Thames: The Biography

Ackroyd's book is like an Easter egg hunt. Within its forty-five chapters lies some delightfully written historical narrative that has one turning pages eagerly looking for more. By the second half of the book, though, one must look harder, reaching a point where entire chapters leave one wondering if there are eggs left to be found.To be sure, if you are a fan of British history and literature - and enjoy good writing - this book will not disappoint. Stylistically, Thames, the Biography, is not presented as a conventional chronological biography. Rather, as Ackroyd lays out in Section I, he employs the device of using the River Thames as the ever-present bystander to the historical and cultural events that have taken place upon, around, and - sometimes - beneath it. He covers a lot of ground (and water) writing about those things you would expect in a book like this, and has clearly done his homework -- glaciation, the Celts and Romans, human sacrifice, the Venerable Bede, Milne, the Great Fire, the Docklands, Henry I - VIII, the Henley Regatta and, hey, even Jack the Ripper -- it's all there.Like other reviewers have commented, though, some chapters seemed a real stretch ... as if his editor was pushing to get it to 400 pages (e.g. Chapters 27 and 28 -- "The Ancient Trees" and "And After Many a Summer Dies the Swan" left me debating whether I wanted to finish the book). And, yes, I agreed with the reviewer who observed that Ackroyd's oft-repeated baleful characterization of the River Thames begins to take its toll. All said, I'm glad I finished it.While all of the book may not be an engaging read, if you can get past some questionable chapters and stylistic quirks it will provide you with a genuinely interesting and thorough education of the River Thames.

Peter Ackroyd writes minutely factual yet demonstrably popular non-fiction. His history of London was a runaway best seller and so I believe was this book. The must appeal more heartily to a British audience than an international one other than those who make a fetish of devotion to what is now the UK. The would account for my wandering attention and general lack of enthusiasm, while knowing at the same time that I was reading a most popular book. What else can I say? I'm not your average reader and what appeals to the crowd doesn't always move me at all. Don't take my word as gospel. Give the book a try! It has been enormously popular.

This is an encyclopedia on the English river, covering every element: the facts, the metaphors, the history, the battles, the religious edifices, trade and industry, the re-shaping, the biology, the games and recreation, and the art and music. Structured in two ways, chronological and geographical, the scope of information is lightened by anecdotes. There are chapters that will be of interest to any reader and some that will seem extraneous but the flow will carry you from tide to tide, from fresh to salt water, from the Cotswolds to beyond London. This is an unusual concept for a book, well executed.

Not all the way through yet, but it's an interesting book that lends itself to being read bits at a time--I'm in the middle of a major project, so books that don't completely capture me are desirable. I love London, so find this book particularly fascinating.

I read this book when I worked at Borders, but wanted a copy for my library. Perfect condition. I think I paid more for the shipping than I did for the book, which is a first edition to boot. Thanks.

The history, stories, found treasures are as layered as the river itself. I have given this as a gift four times.I cannot believe the tangents explored and offered from each finding. It is unbelievable how much history he offers here. I don't have a clue how he researched all this but now it is my treasure book.

The book seems to be marketed as a sister book to London the Biography - it's not even close. London was superb and one of the best books I've read. Thames takes a different style/approach and doesn't flow making it more difficult to read.

This is a very interesting presentation of early (and more recent) history and geography of the Thames. I was interested to find the history at Abingdon and can believe it lives up to its billing as being the oldest continuous settled place in England.

Es ist sehr spannend, sich über den Flussweg der Landesgeschichte zu nähern. Der Autor verfügt über sehr viel Wissen.