Books published by Amberley Publishing

The story of entrepreneur George Elliot, containing first hand material and fascinating facts from the Industrial Revolution, and some inspirational moments of the Victorian Era.

Rhondda' - even now, the name evokes the turbulent times when Rhondda (actually two valleys, the Fawr and Fach) was synonymous with the deep-mining of steam coal. This is a story of pioneering deep-mining and unbridled capitalism: the prospecting of two valleys, unfettered by health and safety, amid divisive industrial relations and scarce health-care. The result fired railways, steam-powered shipping and the engines of the Industrial Revolution across the world. Using a mixture of historical and modern photographs, coloured by personal testimony and memories, this book reveals the vibrant, turbulent, often tragic record of Rhondda: from pastoral vale via 'black gold'-rush to grimy industrial prime, followed by the twentieth-century economic slide, the demise of all its fifty-three collieries and today's valleys - a mainly residential landscape of green hills.

The town of Halifax is full of magnificent buildings designed by famous architects such as Sir Charles Barry, John Carr, Sir George Gilbert Scott and other buildings designed by the town's own talented architects. The town has altered quite dramatically during the last 150 years. Some of the earlier views dating from the Victorian period would be unrecognisable without more recent pictures to compare against. Changes to transport from the days of horse and carts, to trams and motorisation have brought other more noticeable changes in terms of traffic schemes and street signs in abundance and of course, the 'one way systems'. Halifax Through Time brings these changes to life contrasting the 'old' and 'new' and if the reader was so inclined, by following the structured sequence of photographs, provides a fascinating reference for a stroll around the town.

A fabulous slice of wartime nostalgia, a facsimile edition of the manual used by the Land Girls during the Second World War. With millions of men away to fight in the Second World War Britain was struggling for labour. In order to replace the agricultural workers now fighting the Nazis, the Women's Land Army (originally founded in the First World War) was relaunched in June 1939 by the Ministry of Labour. The majority of the Land Girls already lived in the countryside but more than a third came from London and the industrial cities of the north of England. By the end of the war over 100,000 women of the WLA or 'Land Girls' as they were more affectionately known, had helped feed the nation in its darkest hour. First published in 1941, LAND GIRL was a practical guide for the city slickers who were recruited into the Women's Land Army and sent to work on farms in the English countryside to replace the men who had joined up. An amazing period piece, hundreds of thousands of copies were printed and sold and it became one of the year's best selling books.

Steam in East Anglia recalls the era when steam ruled the tracks and the railways conveyed passengers and goods, from the commuter lines of Tilbury and Southend to the rural tranquillity of north Norfolk. There are sometimes conflicting ideas about which parts of Britain comprise East Anglia. This book describes and illustrates the steam trains which ran within Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Cambridgeshire. The book concentrates on the years between the mid-1930s and the end of steam. Apart from the Pacifics, preservation has not been kind to the London & North Eastern Railway and its forbears. There are precious few locomotives left and it is a tragedy that no B17 or Claud was saved - but it is a relief that two Thompson B1s have been preserved.

Wiltshire is one of the largest counties in southern England. Much of it is comprised of high chalk downland, most famously on Salisbury Plain, and wide valleys and vales, often with rivers running through them, but in the north-west Wiltshire runs into the Cotswolds and south-east Wiltshire lies on the edge of the New Forest. Wiltshire is unsurpassed in its ancient sites, from the Neolithic monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury to numerous barrows and burial chambers. Later ages have also added to Wiltshire's gems, from the distinctive white horses cut into the chalk on hillsides, to Salisbury Cathedral, Longleat and the gardens at Stourhead. In 50 Gems of Wiltshire author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the many places and their history that make this part of the South West so special. The 50 Gems include ancient sites of the earliest settlers in the area, castles, historic towns and villages, stunning country houses and estates, natural beauty spots and many other treasures. Alongside the justly famous the author includes many lesser-known gems that are equally deserving of attention.

The metre-gauge railways of South East Asia are a popular destination for railway enthusiasts from all over the world. In this book, Peter J. Green looks at the national railways of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam in the twenty-first century. While all these railways are modernising at varying rates, it is still possible to step back into the past and experience train travel behind diesel traction, often in carriages with windows that open, through varied and interesting landscapes. Semaphore signalling is disappearing rapidly but can still be seen in parts of Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. With a wealth of previously unpublished photographs, this book offers a fascinating insight into the railways of this rapidly changing area of the world.

'Fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history' - or so the bomber pilots say, anyway. Strategic Air Command held a constant nuclear-armed vigil, ready to launch nuclear war at a moment's notice, twenty-four hours a day. SAC was responsible for two of the three components of the Nuclear Triad - manned strategic bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) - alongside the Navy's SLBMs. Also responsible for the USAF's strategic reconnaissance aircraft, SAC maintained a large fleet of tankers to support its bombers and spy planes. After a drawdown of strength in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, SAC rebuilt its strength throughout the 1980s as part of a wider revitalisation of the US armed forces under President Reagan. New advanced bombers, tankers and ICBMs joined the fleet with the promise of new stealth aircraft under development.

Since the dawn of the railways, away from the glamour of the main line express, thousands of miles of industrial railway moved raw materials and finished products. From sewage works to sugar factories, all manner of industries were served. These sometimes employed dozens of locomotives, or in other cases simply a horse or a petrol tractor. The Beckton gas works in London ran a massive railway, complete with locomotive roundhouse and signals, while the ironstone industry of the East Midlands operated on the edge of fields. It can be said that one was never more than a mile or two from an industrial railway, though often its existence might not have been well known. A corncucopia of locomotives provided power, while a fantastic array of specialist wagons moved all manner of goods. A few industrial lines have survived as heritage attractions, and one is even a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This book is part of the Britain's Heritage series, which provides definitive introductions to the riches of Britain's past, and is the perfect way to get acquainted with Industrial Railways in all their variety.

Steam power led the transport revolution in England throughout the nineteenth century, but was crippled on the road network by punitive legislation. As the century turned, the laws were altered in such a way that the development of the English Steam Lorry or Wagon became a viable transport proposition. For the best part of four decades, the steam lorry was a major player on the transport scene, being developed into a highly technical machine designed to beat competition from the petrol and diesel lorry. The most advanced machines were efficient and very fast. Made by a variety of builders, including the famous Sentinel company of Shrewsbury, who built waggons with a double 'g', and Foden, of Sandbach, steam lorries came in many shapes and sizes. This book looks at their birth, and the operation and engineering that set them aside from the traction engine and steam roller. This book is part of the Britain's Heritage series, which provides definitive introductions to the riches of Britain's past, and is the perfect way to get acquainted with steam lorries in all their variety.

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 ancient Suffolk market town of Beccles has a history of more than a thousand years, which saw it flourish as one of the principal trading communities in the county. Situated on the River Waveney, it is often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Southern Broads'. In Secret Beccles, local author Barry Darch sets out to discover the lesser-known and hidden aspects of the town's heritage. At its heart lie two large marketplaces, the newer one (dating from the fourteenth century) still very much in use for a weekly market and for special events. A number of nearby buildings also have large cellars with interesting architectural features. Many buildings have had several changes of use; for instance, the late Anglo-Saxon St Peter's Church became a tannery and later a restaurant. A Georgian theatre that became a corn hall now lies hidden behind a branch of Lloyds Bank. Part of the town's hidden past rests in the names of its streets and paths, such as Shipwreck Alley and Hungate, the street of the dogs. As well as the places and locations, the book will also uncover stories of those significant townsfolk across the ages, ranging from the heroes to the villains. The author also looks at gravestones and memorials and seeks out what secrets are revealed about the town in publications including books, newspapers, maps and letters. Featuring archive and contemporary images, Secret Beccles includes a wealth of little-known or previously unpublished material, which will be of interest to residents, visitors and anyone with connections to the town.

Southern California Railways looks at the operations of some of the many railroads that serve the southern half of the Golden State. These include the passenger operations of Amtrak, Metrolink and San Diego Coaster and the freight operations of the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway as well as some short-line operators. The book shows some of the huge variety of trains and locomotives that ply their trade in the area. Author Richard Billingsley focuses on the area south of San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield, including Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as the Mojave Desert and Salton Sea and includes 180 stunning images documenting the railway scene.

