Book reviews

HADRIAN’S WALL, HISTORY AND GUIDE, by Guy De La Bedoyere. Published by Amberley, Stroud, Gloucestershire (www.amberley-books.com). £18.99. Softback.

IN what is described as the first detailed guide to be written for many years, the author, a historian and archaeologist who has written many books on Roman Britain, grabs the reader’s attention early in his foreword. He points out ...


NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD: SHAPING THE CITY, by Peter Hetherington. Published by RIBA Publishing, 15 Bonhill Street, London EC2P 2EA (www.ribabookshops.com). £19.95. Hardback.

THIS highly readable and enlightening account of the development of the ‘twin cities’ separated by the Tyne gorge is written by The Guardian’s former northern and regional affairs editor. The first two chapters describe the ...


A HISTORY OF ALSTON MOOR, by Alistair Robertson. Published by Hundy Publications, available from the author at Ashleigh House, Nenthead Road, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3SN. £13.50 (includes p&p). Softback.

WHILE this second, enlarged edition traces the history of an area lying just within Cumbria, the author points out that it contains the source of the River South Tyne and has been part of the Church of England diocese of Newcastle ...


BACKBONE OF ENGLAND: LIFE AND LANDSCAPE ON THE PENNINE WATERSHED, by Andrew Bibby. Published by Frances Lincoln Ltd, London (www.franceslincoln.com). £8.99. Softback.

THE author of this informative and entertaining book walks the Pennines along the route of the watershed which separates the streams and rivers flowing westwards to the Irish Sea from their counterparts heading in the opposite ...


NORTHUMBERLAND VIEWPOINTS, by Stan Beckensall. Published by Amberley, Stroud, Gloucestershire (www.amberley-books.com). £17.99. Softback.

ONE of Northumberland’s best known historians and archaeologists, the author follows the courses of the rivers Tyne, Aln and Tweed and delves into a cluster of estates with castles at Chillingham, Ford and Etal, to provide a vivid ...


THE HAUNTING OF WILLINGTON MILL, by Michael J. Hallowell and Darren W. Ritson. Published by The History Press, Stroud, Gloucestershire (www.thehistorypress.co.uk). £9.99. Softback.

SUBTITLING the book ‘The Truth Behind England’s Most Enigmatic Ghost Story’, the writers who specialise in the paranormal have pieced together the true story of Willington Mill near Wallsend which, during the 19th century, ...


NATURE ADVENTURES, by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom. Published by Frances Lincoln, London (www.franceslincoln.com). £12.99. Hardback.

THIS children’s book from Berwick-based award-winning artist Brita Granstrom and her illustrator-naturalist husband Mick Manning is a nature adventure to encourage families to explore the beauty and diversity of the natural ...


IF GOD HAD GRANTED ME A SON, by Father Phil Hughes. Available from the author (email:p.hughes1@btinternet.com). £10. Softback.

THIS appreciation of the life and works of the 17th century writer Richard Crashaw contains selected verses from his inspirational metaphysical poetry. Proceeds from book sales will be given to The Cardiomyopathy Association and the ...


ALEX GLASGOW: JOE LIVES! and NORTHERN DRIFT. Double CD distributed by MWM Records (www.mawson-wareham.com). £15.

THE one-man play ‘Joe Lives!’, written by Alex Glasgow in 1971, is about the life and times of 19th century Tyneside bard Joe Wilson who composed many local songs including the famous ditty, ‘Keep Yor Feet Still’. The custom ...


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