MARTIN ROACH

Take That have acheived the biggest comeback in British pop history''and it seems they are only just beginning.In November 2008, Take That announced a summer tour for 2009 '' yet even by their own remarkable standards, the frenzy for tickets was almost hysterical. Within three hours, all 700,000 tickets had been sold, forcing stadiums across Britain to be re-booked for extra dates. This was nothing new '' the reformed ''man band'' had already broken British records for DVD sales, single sales and released the fastest selling album of 2008 with Circus. They are re-writing all the record books''literally.How have they done it? Why does Britain adore Take That?Take That '' Now and Then explores this phenomenon while this new, fully updated edition is also a vast visual bible for all Take That fans. From the band''s first ''comeback album'', Beautiful World, Take That''s story is brought right up to the present day with full coverage of new singles, new albums, TV appearances, Ivor Novello and Brit Awards, growing families and spectacular stadium gigs. Further, the book will be hugely expanded with scores of colour and black and white photos, as well as rare and unseen memorabilia, ticket stubs, backstage passes, snap shots and studio snippets '' taking fans from the early 90s and Robbie all the way to Take That''s current ''man band'' status .Take That are the UK''s biggest pop band '' Now and Then: The Illustrated Story will be a must-have book for their millions of fans.

Bands may come and go, but it takes a special talent to be around more than 20 years and still be releasing the most vital music of your career.But thats exactly what Red Hot Chilli Peppers have been doing lately. After more than two decades in the business, they are still blowing the critics away with their highly original sound and contemporary feel. Now, for the first time, rock biographer Martin Roach has gone behind the music to discover the real story of the Chillis survival a story that takes in drugs, death and much more besides.Martin has interviewed many key players in the Chilli Peppers history, including ex-band members and musicians whove played and toured with the group over the years. He reveals what has kept this legendary group going from strength to strength.The books also puts the band into context within the LA punk rock scene of the 1980s and 90s, providing an investigation into how they managed to withstand and ride out many other trends in American music including grunge, hip-hop and nu-metal.The book closes with the inclusion of numerous previously unpublished photographs of the band, many of which have come from the private collections of their friends and associates. The book also boasts the most complete discography ever compiled on the group.

A special treat...The pictures and stories combine to provide a rich texture to telling the difficult story of why we chase speed like an addiction. Valerie Thompson, the worlds fastest female motorcycle racer Ever since we built machines that could transport us, there has been a desire to find ways to make them go faster. For some, going faster isnt enough - they want to be the fastest. This book celebrates those who have built the machines and driven them at ever greater speeds. This is The History of Speed. Bestselling motorsport writer Martin Roach tells the extraordinary story of those who have come to be obsessed by speed. From Camille Jenatzy, the Red Devil, who became the first man to drive at over 100kmh in 1899, through the golden age of Malcolm Campbell and his Bluebird, and on to the modern era of jet- and rocket-propelled cars, we have gone faster and faster. But this book is not just about these record-breakers, Roach also looks at the technology, the engines and the inventors who helped progress in speed at all levels, from Formula One to the supercars from the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes that are eagerly snapped up by collectors, rarely to be seen on the road. Accompanied by some of the most stunning images of the cars and those who made and drove them, Roach tells a wonderful story of innovation and invention. He talks to some of the great drivers to find out what inspires them to risk their lives, and finds out from engineers how they developed their ideas. Along the way, we hear some remarkable tale and anecdotes, but also find out how the pursuit of speed can also have its costs, with many tragic heroes and heroines falling along the way. If youve ever thrilled to the roar of a sports car engine, of loved the feel of the g-force as you accelerate away, or even looked on in wonder at a powerful engine, The History of Speed is a book that you will not want to miss out on.

Fully illustrated throughout, The Supercar Book is a sumptuously designed guide full of everything you could ever want to know about the best supercars on the planet.From number-one bestselling author Martin Roach, The Supercar Book is a must-have for all boys and their dads (plus petrol-head girls and mums!) interested in fast cars.With an introduction from F1 racing legend David Coulthard, as well as contributions from the biggest names in the field, this tour de force starts with the iconic 1954 Mercedes Gullwing and races through each respective decade of supercar history, showcasing the very best and most important vehicles in this scintillating species. Featuring the landmark 10 game-changers that have defined the genre and highlighting dozens and dozens of supreme supercars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Pagani, McLaren and Porsche, get ready to be blown away by the beauty and power of these incredible vehicles.With a pre-history of the genre plus an excursion into American muscle cars, this comprehensive book takes us underneath the bonnets and peels back the bodywork of these mind-blowing machines, as well as exploring how supercar technology has affected everyday cars.The Supercar Book is a tour de force of the fastest, the most powerful and the most drop-dead gorgeous vehicles in supercar history. Jam-packed with almost 200 full-colour photographs, awe-inspiring statistics and exclusive interviews with supercar experts, and featuring every landmark star of the genre, this book is the ultimate guide for every supercar fanatic.

This book recounts the entire story of the most successful British band since The Beatles. From their humble beginnings to the break-up that shook the pop world, to their explosive and successful come-back tour a decade later, TAKE THAT NOW AND THEN exposes the intimate details of the band that changed pop history. Containing hot behind-the-scenes information on the bands sell-out come-back tour, Take That Now and Then gives a complete history of the band, with revelations on whats happened over the bands time together and apart, and allows you to relive the tour experience all over again. Formed in Manchester in the early 90s, everyone had their Take That favourite, from the cheeky Robbie to gorgeous Mark Owen. Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Jason Orange completed the group, and they went from strength to strength with their unique mix of high-energy dance tunes and soulful ballads. But theirs was not an easy beginning. Gruelling training schedules, tours across the nation in gay clubs that saw their bottoms pinched and empty school halls on a Safe Sex tour, all had to be endured before the boys finally made it in the fickle world of pop music. But once they made it, boy did they make it! The only thing more certain than Take Takes next single going straight into the Top Ten was that they would clean up at every award ceremony going, both as a group and as individuals. But behind the glamour and success, tensions were mounting. Robbie Williams was sliding into the depths of depression, and on the eve of their 1995 tour, he left the band. By 1996, Take That were no more. Speaking exclusively to those inside the music industry who knew them best, many of whom have never spoken publicly about their experiences, music journalist Martin Roach recounts exactly what went on behind the scenes during those years, as well as providing first-hand accounts of the fickle world of pop from members of some of the UKs most prolific boy-band members.

From humble beginnings in a Cumbrian farmyard over forty years ago, the Eddie Stobart fleet has found a big parking place in the nations heart, loved as much for its 2,200 immaculate green and red trucks, each emblazoned with a girls name on the front, as for its famous army of dedicated Stobart Spotters who try to find each one.Buckle up with the Stobart drivers, and join them on a week in the life of a massive delivery, from paperwork to pallet. Learn what its like to be sat in the driver seat of a Stobart truck - the noises, visibility, clutch control, gears, steering - and discover the sheer size and power of these machines.Illustrated throughout with amazing photographs, and featuring first-hand stories of incredible journeys from the intrepid truckers, as well as astonishing facts and stats and the history of the fleet, this is truly an irresistible book for Stobart fans of all ages.