Simon Spence

**With a special foreword by award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director, Stephen Fry** Persephone is the seventh book in the Early Myths collection, a series of children's picture books on Greek myth. Each book covers a character from mythology and brings the tale to life through illustrations and story-telling, with inspiration from ancient art and literature. The books are aimed at 4 to 10 year olds, are beautifully designed and easy to read. Persephone is the daughter of the goddess of nature who grows up in the forests of Greece only to be whisked away by Hades, the love-struck god of the Underworld. Persephone's mother, Demeter, roams across the lands in search of her daughter and a solution must be found. Should Persephone return to her old life or can there be a balance between her role as goddess of nature above and her new responsibilities below? For teachers and parents, we have a notes section at the back, describing how our illustrations have been inspired by ancient Greek vase-painting, sculptures, and early literature. The kids don't need to know this aspect to enjoy the tale, but the grown-ups can learn about how we have taken time and care to construct our book, using the early historical sources, rather than simply repeat a generic version of the myth. Awards for our Early Myths collection: - Perseus: bronze medal winner at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2014- Odysseus: honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2015- Odysseus: finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015- Atalanta: silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: honourable mention at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: finalist at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2016- Herakles: 1st prize for illustrations and 6+ picture book at the Dragonfly Books Awards 2017- Herakles: gold award at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2017- Herakles: silver medalist in the Wishing Shelf Children's Books Awards 2017- Theseus: best illustrations at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: honourable Mention in Picture Books (5 and younger category) at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: silver medalist at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2018

**Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards and honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards** Odysseus is the third book in the Early Myths collection, a series of children's picture books on Greek myth. Each book covers a character from mythology and brings the tale to life through illustrations and story-telling, with inspiration from ancient art and literature. The books are aimed at 4 to 10 year olds, are beautifully designed and easy to read. Our picture book of Odysseus tells one of the greatest stories from Greek mythology. Our hero sails away to take part in a great Trojan War, but his success at the battle is followed by a wandering return as he comes across monsters, nymphs, gods and heroes. Learn about his adventures and his wish to rejoin his beloved family. For teachers and parents, we have a notes section at the back, describing how our illustrations have been inspired by ancient Greek vase-painting, sculptures, and early literature. The kids don't need to know this aspect to enjoy the tale, but the grown-ups can learn about how we have taken time and care to construct our book, using the early historical sources, rather than simply repeat a generic version of the myth. Awards for our Early Myths collection: - Perseus: bronze medal winner at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2014- Odysseus: honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2015- Odysseus: finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015- Atalanta: silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: honourable mention at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: finalist at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2016- Herakles: 1st prize for illustrations and 6+ picture book at the Dragonfly Books Awards 2017- Herakles: gold award at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2017- Herakles: silver medalist in the Wishing Shelf Children's Books Awards 2017- Theseus: best illustrations at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: honourable Mention in Picture Books (5 and younger category) at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: silver medalist at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2018

Steve Marriott, lead singer of the Small Faces and Humble Pie, had a voice coveted by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Roger Daltrey and David Bowie, amongst many others. All or Nothing, Simon Spence's oral history biography, is drawn from over 125 interviews with those who knew Marriott intimately: his wives, children, bandmates and closest friends, managers, record producers, record label bosses and his fellow musicians. Included are scores of people who have never told their story before. From his child star beginnings to his battles with drug addiction and untimely death in a housefire, All or Nothing is a visceral and unflinching account of Steve Marriott's extraordinary and often troubling life. 'There have been several books written about him over the years but not one has got anywhere near the real truth, until this one' Blues in Britain 'A completely and wholly fascinating story... A superb book, featuring excellent glossy photographs... a must buy' HiFi World 'Unflinchingly chronicling the sadness of Marriott's twilight without ever losing sight of the joyous music that made him so special in the first place' Record Collector

The only book to consider Oi! as a distinct genre within punk rock, What Have We Got? is the story of a musical movement that became a national concern in the eighties and still divides opinion today. Drawing on new interviews with Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, Cockney Rejects, Crown Court, Lion’s Law, The Templars and many more, Simon Spence considers the genre’s inception and noble intentions, how it fell into infamy, and where it lies now. With a growing and formidable audience in the US, Europe, Asia, South America and the UK, Oi! is as alive as it has ever been, and without the far-right associations that plagued its past.

