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Forget 1066 – the making of England began centuries earlier. After decades of devastating raids, Viking armies first overwintered in England in 850. In doing so, they opened a century of conflict and reaching ambition. In Norway, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest and laid the foundations for unity. His successors extended that vision, leading to the creation of a single English kingdom after the meeting of kings at Eamont Bridge in 927. Meanwhile, the struggle for Norway’s throne erupted among Harald’s heirs, with Eric Bloodaxe briefly claiming the Crown before being overthrown by his younger brother, Hakon. Upon fleeing to Britain, Eric was allowed the York throne by King Edred. After his violent death in 954, there would be no more kings in York. This turbulent century saw kings rise and fall; it saw rivalry, betrayal and open conflict. Out of the chaos of shifting allegiances and warfare, England and Norway began to take shape as the forebears of the countries we know today. In First Kings, join R.A.J. Waddingham on an action-packed, page-turning adventure through the age of the Vikings.

‘I summoned my courage, took a hammock and some maps and set out to walk in the stunning landscapes of Lofoten and beyond. For years I had wondered if it would still be possible to go out and collect stories. Raw stories that had been passed on by word of mouth since before people could read.''Norway’s tiny population has a vibrant storytelling tradition – myths, legends and sagas from the bogs and snow-capped peaks of Norway, some lyrical, others outlandish, all united by their connection to a harsh but splendid nature. In this collection by wandering storyteller Georgiana Keable, you will find beloved classics retold for modern times, alongside stories never printed before.

George Stephenson is the ultimate selfmade man: born in the pit village of Wylam, near Newcastle, and skipping any education to start work, his inventions would change the very nature of the world.From the moment he began work in the pit at the tender age of ten, he showed a natural talent for mending and inventing machines, slowly rising to become the colliery’s resident engineer. However, he struggled to break through the class prejudices of the time; indeed, Sir Humphrey Davy, later President of the Royal Society, considered Stephenson (then an unknown pitman) ‘a thief and not a clever thief’. This early battle was only one of many that Stephenson waged against the establishment.Even so, Stephenson went on to build the world’s first public railways, the Stockton and Darlington in 1825 and the Liverpool–Manchester in 1830. Much is known of these achievements and of his famous creation, Rocket, yet little is known of the man himself. In George Stephenson a colourful portrait is painted of the self-taught and often testy Geordie, whose Victorian invention is now the backbone of every nation on the planet.

This enchanting collection of stories gathers together folk tales from across England in one special volume. Drawn from The History Press’ popular Folk Tales series, herein lies a treasure trove of tales from a wealth of talented storytellers performing in the country today.From hidden chapels and murderous vicars to travelling fiddlers and magical shape-shifters, this book celebrates the distinct character of England’s different customs, beliefs and dialects, and is a treat for all who enjoy a good yarn. If there is anything else, please let me know.

After D-Day in 1944 many British troops believed the war would be over by Christmas. The German Army in Normandy had been destroyed, but by Christmas the Allies were still fighting through Holland, whilst the Germans had reorganised and were fighting back.Ken Tout, using his own experiences on the frontline and interviews with many veterans, recounts how the last gasps of the German Army saw some of the fiercest and most fanatical fighting of the whole war. Major offensives include Hitler’s last desperate attempt to reverse the tide of war in the Battle of the Bulge and the Western Allies’ epic struggle to cross the Rhine.Also explored are the lesser known (but no less important) battles for the Hochwald and Reichwald, and the extraordinary journey of the Polish 1st Armoured Division from defeat and exile to final victory. This last year of war is filled with stories from the tragedy of whole groups of men being frozen to death in battle areas to the triumph of logistics, ingenuity, and bravery. Soldiers, who had lived for so long under the horrors of war that as they neared the end their desperate desire to survive grew ever stronger, speak of how these last battles took their toll on a wearied army.Fighting continued up to VE Day in May and some units were in action for days longer as confusion reigned about the enemy surrender. Even after the fighting had finished, the war was not over for these men who had to round up and guard German prisoners of war, and watch over thousands of displaced people. As the world reminds us today, war does not necessarily end when a ceasefire is declared.

The development of rocket and jet aircraft by the Germans before and during the Second World War is something that intrigues all those interested in the history of aviation. The first trials of the V1 (Doodlebug) were carried out with a pilot at the controls, on occasion the world-famous aviatrix Hannah Reitsch. The first encounter with a jet aircraft by Allied airmen is documented here, including the first shooting down of a jet aircraft by an Allied pilot.Rocket and Jet Aircraft of the Third Reich documents the huge problems faced by the German scientists, designers and engineers, and the pressures put upon them by the German High Command. At the end of the war the Americans and Russians struggled to get their hands on these experts and their data whilst the SS were trying to prevent them falling into Allied hands. Heinkel, Henschel, Junkers – and of course Messerschmitt — all feature, amongst other pioneering designers, alongside legendary pilots such as Adolf Galland and Walter Nowotny.

Fondly remembered as Spike Dixon in Hi-De-Hi!, Jeffrey Holland is one of Britain’s best-loved situation comedy actors. An invaluable member of the repertory company of writer and director David Croft, his many other television credits include Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Oh, Doctor Beeching! and You Rang, M’Lord?This unique memoir reveals the hilarious tales from Holland’s long and illustrious career, from the comedy greats that have inspired him to the colleagues with whom he has worked.Heart-warming stories from his twenty-year association with Paul Shane and Su Pollard sit alongside poignant and deep reflections on his all-time favourite comedian, Stan Laurel, and revealing stories of working with the great and good of variety theatre, from Frankie Howerd to Ken Dodd. Not to mention blissful thoughts on his many happy years as part of Russ Abbot’s Madhouse, the joy of The Goon Show and the thrill of stepping into the huge shoes of Peter Sellers. Filled with enthusiasm and affection, The First Rule of Comedy..! is a life told through the eyes of one of the true greats of the genre.