London: A Pilgrimage, Paperback

'London: A Pilgrimage' was conceived in 1868 by the journalist and playwright Blanchard Jerrold. Accompanied by the famous artist Gustave Dor , Jerrold prowled every corner of the heaving metropolis, sometimes with plain-clothes police for protection. 'London: A Pilgrimage' is a forgotten classic of social journalism, a frank and brutal look at the poverty striken, gin-swilling London of the nineteenth century, written in a perceptive, bold and gripping style.

180 incredible etchings by Dor escort Jerrold on his odyssey through the pulsating city, into the Lambeth gas works, seedy opium dens and grubby bathing houses; peering curiously into the desperate lives of the flower sellers, lavender girls and organ grinders. 'London: A Pilgrimage' is an enlightening work that brings to life the chaotic and gloomy past of a great city on the cusp of modern times.

Peter Ackroyd's excellent introduction sheds further light on the period and the context in which Jerrold and Dor felt compelled to reveal to the world the squalor into which London was slowly sinking.

About the Author:

Blanchard Jerrold (1826-1884) was both journalist and playwright, with 'Cool as a Cucumber' the most successful of his plays. He was also editor of 'Lloyd's Weekly News'.

Gustav Dor (1832-1883) was an amazingly gifted artist and among his many works are illustrated editions of 'Paradise Lost', the Bible and 'The Idylls of the Kings'.

Peter Ackroy's many publications include 'London: the Biography' (2000) and 'The Lambs of London' (2004).