An authoritative chronicle of the history and evolution of skateboard design from 1950 to the present day From its starting point as a simple wooden plank to the high-tech models of today, the skateboard has undergone a dramatic evolution. Skateboard explores the golden eras of skateboarding through over 100 boards that brought about turning points in the sport’s history. Across six thematic chapters, organized chronologically by decade, the book focuses on the materials, designs, and events that have defined the art, sport, and culture of skateboarding. Developed in close collaboration with Converse – a brand engrained in skateboarding culture since its inception – Skateboard is packed with information and insights about the people and events that have shaped the sport, with more than 300 illustrations spanning newly studio-shot and historical images that fully capture the skateboard’s technical, makeup and structural development across time. Each board featured in the book – from the 1963 Skee-Skate to the 1989 Mike Vallely pro model – is photographed to scale, allowing the reader to gauge the board’s individual flair and size in relation to its counterparts, and accompanied by engaging text from author, designer, and former skater Jonathan Olivares. Pro models of iconic skaters such as Laura Thornhill, Ray ‘Bones’ Rodriquez, Tony Hawk, Natas Kaupas, and Mike Vallely are also brought to life in a selection of archival action shots. Skateboard features an introduction by Paul 'Professor' Schmitt and an epilogue by legendary pro skaters Lance Mountain and Tommy Guerrero.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 240

Dimensions: 206 x 270 mm

Publication Date: 28-02-2024

There seems to be a natural connection between walking and poetry. For William Wordsworth, the regular rhythm of walking was a stimulus to writing, and he said that “nine-tenths of my verses have been poured out in the open air.” This beautiful mini-anthology contains William Wordsworth’s heart-stopping ‘Old Man Travelling’ alongside contemporary poems that capture the delights of a walk with a dear friend and of walking in solitude. There’s a poem about setting off through city streets to find a river and a heron, and another featuring a surprising encounter on the top of Helvellyn. One by one then as a whole, these poems remind us that being on foot is one of the best ways of experiencing the world: “Sole self I bedded down close as I could To listen: lapping, birdlife homing, settling …” from ‘Lake’ by David Constantine. Sasha Dugdale is an award-winning poet and translator – and a keen walker. Poems by Matthew Clegg, David Constantine, Sasha Dugdale, Choman Hardi, Karen McCarthy Woolf, Stephanie Norgate, MR Peacocke, Stephen Watts, William Wordsworth and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 20

Dimensions: 137 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 01-12-2018

There’s something at once elemental and child-like about moving through water – whether we paddle like a dog or can manage an elegant crawl. These delightful poems explore the many joys of swimming in pools, rivers and oceans. We travel all the way from a child learning to swim at home on a piano stool to a swimmer in a public baths which become suddenly splendid: “the pool spread like a sunken ballroom, marbled with the winter sun and here, the deep end’s edge where I hang breathless,” from ‘What I Think About When I’m Swimming’ by Hannah Lowe. Swimming is a pleasure and a privilege, and these poems remind us that when we take to the water it is not just our bodies that are changed. Poems by Vievee Francis, Paul Henry, Ranjit Hoskote, Hannah Lowe, Nicholas Murray, Katrina Naomi, Jay Parini, Katherine Pierpoint, Stevie Smith and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 20

Dimensions: 137 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 01-06-2023

Nowadays, running is a serious business and we’re all busy recording our PBs on complicated watches. These poems remind us that there’s still plenty of fun to be had – whether navigating a forest trail before breakfast or lying in bed coming up with reasons not to go out at all. There’s the familiar sight of a runner skirting shoppers in a busy street, leaving behind a trail of bemusement: “Was that Paul? Was that Sue? unsure whether the flickering figures half seen from behind might have been the friends they knew, or thought they knew.” from ‘Runners in Town’ by Jenny King. The abiding spirit of the selection is that running remains the most democratic of sports – and that the main thing really is the taking part, be it in a 5K or a marathon or simply a trot around a local forest. Poems by Helen Allison, Carole Bromley, Wanda Coleman, Mark Granier, Stephen Keeler, Jenny King, Glyn Maxwell, Eugene Ethelbert Miller, Mandy Sutter and David Wagoner.

Bind: paperback

Dimensions: 137 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 01-08-2022

Over the years, a lot of people (mostly men, let it be said) have asked for poems about cricket. So it is with great pleasure, and a bit of a drum-roll, that we present Ten Poems about Cricket selected and introduced by John Lucas, who knows a thing or two about both. In his Introduction, John Lucas writes: “Ten poems about cricket? Given the number of good poets who have written about the game, to choose a mere ten is mission impossible.” Although it may indeed be “mission impossible”, he has nonetheless chosen ten superb poems to whet the appetite, including one that he describes as “quite possibly the best poem about cricket ever written”. The poems capture the game and its history, the excitement of the moment and the hinterland of reminiscence, eulogy and elegy. “…the bowler six times looped a slow ball like a deeply considered question, and six times the batsman in his plum cap leaned very attentively and returned an answer.” from ‘Near Greenford, 1951’ by Brian Jones. Poems by John Arlott, Adrian Buckner, Joan Downar, Philip Hodgins, Brian Jones, John Lucas, Matt Merritt, Hubert Moore, Norman Nicholson and Kit Wright.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 24

