Johnson’s Life of London

London is special. For centuries, it has been amongst the greatest cities of the world. But a city is nothing without its people. This sparkling new history of London, told through a relay-race of great Londoners shows in one, personality-packed book that the ingenuity, diversity, creativity and enterprise of London are second to none.

Boris Johnson believes that in order to understand London one has to know about its past. The heart and spirit of London lies in its people, in the range of its cultures. Through its diversity and energy, London provides an environment which empowers people to create, the impetus to invent. Boris Johnson’s new book explores this cross current of influences between Westminster and the City, between the politicians and the wealth creators, over many centuries .

JOHNSON’S LIFE OF LONDON – a fitting tribute of course to one of the greatest Londoners –celebrates many of the characters who have made this city great. Boris’s book provides a chronological story of London but is written in the form of a relay race of biographies – some very famous figures, some more obscure. He ranges from the Romans to one of the author’s predecessors as mayor, Dick Whittington; from John Wilkes (a strong upholder of the freedom of the press) to J.W. Turner; from Chaucer to Gandhi, and through to modern times.

Boris Johnson writes with wit and erudition, providing the reader with delightful insights. The book discovers London as none of us have seen it before and the journey is exhilarating and surprising .

Reviews

Praise for ‘The Dream of Rome’:

‘Written with all the wit and zest that have helped to make him Britain’s favourite celebrity MP.’ Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph

‘Johnson has not been intimidated by dry classics masters: his style is bright, breezy, populist and pacy.’ The Times

‘Described with his special combination of sharp-eyed intelligence and golly-gosh exclamation…a splendid romp through the Roman world.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Lovers of Latin and ancient history unite! At long last there is a warm, funny, erudite introduction to the Roman empire…a marvellous reader-friendly account of Rome.’ Independent

‘History comes alive only when written from the heart and Johnson’s is full of swashbuckling japes, bloodthirsty yells and energetic sideswipes.’ Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday

About the author

Boris Johnson was elected Mayor of London in May 2008. Before this he was the Editor of the Spectator and Member of Parliament for Henley on Thames. He is the author of many books, notably Have I Got Views for You and Dream of Rome.