Hastings Books

Cobb was the archetypal political rebel. The local vendetta against him never slackened. He was bankrupted, constantly dragged before the Borough Bench, imprisoned and sued for libel in the High Court. The book highlights Alf Cobb's irrepressible spirit and inspired humour that saw him through years of poverty and political oppression. Hastings has seen no one like him since.

The year is 1830.

A state of anarchy terrorises Sussex and Kent.

Panic-stricken landowners cower behind bolted doors.
Cottagers tremble for their lives
as farm machinery is smashed to smithereens.

Petrified farmers receive blood-chilling, anonymous letters,
threatening to roast them alive in their beds.

The search is on for the bandit leader

Captain Swing — Wanted: Dead or Alive!

Provides a historical account of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, a pivotal event in England's history, as well as the people and events leading up to it and its ramifications.

Traveller and novelist who lived in Hastings

An original and unique, town-by-town guide to 430 ladies who were born, died or resident in Sussex and who made their mark in the realms of literature, exploring, politics, fine art, science, archaeology, philanthropy, mountaineering, sculpture, translation, broadcasting, botany, journalism, horse-breeding, education, sport, engineering, comedy, military service, theatre and medicine over a period of 200 years.

This fascinating, 174-page book describes what life was like for women of different classes in an English seaside town, from the middle of the reign of Queen Victoria, focussing particularly on their working lives. It is fully-illustrated with 19th century cartoons, adverts and drawings.

This is a ground breaking book, packed full of fascinating details about women's lives in early to mid Victorian England. The women in the book have been described as "brave, tragic, stubborn, desperate and comic" in their struggles to carve out a life against appalling injustice.