We look a bit like apes but there are a lot of differences. Looking for those differences elsewhere in the natural world, we can find many of those features in aquatic creatures. Maybe some of our ancestors led a semi-aquatic life for a period of a million years or two on an offshore island before returning to life on the mainland. This book presents the case for but there is no proof yet.

The author claims that the name by which you are known helps to shape your personality. See if you fit the description ascribed to you in this book.

Not just journeys, this book includes many hilarious stories about trains. There is a bias towards British trains and another bias towards the nineteenth century but it's no less funny for that.

Arguably the greatest racehorse trainer in the world ever, Vincent never had a huge stable compared to some but preferred to focus on quality even in his steeplechase days. He achieved greater fame on the flat via horses such as Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Roberto, The Minstrel (grandsire of Cigar) and Royal Academy. The hardback edition is outstanding and well worth the extra price over the paperback.

Brave little Sabine - kidnapped, abused, rescued after eighty days, she then endured eight years of public attention and family strife before she finally became the star witness in the trial of Marc Dutroux. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The story of the only triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner since Arkle.

This is not the autobiography of the famous BBC news reporter and war correspondent (that's a different book) but it is the fascinating story of foundlings (abandoned babies). Modern examples include the notorious case of the 1937 Worthing Baby (left to die in a well-concealed remote location, but found alive despite that) as well as famous names such as Fatima Whitbread and Andy McNab.

The autobiography of the famous tennis player, at his peak in the sevenies.

Not confined to scandals, I don't always agree with the selection but I agree that the author had a problem deciding what to leave out. But Ben Johnson, Mike Tyson, Tonya Harding, the Brookline Ryder Cup, the Epsom Derbies of 1844 and 1913, the bodyline cricket tour and plenty of other notorious sporting (and unsporting) episodes are covered.

The trainer of Mill Reef (my favorite racehorse - it's partly because of him that I got excited about racing) and Lochsong is also the father of TV presenter Clare Balding. Now retired, his son Andrew has taken over the stable.

More science trivia

Sequel to "Why do buses come in threes" includes insight into political spin and other amusing aspects of maths.

A celebration of all that is good about this controversial sport including some outstanding pictures. You want the anti-hunt perspective? Look elsewhere.

In the long introduction, the author ranted about the state of British roads and explained why they were all built in the hills rather than the valleys.

A great story about one of the best hurdlers of his generation. Although Monksfield's Cheltenham triumphs provided the reason for this book, the story has much more to offer readerd.

This book focuses mainly on the direct male descendants of the Byerley Turk, a dynasty that is now close to extinction. The Byerley Turk's own story is briefly summarized here but a more recent book is devoted exclusively to his story.

A well-presented book of poems selected by the author - some famous, some not.

The history of steam railways in Britain with plenty of information, well illustated.

All you ever wanted to know about British diesel shunters.

British trains in the seventies and eighties.