Benjamin Britten was the greatest English composer of the twentieth century and one of the outstanding musicians of his age.

Born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 1913, Britten was the youngest child of a dentist father and amateur musician mother. After studying at the Royal College of Music, he became a vital part of London's creative and intellectual life during the 1930s, collaborating with W. H. Auden and meeting his lifelong partner, the tenor Peter Pears. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Britten and Pears were already in America, earning a precarious living as freelance musicians before re-crossing the Atlantic by ship in the perilous days of 1942.

But the east coast of England was where Britten, as he himself said, belonged: this was where he returned to write his most famous opera, Peter Grimes, and - with Pears and Eric Crozier - to found the Aldeburgh Festival in 1948. In the years that followed, his worldwide reputation grew steadily, helped by a busy schedule of international tours and, for many, crowned by the extraordinary success of his War Requiem. Meanwhile, his festival went from strength to strength, its progress symbolised by the opening of Snape Maltings Concert Hall in 1967.

Britten was a mass of paradoxes: a solitary, introspective thinker who came to ebullient life in the company of young people, for whom he composed some of his most memorable works; a man of the political left who was on the friendliest terms with members of the royal family; a composer inspired by some of the twentieth century's deepest preoccupations who combined innovation with a profound understanding of musical tradition. Devoted to his friends, proteges and fellow musicians, he was, above all, someone who lived for music.

Neil Powell's book is the landmark biography for Britten's centenary year: a subtle and moving portrait of a brilliant, complex and ultimately loveable man.

With his fabulous restaurants and bestselling Ottolenghi Cookbook, Yotam Ottolenghi has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the world of cookery and food writing. This exclusive collection of vegetarian recipes is drawn from his column 'The New Vegetarian' for the Guardian's Weekend magazine, and features both brand-new recipes and dishes first devised for that column.

Yotam's food inspiration comes from his strong Mediterranean background and his unapologetic love of ingredients. Not a vegetarian himself, his approach to vegetable dishes is wholly original and innovative, based on strong flavours and stunning, fresh combinations. With sections devoted to cooking greens, aubergines, brassicas, rice and cereals, pasta and couscous, pulses, roots, squashes, onions, fruit, mushrooms and tomatoes, the breadth of colours, tastes and textures is extraordinary.

Featuring vibrant, evocative food photography from acclaimed photographer Jonathan Lovekin, and with Yotam's voice and personality shining through, Plenty is a must-have for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

Author Ashley Jackson seeks to finally unravel the mysteries behind `the greatest Briton' in this fascinating biography - Churchill. Describing the former Prime Minister's remarkable life and political career, this is an engaging hardback - a fantastic gift for all history fanatics. Addressing many of the common criticisms and misconceptions that have been lobbied against the equally maligned and celebrated politician, this is an entertaining read that will shed new light on an intriguing past.

The ultimate guide to reducing your carbon footprint and leading a fulfilling, sustainable life, Self Sufficiency by Liz Wright is an invaluable hardback for those wanting to live in line with new 21st century ideals. Colourful and full of inspirational photography, this practical guide helps improve awareness of green issues and organic methods. Great for those city-dwellers who want to grow their own vegetable garden or equally for those who fancy going the whole hog and relocating to the country, this guide can help anyone live the natural life.

Create phenomenal flavours with minimum fuss using the Mighty Spice Cookbook as your guide! Brought together by John Gregory-Smith, this collection of flavourful recipes draws on influences from all over the globe. From China to Mexico and Morocco to Sri Lanka, the recipes in this colourful hardback bring together incredible spice combinations that are simpler to concoct than you could ever imagine. Using simple techniques and no more than five spices in any one dish, you can savour a whole world of cuisine with a kick!

From simple recipes through to meals that will broaden the horizons of even the most dedicated barbecue devotee, Weber's Barbecue Anytime is an all-round cookbook that has dishes for any occasion, all year round! Containing over 175 delicious recipes, sauces and marinades, the mouthwatering food is full of flavour and fresh ideas. The hardback has quick and easy recipes, including a 30-minute meals chapter, and also contains handy tips, techniques and information on grilling times. This book will help you achieve fuss-free and tasty results from your BBQ time and time again, all year round!

In this stunning cookbook, top chef, and regular guest chef on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, Daniel Galmiche provides a collection of 100 classic brasserie recipes complete with a modern Mediterranean twist, all suitable for home cooking. A committed champion of French food and cookery, Daniel offers irresistible recipes for starters, mains, side dishes and desserts that are all based on the classic principles of French brasserie cooking. With regional recipes, local ingredients and homely, comforting flavours, among the highlights on offer are the aromatic Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic & Lavender, Wild Mushroom & Herb Risotto and Orange Souffle Pancakes. A brilliant hardback cookbook to show you how to create fresh, contemporary French flavours in your own kitchen.

The vibrant and exciting world of birds is shown in all its glory in this new book. Show-casing 150 stunning photos from the award- winning wildlife photographer Markus Varesvuo, this book is a celelbration of birds in motion and is sure to captivate all lucky enough to own it.

A colourful and splendidly simple hardback from much-loved Australian chef Bill Granger, Bill’s Everyday Asian makes delicious dishes such as Green Thai Curry, Sweetcorn Soup and Beef Rendang totally achievable. Bill Granger is hooked on oriental cuisine and this enthusiastic and vibrant cookbook brilliantly fuses all that is great about Far Eastern cooking, before simplifying the processes and ingredients to make each and every dish ideal for the hectic Western lifestyle. Drawing on his own colourful and varied experiences, this beautiful book is sure to provide ample inspiration in the kitchen.

Rambler's Rewards: Cooking from Coast to Coast is a cookery book that uses produce found throughout the country. With recipes and landscapes wonderfully photographed by Derry Brabbs, the book follows a walk through the day - from hearty and healthy breakfasts, through to lunch at home or on the move, tea time treats and suggestions for supper. The recipes are either quick and easy to prepare at the end of a busy day or could have been prepared in advance and frozen, refrigerated or left on a timer for when you get in. There is a recipe for every occasion which you are sure to find straightforward yet rewarding to make.