Sports and Pastimes

Golf is a mystery that sometimes pleases, sometimes frustrates, but always enthrals. Its nuances can take a lifetime to unravel and "101 Golden Rules of Golf" is the perfect companion for that journey - by turns fun and wise, frivolous and fascinating. Not only does the book include anecdotes about the glorious game that will bring a knowing smile to any golfer's face, it also provides valuable drills, hints, and lessons that will improve their game and reduce their handicap. Each of these pearls of wisdom is illustrated with a specially commissioned colour artwork to point you in the right direction. This charming giftbook is a must-have for all armchair and fairway golf enthusiasts - packed with hints, rules, and fascinating insights it's required reading for any golfer.

ISBN: 9780091927233

A practical guide to setting up an aquarium in the home, covering all aspects, from choosing, stocking and maintaining the aquarium to fish care, health, nutrition and breeding.

ISBN: 9781840673357

This trail-blazing book is likely to become the definitive manual on playing and coaching cricket. It represents the first time that a cricket coach and a sports scientist (both world experts in their field) have combined their experience, insights and wisdom to create what is probably the most comprehensive and complete book on playing and coaching cricket anywhere in the world. Unlike many other coaching manuals, this book does not simply supply technical 'recipes' for batting, bowling and fielding (although these are thoroughly covered).The goal is to develop true 'all-rounders' - players who show not only technical but mental strength, and who are as physically fit and injury-resistant as possible. The mental, scientific, biomechanical and medical aspects of the game are discussed in detail. Although scientifically and technically thorough, the book is written in a lively style; there are summaries, explanatory illustrations (photographs and diagrams), anecdotes and handy tips from some of the game's greatest players and characters.

ISBN: 9781847733146

In the winter of 1975, South African and Australian upstarts Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew and Mark Richards went to Hawaii with little else than their surfboards and their love of surfing. With their incredible skills and raw ambition, they not only set a new standard for wave riding, but also succeeded in transforming surfing from a casual pastime into a viable profession. Published to coincide with a documentary feature film narrated by Academy Award nominee Edward Norton, "Bustin' Down the Door" tells the incredible story of these free ride pioneers. With essays by the surfing legends themselves, along with previously unpublished photographs by award-winning photographers such as Dan Merkel, "Bustin' Down the Door" re-creates the genesis of modern surfing from the perspective of the visionaries who turned their unlikely dreams into reality and revolutionized the sport of surfing.

OCTOBER 2008

ISBN: 9780810995680

Imagine paddling along, just ahead of a wave that has risen to a monstrous 70 ft - a thousand tons of moving liquid arching over your head whilst you accelerate up to 55 mph, then fly through the arc of rushing water in a race to pull clear before it collapses upon you.Extreme surf is a tribute to the adrenalin rush of catching a big wave. A fascinating journey through the world's most awe-inspiring surfing locations, from Teahupoo, Tahiti to Mavericks, North California, it describes one of the currently most loved, yet dangerous sports. Beginning with a history of the sport's evolution, the book takes us to the most remote, most popular, and most dangerous surfing spots. From the longest, fastest, coldest and warmest waves to the deadliest waters, this book will thrill with its images and text."Extreme Surf" is the 4th title in the successful "Extreme" sport series ("Extreme Golf 04"; "Extreme Sail 06", "Extreme Running 07".)It offers a thrilling quest to find and surf the biggest, heaviest, fastest and gnarliest wave. It features 100 jaw-dropping images. It shows the amazing extremes surfers will go to find the ultimate wave. "Extreme Surf" is the 4th in the successful "Extreme" sport series.

ISBN: 9781862058392

Full of vibrant stunning images that burst off the page, this fabulous book showcases the very best entries from the first International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.Gardening is a hugely popular hobby all over the world and this brand new competition brilliantly captures international gardens, both large and small in their glory. With a total prize fund of GBP 25,000, including a top prize of GBP 5,000 for Best Single Image, AA Publishing are supporting this prestigious award and launching a glorious, inspirational book to go with it.The top 100 winning and commended photographs will be showcased in a purpose-built outdoor exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew from May to September, and the competition is set to become a desirable annual event for photographers of all ages to come. The full-colour book of best entries will display the most breathtaking pictures from young and old, amateur and professional photographers alike. Its beautiful, cutting edge design will excite gardeners, who will be inspired by the ideas, and photographers, who will appreciate the photographic techniques.

ISBN: 9780749557119

MAY 2008

Getting Into Guinness is the hilarious true story of record breaking attempts, how record obsession has become a global phenomenon, the weird and wonderful characters that set records and the history of the Guinness Book of World Records. Meet Larry Olmsted, a freelance travel and sports writer, always on the hunt for new and intriguing stories. In Spring 2003, somewhere over the North Atlantic, Larry stumbled on an article about the worldwide popularity of Guinness. Inspired by what he read and in a bid to impress his editor, he took the drastic decision to set a record of his own and become part of the book's history like so many had before him. This leads Larry to break the record for the greatest distance travelled between two rounds of golf played on the same day and 2 years later to play poker continuously for 72 hours After his own hilarious record attempts, Larry sets out to discover more about the vast and colourful history of the Guinness Book of World Records and this leads him to his fellow record setters. He learns about their widely varied motives for record-mania.Meet Ashrita, Record Breaker for God, who has been breaking records for 30 years and has set or broken 177 Guinness World Records in his lifetime. And Jackie 'The Texas Snakeman' Bibby, who became one of the book's all time icons by sharing a bathtub with poisonous rattlesnakes and dangling them from his mouth and who literally puts his life on the line every time he breaks one of his rattlesnake records.

ISBN: 9780007261291

OCTOBER 2008

Peter Alliss has been entertaining huge TV audiences for the BBC and ABC in America for many years. In this new anecdotal but thoroughly practical book, Peter Alliss sets out to promote golf as the answer to middle-aged discontentment. Peter Alliss has no difficulty giving compelling reasons as to why golf is the perfect game for adults - breathtaking scenery, fresh air, camaraderie and instant therapy. The author describes how to go about taking up the game, what equipment is necessary to buy and who to contact for lessons. With the aid of line drawings, he describes the basic techniques of golf, how to maintain a consistent swing and how to build up self-confidence. GOLF - THE CURE FOR A GRUMPY OLD MAN is aimed at regular golfers whose skills have deteriorated and would-be golfers who need the guidance as to which path to follow. Alliss's humorous but always helpful book will confirm the great game as a really accessible and hugely enjoyable pastime to pursue for both men and women.

ISBN: 9780340977828

Bogeys and shanking, plus fours and six irons, the alleged etiquette of caddies - all you need to know about the heaven and hell of golf is in this unique book. From the serious (the origins of golf) to the bizarre (moon golf), the informative (the perfect tee-height) to the ridiculous (snow golf), "The Golfer's Pocket Companion" takes the reader down a fairway of notes, quotes, facts and stats.The market for this book is global and growing. Internationally golf is one of the most popular sports today - with more and more magazines on the subject appearing on the market, many aimed at the young or 'punk' golfer, some are even calling the sport the new rock and roll. In the 1950s golf was generally a sport enjoyed by the privileged minority in one or two countries, but today it is played by all classes from China to the U.S. There are millions of courses around the world, and there are even holidays catering just for golfers.It is packed with hundreds of nuggets of information from the serious to the bizarre. It is perfect for golf fans everywhere. It is part of a highly collectable series. It includes extra features such as: elastic closure, back pocket, and blank pages for notes.

ISBN: 9781862058231

Do you long for adventure without being quite sure how to find it? Do you want to sleep under the stars and experience the wonders of the natural world? More of us than ever are spending weekends and holidays climbing mountains, surfing waves or simply walking in the wilderness, as well as indulging in many other more extreme activities. But how can we use our time out in the open to the full?Now, Bear Grylls, one of the most intrepid survival adventurers of our day, shares his years of experience of the world's most extreme terrain to help you get the most from the great outdoors. So, if you've always been intrigued by kite surfing, now's the time to learn how to do it! Find out how to make a tree house, or what dangers to watch out for when you're skiing or paragliding. And if you're planning a hike, discover how to navigate across the hills without ever getting lost and what to pack in your rucksack to keep you safe. Whether you're a novice mountaineer looking to graduate from the climbing wall to real rocks, or a weekend camper in search of a little more adventure, this is the book for you.

ISBN: 9781905026517

"The Hungry Scientist Handbook" taps into the hot DIY technology trend that is capturing the imagination of young, creative minds. It compiles the most fascinating and rewarding projects created by mechanical engineer Patrick Buckley and his band of intrepid techie friends, whose collaboration on contraptions started at a memorable 2005 Bay area dinner party and resulted in the formation of The Hungry Scientist Society, a loose confederation of inventive minds dedicated to the pursuit of projects possessing varying degrees of bizarreness and utility.

