London Then and Now

by Diane Burstein

Celebrating this beloved city, London Then and Now offers a unique combination of historic interest and contemporary beauty. This book features dozens of fascinating archival photographs contrasted with specially commissioned, full-color images of the same scene today. Each work is a visual lesson in the historic changes of one of our greatest urban landscapes.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, London, Art, Architecture, Photography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victorian and Edwardian photographs vie with modern day images to compare the London of yesteryear with that of today. The contrast is starkly revealing.

Where some Victorian features have been retained the modern outlook seems to be more aesthetically appealing and where most has been replaced with modern day structures the view is nowhere near as pleasing. Also the industrial and commercial heart of London has changed considerably and the changes are amply revealed.

For lovers of London the book is a visual treat with historic and geographic text to support each pair of images.

Havbing spent some years in the capital, it is amazing how much one does not get around to seeing, books such as this help to repair that omission.

[Hannu Kokko · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an ok book but I expected much more.

Quite a few of the old photographs are of buildings only and the contemporary one - not much changed.

Would have been better if selection had been tighter - old picture with either a building as much different than nowadays (looking at lost past) or building with something showing about the old times (looking at same building but with showing it in the context of its age)

[Jim Gallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family got this book in anticipation of a trip to London. It consists of contrasting historic and contemporary photos of London scenes accompanied with textual descriptions of the sites depicted. Some are familiar, like Westminster Abbey, others, to me at least, obscure but fascinating, like Regent Street Quadrant. I enjoy comparing the pictures to find the timeless and the transient, the consistent details and the period pieces. Now to go exploring to see them myself.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Popular buildings and places in London, with history behind the landmark, when it was built and by whom. Most pictures from turn of century, Victorian era, with a current colored photograph. One picture per page, with writing on both.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable comparison of Victorian and Edwardian cityscapes with more modern photographs of the same areas in the 2000s. Lots of textual tidbits, too.

[Elaine Meszaros · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure what photos surprised me more in London Then and Now - the photos of landmarks virtually unchanged in over 100 years or those that were completely obliviated with not a hint that they ever existed. In both cases, images of massive stone and brick edifices - Victorian and older - seem timeless in their immensity. It doesn't seem possible that structures this large could be removed. Yet, as an American, I found it equally surprising that many buildings which would long have succumb to the wreckers ball here are still being used. Filled with images of both notable landmarks and more mundane scenes, any armchair traveler or historian will enjoy this book.

[Geert Bonamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the pictures would definitely come out better in a somewhat larger format, and the book would also benefit if obvious comments like "in this [modern] picture the horses are no longer there." That being said, comparing nowadays London to what it was before is a nice concept, and it didn't take me long to finish it. Definitely worthwhile the tenner.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, incredibly intriguing coffee table book. Makes you fall in love with London...then and now.

[Marcin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consumed this in ~2h and learned a ton about one of my favourites cities.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book for fans of London or even people that live there. Fascinating to see how much the city has changed but also how some things have remained the same.

[Penelope Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good coffee table book.

[Wallie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a regular visitor to London, I enjoyed seeing the changes over the decades to familiar scenes.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heimweh.