United Kingdom Books

I actually had to read this for an MA class in history and it's definitely a textbook of the Tudor and Stuart time period but it wasn't as dry as I had expected it to be, thanks to Mr. Cressy's amazing writing ability. But it is thoroughly researched and offers up very important conclusions about the social life of the Tudor/Stuart period and anyone who wants the recent and best literature on the subject should read this book.

I've just finished writing a series of books about life in Elizabethan England, and this book was invaluable to me in my research. It is full of interesting details about how people in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century England approached and experienced the major transition points of the life cycle. I would have read and enjoyed Birth, Marriage, and Death even if I had not needed it as a reference, and I would heartily recommend it to any reader who wants to get a feel for this time period.

Most historical books of this sort are amazingly dry; this one is not. Mr. Cressy has done a huge amount of research, and the text is peppered with primary source quotations. I now have a real feel for what these experiences were like in Tudor & Stuart England. I plan to buy whatever other material Mr. Cressy has written--I found him an easy, extremely informative read.

Horrox has collected and translated dozens of first-hand accounts of the Black Death of 1348 - 1350. The first quarter of the book is comprised of narrative accounts of the arrival and devastation of the plague, from its arrival in Italy to its spread into Britain. The middle half shows the various responses (medical, religious and scientific) to the mortality, the final quarter of the book examining its reprocussions.

All of the accounts presented here are from eye-witnessess to the terrible virulence and mortality of the Black Death. Although the majority of the documents are from Britain, there is a tremendous amount of similarity among them - the fear, shock, sadness and sense of fatalism as the disease ravaged Europe and the panic and social and economic dislocation that resulted. As a historian, I was fascinated; lay readers will almost certainly be similarly riveted by these accounts and the eerily familiar tone of the voices.

From 1348 to 1350 Europe was devastated by an epidemic that left between one third and one half of the population dead. Using contemporary writings, this collection of sources traces the calamitous impact of the Black Death in Europe, with particular emphasis on its spread across England from 1348 to 1349. Rosemary Horrox surveys contemporary responses to the plague. The almost universal belief that the plague was an expression of divine anger at the sins of humankind did not preclude the attempts to explain the epidemic in scientific and medical terms or to look for human scapegoats. The sources which are included show some of the social and psychological impact of the plague, chronicle its effects on the late-medieval economy, and illustrate the fear that spread with the disease as well as the diverse ways that such terror influenced social behavior.

Part One focuses on narrative accounts of the plague in Continental Europe and in the British Isles. Part Two examines explanations and responses to the plague, including religious and scientific. Part Three deals with the extraordinary consequences of the plague, its impact and repercussions. Finally the text ends with excellent and up-to-date suggestions for further reading.

Dr. Horrox's text is the most extensive collection of relevant sources in translation and is an invaluable addition to the field. This book should be a part of the personal collection of every serious student of the Medieval period.

I agree with the excellent review already listed here, but I would like to add that the value of the book for a more casual reader (like myself) is having the opportunity to read the reactions to and observation of the plague by people who lived through this terrible period. The reality of their words heightened the reality of the period for me. It is true that some parts of the book were a bit too dense for me (some of the allusions went right over my head), but the rest of the book provides a wonderful insight into the minds and souls of real human beings who still have much to say to those of us living centuries later. Highly recommended--and not just for scholars.

Shows the shape of the politics of the post-Cold War era and how Britain's culture and society are going down the drain. A portrait of weirdos in power in the cultral nomenklatura and a chilling warning. Should be compulsory reading for an understanding of the not-so-brave new world of Cool Britania

Not only British people should read this. It sets out the whole shape of post-Cold War culture, society and politics in the Anglo-Saxon world. If Britain got Blair, the US got Clinton but they are in many ways the same. This book shows how "political wars" have been replaced by "culture wars" and how conservatives are losing. It is original, profound and frightening.

Fascinating view of what is happening in England today. More a social commentary than a political one, but as an account of what is happening to England's traditions, values and culture today it is more horrifying than the exploits of Dr Hannibal Lecter. This is 1984 brought up to date and supported by a wealth of documentation from today's papers and other media - unfortunately unlike 1984 it is true. The author cuts between personal observations (savage on the Diana funeral and the media) and analysis. Also looks at things like films, sport, music, media and children's books as indicators of cultural health.

