Dore to Door internet edition

Book Reviews - Spring 2005

Sheffield Wednesday, illustrating the Greats - Whirlow - the story of an ancient Sheffield Hamlet - Howden and Derwent, the building of the upper dams - Brill Walks in the Peak - Roman York - Treasures of York

Sheffield Wednesday, illustrating the Greats is a must for all Owls fans and followers of the beautiful game. Over the years the team have had some wonderfully talented players, the careers of which are detailed, covering the period from the 30s to the 1990s. Each of 36 player descriptions is illustrated where appropriate with cigarette cards, but it is the outstanding drawings, each with facsimile signatures of the player, that make the book stand out. There are also details of 5 managers and some players who nearly made the list. Author Michael Liversage and artist Gary Mackender are true Wednesdayites, and this book is a testament to their love of the beautiful game. Published by Pickard Communication in a 96 page A4 colour format, price £12.99 ISBN 0-9547264-5-6

It is hard to imagine today, but for most of its history the Derbyshire village of Dore lay on a route from Totley to Whirlow and hence to Ecclesall, at one time part of the larger Manor of Hallamshire. Although over the county and ecclesiastical boundaries marked by the Limb Brook, Whirlow shared much of its historical evolution with Dore making the reprint of Shirley Frost's Whirlow - the story of an ancient Sheffield Hamlet an interesting adjunct to more local historical studies. Written around six locations within Whirlow, the book charts the history of the areas development illustrated by some sixty fascinating black and white photographs and reproduction maps. There are interesting stories about personalities as well as the history of past houses such as Whinfell. Published by Northend Ltd, 94 pages in A5 format, available from local bookshops.

The building of the Derwent valley dams in the early part of the last century were major engineering works in their own right, destined to dominate the landscape and provide their own contribution to local history. Howden and Derwent, the building of the upper dams, details the history to their development and illustrates the construction with a host of old black and white photographs and diagrams. Its sister publication Memories of Tin Town, looks at some of the social implications, with the housing of almost 1,000 navvies and their families in Birchinlee, the ghost town of its title. Again illustrated with fascinating black and white photographs capturing a way of life now hard to imagine. Both 43 page books are published by Northend Ltd, price £3.99 and are available from local bookshops or by phoning 0800 834920.

There are plenty of waking guides to the Peak District, but a new book Brill Walks in the Peak, sets out to be a little different. Twelve circular walks of 3 to 14km are centred on four locations, Eyam, Grindleford, Ashford on the Water and Hathersage. Each of the four sections starts with a carefully research story from a fictional character, telling their tale as set in an interesting time in their village's history. Each walk has a map and clear instructions with essential information on starting point, maps, refreshments and the terrain. There are notes on items of interest along the way and colour photographs. Written by Freda Bowman and volunteer park ranger Bob Brill this weather resistant publication runs to 72 pages, price £7.99 and is published by Northend Ltd ISBN 0-901100-55-2.

There can be few readers who will not have visited York and enjoyed the experience, despite the tourist crowds in summer. The city is steeped in history which two new books can help us explore. Roman York by Patrick Ottaway draws on the extensive archeological excavations of recent years to explain and illustrate the development of the Roman settlement, from fortress to capital of northern Britain. So important was Eboracum that two Roman emperors died there, but eventually this importance faded and by the fifth century we are left with a heritage of Romans street patterns lasting through the medieval period up to today. The book is amply illustrated showing excavations, finds and reconstructions. Published by Tempus Publishing in paperback, 158 pages, price £17.99 ISBN 0-7524-2916-7

Treasures of York follows a more populist format, written by authors working for the York Archeological Trust. So many remarkable finds from pre-Roman to the post Medieval period have been discovered, that the problem is how to present them. This book takes the novel approach of grouping find by use, from Hearth and Home, through craft, weapons, t death and ritual. Full of colour photographs, drawings, descriptions and explanations, the book succeeds in capturing the sheer scale and wealth of artifacts and the key they provide to life in the past. Published by Landmark Publishing in hardback, 176 pages, price £19.95 ISBN 1-84306-144-9