We have always been fascinated by spies - people who live secret and dangerous lives in the shadows. In this book, you will read about how spying has developed over the centuries - from simple codes and double agents, to hi-tech modern spies using technology to steal and sell information. If you are interested in how Queen Elizabeth's spymaster found out that there was a plan to kill her and take over the country; or how Mata Hari, a glamorous and beautiful spy, used her charm and intelligence to steal secrets in World War One; or how Edward Snowden managed to obtain documents that the...

The events of a single day can change the course of history, for better or worse. These are the days that should never be forgotten. In this book, you will read stories that recount historic events from the perspective of those who were there, like the bandleader who played on as the Titanic sank; and Howard Carter, the man who discovered the tomb of the Boy King, Tutankhamun. Experience the horror and heroism of D-Day through the eyes of a young soldier; and relive the assassination of President John F Kennedy on that fateful day in Dallas in 1963. Read about the division of Berlin and the...

Man, with his superior intelligence, believes that he controls nature, but sometimes, when man least expects it... the beast bites back. In these horrific stories, you will find out how far a man will go to protect his home from man-eating hogs, and what happens when killer wasps and the military mix. You will learn the true nature of fear when you read what starving wolves will do to satisfy their desperate hunger, and what happens when a giant anaconda gets loose on the Beijing Subway. You will go back in time to witness the bloody battle to the death between a Neanderthal and a cave bear....

It could be a moment of inspiration, or a lifetime of work. It could be the drive to succeed, or the need to save lives. The need to innovate is what keeps the world turning. The spirit of the pioneer moves us forward through the ages. In this collection of short stories about great Pioneers, you will read about William Morton, the brave dentist who perfected anesthesia by practicing on himself; and Marie Curie, who dedicated her entire life to the advance of scientific knowledge. You will also learn about Frederick Douglass, who went from being a slave to advising Abraham Lincoln; and Ada...

It has always been man's dream to fly. In this book we meet the brave pioneers of the skies who have made that dream come true. John Damian, The Flying Priest, was one of the first men to attempt to fly when he jumped off a Scottish castle in 1506. The Wright Brothers achieved what many before them had failed to do, and became the first men to fly an airplane in 1903. The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, was a daredevil pilot who ruled the skies over Germany and France in World War One. Charles Lindbergh was a fearless aviator who became the first man to fly across the Atlantic Ocean....

What happens when we die? Are there really spirits walking among us? Haunting us and helping us? The six short stories in Against the Night will make you think and make you wonder. From the terror of The Mechanical Turk and the evil Mr. Clean, to the mystery of Messages and The Floating Girl, and the horror of Gone and Sixteen Years, once you start reading this book, you won't be able to stop until the last page. And after that, you'll check the cupboards and under your bed... to make sure you really are alone in the night. Against the Night is published by Hippo Books, a publisher dedicated...

The World is a weird and wonderful place. It's full of people and places that are curious and bizarre. In the six strange stories in this collection, you will meet A Boy Called Pig and Magic Grandpa. You will also read about Operation Maverick, set in a park where children play at being adults. In Memory Loss Club, a romantic husband tries to win back the heart of his wife, even if she can't remember who he is; and in The Green Jewel, a young woman discovers that she has mysterious powers. A Boy Called Pig is published by Hippo Books, a publisher dedicated to producing interesting, readable...

Some stories are so unbelievable that they just have to be true. In this book you'll meet some truly amazing animals and read about their remarkable lives. In this book, you'll meet dolphins that act like soldiers; a monkey that thinks it's a stockbroker; an eagle that refuses to stay locked up in his cage; and a giant tortoise that is the only one of his species left on the planet. You will also learn how the teddy bear got its name and read about how an American woman travelled through the mountains of China in order to bring the first panda back to the United States. If you love to read...

Explorers is a collection of stories about men and women who were willing to risk their lives for the thing they truly loved... adventure. Read about the thrilling adventures of Marco Polo as he grew from a boy to a man on his travels along the Silk Road. Join James Cook on his captivating journey through the Pacific in search of the Great Southern Continent - a place many doubted even existed. Be amazed by the bravery of Robert Scott as he and his team battle freezing conditions in an attempt to reach the South Pole. Marvel at the courage and ingenuity of Lewis and Clark as they travel...

What is going on in the building? Strange things have been happening in the eight story apartment block lately - the lift decides who it takes up and down; the heating and lights go on and off whenever they want; and doorways grow larger and smaller. The caretaker seems to know what is happening and why, but will she tell anyone? Set in an ice cold winter in the capital of Mongolia, Eight Stories follows some of the inhabitants of the block as they try to solve the mystery of why they are being helped and punished... but will the building let them? 8 Stories is published by Hippo Books, a...