The answers to life, the universe and nearly everything in just one informative, authoritative AND very funny paperback!

by Fred Watson

ISBN: 978 1 84024 687 2  

£7.99 

August 2008

“I’d recommend it to anyone. One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read for a long time.”

Sir Patrick Moore

Have you ever wondered about life, the Universe and everything but couldn’t find the right question to ask – or the right person to answer it? Well, here’s the book for you.

Leading professor of astronomy Fred Watson (who has won prizes in Australia for his popular broadcasts about the science of the Universe) gives us this quirky and witty book tackling all the big questions! 

Based on real questions that he has been asked by listeners to his radio programmes, Fred answers the ultimate mind-bogglers, such as...

• Does the Earth wobble?

• What makes planets round?

• Why do stars twinkle?

• Is it possible for an aircraft to keep up with the dawn?

• Where’s the nearest black hole?

• When will the sun stop burning?

• Could you dump nuclear waste into the sun?

• What would we do if we found an asteroid on collision course with Earth?

• Are there other universes?

• What’s the length of a day on the moon?

• Do you think there is life elsewhere in the solar system?

• Is there sound in the Universe?

• What was there before the Big Bang?

• What does E = mc2 mean?

• Why is Uranus upside down?... and many, many more like this!

Space is really, really big – as Douglas Adams once pointed out – and there is no better guide to it than Fred Watson. Highly-entertaining and informative, this is a must-read for science-lovers and enquiring minds of all ages.

“a fabulous read from one on the finest popular presenters of astronomy ... amusing, entertaining and authoritative, this is the perfect bedtime book for the curious mind.”

David Malin, astronomer

FRED WATSON (who is originally from England) says he has spent so many years working in large telescope domes that he has started to look like one. He worked at both of Britain’s Royal Observatories before becoming Astronomer in Charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory in New South Wales in 1995. Fred is well-known in Australia for his astronomy broadcasts.  In 2003, he received the David Allen Prize for communicating astronomy to the public, and in 2006 was the winner of the Australian Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science.  Fred has an asteroid named after him (5691 Fredwatson), but says that if it hits the Earth it won’t be his fault!

Why is Uranus Upside down? is published by Summersdale and available through all good bookshops and internet booksellers or by telephoning Summersdale.

by Dave Johnson

ISBN: 9780071495806

Pub Date: 01/03/2008

428 pages

Capture stunning photos with your digital camera!

Now you can take professional-quality shots every time-no matter what kind of digital camera you''re using. Completely updated for the latest technologies, ‘How to Do Everything: Digital Camera’, Fifth Edition shows you how to take full advantage of all of your camera''s features and settings. You''ll learn the fundamentals of photography, composition, lighting, and exposure, and get techniques for different subjects and situations. The book also explains how to use a variety of photo-editing tools and offers expert tips for storing, sharing, and printing your photographs.

• Choose the best digital camera and accessories for your needs

• Get the most out of a Digital SLR camera and interchangeable lenses

• Compose great shots and control lighting and exposure

• Master close-ups, action shots, panoramas, and high dynamic range photos

• Organise, store, and share photos in JPG, TIF, GIF, and RAW formats

• Edit, enhance, correct, repair, and crop your images

• Have fun with special effects and photo projects

• Print professional-quality photos

• Troubleshoot and maintain your digital camera

Dave Johnson is the editor of PC World''s weekly digital photography newsletter, Digital Focus. He is the bestselling author of previous editions of this book as well as several other titles. Dave is also an award-winning photographer.

The essential guide to giving up the day job and running your own hotel – from someone who`s done it.

Fed up with the 9-5? Hankering after a new challenge? Desperate to be your own boss?

Why not buy and run a small hotel?

How To Buy and Run Your Own Hotel by Mark Lloyd is a new book which holds your hand as you give up the safety of your current profession and leap into the unknown.

This is exactly what Mark himself did two years ago when he gave up his career in events management and bought a small hotel in South Gloucestershire. His only knowledge of hotels up to that point was through staying in them as a guest. When he looked for a book to guide him through the day-to-day process he couldn’t find anything that prepared him for what such a venture entailed.

So Mark wrote his own guide, based on his own experience - from the moment he persuaded his partner to join him in his dream, to choosing the location and buying the property. He describes a year in the life of a hotel manager and the details of the daily schedule, warts and all. Having just remortgaged in the middle of the credit crunch he can also give advice on how to keep one`s professional head in a near financial crisis!

It is anecdotal and easy to read, but full of detailed practical advice and the important lessons that need to be learnt – in this case from someone else’s mistakes.

Commenting on the book Lloyd says, “This book is dedicated to all the people who thought, and probably still think, we were mad to make such a drastic change to our lives. More important, it is dedicated to all of you out there who are thinking of a similar venture. To some of you such a change will be just a pipe dream; to others it will be more than that – much more, in fact!”

About the author: At the age of 45 Mark Lloyd, an events organiser, had had enough of working for other people. With his wife and family he moved from Watford to run his own hotel in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire. He had no previous experience of the hotel industry. Eighteen months later he has a successful hotel – and no regrets.

How To Buy and Run Your Own Hotel is published by How To Books Ltd www.howtobooks.co.uk and is available at £14.99 in major bookshops and online retailers across the country. ISBN 978-1- 84528-275-2