The classic football memoir, now available as an ebook ‘An absolute magical player. I loved him’ Sir Bobby Charlton ‘A god to those of us who aspired to play the game’ Brian Clough ‘The man who taught us the way football should be played’ Pelé Sir Stanley Matthews was the most popular footballer of his era and the game’s first global superstar. He was the first footballer to be knighted, the first European Footballer of the Year (aged 41), and he played in the top division until he was 50. His performance in the ‘Matthews final’ of 1953, when he inspired Blackpool to victory over Bolton, is widely considered the finest in FA Cup history. Here, in his own words, and showcasing his unique humour, is a sporting gentleman who epitomised a generation of legendary players: Sir Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse, Billy Wright and many more. The Way It Was: My Autobiography is filled with characters, camaraderie, drama and insight, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how football, and society, have changed over the last century. It is a fascinating memoir of a great footballer, and the remarkable story of an extraordinary life. Praise for The Way it Was ‘A ticket to a different era, when the game wasn't saturated with money and men like Sir Stanley upheld sporting ideals’ The Times ‘There is a heartfelt, elegiac quality [to] The Way It Was... it is only a pity he is not here to see it published’ Independent ‘Brings vividly to life some of the greatest games of the time and features his perceptive analysis of the characters who illuminated the age’ Independent ‘A gracefully crafted autobiography filled with entertaining anecdotes reflecting an age when the game was uncorrupted by greed’ Birmingham Post ‘A fascinating and amusing insight into the inner workings of football during its golden era’ Daily Telegraph ‘It is impossible to imagine any of today’s football stars ever producing a memoir half so interesting’ Mail on Sunday

Patrick Sanchez's wickedly funny debut novel, GIRLFRIENDS, shimmied off the shelves and brought him an instant legion of fans. Now, in THE WAY IT IS, he introduces three thirty-something roommates with insatiable appetites for life, love, and anything deep-fried in this delicious, delirious celebration of women whose hearts are as big as their hips. . . When The Chips Are Down, These Girls Bring The Dip Livin' large has never gotten Ruby Waters what she wants in life. Overweight and addicted to every fad diet on the planet, Ruby's sure that the only thing that stands between her and the good life are those extra pounds she can't seem to shed. But when a girl's stuck caring for an annoying ex-husband, an impossibly critical mother, and the world's most psychotic, incontinent Chihuahua, her best friend is a dozen doughnuts and a can of whipped topping. She'll starve herself tomorrow, and soon, she just might have the courage to go after what she really wants. . .the hunky coworker with the bod of steel. . . Fat is where it's at, honey. That's plus-sized model Wanda Johnson's motto. The larger-than-life African-American goddess may top the scales, but there are plenty of men begging for her phone number. The only thing standing between Wanda and fashion fame is another model who wants what Wanda has and would do anything--that's anything--to get it. . . Simone Reyes, D.C.'s most famous Latina, certainly goes after what she wants--and it's usually ripped with muscles and under thirty. As the city's sexiest anchorwoman, the glamorous, svelte Simone doesn't have time to mess with commitment. She's too focused on making it all the way to the top. . .while protecting a secret that could blow the lid off her whole fraudulent life. . . In the nation's capitol, where the drinks are cold and so is the competition, these three roomies are joining forces, battling their way through a maze of Chubby Chaser web sites, scam diet centers, outrageous fantasies, romantic entanglements, power shopping, and plus-size fashion shows. . .because when life throws you a few curves, it's best to show them off! Patrick Sanchez is a native Washingtonian, having grown up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and has been a professional writer for several years. He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia. He is also the author of Girlfriends, and is currently working on his next novel.

She came to the throne in 1952 when Britain had a far-flung empire, sweets were rationed, mums stayed home and kids played on bombsites. Seventy years on, everything has changed utterly - except the Queen herself, ageing far more gracefully than the fractious nation over which she so lightly presides. How did we get from there to here in a single reign? To cancel culture, anti-vaxxers and Twitter feeds? Matthew Engel tells the story - starting with the years from Churchill to Thatcher - with his own light touch and a wealth of fascinating, forgotten, often funny detail.

