For Him
Haynes Explains range, Boris Starling, £6.99 (www.haynes.co.uk)
Making for the ideal stocking filler or Secret Santa gift, Haynes has joined forces for a second time with international best-selling author, Boris Starling, to add eight new pocket-sized manuals to its multi-selling ‘Haynes Explains’ series, which launched last year. Making for the perfect gift, Boris Starling wittily spins his take on Haynes’ inimitable style based on a strip-down and rebuild of a particular ‘model’.
The eight new brilliantly observed titles cover a whole raft of important subjects, including a jovial but affectionate look at ‘The French’, ‘Germans’, ‘Americans’ and ‘The British’. Meanwhile for those looking to decipher the mechanics behind daily life, four additional titles include ‘Christmas’, ‘Pets,’ ‘Football’ and ‘The Home’. Adding to the hugely popular existing range of titles which take a highly amusing look at ‘Babies’, ‘Teenagers’, ‘Marriage’ and ‘Pensioners’, these eight new books take the total number to 12 in the series.
Retailing at £6.99, each manual is based on a strip-down and rebuild that readers familiar with Haynes manuals would expect to see, including exploded views, flow charts, fault diagnosis and the occasional wiring diagram.
Robot Wars: Build Your Own Robot Manual, £22.99 (www.haynes.com)
This manual provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at the show – the arena, and both house and competitors’ robots. It offers step-by-step extensively illustrated instructions for building three project robots, from a simple ‘self-navigating’ robot, to a fully controllable Robot Wars challenger. Essential reading for all Robot Wars fans.
Haynes Road Cycling Manual, Luke Edwardes-Evans, £22.99
(www.haynes.co.uk – book number H6075. ISBN 9781785210754)
Whether new to cycling or highly experienced, the Road Cycling Manual from Haynes covers every aspect of modern road cycling from choosing a bike, set-up and fitness training, through to riding techniques and bike maintenance. This fully-illustrated manual makes a great companion for anyone looking to start a post-Christmas fitness surge, target a spring sportive, or even emulate the elite riders of the Tour de France!
Adopting Haynes’s famous step-by-step approach, the manual takes the reader through all the types of road cycling, from leisure and commuting to touring and sportives. It covers all the options when choosing and buying a bike, along with all the necessary accessories and clothing. It also provides comprehensive instructions on preparing the bike for a long distance ride, everyday maintenance and upgrading various components. The manual also looks at the physical and technical side of cycling. From providing advice on getting into shape and what to eat, to bike handling and cornering techniques, it is the ultimate resource for the improving cyclist.
Home Improvements & DIY
Haynes Kitchen Upgrade Manual, Andy Blackwell, £22.99
(www.haynes.co.uk – book number H6082)
Making for a great Christmas gift, fans of make do and mend who want to take things a step further when it comes to DIY in and around the home will relish some of Haynes’ handy Manuals which provide some helpful pointers. For many it’s the most important room in the house, and now publisher Haynes is helping homeowners to achieve their dream kitchen on a budget with its latest home maintenance title, the Kitchen Upgrade Manual.
For savvy homeowners looking to save money, or those hoping to put their DIY skills to the test, the Kitchen Upgrade Manual presents expert advice and easy-to-follow instructions on how to plan and install a new kitchen. It also includes a chapter on how to improve and renovate an existing one.
