Gibson Square: 57 books

'Brilliant.' Gillian Tindall 'A moving love story between a commoner and a royal, as well as a breathtakingly fresh window into the courts of Charles I and Charles II, and the foundation of London's West End.' Fiona Mountain Charles II's succession to the throne came at a time of national turbulence:...

'Beautifully written.' Valerie Grove, The Times 'Martini-dry wit.' Irish Times 'Often pure Wodehouse.' Financial Times 'Uncompromising.' A.N. Wilson, Sunday Telegraph 'It has all her charm.' Laura Thompson, A Good Read, BBC Radio 4 'Brilliant.' Evening Standard 'A Life of Contrasts is a candid, page-turning...

'Roar with laughter.' Laura Thompson 'The dazzling beauty with a poison pen... wit pervades her writings.' Anne de Courcey, Daily Mail Criti Choice 'When she wielded her elegant stiletto, it was to unmask an ego... brightly and sharply illuminated.' Valerie Grove, The Times Wickedly funny, gossipy,...

An intimate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Diana Mosley was a frequent guest at their parties in Paris, or at 'the Moulin' in Orsay, where they were neighbours. Written in her inimitable style Diana Mosley paints a remarkable portrait of her friend that is also realistic with regards to her flaws....

At the age of twenty-one, Prince Philip wrote to a relative: 'I know you will never think much of me. I am rude and unmannerly.' Prince Philip probably never managed to change the opinion of his relative... This affectionate compendium brings together both the best and a host of less well-known stories...

‘I no longer want to live someone else’s idea of who and what I should be. I’m going to be me.’ ‘I just absolutely thought I was the luckiest girl in the world.’ Diana Spencer's engagement to Prince Charles, announced in 1981, first cast the spotlight on the young girl who...

'Beware who you give this book to.' Financial Times 'I recommend that you keep this delightful essay at your side.' Observer 'Dryly witty essay' Alain de Botton, Sunday Telegraph We all sit through meetings with that one person who seems to be able to persuade everyone. What is their secret? Are they...

Smart and very funny' Richard & Judy 'Witty, and very elegantly written... verbal Viagra' Sunday Times 'A fascinating - and illuminating - read.' Daily Mail 'Funny, warm and charming' French Magazine I devoured it. It is so funny and sharp! (Marco Redolfi, Head Of PR Of Dolce & Gabbanna Why...

'Very entertaining.' Jeffrey Podger, chief executive Health & Safety Executive Imagine a world where you wellington boots come with a 24-page instruction manual, or council carers who are prohibited from making tea for OAPs in case they scald themselves on the job. Welcome to Britain in the 21st century,...

Like many people Carla McKay thought that yoga sounded like a celebrity craze that was a bit too good to be true. Things changed, however, when a friend persuaded her to give it try for a laugh. She did laugh - throughout the class. But the practice was also different from what she had expected. In...

'You really must read… Ciao Bella.' Sunday Times 'Fascinating… comic… delightful' Sunday Times 'Humorous… rich and satisfying.' Daily Telegraph 'Beautifully written, it made me laugh and I wanted to follow in Helena's footsteps round Italy.' Kate Figes 'A travel book with a difference.' Coventry...

The writer and poet Harold Acton was - like Nancy Mitford herself - one of the Bright Young Things, and a life-long friend with whom she stayed in touch. From the letters and materials she had been gathering for her autobiography, Acton draws an irresistibly sparkling portrait of the author of Love...

When Tinker Bell followed Peter Pan to Hollywood in the 1950s, fairies vanished into the realm of child-lore. Yet in 1923 30-yearold J.R.R. Tolkien’s visit to his aunt’s house Bag’s End inspired a story about hedgerowfairies or ‘Hobbits’, and three years earlier Sherlock-Holmes author Arthur...

'I am fascinated.' Andrew Marr, Start the Week, Radio 4 'Wonderful' The Times 'Intelligent.' Independent 'Current.' Sunday Telegraph Wittgenstein said that if people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever happen. In this compelling A-Z of modern ignorance, Stephen Bayley gathers silly,...