Books published by Amberley Publishing

Spring 1941 - the Third Reich triumphant! Having taken over Germany in 1933, Hitler launched a series of lightning campaigns across Europe that crushed Poland, Denmark, Norway, France, the Low Countries and then the Balkans. Only Great Britain had withstood the Nazis, but even it was battered and bruised and close to defeat. Then, on 22 June 1941 - in the most momentous decision of the war - the Nazi dictator turned East and flung his victorious armies into the vastness of the Soviet Union. Having signed a Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler back in 1939, Stalin was taken completely by surprise by the German attack. Hitler's Wehrmacht - buoyed by years of untrammelled success and led by some of the greatest commanders Nazi Germany had to offer - crashed across the border and sent the Red Army reeling. The German plan was simple and its scale staggering; over three million men, armed with over three thousand panzers, the same number of aircraft, more than seven thousand guns and carried by over six hundred thousand vehicles and even more horses, would be joined by over half a million soldiers from allied countries, and together they would destroy the largest army in the world while advancing a thousand miles to the very borders of Asiatic Russia. There they would halt and what remained of the Soviet Union and the communist faith that spawned it would wither and die. In the newly conquered lebensraum, Hitler and the Nazis would then commence the biggest mass human extermination programme in history. Barbarossa was huge, but it was fought by men; and on the German side in particular, it would be fought by junior officers and simple soldiers as the Wehrmacht tried to win the war once and for all.

The story of Brunel's most famous ship and the people who knew her, using new archive sources

George and Robert Stephenson are well known names in the canon of railway history. Henry Booth (who designed Rocket's boiler) was the world's first railway manager and was instrumental in the adoption of Greenwich Mean Time. Timothy Hackworth, the Methodist engine-wright from Shildon, established his own engineering firm, which built one of the first locomotives to run in Russia. Although his locomotive Novelty was a failure, John Ericsson found fame as the designer of the USS Monitor. This book seeks to explore the social history of the Rainhill Trials, who these engineers were and the times they lived and worked in.

The Wirral Peninsula in north-west England experienced the tragedies and hardships of war at first hand during the two world wars. Many residents lost their lives in the conflicts both in active combat throughout the world and as a result of the Wirral being a target in itself, particularly around the docks and Birkenhead and Wallasey in the Second World War. Both wars had a devastating effect on local communities through the loss of life, the destruction of familiar places through intensive aerial bombing that in large areas destroyed or damaged virtually all of the buildings, the evacuation of children and the hardships experienced at home. Many served on ships keeping the vital routes from the docks open, the anti-aircraft batteries defending the docks in the Mersey, or on the RAF airfields on the Wirral. In this book, historian and author Mike Royden has captured the tribulations of the times, telling the stories of many local men, women and children during these trying periods. Wirral at War pays tribute to the people of this region who served, died and lived through the two world wars, and how they managed to endure in the face of the horrors of conflict.

From a collaboration with MCW to produce buses in the 1970s through to the powerful luxury coaches of today, Scania vehicles are a familiar sight on the roads of Britain. Known for their levels of reliability, power and style, they are a popular choice for local bus services, as well as high-end coach operations. Covering the period from the start of Scania's entry into the UK market up to the present day, this book gives an overview of all the models to enter the UK market. With a brief description of each chassis type and 180 photographs, most in colour and all with informative captions, it showcases Scania's products in their operating heyday.

Surrey is one of the smallest of the English counties, but also one of the most populous. However, it has managed to retain much of its open spaces and is the most densely wooded county in England. With this comes a rich history that stretches beyond the written record; it is no wonder that there is a wealth of folklore, legends, strange tales and unusual history about the county. The book will explore many of the fascinating stories that have built up around SurreyE s ancient landscape, such as the giant sisters at St CatherineE s and St MarthaE s hills, the witch said to have inhabited Mother LudlamE s Cave and the Crowhurst Yew, the trunk of which once housed a room large enough for a table, chairs and more than a dozen people. Legendary heroes and heroines - and villains - of Surrey include Blanche Heriot and the infamous Mary Toft, the woman who gave birth to rabbits, the Godstone pirate, William Davis (the Golden Farmer) and Mary Frith, better known as Moll Cutpurse, the notorious highwaywoman. Spooky histories of places abound, such as Merstham Tunnel (scene of an unsolved murder in 1905), the haunting of Betchworth Castle, the E Railway of the DeadE at Brookwood, the Silent Pool, the Camberley Obelisk and a haunted house in Egham. Other unusual sites include Watts Cemetery Chapel, the Reigate Heath windmill church and Brockham Hill crater, where strange, foreign plants sprouted in the 1940s. Modern mysteries and urban legends have also entered into Surrey folklore, such as the A3 Ghost Crash of 2002, the Surrey Puma, the Thornton Heath Vampire, the disappearance of Agatha Christie, the QueenE s E forgotten cousinsE in Royal Earlswood Asylum and the Reigate Martin Bormann. These strange and spooky stories are accompanied by illustrations of places, both present-day and historical, in this hugely entertaining book.

