London: A History

Gr 5 Up–Through brief explanations and engaging illustrations, Carlin’s book traces the evolution and development of London from prehistoric to modern times. Whether describing prehistoric plants and animals, discussing the ancient Roman occupation of Britain, or revealing the impacts of various plagues and disasters (the Black Death, the Great Fire), Carlin keeps the focus on the city. While key events and individuals are ­covered, the predominant theme is the influence of many cultures that have made London what it is today. Each entry is ­accompanied by a full-page illustration along with additional drawings. Art is rendered in soft tones and lines that convey the mood rather than the fine details of each historical moment. Quotations from letters, journals, poems, plays, songs, and other primary and secondary sources provide context for each event, character, or era. There are some notable gaps in this history (the last monarch with a dedicated entry is Queen ­Elizabeth I; the death of Queen Elizabeth II is marked at the conclusion of the ­narrative), and the exclusion of some key ­historical events is confounding. Absent is an ­index, glossary, or suggestions for further reading; some of the chronological entries in the main text do rate some extra explanatory notes at the book’s close.