Michael Cox Books

'A wonderful overview of tactical development in European football' Matthew Syed, The Times 'A fascinating assessment of football in 2019' Observer

An insightful and entertaining exploration of the evolution of European football over the past three decades. The author, known for his acclaimed work, delves into the captivating history of continental football, highlighting its transformative moments. From the attacking flair of Real Madrid in the 1950s to the defensive mastery of the Italians in the 1960s and the total football philosophy of the Dutch in the 1970s, the European leagues have been at the forefront of the game's evolution. Since the rebranding of the Champions League in 1992, this evolution has continued, with each major footballing nation contributing to the development of tactics. The intelligent use of space by Ajax in the early 90s, the strategic dominance of the Italian league in the late 90s, and the technical brilliance of Barcelona's tiki-taka exemplify how European football continually reinvents itself, influencing clubs and national teams worldwide. The author meticulously analyzes the major leagues and their historical impacts, revealing how a nation's unique identity shapes the international language of football. This comprehensive overview is filled with engaging anecdotes, making it a groundbreaking examination of modern European football.

An absolutely essential book for every modern football fan, about the development of Premier League tactics, published to coincide with 25 years of the competition. Back in 1992, English football was stuck in the dark ages, emerging from a five-year ban from European competition. The game was physical, bruising and attritional, based on strength over speed, aggression over finesse. It was the era of the midfield general, reducers, big men up front and getting it in the mixer; 4-4-2 was the order of the day. Few teams experimented tactically. And then, almost overnight, it all changed. The creation of the Premier League coincided with one of the most seismic rule changes in football history: the abolition of the back-pass. Suddenly defenders had no-get-out-of-jail-free card, goalkeepers had to be able to field and play the ball and the pace of the game quickened immeasurably. Tactics evolved dramatically, helped by an increased foreign influence. The Mixer is the first book to delve deep into the tactical story of the Premier League, and take a long view of how the game has developed over the last quarter century. From Ferguson's directness to Keegan's relentlessly attacking Newcastle outfit, to Mourinho's cagey, reactive Chelsea, all the way to Ranieri's counter-attacking champions, The Mixer is one of the most entertaining, rich and knowledgeable football books ever written.

Ten classic horror stories as you've never seen them before. The Hound of the Baskervilles is a TV crime show, The Pit and the Pendulum is told as an interiors magazine article, Frankenstein - and his monster - write to an agony aunt to tell her all their woes and the story of Dracula becomes a musical spectacular! PLUS brilliant and fascinating fact files on werewolves, vampires, phobias, mad professors and lots more. A very original approach to classic horror - a must for all horror fans.

The book explores the pivotal moments in American history following the 2020 election and the January 6th Capitol attack, highlighting the nation's internal divisions and external skepticism. It examines the responses of five presidents—Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden—to the challenges of a declining empire. Michael Cox, a prominent scholar, provides a critical framework for understanding U.S. foreign policy since the Cold War, questioning whether America can maintain its influence on global affairs or if it is destined for decline.

This full colour cookbook is designed for the 19 million people in the UK who can't eat wheat or wheat products and for their friends and family who can. While adhering to all medical requirements for a gluten-restricted diet, the recipes use ingredients available from local supermarkets rather than specialist outlets, are delicious enough to be enjoyed by everyone, and cater for all culinary occasions - from everyday meals to special entertainments.

Leading scholars shed light on the meanings of world politics.

In Mr Megamouth's Shark Lessons, Simon Sidworth turns, hilariously, into a great white shark and reaveals to the rest of the class some very nasty habits.

This book examines how the academic discipline of International Relations has conceptualized the world historical crisis that has shaped world affairs between the end of the First World War and the end of the 1990s. A distinguished group of contributors trace the development of the subject through the main historical periods and in relation to key debates: ethics, power and nationalism; conditions of peace; law and peaceful change; and globalization. It provides the most comprehensive survey of the discipline's past and the key issues to be faced in the future.

1876. Nineteen-year-old orphan Esperanza Gorst arrives at a great country house of Evenwood to be interviewed for the position of lady's-maid. But Esperanza is no ordinary servant. She has been sent by her guardian, the mysterious Madame de lOrme, to uncover the dark and dangerous secrets that her new mistress has sought to conceal, and to set right a past injustice in which Esperanzas own closest interests are bound up. Gradually those secrets are revealed, and with them the truth of who Esperanza really is, enmeshing her in a complicated web of intrigue, deceit, and murder that culminates in betrayal by those she trusted most. A sequel to the widely praised The Meaning of Night, The Glass of Time is a page-turning period mystery and a gripping novel about identity, obsession and secrets.

