The History Press Ltd strana 3 z 14

Gerald Gliddon’s classic survey of the Somme battlefield in 1916, first published in 1987 to great acclaim, has been greatly expanded and updated to include the latest research and analysis. Supported by a wide selection of archive photographs and drawing on the testimony of those who took part, this new edition covers the famous battle sites, such as High Wood and Mametz Wood, as well as the lesser-known villages on the outlying flanks. It includes a day-by-day account of the British build-up on the Somme and the ensuing struggle; British and German orders of battle; and a full history of the cemeteries and memorials, both ‘lost’ and current, that sprang up in the years following the First World War. Gliddon also provides thumbnail biographies of all the senior officers to fall, the winners of the Victoria Cross and those who were ‘shot at dawn’, as well as Somme ‘personalities’ such as George Butterworth. Somme 1916 honours the sacrifices made by the people who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

‘A fascinating book that covers the history and development of something that is unique to the Middle Ages – the castle.’ - Medieval HistoryOver 1,000 castles were built in the century following the Norman Conquest. Most were constructed in the wake of the Conquest itself by the Norman lords and their allies as they took possession of their lands. These conquerors in a hostile land numbered only a few thousand and their castles became both symbols of subjugation and bastions of paranoia. Nevertheless, contrary to the popular perception, medieval castles were more often lived in than fought over. A castle was a fortified feudal residence, a symbol of a lord’s power and authority and the instrument of regional domination: administrative, judicial and military. Very few castles remain unaltered from when they were first built and none fits neatly into any particular category. Many have succumbed to the ravages of siege warfare, abandonment and despoliation, especially in the aftermath of the English Civil War. Some have been entirely rebuilt and most have been remodelled many times, according to the current military, domestic and architectural fashion. For several there is evidence of continuous occupation from the twelfth century to the present day. Stephen Friar has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all aspects of castles as well as the ability to place issues within a historical context and explain them succinctly and clearly for the non-specialist. From quadrangular castles to shell keeps, garderobes and gargoyles to tournaments, and anarchy to zig-zag moulding, this detailed A–Z reference book, with its lavish illustrations, is essential reading for anyone interested in medieval castles. ‘A fascinating book … as well as providing a history of British castles, the book also offers advice on how to get the most enjoyment and fulfilment out of your visits.’ - The Journal

Mother Nature’s more aesthetically challenged children have been neglected for too long. The plight of the panda is known the world over because of its teddy-like good looks, but most species are not so lucky. This book, however, aims to shine a light on some of the many ignored and unloved wonders of the animal kingdom. Their hideousness hides their incredible biology and means that we may not have noticed that they need our help. It is time to celebrate the Ugly Animals.

THE STORY OF HOW A WILD MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE EVOLVED INTO AN ELITE OLYMPIC SPORT'Why is the best blood of England to waste itself in scaling hitherto inaccessible peaks, in staining the eternal snow, and reaching the unfathomable abyss never to return?’ - The Times, 1865In the 1950s, rock climbing was a wild mountain adventure that was defined by a rebellious, bohemian culture and practised by small groups of amateur enthusiasts. Today, rock-climbing has become a professionalised, high-performance, mass-participation Olympic sport. There are now more than 400 climbing walls and over 500,000 people climb regularly in the UK. Ascent tells the story of this remarkable transformation. Anthony King – a dedicated climber himself – traces the sport’s evolution through decades of rebellion, innovation and achievement to its place today as a vibrant, diverse culture. His own experiences colour the narrative; we discover not just how climbing developed, but what it feels like to climb and be a climber. More than just a history of the sport, through this story we also see how British society itself has changed. Expansive, immediate and deeply engaging, Ascent is both cultural sport history and lived experience.

From the crowning of Charles III, thirty-nine coronations have been held in Westminster Abbey since the Norman Conquest. Only two monarchs – Edward V and Edward VIII – were uncrowned, and a further twenty or so Scottish monarchs were crowned elsewhere, usually at either Scone Abbey or Holyrood Abbey. In The Throne, Ian Lloyd turns his inimitable, quick-witted style to these key events in British royal history, providing fascinating anecdotes and interesting facts: William the Conqueror’s Christmas Day crowning, during which jubilant shouts were mistaken by his guards as an assassination attempt; the dual coronation of William and Mary in 1689; the pared-back ‘Half Crown-ation’ of William IV; the televised spectacle of Elizabeth II’s 1953 ceremony; and how Charles III’s ceremony brought the British monarchy into modern times. Detailing everything from the famous Coronation Chair made for Edward I and the Crown Jewels to the infamously uncomfortable Gold State Coach – this is a truly spectacular celebration of British culture and the ultimate pomp of royalty.

‘This intriguing book delves into the history of these two Olympic class ships. It matches the origins of their ancient Greek namesakes … the Titans & Olympian Gods.’ – Steve Hall, Titanic historian and co-author of RMS Titanic in 50 ObjectsIt is impossible to understand Titanic without appreciating the broader context: the development of the White Star Line and its competitors in the preceding decades; Anglo-German competition; the British fear of the ‘American peril’ as foreign capital increasingly controlled British shipping companies; and the relentless advance in shipbuilding and technology. This definitive volume explores the lead-up to the construction of Olympic and Titanic, providing a step-by-step account of the design process and a look at the financial, logistical and political obstacles the White Star Line had to tackle; the ups and downs of Olympic’s maiden season; and Titanic’s disastrous end. Relying on extensive primary-source research and presenting much unpublished data, Olympic & Titanic: Triumph and Disaster is not only a valuable reference tool, but provides an essential insight into this period of maritime history.

The plays and poetry of William Shakespeare have entertained and enlightened us for more than 400 years. By exploring his life in Elizabethan England, Shakespeare’s Notebook provides a fascinating and detailed picture of the man behind the plays, and the theatrical world he inhabited. Through his works, contemporary sources and a wide selection of illustrations, this book reveals how Shakespeare’s plays relate to his own roles of husband, father, actor and playwright. It celebrates the enduring legacy of rich language and memorable characters that resonate in many forms today.

Imagine a world where life unfurls with quiet tenacity, each day a testament to survival against the odds. Here you’ll meet the floral trailblazers – plants whose extraordinary talent for endurance and adaptation surpass anything on a human scale. The Power of Plants takes you back to their Jurassic origins and explores how environmental adaptations and unique survival tactics have ensured their success. Marvel at some of the world’s most incredible plants, from sweet peas to mangroves, and discover the remarkable influence they have on our work, rest and play. The secret world of plants reveals a remarkable story: a celebration packed with joyous insights to delight nature lovers and keen gardeners everywhere.

‘I feel you have captured the essence of my Great Aunt Helen.’ – Howard Ostby, descendant of Titanic survivor Helen OstbyThe early 1900s were a man’s world, and the Titanic was no exception. Even today, the stories we know about that fateful night mostly revolve around men and their actions, despite there having been nearly 500 women and girls on board. From the stewardess who survived three different maritime disasters to the mother whose young children were kidnapped and taken aboard the Titanic, and from the Carpathia passenger whose reports on the Titanic started a journalism career to the woman who went down with the ship but who no one remembered seeing, Melinda E. Ratchford tells the stories of women whose lives were inextricably linked to the sinking, revealing the world as it was for women in 1912. Titanic Women’s Stories is an investigation into the lives of these women before, during and after the tragedy that irrevocably changed both their world and ours.

Taking you through the year day by day, The Portsmouth Book of Days contains a quirky, eccentric, amusing or important event or fact from different periods of history, many of which had a major impact on, or reflect, the social and political history of England as a whole. Ideal for dipping into, this addictive little book will keep you entertained and informed. Featuring hundreds of snippets of information gleaned from the vaults of Portsmouth’s archives, it will delight residents and visitors alike.

Cuddly and cute, fierce and ferocious, cunning and conniving, worshipped and feared – felines appear in many forms in the humble folk tale. The cats in this collection of 57 stories are often heroic, witty and, at times, scheming or downright terrifying. Kitties big and small, from every corner of the world, such as the Kasha from Japan, the Nunda from East Africa, El Hombre Gato from Argentina, Kisa, the Cat from Iceland and many others can be found purring, hissing and prowling through these pages.

The Little Book of Lincolnshire is a compendium of fascinating information about this historic county, past and present. Contained within is a plethora of entertaining facts about Lincolnshire’s famous and occasionally infamous men and women, its towns and countryside, history, natural history, literary, artistic and sporting achievements, customs ancient and modern, transport, battles and ghostly inhabitants. A reliable reference book and quirky guide, this can be dipped in to time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, the secrets and the enduring fascination of the county. A remarkably engaging little book, this is essential reading for visitors and locals alike.

