- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd (7 Jan 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0711033633
- ISBN-13: 978-0711033634
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 147,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Worst Street in London: Foreword by Peter Ackroyd
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Product Description
Halfway up Commercial Street, one block away from Spitalfields Market, lies an anonymous service road. The average pedestrian wouldn't even notice it existed. But unlikely though it may seem, this characterless, 400ft strip of tarmac was once Dorset Street - the most notorious thoroughfare in the Capital; the worst street in London and the resort of Protestant fire-brands, thieves, con-men, pimps, prostitutes and murderers, most notably Jack the Ripper. Spitalfields as a whole is now a vibrant and fashionable place to live, work and play; the home of artists and artisans, just as it was when the Huguenots settled there. However, as dusk falls, the seemingly indelible, sordid side of this fascinating part of London begins to emerge once again as the unknowing descendants of Mary Kelly, Mary Ann Austin and Kitty Ronan and others begin to ply their trade around the hallowed walls of Christ Church. All signs of Dorset Street, ' the worst street in London', may all but have disappeared from the map but its legacy is too powerful to ever be entirely erased. This book chronicles the rise and fall of this remarkable street, from its promising beginnings at the centre of the 17th Century silk weaving industry through its gradual descent into iniquity, vice and violence to its final demise at the hands of the demolition men. Its remarkable history gives a fascinating insight into an area of London that has, from its initial development, been a cultural melting pot - the place where many thousands of immigrants became Londoners. It also tells the story of a part of London that, until quite recently, was largely left to fend for itself, with truly horrifying results.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining,
By Old Blue Eyes (London, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Worst Street in London (Paperback)
I read this book cover to cover over a few days. The style is easy to read whilst being informative about this fascinating area of London. I enjoyed the suggested walk at the back of the book, even though I am familiar with the area Fiona Rule had provided information that I had not previously known, so I looked at the area through "fresh eyes".
Some text books can leave me cold in their style & I tend to dip in & out, but this book managed to keep me rivetted. Another book to be recommended about this area is 18 Folgate Street by Dennis Severs.
54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book on worst street,
By
This review is from: The Worst Street in London (Hardcover)
This book will appeal to historians and Ripperologists alike, it is choc-full of interesting facts about the Spitafields area from its earliest days and sheds new light on some of the most notorious individuals to emerge from its streets. The author has adopted a compelling story-telling style which makes the book a real page-turner and not at all text-bookish. If you are interested in Jack The Ripper or the origins of the East End gangs then this is a must for your collection.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating study,
By
This review is from: The Worst Street in London (Hardcover)
No, it's not about the traffic around Victoria Station.
This is an excellent approach to exploring the colourful history of a single area of London. In a city where every cobblestone and brick has a tale to tell, THE WORST STREET IN LONDON does a ripping job (sorry, Jack) of detailing the sordid and informative legacy of what would otherwise be considered an "ordinary" street. Anything but! The only thing I missed was perhaps a few more maps or illustrations of the area then... and then... and then... and now.
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