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The Infinite City: The Political History of Utopian Dreams on the Streets of London
‘Glorious’ Guardian
'Vigorous, rigorous and eminently readable’ SPECTATOR
In his soaring new book, Niall Kishtainy draws us into the imaginative worlds of Thomas More, the Diggers, William Morris and Extinction Rebellion protestors. He introduces us to thinkers like Thomas Spence who threw coins stamped with the words ‘YOU FOOLS’ into the alleys of Holborn. To Ada Salter who was the first woman borough councillor in London and ignited the Bermondsey Revolution. To ninety-two-year-old Dolly Watson who became the queen of Claremont Road in Leytonstone during the Reclaim the Streets protests in the 1990s. These are inspiring tales of people who drew might from the city around them and fought for their ideologies in an increasingly transforming world.
Beginning in the sixteenth century and stretching from the contemporary transformation of the East End docklands to the COVID lockdowns, The Infinite City shows how London’s spirit has been one of visionary imagination amid relentless change and innovation.
'Vigorous, rigorous and eminently readable’ SPECTATOR
In his soaring new book, Niall Kishtainy draws us into the imaginative worlds of Thomas More, the Diggers, William Morris and Extinction Rebellion protestors. He introduces us to thinkers like Thomas Spence who threw coins stamped with the words ‘YOU FOOLS’ into the alleys of Holborn. To Ada Salter who was the first woman borough councillor in London and ignited the Bermondsey Revolution. To ninety-two-year-old Dolly Watson who became the queen of Claremont Road in Leytonstone during the Reclaim the Streets protests in the 1990s. These are inspiring tales of people who drew might from the city around them and fought for their ideologies in an increasingly transforming world.
Beginning in the sixteenth century and stretching from the contemporary transformation of the East End docklands to the COVID lockdowns, The Infinite City shows how London’s spirit has been one of visionary imagination amid relentless change and innovation.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2023
7 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Niall Kishtainy
14 books166 followersI'm a writer, economist and historian. I believe that the history of economic thinking and of real economic struggles can tell us a lot about our current situation and, for me, it’s in vivid writing that anyone can respond to where all this really comes to life. Most of all, I’m interested in the stories we tell ourselves about our economic world, and why they matter. My latest book, A Little History of Economics, is published by Yale University Press on March 7.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 24, 2024
It took me until the end to realise that I actually loved this. It felt a bit like a history textbook at times at the start but once it started tying threads together from Wanstonia and Extinction Rebellion to Gerard Winstanley's Diggers and William Morris it all sort of clicked into place.
Gave me a lot to think about and go searching for more information since I finished it.
Gave me a lot to think about and go searching for more information since I finished it.
December 19, 2023
Interesting left wing history of utopian visions. Appreciated chapter on Thomas Moore and mention of Guy de Bord
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews