Search results for ""history press""

The Crystal Palace was built in Hyde Park to house the treasures of the world for the Great Exhibition of 1851. It became a microcosm of Victorian life, industry and leisure, reflecting every aspect of its age. Designed by Joseph Paxton as a temporary structure its success meant that when it closed it was moved to Sydenham and rebuilt.

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Those magic words ‘Once upon a time’ have been spoken around the flickering flame of the turf fire by storytellers for thousands of years. In this book, author Tony Locke has gathered together the rich tapestry of stories that make up the folklore, myth and legend of County Mayo. This book will take you on a journey through the rugged landscape of the west coast of Ireland, to its holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, and across the foaming waters of Clew Bay. Here you will read of Gráinne Ní Mháille, the Pirate Queen, the spectre known as the Fír Gorta who roamed the famine villages of west Mayo, the monsters that inhabit the deep waters of Lough Mask and the Matchstick Man of Straide. You will also read of the Love Flower and two young lovers, the land of eternal youth that is Tír na nÓg and the night of the Big Wind. So why not pull up a chair and sit awhile? You know you’re never too old for a story.

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Longford Folk Tales is a treasure trove of wonderful stories of saints and deities, fairies and devils, kings and ghosts, shoemakers and other engaging characters. Read about The Blake Millions, butter stealing, the Wooing of Étaín, and ‘The Walking Gallows’, Hempenstall – all your favourite legends and many more.This selection of tales and stories from every corner of the county of Longford reflects the wisdom of the countryside and its people. Legends, folk customs and local lore from earliest times up to the county’s more recent past are expertly told by storyteller Philip Byrne.

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An evocative and exciting collection of rare and unusual images of the vessel known as the ship beautiful.' Shipping Today and YesterdayRMS Aquitania was in service for decades, and was very much beloved. The third in Cunard Line's grand trio' of express liners, running mate of the lost Lusitania and the legendary Mauretania (1907), Aquitania was the last surviving four-funnelled ocean liner.Aquitania was pressed into service during both world wars and was one of the longest serving passenger liners of the twentieth century. She was also one of the most elegant, nicknamed the ship beautiful'. Maritime authors J. Kent Layton and Tad Fitch have collaborated to put together the most evocative and exciting collection of rare and unusual imagery relating to this historic vessel ever shown.

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Do you remember the time we used to do New York in three hours?Even twenty years after its final flight, Concorde remains the pinnacle of aviation design. The aircraft is still unmatched, which has led to a vast swathe of material being written about the aeroplane itself. However, relatively little has been said about the people who designed it.Concorde, A Designer’s Life is an autobiography peppered with anecdotes from the team, humorous life stories and several ‘technibits’, all covering the design period of Concorde. Ted Talbot, who began his career at BAC as an aerodynamicist and later became chief design engineer, has combined the technical narrative with personal and family reminiscences to remind the reader that engineers have lives too.The path to Mach 2 was bumpy, with threats of cancellation and opposition from the Americans and the Russians, but this generally indicated to the Concorde team that they were on the right path! This informative, witty and thoroughly enjoyable peek into an unusual life is a valuable addition to any bookshelf.

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‘This is a great tale, and what’s more, it’s beautifully told.’ – Simon BarnesFrom Sathasivam to Sangakkara, Murali to Malinga, Sri Lanka can lay claim to some of the world’s most remarkable cricketers – larger-than-life characters who thumbed convention and played the game their own way. This is the land of pint-sized, swashbuckling batsmen, on-the-fly innovators and contorted, cryptic spinners. More so than anywhere else in the world, Sri Lankan cricket has an identity: cricket is Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka is cricket.We all know the story of the 1996 World Cup: how a team of unfancied amateurs rose from obscurity and changed the way the game was played. Yet the lore of Sri Lankan cricket stretches back much further, from early matches between colonists and locals, and Ashes-bound ships bringing in cricket’s biggest stars, to the more recent triumphs and tragedies that stem from cash flowing freely into the game. An Island’s Eleven tells this story in full for the first time, focusing on the characters and moments that have shaped the game forever.

