Let's talk about books on Plymouth. There seems to be loads so recommend away if you have a particular favourite.

One thing I'd be interested in knowing is why there is such a lack of availability of Crispin Gill's history of Plymouth. So far I've only managed to find the first book (pre-history to the Elizabethans iirc) but never found the second book. For such a rich and informative text I find the scant information and availability hugely surprising. Does anyone have any info to share?

The Red Rocks of Eddystone by Fred Majdalany

Not about Plymouth City but I read this years ago and found it quite fascinating as it gives the whole history up to the current lighthouse.

I always stop and peruse if I notice a locally history book stand somewhere! There are some good ones by Guy Fleming, including a century of Plymouth, which I have and is a great read!!

I'm currently reading "With Plymouth, Through Fire", written by Andre Savignon who was a French journalist and author caught up in the Plymouth Blitz of 1941.

I would recommend "Bloody British History:Plymouth" by Laura Quigley (a signed copy of which is the prize in the Plymouth History e-mag quiz: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/ ... uthhistory

I'd just like to recommend the fairly recent English Heritage title Plymouth: Visions of a Modern City. Very good, particularly if you're interested in the city centre and why it is what it is.

I'd just like to recommend the fairly recent English Heritage title Plymouth: Visions of a Modern City. Very good, particularly if you're interested in the city centre and why it is what it is.

I love my home city, but isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?

I'd just like to recommend the fairly recent English Heritage title Plymouth: Visions of a Modern City. Very good, particularly if you're interested in the city centre and why it is what it is.

I love my home city, but isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?

Ahh visions of a modern City! Staples Building, Drakes Circus, Jurys Inn, (great architecture unfortunately partially obscured by some old church) ... oh the joy!!

Luckily the book is more concerned with Abercrombie's plan and what came from it than the joys of Exeter Street/Drake's Circus

[PL2 3DQ]

The books about Plymouth by Chris Robinson are very good, especially the "Then and Now" books which show old photos of Plymouth.

http://www.chrisrobinson.co.uk/product-category/books/

Chris also has a book of drawings of Argyle players, some of these were on display in the Far Post Club.

I have a small library of books on Plymouth and I think the definitive one is 'A History of Plymouth and Her Neighbours' by CW Bracken, published in 1931. It is one of my most treasured possessions as it is signed by the author and was originally owned by AL Rowse.

Chris Robinson's books are indeed very good, the 'Then and Now' series is very interesting as is his 'A History of Devonport'.

Of Chris Robinson's the most recent one I read was the second of the pub books. Really interesting and sad that they continue to be lost.

Industrial Archaeology of the Plym Valley by Ernie Hoblyn, which was published last year, is an interesting and easy read and contains some great photographs. It is centred on the stretch from Clearbrook to Laira. I for one was quite surprised at how much industry had been along that stretch over the last two centuries.

I read this a few years back and found it quite exciting. It was published ten years ago and promised all manner of exciting developments. There was an inspirational foreword by Tim Smit, of Eden Project fame, conjuring up visions of Drake et al, and Plymouth's place in history as a home for adventurers, discovery and the like. All this, at a time when Argyle had just regained their place in our spiritual home (the Championship or Div 2 if you prefer), and the stadium was only one stand from completion.

Ten years later - like football club, like city. Empty promises, no ambition, and falling further behind the rest of the country. Sad.



http://www.rudi.net/books/6880