Books in the Through Time series

It was in Hertfordshire, at Berkhamsted, that the English surrendered to William the Conqueror in 1066 - a turning point in the story of the kingdom. Ever since, the evolution of Hertfordshire has been influenced by the crown and capital. Proximity to London enabled its characteristic market towns to develop - to supply the inhabitants of the city with produce, and to provide sustenance and lodgings for those travelling to and from the provinces. This of course included the monarch, for as well as the royal residence at Berkhamsted there was a royal staging post at King's Langley. In more recent years, this close relationship has proved both a blessing and a curse. The level of urban development in Hertfordshire has rocketed as commuting has become the norm. However, this in turn led to the construction of the world's first garden city - Letchworth - putting the county at the vanguard of revolutionary social development. Furthermore, its unique position and character have also put it at the centre of popular culture, with Hertfordshire providing the setting for novels by Austen and Orwell, and more recently for blockbuster films such as Star Wars and Harry Potter, at the county's famous Elstree and Leavesden studios.

East Dulwich Through Time contains 180 images of East Dulwich in London, of which 90 are old photographs, (some printed in a sepia tone and some in full colour). Each photograph is printed alongside a contemporary full colour photograph illustrating the same scene. The contrasting illustrations show how the area has changed and developed during the last 100 years. The photographs are of shops, schools, garages, churches, houses and street scenes and each photograph is captioned. The book also has an introduction which gives a brief overview of the history of the area.

A fascinating collection of images showing how Prestwich and Whitefield have changed across the last century.

Looking at the fascinating history behind the airfields of Shropshire, which was particularly popular during the Second World War.

Audley Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Audley, its well-known streets and famous faces, and what they meant to the people of this town throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture, and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of this village's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of Audley, as Tony Lancaster guides us through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting for the first time. Audley Through Time also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.

Madeley parish is situated in the north-west corner of Staffordshire. It is set in an attractive landscape of hills and meadows. The present appearance of the parish is both revealing and deceptive in terms of its historical past. The medieval church and its surroundings, the Old Hall and Madeley Pool all suggest a parish that has developed over many centuries and is typical of rural Staffordshire. Based on the presence of coal and iron and helped by a network of railways, nineteenth century Madeley saw substantial changes. By the middle of the twentieth century there was little of that industrial activity left. Its hub, the coal mine, closed and the village of Leycett virtually disappeared. This book goes on a visual journey through the parish and attempts to illustrate both continuity and change.

Historically part of Lancashire, Bury grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution as a mill town producing textiles alongside many other expanding towns in the area and now lies within Greater Manchester. The town is well known for its large traditional open-air market, one of the best in the country, which draws large numbers of visitors. The industrial legacy of Bury is still visible, with the Manchester, Bury & Bolton Canal, the remaining factories and mills and areas of terraced housing, but following decline in the textile industry and other manufacturing in recent decades, the shopping centre was rebuilt in the 1960s and 1970s and has been subsequently rebuilt again, with housing areas extended outwards, linked to Manchester by the Metrolink tram service. In spite of the many changes that have occurred in Bury the town has retained its identity and most of its historical buildings. This fascinating selection of old and new images of Bury will be essential reading for all those who know the town and the area.

The magnificent ruins of Furness Abbey are now in the care of English Heritage and attract thousands of visitors every year. Dating back to the twelfth century, the abbey was one of the wealthiest Cistercian monasteries in the country. Over the centuries, writers and artists including William Wordsworth and Turner have been inspired by the splendour of the sandstone ruins and the tranquillity of their location in a peaceful valley. In Furness Abbey Through Time, local historian Gill Jepson, Chair of the Furness Abbey Fellowship, presents an excellent visual chronicle that looks at how the abbey precinct has changed over the last century and more. Using an impressive collection of archive photographs, postcard views and colour photographs, readers will see that successive generations have been drawn here to explore the abbey's heritage and enjoy the scenery. In addition to the main abbey precinct, photographs of its closer landholdings, such as Piel Castle, Bow Bridge, Abbot's Wood and Dalton Castle, are also included, to provide a more comprehensive collection. This superbly illustrated book will be of interest to local people and visitors to the abbey and the surrounding area.

Amid peaceful countryside, past historic towns and through the heart of London, the River Thames flows in an easterly direction for some 346 kilometres from its source in Gloucestershire until entering the North Sea. Over many centuries civilisations have traversed the ancient river by way of fords and early ferries, stone-built bridges, by locks, tunnels and railway lines and, most recently, by motorway crossings. Building methods and designs have changed dramatically over time yet, even now, bridges dating from medieval times still span the river, virtually unaltered since when they were built. Within London, bridges and tunnels, old and new, convey the capital's rail systems, road traffic and pedestrians across the Thames. The Thames and its crossings are ever changing and Geoff Lunn, as he travels downriver from source to sea, navigates the reader through their history and right up to the present day.