Description

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The Thames lies at the very heart of London and the south of England--both physically and metaphorically--and this engaging and personal portrait offers a perfect introduction to the river's many charms.

Hilaire Belloc is justly famous for his wonderful and mischievous Cautionary Tales which in recent years have over-shadowed his other significant achievements as a writer. The Historic Thames redresses this balance, offering a personal and warm view of the river Thames in the early twentieth century.

Following the Thames two hundred miles upriver through London to its Cotswold source, Belloc skilfully blends historical observations and personal commentary through his distinctive and elegant style. He draws revealing comparisons between the Thames and the Rhine, the Seine and other important European waterways to highlight the Thames's unique significance within British life. Revealing as much about the countryside, English identity and the author himself as about its history, The Historic Thames presents a romantic yet honest portrait of Britain's greatest river.

A joy for anyone interested in travel, memoir, geography and history, Hilaire Belloc's The Historic Thames demonstrates the mighty river's contribution to the wider history of Great Britain.

About the Author

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Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953) is best known for his Cautionary Tales, humorous poems written for children but also relished by adults for their biting wit. But Belloc was also the author of numerous works of non-fiction including The Path to Rome, The Servile State and Europe and Faith. He served as a Liberal MP from 1906 - 1910 but subsequently became disillusioned by party politics and devoted himself to writing instead. He was married with five children.