Reading and Reference Materials
Edited by Jeannette Briggs
From time to time we have the opportunity to review publications, DVDs, videos, maps and so on which relate to the Thames. We list below several which have been of interest to us, for your information. If you have a forthcoming publication which you would like us to review and publicise just send it to The River Thames Guide 100/102 George Lane South Woodford London E18 1AD.
"WINDSOR ABLAZE" by Alexandra Brown and Charles Chapman - Price £9.99
This new book gives an informative account of the events that surrounded the great fire at Windsor Castle in 1992. The fire started inthe Queen's private Chapel and spread with such ferocity that it took 15 hours by dedicated firefighters to get the blaze under control. One fifth of the castle was severely damaged or destroyed altogether, including St George's Hall and nine of the finest rooms in the State Apartments.
However, the story is not all about doom and gloom: thanks to a magnificent salvage operation most of the priceless treasures stored in the castle were saved, and the fire led to the discovery of several architectural gems, including one of the oldest windows in Britain with its original glass still intact, and a 14th century undercroft. The story of the restoration project is also covered. Well illustrated with vivid protographs, this book is a good read for anyone interested in the history of the world's largest continuously inhabited castle.
The book can be ordered from The Lutterworth Press at P.O. Box 60 Cambridge CB1 2NT price £9.99. Tel: 01223 350865 or e-mail sales@lutterworth.com
"DICKEN'S DICTIONARY OF THE THAMES - an unconventional handbook" by Charles Dicken's son Charles Dickens Junior - Price £12.99
Again, this is a super read for anyone like ourselves who loves the river and its history. The book is a fascinating portrait of the River Thames at the height of its late -Victorian prosperity, and it details the world of regattas, fishing, rowing clubs and riverside picnics, and small boats in the upper reaches of the Thames, while down in the London area of the great river the book recounts the story of the huge network of docks, with the comings and goings of the vast number of steamers, tea clippers and barges which serviced what was the World's largest port in Victorian times.
I read and re-read this book and discovered more and more detail about the Thames each time - Charles Dickens junior was clearly blesssed with his father's meticulous eye to detail and ability to describe sights and sounds - and smells! This book also would make a great and unusual Christmas present.
The book can be ordered from www.OldHouseBooks.co.uk Old House Books are at The Old Police Station Pound Street Moretonhampstead Nr Newton Abbot DEVON TQ13 8PA. Thier e-mail address is info@OldHouseBooks.co.uk and their Tel No is: 01647 440707
"THE THAMES FROM THE AIR" A DVD by TRACK-AIR
This is a brand new DVD from Trackair which contains the latest vertical aerial photography covering the non-tidal section of the Thames from its source in the Cotswolds to Kew Bridge. You can also obtain detailed info. on such items as public and private moorings, tourist info. pubs and towns. Once installed on your PC the software allows you to zoom in/out and measure distances, read co-ordinates and print off sheets. A brilliant idea for all lovers of the River Thames area, it will be available from 1 November 2005 at £14.99 plus postage of 75p each.
It can be ordered from http://www.track-air.com/cdproducts.htmlor tel: 01494 531873 What a super idea for a Christmas present..........
You can also e-mail your order on aerostuff@btinternet.com
"THE THAMES - AN ARTIST'S JOURNEY FROM SOURCE TO SEA" - by Ashley Bryant
- Price £25
The accomplished artist Ashley Bryant illustrates the journey of the River Thames from source to sea in this collection of 300 paintings. Those of you who know a little about this fascinating river will be delighted with this book. Published by The Lutterworth Press at £25. Details from www.lutterworth.com
"THAMES BRIDGES FROM DARTFORD TO THE SOURCE" by Neil Davenport
This book is the result of over 40 years' research. The details of the construction of each of the bridges over the Thames is minutely and carefully recorde, and if you are interested in this topic in this sort of depth then you will need to see this book. Published by Silver Link Publishing Ltd at £25. Details from www.nostalgiacollection.com
"WATERS OF TIME"
This DVD is from a documentary film which was made for the Festival of Britain in 1951. It is a poetic celebration of the commercial heritage of the River Thames. It features some fine aerial footage of the Port of London and looks behind-the-scenes of the activities on the Docks. Produced by The Museum of London/Museum in Docklands and available from either museum. Check out www.ddhe.co.uk
"FROST FAIRS ON THE FROZEN THAMES " - by Nicholas Reed Price £7.50
Frost fairs took place on the River Thames for 600 years. This book looks in detail at the activities at these fairs - the feasting and drinking, the roasted oxen on the ice, the fun and activities. With 40 illustrations most of them in colour, this book is a must for people interested in the River Thames.
More details www.lilburnepress.co.uk
"MONET AND THE THAMES" - by Nicholas Reed Price £4.95. This book has been published to mark the centenary of Monet's final visits to London in 1899 to 1901 and includes his paintings of Westminster Bridge, Charing Cross Bridge and the Pool of London with comparative modern views of the same scenes. Both these books are published by: Lilburne Press 22 Athelstan Road FOLKESTONE Kent CT19 6EU Tel: 01303 257659: e-mail: lilburnepress@hotmail .com - Web: www.lilburnepress.co.uk
"CROSSING THE RIVER - THE HISTORY OF LONDON'S THAMES RIVER BRIDGES" -
by Brian Cookson Price £16.99
The history of London's Thames Bridges from Richmond to the Tower of London - published by Mainstream Publishing . ISBN 1-84018 - 976 - 2
"OXFORD THEN AND NOW"
A fascinating selection of images taken from theworks of Henry Taunt, Oxford's most celebrated Victorian photographer. It will appeal to anyone who knows and loves the unique city of Oxford.
