Alison Matthews David Books

From insidious murder weapons to blaze-igniting crinolines, clothing has been the cause of death, disease and madness throughout history, by accident and design. Clothing is designed to protect, shield and comfort us, yet lurking amongst seemingly innocuous garments we find hats laced with mercury, frocks laden with arsenic and literally 'drop-dead gorgeous' gowns. Fabulously gory and gruesome, Fashion Victims takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the lethal history of women's, men's and children's dress, in myth and reality. Drawing upon surviving fashion objects and numerous visual and textual sources, encompassing louse-ridden military uniforms, accounts of the fiery deaths of Oscar Wilde's half-sisters and dancer Isadora Duncan's accidental strangulation by entangled scarf; the book explores how garments have tormented those who made and wore them, and harmed animals and the environment in the process. Vividly chronicling evidence from Greek mythology to the present day, Matthews David puts everyday apparel under the microscope and unpicks the dark side of fashion. Fashion Victims is lavishly illustrated with over 125 images and is a remarkable resource for everyone from scholars and students to fashion enthusiasts.

The Second 100 Chinese Characters adopts a structural approach that helps students to learn, recognize and write the second 100 most common Chinese characters.

An accessibly-written survey of the origins and growth of the discipline of medievalism studies.

When Hare spots a lady painting him in the fields, he can't wait to see her sketchbook. Everyone is fascinated to see themselves on the pages, but can they paint a picture that's just as good? Since their first publication in 1929, the Little Grey Rabbit stories have captured the hearts of many and become children's classics. Beautifully told by Alison Uttley and brought to life by Margaret Tempest's charming illustrations, these stories enchant children and adults alike. For over 80 years, generations of children have grow n up reading the adventures of Little Grey Rabbit, Squirrel, Hare and all their animal friends.

Living alone in his single bedsit in Marylebone, young Daniel Felton is a young man in trouble.

This book is an easy to understand guide to diabetes aimed at all those living with diabetes. It includes a short history of the condition, causes, symptoms, possible complications, management (both of diabetes and the associated risk factors), psychological factors and what care to expect.

Benjamin Britten was one of the outstanding British composers of 20th century. He shot to international fame with his operas, performed by his own English Opera Group, and a series of extraordinary instrumental works. His music won a central place in the repertoire and affection of successive generations of listeners. This title tells his story.

Voices of the Windrush Generation is a powerful collection of stories from the men, women and children of the Windrush generation - West Indians who emigrated to Britain between 1948 and 1971 in response to labour shortages, and in search of a better life. Edited by journalist and bestselling author David Matthews, this book paints a vivid portrait of what it meant for those who left the Caribbean for Britain during the early days of mass migration. Through his own, and many other stories, Matthews why and how so many people came to Britain after World War II, their hopes and dreams, the communities they formed and the difficulties they faced being separated from family and friends while integrating into an often hostile society. We hear how lives were transformed, and what became of the generations that followed, taking the reader right up to the present day, and the impact of the current Windrush deportation scandal upon everyday people. At once a nostalgic treasure trove of human interest, which unearths the real stories behind the headlines, and a celebration of black British culture, Voices of the Windrush Generation is an absorbing and important book that gives a platform to voices that need to be heard.

Getting your child engaged with reading will increase their confidence, encourage language development and improve their life chances. This book is filled with expert advice about how to turn reading in your home from yet another chore into a fun experience that will bring parent and child closer together.