A Really Short…History of Chester takes readers on a whistle-stop tour through Chester’s incredible past, from its first inhabitants 2,800 years ago to those of the early 21st century. Chester’s rich heritage is explored through a selection of its people, institutions, battles, struggles, recoveries and more. The carefully researched chronological narrative is brought to life with a unique blend of portraits, caricatures, humorous illustrations, engravings, maps and realistic drawings to keep readers from Key Stage 3 upwards engaged and informed.
This book is ideal for history lovers, but also for those new to the city’s history, thanks to its enjoyable mix of visuals and concise, informative text. Local residents will discover fresh insights into the remarkable history of their community, while students, educators, tourists, and visitors alike can use it as a valuable resource and portable guide that goes beyond traditional historical narratives.
By sharing knowledge in such a vibrant way, this book aims to encourage readers to engage with the heritage surrounding them and enhance their understanding of how the city of Chester has evolved. This, in turn, could help to inform how the community adapts to the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
About the author:
With dual PhDs in Journalism and Psychology, O. B. Appledore (pen name for R. Tejeiro) has spent over three decades as an educator, and he is currently lecturing at Liverpool John Moores University. His doctoral work in Journalism explored the impact of cartoons on shaping public opinion around key social issues – a subject close to his heart, as O. B. also spent 25 years as a political cartoonist for various newspapers. An accomplished author, he has penned more than 20 books on the history of towns and institutions, along with numerous shorter works for charities addressing issues like racism and alcohol abuse. His diverse career includes roles as director of communications for a local authority and creative artist in advertising.
OB Appledore said: “Chester has an extraordinary historical and social heritage. Writing this book has been a true pleasure, as it has allowed me to uncover how the city’s rich past lives on in countless small details that can still be seen and felt today.
“My hope is that this book will help share Chester’s remarkable history more widely. With that in mind, I’ve aimed to move beyond the traditional narrative style, choosing instead an approach that I hope will engage a broad range of readers - residents, students and educators, of course, but also tourists, visitors, and anyone curious to spend an enjoyable time discovering more about this wonderful city.”
Ordering information
O. B. Appledore, A Really Short, Entertaining, Fully Graphic and as Accurate as Possible History of Chester, 2024, ISBN 978-1-910481-40-0, £14.99.
Copies can be purchased directly from the publisher using this ordering system and through booksellers and distributors (including Gardners). This ordering system is for print books only and these are despatched through the postal system. Other means of payment are institutional purchase orders and cheques made payable to the University of Chester. Please email any ordering queries or call +44(0)1244 513305. There is no charge for postage and packing in the UK for this book, but postal charges are applicable for overseas orders. Please note that for books sent overseas, there may be local taxes applied in the country of destination and customs delays.
For more details on University of Chester Press books, please visit: www.chester.ac.uk/university-press