In 1961 the maximum length of single-deckers was increased to 36 feet. Bristol Commercial Vehicles and Eastern Coach Works designed their first rear-engined single-decker to take advantage of this new length. Two prototypes were built and tested in service in 1962. United Automobile Services had the RELL version with a low chassis frame for bus work. South Midland had the RELH version with a high frame for coach work. Production started in 1963, with Eastern Coach Works-bodied buses and coaches for the nationalised Tilling Group companies, plus some Alexander-bodied coaches for the nationalised Scottish Motor Traction Group companies. In this book the author illustrates the Bristol RE in service from 1970 to 1994 in England and North Wales. This includes Tilling Group companies, National Bus Company subsidiaries, municipal operators and independents, some of the new companies created from bus deregulation and privatisation from 1986, plus a few more recent photos of preserved Bristol REs.

The county of Cornwall in the far south-west of England is surrounded by sea on three sides. Resisting Roman and Anglo-Saxon invaders, it retained its Celtic independence and remained separate from the rest of England into the Middle Ages. Cornwall has a rich military history that stretches back through centuries, and evidence of this military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing today. Cornwall's Military Heritage explores the history of the county - not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it, but also the heritage of the military units that were nurtured there and sent to fight in conflicts abroad. Cornwall was home to two uprisings in 1497, followed by the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549 and the Spanish raiding of 1595. In the English Civil War, Cornwall was a Royalist stronghold in the predominantly Parliamentarian South West, and Pendennis Castle was besieged alongside the strategic Isles of Scilly, contested by both sides. Author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the conflicts surrounding an array of historic monuments, including castles, forts, airfields and military bases, noting how the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and its antecedents fought through two world wars to maintain the survival of this most remarkable county.

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.

St Albans has a long and fascinating history from its pre-Roman settlement as Verlamion, through the Roman municipium of Verulamium, the Benedictine monastery dedicated to Alban, the first British Christian martyr, to the charter borough and market created by Edward VI in 1553 and the city designated by royal edict in 1877. The town's location on the ancient Watling Street linking London with the Midlands and the North West has ensured its significance in each of these periods. In this book, local author Kate Morris portrays episodes in the social life of the charter borough and market, when the town gained in popularity with City merchants and professional folk, often as their 'second home'. Morris reveals lesser-known events and characters of the Early Modern period of the town's history. Some of the tales and happenings revealed are not untypical of those in other English towns, but their telling in this context will appeal to all those with an interest in St Albans and its history, and the book's period illustrations and modern photography will delight.

Covering industrial steam throughout the British Isles over several decades, the terrific photographs featured here, captured by David Letcher, document a period of our industrial development that is now long gone. Steam-powered workhorses helped turn Britain into an industrial powerhouse, and these wonderful photographs show these locomotives in a variety of settings - a long way from the steam heritage railways of today. Published for the first time here in a selection curated by transport author Stephen Heginbotham, the photographs offer a richly rewarding and nostalgic tribute to the final years of steam on our industrial railways.

This book covers the development of mosaics in Britain from the invasion to the end of Roman Britain. The technical side of the art form is covered as well as prefabrication. It covers those mosaics based in towns as well as more rural locations. Many of the mosaics have been lost but are recorded in coloured engravings. The author has a large collection of illustrations of both existing and lost mosaic pavements. The uniqueness of some British depictions of such well known characters as Orpheus are also explored here. Reconstructions by the author of some sections of figured mosaics based on examples found elsewhere in the empire are included. The author's recent work on the newly discovered Boxford mosaic, that is the most important mosaic found in Britain for over 50 years, is explored here for the first time. Anthony Beeson is the former archivist of the Association for the Study and Preservation of Roman Mosaics, a member of the board of trustees of the Association for Roman Archaeology and The Roman Baths Foundation, a prolific writer of papers on Roman art and architecture and has lectured on the subject of Roman mosaics.

Bastions of civic architecture, town halls are a prominent part of the urban landscape of towns and cities throughout Britain. They are part of a long tradition dating back to sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when the town hall began to embody power and authority within local society and politics. Their design and decoration are a fascinating reflection of these centres of power, and architecturally they reflect the periods in which they were built, from the classical revival and Gothic styles of the nineteenth century to the art deco of the 1930s, and the modernist buildings of the mid- to later twentieth century. This book traces their historical development from their early beginnings to the present day, at a time when many are being repurposed as they become redundant, while others have opened themselves up for more secular use. This book is part of the Britain's Heritage series, which provides definitive introductions to the riches of Britain's past, and is the perfect way to get acquainted with town halls in all their variety.

