There have been many spectacular, tragic, shocking and downright gruesome deaths in Hollywood films over the years, and this little compendium brings together 99 of the most memorable through famous s
The Orient Line’s beginnings can be traced back to 1797. Created for the purpose of operating a fleet of steamships between London and the Australian Colonies, it was a venture into the unknown, its s
This is the story of two single-handed non-stop round-the-world voyages: Robin Knox-Johnston’s in 1968/9 and Ellen MacArthur’s in 2004/5. Although there were similarities (both voyages started and fin
John ‘Goldfinger’ Palmer was a multi-millionaire kingpin of the British underworld, who would go on to mastermind a criminal empire to dwarf any crook of his generation. Palmer hit the big time in 198
As the amalgamation of all the famous regiments of the British Army is completed, this book is a timely reminder of past glories. More than 50 of the most famous regiments are featured?their battle ho
Trinity College Dublin is famed for the intelligence and innovation of its students. However, not all the undergraduates have devoted their talents to academia; instead they spent their time devising
Cambridgeshire has charmed visitors for centuries, and this collection of intricate illustrations is a celebration of the county’s unique appeal. Featuring a range of picturesque vistas, from the hist
The Cotswolds has charmed visitors for centuries, and this collection of intricate illustrations is a celebration of the region’s unique appeal. Featuring a range of picturesque vistas from around Glo
Prior to and during World War II, the Junkers Aircraft Company of Dessau, Germany, produced several aircraft that revolutionized warfare. Among them were the Ju-87 Stuka, key to the success of the Bli
World War I saw one of the biggest ever changes in the demographics of warfare, as thousands of women donned uniforms and took an active part in conflict for the first time in history. Through their d
In May 1940 disaster befell the British Expeditionary Force. They were isolated from the rest of the fighting forces—alone and encircled by large numbers of enemy troops. All could have been los
It was October 24, 1914 when Morris Meredith Williams, a man of diminutive stature first attempted to join up. It wasn’t until April 1916 that the army finally allowed him to fight for his country, in
Dorset has long been famous for its wonderful geological features, like Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast. Ray Hollands has walked the entire Dorset coastline to capture its unique at
Hull was first built as a port by the Cistercian monks of Meaux Abbey, to export wool from their rapidly expanding sheep flocks. Before the end of the 13th century Hull had been acquired by Edward I,
Norman Cross was the site of the world’s first purpose-built prisoner-of- war camp constructed during the Napoleonic Wars. Opened in 1797, it was more than just a prison: it was a town in itself, with
For three centuries Portsmouth has been the leading base of the Royal Navy, although the history of the port can be traced back to Roman times. From the Roman walls of Portchester to the best preserve
Carole Lombard was the very opposite of the typical 1930s starlet—she worked hard, took no prisoners and had a great passion for life. As a result, she became Hollywood’s highest-paid star. From the o
Previously unpublished illustrations, a revelation of?the identity of the mystery lover Jane Austen met in Devon in 1902, and a groundbreaking explanation of her final illness make this a must-read fo
Peter Ghiringhelli’s turbulent childhood as the son of Italian Fascist parents saw him deported from England to Italy at the start of World War II. Here Peter witnessed at first hand what life was lik
From reports of haunted castles, hotels, public houses, chapels, and churchyards, to heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, poltergeists, and related supernatural phenomena, this collection of storie
From the author of the acclaimed Heloise & Abelard comes?a new biography of Dante, following?his life through the turbulent world of late middle ages?The young Dante Alighieri was a love-sick poet
This is the story of Britain's most illustrious warship, immortalized as Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar. Constructed from the wood of over 6,000 trees, HMS Victory was desig
This new series begins with British passenger ship, those great and grand vessels that connected the continents, but also those far-off, colonial outposts of the Empire. There were the great Cunarders
At the time of her construction in the late 1920s, His Majesty's Airship R101 was the largest flying object ever made?as big and luxurious as an ocean liner, a Titanic of the skies designed to link th
This book celebrates everything that's great about British cars, from the boneshaking Lanchester of the 1890s to the mouthwatering Aston Martin V8 Vantage of today. Britain's engineers, designers, and
This is the story of one of the great battles of the Hundred Years War, often ignored in favor of its more celebrated siblings, Crecy and Agincourt. The victory at Poitiers by an English force outnumb
The development of forensic medicine is chronicled through the cases of five great pathologistsThe development of forensic pathology in Britain is told here through the lives of five outstanding medic
It started as a donkey derby, a small local charity event, but when plans for the 1971 Isle of Wight Festival fell through, Clacton Round Table decided to hold a pop concert of their own. A small gig
The boats and fishing communities of Scotland and North-East England from the 1950s to the present are highlighted in this pictorial appreciation. Gloria Wilson's unique collection of photographs has
The forgotten century of English?voyages to the?Americas, 1518?1618?In the popular imagination, English colonization in the Americas began with the founding of Jamestown in Virginia in 1607. But the f
Some of the funniest and most bizarre news stories printed between 1750 and 1830 Erotic misdemeanors in an Irish bean-field, the recipe for a frog barometer fresh from the French court, a parrot convi
Norman Jacobs worked at the British Museum for 37 years, during the period of its greatest change. He was intimately involved in a number of the key decisions and projects affecting the Museum, such a
The third in Guy Halford-MacLeod's series on the history of independent airlines in Britain after the Second World War, battling against ever-changing government policies, this well-organized book tak
Millions live there, millions more visit each year?but how many really know London? Do you know when Big Ben first bonged?or even who Ben was? Why the River Thames is so-called? Which top Nazi was loc
Crammed with information and rare pictures from the famous Shepperton Studios, this exhaustive and affectionate history features interviews with scores of filmmakers, along with scores of others who m
Exploring a host of topics in a humorous and engaging style, this little gem of a book is a repository of intriguing, fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts and trivia about Britain and
