Books published by Amberley Publishing

A fascinating insight, derived from a regular feature on the Robert Elms show, into some of the forgotten industries of London, lavishly illustrated throughout.

The incredible story of how the village of Lesmahagow has influenced the world in a variety of fields, from industry to espionage, throughout history.

A lavishly illustrated look at the highly collectible iconic Hasbro wrestling action figures of the 1990s.

A terrific collection of images highlighting some of the most interesting examples of British-made military Dinky toys.

A unique account of old London with all its energy, filth and splendour before the city's destruction by the Great Fire in 1666.

The Baltic Story recounts the shared history of the countries around the Baltic, from the events of a thousand years ago to the present day.

An engaging guide to the innovative tractor models that achieved legendary status. Accompanied by superb colour photography of all the tractors.

The first book to consider British history from a magical perspective, and how these arcane magical themes developed over time.

This book explores a part of the King Arthur story often ignored - his exploits on the continent. By reexamining the evidence, Howell challenges convention and offers a compelling argument that connects the legend with a real historical event involving the invasion and conquest of much of Western Europe.

A historical and practical guide to one of the great British car manufacturers. Armstrong Siddeley was one of the leading brands of British motor cars from the 1920s to the 1960s.

This beautifully photographed selection of fifty of Somerset's most precious assets shows what makes it such a popular destination.

Pam Inder explores the evolution of the woman's fashion over the long nineteenth century - from the late Georgians to the Edwardians.

'After what happened to Finland we had to fight communism. It was a terrible threat.' The interviews and images gathered by Jonathan Trigg are vital historical documents.

Beautiful collection of old postcards showing the Lake District's enduring appeal over the last century and more.

A lavishly illustrated look at the history behind one of the most iconic toys of all time - the Teddy Bear.

This beautifully photographed selection of fifty of the region's most precious assets shows what makes Mid Wales such a popular destination.

This book features fifty-six Victorian murder cases from the files of the Illustrated Police News.

Richard, Duke of York, was one of the most powerful men of his age. Descended from Edward III and the father of Edward IV and Richard III, he was known after his death as 'King by Right'. This is the story of the man who almost became king

The experiences of the German fighter pilots in the Second World War, based on extensive recollections of veterans as well as primary documents, and diary and flying log book extracts, with photographs from the veterans themselves, many never previously published.

A highly illustrated celebration of fifty years of the Hercules in service with the Royal Air Force.

A stunning collection of images showcasing Scotland in all its glory.

This book traces the design, development and production history of the iconic classic Saab 900 model, manufactured from 1978 to 1993, looking at every variant from the basic single carburettor Saab 900 GL to the blisteringly fast turbocharged Saab 900 turbo 16S. This unique car accelerated Saab into the global executive car market, and was its most successful model ever, with more than 900,000 sold across the world. A combination of attractive Swedish styling, reliability, balanced handling, safety and performance endeared the Saab 900 to loyal owners who kept coming back for more over its long production run. Today, the model that enthusiasts and casual observers immediately identify as 'the Saab' is fast becoming a collector's car, and deservedly so, with good examples fetching premium prices. This book is an essential reference for all the classic Saab 900s produced. This book features dozens of rare and previously unpublished photographs that the author, a Saab enthusiast and owner for twenty-five years, has researched and obtained from archives in the UK and Scandinavia. There is growing interest in this modern-day classic from enthusiasts and investors, and prices for the best survivors are steadily rising. This book will act as a useful, concise and attractive single reference point to this audience.

Brighton has long been an important seaside town, and today draws in visitors from all over Britain and beyond for its varied nightlife, rich history and attractive waterfront. In 1800, Brighton had forty-one inns and taverns, and by 1860 there were well over 450, echoing the town's growth in popularity through the Regency and early Victorian eras. A recent resurgence of interest in real ale has also seen a welcome boom in micro-breweries, placing Brighton firmly on the beer-lover's map. David Muggleton takes us on a tour of these watering holes, including the long-established venerable Greyhound, elegant Regency Cricketers, high-Victorian Colonnade, elaborate mock-Tudor King & Queen and the English Renaissance revivalist Good Companions, the pub reputed to have opened on the very day that the Second World War began. Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the fascinating history of Brighton's pubs.

Few things are more evocative of Victorian Britain than its criminals; they are, together with railways, gas lamps and swirling fog, vital ingredients in any Victorian melodrama. The truth, however, was often stranger, more thrilling and more horrifying than fiction. In this book, four eminent crime historians reveal the realities of this aspect of Victorian life, illuminating not just the criminals and their victims, but also the policemen, forensic scientists and others who rubbed shoulders with the nineteenth-century underworld. Notorious crimes - the Road Hill Murder, the Balham Mystery and Jack the Ripper - stand alongside long-forgotten, neglected cases; the most shocking and terrifying cases appear next to everyday horrors, some stunning and some merely sad. This unique work of reference deserves a place on every true crime reader's bookshelf.

