Anthony Burton and Derek Pratt have worked together for many years - their first joint effort Canal was published in 1976 and they have collaborated on several other canal books over the years. However this is the one they have always wanted to produce.

Anthony's first book on canal history, The Canal Builders, was first published in 1971 and is still in print, now in its fifth edition. Since then he has specialised in transport and industrial history, most recently with a survey of canal building from the time of the pharaohs to the present day (The Canal Pioneers). He is an honorary member of the Cotswold Canal Trust.

Derek Pratt is a professional photographer who has specialised in photographing Britain's waterways. His books include London's Waterways, Waterways Past and Present and Great Waterway Journeys.