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This is a marvellous book. The research is very thorough and it will answer all my questions.' RICHARD WILLIS, Normandy veteran, first lieutenant on LCT 898 on D-DayBrings to life the planning and execution of the largest amphibious landing which the world has ever seen My grandfather would have been most impressed by this detailed research.' CAPTAIN WILL RAMSAY, grandson of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary ForceD-Day, one of the most decisive moments of the Second World War, could not have happened without thousands of landing craft. Yet their role, and that of their crews, has often been overlooked.During a combined operation that involved aerial and naval assaults, as well as amphibious landings on a vast scale, more than 132,000 Allied troops landed on the Normandy beaches on 6 June 1944. Through their efforts, the tide of the war turned for the final time to favour the A

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A collection of tales that grew out of the sprawling flatlands, the oozing fjords, the dark forests and the waves that crash on the shores of Denmark.How a Viking ship carried a future king into Roskilde Fjord, how a mermaid’s laughter brought fortunes to her fisherman host, how the people of Lolland survived a flood with waves 3m high and how a princess found her freedom in becoming a prince.Experience the history, landscapes, stories and fairy tales brought to life by a storyteller who called this country home for nearly sixty years.

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'I was on the street and I was free – but what now?’This is the story of Lex Lesgever: a young Jewish boy who found himself alone on the streets of wartime Amsterdam, the only survivor of his large family. He was just 11 when the Germans invaded in May 1940, and less than a year later he had already been confronted with the horrific consequences of war when his eldest brother, Wolf, was arrested during a raid. This marked the beginning of a devastating time for both the Netherlands and for the young boy who had to survive it alone.From a cosy family home in Amsterdam’s Jewish quarter, to sleeping rough, escaping Nazi raids and interrogations, and being taken in by members of the Dutch Resistance, Lex’s memoir pulls no punches. Witness the growth of a naïve, frightened young boy into a smart, resilient and yet sensitive survivor. Painting a picture of the unfolding events in Amsterdam during Anne Frank’s time in hiding, Nobody Lives Here is vivid and often horrific, but ultimately it is a poignant snapshot of humanity in its darkest moments.

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In 1943, as war raged along the Eastern Front, the German forces attempted to push further east in the brutal Operation Citadel, which saw one of the largest armoured clashes in history: the Battle of Prokhorovka.Countered by two Soviet attacks, this operation saw the tide turn on the Eastern Front. For the first time a German offensive was halted in its tracks and the Soviets ended the conflict as the decisive victors. With a loss of over 200,000 men on both sides, this two-month clash was one of the costliest of the war. In this dramatic study, Anthony Tucker-Jones reassesses this decisive tank battle through the eyes of those who fought, using translated first-person accounts. Kursk 1943 is one volume that no military history enthusiast should be without.

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Everybody loves stories and Scotland is full of them. Every town, village, glen, loch, nook and cranny has a tale to tell and it’s these stories that bring those places to life. Scotland’s Stories is the key to unlocking those legends and seeing these incredible places in a new light. Loch Garve looks very different when you know there’s a Kelpie lurking somewhere in its depths. There’s a new appreciation for the iconic Eilean Donan Castle after discovering the man who built it spoke with birds. An empty moor or wooded gorge is easily brought to life with the clashing sounds of a battle fought long ago.Based on the popular travel blog from storyteller Graeme and Molly the Labrador, these tales will appeal to all who love history, folklore and Scotland.

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Passenger ships have always played a key role in shaping our lives and destinies. From the biggest to the smallest, the most beautiful to the most basic, in peacetime and war, they have carried emigrants, holidaymakers, troops and other travellers on countless life-changing journeys – and many of those passengers have a tale or two to tell about their time on board.Tales from Great Passenger Ships is a collection of intimate and often humorous portraits of the most famous and notorious ships to ever sail our seas. From the escapades of passengers and crew to terrible disasters, infamous controversies and thrilling rescues, author and former Queen Mary entertainment officer Paul Curtis takes a nostalgic voyage through the history of seagoing.

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At a time when everything is constantly changing, it can be comforting to look back. British Passenger Liners in Colour is just that: a look back at a time when the British-flag passenger fleet spanned the world from Southampton to South America.Using glorious full-colour images, many previously unseen, acclaimed maritime historian William H. Miller embarks on a voyage through a golden era of ocean liners. From Anchor Line to the Union-Castle Line, RMS Aquitania *to MS *Vistafjord, they all return to the high seas in this beautiful book, one for all ocean-liner enthusiasts to enjoy. Shipping Co, Orient Line, P&O and Shaw Savill Line.

