Historic Coventry Shop

This is a selection of interesting books and other items related to Coventry, and local history.

	Ranulf de Blondeville: The First English Hero, by Iain Soden
Coventry author and archaeologist Iain Soden tells the story behind one of Coventry's founders, Ranulf de Blondeville. Ranulf was a rich and powerful warrior and statesman in the era of legendary Robin Hood, and the two heores were once recounted in the same breath. Ranulf lived at his manor in Cheylesmore, Coventry and at one time owned about half the city. He was instrumental in building the prosperity of Coventry. A Norman himself, he beseiged and defended castles, fought in France, and built a powerful Earldom in the heart of England. The story of Ranulf is a fascinating insight into an important figure from Coventry's past.

Ranulf de Blondeville: The First English Hero, by Iain Soden

Coventry author and archaeologist Iain Soden tells the story behind one of Coventry's founders, Ranulf de Blondeville.

Ranulf was a rich and powerful warrior and statesman in the era of legendary Robin Hood, and the two heores were once recounted in the same breath. Ranulf lived at his manor in Cheylesmore, Coventry and at one time owned about half the city. He was instrumental in building the prosperity of Coventry. A Norman himself, he beseiged and defended castles, fought in France, and built a powerful Earldom in the heart of England. The story of Ranulf is a fascinating insight into an important figure from Coventry's past.

	Coventry by Helen Humphries
An excellent book, bringing to life the personal struggle of Coventry's citizens during the Blitz. On the night of the most devastating German raid on Coventry, two women traverse the city and transform their hearts. Harriet, widowed during WWI, is firewatching on the cathedral roof when first the factories and then the church itself are set ablaze. In the ensuing chaos she helps a young man, who reminds her of the husband she has lost, find his way back home where he left his mother.

Coventry by Helen Humphries

An excellent book, bringing to life the personal struggle of Coventry's citizens during the Blitz.

On the night of the most devastating German raid on Coventry, two women traverse the city and transform their hearts. Harriet, widowed during WWI, is firewatching on the cathedral roof when first the factories and then the church itself are set ablaze. In the ensuing chaos she helps a young man, who reminds her of the husband she has lost, find his way back home where he left his mother.

	The Illustrated History of Coventry's Suburbs by David McGrory
David McGrory is well known and respected Coventry historian and author of many books on the subject. The Illustrated History of Coventry's Suburbs shows, through a fine selection of photographs from the city's archives, how the countryside, farms and villages developed into the urban streets, residential areas, shopping districts and industrial estates that are so familiar today. In the course of the last 150 years, the outskirts of the city have been transformed, and they have expanded, in a way that would astonish Coventry residents of just a few generations ago. In this detailed and fully illustrated account, David McGrory offers a concise history of each district, but he also features local anecdotes and myths and folklore, and he remembers remarkable, sometimes bizarre episodes and notable individuals who played their part in the story

The Illustrated History of Coventry's Suburbs by David McGrory

David McGrory is well known and respected Coventry historian and author of many books on the subject.

The Illustrated History of Coventry's Suburbs shows, through a fine selection of photographs from the city's archives, how the countryside, farms and villages developed into the urban streets, residential areas, shopping districts and industrial estates that are so familiar today. In the course of the last 150 years, the outskirts of the city have been transformed, and they have expanded, in a way that would astonish Coventry residents of just a few generations ago. In this detailed and fully illustrated account, David McGrory offers a concise history of each district, but he also features local anecdotes and myths and folklore, and he remembers remarkable, sometimes bizarre episodes and notable individuals who played their part in the story

	Haunted Coventry by David McGrory
Haunted Coventry features spooky stories galore from the city and surrounding area. Within these pages you will find the Phantom Monk of Priory Row, ghostly grey ladies, a spectre that appears to do the washing up, a phantom lorry, spooky seances, and the Devil himself, rattling chains at Whitefriars - just a taste of the many restless spirits to be found in haunted Coventry. From spectres in the suburbs to haunted pubs, this fascinating collection of strange sightings and happenings in the city is sure to appeal to anyone intrigued by Coventry's haunted heritage.

