North Face Of Soho Signed Edition

From Fleet Street to the television, North Face of Soho is the fascinating and hilarious fourth volume of memoir from much-loved author, poet and broadcaster Clive James. '[James] delivers his gags with honed elegance' – Sunday Times It is 1968. Newly married, dressed in the style of the times ('a frenzy of bad judgement'), Clive James is leaving the cloistered world of Cambridge academia and setting his sights once again on the lights of literary London. Luckily for him and us, this crack at the big city would go rather better than last time. Still writing songs, directing sketch shows and trying to break into the movie business, with very mixed success, Clive eventually lands a weekly TV column at the Observer, finds his metier and rapidly becomes a household name. Credited with inventing a genre, Clive turns his attention to the previously critically disregarded medium of television to comment on the entire culture. Through the Seventies and early Eighties, from Fleet Street to Hollywood, from Russian department stores to Paris fashion shows, this is the hilarious, entertaining and honest story of a life lived to the full. North Face of Soho is the fourth book of memoir from Clive James. Continue his story with The Blaze of Obscurity.

Nearly 30 years ago, James wrote a refreshingly candid book that made no claims to be accurate, precise, or entirely truthful, only to entertain. Long unavailable in the U.S., "Unreliable Memoirs" is being made available to American readers.

WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD WINNER OF THE PETER LOVESEY FIRST CRIME NOVEL CONTEST Friday Night Lights gone dark with Southern Gothic; Eli Cranor delivers a powerful noir that will appeal to fans of Wiley Cash and Megan Abbott. In Denton, Arkansas, the fate of the high school football team rests on the shoulders of Billy Lowe, a volatile but talented running back. Billy comes from an extremely troubled home: a trailer park where he is terrorized by his mother’s abusive boyfriend. Billy takes out his anger on the field, but when his savagery crosses a line, he faces suspension. Without Billy Lowe, the Denton Pirates can kiss their playoff bid goodbye. But the head coach, Trent Powers, who just moved from California with his wife and two children for this job, has more than just his paycheck riding on Billy’s bad behavior. As a born-again Christian, Trent feels a divine calling to save Billy—save him from his circumstances, and save his soul. Then Billy’s abuser is found murdered in the Lowe family trailer, and all evidence points toward Billy. Now nothing can stop an explosive chain of violence that could tear the whole town apart on the eve of the playoffs.

For many people, Clive James will always be a TV presenter first and foremost, and a writer second -- this despite the fact that his adventures with the written word took place before, during and after his time on the small screen. Nevertheless, for those who remember clips of Japanese endurance gameshows and Egyptian soap operas, Clive reinventing the news or interviewing Hefner and Hepburn, Polanski and Pavarotti, Clive's 'Postcards' from Kenya, Shanghai and Dallas, or Clive James Racing Driver, Clive's rightful place does seem to be right there -- on the box, in our homes, and almost one of the family. However you think of him, though, and whatever you remember him for, The Blaze of Obscurity is perhaps Clive's most brilliant book yet. Part Clive James on TV and part Clive James on TV, it tells the inside story of his years in television, shows Clive on top form both then and now, and proves -- once and for all -- that Clive has a way with words ... whatever the medium.

The Big Book of Christmas Tales is an ambitious anthology that encapsulates the spirit of Christmas through a dazzling array of literary styles. From the haunting prose of Dostoevsky to the playful narratives of Beatrix Potter, this collection spans a vast landscape of literary traditions and periods, offering insights into the human condition and the universal significance of the holiday season. The anthology stands out for its inclusion of pieces that range from the deeply philosophical to the whimsically heartwarming, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Christmas itself. Notable are the contributions that explore themes of redemption, compassion, and familial bonds, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural and emotional resonance that transcends geographic and temporal boundaries. The diversity of the collection is its greatest strength, inviting readers to experience the holiday through a multitude of voices and contexts. The Big Book of Christmas Tales is enriched by the varied backgrounds of its contributing authors—Nobel laureates, pioneering women writers, and literary giants among them. Together, they represent a wide array of cultural, historical, and literary movements, from Victorian England's social critiques to the introspective American short story tradition. This amalgamation of voices not only deepens the anthology's thematic complexity but also highlights the shared human experiences underlying the festive season's celebrations worldwide. By integrating such a broad spectrum of perspectives and literary styles, the collection offers a unique lens through which to explore the essence of Christmas and its impact on individuals and societies over centuries. This anthology is recommended to anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the rich literary heritage that Christmas has inspired over the ages. The Big Book of Christmas Tales presents a unique opportunity to explore an extensive range of narratives that illuminate the joy, sorrow, humor, and profundity of the Christmas season. Readers eager to enrich their understanding of global literary traditions will find this collection an invaluable addition to their shelves, inviting a reflective engagement with the stories that shape our perception of one of the most beloved times of the year.

