WOW - thanks ladies. I nip out for a few hours (off to school so my youngest can meet his new teacher for Kindergarten) and get back to a million recommendations. OK maybe not a million but a good twenty or so.

A few books on this list I have seen and been tempted to get - French Revolutions and Gravity Goddess. Now I know they are good I will definitely read them.

Limewave - I have read The Memory of Running and loved it.

Quillred - I have The Complete Book of Long Distance Cycling and I agree its a good one.

Thanks again ladies. Im going to print out this thread so I can use it next time I visit the book shop.