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.

So, what is the significance of the seventeenth-century Sir Thomas Abney to Loughborough, and what is the connection between the young Princess Alexandrina, later to become Queen Victoria, and Loughborough? What is the history of the Bat House, and what is the mysterious Building N on the university campus? Which industry has its last remaining factory in Loughborough? What is the meaning of local words like 'jitty' and 'Ingle Pingle', and why is Bottleacre Lane so named?Being on the edge of the Charnwood Forest, Loughborough has woods and spinneys in abundance, but there is still plenty of space for allotments and meadows. Watercourses criss-cross the town like arteries, running from the heart of the Charnwood Forest, into the River Soar or the Grand Union Canal, and artificial bodies of water have been created on former industrial sites. In this alphabetical tour around the university market town of Loughborough, the second largest town in Leicestershire after the county town of Leicester, the author invites you to learn about the town's history through its buildings, structures, streets and thoroughfares; through its firms and local people; and through its features like waterways, woods andfields. With tales of fairs, follies and families, this book dips into some of the most interesting and intriguing parts of Loughborough's history. But do you agree with Daniel Defoe that Loughborough is a 'market town ... but of no great note?' The author sets out to gently persuade you that there is much more to Loughborough than at first might meet the eye.

Having provided the setting for many royal and historic events, Windsor Castle attracts millions of visitors from around the world and continues to be a favourite royal residence. This imposing building dominates the surrounding area, but the town itself arrived long before the castle. In the seventh century a settlement was built further south, close to the River Thames, which provided transport to London. Not content with its position, in 1110 the town moved two miles north to wrap itself around the castle and settled where it is today under the name of New Windsor. Over the town bridge, Eton is said to have been a settlement since Saxon times, although Roman and Celtic remains have been found in the area. Originally, Eton prospered from fish farming on the river, but the college, founded in 1440, encouraged its growth. In A-Z of Windsor & Eton, author Yvonne Moxley embarks on an engaging alphabetical journey through the history of these neighbouring Berkshire towns. She visits the places, buildings and streets that are significant and intriguing, and discovers the stories behind them. Along the way, Yvonne introduces the reader to some famous sons and daughters and provides an enlightening insight into the heritage of both towns. Illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the area.

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

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

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.

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

Explore the fascinating history of Northampton in this fully illustrated A-Z tour of the town'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.