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Category Archives: Informational Books

Deals on Wheels: Guide to Buying a Second Hand Car

This book was published following a Channel 4 series that was screened in 1999, so some of the information on prices as well as that on new models on the market may be a little outdated. Having said that, it includes a great deal of general information on choosing and buying a second hand car, making this book well worth a read, as much of the content is still relevant today.

Just as the series did, this book looks at the pitfalls of buying a second hand car in a market that is notorious for dubious deals and sharp practices.  It gives invaluable advice on how to look for really solid deals, the best way in which to negotiate prices, and the pros and cons of different types of car.

The main focus is on twenty of the most popular types of car, including all sizes of family car, general run around models, and the high end of the market, including luxury and sports cars.  The book explores the full technical specification for each of the different vehicles, as well as common problems, weaknesses and, of course, strong points for the models it features.

It is a well-illustrated publication, with good photographs and a clear text which is easy to follow.  This would be a useful read for anyone looking to buy a second hand car, as well as a good general interest book for car hobbyists.

Beyond Recycling: A Re-Users Guide

Reducing your carbon footprint is a big deal in today’s high-consumption, easy-disposable world. Everyone you speak to is ‘freecycling’ or ‘re-using’, not to mention trying to find new ways to save money by cutting back – times are hard for most of us. Many people are keeping bees, growing fruit and rearing chickens and have gone from spending hundreds of pounds a week on socialising to staying in and making their own wine from a home-grown fruit and a kit that cost a few pounds. People are aware of the impact our excessive lifestyles are having on the environment and are starting to cut-back and recycle.

This book contains loads of really useful ideas on how you can recycle almost anything and save hundreds of pounds in the process. For those items that can’t be recycled easily, Kathy Stein shows you how to re-use them to save even more money.

The clear message here is “consume less, don’t just recycle more”. This 164-page book has 336 environment-friendly, money-saving ideas, from earning cash for mobiles to customizing and altering old clothes, you can learn how to save money whilst saving the planet in the process. Kathy Stein has a technical writing background and her passion for environmental issues is evident in the book; for example, she is a big supporter of the ‘WeCare’ dry-cleaning programme, which replaces those horrible plastic garment covers with re-usable fabric ones.

The book is easy to read with the information presented clearly and alphabetically. If you’re struggling to figure out how to keep old appliances out of landfill, Stein helps you by listing local businesses and non-profit organizations that will re-use, recycle or re-distribute your unwanted items. It’s a useful and comprehensive guide on how to save money sensibly whilst contributing to a sustainable and green lifestyle – highly recommended.

Groupie by Jenny Fabian

First published in 1969 and listed by The Observer as one of ‘The 50 greatest music books ever’, this book by Jenny Fabian caused shockwaves throughout the literary community.

For a feeling of what life was like in the sixties underground rock culture, this book is hard to beat. Jenny Fabian takes you on a tour of the places to be seen, describing the sights, sounds and flavours of the era in delicious detail. She shows us the more shocking side to life in the late 60’s, with tales of orgies, lesbianism and drug abuse – each and every encounter described with an obvious lack of emotion or feeling. Her intimate role within the psychedelic scene gives her an excellent perspective from which to document the environment with detached authenticity.

Chronicling her adventures (as the fictional ‘Kate’) with various rock and pop stars of the day, Fabian leaves us guessing as to who her conquests actually were but it’s not difficult to work it out. Ben from the Satin is Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett, Joe, the Relation bassist, is Ric Grech from Family, and Dave in Transfer Project was Andy Somer, (the Police’s Andy Summers).

Her naivety shows, a young girl of 19 lost amongst the excitement and anarchy of the era; at times it’s painful to read. Highlighting the fragility of human relationships, we get a real feeling that the 60s was nothing more than a chew-it up and spit-it-out culture, where the constantly changing trends left emotions out of the equation and significant others were replaced as soon as something better came along.

Since writing Groupie, Fabian has written articles for Harpers and Queen, Tatler, and Time Out, as well as a second novel, ‘A Chemical Romance’. Now married with two children, it’s rumoured that she is collaborating once more with Johnny Byrne on a third novel.

In the introduction to the 1997 reprint, Jonathon Green reveals that it gets 22 mentions in the Oxford English Dictionary, not bad for a girl written off as superficial and shallow!

Eco-Refurbishment: A Practical Guide to Creating an Energy Efficient Home

If you’re worried about the energy efficiency of your home this book will help you to make small changes that will improve your carbon footprint and reduce your utility bills.  Over 30% of all CO2 emissions are down to housing and Peter Smith tells us what we can do to change this startling figure. If you’re thinking about starting any home renovations read this first, after all upgrading your property can immediately represent added capital value, so use the opportunity to install adequate insulation from the start – you’re literally throwing money away on wasted energy if you don’t. Simple changes like replacing old, outdated appliances and white goods with new A-rated ones will immediately have an impact.

With the recent introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord has increased. By law you must inform potential buyers or tenants of the current energy efficiency performance of your property so that they can make intelligent and informed decisions on whether to rent or buy. It places increased pressure on owners and landlords to improve the efficiency where possible in order to positively impact the environment. With practical and affordable ideas such as underfloor heating or solar panels there’s something in here for all budgets and circumstances.

There are hundreds of books on building your own eco-home but if you’re not in a position to build your own pad, the next best thing is to refurbish what you’ve got. This book shows exactly what you can do to renovate your current home in an environmentally friendly way, with everything you need in one handy reference guide. It’s an extremely practical text with a useful case study to show us exactly how it’s done.

The New Complete Guide to Massage

If you’re one of millions of people in the UK that suffers from tension, headaches, sinus problems or stiffness, then may I interest you in a massage? If I can’t then I’m pretty sure that Susan Mumford can convince you of the wonderful benefits that can be gained using the specific techniques she talks about in ‘The New Complete Guide to Massage’.

In its simplest form, massage is defined as the kneading and stroking of the body’s soft tissues with varying degrees of pressure. Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins to help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being. Deeper massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products – it can also ease tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.

Massage fulfils one of our most basic human needs – the desire to touch and be touched. Giving someone a massage is hugely rewarding, and receiving one is even better! Mumford’s best-selling book tells you everything you need to get started, from beginner through to more advanced techniques. Every method is illustrated and fully explained to help you move rapidly from simple massage to expert strokes. It’s the perfect companion for experienced therapists looking to further their skills and for beginners who are considering massage as a caring, sharing hobby.

It’s well-known that massage can induce physical, emotional, and physiological improvements to your health. Forget those expensive pills and treatments, a deep tissue massage, manual lymphatic drainage, or an Indian head massage can be so deliciously relaxing you’ll be hooked!  So, for anyone considering a massage in Manchester, Cardiff, Dublin or Edinburgh – save your money – buy this book for your significant other and let them practice on you!

The Essential Housebook

First published in the 1996, The Essential Housebook is still regarded as a bible for interior design and home style. Almost 15 years after its release the advice in here is as relevant now as it was then.

For advice on decorating and furnishing your home, Terence Conran is the best man for the job. In 1964 he opened the first Habitat shop and his empire includes the Conran Shop, Benchmark Furniture and many restaurants. Heavily involved in architecture and interior design, he was instrumental in the regeneration of the Shad Thames area of London.

The photos in the book are wonderful; Conran has included in here some of the most beautiful rooms and homes in the world. Some of the ideas simply won’t equate to a 3-bed semi in Bradford though so don’t get any grand ideas. As a reference guide it’s the perfect renovation companion but don’t imagine you’ll be able to get the Conran look on a budget – it’s high-end, fat-wallet stuff.

There are five main sections in the book, which discuss major structural work or smaller design improvements. Plus, there’s advice on the best decorating and furnishing options, a checklist of maintenance tips, and an index of useful addresses including advisory bodies, architects, designers, suppliers and shops (note that older versions of this book might be a little outdated now).

If you’re after a minimalist and contemporary look for your home, this is the place to start. You have to admire Conran’s ethos – he knows home design and much of it is simply timeless. Heed his principles and mould the ideas to fit your own space and budget.

Brian Epstein: A Cellarful Of Noise

In 1964 Brian Epstein was the manager of the most famous and adored pop band in the world.  As the man who discovered the Beatles, Epstein was perfectly placed to document the circus that surrounded them.  A Cellarful of Noise is his personal account of life with the Fab Four, starting at the very beginning.

An autobiography, Brian Epstein wrote this book just before his 30th birthday.  As a young man of 27 he was working in ‘NEMS’, one of his family record stores, when a lad by the name of Raymond Jones asked him for a very specific record.  The record was “My Bonnie” by the Beatles and that random meeting would change his life.

Epstein’s description of his own childhood is detailed – it’s easy to see where his grit and determination to succeed came from. Expelled from school at 10 (he was exiled to Southport during the war with his family just four years before) his attitude toward formal education continued to decline until leaving Wrekin College aged 15, excelling in art and drama and, shockingly, with ambitions to become a fashion designer.  He left RADA and began working for the family business, soon running his own chain of record stores. By the time John, Paul, George and Pete Best came into his life the Liverpool music scene was thriving and Epstein knew he was onto something.

