Jim Roberts

Dr Zubeidi is a middle aged, middle class Iraqi who has spent much of his adult life in the UK and who has become totally assimilated in the culture and way of life of Britain. Married to an English woman and with two adult sons, a "chance" meeting with a beautiful Arab woman and his ensuing obsession with her eventually leads to the destruction of his family, job and ultimately his self esteem. In essence the story charts how a "mid-life crisis" driven by complacency and familiarity can provide fertile psychological soil for the seeds of infidelity to become implanted. Once germinated the resulting visceral and passionate affair grows rapidly but tragically is not as vigorous as it first appears and inevitably withers. The final chapter reveals how the events that preceded it may well have been predetermined. Interwoven in the tale of destructive love are subsidiary themes covering medical malpractice and racism with the Iraqi crisis always present in the background.

This book contains a selection of photographs which complement Jim Roberts' previous books on the history of Llandudno. The 280 illustrations featured have, in the main, never before been published, and many of the historic images had rarely seen the light of day before they came into the author's possession in the year 2000, following the publication of his A Century of Llandudno. Throughout the book attempts have been made to highlight significant historical events and relate them to the town as it is now. In this way the reader is confronted by a bygone age, and is encouraged to compare historic views with images of the corresponding modern scene. The photographs show streets and buildings, and we see the town developing and spreading across the Creuddyn by means of early engravings and more recent aerial shots. In addition to the physical environment the book deals with other aspects of the town's 150-year history: social conditions, leisure activities, entertainment, employment, tourism, transport and shopping all receive attention. From the mid-nineteenth century the area between the Ormes underwent rapid and dramatic change, and while many of these developments were reflected all round Britain's coastline, much of what has occurred here is unique to Llandudno and this book attempts to reflect this.

This book by the founding editor and former publisher of ÊBass PlayerÊ magazine not only celebrates the 50-year history of Fender's revolutionary Precision Bass it also ä for the first time ä illuminates the full scope of its profound impact on music and society. Focusing on the bass' artistic influence it details the technical milestones that gave the bass its musical power. This book also describes the impact of the bass in the hands of such visionaries as James Jamerson; cheers the innovations of rockers like Jack Bruce Paul McCartney John Entwistle and Sting; and honors the inspired work of such virtuosos as Jaco Pastorius. Loaded with black & white and 100 stunning color photos.

Snowdonia is one of Britain's foremost National Parks, and over the years has drawn millions of visitors to enjoy its beauty. It combines picturesque scenery with areas of rugged natural splendour. This collection presents a picture of life in and around the Park from the end of the last century to date. It shows the people of Snowdonia, residents as well as tourists, and the characteristic industries in which they worked - sheep farming, metal mining, and quarrying stone and slate - industries that have declined and all but disappeared in an economy now geared to tourism. The awe-inspiring scenery of Snowdonia is depicted, and a special focus given to places associated with myth and folk legend. This is the turf on which King Arthur, Merlin and Owain Glyndwr allegedley walked; more recently, famous climbers including Sir Edmund Hilary have explored the region and the book also includes images of the early years of mountain climbing. Photographs of the Snowdon Mountain Railway and of local narrow gauge railways are not forgotten. Snowdonia contains over 200 photographs, many of which have never been published before. They are accompanied by informative captions by Welsh author Jim Roberts. This book will be of great interest to everyone who have ever visited the area over the years, and it will make a captivating and unusual souvenir.