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Finally, an honest appraisal of the underbelly of the capital. The London Collection (Published by Think Books on September 1, 2006 at £9.99) presents a fascinating miscellany of highly amusing satirical anecdotes, historical snippets, etymologies, quotes and indispensable uncommon knowledge for all those who wish to discover the lesser-known tales of the city. This devilishly sleek guidebook for the non-tourist astutely captures the love-hate relationship we have with London and more importantly, our ability to laugh at its (and our own) deepest and darkest foibles.

Hidden treasures and cultural nuggets that pass even the seasoned Londoner by are brought to our attention; for example, Paolozzi’s brilliant, yet overlooked mosaic that decks the walls of Tottenham Court Road tube station (p. 15); and works by Canaletto and Van Dyck on display just around the corner from Oxford Street’s Topshop. Trace lost London - find a hidden palace (p. 28), a secret airstrip, the remnants of a forgotten river (p.126) and the curious sight of a missing bridge on the Embankment.

Brimming with historical eccentricities, you are as likely to open a page charting the extraordinary twists and turns of Virginia Woolf’s promiscuous love-life (See ‘Bloomsbury bonking’ p. 62) as you are to find out about a disused underground tunnel that loops and sweeps beneath the Thames (p. 34). Present day alternative pastimes are also outlined; perhaps you would like to re-enact the classic 80s horror flick American Werewolf in London (p 19) or emulate the beverage consumption from Withnail and I? You could even compare your London inspired musings to a variety of celebrities, dead and alive (or fictional), such as the Libertines, John Buchan or Alan Partridge.

Don’t miss:

• London Mayor Ken Livingstone ‘In his own words’ p. 110
• ‘Driver, follow that word!’ The convoluted derivation of the word ‘Hackney’ p.56
• Some vaguely appropriate Bloomsbury anagrams p.61

August 22, 2006