Martin Jenkins

The railways of the Lake District and North Lancashire are characterised by massive contrasts. From north to south, the area is intersected by the West Coast Main Line. Its series of tough grades, including the legendary Shap, presented a challenge for steam locomotives and crews for decades, and also for photographers seeking out new locations to record them at work. Along the way, the major centres of Carlisle, Lancaster and Preston were hives of activity, dealing with all manner of traffic from elsewhere in the country. It was also possible to see a rich variety of motive power at stations and loco sheds. The spectacular Cumbrian Coast line conveyed trains via remote and dramatic scenery bordering the Irish Sea while linking industrial towns built around coal and steel. Branch lines to places like Silloth, Coniston, Windermere and Lakeside tapped into a growing tourist market until most were usurped by the private car as ownership grew. Stations at Blackpool proved a magnet for holidaymakers and day-trippers whilst Morecambe was served by an intriguing early electric service. The corridor connecting Preston to Blackburn, Burnley and beyond relied on a variety of passenger and goods traffic, especially coal. It was also notable for being the last major outpost of BR steam in 1968.All these aspects feature in this new colour album, covering the period from the 1950s to the late 1970s, largely based around previously unpublished images, many of which are held by Online Transport Archive. Mainline and branch views cover freight and passenger workings in the steam, diesel and early electric eras. These are complemented by some remarkable views of industrial operations with a fascinating mix of locomotives in a range of locations. Another wonderfully nostalgic book to complement previous titles in the Railways Remembered series.

Explore the magnificent environment of the coral reef and discover the threats facing it in this non-fiction picture book, with stunning illustrations from the award-winning artist Jason Cockcroft. Imagine you’re a butterflyfish. Where do you live? It’s a place that’s warm all year round, not too deep and full of life: it’s a coral reef! Meet the creatures that live here and find out about the resilience of nature in the face of climate change. Written by award-winning author and conservationist Martin Jenkins, this is an absorbing addition to the Protecting the Planet series, which brings together the very best nature writers with the most extraordinary illustrators.

Discover the greatest story ever told: the story of life on our planet, from the big bang to the dinosaurs and beyond. Before humans took their first steps, there were billions of years of vibrant and varied life on earth. Discover the fascinating story of our planet, from the formation of the universe to the first mammals, and all the incredible life that flourished in-between. Covering ice ages and fossils, life in the teeming primeval seas and the first life on land, the time of the dinosaurs and the rise of the mammals, Martin Jenkins navigates through millions of years of prehistory in enthralling and accessible style. With gorgeous art from the Kate Greenaway Medal-winning illustrator Grahame Baker Smith, this is a captivating journey through the life of our planet before we called it ours.