This has to be the ultimate POW escape story and the ultimate aviation restoration/replication story. It has been nicely written and well-illustrated. The big surprise, beyond the actual flight, is that there are now several replicas of the Colditz Cock glider. This has to appeal strongly to aviation enthusiasts, replica builders, historians, and WWII enthusiasts, but the readership is likely to be much wider because its a great story of triumph against the odds and the indefatigability of the human spirit, very highly recommended.

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Great Britain has made a very poor job of preserving its historic warships. This is all the more amazing in view of the immense contribution made by the Royal Navy to the growth of Great Britain and the establishment of the first truly global Empire, linked by the sea routes, protected by RN warships. This delightful book provides a beautifully illustrated review of the only WWII RN destroyer to be preserved for future generations to visit. The work is lavishly illustrated, in full colour, through the body of the book and could be considered a photo essay, although it contains a great deal of information also in text. Affordable and enjoyable, strongly recommended.

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As it says on the jacket, this is a photographic record of an RAF fighter station from the Battle of Britain to D-Day and beyond. It is however also accompanied by some well-written text that probably amounts to almost 50% of the page space. An emotive record of the young men and their machines operating from RAF Westhampnett. Will appeal strongly to all those followers of WWII history and the air war in Europe, recommended.

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This book was published in 1989, in an apparently short print run. At launch it was a high priced book and is likely to command a currently high price if a copy can be found in a specialist book shop, or at auction. With a foreword by HRH Duke of Edinburgh, very high quality photography and production, it should be highly collectable today. This is the sort of book that every gun enthusiast and royal follower wants to own. Well worth the time of searching specialist book dealers.

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The 19th Century saw an explosion of rail building in the British Isles. By the end of the Century, it was possible to travel by train to almost every part of the mainland. This enabled people who had previously travelled rarely and for short distances to speed up and down the British Isles and to enjoy some of the most fantastic scenery. This delightful book is lavishly illustrated throughout with monochrome and full colour images, a visual treat.

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This is an extraordinary story of a great patriot and philanthropist who has, until now, escaped the attention of historians. Her reach and generosity are amazing, although perhaps of the time she lived in and the society in which she grew. An outstanding story of an outstanding woman, Highly Recommended.

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Nelson and Emma Hamilton became a great scandal and, after Nelson’s death in battle, Emma was ostracised by society and died in poverty. There have been many attempts by historians to explain the relationship and to place it in perspective as a part of the life of one of Great Britain’s naval heroes. An interesting and sympathetic account succeeds where others have failed, recommended reading.

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The author was one of a handful of historic novel writers who were the best at writing stories set in the Napoleonic Wars, covering naval history, His best selling Ramage series sits with the best writers of the genre. He did however write a number of stand-alone books, both fiction and non-fiction. This book was a landmark publication that traced the development of the gun from its earliest days to the mid 20th Century. Long out of print, it requires diligence to search out a copy and the price may be high. Some years ago, a copy was sold at auction for the equivalent of £1000. This is a book that any gun enthusiast would value and well-worth the effort of searching for a copy.

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The author has re-embarked on his privileged journey as a youthful enthusiast into a career in the railways. There is a second volume promised to take the story on from the 1960s to today. Together, the two volumes will make a unique account of railway life and technology. This first volume is a fascinating insight into what is now something of a lost world, but still a world of dreams and love of steam. Strongly recommended.

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This lavishly illustrated book naturally carries a higher cover price because of the cost of illustration and production, but it is well worth it. There is appropriate text in the form of introductions and extended captions. Very highly recommended.

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