Bøker i Shire Library-serien

An illustrated guide to the history of the famous "Little Ships" and their role in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, which saved hundreds of thousands of British soldiers from capture by German forces. In May 1940, German troops advanced through Holland, Belgium, and France with astonishing speed, forcing the British Expeditionary Force and the French army to retreat to the northeast coast of France. The evacuation plan--Operation Dynamo--was put into effect with the expectation that only about 45,000 men might be rescued. However, by the hasty assembly of a vast armada of disparate vessels (thought to be in the region of 900, of which about 700 were privately owned), 338,226 Allied troops were brought safely back to England. Without the contribution of those Dunkirk Little Ships, as they have come to be known, thousands of British troops would have died on the shores of France, and the ongoing fight against the Axis powers rendered all the more challenging. In this title, Philip Weir reveals the story of all the vessels that undertook this great mission, exploring their general role and individual histories, including their preservation and 'the Little Ships' participation in return runs every five years.

Offers explanations as to why motor manufacturing followed the British motorcycle, bicycle and cotton industries into oblivion. This book chronicles the 109-year life of The Rover Group from its production of hand-made bespoke automobiles for the fortunate few to the arrival of mass production to provide cars for the many.

The Reformation transformed England forever. From peasants in the lanes and fields to the court of Henry VIII, no life was left untouched as the Roman Catholic Church was replaced as the centre of the nation's religious life. Illustrates emergence of European ecclesiastical and political controversy and Tudor dynastic ambition.

There are more than 400 miniature railways in Britain. Some are hidden away and privately owned, others are parkland attractions, and some - such as the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch - are large commercial enterprises. They come in an array of gauges (from 5 inches up to 15 inches and sometimes beyond), but their most definitive characteristic is that they can carry passengers, whether sitting astride the rolling stock or inside enclosed carriages. In this colourfully illustrated guide, David Henshaw offers a concise history of miniature railways from the nineteenth century to the modern day, including a whistle-stop tour of the most notable examples open to the public - including the Ravenglass & Eskdale and Eastleigh Lakeside railways - exploring their layouts, engineering and rolling stock.

Bees existed long before human beings, but our future is perhaps more reliant upon them than any other species. They pollinate 80 per cent of the world's crops and plants, but how much do we really know about them? Small, clever and mysterious, the honeybee in particular has long been celebrated in human culture as a sacred insect, a symbol of the sun, bridging the gap between our world and the next. They are expert communicators, skilled aviators and natural alchemists, turning fresh nectar into sweet, golden honey. They are also in trouble and need our help. This beautifully illustrated guide explores the honeybee's historic relationship with humans, the basics of beekeeping, and how we can help save the bees' dwindling population.

A brief history of the design and use of railway carriages in the UK, ideal for those interested in railway and social history.Evolving from the horse-drawn stage coaches that they soon eclipsed, railway carriages steadily grew in sophistication so that by the end of the nineteenth century the railway passenger traveled in comfortable rolling stock of a design familiar to many until the 1960s. While modern trains look different from those built more than a century ago, even today the facilities are not so dissimilar from those enjoyed by our Victorian ancestors.This book describes the development of the railway carriage from those early days to the present, highlighting some of the key developments in the history, design and construction of carriages. It also looks at the innovations that made life easier for the passenger, such as the introduction of heating, lavatories, and restaurant and buffet facilities, as well as the differences in comfort between the various classes of traveler.

Guides the reader through the intricacies of identifying a piece of lace, listing and illustrating the points to look for in each lace. This book covers a range of lace from different parts of the world, selecting for examination of those major types which the collector or dealer is most likely to come across or hear about.

Surveys the history of bell production and the development of moulding and casting techniques. This book describes the intricate tuning process and the role of the bellfounder. It contains photographs that illustrate the production process of some of the famous foundries in Britain, such as those at Whitechapel and Loughborough.

With 16.5 million built between 1908 and 1927, the Model T Ford was, until overtaken in the 1970s by the Volkswagen Beetle, the most popular car in automotive history. Illustrated with photographs from the Ford archives, this album charts the model's 19 year evolution and explains how this quirky, ingenious motor car put the world on wheels.

The hop has been intimately involved in social history for many centuries. This book examines hop's history since the earliest times, describing the traditional tools of the trade, the growers, the pickers and those whose versatile skills have through the centuries made the hop industry a success.

