Books published by Amberley Publishing

The skyline of Victorian London was dominated by sinister mounds of rubbish, graphically described in Dickens's novel Our Mutual Friend. Surprisingly these dust mounds were where hundreds of so called running or flying dustmen made a meager living. Working in the open air in all weathers, amid the dust and smell, they separated out the refuse, selling much of it on, in an early form of recycling. They turned a profit from mere rubbish - the 'Alchemy of Dust'. In time the fear of cholera and other epidemic diseases resulted in public health legislation that banished the dust mounds, and 150 years later Londoners do their own recycling. In this pioneering book Peter Hounsell explores the changes in the management of London's rubbish over the last two centuries.

One of the great names in chocolate history, Rowntree's, evolved from the humble retail beginnings of Mary Tuke, eighteenth-century mother of York's chocolate industry. This book explores how she was formative in shaping modern York as a city of confectionery manufacture, a city with a broader history in this industry than any other city in the UK. York emerged as the epicentre of an empire of competing chocolate kings. Strevens also insightfully reveals the impact that the development of York's confectionery production had on the lives of the rich, the poor and 'the middling sort', exploring growing social trends in the social capital of the North, such as chocolate and coffee houses, and the evolution of York as a destination for the 'polite and elegant'. This is an accessible and at times wry exploration of eighteenth-century York, vividly bringing to life the sumptuous splendours and profound murkiness of the city at the time of its commercial emergence as the 'Chocolate City'. Each chapter develops the detailed picture of what it must have been like to live in this city at the inception of York's most scrumptious of trades.

Yorkshire Murders & Misdemeanours invites the reader to take a look at the dark side of life. This gruesome collection of historical murders and misdemeanours vividly brings to life a selection of true crimes; crimes which took place on the streets, on public transport, in homes, pubs, prisons, workhouses and brothels. The reader will be introduced to characters such as Joseph Wooler whose wife died in 1855 in mysterious circumstances; the question is, was Joseph responsible for poisoning his wife, Jane, with arsenic or was her body simply unable to cope with the medication she was taking for her weak constitution? We are also introduced to the case of James Smith, the keeper of the toll house at Hebden Bridge in 1850, who was found with his throat cut. Was the man arrested for this crime the right man? This collection of real life crimes vividly recreates the events surrounding them. A must have book for any armchair detective!

Thornton, on the outskirts of Bradford, was actually the birthplace of the Brontes, not the West Riding moorland village of Haworth. Patrick Bronte came here in 1815, with a wife and two young children and left for Haworth five years later with six children, the last four being the most significant in the Bronte story. This fascinating area is brought to life here in Alan Whitworth's book. The Parsonage on Market Street in which the Bronte children were born and lived, is now a private residence and not open to the public. As for the rest of this village, a great deal still remains that would be familiar to the Brontes, the same steep cobbled streets which they trod are little changed, and many of the houses would have been visited by Patrick on his parochial duties.

By the turn of the twentieth century Small Heath and Sparkbrook, two adjacent inner city districts of Birmingham, had been transformed from a rural environment to an urban one. Two vibrant shopping areas had evolved surrounded by Victorian properties of working class back-to-backs and middle class terrace housing on the Coventry Road, Small Heath and Stratford Road, Sparkbrook. Birmingham City FC dominates the city end of Small Heath whereas Small Heath Park at the other end also attracts visitors to the only major green space in this area. However the most historical and oldest building, The Farm, can still be found in Sparkbrook. Unlike other inner-city areas no large scale redevelopment has taken place in either district leaving a mixture of modern and as-built properties in both areas.

Rugby From Old Photographs offers a captivating glimpse into the history of this town, providing the reader with a visual representation of Rugby's intriguing and chequered history. Drawing upon an eclectic collection of over 200 photographs, the Rugby History Group presents the reader with an insight into the history and life of this popular town. Rugby From Old Photographs provides something for everyone, whether they have lived in the Rugby all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this Warwickshire town. Rugby life is well represented here and many poignant memories are given a new lease of life. This stunning collection of photographs also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.

