Bill Lancaster

“ ... undoubtedly the most important book on the history of Newcastle to hit the market for upwards of half a century—and is arguably the best of all-time ... a brilliant and ground-breaking work ... it will be argued that there is still room on the market for a straight-forward chronological history of the city ... but such a work will never achieve the depth of analysis which this collection of specialist essays skilfully attains.” The North-Easterner

The emergence of the 'Europe of regions' and challenges to national history has been pivotal in inspiring new research by leading European historians in recent years. Questions of boundaries, identities, cultural landscapes and economic regions are addressed in these nineteen essays aimed at academics and students interested in Regional History. The recent flourish in Regional History bears striking parallels with the emergence of Urban History in the 1960s. Seeking conceptual clarity this volume showcases the latest research in the field. The growing interest in regions is reflected in the range of disciplinary perspectives deployed in this collection with contributions from geographers and political scientists as well as historians. This volume, with its lively mixture of case studies and conceptual exploration, promises to become the standard work in this growing and exciting area of scholarship.

Benchwarmer is a story about an Arkansas youngster who grows up to become a nationally recognized sports editor and the numberone authority on the Arkansas Razorback football program. It is a suspense novel with many layers built around colorful characters who weave in and out of Taylor Prescott's roller-coaster life. The main character faces many hurdles and lands a job in scenic Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he overcomes personal tragedy to witness the greatest college football game of all time between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Longhorns. What leads this intrepid reporter to the final big stage on the day of the championship game and where does he fit in with President Reagan and the crazy Cuban exile? Is it another practical joke from his boyhood friend Winky, and will the wicked newspaper war in Little Rock play a pivotal role in the dramatic conclusion? Will the beloved Hogs finally win the big one for Coach Wimberly, and will Taylor's sweetheart and young son be left alone at the hospital? The Secret Service must react swiftly as the drama unfolds on national TV, bombastic broadcaster Howard Bizell at the microphone. Everyone is watching and history is being made as violence erupts in Razorback land.