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London: A Short History of the Greatest City in the Western World
No city has had as powerful and as enduring an impact on Western civilization as London. But what made the city the perfect environment for so many great developments? How did London endure the sweeping historical revolutions and disasters without crumbling? Find the answers to these questions and more in these 24 fascinating lectures.
Professor Bucholz takes you through the history of this magnificent metropolis, from its birth as an ancient Roman outpost to its current status as a global village. You'll study the many epic chapters in British and world history - including the English Renaissance, the turmoil of the English civil war, and the epic conflicts of World Wars I and II - through the lens of this amazing capital.
What makes the course unique is that it takes you deep into the streets of London during formative periods in its history. Professor Bucholz continuously emphasizes the importance of understanding and experiencing the sights and sounds of London as it was lived by its residents. You'll come to know what daily life was like in historical London, learning the secret histories behind places such as Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and London Bridge.
This unforgettable look at an unforgettable city will undoubtedly delight and surprise you. By the final lecture, you'll come to realize just what Samuel Johnson meant when he famously declared, "there is in London, all that life can afford."
Professor Bucholz takes you through the history of this magnificent metropolis, from its birth as an ancient Roman outpost to its current status as a global village. You'll study the many epic chapters in British and world history - including the English Renaissance, the turmoil of the English civil war, and the epic conflicts of World Wars I and II - through the lens of this amazing capital.
What makes the course unique is that it takes you deep into the streets of London during formative periods in its history. Professor Bucholz continuously emphasizes the importance of understanding and experiencing the sights and sounds of London as it was lived by its residents. You'll come to know what daily life was like in historical London, learning the secret histories behind places such as Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and London Bridge.
This unforgettable look at an unforgettable city will undoubtedly delight and surprise you. By the final lecture, you'll come to realize just what Samuel Johnson meant when he famously declared, "there is in London, all that life can afford."
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2009
18 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Robert O. Bucholz
10Ìýbooks25ÌýfollowersRobert O. Bucholz (D. Phil., University of Oxford, 1988; A.B. Cornell University, 1980) is a professor of history at Loyola University Chicago, where he teaches courses on the history of early modern Great Britain, the city of London and Western Civilization.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 8, 2015
Description: Samuel Johnson famously said that “the man who is tired of London is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford.� After all, London is the seat of an ancient monarchy, yet a stronghold of modern democracy; home of the language of Shakespeare where you can now hear the music of myriad tongues; a treasure trove of priceless ancient artifacts and a wellspring of art, literature, theater, music, and fashion both past and present. No other city in the world offers such bounty, and no city on earth has had so profound an impact on worldwide culture for so long in so many areas of life.
In fact, this course will argue that London, more than any other city on the planet, catalyzed modernity. It was in London that constitutional monarchy, participatory democracy, a free press, public concerts of music, and viable commercial theater first flourished in modern times. Throughout the early modern period, London was a leader in world trade, the capital of a rich and powerful global empire, and (despite a few notable flare-ups of intolerance) a community that became a home to people of all nations, all faiths, and all political beliefs. On a more sober note, London was arguably the first city to demonstrate that bombs—whether from the Luftwaffe in 1940, the IRA in the late 20th century, or terrorists at the beginning of the 21st—could not break its will.
Robert Bucholz, D.Phil.
Professor of History, Loyola University Chicago
July 8, 2015
It's hard to tell the history of London and not make it basically the history of England, but while most of the events narrated, from its early founding as a Roman outpost to its modern status as a global financial center, are basically echoes of British history, Professor Bucholz keeps the focus on the city, including periodic "walkabouts" through the ever-changing terrain of London, from Chaucer's time to Churchill's.
There will be many kings and queens and wars described, as all of them obviously left a mark on London, and of course there is the Black Death, the Great Fire, Cromwell and Shakespeare, Dickens and Jack the Ripper, the Blitz, the IRA bombings, the London tube bombings, and all those other great events we associate with London. But Bucholz treats London itself, or rather its people, like a character in a long historical epic.
There are several points he emphasizes throughout London's history.
London has always been somewhat independent of the rest of England. London has historically had its own privileges and prerogatives. It has acted as kingmaker and kingbreaker. Its people have rioted frequently, and London authorities have even recognized "legitimate" riots as the ancient right of its people to express their grievances.
London's economy has also often acted independently of the rest of the country. When England is doing poorly, London has often prospered.
