the history press ltd united kingdom stroud (Over 3,900 results)

Paperback. Condition: Good. At the outbreak of the Second World War the government short-sightedly allowed thousands of miners to enlist in the armed services. By 1943 the war effort was in danger of grinding to a halt because of a lack of coal. In answer Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour, sought service volunteers and compulsorily sent 20,000 18-year-olds, whod expected to fight for their country, down the mines with them. Some were so angry that they preferred to go to prison. The majority went to do their best. But some were psychologically, and others physically, unsuited to such dangerous work. Many were injured; some died. Called Up, Send Down is an enthralling oral and social history of an episode of war that has never been fully told. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book reveals the precise route Hannibal took across the Alps and describes the 2nd Punic War when C arthage took on and defeated the might of Rome. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Published in association with the Arvon Foundation, a collection of short stories written in exactly 50 words, which tell of wild fantasies and dreams come true, of twists of fate and divine retribution, and of life after the apocalypse and life next door. With an introduction by Victoria Glendinning. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Games make up a huge part of childhood, and memories of specific games stay with us throughout our lives. They form an integral part of growing up and stimulate imagination and creativity. From hide and seek to complex card and board games, street games that require no equipment to elaborate rainy day amusements, we all have experience of entertaining ourselves as children. In this fascinating trip down memory lane Caroline Goodfellow explores the history of childhood games and how they have changed throughout the ages. From ancient board games to childhood pastimes of the Middle Ages through to the street games of the 1950s and 60s and the experiences of children in the current decade, she delves into the differences between games over time and region. Bound to awaken pleasant memories, Games of Childhood Past transports the reader to another time, providing a nostalgic look at how we played. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This fascinating selection of photographs illustrates the extraordinary transformation that has taken place in Newport during the 20th century. The book offers an insight into the daily lives and living conditions of local people and gives the reader glimpses and details of familiar places during a century of unprecedented change. Many aspects of Newport's recent history are covered, famous occasions and indivuduals are remembered and the impact of national and international events is witnessed. The book provides a striking account of the changes that have so altered Newport's appearance and records the process of transformation. Drawing on detailed local knowledge of the community, and illustrated with a wealth of black-and-white photographs, this book recalls what Newport has lost in terms of buildings, traditions and ways of life. It also acknowledges the regeneration that has taken place and celebrates the character and energy of local people as they move through the first years of this new century. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. To all appearances Jack Swann is a typical gentleman of the Regency period; educated, cultured and affluent. In his early thirties, he is an attractive and eligible bachelor, with all the resources needed to live a privileged life. Haunted by the murder of his father twenty years earlier the perpetrators of which have never been caught Swann has, however, turned his back on this world and chosen instead to fight crime as The Regency Detective, an unofficial consulting detective to the Bow Street Runners in London. Arriving in Bath for a family funeral, Swann finds several reasons for staying in the city: to protect Mary, his sister, from the mysterious Lockhart; to find the Scarred Man, who might lead him to his fathers killer; and to end the reign of terror by Wicks, the local underworld boss who, in turn, sets out to have Swann assassinated. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. Woodley, Gary (illustrator). The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The love affair between British speed king Donald Campbell and vivacious singer Tonia Bern was one of the great romances of the twentieth century. But passion turned to tragedy with the dramatic death of Campbell on Lake Coniston in 1967, as he attempted to break the world water speed record in his famous jet boat, Bluebird. In this intimate portrait of her love affair and marriage to Campbell, Tonia tells the inside story of her heady life with Britain's national land and water speed hero. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. A first-hand account of the horrors of war experienced by a British soldier in World War II. As a 24-year-old lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, Peter White kept an unauthorized journal of his regiment's advance through the Low Countries and into Germany in the closing months of the war in Europe. Forbidden by his commanding officer from doing so for security reasons, Peter's boyhood habit of diary keeping had become an obsession too strong to shake off. Each day he found time to record in copious detail the war whom he served, and the inexorable allied advance into the Third Reich. to shake off. