Local history Books
Halsgrove Bodmin and Wenford Railway
Book Synopsis
£14.24
Alan Godfrey Maps Salford (West) 1916: Lancashire Sheet 104.05
Book Synopsis
£7.27
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Foul Deeds in Kensington & Chelsea
Book SynopsisStories of violent death will always hold us in a grim but thrilling grip. The dreadful crimes related in Foul Deeds in Kensington & Chelsea are shocking examples of murder cases that readers will never forget. Crimes of passion, opportunistic killings, political assassinations - the full spectrum of extreme criminality is recounted here. John Eddleston has selected a series of notorious episodes that give a fascinating insight into criminal acts and the criminal mind. The human dramas he depicts are often played out in the most commonplace of circumstances, but others are so odd as to be stranger than fiction. Cases of involving the killing of wives, lovers and children are among those he describes, but he also reconstructs in forensic detail several more unusual crimes - two men shot dead at a lecture, the field marshal who was assassinated on his doorstep, the acid bath killings, and the murders of two ill-fated countesses. These lethal episodes give a fascinating insight into the dark side of the history of Kensington & Chelsea. John J. Eddleston is an authority on British criminal history and a prolific writer on the subject. His many books include Murderous Sussex, Murderous Manchester, Blind Justice, Jack the Ripper: An Encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia of Executions, A Century of Welsh Murders and Executions, Manx Killers, Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Southampton and Miscarriages of Justice: Famous London Cases.
£12.74
Amberley Publishing Victorian & Edwardian Surrey
Book SynopsisSurrey, one of England's smallest counties, has for centuries embodied contrasts in style and appearance. In the north where its boundary is the Thames, there is industrial and, more recently, suburban London, and further South, are the more rural areas of the Downs and Weald, which were the playground for 'Londoners' for centuries. This book looks at these dual areas as they were a century ago. Some of the best old photographs available have been collected together and reproduced here, in sepia, with an accompanying text made up of extracts gathered from contemporary writing from all over the county. Thus some evocative sights of old Surrey, from the tanneries of Southwark to the elegance of Victorian Epsom, are brought to life in these pages.
£15.29
Amberley Publishing Murders & Misdemeanours in Gloucestershire
Book SynopsisIn relating the cases heard in the Courts of the County Assize in Gloucestershire nearly two centuries ago this book offers a variety of examples of the sins and sinners of those days, together with a fascinating insight into the consequences of those wrongdoings. The punishments awarded varied considerably, from time spent in Gloucester Gaol or a House of Correction, where hard labour or floggings could be expected, to deportation or, the ultimate penalty, hanging. The reports reproduced in this book come from the Gloucester Journal, the local newspaper of the day. They introduce the reader to all of the characters in each case: the eloquent counsel, the equally eloquent judges, the many witnesses and the condemned themselves.
£12.34
Amberley Publishing South Staffordshire Street Names
Book SynopsisEver wondered where our towns and villages get their names from? Were they a deliberate creation by our ancestors or did they evolve naturally over time? South Staffordshire Street Names examines the origins of the names with which we are otherwise so familiar. Towns, villages, districts, hills, streams, woods, farms, fields, streets and even pubs are examined and explained. Some of the definitions give a glimpse of life in the earlier days of the settlement, and for the author there is nothing more satisfying than finding a name which gives such a snapshot. The definitions are supported by anecdotal evidence, bringing to life the individuals and events which have influenced the places and the way these names have developed. This is not just a dictionary but a history and will prove invaluable not only for those who live and work in the county but also visitors and tourists, historians and former inhabitants, indeed anyone with an interest in Staffordshire.
£9.74
Amberley Publishing Saltash Through Time
Book SynopsisSaltash has seen many changes over the years. The waterside area beside the River Tamar has been occupied for over a thousand years and was the home to fishermen plying their trade for much of that time. A ferry ran between Plymouth and Saltash for over 600 years before coming to an end when the Tamar Bridge was opened to traffic in 1961. Modern redevelopment also led to the clearance of many older buildings, changing the look of the area forever. A number of industries have also disappeared including quarrying, ship building and fishing. Gone too are the limekilns as well as the gasworks and the brass and iron foundries. The numerous tea gardens, the coal merchants and, of course, the ferry are now just things of the past. A hundred years ago, the water's edge was alive with activity. Fishing boats regularly called into Saltash and many barges took produce up and down the river.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Uncle George's Golden Days
Book SynopsisUncle George is a baker based in the Forest of Dean. He is now planning to retire and sell the bakery. The Forest Series began with Just Around the Corner, followed by Just Across the Fields and Just Over Yonder. In essence, his 'Golden Days' is George's swan song. Uncle George, as the local baker, was at the core of his community and held decided views on any and every subject which came to his notice, view he was always ready to express to friends and strangers alike. This warm and humorous instalment sees George sell his bakery and buy the adjoining piece of land upon which he has long had his eye.
