
Palaces of Power
The Birth and Evolution of London's Clubland
Stephen Hoare(Author)
The History Press Ltd
2nd Edition
Published on 25. June 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
978-0-7509-9727-0 (ISBN)
Description
'A tour of gentleman's clubs from their rowdy beginnings to their stately present' - The Times
'This book vividly captures clubland's brief history in all its transient (and occasionally squalid) glory' - Daily Mail
'Stephen Hoare's genial history of this Clubland-at-home is a fascinating story told with wit and verve' - Professor Jerry White, Birbeck University of London
The core of what we call St James's dates from the late seventeenth century, when large estates were leased by the Crown to the landed gentry after the Restoration in 1660. St James's clubs, coffee houses and institutions have been shaped by enterprise, political conflict and Britain's emerging role as an Imperial power. This is the historic heart of London's Clubland.
Over 300 years, Clubland has extended its reach to encompass Piccadilly, Mayfair, Bond Street, Covent Garden and Westminster. Ever discreet, the clubs do not draw attention to themselves, though their members are often highly influential individuals who are leaders in politics, the law, the media and much more.
Palaces of Power charts the evolution of London's Clubland, St James's, exploring the social and cultural history of the city's most prestigious district, and studying the tensions between the world of privilege and an emerging public realm over the last three centuries.
'This book vividly captures clubland's brief history in all its transient (and occasionally squalid) glory' - Daily Mail
'Stephen Hoare's genial history of this Clubland-at-home is a fascinating story told with wit and verve' - Professor Jerry White, Birbeck University of London
The core of what we call St James's dates from the late seventeenth century, when large estates were leased by the Crown to the landed gentry after the Restoration in 1660. St James's clubs, coffee houses and institutions have been shaped by enterprise, political conflict and Britain's emerging role as an Imperial power. This is the historic heart of London's Clubland.
Over 300 years, Clubland has extended its reach to encompass Piccadilly, Mayfair, Bond Street, Covent Garden and Westminster. Ever discreet, the clubs do not draw attention to themselves, though their members are often highly influential individuals who are leaders in politics, the law, the media and much more.
Palaces of Power charts the evolution of London's Clubland, St James's, exploring the social and cultural history of the city's most prestigious district, and studying the tensions between the world of privilege and an emerging public realm over the last three centuries.
Reviews / Votes
'Stephen Hoare's genial history of this Clubland-at-home reveals to use just how the connection between the club and St James's arose and how it changed over time. It is a fascinating story and it is told with with and verve.' -- Jerry WhiteMore details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Illustrations
8 Plates, color; 8 Plates, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
477 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7509-9727-0 (9780750997270)
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
08/2019
2nd Edition
The History Press Ltd
€13.99
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
08/2019
The History Press Ltd
€50.95
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
For the past twenty years, STEPHEN HOARE has been a freelance writer and journalist, writing on higher education, business schools and the public sector for The Guardian. He is a regular contributor to The Times' special reports, and is an author with a string of non-fiction titles to his name, including The Assassination of John F. Kennedy and Hiroshima for Batsford's 'A Day That Made History' series.