This concise tale is considered one of the essential texts about the Beatles. And for good reason – Epstein’s account is well-written and littered with important details. From The Cavern via Hamburg to the top of the US Billboard Charts, everything is covered and the dynamics of the band are evident (John was the dominant one – the leader, Paul was moody but loyal, George was “the business Beatle… generous but shrewd” and as for Ringo, he was “…uncomplicated, a very nice young man”.)

Epstein died of an accidental drug overdose in August 1967. Paul McCartney once said of Epstein: “If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”  If you’re into the Beatles make sure you read this book.

The Secret Language of Birthdays

The Secret Language of Birthdays is a fascinating book that contains personality profiles for every day of the year. It’s uncanny; everything from character traits to strengths and weaknesses are given and what you read will amaze you with its accuracy. It tells you which famous people share your birthday and this information alone can give you an insight into the types of people that have the same characteristics as you, be it leaders, innovators, actors or academics.

The first chapter covers all the astrological signs in detail, including birthstones, colours, plants, trees and musical keys along with an overview of the sun sign. There’s an astonishing amount of information in this book and the authors researched the exact planet co-ordinates for each day going right back to the early 1900s. Information for each day of the year is presented in a two-page spread so you can see everything that happened on your day of birth.

Brilliant fun, it’s interesting to analyze and understand family, friends and work-mates – anyone whose birthday you know. This huge, hardcover book by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers gives us over 800 pages of spookily accurate details on our friends and loved ones based on their unique date of birth. Dutch Goldschneider has researched astrology for over 40 years and this book is one of his ‘Secret Language’ trilogy along with ‘The Secret Language of Relationships’ and ‘The Secret Language of Destiny’.

This book is sadly now out of print, but you can easily get copies on the Internet. It’s one of those books you’ll want to keep forever and keep referring to when you meet new people. It makes a perfect gift for anyone with an interest in astrology, tarot or numerology – just make sure you get your own copy first!

The Beginners Guide to Broadband and Wireless Internet

With competition at its highest yet, broadband suppliers are clamouring for our business at the moment but do you understand the jargon? It’s a complicated and technical subject and it’s easy to be baffled by the science. Do you know your wireless hotspots from your webcams? What’s MSN? How do you choose a media players? What’ the difference between ADSL, cable and satellite broadband? Peter Burns tells you clearly and concisely about broadband and wireless networking – starting at choosing a supplier, right through to protecting your PC from viruses, working with instant messaging, file sharing, downloading music and configuring email.

Before you start though, it’s worth doing a broadband comparison to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money. Make sure you check the broadband speed and if there are any download limits imposed on the tariff. Most broadband tariffs are more than sufficient for everyday browsing and basic downloading – suppliers tend to be on a par with each other. If you’re a heavy user who downloads movies and music on a regular basis, this book will tell you which questions to ask before you sign-up.

Understanding wireless networking is crucial if you’re setting it up in your home. You’ll learn about routers and wireless adapters and how to configure an infrastructure or ad-hoc network.  Burns also explains about wireless on the move; how hotspots work, which gadgets support wi-fi and how to get online if you’re not in a hotspot zone.

Burns is Internet and eCommerce Marketing Manager for Waitrose (incidentally, Waitrose.com broadband is the UK’s only broadband service to give all its profits to charity.) He has also worked for Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and ITN. If you’ve got broadband and want to know more about wireless networking, this is the book to buy.

Tommy Walsh Outdoor DIY

Produced by probably one of the most recognisable DIY presenters in the UK, TV star Tommy Walsh, his latest guide, “Tommy Walsh Outdoor DIY” is full of practical advice on tackling the home improvement duties on the exterior of your home and in the garden.

Walsh has also turned his hand to interior decorating and building, but it’s out in the elements that he performs to his best strengths. His previous publications, such as “Bathroom DIY” and “DIY Survival”, have covered everything from shower cubicles to electric underfloor heating, but this book will give you all the know how you will need for completing jobs such as constructing patios and decking, repairing brickwork and cleaning drains.

Of course, as well as his impressive expertise it is Walsh’s charming personality that has made him such a favourite on television and in the book he comes across as engaging and considerate to the complete beginner. None of the content is patronising in any way and he knows that his readers will have at least some degree of common sense.

For each job, every step is clearly illustrated and every tool and material is listed, so you can rest assured that all aspects will be covered. This book would be perfectly suited to someone who feels they know a bit about DIY, but is missing out on some of the basics. Though everything is explained concisely, the banal and obvious has been omitted.

“Tommy Walsh Outdoor DIY” is published by Collins, who are renowned for their manuals and tutorial handbooks and is available in paperback. This is easily one of their bestsellers.