Table of Contents

Formation to Reformation; Tudor London; war, plague and fire; the triumph of town - from Restoration to Regency; commercial city - 1650-1800; culture city -life under the Georges; capitalism in the capital - the Victorian age; "the contagion of numbers" - the building of the Victorian capital - 1820-1890; Bumbledom? London's politics - 1800-1890; social problems, social improvement - 1820-1890; Victorian life; "a fungus-like growth" - expansion - 1890-1945; modern growth, modern government - 1890-1945; swinging London, dangling economy - 1945-1975; Thatcher's London. Conclusion: the London Marathon.

About the Author

ROY PORTER is Professor in the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London. He is most recently the author of THE GREATEST BENEFIT TO MANKIND (HarperCollins, 1998) and the forthcoming (10/00) Allen Lane title ENLIGHTENMENT- BRITAIN AND THE CREATION OF THE MODERN WORLD.

Reviews

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 was always a muddle that worked." Survivor of plagues, fires, wars, and rulers bordering on (or decidedly) incompetent, this city has always managed to retain at least some of its considerable glory. The question, as posed by Porter (Wellcome Inst. for the History of Medicine) is, "Will London survive, in spite of or because of her history?" In a narrative spanning London's beginnings through the time of Margaret Thatcher, Porter has drawn a dense picture of a complex city. Bogged down with the weight of too many details, with a focus too scattered and confused to do the question justice, this book leaves one wishing for the thorough grounding in English history that would make things come clear. For a colorful, accessible resource, turn to the Times London History Atlas (LJ 3/92). Possibly useful as a secondary source for larger academic libraries. [For another recent book on London, see John Russell's London, LJ 10/15/94.-Ed.]-Nancy L. Whitfield, Meriden P.L., Conn.