Bøker utgitt av Austin Macauley

Being a Lancastrian, I enjoyed Stanley Holloway's Albert and the Lion as a child and so resolved to attempt monologues of my own, choosing the main character, Albert Ramsbottom in tribute to that earlier story. My first tale, A Visit to the Zoo is now being followed by Cats in which Albert retains all his ability to get in and out of trouble. His sense of mischief is not always appreciated by his companion, Lucky the bulldog. As a boy, I too owned a bulldog, although naturally, I allowed my mum to perform the more mundane tasks relating to the animal's welfare such as feeding and cleaning up any little mishaps. I have witnessed my eldest daughter, Sarah, perform the same services to dogs with ownership being claimed by her own sons, who despite their careless attitudes towards their pet's daily needs, have been rewarded with that same unquestioning loyalty and affection. I do hope you enjoy the book and that it makes you smile when reading it to your young audience or indeed to yourself.

Embark on an extraordinary memoir that chronicles the remarkable odyssey of a man determined to transcend adversity, conquer racial prejudice, and fulfil his dream of becoming a Chartered Engineer. This captivating narrative traces a history that stretches back to the 1840s when his forefathers, descendants of indentured laborers from India, were brought to toil in the sugar cane fields of a British colony after the abolition of slavery. From this rich tapestry of ancestry to the present day in England, the author's life unfolds as a testament to resilience. Spanning continents and centuries, this memoir offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a young boy growing up on a British island colony in the mid-twentieth century. It vividly contrasts the stark realities of a tropical upbringing with the challenges of adapting to life in a temperate climate, from fog and snow to relentless drizzling rain. The simple act of donning thick clothing becomes a novel experience, as does huddling by a Valor paraffin stove in a quest for warmth and cocooning beneath scratchy wool blankets. As the narrative unfolds, you'll witness the profound transformation of a penniless immigrant who, against all odds, blossoms into a prosperous family man. His journey is a testament to unwavering determination, resilience, and a remarkable integration into British society, providing an intimate and insightful perspective on the trials and triumphs of one man's quest for excellence.

A different spin on pub crawls and Christmas markets All too often we miss what is right in front of us. This book hopes to open the reader's eyes, not only to drinking establishments, Christmas markets (home and abroad), but to provide you with some interesting facts, traditions, history and trivia to boot. Christmas and alcohol seem to have been in step for centuries, and this set of 'crawls' aims to make your trips to the Christmas markets a little bit different. Although we have left the EU, thousands still travel to Europe (as well as in the UK) to quench their thirst for all things Christmas. So, if you like socialising, having a tipple or two, enjoy finding new places to eat and drink, and visiting Christmas markets, these reasons alone would be enough for you to dig further into this book. But is you are also interested in history, ghosts, traditions, trivia, around Christmas itself, and on top of that the locations, then look no further. Six crawls, six Christmas markets, lots of pubs, and so much more. Enjoy your crawling!

The story of Peter and his adventures continues with even more exciting places to visit in his attempt to help his friend. The adventures should keep the reader engaged and should be a fun book to read. The hope is that reading the book will entice the reader to think about how they do things, in their life, which affect the planet and animals that live on it. We can all have an impact on the planet and hopefully you will be encouraged to do more after reading this book.

Whoever heard of a duck who was afraid of the water? Well, Dilly the duckling did not like it at all, until one day the most unlikely pond creature came to the rescue. Who or what was it? Keep guessing, or read on to find out what happens. Dilly knows!

Through the course of our lives nearly all of us experience the heartbreak that accompanies a failed relationship - all the more poignant when the relationship was a long-standing one. Theo Kemp's Heartbreak Hotel Diary is a candid exposé of the myriad emotions that run riot during this time, but it is also an uplifting celebration of life itself and the sort of spirit that overcomes adversity. Although written from the male perspective, it is never gender specific, because heartbreak is universal and affects us all in one way or another. Tackling the difficult subjects of love, relationships and mental health, Heartbreak Hotel Diary is a deeply personal account and a powerful and thought-provoking read.

My heart, mind and soul come together in this book to express the words, the stories and feelings I could never say out loud. So these are the stories I never told, the words I wish I'd said when I had the chance. It's time for these stories to finally be told.