As in all great cities, London's residents have always been convinced that London is a dangerous city full of violent criminals, going back to at least Chaucer's day, even when the evidence shows that the crime rate was falling, or was no worse in London than anywhere else.
As ancient as London is, it seems that very little of its most ancient parts are still intact. Developers right up to the modern day have had few scruples about replacing centuries-old dwellings and edifices with modern buildings. Not many Victorian mansions are still around, let alone streets or buildings going back to medieval times... though you can still find parts of the wall that was once built around the city!
This is a lively lecture told with a lot of humor by someone who's clearly a fan of the city. You can listen to this course as a proxy for a brief history of England, but just remember the focus is on the city of London and its occupants.
There will be many kings and queens and wars described, as all of them obviously left a mark on London, and of course there is the Black Death, the Great Fire, Cromwell and Shakespeare, Dickens and Jack the Ripper, the Blitz, the IRA bombings, the London tube bombings, and all those other great events we associate with London. But Bucholz treats London itself, or rather its people, like a character in a long historical epic.
There are several points he emphasizes throughout London's history.
London has always been somewhat independent of the rest of England. London has historically had its own privileges and prerogatives. It has acted as kingmaker and kingbreaker. Its people have rioted frequently, and London authorities have even recognized "legitimate" riots as the ancient right of its people to express their grievances.
London's economy has also often acted independently of the rest of the country. When England is doing poorly, London has often prospered.
As in all great cities, London's residents have always been convinced that London is a dangerous city full of violent criminals, going back to at least Chaucer's day, even when the evidence shows that the crime rate was falling, or was no worse in London than anywhere else.
As ancient as London is, it seems that very little of its most ancient parts are still intact. Developers right up to the modern day have had few scruples about replacing centuries-old dwellings and edifices with modern buildings. Not many Victorian mansions are still around, let alone streets or buildings going back to medieval times... though you can still find parts of the wall that was once built around the city!
This is a lively lecture told with a lot of humor by someone who's clearly a fan of the city. You can listen to this course as a proxy for a brief history of England, but just remember the focus is on the city of London and its occupants.
October 11, 2022
A Great Overview of This Incredible City's History
It's not possible to fully cover the history of London since Roman times two millennia back, but Prof Bucholz does an excellent job in his 12hrs of mini-lectures, full of enthusiasm and insight into the political, military, cultural, scientific, religious, and architectural highlights that this wonderful city has to offer. As I am also an American and now expat living in London the past 5 years, I've seen so many of the places he is discussing, and specifically enjoyed visiting the Museum of London and Museum of London Dockyards the past few months repeatedly, so it was a perfect combination.
It's not possible to fully cover the history of London since Roman times two millennia back, but Prof Bucholz does an excellent job in his 12hrs of mini-lectures, full of enthusiasm and insight into the political, military, cultural, scientific, religious, and architectural highlights that this wonderful city has to offer. As I am also an American and now expat living in London the past 5 years, I've seen so many of the places he is discussing, and specifically enjoyed visiting the Museum of London and Museum of London Dockyards the past few months repeatedly, so it was a perfect combination.
March 13, 2016
This is not technically a book, but rather a series of 24 lectures by Robert O. Bucholz for The Great Courses. I listened to this because there is a slim chance, if my passport arrives in time, I will be visiting England very soon. Now that I have listened to these delightful lectures I will be even more disappointed if the trip doesn't pan out. This series is a whirlwind tour of London through the ages. Dr. Bucholz has a pleasant voice and enthusiastic manner. I will be on the look out for other lectures he has taught.
July 22, 2014
I went to these lectures in order to brush up on my knowledge of London's history (which varies depending on the era from "rather expert" to "rather sketchy") and gain new perspectives on the "Cool Britannia" phenomenon today, and this fit the bill. Robert Bucholz offers an interdisciplinary and broad history of the city drawing from court history, literature, sociology, urban planning, economics, and other approaches. He manages to cover a great deal in a short time, complete with entertaining asides and corny humor. I especially appreciated his guided tours of the city during different stages of its life (Chaucer's time, Shakespeare's time, Samuel Pepys's time, Dickens's time, and "Millennial London"), which provided very useful comparisons and contrasts. A work this brief covering such a time span cannot be all things to all people, but for someone already familiar with the history and wanting a refresher, or someone wholly new to the history and seeking an introduction, this is an ideal resource.
The individual lectures are as follows:
1. There's No Place like London
2. The Rise and Fall of Roman Londinium
3. Medieval London's Thousand-Year Climb
4. Economic Life in Chaucer's London
5. Politics and Religion in Chaucer's London
6. London Embraces the Early Tudors
7. Elizabeth I and London as a Stage
8. Life in Shakespeare's London—East
9. Life in Shakespeare's London—West
10. London Rejects the Early Stuarts
11. Life in Samuel Pepys's 17th-Century London
12. Plague and Fire
13. London Rises Again—As an Imperial Capital
14. Johnson's London—All That Life Can Afford
15. The Underside of 18th-Century London
16. London Confronts Its Problems
17. Life in Dickens's London
18. Two Windows into Victorian London
19. Questions Postponed and the Great War
20. London's Interwar Expansion and Diversions
21. The Blitz—The Greatest Target in the World
22. Postwar London Returns to Life
23. The Varied Winds of Change
24. Millennial London—How Do You Like It?
The individual lectures are as follows:
1. There's No Place like London
2. The Rise and Fall of Roman Londinium
3. Medieval London's Thousand-Year Climb
4. Economic Life in Chaucer's London
5. Politics and Religion in Chaucer's London
6. London Embraces the Early Tudors
7. Elizabeth I and London as a Stage
8. Life in Shakespeare's London—East
9. Life in Shakespeare's London—West
10. London Rejects the Early Stuarts
11. Life in Samuel Pepys's 17th-Century London
12. Plague and Fire
13. London Rises Again—As an Imperial Capital
14. Johnson's London—All That Life Can Afford
15. The Underside of 18th-Century London
16. London Confronts Its Problems
17. Life in Dickens's London
18. Two Windows into Victorian London
19. Questions Postponed and the Great War
20. London's Interwar Expansion and Diversions
21. The Blitz—The Greatest Target in the World
22. Postwar London Returns to Life
23. The Varied Winds of Change
24. Millennial London—How Do You Like It?
October 31, 2022
Expired before I could finish. I have visited London only once, but I will purchase this course if I ever get the chance to visit again.
July 10, 2014
Bucholz does a good job taking listeners through almost 1000 years of London history in a few short lectures. Clearly, he cannot cover everything and he does skimp on the Anglo-Saxon period. But, to his defense, the city's pre-Norman Conquest importance was not very great.
Bucholz humanizes the city by presenting through the eyes of the people who lived there. He spending telling listeners what the city like during Shakespeare's time, Samuel Peeps's time and Charles Dickens' time. He takes the listener on "walks" through the city and describes landmarks. Key moments in the city's development are also explained in brief to the reader.
If you are looking for a quick understanding of the city from the Romans to the Modern Day, I recommend this lecture series.
Bucholz humanizes the city by presenting through the eyes of the people who lived there. He spending telling listeners what the city like during Shakespeare's time, Samuel Peeps's time and Charles Dickens' time. He takes the listener on "walks" through the city and describes landmarks. Key moments in the city's development are also explained in brief to the reader.
If you are looking for a quick understanding of the city from the Romans to the Modern Day, I recommend this lecture series.
July 12, 2012
To heck with listening to the audio book. I want the author to take me on a private tour of London. Bucholz is a total Anglophile and the best part of the book is his obvious love of and incredible knowledge of his subject. He covers the history of London from the earliest settlement to the current day. My favorite parts were Pepys' London, Dickens' London, and the Blitz. I liked learning things like "Cheap" used to mean something like "Retail" and that an ordinary was a restaurant. Mostly easy and fun to listen to. Still, it was not as good as many others in the other Great Courses series.
March 23, 2018
Wasn't sure what to expect - really enjoyed it. My favorite lectures were the walks through the city at different times, from medieval to 21st century. I did have to go back and check maps so I had a good idea of what was where, but in general, it wasn't necessary. There is some aspect of the history and politics going on in England (and then the UK), but most of the focus is the life of the city, from low to high. I think if you've been to London, you'll appreciate these lectures more, and this would be a great prep for any tourist (though don't ask where some of the long-gone buildings are...)
October 3, 2019
This was an audio course I wish were video. I dream of a fortnight to explore and enjoy this key city of the world. Listening to this fueled those desires. Professor Nichols wove the cultural and historical highlights together in a pleasant manner.
May 5, 2021
Exactly what the title says it is. Very well executed, entertaining, and engaging -- everything (almost) from Roman settlement to The Gherkin.
