Few things are more evocative of Victorian Britain than its criminals; they are vital ingredients in any Victorian melodrama. The truth, however, was often stranger, more thrilling and more horrifying
When the author first moved to Southampton from Middlesex in 1985, he thought it was rather like a provincial town in comparison to London and its outer suburbs. But already things were beginning to c
Starting with the early straw walkers and rotary models, this book charts the chronological evolution of these complex machines which soon became indispensable to the cereal farmer. It shows how the c
The art of tattoos goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years and today they are more popular than ever, but how many people really know the story behind tattoos? With a fascination for the Victor
In 1939 and 1940, the Nazi blitzkrieg crushed Poland and the Low Countries and France. This was a new type of warfare, with air and ground forces sweeping away all resistance. In the air its symbol wa
Anne Boleyn’s unconventional beauty inspired poets, and she so entranced Henry VIII with her wit, allure and style that he was prepared to set aside his wife of over 20 years and risk his immort
My Little Pony came into our worlds in the 1980s. More than 35 years later, the brand is still going strong, with children and adult collectors. Over four generations of ponies have spawned, each with
Henry III became King of England within days of his ninth birthday, inheriting a country embroiled in a bitter, entrenched war with itself. As he grew into adulthood, Henry had to manage the transitio
Science has a reputation as the most logical and rational of human pastimes—but this has not always been the case. From the inventor Nikola Tesla, who fell in love with his favorite pigeon and t
There are few more quintessentially English experiences than supping a pint of ale in a centuries-old public house, where the walls could tell you stories. The East End of London is awash with such pl
Covering all major emergency service providers in Britain, Ollie Barnett documents some of the vehicles used around the country on a daily basis to keep the public safe. With a broad geographical cove
Becoming the fourth largest aircraft manufacturer in the U.S. when Consolidated merged with Vultee in 1943, Convair quickly built a reputation for designing and building some of the largest and most p
The Wars of the Roses were a tumultuous period in English history, with family fighting family over the greatest prize in the kingdom—the throne of England. But what gave the eventual victor of
In February 1943, when the course of World War II hung in the balance, 68-year-old Prime Minister Winston Churchill was stricken with pneumonia. Doris Miles, from St. Mary's Hospital in London, wa
This book looks at the brief arc of art deco in Britain, with pointers to the best surviving structures and pieces of decoration that can still be found on the streets of Britain. Art deco refers to a
Famous for its breathtaking mountain scenery, its beautiful beaches and ancient culture and heritage, North Wales is a region with huge appeal. From the delights of Anglesey to the wild landscapes of
With an aging fleet of Diesel Multiple Units, British Rail sought a low-cost solution to the problem of replacing a large part of their fleet. A series of prototypes were built in the late 1970s and e
Famous as home to the Peak District National Park (three quarters of its 550 square miles lies within the county) Derbyshire is a county filled with natural appeal. From the historic city of Derby to
The grand seaside hotel dominates the seaside resort landscapes of Britain, with bold, large scale buildings, often magnificent examples of the most fashionable architectural style of the time. From t
Diana Rowden was a woman of the finest character. As an agent with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), she was dropped into France alongside Noor Inayat Khan and worked in the Resistance stronghol
Equipped with machine-guns and an ejection seat, the Aston Martin DB5 that first appeared in Goldfinger is probably the most famous movie car of all time. It was followed by other instant classics fro
This book covers the Honda Valkyrie from its inception to its latest iteration as the Gold Wing Valkyrie/F6C. Starting with a brief history of Honda and the original Valkyrie concept, it moves on to d
Anne Boleyn, the femme fatale whose unconventional beauty inspired poets, and so entranced Henry VIII with her wit, allure and style that he was prepared to set aside his wife of over 20 years and ris
The Russian Revolution dismantled the ancient Tsarist autocracy and led to the rise of the Soviet Union. The Russian Empire collapsed with the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II, and the old regime was
Covering signs from the 1920s to 1970s, this collection features sputnik-shaped signs, mechanical signs, and signs with representations of pizza chefs, diving women, animals, doughnuts, and more. Ther
A sunlit lawn, blossom-laden trees, rustic chairs grouped around tables laden with teapots, and burdened with scones, the tinkle of teacups, and the murmur of conversation, what could be more English
With nearly 200 unique images photographed on the streets of Berlin by the author between 1959 and 1966, Berlin in the Cold War depicts a city which demonstrated the conflict between East and West at
Italy is dominated by its national operator Trenitalia. With most of the country bordered by the Mediterranean, there is little scope for cross-border traffic, although there are a couple of famous cr
This book features a selection of photos of mainline and branch-line trains with a wide selection of different locomotives and paint schemes across the western states. The first transcontinental railr
With its powerful tides and one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, the Severn Estuary was a barrier between two nations – until the Severn Bridge was opened in 1966, the only way to cross the S
Classic Boats offers an accessible, beautifully illustrated guide to some of the boats that can currently be found at sea. With a range of vessels on display, some dating back more than a century, Nig
The Pool of London has long been a busy place. It has been the focus of sea-borne trade with the city since the Roman galleys first arrived with exotic cargoes. After the Industrial Revolution the sai
With their sleek and powerful looks, the big Austin-Healeys have always made an impression. In this revealing book, the author explores the development of the ?Big' Healeys, as distinct from the small
When the tall, athletic Edward of York seized the English throne in 1461, he could have chosen any bride he wanted. With his dazzling good looks, few were able to resist his charm and promises. For th
Literally thousands of products have been produced since the Doctor Who launch in 1963, with many of these items now being collectible and highly sort after. Doctor Who has featured on virtually every
The story of the Leyland Tractor begins with the orange Nuffield tractor of 1948, which was to influence the development of Leyland tractors in many key ways. The book then focuses on the period 1969
Lee-on-the-Solent is synonymous with planes and seaplanes, but it is also the home of another, slightly more unusual form of transport the hovercraft. After the first cross-channel crossing by
Scotland has been truly blessed with its great diversity of beautiful landscapes. "God's Own Country" is surrounded by dramatic seascapes and peppered with fast-flowing rivers, mysterious lochs and hi
Diana Rowden was a woman of the finest character. As an agent with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), she was dropped into France alongside Noor Inayat Khan and worked in the Resistance stronghol
The tragic news of numerous ISIS-inspired massacres around the world, in conjunction with the recent failed political coup against Erdogan in Turkey, have raised the specter of an ideological struggle