Culture: The Great Escape

Humanity has long sought to answer the big questions, like who are we and where are we going? It is possible that some of these questions are actually too big to be tackled by the rational mind. Religions claim to have the answer, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to believe in them. If you don’t believe in religious answers, you have a rather more complex answer to the problems of existence. Among other things, there arises the question of why so many people do believe in religions and a rather smaller number of people find it difficult or impossible to accept religious tenets. This seems to be a neurological problem, even a psychiatric one. What is the answer?

The preceding book in this series, ‘The Unreasonable Silence of the World’ provided one interpretation of the available evidence in relation to the unique survival of Homo sapiens out of a wide variety of hominid forms following our departure from the primate line approximately seven million years ago. The remarkable invention of mythologies occurred about 100,000 years ago, dominated human belief and social systems until the present day, and was probably mainly responsible for that unique survival. Mythology achieved this dominance by creating a reality that relegated the real world to second place. ‘Culture: The Great Escape’ explores this departure - the escape - as it affects the modern world and considers how it is that science is often thought to be reducing these traditional avenues of escape.

Curly Worm

What happens when a bookworm decides to go to a dancing class? Let’s just say there are more than a few twists and turns involved.

So step inside for a few minutes of sheer delight and distraction as you read about the antics of Curly Worm in this beautifully illustrated book.

Cut with Conviction

The cheetah had been disrespectful of his grandchildren… Enough reason for a 40-kg, 1.4-metre tall Bushman grandfather to track down and kill a ferocious predator with a stabbing spear in solitary combat in the Kalahari Desert, only to suffer near fatal injuries himself--one of many such patients confronting Mr Mike Damp in this wonderful tale of the way it was in a world that now seems so impossibly faraway. A heady mix of one man's adventure through the sort of medical and cultural challenges few modern-day western physicians would ever expect to encounter. This is a story of perseverance and great dedication as well as a reflection of how man's best intentions and tireless efforts can so easily turn to dust and decay. But above all, Cut with Conviction is a love story. Of the despairing love for a continent and its people fast being reclaimed by a heart of darkness as unstoppable as the forces of nature that both nurture and destroy as it washes over the vast plains and rivers and mountains of a lost paradise. Then there is the mix of exhilarating joy and sheer terror in a flying doctor's life in Zululand, of transporting critically ill patients in all weather conditions over some of the most inhospitable terrain, often with little or no navigational aids while a fellow doctor, seated next to the patient in the cramped space of a small plane, desperately tries to keep life going with the aid of basic life-support equipment. Africa is a land of unique and rare beauty that mystifies many with its great contradictions. This story unfolds during the apparent stability of grand apartheid and the turbulent times during its collapse and aftermath. Cut with Conviction is a must-read for all who love adventure, medical issues, flying, travel and Africa.

Cycling 70 Years: Once World Champion

Join Gordon on a journey through the world of professional cycling, from following in the footsteps of Tom Simpson on a journey to Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, to building a successful financial services business and organizing popular training camps in Mallorca, which helped make the island the top destination for serious cyclists. Along the way, discover the amusing characters and incidents that defined Gordon’s career, as well as the challenges and triumphs of sponsorship and racing with one of the top amateur clubs in the country. Experience the thrill of home and away racing in countries like South Africa, where Gordon competed in the pre-Nelson Mandela era, and Russia, where he won the world championship. With a mix of cycling adventures and tourism, this book also takes you on a hilarious four-day pilgrimage ride from Albufeira to Fatima, culminating in a unique ceremony at the famous site. Through it all, you’ll get a unique glimpse into the world of cycling and the joys and challenges that come with it.

D.A.N's Little Book of War Poetry

This little book of war poetry is a reminder, if ever we needed one, of all those young men who have fought in wars: those who left and never returned; those who came back wounded, limbless, blind, disfigured and gassed; those who came back apparently unscathed but still had horrifying stories to tell of what had happened to them. 

This book is dedicated to all those who sacrificed their lives. 

And yes, we will always remember!

Daddy Won't You Please Come Home?

