"Just pick up a copy and set off. You'll be amazed at what you've missed." - Sir Michael Palin MARCH, 2020: A columnist watches as London locks down, facing a conundrum as his weekly deadline for his newspaper diary approaches. With the city shutting up shop and column inches to fill, journalist Dan Carrier takes to the deserted streets of Central London to uncover the forgotten stories the heart of the UK capital holds. Untold London is a consideration and celebration of a city whose famous landmarks and thoroughfares are often taken for granted. Setting out to find lingering evidence of days gone by, Dan reveals unexpected delights, triumphs and tragedies alongside plenty of skulduggery and scandal in the greatest city in the world.

No political leader is more closely identified with Louisiana State University than the flamboyant governor and U.S. senator Huey P. Long, who devoted his last years to turning a small, undistinguished state school into an academic and football powerhouse. From 1931, when Long declared himself the "official thief" for LSU, to his death in 1935, the school's budget mushroomed, its physical plant burgeoned, its faculty flourished, and its enrollment tripled. Along with improving LSU's academic reputation, Long believed the school's football program and band were crucial to its success. Taking an intense interest in the team, Long delivered pregame and halftime pep talks, devised plays, stalked the sidelines during games, and fired two coaches. He poured money into a larger, flashier band, supervised the hiring of two directors, and, with the second one, wrote a new fight song, "Touchdown for LSU." While he rarely meddled in academic affairs, Long insisted that no faculty member criticize him publicly. When students or faculty from "his school" opposed him, retribution was swift. Long's support for LSU did not come without consequences. His unrelenting involvement almost cost the university its accreditation. And after his death, several of his allies-including his handpicked university president-went to prison in a scandal that almost destroyed LSU. Rollicking and revealing, Robert Mann's Kingfish U is the definitive story of Long's embrace of LSU.

This is the extraordinary story of how salt fish from Shetland became one of the staple foods of Europe, powered an economic boom and inspired artists, writers and musicians. It ranges from the wild waters of the North Atlantic, the ice-filled fjords of Greenland and the remote islands of Faroe to the dining tables of London's middle classes, the bacalao restaurants of Spain and the Jewish shtetls of Eastern Europe. As well as following the historical thread and exploring how very different cultures were drawn together by the salt fish trade, John Goodlad meets those whose lives revolve around the industry in the twenty-first century and addresses today's pressing themes of sustainability, climate change and food choices.

Norfolk's Deep History Coast is a place of unique archaeological discoveries of international significance. Spectacular finds have transformed our understanding of the first human occupation of northern Europe. Fossilised human footprints show people were here nearly one million years ago. This is the only part of Britain to have evidence for four species of humans. It has also been home to giant prehistoric creatures, including four species of mammoth. This book will take you on a journey through time, looking at the geology, natural landscape and the creatures that have inhabited the area. Here you can explore the fascinating and beautiful sites around the 150km of Deep History Coast and see how you can share in this exciting adventure of discovery.

The book provides an overview and analysis of the witch trials in the Scottish Borders in the 17th century. The 17th century was a time of upheaval in Scottish and British history, with a civil war, the abolition of the monarchy, the plague and the reformation all influencing the social context at the time. This book explores the social, political, geographical, religious and legal structures that led to the increased amount of witch trials and executions in the Scottish Borders. As well as looking at specific trials the book also explores the role of women, both as accuser and as accused.

While canvassing for the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 Neil Findlay made a discovery. Visiting the home that used to be his grandparents', he was shown a plywood panel where John 'Jock' Findlay, his grandfather, had written his life's tale. This is Jock's story. Jock grew up and grew old in the West Lothian village of Pumpherston - a village dominated by one industry, shale oil mining. In his own words he describes the good times, and the hard times, of living and working in Pumpherston. This is a story about a Scottish industry, a village and, most of all, a community.

'Folklore and Fables' is a collection of articles on his beloved Blades, by Sheffield United supporters' liaison officer, club historian and 'encyclopedia of Blades knowledge', John Garrett. A lifelong Blade, whose grandfather first watched the Blades in 1892, John has worked at Bramall Lane for over two decades and began writing his popular, and award-winning, 'Folklore and Fables' feature for United's matchday programme almost 10 years ago. This book is a compilation of his best work, giving his inimitable take on life at Bramall Lane - featuring his family history, music, holidays abroad, club legends and, rather occasionally, football...

Discover Beatrix Potter's lovely farmhouse and cottage garden and see how her surroundings inspired many scenes in her books, and how, in later life, she reinvented herself as a farmer, landowner, conservationist and National Trust supporter. It is thanks to her that the Lake District remains one of the most spectacular corners of England. Hill Top is a shrine to Beatrix Potter, each room imbued with her spirit. The house she bought with the royalties from her first and most famous book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, became her cabinet of curiosities, a giant dolls house where she would arrange and re-arrange her things as she liked. Every painting, piece of furniture and antique had symbolic or emotional meaning to her. Featuring new photography, illustrations from the little books and photographs of Beatrix and her family, this new guidebook traces the fascinating story of this extraordinary woman. Peppered with quotes from Beatrix, it reveals her lonely London childhood, how she became a successful author and illustrator, and how she fell in love with the Lakes and acquired Hill Top. Readers will discover her lovely farmhouse and cottage garden and see how her surroundings inspired many scenes in her little books, and how, in later life, she reinvented herself as a farmer, landowner, conservationist and National Trust supporter. Today, it is thanks to her that the Lake District remains one of the most spectacular corners of England.

In the years between about 1810 and 1840, Edinburgh-long and affectionately known as 'Auld Reekie'-came to think of itself and be widely regarded as something else: the city became 'Modern Athens', an epithet later turned to 'the Athens of the North'. The phrase is very well-known. It is also much used by those who have little understanding of the often confused and contradictory messages hidden within the apparent convenience of a trite or hackneyed term that conceals a myriad of nuanced meanings. This book examines the circumstances underlying a remarkable change in perception of a place and an age. It looks in detail at the 'when', the 'by whom', the 'why', the 'how', and the 'with what consequences' of this most interesting, if extremely complex, transformation of one city into an image-physical or spiritual, or both-of another. A very broad range of evidence is drawn upon, the story having not only topographical, artistic, and architectural dimensions but also social, cerebral, and philosophical ones. Edinburgh may well have been considered 'Athenian'. But, in essence, it remained what it had always been. Maybe, however, for a brief period it was really a sort of hybrid: 'Auld Greekie'.

In Yorkshire: There and Back, Andrew Martin celebrates Britain's most charismatic county, looking back at the Yorkshire of his 1970s childhood and as it is today. Journeying to every historic corner, Martin writes affectionally about its past, present and peculiarities. York is an evolving city of chocolate, trains, pubs and tourists. Scarborough should be viewed as the posh place it once was, with surprising secrets pertaining to Adolf Hitler and the sea. Leeds is seen as the 'hard' town with its party goers and late-night provocateurs, but its indoor market never fails to offer a sense of quintessential Yorkshireness on a rainy Saturday afternoon, with milky tea served in beakers and the Leeds United result coming through by osmosis. And the Moors and Dales continue to boast beauty and danger alike. Effortlessly entertaining and wonderfully detailed, Yorkshire: There and Back is a memoir, guide, and all-round appreciation of 'God's own county'. Praise for Andrew Martin 'There is no one else who is writing like Andrew Martin today...unique and important' Guardian 'Iconoclastic, entertaining and often devastatingly witty' Barry Forshaw, Independent 'He can stop you in your tracks with a well-turned phrase' Sunday Times 'A genuinely funny writer...also a daring one' The Times

In "Guildford Life: Past and Present" Stan Newman delves into the fascinating history of what is arguably Surrey's most beautiful town. Building on the work of previous historians, Newman presents a compendium of life in Guildford, from the dark mystery of Agatha Christie's 1926 disappearance, to the jubilant arrival of Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.This is a celebration of the Guildford community - be it the bravery of its soldiers or the enthusiasm of Carnival Week performers - and a record of its change. Discover here the demise of once-loved pubs, or the transformation of quiet streets into bustling thoroughfares. As he moves through countless tales and anecdotes, Newman invites you to relive the joys of days gone by and explore the charms of today. With over 370 photographs detailing life from 1865 onwards, this is an invitation not to be missed. This is a collection of over 370 carefully chosen images. It offers a wonderful mix of moving stories and comic anecdotes.

"Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: London at War" is a unique collection of surprising revelations, heroic deeds and other quirky pieces of trivia from the conflicts that have shaped London's fascinating past. From British wartime commanders and other characters who called London their home, through the privations of war and their social impact, to the devastation caused by the Blitz in World War II and London's subsequently resilience, an intriguing history is revealed. With stories of human endeavour in the face of adversity, the rich history of this great capital city at war is revealed.

Knoydart - the northern edge of the 'Rough Bounds' is one of the most evocative names in Scotland. This text offers a history of Knoydart from the earliest times to the present day. A remote and desolate peninsula, its name derives from Viking settlers who only reckoned it worth three ouncelands - compared to five for the island of Eigg. Its warlike but impoverished inhabitants caused endless problems for their neighbours during the 17th century before becoming notorious in the 18th century under the leadership of Coll of Barrisdale. His protection racket has bequeathed the word 'blackmail' to the English language and he was notorious across Scotland. For the Jacobites, as well, Knoydart was a fertile recruiting ground. In the 18th and 19th centuries the area suffered large scale emigration, partly as a result of the brutal clearances of 1853. A further long century of decline followed, during which sheep and then deer were preferred to people. In 1948 discontent swelled again and it became the scene of the famous land-raid by the 'Seven men from Knoydart'. It has changed hands more often in the last 150 years than in the previous 700 years. The land continues to lie at the heart of the Knoydart problem and the book attempts to place events in their larger historical context. This is the struggle of a community to preserve itself against the harshness of the environment and the cynical exploitation of man.

