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Schools in England fundraise over #200 million a year to supplement their budgets. This guide provides essential advice on how to fundraise and where to go for funding. It gives full details on government authorities, charitable trusts, companies and the National Lottery including contact details, total money available and the types of school activity for which funding is provided. ... Read more

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"Walker Illustrated Classics" is a new series which brings together soem of the best-loved stories ever told, illustrated by some of today's finest artists. These exquisitely designed books, with their magnificent words and glorious pictures, are a pleasure to read - and re-read. The classics have never looked so good!First published over a century ago, these three stories about the man-cub Mowgli have delighted adults and children ever since. The stories tell of Mowgli's upbringing among the wolves; his lessons in the Law of the Jungle from Baloo the bear, Bagheera the black panther and Kaa the python; his kidnap by the Monkey People and his clash with the evil tiger, Shere Khan. Illustrated in ravishing full-colour and exquisite detail by award-winning artist Nicola Bayley, this is a book to treasure for ever. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Wordsworth Circle, published by Wordsworth Circle on September 22, 2008. The length of the article is 3575 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Helena Michie, Victorian Honeymoons: Journeys to the Conjugal: Nicola J. Watson, The Literary Tourist: Readers and Places in Romantic & Victorian Britain.(Book review)
Author: Carol Kyros Walker
Publication: Wordsworth Circle (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2008
Publisher: Wordsworth Circle
Volume: 39Issue: 4Page: 192(5)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more

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Interpol have tried and failed to find her. Now the combined forces of Scotland Yard and MI5 must try the impossible to prevent a major international incident. For Dominic Elder, Witch is his passion, his obsession. And being retired is no bar to his willingness to restart the hunt. MI5 know that the man who wrote the Witch file is the key to catching their quarry. But the truth isn't easy to spot. And it is only when an MI5 novice and his French counterpart piece together the smallest of clues, that Witch suddenly looks vulnerable ... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Competent book
Ian Rankin novels featuring Det. Inspector Rebus are some of the best mysteries written in the last few decades. I immensely enjoy reading them.
" Witch Hunt" is a stand alone novel in the manner of the old spy masters like John Le Carre. Unfortunately as good of a writer as Mr. Rankin is, this style of books doesn't seem to be his forte. The subtle plotting in the first 200 pages, gets overtaken with cheap thriller old tricks many times seen. I have very high expectations of Ian Rankin, so I felt let down by this , still extremely competent book.

An early mainstream thriller from Scotland's finest.
Oh, the blessings of being an author with too much time on his hands. I can just picture Ian Rankin sitting in the house (farm? cottage?) he and his wife bought in rural Dordogne, having whizzed through the manuscript for yet another increasingly well-written John Rebus novel and - having left behind all other employment across the British Channel and neither inclined to carpentry nor gardening - feeling his mind growing restless, in need of occupation. Now, wouldn't you have started looking for another outlet for your creative energy had you been in his spot?

The result of the aforementioned process, which Rankin describes in the foreword to a 2000 British compilation (alas, currently [???] unavailable in the U.S.) uniting all three volumes, were a series of thrillers he wrote under the pseudonym Jack Harvey: Jack for his newborn son, Harvey for his wife's maiden name.

"Witch Hunt" marked the beginning of Jack Harvey's unfortunately way too short-lived career.It is the story of a female assassin - the title character - who is pursued by various agents of the British and French governments, as well as retired secret service man Dominic Elder, who has both a private and a professional bone to pick with her. The plot moves at Rankin's trademark fast pace, from Witch's arrival on Britain's South Coast (leaving her calling card by blowing up both boats she'd used to cross the Channel from France ... with their crews inside) to her first order of "real" business in Scotland, then to London, where Witch implements her plan's second phase and where her hunters have meanwhile formed a reluctant coalition, to France and Germany, for two rookie agents' unlicensed investigation of the assassin's past, and ultimately back to London, for Witch's final coup, amidst a major international conference no less.

As in the Rebus novels, Rankin particularly excels in the creation of his male characters; they are three-dimensional and, all in their own ways, flawed and profoundly human(e). The book's few female protagonists strike me a bit too much as variations on the same theme (superwoman with varying degrees of femininity, or what passes for such in male eyes): while justifiable in the title character - especially if, as Rankin says, she was inspired by the "Elektra: Assassin" series - overall this made it a tad difficult for me to identify with either of them. For proof that Rankin, even then, could do much better, consider DC Clarke in the Rebus novels ... or Belinda, the (anti-)hero's companion in the second Jack Harvey novel, "Bleeding Hearts."Plot-wise, I don't necessarily think the final denouement of "Witch Hunt" is a let-down per se; although I would have wished it had been developed more fully, as had the private motivations of Dominic Elder and one of the rookies, French agent Dominique (!) Herault.

