North Yorkshire

Robert Woodhouse's book about North Yorkshire illustrates and describes people, places and incidents that are unusual, odd or extraordinary. Subjects covered include flamboyant or eccentric characters, curious buildings, large-scale schemes that were planned and built but never used (a railway across the moors, a harbour and a seaside resort, for example), weird weather, mazes, standing stones and holes in the ground, unusual customs, and lost racecourses. Local folklore and legend are also examined - to show how real events have been exaggerated and embroidered over the years: the author gives examples of monsters, giants and witches, all of whom really existed, in some form. Using a range of illustrations, from old and recent photographs to maps, prints, paintings and engravings, Woodhouse tells an entertaining story - an alternative history of North Yorkshire.