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  The CSS Virginia - Sink Before...

  John V Quarstein

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  This history of the Confederate Navy’s ironclad warship “ will likely be the definitive single title on the CSS Virginia” (Civil War News).   When the CSS Virginia—formerly the USS Merrimack—slowly steamed down the Elizabeth River toward Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862, the tide of naval warfare turned from wooden sailing ships to armored, steam-powered vessels. Little did the ironclad’s crew realize that their makeshift warship would achieve the greatest Confederate naval victory.   The trip was thought by most of the crew to be a trial cruise. Instead, the Virginia’s aggressive commander, Franklin Buchanan, transformed the voyage into a test by fire that forever proved the supreme power of iron over wood. The Virginia’s ability to beat the odds to become the first ironclad to enter Hampton Roads stands as a testament to her designers, builders, officers, and crew. Virtually everything about the Virginia’s design was an improvisation or an adaptation, characteristic of the Confederacy’s efforts to wage a modern war with limited industrial resources. Noted historian John V. Quarstein recounts the compelling story of this ironclad underdog, providing detailed appendices, including crew member biographies and a complete chronology of the ship and crew.  Includes illustrations

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  Little Book of Beetle

  Jon Stroud

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  Little Book of Beetle is a 128-page hardback book written by Jon Stroud which charts the history of this motoring icon. Part of the million-selling Little Book series this follows the success of the Little Book of the VW Camper Vanand is sure to appeal to enthusiasts and gift-buyers. Ties in with the launch of the next generation of the VW Beetle in 2011.

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  The Last British Battleship -...

  R.A. Burt

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  “Lots of information on the ship’s design, weapons, armor, refits, and service career, along with the Royal Cruise of 1947.” —Model Ship World   The ninth HMS Vanguard, bearing one of the most illustrious names in the Royal Navy with honors from the Armada to Jutland, was the last and largest of Britain’s battleships and was commissioned in 1946. Her design evolved from the King George V class and incorporated much of the fully developed design for the two battleships, Lion and Temeraire, that were laid down in 1939 but never completed.   At 813ft length overall and 42,300 tons, she was the last battleship to be built for the Royal Navy and the only ship of her class. She was built during the Second World War and incorporated existing twin 15in mountings, and was part of the Royal Navy’s response to the combined and increasing number of German and Japanese battleships in the early 1940s. Immediately recognizable by her transom stern and high flared bow, she had fine sea keeping ability. Her appearance after the end of hostilities, however, and her huge crew requirements proved a conundrum for the Royal Navy, her most significant role being that of Royal Yacht during the royal family’s tour of South Africa in 1947. She was broken up at Faslane in 1960.   In this book her design, construction, and career are all covered. Armor, machinery, power plants and weaponry are examined in detail and the author has produced some 35 superb plans, profiles, and other line drawings. The text is further enhanced by the addition of some 80 photos, many in color, from his collection. R.A. Burt’s earlier three volumes are regarded as definitive works on the subject of British battleships before 1945; with this new book he finally completes the story of the Dreadnought era, bringing to life the last of a magnificent type of vessel of which the world will not see again.

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  Jock Itch - The Misadventures of...

  Rosa Blasi

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  With acerbic wit and raw honesty, actress Rosa Blasi—star of ABC’s The Whole Truth, Make It Or Break It and Hollywood’s The Grudge—shares the intimate and laugh-out-loud funny details of her misadventures in dating professional athletes, a bad habit that lasted from her first high school football player boyfriend until a decade of 'roid rage and pathological cheating led to her embrace a life of sports star sobriety. With echoes of Chelsea Handler’s on-her-back honesty; Karrine Steffans’ behind-the-scenes confessionals; the steamy, tell-all spice and humor of Jenna Jameson’s How to Make Love Like a Porn Star, and the sports world sensibilities of Jose Canseco’s Juiced, Rosa’s Jock Itch is an unforgettable, unmissable true tale of her lessons in life, love, and linebackers.

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  Riotous Retirement

  Brian Robertson, Ron Smallwood

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  This audiobook tells fifteen short stories about people living at Burnside Retirement Village. Retirees buy into the community to socialise and appreciate the peace and quiet. WRONG! It’s where over 55 year olds go who are bored, who enjoy a good fight, hate authority, argue like hell, question every rule and regulation, love to interfere in the lives of others and, of course, it is where those who create stories about such people live!These are the people who make life interesting, who say what they truly believe, and who don’t care what anyone thinks. Gabriel bossed others about in a former life and needs to be the centre of attention but he is continually frustrated! Helga is employed by the village operators but must also heed the wishes and interests of the residents, all the while juggling everything to fulfil her own ambitions. Alex is the caretaker who does his level best to satisfy everyone. He never succeeds!This book has women who drive fast cars and fast scooters, men who tell great tales, some who are arch plotters and schemers and many who don’t know what the hell they are doing. They all exist together in the ferment that is Burnside Retirement Community.

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  Floating - A Life Regained

  Joe Minihane

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  The British journalist explores self-healing in wild waters across the UK—from Yorkshire to Jura and Wales—in this “genuine and refreshing nature memoir” (Kirkus Reviews).   Following the example of naturalist Roger Deakin in his classic memoir Waterlog, journalist Joe Minihane becomes obsessed with wild swimming and its restorative qualities. Putting one arm over the other, sometimes resting on his back, he begins to confront his personal demons while rekindling old friendships and forging new ones. Through Minihane’s thoughtful description, the act of swimming becomes both strange and beautiful as the wild water puts him in touch with nature and himself.   From Hampstead to Yorkshire, from Dorset to Jura, from the Isles of Scilly to Wales, Floating is a love letter to different wild stretches of water. But it also captures Minihane’s struggle to understand his life and move forward. Steeped in the anti-authoritarian and naturalistic spirit of Roger Deakin, Minihane celebrates the joy of taking time out to feel better.

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