Below is a short description of our forthcoming books. Please select an option on the left, where available, to find out more.

 

Discover Old Swanage
by David Haysom (Hon. Curator, Swanage Museum)

Who better than David Haysom to take you on a fascinating tour of his home town? From thousands of old photographs and a huge archive of material at his disposal, David has carefully selected over 250 illustrations that tell the story of Swanage. From the piers, tramway and stone bankers to wreck and rescue and the railway, never before seen photographs, maps, newspaper clippings and old advertisements provide a living picture of Swanage through the centuries. Together with the informative text, he takes the reader on a full tour of the town’s history. Laid out in a series of walks around the town, the book also offers a practical way to explore Swanage, which will appeal to visitors and locals alike.

Available from Winter 2010 (sorry it's been delayed!)


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Defenders of Mai-dun - The Roman Assault on Maiden Castle
By David Macpherson

Although written for a young readership between the ages of 10 and 16, this book will equally be enjoyed by adults interested in local history. Defenders of Mai-dun is a novel about the invasion of Dorset by Vespasian and the Second Legion in the first century AD. The story follows the fortunes of a young orphan boy called Conn who lives on Maiden Castle and a Tribune in the Roman army called Julius. As Vespasian’s soldiers sweep through the land of the Durotriges, Julius and Conn’s lives are intertwined with a compelling inevitability. Historical and archaeological evidence is woven into the story, giving a sense of realism. The adventure concludes with the destruction of the Celtic settlement on Maiden Castle and the establishment of the Roman settlement at Dorchester.

David used to teach history and has published many articles on local history. Defenders of Mai-dun, his first novel, was inspired by frequent visits to Maiden Castle to walk his dog and to the Dorset County Museum. He now works as a youth magistrate in Dorchester and is writing more novels set in Dorset.

Available from Winter 2010


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The Enchantment of the Black Dog
(Second installment from The Portland Chronicles series)
By Carol Hunt

Following the popularity of The Portland Sea Dragon, many readers are keen to know when Carol’s next book is due out. You haven’t long to wait!

In Book 2, Isabel unravels the mystery of the legendary Black Dog of Portland. She travels across time to the Ice Age island of the snow wolves, and then into the heart of the Civil War on Portland in 1642. Isabel is joined by a local surfer called Ryder, a friendly Southwell fairy and a scruffy but loveable sheepdog called Gregor. Can she finally save the Black Dog from the sinister mermaid and discover his true identity?

Available from Winter 2010

 


Lesser Known Guides
Want to see what most visitors miss, gain a different perspective and have a few stories to tell?

Roving Press was established to publish local interest books with a different slant and a more family-friendly focus. Our Lesser Known Guides (LKG) will provide a new way of looking at and exploring specific locations, rather than whole areas, with the detail you need and want to get the most out of your visit. They should also encourage you to revisit favourite haunts and see them in a new light. Rather like having your own personal guide. Our first title Lesser Known Swanage is available now.

We welcome suggestions for new LKGs, so please let us know if you have a memory full of stories or an attic full of clippings about an interesting area.

Click HERE for more information on our LKGs



 

Want to follow our progress?
If you would like to be informed when new titles become available, please e-mail us.
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