PUBLISHING

By Martin Foskett / Publishing / Knelstrom Media

​The book arrives without apology and without soft furnishings. Bread, Gruel, and Grim Determination does not trade in sepia nostalgia or Dickensian comfort. It concerns itself instead with a deliberately hostile system, the Victorian workhouse, engineered not to alleviate poverty but to weaponise it. What unfolds is not a sentimental history of hardship overcome, but a sustained reckoning with a bureaucracy that mistook suffering for virtue and discipline for mercy.

Welcome to Elsenham, once a quiet Essex village, now the front line of Britain's longest-running roadworks. One year. Endless cones. No survivors.

What started as a satirical take on road closures somehow gained traction, literally and figuratively. After long nights fuelled by tea and biscuits, and the occasional existential rant at a temporary traffic light, the book is finally done.

The Siege of Elsenham 2025 – A Year Under the Cones is a feverish chronicle of life trapped in traffic chaos, a Satirical report from the frontline of British absurdity. The tarmac cracked, tempers flared, and somewhere in the rubble, civilisation queued politely for its turn to collapse.

Martin Foskett turns road rage into art, a wild, hilarious howl at the madness of modern Britain. It's Orwell meets Python in a high-vis apocalypse. The cones never end. The lights never change. But the tea keeps flowing.

Please read it. Rage with it. Laugh until you break down on the A120.

Available from all good bookstores — and a few dodgy ones.

Ebook: 9798232759803

Print Book: 9798232776046

Audiobook: 9798232759803

​All's Well That Ends in Essex is the latest satirical masterpiece from Martin Foskett, a self-taught Gen X storyteller who masterfully blends the raw edge of Gonzo journalism with a uniquely British perspective. This book reimagines Shakespeare's timeless narratives, transporting them from the grandeur of Elizabethan theatres to the gritty streets and pubs of modern-day Essex.

In this audacious adaptation, The book retains the core of Shakespeare's tales—ambition, betrayal, love, and tragedy—but filters them through the lens of contemporary British life. The result is a collection of stories that are both familiar and startlingly fresh, filled with characters who are as likely to quote the Bard as they are to brawl over a pint.

Each chapter is a standalone story, yet together they weave a tapestry of modern England, highlighting the absurdities and profundities of everyday life. Foskett's prose is sharp, irreverent, and deeply human, capturing the essence of a society that is both proud of its heritage and irreverent towards it.

Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado or someone who finds the Bard's work inaccessible, All's Well That Ends in Essex offers a fresh take that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It's a testament to the enduring relevance of classic stories and the power of adaptation to breathe new life into them.

Available now in eBook format, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary British literature, satire, or the art of storytelling.

​experience the Bard like never before.

New eBook Out Now on Amazon & Books2Read
History with teeth. Truth with swagger. No permission slips required.

Forget what your school textbook told you.

The Cold War wasn't just a standoff between suits in smoky boardrooms. It was a global madhouse of paranoia, backroom coups, nuclear near-misses, disco-fuelled diplomacy, moustachioed electricians toppling regimes, and presidents who thought they could stop missiles with space lasers.
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In After the Freeze: The Cold War in Full Technicolour, historian and narrative insurgent Martin Foskett rips the plastic wrap off the 20th century's most dangerously misunderstood conflict, delivering a storytelling gut punch that blends truth, wit, grit, and gonzo brilliance.

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​In the shadow of the Cold War, NATO orchestrated Operation Gladio, a covert network of paramilitary groups prepared to counter a potential Soviet invasion. Yet, as history unfolded, these stay-behind armies became entangled in political subterfuge, alleged terrorism, and the covert operations of Cold War espionage. Their legacy remains one of controversy and intrigue.

​In the rich and storied annals of British horse racing, few names command the reverence of Golden Miller. A titan of the National Hunt circuit, this legendary steeplechaser remains unrivalled in the history books, standing as the only horse to have ever claimed victory in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year—a feat achieved in 1934 and never equalled since.

