Buying eBook downloads

We now offer some titles to purchase as ePub format eBooks – enabling you to download your book immediately for use on your electronic book device or software. Please read on for FAQs and terms and conditions – alternatively, if you have any other queries please use our contact form.

What is an eBook?

eBooks are designed to be used on a range of devices, but particularly eBook readers such as the Sony Reader. It differs from a PDF in that it doesn’t have a fixed number of pages – rather, the text of the book flows continuously according to the size of the screen you are viewing it on, and the text size you are using (most devices will allow you to increase or decrease the size of the text).

How do I read an eBook?

To read an ePub format eBook, you’ll either need suitable software, or an ePub compatible device. The most popular is the Sony Reader, of which there are a couple of models available. Alternatively you can read eBooks on your Windows or Mac OS computer using Adobe Digital Editions.

If you have an eBook device, please follow the instructions that came with the device as to how to copy the book you download from us onto it. Note that due to the variety of possible configurations, we cannot provide support for ebook devices or software.

How do I order an eBook?

Browse the site as normal – in each individual book page, the available editions are shown in the centre of the page If ‘Download (ePub)’ is shown, then just add it to your basket as you would a normal print edition. Please note that due to distribution arrangements, we cannot process orders containing a combination of downloadable and standard print editions.

How long does it take to gain access to my eBook?

If you pay online by credit card, you will be able to access your ePub book immediately.

How do I receive my eBook?

When you have paid for your order you then need to go to show my downloads in your my account page where you will be able to download your ePub format eBook.

Can I print the eBook?

eBooks are specifically designed for use on screen, either on a computer or a dedicated ebook device and as such are not suitable for printing. Printing the eBook is against our terms and conditions, which state that the eBook is for electronic use only.

What if I lose the eBook?

You will be able to download your eBook at any time by logging into the ‘my account’ area of the site and visiting the ‘my downloads’ page. Your eBook will remain available for you to download for one year from the date of purchase. Note that the eBook file itself does not expire and you may use indefinitely; only the facility to re-download it from this site will expire after one year.

A book I am interested in is not available as an eBook

We are planning to convert many of our general interest books into eBooks. Please use our contact form to let us know if there are specific books you are interested in, so that we can put them ahead of schedule!

The shopping basket page tells me that I cannot buy download and printed editions together.

Because our eBook downloads and printed editions are fulfilled by different facilities, we are afraid that we cannot offer a combination within the same order. Please order separately; we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Terms and conditions

By purchasing ePub format eBooks from this site, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:

  • Each eBook you download is licensed to you and may not be distributed to others. You may copy it onto a maximum of 5 (in total) computers or reader devices within your household.
  • eBooks may not be distributed online, for example (but not limited to) via email or to social networking or file transfer sites.
  • eBooks are licensed for on-screen use only and you may not print, in whole or part, any eBook.
  • You may not extract (or attempt to extract) text, images or any other content from the eBook for any use whatsoever.
  • Your account password is for you alone and must not be given to others.