London: A Historical Companion

This voracious city has inspired an unquenchable interest in its 2000-year history. Kenneth Panton presents the characters, events, buildings, and institutions that have shaped London over the millennia, from the Roman settlement to the cosmopolitan center of culture and commerce it is today. In an accessible, comprehensive, illustrated dictionary format, this book can be used by armchair travellers and tourists alike.

This volume is an illustrated and expanded version of Panton's Historical Dictionary of London (Scarecrow, 2001). In place of the Web addresses of London agencies and places, bibliography, and other features that have been dropped, the new version adds black-and-white illustrations, maps, and more entries. The book is an A-Z dictionary covering people, events, buildings, and places in the city of London over its 2,000-year history. It opens with an excellent 10-page condensed history of the city and closes with appendixes that list historical events of the last 2,000 years and the Lord Mayors of London.

The heart of the book is the dictionary, with articles that range from one or two paragraphs to one or two pages in length. The diverse entries include articles on the geographic areas of the city such as Paddington, Soho, and Covent Garden that cover how the area got its name, the history of the area, the people who lived or worked there, and its present usage. These articles would have benefited from a small map showing where in London the area is located. Important buildings, bridges, museums, and streets make up the majority of entries. Individuals both real and imaginary--William Shakespeare, Sir Christopher Wren, Prince Albert, Sherlock Holmes--are covered. In addition, there are entries for terms such as Hackney cabs and Sloane Rangers. All of the entries are very readable and in a few paragraphs give the importance of the person, place, or event in London's history. There are a few glaring omissions--for example, no entry for Roman London, although reference is made to Roman London in entries such as Bishop's Gate and Londinium. It is unfortunate that the bibliography was dropped; it would have been useful for students.

London: A Historical Companion is an excellent reference source for English-literature and history students as well as for travelers. The book's readability makes it a good ready-reference source for high-school and college students and adults who want to know more about London. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Merle Jacob
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