The Little Book of Sussex

by David Arscott

The Little Book of Sussex is a funny, fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic, or simply strange information no-one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters, and literally hundreds of wacky facts (plus some authentically bizarre bits of historic trivia). David Arscott's new book gathers together a myriad of data on Sussex. There are lots of factual chapters but also plenty of frivolous details which will amuse and surprise. With chapters on folklore, history, geography, celebrity Sussexians and much more, this is an ideal book for all those who know and love this quintessentially English county.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

David John Arscott was a British author, local historian and publisher from Sussex.
Arscott wrote more than 40 books about Sussex, as well as several volumes of the Salariya Book Company's Very Peculiar History series and a number of works of fiction. His 1984 novel The Frozen City has been translated into Japanese. His first venture into political satire, Lady Thatcher's Wink, was published in 2016. As an author, his books are largely held in libraries worldwide.
Arscott worked as a journalist from 1959, first with the Investors Chronicle and the Evening Standard in London and then for the English language paper The Daily Journal in Caracas, Venezuela. Returning to England, he reported for the Dorset Evening Echo. After taking an English degree at Hertford College, Oxford, he joined BBC Radio Brighton as a news producer, switching to general programme production and presentation shortly before the station expanded to become BBC Radio Sussex.
His publishing company, Pomegranate Press, founded in 1992, offered a self-publishing service to other authors. It initially specialised in books with a Sussex theme but later expanded to include the Pomegranate Practicals nutshell guides, fiction and a range of non-fiction titles.
He was also involved in media training with Curtin and Co, working with colleagues in the UK and abroad to coach individuals and groups in improving their skills in front of the microphone and the camera.

Reviews

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good fun to dip into, which is what I have been doing over the year. It was a present from one of my cousins who lives in Sussex.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

some stories were repeated or added to in later chapters referring back to other sections which was detrimental to the flow of information in my opinion. Still worth the read.

[John Ollerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unpretentious book is full of loads fascinating snippets of history. It is really well researched

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab little book full of interesting facts.