Death and Destruction on the Thames in London

A good and engaging history book that can be read like novel.
it's well written and well researched, very interesting.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for this ARC

Princess Fuzzypants here: The. Thames has played a pivotal role in the history of London. As it wends its way through the centre of the Metropolis, it has been a huge advantage. In fact, it was because of the river, London grew up around its shores from Roman Times on. For all the good it did, it also has a long and deadly story from heads on pikes to catastrophes galore including disease and destruction. It may not have a “Pretty” history but it certainly is fascinating.
For any fan of London, particularly those who know the city well, this is a great compilation of some of the best and the worst moments. It is well written and researched providing nuggets of information. Some of it may have been on the grisly side but it didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book.
Four purrs and two paws up.

Thank you to Sapere Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Thames runs through the heart of London, and acts as a silent witness to Londoners history and as unwitting accomplice to death and destruction.

The book looks at the history of the Thames and it's surrounding areas, spanning from the time of the Romans to the present day and covers everything from shipwrecks to murder.

It's a great book for reading front to back or for dipping in and out of whichever you prefer. There were a few errors in historical facts and locations but these can be forgiven as I still found the book to be quite an interesting read and full of fascinating stories.

I don't think anyone can read this book and quite not look at the Thames in the same light again

If you enjoy your history this is definitely a book you should read

I loved this book! With such an old history, the city of London has been through so much! Not only parliamentarily, but naturally as well! It was so fantastic to read about how the citizens of London and its surrounding towns rolled with the punches, learned and expanded their arsenal to combat whatever was coming!
This book was expertly researched and so enlightening! I feel so much more knowledgeable after having read this!

Every time I start to feel down or depressed, then I need to think about this book. From the very start of Londium to Henry the XIII and beyond. This was a hard scrabble life! I can't say much for those cold blooded bastards who enjoyed bloodshed, hangings or beheadings. That is something I will never understand. Heck, I'll just about crash my car just to avoid looking at car wrecks. Mostly because I'm afraid of what I'll see. I don't need those nightmares! I can't imagine that you're so poor and downtrodden that you would actually pack a.picnic lunch for these things! The city being burnt down so many times, yet the royals were safely tucked into their stone castles? Yeah, sorry, but I'd have killed you once you left home. They lived off the sweat and took of these people. Yet, when their houses and businesses burned, they were left destitute. No help from the Royals. The Tower? Oh my gosh, what a ghastly place. I've always wanted to go to Britain, and if I went, I would have to spend at least a year there. But, London has never been on my list of places to visit. This confirms it!
Still, this is everything ghastly that I expected. I can't fault it for that! I'd actually love to visit the Tower of London, except that I know me well enough to know I'd freak out! It's just a thing, but I don't like being in places where strong emotions linger. Maybe it's all in my head, but. I am left with impressions. It's why I don't visit battle.site's here in the U.S. But hey, my daughter is like that too! She just processes it differently. I hope to one day go to Scotland with her.

I loved this book! It is morbid and macabre and WONDERFUL.. I love London and this book compliments it the way a visit to the Tower of London does. It is bloody and terrifying and you wonder WHAT THE HECK?! It is truly a joy to read!

Anthony Galvin combines objective historical research with a novelist's ability to focus on the little details that make the historical events feel relatable and interesting. The result is a fascinating book about the Thames' history and how London has survived various disasters.

I've learnt so much about history and curious facts of my favourite city. I very much like the thematic division of the chapters, it is a bit different than the usual chronological staff of history books. On the other hand this cuases also the problem that there are quite some repetitions, what can be irritating when you read the book at once, instead of only reading a chapter that is interesting to you. Also the subheadingss and the information belonging to them is sometimes repetitive or not really in a logical order. I know London quite well, but I was missing a myp in some cases just to be able to look something up at the moment.
Ingeneral an interesting and informative book.