This comprehensive and original study is the first to explain in detail how the Good Friday Agreement ran into trouble, why we are still some way from a final settlement, but why a return to war is most unlikely--even in an age where global terror now threatens world order more seriously than at any time in the past. This new edition of an established, authoritative text will be essential reading for students, researchers and academics of Irish politics, conflict and peace studies, and international relations.

You've probably heard of Leonardo da Vinci...He is dead famous for: - painting the most famous picture in the world - designing the first-ever flying machine - being THE all-round fabulous Renaissance Man. But have you heard that Leonardo: - spent ten years making a seven-metre tall horse - thought pink was the coolest colour for clothes - loved to play practical jokes? Yes, even though he's dead, Leonardo's still full of surprises. Now you can get the inside story with Leonardo's lost notebook, flick through the pages of the Milan Messenger and discover dozens of the dazzling inventions the great man dreamed up in his amazing super-brain. Dead Funny - Dead Gripping - Dead Famous

“Entirely wonderful . . . chock-full of revenge, romance, duplicity, concealed identities and murder most frequent.”—Washington Post "In the autumn of 1876, nineteen-year-old orphan Esperanza Gorst arrives at the great country house of Evenwood in Northamptonshire. There she will serve as the new lady's maid to the former Emily Carteret, now Lady Tansor. But Esperanza is no ordinary servant. She has been sent by her guardian, the mysterious Madame de l'Orme, to uncover the secrets that her new mistress has sought to conceal - and to set right a past injustice in which her own life is intertwined. Unable to escape the reverberations of past misdeeds, Lady Tansor finds herself desperate to keep Esperanza from learning dark, dangerous truths." As well as a page-turning period mystery, The Glass of Time is a beautifully written and vividly imagined study of seduction, betrayal, and friendship between two powerful women bound together by the past.

You've probably heard of Elvis... He is dead famous for: ...being the King of Rock 'n' Roll ...having trouble fitting into his spangly white jumpsuits ...causing a riot with a wiggle of his pelvis. But have you heard that Elvis ...escaped from tornadoes by hidiing in a cave ...flew halfway across America for 22 giant sandwiches ...had a tooth stuck in his lung? Yes, even though he's dead, Elvis is still full of surprises. Now you can get the inside story with Elvis's lost diary, peek in the pages of 'The Hillbilly Herald', and check out our exclusive guide to Elvis impersonating.

Short, enticing tales of mystery and detection were part of the Victorian readers' staple diet. The detective story celebrated the human ability to explain and comprehend. In this entertaining anthology, Michael Cox has assembled a wide-ranging selection of 31 stories from authors such as J.S. Le Fanu, Charles Dickens, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Mrs Henry Wood, Wilkie Collins, M.P. Shiel, Baroness Orczy, Sax Rohmer, Robert Barr, and, inevitably, Arthur Conan Doyle. There are police detectives, gentlemen amateurs, lady detectives, professional consulting detectives, even an 'anti-detective' (who devises a crime for himself to solve) and a psychic detective. The villains against whom they pit their wits are equally various, as are their crimes - from fraud and forgery to theft, abduction, and of course, murder most foul, whether by poison, bullet, or blade.

A collection of forty-two stories, written betwen 1829 and 1968, by such authors as Walter Scott, M.R. James, Bram Stoker, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, and T.H. White

First cave-dwellers hid their mammoth doodles in dark, damp caves. Next - you name it, they painted it - from luscious landscapes and mouldy meat to diabolical dream-sequences. Now anything can be art - building bricks, half a cow, even a bin full of rubbish! In this imaginative guide, you'll meet rich artists, poor artists, dead artists and artists who really made an exhibition of themselves. Find out about some forgers and fraudsters who brushed with the law, palette loads of ancient artefacts, and how to create your own priceless masterpiece. 'Plus' are you the owner of an artistic temperament. If you want to know, get The Knowledge!

First there were a load of boffins who got excited about thier network of nodes. Then along came one boffin who decided to make his net into a web. Now over 600 million users log on to the Incredible Indernet and Wondrous World Wide Web every day. Yes, this cyberspace safari tells you all you need to know about the people and inventions that made it all happen. From Internet toilets to gorilla online chat sessions, you'll also discover stes and bytes along the way you didn't even know existed. PLUS find out if you're a nerd, webaholic or a newbie in our cybertrivia challenge. If you want to be in the know, get The Knowledge!

Tutankhamun is given the Horribly Famous treatment. Here you'll find the whole story of King Tut's life and death, plus his awesome afterlife. It's an exciting story of treasure and tombs, grave robbers and gold.

Shivering spectres and screaming skulls galore in the ten best ghost stories ... ever! Including The Body Snatchers, which finds Dr Fettes on a midnight trip to the graveyard; Night Mail, which takes place on board a phantom stagecoach; and Turn of the Screw - a spine-chilling tale of children with some very ghoulish 'friends'.

Presenting a mind-blowing line-up of musical talent! Superstar Rock n' Roll legends Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard! Cool classical megastars Mozart, Beethoven, Pavarotti! Mega pop legends The Beatles, The Sex Pistols, Oasis! AND many more special guests... Tune in to all sorts of COOL musical happenings, from the birth of the blues to the AMAZING invention of a sound recording machine. Get into the groove with MIND-BOGGLING musical instruments, and read about a tragedy that sparked the biggest MUSICAL EXPLOSION ever. PLUS how to become and overnight pop sensation! If you want to be in the know, get The Knowledge!

As a young boy, Edward Glyver always believed he was destined for greatness. A chance discovery convinces him that he was right: greatness does await him, along with immense wealth and influence. Overwhelmed by his discovery, he will stop at nothing to win back a prize that he knows is rightfully his. Glyver's path to reclaim his prize leads him from the depths of Victorian London, with its foggy streets, brothels, and opium dens, to Evenwood, one of England's most beautiful and enchanting country houses, and finally to a consuming love for the beautiful but enigmatic Emily Carteret. His is a story of betrayal and treachery, of death and delusion, of ruthless obsession and ambition. And at every turn, driving Glyver irresistibly onward, is his deadly rival: the poet-criminal Phoebus Rainsford Daunt. The Meaning of Night is an enthralling novel that will captivate readers right up to its final thrilling revelation.

Presents the ten best Viking Legends. This title lets readers find out about Thor's missing hammer, Fenrir the out-of-control giant wolf, how the Vikings thought the world would end, and more. It features cartoons and fact sections, including a gallery of the gods, and ten Norse monsters to avoid.

Ever found yourself overtaking on an S-bend and suddenly lost your grip? With Action-Seeker Handbooks you can learn how to handle the most extreme situations, face up to the most demanding challenges, and become utterly ace at all manner of adrenaline-pumping activities: hurtle round hair-raising hairpins, scream down stomach-churning straights and make a stunning seven-second pit stop (without wetting yourself once). So if you're addicted to adventure, eager for excitement and totally 'up for it' (whatever the challenge), then take your courage in both hands and get ready for action Warning Reading This Book Can Make Normal Life Seem Unbearably Boring.

"This fascinating digest lists over 15,000 significant works of English literature by publication date, placing them firmly in their cultural context. The greats sit alongside the trival, the inspirational, and the unusual, all equally worthy of remembrance." --Back cover.

Engaging with the natural environment through rights and responsibilities is central to this work. Michael Cox presents a nuanced theory of environmental property rights, challenging simplistic views and highlighting the complexity of diverse arrangements globally. The book explores how these concepts can inform our interactions with the environment, advocating for a deeper understanding of our roles and obligations toward nature.

Born Together reviews many questions like these with examples from history. With accessible language and illustrations, this book is ideally written for those interested in popular science and psychology.

Michael Cox outlines the ways in which five American Presidents from Clinton to Biden have addressed their predecessors' legacies while dealing with an empire under increasing stress. He sets out a critical framework for US foreign policy, the US's relationship with its enemies and rivals, and whether it is now in long term decline.

