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Scramble for Crowns
At the start of the modern era, almost every European country was a monarchy – but today they are clearly a minority. What has caused this dramatic change? In Scramble for Crowns, Mark Antony Shead considers this question and more as he looks at a range of royals from across the continent and sees who seized, kept or lost their crowns, or attempted to make or recreate one for themselves. And once they had a crown, what next? How would Europe’s modern royals react in a crisis? Their actions could strengthen or undermine their monarchy and their country; but sometimes they seemed almost powerless against the greater forces at work in the modern world.
Europe’s kings and queens, emperors and princes, have faced assassination, revolutions and wars. And in challenging times, would they see dictatorship as something to be embraced or overcome? Some would have the opportunity to shape the future of their country, only for their objectives to be fatally brought to a sudden halt. By the end of this book, the reader can begin to see for themselves which of these royals would come out on top in modern Europe’s scramble for crowns.
£14.99 -
Robin Hood - The Truth Behind the Legend
The story of Robin Hood is very well known. Writers and historians have been reading and rewriting it, analysing, and altering it since Ritson published his version in 1795, more than 200 years ago. The story has been published in many forms, including books, films, TV and radio programmes, articles held in the World Wide Web and probably many others. As far as can be ascertained, they all have two things in common: they all contain many errors and they all fail to explain a number of mysteries.
In his book, Geoff Wilson has corrected many of the errors and has explained many of the mysteries. This he has done by accessing many surprising sources of evidence, including, for example, the British Geological Survey, aerial photography and by following on foot several of Robin Hood’s journeys described in the ballads. Practical tests were also carried out. The author’s sons (both quite young at the time) were encouraged to shout at the top of their voices in one particular location to test if sounds do in fact echo in the valleys. They do.
Among the mysteries solved are the identities of Sir Richard at the Lee and the location of Verysdale and the Village of Lee. The ‘fayre castell’ described in the Gest is also identified, as is the chapel in Barnsdale dedicated to Mary Magdalene and described in stanza 440 of the Gest. One mystery which remains unresolved, however, is the identity of Robin himself. Perhaps he is, after all, just a yeoman named Robin Hood, although the claims of an alternative candidate are seriously considered.
£9.99 -
Robin Hood - The New Evidence
The story of Robin Hood is very well known. Writers and historians have been reading and rewriting it, analysing and altering it since Ritson published his version in 1795, more than 200 years ago. The story has been published in many forms, including books, films, TV and radio programs, articles held in the World Wide Web and probably many others. As far as can be ascertained, they all have two things in common: they all contain many errors and they all fail to explain a number of mysteries.
In his book, Geoff Wilson has corrected many of the errors and has explained many of the mysteries. This he has done by accessing many surprising sources of evidence, including, for example, the British Geological Survey, aerial photography and by following on foot several of Robin Hood’s journeys described in the ballads. Practical tests were also carried out. The author’s sons (both quite young at the time) were encouraged to shout at the top of their voices in one particular location to test if sounds do in fact echo in the valleys. They do.
Among the mysteries solved are the identities of Sir Richard at the Lee and the location of Verysdale and the Village of Lee. The ‘fayre castell’ described in the Gest is also identified, as is the chapel in Barnsdale dedicated to Mary Magdalene and described in stanza 440 of the Gest. One mystery which remains unresolved, however, is the identity of Robin himself. Perhaps he is, after all, just a yeoman named Robin Hood, although the claims of an alternative candidate are seriously considered.
£17.99 -
Rhyme and Reason
Why was a baby in a treetop? Who was Georgie Porgie, the little boy blue, Mary Mary? Little Jack Horner’s family continued to enjoy the plum property he took from those intended for Henry VIII, until the 20th century.
The 20 rhymes in this book show how parliament and king battled over taxation, the authority of kings, religion. Humpty played a part in the English Civil War.
Gain an understanding of history from medieval times through to the 1700s through these rhymes and their stories.
Understand how a nursery rhyme we recite today started life as a political comment and was passed down through the years until now we have forgotten the politics.
Parents, grandparents, and teachers will find the origin of these rhymes fascinating.
£6.99 -
Review of China's Population and Family Planning Programs
The book provides a general review of the processes of social-economic and population development of the Chinese society from 1949 to 2021, the interactions between the two, and a detailed study of the economic and population policies at different stages of social development.
Based on legal documents and policies, plenty of historical facts and personal experiences, the book reveals a vivid representation of what happened in that difficult era, especially how greatly the Chinese people suffered in the strict implementation of the enforced birth control policies, as well as the wounds and scars in their human bodies, traumas and grief deep in their psyche. All those have resulted in serious problems and have a profound impact on China’s economic and population development.
£9.99 -
Poppy Fields, Prime Ministers, Poker and PTSD – A Life No Less Ordinary
From Arctic tundra to desert sands, soaring through skies and scaling mountain peaks, this is the riveting story of a helicopter crew-member who defied every environment. Navigating perilous missions at a mere 50 feet and reaching supersonic speeds, this brave aviator faced everything from enemy fire to mortar attacks.
Embarking on diverse operations, from lifesaving humanitarian missions to daring raids, and executing complex casualty evacuations, he embodied the unwavering dedication of helicopter aircrews. Along the way, he encountered a captivating cast of characters, from world leaders and high-ranking military officials to unexpected encounters with a CEO and a curious NCO with an unusual request.