Peter Doherty's is the last of the great rock 'n' roll stories - bad boy and public enemy. To his devoted fans, he is a cult hero, a modern-day Rimbaud. Musically, he has defined the past twenty years of indie rock with his sound, lyrics, lifestyle and aesthetic. Since The Libertines rose to international fame, Doherty has proved endlessly fascinating. A whirlwind of controversy and scandal has tailed him ever since the early 2000s, so much so that all too often his talents as a songwriter and performer have been overlooked; for every award and accolade, there is a scathing review. Hard drugs, tiny gigs on the hoof, huge stadium shows, collaborations, obliterations, gangsters and groupies - Doherty has led a life of huge highs and incredible lows. With his wildest days behind him, Doherty candidly explores - with sober and sometimes painful insight - some of his greatest and darkest moments, taking us inside the creative process, decadent parties, substance-fuelled nights, his time in prison and tendency for self-destruction. With his trademark wit and humour, Doherty also details his childhood years, key influences, pre-fame London shenanigans, and reflects on his era-defining relationship with Libertines co-founder Carl Barât and other significant people in his life. There is humour, warmth, insight, baleful reflection and a defiant sense of triumph. A Likely Lad is Doherty's version of the story - the genuine man behind the fame and infamy. This is a rock memoir like no other.

The long-awaited, candid memoir from Peter Doherty, whose talent as a musician has more often been eclipsed by a Herculean appetite for self-destruction: drugs, prison, prostitution, court, murder, death, robbery, car crashes and hospital emergencies.

Peter Doherty's is the last of the great rock 'n' roll stories - bad boy and public enemy. To his devoted fans, he is a cult hero, a modern-day Rimbaud. Musically, he has defined the past twenty years of indie rock with his sound, lyrics, lifestyle and aesthetic. Since The Libertines rose to international fame, Doherty has proved endlessly fascinating. A whirlwind of controversy and scandal has tailed him ever since the early 2000s, so much so that all too often his talents as a songwriter and performer have been overlooked; for every award and accolade, there is a scathing review. Hard drugs, tiny gigs on the hoof, huge stadium shows, collaborations, obliterations, gangsters and groupies - Doherty has led a life of huge highs and incredible lows. With his wildest days behind him, Doherty candidly explores - with sober and sometimes painful insight - some of his greatest and darkest moments, taking us inside the creative process, decadent parties, substance-fuelled nights, his time in prison and tendency for self-destruction. With his trademark wit and humour, Doherty also details his childhood years, key influences, pre-fame London shenanigans, and reflects on his era-defining relationship with Libertines co-founder Carl Barat and other significant people in his life. There is humour, warmth, insight, baleful reflection and a defiant sense of triumph. A Likely Lad is Doherty's version of the story - the genuine man behind the fame and infamy. This is a rock memoir like no other.

Authorised by the Marriott family. Steve Marriott, lead singer of the Small Faces and Humble Pie, had a voice coveted by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Roger Daltrey and David Bowie, amongst many others. All or Nothing, Simon Spence's oral history biography, is drawn from over 125 interviews with those who knew Marriott intimately: his wives, children, bandmates and closest friends, managers, record producers, record label bosses and his fellow musicians. Included are scores of people who have never told their story before. From his child star beginnings to his battles with drug addiction and untimely death in a housefire, All or Nothing is a visceral and unflinching account of Steve Marriott's extraordinary and often troubling life.

You've recorded the album, toured the world, and all of the fans have left the venues. Where can the rock star now turn for sanctuary? With stadium size egos to placate, how does the rock star relax in their household? From Keith Moon's stately home to George Harrison's Buddhist retreat, Sinatra's chic apartment to Elton John's crash pad, how do the homes of the rock stars reflect their personalities and idiosyncrasies? This picture led book takes you through the keyhole of the abode's of our biggest stars.

