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  • A Short History of London

  • The Creation of a World Capital
  • By: Simon Jenkins
  • Narrated by: Anthony Howell
  • Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (88 ratings)
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A Short History of London cover art

A Short History of London

By: Simon Jenkins
Narrated by: Anthony Howell
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

LONDON: a settlement founded by the Romans, occupied by the Saxons, conquered by the Danes and ruled by the Normans. This unremarkable place - not even included in the Domesday Book - became a medieval maze of alleys and courtyards, later to be chequered with grand estates of Georgian splendour. It swelled with industry and became the centre of the largest empire in history. And rising from the rubble of the Blitz, it is now one of the greatest cities in the world.

From the prehistoric occupants of the Thames valley to the preoccupied commuters of today, Simon Jenkins brings together the key events, individuals and trends in London's history to create a matchless portrait of the capital. Based in part on his own witness of the events that shaped the post-war city, and with his trademark colour and authority, he shows above all how London has taken shape over more than two thousand years. This is narrative history at its finest, from the most ardent protector of our heritage.

©2019 Simon Jenkins (P)2019 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

Fascinating and timely. Truly the story of the fabric we see before us. Required reading for every developer, planner or councillor who holds London in trust today (Griff Rhys Jones)
Jenkins's handling of the preceding two millennia is clear and informative . . . there are also nuggets and insights . . . accessible, clear and readable (Rowan Moore)
'He [Jenkins] brings much knowledge and experience to his defence of those streets, in this study of the battle for "London's appearance - why it looks as it does today, more variegated and visually anarchic than any comparable city" (Christopher Howse)

What listeners say about A Short History of London

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The devil's in the detail.

I enjoyed this audio book, it was read well and the language used was easy to follow and digest.
The book itself wasn't quite what i expected. The short history of London is the history of the capital and what events shaped its building and social structure throughout history. It reads like a biography of London as a sentient being and what events and people shaped it through history.
A fascinating stance on telling the story of London but at times I found it frustrating that key events in its history were referenced in a couple of paragraphs when I wanted more detail.
Essentially it's not a history of the events of London, but a history of how London was formed. So it talks of the key players in shaping London as a city. Starting way back when, and going through the influences throughout history, some good and some bad.
There is so much history in London that I wanted this book to explore and expand on but it doesn't.
I did enjoy it but found myself wanting more. Just more of the history, more detail around certain historical figures or certain events from the capital.
A good book but I'll be looking elsewhere to expand my knowledge on London's history... Which is maybe the purpose of the book.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Overall very fascinating and insightful

Well read and a well put together account of London with incredible stories and detail. Some icons received less or no attention such as Tower Bridge, the Royal Albert hall, the post office tower, recent monarchy etc. Enjoyable history lesson nevertheless and lots of focus on politics and architecture which has indeed made London the best city in the world.

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Wooden narrator, too much general English history

Far too much general summary of English history most of which I already know at this level. Little engaging in the London bits. Wooden narrator

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A very good book to prevent the plans going there

I found this audio book very well narrated and giving a very good history lesson on London.
My personal opinion of London whenever I've been there is that I'm glad to come back to West Yorkshire.
We had our urban renewal thanks to John Paulson and his henchmen who total destroyed some Victorian terraces for a massive, ugly, block of flats, when the terraces could have been renovated for first time buyers of permanent residency.
What is described in this audio in the later stages is one of greed and poor planning, egged on by ambitious mayors'.
The life style in London seems to me to be one of great fun, balanced by great crime due to the stabbing frenzy reported virtually every week.
Keep the capital city to those wishing to live there. No place in my life for 'Stab City'.
I know quite a few couples who have moved to our town's new build detached and semi-final detached housing, and apart from the colosall profits they have made, selling up and coming North, they feel free of the London rush and push.
Good audio

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting.

A well written and researched book, full of interesting facts about the history of London and it's environment.
The narrator was truly splendid, enhancing the content marvellously.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Unbalanced view of London.

What was a very enjoyable book to start turns into a puerile rant. Very disappointing...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fantastic book on London!

I so enjoyed this audible book on London that I listened to it twice.
There is so much information of a fascinating nature.
Would thoroughly recommend.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty good!

As someone currently living in London, and am from a neighboring town, I found plenty to relate to and learnt a lot.

It's not a flattering portrayal but not overly bleak. It stays factual and focuses a lot on housing and developments (which I loved) towards the end.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

There’s something wrong with the recording

The sound goes from louder to quieter intermittently which is extremely irritating. I don’t know how much more I can listen to this

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dreadful narration

Such an interesting book - ruined by the weird intonation and style of the narrator. Speaks in a monotonous repetitive pace, as if put through a computerised voice machine.

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