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. Men captured in war, deprived of their purpose as well as their liberty, naturally think of escape. During the Second World War, when vast numbers were held in captivity for years, the art of escape and evading capture in enemy territory reached new levels of efficiency and ingenuity. Prisoners of war were assisted by cleverly disguised equipment, from concealable maps to serrated wire bootlaces, as well as a secret underground network of escape routes, resistance organisations and safe houses. Thousands of prisoners of war and fugitive soldiers owed their lives to a small number of brave and inventive individuals on the outside who risked everything to keep lines of escape open. In a journey from the streets of Rome to the jungle of Malaya, Ian Dear explores the extensive planning behind and daring execution of eighteen great escapes made by Allied, German and Japanese troops during the Second World War. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Fine. The story of Christmas, from its beginnings as a pagan celebration with mistletoe, holly and wreath decorations and the old Saturnalian custom of cross-dressing - continued today with the pantomime's "principal boy". The book also covers the practice of superiors waiting upon those of lower rank during the Christmas season - still seen in the British Army - and the election of a Lord of Misrule which was a popular custom in the 14th century. The author reveals how the Victorians enlarged celebrations into something like the Christmas season of today, with singing, dancing, plum pudding, decorated trees, street carolling, Christmas cards and Santa Claus. The book also covers the history of Christmas through the 20th century, discussing the two world wars, the influence of television and film, the Queen's speech and the increasing commercialization of the season. The many illustrations include famous examples such as Roosevelt and Churchill leaving the White House for Christmas service in 1941 and the Christmas tree at Windsor.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Commercial flying in Britain began after the First World War, but Croydon Aerodome had been in use since December 1915 when it was established as part of London's air defences; aircraft from Croydon attacked Zeppelins in 1916. The aerodrome was west of Plough Lane and the site was used from 1920 when Croydon replaced Hounslow as London's Customs airport. The original RFC buildings were used, but in 1926 construction began on a new terminal which opened in 1928; the extended area was required for new airliners coming into operation. The new terminal and buildings were to become famous throughout the world as air transport developed during the 1930s. With much larger airliners required after 1945 and the need for long, paved runaways, Croydon closed in 1959, by which time London's new Heathrow Airport was well into its stride. Many famous people passed through Croydon in its heyday and many aircraft types were to be seen there. It is impossible in a book of this size to illustrate everything, but encapsulated here is the spirit of those bygone days when flying was more of an adventure and so much less bureaucratic than it is today. If your favourite aircraft or personality is not included in this fascinating collection of over 220 photographs - apologies! The selection is a personal choice, so sit back and reminisce! The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Gives an insight into the changes that have taken place in Taunton during the 20th century. This book recalls houses and public buildings, shops, factories and pubs that have vanished or been changed almost beyond recognition. It includes pictures that show changing types of transport and fashion, and the developing character of streets. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Fair. After the Second World War, cars in Britain were very hard to come by. Most new models had to go for export or were reserved for those drivers who needed them the most, such as doctors. Petrol was still rationed, roads inadequate and modern technology lacking. With the arrival of the 1950s, things slowly began to change: Morris, Austin and Ford put increasing numbers of British families on the road, new sports cars from MG, Jaguar, Triumph and Austin-Healey promised a thrilling drive, and innovative motors such as the Land Rover and the bubble car emerged. By 1958, new car buying was leading a consumer boom, and Britains manufacturers still had the market to themselves. Giles Chapman investigates the fascinating motoring history of the 1950s. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. On Sunday 5 October 2014, the 75,000 strong crowd at Old Trafford for Manchester Uniteds game against Everton joined in with an extended version of a chant which echoed around the stadium. We all live in a Georgie Best world, it went. Eleven years after his death, forty years after he walked out of the club for the last time as a player, Best remains a Giant extraordinary given that his star shone for such a brief time. He was at the top of the game for no more than half a dozen years. How did he do it? The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. From heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, manifestations and related supernatural phenomena to first-hand encounters with ghouls and spirits, this collection of spooky stories contains new and well-known tales from Chichester and the surrounding area. From the sighting of a ghostly armoured soldier seen riding around Charlton Forest and riding a grey horse, and a blue man seen reading books in Arundel Castle Library to the ghost lady who wears a wide-brimmed hat and flowing dress dating from the late eighteenth century at Bognors Hotham Park, this well-researched book will appeal to anyone interested in the dark history of the area. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. Here is a survivor's vivid account of the greatest maritime disaster in history. The information contained in Gracie's account is available from no other source. He provides details of those final moments, including names of passengers pulled from the ocean and of those men who, in a panic, jumped into lifeboats as they were being lowered, causing injury and further danger to life. Walter Lord, author of 'A Night to Remember', comments that Gracie's book - written shortly before he died from the exposure he suffered on the night - is "invaluable for chasing down who went in what boat", and calls Gracie "an indefatigable detective". The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Here is a survivor's vivid account of the greatest maritime disaster in history. The information contained in Gracie's account is available from no other source. He provides details of those final moments, including names of passengers pulled from the ocean and of those men who, in a panic, jumped into lifeboats as they were being lowered, causing injury and further danger to life. Walter Lord, author of 'A Night to Remember', comments that Gracie's book - written shortly before he died from the exposure he suffered on the night - is "invaluable for chasing down who went in what boat", and calls Gracie "an indefatigable detective". The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The shocking true story behind A Very British Scandal, starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany Margaret, Duchess of Argylls life was one of complexity and controversy. Born Ethel Margaret Whigham, the only child of a Scottish self-made millionaire and a beautiful high-society woman, her childhood was rich and splendid but empty. She was a daddys girl with an absent father, living with a jealous mother who sought to remind Margaret of her every shortcoming. As she grew up, her name was a byword for class and beauty; she was the debutante of her coming-out year, and her marriage to Charles Sweeny literally stopped traffic. But it was not to last: Margaret needed more. What followed was a story of tragedy, scandal and heartbreak as Margaret swung from lover to lover, society to society. This culminated in her notorious divorce case of 1963, where her soon-to-be-ex-husband produced his pie`ce de resistance: a Polaroid of her in a compromising position with two other men. In The Grit in the Pearl, Lyndsy Spence takes a look at a woman who was ahead of her time. Using previously unpublished sources and personal transcripts, this is the story of a fragile woman who was to come up against the very highest echelons of English high society and lose. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Curious is perhaps not the first word you would use to label Essex. But curiouser and curiouser it becomes when you dig below the surface. Forget the popular image of Essex boy and girl. Come and meet larger-than-life characters, including the one-time fattest man in England, whose waist was wider than the height of an average man. And talking of big, discover the origin of children's favourite Humpty Dumpty. Did you know that explorer David Livingstone, who trekked across Africa, got lost in Essex; that Essex villain Dick Turpin was only identified because a relative refused to pay the cost of a stamp, or that St George saw off his dragon here? Shocking, creepy and bizarre tales abound if you dig a little deeper. And if you literally look below the surface in Essex - 100ft underground to be precise - youll discover one of the most incredible Government secrets of all time. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Probably the most famous fighter aircraft of all time, the Supermarine Spitfire reigned supreme and unsurpassed from the biplane era to the dawn of the jet age, a period that included the Second World War. Here is the incredible story of this legendary aircraft, from its genesis in the 1930s to its continued presence at airshows and museums today. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Brick Historythe next in the series after the highly successful Brick City, Brick Wonders, Brick Flicks, and Brick Vehiclesis a journey into the most pivotal moments in world history. Using LEGO bricks, artist Warren Elsmore and his team recreate stunning historic scenes, from the beginning of life in the pre-historic era right through to the inauguration of Barack Obama. Brick History is a celebration of humanity and its achievements, and of moments in time that changed the course of history. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This collection of traditional stories and tales, many of which are published for the first time, will delight lovers of Devonshire folklore. Some of the stories have been gleaned from residents of the county, whilst others have been developed by the author and have evolved through countless tellings. All the tales within represent this large and diverse county throughout its long and distinguished history, from the founding of Britain itself by Brute the Trojan at Totnes, to recent reports of haunted roads and phantom hairy hands. Also included are giants, devils, witches, ghosts, fairies, spectral black dogs and a wide range of other supernatural phenomena, all exemplifying the vigorous and earthy nature of the Devon imagination down through the ages. It is a book of wonders, to terrify and intrigue, and leads the reader around this beautiful and fascinating county. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Fair. Richard III lives again through the eyes of his intimates and the woman whose ill-starred love brought him brief joy, and her a bitter consummation. Against the background of lusty, fifteenth-century England, with its superstition and witchcraft, its courtly manners and cruel punishments, Rosemary Hawley Jarman presents a fascinating and faithful portrait of one of the most enigmatic figures in our history as he appeared to his contemporaries. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration.