Much more than an excellent gazetteer, an engaging history using contemporary sources shows whose hands the defence of the Anglo-Scottish border was in while Henry V was at Agincourt.Subsequent surveys show how Christopher Dacre forwarded a bold project that linked a string of towers forming a defence against marauding Scots, suggesting new towers to stop gaps, a 'dyke or defence' joining them like a latter-day Hadrian's Wall. Beyond this line were many peles or bastles, homes to the headsmen of the notorious reiving families cursed in 1525 by the Bishops of Durham and Glasgow because of their brutal way of life, giving rise to much romance and legend. Polite society occupied the large castles of the coastal area. This history and gazetteer, with 500 entries, will increase your knowledge of Northumberland and its proud, turbulent past.

Today, one cannot escape the fact that the words Porsche and racing go hand in hand. This book follows Porsche's year-by-year progress in top flight racing and rallying, and looks in detail at the pure competition cars that brought the German marque such immense success on the tracks and worldwide acclaim. This particular volume starts with story of the pure racers of 1976 vintage, and takes the reader through a series of racing models, including the glorious 956 and 962, up to 2005 via contemporary photography and words from an acknowledged Porsche authority. An earlier volume covers the years up to 1975 inclusive. The book includes detailed year by year coverage of Porsche's top class racing and rallying exploits in words and over 600 excellent photos. This book is a must-have for all fans of the Porsche marque and motor sport.

The definitive history of the Porsche 991-series 911s, with all major markets looked at in detail to cover all variants and put the story into perspective. Illustrated throughout with contemporary photography sourced from the factory, this book serves as the perfect guide to this best-selling 911 generation in all its forms. Written by an acknowledged Porsche expert, with the full co-operation of the factory.

The third volume in a definitive history of Porsche's racing cars, bringing the story right up-to-date. Illustrated throughout with contemporary photography sourced from the factory, this book serves as the perfect record of Porsche's motorsport exploits from 2006 onwards. Written by an acknowledged Porsche expert, with the full co-operation of the factory.

The definitive history of the Porsche 981-series Boxsters and Caymans, with all major markets looked at in detail to cover all variants and to put the story into perspective. Illustrated throughout with contemporary photography sourced from the factory, this book serves as the perfect guide to this generation of open and closed cars in all its forms. Written by an acknowledged Porsche expert, with the full co-operation of the factory.

Researched and written with the full co-operation of the factory, here in definitive detail is the story of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (or 'Lan Evo') in its key role as a works rally car. Making its debut in 1993, it won the WRC title for its manufacturer in 1998, but also propelled Tommi Makinen to a string of victories in the driver's championship on numerous occasions. This book, continuing Veloce's highly-successful Rally Giants series, features all of the WRC events entered by the Lancer as a works machine, including detailed results (even down to registration numbers), and a fine selection of contemporary photography to bring the era back to life. An essential title for Mitsubishi and rallying enthusiasts alike.

This book, written with the full co-operation of the factory, brings to life the golden era of Peugeot bicycles. After a brief look at the company's pre-war days, the richly-illustrated pages focus on a period when the Peugeot name was synonymous with the Tour de France and racing, and brings the story up to date with coverage of later machines. Both road and race bikes are looked at in detail, with the book written in a fashion that makes it equally suitable for both reference and as a coffee table tome for the enthusiast.

Honda's superbly engineered flagship model, the Acura NSX, is the ultimate Japanese supercar. This book charts, in great detail, the complete history of the Honda/Acura NSX from inception to the present, and also incorporates a buyer's guide. Features over 380 colour photos, advertising literature and interviews with key Honda personnel in order to tell the real story of the NSX. An absolute must have for anyone who owns, plans to own, or just plain admires the thinking person's supercar, the NSX.

Today, one cannot escape the fact that the words 'Porsche' and 'racing' go hand in hand. This book follows Porsche's year-by-year progress in top flight racing, and looks in detail at the pure competition cars that brought the German marque such immense success on the tracks and worldwide acclaim. This particular volume starts with the story of the giant-killing 550 Spyders of 1953 vintage, and takes the reader through a series of racing models, including the glorious 917, up to 1975 via contemporary photography and words from an acknowledged Porsche authority. A second volume covers the years 1976 onwards. The book includes detailed year by year coverage of Porsche's top class racing exploits, accompanied by over 600 excellent photos.

Researched and written with the full co-operation of the factory, here in definitive detail is the story of the Mercedes-Benz W124-based range - a series of models that included saloons, estates, coupes, convertibles, lwb cars, and special chassis units that enabled coachbuilders to work their art. Building on the W123 formula that had created a best-seller, the 124-series models were an immediate success. They went through two major face-lifts before the last of the breed was killed off in 1997, and remain as popular as ever as a modern classic for enthusiasts.

Researched and written in Japan, with the full co-operation of the factory, here, in definitive detail, is the complete story of the first generation of Mazda's MX-5 - the car that re-invented the affordable lightweight roadster, a species that many thought was extinct as the 1990s drew near. Immediately successful, the MX-5, also known as the Miata or Eunos Roadster, spawned many imitators, but remains the world's biggest selling sports car. The series has now been in production for over 30 years, and new generations continue to follow the concept of the original, much to the delight of fans and enthusiasts all over the world.

