Peter Dazeley

No matter the kind or volume of travel one typically does, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably impacted all of our travel habits. Thanks to the pandemic, I’ve been home a lot more–and I think I finally figured out one purpose of a coffee-table book: to allow its reader to armchair travel. I hadn’t fully appreciated that potential until I picked up a copy of Peter Dazeley and Mark Daly’s London Explored.

While London Explored covers many of the “usual suspects” in and around show more London proper (i.e. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Albert Memorial, the Natural History Museum, and even lesser-known–but still amazing–locations like Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College), it particularly excels in highlighting those places most tourists don’t know about. There’s truly something for everyone in this read. Airplane buffs, for example, will enjoy the multiple locations focusing on historic planes (including Bentley Priory Museum, the RAF HQ for ~75 years; and Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, a significant RAF fighter station during the Battle of Britain). Aficionados of WWII history may seek out Clapham South Deep-Level Shelter, and engineers will be fascinated by Kirkaldy’s Testing Works.

One could easily use this book to craft a niche itinerary for their next visit to London (don’t mind me while I go do that! ). I, for one, would love to visit the Museum of the Order of St. John, Leadenhall Market, and Drapers’ Hall–and, while I’m at it, Raqib Shaw’s Sausage Factory (an art studio and house built in a former sausage factory). Keats’ House and Southside House would be great to visit with my parents; I bet my mom would get a kick out of Keats’ kitchen, I’ll be lost in the Southside library (and love every minute!), and my dad would be exploring the Southside grotto. We’d all enjoy the many Southside references to the Prince of Wales, Marie Antoinette, and others straight out of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” (sink me!).

Part history lesson, part gorgeous photography, the book will surely tide over each of us until we’re ready to travel again–as well as bring back memories when we come home.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. show less

London Explored by Peter Dazeley (photography) and Mark Daly is an attractive coffee table type book that can serve, depending on the reader, as a wish list, a nostalgic recollection, and/or just a fun book to read and enjoy the photography.

In my trips to London I did not take in very many of these even though I was often in the neighborhoods, so this is part nostalgia and part pure enjoyment. I don't know that I'll be visiting again so it is less of a wish list for me.

I think even those who show more live in or near London can get a lot of enjoyment from this book. Having lived in several cities that have many sights to offer I know that I was constantly learning about some place new. Or, just as often, learned interesting information about a place I knew. I picture this book doing that for residents of London as well.

The photographs are engaging, some are what one might expect of a large sight but others are far more nuanced, capturing small features or unique angles. These, for me, are the ones that would compel me to visit.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy attractive books that offer interesting information. In this case I don't think how often, or for how long, one has been in London makes a difference, it just changes how you appreciate the book.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

London Theatres (New Edition) by Michael Coveney is a beautiful book that highlights many of the great theatres of London.

As someone from a long way away, the USA, this is a wonderful way to experience to at least some degree the beauty of these structures. Only one of my trips to London included going to the theatre and the one I went to is not included, so this book is a lot less expensive (though admittedly less fun) than making enough trips to visit each one.

I think what I most enjoyed, show more even more than the pictures, was the descriptions and history of each. Coupled with the images each theatre becomes a very real place for the reader. Speaking of the photographs, I thought there was a wonderful mix of the broad views (from the stage or from the back toward the stage) with details. Those pictures of the smaller details are the things that can often be missed even by a frequent theatregoer.

This book should appeal to both fans of the theatre as well as readers interested in architecture and photography.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of London Explored by Peter Dazeley and Mark Daly. If you love traveling around London, this is the book for you. As someone who has been to London numerous times and has seen the tourist locations, this was a pleasant surprise! I can't wait to go back and check out many of the places shown and written about such as The Metropolitan Police Historic Vehicle Collection, London Sewing Machine Museum, East London Liquor Company, and the Clapham South Deep-level show more Shelter. The author writes about each location with fun details and descriptions which blends nicely with the photographs to highlight and entice the reader to visit by the photographer. I learned quite a bit about each location but the information was not overwhelming. I love the hidden gems that are brought to the light such as the places described in this book. Enjoy reading this book as you plan your next trip to London! show less