Although many of our books have focused on a particular decade, we have also looked at Birmingham in all it's moods.
The history of the area extends far beyond the metropolis we fondly call "Brum" and other places within the West Midlands also have a place in our memory.
Coventry is a city steeped in history, especially during the war years when it's appearance changed forever. We have produced 3 books on this city which reflect those changes.
LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS. Since 1981 we have sold over half a million books. These cover Birmingham, Coventry, and the Black Country. To go to this section and explore the many pages of information on all of these books, please click on any of the covers above
To download our order form please click on the orange box.
I know, I know, I can’t believe it either – it’s half a century since the fifties came to an end! Now the decade has really become part of our history. To celebrate we’ve prepared a veritable feast for you. With a starter consisting of evocative old advertisements and posters; a main course of the street scenes you all love and as a sweet, a liberal helping of faces, some famous and some not so famous, it’s time to indulge yourself. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to wallow in a scrumptious collection of tasty memorabilia.
Incidentally, just to dispel any doubts you may have (after all this is our fourth book on the fifties) we work flat out to ensure that all the ingredients in our offerings are fresh, i.e. none of them have ever been on our menu before. That means you’re getting well over 300 items at a mouth-watering price. Anyway, I think that’s enough references to food, you must be hungry by now!
Oh, just one more thing. I forgot to mention the appetiser – the cover pictures – the front has a super shot of New Street, from Stephenson Place to the Times building and on the back, the much loved Aston Hippodrome. Wow! Pass the Alka Seltzer!
Alton Douglas is probably best known as the author of several best-selling books and for the three years he was quizmaster and co-writer of the top-rated BBC Midlands TV series "KNOW YOUR PLACE." However, he has also been a TV and radio character actor, professional comedian, showbiz/jazz book and record reviewer, TV & radio commercial voice-over artist, 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards trombonist and the voice behind several cartoons and children's toys etc. Alton was also the archives and stills consultant for the centenary video, "Made in Birmingham."
Just a simple statement. Personal details provided to us via e-mail, in any other written format, or verbally, will not be passed on to a third party. All correspondence will be treated as confidential.
This website aims to introduce you to the wide of range of books which he now produces, including some for children and to share his many memories of working in the entertainment world and growing up and living in Birmingham, a place so special to many people. Alton's wife Jo plays a very important part in all the activities of the business and together they have designed this site to be as user-friendly as possible. Enough from me - let Alton take up the story!
Each book contains over 100 photographs depicting all aspects of life in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Discover again those memories of streets you knew as a child, the places you have worked and the buildings which once stood proud in your neighbourhood.
All mail-order books are signed and you get FREE P&P for all orders delivered within the UK.
For those of you who have an interest in show-biz or just want to find out how an actor and comedian became a best-selling author, then my biography is just the ticket! Illustrated with over 100 photographs this book recounts a journey through wartime, into show business and eventually into what is now a passion for local history. In his lengthy forward to the book Jasper Carrott writes "By the time you have read this book you will have become good friends with the author. If you're from Brum you will have an extra-added warm feeling of nostalgia and wistfulness." There really is something for everyone here. To order your autographed copy please click on the book cover.
The wonderful thing about nostalgia is that memories can be stirred by many things. A place, a building, a person, a sound and even an old advertisement bestowing the virtues of a product sadly no longer available. Within our books we have many examples of bygone advertisements including cinema and theatre playbills, products of every description and even the odd train ticket or two!
The biography unearthed a whole fund of new stories, too many to publish in one book. So - with the emphasis on fun and entertainment I now present this collection of the humorous, curious and downright strange happenings that have enriched my life.
Free postage. Signed copies. Click the book cover to order your copy. £2.95
To download our order form please click on the orange box.
We are always pleased to hear from our readers.
ALTON and JO DOUGLAS, c/o Brewin Books Ltd., Doric House, 56 Alcester Road, Studley, Warwickshire. B80 7LG.
I have also written 2 childrens' books - the latest is just a load of nonsense really!
This site has been designed by Ken Windsor Productions. We DESIGN, PRODUCE and MAINTAIN Professional websites free of charge - any revenue is derived from on-site advertising.
With praise for Rob the Outback rang -
His talent was the boomerang.
As fast as he could throw it out
It seemed the thing would turn about,
Returning from its flight fantastic
As if he had it on elastic.
Most people ducked, they (SORRY -TO READ THE END YOU WILL NEED TO BUY THE BOOK! )
These books will transport you into a world of malfunctioning and thoroughly nonsensical characters.
Introducing you to sites which share a common interest. Please click on the image opposite to go to our LINKS page. We operate a "reciprocal links policy" and links may be moved or replaced at certain times to enable us to maintain this policy.
The forlorn figure of Leonard Francis spends a lonely Christmas on duty at the Hercules Cycle & Motor Co. Ltd., Aston, 23rd December, 1949.
Birmingham: More of the Fifties.
Reset 8th February, 2010 after
75230 hits
This page was last updated: February 8, 2010
Just back in print - this book contains a wealth of material illustrating how Birmingham shops and their facades have evolved over the years .
.gif){kind=small}