Throughout this book, Wood stresses the fact that there is absolutely no way to truly apreciate the severity of slavery through recollection, but that it is important to try. It is important to understand just how widespread the phenomenon was, and how this tragedy in human history still resonates loudly within our psyches. One major point of the book is how populations who had been heavily involved in the slave trade, starting with the British and extending to the US North, began to sugar-coat their involvement by airing opinions of moral superiority over others. The best and most famous example being Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin", where Africans who were enslaved actually end up better off than their free African counterparts due to the fact that they become Christian. The slaves were redeemed through their brush with western cutlure (ie slavery). Other examples of visual evidence include the middle passage slave ship diagrams, runaway slave reward notices, inhuman iron helmets and shackles. Each area examined is brought to life by Wood's seemingly unending arsenal of background information and nontrivial ties to art history.
The book's real strength lies in how it can in fact bring the reality of slavery back, to confront western culture with it as something that still lingers, but with an almost Freudian degree of mass-denial. Slavery in the US existed longer than it hasn't, the economic ripple-effect alone should be self-evident. We are still in the wake of this dark era in our culture; Wood puts us on the therapist's couch and makes us remember, rather than suppress, these memories.

this book is incredibly interesting and engaging. Wood is insightful and it is not at all tedious to read. it was throught-provoking and i actually looked forward to reading it. plus, he's a really cool guy.

Dozens of images of archives across Britain and North America on Atlantic slavery are presented in Blind Memory, which provides an artful blend of images and words reflecting 19th century Afro-American slave experiences. Woodcuts, paintings, diaries, short stories and artifacts are examined in this study of visual representations of slavery.

Book hounds planning a visit to London shouldn't leave home without this title in hand: it is a virtual treasure trove listing new and used bookstores, libraries and specialty collections, and auctions, charity shops and more. Hours, tube directions, and specialties are covered in enough detail so any traveler can plan in advance. Indispensable.

I wanted a reference that would help me find the best second hand book shops in London so that I can plan my shopping and browsing whilst I am in that city in February. This book has it all - clear descriptions, addresses and tempting opportunities beyond my initial plans. If you going to London or live in London, and love books then Book Lovers London is perfect for you.

I bought this before a trip to London. It was quite helpful. I came back with an obscene haul of used books from stores I would not have found otherwise. For those interested in books who are going to London this will be a valueable asset to you.

London was our 5th trip with Suzy: as usual she directed us to all the right places and with her usual wit and flair, to boot. You know you have a great source when the husband of the group (who has to carry everything) says that the only guide book for the day will be by Suzy.

The book has been and continues to be an excellent resource for shopping needs. London can be overwhelming -- after all it is the city of shopkeepers -- but following the recommendations in the book have proven successful everytime. I have sent a copy to each of my guests planning to visit London and all have been able to highlight areas of shopping to save time and get what they want. The helpful tips, shortcuts and general information about the markets is fabulous. If planning a trip to London and shopping is on your list of things to do -- don't be caught without the ulitimate shopping guide.

This book alone is worth a ticket to London. Whether you're a power shopper or just want to pick up a few souvenirs, Suzy Gershman has insider secrets for the perfect item at the perfect shop. And she's great fun to read (even if you're not ready to plan a trip yet.) I've used her books in 3 countries, and she's never steered me wrong. In this edition: don't miss Jo Malone, Lush, and tea at Stafford's.

Journalist Jim Corrigan presents The 48th Pennsylvania In The Battle Of The Crater: A Regiment Of Coal Miners Who Tunneled Under The Enemy, the true story of a battle of the American Civil War. When Grant attempted to claim the Confederate railway nexus of Petersburg, Virginia, the resulting stalemate should have been broken by Union commander General Ambrose Burnside's plan to allow the 48th Pennsylvania, a regiment from the mining town of Pottsville, to tunnel under Confederate entrenchments and apply explosives. Yet bickering among the Union leadership, and superb cooperation among the Confederate leadership, led to the Union's downfall at Petersburg and cost an opportunity to bring an early end to the war. The 48th Pennsylvania In The Battle Of The Crater examines the details of this historic conflict with black-and-white photographs, a list of forces in the Battle of the Crater, a table of casualties, a list of soldiers decorated for gallantry, and a wealth of research and detailed notes supporting the meticulous accounting of details. An index rounds out this scholarly and welcome addition to Civil War and military history shelves.