£9.74
Amberley Publishing Victorian Leicester
Book SynopsisLeicester has been neglected by national historians. It is neither typical of industrial centres nor has it the charm of an ancient town that escaped the ravages of Victorian rebuilding. Yet it is both a market town of great antiquity and the scene of phenomenal industrial growth. This book is about its transformation. In the formative years of the city, the Corporation of Leicester had the services of Samuel Stone, famous author of the Justices' Manual, as Town Clerk from 1836 to 1872. He was one of a liberal oligarchy that so dominated municipal affairs that division inevitably appeared within its ranks as supporters of civic improvement clashed with more cautious 'economists'. Some historians tend to view social reform from the standpoint of Westminster and particularly through the eyes of Edwin Chadwick but not all the local authorities that opposed him were enemies of progress. In Leicester centralisation was opposed not by provincial parsimony but by a determination to face social problems without waiting for initiatives from London. In matters of public health, particularly the first Medical Officers in Britain were appointed in Leicester, in 1846, and problems of sanitation and housing were tackled with a vigour far in advance of most other towns. In many respects, Leicester led municipal growth. This book will fascinate students of urban history, all historians of life in Victorian Britain and all those present-day inhabitants of Leicester with an interest in the making of their city.
£14.24
Amberley Publishing Falmouth Through Time
Book SynopsisFalmouth, situated on the beautiful River Fal, and with one of the finest natural harbours in the world, developed and prospered to become the base for the famous Packet Service between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. It has a rich maritime history with many interesting buildings including Arwenack Manor, home to the infamous Killigrew family, who were responsible for the early growth of the town. With the arrival of the railway, the town soon developed a strong commercial interest with the Falmouth Docks, founded in 1859, closely followed by the growth of tourism that is still important to the town today. With excellent yachting facilities, safe bathing beaches and a wealth of attractions, the town offers a rich experience for its many visitors.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Truro Through Time
Book SynopsisIn 1698 Celia Fiennes an intrepid traveler and relative of the Boscawen family rode into Truro on horseback and immediately loved it although she described it in her diary as 'a ruinated and disregarded place, formerly a great tradeing town'. In 1724 the author Daniel Defoe found Truro 'sadly declining as a port' and doubted whether it would ever recover so the fortunes of the town changed just as the inhabitants, buildings and roads altered over the years. In this book we see photographs that evoke memories of the Truro that once was and we can compare them with Truro today. Change is constantly with us and yet the heart of this graceful city remains little changed. Boscawen Street, Cathedral Lane, Georgian Lemon Street and our rivers are instantly recognisable and mean 'home' to Truronians wherever they may be.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Paranormal Leicester
Book SynopsisLeicester is an old town with a long history reaching back across two thousand years of human activity and experience. Historically, it is a very well-documented town. Leicester has a rich antiquarian record with plenty of other writings and documents that add to our knowledge of how our predecessors lived and, just as importantly, what they experienced during their lives. This book details the various hauntings and lore of Leicester; from the malevolent Black Annis to the debated involvement of medium Robert James Lees in the case of Jack the Ripper. It concludes with a guided tour of all the mentioned locations.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Minchinhampton Memories
Book SynopsisCountless members of this valued community have been questioned, and everyone from the butcher at Taylors to the Parish Councillor have added their piece to the rich tapestry of Minchinhampton's heritage. The stories featured are as varied as the people who live in the village, from a humorous tale of one resident almost bumping into a cow on his way to work on Minchinhampton Common, to the wonderful theatrical productions of the 1970s, which attracted people from miles around. This book will be of interest to anyone who knows and loves this very special corner of the Cotswolds.
£12.74
Sigma Press West Yorkshire
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£12.08
Sigma Press Waterside Walks in the Lake District
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£10.41
Sigma Press Walks on the South Downs: 26 Walks in the New
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£10.97
Sigma Press Rocky Rambles in the Yorkshire Dales
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£10.97
Sigma Press Rainy Days in the Lake District
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£10.97
Sigma Press New Forest Walks: A Seasonal Wildlife Guide
£13.29
Sigma Press Peak District Walks on Tor and Moors
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£10.97
Sigma Press Beatrix Potter Country: A Cycling, Walking and
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£10.97
Countryside Books Heroes of Cornwall
Book SynopsisA collection of local stories about the heroic deeds and achievements of the people of Cornwall, including the astronomer John Couch Adams, the engineer and inventor Richard Trevithick, Dolly Pentreath and the Penlee Lifeboat Crew.