A terrible storm hits deck and the captain has his map pulled from his grip. Can Henry and his shipmates remember where they must go to find what he holds most dear? Join the pirate crew on a swashbuckling adventure to find Henry's hidden treasure!

Annabelle's Sketchbook of Dreams is an inspiring book based on real-life events. A daughter's imagination and love for drawing helps to bring joy to her father who has become bedridden. Sketching her dreams in a book given to her by her father, she goes on many adventures with her cat Naomi, encouraging other children to draw, paint and write to fill the world with joy. The illustrations in this book are done by the father and his daughter who was three years old at the time of creating this book. They hope it inspires other children and parents when things get tough during life-changing circumstances.

Most children have a special soft toy or rug which comforts them through their early growing years. This book follows the journey of one of those things, from fresh and new to old and worn. Sophie's Blanket has a happy, heart-warming resolution which will give hope and a smile to all who read it.

Derek Hardy, a reserved man living in a Manhattan apartment, has long been haunted by memories of relentless bullying from his past. These scars have manifested as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and haunting nightmares. To cope, Derek has relied on meditation and visualization techniques, often imagining the bullies meeting grim fates. However, when these coping mechanisms falter, Derek's suppressed emotions threaten to overwhelm him. Succumbing to his darkest impulses, he embarks on a chilling spree, exacting revenge on those who tormented him, starting with his boss, Desmond Buckley. This tale delves into the profound effects of trauma and the dangerous consequences of emotions left unchecked, illustrating how even the most unassuming individual can be pushed to the brink.

A victim is found in a Chicago dentist chair, his tongue has been removed and his body mutilated. There is a note from someone calling himself 'The Shepherd.' Detective Mike Church and Scott Willis from the Ultra-Violent Crimes Taskforce arrive on the scene. They have never witnessed anything like this. There is no evidence and nothing pointing them towards a suspect. How will they catch this madman? Will they catch him before the bodies start piling up? In The Shepherd's world, there are only two types of people, good and evil. He sees it as his duty to rid the world of scum that have gotten away with their sins for far too long. He is the savior for those who have no voice. He is The Shepherd.

'King' Kamehameha is finally going to Hawaii on his jollies! But things do not go smoothly. There is a crown snatcher lurking about, not to mention big, black smouldering cauldrons, gruesome looking savages, and the chief, Ali'i nui who, incidentally, has captured Toni's eye. All is not well. 'King' Kamehameha's kingdom and his whole sovereignty are threatened and, to add more gloom to his doom, he is in danger of acquiring a new step-daddy! Laughter, tears and adventures ensue, but will Kamehameha still be 'king' at the end of it all?

The majority of Eric's poems stem from his personal experiences. Some have an origin in his childhood. Reciprocal Spells, for example, is an account of dealing with a crush you might have on someone at school. Other poems are also thought provoking as they portray more challenging life experiences to which most of us will be able to relate. Poems like, The World is Falling Apart, The Bully, and The Poor Kid reflect the times in which we currently live. Eric's vivid imagination is the source for other amusing poems like The Fancy Dress Party, which about finding you are the only guest not in fancy dress, and Sally Suction, the earwax extractor. He likes to tell stories through his poetry and Pegasus Bridge tells the remarkable story of the hours immediately before the D-Day Landings and the immeasurable impact of the few soldiers who were sent to take the bridge to support the Normandy Landings.

Imagine a world where not just teenagers, but governments use secret social media channels to communicate - and to target. Meet Doug McKenzie, a charismatic Black Irish investigative reporter for the New York Daily, a man whose fearless journalism has attracted international enemies with the resources to neutralize him. In response to his incendiary reports, a clandestine 'Backchannel' is activated, manipulating the U.S. government itself to take him down. But Doug isn't alone. His fiery daughter Rachel, an emerging journalist in her own right, stands by his side, as do allies from the global stage. Journey with Doug from the power corridors of Washington, DC to the bustling streets of Osaka, Japan; from the political heart of Ankara, Turkey to the fraught border crossing of Bazargan, Iran. Caught in a web of international intrigue is Doug's tumultuous personal life - his marriage to Turkish-born Nukhet hangs by a thread, complicated by their one-year-old daughter Sirin, and the reemergence of his enigmatic lover, Dr. Laurie Reynolds. Get ready to dive into a world of political suspense, international espionage, and intricate relationships. Welcome to Backchannel. Trust us, you won't want to put it down.

