This is a history book that presents two thousand years of London. From official history and folklore to food and entertainment. From Blackfriars and Charing Cross to Paddington and Madhouse. From Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral to Cockneys and Wanderers. From immigrants, farmers and prostitutes to the Great Plague, fires and WWII air raids. Ackroyd uses the magnificent history of the city, keen observations, and the words of countless citizens and visitors to reveal how London was tempered and shaped by the historical torrent from ancient times to modern times.
Reader comments
"London Biography" is like a vivid historical documentary. Ackroyd shows the colorfulness and mystery of London with a unique perspective and rich details. I like the description of London's body metaphor in the book, "City streets are like tiny blood vessels, and parks are like the heart." This image metaphor gives me a more intuitive feeling about London. The book also quotes Daniel Defoe's classic saying: "London is a magnificent body that circulates everything, breathes everything, and finally pays for everything." This sentence accurately summarizes the characteristics of London, making people full of curiosity and yearning for this city. All in all, this is a great book worth reading!
"London Biography" is like a vivid historical documentary. Ackroyd shows the colorfulness and mystery of London with a unique perspective and rich details. I like the description of London's body metaphor in the book, "City streets are like tiny blood vessels, and parks are like the heart." This image metaphor gives me a more intuitive feeling about London. The book also quotes Daniel Defoe's classic saying: "London is a magnificent body that circulates everything, breathes everything, and finally pays for everything." This sentence accurately summarizes the characteristics of London, making people full of curiosity and yearning for this city. All in all, this is a great book worth reading!