Books in the Shire Library series

It's May 1941: over 43,000 civilians had been killed, and over a million houses destroyed following endless nights of bombing raids. Yet London, and other cities that had been targeted survived, their spirit undaunted, their people resilient. This title offers an introduction to this dark episode in British history.

The Edwardian period is often seen as something of a gilded age, war would imminently remove hundreds of thousands of men from the labour force, and instigate progress to mechanize. This book tells the story of farming in Britain in the early years of the twentieth century - an age of horse, steam and intensive labour.

George and Robert Stephenson's Rocket, is an enduring silhouette in railway history. Rocket was built to take part in The Rainhill Trials, a competition to find a locomotive design to pull trains on the world's first passenger line, the Liverpool and Manchester. The trials caught the public's imagination and its victor, Rocket, became a sensation.

The advent of the internal combustion engine brought many changes to society, the most neglected of which is arguably the garages built throughout Britain to serve motor vehicles, which revolutionised rural life. This book offers a reminder of those days and of those men and women who held the tools to the motor industry's success.

In 1913 the shipyards of Britain were responsible for building half of all the world's ships; at the Clyde in Scotland at this time a new ship was launched every eighteen hours. This book looks at the subject's long history, from the Middle Ages through to the heyday of steam, providing a comprehensive guide to a transformed industry.

Shows how the role of the district nurse has moved on greatly since Queen Victoria's Jubilee, expanding and developing to provide a broad range of invaluable health care services in the community.

Hollyhocks and cabbages, roses and runner beans: the English cottage garden combines beauty and utility, pride and productivity. Gardens did not just appeal to the senses, however: they played a philosophical and moral role in society, and thus in our social history.

Prefabricated corrugated-iron buildings have been manufactured in Britain since the middle of the nineteenth century. Structures ranging from humble cottages to substantial churches, and from halls to hospitals and hotels, have since then been produced, packed and consigned to destinations at home and abroad. Though often regarded as cheap and temporary, these buildings are an expression of a progressive and vital chapter in the history of Britain's construction industry. First used in 1829, corrugated-iron has become a familiar element in vernacular architecture and construction, bringing its particular character and colour to landscapes both rural and urban. The author draws on a wide range of research to highlight the significance, in Britain and across the world, of these oft-overlooked structures.

Patchwork quilts are hugely evocative emblems of our domestic past. With no two quite the same, each example hints both at the story of the particular household in which it was produced and at a larger piece of social history. This book offers an introduction to an important aspect of British domestic history.

Narrow gauge railways, so well suited to difficult, mountainous terrain, were built in many of the UK's most scenic locations. This title offers an introduction to a corner of British railway history.

Explains the various elements that shaped British fashion in the 1920s, including the strong influences of Paris and Hollywood and looking not only at the clothes worn by the rich and famous but also at those of the common people - and at those who chose to dress conservatively in this age of 'anything goes'.

Advertising and consumer spending among the middle classes expanded rapidly in the mid-nineteenth century. One of the ways of appealing to the new shoppers was packaging, and biscuit tins were a very discreet form of this kind of promotion. They found their way into middle class households as gifts.

"Gargoyles".

Churches contain much of the most interesting medieval sculpture in the country. Magnificent effigies, whether of cast copper-alloy or stone, never cease to provoke awe and wonder, conjuring up glamorous images of an age of chivalry. This book uncovers monuments as a rich source of information relevant to an exceedingly diverse range of subjects.

Toys have been made in Britain for hundreds of years, but it was in the twentieth century that the British toy industry reached its peak. Names such as Meccano, Chad Valley, Dinky, Scalextric, Bayko and Hornby dominated the trade at home and abroad. This book tells the story of the British toy industry and its products.

Building Toys, a captivating book written by the talented author Brian Salter, is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the world of toys. Published in 2011 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, this book delves into the fascinating world of toy construction. This engrossing book falls under a genre that combines elements of creativity, innovation, and nostalgia, providing readers with a unique perspective on the subject. Brian Salter, with his vivid and imaginative writing, takes us on an unforgettable journey, exploring the intricacies of building toys. From its inception to its current state, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of building toys. Published by the renowned Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, this book is a testament to their commitment to delivering high-quality literature. So, immerse yourself in the captivating world of 'Building Toys', and let Brian Salter guide you through this remarkable journey.

"Victorian Factory Life".

The first two London Olympics offer food for thought in the run-up to London 2012. In 1948, London hosted the Olympics again. The entire budget for the 1948 Games was 760,000, and they turned a profit of 29,000. This title presents the history of the London Olympics.

"The Victorian Criminal".

"British Campaign Medals of the First World War".

"Football: A Short History".

Introduces the concepts and techniques of craft cider production. This title looks at the different styles of cider, and the effect of fruit variety, climate and orchard location on the finished drink, and presents a method for the home cider maker.

"The 1950s Kitchen".

"Early Railways: 1569-1830".

Poole Pottery is a great British institution, and for more than 130 years has been in the very first rank of producers of tiles, mosaic flooring and advertising panels - as well as the pottery that remains its most famous and collectible product. This book gives a detailed account of this unique and distinctively British company.

"Bottles and Bottle Collecting".

British architectural history has bequeathed to the modern age a rich tapestry of styles, one that can all too easily be taken for granted. This title introduces and explains these styles.

Heritage railways are a serious matter, bringing visitors, employment and a sense of local identity to regions throughout Britain. This title tells the story of this phenomenon and looks at the range of challenges that have been overcome to create the vibrant world of the Heritage railway that we enjoy today.