English Books

Unless stated at the end of the review, books featured on these pages are not available direct from This England. For details of books that can be ordered from us, please see page 85.

VERY HEATH ROBINSON Stories of his absurdly ingenious world by Adam Hart-davis (Sheldrake £40) ISBN 9781-8733-29481

So strange and convoluted were his contraptions that his name is now synonymous with anything considered vaguely ridiculous. Often drawn in the greatest of detail, his cartoons poked fun at every strata of society during the late 19th century right up until his death in 1944, but always in the gentlest possible way. The author is a well-known television presenter and his pithy comments against each drawing greatly enhance this large volume. (238pp, hardback)

Very Heath Robinson is available by post from This England at the greatly reduced price of £30, inc. p/p. For further details see page 85.

BRITAIN’S HERITAGE — (all Amberley £8.99) DINKY TOYS by David Busfield ISBN 9781-4456-65801 THE SIXTIES RAILWAY by Greg Morse ISBN 9781-4456-65764 ALLOTMENTS by Twigs Way ISBN 9781-4456-65702 THE 1950s HOME by Janet & John Shepherd ISBN 9781-4456-65689 BEACH HUTS by Karen Averby ISBN 9781-4456-65740 FIRE STATIONS by Billy Reading ISBN 9781-4456-65825

This is a fine new series at a bargain price. The illustrations and pictures are excellent and the informative text is most revealing, even for the expert. Each book is a gem with fascinating historical detail. (64pp, paperback)

METROBURBIA The Anatomy of Greater London by Paul Knox (Merrell £35) ISBN 9781-8589-46511

An excellent well-illustrated large volume about the changing urban landscape of the metropolis. Historians and geographers will be equally delighted at the contents and unusual photographs. (224pp, hardback)

THE RAILWAY EXPERIENCE by Paul Atterbury (Shire £9.99) ISBN 9781-7844-21236

Another splendid collection of archive pictures selected by a well-known transport enthusiast. Ranging from 1900 up until the Beeching era there is something here for everyone. (112pp, hardback)

The Railway Experience is available by post from This England. For further details see page 85.

ISLANDS OF ENGLAND The North West by Geoffrey Berriman (Redshank £8.50) ISBN 9781-9113-85127

This brilliant little book is the second in a series tracing all our islands — large, small and tiny. Excellent pictures and text make fine reading. (96pp, paperback)

IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING The Story of the English Language by Charlie Haylock and Barrie Appleby (Amberley £14.99) ISBN 9781-4456-63821

Amarvellous contribution to the understanding of our everyday speech, tackling its historical development with the help of excellent and amusing cartoons (above). (256pp, paperback)

In a Manner of Speaking is available by post from This England. For further details see page 85.

HISTORIC COACHING INNS OF THE GREAT NORTH ROAD by Roger Protz (Camra £12.99) ISBN 9781-8524-93394

Published by the Campaign for Real Ale, this delightful book starts the traveller off in London, before stopping off at many famous inns along the old main road to Edinburgh. Each section has fascinating information about the pub and surrounding area, backed up by superb maps and pictures. (192pp, paperback)

VILLA ASTOR (Flammarion £40) ISBN 97820813-75925

Alarge coffee table book compiled by several authors about the life of William Waldorf Astor, at home and in Italy. (280pp, hardback)

THE VICTORIA CROSS WARS by Brian Best (Pen & Sword £25) ISBN 9780-4738-87367

Looking at things from a new angle, the author is to be congratulated on tackling more than 50 campaigns in chronological order, thus creating an important addition to the canon of the Victoria Cross which will be welcomed by all military historians. (574pp, hardback)

NATION, TRADITION AND LIBERTY My 50 Year Campaign by Sam Swerling (Taw £20) ISBN 9780-9567-75337

In this lively new book, the author, a determined antiEU federalist, details half a century spent on various good causes, including politics, English sport in general and football in particular. With a detailed analysis of previous political events it makes fine and compelling reading for all celebrating the result of last year’s EU referendum. (352pp, hardback)

GREAT BRITISH VILLAGE SHOW by Thane Prince & Matthew Biggs (Dorling Kindersley £20) ISBN 9780-2412-55612

