Book Reviews
Tamworth Heritage Magazine reviews a heritage or history book in each issue. Over the volumes they are building into a useful collection of books for research and general reading into Tamworth's Heritage and setting its history in to a wider context. Though some books are very specific to a person, place or even event in Tamworth. We also have a page for researchers.
Vol3 Issue 1 Tamworth to Derby : featuring the Burton Brewery lines
Tamworth to Derby rail line including the Burton Brewery line is one of a series of about 450 books on railway lines from the same publisher I haven’t seen the others but this one is not a history book. It is a photo book of some 120 photos and 17 maps. Click here for Review
Vol2 Issue 4 Illustrations of Tamworth 1829 by EB Hamel
This is a delightful hardback art book containing twelve EB Hamel prints of his engravings of Tamworth from about 1829. Fortunately each print has an explanation of the scene, because even with the street viewsmost of Tamworth has change a lot in 195 years. There is also a four page introduction by Peter Edden, a local historian, on EB Hamel and the engravings which is quite illuminating. Click here for Review
Vol2 Issue 3 Tamworth: A History
The Castle Inn Fire of 1831 is often talked about in Tamworth yet most only have a sketchy view of it. Also many details are misunderstood like Chinese whispers. This book by Sue Wood, published in 2010 is the answer but it raises some more questions her detailed analysis brings to light Click here for Review
Vol2 Issue 2 Tamworth: A History
Festival of Britian: Tamworth. Most of you won't remember the Festival of Britain. It was a nationwide series of events from May to September in 1951. Indeed as this small pamphlet of 20 pages explains Tamworth had some 30 events from June to September including Tennis Tournaments, Mining exhibitions, Agricultural shows, concerts, 6 Dances and a carnival in the streets. Click here for Review
Vol1 Issue4 Tamworth: A History
It is a fantastic introduction to Tamworth in all its facets. Written by a historian and published by a company specialising in history it is reliable. As it is well-illustrated and an easy read it will make an excellent present for friends and family who want to know about Tamworth. Actually it is a good place for most Tamworthians to start too if they want to learn about Tamworth. It is the essential overview Click here for Review
Vol1 Issue4 Tamworth Report of Survey
In 2023 I came across a comb bound, hand typed, 59 page document with a grey cover that simply said “Tamworth Report of Survey” and the borough crest. Whilst not dated reading it you can see it was compiled in 1965. This is the document that forever changed what Tamworth had been for last 1000 years and where it was going! In 2025 it still shapes the direction of Tamwortn even 60 years on! Click here for Review
Vol1 Issue3 King Alfred’s Daughter:The remarkable story of Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians
Who is King Alfred’s daughter? It is the Lady of the Mercian’s. Our Aethelflaed whose statue stands outside Tamworth Railway station pointing to the town with her spear. This is a fascinating fictional story written by a historian used to writing non-fiction. Consequently the book is a wonderful story of people that threads through the known history without disturbing it. . Click here for Review
Vol1 Issue2 The history and antiquities of the Collegiate Church of Tamworth
The history and antiquities of the Collegiate Church of Tamworth is the missing book in the history of St Editha’s Church. Almost everyone who has an interest in St Editha’s church knows about the 1935 Chas. Mitchell book: Tamworth Parish Church and the 1845 Charles Palmer: The history of the town and castle of Tamworth. However many have noted that the 1845 Palmer book has assumptions, inaccuracies. Also that it seemed to be missing some information. This is the missing information. Click here for Review
Vol1 Issue1 Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts
Remarkable Manuscripts; part travelogue, part history part and review of books. This volume in twelve chapters spans 12 manuscripts from the 6th to the 16th centuries. It also takes the reader into a dozen very different museums, often to the parts the casual visitor cannot access, to touch these manuscripts that most of us will never get to handle. Click here for Review
