1517, Martin Luther's attempts to reform Christianity by returning it to its biblical roots split the Western Church, divided Europe and polarised people's beliefs, leading to religious persecution, social unrest and war; and in the long run his ideas would help break the grip of religion on every sphere of life. This book tells his story.

Sister to Anne Boleyn and seduced by two kings, Mary Boleyn has long been the subject of scandal and myth. Her affair with Henry VIII fuelled the shocking annulment of his marriage to Anne, and Mary is rumoured to have borne his child in secret.

On the night of 10 February 1567, an explosion devastated the Edinburgh residence of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Those arriving at the scene of devastation found, in the garden, the naked corpses of Darnley and his valet. Neither had died in the explosion, but both bodies bore marks of strangulation.

The devil makes a personal appearance in Moscow accompanied by various demons, including a naked girl and a huge black cat. When he leaves, the asylums are full and the forces of law and order in disarray. Only the Master, a man devoted to truth, and Margarita, the woman he loves, can resist the devil's onslaught.

Uprooted from war-torn London, Alda Lucie-Brown and her three daughters start a new life at Pine Cottage in rural Sussex. Unsuited to a quiet life, Alda attempts to orchestrate - with varying degrees of success - the love affairs of her neighbours.

How can Usain Bolt break his world record without running any faster? Why do high-jumpers use the Fosbury Flop? What's the best strategy for taking penalties in football? What statistical advantage do left-handed boxers have over their right-handed opponents? The author shows how maths can give us surprising insights into the world of sports.

Guides you through the basics of primary school maths and covers the dilemmas and problems you are likely to be confronted with, including: number bonds, place value and decimals; long multiplication and division; fractions, percentages and decimals; basic geometry, shapes, symmetry and angles; and data-handling, combinations and chance.