Non-Fiction books

Our Mothers of Invention

Plato famously wrote, “our need will be the real creator,” which over time became the well-known proverb’ necessity is the mother of invention’. This proverb has rung true since the dawn of humankind. At some point in our history, we made our living through hunting and gathering. The man was the hunter, the woman was the gatherer, and gathering, not hunting, was the primary survival activity for our ancestors. And so, the women developed tools and the technology they needed to acquire, prepare and store food. At first, they used sticks and flints to dig out roots. They later invented the mortar and pestle, a rudimentary mill for grinding grains and seeds, proving the old proverb true. Necessity birthed invention.

As our needs evolved, the trend continued, and so has our appetite for things that make our lives more comfortable, more prolonged, convenient, enjoyable, efficient, richer, and fulfilling. Women have been at the heart of historical invention. In this book, you will meet some of history’s wonder women – women who did the impossible, sometimes with little to work with and a lot of challenges to overcome…

‘”This is a very interesting book indeed, with 16 inspiring and innovative true stories of women who helped to change the world we live in. It would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift and also be an inspiring read for young people”.

P&CD

R.D

Posted on Goodreads and Librarything

Reviewed in the United States

‘”Required reading for feminists passionate about innovation, technology and science”.

G.S

Posted on Librarything reviews

Reviewed in the United States

‘”Short, but totally interesting. Madam Curie is the only woman I had heard of. So many women were robbed the credit they deserved. Now, finally recognition”.

I.P.U

Posted on Amazon

Reviewed in the United States

Escaping The Other Side of Midnight

Climate change is happening now and 2030 is around the corner. Can we make it on time? We have well-understood tipping points that should we cross, will mean irreversible effects to our planet and we are hurtling towards them at frightening speed. Time is running out on our climate clock, a few minutes to midnight before these tipping points are reached.

We missed the starting gun in this race to avert global disaster, and over the last few decades have procrastinated, but we’ve made some progress. The question is can we truly escape what lies ahead for us after the climate clock strikes midnight?

This book is a simple explanation of what is climate change, how did we get here? What will happen if left unchecked? And what can we do to escape the other side of midnight?

“Was really great. Read it over two days. I liked the simplicity yet the complex nature of the topic. We humans can overcome!”

Caroline

“There’s only one thing I grade non fiction on. Does it teach? This does. At its core, this book is an ammo-can, it may not appeal to a group outside an eco box, but it excels at arming those in that group for some family debates”

N.H

libarything reviewer

Reviewed in the United States

“A very galvanising and approachable book on the subject. I am very glad to have read it and feel much more aware of the issues and challenges facing us now; explained things well and not blinded the reader by science as so many climate change arguments seem to do. “The final sections of the book are so hopeful and exciting for the possibility that we can overcome the barriers to real global change”.

S.N- J Editor

libarything reviewer

Reviewed in Spain

Making It Out Alive

When you are going through hell…….don’t stop, keep going!

Read the harrowing true tales of those who made it out alive. When beating the almost impossible odds of staying alive after disaster has struck and finding your way home needs pushing through the pain barrier physically and mentally because dying is not an option.

What can you do after an air crash and you survive only to find yourself lost in a jungle or adrift at sea or alternately, in snow covered mountains? What desperate measures do you take when lost in the ocean for endless days or trapped on a mountain when freezing cold or conversely, the punishing heat of the desert?

Here are fifteen accounts of true survival but how? These people have lived to tell the tale of defying death and choosing life in the ultimate decision that the human spirt can face. Everything in life is a decision………….what would yours be?

All That Glitters

What would you do if you won millions of dollars on the lottery?

Most people have a shopping list in their heads and dream of what they would do if they won big. Most people also believe that all their financial challenges would dissolve and that as a consequence of winning they would lead happier lives with financial security assured.

Indeed many people who have won major lottery prizes do. But this book is not about those people. This book is about those who have won major lotteries and lost it all again ending up worse than they were before their win. A true examination of the darker side of lottery wins.

Can you imagine winning a net $27 million after tax only to find yourself living in squalor and broke less than five years later? Or after banking $12 million from a lottery win being broke and delivering coal for $12 an hour three years later?

There are seventeen true stories, about how and why ordinary everyday people who won the lottery lost it all and more. Reckless spending, ruined relationships, kidnap, murder, suicide and theft are elements amongst these true stories with direct quotes and references from those involved.

Be careful of what you wish for, because all that glitters is not always gold.

Walking on Divided Paths

Walking on divided Paths is a story about a young man born into the complex cultural society of Swaziland (South Africa). He describes his journey in life between two cultures, that of his Swazi father and mixed-blood mother. The intertwining of these different cultures and lifestyles led him to explore his heritage and struggles in seeking to understand interracial acceptance within the Swazi and wider African community.

He further describes how the Emaswati culture deals with marriage, death, and family values. The story will take you through the passage in life of physical, emotional, spiritual abuse, and forgiveness. The setting of the story happens in both Swaziland and neighbouring South Africa.

He finally received peace through forgiving his perpetrators and moving forward walking on his divided paths. (Life journey)

The burning question

Most of us are probably aware of the sayings “Better late than never”, “A picture is worth a thousand words” or “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. What about “The pen is mightier than the sword”, “The best of both worlds” and “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. All familiar phrases or quotes, but who originally said them and why?

Which famous author once said “I am spending a year dead for tax reasons” and who was the actress who said “How many husbands have I had? apart from my own you mean?” These are just some of the quotes featured in this book with the answers.

Impress your friends, colleagues or even strangers by reciting these quotes in conversation, with the knowledge of who said them and or enjoy a quote trivia night with friends using this book. Each question is multiple choice so, a perfect dinner party activity! Whatever the reason, have fun expanding your quote knowledge.