This is the second volume of previously unpublished photographs from the camera of David Reed, focusing on the electric and diesel traction of the late 1960s and 1970s. The photographs of locomotives and multiple units, none of which remain in regular service, feature a variety of locations. On the Eastern and London Midland regions they range from the London area to North Wales, Crewe, Carlisle, East Anglia, Bradford, Ilkley, Manchester and Liverpool. Areas of Scotland pictured include the Ayr coast, the far north, Inverness and Perth, and the renowned 'Glasgow Blue Trains'. On the Western Region, Paddington, Reading, and the West Country are featured. Many locomotive types no longer in service are pictured and some carry their original green liveries. Many of the locations captured have since changed considerably.

This is the story of an empire founded on pigs. It tells of how a small town on the River Marden, once prosperous from the wool trade, became famous for its Wiltshire cured ham and bacon, tasty sausages and delicious pork pies. Products loved across the nation and world, and even consumed by royalty. At its peak the C&T Harris factory employed 2,000 people, processing 5,000 pigs a week, producing 100 tonnes of pies, sausages and cooked meats. The Harris brand remained strong by changing hands and merging with other companies, surviving until 1982. After its demolition the site was redeveloped, incorporating a new library, shops and houses. The name lives on in street names, public buildings and a recreation ground gifted to the town. Illustrated by a wide variety of images, some of which are previously unpublished, this is a fond tribute to an important contributor to the local economy and community.

Long before Brexit, the Common Market and even the Commonwealth, Britannia truly did rule the waves. Perhaps more unsung is the fact that she also ruled the rails over much of the world, for Britain's engineers effectively exported the Industrial Revolution and specifically the railway around the globe. This was especially true in that forerunner of the Commonwealth, the British Empire. In those parts of the world that were coloured pink on schoolroom maps, the rapidly expanding colonial railways were supplied by British companies like Neilson Reid, Bagnall, Kitson, Cravens and Cammell-Laird. This book tells the story of the expansion of the railways of the British Empire in Australasia and other areas beyond the Indian subcontinent and Africa, featuring stunning photographs, contemporary maps, posters, travel brochures and extracts from other interesting documents.

Take a look back at the Golden Era of wrestling with some of the spectacular merchandise from that awesome time. Featured here is the story of the wrestling merchandise that could be found as pro wrestling took the world by storm. Featuring action figures, gym bags, whacky T-shirts, VHS tapes and much more, this is merchandise that excited a generation. Kevin Williams, also the author of Wrestling Action Figures of the Early 1990s, will take you back in time to grapple with your wrestling passion.

Colchester's history goes back to the Iron Age and the Roman settlement that was for a while the capital of Britain. There are extensive remains of Roman Colchester that can still be seen today, as well as from its medieval and later history, including its Norman castle built on Roman foundations. The wool trade brought prosperity and many buildings date from the Tudor period, but much of today's Colchester dates from its expansion in the nineteenth century. In the years after the Second World War, areas of the town were redeveloped and this has continued in recent years, including its extensive garrison area. Colchester Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Colchester with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Patrick Denney presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Colchester. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

The Isle of Wight, lying off the south coast of England, has been a popular tourist destination for 200 years but has played an important role in the history of Britain for centuries. It was settled by Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and following the Norman Conquest it became a kingdom in its own right for two centuries. After the Reformation the Worsley family became governors of the island, transforming Appuldurcombe Priory into the family home, but misfortune was to haunt them and the house over ensuing centuries. The island was transformed by royal patronage, George IV supporting the Royal Yacht Club and Victoria making Osborne her favoured retreat, and the island was home to many famous names in the Victorian world including Tennyson. The island has also been at the forefront of technology and defence with the world's first radio station, established by Marconi, and the development of Britain's Black Knight ballistic missile and Black Arrow space rocket. As well as all this, the island's story includes the remarkable tale of how Bob Dylan was persuaded to play the Isle of Wight Festival instead of Woodstock and much more. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or vanished historical buildings and locations, Secret Isle of Wight will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this unique island across the Solent.

