Non-Fiction Books

Located in southeastern England, the borough of Hastings was often bombed by the Germans during the Second World War. In this text for scholars and general readers, native son Goodwin (affiliation not cited) draws upon archival research as well as the personal recollections of more than 40 townspeople to present a vivid account of a time that was marked by blackouts, rationing, and the constant fear of invasion. Distributed in the U.S. by the David Brown Book Company. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

'Hastings and St Leonards, the charming marine resort of fashionable English society, possess attractions and recommendations that render the borough unique and unrivalled among English watering places. Strangers who have not visited the place are liable to be misled by the separate mention of the two names into the idea that St Leonards and Hastings form two separate and independent towns, which in fact they originally were. That stage, however, has long since been passed - ' The above extract was taken from the 1897 edition of Views and Reviews - Hastings and exemplifies how the town was regarded as a stylish seaside resort by Victorian and Edwardian society. The town eventually lost favour among the wealthier classes, which set in motion a steady decline, only worsened by the onset of the Second World War. But Hastings today is undergoing a process of change and revival; a number of developments have been taking place which are moving the town towards a position in which it is once again 'unique and unrivalled among English watering places'.

Hastings: Wartime Memories and Photographs weaves the personal stories of 75 people who endured life in Hastings during the Home Front war years with more than 140 photographs, the majority of which have never been published before. It describes the dramatic and turbulent way in which a peaceful seaside resort quickly became a town in grave danger of enemy attack, whose residents had to adapt very rapidly in order to cope with the numerous problems that now faced them. The book delves into the lives of ordinary men, women and children, as well as the soldiers and evacuees who made Hastings their home at the time and so lived with the constant fear of invasion, and provides a detailed and colourful account of life on the front line. The personal stories and photographs are complemented by documentary evidence from various sources, including local newspapers, local and national government records and two very informative private diaries that were meticulously kept in Hastings during the Second World War by John Turner and Charles Chalk. The focus of this book is once again Hastings and St Leonards, but inevitably the surrounding towns and villages are also included.

The small Sussex town of Battle owes its very name and creation to the famous Battle of Hastings which took place here in 1066; the most decisive and important battle to have ever taken place in England. Following Duke William of Normandy's crowning victory, Battle prospered through the Middle Ages as a market town, a tradition which continues to this day. Always dominating the landscape of the town has been the magnificent Abbey which William created to celebrate his victory.Through a collection of largely Edwardian photographs, this book tells the story of Battle and the beautiful, historic surrounding villages of Catsfield, Westfield, Sedlescombe, and Crowhurst; each village steeped in its own rich history. Around Battle Through Time is essential reading for anyone who knows and loves this little Sussex town.