A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

Become a London-bore!, 29 Apr 2008
This is an excellent 'by the bed' book for dipping in and out of. Each section has a generous selection of interesting gems and more bizarre nuggets about the capital that will make any reader an instant London Bore or a valued member of any pub-quiz team (admittedly only for the London questions!). Certainly a book worth having even if you don't have a huge thirst for knowledge about London - this will gently change that without you even noticing.

I never knew that about london, 03 Mar 2008
thought i knew every thing
about london until read
this great little
book

Entertaining & informative anecdotes, 13 Jan 2008
I find this book incredibly useful & great for people that like their superlatives. As the title suggests, there are some lovely little nuggets of information you won't find elswhere. Thoroughly recommended

A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

Become a London-bore!, 29 Apr 2008
This is an excellent 'by the bed' book for dipping in and out of. Each section has a generous selection of interesting gems and more bizarre nuggets about the capital that will make any reader an instant London Bore or a valued member of any pub-quiz team (admittedly only for the London questions!). Certainly a book worth having even if you don't have a huge thirst for knowledge about London - this will gently change that without you even noticing.

I never knew that about london, 03 Mar 2008
thought i knew every thing
about london until read
this great little
book

Entertaining & informative anecdotes, 13 Jan 2008
I find this book incredibly useful & great for people that like their superlatives. As the title suggests, there are some lovely little nuggets of information you won't find elswhere. Thoroughly recommended

A long overdue general history and introduction, 19 Jul 2008
Periodically books are written on the subject of the parish churches in England. The wealth of beautiful churches that this country has is one of the most unappreciated aspects of England's architectural heritage and many urban and rural parishes are struggling in the upkeep of these edifices, some of which are of cathedral like proportions to services villages of a few hundred. This is the motivation that Roy Strong states in his introduction for writing this book - to highlight the country church's plight and highlight the challenges we will face to preserve them in the twenty first century. Whereas the twentieth century saw the preservation of the country house, the twenty first century will have to deal with the challenge of preserving the parish church building.

The book is however mainly an overview of the way that the building and in particular the furnishings of English parish churches have changed from the early medieval era which saw church interiors lavishly decorates and furnished through the period of the Reformation and the Commonwealth which saw the destruction of a massive amount of church art and furnishings which tracked the interpretation of Protestant theology in its manifestation in the decoration and liturgy of the parish church. The book describes in vivid detail the rituals and ceremonies at the heart of the parish throughout history tracing their changes with the contemporary religious and political events that occurred in England, particularly momentous events such as the Reformation and subtle changes brought about by the Oxford Movement in the mid nineteenth century which has shaped the liturgy and decoration of modern parish churches to this day.

The book however is popularist rather than academic. In that sense it is a pretty easy read and the plethora of illustrations including well know examples of surviving medieval furnishings makes this a solid read. However, the academics may wince a little bit at the presumptions that are made and conclusions that are drawn. However, reading the book does not really answer the issues raised in the introduction - namely how will the English parish church survive in the twenty-first century and beyond? Strong has a one or two ideas in the epilogue - namely more of a community use for the building. But this does leave the reader a little unsatisfied, making the book feel like a good overall history of the parish church surrounded by an introduction and conclusion which does not fit the subject matter in the middle of the book.


A Book In A Million, 31 Dec 2007
Anyone wishing to see how church architecture and spirituality were affected by political and theological developments in England should purchase this book. It is a wealth of information, extremely well written and illustrated throughout with excellent examples of church architecture.

The beauty of this book is that is explains the essence of continuity in English Christianity as perceived through the experience of ordinary worshippers and does not get embroiled with the relative merits of theological standpoints.

An excellent book, buy one for the Vicar!!!

When the eminent novelist and biographer Peter Ackroyd finished writing London: The Biography, he almost immediately had a heart attack, such was the effort of his 800-page work about the "human body" that is this most fascinating of cities. And not just any human body either, but "envisaged in the form of a young man with his arms outstretched in a gesture of liberation... it embodies the energy and exaltation of a city continually beating in great waves of progress and of confidence."

Probably there is no one better placed than Ackroyd--the author of mammoth lives of Dickens and Blake, and novels such as Hawksmoor and Dan Leno and the Lime House Golem which set singular characters against the backdrop of a city constantly shifting in time--to write such a rich, sinewy account of "Infinite London".

Ackroyd's London is no mere chronology. Its chapters take on such varied themes as drinking, sex, childhood, poverty, crime and punishment, sewage, food, pestilence and fire, immigration, maps, theatre and war. We learn that gin was "the demon of London for half a century", and that "it has been estimated that in the 1740s and 1750s there were 17,000 'gin-houses'." Fleet Street was an area known for its "violent delights" where "a 14-year-old boy, only 18 inches high, was to be seen in 1702 at a grocer's shop called the Eagle and Child by Shoe Lane." By the mid 19th century "London had become known as the greatest city on earth." By 1939 "one in five of the British population had become a Londoner."

Though London's chapters vary meaning that it can be dipped into at random, Ackroyd is employing a skilful and continuous theme throughout, which constantly links past and present--the similarities of children's games in Lambeth in 1910 and 1999; the obsession with time--"in 21st-century London time rushes forward and is everywhere apparent", while in 18th-century London the church clock of Newgate "regulated the times of hanging." Above all, he insists that the "dark secret life" of the metropolis is as relevant today as it was in perhaps its most appropriate period, Victorian London.

