Amberley Publishing strana 13 z 20

The Triumph Razoredge cars were the last of the traditionally styled British coach-built cars to be produced in the post-war period. In this, the first book to be devoted to the various models under the Razoredge name between 1946 and 1954, Triumph Razoredge expert John Bath describes the development of the models after the acquisition of Triumph by the Standard Motor Company in 1944. The models, which were designed to compete with upmarket cars produced by Rover, Jaguar and others, included the 1800 saloon, the 2000 saloon, both versions of the Triumph Renown and the limousine version. The various evolutions and changes in the models, such as the use of a Standard chassis and the Standard Vanguard drivetrain, as well as both interior and exterior design modifications, are documented here. A smaller model produced by Triumph, known as the Mayflower, which was largely aimed at the American market, is also touched on.Published to coincide with the golden anniversary of the Triumph Razoredge Owners Club, this book is a unique tribute to a series of Triumph traditional coach-built cars.

Charting the development of the North Sea Oil business from the early days, when oil companies hired seismic ships to go out and use dynamite to try to determine whether there was any oil out there, to the modern day, this is a fascinating history of oil and gas exploration, development and production in the North Sea. This was a drama enacted out of sight of land, in the freezing waters of one of the world’s most hostile seas. All the major oil companies wanted to get in on the act, as well as the traditional Gulf of Mexico ship operators, and the British shipping industry.Legislation was always frantically trying to catch up with events – but without holding the oil companies back – leading to what read like back-of-an-envelope calculations such as: ‘The emergency plans for the installation must ensure that individuals working in such areas of the platforms have access to life jackets and immersion suits which will enable a thin man – more susceptible to hypothermia than a fat one – to survive for three hours in the water.’It is a story of appalling conditions, monumental feats of engineering and a new frontier in the race for energy independence.

Horsham is a market town in West Sussex on a major crossing of the River Adur. The origins of the town date back to Anglo-Saxon times and the area was known early on for horse trading, becoming established as a borough in the early thirteenth century. Horsham was always a successful market town but its wealth was also generated by iron smelting, brickmaking, stone quarrying, brewing and leather making. More recently it has developed financial and service industries in sectors such as insurance and video gaming. Famous brewers like King and Barnes had been established in the town, and continuing the heritage of local brewing there are now craft brewers, gin distillers and vineyards. The population has grown rapidly in recent years due to new housing developments on the outskirts of the town.Celebrating Horsham chronicles the proud heritage of Horsham and what draws so many to this town today. Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into Horsham’s rich history, its special events and important moments.

As a conclusion to his popular series of industrial railways in the regions around the UK, as well two volumes examining steam locomotives at work in industry around the world, here Gordon Edgar looks at the vanishing steam era worldwide. In the main, this book covers the last quarter of a century, both on main and secondary railway lines and in industry, in countries such as China, Myanmar, Eritrea, and Poland.With stunning photography and commentary, this book takes you on a tour in search of the last vestiges of everyday working steam locomotives of all gauges, as well as featuring locomotives cast aside and forgotten about. Those few remaining steam operations covered could have an uncertain future, facing today’s commercial and political challenges.

There were 20,000 miles of railways in 1865 and about a million by 2020. Scale has always been a key theme in railway history. In the First World War, the London and North West Railway transported 325,000 miles of barbed wire and over twelve million pairs of army boots. At the end of the twentieth century, Indian Railways sold 4.5 billion tickets annually. With his renowned ability to take the long view of any subject and bring it into sharp focus for the reader, Jeremy Black examines how rail transformed the world. While always shaped by commercial interests, the role of the railway was (and is) strategic in the broadest sense: like Roman roads and Chinese canals, it helped develop the economic links that sustained and strengthened the major powers. For example, the railway was fundamental in integrating the frontiers of settlement with the world economy, in the spread of cultivation and ranching, and in the exploitation of mining opportunities. Rail expanded the ‘logistical space’ of most states.To give one modern example of the political importance of rail, Ukraine’s railway is on the 1.52 metre gauge, rather than the 1.435 metre one used in Poland and most of Europe. In 2022, Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, declared that the railways there would be rebuilt to the European gauge. This enhanced capability would counter the Russian ability to blockade Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, notably Odessa. The plan was not endorsed by the Kremlin…

Within these pages, discover remarkable and ingenious objects that defy explanation and reveal fascinating aspects of medieval life. A treasure trove of forgotten wonders is unveiled, inviting you to witness the marvels that once adorned cabinets of curiosities, offering a glimpse into a world where the extraordinary was a daily spectacle. Here fifty intriguing objects, often found lurking in the shadows of museums or churches, are presented. From the marvellous to the bizarre, from the ingenious to the terrifying, from the macabre to the unknown, whether usual or extraordinary in the life of a medieval person, some objects remain completely strange to our contemporary eyes, and sometimes even a little frightening. Whether it’s the miraculous story of the statue of Christ that takes on the leprosy of a patient, an explanation of the use of urinals in the Middle Ages or the history of the first prosthesis, each object is recontextualized allowing the reader to understand its origin and usage. Unearth the unknown as the past comes to life through Lorris Chevalier’s carefully curated collection of medieval objects which will spark your imagination and take you on a compelling journey through the enigmatic corridors of history.

