One summer in TuscanyPatricia Wilson's carefully composed ads for the writers' retreat she runs at her thirteenth century Italian castle promise so much. But while the splendour of their surroundings and chef Aldo's melanzane never fail to wow the guests, huge maintenance bills and bad news from the bank threaten to close Patricia down. It's make or break time for the Castello. Each of her seven aspiring authors arrives with the inevitable baggage alongside their

With artwork from Chris Wormell of 'H is for Hawk' fame

as well as groups of Poles and Jews

not for what you want people to think

the Royal Geographical Society has recognised their achievements by awarding its prestigious gold medals to those who have contributed most to our knowledge of the world

Start with a crash-course in the key skills

Both moral fable and spiritual autobiography

too many of us still favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt

and Charles Dickens' classic ghost story

She was transported to Ravensbrück women's concentration camp as a political prisoner

obsession and dangerous truths

Drawing on an impressive array of primary sources

Lively and thought-provoking