What an extraordinary book this is. I haven’t read anything like it before. I do have mixed feelings about the…
I like the sun. It’s very useful, when you think about it. This chunky book by Richard Cohen has pretty…
‘Hail to the lavatory!’ is the first sentence in this eccentric and surprisingly charming book which celebrates the history of…
Are you interested in Russian history? Pianos? Travel? Then get yourself a copy of this stunning book. For two years,…
24th January 1849. Margaret Cullinane, aged 30, was admitted to jail in Cork, Ireland, for stealing potatoes. Her sentence was…
20th August 1898. Thomasine Amelia Lean was admitted to Cornwall County Asylum, Bodmin. She had a husband, Henry, and was…
27th July 1908. In Chelmsford, Essex, a girl was born to Ettie and John Coombe (a prison warder). Cora’s middle…
Today is Queen Victoria’s birthday. We think of her as round and grim, the symbol of empire and the Victorian…
22nd May 1910. Having travelled from Forçados, Nigeria via the African Steamship Company, Gaudah Singh arrived at Liverpool, England. He…
I didn’t actually exist in 1979 to 1982 but I seem to remember those years quite well, due to the…