Books in the “Michael O'Mara” bookshelf created by Michael O'Mara Books

Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales and heir apparent for more than seventy years, became King on 8 September 2022. On 6 May 2023, the world watched as he was crowned at Westminster Abbey in an historic ceremony full of ritual and pageantry.Wise Words From King Charles III looks at the personality behind the pomp. Though more guarded than his famously outspoken father, Charles is not averse to sparking controversy with his views on subjects close to his heart. During his years as king-in-waiting, there has been plenty of time for his interests and personality to develop. Passionate about the environment and natural world, he was a conservationist, speaking out about climate change before it became the norm to do so. ‘I don’t want my grandchildren or yours to come along and say to me, “Why the hell didn’t you do something; you knew what the problem was.”’A skilled horticulturalist, he embraced his eccentric image and relished his reputation for talking to plants, ‘Only the other day I was inquiring of an entire bed of old-fashioned roses, forced to listen to my ramblings on the meaning of the universe as I sat cross-legged in the lotus position in front of them.’He is also a keen sportsman and music lover, interested in the arts and architecture. His views on modern buildings have prompted some of his most colourful comments. He called the proposed extension to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square ‘a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend’ and compared London’s evolving skyline to ‘an absurdist picnic table’ … ‘We already have a giant gherkin, now it looks as if we are going to have an enormous salt cellar.’If he hadn’t been destined to rule, he may have liked to be a comedian. ‘I love imitating and mimicking… I enjoy making people laugh if I can.’ He acknowledges, ‘So much of what one does requires acting ability in one way or another and it’s extremely useful if you enjoy it.’Taking on a new role at an age when most people would be retiring, King Charles brings a lifetime’s knowledge and experience to the job. This book focuses on the wisdom the monarch has acquired during his long apprenticeship, told through the wise — and sometimes not so wise — words of the man himself.

Using real-life case studies this important book from a leading youth justice expert uncovers the shocking failures in our legal system that are impacting on the lives of so many of our young people.No new parent expects their offspring’s childhood to be tainted by arrest or conviction. That only happens to other people’s kids, right? Wrong. In this compelling book, written by one of Britain’s top experts in youth justice, Aika Stephenson reveals the extraordinary cases she deals with daily. From the obviously vulnerable to the A-grade student from a stable upbringing, Just for Kids Law, the campaigning charity co-founded by Stephenson in 2007, has helped thousands of children and young people overcome the difficulties they face.Aika says: ‘Every day in my job is an adventure, a battle for justice, heart-breaking, and a joy. But very few people truly understand the law that dictates the lives of our young people, and I want to share that with the public — both the heart-warming successes and the shocking failures of the system.'From playground mischief to issues with immigration status, from housing to those facing years behind bars for a crime their friend committed, this book lays bare what really goes on behind the scenes, from the police station through to the young offenders’ institution and everything in between. It is an important and revelatory book that confronts the issues that face all young people today.

Andrew Morton is one of the world's best-known biographers and a leading authority on modern celebrity as well as royalty. His ground-breaking 1992 biography revealed the secret world of Diana, Princess of Wales. Written with her full, though then secret, cooperation, the book changed the way the world looked at the British royal family. SinceDiana: Her True Story, he has gone on to write Number 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers on Monica Lewinsky, Madonna, David and Victoria Beckham, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, and, most recently, on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in William and Catherine: Their Lives, Their Wedding. The winner of numerous awards, he divides his time between London, Hollywood and Manhattan.

Daniel Smith is a non-fiction author and editor who has written across a range of subjects, including politics, economics and social history. He was the author of How to Think Like Steve Jobs in 2013. He is also a long-time contributor to The Statesman's Yearbook, the geo-political guide to the world that celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013. He lives in London.

Spend 24 hours with the ancient Chinese. The year is AD 17. The Han dynasty is in power and we are in and around Chang’an, the capital and one of the most developed regions of the empire, which is enjoying a prolonged economic and cultural pinnacle.There are extraordinary palaces, military bases and city walls. Households are benefitting from the invention of numerous agricultural technologies and an unprecedented level of craft production, which includes ceramics, bronzes, iron objects and many other elaborate goods.This is an age that is both vibrant and innovative but also riven with conflict and contradictions. For as successful as the empire is, the reality is that life for the ordinary inhabitants is still about the same problems: earning money, work struggles and family dramas.Discover what one day in ancient China is like by spending twenty-four hours with the people who lived there. Every hour we meet a different person — from dancers to doctors, priests to convicts, textile workers to tomb looters — and build a multi-layered picture of the social fabric of ancient China and this fascinating period in history.

