The Little Book of English Rugby is written by Jed Smith, curator of the Museum of Rugby, Twickenham.
It was in England that the game was born, and it was the missionary zeal of the English that took it around the world.
The English game's pivotal events are all concisely detailed, right up to the present day where the game is a global phenomenon that still retains its particularly English attire, terminology and etiquette.
The author traces the superb seasons, the blunders, the truly great players, the lowest lows and the great conflicts. Then there is the highest high, the incredible scenes in November 2003 when the Rugby World Cup was won by Martin Johnson's superb England side.
The story is illustrated with wonderful images, some previously unseen, from the archives of the Museum of Rugby - home to the world's greatest collection of rugby memorabilia.