In the second half of the fifteenth century, for over thirty years, civil war tore England apart. However, its roots were deeper and its thorns were felt for longer than this time frame suggests. The Wars of the Roses were not a coherent period of continual warfare. There were distinct episodes of conflict, interspersed with long periods of peace. But the struggles never really ceased. Motives changed, fortunes waxed and waned, the nature of kingship was weighed and measured and the mettle of some of England's greatest families was put to the test. Matthew Lewis examines the people behind these events, exploring the personalities of the main players, their motives, successes and failures. He uncovers some of the lesser-known tales and personal stories often lost in the broad sweep of the Wars of the Roses, in a period of famously complex loyalties and shifting fortunes.

In this comprehensive book, the author charts the development and production of one of the most famous fire engine manufacturers in the world. After an introduction that outlines Dennis's early days of manufacturing bicycles and cars in Guildford, the author describes the initial fire engine design in 1908 which was to establish Dennis as a fire engine maker and the principal supplier to the London Fire Brigade. Technical developments were accompanied by export success to Commonwealth countries where the name Dennis became synonymous with fire engines. After supplying fire-fighting trailer pumps that were used in the Blitz, Dennis production continued to be innovative and varied in the post-war years, and the author explains the development of both the small town and country fire engines as well as larger engines, which were the mainstay of city fire brigades. The author brings the story right up to date with the development of both the Dennis Rapier and Dennis Sabre. The Rapier was considered the ultimate fire engine and both models enjoyed export success until the company ceased independent production in 2007.

In contrast to most of Scotland, the north-western coast and the islands beyond were a region of mixed political control as well as culture into the sixteenth century. The divergent influences of Celtic and Scandinavian culture were more marked here than in the evolving mainland kingdom of Scots. It was a physically remote region of substantial autonomy under its own dynasties. Timothy Venning explores the whole of the lordship of the Isles at its widest extent, under Somerled MacGillebride (ruled c. 1130-64), encompassing the kingdom of Man during its independent history, plus the mainland domains of Somerled's family in the western Highlands. He also covers the jarldom of Orkney, a Scandinavian lordship divided between involvement in and allegiance to Scotland and Norway until the later fifteenth century. This book traces the complex story of the kings and lesser lords who ruled the region and the continuing autonomy of the area's clans until the catastrophe of 1745-46 when those clans loyal to their traditional sovereigns were decimated for backing the Stuart invasion. The London government then suppressed an entire culture. The story shows the dynamics of a richly varied world alien to centralised modern Britain.

Infinitely flexible, they have appeared in short, medium and long wheelbase variants, with a host of body styles and conversions for everything from sixwheeled fire engines to motor homes. It is more than sixty years since the prototype was built in 1948 and the Land Rover of today still resembles the original - although creature comforts may be more evident on the latest Defender models. Whatever form it takes, the Land Rover is one of the few vehicles that can be found on every continent of the world, and it is said that around 70 per cent of all Land Rovers ever made are still in daily use. Multiple Land Rover owner John Christopher tells the story of the 'proper' Landys, the Series I, II, IIA, III and the Defender. He also looks at the FCs, the military and emergency service vehicles, special projects, off-roading and the celebrity cars.

The Anglo-Saxon era is one of the most important in English history, covering the period from the end of Roman authority in the British Isles to the Norman Conquest of 1066 in which the very idea of England was born. In The Kings& Queens of Anglo-Saxon England, Venning examines the rulers of Anglo-Saxon England, beginning with the legendary leaders of the Anglo-Saxon invasion as Hengest and Horsa or Cerdic and Cynric and moving on through such figures as Aethelbert of Kent, the first king to be converted to Christianity and his daughter Aethelburh, whose marriage began the conversion of Northumbria, to Alfred of Wessex and his dynasty, the Viking invasions, and the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings, Harold Godwineson.

There can be few world-class companies that boast the heritage and traditions inherent in the British Airways brand. Indeed, the company that became British Airways operated the world's first commercial scheduled airline service in 1919. From the early days of aviation through to more recent times, British Airways has stood for high standards of quality and professionalism. Curator of the British Airways Heritage Collection Paul Jarvis guides the reader through the story of the company from its earliest origins to the present. In this full-colour illustrated history, we see how the whole experience of flying has changed over the years: the aeroplanes, the interiors, the uniforms, the advertising and much more.