Series:

Very Peculiar History

4 primary works • 20 total works

Volume 1

Cover of Scotland

Scotland

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 24 April 2009
"The Cherished Library" is a new series, designed to look and feel like fine editions from a cemetery of forgotten books. The ornate key to this labrynthine lair of lost literature has been handed down from generation to generation of the Cherish family. Just before his death in 2008, the late Professor Cherish ordered that these books be made available to the public. "Scotland: A Very Peculiar History, Volume 1" is a lively and informative account of the vibrant history of Scotland, from its earliest inhabitants up to the beginnings of Stewart rule. It celebrates the cultural achievements of the Scottish, giving an up-to-date and objective account of the nation's origins and history, with 'No added Haggis!' Fun and informative inserts and illustrations accompany the main text. It includes fact boxes and index.

Book 4

Cover of Scotland, a Very Peculiar History

Book 22

Cover of Victorian Servants

Victorian Servants

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 January 2011
It's not all longing looks across the dining room from that high-class gentleman! Life as a Victorian servant was tough, tough, tough! Discover the bizarre and oh-so-strict rules one had to keep to when serving the dignitaries in 'Victorian Servants: A Very Peculiar History'. Rise up through the ranks from washerwoman to housemaid to ladies' maid and beyond, but mind you don't keep any 'followers', as boyfriends are immoral and are strictly not allowed! While you wait on hand and foot from 5 ...

Book 25

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Christmas

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 14 May 2014

Cover of Christmas, a Very Peculiar History

Cover of Royal Weddings

Royal Weddings

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 February 2011
With the echo of regal church bells set to ring in the ears of royalists and well-wishers worldwide, what better time to take a look at the quirky, odd and downright bizarre circumstances surrounding the weddings of the kings, queens, princes and princesses of Britain. One must leave one's sense of decorum at the palace gates as Fiona Macdonald tells the wacky stories surrounding the preparations, dresses, ceremonies and national moods that went with the excitement of a royal wedding, from England's resident marriage addict Henry VIII, through Anne Hyde, the 'commoner' who birthed two queens, right up to Prince Charles, Princess Diana and their son and daughter-in-law to be. Featuring facts, figures and family trees, Royal Weddings, A Very Peculiar History is sure to get one in the spirit of things come the marriage of Prince William and Catherine 'Kate' Middleton. Just make sure there's room in your cupboard for a few more commemorative plates!

Cover of Whisky, a Very Peculiar History

Cover of Scottish Tartan And Highland Dress
Tartan! Ah, the very symbol of Scotland! The ancient garb of the warlike Scots. Created amid rugged Highland hills, a proud beacon of national independence and individual clan loyalty. Skilfully hand-crafted in designs passed down over the centuries; coloured red (for blood); blue (for the lochs and the sea) and purple for the bonnie Scottish heather. This fascinating book looks at what is known with a reasonable degree of historical certainty about tartan, and attempts to drive some of the wilder, woollier tartan myths back into the misty Celtic twilight. Packed full of peculiar tartan trivia, this book contains all you need to know about one of the world's favourite fabrics. A curiositorium of the quirky, odd and downright strange. Fact boxes, a full glossary, timeline and index make the book both fun and informative to use.

Cover of Royal Weddings, a Very Peculiar History

Cover of Glasgow, A Very Peculiar History
Glasgow, A Very Peculiar History explores the archaeological, social and cultural history of the eponymous city, from the earliest Pict settlers 10,000 years ago through its emergence as a nineteenth-century powerhouse of industry and struggles with poverty, unemployment and disaffection to its present-day incarnation as a hub of cutting-edge digital and start-up businesses.

Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.

Cover of Robert Burns

Robert Burns

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 November 2011
Taking a unique look at one of the most acclaimed and best-loved poets, Robert Burns, A Very Peculiar History provides a fascinating insight into the life and times of Scotland's national poet. We learn about his romantic, tragic life, his journey from underdog to celebrity and about his family and childhood. With much reference to his most famous works, Fiona Macdonald explores his profound, passionate poetry, as well as his use of the Scots language and his inspirations and influences. Featuring quirky stories and entertaining trivia throughout, find out what makes Burns so captivating, to Scottish people first and foremost, but also to countless millions around the globe. Fact boxes, a full glossary and index make the book both fun and informative to use. The text is enlivened with black-and-white line drawings and full-colour endpapers.