**Double award winner at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, for best illustrations and honourable mention in picture books, plus silver medalist at the Moonbeam Book Awards** Theseus is the sixth book in the Early Myths collection, a series of children's picture books on Greek myth. Each book covers a character from mythology and brings the tale to life through illustrations and story-telling, with inspiration from ancient art and literature. The books are aimed at 4 to 10 year olds, are beautifully designed and easy to read. Theseus is the tale of a hero who travels to meet his father for the first time, but faces many challenges on the road to Athens. He takes on sneaky Sinis, a wild boar, the wrestler Kerkyon and a giant crab At the city of Athens he must try to break a curse, cast upon its people by the king of Crete. He volunteers to travel to face the Minotaur and break this spell, before finally returning home to an unexpected piece of news. For teachers and parents, we have a notes section at the back, describing how our illustrations have been inspired by ancient Greek vase-painting, sculptures, and early literature. The kids don't need to know this aspect to enjoy the tale, but the grown-ups can learn about how we have taken time and care to construct our book, using the early historical sources, rather than simply repeat a generic version of the myth. Awards for our Early Myths collection: - Perseus: bronze medal winner at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2014- Odysseus: honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2015- Odysseus: finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015- Atalanta: silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: honourable mention at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: finalist at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2016- Herakles: 1st prize for illustrations and 6+ picture book at the Dragonfly Books Awards 2017- Herakles: gold award at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2017- Herakles: silver medalist in the Wishing Shelf Children's Books Awards 2017- Theseus: best illustrations at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: honourable Mention in Picture Books (5 and younger category) at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: silver medalist at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2018

In the late 70s, the Bee Gees spectacularly revived their career and, with their soundtrack to the Saturday Night Fever film, became the biggest disco group in the world. But when the disco boom crashed they went from icons to punch lines overnight. The band was inescapably frozen in time: all long, flowing manes, big teeth, falsettos, medallions, hairy chests, and skintight satin trousers, one finger forever pointing in the air. The Bee Gees would spend the next forty years trying to convince people there was more to them, growing ever more resentful of their gigantic disco success. We d like to dress Stayin Alive up in a white suit and gold chains and set it on fire, they said. Staying Alive finally lifts that millstone from around their necks by joyfully reappraising and celebrating their iconic disco era. Taking the reader deep into the excesses of the most hedonistic of music scenes, it tells how three brothers from Manchester transformed themselves into the funkiest white group ever and made the world dance. No longer a guilty pleasure but a national treasure.

**Double award winner at the Dragonfly Book Awards, for best illustrations and top book; plus silver medalist at the Wishing Shelf Book Awards** Herakles is the fifth book in the Early Myths collection, a series of children's picture books on Greek myth. Each book covers a character from mythology and brings the tale to life through illustrations and story-telling, with inspiration from ancient art and literature. The books are aimed at 4 to 10 year olds, are beautifully designed and easy to read. Herakles is the tale of one of the most powerful heroes who needs to tame his strength. He is told he must take on the twelve great Labours, battling with monsters, controlling rivers, wrestling with lions, visiting the Underworld and challenging the warrior Amazons. But can he succeed and what will be his final reward? For teachers and parents, we have a notes section at the back, describing how our illustrations have been inspired by ancient Greek vase-painting, sculptures, and early literature. The kids don't need to know this aspect to enjoy the tale, but the grown-ups can learn about how we have taken time and care to construct our book, using the early historical sources, rather than simply repeat a generic version of the myth. Awards for our Early Myths collection: - Perseus: bronze medal winner at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2014- Odysseus: honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2015- Odysseus: finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015- Atalanta: silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: honourable mention at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: finalist at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2016- Herakles: 1st prize for illustrations and 6+ picture book at the Dragonfly Books Awards 2017- Herakles: gold award at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2017- Herakles: silver medalist in the Wishing Shelf Children's Books Awards 2017- Theseus: best illustrations at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: honourable Mention in Picture Books (5 and younger category) at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: silver medalist at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2018

Simon Spence traces every band member and key associates of their notorious manager Tam Paton (who died in 2009) - including the band's various co-managers - and speaks with their record label boss Clive Davis.The opinions of the producers and other industry professionals who helped make the group a hit around the world are also included. Spence also seeks out family members and former lovers to uncover the personal side of the band...

