The River: A Thames Journey

by Patrick Wright

The Thames traverses the whole fabric of English society and landscape. In this book the author explores the many diverse aspects of the river, its architecture, art, history, literature, industry, and recreation, by talking to the many unusual characters who live and work on or near the river.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Patrick Wright FBA is a British writer, broadcaster and academic in the fields of cultural studies and cultural history. He was educated at the University of Kent and Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

while the Thames may long have been the artery of London, it has always also been its sphincter.

A 1999 visual and literary travelogue from the Thames' estuary to its origin--Kent to Oxon--sprinkled liberally with well-researched and poignantly-told anecdotes from ancient to contemporary times on culture, conflict, commerce, ecology and more. Even an entry on our little bougie stretch through Richmond.

I can see why English folks of a certain bent could object to what may seem like an overt focus on stories of racism, class warfare, political corruption, and the pestilence of liberalism on and around the river, but frankly I'm impressed that the BBC allowed such honest introspection to air. I can't see it happening today.
And this also has been one of the dark places on earth.

[Peter Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough read with snippets of history and fiction intertwined as the Thames was investigated.Nice pictures

[PJ Ebbrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting diversion as an accompaniment to a TV series. It might have been better if I seen that as well. Quite a lot about Dr Feelgood and Canvey Island and some interesting bits about long lost novels - After London was one. A meadering byway for those interested in London and its life.