Rob Bailey

Paolo Hewitt

Horst A. Friedrichs

Now available in a flexi-cover edition, this is a stunning photographic portrait of the mod scene today--an identity, an attitude, and a style that's always "in," no matter the decade. The mod subculture has always been about working-class aspiration and an obsessive attention to style and detail--the right haircuts, shoes, records, shirts, wheels. The goal is to live and look impeccably neat, no matter one's background. From Alfie, the Beatles, and the Who to Paul Weller, Duffy, and the Rifles, the urbane look is revived again and again as each generation rediscovers what it means to be a mod. Today, across Britain, the lifestyle is still going strong, and it is lovingly recorded here by photographer Friedrichs. His passion for all things mod extends from high-end fashion accessories to an appreciation of the subculture itself--the endless dance parties, Vespa rides, and a pared-down way of life that is best defined as "clean living under difficult circumstances." Shot in Margate, Scarborough, Brighton, or London, Friedrichs's photos could be right out of 1966 in the way they capture the essence of mod. This sensitive portrayal of Britain's mod community of the past decade offers unique insight into the diversity of the contemporary mod scene.

21st Century Mods

I'm One

Ed Hurst

Britain has a history common to many islands: it is one of repeated invasion, occupation and assimilation. Each phase of this history has left its mark on our culture, architecture, language and place names. A rich mix of Celtic, Norse, Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, French and Latin have made the English language a gift to poets and writers. However, the nuances and double meanings so favoured by creative writers have also led to a number of very rude place names. Rude Britain is a compilation of 100 of the best and rudest place names, each one photographed and explained by authors Rob Bailey and Ed Hurst. From streets such as Fanny Avenue, Willey Lane, Titty Ho and Asshouse Lane to a village called Cocks; Great Britain throws up a wealth of odd names that have somehow been overlooked by the nation. Until now.

Rob Bailey

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