Greenwich : The Place Where Days Begin and End

by Charles Jennings

There is probably not a London suburb with more intense historical connections, more diversity and more astonishing buildings and artefacts than Greenwich. There are sections on MARITIME GREENWICH - home of the Maritime museum and the CUTTY SARK; ROYAL GREENWICH - Greenwich Park was Henry VIII's favourite residence and where he met Anne Boelyn; SCIENTIFIC GREENWICH - home of the Royal Observatory and GMT and of course The Dome itself...What's it going to be like compared to similar vast jamborees - the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the Festival Britain of 1951, what is that strange fabric stretched over those yellow spikes and WHO is going to settle in the 1400-home Millennium Village, to be opened in 2000, with the remains of the old gasworks lying a couple of feet below?

Genres: History, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 1999

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good "accessible" history of my new neighborhood. Would be lovely if he would publish an updated version because life in London moves and changes very quickly these days and at only 15 years old, this book feels a bit dated.

[Ian Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting summary of the history of Greenwich and the immediately surrounding area. Lots of local detail, which mean it could definitely have done with a map to see where all these places are, and a few pictures wouldn't have gone amiss either.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information in the book was interesting, but the prose itself was a bit dry. I love Greenwich and am curious about its history but found finishing this a bit of a struggle.

[Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this on impulse in the Observatory gift shop and am very pleased I did. Charles Jennings is a witty, informed and opinionated observer who delves deep into the history of Greenwich and its unique landmarks. He's particularly strong on architecture. If you love visiting the area, you'll enjoy this book. Two caveats: the chapters on the theatre and some of the streets are probably only of interest to local people, and the book was published in 1999 so it feels dated in places. However this does make the final chapter (predictions for Greenwich's future) all the more entertaining.

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice and easy introduction the history of Greenwich. It is very well written. Jennings writes from the perspective of the current day observer, and takes as his starting point what he sees around him in Greenwich, which makes it a nice book to read while strolling around in the town. The only draw-back would be that the chapter on the Millennium dome is a bit out of date (the book was, after all, published in 1999).

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written informed and informative read. It actually reads more like a novel than a dry chronology which I have found with some history books. He also writes with humour and a great love of words so much so that I intend to read it again. It has turned out to be one of the best history books I have read in a long time.

[Dayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay but wanted more history of science than 1940s and 50s.