At 21, Sam Middlemas was haunted by a recurring dream: two little girls of distinct backgrounds beckoning him home. He tried to shake it off, but the dream persisted. It wasn’t until he saw his own daughter grow that he recognized her as one of the girls from his visions. Tragedy struck when his daughter’s life was cut short, turning his orderly world into chaos. Thrust into an unexpected journey spanning continents, Sam seeks answers. This gripping tale follows his quest to unravel the mystery of the dream, leading to a heart-stopping revelation.

Daisie the Dapple Dachshund

A funny, heartwarming tale of a cheeky little sausage dog trying to fit into her new home.

Watch Daisie try to adjust to family life, with amusing poo incidents and lots of silly doggy antics.

Her family fall in love with her, will you too?

Daisie has hidden some special golden bones, can you find them?

Damn Your Eyes...STOP!

A well-dressed young man makes his way into the Bald Faced Stag Inn, Putney Vale, London and books lodging for a few nights. With a wide smile and gracious pleasantries, he takes his key from the unsuspecting innkeeper. Little does the innkeeper know, this young man is about to embark on a journey that is, to say the least, defiant, unpleasant and often shocking. It soon becomes apparent that he’s not all that he appears to be.

Damn your eyes...Stop! Tells the story of Lewis Jeremiah Avershaw, a notorious highwayman who terrorised travellers in the late 18^th century. His short life was one of terror and violence that led to the inevitable conclusion...the gallows.

Damned If I Do

We both stood there exhausted, looking at each other like they do in old western films. “I just need to talk to you Archer, please don’t throw more stuff at me. I would never hurt you or your family.” He glared at me while lifting his arm back up. I glanced to his sides to see what else he had to throw but didn’t see anything. Then it sunk in that the only other thing around us both was my car.

It was levitating above me as I looked at Archer who was glaring at me again. “Speak then, but when you are finished know that I will destroy your car and you under it.” I could feel my eyes stinging as tears began to form. I wasn’t ready to die but I was stuck at this point.

Dan, The Lollipop Man

Meet Dan, the Lollipop Man. He gets up at 6.00 o’clock every morning! What does he do that means he must wake up so early? Very important work, of course. School children and their Mums and Dads depend on him. They even put their lives in his hands! Every day, in all weathers, Dan helps the children to cross the busy road safely, on their way to school. He never lets them down. Dan is always cheerful. He never complains.

Dan talks to everyone. He swings round lampposts. Even the littlest humans who have just learned to walk, smile, and say, “Good Morning, Lollipop Man!” to Dan. He loves everyone and everyone loves him, especially children. And Dogs, lots of dogs.

Meet his friends, the twins, Old Mrs Clover, a cat on a lead! Meet Marvellous Mums and Dynamic Dads with their pushchairs, as Dan guides them through the traffic.  Join Dan the Lollipop Man on his daily quest to get Mona and Charlie, and all the other children he loves, safely to school each day.

Dance in the Land of Bull Killers

In 2011, a wave of protests hit the Arab countries that had been silently living under dictatorships. Al-Buazizi ignited a spark of opposition that swept across the entire region to reach Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria. The ruling regimes responded with more oppression and extreme violence, and the demands for overthrowing these regimes escalated. While reforms were introduced in some countries, other revolutions were hijacked by radical terrorist organizations, which turned the peaceful protests into horrifying conflicts, some of which are still ongoing, like in Syria.

Today, despite war, conflict and displacement, people who initiated utterly overlooked revolutions in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Chile and others continue to create, love and dream of a better future.

This is a story of how a Syrian civil society activist met an Iraqi contemporary dancer facing displacement, war, visa restrictions and global asylum restraints. Akiles and Sirine had to work very hard to maintain a relationship that was the only coping mechanism for two people who had lost their sense of security from being safe in their homelands. Their relationship sprung up in the midst of an armed conflict, and it was extremely challenging for them to stay together due to the ongoing chaos.

Dancing in the Dark

Up until yesterday, I knew who I was. Up until yesterday, my life was mapped out.

Joey is a smart guy who has it all figured out: a girlfriend, a good university degree, and then the professional job of his dreams.

One knock at the door and that all changes.

His life will never be the same and his world has been turned upside down.