About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Spectacular Vernacular by David Long focuses on London's 100 most extraordinary buildings.

Visit Their Website

Pros

• Each building gets a double page spread with a full page photo
• Excellent author who really knows about London

Cons

• Only black and white photographs
• Too heavy to carry around London

Description

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• This was David Long's first book.
• Published in 2006.
• Other titles by David Long:
  Tunnels, Towers & Temples
  The Little Book of London
  

Guide Review - Spectacular Vernacular

Do you think you know London? Let David Long show you how much you've missed. I really enjoy reading Long's books as he has a true talent for giving you so many facts without making it feel like you're reading an encyclopedia.

How does he know so much about London? I can only surmise he adores discovering new facts about London as much as I do. It's the level of research that is commendable, then coupled with Long's quirky anecdotal writing style makes this book hard to put down.

The 100 London buildings are divided into 10 chapters with architectural themes such as castles, monuments, and the arts. The buildings are across central London and the suburbs which makes this book ideal for visitors and Londoners alike.

As an aside, I was impressed to see the book is printed and bound in the UK which justifies the slightly higher price to me.

Have you ever noticed the world's smallest police station in Trafalgar Square? Me neither and I'm there nearly every week!

How many more hidden treasures have we walked past? Long's book will inspire you to get out again and explore. My copy is now full of bookmarks of places I want to see.

This is a great coffee table book but also a great bedtime book as it's so easy to dip into. Buy a copy as a gift but remember to order two copies as you'll find it hard to give away.

Visit Their Website