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The Town Below the Ground
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Product Description
Product Description
Below Scotland's capital, hidden for almost two centuries, is a metropolis whose very existence was all but forgotten.
For almost 250 years, Edinburgh was surrounded by a giant defensive wall. Unable to expand the city's boundaries, the burgeoning population built over every inch of square space. And when there was no more room, they began to dig down . . .
Trapped in lives of poverty and crime, these subterranean dwellers existed in darkness and misery, ignored by the chroniclers of their time. It is only in the last few years that the shocking truth has begun to emerge about the sinister underground city.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 95 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you've read the other reviews on this page you'll see a pattern emerging: those readers who don't come from Edinburgh found the book entertaining, but those who do found it disappointing, and I must add my name to the latter category.
As a lifelong Edinburgh resident I've heard stories of the underground city all my life, and the emergence of this book offered the promise of a full and final explanation of what's really there and what isn't. However, aside from a reasonably interesting general history of old Edinburgh, the book is astonishingly lacking in facts of any kind. It's all conjecture, rumour and myth. At least fifty percent of the book is merely a series of fables and ghost stories with absolutely no descernable facts or evidence to either back them up or dismiss them.
If someone's going to bother writing a book on the underground city, wouldn't you expect them to have something to TELL? Not so Jan-Andrew Henderson. For him the gathering together of a few myths and legends was enough. No solid research, maps, plans or diagrams, descriptions of exactly what remains of the underground city; No reports of excavations, eyewitness accounts; no rummaging through old property plans or title deeds to discover reports of mysterious doorways in lost cellars that seem to lead nowhere. None of this.
If you're really interested in learning about the underground city you'd be better off saving your money, and instead paying a visit to one of Edinburgh's many pubs in the old town, where you'll encounter characters who can tell you much more about it than anything in this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book starts out with a lot of promise but unfortunately it is extremely skin deep in historical fact and tends to dwell in the realms of fiction. Like many of the Edinburgh tours of the same attractions it goes for cheap ghost thrills and sensationalism. That isnt to say that it doesnt have its merits and as an introduction to the subject it is easy reading.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Have really enjoyed reading this. The book is split into 2 parts, the first part talking about the history of Edinburgh, and it's evolution over the years.
The second part then recounts the various legends and ghost stories from the Underground city over the years.
I found the book really interesting. The history was particularly interesting, but this was where the main failing of the book was. There really needs to be more detail in this section. Too many chapters end - but nobody really knows...
There could've been far more detective work and detail in the first section.
The second section is perhaps a bit silly, but does well cover various ghost stories, and I go some chills while reading it.
All in all, a very interesting book, that could do with a bit more factual input, and a bit less hearsay - but overall a very enjoyable read.
The second part then recounts the various legends and ghost stories from the Underground city over the years.
I found the book really interesting. The history was particularly interesting, but this was where the main failing of the book was. There really needs to be more detail in this section. Too many chapters end - but nobody really knows...
There could've been far more detective work and detail in the first section.
The second section is perhaps a bit silly, but does well cover various ghost stories, and I go some chills while reading it.
All in all, a very interesting book, that could do with a bit more factual input, and a bit less hearsay - but overall a very enjoyable read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A 'Horrible History'?
Despite being English I like Edinburgh and visit when I can so when I saw this book advertised my curiosity was suitable aroused, but what a disappointment! Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2009 by Allan Winrow
Disappointed
There are a wealth of books about London and its underground environs, which are all very interesting. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by Ms. S. J. Candlish
An interesting subject but not enough fact.
An interesting subject but no where near enough fact or research has gone in to it. It is a decent magazine article worth of material, spread into a book. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2009 by P. Carolan
edinburghs lost town
This book records the facts,myths,legends and ghosts relating to the town below Edinburgh,how it developed and the atrocious conditations that existed. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2009 by G. I. Forbes
Brilliant read!
This is a great book which has done its rounds in my household as most of my family has in interest in Old Edinburgh. Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2004
Old Edinburgh
Brilliant book, I have lived here in Edinburgh all my life, I work in the city centre and visit the "Old Town" a lot, after reading this book I took far more of an interest in the... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2004 by Morph
Quirky, funny unusual history book
I wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't this! A great mixture of history, tragedy and humour - telling a wonderful and little known story. Bravo.
Published on 13 Dec 2000
Entertaining, enlightening and not remotely dry or dusty!
I wasn't quite sure what I was going to get - history or mystery - and I ended up with both. Far more entertaining than might be anticipated from a cursory glance, this is a... Read more
Published on 25 April 2000
A great read.
This book is great fun, obviously written by someone with a sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic. Often funny, sometimes spooky. A few times I even laughed out loud. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2000
An entertaining and informative guide book with a difference
This is a guide book to Edinburgh with a difference! It is a compelling and lively read, both entertaining and informative, a mix of fact and fiction, social history, myth,... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2000
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