What is the origin of the stories of the Round Table, of Excalibur and the Holy Grail, of Sir Launcelot and Guinevere? And where was Camelot?King Arthur's name has echoed down the centuries, conjuring up rich images of mystery and power, chivalry and romance. But did he exist at all? There is no evidence to prove he reigned in the fifth and sixth centuries; no eye-witness accounts of his coronation and no reliable manuscripts outlining his deeds. This full-colour guide examines the facts of the legends in the tantalising puzzle of King Arthur and his knights. Learn about the origins of the Round Table, the cult of chivalry and conflict between knights, and Arthur's shape-shifting half-sister Moran le Fay. From the origins of Arthurian legend to the new phase in the Arthurian cyce in the romantic revival of the early nineteenth century, read about the tantalizing puzzle that is King Arthur.Look out for more Pitkin guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel. This title is also available in English & French

This nostalgic, humorous and richly illustrated volume celebrates the Somerset of years gone by. Syd Durston was seven when the Second World War broke out. As well as causing panic in Britain's cities, the war transformed life in the countryside in all sorts of ways. This is how one boy remembers life in rural Somerset during that time, where from 'the age of ten you were at school between 9 a.m. and noon, and then you could work on the land until 8 p.m.'. It is an elegy to the levels and the moors, and the rich diversity of wildlife that could once be found in the fields - 'thousands of grasshoppers, large and small, hopping everywhere, butterflies of all kinds feeding on the red clovers that were now in flower; the smell of the honeysuckle and the dog roses in the hedges' - and a lament for the landscapes and ways of life that we have now lost. From the outbreak of war to the drama of D-Day, Syd - whose watercolour paintings, many of which illustrate this collection, aim to show the reality of farming life as it was then - captures a moment in history as it really was. Containing more than 120 paintings, sketches and drawings, it will delight residents and visitors alike.

Bob Cary's entertaining stories of life in the outdoors will touch your heart and make you laugh. Despite Bob's many years as an expert woodsman, when he relates an adventure or a misadventure, the joke is always on him. Whether you read Tales from Jackpine Bob by firelight or lamplight, you'll enjoy Bob's warm humor and buoyant spirit.

Monsters, lunatics, vampires, werewolves and evil dolls, stones entombing bodies, faces appearing in walls, curses and meetings with the Devil - all this and more are contained within this book of myths and ancient legends. Well-known storytellers Grace Banks and Sheena Blackhall recount a range of intriguing tales from the top to the bottom of Scotland, from ancient times to the present day. Folklore embeds itself in a local community, often to the extent that some people believe all manner of mysteries and take them as fact. Whether they're stories passed around the school playground, through the Internet, or round a flickering campfire, such legends are everywhere. Scottish Urban Myths and Ancient Legends is a quirky and downright spooky ride into the heart of Celtic folklore.

Guildford's history dates from Saxon times, and the town has been the residence of kings and many famous men and women, particularly since Henry II turned the Norman castle into a luxurious palace in the twelfth century. Also amongst the town's famous and influential faces was George Abbot, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611 and was one of the translators of the King James Bible and founded Abbot's Hospital in 1619 - an early example of 'sheltered housing', which still fulfils that role to this day. High above the town is the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Consecrated in 1961, it was the first cathedral to be built in the South of England since the Reformation. Below it is the University of Surrey, which received its Royal Charter just a few years later. Guildford's people and visitors throughout history come to life in this well-researched account, which also examines the town's architectural development and heritage, from the castle and medieval guildhall to the modern cathedral and beyond, portraying Guildford's significance on a national and sometimes international scale.

A heartwarming and dramatic World War I saga of secrets, love and the British royal family for readers of Daisy Styles and Maisie Thomas. 'A heartwarming historical novel' Rosie Goodwin 'A gripping historical saga' Daisy Styles Roll out the red carpet. The royal train is due in half an hour and there's not a minute to be wasted. It's 1915 and the country is at war. In the small Norfolk village of Wolferton, uncertainty plagues the daily lives of sisters Ada, Jessie and Beatrice Saward, as their men are dispatched to the frontlines of Gallipoli. Harry, their father, is the station master at the local stop for the royal Sandringham Estate. With members of the royal family and their aristocratic guests passing through the station on their way to the palace, the Sawards' unique position gives them unrivalled access to the monarchy. But when the Sawards' estranged and impoverished cousin Maria shows up out of the blue, everything the sisters thought they knew about their family is thrown into doubt. The Royal Station Master's Daughters is the first book in a brand-new World War I saga series, inspired by the Saward family, who ran the station at Wolferton in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through this history-making family we get a glimpse into all walks of life - from glittering royalty to the humblest of servants. Don't miss the second book in the series, The Royal Station Master's Daughters at War, coming in 2022. Pre-order now. 'Anyone who reads romantic fiction in a historical setting should love [The Royal Station Master's Daughters] but for anyone who knows Sandringham it really does evoke something of the place and life on the estate' Neil Storey, WWI historian

This is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Dorset's most unusual crimes & punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons & daughters, & royal connections come together to make essential reading for vistors & locals.

