This is a major and definitive history of the counterculture by our pre-eminent chronicler of the cultural underground. London has long been a magnet for aspiring artists and writers, musicians and fashion designers seeking inspiration and success in this great city. In "London Calling", Barry Miles explores the counter culture that sprang up in the decades following the Second World War, focusing on the West End and Soho, where the presence of so many artists has established a unique atmosphere; creative, avant garde, permissive, anarchic - the throbbing heart of London. Here are the heady days of post-war Soho when suddenly everything seemed possible, the jazzbars and clubs of the fifties, the teddy boys and the Angry Young Men, Francis Bacon and the legendary Colony Club, the 1960s and the Summer of Love, the rise of punk and the early days of the YBAs. The vitality and excitement of these days and years of change - and the sheer creativity of London - leap off the page of this marvellously evocative and riveting book.
London Calling
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Review
"'Miles gets closer than anyone to unravelling the enigma of Zappa.' Daily Telegraph 'Excellent and authoritative.' Daily Mail 'Perfect.' Arena"
From the Publisher
A major and definitive history of countercultural London by our pre-eminent chronicler of the cultural underground.
'Passionate, unashamedly personal, frequently ludicrous, often unbelievable, always fascinating... A rollicking good read.' Time Out --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's an amazing book. All things that happened in London from the cultural, musical and literary point of view during several decades are there. Barry Miles is an experienced writer and he writes comprehensively and with a very deep focus on the theme.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining and revealing history of Alternative London since 1945.
24 May 2010
By Jazzrook
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Barry Miles has written a fascinating and exhaustive history of London's counterculture since the Second World War.
Among the wide range of topics and bohemian characters discussed in these 31 entertaining chapters are Teddy Boys, Angry Young Men, The Colony Room(presided over by the formidable hostess Muriel Belcher), Francis Bacon, The 1965 Albert Hall Reading, Indica Books and Gallery, David Archer's Bookshop in Greek Street, J.G.Ballard, Ralph Rumney(co-founder of the Situationist International), International Times, The OZ Trial, George Melly, Leigh Bowery & Minty, The Arts Lab & The Sex Pistols.
Miles was at the epicentre of Alternative London for several decades and his 'London Calling' paints a vivid portrait of those heady and extraordinarily creative times.
Among the wide range of topics and bohemian characters discussed in these 31 entertaining chapters are Teddy Boys, Angry Young Men, The Colony Room(presided over by the formidable hostess Muriel Belcher), Francis Bacon, The 1965 Albert Hall Reading, Indica Books and Gallery, David Archer's Bookshop in Greek Street, J.G.Ballard, Ralph Rumney(co-founder of the Situationist International), International Times, The OZ Trial, George Melly, Leigh Bowery & Minty, The Arts Lab & The Sex Pistols.
Miles was at the epicentre of Alternative London for several decades and his 'London Calling' paints a vivid portrait of those heady and extraordinarily creative times.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What a great book! Being an avid Londoner I love learning about this great city and this book does not disappoint. It tells a new story in a very readable way and made me nostalgic for the London that inspired people to take action for the things they believed in. I highly recommend this book and I'm going to look up Barry Miles' other books and check them out too!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good subject, shame about the writing
This is a great subject to write about and I'd love to see it done by someone whose writing would do it justice. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2011 by Daphne the WonderCat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Miles Pulls it Off
Many have attempted to describe the ever-changing world of bohemian London -largely as asides in their autobiographies - but this book stands head and shoulders above the rest. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2011 by Doris H
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better books
Outstandingly well-written with affection and wonderful inside knowledge- a lovely and warm account of those heady days that fills in many blank spaces for those on the fringe. Read more
Published on 3 July 2010 by David P
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