Haunted Coventry by David McGrory

Haunted Coventry features spooky stories galore from the city and surrounding area. Within these pages you will find the Phantom Monk of Priory Row, ghostly grey ladies, a spectre that appears to do the washing up, a phantom lorry, spooky seances, and the Devil himself, rattling chains at Whitefriars - just a taste of the many restless spirits to be found in haunted Coventry. From spectres in the suburbs to haunted pubs, this fascinating collection of strange sightings and happenings in the city is sure to appeal to anyone intrigued by Coventry's haunted heritage.

	Coventry: The Hidden History by Iain Soden
Based on 40 years of excavation, this is the first comprehensive history of Coventry, which looks in particular at its spectacular economic growth from Saxon times to become, by the fourteenth century, one of the foremost cities of medieval England, surrounded by a wall with 20 towers and 12 gates. The city became a magnet for entrepreneurs, also attracting the major religious orders :- Benedictines, Franciscans, Carmelites and Carthusians - who developed an economy heavily reliant on monastic wool. Since the crippling blow the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Coventry has, over the centuries, experienced several declines and renaissances - the last redevelopment being the recovery from the devastating blitz of the Second World War.

Coventry: The Hidden History by Iain Soden

Based on 40 years of excavation, this is the first comprehensive history of Coventry, which looks in particular at its spectacular economic growth from Saxon times to become, by the fourteenth century, one of the foremost cities of medieval England, surrounded by a wall with 20 towers and 12 gates. The city became a magnet for entrepreneurs, also attracting the major religious orders :- Benedictines, Franciscans, Carmelites and Carthusians - who developed an economy heavily reliant on monastic wool. Since the crippling blow the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Coventry has, over the centuries, experienced several declines and renaissances - the last redevelopment being the recovery from the devastating blitz of the Second World War.

	Veterans' Voices - Coventry's unsung heroes of the Second World War by Caroline Freeman-Cuerden
The story of Coventry’s war has often been told. This book is different. Turning the focus away from the city itself, these are the memories of 23 veterans, just a few of the thousands of Coventry men and women who served and fought in the Second World War. Their stories are recounted here in their own words, interspersed with letters documents, diary excerpts and photographs. We also discover what it was like to return to a devastated Coventry at the end of the war.

Veterans' Voices - Coventry's unsung heroes of the Second World War by Caroline Freeman-Cuerden

The story of Coventry’s war has often been told. This book is different. Turning the focus away from the city itself, these are the memories of 23 veterans, just a few of the thousands of Coventry men and women who served and fought in the Second World War. Their stories are recounted here in their own words, interspersed with letters documents, diary excerpts and photographs. We also discover what it was like to return to a devastated Coventry at the end of the war.

	A Century of Coventry by David McGrory
	This new book contains many local photographs which illustrate the extraordinary transformation that has taken place in Coventry during the 20th century. It also gives an insight into the lives of local people during this time of change and covers many aspects of local history and special occasions.

	So Many Ways to Begin by Jon Mc Gregor
	This bestseller novel is set in Post WWII Coventry. It gives and personal portrait of the life of museum curator David Carter and his family. It takes us on a journey through family relationships secret adoptions and love. An interesting read, both for the local history and the beautiful story.

	Coventry (Images of England) by Geoff Barwick
This fascinating volume contains over 200 photographs and illustrations, the vast majority never before published; they offer a unique glimpse into the history of Coventry over the past 150 years. Supported by accompanying text, the images in this book provide a nostalgic pictorial history of this diverse and remarkable city, and the varied lives of its residents, at work and at play. The result is a volume that will serve as a touching reminder of the past for some while revealing the town’s history to others.

Coventry (Images of England) by Geoff Barwick

This fascinating volume contains over 200 photographs and illustrations, the vast majority never before published; they offer a unique glimpse into the history of Coventry over the past 150 years. Supported by accompanying text, the images in this book provide a nostalgic pictorial history of this diverse and remarkable city, and the varied lives of its residents, at work and at play. The result is a volume that will serve as a touching reminder of the past for some while revealing the town’s history to others.

	Yesterday's Child - A Coventry Childhood in Peace and War by Pat Watson
This story is set in 1930s Coventry and continuing through the Blitz, Yesterday's Child is a novel of working-class childhood, told through the eyes of the main character. Though this is a child's story, it is not a story for children, and the reader is left with an enjoyable sense of unease. Backgrounds include a midnight flit, a country house children's party, a seedy second hand shop with an arsonist parrot, coronation celebrations, a wealthy old recluse in a decaying mansion, a stone-deaf piano teacher who once saw an angel, a seaside holiday with, a dangerous escape from the Blitz, a war-time romance, and a convenient bereavement.

