Books in the Shire Library series

The strategic importance of railways was recognized almost from the beginning of their development, but it was not until the end of the nineteenth century that their real value was appreciated by the military. This title provides an illustrated guide to the railway's role in Britain's war efforts.

"The Women's Institute".

"John Betjeman".

Across the world hundreds of botanic gardens combine scientific research, conservation and beauty with public access, with Kew Gardens alone attracting around one million visitors a year. The author explains the gardens' design and architecture, the personalities and institutions associated with them, and their role in research and conservation.

"British Railway Tickets".

In Victorian times the steam engine was the main source of mechanical power, and thousands were at work driving machinery in factories and pumping stations throughout Britain. This book gives an outline of the development of the stationary steam engine and explains in simple language how it works.

From workaday marigolds to hand-wear custom crafted for the Queen, gloves perform many functions - insulation from the cold, protection from injury, and even ceremonial roles. This book tells the story of the closely guarded privileges of the glove-makers' guilds.

"Traditional Building Materials".

In the skies above south-east England in 1940, battle was waged between men and machines of the Royal Air Force and Hitler's Luftwaffe. This title looks at the origins and events of the battle, but focuses especially on the men and women of the RAF and on the ordinary people of the nation, above whose heads the great battle for freedom was waged.

A brief illustrated history of the great Atlantic liners from Lusitania and Titanic to Queen Mary 2.Since the end of the nineteenth century there has been a stunning succession of transatlantic liners, from the White Star Line's Oceanic of 1899 to the Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 of 2004. These floating palaces often contained luxurious staterooms, ballrooms and lounges for the rich, and noticeably more modest and basic accommodation for poorer travellers. Their designs and powerplants were often cutting-edge as each competed to be the largest, most luxurious and fastest ship on the Atlantic. As the tides of passenger demand rose and fell through the years and the world plunged twice into global conflict, these ships had to adapt to survive. Many of these vessels - including Mauretania, Olympic, the first Queen Mary and France - had long and glorious careers; others - Titanic, Lusitania and Normandie among them - suffered tragic endings. J. Kent Layton describes the heyday of the superliners and explains what life was like for passengers, both rich and poor.

In 1914 Great Britain's navy was the largest and most powerful the world had ever seen - but what was the everyday experience of those who served in it? This book looks at the British sailor's life during the First World War, from the Falkland Islands to the East African coast and the North Sea.

Some of Britain's surviving orchards are almost six hundred years old and whether laden with summer fruit or stripped bare by the winter are places of great beauty. This book reveals the story and rich diversity of Britain's apple, pear and cherry orchards.

Railway posters have huge appeal for the modern audience, but just what explains this continuing interest? Enduring images of iconic locomotives, bathing beauties and characters such as Sunny South Sam are testament to the creativity of the railway company marketing departments and the posters tell us not only about railway history and technology, architectural and engineering accomplishments, but also about the cultural and social significance of the railways. The influence of the railway industry on our cities and coastlines, and on the development of leisure time and holiday resorts, can be seen in the recurring images of ramblers, bathers and idyllic tourist destinations. This book explores the changing styles and functions of the railway poster from the early pre-grouping days through to the inter-war 'golden age' and nationalised British Railways.

Founded in 1894 by James Wright Beswick, Beswick Pottery remained in the family for three generations before becoming part of Royal Doulton in 1969, and is now independently owned. This title explores the range of products, revealing that far more than horses - for which Beswick was so justifiably famous - were made.

With world markets upset and economies in recession, the 1920s and '30s were not an easy time for farmers, who required great resilience to survive. This title examines the challenges that farmers faced and the ways in which they responded.

Winston Churchill was one of Britain's greatest leaders and an iconic figure. Churchill as a young army officer had taken part in the last great cavalry charge in British history; wrote a novel, a great deal of journalism and many works of history (winning the Nobel Prize for Literature). This title presents his story.

An army childhood is a peripatetic childhood. This title focuses on such crucial aspects of the army-child experience as the places that they have called home and how they have been transported, housed, educated and entertained while in the army's care.

As Britain emerged from the Second World War, the armed forces desperately needed extra manpower to face new threats from old allies and to meet the considerable obligations of its Empire. This title explains what life was like for these recruits, from training to demo, and how they were affected by their experiences.

From gift shop designs for the holiday village in north Wales, Portmeirion pottery evolved to a global business, thanks in large part to the design flair of Susan Williams-Ellis. This title deals with this topic.

Artificiality was the fashion of the age, with clipped and twining plants vying for space with brightly painted woodwork and patterned beds. Renaissance discoveries reared their heads in royal gardens, where gilded and painted heraldic figures mingled with fantastical sundials and glittering fountains. This title deals with this topic.

The monarchy has made many concessions to the modern age, but the affirming rituals of the coronation - the pageantry, the theatre and the symbolism - are centuries old. Looking at the British coronation from its beginnings, this title takes the reader on a thematic journey through the history and meaning of these elaborate ceremonies.

Though Georgian garden buildings often seem monuments to rich mens' folly and whimsy, in fact they always had a purpose, whether functional or ornamental. This title presents the history of Georgian garden buildings and explains the purpose and form of individual types in the context of the English landscape garden.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, industrialisation changed every aspect of rural life. Industrial diversification led to a decline in agriculture and mass migration from country to town and city - in 1851 only half the population lived in towns, but by 1901 three-quarters did so. This book outlines the changes and why they occurred.

Boy scouts have been part of the fabric of British society since the movement's founding by Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell in 1907, and scout training provides boys with instruction in good citizenship. This title tells the story of the scout movement and its growth from an experimental camp held on Brownsea Island.

Railway workshops began in the north of England as small engineering concerns building the engines that powered early railways such as the Stockton and Darlington. In this illustrated introduction, the author explores the development, heyday and decline of British railway workshops, and examines their legacy.

Sir William Lyons enjoyed a seemingly unstoppable rise to fame and fortune in the motor industry, and the Jaguar brand that he introduced became world-famous. This title explores the history of the Jaguar Company and its many classic marques.

At one time British ships carried half of world's trade, transporting every conceivable freight from and to all four corners of the globe - and in times of crisis its tremendous merchant fleet has also offered military assistance. This title relates the Merchant Navy's colourful history and brings to life the day-to-day experiences of the seamen.