News, events and new titles from Bristol Books this August
Read a Bristol book this summer
It’s time to settle down on the beach or sun lounger to enjoy a well-earned break and make sure that alongside the Factor 50 and the sunglasses you have that essential accessory – a good book!
This year, instead of a murder mystery that is soon forgotten, why not pick up a book that gives you a fascinating insight into Bristol life.
Check out our website where you will find biographies of people with links to Bristol including musicians Adge Cutler and Fred Wedlock, scientific miracle Louise Brown, charity runner John Reynolds and footballer Steve Stacey.
There is an 18th Century dramatised true story of European royalty living in a haystack near Bristol; there are fascinating tales of early medical treatment in Bristol; rock gigs in the 1970s and tales of slavers and quakers.
Footage Rediscovered - Bristol Archives & the home movie movement
Sat 27 July 11:10am (ends 12:55pm), Watershed, Cinema 3
Bristol Books director Clive Burlton, who has researched many of our books, discovered a reel of film held at the British Film Institute in Southbank, London, revealing footage of Bristol from 110 years ago, that touched on his own family.
On Saturday he will be taking part in an event at Bristol’s Watershed Cinema “Footage Rediscovered - Bristol archives and the home movie movement” as part of the Bristol UNESCO City of Film Connections series.
Bristol has a rich vein of home movie and amateur film; some of it held in the Bristol Archives. This event explores how amateur film has been used to celebrate the city over the last 100 years, starting with a showing of David Parker’s archive documentary Bristol 650 in 65 minutes (2023).
Bristol’s best guided walk and cycle route
You can download a map of the most exciting walk and cycle route around Bristol through our website.
The book From Brycgstow to Bristol in 45 Bridges has inspired thousands of people to get out and about and find Bristol’s hidden corners.
Each one of Bristol’s bridges has a fascinating story which is woven intimately into the 1,000-year history of the city. Why was it built? What was involved in its design, engineering and construction? What dramatic events sometimes swirled around and perhaps on it? In this book Jeff Lucas tells the story of each of the 45 bridges which span the main waterways of Bristol between Avonmouth and St Anne’s, and which can be crossed on foot.
But more than that it provides a route for the cycle and walk. Many people have completed the walk and got a badge to mark their achievement. For mathematics fans there is also an intriguing challenge to learn about. It is no wonder this is now a best seller.
