This maritime history recounts dramatic tales of rescue at sea by the brave members of the 200-year-old Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Whenever vessels have foundered off the coasts of Britain, there have been brave individuals willing to give their all to save those in peril. But in 1823, Sir William Hillary decided that this impromptu approach was not enough. He believed that many more lives could be saved by the establishment of a national, organized rescue service. His idea was realized the following year with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. From the days of oar-powered open boats to modern, hi-tech vessels, rescuers have battled storms and unimaginable conditions, risking – and sometimes forfeiting – their own lives in efforts to save others. The most outstanding of these operations led to the awarding of gold medals for gallantry, the RNLI version of the Victoria Cross. Drawn from archives, contemporary newspaper accounts and genealogical records, this book looks not just at the details of the rescues, but into the people behind them.

This is the fictionalised story of the rescue of seamen trapped on a Polish ship off the mouth of the River Tees, Teeside.

The achievements of the RNLI, often romanticised, depend on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This book tells the story of the last 50 years of the lifeboat service through the words and actions of the people involved. In the period since the Second World War, particularly from the mid-1960s, the RNLI has experienced the most rapid changes in its long history. The transition from conventional to fast lifeboats, the introduction of inshore boats and the expansion into beach rescue and sea safety have all dramatically changed the lifeboat service. Ray and Susannah's narrative draws on their personal and extensive inside knowledge plus first hand accounts of the rescues and the decisions that shaped the changing lifeboat service.

All my poems come from the heart – not just about feelings, but a special place in my heart and even a special someone too. All my poems were written in a way that can hopefully spark a happy memory for you, and you will find a poem that reaches out to both you and your loved ones.

This book takes a fresh look at the creation of the Institution, and its early founders and examines how it has responded over 200 years.

The railways were intrinsic to fighting the First World War, whether at home or abroad. On the Western Front and beyond trains ferried men and supplies to and from the front on a staggering scale, ensuring that the war machine functioned without pause. Back in Britain, the railway network shipped millions of tonnes of war material from the factories to the ports, becoming the lifeblood of the war effort. Great War Railwaymen details this incredible achievement, exploring not only the vast infrastructure, but also those who operated it. Despite the importance of the railways, many of those involved in the industry went off to fight in the mud and trenches, on the world's oceans, or in the skies above war torn Europe. Between them, they were awarded 2500 Military medals, 44 Distinguished Conduct Medals, 27 Military Crosses and 6 Victoria Crosses. This is their story. Meticulously researched and lovingly produced, Jeremy Higgins narrates the fascinating stories of over a thousand of these men, vividly capturing their wartime experiences and pressing home the vital importance of the railways, and those that ran them, to the Allied victory in the First World War.

'This is a book about real people, real stories, real heroes. You might not know their faces, and you might not know their names - but once you've met them, you'll never forget them.' Ben Shephard is passionate about people - their lives, their stories and their challenges. Presenting one of the UK's most popular TV breakfast shows, Ben frequently meets people with stories that reaffirm our collective faith in humanity. This is a book about those special stories. It is about the real people Ben has met and their real acts of everyday heroism which inspire and lift us all up, even on the gloomiest days. From the old friend running marathons to raise money for children with heart conditions (and roping Ben in with him), to the man fighting for our right to safe housing, to the founder of an equestrian school that helps trauma survivors; these are stories of ordinary people who have taken it upon themselves to make the world a better place. In a world that can feel increasingly complicated and divisive, Humble Heroes is a rousing tonic to remind us of what we can achieve through determination and positivity - and of the essential goodness of human nature.

Catalyst will transform your approach to networking, making it fun and infinitely more effective. A good business developer, prospector and networker knows how to create a positive connection with the people they meet. They are the catalyst that creates a chemical reaction between strangers, and they know how to convert these opportunities into new business. Louisa Clarke and David Kean have spent their careers catalysing strangers into contacts and converting contacts into clients - and even into friends. They have built successful businesses together using the proven techniques in this book, and they have helped hundreds of companies around the world win billions in new business by applying the same methods. Catalyst is full of illustrative anecdotes, hard-won wisdom and a step-by-step methodology. Whatever industry you work in, if you need more clients to buy your services and you're not sure how to find them, convince them or win them, this is the book for you. Follow this approach and new business will come. You might even make some friends along the way. For many people, networking, prospecting and selling are scary. If the word 'networking' makes you recoil, if the word 'prospecting' conjures up terrifying spectres of endless cold calls, and if you run for the hills at the mention of 'sales', this book will be balm for you. Because, whilst it doesn't make it effortless, it does make it easy. 'Catalyst is a manual for winning business in today's economy, recommended to anyone who wants to grow their client base. Catalyst is brimming with great advice and inspiration' - Annette King, CEO Publicis Groupe UK

A generously illustrated survey of memorials to different kinds of seafarers, recounting the stories behind them.