In an age where Artificial Intelligence (AI) evolves at a breakneck pace, the boundaries of machine capabilities are constantly being redefined. Propelled by advancements in deep learning and related technologies, AI is inching ever closer to mimicking human intellect. But can it achieve consciousness? And if so, at what cost to humanity? This book delves deep into the multi-faceted debate surrounding artificially conscious AI. It untangles ethical quandaries, philosophical dilemmas, technological challenges, political considerations, and the regulatory landscape. By drawing connections between AI research, neuroscience, and cognitive science, the narrative provides a comprehensive understanding of what consciousness might mean in the context of AI. As over a thousand AI luminaries globally sound the alarm, urging a pause on certain AI developments, the book underscores the urgency of its message. Recent incidents have spotlighted AI systems with capabilities so advanced that even their creators grapple to fully grasp or control them. It's imperative, now more than ever, to critically assess the implications of AI consciousness, weighing its potential risks against its benefits. This book offers both a timely warning and a call to informed action.

Returning to her family's village in Scotland for the sombre anniversary of her brother Max's passing, Martha, a dedicated primary school teacher from Camden, northwest London, braces herself for a flood of painful memories. Instead, she's enveloped in the warmth and affection of her family and rekindles her bond with her best friend, Izzy. However, her trip takes an unexpected turn when her father's old Ford Escort breaks down en route to Inverness. To her dismay, the recovery truck that arrives is driven by Jackson, Max's childhood best friend and the local mechanic. Martha has always held Jackson partly responsible for Max's death, as he was with him on that fateful night. Despite her best efforts to keep her distance, the undeniable chemistry between Martha and Jackson is palpable. She's determined to resist any feelings for him, but when adversity strikes, Martha realizes that Jackson might just be the one person she can rely on.

In January 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded New Guinea, landing on the northern coastal areas of this harsh, remote country. This book recounts the desperate efforts of missionaries, along with groups of downed allied airmen, ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit), officials and members of the 39th militia Battalion, to escape the invading Japanese army. Following each groups harrowing story as they made their way through the energy sapping heat of the Papuan jungle, skirmished with Japanese troops, grappled with the, at times dubious, loyalties of the Papuans they encountered, and tried to survive. Lines of Escape also details the incredible mission undertaken by Australian forces to cripple the Japanese air base at Salamaua.

Why do the heavenly bodies behave in a contrary fashion to what we are familiar with on earth? Before a wheel can turn, we must ensure rim is joined to axle; before a couple can dance in circle, their hands must be joined. In contrast, the planets circle the sun and the moons circle the planets without any securing mechanism, and so precisely that their movements can be predicted to a millisecond. Again, why is it that, released from the effects of gravity, emollient matter like water or molten lead forms spontaneously into tiny globes, copying the form found in stars, planets and the sun? Are the tides satisfactorily explained by the thesis of gravitational 'pull' of moon and sun? If so, why does modern science have such difficulty reconciling the relative influences of these two bodies? What sort of reality is light, and why is the speed of light fixed and not infinite, at least in space? Answers to these and other questions may be found through recourse to the philosophy of Aristotle. The thinkers of the Enlightenment chose to discard Aristotle's limited natural science. That was understandable. But they chose to discard his philosophy as well. This was unwise, as fresh study of Aristotle's thinking will show.

Sailing through the ocean, slicing through waves, There appeared a large ship full of those who were brave. Young Hetti was sailing on the ship feeling bored, What could she do? "Let's go and explore!" She embarked on adventures, she tried to be brave, But what will happen when she enters Shipwreck Cave?

When I first tumbled into love's embrace, every imperfection I bore was magnified. I began to define myself by these blemishes, feeling an overwhelming urge to fade away. At last, I embraced every tear and danced, unfurled. The book before you weaves a narrative that unveils itself progressively - each poem a stepping stone in a journey best experienced in sequence.