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Celebrating 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, motorsport’s iconic endurance race, technical illustrator Mick Hill takes us on a potted history of this world-famous event. The follow-on book to his successful Grand Prix’s Winning Colours, Mick once again allows his signature artwork to take centre stage, presenting a complete visual record of every winning car since the championship began back in 1923. Including details of the cars’ drivers, as well as interesting facts about each race, such as weather conditions, distance covered and average speeds, Le Mans Winning Colours is a book to treasure for all racing-car enthusiasts.

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"Fascinating and illuminating – this book takes you on a trip to the seaside and back into the depths of the Ice Age, walking in the steps of our distant ancestors." - Professor Alice RobertsNorfolk’s Deep History Coast is a place of unique archaeological and palaeontological discoveries of international significance. Spectacular finds have transformed our understanding of the first human occupation of northern Europe and fossilised human footprints show people were here nearly a million years ago. This is the only part of Britain to have evidence of four species of humans, and it has also been home to giant prehistoric creatures, including three species of mammoth.This book will take you on a journey through time, looking at the geology, natural landscape and the creatures that have inhabited the area. Here you can explore the fascinating and beautiful sites around the 150km of Deep History Coast and see how you can share in this exciting adventure of discovery.

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A BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED LOOK AT THE LIVES AND MIND-BOGGLING BEHAVIOURS OF INSECTSHow to Read an Insect takes you on an unforgettable tour of the insect world, presenting these amazing creatures as you have never seen them before.This stunningly illustrated guide puts a wealth of fascinating behaviours under the microscope – from elegant displays of courtship to brutal acts of predation. Along the way, Ross Piper charts the evolution of insects and reveals everything you need to know about how they nest, feed, reproduce and defend themselves. He concludes by discussing the impact of the human world on insects, and what we can do to prevent their decline in numbers.• Explores the remarkable lifestyles of exotic insects as well as those in your own garden.• Includes highlights from a wide range of new insect behaviour studies.• Features a wealth of breathtaking colour photos, illustrations, and graphics.

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Step back in time to 1964, a year of cultural upheaval and political transformation. From the rise of the Civil Rights movement in the United States to the global phenomenon of Beatlemania, this was the year that gave us bold fashion, unforgettable music and social change that continues to shape society across the world today.While Britain's new Labour government promised the white heat of technology', on the world stage 1964 saw the escalation of the Vietnam War, Nelson Mandela's sentence to life imprisonment and the continued brinkmanship of the global arms race. Brand-new subcultures clashed at Margate beach, where thousands of Mods and Rockers fought over their differing values, while London's Carnaby Street shone vibrantly in the country's capital and women flocked to Mary Quant's iconic designs, empowered by changing social sensibilities and rising hemlines.In this captivating blend of historical events, cultural trends and personal anecdotes, Ch

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Durham Cathedral was completed nearly 900 years ago, after 40 years of construction. Inevitably it has suffered from the effects of time: physical erosion, from the weather and increasing pollution on stone that was never of the best quality, and cultural erosion, the impact of secular and religious changes – not least the depredations of clerics, improvers, and administrators. Nevertheless, it remains: the stones speak and provide the story of themselves. Building Durham Cathedral explores this magnificent structure by questioning its architectural plans and stonework. As there have been minimal additions we catch sight of it as the Norman builders intended. Remarkably, a few early documents and the stonework itself allow us to glimpse its beginnings and some of the personalities involved. Questions remain, but there may even be a clue to the identity of its original master mason.

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With devastating clarity and gentle humour, Mabel Hewitt takes us through her extraordinary life, from her childhood in the shadow of the First World War right up to the present day. Born in the tumultuous thirties, when the threat of the poorhouse hung over working families, she was just 10 years old when war clouds began to gather across Europe. She remembers air-raid sirens, taking shelter underground with her mother and sisters, and the utterly terrifying Coventry Blitz, when almost two-thirds of the city was destroyed or damaged.And yet, despite everything, her spirit shines through. Mabel’s War is a poignant account of love and hope during some of the country’s darkest days.