Jason and the Golden Fleece is the second book in the Early Myths collection, a series of children's picture books on Greek myth. Each book covers a character from mythology and brings the tale to life through illustrations and story-telling, with inspiration from ancient art and literature. The books are aimed at 4 to 10 year olds, are beautifully designed and easy to read. The myth of Jason tells one of the oldest stories from Greek mythology. Jason tries to win back the throne, stolen from his father, but is challenged to a dangerous adventure to prove his skills. He gathers the greatest of the heroes, constructs a ship called the Argo and sails to the edges of the known world to attempt to win the fabled Fleece. Along the way he takes on the winged Harpies, fire-breathing bulls and a dangerous serpent. Can he win the heart of the local princess and reclaim the throne for his family back in Greece? For teachers and parents, we have a notes section at the back, describing how our illustrations have been inspired by ancient Greek vase-painting, sculptures, and early literature. The kids don't need to know this aspect to enjoy the tale, but the grown-ups can learn about how we have taken time and care to construct our book, using the early historical sources, rather than simply repeat a generic version of the myth. Awards for our Early Myths collection: - Perseus: bronze medal winner at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2014- Odysseus: honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2015- Odysseus: finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015- Atalanta: silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: honourable mention at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: finalist at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2016- Herakles: 1st prize for illustrations and 6+ picture book at the Dragonfly Books Awards 2017- Herakles: gold award at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2017- Herakles: silver medalist in the Wishing Shelf Children's Books Awards 2017- Theseus: best illustrations at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: honourable Mention in Picture Books (5 and younger category) at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: silver medalist at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2018

**Winner of silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards** Atalanta is the fourth book in the Early Myths collection, a series of children's picture books on Greek myth. Each book covers a character from mythology and brings the tale to life through illustrations and story-telling, with inspiration from ancient art and literature. The books are aimed at 4 to 10 year olds, are beautifully designed and easy to read. Atalanta is the story of a young girl who does not want to be married off to a local prince, and instead heads off into the forest to live with the animals. She learns to hunt, run, and take on all that nature throws at her, becoming one of the best of the heroes. She takes on the strongest of the men- and wins When she does agree to find a partner she challenges the other heroes to be her equal and meets a person who respects her skills and ability. But can he convince her that he is her true love? For teachers and parents, we have a notes section at the back, describing how our illustrations have been inspired by ancient Greek vase-painting, sculptures, and early literature. The kids don't need to know this aspect to enjoy the tale, but the grown-ups can learn about how we have taken time and care to construct our book, using the early historical sources, rather than simply repeat a generic version of the myth. Awards for our Early Myths collection: - Perseus: bronze medal winner at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2014- Odysseus: honourable mention at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2015- Odysseus: finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015- Atalanta: silver medal at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: honourable mention at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016- Atalanta: finalist at the Readers' Favorite Awards 2016- Herakles: 1st prize for illustrations and 6+ picture book at the Dragonfly Books Awards 2017- Herakles: gold award at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2017- Herakles: silver medalist in the Wishing Shelf Children's Books Awards 2017- Theseus: best illustrations at Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: honourable Mention in Picture Books (5 and younger category) at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018- Theseus: silver medalist at the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2018

The definitive story of The Stone Roses by Simon Spence, with an updated final chapter covering the reunion rollercoaster ride. From the Manchester backwaters to the worldwide 2012 tour, War and Peace lays bare the irresistible tale of the last of the great bands..Based on 400 hours of interviews with over seventy of The Stone Roses' closest associates, including six former band members, War and Peace is the first major biography of the band that defined a generation.Originally planned in collaboration with Reni, the reclusive drummer, this book had been a year in the making when the Roses, against all odds, announced their re-formation. It is a remarkable coda to an astonishing story. In 1989 their debut album and the single 'Fools Gold' made them the most exciting British export since the Sex Pistols. With their incendiary aura the Roses became figureheads of the 'Madchester' movement.War and Peace traces the band's genesis, studded with violent gigs and abandoned recordings, and shaped by their infamous manager Gareth Evans. The Roses' legendary gigs culminated in the era-defining Spike Island show in 1990. From this pinnacle the unravelling was spectacular.But the true story behind their rise and fall - and resurrection - has never been told. Until now. * With 40 unseen photos, including from renowned rock photographer Dennis Morris'This is the one. It's the definitive biography of the band, stuffed with photos that have never been seen before. The writing feels really fresh and definitive. It's a classic' Alex Heminsley BBC 6 Music Book of the Month'A comprehensive, no-holds-barred account... details with steely, forensic precision the story of the group's ascent, heyday and spectacular implosion. All the triumphs and disasters are here' The Sunday Times'An era-defining, definitive biography' QSimon Spence collaborated with Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham on the acclaimed memoirs Stoned and 2Stoned. He has written for the NME, i-D, Dazed & Confused and the Independent. He was at the Stone Roses' legendary Blackpool and Alexandra Palace shows in 1989 and covered their era-defining Spike Island show for The Face.