The A-Z of Curious London: Strange Stories Of Mysteries, Crimes And Eccentrics - Brossura

Pickup, Gilly

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0752489682 ISBN 13: 9780752489681

Casa editrice: The History Press, 2013

Riassunto

An A-Z of eccentric characters, strange events, and curious happenings, this book reveals the amazing and curious history of the city of London

Spooky, gruesome, and weird, but true, things about one of the world's greatest cities come alive here. Discover London's tiniest house, a 4,000-year-old mouse made from Nile clay, and the amazing things people leave on London's trains (including false teeth, a human skull, and even a park bench). Why did a dentist keep his dead wife on view in a shop window? Where did a shopkeeper murder 150 customers? Which Queen showed her bosom to an Ambassador? Why was a man arrested for wearing a top hat? In the center of the city, why is no thoroughfare called a road? To sum up, eccentrics, legends, folklore, murders, scandals, ghosts, incredible characters, and oodles of wow factor—it's all here.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

The author has amassed hundreds of pieces of information about London - literary , historical and just plain peculiar! The book is a veritable cornucopia of snippets and longer stories. It is illustrated with black and white photographs , prints and drawings. The book is intended as one to dip into whenever the fancy takes you. Some of the tales may be familiar, such as that of the Elephant Man, but there are many more strange stories within this volume. We learn about a dentist who displayed his dead wife in his shop front, an exploding chocolate bar aimed at killing Winston Churchill and the origins of rhyming slang. There are some lesser known facts concerning the Beatles celebrated crossing of Abbey Road plus a great deal more covering various museums , buildings and monuments around London. --Scottish Home and Country

"A little book of mystery, The A-Z of Curious London provides readers with an image of London that can only be seen by those who look closely. Although not fictional, Gilly endows her book with a quality seen in most novels; curiosity and suspense. Predominately intended as a book to dip into, Gilly details London's mysterious goings-on without weighing things down with unnecessary facts. This book is for fast-paced individuals who have an interest in the city: readers are rewarded with snippets of mystery, history and fun. It strays away from ratings and reviews and a tourist guide format, this is no Lonely Planet! Through a series of informative passages, the author reveals a multitude of secrets and facts about our intriguing capital. The A-Z of Curious London explores everything from spooky, gruesome tales and shadowy urban myths. An indispensable companion for anybody who loves the city; this compilation has something for everyone. One story alludes to the arrest of a man purely due to his wearing of an unconventional hat, whilst another tells of blood-curdling screams on the London Underground. Gilly makes sure that she is thorough yet concise her tales are delivered in a quick-fire manner that always leaves the reader satisfied. Complete with scandals, murders, ghosts and haunted houses, this original London guide also sheds light on some unlikely tourist destinations, such as Ham House - reportedly one of Britain's most haunted houses - and Farringdon Tube Station, which is said to be frequented by the ghost of a young girl murdered in 1758. This unique book certainly has its fair share of surprises! Gilly's love for London is communicated through each of her carefully constructed chapters, and if you feel the same way about the city and appreciate its hidden gems this is definitely the book for you. --Colchester Circle

L'autore:

Gilly Pickup is a journalist and travel writer who has written for a number of publications, including the Daily Telegraph.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: The History Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0752489682
• ISBN 13: 9780752489681
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 160