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In 2019, Oscar-winning special effects supremo John Richardson released his first book, the bestselling Making Movie Magic, which chronicled his remarkable career in the film industry. A year later, during a house clear-out as the UK was stuck in a seemingly never-ending lockdown, he unearthed another treasure trove of behind-the-scenes images from the blockbuster films he worked on. Featuring never-before-seen photos from the Harry Potter films, eight James Bond films, The Omen, A Bridge Too Far, Superman, Aliens, Willow, Cliffhanger and many others, all reproduced in stunning colour alongside extended captions, Making Movie Magic: The Photographs is a further celebration of Richardson’s extraordinary body of work over five decades.

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‘Enthralling . . . an essential read, particularly for fans of 007.’ - Cinema Retro‘When Harry Met Cubby is a fitting tribute to two extraordinary men. If you love behind the scenes stories about the making of movies, there’s plenty of drama to sate you here.’ - Entertainment FocusAlbert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and Harry Saltzman remain the most successful producing partnership in movie history. Together they were responsible for the phenomenally successful James Bond series; separately they brought kitchen-sink drama to the screen, made a star out of Michael Caine in the Harry Palmer films and were responsible for the children’s classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But their relationship was fraught almost from the very beginning. With such contrasting personalities, their interactions often span out of control. They managed to drive away their coveted star, Sean Connery, and ultimately each other.Loved and hated in equal measure, respected and feared by their contemporaries, few people have loomed as large over the film industry as Broccoli and Saltzman, yet their lives went in very different directions. Broccoli was feted as Hollywood royalty, whereas Saltzman ended up a forgotten recluse. When Harry Met Cubby charts the changing fortunes and clashing personalities of two titans of the big screen.

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Domesday Book is a statistical survey of England in 1086 A.D. it is a census of the population and productive resources of the country, of their value and of who held them. It was unmatched in Europe for many centuries, the product of a sophisticated and experienced English administration, fully exploited by the Conqueror’s commanding energy. Its name is known to everyone – and everyone can now have access to its text, and, within the limitations of contemporary scholarship, its meaning. It is difficult to exaggerate the important to local historians and archaeologists of the availability of a cheap edition of this fundamental source, for the first time in 900 years. The Domesday Survey was arranged by counties, or shires, and so is the Domesday Book Series. These are the ancient counties that survived with little change until 1974.

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The Story of Bradford traces the city's history from earliest times to the present, concluding with comments on the issues, challenges and opportunities that the 21st century will present. The departure of the German wool merchants in 1914 and the tragedy that befell the Bradford Pals at the Somme had a serious effect not just on the city but further afield, while the achievements of the great nineteenth-century wool barons are contrasted with the condition of the working-class and industrial unrest. The challenge in the new millennium is for Bradford to use its considerable assets - including the architectural development and heritage - to shine as a prosperous and self-confident community.

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The Orkney Islands are a place of mystery and magic, where the past and the present meet, ancient standing stones walk and burial mounds are the home of the trows. Orkney Folk Tales walks the reader across invisible islands that are home to fin folk and mermaids, and seals that are often far more than they appear to be. Here Orkney witches raise storms and predict the outcome of battles, ghosts seek revenge and the Devil sits in the rafters of St Magnus Cathedral, taking notes! Using ancient tales told by the firesides of the Picts and Vikings, storyteller Tom Muir takes the reader on a magical journey where he reveals how the islands were created from the teeth of a monster, how a giant built lochs and hills in his greed for fertile land, and how the waves are controlled by the hand of a goddess.

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Oswald Mosley decided he could carry on where Hitler and Mussolini had left off. On street corners his fascist speakers would proclaim ‘not enough Jews were burned at Belsen’. Enter the 43 Group. In a ferocious, bloody and brilliantly covert five-year campaign, they destroyed the Mosleyites. The membership of the Group was almost entirely made up of British servicemen, the original 43 members quickly swelling to more than 300 and including a Battle of Britain ace, a VC winner – and Vidal Sasson! The Groups philosophy of the ‘3 D's’ - Discuss, Decide and Do it – were quickly manifested on the streets of London, with thousands of fascist meetings and rallies sent packing. The Group was organised in 'wedges' of a dozen or so. These wedges would attend a BUF rally and at a given signal would storm the speaker’s platform, attacking BUF stewards and speaker. The members' military background ensured tight discipline and brutally effective actions. This, combined with a number of spies within the fascist ranks, ensured the 43 Group almost always came out on top, closing down two-thirds of all fascist activity in the UK until its simultaneous demise with organised fascism in Britain in 1950. As capitalism falters, fascism is gathering strength in Europe today. This book is a timely reminder of how it gathers that strength - and one way of stopping it.

