Bookshop for a really nice book about London or travel (and book recommendations)

[Cloo]

It's my brother's 50th next month - we usually get one another books on our birthdays but as it's his 50th I'm thinking maybe to find a really nice hardback book about London (or some kind of geographical/travel theme). Independent bookstore would be nice - any recommendations? Artwords on Broadway Market comes to mind, but open to any others. Also any book suggestions!

 

[Puddy_Tat]

housmans at kings cross does london books

there are a lot of books about london, though - any particular angle / aspect?

 

[Pickman's model]

I'd try Henry Pordes books on charing x Road, the bookshops on Cecil Court, and probably foyles. Judd 2 books on marchmont St worth a mention too, and would be where I'd start my searching. Have a look in skoob too, north side of the brunswick centre. But this would be a browsing expedition, as you'll likely happen on a book you didn't know of before

 

[Pickman's model]

Cloo why not get him the volume of pevsner which covers the part of London he lives in?

 

[Cloo]

Ooh, that's potentially a nice call. He lives in Highgate, so it's a part of London there are nice books about.

 

[Pickman's model]

Ooh, that's potentially a nice call. He lives in Highgate, so it's a part of London there are nice books about.

If you're feeling generous you could give him the London encyclopedia and a year's membership of the London topographical society

 

[mack]

I'd recommend this as something out of the ordinary, completely irrelevant now, my older brother had this book and I remember avidly reading it, especially the stuff about squatting and crafting.

Alternative London: Amazon.co.uk: Saunders, Nicholas: 9780704502871: Books

Buy Alternative London 5 by Saunders, Nicholas (ISBN: 9780704502871) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

there's probably a few people on here that have the book sitting on a shelf somewhere.

 

[Pickman's model]

I'd recommend this as something out of the ordinary, completely irrelevant now, my older brother had this book and I remember avidly reading it, especially the stuff about squatting and crafting.

Alternative London: Amazon.co.uk: Saunders, Nicholas: 9780704502871: Books

Buy Alternative London 5 by Saunders, Nicholas (ISBN: 9780704502871) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

there's probably a few people on here that have the book sitting on a shelf somewhere.

If anyone wants this use bookfinder.com which reports a copy of this book available at £30.93, much better than amazon's £98.99

 

[Cloo]

housmans at kings cross does london books

there are a lot of books about london, though - any particular angle / aspect?

He like history, political history, alternative and pop music history

 

[marty21]

John Rogers : This Other London . John Rogers does YouTube videos of London Walks (recommend that too but it isn't a present tbf) but his book is based on some of his walks , he's closely linked to Ian Sinclair & Psycho-Geography

 

[metalguru]

I'd probably try Stanford's who specialise in travel book and guides - in Mercer Walk, just off Long Acre Covent Garden.

I've got a shelf of various versions of the Alternative London guides - the 6th and last version (1982) was the best one for comprehensive content. The 4th version and the related Alternative England and Wales have some fantastic cartoon/graphics in them.

 

[Cloo]

John Rogers : This Other London . John Rogers does YouTube videos of London Walks (recommend that too but it isn't a present tbf) but his book is based on some of his walks , he's closely linked to Ian Sinclair & Psycho-Geography

Like my dad and myself, he does quite like his psychogeography - he's a big walker all over London and a transport network expert. Not surprisingly he's ended up a senior bod at the GLA.

metalguru - I'd forgotten Stanfords. I don't think I've been in there, but I should go really.

 

[Winot]

Like my dad and myself, he does quite like his psychogeography - he's a big walker all over London and a transport network expert. Not surprisingly he's ended up a senior bod at the GLA.

Does he know Patrick Keillor’s film London? This book has just come out:

https://uk.bookshop.org/books/london-9781916218437/9781916218437

Could get him that and the DVD of the film.

London & Robinson in Space (DVD)

Two films by Patrick Keiller, respectively exploring the geographical, architectural and socio-political history of London and the UK in the director's ideosyncratic documentary-cum-travel-diary style This title is currently out of stock.

shop.bfi.org.uk

 

[Puddy_Tat]

He like history, political history, alternative and pop music history

housmans london list

music list - there are a few that are london specific, but particular genres of music - i don't know his tastes...

hard to think of any one suggestion, though

london historians' blog includes book reviews - might have some ideas

 

[tim]

I wouldn't complain if somebody bought me this

London: A History in Maps (London Topographical Society Publication): Amazon.co.uk: Peter Barber: 8601404421921: Books

Buy London: A History in Maps (London Topographical Society Publication) 1st by Peter Barber (ISBN: 8601404421921) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Puddy_Tat]

i have ended up buying myself a couple of books as a result of this thread

 

[A380]

Another vote for Sandfords.

Also another vote for the London Encyclopaedia plus Londonist's Maped:

And I also like:

 

[Sir Belchalot]

If anyone wants this use bookfinder.com which reports a copy of this book available at £30.93, much better than amazon's £98.99

Just don't get the early editions that included links to the Paedophile Information Exchange.

 

[tim]

If anyone wants this use bookfinder.com which reports a copy of this book available at £30.93, much better than amazon's £98.99

I got a copy for a couple of quid in Richmond Oxfam. Sadly, I have no idea where it is.

 

[klang]

I got a copy for a couple of quid in Richmond Oxfam. Sadly, I have no idea where it is.

6 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1BP

 

[tim]

6 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1BP

Thank you. I shall pop back and see if they have another copy and try to flog it to Cloo for £30.

 

[Cloo]

This isn't out until April, or else it'd be a contender: My book! London: A Guide For Curious Wanderers - Living London History

 

[Dragnet]

Something by Jerry White would be my suggestion - I've read this one. Really good overview of politics, housing, popular culture etc. It doesn't seem that the latest edition of that is available in hardback, so a decent condition used copy of an earlier one may be the way to go.

 

[marty21]

This isn't out until April, or else it'd be a contender: My book! London: A Guide For Curious Wanderers - Living London History

Tempted by that !

 

[davesgcr]

"London Made Us" - Robert Elms - enjoyable read .....(lent to others , they enjoyed it too)

 

[hash tag]

I'd probably try Stanford's who specialise in travel book and guides - in Mercer Walk, just off Long Acre Covent Garden.

I've got a shelf of various versions of the Alternative London guides - the 6th and last version (1982) was the best one for comprehensive content. The 4th version and the related Alternative England and Wales have some fantastic cartoon/graphics in them.

My thought was Stanford's but i think it's part of Foyle's now.
Daunt books is still independent and has a branch at Hampstead.

 

[friedaweed]

If anyone wants this use bookfinder.com which reports a copy of this book available at £30.93, much better than amazon's £98.99

Two on Abe books, think the cheaper one is a 3rd edition.

Alternative London by Nicholas Saunders - AbeBooks

Alternative London Survival Guide for Strangers. by SAUNDERS, Nicholas.: and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.co.uk.

www.abebooks.co.uk

 

[Pickman's model]

Two on Abe books, think the cheaper one is a 3rd edition.

Alternative London by Nicholas Saunders - AbeBooks

Alternative London Survival Guide for Strangers. by SAUNDERS, Nicholas.: and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.co.uk.

www.abebooks.co.uk

Yeh I was looking for the specific edition mentioned

 

[friedaweed]

Yeh I was looking for the specific edition mentioned

Ahh I see. As a frequent visitor to second hand bookshops I will now be looking for this so I can fleece you good and proper. Will keep my eye out. It's now on the list on my phone with the New Naturalists and Observer books my collection is begging for.

 

[Pickman's model]

My thought was Stanford's but i think it's part of Foyle's now.
Daunt books is still independent and has a branch at Hampstead.

Stanfords not owned by foyles
Foyles owned by Waterstones
Daunt may be independent but last time I popped into one of their shops (the south end green / hampstead one) I wasn't so impressed by their range. There is also an independent bookshop in Highgate