Vaughan Grylls – författare

A dynamic exploration of Mercedes, one of the world’s foremost car brands, with lively photography and witty observations about why we love them.Karl Benz, who founded Mercedes Benz, invented the first car. So, since 1879, Mercedes Benz has been at the forefront of innovation. With their superior quality, sleek look and iconic three-pointed star logo (with the points representing land, sea and air), it’s a car brand with true global power and recognition. It has produced some of the fastest cars in the world, such as the 2022 Mercedes-AMG One Hybrid model, which can reach speeds of 219 mph.This fun and fascinating book, written by car-enthusiast and Mercedes owner Vaughan Grylls, is a tour de force through the history of Mercedes as told by its cars. From the world’s first car, the Benz Patent Motor Car, to the most expensive car ever sold, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, the story of Mercedes is a long and fascinating one, and is described in this book alongside a stunning range of photography. The ideal gift for every car enthusiast, whether they’re a Mercedes aficionado or just an admirer, this beautifully illustrated book perfectly conveys the joys of this classic brand.

Cambridge Then and Now is the latest in the long-running series that uncovers archive photos of the landmark sites of a city and re-photographs them from exactly the same viewpoint today. Cambridge Then and Now features vintage photos that date back to the Victorian era, through the twentieth century up until the early 1960s. And while many of the colleges have remained remarkably similar; the cars, the bikes and the fashion on the street has changed a great deal.    Cambridge sites include: King’s College, Queen’s College, St.John’s College, Trinity Hall College, Peterhouse, Magadalene College, Pembroke College, Jesus College, Jesus Green, Parker’s Piece, the Mathematical Bridge, Great St. Mary’s Church, the Corn Exchange, the Arts Theatre, Grantchester Rectory and the American Cemetery.

A glorious exploration of BMW, one of the greatest car brands of all time, with dynamic photography and lively text that explains why people love them.Known as 'the ultimate driving machine', BMW is one of the world's most prestigious car brands. Renowned for their smooth handling, precision engineering and sleek looks, BMWs pair driving comfort with powerful engines. Originally formed during the first world war, the company reached new heights of popularity in the 1960s and is still going strong today.This captivating book outlines all the most iconic BMW models, from their first car, the Dixi of 1927, to today's high-performance models, including the beautiful 1955 507 roadster, the instantly recognisable 2002 from the 1960s, and the iconic E30 M3, first manufactured in the mid-1980s. Each evocative vintage photograph is accompanied by insightful explanation.The ideal gift for every car enthusiast, whether they're a BMW owner or just aspire to be, this beautifully illustrated book conveys perfectly the joys of this classic brand.

A lively exploration of Volvo, one of the world’s best-loved car brands, with evocative vintage photography and entertaining text that explains why you should want to own one.This iconic Swedish marque is highly regarded across the world for safety, longevity and precision in the design and manufacture of their cars. Originally evolving from the Swedish Ball Bearing Factory, established in 1907, the company went from strength to strength through the twentieth century and beyond. It became a much-admired manufacturer of reliable family cars as well as exciting sports models and today’s innovative electric vehicles, including through its sister brand, Polestar.The Spirit of Volvo outlines all the most popular and enduring Volvo models, including the early ÖV 4, made to stand up to the challenging Swedish climate, the sporty P1800, famous in the 1960s for appearing in the TV series The Saint, suavely driven by Roger Moore, and the quintessential large family car through several decades, the 240. The insightful text, from an author who is a Volvo owner and superfan as well as an expert in design, is accompanied by glorious photography showing the Volvo brand at its very best.The perfect gift for every car enthusiast, whether they are a Volvo driver or not, this beautifully illustrated book, the fourth title in the ‘Spirit of Classic Cars’ series, delivers a captivating insight into this classic brand.

Hong Kong was first captured on camera when the British arrived to lay claim to its ‘fragrant harbour’ in 1841. Its fascinating history has been documented through photography ever since – from its rapid expansion as a Crown Colony to its handover to China in 1997 and its present status as one of the world’s leading international financial centres. Pairing rare and previously unpublished photographs with contemporary views taken from the same location, Hong Kong Then and Now highlights the rich and varied history of this constantly evolving metropolis, from Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong Club and the Star Ferry to Kowloon Walled CIty, Chek Lap Kok Airport and the gleaming skyscrapers of its central banking district.Sites include: Victoria Harbour, the Peak, the Star Ferry Pier, Man Ho Temple, Ladder Street, Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong Club, Prince's Building, HSBC, Noonday Gun, Happy Valley Racecourse, Tiger Balm Garden, Peninsula Hotel, Kai Tak Airport, Kowloon Walled City, Shenzhen, Repulse Bay, Chek Lap Kok Airport, St. Paul's (Macau).

Singapore Then and Now brings together rare archival images of this global city-state and matches them with specially commissioned photos of the same sites as they appear today. Vaughan Grylls (author/photographer of Oxford Then and Now, Cambridge Then and Now and Hong Kong Then and Now) has rounded up all of the key sites that make up this fascinating and diverse place, from gleaming new skyscrapers and shopping malls to magnificent temples and ancient rainforests. The breathtaking contrast between past and present make this a fascinating addition to the long-running Then and Now series. Sites include: Elgin Bridge, Empress Place Building, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Fullerton Hotel, Johnston’s Pier, Singapore Cricket Club, the Supreme Court, Capitol Theatre, Raffles Hotel, Masjid Sultan Mosque, Ellison Building, Coleman Bridge, Fort Canning, National Museum, YMCA Building, Cathay Building, Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Tanjong Pagar Dock, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Johor–Singapore Causeway, Ford Factory, Changi Village.

Matching archive photos with their modern viewpoint, London Then and Now gives a fascinating insight into the history of Europe's financial capital.London has changed rapidly in the last 150 years. The Luftwaffe helped modify many parts of central London and the East End in the 1940s, but some of the most dramatic changes have come in the last 20 years.Stretching from Hampton Court and Kew Gardens in West London, the book takes a winding route along the river Thames to the soaring spires of Canary Wharf in Dockland and the stately Royal Naval College at Greenwich.Sites include: Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Hammersmith Bridge (Boat Race), Kings Road Chelsea, Battersea Power Station, Lambeth Palace, The Tate, Palace of Westminster, Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), Whitehall, Horseguards Parade, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Albert Memorial, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Festival Hall, Savoy Hotel, Oxo Tower, Covent Garden, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Royal Opera House, Soho, Tate Modern, Bank of England, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, Samuel Pepys' Church, London Bridge/Shard, Docklands, Greenwich Observatory (GMT) and the Royal Naval College

From applying to be a choirboy at St Paul's Cathedral, through failing his driving test, to interviews for appointment as Professor of fine Art at one of New England's most famous universities, or a fellow of a Cambridge college, Vaughan Grylls has perfect recall of the foibles, the prejudices and the occasionally apparent insanity of his interviewers, and the result is an endlessly entertaining, but simultaneously salutary read.

An evocative exploration of the iconic Saab brand, with beautiful photography and lively text that shows beyond all doubt why you should want to own one.Saab is a byword for style, performance quality and safety – the cars have a reputation for reliability and solidity, along with classic Scandinavian design that have made them the go-to car of creatives the world over. Although production ceased in 2011, Saabs are still highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.This fascinating book outlines all the classic Saab models from 1949's pioneering Ursaab prototype to the last cars to drive off the production line in the early 2010s, including their world-beating rally cars of the 1960s and 70s and the best-selling Saab 900, with glorious vintage photographs and insightful explanation from Saab superfan Vaughan Grylls.The perfect gift for the car nut in your life, whether they've owned a Saab or not, this book sums up everything that's great about this truly classic brand.

A fascinating exploration of VW, one of the most revered and enduring international car brands, with dynamic photography and insightful text that explains why we love them and why you should want to own one.With a second-to-none reputation for reliability, innovation and style, Volkswagen is one of the world's best-loved car manufacturers. From the adorable and unforgettable Type One, otherwise known as the Beetle or Bug, which reached huge heights of popularity in the 1960s, to today's groundbreaking hybrid and electric vehicles, good design has always been at the forefront of VW's philosophy.This fascinating book, written by a long-time VW fanatic who is also an expert in art and design, traces the development of Volkswagen design throughout the years, examining the most exciting and stylish models – not only the Beetle but the huge range of family cars, camper vans, SUVs and modern city cars the company has produced throughout the years, and not forgetting the iconic Golf GTI.The perfect gift for the car aficionado in your life, whether they own a VW or not, this fun and quirky book explores everything that's great about this classic brand.