BROWSE THROUGH : What the books are about

David Beckham: My Side...

He may live in Madrid but he continues to make front-page headlines. This is David Beckham’s own story of his career to date, for Manchester United, Real Madrid and England, and of his childhood, family and private life. Featuring David’s first full account of a turbulent year in Spain, on and off the field, and England’s fortunes in Euro 2004. This is Beckham’s fascinating life story in his own words. His rise through the ranks at the biggest club side in the world. His complex relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson. The England story, from being vilified by the nation before returning as the prodigal son to eventually captaining his country. His acrimonious falling-out with his manager and departure from Old Trafford in June 2003. And starting a new chapter of his life on foreign soil in the glare of the world’s press. Now from Beckham himself, we gain a vivid and eye-opening insight into the family man behind the famous footballer, the international model and fashion leader. He describes how he first met and then married ex-Spice girl Victoria Adams, and the upbringing of their two children Brooklyn and Romeo. How his family’s every step is monitored by a posse of newshounds and paparazzi.

Our Lady of the Forest

Ann Holmes seems an unlikely candidate for revelation. A sixteen-year-old runaway, she is an itinerant mushroom picker who lives in a tent. Her past has been hardscrabble. Then one November afternoon, in the foggy woods of North Fork, Washington, the Virgin comes to her, clear as day. Is this delusion, a product of her occasional drug use, or a true calling to God? Gradually word spreads, and thousands converge upon the already troubled town. For Tom Cross, an embittered logger who’s been out of work since his son was paralyzed in a terrible accident, the possibility that Ann’s visions are real offers a last chance for him and his son. As Father Collins searches both his own soul and Ann’s; as Carolyn struggles with her less than admirable intentions; as Tom alternates between despair and hope; Our Lady Of The Forest combines suspense, grit and humour in a story of faith at a contemporary crossroad.

Self’s Punishment

Sixty-eight years old; a smoker of Sweet Aftons, a dedicated drinker of Aviateur cocktails, and the owner of a charismatic cat named Turbo, Gerhard Self is a somewhat unconventional private detective. During the war he was a Nazi state prosecutor, and he is still haunted by the memories of his misguided youth. His usual cases involve insurance investigations - such as the case of the ballet dancer who may or may not have deliberately broken his leg in order to claim compensation - and he shares them over games of Doppelkopf with his friends: a chessmaster, an ornithologist and a surgeon. So when Self is summoned by his long-time friend and rival Korten to investigate several incidents of computer-hacking at a chemicals company, he finds himself dealing with an unfamiliar kind of crime, and one that throws up many challenges for the computer-illiterate detective.

Motorcycle Diaries...

The film tie-in edition of the established modern classic. In January 1952, two young men from Buenos Aires set out to explore South America on ‘La Poderosa’, the Powerful One: a 500cc Norton. One of them was the twenty-three-year-old Che Guevara. Written eight years before the Cuban Revolution, these are Che’s diaries — full of disasters and discoveries, high drama, low comedy and laddish improvisations. During his travels through Argentina, Chile, Peru and Venezuela, Che’s main concerns are where the next drink is coming from, where the next bed is to be found and who might be around to share it.

The 10-day MBA...

The short summaries are very useful! The basics of marketing, strategy, operations management etc... they’re all concise and easy to understand. Much easier to understand than lecturer’s notes!