Alan Simpson

Originally published in 1961, this book provides a series of narratives illustrating the financial situation of the East Anglian gentry in the period between the dissolution of the monasteries and the civil wars. Based on extensive research of estate documents, the narratives focus on specific cases in detail, using tables and extensive notes to back up observations. Indices of places, persons and subjects are also contained at the end of the text. This is a highly readable book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in regional history, economic history and the gentry.

Alan and Mary McQueen Simpson introduce this selection from Jane Carlyle's letters with an assessment of her character, her marriage to 'my Man of Genius' Thomas Carlyle and her art of letter writing. The letters are arranged in sections corresponding to the main themes in her life. The selection begins with the strange, prolonged courtship; portraits, conscious and unconscious, of herself and her husband follow; much is about running the Chelsea house at 5 Cheyne Row, protecting Carlyle from noise, neighbours and bedbugs; a whole section is devoted to a Dickensian succession of mostly awful servants; another is about her 'outings' - including a deeply poignant account of her return to her childhood home; another deals with Carlyle's infatuation with Lady Ashburton as well as Jane's 'puddling health' and her recovery. This is a book to read right through with riveted enjoyment. It is one of the most fascinating correspondences in the English language.

Focusing on Windows XP functionality, this Bible is value-packed and covers the basics (e.g., navigating a computer) as well as how to use the most popular Internet features; customize the work envir

Ray Galton and Alan Simpson are two of the most influential and celebrated television scriptwriters of our time. Praised for inventing the sitcom, their own seminal creations are still standing the te