Prepare for a thrilling adventure that spans the globe, where the scent of war lingers amidst the grit, grime, and bloodshed, only to be followed by uproarious laughter at the hilariously absurd tales of life in the forces. But beyond the adrenaline-fueled exploits, this book also delves into the uncharted territory of mental health, providing an intimate firsthand account of the daily battles faced by service personnel and veterans alike.
Join this remarkable journey that uncovers the extraordinary experiences of a helicopter aircrew, and gain a deeper understanding of the courage, camaraderie, and resilience that define the lives of those who serve. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as you navigate the highs and lows of this gripping memoir.
£10.99 -
Pierre Poivre and the Networking Naturalists
Although climate change is seen as a very 21st-century concern, back in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century naturalists around the world in places as far apart as Mauritius in the Indian ocean and St Vincent in the Caribbean were becoming aware of what they referred to as desiccation, the drying of the land and absence of rainfall due to the cutting down of large swathes of forest trees.
This book traces the connections between those naturalists, scientists and men of letters to reveal the surprising truths that they discovered and which must inspire us to follow the trail they blazed.£8.99 -
Palestine: From Balfour Declaration to Oslo Accords
The last hundred years have been the witness of the battles between the Jews and Palestinians and this has posed a big challenge before the world to establish peace on the region. This seed of conflict emerged around the beginning of 20th century. This book discusses various facts in regard to the origin of the conflict from the beginning of 20th century till its last decade. During this time, the world community saw many facets of the Palestinian-Jewish conflict. One major outcome was the emergence of Israel as a nation. Eventually, Palestinians experienced that they lost their original identity and hence they started their struggle to establish themselves as an independent nation. The book is attempted objectively and the facts are presented in a chronological manner which reveals the ancient historical events, further explaining the criticality of the topic. This book shall help history scholars and general readers of history who are interested in the facts of Middle Eastern history.
£9.99 -
One October Day in Peking: The Japanese Surrender
In WW2 the United States and its Allies supported China against Japan. Now, 76 years later, the United States and its Allies, including Japan, are supporting Taiwan against China’s threat to invade it. Could this be the spark that ignites WW3?
£8.99 -
Nicholas and Alexandra Majesties and Massacre
This is a book about love, life and death set in Russia, during Czar Nicholas the II’s reign. It commences at the end of the 19th century with his father’s burial and his subsequent inheritance of the Crown – with absolute power. His reign is underpinned by the strong love between him and his wife Alexandra and overshadowed by the presence of Rasputin.
But his unwise decisions lead to chaos, including the Khadynka Tragedy, Bloody Sunday, 1905 revolution and the Czar’s abdication. His family is imprisoned, first in Tobolsk and then in Ekaterinburg, and the story concludes with the communists obtaining power and executing the entire royal family.
Become entangled in the tales of love, hate, conflict, sex, treachery, and murder between the characters. Dive into a horrifying historical moment from one hundred years ago and experience for yourself life at a crucial turning point in Russia’s bloody history.
£9.99 -
Munich Why?
This is a fascinating, cold-case review of the 1938 Munich agreement. There were five major players: Britain, France, Germany, Russia and Czechoslovakia. For the Czechs it was a disaster. In 1939, the Germans marched into Prague. The Czechs were to lose their independence for some 50 years. In Britain, Chamberlain was the self-appointed spokesman for the Czechs. He was simply found wanting because he never appeared to have the slightest understanding of Hitler’s dishonesty. The French were led by corrupt and incompetent politicians who had treaty obligations to the Czechs which they were determined, at all costs, to avoid being required to honour. The Germans were the villains of the act. Hitler was determined to smash the Czechs and “to remove the tribes of Bohemia and Moravia into reservations in Siberia and Wolhynia (a marshy part of Poland).”
“Ethnic cleansing” had not then entered the English language. Russian foreign policy was famously described by Churchill as “a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma.”
£9.99 -
London's Firefighters
London's Firefighters is a wonderfully readable, lavishly illustrated
anthology of articles, fiction and verse about the London Fire Brigade,
most of it gathered from the Brigade's house magazines London Fireman
(1966-82) and London Firefighter (1982-2005).
The book's editor David C. Pike, himself a retired firefighter, has cleverly
selected material that delivers both a comprehensive history of the
London Fire Brigade and a fascinating portrait of individual firemen
and women, at work and (occasionally) at play. The book includes
vivid, occasionally harrowing articles on important events involving the
Brigade - the Sidney Street Siege of 1911, the London Blitz and the 1981
Brixton riots, to name just a few - as well as covering key figures within
the Brigade like James Braidwood and Massey Shaw. The more personal
sections provide a revealing insight into the bravery, commitment and
camaraderie of ordinary working firefighters and their families.
The numerous, often highly dramatic illustrations, many from the London
Fire Brigade's own collection, offer a lively commentary on the text.
All the profits from this book will go to the Fire Service charity,
Firemen Remembered.
David Pike was a London firefighter for more than 30 years, retiring at
senior rank in 1996. His first book, Beyond the Flames, was published by
Austin Macauley in 2013.
‘A fascinating peek into the world of the London Fire Brigade. A finalist
and highly recommended.'
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2014/15, on Beyond the Flames£19.99