With a foreword by Iain Sinclair. London is an ancient city, whose foundation dates back literally thousands of years into the legendary prehistory of these islands. Not surprisingly it has accumulated a large number of stories, both historic and mythical, during this period, many of which, though faithfully recorded at the time, have lain almost forgotten in dusty libraries throughout the city. The Secret Lore of London is a guide to the legends, including a discussion of their importance as part of the oral tradition of Britain, combining Prehistoric, Celtic, Arthurian, Roman, Saxon and Norman levels - each of which has contributed to the many-layered life of the city. The first part contains a unique selection of essays (some printed here for the first time) by experts in their fields, each of whom possesses a unique interest in the legends of these islands, and who have written widely on associated themes. The second part of the book will consist of a Gazetteer of the sites mentioned which are still in existence, together with various other sites of associated interest, compiled by the Editor, the contributors, and members of the London Earth Mysteries Group. This part will be fully updated and extended to include many more sites. The result is a wide ranging and wholly fascinating book, with wide sales application possible. A series of appendixes will include William Stukley's extraordinary document The Brill, which relates to the ancient prehistoric sites around the area of present day St. Pancras, and excerpts from some of the best known 19th and early 20th century works on Legendary London by Lewis Spence and Harold Bayley Contributors to the book are: Nigel Pennick John Matthews Caroline Wise Caitlin Matthews Carol Clancy R.J. Stewart Bernard Nesfield-Cookson Gareth Knight Robert Stephenson Geraldine Beskin Chesca Potter William Stukeley Lewis Spence Harold Bayley Alan V. Insole Ross Nichols

I don't know how I always ended up trying to connect to the universe. And why wasn't I already connected to the universe? It was all very confusing to me. I was hoping that one of these days we could just pray to God, you know that white-haired guy who created heaven and hell and sent his only son and such. It seemed like a much easier concept to wrap my brain around.

Nora Sullivan is trying to find meaning in her life. As a twenty-five-year-old social worker in a nursing home, it's not going so well. Her patients are challenging, and her patience is giving out. Trying to understand the suffering around her, Nora begins attending a New Age church. Most of the metaphysical answers she finds there don't make much sense to her, as she struggles to understand God and what it means to be a spiritual person. As Nora continues her spiritual search, she develops a friendship with one of her patients, a forty-two-year-old woman with Multiple Sclerosis. It is through her conversations with Maggie that Nora begins to understand more about her life and what has really brought her to Longate Nursing Home.