History

Life on the Old Farm takes you back to a time, not so long ago, when country life in Britain followed a pattern that had remained largely unchanged for centuries. In this series of fascinating reminiscences, farmers from all over Britain reveal their knowledge - the last generation who know at first hand traditions dating back to Saxon times. Life on the Old Farm is nostalgic and informative with fascinating interviews and insights into how things used to be done. It covers a time span from before Edwardian times up to the coming of mechanization after World War II.

An evocative look at the lives of twelve English countrymen spanning the period from Edwardian England right through to today. From Ernest Sharp the thatcher to George Ranger the farrier; and from John Furzey the beekeeper to Bill Thomson the hurdle maker, experience the working and home lives of these colorful characters in the glorious English countryside.

"Amazing & Extraordinary Facts about the English Countryside" explores the flora and fauna, customs and traditions that give the English countryside its unique charm and special identity. From the standing stones and carvings of our ancestors to the modern farming methods and woodland management of today, discover hundreds of fascinating facts about rural England. Brief, accessible and entertaining pieces on a wide variety of subjects makes it the perfect book to dip in to. The amazing and extraordinary facts series presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.

This best-selling title is a handy-format, fully comprehensive guide to the rulers of the British nations and their chequered histories, from pre-Roman times to the present day. From King Kenneth I and Henry VIII through to Princess Diana, the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II, Kings and Queens: The Concise Guide reveals the lives and personalities of each monarch - the good, bad, lazy, greedy, downright wicked, sometimes mad and occasionally brilliant - and examines the ways in which they have shaped history. Including family trees, key facts and further details, as well as timelines to help place each monarch in their historical context, the book covers the major social, political and commercial events of each monarch's reign. The author also provides additional information on the spirit, traditions and innovations of the nation at the time, including politics, arts, architecture and fashions. It is a magnificent visual feast in an appealing format, which guarantees to bring history alive for readers of all ages, through exciting narrative, famous paintings and rare archive photographs.

A unique collection of strange laws, heroic deeds, surprising revelations and other quirky stories that have shaped the unique history of Britain's capital. London's long history is an extraordinarily rich source of amazing facts, whether your interest is political, social, architectural or historical, you will find a variety of topics in this alternative guide to London.

This is the ultimate book for days out with the family, visiting Britain and Ireland's greatest architectural and historical treasures. Many of the castles featured offer a wealth of things to see and do, from their beautiful settings and manicured gardens, to museum collections and re-enactment events. Not only does the book give you essential information for visiting the castles, but it also provides background information on the roles castles played and other interesting facts to make your visit more enjoyable. This book is beautifully illustrated with photographs of the castles.

A year-on-year account of the Isle of Man International Scooter Rally, the brainchild of WWI veteran-turned-politician, James Mylchreest Cain. Following a fact-finding mission to Dusseldorf, accompanied by Peter Agg from Lambretta, the second Rally went International for 1958, and was to grow in popularity throughout the 1960s, attracting competitors from countries as far and wide as Australia, USA, Rhodesia, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Czechoslovakia and India.
In addition to gymkhana and endurance events, closed-road and circuit racing attracted fast men such as Neville Frost, John and Norman Ronald, Ray Kemp, Andy Smith, and Norrie Kerr. In 1971, the then chairman of the Tourist Board, Bill Quayle, declared that the annual Scooterist week was “the most important cog in the mosaic of Manx tourism.” The author’s access to personal photographic archives, and Manx Press pictures, combined with period reports and interviews with competitors, builds a unique reconstruction of a hugely successful event on the scootering sporting calendar: an event that was to endure for 20 years and attract thousands of spectators.

During the last four centuries certain key events have influenced the development of the auto industry and the way people get about. This book tells fascinating tales, bringing individual days to life with short stories, photographs and illustrations. From the first self-powered vehicles to modern advances in technology, many topics are covered surrounding the turbulent history of the automobile. The births and deaths of automotive innovators, the rise and fall of car companies lost to history, incredible days at the racetrack, relevant inventions, the introduction of some of the greatest cars ever built, and many more true events from around the world are described on their day in Automotive History.