The Canals Of England first appeared in a special edition of the ‘Architectural Review’ in August 1949. Now 60 years later Eric De Mare’s book continues to provide an incredible insight into the architecture and function of England’s canals, through its exploration of the functional tradition of canal side buildings, bridges and bollards. The Canals of England explains how canals are made and how they work by exploring the past, present and future of our waterways. The text is supported by old prints from the author’s collection and a set of photographs. Each picture reveals how many architectural and scenic treasures our canals possess, bringing the text to life. The book is clearly organised with each new chapter providing a detailed insight into different aspects of our canals. Topics covered include ‘How Canals Work’, ‘Two Hundred Years of Canals’ and ‘Have the Canals a Future?’ The Canals of England provides an engaging and interesting read for anyone who wants to learn more about the architectural history, and functionality, of England’s canals.