Again and again Ackroyd returns to the image of London as a living organism, hence his use of the word "biography" in the title. At once awed by and intimate with this "ubiquitous" city, he stresses that "it can be located nowhere in particular... its circumference is everywhere." --Catherine Taylor

A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

Become a London-bore!, 29 Apr 2008
This is an excellent 'by the bed' book for dipping in and out of. Each section has a generous selection of interesting gems and more bizarre nuggets about the capital that will make any reader an instant London Bore or a valued member of any pub-quiz team (admittedly only for the London questions!). Certainly a book worth having even if you don't have a huge thirst for knowledge about London - this will gently change that without you even noticing.

I never knew that about london, 03 Mar 2008
thought i knew every thing
about london until read
this great little
book

Entertaining & informative anecdotes, 13 Jan 2008
I find this book incredibly useful & great for people that like their superlatives. As the title suggests, there are some lovely little nuggets of information you won't find elswhere. Thoroughly recommended

A long overdue general history and introduction, 19 Jul 2008
Periodically books are written on the subject of the parish churches in England. The wealth of beautiful churches that this country has is one of the most unappreciated aspects of England's architectural heritage and many urban and rural parishes are struggling in the upkeep of these edifices, some of which are of cathedral like proportions to services villages of a few hundred. This is the motivation that Roy Strong states in his introduction for writing this book - to highlight the country church's plight and highlight the challenges we will face to preserve them in the twenty first century. Whereas the twentieth century saw the preservation of the country house, the twenty first century will have to deal with the challenge of preserving the parish church building.

The book is however mainly an overview of the way that the building and in particular the furnishings of English parish churches have changed from the early medieval era which saw church interiors lavishly decorates and furnished through the period of the Reformation and the Commonwealth which saw the destruction of a massive amount of church art and furnishings which tracked the interpretation of Protestant theology in its manifestation in the decoration and liturgy of the parish church. The book describes in vivid detail the rituals and ceremonies at the heart of the parish throughout history tracing their changes with the contemporary religious and political events that occurred in England, particularly momentous events such as the Reformation and subtle changes brought about by the Oxford Movement in the mid nineteenth century which has shaped the liturgy and decoration of modern parish churches to this day.

The book however is popularist rather than academic. In that sense it is a pretty easy read and the plethora of illustrations including well know examples of surviving medieval furnishings makes this a solid read. However, the academics may wince a little bit at the presumptions that are made and conclusions that are drawn. However, reading the book does not really answer the issues raised in the introduction - namely how will the English parish church survive in the twenty-first century and beyond? Strong has a one or two ideas in the epilogue - namely more of a community use for the building. But this does leave the reader a little unsatisfied, making the book feel like a good overall history of the parish church surrounded by an introduction and conclusion which does not fit the subject matter in the middle of the book.


A Book In A Million, 31 Dec 2007
Anyone wishing to see how church architecture and spirituality were affected by political and theological developments in England should purchase this book. It is a wealth of information, extremely well written and illustrated throughout with excellent examples of church architecture.

The beauty of this book is that is explains the essence of continuity in English Christianity as perceived through the experience of ordinary worshippers and does not get embroiled with the relative merits of theological standpoints.

An excellent book, buy one for the Vicar!!!

Interesting for the most part, 20 Nov 2008
As a life long Londoner and a person well read in history this book was just up my street.

It was a well written book packed with all sorts of fascinating details. For the most part I enjoyed reading it although it could occasionally be long winded and tedious.

Limited history, 08 Aug 2008
Rambling, unfocused, poorly researched, and little real history. An enjoyable holiday read perhaps, but those looking to learn about the origins of this great city should look elsewhere. Most of the discussion centers on the 17th and 18th centuries and most of the anecdotes come from only two souces. The author could have taken the trouble to do a little more research! Very disappointing.

London Marathon, 13 Jan 2008
Couldn't/wouldn't get into it. Have read very little of it, and it was some time ago and I don't really remember it, so have no right to comment. Especially in the midst of such distinguished reviewers who have displayed the qualities required of anyone who completes the London Marathon.

But I will anyway. Viz:

I can relate to some reviewers' sentiments. Some, though not all.

One of those choice few I addressed as follows:

----

Talk of damning with faint praise! You seem to want to praise it like most of the other reviewers, but you let slip the fact that it doesn't really work for you until Page 772! Well, I personally can't be bothered to plough all the way through to Page 772 to get the gold! It's not as though there aren't any other books out there or other things I could be doing besides reading for that matter.

The following just sprang to mind regarding what [little] I've seen of Ackroyd's work:

[Onerous and] ponderous [portentous] tome, heavy with obsessiveness and lacking a certain leaven of lightness, charm and humour.

To my mind, anyway. Others have different minds, obviously.

Maybe I'll post this and see what happens if I dare to go against the flow!

----

Oh no! I've just posted it!

Well, I'll just have to sit back and see what happens.

'Tis all theatre, I'll tell myself as the brickbats fly. Ouch!

Sorry, sorry. I take it all back.

Ouch!

