_kelpie's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.75
A long, meandering dive into the history of victorian London, with some truly fascinating pitstops along the way. Who knew sewers could be so interesting?
The type of book to pick up and read in fits and starts, perfect for whilling away a spare hour every week. I was enthralled from the beginning and found the content easy to read and easier to enjoy, with none of the heavy wordiness common in similar nonfiction. It's incredibly well written and I can't wait to read the author's other works.
The type of book to pick up and read in fits and starts, perfect for whilling away a spare hour every week. I was enthralled from the beginning and found the content easy to read and easier to enjoy, with none of the heavy wordiness common in similar nonfiction. It's incredibly well written and I can't wait to read the author's other works.
misskrislm's review against another edition
3.0
FINALLY! I'M FINISHED!
I scream this in text because it took me FIVE MONTHS to get through this book. I never take this long on a book - unless I'm writing it.
That being said, this is not a bad or boring book. It's incredibly interesting and informative, researched beyond compare, answering questions I didn't know I was going to ask, and leaving me with plenty more I want to look into an research further. It's just SO DENSE. SO DETAILED to the point it's overwhelming.
For anyone planning to research this period, I don't know that I could recommend a better resource. Just be sure to allot the time to get through it.
I scream this in text because it took me FIVE MONTHS to get through this book. I never take this long on a book - unless I'm writing it.
That being said, this is not a bad or boring book. It's incredibly interesting and informative, researched beyond compare, answering questions I didn't know I was going to ask, and leaving me with plenty more I want to look into an research further. It's just SO DENSE. SO DETAILED to the point it's overwhelming.
For anyone planning to research this period, I don't know that I could recommend a better resource. Just be sure to allot the time to get through it.
beledit's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the Audible version which is only available in the abridged format, unfortunately.
It was an interesting and easy listen, giving a reasonably good overview of the social history of the period. It's more or less a basic primer, not addressing anything very unusual, and is clearly targeting a general audience rather than specialists. But so long as you buy it with the right expectations you should not be disappointed. It is well read by Anton Lesser.
It was an interesting and easy listen, giving a reasonably good overview of the social history of the period. It's more or less a basic primer, not addressing anything very unusual, and is clearly targeting a general audience rather than specialists. But so long as you buy it with the right expectations you should not be disappointed. It is well read by Anton Lesser.
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
An incredibly detailed yet entertaining and often funny look at the history of Victorian London. Each chapter is, in effect, its own self-contained section of the story and focuses on one aspect of Victorian society. Topics range from food to clothing to religion, transport, death, the Great Exhibition, and the royal family. Picard has covered every element of society in detail while still managing to make it interesting.
Though each chapter is effectively self-contained - which does make the end of the book seem a little strange when there's no conclusion, and the book just...ends - there are recurring characters (so to speak) throughout. Picard has pulled extensive information from letters, diaries and official documents from the time, and so those writers crop up again and again with their comments on various events or elements of society.
On the whole, it was surprisingly enjoyable.
Though each chapter is effectively self-contained - which does make the end of the book seem a little strange when there's no conclusion, and the book just...ends - there are recurring characters (so to speak) throughout. Picard has pulled extensive information from letters, diaries and official documents from the time, and so those writers crop up again and again with their comments on various events or elements of society.
On the whole, it was surprisingly enjoyable.
sophronisba's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhat unfocused, with no logical organization. Each chapter is pretty much self-contained. But entertainingly written and a treasure trove of information.