London: A Social History (A "New York Times" notable book 1995) [Paperback]

Roy Porter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0674538390 | ISBN-13: 978-0674538399 | Publication Date: February 12, 1998

This dazzling and yet intimate book is the first modern one-volume history of London from Roman times to the present. An extraordinary city, London grew from a backwater in the Classical age into an important medieval city, a significant Renaissance urban center, and a modern colossus. Roy Porter paints a detailed landscape--from the grid streets and fortresses of Julius Caesar and William the Conqueror to the medieval, walled "most noble city" of churches, friars, and crown and town relationships. Within the crenelated battlements, manufactures and markets developed and street-life buzzed.

London's profile in 1500 was much as it was at the peak of Roman power. The city owed its courtly splendor and national pride of the Tudor Age to the phenomenal expansion of its capital. It was the envy of foreigners, the spur of civic patriotism, and a hub of culture, architecture, great literature, and new religion. From the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries, London experienced a cruel civil war, raging fires, enlightenment in thought, government, and living, and the struggle and benefits of empire. From the lament that "London was but is no more" to "you, who are to stand a wonder to all Years and ages...a phoenix," London became an elegant, eye-catching, metropolitan hub. It was a mosaic, Porter shows, that represented the shared values of a people--both high and low born--at work and play.

London was and is a wonder city, a marvel. Not since ancient times has there been such a city--not eternal, but vibrant, living, full of a free people ever evolving. In this transcendent book, Roy Porter touches the pulse of his hometown and makes it our own, capturing London's fortunes, people, and imperial glory with brio and wit.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA--A detailed analysis of London's growth from a Roman town to a modern metropolis. The chronological arrangement of the chapters makes it easy to pull out specific time periods. The Victorian age gets special emphasis. The details of everyday life, values, and work ethics can be difficult to locate elsewhere. An up-to-date synthesis of diverse writings about the city provides a social history. The primary sources included make it possible to feel a part of the events. Black-and-white, engravinglike illustrations provide a pictorial overview. Although the reading level may challenge some YAs, it is appropriate for most students of English literature and history.

Arlene Hoebel, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

"London was always a muddle that worked." Survivor of plagues, fires, wars, and rulers bordering on (or decidedly) incompetent, this city has always managed to retain at least some of its considerable glory. The question, as posed by Porter (Wellcome Inst. for the History of Medicine) is, "Will London survive, in spite of or because of her history?" In a narrative spanning London's beginnings through the time of Margaret Thatcher, Porter has drawn a dense picture of a complex city. Bogged down with the weight of too many details, with a focus too scattered and confused to do the question justice, this book leaves one wishing for the thorough grounding in English history that would make things come clear. For a colorful, accessible resource, turn to the Times London History Atlas (LJ 3/92). Possibly useful as a secondary source for larger academic libraries. [For another recent book on London, see John Russell's London, LJ 10/15/94.-Ed.]-Nancy L. Whitfield, Meriden P.L., Conn.
--Nancy L. Whitfield, Meriden P.L., Conn.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (February 12, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674538390
• ISBN-13: 978-0674538399
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A University Student's Perspective, February 13, 2005

By 

Samantha Peterson "college student abroad" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: London: A Social History (A "New York Times" notable book 1995) (Paperback)

I want to preface this review by stating that I am in no way an expert on Roy Porter as a historian in general, nor do I claim to have read a plethora of similar books on the history of London. I am merely writing this review as someone who has read Porter's book for a 300-level university course on the history of London.

That said, I have to say that if you are looking for a cohesive overview of every aspect of London's history, you may want to look elsewhere. Porter's primary focus is a religious history of London (which would have been a more apt title). He spends too much time describing in detail nearly all of London's churches (and there are hundreds) and talking about the development of the streets. There are paragraphs (and, indeed, the entire introduction chapter) rattling off street names that mean nothing to anyone but native Londoners. I am currently studying in London and have lived here for quite some time, and still the street names do nothing to enhance understanding. It serves primarily to congest and overwhelm the bits of valid information that are thrown in.

Porter says little about the evolution of London as it relates to England's history. He does divide the chapters into specific historical periods, which is useful, but for those who want to learn about the more interesting monarchs and their relation to the city, read another book. He barely mentions Henry VIII or any of the more colorful monarchs. His chapter on the Tudor period focuses primarily on the Reformation and the reigns of Elizabeth and Mary. While interesting, there is more to a social history than religious upheaval and trade guilds.

I would have to say that Porter's history of London takes a convoluted and dull approach to a fascinating history. The book is by no means bad, but for those who have a choice in what they read and want to spend their time wisely, I'd advise buying a different history of this great city.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a social history, but it's a wonderful book nonetheless, October 20, 2001

By 

saskatoonguy (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: London: A Social History (A "New York Times" notable book 1995) (Paperback)

Roy Porter's book covers the full breadth of London history, from Roman times to approximately 1990, with the Victoria era and the post-WWII era receiving particularly heavy emphasis. A more accurate title for the book would be 'London: A History,' because the social history component is a bit thin. Porter devotes more attention to the evolving political situation and to physical characteristics (streets, fortifications, famous buildings) than he does to social history.

This is a wonderful introduction to London, and would be ideal for the visitor seeking a deeper appreciation of (what I regard as) the world's most fascinating city. One quibble: Porter should have been more self-restrained about his visceral hatred of Margaret Thatcher. Porter's rants about her are so over-the-top that he even blames her for the excesses of left-wing political correctness.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A city and its peoples, May 18, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: London: A Social History (A "New York Times" notable book 1995) (Paperback)

Roy Porter, noted and trained as a medical historian, turned his attention to the social development of London, and we are the richer for it. Porter is a Londoner, and has a passion for the city. He is, however, frank in his conviction that London has had it's hour upon the stage:

'London is not the eternal city.... Between the two Elizabeths, between 1570 and 1986 to be more precise, it was to become the world's greatest city.'

Porter sees the abolition of the Greater London Council (GLC) by Margaret Thatcher as a benchmark to the demise of London as a great city (I happen to disagree; will he change his opinion in light of the upcoming mayoral elections in London?) Porter's current pessimism about London is very apparent from page 1 of the introduction; however, this does not keep him from doing a sterling job with his subject throughout the text.

Porter gives brief description to Londinium (mentioning among other things that it was abandoned 'to the dogs' by the Romans in the fifth century), however, begins his history in earnest about the year 1500 because while 'the Romano-British city and its medieval successor have left extensive archaeological remains and chronicles, ...we have no full visual record from before the Tudor age.'

Porter examines eras in terms of the history of culture, of commerce and industry, and of population and social changes. The nineteenth century (in which there was practically no urban planning, as any current map will inform you) is described as 'Bumbledom', particularly in the field of London politics.

Porter describes the expansion of London as a 'fungus-like growth' in the late 19th/early 20th centuries; he concludes his analysis with chapters on 'Swinging London' and 'Thatcher's London'. Porter leaves us with a question: 'London was always a muddle that worked. Will it remain that way?'

In all, a wonderful read, a wonderful story, and a wonderful topic.