The 48th Pennsylvania in the Battle of the Crater is an interesting, engaging and well-written book. Author Jim Corrigan tells the story in a clear and easy to understand manner. I didn't know much about the Battle of the Crater when I started the book, but my interest never waned. Corrigan keeps you turning the pages with a well-paced style. I enjoyed the background he provided about the major characters, his "big picture" view of the battle, and his presentation of the controversies related to the battle. Additionally, his maps are well done and a valuable aid to readers, particularly those who may not be familiar with the Battle of the Crater. I believe this book will appeal to Civil War aficionados as well as those with a casual interest in this time period. I highly recommend it.

Students of the American Civil War are well aware that General Ulysses Grant called the battle of the Crater the "saddest affair" he had witnessed during the war. On that July day in 1864, Union hopes for a breakthrough at Petersburg dissipated with a bungled and tragic attack on the Confederate lines that had been torn apart with the explosion of some 8,000 pounds of explosives. The battle was the culmination of one of, if not the, most daring and remarkable exploits of the war's eastern theatre: the tunneling under the Confederate lines by a regiment of Pennsylvania troops recruited from Schuylkill County and composed largely of coal miners.
With the 48th Pennsylvania in the Battle of Crater, author Jim Corrigan paints a thoroughly engaging and very fair portrait of the events that led up to the battle and the battle itself. The work is well-balanced in portraying both the Union and Confederate side. Corrigan has done a great job in telling of the remarkable feat performed by the 48th PA in the face of great disadvantage and has made sense of all the complicated military, social, and political factors that occured both before and during the battle.
I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn more about the war in the East and about the 48th Pennsylvania Regiment. This book is an excellent work of history told in a clear and easily understandable manner, despite the many complexities involved in the tunneling and in the battle. Very well-done.

After reading many books from Osbert Sitwell and buying first editions where I found them only now I have a perfect idea about who and what the man was. A splendid book which it was oimpossible to close after beginning. Everybody interested in this family and man should begin with this work. It is well written, humorous in a convincing way and perfectly thrustworthy and gives you by the way for the most important books "the critical heritage".I am sure every reader will after finishing this books start buying those which he has not been reading. Splendid.

Francis Frith was a professional photographer in Great Britain (having already made a substantial fortune with a printing company) from about 1860, and the picture postcard company he founded and which was carried on by his sons and grandsons lasted until 1970. But its heyday was the twenty years either side of 1900 -- the high Victorian and Edwardian eras and on through the Great War -- in which every post office and village shop in the country, it seemed, carried his images of local sights for sale to tourists. Frith's photos are still very popular among collectors and local historians, for he and his assistants set out to record every single view of interest in the whole of England. The huge collection of images the company left behind were well on the way to uncaring destruction when a group of collectors were able to get hold of the surviving items -- "merely" 60,000 original glass plates and a quarter-million prints, now the basis of an unparalleled visual museum of the lives, work, and social mores of the English people over several generations. Ziegler has contributed the text for this collection of some 650 historical photos, which are accompanied by several hundred recent photos of the same views by John Cleare. For the student of modern social history, the result is fascinating, especially when a series of photos of, say, a seaside resort captures visitors from the 1890s, 1920s, 1950s, and late 1990s; in some cases, the clothing styles are the only significant change. Ziegler is generally quite able at providing context and historical discussion -- where the hedgerows went, the difference in status between the topper and the bowler. My only real complaint in that regard is that the captions of the photos much too frequently simply repeat a sentence or two from the text on the same page; under proper editorial guidance, this would have been an opportunity to slip in an additional remark or observation without adding to the book's length.

