General canal history books

Book - The Inland Waterways Association Ref: 1515
by David Blagrove.

In 1946, a small band of enthusiasts gathered together to form the Inland Waterways Association.. They had witnessed the decline of the canal network and closure of parts of the system and had decided to do something about it. From those early beginnings, the Inland Waterways Association grew into a group of 17000 members, all dedicated to restoring and using Britain's inland waterways.

This book provides a photographic history of the Inland Waterways Association.

Soft back. 128 pages. 6½" x 9¼" approx. Illustrated with black & white photos.
Price: £12.60

Book - Heritage Waterways Ref: 1607
by Keith Langston.

A book looking at various aspects of the waterways, from steam powered narrowboats and the BW heritage fleet, through waterways such as the Broads, Irish waterways, Weaver etc, to information about the various bodies whicjh oversee the waterways etc AINA, IWA, AWCC.

Too much to describe in a few words here!

Soft back. 130 pages, 8¼" x 11¾" approx, Illustrated with mainly colour photos.
Price: £6.99

Book - Canal & River Navigations Ref: 1449
by Edward Paget-Tomlinson.

The second edition of this excellent reference book won the author the Library Association McColdin Medal in 1993 for the Oustanding Reference Book of the Year. This, the third edition, has been reprinted with minor text alterations and a significant amount of new photos.

Chapters in the book cover topics such as Events in Waterways History, Waterway Engineering, Canal & River Navigations, Boatbuilding, Canal & River Craft, Carrying, Carriers and Engineers and Personalities.

Soft back. 384 pages. 8¼" x 11¾" approx. Illustrated with black & white photos and drawings. 3rd edition, 2006.
Price: £24.50

Book - Birmingham Canalside Industries Ref: 1431
by Ray Shill.

This detailed and informative book examines the development of the Birmingham Canal Navigation and adjacent waterways, as well as discussing canal construction and the various industries along the banks of the canal.

Much of the material in this illustrated volume is from archive sources and covers the use of navigable waterways, canal carrying both locally and long-distance, the linking of the canals to the railways and more.

Soft back. 224 pages. 6¾" x 9¾" approx, Illustrated with black and white photos and drawings.
Price: £16.50

Book - English Canals Explained Ref: 835
by Stan Yorke.

The main aim of this book is to explain how everything works - from locks and lifts, to tunnels and towpaths.

The book is divided into 3 clear sections. The first describes the history of the canals, the second looks at their structures and features, and the third suggests special sites of interest around the country, which can be visited on foot or by boat.

Soft back. 128 pages. 5¾" x 8¼" approx. Illustrated with black & white photographs and drawings.
Price: £6.75

Book - Canal Builders Ref: 1302
by Anthony Burton.

His long established book tells the history of the men who were involved in the creation of the canal network across Britain. Those involved in the concept, design, engineering and construction process of the canals were a mixed bunch of classes and personalities, from the initial promoters and opposers to the talented engineers, men like James Brindley and Thomas Telford.

This illustrated and richly researched volume draws on a wealth of archive material to present a story with as many twists and turns as any canal.

Soft back, 192 pages, 6¾" x 9¾" approx, photos, maps and drawings.

4th edition, 2005.
Price: £16.50

Book - Building Britain's Canals Ref: 825
by David Gladwin.

Every year more and more enthusiasts take to Britain's canals and there is an increased interest in their preservation and maintenance.

This fully illustrated book explains how Britain's canals were built and will appeal to those enthusiasts who would like further information on the history of canals.

Soft back. 136 pages. 8¼" x 6" approx. Black & white photos.
Price: £8.75

Book - Waterways in the Making Ref: 1171
by Edward Paget-Tomlinson.

When cruising a canal or river, or when walking along a towpath, it is all too easy to take the waterways themselves for granted. But how were they built in the first place? And how are they kept in navigable condition today?

This extensively illustrated book answers these questions and more, tracing the story of waterway construction from the early days of river improvement, through the hectic canal cutting boom of two centuries ago, up to the present day.

Soft back. 120 pages. 8¼" x 7¾" approx. Black & white drawings.
Price: £10.75

Book - Waterways At Work Ref: 1170
by Thomas Pellow, and illustrated by Edward Paget-Tomlinson.

What were the waterways like in their heyday? What goods did they carry? How were the boats built and maintained? How were they worked in the days of horse haulage, on through the age of steam and then into an era of diesel power? And what was life like for the isolated community of boat people who, summer and winter, spent their lives afloat 'on the cut'?

Using words and copious illustrations this book answers these questions and more. A companion volume to 'Waterways in the Making'.

Soft back. 84 pages. 8¼" x 7¾" approx. Black & white drawings.
Price: £8.75

Book - Canal Mania Ref: 757
by Anthony Burton.

Explores over 200 years of British waterways history, and tells the stories of the great engineers, from James Brindley through to William Jessop and Thomas Telford. Includes archive illustrations and detailed architectural drawings.

Canal Mania reached a peak in 1793 when no fewer than 21 new canals were authorized by Act of Parliament, and the story of these '1793 canals' forms the core of this book.

Hard back. 240 pages. 9½" x 10¾" approx. Colour and black & white photos.

Original price £18.99p
Price: £9.99

Book - Hadfield's British Canals p/b Ref: 752
by Joseph Boughey.