London in all its glory, 23 Dec 2007
I love London and am constantly excited about learning more about this, in my opinion, the best city in the world. This book is fascinating and if you can't get through it all in one go (it's a monster of a book) then you can dip in and out of it. I would recommend it to anyone whether or not you know the city well.

Love it or hate it..., 31 Jul 2007
Whether you love London or hate London, you have to admit that it has been a world-important city for centuries, perhaps millenia. Living in the place it is very easy to actually love and hate it at the same time. The detailed and well-researched book by Peter Ackroyd decribes the highs and lows of London from pre-history to 2000. The writer's strong and accessible style brings the city to life to the extent that one can almost hear it and smell it. Only one very minor quibble about people moving to the United States after the Great Fire - over a century before there was a United States - calling it the American Colonies would have been better. But that should not detract from Ackroyd's description of a city that was almost a country within a country for much of its history, and in some ways perhaps still is.

A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

Become a London-bore!, 29 Apr 2008
This is an excellent 'by the bed' book for dipping in and out of. Each section has a generous selection of interesting gems and more bizarre nuggets about the capital that will make any reader an instant London Bore or a valued member of any pub-quiz team (admittedly only for the London questions!). Certainly a book worth having even if you don't have a huge thirst for knowledge about London - this will gently change that without you even noticing.

I never knew that about london, 03 Mar 2008
thought i knew every thing
about london until read
this great little
book

Entertaining & informative anecdotes, 13 Jan 2008
I find this book incredibly useful & great for people that like their superlatives. As the title suggests, there are some lovely little nuggets of information you won't find elswhere. Thoroughly recommended

A long overdue general history and introduction, 19 Jul 2008
Periodically books are written on the subject of the parish churches in England. The wealth of beautiful churches that this country has is one of the most unappreciated aspects of England's architectural heritage and many urban and rural parishes are struggling in the upkeep of these edifices, some of which are of cathedral like proportions to services villages of a few hundred. This is the motivation that Roy Strong states in his introduction for writing this book - to highlight the country church's plight and highlight the challenges we will face to preserve them in the twenty first century. Whereas the twentieth century saw the preservation of the country house, the twenty first century will have to deal with the challenge of preserving the parish church building.

The book is however mainly an overview of the way that the building and in particular the furnishings of English parish churches have changed from the early medieval era which saw church interiors lavishly decorates and furnished through the period of the Reformation and the Commonwealth which saw the destruction of a massive amount of church art and furnishings which tracked the interpretation of Protestant theology in its manifestation in the decoration and liturgy of the parish church. The book describes in vivid detail the rituals and ceremonies at the heart of the parish throughout history tracing their changes with the contemporary religious and political events that occurred in England, particularly momentous events such as the Reformation and subtle changes brought about by the Oxford Movement in the mid nineteenth century which has shaped the liturgy and decoration of modern parish churches to this day.

The book however is popularist rather than academic. In that sense it is a pretty easy read and the plethora of illustrations including well know examples of surviving medieval furnishings makes this a solid read. However, the academics may wince a little bit at the presumptions that are made and conclusions that are drawn. However, reading the book does not really answer the issues raised in the introduction - namely how will the English parish church survive in the twenty-first century and beyond? Strong has a one or two ideas in the epilogue - namely more of a community use for the building. But this does leave the reader a little unsatisfied, making the book feel like a good overall history of the parish church surrounded by an introduction and conclusion which does not fit the subject matter in the middle of the book.


A Book In A Million, 31 Dec 2007
Anyone wishing to see how church architecture and spirituality were affected by political and theological developments in England should purchase this book. It is a wealth of information, extremely well written and illustrated throughout with excellent examples of church architecture.

The beauty of this book is that is explains the essence of continuity in English Christianity as perceived through the experience of ordinary worshippers and does not get embroiled with the relative merits of theological standpoints.

An excellent book, buy one for the Vicar!!!

Interesting for the most part, 20 Nov 2008
As a life long Londoner and a person well read in history this book was just up my street.

It was a well written book packed with all sorts of fascinating details. For the most part I enjoyed reading it although it could occasionally be long winded and tedious.

Limited history, 08 Aug 2008
Rambling, unfocused, poorly researched, and little real history. An enjoyable holiday read perhaps, but those looking to learn about the origins of this great city should look elsewhere. Most of the discussion centers on the 17th and 18th centuries and most of the anecdotes come from only two souces. The author could have taken the trouble to do a little more research! Very disappointing.

London Marathon, 13 Jan 2008
Couldn't/wouldn't get into it. Have read very little of it, and it was some time ago and I don't really remember it, so have no right to comment. Especially in the midst of such distinguished reviewers who have displayed the qualities required of anyone who completes the London Marathon.

But I will anyway. Viz:

I can relate to some reviewers' sentiments. Some, though not all.

One of those choice few I addressed as follows:

----

Talk of damning with faint praise! You seem to want to praise it like most of the other reviewers, but you let slip the fact that it doesn't really work for you until Page 772! Well, I personally can't be bothered to plough all the way through to Page 772 to get the gold! It's not as though there aren't any other books out there or other things I could be doing besides reading for that matter.

The following just sprang to mind regarding what [little] I've seen of Ackroyd's work:

[Onerous and] ponderous [portentous] tome, heavy with obsessiveness and lacking a certain leaven of lightness, charm and humour.

To my mind, anyway. Others have different minds, obviously.

Maybe I'll post this and see what happens if I dare to go against the flow!

----

Oh no! I've just posted it!

Well, I'll just have to sit back and see what happens.

'Tis all theatre, I'll tell myself as the brickbats fly. Ouch!

Sorry, sorry. I take it all back.

Ouch!

London in all its glory, 23 Dec 2007
I love London and am constantly excited about learning more about this, in my opinion, the best city in the world. This book is fascinating and if you can't get through it all in one go (it's a monster of a book) then you can dip in and out of it. I would recommend it to anyone whether or not you know the city well.

Love it or hate it..., 31 Jul 2007
Whether you love London or hate London, you have to admit that it has been a world-important city for centuries, perhaps millenia. Living in the place it is very easy to actually love and hate it at the same time. The detailed and well-researched book by Peter Ackroyd decribes the highs and lows of London from pre-history to 2000. The writer's strong and accessible style brings the city to life to the extent that one can almost hear it and smell it. Only one very minor quibble about people moving to the United States after the Great Fire - over a century before there was a United States - calling it the American Colonies would have been better. But that should not detract from Ackroyd's description of a city that was almost a country within a country for much of its history, and in some ways perhaps still is.

Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

Become a London-bore!, 29 Apr 2008
This is an excellent 'by the bed' book for dipping in and out of. Each section has a generous selection of interesting gems and more bizarre nuggets about the capital that will make any reader an instant London Bore or a valued member of any pub-quiz team (admittedly only for the London questions!). Certainly a book worth having even if you don't have a huge thirst for knowledge about London - this will gently change that without you even noticing.

I never knew that about london, 03 Mar 2008
thought i knew every thing
about london until read
this great little
book

Entertaining & informative anecdotes, 13 Jan 2008
I find this book incredibly useful & great for people that like their superlatives. As the title suggests, there are some lovely little nuggets of information you won't find elswhere. Thoroughly recommended

A long overdue general history and introduction, 19 Jul 2008
Periodically books are written on the subject of the parish churches in England. The wealth of beautiful churches that this country has is one of the most unappreciated aspects of England's architectural heritage and many urban and rural parishes are struggling in the upkeep of these edifices, some of which are of cathedral like proportions to services villages of a few hundred. This is the motivation that Roy Strong states in his introduction for writing this book - to highlight the country church's plight and highlight the challenges we will face to preserve them in the twenty first century. Whereas the twentieth century saw the preservation of the country house, the twenty first century will have to deal with the challenge of preserving the parish church building.

The book is however mainly an overview of the way that the building and in particular the furnishings of English parish churches have changed from the early medieval era which saw church interiors lavishly decorates and furnished through the period of the Reformation and the Commonwealth which saw the destruction of a massive amount of church art and furnishings which tracked the interpretation of Protestant theology in its manifestation in the decoration and liturgy of the parish church. The book describes in vivid detail the rituals and ceremonies at the heart of the parish throughout history tracing their changes with the contemporary religious and political events that occurred in England, particularly momentous events such as the Reformation and subtle changes brought about by the Oxford Movement in the mid nineteenth century which has shaped the liturgy and decoration of modern parish churches to this day.

The book however is popularist rather than academic. In that sense it is a pretty easy read and the plethora of illustrations including well know examples of surviving medieval furnishings makes this a solid read. However, the academics may wince a little bit at the presumptions that are made and conclusions that are drawn. However, reading the book does not really answer the issues raised in the introduction - namely how will the English parish church survive in the twenty-first century and beyond? Strong has a one or two ideas in the epilogue - namely more of a community use for the building. But this does leave the reader a little unsatisfied, making the book feel like a good overall history of the parish church surrounded by an introduction and conclusion which does not fit the subject matter in the middle of the book.


A Book In A Million, 31 Dec 2007
Anyone wishing to see how church architecture and spirituality were affected by political and theological developments in England should purchase this book. It is a wealth of information, extremely well written and illustrated throughout with excellent examples of church architecture.

The beauty of this book is that is explains the essence of continuity in English Christianity as perceived through the experience of ordinary worshippers and does not get embroiled with the relative merits of theological standpoints.

An excellent book, buy one for the Vicar!!!

Interesting for the most part, 20 Nov 2008
As a life long Londoner and a person well read in history this book was just up my street.

It was a well written book packed with all sorts of fascinating details. For the most part I enjoyed reading it although it could occasionally be long winded and tedious.

Limited history, 08 Aug 2008
Rambling, unfocused, poorly researched, and little real history. An enjoyable holiday read perhaps, but those looking to learn about the origins of this great city should look elsewhere. Most of the discussion centers on the 17th and 18th centuries and most of the anecdotes come from only two souces. The author could have taken the trouble to do a little more research! Very disappointing.

London Marathon, 13 Jan 2008
Couldn't/wouldn't get into it. Have read very little of it, and it was some time ago and I don't really remember it, so have no right to comment. Especially in the midst of such distinguished reviewers who have displayed the qualities required of anyone who completes the London Marathon.

But I will anyway. Viz:

I can relate to some reviewers' sentiments. Some, though not all.

One of those choice few I addressed as follows:

----

Talk of damning with faint praise! You seem to want to praise it like most of the other reviewers, but you let slip the fact that it doesn't really work for you until Page 772! Well, I personally can't be bothered to plough all the way through to Page 772 to get the gold! It's not as though there aren't any other books out there or other things I could be doing besides reading for that matter.