The second in a series of SLK titles, this detailed volume presents the full history of the second generation 'Sportlich, Leicht und Kurz' - the SLK. With an introduction to the Mercedes-Benz marque and the preceding SLK model. The book then moves on to development of the R171, followed by details of all SLK R171 production models and the optional extras that were sold with them). Also included are comprehensive appendices describing year-by-year changes, engine specifications, standard colours, trim options and production numbers.

The first in a series of SLK titles, this detailed volume, written with the full co-operation of Mercedes-Benz, reveals the full history of the first generation 'Sportlich, Leicht und Kurz' - the SLK. Starting with an introduction to, and history of, the Mercedes-Benz marque, it shows the SLK concept cars, and provides full coverage of all the SLK R170 production models and the optional extras that were sold with them. Also included are comprehensive appendices describing year-by-year changes, engine specifications, standard colours, trim options and production numbers.

Now in paperback! Researched and written in Japan with the full co-operation of the factory, here in definitive detail is the story of the Honda S2000 - a series of open two-seaters that built on the success of the NSX, helping the company justify its on-track exploits with a proper line of sporting machinery. Successful immediately, the S2000 models defended Honda's honour on the tracks, but it was in the showrooms where the S2000 excelled. After a major face-lift, it was eventually killed off in 2009, but is as popular today as it ever was as a modern classic for enthusiasts.

Researched and written with the full co-operation of the factory, here in definitive detail is the story of the SLRs that saved the Leica brand, along with the numerous lenses sold alongside them. All variations are covered, including official limited editions, allowing collectors to use the book for reference, or simply enjoy the stunning photography - mostly contemporary and original, some taken specially for the book - gathered from all over the world. Successful immediately, these SLR models ran alongside the legendary M-series to defend Leica's honour in the showrooms at a time when it looked like the Japanese had the camera market sewn up. Today, the R-series (1976-2009) is becoming more and more collectable, so this authoritative guide is timely.

The extraordinary account of how the world's most popular sports car - the Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadster - came into being. The story of how a team of dedicated engineers and designers boldly conceived the idea of a totally new lightweight sports car at a time when the traditional open roadster seemed doomed to extinction. Despite considerable opposition the group tenaciously defended its concept of a car which would offer the driver the same unity as that found between a horse and its rider. Despite the odds, the team succeeded brilliantly. Here is the fascinating, and very often surprising, inside story of the MX-5 Miata's conception, design and production, as told by the individual members of the team, translated from the Japanese, and compiled for this edition by renowned motoring author Brian Long.

Back in print after a long absence!This book is the definitive history of the Porsche 944, wiritten by an acknowledged expert. Introduced to fill the gap between the 924 and 928 models, the 944 quickly became the fastest selling Porsche of all time. From drawing board, through Turbo, S and soft-top variants, here is the full story of the 944 up to its replacement by the 968 in 1991. Affordable, durable and with excellent performance and handling, the 944 is now well established as a desirable and practical classic.

The story of the air-cooled 'big' Kawasaki bikes in definitive detail, researched and written in Japan with the full co-operation of the factory. This series of models put the company on the map during the sixties and seventies, helping it to survive a difficult era that saw hundreds of Japanese motorcycle makers reduced to just four. Successful immediately, these models defended Kawasaki's honour on the tracks as well as in the showrooms, handing the company numerous world championship titles. The series was recently revived as part of a retro boom, and a new machine has been launched, delivering the same thrill and charm as its predecessors.

The fifth volume in Brian Long's series chronicling, in definitive depth, the history of the evergreen Porsche 911, from the earliest design studies to the water-cooled cars of today. This newly updated and enlarged 2nd edition looks at each 911 model and its derivatives, taking in the various specials and competition cars along the way, and includes the 996 models up to 2005. Historical facts, full model specifications and racing history are covered in great detail. This book is beautifully illustrated throughout, with full colour photographs, official brochures and advertising. A must-have part of the ultimate Porsche library, this book covers the models from 1997 to 2005, and the complete series covers decades of progress from the earliest design studies to the era of the water-cooled cars.

Mazda launched its first rotary-engined car - the Cosmo - in 1966, and was the only car manufacturer to solve the major problems associated with Wankel's radical engine design so that the unit's potential could be exploited and enjoyed. Launched in 1978, the RX-7 provided effortless and uncannily smooth performance, attributes that endeared the model to enthusiasts through three generations of production. With each reincarnation the RX-7 became more of a Grand Tourer and less of a sports car (a mantle handed on to the MX-5/Miata); global sales reduced as the car moved upmarket until, in the new millennium, the model was only sold in its native Japan.Lavishly illustrated with good quality colour photographs, this book provides an in-depth insight into this amazing production automobile. "A must have for any RX7 enthusiast."

Diplomat, lumberjack,T.V. celebrity, astronaut - Brian Long has been none of these in his totally undistinguished career, but he does write exceedingly funny poems. Sit back and enjoy your visit to the Doggerel Bank

The MR2 was a landmark Japanese car, up there with the legendary Toyota 2000GT, the Datsun 240Z, and Mazda's RX-7 and MX-5. It was the first mid-engined production model to come from the Land of the Rising Sun, and will always have a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts all over the world. The MR2 started life as the SV-3 concept car, introduced at the 1983 Tokyo Show. By the middle of the following year, the first production models were filtering into Japanese showrooms, but they didn't stay there for long: the MR2 was an instant hit, and demand soon outstripped supply. This definitive history of the MR2 Coupes and Spyders includes nearly 400 photos and illustrations, a wealth of technical detail, and chronicles its development from concept car to production car enjoying worldwide critical acclaim.