Category Archives: Books

The Gloucester Miser

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 214. 184 years ago today, the “richest commoner” in Britain died.  James (Jemmy) Wood made his money in banking, and had wealth of around £900,000.  Calculating the value of that money in today’s terms is notoriously difficult, and depending … Continue reading →

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Life of a Fern Hunter

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 213. The following quote is taken from Over the Sea and Far Away, by Thomas Woodbine Hinchcliff, published in 1876: Of all regions that I have as yet seen in the world there is nothing comparable to this Brazilian … Continue reading →

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Giant Feet and Rhinoceros Gums

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Max of the Month 7.  When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading →

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The Killer Leaf

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Roger Pocock

Snippets 212.  Thomas Woodbine Hinchcliff was a mountaineer, explorer and travel writer, who served as President of the London-based Alpine Club, the first mountaineering club in the world, between 1875 and 1877. During that time one of his several travel … Continue reading →

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Travel Journals Book – out now!

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Roger Pocock

I am pleased to announce that ten years of work have finally come to fruition with the publication of Windows into History: An exploration of 19th Century Travel Journals. Now available to buy from Lulu, Windows into History is the … Continue reading →

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Throw a Veil Over the Past

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Max of the Month 6.  When reading non-fiction books from the 19th Century, one finds no shortage of great writers who have now been largely forgotten. However, occasionally a writer comes to light whose work is so entertaining, and who … Continue reading →

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The Elopement

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Roger Pocock

or How the Cowboy Baronet acquired a nickname Guest Post 16.  How often have you picked up an old book particularly an autobiography, long out of print, and been so taken with the story that you have thought “why has … Continue reading →

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The Harbinger

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 64.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from Strange Pages from Family Papers by T. F. Thistleton-Dyer, published in 1895: In some cases, families have been … Continue reading →

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The Kingdom Underground

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 63.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from Strange Pages from Family Papers by T. F. Thistleton-Dyer, published in 1895: At Rushen Castle, Isle of Man, … Continue reading →

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Music of the Dead

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Roger Pocock

Creepy History 62.  Happy Halloween, and welcome to another October of “creepy histories” on Windows into History.  The following quote is from Strange Pages from Family Papers by T. F. Thistleton-Dyer, published in 1895: But, in modern days, one of … Continue reading →

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