Books published by publisher The Short Books

From tunnels and railways to bridges and ships, Isambard Kingdom Brunel would stop at nothing to realise his amazing engineering ideas.Born at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Brunel had a brilliant brain for design, and never tired of building new and exciting things – the deepest tunnel, the longest bridge, the fastest train. For Brunel, the average and the ordinary were just not good enough. A perfectionist and a control freak, he would stop at nothing to complete a project, even when it meant taking hair-raising risks.Short Books is re-releasing some of its finest writing as a newly designed series of six children’s biographies called The Great Victorians. These are entertaining and engaging stories of some of history’s most fascinating characters. They tell history in a novelistic, engaging way, a halfway house between storybooks and traditional history. There is abundant humour and drama too.With beautifully designed covers these books will catch the eyes of parents as well as children. Also published in a highly collectable set.

After the Klopt’s square their debt with pirate ghost Jacques Mignard, they are left with a new crew member, Cosette, and a debt owed to a sea witch, Volange that brings them to Scotland. Pirate ghost François l’Olonnais, always with a watchful eye over Tommy, decides to lend the family a hand for their next quest. He enlists the help of a Scottish pirate ghost, Captain Red Boots. Working in a time crunch, with two new crew members that don’t see eye to eye, and avoiding Volange’s powerful brother who wants to stop them, the Klopt family is in for more than their share of rough seas. Will Tommy save the day again or has he finally met his match?

Nelson was a young South African with a reputation for trouble-making. Who would have thought he would one day lead his people to freedom? Nelson grew up at a time when black South Africans suffered terrible injustice. He was determined to change this - even if it meant grave personal danger. Twenty seven years of his life were spent in prison, and everyone seemed to be against him - even his own family - but Nelson never stopped fighting for what he believed in: true equality for all, no matter what the colour of their skin.

Born a poor Glasgow cotton-mill worker, David grew up to become a great explorer and hero of his time.This is his incredible story. The tough man of Victorian Britain would stop at nothing in his determination to be the first white man to explore Africa, even if it meant dragging his wife and children along with him.He trekked hundreds of miles through dangerous territory, braving terrible illness and pain, and was attacked by cannibals, rampaging lions and killer ants…Short Books is re-releasing some of its finest writing as a newly designed series of six children's biographies called The Great Victorians. These are entertaining and engaging stories of some of history's most fascinating characters. They tell history in a novelistic, engaging way, a halfway house between storybooks and traditional history. There is abundant humour and drama too.With beautifully designed covers these books will catch the eyes of parents as well as children. Also published in a highly collectable set.

Florence knew she did not want a life of fancy clothes and parties, like the other girls. She was going to do something different – and important. But what?In 1854, she shocked everyone. Florence set out for the Crimea to nurse soldiers injured in the war. Nothing could have prepared her for the horror of the army hospital and the doctors didn’t approve of women and plotted to send her away. But Florence was not to be beaten. She was going to change nursing forever!Part of the Great Victorian series of biographies for children aged 9 years and up.

Young Charles Dickens’s happy childhood came to a sudden end when his father was jailed for debt and, aged 12, he was sent to work in a factory to make shoe polish.By his mid twenties, he was on the verge of becoming the most popular novelist the world has ever known. He created hundreds of unforgettable characters and travelled all over the country and in America giving readings of his work to thunderous applause.But Charles never forgot his days working alongside poor and abandoned orphans. He helped children in every practical way he could: by raising money for children’s charities and writing stories that changed the way people think about children for ever. Short Books is re-releasing some of its finest writing as a newly designed series of six children’s biographies called The Great Victorians. These are entertaining and engaging stories of some of history’s most fascinating characters. They tell history in a novelistic, engaging way, a halfway house between storybooks and traditional history. There is abundant humour and drama too.With beautifully designed covers these books will catch the eyes of parents as well as children. Also published in a highly collectable set.

The whole country thinks Meagan Masters is the luckiest teenager in the world – she’s the President’s daughter. But Meagan feels like she’s given up her entire life for her dad’s political ambitions…No more! Meagan throws the ultimate tantrum – with her boyfriend at her side, she takes over the White House, only to end up having to defend the People’s House when it’s invaded. Those terrorists send in their number one weapon: the President’s double …and Meagan has him in her sights. Just one problem – he is the real President come to rescue Meagan, their relationship…and possibly the White House. What will history books say about this night?