Manchester Books no.6 Sep/Oct 2025

A regular look at new books (fiction and non-fiction) relating to Manchester.

Our first new title this time offers a slightly bizarre story: Unburied: the True Story of Hannah Beswick, the Manchester Mummy by Hannah Priest is the story of Hannah Beswick of Cheetham Hill who was one of three mummies shown at the Manchester Natural History Society Museum when it opened in 1835. The author looks at the various theories as to how she came to be there, debunks myths and looks at wider issues relating to death, dying and museums. Another new title is Titanic: the Greater Manchester Connection by James W Bancroft. It tells the stories of around 30 people, crew and passengers, from our area who were involved in the disaster of 1912. The timing of this publication fits in nicely with the Titanic Exhibition held recently at Manchester Central.

For those interested in transport Rails Around Manchester by Mike Rhodes is a look at the city’s unique railway history from its beginnings. Meanwhile art meets history in The Manchester Art Book: the City Through the Eyes of Its Artists which features local artists’ illustrations of well known Manchester buildings. While not strictly relating to Manchester it is worth mentioning our libraries also have family history titles as part of our local history collections, there being a close connection between the two subjects. Recently acquired are Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA, Using Gravestones to Trace Your Ancestors and Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland.

Finally not to forget fiction. Rom com author Mhairi McFarlane has set her new novel Cover Story in a Manchester newspaper Office. Crime is always a favourite and there is a new title by Karen Woods, who portrays the grittier side of life in the city, called The Escape.