Take an in-depth look at the world of these ancient Roman warriors in this handy pocket-sized book bursting with giant facts. Discover how gladiators were recruited, the dramatic games held at the Colosseum, and how some gladiators became the stars of Rome!

This simple, engaging text presents all the information in bitesize paragraphs, whilst feature panels provide incredible facts, cartoons, quizzes and fun activities.

The moment has come: all the gladiator's training was now to be put to the test. As he entered the arena, he was hit by the deafening noise of the crowd... Learn all about what makes a great gladiator in Fearless Warriors: Gladiators. Discover the customs and traditions, the training and the stars of the most popular sport of Ancient Rome. The series examines some of history's most fearless fighters. It looks at their training, weapons and fighting methods, as well as examining some of their most famous battles and fiercest warriors. Each title has sections focusing on aspects of their training, their battles or biographies of individual warriors. A useful timeline and a quiz to test your knowledge are at the back of each book. Ideal for readers aged 9 and up.

Brilliant book and jigsaw kit featuring T Rex - the most fearsome dinosaur to stalk the Earth. Learn all about this long-extinct predator in the fact-packed 24-page book, suitable for age 7 upwards. Then watch the terrifying king of the killers come to life before your very eyes as you complete the metre-long, 100-piece jigsaw puzzle.

Concentrates on various aspects of the supernatural, paranormal and mysterious in the county of Cornwall. This book features ghosts, myths, legends, big cats, witchcraft, sacred wells and the little people. It is arranged by subject, though each and every area of Cornwall is covered to give a geographical spread around the county.

Take an in-depth look at the history of arms and armour in this handy pocket-sized book bursting with giant facts. From the earliest weapons to Roman legions, Samurai warriors and modern warfare, discover how arms and armour have been used in battle.

The Little Book of Surrey 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. The county's most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters, royal connections and literally hundreds of wacky facts about Surrey's landscape, towns and villages (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia), come together to make it essential reading for visitors and locals alike.

This is a terrifying collection of true-life tales of ghosts, poltergeists and spirits of all kinds in the streets, buildings and graveyards of York. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, Haunted York contains a chilling range of ghostly phenomena. From the medieval stonemason who haunts York Minster to a re-incarnation mystery at St Mary's Church, the spectres of King's Manor, Micklegate Bar and Exhibition Square and the many spirits to be found in the city's public houses, this phenomenal gathering of ghostly goings-on is bound to captivate anyone interested in the supernatural history of York.

Covering the 118 year period of Tudor rule, from 1485 until 1603, this book explores the origins of the Tudor dynasty through to its eventual demise after Elizabeth I's death. Discover how the Tudors changed the foundation of modern Britain - and how this impacted the whole world. Battlegrounds and beheadings distinguish this intriguing period in British history which included two of the strongest monarchs ever to sit on the English throne: Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I. From the War of the Roses and the Princes in the Towers to Reformation and the Spanish Armada, this was a tumultuous bloody era but also one of great expansion, increased scientific knowledge, adventurous explorers and political change.

Traces the origins of gladiatorial fights as funeral rites, using human sacrifice to honour the dead.

In this, the fourth book of Spellmount's Campaign in Context series, Rupert Matthews looks to the ill-fated invasion of England by King Philip II of Spain. The Armada of 22 warships and 108 converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships, and the redoubtable English fleet. In The Spanish Armada, Rupert Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs, and as with his previous titles in the series he carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context in which it took place.

The county of Surrey may wear a face of suburban and rural normality, but lurking not far below the surface is an unequalled amount of paranormal activity and strangeness. In this volume, well-known local author Rupert Matthews, an expert on the subject of the paranormal, draws together a terrifying and intriguing collection of first-hand accounts and long-forgotten archive reports from the county's history. From big cat sightings and ancient monsters to poltergeists and UFOs, this compendium of the bizarre events that have shocked and frightened the residents of Surrey is richly illustrated with a range of modern photographs and archive images. Finally revealing the story behind many of Surrey's most famous myths and legends, whilst also shedding light on some lesser known paranormal phenomena, this book will fascinate those who are unaware of this side of the county's character.

Explore Sunderland's darkest secrets with this creepy collection of true-life tales from ghost-hunter Rupert Matthews. Containing many tales which have never before been published, it unearths a chilling range of supernatural phenomena, from the Ryhope Poltergeist and the White Lady of Washington Hall to the glowing grave at Wingate and a spectral talking cat. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources and illustrated with more than eighty photographs, this book will delight anyone with an interest in the supernatural history of the city.

From heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, manifestations and related supernatural phenomena to first-hand encounters with spectres and spirits, this collection of stories contains new and well-known spooky tales from around the county of Surrey. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, the author has scoured the length and breadth of the county to include accounts of the ghostly monks at Newark Priory, the spirit riders of a horse and carriage at Hog's Back, the ghost of a naked woman in the Silent Pool, apparitions in 1930s' clothing at Kenley railway station, and the notorious old rake Field Marshal Ligonier at Cobham - and many more!

From the historic county town of Winchester to the coastal ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and from the rural villages of the New Forest to the market towns in the heart of the county, Hampshire is a unique and varied county with a rich cultural heritage. "Hampshire Past & Present" contrasts a selection of 100 old photographs alongside modern ones taken from similar locations, to demonstrate the changes that have occurred in a scene over the intervening years. Fascinating images of city centers, housing, shops, and people at work and play bring Hampshire's history to life. It is a captivating insight into the changes and developments that have taken place over the years, and an enjoyable read from cover to cover.

This well-researched book showcases almost 100 ghostly encounters from around Hampshire. The stories are arranged as a tour around Hampshire, guiding the reader on a journey through the New Forest, Winchester, Southampton, the edge of the Downs, the Test Valley and the hills around Overton. Here you will discover ghostly seamen haunting the King's Bastion at Portsmouth, spirits of the Roundheads galloping through Crondall and a haunted megalith at Mottistone. Each entry includes not just the story of the ghost but also eerie eyewitness accounts. Exploring everything from pubs and churchyards to castles and ports, Haunted Hampshire will appeal to anyone interested in the supernatural history of the area.