Books published by Amberley Publishing

Highly illustrated, Secret Cheltenham reveals the lesser-known hidden aspects of this remarkable town.

A guided tour of the historic town of Southport, showing how it has changed over the past century and more.

Explore Wrexham's secret hidden history through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.

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

A brilliantly illustrated look back at the toys and merchandise associated with one of the most famous and lucrative franchises of all time.

First launched in 1976, the Lotus Esprit was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and based on a Lotus Europa chassis. The following year, the car made its debut in the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, where, after a car chase, it metamorphosed into a submarine. In this comprehensive book, the authors use their first-hand knowledge from twenty years of ownership to cover essential information such as how to buy, own and keep a Lotus Esprit as well as unpublished research and history of the various models, including the original 'Essex' turbo models. They describe the development of the new designs for the Esprit in 1987 by Peter Stevens and in 1993 by Peter Thomson. They also explore the story of the Bond film cars, both terrestrial and aquatic, and where they are now. The book explains how to maintain an Esprit on a budget and also lists the suppliers, businesses and clubs that can help keep an Esprit on the road while also adding a social dimension to ownership. Packed with original illustrations, this book is a must-have guide to one of the Lotus company's most famous models.

During the nineteenth century Folkestone changed from being a small fishing village to a fashionable resort and busy cross-Channel port. The town expanded dramatically and by the turn of the century large hotels were being built to accommodate the wealthy, and a theatre, bathing establishment and pleasure pier were all built. Fashionable Folkestone came to an end with the advent of the First World War, when it experienced a huge influx of refugees and its harbour became a prime military embarkation point. After this war Folkestone realised that if it was to survive as a holiday resort, it would have to attract working-class families - not just the wealthy. Later, the building of the M20 and the Channel Tunnel all meant that Folkestone underwent further major changes and now, at the start of a new millennium, Folkestone is equipped with a high-speed rail link to London with travel times of less than an hour, and with the philanthropic investment of Roger de Haan, it is undergoing another change of guise as the town seeks to reinvent itself as a hub for arts and high culture. In this fascinating collection of images, most of which have not been published before, local author and historian Alan F. Taylor illustrates the proud history of this seaside town. Folkestone From Old Photographs provides something for everyone, be they long-time residents or first-time visitors.

The construction of the Merthyr, Tredegar & Abergavenny Railway was a remarkable engineering achievement. Not only was it one of the most spectacular railways in Britain, but it was also one of the most difficult to build, and its long and steep gradients made it one of the most expensive to operate. The section through the Clydach Gorge was particularly dramatic with the line twisting and turning, but climbing steadily along a ledge cut above the deep valley. The MT&A is remembered with much nostalgia, for in those days, Abergavenny was a thriving and important railway centre with three stations and the town was alive with a symphony of sounds such as the clang of hammers, the hiss of steam, whistles tooting and wheels clattering over joints and points. When railway activity in Abergavenny reached its peak, there were over a thousand people employed in jobs associated with this form of transport. Chris Barber has compiled this richly illustrated book to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the closure of this much loved railway in 1957. The last journey on the line took place almost a hundred years after the railway was first proposed, and if it still existed today, it would undoubtedly be a popular tourist attraction.

A unique guided tour of the historic port of Rye, showing how it has changed over the past few centuries.

A fantastic collection of rare and previously unpublished photographs of buses in our capital London.

A unique guided tour of the historic town of Peebles, showing how it has been changed over the centuries.

Secret Peterborough explores the little-known and often colourful history of the Cambridgeshire cathedral city of Peterborough through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.

Not everything has been told about the life of Muhammad Ali. One fight has been forgotten and the extraordinary story - of racism, celebrity, an audacious crime and, above all, an important boxing match - is told here for the first time.

This beautifully photographed selection of fifty of the county's most precious assets shows what makes Buckinghamshire great.

Mark Lee Inman looks at some of the beautiful postcards used as souvenirs on some less-glamorous ocean-going ships of the twentieth century.

From the 'Mayflower' to the iPhone, this is the story behind America's economic power. Selected in The Economist's Best Books of 2017.

Local author and historian Christopher Horlock brings together a fascinating photographic collection of bizarre and off-beat tales from the county of Sussex.

A look at the contemporary freight scene in the UK.

A pictorial history of the working life of the Medway Towns over the last century and more.

Paul Garson explores the fascinating role played by bicycles and motorbikes by the Third Reich with uniquely personal, largely unpublished images.

The amazing life of Richard I, King of England, known to history as 'Richard the Lionheart', after his reputation for bravery exhibited fighting the 'Saracens' whilst crusading in the Holy Land.

A monumental new life of Ancient Rome's most illustrious complex and legendary leader - Julius Caesar.

Lover of George, the Prince of Wales and mother of Queen Victoria's favourite prime minister, Viscountess Melbourne was the most important hostess of the Regency period. It was entirely in character that on her deathbed Elizabeth urged her daughter Emily to be faithful, not to her husband - but to her lover!

A fascinating portrait of the South Yorkshire town of Rotherham presented through a remarkable collection of historical photographs.

Explores the rich and fascinating history of York through an examination of some of its greatest architectural treasures.

Explore a stunning collection of photographs of buses in Essex during this golden age of bus travel.

Secret Norwich explores the lesser-known history of the city of Norwich through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

This fascinating selection of photographs shows how Shaftesbury has changed and developed over the last century.

Award-winning military historian Neil R. Storey explores the military heritage of Northumberland, from Roman times to the present day.

Nigel Fryatt explores all you need to know about the direct descendant of the original World War Two Jeep.