The City on the Thames: The Creation of a World Capital: A History of London

By the former editor of the London Times, a vivid, evocative, and deeply knowledgeable history of this unique world capital. London: a settlement founded by the Romans, occupied by the Saxons, conquered by theDanes, and ruled by the Normans. Thistransformative place became a medievalmaze of alleys and courtyards, laterto be checkered with grand estates ofGeorgiansplendor. It swelled with industry and became the center of thelargest empire in history. And having risen from the rubble of theBlitz, it isnow one of thegreatest cities in the world. From the prehistoric occupants of the Thames Valley to thepreoccupied commuters of today, Simon Jenkins brings together thekey events, individuals and trends in London's history to create a matchlessportrait ofthe capital. He masterfully explains thebattles that determined how London wasconceived and built—and especially the perennial conflict between money andpower. Based in part on his experiences of and involvement in theevents that shaped the post-war city, and with his trademark color andauthority, Simon Jenkins shows above all how London has taken shape overmorethan two thousand years. Fascinating for localsand visitors alike, this isnarrative history at its finest, from the most ardent protector of Britishheritage.