Still, Rankin's first Jack Harvey thriller is a major cut above average and a great introduction to the two following novels - and overall, while I'm happy enough for Rankin's success with Inspector Rebus and wouldn't want any story featuring Edinburgh's finest (and most hard-drinking) D.I. missing from my bookcases, in a way I regret that Rankin had to shelve Jack Harvey after only three books.

Also recommended:
Rebus: The Early Years (Knots & Crosses / Hide & Seek / Tooth & Nail)
Rebus - The St Leonard's Years
Rebus: The Lost Years (Let It Bleed / Black & Blue / The Hanging Garden)
Rebus: Capital Crimes (Dead Souls / Set in Darkness / The Falls)
Ian Rankin Inspector Rebus CD Collection: Resurrection Men, A Question of Blood, Fleshmarket Alley (Inspector Rebus) (Inspector Rebus)
Exit Music
Rebus's Scotland
Rebus
The Jack Harvey Novels
Rebus: The Complete Short Stories~Ian Rankin

A pretty decent book.
I read a couple of reviews about the book before I got it, and bought it anyway.I found the book to be quite good.I enjoyed the characters very much, and enjoyed the dynamic between the witch and her primary pursuer.The motivation for the witch is questionable, but nonetheless, the writing made this book very readable.

The ending was extremely poignant.

I recommend it for a nice, just before bedtime read.

Decent but Derivative
This is a decently written and constructed combination police procedural and thriller.The basic plot device is the discovery that a skilled solo assassin has infiltrated into Britain, probably with the intention of killing a prominent international leader at a major conference.The story follows the assassin in parallel with the efforts of security agencies to catch her.Older readers will recognize the story line from Frederick Forsythe's Day of the Jackal, published about 30 years ago.If you like Witch Hunt, you should read Forsythe's book, which is signicantly better.Even better, rent or buy a copy of the superior movie version starring Edward Fox and directed by the talented Fred Zinneman.A warning, the movie version should not be confused with a more recent and godawful Hollywood remake titled The Jackal, starring the inexcrable Bruce Willis.

This book will keep you up half the night...
Others have compared it to "The Day of the Jackal" and I would have to agree.Not one of Rankin's "Edinburgh" series, this was originally written under a pseudonym (Jack Harvey) and is a Special Services thriller.It begins with a bang -- literally -- off the coast of England -- a mysterious woman is coming into the country, and she's not exactly arriving at Heathrow.Through the plodding work of people who read newspapers carefully, and keep records of odd things that happen, a couple of branches of counter-terrorism/counter-espionage units suspect that a well-known paid assassin -- known to be responsible for some political assassinations -- has entered the country. The assassin is known as the Witch -- and she's a beautiful woman who uses sexuality and an ability to change her appearance to her advantage. One of the people involved in the hunt is a recent retiree, who has a serious grudge against the Witch, and knows a lot about how she functions because he's been trying to catch her for so long.Several junior members of these agencies -- both British and French -- are part of the team that follow up on a number of clues that may or may not lead to the Witch.There's a big summit of world leaders in London in a few days, and everyone is anxious to catch the Witch before the conference.

The action moves quickly in this procedural thriller -- you realize how little the anti-terrorist forces have to work with, and how much is a matter of perceptiveness and making the most of the little you have.This is the first of a three part series, and I intend to go on and read the next two. ... Read more

Product Description
What are sentencers' new statutory powers? How are they affected by case law and practice directions? What are their unstated aims and assumptions? What is their effect in real life? Who suffers from discrimination--women, ethnic minorities, the mentally disordered? What is the relevance of public attitudes, stigma, dangerousness? This is the only textbook which sets out to ask and answer all these questions. ... Read more

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The third edition of Walker and Padfield's Sentencing: Theory, Law, and Practiceis essential reading for students and teachers of sentencing and penology.

Authored by one of the leading authorities in the field, the book is grounded in exceptional scholarship. Nicola Padfield expertly weaves together a broad range of theory, law, and practice to provide a rounded account of this multi-layered field of study.