A look at the dark side of life in Bolton, this book provides the reader with a collection of true stories based on real murders. Each tale provides a macabre account of these infamous crimes and the events leading up to them. The reader will learn about the case of the despicable Betty Eccles who slowly poisoned her children to death by putting arsenic in their puddings, or ponder upon the mysterious death of James Booth a local business man who suffered a violent death after eating at the local inn. A must read for anyone interested in true crime and local murders!

Newark Through Time offers a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Newark, the famous streets and the 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 area's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of this beautiful and thriving town, as the Newark Archaeological and Local History Society guides us through Newark's streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in this area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this charming town. It 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.

Pictorial books such as this dedicated to the past are not only invaluable to local historians, but also of interest to anyone wishing to know more about the history of the place they live or work in, for old photographs can provide fascinating insight and a tool to compare past and present. The Hampshire town of Lee-on-the-Solent is perfect for such comparisons, for although it has only been in existence under 130 years as a coastal settlement, in that time it has lost so much: a pier, railway, swimming pool,unique entertainment complex, and a large naval base and airfield. Well-known local author Ron Brown has compiled over 230 photographs, many not previously published, to provide a nostalgic reminder of the Lee that has passed.

Hemel Hempstead's history goes back a long way and is mentioned in the Domesday Book survey. St Mary's Parish Church is one of the oldest buildings and dates from 1150. Henry VIII came to Hemel Hempstead and granted a Charter in 1539 which also put the town on the map. In more recent times Hemel Hempstead was designated to be a New Town in 1946 which caused it to grow from being a market town of 22,000 to one of the largest in the county. This book shows how the town has changed - many people consider it to be improved while others wish time could hark back to the days when small shops were the norm and areas such as Apsley, Boxmoor and Leverstock Green were individual villages where everyone knew each other. The photographs will help those who have forgotten what Hemel was like years ago and shows the places and buildings that have replaced them.

Haverhill Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of one of England's finest towns. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Haverhill, the well-known streets, the 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 Haverhill's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of the town, as Roy Brazier guides us through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in Haverhill all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this delightful market town. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.

Haunted Pubs, Inns & Hotels of Derbyshire takes you on a spookily paranormal pub crawl with a difference. Whether it's to a scenic country pub, a traditional old coaching inn or a more modern establishment, these are the places where people have seen ghosts, heard them, smelt them and - most frightening of all - felt them. We delve deep into the mysterious phenomena that have baffled investigators, and terrified landlords, cleaners and customers for years. Here the hidden secrets behind these strange goings-on are explored and revealed in chilling detail. Some tales will leave you shocked and shaken, while others are as entertaining as they are bewildering. History, folk memory, anecdote and eyewitness evidence are all pieced together in these eerie and evocative true stories. We stop off at old coaching inns, pubs and alehouses, encountering spectral highwaymen, monks, Cavaliers and Roman soldiers. We uncover the ghostly fate of serving wenches, old regulars, heartbroken maids and murder victims. We find hotel rooms haunted by benevolent, playful and curious spirits as well as plagued by poltergeist activity. Jill Armitage invites you to join her on this journey and share in her fascination for the strange and spooky. Haunted Pubs, Inns & Hotels of Derbyshire will surely delight and frighten in equal measure.

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.

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.

In industrial Lancashire, as in few other English communities, the turn of the twentieth century could be seen as modern times dressed in bowler hats and moustaches. Photographs of street scenes taken in Manchester and Burnley, Oldham and Accrington in the 1890s take us to a world that had been disciplined and regimented by factory work for a century or more. Already, by then, the best cafes and restaurants in town were suggesting that customers book a table by telephone. Highly organized public transport by road, rail and sea was tempting more and more factory workers to widen their horizons, and in the pubs the talk would be of the prospects of Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and, from 1902, Manchester United. This, then, is a world we would recognize instantly. But there are aspects of it that would seem alien to us - the poverty, the filth, the insularity of Communities -and we would soon appreciate that for all its museums and swimming baths, art galleries and Gothic town halls, this was a society still only half 'grown up' in comparison with today's. That is what makes this time just beyond living memory so intriguing and fascinating. More than one hundred and fifty superbly reproduced photographs are included here, matched with contemporary descriptions from the years spanning the turn of the century. The emphasis is on working lives, and the ways in which our forefathers fought on, with the grim good humour for which Lancashire is famous, at a hard time when they could claim with some truth that what they were doing today, the world would do tomorrow.

