The touching true account of a young woman's life on the home front during the First World War. Ursula Bloom movingly describes how the Great War forever changed the lives of ordinary people in Britain. When Ursula says goodbye to both her suitor and brother as they go to war, patriotic excitement soon turns to worry and despair. This memoir vividly brings to life the experiences of people struggling to live through World War I. Ursula Bloom's honest and heartfelt story shows us the challenges of food rationing and the constant bombing by Zeppelins overhead. Rumours of German spies abound, and even Ursula and her mother find themselves under suspicion by their neighbours. Ursula's autobiography also looks at the realities of life in the early twentieth century, when operations were carried out on the kitchen table, a pregnant woman shouldn't be seen in public, and an officer and a private couldn't mix under the same roof. Not only the realities of war force an innocent Ursula to grow up. She must face her mother's serious illness, the demons of her husband-to-be, and the snobbery of his wealthy family. There are lighter moments too, such as the tale of the Bloom's fictitious maid, Emily, who they have to invent rather than admit that they can't afford a servant. Ursula Bloom went on to become a bestselling novelist, playwright and journalist. This moving autobiography is a must for all of those interested in life at home during the Great War, as well as for fans of her novels, such as Wonder Cruise.
Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside. An inspirational illustrated guide to 50 coastal days out, all within easy reach of London. Swap your oyster card for fresh oysters at Whistable, and trade in city parks for the wide open spaces of Camber Sands. Written by ex-Time Out editor Sarah Guy, London on Sea offers 50 fun days out on the coast with whimsical tone of voice that captures the magic of a day out on the beach. Timeless entries will feature the best walking routes, where to see breath-taking views, interesting architectural quirks and those local institutions that make each town unique. Destinations include: Southwold, Walberswick, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Walton-on-the-Naze, Frinton-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, Southend, Leigh-on-Sea, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Hythe, Camber, Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Seaford, Rottingdean, Brighton, Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, East & West Wittering, Bournemouth.
A blend of memoir, history, and travelogue exploring the ancient Egyptian city on the eve of the Arab Spring: “Fresh and original . . . quietly virtuosic.” —The Wall Street Journal Blending aspects of memoir, history, and travel narrative into an elegant and unique tapestry, Peter Stothard uses the sights and sounds of the ancient city to reconnect with the experiences that shaped him and sparked a passionate interest in the life of Cleopatra. Melancholy, yet often humorous, Alexandria probingly deconstructs the enigma of modern Egypt—with its uneasy mix of classical touchstones and increasingly volatile Middle Eastern politics—and offers a firsthand glimpse into the fracturing state just before the Tahrir Square uprising and the start of the Arab Spring. Includes photographs “A thoroughly enjoyable combination of history, autobiography, travel and general musings about Alexandria . . . Don’t try to categorize this book; just read it and let it flow over you.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A chance trip to Alexandria and a lifelong love affair with Cleopatra coalesce . . . Staying in Alexandria’s Metropole Hotel and guided through the city by the at turns effusive and secretive Socratis and Mahmoud, Stothard relates not only his encounters with the remnants of Cleopatra throughout Alexandria but also the origins of his fascination with the Egyptian queen.” —Publishers Weekly