Books in the A-Z series

A fascinating exploration of the history of Worthing highlighting its people, places and events across the centuries.

Explore the Yorkshire town of Bridlington 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 Cotswold Hills run in a large swathe through south central England, chiefly in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, but also parts of Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The local limestone characterises the area, providing the main building material for its towns and villages. The rolling hills were ideal for sheep farming in the Middle Ages and the area became a prosperous centre of the wool trade, with many fine buildings, including churches, dating from this period as well as later centuries. A-Z of the Cotswolds delves into the history of this beautiful region. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about the Cotswolds and its hidden gems. Significant moments in its history are covered as well as its notable buildings and natural landmarks. This fascinating A-Z tour of Cotswolds history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this part of England.

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

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

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

Explore the Yorkshire Dales in this fully illustrated A-Z guide to the area's history, people and places.

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

The largest city in the East Midlands, Nottingham has been an important centre in the area since the Middle Ages. The old Saxon borough was built around the area known today as the Lace Market and an adjoining settlement developed around the Norman castle, famously occupied by the Sheriff of Nottingham in the legendary Robin Hood stories. In later centuries Nottingham became a major manufacturer of lace and several other famous names in industry also made their home in Nottingham, including Boots the chemists, Raleigh cycles and Player's the cigarette manufacturers. The city also has a strong cultural legacy, associated with writers such as D. H. Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe. With two universities, many new industries and commercial developments, a new tram system, and a UK sporting centre with the oldest professional football team in the world, Notts County, and Nottingham Forest, and the test cricket venue of Trent Bridge, Nottingham is a vibrant, modern British city proud of its heritage including the Goose Fair which is still held every year. This fascinating A-Z tour of Nottingham, its interesting people, places and historic events, is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this city in the East Midlands.

St Helens has a proud history of innovation, industrialisation, invention and entertainment. It started life as four townships, Eccleston, Parr, Sutton and Windle, but with the birth of the Industrial Revolution it became a centre for industries such as glassmaking, coal mining and copper smelting. By the time it became a municipal borough in 1868, it was the cradle of the world's transport system. The first navigable waterway in the country, the Sankey Canal, opened in 1757, while the world's first passenger railway, the Liverpool to Manchester line, opened in 1830. However, it was not all work and no play as many entertainment greats such as Charlie Chaplin, George Formby, Vesta Tilly and the Beatles all appeared here. St Helens also has its fair share of Oscar winners, claiming three to date. In A-Z of St Helens local author Sue Gerrard reveals the history behind St Helens, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections, she includes some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of alleged witchcraft, St Helens' connection with the Nuremberg trials and the town's glassmaking heritage among many other fascinating facts. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Merseyside town.

The Lancashire town of Bolton has a rich heritage, much of which is derived from its former cotton industry. During the Industrial Revolution it grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest textile manufacturing centres in the world; however, by the 1980s the town's pre-eminent industry had come to an end. In A-Z of Bolton local author David Burnham focuses on the town's history and seeks to provide a link between its past and present. He highlights notable people, places and events across the centuries. Among famous characters, such as Nat Lofthouse, Peter Kay and Fred Dibnah, he features those who have been forgotten including Henry Ashworth, the Quaker model mill owner, martyred priest George Marsh and experimenter in mesmerism Dr Joseph Haddock. There is a mix of well-known and obscure history included. The author looks at the 1651 execution of James Stanley (7th Earl of Derby) and the 1946 Burnden Park disaster. Then there are more recent events, including the first street demonstration anywhere in the world against Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses. Illustrated throughout, this engaging and informative book will appeal to local residents and all those interested in the town's heritage.

Ealing is best known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs', but there is far more to its rich history than that. In the Middle Ages Ealing's market gardens supplied much of London's produce, and in later centuries it has played an often colourful part in history, being home to the royal mistresses of Edward III, George IV and Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent; and of Spencer Perceval, the only British prime minister to be assassinated. A-Z of Ealing reveals the history behind Ealing, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the borough. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of the notorious highwayman Sixteen String Jack, Ealing's connection with the British music scene in the 1960s and Acton's history as a spa resort, among many other fascinating facts in this A-Z tour of Ealing's history. It is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic part of West London.

