Folly Books

Whilst visiting my publishing colleague last week I was shown four books which had been offered for review. They had been supplied by Folly Books, and after spending an hour going through them I have to say the quality of all four volumes is outstanding; the photographs in particular are stunning. All are written by experts in their field and I have no hesitation in recommending them. Despite them having no relation to airfields, I am aware that many users of this forum have an interest in other aspects of military archaeology. Many years ago there was a rumour that Duncan Campbell was about to release a book entitled something like 'Top Secret - a guide to the places you've always wondered about' That manuscript never actually appeared. These books more than fill that gap.

1) Cold War Bunkers by Nick Catford covers:



2) Second World War Secret Bunkers by Nick McCamley describes:
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3) Bath Stone Quarries by Derek Hawkins deals with:
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4) The Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Posts by Mark Dalton has the following chapters:
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Full details can be obtained by Googling 'Folly Books' (where there are some review videos), or the usual sources. I am of the opinion that, being very high quality publications, they represent excellent value for money.

Nick McCamley has got the technicalities of photographing underground spaces down to a speciality even using relatively simple equipment.

I have his two previous titles and these latest offering would seem to be updates and retitling yet I am tempted.......

It's worth pointing out that the history of the bathstone quarries is relevant because they were taken over prewar for munitions storage and storage for national treasures and some engineering production. Collectively they are 'The Corsham Quarries'

PETERTHEEATER;96092 wrote:

Nick McCamley has got the technicalities of photographing underground spaces down to a speciality even using relatively simple equipment.

Totally agree, however Nick Catford goes one step further with a Hassleblad . 6 x 6 format had that oomph factor.

Came across this forum more-or-less by chance, and had to comment. First, I'd like to introduce myself as Nick McCamley and say thanks for the generous praise for Folly Books. Then, about the photo's: most of my pictures until lately were taken on a Bronica ETRSi with a 40mm Seiko wide-angle lens..... a brilliant combination for underground photography. Now, like most people it seems, I use a Canon 550D with a 10mm wide-angle or 17mm shift lens, which might not be quite as good as the Bronica (or a Hasselblad which probably just has the edge) but still produces images plenty good enough for publication. Derek Hawkins, who took the majority of the pictures for his 'Bath Stone Quarries' took nearly all of them using a 550D with a Sigma 10-20mm zoom. But, quite honestly, the secret is not in the kit you use but in the lighting technique, which is a matter of practice and learning from your mistakes.
One other thing: we're starting a new series of books on the theme of UK Home Defence (pillboxes, defence lines, AA sites, airfields, etc). I'm hoping to do these on a regional basis and the first one (because he proposed the idea to us) is by Mark Dalton and will be entitle 'The 20th Century Defence of Angelsey'. Mark is the author of our ROC bunkers book. Should be published around Christmas. If there's anyone out there who thinks he or she has got a similar book in 'em (or can contribute towards one) please let me know.

Hello All

As Nick mentions, I am currently working on my new book about the 20th century defences on the Isle of Anglesey

The book is in its early stages. If any one would like to contribute archive photographs (I'm particulalry looking for in service photographs of the Ty Croes ranges) etc then please contact me on the Private Message system - of course, all material used in the book will be fully attributed to the contributor

Thanks

Mark

PS I hope it's OK to make requests like this on the forum...

Dear All

My book 'Defending Anglesey' is finally complete and is currently at the printers. Myself and Nick are hoping that the book will be available before Christmas and with that in mind it is now available to pre order on Amazon or through Nick at Folly Books.

Full details of the book can be found here

www.bradford-on-avon.org.uk/newtitles.html

and it can be pre ordered on Amazon

www.amazon.co.uk/Defending-Anglesey-Mark...s=defending+anglesey

The book covers defence building on the Island from WW1 to the present day and includes anti invasion defences, airfields (large Chapters on Valley, Mona, Bodorgan, Beaumaris and Llandwrog) , airfield defences, missile testing, naval facilities, radar bases, bombing and gunnery ranges and so forth. I've also included chapters on RAF Llandwrog and anti invasion defences in Snowdonia so that the defences on Anglesey can be placed in a wider context. The book is a large format with 374 pages and around 700 photos and hopefully there will be something for everyone.

Thanks

Mark

PNK;133909 wrote:

Mark,

Just noticed that your book has a chapter on bombing and gunnery ranges, something which I have more than a passing interest in

I guessed as much !

There is quite a lot of detail in the archives regards the usage of the various ranges post war with the focus being on developing a new range at Newborough. When it became clear that Valley would become an advanced flying school (rather than a weapons training unit) the whole thing was dropped.

Mark

Is it possible to get a review copy when it's published for the Airfield Review? It'd be good to do as I think it'd be of interest to the members, and a great affiliation to our library in the archives.

REF;133916 wrote:

Is it possible to get a review copy when it's published for the Airfield Review? It'd be good to do as I think it'd be of interest to the members, and a great affiliation to our library in the archives.

Yes, should be able to supply a review copy once they are available. Who is the best person to send to / address etc - PM me if needed

Thanks

Mark