Synopses & Reviews
The Thames, Englandand#8217;s greatest riverand#151;for centuries an aid to trade, a stalwart of national defense, a stage for some of Englandand#8217;s greatest historical events, an inspiration to some of Englandand#8217;s best poets and artists, a challenge to engineers. Yet while there is a constancy in the history of the river, there is also change. The Thames charts the diverse meanings of the river over the course of millennia, from prehistoric to modern times.
From the elephants on the bank of the prehistoric river to Caesarand#8217;s expeditionary force; from King Alfredand#8217;s battleships to the signing of Magna Carta; from the riverand#8217;s role in both the coronation and execution of Anne Boleyn to seventeenth-century frost fairs and the first performance of Handeland#8217;s and#145;Water Musicand#8217;; from Turnerand#8217;s view of the river as arcadia through its bombardment during the Blitz, The Thames provides an intimate portrait of the waterway at the heart of English history.
Blending elegant prose with historical detail, this exceptional book superbly brings to life the river Winston Churchill once vividly described as and#147;a golden thread in the national tapestry.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Jonathan Schneer guides us along a renowned element of the English landscape with an alert and seasoned eye, surprising us with stories drawn together by this common watery thread. Famous spectacles, private reveries, urban designsand#8212;from these, he sketches a deeply satisfying survey of centuries, captured through the prism of history lived on and along the River Thames.and#8221;and#8212;Deborah Valenze, Columbia University
Review
and#8220;For anyone who wishes to learn of the history of one of the most important rivers in the world, this is the book to turn to. In engaging prose, Jonathan Schneer charts the vital and enriching role the Thames has played in English history.and#8221;and#8212;Peter Stansky, Stanford University
Review
and#8220;An excellent topic, and an altogether pleasurable book. The Thames is central to British history, but there is no other book like this on the subject. The Thames is clear, compelling, and frequently lyrical.and#8221;and#8212;James Cronin, Boston University
Synopsis
In this book, Jonathan Schneer traces the history of the Thames River from its prehistory through the present day. Once dinosaurs roamed the Thames valley, and hippos wallowed in its waters. Much later, the Thames and its banks witnessed some of Britain’s greatest triumphs—negotiation of the Magna Carta, the first performance of Handel’s
Water Music—as well as national tragedies, including the German Blitz on London’s “dockland.”
The Thames has remained a great national river, belonging to no single class or group. On its banks stand some of the most important buildings of the British state, and upon its waters many important ceremonies have taken place. But the Thames is also a river of the people. When the river froze over in the early modern period, vast “frost fairs” were organized and the river was claimed for the enjoyment of all citizens.
Vividly narrated with tales from every age in the life of this great river, The Thames provides a lustrous point of entry into the history of Great Britain.
Synopsis
The Thames, England's greatest river--for centuries an aid to trade, a stalwart of national defense, a stage for some of England's greatest historical events, an inspiration to some of England's best poets and artists, a challenge to engineers. Yet while there is a constancy in the history of the river, there is also change. The Thames charts the diverse meanings of the river over the course of millennia, from prehistoric to modern times.
From the elephants on the bank of the prehistoric river to Caesar's expeditionary force; from King Alfred's battleships to the signing of Magna Carta; from the river's role in both the coronation and execution of Anne Boleyn to seventeenth-century frost fairs and the first performance of Handel's 'Water Music'; from Turner's view of the river as arcadia through its bombardment during the Blitz, The Thames provides an intimate portrait of the waterway at the heart of English history.
Blending elegant prose with historical detail, this exceptional book superbly brings to life the river Winston Churchill once vividly described as "a golden thread in the national tapestry."
Synopsis
England's great river through the ages.
The Thames, England's greatest river--for centuries an aid to trade, a stalwart of national defense, a stage for some of England's greatest historical events, an inspiration to some of England's best poets and artists, a challenge to engineers. Yet while there is a constancy in the history of the river, there is also change. The Thames chartsthe diverse meanings of the river over the course of millennia, from prehistoric to modern times.
From the elephants on the bank of the prehistoric river to Caesar's expeditionary force; from King Alfred's battleships to the signing of Magna Carta; from the river's role in both the coronation and execution of Anne Boleyn to seventeenth-century frost fairs and the first performance of Handel's 'Water Music'; from Turner's view of the river as arcadia through its bombardment during the Blitz, The Thames providesan intimate portrait of the waterway at the heart of English history.
Blending elegant prose with historical detail, this exceptional book superbly brings to life the river Winston Churchill once vividly described as "a golden thread in the national tapestry."
Synopsis
England's great river through the ages.
Synopsis
Vividly narrated with tales from every age in the life of Englandand#8217;s great river, The Thames is a delight to any reader with an interest in British history. From the prehistoric era of wooly mammoths to the riverside negotiation of the Magna Carta in the thirteenth century to WWII when Nazi bombers used the Thames as a visual guide, the river has witnessed national triumph and tragedy.
About the Author
'“Jonathan Schneer guides us along a renowned element of the English landscape with an alert and seasoned eye, surprising us with stories drawn together by this common watery thread. Famous spectacles, private reveries, urban designsfrom these, he sketches a deeply satisfying survey of centuries, captured through the prism of history lived on and along the River Thames.”Deborah Valenze, Columbia University
“For anyone who wishes to learn of the history of one of the most important rivers in the world, this is the book to turn to. In engaging prose, Jonathan Schneer charts the vital and enriching role the Thames has played in English history.”Peter Stansky, Stanford University
“An excellent topic, and an altogether pleasurable book. The Thames is central to British history, but there is no other book like this on the subject. The Thames is clear, compelling, and frequently lyrical.”James Cronin, Boston University
'