London: A History

Laura Carlin does it brilliantly and creatively in this very exciting book. The choice of topics and time periods is very personal but tells London’s story chronologically  through a somewhat arbitrary and eclectic look at history, from well known events to astonishing individual details, like the sheep used to keep the grass in London parks down, or the first escalator being in Harrods department store.

Each topic includes hand-lettered text by Laura and a quote, usually from a contemporary writer, newspaper or government document. These are very well selected.I had no idea for example that ‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November’ is from a poem by John Milton (On the fifth of November, 1626) . In fact, a number of poems are used to illuminate the topic including  by John Agard (Windrush Child) and Benjamin Zephaniah on Notting Hill  (Carnival Days). 

Carlin’s illustrations are a pure joy. Colour is used with great impact in a largely muted colour palette, so that the red used for example in f the  Great Fire or the Gordon Riots is shocking and bold. Some of the illustrations are full double spreads, like the wonderful opening of the Royal Academy, with visitors gazing at an enormous packed wall of paintings. The Gunpowder Plot is a in black and white as a cut away image so that Westminster is seen at the top as a series of buildings but underneath in two layers we see the plotters and the arrival of the guards.This really demonstrates Carlin’s skills in playing with perspective and viewpoints. Many of her illustrations are evocative in style of the period.

This is an excellent book to read through and to browse and to explore in detail.