Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize and the Baillie Gifford 'Winner of Winners' award in 2023

How did Shakespeare go from being a talented poet and playwright to become one of the greatest writers who ever lived? In this one exhilarating year we follow what he reads and writes, what he saw and who he worked with as he invests in the new Globe theatre and creates four of his most famous plays - Henry V, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, and, most remarkably, Hamlet.

This book brings the news, intrigue and flavour of the times together with wonderful detail about how Shakespeare worked as an actor, businessman and playwright, to create an exceptionally immediate and gripping account of an inspiring moment in history.

‘A brilliant study, which carefully unpacks a single year in Shakespeare's life ... The audacious focus on just one year pays off magnificently.’ Sunday Times

‘A far richer, more intimate portrait of our greatest author than you're likely to find in any cradle-to-grave biography.’ Daily Mail

‘Gripping and illuminating.’ Telegraph

‘A fascinating and entirely believable portrait of a talented workaholic ... Shapiro's informed enthusiasm and energetic prose is addictive.' Guardian

Agatha Christie is the undisputed Queen of Crime; her popularity has remained undiminished since her death 50 years ago. Granted unprecedented access to the Christie Archive, and drawing on the perspectives, experiences and knowledge of a cast of characters from stage, screen and theatre production, writers of crime fiction and Christie experts, this book presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to delve into the author’s life and work.

From the houses in which she lived to her friends and family, her work in a dispensary in the First World War to her travels in the Middle East, and from real-life events to famous literary icons, the book and the exhibition it accompanies will provide an eclectic tour of Christie’s influences to reveal what inspired her and how she, in turn, inspired a literary movement.

Comprehensively illustrated throughout, the book will include images of first editions of the novels, original notebooks, scripts, and letters to publishers and agents; family photographs, and personal objects such as her typewriter, passports and travel itineraries. Notable contributors include Lucy Foley, Kate Mosse, G T Karber, John Curran, Zoe Wannamaker, Brian Fenty and Caroline Crampton.

Immerse yourself in the stories behind the most shocking and infamous books ever published!

Censorship of one form or another has existed almost as long as the written word, while definitions of what is deemed "acceptable" in published works have shifted over the centuries, and from culture to culture.

Banned Books explores why some of the world's most important literary classics and seminal non-fiction titles were once deemed too controversial for the public to read - whether for challenging racial or sexual norms, satirizing public figures, or simply being deemed unfit for young readers. From the banning of All Quiet on the Western Front and the repeated suppression of On the Origin of the Species, to the uproar provoked by Lady Chatterley's Lover, entries offer a fascinating chronological account of censorship and the astonishing role that some banned books have played in changing history.

Packed with eye-opening insights into the history of the written word and the political and social climate during the period of suppression or censorship, this is a must-read for anyone interested in literature; creative writing; politics; history or law.

Delve into this compelling collection of the world's most controversial books to discover:

- Covers a broad range of genres and subject areas in fiction and non-fiction, ranging from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to Spycatcher
- Offers informative insights into society, politics, law, and religious belief, in different countries around the world
- Features images of first editions and specially commissioned illustrations of the books' authors
- Includes extracts from the banned books along with key quotations about them
- Completely global in scope

A must-have volume for avid readers and literary scholars alike, alongside those with an interest in the law, politics and censorship, Banned Books profiles a selection of the most infamous, intriguing and controversial books ever written, whilst offering a unique perspective on the history of the written world - with insights into the often surprising reasons books have been banned throughout history and across the world.

Whether as a gift or self-purchase, this brilliant book is a must-have addition to the library of curious thinkers, borrowers and lifelong learners. If you enjoy Banned Books, then why not try Great Loves - the first title in DK's quirky new hardback series, full of insightful and intriguing topics.