The fascinating story of the canals of Britain and Ireland is here brought to life. When the first edition of British Canals was published, in 1950, it was acclaimed as a pioneering work of transport history. For this eighth edition, Joseph Boughey, with the advice of Charles Hadfield, has not only brought the story up to date but has also substantially increased the coverage of Irish waterways, pleasure boating and the twentieth century history of canals. The book has also been re-structured and re-illustrated.

Paper back, 343 pages, 6¼" x 9¼" approx.

Normal retail price £12.99
Price: £9.75

Book - The Anatomy of Canals (Early Years) Ref: 524
by Anthony Burton & Derek Pratt.

Beginning his chronicle in the late 18th century, Anthony Burton conveys the original character of the waterways of England and traces their development through the great changes wrought by the early Industrial Revolution. He reflects on how the natural landscape and new engineering techniques gave rise to the structures that we can still see on the canals today.

He focuses on the demands made by the various businesses interested in exploiting the waterways of England to their commercial advantage and their own peculiar impact on the canal system.

Coupled with the remarkable photography of Derek Pratt, it tells the tale of canal development in England.

Softback, 160 pages. 6¾" x 9¾" approx.
Price: £16.50

Book - The Anatomy of Canals (Mania Years) Ref: 653
by Anthony Burton & Derek Pratt.

The second volume in the 'Anatomy of Canals' series charts the history of the British canal system at the height of its popularity. No fewer than 21 Canal Acts were passed in 1793 alone, and this early part of the decade became known as the time of Canal Mania.

From the 1790s to the 1820s most of the canal network in the United Kingdom was constructed.. Inclined planes, aqueducts, flights of locks and tunnels all marked the construction of the canal network.

Softback, 160 pages. 6¾" x 9¾" approx.
Price: £16.50

Book - The Anatomy of Canals (Decline & Renewal) Ref: 711
by Anthony Burton & Derek Pratt.

The final volume in the series brings the story right up to date.

Competition from rail and later road forced many canals into closure, and a large section of the old system seemed doomed to crumble away into terminal decay. Then came a new industry: the canal leisure industry, and with it the birth of the restoration movement.

This volume looks at what has been achieved and how the new compares with the old. Cities such as Birmingham, which formerly seemed to regard canals as supermarket trolley parks, have now been won over and have made the old canals part of a lively rejuvenation programme.

Softback, 159 pages. 6¾" x 9¾" approx. Colour and black & white photographs.
Price: £16.50

Book - Tales from the Old Inland Waterways p/b Ref: 1520
by Euan Corrie.

A nostalgic look at how life on our rivers and canals has changed during this century, through the memories of those men and women whose work both on and by the waterways was of vital importance to the country.

Soft back. 192 pages. 7¾" x 10¼" approx. Illustrated with photos and drawings in both black & white and colour.
Price: £12.50

Book - Boats, Smoke, Steam and Folk Ref: 824
by Robert Davies.

Exploring the canals of the Midlands, this book, with maps and detailed walks, will encourage the reader to move from his armchair and into this living piece of history. It also answers some of the many questions asked today about our canal network: Who did all the work; when and why were they built; what was it like to work on canals, either repairing them or moving goods about.

Also included are interviews and memories of those who worked the canals, albeit in the twilight years of the fifties and sixties when road transport was taking over the role of moving bulky loads around the country.

Soft back. 128 pages. 6¾" x 9¾" approx. Black & white drawings and photos.
Price: £11.60

Book - At the Heart of the Waterways Ref: 692
by David Blagrove.

This is the story of over 200 years in the life of a small village in Northamptonshire, Brauinston, which, to the people of the canals, is as important as Swindon or Crewe once were to the railwaymen.

This book traces the story of the canals, boatyards, carrying companies and above all people, which makes up a fascinating kaleidoscope of social history now well into its third century.

Hard back. 96 pages. 6¼" x 9½" approx. Illustrated with colour & black and white photographs. 3rd edition 2003.
Price: £6.75

Book - Canal Coins Ref: 418
by Stanley Holland.

Others have touched briefly on this subject, but Stanley is the first to tackle it in such depth. His extensively illustrated book covers the whole range of British waterway numismatics (tokens, ferry tickets, medallions etc) and includes a sample of overseas coins and medals with waterway interest. He even looks at the related subject, never before explored, of Britain's official canal badges and buttons.

Soft back, 72 pages, 5¾" x 8¼" approx, 135 photos.
Price: £5.00

Book - Stourport-on-Severn Ref: 1606
Compiled by Anna Carter for the Stourport Civic Society.

This is a fascinating collection of over 200 old photos portraying Stourport-on-Severn, 'the canal town par excellence'. The collection records the basins and river of this Georgian town in Worcestershire and includes scenes dating well back into the nineteenth century, illustrating Stourport's maritime history as an inland port.

Soft back. 128 pages. 6½" x 9¼" approx. Black & white photos.
Price: £10.75

Book - Stourport-on-Severn Ref: 1806
from English Heritage.

There are sections of this book on before the canal, the canal arrives, development of the town, and Stourport today and the future.

Soft back. 80 pages. 210mm x 210mm. Illustrated with colour & black and white photos, and maps.
Price: £7.99