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WINNER OF THE BRITISH SPORT BOOK AWARDS - RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR This is the story of 15 men killed in the Great War. All played rugby for one London club; none lived to hear the final whistle. Rugby brought them together; rugby led the rush to war. They came from Britain and the Empire to fight in every theatre and service, among them a poet, playwright and perfumer. Some were decorated and died heroically; others fought and fell quietly. Together their stories paint a portrait in miniature of the entire War. The Final Whistle plays tribute to the pivotal role rugby played in the Great War by following the poignant stories of fifteen men who played for Rosslyn Park, London. They came from diverse backgrounds, with players from Australia, Ceylon, Wales and South Africa, but they were united by their love of the game and their courage in the face of war. From the mystery of a missing memorial, Cooper’s meticulous research has uncovered the story of these men and captured their lives, from their vanished Edwardian youth and vigour, to the war they fought and how they died.

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Launched as the pride of British shipbuilding and the largest vessel in the world, Olympic was more than 40 per cent larger than her nearest rivals: almost 900ft long and the first ship to exceed 40,000 tons. She was built for comfort rather than speed and equipped with an array of facilities, including Turkish and electric baths (one of the first ships to have them), a swimming pool, gymnasium, squash court, á la carte restaurant, large first-class staterooms and plush public rooms. Surviving from 1911 until 1935, she was a firm favourite with the travelling public – carrying hundreds of thousands of fare-paying passengers – and retained a style and opulence even into her twilight years. During the First World War, she carried more troops than any other comparable steamship and was the only passenger liner ever to sink an enemy submarine by ramming it. Overshadowed frequently by her sister ships Titanic and Britannic, Olympic’s history deserves more attention than it has received. She was evolutionary in design rather than revolutionary, but marked an ambition for the White Star Line to dominate the North Atlantic express route. Rivals immediately began trying to match her in size and luxury. The optimism that led to her conception was rewarded, whereas her doomed sisters never fulfilled their creators’ dreams. This revised and expanded edition of the critically acclaimed RMS Olympic: Titanic’s Sister uses new images and further original research to tell the story of this remarkable ship 80 years after her career ended.

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This collection of five tales and one play contains the definitive Robin Hood. They are the earliest ballads and play and still the best of the bunch. ‘Robin Hood and the Monk’ is the earliest surviving manuscript, dated c.1450, and is considered the greatest of the ballads, though it was probably not sung, being described as a ‘talkyng’; ‘Robin Hood’s Death’ is one of the most satisfying tragedies in the English language; while ‘A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode’ is a comprehensive account of the famous English outlaw - complete, unified and pointing quite clearly to the reign of Edward II as a probable time for an historical Robin Hood, despite the opinions of most of the experts.

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Flint knapping, which is the shaping of flint or other fracturing stone to manufacture tools, was one of the primary skills used for survival by our prehistoric ancestors. Early mankind once made and used these implements on a daily basis to hunt, prepare food and clothing, to farm, make shelters, and perform all the other tasks required for Stone Age existence.A material that has been with us since earliest times, flint still plays a part in our lives today: it is used in cigarette, gas and barbeque lighters; in some parts of Britain it is a major building material; and many of our beaches have shingle which is just flint by another name.In this informative and original guide, expert Robert Turner explains how flint was used, what tools were made and what they were made for, and provides detailed instruction of how to make them, enabling the reader to replicate their own Stone Age toolkit. Illustrated throughout, Flint Knapping is a journey of archaeological discovery through the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Ages.

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The Little Book of Aviation is a collection of facts, figures and interesting stories from the world of flight. Sad, humorous, baffling and astounding stories abound, from the pioneering days of the Wright Brothers to the present day, and covering everything from great milestones, famous names who’ve served, and the greatest of aircraft icons; phantom pilots and aircraft and a glossary of slang; the origins of plane-spotting and unusual aircraft names; great feats and enduring mysteries; lucky escapes and great aircraft in the movies… the trivia is limitless and will appeal to everyone, whether you want help telling your Spitfire from your Messerschmitt or you know a Spitfire I from a Spitfire II!

