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London The Biography Peter Ackroyd Books

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London The Biography Peter Ackroyd Books

I have to say that "London: The Biography" was at the time a bit of a disappointment. I was about to travel to London and thought that this would be an excellent title to help familarize myself with the history of the city. While I did get "some" history, I mainly got a large dose of philoshophical thoughts on the evolution of the city. Essentially we have a 800 page book of quotes on what OTHER people have written about London (throughout history).

I was hoping for a detailed analysis of Jack-the-Ripper ... no luck. I had hoped for detailed thoughts on the murder of the two child princes in the Tower of London... not included. Actually, very little mainstream history is included - hardly a word on the Crusades, the American Revolution, Napolean. Wellington, Churchill or any host of important topics.

Having said that, this does not mean that Ackroyd's book is worthless, but it certainly isn't what I expected. While some people may enjoy reading 10 pages on the history of people using references about the darkness of London, but for me, it nearly caused me to put down the book!

Here is a sample of some of the topics explored

-London at night

- London always being dark

- The history of fog (or how London's fog found it's way into literature)

- The history of the prisons - and how they were viewed by writers.

- London in the morning

- The history of odor in London (and what has been written about it over the last 500 years).

In other words, very heavy on philosphy but light on true history, and while (at the time) I was hoping for a travelogue the ultimate goal was better. I had a better perspective on the evolution of the city

4 Stars


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London The Biography Peter Ackroyd Books Reviews

This is an incredible collection of historical information!
enjoyed the book very much thanks for fast delivery
Good book
A very idiosyncratic stroll through the history of London. It's not a standard history book, more vignettes of various topics related to the city. It's perfect book for bedside reading. Not a page turner that you can't put down, more like a leisurely stroll with an interesting friend with a conversation that ranges all around London. The writing is very good, and I find myself repeatedly amazed at how the author was able to organize and present such a plethora of relatively unrelated information in such a cogent manner.
Prepping for our trip to London. This is great because each chapter is different and very short. Easy reading.
Peter Ackroyd presents so much fascinating information about London over the ages within the pages of this book, and in such a readable fashion, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in London, planning a visit to the city, or interested in history in general. I've been reading my way through all his books, and have yet to be disappointed.

London's past is uncovered layer by layer, yet masterfully linked across time, also.
How can one read a book of almost 800 pages in the midst of a busy life? This question is daunting to many readers.
As a Londoner permanently fascinated by my birthplace I started this immense read by dipping into aspects that first interested me, because the contents are conveniently arranged by subject area (theatre, architecture, etc.). Then I expanded my interests until, finally, I had read it all--at least at a superficial level. Only repeated readings will enable the reader to assimilate it as part of an individual intellectual landscape and memory. This is a veritable 'groaning board' of data.
Peter Ackroyd's scholarship is meticulous and results in a work of dense information matched by high levels of entertainment--he is an excellent writer. However well one might know individual aspects of London, there are constant surprises and insights that engage the curious reader.
This is not a tourist guide book, quite unlike the various 'London walks' offerings that are frequently delightful and helpful, but is the Ackroyd's attempt to explain the mystery of London over the centuries. It is a tribute to the immense effort he put into this work that it works well at many levels. His 'Essay on Sources' with which he closes the book is itself a mine of information and will send many readers scurrying to the bookshelf or library for further exploration.
For anyone with a love of London, this is essential reading.
"London, the Biography" by Peter Ackroyd differs from "London The Autobiography" (by Lewis) in that the latter is a collection of writings about London by time period. In Ackroyd's Biography of London, the chapters are arranged by time period, with historical information, maps, drawings, and some quotations. Ackroyd's book is a treasure trove for the tourist visiting London's neighborhoods and monuments. The book is also very helpful with research into particular periods, offering innumberable examples and quotations from the locals. It is easier to find the odd and astounding fact in Ackroyd's book. I liked both books equally well, but have found Ackroyd's easier and more fully developed for research into this amazing, historic city.
I have to say that "London The Biography" was at the time a bit of a disappointment. I was about to travel to London and thought that this would be an excellent title to help familarize myself with the history of the city. While I did get "some" history, I mainly got a large dose of philoshophical thoughts on the evolution of the city. Essentially we have a 800 page book of quotes on what OTHER people have written about London (throughout history).

I was hoping for a detailed analysis of Jack-the-Ripper ... no luck. I had hoped for detailed thoughts on the murder of the two child princes in the Tower of London... not included. Actually, very little mainstream history is included - hardly a word on the Crusades, the American Revolution, Napolean. Wellington, Churchill or any host of important topics.

Having said that, this does not mean that Ackroyd's book is worthless, but it certainly isn't what I expected. While some people may enjoy reading 10 pages on the history of people using references about the darkness of London, but for me, it nearly caused me to put down the book!

Here is a sample of some of the topics explored

-London at night

- London always being dark

- The history of fog (or how London's fog found it's way into literature)

- The history of the prisons - and how they were viewed by writers.

- London in the morning

- The history of odor in London (and what has been written about it over the last 500 years).

In other words, very heavy on philosphy but light on true history, and while (at the time) I was hoping for a travelogue the ultimate goal was better. I had a better perspective on the evolution of the city

4 Stars