Full details form www.suttonpublishing.co.uk : ISBN No 0-7509-4224-X
"OXFORD - THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ATLAS"
This book is an atlas with a difference - Oxford from the sky to give you a bird's eye view of this most famous of University Cities.Published by Collins getmapping and available from bookshops price £20. It can be ordered from www.collins.co.uk
"THE RIVER THAMES BOOK" - price £9.95
Written by Chris Cove Smith this book is a Guide to the Thames fromthe Barrier to Cricklade, and includes diagrammatic sketches of every lock, with technical details such as rise and fall, draught, dimentions, facilities available etc.. It's spiral-bound so a boater can lay it flat on the dashboard of a boat! Published by Imray, price £9.95 and available from most good bookshops including Edward Stamford Long Acre London.
"SOUTHWARK AND THE SOUTH BANK " - an Insight Pocket Guide
This handy little book is a first rate guide to the attractions of the South Bank of the River Thames between Westminster Bridge and the Tower Bridge. Price £4.99 and available from www.insightguideds.com
"STANFORDS MAP OF THE RIVER THAMES" - From Richmond to Lechlade.
"This is a classic of its kind. Published in 1950 by Stanfords it was prepared by Captain O M Watts FRAS on a scale of 1 and a half inches to one mile and is beautifully drawn. Out of print now, but you may be lucky enough to pick up a copy from book fairs or jumble sales if you are keen sighted! I did!
Review by Stephen Worsfold
"WALKING LONDON'S DOCKS RIVES AND CANALS"
"This is a book in the Globetrotter Walking Guides series. It is a super read and inspires you to get out there and to try the walks for yourself! The author Gilly Cameron - Cooper has devised more than 100 miles of walks to explore London's diverse waterways from rural brooks and towpaths to the Docklands and Thames-side wharves. The book helps to explain the waterways history, transport and wildlife and the whole book is enhanced by beautiful photographs and natural history artwork. Visit www.newhollandpublishers.com for details of more books in the series."
Review by Jeannette Briggs
"THE THAMES FROM SOURCE TO SEA"
This is another book which gives you a bird's-eye view of the River Thames from the source to the sea and features some stunning photography from the air. Published by Collins Getmapping and available from bookshops price £25. It can be ordered from www.collins.co.uk
home for over 300 years. Publisher Cicero Books 32 Great Sutton St London EC1V 0NB Price £30.
"BREEZE FOR A BARGEMAN" by Bob Roberts
A book written by a bargeman who gives a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations of carrying cargo under sail on the River Thames. Publisher Seafarer Books at £9.95 - ISBN 0-9542750-6-3
"CROSS RIVER TRAFFIC"
Written by Chris Roberts this book tells the story of London's bridges across the River Thames, how and why they were built, incidents that have occurred on them from ghosts to suicides, and lots of other detail you never knew... Published by Granta Books price £15 and it can be ordered from www.granta.com
"THAMES MEMORIES BROUGHT TO LIFE"
A double CD and map booklet produced as a result of a project undertaken by a Royal Holloway student, this illustrates by sound and the maps two walking tours of contrasting stretches of the River Thames. One walk goes from Hampton Court to Kingston, and the other from the Cutty Sark to the Millennium Dome. The CD can be ordered from www.memorscape.org.uk price £6.99.
"THE WAPPING GROUP OF ARTISTS"
From Seafarer books, an excellent and colourful review of the last 60 years of painting by the Thames. Some of the great works from 20th Century Thames painters. My favourites over a long period include Arthur Burgess, Eric Thorp and Marcus Ford - but there are dozens of others to view.
(reviewed by Stephen Worsfold Feb 06)
UK ISBN 0-9547062-5-0 Available from Seafarer Books 102 Redwald Road Rendelsham Suffolk IP12 2TE
"EXPLORING THE REGENT'S CANAL" by Michael Essex-Lopresti
The Regent's Canal is a famous London waterway which provides transport and pleasure for Londoners today some 175 years after it was built. Dr Essex-Lopresti has written a book which incorporates both the history of the canal and serves as a detailed guide. He has conducted guided walks and lectures about the Canal and the book is well informed. Available from Brewin Books `Studley Warwickshire. price £8.95.
Review by S Worsfold
"FAMILIAR LONDON " - text by Mary Anne Evans,David Boyle,Susie Green and Colin Inman, published by Worth Press Cambridge 2006 ISBN 190302545-1
It's all in the title. The London we all know and love - as it was 100 years ago. Fabulous illustrations and colour reproductions of Rose Barton's paintings from the period. No false economies, no short cuts This is a book for the birthday or Christmas list. Worth every penny.
Review by Stephen Worsfold"
Send your comments to Editor Reading and Reference Materials Section of The River Thames Guide.
The River Thames Guide - November 2007
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