Böcker i Shire Library-serien

Tells the story of travelling by rail between 1830 and the First World War: the development of stations, passenger carriages, waiting rooms and tickets; less familiar phenomena such as smoking and 'ladies only' compartments, and excursion trains; and the danger of accidents.

Outlines and investigates the legendary beasts of Britain, including famous examples such as St George's dragon alongside more local traditions such as the Laidly Worm, a princess turned by an evil stepmother into a monster that terrorised the countryside.

The commercial paddle steamer was the Comet of 1812. Soon competitive steamer services developed, resulting in bigger and magnificent vessels, and before long no seaside resort was complete without a pleasure steamer moored alongside the pier. This book outlines the efforts to preserve what remains of pleasure steamer heritage in Britain.

Developments in microelectronics in the early 1970s meant that computers at home seemed about to become commonplace. This title tells about the story of first commonplace home computers - the Sinclairs, Commodores, Amstrads, and the earliest versions of Microsoft Windows - that helped to make the computer an indispensable item in the British home.

Tells the epic thousand-year story of Britain's Jewish community, the country's oldest minority group, replete with the dark episodes of persecution and expulsion, but also with positive periods of acceptance and toleration. This book offers an introduction and fitting tribute.

The blacksmith was once crucial to village life, whether commissioned for the humblest repair, the most luxurious ironwork or even the odd anvil marriage. This title describes the varied work blacksmiths undertook, the tools and techniques they used, and the magical and mystical qualities with which they were associated.

From global icons like the British Museum and the Ashmolean to the many hundreds of small collections to be found across the country, museums are at the very centre of our heritage. This book looks at museums in our culture and history as a whole, tracing the social shifts and trends which have affected them and of which they have been part.

British airmen experienced a wide range of conditions and challenges during the Second World War. They served in every corner of the globe, operating over oceans and deserts, jungles and cities. This title examines the experiences of the young men who, as well as carrying out air offensives, had to fly, navigate and defend their aircraft.

Packed with colour illustrations and photographs, this title traces golf's evolution from preserve of the privileged few to aspirational pursuit of the masses, taking in the game's Victorian and Edwardian popularity and the rise of the professional sport in the twentieth century.

Since the dawn of children's television in the 1950s, toy companies have been keen to capitalise on the success of these programmes. This title charts the history of the successful TV toys from Muffin the Mule in the 1950s to Star Trek: The Next Generation in the 1980s. It offers a look at some of the appealing toys of the late twentieth century.

Tartan is an enormously popular pattern in modern fashion. Beginning as Highland dress, it was originally peculiar to certain areas of Scotland, but is now generally accepted as its national costume. This title traces the early stages of that evolution, and the process by which the various tartans became icons of Scottish identity.

Until the middle of the last century, London's social calendar was dominated by 'the Season', a round of social events and parties during which the daughters of the upper classes made their 'debuts'. This title offers spotlight at a phenomenon that was central to the lives of generations of privileged young ladies.

The old-time shepherd is an emblem of sturdiness, dependability and independence. How did he manage his charges and his own life? What skills and equipment did he use? How did sheep farming change in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and what effect did those changes have on the shepherd's work? This title deals with these questions.

Britain's towns and cities were famously transformed in the nineteenth century by the coming of the railways, which turned around their fortunes and gave urban dwellers new opportunities to travel across the country. This book tells the story of these country railways from their golden age to their decline in the wake of nationalisation.

Tells the story of how Reverend William Booth's East London Christian Mission of 1865 (which became the Salvation Army in 1878) has become a truly global enterprise, one that in Britain is still second only to the government in the provision of social care.

The British film industry was already well established when Hollywood sprang to life in 1911, and has remained at the forefront of film-making ever since. This title tells the century-long story of British film, illustrating it with colourful photographs of actors, directors and production staff at work.

Executions have played a crucial - if grisly and controversial - part in British history and provided the bloody climax to many a life, from Mary, Queen of Scots, Charles I and Dick Turpin to untold thousands of anonymous wretches whose names are now forgotten. This title details the history of formal execution in Britain.

Explores the development of the professional detective during the 19th century, giving examples of the methods he used to track down criminals and to convict them of offences ranging from petty theft to brutal murder. This book explains the development of forensics, from fingerprinting to tests that could identify whether or not blood was human.

Explains the main differences between the various breeds and the qualities of their appearance, temperament, meat and wool, and also outlines the history of sheep farming and the way the industry works. This book is an introduction to the main breeds and their classification into upland, hill and lowland varieties.

Over the course of the nineteenth century, gardening came to be considered a respectable profession, providing a means to an education, a good chance of advancement and decent working conditions. This book explores the gardening profession within the complexities of Victorian society and the advances in science and technology.

Looks at all the practical ways in which animals were essential to the war effort, but is equally interested in their roles as companions, mascots and morale boosters - on land, in the air and at sea.

1914-18: the first air war, fought by true pioneers not only of aerial combat but of flight itself. British pilots, observers and gunners played a vital part in the Allied war effort around the globe, from the desolation of the Western Front and the mountains of Italy to the deserts of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and the freezing Russian steppes.

Tells the illustrated story of those who risked their lives collecting casualties from the front line, of the various transport and treatment facilities at their disposal and of the eclectic mix of buildings in which the wounded were cared for at home, including many famous country houses.

London's royal parks are among its most beautiful and beloved spaces. This book tells the story of all eight of the parks from the point when they were acquired by the monarchy until the present day, including the major historic moments and events with which they are associated.

Humphry Repton (1752-1818) ambitiously styled himself Capability Brown's successor: the century's next great improver of landed property. This book traces Repton's landscape designs from Picturesque wildernesses like Blaise Castle to the progressive Gardenesque style of Endsleigh in Devon.

Often hidden away or incorporated into other architectural features, icehouses are a largely forgotten part of our heritage. This book explains how icehouses developed; how, when and where they were built; and how they operated, including a chapter on icehouses from around the world.

Often called the sport of kings, horse racing dates back at least to the chariot races of the ancient Olympic Games. This book explores the broad history of horse racing from the horses, jockeys and racecourses to the practice of bookmaking and those in the audience.

In the motor-industry's early years, the three- and four-wheeled types were developed side by side, but the latter began to take precedence as its greater stability, and the three-wheeler's severe bodywork limitations, became evident. This book puts three-wheelers, and the companies that produced them, in their historical context.

Charts the history of the ancient crafts of rope, twine and net making, describing the traditional fibres and techniques used, as well as the modern machines and man-made fibres that took their place. This work features black and white photographs that show how the methods of rope, twine and net making have evolved over the years.

Explains who the smugglers were, what motivated them, where they operated, and how items ranging from barrels of brandy to boxes of tea would surreptitiously be moved inland under the noses of, and sometimes even in collusion with, the authorities.