Kirjahaku

It can be said of few men that without them the course of their nation's history would have been very different, yet through the force of his ideas and sheer bloody-mindedness, James Brindley, the first great canal builder, provided the spark that ignited the Industrial Revolution, united the nation and set Britain on course to become the world's first superpower. Born into poverty and barely literate, Brindley had a vision for the country that defied both established society and the natural order, dividing mid-eighteenth-century scientific and political opinion. Crowds flocked to marvel at this new canals and the engineering feats that accompanied them, with Brindley's inventiveness earning him the nickname 'The Schemer'.

Wending its way from Fenny Compton to Oxford, the southern part of the Oxford Canal passes through some of England's prettiest landscapes and picture-postcard villages. This towpath guide is not just for those taking a holiday along this beautiful stretch of water but also for those interested in the area and what it has to offer. Covering an area some mile or two either side of the canal, it is an invaluable resource for the canal boater, day tripper, angler, walker and interested local and covers the area from Fenny Compton to Oxford, a stretch of about forty miles. The South Oxford Canal is the first in a series of Towpath Guides from The History Press.

The Grand Union Canal, one of the most famous waterways in the UK, links London to Birmingham. This guide explores the southern half of the canal, and its journey from Milton Keynes, through the Home Counties of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and finally Middlesex before joining the Thames at Brentford in the heart of West London. Revealing much that will appeal to holidaymakers along this stretch of water, this guide also provides historical snippets and useful up-to-date information for the casual sightseer or interested local. Covering an area a mile of two either side of the towpath, it is an invaluable resource for the canal and leisure boater, day tripper, angler or walker.

The Kennet and Avon comprises three waterways, the Kennet Navigation from Newbury to Reading, the Avon Navigation from Bristol to Bath, and man-made middle section linking Bath with Newbury. This guide concentrates on the route from Reading to Bath, taking in Newbury, Hungerford, and Devizes and villages, such as Kintbury and Wootton Rivers.

Winding its way from Braunston to Salford, under Spaghetti Junction, this illustrated guide covers the northern part of the Grand Union Canal, accompanying the guide to the southern half published in 2005.

This informative volume looks at broad and narrow, the canal network, different users, types of boats and barges, decorations, things you should know when buying a boat, basic navigation, living on board and the surrounding flora and fauna. Complemented with a brief history, the guide also considers the transformation of canals from work to leisure, restoration and the canal today. Including various 'top tens', i.e. waterside walks, dos and don'ts of boating, circular routes, museums, restoration schemes, spectacular lock flights, longest tunnels and canal personalities, this illustrated guide is an invaluable first-stop reference book.

Bright and colourful, slow and easy, narrowboats are seen today as the epitome of a peaceful life and a wonderful way to get away from the stresses of modern living. Although true, this is a far cry from their origins as the workhorses of the early days of industrial revolution, without which Britain may never have developed as far and fast as it did. Packed with colourful illustrations and little known snippets of information, this entertaining and informative guide retraces the story of how narrowboats have evolved, how their very existence was once challenged and how they have risen phoenix-like into the holiday craft of today. Nick Corble is a renowned canal expert and has written a number of books on the waterways for The History Press, including James Brindley: The First Canal Builder and Living Aboard, the definitive guide for anyone contemplating making a life afloat.