Pat Hughes is today perhaps the greatest unsung hero of the Battle of Britain. Ranked sixth in the ace of aces’ of the aerial campaign of summer 1940, he shot down at least fourteen enemy
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
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
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
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
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
In The Royal Marines and the War at Sea 193945military and naval historian Martin Watts records how marines fought at sea, their relationship with the Royal Navy, and the overall contribution th
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
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
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
Duncan Menzies flew with the RAF in the Middle East, the Aeroplane and Armament Evaluation Establishment, and finally Fairey Aviation in a flying career that lasted from the late 1920s to the 1950s. I
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
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
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
This book examines how the Corvette measures up to the sports car criteria and makes comparisons with the mainly foreign competition. It asks whether the Corvette was a sports car or a "muscle car: an
This book showcases British decorative tiles from 1945 to 1975. Mid-century Modern’ had its roots in the 1930s, with influences especially from California and Europe. Pioneers include the
Cars, vans and motorcycles, in blue and yellow livery, racing to incidents with pulsating lights and blaring sirens are part of the everyday street scene in our towns.But it wasn't always like that...
Although the Seymours arrived with the Normans, it is with Jane, Henry VIII’s third queen, and her brothers – Edward, Duke of Somerset, and Thomas, Lord Seymour of Sudeley – that they became prominent
To our modern minds, the Middle Ages seem to mix the well-known and familiar with wildly alien concepts and circumstances. The Middle Ages Unlocked provides an invaluable introduction to this complex
Torture is associated most closely with the absolute monarchies of history and the totalitarian and dictatorial regimes of the more recent past and present day. The classical world employed it widely
The railways were the most revolutionary innovation of Victorian times. They carried Britain into the modern age with dramatic speed, transforming the pace and style of everyday life. We owe them to
William Shakespeare is the world’s best-loved playwright. His work is performed all over the globe and his life still tantalises us with its mysteries. The man who created classics such as Romeo and J
Along with knives, hammers and axes, the saw is a tool that has been used by humans for thousands of years. A toothed piece of metal fitted with a handle has been applied to cutting almost every mate
?On an average Saturday, some thirty trains carried police escorts of between two and eight officers. Officers sometimes reached the destination with their uniforms soiled with spittle, and other filt
The Roman military is an iconic, ancient institution; everybody is familiar with the image of fearsome Roman centurions marching in their famous columns. In this book, Roman military experts John and
Morris presents readers with a revised and updated third edition of his comprehensive pictorial examination of the life, work, and vision of Victorian era engineer and visionary Isambard Kingdom Brune
In this book, author Timothy Venning presents readers with a comprehensive examination of lives and political machinations of the kings and lesser lords of the north-western coast and outlying islands
This fascinating account of the GNR's locomotives was originally published in 1910. Profusely illustrated with over 120 line drawings it has been brought bang up to date with a new introduction and nu
The first book on this increasingly popular, superbly adaptable mobile rooms. Includes 140 full-colour images with informative captions to guide both the interested reader and shepherds' hut renovator
This indispensible guide to 'Slang, University Wit and Pickpocket Eloquence' contains fascinating insights into the humour and mentality of its compilers. Enrich your vocabulary with the vulgar wittic
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
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
Between 1980 and 2011 Michael Patterson made some 40 week-long journeys by train through Europe. With camera at the ready and notebook or tape recorder in hand, he traveled each day, stopping off at p
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
