A History of Bristol and Gloucestershire (Darwen County History Series) - Tapa dura

Covering the entire ancient county created in the 11th century, this book includes that southern part incorporated in the short-lived county of Avon between 1974 and 1996. Since the first edition, in 1972, the book has remained in popular demand as the only comprehensive introductory account of the closely-linked history of the shire and the city of Bristol. Its authority and readability, its profusion of carefully selected illustrations, attractive maps and marginal drawings have earned for the book an unrivalled reputation among both local people and visitors. This third edition has been entirely revised to take account of very recent discoveries and new interpretations of the prehistoric and Roman periods, much fresh material on the history of Gloucester and a new assessment of the 20th century. A greatly increased number of photographs has been woven into the text, thus integrating the written account and the visual evidence.

BRIAN SMITH, FSA, FRHistS, has known Gloucestershire since 1941. After eight years as deputy county archivist from 1968 to 1979. Subsequently he was appointed secretary of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts and since 1992 has lived in retirement in Herefordshire. During his period working in Gloucestershire he published and lectured widely on its local history, edited the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society and contributed to the Victoria County History. Elizabeth Ralph, Hon DLitt (Bristol), FSA, was, from 1937 to 1971, city archivist of Bristol, where she still lives. In recognition of her contribution to the study of Bristol's history, particularly as the author or editor of many scholarly works on the city, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bristol in 1993. For 38 years from 1948 to 1986 she was secretary of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society and she remains the assistant editor of the Bristol Record Society.