There is a great deal of history and tradition belonging to the Canals of the U.K. Luckily for us, quite a bit of it has been recorded in word and picture. Every now and then I come across a book telling of the days gone by, and I cannot resist them! Whether it’s a little canal side shop, or a canal museum, out jumps this canal book, begging me to buy it! Here are a few of the books I have that are worth getting hold of, if you can.

*The Number Ones, by Robert J. Wilson
Number Ones were owner operators. They actually owned their own boat, and had crews work for them. Some of the well known number ones were Arthur Bray, Joe Skinner, and Charlie Atkins. This little book I picked up at the Canal Museum in London, and give a look at the lives of the Midland Canal owner boatmen. It is well written, and has a host of photographs of the Number Ones, their boats and families.

*Canal Narrow Boats and Barges, written by Tony Conder.
This is a Shire Publication, and is an introduction to narrow boats, while also looking at a variety of other canal and river craft. Photos and illustrations, (in colour and black and white) show boats on the inland waterways today and older working boats with the background of industry. The author, Tony Conder, worked at the Stoke Bruerne canal museum, before opening the National Waterways Museum at Gloucestershire.

*A Canal People, featuring the photographs of Robert Longden, by Sonia Rolt
One of the best books on canal boats, and canal folk. I just love the canal history and culture, and this book is just packed with excellent high quality photos of the canal. The photos were taken around Hawkesbury Junction between late 1940 and early 1950. The photos are of a close community and represent its members in an intimate way, at work, at play, in their domestic affairs, and how they lived on their colorful narrow boats. Sonia Rolt, who worked on the canals, and new the photographer, tells how she came by the pictures, and provides informative captions to the pictures. Highly recommended to all narrow boat enthusiasts.

*Canals of England, Martin Evans and Robert Reichenfeld
This is a lovely picture book, part of the Country Series put out by Phoenix some time ago. Martin and Robert toured the canals, and documented the waterways in all aspects – in all weathers. There are over130 great photographs, and plenty of rich text in the history, people and legends of the canals. This book captures the beauty of the canals from stone bridges in Bath, to the magnificent sweep of the Rochdale Canal.

Check availability of these books at:
http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com/canal-and-narrowboat-books.html

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