{"product_id":"walking-the-hamster-to-the-fountain","title":"Walking the Hamster to the Fountain","description":"\u003cp\u003e'Walking the Hamster to the Fountain' is an extremely\nentertaining, well-researched book which chronicles, in lively and\nunforgettable detail, some of the thousand-year history of the English village\nof Hempstead, Essex, from the Norman Conquest to the Kray twins. Firmly\ngrounded in English history, the book is packed with stories of country life,\nparsons, celebrities, arson, political and intrigue. It will appeal to all\nthose who enjoy disappearing down historical 'rabbit holes'. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe title comes from an interview with a former resident,\nrecalling hot summers between the wars when the wells dried up and people had\nto 'walk into Hempstead to the fountain' for water. When the interview was\ntranscribed, the computer produced the titular hamster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Greedy vicars, a school bully\nturned merchant, child brides, hellfire preachers, eccentric generals, family\ncurses and dynamic women.  This\nwide-ranging and thoroughly researched work weaves vibrant personal stories\ninto a national and sometimes international narrative.  This is local social history at its finest.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e---Dr Elizabeth Goodwin, Senior\nLecturer, Late Medieval and Early Modern Studies, York St. John University \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Conrad Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54526752620888,"sku":"9781916966871","price":18.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781916966871.jpg?v=1777908625","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/walking-the-hamster-to-the-fountain","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}