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.

Bounded by the River Dee and Wales on one side and the River Mersey and Liverpool on the other, the Wirral Peninsula has its own special history. The major towns on the Mersey - Birkenhead and Wallasey - have a strong industrial heritage. New Brighton on the Irish Sea coast was developed as a resort whereas the south and west of the Wirral is largely rural with small towns and villages. Ancient and recent history are intermingled on the Wirral, with areas of natural landscape and parklands, medieval villages and ancient buildings built of the local sandstone close to the industrial development and docks on the Mersey in the north-east and Port Sunlight to the south. A-Z of The Wirral delves into the history of the peninsula. It highlights well-known landmarks and famous residents, and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about the Wirral and its hidden places of interest. Significant moments in its history are covered, as well as its notable buildings and other features, including famous names associated with the area from early times to the present day. This fascinating A-Z tour of the Wirral's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this part of the North West.

Shrewsbury, Shropshire's county town, has been an important trading and administrative centre since medieval times because of its position on the River Severn close to the Welsh border. Today, much of the town follows its original medieval street layout and remains largely unspoilt, with its intriguingly named streets and alleyways. For visitors and residents alike there is much history to discover, from the red-sandstone castle to the fifteenth- and sixteenth-century timber-framed buildings reflecting the wealth from the wool trade. In A-Z of Shrewsbury local author Dorothy Nicolle seeks out stories from the past about the town's places and its famous sons and daughters. Notable people, including Charles Darwin, Robert Clive and Wilfred Owen, intermingle with those who are, perhaps, lesser-known, ranging from Aethelflaeda and Percy Thrower (the gardening expert) to Cadman (the tightrope artiste) and Judge Jeffreys (the 'Hanging Judge'). Among the events covered are the Battle of Shrewsbury and the Civil War, as well as visits by royalty through the centuries and the Shrewsbury Flower Show, which is one of the oldest in the country. Finally, many people ask is the name pronounced 'Shrowesbury' or 'Shruesbury'? Well, that depends largely on whoever you ask, but it seems that locals like to tell visitors that neither is right and neither is wrong - as long as they make time to explore this lovely town.

Pivotal in modern art's move towards abstraction, Piet Mondrian's oeuvre is extraordinarily versatile and complex. Not only did he paint and draw, he also wrote extensively about his thoughts and theories on art and life. Moving from traditional Dutch landscape painting to a pronounced rhythmic framework focusing on compositional structure rather than naturalistic representation, Mondrian was profoundly impressed by contemporary culture. Thus, he was not only inspired by the pattern of the extensive Dutch canal system, but also by the rhythm of jazz and the foxtrot. Demonstrating the impact of his oeuvre, Yves Saint-Laurent's famous "Mondrian Dress" even made him a fashion icon posthumously. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of his birth, Ulf Küster entertainingly leads through well- and lesser-known aspects of Mondrian's life and work offering inspiring impulses for reflection and further engagement with the fascinating artist.PIET MONDRIAN's (1872-1944) early work was influenced by the Dutch landscape painting of the 19th century. However, it was his strictly abstract geometric compositions that gained the artist world fame. He worked in Paris, London and New York, where he was active in the avant-garde circles of his time. The art historian ULF KÜSTER (*1966, Stuttgart) has been working at the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen | Basel since 2004, where he curates internationally acclaimed exhibitions. He has written numerous publications, among them his text on Louise Bourgeois in the series Art to Read and Edward Hopper A-Z, published by Hatje Cantz.