Overcome your fears, phobias and anxieties with this simple, innovative and effective 7-step method.If you’ve struggled to deal with an overwhelming fear, phobia or anxiety — one that may have prevented you from living your life to the full and taken a toll on your mental health — then this is the book for you.Written by Christopher Paul Jones, a leading specialist on phobias, Face Your Fears: 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias & Anxiety is a practical guide to taking control of your mental wellbeing and treating common phobias, including fears of flying, spiders, public speaking and heights, as well as claustrophobia, agoraphobia and anxiety.Christopher’s innovative Integrated Change System, the culmination of more than 20 years of research, offers a series of easy-to-follow, guided exercises that will allow you to uncover the source of your fears and work towards overcoming them. With this proven approach backed by a mix of cutting-edge methods, removing a phobia can be quicker and easier than you think.

Bestselling author Marcus Chown explores some of the most profound and important science about us, our world and beyond by examining some astonishing facts that reveal the vast complexities of the universe.

There is much about our world that seems to make perfect sense, and important scientific breakthroughs have helped us understand ourselves, our planet and our place in the universe in fascinating detail. But our adventures in space, our deepening understanding of the quantum world and huge leaps in technology over the last century have also revealed a universe far stranger than we could ever have imagined.

With brilliant clarity and wit, bestselling author Marcus Chown examines the profound science behind fifty remarkable scientific facts that help explain the vast complexities of our existence. Did you know that you could fit the whole human race in the volume of a sugar cube? Or that the electrical energy in a single mosquito is enough to cause a global mass extinction? Or that, out there in the cosmos, there are an infinite number of copies of you reading an infinite number of copies of this?

Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand is a mind-bending journey through some of the most weird and wonderful facts about our universe, vividly illuminating the hidden truths that govern our everyday lives.

Sir Roger Moore KBE has had an extraordinary career that has spanned seven decades, from early television to the golden age of Hollywood and on to international superstardom. Dashing, handsome and every inch the archetypal English gentleman, he was unforgettable as The Saint, as Lord Brett Sinclair in “The Persuaders” and, of course, as James Bond, making seven blockbusting films as arguably the most debonair of the 007s.

Calling all men — have you started buying your jeans for comfort rather than style? Do you prefer to watch the football in your favourite armchair rather than at the pub? Have you recently found yourself enjoying Gardeners' Question time or thinking about joining the National Trust? STOP! It's official. You are turning into your dad. This hilarious book is packed full of stories, advice, amusing quotes and more, designed to help men of all ages spot those unthinkable, yet inevitable signs that you are, in fact, becoming like your dad. An ideal book for those men who are old before their time, and those who are just getting on a bit, it will either have them embracing their inner dad or running in the opposite direction.

Experience a remarkable year among the real people of ancient Greece, as they prepare for the most important event in their calendar.It is 248 BC, the year of the 133rd Olympic Games. At this time the Hellenistic world is at its peak, with Greek settlements spread across the Middle East, Egypt and Spain. As ever, the world is politically troubled, with Rome locked in a war with Carthage and a major conflict brewing between Egypt and Syria. However, ordinary people are still preoccupied with the crops, household affairs — and in some cases, with winning an Olympic crown.Starting at the autumn equinox, in this imagined account of a year in the life of eight fascinating characters, Philip Matyszak reveals what life was really like at this time. Rather than focusing on the kings and generals from the histories of Thucydides and Polybius, we are invited into the homes of ordinary Greek citizens. From the diplomat who is using the Games as a cover to engage in political skulduggery to the sprinter who dreams of glory, A Year in the Life of Ancient Greece takes us through a dramatic twelve months to reveal the opportunities and the perils of everyday life during this period.

