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London Walks: London Stories
Written by the expert guides of London Walks, London’s oldest, most acclaimed walking tour company, this collection includes local insight and knowledge that can only be gained through years of tour-leading experience. These theme-based walks offer something for everyone, whether a history buff, a fan of the paranormal, or those looking for fun off the beaten path. The walks include Sinister London, focusing on haunted London and Jack the Ripper; Literary London, from Shakespeare to Dickens; Public Houses, showcasing the old pubs of Soho; and a Mystery and Secrets walk exploring the city's hidden past. Perfect for tourists who want to experience London life beyond Trafalgar Square as well as for Londoners eager to step off the Circle Line and discover the secrets on their own doorstep, this guide offers a fascinating glimpse into the capital's rich history. With photos, maps, and illustrations to bring the stories to life, London Stories is for those who love London, written by those who know it best.
- GenresTravelLondonNonfiction
281 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2009
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97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 24, 2015
As a primer for a forthcoming trip to London, London Stories: London Walks served its purpose well. The book is comprised of several chapters each of which focuses on a different London topic, and each chapter is written by a tour guide that specializes in that topic. The walled City of London, the original land that was once occupied by the Romans, then abandoned during the more peaceful dark ages, and then repopulated for protection from Viking raids, is one such chapter. Other chapters cover Saint James, Greenwich, Soho Village, and Westminster.
The end result is that I now have a nicely filled Google Map of way-points, each of which has some bit of information attached to it. The intent is to have interesting places near at hand and to know what those places are about. We will now be able to divert to the location of a remaining segment of an original Roman road or to the still-existing location where one of Jack the Ripper's victims was found. If we happen to be considering a break at a pub, then we can now make it one of the oldest pubs in London, or the pub where Marks discussed his ideas with fellow patrons, or a quiet place with fantastic views of the city.
The book is written with the enthusiasm of those that want to share the history of a place that has been populated centuries. The passion of the writers shines through every chapter and the effect is a reading experience that is richer than a voluminous, matter-of-fact guide book.
The end result is that I now have a nicely filled Google Map of way-points, each of which has some bit of information attached to it. The intent is to have interesting places near at hand and to know what those places are about. We will now be able to divert to the location of a remaining segment of an original Roman road or to the still-existing location where one of Jack the Ripper's victims was found. If we happen to be considering a break at a pub, then we can now make it one of the oldest pubs in London, or the pub where Marks discussed his ideas with fellow patrons, or a quiet place with fantastic views of the city.
The book is written with the enthusiasm of those that want to share the history of a place that has been populated centuries. The passion of the writers shines through every chapter and the effect is a reading experience that is richer than a voluminous, matter-of-fact guide book.
December 28, 2018
Interesting "back stories" about places in London that are a bit off the usual "tourist cycle!" I wish I'd read it when I was there - but perhaps I'll take it with me and use it as a guide for sightseeing on my next visit. It helps, too, that I've been enjoying London Walks (http://www.walks.com/) for the past 20 or so years of visits to London because the stories in the books are written by some of the guides - and their voices are easily heard! Pack it in your suitcase for your next trip to London!
February 11, 2020
A nice breezy read for before, during, or after visiting London (although before is probably the way to go).
November 21, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I felt very rich because I know many of the places in the book in London but never knew the stories behind.
Great read!
I felt very rich because I know many of the places in the book in London but never knew the stories behind.
Great read!
September 29, 2014
The book: London Walks: London Stories
The author(s): David Tucker and other tour guides for London Walks, the most acclaimed walking tour company in the city.
The subject: Each chapter covers a walk around London with all sorts of themes, incorporating local knowledge and handy tips.
Why I chose it: I have been on and enjoyed several London Walks.
The rating: Four out of five stars
What I thought of it: Full disclaimer: I currently live in London (or at least a suburb thereof) and have for a few years. Before that I also came on several trips here, many of which included a London Walk. Thusfar I've done a Jack the Ripper walk, the Thames Pub Walk, The Ancient City at Night and Westminster by Gaslight, and we're planning to do Thames Beachcombing soon. So, I'm pretty familiar with the sort of things in this book! However, despite living in the city for a while now, I haven't explored it nearly as much as I wish I had. This book has inspired me to go on some more adventures.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the writing is uneven as a result of being written by lots of different people, but I don't think it's that bad if you go into it knowing there are lots of contributors. I don't think it would have suited the broad range of subjects covered to be written all in one voice. It's a bit of a cliché, but there's something here for everyone, whatever your interest is. I'm definitely going to use it for a few walks of my own. One thing I particularly liked was the suggestions of where to read each chapter, in keeping with whatever subject and area of London was being covered.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves London and wants to learn some quirky facts about its history. If you intend to use it as a tool for going on walks you'll probably want to read it in advance and plans things out with an A to Z in tow, but actually I think the guided walks that the company offers are pretty brilliant, so do yourself a favour and book onto one that tickles your fancy.
Just one more thing: I did actually notice one error in this book; one essay referred to "Imperial College, part of the University of London", which it wasn't at the time of this book being published. Totally nitpicky, but there you go.
The author(s): David Tucker and other tour guides for London Walks, the most acclaimed walking tour company in the city.
The subject: Each chapter covers a walk around London with all sorts of themes, incorporating local knowledge and handy tips.
Why I chose it: I have been on and enjoyed several London Walks.
The rating: Four out of five stars
What I thought of it: Full disclaimer: I currently live in London (or at least a suburb thereof) and have for a few years. Before that I also came on several trips here, many of which included a London Walk. Thusfar I've done a Jack the Ripper walk, the Thames Pub Walk, The Ancient City at Night and Westminster by Gaslight, and we're planning to do Thames Beachcombing soon. So, I'm pretty familiar with the sort of things in this book! However, despite living in the city for a while now, I haven't explored it nearly as much as I wish I had. This book has inspired me to go on some more adventures.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the writing is uneven as a result of being written by lots of different people, but I don't think it's that bad if you go into it knowing there are lots of contributors. I don't think it would have suited the broad range of subjects covered to be written all in one voice. It's a bit of a cliché, but there's something here for everyone, whatever your interest is. I'm definitely going to use it for a few walks of my own. One thing I particularly liked was the suggestions of where to read each chapter, in keeping with whatever subject and area of London was being covered.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves London and wants to learn some quirky facts about its history. If you intend to use it as a tool for going on walks you'll probably want to read it in advance and plans things out with an A to Z in tow, but actually I think the guided walks that the company offers are pretty brilliant, so do yourself a favour and book onto one that tickles your fancy.
Just one more thing: I did actually notice one error in this book; one essay referred to "Imperial College, part of the University of London", which it wasn't at the time of this book being published. Totally nitpicky, but there you go.
July 7, 2014
We're enjoying it so far, about 2/3 of the way through. Some reviewers on Amazon noted the uneven writing, because each chapter is written by one of the London Walks tour guides about his/her area of knowledge, and that's true. It's kind of uneven. But I appreciate the tidbits about the interesting neighborhoods I might not have otherwise planned to visit. My husband and I are going to London this June, and this book is actually helping us plan our itinerary a bit. We are not really reading it to enjoy the writing, more for the hints about what to go see.
update - read as much as I am going to read of this. Too much gas-baggery and hot air. Wound up not being super helpful in terms of tourism.
update - read as much as I am going to read of this. Too much gas-baggery and hot air. Wound up not being super helpful in terms of tourism.
March 3, 2013
This book is a compilation of chapters written by guides of London Walks about various neighbourhoods/villages in Greater London. It is not meant to be a self-guided walking tour; rather, it's information that is conveyed by the guides during the walks. Each chapter includes suggestions of "Where to read this." I have been on many of the London Walks, yet after reading this book, I have now quite of list of places I want to visit or to see again. The book would also interest people who have not yet been to London.
I bought my copy from David Tucker, the editor and the writer of a couple of the chapters. I was on two of his guided walks in Feb.-Mar. 2013.
I bought my copy from David Tucker, the editor and the writer of a couple of the chapters. I was on two of his guided walks in Feb.-Mar. 2013.
August 7, 2013
Interesting reading, I'll be sure to bring it the next time I go to London, and now I have tons of more tips on things and places I want to see. Most areas of London are covered and as diverse subjects as legal London, haunted London, Shakespeare, Dickens, the newspaper business, politics, architecture. And history, lots of history.
On the slightly negative side, I would say that being non-british, there were so much in this book where I felt I didn't have the required background knowledge, sometimes cultural background, sometimes the historical one. I suspect I missed quite a few jokes that way.
On the slightly negative side, I would say that being non-british, there were so much in this book where I felt I didn't have the required background knowledge, sometimes cultural background, sometimes the historical one. I suspect I missed quite a few jokes that way.
August 16, 2009
It was so nice to be able to walk around the city and find out little known facts and intriguing stories about the great place I was in. Wouldn't recommend reading as a novel, it's more of a companion for a nice walk around London neighbourhoods.
April 16, 2010
Interesting London history; would be good to have in London on an actual walking tour.
March 18, 2011
Illuminating. Also, has a great 'where to read this' sidebar for each walk. I've found some terrificly secret quiet spots in London this way. What a great gift.
March 10, 2014
As brilliant as Tucker's magical walks!
Want to read
November 22, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12862746
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12862746
January 13, 2016
Bought it from my tour guide on the Hampstead walking tour. Does not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews