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A Short History of London
Over the centuries, many of the world’s most celebrated writers have chronicled the life and times of the world’s first great metropolis – that remarkable city we call London.
From the Roman historian, Tacitus, to the diarist Samuel Pepys, to Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, these luminaries of the literary world have all, in their own unique way, contributed to the vast canon of London description we now have at our disposal.
But perhaps it was Samuel Johnson who most effectively distilled the unique and almost unquantifiable essence of the city when, in 1777, he wrote: “You find no man at all intellectual who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
And London has, indeed, seen and done it all.
It has been the focus of attack by everyone from the Vikings and William the Conqueror to Adolf Hitler and the IRA.
It was the nucleus of the Great British Empire, but for many years failed miserably to protect its poorest citizens from hunger, neglect and the horrors of child labour.
London is, in short, a teeming, intoxicating mass of contradictions – and for this reason, love the city or loathe it, one cannot help but admire it.
In this Short History of London Sinead Fitzgibbon comprehensively chronicles the eclectic evolution of the city, from the arrival of the Romans circa AD50 and the rise and fall of the Anglo-Saxons, to the profoundly destabilising era of Henry VIII, right through to development of the modern metropolis we know today.
‘An intriguing read; at once concise and brimming with fascinating detail.’ – Richard Foreman, author of the best-selling ‘Swords of Rome’ series.
Sinead Fitzgibbon is an author and critic. Several of her titles have been published as part of the bestselling 'History In An Hour' series. She also regularly writes reviews for a host of newspapers, magazines, websites, and journals.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
From the Roman historian, Tacitus, to the diarist Samuel Pepys, to Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, these luminaries of the literary world have all, in their own unique way, contributed to the vast canon of London description we now have at our disposal.
But perhaps it was Samuel Johnson who most effectively distilled the unique and almost unquantifiable essence of the city when, in 1777, he wrote: “You find no man at all intellectual who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
And London has, indeed, seen and done it all.
It has been the focus of attack by everyone from the Vikings and William the Conqueror to Adolf Hitler and the IRA.
It was the nucleus of the Great British Empire, but for many years failed miserably to protect its poorest citizens from hunger, neglect and the horrors of child labour.
London is, in short, a teeming, intoxicating mass of contradictions – and for this reason, love the city or loathe it, one cannot help but admire it.
In this Short History of London Sinead Fitzgibbon comprehensively chronicles the eclectic evolution of the city, from the arrival of the Romans circa AD50 and the rise and fall of the Anglo-Saxons, to the profoundly destabilising era of Henry VIII, right through to development of the modern metropolis we know today.
‘An intriguing read; at once concise and brimming with fascinating detail.’ – Richard Foreman, author of the best-selling ‘Swords of Rome’ series.
Sinead Fitzgibbon is an author and critic. Several of her titles have been published as part of the bestselling 'History In An Hour' series. She also regularly writes reviews for a host of newspapers, magazines, websites, and journals.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionCities
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2012
84 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Sinead Fitzgibbon
7 books23 followersSinead Fitzgibbon graduated from university with a degree in Economics, before leaving her native Ireland to work in investment banking in Sydney for six years.
She returned to the UK in 2007 to pursue her writing career. She has always loved history, literature and art – and spends most weekends browsing London’s multitude of museums, art galleries and bookshops.
Favourite author: Virginia Woolf
Favourite book: Mrs Dalloway
Favourite artist: Caravaggio
Favourite place: Victoria & Albert Museum
Favourite food: Chocolate
Favourite quote: "You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace." - Frank Mc Court, Angela's Ashes
She returned to the UK in 2007 to pursue her writing career. She has always loved history, literature and art – and spends most weekends browsing London’s multitude of museums, art galleries and bookshops.
Favourite author: Virginia Woolf
Favourite book: Mrs Dalloway
Favourite artist: Caravaggio
Favourite place: Victoria & Albert Museum
Favourite food: Chocolate
Favourite quote: "You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace." - Frank Mc Court, Angela's Ashes
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 28, 2019
Great read!
I really enjoyed reading the short and concise history of london. I also liked the way it is divided into history of the city, underground and some of London's colourful characters. This book has made me want to read more about our glorious capital city in more depth
I really enjoyed reading the short and concise history of london. I also liked the way it is divided into history of the city, underground and some of London's colourful characters. This book has made me want to read more about our glorious capital city in more depth
October 9, 2019
Nice Little Summary of London History
I like these little snapshots of historical places. They're good reminders of other things we read, or they enlighten us to dig further into the stories we didn't know.
I like these little snapshots of historical places. They're good reminders of other things we read, or they enlighten us to dig further into the stories we didn't know.
March 29, 2022
A short history that could. And did. This slender volume provides exactly what it promises. London is vast in almost every possible way; the sort of place that would easily lend itself to a seven or eight hundred page history that been tricky to summarize so succinctly, yet the author here did a very credible job. Era after era from the city’s origins as an unwelcoming Roman outpost to the modern metropolis.
The book also includes a small section on London’s underground. And a section of select biographies whose subjects are all notable and only slightly random, from a bard to a clock.
All in all, this book is a great primer on the subject written in a fun accessible style. Pretty good for a random kindle freebie. Recommended.
The book also includes a small section on London’s underground. And a section of select biographies whose subjects are all notable and only slightly random, from a bard to a clock.
All in all, this book is a great primer on the subject written in a fun accessible style. Pretty good for a random kindle freebie. Recommended.
December 7, 2017
Recommended
Perfect coffee table fodder for the half-arsed history buff. Covers all the basics of London's past. Ideal for anyone wanting to know a little more about our capital without being bombarded with large lists of names and dates.
Perfect coffee table fodder for the half-arsed history buff. Covers all the basics of London's past. Ideal for anyone wanting to know a little more about our capital without being bombarded with large lists of names and dates.
February 21, 2019
Good Read
Enjoyable read. I learned many new things I wasn't previously aware of! It is a simple, but entertaining read. Thanks!
Enjoyable read. I learned many new things I wasn't previously aware of! It is a simple, but entertaining read. Thanks!
June 6, 2019
A great book to give you a quick insight into the history of London and how it came to be as it is today. Very interesting and worth a read.
February 12, 2020
london in short
April 12, 2021
Very Good
Entertaining and informative. This book gives an overview of the history of London without getting bogged down in details and dates.
Entertaining and informative. This book gives an overview of the history of London without getting bogged down in details and dates.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews