The Spirit of London

Description

A wonderful snapshot of our capital before the Second World War, and a charming insight into our attitudes to urban life back in the Thirties. Cohen-Portheim was an Austrian traveler and writer who was interned during World War I, but his enforced stay made him fall in love with England and in particular, London, and this is his take on the irrepressible city. It is his interpretation of life in London through her people, her buildings and her history. The chapters include: Towns within, Town Streets and their Life, Green London, London Amusements and Night Life, Traditional London, London and the British and London and the Foreigner (surprisingly liberal). Spirit of London includes the iconic Brian Cook cover illustration of Ludgate Circus and St Pauls, and should be sought after for that alone. Add in the charm of the authentic voice of a 1930s Londoner, it should be enjoyed by all Londoners.

Paul Cohen-Portheim (1880-1932) was an Austrian artist and travel writer. He was a proficient linguist and spoke a half a dozen European languages fluently. When World War I broke out, he was painting in Devonshire, and found himself interned for the length of the war. This gave him time to read, observe and meditate, especially on his enforced new home. After the war he wrote England, the Unknown Isle and later The Spirit of London, showing his affection for England and London especially. The Spirit of London was the last thing to be published after his sudden death in 1932. Paul Cohen-Portheim (1880-1932) was an Austrian artist and travel writer. He was a proficient linguist and spoke a half a dozen European languages fluently. When World War I broke out, he was painting in Devonshire, and found himself interned for the length of the war. This gave him time to read, observe and meditate, especially on his enforced new home. After the war he wrote England, the Unknown Isle and later The Spirit of London, showing his affection for England and London especially. The Spirit of London was the last thing to be published after his sudden death in 1932.