For thousands of years peat was the main fuel that that warmed houses all over the British Isles, and the mark of the peat cutter is written deep in the landscape. This book is a celebration of a cult
The London Taxi is an iconic image of London transport and society. The unique vehicle is the only one in the world to be specifically designed for hire work in cities, and its distinctive turning cir
With the end of the Second World War, it was not long before increasing wealth, cheaper cars, and social pressures made a family car the aspiration of thousands. Ford, Hillman, Standard, Morris and Va
This book is a fascinating survey of the development of gardens in Great Britain from their medieval origins in monasteries and castles, through the Tudor period and the seventeenth century when forma
During their heyday in the mid-eighteenth century the pleasure gardens were one of the hubs of polite society. Laid out with formal gardens and buildings for dining and amusement, the pleasure gardens
A picture can say a thousand words and the images caught on camera during the Victorian and Edwardian periods provide a fascinating insight into the lives of Britons during this time. Take a step bac
Ring-headed crosses of impressive height and intricate design were first erected in Iona and Ireland from the eighth century onwards. This book deals with these but also shows how they were the culmin
The market towns of the British Isles were a vital part of rural life, offering farmers and traders the opportunity to bring their produce to sell. Today, many of these traditional market towns still
This book gives an overview of the trans-Atlantic slave trade from its sixteenth century beginnings until its final abolition in the nineteenth century. It covers the main countries involved and expl
The Volkswagen Transporter is one of the best-loved and most recognisable motor vehicles of all time. The preferred transport for surfers and hippies everywhere, the Volkswagen Type 2 'bus' was born i
Although tanks have become a symbol of military power, the first tanks were created as a temporary solution to the deadlock created by trench warfare. The early designs were unsophisticated and had li
Providing a vital service to communities and businesses over the years, delivery vans have evolved through time, with many different models taking to the road. In the 1920s and 1930s many types of unu
With 16.5 million examples built between 1908 and 1927, the Model T Ford was, until overtaken in the 1970s by the Volkswagen Beetle, the most popular car in the history of the automobile. Mass-produce
The Victorian period has been described as the 'Great Age of Death'. The customs of death, notably burial and mourning, were taken very seriously and elaborate rituals of commemoration were part of ev
Oft-overshadowed by the imposing buildings that line the River Thames, the bridges of London are an intriguing part of the capital, past and present. This book traces the history of all 33 Thames brid
The relationship established between man and bird is central to the ancient sport of falconry; to earn the trust of the bird, the falconer must show a great deal of patience, skill and intuition. This
In the days before refrigeration, the very wealthy would use specially designed icehouses to store food from one season to the next. This book examines the design and development of icehouses, using m
The busy streets of London have been traversed for centuries and many a Londoner or tourist may feel that they are familiar with all the capital has to offer. Yet the eight walks described in this vol
Button collecting has been a hobby in America and Britain for a number of years. Organized along the lines of stamp collecting, there is an incredible variety of buttons available, with the most magni
"This account examines the history of coachbuilding, beginning with the coachbuilders who for generations had built horse-drawn wooden carriages, and then explaining how they turned their craft to bui
Originally constructed as landing stages for trippers by boat in the nineteenth century, piers later developed into attractions in themselves, with ornate pavilions, delicate ironwork and exotic light
At the turn of the last century, Art Noveau, characterised by its natural, swirling lines and exuberant use of colour, held sway as the dominate style in architecture and design. The style defined the
The vast networks of roads throughout the Roman Empire were vital to the expansion of Roman culture, power and influence across the world and one of their principal uses was the transportation of the
The humble buckle is an oft-taken for granted fastening, yet its usefulness and sturdiness has ensured that it has survived from ancient times through to the present day. The author provides a compreh
Although the evidence for ghosts is largely inconclusive, there has throughout history always been a widespread belief in paranormal beings and to this day the telling of ghost stories continues to in
This book looks at an almost totally neglected aspect of medieval England and Wales. Starting from the basic concept of a 'road' in medieval times, the book looks at how well the Roman roads had survi
Tea and coffee cups have been made in Britain since the middle of the eighteenth century and can be found in a vast array of decorative designs, reflecting the changing fashions of society as well as
Heavy horses played a pivotal role in the development of western economies, toiling in mines and quarries, factories and docks, alongside canals and railways and on farms. But, following the introduct
The scarab is the single most abundant artifact to have survived from ancient Egypt and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, were made throughout the course of Egyptian history. Today, scarabs cont
Coins are among the most important sources of information for the Anglo-Saxon period. In addition to what they tell us about the Anglo-Saxon economy, the combination of inscriptions and images provide
Mankind has been using wood since prehistoric times to build shelter, houses, containers, vehicles and implements and the tools and techniques used to shape and manipulate wood are thousands of years
Since the early Middle Ages, the Royal and princely families of Europe have conferred a wide range of Orders of Knighthood and Chivalry both to reward loyal service to the Crown or Royal Family and to
The Victorian lunatic asylum has a special place in history. Dreaded and reviled by many, these nineteenth-century buildings provide a unique window on how the Victorians housed and treated the mental
Allotments are small areas of land rented to individuals to grow their own food. Nowadays often thought of as havens for peace and quiet, the humble allotment has a surprisingly turbulent history. Bor
This book traces the design and evolution of oil lighting, examining in detail the varieties and design features of many of the lamps which were made particularly in the Victorian period. A great many
In 1851 there were over one million servants in Britain. This work covers a range of domestic service in the nineteenth century, describing the work and conditions of servants and giving an insight in
Post-war public art encompasses a wide range of intriguing, curious and colourful artworks that can be seen in urban and rural locations throughout Britain. From traditional figurative sculptures to
A concise history of the doll industry over the last 300 years in Europe, the United States and the Far East. It shows how dolls have developed and illustrates typical examples of dolls from each area
The author describes the evolution of the first practical stationary engines and illustrates some of the many designs, with notes on their important features and information on the better-known manufa
