British Culture

The Art of Being British is your hilariously insightful guide to mastering the quirks, customs, and glorious contradictions of British life. Whether you’re moving to England, visiting the UK, or marrying a Brit, this laugh-out-loud book is the perfect crash course in understanding what makes Britain so wonderfully peculiar.

The loss of America was a stunning and unexpected defeat for the powerful British Empire. Common wisdom has held that incompetent military commanders and political leaders in Britain must have been to blame, but were they? This intriguing audiobook makes a different argument. Weaving together the personal stories of ten prominent men historian Andrew O'Shaughnessy dispels the incompetence myth and uncovers the real reasons that rebellious colonials were able to achieve victory.

The History of Australia: From Indigenous Origins to a Modern Nation Australia is called the “land down under,” but how much do you really know about its past? Did you know that modern Australia started as a British prison colony? Or that for tens of thousands of years before that, Indigenous peoples lived there, building rich cultures and traditions? This book takes you through Australia’s history, from its first inhabitants to the arrival of European settlers to its fight for independence to its current role in world events. Learn about the convicts who built early settlements, the ...

When you can’t hear…death comes silently. Scotland Yard detective Valerie Crowther is assigned to investigate the murder of a student at a university for the Deaf in London, England. The murder investigation coincides with a deadly flu virus outbreak, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world. When more Deaf students are murdered, it becomes clear there is a serial killer operating within the sealed-off university. A chilling cat-and-mouse game evolves as the unknown killer targets Valerie and the virus claims more lives. A stunning, claustrophobic, “...

In the mid-1990s, Scotland produced a wave of bands who redefined the boundaries of British music. Amid post-rock titans and fragile pop minimalists emerged The Beta Band, a group of art-school eccentrics who seemed to stumble into greatness. Their story is one of chaos and accident, imperfection turned into beauty, and a refusal to conform even as acclaim and pressure surrounded them. The Three E.P.’s: The Beta Band and the Strange Glory of Britain’s Cult Experimentalists offers the definitive account of this singular band, tracing their journey from formation in 1996 through their ...

Intriguing events happen in the bayou when Hollywood comes to town. Lauren’s gap year is supposed to be about making extra money and figuring out what to do with the next phase of her life. Realistically, it’s a break between taking care of her alcoholic brother and certified insane mother. She deserves to have some fun, and to find trouble. However, trouble follows Lauren, with its wicked sense of humor, and thought it would be fun to gift her two love interests, who happen to be rivals. Her first gift is Latin heartthrob Jackson Cruz. Along with his notorious reputation, he is a cocky...

UPDATED: Travel writer, photographer and sea kayak guide Mike Laanela set off on a solo kayak trip down the remote west coast of Vancouver Island. Along the way he discovered a region rich in history, culture and adventure. Join him on his journey of discovery along this fascinating coast.

Uncover the allure and depth of the Caribbean paradise known as Jamaica with the riveting eBook, Unearthing Jamaica. This immersive literary journey lifts Jamaica's vibrant history, values, and lifestyle, offering readers an unparalleled insider's perspective. From the deep-rooted origins of the Arawaks, this narrative unfolds the majestic, often tumultuous saga of this fascinating nation. Relive Columbus's arrival, the Spanish Occupation, and heady tales of golden age piracy. Delve deeper to experience the birth, growth, and impact of Reggae, the voice of the island. Indulge in an ...

This is the third edition of Mind the Gap Enjoy the snarky remarks that pepper the banter in British comedies and dramas. Savor the richness of British slang and idioms Discover favorite British foods and popular meals Bone up on British Baking and home life Learn how NOT to be posh. Learn how NOT to insult your British friends. Enjoy Cockney Rhyming Slang Understand quirky sports slang and metaphors Add some regional slang from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland Pick up some useful words and phrases for your visit to the UK.This edition of Mind the Gap… Between British & American ...

Swervedriver: Sonic Drift is the definitive chronicle of one of Britain’s most innovative yet misunderstood bands. Emerging from Oxford’s late-1980s underground, Swervedriver fused the ferocity of punk, the atmospherics of shoegaze, and the restless propulsion of American alternative rock. This book traces their journey in full—from the raw chaos of Shake Appeal through their discovery by Creation Records, to the creation of Raise and the acclaimed Mezcal Head, their tours across Britain and the United States, their quiet 1999 breakup, and their remarkable 2008 reunion. Drawing on ...