Online Resource Centre

The third edition is accompanied by a new Online Resource Centre, providing updates to the law, scholarship and practice of sentencing - an essential resource in this fast-moving area; and links to online sources of further information, including websites, journal articles, government reports, and statutory material. ... Read more

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Nobody knows Switzerland like our resident European authors. Whether it's walking through spectacular Alpine valleys, dining at the cosmopolitan Swiss table or relaxing in an eco-friendly spa, this 6th edition will tell you how to go about it at the right price. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip. In This Guide: Complete coverage of walking and trekking in a dedicated Walking in Switzerland chapter. Value recommendations help make your money go further. Unique Green Index helps you pick out the top sustainable options. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Another Lonely Planet Guide
Similar to many other European Lonely Planet guidebooks, this also has good basic overviews of the "things to see", plus enough additional detail to make a quick decision about what to hit and what to pass on when traveling through. Decent maps throughout.

Seems to be a very complete guide
I actually just received this guide and haven't used it yet. Nevertheless, it has been highly recommended in blogs and peer conversations. So hopefully it will be a great help!

Comprehensive travel guide, best choice
This book and the map was all we needed for our trip to Switzerland. The book has all sources of information - places to see, restaurants, transportation tips, etc. In Geneva and Bern, we followed the walking tours suggested in the book, and we were able to see all major attractions in 2 hrs. For some interesting places to see, the book just provides a brief description, but also gives a website link (when available) for more information, which is very helpful. I would definitely buy another book from Lonely Planet for my future trips.

Helpful, accurate, well organized
This book was the first item to land in my backpack whenever I left my apartment during the year I spent living in Bern, Switzerland.Like most Lonely Planet guides, this one is well-written, entertaining, and generally accurate and up-to-date.
Things I found helpful:
- The suggested walking tours of cities are great for a quick orientation of the place.
- Brief context and history about locations gives you about the same information as your average tourist brochure, but more concise and convenient.
- Hiking routes are briefly mentioned with sufficient detail, but for any extended hiking, I would highly recommend Lonely Planet Walking in Switzerland.
- Information on the best value in train passes and train routes makes eco-friendly travel easy.
- The section on Liechtenstein is a nice addition since many treat it as a day trip from Switzerland.
Considering that Lonely Planet typically caters to budget travelers, I was surprised to see how many upscale hotels it includes for some locations.Overall, the book provides something for everyone and is useful for both short trips and extended exploration of the country.
Mary Ann Miller, author of CH is for Chocolate: Individually Wrapped Tastes of Switzerland

Doesn't give Switerzerland its Right
I had used Lonely Planet for other locations trips, the guide to Switzerland is not detailed at all, least helpful, not so "guiding"...and seems to want to cover the many parts of the country leaving out the important details of any/each city or countryside attraction

... Read more

Product Description
When danger, passion and chance collide...Jack worships luck and decides his actions by the flip of a coin. No risk is too great if the coin demands it. Luck brings him Jess, a beautiful singer who will change his life. But Jack's luck is running out, and soon the stakes are high. As chance and choice unravel, the risks of Jack's Game become terrifyingly clear. An evening of heady recklessness, and suddenly a life hangs in the balance, decided by the toss of a coin. In the end, it is the reader who must choose whether to spin that coin and determine: life or death. ... Read more

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Thrilling futuristic science fiction with an environmental slant. It's 2067 and the world has become virtually uninhabitable with all the pollution and toxins created by mankind. Ruling classes live holed up in the cities and workers live in Stations, safe from the outside world. But one day Station 27 is taken over by rebels. Nero, from the ruling classes, and Sacks, a worker, find themselves thrown together as they're captured by the rebels, their common enemy. As they begin to discover the terrifying truth about their world, the two children get separated and find themselves in great danger. Will they find each other before it is too late?; The first fiction novel from the acclaimed Nicola Davies, author of "Poo".; A powerfully exciting tale with a serious environmental message. ... Read more

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There is nothing more amazing than the human brain. It will be with you for your entire life, it will grow and change with you - it is you! So it's worth finding out as much as possible about it. In "Know Your Brain", Nicola Morgan explains how the brain functions and how to make it work in the best possible way. With sections on intelligence and learning styles, keeping the brain fit and healthy - including Nicola's own delicious recipe for 'brain cake' - and lots of tests and quizzes, this book explores the marvellous thing that makes us who we are. ... Read more