November 6, 2018
This was a great listen on audiobook! Bucholz separates myths from facts, has a good sense of humor, and even does some singing.
August 25, 2016
This series of lectures are very very dull. I think it was the most boring experience with great courses so far.
Out of 24 lectures, maybe 3-4 are worth listening.
3 main themes - historical context, walking around streets, economy and cultural context.
Walking around is quite useless if you never were in London, historical context is more about Britain than about London (except plague and great fire years). So I would say only lectures about economy and culture deserves some attention.
The other thing I did not enjoy - is repetitive "clichesque" statements about greatness and uniqueness of the city. They add no value nor information to the course but sound very pretentious.
Out of 24 lectures, maybe 3-4 are worth listening.
3 main themes - historical context, walking around streets, economy and cultural context.
Walking around is quite useless if you never were in London, historical context is more about Britain than about London (except plague and great fire years). So I would say only lectures about economy and culture deserves some attention.
The other thing I did not enjoy - is repetitive "clichesque" statements about greatness and uniqueness of the city. They add no value nor information to the course but sound very pretentious.
August 7, 2023
This is probaby better than 3 stars. A lot of information is packed in this short series of lectures and it's never boring. I just found the lecturer really annoying, firstly he is so bloody American it's off putting (it's like if Danny Dyer narrated a history of New York to a New Yorker, it grates) and i find his style irritating, his gentle humour and painting a picture by device of an imagined tour guide. There's nothing wrong here, it's well done - just not for me.
April 16, 2015
I was a bit surprised to find out that this lecture series is by an American. But then I realized that a Briton would never, ever brag that London is the greatest city in the Western world. The series would have to be retitled London's All Right, Really, If You Like That Sort of Thing.
Good overview of history, architecture, and pop culture.
Good overview of history, architecture, and pop culture.
October 9, 2018
My initial impression was a bit low, but it ultimately proved to be an interesting listen. I realize "Greatest City in the Western World" is part of the title, but the way the way the lecturer presented that idea in the first lecture seemed particularly belligerent and obnoxious, which was a bit off-putting; it isn't that I would really dispute this claim, or feel insulted that he is in effect denigrating all other cities, but more like it just seems silly and pointless to try asserting that a place is "the best" or "the greatest". Also, when the lecturer quotes someone or recites poetry, he adopts a different vocal register that is a bit annoying, and he quotes a lot of things in the first lecture; he sounds like an inept high schooler reading a script and trying to do it "dramatically" or adopt an accent. Fortunately, I got used to this voice over time, or else his readings improved a bit.
Anyway, criticism aside, it was an interesting lecture series. I really like how it is both a history and a study and invocation of a place; in describing London through time, he necessarily provides a history of varying depth and detail of Britain as a whole from Roman times to the near present, but he also describes and redescribes the appearance of London over time, providing eyewitness accounts as available. I think it would be interesting to see other histories like this, ones which focus on what a place was like and revealing how it changed with time. Rome would be an obvious choice, if one could focus more on the physical city and describing what it was like to be there than on the usual sort of preoccupations of history.
Anyway, criticism aside, it was an interesting lecture series. I really like how it is both a history and a study and invocation of a place; in describing London through time, he necessarily provides a history of varying depth and detail of Britain as a whole from Roman times to the near present, but he also describes and redescribes the appearance of London over time, providing eyewitness accounts as available. I think it would be interesting to see other histories like this, ones which focus on what a place was like and revealing how it changed with time. Rome would be an obvious choice, if one could focus more on the physical city and describing what it was like to be there than on the usual sort of preoccupations of history.
June 15, 2023
Excellent lecture series on the history of London, starting as a Roman port and outpost, it's potential abandonment and reestablishment by the Anglo-Saxons, the rise of the city under the Normans, the establishment of the monarchy, and the industrial revolution turning London modern.
One of the key themes I love is the resiliency of London rising over bombing, economic turmoil, plagues, fire and many other issues. The foundations of democracy go back to Roman times. The dedication to free speech, freedom, and journalism go back millennia. The 3 symbols of the Tower of London, St. Paul's and Westminster are powerful symbols of the greatness of London.
Another theme, as London goes, so goes the country. The only negative is he assumes a certain level of understanding of British history because he has to go through time quickly. However that is his goal so overall a good history of London.
