PENGUIN A Short History of London: The Creation of a World Capital

Interesting book of my favorite city.

I enjoyed this concise history of my home city, lots of things I never knew. I found the period after the war very interesting, the way it was all carved up by the fat cats enriching themselves ( as ever ) Recommended

This is a splendid and welcome book. My knowledge is based on short visits to different places over a number of years. but this has left many questions. Why are hospitals in such unusual places? Where are the banks? Where is the centre of London? The answers all come in the book, but it is not primarily a guide book, nor just a history book. It is tells a story about a community of people in their own times responding to changes in society. There is always a need for more housing, thriving trade has to be organised, commerce and banking are growing, This is the picture that Simon Jenkins presents. He carried it through the centuries from the docks to the railways. It is impressive. The writing is a delight because it flows and is attractive. Very good.

If you are from London, it really does open your eyes to how it all begun

I loved this breakneck gallop through London’s history with its cornucopia of trivia until the author inserted a Beecher’s Brook on page 29. As a vocal Remainer, Jenkins has slowly edged away from the “losing” side - by 2017 he declared himself “a Remainer, but only just” and last year he delivered a resounding kick in the teeth to thé EU regarding its failure to pull together over Covid. So WHY oh WHY drag article 42 of the Magna Carta into his argument in favour of a “single market” for Europe? There WAS no Europe as a commercial concept. It quite spoiled my enjoyment of an excellent cup of Lapsang Souchong and an otherwise entertaining read.