ISBN: 9780061238680

OCTOBER 2008

No one knows eight-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater better than Kelly himself. In this revealing and heartfelt illustrated tribute, written with surfing veteran Phil Jarratt, the world's best surfer riffs on a life filled with big wins, big money, and big loves. Interviews with friends and fellow surfers unearth juicy anecdotes, and hundreds of photographs-some never before published-capture the greatest victories and the quietest moments in equal measure. This beautifully produced book marks the first time Slater's story has been told in full colour, and reflects the latest twists and turns in an incredible and unconventional life.

ISBN: 9780811862226

NOVEMBER 2008

The phrase "Knowledge is Power" is attributed to the British author and philosopher Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626).The world he knew was, in comparison to today, a simple and uncomplicated one. And, yet the importance of knowledge and the world around us is as important now as it was then, if not more so."Know It All" is a unique guide to general knowledge, combining essential information with intelligence quizzes that readers can take to test their progress.The book contains 10 sections each tackling a key subject with a quiz at the end of each section, and a final 10 mixed-subject quizzes at the end of the book.

ISBN: 9780715331590

"The Lost Coast: Stories From The Surf" is a collection of twenty-two stories that offer a rare and raw glimpse into surf life-from sliding into cold, stiff neoprene at 4 a.m. to experiencing the ecstasy of a curling, cresting wall of water. With pacing that ranges from swift smooth paddle to a gnarly ride, these stories-most of which have been published over the past thirty years-capture the spirit that gave rise to culture of surf on the "sweet and ragged wild edge of beauty." "Drew Kampion is the only American surf writer who kept my interest during the period when I was World Champion - what everyone else was saying made me just want to look at the pictures, Drew's writing has always been an excellent barometer on the state of our tribe."

ISBN: 9781423603856

OCTOBER 2008

Manchester United The Biography will do for the football team what Peter Ackroyd did for London in his huge biog of the same name. The book follows the club's extraordinary journey from its birth in the railway works of Newton Heath to its current status as Premier League and European champions. The key stages in United's history will, of course, be covered: the Munich Air Crash of 1958, which saw the best part of an entire team (the Busby Babes) being killed; becoming the first English team to win the European Cup in 1968 (with Bobby Charlton and George Best); the dominance of the club in the Premiership; the controversial sale to American tycoon Malcolm Glazer, right up to Moscow 2008. But by drawing on the recollections of everyone from players and managers to fans and backroom staff, Jim has unearthed enough new material to interest die-hard fans and casual supporters alike. A fascinating history of a remarkable football club, by one of Britain's best-known and most popular sports writers.

ISBN: 9781847440884

Sir Bobby Charlton is widely acknowledged as the greatest player ever to wear an England shirt. He won a record number of caps and scored a record number of goals. Here, in the second volume of his bestselling autobiography, Sir Bobby talks in detail about his phenomenal career with England. During the 22 years he played for his country, he was involved in some of the greatest England games of all time, the 9-3 thrashing of Scotland, the 1962 and 1970 World Cup games against the Brazilians, the classic 1970 World Cup quarter-final against West Germany and, of course, the triumph of the 1966 World Cup. Here, for the very first time, Sir Bobby talks openly about his international career and his views on the game. From breaking into the squad at 21, to the highs of '66 and the lows of '70, his story encompasses drama, passion, goals, controversies, classic matches, world-class players, and moments of footballing genius. A truly inspirational story from a true football legend.

ISBN: 9780755316212

Though an enthusiastic sea-fisher as a child, Chris Yates has concentrated on freshwater throughout his fishing life. In "Out of the Blue" he describes his return to the sea after half a life-time and his increasing passion for its changeable moods and habits. Remaining faithful to his fundamental angling ethic - fishing simply with the minimum of tackle and always using his old split cane carp rod - he nets a mass of singular experiences, from the quiet magic of a Dorset tide-pool to the strange delight of casting into the midnight sun off the Norwegian Island of Senja.

ISBN: 9780241143629

SEPTEMBER 2008

Ray Mears has travelled the world for much of his life learning and teaching wilderness skills. Now hereflects on his experiences in some of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth alongwithhis own stunning photographs of the landscapes and peoples he's encountered.Fascinated by photography from an early age, each of Ray's pictures capturesaninstant of life, a powerfulexperience he has compared to hunting -to releasing the trigger on a rifle.This book reveals our dramatically changing planet and inspires us to look more closely at the changes around us. See our vanishing world through the eyes, ears and camera lensof Ray Mears.

