John Blake imprint: 794 books

Do you ever think about how the roads you walked as a child change the doors that open in your future? In 1951, seven-year-old Peter Stockley's life was set down a dark path after losing his mother. Her legacy to him was an optimism and spirit that even a vile step-mother could not break, and...

In February 1983, civil servant Dennis Nilsen was arrested after body parts were found to be blocking drains at the house where he lived. As the squad car drove him away, he confessed he had strangled 15 young men. But it wasn’t just the crimes that stunned the police, but the way Nilsen spoke....

For more than 50 years, Freddie Foreman's name has commanded respect, and occasionally fear, from those who work to uphold the law—and those who operate just outside of it. With almost all of his compatriots—like the notorious Kray twins—now gone, Freddie is truly The Last Real Gangster. A true...

WHEN PAT STEWART POSED ON THE RAILINGS OF BLACKPOOL PROMENADE ON A BLUSTERY DAY, LITTLE DID SHE KNOW THE RESULTING PHOTOGRAPH WOULD BECOME AN ICONIC IMAGE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. IT WAS ALSO ONE THAT WOULD FOLLOW HER THROUGHOUT HER FIFTY-SIX YEARS IN SHOW BUSINESS. Pat was born to dance....

Her face is simply unmistakable as the council house based brothel madam, Lillian, in Channel 4's long running brilliant cult drama 'Shameless,' based on a Manchester sink estate. By her own admission not exactly the Bridget Bardot of the North West, she is fiercely and unapologetically proud of her...

As a mere infant, the chances of a safe and happy family life for Lynette Gould were torn to shreds when she was sexually violated beyond her comprehension. The once carefree and happy girl found herself suffering repeatedly at the hands of her own wicked father. Years of sexual degradation turned...

‘Yvie is an amazing vocal coach – she loves her job, loves seeing people improve and loves seeing people reach their dreams’ – Gary Barlow ’Yvie is the most wonderful singing teacher’ – Sam Smith ’Yvie is a great vocal coach and a great woman’ – Sharon Osbourne You’ll...

The idea that we are one step from calamity is as old as history itself. Every step on the road of progress has always been countered by those who think that we should keep to a primitive lifestyle that they claim is more compatible with nature. But despite the fact that they've been proved wrong,...

On 8 January 2017, Dame Shirley Bassey, one of the greatest performers – and voices – of her generation, will be eighty. This is her unique story, told at first-hand by her greatest fan. Since she signed her first professional contract at the age of sixteen, Shirley Bassey has become one...

I was a tall, good-looking gay man who had resolved to marry an innocent (read virginal) woman, and I was spending my Saturday evenings in the company of a cast of outlaws who, like me, were risking everything for their desires. Born in 1923, George Montague has seen many changes in his lifetime,...

Best known as an actor and one of the BBC’s Eggheads, few people would guess from his cultured exterior at the horrific early years of abuse CJ de Mooi endured.As a teenager, CJ fled from his childhood home to escape prolonged hatred and violence, and consequently slept rough for three years. He...

Buckingham Palace, London, 2013 - My mum and I seem to be on the cover of every magazine these days. She must be really pleased that I've made her so famous. Before I arrived, I don't suppose many people had even heard of her.Kensington Palace, London, 2013 - Dad's a pilot who flies helicopters right...

Did you know that the stegosaurus had a brain the size of a walnut, or that there used to be scorpions that grew to more than two meters in length? Do you want to know which prehistoric animals dinosaurs used to be afraid of? Amaze you friends by telling them about feathered dinosaurs, giant millipedes....