Victorian London: The Life of a City, 1840-1870

This is by far one of the most insightful thorough books ever written on Victorian London. Liza Picard describes every aspect of life in this era. Packed full of fascinating facts and holds the reader from start to finish. I was sorry when it ended.

This is a wonderful supplement to any reading of Victorian fiction - here is the background. Though the book depends perhaps a little too much on one or two particular sources (hence four stars, not five), this is vivacious, informative, and fascinating. It is beautifully read - Anton Lesser imparts the most complex information is a way which makes it all easy to follow.

This is a wonderful supplement to any reading of Victorian fiction - here is the background. Though the book depends perhaps a little too much on one or two particular sources (hence four stars, not five), this is vivacious, informative, and fascinating. It is beautifully read - Anton Lesser imparts the most complex information is a way which makes it all easy to follow.

This book is full of fascinating information about how London was from its dark underbelly to its glittering court. It is especially good at appealing to all the senses through its use of choice images. The narrator's pace is excellent and his voice is very pleasant to listen to. I enjoyed learning about how ordinary men and women coped during this period of rampant industialization and growth.

very informative and interesting, a great insight into victorian london

Good narration & an exellent insight into Victorian Social history in London - highly recomended

this book gives a real insight to the grime of everyday life in victorian london to the extent that you can almost taste it especially the description of dogs turd used in the tanneries at bermodsy, the book drtaws you into the depths of london giving real insight into housing education and sanitation in victorian london

This book really brings early Victorian London to life, and Anton Lesser's voice is so relaxing and easy to listen to. It's a pity the book has been abridged for the audio version, though. I would have liked to hear all of it, hence the four rather than five star rating.

Completely devoid of any academic "stuffiness", Liza Picard's well-researched, informative book is instantly accessible, and almost conversational in style.

The opening ten to twenty minutes provides us with a pretty honest, graphic account of Victorian London's poor sanitation and overflowing sewage system, with reference to the constant smell of human and animal excrement, decaying food and rotting carcasses. She does not indulge in gratuitous sensationalism, just gives us the truth in plain language. That said, probably best not to start listening to this while having dinner !

I probably would'nt have bothered with this book as I prefer medieval history, but the reviews were so positive I deceded it was worth a try. It is completly wonderful. Brutally honest, the author starts the book by telling us that "the Thames stank!" The nurration is spot-on. My only gripe is that could have been longer....