Walking London's Circle Line - by Fredric Schwarzbach (Paperback)

About the Book

Walking London's Circle Line: A Pedestrian Guide To Central London is a series of fifteen guided walks that focus on the history, architecture, and curiosities of central London. Each walk begins and ends at a station on the London Underground Circle Line.

Book Synopsis

Walking London's Circle Line a pedestrian guide to the history, architecture, and curiosities of central London. It is comprised of a series of fifteen guided walks that begin and end at selected stations on the London Underground Circle Line. Opened in 1884, the Circle Line not only serves central London but helps define it. Each walk takes about two hours and collectively they range across the whole of central London, delving into its history from Roman times to the present day. It features many of London's iconic attractions but also out of the way corners that hide in plain sight. Tourists and visitors will find it an invaluable guide to the richness of metropolitan life, while lifelong Londoners will be surprised at how much there is still to learn about their city.

Review Quotes

"Schwarzbach is a genial guide, walking us through the historical and geographical maze that is London via the connections created by the city's Tube system. The book is full of rich stores of knowledge lightly worn and companionably shared with the reader. It expertly unlocks the layers of London civilisation and culture, from Roman times to the present day, noticing everywhere--often in hidden corners--how London survived great upheavals like the Great Fire of 1666 and bombing during the Second World War." --Rosemary Ashton, professor emerita

"This enjoyable read is at once walking tour guidebook and personal reverie on London's architectural and cultural heritage. Gently punctuated by recollections, anecdotes and reflections from nearly 50 years of visiting - and sometimes living in - the city, Fred Schwarzbach takes us on a journey through London from its Roman foundations to the 21st century." --Cindy Sughrue, OBE, Director of the Charles Dickens Museum

"Professor Schwarzbach wrote the classic study of Dickens's London. This is Schwarzbach's London. Read it and see London anew." --John Sutherland, Lord Northcliff Professor Emeritus, University College London

Professor Schwarzbach wrote the classic study of Dickens's London. This is Schwarzbach's London. Read it and see London anew.

Schwarzbach is a genial guide, walking us through the historical and geographical maze that is London via the connections created by the city's Tube system. The book is full of rich stores of knowledge lightly worn and companionably shared with the reader. It expertly unlocks the layers of London civilisation and culture, from Roman times to the present day, noticing everywhere--often in hidden corners--how London survived great upheavals like the Great Fire of 1666 and bombing during the Second World War.

This enjoyable read is at once walking tour guidebook and personal reverie on London's architectural and cultural heritage. Gently punctuated by recollections, anecdotes and reflections from nearly 50 years of visiting - and sometimes living in - the city, Fred Schwarzbach takes us on a journey through London from its Roman foundations to the 21st century.

About the Author

Frederic Schwarzbach is professor of humanities and formerly the dean of New York University's Liberal Studies Program.