The Spirit of London

(Paperback)

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Description

First published as Johnsons Life of London, now released with new material following Jubilee and Olympic celebrations in 2012. This updated history of London, told through a relay-race of great Londoners, shows in one, personality-packed book that the ingenuity, diversity, creativity and enterprise of the city are second to none.
Londons buildings may be famous, Londons history may be lengthy and illustrious, but it is Londons people who have given, and continue to give, the city its exuberant and exhilarating profile.

London of the Olympic and Jubilee summer displayed Londoners on a world stage, but this is a city which has always lived on the energy and skills of its people, drawn to the capital from all over the country and the world.

Boris Johnson shares with us his pleasure at Londons vitality and unique character, and selects the people who in his view have contributed so much to the spirit of London some very famous figures, some more obscure. He includes everyone from the Romans to one of the authors predecessors as mayor, Dick Whittington; from John Wilkes (a strong upholder of the freedom of the press) to J.W. Turner; from Chaucer to Gandhi, and through to modern times.

Reviews

A book of hidden gems.his vocabulary is extraordinary and his polymathery a joy.as he cycles through history .we glimpse him everywhere.it is best when Boriss enthusiasms are on display, as exuberant as a vase of bird-of-paradise blooms THE TIMES

Revealing anecdotes go far beyond familiar guide-book talesJohnsons unerring eye for detail catches your attention but also moves his story onJohnson sets out his stall for Londons future with such patent sincerity that youd have to be stony-hearted not to go along for the ride MAIL ON SUNDAY

As the thumbnail sketches accumulate, we come to realise just how like Boris all the London heroes have been EVENING STANDARD

Johnsons sketchbook diverts(while) Livingstones doorstop apologia will try the patience of the most obsessional geek INDEPENDENT

Author Bio

Boris Johnson was elected Mayor of London in May 2008. Before this he was the Editor of the Spectator and Member of Parliament for Henley on Thames. He is the author of many books, notably Have I Got Views For You, Dream of Rome and The Spirit of London.