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.

For many the vibrant seaside village of Mumbles is the gateway to the beautiful Gower Peninsula, and both have fascinating history and fine scenery to offer. Mumbles is well known for many things, including the Mumbles Mile, the popular pier and the historic Oystermouth Castle, and the village was once important for oyster fishing. The Gower Peninsula was Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the special charm of this place has been well protected. Many of the scenic and popular highlights of Gower are visited in this book, as well as some lesser-known places. Notable events and prehistoric sites are described, and we meet the 'Red Lady' of Paviland and the 'Queen of Reynoldston'. Other personalities include the legendary rugby half-back pairing of Haydn Tanner and Willie Davies from Penclawdd and the 'Golden Boy' of Welsh football, Ivor Allchurch. Gower's stunning coast and villages are well represented, from Langland Bay to Rhossili and from Newton to Llanrhidian. From shipwrecks to fairy stories, this fascinating A to Z tour features a carefully chosen selection of the places, people and history of Mumbles and Gower. Illustrated throughout, this attractive book will appeal to all those with an interest in this very special part of Wales.

Situated between the rivers Allen and Kenwyn, Truro is an ancient town but a young city. From becoming Cornwall's first chartered town in 1130 to the laying of the foundation stone for the county's only cathedral in 1880, it has gone from a medieval market town to a thriving port and, as a stannary town, grew rich on the proceeds of Cornwall's mines. Fine Georgian buildings changed the look of Truro from a provincial market town to a smaller version of Bath. Its medieval street plan contains many narrow passageways or 'opes', and many of its interesting buildings still remain despite much modern development as befits Cornwall's legal, administrative and commercial centre. When its shipping trade was eventually stolen by Falmouth, the river silted up and now only small boats can reach the Town Quay at high tide. By the twentieth century two developments changed the look of Truro forever. The arrival of the railway brought the massive sixteen-arch viaduct, which stretches across the panorama of the city from east to west. In front of it rise the three spires of the country's first Anglican cathedral to be built since St Paul's. In A-Z of Truro, author John Husband embarks on an engaging alphabetical journey through the city's history. He visits the places, buildings and streets that are significant and intriguing, and discovers the stories behind them. Along the way the author also introduces the reader to some of Truro's famous sons and daughters. From the explorer Richard Lander and his brother John (the first Europeans to follow the course of the River Niger) to the origins of the amusingly named Squeeze Guts Alley, and Walsingham Place to the Festival of Lights, this is a wonderfully illustrated insight into the history of Cornwall's county town.

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.

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 fascinating history of Carlisle in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to the city's 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 Newcastle in this fully illustrated A-Z tour of 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.