Life Lessons from Literature is a must for all bibliophiles, providing a concise and highly accessible bucket list of must-read books that teaches us so many fundamental truths and broadens our minds.‘I read a book one day and my whole life was changed’… So confesses the narrator of Orhan Pamuk’s novel The New Life. But what can we learn from reading books? Life Lessons from Literature poses this broad question by examining the works of some of the greatest writers in history.In it, we can draw wisdom from Charles Dickens’ views on poverty and wealth; seek comfort from ideas about love from Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Yet books are about much more than just romance and money. Through careful examination of over one hundred classic works of world literature, life lessons are also drawn from themes such as conflict and oppression, identity and psychology, showing how literature enriches and informs our understanding of ourselves and the wider world around us.From Brazil to Japan, the Americas to Africa; from Victor Hugo to Mark Twain and Chinua Achebe to Haruki Murakami, you will find literature from around the world in this gem of a book, in which the plots may differ but the themes and the lessons they have to teach us are entirely universal.

Gods, Heroes and Monsters retells the ancient stories from around the world, which have been passed down by generation after generation of storytellers, each bringing a clearer understanding of life’s biggest questions.Since the dawn of communication, humankind has looked around itself and used myths and legends to make sense of the world. Imaginative tales of goddesses, heroes, villains and beasts bring understanding to the biggest questions in life: Who made the world? What happens when we die? Where did we come from? How should we live our lives?Gods, Heroes and Monsters invites you to take your place at the campfire that’s been glowing since the first tale was told. Featuring myths and legends from around the world, discover the fascinating variety — and several surprising similarities — of the stories that have been shared for millennia, from one person to another, one lesson at a time.Discover ancient stories on love, death, monsters and spirits and listen to tales of love, revenge and war between the pantheon of gods. Hear the tales of ordinary men and women who have stepped up and overcome life-threatening challenges, from Mulan to Hercules.

The internet is everywhere. But how did it start? How has it changed? And what will it look like in the future?No development in human history has changed the world as radically, or as quickly, as the advent of the internet. There’s almost no aspect of 21st-century life that it hasn’t shaped or fundamentally altered, for better or for worse. But the history of the internet is longer than you might think. Its foundations stretch as far back as the 1960s, decades before it would become an accessible and inescapable part of everyday life.In this new entry in the bestselling Bite-Sized Chunks series, author and journalist Chris Stokel-Walker traces the internet from its (relatively) humble beginnings to the ubiquitous force that exists today, from email and dial-up to social media and the metaverse.Breaking down complex concepts around how the world wide web works, how it has changed over time, and the effects it has had on the world as we know it, as well as explaining key terminology and spotlighting important figures, The History of the Internet in Byte-Sized Chunks explains everything you need to know about this era-defining technology in short, easy-to-digest chapters.

As millions of viewers across the globe thrill to the assembly room exploits of the Bridgerton family and wait with bated breath for Lady Whistledown’s latest despatch from Almack’s, scandal has never been so delicious. In a world where appearances were everything and gossip was currency, everyone had their price.From a divorce case that hinged on a public demonstration of masturbation to the irresistible exploits of the New Female Coterie, via the Prince Regent’s dropped drawers and Lady Hamilton’s diaphanous unmentionables, The Real Bridgerton pulls back the sheets on the eighteenth century’s most outrageous scandals. Within these pages Lord Byron meets his match, the richest commoner in England falls for a swindler with a heart of stone, and forbidden love between half-siblings leaves a wife and her children reeling.Behind the headlines and the breathless whispers in Regency ballrooms were real people living real lives in a tumultuous, unforgiving era. The fall from the very pinnacle of society to the gutter could be as quick as it was brutal. If you thought that Bridgerton was as shocking as the Georgians got, it’s time to think again.

Humans are the dominant species on the planet. But how did we get here? Human Origins takes the reader on a fascinating 7-million-year journey from our earliest primordial ape-like roots through to the present day.For almost a hundred years, scientists have been trying to decipher the secrets of humanity’s evolution. At first, they relied on rare pieces of ancient skulls and bone fragments. But every year, they make new discoveries, uncover new fossils and develop new techniques to tease apart the story of our evolution. So far, from skeletons to teeth, humanity has found more than 6,000 hominin individuals. These individuals span several species, all of which tell the tale of human evolution: how our brains changed over time, what we ate, how we lived. Including the latest scientific findings, Human Origins will also look at some of the biggest questions that remain: What makes humans unique? Where did the Neanderthals go? And are humans still evolving?

