London: A Short History of the Greatest City in the Western World

By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Bucholz

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

No city has had as powerful and as enduring an impact on Western civilization as London. But what made the city the perfect environment for so many great developments? How did London endure the sweeping historical revolutions and disasters without crumbling? Find the answers to these questions and more in these 24 fascinating lectures.

Professor Bucholz takes you through the history of this magnificent metropolis, from its birth as an ancient Roman outpost to its current status as a global village. You'll study the many epic chapters in British and world history - including the English Renaissance, the turmoil of the English civil war, and the epic conflicts of World Wars I and II - through the lens of this amazing capital.

What makes the course unique is that it takes you deep into the streets of London during formative periods in its history. Professor Bucholz continuously emphasizes the importance of understanding and experiencing the sights and sounds of London as it was lived by its residents. You'll come to know what daily life was like in historical London, learning the secret histories behind places such as Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and London Bridge.

This unforgettable look at an unforgettable city will undoubtedly delight and surprise you. By the final lecture, you'll come to realize just what Samuel Johnson meant when he famously declared, "there is in London, all that life can afford."

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses

Professor Robert Bucholz held our attention-kept drawing us back for the next lecture.

The writing is extraordinary. The tone and cadence of the delivery is first rate. We listened to this for entertainment while visiting London and it enriched our trip. We plan to listen to it again on the plane home. Thank you, Professor Bucholz.

Wonderful journey through London

Professor Robert Buchoiz takes us through a wonderful journey sharing the sights and sounds with genuine passion and enthusiasm that iis contagious. The best kind of learning, when you don't even know you are! Superb lecturer.

Outstanding Great Course

I got this title in preparation for a trip to London, thinking it would at least help pass the travel time. What I got instead was one of the best Great Courses I’ve listened to yet.

The lecture and narration are absolutely top notch. Professor Bucholz comes off as knowledgeable to the highest degree without being condescending. His enthusiasm is palpable, drawing you in to the topic at hand, and the way he narrates might be the best I’ve heard yet.

As for the subject matter, it could easily be termed as a brief history of England, as a history of London necessarily is a (partial) history of England. He really delves deep into the relationship that London has has with the monarchs and nobility throughout history, as well as what life was like for the common Londoner.

Overall, I got what I wanted and more. I felt much more prepared for my London trip and had a deeper appreciation for the city than if I had not listened to this course.

Bucholz Wins Again!

Most excellent course. Entertaining and engaging. Thanks for this, I now look forward to my next visit to London even more.

London from beginning to (mostly) now

As someone who has been to London and cannot wait to go back, I loved this walk through history. There's a lot of information in here that I didn't know and I enjoyed learning. I will say, as I usually do, that I don't think the "voices" are necessary when quoting people - particularly Churchill - but overall this was engaging, interesting and informative.

Best Speaking Voice

I loved the story of London, but I doubt it would have been as enjoyable, had anyone else been the speaker. Professor Buckholz was outstanding, and I will look for other of his programs.

Informative and very enjoyable

Entertaining lectures give bite size (:30) segments perfect for listening to on commute. Bucholz is an entertaining and informative lecturer. Perfect refresher on London's history prior to a visit.

London is a fascinating city

London is a fascinating city that has been at the forefront of Western Civilization for over 1000 years. It has risen from a disease infested swamp to become one of the powerful cities to shape the face of the wold we know today.

This book is a look into the history of the city and the people past and present who are the people of London. Kings, Queens, and Prime Minsters have all had to bow to the power of the city of London.

The people of London are not to be underestimated. It's not a story about only the titled elite; however, it is a story about how people both aristocratic and common, and a root of democracy that goes back to the beginnings of London and how they formed it over centuries. London has always had a rebellious population that has taken to the streets many times, and have wielded power that changed London. It's as much a story about people as it is about a city.

I enjoyed this book very much.

Know a city you thought you knew even better.

What did you love best about London: A Short History of the Greatest City in the Western World?

Well presented. most of the time I felt as if I was getting a personal tutorial. I particularly enjoyed walks in time with famous and not so famous members of London society.

What other book might you compare London: A Short History of the Greatest City in the Western World to and why?

Conversational tone and enthusiasm from author remind me of Frances Mayes books on Tuscany and Karen Armstrong's books on faith.

Have you listened to any of Professor Robert Bucholz’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

Artificial clapping at end of each read lecture was the same - an applause track. Would have left this distraction off. I didn't need it to tell me it was great any more than I need a laugh track to tell me when to laugh if it was really funny.

VISITING LONDON

Robert Bucholz’s brief history of London walks the curious through ancient and modern streets of London. Like John Wayne in “True Grit”, this history shows what grit means to British Londoners. Possibly as far back as 1750 BC, archeological remains show evidence of a community on the Thames that later becomes the site of London. Around the year 43 AD Londinium was founded by the Romans. It became the capital of Roman Britain with a population estimated at 60,000 inhabitants.

Visiting London today is a great pleasure. It has some of the greatest theatres, museums, and entertainments of the world. Bucholz’s history of London shows political unrest, pollution, poverty, and crime are killers but there are solutions.