Local History

Portrays the islands from Arran to Lewis in all their diversity, with swift and perceptive cameos of everyday life drawn with humor and affection alongside gorgeous landscapes which capture the magical beauty of the Hebrides.

A fascinating insight, derived from a regular feature on the Robert Elms show, into some of the forgotten industries of London, lavishly illustrated throughout.

The incredible story of how the village of Lesmahagow has influenced the world in a variety of fields, from industry to espionage, throughout history.

There is a lot of controversy over the history of Stilton cheese: its origins, who first made it, and who now has the rights to the name and recipe. Trevor Hickman has delved into the National Archives to explore the story of this famous cheese. In this new book on the subject, he sets down the facts of the cheese's origin, development and history to the present day. He explains how Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire became the centre for Stilton cheese production and emphasises its importance as a leading area of speciality food production.

"At a moment when democratic traditions are under assault, this book could hardly be more timely. The story of Myles Horton and Highlander reminds us that the late twentieth-century movements for social justice were often movements of democratic aspirations, committed to developing the untapped potential of the oppressed."--Charles M. Payne, author of I've Got the Light of Freedom: The Organizing Tradition and the Mississippi Freedom Struggle "As a former staff member of Highlander, I had the privilege of learning from and with Myles Horton over two decades. This well-researched book captures the Highlander Center's unique approach to using popular education to deepen democracy and strengthen struggles for social justice--a story that is both instructive and inspirational for our times."--John Gaventa, author of Power and Powerlessness: Quiescence and Rebellion in an Appalachian Valley "In this absorbing biography, Stephen Preskill transports us to another era. Miles Horton, a great humanitarian who lived and worked in a strikingly relevant time and place in America, spent his earliest days among the poorest people of the South. Told through his monumental contributions to our labor and civil rights movements, the story unfolds in colorful detail. As we now face an uncertain tomorrow, it is more important than ever to explore the troubled waters of the past to guide our future, and with this book, Preskill provides a useful sextant to help us navigate."--Mick Caouette, filmmaker "This book is important. It should have a wide readership among educators from multiple settings, social activists, organizers, and leaders."--Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished Scholar, Antioch University

Ipswich has long been dismissed as a town without history, yet archaeology carried out over the last 30 years proves conclusively that it is one of England''s oldest towns.

Animal tales full of folklore and magic, chosen for for children aged 7-11

A completely new Trail Guide dedicated to the London section of the Thames Path from Hampton Court to the Thames Barrier.

This beautifully photographed selection of fifty of Somerset's most precious assets shows what makes it such a popular destination.

Beautiful collection of old postcards showing the Lake District's enduring appeal over the last century and more.

This beautifully photographed selection of fifty of the region's most precious assets shows what makes Mid Wales such a popular destination.

The story of Muck as told through the eyes of Lawrence MacEwen, working farmer and much-loved laird.

A history of Stourbridge

"On the Trail of Mary Queen of Scots" traces the major events in the turbulent life of the beautiful, enigmatic queen whose romantic reign and tragic destiny exerts an undimmed fascination.

Brighton has long been an important seaside town, and today draws in visitors from all over Britain and beyond for its varied nightlife, rich history and attractive waterfront. In 1800, Brighton had forty-one inns and taverns, and by 1860 there were well over 450, echoing the town's growth in popularity through the Regency and early Victorian eras. A recent resurgence of interest in real ale has also seen a welcome boom in micro-breweries, placing Brighton firmly on the beer-lover's map. David Muggleton takes us on a tour of these watering holes, including the long-established venerable Greyhound, elegant Regency Cricketers, high-Victorian Colonnade, elaborate mock-Tudor King & Queen and the English Renaissance revivalist Good Companions, the pub reputed to have opened on the very day that the Second World War began. Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the fascinating history of Brighton's pubs.

Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south of Widnes across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn. Upstream and 8 miles to the east of Widnes is the town of Warrington, and downstream 16 miles to the west is the city of Liverpool. Historically part of Lancashire, prior to the Industrial Revolution Widnes consisted of a small number of separate settlements on land which was mainly marsh or moorland. In 1847 the first chemical factory was established and the town rapidly became a major centre of the chemical industry. Widnes continues to be a major manufacturer of chemicals and there has been a degree of diversification of the town's industries. Widnes lies on the southern route of the Liverpool to Manchester railway line. The Sankey Canal (now disused) terminates in an area of Widnes known as Spike Island.

Half-way between Eastbourne and Brighton, the quiet Sussex town of Seaford is often overlooked as a holiday destination but it has an abundant and fascinating history. Seaford's past looks down on the town, quite literally in the form of the Neolithic Hill Fort on the cliffs at Seaford Head. Over the centuries the town has been a bustling Cinque Port, a rotten borough, a quiet seaside backwater, a centre for education, a garrison town and a target for enemy action. Seaford today is a residential town nestled between the sea and the South Downs National Park, however there are still clues to be found that point to the rich tapestry of its past. In this book, local historian Kevin Gordon embarks on a nostalgic trip using old photographs and postcards to discover how the town has developed and changed.

