Your summer reading

A History Of Hertfordshire
Although this book by local historian Tony Rook was originally published in 1984 it has, because of demand, been revised and re-published. It is the basic text for local historians and makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in the county’s history.
The wealth of Hertfordshire was originally based on agriculture and services for travellers to and from London. But road transport then was always a problem and river transport was difficult so it is not surprising that the first locks that led to the building of the canal system were developed at Waltham Abbey in 1589. Hertfordshire has been the home of many famous and important events in the nation’s history including the birth of the rule of law at St Albans, which in 1213 evolved into the first draft of the Magna Carta.

A History Of Hertfordshire
By Tony Rook
Published by Phillimore
ISBN: 1 86077 015 0
Priced £15.99
Available from Life Books

The Queen’s Knight
Local author Martyn Downer sheds new light on the affairs of Queen Victoria, her family, her court and particularly her loyal and trusted servant Sir Howard Elphinstone. After a distinguished Army career Sir Howard was chosen by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to become governor to their son, Prince Arthur. After Albert’s death Victoria relied on him more and more and he became embroiled in the intrigues of court life and Victoria’s whims for 30 years until his accidental death by drowning. This we know because the many letters he wrote and from his very detailed diaries that Martyn Downer has painstakingly researched.
This book is highly enjoyable and an absorbing read about a previously unacknowledged hero and Victoria as a concerned and anxious mother.

The Queen's Knight
By Martyn Downer
Published by Bantam Press
ISBN: 9780593054857
Priced £25
Available from Life Books

Five Careers And A Dog
Derek Phillips has had an interesting life and a variety of prestigious careers. After school he joined the Navy Fleet Air Arm during World War II and after being demobbed he went to Liverpool University to study architecture. His specialIty was lighting design and he became a distinguished leader in this field, which included projects as diverse as the Mandarin Hotel in Hong Kong and the amazing Dumbulla cave monastery in Sri Lanka.
He also ran a highly successful architectural practice from his home in Bovingdon and is responsible for the lighting of many local buildings including Hemel Hempstead town hall. He has also worked as a photographer and now, since retiring, has penned this easily read memoir.

Five Careers and a Dog
By Derek Phillips
Published by The Book Guild
ISBN: 978 1 84624 1161
Priced £35
Available from Life Books

Double Trouble
Lifelong Hertfordshire resident Pauline Rhodes has written this practical guide to living with and surviving manic depression based on her own experiences of this devastating illness. With a successful career in publishing and a loving marriage, it appeared that Pauline had everything until she gave birth to twins in 1989. After which she developed a rare condition called manic puerperal psychosis, a particularly nasty and overwhelming form of manic depression, and has been sectioned on several occasions.
Throughout the book Pauline’s fighting attitude is apparent in her attempts to manage this condition and the support of her family and friends has been vital in her continual struggle to stay sane. Pauline’s story is heart warming and inspiring, and hopefully will be helpful to other fellow sufferers.

Double Trouble
By Pauline Rhodes
Published by Fourems Publications
ISBN: 978 0 9529765 6 1
Priced £7.99
Available from
www.livingwithmanicdepression.com
(each sale will generate a donation to MIND and Rethink)

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