Absolute Press

SHORLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017 These days, swimming may seem like an egalitarian pastime, open to anyone with a swimsuit - but this wasn't always the case. In the 19th century, swimming was almost exclusively the domain of men. Women were (barely) allowed to swim in the sea, but even into the 20th century they could be arrested if they dared dive into a lake. It wasn't until...

What if the world's population were represented by a village of just 100 people? How many speak a Chinese dialect? How many cannot read or write? And how many chickens would this village have? This beautifully illustrated and unique book, revised and updated for 2018 onwards, explains facts about the world's population in a simple, non-political and fascinating way. It presents the whole world as a village ...

Seventy per cent of the earth's surface is covered by water. This vast aquatic realm is inhabited by a multitude of strange creatures and reigning supreme among them are the fish.

From Tudor oyster pedlars and Victorian pie and mash shops, to the supper clubs and street food scene flourishing today, Britain's capital has always been a tantalising draw for those who live to eat.

For millennia, we have tried to explain ourselves using the raven as a symbol. It occupies a unique place in British history and has left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape.

Dare to Tri is the amazing story of TV presenter Louise Minchin's journey from the BBC Breakfast sofa to representing Great Britain at the World Triathlon Championships. This is a warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire.

This mouth-watering book is brimming with delicious ice cream concoctions and iced wonders from the world of Ben Vear, expert on frozen delights. Over 100 recipes scale an impressive colourful rainbow of ice cream flavours and iced treats, including a fantasia of sorbets, gelatos, kulfis, lollies, frozen yoghurts, parfait and desserts. From chocolate and caramel, to citrus and berries, from botanical infusi...

Maud Berridge (1845-1907) was the wife of a Master Mariner, and she travelled with him on at least five occasions (1869, 1880, 1882, 1883, 1886), sailing to Melbourne with emigrants and cargo. The first occasion was 1869 just after they were married, when Henry was Captain of the Walmer Castle, and they returned via New Zealand instead of travelling east and around Cape Horn.

Imagine you are a hunter-gatherer some 15,000 years ago. You've got a choice - carry on foraging, or plant a few seeds and move to one of those new-fangled settlements down the valley. What you won't know is that urban life is short and riddled with dozens of new diseases; your children will be shorter and sicklier than you are, they'll be plagued with gum disease, and stand a decent chance of a violent dea...

'Highly recommended' Financial Times Today we know of only a single planet that hosts life: the Earth. But across a Universe of at least 100 billion possibly habitable worlds, surely our planet isn't the only one that, like the porridge Goldilocks sought, is just right for life? Astrobiologists search the galaxy for conditions that are suitable for life to exist, focusing on similar worlds located at...

Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa remains the definitive work on this subject and is the only comprehensive guide to the extensive and diverse reptile fauna of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. The second edition has been revised and updated to account for several significant discoveries made since the publication of the first book.

This is a compact, easy-to-use bird identification guide for any birdwatcher visiting Jamaica and the islands of the West Indies. It provides comprehensive coverage of 252 species of birds that inhabit the islands of the West Indies, with detailed descriptions and a colour photograph for each species. Includes thumbnail family silhouettes, a regional distribution map, up-to-date tips on the best birding loc...

It is said that in India a festival is celebrated every day of the year. In this gastronomic celebration of India's festival cuisine, head chef of London's acclaimed Cinnamon Club, Vivek Singh brings his unique touch to traditional festival recipes and gives his insight into the significance of food from a country with a history of such diverse religions and cultures.

A delightful celebration of cycling from renowned cartoonist and multiple-bike owner Dave Walker. With over 100 full-page cartoons that give an affectionate take on cycling in all its different forms, featuring cartoons about road cycling, mountain biking and bike ownership, via sportives and commuting - celebrating the simple pleasure of getting from A to B on two wheels.

The Brown Hare is an animal we all know but rather rarely see, even though it is quite common, active by day and lives in the wide open spaces of classic lowland countryside. It can make itself almost invisible, lying still in its form until it takes off suddenly, fleeing at astounding, breakneck pace. Those lucky enough to see a hare in a moment of stillness, may see in its staring golden eyes a strangenes...