This book is an anthology of extracts of literary writing (in prose, verse and drama) about London and its diverse inhabitants, taken from the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558 to the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. The 143 extracts, divided into four periods (1558-1659, 1660-1780, 1781-1870 and 1871-1914), range from about 250 words to 2,500. Each of the four periods has an introduction that deals with relevant social, geographical and historical developments, and each extract is introduced with a contextualizing headnote and furnished with explanatory footnotes. In addition, the general introduction to the anthology addresses some of the literary questions that arise in writing about London, and the book ends with many suggestions for further reading. It should appeal not only to the general reader interested in London and its representation, but also to students of literature in courses about 'reading the city'.

Peter L. Groves, Alan F. Dilnot and the late Geoffrey G. Hiller earned their doctorates at Cambridge and Oxford, and became Senior Lecturers in English Literature at Monash University, Melbourne, where Groves is still employed (in the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics) and Dilnot holds an adjunct position. Hiller and Groves have between them published nine books, including four as co-authors.