Welcome to Shire Books

Shire offers affordable, non-fiction paperbacks on a wide range of subjects, reflecting the interests of people everywhere, however unusual or obscure their passions might be. Shire books cover antiques and collectables from coins and buttons to old toys and ceramics, motoring and rural history, archaeology and Egyptology, architecture, industrial history and countless other topics.

Christmas Special Offer: Get 4 for 3 on all Shire books

With Christmas fast approaching, why not stock up on some Shire stocking fillers with our special 4 for 3 offer on all books? You will also qualify for free delivery on all orders of 3 or more books.

Shire in The Times

TIMESONLINE

On 26 July 2008 Shire was featured in The Times Saturday Book Section. You can read the complete article Shire Books: a specialist publisher of offbeat and obscure books by Stephen McClarence at TimesOnline.co.uk

Out this month


Wagons and Carts
( Shire Library 467)

This book explores the origins of wagon design, and describes the specific uses of these vehicles across Britain , drawing on a wide range of colloquial words, and providing a list of places where surviving wagons and carts can be found. Detailed line drawings and photographs complete this nostalgic account of regional diversity in a bygone age.



Falconry
( Shire Library 115)

The relationship established between man and bird is central to the ancient sport of falconry; to earn the trust of the bird, the falconer must show a great deal of patience, skill and intuition. This volume traces the history of falconry, describing the equipment used and explaining the contribution falconers make to the conservation of wild birds.

Coming soon


London's Bridges
( Shire History 1)

Oft-overshadowed by the imposing buildings that line the River Thames, the bridges of London are an intriguing part of the capital, past and present. This book traces the history of all 33 Thames bridges within Greater London, exploring the fascinating architecture and unique stories from Hampton Court Bridge in the west to the iconic Tower Bridge in the east. Accompanied throughout by colour photographs of the present bridges, as well as detailed paintings and engravings of the earlier structures that once stood in their place, this is a fully illustrated and absorbing narrative for anyone with an interest in the history of London .



Church Clocks
( Shire Library 475)

Since the medieval period, mechanical clocks located in churches across Britain have told the time to local communities, or displayed the phases of the moon and the heavens on an elaborate astrological face. Focusing on some of the most noteworthy church clocks in Britain, and the intriguing stories behind them, this book traces the history of church clocks from the wealthy abbeys and cathedrals of the medieval period, through the gentle developments and refinements that made clocks more accurate and easier to maintain, to the electronic movements of the present day that are steadily making redundant historic clocks that have served for centuries.

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45 Years of Shire Publications
To celebrate our 45th anniversary, we are re-issuing the Shire bibliography, fully revised and updated to 2007, a must-have reference for collectors of Shire books. 45 Years of Shire Publications: A bibliography for collectors 1962-2007 Download your free copy now (PDF).

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