Dimensions: 137 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 01-06-2016

This second edition of our much-loved mini-anthology of bicycle poems is a real treat. Invigorated by some delightful new poems, the selection takes us along the highways and byways of cycling lore, from a freewheeling nun relishing the exhilaration of being on a bike on a hot summer’s day to the young man cycling in his brand new soldier’s uniform at the start of World War One. In a captivating poem about young love, a girl is waiting to meet a boy whose bicycle seems to encapsulate his glamour: “He rides A bicycle that glitters like The wind.” from ‘Girl, Boy, Flower, Bicycle’ by MK Joseph. Poignant, humorous and unexpected by turn, these poems will delight anyone who loves cycling – as well as those who just like to remember those carefree days when falling off didn’t seem to matter. Poems by Connie Bensley, James Roderick Burns, Jonathan Davidson, Michael Donaghy, Jonathan Edwards, Jacqueline Gabbitas, MK Joseph, Derek Mahon, Paul McLoughlin, Helena Nelson.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 20

Dimensions: 137 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 01-12-2009

BRAIN-TEASING PUZZLES, GAMES AND TRIVIA FOR RUGBY FANS Test your rugby knowledge with this exciting collection of puzzles and trivia Discover wordsearches, riddles, crosswords, spot-the-differences and much more in this fun-filled activity book for rugby lovers. Whether you're trying to match the pairs of rugby shirts or locating world-famous stadiums, this book is guaranteed to be a favourite for all who enjoy the game. Rugby fans love a bit of trivia, and this entertaining puzzle book is filled with all kinds of interesting facts, games and activities to whet your quizzing appetite. Put your knowledge to the test and wow your friends with your expertise. Hone your puzzling skills by pitting your wits against challenges such as: - Locating all the items of a rugby kit hidden in a wordsearch - Unscrambling the names of iconic international players - Spotting the differences between two scenes of a crunching tackle - Guessing which year Italy last won a game in the Six Nations, and other fascinating trivia

Bind: paperback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 125 x 175 mm

Publication Date: 10-10-2023

BRAIN-TEASING PUZZLES, GAMES AND TRIVIA FOR FOOTBALL FANS Test your football knowledge with this exciting collection of puzzles and trivia Discover word searches, riddles, crosswords, spot-the-differences and much more in this fun-filled activity book for football lovers. Whether you're diving through a maze to make an incredible save or trying to match the pairs of football boots, this book is guaranteed to be a favourite for all who enjoy the game. Football fans love a bit of trivia, and this entertaining puzzle book is filled with all kinds of exciting facts, games and activities to whet your quizzing appetite. Put your knowledge to the test and wow your friends with your expertise. Hone your puzzling skills by pitting your wits against challenges such as: - Helping the ball find the goal in a puzzling maze - Locating the names of European clubs hidden in a word search - Unscrambling the names of iconic international players - Spotting the differences between two scenes as a crowd of fans celebrates a winning goal

Bind: paperback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 125 x 175 mm

Publication Date: 10-10-2023

BRAIN-TEASING PUZZLES, GAMES AND TRIVIA FOR GOLF FANS Test your golf knowledge with this exciting collection of puzzles and trivia Discover word searches, riddles, crosswords, spot-the-differences and much more in this fun-filled activity book for golf lovers. Whether you're trying to match the pairs of golf clubs or helping putt the ball through the maze, this book is guaranteed to be a favourite for all who enjoy the game. Golf fans love a bit of trivia, and this entertaining puzzle book is filled with all kinds of interesting facts, games and activities to whet your quizzing appetite. Put your knowledge to the test and wow your friends with your expertise. Hone your puzzling skills by pitting your wits against challenges such as: - Locating the names of famous golfers hidden in a word search - Unscrambling the names of things you can find on the golf course - Spotting the differences between two scenes of a golfer hitting a tee shot - Guessing when the four major tournaments were first held, and other fascinating trivia

Bind: paperback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 125 x 175 mm

Publication Date: 10-10-2023

BRAIN-TEASING PUZZLES, GAMES AND TRIVIA FOR CRICKET FANS Test your cricket knowledge with this exciting collection of puzzles and trivia Discover wordsearches, riddles, crosswords, spot-the-differences and much more in this fun-filled activity book for cricket lovers. Whether you're trying to match the pairs of batting gloves or discovering the longest and shortest test matches ever, this book is guaranteed to be a favourite for all who enjoy the game. Cricket fans love a bit of trivia, and this entertaining puzzle book is filled with all kinds of interesting facts, games and activities to whet your quizzing appetite. Put your knowledge to the test and wow your friends with your expertise. - Hone your puzzling skills by pitting your wits against challenges such as: - Locating the various batting strokes hidden in a wordsearch - Unscrambling the names of iconic international players - Spotting the differences between two scenes as a ball smashes into middle stump - Guessing who was the first player to reach 10,000 runs in test cricket, and other fascinating trivia

Bind: paperback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 125 x 175 mm

Publication Date: 10-10-2023