Incorporating both formal details and welcoming elements, a sophisticated and balanced look tailored to a sense of home, as shown through the portfolio of Foley & Cox Foley & Cox is a New York-based interior design firm renowned for serene spaces subtly layered with color and texture that create a sense of welcome and comfort. Taking creative cues directly from their clients–their perceptions, preferences, and passions–the firm creates serene interiors infused with personal style. This elegant book presents 24 homes, ranging from elegant prewar apartments in Manhattan to retreats in the Hamptons and summer places along the coast of New England and in Europe, and even to a private jet and a yacht that cruises the Mediterranean. What unites these spaces is an overall balance and elegance, infused with luxurious fabrics in subtle tonal variations and a judicious use of highlight color, often in the artwork and accessories. Founder Michael Cox is a master at creating settings for art collections and selecting distinctive vintage pieces that add a sophisticated touch to the rooms.

This series is packed full of the lies that grown-ups tell, debunking all those cherished 'facts' grown-ups believe, such as camels carrying water in their humps, goldfish have a three-second memory, pirates were made to walk the plank

A redline from a laser gunsight cuts through the darkness, targeting the wall beside him. A muffled sound like a dry cough precedes a bullet thudding into the wall above. As he slides forward under the bed, the tension escalates. In this gripping spy narrative, set during a fictional mole hunt in the mid-eighties, the protagonist faces constant peril. This dashing spy embodies the complexities of twentieth-century fiction, mirroring the evolving landscape of global politics. The anthology presents a rich collection of twenty-nine tales that encapsulate the essence of espionage, featuring renowned authors such as Ambrose Bierce, W. Somerset Maugham, Frank O'Connor, Ian Fleming, Len Deighton, Graham Greene, and Edward D. Hoch. These stories depict spies in various lights—sometimes as heroic saviors of national secrets, other times as disillusioned loners grappling with uncertainty. The narratives range from traditional thrillers to deeper explorations of the moral, political, and psychological dilemmas inherent in espionage. Accompanied by Michael Cox's insightful introduction, this compilation offers an engaging literary journey into a world filled with intrigue and deception.

Primeiro, foi a tanga de pele de mamute distraído.Depois, começou toda a confusão: saias e saiotes, togas e mantos, calças e calções, espartilhos e armaduras, sapatos e sandálias, barretes e toucas... e a moda tinha sido criada. Este guia vai ensinar-te tudo sobre as modas e os seus criadores, sobre os adornos e peças que fizeram história, sobre as técnicas para realçar as belezas individuais, enfim, sobre tudo o que não é um apenas um sobretudo, mas, sobretudo, sobre outras peças de roupa!!E mais, vais descobrir como fazer a tua própria colecção de moda e como organizar uma passagem de modelos... Se quiseres perceber de trapos então Modas d'Arrasar é o livro feito para ti... onde irás descobrir roupa verdadeiramente chocante.

Der Fußball, heißt es, schreibt die unglaublichsten Geschichten. Höchste Zeit also für eine unglaublich gute Geschichte des Fußballs. Michael Cox erzählt sie ab dem Jahr 1992, als die Änderung der Rückpassregel und die Einführung der Champions League den Sport veränderten und einen weiteren Professionalisierungsschub auslösten. Cox zeichnet nach, wie die großen europäischen Fußballländer mit ihren Clubs und Nationalmannschaften jeweils eine Zeit lang dominierten, bis die Konkurrenz ihren Erfolgscode knackte und die Evolution weiter vorantrieb. José Mourinhos abgezockte Abwehrmaschinen, Pep Guardiolas Kurzpass-Tiki-Taka, das Gegenpressing und Umschaltspiel von Jürgen Klopp – Cox porträtiert die prägenden Figuren dieser knapp drei Jahrzehnte und erklärt ihre taktischen Neuerungen. Und er erinnert an legendäre Spiele, etwa an den Moment, als der portugiesische Nationaltorwart Ricardo im EM-Viertelfinale 2004 plötzlich seine Handschuhe auszog, den letzten Elfmeter der Engländer hielt und den entscheidenden selbst verwandelte.

