VaughNet

It looks like I might end up in London for a couple of weeks in the end of July. One of those weeks will be spent working, so it might as well be anywhere else, but I’m planning on staying on for an extra week afterwards to check out one of the places that I have wanted to visit for the longest time.

In preperation for my visit I have started to read two recommended books. London: A Life in Maps by Peter Whitfield is published by the British Library:

Whitfield reads historic sketches and detailed plans as biographical keys to this complex, sprawling urban center, and his in-depth examination unearths fascinating insights into the city of black cabs and red double-deckers. With engaging prose and astute analysis he also expertly coaxes out the subtle complexities—of social history, urban planning, and design—within the rich documentation of London’s immense and constantly changing cityscape.

I felt this was a good pick because London seems to be one of those cities defined by it planning, or lack thereof. With such a rich history it is only natural that such history would leave its print on the city hundreds of years later.

The second book on my list, London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd, is meant to be a wholly separate approach to understanding the city. Ackroyd looks upon the city of London as a living, breathing entity and approaches the city’s story as such.

I’ll be sure to post a review when I’ve completed the reading of each and I’ll surely have some good stuff upon my return from the mother country.