What they say about
The TEMPLES of LONDON
“An excellent and useful book, The Temples of London reads like a good novel at a fast pace, covering the historical roots and the modern and relevant – just like the mayoralty… I shall recommend it to my friends and colleagues”
– Rt Hon Fiona Woolf, CBE, Lord Mayor of London 2013–14
"It's a wonderful thing!" –– Alain de Botton. 
What is a temple? Is it simply a place of religious worship? Roger Williams sees them everywhere, from temples
of learning to temples of finance (the word ‘Mammon’ crops up with regularity). This curiously understated
book is effectively an exploration of London’s most important buildings, and how Londoners interact with
them. Everything from stations to skyscrapers gets a look-in and, too, the many great religious buildings of the
city. As with Williams’ previous book, Father Thames, the writing is lucid and lovely.
Most pages cover well-trodden ground, but the phrasings, insights and little-known stories keep the pace moving.
A good book for those who enjoy the more human dimensions of London’s architecture.
Subtitled “Inspired buildings”, the author takes us through London’s significant buildings of historical, social, commercial or architectural importance. Divided into six sections such as Commerce, Industry etc and further diced into three to five chapters featuring about three buildings each, the book must cover around 70 – 100 buildings. Physically, it’s sort of diary format – back pocket size, if you like – and is the type of book one can read in any order, pick and mix style. In the most part, the
buildings chosen are not mainstream and touristy although you would know most of
them. Williams’s writing is solid, concise and a bit lyrical with humour skimming the surface and frequently a great turn of phrase. In short: great reading. Although you can tell that the author is an admirer of all these buildings, he remains even-handed, non-judgemental. So, for example, on the chapter about Harrods, Selfridges and Westfield, he tells us about the Diana and Dodi shrine completely matter of factly. I particularly enjoyed reading about the stations of the Jubilee Line Extension. I have admired these all along, but having read this chapter about the architects and the design of them, I better understand why. The architect Ronald Paoletti is quoted
Holden, that made me smile. Temples of London is a difficult book to pigeon-hole. But that
oesn’t matter: it’s a super read and you’ll cut through it.
being very sniffy indeed about Pick and Holden of old so the author doesn’t have to; even as an admirer of
"...it is this intermingling of ancient and modern, such a key characteristic of the capital's DNA, that makes this a delightful companion that can be read in one go or used as a reference. ...A good read and full of fascinating tidbits" – Peter Murray, The Journal of the London Society.
"There is a charming surprise on nearly every page... it is the perfect size to slip into the pocket when exploring the capital" – Minerva magazine
+ Interview on the Urbanist, Monocle magazine's weekly radio programme, Feb 19, 2015.
The Temples of London
192pp, £7, incl p&p
ISBN 978-0-9567416-8-4
Order@bristolbook.co.uk
Also available as an eBook