Compiled on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society, and subtitled “What goes on behind the scenes — how to be a prizewinner” this is a terrific book crammed with superb colour illustrations of fruit, vegetables, plants and cakes. Highly recommended! (224pp, hardback)

ENGLAND’S MARITIME HERITAGE FROM THE AIR by Peter Waller (Historic England, formerly English Heritage £35) ISBN 9780-7495-76974

Aglorious aerial celebration of our industrial coastline — ports, piers, dockyards and all kinds of ships, ranging from the biggest liners to the smallest coasters. Most of the highdefinition photos are black and white but several recent colour images are included as well. A valuable archaeological volume. (296pp, hardback)

England’s Maritime Heritage from the Air is available by post from This England. For further details see page 85.

THE JANE AUSTEN MARRIAGE MANUAL by Helen Amy (Amberley £9.99) ISBN 9781-4456-51729

Delving into the literary past, the author reveals how ladies and gentlemen like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy may have corresponded prior to their nuptials. Tantalising letters and information. (286pp, paperback)

CYCLE YORKSHIRE by Jonathan Brown (Great Northern £17.99) ISBN 9780-9933-44787

Bright and colourful, this excellent book will please all cyclists and anyone interested in viewing evocative landscape photographs ranging across our biggest county. (192pp, hardback)

ARTHUR AND THE KINGS OF BRITAIN by Miles Russell (Amberley £20) ISBN 9781-4456-62749

Investigating “historic truth behind the myths”, this academic tome will please everyone keen on Arthurian legends. (320pp, hardback)

MIDLAND MAIN LINES TO ST. PANCRAS AND CROSS COUNTRY by John Palmer (Pen & Sword £30) ISBN 9781-4729-30842

This large volume is aimed unashamedly at trainspotters, past and present. Excellent maps, great archive photos and informative text make it both valued and entertaining. (208pp, hardback)

FORT DUNLOP by Chris Jukes (Brewin £9.95) ISBN 9781-8585-85529

An enjoyable look back at the giant Dunlop rubber and tyre factory in Birmingham which was erected in 1916 and by 1954 employed 10,000 people. The iconic building still stands. (256pp, paperback)

RSPB HANDBOOK OF GARDEN WILDLIFE by Peter Holden and Geoffrey Abbott (Bloomsbury £12.99) ISBN 9781-4729-30842

This second edition makes a marvellous introduction to what lives around our home and covers every type of creature from the humble earthworm to the largest raptor. (256pp, paperback)

MY LIFE WITH PLANTS by Roy Lancaster (Filbert £25) ISBN 9780-9933-89252

This author and gardener needs no introduction to those with green fingers and in another book linked to the Royal Horticultural Society he outlines his travels at home and abroad. (310pp, hardback)

IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGE IN THE 1960s by Richard Gaunt (Fonthill £18.95) ISBN 9781-7815-55378

Well- written with fine black and white photos, this is a trip down memory lane for everyone, not just those whose good fortune was to study at this elite university more than 50 years ago. (192pp, paperback)

A selection of famous apple varieties (see Great British Village Show).

In the foreground of this picture from 1933 is the liner “Olympic”, sister ship to the ill-fated “Titanic” and “Britannic”. In the background is “Empress of Britain”, the largest liner to be sunk during the Second World War (see England’s Maritime...

The yellow jersey, Marcel Kittel, and the rest of the peloton pass York Minster during the 2014 Tour de France (see Cycle Yorkshire).

One of hundreds of similar cartoons, Heath Robinson’s “Kinecar” was designed to keep passengers amused while returning home from a winter night out. (see Very Heath Robinson).

Dinky Toys first appeared in 1931 and proved a sensation. Initially highly successful they suddenly but sadly succumbed to a rapidly changing international toy market (see Britain’s Heritage — Dinky Toys).

Schoolboys clambering over two engines during an open day in 1961. Can you imagine this today? (see The Railway Experience).

A Newcastle to Bristol express in 1961 (see Midland Main Lines).

A graduation ceremony suggests student days are almost over (see In and Around Cambridge).

Ring-necked parakeets are now common in parts of south east England (see RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife).