Looking for books to gift a history enthusiast for Christmas? Through November and December, we’re casting a weekly spotlight on some of the best books based or published in the East of England, courtesy of the East Anglian Book Awards 2022.

Now in their fifteenth year, the awards celebrate writing talent within the East of England. The East Anglian Book Awards are a partnership between Jarrold, the Eastern Daily Press, and the National Centre for Writing, supported by UEA Faculty of Arts & Humanities. The overall prize is sponsored by The PACCAR Foundation.

History & Tradition

Judged by Amanda Dillon, lecturer in history, University of East Anglia and manages the academic journal European History Quarterly

For those interested in song, community building and Suffolk lore…

Some Splendid Noise by David Edwards (Gresham Publications)

The Aldeburgh Music Club was founded by Benjamin Britten in 1952. A group of musical enthusiasts would meet every week at Britten’s home to make music. The Club is still going strong and today is one of Britain’s leading regional choirs, performing at Snape Maltings Concert Hall and other local venues. This handsome book tells the story of how the club came into existence and how it became a major force for community music making in Suffolk.

Our judges said:

‘Edwards’ loving portrayal of a local music club as a microhistory of the changing cultural and musical atmosphere in the period is extremely well done, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated.’

For fans of personal accounts of forgotten histories…

The Great Thorpe Railway Disaster 1874 by Phyllida Scrivens (Pen & Sword Books Ltd)

The residents of the picturesque riverside village of Thorpe-Next-Norwich were shocked by a ‘deafening peal of thunder’, sending them running through the driving rain towards a scene of destruction. Surgeons were summoned from the city, as the dead, dying and injured were taken to a nearby inn and boatyard. Every class of Victorian society was travelling that night, including ex-soldiers, landowners, clergymen, doctors, seamstresses, saddlers, domestic servants and a beautiful heiress.

Using extensive research, non-fiction narrative, informed speculation and dramatised events, Phyllida Scrivens pays tribute to the 28 men, women and children who died, revealing the personal stories behind the names, hitherto only recorded as a list.

Our judges said:

‘It is perhaps even more interesting for the little biographies of the story’s ‘characters’ – carefully gleaned from the NRO and other local archives.’

For those interested in political upheaval and local histories…

Wingfield: Suffolk’s Forgotten Castle by Elaine Murphy (Poppyland Publishing)

Wingfield Castle in Suffolk was home to powerful families who played nationally important roles in the story of England. The Wingfields, de la Poles, Brandons and Jerninghams made history and their stories shaped the nation, but later the castle declined to become a residence at the heart of a farming estate.

This book is as much about the story of Suffolk and its changing society as it is about the castle itself. The author’s meticulous research gives equal weight to these later centuries, creating for the first time a comprehensive history to shed light on this forgotten Suffolk castle.

These books are available to buy from Jarrold, third floor, London St, Norwich NR2 1JF. You can also browse online here.

The category winners for the East Anglian Book Awards 2022 will be announced in the Eastern Daily Press in January 2022, followed by the Overall Book of the Year Award and Exceptional Contribution Award on Friday 17 February.