Derek Tait: 27 books

From Bohemian Rhapsody and David Bowie to Star Wars and Watergate, the history of an unforgettable era that rocked (and discoed) the world. The 1970s was one of the most exciting, innovative, and colorful decades of the twentieth century. It was ten years of major events in music (Freddie Mercury,...

From the Barbican and the Hoe to the city centre and beyond, Derek Tait takes us on a tour of Plymouth, explaining the history behind the well-known landmarks of this fine city. Devastated by bombing, very few buildings that stood in the centre of Plymouth before the Second World War still remain....

The beauty of Dartmoor constantly changes throughout the year. Every season brings something new; new growth and colour in the spring, flourishing wildlife, plants and insects in the summer including magnificent butterflies, bees and other weird and wonderful insects. Autumn brings a rich glow to...

Devonport was built up around the dockyard in the late 1600s. Much was destroyed in the Second World War but iconic buildings such as the Guildhall and the Oddfellows Hall still survive. Many streets have disappeared and many of the grand buildings that once stood in Fore Street were completely destroyed...

Growing up as a child in Singapore and Malaya in the 1960s was an idyllic experience. Thousands of children of naval personnel will have the same fond memories of the time spent there, as Derek has. Who could forget the constant hot weather or the strange smells that you only seemed to find in the...

For over seventy-five years, Butlin's have been entertaining families of all ages. Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp in Skegness in 1936 and continued to expand with camps at Clacton, Ayr, Pwllheli, Bognor Regis, Mosney, Minehead and Barry Island. In post-war Britain, families could enjoy...

With few TVs, children in the 1950s made their own entertainment: they played conkers, built dens and go-karts, climbed trees and re-enacted fights from the latest cinema blockbuster. Food was, for many years, still rationed and bought from the local corner shop. There was no pre-packed food, frozen...

Do you remember glam rock, flares, cheesecloth shirts, and chopper bikes? Then it sounds like you were lucky enough to grow up during the 1970s. Who could forget all the glam rock bands of that era, like Slade, Wizard, Mud, and Sweet, or singers like Alvin Stardust, Marc Bolan, and David Bowie? What...

When news of the war broke out in 1914, nothing could prepare the citizens of Edinburgh for the changes that would envelop their city over the next four years. The story of Edinburgh in the Great War is both an interesting and intriguing one. This book covers this historic city's involvement from...

During the Second World War, Plymouth suffered some of the worst Blitz damage in the country. Bustling streets such as Bedford Street, George Street and Old Town Street were totally destroyed, while popular stores including Dingles, Pophams, Boots and Woolworths were reduced to rubble. Casualties...

When news of the war broke out in 1914, nothing could prepare the citizens of Aberdeen for the changes that would envelop their city over the next four years. The story of Aberdeen in the Great War is both an interesting and intriguing one. The city played a key role in the deployment of troops to...

Bordering Devon and Cornwall, the River Tamar stretches through some of the most beautiful and scenic parts of the south west. Over the years, much has changed in the region. Gone are the many barges that once took fruit, vegetables and other produce up and down the river. The river was once a hive...

The story of Plymouth in the First World War has never been fully covered although the town played a key role in the deployment of troops to Northern Europe as well as supplying ships and vital munitions. By August 1914, the British War office had moved 120,000 men into the town. Plymouth became the...

Exeter played a vital role during the First World War supplying men for the Army and raising funds to help troops overseas. The Mayoress and her team played a key part collecting money to aid homeless Belgian refugees in the city while also supporting other worthy causes both home and overseas. Soldiers...