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The Wit and Wisdom of London
The Wit and Wisdom of London
Apr 11, 2025 4:53 AM

Author:J. B. Edwards

The Wit and Wisdom of London

London has been one of the world's great cities for over 2,000 years and has produced countless scholars, artists, rogues and wits, each of whom left their mark on the metropolis by their words or deeds. The Wit and Wisdom of London brings together their best and most memorable quotations, a treasury of the cleverest, the wittiest, and the bawdiest sayings of the city's greatest residents. From the Romans to Amy Winehouse, via Doctor Johnson and Dickens, and from the aristocrats of Westminster to the paupers of the East End, The Wit and Wisdom of London captures the essence of London, in the words of its people.

'It is not the walls that make the city, but the people who live within them. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of the Londoner stands resolute and undismayed.'

George VI

'Nothing is certain in London but expense.'

William Shenstone

'The man who can dominate a London dinner table can dominate the world.'

Oscar Wilde

Reviews

What finer way to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death than a series of witty modern reworkings...Shakespeare reduced to 100 pages of pithy pentameter with smart side notes.

—— Evening Standard

Witty, fresh takes on Shakespeare

—— The Times

Hilarious – and all the better for those of us who know our Shakespeare back to front.

—— Harriet Walter

Shrewd interpretations of the Bard; funny footnotes too.

—— Hugh Bonneville

The wonderful John Crace collaborating with UCL’s John Sutherland for parodic and truncated retellings of Shakespeare’s great plays.

—— Times Higher Education Supplement

A very pleasant way to read Shakespeare.

—— nudge.com

Better by far...

—— David Sexton , Evening Standard

Perfect for anyone who struggles to understand Shakespeare... hilarious and informative, they really bring Shakespeare to life

—— Reality's a Bore

There is a lightness of touch and passages of thoughtful contemplation that befit the season. A perfect stocking filler.

—— Daily Express, Book of the Year

It’s the most unusual and surprising book and I haven’t been able to put it down.

—— Patti Clare , My Weekly
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