Everyone thinks they know London. Its landmarks have been used in a hundred films, its skyline and riverscape instantly recognisable. For London has been at the centre of the nation's attention, on and off, for two thousand years. Yet familiarity does not necessarily bring enlightenment. The very size and bedevilling complexity of the city have the power to obscure and to mesmerise; the unparalleled tangle of experience over such a long period of time can seem impossible to unravel. What, then, was London? It was a capital city, a major port, an economic powerhouse, a magnet for talent and ambition. It was wealthy, populous, central to the nation, cosmopolitan yet self-absorbed and inward-looking. People have always migrated to London, from elsewhere in Britain as well as overseas, either to work or to seek a better life. London was the first modern city, with the world's highest wages and the best standard of living for those in work. Yet London could just as easily be portrayed as a sink of depravity, a seething snakepit of avarice, prostitution and vice, with high death rates and pockets of great poverty and despair. In fact, of course, we cannot really talk of one London at all. Properly speaking, the City - the ancient walled city rather than the financiers' Square Mile of today - is the true London, with its City wards, aldermen, sheriffs and lord mayor, city walls and Tower. But when we think of London now, we casually and understandably include much else besides, including the separate City of Westminster and the no less ancient 'Borough' of Southwark. This new narrative history of London pulls together all of these varied themes - and many others - with great skill, perspective and clarity. Fully illustrated, it gives the most complete and accessible insight into London's 2,000 years of history currently available.
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About the Author
Jeremy Black is Professor of History at Exeter University.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Webley
Format:Hardcover
Jeremy Black is a Professor of History at Exeter University and a prolific author, having published over 80 books. But his productivity is not associated with poor quality or slapdash thought: on the contrary each book (at least each of the 6 books of his I have read) is well researched, carefully constructed, accessible and a good read. I think of Jeremy Black as the Trollope or Vivaldi of the History writing world: lots of material, all very enjoyable. And this book is no exception. So if you are looking for a one volume History of London, with lots of fascinating stories and an insight into how London has developed into what it is today - look no further, this is the book for you.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent History
5 Sep 2012
By Bonnie Neely
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
London: A History by Jeremy Black is a beautifully illustrated compendium history that starts at the beginning of London as a settlement and follows through until now. The photographs, maps and paintings make this one history that will keep you turning the pages. A professor of history at Exeter College and the University of Durham, Black is well qualified to write this excellent work, as a graduate of Cambridge and Oxford.His writing style is very interesting, not the boring histories of yore but one which will keep you wanting to read and absorb all you can about this wonderful city. I highly recommend it for any history buff and for anyone who enjoyed the Olympics 2012 in London. Very timely and beautifully done!
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