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Anthony Galvin
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Death and Destruction on the Thames in London Kindle Edition

by Anthony Galvin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 175 ratings
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A deadly history of the city of London. Perfect for fans of true crime, British politics, and European history.

When a man is tired of London he is tired of life…

The history of London is bound up with the infamous river that flows through its centre.

The Thames has witnessed the rise and fall of an Empire. The births and deaths of bloodthirsty rulers. And the rapid evolution of a thriving metropolis.

It is both the giver of life to the city and the bringer of destruction. It was a centre of trade and allowed people to travel. But it also brought pollution and sewage from upstream, caused floods, and its inky blackness has been a heart-breaking siren call to suicides.

As London evolved from a sparse ancient civilisation into the bustling multicultural hub it is today, many of its great tragedies played out on the banks of the Thames: the infamous Gunpowder Plot, the devastating Great Fire of 1666 and the destruction wreaked by Second World War bombing.

In Death and Destruction on the Thames in London, Anthony Galvin follows the history of this great city and looks at how the river has played a part in the political events – and deadly occurrences – which have shaped the modern world.
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  1. Print length
    299 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 5, 2019
  4. File size
    1.4 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NDYNT6V
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (February 5, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 5, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 175 ratings

About the author

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Anthony Galvin

Anthony Galvin

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Anthony Galvin is a journalist based in Ireland. He was a crime reporter on a daily paper in Limerick during the gang wars that tore that city apart, and his first books were on true crime. He has written more than a dozen books across a range of genres, including history and exploration.

He writes fiction under the names Dean Carson and Jim Gallows, and publishes on public speaking under the name Tony Black. In addition to writing, he travels all over Europe as a comedy magician.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
175 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and interesting. They appreciate the factual content and historical descriptions of events like the fires of London. The book provides a history of life on the Thames and in London from Roman times to modern times.

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Book contentHistory
8 customers mention "Book content"8 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's content. They find it fascinating, with interesting stories and facts about history. The book is a fun read for them right before bed when they want to be entertained but still able to put the book down.

"I found this book fascinating...." Read more

"This was a book full of facts, observances and trivia to make any history buff very happy indeed...." Read more

"Well written, well edited, and interesting.Gives a history of life on the Thames and London From roman days 2 today. Definitely recommend." Read more

"...A fun read for right before bed when you want to be entertained but able to put a book down." Read more

3 customers mention "History"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's history. It provides a detailed account of life on the Thames and in London from Roman times to modern times. They appreciate the historical descriptions of fires in London and the people who rebuilt some of the oldest buildings. The book is described as a biography of the River Thames.

"...This is not a novel, not a history book--but a biography of the River Thames. I devoured every word! Loved it!!" Read more

"Well written, well edited, and interesting.Gives a history of life on the Thames and London From roman days 2 today. Definitely recommend." Read more

"I loved the wonderful historic descriptions of the fires of London and the people who rebuilt one of the oldest and greatest cities of all time...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Susan A. Elder
    5.0 out of 5 stars The History I didn't know
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book fascinating. Being an Anglophile and spending time in London many hours have been spend just gazing at the Thames, many questions came to mind.....how deep, what is the bottom like...what has happened on this river. This book answered them all.

    This is not a novel, not a history book--but a biography of the River Thames. I devoured every word! Loved it!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • diducky
    4.0 out of 5 stars At times ghoulish but always fascinating…
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was a book full of facts, observances and trivia to make any history buff very happy indeed. Taking the reader from Roman times to today, any and all happenings that were in, surrounded by, or on top of, the Thames, were included.

    Each chapter devoted itself to a particular topic including raging and devastating fires, London bridges (and their reconstructions), marine accidents, floating prisons, historical figures, war and so much more. Within those chapters were distinct snippets detailing a particular incident or happenstance that fed into the topic, always circling back to cause and effect on Thames and London. Some were highly detailed, chronicled by personal observances and archivists of the day. Other mini-stories had little to provide in terms of factual data yet left behind relics or markers to acknowledge them.

    A city and country prospered and perished again and again on the river and its significance to history, business and the culture of life on its banks was captured very eloquently here. I read an advanced e-copy and I wished there would have been maps included to give much-needed context for this non-Londoner. Having those included would have easily bumped my reading enjoyment even higher.

    *I happily reviewed this story
    **Thank you to Sapere Books and NetGalley
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  • Debbie
    3.0 out of 5 stars Series of brief, grim stories centered around the Thames throughout history
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019
    This book provides a series of brief, grim stories centered around the Thames from throughout London's history. The author talked about disasters, accidents, crime and murder, destruction occurring during war, disease, floods, river pollution, smog, suicide, execution, and more. Many of these stories provided interesting bits of London's history, like the Gunpowder Plot, the many fires including the Great Fire, the building of various tunnels under the river, and the Frost Fairs. We're given details about what happened and even some quotes from people who witnessed the events. However, some chapters, especially the chapters on the executions and suicides, focused so much on the grisly details of the death and violence that it wasn't pleasant reading. I ended up skimming about a third of the book because of that. While I have heard details of many of these events in other books, I did learn some new things about the river.

    I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • C. White
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, well edited, and interesting.Gives a history of life on the Thames and London From roman days 2 today. Definitely recommend.
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  • kitz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and fun
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great history reading for those that like history. Also learning that some disasters weren't as bad as you thought, for instance loss of life in the great fire wasn't high, though loss of buildings was. A fun read for right before bed when you want to be entertained but able to put a book down.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Underfoot
    2.0 out of 5 stars No pictures in London’s History Just words!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the wonderful historic descriptions of the fires of London and the people who rebuilt one of the oldest and greatest cities of all time. This is one of my favorite kinds of books. Then, why only two stars, you ask? Answer! Where are the pictures of the Thames? Where are the pictures, photographs, paintings, etchings of famous and not so famous people, buildings,churches, Big Ben and hundreds more? Where are the maps of the Thames and its’ bridges? I will have to get out my historic maps of London book to even read this one, not to mention a book of illustrations. So, I only have half a book to love. I want to stand up and scream at the author “why were you so lazy that you couldn’t write the book the way it should have been written?” The Publisher should be burned in any one of the London fires for a careless publishing job. If you must read this book, I recommend you do so with an illustrated book on London, its times and people’s at hand.
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  • Candice
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2020
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    The book is well written and informative. I enjoyed that the author included information about where you could visit certain sights or view objects. I very much want to visit the places the author mentioned because the information in his writing intrigued me! Thank you for the read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • JJC
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020
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    Good, but a bit unorganized. The ghosts and haunted places put me off though.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Richard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Interesting Stuff!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is packed with all sorts of interesting and lesser known facts and stories about London and its people and history. Highly recommended!
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  • susan pengelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I learned so much. Well written, interesting history of london, not just facts, the human interest stories brought the book alive.
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  • David Archer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Some good learning can be found in this book.
    Reviewed in Germany on January 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very interesting book. There was a lot of things, I didn't no, and I was surprised, of some of the things that have happened to London.
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  • andrew
    4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Having visited London on several occassions, the Thames was just something to be crossed. Having read this book walking along the banks of the Thames will never be the same again. Great facts that brings the river to life.
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  • BillBC
    2.0 out of 5 stars Good info but badly written
    Reviewed in Canada on July 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Lots of good stories here, but really badly written. Misspellings, and facts repeated in two successive paragraphs. Note: a "canon" is a list of sacred books, or a rule of law. The thing on a ship that goes boom is a "cannon." (Actually, it's a gun. Nelson's commanded the Victory, a 104-gun ship.) This is why good books have editors.
    Report

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