The Plague and the Fire

by James Leasor

This dramatic story chronicles the horror and human suffering of two terrible years in London’s history. 1665 brought the plague and cries of ‘Bring Out Your Dead’ echoed the city. A year later, the already decimated capital was reduced to ashes in four days by the fire that began in Pudding Lane. James Leasor weaves in the first-hand accounts of Daniel Defoe and Samuel Pepys, among others.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

James Leasor was a prolific British author, who wrote historical books and thrillers. A number of Leasor's works were made into films, including his 1978 book, Boarding Party, about an incident from the Second World War that until that time was secret, was turned into a film, "The Sea Wolves", starring Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven.

Thomas James Leasor was born at Erith, Kent, on 20th December 1923 and educated at the City of London School. On leaving school, whilst waiting to join the army, he had his first foray into journalism, as a cub scout reporter for the Kent Messenger.
He volunteered for the Army in World War 2, as soon as he was old enough. He was commissioned into the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served in Burma with the Lincolnshire Regiment.

After the war he went up to Oriel College, Oxford, to read English. There he edited the Isis magazine, before joining the Daily Express. He became a full-time author in the 1960s. He also ghosted a number of autobiographies for subjects as diverse as the Duke of Windsor, King Zog of Albania, the actors Kenneth More and Jack Hawkins and Rats, a Jack Russell terrier that served with the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

He lived for his last 40 years at Swallowcliffe Manor, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. He died on 10th September 2007 and is buried in the churchyard of St Peter’s Church, Swallowcliffe.

Reviews

[elizabeth nimmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, great educational research for students or anyone with general interest in both subjects covered.
Highly recommended.

[Micah Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite historical books, maybe because of its no-holds-barred approach to the 1665 plague and 1666 fire in London. Also compelling because of the intricate research based on Defoe, Pepys and other authors of the time, as well as other contemporary documents, couple with Leasor's memorable prose and storytelling abilities. Recommended for anyone interested in the history of the 17th century.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PLAGUE AND THE FIRE by James Leasor - A really fascinating book written in the early 1960s about the 1665 Black Death and the 1666 Great Fire of London. Well researched, easy to read and lots of fascinating information. Did you know only 4 people burnt to death in the Fire? More people (6) died by being "frighted" - in fact, only 22 people were counted to have died from the Fire, while in that same period (Aug 28 to Sept 18th 1666) London still had 104 deaths from the plague. Loved this book. 9 out of 10

[Helen the Bassist · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
I read some historical non-fiction. Hang out the bunting and take a photo!

It was very interesting but quite disjointed as Leasor regularly mentioned an event in passing...say the burning of old Saint Paul's Cathedral and then, a few pages later, he's gone back in time and is telling you again, usually with a bit more detail. Weird!

There were eye opening similarities between society then and now...and some fascinating details about plague treatments and responses.

Worth a read if you are studying this period in history or just like gruesome details!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on a trip to London and LOVED it. It’s a vivid portrait of England in that time period. It’s chock full of great stories and never falls into the boring or didactic tone of so many history books.

[Emg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I liked The Red Fort very much which is why I chose to read this. Instead of the intimacy of the Red Fort, this read like a compendium of well know facts presented rather haphazardly. Could have been more coherently constructed.

[Lynn Southgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and extremely informative. I know London and the suburbs fairly well but it would have been helpful to have a map to refer to.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched description of these two events. Amazing detail and graphic portrayal of the terrible conditions during these times.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can one use the adjective 'great' for a book that is about one of the greatest tragedies in the world?

Not sure. Anyway, I thought it was a great book full of various little nuggets that I could definitely use should I ever get into the habit of torturing my characters.

The good things about this book:
- I will probably never forget that Daniel Defoe was six years old during the Plague, and thus will probably remember the lifespan of at least two authors. (the other one is Jane Austen).
- There's a lot of great insight into human behavior in the midst of tragedy.


The not-so-good:
- I have no idea what daily life was like for Samuel Pepys and why on earth he was always walking around on the streets. This will probably result in my adding ten books to my to-read list.

[John H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a significant number of books on the Great Fire of London and this is the best of the lot! It doesn’t just cover the fire, it begins by setting the scene with the plague that gripped the city the year before the fire - 1665.

It’s a fantastic book that I recommend to anyone with an interest in the City of London and the Great Fire or that period (the Restoration of the monarchy).

It’s a thoroughly interesting period and Lessor’s book brings it to life in an easy to read and very entertaining and educational style. One of my favourite reads.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book up at grandmother's cabin in Michigan and found it quite gripping. I'd read a lot of history at this point, but most of it was of a survey nature. This well-written account of 1665-66 in London helped get me more interested in detailed studies focusing on one place or person in a narrow timespan as a means to get inside the periods studied.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not something that I would normally pick up and read but it was impossible to put down. Once I started I had to finish it. The horror of those years in London is unspeakable and to hear first hand accounts of the tragady was amazing.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down!

[Allison6876 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for paper for HIST 3704W