One of the key themes I love is the resiliency of London rising over bombing, economic turmoil, plagues, fire and many other issues. The foundations of democracy go back to Roman times. The dedication to free speech, freedom, and journalism go back millennia. The 3 symbols of the Tower of London, St. Paul's and Westminster are powerful symbols of the greatness of London.
Another theme, as London goes, so goes the country. The only negative is he assumes a certain level of understanding of British history because he has to go through time quickly. However that is his goal so overall a good history of London.
April 16, 2022
I throughly enjoyed the 12+ hours I spent listening to this lecture. Robert Bucholz has such an engaging style—brim full of knowledge and delightfully contagious in his love for London and British history in general. As an American, I was grateful for the times he explained words or customs that are probably familiar to most Brits, and it was fascinating to make connections between the democratic traditions of England and how they helped form the basis of American democracy.
Alas, he was rather brief on the subject of my favorite era—Edwardian England—but that’s understandable since his passion (evident in the lecture) is mainly for the Renaissance.
Alas, he was rather brief on the subject of my favorite era—Edwardian England—but that’s understandable since his passion (evident in the lecture) is mainly for the Renaissance.
August 2, 2018
I'm so impressed with this particular lecture series. Bucholz is extremely knowledgeable and simultaneously very engaging in the way that he moves through the history of London through this course. His walking tours that take place during multiple episodes paint a fascinating picture of the city during a variety of time periods. I will certainly be seeking out other lecture series by Bucholz through the Great Courses.
August 6, 2020
This is a very well done series of 24 lectures on the history of London.
The lecturer clearly loves his material and does a good job describing London. While much is history he spends several interspersed lectures describing what London itself was like during different periods usually going over the same area for comparison.
It might have helped if this was a video course but the lecturer does as good a job as possible with describing architecture and street life in words.
The lecturer clearly loves his material and does a good job describing London. While much is history he spends several interspersed lectures describing what London itself was like during different periods usually going over the same area for comparison.
It might have helped if this was a video course but the lecturer does as good a job as possible with describing architecture and street life in words.
January 22, 2023
What an interesting history of a city! I really enjoyed the way this course unfolded, always coming back to the city rather than a certain people, family, or event. And I learned several things through this course too! Like 'to read the riot act' really is a thing! To read the Riot Act, a real act in England, was to prepare disobedient people to be punished under the law, after they had heard that they were now subject to this act, the Riot Act. Pretty interesting!
September 15, 2023
An enjoyable "walking tour" of London from Roman Londinium to London present following the paths and hearing the voices of newcomers to London including Chaucer, Shakespeare, Virginia Wolf, among many others. Bucholz especially emphasized London as a city of immigrants--from the country and from the wider world. He also identified landmarks of each period, helpfully noting if they still exist at all or if they had changed since their period of influence.
January 11, 2021
Some of the humor falls a bit flat, otherwise Professor Bucholz is an excellent presenter, and this lecture series is very informative and entertaining; however, a deeper dive is given into English couture in other great courses. Always difficult to have real depth in what amounts to a survey course. Some detailed maps of London would be very useful, as Prof. Bucholz gives a detailed 360 degree verbal description of London.
January 14, 2020
I had pretty low expectations of this book as I'd never sampled anything from the Great Courses before and expected something dry and boring. I was pleasantly surprised. This thoroughly improved my appreciation of London during my visit there.
March 13, 2021
Really? The greatest city in the Western World? Recurring plagues, frequent fires, monarchical abuse, and a century of poisonous "fog" sets a rather low bar for such a designation.
Much of the other dark clouds hanging over the city, colonialism and the slave trade were barely touched upon.
Much of the other dark clouds hanging over the city, colonialism and the slave trade were barely touched upon.
January 17, 2024
Overview of major events in London.
Terrible narration.
Please never attempt a British accent unless you have trained for it.
This narration made me wince.
Worse Churchill impersonation ever.
The course was adequate enough but nothing groundbreaking.
A freebie from Audible.com
Terrible narration.
Please never attempt a British accent unless you have trained for it.
This narration made me wince.
Worse Churchill impersonation ever.
The course was adequate enough but nothing groundbreaking.
A freebie from Audible.com
September 20, 2017
I wanted more descriptions of the city and its infrastructure, and less ~larger historical tides,~ but it was fairly enjoyable.
November 1, 2017
Not enough about King Arthur.
April 7, 2018
4.4 stars
February 23, 2019
This really is a short history. While it certainly hit all the high points and covered everything, it felt rushed and superficial. Enjoyable, but not detailed enough for me.
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