An international symbol of the city of Bristol since its opening in 1864, Clifton Suspension Bridge was Brunel's first major project. The legendary engineer, once voted the second greatest Briton, famously described it as 'my first child, my darling'. And certainly the strength of feeling for the bridge has not diminished, as it remains one of Britain's best-loved - and most useful - landmarks. However, its journey into being was not a smooth one. The funding, design and construction of the bridge were all fraught with difficulty, as Brunel and his contemporaries worked at the forefront of engineering in their time, trying and testing unknown materials, techniques and theories. In fact, it was not until 1864, five years after Brunel's death and an astonishing thirty-three years since construction began, that the completed bridge was finally unveiled and pronounced 'a fitting monument to [a] late friend and colleague'. Here Michael Pascoe, an authority on its history, uncovers many previously unknown facts about the bridge, Bristol and Brunel himself. With outstanding archive and modern photography, this volume records the history of the Clifton Suspension Bridge from construction through to present day, celebrating 150 years of this magnificent structure.

Doug is a tree who is fifty years old and over eighty feet tall. He has spent all of his life in a Christmas tree farm, surrounded by other trees that he calls friends. One day, however, a man named Dave arrives, and things change for Doug. He is cut down and tied to a big truck, and so his journey begins.

Doug passes through deserts and through cities made of cement. He wonders where all the trees have gone, and he fears being made into firewood. But Dave takes him to New York City, where they set him up straight and cover him in twinkling Christmas lights. As he stands there, he wonders why the humans seem so very sad in New York.

This is the first Christmas since the tragedy of 9/11. So many lives were lost, and people have not had time to heal. Some think Christmas will never be the same. Can Doug bring the Christmas spirit back to a broken people and help to heal their hearts? The magic of a Christmas tree can spread far and wide, and with Doug's help, maybe Christmas can be joyful again.

Doug is a tree who is fifty years old and over eighty feet tall. He has spent all of his life in a Christmas tree farm, surrounded by other trees that he calls friends. One day, however, a man named Dave arrives, and things change for Doug. He is cut down and tied to a big truck, and so his journey begins.

Doug passes through deserts and through cities made of cement. He wonders where all the trees have gone, and he fears being made into firewood. But Dave takes him to New York City, where they set him up straight and cover him in twinkling Christmas lights. As he stands there, he wonders why the humans seem so very sad in New York.

This is the first Christmas since the tragedy of 9/11. So many lives were lost, and people have not had time to heal. Some think Christmas will never be the same. Can Doug bring the Christmas spirit back to a broken people and help to heal their hearts? The magic of a Christmas tree can spread far and wide, and with Doug's help, maybe Christmas can be joyful again.

Why not enjoy following this clear and lively guide that will take you on a circular walk around Victorian Clifton? Visit its remarkable landmarks and walk along the grand terraces. See the decorative houses and pretty Victorian gardens - they were obsessed with plant collecting and you will see some of these rare and exotic trees still flourishing in the many parks and gardens of Victorian Clifton today. This walk reflects a boom time in Queen Victoria's reign when Brunel was either hard at work on his famous Suspension Bridge close by or attending to his extraordinary project, the building of the SS Great Britain, down in Bristol docks. His Great Western Railway bought in new business opportunities from London. Bristol's coal mines flourished industry too, and the docks were awash with ships bringing in cargoes of wines, tobacco and other goods. No wonder new housing was needed and Bristol's successful entrepreneurs moved into this new, grand and genteel area as did their staff - Cooks poured over their recipes in the basement kitchens and Governesses ruled the many children (to be seen and not heard) at the top of these vast houses. This walk will lead you to some very special places including (in complete contrast to the elaborate Victorian architecture) the stark, concrete, and Award Winning Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Hear of many remarkable past residents. Discover everything from a greedy snail munching its lunch to an original, but still flourishing Victorian Arcade of shops. Enjoy your Victorian Clifton walk!