£8.21
Otago University Press Doing Well and Doing Good: Ross and Glendining:
Book SynopsisDuring the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries large numbers of Scots emigrated to seek their fortunes abroad. Better educated than the English and with a strong Presbyterian ethic, they were unusually successful in business and politics. This was true for New Zealand as elsewhere. Ross & Glendining Ltd was founded in Dunedin in 1862, during the gold rush, by two contrasting characters: Caithness-born John Ross and Robert Glendining, from Dumfries. Initially a drapery importing business, it opened branches throughout New Zealand and warehouses in all the main centers. Careful management and efficient systems enabled the business to grow, despite strong competition from Australia. After the investment boom of the seventies, R&G began to diversify, investing in sheep runs, a woollen mill, other manufacturing, and even a coal mine. This history offers not only a portrait of a firm but a window on the development of the New Zealand economy and the emergence of a manufacturing sector.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part I: From Scotland to New Zealand; Part II: Diversification & Consolidation; Part III: Expansion Against the Odds; Part IV: Wartime & After; Part V: Second Generation; Glossary; Index.
£999.99
Oratia Media Iron-Bound Coast, the
Book Synopsis"The Iron-Bound Coast" is a New Zealand publishing gem, discovered by Bob Harvey while researching the history of Auckland''s spectacular west coast. Prepared from the late Wally Badham''s manuscripts, the book records the early years of Karekare and neighbouring farming and logging settlements, at a time when car and air travel were starting to end the isolation of these stunning locations. Badham spins captivating yarns about the people and events of the first half of the twentieth century; with over 200 photos, many never-before published, this is a book to read and admire.
£21.59
Museum of New Mexico Press (Red Crane Books) Dancing to Pay the Light Bill: Essays on New
Book SynopsisA delightful panorama of south-western culture is presented in this collection of satirical and penetrating essays exploring the language, turbulent history, and rich multicultural fabric of life in this unique region.
£10.44
American Traveler Senner's Gold
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£16.19
Quill Driver Books, U.S. San Juan Bautista: The Town, the Mission & the
Book SynopsisA century ago, San Juan Bautista was the hub of Northern California, a crossroads where, over the years, you would have encountered gentle Mutsune Indians, hard-working Franciscan padres, fierce outlaws and a host of other fascinating characters. Yet today San Juan Bautista is a quaint, sleepy village with a quiet ambience that belies its dynamic past. In this book, Charles W. Clough enticingly unveils this vibrant past, granting the reader a rare peek into 200 years of history.
£17.99
Word Dancer Press From Mud-Flat Cove to Gold to Statehood:
Book SynopsisIrving Stone takes us on a journey that allows us to encounter the citizenry, experience the milestones, and appraise the events that forged the nation''s most populous state. Experience the culture, the hardships, and the greatness of men such as John Sutter, John Bidwell, Samuel Brannan, Thomas O. Larkin, the Revered Walter Colton, and John Charles Fremont. Witness the terrible tragedy of the Donner Party and the long-battled for successes of so many others. Marvel at the speed gold fever transformed a sleepy trickle of immigration into the torrent of the Gold Rush. Follow the intrigue as the intrepid Mexicans, Californios, and Americans vie for control of the territory destined to become our Union''s 31st state.
£13.29
Word Dancer Press San Joaquin: A River Betrayed: 2nd Edition
Book SynopsisWhile nearly all of America''s major rivers have been compromised, few have been so misused as the San Joaquin. In its comparatively brief history, it has been dammed, diverted, and depleted beyond comprehension. Here, in colourful and informative prose, veteran author Gene Rose identifies the forces and figures who have shaped, altered, and corrupted this once mighty waterway which some now view as "a river betrayed".
£22.09
Word Dancer Press When the Great Spirit Died: The Destruction of
Book SynopsisThe most persistent enemy of the native Californians was the firmly rooted white philosophy which preached that, one way or another, the Indian was doomed. Beyond the callous references to "Diggers" and "Poor Lo", the single most important catchword of the period was "extermination." It was used early and often and picked up by the newspapers and repeated in the army reports, letters, government documents, and journals of the time. It was a word that set the stage for slaughter. When the Great Spirit Died is a sad and tragic story that will haunt our country forever.
£18.89
Linden Publishing Co Inc California Feuds: Vengence, Vendettas & Violence
Book SynopsisChronicling the ignominious yet fascinating side of this state, this account shares tales of personal vendettas in a time when men made their own laws and left women to pick up the pieces.