The following just sprang to mind regarding what [little] I've seen of Ackroyd's work:

[Onerous and] ponderous [portentous] tome, heavy with obsessiveness and lacking a certain leaven of lightness, charm and humour.

To my mind, anyway. Others have different minds, obviously.

Maybe I'll post this and see what happens if I dare to go against the flow!

----

Oh no! I've just posted it!

Well, I'll just have to sit back and see what happens.

'Tis all theatre, I'll tell myself as the brickbats fly. Ouch!

Sorry, sorry. I take it all back.

Ouch!

London in all its glory, 23 Dec 2007
I love London and am constantly excited about learning more about this, in my opinion, the best city in the world. This book is fascinating and if you can't get through it all in one go (it's a monster of a book) then you can dip in and out of it. I would recommend it to anyone whether or not you know the city well.

Love it or hate it..., 31 Jul 2007
Whether you love London or hate London, you have to admit that it has been a world-important city for centuries, perhaps millenia. Living in the place it is very easy to actually love and hate it at the same time. The detailed and well-researched book by Peter Ackroyd decribes the highs and lows of London from pre-history to 2000. The writer's strong and accessible style brings the city to life to the extent that one can almost hear it and smell it. Only one very minor quibble about people moving to the United States after the Great Fire - over a century before there was a United States - calling it the American Colonies would have been better. But that should not detract from Ackroyd's description of a city that was almost a country within a country for much of its history, and in some ways perhaps still is.

Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame" (many of which were unknown to me - really interesting & enlightening) along with other fascinating historical snippets.
Dip in & out or read straight through, either way it's an entertaining & informative book.
It's the kind of book they must get pub quiz questions from !!
As the previous reviewer points out,a really excellent stocking filler - real value & a true "find" .
Top quality.

This is what makes England so special, 03 Jan 2006
I found this book to be a brilliant stocking filler, a really good 'toilet' read. I flicked through it at first, searching for locations from my childhood and teens, such as places I had visited on family holidays, etc. However, after an initial trawl I read it over a period of about 36 hours. There is not a place in England that doesn't have some obscure fact related to it.

A bloody good book, highly recommended.

Old stock in poor condition......., 17 Nov 2008
I can't comment on the book since I returned it immediately. Amazon must have had this lying around in a filthy warehouse: it arrived filthy with top and bottom spine well bashed and the wrap-around (with the boat drawing) well worn. All credit to Amazon though that their returns process is excellent. I notice that in the 10 days since I bought it, Amazon have increased the price by 10p! Unusual for old stock (the hardback is obviously out of print)! Anyway, if you think you've sourced the hardback version at a good price, maybe think again. I'm off to pay more at Borders, but at least I know I'm getting a pristine copy.

A box of delights, 11 May 2008
Chapeau! Kudos! Peter Ackroyd has done a terrific job with this book. From his early novel _Hawksmoor_, Ackroyd has evolved into the chronicler par excellence of London, both through his book of the same name and by the flavour of London life in his biographies of Shakespeare, Chaucer, Sir Thomas More, Dickens, Blake, and other works (both fictional and non).

This cornucopia has history, geography, geology, spirituality, sociology, literary and cultural referencing, psychology, life cycles, transport, trade, ecology, hedonism, commercialism. It's a staggeringly accomplished chronicle and a worthy tribute to the liquid heart of London.

Ackroyd ranges masterfully from facts and statistics - some of them fascinating - through to dreams and legends. Although London dominates, this deals with the villages and towns along the Thames - e.g., Windsor as represented by the poet Alexander Pope. The historical thread moves from the prehistoric river, and the Thames Caesar conquered, through to the modern flood protection afforded by the Thames Barrier. Notwithstanding its erudition, the flow is ceaseless and the touch light, so that it's an easy, satisfying read.

Thankfully, Ackroyd controls his trademark fascination in filth and murk aspects, balancing them judiciously with the elevated, refined and spiritual. He delightedly describes the Fleet as "merd-urinous", "wholly rank" and "the excremental centre of London's polluted life". This is tempered by the view "at twilight, a soft grey, a lacustrine light."

With its buried coins and weapons, syringes, severed heads, the river is a "depository of past lives" but Ackroyd gives us a final vision of "estuarial river" rushing to the "sea's embrace."

I can do no better than let the chapters speak for themselves:

1. "The Mirror of history": river as fact (statistics) and metaphor - the "museum of Englishness", symbolizing the national character. Time of the river: Hydrologic and geologic.
2. Father Thames - river deities, Thames Basin, birth/source aspects
3. Issuing Forth: tributaries, especially the Fleet.
4. Beginnings: Ice Ages, barrows, and henges; Caesar and Vikings.
5. The sacred river - saints and ruins: includes Norman palaces, Westminster Abbey, monasteries(work and education), plague and fire.
6.Elemental and Equal: riverine cycle/essence and social upheavals/revolutions.
7. The working river -: River boats, London Bridge and subways, river law and conservation; the criminal element (theft, witches); watermen, porters, weir keepers.
8. River of trade - wharves, mills, breweries, docks, modern decline - new financial districts e.g. Canary Wharf and Docklands.
9. The Natural River: fog, wind, rain, the Thames Barrier (flood protection). Sacred woods and trees, villages, swans and whales (!)
10. A stream of pleasure - pubs, sports, carnivals, Lord Mayor's pageant, physic gardens Contrasts with mortality, sewers, and typhus in the 18th-19th centuries.
11. The healing spring - wells, hospitals, flowers. A rhapsodic chapter....
12. The river of art - Turner, Conrad, Jerome - chroniclers (the 16th-century antiquarian John Leland), novelists (Dickens, Grahame), poets Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, Pope, Shelley, Arnold.
13. Shadows and depth - Visions of Carroll and Traherne. Local history; dreams and legends.
14. The river of death - riverine findings (coins, weapons, syringes, severed heads). Mythology. Suicides, murders, drownings.
15. The river's end - the estuarial river which "rushes to the sea's embrace."

A grand achievement. Prepare to be delighted, amazed - and moved.

Strangely compelling, 11 Feb 2008
Rather like The Thames itself, this book has a mysterious beguiling quality. It draws you in and won't let you go. Ackroyd's prose, his playful mingling of history and legend, his almost overwhelming attention to detailed research combine to make this a compelling, oddly unsettling read. I learned so much.

A book to dip in to, 09 Feb 2008
This is an interesting and eclectic look at the River Thames by the author of 'London: The Biography'. The meat of the book is a series of vignettes dealing with different aspects of the river, its people, and it's environs. Also included is what the author titles 'An Alternative Topography, from source to sea' which is fascinating in its own right. This is really a book to dip into, rather than to read from end to end, and in some places it gets a little too mystical for my taste. It has it's own fascination, though, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it - especially to read in bed before you go to sleep.


Disappointing, 22 Jan 2008
As far as I can gather there are three ways one could write a book about a river. One could write about the river itself, how it has changed over time, either naturally or at the hands of man. Personally, I have not read a book of this kind, but no doubt they exist. Alternatively, one could travel up or down the river and write on the places and lands that border on it, or the people that live on its banks. Claudio Magris does this with great success in his book "Danube"; this kind of book is really a special form of the more general book that follows some sort of trace across the landscape (Colin Thubron's "Shadow of the Silk Road" comes to mind, as do books on old pilgrim roads, or even Michael Palin's "Around the World in 80 Days" or his "Pole to Pole"). The other possibility would be to write about various aspects of a river. This is the approach that Peter Ackroyd has adopted in his "Thames: Sacred River". He has written what amounts to a series of essays about the river, covering such themes as "the working river", "the river of trade", "the river of art", "the natural river", "the sacred river", and on and on.

I cannot say that Mr. Ackroyd's approach really worked for me. I do not know the Thames intimately, so I found it difficult to get a real sense of the river as Mr. Ackroyd jumped geographically up and down it, using examples from wherever he might find them to exemplify his themes. Names of many places passed in a blur, with my not knowing if they were upstream, downstream or in between. All of this was not made any easier by Mr. Ackroyd's insistence throughout the book, with great or lesser levels of intensity, on the sacral nature of the river; after a while, I found his reflections on its sacredness somewhat irritating. And of course London tends to dominate the book. Perhaps this is not surprising, because London is so central to the Thames, but Mr. Ackroyd's approach brings London even more to the fore than it might otherwise. In a book meant to be about the whole river, this is quite a handicap.

All in all, not the best of books.

A good read, 17 Nov 2008
I usually take ages to read a book but this one took a couple of weeks as I couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable and well written.

There is a brilliant book in here somewhere..., 14 Nov 2008
Judging by most of the reviews here, I am alone in the fact that I had not heard of the Constance Kent case before and was lucky enough to be kept guessing about the identity of the murderer until near the end. Summerscale is undoubtedly a good writer, but she can't decide what she wants this book to be - a murder investigation, a book on the development of the UK's detective force or a historical review of the origins of detective fiction. When Summerscale is actually writing about the murder, it is fascinating, it is only when she veers off on repetitive tangents about Wilkie Collins et al that it becomes a drag to turn the pages. If only she had kept herself to the murder, it would have been a great read instead of an average one. There are many potentially fascinating plot strands that are just ignored, such as the possible involvement of her brother in the murder and Constance's later life in Australia. Perhaps giving more than a few paragraphs to the little things like what happened to the rest of the characters, where she is buried and even the suggestion she was Jack the Ripper would have been far more interesting than quoting bits from 'The Moonstone' for the hundredth time....
A good read, filled with a lot of crap along the way. Prepare for the odd experience of being fascinated and bored to death all with the same book.

Like stepping into a time machine, 03 Nov 2008
I still have a little of this book to read so shouldn't really be reviewing it yet! However, having read some of the other reviews I had to make my own point.

First of all I bought it mainly because I live in the area and someone had talked to me about it as she lived in the village where it happened. This somehow brought it to 'life' for me and the fact that I like murder/mystery and whodunnits seemed to guarantee it as a good read.

I haven't been disappointed and have had to ration myself so I can make it last. It is detailed and some others here have said TOO detailed - the money values, where Whicher lived and stayed etc. But I LIKE this as it makes it all feel very real to me because let's face it, the story itself is fairly thin and could be told quite rapidly and it is slightly a cop- out that the murderer is only found because he/she confesses rather than being caught by skilled detective work. But that is what happened so can't be changed.

