Synopsis:

In London: The Autobiography the life of the capital is told for the first time by those who made it and saw it at first hand. From Roman times to the 21st century, Londoners and visitors to the city have recounted the extraordinary events, everyday life and character of this unique and influential city – from politics, culture, sport, religion, and reportage. This book brings to vivid life the human trial of the capital, including invasions by the Vikings, the brutal execution of Sir Thomas More, the sight of a whale swimming up the Thames and the rebuilding of St Paul's by Sir Christopher Wren, as well as the everyday life of the city. It includes contributions from George Orwell, Martin Amis, Dr Johnson, Karl Marx, Winston Churchill, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Virginia Woolf, George Melly, Tacitus, Samuel Pepys, and many others. Packed with personality and character, this book is a must-buy for anyone interested in London, as well as a wonderful story of the city at the heart of the nation.

'A triumph' – Saul David, author of Victoria's Army

'A compelling tommy's-eye view of war from Agincourt to Iraq' – Daily Telegraph