Books published by Amberley Publishing

A vivid and compelling account of the famous escaped slave Frederick Douglass's tour of Britain and Ireland, 1845-7

Over 1000 years, five groups of Asiatic horsemen conquered the world. In his own attractive style - 'as accessible as it is informative' ('Deus Vult') - Jem Duducu gallops across 1000 years of conquest on horseback.

A Fascinating, thoroughly researched examination of the origins of the British press. Ruth Herman looks at several factors, including the birth of newspaper advertising, political influence over editorial decisions and how the press was licensed and regulated.

In July 1920, when the first Dangerous Drugs Act was passed, the UK drug scene was limited to small groups of Soho night people smoking opium and sniffing coke, and some middle- and upper-class people (mainly women) around the country quietly getting private morphine prescriptions from their GP. Now, exactly 100 years on, we have hundreds of thousands of people using a whole smorgasbord of different drugs. How did that happen?The nineteenth century saw scientific developments whose unintended consequences laid the foundations for the modern explosion of recreational and chronic drug use, which has in turn sparked a worldwide effort to stop it. At first encouraged by the commercial opportunities afforded by widespread 'cures' - many consisting of little more than heroin or cocaine - by the twentieth century a moral crusade had gathered force to curb this new social ill. In truth, although the dangers of drug use were very real, the origins of the war against drugs stemmed from wider fears in society. In this new book, the culmination of a lifetime of research and writing on the topic, Harry Shapiro isolates the different elements behind the war on drugs to present an issue reaching boiling point. Using a range of interviews, documentation, private papers, government archives and studies from the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence, Shapiro synthesises a tale of crime, money, politics and exploitation bigger than any country.

A family-authorised biography of Pat Hughes, one of the top-scoring aces of the Battle of Britain.

The story of the most iconic railway company of the great age of steam. The initials 'GWR' conjure an evocative picture of a Brunswick green locomotive hauling tea-and-cream-coloured coaches through a verdant West Country landscape. However, the GWR was not just engines and trains. In this comprehensive history, Colin Maggs, one of the country's foremost railway historians, tells of other, perhaps less well-known aspects of the company's history: its construction and expansion; the activities of its publicity department; and its sea, air and road services. It was a caring, cradle-to-the-grave employer and at Swindon even provided a hospital, school, baths and recreational facilities. These and other fascinating aspects of the company are all revealed in this accessible book, illustrated with over 100 photographs and period posters, many in colour.

Explore a highly photographic celebration of the popular Stoke bus operator D&G Bus, rare and previously unpublished images.

Explore the photographic history of the Peugeot 404-once described as 'one of the seven best cars in the world'.

A detailed historical celebration of village halls, and the crucial role they play in rural communities.

Explore a fascinating selection of photographs documenting this interesting part of France's railways.

Explore some rare and previously unpublished photographs celebrating steam power on Britain's roads.

A fascinating selection of photographs documenting the diverse contemporary rail scene around Worksop.

The fascinating region of the Black Country is one of the most interesting areas in Britain. Here is a collection of strange tales and local legends from the region.

An engaging exploration of the history of the castles of Scotland. Will appeal to all those who wish to know more about the history of the country as well as those interested in the story of its castles.

The latest in this heavily illustrated series looking at Britain's pre-Grouping joint railway lines focusing on Eastern and Southern England.

A fascinating exploration of Hertfordshire's historic churches. Will encourage all those who live in the county or are visiting to discover the history on their doorsteps.

Secret Stroud explores the lesser-known history of the town of Stroud in Gloucestershire through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

A photographic journey exploring the seaside piers of England and Wales, capturing the variety of life and structures to be found around our coast

This cornucopia of medieval food and drink will fascinate all of those interested in the story of England's cuisine through the ages as well as those interested in the history of the Middle Ages.

Explore a fascinating photographic record of Edinburgh's trams and buses over the last thirty years.

With stunning photographs and informative captions explore a pictorial story of Tanfield Railway since its inception as a heritage railway in 1971.

Eric Bloodaxe embodies the savagery of Norse legend, a life of struggle and murderous violence. This, the first biography, explores the legend and the reality.

The British car sensation of 1959 - Triumph Herald. This book provides a concise and authoritative guide to owning, restoring and driving this popular classic.

A history of London's theatres exploring the many places associated with its theatrical heritage through the ages

Explore this lavishly illustrated celebration of the beautiful and fascinating world of rock gardens.

Using primary resources and employing a forensic eye, Jerry Rabow offers a fascinating and unique investigation into the infamous story of Henry VIII's effort to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.

From a highly respected heritage author comes a nostalgic collection of images celebrating steam engines on Britain's roads.

A fascinating exploration of the underground world and its history beneath the surface of Wakefield.

Coventry at Work is a fascinating pictorial history of the working life of the city of Coventry through the years.