Sunderland

Sunderland! Thirteen hundred years ago it was the greatest center of learning in the whole of Christendom and the very cradle of English consciousness. In the time of Lewis Carroll it was the greatest shipbuilding port in the world. To this city that gave the world the electric light bulb, the stars and stripes, the millennium, the Liberty Ships and the greatest British dragon legend came Carroll in the years preceding his most famous book, Alice in Wonderland, and here are buried the roots of his surreal masterpiece. Enter the famous Edwardian palace of varieties, The Sunderland Empire, for a unique experience: an entertaining and epic meditation on myth, history and storytelling and decide for yourself — does Sunderland really exist?

After just a handful of games this season Sunderland were looking early favourites for the drop into League One, despite the arrival of the 'returning messiah' Niall Quinn, who headed up the consortium that had just bought the club. When he took the decision to appoint Roy Keane as manager, most predicted a storm. Instead, out went half the first team, and Sunderland went on to lift the Championship and head off into the 'promised land' of the Premiership. Wilson tells the story not only of Sunderland's astonishing turnround, but also the transformation of their manager. As a player Keane was notoriously critical of shortcomings in his team-mates. Yet as a manager, he has inspired his side and seems a natural in the role, thanks to his razor sharp wit and insight. In the course of covering the Championship for the Independent and Independent on Sunday, Jonathan Wilson (himself a Mackem) has followed Sunderland's rise closely. Here he not only probes behind the scenes at The Stadium of Light, and brings an in-depth analysis to the club's achievement, he also celebrates one of the most remarkable seasons in the club's history. It is a football story as dramatic as any of recent years.

Experience 100 key dates that shaped Sunderland’s history, highlighted its people’s genius (or silliness) and embraced the unexpected. Featuring an amazing mix of social, criminal and sporting events, this book reveals a past that will fascinate, delight and even shock both residents and visitors of the city.

Sunderland is largely a product of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when coalmining and shipbuilding fuelled rapid expansion and development. Once known as the 'largest shipbuilding town in the world', Sunderland's proud and distinctive identity is embodied in its historic buildings and in its changing urban form. The Architecture of Sunderland, 1700-1914 examines the city's architectural history during the highpoint of its growth and prosperity. Exploring the cityscape from the richest to the humblest buildings, it brings to life the economic, social and cultural forces that have shaped the city. The text is illustrated with fascinating archival images and photographs taken especially for this volume.

Explores the rich and fascinating history of the city through an examination of some of its greatest architectural treasures.

Explore the secret history of Sunderland through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.