FEATURED IN THE SUNDAY TIMESHenrietta Moraes first discovered Soho when she was eighteen – or so she tells us. Her favourite sport was social climbing (heaven knows she enjoyed the exercise) and she was good at it, going to all the right parties and simply gate-crashing others. From the summit of the 1950s bohemian scene she surveyed the life and times of those who broke all the rules, such as the artists Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon (for whom she became a muse). But that’s not all she did – as a key counter-culture figure in the 1960s Chelsea Set, no other woman was more indefatigable in becoming a bohemian legend. Through Hen, you’ll learn how to steal your best friend’s boyfriend; enchant and ensnare a husband; blossom into a magnificent muse; dress like a comic book superhero; become a connoisseur of every illicit drug known to medical science and dose a Rolling Stones concert with them; join the caravan set and head along the gypsy trail in search of the Holy Grail, before rematerialising as the minder for a mind-blowing pop icon…Along the way you’ll indulge in the gentle art of cadging drinks; the feline felony of cat burglary; the canny craft of charity shop shoplifting and the haphazardness of steamy sex in second-hand bookshops. Hen, Mistress of Mayhem takes you to the epicentre of Soho’s Golden Age; stage by stage it forms a complete guide to a hell-raising companion.

‘Reindorp has done a stellar job of balancing their privilege and pathos.’ - The Lady‘Everyone in this book seems to be awash with booze.’ - The TelegraphGlamorous, fun and packed with scandalous anecdotes and exclusive interviews, Never Shaken, Never Stirred tells the story of two extraordinary sisters, Ann and Laura Charteris, who made marrying well an art form. While Laura eventually became the Duchess of Marlborough, Ann’s third and final husband was the journalist Ian Fleming, who she inspired to start writing the spy franchise he would become famous for. Along the way there were marriages, and affairs, with some of the biggest names of the twentieth century. The sisters’ collective husbands included a duke, four peers, Jacqueline Kennedy’s former brother-in-law and the alleged illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth’s uncle. There were also passionate flings with a Labour leader, a press baron and a cluster of film and literary stars. History would come to define Ann and Laura by the men they married, but their marriages are only part of the story. From royals to writers, film stars to politicians, aristocrats to academics, the Charteris sisters knew everybody that mattered, their countless friendships allowing them a privileged ringside seat during many momentous historical moments of the last century. Blazing a glamorous trail with their beauty, charm, riotous behaviour and energetic love affairs, the aristocratic Charteris sisters alternately delighted and scandalised British society, and their lives continue to do so to this day.

‘I am a great admirer of Her Majesty. This gem of a book beautifully encapsulates the life of one of history’s most iconic royals.’ - Barbara BushAt age 25, Elizabeth II became Britain’s fortieth monarch and vowed to dedicate her life to service and duty on behalf of her country. Upon her death, aged 96, she certainly had achieved that. She was the constitutional monarch of fifteen sovereign states, head of the fifty-six member Commonwealth of Nations, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and Head of the Armed Forces. Most notably, however, on 9 September 2015, she became the longest reigning monarch in British history and for a time was the oldest serving sovereign in the world. She consistently adapted in order to remain relevant, while devotedly upholding the age-old traditions of the monarchy. Although there have only been six British female monarchs, it cannot be denied that some of the most enlightened times in history have occurred during periods of queenship. Elizabeth I led the country through the Golden Age and Victoria ushered in the Industrial Revolution, but it is Elizabeth II who has left the most illustrious and progressive legacy of all: a true icon of modern monarchy.

Even in this predominantly secular age, Britain’s cathedrals remain potent symbols of religious continuity. Their purpose was to reveal God’s majesty, to declare the supremacy of the Church and the devotion of the men who built them. They were intended, literally, to be awesome. Similarly, our medieval abbeys, most of them sad remnants of a glorious past, serve to remind us of the dedication of those who aspired to the monastic ideal. No two cathedrals or abbeys are alike in their conception, location, construction or history, and it is this that gives them their limitless appeal. Informative, knowledgeable and wide-ranging, Stephen Friar’s study contains over 1,450 entries and explores the features of these places, as well as associated subjects, such as architecture, monuments and church music. Entries on the Anglo-Saxon Church, monasticism, the Reformation, the restoration of the Roman Catholic dioceses and more assist in revealing a wider historical context. Richly illustrated in both colour and black and white, The Companion to Cathedrals and Abbeys is essential reading to new and more seasoned researchers alike.