Monthly Archives: November 2012

Water in a Small Garden by John Carter, published by RHS

Posted on November 17, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This book promises ‘simple steps to success’ and, from my experience, it’s definitely worth having a go. We sited our little pond  by the vegetable patch so that we could attract frogs and toads to eliminate the slugs and snails … Continue reading →

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I Wish I’d been There edited by Hollinshead and Rabb

Posted on November 16, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This book is sub-titled ‘Twenty historians bringing to life dramatic events that changed the world’, and the photographs here will give you the names of the historians (on the front) and the events (on the back). Regard this as a … Continue reading →

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Ruskin’s Drawings in the Ashmolean Museum by Nicholas Penny

Posted on November 14, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Since writing this book as a keeper at the Ashmolean Nicholas Penny has been appointed to the post of Director of the National Gallery but he started his career here in the North West, as a teacher at Manchester University. It is … Continue reading →

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The Arabian Nights retold by Amabel Williams-Ellis

Posted on November 13, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Amabel Williams-Ellis first introduced me to the Arabian Nights and it wasn’t until I opened this copy that I remembered how much Pauline Baynes’ illustrations had contributed to my enjoyment of the tales. I’m tempted to read them all again. … Continue reading →

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A History of Working Watercraft of the Western World by Thomas C Gillmer

Posted on November 12, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This beautiful book, generously illustrated with hundreds of photographs and drawings has been written by a naval architect, based on Spa Creek- Annapolis, with a passion for his subject, and the sea. In this wide-ranging survey there are 37 pages … Continue reading →

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The Gardening Expert Books by Dr D G Hessayon

Posted on November 10, 2012 by bookvolunteer

We have recent editions of the best selling gardening books in history. David Gerald Hessayon, is not a name many gardeners recognise, but most of us have a few of his ‘Expert’ series books and I bet they are more … Continue reading →

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Well Remembered Friends – Eulogies on celebrated lives collected by Angela Huth

Posted on November 9, 2012 by bookvolunteer

I know that John Murray is no longer an independent publishing house, but I still look out for John Murray books and can’t resist an extra glance with the expectation that they will probably appeal to me. This book did. At Oxfam … Continue reading →

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The Stanleys of Alderley – Their letters edited by Nancy Mitford

Posted on November 7, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This rare book gives a lively picture of the Stanley family when they lived in their house of sixty bedrooms and six entertaining rooms on the Alderley Park estate (which now houses the AstraZeneca complex). Nancy Mitford introduces the family … Continue reading →

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Things my Mother should have told me – The Best of Good Housekeeping 1922-1940

Posted on November 6, 2012 by bookvolunteer

This is an anthology of advice-giving , advertisements, fiction, and articles on health, fashion and food taken from the first 18 years of the UK publication of this magazine. Some of the titles are intriguing : ‘Reflections on the Thorny Path which … Continue reading →

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Cheshire Parish Churches by John Leonard

Posted on November 5, 2012 by bookvolunteer

Did you know that there are about 80 mediaeval churches in Cheshire? This fine little book describes 37 local churches that are especially interesting to visit. There is a general introduction with historical and architectural notes and then a page … Continue reading →

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