Barnard Castle and Teesdale in the Durham Dales is the second largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Barnard Castle, the region's main town, takes its name from the castle that was built there in the twelfth century. Many notable people have visited the town over the centuries including Sir Walter Scott and Charles Dickens, who both found literary inspiration there. Today, Barnard Castle is a popular destination for those who are drawn by its history, the Bowes Museum - with its significant collection of fine and decorative arts - and the surrounding countryside. In A-Z of Barnard Castle & Teesdale authors Andrew Graham Stables and Gary David Marshall take the reader on an engaging alphabetical tour of the area's history and discover many hidden gems along the way. The book explores some of the most influential people, unusual places and social histories to provide an exciting new view of a town that was important to many kings, as well as kingmakers including Richard III. The authors also disclose old maps and stories from Upper Teesdale. Discover how a boy born to the premier Anglo-Norman family of the town became King of Scotland but was later forced to abdicate and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Rarely seen artefacts, from a now demolished church thought to be Saxon in origin, will be explored and may define the origins of the town built along an old Roman road. With access to a wealth of old photographs and the archives of the impressive Bowes Museum, the authors also reveal, for the first time, a sketch of the town from the early 1700s by one of the renowned Buck brothers.

Despite its size the Cheshire town of Knutsford is full of history, beautiful Italianate architecture and quirky buildings. It is also surrounded by stately homes built by the landed gentry, including Tabley House and Tatton Park. According to legend its name was derived by King Cnut fording the river here; however, this has been disputed by historians as the River Lily is really no more than a brook. Knutsford has an established place in literary history as it provided the inspiration and setting for Elizabeth Gaskell's novel Cranford, in which she describes its characters with gentle humour and affection. Gaskell lived in the town for many years and is buried in the churchyard of Brook Street Unitarian Chapel. In A-Z of Knutsford local authors Jean and John Bradburn take readers on an alphabetical tour of the town's heritage to discover the stories behind its streets and buildings. Interesting facts and intriguing tales are revealed, and the authors introduce some of the town's famous sons and daughters. Local events such as the May Day celebrations, which started in the 1860s, are highlighted together with the Penny Farthing Museum, which organises a three-hour race around the town every ten years. Readers will also learn more about well-known people with connections to Knutsford, including the Second World War US General George Patton, the mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing and Sir Henry Royce of Rolls-Royce fame. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to residents, visitors and those with links to the town.

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.

Lying 7 miles south-east of Manchester, the town of Stockport can trace its history back to the foundation of a castle in the area in the late twelfth century and the granting of a borough charter around 1220. The town grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution but the earlier town is still visible in the narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings in the market area of the town centre. Stockport was famous from the sixteenth century for the production of hemp and rope, and became a centre for hat-making and the silk industry. During the nineteenth century it was at the heart of cotton manufacturing and today the rich and varied history of the town can be seen in its unique hatting museum, underground Second World War shelters, art deco cinema and theatre and regenerated former industrial buildings. A-Z of Stockport delves into the history of this historic town, revealing interesting and significant moments in the story of Stockport. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Stockport and its hidden gems. This A-Z tour of Stockport's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this fascinating town in Greater Manchester.

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.

Poole is the second largest natural harbour in the world and the largest in Europe, resulting in a trading history which dates back to Roman times. In the Middle Ages, commodities for export, particularly wool, were funnelled into Poole and it became a place where merchants could dock, store their goods and display their wares. The port grew in importance during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the boom years of trade with Newfoundland, but suffered from an economic slump throughout most of the nineteenth century and into the 1920s and '30s. However, in the decades after the Second World War, many major national companies were attracted to the town, resulting in 10,000 more homes being built in Poole between 1946 and 1966. A major slum clearance scheme also took place during the same period, as over 1,000 condemned homes were demolished, many in the labyrinth of narrow backstreets and alleyways leading from the Eastern Quay into the Old Town. Poole is still a working port, particularly on the Hamworthy side, where Sunseeker yachts off the production line can be seen adjacent to industrial cargo ships moored nearby and the ferry terminal. On the Poole side, the Fishermen's Dock nestles incongruously adjacent to a yachting marina. The Quay and Old Town has preserved many cobbled streets and alleyways containing historic buildings, some dating back to the fourteenth century, once a haunt of Newfoundland merchants, pirates, smugglers and press gangs. This fascinating A-Z tour of Poole, its interesting people, places and historic events, is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this Dorset coastal town.

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

Explore the city of Birmingham 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.

An engaging journey through the Devon port city of Plymouth highlighting its heritage, people and places from across the centuries.

An engaging exploration of the Welsh town of Brecon, and its surrounding area, highlighting the heritage, people and places.

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