Na początku lat 90. angielski futbol był fizyczny i oparty na agresji, z dominującym ustawieniem 4-4-2. Wraz z powstaniem Premier League w 1992 roku, nastąpiła radykalna zmiana. Michael Cox prowadzi nas przez 25 lat taktycznego postępu w angielskiej lidze, wskazując rewolucjonistów wśród menedżerów i piłkarzy, którzy odmieniły futbol. Od Manchesteru United Fergusona, Arsenalu Wengera, Chelsea Mourinho, po Leicester Ranieriego i Manchester City Guardioli – książka ukazuje ewolucję stylu gry i wpływ wielkich gwiazd, takich jak Cantona, Zola, Ronaldo, czy Kane. To sentymentalna i porywająca opowieść, obowiązkowa dla fanów Premier League, która ukazuje, jak indywidualności i taktyczny geniusz mogą zmieniać oblicze gry. Autor zręcznie łączy historie i bohaterów, co sprawia, że lektura jest pasjonująca. Książka nie jest tylko o taktyce, ale także o kulturze Premier League, która stała się wizytówką współczesnej Wielkiej Brytanii. Cox ukazuje rozwój taktyczny, wpływ obcokrajowców i złożoność ewolucji stylu gry, od 4-4-2 do 3-4-3, w sposób przystępny także dla tych, którzy nie są fanami analiz. To fascynująca historia, która przyciągnie szeroką rzeszę czytelników.

Najprv obyvatelia jaskýň ukrývali svoje čmáranice mamutov v tmavých a vlhkých jaskyniach. Potom sa už maľovalo všetko od výmyslu sveta – od sladulinkých krajiniek a plesnivého mäsa až po pekelné snové výjavy. Dnes môže byť umením čokoľvek – tehly, polovička kravy, ba dokonca aj kôš plný odpadkov! Táto obludná príručka vás zoznámi s umelcami bohatými, chudobnými, mŕtvymi, ba i takými, ktorí vystavovali samých seba. Načerpajte teda vedomosti o falzifikátoroch a podvodníkoch, ktorí to všetkým poriadne natreli, o celej palete majstrovských diel a o tom, ako vytvoriť vlastné, bezcenné umelecké dielo.

Leonardo da Vinci nejenže namaloval Monu Lisu a navrhl první létající stroj, ale také deset let tesal sedmimetrovou sochu koňe, miloval růžovou barvu a rád vyváděl ostatní aprílem. Přestože zemřel už před několika staletími, stále nás něčím překvapuje. Proto vítejte v Itálii 15. století a poznejte supermozek tohoto obdivudného génia.

Možná si myslíte, že piráty se stávali jen ti nejhorší vyvrhelové společnosti a uprchlí zločinci, ale nenechte se mýlit! Věděli jste například, že na přepadávání obchodních lodí se nepřímo podílela i anglická královna? A co řeknete na to, že pirátské řemeslo provozovaly i ženy? Knížka Piráti a jejich karibská dobrodružství vám bez příkras podá brutální fakty o tom, jak to tehdy chodilo v mořích poblíž Ameriky, nově objevovaného světa. Můžete si v ní přečíst skutečné příběhy doplněné dlouho ztracenými lodními deníky, dozvědět se strašlivou pravdu o skutečném pirátském životě a seznámit se s největšími a nejstrašnějšími bukanýry, kteří se kdy plavili po vlnách oceánů! Dějiny nikdy nebyly tak děsivé!

O čem se vám učitelé neodvažují říct. První domy byly splácané z hlíny… Takže je spláchl první déšť, který přišel. Potom se architekti zbláznili… Vybudovali chrám tak, aby se nakláněl, postavili doprostřed města železnou věž a vyprojektovali kancelářskou budovu ve tvaru auta. V dnešní době se představivosti nekladou vůbec žádné meze a už zítra možná někdo přijde s tím, že staví nejvyšší budovu na světě. O tom všem je tato knížka. Dozvíte se z ní například, kde byste museli platit daň za to, že máte okno, proč měla jistá žena dveře v noze nebo který člověk má doma 257 záchodů. Přečtěte si také o praštěných stavitelích starověku i novověku, seznamte se s podvodníkem, který si přivydělal tím, že prodal londýnský Big Ben, a s architektem, který zabloudil ve své vlastní budově, nebo navštivte palác plný zrcadel. A když budete chtít, můžete si s námi zkusit navrhnout svůj vlastní mrakodrap. Umění nikdy nebylo tak děsivé!

Přečtěte si knihu nabitou šílenými fakty, úžasnými údaji a napínavými příběhy, které jinde nenajdete! Dozvíte se z ní například, proč kdysi zavírali děti do klecí, kolik času v životě strávíte líbáním nebo jak se jednou jednadvacet lidí utopilo v sirupu.