Crime in the Second World War: Spivs, Scoundrels, Rogues and Worse by Penny Legg

An excellent and intriguing collection of true life stories of the crimes that went on during World War II. Using photographs and well researched information, from small petty crimes, to murder and many more, author Penny Legg captures in detail the crime cases, the people involved and how they were solved. We see the dark side of the war with crime rate up by fifty-seven percent between 1939-1945, with blackouts and air raids providing the spivs, scoundrels, rouges and worse, the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation, for them to carry out their crimes. The book can be used for reference purposes to dip in and out of, or if you are like me and find this a fascinating subject, you will have read it cover to cover before you know it! A great and knowledgeable source of information, that I learnt so much from.

Eastleigh Then & Now in Colour by Penny Legg

Eastleigh’s history is told by Penny Legg in this wonderful book that will bring back memories if you are from the Eastleigh area or have a connection to Eastleigh. Like many of Penny Legg’s books the history is told using old photographs and placing them with modern up- to-date glossy coloured photographs of interesting points and places. So we, the reader can compare the photographs from the past with the new to see just how much Eastleigh has changed over the years. For buildings which have survived, what have they become in the modern day? Just what were they in the past? With interesting and informative and well researched information to accompany the photographs you can learn a lot from this book or just to have a trip down memory lane to see what you remember about Eastleigh.

If you know Eastleigh, are a local or are the same as me who have never visited Eastleigh, but are interested in history you will find this book fascinating and educational too, lots of interesting facts and lots of places in Eastleigh covered too. This is a book that can easily be read in one sitting. I really enjoyed comparing the photographs from past and present, once again another remarkable read from Penny Legg.

Penny Legg is a writer, photographer and public speaker. She has contributed numerous articles to newspapers and magazines, as well as writing several popular books on the area. Penny is the founder member of Writing Buddies, and is a key member of many other writing groups. She lives in Southampton.

To buy this book from Amazon (UK) click here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0752469991

To buy this book from Amazon (US) click here: http://amzn.com/0752469991

Under the Queen’s Colours: Voices from the Forces 1952-2012 by Penny Legg

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this book is a wonderful collection of stories told by people who have served in each of our armed forces. Army, Navy, and Royal Air Force who have served under the Queen during her reign in the past sixty years.

The stories start from the start of the Queens reign the 1950’s and go through six decades bringing us up to the present day. Ordinary people share their experiences and memories of their time they spent in the services. Some of the stories are told with great humour, some are moving and touching. In this book you get a first account of what life was like serving the Queen and country.

This book is a fascinating read, I like reading books about real people and this book really does give you an idea of what life must have been like in the services. From just general duties to serving during times of conflict and much more, the stories are a great collection and are accompanied by some great colourful photographs. Penny Legg has a wonderful warm way, of capturing history in anecdotes and memories from real people. 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the Royal Navy & Marines Charity and the ARF the Soldiers Charity.

To buy this book from amazon.co.uk, click the following link http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0752469959

Winchester: History You Can See - By Penny Legg

This book looks back at the history of the city of Winchester. Winchester is a city full of history and in this book Penny Legg takes a look at some of the fascinating points of interest. Showing the history of Winchester through photographs and with detailed descriptions about the background, the book explores from Winchester Cathedral, churches, cemeteries to statues and King Arthur’s Round Table to the house that Jane Austen spent her final days.

This book will be an interesting read not only for the people who live in Winchester but it makes a brilliant guide book for those visiting Winchester. The photographs really bring the book to life. 

For more information about the author click the following link: http://www.pennylegg.com/  

Voices of Southampton by Penny Legg

Voices of Southampton, is a wonderful collection of people from Southampton telling their stories and experiences of growing up in Southampton. The stories come from a variety of different people that recall their memories going to school and work or personal memories of their family, friends and members of the community. There is also a chapter on Southampton stories during the war. There is a good collection of photographs to accompany the stories. 

I found all the stories interesting in this book. The one I was most moved by was the story about Ben Parker, which is told by his son. Ben Parker was the only survivor in an air raid. The actual air raid shelter was bombed that Ben was in and he was the only survivor. The air raid killed Ben’s mother, and all his siblings. Ben was only ten when this happened to him. The book shows a moving letter Ben wrote to his father.

There are many more uplifting and sometimes funny stories too. The book is full of interesting stories and there are some really colourful characters in the book.  By the end of reading the book you do have a great insight into how Southampton has changed in the last seventy years.  Another brilliant read from Penny Legg.

For more information about the author click the following link: http://www.pennylegg.com/ 

Southampton Then & Now by Penny Legg

Southampton Then & Now is a fabulous collection of black and white archive photographs of Southampton in the past and then a collection of photographs recreating the same photographs now in full modern colour, so the reader can look and compare the photographs and see how buildings, transport and people have changed over time. The photographs have well researched and interesting information to accompany them. It is a wonderful reflection on the history of the city.

I am a fan of Penny Legg books. Penny really pays attention to the detail in the photos and she tries to capture the exact angle that the original photographs were taken at all those years ago, even having to avoid cars on the now modern and much busier roads of Southampton! I really enjoyed comparing the photographs and spotting the differences from Then & Now.  The information that goes along side the photographs provides the reader with good background information and present day information about the photograph. Penny Legg really brings history to life.

For more information about the author click the following link: http://www.pennylegg.com/ 

Folklore of Hampshire by Penny Legg

Folklore of Hampshire is packed full with well researched information about folklore in Hampshire. Topics include saints, royalty and celebrated citizens, which include Saint Swithun. We all know the well known saying if it rains on Saint Swithun’s day it will rain for forty days and forty nights and if it is fine it will be fine for forty days and forty nights. We learn about how he came to have so much influence over the weather.  You can also read all about Jane Austen and her background and connection to Hampshire. There are many more interesting people featured in this book.

The book also covers Hampshire traditions, customs and legends such as haunted places and buildings and ghostly stories, strange creatures, witches, highwaymen, folklore songs and much, much more.

Whether you live or are from the Hampshire area or if you are interested in history or folklore you will like this book. I am not from the Hampshire area and have never been there but found the book really interesting. There is also a good collection of photographs of the subjects covered in the book. This is the second book by Penny Legg that I have read and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

For more information about the author click the following link: http://www.pennylegg.com/

Haunted Southampton by Penny Legg

Haunted Southampton is the expertly put together collection of real life ghostly tales. They say that Derby is the most haunted place in the UK but after reading this book I think that maybe it could be Southampton with its ghostly sightings and haunted happenings. They include the sighting of a grey lady in the Royal Victoria Park which used to be the site of a former military hospital. The Brushmaker Arms that has got a long history of phenomena and of things going bump in the night and a mysterious person on a railway platform and much, much more. You could not ask for detail any better than what Penny has provided. The people who are sharing their experiences are named and each stories history and past is well researched and photos are provided of the places and there are also some spooky pictures for the reader to observe. There are also some interesting interviews with people who work in the paranormal field including a ghost hunter and Britain’s youngest medium.

This book will appeal to not just the people who live in the Southampton area, but to all who are interested in not only the paranormal but in history too. I have never been to Southampton but now thanks to this book, I now know some interesting places to visit and explore. This is a thoroughly fascinating read. I look forward to reading more of Penny’s work.

For more information about the author click the following link: http://www.pennylegg.com/