Books published by publisher Century Penguin Random House UK

Did you know that it wasn't a surgeon but a fifteenth-century Italian artist who contributed to the study of human anatomy? Or that a Dutch cloth merchant, by using a cutting-edge lens to check fabric quality, ended up discovering microorganisms? That an irresponsible lab assistant helped a French chemist discover a shield against infectious diseases? That a Hungarian physician dramatically lowered the percentage of women who died during childbirth simply by insisting that doctors wash their hands? Find out all about the fascinating stories and people behind these and several other medical breakthroughs in this fun, info-packed book that traces 2500 years of human history and development in the field of health and healing. Chronicling the life journeys of some brilliant, dedicated and extraordinary men and women, this book gives us a glimpse into the glorious ways in which science and medicine have advanced through the ages, across continents. Featuring groundbreaking ideas, trivia, factoids and more, this book is a celebration and a tribute to doctors, healers and scientists whose vast curiosity fuelled the innovations, inventions and discoveries that have made-and are continuing to make-modern medicine.

The Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2019 is the global authority on all things videogames. The 12th edition of the world's best-selling videogames annual is bursting with amazing records, remarkable feats and marvellous achievements by gamers just like you, who have been inspired by the games they love to play. Inside you'll be able to delve into your favourite games like never before from returning favourites such as FIFA, Overwatch, Call of Duty, Minecraft, Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, to all-new instant classics such as Monster Hunter: World, Dragon Ball FighterZ, NieR: Automata and Cuphead. You'll be able to discover who the best FIFA 18 player in the world is, the size of the biggest monster in Monster Hunter: World (clue: it's really, really big), which Overwatch player has healed more players than any other and find out which eSports pro won more than $2.4 million in 2017 alone! We'll also introduce you to some of the most amazing gamers on the planet. From Nathaniel Nathie de Jong, the world's most popular VR-dedicated YouTuber, to Ray Stallion83 Cox who has the world's highest Xbox Gamerscore. And that's not forgetting Joseph Garrett, Stampy Cat himself, who holds one of Minecraft's strangest records ever let's just say cake is involved... Stampy Cat has also provided a special guest intro that you'll only find in Gamer's Edition 2019. Talk of Stampy Cat brings us speedily to our World Builders special chapter a well-constructed celebration of the games that let us build, including Minecraft, LEGO Worlds, Roblox, Terraria and more. You'll have the chance to don your hard hat, too, by taking part in our Reader Challenges that could put your name in lights in next year's Gamer's Edition. So, whether you want to know what the fastest time to complete Dark Souls is (while upside down), see the planet's biggest Game & Watch or find out which nation is the best at Pokmon, you've come to the right place!

Beginning in the early years of this century, Number 11 follows two friends, Alison and Rachel, as they come of age. As the narrative progresses from the aftermath of the Iraq War to the present day, its scope broadens to include others who are variously connected to these two girls: Alison’s mother, a has-been singer, competes on a grisly reality TV show; Rachel’s university mentor finally confronts her late husband’s obsessive search for a German film he saw as a child; a young police constable investigates the seemingly unrelated deaths of two stand-up comedians; and a giant spider lurks in the darkness beneath one of London’s most staggeringly expensive neighborhoods. Combining his signature humor, psychological insight and social commentary, Jonathan Coe holds up a disquieting, unforgiving mirror in which to reflect a world where the systems are broken and everyone can—and perhaps must—name his or her own price.

On her 40th birthday Jacqueline Yallop built a pig sty in rural southwest France. She and her husband Ed had decided to turn their Aveyron cottage and garden into a small holding. They bought two pigs—Big and Little—to rear and slaughter. The locals were full of advice, and with just a small amount of plastic poles and metallic string and some new Wellington boots, they were off.They will cultivate the land. They will raise, then kill and eat their pigs. Or so they keep telling themselves. Because the reality is so very different from the romantic dreams of two stubborn English writers.

With the end of the Cold War, the victory of liberal democracy was thought to be absolute. Observers declared the end of history, confident in a peaceful, globalized future. But we now know this to be premature. Authoritarianism first returned in Russia, as Putin developed a political system dedicated solely to the consolidation and exercise of power. In the last six years, it has creeped from east to west as nationalism inflames Europe, abetted by Russian propaganda and cyberwarfare. While countries like Poland and Hungary have made hard turns towards authoritarianism, the electoral upsets of 2016 revealed the citizens of the US and UK in revolt against their countries' longstanding policies and values.But this threat to the West also presents the opportunity to better understand the pillars of our own political order. In this forceful and unsparing work of contemporary history, Snyder goes beyond the headlines to expose the true nature of the threat to democracy. By showcasing the stark choices before us-between equality or oligarchy, individuality or totality, truth and falsehood-Snyder restores our understanding of the basis of our way of life, offering a way forward in a time of terrible uncertainty.