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With the gradual phasing out of wooden fishing boats of Scotland it is timely to record some of these handsome vessels. In the years from 1960–80 boat builders produced some of their most shapely and graceful craft, a testament to the skill of both the builders and designers. Initially the designs were a collaboration of builders and skippers, but later the implementation of statutory rules demanded a more structured approach by qualified naval architects, which inevitably resulted in a certain degree of standardisation. James A. Pottinger’s new illustrated volume concentrates solely on the graceful wooden boats, large and small, regarded by many to be the best looking boats of all. Many boats are photographed at sea, while other views range from repairs being carried out to the more melancholy sight of beautiful craft being cut up. Boats were once scrapped only due to old age, but sadly political factors now often dictate the destruction of the classic wooden craft included here.

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At the end of 1917, after three years of trench warfare on the Western Front, the Allied armies of Britain and France, and those of their main opponent, Germany, had reached a point of exhaustion and hibernation. On March 21 1918, the German Army launched a massive assault on the Western Front, hurling fifty-nine divisions into battle against the British Fifth Army, smashing through British lines and advancing 40 miles per week. More offensives were to follow throughout the spring, including at Aisne and Marne, with the aim of ending the war before American forces could reach the Continent and reinforce the Allied lines. Nevertheless, although the German Army left the British Army reeling, the Tommies retreated in good order and fought all the way. It was during these bloody battles, which lasted until July 1918, that fifty-seven men stood out for acts of extraordinary daring and bravery. To these men the highest military honour was awarded – the Victoria Cross. This book reveals the true extent of their bravery, their backgrounds and their lives after the war.

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Swansea has long been a busy industrial port and has always had an edgy history. Explore the hidden stories from its long and dangerous past, with tales of rebellion, shipwreck and murder. From Romans to the Red Lady, Viking raids to English attacks, deadly diseases, slums, cholera and Nazi bombs, you'll never see the city in the same way again. Why were all those men trapped in the hold when the Caesar hit the rocks at Pwlldu? What happened when Hitler came to Swansea? Find out who you can turn to for help when you have just dismembered a body and want to put it in your van. All this and more awaits you within.

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Glasgow has one of the bloodiest and most tumultuous histories on record, riddled with plagues and pirate attacks, religious divides and reconciliations, bombs, executions, fires and floods. A city of slums and grandeur, of razor gangs and rebels, of sectarian violence and cultural assimilation, here you will find the best of the worst of Scotland’s greatest city.

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The county borough of Wrexham is rich in folklore, with an abundance of tales to capture the wonders of the Welsh landscape and all its denizens, both real and imaginary: animal, human and even superhuman. This collection, which includes both traditional tales – passed down through generations by word of mouth – and archive material, brings to life the local legends, mysteries and stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that make Wales so magical. A speaker of both languages of Wales, the author has collected some unusual material sure to enchant both Welsh and non Welsh speakers. Beautifully illustrated by local artist Ed Fisher, these tales bring to life the ancient wisdom of Wrexham.

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Here is the LOATHSOME, LURID and DOWNRIGHT LAMENTABLE history of Liverpool! Beginning with the mysteries of the Druids and featuring astonishing tales of bloodshed, battles and the Black Death, Viking assaults, Victorian gangland riots, the mud, blood and bullets of the Western Front and the falling bombs of the Blitz, read it if you dare! With more than 70 illustrations (plus a grim and gruesome colour section on the infamous Maybrick poisoning), you'll never look at the city in the same way again!

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The Battle of the Somme, which lasted from 1 July to 18 November 1916, is remembered as one of the most horrific and tragic battles of the First World War. On the first day alone nearly 19,000 British troops were killed – the greatest one-day loss in the history of the British Army. By November the death toll from the armies of Britain, France and Germany had risen to over a million. This book tells the stories of fifty-one soldiers from the Commonwealth and Empire armies whose bravery on the battlefield was rewarded by the Victoria Cross, the highest military honour – men like Private Billy McFadzean, who was blown up by two grenades which he smothered in order to save the lives of his comrades, and Private ‘Todger’ Jones, who single-handedly rounded up 102 German soldiers. Not only do we learn of heroic endeavours of these men at the height of battle, but we also read of their lives before 1914, ranging from the backstreets of Glasgow to a country house in Cheshire, and of what life was like after the war for the thirty-three survivors.