London's East End History Tour is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this famous part of the city. This new book guides us through the streets and alleyways, showing how its famous landmarks used to look and how they've changed over the years as well as exploring its lesser-known sights and hidden corners. With the help of a handy location map, readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and discover for themselves the changing face of London's East End.

Throughout their existence from 1904 until 1981, the Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company were an idiosyncratic operator whose area of operations ranged from the Welsh Marches and Shropshire in the West to Northamptonshire and Rutland in the East and from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire in the South to Staffordshire and Derbyshire in the North. Much of their area was distinctly rural but in Birmingham and the Black Country, Worcester and Hereford, Stafford and Leicester, intense urban services were operated mainly by double-decker buses and it is these buses that this volume examines. Looking at the coaches that formed a part of this iconic fleet, David Harvey utilises his collection of rare and unpublished images to explore the fascinating world of Midland Red coaches.

Mainly covering the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s, this collection of images offers a fascinating survey of one of the iconic locomotives of twentieth-century Britain: the Class 40. A common sight in Scotland and the north of England in the latter part of the century, the Class 40 continues to capture the imagination of railway enthusiasts everywhere. Used to haul both heavy freight and passenger trains, this book captures a locomotive at the peak of its powers, with previously unpublished images showing Class 40s both at work and rest. The vast majority of the photographs in this book were taken by the late Keith Holt. He was brought up in West Yorkshire and, like many youngsters at that time, developed an interest in railways as he cycled around the West Riding to visit places of interest. He always took photographs, including many of the iconic Class 40 locomotives. This book serves as a fitting tribute to his longstanding interest in the railways, and reflects the varied work carried out by the Class 40.

This book is a portrait of the period that became known as the era of BR Blue - the 1970s and 1980s. The railway appeared to be caught up in a world of its own. It was still recognisably the one from the steam era, and happy to be living in the past rather than making strides toward the future. As with most of the nationalised industries, labour relations were somewhat fraught. The railway invested in electrification and everything else was standardised to minimise costs. Unsurprisingly, stagnation haunted the network. Some would suggest the railway was doing a particularly fine job given the circumstances. It was fortunate to be blessed with a dedicated workforce and supported by thousands of people who travelled by train. For those of us who remember those days fondly, this is how we would prefer to remember that time.

Indian soldiers made a pivotal contribution to the British Empire and Great Britain's development from a small, relatively poor island to a dominant military and industrial power. Under the British Crown, following the Mutiny of 1857, India's military became a vital link to holding the Empire together. From the jungles of south-east Asia to the deserts of Africa, and the hills of northeast India to the forests of Burma, the Indian army would become the pride of the Raj. Upon India's independence, the army continued to be one of the finest inheritances of Empire. This book looks at the world of the Indian soldiers who enlisted in the armies of India under British rule, and how they served with such dedication and loyalty. The extent to which the soldiers acted as an effective control over the coercive power of British rule in India is also examined, as well as the implications and logistics involved in running such a complex military machine. The first comprehensive single-volume history of India's soldier's in the British Empire written with flair and rich in detail, True to Their Salt offers a vital new perspective to mark the 75th anniversary of Indian independence.

When the Range Rover was launched in 1970 it immediately drew attention. Its elegant but practical design mixed with exceptional off-road handling, as well as comfort on metalled roads, seemed to introduce a whole new way of driving. The Louvre museum in Paris exhibited it as a model of industrial design. Fifty years later, the Range Rover continues to be in demand. In this comprehensive book, Rover expert James Taylor covers all of the Range Rover models from the 1970s 'classic' to the fifth generation Range Rover of today. The book covers the remarkable engineering achievements of Land Rover in developing a vehicle just as at home on rugged hillsides as it was on the streets of Chelsea. He follows the developments that made the Range Rover ever more in demand as a luxury status symbol. This book will appeal to all Range Rover enthusiasts, offering concise but comprehensive coverage of one of the most admired British cars.