Are we tired of hearing that fall is a season, sick of being offered fries and told about the latest movie? Yeah. Have we noticed the sly interpolation of Americanisms into our everyday speech? You betcha. And are we outraged? Hell, yes. But do we do anything? Too much hassle. Until now. In That's The Way It Crumbles Matthew Engel presents a call to arms against the linguistic impoverishment that happens when one language dominates another. With dismay and wry amusement, he traces the American invasion of our language from the early days of the New World, via the influence of Edison, the dance hall and the talkies, right up to the Apple and Microsoft-dominated present day, and explores the fate of other languages trying to fend off linguistic takeover bids. It is not the Americans' fault, more the result of their talent for innovation and our own indifference. He explains how America's cultural supremacy affects British gestures, celebrations and way of life, and how every paragraph and conversation includes words the British no longer even think of as Americanisms. Part battle cry, part love song, part elegy, this book celebrates the strange, the banal, the precious and the endangered parts of our uncommon common language.

This memoir is the account of the life of the author’s spanning seven decades lived on three continents: The Middle East, Europe and the United States. What sets this memoir apart from so many others is the breadth of its cultural dimensions and the depth of its psychological insights. Many memoirs are written by celebrities or those by pervasive traumas in their lives have a voyeuristic quality. However, there is very little in these lives with which people can identify. The author’s memoir is highly distinctive, but the issues he focuses on have many features that are common with other people’s lives, such as the role of chance and the reconstruction of past events in the light of the present. These issues are presented in a way that readers can learn and benefit from it. This book is the account of a fascinating life that is not only interesting to read but instructive by placing the various stages and facets of life in their historical and cultural contexts such as the history and culture of the Middle East, which are important but not well known.

From cooking coon and possum to recalling the heyday of Melrose Plantation, these are the heartwarming stories of Hilton Head, Bluffton and Daufuskie before, as the Gullahs might say, it all change up. In this second volume of personal memories collected by Hilton Head journalist Fran Heyward Marscher, area old-timers tell of the adventures, the industry and the heart of the Lowcountry itself. Before the golf courses and resorts, the residents of Beaufort and Jasper Counties often scraped to make a living, but they left behind stories of enduring devotion and perseverance. Keeping lighthouses on the coast, developing a method for catching crabs with only sticks and hunting quail in Hilton Head are only a few of the tales preserved by local old-timers from the early days of the twentieth century to the times of economic transition after World War II. In ice cream and butter beans, picking oysters and exploring the beach, these memories of the Lowcountry will last for generations.

The popular blogger and New York Times bestselling author of Yarn Harlot puts her humorous spin on everyday life, parenting, and, well, pants. The Amazing Thing About the Way It Goes takes on the amazing in the ordinary in this side-splitting series of short commentaries. Pearl-McPhee turns her trademark wit and perspective to everything from creative discipline to a way you would never think about fixing your email situation. This book looks at everyday problems—and honestly won't do much to solve them—but at least you’ll be laughing. Praise for Yarn Harlot “A sort of David Sedaris-like take on knitting—laugh-out-loud funny most of the time and poignantly reflective when it’s not cracking you up.” —Library Journal “Pearl-McPhee turns both typical and unique knitting experiences into very funny and articulate prose.” —Meg Swansen, Schoolhouse Press “I laughed until my stitches fell helplessly from my needles!”—Lucy Neatby, author of Cool Socks Warm Feet

The Way It Was and Other Writings is an autobiographical recollection of life and the evolution of the Puerto Rican community in New York City and its major figures and organizations. The book documents the strength, spirit of survival and solidarity, and life experiences that ColÑn shared with many other working-class migrants and politically radical communities.

"One of the most innovative monographs in recent Pacific Islands studies." --Reviews in Anthropology

'Aynhoe Village Life, The Way it Was- Then - Before and Beyond' is a social commentry on village life in a small Northants village. This book covers the background history of the village, villagers, with stories from family members, local characters, and herself. Then; is from 1940 to 1948, the war years, and afterwards as seen through the eyes of a child. Before; is from 1880 to 1940 with many humerous village stories. Beyond; is from 1949 to 1956 with a heartbreaking move to Oxford, and the many visits back to Aynhoe. While living in Oxford, the author and her siblings had the unique experience of being an unofficial part of a rehab hospital for the war headinjured. These men were their playmates and partners in all manners of fun. This is the first of at least three books. The others will cover nursing at the Horton Hospital in Banbury, when care to the local people really mattered. The last, about life and nursing in America from 1965, until 2005 when the author returned to her homeland.