Tunnels, Towers & Temples: London's 100 Strangest Places
David Long

Tunnels, Towers & Temples: London's 100 Strangest Places

A companion to Spectacular Vernacular, volume two takes another sideways look at London, examining the curious histories and sometimes comic assocations behind scores of places, some of which are familiar while others are largely unknown. Richly illustrated, the book reveals a strange side to the London most people never come to know, even though they walk its streets every day and take much of what they see for granted. Examples include extensive networks of tunnels running beneath high street pavements, secret transport and signalling networks criss-crossing the capital, scores of disused railway stations with a fascinating wartime past, and the tragic fate of London's last working tram. Also genuine oddities such as streetlamps powered by sewer gas, a street where you can legally drive on the right, a Russian Tsar working incognito in an English naval dockyard, even an authentic Nazi memorial which still stands among the heroes and adventurers of the British Empire.

Book Details:

  • Author: David Long
  • Published Year: 2007
  • Rights Sold
    • UK: The History Press
David Long

David Long

David Long spent 25 years writing features for national newspapers and editing glossy magazines before turning to books, initially as a ghostwriter. Since then, under his own name, he is the author of many successful non-fiction titles for adults and children. With an engaging historical focus, his books have been well received by readers and reviewers alike and translated into a dozen languages. In 2017 his book Survivors was the Blue Peter Book of the Year. He lives in Suffolk, is the father of two boys, and has made regular appearances in the Times, Sunday Times, Sunday Pe...
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Book Reviews

  • "The Book of the Week."
    Evening Standard
  • "A quirkier look at the subject...plenty of new places here for even the most knowledgeable Londoner to explore.’"
    Museum of London
  • "If you’re intrigued by London’s fascinating treasures, you’ll love this beautifully illustrated book."
    Where London