Suffolk Strange But True describes many unusual, odd and extraordinary people, places and events from this fascinating county. Featured within these pages are tales of 'the fasting woman of Shottisham', who was alleged not to have eaten for five months; the Suffolk man who invented the word 'communism'; local heroines; pioneering entrepreneurs; spectacular ruins and castles; lost towns and villages; extraordinary pets and animals; and unusual art treasures found in Suffolk churches. Local customs, folklore and legends are also examined, including 'the race of the bogmen', and the Southwold competition to discover an 'alternative umbrella'. Using a range of old and new illustrations, Robert Halliday tells an entertaining alternative history of Suffolk that will fascinate residents and visitors alike.

This is a fascinating selection of images featuring the town of Bury St Edmunds along with many of its surrounding villages. Robert Halliday has collected together over 250 old photographs, and these, coupled with his informative captions, give an insight into the area's history. Among the villages featured are Risby, Culford, Ampton, Stowlangtoft, Ashley and Wickhambrook. Around Bury St Edmunds will provide a rare glimpse of what life was like in the area in a bygone age.

Robert Halliday's new book about Cambridgeshire (including the old county of Huntingdonshire and the city of Peterborough) illustrates and describes unusual, odd and extraordinary people, places and incidents. We discover how Cambridge University began, the origin of the expression 'Hobson's Choice', a woman who survived nine days rapped in a snow cave, the floating church of the Fens, the Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival, and many more tales on universitty life, local characters, historic buildings, sporting contests and strange customs and traditions. Including old and recent photograpghs, drawings and engravings, this is an alternative history of cambridgeshire that will fascinate residents and visitors alike.

Many important people are buried in Suffolk churchyards and cemeteries. This book contains a selection of notable figures whose memorials can be seen and visited. Some are justly famous; others have eluded the recognition they deserve. Authors, artists, musicians, sportsmen, pioneers of industry, heroic lifeboatmen and Victoria Cross winners are just some of the people featured here. There are sections on disasters and murder victims. There are even some surprising connections with songs by the Beatles Every gravestone has been photographed and studied for this book. One thing is certain: the reader will be amazed at some of the stories included here.

While Suffolk is justly famed for its historic churches, the gravestones and churchyard memorials surrounding these are often overlooked or ignored. This book presents the first coherent historical survey of Suffolk gravestones from the Middle Ages onwards, describing their development and explaining the symbolism of gravestone art and design. It includes a selection of epitaphs, some poignant, some amusing, together with sections on mausoleums, animal graves and unusual burial places such as 'The Boy's Grave' near Newmarket. Comprehensively illustrated throughout, this is a unique survey of a fascinating and little investigated area of local history.

Cambridge University is the most haunted university in the world: ghosts have been reported here and in the surrounding countryside from the 13th century up to the present day. Cambridge Ghosts is a comprehensive guide to the phantoms and paranormal phenomena that have been witnessed and experienced in the colleges of the university, the ancient houses of the city, the streets and open spaces, and some surprisingly modern buildings. It also introduces the reader to writers of classic ghost stories who have been inspired by the historic university. Fully researched by the authors, Cambridge Ghosts is the most detailed work ever published on the city's spectral population and is guaranteed to fascinate the reader.

"Robert Halliday's 1880 work is a hands-on guide to the culture of the Camellia japonica, the flower that became the state flower of Alabama and a favorite of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (England), and Coco Chanel."

Readers will appreciate this source of practical information on all aspects of the propagation and culture of the Azalea indica.