I actually liked the social comment and placing and the fine detail more than anything real as it brought me firmly into the period. I could almost smell the world in which this family the the detectives lived and I think this is what the author intended so we could fully understand Whicher's world. I had been researching my own family tree back to this era of history so was doubly interested as it gave me some idea how my relatives lived. (well, not quite like this though, thankfully!!)

With a recent child murder (as yet unsolved) still with us all and accusations of police blunders - so nothing new there, we can really feel this book and the full horror of it. I possibly would like to have had had MORE detail about the family reactions to the discovery which somehow never quite came out. I mean, can a person every really recover from the murder of a child like this - yet this family carried on and had more children - moved away a few times but really just carried on.

Poor old Whicher, no DNA or forensics - he was reduced to listening to local gossip and trying to 'read' faces. Or maybe, just maybe that is the way we should approach crime given that his first and only hunch was right. Yes,I know we don't or can't convict on a hunch but it does get the brain thinking.

A great read and I am looking forward to the final chapter. If you like the detective genre - especially real life crime you will probably love this but if you also love social history then you will definitely LOVE this but if you expect too much you could well be disappointed. Isn't that always the way?

I hear the house was or still is up for sale recently .. and that it has a real 'life' ghost! Let's hope if it is Francis Kent, that someone has cleaned him up a bit (from being down the 'privy') for him to haunt the house ...



suspicions of mr whicher, 03 Nov 2008
This book could of been half the size . Padded out with repeated info which became boring .I became very borded half way through and could't wait to finish.

I don't know how this one prizes!!!

A thorough examination of a murder, 28 Oct 2008
This book, which has won prizes and many plaudits this year, is the true story of a murder that occured in Road, Somerset in the middle of the 19th Century.

This might not grab you as all that noteworthy, but it grabbed public opinion at the time and contributed to the growth of a new type of book, the murder mystery in a country house, that the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie would make their own only a few years latter.

This book is interesting and if you're in any way intregued in this sort of history, you should consider reading this book. If you're not someone who typically reads factual books, however, you might find this book slighty dry and cold if I'm honest with you.

Become a London-bore!, 29 Apr 2008
This is an excellent 'by the bed' book for dipping in and out of. Each section has a generous selection of interesting gems and more bizarre nuggets about the capital that will make any reader an instant London Bore or a valued member of any pub-quiz team (admittedly only for the London questions!). Certainly a book worth having even if you don't have a huge thirst for knowledge about London - this will gently change that without you even noticing.

I never knew that about london, 03 Mar 2008
thought i knew every thing
about london until read
this great little
book

Entertaining & informative anecdotes, 13 Jan 2008
I find this book incredibly useful & great for people that like their superlatives. As the title suggests, there are some lovely little nuggets of information you won't find elswhere. Thoroughly recommended

A long overdue general history and introduction, 19 Jul 2008
Periodically books are written on the subject of the parish churches in England. The wealth of beautiful churches that this country has is one of the most unappreciated aspects of England's architectural heritage and many urban and rural parishes are struggling in the upkeep of these edifices, some of which are of cathedral like proportions to services villages of a few hundred. This is the motivation that Roy Strong states in his introduction for writing this book - to highlight the country church's plight and highlight the challenges we will face to preserve them in the twenty first century. Whereas the twentieth century saw the preservation of the country house, the twenty first century will have to deal with the challenge of preserving the parish church building.

The book is however mainly an overview of the way that the building and in particular the furnishings of English parish churches have changed from the early medieval era which saw church interiors lavishly decorates and furnished through the period of the Reformation and the Commonwealth which saw the destruction of a massive amount of church art and furnishings which tracked the interpretation of Protestant theology in its manifestation in the decoration and liturgy of the parish church. The book describes in vivid detail the rituals and ceremonies at the heart of the parish throughout history tracing their changes with the contemporary religious and political events that occurred in England, particularly momentous events such as the Reformation and subtle changes brought about by the Oxford Movement in the mid nineteenth century which has shaped the liturgy and decoration of modern parish churches to this day.

The book however is popularist rather than academic. In that sense it is a pretty easy read and the plethora of illustrations including well know examples of surviving medieval furnishings makes this a solid read. However, the academics may wince a little bit at the presumptions that are made and conclusions that are drawn. However, reading the book does not really answer the issues raised in the introduction - namely how will the English parish church survive in the twenty-first century and beyond? Strong has a one or two ideas in the epilogue - namely more of a community use for the building. But this does leave the reader a little unsatisfied, making the book feel like a good overall history of the parish church surrounded by an introduction and conclusion which does not fit the subject matter in the middle of the book.


A Book In A Million, 31 Dec 2007
Anyone wishing to see how church architecture and spirituality were affected by political and theological developments in England should purchase this book. It is a wealth of information, extremely well written and illustrated throughout with excellent examples of church architecture.

The beauty of this book is that is explains the essence of continuity in English Christianity as perceived through the experience of ordinary worshippers and does not get embroiled with the relative merits of theological standpoints.

An excellent book, buy one for the Vicar!!!

Interesting for the most part, 20 Nov 2008
As a life long Londoner and a person well read in history this book was just up my street.

It was a well written book packed with all sorts of fascinating details. For the most part I enjoyed reading it although it could occasionally be long winded and tedious.

