Peter Ackroyd, acclaimed historian and critic, uncovers London’s hidden past in this richly illustrated journey through its forgotten streets and stories. 

No city shaped the modern world quite like London—a powerhouse of trade, finance, and empire, the centre of global influence in the nineteenth century. But beyond the familiar stories of power and politics, its true life played out in the streets, where market traders, music hall crowds, and factory workers gave it its vitality, its light and its shadows. 

Forgotten London  uncovers these stories, bringing to life the highs and lows of those who made the city what it was. Covering the transformative years from the Victorian era to the Second World War, this book immerses readers in a side of London often overlooked. 

The book is also richly illustrated, featuring rare photographs, colorised images, and period artwork. 

With Peter Ackroyd’s masterful storytelling, this is an unforgettable journey into the city’s past. Step into its streets, meet its people—and see London as you’ve never seen it before. 

TOC

INTRODUCTION

1. 1837–1850 SMOKE , FILTH AND FOG
2. 1851–1900 LONDON ON THE MOVE
3. 1900–1914 SPLENDOUR AND UNREST
4. 1914–1931 WAR AND JAZZ
5. 1932–1939 ON THE PRECIPICE