Jeremy Beadle and Ian Harrison have combined forces to display their extensive knowledge on a series of "First, Lasts and Onlys" trivia books. Chronologically categorised, this book examines the key moments in history when human endeavour has created a breakthrough, or a triumphant conclusion in history.

London... home to royalty, politicians, red buses, black taxis, cockneys and pigeons, but also home to the world's largest uncut diamond; the greatest variety of Michelin-starred cuisine; the oldest scientific zoo; the world's first public museum and - officially - more culture than any other city.

The long-standing Number Crunch newspaper column is a weekly bite of diverse but always fascinating stats and facts. This compendium is the first in a series of books that bring together the very best of the facts, feats and stats discovered by author John Croucher over many years of compiling the column.

Informs readers with illustrations representing such fun-filled facts as: Charlie Chaplin placed third in a Chaplin look-alike contest; Emerson Moser, Crayola's senior crayon maker, revealed at retirement that he was color-blind; Elvis Presley received a C grade in music class; and more.

David Rothwell's book is an idiosyncratic and light-hearted review of all that is great (and not so great) about the major figures of English Literature, and provides lucid and entertaining explanations of every literary form and technique.

A boon for crossword addicts, a treasure trove for punsters and an endless source of fascination for anyone interested in the English language.