The Story series Archives - The History Press

The Cunard Story

Molly Nattrass — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:01:36 +0000

Since 1840, Cunard ships have been transiting the North Atlantic with speed, grace and elegance. These great ships helped to populate nations, served during both world wars and have transported millions of passengers, amongst them celebrities, politicians and royalty. Through tales of ships such as Britannia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Aquitania and the immortal Queens, The Cunard Story gives readers an insight into the heritage of this historic line. Today the Cunard Line operates a fleet of modern ships, offering passengers exciting and varied itineraries to exotic locations across the globe. The Cunard Story is a must-have for all maritime historians and ocean-travellers, especially those with affection for this historic line and its grand vessels.

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The World War II Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:43:57 +0000

In September 1939, Hitler’s Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Thus began the greatest armed struggle in history. Within days of the invasion, Germany was at war with France, Great Britain and much of the Commonwealth, but by the end of 1941 – by which time Japan and the United States had been plunged into war – the conflict had engulfed virtually the entire planet. World War II witnessed the mobilisation of more than 100 million military personnel. Here was ‘total war’ on a scale never previously experienced by any of the countries involved. The conflict eclipsed everything: industry, technology, the economy and home life. It transformed the lives of an entire generation of men and women, who grew up under the shadow of violence, separation and loss. It was also fought in every conceivable terrain and theatre, from the arctic conditions of the Soviet winter to the tropical landscape of the Pacific islands, with the battle for seas and skies being equally brutal. By the time it ended in September 1945, World War II had claimed the lives of more than 50 million people, and it witnessed the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare to this day. The World War II Story charts the dramatic narrative of the conflict from its first shots to its final apocalyptic end.

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The Battle of Britain Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:02:41 +0000

The summer of 1940 witnessed the greatest air battle in history, as the men Winston Churchill dubbed ‘The Few’ fought over the skies of Britain to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority, which would have paved the way for Hitler to invade our island. Graham Pitchfork charts the development of the epic battle fought by Fighter Command as it reacted to the changes in the Luftwaffe’s strategy, reaching a climax on 15 September before finally coming to a conclusion in October 1940. In addition to the exploits of the pilots in the air, the contribution of the many ground organisations that played such a crucial role is also highlighted in this lavishly illustrated book.

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The Range Rover Story

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:02:36 +0000

It’s easy to forget that the original Range Rover, launched in 1970, created the luxury sport-utility vehicle market from scratch. A marvel of British ingenuity developed on a shoestring budget, it was the first four-wheel drive car that was as happy on tarmac as it was on rocky terrain. It truly blazed a trail for a worldwide motoring trend. The Range Rover Story is a timely and concise reminder of all that Range Rover has achieved since a tight-knit group of engineers first turned their thoughts to something ground-breaking.

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The Jaguar Story

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 04:02:07 +0000

The Jaguar name is synonymous with style, power, performance, luxury and an intangible element of Britishness. It’s hard to imagine its humble origins in a Blackpool backstreet as the Swallow Sidecar Company. Jaguar Cars was formed in 1945, and the metamorphosis began: superb engines, knockout design, epic racing victories and thrilling sports saloons followed. Over the years it has become a living legend. Here, Giles Chapman captures the astounding story of this iconic car company with a collection of beautiful pictures.

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The Lighthouse Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:23:40 +0000

All civilisations have faced the challenges of trading by sea: storms, bad weather, and the hazards of cliffs and other natural landmarks that threaten their safe passage into ports and harbours. To guard against this, their people built lighthouses – first as simple fires on hillsides, but soon these turned to grand towers and buildings that cycled through each scientific advancement as it came. Lighthouses have now become part of the landscape. Aided by beautiful photographs from all four corners of the British Isles, Nicholas Leach presents the story of the lighthouse and its development, from the earliest lights to the modern navigational aids.

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The Fishing Boats Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:14:26 +0000

Britain has a history of producing and using a wonderful array of fishing boats, some of which still sail under private ownership. These older vessels developed in their own unique ways, dependent on local traditions, the type of fishing, their place of operation and innovation from fishermen and boatbuilders alike. Later, with motorisation, they changed dramatically through the steam era until the advent of the internal combustion engine. Today fishing boats old and new attract scores of people to fishing harbours everywhere, inspired by picturesque scenes, the life on board or the new breed of vessels with their modern technology in an ever-increasing competitive market.

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The SR-71 Blackbird Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:35:34 +0000

Perhaps no other aircraft in aviation history has been such a well-kept secret as the United States’ Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. This cutting-edge aircraft took the art of aerial spying to an unprecedented level and did it all from highly clandestine high-speed spy missions over Communist nations during the late 1960s and 1970s. With the help of breath-taking photographs, Mark Chambers tells the fascinating story of this truly unique aircraft’s design and development as well as its famous and ingenious designer Mr Clarence ‘Kelly’ Johnson.

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The Wright Brothers Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:44:03 +0000

The creative and technological genius of the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, led to the first powered and controlled flight. Born in Ohio, USA, the brothers’ fascination with flight began at an early age. Their first powered aeroplane, ‘The Wright Flyer’, was tested at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Wilbur’s first flight was on 14 December 1903, but quickly stalled and crashed. Three days later, after repairs, Orville flew to 540ft and landed safely after 12 seconds; this was the first powered flight in aviation history. Packed with facts, figures and little-known details, this book charts the triumphs and tragedies of the Wright brothers as they set about making history together.

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The English Castles Story

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:56:52 +0000

It was not until after the Norman Conquest that British castles, as we think of them today, came into being. Before this point, the only fortifications in England were Iron Age hill forts surrounded by deep trenches and timber palisades. More so than anything else, the English castle symbolises the long and tumultuous struggle for dominance and control in a realm where the threat of invasion or attack was never far away. From Corfe Castle, where Lady Mary Bankes defended her home against besieging Parliamentarians, to the Tower of London, where Sir Walter Raleigh conducted chemical experiments whilst in prison, to the photogenic castle at Alnwick, which provided the setting for the wizards’ school in the Harry Potter films, these great strongholds powerfully evoke the rich and varied history of the English nation. In this beautifully illustrated book full of little-known facts, Marc Alexander reveals the turbulent story of English castles such as Windsor and Warwick, featuring colourful photographs and fascinating anecdotes.

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