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Since it was first broadcast on British television in 1997, Midsomer Murders has become one of the most-beloved detective dramas on television, instantly recognisable for its attractive backdrop at the heart of rural England. The real towns and villages of ‘Midsomer’ are situated in the Chilterns, the Thames Valley and the Vale of Aylesbury, all areas of outstanding natural beauty, and this illustrated book reveals the many stunning key locations for this popular show. Over forty towns and villages have appeared in the long-running television series, ranging from the hill-top village of Brill (also famous for a real crime, the ‘Great Train Robbery’) to Waddesdon, home of a Rothschild’s manor. Chris Behan, a resident of this area for over thirty years, has used his skill and intimate knowledge of the subject to create a book that is a must for fans of Midsomer Murders and all those who love this charming part of rural England.

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For 10,000 years the River Thames meandered from source to sea, periodically throwing up mudbanks or carving parallel channels on the bends and creating islands along much of its length. There are around 180 islands altogether, some accessible by footbridge, some by road and others, like Pharaoh's Island and Garrick’s Ait, only by boat. Thirty are inhabited by small settlements, single houses or houseboats, all highly sought-after locations today. Many are important nature reserves; others directly connected to major historical events or famous personalities. Oliver’s Eyot was a refuge for Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War, whilst Lot’s Ait was the unlikely setting for Humphrey Bogart’s 1951 film The African Queen, and the legendry Eel Pie Island played a key role in the development of British popular music. These islands, known as Eyots or Aits, form the skeletal backbone of the Thames. In this fascinating and detailed book, Miranda Vickers considers their history and role in helping us understand how the river evolved.

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What Europe needed after the Second World War was an ultra-reliable workhorse to get small businesses on the move again. And, with a little nudge from the Dutch, that’s what Volkswagen provided in 1950 with its Transporter van. It was no fireball, but rock-solid quality meant it always delivered the goods.

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The book covers over 100 years of tractor development and features more than 100 different tractors. The first steam engines on wheels which used belts to drive farm machinery developed into traction engines, used on farms by pulling a plough on cables between two engines. In the 20th century, stationary internal combustion engines, such as the Clutterbuck, began to be put on wheels and moved around a farm to drive threshing machines by belt. Dozens of small companies grew up around the world following their own lines of development. Most lasted only a short time. Firms like Allis-Chalmers, Benz, Lloyd, Jelbart, Glasgow, Fordson, Bates and Hart-Parr are famous names which have faded away or been taken over. A few companies, such as Case and Massey, started in the middle of the 19th century and continue today on a global scale. John Deere started making ploughs in 1837 and is now the largest manufacturer in the world. Some developments have caused a giant leap forward: the use of rubber pneumatic tyres rather than metal wheels; turbo-charged diesel engines and the hydraulic three-point hitch system designed by Ferguson, which is still used today in some form on most modern machines. All are photographed here, many in action and in different countries.

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Compiled by two highly respected authors and museum curators, this richly illustrated book features 100 objects – ranging from a Viking Thor’s Hammer and Lord Nelson’s funeral drape, to the whistle used during the Christmas truce of 1914. Norfolk has evidence of a substantially longer human past than any other part of Britain. The discovery of the beautiful Happisburgh handaxe, described inside, led to a find of further flint tools twice as old as anything found elsewhere in the country. Each object tells a fascinating story in its own right, adding depth and colour to the chapters of Norfolk’s history. The result is an illuminating visual record, demonstrating the central role objects have in understanding our past and revealing the often crucial role Norfolk has played in the development of our national story.

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The yew is one of the most fascinating and versatile life forms on Earth, botanically rich and intriguing, and culturally almost without comparison. In history, mythology, religion, folklore, medicine and warfare, this tree bears timeless witness to a deep relationship with mankind. Yew was the wood chosen to make some of mankind's oldest artefacts: spears, bows and musical instruments. These include items like the prehistoric spear found near Clacton, the 2,000-year-old wooden pipes from Greystones, County Wicklow and, of course, the famous medieval English longbow. In modern medicine, too, yew has proved a boon. Since 1992 taxol/paclitaxel has helped revolutionise the treatment of certain types of cancer. In botanical terms, yew is a mass of contradictions. It is a conifer which bears scarlet 'berries' with sweet juicy pulp instead of cones. It is highly poisonous in all its parts except the red fruit pulp, and yet both wild and domesticated animals feed upon it. It can live for thousands of years with the potential to renew itself. A new tree from an interior root can grow slowly within the hollow trunk of an ancient yew and centuries later 'take over' the older tree.When it comes to habitat, the yew tree is nothing if not versatile. It can grown on different continents at a wide range of altitudes: from rainy Edinburgh to sultry Istanbul, from Canada to Mexico, Scandinavia to North Africa and Sumatra, Japan and the Himalayas. Fred Hageneder's fascinating book is the first to cover all aspects of the botany as well as the cultural history and mythology of the genus Taxus. This is the remarkable story of the oldest living things in Europe.

