A review by kjcharles
Rothschild Buildings: Life in an East-End Tenement Block 1887 - 1920 by Jerry White

Absolutely fascinating. This is basically an oral history, covering the lives of the mostly Jewish inhabitants of a model housing block in the late 19th and early 20th century. It's got relationships, childhood, all sorts of stuff about jobs and trades and entertainments, appalling stuff about the grinding poverty of so many, the cruelty and exploitation of Victorian/Edwardian capitalism, and an evocation of a sense of community that was almost painful when you think of what we've lost. (Which isn't to say it's nostalgic; there's no nonsense about the good old days here.)

If you're into London history, especially of Jewish/working class people, this is a must-read. Well written, and the voices are vivid and ring off the page.