Roy Porter is Professor of Medical History at University College, London, and Research Fellow at the Wellcome Institute.
[London] deserves to be an instant classic. True London addicts
will supplement it with the new edition of The London Encyclopedia
by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert, which Porter rightly calls
"truly magnificent," but for those looking for a one-volume social
history of the city, Porter's book could hardly be bettered.
*Washington Post Book World*
Lavishly illustrated and handsomely produced for no more than the
price of most basic hardbacks these days, London is a treat for all
lovers of London.
*Washington Times*
In his stunningly successful look at London between the Elizabeths,
Roy Porter, a professor of medical history at University College,
London, examines his home city not as some stretched-out cadaver
but as a form evolving over time: sometimes a cancer, sometimes a
monster, a heart, a stripling giant, an unknown disease, a fungus
and also always a force, sometimes inorganic, a great tidal sea, a
gravitational black hole, an imperial sun...History, not heritage,
preoccupies Mr. Porter. His book makes no effort to chronicle the
monuments of London building or rank masterpieces of architecture,
although it puts coaching taverns and cathedrals into broader
contexts...And, most happily, it is not ordinary, late-20th-century
urban history, either, for it is acutely, indeed gracefully,
written and it transcends the pettiness of scholars jamming facts
into theories.
*New York Times Book Review*
In this big book, London-born Roy Porter presents a social
historian's guide to his native city. It is a great piling up of
information and contemporary observation from the years that span
the two Elizabeths. Porter's aim, which he achieves splendidly, is
to show the interaction between the city's people, its economy and
the built environment...This truly fine book includes many
excellent illustrations.
*Boston Sunday Globe*
This is much the best and bravest thing [Porter] has yet written.
It is important because it makes the whole sweep of London's unique
history comprehensible and accessible in a way that no previous
writer has ever managed to accomplish...For cities, like nations,
can only be understood in an historical perspective. It is that
perspective which this book so brilliantly provides. In more senses
than one, it is a capital history.
*The Independent*
If you want to know how a great urban area developed, look no
further than Roy Porter's exhaustive--but never exhausting--history
of London...[An] excellent study.
*Dallas Morning News*
[A] rich and evocative portrayal of London's teeming life...[A]ny
interested historian or educated tourist who wishes to come to
London to form a personal opinion should buy Porter's wonderful
evocation of this "most possible form of life."
*American Historical Review*
YA‘A detailed analysis of London's growth from a Roman town to a modern metropolis. The chronological arrangement of the chapters makes it easy to pull out specific time periods. The Victorian age gets special emphasis. The details of everyday life, values, and work ethics can be difficult to locate elsewhere. An up-to-date synthesis of diverse writings about the city provides a social history. The primary sources included make it possible to feel a part of the events. Black-and-white, engravinglike illustrations provide a pictorial overview. Although the reading level may challenge some YAs, it is appropriate for most students of English literature and history.‘Arlene Hoebel, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
[London] deserves to be an instant classic. True London
addicts will supplement it with the new edition of The London
Encyclopedia by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert, which
Porter rightly calls "truly magnificent," but for those looking for
a one-volume social history of the city, Porter's book could hardly
be bettered. -- Michael Elliott * Washington Post Book World *
Lavishly illustrated and handsomely produced for no more than the
price of most basic hardbacks these days, London is a treat
for all lovers of London. -- James Bowman * Washington Times *
In his stunningly successful look at London between the Elizabeths,
Roy Porter, a professor of medical history at University College,
London, examines his home city not as some stretched-out cadaver
but as a form evolving over time: sometimes a cancer, sometimes a
monster, a heart, a stripling giant, an unknown disease, a fungus
and also always a force, sometimes inorganic, a great tidal sea, a
gravitational black hole, an imperial sun...History, not heritage,
preoccupies Mr. Porter. His book makes no effort to chronicle the
monuments of London building or rank masterpieces of architecture,
although it puts coaching taverns and cathedrals into broader
contexts...And, most happily, it is not ordinary, late-20th-century
urban history, either, for it is acutely, indeed gracefully,
written and it transcends the pettiness of scholars jamming facts
into theories. -- John R. Stilgoe * New York Times Book Review
*
In this big book, London-born Roy Porter presents a social
historian's guide to his native city. It is a great piling up of
information and contemporary observation from the years that span
the two Elizabeths. Porter's aim, which he achieves splendidly, is
to show the interaction between the city's people, its economy and
the built environment...This truly fine book includes many
excellent illustrations. -- Katherine A. Powers * Boston Sunday
Globe *
This is much the best and bravest thing [Porter] has yet written.
It is important because it makes the whole sweep of London's unique
history comprehensible and accessible in a way that no previous
writer has ever managed to accomplish...For cities, like nations,
can only be understood in an historical perspective. It is that
perspective which this book so brilliantly provides. In more senses
than one, it is a capital history. -- David Cannadine * The
Independent *
If you want to know how a great urban area developed, look no
further than Roy Porter's exhaustive--but never exhausting--history
of London...[An] excellent study. * Dallas Morning News *
[A] rich and evocative portrayal of London's teeming life...[A]ny
interested historian or educated tourist who wishes to come to
London to form a personal opinion should buy Porter's wonderful
evocation of this "most possible form of life." -- Martin Daunton *
American Historical Review *
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