Author Henry Hitchings uncovers the life of 18th century man-of-letters Samuel Johnson (pictured left) in a new book (pictured inset). Samuel whose sayings became famous and much quoted made a name for himself by seeking bookish accomplishments. Henry reveals Samuel (pictured right) was busy establishing himself as a literary agent when his wife Tetty, died in 1752. Samuel didn't attend her funeral or visit her grave for more than a year.
NEW FICTION
- MUST READS What does a tennis legend do when he gives up the professional game? Writes his autobiography. Twice, in John McEnroe's case.
- CLASSIC CRIME Lynne Truss's Fifties Brighton has a constabulary run by the brainless Inspector Steine.
- PICTURE THIS The panda is the poster boy for endangered animals and this book lifts the lid on their breeding secrets.
- YOUNG FICTION Cymbeline, aged nine, lives with his widowed artist mother Janet, who goes to great lengths to prevent him going near water.
- CONTEMPORARY Sarah is freshly divorced following a long marriage, with zero dating practice behind her, when she meets Eddie.
- LITERARY FICTION Long gone are tennis pro Paul Essinger's days in the sun. Now, at the age of 33, he's preparing for his last U.S. Open.
THIS WEEK'S PAPERBACKS
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How to be as tough as Britain's toughest man: Join the Paras then Special Forces ++ Dive naked on to broken glass ++ Be machine gunned by the Taliban ...and Never lose control
Ant Middleton (pictured) began battling demons of his own from age five, following the sudden death of his father. He documents how he was led to join the Parachute Regiment and military before finding TV fame in a new book (pictured inset). Ant recalls retrieving the body of a soldier who had been blown up in Afghanistan and being shot at himself by Taliban. He is now currently chief instructor on Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins.
LITERARY NEWS
- Adrian Mole author Sue Townsend, 68, dies at her home in Leicester after a stroke
- New chapter in the history of the Bronte birthplace as new owners turn it into a cafe honouring the family's literary heritage
- Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, hospitalised with lung and urinary tract infections
- You don't need sex to sell! Dan Brown's Inferno tops Amazon best-seller list for 2013 as readers look for different thrills after Fifty Shades trilogy
Royally betrayed! George V told his cousin, the Russian tsar, he was his devoted friend - but abandoned him and his family to be murdered by the Bolsheviks
The British and Russian royal families met several times before the Russian revolution (pictured right). The Imperial Tea Party by Frances Welch (inset) charts the aftermath of the revolution and Britain's actions. Prince Edward (later King Edward VIII), Czar Nicholas II of Russia, his son the Czarewitch Alexei, and The Prince of Wales, (later King George VI) posed for a photo together (left), eight years before the Bolsheviks killed the Tsar and his family.
RECENT SERIALISATIONS
Are champions born or made? Is it blood, sweat and tears, pushy parents, or simply in the genes? A fascinating new book reveals what it takes to be superhuman
Evolutionary biologist Rowan Hooper interviews individuals with extreme mental and physical abilities to understand the importance of genetics in a new book (pictured inset). The Williams sisters (pictured left and Serena right) were given the devotion to become tennis champions from a young age by their father. Hooper argues even the dedication to practice and work hard could be explained genetically. He attempts to define what makes someone truly superhuman.