This is a history of the kingdom of Wessex told through its more than twenty regnal kings, from its early foundations under Cerdic circa 500 to its apogee in 886 under Alfred the Great. Its roots are traced to the migration of Germanic tribes in the fifth century, with two of these tribes, the West Saxons of Hampshire and the Gewisse of the Upper Thames Valley, eventually uniting to form what would become the kingdom of Wessex.We move from the post-Roman period, in which Cerdic and Cynric vied for land with Romano-British tribes across southern England, through periods of warfare and assimilation to the sixth and seventh centuries, and the succession of Ceawlin, Cynegils and Cenwealh, warrior kings who expanded Wessex westwards against the British tribes. Warfare against other Anglo-Saxon tribes saw Caedwalla briefly conquer the kingdoms in south-east England, and his successors, Ine, Cuthred and Cynewulf, saw consolidation against the backdrop of further warfare, not least against Mercia, the major power of the period.Under Ecgberht, Wessex superseded Mercia as the dominant power across England by the ninth century, the kingdom stretching from Cornwall to Kent, with his grandsons Athelred and Alfred later facing the Viking invasions wherein Wessex would be the last kingdom standing. Alfred was the last man to claim the title of King of Wessex. In 886, he re-titled himself King of the Anglo-Saxons, thus ending nearly four centuries of the regnal kings of Wessex.

Regarded worldwide as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the Black Country has a long and diverse history, where countless ghostly tales are born. From the blistering heat of the blast furnaces and the deafening din of the steelworks, the spectres of industry emerge. Yet, the region’s history spans over a thousand years, with sightings of ghostly monks and Civil War soldiers still reported today. In this book, author Richard O’Connor travels the breadth and depth of the Black Country to uncover the region’s darkest and most mysterious ghost stories. From murderous villains who lurked along the many canals to hooded riders fleeing musket battles with the sheriff, Paranormal Black Country offers spine-chilling stories for both history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Spend a night with Richard at one of the most haunted hotels in the country before venturing into the crypt at Dudley’s famous castle and zoo, where exotic animals aren’t the only unusual inhabitants of the ancient battlements. Uncover the region’s explosive connection to the infamous Gunpowder Plot, before enjoying one last drink at the legendary Crooked House pub. Though the collieries and foundries that once illuminated the night sky with a fiery hue have long since closed, the landscape of this vast region still bears the scars of its past – along with the whispers of those who haunt its shadows.

Hitchin is a beautiful historic market town in North Hertfordshire. The earliest reference to the town dates back to the 7th century although the first modern reference to the name of ‘Hitchin’ was made as recently as the 17th century. The town is renowned for St Mary’s Church, the largest parish church in Hertfordshire and one whose tower dates back to 1190. It is linked with the 8th century king of Mercia King Offa and it has been suggested that he founded a church on the same site. Boosted by the wool trade along the nearby Icknield Way the prosperity of the town flourished in the 17th century and it became a staging post for those travelling to and from London. The advent of the railways in 1850 further strengthened the town as a commercial centre. Today the town attracts many to its cobbled market place surrounded by old buildings with more Tudor and Georgian buildings spread through the town.In A-Z of Hitchin author Wendy Turner reveals the history behind Hitchin, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections, she includes some unusual characters, tucked away places and unique events that are less well-known in this A-Z tour of Hitchin’s history. It is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Hertfordshire town.

Devon’s landscape and history is steeped in its folklore and legends. In Illustrated Tales of Devon, author John Husband explores a multitude of mysterious happenings and strange tales from ancient times to the modern day. The book looks at the legends surrounding Dartmoor’s pixies, sightings of the Devil, hairy hands menacing drivers, the true Uncle Tom Cobley at Widecombe Fair, a murderous monk and a postman poet, one of the first air accidents, an inn designed as a pack of cards built by a gambler and a housing estate and pleasure gardens built on the proceeds of a cough syrup… and much more. These strange and remarkable stories are accompanied by the author’s photographs of places featured in the text in this hugely entertaining book.

Quarrying of limestone and converting it to quicklime was a major industry around the Irish Sea coasts for many centuries, and it is an aspect of these islands’ industrial legacy that has received little attention. David Johnson has spent years researching it in the field and in archive centres and has been amazed by its scale and geographical extent. Up to the nineteenth century, quicklime was shipped from Gower and south Pembrokeshire across the Bristol Channel to Devon, and limestone was shipped from both source areas to coastal lime kilns all along the west coast of Wales from north Pembrokeshire to the Lleyn Peninsula. Limestone was quarried and shipped from Anglesey to, for example, Harlech Castle when it was first built, and to the Mersey, as well as from North Wales to the Dee and Mersey estuaries. There was a major trade in limestone from west Cumbria to what is now Dumfries and Galloway and to and from the Isle of Man, and across the Irish Sea to and from ports all the way from Galway, round the south and east Irish coasts as far north as Ulster. Most recently, and still surviving, is the export of limestone from North Wales to southern England and Scandinavia.Thoroughly researched and with fascinating images, David Johnson reveals the little-known story of the Irish Sea lime trade.

