This book is an entertaining romp through the history of our capital city from its origins as a simple market place in 50AD to the sprawling metropolis we know today. In it, the reader will discover many fascinating and unknown facts, ranging in timescale from the Romans to the twenty-first century. With chronological chapters dealing with themes such as royalty, politics, war, education, business and commerce, crime and punishment and transport, along with wonderfully illuminating accounts of the history of rhyming slang, words, street- and place-names, this is a revealing insight into London life through history. Other fascinating pieces of information on famous Londoners, famous firsts and events that shaped the city are also featured. Full of intriguing facts gathered from many years of research, this book will be a valuable addition to every Londoner's bookshelf.

After Hurricane Higgins crashed out of snooker`s top league, Jimmmy White has been the `People`s Champion' even though he never quite made the top World spot, pipped at the post in 1995 by Stephen Hendry, after missing one single black. Aged 16, White was the youngest player to win the English Amateur Championship. At 18, he won the World Amateur title. By 1984, he`s a professional success, married but not at all settled. He`s the kind of man who goes out for a packet of cigarettes and comes home two weeks later. Gambling, women, marathon binges with showbiz friends like Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, have threatened the stability of his marriage. But somehow White has survived, to tell in candid detail, a most unusual, often outrageous story of a very sporting life.