How much do you know about Ireland? There’s so much to learn about the Emerald Isle that even its residents don’t know. In this trivia book, you’ll learn more about Ireland’s history, pop culture, folklore, and so much more!In The Great Book of Ireland, you’ll learn: How did Ireland get its name?Why is it known as the Emerald Isle?Who was St. Patrick really?What do leprechauns and shamrocks have to do with St. Patrick’s Day?Which Irish company had a 9,000-year lease?What is Ireland’s top attraction?Which movies have been filmed in Ireland?Which famous novel may have been based on an Irish myth?Which legends did the Irish believe in?And so much more!This book is packed with trivia facts about Ireland. Some of the facts you’ll learn in this book are shocking, some are tragic, and others will leave you with goosebumps. But they’re all interesting!Whether you’re just learning about Ireland or you already think you’re an expert on the state, you’ll learn something you didn’t know in every chapter. Your history teacher will be interesting at all of your newfound knowledge.So what are you waiting for? Get started to learn more about Ireland!

How much do you know about Mexico? There’s so much to learn about America’s southern neighbor that it could fill several books and you still wouldn’t even know it all. In this trivia book, you’ll learn about Mexico’s history (ancient and modern), pop culture, geography, folklore, and so much more!In The Great Book of Mexico, you’ll learn:How did Mexico get its name?What are the origins of the Mexican flag?How did the Aztecs and Maya contribute to Mexican history?Where are Mexico’s most haunted locales?How did tequila start in Mexico and where?What are some of Mexico’s top tourist spots?What are the most popular sports in Mexico?What is Mexico’s highest peak?Where is Mexico’s lowest point?And so much more!This book is packed with trivia facts about Mexico. Some of the facts will make you scratch your head, while others will probably creep you out. There is no doubt, though, that all of the facts in this book will fascinate you.Whether you just have a passing interest in Mexico, or planning on visiting the country, or you already think you’re an expert on the state, you’ll learn something you didn’t know in every chapter. You will be able to amaze all of your friends and family with your newfound knowledge about Mexico.So what are you waiting for? Open the pages and get started learning more about Mexico!

Explore Edinburgh's hidden music heritage, plus a few of its more tuneful tall tales, with this eye-opening guide of the city's music milestones, famous gigs, infamous incidents and colourful characters.

Twickenham is chiefly known today as the home of rugby, but its heyday could be said to be in the eighteenth century when first Alexander Pope and then Horace Walpole made it their home and extolled its Arcadian setting.Captain Gray, a naval officer, acquired plots of land close to the river in Twickenham in 1718 on which he built two rows of houses, Sion Row and Montpelier Row, which survive to this day and are much admired.This book tells the story of Sion Row, which was built for Gray by a remarkable local craftsman, Edward Reeves, who had ambition to become an architect. It explains the features of the houses and how they were built. It then follows them through to the present day showing how they were used and what modifications have been made to them and, not least, how they survived.In parallel we learn of the owners and the residents, many of whom have fascinating stories to tell. They are immensely diverse, some international, some purely local, some disreputable, others pillars of respectability.Their lives are put in the context of changes in Twickenham as it evolved from out of town retreat to prosperous commuter suburb. In telling the story of these houses and people, a remarkable social history is revealed.

New Orleans jazz thrilled the world in the twenties and traveled around the world in the thirties. In the forties and fifties, the world came to New Orleans to hear authentic New Orleans jazz played by real jazz musicians. The sixties brought Preservation Hall, a musical institution that even a hurricane couldn't kill. For the last 40 years, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been celebrating New Orleans' and Louisiana's unique culture and music.This volume contains rare photographs from the Louisiana State Museum's Jazz Collection, lovingly assembled and accompanied by captions written by award-winning author and Jazz Roots radio show host Tom Morgan. Those who love jazz will be amazed by these pictures of some of the best musicians ever to pick up an instrument. For those just beginning to learn about jazz, this 200-page volume is an excellent takeoff point to learn more about what made New Orleans jazz unique, and a source to discover musicians who can further enhance readers' listening pleasure.

Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition, popularly called the Chicago World’s Fair, or the White City, was the largest and most spectacular world’s fair ever built. The Columbian Exposition opened on May 1, 1893, and more than 21,000,000 people visited the fair during the six months it was open to the public. The White City was a seminal event in America’s history that changed the way the world viewed Chicago. Fortunately, the fair was documented in stunning photographs by commercial and amateur photographers. This volume tells the story of the fair from its construction in Jackson Park to its destruction by fire after the fair had closed. Photographs of the exhibition halls, state buildings, foreign buildings, indoor and outdoor exhibits, the attractions of the Midway, and the various ways to move about the fairgrounds give a sense of how visitors experienced this extraordinary time and place.

HISTORIC PHOTOS OF BIRMINGHAM captures the remarkable journey of this cultural city of the South, with still photography from the finest archives of city, state and private collections. Through the late 1800''s, the roaring Twenties, two World Wars and into the modern era, Birmingham has continued to grow and prosper by maintaining the strong, independent culture of its citizens. With hundreds of archival photos reproduced in stunning duotone on heavy art paper, this book is the perfect addition to any historian''s collection.