Michael James

Poetry & Strikes examines shifting representations of strike action in the work of six British poets from the 1970s to the present day. It considers how these poets have come to contend with, and contribute to, narratives surrounding industrial disputes. Through these conversations, the book attempts to question the way in which union narratives and legacies are constructed, and to investigate the power dynamics that underpin the presentation of labour histories. The work of these poets helps us to understand how cultural memories have been formed, and makes it possible to see how these legacies may still be rewritten and reframed.

Prison Reform is a much needed and long overdue concept that's necessary to ensure that the product the Dept. of Corrections releases back into society is better that the one it inherited. The reality is, most prisoners get out. Today, even life doesn't necessarily mean life. It's in everybody's best interest to ensure returning citizens have meaningful opportunities upon release. That work has to be done behind the walls.The DOC is entrusted to operate a three quarters of a billion dollar budget, virtually unchecked. There is zero "real" oversight. The kind of power gone unchecked, corrupts.Massachusetts prisons have seen a reduction in population by half, while a third of it's facilities have been shuttered. The remaining ones are left in disrepair and decay. During that same time, the DOC budget has doubled. At that rate, in five years this budget will exceed a billion dollars.Through sheer downsizing alone, things should have improved. Coincidentally, the only continued improvements we've seen are staff salaries and over- time. With an inmate to staff ratio below 2 to 1, amongst the lowest in the nation, it's apparent where the budget is being prioritized.I'm hoping this book enlightens people as to just how mismanaged the DOC is. A taxpayer funded state agency where such little is divulged to the taxpayer. Transparency and accountability should be given to ensure Public Safety. Success should be gauged by the products you produce and not by the size of employee paychecks.With over two million people incarcerated in the U.S., you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't know somebody who's been involved with the criminal justice system in one way or another. This truly effects us all.

Prison Reform is a much needed and long overdue concept that's necessary to ensure that the product the Dept. of Corrections releases back into society is better that the one it inherited. The reality is, most prisoners get out. Today, even life doesn't necessarily mean life. It's in everybody's best interest to ensure returning citizens have meaningful opportunities upon release. That work has to be done behind the walls.The DOC is entrusted to operate a three quarters of a billion dollar budget, virtually unchecked. There is zero "real" oversight. The kind of power gone unchecked, corrupts.Massachusetts prisons have seen a reduction in population by half, while a third of it's facilities have been shuttered. The remaining ones are left in disrepair and decay. During that same time, the DOC budget has doubled. At that rate, in five years this budget will exceed a billion dollars.Through sheer downsizing alone, things should have improved. Coincidentally, the only continued improvements we've seen are staff salaries and over- time. With an inmate to staff ratio below 2 to 1, amongst the lowest in the nation, it's apparent where the budget is being prioritized.I'm hoping this book enlightens people as to just how mismanaged the DOC is. A taxpayer funded state agency where such little is divulged to the taxpayer. Transparency and accountability should be given to ensure Public Safety. Success should be gauged by the products you produce and not by the size of employee paychecks.With over two million people incarcerated in the U.S., you'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't know somebody who's been involved with the criminal justice system in one way or another. This truly effects us all.

After the success of All Day Baking: Savoury, Not Sweet (as featured on Jamie Oliver's Cookbook Club), Michael and Pippa James return with Sweet Seasons: Wholesome Celebrations For Every Occasion, featuring more than 80 delectable recipes from retro hits to modern marvels. Discover how to embrace the sustainable side of sweets by using seasonal fruits, alternative sugars, wholegrains and other flours. Try fail-safe recipes for traditional favourites such as Hot Cross Buns, Mince Pies, and other festive fare, and nail the classics such as Custard Tart, Sponge Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies and other achievable treats.Sweet Seasons also includes wonderful recipes for perfect pastries and pies, brownies, biscuits and more. You’ll find fabulous Florentines, luscious Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, and creative custards and curds. It’s the only sweet book you’ll need to celebrate every season.

Follow Stork from her own beginnings, with all its trips, slips and falls along the way. Watch her grow through her own self-doubt as she receives kind words and love along the way from some unexpected guests in a spectacular African setting. An educational journey for all reading, helping to instil empathy, kindness, patience, and belief in your own and other’s journeys, while building an appreciation and love of the natural world.

An epic adventure tale – perhaps the most important one known to life. Follow Bobby dog’s journey as he is separated from his family. Deciding to put his sadness aside, he turns his worries and woes into wonder and adventure allowing his curiosity of thought to take him on a journey of discovery. Watch and marvel as one little thought takes him on a big adventure, full to busting with nature’s gifts. Also available as an audiobook narrated by Brian Blessed.

