The Story of the Tower of London

by Tracy Borman

This book reveals the fascinating stories, dramatic events and colourful characters that make up the Tower of London’s remarkably long and varied history. Written from a social perspective, it presents a fresh appraisal of this world-famous site and sets it apart from any other available book. It offers a comprehensive history of the fortress, from its Roman origins right up to the present day. With over 200 colour illustrations and a comprehensive and chronological narrative divided into thematic chapters, it conveys brilliantly the many and varied stories which make up the Tower’s history – from the menagerie and royal mint to the roll call of its famous prisoners.

The story of the Tower of London is, in many respects, the story of England. When building work began on the fortress, the capital was little more than a small town with no more than 10,000 inhabitants. Almost 1,000 years later, the fortress still stands as a symbol of royal power, pomp and ceremony, tradition, heritage, military might, treachery and torture. Its myriad roles are reflected in the complex series of buildings that make up this formidable, magnificent fortress – an iconic site that still attracts millions of visitors from across the world each year.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2015

About the author

Tracy Borman, PhD, FRHistS, FSA is a historian and author from Scothern, United Kingdom. She is most widely known as the author of Elizabeth's Women.

Borman was born and brought up in the village of Scothern, England near Lincoln. She was educated at Scothern Primary School (now Ellison Boulters School), William Farr School, Welton, and Yarborough School, Lincoln. She taught history at the University of Hull, where she was awarded a Ph.D in 1997. Elizabeth's Women was serialized and became a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in September 2009. Tracy Borman appeared on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, also in September 2009

Reviews

[Rachel McNeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It’s aim to show the evolution of the Tower throughout history has been carried out, and carried out well. It’s well researched and will be a great resource for anyone with an interest in the mighty fortress. I would have liked to have seen more maps throughout the book to help avoid any confusion for the reader as to the location of the various tower they are talking about - you had to go back to the front. It wasn’t much of a problem though. I highly recommend this book.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of the Tower of London.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally. A book about the Tower rather than a history of England. This book details the evolution of the building over the past 950 years. Major events and people are include as an occasional aside while the Tower remains the central character of the book.