devoted to its screen sirens with their luscious curves and pouting lips, Audrey Hepburn was just that little bit different. Her contemporaries such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were much more robust in their appearance and oozed sex appeal both on set and off. Hepburn, by 1950s’ standards, was far too lanky and skinny and perhaps appeared a bit too fragile. However, she brought a sophistication that was quite unlike anything that had gone before. Tall and slim with large feet, Hepburn brought a refreshing beauty to the world of stardom and glamour. Her style was simple yet elegant and is still as much revered in the fashion of the 21st Century as it was in her heyday. This book celebrates ...

Trevor Francis famously became the very first £1million player when he joined Nottingham Forest in 1979. He paid back some of his transfer fee when he helped Brian Clough’s team win the European Cup in 1979 after he scored the only goal against Malmö with his header. ––––––––––––––––––––––– Available now as an ebook! David Clayton From its working class grass root beginnings, football has gone on to become a worldwide phenomenon that shows no sign of waning. The very mention of the game can instil passion and emotion in even part-time supporters of their team or nation. Massive crowds became the norm and whilst TV for a while reduced this, it was thankfully short-lived as any fan will know there really is no substitute to actually savouring the atmosphere at the ground. In this book the development of football is charted as the world’s favourite team sport. From the founding fathers of the game, through to its emergence on the world stage with the FA Cup and World Cup, to how the game ...

Among Stan’s many talents was to hilariously use his thumb as a lighter, much to the amazement of Ollie. Their arrival on the scene in the silent age of the Twenties positioned them to become the first superstars of the “talkies” era, enabling Laurel to step out of the shadow of Charlie Chaplin, a man he’d understudied earlier in his career. ––––––––––––––––––––––– Available now as an ebook!  Now also a paperback from Amazon or Barnes & Noble Michael Heatley There have been many great double acts in the history of comedy, but Laurel & Hardy stand first and foremost in that roll of honour. With Stan shambling and lugubrious standing next to the irascible Ollie, they were funny before even a word was spoken. Not surprising, really, since they first made their name in the silent-movie era. The pairing came together in the mid Twenties by accident rather than design, but the effect was immediate. Laurel & Hardy made the transition to the talkies with ease, and their joint c...

A row of Routemaster buses that were ready for duty. The ever popular Routemaster became a symbol of London and was crucially an important part of the public transport network. The bus could carry 64 passengers and when built made use of production techniques learned from WWII. ––––––––––––––––––––––– Available now as an ebook! Henry Hirst Public transport has now been around for over 150 years in one shape or another and this book takes a nostalgic look at the heritage and story of Buses and Trams. Tramways when operated in the 19th century and beyond formed a large part of the community in towns and cities, helping to get people around in style using steam and electric technology. Trams over time were however up against the might of the internal combustion engine, in the shape of the emerging petrol and diesel powered buses. These newfangled vehicles didn’t require rails or overhead cables and could go just about anywhere. There was also of course the electric trol...

Chocolate Cupcakes  (makes 12) For the cupcakes 3/4 cup (175g) self-raising flour 2/3 cup (150g) butter 2/3 cup (150g) caster sugar 3 eggs 2 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp vanilla extract For the topping 1 cup (250g) icing sugar 2/3 cup (150g) butter 2 tbsp cocoa powder 2 tsp hot water (not boiling) STEP-BY-STEP 1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/ * gas mark 4 and line a 12-hole cupcake tin with paper cases. 2. In a large mixing bowl beat the eggs then add all the other cupcake ingredients. Beat until light and fluffy. 3. Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases and bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. 4. While cooling, make the topping: Beat together the butter and sugar. 5. Add the cocoa powder and the water and continue to beat until smooth. 6. Add the topping to the cooled cupcakes.  7. For decoration why not add some sprinkles or a grating of white chocolate? *When baking with fan assisted ovens lower the recommended tempe...