The Strand
A Biography
Eileen Chanin author Geoff Browell author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Manchester University Press
Publishing:25th Feb '25
£25.00
This title is due to be published on 25th February, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
The Strand: A Biography is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of London and the role this iconic street has played in shaping the city we know today.
Discover the rich history of one of London's most iconic streets in The Strand: A Biography. This book, the first history of The Strand in over 100 years, brings the street to life through the use of oral histories, unexplored archives, and new archaeological sources. From its medieval origins to its modern-day bustling hub, 'The Strand: A History' offers a unique and comprehensive look at this historic London thoroughfare. With a series of launch events planned across the city, this is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of London.
This deeply researched book offers a unique history of London’s most famous street, from the Roman era to the present day.
The first history of one of London’s most extraordinary streets.
Running along the Thames’s northern shore and spanning three-quarters of a mile from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar, the Strand has been a witness to London’s growth and change from the earliest years of the city's existence.
In The Strand: A biography, Geoff Browell and Eileen Chanin uncover the deep history of this remarkable street. Tracing its origins in the Roman era, they reveal how it grew in importance as authority shifted from church to aristocracy, then to commerce, media and law. Over time, everything that mattered converged on the Strand: tradition and ceremony clashed with rebellion and destitution. By 1910, the street was known as the ‘centre of the world’.
Drawing on remarkable archival discoveries, Browell and Chanin present the most complete and compelling history of the Strand ever written. Filled with surprising, untold stories, The Strand: A biography is a must-read for lovers of one of the world’s greatest cities.
'An engaging and instructive approach to urban history and more particularly that of London, and a book that gave me great pleasure.'
Jeremy Black, author of A History of London
'The soul and spirit of this highway emerges from the accumulation of detail through the centuries.'
Iain Sinclair, author of London Orbital
'A fascinating exploration of the ever-changing face of London. The Strand combines rigorous scholarship with a rich tapestry of stories, packed with details to surprise and delight. The result is a joy to read.'
Alice Loxton, author of Uproar! Satire, scandal and printmakers in Georgian London
'An essential biography of one of London’s key thoroughfares, from its Roman origins to the twenty-first century. The focus upon both changing buildings and personalities, as well as the placing of the Strand in its wider London environment, make this an innovative and readable book.'
Panikos Panayi, author of Migrant City: A New History of London
ISBN: 9781526179111
Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 21mm
Weight: 512g
272 pages