Category Archives: Non-Fiction & Reference
Heligoland
In 1956 sea area Heligoland became German Bight. But why did the North Sea island, which for nearly a century had demonstrated its loyalty to Britain, lose its identity? How had this once peaceful haven become, as Admiral Jacky Fisher exclaimed `a dagger pointed at England`s heart`? Behind the renaming of Heligoland lies a catalogue
The Wall
For almost three decades, the Cold War was focused on Berlin, where the two (nuclear-armed) sides were kept apart by a twelve-foot wall, which had appeared almost overnight in August 1961. For a generation, until its fall in November 1989, it not only divided the city of Berlin, but also symbolised the confrontation between capitalist
The Pilgrims` Way
Winding its way from Winchester to Canterbury, through the counties of Hampshire, Surrey and Kent, can still be found one of England`s most ancient trackways. Well trodden and beloved by walkers throughout southern England, the Pilgrims` Way serves as a hidden by-way linking those that travel along it with some of the oldest cathedrals, castles
The Little Book of Surrey
The Little Book of Surrey is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. The county`s most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters, royal connections and literally hundreds of wacky facts about Surrey`s landscape, towns and villages
Rhodes Besieged
By the late fifteenth century Ottoman Turkish mastery of the Eastern Mediterranean was nearly complete. However, the tiny island of Rhodes, just a few kilometres from the south-west coast of Turkey, remained a thorn in their side. Home to the walled headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, a crusading Order of “warrior monks”, Rhodes was besieged
In the Footsteps of William Wallace
For nearly 700 years debate has raged over the true nature of William Wallace and his role in Scotland`s turbulent history. Was he the `Braveheart` of Blind Harry`s legendary account, the bold, but savage hero of the Scottish wars? Or, as some contemporary chroniclers attested, nothing but a villainous thief and vagrant fugitive? This book
Oxford Then & Now
A century ago, when Henry Taunt, Oxford`s celebrated photographer, walked the city with his camera, Oxford was a city with a third of the population it boasts today. Consequently much has changed, although, largely spared the destructive bombing of the Second World War, Oxford`s architectural treasures remain intact, preserving the character of this well-known and
In the Footsteps of Robert the Bruce
For over 600 years, Robert Bruce has occupied a unique place in Scottish history. Yet behind the legendary figure is a complex, and in many ways more intriguing, picture. Bruce was a man who not only led his nation to a famous victory over the English at Bannockburn, but also overcame powerful odds to win
Libya (The History of Gaddafi`s Pariah State)
When the oil-rich Kingdom of Libya descended into corruption and irresolution, a young Libyan army officer named Muammar Gaddafi seized power in a brilliant coup on 1 September 1969. Under his rule Libya became a pariah state, harbouring terrorists from nearly every dissident group in the world and accumulating an enormous arsenal of lethal weaponry.
Wild Swimming Record Book
The lakes, lochs and rivers of Britain provided exercise and relaxation to the people of these islands for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years – until the advent of the cacophonous council pool made us frightened of water when we couldn`t see to the bottom. But what could be more natural than a dip in the
The Little Book of the East End
The Little Book of The East End is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters and literally hundreds of wacky facts (plus some
London`s Disasters
From AD 61, when Queen Boudicca – outraged at her treatment at the hands of the Romans – marched on the city and burned it to the ground, London has been hit by wave upon wave of destruction. This fascinating and unique book tells the story of over 2000 years of disaster from fire, water,
Brent
This superb collection of over 200 mostly unpublished historic photographs shows the London Borough of Brent from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1980s and documents the massive changes that occurred over that period. Postcards, photographs and some prints and drawings illustrate life in, and the distinctive character of, each district within Brent, and show the
William John Wills
In 1860 the Australian interior was unmapped and unknown to European settlers. When the Victorian Exploring Expedition tasked Robert O`Hara Burke, William John Wills and a party of nineteen men with crossing the country from South to North, this was soon to change. Following their slow and arduous journey from Melbourne to the Gulf of
Postcard from the Cotswolds
The steep western ridge of the Cotswolds has a commanding view of the Severn Valley, the Malvern Hills and the Forest of Dean. To the north is an equally impressive view of the Vale of Evesham, the Worcester plain and Bredon Hill. The source of many rivers, including the Windrush and Thames, are found in
Canal 250 – The Story of Britain`s Canals
When a young English nobleman was thwarted in love he abandoned the court, retired to his estate near Manchester and built a canal to serve his coalmines. The Bridgewater Canal was the sensation of the age and led others to follow the example of the enterprising Duke of Bridgewater. From his starting point in 1760,
Bristol: A Pocket Miscellany
From the momentous to the outlandish, this book is packed full of fun facts and triva about everything Bristolian. From quotations from famous people to local people`s like and dislikes, it`s all here in this addictive little book. Did you know? – There are 25 other places in the world called `Bristol` – Nipper the
Ein Volk Ein Reich
When Louis Hagen returned to Berlin immediately after the war, having survived not only incarceration and torture in a German concentration camp but also the Battle of Arnhem, it was through a desire to see the great German eagle toppled, its talons drawn. The son of a wealthy Jewish banker, he had seen his family
The Boer War
The Boer War was a costly colonial conflict between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics in South Africa. Pitting the superior armed might of British imperialism against two of the world`s tiniest rural states, it nevertheless took almost three years for the Boer forces to be defeated. The war saw the first
The Grand Union Canal (North) – Towpath Guide
Working its way from Salford Junction outside Birmingham to Milton Keynes, this illustrated guide covers the northern part of the Grand Union Canal, accompanying the guide to the southern hallf of the canal.Revealing much that will appeal to holiday-makers along this stretch of water, the guide also provides historical snippets and useful up to date