The pilgrims in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales begin their journey in a London inn and they stay at many more as they wend their way to Becket's tomb. Leading beer writer Roger Protz remains faithful to the route, visiting pubs of historic interest and breweries old and new before embarking on the Pilgrims' Way from Winchester to Canterbury, revealing fascinating history as well as a few more spots to sample a pint. The Canterbury Ales is a feast of a book for those who love good beer, pubs, breweries ... and Chaucer's literary masterpiece.

Take a stroll down memory lane with this collection of photographs of Britain in the 1960s, a revolutionary decade when the consumer society arrived on every family's doorstep and swinging London briefly came to be the centre of the world.

The Ozarks of the mid-1800s was a land of divisions. The uplands and its people inhabited a geographic and cultural borderland straddling Midwest and west, North and South, frontier and civilization, and secessionist and Unionist. As civil war raged across the region, neighbor turned against neighbor, unleashing a generation of animus and violence that lasted long after 1865. The second volume of Brooks Blevins's history begins with the region's distinctive relationship to slavery. Largely unsuitable for plantation farming, the Ozarks used enslaved persons on a smaller scale or, in some places, not at all. Blevins moves on to the devastating Civil War years where the dehumanizing, personal nature of Ozark conflict was made uglier by the predations of marching armies and criminal gangs. Blending personal stories with a wide narrative scope, he examines how civilians and soldiers alike experienced the war, from brutal partisan warfare to ill-advised refugee policies to women's struggles to safeguard farms and stay alive in an atmosphere of constant danger. The war stunted the region's growth, delaying the development of Ozarks society and the processes of physical, economic, and social reconstruction. More and more, striving uplanders dedicated to modernization fought an image of the Ozarks as a land of mountaineers and hillbillies hostile to the idea of progress. Yet the dawn of the twentieth century saw the uplands emerge as an increasingly uniform culture forged, for better and worse, in the tumult of a conflicted era.

The first comprehensive book about Chillingham in Northumberland-its unique wild cattle, its historic castle and church, and the family associated with them since the twelfth century. Julius Caesar admired the cattle's ancestors for their brute strength, Sir Walter Scott immortalised them. They were painted by Sir Edwin Landseer and Archibald Thorburn, and depicted at their best by Thomas Bewick, the master engraver. Darwin studied them and wrote about them in the 'Descent of Man'. The historian Simon Schama described the Chillingham cattle as "the great, perhaps the greatest icon of British natural history". The Castle's history is chequered and the nobles who lived there even more so. Incest, adultery, witchcraft, torture, kingmakers and traitors, a cricketer and a cowboy are all part of its history, resulting in its modern reputation for cruel and benign ghosts still regularly seen in the castle. Founded around 1184, the country church, in its simplicity hides a fifteenth-century tomb described as "one of the finest such monuments in the country outside a cathedral". Edited by Dr Paul G. Bahn and Vera Mutimer, with a foreword by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.

A wonderfully written and entertaining book which places Britain under the microscope and asks who we are today and how we've changed as a nation. 'Entertaining and absorbing' - The Sunday Times In 1841 there were 734 female midwives working in Britain, along with 9 artificial eye makers, 20 peg makers, 6 stamp makers and 1 bee dealer. Fast forward nearly two centuries and there are 51,000 midwives working in the UK and not an eye maker in sight! For the past two centuries, the National Census has been monitoring the behaviour of the British: our work-lives, homes lives and strange cultural habits. With questions on occupation, housing, religion, travel and family, the Census is a snapshot of a country at any given epoch, and its findings have informed the economy, politics and every other national matter for decades that followed. Now, for the first time ever, the Census findings of the past two centuries are collected in to a wonderfully written and entertaining book which places Britain under the microscope and asks who we are and how we've changed as a nation. On our occupations, our working lives, relationships; our quirks, habits, weird interests and cultural beliefs - this book takes the reader on a journey through the statistical findings of one of the most valuable pieces of ongoing historical research of modern times, and asks us what these fascinating numbers tells us about the Britain in the 21st century.

It started and ended with a financial catastrophe. The Darien disaster of 1700 drove Scotland into union with England, but spawned the institutions which transformed Edinburgh into a global financial centre. The crash of 2008 wrecked the city's two largest and oldest banks - and its reputation. In the three intervening centuries, Edinburgh became a hothouse of financial innovation, prudent banking, reliable insurance and smart investing. The face of the city changed too as money transformed it from medieval squalor to Georgian elegance. This is the story, not just of the institutions which were respected worldwide, but of the personalities too, such as the two hard-drinking Presbyterian ministers who founded the first actuarially-based pension fund; Sir Walter Scott, who faced financial ruin, but wrote his way out of it; the men who financed American railways and eastern rubber plantations with Scottish money; and Fred Goodwin, notorious CEO of RBS, who took the bank to be the biggest in the world, but crashed and burned in 2008.