For fans all over the world the thrilling partnership of Silverstone and Formula 1 has long represented one of the pinnacles of motor sport. Here the broad sweep of Silverstone's Formula 1 history, a kaleidoscopic pageant of great cars and drivers, is explored in a new and highly accessible way through nine specific eras, each one delightfully and freshly illustrated: The First Grand Prix and International Trophy (1948-49) Forza, Alfa! Forza, Ferrari! (1950-51) The Front-Engined Finale (1952-59) Clark's Dark Golden Age (1960-68) The Stewart Dominance (1969-73) The Hunt-Lauda Epoch (1973-79) Three Titans: Prost, Mansell and Senna (1981-93) The Schumacher Era (1994-2006) New Heights: Hamilton and The Wing (2007 onwards)This photographic history of Silverstone and Formula 1 should appeal to motor racing fans everywhere, as it neatly captures the essence of what the highest level of a most demanding sport has meant to this very special venue.

From Vlad the Impaler and Tomas de Torquemada to Eustace the Monk and Reynald of Chatillon, some figures of the Middle Ages stand out and their stories simply beg to be told. The mini-biographies of these, and many more, rogues, rebels and mavericks of the Middle Ages illuminate this fascinating period of history. By no means were they all unsympathetic characters, though many ended either murdered or executed, but not a single one could be described as less than remarkable. This book is for anyone who enjoys medieval history in all its forms. Spanning the Norman Conquest, the Hundred Years War, the Wars of the Roses and the beginnings of European discovery of the wider world, much of what we see as 'medieval' is depicted through the focus of such players. Their colourful stories bring to life different aspects of society, such as chivalry, peasant revolts, crusading, heresy, sorcery and philosophy.

The 1970 merger of Northern Pacific; Great Northern; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle created a new super railroad spanning the northern and central United States over a 25,000-mile network. For twenty-five years, BN was one of United States' premier railroads. In its first decade BN had its hands full, paring down duplicate lines and forming a cohesive system from all the predecessor railroads, as well as investing in the explosive growth of Powder River Basin coal shipments. By the early 1980s though, BN had clearly become its own railroad, decked out in uniform Cascade green and black paint. The BN of the 1990s experienced continued growth in intermodal, grain and coal traffic, along with adding more hues to the company colours. With wonderful original photographs, Mike Danneman takes a look at the last dozen years of the Burlington Northern before the merger with Santa Fe to form BNSF in 1995.

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.

Road tankers come in many forms, with certain goods very often dictating the type and shape. The transport industry has adapted many innovations over the years and a wide variety of examples have travelled on our roads over the years - powder tanks, tanks for liquids, and even specialised tanks for the carriage of a plethora of goods from live eels to animal feed, cement, plastic pellets and more. All of the images in this book were captured by the author over a number of years. They document an important part of our transport history and will delight enthusiasts and modellers alike.

This historical investigation into the real John the Baptist brings to light one of the most influential figures in Christianity and western civilization, who is also a revered figure in Islam and other religions. Two thousand years later his life and example are still an influence for millions. John the Baptist's importance is such that he appears in all four Gospels, together with the writings of Josephus, and is inextricably linked to the life of Jesus. John was a friend, inspiration and forerunner for Jesus and a respected figure in his own lifetime yet the historical facts of his life are unknown to most. Josephine Wilkinson assembles the evidence to show us the man whose views led him to be sentenced to death and beheaded by Herod. Based on the ancient sources, the author gets as close as it is possible to get to a biography of John, including an account of his relationship with Jesus.

Secret Royal Leamington Spa explores the lesser-known history of the town of Leamington Spa through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

Secret Redcar, Marske and Saltburn explores the lesser-known history of the town of Redcar and resorts of Marske and Saltburn through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

An accessible history of Rotherham from its beginnings to the present day highlighting the city's significant events and people.

Jeremy Black charts the story of Britain's rise to naval supremacy across the long eighteenth century.

Motoring historian Michael Burgess explores this forgotten chapter in the history of the iconic Rootes Group.

A profusely illustrated history of bird keeping, with examples of aviaries both grand and more humble.

A fascinating exploration of Edinburgh's historic churches will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting Scotland's capital city.

Explore the rich history of central London's North Bank in this guided tour through its most fascinating historic and modern buildings.

Documenting the wide variety of traffic on the busy section of the Eastleigh and Southampton railways.

With previously unpublished images documenting the variety of wagons on railways in the Peak District.

An accessible history of Lichfield from prehistory to the present day highlighting the city's significant events and people.