But beyond the glittering accolades and dramatic finishes, Golden Miller's story is also deeply intertwined with a small but significant corner of England: Elsenham, Essex. At Elsenham Stud, this racing colossus spent his twilight years here, bringing his tale full circle to a place of peaceful retirement.

Written by Martin Foskett.

​In the grand tapestry of human history, generations weave distinct patterns, each thread contributing to the overarching design of societal evolution. The Silent Generation, often overlooked and humorously underestimated, stands out like a beige sock in a vibrant laundry pile among these colourful threads. Born between 1928 and 1945, the Silent Generation, or Traditionalists as affectionately dubbed, navigated a world of contrast and tumult, skillfully dodging the clamour of change while firmly adhering to their principles of hard work, loyalty, and traditional values.

Written by Martin Foskett

​In an age of heated debates and ideological divides, "The facts of life are conservative" resonates with an enduring truth. This concept, famously attributed to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, captures a reality many of us come to understand as we navigate life’s complexities. It suggests that life’s practical realities often align with conservative principles like personal responsibility, fiscal prudence, and the importance of tradition. Let’s explore how this timeless idea manifests in the real world.

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​Ladies, gentlemen, and pun enthusiasts of all ages, the time has come to level up your joke game. Picture this: it’s a family gathering, everyone’s laughing, and someone turns to you and says, “Wow, where do you get these jokes?” Your response? “From the ultimate source—The Ultimate Dad Jokes by Martin Foskett.” Cue the applause.

Yes, folks, my brand-new ebook is finally here, and it’s bursting with more puns than a bakery at closing time (because they’re on the roll… get it?). Available now from Books2Read and other fine ebook outlets, this is your one-stop shop for groan-worthy humour that will make you a legend in the living room.

Why You Need This Book

Let’s face it: the world could use a little more laughter. What better way to brighten someone’s day than with a perfectly executed dad joke? Whether you’re a seasoned dad-joke aficionado or a rookie looking to break into the big leagues, The Ultimate Dad Jokes has got you covered.

This ebook contains over 200 of the finest dad jokes ever crafted, tested on real-life groans and giggles. You’ll find classics like:

Why don’t skeletons fight each other? Because they don’t have the guts.

Did you hear about the kidnapping at the playground? Don’t worry—he woke up!

What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.

And dozens of brand-new jokes guaranteed to have your audience rolling their eyes with delight (and possibly plotting their revenge).

Who Is This For?

This book is for:

Dads are looking to up their cringe-worthy joke game.

Moms who secretly love dad jokes but don’t want to admit it.

Kids who need ammo for roasting their parents.

Anyone who’s ever laughed groaned, or facepalmed at a pun.

This book is for you if you’re human (or even a particularly pun-loving dog).

Bonus Features

Did I mention that this ebook is not just a book? It’s a toolkit. Armed with these jokes, you’ll be prepared for any awkward silence, any need for a pick-me-up, or any opportunity to win the “most groan-worthy” award at your next gathering. The Ultimate Dad Jokes includes helpful tips for delivery, timing, and mastering the infamous dad-joke smirk.

Don’t Wait—Get Your Copy Today!

Think of all the laughter you could miss by not having this book. Imagine the satisfaction of a perfectly timed pun, the joy of a groan followed by uncontrollable laughter. All this and more await you in The Ultimate Dad Jokes by Martin Foskett.

So what are you waiting for? Head to Books2Read, grab your copy and let the dad jokes flow. Warning: side effects may include uncontrollable chuckling, the urge to tell strangers jokes, and being crowned the unofficial comedian of your household.

Happy punning, everyone! And remember: life is too short to take seriously, so laugh while you can… preferably with a dad joke in hand.

Isaac Lodge VC (6 May 1866 – 18 June 1923) was a distinguished English soldier who earned the coveted Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious military decoration awarded for acts of valor and gallantry in the face of hostile forces, specifically bestowed upon individuals serving in the British and Commonwealth armed services.