Most Popular Books by David Leslie

The focus of this volume is on comprehension of concepts, patterns, and issues rather than on memorization of facts and figures. The latter are provided, but they are intended primarily to illustrate the underlying conditions rather than to serve as the focus of the text

What connects the drowning of a convict in six feet of water, an award of £5 from a famous colonel for an act of bravery, a murder trial in Belfast, an Australian nun, a body found minus both feet, an accidental discovery of a Roman ruin, the deaths of dozens in a boat disaster 90 miles from the sea and a World War I soldier who met Kitchener at Halton Park? Extraordinary Times is a history book with a difference. Accompanied by dozens of black-and-white photographs and illustrations.The author, David Leslie has researched his family history over several years and the result is a book that weaves together the stories of several of his ancestors, unearthing many previously unknown connections and coincidences. Along the way, David describes the Sheffield Flood, the Titanic disaster, the story of orphans transported to Australia, Lead mining, the gold rush, whaling in Alaska and many other stories with links to his ancestors.Extraordinary Times visits major historical events throughout history by looking at them from their connections with very ordinary people. The book looks into the early history of professional football, the transportation of convicts to Australia, the Rotherham Boat Disaster, the porcelain industry, lead mining, Whaling, Victorian Belfast, the discovery of a Roman Villa, children''s homes, Bubonic Plague and the Gold industry as well as many other linked historical events. The author weaves the stories together by telling the (often interconnected) tales of many of his own ancestors. A theme that runs through the book is the ways in which these people and events are joined up in one way or another.You will read about murders, tragic accidents, abuse and neglect. Inventions, achievements and one or two terrible errors. Some things you may already have heard of, others will be news to you.The book gives an insight into nineteenth and early twentieth century life and takes the reader to Australia and America as well as many places in the British Isles.Supported by an extensive bibliography including numerous weblinks, the reader can find out much more about each story if they would like to.