For thirty-some years, Lyle has made a life for his family working as an accountant. But when he retires, his Irish-born wife, Mary, wants to leave America and go home -- where the ocean is near and the butter has flavor. Somewhat grudgingly, Lyle agrees, but during their years in Galway, they discover that the surprises of life are not over. Going home is more complicated than butter and the bay, and thirty content years does not mean that a couple is immune to romantic intrigue. In this new life, while Mary and Lyle are rediscovering each other and building a richer life together, an unexpected event forces Lyle to decide where his home truly is. Told in "quiet stories with emotions like old stepping-stones that have sunk beneath the surface" (Christian Science Monitor), Beth Lordan's evocative and heartfelt novel explores the complex emotional terrain of mature marital relationships.

William Woodruff had the sort of childhood satirised in the famous Monty Python Yorkshireman sketch. The son of a weaver, he was born on a pallet of straw at the back of the mill and two days later his mother was back at work. Life was extrememly tough for the family in 1920's Blackburn -- a treat was sheep's head or cow heel soup -- and got worse when his father lost his job when the cotton industry started its terminal decline. Woodruff had to find his childhood fun in the little free time he had available between his delivery job and school, but he never writes self-pityingly, leaving the reader to shed the tears on his behalf. At ten his mother takes him on his one and only holiday -- to Blackpool. He never wonders where they get the money to do so, only where she disappears to with strange men in the afternoons, before taking him to the funfair, pockets jingling an hour or two later. NAB END is certainly not all grime and gloom however, there's a cast of great minor characters from an unfrocked vicar to William's indomitable grandmother Bridget who lend some colour and humour -- and all against the strongly rendered social backdrop of the 1920s and 1930s.

Ireland's beautiful landscapes and rich histories have long moved great writers and poets to capture their glory. Ranging from timeless prose to lyrical poetry, from incisive wit to thoughtful social commentary, these stirring volumes collect the most inspiring praise for our beloved countries.

The Reverend G.K. Booth, 1912-2000Sheltering behind a dramatic alter ego, with mock locations and a cast of barely disguised real-life characters, the author gives a candid portrayal of his own strutting, fretting hour on life's stage. Lonely child, Oxford scholar, war-time deacon, public school housemaster and college lecturer were the conventional roles he played but jealous passion and unorthodox behind-the-scenes goings-on enliven his inimitable relationships and provoke ruthless self-examination. Telegrammatic prose, infuriating conceit, unbowdlerised sex and radical faith characterise this unusual work, but, ultimately, what holds the scenes together is his determination to make sense of the whole cosmic production and, in particular, his own earthly parts in it.

Branches is a series of short stories tracing the activities of three families as they take part in historic events in Scotland, Ireland and America in the period 1600-1800. Members of MacLean, Fisher and McKeen families are involved in the Siege of Londonderry (Ireland 1688), The Battle of Culloden (Scotland 1746), and engagements of Highland Regiments in America during the French-Indian War and the Revolutionary War (1757-1783). Stories of emigration to New England and Nova Scotia in the 1700s involve starvation, cannibalism, and piracy on various sea passages, as well as the rigors of establishing homes in a new land.

‘an engrossing narrative, beautifully controlled by a master storyteller' Michael McKernan, Sydney Morning Herald The bestselling, acclaimed, authoritative account of one of the most famous battles in Australian military history – now established as a classic. For Australians, Kokoda is the iconic battle of World War II, yet few people know just what happened – and just what our troops achieved. In his bestselling book, Peter FitzSimons tells the Kokoda story in his distinctive gripping style. Conditions on the track were hellish – rain was constant, the terrain close to inhospitable, food and ammunition supplies were practically non-existent and the men constantly battled malaria and dysentery, as well as the Japanese. Kokoda was a defining battle for Australia – a small force of young, ill-equipped Australians engaged a highly experienced and hitherto unstoppable Japanese force on a narrow, precarious jungle track – and defeated them.

He was chosen meekly to die an inner death but had one gift hidden in his meek voice, the gift of editing to starkness the quest that had entombed his captured soul. Now the world can hear this childs plea as he brings to life the Holy Grail Quest. Born into a culture of sexual ignorance and denial, he is unable to realize his deepest dreams due to inexplicable fears and a deep sense of shame. His life however is held together by a sense of the divine experience, born from a love of singing. He is driven to succeed and travels through 36 countries over 21 years. Eventually realizing he is a captive prisoner he turns for help to a little know African plant. He then watches in horror as his soul releases itself and begins a journey of reclamation. We see through the authors naked self the underlying factors which give rise to modern Ireland as he struggles and ultimately succeeds to free himself from their chains - the Irish psyche and its history are laid bare. This, the first of three books, paves the way for an eclectic look at spirituality in the modern world in the context of African Spirituality, Western History and the banished Child within and offers a powerfully effective old way adapted to the 21st century to heal the hurt and pain that lies in all of us.