ISBN: 9780340961483

OCTOBER 2008

Ronan O'Gara is quite simply one of the greatest sportsmen Ireland has ever produced. A brilliant kicker both from the hand and at penalty goals, a sublime orchestrator of play from the out-half position he has made his own, and a cool head in the pressure-cooker of club and international rugby, the list of the Cork man's achievements goes on and on. He was the leading points scorer in Irish rugby history, and one of the top ten in the world. He was the leading points scorer in the history of the Heineken Cup. He was the first ever points and try scorer at the home of Gaelic sports, Croke Park. In his candid, illuminating autobiography, O'Gara tells the story of those many on-field successes, including the glorious year of 2006, when his tactical prowess and will to win first helped guide Ireland to the Triple Crown in the Six Nations championship, then Munster to a memorable Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.O'Gara kicked a perfect five out of five in the 23-19 win that glorious May day, as Munster lifted the coveted trophy for the first time, sparking wild celebrations heard all the way back in Limerick and Cork. Two years later, he was no less instrumental as Munster won the cup for a second time, beating Toulouse. Yet in any sporting career there are setbacks as well, and O'Gara does not shy away from addressing the darker days, most notably at the 2007 World Cup. He tells the inside story of Ireland's disappointments in France, and responds to the allegations about his personal life that made front-page news that autumn. "Ronan O'Gara: My Autobiography" is the story of an Irish rugby hero, of a life lived to the full, and of a passionate and proud representative of the people of Cork and Ireland.

ISBN: 9781848270084

Su Doku Gold is the third title in a new series of books from the Su Doku master, Wayne Gould. The race is on as Su Doku Gold poses an even greater challenge, testing your brain power & stamina to the limit in this Difficult collection of puzzles. Tougher and addictive as ever, Su Doku Gold is guaranteed to push you beyond your mental comfort zone. The original creator of The Times puzzles, Wayne Gould is the leading authority on Su Doku and is the man responsible for transforming this Japanese number puzzle into a worldwide phenomenon. Gould's success resulted in him being listed as one of Time magazine's most influential people in 2005. Containing 150 previously unpublished puzzles, Su Doku Gold is the third of four collections designed to exercise the brain and test your logic.

ISBN: 9780007274499

The Su Doku craze is still as strong as ever with Wayne Gould as the leading authority on this worldwide puzzle sensation, having sold over 6 million Su Doku titles worldwide. The original creator of The Times puzzles, Wayne Gould is the leading authority on Su Doku and is the man responsible for transforming this Japanese number puzzle into a worldwide phenomenon. Gould's success resulted in him being listed as one of Time magazine's most influential people in 2005. This elegant slipcase contains all four books in the Su Doku Medal series - from Bronze (Easy) and Silver (Mild) to Gold (Difficult) and Platinum (Fiendish). Each book contains over 150 previously unpublished puzzles. Testing your brain power and stamina to the limit, completion of all four will bring you to the finishing line and confirm your status as a Su Doku champion.

ISBN: 9780007287482

Su Doku Platinum is the fourth and final title in a new series of books from the Su Doku master, Wayne Gould. The race is on as Su Doku Platinum completes the four stages of this challenging series. Testing your brain power and stamina to the limit, this Fiendish collection of puzzles brings you to the finishing line and will confirm your status as a Su Doku champion. The original creator of The Times puzzles, Wayne Gould is the leading authority on Su Doku and is the man responsible for transforming this Japanese number puzzle into a worldwide phenomenon. Gould's success resulted in him being listed as one of Time magazine's most influential people in 2005. Containing 150 previously unpublished puzzles, Su Doku Platinum completes this challenging four-part Su Doku series designed to exercise the brain and test your logic.

ISBN: 9780007274505

Jonny Wilkinson's impact on global sport has been extraordinary. Yet Jonny has faced a battle all his life to achieve success and, crucially, happiness. A crippling fear of failure, the targets he set himself and a string of injuries have caused Jonny to question his attitude to life.
In this startling new book, writing with Steve Black, Jonny opens up for the very first time, revealing his darkest moments and explaining in a practical way the steps and techniques he has taken to ensure success in all aspects of his life. He still wants to be the best, but he now enjoys the journey. With never-before-told stories from his life and rugby career and punctuated with questionnaires sent to a wide range of well-known sports people, this book will act as a powerful inspiration for anyone wanting to bring to the field of play - be it business, personal or sport - the very best they have to offer.

ISBN: 9780755318438

Are you going cube-crazy? This easy to follow guide has everything you need to know about the Rubik's cube. From simple step-by-step instructions showing how to complete it, to how the cube was invented, plus lots of other cube challenges to test your skills - it's time to get cubing!

ISBN: 9780141326504