Known for its cricket legends, striking miners and iconic pudding, Yorkshire is a county steeped in history. Tracing its development from Viking capital to industrial powerhouse, Yorkshire: A Very Peculiar History scratches beneath the surface and past its cliches, uncovering the weird-but-wonderful aspects of 'God's Own County' from all angles.

Featuring a host of characters from Yorkshire past and present, including Guy Fawkes to Michael Parkinson, it's not all grit and grime! This humorous book tells the astonishing tale of Yorkshire - the place, the people and their culture - through quirky tales, fascinating fact boxes, recipes, lists and maps.

John Malam is a British author of children's non-fiction books. He attended the University of Birmingham where he received a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology. He is a Reading Champion for the UK's National Literacy Trust, and a frequent visitor to schools. He lives in Cheshire, north-west England.