I was delighted by 'Britain Then & Now,' Philip Ziegler's book on the amazing Francis Frith landscape photos of Victorian Britain, most of which have been updated by superb contemporary color landscape photos by John Cleare, or by landscape views taken in the same position several decades apart, say in 1900, 1920 & 1950. I have almost never seen this 'then & now' format used for sites in Britain, though it has been very frequently used for sites here in the United States. The changes to the landscape over so many decades are stunning, often shocking. Discover, for example, what is hidden behind the garish neon signage of Piccadilly Circus !! Not a book which is likely to please defenders of advertising, modernism, or "the ubiquitous motor vehicle," but which will not only please, but delight the rest of us. Architecture is supposed to be "the most public of the Fine Arts," yet one has to wonder how respectfully Britain's marvelous legacy of this artwork has been treated, after reading this volume.

This book was invaluable in helping me to come up with just the right uniform for my character Edward Ware to don when he shipped out to Gallipoli in 1915. He stands on the docks at Liverpool wearing a Khaki Drill Service Dress uniform made from sand colored twilled cotton cloth. This uniform is pictured on plate B between p 24 and p. 33. This is the sort of book that makes World War I come alive for the reader.Those Who Dream By Day

Well written and worth the price.The one down side is Mr.Chappell still pushes the line that the Germans suffered more losses on the Somme, then the British and French combined. A bitter pill for the British to swallow. German losses were less then 1/3 the total losses of the British and French. This was the estimate of the Britsh War Office after the battle and kept quiet for obvious reasons. The first day alone the loss rate was 18 to 1 in the Germans favor.

It is hard to undersrand why this has yet to be reviewed as it has been out for a while. So here goes.
There is no need to rehash the contents of the publisher's blurb above. Chappel's name is enough to recommend serious consideration of acquiring it.
For those of us who see Mike Chappell's name on a publication know there is not much more to say. He is one of the finest and most respected illustrators working in modern times. His precision of detail is superb, yet there is no stiffness in his figures.
So when I see that Mike Chappell is both writer and illustrator of a work in my fields of interest, I do not hesitate to order it, for I know that I am in for an even more pleasurable hour of good reading of a most reliable work in prose and picture. His prose is just as vigorous as is his art work.
Just as I have with most other works to which he has contributed as either writer (too seldom) or as illustrator, I will put it on the reference shelf and consult it again.
So if you want a book worth reading repeatedly get those he wrote and seriously consider those others to which he has contributed.
At one time, Chappell published a self produced magaxine format series concerning the British Army in the Twentieth Century. Unfortunately they are no longer in print.

This book is divided into six parts, reflecting the various ways that people knew Lewis: Earliest Perspectives (memoirs by those who knew Lewis from the 1920s - contributors include Leo Baker, Alan Bede Griffiths, O.S.B., and A.C. Harwood), Master (people who were acquainted with Lewis as Oxford don - contributors include Erik Routley, Luke Rigby O.S.B., Derek Brewer, John Wain, and Peter Payley), Colleague (fellow dons Adam Fox, Gervase Mathew O.P., and Richard W. Ladborough), Transatlantic Ties (American contributors Charles Wrong, Jane Douglass, Nathan C. Starr, and Eugene McGovern), Much More Than A Tutor (people who knew Lewis outside the classroom - contributors include Walter Hooper, Charles Gilmore, Clifford Morris, George Sayer, Roger Lancelyn Green, Dr. Robert E. Havard, and James Dundas-Grant), and The Essence That Prevails (perspectives about the influence of C.S. Lewis written by A.C. Harwood, Austin Farrer, and Walter Hooper.) Other books that are similar to C.S. Lewis at the Breakfast Table include In Search of C.S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis: Speaker and Teacher, and Light on C.S. Lewis.

This book is a collection of essays regarding C.S. Lewis by those who were acquainted with him at various times in his life. I've returned to reread it, or parts of it, from time to time. The book fills in some gaps for those of us who won't know him personally until we join him on the other side.

How did different people think of C.S. Lewis, the famous radio broadcaster, Oxford tutor, lecturer, and author? This collection of narratives from those who knew the man gives a strong flavoring of his personality and characteristics. Easy to read, organized, and candid, I enjoyed a leisurely reading experience with this book.