Monthly Archives: February 2012

Anne Hughes: Her Boke

Posted on February 29, 2012 by bookvolunteer

The text of this diary, which may date from the late 18th century, was originally published in the Farmers Weekly in 1937. It is an interesting commentary on county life. There is plenty of cooking: honey wine, bacon, baking a … Continue reading →

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Mots d’Heures: Gousse, Rames The d’Antin Manuscript

Posted on February 28, 2012 by bookvolunteer

At first glance this is a scholarly work, incomprehensible to all but students of early French. Each page has a short rhyme, heavily annotated, and is illustrated with woodcuts. The introduction makes reference to Nostradamus, The Divine Comedy and Rabelais. There is, however, … Continue reading →

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The Rise and Fall of the Sleeve 1825-1840 by Naomi Tarrant

Posted on February 27, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This slim paperback presents British fashion as it developed between 1825 to 1840. Personally I find it amazing that anyone can acquire so much specialist knowledge that they  write interestingly about the  changing shape of women’s sleeves over a 15 … Continue reading →

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Landscape by Paul Caponigro

Posted on February 23, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Paul Caponigro is an  American photographer who has taught photography at Boston University and who has photographs in many galleries world-wide. This paperback book, published in 1975, contains 74 full page black and white photographs, mainly taken in the USA but many … Continue reading →

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For Esme with Love and Squalor by J D Salinger

Posted on February 22, 2012 by bookvolunteer

As you can see from the photo, this is an old paperback. It is actually very close to disintegration. Its cheap paper pages have become brown and brittle and I have read it by peering into the ‘V’ shape of … Continue reading →

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East Cheshire Walks from Peak to Plain

Posted on February 18, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Here is a book that everyone living in this area should already own. If you have recently moved here, or if your original copy is falling apart, you have a chance to save this one from a sad fate and … Continue reading →

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The Oxford Book of Children’s Verse edited by Iona and Peter Opie

Posted on February 17, 2012 by bookvolunteer

A QUIZ Here are the first lines of some children’s poems. Can you add the second line, or even complete the poem? Matilda told such dreadful lies, If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse’s feet, ‘Bunches of grapes,’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Building Construction by W B McKay

Posted on February 16, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Are you renovating a pre-war building, as an architect, builder or skilled DIYer?  These books give practical guidance on both design and choice of materials. They combine technical but friendly text with wonderful drawings clearly showing how to create traditional features. In reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, History, Manchester | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Daily Express Encyclopaedia 1934

Posted on February 14, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Have you seen the film, ‘The Iron Lady’? Did you notice the bookcase behind Mrs Thatcher’s desk? The books are all date-appropriate law books and bought from Oxfam’s Bookbarn in Huddersfield. I’ve a feeling that this set of Daily Express … Continue reading →

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English Folk-Songs for Schools

Posted on February 13, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This book of fifty-three English folk-songs was originally published in 1906  to meet the requirements of The Board of Education.The songs were personally collected and arranged by S Baring Gould and Cecil Sharpe but the words were possibly altered where considered too rude for school children. … Continue reading →

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