Cork is often described as Ireland’s southern capital. The city’s history goes back to a monastic then Viking settlement in the early mediaeval period to become Ireland’s second largest city. During the War of Independence in the early twentieth century the city was often at the forefront of fighting, the city centre being burnt down by British forces, and was again the focus of fighting during the ensuing Irish Civil War. The city has always been open to the world, as an Atlantic port, and today the city is a vibrant cultural, industrial and economic centre for southwest Ireland, where the past is in evidence while the city looks forward. Corkonians draw on rich heritage through the city’s history, from sports, maritime traditions, commerce and education to festivals, literature, art, music and the rich Cork accent.A-Z of Cork reveals the history behind Cork, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with the city. Alongside the famous historical connections, are unusual characters, tucked away places and unique events that are less well-known. It is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic city.

The North Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough grew up around its medieval castle, built on a headland. It developed as a spa town in the seventeenth century, becoming one of the country’s first coastal resorts. The railways brought more visitors in the Victorian age, although the town retained its status as a resort for high society well into the twentieth century, with many staying in the famous Grand Hotel, as well as being a centre for the fishing industry.A–Z of Scarborough reveals the history behind this town, its streets and buildings, businesses, and the people connected with it. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales about the huge castle on the cliffs, the grave of Anne Brontë, the tramway to the seafront, the birthplace of Harland (of Harland & Wolff shipbuilders) and James Moody (Titanic officer), the iconic Grand Hotel and the Holbeck Hall Hotel which slid down a cliff face thirty years ago due to coastal erosion, and the 1914 German bombardment among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Scarborough’s history. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this town on the Yorkshire coast.

Class 43 locomotives were introduced to British Rail from 1976 onwards and eventually numbered 197 in total. In Scotland, they were initially allocated to Craigentinny Depot in Edinburgh and later to Inverness and in recent years to Cadder Depot, near Glasgow. They became known as High Speed Trains, or HSTs, and initially ran on the east coast route between Edinburgh and London King’s Cross. In later years, the fleet spread their wings to many other parts of Scotland and even worked charters to Fort William and Stranraer. A number of the locos were also upgraded at Crewe Works in the mid-1990s and re-fitted with Mirrlees Blackstone engines which were more environmentally friendly. This book documents the class from the late 1970s in the BR era through to privatisation and beyond. These locos have performed reliably and worked all over Scotland, and some are now preserved at various heritage lines throughout the United Kingdom.With a wealth of previously unpublished images, this book will delight Scottish rail enthusiasts both young and old.

Following Shakespeare’s death in 1616, four women were crucial in ensuring the original work of the Bard was not forgotten. This was the Shakespeare Ladies Club. Formed in 1736, the club was a quartet of ‘Women of Quality’; three from the aristocracy and one a writer who ran a stationery shop, all educated and so enraptured by the plays of William Shakespeare that they met to read and discuss his transcendent genius. Not content with this, they used their power and influence to campaign successfully for a statue of their literary idol to be placed in Westminster Abbey – shamefully, to this day their efforts remain overlooked, as credit for the statue is still given to a group of men.These women put their considerable wealth behind their lobbying for more Shakespeare plays; they convinced theatre managers to put on the original versions by promising to underwrite any financial losses. They had to overcome a post-Puritan culture that believed theatre to be immoral and no place for respectable women. After nearly 300 years, this book finally tells their remarkable story.In the authors’ words: ‘The obstacles they faced were daunting, yet Susanna Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Boyd and the two Marys, Montagu and Cowper, each like the goddess Diana the archer, fired an aesthetic arrow that would strike a bullseye in Britain and, eventually, the entire world, as reviving Shakespeare has positively affected human culture to this day.’

The story of Scotland’s castles is woven into the history of the country. These formidable structures have guarded the landscape since medieval times, and many of these structures are famous emblems of Scotland today. The royal castles in the strategically important cities of Edinburgh and Stirling still dominate their surroundings, but many others stand proud in more remote areas, often by lochs or the sea, on islands or in the mountains. Many simpler fortified structures were built along the border with England, and as the centuries passed many castles in Scotland were converted into country houses or even new houses were built in the style of castles. Today these iconic structures draw visitors from far and wide to explore a unique part of Scotland’s heritage. This fascinating portrait of the castles of Scotland will appeal to all those who wish to know more about the history of the country as well as those interested in the story of its castles.