Deals with the extraction methods of various types of stone and the rise and slow decline of quarrying across the UK. This book covers some of the most famous and notable quarrying sites.

After the close of the First World War, the British motorcycle industry rose to prominence as British motorcycles became almost unbeatable in competitions. However, a shortage of these new model bikes pushed prices to a premium and most people were forced to settle for pre-war designs.

Originating in Europe, garden gnomes made the leap across the channel in the nineteenth century, where they were welcomed warmly by wealthy Brits who saw them as the must-have garden accessory. This title provides the intriguing story of gnomes and how they have come to reside in the flowerbeds of gardens across Britain.

The red double decker bus is one of the enduring images of London. Although now increasingly replaced by modern bendy buses, the classic rear-entrance double-decker still appears on postcards, keyrings, t-shirts and other tourist souvenirs. This title takes a trip back in time to explore the story of the London bus, from horse-drawn to bendy bus.

Before World War II, Brooklands was the most famous motor racing venue in the world, attracting large and glamorous crowds to its banked circuit to watch races being won and records being broken. This title helps you discover the history of this sporting site, from its heyday as a motoring treasure to its wartime service in aviation production.

A story of the road to Dunkirk, the development of Fortress Britain and the rearming of the army to open the 'Second Front' in Europe. It explains what it was like to serve in the desert, on the long road that led to victory in Alamein, and of the battles against the Japanese in the Far East.

Offers a survey of the different kinds of toy steam engines of the stationary type, and especially those produced during the heyday of steam toys between 1900 and 1930. This book explains how the engines work, gives advice about operating and maintaining them, and contains useful information about identifying and dating vintage models.

The nineteenth century saw huge changes in design and technology. This book looks at the social history of rooms in the Victorian home and at how, thanks to industrialised mass production, people were empowered to make choices about how to decorate their homes.

Fern Fever was popular in Britain between 1837 and 1914. This book looks at the how the craze developed, the ways in which ferns were incorporated into garden and home, and the spread of the fern through Victorian material and visual culture.

Steam, and then cumbersome motor, tractors existed in small numbers before 1914. The rivals of Ford brought in novelties such as diesel engines, pneumatic tyres, and hydraulic implement lifts. After the Second World-War, an indigenous tractor industry was led by Ferguson, David Brown, Nuffield and Ford. This book highlights these developments.

In the late 1930s, when war seemed inevitable and it was realised that aerial attack would be the greatest threat posed by any coming conflict, the government established a volunteer organisation - Air Raid Precautions or ARP - that would stand at the centre of the wartime civil defence. This book presents the history of members of the ARP.

As millions of young men marched off to war, they left behind mothers, wives and sisters who were determined to contribute to the British cause. They were first enrolled as nurses to treat wounded soldiers. Later in the war they were accepted into the armed services. This book looks at the realities and myths of the women's role in the war effort.

The evolution of beekeeping can be traced in the changing shape of the beehive and in the various structures used to house and protect it. However, these older structures gradually fell into disuse. This book discusses these forgotten beehives, and explains the important role they played in the development of beekeeping.

Green men are figures or heads that were carved in churches, abbeys and cathedrals from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries. This book discusses the origins and definitions of these figures and traces their many declines and revivals throughout history. It is suitable for any church history enthusiast.

With the aid of stringy glue and scalpel-sliced fingers, young and old have turned display cabinets and bedrooms into mini-museums, or tiny battlefields. This book looks at the tale of Airfix, the British company which is a pioneer in the world of modelling, its products, its changing fortunes over the years, and its links with popular culture.

Prefabricated corrugated-iron buildings have been manufactured in Britain since the middle of the nineteenth century. Structures ranging from humble cottages to substantial churches, and from halls to hospitals and hotels, have since then been produced, packed and consigned to destinations at home and abroad. Though often regarded as cheap and temporary, these buildings are an expression of a progressive and vital chapter in the history of Britain's construction industry. First used in 1829, corrugated-iron has become a familiar element in vernacular architecture and construction, bringing its particular character and colour to landscapes both rural and urban. The author draws on a wide range of research to highlight the significance, in Britain and across the world, of these oft-overlooked structures.

"Gargoyles".

"Football: A Short History".

"British Motorcycles of the 1960s and '70s".