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In 61 AD, Roman rule in Britain was threatened by a bloody revolt led by one of the most iconic figures in British history. Legend dictates that Boudica destroyed three Roman towns and thousands of lives in response to Roman cruelty and betrayal towards her and her family. However, in recent years, the debate about the revolt has developed little. This work therefore seeks to offer fresh proposals about why the revolt started, how it spread and where Boudica fought her last epic battle against a dangerously over-stretched and outnumbered Roman army. Boudica’s Last Stand side-steps conventional thinking to approach the topic in a more pragmatic style. The result is a book which allows both general and specialist readers alike to form their own conclusions by reconsidering a familiar story from an alternative perspective.

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Did you know? A new species of cat-like dinosaur, yet to be named, was discovered on the Isle of Wight in 1988. Darwin began his world famous ‘On the Origin of the Species' while staying at the Kings Head Hotel. There are 21 tourists to every Island resident. The Little Book of the Isle of Wight is a funny, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no one will want to be without. The Island’s most eccentric inhabitants, blood-curdling murders and literally hundreds of facts combine to make this required reading for locals and visitors alike. Illustrated with humorous cartoons and delivered with wit and flair, this captivating compendium is almost impossible to put down.

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Fishing the Severn Sea – From Hartland Point to St Ann’s Head. 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 and present around this coastline. The area from Hartland Point in the south-west of England to St Ann’s Head in Wales is examined in detail, via the lower reaches of the River Severn and its estuary, the River Wye and the south coast of Wales. Accompanied by previously unseen photographs and drawings, the authors present a fascinating account of the lives of the ‘Severn Sea’ fishermen, the boats they used and the way they went about bringing in their catches. Encompassing stories from the herring fishers of Clovelly to long-netting on the Severn and the harvest of oysters off Swansea, this book is a must for fishing enthusiasts and those with an interest in local history.

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Love & War in London is rooted in the extraordinary milieu of wartime London. Vibrant and engaging, Olivia Cockett’s diary reveals her frustrations, fears, pleasures and self-doubts. She recorded her mood swings and tried to understand them, and wrote of her lover (a married man) and the intense relationship they had. As she and her friends and family in New Scotland Yard were swept up by the momentous events of another European war, she vividly reported on what she saw and heard in her daily life. Hers is a diary that brings together the personal and the public. It permits us to understand how one intelligent, imaginative woman struggled to make sense of her life, as the city in which she lived was drawn into the turmoil of a catastrophic war.

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Horatio Nelson was one of the most successful leaders Britain has ever produced. A legend in his own lifetime, he has inspired many hundreds of books, but few of these concentrated on him as a naval commander. After that much new material emerged, both as a result of the ground-breaking Nelson Letters Project and in a series of international conferences on Nelson’s battles involving French, Spanish and Danish historians. In particular, the discovery of Nelson’s personal order books and battle plans transformed our understanding of his command methods. Colin White was at the forefront of all these developments and made many of the most exciting new discoveries himself. He was ideally placed as Director of the Royal Naval Museum to offer a fresh analysis of Nelson’s tactics and leadership style. He presented gripping new narratives of all three of Nelson’s great battles, the Nile (1798), Copenhagen (1801) and Trafalgar (1805) and brilliantly showed how the British triumph at Trafalgar was the culmination of years of thought and experimentation on Nelson’s part, and by his contemporaries and predecessors.White demonstrated Nelson’s remarkable administrative skills and his abilities as a diplomat and intelligence officer – aspects of his leadership not fully highlighted before. The result is an enthrallingly different portrait of Nelson as an admiral – more rounded and more insightful than any yet achieved. Officially endorsed by the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Museum, this book is lavishly illustrated in colour and black and white with over seventy images drawn from the collections of the Royal Naval Museum and National Maritime Museum, and with specially drawn diagrams illustrating Nelson’s battles and campaigns.

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