Recommended Book on London
Nov 28th, 2008, 03:14 PM
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Recommended Book on London
I will be traveling to London with my husband and two teen-aged boys right after Christmas. I thought a good Christmas gift would be a book or two on London travel or London history for them to read on the airplane. Does anyone have a favorite they'd care to recommend?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Nov 28th, 2008, 10:47 PM
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Hi
I really luv the Eyewitness Travel Guides. Check an eg here - http://www.amazon.com/London-Eyewitn.../dp/0789493837. Easy reading with plenty of beautiful graphics and covers history as well. The Lonely Plant series is geared towards younger travellers. So you can buy one of each and they can then swap.
I really luv the Eyewitness Travel Guides. Check an eg here - http://www.amazon.com/London-Eyewitn.../dp/0789493837. Easy reading with plenty of beautiful graphics and covers history as well. The Lonely Plant series is geared towards younger travellers. So you can buy one of each and they can then swap.
Nov 29th, 2008, 02:16 AM
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I don't know how fast your family members read, but London has a very long and complicated history, and it's not likely they are going to get very far into it on an overnight plane flight.
Is there some aspect of history that interests them? There are short books on London during the blitz, Shakespeare's London, Dickens' London, Jack the Ripper London, the British monarchy, music in London, etc.
You might all appreciate a copy of the London Everyman City Guide, which breaks up London into very easy to read, fold out maps of neighborhoods, highlighting the best and nearest sights in each, including where to stop to eat or rest. In fact, I would buy more than one copy, or you might be fighting over it.
http://www.mapsworldwide.com/sku_4614.htm
Is there some aspect of history that interests them? There are short books on London during the blitz, Shakespeare's London, Dickens' London, Jack the Ripper London, the British monarchy, music in London, etc.
You might all appreciate a copy of the London Everyman City Guide, which breaks up London into very easy to read, fold out maps of neighborhoods, highlighting the best and nearest sights in each, including where to stop to eat or rest. In fact, I would buy more than one copy, or you might be fighting over it.
http://www.mapsworldwide.com/sku_4614.htm
Nov 29th, 2008, 04:09 AM
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NewHoper - You can give them no better book than: LONDON - History & Mystery published by a department of AA Publishing and written by Richard Jones. He has been devising and conducting walking tours of London since 1982 and is an acknowledged expert on the capital's legends, ghost stories and darker history.The book is lightweight, fairly slim and has 24 step-by-step walking tours with a map and pictures of each walk. Not only that but a "Where to Eat" is given for each area with a comment, telephone number and address.
Just to whett your appetite here are some of the chapter headings:
Hangings and hoaxes
Spies and spooks in Mayfair
Wandering in Westminster
Monks, murder & Masons
Remnants of Rome
Mystery in Hampstead
Burnings and Bodysnatchers
Shipshape in Greenwich
The Splendour of St.Pauls
Ghosts by Gaslight
and so on....................
I am so pleased I saw "Paris - History and Mystery , and then immediately went back to the bookstore and bought the London one.
Just Fabulous!
Just to whett your appetite here are some of the chapter headings:
Hangings and hoaxes
Spies and spooks in Mayfair
Wandering in Westminster
Monks, murder & Masons
Remnants of Rome
Mystery in Hampstead
Burnings and Bodysnatchers
Shipshape in Greenwich
The Splendour of St.Pauls
Ghosts by Gaslight
and so on....................
I am so pleased I saw "Paris - History and Mystery , and then immediately went back to the bookstore and bought the London one.
Just Fabulous!
Nov 29th, 2008, 05:51 AM
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Tod,
I want those books--they sound terrific!
NewHoper,
How old are your teens? You might see if you can get a copy of "Time Out London" weekly magazine at the airport or maybe a large bookstore like Barnes and Noble, but I don't remember seeing it there.
I find it has good accurate information on all that's going on in London including the bar and club scene.
You might or might not want them to have it!
I want those books--they sound terrific!
NewHoper,
How old are your teens? You might see if you can get a copy of "Time Out London" weekly magazine at the airport or maybe a large bookstore like Barnes and Noble, but I don't remember seeing it there.
I find it has good accurate information on all that's going on in London including the bar and club scene.
You might or might not want them to have it!
Nov 30th, 2008, 06:12 PM
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Wow - these are such great suggestions. I will have great stocking-stuffers for our trip thanks to your ideas.
Cathinjoetown - I like your idea of "Time Out London" and will look for it. (keeping in mind that I may have to set guidelines on my sons - LOL!)
Thanks so much to all!
Cathinjoetown - I like your idea of "Time Out London" and will look for it. (keeping in mind that I may have to set guidelines on my sons - LOL!)
Thanks so much to all!
Nov 30th, 2008, 07:27 PM
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My favorite is London for Dummies. Purchased from Amazon.com for much less than book stores. LOTS OF INFO. and easy to read - very user-friendly.
Never really used the other London books I bought, because this one was so much better. Bought a newer edition for upcoming 2009 trip. There's even info. for "what to do for teens".
Never really used the other London books I bought, because this one was so much better. Bought a newer edition for upcoming 2009 trip. There's even info. for "what to do for teens".
Dec 2nd, 2008, 02:10 PM
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Dorfan2 - I saw this on Amazon and wondered about it. I like that it has a section for teens.
I ordered a bunch of other books from Amazon which were suggested here and they just arrived today! I'm thinking there's nothing wrong with some early presents so that we can get our fill of info before the trip!
Thanks again, everyone!
I ordered a bunch of other books from Amazon which were suggested here and they just arrived today! I'm thinking there's nothing wrong with some early presents so that we can get our fill of info before the trip!
Thanks again, everyone!
Dec 3rd, 2008, 06:31 PM
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I too am traveling to London with my 21 yr son, who'll be up at the Univ. of Lancaster for his 2nd semester, and my 18yo son. Hubby is going too. However, we don't head over until late March 2009. Since the Eyewitness Travel Guides are so nicely illustrated, I followed the link to Amazon and picked up 2 copies for 7cents each! FYI. Would love to hear how your trip goes...
Dec 4th, 2008, 09:56 AM
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I like and use the Footprint series - I am reading the London volumeat the moment - it provides some interesting background information on the various districts as well as the usual recommendations for hotels/restaurants. I also find the Rough Guides useful on what to see in the various areas.