Limited history, 08 Aug 2008
Rambling, unfocused, poorly researched, and little real history. An enjoyable holiday read perhaps, but those looking to learn about the origins of this great city should look elsewhere. Most of the discussion centers on the 17th and 18th centuries and most of the anecdotes come from only two souces. The author could have taken the trouble to do a little more research! Very disappointing.

London Marathon, 13 Jan 2008
Couldn't/wouldn't get into it. Have read very little of it, and it was some time ago and I don't really remember it, so have no right to comment. Especially in the midst of such distinguished reviewers who have displayed the qualities required of anyone who completes the London Marathon.

But I will anyway. Viz:

I can relate to some reviewers' sentiments. Some, though not all.

One of those choice few I addressed as follows:

----

Talk of damning with faint praise! You seem to want to praise it like most of the other reviewers, but you let slip the fact that it doesn't really work for you until Page 772! Well, I personally can't be bothered to plough all the way through to Page 772 to get the gold! It's not as though there aren't any other books out there or other things I could be doing besides reading for that matter.

The following just sprang to mind regarding what [little] I've seen of Ackroyd's work:

[Onerous and] ponderous [portentous] tome, heavy with obsessiveness and lacking a certain leaven of lightness, charm and humour.

To my mind, anyway. Others have different minds, obviously.

Maybe I'll post this and see what happens if I dare to go against the flow!

----

Oh no! I've just posted it!

Well, I'll just have to sit back and see what happens.

'Tis all theatre, I'll tell myself as the brickbats fly. Ouch!

Sorry, sorry. I take it all back.

Ouch!

London in all its glory, 23 Dec 2007
I love London and am constantly excited about learning more about this, in my opinion, the best city in the world. This book is fascinating and if you can't get through it all in one go (it's a monster of a book) then you can dip in and out of it. I would recommend it to anyone whether or not you know the city well.

Love it or hate it..., 31 Jul 2007
Whether you love London or hate London, you have to admit that it has been a world-important city for centuries, perhaps millenia. Living in the place it is very easy to actually love and hate it at the same time. The detailed and well-researched book by Peter Ackroyd decribes the highs and lows of London from pre-history to 2000. The writer's strong and accessible style brings the city to life to the extent that one can almost hear it and smell it. Only one very minor quibble about people moving to the United States after the Great Fire - over a century before there was a United States - calling it the American Colonies would have been better. But that should not detract from Ackroyd's description of a city that was almost a country within a country for much of its history, and in some ways perhaps still is.

Yet more errors, 19 Nov 2008
Along with G Meehan I find the errors irritating having found two more in the first 24 pages.
One is often repeated and may be considered trivial by many - the line from Gray's Elegy (page 18)
The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea,
True, several websites print this version but they may well be just
copies of other sites.
Reputable poetry sites and Oxford University's Gray archive print the version that also appears in the Oxford Book of English Verse:
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,

Yes, it does seem odd, but if that's what Gray wrote, that's what should appear.
The editors at the publishers, if not the author, should be capable of spotting this.

A far less trivial error is the statment on page 21 that Terry Pratchett was born in 1945.
If so,why did he and thousands of his fans wait until 2008 to celebrate his 60th birthday?
His being 63 all of a sudden is certainly something I never knew about England.
Haven't gone any further than page 24 but fear the worst if I do. With basic errors such as this how can we trust any statement in the book without looking it up?
Despite the celebrity commendations, think twice before buying.I'm thinking of returning it.



A compenium of the obscure and the quaint!, 06 Nov 2008

My wife and I bought this book as a gift for someone - and we've joked that we'll be borrowing it back soon so we can look at it again!

Divided into local areas, the book gives potted histories on towns and points out the local claims to fame - especially if they tend to be a bit weird! It's contains illustrations and is very well laid out. 'Local Celebrities' are detailed, though they often turn out to be sinister type!

In a nutshell: If you travel a lot in England then this is one of those great reads which can charge up your knowledge of the localities you visit. It's by learning about the history and unique aspects of England that make you appreciate it, and love it more. By capturing the quirkiness - it captures the spirit of the places featured. Other reviewers have mentioned inaccuracies in the book, this is a shame, and I hope that future editions iron out those mistakes - but never-the-less, it's still an entertaining, light-hearted, yet illuminating read.



Very interesting but a bit disappointed at first glance..., 18 Dec 2007
Just got this as a Christmas present for someone, and looking through, it makes a very interesting read, with lots of unusual and entertaining nuggets of information and facts. The illustrations are good too.

However I was a bit disappointed to find 3 mistakes in the space of as many pages when I looked at my own local area (Suffolk), which could have been corrected by anyone with Google and an extra 30 seconds to check each one... It was Sir Robert Watson-Watt who was instrumental in the development of RADAR at Bawdsey just before WW2 (not Robin), it's the River Deben (not Debden), and Grimston Hall is in Trimley St Martin (not the adjacent parish of Trimley St Mary). Which just makes me slightly question the veracity of the rest of the book. But it's still a good read, and probably the rest of it's all true!

Informative - obscure facts about England, 07 Aug 2006
What a great read . Loads of interesting,obscure & little known facts about England.
There is a section on each English county & some of the towns & cities therein. The book covers each county's "claims to fame"