In his six previous books, William O'Shaughnessy, one of the nation's best known and most beloved community broadcasters, has told the tales of the power brokers and visionaries of politics, government, business and industry, the arts, fine living-world famous figures like Joe DiMaggio, Fred Astaire, Nelson Rockefeller, the Bushes, Kennedys, and so many others. He elevated each encounter with his wisdom, wit, insight ... and compassion, and what emerged through words that carried the weight of authority as they danced with the delight of Nijinsky was nothing less than transformative for both subject and reader. In O'Shaughnessy, we have our modern day Plutarch, whose prose has run across the decades like a power strip illuminating the lives of the nation's most incandescent leaders from every arena. Henry Kissinger, Rush Limbaugh, Mario Cuomo, Jacob K. Javits, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, John V. Lindsay, Dan Rather, President Richard Nixon, President Donald J. Trump, Jimmy Breslin, Pope Francis-his list of on-air guests and from-the-notebook subjects is the broadcasting world's premier who's who list. A "vivid man about town" known for his blazers, Belgian loafers, and the Yankees World Series ring given to him in appreciation by George M. Steinbrenner, O'Shaughnessy shared the gift of vividness not only with the great and powerful but also with the local characters who made their mark "about town," the "Townies" of Westchester, a/k/a the "Golden Apple," and beyond. Folks who may have been touched by fame, they were devoutly invested in the fortunes of their home heath, and O'Shaughnessy amplified their passions, priorities, quests, hurdles, and triumphs as a friend and champion who wielded the most respected and influential "megaphone" in the Eastern Establishment ... and far beyond. He shared the counsel and companionship of political influencers, and leading lights from the media, the arts, the sporting world, and the constellation of fine living ... who all were blessed with the heart and soul of a Townie. The Townies derives its power to inform and captivate from the radiance of these good people, their good will, and their good deeds, which shine brighter than the lights of Broadway on a Saturday night. Enjoy!

The Little Book of The East End is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information which no-one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters and literally hundreds of wacky facts (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia). A reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped in to time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, the secrets and the enduring fascination of the original home of the Cockney which is now far more diverse. A wonderful package and essential reading for visitors and locals alike.

This anthology of first person-accounts by women who toured Yellowstone Park more than a century ago includes tales of high adventure, raucous humor, and glorious sights of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Including a wide range of stories by women who visited from all over the world and at all ages, these accounts reveal their wonder at the interior of the park, the weeks they traveled on horseback through the roadless wilderness, and the later luxuries of well-maintained roads, comfortable carriages, and fancy hotels.

The Little Book of Cambridgeshire is a compendium full of information that will make you say, 'I never knew that!' Contained within is a plethora of entertaining stories about the county and its famous - and occasionally infamous - men and women, its literary, artistic and sporting achievements, its customs and traditions, its transport and leisure, and a few ghostly appearances. Compiled by local historians, this reliable reference book and quirky guide can be dipped in to time and again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, the secrets and the enduring fascination of the county.

In the sweltering summer of 1858 the stink of sewage from the polluted Thames was so offensive that it drove Members of Parliament from the chamber of the House of Commons. Sewage generated by a population of over 2 million Londoners was pouring into the river, carried to and fro by the tides. The Times called the crisis "The Great Stink". Parliament had to act - drastic measures were required to clean the Thames and improve London's primitive system of sanitation. The great engineer entrusted with this enormous task was Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and this book is a fascinating account of his life and work. Bazalgette's response to the challenge was to conceive and build the system of intercepting sewers, pumping stations and treatment works that serves London to this day. In the process he cleansed the River Thames and helped to banish cholera, but this was only one of the achievements of his career. This enthralling history gives a vivid insight into Bazalgette's achievements and the era in which he worked and lived, including his heroic battle with politicians, bureaucrats and huge engineering problems to transform the face and health of the world's largest city.

His name conjures images of the Wild West, of gunfights and gambling halls and a legendary friendship with the lawman Wyatt Earp, and he is probably most famous for his time in Tombstone. But Doc Holliday's story is a much richer than that one sentence summary allows. His was a life of travel across the west-from Georgia to Texas, from Dodge City to Las Vegas, across Arizona and from New Mexico to Colorado and Montana. Revealed from contemporary newspaper accounts and records of interviews with Doc himself and the people who knew him, The World of Doc Holliday offers a real first-hand accounting of his life of adventure.

For centuries, Sydenham was a small hamlet on the edge of a large tract of common land, known as Sydenham Common, in the parish of St Mary's, Lewisham. London was more than an hour's travel away. Over little more than half a century, three events radically altered Sydenham, turning it from a rural hamlet into a populous, even fashionable, suburb of London: the enclosure of Sydenham Common, the coming of the railway in 1839 and the construction of the Crystal Palace on Sydenham Hill. Today, Sydenham and Forest Hill are attractive and popular places to live, with good access to green spaces and local amenities. Join local historian Steve Grindlay on a photographic tour of Sydenham and Forest Hill past and present, showcasing points of interest such as the Horniman Museum, the Kirkdale Building and Jews Walk. Sydenham and Forest Hill Through Time is an essential volume for anyone who knows and loves these leafy suburbs.

