Books by John Van der Kiste

This book portrays the life and character of 'Good King Billy', one of Britain's most endearing sovereigns.

Free were formed in 1968 towards the end of the British blues boom. After two critically acclaimed albums, the release of 'All Right Now' and the album Fire and Water in 1970 brought them major success. Musical and personal differences took their toll and they split after the comparative failure of their next album and single.

This book examines the downfall of James II, how the monarch came to forfeit the goodwill of the nation within three years.

Championed by David Bowie, Mott The Hoople became one of the best known bands of the Glam era. A succession of top twenty singles in 1973 and 1974. Ian Hunter went on to commercial success and critical acclaim as a solo artist.

The first of two books in a new series focussing in on a particular year and a genre within that year. One of the key years in the development of rock music - 1970 saw a change from the hippie era to a harder edged music.

Imperial Austria weathered the year of revolutions in 1848 when Ferdinand abdicated in favour of Francis Joseph, whose reign saw family tragedy and scandal. His successor Charles abdicated in 1918, though his son Otto was a Member of the European Parliament. This examines the final Habsburg chapter, from the Napoleonic era to post-war Europe.

Led Zeppelin were formed in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page, vocalist Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. Their style of blues-based hard rock with psychedelic and folk influences made them the world's most successful group on stage and record until they split in 1980. This book examines each track from each album in detail.

Steve Winwood was successively lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with the chart-topping Spencer Davis Group, the more experimental Traffic, and the short-lived Blind Faith. He then embarked on a successful career as a solo performer, session musician and regular collaborator with his peers. This is the first biography for nearly 30 years.

ELO were formed by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne as a fusion of rock and classically-influenced music with strings. After their 1971 debut, Wood left and Lynne took them into more commercial pastures. They disbanded in 1986, but Lynne returned with an album in 2001 and as Jeff Lynne's ELO in 2014. This book examines all their studio albums in detail.

This is an account of Queen Victoria's relationships with the Emperors, Empresses of France, Germany, Austria and Russia. Victoria had close connections with the royal houses of Germany long before the King of Prussia became the German Emperor in 1871 and with the exiled former Emperor of the French after the fall of the French Empire in 1870.

The first ever biography of this iconic Birmingham-born musician who rose to become one of the biggest rock stars of the 70s and 80s.

The first proper biographies of the three younger sisters of Kaiser Wilhelm II, each whose lives were wrecked by tragedy

Between 1914 and 1918, Devonport Dockyard was responsible for much routine repair and maintenance work as well as building new ships and submarines, while the Royal Marines and army battalions were active in various theatres of war overseas, and Mount Batten became one of the major stations of the newly formed Royal Air Force.

A compendium of fascinating information about Cornwall past and present, this book contains a plethora of entertaining facts about the county's famous and occasionally infamous men and women, its towns and countryside, history, natural history, literary, artistic and sporting achievements, agriculture, transport, industry and royal visits.

Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, Admiral of the Fleet, was the second son of Queen Victoria. At 18 he was elected King of Greece, but not allowed to accept the crown. While touring Australia in 1868 he narrowly escaped assassination. His last years were clouded by alcoholism, ill-health, and the suicide of his only son and heir.

More Devon murders

A grim almanac of Hampshire

Berkshire murders

Generously illustrated with a range of engravings, photographs and orginal documents, this chronicle is an entertaining and readable alternative history of Cornwall.

Grim Almanac of Devon

Historic cases of murder from around the county

Queen Victoria's children

Mary (1662-94), daughter of James, Duke of York, heir to the English throne, married William (1650-1702), son of William II of Orange (1626-50), Stadtholder of the Dutch republic, who was eleven years older than her. This dual biography deals with both the 'life and times' of the monarchs, and with England's place in Europe.

Cornish Murders brings together numerous murderous tales that shocked not only the county but also made national news.

Since the brutal slaying of the Rev'd John Hay, vicar of South Brent, dragged from his church and slaughtered in 1436, Devon has had its fair share of 'murder most foul'. This book recounts several notable cases from around the county.

Princess Victoria Melita

Drawing on a wide range of contemporary sources, this biography examines the complex personality of Germany's last emperor. Born in 1859, the eldest grandchild of Queen Victoria, Prince Wilhelm was torn between two cultures - that of the Prussian Junker and that of the English liberal gentleman.