Biography
Now, Crack On!
Soon to be published – order your copy now!
by Rebecca Alton
Words from Hyem
Words from Hyem – The Life and Rhymes of Richard Oliver Heslop
by Andy Bogle and Tony Hannan
Historian, author, songwriter, poet, businessman, humourist, lexicologist, Liberal man-about-town and – from 1914 to 1916 – president of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, along with much else besides, Oliver Heslop is the Toon’s forgotten champion. The man responsible for the region’s first nationally recognised dialect dictionary Northumberland Words – prior to then published weekly in the Evening Chronicle – was a celebrity of his day, a champion of the region, years ahead of his time. Yet sadly, since his demise, his astonishing contribution has been all but overlooked. This book puts that right.
And in fact, Words from Hyem has its own sad tale to tell. Originally, it had one single author, South Shields-born Andy Bogle, latterly resident in the USA, but drawn back frequently to County Durham and Northumberland and his second residence in Hexham. Now it has a couple. Yorkshireman and ‘adopted Geordie’ Tony Hannan has in-laws galore in South Shields, so needed little persuasion to step into the breach when Andy passed away in August 2023. In short, this is a biography like no other.
No Plan B
The Story – and Diary – of One Woman’s Inspirational Battle with Motor Neurone Disease
by John Hatton
Contains a foreword by Lindsey Burrow
On 17 January 2023, mere months after her mother had died from motor neurone disease, Julie Hatton was also diagnosed with MND and passed away just 212 days later. Following her diagnosis, husband John began a diary in which he charted the progression of his wife’s condition. Then, as the dreadful disease gathered pace, that diary became a journal wherein he charted their final journey. This book is the result, a story of sadness, fear and love.
OUT JANUARY 2026 – PRE-ORDER NOW
Beware of the Bull – PAPERBACK
(NB: PAPERBACK ONLY)
The labour and the love seep from every page. For Old Molly Metcalfe, for Leopold Alcocks, for Sister Josephine, but mostly for yourself, if your hands aren’t too encumbered, gather a book or two for Jake…” – Jon Richardson
“A timely paean to a velvet larynxed, storytelling wonderman…” – Cerys Matthews
by Paul Thompson and John Watterson
Beware of the Bull – The Enigmatic Genius of Jake Thackray is the critically-acclaimed first biography of the late, great singer-songwriter.
Admired by Jarvis Cocker, Alex Turner and Thea Gilmore, among others, Jake was one of the greatest and most original artists of the twentieth century; a unique talent and master storyteller whose songs are full of wit, poetry, irreverence and humanity.
The book reveals a life as extraordinary as his writing: difficult upbringing in the terraces of Leeds; strict Catholic education; transformative experiences in France and Algeria; time as an inspirational, unorthodox and highly creative teacher; meteoric development as a writer and performer; subsequent discovery by the BBC; Abbey Road recordings and influence on The Beatles; fame, fortune and remarkable television career… and Jake’s rejection of it all.
It is a story of a complex, charismatic and self-effacing man whom many loved, but few understood. Beware of the Bull was written with the full support of the Thackray family. Exclusive access to personal papers has allowed for the inclusion of a wealth of rare poems, photographs and ‘lost’ lyrics.
This paperback edition comes with a new foreword by the comedian Jon Richardson, an afterword by the authors, and further appendices with author Neil Gaiman and the distinguished conductor and composer Sir William Southgate.
*Among the Daily Telegraph‘s pick of the best music books of 2022*
Paperback – 512 pages – currently being reprinted
*Postage and packing included with UK orders only. Overseas customers may call us direct on 00 44 113 225 9797 during UK office hours, or order via this site and we will then reply to quote the required amount of postage for your country
The Greatest Sacrifice
FALLEN HEROES OF THE NORTHERN UNION
By Jane and Chris Roberts
They were among the sporting elite of 1914 – the stars of the Northern Union – idolised by thousands of enthusiastic men, women and children up and down the land.
Yet despite their heroic status in what was soon to become known as rugby league, these warriors of the playing field were willing to sacrifice their careers – and then lives – on the World War One killing fields, for King and Country.
Other sports have honoured their Great War fallen over these past 100 years, producing Rolls of Honour to ensure that their ultimate bravery is never forgotten; not so rugby league – until now.
The Greatest Sacrifice – Fallen Heroes of the Northern Union – rights that wrong. It tells the story of talented sportsmen who, when war was declared on 4 August 1914, duly departed for France, Belgium and beyond, never again to see the rugby league towns and grounds they once so famously graced.
Among those who fell were three members of Great Britain’s 1914 summer tour to Australia and New Zealand. A number of other former internationals died too, as did many more who had earned top domestic honours with their clubs. Some of the youngest players were just embarking on professional careers and therefore never able to fulfil their potential.
Each player featured has a different tale to tell – from childhood to rugby stardom to enlistment into the British Army and, finally, the greatest sacrifice of all.