An epic adventure tale – perhaps the most important one known to life. Follow Bobby dog’s journey as he is separated from his family. Deciding to put his sadness aside, he turns his worries and woes into wonder and adventure allowing his curiosity of thought to take him on a journey of discovery. Watch and marvel as one little thought takes him on a big adventure, full to busting with nature’s gifts. Also available as an audiobook narrated by Brian Blessed.

Follow Stork from her own beginnings, with all its trips, slips and falls along the way. Watch her grow through her own self-doubt as she receives kind words and love along the way from some unexpected guests in a spectacular African setting. An educational journey for all reading, helping to instil empathy, kindness, patience, and belief in your own and other’s journeys, while building an appreciation and love of the natural world.

Part two here at last, hold on tight The story so far. After thirty two years in pig farming the decision was made to make the biggest move yet. This was to be his most formidable challenge. Read how he went from the highs of his last four years in the UK, to the frustrating lows of his first six months in Spain, attempting to manage a nine hundred sow unit.It is another roller coaster ride that culminates with the 'career topping', management of an experimental, freedom farrowing pig unit. The 'Holy Grail'.Part two of this two part autobiography will once again stir some memories for some whilst illuminating once more how the way we look after our pigs has improved over the years, particularly in the UK, despite the obstacles put in the way of dedicated farmers and their hard working staff. And maybe any budding new pig farmers might be able to pick up a few tips along the way. But on the lighter side there are a few more 'none piggy' moments that will tickle your giggle glands. Keep an eye out for this author as he toys with the idea of moving onto fiction writing.

Upon retiring in 2022 from a lifelong career as a pig farmer, Michael James decided to turn his hand to writing. It is a unique insight into his life, from leaving home at 17 and starting work as a naive young apprentice, to his retirement at 67. He relates how and why it all started for him. He hopes to show how things have changed over the years. You will chuckle at his mishaps and learn about the intricacies of his lifelong vocation. Written in two parts, it makes for an easy, amusing, and enlightening read.

From the highest majestic snow-capped mountains on Earth, to the deepest fiery depths of its core... ...what on Earth happened to Thump? Come and follow Thump on his journey to find out, and delight in mother nature’s landscapes and treasures of the world along the way.

From the highest majestic snow-capped mountains on Earth, to the deepest fiery depths of its core... ...what on Earth happened to Thump? Come and follow Thump on his journey to find out, and delight in mother nature’s landscapes and treasures of the world along the way.

Poetry & Strikes examines shifting representations of strike action in the work of six British poets from the 1970s to the present day. It considers how these poets have come to contend with, and contribute to, narratives surrounding industrial disputes. Through these conversations, the book attempts to question the way in which union narratives and legacies are constructed, and to investigate the power dynamics that underpin the presentation of labour histories. The work of these poets helps us to understand how cultural memories have been formed, and makes it possible to see how these legacies may still be rewritten and reframed.

Selected for Jamie Oliver's Cookbook ClubFor every two lovers of sweet baked treats, there is at least another who will take the gruyère gougère or the curry pastie every time. All Day Baking: Savoury, Not Sweet is a baking cookbook – at last – for them.All Day Baking: Savoury, Not Sweet delivers 77 comforting, inventive and wholegrain-forward ideas for savoury pies, sausage rolls, pasties and myriad other mostly pastry-based recipes. The book is structured across the arc of a day but the recipes are interchangeable; it also includes ideas for gutsy accompaniments that equip the reader with the tools to transform delicious bakes into nourishing any-time-of-day meals, with a focus on minimising waste, sustainability and seasonability. Author Michael James is a Michelin-restaurant chef by training who was drawn early to the art, precision, and satisfaction of baking. In All Day Baking he turns his attention to the pasties of his British childhood, the pies he creates today for his young family, and the quiches, sausage rolls, palmiers and galettes that have earned him an international cult following. He delivers a master class in pastry – from puff to rye to vegan and gluten-free – gifting readers a foundation knowledge that sets them on a path to their own delicious baking adventures. Throughout there is a nod to Michael and wife Pippa James’ ethos, rooted in sustainability, seasonality and a desire to minimise their waste footprint.

Do you feel your life could be a lot more successful and fun – but it’s not happening? Do your overthinking and intense emotions keep getting in the way of enjoying life? Do you struggle following advice such as “let it go”, “be positive” and “live in the moment”? Do you keep falling back – despite your best efforts – into the same old relationship problems, mood swings and self-esteem issues? This book has a radical message: You don’t need self-improvement to enjoy your life. You don’t need to be better. You are ok just as you are. Step-by-step, this innovative 4-week course teaches you to free yourself from intrusive thoughts and challenging emotions, so you can step out bravely into the world, not caring so much what others think. There are no complicated theories, rituals or practices here, only simple techniques that will enable you to step away from overthinking, self-criticism and fear to live as your already empowered Real Self. Living a good life doesn’t need to be complicated. Amazing things happen when you know how to be yourself and love yourself, shining bright as who you are.