A new compact, updated and cheaper edition of Michael Steen's magisterial biographical history of classic music's biggest names.

'Michael Steen's beautifully illustrated book packs an astonishing amount of biographical and cultural detail into nearly 40 subjects, starting with Handel and running through to Britten, with a cautionary word on history's assessment of greatness. The chapter on Schumann is heartbreaking...' Independent on Sunday

'Steen sketches his canonic figures with Dickensian flair, providing a bona fide cross-over title that is also a literary achievement in its own right.' Times Literary Supplement

Daniel Blythe, author of X MARKS THE BOX: HOW TO MAKE POLITICS WORK FOR YOU is be giving away the EBOOK version of his book absolutely FREE in the run-up to the 2010 General Election and in advance of the publication of the printed edition.

The free ebook is exactly the same text as the printed edition and is be free from any restrictions on its usage.

The free giveaway lasts until the print edition is published for 4 MARCH 2010. Get your free ebook at the author's website here!

One of the most delightful and idiosyncratic books Icon has ever published, Jean Baggott's The Girl on the Wall is a touching mix of biography, social history - and is centred around an amazing and unique tapestry sewn by the author.

This book - the ideal Mother's Day gift - published at the start of March 2010.

Find out more here and even more at the book's own dedicated site here.

'[A] spirited jaunt through centuries of scientific development ... captures the wonder of the medieval world: its inspirational curiosity and its engaging strangeness.' Sunday Times

T'This book contains much valuable material summarised with commendable no-nonsense clarity& James Hannam has done a fine job of knocking down an old caricature.' Sunday Telegraph

'A very useful general survey of a difficult topic, and a robust defence of an unfairly maligned age.' Spectator

'A disturbing, jagged true-crime thriller worthy of prime Hammett, Chandler or Puzo' Publishers Weekly

IThe Scarpas were a New York Mafia dynasty led by Greg Scarpa Sr., nicknamed 'The Grim Reaper' for his brutal addiction to violence and murder.

Granted unique inside access to Greg Jr. and to the FBI, Sandra Harmon pries open the dark heart of the Scarpa family and tells an unforgettable tale of violence, wealth, and sex, set in a world where a mans word is both everything and nothing.

The 2009 FIFA Player of the Year and European Footballer of the Year Lional Messi is fast, elusive, mesmerising. Nominated by Maradona as successor to his No. 10 Argentina shirt, he is already set for football divinity.

Luca Caioli draws on numerous exclusive testimonies to tell Messi's story: his parents and extended family; his coaches at Grandoli and Newell's Old Boys; Rjikaard and Zambrotta from Barcelona; Jorge Valdano and many others from Argentina, Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta and ex-Chelsea defender Asier del Horno. In the final chapter Messi himself sizes up his life so far.