Portsmouth is synonymous with the Royal Navy. Its naval dockyard was at one time the world’s largest employer of a civilian workforce, and for many centuries totally dominated the town. There were also allied service industries that met the needs of those employed in the dockyard or the navy: a large-scale tailoring industry; brewing, with Portsmouth boasting more pubs per head of population than any other city in the UK; and, of course, entertainment, as its many theatres, cinemas and music halls provided recreation for a large population of off-duty sailors.

Well-known Portsmouth author and historian Philip MacDougall takes the reader on a fascinating A-Z tour of the city’s history, exploring its lesser-known nooks and crannies, and along the way relating many a tale of the most interesting people and places. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, A-Z of Portsmouthwill appeal to residents and visitors alike.