Books in the A-Z series

Explore the city of Coventry in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to its history, people and places.

The Somerset town of Bridgwater was an important port on the River Parrett in the Middle Ages, linked inland during the Industrial Revolution with the construction of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. Bridgwater became the main manufacturing town in Somerset, including shipbuilding, iron foundries and the manufacture of clay tiles and bricks and cellophane. Although these industries have declined in the later twentieth century, it is still a major industrial centre with a diverse cultural life, including an arts centre, music festivals, its Guy Fawkes Carnival and the second biggest fair in the country. In A-Z of Bridgwater author Lynne Cleaver delves into the history of the town, highlighting well-known landmarks, events and famous residents, such as Admiral Robert Blake's birthplace, the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum and the historic port and quayside and the Battle of Sedgemoor fought on the Somerset Levels outside the town, as well as digging beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Bridgwater and its hidden places of interest. This fascinating A-Z tour of Bridgwater's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this Somerset town.

The seaside town of Bournemouth was founded as a watering place in the early nineteenth century in an area of barren land on the south coast known for smuggling. After developing as a health resort, the railways arrived and the town grew rapidly, becoming a popular destination for visitors. Today, Bournemouth welcomes millions of visitors every year to its beaches and festivals, its two piers - one at Bournemouth and one at Boscombe - and long promenade, and is a cultural and commercial centre of the area. Many of its outstanding Victorian buildings have been preserved and stand alongside art deco and more recent landmark buildings. In A-Z of Bournemouth, author Bill Hoodless delves into the history of the town, from evidence of the earliest settlers in the area to the present day. He highlights well-known historic landmarks such as the Winter Gardens, former home of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, forgotten stories from yesteryear such as a tram tragedy, and the air crash that killed Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce Ltd. He also writes about famous residents and visitors such as Robert Louis Stevenson and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of Bournemouth's lesser-known facts and its hidden places of interest.

People have lived in the Frome area since prehistoric times and the present town dates back as far as the Saxon era. In the early days it was famous for the quality of its cloth, but the industry and trade declined in the eighteenth century. Over the centuries it has had its fair share of rioting and crime, as well as some notable personalities and eccentrics such as Thomas Bunn, an eighteenth-century philanthropist. It was also the birthplace of Benjamin Baker, builder of the Forth Bridge, and, more recently, Jenson Button, the racing driver. Today it has over 370 listed buildings - more than any other Somerset town - fourteen pubs and two thriving bookshops, as well as an increasing creative and artistic community. In this book, local authors Mick Davis and David Lassman take a journey through Frome to discover some significant and little-known aspects of its rich and varied past. From buildings and streets to people and events, A-Z of Frome highlights fascinating aspects of the town's history. Here are stories of UFO sightings, a world-famous Roman coin hoard, local inns, the search for underground tunnels and much more. Illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to local residents, visitors and anyone interested in the town's fascinating and illustrious history.

Explores the Isle of Anglesey in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to its history, people and places.

A fascinating journey along the byways of Barrow-in-Furness highlighting the people, places and heritage of this Cumbrian town.

Explore the Suffolk town of Bungay in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to its history, people and places.

A fascinating journey through this West Yorkshire town of Halifax highlighting its people, places and heritage across the centuries.

Explore the fascinating history of Manchester in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to the city's people and places.

From Apatosaurus to Tyrannosaurus rex to Zephyrosaurus, The A-Z of Dinosaurs presents 26 fun dinosaurs to learn the names of. Each dinosaur is illustrated with an outstanding colour artwork, while a short description outlines the animal's main characteristics.

From the angel shark to the zebra shark, A-Z of Sharks presents 26 weird and wonderful marine creatures to be explored. Each shark is illustrated with an outstanding colour artwork, with boxes of text highlighting key features. There is also a guide to the pronunciation of each shark's name.

Explore the Potteries township of Trentham in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to its history, people and places.

Explore the fascinating history of Carlisle in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to the city's people and places.

Explore the town of Kingston-upon-Thames in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to its history, people and places.

Explore the fascinating history of Glasgow in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to the city's people and places.

Explore the fascinating history of Liverpool in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to the city's people and places.

A fascinating journey through Somerset's county town of Taunton highlighting its people, places and heritage across the centuries.