Welcome to
Stevens Books
Specialising in innovative historical and archeological non-fiction books about Devon and Cornwall
If you are overseas please check with us the postage rates.
For What’s New –See below and on our events page for details
About Us
Since 2002 we’ve sought, selected and retailed academic books with the twin themes “local studies” and “historical interest”.
Stevens Books is sole distributor for The Mint Press, working closely with Todd Gray, and occasionally other local publishers.
NB. (Disclaimer – Please note that we have no connection with another similarly named publisher – Steven books and hope we can clear up any confusion there may be. We deal with local history books only. We are “STEVENS” Books).
Dr. Todd Gray. If you would like more information about Todd Gray please click on left orange button above. For details of his planned lectures and events click on right orange Events Page above.
Launched 1st Feb 2025
Waterwogs and the contested history of the Golliwog. Part of Todd Gray’s themed series of books entitled History that Hurts, . We are now taking orders through our shop page. The book explores the story of Exeter’s Waterwogs (a unique Edwardian Devon toy) through the Golliwog’s history. This is mostly an unsuspected and largely unknown story. It reopens the longstanding debate about the Golliwog by revealing its long history, various incarnations and changing roles as a Great War amulet, a charity fundraiser, entertainment fixture, child’s toy, and corporate trademark.
This surprising, nuanced and multi-faceted study confronts the complexity of domestic sterotyping through its examination of Britain’s most popular, divisive and persisitent racial misrepresentation. For more details visit our shop page and click on the title.
NEW-: Voices of Empire in Exeter 1575-1996 Part one: Imperial Exeter.Part two: Colonial Exonians
Check out this link on Devon Live. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/british-empires-intriguing-influence-exeter-9518123?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar
More about the books -:
The two volumes open up Exeter’s involvement in one of the most contentious areas of history but is firmly focused on the historical evidence and avoids being drawn into divisive modern politics. They do not glorify or chastise the past but aim to recognise a history which has long been glossed over.Part 1 discusses the connections of Empire within the city whereas Part 2 looks at the colonial experiences of Exeter’s people.
Professor Malyn Newitt of King’s College (London), one of the Readers, has written.
‘This is a most remarkable book and one can see in it a life-time of research in which have been accumulated a vast database of knowledge. It is really quite astonishing and I don’t imagine anyone will ever try to do anything like this again’.
In the foreword former MP Ben Bradshaw writes,
Todd does not sanitise or gloss over the controversial and problematic nature of Empire, but allows those debates, still very alive and relevant today, to speak through local people who fought, emigrated, colonised, administered and then withdrew as well as through citizens from the Empire who came to study, live or set up businesses in Exeter.
We are delighted to announce we have a new book published by TACA, The Teign Angling and Conservation Association
It is written by experienced local angler Neil Yeandle and stunning photographs by Mike Rego. The Teign Book. For full details visit our shop page. We are pleased to support the charitable aims of this book. Currently featured in The Moorlander and The Exmouth Journal
See below books we sell for the DCRS
William Birchynshaw’s Map of Exeter, 1743
This book can be ordered by telephone only – please call us. 01392 459760
This is a major re-examination of the history of map making in Exeter. It follows from the recent discovery of a “new” Georgian town map of the city. That map by William Birchynshaw is reproduced in facsimile along with nearly two dozen other maps from 1587 through to 1949 with contributions from the editors to place them in context.
Published 2019. Hardback 59 Pages. Size 27.5cm x 32 cm
35 Illustrations mostly maps or details of Exeter Maps
Editors Richard Oliver, Roger Kain and Todd Gray. ISBN 9780901853974
The Exeter Cloth Dispatch Book, 1763-1765
Published by the Devon and Cornwall Record Society.
This book can be ordered by telephone only – please call us. 01392 459760
Now reprinted.
A richly illustrated exploration of the national and international importance of the early modern Exeter cloth trade.
This book reproduces a newly discovered manuscript detailing the exports of Claude Passavant, a Swiss émigré merchant. Passavant’s dispatch book comprises the most extensive surviving collection of Devon cloth with 2,475 surviving cloth samples. Thirteen chapters discuss the local and wider contexts of sixteenth century cloth making. This study explores the quality, range, and vibrancy of cloth that lead to Exeter becoming an internationally renowned centre for the manufacture and trade of woollen cloth.
Published February 2021. Hardback 352 Pages.
Size 17 x 24 cm 255 colour and 15 line Illustrations
Edited by Todd Gray ISBN 9780901853639
Edited by Todd Gray. Special temporary “launch” price £25.00 whilst limited stocks last. Please telephone us if you would like a copy. 01392 459760.
Contact Us
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Keith Stevens
Stevens Books
Taddyforde House South
Taddyforde Estate
New North Road
Exeter
Devon
EX4 4AT
Tel: 01392 459760