£15.29
Word Dancer Press San Francisco's Lost Landmarks
Book SynopsisWith long-forgotten stories and evocative photographs, San Francisco''s Lost Landmarks showcases the once-familiar sites that have faded into dim memories and hazy legends. Not just a list of places, facts, and dates, this pictorial history shows why San Francisco has been a legendary travel destination and one of the world''s premier places to live and work for more than one hundred and fifty years. It not only tells of the lost landmarks, but also dishes up the flavour of what it was like to experience these past treasures.
£15.19
Linden Publishing Legends of the California Bandidos
Book SynopsisThis book presents extraordinary, little-known tales of the infamous bandits and highwaymen who plied their trade in early California.
£14.39
Linden Publishing Co Inc California Disasters 1800-1900: Firsthand
Book SynopsisIt was another time. Deadly earthquakes, steamboat explosions, floods, train wrecks, and other tragedies were a part of everyday life in nineteenth-century California. Yet, the men and women of the day licked their wounds, mourned their dead, picked up the pieces, and plunged ahead to build a great prosperous new state that took its place in the forefront of our great Union. This is their stories, in their own words. First-person accounts of the major 19th century California catastrophes. Includes scores of contemporary period photographs and other illustrations.
£15.29
Linden Publishing Co Inc California Badmen: Mean Men with Guns on the Old
Book SynopsisThis is a exploration of little-known Western frontier gunfighters. Billy Mulligan, Sam Temple, Peter Olsen, Joe Dye, Bob McFarlane and those responsible for the Rancheria killings are brought back through the pages and taking their stand in Californian history. The riotous lives of these unique collection of mean men with guns spill over the California frontier and rival the likes of "Wild Bill" Hickok, Billy the Kid, and the Earp Family.
£15.29
Linden Publishing Co Inc California Justice: Shootouts, Lynchings and
Book SynopsisIntroducing the victims and perpetrators responsible for California''s most notorious shootouts, lynchings, and assassinations, this account shows how homemade justice is never black-and-white. In relating these histories, this discussion also analyzes how and why Hollywood storylines almost always follow the same skewed and unrealistic arc in which the bad guys abuse the good guys, the good guy take the high road until the bad guy has gone too far, and the good guy picks off the bad guys, one by one, in an increasingly dramatic fashion.
£15.29
Primer Publishers Arizoniana: Stories from Old Arizona!
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£13.29
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd On the Street Where You Live: Sailors,
Book SynopsisToday, the streets of Victoria are busy thoroughfares. Yesterday, they were simple trails, used by the Hudson''s Bay Company men and the First Nations people who traded with them and helped build their fort. Then came the gold miners, followed by the bankers and businessmen, sailors and saloon-keepers, poets, postmasters, architects and astronomers. They''re remembered in Victoria''s city''s streets . . .and every street name tells a story: Courtney Street is a misspelled memorial to Captain George W. Courtenay, whose Constance was one of the first of Her Majesty''s vessels to sail into Esquimalt Harbour in the 1840s. Fan Tan Alley provides a tantalizing glimpse into 1800s Chinatown, where Fan Tan gambling dens existed alongside brothels and opium factories that fuelled the gamblers'' fortunes. Rattenbury Place is named for the ill-fated architect who designed the Empress Hotel and the Parliament Buildings. Danda''s knack for colourful, no-nonsense writing makes history come alive. You''ll sympathize with the characters she writes about, enjoy them and through their eyes experience 19-century Victoria in a way you''ve never experienced it before.
£18.89
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd British Columbia 100 Years Ago: Portraits of a
Book SynopsisIn an era when picture postcards became a unique new way to "call home," they quickly established a role in enticing an ongoing parade of tourists to British Columbia. This book features an impressive collection of black-and-white lithograph images that were sold to the public in the early twentieth century. Documenting life in British Columbia during this period of time, each image has a story to tell. Collectively they define the state of affairs in B.C. a century ago. The book is divided into geographic regions, with an introductory article and map for each. Fred Thirkell and Bob Scullion''s previous book of postcard images, Postcards From the Past (1996), won a City of Vancouver Heritage Award.
