Category Archives: Travel Guides
London Cemeteries : An Illustrated Guide and Gazateer
The cemeteries of Greater London have been a neglected area of the capital`s history. They are filled not only with the remains of recent generations but also with a wealth of architectural and social history that is described here in an entertaining and eloquent narrative full of picturesque melancholy. London Cemeteries is a comprehensive guide
Fishing Around The Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel, once one of the busiest fishing lanes in Great Britain, is a compelling area of the nation`s seas to discover, with a unique range of characteristics. In this book, renowned maritime historian Mike Smylie and Simon Cooper, expert in the field, delve into the variety of fishing methods used in the past
Richard III and the Murder in the Tower
Richard III is accused of murdering his nephews (the `Princes in the Tower`) in order to usurp the throne of England. Since Tudor times he has been painted as the `black legend`, the murderous uncle. However, the truth is much more complicated and interesting. Rather than looking at all the killings Richard III did not
Hampshire Past & Present
From the historic county town of Winchester to the coastal ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and from the rural villages of the New Forest to the market towns in the heart of the county, Hampshire is a unique and varied county with a rich cultural heritage. “Hampshire Past & Present” contrasts a selection of 100
Disasters on the Thames
The River Thames has been a vital lifeline for London since Roman warships sailed along it to the newly founded town of Londinium. Even then the peaceful-looking river had a lethal aspect which deceived many Thames sailors. Throughout the centuries the River Thames has claimed the lives of crews of small boats and large naval
Captain Scott`s Invaluable Assistant
Petty Officer Edgar Evans was Captain`s Scott`s `giant worker` and his `invaluable assistant`. He went with Scott on both the British Antarctic Expeditions of the early 1900s – the `Discovery` expedition of 1901 and the `Terra Nova` expedition in 1910 – distinguishing himself on both. In 1903, with Scott, Edgar made the first long and
Bagels and Bacon
“Bagels & Bacon” is a rites of passage story that will appeal to both young and old. It attempts to shed a largely humorous, but sometimes serious light, on the relations between an ethnic minority and the wider community. Its attitude to Judaism, in particular, and religions in general, is irreverent. The work is also
London Taxis at War
Alf Townsend is a London cabbie with nearly fifty years` experience. In his new book, he gathers together for the first time the complete history of London`s cabs in wartime – not just in the Second World War when cabs were converted for other uses (firefighting, ambulances, armoured personnel carriers, etc), but also in the
Black Londoners
“Black Londoners: A History” celebrates three centuries of achievement of Black Londoners in different walks of life, from genetics to the judiciary. It includes the famous, as well as the obscure but outstanding contributions of non-celebrities, many of whom have never before been recognised in print. A series of themed biographies, “Black Londoners: A History”
Shackleton`s Dream
In 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton embarked on what he called `The last great polar journey` – the crossing of Antarctica. His expedition ended in disaster, with the Endurance crushed and the frozen corpses of three explorers left on the Antarctic plateau. Forty years later Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hillary, the hero of Everest, set out
A Grim Almanac of Bristol
“A Grim Almanac of Bristol” is a day-by-day catalogue of 365 ghastly tales from the city`s past. There are murders and manslaughters, including the case of Thomas Buller, who was killed in 1875 by a man who was married only that morning, and Sarah Skinner, who was thrown out of a window in 1847. There
Lockleaze
This captivating book illustrating Lockleaze contains over 200 rare and, in many cases, unpublished images that explore the social history of this close-knit area of Bristol. Compiled using residents` photographs and archive material, this collection recalls the people, places and events that have shaped Lockleaze`s past. From its modest, rural beginnings, several notable organisations and
Ragged London
Based on extensive research in primary sources, Ragged London traces the story of the London poor. It shows how they lived, worked, loved and died. Every aspect of their life is explored, from the homes in which they lived to the food they ate, the entertainment they enjoyed and the occupations in which they engaged.
Kensington & Chelsea
This fascinating selection of historic photographs documents the dramatic transformation that has taken place over the last 150 years in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The book gives an unforgettable impression of familiar streets and districts as they developed, and it offers an insight into the lives and living conditions of the residents
Why do Shepherds Need a Bush? History of Station Names
The names of the 300 or so London underground stations are part of the everyday landscape for the Londoners, who strap-hang their way across the capital. We hardly ever question their meanings or origins – yet these well-known names are linked with fascinating stories of bygone times. Until the mid-19th century, London was almost unbelievably
Companion to Cathedrals & Abbeys
Even in this predominantly secular age, Britain`s cathedrals remain potent symbols of religious continuity. Their purpose was to reveal God`s majesty, to declare the supremacy of the Church and the devotion of the men who built them. They were intended, literally, to be awesome. Similarly, our medieval abbeys, most of them sad remnants of a
1970`s London
Following a sheltered childhood and education in Cambridge, and having missed out on the Swinging Sixties, Alec Forshaw was ready for a dose of the wider world. London in the early 1970s was where the lights seemed to shine the brightest. In reality London was still a city struggling to find its post-war identity, full
Real Ale Record Book
Cask ale, real ale, bitter…whatever you want to call it, it`s thriving and this book is the perfect drinking companion. Written by acclaimed beer expert Adrian Tierney-Jones, this is an accessible and interactive guide to Britain`s finest beers with reviews of over 150 ales and 40 perfect pubs in which to try them. The unique
Oyster – A World History
Oysters are older than us, older than grass. They have been present at every turn of human history. They have inspired great writers, painters, cooks, sustained whole communities and fashioned legend and history. Their pearls have funded empires and caused the invention of modern-day slavery. The evidence oysters leave behind shows us there was a
Railway Walks: LMS
Jeff Vinter, consultant to the BBC`s popular “Railway Walks” series, here provides a detailed guide to ten of the best railway walks in the territory of the former London Midland and Scottish Railway. These range from the Midland Railway`s express line through the Peak District to the incredible Cromford and High Peak Railway, built before
