Reviews

Not a carry-along guide for travelers, this concise, chatty history of some of London's neighborhoods is a series of essays about London, including addresses for specific authors. In some cases Davies ignores the author and deals only with a fictional character. Most time periods are dealt with; however, there are few living writers included and some curious omissions and short shrifts--e.g., only a passing mention of the Woolfs. Indexes of people and places provide handy access for browsers. An excellent bibliography will tempt the reader to explore further. Helpful but not essential.-- Paula M. Zieselman, Debevoise & Plimpton, New York