Licking the flames
Page 48
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TWO neat little books away from business which might use up a left-over voucher come from author Denis Miller, who seems to be bringing out a bright little series. They are A Source Book of Traction Engines and A Source Book of Fire Engines (Ward Lock; £3.95 each).
The first recorded fire brigade was the Corps of Vigiles, operating in Rome before the birth of Christ. In Britain, the Great Fire of London drew attention to the danger of fires and several insurances organised their own brigades. Denis tells the story from these days and covers fire appliances from the earliest hand equipment to today's specialised vehicles and devices.
His traction engine book similarly details developments worldwide until these vehicles began to vanish. Most of the examples illustrated, however, are British.
Ward Lock, 82 Gower Street, London WC1E 6EG.