Yesterday's Child - A Coventry Childhood in Peace and War by Pat Watson

This story is set in 1930s Coventry and continuing through the Blitz, Yesterday's Child is a novel of working-class childhood, told through the eyes of the main character. Though this is a child's story, it is not a story for children, and the reader is left with an enjoyable sense of unease. Backgrounds include a midnight flit, a country house children's party, a seedy second hand shop with an arsonist parrot, coronation celebrations, a wealthy old recluse in a decaying mansion, a stone-deaf piano teacher who once saw an angel, a seaside holiday with, a dangerous escape from the Blitz, a war-time romance, and a convenient bereavement.

	The Facts of Life by Graham Joyce
The story of an extraordinary family of seven sisters living in Coventry during the Second World War. Presided over by an indomitable matriarch, the sisters live out a tangled and fraught life that takes them through the Blitz, war work and on into the hopeful post-war years, and a bizarre interlude for one of them in a commune. And through it all wanders the young son of one of the sisters, passed from sister to sister, the innocent witness to a life that edges over into the magical.

The Facts of Life by Graham Joyce

The story of an extraordinary family of seven sisters living in Coventry during the Second World War. Presided over by an indomitable matriarch, the sisters live out a tangled and fraught life that takes them through the Blitz, war work and on into the hopeful post-war years, and a bizarre interlude for one of them in a commune. And through it all wanders the young son of one of the sisters, passed from sister to sister, the innocent witness to a life that edges over into the magical.

	Coventry at War by Alton Douglas, Jo Douglas
	This book is a must for anyone interesting in Coventry during WWII. I have a copy of this book and it contains many photos showing the devastation caused by the bombing and of everyday life in Coventry during WWII.

	Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Coventry by David McGrory
Takes the reader on a sinister journey from medieval times to the twentieth century, meeting villains, cut-throats, traitors, witches, martyrs and suicidal lovers along the way. True stories based upon historical records of crime and punishement in Coventry. Its a shame at the time of writing that the seller does not have an image of the book cover - my copy has a lovely lurid green and black collage depicting a spooky Victorian street, skull, dagger, noose and other gory images!

Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Coventry by David McGrory

Takes the reader on a sinister journey from medieval times to the twentieth century, meeting villains, cut-throats, traitors, witches, martyrs and suicidal lovers along the way. True stories based upon historical records of crime and punishement in Coventry.

Its a shame at the time of writing that the seller does not have an image of the book cover - my copy has a lovely lurid green and black collage depicting a spooky Victorian street, skull, dagger, noose and other gory images!

	Coventry at War - David McGrory
Local bestselling author David McGrory takes afresh look at Coventry during the war years, in this, the first new illustrated book on the subject for fourteen years. Using over two hundred photographs, many previously unpublished and with informative captions, the author traces various aspects of wartime Coventry. Such aspects include the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Home Guard and transport and bomber manufacture at Armstrong Whitworths’s plants at Whitley and Bagington. Also illustrated are numerous scenes of the city’s destruction including ones from the notorious eleven hour raid of the 14 November 1940.

Coventry at War - David McGrory

Local bestselling author David McGrory takes afresh look at Coventry during the war years, in this, the first new illustrated book on the subject for fourteen years. Using over two hundred photographs, many previously unpublished and with informative captions, the author traces various aspects of wartime Coventry. Such aspects include the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Home Guard and transport and bomber manufacture at Armstrong Whitworths’s plants at Whitley and Bagington. Also illustrated are numerous scenes of the city’s destruction including ones from the notorious eleven hour raid of the 14 November 1940.

	Coventry (Old O.S. Maps of Warwickshire)
	This map is a must for anyone interested in family research with ancestors from Coventry, I have a copy myself and it has proved invaluable. If you would like to trace the street where your relatives lived from addresses found in the census returns it is often be impossible, so much of Coventry was destroyed in the Blitz or later demolished by the council like the beautiful Medieval Butcher Row.