Search results for ""author nick barratt""

Longlisted for the HWA Non-Fiction Prize 2019'A vivid and humane study of the Plantagenets' diabolical and devious first family - a real joy to read.' Dan Jones, author of The PlantagenetsIn The Restless Kings Nick Barratt presents the tumultuous struggle for supremacy between the first Plantagenet king, Henry II, and his four sons. This conflict tore apart the most powerful family in Western Europe and shaped the future of both Britain and France, with a significance which still resonates today. Exploring the personalities and crises facing this extraordinary family, The Restless Kings brings to life some of the most remarkable, complex, flawed and brilliant monarchs ever to have sat on the English throne, and will challenge everything you thought you knew about the medieval world.

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In this remarkable tale Nick Barratt delves into the shadows of the British and Soviet secret services to reveal the shocking story of his great uncle Ernest Holloway Oldham. After serving in the British army during the First World War, Oldham was drafted into the British Foreign Office. Over the course of the next decade Ernest was drawn ever deeper into the underworld of pre-Cold War espionage, towards a double-life that became the darkest of secrets.Enigmatic and gripping this is a journey through post-First World War Europe where agents, special agents and double agents lurked in the darkness, during a period of history when everyone had something to hide.

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Starting from its original conception and design by the owners and naval architects at the White Star Line through construction at Harland and Wolff's shipyards in Belfast, Nick Barratt explores the pre-history of the Titanic. He examines the aspirations of the owners, the realities of construction and the anticipation of the first sea-tests, revealing that the seeds of disaster were sown by the failure to implement sealed bulkheads - for which the original plans are now available. Barratt then looks at what it was like to embark on the Titanic's maiden voyage in April 1912. The lives of various passengers are examined in more detail, from the first class aristocrats enjoying all the trappings of privilege, to the families in third-class and steerage who simply sought to leave Britain for a better life in America. Similarly, the stories of representatives from the White Star Line who were present, as well as members of the crew, are told in their own words to give a very different perspective of the voyage.Finally, the book examines the disaster itself, when Titanic struck the iceberg on 14 April and sunk hours later. Survivors from passengers and crew explain what happened, taking you back in time to the full horror of that freezing Atlantic night when up to 1,520 people perished. The tragedy is also examined from the official boards of enquiry, and its aftermath placed in a historic context - the damage to British prestige and pride, and the changes to maritime law to ensure such an event never took place again. The book concludes by looking at the impact on those who escaped, and what became of them in the ensuing years; and includes the words of the last living survivor, Millvina Dean.

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Navigate your way through your family’s past Interested in family history? Keen to discover who your ancestors really were? Want to find out more from the comfort of your own home? If so, this book is for you. Walking you through the process of researching, organising and presenting your family tree online, this expert guide makes it simple. So what are you waiting for? Get plugged in and start tracking down your ancestors today! Lay the groundwork – take the first steps on your genealogical journey and start searching for evidence Find out about your ancestors – discover who your predecessors were and where they came from Get to grips with research tools – find the best online and offline archives and dig deeper into your family’s past Present your results effectively – compile your findings into a family tree and create a place to host your material online Praise for the 1st Edition of this book: ‘Easy to read yet filled with facts and information, this is a solid reference guide with everything for the beginner – and perhaps something for the more experienced too.’ – Family History Monthly ‘There is a lot of good advice in this book for those starting out.’ – Ancestors Open the book and find: What clues you can get from photos, letters, diaries and your relatives The best genealogy websites in the UK and around the world How to get the most out of archives and documents Techniques for creating family history charts on your computer The advantages of coordinating your hunt with other researchers Ways to share research online Tips and tricks for building a family history web page

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