Ireland's history has long been illuminated, and enlivened, by bizarre, colourful, extravagant, unfettered individuals: ripe country-house eccentrics, saints, scholars, bucks and hell-rakes, duellists, abductors, rhymers and miracle-makers. These factual and fascinating biographical sketches make for 'delightful reading' (Frank Muir).

First published in 1985, Asia’s New Industrial World assesses the power and influence of four key corners of the Far East—Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia.Michael Smith visited Japan, the Far East’s most potent economic force; Jane McLoughlin went to Korea to see a country in transition from deep dependence on traditional heavy industries; Peter Large flew to Singapore, where he found a small nation preparing for a major onslaught into the ‘brain’ industries of...

New York Times 'Could hardly be a more timely parable for our day' Evening Standard 'An engrossing and vivid impression of those terrible days' Sunday Express 'Absorbing. . .an excellent account of the two most fantastic years in London's history' This book chronicles the horror and human suffering of two of the most terrible years in London's long and vivid history. 1665 brought the plague and cries of "Bring Out Your Dead" echoed the city. A year later, the ...

Tyburn is synonymous with the idea of execution - over 50,000 people died there between the twelfth century and 1783. Among those who met their end at Tyburn were William Wallace, the Scottish patriot, Perkin Warbeck, who claimed to be one of the Princes in the Tower and the hated Jonathan Wild, perhaps London's first master criminal. Alan Brooke and David Brandon tell the story of how Tyburn came to be the place of execution and of the rituals and spectacle assoc...

From John O'Groats to Land's End is a remarkable anthology that traverses the length and breadth of Britain, capturing the country's diverse landscape through a rich tapestry of narratives. The collection promises an engaging journey through varied literary styles'Äîfrom vivid travelogues to reflective essays and anecdotal accounts'Äîall woven into a cohesive exploration of Britain's physical and cultural terrain. Particularly notable are pieces that challenge the reader to contemplate the...

This scarce book was first published in 1908 and is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It provides an absorbing insight into the history of a selection of Manchester streets and their occupants - Cheetham Hill Road, Withy Grove, Shuderhill, Rochdale Road, and Oldham Road. A fascinating read for any local historian. With nine full page illustrations. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasing...

The British author embarks on an awe-inspiring trek through 1930s West Africa in " one of the best travel books [of the twentieth] century " ( The Independent).When Graham Greene left Liverpool in 1935 for what was then an Africa unmarked by colonization, it was to leave the known transgressions of his own civilization behind for those unknown. First by cargo ship, then by train and truc...

Journey to the seventeenth century and a dramatic period of political upheaval, plague, and fire, with this "vivid portrait of Restoration England" ( History Today).Inside Pepys' London reveals a vivid picture of London at a critical point in history, as it was poised to become a major center of international commerce and culture. It provides accounts of all aspects of contemporary life, from the arts and entertainment, to politics and religion.

In "The Pilgrims' Way from Winchester to Canterbury," Julia Cartwright embarks on a meticulous exploration of one of England's most storied pilgrimage routes. The text is characterized by its rich descriptive prose and keen historical insights, which elegantly weave together the landscapes, spiritual significance, and cultural nuances that define the pilgrimage. Cartwright's literary style combines narrative storytelling with scholarly rigor, making it accessible yet substantial, firmly si...

This book contains all manner of grim and ancient punishments from London's long and bloody history. Over the centuries, many hundreds have expired inside the capital's dank, rat-infested cells, or whilst 'dancing the Tyburn jig' at the end of a swinging rope, and many of the sites in this book have become bywords for infamy. From the Tower and Newgate prison to the Clink and the Fleet, this book explores London's criminal heritage; also including the stocks and pillories ...

From the arrival of his first ancestor in Dublin in 1560, Simon Loftus traces the fascinating story of his family's heritage in Ireland - piecing together fragments of legend and biography that span over 350 years of Irish history.The background is the colonial conquest of Ireland and the clash of religious and national identity, but the focus is close at hand, familial. The passions and eccentricities, the daily concerns and relationships, the rich dramas and anecdotes of individua...

The Library of Alexandria is an independent small business publishing house. We specialize in bringing back to live rare, historical and ancient Books. This includes manuscripts such as: classical fiction, philosophy, science, Religion, folklore, mythology, history, literature, politics and sacred texts, in addition to Secret and esoteric subjects, such as: occult, freemasonry, alchemy, hermetic, shamanism and ancient knowledge. Our Books are available in digital format. We have approximat...