Soho
A Street Guide to Soho's History, Architecture and People
Published on 15. September 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-1-78022-495-4 (ISBN)
Description
SOHO - ILLICIT, GLAMOROUS, SORDID, LOUCHE, POVERTY-STRICKEN, SQUALID, EXHILARATING.
One of Britain's best-loved historians, Dan Cruickshank grants us an intimacy with centuries of rich and varied London history as he guides us around the Soho of the last five hundred years. We learn of its original aspirations towards respectability, how it became the city's bohemian quarter and why it was once home to its criminal underworld.
The history of Soho is written in its surviving architecture, including its bars, clubs and theatres. Cruickshank observes how the common denominator over the centuries is its appeal as a destination for immigrants: from French Huguenots to the Italian and East European Jewish community and recent Chinese diaspora - and that this is the foundation of its spirit and success. Even as he mourns some of the changes, he pays heartfelt testament to the district's resilience.
One of Britain's best-loved historians, Dan Cruickshank grants us an intimacy with centuries of rich and varied London history as he guides us around the Soho of the last five hundred years. We learn of its original aspirations towards respectability, how it became the city's bohemian quarter and why it was once home to its criminal underworld.
The history of Soho is written in its surviving architecture, including its bars, clubs and theatres. Cruickshank observes how the common denominator over the centuries is its appeal as a destination for immigrants: from French Huguenots to the Italian and East European Jewish community and recent Chinese diaspora - and that this is the foundation of its spirit and success. Even as he mourns some of the changes, he pays heartfelt testament to the district's resilience.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
2 x 8pp; maps
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
330 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78022-495-4 (9781780224954)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2019
Weidenfeld & Nicolson
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Dan Cruickshank is a television presenter and author of numerous books on historical architecture. He was a founding member of Save Britain's Heritage in 1975, is a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgian Group, is on the Architectural Panel of the National Trust, and is an Honorary Fellow of RIBA. He lives in east London. He was awarded an OBE in the 2026 New Year's Honours list.