'Tunnels, Towers & Temples' takes a sideways look at London, revealing the hidden stories, curious histories and sometimes comic assocations behind dozens of often quite familiar places. Through their stories, the author reveals a strange side of London most people never come to know, even though they walk its streets every day and take much of what they see entirely for granted. Typical examples include extensive networks of tunnels running beneath high street pavements, secret transport and signalling networks crisscrossing the capital, genuine oddities such as streetlamps powered by sewer gas, a street where you can legally drive on the right, a future Russian Tsar working incognito in a British naval dockyard, even a Nazi memorial sited among the real heroes and adventurers of the British Empire. This companion to 'Spectacular Vernacular: London's 100 Most Extraordinary Buildings' is the best possible start for anyone who wishes to get off the beaten track and under the skin of the hidden city that is modern-day London.
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Review
"Fascinating and handsome and informative and all those things...a
SPLENDID book." -- Robert Elms - BBC Radio London, 5 July 2007
'Long brings a genuine pleasure to his subject..and encourages his
readers to look at London with an unceasing curiosity.' -- The London Magazine, November 2006
Marvel at the funky mix of old and new in a book which lifts the lid on London's strangest places.
-- Ben Welch, Docklands 24, 27 June 2007
`Long's a good storyteller and his conversational tone
gives you the sense that he's there with you on
your virtual tour of the city.' -- The Pass, November 2006
SPLENDID book." -- Robert Elms - BBC Radio London, 5 July 2007
'Long brings a genuine pleasure to his subject..and encourages his
readers to look at London with an unceasing curiosity.' -- The London Magazine, November 2006
Marvel at the funky mix of old and new in a book which lifts the lid on London's strangest places.
-- Ben Welch, Docklands 24, 27 June 2007
`Long's a good storyteller and his conversational tone
gives you the sense that he's there with you on
your virtual tour of the city.' -- The Pass, November 2006
From the Author
Since publishing this and its predecessor, Spectacular
Vernacular, it's become apparent that, whilst there are literally thousands
of books on London, old and new, there's a real appetite for ones which go
beyond the obvious. In particular I've discovered I'm not the only one to
spend time wondering what that odd building is, what exactly goes on in
that one over there, or what sort of a madman would build that. Plenty of
people don't notice the odd ones, or hurry by them each morning without
giving them a second thought, but I can't resist finding out what's what,
digging a bit deeper, and as often not I'm rewarded with stories which are
as entertaining as they are strange, as unexpected as they are delightful.
And fortunately, if my postbag is anything to go by, there are plenty more
out there just like me. This book's for them.
Vernacular, it's become apparent that, whilst there are literally thousands
of books on London, old and new, there's a real appetite for ones which go
beyond the obvious. In particular I've discovered I'm not the only one to
spend time wondering what that odd building is, what exactly goes on in
that one over there, or what sort of a madman would build that. Plenty of
people don't notice the odd ones, or hurry by them each morning without
giving them a second thought, but I can't resist finding out what's what,
digging a bit deeper, and as often not I'm rewarded with stories which are
as entertaining as they are strange, as unexpected as they are delightful.
And fortunately, if my postbag is anything to go by, there are plenty more
out there just like me. This book's for them.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By N Sharman
Format:Hardcover
Whether you're local or just visiting, an explorer or a reader, the subject
of this book can't fail to hook you if you're interested in London. Besides
tunnels, towers and temples, it's packed full of strange houses (old and
new), secret corners, bizarre bits of history and colourful descriptions of
the sort of great places which most of us walk by without noticing everyday
of the week. Not just central London either, but all over.
of this book can't fail to hook you if you're interested in London. Besides
tunnels, towers and temples, it's packed full of strange houses (old and
new), secret corners, bizarre bits of history and colourful descriptions of
the sort of great places which most of us walk by without noticing everyday
of the week. Not just central London either, but all over.
45 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By Worm
Format:Hardcover
If you're looking for a beautifully illustrated book on London which isn't the same as all the others, this is it, truly. As the title suggests there's a hundred strange places in here - strange in that you won't know them at all, or if you think you do you don't really, or even if you really do you almost certainly won't know the extraordinary stories behind them. The author does, however, and tells them here with super photography, a nice, very readable writing style, and most of all the sort of wit and enthusiasm which can't fail to bring the place alive for Londoners new, old and ex.
Loved it.
Loved it.
54 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Bought the book for the photographs - 100s of black and whites, of so many strrange but largely unknown buildings - but actually it's even better to read with lots of good anecdotes about the people who built them, who lived in them, or who occupy them now. Great snoopers' guide to London behind closed doors, and quite unique
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Take it to London with you!!
Bristling with little known facts and histories, dark corners and crypts. A necessity for the seeker of the uncanny and unusual in a visit to the capital.
Published 3 days ago by Leroyjay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read
I know London very well but have found lots of interesting stuff that I intend to explore next time I am back there.
Published 7 days ago by Michaelsculpt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book
Full of interesting and surprising anecdotes about places you think you know quite well. Most intersting little book which makes you wnat to have a fresh look at all those familar... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Trev
5.0 out of 5 stars
London's strangest places
An interesting book which I have very much enjoyed. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves London as much as I do
Published 18 days ago by turville
5.0 out of 5 stars
My London
Great reading for those who love their London and are prepared to do some leg work to see the places accessible
Published 1 month ago by Alan C Kennedy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most interesting
So full of facts about those places that are there and may never be seen by me or know anything about -compelling reading
Published 1 month ago by potterwiz
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you live in London, this is a real eye opener
I don't live in London, nor do i visit often. I now wish that I do. There are so many hidden places in London that if you live there, I am sure you could fill each available, spare... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Susan Burt
5.0 out of 5 stars
so many places - so little time
How one wishes one could easily wander around Town and visit these intriguing places without the hassle of a long expensive train/coach journey.
Published 1 month ago by GrannyP
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT
THIS WAS A BRILLIANT READ, IT SHOWED ME A SIDE OF LONDON I DIDNT KNOW EXISTED, IT BROUGHT THE PAST TO LIFE, NEXT VISIT TO LONDON WILL BE MORE INTERESTING THANKS TO TIS GREAT READ,
Published 1 month ago by 19FONTEINECOURT
3.0 out of 5 stars
London
Usual great service. It arrived very promptly and well packed. This was bought as a gift so I cannot comment on the book.
Published 1 month ago by Norma Shepherd
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