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Drawing on the hugely successful The Necessary Cat, Nicola Bayley's gloriously individual, quirky homage to the feline race, The Curious Cat gathers all the younger aspects of this wonderful book to bring it to a new audience. Full of cat toys and plants; odd cat words and even odder cat facts; and cat lore and literature, including nursery rhymes and poems, this charming selection is geared towards junior readers. Reduced in size and beautifully redesigned, with a new cover, The Curious Cat celebrates the playful inquisitiveness of kittens and young cats, in illustrations displaying that exquisite miniaturist detail and sly sense of humour that distinguish this favourite artist's work. ... Read more

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The story of a small girl's bedtime adventures. Age group 3 plus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It's cute!
It is a REALLY cute book for kids! It is a perfect book to read to little kids before bed-time because there are so many voices and a lot of pictures!
My kids beg me to finish the story! ... Read more

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This is a spine-chilling modern thriller from the award-winning author of "The Highwayman's Footsteps and Fleshmarket". Someone is watching Cat McPherson. Is it a young man with schizophrenia, a retired insect-collector, or Cat's ex-boyfriend? Or it could be someone else entirely. An obsession with insects seems to link them all. And Cat hates insects. But does she even realize that she's being stalked? She's easy prey, especially as she has given away so much about herself on an internet site. A talented athlete, she's too busy with the pressures of training, and deciding whether she really wants to run for a living. The trouble is, soon she will have to run for her life... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Teen thriller; teen angst
Nicola Morgan's novel "Deathwatch" is billed as "a chilling and skilful psychological thriller", aimed at the young adult market. It does quite a good job of living up to this billing and should appeal to most within its target audience, as well as to some older readers. Up to a point...

Fifteen year-old Cat McPherson has a passion for sport, and a talent for the biathlon. She lives in a fairly respectable area of Edinburgh, the daughter of professional parents and sister to a younger (and therefore necessarily irritating) brother, Angus. She is good, although not annoyingly so, at her school-work. And pretty, although she does not consider herself as such. She practices hard for her sport, which is just about her only real interest in life, although she spends long hours in her bedroom on her laptop, talking with her on-line friends and maintaining her social networking profile page while her parents think she is doing her homework. And she most definitely does NOT like spiders or creepy-crawlies of any kind. In short, Cat McPherson is a typical and, she thinks, an entirely ordinary and unremarkable teenage girl. Unbeknown to her, however, there is one thing which marks her out as different and is set to make her life very different. She has a stalker; and a particularly nasty one, at that.

Nicola Morgan canvassed feedback and opinions from a number of teenage school-girls during the development of this novel, so it is not surprising that the story-line stays highly focused on issues affecting today's teenagers, especially girls: parental pressure to succeed, dangers of the internet, relationships with boys and many other aspects of growing up in the modern world. I fear that she has over egged this particular cake somewhat, trying just a little too hard to include all the sources of teenage angst and Cat's responses to them. This aside, however, the thriller aspect of the story is well handled, with the tension building steadily, while the reader is kept guessing pretty much until the end as to just who the villain of the piece might be. The ending when it comes, though, is something of an anti-climax.

Overall, I could not help feeling that the book lacked any real sophistication despite its attempts to lift itself out of the ordinary. There are times when the concentration of Big Issues rather crowds out the main story, leaving the reader to flag somewhat from time to time; the really exciting parts, by comparison, end up feeling rushed and over-paced. The book is not bad, by any means, but I can't help feeling it could have been better. ... Read more

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A look at why animals need to be the size they are - part of the six book series about natural biology which started with Poo and now includes Extreme Animals and What's Eating You.Have you ever wondered why animals are the size they are? Why some animals are big, why some are wide, why some are small and others are long and thin? Find out in this informative and wittily illustrated natural history book that explains all about how animals fit in to their environment and why, big, wide, small, long or thin, they are all just the right size. ... Read more

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All three stories in this collection deal with young children at a crisis in their lives. Maxy's mum is pregnant and has been taken into hospital with complications; Rose's family life has suddenly become difficult and different and she blames herself; and Lolly's mother has died and she and her grandparents are finding life very hard. Despite their difficulties, all three children eventually find strength and confidence through caring for animals on their farms. ... Read more

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The ultimate guide to first-time home-leavers - don't leave home without it! Everybody has at least one horror story about leaving home for the first time - when the pipes burst, the cooker caught fire, or your flatmate got scurvy from eating nothing but instant noodles. Now, Nicola Morgan's guide to leaving home is here to help. With in-depth sections, including money, accommodation, food, health and happiness, as well as quick-reference guides for emergencies, this indispensible reference book contains everything a young adult will need to know when leaving the nest. More than just a book, this will provide peace of mind for parents and independence for the young person. Direct and practical in style for quick and easy use. ... Read more