From the 2012 Summer Olympics to its historic roles as the world’s largest metropolis for almost all of the 19th century, and as the great heart of the British Empire—London is certainly one of the world’s great cities. From the crowded lanes of Covent Gardens, to the expansive splendor of Kew Gardens it’s also one of our personal favourites, which is why we were delighted to see this new entry in Taschen’s World Cities series: London—Portrait of a City
A beautiful book with an appealing cover and gorgeous full page photo-spreads, it charts the course of London’s rise and evolution from Dickensian days of smog and street urchins, to its present day role, as a culturally diverse engine of art and design.
Interspersed with texts sampling London luminaries from George Orwell to Virginia Woolf, and with captions written by Barry Miles, the book also presents parallel narratives of both real and fictive history, calling to mind London’s roles in both world events and in film and literature.
“Never had he seen London look so enchanting—the softness of the distances, the richness, the greenness, the civilization.” – Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway 1925