Cover of Great Scots

Great Scots

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 February 2014
Great Scots, A Very Peculiar History looks at a whole host of great (and not so great) Scots and their influence on the world. The book features a short history of each person, detailing their achievements, personalities and lifestyles in a quirky and memorable way. Including chapters about Scots in power, scientific Scots, scandalous Scots and many, many more, Great Scots, A Very Peculiar History celebrates the men and women who have helped to shape Scottish history.

Cover of Scottish Clans

Scottish Clans

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 September 2012
Scotland! The home of the clans. All around the world, people of Scots heritage proudly claim their 'own' clan membership, name, tartan, ancestral home territory etc etc. To them and to others, the very mention of the word inspires dramatic, romantic and cinematic images. This fascinating book delves into the origins and backgrounds of key Scottish clan names which have formed a part of the country's modern day heritage. Encompassing a brief history and description of the most famous Scottish names, discover how they are inextricably intertwined with Scottish history. Packed full of peculiar trivia, this book contains all you need to know about Scottish ancestory. A curiositorium of the quirky, odd and downright strange. Fact boxes, a full glossary, timeline and index make the book both fun and informative to use.

Cover of Scottish Women, A Very Peculiar History
Scottish Women, A Very Peculiar History will shine a light on the frequently underappreciated contributions of women to Scottish history, industry and culture since the country's origins.

Readers can explore the eventful life and awful fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, the discoveries of astronomer and mathematician Mary Fairfax Somerville, and the inspirational story of pioneering socialist MP Jenny Lee, who founded the Open University, among many other brilliant Scottish women.

Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.

Cover of Dogs

Dogs

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 February 2013
This Very Peculiar History title explores the history of man's best friend and the history of their relationship with our own species. Featuring chapters on dog origins and evolution, dog anatomical oddities, different dog species and breeds, and many, many more - this book is the perfect gift for any doglover.

Cover of Dundee

Dundee

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 19 February 2015

Dundee the fourth largest city in Scotland, famous for jute, jam and journalism - but that's not all! Fiona MacDonald delves into the very peculiar history of Scotland's best kept secret. From the Picts - and Plots, to the fish and the fleece, learn all about this fascinating Scottish city. Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes and incredible trivia, readers will be entertained and educated.

Cover of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 July 2013
Discover the horrible and hilarious secrets of Edinburgh's chequered (or perhaps tartaned) past. Fiona Macdonald presents a history of Scotland's most powerful city, from ancient to modern, gracious to grimy. Edinbroo! 'Auld Reekie', 'Quite enchanting - like fairlyland!','The Athens of the North', 'Edina, Scotia's darling seat', 'World Festival City'(modest, huh?)' or even a 'Mad God's Dream' of architectural splendour - Edinburgh has been all things to all men (and women). Fiona Macdonald explores the history of the city in this pocket-sized, quirky gift book.

Cover of Cats

Cats

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 February 2013
Loved and cherished, praised and admired, hated and feared - more than any other domesticated creature, cats provoke extremes of feeling and this Peculiar History title explores why. Featuring chapters on cat origins, cat biology, cats in different cultures, cats as pets, cat characters and many, many more - this book is the perfect gift for any catlover.

Cover of Vampires

Vampires

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 21 June 2010
Dragged from the deepest, darkest depths of "The Cherished Library", the "Crypt Editions" collect tales of terror, morbid myths and frightening facts that will chill you witless. Introduced by everyone's favourite bloodsucker, "Count Dracula", "Vampires: A Very Peculiar History" features the origin of vampire-like creatures and a biological and mythological look at human blood (including the best places to bite if you were a vampire!) alongside tales of the real-life vampires that may have inspired the first vampire stories. It includes advice on how to spot a vampire as well as how to become one! Even vampires of film, grapic novel and manga get a taste of the action! Don't be scared, be prepared...with "The Cherished Library's Crypt Editions".

Cover of Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

by Fiona MacDonald

Published 1 October 2011
Taking a unique look at one of the most acclaimed and best-loved English writers of the nineteenth century, Charles Dickens, A Very Peculiar History asks why, what, where, how and who the Dickens was Charles Dickens? Why did he keep a pet raven that pecked at his children's shins? Why did he have a tunnel built under the road in front of his country house? Was his dying corpse really carried from his mistress's house where he collapsed to his family home, so that he could die 'respectably'? Find out the answers to these questions and even more bizarre ones throughout the book, which features quirky stories and fascinating trivia about this singularly complex man and consummate artist. Fact boxes, a full glossary and index make the book both fun and informative to use. The text is enlivened with black-and-white line drawings and full-colour endpapers.