Below the northern face of Cleeve Hill, a spring brings water to the surface. Here, the River Isbourne begins its journey. Within a matter of feet, the water is put to its first use by mankind. This book is a record of how, over the last thousand years, a small country river has been put to use by the local communities. The most common use of the river has been for watermills, with twenty-two sites identified, but many other diverse uses have also been found for the water of the River Isbourne, from swimming pools to tanning, and from ducking stools to 300-foot-high fountains. Little has been written about the mills of northern Gloucestershire and southern Worcestershire. Mike Lovatt provides details of the mills and the other uses on one river in the area so that this information at least is preserved for future generations. Within the pages of this fascinating, well-illustrated book, the reader is transported down the River Isbourne, from where it rises high on the Cotswold slopes and flows through the towns and villages of north Gloucestershire and south Worcestershire to where it somewhat insignificantly slides into the Avon at Evesham.

This fascinating collection of over 200 archive photographs and postcards - many not seen before - illustrates the history of Plymouth from the late 1800s to the early 1950s, including the early days of horse-drawn trams and early automobiles through to the blitz of 1941 and the reconstruction of the city in 1947. Never short of entertainment, Plymouth has been visited by a wealth of celebrities including Laurel and Hardy, Harry Houdini, Buffalo Bill and Lillie Langtry. Some older residents of the city will have heard tales of Houdini's jump in chains from Ha'penny Bridge at Stonehouse and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in the early 1900s. There are also nostalgic glimpses of the city's grand old theatres and of Plymouth Hoe, its former pier, and the many shows that took place there. Others will remember the summer dances, roller skating and Sunday concerts given by the Royal Marines Band. Plymouth has seen vast changes over the years and this book features many images of a pre-war Plymouth now long gone. Detailed and informative, this book is sure to bring back memories to be enjoyed by all who know and love this city.

A History of Aviation in Alderney takes a brisk and affectionate look at a previously neglected topic: the lifetime of powered flight on this Channel Island. Packed with information, characters and anecdotes, it covers the period from 1919 to the present day, encompassing the Nazi occupation, the birth (and death) of various airlines, and all the major accidents and incidents that the island and its waters have seen. Commemorating the past but also looking to the future - and championing Alderney Airport in its 75th year - the book is not solely aimed at the aviation enthusiast or the Alderney resident. It also looks at connections with the other Channel Islands of Guernsey, Jersey and Sark, touching on their own aviation stories, and it considers the many benefits that air links have provided to these island communities. Illustrated throughout, both in black and white and in colour, A History of Aviation in Alderney takes flight and reveals its charm.

The personal story of a British tank sergeant's war, from the fall of France in 1940, through the bloody campaigns against Rommel's forces in North Africa, the hard-fought drive up Italy, D-Day and the battles for France and the low countries, and the invasion of the German heartland itself. George Forty, himself a veteran of the Korean War, uses Jake Wardrop's war diary as the basis for this first-hand tale of bravery. For the first time in its entirety, Jack Wardrop's tale is told, from defeat in 1940 to ultimate victory in 1945. Sadly, despite his bravery, Jake Wardrop was killed in action during the dying days of the war. His diary is a reminder of the vicious fighting his, and the other tanks of 5 Royal Tank Regiment, took part in and it gives a unique personal insight into the Second World War. Wardrop's detailed record of each battle and action was compiled at the time and it has long remained in the possession of his mother, who was sent extracts from time to time as the war progressed. His diary serves as an exciting battlefield record of 5RTR.