Within the pages of 'The Santa's Big Book of Christmas Tales: 500+ Novels, Stories, Poems, Carols & Legends' lies a treasure trove of carefully curated works, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Christmas literature across the ages. This anthology boasts an impressive array of literary styles, from the gilded narratives of Charles Dickens to the poignant verses of William Wordsworth, enveloping readers in the diverse and multifaceted celebrations of Christmas. Noteworthy for its inclusivity and breadth, the collection showcases a vast spectrum of emotional and thematic variations on the Yuletide spirit, making it a quintessential compendium for the holiday season. The collection stands out for its embracement of both the legendary, as seen in the fantastical tales of George Macdonald, and the intimately personal, as reflected in Emily Dickinson's delicately wrought poetry, offering a panoramic view of Christmas through the literary lens. The assembled authors, a veritable who's who of literary giants spanning centuries, bring together a harmonious blend of voices that reflect their respective eras, cultural backgrounds, and personal philosophies. From the romantic optimism of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to the critical social narratives of Charles Dickens, the anthology bridges the gap between past and present, making timeless themes of hope, generosity, and reflection accessible to a contemporary audience. The diversity of literary movements represented—from Romanticism to Realism and beyond—enriches the collection, providing a layered and nuanced exploration of Christmas traditions and their evolution. By delving into 'The Santa's Big Book of Christmas Tales,' readers are afforded an unparalleled opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of Christmas literature. The collection not only serves as a testament to the enduring allure of holiday storytelling but also as an educational journey through the landscapes of literary history. It is an essential addition to the libraries of scholars and enthusiasts alike, inviting a deepened appreciation for the artistic and cultural dimensions of the holiday season. Offering more than just entertainment, this anthology stimulates a dialogue between the classic and the contemporary, the solemn and the celebratory, encouraging readers to revisit and rediscover the enchantment of Christmas through the ages.

Extreme race, city festival, global phenomenon - the New York Marathon is much more than a never-ending run. On top of the 50,000 plus participants who actually run the race, it’s an event that involves millions of people when you include the thousands of volunteers, the hundreds of thousands of supporters lining the streets of the metropolis par excellence, and the global TV audience watching at home. "The Never-Ending Run" aims to give a 360° explanation and tell the story of one of the most famous marathons in the world, starting with a mile-by-mile description of the race, including first-hand experiences.On the back of the story of the race, there follows a guide to New York specially dedicated to runners and all their shopping and tourism needs, along with scores of interesting facts and stats. "The Never-Ending Run" recounts the history of the New York City Marathon, provides intriguing insights and explains how to participate and properly prepare for the race- all without overlooking essential tips and suggestions for enjoying life, and your break, in the Big Apple. Part one, The Race, illustrates the history and route of the most famous race in the world, including race strategies by coach Fulvio Massini, as well as accounts from other famous athletes, such as Peter Ciaccia, Orlando Pizzolato, Franca Fiacconi, George Hirsch, German Silva, and Alex Zanardi. Part two, New York, is given over to the needs of the runner in town for the race: how to get around; where to go shopping for running gear; advice on what to do - and not do - in the days leading up to the race; and the best places to watch the race for spectators.

In this deracinated age appears a miraculous epic that pays homage to Dante and Camus. “Few people read Poetry any more, but I still wish to write its seedlings down, if only for the lull of gathering: no less a harvest season for being the last time,” writes Clive James in his epic poem, The River in the Sky. What emerges from this lamentation is a soaring epic of exceptional depth and overwhelming feeling, all the more extraordinary given its appearance in an age when the heroic poem seems to have disappeared from contemporary literature. Among James’s many talents is his uncanny ability to juxtapose references to early twentieth-century poets with “offbeat humor and flyaway cultural observations” (Dwight Garner, New York Times), or allusions to the adagio of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony contrasted with references to “YouTube’s vast cosmopolis.” Whether recalling his Australian childhood or his father’s “clean white headstone” in a Hong Kong cemetery, James’s autobiographical epic ultimately helps us define the meaning of life.