Animals have shaped the cultural and economic life of Glasgow through the ages, and many statues and other memorials around the city honour the role played by animals in the city's history. Horses were central to Glasgow's massive expansion in the nineteenth century, moving goods in and out of the city, and their sight, sound and smell were an integral part of the life of the city well into the 1950s. For centuries they were the main means of transport, whether as saddle horses or pulling vehicles, or for the military at the cavalry barracks in the Gorbals, and myriad trades depended on the horses, including saddlers, harness makers, grooms, fodder suppliers, horse trainers, riding schools, horse dealers and farriers. Equestrian events were a regular feature at theatres and fairs and gradually developed into circuses and such events as Buffalo Bill's Wild West Shows. Performing animals were seen in the city for centuries and menageries of exotic animals toured Glasgow from the late eighteenth century onwards, followed by circuses, bringing the largest elephants to the smallest flea circus. After several attempts, a permanent zoo finally opened in Glasgow in 1947 but closed 2003. As the population grew, domestic pet ownership grew too, including racing pigeons, and numerous dog and cat shows became established. Whippet racing was a popular pastime a century ago, with illegal betting, but was gradually replaced by greyhound racing where betting on-track was legal. In Beastly Glasgow, author Barclay Price takes the reader on a fascinating exploration of the city's animal associations through the ages. Full of unusual tales and fascinating facts, this well-researched history will introduce readers to the beguiling history of Glasgow's animals.

Launched in 1961 as Renault's answer to the Citroen 2CV, the Renault 4 went on to become one of the most successful French cars ever made. In this readable and highly informative book, Renault 4 expert Mark Bradbury uncovers the history of the Renault 4, including the early design developments under Renault chairman Pierre Dreyfus and the ambition to build a car for the people when car ownership was soaring. This was to be a 'blue jeans car'. Apart from its practical design, the Renault 4 also incorporated several technical 'firsts', including a sealed cooling system. Building on its success, the Renault 4 went through several design changes and engineering improvements as well as a number of special editions. The author covers the motorsport successes, including the Paris to Dakar rally and a remarkable journey by four women in a Renault 4 through the Americas. The Renault 4 was also adapted into commercial variants such as small vans. As Renault prepares to unveil the first ever replacement for the Renault 4, and marking the sixtieth anniversary of its first launch, this book is a timely tribute to one of the most iconic French cars.

Richard of Cornwall was born in 1209 as the youngest son of King John. His life of adventure made him one of the wealthiest and most widely travelled men of his era. Praised for his diplomatic and organisational skills, he led the last successful crusade to the Holy Land and was elected king of Germany. At home he was indispensable to his brother Henry III, but he resented his dependence on him and often equivocated his support. When his brother-in-law Simon de Montfort raised rebellion against the regime, Richard took a neutral stance, and it ended up costing both him and the king. He emerged from that low point to exert what was his greatest and lasting influence on his German subjects. He took one of them as his third wife, a teenage beauty who was forty years younger than him. Ever a seeker of glory, luxury and pleasure, Richard turned Wallingford and Berkhamsted into the famous castles they became later on and sired numerous children with mistresses. He gladly squeezed the peasants to finance his ventures and lifestyle, but also came to their rescue when famine beset the realm. As with any complicated individual of that era, he was both admired and hated when he died in 1272. In this first biography of Richard of Cornwall in more than fifty years, Darren Baker explores Richard's accomplishments, going much further into his life than any previous work, and shows why the only Englishman to carry the prestigious title of king of the Romans is always worth another look.

The search for the historical figure behind what is arguably the most famous cycle of legends ever has been unrelenting over the centuries. Here, two noted Arthurian experts argue that the man whose story started the Arthurian myth was a soldier named Lucius Artorius Castus who lived at the end of the second century AD. Castus's extraordinary career took him from one end of the Roman Empire to the other, bringing him into contact with tribespeople among the Steppe nomads - in particular the Sarmatians. For several decades the Sarmatians have been thought to be the inspiration behind Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, among other British tales. The authors provide a fascinating detective story following the life of Lucius Artorius Castus against the colourful backdrop of the history of the reigns of Marcus Aurelius and his son, the barely sane Commodus. In doing so they reveal the manifold links between Artorius and the legend.