The Dangerous Book For Boys Yearbook

Keeping men and boys alike busy from January to December, this yearbook is packed with useful historical facts to impress your friends: on what day was Isambard Kingdom Brunel born? When was the land speed record last broken and by whom? When were the Crown Jewels nearly stolen and how?

The international publishing phenomenon has been adapted for Kiwi boys of all ages, with the addition of our own plants, animals, historical tragedies triumphs heroes and unique Southern hemisphere perspective. Everything that worked so well in the English original plus much much more. A stunning foreword by John Campbell, writing both as a Kiwi boy and the father of a beloved son.

The master of historical fiction, Conn Iggulden, retells one of the most brutal, bloody civil wars in English history, in the FIRST INSTALMENT of his Wars of the Roses series. King Henry V - the great Lion of England - is long dead. In 1437 his gentle son comes of age and takes the throne. Frail in body and mind, King Henry VI is dependent on his supporters to run his kingdom. Richard, Duke of York, however, believes that without a strong king England will fall. His fears seem justified as English power comes under threat from France, and discontent and rebellion spread at home. On the counsel of his advisers, Henry marries the young princess Margaret of Anjou, in order to forge an alliance with France - but is it too late? As the storm clouds gather, King Henry and his queen are besieged abroad and at home. Who can save the throne? Who will save the kingdom? Stormbird is followed by Trinity, also available from Penguin Random House UK. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Ken Follett and Hilary Mantel. Praise for Conn Iggulden: 'This is energetic, competent stuff; Iggulden knows his material and his audience' Independent 'Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction' Daily Mirror 'Iggulden...tells an absolutely cracking story' The Times

The second thrilling instalment in the bestselling epic fantasy series, the Empire of Salt. 'Must read now! Iggulden is clearly having fun pitching his heroes and villains into bloody combat' SciFiNow ___________ TWO ANCIENT CITIES. ONE FINAL WAR. In Shiang, the young king rules without dissent. Swordsmen stand watch on every corner, looking for the first sign of rebellion. Yet in one swift move, order is overturned. The balance of centuries is undone in the sudden spill of blood - and in the darkness, something terrible returns to Shiang . . . Far to the west, four Shiang masters approach the city walls of Darien. The sword saint and his companions have crossed a continent to bring an old man home for punishment. And they will not be denied, even if the whole city stands in their way . . . Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Bernard Cornwell and Game of Thrones will be gripped by this bloodthirsty adventure. ___________ 'A master storyteller' Sunday Express 'Iggulden is in a class of his own' Daily Mirror 'One of our finest historical novelists' Daily Express

Discover your new favourite fantasy series . . . _______________ The city of Darien lies at the heart of a dying empire. Twelve families spoil for a throne soon to be made vacant - by murder or civil war. Into this fevered, hungry city come six strangers: An orphan and an old swordsman. A hunter and a pitiless killer. A young thief and a cynical chancer. As the sun sinks the city will know no slumber. For long dormant passions have awoken. Fortunes will be won and lost. Lives will be staked and claimed. And a story long waiting to be told will catch fire in the telling . . . _______________ What readers think . . . 'One of the best fantasy novels I've read' ***** 'I'm a huge fan of Iggulden, but this takes it to another level' ***** 'A must-read and a very welcome addition to the genre' ***** 'Enough machinations, conspiracies and controversies to rival Game of Thrones' ***** 'If you love David Gemmel, you will love this' ***** _______________ Darien is the first book in the Empire of Salt, THE epic fantasy series of spellbinding imagination . . .

The brilliant retelling of the Wars of the Roses continues with Trinity, the second gripping novel in the new series from historical fiction master, Conn Iggulden. 1454: King Henry VI has remained all but exiled in Windsor Castle, struck down by his illness for over a year, his eyes vacant, his mind a blank. His fiercely loyal wife and Queen, Margaret of Anjou, safeguards her husband's interests, hoping that her son Edward will one day know the love of his father. Richard Duke of York, Protector of the Realm, extends his influence throughout the kingdom with each month that Henry slumbers. The Earls of Salisbury and Warwick make up a formidable trinity with Richard, and together they seek to break the support of those who would raise their colours in the name of Henry and his Queen. But when the King unexpectedly recovers his senses and returns to London to reclaim his throne, the balance of power is once again thrown into turmoil. The clash of the Houses of Lancaster and York will surely mean a war to tear England apart . . . Following on from Stormbird, Trinity is the second epic instalment in master storyteller Conn Iggulden's new Wars of the Roses series. Fans of Game of Thrones and The Tudors will be gripped from the word go. Praise for Stormbird: 'Pacey and juicy, and packed with action' Sunday Times 'Energetic, competent stuff; Iggulden knows his material and his audience' Independent 'A novel that seamlessly combines narrative, historical credence and great knowledge of the period' Daily Express 'A page-turning thriller' Mail on Sunday 'Superbly plotted and paced' The Times

Free eBook only exclusive sampler. Historical fiction master Conn Iggulden retells the gripping story of the English civil war in his new Wars of the Roses series. King Henry V - the great Lion of England - is long dead. In 1437, after years of regency, the pious and gentle Henry VI, the Lamb, comes of age and accedes to the English throne. His poor health and frailty of mind render him a weakling king - Henry depends on his closest men, Spymaster Derry Brewer and William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, to run his kingdom. Yet there are those, such as the Plantagenet Richard, Duke of York, who believe England must be led by a strong king if she is to survive. With England's territories in France under threat, and rumours of revolt at home, fears grow that Henry and his advisers will see the country slide into ruin. With a secret deal struck for Henry to marry a young French noblewoman, Margaret of Anjou, those fears become all too real. As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home. Who, or what, can save the kingdom before it is too late? The Wars of the Roses series will be a benchmark for historical fiction, showcasing Conn Iggulden at his finest. Praise for Conn Iggulden: 'This is energetic, competent stuff; Iggulden knows his material and his audience' Independent 'Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction' Daily Mirror 'Iggulden...tells an absolutely cracking story' The Times Conn Iggulden is the author of the best-selling Emperor and Conqueror historical fiction series and also the co-author (with his brother Hal), of 2006's British Book of The Year, The Dangerous Book for Boys. Born in London, Conn Iggulden read English at London University and worked as a teacher for seven years before becoming a full time writer. He is married and lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and children.

Witness the rise of the Tudors in the stunning conclusion to Conn Iggulden's powerful retelling of the Wars of the Roses. 'An utterly compelling page-turner full of historical facts. A fascinating read' Sun England, 1470. A divided kingdom cannot stand. King Edward of York has been driven out of England. Queen Elizabeth and her children tremble in sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. The House of Lancaster has won the crown, but York will not go quietly. Desperate to reclaim his throne, Edward lands at Ravenspur with a half-drowned army and his brother Richard at his side. Every hand is against them, every city gate is shut, yet the brothers York go on the attack. But neither sees that their true enemy is Henry Tudor, now grown into a man. As the Red Dragon - 'the man of destiny' - his claim to the throne leads to Bosworth Field and a battle that will call an end to the Wars of the Roses . . . 'A tough, pacy chronicle of bloody encounters, betrayals and cruelties. Superb' Daily Mail 'Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction' Daily Mirror 'Superb, fantastic, extraordinary' Sunday Express