A Book with a View: writing inspired by world landmarks and landscapes gives London's librarians the chance to recommend a selection of quirky fiction and non-fiction inspired by local and world architecture: on this page you'll find titles which relate to urban architecture. Other choices are
The selection includes books which are available in accessible formats
(i.e. large print, talking books or Braille) through
Revealweb
and these are indicated with
To find the book in your local library click on the links below.
The Architecture of happiness - Alain de Botton
ISBN: 9780141015002
From humble dwellings to some of our grandest buildings, this book explores the philosophy and psychology of our relationships with the architecture around us...
-- BromleyCountry of origin: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781844138272
Rivalries, jealousies, intrigue and genius. The extraordinary story of how the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was constructed by an extraordinary man. A concentrated read, but also one that brings Renaissance Italy to life.
-- KingstonCountry of origin: Italy
Common ground: around Britain with 30 writers - John Simmons et al.
ISBN: 9781904879930
Contains contributions from 30 writers who in turn have each selected a writer who captures the spirit of their area. Covers writers old and new, from Shakespeare and Dickens to Will Self, Julian Barnes and Jasper Fforde......
-- HarrowCountry of origin: United Kingdom
A Dictionary of London place names - David Mills
ISBN: 0198609574
The book does exactly what it promises by supplying a comprehensive list of where the names of various places around London originate. You'll find you know your home town a little better when you discover the origin of its name - with some being more pleasant than others.
-- MertonCountry of origin: United Kingdom
Discovering famous graves - Lynn Pearson
ISBN: 978074780619
A book that does what it says on the cover - giving an informative guide to the graves of the famous both here and abroad. The book is illustrated and, should you need it, also provides a glossary of funeral terms!
-- Kensington and ChelseaCountry of origin: other
Do not pass go - Tim Moore
ISBN: 9780099433866
The game of Monopoly still has a fascination and this book takes a journey around the 28 streets, stations and utilities so familiar to us because of the board game.
-- Barking and DagenhamCountry of origin: United Kingdom
Elvis Presley passed here: even more locations of America's pop culture landmarks - Chris Epting
ISBN: 9781595800015
"Travelling across the United States and immersing yourself in the bizarre moments, locations and landmarks that define American pop culture. There are more than 600 landmarks with historical information as well as exact locations." - Amazon
-- IslingtonCountry of origin: United States
Estates: an intimate history - Lynsey Hanley
ISBN: 9781862079090
Britain's council estates have become a media shorthand for poverty, social mayhem, drugs, drinks and violence - the social ills they were built to cure. How did homes built to improve people's lives end up doing the opposite? Is their reputation fair, and if so who is to blame? Inhabitants? Politicians? Planners? Architects? Lynsey Hanley was born and raised just outside Birmingham on what was then the largest council estate in Europe, and she has lived for years on an estate in London's East End. A mix of memoir, opinion and social history about places with a bad reputation.
-- LewishamCountry of origin: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780007217236
London-based author Tracy Chevalier tells another historical tale, this one set in Victorian England and narrated in diary-like fashion from two different points of view as families from very different backgrounds encounter one another in the cemetery when paying their respects. A novel which includes much social history of the time as well as a very personal story.
-- CamdenCountry of origin: United Kingdom
Football grounds from the air - then and now - Ian Allan
ISBN: 9781904736561
This guide includes aerial photographs of football grounds as they appeared in the past and compares and contrasts them with modern grounds. A must for the travelling supporter and football anorak
-- Hammersmith and FulhamCountry of origin: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780553815528
A detective novel, set largely in London’s theatre land during the second world war blitz.
-- RichmondCountry of origin: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780140171136
This novel brings together a gripping thriller and ghost story set within the scenario of historic London architecture, especially of churches.
-- Barking and DagenhamCountry of origin: United Kingdom
Home: the story of everyone who ever lived in our house - Julie Myerson
ISBN: 9780007148233
One terraced house in one Clapham street and so much history - a very original idea for a book
-- BrentCountry of origin: United Kingdom
The House by the Thames and the people who lived there - Gillian Tindall
ISBN: 9781844130948
Like Julie Myerson's home, The House by the Thames tells the history of 49 Bankhurst and with it that of the area along the South bank of the River Thames
-- MertonCountry of origin: United Kingdom
King's Road: the rise and fall of the hippest street in the world - Max Decharne
ISBN: 9780753821244
An affectionate account of the hub of London's street fashion during the Swinging Sixties and the Punk era: the narrative is peopled by colourful personalities such as Mary Quant, the Rolling Stones, Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols.
-- LewishamCountry of origin: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780006514213
Following a bereavement Miss Julia Garnet moves to Venice and embarks upon a different sort of journey when she is taken with a painting depicting the angel Raphael. This is delicate story of transformation, elegantly told.
-- Barking and DagenhamCountry of origin: Italy
