Margie

I am looking for a hardcover book with color photos of London to give as a gift. I am not looking for a guide book, but rather a book showing the buildings, gardens, people, etc. of London with short descriptive paragraphs providing a nice overview of the city. I have looked at Barnes & Nobel but most of the descriptions are too limited to make an informed choice. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

jsmith

It may be a little too focused for you but "Churches and Cathedrals of London", ISBN 0-658-10724-1, is chock full of beautiful photos and informative text.

Tallulah

Where do you want to buy this book? If you're over here then any decent bookshop (Waterstones etc) will have a huge selection. If elsewhere, try amazon.com, I guess.

Daisy54

I love my coffee talbe book "Above London" which as the title indicates has gorgeous aerial phtos of London & vicinity. I bought it for my mother for Christmas 2 or 3 years ago at Barnes & Noble. Turns out she already had a copy, so I kept the one I'd bought for myself. If you can't find it in a B & N store, it is available to order from their webiste (I just checckd to make sure).

Oh, and I did give my mom a gift card to replace the book I kept.

Margie

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the US with access to Borders, Barnes & Nobel, and of course Amazon. The trouble with the websites is that you don't get too much info regarding the contents and photos which is why I asked for some first hand recommendations here. "Churches and Cathedrals of London" might well be too focused for the recipient of this gift, but I just might have to put it on my own Christmas wish list!

Rich

I picked up a "London from the Air" book a few years back with great photos of various sites in and around London from a Balloon ( I think ) . . I got it at Selfridges, but have seen it in B&N in the US.

Liked it so much that I got another for me. . . Rich

carolyn

I have a coffee table type book called London Sketchbook, A City Observed with watercolor paintings by Graham Byfield and text by Marcus Binney. It is divided into areas of the city and is really nice.

Scarlett

I love the Gardens of England books, but two that I like now are London Living (interiors & exteriors) and Photographs of London 1839-1994.

Margie

Thanks to everyone who replied, I really appreciate your comments. I decided on 360º London by Nick Wood; it seemed perfect for the person I am giving it to.

Margie

Quick edit to my comment above. The book's text is by Martyn Hurst with photos by Boccazzi-Varotto. ISBN 88-8068-247-4

rj007

Margie

Even though you have decided already, another book I would recommend is London by Gerald and Mark Hoberman. Some nice photos from around London. Personally, I can't get enough books on London. It keeps me going when I'm not there!

fluffykitty

"London photographic" Its the phucking bomb.