As she awaits her execution at Oxford Castle, a newly wed woman from a God-fearing family, convicted for murdering her housemaid, is pardoned at the last minute by King George II. A butcher suddenly disappears and changes his identity after the tragic death of his young wife. A picture-frame maker from humble origins becomes 'the richest man in Oxford' and is at ease socialising with the luminaries of the Victorian art world. And a lovestruck local member of parliament with a serious gambling addiction dies in suspicious circumstances. These are some of the stories of individuals connected with the land and property on Middle Way in Summertown, Oxford, where the author now lives. The book presents an alternative history of Oxford and explores how Summertown evolved from being primarily an artisans' village to becoming a well-heeled suburb of Oxford. Extensively referenced and using archival sources and interviews, a voice is also given to the living relatives of people connected with the land and property on Middle Way.

Authoritative and comprehensive account of one of Somerset's leading towns. Castle Cary is a relatively unspoilt town deep in the Somerset countryside, its narrow streets rich in high-quality late eighteenth and nineteenth-century buildings. Its most famous industry, horsehair weaving, still flourishes. This volume explores its history from the original castle and its lords to its rebirth as an industrial town. It also covers many villages, among them Ansford, early home of Parson Woodforde; Kingweston, virtually recreated bythe Dickinson family; Keinton Mandeville, once famous for its paving stone quarries and as the birthplace of Henry Irving; tiny Wheathill, almost obliterated by a golf course; and West Lydford, the family home of the early eighteenth-century diarist John Cannon. Other places of note include Barton St David, home of Henry Adams, the reputed ancestor of two American Presidents, and Lovington, whose small primary school traces its origins back to an eighteenth-century charity school. M.C. Siraut is a historian and archivist; she is the county editor for the Victoria History of Somerset.

Eliza Acton, despite having never before boiled an egg, became one of the world’s most successful cookery writers, revolutionizing cooking and cookbooks around the world. Her story is fascinating, uplifting and truly inspiring.

Told in alternate voices by the award-winning author of The Joyce Girl, and with recipes that leap to life from the page, The Language of Food by Annabel Abbs is the most thought-provoking and page-turning historical novel you’ll read this year, exploring the enduring struggle for female freedom, the power of female friendship, the creativity and quiet joy of cooking and the poetry of food, all while bringing Eliza Action out of the archives and back into the public eye.

This book tells the story of Somerset's archaeology and history, from the earliest times up to the twentieth century. Generously illustrated with drawings by the internationally renowned artist Victor Ambrus, best known for his appearances on Channel 4's Time Team, this graphic recreation of places and events offers a visually exciting history of Somerset sure to be enjoyed by all who know and love the county. The illustrations, many of which were done on site and have never been published before, are accompanied by photographs of locations and archaeological objects, bringing Somerset's past to life.

People have lived and died in Chester for over 2,000 years, and stories of ghosts have swirled around the city all that time. What is unusual about the city is the frequency of new sightings - fresh examples of paranormal activity. Chester, City of Ghosts is a handy guide to these hauntings, both past and present, and clearly shows why Chester is in the running for most actively haunted settlement in the country. Read the stories, follow the maps, visit the buildings and soon you will agree - and you might even experience some ghostly activity yourself...

Shirley Baker started to photograph the streets of Manchester and Salford in the early 1960s when homes were being demolished and communities were being uprooted. 'Whole streets were disappearing and I hoped to capture some trace of everyday life of the people who lived there. I was particularly interested in the more mundane, even trivial, aspects of life that were not being recorded by anyone else.' Shirley's powerful images, sparked by her curiosity, recorded people and communities involved in fundamental change. People's homes were demolished as part of a huge 'slum' clearance programme, however Shirley was able to capture some of the street life as it had been for generations before the change. The areas have been redeveloped to form a new and totally different environment. As Shirley once said, 'I hope by bridging time through the magic of photography, a connection has been made with a past that should not be forgotten'.

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.

Where is the head of Pancho Villa really buried? Did Butch Cassidy die the way mainstream history says he did? Was the real Davy Crocket a hero of historic proportions during the Battle of the Alamo or a sniveling coward? Is the Lost Dutchman Mine real or a total farce? These questions and many more will be explored in the exciting book, Stand Off at High Noon. Controversy sells. There is no doubt about it. Whether one is discussing the lives of contemporary politicians or figures from our past, the public loves to continuously debate the sincerity of these individuals and subjects. Name recognition and the enduring popularity of these historic characters is a great selling point for this volume. Most people in the general populace are familiar with the names Davy Crockett and the Donner Party (amongst the many others featured within the pages) giving this work access to a wide and varied audience. Fans and detractors of these characters alike will enjoy the entertaining narrative and opposing opinions of the authors.