I have decided to give free access to a pdf. of my book that tells the story and history of The German Swordmakers of Shotley Bridge, including the entire peripheral details - which are extensive: in total, 50,000 words over 165 pages, profusely illustrated with high-resolution images.
It began as a simple local-history story for my friend to add to her catalogue of illustrated lectures for the people of Tyneside, but rapidly became much more than that. Because I began as a total novice, and because the true story had been deliberately obfuscated from the start, it is now eight years since I began.
Eventually it will be made into a TV documentary by the BBC; then a companion publication (almost certainly much abridged) will be published for the general public.
I feel it deserves to be accessible to all our cognoscenti in its entirety, and what better viewing platform is there?
The very final section will continue to be augmented as, the more the book is disseminated, the more relevant and/or interesting additional material trickles in.
My local printer will make very reasonably priced one-off copies for any interested party, and also mail them out. Hard copy is a full colour, high resolution B5 format, spiral bound (open flat) and printed on heavy, glossy stock with "Never-Tear" covers that will endure lifelong referencing. I cannot profit from these copies so they will be offered by the printer at 'cost' price - plus postage; beware though, postage to the USA is c.£25 for example.
You will find the free pdf. download on the forum index page soon or:
http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/...sed_Swords.pdf.