£14.39
Granville Island Publishing UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities):
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£33.14
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Deadly Innocent: Tragedy on the Trail to Gold
Book SynopsisBest-selling chronicler of the gold rush Bill Gallaher now brings us the compelling story of the Rennie brothers. Lured by dreams of wealth and a better life, William, Gilbert and Thomas Rennie set out for the Cariboo goldfields in the spring of 1862. But because of their late departure, they encountered unimaginable consequences. They crossed the prairies in good order with the famous Father Lacombe and continued along the well-marked trail of the Overlanders into the mountains. But after that, nothing went according to plan. Deadly Innocent captures the essence of this drama in its riveting account of love, hope and the limits of human endurance. The third of Bill Gallaher''s chronicles of the Cariboo gold rush, Deadly Innocent is a captivating addition to his treasure trove of stories about the gold rush and fascinating characters from B.C.''s past.
£17.99
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Rediscovering the Prairies: Journeys by Dog,
Book SynopsisIn the early days, Plains Indians travelled on foot across the vast Canadian prairies, with only fierce, wolf-like dogs as companions. Later, with the arrival of Europeans, horses and canoes appeared on the scene. In Rediscovering the Prairies, Norman Henderson, a leading scholar of the world''s great temperate grasslands, revives the earlier modes of prairie travel. He journeys along 325 kilometres of Saskatchewan''s Qu''Appelle Valley by dog and travois (the wooden rack pulled by dogs and horses used by First Nations to transport belongings), then by canoe, and finally by horse and travois. Henderson''s often humourous descriptions of his attempts to find and train a dog and a horse highlight the difficulties involved in recreating traditional travel methods. Henderson interweaves his own adventures with the exploits of earlier travellers, such as La Vérendrye, Alexander Henry and Peter Fidler, and the experiences of fur traders and others who struggled across this strange and forbidding landscape. His captivating account will foster a better appreciation for, and a deeper understanding of, the natural and human history of the Canadian prairies.
£18.89
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Philip Timms' Vancouver: 1900-1910
Book SynopsisIn Philip Timms'' Vancouver, the city''s "golden age" has been captured with spirit and style by one of British Columbia''s foremost photographers. Philip Timms was a man of many accomplishments, but one of the most notable was his photographic record of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, created between 1900 and 1910. As Vancouver evolved from a colonial outpost to a modern centre of industry and tourism, Timms sought to preserve views of the maturing city and its people, from landmark buildings to street scenes to children and families. James B. Stanton, a former curator of history at the Vancouver Museum, wrote: "All of Timms'' photographs have a certain recognizable quality about them; much of the kindness and gentleness of the man himself comes through. His shots are candid and uncluttered and capture dramatically the feeling and mood of the time." Fortunately, Vancouver''s adolescence coincided with the "golden age of postcards," when billions of them were being sent, exchanged and hoarded all over the world. By 1910, numerous photographers were producing postcards in the Vancouver area, but Philip Timms stood well above the others. This sampling of Timms'' best work is full of life: people in action on the streets, in the parks, on the waterfront and on ships.
£32.79
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Nechako Country: In the Footsteps of Bert Irvine
Book SynopsisThe indomitable spirit of Bert Irvine is at the heart of Nechako Country, a story that provides a glimpse into a simpler world in simpler times. After Bert moved his young family from Barrhead in northwestern Alberta to Vanderhoof in central British Columbia, the upper Nechako country and Nechako River became integral parts of their lives. Bert''s life was and still is intertwined with the wilderness, and the country itself is a major player in this tale. Spanning 1934 to 2005, a period of unprecedented and fast-paced change, the story focuses largely on the ''50s and ''60s. As the wilderness way of life continues to be replaced by a new world of high technology, and the wilderness itself is pushed back and badly bruised, Nechako Country provides a window into the past and a lifestyle that has all but vanished. In part the story of one man''s journey through life as a trapper, guide-outfitter and jack-of-all trades, it is also a history of the upper Nechako valley, its people and the tortured Nechako River, the lifeblood of this beautiful area.
£17.09
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Rocky Mountain Madness: A Historical Miscellany
Book SynopsisThis entertaining collection of historical photographs, amusing newspaper accounts, reminiscences and letters celebrates the capricious antics that the Rockies and Selkirks summoned in Victorian residents and visitors. From climbers, cowboys, cooks and shopkeepers to hunters, guides, photographers and poets, these were people with a mania for mountains, beauty and challenge. It led them to draw maps, take fine photographs, analyze the rocks and geological structures around them, create fine paintings and, in general, plunge into the unknown and write about their wonderful adventures. Rocky Mountain Madness offers up a miscellany of their images and writings, including accounts of occasional accomplishment, accomplished adventure, adventurous rambling and rambling discourse.
£14.39
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Ghost Town Stories of BC: Tales of Hope, Heroism
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£10.44
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Native Chiefs and Famous Métis: Leadership and
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£10.44
Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd Edward S. Curtis Above the Medicine Line:
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£18.89
