"'AN ABSOLUTE JOY' – VASSOS ALEXANDER
‘We’re not at parkrun any more,’ I mutter to myself, quietly longing for the presence of nice marshals in high-visibility vests.
Failure is an Option is the story of an average runner who sets out to discover just how far he can go. With the support (and misgivings) of his family, and aware that his quickest years are behind him, Matt Whyman leaves the Saturday morning 5K to push towards 100-mile ultramarathons and beyond. By slowing things down to run a very long way, he joins a growing number of men and women from all walks of life striving to do something extraordinary.
A newcomer to a world that can often seem off-limits, Matt finds his feet as an ultrarunner by learning the hard way. He battles monster hallucinations on endurance races spanning day and night, loses himself on tantalising trails across landscapes far from home, and forges bonds with fellow competitors in which small, kind gestures mean more than any medal. Determined to touch the boundaries of his running world before it starts to shrink, ultimately Matt sets his sights on a six-day mountain ultra that even hardened veterans consider to be the most formidable on earth: the Dragon’s Back Race.
Brimming with good humour, honesty and joy, Failure is an Option pits ambition against ability to uncover human truths that resonate with us all. A mid-pack competitor who could win prizes for enthusiasm – if nothing else – Matt takes us on a journey far beyond his comfort zone and with no guaranteed outcome of success. The results are entertaining from start to finish, often very funny and at times deeply moving."
"A love letter to the small but mighty dachshund or, as it’s more affectionally known, the Sausage Dog.
This book – almost as adorable as its namesake – proves that sausage dogs are not just sweet, soft and a little bit silly to look at. They can be an example to us all.
Despite having the odds stacked against it, this little pooch can turn any situation to its advantage. It’s the underdog that always comes out on top, displaying remarkable resilience, tenacity and bravery at every turn.
Sausage dogs may be only ankle high, but they will stop at nothing to live life to the fullest, teaching us humans some valuable life lessons along the way. They don’t care that they look more like a wind-up toy than a fierce guard dog, or that their bark is much louder than their bite.
Being more sausage is about breaking free from restraints, overcoming physical and emotional shortcomings, and chewing up the social conventions that conspire to hold us back. This is our chance to unleash that inner dachshund, live long and prosper!"
"We often consider dogs to be our enduring sidekicks but the truth is domestic pigs have played a role in our lives for nearly as long.
Pigs are highly social and smart. They like to play. They’re inventive, crafty and belligerent – and incredibly singleminded.
Ultimately, we have far more in common with these creatures than we like to admit.
Here is a charming ode to one of the most common, yet surprisingly intelligent, animals populating our landscapes. In this gentle and illuminating study, Matt Whyman embarks on a journey to uncover the heart and soul of an animal brimming with more energy, intelligence and playfulness than he could ever have imagined.
In his bid to understand what makes a pig tick, having climbed a steep learning curve as a keeper himself, Whyman meets a veterinary professor and expert in pig emotion, as well as a spirited hill farmer whose world revolves around hogs and sows.
Packed with fascinating research and delightful anecdotes, this entertaining and informative celebration of all things porcine covers everything from evolution, behaviour and communication to friendship, loyalty and broken hearts – uncovering a surprising notion of family along the way."
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