Britain's empire has gone. Our manufacturing base is a shadow of its former self; the Royal Navy has been reduced to a skeleton. In military, diplomatic and economic terms, we no longer matter as we once did. And yet there is still one area in which we can legitimately claim superpower status: our popular culture.

Queering the Ton: The Hidden Rules of Queer Survival in Polite Society A Revelatory Look at Gender and Sexuality in Georgian and Victorian Britain Hidden desires. Scandalous affairs. The secret lives of the elite. In the glittering salons and shadowed corridors of Georgian and Victorian Britain, a hidden world of queer love and longing quietly defied the rigid rules of polite society. Queering the Ton pulls back the velvet curtain to reveal the untold stories of those who loved in secret—and sometimes, in defiance. From the flamboyant fashion of Regency dandies to the intimate letters ...

No one makes such a fuss about manners quite as much as the UK, yet in a fast-changing world, no one can seem to agree on precisely what the ‘done thing’ is, either. William Hanson, world-leading etiquette expert is on a mission to reclaim the British crown of good manners. In Just Good Manners, he shares his definitive guidance on how to behave in every situation - as well as celebrating our country’s distinctively British way of doing things!

The season of approaching darkness, Nos Galan Gaeaf, begins with the harvest and the traditions of magic that haunt the hills and valleys of North Wales. This mysticism is strong in the village of Llangynog, where visitors gather for the faire, for the bonfire, and for the hope of seeing something that has crossed between worlds. Llangynog is a thin place, a place of old magic where community spirit thrives and the mysticism of ancient times lingers on. This year, screams shatter the fun of the community celebration, and the magic evaporates when DCI Will Cooper is tasked with ...

Few figures in modern British music have navigated as many transformations—or inspired as many generations—as Paul Weller. From his beginnings in Woking in the late 1950s to his rise as leader of The Jam during the punk explosion of 1977, Weller has been more than a songwriter. He has been a cultural compass. His lyrics have documented working-class life, Thatcher-era disillusionment, and the enduring search for authenticity. His guitar attack carried the velocity of punk, yet his aesthetic drew on the sharp codes of mod style, setting him apart from contemporaries. This biography ...

Idlewild were once described as “the sound of a flight of stairs falling down.” Out of the cramped flats and pubs of mid-1990s Edinburgh, the band forged a reputation for chaos, intensity, and uncompromising energy. Little Discourage: The Story of Idlewild traces their journey across three decades, capturing how a group of students evolved into one of Scotland’s most respected rock bands. This is not a simple rise-and-fall narrative. It is the chronicle of a band that refused to remain one thing. From the raw eruption of their 1997 debut single “Queen of the Troubled Teens” to the...

In the shifting cultural landscape of the late 1980s, a new kind of band emerged from London’s underground that would challenge every convention of pop music. Dots and Loops: The Legacy of Stereolab’s Cerebral Pop is the first full-scale cultural and musical history of Stereolab, tracing their story from squats and bedroom recordings to international acclaim as pioneers of retro-futurist experimentation. Stereolab were never content with easy categories. Combining the hypnotic repetition of Krautrock with the melodic charm of French chanson, the motorik drive of Can with bubblegum pop ...

Unlock the quintessential charm of Britain with "The British Way," your comprehensive guide to understanding the captivating culture of the United Kingdom. This eBook serves as your passport to a land where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly, inviting you to delve into the heart of British life with ease and fascination. Start your journey with an exploration of British identity and the colorful mosaic of its landscape. Dive into the nuances of everyday customs, from the soothing ritual of tea time to the revered social haven of the pub. Discover the artistry of queuing, where ...

Steve Marriott was born in bomb-scarred East London in 1947 and grew up surrounded by resilience, humor, and song. From his earliest years in Manor Park, he absorbed the voices of pub singalongs and American records smuggled into dockside neighborhoods. That foundation propelled him first onto the West End stage in Oliver! and then into the teenage band circuit, where his raspy, soul-drenched voice stunned audiences unprepared for such volcanic intensity from such a small figure. By 1965 he co-founded the Small Faces, a band whose sharp suits and sharper sound came to define the Mod ...

Now with an extra chapter, the beginning of the sequel Our Little Piece of Paradise. A warm-hearted, autobiographical story about the location and lifestyle in a small village in the Algarve, as seen through the eyes of Karen, and her husband Nick, who made the move seeking a quieter, more serene way of life. What lurks in the shadows of paradise, however, is a life-changing illness she has struggled with in the past and now comes to the fore. They have made Portugal their home. Will they be able to navigate the health system and succeed in getting her the urgent operation needed, to ...