Cruises by pleasure steamer along the Essex coast have been a popular day out since the Victorian age, and are still going strong today despite a plunge in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s and several tragic fires. For most Londoners, the tradition of going to the seaside was always by pleasure steamer. These steamers, with their happy names, colourful liveries and luxurious interiors, became a memorable annual tradition. Steamers such as the Royal Daffodil, Royal Sovereign, Queen of the Channel and Royal Eagle became part of everyday life. For many, there was simply no other way to visit the seaside! And when they arrived at Southend or Clacton, the day was a great ritual where people visited their best-loved attraction, sat in their favourite gardens and topped their day off with fish and chips and a Rossi ice cream. Then they ran along the pier for the journey home to London. From the start of paddle steamer services in the 1820s, through their great heyday in the 1930s and the collapse in passenger numbers following the Second World War to the nostalgic service now provided by Balmoral and Waverley, Andrew Gladwell explores this simple pleasure which brought so much joy.

When Royal Princess was named in Southampton by HRH The Princess of Wales in November 1984, she was the most advanced purpose-built luxury cruise ship ever conceived and constructed. Built at the beginning of the modern commercial age of cruising, she was the trend-setter of the cruise ship world and continues to hold a number of records, among them, the first contemporary cruise ship to have all outside cabins, and in 2010 as Artemis, the first British passenger ship to be commanded by a female captain, Sarah Breton. In the following years of service, she has taken passengers all over the globe in luxury and style, and it is hoped she has many more years of cruising ahead of her. At 45,000 gross tons she is small in comparison with the super-liners of today, but when launched she was one of the largest cruise ships afloat. Her traditional ambiance and service standards have attracted a loyal following, not only among passengers, but also among her crew. This book, written by Andrew Sassoli-Walker and Sharon Poole, celebrates the innovation in cruise ship design that Royal Princess / Artemis represented, and highlights her career with both Princess and P&O Cruises in the words of both passengers and crew. Fully illustrated throughout with many never-before-seen colour images, it is a tribute to a unique and much-loved vessel.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is one of the most admired and respected managers in the history of the beautiful game. Sir Alex Ferguson: Fifty Defining Fixtures presents a completely new perspective on the longest-serving manager of Manchester United. Covering his complete career as a player and a manager, this book highlights the games that projected the boy from the Glasgow district of Govan to the worldwide phenomenon that was Manchester United. From his Scottish Football League debut with the amateurs of Queens Park at Stranraer to his final game as manager of Manchester United at West Bromwich Albion, this fascinating book recaptures the many highs, and also a few lows, of a memorable and trophy-strewn career. It is the Sir Alex Ferguson story with a difference: fifty fixtures that defined the career of an ordinary footballer, who went on to become the most successful British manager ever.

The River Derwent in Cumbria is one of the fastest rivers in Europe. It is also one of the most beautiful, and it flows through fantastic and varied countryside from its source in the heart of the Lake District. The name Derwent translates as 'oak river' and/or 'river of oaks'; it is an ancient name. There is evidence of occupation and industry along the river from the Iron Age onwards, and industry still uses its power and speed as a water source. A fine and famous salmon river, the River Derwent was sometimes called 'the river of saints and sinners', as it was used by smugglers as well as clerics. Beginning at the river mouth, we follow the river through the port of Workington, through the lavish countryside of Cumbria to its source amidst the dramatic mountainous splendour of Borrowdale. Along the way, H. C. Ivison brings to light tales and stories of fascinating events, landmarks and people. River Derwent: From Sea to Source is essential reading for anyone who knows this river well, and also for those who are visiting the River Derwent for the first time.

Biographical material on Emily Bronte is scarce. In the past, biographers have taken this as an excuse to portray intuition as fact, creating a confused and inaccurate image of the author of Wuthering Heights. In A Life of Emily Bronte, Edward Chitham searches diligently for the truth. He describes his book as an 'investigative biography', delving into Emily's childhood, her relationships with her family, her father's Irish roots, and the influences of her friends and acquaintances. Using material neglected by other biographers, Chitham makes an illuminating and scholarly study of the events and characters that shaped Emily's inspiration - a puzzle that has confounded many and made her, up to this point, an enigmatic and misrepresented figure.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Royal Westminster & St James's have changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Dorset has changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Cranbrook has changed and developed over the last century.

A fascinating heritage tour through the town and County Borough of Wrexham in North Wales featuring its people and places across the centuries.

A fully illustrated look back in time at Portsmouth, its people and how life has changed in the city over the last century.