Emilie du Chatelet was one of the greatest thinkers of the 18th century, a woman whose work was of important use to Einstein and who has been ignored by history. Emilie's relationship with Voltaire was as radical as her thinking; only after swordfights, wild affairs and rigging the French national lottery did the two finally find love together. PASSIONATE MINDS by David Bodanis Spring 2006	Jason Elliot's book is not only an exploration of Persian culture, but also a unique and timely portrait of contemp-orary Iran in which he dispels many stereotypical views of a much-misrepresented country. The distillation of three years of travel and research, this is literary travel writing at its best - brimming with history, anecdote and provocative analysis. MIRRORS OF THE UNSEEN by Jason Elliot Spring 2006	In 1826, David Landale, a merchant, shot dead his bank manager in what was one of Britain's last recorded fatal duels. Two centuries later, newly discovered legal archives have made it possible for one of his descendents to reconstruct this duel and the circumstances surrounding it. A gripping account of the extraordinary 19th century social phenomenon which drove so many young men to tempt death. DUEL by James Landale
A man of contrasts who tried to mask his passions with dreary respectability, George III was bedeviled by his scandal-ridden family. Trapped between duty, desire and the protocols of royalty, he attempted to hold family and state together, as both his siblings and his American colonies rebelled. An impeccably researched social history. A ROYAL AFFAIR by Stella Tillyard	Building work in an expanding Reykjavik uncovers a shallow grave. Years before, this part of the city was all open hills, and Erlendur hopes this will prove to be a typical missing person scenario or perhaps an archeological find. As Erlendur struggles to hold together the crumbling fragments of his own family, his case unearths many other tales of family pain. SILENCE OF THE GRAVE by Arnaldur Indridason Spring 2006	The theme of redemption through love and art is present once again in this new novel by Sally Vickers. Set partly in Rome, it deals with a psychiatrist whose life is touched by the story of his latest patient – a failed suicide. The woman is unusually reticent and it is not until the psychiatrist recalls a painting by Caravaggio that she finally yields up her story. THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU by Sally Vickers Spring 2006
A lavish survey containing 1,750 entries, listed alphabetically, on all aspects of the garden, from the ancient to the avant garde. The book includes an overview of the world's gardens, biographies of garden designers, nurserymen, and others, as well as an enormous range of entries on the worlds of horticulture and plantsmanship. The perfect reference for all garden-lovers. THE OXFORD COMPANION TO THE GARDEN by Patrick Taylor	A three year, two thousand mile, epic journey across North West Canada following in the wake of 18th-century explorer and trapper Alexander Mackenzie. Robert Twigger and his team were the first people since 1793 to successfully replicate Mackenzie's diabolical route, paddling and towing their birchbark canoe against the current of two rivers across the Rockies. VOYAGEUR by Robert Twigger	An absorbing and atmospheric account of the long hot summer of 1911, a pivotal year which saw the coronation of George V, a general strike, and the first rumblings of WWI. Through the eyes of a series of exceptional individuals - a debutante, a suffragette, a politician, a trade unionist, a butler and the Queen - Juliet Nicolson illuminates a turning point in history. THE PERFECT SUMMER by Juliet Nicolson Spring 2006
Eric Morecambe remains one of Britain's best loved comedians. However even at the height of his success, he feared his days were numbered as one half of Britain's best-loved comedy duo. It was a dread that afflicted his whole career. This book, a compilation of his diaries, joke books and personal archives gives an insight into a comedic genius plagued with self-doubt. ERIC MORECAMBE UNSEEN by William Cook	The third in the series starring Edwardian railway detective Jim Stringer. The lost luggage porter tells Stringer a tale that leads him to the roughest part of ancient York, where the constables always walk in twos. Stringer enters an underworld of train robbers and comes up against a very disturbed villain playing for high stakes. THE LOST LUGGAGE PORTER by Andrew Martin Spring 2006	In 1688, William of Orange invaded England and ousted the Catholic king James II. Edward Vallance’s radical new interpretation of the ‘Glorious Revolution’ challenges the view that it was a bloodless coup in the name of progress and argues that in fact it created as many problems as it addressed, many of which continue to impact British politics up to the present day. THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION by Edward Vallance
Mixing his passions for Scotland and golf, Scottish poet and novelist Andrew Greig takes the reader on a personal and cultural exploration of the game. Arguing that golf is a great leveler, he debunks the myth that it is only for posh, tweedy types. A humorous, yet meditative reflection on the essence of golf. PREFERRED LIES by Andrew Greig Spring 2006	For almost forty years, Sir Roy Strong has been in the public spotlight - as the director of the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, as a broadcaster, lecturer, and as the author of many books on art, history, and garden design. Published to celebrate his 70th birthday, this collection of pieces showcases the wide range of his interests and passions. PASSIONS PAST AND PRESENT by Sir Roy Strong	An hilarious miscellany of sex advice throughout the ages, from seven-week long Balinese foreplay and Victorian viagra to swinging tips from the 1970s. John Naish maps the incredible history of sex advice from its beginnings to our modern era of apparent enlightenment. A highly humorous and illuminating read. PUT WHAT WHERE? by John Naish

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