Featuring wonderful affirmations and wisdom from brilliant women from all over the world, this funny and wise book will strike a chord with many women. It is a true celebration of the benefits that come with age.True wisdom comes with age, the saying goes. Of course it does — and this book proves it.Older, Wiser, Fiercer is a celebration of something that only women in their later decades know: how glorious, satisfying and FUN getting older can be. We’ve travelled a way down the path of life and we have picked up much experience along the way. Whatever it is, we’ve been there, rolled our eyes and moved on. We know who we are and we’ve realized that we like ourselves, for all our faults (hell, because of all our faults!).Full of funny affirmations, tongue-in-cheek mantras and sage advice from trailblazing older women, from film stars to musicians, writers to politicians, this book will make you laugh out loud and nod in recognition. You’ll find reflections such as:‘Never let anyone waste your time twice.’‘If it involves fake smiling, then I’m not going.’‘Tact means the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the journey.’‘It’s OK if someone doesn’t like you. Many people have terrible taste.’The young can keep their collagen and their self-doubt. Being older, wiser and fiercer is where it’s at.

Looking at defining moments in Winston Churchill’s life and revealing his key principles, philosophies and decisions, this book will teach you how to think just like Churchill.Remembered for his leadership during the Second World War, Churchill’s commitment to 'never surrender', as well as his stirring speeches and radio broadcasts, helped inspire British resistance to the Nazi threat when Britain stood alone against an occupied Europe. As well as a hugely successful politician, Churchill was an officer in the British Army, a journalist, historian and a writer, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. As one of the few voices warning about Nazi Germany in the 1930s, he returned to government to play his part in defeating Nazism, becoming one of the defining figures of the twentieth century. Studying how and why he accomplished what he did, how he overcame personal and professional adversity and stood strong in the face of overwhelming odds, with quotes and passages by and about the great man, you too can learn to think like Churchill.

Our increasing reliance on digital technology has had a profound impact on our own abilities as humans. What can we do about it?In a fascinating journey through history and science, Human Being offers an insightful and provocative survey of twelve vital skills we used to call upon as a species — from navigation, conversation and memory to craft, solitude and sleep — and how we can work to reclaim them.As rapidly advancing technology embeds itself ever deeper within our lives, we rely less and less on our own capabilities. The impact on our skills and self-reliance has been immense, and, because the transition has happened so swiftly and quietly, none of us have been taught how to address the effects of our ever-increasing dependence on algorithms and artificial intelligence.Based on years of research by author Graham Lee, a digital skills educator with experience training tens of thousands of professionals, each chapter in Human Being highlights an example of when these key capabilities were at their peak, demonstrates how in a vanishingly short space of time we have embraced ways to undermine them, and provides clear, achievable guidance on how we can reverse these losses and regain our essential, human qualities.At once a celebration of human history and a timely call to action, Human Being empowers readers to build better habits around — and away from — technology, and reminds us just how extraordinary human achievement can be.

Chloe Rhodes is a freelance writer, blogger and author and a regular contributor to various magazines and journals. Chloe has written several books on a wide variety of subjects including food and drink, history and philosophy and family relationships. Her previous works for Michael O'Mara Books include A Certain Je Ne Sais Quoi: Words We Pinched From Other Languages, One For Sorrow . . . : A Book of Old-Fashioned Lore and Black Cats and Evil Eyes.

Discover how Zendaya conquered the worlds of film, TV and fashion to become the face of a generation. This is her life story, as never told before. Zendaya is a phenomenon. Beginning as a precocious child star on the Disney Channel, she has since graduated to adult roles in some of the biggest movies of the last five years, including The Greatest Showman, Dune and Marvel’s Spider-Man trilogy. In television, she is the star of Euphoria, which has become the second most-watched HBO show of all time after Game of Thrones — in large part thanks to her presence. Today she is, according to some industry analysts, «the most popular actor in the world».In this riveting and in-depth biography from the publishers of Harry, Adele and Billie Eilish, journalist and author Alison James explores every aspect of Zendaya’s life and career to date. Featuring a stunning, full-colour photographic plate section and spanning everything from her early forays into music, to her sensational ascent in the fashion world and her high-profile personal life — including her relationship with Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland — this is the most complete portrait yet of one of the world’s hottest stars.